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Cathy sat on her deck, staring out over the calm, blue lake. Cory played with toys in his playpen beside her. She loved this kind of afternoon, when the weather was so gorgeous she wanted to wallow in it, not be stuck indoors, working.
She wasn’t out here because she’d heard Dave arrive and take his boat out earlier, she assured herself. She needed to enjoy some fresh air, and so did Cory. They were both tired of breathing paint fumes. She’d been working hard on her illustrations and had finished another batch this morning. She’d take them into town to mail tomorrow after they’d cured.
Far across the lake, she could see Dave’s boat. It came closer. She could see there were two people in it. He’d arrived alone. She’d peeked out when she’d heard a car drive up.
Cory whimpered. She picked him up, asking, “Are you getting bored in your playpen, sweetheart? Want to go for a walk along the beach?”
“Dada’s boat!” Cory said, pointing at the boat pulling in toward them.
“Want to go for a spin?” Dave called before she could disappear inside.
She turned to face him with Cory in her arms. Cory excitedly waved and squirmed, trying to get free to run down to the dock. She struggled to hold him back, noting with a surge of jealousy that the other person in the boat was Tess from next door. He must have stopped there to pick her up before going out on the water.
Tess smiled and called, “Come on, Cathy. The weather’s perfect for a boat ride!”
“No thanks, I have to work,” she said and started to move back to her patio before she could change her mind.
“Let me take Cory then, so you can work,” Dave called to her.
She hesitated. She couldn’t refuse to let him see his son. And she’d just said she wanted to work, so she couldn’t say she had to go somewhere and take Cory with her. With a sigh, she turned and walked to the end of the dock where Dave had now pulled up his boat.
She found herself staring at him. She couldn’t believe how handsome he looked in casual tan shorts and a dark brown tee shirt.
Swallowing at the sight of his tanned, muscular thighs, she raised her eyes to his face. He’d tanned over the summer. She liked the healthy look it gave him. Unable to stop her thoughts from straying lower again, she wondered if he was still white below his waistline, the way he had been when they’d made love.
She’d teased him about getting a suntan all over if they made love outside on the deck. But of course they’d never done that. She blushed now, remembering the frank way they’d joked together. Those days were over. She had to stop thinking about them.
He certainly wasn’t thinking about them anymore. He was with Tess today. And Tess looked lovely in a skimpy plaid top and matching green shorts. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, making her look almost too young to be a teacher.
Dave reached out muscular, tanned arms to Cory, saying, “Come to Daddy, Cory.”
“Dada,” Cory said, reaching out his chubby little arms to meet Dave.
She glanced quickly at Tess to see if she’d noticed that Dave had called himself “Daddy.” Either he’d told Tess, or she didn’t notice. She’d have to ask him, as soon as she got a chance to see him alone.
What was she thinking? She was not letting him get her alone...that was too dangerous. Her will to resist him would go out the window, and she’d find herself back in bed with him in no time flat. No way. She’d ignore his comment. He could claim whatever he wanted. Let him explain the situation to people here if he wanted. She barely knew these people. It didn’t matter to her what they thought.
Reluctantly, Cathy handed Cory to him. “Be sure to put on his lifejacket,” she said, then flushed at the frustrated look he gave her.
“Yes, Mommy,” he said. “Everyone always wears a life-jacket in my boat.”
“Of course.” She bit her lip at his reprimand but couldn’t resist asking, “Do you have sunscreen?”
“I have plenty,” Tess said before Dave could reply. “I’ll put some on Cory right away. Don’t worry, Cathy, I’m a teacher, remember? I’m used to kids. We’ll take good care of him.”
Cathy nodded and stepped back as Tess took charge of Cory.
Dave untied the boat, returned to his seat, and oared them away from the dock. He gunned the motor and didn’t look back.
She watched the boat speed across the lake, wishing she hadn’t been so stubborn. She could have been riding the waves with them, enjoying the sunlight on the water and sharing jokes with Tess and Dave. She needed a break from work.
Instead, she turned back to her silent house. She couldn’t stay out on the dock to enjoy the lovely weather now. They’d see her sitting there and realize she didn’t have to work after all, that she’d lied because she didn’t want to spend time with Dave.
