“To what?”
“Come back to me.”
“I’ll keep my cell on loud. Call or text if you need me. If you need anything at all.”
Cars of every description lined Anna’s driveway, the street, and even the neighbors’ driveways seemed full. She looked at the passenger seat and the plate of brownies. It seemed a puny offering. Maybe it was better to arrive empty-handed. And then what? Take them back home with her?
Juli pulled into an open space at the end of the block. With this many people roaming her back yard, would Anna notice if she never showed?
When she got out of the car, she tugged her shorts back into place over her thighs, then tucked the escaped hair strands behind her ears. Distant sounds came to her around the houses and trees, distorted so that it was hard to pin down the location. Barbecue, hickory and charcoal smells filled the air. If Juli hadn’t been familiar with Anna’s house she might have had to check out some extra back yards to find the picnic. She put her purse in the trunk, made sure the keys were in hand, then slammed the lid. Her phone went into her short’s pocket.
“Hey, you’re forgetting the brownies, aren’t you? I see ‘em on the car seat.”
“Dodge. Hey, yourself.” She reached back into the car and snagged the plate.
He was wearing crisply pressed slacks and a plaid cotton shirt, all tucked in and properly belted. “Can I carry those for you?”
“Yes. Thanks.” Good. Everyone would think Dodge had brought the paltry plate of brownies. Not so bad, after all. And she was parked conveniently away from the action. She could sneak away after a few minutes, hike back up the road to her car with no witnesses to see her driving off.
They walked down the street, moist heat baking up from the asphalt.
“Where’s your husband? I was looking forward to meeting him. Is he already at the cookout?”
“No. He was coming, but felt under the weather.”
“I’m sorry.”
She should’ve refused to leave Ben. Juli almost turned around to go back home. “I didn’t want to leave him. He insisted.”
“I’m glad you came. Maybe next time.”
“Maybe. I can’t stay long. I need to get back home.”
Maia surprised her in the driveway. Her sundress was brightly colored with tropical flowers. A butterfly hair pin was fastened behind her ear. “Hi, glad you made it.” She looked past Juli. “Where’s Ben?”
Here we go again. “He was planning to come, but felt a little ill and decided to stay home.”
“Ill? Anything I can do?”
“No, it’s nothing serious, or, rather, well, you know what I mean.” Juli rubbed her face and tucked the hair behind her ears again. “He wanted to rest.”
Maia nodded, then said, “Dodge, look at you. Brownies. I’m impressed.”
“No, ma’am. I’m the bearer. Juli’s the baker.”
Thanks, Dodge.
“They look delicious.”
Together, they rounded the end of the house, walking down the slope to the back yard, following the aroma of fired-up grills and hickory.
“What’s that heavenly smell?”
Dodge answered, “Gal, I know you recognize the aroma of Carolina barbecue. Don’t even hint otherwise.”
“What about the neighbors? How do they feel about the cars and the crowd and the smells?”
He laughed. “Well, I think they’re all here at the party.”
Juli clutched Maia’s arm surprising them both. “Look at all the people.”
“They’re all nice. Relax and be yourself.”
Dodge said, “Anna’s got the food in the studio—uh, the converted porch, that is. Shall I take her the brownies?”
Anna was visible through the long wall of windows, moving.
“I’ll take them to her. I need to speak with her. Thanks for your help.”
“Pleased to be of service, ma’am.” He tipped an imaginary cap. “I’m going to check out that barbecue. Make sure they get it done right.” He walked off toward a stand of oaks and the large black trailer roaster.
“Can you excuse me, Juli?” Maia was looking at a group over by the horseshoe pits. She touched her hair and smoothed her sundress.
Juli couldn’t tell which man interested Maia. “Go.”
She climbed the few steps to the porch. When the chill of the air conditioning hit her, she shivered almost missing the heat outside. “Is it too cold in here? I wanted to have somewhere cool for Ben to relax if the heat bothered him. It’s better for keeping the food, too.”
“I’m sorry, Anna. Ben didn’t come. He wasn’t feeling well.”