Thy Neighbor's Wife by Georgia Beers Read Free Book Online

she
    concentrated on her flowers. She’d filled several flowerpots and
    Thy Neighbor’s Wife 27
    flower boxes with various annuals, adding a satisfying splash of
    color to the other wise monochromatic deck. That morning, she had
    taken Alex’s advice and had stood on the deck with her coffee, sur-
    veying the entire area. Alex had been right: the air was fresh and
    crisp, the lake smooth and quiet. It was incredibly peaceful and
    she’d taken the opportunity to visualize what she wanted the deck
    and yard to look like, deciding what colors would go where, how
    she would arrange things, where she would dig. It was relaxing and
    invigorating at the same time. Having a plan for the day was some-
    thing that always got her going and helped her look forward to the
    hours ahead.
    She’d spent almost two hours at the garden store, picking sev-
    eral annuals in differing but complimentary shades and vowing to
    return in the fall for some perennials. She’d had the entire design all
    sketched out in her head; she could see exactly how she wanted it to
    look when she was finished.
    The day was cool, but cheerfully sunny and she worked for sev-
    eral hours without a break, creating three flowerbeds from scratch.
    She had decided to stick with pastels and whites, so she planted
    petunias and impatiens in varying shades of pinks and purples. She
    lined the borders with white and lavender alyssum and she intended
    to use some shredded mulch as the finishing touch, saving that for
    the next day. She sat back on her heels after patting dirt around the
    very last plant and smiled with satisfaction.
    “That looks fantastic!” Alex’s voice surprised her in its close
    proximity, but it was a pleasant surprise. She looked up to see her
    neighbor smiling down at her, holding out a bottle of LaBatts.
    “You’ve been working nonstop for hours. I thought you could use
    this.”
    Jennifer smiled warmly, accepting the beer. “Thanks, Alex.”
    “Listen, we’re having a little beginning-of-the-summer party
    over there. We’ve got tons of food. Why don’t you join us? Eat
    something. You must be starving by now.”
    Jennifer was instantly nervous at the prospect of meeting new
    friends, feeling out of practice and worried about the impression
    she’d make. Alex’s gentle, welcoming smile, however, shooed those
    concerns away. “You’re right. I am starving.” She stood up, peeled
    off her gardening gloves, and noticed with dismay her brownish
    knees. She tried in vain to brush them clean.
    “Please.” Alex chuckled, grabbing her arm and tugging her
    toward the gathering. “Don’t worry about it. You look great.”

    * * *
    Jennifer’s fears turned out to be unfounded; Alex’s friends wel-
    28 Georgia Beers
    comed her with open arms and she was glad she had agreed to join
    them. Four of the women obviously made up two couples, which
    made Jennifer wonder about Alex’s sexuality, but she decided she’d
    broach that subject at another time.
    “Here. Sit down.” Alex ushered her to the table next to Steve.
    “I’ll get you a plate.” Jennifer was flattered by Alex’s enthusiasm
    and smiled as she skittered off into the kitchen.
    “So, Jennifer. Alex says you’re new here?” Jackie sat down
    across from her, balancing her chin in her hand, her blue eyes
    friendly and curious.
    “We just moved in a couple weeks ago.”
    “We?” This came from the corner, where Nikki and Diane sat.
    Nikki regarded her openly, waiting for a response, but Jennifer
    shifted uncomfortably as she was sure that behind her sunglasses,
    Diane was giving her a very lascivious appraisal.
    “My husband and I, yes.”
    Alex returned from inside with a plate and set it in front of her.
    It was loaded with generous helpings of potato salad, beans, pasta
    salad, pickles, and pieces of fresh fruit. She smiled gratefully at her,
    realizing only at that moment just how hungry she really was.
    “I can throw a hot dog or a burger on the grill, too, if