Paige's Turn, page 6
“Um.” I was fixated on our hands and the way my stomach was doing somersaults. “Fine, but I need to change.”
He dropped my hand and gave me the once over. “Are you sure?”
I tilted my head. What did he mean by that? “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll be right here.” He took a seat at my desk.
Once in my bathroom, I stood against the door and took a few deep breaths. I hurried to get out of the leotard and threw on my white shift dress. In a smooth, but very Paige move, I fell over while taking off my tights and tipped over the metal trash bin, making a loud noise.
“Are you okay in there?” Sam called out.
I shook it off and brushed off my dress. I didn’t even bother putting my shoes on. I opened the door and let out a huge breath of air. “I’m fine.”
I wasn’t sure if his smile was a smirk or a grin, but I was pretty sure I was amusing him. “I agree.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and headed for my desk chair. I took a seat and faced him. “Your few minutes start now.”
He laughed. “You’re tougher than you look.”
“Why are you here?”
He leaned forward. “First, how’s your foot?”
“Better.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I know what a jerk I came off as on Monday.”
“And all the other days, too.” I smiled, albeit evilly.
“Not yesterday.”
“I’ll give you that.”
“Thank you.” He sat up tall and business like. “I received a call from Darrell. He informed me that he could finally pay me next week for the work I had done for him. It was unexpected. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
I kept a straight face. “Why would I? Didn’t you accuse me of stepping on those I should care about the most?”
“Did I say that? Sometimes the heat gets to me and I say things I don’t really mean.”
“Is that so?”
“But I’m completely cured of it now. Which brings me to why I’m here. I want to finish the porch for you.”
“Like I said, we’re square.”
“No, we’re not. My dad and I don’t run our business like that. We don’t take money we haven’t earned. The check you wrote won’t be deposited until we’ve completed the job.”
I gripped the edge of my desk. “Please take the money. I promised your dad I would keep the contracts Mitzi signed.”
“We will, if you let us fulfill our end of the contract.”
I hemmed and hawed and blew out exorbitant amounts of air.
Sam watched and smiled. “You know, we were friends once.”
“You were friends with Blair.”
“I want to be friends with you.”
I gazed into his beautiful eyes to see if there was any hint of a lie in his words.
“Blair would have wanted us to, and Mitzi, too.”
He got to me. “Fine. You can finish the porch.”
He held out his hand. “Let’s shake on it.”
Odd. I reluctantly placed my hand in his.
He had a firm, but gentle grip. “Friends?”
I nodded.
He gave my hand a squeeze. “The materials for your porch have arrived. I’m going to head over to your place now so I can finish preparing the ground.” He didn’t let go of my hand.
“Okay. I’ll see you later then.”
“I look forward to it, Princess.”
And for a small moment, I felt like one.
Chapter Eight
I was nervous driving home. I had a feeling Sam would still be there. I hoped my brother-in-law didn’t go back on our deal and tell Sam where the money was coming from. Mr. Perkins would wire the funds to him on Monday. Darrell assured me that my sister never checked the business accounts and she didn’t know how truly bleak their situation was. Which reminded me, I should probably ask my dad what was going on with them, but I wasn’t sure it was my place, or if I wanted to know. Our new relationship was in its infancy. I wanted to ease into it.
Now, I had to face Sam. Sam, who I didn’t want knowing what I did. Attractive Sam. I needed to quit thinking like that. Mitzi was wrong about us. And she was happy without a man. I could be too. I was happy, or at least I used to be before I moved back to Bella Port. But would I always be happy alone? A question to ponder later.
I pulled in the long drive around seven and sure enough, Sam’s truck and trailer were there. In addition, there was also some little tractor or mini bulldozer thing. He must have used it to clear away the ground and dig out the foundation of the porch. Sam was putting stakes in the ground when I walked up. I figured there was no point in ignoring him. “You’ve been busy.”
He looked up from the ground, hammer in hand. “What do you think?”
“The dirt looks nice.”
He grinned. “I should be out of your hair soon I’m just going to finish outlining the dimensions.”
“Sounds good. See you later.”
“Bye.” He went right back to work.
I ran in the house and changed into a pair of cutoffs and a t-shirt. After I changed I made myself a sandwich and wrapped it up before grabbing a blanket and a book. My destination for the night was the beach. There was a good hour of sunlight left to read, and did I ever need it. I headed out the front door and walked around the back toward the path leading down to the water. But I was stopped on my way to blissful solitude and peace.
“Where are you headed?”
I held up my treasures—my food and book. “I have a date with the sand.” I started back on my journey.
“That’s what you do on Friday nights?”
I almost pretended like I didn’t hear him, but one, that was rude, and two, he started walking my way. I turned to find him only a few feet from me. “The location changes, but food and reading are usually involved.”
He nodded his head. “Interesting.”
“You mean boring.”
He laughed. “Maybe.”
“I’m sure you and Brianne have big plans.”
He rubbed the back of his dirty neck, his eyes fixed on the grass. “Nothing too exciting.”
“Have fun.”
