Out of Control
Chapter 12

“Goodness child, why are you wearing that garb today of all days? There’s a lot of clean up to be done around the house and it’s gonna get hot and muggy.”

Libby couldn’t agree with her grandmother more, dreading the thought of spending hours out in the wet heat to clean up the damage the storm had caused. “I know, Gram, but it’s occurred to me that I’ve been seen a lot more than Reba has, and we don’t want to make anyone suspicious.”

“Bah…no one pays any attention to anything around here.”

“Are you willing to take that chance? Mom and Dad are just waiting for an excuse to pack you off to an assisted living home. If I can’t stay here with you they won’t hesitate.”

“Well, you can’t live with me forever, dear. It’s not fair for you to give up your life.”

The optimism in her voice revealed she thought she was going to live forever and Libby wasn’t going to refute her. For a woman on the verge of turning eighty she was incredibly healthy and spry, but one little accident and her parents forgot all that.

“Don’t fret about it, Gram; let me worry about my life.”

Thinking about Logan, Libby couldn’t help the little smile that crossed her face. She couldn’t complain about her life. Who would have thought she’d replace someone like him in a place like this? And that he’d make all her fantasies come to life when she was in his arms?

“Come on then, old lady.” Margaret gave Libby a wink. “I see them moving about out there like zombies in an old sci-fi movie. Let’s go see the damage.”

Libby’s grin grew when they walked through the doorway into the wet morning. Her grandmother was right, they were moving about! She counted a dozen or so neighbors circling their homes slowly. Some were picking up bits and pieces of debris that was littering their lawns and driveways. Several people were in the street.

“This belongs to you, Eloise?” Libby heard someone call out. All eyes turned toward the voice to see Mr. Johnson holding someone’s wind turbine that had blown off a roof.

“Hey, I think this is yours, Hank,” another neighbor stated, picking up a plastic garbage can that had been rolling in the street.

Libby bent to pick up a trash can lid that was the same color as Hank’s trash can. A wolf whistle split the air and she straightened quickly with embarrassment, looking over at Vincent’s house to see him coming out the door. Smiling, she responded to his wave, trying not to notice Logan was right behind him.

She lost the battle. His presence commanded attention; he was too virile a man to ignore. She grinned, noticing that other eyes strayed his way too. The Lemon sisters, who lived directly across the street, were standing in their driveway acting like silly teenagers, giggling and mumbling to each other as they followed Logan with their old eyes.

“Dirty old man!” Margaret hollered out. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own age?”

“Gram!” Libby whispered fiercely. She looked around them to see who might be paying attention. “Watch what you’re saying!”

“I was whistling at you, sugar,” Vincent called out.

Margaret gave a huff and waved him off. Libby breathed a sigh of relief until she noticed Vincent and Logan start in their direction. Oh Lord, she wasn’t in the mood to face Logan again so soon after their hot episode in the shed. Even disguised as Reba she wasn’t that good an actress. One look into those sexy eyes and she knew she would give herself away. She was about to turn and walk away when a silver Corvette rounded the corner and Logan stopped dead in his tracks. Vincent continued toward them, but Logan seemed frozen in place.

Curiosity, and Logan’s reaction, kept Libby where she was. The Corvette slowed and turned into Vincent’s drive, parking next to Logan’s bike. The door opened and the most beautiful woman Libby had ever seen emerged. In a glance she took in her short, platinum hair, sleeveless white blouse and purple flowing skirt. She was tall, just a couple inches shorter than Logan. Libby knew that because he’d finally made his way to her.

Her heart twisted with pain when she saw the woman greet Logan with loud enthusiasm, throwing her arms around him and kissing him full on the lips. The fact he wasn’t hugging her back didn’t matter; he wasn’t pushing her away either. She fought the urge to rush over there and tear them apart, jealousy and the pain of seeing another woman kissing him overwhelming her senses.

“That’s Anne, Logan’s ex-fiancée,” Vincent offered without anyone asking. “Only met her one other time, had more hair then.”

