Call Me Wild Page 6

  Karma slid down beside her. “Looks like the game between you and your stalker is at forty-love and you, my dear, are on the losing end.”

  Jessie searched the pocket of her bag for a pill bottle. “I don’t believe in love, not off the court at least. There, I found it.” She took a look at the expiration date. “Shit. They expired two months ago.”

  “They’re fine. They don’t go bad when they expire, they just lose some of their effectiveness.”

  Jessie shot her a questioning look.

  “My brother’s a doctor.” Karma shrugged. “He’s forever going through my medicine cabinet and tossing stuff, but even he wouldn’t complain over a few months.”

  Jessie reached into her bag and pulled out the couple of drinks. “You want one?” She cracked open a Cool Blue Gatorade, not caring if her lips turned blue. She handed one to Karma before tossing four pills into her mouth and chasing them down.

  Karma leaned her racket against the chain-link fence and brushed off her hands. “What do you mean, you don’t believe in love?”

  Jessie should have known Karma wouldn’t let that go. She might have only met Karma twice, but she could tell she was one of those people who wouldn’t let anything slide. “I think people love their families. You know—parents, siblings, friends, and pets. But I don’t believe in romantic love. It’s not love at all. It’s lust, plain and simple. It’s not pretty, so people try to dress it up with hearts and flowers and cute, chubby babies armed with arrows. The whole concept of romantic love is nothing but spin and a boon for the entire greeting card industry.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” Karma took a swig of her drink and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

  “Nope. I’m serious.” Jessie pulled up her left leg and tried to massage her hamstring—Fisher was way better at it. The man had magic hands. Not that she was thinking about him or his hands or anything else. What was she talking about? Oh yeah. “You see, Karma, before the year 2000 and the dawning of true gender equality, women were dependent on men.”

  “Not my mom. That woman wouldn’t be dependent on a man.”

  “Okay, fine. Not every woman. I grant you that women have been increasingly less dependent on men in the years approaching the turn of the century. Still, even thirty or forty years ago, the majority of women were dependent on men for everything—food, shelter, money, you name it. Men married women, and after the lust died, women had no choice but to stay with their husbands because of that dependency, not to mention the social stigma carried by divorce. Not divorced men, mind you, just women. In the last thirty years that’s all changed. Women are no longer dependent on men, and divorce is no longer the proverbial scarlet letter. There’s no reason for a woman to stay unhappily married. We can take care of ourselves.”

  Karma laughed. “We women might be able to ‘take care of ourselves,’ but a vibrator doesn’t keep you warm at night or bring you coffee in bed in the morning. This I know.”

  “I don’t mean take care of ourselves sexually. Hell, there’s never a shortage of men to sleep with, if that’s what you’re looking for—I’m talking about financial and social independence. When the lust peters out, which studies show happens between a year and a half and two years after the first roll in the hay, women of the past would lie to themselves about how much they adored their husbands. They did the whole wifely duty thing because there was no escape. Now we’re finding that the relationship is left to wither and die, eventually ending in divorce or an ugly breakup.”

  Karma took another drink and stuck out her hand to stop the conversation. “Let me get this straight. You don’t believe in love, and you’re writing a romance novel? How can that be?”

  “Romance is fiction. Do authors of novels about serial killers have to kill people to write them?” Jessie stretched out her leg in front of her. “Romances are nothing but formulaic stories with three point five sex scenes. Boy meets girl, boy and girl have sex, fall in lust, boy, girl, or both do something stupid, girl breaks up with boy or vice versa, and then they somehow overcome their flimsy external and internal conflicts, or the horrible misunderstanding, only to realize they can’t live without the other. They kiss, make up, have one more hot sex scene, and live happily ever after. The end.”

  Karma had a funny look on her face, but Jessie wasn’t sure she wanted to know what Karma was thinking. She finished off her bottle of Blue Ice. “I wonder if Fisher would let me use his hot tub again.”

  “You’ve never been in love.” Karma said it with such certainty it was eerie.

  Jessie didn’t lie. Well, not usually at least. “Okay, fine. I’ve never been in love. Not even close. I’ve been in lust and in like, but never love, because romantic love doesn’t exist.”