His eyes met mine. “You, too. I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
I waved and turned around.
“You know . . .”
I had only gotten a few yards away before turning toward him again.
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Sawyer Adair is throwing a party on the beach tonight after sunset. Everyone’s welcome . . . if you’re interested.”
Mabel Lu’s son, Sawyer, was like Sam—one of the most eligible bachelors in town. I’d heard of the kind of parties he threw. Not like any party was my style, but I wouldn’t fit in with all the bikini babes that would be invited. It was the kind of party meant for the Brianne’s of the world. I didn’t even own a bikini.
I held up my book. “I’m all set for the night. Thanks.” I didn’t wait for a response. If I kept this up, there wouldn’t be any time left to read. I hurried down the well-worn path, thinking about the unusual exchange Sam and I had just shared. He probably thought Blair would appreciate it if he asked. It was like when we were growing up and they asked me to tag along. And just like back then, I still felt like I didn’t fit in with his crowd. But I was coming to see that there was nothing wrong with it. That maybe there wasn’t anything wrong with me. Different was okay.
I set out my blanket, got comfortable on it, and let my date with the Mr. Fairchild of my novel begin. As I read and ate, a weird phenomenon took place. Mr. Fairchild began to take on Sam’s features. I shook my head, trying to clear out the interruption. But it got me wondering how serious Brianne and Sam were. And why Mitzi thought someone like Sam would be remotely interested in me. I tried to forget about it and get lost in my thriller, which had a heavy dose of romance, but I kept having to re-read sentences. This wasn’t going to do. Instead of reading, I lay out on the blanket and watched the clouds, swirling pink and orange above me.
“Mitzi, I miss you. I bet you’re thinking I should go to the party. But what would I do there? I don’t drink. I don’t dance. And I don’t do people, or at least most people. I would rather do a puzzle with Josie or sip coffee with friends and talk politics. Sam and I are completely wrong for each other; I apparently need a man of retirement age. I never thought I would say it, but you were mistaken.”
~*~
I tossed and turned in bed, so I decided to do something I rarely did, watch TV. I flipped on the light and opened the nightstand drawer to look for the remote for the TV sitting on Mitzi’s dresser. What I found was much better. It was another note. I sat cross-legged on the bed and eagerly opened it.
My Darling Girl,
If you’re looking for the remote, I threw it away. I decided if I wanted to watch TV that bad, I would work for it; if not, it wasn’t worth the effort. But all must not be well if you are watching TV. If it’s your family, the best revenge is to enjoy yourself, so make sure you are. If it’s the store, don’t worry, you will find your place. Make it your own. Remember, only you can take your turn.
Now if it’s men trouble, I’m not the best one to give advice. You know my feelings toward the vile specimens, except for the delicious Sam. But I do know you. And yes, Paige-ala, you are more than he deserves. I know you must think it is a strange match, but I believe he has something you need, and you are the right kind of woman for him, even if he doesn’t see it yet. I know you think I’ve made a mistake, but I’ve known for quite some time that you would do well together.
Try not to judge a book by the cover. But isn’t it a beautiful cover? And more importantly, open yourself up. Let him read from the pages that make you so fantastical. You be you, but don’t be afraid to try new things. It is there you will find happiness. Just like when you braved Washington. We both know how well that turned out.
Remember, I’ve never steered you wrong. And if I have to, I will haunt you.
Love, love, love, you.
Mitzi
I wiped my eyes and folded up the letter. I held onto it as I tried to sleep. She never had been wrong, but Sam wasn’t meant for me. He had a girlfriend and we barely tolerated each other.
I didn’t sleep well, so I decided to get up early and head to the dock. I needed to revive my body, and yoga at sunrise sounded like the perfect plan. I dressed in some leggings and a tank top. I grabbed my mat and bottle of water and made my way down to the beach. The sun was barely tickling the horizon. I saw one of my neighbors out on his fishing boat. I waved before laying out my mat. I started with my breathing exercises before moving on to pelvic tilts. I tried to clear my mind of all the chaos in my life. I focused on my body and each moving part. I moved on to eagle arms and the cat-cow stretch. I felt the tension leave my body. With each pose, I felt better and my mind cleared.
While doing the goddess pose, genius struck me. I knew how to make the store more mine. I remembered overhearing a conversation between Kayla and Ashlynn, two of the teenage girls that worked part time for the store. They were lamenting their final research papers in English and how confused they were by some of the material they were asked to read. I dropped to my mat and smiled. I would offer free after-school tutoring. I could set up a media space for teens and maybe talk to the school district about their reading lists for the year. That way, I could brush up on the material and be ready to assist.
I wondered if I could hire Sam to do some renovations near the teen and YA section. I could give it more of a coffee house vibe. Maybe I should ask Kayla and Ashlynn if that would be something that would interest kids their age. I didn’t know if it was cool or not to hang out at a bookstore. I didn’t know anything about being cool. But I did know literature and English.
I dashed back to the house, excited to start looking at some ideas online about how to best implement my plan. And I wanted to shower and change before Sam arrived. I needed to discuss his availability and the cost. Not like cost was going to be an issue. I had to remind myself of that fact. I wasn’t used to unlimited resources.
