Читать книгу Tempting Taylor - Joan Elizabeth Lloyd - Страница 10

After a month on Maple Court, Tay was bored to death. The commute had turned out to be less of a problem than she’d expected and the telecommuting was working out well. However, she found herself going into the office most days. There was little to do in suburbia. When she worked in the city she’d often stay in town for drinks with a few folks from the office and frequently remain for dinner with an acquaintance.

Westchester County, at least the part of it she’d visited so far, was a drag. The scenery was gorgeous and there were plenty of cultural sights to visit, but she couldn’t spent all her days at museums and she wasn’t the concert type. She’d seen most of the movies around and stopped at a few friendly neighborhood watering holes, but she hadn’t met anyone worth the effort of dating, and there didn’t seem to be anything else to do on the weekends.

What had she done when she lived in Brooklyn Heights? she wondered. Of course, she’d had Steve. As difficult as he’d become, he was company. It wasn’t as if they had a date every night, but they’d gone to clubs, had a few beers and listened to whatever music was being performed and, of course, joined in from time to time.

So here she was, in suburbia, and again it was Saturday and she had nothing to do all weekend. She’d played with the dogs, fed the cats, rabbit and ferrets, tidied their cages and done a load of laundry. She’d stopped at the cleaners to pick up a few things she’d dropped off earlier in the week, then gone to the local library and found several books she’d been wanting to read. So, with little else to do she ate a peanut-butter-and-potato-chip sandwich and curled up in a recliner in the den with the stack beside her. As she was about to select something, the doorbell rang, which set the dogs in the backyard into a flurry of mad barking. It gave Tay a good feeling. No one was ever going to sneak up on the house with Mopp and Fred around.

“Coming,” she yelled, delighted to have something break the monotony, even if it was just the UPS man.

She opened the front door and stared at a tiny, brown-haired woman whose age could have been from thirty to forty-five. She came up only to Tay’s chin, but there was a presence about her that projected class. Her makeup accentuated her hazel eyes and her hair was casually chic. She was smartly dressed in a pair of casual tan slacks and a longsleeved taupe blouse accessorized with chocolate sandals. Her jewelry was confined to several strands of deep amber beads and matching chunky drop earrings. Tay glanced down and noticed that the woman’s toes and fingernails were polished in the same shade of red-gold. Her smile was warm and friendly. “Hi, is Dave around? I know I haven’t seen him, or Lissa either for that matter, in a while, but I was hoping…”

“I’m sorry. Dave and Lissa are away on a photo shoot and they aren’t expected back for several months.” Looking at this classically lovely woman, Tay felt dowdy in a pair of old, comfortable jeans and a baggy “Save the Whales” T-shirt. She’d thrown all the windows open to catch the late spring breeze and turned off the “canned air,” as she called the central air-conditioning system. She looked down at her bare feet, her toes polished embarrassingly flaming red, and almost apologized for her appearance.

“Oh damn. I’m sorry, too,” the woman said. Then, as if just thinking about it, she extended her hand, graceful with slender fingers, wearing only a beautiful floral designed gold ring on her right index finger. No wedding ring, Tay noticed. “Pardon my rudeness. I’m Pam DePalma and in case you haven’t seen me around I live two houses down.”

“Tay Barwick. It’s nice to meet you.”

Tay hadn’t noticed the woman but she had noticed the house when Lissa had pointed it out. It was set almost as far back from the road as possible, and from what she’d seen it was large yet comfortably doable, not palatially imposing the way that the Bonner house was. “That’s certainly a lovely house,” Tay said, taking the woman’s hand. “I’ve been admiring it and all the others on the block. I’m house-sitting while Dave and Lissa are away.”

“Taking care of all the animals must be quite a job. I’m sorry to have bothered you,” Pam said.

“Oh, it’s no bother,” Tay said quickly, glad to have someone to talk to. “Can you come in for a moment? I’m a bit of a coffeeholic and I always have a pot on. Would you like a cup?”

She saw Pam hesitate for a moment, then walk into the large foyer, her heels making a clicking sound on the parquet floor. “I’d like that. Thanks.”

