Paige's Turn, page 4
Brianne leaned into Sam. “Sam’s taking me out on his boat tonight.”
“How nice.” I smirked.
“But seriously, Paige, you should come to the reunion.” She still sounded like she belonged on the pep squad.
I ignored her and turned back to Josie, who looked like she might cry. “You ready to finish the edge?”
She nodded.
Sam kissed his mom’s cheek and gave me another heated stare.
I was happy to see him and Brianne leave. I didn’t say a word about it, but Josie patted my hand. “You are beautiful.”
I wanted to believe her.
Chapter Four
I looked out over the water at my own little piece of heaven while digging my toes into the white sand. The moon and stars twinkled above. I had missed this. I held my knees and thought about my night at the Kennedy’s. I mostly thought about Sam and Brianne. They made sense, like Barbie and Ken. But from what Adam said, both Barbie and Ken had been divorced and Barbie had a toddler. I had no idea Sam had been married. Mitzi wasn’t a gossip, and we rarely talked about what happened in Bella Port. She was much more interested in my life, and I was happy to forget about my past. Well, maybe Sam and Brianne would find true love with each other.
From the sounds of it, Sam’s parents were hoping they wouldn’t. They tried to be polite, but it was apparent they weren’t all that fond of the newfound relationship.
I picked up some sand and let it trickle through my fingers. I hated feeling like I was back in high school, waiting to be validated by someone—not realizing that no one can but yourself. Brianne’s words bothered me more than they should, and Sam’s dislike got to me. Was this what Mitzi really wanted for me?
While contemplating my life, I heard soft steps behind me, along with a familiar voice.
“You don’t call, you don’t write.”
I turned around with a smile. “Jansen.”
He plopped down next to me. “So, you did it. You came home.” He hadn’t changed a bit. Goofy but cute with his curly, sandy brown hair, glasses, and he was still gangly thin.
I nudged him with my shoulder. “I was just thinking about running back to Seattle.”
He ruffled my hair. “What’s got you down?”
“Do you remember Brianne Coulter?”
“Annoying cheerleader?”
“That’s the one. I ran into her tonight. She basically told me I needed to go to our ten-year reunion because I’m not ugly anymore.”
He leaned back. “You didn’t believe her, did you?”
“I’m definitely not going.”
“I meant about you ever being ugly.”
“You don’t have to spare my feelings.”
He shook his head. “You were the prettiest girl in the school to me, inside and out.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re a liar, but thank you.”
“Paige, I’m serious. But, had I known what a knock-out you were going to turn into, I might not have broken up with you,” he teased. I knew he was completely in love with his wife.
“I feel so insignificant and judged here.”
“Let people talk. Those of us who really know you, know the truth. Who else matters?”
I looked out into the distance at a few boats circling the port. “What do you know about Sam Kennedy?”
“Why? Do you have your sights set on him?”
“Definitely not.”
I turned to find Jansen wagging his eyebrows. “Even I think he’s attractive.”
I laughed out loud. Jansen could always get me to. “He hates me.”
“He, probably like the rest of the guys in town, hates himself for not snagging you when he had the chance.”
“No, seriously, he hates me. And I don’t know why.”
Jansen shrugged his shoulders. “Hmmm. I don’t know a lot about him other than he was married for a couple of years to a woman from Tallahassee. I think her dad owns a huge construction company there and Sam worked for him, but he came back here a few years ago when his momma got sick to help his dad run his landscaping business. I also know he takes some side contracting jobs.”
“Do you know why he got divorced?”
“Nope. But you could ask your brother-in-law.”
“Darrell?”
“You didn’t know they were friends?”
I shook my head. I didn’t know anything about him other than he was in real estate.
“I think Sam’s done some work for him. Darrell flips houses as a hobby.”
“I had no idea.”
“Maybe it’s time to mend some fences. From what I hear, Darrell is a decent guy. He must be a saint, too, to put up with your sister.”
“She can be a handful.”
“That’s putting it nicely.”
Maggie was a piece of work. Molded by our mother and spoiled rotten. She and my mother decided I couldn’t be a bridesmaid in her wedding because the dresses were pink and, according to them, it wasn’t my color. I decided to wear pink to the wedding anyway. My mother was livid. Mitzi and I had a good laugh about it. Then I cried myself to sleep that night. I wasn’t sure why I was never good enough for my mother.
“I’m not sure getting in touch with my family is a good idea right now. I don’t think they’ll ever believe I didn’t know about Mitzi’s money before she died. They think I threatened her and made her sign over all her money to me.”
“I always knew you had some gangster in you.” He gave me a one-armed squeeze and laughed.
I sighed. “Do you think I should go back to Washington?”
“I think you need to stick around to welcome McClain baby number two.”
“Lia’s pregnant? Congratulations.”
“Yep. I do good work.” He puffed out his chest.
“I’m pretty sure she’s the one doing the heavy lifting.”
“Yeah, she’s great.” He tapped my nose. “And so are you. Show this town what you’re made of. What you’ve always been made of.”
