LLucy’s Revenge(Divine Creek Ranch 15)(121)
“Doing well. It’s been another busy week for all of us.”
“And they were really okay with you giving me a massage?”
“They understand that this is my livelihood. If I hadn’t felt comfortable, I would’ve helped you find another massage therapist.”
Val smiled. “You called them?”
Lucy smiled and nodded. “I just wanted to make sure.”
“I understand. When you have something precious, the last thing you want to do is take it for granted or toss it aside on a whim. I’m glad you called them.” He stretched his right arm across his chest and added. “You really helped a lot. The pain was getting distracting.”
“Don’t let it go so long next time. Give me a call if you need another appointment.”
“Appointment, hmmpf!” a familiar voice sniped from the sidewalk.
Lucy sighed and they both turned to see Tabitha Lester standing on the sidewalk, her purse on her arm and her hands on her hips, looking disgusted.
“Excuse me,” Val said. “Do I know you?”
Still staring daggers at Lucy, Tabitha said, “I hardly think so. Here you are out on the sidewalk flaunting your wares, Miss Carter. I hope you know the trouble you’re causing poor Patrick Owen—”
Lucy wasn’t in the mood for another confrontation. “What trouble this time?”
Val stared at Tabitha and said, “I’m sure I know you.”
Tabitha gave him a good look for the first time and suddenly blanched. “I have no idea who you are, sir, but you’d do well to steer clear of this woman and her shop of ill repute!” Tabitha said as she hurried around him, avoiding his eyes, before she rushed down the sidewalk in her twinset, skirt, and sensible shoes. All she needed to complete the ensemble was a pillbox hat, Lucy thought.
Lucy turned back to Val. “You know her? She’s been giving me hell for months now.”
“I can’t remember where I know her from,” Val said as they watched Tabitha scurry away. “What did she mean about Patrick?”
“His family has been less than receptive to our relationship, and he has a young son. We’d never do anything that might hurt PJ but she sees us as some kind of crazy lunatic perverts.” Gesturing to her storefront, she said, “She thinks this is some kind of house of ill repute.”
They looked in Tabitha’s direction and watched as she scuttled around the corner and Val said, “That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard of. I wonder what rock she’s been hiding under.”
Lucy smiled up at Val and said, “I’m curious about why she ran? She looked like she recognized you, too.”
“Now it’s going to bug me all night, trying to remember where I know her from.”
Lucy waved as he walked down the block to where he’d parked his Harley.
A few minutes later, after the massage rooms were tidied and ready for the next day, Lucy shut off the lights and whistled as she locked up and strolled out to her car. The sun had set and the evening heat still hung heavy in the air, but Lucy’s heart felt remarkably light.
She decided to wait until after dinner was done and PJ was put to bed to ask Patrick about what Tabitha had referred to regarding him having troubles because of her. Tabitha’s reaction to Val had been both puzzling and amusing. Maybe that would help to lighten Patrick’s mood.
* * * *
Patrick sat down on the couch in the living room with Lucy beside him and Beck in the overstuffed chair that was adjacent. “I talked to my dad this evening.”
Lucy’s eyebrows rose in the center, showing her concern. “You did?” she asked as she reached up and scratched Waldo’s head, where he’d settled behind her on the back of the couch. Patrick had told her she could bring him over anytime she wanted since she spent so much time at Patrick’s house anyway.
Beck leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, and groaned. “What’d he say?”
Patrick chose his words carefully. They needed time to prepare for the proposal and he didn’t want to give away the reason for his visit to his parents’ house.
“Dad said that he planned to sue for custody of PJ if I don’t end our relationship.”
“What?” Lucy paled visibly.
“The fuck he did,” Beck growled. He looked down the hallway. “Sorry.”
Patrick shrugged. A little foul language in light of this situation wasn’t a concern. “He has it in his head that I’m gay. Beck, he thinks you and I are just going at it 24/7, when we’re not both screwing Lucy. He has it in his head that PJ is being exposed to sexual perversions.”