  Karma picked up her empty bottle and Jessie’s too. “I’ll recycle these.”

  Was Karma just going to leave it like that? She wasn’t going to argue?

  Karma offered her a hand up, and Jessie took it, grateful for the lift. Good thing Karma was strong. Jessie was able to get up without putting any weight on her left leg. How she was going to drive was a mystery. Maybe the Motrin would kick in before she got to her car.

  “Well,” Karma said as she bent to get both her bag and Jessie’s. “I believe in love. Hell, I’ve seen it. My brother married the love of his life and so did my cousin. They’re disgustingly happy. There’s no sign of the lust petering out with either.”

  Jessie found herself hobbling beside Karma in the general direction of the parking lot. “They’re still in the lust stage. Just wait a few years, you’ll see. The average first marriage lasts about six and a half years. Of course, not all marriages end in divorce. I guess it depends on what the couple has in common outside the bedroom.”

  “My grandparents were married for over forty years before my grandmother died. I’m not buying it. A woman as intelligent as you can’t actually believe that love doesn’t exist.” Karma tossed her bag on a nearby picnic table in the shade and threw her leg over the bench.

  Jessie shook her head. “Your grandparents lived before the new age of gender equality. They don’t count.”

  “Of course they do. Gramps is so rich, if his wife had wanted out of the marriage, she’d have had no problem living off the money from a settlement and would have gotten in a divorce. She loved him, plain and simple, and he loved her until the day she died. There’s never been anyone else for Gramps, which is kind of sad, really.”

  Jessie stretched her sore leg as Karma patted the table. “We might as well make ourselves comfortable. I don’t think you’re going to be able to drive like this.”

  Karma was probably right. Dammit. Jessie leaned against the table. “My parents are still married, but my mother’s always been a stay-at-home wife and mother. My mom met my dad in college, married, and she’s never worked a day outside the home. She’s the last of the dependent generation.”

  “Maybe she’s happy with her life.” Karma kicked the dirt and watched the plume of dust rise and fall in the stillness. “Have you ever asked her?”

  “No.” Jessie stared at the ground and flexed her leg. “What’s she going to say? I’m her daughter. You don’t tell your daughter the sex is boring, and you’d rather be anywhere but staring across the dinner table at your husband.”

  Karma laughed. “Believe me, my mother lets everyone know when she’s not happy. Maybe your mother is content. There are worse things to be. Life isn’t all sunshine and happiness, no matter how great a marriage is.”

  “I don’t know. They’re always there, but separate, like a pair of bookends. You wonder what they have to talk about after all these years.”

  Karma took her visor off and pulled out her ponytail. “I think a solid, contented relationship would be wonderful.”

  “Is wonderful synonymous with boring?”

  “No. You don’t understand.” She tossed her visor in her bag. “It’s like baking. You can sprinkle in happiness like cinnamon sugar on a coffee cake—too
much is overwhelming, and too little is bland. But when you get the right mixture, it’s comforting and enjoyable. I think that’s what a good marriage is like after the hot sex cools a little. That’s what I remember when I think back to Gramps and Gran. Even after my cousin’s parents died. They were sad, but close—inseparable, holding each other up through a really tough time. One always had the other’s back. They were one hell of a team.”

  Karma leaned against the table and looked out toward the river. “I wish I had my fly rod in the trunk. There’s nothing like tiptoeing to the edge of the river and casting to work out the kinks and relax. Do you fly-fish?”

  “No, I’ve never tried it. It looks like fun though.”

  “If you want, I can ask my brother if we can use his cabin. It’s right outside of Stanley, and it’s gorgeous. It’s only about three hours away in the mountains, right by the Salmon River. I’m taking the whole weekend off, so I don’t have to be back in town until Wednesday when Hannah’s opens again.”

  “Sounds like a great little vacation.”

  “I’d better take the time off when I can get it. My bartender’s wife is prego and due in a few weeks. He’s going to stay home with her and the baby for a month, so my hours are going to be insane after the kid’s born. This is probably my last chance to get out of the valley before Hunter closes up the cabin for the winter.”

