Mixed Bags (11 page)

“Yeah, who was that?”

“That’s Casey Atwood,” she told him, glancing over to where Casey was pretending to ignore this conversation. “She’s an old friend, and now she’s my roommate.” It was easy to say this on the phone, but it would be tricky when she introduced Casey to Conner face-to-face. Hopefully she could warn him first. And yet she knew that he was a good guy; he wouldn’t make Casey feel bad. No, that would be for Taylor to do.

“So, are you still up for a movie tonight? Harry talked to Eliza and she wants to go out.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

“Do you want to invite your friend too?”

“Sure. Do you know if the other girls are going? Taylor and Kriti?”

He chuckled. “Meaning is there a way we can keep Taylor a safe distance from you?”

“Something like that.”

“I don’t know. But if they are coming, we might need more than two cars.”

“I guess it could be kind of tight.”

“I could bring my truck.”

“You have a truck?” For some reason DJ was imagining Conner driving a semi just now.

“It’s an old Chevy pickup that my dad’s been helping me to fix up.”

“Cool. I’d love to see it.”

“Well, find out if all the girls are going, and if we need more room I’ll bring it by.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know.”

“Oh, yeah, the movie starts at eight-thirty.”

So DJ hung up and then turned to Casey. “Want to go to a movie tonight?”

“With you and Lover Boy? Yeah, right.”

“No, I think the other girls are going too. We talked about it at the beach today.”

“I don’t know…” Casey looked kind of lost just now.

“Come on,” urged DJ. “It’s better than hanging out here with my grandmother.”

Casey rolled her eyes.

“How about if I check with the others?” said DJ. “If everyone is going, maybe you’ll want to come too?”

“Oh, yeah, because I’m such a joiner. I just love doing what everyone else is doing. It’s so unique.”

DJ peered at this strange girl who used to be like a sister. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on with you, Casey, but you’ve obviously changed. And I do want to hear the details. But I don’t need you laying into me right now. I’ve already got my hands full with one girl who hates my guts. I’d like to think that you’re still my friend.”

Casey brightened now. “Who hates your guts?”

DJ sighed. “Taylor. She’s one of my grandmother’s protégés and the meanest girl I’ve ever met.”

“Cool.”

DJ frowned. “Cool?”

“Not cool that she’s being mean to you. But at least she’s not afraid to be herself. She’s probably not just a cookie cutter, rich witch, fashion goddess.”

“Don’t be too sure about that.” DJ glanced at the clock. “If we’re going to the movie, we need to get this nailed. I’ll go check with the others.”

However, as she left her room, she planned to check only with Eliza and Kriti. If they wanted to confront Lioness Taylor in her den, they were more than welcome. But DJ had had enough of Taylor for one day.

“I DOn’T WanT TO GO OuT TOnIGHT,”
said Kriti, who was sitting on the window seat with a thick book in her lap. Her hair was still damp from her shower, and she was wearing an elegant pair of purple silk pajamas and looking very much like an Indian princess.

“Oh.” DJ looked over to where Eliza was fussing with her hair. “How about you?”

“I’m in,” said Eliza.

“Why don’t you guys just make it a double date?” suggested Kriti. Then she gave DJ a slightly wicked smile. “Unless you’re enthused about having Taylor with you. I’m sure she’ll liven things up.”

“Kriti’s right,” said Eliza. “This should be a double date.”

“Will you tell Taylor?”

“Sure. You call the guys. But we need to get going.”

So DJ went back to her room and explained the plan to Casey who acted as if she could care less. “Whatever.”

“You’re sure?” said DJ, suddenly feeling guilty for leaving her old friend behind. Not only that, DJ suddenly realized that she hadn’t even said hello to Rhiannon yet. Still, she knew that would mean seeing Taylor, and she just wasn’t up for that yet.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I haven’t even unpacked yet, and I’ve got a bunch of email to catch up on anyway. Just go, okay?”

“Okay.” So DJ called Conner. The guys were on their way over, and she was just going to get Eliza when she heard Inez calling her.

