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“No, of course not. You have to leave. Although I’d really appreciate an autograph. If you wait here, I’ll grab a piece of paper—”
I hold up a hand. “Don’t bother.” I spin on one heel.
“Please don’t hold this against me! I can’t risk my job!”
I stop, staring up into the treetops while willing my pounding pulse to slow. The wind has picked up a bit and a soft, ocean-like roar blows through the pines. I watch the greenery sway and let the rush calm me, then I turn back. “You’re right. It’s not your fault, and I don’t want you to lose your job. Hang on a sec.” I open the passenger door and find one of my photo cards tucked into a side pocket of my big bag.
Grabbing a pen, I return to the front steps. I sign the card and hand it to her. “Tell him he can call me if he needs anything.”
She holds the card to her chest for a second, a bright smile on her face, then tucks it into a back pocket. “I can’t do that, but thank you for the autograph.”
“You can’t even tell him I was here?”
“Oh, I’ll tell him that, but I can’t pass any messages. The instructions are very explicit.” She pushes the door open with her hip as she steps back into the foyer. “Thanks for stopping by.”
“Hey, wait. What happened to Justin?” I try to say the name without the intonation I’ve been using, but it still sounds kind of angry.
Tammy doesn’t seem to notice. “He’s off today. Probably taking advantage of the pools. It’s a great day for sunbathing.”
She stays in the doorway as I drive the car down the long drive. When I look back at the bottom, she waves wildly, then disappears inside. Great. My new number one fan, and she can’t be corrupted.
I glance at the time. I think I’ll check out the pools. Maybe Justin is more susceptible.
One of the smaller pools is only a short distance from my father’s house, but the tiny parking strip is empty. I squint at a sign on the gate—it doesn’t open until next week. Odd. I drive to the lodge and park in front. This lot is busy, with a steady trickle of swimsuit-clad residents arriving via car and on foot. I settle my big sunglasses on my nose, grab my bag, and follow the crowd toward the building.
Crossing my fingers behind my back in hopes my request will not set off some kind of alert, I give the woman at the front desk my father’s lot number. She logs it into her computer and jerks her head toward the hall behind her. “Changing rooms are back there. Have a nice day.”
Obviously, the Ranch staff have not been instructed to remove me from the premises. I guess that would garner too much publicity. I know for a fact that my father’s homes are all owned by corporations or trusts. I’m sure there are tax reasons, but the innocuous names help with anonymity, too. Telling the Ranch staff to be on the lookout for a family member would result in everyone in Copper Butte—including hundreds of seasonal employees—knowing Nicholas Holmes was in residence.
I change into my bikini, slide a gauzy coverup on top, and pull my sunglasses back on, wishing I had a big hat. I don’t really want people recognizing me. Normally, I don’t have to worry about this too much, but people hanging out around a pool on a weekday morning are probably in my target audience: stay-at-home moms and retired homemakers.
The pool is surprisingly empty of children. Then I remember Matt said today was the last day of school. This afternoon will probably be wild. That also probably explains the smaller pool being closed—they need teenaged lifeguards. I stroll around the deck, trying to check out the occupants of the loungers without looking like a stalker. As I predicted, a lot of women lie in the sun. The chance I’ll find Justin here is small, but it’s a place to start. I’m not sure what I’m going to say to him if I find him. Maybe I’ll try to bribe him. Or flirt with him and suggest we go back to the house… ew.
After a full circle, I’m back near the changing rooms and haven’t found Justin. There’s another pool at the other end of the Ranch. The woman at the desk might get suspicious if I leave so soon, but the urge to do something pushes me relentlessly now. I swivel around and exit through the pool-side deli, nodding at the young man standing behind another podium at the door between the building and the deck. He barely looks up. “Have a nice day.”
The car rumbles to life, and I drive along the tree-shaded road. Sunshine glints through the pines, and the vanilla-tinged air blows cool against my cheeks. I nearly have a heart attack when a cute little chipmunk makes a kamikaze run under my front tires, but he makes it to the other side.
Parking the Porsche in front of the South Lodge, I take a second to reply to a text from my mother. She and my dad have been divorced for over twenty years, but they’ve stayed in touch. She hasn’t heard anything from him since the stroke.
I tell her I’m working on it, then get out of the car to walk past the bike rentals and give Dad’s lot number to the attendant inside the building. He waves me through to the pool without comment.
This pool is big, too, but less crowded. Only half of the lounge chairs are occupied, and I spot Justin immediately. He’s sitting next to an empty chair. This is my lucky day. I stroll up, drop my bag beside the drink table, spread my towel on the cushions, and sink back.
Before I can engage Justin in conversation, a waiter strides over. “Can I get you a drink, madam?”
I wave him off, but Justin opens his eyes and sits up. “I’ll take a beer. You got any imports?”
Really, Justin? Beer at ten thirty in the morning? But I guess it’s his day off.
I lie still as they discuss the menu, and Justin settles on a Beck’s. Neither of them so much as glance in my direction. When the waiter leaves, Justin drops back into his chair, then finally looks at me. “What do you want?”
Chapter 18
NICA
Early Friday morning, I drive to the Ranch again. The car’s magic opens the gates like before, and I drive to the pool closest to Dad’s house. Leaving the Porsche in a back row spot, I hurry across the parking lot, the sun already warming the pavement.
Stepping onto the shaded walking path is like stepping into a walk-in fridge. I pull my sweater closer and pick up my speed. A car noses out of Dad’s driveway, and I jump behind a huge pine, hoping the driver didn’t spot me. The little car rattles past, and I catch a glimpse of an older woman with spiky gray hair and tired-looking eyes. She must be the night nurse.
