Rebecca’s Cove

Chapter 16

“Gee, if I’d known there was going to be a party, I would have brought nicer clothes.” Juliana fastened a thin gold necklace, followed by a matching bracelet.

They were readying themselves for a social event that Baylor wished she were attending alone, or even with Hobie. It was a fundraiser for the Ana Lia Public Library. She had donated an entire set of Harriet Teasley novels, and the Ladies Guild insisted she be there for the event.

“You know, this isn’t going to be quite like the parties in the high-rises on Lake Shore Drive. I don’t picture this as your cup of tea. Maybe you ought to sit this one out.”

“It sounds distinctly as if you don’t want me to come.” Baylor looked at her friend’s hurt expression. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded, mate. Of course you’re welcome to come.”

“That’s better.” Juliana smiled broadly.

Baylor hated lying to Juliana, but it was because of their friendship, and the expression on her face, that Baylor surrendered. The reality was that she wanted to keep Juliana as far away from her new friends as possible. Did I just think of the nuts on this island as my friends?

She still couldn’t get past the idea that Juliana would ridicule her newfound feelings for this place, its people, and most of all, for Hobie. It never occurred to her that Juliana might be accepting of everything and everyone on the island. Therefore, she did what she had been good at for so many years: she covered up her true feelings. She did have one fleeting thought. Is it that I don’t want Juliana near any of these people, or just Hobie?

“Care to tell me what the deal is between you and Hobie?”

“I told you—”

“Yeah, yeah, the just friends bit. I know that’s what you said, but was it what you meant?”

“What do you mean, ‘what I meant’?”

“I saw the way you two looked at each other. There was, I don’t know, like some kind of spark or something. Are you trying to tell me there’s nothing going on there?”

Baylor hesitated for a fraction of a second, and that was her undoing. Juliana read the vacillation perfectly.

“I like her, all right? As a friend!” “You just like her,” Juliana repeated.

“Yeah. I don’t like her, like her. I just like her. What?” Baylor stared indignantly at Juliana.

“I haven’t heard anyone use that expression since I was in the sixth grade,” Juliana said before she burst into laughter.

“You’re a regular fuckin’comedian.” Baylor turned her back and pulled a linen jacket on over her tank top.

“It’s just that you’re about as transparent as glass. Why don’t you tell this girl that you want her?”

“It’s not like that between us.” “You mean you’re chicken.”

“I am not chicken!” Baylor shouted. “We are just friends!” “Then you won’t mind if I ask her out.”

If one statement could have been the equivalent of dropping a bomb into the middle of a room, that one was it. All Baylor could do was stare at her friend in disbelief.

“Just what in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“For starters, no wonder you haven’t been on a date down here if you don’t understand what asking a woman out means. Secondly, I think she’s pretty damned attractive and nice, to boot. If you don’t want her that way, well...”

“I think that would be a bad idea.” Baylor found her voice at last. “A very bad idea.” She began to pace, her cast thumping loudly on the wooden floor.

“And why is that?” Juliana folded her arms across her chest and looked at her friend with an amused expression, which was lost on Baylor.

“Because…because…because Hobie doesn’t need any problems in her life right now.” Baylor pointed at Juliana.

“I wasn’t planning to marry her. I was thinking more about a little dinner, drinks, maybe a little snogging.”

“She is not that kind of girl.” “You said she had a kid.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“It means she was that kind of girl at least once.” Juliana wiggled her eyebrows.

“You are sick, ya know that?” Baylor shouted across the room.

Juliana laughed aloud. “Look, Baylor—”

Baylor firmly placed her palms flat against her ears. “I can’t hear you. The crazy woman’s mouth is moving, but I am not listening.” She hummed loudly but couldn’t drown out Juliana’s next question.

“If you want this girl for yourself, mate, why don’t you just tell me so?”

“What? Just because I think that maybe you shouldn’t waltz into town and shag my friend, that means I want her?”

“Pretty much, yeah. Unless...” Juliana paused as if remembering something. “Unless you’re afraid to admit that you like this girl. Even to me.”

Baylor turned pale. “I-I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” She turned her back on Juliana again, grabbed her wallet, and shoved it into her jacket pocket.

“Oh, my God!” Juliana watched Baylor frantically pace back and forth across the dining room. “Sally Ann Kapinski!”

