She put the key back in the box, replaced the stone, and made her way to the back of the cottage. A tall fence had been put up, but it was hidden by hibiscus bushes. No wonder there were iguanas. They loved to eat the pretty flowers.
She went as far from the back as possible so she could see the stained glass window. Mr. Lachlan had it installed. It didn’t fit the style of the cottage and it was way too big, but still, it was glorious. When she turned toward it, Sara was glad to see that it was intact. It was of a knight on a horse and a pretty young woman in a window. The two people were looking at each other. Even in the old glass, they looked like they were in love.
The thought made her remember that Mr. Lachlan said, “Reminds me of you two.” Then he’d walked away. The way he said it made her and Cal laugh, which of course sent them into spirals of lust. They made love on the prickly grass, the newly installed window to one side, palm trees on the other.
The memory brought such deep tears to Sara’s eyes that she ran from the place. Ran all the way back to the house, then inside to the kitchen. She slammed the door behind her.
Lenny was in the kitchen and the afternoon light through the window exaggerated the scars on his face. Sara couldn’t help blinking a few times. His looks were still disconcerting. “Is her royal highness okay?” she asked.
“Her audience seems to think so.”
Sara chuckled. Lenny had the ability to sum up people quickly. Over the last years, everyone had asked him about his life, where he’d grown up, that kind of thing. But he never told anyone anything. Sara liked that about him. “I guess they’re all with her.”
Lenny nodded. “Even the new one. He likes Rachel.”
Sara frowned. He meant Reid. “So do Gil and Quinn. I hope she isn’t one of those conquer-’em-then-dump-’em types.” She looked at her watch. “The caterers should be here soon. You planning to help or disappear?”
Lenny gave a small smile. “Like you do?”
Sara laughed. “Touché.” Days before, Lenny had found an apartment over the garage and had claimed it as his own. He never said so, but she had an idea that he was fed up with living in the big house in Southwest Ranches. He got stuck with too many people to look after.
Sara left the kitchen, went through the house to the living room, then stopped in the doorway. As Lenny had said, the great and wondrous Barbara Adair was sitting on the sofa and everyone else was seated around her. She may as well have been on a stage.
Kate glanced up and saw her aunt.
Sara didn’t want to join in the mini play so she held up four fingers, then opened her hands to represent a book. Kate nodded—4:00 p.m. in the library. She’d tell Jack and Randal.
Minutes later, the four of them were in the library.
“An AUL meeting?” Jack asked as he sat down, stretching out his long legs in a relaxed way.
Sara raised an eyebrow at him. “So you’re the celebrity’s golden boy.” It wasn’t a question.
Jack grinned but didn’t reply.
Sara remained standing. “Yes. AUL.” She was the one to coin the term.Agreed Upon Lies.They were going to consult about what they would tell the others. Truth or lies didn’t matter. They had a goal to achieve.
Kate’s eyes were less swollen and most of the red was gone, but there were still hints of the long, deep cry she’d had. “Lea is very nice. We had such a good chat.”
The others turned to look at her, eyebrows raised. Pouring out her very soul was a “chat?”
Kate kept her eyes straight ahead and ignored them.
“Well, uh, okay.” Sara looked at Jack. “What do you really think of her?” They knew who she meant. “Has she conquered you?”
Jack gave a male scoff. “Far from it. She passed out because I look like my father. He has a lot to answer for.”
“She wouldn’t let us call a doctor.” There was a strong hint of fangirl in Kate’s voice.
Sara managed not to roll her eyes. She’d had forty-plus years of being around so-called celebrities. They didn’t impress her. She looked at her brother and didn’t have to say what she wanted from him.
“Lea is fine,” he said softly. His eyes locked with his sister’s and she knew what he meant. There was still feeling between them.
“What about Rachel?” Jack asked. “Anyone talk to her?”
“Gil and Quinn seem to have fallen in love with her,” Sara said.
The others looked at her in disbelief.
