Paige's Turn, page 8
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I should have listened to my parents. They tried to warn me, but I chose to ignore them.”
“Don’t you hate it when people warn you and you don’t listen?” I looked down at my hands.
He chuckled. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt any more than that. You were lucky.”
A tear fell. “I love that treehouse. It was Mitzi’s and my place.”
He rested his hand on my bare knee. “It can be fixed.”
“Can I hire you for another job?”
He laughed. “Are you trying to monopolize all my time?”
“No.”
“And here I thought you liked me.”
“I do like you.”
He gave my knee a gentle squeeze. “I like you, too.”
~*~
The numbing medication was wearing off and sleep was hard to come by, even though I was exhausted. We didn’t leave the emergency room until two in the morning. Sam was a trooper. He never left my side, whether it was in the waiting room watching old reruns of Friends while trying to take my mind off the pain, or when he stroked my hair since he couldn’t hold my hand while the doctor painstakingly took wood particles out of my hands. He told me stories of him and Blair driving Sam’s parents’ car before they turned sixteen and painting the fields of opposing football teams. Who knew the trouble they were causing? They were lucky they never got caught. I laughed through my tears.
Someone who wasn’t laughing was Brianne. Her annoyance came through loud and clear on the other end of the phone when Sam broke their date. I sort of felt bad, but I think Josie was right. Brianne wasn’t the right woman for Sam. He didn’t need some spoiled daddy’s girl like his ex-wife. I wasn’t sure Brianne was exactly that, but I would say she was a good candidate for it. I remembered how in high school her dad threw his weight around because her grades weren’t what they needed to be to stay on the cheer squad.
But it was none of my business who Sam dated.
The bedside clock read 5:16 a.m. I needed sleep. I took a dose of ibuprofen and iced my hands. I finally drifted off with thoughts of Sam swirling in my brain. Sam who’d walked me to my door and kissed my head. Sam who’d said he’d had a lot of fun. I didn’t know I could have so much fun through the pain and humiliation, but it was the best time I’d had since coming back to Bella Port. But I wasn’t gunning for any more emergency room visits.
I got a few hours of sleep and rolled out of bed around ten. My hands were red and raw. It made getting ready uncomfortable, but I managed.
My first stop downstairs was to say hi to Sam. I heard some rumblings outside. I admired his dedication and work ethic. He had to be tired. I swung the back door open.
Sam’s attention was drawn to me. He was building the temporary wooden frame of the porch. He stood up and stretched his back. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Embarrassed, but better.”
“Just promise me you won’t grab a ladder and climb back up that thing. I looked at the treehouse this morning and you really are lucky it was only the ladder that gave out.”
I tried to hide my disappointment. “I promise.”
“I know a guy who does some fantastic treehouses, I could give him a call and have him come out and take a look for you. See what you’re dealing with. I’ve never built one, so it might be a safer option to use an expert.”
“Okay.” I sighed.
“Don’t worry, it will get fixed and you’ll be back to your boring ways.”
“Hey, I’m not boring. I’m highly selective in how I spend my time.”
He grinned and walked toward me. “I didn’t say you were a bore, but I think you should get out more.”
“You think so?”
He gave a slight nod.
“I was thinking about inviting you in for lunch.” I bit my lip.
“That’s a start.” He was at the back door now.
Was I reading him wrong? He sounded more than friendly.
My doorbell chimed at the wrong moment.
“I’ll be right back.”
“I look forward to it.”
I headed for the front door, annoyed at the interruption and the pain it caused to open the door. Though I hadn’t minded opening the back door. The annoyance level swelled when I opened the door to find Brianne holding a picnic basket and looking overtly sexy in a halter top and the shortest of shorts. She filled out the tiny clothes with perfection.
“Hi. I hope you don’t mind, but since Sam and I missed our date last night, I wanted to bring him lunch.” Why did everything she say sound like a cheer?
“How nice of you. He’s around back.”
“You don’t mind if I walk through your house, do you? I always wanted to see inside Hollis Mansion.”
I was not giving her a tour. “Sure.”
She let herself in.
“You can follow me back.”
She looked around with interest. “Beautiful architecture, but it really needs an update. You should get on that.”
I did my best to hold my tongue. “There’s the back door. Be careful jumping down. There aren’t any steps at the moment.”
“Silly, I won’t need to jump.” She threw the door open. “Hey, baby, I brought you lunch. Come help me down.”
She turned back toward me and gave me a conspiratorial grin like I should take notes from her.
I watched the scene. Sam did as she requested, but not before giving me a forced smile. He picked her up and she clung to him like static cling. That was all I could take. “Have a great time.” I shut the door, harder than I intended. From the window, I watched Sam take the picnic basket in one hand, and her hand with his other. They walked down toward my beach.
I had read him wrong. Suddenly, I wasn’t feeling so hungry.
Chapter Eleven
Monday I tried to reset any and all unrealistic expectations or desires I may have had for Sam. I spent yesterday with the McClain clan in Orange Beach at a concert featuring a long list of country artists. Even though country music was never really my thing, and my hands still ached, it was fun and a good distraction. I was going to do my best to avoid Sam until I could get my thoughts under control.