  Jessie stood, put her foot on the edge of the table, and stretched.

  “Feeling better?”

  “Yeah, a little. I guess Fisher was right about tennis not being a great idea.” She stretched a little farther. “I don’t think I damaged it though.”

  “That’s good. On the bright side, the cabin has a whirlpool Jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom and a natural hot spring in the river. What do you think? Are you interested in a girl’s weekend away? I was going to head up alone, but this will be much more fun.”

  Jessie put her leg down on the ground and took a tentative step. “I’m definitely interested. But I don’t have any fishing gear, and until I see how my finances shake out, I can’t really invest in any.”

  Karma patted her arm. “Yeah, you have nothing to worry about there. May I remind you that I have three brothers and a cousin? Those guys collect gear like Imelda Marcos collected shoes. I’m not worried about finding you a fly rod. I even have an extra pair of waders if you want to use them. Let me ask Hunter if the cabin’s free, and I’ll call you. When can you leave on Friday?”

  “Anytime, really. I don’t start training at Starbucks for a few weeks. I guess I’m replacing some guy who’s moving to San Diego. Right now, the only plan I have is to avoid my hot stalker. I’d love to see Stanley, and I can always bring my laptop with me and work if I get the itch.”

  Karma stood and brushed off her butt. “Great. Hunter’s always got the cabin stocked full of food, so I’ll just bring some milk, eggs, cheese, and whatever else I find in my fridge, so we’ll be set.”

  Jessie stepped closer. “I’ll bring wine and beer.”

  Karma walked with her toward the parking lot. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll give you a call tomorrow with the specifics. You’re going to love it up there.”

  “Great. Thanks for the invite. It sounds like fun.”

  Jessie smiled and waved as she climbed into her Mini Cooper, thinking a weekend at a secluded cabin was just what the doctor ordered.

  ***

  Karma felt a smile tugging at her lips as Toni and Hunter walked through the doors of Hannah’s arm in arm. She didn’t see how anyone could look at them and not believe in romantic love. With those two, you’d need a hazmat suit to avoid exposure. Hell, after seeing Toni and Hunter so ecstatically happy, not to mention Ben and Gina flying in and out of town in wedded bliss, even Karma, the woman voted most likely to become a cougar, was softening when it came to the idea of a long-term relationship. Marriage, not so much, but then, she was smart enough to never say never. Toni had sworn up and down she’d never marry, and now she had to live with all the I-told-you-sos. Karma knew what info could be used against her by her family and learned never to volunteer it.

  She poured a beer for her brother and a dirty martini for her sister-in-law and set them on the bar. “Thanks for coming by, guys. Tonight’s tab is on me, if you’ll lend me the cabin this weekend.” She tried for her innocent smile. Toni looked as if she bought it. Hunter, unfortunately, knew better.

  He took a sip of his beer as he studied her over the rim of his mug. “Who are you going with?”

  Damn, she couldn’t get away with anything. Good thing not getting away with it was her plan all along. Her brothers were so predictable. “What makes you think I’m going with anyone? Maybe I just want a weekend alone.”

  “Karma.” Hunter turned on his no-bullshit voice and raised an eyebrow.

  “Fine. I’m going with my new friend, Jessie James. Jessie’s just moved here from New York.” God, this was like taking candy from a sleeping baby. You’d think a guy like Hunter would make it a little challenging at least.

  Toni smiled, and the gleam in her eye matched Gina’s when she was in deep matchmaking mode. Sheesh, the two of them were horrible. They were the last ones to want marriage and a relationship. They’d been so thick, they hadn’t known they’d fallen headfirst into the love machine reactor until someone like her hit them over the head with a two-by-four. Now they’d turned into modern-day yentas, trying to fix her up with every Tom, Dick, and in this case, Jessie in Boise. Thank God Jessie had an androgynous name. “What does Jessie do for a living?”

  “Sports reporter for a big paper in New York or something. Now Jessie’s taking some time off to write a book.”

  Hunter scowled, but being the strong, silent type, he didn’t say anything. Toni, on the other hand, was a babbler.

