Paige's Turn, page 5
“I did and her response was to tell me she didn’t loan money . . .” He paused and let out a huge breath. “I walked off before I heard what else she had to say. I assumed it was something sarcastic.”
I smiled. “It may have well been, but you probably should have listened. I know she would have given you the money. And she never told me you asked. That wasn’t her style.”
He cocked his head, not sure if he could believe me.
“Why didn’t you ask my parents for the money?”
“You really don’t know anything about your family, do you?”
I shrugged.
“Your parents are in more debt than Maggie and me. They had to mortgage their house.”
“Why?”
“Don’t know for sure, but I would guess your mom’s spending habits have something to do with it.”
No wonder she was hounding me. I leaned forward and rested my hands on his desk. “Do you still need the money?”
He ran his fingers through his thinning dishwater blonde hair. “Yeah. I have contractors breathing down my neck and I’m close to defaulting on one of the loans.”
“How much to do you need?”
“Are you going to loan me the money?”
“No. I don’t believe in loans either. They only cause trouble. But I’m willing to help you out if you agree to my terms.”
Tension lined his face. “And what are those?”
“That you don’t tell anyone where the money came from, not even Maggie.”
“Why?”
“I have my reasons. Do you agree?”
Relief washed over him. “Thank you.”
I wrote on a piece of paper my number and handed it to him. “Call me with the amount you need and I’ll have Mr. Perkins get the funds to you.”
He took the paper. “I’ll pay you back as soon as the homes sell.”
“Like I said, I don’t do loans. Keep the money and start a college fund for that niece or nephew I hope you have someday.” I stood up to leave.
“Paige?”
“Yeah?”
“You didn’t know about Mitzi’s illness or her money, did you?”
“I was more surprised than anyone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Just take care of my sister.”
“Maybe we can have you over for dinner.”
I laughed. “Baby steps. Have a good day.” I held my stomach as I walked out. One fire out, who knew how many more to go.
Chapter Six
I hoped with all that I was that the rest of my week would be less volatile. And that was nice thinking, until my mother showed up at the bookstore on Wednesday. Maybe I was the one who died, and I really had gone to hell. Please make it stop.
I was setting up a display for local authors when she came strolling in like she was some Hollywood celeb. Big sunglasses, tight little white dress, and an attitude that said move out of my way. I had to hand it to her, she had a fantastic cosmetic surgeon. She was looking younger and more plastic every year.
“Mother.” I tried not to grimace.
She took off her sunglasses in a dramatic sweep. “Why must you call me that?”
Because she hated it. Most people down here called their mothers ‘momma,’ but she was more like mommy dearest. “Would you prefer Cassandra?”
She gave me a fake smile. “You are a funny one. Give your mother a hug.”
Did I have to? She only wanted one for appearance’s sake, even though everyone in this town knew the James family was anything but loving. But my mother could put on a good show.
I patted her on the back, barely touching her. “How are you?”
“Divine. I just got done with my tennis lesson, and I’m off to have lunch with Sofie.”
“Don’t let me keep you.”
“Always with your jokes.” She looked around the store at my customers and smiled. She brushed back her long, ebony hair, which was dyed. “I haven’t seen you since you got back into town. I wanted to make sure you were settling in. It must be so lonely in that big old house by yourself.”
Two could play this game. “How sweet of you, but I find I quite enjoy it.”
Her face dropped for a moment, but ever the academy-award-winning actress, she recovered quickly. “I’m so happy to hear that you’re so happy.” She patted my arm in a strange sort of way. “You know, that house was mine long before it was yours, so if you ever want to—”
“I don’t.”
“Well.” She threw on her shades. “It was nice to see you. I’m happy to see that a stylist finally got a hold of you.”
“Good day, Mother.”
She waved like she had admirers in the store and walked out.
Jana slid up next to me. “Are you sure you’re related?”
I laughed. “Some days I do wonder.”
“Any mother in their right mind would be proud to have a daughter like you.”
She had no idea how much that meant to me. I had to turn and rearrange the books before I cried at her thoughtfulness.
That night I headed to the treehouse with a local author’s book in my hand. It was a sweet romance, and I could use some. I made my way up the old ladder that creaked and groaned more than it used to. The treehouse moaned too. It was aging, and I had grown. Maybe I should have someone come look at it. But I took my chances. I figured if it was my time, so be it. At least I would go out doing what I loved—reading in my favorite spot in the whole world.
The book was more than decent, but my editor side was nitpicky. I wanted to get a hold of the author and make some suggestions. She needed to do a better job of showing, not telling, and her voice was too passive. But other than that, the chemistry between the main characters was compelling and kind of heated. It was so much easier to be in love with a fictional character, and this male protagonist had my vote. If only men like him existed in real life. But like Mitzi said, love is for those too stupid to stay single. I still couldn’t believe she thought I should be with Sam. Maybe the cancer affected her brain.
