Not that she didn’t care about Mindy and how she’d screwed up. She did. Mostly. It just wasn’t a surprise. Of course Payne was going to find out—Mindy wasn’t an experienced cheater and liar. She was a bored novice who had done something incredibly dumb, and now she was paying the price for it. As was Payne.
In the kitchen, Robyn went through the contents of the refrigerator and pantry, then thought about how many people they now had to feed. Assuming Mindy stayed for a few days, which seemed likely, there were six adults, including an eighteen-year-old male who ate enough for three regular people.
They’d already gone through all the chicken Mason had bought at Costco, not to mention the cookies and the pies. There were three steaks in the freezer, but that wasn’t nearly enough.
She made a menu and grocery list for the next couple of days, including breakfasts and lunches. She was just finishing it when Harlow walked into the kitchen.
“How’s Mindy?” her daughter asked, looking concerned. “I could hear her crying from the hallway.”
“It hit the fan, and she’s sorry about that, but I’m less sure she regrets actually sleeping with Dimitri.” Robyn held up her hand. “That came out more harshly than I intended. Ignore my mood.”
Harlow surprised her by hugging her. “Mom, this is a lot. You came out here to think about your own life, when suddenly you’re dealing with me and Austin and now Mindy.”
“Thanks for understanding. I’ll be fine. I’ve already talked to Salvia and told her the invasion is my responsibility, not hers. She’s here for Lillian. She’s going to get someone in to help with the extra cleaning, starting tomorrow. We’ll handle our own cooking, shopping and kitchen duties. I’m going to need you and Austin to help with that.”
“Sure. Let’s start now. What do you need?”
The cheerful attitude was a bit unexpected, but Robyn wasn’t going to question it. “If you could do grocery shopping, that would be a big help. I’ll reimburse you for the food.”
Harlow scanned the list. “This is very doable. I’ll get Austin to come with me.”
“Thank you.” Robyn looked at her. “I’m sorry our time together got cut short.”
“Me, too, but we’ll be able to talk when this settles down. Do you think Mindy will be getting a divorce?”
“I have no idea. She’s suddenly realized how important her marriage is to her, but it might be too late. I’m not sure Payne will forgive and forget.”
“I wouldn’t,” Harlow said flatly. “Kip’s used up all his extra credit with me already. If I found out he’d cheated, I would break up with him and then back his car off a pier.”
Robyn held in a smile. “You might want to stick with ending things and avoid the felony.”
“Fine. I’ll break up with him and think about backing his car off a pier.” Harlow waved the list. “I’m heading out now. Austin’s in his room, right?”
“Last I heard.”
Her daughter left. Robyn returned her attention to what she had on hand for dinner. There were four nice-looking avocados for guacamole and several freshly picked tomatoes for salsa. She had tortilla chips in the pantry, along with spaghetti, beans and plenty of spices for her to make her own taco seasoning. Harlow and Austin would bring back lettuce for salad. As she didn’t think Lillian was up for taco spaghetti for dinner, Robyn would make fresh gazpacho to go with her salad and maybe a small cheese plate.
She went to work, prepping the salsa and leaving it out for the flavors to meld. She would make the guacamole last. She combined chili, garlic and onion powder along with oregano, paprika and cumin to make taco seasoning and put it in a jar. She’d just started dicing onions when Mason walked into the kitchen.
The second she saw him, she dropped her knife onto the counter and walked into his outstretched arms. He hugged her tight, holding her as if he would never let go, which was exactly what she needed. She clung to him, pressing her face into his shoulder.
He felt good—strong and steady. She ignored the tingles and jolts that came from being this close to him. Right now comfort was more important than sex.
“Did we get a ghost?” he asked, speaking into her ear. “I can hear a woman crying somewhere in the house.”
She laughed, thought for a second she might start crying, although she had no idea why, then laughed again.
“Mindy showed up.”
“Ah, the stupid friend.”
“Payne, her husband, found out. He’s devastated. They had a big fight. He’s crushed, Mindy feels guilty and didn’t know what to do next, so she left her kids with her parents and flew out here.”
“You okay with that?”
“I’m not sure I have a choice. Lillian’s very understanding. She pointed out the house was plenty big, and as long as the emotional drama isn’t coming from one of us, she’s happy to be a spectator.” Robyn leaned against him again. “I put her on the third floor.”
“You want her comfortable but not too comfortable.”
“Uh-huh.” She drew back again. “Am I crazy, or is her trip here really impulsive?”
His dark gaze was steady. “She’s dealing with a potentially life-altering reality, and it’s her own fault. Under those circumstances, running makes sense.”
“I get that, but why here? She has sisters. Plus, she knew I didn’t approve of the affair. It’s not like I’m going to tell her what she wants to hear.”
“Maybe she wants the hard truth,” he told her. “Maybe she thinks it’s time she faced the consequences of her actions.”
“You’re so rational.”
“Years of training. Know what to do and do it right. It’s not very interesting or fun, but it gets the job done.”
“I think it’s very interesting and appealing.”
One corner of his mouth turned up. “But not fun.”
She smiled. “You’re fun in other ways.”
“So are you.” He looked around the kitchen. “Where are the kids?”
“Grocery shopping. More people means more planning.”
“It does. I’ll wash my hands. Then you can put me to work.”
Because he would step in to help where he was needed, she thought, grateful for him in more ways than he could know. He wouldn’t complain or protest the job was beneath him. He wouldn’t tell her there was a game on or that she took things too seriously. He would simply do the job.
Not a characteristic every woman would appreciate, but as far as she was concerned, it was sexy as hell.
* * *
Mason set the table, then found the large serving bowls Robyn needed. When the kids got back, he helped put away the groceries.
“Dinner’s in about forty-five minutes,” Robyn said. “Mason, would you make Lillian’s cocktail? I don’t want her feeling left out in the sudden frenzy.”
“I always enjoy spending time with her. What about you? Can I bring you a cocktail?”
She smiled at him. A warm, happy smile that always kicked him in the gut.
“I think I should stay sober for a while longer,” she said with a laugh. “But I’ll be having wine with dinner.”