10

[SH]

I'd had more than a few surprises in the last 12 hours, but I think seeing Mandella jogging topped the list. Once I finished my usual five mile circuit, I dropped to the ground and did some stretches before heading around the corner of the house.

Rachel was struggling with something in the back of her truck. "There you are, Pat. Could you help me carry this?"

The trunk was full of plants for her cold frame and a small flowering tree. "What'd you do, buy out the store?"

She stopped and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. "Sam's going out of business. He gave me everything half price."

We'd been going to Sam for at least ten years, and he'd been in business at least three times that long. "That sucks."

I picked up the tree and she directed me to a spot on our glassed in porch where I set it down gently. "Anything else?" I asked with a grin.

She placed a few cardboard flats on the back steps. "Take your pick."

There was a multitude of color and variety and it would be hard to choose. "Are you sure?"

"I bought extra." Her smile flashed before her waterfall of curls fell across her face.

"Thanks. Maybe you could make up something for me? And maybe that small succulent too."

Rachel enjoyed arranging flowers. "Sure. So, do you have any special plans tonight?"

I thought about the coffee house and shook my head. "Naw, just hanging out with some friends."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Will Kat be there?"

That was the 50,000 dollar question. "Don't know."

"Well, I hope you work things out. You two are good together."

Rachel made it sound so simple, and in a perfect world, it would be. "Thanks."

[SH]

I was dripping water all over the tile when the phone rang. Caller ID revealed my favorite CIA wannabe and with a raised brow, I picked up and put the phone on speaker. "What's up?"

"We have a problem."

"Yeah? What's that?"

"She's going out with Charles tonight."

The bottom fell out of my stomach. "No way."

"Way. And they're doubling with Walter and the MILF."

This got better every second, and there were so many ways I could rain on their parade. "That sounds like a treat."

Mandella laughed at my sarcastic tone. "Apparently all is forgiven."

"Aww, that's so sweet. So what's our next move?"

"Storm the fortress before 7, or you'll miss her."

I wrapped the now soggy towel around my waist. "Hmm, maybe she can join us and make it a three way."

"That would be...interesting," was all she said before she rang off with a laugh.

The afternoon gave me plenty of time to plot and mull over my next steps, which better be good enough to mow down Wally's pointing finger.

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. The weekend was crazy, as they all seem to be lately. I had hoped to finish this before tomorrow, but that is not going to happen. I realize that Charles on the show will probably be nice and good looking, but I wanted to have fun with 'the other dude' scenario, plus give Mandella the spotlight for a change. Thanks for the few people who have been following the story. You know who you are.