Chapter 10

All of that business in or near Santa Barbara happened in July. It was a good month.

Now it was August, and Arden was in the ladies room at Conway's, the finest restaurant in Santa Vaca.

She heard a glad cry: "Arden! Arden Smith!" and turned to meet the warm embrace of Faith Ogden. Just as beautiful as ever, perhaps more so, for her face was serene and free from guile or strain. She had one small decoration. A black eye.

Oddly enough, considering all that had happened at their last meeting, they kissed each other's cheek.

Arden felt like laughing. She had been such a victim. Now she was free. Not condescending, either. She had no animosity for Joe. And certainly none for Faith.

She felt free enough to ask: "How is Joe? AH right, I suppose. Joe always takes care of himself."

"I don't know, darling," Faith answered. "I left Joe a week after he left you. How about Harry? I'll gamble you're not with him. You look too well, uh, satisfied."

Arden giggled. "Last time I saw Harry, he was in a bit of trouble." She told Faith about it briefly.

"And now you have a new friend," Faith guessed. "He must be nice. I'm glad," she said suddenly, hugging the young girl. "You're such a doll. And we gave you a terrible deal."

"He's wonderful," Arden said. "Better than the best I ever dreamed. I mean that, Faith. You should be so lucky."

Faith touched a finger to her swollen eye. "I am lucky. I've got a real guy. And he really loves me. Those creeps! Trading us! Like cattle! But this friend of mine, he's tops. We're getting married." She blushed. "At least I think so."

She persuaded Arden to stop by their table. "Just to say hello," Faith said. "His name's Frank Reavis. He's a linebacker on the Buckos. You know, the pro football team."

The guy was so pleasant that Arden sat down. "Just for a minute," she protested. "I'm meeting my friend in half an hour. I'm glad to meet you, Frank. Are you with the... what's their name... the Buckos? Now, I mean."

The tall, strong young man laughed. He was the picture of self-possession. "I am and I'm not," he said jovially. "I think I've got a bum contract. I may jump it and make a deal for myself with another league."

Arden got up, smiling and putting her hand out to say good bye to both of them.

"You're doing the right thing," she told the man seriously. "Handle your own trades. That's what I did!"