Count on Me (Bayview Heights Trilogy) (23 page)

“Hi, guys,” Julia said. He’d come through for her during Ashley’s ordeal, but she’d felt uneasy around him ever since. It had something to do with all the rotten things the guys around her were doing lately, like Evan and even Dr. Lansing.

“Hi.” Dan’s dark eyes twinkled at her. “How you doin’, Sabrina?” He’d been teasing her about being a Wiccan and had taken to calling her Sabrina, the teenage witch.

She bristled. “Did you come to my store to mock me, Caruso?”

“Nah, Jimmy and I are lookin’ for a book, aren’t we kid?”

“Uh-huh.” The boy was a miniature of his brother, with his black windbreaker and jeans, black high tops, longish hair and even a little earring. She knew Dan paid for all his clothes.

Julia was immediately smitten by the child. She hunkered down to face him. “Hi, cutie. I’m Julia.”

He studied her the way Dan did. “You don’t look like a witch.”

“That’s because you’ve only seen storybook ones.” She stood. “Come on, I’ll show you something.”

With a death grip on Dan’s hand, the little boy followed her to a section in the back. She pulled out a picture book and said, “We got a great chair over there. Wanna read this with me?”

Jimmy’s eyes sought his brother’s. Dan nodded and said, “I’ll just look around.”

“For what?”

“Nothing in particular.”

Julia settled down with Jimmy on the big chair and began to read him the children’s book
What It Means To Be a Witch
. The boy listened intently and his eyes widened at the pictures. When she was done, she found Dan watching her.

“Can we buy this, Danny?” Jimmy asked.

Julia slid Jimmy to the floor and stood. “Nope, you can’t.” She leaned down and kissed his nose. ‘Cause it’s a present from me.”

Dan studied her. “I’ll buy this.” He held up a book.

She moved closer to him, but not too close. “What’s that?”

“
Living Wiccan, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
. The cover says this book is the best resource on Wicca.”

“Why’re you buying it?” she asked as she went behind the counter.

“Because you’re interested in this stuff. Even if you have been treatin’ me like crap since Ashley was in the hospital.”

“I haven’t been...” But she stopped because he was right. She had been avoiding him.

“You know,” he said, watching her as she cashed him out, “Vivian asked me to hang out with her Friday night.”

“Aren’t you working?”

“Till six.”

“Oh, so you can be with Vivian afterward.”

“I’d rather be with you.”

“Dan, look...”

When she hesitated, he looked at her unnervingly. Finally he said, “Never mind.” He picked up the package. “I get the picture. I’m outta here.” He walked over to the stones Jimmy was perusing. Taking his brother’s hand, Dan headed to the door, but turned back to face her. “I thought you were different, Jules, from the rest of Caufield’s Chicks. But you’re not. You’re still afraid to go your own way.” He shook his head sadly. “Have a nice life.”

And he left.

Julia stared after him, feeling bereft.

o0o

“COME ON, WE HAVE stores to visit yet.” Zoe yanked on Kurt’s arm.

“Only a masochist shops on Saturday.” He held up the two shopping bags. “Besides isn’t this enough for one kid?”

“She’s turning eighteen. It’s a big birthday.”

“Godiva chocolate, four books and a designer handbag should be plenty.”

“One more store.” Zoe grasped his hand, relishing the right to touch him openly, to tease him, just to
be
with him. The only drawback was that he was charming her all over again, and she was falling hard and fast.

Which was why she had to keep things light. She was scared to death of the man who hugged her as they walked through the huge airy mall, of the man who held her hand as if she belonged to him.

“Did you enjoy the play last night?” he asked.

“Hmm. I think Jason Priestly’s a doll. He looked so yummy in that bare-chested scene.”

“You have no shame, woman.” He drew her closer.

“I’ll prove that to you right now.” She dragged him to the store she’d been saving till last.

He gazed at the window and said, “No way.”

“Uh-huh. We’re buying her something here. I got Erica’s birthday present in this place. Eighteen-year-olds love this store.”

“Zoe, I’m liberal, but hell, I’m not getting something at Victoria’s Secret for my own kid. What kind of message would that send?”

She rolled her eyes. “That you understand the female teenage mind.”

“
That
I’ll never do.”

“Oh, I don’t know. These days Ashley, Julia and even Shondra think you’re pretty cool.”

