Friends in High Places Read online

  “Do you think it’s too much, Mom?” she asked, her brow all crinkled up with self-doubt. “Maybe I should just wear a black-T. I don’t want Gino to think I think tonight is a big deal or anything.”

  I gave her my best encouraging smile. “Well, I think it’s a big deal. Gino Rossi was always a great looking kid with a good heart and as a grown man, he’s even more attractive. He’s perfect for you, Miss Kitty-Kat. And as we both know there isn’t exactly a surplus of men like Gino running free in these mountains. Count your blessings, Baby, and load for bear…”

  Kat laughed and shook her head. “You make him sound like a buck with big antlers, but I will get both tops. I’ve got plenty of jeans that fit well and I’ve got my leather jacket and boots to match. So that’s what I’m going to wear and no more second guessing.”

  “Don’t forget to wear your turquoise and silver chandelier earrings, too. You know the ones your dad and I gave you for graduation. Wear them with that outfit and I guarantee he won’t be able to resist you!”

  Kat looked doubtful and it tugged at my heart. “If only it were that easy.”

  “But why do you assume it’s going to be that hard? Think positively. You generally get what you expect.”

  “Sure you do, Oprah,” she shot back. “Happens to me all the time… I wish!”

  “Well, it really does happen to me all the time. Seriously, Kat, give it a try. Why bet against your own happiness? Does that make any sense to you?”

  She shrugged. “When you put it that way, I guess not really. Give me a break, though, Mom, I’m just nervous. It’s been months since I’ve had dinner with a cute guy, and even though there will be a bunch of other people there, this feels kind of like a date. I just want him to like me…and I’m really hoping his kids will like me too.”

  “I didn’t know the kids were going to be there.”

  “Yeah, this whole thing was originally Tom’s idea. He wants to get Daisy and Little T. together with Gino’s son and daughter, and I just happened to be standing there so he invited me too.” Her face clouded over and then she sighed. “So it really isn’t a date, even if I wish it was.”

  “I don’t know about that,” I said, “Tom never would have included you if he didn’t think you and Gino might be a good match. Guys don’t do things like that to their buddies, trust me on that. It would be a serious violation of the guy code.”

  Kat laughed at me again. “What do you know about the guy code?”

  “Do you forget I was married for most of my adult life? Your dad and I were best friends. He told me all sorts of helpful stuff about how men think. You’d be surprised how often that kind of info comes in handy.”

  “Well, I don’t know about all that, but I do know we’d better hustle. We wanted to grab lunch before heading to The Computer Shack and it’s going to take me a couple of hours at best to get you set up and able to navigate the dating sites on your own. And then I’ll need at least two hours to get ready for tonight.”

  Kat pulled her T-shirt back on and glanced in the mirror while she rearranged her curls. It was at this point she caught sight of me in the background shuffling my angel cards. I’d brought them along hoping I could get her to let me do a quick reading.

  “What on earth are you up to, Mom?” she asked, spinning in my direction.

  “Just pick one card for me.”

  She sighed, but chose the top card and handed it right back to me, because to her, this was all a bunch of nonsense, but I’d known she’d at least play along, knowing how much the cards had come to mean to me…like a communication line to Angel.

  I showed her the front of the card. A gorgeous red-headed angel was throwing gold coins into the air and smiling radiantly, her arms raised toward Heaven. The word Victory, outlined in gold was printed at the top of the card. ‘“It says, ‘Victory is yours! All of your dreams and prayers have been heard and answered. Have confidence and faith as you watch your beautiful, happy future unfold before you.’”

  Kat looked confused for a second. “Well, that’s good, I guess…”

  I laughed. “Oh, it’s a lot better than good! And it’s exactly what I’ve been telling you. You don’t have a thing to worry about!”

  I let that good news sink in as we left the shop and continued on down the road on foot, stopping together to laugh at the Halloween decorations in the front window of A Step Back in Time Antiques and Collectibles. It was quite an unlikely arrangement of beaming bats and joyous witches arranged around a glowing caldron. I loved the fun October always brought to our mountains. It was even more fun back when the girls were little and Angel would insist on picking out their costumes for Halloween. Their excitement had been contagious.

