Legacy, page 13
“You’re doing fine.”
She straightened while Sadie politely sat nearly on Adrian’s feet. “I should’ve said—I want to say how grateful I am you’d give me a chance. I mean, I don’t even have my degree yet.”
“I hadn’t graduated high school when I did my first fitness video.”
Kayla’s pretty hazel eyes widened. “Is that really true? You kind of think it’s made-up. Like an urban legend.”
“Absolutely true. Three friends and I produced it, and it gave me my start. My on-my-own start. Maybe, if we click on this, it’ll give you yours.”
“But no pressure.” Kayla hugged her tablet and laughed. “Okay, I did some research on home gyms, but you don’t have any like treadmills or circuit training machines in your videos. I watched a bunch of them, too, so I know you use a lot of outdoor locations along with I guess it’s studios.”
“That’s right. The body’s the machine. Sometimes the machine needs tools.”
“Like weights, stability balls, yoga mats, and all that.”
“Exactly. So I’d need those creatively displayed—and I’ll give you a list of what I’d use most often.”
“I’ve got an idea of your style from watching the videos, and some interviews, but maybe you could tell me what you want here. The look. And I’m really hoping you don’t want to bust out that bar or the fireplace. They’re really cool, and just a little way back and bougie.”
Adrian grinned at her. “We just had our first click.”
An hour and several clicks later, Kayla gathered her things. And Maya came down the steps with towheaded Collin’s hand firm in hers.
“Dom said to come right down. Hi, Kayla.”
“Hi. Hi, Collin. I’m so sorry about Lorilee, Maya. I didn’t know her very well, but she was so nice. I’m just so sorry.”
“We all are. Hard times.” She took a deep inhale as Collin stared at the tail-wagging Sadie with huge eyes. “Dom said to tell you he was going in to the shop for a while.”
“He did? He did!” Adrian pumped her fists in the air, executed two fouetté turns. “This is the first time he’s left the house.” Then she pressed her hands to her face, struggled back the tears. “Sorry, Kayla.”
“No, no, don’t be sorry.” As her own eyes filled, Kayla hugged Adrian tight. “I’m going to work up a couple of designs, and I’ll text you, okay?”
“Yeah. Good. Thanks.”
She left by the glass patio doors, while Maya and Adrian watched each other with damp eyes.
“First,” Maya began, “who have we got here?”
“This is Sadie, and she’s as sweet and gentle as she is huge. She loves kids.”
“For breakfast?”
“This morning she took the half slice of bacon Phineas offered her before we could stop him, and took it as delicately as a duchess.”
“Leaving him with five fingers?”
“On each hand. Look at that face, Maya, those eyes. Look at that tail.” Adrian crouched down, put an arm over Sadie’s back. “Come on down.”
“Don’t have to go far.” But when Maya did, Sadie sniffed happily at Collin. More cautious than Phineas, Collin leaned back into his mother. Then carefully patted the flat of his hand on Sadie’s face.
Then smiled and said: “Da da da da. Oooooh.”
“He approves. If he doesn’t, it’s no. His first word was a very firm no. It still tops his repertoire.”
“I know he doesn’t remember me, but we’re going to fix that.”
“I couldn’t believe you were moving here.” And Maya’s eyes filled again. “I’m so glad you’re moving here.”
“Me, too. Maya, I don’t want to get us both going again, but I’m so sorry about Lorilee.” She had to stop, had to breathe through the rise of tears. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there at her memorial, be there for you, for your mom, for Raylan and his children.”
“Same,” Maya managed in a shaky voice. “Same for you and Dom with Sophia.”
“How’s Raylan?”
“Functioning. I’m not sure he would be except for the kids. He’s going to work at home for now, or take them with him to the office when they’re not in school. He’s resistant to the idea of a nanny or childcare right now, and that’s probably the right call. But sooner or later …”
Maya smiled as Collin pulled away to sit, and Sadie lay down so they hit the same level.