“Shondra’s totally succumbed to Johnny’s charms and sees all of us as saints. Rachel, Julia and, of course, Ashley are grateful that I helped her out.” He scowled but Zoe knew he wasn’t really looking at the display of demi-cup bras in the window. “Erica’s hit a plateau with me, though. We’re not making any more progress.”

Zoe scowled. “Erica looks kind of pale and thin. I took her out for breakfast this week, and she hardly ate anything. I’m worried about her.”

“Can I do anything?”

“No. I got her to talk to the school counselor, Barb Sherman, again, but Barb says she didn’t tell her much. Just like the last time.” Zoe shrugged off the worry. “Come on, no bad thoughts today. We’re supposed to be having fun. Let’s go get Lauren some fancy pajamas.”

“Well, I can handle pajamas, I think.”

He was pretty good with women’s underwear, too, Zoe remembered, but didn’t tease. She knew he wanted to make love, and she wasn’t ready yet, so they steered clear of even the slightest sexual innuendo.

They had fun in the store. He blushed furiously at the assortment of female “unmentionables,” and groaned at the thought of his daughter wearing the stuff. He took an interest in the pajamas, though. He was particularly ensnared by a hot-pink nightgown which wrapped around a mannequin like a second skin. She saw him finger it, then check out the price.

“Megabucks, I bet,” Zoe said, sauntering over to him.

“It’s pure silk.” He cleared his throat. “Worth it, I think”

“It’s too old for Lauren.”

He stared at her. “I wasn’t thinking of it on Lauren.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. “Kurt, I—”

“Ms. C? Is that you?”

Zoe spun around, clutching the dark blue satiny pajamas she’d picked out for Kurt’s daughter. “Shondra, hi.”

Julia and Rachel came up behind her. “Hi, Ms. C, Dr. Lansing.” Both girls smiled at her and Kurt. Ashley appeared and greeted them with a smile, too.

Finally Erica came into view. She stared at Zoe, then at Kurt’s hand, resting lightly on the hot-pink silk; when she looked up, her eyes were a little wild.

She turned and walked away.

The girls exchanged long, soulful looks, and Kurt frowned after Erica.

o0o

 “MEN ARE ALL SLIME.” Erica was pissed off, big time. Caufield’s Chicks sat in the food court, munching on junk food. She toyed with a French fry, but didn’t eat it. It was greasy and made her stomach turn. She tapped her fingernails on the table, thinking.

“They can be,” Ashley added. “God knows, Evan is.”

“Jules, you zoned out again,” Shondra observed. “You been out of it all day. What’s wrong?”

Julia shrugged. “Nothing.”

“It isn’t about Dan ‘the Man’ Caruso, is it?” Rachel asked.

“No, why?”

“I saw him last night. At Pepper’s.”

“Yeah? He usually doesn’t hang out there.”

Rachel and Ashley shared a knowing look. “He was with vivid Vivian.”

Erica scowled at Julia’s stricken look.
Freakin’ men!
“See, they all
are
slime. Thought you had something going with him, didn’t you, Jules?”

“No, Erica, I didn’t.”

Erica shrugged and let the lie go. She rubbed her temples; the headache, which came with regularity, was returning. And her scalp was starting to itch. Again. It had been happening a lot lately.

Shondra added, “Anyway, they aren’t all slime. John Battaglia’s a doll.”

“Do you have any idea the hell he raised at Bayview years ago when he was a student?” Erica asked. “I hear he was a gang leader.” She giggled and did a poor imitation of a motorcycle revving. “I wonder if he had a bike. I think they’re sexy.”

Ashley frowned. “He was in my sister Mimi’s class. She said he was nice but had a big chip on his shoulder.”

“All guys got baggage.” Erica’s tone was surly.

Julia sat up straight. “Erica, what’s with you? These days you’re so negative. You still uptight about this stuff with Ms. C and Dr. Lansing?”

“There’s nothing going on there.”

“If you believe that, then you’re blind, girl.” Shondra rolled her eyes. “What do you think that Victoria’s Secret thing was all about?”

“You said they told you they were buying his daughter a present.”

“They were eatin’ each other up with their eyes.”

“I think they might be getting back together,” Julia observed.

Erica slapped her hand on the table so loudly the people next to them turned and stared. She didn’t give a rat’s ass. “No way. She wouldn’t forgive him.”

Ashley shrugged. “Maybe she would if he makes up for what he did.”

“You’re not thinking about going back with Evan, are you?” Erica was horrified at the thought. Spots swam before her eyes and the headache became full- blown.