  “I’m proud of you for getting a computer, Mom. It’s about time you got with the times and decided to give in and look for a man online,” Kat said, “It’s past time. You know Tiffany, one of my friends at work? Well, she helped her mom get set up with a computer, too, for the same purpose, and she just got married to a really nice older guy!”

  “She said if you hang in there Mom,” Kat continued, visibly warming to the idea, “and just keep meeting men, your prince will eventually appear. You have to have the right mind-set, though. Just be prepared to meet a lot of new friends, and it eventually works. The hardest part will be tonight when you’re crazy busy filling out all the forms and answering all the questions they ask in order to find your idea of prince charming. Just remember it worked for my friend Tiffany’s mom, and know it’s all going to be worth it when you meet that great guy.”

  “Well, okay, then!” I said, feeling more hopeful by the minute, “And I think it’ll be fun to get started tonight. I’m going to think of it as my new little hobby. So while you’re out with your handsome guy, I’ll be on the computer hunting for your new daddy!”

  Kat hugged me and we both laughed, and then we were off again. The sun was high in the sky while the crimson and tangerine leaves moved above us, swaying as if performing a ballet in the tall, old trees. It wouldn’t be but a week from now and the streets would be filled with little bat-men and ballerinas. Halloween was also the day of my annual costume party at Meri’s Hideaway and I could hardly wait.

  I caught the scent of pumpkin pie on the fall breeze. “Yum,” I said, “Lucky for us it smells like they’re baking pumpkin pies at the diner today!” It was a beautiful day and the perfect time to begin that new adventure!

  I reached out, and hugged Kat one last time. “What was that for, Mom?” Kat’s voice was muffled against my big knit sweater coat.

  “Oh, Sweetie, I just appreciate you so much and wish I could make you see how beautiful, and kind and just all around wonderful you really are! Gino Rossi isn’t stupid and never was. You don’t have a thing to worry about. You’ll see I’m right.”

  Kat spun away from me and stopped dead in her tracks. Her bright blue eyes were flashing fire at me.

  “That’s enough, Mom. This is why I hesitate to tell you anything! You don’t know when to stop! Will you please just forget I ever mentioned this dinner to you?”

  “I won’t say another word about it,” I lied. “You know I just get carried away sometimes. But what did you mean you hesitate to tell me things. What haven’t you told me, Kat? I thought we told each other everything…”

  “MOM!”

  ***

  I was blessed when they were handing out daughters. Kat and I are a good support team even if we do step on each other’s toes now and again. The tea kettle whistled and did a steamy little dance on the stove top. I turned it off, but then, instead of reaching for my Kit-Kat mug, I changed my mind and opened the next cupboard door and took down a wine glass. It was nearly seven p.m., and who would care anyway.

  My big old black cat, Crow, sat at attention on the counter watching me. “A man hunt requires stronger drink than herbal tea,” I told him, pouring a glass of Merlot. His sensitive green eyes met mine and he clearly agreed, “Meow!”

  Then we walk
ed together through the dining room and into the living room.

  The first thing I did was call Liz. I got her voice mail so I said, “I forgot you guys were going out tonight, call me no matter how late it is when you get back. You won’t believe this but I’m about to fill out a dating profile on that site you told me about. Kat and I got the computer today, and I need some moral support. Talk to you later.”

  I settled back into my desk chair and took a long sip of wine. The fire snapped and popped behind the screen and, suddenly warm, I slid out of my sweater. There was a new Lifetime movie on the T.V., and all was right in my world as Crow jumped up gracefully and curled into a circle on my lap, purring so I’d be sure to know this is his favorite place to be.

  “Well, Old Buddy, it looks like it’s just you and me again tonight,” I told him, and he had the grace to lift his head and make eye contact for a second or two before going back to his nap. Nothing beats the love and companionship of a great old cat. But I’m still willing to begin my search for a great old man to see if he can prove me wrong.