These kinds of feelings were foreign to me. There had never been a man in my life who had occupied so much of my thoughts, or had me anxiously looking forward to seeing him, even trying to think up ways that I could see him. But watching him walk away with Brianne on Saturday was a good reminder of reality. And the reality was Sam Kennedy would only ever see me as a friend, or worse, a little sister. And how comfortable could I ever really be with Sam? I knew I wasn’t beautiful like the women he was used to dating. I was clumsy and, in his eyes, boring.
In the end, though, I was okay with being single. I liked my boring lifestyle. Mitzi’s voice rang in my head, asking me if I was taking my turn. Now, more than ever, I wasn’t sure. I felt lost. I was running a business I knew nothing about. I had moved back to a place where I had never felt more insignificant in my life, and the only three people who really ever saw me were either gone or married. And even worse, my mother, the person who should have loved me the most hated me and spread lies about me. Lies that some people believed. There had been enough stares and heads turned toward each other in town for me to know people were talking about me.
Maybe I was having delusions of Sam and me because I was in a vulnerable situation, and maybe part of me hoped Mitzi was right about us. She had never steered me wrong, but I think she thought too much of me. She never saw me as plain and insignificant. I didn’t ever want to feel that way again, but Bella Port never failed to reignite those feelings. Mitzi knew full well that’s how I felt here. She used to say, “Paige-ala, at the end of the day, it only matters how you see yourself, and me, of course. And you are the most fantastical human being that has ever been born.”
Everyone needed a Mitzi in their lives. She was irreplaceable. I ached for her.
Since I missed Sunday dinner with the Kennedy’s yesterday, I headed over to their place during my lunch break. I had ordered a 3D puzzle of the earth. It sat on a stand and everything, like a globe. I thought it could be fun to put together. See how boring I was? At least I found a kindred spirit in Josie.
Adam was busy with work. He took care of their smaller clients, so it was only Josie and me. I brought lunch with me from Mabel Lu’s. We ate it out on their patio as we watched children play in the sand and water. It wasn’t a bad way to spend a lunch hour.
“I want my own grandchildren.” Josie smiled at the scene in front of us.
“Does Sam know?”
She grinned as best she could. “I try not to remind him too often.”
“I’m sure he appreciates that.”
“I’m glad you guys are friends now.” Josie’s eyes brightened.
“He’s tolerable, I suppose.” I smiled big.
She laughed. “He missed you last night at dinner.”
I perked up. “He came for dinner?”
She nodded with a smile.
“Did he bring . . .?”
She wrinkled her nose. “No, thank goodness. He dropped her off before he came.”
“Oh. I’m glad they got to spend some time together. I made him miss his date with her on Friday.” That wasn’t really the truth, but I had to start thinking like that. It would make my life a whole lot easier.
“How are your hands?”
“My hands are better, but my pride is still deflated. Sam was really good to me, though.”
“He’s a good man.”
“I won’t disagree with you.”
She peered into my eyes. “I wish you could be with him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mitzi hoped you two would hit it off.”
I leaned back in my chair. “She told you that?”
She grinned and nodded. “She made me promise to work on it. I wish I would have known she was sick.”
My eyes stung with tears. “Me too.” I took Josie’s delicate hand. I was careful not to hurt mine or hers. “Miss Josie, Sam and I aren’t meant to be. Besides, I know you don’t like Brianne, but she’s more his type, and I think he likes her.”
She shook her head with force. “You are the kind of woman Sam needs in his life.”
“You don’t even know what kind of woman I am.”
She looked at the puzzle I brought her, sitting on the chair next to her. “You are everything a mother wants for her son—warm, thoughtful, beautiful, smart, and confident.”
My laugh was almost a cry. “I don’t feel like that woman.”
“What a shame.” She reached out as best she could and touched my cheek. “But don’t take my word for it. You learn to believe it.”
~*~
I made Josie promise not to tell Sam about the discussions she had with my aunt. I didn’t want things to be awkward between us since he was still working on my porch and hopefully the bookstore. He had texted me after I left his parents’ place, asking if he could swing by the store around five to go over the plans we never got to. I agreed. I was anxious to get going on the project.
Josie’s words played in my head all afternoon. Leave it to Mitzi to stir up trouble even from the grave. I was embarrassed that she would think to talk to Sam’s mom about it. It made me wonder if she said anything to anyone else. Do you know how ridiculous people would think it was if they thought for a moment that I had my sights set on Sam? Sam was one of those men who every woman in Bella Port would sell their soul to be with. It is no exaggeration when I say that mothers paraded themselves and their single daughters in front of him. I even think, once upon a time, my mother suggested he date Maggie, even though she was seven years younger and a minor.
