All Summer Long (Fool's Gold #9)(45)

“Call me Dominique.”

Patience waved and ducked back into the building.

Chantal pointed to the Starbucks across the street. “When did you start going by Dixon?”

“I prefer it from time to time. There’s no need for your friends to know who I am, so Dixon makes more sense while I’m here.” Something she had just that second decided, but was pleased with her generosity.

“You’re assuming I haven’t told them who you are.”

“Have you?”

“Not all of them.”

They ordered their drinks, then took them outside to a free table. Dominique was careful to sit out of the sun. Laser treatments might erase unsightly age spots, but the damage never really went away.

“I remember when little girls would run up to me and beg for an autograph,” Dominique said with a sigh. “It’s been a long time since anyone recognized me.”

“You’re still beautiful, Mom.”

Dominique picked up her coffee. “I’m old and don’t fit anywhere. Fame is fleeting. I’d heard that, of course, but never believed it. You’re much smarter than me. You have a place where you belong. It will still be here when you’re my age.” She managed a shaky smile. “Unless the big one comes and California falls into the ocean.”

Chantal smiled back. “The tectonic plates are moving toward each other, rather than away. So we’re not at any risk of disappearing under water. At least not from an earthquake.”

“Good to know.”

She put down her coffee and studied her daughter. Chantal had decent skin and nice bone structure. But her hair was a disaster, as were her clothes.

“Do you ever wear makeup?”

Chantal’s expression tightened. “This was great, Mother, but I have to go.”

Dominique realized how her question had been interpreted. “I wasn’t being critical. I was just asking. I wondered if not wearing it is a personal choice or because you don’t know how to apply it. You could be quite attractive.”

“In the right light?”

“Lighting can be a woman’s best friend. I could show you a few tricks. If you’re interested.”

“Maybe another time.”

Dominique sensed she’d made another mistake, but wasn’t sure where or how. Defeat weighed heavily on her shoulders.

“I’m sure you have things to do,” she said at last. “We’ll talk again later.”

The relief in her daughter’s eyes was as painful as her eager escape. Dominique sat with her coffee, grateful the bright sunshine made it reasonable to put on her sunglasses. The fake smile on her lips and the dark glass over her eyes hid the flood of tears she did her best to blink away.

CHAPTER TEN

“SHE MAKES ME insane,” Charlie ranted before digging her fork into Kung Pao Beef on her plate. “She shows up here, with no warning.”

Clay sat across from her at her kitchen table and picked up his beer. The room was cozy, with only a couple of lights on and the curtains pulled.

“This morning, or are you talking about her being in Fool’s Gold?” he asked.

“Either. Both. I’m not picky. But she is. She insulted my house, she practically clucked over my hair. Or maybe my clothes. Then she started talking about makeup. I don’t wear makeup. I don’t get it... I don’t want to. I’m not like her. That’s the real problem. She was hoping to give birth to a miniature version of herself. Instead she got me.”

“Then she was lucky.”

Charlie smiled at him. “Good line. You know, you’re more than a pretty face.”

“Thank you. I try.”

“I wish she wasn’t here.”

“I got that.”

Charlie took a bite, chewed and swallowed. “Even saying that, I feel guilty. She was sick.” She told him about the colon cancer. “But true to form, she complained about everyone talking about her bowels. I guess it wasn’t an elegant enough disease for her.”

Clay grabbed an egg roll. “You’re torn. You don’t want to have anything to do with her, and you’re sorry she had cancer. But thinking about the cancer makes you worry about what she expects from you. It’s a lot.”

He was insightful, she thought. And not just for a guy. “I’m a horrible daughter because I would like her to simply go back to New York or London or wherever she came from and leave me alone.”

“Is that likely?”

“I don’t think so.” She sighed. “Okay, I don’t want to talk about her anymore. Let’s talk about you.”

“My favorite subject.”

She laughed. “I happen to know that’s not true, but we’ll go with it. How’s the Haycation plan coming?”

“I’m making progress.”

She studied him. “The words sound good, but you’re worried. What’s wrong?”

“Self-doubt.”

“It’s a new venture. Of course you’re concerned. Anything specific or just general nerves?”

“I’m a guy, Charlie. I don’t have nerves.”

“My mistake.”

He shrugged. “I hired a farm manager. I had a choice of two and went with the guy who had more experience. Nate.”