Blame it on the Stars (The Blame Game) by Jamie Hill

me a massage, too?”
    Steve roared with laughter, and pulled her into his lap.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
     
    Catlin ’s phone rang on Halloween at nine o’clock. She looked at the Caller ID before she answered seductively, “I’m here all alone, just thinking about you.”
    Steve ’s voice came back to her, “What are you wearing?”
    “ Nothing,” she teased “It’s very hot in here.”
    “ How hot could it be with you there by yourself?”
    “ Well, I’m thinking of you...so it’s getting very hot...”
    “ Okay.” His voice changed back to matter-of-fact. “So you have the fireplace stoked up too much, and you’re wearing sweats, big thick socks, and that fuzzy white robe.”
    She grinned. “Is this a picture phone, or are you developing your psychic abilities?”
    “ No, I think I know you pretty well is all.”
    “ Well, you’re right. I was just trying to turn you on a little.”
    “ I’m on when I hear your voice, baby. You know the song, all revved up and no place to go. Western Kansas hasn’t gotten any more exciting, even on Halloween. My only saving grace was your trading cars with me for the week.”
    She laughed. “ How is my car?”
    “ We are both fine. I trust you can say the same?”
    “ Sure, we’re fine too. The Beemer should be out of the body shop by the time you get back.”
    “ Ha ha.” Steve replied sarcastically. “Well, hey, I’ve been a busy boy making plans for this weekend.”
    “ Oh yeah? Anything that includes me, a bottle of baby oil or a hot tub?”
    “ Well, I’m sure we can work those in. Bur first we need to go to Topeka on Saturday and pick up some supplies I’m getting from their newspaper.”
    “ Oh, wow,” she deadpanned. “Now that sounds like too much fun.”
    “ Hey, the weekend gets better. Barbara is going to meet us there—”
    “ Oh my God, you’re right!” Catlin squealed. “The weekend is getting better! Maybe we can all go out clubbing or bar hopping together!”
    Steve suppressed his chuckle to speak again , “If you would zip it long enough for me to finish, please.”
    “ Zipping it.”
    “ Barbara is going to take the kids overnight, and she’ll bring them home Sunday. So all I have to do is meet her at the Hilton, drop the kids, and the rest of the weekend is ours. Just you and me. You know—hot tub, baby oil...”
    “ Swimmin’ pool, movie stars! Hot damn!”
    “ I thought you’d like it. The first part will be painless, and we won’t stay long.”
    “ Okay, okay. I can go along with that. As long as I get to suck your toes in the hot tub all night long.”
    Steve laughed out loud. “How long do you think it would take me to get back home with the Jag? I bet I could be there in minutes, not hours.”
    She was laughing, too. “Nah, get some sleep. Get rested up. Saturday will be here before you know it.”
    “ So how was your Halloween?”
    “ A big ol’ party with me and a bowl of Snickers. I had a few trick-or-treaters, but not nearly enough to eat all the candy I bought.”
    “ Hmm, Snickers you say? Save me one.”
    “ It’s a little late for that. Sorry.”
    He laughed again. “Okay, so that’s how it’s going to be. I see now.”
    S he chuckled. “My students were sure jazzed for Halloween today. I think some of them have plans to make a little mischief in the old town of Marshall tonight.”
    “ Surely not.” Steve pretended to be shocked.
    She laughed. “Did you call David tonight? He may be one of them.”
    “ Actually, David is not feeling well. I just talked to him a few minutes ago. He’s heading for bed.”
    “ Sure he is.”
    “ No, really, he is. He has a wicked cough. Now Dana, she’s at a girlfriend’s house, doing homework she says. That part I’m not so sure about. But I’m not too worried.”
    “ Nah,” she agreed. “Dana’s got a good head on her shoulders.”
    “ Yeah. Well, I do have something I need to discuss with you. Is now as good a time as any?”
    “ I