Deadbeat Dad, page 16
Olivia's heart filled with love just seeing them together. Look at those two.
With a start she realized she had errands to run. I can go to the market. I'll leave her a note just in case she wakes up and wonders where I've gone. I can stop by the hardware store for more paint samples. I'll pick up foam brushes and paint the wall with strips of each color so that she can make her decision.
Olivia picked up the tray filled with plates and cups to take them to the kitchen.
On the drive to town her thoughts settled over her shopping list. As she pulled into town, her mind traveled back to the investigation. Poor Ashley. If only she'd confide in someone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Michael brushed off the bench for her to sit down right next to him. He put his arm around her shoulders. "So how's Sage today, did you start painting the nursery?"
Adjusting her sunglasses to block out the midday glare, Olivia moved closer to pat his knee. "All is well with Sage. I got her more paint samples from the hardware store yesterday. She's taking a deep dive into making a selection."
He kissed the top of her head. "No confessions about the baby's father?"
"Not even close to a confession," Olivia admitted. "I think I've lost my super power."
"I know you want to know," he said, nodding, "but does it really matter? I mean Sage didn't know her biological father until two years ago. She turned out just fine."
"You're right. Plus I didn't know my dad either. My mom didn't consider it a problem. She never said anything bad about him."
"How did she explain your father's absence?"
"When I asked, she told me that he was a boy she'd met a long time ago. When I got older she added to the story, depending on what she thought I would understand. She also said that I shouldn't ever blame him for not being in my life, that it wasn't meant to be."
"Wasn't meant to be covers a lot of territory. But from a man's point of view, I'd want to know if I had a child out there."
"I know you would."
Michael eyed the basket she'd brought. "Is that our lunch?"
"I sliced the ham thick, like you prefer. Added Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato." She lifted the lid off the hamper, placing it beside her on the bench. "One large ham sandwich for the gentleman," she said, handing it over with a smile. "When you're done with that, you can have my other half."
He nodded as he unwrapped the waxed paper.
Olivia looked more closely at the construction site. "So you're framing. I can see rooms shaping up before my very eyes."
Michael swallowed and then took a swig from his water bottle. "I also hired a guy to do construction cleanup. He'll be coming along any minute."
"Anyone I know?"
"He's right from your favorite Lily Rock family, none other than Brandon Grey."
"He put his comic book down and asked for a job?"
"He came by yesterday. After some hemming and hawing he mentioned he needed a job. He was a bit surprised that I required references and experience. After some back and forth, I explained that he could get experience and a good reference if he'd start as our construction cleanup guy."
Michael took another bite of sandwich. After he swallowed, he continued, "Then I told him if he impressed me, I'd let him work with one of our more experienced construction guys to see if he'd work out as an apprentice." Michael brushed crumbs from his lap. "He really thought he could just show up and get a job."
Olivia heard the sound of a car engine coming from behind and turned to look. The familiar lime-green VW Beetle had pulled up next to her car. "And speak of the devil," she said.
Michael glanced quickly and then turned back to her. "I'm hoping for some cookies after this sandwich…"
She shot him a radiant smile. "I've become a doula and Betty Crocker this week. Here are homemade white chocolate chip cookies with macadamia nuts for your pleasure." She reached inside the hamper, pulling up a plastic bag.
"All for me?"
"All for you." She placed the bag in his lap.
A car door slammed. Footsteps approach. Brandon stood in front of them. He hung his head, as if waiting to be noticed. A Comic Con T-shirt was tucked snugly into his high-rise jeans. A worn brown belt circled his waist. A baseball cap sat on his unruly hair.
Michael looked him up and down. When Brandon failed to say a word, Michael finally broke the impasse. "You ready to work?"
Brandon nodded.
"Use your words, man," Michael insisted.
"What do I do?" Brandon mumbled.
"Not play dumb. I told you earlier exactly who to report to and what you'd be doing. Bring the gloves?"
Brandon looked at his bare hands and then back to Michael. When he didn't answer the question, Michael sighed. "So far this isn't going too well. Think about what I told you to do and then do it. If you need another reminder, I'll tell you one more time, but then no more reminders for the rest of this week. I don't hand out my instructions lightly and I expect them to be heard the first time."
Olivia watched Brandon's fists clench. He turned abruptly, walking toward the construction site, disappearing behind the building.
"You're kind of a tough boss," Olivia commented dryly.
"I'm not nearly as tough as most contractors," he defended himself. "Plus the kid has no previous work experience. I know the type—not my first rodeo with oppositional personalities. He thinks by getting me to keep explaining, he'll get out of work."
"So that's how you sum up Brandon?"
"Got it in one." Michael took a big bite of cookie. "Plus he doesn't get to interrupt a lunch with my lady because he forgot his gloves. His poor planning is not my emergency."
"I see," she said, nodding. "There's no mercy from Michael Bellemare."
"I treat him just like the rest of my crew," came his reply.
"But you're very nice to your girlfriend." She touched his cheek.
Michael smiled. "You are not an employee. Plus I'm giving him a chance."
"But remember Ashley used to do all the talking for him. She even explained to me he has Asperger’s."
"Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't, but he still has to try harder and make a living. Otherwise he'll turn out to be a deadbeat like his father."
She felt a tingle up her spine. "You've heard that too, how Beats was a deadbeat dad?"
"I heard it from you and from the horse's mouth. When I asked him about himself, Brandon launched into all kinds of excuses about not having a father figure growing up and how Dad was a deadbeat."
Olivia watched Brandon reappear from behind the construction site with gloves on. He dragged a trash can in the dirt. Stepping closer to them, he asked, "When's my break?"
Michael chuckled. "Show me some work and I'll tell you when to take a break."
Brandon's eyes glared, but Michael did not relent. He disconnected from Brandon by turning to Olivia. "Boy, these cookies are good. I love the macadamia nuts too." He slid his hand into the bag, removing the last cookie. Brandon stared at him without moving.
Michael darted a glance his way. "Get to work!” He broke off a bit of cookie, handing it to Olivia.
The boy huffed away, the trash can thumping against his leg. As soon as he was out of earshot, Olivia laughed. "I love mean Michael. I had no idea you had that in you."
He crossed a leg, taking her hand in his. "I'm just an onion waiting to be peeled," he said jokingly. "And maybe tonight we could go for the next layer…"
"Only if you promise me that mean Michael stays at work," she joked.
"I'm not your boss," he assured her. "I don't need to light any fires under you."
After she kissed him goodbye, she grabbed the hamper and walked to her car. Driving down the hill, she opened her window. The smells of summer wafted inside, the warm odor of earth and pine needles. The hot dry air brushed against her cheek.
"I am an orphan on God's highway," she began to hum. That was the song on Ashley's video. The way she kicked her skateboard into the air and then hopped back on as if she knew right where it would land. Defying gravity and any logical explanation for how she could stay upright on the bolt of lightning with four wheels. Olivia continued to hum. That young woman on the skateboard had little to no resemblance to the frightened woman who stood over Bianca's body.
What are the rest of the words to that song? Something about brothers and sisters with no ties of kinship…
One turn from the main highway and the sound of crunching gravel brought her back to the present. An unfamiliar car had parked at the farthest end of the lot next to her house. Does Sage have a visitor? She got out of her car quickly. Grabbing the hamper from the back seat, she slammed the car door to walk toward the front.
Once inside she heard voices coming from the kitchen.
"How long are you here for?" Sage was asking.
"I've got until next Monday," came a man's reply.
"So you can stay for dinner if you'd like," Sage interjected.
"How about I take you out?"
Olivia walked into the kitchen. She found her sister and a man chatting at the table. Sage looked up, her eyes bright and a smile on her face. Olivia recognized Jeff Grossman as soon as he turned his head her way.
He stood up to greet her. "Good to see you again," he offered, an easy smile on his handsome face. She put down the empty hamper to shake his outstretched hand. He dropped her hand and turned away, his eyes lingering on Sage.
"Good to see you too," she mumbled. Olivia stepped toward the pantry as she listened to Sage and Jeff.
"I'd like to go out," Sage said.
"I'll make us a reservation," replied Jeff promptly.
Olivia walked out of the pantry. Standing at the counter, she made herself busy filling the kettle. "I'll put on a kettle," she called out over her shoulder.
While the tea brewed, she brought three mugs to the table. "So what brings you to Lily Rock?" Olivia asked Jeff.
"Sage and I met last spring on the Colorado hike," he explained. He looked over at Sage with a quick tender look on his face. "I live in LA and thought I'd drive up to see how she's doing."
"She's pregnant," Olivia bluntly announced, waiting for his reaction.
"So I noticed," he said dryly.
Sage smiled. "Not exactly a secret." She patted her baby bump.
Olivia darted a glance at Sage, who glared back.
"We're going out to dinner," Sage announced. "So you and Mike can have some time to yourselves."
"Or I could make dinner for all of us," Olivia suggested. If he's my niece or nephew's father, I want to know.
"I've got this," Jeff assured Olivia. "But maybe another time?"
So that does it. They want to be alone and I'm not supposed to ask too many questions. She took her mug from the table without sitting down. "I've got things to do. See you guys later."
Once in the great room she felt her frustration more clearly. I'm supposed to be the good sister, but she's not giving me any of the important information. Olivia's jaw clenched. It won't be good for her if I keep acting mad.
Her eyes traveled around the room, stopping on her autoharp, which she'd left propped against the fireplace. I haven't played since our last gig. Too busy picking paint colors. I'm going to tune and see if I can remember that orphan song. Maybe my bad mood will lift.
Placing her mug of tea on the mantle, she grabbed her autoharp. "Going outside," she hollered to the room. The first deep inhale of pine-scented air made her feel less annoyed. Self-talk, she insisted to herself. Just chill, Olivia. Sage is doing so much better. After the baby comes you can claim your own life again.
Olivia sat down, shifting her autoharp to her lap. One strum across the strings proved it had held its tune. She pressed the G chord bar and strummed. The words to “Orphan Girl” came quickly.