“He said you wrote him. It meant a lot to him. Now before we both start crying—and Collin’s seen enough of that for a while—tell me what you’re doing down here. It was so damn good of you to hire Kayla.”
“Young, fresh eyes and enthusiasm. I think it was so damn smart. She’s talking a soft neutral for the walls, and I thought she’d lead with bold, energetic colors. But she said she thinks it could be distracting for streaming and videos.”
“Small interruption. The trainers and workouts you’re adding to Work Out Now online? It’s rocking it, Adrian.”
“Did I mention how hard I had to work to convince my mother to open up to the streaming deal and contracting other pros?”
Maya smiled. “Maybe once or twice.”
“‘Why would we compete with ourselves, with DVD sales?’” Adrian rolled her eyes. “She got reluctantly on board when Teesha hit her with some numbers on member potentials, merchandising and marketing opportunities, and viewer projections.”
“Speaking of Teesha, where is she? I was hoping to get Collin and Phineas together.”
“They should be back soon. They’re looking at houses.”
“Houses?”
“I’m this close to talking them—well, her, because Monroe’s already into it—into moving here.”
“Here? Seriously? Well, that’s a big wow.”
“Let’s take my big baby and your little man outside, and I’ll fill you in.”
Before Adrian got up, Maya reached out to grip her hand. “We’re going to be able to do this all the time now. I hate the reason for it, but I really need my friend now.”
“She needs you. So tell me some news.”
“I actually have some.” They headed outside with Sadie walking by Adrian’s side. “Mrs. Fricker’s going to retire.”
“How’d I miss this? I was in town just the other day pumping the grapevine and never heard about it.”
“She’s keeping it down low. You know I’ve managed Crafty Arts since college—currently part-time. She’s hoping Joe and I will buy her out.”
“Buy it?” Adrian stopped in her tracks. “Buy the gift store? That would be fantastic.”
“Would it?” After hunching her shoulders, Maya put Collin down. He toddled a few steps before flopping down to play in the grass. “I mean, I love the place, and sure I know the business. But owning is way different from managing.”
“I think you’d be great at it. When Mr. Fricker got sick a few years ago, you ran the place. You did the buying, the displays, the payroll, the works.”
“And it was a lot. And before I had a baby. If we jumped into this, I’d need somebody to do things like payroll and the books—they’re not my strength, or Joe’s. Plus, he’s got his own work.”
Adrian pointed a finger up. “Is that a light bulb above my head? I happen to know an excellent business manager who may be relocating to Traveler’s Creek.”
“Do you think she’d do it? It would be the answer to everything. Could I afford her? Do you think she’d run the numbers and tell me if I’m crazy to even consider this?”
“I say yes to all that. But beyond all of that, the most important thing starts with do you want it?”
“That’s the trouble. I do. I really do. I can talk myself out of it a half dozen times a day. But I always come back to wanting it.”
She glanced down at Collin while he held what seemed to be an intense conversation with a blade of grass.
“I’ve always loved that place. When we were in high school, I’d tell myself I was going to move to the big city like you, get some slick job where I wore fabulous clothes. Then I started working at Crafty to earn some summer money, and fell in love. Then Joe happened. Then Collin happened. And this is what I want.”
“Then I’m going to tell you to let Teesha look things over, then go for it. Because the one thing people regret is not reaching for dreams. Will he let me pick him up?”
“He likes girls,” Maya told him. “He’s more shy around guys until he knows them better.”
“I’m a girl, so …” She picked Collin up, gave him a swing that made him laugh. “And I heard a car pull in. It’s either Teesha and fam, or Popi. Let’s go see.”
“I’ve got about twenty minutes, tops, before I have to get this one home for lunch and a nap. He gets seriously cranky otherwise.”
“This face?” Adrian kissed it. “Could never be cranky.”
“Come live my life for a couple days.”
Sadie moved from Adrian’s side, even picked up the pace when she spotted Phineas. Fully confident now, Teesha put her son down so he and the dog could have a loving reunion.
“Maya! And Collin’s gotten so big. He’s beautiful! Gimme.”
