They followed her through the house. The porch, with its new gray slate floor, freshly painted white walls, and high ceiling, felt cool and spacious after the hot dining room. Three graceful Palladian windows set in the walls above the screening sent shade-dappled light over the wicker chaises and the black wrought-iron table that had arrived a few days earlier. Colorful cushions in soft greens punched with black lent elegance to the homey space.

There were four men but five women. None of them bothered with introductions, but she picked up a name here and there: Larry, Tyrell, Tamika…and Courtney, a tall, very striking brunette who didn’t appear to be with any of the men. Blue quickly figured out why.

“As soon as T-camp is over, I’m going to make Dean take me to San Fran for the weekend,” Courtney said with a swish of her gleaming hair. “We had such a great time there last Valentine’s Day, and I deserve a little fun before I have to face another class of fourth graders.”

Great. Courtney wasn’t even a bimbo.

The women began complaining about the heat, despite the breeze stirred up by the newly installed overhead fans. They all assumed Blue was the hired help and started asking for beer, iced tea, diet soda, and cold water bottles. Before long, Blue was making hot dogs, slicing cheese, setting out cold cuts along with every snack food in the house. One of the men wanted the television schedule; another wanted Tylenol. She broke the news to a gorgeous redhead that Thai food hadn’t yet come to Garrison.

April called while Blue was poking around in the pantry, trying to find some potato chips. “I saw Dean had company, so I detoured to the cottage. Riley’s with me. We’ll stay here until the coast is clear.”

“It’s not right for you to go into hiding,” Blue replied.

“It’s reality. Besides, Jack wants me to listen to his new song.”

Blue wished she could be at the cottage listening to a new Jack Patriot song instead of waiting on Dean’s friends.

When Dean finally appeared, everyone on the porch jumped up to greet him. Even though he smelled of horse and sweat, Courtney, who’d been complaining about the faint scent of manure, threw herself at him. “Dean, baby! Surprise! We thought you’d never get here.”

“Hey, Boo. Nice place you got.”

Dean didn’t even glance in Blue’s direction. She retreated to the kitchen, where she began stowing the perishables in the refrigerator. A few minutes later he popped in. “Hey, thanks for helping out. I’ll grab a quick shower and be right back down.”

As he disappeared, she wondered if he meant that she was supposed to keep waiting on his friends, or that he expected her to join the party. She shoved the refrigerator closed. Screw this. She was going back to work.