Baylor turned to face her friend. “You agreed never to bring her up again!”

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Juliana shook her head in wonderment. “You were in love with Sally, but you were afraid to admit it. You were afraid that everyone would laugh at you.”

“You’re full of shit,” Baylor snarled.

“Afraid that everyone would make fun of you,” Juliana continued. “The most eligible lesbian in Chicago finally having her wings clipped and putting on the old ball and chain. That’s it, isn’t it? You knew you’d take shit from all of us, so you chickened out. You never told Sally how you felt and she left you because of it.”

“You know what? I don’t care. I didn’t give a damn about Sally Kapinski then, and I don’t give a damn about Hobie Allen now. If you want to make a fool of yourself by asking her out, then go on and do it!” Baylor straightened her jacket and struggled to gain control of her temper. “Just leave me out of your little plan. Now can we get going or do you want to analyze my fucking life a little more, Doctor?”

Juliana stood in silence for a moment longer. “I’m thinking stress management might be something you want to look into, mate.”

Baylor released a strangled cry of frustration, then spoke in a slow, calm voice. “I’m going to kill you one day. I’m going to make it slow and painful, I swear. No, even better, I’m going to bide my time until one day, they’re holding a sanity hearing for you. Then I’m going to explain, in great detail, what a complete and utter lunatic you are.”

Juliana grinned and scooped up the Jaguar’s keys off the table. “Promises, promises.”

Juliana’s lighthearted laughter followed Baylor as she walked out the front door. She closed her eyes and counted to ten, wondering how her night could possible get any worse.

“You look like a million bucks,” Baylor said to Hobie, who wore a sleek pale blue dress that clung to her body in a manner that made it hard for Baylor to concentrate on anything else. She had made it a point to search out Hobie before Juliana had a chance to talk to her.

“Thanks. You’re looking pretty sharp yourself,” Hobie said. “You know, I’m glad we have a few minutes alone. There’s something I need to talk to you about. It has to do with Noah. You see, he—”

“Hiya, Baylor.” Noah tugged on Baylor’s pants leg to get her attention.

“Hey, Bubba. What’s up?” Baylor looked down at the youngster and immediately became concerned. “What in the hel—heck happened to you?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk with you about,” Hobie said. Baylor quickly reached down and scooped Noah into her arms. He sported a broad smile and one black eye.

“Noah, what happened?” Baylor was beyond concerned as she examined his bruise. Her distress over the boy wasn’t lost on Hobie.

“Well,” Noah began as he gesticulated wildly with his hands, “Billy Crenshaw came up to me and he says, ‘Give me your milk money or else,’ and I said, ‘Or else what?’ ‘Or else I’m gonna sock you,’he says. So I said just what you told me. I said, ‘Forget it, you rat bastard, my money is for my milk!’” Noah beamed, Hobie arched an eyebrow, and Baylor cringed at the language that the youngster had picked up from her.

“Then what happened?” Baylor looked almost afraid to hear the answer.

“Then he hit me. I fell down, but you know what, Baylor?” Baylor dumbly shook her head.

“When he hit me and I fell down, it hurt, but it didn’t hurt near as bad as I ’spected it to. So I jumped back up and I held up my fists just like you showed me, with my thumbs on the outside, and I said, ‘You still ain’t getting my money, you rat bastard.’He says, ‘I’ll hit you again,’and I said, ‘Just you try.’When he tried, I punched him right in the tummy, just like you said. He cried like a baby. That’s when the teacher called Mom.” Noah giggled and swung his legs.

“Wow, I...um...” Baylor could feel Hobie’s eyes boring into her. She was unsure what to say. She had thought the bully would back down, giving her time to explain the situation to Hobie. Typical of Baylor, however, she hadn’t yet been able to find the nerve to broach the subject.

“Noah, sweetheart, why don’t you let me talk to Baylor alone. Okay?”

“’Kay,” he said as Baylor settled him onto his feet. “All right, I’m waiting.” Hobie looked up at Baylor. “Okay...um...”

“Tell me there’s a good explanation for this. Tell me that you had a good, solid reason to teach my son to hit someone. Tell me that I’m only imagining that it was a stupid, reckless, dangerous thing for you to do. Please, Baylor, give me some kind of an intelligent answer to all of this.”