Glancing next door, she saw Jane shaking a rug on her porch and impulsively walked over to visit her.
“Hi, Jane.”
“Hi, Cathy. Come on in, I’ll put on some tea. I saw Dave take Cory out in the boat. Why didn’t you go with them?”
Cathy shrugged and sat at the kitchen table, watching Jane fill the kettle with water. “I didn’t want to spend time with Dave.”
Jane cast her a disbelieving look.
Cathy flushed and admitted, “Well, okay, I did want to spend time with him. But I don’t want him to know I do. Oh, hell, this is all too damn complicated. How did I get myself into such a mess, anyway?”
“It’s that stubborn streak I’ve noticed.”
Cathy laughed, but it sounded hollow, even to herself. “I guess you’re right.”
Jane poured their tea and sat down, eyeing her thoughtfully. “Cathy, are you sure this is what you want?”
Cathy sighed. “I don’t know what I want.”
“But now he’s spending time with Tess instead of with you.”
“I know.” Cathy sipped her tea. “Jane, what if he loves Tess? He’s known her for years, so maybe they already have a relationship.”
Jane frowned. “I’ve always thought they were only friends.”
“I don’t care if they do have a romantic relationship,” Cathy said.
Jane raised a disbelieving eyebrow.
Jane was right. That was another lie. She did care. Seeing him with another woman hurt so much she wanted to hide in a hole and curl into a fetal position.
Cathy finished off her tea and stood. “I’d better go back to work. Thanks for the tea, Jane.”
“You’re welcome anytime.”
Returning to her studio, Cathy forced herself to start work on the next group of paintings her editor wanted.
* * * *
Out on the lake, Dave slowed, cut the motor, and tossed out the anchor. “Let’s fish a while.”
“You go ahead. I’ll watch Cory.”
Cory attempted to reach overboard to trail his hands in the water. Dave held him over the side of the boat so he could splash a minute, then gave him back to Tess.
He sat back, watching Tess apply sunscreen to Cory’s fair skin, and gave a sigh. He remembered Cathy doing the same on another outing just like this one.
“Our scheme to coax her to come out with us didn’t work.”
“You tried,” Tess said with a smile. “Besides, I’m not so sure it didn’t.”
“She isn’t out here,” Dave pointed out grumpily.
“True, but did you see her face when we left? She wanted so badly to come out with us.”
“Do you think so? Then why didn’t she?”
Tess shrugged. “Pure stubbornness?”
He laughed. “Maybe. You’re a woman. Perhaps you can figure out another plan. I sure can’t.”
“We’ll have to think of something else.”
“Maybe she’ll invite me to stay for supper.”
Tess shook her head. “I don’t think she will today.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“You’re with me and she’s jealous, but she won’t admit it. So she’ll act cold and angry.”
He raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “She’s jealous? That’s a good sign, isn’t it?”
“Probably. How about taking me somewhere she’s sure to be?”
“Like where?” He looked up from digging out his fishing box.
Tess shrugged. “What is she sure to attend?”
“She doesn’t go many places that I know of.”
Tess was quiet, watching him bait his hook and cast out. “When I stopped in your office yesterday, your secretary said something about a birthday party for you, didn’t she?”
“I think she and Jody are planning something. I told them not to, but they never listen to me.”
“If they invite her and Cory, Cathy will come, won’t she?”
He lifted a shoulder, then nodded. “She’s accepted every family invitation so far. Cory is really my son, you know.”
Her gaze snapped up to his. “Your son? What do you mean?”
He explained to Tess about the secret semen donation. She already knew about his and Don’s game of switching identities and Don’s bout with mumps.
“I wondered about that when I heard they had a baby,” Tess said. “I remembered how worried your parents were when Don was sick. They were pretty sure there would be some after-effects.”
“Don didn’t want anyone to know. So I went along with it, with disastrous results.”
“You can say that again. So, now that Cathy knows about it, she feels guilty for adopting Cory, but can’t give him up, either?”
He stared at her. “Maybe that’s it. So, she doesn’t want to separate him from our family entirely.”
“Good,” Tess said with a nod of her blonde head. “Play on that guilt and keep inviting her to family stuff. The more she sees you, the better chance you have. I think she cares about you, but she doesn’t want to show it.”