To be honest, I’m not sure why Maggie didn’t end up with someone more like Sam. Darrell wasn’t her type. He was only moderately good looking and didn’t seem to have the same prowess as the men she had previously been involved with, at least not the ones I knew of. I’m sure I knew of them all, since my mother had made sure to email me a picture of each one and gush about what a catch he was and how Maggie sure knew how to snag a man. Every message would end with some slight like, I’m sure there will be someone for you and maybe if you put more care into your appearance, that would help.
It's a wonder I didn’t need a therapist.
I made sure Jana, Kayla, and Ashlynn would all be there at five. I wanted to get their opinions as well. They all loved the concept and Kayla and Ashlynn were excited about the prospect of having free homework help. They thought their friends would also enjoy a new place to hang out. Especially when the weather got cooler. And maybe I didn’t want to be by myself with Sam. Well, I did, and that was a problem.
Sam walked in a few minutes past five. His clothes were dirty and his face looked worn, but when he noticed me, he smiled. I couldn’t imagine manual labor in the heat and humidity was easy.
I didn’t even have a chance to greet him before Mary Ellen, a girl my brother dated back in high school, was draped all over him. She was petting his arm. “Sam, I always beat myself up that I dated the wrong best friend.”
Oh, wow.
Sam stepped away from her. “Blair was the better of the two of us.”
She cozied up to him again. “I like a man with humility. Can I buy you a drink?”
Sam caught my eye and even from a distance I could see the irritation in his eyes. “You better head home to Marty.”
Ouch.
She straightened herself up and smoothed out her uncomfortably tight tank top. “Maybe next time.” She walked out of the store in a huff.
Sam and I met each other halfway.
“Look at you stirring up trouble in my store.”
His tired face lit up in a smile. “Mary Ellen is trouble. I warned your brother about her.”
“Sounds like somebody should warn her husband.”
“Poor guy knows. But enough about her. How are you?”
“Good. How was your day?”
“Productive. The cement finally cured, so I started laying the bricks for the steps.”
“Stairs are good. They should hopefully prevent a minor disaster for me.”
“Speaking of which, how are your hands?”
I held up my scabby hands.
“Looks like you’ll survive.”
“Until the next time.”
He laughed. “I’ll see what I can do to Paige proof it.”
“Gee thanks. Should we look at those plans?” I eyed the rolled paper and leather binder he was carrying.
“Lead the way.”
“I have Jana, the store manager, and a couple of teen girls we hired in the break room waiting for us. I want to get their opinions as well.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Okay.”
“Is that all right with you? Or are you private about showing off your talent?”
“You think I’m talented?”
“You are my favorite contractor . . .”
“Really?” He slid closer to me.
“Technically, you’re the only one I know.” I grinned.
“That hurts.”
We laughed as we walked back to the break room. We walked in to find three eager females, all part of the Sam fan club, I was sure. Ashlynn and Kayla both burned bright red, and Jana was grinning from ear to ear. “What are you two so giddy about?” Jana asked.
Sam and I looked between each other and smiled, like we shared a secret.
I turned to find Jana with her eyebrow raised and a know-it-all smile. “Interesting.”
Not sure what that meant. “Sam, you can lay the plans on the table there.”
He carefully unrolled the paper across the table and smoothed out the pages. I stood next to him, but not too close. He smiled over at me. “What do you think?”
I took a good look at the drawings and plans spread out before me. I was in awe. “I stand by my previous statement, you are talented.”
He didn’t smile, but for a moment our eyes locked and I found myself wanting to get lost in them. I almost forgot we weren’t alone.
Kayla brought me back to reality. “I love the furniture. Are you really going to have laptops and tablets we can use?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Cool,” Ashlynn added her approval.
I looked to Jana for her input.
“I love it. I think Mitzi would be thrilled.” Jana gave me a wink. “Girls, why don’t we leave these two alone to iron out the details.” She ushered the girls out the door, but not before wagging her eyebrows at me.
If Mitzi talked to her about Sam and me, I was going to kill her, figuratively speaking.
“So you really like it?” Sam brought my attention back to him.
I ran my hand over his design. “It looks incredible. I love that you are making the round column a square and the way the back wall jets out some. It’s perfect. When can you start?”
“We haven’t even talked price, yet.”
“My answer is yes.”
He chuckled. “Don’t ever hire another contractor. You’ll be taken advantage of talking like that.”
“I guess I am getting ahead of myself. So, what’s the estimate?”
He pulled out a piece of paper from his leather binder. But before handing it to me, he looked it over and then held it close to his chest. He gave me a playful smile. “You know, you still owe me lunch.”
“Okay.” I bit my lip.
“I’ll take dinner in exchange and we can go over the numbers while we eat.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
He tilted his head. “Why not?”
“I don’t want people to talk or get the wrong impression.”
He leaned in closer. “What’s wrong with two friends having dinner together?”
“Well, nothing, but—”
“Perfect, it’s a date then.”
Chapter Twelve
I knew he didn’t mean a real date. But I swear to you, all eyes looked our way when we walked into Mabel Lu’s together. A hush fell over the busy café before heads turned together to wonder, I was sure, what kind of spell I had cast on Sam, because no one would ever believe he did it of his own accord.
