“Jesse and I named her Melissa after his mom,” Trish says. “Then Sam kept calling her Little Missy, so the name stuck. It suits her better anyway.”

“Sam, why don’t you run along outside and play with the boys while Trish and I get to know this gal,” Kendra says. “We can use an extra set of hands in the kitchen.” She turns to me. “We don’t want to let the Steel Infidels get too hungry. If we wait too long to put out snacks, they turn into a bunch of grouchy grizzly bears.”

“I know when I’m not wanted,” Sam says. “But I’m taking Josh with me.” He turns to me. “Will you be alright here for a few minutes?”

“Of course.”

“You’re not taking Josh outside to hang around all of you dirty-talking guys,” Kendra scolds. “Put him back down right this minute.”

Sam sighs and hands Josh back over before walking out.

Trish and Kendra seem nice. It makes me wonder how they ever got involved with men like Flint and Jesse in the first place. Especially Kendra, a highly educated woman with a good reputation in a small town.

I guess the saying about ‘love is blind’ must be true.

***

I’m still hanging out in the kitchen making small talk with Trish and Kendra when the music outside the house suddenly changes from a slow Willie Nelson tune to loud heavy metal.

Trish sighs and places the baby up against her shoulder to burp.

“Sounds like the boys are starting up again,” she says. “Come on, Lila. You don’t want to miss this.”

Everyone in the house starts making their way toward the doors. I can’t help wondering why anyone in their right mind would want to be outside in the unbearable heat when it’s air-conditioned inside.

“What’s going on?” I ask. “What’s happening? Where’s everyone going?”

“The men call it basketball,” Kendra says with a grin. “We call it foreplay.” She laughs and glances over at Trish. “Isn’t that right?”

Trish nods. “Oh, yes. You’ll see what we mean. Let’s go.”

When the two women move toward the door, I realize now might be my best chance to place the surveillance bug in the house. Another two minutes and the house will be empty.

“I need to use your restroom,” I say. “I’ll be right out in a sec.”

“We’ll save you a spot,” Trish says. “Hurry though. You don’t want to miss the best part.”

I walk to the bathroom and wait until the house is quiet before going back into the kitchen. Slipping the bug out of my purse, I head toward the table. I bend down to attach it when suddenly, through the kitchen window, I hear Sam’s laughter ring out loud and clear.

I hesitate and then drop the bug back into the purse.

Damn it.

I can’t do it today.