  Toni sat up a little straighter, obviously warming to the subject. “You’re going out with someone who doesn’t even have a job?”

  “I’m not going out with Jessie. I’m just going to fly-fish. Jessie’s interested in learning a new sport. So are you going to lend me the cabin or not?”

  Toni slid her arm through Hunter’s. “Of course we are. Besides, it’s not as if we’re going to be up there for the next few weeks anyway. You’ll be doing us a favor.”

  Hunter all but sneered at his wife. “I don’t like the idea of Karma going up to the cabin with someone I’ve never met.”

  God, he was going to pay for that later. Good thing, he seemed to like it when Toni was pissed at him. Strange man.

  Toni rolled her eyes. “Someone you’ve never threatened, you mean. Give it a break, Hunter. Karma doesn’t need you putting the fear of God into her boyfriends. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”

  “Yeah, right.” Karma stared him down for a few beats and tried not to laugh at how well Toni had him trained. God, who’d have thought her lone wolf brother would turn into such a lapdog. Toni led him around by the nose. He knew it and didn’t seem to mind. Amazing. “Don’t worry, Hunter; Jessie is harmless. We’re just going to soak in the hot spring and catch some fish. Heck, Jessie’s even planning to bring a laptop and work at night in front of the fire while I read. It’ll be… cozy.”

  Hunter muttered something, gave his wife a kiss, and headed upstairs to the pool tables with his beer.

  Karma checked her watch and followed Hunter’s progress up the circular stairway, before turning her attention to her sister-in-law. “How much you want to bet that Trapper and Fisher will be here in under a half hour?”

  “You don’t think he’s going to call them about your weekend away, do you?”

  “I don’t think, I know. I’ll bet you a Jackson that Trapper and Fisher will be waltzing through those doors before you know it.”

  “You’re on.” Toni shook Karma’s hand across the bar. “It will serve Hunter right if I lose. Men, especially the übermacho ones like Hunter, think we need them to run our lives.”

  Karma mixed a batch of margaritas for a waitress. “Yea
h, you think Hunter’s bad with you. I’ve had to deal with him all my life—times four. Fisher, Trapper, and Ben aren’t any better.”

  Toni sighed. “I don’t know how you keep from hurting them. Honestly.”

  Karma turned on the blender and couldn’t help but smile. She salted the glasses and whispered. “You want to know my secret?”

  Toni leaned in. “Of course.”

  “You’ll have to swear you won’t say anything to anyone, especially not Hunter. Ever.” She poured the drinks and set them on the tray. “It’s a girl thing, and guys—even married guys—can’t be trusted with it.”

  “I pinky swear.” Toni held out her little finger.

  Karma hooked hers around Toni’s. It was great having sisters. “Here’s the thing. Ever since you and Hunter got married, well, Fisher’s been a little depressed.”

  “Fisher’s depressed because of me?”

  “No, no, no. Toni, Fisher loves you.”

  Toni’s face paled, and her mouth fell open.

  Oops, Toni definitely got the wrong idea. “Not loves you, loves you. He loves you like a brother. Calm down, it’s not the end of the world.”

  Toni nodded, but didn’t look convinced. Maybe this was all a big mistake. Karma felt like giving herself a head slap. She should know better than to open her big mouth. “Fisher’s really happy for you and Hunter. Hell, I doubt he even knows what the heck is wrong with him. Men can be so obtuse.”

  Toni frowned and toyed with her olives. “I didn’t know Fisher very well before Hunter and I got married. I guess I still don’t. I didn’t have a clue he was unhappy.”

  “Calm down. It’s not that bad. Hell, Fisher probably doesn’t even realize it. But I’ve been watching my brothers all my life; I know what’s going on with them even before they do. Take Hunter for instance. I knew he was over the moon in love with you the minute he called asking me to buy him that dating book. Where do you think he got that industrial-size box of condoms?”

  “You?” Now Toni was turning bright red.

  Better embarrassed than ready to pass out. “Yeah, you’re welcome. I knew his were probably expired, and as much as I’d love to have a little niece, I didn’t want an accidental one.”