Marilee decided she definitely needed to get it out of the house. She suddenly thought of Sam Brewer and wondered if he would enjoy the torte. Surely she owed him something for practically saving her life. And maybe if they met under different circumstances he wouldn’t think she was a raving lunatic. She assumed he was married and had children. They would probably enjoy the cake, and in future she would avoid making such tempting desserts.
“I think I’ll take it next door,” Marilee said, “to repay my neighbor for doing me a favor this morning.”
Winnie eyed the cake ravenously. “Better hurry.”
Marilee left the house a few minutes later, cake in hand, and crossed the lawn to the Brewer house, patting her hair in place as she went. She hadn’t thought to run a brush through it or apply lipstick. Okay, maybe she had given it a passing thought, but she wasn’t going to primp for any man, married or not. Besides, she was a married woman, even if her husband had found greener pastures.
She should be mourning the loss of her marriage and trying to atone for her shortcomings as a wife. That’s what any good Christian woman would do.
Marilee rang the doorbell and waited several minutes before the door was flung open by a harried-looking Sam Brewer. He had shaved and combed his hair, and Marilee could only stare dumbly at the sight of him in snug jeans and a burgundy rugby shirt. She had not counted on him looking so good. Lord, Lord, why had she come?
“I, uh, brought you and your family a cake,” she said.
If he was surprised to see her, he didn’t show it. “Thank God you’re here.” He yanked her inside, almost causing her to drop the cake. “I need a woman.”
Marilee gaped at him. “Excuse me?”
“My mother has locked herself in the bathroom and she won’t let me in.” He noted Marilee’s blank look and went on hurriedly, “She’s taking a bath. Her eyesight isn’t good, and she’s pretty frail. I’m afraid she’ll slip. Please see if she’ll let you in.” He motioned frantically toward the bathroom door.
Marilee thrust the cake at him and hurried to the door. It was locked. “Mrs. Brewer, are you in there?” she called out. “Mrs. Brewer, I’m your neighbor, Marilee Abernathy. I was wondering if you needed any help in there.”
“I can pick the lock,” Sam whispered.
Marilee caught a whiff of his aftershave and thought she might be dizzy. She shook her head. “Let me try to get her to open the door first. Mrs. Brewer, are you okay?”
The lock clicked and Nell Brewer peered through a slit in the door. “Marilee Abernathy? You look awfully familiar. Where do I know you from?”
“Her memory is bad,” Sam said and was awarded a dark look from his mother.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with my memory.”
“I grew up next door,” Marilee said.
“Oh, yes, Marilee.” Nell brightened. “Hester and Will Brown’s daughter. I haven’t seen you since your mother’s funeral. Oh, Hester was such a sweet woman. Both of your parents were lovely people.”
“I miss them,” Marilee said, then decided to change the subject since her emotions were running so high these days. “I just wanted to see if I could help you with your bath.”
“She’s kind of modest,” Sam said.
Nell glared at him. “How could I possibly be modest when you’ve paraded me butt-naked in front of half the town?”
“They were hired to look after you.”
“I don’t need looking after.”
“That’s not what you said six months ago.”
Marilee looked from one to the other. “Perhaps I’ve come at a bad time…”
“Now look what you’ve done,” Nell accused her son. “You’ve embarrassed our guest. Sam, what’s that in your hand?”
“It’s a chocolate torte cake,” Marilee said.
Nell looked delighted. “For me?”
“Yes.”
“That’s awfully nice of you, dear. We’ll have a slice after my bath. Just let me grab my towel and you can come in.” She closed the door.
“It’ll be okay,” Marilee whispered to Sam. “I’ve done this sort of thing before.”
The door opened, and Marilee stepped inside the steamy bathroom, coming face-to-face with Sam’s mother. “It’s so nice to see you again, Mrs. Brewer,” she said, closing the door behind her and locking it securely. She studied the woman closely, noting the cropped white hair and parchment skin. She had aged, but she looked as healthy as a horse.
“Why are you staring?” Nell asked. “Do I have spaghetti sauce on my face?”
Marilee shook her head. “Sam said you were frail. You don’t look the least bit frail to me.”
Nell gave a grunt. “Oh, he’s full of baloney. I’ve never been sick a day in my life. To hear my son talk, you’d think I was about to draw my last breath.” She dropped the towel and stepped inside the tub, then carefully lowered herself into the water. “Have a seat.” She pointed to the toilet.
“Thank you.” Marilee put the lid down and sat. If the woman was modest, she certainly didn’t show it.
“This is heavenly,” Nell said. “I haven’t bathed in three days except to wash up at the sink.”
“Why is that?”
The woman sighed as she reached for her soap and sponge. “Oh, I accidentally slipped and bruised my hip a few months ago. Sam made a big deal out of it and called 911. Here I was, without a stitch of clothing, and I had two handsome paramedics looking at my sagging behind.” She grunted. “That boy is driving me crazy. Some days I feel like running away from home. But then I have to remind myself it’s my own fault.”
“I don’t understand.”
Nell lowered her voice. “Well, it’s like this. I lied to get him here.”
“Come again?”
“My best friend had just died, and I was so lonely and depressed I couldn’t stand it. So I sort of let Sam think I was on my last legs. You know, not long for this world. Told him I was going blind and couldn’t remember anything. I was just hoping for a visit, you see. Next thing I know, he moved in with me.”
“With his wife and children?” Marilee couldn’t help asking.
“Oh, no, he’s divorced. Never had children.” She paused in washing and regarded Marilee. “I suppose you think I’m a selfish old woman, only thinking of myself.”
“I think you’re human, Mrs. Brewer. We all get lonely.” She thought of Josh, and the ache that never left.
“Sam and I have been knocking heads ever since he moved in. This place is too small for the both of us.” She frowned. “Listen to me complain. I should be thankful to have him here. And I would be, if he didn’t stand over me like a mother hen all the time. He keeps hiring these crazy women to take care of me. The last one stole the pearl earrings I wore on my wedding day, a gift from my dear grandmother. I couldn’t convince Sam of it, he said I forgot where I put them. My memory is as sharp as a tack, and I specifically remember that woman admiring them the day before they turned up missing.”
“Why don’t you tell Sam the truth?” Marilee asked.
“That