“Desiree,” said Inez, coming up the stairs. “Mrs. Carter wishes to see you in her office.”

“Just a minute.” DJ tapped on Eliza’s door.

“She already went downstairs,” said Kriti. Then she smiled at DJ. “Have fun!”

“Thanks. Enjoy your book. What is it anyway?”

“Gone With the Wind.
I found it in the library downstairs.”

“Is it good?”

Kriti nodded with wide eyes. “Yes, really good.”

“Maybe I’ll read it next.”

“Cool. We can have a mini book club.”

Then DJ took off downstairs. Hopefully, whatever Grandmother wanted could be handled quickly because the guys would be here any minute.

“I need to talk to Grandmother,” DJ told Eliza who was waiting in the foyer.

“Taylor was just talking to her,” said Eliza as she checked her hair in the mirror.

DJ nodded, hurrying toward the office. “I’ll be right back.”

“Desiree,” said Grandmother. “Close the door behind you, please.”

DJ shut the door. “We need to keep this quick. Eliza and I are going out tonight.”

“No, Desiree, you are not.”

“What?” DJ stared at Grandmother. This was the first time her grandmother had ever told her no about anything, well, other than about her appearance, which she protested on a regular basis. But when it came to coming and going, Grandmother had never really seemed to care.

“You are not going out tonight.”

“Why not?”

“Because we are having a meeting.”

“A meeting?”

“Yes. Taylor expressed concerns over how things are going in Carter House.”

“Taylor?” DJ blinked.

“Yes. She feels we are too unstructured, and that the rules are not clear.”

“The girls all signed a contract, Grandmother, the rules were on it.” DJ also wanted to add that Taylor was systematically breaking the rules.

“Nevertheless, I think Taylor is right. We need to have a meeting.” Grandmother smiled. “Let’s not call it a meeting. It will be more of a social gathering.”

“But Eliza and I were—”

“Yes, please, inform Eliza that there is a change in plans.”

“But—”

“And let the other girls know that we will have a meeting in the living room at eight o’clock. Refreshments will be provided.”

“Like carrot and celery sticks,” said DJ.

Grandmother actually laughed, which DJ figured could only be the result of her martini afternoon with the general. “Oh, Desiree, you’re such a funny child.”

DJ glared at her grandmother now. “I just want you to know I think this is totally unfair. Eliza and I had plans, and now you’re ruining everything.”

“Desiree,” Grandmother’s eyes narrowed now and her tone grew serious. “It will do no harm to put off the young men for one evening. Tell them you must postpone your date until tomorrow night. They will simply conclude that you and Eliza are well worth the wait.”

DJ considered this. Maybe Grandmother had a point. Still, it was aggravating to think that this was another small victory for Taylor. DJ had no doubts that Taylor had manipulated this stupid meeting just to keep Eliza and DJ under her thumb.

“All right,” DJ finally agreed. “But you better not pull something like this tomorrow night.”

“Desiree,” said Grandmother just as DJ was leaving. “Please, wait a minute.”

DJ paused by the door as her grandmother came over and peered curiously at her. “No ball cap?” She cupped DJ’s chin in her hand and tipped her face up. “A touch of makeup?” Her expression grew hopeful. “You might just be turning into a lovely young woman after all.”

DJ was surprised by the unexpected compliment. “Uh, thanks.”

Grandmother picked up a strand of her hair and studied it. “I could get you an appointment with Val…perhaps a trim and some highlights?”

DJ shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.”

Grandmother smiled now. “Run and tell your young men that you and Eliza have other plans for this evening.”

DJ went out to see that Eliza and the “young men” were out on the porch, waiting for her. Conner’s eyes lit up when she joined them.

“Ready?” he asked hopefully.

“Bad news,” she announced.

“What?” asked Eliza.

“Taylor…” DJ shook her head. “I swear that girl wants to destroy me.”

“What did she do?” demanded Conner.

