Baylor held one hand over the receiver and shook her head at Arturo. “Civilization this ain’t!”
The voice on the other end of the line drew Baylor’s attention back to the phone. “Do I still want to order it? I tell you what, you can have them come out if they feel lucky. Maybe I’ll be here between noon and one.” She slammed the receiver back in its cradle.
Arturo whimpered and barked up at Baylor.
“You’re right. It’s become critical.” Baylor reached for her PDA. She popped open the lid and navigated her address book. She picked up the phone and smiled at Arturo. “Now we’re going to get some action, I guarantee you.”
A sweet-sounding voice answered. “Yes, Anthony Falcone, please. Yes, tell him it’s BJ Warren.” Baylor hummed along with the canned music. Does everyone use “The Girl from Ipanema”? she thought.
“Tony, compare!”
Anthony Falcone had been Baylor’s friend and partner in crime growing up. His family had money, so Baylor’s father accepted the friendship. What he didn’t know was where all that money came from. Tony’s father ran the kind of business that no one talked about, and it was probably better for their health if they didn’t. Tony took over the family business and invested in just enough legitimate businesses to keep the feds and the IRS off balance. Because Baylor’s mother had been born in Palermo, the Falcone family welcomed Baylor into their home as one of their own.
“I’m great, how about you? How are your mom and dad?” Baylor listened as he told her about his family. In the past, she would open mail or reach for a magazine when people went on about their kids or spouses. Now she found herself asking how the kids were doing in school and when the new baby was due. Tony seemed to notice the difference in her behavior, too.
“No, really, I’m fine. I’m in Florida. You remember Tanti? Well, she took sick and I came to Ana Lia Island, then I ended up breaking my leg. No, she’s not that bad and I’m good, but I have one small problem that I think you might be able to fix for me.”
Baylor sat back and put her leg up on the coffee table. “Well, here’s the story. I need one of those satellite dishes installed here at my grandmother’s house. You know, one of those big-ass things that will pick up talk shows in Bangladesh. Plus, I want it now, like today or tomorrow before I lose my sanity on this island. What do you say?”
She picked up a pen and paper and jotted down some figures and names, giving her personal information when Tony asked for it. Finally, she gave him her credit card number.
“Tony, you are the man! Buona salute e ricchezza, my friend,” she exclaimed before hanging up.
“Hey, Squirt,” Baylor rubbed Arturo’s head. “This afternoon, we watch television like real people. It’s good to have friends in low places.”
It was breakfast time at the Cove. Hobie and Laura were sitting at the counter when Baylor entered and took a seat in a booth. Unbeknownst to Hobie and Baylor, most of the Cove’s regular patrons had bets going as to how long the two women could last before they exploded. They all knew Hobie and they’d come to know Baylor. They waited every morning on the edge of their seats, wondering if that would be the day.
To the customers’disappointment, the morning turned out to be uneventful. Hobie and Baylor took turns watching each other while trying not to appear as though they were watching. They were both very close to giving in.
“Hobie Lynn, your mother’s on the phone.” JoJo laid the cordless phone on the counter in front of Hobie.
“Thanks, JoJo,” Hobie called out to the already retreating figure. “Mom, what’s wrong? Is Noah all right?” Her forehead creased as she listened. “Why did they send him home? What do you mean teacher’s conference day? They never said anything.”
Hobie’s voice grew louder. “Mom, what do you mean you can’t watch Noah? No, I can’t have him with me all day. I have calls to make. I won’t be in the office all day. Can Mack watch him? Okay, bring him here to the Cove and I’ll find someone to watch him. No, I’m not upset with you.”
Hobie turned the phone off and gave an exasperated sigh. “Trouble?” Laura asked.
“I think I liked it better when my mom thought Dad was still alive and she had no life.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Oh, I know. Looks likes we had a miscommunication today. Noah doesn’t have school and Mom has plans. She used to never leave the house. Now she’s in a book club and the Ladies Guild, and she spends two days a week playing cards at the hospital with Evelyn.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Yeah, uh-oh is right. I don’t have to panic yet. Hey, JoJo.” JoJo turned to face Hobie. “Any chance you can baby-sit today?”
“Oh, darlin’, I would if I could. We’re catering Sally Armistead’s anniversary party tonight, and I’m going to be busy running between here and the mainland for last-minute supplies. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, nuts, I forgot about that thing tonight. Okay, don’t worry. Thanks.”
Hobie looked around the restaurant and encountered Baylor’s gaze before Baylor quickly turned away. Not in a million years will I leave Noah alone with her.
“Mrs. Emberly.” Hobie greeted the older woman, who sat with four other women. “Have you heard anything on Petey yet?”
“No, dear. I’m afraid I may have to give up hope.”
“I’m sorry. I was wondering if I could impose on one of you ladies to watch Noah for me for today. You know how good he is, and—”
“Oh, dear, you know we would, but we’re celebrating Hannah’s birthday today. We have reservations in Tampa for lunch.”
“I understand. You ladies have a great day, and happy birthday, Hannah.”
Hobie moved from one booth to another, to no avail. As odd as it seemed, nearly everyone she knew had a previous engagement. After fifteen minutes, she had exhausted every baby-sitting option in town. She had nearly exhausted every baby-sitting option in town. Brushing the bangs from her forehead, she looked to see Baylor grinning like a madwoman, her arms resting along the back of the booth. Hobie put her hands on her hips and stared back. She was out of options and time as she spied Noah running into the restaurant.
“Hi, Mom!”
“Hi, sweetie. Have you eaten breakfast?” “Uh-huh.” Noah nodded.
“Okay. How about a glass of milk?” “Chocolate milk?” he asked hopefully.
“Sure.” Hobie chuckled. “Go sit by Laura at the counter and tell JoJo I said it was all right. I’ll be right over.”
“’Kay. Hi, Baylor.” The youngster waved as he passed by her booth.
“Hey, Bubba.”
Hobie stood in front of Baylor and crossed her arms. Baylor looked like she was enjoying Hobie’s predicament too much. Her smile reached from ear to ear.
“I guess I’m looking a little more indispensable than you thought, huh?” Baylor used the very line Hobie had used when Baylor realized she needed Hobie to drive her around town.
“Have you ever watched a child before in your whole life?” “Hey, I am a responsible woman, you know. I won’t give the
kid matches and I won’t leave him alone anywhere. How hard can it be?”
“You have no idea. I want you to stay at home, no roaming around, and I expect him to be unharmed and still have all his extremities when I come to pick him up at four o’clock.”
“Sure. Can do. Is he...um, you know, housebroken?”
Hobie rolled her eyes and breathed deeply. “He’s six years old!” She realized that meant nothing to a woman who had never been around children. “Yes, he is toilet trained. He can manage it all by himself.”
“Cool. Any other last-minute instructions?”
“Yes. When I pick up my son this afternoon, I would like it very much if it could be at Evelyn’s home and not the emergency room. I’m also rather fond of the innocent boy he is now. I don’t want him learning how to spit, swear, or imitate the noises of any bodily functions. Can you manage that?”