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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. I like the changes, Pat said






" I like the changes, " Pat said. She was scanning the brochure as they made their way back to Port Aransas. " It's much more positive."

" Yes. Thank you for so strongly suggesting I rewrite it. And I liked the pictures you picked out. I think the brochure will turn out great."

" Sorry about yesterday, though."

They'd picked up the photos after they met with the printers and even Randy couldn't brighten them enough.

" We'll try later, " Carly said. " When it's not pouring down rain."

" Not to mention lightening."

" You really scared me, you know. That one was so close."

" Yes, I know. I felt the electricity around me."

" Promise me you won't take a chance like that again, " Carly said. For some reason, it was important to her that Pat remain safe.

" I promise. And I think you need to pay up on that dinner you owe me. I know a cute little place on the island."

Carly hesitated. It wasn't like she needed to get back to the ranch. And after their little adventure yesterday, she at least owed Pat dinner.

" Okay. Deal, " she said.

Pat directed her to The Shrimp Shack and as they stood beside the Jeep, she saw Carly raise her eyebrows. The music was turned up loud and the outdoor patio was crowded with an assortment of people.

" Are you sure it's safe? " Carly asked.

" Perfectly. These are all locals. I'm not sure tourists would dare to venture inside."

" I can't say that I blame them."

Pat led her inside, finding Angel behind the bar. She motioned to a booth and raised two fingers. Angel nodded and reached for two mugs.

" They have the best seafood platter on the island. But if you like Po'boys, don't pass that up. Good gumbo, too."

" I take it you come here a lot? "

" She practically lives here, " Angel supplied. " I don't think she knows how to cook." She placed two mugs of draft beer on the table, then stuck out her hand. " I'm Angel."

" Carly Cambridge."

Angel raised her eyebrows. " Dr. Carly Cambridge? "

Pat actually blushed. She hoped Angel wouldn't repeat the words Pat had used to describe Carly that first day.

Carly noticed Pat's blush and smiled. She leaned her elbows on the table and waited until Pat looked at her.

" Something you want to share? "

" No."

" Are you sure? "

" Very."

Angel laughed. " I think you've met your match with this one, Pat. Yell at me when you're ready to order."

She left them alone and Pat sipped from her beer, stalling for time. But Carly didn't give her time.

" Spill it."

" It's no big deal, " Pat said. " The first day I met you, I came here for lunch. I may have repeated some of our conversation to her. That's all."

" And you told her what? "

" I don't really remember the words. I may have used ‘obnoxious' and ‘environmental wacko' in the same sentence."

Carly laughed. " That's okay. I think I used ‘obnoxious', too. Along with ‘insufferable' and ‘jerk' to describe you."

" Now I'm offended. Jerk? "

" Actually, I think that was the first word I used."

They grinned at each other, then both drank from their beer. Carly couldn't remember another time in her life when she enjoyed someone's company as much as Pat's. She irritated her sometimes, sure. But she always made her laugh.

" So, what are you having? " Pat asked.

" No menus? "

" No. I mean, they have them. I think. Surely. I've just never seen one."

" Well, then I'll take your advice and get the seafood platter."

" Excellent. You won't be able to eat it all, " Pat warned. She caught Angel's attention and raised two fingers.

" Platter? " Angel called. " Or beer? "

" Both."

" So, you don't cook? "

" Not really, no."

" I don't, either. Of course, living at the ranch, I'm going to have to start. It's not like I can go down the road for take-out."

" You should get in better with Aunt Rachel. Alice is a great cook."

" Alice? "

" Cook. Maid. Companion. She's been with Aunt Rachel for as long as I can remember."

" Rumor has it that Rachel's been married eight times."

" No rumor, " Pat said. " She says she falls in love easily."

" And out of love, apparently, " Carly said.

" Nope. They're all dead."

" Dead? Natural causes? "

" Well, there was the boating accident. And the hit and run. And one was murdered at his desk. The suspected suicide." Her lips twitched only slightly. " One just disappeared, presumed dead."

" Oh my God. You're joking, right? "

Pat grinned. " Yes. I'm joking. Although, I do think a couple of them have passed away."

" Still, eight, " Carly said. She couldn't imagine.

" Most people think she married for money. Her second husband was loaded. But she caught him in a compromising position and pretty much cleaned up. I think she's added to her wealth considerably since then, but really, she's had more money than any of her husbands."

" You have never mentioned parents or siblings. Are you not close? And forgive me if I'm prying."

" It's okay, " Pat said. " I have parents. They've just disowned me. My very proper Catholic family could not tolerate my being gay."

" How does someone disown a daughter? Do they just not allow you around the family or what? "

Pat sighed. She hadn't told anyone this story in so long. She hardly remembered the details anymore. At least, that's what she told herself.

" When I accepted that I was gay, I was twenty. I was on yet another date that my father had arranged with one of his friend's sons. I had always been honest with my parents about other things in my life, I didn't think that this should be any different. But having a gay child just didn't fit in with their corporate image, much less the church. They hauled me off to speak with our family priest. They insisted that I could find guidance there. That I could be absolved of this horrible sin. It wasn't pretty, " Pat said, remembering that terrible day. " I caused quite a scene. Rule number one: Never embarrass your parents at church. Their next option was locking me away until I could be healed. They already had an appointment at some hospital in Houston. That's when Aunt Rachel sent for me. And I ran to her."

" And they let you go."

" Oh, yes. I'm sure they were glad to be rid of me. Donald Ryan needed an heir and I wasn't likely to give him one. My sister was still in high school at the time. I suppose they focused on her after I left."

Carly's eyes widened. " Donald Ryan? CEO of Gasworks? "

Pat laughed. " Let me guess. Number one on your pollution hit list? "

" Number one on all my lists. He's your father? "

" The same."

" So you weren't exactly brought up to love and respect nature, " Carly guessed.

" No, it was a resource only."

" So? Wildlife photography? Probably rocked his boat, huh? "

" No doubt. He still calls Aunt Rachel occasionally. I'm sure she gets her digs in where she can."

" Is she a sister of your father or mother."

" Father."

Angel brought over two heaping platters of fried seafood, interrupting their conversation. Pat was thankful. She hated thinking about that time in her life, much less talking about it.

" Are we still on for dinner Saturday night? " Angel asked.

" Of course. What can I bring? "

" Why don't you bring Carly? "

Carly looked from Angel to Pat. Dinner?

" We're having steaks Saturday night. Lannie bought a new grill she's been dying to try out. Why don't you come along with Pat? " Angel invited.

" Oh, I don't know, " Carly said, looking to Pat. " She may have someone else in mind."

Pat and Angel looked at each other and laughed.

" No. Pat doesn't have anyone else in mind. Come along. We'd love to have you."

Again Carly looked at Pat and raised her eyebrows.

" I would love for you to come, " Pat said. Then she winked and Carly grinned.

" Okay. I accept."

When Angel left, Carly looked at her plate, her eyes wide.

" You weren't joking."

" Always good for lunch the next day."

Conversation ceased as they both shoved plump fried shrimp into their mouths. They both moaned at the same time.

" Excellent, " Carly murmured. Then she snagged a fried oyster and rolled her eyes. She had just found a new favorite place to eat.

Pat watched as Carly picked up a piece of fish with her fingers and bit into it. The pleasure on her face caused Pat to grin. Beautiful.


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