As they walked toward the kitchen, Pam said, “I really like this house. He’s done wonders with it. The old owners were here for about three years and lamented that they’d never be able to sell it. This whole area’s now a wetland and no one’s sure whether any changes or additions will ever be permitted.”

“I didn’t know that. I remember when Dave bought it,” Tay said, entering the large kitchen. The counters were black granite and almost everything else in the kitchen was either white or black, from the place mats on the large white oak table to the canisters on the counters. It was a bit too organized for Tay’s taste but it certainly looked put together. “He was so delighted.”

“I can imagine. This is a great kitchen.”

“Sadly I can’t make much use of it. Not only can’t I cook but I think I’d even burn any water I tried to boil. I can microwave and use a coffeemaker, but that’s the extent of my culinary skills.”

“I’m not much of a cook, either,” Pam admitted. “But I’ve always admired this kitchen.”

“Dave said that he didn’t do much with the decorating when he bought the place. Instead, he just let a professional handle everything.” Tay huffed out a breath and decided to be honest. “Actually the whole place is a bit too masculine and sterile for my taste. I’d love to add some color, maybe a few green plants in here, and a throw pillow or two in the living room.”

Pam chuckled. “I’ve always thought the same thing, but I didn’t want to insult the house in case you were a fan.”

“Very tactful of you,” Tay said, grinning, liking this woman immediately. “Have you ever been upstairs? The best bit of decorating is the master bath. It has to be seen to be appreciated. He had it redone just about a year ago.”

A small smile crossed Pam’s face. “Yeah, I remember the hoard of hunky guys in coveralls crawling all over the place during the construction. And I did see it once.” She looked as if she could say more, but she remained silent.

While Pam settled at the kitchen table, Tay poured two cups of coffee into black and white patterned mugs and pulled a black and white striped cream pitcher from the kitchen closet. “Don’t bother with a pitcher on my account,” Pam said, “I’ll just pour from the container.”

“My kind of person,” Tay said as she settled across from Pam at the kitchen table. “Although I’ve had the desire to go out and buy a pitcher shaped like a cow in bright green or something.”

Pam’s laugh was warm and inviting. Then the cats arrived. It wasn’t time for their daily canned food and they disdained their dry crumbles, so whenever there was someone in the kitchen, they wandered around, purring loudly, hoping for a handout. As Precious started to climb into Pam’s lap, Tay said, “Precious, stay down. This nice lady doesn’t want your fur all over her slacks, nor your claws in her thigh.”

“Not a problem,” Pam said, but Precious, tail straight in the air, changed her mind and, thinking there might be something edible in the offing, paced impatiently beside her food dish. As Ginger climbed into Tay’s lap, Tay was pretty sure that Honey was somewhere within earshot just in case food materialized.

The two women chatted for a while, about the weather and the town. They quickly discovered that they both frequently ate food from the same local Italian restaurant. “Their penne a la vodka is to die for,” Pam said.

“I know. I eat out often in the city but I’ve never had it better anywhere. More often than my waistline would like, I stop on my way here from the train station and order something to go.”

Chuckling, Pam said, “I do worse. I’ve discovered they will deliver for a generous tip.”

“I’m really sorry you told me that,” Tay said with a rueful grin. “Have you been able to find out where they get their green olives from? They’re fabulous.”

“I know. I always ask for extras and they indulge me since I’m a pretty good customer. I once asked the owner where he got them, thinking I could buy my own. However, he told me that he had them imported specially from Spain. He hates to admit that there’s something that the Spanish make better than the Italians.”

Tay nodded. “I can imagine.”

“So, if you’ll pardon me for being nosey, what do you do?” Pam asked as she sipped her coffee. “Do you commute to the city?”

“Most days. I work for a multinational you’ve probably never heard of. It’s got its fingers in architecture, foreign manufacture, pharmaceuticals, but it’s always the name behind the name.”

“Interesting. What do you do for them? Or am I being too snoopy?”

