“I’m not sure what was worse, the look on Jamie’s face when he thought I was two-timing you, the look on Jess’s face the whole time as she glared at you, or the thought of Jake moving back home permanently so he can protect me.” She kissed Ben. “Are you going to stay, or do you need to go home before we go to church tonight?”
“I’ve got a couple of things I need to do. I’ll pick you up at four-thirty, okay?”
Lane walked Ben to his SUV and kissed him good-bye. She wondered how she should dress for the surprise party. But, she decided it was something she’d worry about later. Right now, she really needed a nap.
Chapter 19
A favor between friends
Jess knocked on her mother’s door at four o’clock to make sure she was up.
Lane got up and showered. She pulled on a salmon colored sundress made of jersey. It was supposed to be a maxi dress, but it hit Lane about mid-calf. She put on a matching pair of three-inch heeled sandals, and opened the closet to get a pashmina. The dress didn’t have little spaghetti straps, but was still sleeveless and the pashmina might come in handy in the air conditioning or just to hide the bruise that was on her left upper arm. She put her hair in a fishbone braid, put on a little makeup, and walked into the kitchen just as Ben opened the door into the house.
Jamie, Jess, and Jake were all in dressy shorts. The boys both wore boat shoes, Jess had on wedge-heeled sandals. Ben wore his standard khaki slacks with a polo shirt and Gucci loafers without socks.
While Ben’s Lincoln Navigator was roomy enough for the five of them, Jake suggested he drive separately. His thought was that he and his siblings might want to leave the party early. Both Jess and Jamie piled into his extended cab Silverado.
She looked at Ben. “So much for never leaving me alone again.”
Ben opened her door. “I could call them back if you want.”
As she got in she laughed. “No, please don’t.”
Saturday was family night and after church, as was their habit, they began making plans. They always went out to eat, and as the talk went to, shall we dine at Bellini’s or not, she wondered how they were going to get her back to Ben’s after dinner. It was Jess who spoke up saying she was only back for a few days, and she wanted, no she needed Jack Stack. She should have known Jess would want barbeque. It was early, only six o’clock but Ben had called ahead in the hope of shortening the wait.
By six-thirty, they were up to their elbows in cheesy corn, pork ribs, beef ribs, and onion rings. It was delicious. After dinner, Jake suggested they go back to Ben’s for a swim.
Ben watched as the Parkers danced along in the mutual deception. Lane knew about the party but wouldn’t spoil the surprise the kids had planned. And, the kids knew she knew all about it because they had carefully and covertly made sure she found out. He shook his head. So much work, both “sides” waiting for the other to blink first.
They’d gotten Ben to foot the bill for valet parking so that no cars would be in his drive. The cars had been parked at a school parking lot a couple of blocks away. He’d picked up the cake, appetizers, and other refreshments when he’d left Lane earlier in the day. Jess had recruited Lane’s assistant, Meg to let people into Ben’s house and keep everyone quiet as they walked in. Ben excused himself at the restaurant and called Meg with an ETA. Jake, Jess and Jamie drove ahead, parked in the driveway, and waited for Ben and Lane. Ben opened the garage door, and escorted Lane into the house so she could be surprised when the people all popped out.
Jess might be the professional actress, but if Mick hadn’t told him Lane knew about the party, Ben wouldn’t have had any idea that she was anything but surprised. Ben got a glass of wine and handed it to Lane. She handed her purse and wrap to Jess who put them in Ben’s room.
Jess slipped next to Ben while Lane was talking with Meg and whispered, “So, Ben, who’s the blonde?”
“That’s Meg Kelly. I thought you arranged this. Haven’t you ever met her?”
“Of course I arranged it. No, I’ve never met her. I’ve never been at Mom’s office during the day. I guess she isn’t what I expected.”
Jess overheard Meg ask Lane about the ordeal that occurred in her office the day before. Meg seemed to know a lot more about what went on with her mother than she did and frankly, it pissed her off.
“Did Kyle have his gun pointed at you the whole time?”
“Not the whole time. There was a time when he started waiving it around at Craig.”
“Still, weren’t you scared?”
Lane noticed Jess standing just feet away, and wanted to put a stop to the topic of discussion with Meg. “Really, it was no worse than some union negotiations I’ve been involved in. Meg, I’d like you to meet my daughter.” Lane motioned for Jess to step closer.
“Meg, this is my daughter Jess. Jess, this is Meg Kelly. I know you two have spoken on the phone, but I think this is the first time you’ve met.”
Jess and Meg said hello to each other. Lane excused herself and began to mingle. As Lane worked her way around the room, Jess and Meg were engaged in a conversation of sorts.
“You put together a great party. How is school going? I can’t imagine living in L.A.” Meg asked.
“School’s good.” Jess maneuvered Meg toward her brother Jamie. “Have you met my brother Jamie?”
“Meg, this is Jamie. Jamie, this is Mom’s assistant Meg Kelly.”
Jess left Meg in Jamie’s care. She had spotted Jake across the room and made her way to him.
“Jake, see that girl talking to Jamie?” Jake nodded. “She’s Mom’s assistant, Meg, and she’s all up in our business. Go take care of that.”
Lane saw Al and Babs Edwards and she made her way toward them.
“Al, Babs, thank-you so much for coming. Babs, I’ll give your office a call on Monday, I’ve thought of a use for the trust.”
They wished her a happy birthday and Lane was on to the next group. All eleven members of her book club were there, and she moved from group to group, accepting birthday wishes and exchanging pleasantries.
Jake thought, “Go take care of that, typical Jess, issuing orders.” What was he supposed to do, threaten her? He looked at Meg. She was five feet six inches tall, not as thin as Jess, but not fat. In fact, as he looked at her, he’d say she was just about perfect. She had blonde hair and blue eyes, a nice figure. He walked over to where she stood talking to Jamie.
“Hi. I’m Jake Parker. You’re Mom’s assistant, Meg, right?” He looked at her nearly empty glass. “Can I get you a refill?”
Meg nodded. “Sure.” She walked with him to the kitchen where the bar was set up.
“What are you drinking?”
“It’s just Diet Coke. I’m driving.”
“You’re here alone?”
“Here and almost everywhere.” God, had she really said that aloud? What was she thinking? Why had her whole filtering system had taken a vacation? Meg was 24 years old. She had a two-year-old daughter. The guy she’d dated through college had started to show violent tendencies. She left him and never even told him he was pregnant. She moved back in with her parents who helped take care of Abigail. Even so, she didn’t go out much. She looked up at Jake. He was six feet four inches tall, with a muscular build, blonde hair, and blue eyes. He looked great in his shorts, polo shirt, and boat shoes. And, he did look a little like one of the Hemsworth brothers, tall, blue eyes, muscular and steamy, but that was no reason for her to take leave of her senses.
“Let’s go out to the patio. Looks like it’s less crowded outside.” He held the patio door open and ushered her out.
Lane was talking with Pat Elliott, a friend from book club. It was the first time the book club members had met Ben. Pat was a widow with two daughters, and she was teasing Lane about fixing her up with someone.