Stacie ran a quick brush through her hair, forgoing the blow dryer for a simple pony tail. Tomorrow was Saturday and she didn’t have any appointments scheduled. Perhaps she could convince Josie to leave the house for a few hours. Both Rob and Rowan knew how to swim—maybe it was time to introduce them to an old family friend. She was sure Dee would be game if she pitched the idea to him the right way. Besides, it would be fun. The decision made, she dressed quickly, then eyeballed her boots before tossing them aside and grabbing a pair of tennis shoes. She was awake now and the walk would be refreshing—much better than getting back into her truck for such a short distance.
She walked past the note she had left on the kitchen table and rolled her eyes in amusement. Leave it to Josie to know her well enough to leave an invitation for dinner. Without it, she would have dug around in the empty refrigerator before giving up and just going to bed. She crumpled up the paper with its precisely worded request to join the family for dinner and tossed it into the trash can on her way out the door.
The flashlight swung loose in her hand as she walked. She didn’t need the erratic light arcing around her to find her way. She had walked the same path a hundred times before but there was always the risk of a lone coyote wandering around. They tended to avoid humans and preferred to skulk in the shadows so she felt safe enough with just that small amount of protection.
She turned off the road and up a smaller path that led straight to the main house. Thin smoke wafted around her and the smell of the barbeque, tangy, sharp and sweet, guided her footfalls. She literally felt like she was being led by her nose. Now that her hunger was sharpened, she could feel her fatigue more acutely. She tightened her grip on the flashlight, fighting the slight tremor starting in her fingers.
Josie’s Wagoneer wasn’t parked in its normal spot. In its place was a dingy yellow VW Bug heavily coated in dust sitting next to Dee’s Chevy pickup and the beat up old Massy Ferguson tractor he kept promising to fix up after it had died mowing the yard last month.
“Huh, that’s weird.” Stacie raised an eyebrow at the odd addition. It looked out of its natural habitat, an urban llama trying to hide in a pasture full of wild horses. Curious now, she popped in through the kitchen door and called out, “Hey, Josie, where’d the Bug come from?”
“It’s mine.” A melodic voice answered.
Josie walked in to the kitchen with another woman in tow. “Hey yourself. I’m glad you made it home in time for dinner. You remember Maria?”
Stacie gaped at her friend. Of course I remember Maria, what I want to know is why she’s here now. Josie gazed at her mildly, seemingly ignoring the unspoken question until she winked and gave her a quick hug.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, furious at her friend for interfering.
“Maria was kind enough to swing by today to see me. I couldn’t not invite her to dinner after such a long drive,” Josie answered.
Stacie wasn’t fooled by the innocent act, but she wasn’t about to be rude to a guest either. She flashed a fiery look in Josie’s direction then doused the flames before meeting Maria’s gaze. “It’s good to see you again.”
Dark eyes glittered at her, then a playful smile curved across full lips like someone drawing a bow. “I hope you don’t mind. Josie was quite insistent.” She spoke with a soft trill that curled around her words like an artist drawing delicate filigree. Stacie felt her stomach muscles quiver in response.
A warm palm slid against hers, taking her hand and cupping it beneath another. Fingertips slid across her wrist and her pulse jumped, responding to the subtle caress. She gasped and swayed slightly, as a wave of dizziness washed over her.
“You’re shaking. Are you okay?” Maria asked, stepping in closer and grasping her forearm.
“I’m fine,” Stacie lied.
“No you aren’t. You’re as pale as a sheet,” Josie said, leading her over to the kitchen table. “Sit. When was the last time you ate?”
“Just a bag of chips.” Stacie had to think for a second.
“And before that?”
“Dinner last night?” Stacie squinted up at the two women. She wasn’t sure.
Identical expressions of exasperation passed between Josie and Maria. Josie rolled her eyes and Maria nodded, some unspoken message passing between them. Stacie got the distinct impression she was missing something.
“I’ll prepare a plate for you,” Josie said. “Maria, can you stay with her and make sure she doesn’t do anything silly?”
“Sure.”
Maria grabbed a coke from the refrigerator and plopped it down in front of her. “Drink. You’ll feel better.”
The silence stretched out, making Stacie uncomfortable. She couldn’t sit there and listen to bubbles fizzing in her can while Maria watched her, hawk like, from across the table. “I’m okay, really. It was just a busy day and I guess I overdid it.”
“Josie told me you are a vet, an animal doctor.”
Josie popped in with a huge plate of food in hand. She noticed the bottle in Stacie’s hand and nodded in approval. “Oh, good. The sugar will help, but I still want you to eat.” She plopped the plate down in front of Stacie then stood there with her hands on her hips and waited. Stacie sighed, then picked up a piece of chicken. Josie was in full Mom mode and wouldn’t be satisfied until she saw her eat. “Okay, I’ll just get a couple more…” Whatever she was going to say didn’t make it to her lips. Rowan yelled and Rob called for his mother, then everything escalated and Dee bellowed at the twins to quiet down and stop fighting. Josie shook her head and cast an apologetic glance over at
