Charade (11 page)

Lynn held up her hands in a helpless gesture. “Go right ahead."

Lillie tapped her toe on the floor. “Will the two of you get to the point? I don't have all day to sit here and listen to prattle."

Trace felt like a small child being monitored by disapproving adults. In halting, sometimes disjointed sentences, he explained his distress when he learned of Ralph's liaison with Lillie. He went on to say that he'd told Lynn of his concern and asked for her help in putting a stop to the affair. He concluded by saying, “I was afraid that frequent bouts of sex would impair Dad's health."

Ralph bristled, “My sex life is none of your business.” He was obviously furious, and also more than a little embarrassed.

Lillie's response was calm, almost detached, “Wherever did you get the idea that sex was unhealthy?"

Trace rubbed his hand across his brow. “That's not what I said. I don't think sex is unhealthy.” He felt like a fool trying to explain what should be perfectly obvious to a woman who had outlived three husbands. “My concern was for the frequency of your ... encounters."

Lynn chimed in. “He does have a valid point, Mother. Ralph has a weak heart. He should practice moderation in all things."

Trace thought that maybe Lynn should practice what she preached. How could she sleep with another man the night after they had ... ?

He barked, “Let me handle this."

Lynn recoiled, seemingly puzzled by his acerbic outburst. “Well, excuse me."

Trace was immediately contrite. “I'm sorry.” He was apologizing again. The emotional roller coaster he was riding was making him crazy. “I'm a little on edge today."

"You're also insulting and offensive,” Lillie said. She asked incredulously, “What gave you two the right to discuss your parents’ sex life and then decide that they shouldn't have one?"

"We didn't decide anything,” Lynn replied, “We were concerned."

Lillie retorted, “You decided to interfere."

Trace braced himself. He suspected Lillie was about to launch into a tirade. He sent Lynn a please-do-something look, and was rewarded with a blank stare.

Ralph intervened. “Don't be too hard on the boy, Lil. He means well but he doesn't have an over-abundance of common sense."

Lillie sighed. “My daughter is no better. She was stupid enough to go along with your son's dim-witted plan."

Trace's hackles rose. Now who was being insulting and offensive? He bit his tongue to keep from exploding in righteous indignation. Lillie had no right to call Lynn stupid, no right at all.

Lillie's gaze swung to Lynn. “Why didn't you come to me and voice that concern?"

Trace stated in as cool a voice as he could manage, “She wanted to, but I persuaded her that it was best to do something that would...” How could he delicately discuss such an indelicate subject? “What I mean is ... After due consideration...” The more he spoke the more he became hopelessly mired in the tangle of his own words. “What I'm trying to say ... You must see..."

Exasperated he finally blurted out, “We wanted to show you the error of your ways."

There followed a moment of pin-drop silence before Lynn said, “That's not entirely true. The day I had lunch with Mother and Ralph, I decided that actions would work better than words."

Ralph's face turned beet red as he rounded on his son. “How dare you meddle in something as personal as my relationship with Lillie?” A note of belligerence slipped into his voice. He directed his next question to Lynn. “And just what was this plan?"

Lynn folded her hands in her lap and looked pensive. “Last Saturday night at the Grange Dance..."

Trace took up where she left off. “...Everything we did was an act. We conspired to drive a wedge between you and Lillie."

Ralph blinked. “You succeeded. You also made a fool of yourself and Lynn, and Lillie and me."

Trace argued, “I did not.” He sounded like a guilty teenager.

Ralph replied, “Yes, you did."

Trace considered arguing further and dismissed that thought before it had formed completely in his head. He knew his dad and how stubborn the old man could be.

He held his tongue and rubbed Minerva's ears as she purred contentedly.

Lillie looked skeptical. “Are you telling me that there's nothing romantic between you and Lynn?"

Before he could answer, Lynn said, “Mother, for heaven's sake. Trace and I have a business deal. Trace made some repairs on my building."

Lillie wasn't convinced. “And what else did Trace do?"

Ralph said, “I've been wondering the same thing."

Trace glared at his dad. “You stay out of this.” He could never remember feeling more foolish or more uncomfortable. “Mrs. McGuire, Lillie, you're prying into things that aren't your affair."