So DJ explained Taylor’s “concern” over the lack of structure in Carter House. “She convinced my grandmother to have a meeting tonight so that she can go over all the rules with the girls.”

Eliza laughed. “So that Taylor can figure a new way to break them?”

“Exactly.”

“Why don’t you tell your grandmother the truth?” suggested Conner. “Tell her that Taylor smokes and drinks and lies and—”

“The thought has crossed my mind,” admitted DJ. “But my grandmother is so smitten by Taylor’s mom’s celebrity that I’m afraid she’d put up with almost anything to keep Taylor here.”

“And she might settle down,” said Eliza. “Especially if the other girls put some pressure on her.”

“Anyway,” DJ sighed. “Grandmother said that Eliza and I can go out tomorrow night, if you guys want to…”

“Sure, we want to,” said Harry as he eyed Eliza.

“Of course,” agreed Conner, reaching for DJ’s hand and giving it a warm squeeze that sent happy tingles down her spine.

“Sorry about this,” she told him.

“It’s not your fault.” His eyes looked even bluer now than they had in the ocean.

“Hey, we could still make it to the guy movie,” said Harry suddenly.

Conner grinned. “Yeah, we were fairly sure you girls wouldn’t want to see this particular film. It’s a war movie and supposed to be full of some pretty graphic violence.”

“Blood and guts and gore,” added Harry, like that was a good thing.

“Not exactly my cup of tea,” said Eliza.

“Or mine,” added DJ.

“You boys go and enjoy.” Eliza smiled up at Harry, and he leaned down and gave her a peck on the cheek. Then Conner, looking slightly uncomfortable, like he was unsure as to how DJ would react, followed suit. They made a little more small talk and then finally said good-bye. Eliza and DJ watched as the guys got into Harry’s Jeep, and they waved from the porch before they went back inside.

“This is so unfair,” said DJ as she closed the door.

“Oh, I was kind of tired anyway,” admitted Eliza.

“Well, my grandmother suggested that it might do our ‘young men’ some good to wait for us.” DJ snickered.

Eliza chuckled as they went up the stairs. “I think Mrs. Carter might have that just about right. We wouldn’t want them to think we’re overly eager.”

DJ wasn’t so sure about that. She was eager to spend more time with Conner, and she was mad at Taylor for spoiling it. The mere thought that she could be with Conner right now on her way to do something fun versus being stuck here with a bunch of girls…well, it was extremely aggravating!

“I’m supposed to let the other girls know about the meeting,” she said at the landing.

“I’ll tell Kriti.”

“Wanna tell Taylor too?”

“I would assume that she already knows.”

“Yeah, right, but I should probably make sure Rhiannon knows too.” DJ got an idea. “Have you met Rhiannon yet?”

“No, she was in the bathroom when I told Taylor that only you and I were going out tonight.”

“You mean before Taylor went whining to my grandmother?”

Eliza nodded.

“So, do you want to meet Rhiannon? She’s really nice.”

“Sure.”

So both Eliza and DJ knocked on Taylor’s door.

Taylor opened it. “What do you two want?” she asked in a bored tone.

“Obviously you know about the special meeting,” said DJ. “We want to talk to Rhiannon.”

“DJ?” cried a happy voice. Rhiannon burst out of the room and hugged DJ. “I’m so happy to see you!”

“Me too,” said DJ.

“Come in,” said Rhiannon, opening the door wider as she pulled the two of them in. Taylor sat in one of the easy chairs and pretended to read a fashion rag, but DJ could tell she was watching the three of them.

DJ introduced Rhiannon to Eliza. “And Rhiannon is a talented artist,” she told her.

“Really? What kind of art?”

“Oh, just about everything,” said Rhiannon happily. “Not that I’m any good, but I just like doing it.”

“She
is
good,” declared DJ. “When school starts, you’ll see an amazing mural that she painted in the courtyard last year.”

“With Bradford Wale’s help,” said Rhiannon. “I couldn’t have done it without him.”

“Bradford’s mother is a professional artist,” said DJ.

“Have you heard of Gabrielle Bruyere?”