  I fortified myself with another sip of wine and read the next question from Widows and Widowers in Waiting. ‘What are you normally doing on a Saturday night?’

  I laughed and resisted the urge to write either petting my cat or filling out tedious forms on internet dating sites. And it wouldn’t have been completely true anyway, since this was the first time I’d ever filled out a form like this. I thought for a moment and

  decided to put;’ I usually settle in for a cozy evening at home with one of the following: a good book, a good friend, or an exciting movie’. It was the truth and if this was going to work at all, honesty was the only policy.

  Question number two. ‘Describe your ‘dream’ first date.’

  That was an easy one, so I wrote; ‘I think we should meet for the first time in a public place. The Chatterbox Café is right here in Mountainhome and it would be the perfect spot. We could meet for lunch because that would give us some time to talk and get to know each other. And afterward, we could take a stroll through our little town which is very quaint and filled with friendly people and interesting little shops.’

  Maybe that was too boring. Maybe I should say I’d like to go skydiving, or roller skating at the Big Wheel. But I don’t know where I’d find an old guy who was up for anything like that, and to tell the truth, I’m not really sure I could manage it either. If it was ten years ago I’d give it a shot, but who needs to risk breaking a hip? So I decided to let my answer stand. It wasn’t very original, but again, it was the truth.

  Question number three: ‘Describe your perfect mate.”

  Another easy one; I’d like a clone of my late husband, Bob. But that wouldn’t do. So here goes: ‘I care more for what is in a man’s heart than I do for how he looks on the outside. I would want him to be kind, loving, accepting, generous, open-minded, fun, funny, intelligent, spiritual, and easy-going. Richard Gere would be perfect and I hear he’s single again.’

  Better take that last part out since I did say I don’t care what he looks like, and truly, I don’t.

  Question number four: ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’

  Well, now, let me give that some thought. I love these mountains and my bed and breakfast is the perfect retirement career. Kat lives here, and so do all my best and closest friends; clearly the answer is right here.

  So I wrote: ‘I love my life here in The Poconos and I love my retirement career which is very flexible and allows me time to travel if I choose. I want my perfect match to embrace my life, my family and friends as well as my lifestyle and I would do the same for him. But I wouldn’t want to permanently relocate.’

  This internet dating thing seemed just too good to be true. Was it really possible for me to just order up the man of my dreams and have him delivered to The Chatterbox Café just like a piece of jewelry from Q.V.C.?

  And it was at that exact moment when a line of dialogue from the movie playing on the T.V. suddenly was spoken much louder, as if someone had just turned the sound up high. My eyes flew to the screen mounted over the fireplace, and there a beautiful blonde woman appeared. I swear she looked so much like my late daughter, Angelica, it gave me chills. She was wearing a beautiful white eyelet dress, very much like one Angelica used to have. As she moved it appeared to me as if the dress shimmered and billowed out behind her like…like angel wings.

  “Life is a wonderful adventure and the sky is the limit!” she said to the handsome man at her side, “When my husband died, I thought love had died with him, but now I know that wasn’t so. And the best part is that we can’t predict when love will find

  us again and transform our perfectly good lives into an adventure you couldn’t have imagined in your craziest dreams!”

  The camera moved in for a close-up on the man with her and I swear, Richard Gere, in all his silver-haired glory, said, “It is crazy! When I woke up this morning, I thought this was going to be just another ordinary day. But then we met…and now I know the greatest adventure yet is about to begin.”

  Was this a coincidence? My angel cards say there are no coincidences. But this really happened…I swear to God! And then the phone rang and I hurried to pick it up. I had so much to tell Liz.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  KAT

  Daisy stood in the middle of the kitchen wearing Lilly’s old leopard stilettos, a diaper, and a pair of pink fairy wings. An insane amount of make-up was smeared across her face and she screamed at the top of her lungs and hugged Little T’s Nerf football as if it were her most prized possession.