“Would it sound weird—because we’ve made out and everything—if I tell you you’re like a brother to me?”
“Yeah . . . that doesn’t sound right.”
“I guess not, but thanks for listening to me.”
“Anytime.” He left me to my solitude.
I spent another hour by myself on the beach before calling it a night. I could handle this, right? For Mitzi, I would certainly try.
I woke up the next morning ready to meet the day, or at least that’s what I pretended to do. It was the start of a new work week and Memorial Day, which meant the store was only open until four today. And the McClain’s had invited me over for a barbecue. All good things to look forward to. The not so good thing was that Sam had decided to come early and work on the porch. He was making a terrible racket. Thankfully, in this neighborhood, we were all spread far apart.
I wasn’t expecting him today. I should probably get some kind of schedule from him, or maybe talk to Adam. All I knew was the completion date was set for late June. I actually found a contract and the plans. The finished product was going to be stunning. I would have complimented Sam on the design if he wasn’t so awful. Sam signed his name on the bottom of it, so I knew it was his. I had to say, I was looking forward to the built-in fire pit and even grill which I had no idea how to use. Why couldn’t he see how wrong he was about me? But if my brother-in-law and sister had his ear, there was my answer.
He could believe whatever he wanted. I had no plans on convincing anyone otherwise. And I found, most of the time, once someone’s mind was made up, that’s the way it stayed, even if what they believed was all a lie.
My foot was still aching, so I braved going out the back door. I would have to see the man one way or another, so I figured saving myself some time and pain was worth facing him head on. But my plan was curtailed when I opened the back door and found the stairs had been removed. Normally, I would have made the four-foot jump, but my foot would have paid dearly for it. I tried to close the door before Sam saw me, but he turned around at the most inopportune moment.
“Afraid of a little jump?”
That was it. “What’s your problem with me?”
He slid his hammer back into his tool belt and smirked. “You may have my parents fooled, but I have your number.”
“Enlighten me.”
He squared his shoulders and shook his head in disgust. “You’re a real princess living it up here while stepping all over the people around you. People you should be helping instead of hurting.”
“Who are you talking about?”
He threw his head back. “How easily you dismiss your own family.”
I rubbed my temples with my hand. “My family does fine.”
He sneered and shook his head. “Easy for you to say when you’re not the one worrying about how to pay your bills. Darrell was right about you. You’re as selfish as they come. I wonder what Blair would think.”
I had to hold back the tears at the mention of Blair’s name, and because I knew exactly what he would think. He would have believed in me. He wouldn’t have let Sam talk to me in such a way. “So this is what you believe about me?”
“This is what I know. But don’t mind me, I’m just the hired help, here to do your bidding, Princess.”
That was the last time I was going to be called princess. I slammed the door and walked as fast as I could to the den. I pulled out the contract for the patio and wrote out a check for the balance due on the estimate. Biggest check I had ever written. I took it and the contract, trembling, out the front of the house and around to the back. With each step, I tried not to wince. Even with my foot wrapped, it hurt. But I was on a mission and I didn’t let it stop me.
Sam was already back to taking some measurements.
I stood at the edge of where the old deck used to be and watched him for a second or two. How I ever thought he was attractive, I’d never know. He was becoming uglier to me by the minute. What a waste of teenage fantasies. “Here.” I held out the check.
He let his tape measure go and looked my way, unhappy to see me. “What’s this?”
“It’s what I owe you for the porch.”
“The final payment comes upon completion.”
“You are done.”
He tilted his head.
“I promised your father I would keep my contracts with his company, but it’s apparent that you don’t want to be here and I don’t want you here, so take the check and leave.”
He stood stunned for a moment.
“Take the check and give me a set time when you will take care of the grounds so that our paths will be sure not to cross.”
He took a step closer. “I don’t take money for work I haven’t done.”
“Well, I don’t break promises, so take the money and sign here that our contract is paid in full.” I held out the contract and a pen.
He walked slowly toward me. The anger in eyes changed to confusion. “What are you going to do about the porch? We already ordered the materials.”
“That’s not your concern. And you can use the materials for another job.”
“My dad won’t be okay with that.”
“For that, I’m sorry, but this arrangement isn’t working for either one of us.” I handed him the pen.
He reluctantly took it from me. He studied me for a moment. I’m sure he thought I was trying to trick him.
I shifted on my foot. “Ow,” I winced.
His eyes landed on my wrapped foot. “I didn’t know you were hurt . . . I wouldn’t have—”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know, and yes you would have. Just sign under ‘paid in full’ and tell me when I should expect you for the lawn.”
He hesitated to sign. He kept putting the pen to paper and bringing it back up again.
“I’m going to be late for work.” I tapped my uninjured foot.
He signed the paper and handed the pen and contract back to me. His face was flushed.
“Thank you. What day and time?”
He let out a deep breath. “Thursdays at eight a.m.”
“Perfect. I’ll make sure I’m gone by then. Mail me the invoice and I’ll be sure it’s paid on time. Looks like you have the day off. Enjoy.” I turned around and hobbled off, anger boiling inside of me.