I woke up early on Thursday so I could be miles away before Sam showed up at eight to take care of the lawn. Poor Adam was still hoping Sam and I would come to a truce and they could finish the porch for me, but that wasn’t in the cards. I planned to ask my brother-in-law for some suggestions on new contractors, but I hadn’t the time nor the inclination. It would be nice, though, to have some steps. I had placed a step ladder there, and it was an accident waiting to happen.
I would think about it later. I wanted to feel like I had a good handle on Paige’s Turn before I did anything else.
I rushed to get ready. I braved heels today. I thought I looked cute in my Dorothy blue trousers and crocheted shell top. The shirt showed off my toned arms. Yoga does a body good.
I carefully climbed down the step ladder and headed to the detached three-car garage on the uneven ground. It was the risky route, but I only had fifteen minutes before Sam arrived and I wasn’t taking any chances of him being early. I punched in the code to the garage, happy I made it. But this place conspired against me. Flat tire. I looked at my phone and the time. I could do this. I popped open my trunk and grabbed my lug wrench and jack. I would loosen the lug nuts before I grabbed the spare tire. I did my best not to get any grease or dirt on my light-colored clothes while I used the jack to lift the car. Maybe I should just take the Mercedes. I looked at the time again. Mercedes it was.
But guess who was early? This wasn’t happening. I had the lug wrench in my hand when he pulled up. Something in me snapped. It must have been my mind, because why else would I think I had to prove to the gorgeous jerk in a tight-fitting t-shirt that I wasn’t a princess and I could change a tire? So that’s what I did.
I didn’t even acknowledge that he had pulled up my drive. I crouched down and started loosening the lug nuts on the rear driver’s-side tire. It was all going well until the last lug nut wouldn’t budge, not even a millimeter.
Sam approached. “Can I help you with something?”
“No. Pretend I’m not here.” I refused to look at him.
He chuckled as he neared. “Let me help you.”
“Like I said, under control.” I turned the wrench as hard as I could, all while trying to look like it was a piece of cake. It took some talent.
He knelt next to me. “Let me try.”
“We had a deal. You take care of my lawn and we never see each other again. This is a breach of contract.” I still wouldn’t look at him. But I could smell him, and he didn’t smell like grass. He smelled warm and spicy; it was intoxicating. My stomach flipped.
He reached for the wrench and his hand engulfed mine. It caused a very unusual sensation for me. So much so, I turned toward him, and whoa was he close. And up close he was something to behold. Then he had to smile—a real one. That unusual sensation moved to my midsection.
“Please, let me help you.”
I pulled my hand away along with the wrench. “I don’t want your help. Just do what you came here to do. I got this.”
“Paige, I was actually hoping I would catch you.”
I stood up. “Why?”
He stood up as well. He ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair. “I owe you an apology. Probably several.” He sounded like he wasn’t used to apologizing.
“Great, you can go now.”
He grinned. “You didn’t let me apologize.”
“Does it really matter?”
He inched toward me. “I think so. I feel terrible about the way I treated you. I don’t usually behave that way.”
“That makes me feel so much better.”
“That came out wrong. I meant, I don’t want you to think that’s who I really am.”
“I actually thought I knew who you were, but I was mistaken.”
His brows came together. “I’m probably not the guy you knew when you left ten years ago, but I’m not the man from this past week, either.”
“Now that we’ve cleared that up, I’m going to call triple A.”
He pressed his lips together and looked off to the left. “Why don’t you take your other car?”
“That’s Mitzi’s car. It’s not my style.”
“And a Honda Civic is?”
“Despite what you believe about me, I’m not a princess. I don’t need fancy cars or expensive homes.”
“Hey.” He reached out and touched my arm. “I wasn’t trying to imply that.”
I felt his touch beneath my skin. I pulled away.
“I guess I’ll get to work. Are you sure I can’t help you?”
“Positive.”
His shoulders dropped before walking away. He walked slowly back to his truck. I think he was waiting for me to call out to him, but like I said, I wasn’t going to play damsel in distress for him.
I looked up. Mitzi, what were you thinking?
Chapter Seven
By the time Friday came, I had to drag myself out of bed. I didn’t know if I could handle any more excitement or run-ins with the natives. I was giving some serious consideration to flying back to my real home in Washington. I was even dreading having breakfast with my dad this morning, but he sounded excited to see me again, so that was something.
And today was my first time doing story time. I had to dress up like a ballerina. The things I did for my dead aunt. For the occasion, I pulled my hair up in a bun. I packed a leotard, tutu, tights, slippers, and tiara. I hope no one took any pictures at this thing.
I walked out into the beautiful day and breathed in the smell of freshly cut grass mixed in with the sea air. The lawn looked like perfection. It would be a lie if I said I hadn’t thought more than I should have about the landscaper.
I met my dad for an early breakfast at Mabel Lu’s. He was already seated when I arrived, but he stood to greet me with a stiff kiss on the cheek. I touched my cheek and smiled. “Good morning.” I wasn’t sure what to do about this newfound affection between us.
He pulled out my chair for me before taking his again. “You look lovely this morning. I like your hair up.”