“What’s she doing here?” Bless Margaret for asking because Libby couldn’t seem to replace her tongue.

She felt a small measure of relief when Logan finally put his hands around Anne’s arms and pushed her away. He stepped back and leaned against her car, crossing his arms and ankles at the same time. He looked nonchalant, but from where she stood, Libby could see every tense muscle as he listened to what Anne was saying.

“Don’t know. They broke up months ago. Maybe she’s come to her senses.”

“She broke up with him?” Libby realized she hadn’t disguised her voice but it was too late to undo it. Her gaze met Vincent’s.

“Right after his accident. Tore him up too, but not near as much as losing his two best friends in that fire. Blames himself for that.”

Libby saw her chance and grabbed it. “What happened?”

Vincent took a deep breath, his eyes shooting back to Logan. “Don’t really know, he won’t talk about it. And I don’t pry. He just called and asked if he could recoup here for a few months and I told him stay as long as he wants. Had to get permission from the association and…”

Libby stopped listening, her eyes returning to Logan and Anne. She wondered what they were saying. Anne appeared to be doing most of the talking, her hands moving in a way that suggested she was pleading her case. It looked like Logan had turned to granite until Anne moved too close. He straightened and put his hands out as though to stop her from touching him. Is she there to get him back? Emotion nearly choked Libby as she thought of that possibility. Does Logan still love Anne? No…his actions weren’t those of a man happy to see the woman he loved. At least that’s what Libby wanted to believe.

Finally Logan said something. Libby’s heart fell to her feet when they turned and headed inside the house. When her gaze returned to Margaret’s she was surprised to see that her grandmother was watching her with a keen look in her eyes. Libby took a breath. She didn’t want to think about the question she saw in those wise eyes.

“I think I’ll take a look around the house.” As soon as she turned the corner and knew she was out of sight she leaned against the house. Her gaze went to Vincent’s home, wondering what Logan and Anne were doing. He’d obviously taken her inside so they would have privacy from nosy neighbors, but was there reason for more than just talking?

The thought of Logan kissing or touching Anne… Libby didn’t want to think about it and forced the unwelcome thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t spend the day sulking. And

keeping busy would keep her from agonizing over a situation she couldn’t control.

LOGAN STOOD FOR A MOMENT at the end of the drive, watching Anne’s car disappear around the corner. He shook his head in amazement. She’d met someone and was getting married. On her way to visit her grandparents in Largo for a few days, she’d stopped by to tell him because she didn’t want him to hear it from anyone else. A month ago that news would have sent him off the deep end, only now he was happy for her.

Seeing her again had reinforced his thoughts that he was over her and had been for a long time. Probably long before their actual breakup. Thinking back on it they’d been more like good friends for years, not two people in love who wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. It had been a comfortable, non demanding relationship for both of them. He’d been away most of the time fighting fires. She’d been busy jet-setting around the world on buying sprees for her exclusive Beverly Hills boutique.

Anne had been replaced with a red-haired, green-eyed vixen who made Logan realize what he’d truly been missing all these years. Everything about Libby captivated him.

She fired his b***d quicker than any woman ever had, but it was more than that. Her quick wit and sparkling eyes, the seductive woman in her, had him dreaming about her day and night. He was half in love with her, and admitting that scared the hell out of him.

Because what was he going to do about her?

The thought of Libby drew his gaze toward Margaret’s house. First his eyes lit on her parked car, then on his grandfather and Margaret further down the street talking to some neighbors. The sound of someone releasing a loud huff of air drew his eyes to Reba. She was struggling with a heavy planter, dragging it out of the shed and making an attempt to pick it up. When he saw her stumble his sense of duty kicked in and he sprinted over there.

“Here, let me get that for you, Reba.”

“Oh!” She hadn’t heard his approach and nearly dropped the plant, but Logan caught it just as it was about to it hit the ground.

“Sorry if I startled you,” he said, holding it with one hand.

