Laura pushed the tree limb aside and went deeper into the woods. They were thick and green…and heavy, much like the air around her. It was a hot and humid day and her tank top clung to her skin. Back here in the woods, there was no breeze to stir the air.
Nothing looked familiar to her, though, and she knew the only way she’d find the leaning tree was if she blindly stumbled upon it. She had to remind herself that she’d been seventeen the last time she’d walked out here. It was kinda strange knowing that Cassidy’s father had owned the woods all that time. She didn’t remember ever seeing anyone out here, but surely, over all those years, Cassidy and her family had come out, if only to check on it. Although she did remember Cassidy saying she’d never had the opportunity to come out, so maybe she hadn’t. She made a mental note to ask Cassidy the next time she saw her.
Sunday morning, Cassidy had popped over as usual, but they hadn’t even finished their first cup of coffee when her company had come outside. She’d gone back over—albeit reluctantly, Laura had noticed—and entertained them. They were out at the pool until nearly one and by three, all was quiet after they’d headed back to the city…Cassidy included.
Laura didn’t quite know what to make of their friendship. Was it even a friendship? Did a few minutes sharing coffee time count? Still, she liked her. Their time chatting was always entertaining. She wondered, though, why Cassidy felt the need to always have someone with her over the weekends. Whether it was only one—whoever she happened to be dating that week—or another couple…or a party, as she’d warned Laura there’d be one over the upcoming long weekend. Laura hadn’t given the holiday much thought. When she lived in Dallas, there was always a cookout at someone’s house. She supposed she could do burgers for her and her mother. Or…she could invite Carla over. But that would mean dealing with the twins.
“No,” she murmured. Why ruin the holiday?
She kept walking, shocked to come upon a barbed wire fence. Had she made it all the way across Cassidy’s property already? She looked around, trying to get her bearings. She had a moment of panic, fearing she was lost, then reminded herself it was only ten acres. Surely she could find her way out again.
She looked overhead, finding the sun. It had been one o’clock when she’d left. She figured Cassidy’s pool boys would be finished by the time she returned. Not that she was anxious to get in the pool or anything.
“Yeah, right,” she said with a smile.
But she did have flowers to plant. She’d gone into town yesterday and picked up two new planters and several flats of flowers, along with the potting soil mix that she used. She would get that finished today, then cool off in the pool. Tomorrow, she would tackle the front flowerbed. She’d already unloaded some of the stones and bags of compost and mulch for the larger bed. She figured she could get that one done in a couple of hours. Thursday would be mow day. Friday morning she’d try to finish up the smaller bed nearer the driveway. Everything should be ready to go for Cassidy’s weekend party. However, trying to cram all of that into a few days meant there’d be no time to have her mother over to the pool. She’d shoot for next week on that.
She heard the tap, tap, tap of a woodpecker on a tree and looked around, trying to find him. He was hammering on a small, dead oak, and the ringing of her phone startled both him and her. She found herself smiling, though, as Cassidy’s name appeared.
“Hey,” she answered.
“Hey, yourself. What are you doing?”
“Trespassing,” she said with a grin.
Cassidy laughed. “Figured you weren’t in the pool. My guys should be there by now.” She paused. “Trespassing where?”
“I’m out in your woods. I’m trying to find the leaning tree.”
“And the leaning tree is what?”
“Something from my childhood. I used to climb it. Great sunset view.”
“That’s right. You said you used to play out there when you were a kid.”
“I did. Almost every day. Did you really never come out here?”
“Not that I remember. Certainly not when I got older. I think my father almost forgot he had the place.”
“We never knew who owned it. When I was a kid, I mean. To me, it was like this giant park that I had all to myself.”
“I can hear the smile in your voice,” Cassidy said, causing Laura to smile broader.
“Good memories.” She leaned against a tree. “Why are you calling, anyway?”
“Oh. Just…you know, checking in.”