Lillie's eyebrows climbed skyward. “
I'm
prying? And just what do you think the two of you have been doing for the past three weeks?"

For the first time, Trace was seeing this situation from the perspective of Lillie and Ralph. “And we are here now to apologize for that mistake.” He stroked Minerva's soft fur as she nestled close to him.

Ralph spoke to Lynn, “What about you, young lady? Are you sorry for your part in this?"

Lynn refused to meet his steady gaze. “Yes, I am."

Ralph rubbed his hand across his chin. “What do you say, Lil, shall we forgive them?” Trace could swear his dad was enjoying his discomfort.

Lillie looked doubtful. “I don't know...” She grimaced. “I have to forgive Lynn, she's my child. As for Trace, anyone that Minerva snuggles up to can't be all bad.” She giggled. Sure, I forgive them.” She sobered suddenly. “This time, but it had better not happen again."

Lynn's tone was mocking. “Now the two of you are free to do anything your hearts desire."

Trace sent her another warning glance. Apologizing was one thing. Giving their parents carte blanche to misbehave was another. “I wouldn't go so far as to say that."

Ralph chuckled, “Are the two of you worried that Lil and I will do something foolish like elope?” He smiled at Lillie. “We won't, but it's only because Lil refuses to marry me."

Lillie returned his smile. “I refuse to marry anyone. I'd lose my widow's pension if I married again."

Ralph argued, “Lil, honey, I want to take care of you."

Lilly shook her head. “We've been over this before. The answer is no."

Trace laid Minerva on the cushion beside him and stood. “Dad, we really should go."

Lynn got to her feet. “I have to run, too."

Trace wondered if she was running to Joel. That thought brought an unwelcome stab of pain.

As Minerva hopped to the floor, Ralph patted the cushion she'd vacated. “Come over here and keep me company, Lil."

Minerva followed Trace across the room and rubbed against his pant leg.

Surprise lifted Lillie's voice. “Minerva has taken a real fancy to you. That speaks well for your character.” She told Lynn. “Take Trace home. Ralph is staying for supper."

Lynn put both hands on her hips. “Mother honestly..."

Lillie rested her hands on the arms of her chair and lifted herself to a standing position. “Good-bye, Lynnie, call me tomorrow."

Ralph said, without taking his eyes off Lillie, “Leave your pickup keys, Son."

Trace had come through this ordeal relatively unscathed. Now he felt a definite need to escape. He laid his pickup keys on the table by the door and held it open for Lynn. “Do you mind dropping me off?"

Lynn grabbed her handbag and hurried through the door. “Of course I don't mind."

Trace closed the door and followed Lynn to her car. “I hope this is not too much of an inconvenience.” When his father got home, they were going to have a long talk. The nerve of that old man commandeering his pickup as if he had every right to do so.

Lynn said over her shoulder, “Get in. Let's go.

Trace had barely fastened his seat belt when Lyn pulled her car into reverse and shot out the drive. “Where do you live?"

She seemed to be in a hurry. Was she late for an appointment with Joel? Trace said, “Let me off in town. I'll get a cab home."

He had expected her to argue. Instead she said, “I can do that."

They drove for several minutes in silence. Finally, Trace could stand no more. He watched her from the corner of his eye. “I came back to your house last night."

Lynn glanced briefly in his direction. “You did? Why didn't you come upstairs?"

"You already had a guest.” He had to know for sure. “It was Joel Evans, wasn't it?"

Was there a chance that he was wrong? Every instinct he possessed argued against that premise. He literally held his breath as he waited for her answer.

After what seemed an interminable length of time, Lynn said, “Yes, it was Joel."

Trace had no right to ask, but he did anyway. “What the hell did he want?"

"He wanted another chance."

Trace ordered, “Stop the car."

Lynn began, “But I..."

"Don't argue, stop. Now."

Lynn pulled to the curb. “Trace, you don't understand..."

Trace did understand, and that was the problem. He got out of the car. “I'll see you Wednesday at three o'clock. Walter Winters is meeting me then for his final inspection.” He slammed the door hard and stormed away without a backward glance.

It was over even before it had really begun. With a heavy heart, he whistled at a passing taxi.