Tay’s laugh was warm. “Not a problem. I began in their Web-design department but several years ago, after one of those multiple firings they euphemistically called a downsizing, I was asked to work on a section of the in-house site that excerpts articles from scientific publications, in addition, of course, to doing all the things I used to do. Now I do all that and help with grant applications, edit papers for publication, do research, stuff like that.”

“I’ll bet you can even spell,” Pam said.

“Actually you’d be wrong,” Tay said, shaking her head slowly. “I can’t spell worth a lick. I depend on spell-checker and the Web.” Tay found that she liked this charming woman more and more. Maybe they could get together from time to time. She’d love to ask, but she didn’t want to seem pushy.

“You must know everything,” Pam said, obviously impressed.

“Not at all, but I’ve learned bits of everything and I can research the rest. I used to be a voracious reader, too.”

“Used to be?”

“I read so much for work now that it’s difficult for me to get into reading for pleasure. I just found the local library and took out a few things I’ve been meaning to get around to.”

“Did you study writing in school?”

“Graphic arts, actually. That’s where I met Lissa. I read somewhere that seventy-five percent of college graduates aren’t working in anything related to what they studied. I seem to be the exception.”

“I can believe that,” Pam said. “I meet and greet lots of high-powered executives and very few of them are in any field they studied in school. Actually most of them are scared witless that someone will find out that their job requires very little actual”—Pam made quote marks in the air—“‘learning.’”

“True enough.”

“What do you do on the weekends, for fun?”

Tay sighed. “I swim fifty laps a day, as long as the weather cooperates, and take care of Lissa’s animals. I’m taking several online courses, one called American History Before the Civil War, one on astronomy. There are a lot of podcasts I subscribe to as well. Keeps me busy, sort of.” She knew she was babbling a bit, but it was so nice to have someone outside the office to talk to.

“Sort of?”

“I get bored sometimes.” No, she wouldn’t whine.

“I can imagine. No boyfriends?”

“Not anymore. Steve moved out around Christmas.”

“Bad breakup?”

“Sudden and a bit wrenching, but if I’d been more observant I would have seen it coming. I think I was too bookish for him. He’s a musician and I think he wanted me for ego boosting and financial support.”

“Ahhh. The old financial support. I think he gave up a lot when he split.”

Surprised, Tay said a sincere “Thanks.”

A considering look flashed over Pam’s face, then vanished. “Good sex at least?”

From anyone else that question would have sounded out of place, but Pam was so warm and friendly that Tay just answered. “Frequent, at least, but I’ve had better. Not recently, however.” Pam’s laugh was infectious. What was it about this lovely woman that encouraged sharing of girlish secrets? Tay realized that it was the first time she’d been able to really laugh about Steve’s defection. “And what do you do, if I’m not being too nosey?”

Pam hesitated slightly, then huffed out a short breath and said, “Not nosey at all. I host corporate and upscale parties. Business affairs, weddings, showers, charity gatherings and such.”

“Ah, right,” Tay said, wondering whether one could actually make a living doing that. “I think Lissa mentioned that. So that’s why all the cars on most weekends.”

“I hope there haven’t been any problems for you.”

“Not in the least. That must be an interesting business. How did you get into it?”

“Long story.” She glanced at her watch. “And I don’t have enough time to get into the tale of my life right now. I’ve got a charity tea today.” She paused, then chuckled. “What a euphemism. A tea. No one actually drinks tea, but it does define the hour.” She paused again. “I came over here to invite Dave and Lissa over. Would you consider stopping over for just a short while?”

“I don’t think so,” Tay said, tempted to do almost anything to relieve the boredom.

“I know it’s an imposition, but the Steinbergs, who are hosting this event, are new in the area and don’t have enough friends to fill the backyard. It should have been too cool at this time of year to have it outside, but today is so fabulous that the party will spill into the backyard. There won’t be nearly enough people to make it look busy so I’m gathering everyone I can think of. I thought I’d drag Dave and Lissa over to fill out the crowd.

“The Steinbergs didn’t want to invite their close friends for fear that they’d feel they had to contribute, but they are even calling a few of them. You don’t have to give a cent, of course. Just stand with a drink in your hand, make conversation when you find someone who’s convivial, and at other times just inhale occasionally and look like you’re having a good time. It would be a great favor to me.”