“If you’re worried I won’t have your yard looking presentable for your party, don’t be. I’ve got a handle on it.”
“Not worried. Have you spent all my money yet?”
Laura laughed. “Hardly. I got two more planters to match the other two by the pool. I plan to get those planted this afternoon, after your pool guys leave.”
“Okay.” A pause. “So…listen. Why don’t you plan on coming to the party on Saturday?”
Laura’s eyes widened. “Your party?”
“Yes, my party. You might, you know, meet someone.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I’ve seen the women you’ve had over.”
“That’s right. Bad taste,” Cassidy said with a laugh. “You can still come over,” she offered.
“Okay, again, I’ve seen your women in their bikinis. No way I’m going to be seen in a swimsuit next to them. That would just be wrong.”
“I can’t picture you in a bikini.”
Laura grinned. “Why are you picturing me in a swimsuit?”
“I mean…I just meant…you know…I’d bet you were a one-piece kind of gal.”
“When I wear a swimsuit, yes.” That statement was met with silence and she smiled. “What? Skinny-dipping is not allowed in your pool?”
Cassidy cleared her throat. “Yes, it is certainly allowed. I enjoy it myself.”
“I know. So did the model,” she said without thinking. Damn!
But Cassidy laughed. “So which windows can you see the pool out of?”
Damn, damn, damn! “Mostly my writing room,” she confessed. “Not that I spy on you or anything.”
“So the room by the maple tree…that’s your bedroom?”
“Yes. My mother’s rooms are downstairs.”
“Good to know.”
Laura frowned. “Why good to know?”
“Just…good to know.” Laura heard voices and the sound of a door opening. “Listen, I need to go,” Cassidy said. “But think about the party.”
“No.”
Cassidy sighed. “Okay. Talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
She continued to lean against the tree. Should she reconsider the party? She shook her head. No. As she’d said, she’d seen the women who Cassidy had over. She couldn’t imagine having anything in common with any of them.
* * *
Cassidy opened the blinds to the sliding glass door, then opened the door as well. It was a warm, humid evening, but she wanted to be outside. For some reason, her apartment was stifling her, the walls seeming to close in around her. So she took her drink out to the balcony and sat down in one of the two chairs, trying to relax. Her view was not great—more apartments across from her—but at least there were large trees to make it seem as if she had some privacy.
She could imagine being at her house, sitting out by the pool. It would be cooler there, for sure. Maybe she’d go up Thursday instead of Friday. Even though she was having the party catered—fajitas—she still had some things to get. Namely, beer and the makings for margaritas.
Of course, if she went up Thursday, she might spoil Laura’s work plans. She smiled, thinking of the other woman. So she’d trespassed today, huh? Looking for a leaning tree, something from her childhood? She did regret that she’d never had the opportunity to explore out there like Laura apparently had. Even through the whole process of building the house—and saving most of the woods—she hadn’t taken the time to actually go out into the woods, to explore, to hike around. She’d been too busy.
Or maybe it simply hadn’t occurred to her to take a hike in the woods. Maybe this friendship she’d started with Laura would be good for her. Laura was different.
She had a lot of friends, she noted, but none were quite like Laura. They were more…what? Refined? Professional? Most, yes. Some younger, some close to her age. None older, none that she could think of. That was a little strange in itself.
She had a lot of friends. She just couldn’t think of a single one that she would call her best friend. She couldn’t think of a single one who she could bare her soul to, if she needed. Was there anyone in her group that she ever confided in? Erica would probably be the closest. She’d known her ten years or more. But if she truly needed to take someone in her confidence, would it be Erica? No. They had a lot of mutual friends and Erica was a bit of a gossip. So no, not Erica. Of course, there was Tanya. She’d known her forever. She’d played matchmaker with her and Derrick. But Tanya was more sounding board than anything. Tanya was straight. Tanya couldn’t really relate.
Again, a sense of loneliness settled over her. She had a lot of friends…yet sometimes, she didn’t have any friends at all.