“I guess it’s worth a try.”
“We can have the party at my house next Saturday night. That way she’ll have no excuse not to come, because it’s right next door. We’ll pretend we’re together and make her jealous again.”
Would it work? Or only make things worse? “All right.”
“Invite that good-looking partner for her.”
He frowned. “Ken? I’ve been trying to keep them apart.”
Tess cocked her head. “Have you? Why?”
Dave shrugged and looked away. “Women always go for his blond good looks. What if Cathy likes him better than me?”
Tess raised an eyebrow. “She can’t have him. He’s mine.”
Dave turned back to her and grinned from ear to ear. “So that’s the way the wind blows.”
Blushing, she said, “Don’t say anything to Ken. He doesn’t know it yet.”
“You have my word.”
Watching him cast his line out again, she commented, “The fish aren’t biting today.”
He put a hand on hers. “Don’t change the subject. Tess, Ken’s a good egg, but he has a bit of a roving eye. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Her face still red, Tess assured him, “I’ll tame him down. Don’t you worry about that.”
An hour later, Dave had grown tired of trying to fish when they weren’t biting and Cory had begun to fuss, so they started back for shore.
If Dave had hoped for some softening of Cathy’s attitude when he returned Cory to her, he was disappointed.
She took her sleepy son and thanked Dave nicely but didn’t invite him in. She waved to Tess still in his boat and firmly shut the door in his face.
With a heavy heart, he put away the boat and walked Tess back to her house.
* * * *
The next afternoon was hot and sunny, so he went to the lake again. He paraded around their dock in his swimming trunks, getting out his boat from the boathouse and tying it up to the dock while he walked back to the garage and his car for gear.
Then he picked up Tess and they went out waterskiing, crossing and re-crossing the lake in front of Cathy’s house until they tired of it.
Cathy gave no sign of noticing them, and he couldn’t be sure she even saw them.
Finally he paraded around on the dock, putting his gear and boat away again, pretending not to look toward Cathy’s house. Finally, he went to Tess’ house, leaving his car in the driveway at Cathy’s.
Inside her house, Cathy pretended not to notice, but she did. She could see him easily from her kitchen but was pretty sure he couldn’t see her.
Angry at herself for noticing his handsome, nearly naked body and for feeling jealous of Tess for being out there water-skiing with him, she grabbed a soda from the refrigerator and went back to her studio.
It was best to ignore that jealous feeling—then it would go away. She needed to work to take her mind off him. She didn’t want to think about him. She couldn’t trust him, she reminded herself. He could see whoever he wanted to see. She didn’t care.
But the frog’s antics on her easel couldn’t hold her interest long. Her mind kept returning to the nights they’d made love in her bed after Cory had gone to sleep.
She remembered the way his long fingers caressed her breasts, the feel of his warm breath on her skin, the way he kissed his way up and down her throat, then how his lips closed over her nipples, tugging them gently. The way her breasts had tingled in pleasure while ripples of sensation sped to the warm area between her legs. Just thinking about him could make her vibrate with tension, with wanting him.
Angrily, she realized she’d grown wet with wanting him even now. Her nipples were taut, pressing boldly against her bra. Traitorous body! It couldn’t forget how he’d made her feel.
That was in the past. It wasn’t going to happen again. She wouldn’t let it, no matter how much her hormones betrayed her.
She didn’t need him. She didn’t.
* * * *
Dave and Tess walked back to her house.
“I’m getting in the shower first,” Tess said as Dave sank into a chair on her deck. “I’m tired and wet. My hair needs washing after being dunked in the lake several times.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that. You’re not the best water-skier around, are you?”
She put her hands on her hips. “It didn’t help that you weren’t always keeping your mind on running the boat.”
He flushed at her criticism. “Sorry.”
“If you want something to drink, help yourself,” she said over her shoulder. “You can have the shower next.”
Dave took a soda from her refrigerator and sat in the sun, letting his swimming trunks dry.
When she returned, he showered and changed into his shorts and a dry tee shirt, then joined her again on the deck. He sipped the last of his soda, watching the sun move lower in the sky, wondering what Cathy was doing.