She snatched him from Adrian, and Monroe bent down to rest his chin on Teesha’s shoulder.
“Boy, you look like summer sunshine.”
After a shy smile, Collin wiggled.
“Okay, okay, who can compete with another boy and a dog mountain?”
After setting him down, Teesha wrapped around Maya. Whatever she murmured had Maya holding tight.
“Thanks. And thank both of you for the flowers. They were beautiful, and appreciated. Oh, it’s good to see you. All of you. Look at Phineas. He’s a little man.”
Sadie stretched out, in obvious bliss, as the boys crawled all over her.
“And you.” Teesha pointed a finger at Adrian. “I hate you.”
With a laugh, Monroe draped an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Dream house.”
“I knew it.” Adrian did a quick hip-shaking boogie. “I bet it’s the pretty blue two-story with the covered porch, open concept, and sweet backyard—fenced—on Mountain Laurel Lane.”
“I’d call you a nasty name for that, but there are children present. In my life I’d never imagined myself living on a place called Mountain Laurel Lane.”
“We put an offer in,” Monroe said, grinning from ear to ear.
“Holy—you know what! Wow and freaking A, and …”
When words failed, Adrian did a trio of handsprings.
“Show-off. It’s crazy.” Teesha put her hands to the sides of her head, shook it back and forth. “I know it’s crazy, but I want that house. We only looked at two. We only looked for a few hours, one day, and … it was ours.” She reached back over her shoulder, and Monroe took her hand.
“Because it’s perfect for us. We can walk into town to a restaurant, to have a drink, shop, but we’ve got a yard. We’ve got neighbors in a nice neighborhood, and it’s not Stepfordland.”
“He’s right.” Teesha sighed. “He’s right, and still it’s crazy. But I want that house.”
“Two—no, three, counting Monroe—of my best pals going after what they want. And hey, me, too! Come back for dinner tonight, Maya. You and Joe and Collin. We’ll celebrate.”
“I haven’t even talked to Teesha about it yet—and Joe and I need to talk some more.”
“About what?” Teesha asked.
“Maya’s going to buy the best shop in town, but she needs you to look at the numbers. Bring them tonight. You’ll take a look, won’t you, Teesh?”
“Sure.”
“Great. Come at five. We’ll have wine. Teesha can take a look, and Sadie and I will run herd on the kids.”
“Bossy,” Teesha said to Maya.
“Tell me.”
“Organized, efficient, and goal-oriented. It’s been a hard few weeks.” Adrian slid an arm around Teesha’s waist, around Maya’s. “So fresh starts, new ventures, and going after what you want. That all works for me.”
“We’ll see if the numbers work for me and Joe—and what Teesha has to say. But I know I can speak for him when I say we’d love to come to dinner. Nobody turns down a meal at Casa Rizzo.
“Meanwhile.” She bent down to lift Collin. “I’ve got to get this one home. We’ll see you tonight. And thanks in advance, Teesha.”
“Numbers, business, projections. It’s who I am.” After they waved Maya off, Teesha turned to Adrian. “Which shop, how long has it been in business, why are the owners selling, where’s it located?”
“I’ll have those answers and more when we sit on the porch with some lemonade.”
Ten weeks later, Teesha lived on Mountain Laurel Lane, Maya owned a business, and Adrian stood in her new studio with Kayla.
“It’s perfect. It’s just exactly right. I was nervous when you talked about doing a light whitewash on the fireplace, but you were right there, too. It softens the brick.”
“Do you love it? I love it. I want you to love it.”
“I love it. You took what I wanted—or thought I did—and made it better. Refinishing the hardwood, completely worth it. Setting the bar up as a smoothie station, adding that pottery tray of wheatgrass speaks to the nutrition angle of fitness. And it still feels homey, accessible.”
The good, natural light had the refinished floors glowing, a big seagrass basket held colorful yoga mats, while an old coatrack served as visible storage for exercise bands.
She’d used floating shelves for stability balls so they looked like wall art. Instead of a standard free weight rack, Kayla had repurposed an old wine rack.