Baylor looked panicked. This wasn’t exactly the way she had pictured the evening starting.

“Baylor?” Hobie pressed.

“I...I...oh, shit. I’m really trying to come up with something solid for you here, Hobie, but man. The truth is I did teach him a few things, but only self-defense moves, I swear. I honestly thought the bully would back down, you know? Oh, hell, I’m really sorry.”

“Apology accepted.”

Baylor quickly looked up from her shoes. In order not to meet Hobie’s intense gaze, she had chosen that moment to find something fascinating about them. “Did you just accept my apology?”

“I did.”

“Okay.” Baylor looked around. “Your brother’s around somewhere to kick the shit out of me, right?”

Hobie’s laughter eased Baylor’s suspicions somewhat. “Why are you always so paranoid?”

“I’ve usually got good reason.”

“Well, I mean it when I say that I understand why you helped Noah the way you did. Frankly, I think I should thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“Uh-huh.” Hobie nodded. “I admit, you were lucky that I didn’t run into you this afternoon. My blood pressure was pretty high when I was on my way home from picking up a boy with a black eye, especially when that boy said you were the one who taught him how to fight.”

“Now about that—” Baylor began.

“I’m not through,” Hobie interrupted. “I was pretty upset, as you can imagine.”

“Understandably so,” Baylor said. “I know how you can get.”

Her last response was a little too enthusiastic. Hobie arched an eyebrow.

“Sorry,” Baylor said.

“Like I said, I was pretty upset. When Noah told me the whole story, I asked him why he told you about Billy Crenshaw instead of me. He said he knew you would get it. I took that to mean that he thought you would understand what he was going through. When I thought about it, I realized he was right. Any advice I would have given him wouldn’t have helped a six-year-old much against a playground bully. I guess I get so concerned with making sure Noah grows up to be respectful of others and a nice boy that I forgot the rest of the world isn’t always so nice.” Hobie looked at Baylor with the expression that made her knees go weak.

“Thanks for being there for him.”

“No problem.” Baylor gave Hobie a half smile. “I owe you one.”

Baylor raised an eyebrow and looked down at her casted leg. “Okay, I owe you a whole lot more than one,” Hobie said. “Now on to more pleasant subjects. How is Juliana enjoying the island?”

Baylor’s smile and amiable expression evaporated. “Um, Jules...well...look, Hobie...about her...”

Baylor had a thought. What if she faced her fears and admitted to Hobie how she felt? Would Hobie shoot her down? She wondered if she had it in her. As much as she hated to admit it, Juliana had been right about Sally. Baylor’s biggest nightmare in life was the fear of being laughed at. It didn’t matter if it was a good-natured ribbing from friends. She feared it as though it were her father himself mocking her. Still, if she didn’t say something to Hobie now, she might lose the chance.

“What about her?” Hobie asked with a confused expression. “Well, actually, it’s less about Jules and more about me...you and me.”

“You and me?”

“You and me. I think...actually, I wonder...” Baylor paused to lick her lips. All of a sudden, her mouth had gone bone dry. I can do this. I can do this. I can tell her I love her. Love her? Where the hell did that come from? What happened to ‘I want to go out with her’? I like her? Okay, shit, come back to that later. Get her to go out with you first, dipshit. Focus, Baylor, focus.

“Hobie Lynn,” Baylor took a deep breath. “I wonder...I-I... Hobie, would you—”

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite old friend and my favorite new friend.”

To Baylor, Juliana’s voice felt like a bucket of ice water tossed over her head. “What do you want?” she asked sourly.

“Did I interrupt something?” “Yes,” Baylor said.

“Well, I can come back later.”

“Of course not,” Hobie said, remembering her manners. “I was just asking Baylor about you.”

“Well then, it’s definitely my lucky day.”

Baylor recognized that Juliana had a charming smile and seemed to know exactly what to say to women. She used to be like that. That is, until Hobie appeared in her life. Baylor eyed Hobie and noticed her flushed face. Great, just great!

“Excuse me, I need a drink,” she said before rushing away toward the bar.

“I wonder what got into her,” Juliana said.

“I wonder, too.” Hobie looked longingly after her. “I guess she’ll be back.” She turned her attention to Juliana.