She straightened a little too quickly. “You shouldn’t sneak up on old ladies!” Logan watched her push up the glasses, his brow furrowing with a thought that just wouldn’t take shape. “It’s not good for the old ticker.”

Since Reba turned and walked away Logan had no choice but to follow her. “I’m sorry,” he offered, holding back a smile. “Is Libby around?”

“Libby?” She stopped and gave him a hard look. “She’s not here.”

Logan frowned and shot a significant look at Libby’s car in the driveway, before pinning his gaze back on Reba. She glanced away immediately. Was it his imagination or did she suddenly seem nervous? What was it about her…his gaze ran over her.

She looked just like she always did, but…

“What I mean is, ah, she’s not there in the shed.” She bent and scooped up the bird feeder that was on the step leading into the house without missing a step. In her haste to escape she slipped on the wet grass but quickly righted herself before going down. “Come along now and I’ll show you where that plant goes,” she ordered, taking it for granted he’d do her bidding.

However, that’s not why Logan stood there quietly for a moment. Taken aback by her familiar fragrance he watched her walk away, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. It took a moment before he realized her spine was straight as an arrow, her shoulders back. Her h**s swayed gracefully beneath the flowered skirt as she hurriedly made her way toward the end of the house, with just a little more pep in her step than a woman her age should have.

Just as she reached the corner she was caught up in the sunlight for a second, giving him a clear view of surprisingly shapely legs through the thin fabric of her dress. He squinted for a moment as his brain tried to make sense out of what he was seeing. As dawning registered shock quickly followed, his eyes shot up to her head just as he lost sight of her turning the corner.

Was that a tuff of red sticking out from beneath her silver wig? He’d known from the beginning that she was wearing a wig, a lot of elderly women with thinning hair did, or so several had informed him. Then it hit him like a freight train. It was Libby, and she was masquerading as Reba! Why hadn’t he seen it before? It was obvious to him now. He stood there for a moment in numbed awe, shaking his head as though to clear it.

This explained why something always nagged at him where she was concerned. Other pieces of the puzzle fell neatly into place too, certain incidences he’d found strange at the time but hadn’t taken the time to thoroughly analyze. He didn’t have to question her reasons behind the deception. It was clear her disguise was done in order to allow her to live with her grandmother without breaking the established rules of the fifty- five plus community. The fact that she’d gone to such levels to pass herself off as a senior citizen told him it wasn’t going to be a temporary arrangement.

“Come along, young man!” he heard her screech from the other side of the house.

Grinning, Logan followed her, still shaking his head with disbelief and wondering if he should let on that he was on to her. He had his answer when he turned the corner of the house and saw her standing there with her hands on her h**s and a look of impatience on her face. Only her eyes, behind the thick bifocals, were proof of who he was really looking at. It suddenly occurred to him that he could have a little fun with that knowledge.

His gaze encompassed the various potted plants, the chairs beneath the huge oak trees, a rusty grill and bird bath that was overflowing with dirty water. “I hope you didn’t lug all this stuff back out on your own, Reba.” Logan quickly averted his face when she shot him a suspicious look. “Where do you want this?”

“On the back porch,” she ordered. He turned in time to see her hook the bird feeder on a low hanging branch beneath the oak tree. “Libby’s, ah, not feeling well this morning so we made her stay in bed.” She swung around and headed for the back porch steps.

He had to give her credit for being quick. “I hope it’s nothing serious.” Logan noticed she did everything she could to avoid making eye contact with him. He followed her, his gaze running over her slim backside again. It dawned on him she must have worn some kind of padding the other times. But today, her skirt showed off a shapely figure.

“I’m sure she’ll be okay. Staying in bed just seemed the smart thing to do.” Opening the door, Reba held it for him while wiping at the sweat gathering on her brow. “At least she listens to reason when she’s sick. You can’t tell some of these old folks anything.” Logan set the pot down in a corner, turning to look back at Reba with a grin on his face.