Chapter 15

Lynn stirred ingredients into a big mixing bowl. This was the day Trace and Walter were scheduled to make the final examination on her building. Hopefully it would pass inspection and she would be rid of Walter Winters for good. The problem was that she'd be rid of Trace, too.

Last Sunday afternoon that realization had brought a surge of anger. As the days passed, anger reduced to despair that had in turn converted to a kind of stoic acceptance.

Maybe it was meant to be this way. It was definitely safer. It was far better she never become involved with Trace than she risk heartbreak and rejection.

Whom was she kidding? She was already involved with Trace, even though she didn't want to be.

Lynn punched the dough with her fist. Trace had indicted and convicted her without giving her a chance to explain about Joel. Maybe he didn't want her to explain. Maybe he was looking for an excuse to break off their relationship. She gave the dough another vicious punch. She'd had a one-night stand with the man. That could hardly be considered a relationship. Trace must think her to be wanton and immoral.

Ruthie came to stand in the doorway. “Mrs. Haley called. She placed an order for a chocolate cake for her Saturday evening dinner party. She says Mr. Haley will pick it up around four o'clock Saturday afternoon."

Lynn asked, “What kind of chocolate cake—mint, pecan, plain? What size cake does she want?"

Ruthie's smooth brow wrinkled. “I sort of forgot to ask her what size or what kind."

Lynn reasoned that Ruthie may be a little slow but she was also honest. In the long run that was what was important. She came around the counter. “It's time for a break. I'll wash my hands and call Mrs. Haley."

Later, seated at the table in the corner, Lynn took a quick sip of coffee and reached for the telephone. After a brief conversation with Mrs. Haley, she hung up. “She wants a large mint chocolate."

Ruthie apologized. “I'm sorry I forgot. I'll remember next time.” She put her elbows on the table, set her chin in her hands and announced bluntly, “I heard that Mr. Evans wanted you to take him back and you refused."

Lynn wasn't surprised that Ruthie knew. By now everyone in Hatlesville had probably heard about Joel's Saturday night visit. “You heard right."

With artless sincerity, Ruthie said, “Poor Mr. Evans.” She held up one hand. “But I don't blame you. Why would you want Joel Evans when you have Trace Randolph?"

Lynn didn't have Trace. And she might never have a more perfect opportunity to make that fact know to everyone in Hatlesville. “Trace and I are no longer seeing each other. After today he's out of my life for good.” Uttering those words sent a stab of pain right through Lynn's heart.

Ruthie smiled, revealing her dimple. “You can't fool me. I've seen the two of you together. You are crazy about Trace, and he has the hots for you, too."

Ruthie did have a way of turning a phrase. Lynn considered explaining about her rather complicated relationship with Trace. How could she clarify to the likes of Ruthie something that she didn't completely understand herself? The answer was she couldn't. “Trace and I are no longer a couple."

They never had been, not really.

Ruthie dropped her arms and sat up in her chair. “Don't tell me the rat dumped you?"

In a way that was exactly what had happened. “I don't want to talk about it."

Ruthie was quick to offer Lynn sympathy. “You poor dear,” and condemn Trace, “The dirty rat."

Lynn patted the younger woman's hand. “It's all right; now let's get back to work."

By three-thirty in the afternoon, Lynn began to wonder if Trace and Walter had postponed their inspection date. She could call Trace. She could but she wouldn't. God forbid that she should give Walter the satisfaction of calling and asking him anything.

It was well after four when Walter arrived. He came into the bakery huffing and puffing like a steam engine. Without so much as a hello he demanded, “Where is your hot-shot carpenter? I'm running behind time, and I still have another inspection to make."

Before Lynn could answer, Trace's bass voice boomed from the doorway. “I'm here."

Walter pulled a sheet of paper from the notebook he had under his arm. “Let's get on with this.” He walked around the room looking and then checking his list. Trace followed Walter. Lynn followed Trace.

Walter was being unnecessarily fussy and demanding. Lynn wanted to tell him what a jackass she thought he was. She didn't dare. Instead, she comforted herself with the thought that this ordeal would be over soon.

The trio moved from the front of the store to the kitchen and then on to the storeroom with Walter either questioning or criticizing at each point along the way. By the time they reached the back door, Lynn was ready to explode. She was too angry with Walter to protest when Trace told her she wasn't needed outside.