Men of All Seasons Box Set

The Fine Art of Reading Riley-9

A good woman who worked hard, Sadie Harrison was above the norm, Stone often told himself. He assumed that all women were like that: straight-forward, no holds bar, and challenging when they needed to be. Sadie’s history with him had been unequitable and withstanding. Not only did he consider her one of his best friends, but he also looked at the woman as a mother figure, turning to her when he needed advice, vent about dramas in his life when they sporadically occurred, and other mad-capped adventures on his rollercoaster-like life. Of course, he had thought about mentioning Cameron Phillips to Sadie and their s****l romp that afternoon, but felt afraid she would maybe freak out about his impromptu intimacy with the stranger, even if he protected himself with a condom.

Being a devout Baptist, Sadie believed in the good Lord and Heaven, with a capital H, she always reminded him. The last thing she wanted to hear from Stone were his d**k tales and how he performed one of the deadly sins (man-lust, as she had called it) with another man. Not now. Not ever. Some things needed to be private, and Stone realized his s*x life with men just happened to be one of those issues.

Sadie didn’t have children and maybe used him in the same way Stone had used her, taking the professional cat fancy man under her wings and treating him as if he were one of her own. She clearly wasn’t above scolding him when needed, and she didn’t fret about loving him and caring for his needs. She didn’t slack in taking Stone in her hands like a little bird and providing him with some natural nurturing, such as hugs or a gentle squeeze to one of his shoulders when he needed. Sadie Harrison was a good woman like that, a true friend, and one he wanted to keep around for as long as possible. Through the good times and the bad times, Sadie made it a point to be at Stone’s side. Somehow, someway, Sadie had blown in off the lake and its scorching summer just to help him, be there for him. He just happened to be there for her, too, the perfect mother-son-like combination and union. Praise Jesus to that! Amen!

Of course, Sadie had flaws, like any good human being on God’s green earth. She hated to wear a bra, sometimes used the term “great balls of fire” a little too much, and listened to one of those Cristian stations on the radio with a lot of eulogizing about God and His Kingdom and burning in fire and brimstone because of sin. But Stone gave the woman credit when credit was due. She didn’t talk to him about her God and Christianity and the fellowship of Baptists she enjoyed. Love and respect unfolded when it came to two different people who could find some balance in their connected worlds, sharing a little slice of what both of them called life.

Truth told, Stone loved Sadie, and vice versa. They were an odd couple from two different societies, but somehow, they formed an odd relationship between them, a mother without children and a son without a mother figure in his life. Their pairing seemed special and lasting, and it was good stuff, Stone felt. Yes, it was! Good!

* * * *

Crap! The tub had filled with water during Stone’s shower. An inch of dirty water rose to two inches, and then three inches as if the tide along the lake rose overnight. His chest, ass, and part of his back were covered in soapy suds when he noticed what happened. He quickly rinsed under the spray and turned off the shower, preventing the tub from filling, even if he wasn’t done scrubbing his balls, neck, and thighs.

This was the third time a bathtub situation arose in the last six months. The first time occurred on April 1, which he thought was a joke being played by Sadie. The second time happened on Independence Day. And now this third time just happened to feel like a never-ending chore of sorts. He’d have to dry off and call Jake Worthington of Worthington’s Wet and Wild Plumbing Supplies.

Jake was Connor Worthington’s younger brother and helped Stone out with all his plumbing needs. Connor had been one of the founding members of the book club and loved Robert Riley, glad to get his brother to do a favor for Stone. Jake, unlike his brother, didn’t read. Not that he had to with his adorable good looks and charm. The party boy in his early thirties had been something to look at, though, a total head-turner with a million-dollar smile, fun to be around.

Stone stepped out of the soapy pool of water. He dried off, fled to his bedroom, dressed, and called out Sadie’s name, in search of help regarding the plumbing problem.

Stone knew that Sadie had every plan to vanish from the residence in a hurry before the book club started. She hated discussing Robert Riley novels and the elements of fiction. Those guests who had arrived were boring, arrogant, and of no interest to her.

She barked at him, “And I’m not about to make those cocktail ice cubes with the bay leaves myself. Lord knows I’ve got better things to do with my time. The plumbing issue is your problem.”

“I want to get Jake out here and fix this before the club meets tonight. Can’t you help me?”

Purse in hand, dressed in her winter coat, boots, and gloves, Sadie, while making her grand escape from the Tudor, called out over her right shoulder, “Look in your office, Mr. Daye! Jake’s number is in the address book on your desk.”