“I suppose it gives me an opportunity to get to know you a bit better.”

“Me?” Hobie wondered if teeth that white could be anything but caps as she became mesmerized by Juliana’s charming grin.

“I always want to get better acquainted with beautiful women.”

“Jules, are you flirting with me?”

“If you have to ask, I must be doing it wrong.”

Hobie laughed at the honest response. “Do I have a sign on my forehead that points me out as the only lesbian in town or what?”

It was Juliana’s turn to laugh. “No, I figured I’d take a chance and, with a bit of luck, be pleasantly surprised. Actually, I was hoping I could lure you into a little walk on the beach.”

“My answer may surprise you, but I’m not sure how pleasant it will be for you.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I am gay, but I’m not in the market for a girlfriend.”

“I see. You’re already spoken for then?”

“Um...in a way.” Hobie was kicking herself for not just blurting out to Baylor that she had fallen for her. Fallen...in love? Where the hell did that come from? Like her...you like her, that’s it. Isn’t it?

“I must have been mistaken then. I’m sorry, Hobie. It’s just that when Baylor told me you and she were nothing but friends, I guess I figured I stood a chance.”

Juliana hated herself right about then. Of course, she still wasn’t certain about Baylor and Hobie; there was the outside chance that Baylor was telling the truth and that friendship was the only thing that existed between the two. She saw her words explode within the green eyes, which suddenly narrowed.

“Just friends?”

“That’s what she said. Am I wrong? Are you two more than friends?” Juliana knew what the answer would be. If she’d ever seen a woman surprised at the notion that she was suddenly single, it was Hobie.

Hobie took a deep breath. “If Baylor says we’re just friends, I guess that’s what we are. Now didn’t you say something about a walk?”

“I did indeed.” Juliana placed a hand on the small of Hobie’s back and turned to usher her down the concrete steps to the beach. She saw Baylor walking their way and winked at her. Baylor’s crushed expression tugged painfully at her heart. Dear Lord, please let Evelyn be right, or a thirty-five-year friendship just went down the drain.

Baylor drummed her fingers impatiently on the tabletop. She had selected a spot near the edge of the patio so she could tell when Hobie and Juliana returned. When they did, they looked much too happy for her liking.

“Just where in the hell have you been?” Baylor was on her third vodka gimlet, which did nothing to mellow her mood.

“I beg your pardon?” Hobie asked indignantly. Juliana took a step back as Hobie and Baylor stared daggers at each other.

“Do you usually just go off and leave your son?” Baylor could see that Hobie was trying to control her temper. She also knew that her first instinct would be to let Baylor have it with both barrels, but there were too many people around. Hobie probably didn’t feel like making yet another scene in front of the whole town.

“If it’s any of your business,” Hobie said in a controlled voice, “my mother is watching Noah.”

“Oh,” Baylor said, the wind seemingly gone from her sails. “Excuse me, I think I need a drink. Jules, can I get you anything?” Hobie asked. “Uh, no, thanks anyway.”

Hobie started to leave but thought better of it and turned back to Baylor. She stood behind her and bent down. Baylor flinched when she felt Hobie’s hands on her shoulders. Then there was a sexy voice whispering in her ear.

“I’m a little surprised you care so much about where I go and who I choose to see.” Hobie stood and gave Baylor’s shoulders a shove. “Considering the fact that we’re just friends!” She turned and stalked away.

Baylor glared up at Juliana, who sat beside her, purposely ignoring her expression. “Holy shit, mate, is she ever mad at you. Did you see her? I think she had little wisps of smoke coming out her ears.” She chuckled at Baylor’s predicament, then reached over and stole a sip of her drink.

“Give me that!” Baylor snapped. “You are a rat bastard. Did you have to tell her I said that? Goddamn it, Jules, don’t you know I like that girl?”

“Oh, my God, time out, time out.” Juliana waved her hands. “Hello! Were you even in the same room when I had that conversation with you earlier? Who the bloody hell was I talking to?”

“Oh, don’t give me that shit!”

“No, that was definitely you I had that conversation with. I said ‘Do you like her’, and you said you liked her, but you didn’t like her, like her. Is any of this ringing a bell?”

“Oh, shut up!” Baylor finished the rest of her drink in one gulp. “I suppose you already asked her to marry you.”