Ashley’s face was sad. “No, he wasn’t the man I thought he was. I’m done with him, at least for now. But not with all guys. My sisters’ husbands are great. Mr. Taylor and Captain Lansing are pretty neat.” She eyed Erica. “Since when did you get into this male-bashing, anyway?”

Erica stood. Now her skin was itchy all over. “I’m not. I need to go to the ladies’ room.” She couldn’t get away fast enough.

As she headed for the restroom, she searched her purse and popped an upper in her mouth before she got there. She’d been trying like hell to cut down and usually managed, until things like this happened.

When she walked into the restroom, she felt something crawling in her head.

“Oh, God, she yelled, and flew to the mirror. Lice? She checked her hair, though her vision blurred.

Then she felt them crawl down her neck.

“Get them off me, somebody please!” She shook her head, scratching it with her fingers, flailing wildly at her shoulders and arms. “Get off me!” she yelled.

“Erica?” Julia walked in. “What are you yelling about?”

“The bugs,” she screamed, backing up against the wall. “In my hair. On my neck. Get them off me!”

Julia rushed to her and checked her head. She froze for a minute, then said, “Erica, there aren’t any bugs in your hair.”

Erica stared at Julia until she came into focus. It took a while. Julia called her name several times. Oh, God, what had happened? “Bugs?” she finally asked, stalling for time.

“You said there were bugs in your hair. Then you zoned out.”

“Um, I was kidding. Jerking your chain.” Her hands shaking violently, she turned to the sink to throw cold water on her face.

Julia said, “I don’t believe you.”

The water helped sober Erica. She pivoted around. “All right, I’m just stressed. I haven’t been sleeping and my dad’s really on my case.”

“But you’re seeing things? This is crazy. We need to tell somebody. Ms. Caufield, maybe.”

Erica felt her face flush. “No! She’ll get my father involved and he’ll keep me locked up so my grades won’t suffer.” She stepped toward Julia and grasped her arm. “Please. Jules. Say you won’t tell Ms. C. We always keep secrets for each other. All six of us.”

Julia stared at Erica. After a moment, she said, “All right, I won’t tell Ms. C. This time. But if something else happens, I will.”

Relief flooded Erica as they left the bathroom. That had been really close.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THANKSGIVING DAY had been everything Kurt had hoped for. He and Lauren had spent the day with Mitch and Cassie. The midday meal had been wonderful and Zoe’s presence had made everything perfect.

Then the Taylors arrived for an evening meal of leftovers and Kurt was filled again with a feeling of warmth. Family, friends and good food. What more could anyone ask? Finally, he’d come into the living room with Mitch to watch the Giants make mincemeat out of the Oilers. His brother had been recruited upstairs to put Camille to bed, while Cassie helped Lacey settle the twins down in the guest room. Before he’d left to tend to his daughter, Mitch had squeezed Kurt’s shoulder and commented that it looked like things were working out between him and Zoe. As Kurt half watched the football game from a big overstuffed chair, he thought about his big brother’s advice last weekend...

“What are you doing here?” Kurt had asked early Sunday morning when he’d opened the door to his town house and found Mitch on the stoop.

“I decided go running with my brother.” Mitch hopped from one foot to the other to stay warm. “Get dressed and meet me out here. I’ll stretch while you’re gone.”

“Yes, sir, Captain,” Kurt had joked, but he liked the idea of an impromptu run with Mitch. They hadn’t had much time together.

After about five minutes of companionable silence, Mitch asked, “What’s going on, buddy?”

“Going on?”

“Things are different between you and Zoe. Cass and I could tell when we got back from New York.”

Kurt smiled in the cool morning air. “You guys couldn’t tell
anything
when you got back from New York. A weekend alone made you honeymooners again.”

“Yep, it did.” Mitch grinned. “God, I love that woman.”

“I’m happy for you.” Kurt meant it.

“So spill it. You didn’t just come over to help Zoe with the girls.”

“Actually, I did.” Kurt slowed somewhat when they reached an incline. “But you’re right, Zoe’s decided to give me another chance.”

Mitch stopped dead in his tracks. “I thought something was going on. Alexandra said she saw ‘Aunt Zoe on top of Uncle Kurt’ on Camille’s twin bed.”

Rather than take the bait, Kurt gibed him back. “Yeah? She told us how you get in the tub with Cassie, too, big brother.”