Page 22 of The Sentinels

"Good. Then come on over. And come hungry, because we're going to have tacos too."

I could hear the smile in her voice. "Sounds good. How about I stop at the bakery and pick up something for dessert?"

"Got it covered, but thanks. See you in a few." I could hear a couple of the girls in the background talking and laughing.

I hung up and went to my dresser where I kept my swim suits. I had two to choose from. A bright red one-piece with cut outs at the waist, and a green bikini that left a lot of skin exposed. The green made my eyes pop, and after holding both up, with indecision I ended up slipping on the bikini. After all, if I was going to be lying out in the sun I'd get a better tan in a two-piece. I braided my thick hair, grabbed a pretty floral cover-up, and slipped my feet into Crocks. I kept a beach bag in my closet with a towel, sun glasses, and lotion.

I avoided my reflection in the mirror because I knew I'd chicken out and change into the one-piece suit. I wasn't skinny. I wasn't fat either, but I did have full curves. Growing up, I’d been the girl who'd developed before all the others. At thirteen I'd looked like an eighteen-year-old. The attention that I'd received from the boys hadn't been all that welcome, either. Too young and immature to understand it at the time, I'd felt vulnerable and self-conscious through most of my teenage years.

At thirty-two I'd long ago embraced my curves and it was a boost to my ego when I received appreciative looks and compliments, some of which were nothing more than long looks and wolf whistles.

"Wow, girl! You're freaking hot!" Ruby admired laughingly upon opening her door and giving me a quick once over. She was wearing a two-piece polka dot swim suit, bringing to mind the style of the nineteen forties. "Ace is a fool." She opened the door wide so I could enter.

"Yes he is," I agreed. "I love your swimsuit, Ruby. You kind of look like a pin-up girl."

She laughed, leading me further into the house. "Thanks. There's a cute little boutique down by the beach that specialize in vintage clothes. We'll go there sometime."

"Hey! Look who's arrived!" Cookie announced when we stepped into the kitchen. She was on the other side of the island pouring margaritas into huge, plastic, bright yellow margarita glasses. Della, Lonnie, and Judith swung around on their stools and looked in our direction. A woman I hadn't met before was sitting next to Della.

"Oh, those look yummy," I smiled.

"Emerson, this is my bestie, Ginger," Della began, indicating the woman next to her. "And that sexy hunk you see out by the grill is her husband, Rebel."

We exchanged smiles before I looked out the sliding glass door to see a gorgeous man in biker clothes doing something to the grill.

"Don't worry. He's not going to stay. We threatened the men that if they invaded our space they would be required to take care of the children."

"Where are the children?" I asked.

"They're all down for their afternoon naps," Ruby replied, holding up her crossed fingers. "Let's pray that we don't hear any noise from them for at least two hours. Ginger has a little boy named Jonathan back there, too."

The sliding door slid open and Rebel stepped into the room. Damn, he was hot, and in a room full of scantily clad women he barely spared any of us a glance. "All fixed," he announced. "The knob was loose."

"We're going to grill fish and veggies for the tacos," Judith explained.

Rebel walked over to where his wife was sitting. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. "Have a good time, babe." He planted a kiss on her, not one of the brief pecks that married couples often shared. "Call me if you need me."

"I will," Ginger promised.

"Don't burn the kid," he said, walking away.

At first I thought that he was referring to their son, but when he stepped away from Ginger I noticed the baby bump stretching out her one-piece swim suit.

"Congratulations," I smiled.

"Thank you. Do you have any kids?"

I laughed. "I don’t even have a man."

"Which we're going to take care of," Lonnie said. "Aren't we, ladies?" Her eyes scanned the others in the room.

"Maybe she's already found someone." I knew that Cookie was thinking about Doyle.

"It's way too soon to know." I set my bag down on the floor. "He's a nice man, but—"

"But he's not Ace," Ruby finished for me.

I snorted. "I wasn't going to say that."