Rainshadow Road

Six

After two months of living at Artist’s Point, Lucy had narrowed down a list of potential apartments, but there were issues with each of them. One was out in the middle of nowhere, another was too expensive, another was depressingly dark, and so forth. She would have to make a decision soon, but Justine and Zoл had encouraged her to take as much time as she needed.

It had done Lucy a world of good to stay with the Hoffmans. Their company had been the perfect antidote for her postbreakup blues. Any time she felt gloomy or lonely, she could keep company with Zoл in the kitchen, or go for a run with Justine. It was nearly impossible to stay depressed around Justine, with her raffish sense of fun and boundless energy.

“I’ve got the perfect guy for you,” Justine announced one afternoon, as she, Zoл, and Lucy prepared the inn for a monthly event at the bed-and-breakfast—a silent reading party. It had originally been Zoл’s idea. People could bring their favorite books, or choose from the selection at the bed-and-breakfast. They would settle into the deep sofas or chairs in the big downstairs common room, and have wine and cheese while reading to themselves. Justine had initially scoffed at the idea—“Why would people go somewhere to read when they could do that at home?”—but Zoл had persevered. And it had become a huge success, with long lines forming at the front door, even in bad weather.

“I’d suggest him for you, Lucy,” Justine continued, “but Zoл’s gone longer without a guy. It’s like triage—I have to assign priority to those in the worst condition.”

Zoл shook her head as she set a tray of cheese on a huge antique sideboard in the common room. “I don’t need triage. I’ll meet someone eventually, when the time is right. Why can’t you just let these things happen naturally?”

“Letting things happen naturally takes too long,” Justine said. “And you need to start going out again. I’ve seen the signs.”

“Like what?” Zoл asked.

“For one thing, you spend too much time with Byron. He is so spoiled.”

Much of Zoл’s spare time was spent indulging her Persian cat, who had a mahogany-paneled litter box, a selection of rhinestone collars, and a blue velvet cat bed. Byron was regularly bathed and groomed, and ate his designer cat food from china saucers.

“That cat lives better than I do,” Justine continued.

“He certainly has better jewelry,” Lucy said.

Zoл frowned. “I’ll take a cat’s company over a man’s any day.”

Justine gave her a sardonic look. “Have you ever been on a date with a guy who coughed up a hairball?”

“No. But unlike a man, Byron is always on time for dinner, and he never complains about my shopping.”

“Despite your weakness for neutered males,” Justine said, “I think you’d get along great with Sam. You like cooking, he makes wine … it’s a natural.”

Zoл looked dubious. “This is the Sam Nolan who was so geeky in elementary school?”

Lucy had nearly dropped a stack of books as she heard his name. Fumbling a little, she piled the heavy volumes on a coffee table in front of a flower-upholstered sofa.

“He wasn’t that bad,” Justine protested.

“Please. He was always walking around playing with a Rubik’s Cube. Like Gollum petting his ring.”

Justine began to laugh. “God, I remember that.”

“And he was so skinny, we used to have to hold him down during a strong breeze. Did he actually grow up to be cute?”

“He grew up to be hot,” Justine said emphatically.

“In your opinion,” Zoл said. “But you and I have different taste in men.”

Justine gave her a perplexed glance. “You think Duane’s cute, don’t you?”

Zoл’s soft shoulders hitched in an uncomfortable shrug. “I can’t tell. He’s all covered up.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t see his face because his sideburns are the size of my cast-iron skillets. And he has all those tattoos.”

“He only has three,” Justine protested.

“He has way more than that,” Zoл said. “I could read him like a Kindle.”

“Well, I like tattoos. But to put your fears to rest, Sam doesn’t have any. No piercings either.” As Zoл opened her mouth, Justine added, “And no sideburns.” She made a sound of exasperation. “I’ll get photographic proof.”

“Justine’s right,” Lucy said to Zoл. “I’ve met him, and he is hot.”

Their gazes flew to her.

“You met Sam and you never mentioned it?” Justine asked.

“Well, it was only one time, and it was very brief. I had no idea you knew him.”

“I’ve been friends with Sam forever.”

“Why hasn’t he ever dropped by here?” Zoл asked.

“Sam’s been crazy-busy for a couple of years, ever since he started the vineyard. He’s got a crew, but he does a lot of the work himself.” Justine’s attention returned to Lucy. “Tell me how you met him.”

Lucy set out wineglasses on a sideboard as she replied. “I was out riding my bike, and I sort of … stopped for a minute. We had a quick conversation. It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Justine, why aren’t you going out with him?” Zoл asked.

“I did in middle school, after your family moved to Everett. It was one of those summer flings. Once school started, it sort of evaporated. Sam and I have been friends ever since.” Justine paused. “The thing about Sam is, he’s not a long-term guy. He’s not looking to get serious with anyone. He’s a free spirit. Very upfront about never wanting to get married.” A strategic pause. “Just ask Denise Rausman.”

Lucy recognized the name of a stunning blond television reporter who had recently been voted as Seattle’s Hottest News Babe. “He went out with her?”

“Yes, she has a vacation house near Roche Harbor, and she and Sam had quite a thing going for almost a year. She was wild about him. But she couldn’t get him to commit, and she finally gave up. And then there was Laura Delfrancia.”

“Who’s she?” Zoл asked.

“The head of Pacific Mountain Capital … she invests in all these early-stage companies in hi-tech and clean-energy fields. She’s classy and loaded, and she couldn’t persuade Sam to get serious with her either.”

“It’s hard to imagine that kind of woman chasing after Sam Nolan,” Zoл said. “He had a lot of geekitude to overcome.”

“In defense of geeks,” Justine said, “they’re great in bed. They fantasize a lot, so they’re really creative. And they love to play with gadgets.” As the other two started laughing, Justine handed them glasses of wine. “Here. Whatever else you may say about Sam, he makes fantastic wine.”

“This is one of his?” Lucy asked, swirling the rich garnet vintage in her glass.

“It’s called ‘Keelhaul,’” Justine said. “A Shiraz-Cab.”

Lucy took a sip. The wine was amazingly smooth, the fruit strong but silky, the finish mocha-inflected. “This is good,” she said. “It would be worth going out with him to get bottles of this for free.”

“Did you give Sam your number?” Justine asked.

Lucy shook her head. “Kevin had just dumped me.”