He could tell she was blushing, even through the heavy makeup. “Well, what I mean is, some of us have more sense than others.”

“Yes, ma’am. Would you like me to look at her? I’ve been trained in—”

“No! No! I’m sure she’ll be fine.” She quickly turned to exit the porch. “Goodness, it looks like we’re going to get some more rain.”

She was right. Logan took in the moving clouds and darkening sky. Palm trees were swaying wildly as the wind picked up. And he was certain he’d felt the first drops of rain when he stepped back outside.

“I can’t believe how fast the weather changes,” she said, rushing for the front of the house.

“We’ll probably continue to get rain on and off for a day or two,” Logan explained, right behind her.

“I know that!” she snapped, trying to keep her skirt down around her legs. She turned to Logan with a spark in her eyes. “I was just making conversation.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned. In spite of her outrageous getup the sight of her shapely legs caused something to stir in his gut. Perhaps it was remembering what they felt like wrapped around his waist.

All of a sudden she slipped and Logan reached out to stop her from falling. Only the grass was still wet and slippery and his leg shot out from under him. He felt himself going down and landed on his rump, with Libby on his lap. He barely swallowed a g***n when her bottom ended up squarely on his groin.

“Oh!” she cried out breathlessly, forgetting to use her Miss Reba voice.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” Logan’s nose was in her hair and he lowered his face until he was able to breathe the light fragrance against the back of her neck. It stirred more senses than he thought he had.

“What are you doing?” Libby asked sharply, leaning away from him.

She must have felt his nose against her skin. “Nothing, ma’am.” He smiled, flexing his hands at her waist and feeling the soft padding there. “I was just noticing you wear the same fragrance that Libby does.”

“Stop that! Let me up!” She began to wiggle. “Goodness, if the neighbors see us…”

Logan squeezed his eyes shut and savored the friction of Libby’s bottom as it rocked against his zipper, realizing his body was responding. Letting Libby know he wanted her was one thing, but there was no way he was going to let her think a seventy-year-old woman was turning him on. She’d think he was a pervert or something.

He effortlessly pushed her off his lap and to her feet, before getting to his own.

“Oh!” She swung around to glare at him, her eyes snapping at him from behind her thick glasses. Logan put on his best I don’t know what happened look.

“Libby! The weatherman said there’s a tornado warning!” Margaret yelled from inside.

With a huff Libby turned and continued the way they’d been going. They came to a stop at the bottom of the steps that led up to the door. Logan was sure he could see Libby’s face turning red beneath the layers of makeup, as they stood there looking at each other without saying a word. He couldn’t wait to see how she handled this situation.

“Libby! Did you hear me?” Margaret’s voice moved closer as she came to the front door. “Oh!” she gasped upon seeing Logan. “I didn’t know you were here, Logan.” Her eyes darted to Libby.

“Just helping Reba out,” he explained. “I thought Libby was sick in bed.”

Margaret’s expression showed her surprise. “Bed, why …”

“Libby’s not out here,” Libby said between her teeth, stating the obvious.

“Well, I can see that now,” Margaret began, wringing her hands, the screen door not doing anything to disguise the color spreading across her cheeks. “When I heard the noise out here I just naturally assumed it was her.”

“Thank you for helping me, Logan, but you’d best head back home and tell Vincent about the tornado.” Libby opened the door to head back inside. Her actions forced Margaret to jump out of the way or be mowed over. “I think I see him waving you home.”

“Any time,” he offered, realizing he was being dismissed.

“She doesn’t mean to come off sounding so harsh,” Margaret began in an apologetic tone. “I think she’s just nervous over the weather.”

Margaret’s voice pulled his eyes back to her. “Reba doesn’t bother me, Margaret.” However, Libby did. He shook his head to get thoughts of her out of it. He was going to the doctor in the morning. Hopefully he’d be given a clean bill of health so he could return to work, something he loved doing. So why then did the thought of returning to California suddenly depress him? He knew the answer to that.

Because Libby wasn’t there.