“Have you told her about the binoculars yet?”

Laura pointed a finger at her mother in a mock threat. “Not a word,” she warned. “She knows I can see the pool from the windows upstairs, that’s all.” God, she would be so embarrassed if Cassidy knew she’d spied on her with binoculars. But not lately, she reminded herself. She’d refrained. Even that one time when Cassidy had stripped and gone skinny-dipping with that blonde. She frowned. That particular blonde had only lasted the one weekend. She didn’t remember Cassidy even mentioning her name. Or had she? Then she frowned even more. What if Cassidy wanted to go upstairs? Then she’d see exactly the view that Laura had from the writing room.

She had a moment of panic. Were the binoculars still there? Out in plain sight?

A knock on the back door—the patio—signaled Cassidy’s arrival.

Damn! She turned to her mother. “If you mention the binoculars, I’m putting you in a nursing home!” she threatened teasingly.

Her mother smirked at her. “I think you have a crush on her.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” She hurried over to the door and jerked it open, finding a smiling—and dressed—Cassidy Anderson. “Pizza’s not here yet.”

“That’s okay. I brought wine,” she said, holding up a bottle. Then she produced another smaller bottle. “And bourbon.”

Laura grinned. “My kinda gal. Come on in.” She motioned to the table where her mother sat. “This is my mother, Maggie Fry.”

“It’s Maggie Morrison,” she corrected as she shook Cassidy’s hand.

“Whatever,” Laura murmured. “This is Cassidy Anderson.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Morrison. Thanks for allowing me to join you for dinner.”

“Please…call me Maggie. Welcome to our home.”

Cassidy eyed the walker next to the table. “Laura tells me you’re getting around a little better.”

Her mother nodded. “I have no choice. She hides my wheelchair from me.”

At Cassidy’s shocked expression, Laura laughed. “She’s kidding, of course.”

Her mother laughed too. “Yes, I’m kidding. Laura’s been a godsend.”

Cassidy nodded. “She certainly has. My yard has never looked better.” Cassidy pulled out a chair and sat down. “You should see the flowers she’s put in. They look great.”

“Don’t forget you promised to help me in the morning,” Laura reminded her.

“Looking forward to it.”

Laura pointed to the two bottles that Cassidy had set on the counter. “Bourbon or wine?”

“What will you have?”

“I’m going to have bourbon with Coke.” Cassidy made a face and Laura laughed. “What? Ruining the bourbon?”

Cassidy smiled. “You know what? I’ll try that too. Easy on the Coke.”

“I’ll have the same,” her mother said. “Easy on the bourbon.”