Chapter 21

As my stomach growled, I made a light lunch of scrambled eggs, toasted bagels with jam, orange slices and a pot of coffee. My knee was sore, but as I moved around it felt as if it were limbering up somewhat. The day was very hot already, but with the breeze blowing off the ocean I was comfortable on the deck. Trying to keep my mind off of Perry, I counted sea gulls as they danced in the air around me. I got up to 20, when I realized I probably was counting the same 4 birds over and over.

A snide voice caused the birds to fly away, “My, don’t you look cozy in your old dog-eared t-shirt.” Melinda stood at the top of the deck’s staircase. She hurried on before I could reply, “Where’s Perry? I don’t see his truck here nor did I see it at the gym?”

Wearing a mint green linen sundress, she was flawless in all the crispness that professionally pressed clothes can demonstrate. She could easily look debonair with her elegant style and attractive blondeness, but her brash voice and malign facial expression told a different tale. I wasn’t in the best of moods to deal with her. “He’s out I suppose. I haven’t seen him since last night.”

“Oh, he slips away before morning? Now that sounds like the Perry I know. Don’t beat yourself up, honey. He’s not worth it. I’m surprised that he stuck around last night after hearing that you write about romance. He isn’t one for courting and thinks women should be seen and not heard, much less read.” She waited for a reply. When she didn’t get one, she asked, “Do you mind if I use the bathroom? I had a long drive.”

I did, but I wasn’t one to be rude. I wondered if she would have extended me the same courtesy. “Sure. I assume that you know the way?” I asked, feeling my claws beginning to stretch. I really yearned to tell this woman what I thought of her and her insinuations.

“Naturally, I do. For your information, I lived here for a year.” Sulkily, she walked past me. I stood up quickly, gathering my empty plates. Her screeching voice almost deafened me. “What have you done to my beautiful mansion? You’ve changed everything! Oh this place looks atrocious!”

I stopped short in the doorway, because her angry grief was shocking. “I didn’t change much, just rearranged the paintings and some of the furniture in the rooms I used. Perry can change it back once I’m gone. Since I pay rent, I think I should be able to move items, if I so desire.”

“Oh, you harpy! You are nothing but trouble. I remember the way you turned on Banning House after they treated you like a Princess. It took years to reclaim their spot in the publishing market, after you assassinated their good name. Now you’re trying to play Perry. If you’re after his money, he doesn’t have any. I heard you were in a financial bind.”

“I abdicated my Princess crown, after Banning House screwed me with out even kissing me first. As far as my stay as a writer at Banning House, there are two sides to every story. I am not going to defend an issue that is dead to me now. But I will say this Miss Jones, I noticed that they still have my awards and pictures posted in their lobby. So, they must not be too upset over my assassination attempt. After all, they made more money on me during the five years that I wrote for them than they ever will on any of their current best-selling authors.

And my relationship with Perry is none of your business, Miss Jones. In fact nothing about me is any of your business and I would be careful snooping if I were you.” I was fired up. We were inches apart, ready to rip out hair.

“Miss Rosewood, I have plenty business with Perry. He is my ex-husband but we are far from over. If you weren’t such a recluse on the social scene, I imagine I would know more about you than what I do. But everyone loves the Golden girl writer, Rose Kerrigan. She’s so special, so sweet, so pure and so wonderful. No one wants to tell the real truth about you. Aren’t you lucky? You are able to hide behind a pretty face and a brilliant writing career. But everyone has some sort of demon lurking in the dark recesses of their soul, honey and eventually, your tarnished side will catch up. Then we’ll see how lovely that golden image will stay.”

“Oh, it will stay golden longer than that cheap dye job on your hair. My advice is to get a deep conditioner and mend those split ends.” When one can’t think of something to say in the face of a personal attack, one should always go for the throat.

“You tramp!” Melinda threw herself at me. I knew she would break with that insult and was prepared for the assault. We fell over the couch, kicking and punching. My long hair was down and fair game for her low-life fighting techniques. I had her arm behind her and pulled upwards with each tug she gave my hair. We both were screaming and cursing, knocking things over. As far as cat fights go, this one was a howler.

“What the hell!” Someone shouted, as hands pulled us apart. It was Wade. His hat was askew on his head and he looked as if he could spank both of us. “What do you think you’re doing, fighting like children over the last gumdrop in the candy dish? I’ve never seen the likes of this, not even on soap operas. Ladies do not fight like alley cats over a scrap of bread. What have you two got to say for yourselves?” Wade clearly disapproved.

Melinda straightened her dress and stood up, haughtily facing Wade. “Perry had better do something about his trailer trash house guest, Wade. The value of the property is vastly depreciating.” She strode out before I could comment. Wade made a disapproving noise, as he watched her exit the house.

“Kerrie, what is going on? If someone would have told me that you were tiger at heart, I would have told them differently.” Wade’s look of admiration made me laugh.

“I’m no Bruce Lee. She fought dirty but I knew that her arm would give out before my hair did. I don’t know why, but that woman rubs me wrong, Wade. But I didn’t start the fight. She’s the one that lost control and went for my eyes first.”


“I know what’s wrong with her. She’s jealous of you. And I’m a-bettin’ she’s noticed the change in Perry, too. It doesn’t take much to realize it’s all because of you, baby doll.”
He winked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Wade.” Was there a change in Perry? If so, did I dare dream I was the cause. “Melinda Jones works at my old publishing house. She thinks that I am a heartless woman who tried to soil the image when the publishing house and I became at odds over my contract. She said as much to me just now.”

“That may be her reason and then again it might not. You two sounded like bobcats in a potato sack. I could hear you all the way downstairs.” He chuckled.

I grinned. “Wade, you enjoyed our fight didn’t you?”

“Now Kerrie, what makes you say that? I believe in peace and harmony, not a talk show free for all. Though I will admit, you had her pinned and weren’t letting up on that arm. I would put my money on you any day. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t of come back to give you these clams that Ebb sent. I’m shaking in my boots, thinking about it. I think I would rather tangle with ten cottages full of college kids than try to break up another fight between you two gals.”

“Ebb sent me clams? I do love them.” I looked in the bucket sitting on the deck and saw that the clams were on ice. There were enough for supper. After the day I was having I thought I deserved a special meal.

“Do you know how to prepare them?” Wade asked, eyeing me severely. I noticed the locals didn’t take cooking seafood lightly.

“Yes, Wade. I’ve cooked them plenty of times. I even have a special recipe.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it. Wash out the bucket and save it for me. It’s Ebb’s and he’ll try to use me for shark bait if I don’t return it.”