“It sounds familiar,” said Eliza with real interest.

“I haven’t met her yet,” admitted DJ, “but Rhiannon showed me some of her work at The Mockingbird.”

“What’s The Mockingbird?”

“The best gallery in Crescent Cove,” said Rhiannon. “My goal is to get into it before I turn thirty.”

“Oh, you’ll be in it before you turn twenty,” said DJ.

“You’re too sweet,” said Rhiannon.

“You’re all too sweet,” said Taylor with disgust. “Can’t you take your little chit-chat session somewhere else? This is, after all, a fairly large house.”

“Oh, sorry,” said Rhiannon.

“Don’t mind her,” said DJ. “She’s a perennial grump.”

“Thanks.” Taylor growled.

“Let’s get out of here,” said DJ. “Grandmother said she’s serving refreshments at the meeting tonight. Maybe we should get down there and see if it’s anything better than veggie sticks and nonfat dip.”

“I’m craving kettle corn,” said Eliza.

“I’m craving ice cream,” said Rhiannon.

“I’m craving privacy,” snapped Taylor.

“You got it,” said DJ as she opened the door and led the others out, firmly shutting the door behind them.

“Poor Rhiannon,” said Eliza, patting her on the back.

“Why?” asked Rhiannon.

“Have you notice that you’re rooming with a witch?” said DJ.

Rhiannon just smiled. “God works in mysterious ways, DJ.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Eliza as they went down the stairs.

“It means that I think God put me with Taylor for a reason.”

“What kind of reason?” demanded DJ.

“I think she just needs someone to love her.”

“Wow,” said Eliza. “Are you for real? Or are you like a saint or an angel or something?”

Rhiannon laughed. “Trust me, I’m totally human. And a year ago, I probably would’ve freaked over being stuck with a girl like Taylor.”

“So what’s the difference now?” asked Eliza with real curiosity.

“God.”

“But how?”

“Well, I never believed in God before,” said Rhiannon as they went into the living room to find that, according to Grandmother’s promise, there on the big, square coffee table were refreshments. And besides the typical veggie sticks and nonfat dip, there were also pretzels and tortilla chips (most assuredly they were baked ones with no trans fats, but chips nonetheless) and a big bowl of homemade salsa. “But I hit a hard place,” continued Rhiannon, “and when I turned to God, he was definitely there for me.”

They sat down around the table and began snacking.

“What kind of hard place?” asked Eliza.

Rhiannon glanced at DJ now, as if unsure of how much she should tell. DJ suspected that her grandmother had told Rhiannon to keep her past under wraps. Still, DJ felt it was Rhiannon’s business.

“Rhiannon’s mom has had some problems,” said DJ simply.

“My mom is a drug addict,” said Rhiannon.

“I’m sorry,” said Eliza in a tone that sounded genuinely sympathetic.

“Thanks.” Rhiannon took a carrot stick. “She wasn’t always like that. But when my dad left, my mom felt really bad about herself…rejected and everything. She decided she should lose weight.”

“So she started taking drugs?” asked Eliza.

“Yeah, she started with diet pills…and it escalated.”

“That’s too bad.”

“I tried to keep things together,” said Rhiannon, “but it got harder and harder.”

“Yeah, Rhiannon was working to help cover their expenses,” said DJ. “She was acting more like the mom than her mom.”

“That had to be hard.”

“It was.” Then Rhiannon smiled. “But it was what got me to search for God. I needed help. My mom was into astrology and stuff…and I could see there were no real answers there. A friend at school kept inviting me to go to church things with her. I kept making excuses. Then one day I just said okay. And all I can say is that God made himself real to me. I asked Jesus into my heart and became a Christian, and everything began to change.”

“Everything except your mom,” added DJ.

“I guess I mean everything
inside
of me,” said Rhiannon. “It’s like I started to become a new person.” She looked at DJ now. “Seriously, DJ, you didn’t know me before this happened. But I wasn’t that much different than Taylor back then. I was dark and depressed and angry.”