Barbara Levenson - Mary Magruder Katz 03 - Outrageous October by Barbara Levenson

your house and he took me to dinner last night. He wants me to help him with a case in his office while I’m here. So what do you think of him?”
    “He’s older than I am, but he was always friendly and cute. Wasn’t he engaged or something?”
    “He was married briefly but got divorced.”
    “Mary, don’t start a relationship on the rebound, which reminds me why I was calling you. Carlos has called me three times asking if I know where you are or if I’ve been in touch with you. I acted surprised that you had broken up and I said I didn’t know you weren’t around. He sounded just awful. Maybe you should give him a chance to explain. You know, clear the air. If you don’t like what he says, you can still end things.”
    “I don’t care what he has to say. It’ll just be more lies. That night at dinner with Margarita wasn’t the first time Carlos was hanging out with Margarita. I never told you that she was at his house once when I arrived unannounced. He said she was collecting an alimony check. He was probably lying then too. Please, don’t tell him I’m up here.”
    “I won’t. I’m sorry I brought up the subject. Keep in touch so I won’t worry about you.”
    After a quiet morning with a quick trip to the village store, I settled in with the Sunday papers and more of Hal’s delicious cinnamon rolls.
    At noon I drove back to the village to meet Riley at the mini-mart. She looked dazzling in a warm-up outfit and her hair loose from its long braid.
    “Riley, you look like a high fashion model. Did you ever consider modeling?” I asked.
    “When I was at the university, I was interviewed on campus by an agency. I don’t know why I even went to the interview, but the agent invited me to come to New York for a further interview and some pictures. I spent three days down there going through the process. They wanted to sign me.”
    “So what happened?”
    “For one thing, I met some of the models. They all smoked and looked emaciated. I had a hunch some of them were taking uppers or downers or something. I also would have had to quit school and I was having a great time. I played basketball. I also didn’t want to move to New York, so here I am tending to my dad’s stores and dabbling in politics which I’m finding I really like.”
    “Vermont seems to have a magic hold on people who grow up here. Dash told me how he couldn’t wait to get back here and start his law practice,” I said.
    “How did your evening go? Come on, let’s get in my car, and we can go to a Farmers’ Market and to the Flea Market. It’s a gorgeous day to take in the sights.” Riley started toward a white Subaru.
    “Do you mind if we go in my car? I have Sam waiting in the back seat.”
    “No, he‘s waiting in the driver’s seat.” Riley laughed. “You didn’t answer. How was your dinner date?”
    We climbed into the Explorer after coaxing Sam back to his passenger area. Riley gave me directions to the Farmers Market, and we drove through two tiny villages and ended up in a field dotted with booths and awnings, each displaying a wealth of vegetables, meats, cheeses, and crafts. In the center of the field, three musicians were playing a lively song and singing in French.
    “They’re from Quebec. It isn’t all that far from here. Everything sold here is from this area or made in this area. So stock up and you can have a great lunch or dinner when you get home,” Riley explained.
    While I loaded a canvas bag furnished by Riley, I purchased a croissant, goat cheese, apples, tomatoes, jam, and a small pumpkin pie. My mouth watered thinking about my evening feast.
    “If I keep this up, no one will know me when I get back to Miami. I’ll be the fat lawyer whose clothes don’t fit.”
    We sat under a tree and listened to the music. Sam stretched out between us and lapped up some sun. He must have missed his Miami naps in the back yard.
    I told Riley about my wrong house adventure.
    Riley laughed so hard that other