“I love the way you used some of what was here—my grandparents’ things, my great-grandparents’—like that cabinet. Using it for holding towels, sweatbands, yoga blocks. And putting plants and candles on that old bench. It puts the ‘home’ in home gym.”
“So the little sitting area over by the fireplace isn’t too much?”
“Nope, and I’ll use it. The colors work, too. You were right about the soft, sagey green. I thought it would be too gray and dull, but it’s just soft and it makes the equipment colors pop. The green of the plants go vibrant against it. Any angle I stream from is going to work.”
Absently Adrian lowered her hand to rub Sadie’s head as the dog sat by her side. “It was thoughtful of you to find those family pictures, have them framed for the mantel.”
“You kept saying home, and what’s home without family?”
“Well, Kayla, you just nailed your first professional design job. It won’t be your last.”
“I’m so happy!” She bounced in her lavender running shoes. “You said it was okay if I took pictures and used them in my portfolio.”
“Absolutely. And I’ll write your first client review.”
“Oh God!”
“And I know you head back to college soon, but if you can squeeze in another consult, my friends Teesha and Monroe could use a little help on their new house.”
Eyes widened; mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding.”
“Not kidding. I told Teesha if you had time you’d stop by after you left here. I’ll give you her address. She’s right on Mountain Laurel Lane.”
“I know the house. I know it. Everybody knows about them moving here. It’s such a great house. I’ll go right now! Oh my God!”
“Thank you, Kayla, for giving me exactly what I needed.”
Adrian offered a hand, but Kayla just went in for a hug. “You’re not just my first client. You’re going to be my favorite client forever. Bye, Sadie!” She raced for the glass doors, then stopped, posed. “I’m an interior designer.”
Laughing, she jogged away.
Adrian knew how it felt to see a dream realized. Thinking of just that, she took out her phone to text Hector, Loren, and Teesha.
Hi, gang, time to coordinate for our first production in my new home studio. Which looks freaking fantastic. I’ve got the theme, have the routines nearly nailed down. My schedule’s open, so work out when you can fit me in, and we’ll go. Teesha, Kayla’s on her way to you now. And, guys? Wait until you see Teesha’s new house. Not to mention my new studio. Talk soon.
She jogged up two flights of stairs, delighted the house was empty because her grandfather had gone in to work. Every day now, she thought as she went into her bedroom to change. Sometimes just for an hour, but often for most of the day.
The work, she thought, his love of it, brought him both joy and solace.
She felt the same about her own.
After donning workout gear, she went back down to her new space. She opened the glass doors so Sadie could wander out as she pleased or needed. She put on her basic keep-the-beat music, set a timer. And, facing her mirrored wall, got to work.
As she rehearsed and refined the warm-up, she had a flash of herself as a child, watching her mother rehearse. The house in Georgetown, the sleek room with mirrored walls and her mother’s reflection.
How she’d yearned.
How, alone again, she’d danced in that room, imagining herself a ballerina, or a Broadway star, or what she’d become. And so good, so exceptional, her mother would watch her with the same yearning she felt.
Then the man had come, bringing fear and blood and pain.
His face—she remembered every detail of it—blurred everything else from her vision so she had to stop the timer.
“No point, no point, no point going back there.”
Closing her eyes, she breathed through it. Even the media rarely dug that horrid old story up now. Old, old news. No point.
She reminded herself she rarely had moments like this, when the fear rushed back, turned her cold, then hot, then breathless.
She’d push through it. She had pushed through it.
“I’m strong,” she told her reflection. “And I’m not defined by one horrible day in the whole of my life.”
She started to turn the timer back on, then caught a glimpse of Sadie in the mirror, sprawled a few feet back, watching her.
Yearning, Adrian thought.
Instead of turning on the timer, she walked back to sit on the floor, nuzzle the big bear of a dog who made love noises in her throat. A sound that always made Adrian laugh.
“I’ll come back to this. Let’s you and me go outside and play chase the ball.”