“I would have if I thought I had a prayer of her saying yes.” “She seemed plenty eager to go out into the moonlight with you.”

“Well, maybe it was my considerable charm.” Baylor snorted.

“Or maybe it was the fact that she was so damned surprised to hear that the woman she really has the hots for said they were ‘just friends.’” Juliana used her fingers to make quote marks in the air.

“Did she say that?” “Say what?”

“That she had the hots…I mean, that she was interested in me. You know, in that way.”

“No, she didn’t come right out and say it.”

“Then how in the hell do you know that was what she was thinking?”

“I’ve been around enough women in my lifetime to be able to tell when one is using me because she’s mad at the woman she really wants. You know, I don’t even believe we’re having this conversation. You are forty-two years old, Baylor, and we’re talking about your love life like we’re still in grade school.”

Baylor munched on an ice cube and continued to glare at Juliana. “Like you’re some big-ass expert on women. May I remind you that you’re the same age and single, too?”

“Yeah, but I’ve got a date for tomorrow night.”

“You bitch. You’re still gonna go out with her, knowing the way I feel?”

“Hey, being an understanding mate only goes so far, especially when a beautiful woman is involved.”

“I guess I know where our friendship stands,” Baylor said, looking away.

“Don’t even go there. If I weren’t your friend, I wouldn’t be telling you that the one way you could get this girl would be to be honest with her.”

“Jesus H. Christ.” Baylor rested her head in her hands. “How did I let this situation get so fucked up?”

“Baylor, you said a bad word.” Noah just happened to be on his way over to their table. He clapped his hands tightly over his ears.

Juliana smiled at his antics. His friendly smile and glasses made him instantly recognizable as Hobie’s son.

“Hey there, Bubba. You caught me. Sorry about that.” “S’okay.”

“Just do me a favor. Be sure not to tell your mom about that, huh?” Baylor lifted Noah into her lap and Juliana watched, seemingly fascinated at how comfortable she appeared around him.

“I’m kind of on thin ice with her tonight.” “Why?”

“I didn’t exactly tell your mom the truth about something.” “Oh,” Noah drew out the word. “Mom says don’t use bad words and always be honest.”

“So far, you’re batting a thousand, mate.” Juliana chuckled. Baylor glared at her. “Noah, this woman with the very big

mouth, her name is Juliana. You can call her Jules. She’s my very best friend in the whole world. Next to you, of course.” She tickled Noah, who giggled.

“So,” Baylor continued, looking over at Juliana, “you think I should start being honest, eh?”

“Spot on.”

“Honesty, huh? Okay, how’s this for a start at honesty? Bubba, do you know who your dad is?”

“Uh-huh.” Noah nodded. “Oh, Baylor, I gotta go. They’re givin’ out cake and ice cream now.” He squirmed his way out of Baylor’s lap.

“Wait, just a sec, Bubba.” Baylor caught his arm. “Noah, who is your dad?”

“965-2338,” the preoccupied boy said. “I gotta go now.” Baylor released Noah’s arm and watched as he sped off to the dessert table. “What the hell do you make of that?”

“I don’t know. Oh, wait.” Juliana counted the digits with the fingers of one hand. “I bet it’s the bloke’s phone number.”

“Shit, I never thought of that. If he doesn’t know the area code, it must mean it’s local. I wonder...”

“Do not tell me you’re thinking about doing what I think you are.”

“What?”

“You’re gonna call that number, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” Baylor swirled what was left of the ice in her glass.

“Let it go. If Hobie wants to tell you, she will. Agal like Hobie doesn’t stroll into your life every day. If you do have feelings for her, you better concentrate on finding the nerve to tell her so.”

“I find it extremely interesting that you should say that, considering you’re going out on a date with her tomorrow.”

“Like I said, mate, the way to stop that from happening is to tell her...tonight. It’s not a case of you or me. Trust me on this one. I’m just an alternate. If she knew that you were in the game, I wouldn’t even be in the running.”

“So all I have to do is come out and say...it.”

“First thing I’d work on is your delivery.” Juliana tried hard not to laugh at her friend. “If you can’t say the words to yourself, you’re certainly not going to be able to say them to her.”

“Okay, okay, I’m working on it. I think I need some more to drink first.” Without saying another word, Baylor jumped up and headed for the bar.