“That’s a nice offer, but I won’t know anyone and the Steinbergs will know I’m an interloper.”

“Not at all. Everyone is asked to bring friends and they know I’ll invite people, too. The Bonners wouldn’t have known anyone, either. Please.” Pam leaned forward and patted Tay’s hand. “I hope I won’t embarrass you, but I have to tell you that you make a fabulous first impression. You’re such a charming person and it would really help me out.”

Tempted, Tay asked, “What’s the dress code?” She had a few things that might do, and she had Lissa’s closet to work from.

“Summer casual.” Pam stood and pirouetted. “This is what I’m wearing. How about an enticement? I’ll give you the cook’s tour of the house and maybe we can have a swim and a sauna afterward. And you’ll get to meet Linc.”

“Linc?”

“He’s the main guy in my life.”

“You’re not married, I gather,” Tay said.

“I was widowed several years ago. Long story. I’ve moved on with my life, in ways I can’t even begin to explain to you. No children either, more’s the pity. Maybe we can get together for lunch one day next week and exchange life histories. Right now, however, I have to get back home. Please come over this afternoon, even if it’s only for a few minutes.”

“Can I think about it? I’m not very good with people I don’t know.”

“Nonsense. You and I hit it off quickly so I’m sure you’ll hold your own without any trouble. The guests will all be bright, interesting people and with your varied interests you’ll fit right in.”

“What time?”

“Come over any time after three. It probably won’t last much past five or so but you can always run for the hills if you’re bored out of your mind.”

She considered, then made a snap decision. “Okay. I’ll find something to wear and be over between three and three-thirty.”

“Perfect.” Pam put her cup in the sink. “I can’t thank you enough.”

The two women walked to the front door and as Pam stepped out onto the walk she impulsively leaned up and kissed Tay on the cheek. “I hope we can get together soon. I’ll be pit deep this afternoon, but since I’m sure we have a lot in common, I’d love to get to know you a little better. I originally made the offer as a toss off, but I mean it. I would really like to have lunch with you one day soon.”

Delighted, Tay said, “I’d like that a lot. I work at home a few days a week, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, so maybe then.”

“Great. Well, I’ll see you later and then we’ll figure something out.”

As Pam walked back to her house she thought about the fascinating woman she’d just met and wondered whether she’d made a new friend and/or a new business associate. She certainly looked good, not gorgeous by any means, but she had a classic attractiveness and a way of looking you right in the eye when she spoke to you. And when she smiled her entire face lit up. Her features were good and with a little makeup and a decent haircut—why in the world did she wear that long, awkward braid?—she’d be fit for any setting.

Pam thought about business. In addition to the obvious reason for the party, Jeff Steinberg had asked her to help him “entertain” several out-of-town business associates, so several of the women at the party would be wearing ankle bracelets with small heart charms, indicating that they were available for activities afterward.

What Pam hadn’t told Tay and what even the Bonners didn’t know was that many of Pam’s parties were meeting places for men who wanted to hire women to have sex with. Her ladies, well-paid courtesans, would meet just about any needs the men might have.

If Tay was the kind of woman Pam suspected she was, she’d have to call her business partner, Marcy McGee, and see whether she might come up for a visit. They had recently discussed the problem of finding some new blood for their business. Several of their employees had either moved on or left the area and now they were having to turn down business or schedule weeks or even months ahead.

Since Marcy was busy with her children, Pam hadn’t seen her face-to-face for several weeks. Yes. If Tay worked out as Pam thought she might, she’d ask for Marcy’s opinion of Tay as a potential associate for Club Fantasy and the Madam of Maple Court. Marcy’s instincts about the business were first-rate.

Tay was a bright, interesting woman who obviously enjoyed sex but was without male companionship at the moment. What could be better than getting paid for something she’d willingly do for nothing? Pam vowed that, if she could, she’d get to know Tay better and then mention the business. She’d tread gently, never wanting to take any serious risks, but this might just work well for all of them. First of all she’d see what Linc thought of her new friend.