Olivia began to quietly sing, "I am an orphan on God's highway." By the end of the first verse another phrase popped into her head. "I know no mother, no sister, no brother." To her surprise, her voice caught in her throat as her eyes filled with tears. Then it hit her.
This song tells my story about not belonging and having no family. I was that person before I arrived in Lily Rock. Maybe that's what Ashley's feeling too. Maybe something snapped inside of her and that's why she killed Bianca, something to do with being an orphan and feeling terribly alone.
Olivia stopped singing, knowing she'd stumbled onto something important. There's a connection between Ashley, that video, and the song. But one thing I know for sure, that video was a cry for help.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Olivia felt the heat of the bright sunshine streaming through the bedroom window. She snuggled into Michael's warm body, feeling his arm wrap around her shoulders. He pulled her closer. She inched her hand up his chest to touch his mouth and then his eye. "You're awake," she said calmly.
"My eyes are open," he mumbled. "You can stop poking them now."
"I'm an orphan on God's highway," she said. "The song ‘Orphan Girl’ is running through my mind over and over. I can't shake it. My first thought this morning was on that lyric."
"I remember that one. Didn't Gillian Welch sing it a while back?"
"She did and it was brilliant," Olivia said. "I knew the song from before."
"So you sang it with the band?"
"Not with Sweet Four O'Clock. Right before I gave up gigging, I sang it a lot. Do you think the ear worm is trying to tell me to perform the song again?"
"Could be."
She waited for him to say more, but when his body softened, she realized he'd fallen back to sleep. She lifted his arm from around her shoulders, then slid out of the bed.
Olivia paused to listen to Michael's gentle breathing and the sound of birds calling to each other outdoors. Finally I can push away the orphan…oh no, here it comes again. The ear worm filled her thoughts. The repeating sound and voice singing, "I am an orphan too."
Walking across the room, she pushed aside the curtain to look outside.
"Did you hear the thumping and bumping last night?” Michael asked from across the room. Olivia smiled. Michael did that. He'd doze off and then when he woke up, he'd just start talking as if he'd never been asleep.
"I assume you mean noises coming from the guest room?" She turned around.
He shoved himself into a sitting position. Hair ruffled from sleep, he leaned his back against the headboard. "Last night you fell asleep and I stayed up a little longer. I listened for noises, you know, out of curiosity."
"I was curious too," Olivia said. "I mean, Sage assured me that she and Jeff weren't a couple. But he may have other plans, at least from what I could see yesterday. He can't keep his eyes off of her."
"Well that's the thing." Michael reached his arms above his head to stretch. She admired the toned muscles on both arms and sighed. He continued, "I didn't hear anyone in the guest room. It's right down the hall from us and I'm pretty sure no one slept there last night."
"Intriguing." Olivia nodded. "So you think Jeff and Sage might have, you know, slept together in her room…"
"Why do I feel so curious?" he moaned, plunging his fist into the pillow next to him. "Normally I don't care about what other people are up to."
"Living together in the same house sure brings up a lot of curiosity," Olivia admitted.
"Speaking of curiosity…" Michael's eyebrows lifted. "Do you want to explore your feelings this morning? I have a nice warm spot for you to share with me." He flipped the covers back with a sly grin.
Olivia pretended to examine her fingernails. "As a temp doula, I have early morning responsibilities. But today I think I can say yes to your invitation and then fix you breakfast afterward."
Michael ducked back under the covers. Then he poked his head out. "What's taking you so long?"
"Sage and Jeff aren't up yet," he commented, rinsing his breakfast plate in the sink.
"It's really weird, after getting used to just the three of us cohabitating, another person changes everything."
He grabbed a dish towel to dry his hands. "Remember how long it took me to admit I felt like a third wheel living with you and Sage?"
"I was thinking of that. Now I feel like the old married couple, as if we are Sage's parents and she's missed curfew."
He grinned. "I'm not going gently into that good night. I want to be the young romantic couple. It has nothing to do with age really."
Olivia chuckled. "I'm miffed. I became her doula and now she's moved on. Am I just the person who helps pick out paint colors and makes peppermint tea?"
"I think you may have done your job so well that Sage is feeling much better. Then Jeff walks in and maybe we have our baby daddy right in our own midst. Isn't that what you'd hoped for?"
"I suppose." Olivia nodded. "Sage with a partner and a healthy baby. That's exactly what I'd hoped for. I'm just surprised it all turned around in one week. Kind of mind-boggling."
He leaned down to whisper, "Thanks for this morning." Then he gave her ear a quick kiss. "I better get to the construction site. I have a boy-man coming to clean up. I need to keep my eye on him."
"So you didn't fire Brandon on day one. That surprises me, he wasn't exactly impressing you at lunch."
"He's a challenge. I'll tell you everything tonight. Gotta go." Walking out of the kitchen, he whistled a tune she didn't recognize. She turned to the sink.
When the truck started up outside, she picked up her cell phone to check recent messages. No texts and no calls. Janis has given up. She tossed the phone on the table. I am so crabby.
By the time Olivia had showered and dressed, she could hear the sound of Sage's happy laughter followed by Jeff's low response. Apparently the lovebirds have woken up. And why am I not happier for them?