  “MOM!” wailed Little-T, “Make the baby give it back! Anthony and I want to play catch.”

  Lilly spun away from the stove with crazy eyes, shaking a wooden spoon in his direction, “I swear I’m about to be dangerous! Both of you out! Now! And no ball in the house! Give me that thing, Daisy!” She threw the spoon back into a huge pot and lunged for the football.

  Daisy darted around me and hid behind my legs.

  “DAD!” Little T ran off toward the family room. “IT’S NOT FAIR!”

  Daisy had a death grip on that football and you could tell she had an older brother because she threw herself on the floor and wrapped her entire body around it just like a fallen quarterback. “Mine!” she shrieked.

  I had just come in the back door and briefly considered backing out. This was not the way I was hoping the night would go. I put my big apple pie down on the counter and then threw my jacket over the back of a kitchen chair. “Go back to cooking, Lilly,” I said, “let’s see what I can do.” Then I got down to Daisy’s level and grinned at her.

  “Gladly!” Lilly muttered and stomped back to the stove sighing loudly, “Freakin’ kids! They always start this crap when I have a million things to do!”

  I couldn’t help a giggle and Daisy gave me a sly grin back. “My Kat!” she said, dropping the ball and offering me a pudgy hand so I could help her get up and stand steady on her feet. She immediately struck a modeling pose. “Wings!” she said, obviously pleased with herself.

  “I see. And they’re pink! I wish I had a pair of wings like that.”

  She nodded at me as if to agree I definitely needed some wings, “Dolla’ store!”

  I laughed, “I love the Dollar Store. It’s my favorite place.” I snatched her up, being careful not to get make-up on my new outfit. “Where are your clothes, Daisy? Let’s get you dressed for company.”

  “Thank God!” Lilly said, “I should have asked you to get here a couple of hours ago. These kids have been acting up all day, but dinner’s almost ready now.”

  “Smells great,” I said, carrying Daisy to the sink so I could wash the make-up off.

  I was surprised when she closed her eyes and raised her face and didn’t give me any trouble.

  “You’re really good with kids, Kat.”

  “Thanks, maybe someday, huh?”

  “Definitely someday, and I have a feeling it’s going to be sooner t
han you think.”

  Lilly turned the stove burners off, and handed me a little pink outfit.

  “This will be perfect with your wings, Daisy,” I assured her and was rewarded with another big smile and a nod. She let me dress her without any protest, and after I’d adjusted her wings she ran off to join the other kids.

  “The food’s done so we can eat any time now,” Lilly said, pulling her apron off and folding it on the counter. She was wearing a tangerine top and a pair of skinny khaki’s. “You look great,” I said, watching her touch up her lipstick, using her shiny toaster as a mirror. ”And I love your hair down. But you might want to lose the bunny slippers.”

  She opened the pantry door and kicked them in. One after the other I heard them hit the canned goods and fall to the floor. “This is as good as it gets anymore,” she said, sighing as she retrieved her stilettos along with the football and tossed them into the pantry to suffer the same fate as the slippers, before sliding her feet into a pair of suede flats.

  I laughed. “I saw Gino’s car out front so I assume he’s in the family room with Tom?

  She nodded. “Big pool tournament underway. Why don’t you go ahead in while I finish up. Take a glass of Chardonnay with you. We’re having scallops and shrimp scampi. And I meant to tell you when you came in that you look exceptionally gorgeous this evening yourself. I bet Gino will agree.”

  “Thanks, I hope so. I’ll probably gain a ton after this amazing dinner you cooked, but yes to the Chardonnay, too. Just please cut me off after the second glass. I’m nervous and I don’t want to risk acting like a fool tonight.”

  “Something smells incredible,” Gino said from the open archway leading into the dining room.

  I turned beat red. “Lilly’s a wonderful cook,” I said, praying to God he hadn’t overheard my stupid remark.

  “That’s what Tom tells me,” he said, beaming at the two of us in his charming, effortless way.

  God he was hot. I was grateful for the big wine glass Lilly pushed into my hand.