I touched the bun on top of my head. “Thanks.” Again, weird.
Mabel Lu appeared with a pot of coffee. “How are you this morning, sugar?” She poured the liquid pick-me-up in my cup.
“Better now.” I smiled up at her. “Thank you.”
She gave me a quick wink. “Blueberry pancakes, baby doll?”
“Yes, please.”
Her pleasant demeanor was knocked down a few notches when she addressed my dad. “And what can I get for you, Robert?”
“Your chicken fried steak platter.”
She didn’t acknowledge his request, instead she smiled at me. “I’ll have those pancakes out to you in a jiffy.”
“You’re a godsend, thank you.”
She laughed and walked off.
“I don’t think she likes me.” My dad reached for his coffee.
“And why is that?”
He lowered his cup without taking a sip. “She has a long memory.”
“What does that mean?”
“Let’s save that for another day. Tell me how you’re doing.”
I gave him the out, for now. “That’s a good question. I’m not sure I should have moved back here.”
“They say you can never go home.”
“I’ve never thought of it as a homecoming.”
His brows came together. “Was it really so bad? Was I that bad of a father?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “You weren’t terrible.”
He chuckled. “I guess that’s something.” He reached out and placed his large hand over mine. “How do I make it up to you?”
“I don’t know if that’s something that can be made up.”
He lowered his head. “You’re right.” He raised his head and squeezed my hand. “I promise to do better, here and now.”
I took a deep breath. We would see.
~*~
I changed into my costume in my office bathroom. I had to laugh when I looked around me. Only Mitzi would have a recliner in her bathroom at work. I sure did miss her. I quit laughing when I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. I looked ridiculous in my pink leotard. If Mitzi had a front row seat, I imagined her laughing hard enough to produce tears. In my final act of humiliation, I placed the tiara on my head. Mitzi fell out of her seat, I was sure.
I took my walk of shame to the children’s area. All the patrons stared, like the gaping kind. It wasn’t until I reached the children’s section in the back corner of the store that I felt even remotely okay about this. A couple dozen children erupted into shouts of glee when I arrived. “She looks just like Ella Bella Ballerina,” one of the girls observed. I took a deep a breath. I could do this.
I sat down on Mitzi’s throne. Several little faces looked up in anticipation. And there stood Jana with a reassuring smile and, to my horror, a camera. I faked happy and smiled at the children. “Welcome to story time.” I picked up my copy of Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella.
Several little girls giggled in delight.
Then I heard a deep masculine laugh rumble through the space. Startled, I jumped in my seat and there my eyes met with a pair of gorgeous hazel ones across the space. Sam gave me a mischievous smile before landing on one of the bean bags. I did my best to keep my composure. What in the heck was he doing here?
Not only did his presence throw me off kilter, but now every mom, nanny, and every other type of child guardian was swooning over the handsome intruder. I expected him to lap up the attention, but he paid no attention to his admirers. Maybe beautiful people are so used to it, they find the longing glances easy to ignore.
I locked eyes with Jana, who was beaming and grinning from ear to ear at the turn of events. She gave me a thumbs up. That was my cue to get my head back on and focus on what I had come to do. I smiled at the eager children and began.
I did my best to put all the emotion I could into the sweet little tale about the ballerina that lost her ballet slipper and ended up in Cinderella’s story. I tried to make Mitzi proud. I imagined her giving me a standing ovation from her front row seat. She was yelling, “Bravo and Encore!” I would not be repeating my performance until next week. I only prayed the children voted on a book where the costume made me feel less exposed.
In the end, though, it was worth it when several children came up and hugged me. Many told me how pretty I was. While the children rushed to me, the women who brought the cuties flocked to the jerk who laughed and cheered the loudest during the story, making it hard to ignore him. What was he playing at, anyway? He was breaking our mutual decision to never see each other again.
While he was distracted, I made my escape. I was longing for real clothes and to be anywhere he wasn’t. I exited the children’s area and made my way through the main area to more stares from the adult customers. Mitzi was definitely enjoying the show. I only made it to the hall that led to the back offices.
“Princess.”
I stopped dead in my tracks, fist clenched. “Don’t call me that.” I headed toward my office without even a glance at him.
“Paige, hold up.”
I placed my hand on my door and sighed.
He met me there. “Hey.”
I looked up and locked eyes with him. “What do you want?”
“I enjoyed the story.” He touched my tiara. “It suits you.”
I pushed open my door. “I’m busy here.”
He followed me into my office.
“I didn’t invite you in.”
“I figured this was one of those situations where I should seek forgiveness instead of permission.”
I rubbed my face with my hands. “Our agreement was to avoid each other.”
He grinned. “That’s why I’m here. I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot.”
“I’m pretty sure I remember being polite.”
“Let me rephrase. I want the chance to start over.”
I took off the tiara and headed for my bathroom. “You have your money. We’re square. Have a nice day.”
“Hey there.” He stepped forward and grabbed a hold of my hand. “Could you at least give me a few minutes?”
