Page 22 of Weatherman

He caught the young female lifeguard watching him instead of the swimmers. Portia was her name, if he remembered correctly, and she was a college student. He bet if he asked her out, she would jump at the chance. Perhaps a date with an attractive woman was just what he needed to get Opal off his mind.

He slopped over to her, feeling the weight of his body as the pool’s buoyancy faded. “Portia, right?”

She beamed at him. “Yeah, that’s right. And you’re Bryce Turner. You have a nice stroke.”

No doubt this would easy. No cajoling or talking her into bed if he wanted to go that route.

“I’d rather be single than settle for someone who isn’t up for the job.”

He sighed and smiled at the girl. “Thanks. Have a nice day.”

CHAPTER 12

The Lair was notwhat I was expecting. The place resembled a mountain resort retreat rather than a clubhouse. A massive two-story building with numerous outbuildings and small one-room camping cabins scattered about. Everything was clean, neat, and inviting.

I debated for a moment but then pulled out the stroller from the trunk. I had Pearl and a package with me for Betsey and only two arms. The roar of a motorcycle caught my ear, and my first response was to stiffen up, ready for battle, until I recognized the person riding. It was none other than Eva MacAteer, Stud’s old lady and wife. I’d met her a couple times when she came to the salon with her daughters—five, to be exact. She’d told me that Stud still wanted a boy but had made noises about giving up on that fantasy.

“Serves him right for being such a manwhore in his younger days.”

I had to laugh at her blunt humor.

Stud pulled up in a minivan. Only he could make the stodgy vehicle look cool.

“Hey, girl. How are you?” Eva greeted me as she whipped the helmet from her head. Two shakes of her head and her auburncurls fluffed and settled. I loved working with it when she came to my chair.

“I’m good,” I answered as I strapped Pearl into the bright yellow contraption. The sun had just sunk below the horizon, and the night sky sparkled overhead. Normally, I’d be home at this hour, spending the evening with my daughter, but I’d had a late client who put me over hours. Lori was kind enough to feed and watch Pearl for me so I could finish up. I’d also had to make a trip to the grocery store, as I was desperate for just about everything. I kept a cooler in my car for perishables in case my getting home was ever delayed. The reason for this side trip to the Lair was the box that arrived at the salon this afternoon. It was the wig I’d special ordered for Betsey. When I called her, she’d sounded out of breath and a little frantic.

“Lord have mercy, we’ve had a time lately. There’s some stuff happenin’ over to the bistro that we’re tryin’ to get sorted, and I been runnin’ around like a chicken with my head cut off. Can you help me out and bring it up here to the Lair for me? I wanna see it real bad, and I’d really appreciate it.”

When the local queen asked for a favor, it was generally a good idea to grant it.

The night air was warm, dry, and heavy. By now the weather in Minnesota would be cool, heading toward cold, while here the temperatures were still in the mid-eighties. I turned to Eva as I loaded the box in the stroller basket. “Is it always this hot this time of year?”

Eva puffed out a breath and shook her head. “It’s not unheard of, but it has been a lot drier this year than most, and summer doesn’t seem to want to leave. Hard to believe it’s October now. How’s business?”

“Good. I’ve got a good roster of clients now, and I think people in general like my work.”

Eva grinned as five blondes ranging from ten to two exited the van. Stud and Eva’s girls must have spent hours at this place, as they made a beeline for the door. Eva called out after them, “Don’t get too comfortable. It’s a school night, and we’re not staying long!”

Light spilled out from the door as they entered, along with music and voices.Lotsof voices.

My first instinct was to push the stroller back to the car, load up, and escape. Eva kept me from doing that by linking her arm in mine and hitching her youngest on her hip. “It’s about time you made a visit. Betsey’s been wanting to get you and your little one here for a while. If you haven’t guessed, she collects people. Loves to be grandma to the world.”

“I feel weird. This is more than I thought,” I admitted.

“Yeah, it can be a little overwhelming. Hell, the whole club can be that way, but I swear on a stack of Bibles, no one will mess with you here. You get nervous about anyone or anything, give me or Stud the high sign, and we’ll take care of it.”

I had no doubts. Eva was a strong woman, physically as well as in spirit.

She pulled me into what amounted to a giant rec room.This is a biker house?It looked more like what I thought a country club would than a biker dive. The high vaulted ceilings were beamed and made me think of a castle. Several members were playing video games on a huge flat screen. Others were shooting pool or standing around with beer bottles and conversing. Molly was sitting on the armrest of the sofa with her hand over the shoulder of an older man. I guessed that was her husband, Cutter. I recognized Psalm and her two stepchildren from her salon visits.

One big family gathering. My belly churned from anxiety.

“Oooh, gimme that baby.” Betsey appeared in all her booted glory, but she lacked her usual energy.

Pearl’s eyes widened as the colorful woman picked her up, but my little girl never met anyone she didn’t like. Her big grin and “Ha-da” greeting had Betsey chortling and playing back. “Who’s a pretty girl? Who’s my pretty Pearl?”

She spoke to me while she focused on my child. “Lord, it’s been a zoo around here lately. I been down at the bistro helpin’ out and jus’ got here. Fauna’s been havin’ a time. You heard about the drama with that mess, right? Thank you so much for comin’ by. Means somethin’ special you goin’ out of your way.”

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