Page 68 of Whispers of My Skin

I drop what I was doing previously, knowing it can wait, and immediately get to work making a list of what we’ll need both for the lunch and a few other things that we need around the house.

When I ask, Mrs. Sanchez is very happy to help out, in fact I’d say she’s delighted at the prospect of showing off her skills.

“How excitin’! We’re goin’ to produce a real Texan feast for your guests,” she beams, rubbing her hands together. “I’ll make them some of my famous tortillas to go with the chili. Trust me, your guests will love all the delicious food we’re goin’ to lay out for them, and be beggin’ for second helpings.”

Next I call up Fermin, to ask for his help in setting up the dining area out on the terrace where we plan to hold the lunch. This is exactly the kind of thing he’s so brilliant at, so I’m sure he’ll have some great ideas.

“Leave it all to me, darlin’,” he happily agrees. “I already have the perfect chic farmhouse look in mind.”

I’m afraid to ask, but since my friend has great taste, I’ll let him handle it.

“As long as you’re sure you can spare the time,” I worry. “It is rather short notice.”

“Pfft! I’ve been bored out of my mind since I moved out to give you two love birds some space. And my mother is already driving me insane, so this is the just the excuse I need to get away from her.”

Even though it looks as though it’s all coming together, I still worry and sit making endless lists to ensure I’ve thought of everything, knowing how important this gathering is for the future of Redlands.

“Look at you, playing house. How sweet,” An irritating voice interrupts my planning as I’m sitting in the kitchen going over everything yet again. I look up to see Cassandra standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame.

“I’m not playing house, Cassandra,” I reply. “In case you weren’t aware, I own this house.”

“You think you’ve snared him, don’t you?” She smiles disingenuously, obviously having decided to stop playing nice since it’s just the two of us.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I answer blandly, although of course I know exactly what she’s implying.

“He’s only in this for what he can get, you know,” she continues. “The White Knight coming to the rescue of a poor dying woman, helping her out with her ranch. Very touching.”

“Just so you know, I’m not dying, in fact I’m very healthy these days. And if you think Joel is only doing it for financial gain, think again.”

“Poor little Tara,” Cassandra sighs dramatically. “You just keep deluding yourself, but trust me, your little bubble will be burst soon enough.”

“What exactly is it you want, Cassandra? Because if it’s trouble, then trust me, you’ve come to the right person,” I warn her.

“No, Tara!” she suddenly exclaims, throwing her hands up dramatically. “I’m pregnant, please don’t hurt me.”

Crazy bitch, what the hell is she talking about?

“What’s going on here, Tara?” Joel’s voice booms loudly.

Of course, just what I need. He’s arrived back just in time to see the bitch’s staged performance. Shame she spotted him before I did. One up to her, but the game isn’t over yet.

Joel frowns as he takes me by the elbow and pulls me aside, then turns his attention to her.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “Maybe you should lie down. Come on, I’ll take you to your room.”

The bitch has the nerve to sniffle and even squeeze out a couple of tears as she lets Joel lead her upstairs. Damn, she’s putting on a good show, I’ll give her that. She even smirks at me behind his back. Surely Joel isn’t stupid enough to fall for her theatrics?

A few minutes later, he returns to the kitchen to confront me.

“What happened?” he demands.

“Your friend was taunting me about playing house, that I’d better enjoy it while it lasted, because you were only with me for what you could get. When I told her she was wrong, she started putting on that little show, purely for your benefit, even though I never touched her.”

Joel pinches the bridge of his nose and looks skyward.

“Tara, maybe you need to be a little more tolerant with Cassie. She’s been abused by her husband, she’s pregnant, so she’s obviously a little more sensitive than normal.”

The crazy bitch, drama queen that she is.

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