Chapter Five
I had a myriad of calls and messages from Adam. He refused to take the money, but I wasn’t taking it back and I sure as heck wasn’t going to let Sam do the job. Adam was insisting that at least the materials be delivered to me. I didn’t know what I was going to do with them. Besides, did I need a porch? I had a treehouse and the beach. My treehouse that I spent Monday night in, instead of the barbecue at the McClain’s. I didn’t feel like being around people after my run-in with Sam.
I lay above the ground cursing Mitzi for the mess she caused and wondering if my sister and Darrell were really in some kind of trouble. Money wasn’t worth this; my sanity wasn’t worth this. Sam was definitely not worth it. I wished him and Barbie Brianne the best.
There was only one thing I could do, and believe me, it was the last thing I wanted to do. But if I was going to live here, I had to confront my family. I would start tomorrow with Darrell.
I spent the morning at the bookstore going over inventory with Jana. I almost felt like I wasn’t needed. She ran a well-oiled machine, and I didn’t have Mitzi’s flair to add to the magic of the store. I would have to find my own place, if it existed, but I would worry about that later. First, I had a meeting with what I was sure would be a disaster.
I dressed smartly in windowpane plaid ankle pants and a waffle knit sweater. I paired it with some cute navy flats. Heels still weren’t possible, though my foot was feeling better. I looked up the real estate company Darrell worked for online and headed to Mobile, an hour away. I hoped he was in the office. I didn’t dare make an appointment for fear of him seeing who it was and canceling. And I certainly couldn’t call him myself. I barely knew him, and from the sounds of it, he hated me. It was a club, The Paige Haters. Unfortunately, there were quite a few members.
But, like Mitzi would say, if you’re going through hell, keep on going, sometimes it can be a whole lot of fun and you will always be in good company. She would probably think this was fun. And maybe if she were here, it could be.
I pulled up to the large brick building where my GPS directed me. I took several deep breaths and forced myself out into the heat of a Southern summer. The farther away from the coast, the warmer it got. The sea breeze was a must this time of year.
I hustled in before I lost my nerve.
A receptionist sat waiting. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so. Is Darrell Anderson available?”
“Let me see if he’s in his office. Can I give him a name?”
I was hoping she wouldn’t ask. “Um, Paige.”
She raised her eyebrows looking for more information.
“His sister-in-law.”
“Oh.” She smiled like that was going to be a happy surprise for him. Oh, how she was wrong. She dialed his office and waited a few seconds. “Hi, Darrell, your sister-in-law is here to see you. Is it okay if I send her on back?” Her smile wavered. “Paige.” She looked up at me with a question in her eyes. She hung up the phone. “His office is down the hall, fourth door on the right. He doesn’t sound very happy.”
“I figured. Thank you.” I headed toward Darrell’s office. My heart wanted to beat out of my chest. I hated confrontation, and I’d had my fill for the week with Sam.
Darrell’s door was open when I arrived. He stood behind his desk with fire in his green eyes. “What do you want?”
I entered his office without asking and closed the door before I spoke. “I want the chance to clear the air.”
“I don’t think we have anything to say to each other.”
I took a step forward. “Well, since you have a lot to say about me to others, I think we do.”
The color drained from his face. I think it was a combination of embarrassment and anger. His brow furrowed. “Take a seat.” He took his chair.
I sat on one of the wood chairs in front of his desk. I took a second to look around at his moderate sized office. It was clean with little frill. “How’s Maggie?” I hoped to break the ice.
“Do you really care?”
“She’s my sister, of course I do.”
He tapped his fingers against his desk. “If you must know, she’s been a bit down.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she feels better soon.”
“I don’t see that happening in the near future.”
“Is something wrong?”
His pale face now burned red. “How can you sit there and act like you haven’t played a part?”
I leaned forward. “A part in what? I haven’t seen or talked to Maggie since Mitzi’s funeral. Before that, it had been at least a year.”
He sat back in his chair and gave out a mirthless laugh. “You can drop the innocent act. We all know you had Mitzi’s ear. That you planned the humiliation at the will reading. And don’t tell me Mitzi didn’t tell you that I had asked for a loan.”
I held up my hand. “Wait, wait. Did you say you asked to borrow money from Mitzi?”
“A few months ago, but she flat out turned me down.”
“Mitzi doesn’t loan money.”
“I know that now.”
“But did you know she would have given you the money?”
“I just told you, she wouldn’t.”
“You’re right, she would have never loaned you money—she didn’t believe in it—but if you really needed the money, she would have given it to you. Do you need money? Has something happened?”
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Maggie and I flip houses on the side, but we got in over our heads with a couple and we’re still waiting on the sales. I have contractors to pay and Maggie has been going through in vitro. It’s a procedure our insurance doesn’t cover. I only needed the money to get us through until we could sell the houses.”
I had no idea she was trying to get pregnant, but that wasn’t surprising—I didn’t know her. “Did you tell Mitzi what was going on?”
