The Bachelor and the Beauty Queen by Carolyn Hector Page B

his face—more importantly the bright blue eye shadow caked on his lids. Fuchsia-pink blush stained his high cheekbones. For a moment she thought two caterpillars were crawling under his eyes until she realized someone had attempted to place faux lashes on him. Clear glitter blotted his top and bottom lip and twinkled in the afternoon sun. The only thing missing was a black bobbed wig, and he’d be as hideous as Cary Grant in I Was a Male War Bride .
    â€œAre you checking up on me?” Stephen asked when she took too long to speak. He crossed his arms over his chest. “You wound me, Miss Pendergrass.”
    â€œAre the girls okay?”
    His brows furrowed together and his right eye twitched. “Why would you ask? Of course they’re okay. They weren’t feeling well—that’s why they missed school,” he spat out, rolling his eyes. “Please don’t tell me Nate sent you.”
    â€œNate? Uh, no?” She tried to find the logical reason why she’d driven over here, but the sight of his hard muscles literally made her lose her mind.
    â€œI’m perfectly capable of taking care of my two nieces.”
    The absurdity of his attitude rendered her helpless with laughter. Stephen raised a brow. Lexi cleared her throat and pressed her lips together to keep from giggling. “Were you asleep?”
    â€œWhat?” He choked out a nervous laugh, brushing his hand across the back of his bald head. “Why would you ask?”
    â€œBecause your lipstick is a bit smeared, here.” With her free hand Lexi tapped her bottom lip.
    Stephen’s hand mocked hers and swiped with his fingertips and inspected the residue. Cursing, he pushed away from the door, leaving it open. His voice carried throughout the house as he called for Kimber and Philly. Not sure whether to come in or stay at the front door, Lexi nodded her head and glanced around. She took her chance and stepped into the foyer and closed the door behind her.
    Unlike the Pendergrass household, the inside of the Reyes home reeked of love. Mary and David Pendergrass had never allowed toys outside of the toy room. They barely tolerated having her in the house. As soon as she hit the proper age, she was shipped off to boarding school. In contrast, wood-framed family photos lined the walls of the Reyes home. She spied a wedding photograph of Ken and Betty Reyes. Both of Ken’s brothers flanked him, along with a couple of familiar faces of women from around town as bridesmaids. A cherrywood credenza by the door held a space for keys, stacks of mail and lots of colorful hair bows. At the Pendergrass house, the photos on the wall were Sotheby’s certified, insured and usually purchased at an auction. Makeup and hair were done in the parlor upstairs by an artist.
    â€œMiss Lexi!” Philly appeared at the top of the steps and took the banister down. Her lavender tutued behind came full speed ahead. The white-and-lavender-striped T-shirt she wore now bore a single dust streak down the front.
    â€œHi, Philly!” Lexi exclaimed, reaching down with one arm to give the five-year-old a hug. Her damp hair smelled of faint chlorine. “What are you up to?”
    â€œI was practicing sparkly makeup with my dolls. Want to see?”
    The makeup on Philly’s eyelids matched Stephen’s. “I’d love to, sweetie, but first I believe this needs to go into the refrigerator.” She displayed the covered dish. “Will you show me?”
    â€œSure!” Philly beamed, stretching her sticky hand upward to grab Lexi’s and drag her into a spacious kitchen.
    A heavy scent of Lysol mixed with chlorine hit her senses first. The royal blue island was covered with dirty dishes. Lexi’s fingers itched to start cleaning. Instead of cleaning, Lexi placed the banana pudding on one of the empty shelves inside the Sub-Zero fridge. The bare shelves cried for attention. A cardboard box of pizza filled