“And last Tuesday you were out. Which of course doesn’t necessarily mean you were with-”
“We were looking for furniture for his place,” Kay said defensively. She hadn’t wanted to go. She’d explained patiently to Mitch that she had no taste. He’d dragged her to Spokane anyway, just in time to see the stores close. At least the restaurants were open, and he’d fed her oysters. A first for her. Their rumored aphrodisiac qualities had worked for him all the way home; he’d had to get off the highway twice to taste various parts of her body. And then he’d left her at her door, very gentleman-like.
“Wednesday, too?”
“Wednesday, too.” On Wednesday Mitch had convinced her he was honestly serious about needing at least a couch. They’d even made every effort to hit the stores while they were still open, but when it came to trying out couches they’d gotten sidetracked. Mitch had gotten sidetracked. Comfort for necking was not a serious criterion in purchasing couches, and after trying out at least a dozen, they’d returned home empty-handed… Well, Mitch wasn’t quite empty-handed. And to her total shock, he’d left her at her door, frustratingly gentleman-like.
“Thursday you took the entire neighborhood cheering section to hear him speak at-”
“The university.” He’d looked so grave standing at the lectern. Grave and dominating and…fascinating to listen to. Mitch had talked of the mineral resources that had been destroyed over the years as a result of careless mining-the supply of gems alone could be critical to Idaho’s future. They’d finished up that talk at one in the morning at her house, over mugs of Irish coffee, and after that he’d left her at the door, disgustingly gentleman-like.
“Friday you canceled the poker game. You were taking a drive-”
“To Hells Canyon.” An insane place to fool around in winter. She’d been so out of breath from climbing that she was gasping-who would guess he’d take her up on such a crazy idea anyway?-and then they’d both missed the winter sunset, because he’d gotten the harebrained idea he was going to chase her laughter. He’d chased her, all right. When he caught her, he’d pinned her down. And when they’d gotten home at midnight, he’d done his usual doorstep routine, which was becoming increasingly maddening.
“And that was only last week.” Stix flapped the sports section. “Now, this week-”
This week’s activities had begun on Monday night. The not very glamorous activity was making goodies for the school Christmas bake sale; why did she continually volunteer for these things? The entire place had been sticky before they were through, and Mitch had cornered her in the back hall…
“Mrs. O’Brien thinks it’s charming. She’s delighted with you. Susan grins whenever your name is mentioned. The boys are counting on an additional regular for the Friday-night poker games. Everyone thinks it’s terrific,” Stix said darkly. “I’d just like a guarantee that you’re not out of your tree.”
“Hmm?” Kay whirled around. How long had she been staring into the fire?
Stix sighed. “You seem to have lost the thread of this conversation.”
“No, I haven’t, you sweetheart.” Kay twisted around and sat cross-legged. “It’s about time we had a talk about these protective instincts of yours. The problem is that you need a home of your own. People to take care of. One of these days you’re going to forget the trip your parents laid on you, and figure out that you don’t have to have a marriage like theirs. This devil-may-care bachelor’s life has gone on long enough.”
Stix looked faintly alarmed. “How did you manage to twist this entire conversation so fast? We were talking about you.”
“Samantha isn’t the one, dammit. Liz was, and still is. You think it’s an accident you only go for long, leggy blondes? You and Liz have both been extremely stupid for the last three years. If she’d married someone else, you’d be stuck, but as it is you can at least try one more time.”
Stix rapidly lurched up on his long legs. “Look, I don’t know how you got started on that, but don’t be ridiculous-it’s been over for years. The only thing Liz wanted was a ring around her finger and a houseful of kids.”
“Exactly what you want, you fool. Basically you’re a homebody. You can’t stand to be alone-you’re forever fixing things around here, the kids in the neighborhood gravitate toward you as if you were a pro football star, and you’re lonely as hell. I hate to have to tell you this, but you were born to be married,” she said smugly. She handed him his coat, since he seemed to be looking around wildly for it. “As for me,”she added firmly, “I can take care of myself. It’s you who can’t.”
“Look, Kay…”
“It’s easy to dish out advice, but not quite so easy to take it, now is it?” she asked sympathetically as he opened the front door, then turned back with a deliberate scowl.
“I’d just feel a great deal better if I knew him,” he said flatly.
“You do know Mitch. And you said you liked him.”
“That was as a man’s man.” Stix stuck his hands in his pockets and stared at the ceiling. “Listen,” he said gruffly. “You’re protected and all that?”
Kay burst out laughing.
He glared at her. “Just because you go around teaching it and all doesn’t mean that you’re overflowing in the sense department yourself. You’re a sitting duck for some guy with a really smooth line.”
“Thanks so much.”
“You’ve always opened your door to just anybody-witness, myself. People ask you for the shirt off your back and you strip-”
“Not literally,” Kay interrupted.
“That’s a relief. And another thing. You’re too damned honest. Men lie. There aren’t many women like you running around, you know, and if you think some guy wouldn’t take all he could get-”
“I think that was a backhanded compliment,” Kay murmured.
“Because if he’s putting the moves to you without some commitment behind it- Are you in love with him?” Stix asked abruptly.
Kay rose up on tiptoes. “Give us a kiss now and be on your way. I’m exhausted after all this advice.”
“You’re exhausted?” Stix gave her a peck on the cheek and pushed open the door. “You’re worse than a sister. I can’t handle all this responsibility!”
“Out!”
Three hours later, Kay was leaning over the bathroom sink, applying makeup. Every cosmetic bottle and tube she’d accumulated over the past ten years was piled on the counter in front of her. Ella Fitzgerald was serenading her from the stereo in the living room.
Ella was bubbling about the lady being a tramp.
Kay stroked some mascara onto her eyelashes, and then leaned back to judge its effect. Stix, she considered glumly, was an extremely amusing man. He was so darn sure she was having a wildly erotic affair with Mitch.
The fact was, Ella should be singing the old one, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
She was beginning to think Mitch’s favorite pastime was turning Kay on…and leaving her high and dry.
Shoving the makeup containers back in the drawer, Kay wandered back to the bedroom to slip on her shoes. After deliberating over three other outfits, she’d finally settled on a pale green angora sweater and forest-green skirt. She was comfortable in the outfit, and she wanted to feel at ease when she met Mitch’s parents.
Rapidly, she took a brush to her hair, letting the strands fall loose and smooth to her shoulders. Just washed, her hair always looked streaked, a mane of gold and brown. Tonight, her eyes had a troubled luster-mascara-induced in part, but not all. Her mirror reflection reminded her that the soft angora of her sweater emphasized her high breasts and the simple A-line of her skirt showed off her legs. The effect of the outfit was supposed to be subdued, suitable for parent-meeting.