had the most beautiful apartment. Everything was white. Carpet, curtains, upholstery, even the dishes. We were the color in the place.”
Terri remembered their worry of dropping pizza on white furniture. “Did you cook?”
“Oh yes. My mother taught me and I’m rather good at it. I believe in healthy and fresh. Nate and I went to a farmer’s market every Saturday morning and chose all our vegetables. I steamed everything. I made some rather nice sauces—nothing too spicy, but delicious.”
Terri was holding the ladder as Stacy stapled up some big, handwoven cloths. Nate’s many jars of spices were still in her kitchen. “I tend to live on pizzas and barbecue. And beer. That doesn’t sound like you and Nate.”
“Not at all. He’s quite good at choosing wine. We had red and white at every meal. Nate knows which glasses to use for every course.”
“Does he? I guess you know that he worked here while you were away. I never saw him drink anything but beer.”
“And I never saw him with anything but wine.”
The two women looked at each other.
“Which one do you think is the real Nate?” Terri asked.
“Mine,” Stacy answered quickly. “He was so smooth with all those politicians we met that I’m sure he’s learned to adapt to wherever he is. So, at the lake he dresses and eats like them. Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean any offense.”
“None taken. Weren’t you originally supposed to meet Kit’s son?”
“Yes.” Stacy got down from the ladder and held out the staple gun to Terri. “I think you’re better at this than I am. Would you mind?”
“Not at all.” Terri climbed up and Stacy handed her the fabric. “Tell me about him.”
“Rowan is a beautiful man. Tall and slender and graceful. I would imagine that he’s an excellent dancer.”
“Didn’t you meet him and Nate at the same time?”
“Yes. And...” Stacy paused, a long blue cloth in her hands. It was intricately embroidered in silver thread. “This is terrible to say but everyone has a physical type they like, and Rowan was... Well, he was...”
“Your type?”
Stacy gave a little laugh. “I shouldn’t say that since I’m going to marry Nate, but yes. Nate is really... Well, you know. Larger.”
“Yeah, I know.” Terri thought of Nate just back from the gym, muscles bulging, sweat dripping off him.
“I’m not complaining because Nate is a wonderful lover. Very thoughtful and...” Stacy smiled. “Long-lasting, if you know what I mean.”
All Terri could do was nod.
“But the size of him is a bit off-putting. I’ve suggested he try yoga and I do believe I’m making progress. Anyway, Rowan...” Stacy grimaced. “Beautiful or not, he was a jerk! I don’t know what his father had told him about me, but Rowan acted like I was a girl who couldn’t get a date. He seemed to think I was pursuing him. He made some remarks that were so cutting that I wanted to dump my wine over his head.”
“But Nate stepped in and calmed you both down?”
“Yes, he did. Did you know that Nate was a diplomat?”
“I did,” Terri said. “So you and Nate moved in together right away?”
“Not instantly. Actually, it was never official. I just sort of stayed. But then my parents were going crazy about Bob and me getting back together. I needed to tell them that there was someone else.”
“How did your parents like Nate?”
Stacy groaned as she began pulling picture frames out of a box. “They were awful! My father said Nate looked like a guy who pulled up the anchor on a ship. Dad said Nate could never be the—” She broke off with a sideways look at Terri. “I talk too much.”
“Nate could never be the mayor of Summer Hill?”
“Right.” With a sigh, Stacy plopped down on the wicker sofa. “It’s been awful between my parents and Nate. They don’t like each other at all. Mother keeps locking up her Lladró figures for fear Nate will break them, and Dad...” She shrugged.
Terri didn’t dare sit on the white fabric so she threw a green scarf over the seat.
“I don’t know what to do. I love Nate. He’s so interesting and we like exactly the same things and...” Stacy looked at Terri. “At least I thought so. I’m not sure he likes his office or the Stanton house.”
“Did you ask him?”
“Of course, but he just says he has so much work to do that he can’t talk about it now. He seems to love the lake. In DC he never once said that he wanted