As I neared the house, I was surprised to see Sam already there, ready to work. I guess it made sense, considering how hot it would be later in the day. But I was sure he’d had a late night with Brianne. A thought that didn’t sit well with me.
Filled with excitement, I approached him, not caring that I was a sweaty mess from the humidity and the workout. “Good morning.”
He dropped his tool belt. “Wow. Good morning.”
I ran my hand through my sweat soaked hair. “Yoga.”
“It works for you.” He picked up his tool belt.
“Thanks.” I bit my lip. “I’d like to talk something over with you. Once I shower and get ready, I could make us some breakfast.” That came out uncomfortable. I wasn’t usually so bold, but I hadn’t been this excited about something in a long while.
His brief silence and the way he stared at me didn’t help me feel better. He shook his head like he was clearing out his thoughts. “That sounds great. Just let me know when you’re ready.”
“Are you allergic to anything?”
“As long as it isn’t liver or Brussels sprouts, I’ll eat it.”
“I’m fresh out of both, so we’re safe.”
He grinned.
I took my exit and headed for the front of the house. I took a quick shower and blew out my hair with my diffuser to give it some body. I was back in cut-offs and a t-shirt. I could look chic on the weekdays. I headed to the kitchen and thought about the note Mitzi left me about his favorite cookie being snickerdoodles. I had recently seen a recipe online for snickerdoodle pancakes and warm vanilla sauce. That could work. I warmed up the griddle while I prepared the batter and sauce. And before I knew it, it smelled heavenly in the kitchen. I chopped some fruit and made fresh squeezed orange juice. I hadn’t spent so much time on a meal in forever. I hadn’t cooked for anybody in longer than that, unless you counted dessert on Sunday, but this seemed different.
I set the table in the breakfast nook. I stood back and admired my handiwork. Nerves crept in. As much as I knew Sam and I weren’t meant to be, I was still attracted to him, and when I was younger I’d had dreams of Sam falling for me. I knew then, as I knew now, how unrealistic that was.
I walked to the back door and opened it. Sam had pulled up his shirt and wiped his brow with it. I caught a glimpse of his taut chest. My stomach did that flip thing again. I took a deep breath. “Breakfast is ready.”
He smiled up at me and made his way over.
“You can come in the front door if you want.”
“I got it.”
I moved out of the way and he easily climbed in the house with no steps.
“Can I wash up?”
“Sure. There’s a bathroom—”
“I know my way around.” He grinned.
I knew that. Mitzi had invited him in, and when we were growing up, he and Blair sometimes hung out here. “Of course you do. I’ll wait for you in the breakfast nook.”
“I look forward to it.”
I watched him walk away and admired his physique. Time had been very good to him. Those weren’t thoughts I needed to be having. I smiled, thinking about Mitzi having them. I sat down at the small table and waited for him before serving myself, even though I was starved.
He sauntered back in, looking more refreshed with clean hands and face.
“I have orange juice on the table, but I can get you water or milk.”
“Orange juice is great.” He took his seat across from me.
I poured him a glass.
“Smells good.”
“Please help yourself.”
He wasted no time throwing four pancakes on his plate and drenching them in vanilla sauce. He also took a large serving of fruit. It wasn’t fair he could eat like that and look so good.
Once he filled his plate, I grabbed a couple of pancakes and lightly drizzled sauce over them.
He took a bite and his eyes lit up as he chewed. He swallowed and smiled. “These are amazing. They taste like snickerdoodle cookies, my favorite.”
I grinned. “Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Your aunt used to make them for me.”
“She loved to bake.”
“I’m sorry I missed her funeral. We had to take my mom to the hospital that day. She had been having fainting spells.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Did they figure out why?”
“They think it was some new medication she had been taking.”
“Your mom is a lovely woman.”
“She’s the best. It’s been a rough few years for her, but she tries to stay positive through it all.”
“That’s admirable.”
“She admires you, by the way.”
“You couldn’t talk her out of it?”
He sighed. “I apologized.”
“I remember.”
“Do you think you could forget my previous behavior?”
“Maybe.”
“I should know better than anyone to believe rumors. Can we chalk it up to stress?”
“What has you stressed?”
He took a long sip of his orange juice before answering. He was thinking carefully what to say. He set his glass down. “Fresh squeezed, nice.”
“You don’t have to answer the question.”
His brows came together. “Business has been tough for a few years, and when people don’t pay on time, it adds extra strain.”
“People like my brother-in-law?”
“He’s a good guy. He was angry and he ran off his mouth. I should have gotten both sides before jumping to any conclusions. And I should thank you.”
I tucked some hair behind my ear. “For what?”
“I know Darrell didn’t sell either of the properties I worked on, and he didn’t just luck into a large sum of money.”
“You never know.”
“I’m pretty sure I know.”
I shrugged my shoulders and took a bite of my food. The pancakes were delicious.
“So, Princess, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Will you please quit calling me Princess? I’m not fifteen anymore.”