“Why don’t you give up this silly charade, Dave?”
“What charade?”
“Spending time over here with me, trying to make Cathy jealous.”
He flushed. “I like spending time with you, Tess.”
“And I like seeing you. When you’re here. But lately, your mind is next door with Cathy and Cory. You should be, too.”
He looked at her sheepishly. “Maybe. But what am I supposed to do? She won’t warm up to me anymore. She’s talking to me again, but she’s only there in body. She’s freezing me out.”
Tess laughed lightly. “The confirmed bachelor has fallen. You’re in love with her.”
He looked away. “I suppose I am. If this crazy wanting her and worrying about her can be called love. But so what? It’s going nowhere. She doesn’t care about me in the least.”
Tess laughed. “You’re wrong. She watches you when she thinks you’re not looking. And there’s love in her eyes. She doesn’t want to admit it yet, but nobody can stay mad forever. Why don’t you admit to her that you’re in love with her? She needs to hear it.”
“How am I going to do that when she won’t let me say three words before she shuts the door in my face?”
Her eyes crinkled. “Three words are all you need, aren’t they? Provided they’re the right ones.”
He hauled himself to his feet. “Guess I’d better head on home. Goodnight, Tess.”
“Give it a try, Dave. Goodnight.”
* * * *
The next afternoon Jody called Cathy. “Susie and I have planned a birthday party for Dave Saturday night,” she said. “We want you and Cory to come.”
“Another birthday party? My, your family does celebrate them, doesn’t it?”
“Every single one. Especially after losing Don,” Jody said, her voice thick with pain. “You never know which birthday is your last.”
“I’m sorry, Jody. I didn’t mean to sound critical. But I think we’ll have to miss this one. Cory needs to go to bed early,” Cathy said, thinking she’d found the perfect excuse this time.
“We’re starting early, five o’clock, because it’s a cook-out. Let Cory sleep late the next morning or take a longer nap the next day if he’s tired,” Jody said. “Besides, it’s going to be at Tess’ house, so it’s right next door. If he gets too cranky you could pop on home.”
“I see.”
“Children shouldn’t rule your schedule,” Jody was saying in her ear. “Besides, you must come. Mom and Dad are flying back to Florida on Sunday. This will be their last chance to see Cory for a while.”
Cathy swallowed. She’d let Dave take Cory to see his parents a couple of times since they had been here, but she knew they didn’t consider that nearly enough. How could she deny them one last visit? “All right,” she said. “What time, and can I bring anything?”
“Great. How about bringing a salad? Five o’clock on Saturday at Tess’ house. See you, Cathy!”
Next, Jody called Dave at his office.
“She’s coming, Dave.”
“Wonderful, Sis. How’d you do it?”
“I pulled the guilt trip on her, telling her Mom and Dad wanted to see Cory one last time before they went back to Florida.”
“That’s true enough.”
“Yeah, but you’d better make up with her before you drive us all crazy.”
* * * *
Ken and Susie decided it was best for Ken to pick Cathy and Cory up and drive them to Tess’ house, even though it was only next door. They didn’t want Cathy walking along the lakeshore path with Cory. It would be dark by the time the party was over.
Ken called to ask if he could pick her up, and Cathy accepted gratefully.
At the party, Ken flirted openly with Cathy, drawing amusement from her and angry glances from Dave. To Cathy’s surprise, Tess also appeared upset with her.
Ken sat on the edge of his deck chair, watching Cory on Dave’s lap, where they played peek-a-boo with each other behind cupped hands.
Cathy followed his gaze. “He seems to enjoy playing with Cory.”
Ken turned surprised eyes on her. “Any man would be pleased to play with his own son.”
She chewed her lip. “You know about that?”
Ken nodded. “Dave told me and Susie about it. He said he doesn’t care if the whole world knows he’s Cory’s father.”
“I...I didn’t realize it was general knowledge.”
“Not general knowledge, at least not yet. But nothing like that stays a secret in a small town, Cathy. This isn’t L.A.”
“It sure isn’t. Everyone is very interested in each other’s personal lives.”
He eyed her, digesting her words. “They don’t always intend their interest in a mean or hurtful way.”
“I guess I’m just not used to people caring about one’s marital history.”
“We ask because we care. And sometimes it helps to know about the past history of those we love, so we know where they’re coming from.”
“I don’t think I understand what you mean.”
Ken shifted in his chair, watching Dave and Tess head back into the kitchen. “Take Dave, for instance. I was casually dating his ex-wife, Diane, when Dave met her.”
“She dumped you for Dave?” Cathy guessed sympathetically.
“She thought he had better prospects for the money and prestige she wanted. My family isn’t rich or important like Dave’s.”
“I know how that feels,” Cathy said. “It happened to me, too, back in California.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t all that broken up about it,” Ken said. “I was never serious about Diane.”
“But Dave was?”
He nodded. “He married her, but it only lasted a few months before Diane discovered he wanted more than the party scene. He expected a home and kids.”
“But she didn’t?”
He shook his head.
“But Dave said he wasn’t a family man,” Cathy said, frowning in confusion.
“He’s been saying that ever since his divorce. I think he’s trying to convince himself that it’s true, ’cause he’s afraid he’s never going to have a family.”
“How odd.”
“What’s odd about wanting a family?”
“I mean I think it’s odd that he’d say he doesn’t want one if he does.”
Ken laughed. “It’s sort of like protection, pretending you don’t want something, so you won’t be hurt when you don’t get it.”
She stared at Ken. Could he be right? Could Dave be only pretending not to want a family? Actions speak louder than words.
She thought of all the times Dave showed her how much he cared about her and Cory. Buying a car seat for Cory. Coming to the rescue when she locked herself out of the house. Changing her flat tire in the rain. Taking charge of repairs when the deer crashed through her house. Even replacing the carpet to make sure his son wouldn’t be cut on any remaining slivers of glass.
Was there hope?
Ken’s eyes were on Tess again. Cathy realized he’d brought her to the party, but had spent a lot of time watching Tess, who looked angry every time Cathy and Ken were together. Cathy smiled. Ken is interested in Tess.
Angela and George joined them, carrying Cory. Dave’s mom and dad had hovered over Cory a good share of the evening.
“We must leave now. We miss Cory already,” Angela said. “Would you consider flying to Florida for Christmas if we send you a ticket?”
“Oh, but Christmas is for family time,” Cathy protested.
George put in, “You’re our grandson’s mother, Cathy. That makes you family, and we’re very pleased to have you.”
Unable to disappoint them to their faces, Cathy said, “I’ll think about it.” Then she felt guilty for saying that when she had no intention of accepting their generosity.
But their invitation pleased her very much. Surely it meant they weren’t planning to convince Dave to seek custody of Cory.
She watched Dave’s parents leave and walked over to where Dave and Ken sat talking.
“Ken, do you mind if we leave now? I must put Cory to bed, or he’ll be impossible to live with tomorrow.”
Dave said nothing, just watched her with the same sad look in his eyes he’d had since she’d angrily thrown him out after learning he was Cory’s father. She wondered if they’d ever make up again.
“I’m ready whenever you are, Cathy.” Ken drove her home. He carried Cory inside for her and put him in his crib. Cathy tucked Cory in and walked Ken back to her door to say goodnight.
When he leaned down to kiss her, she allowed it, but didn’t respond. She felt nothing.
Ken stepped back with a rueful grin. “No sparks, eh?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Ken. I haven’t been very good company tonight.”
“I know I’m not in the running, Cathy,” he said. “Your heart’s already taken. I’ve seen how you look at Dave.”
“That’s not true,” she began, though she knew in her heart it was. Her heart might be broken, but it was definitely taken as well.
“Shh. Don’t bother to deny it. Dave feels the same way, but you’re both too damn stubborn to admit it.”
“No...”
He put a long finger over her lips to silence her protest. “I hope you guys settle this before you drive us all nuts. Susie and I would appreciate a little peace around the office. So, my request has a selfish motive. Think about it. Goodnight, Cathy.”
With a quick wave, he strode out to his car.
She closed the door behind him and locked it, then leaned against it, weak with frustration. Her face burned in humiliation. Was she so obvious about her feelings for Dave? Had others noticed as well?
Could Ken be right about how Dave felt?
Not likely, especially after the way she’d treated him.
