by Terra Kelly
Eddie was easy to talk to, something I needed. I took the last swig of my beer and stood up. “I should be going but I can walk home since it’s only a mile away.”
“No, please let Kelsey and I take you home.”
“I don’t want to bother you though.”
“It’s not a bother and I offered.”
We walked back into the house and he wrangled up Kelsey. As I waited for them both, I thought about when we all were sitting at the table cracking the shells on the lobster. Kelsey would share one joke after another. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed that much.
It was weird, the reason I chose Crystal Shores was because someone in passing had mentioned the wineries here. I was in another small town two hours south of Crystal Shores. I had worked at a diner in the center of town for about thirteen months.
I knew why I chose Crystal Shores, but now I was wondering if there was a higher power that put me on this path. Was I supposed to run into Eddie and his daughter? I wanted to believe not all men were bad and well, Eddie was making me believe.
My alarm clock was blaring with the sounds of Beautiful Day by U2. A part of me just wanted to listen to the song on replay all day. It gave me hope and made me feel more positive when I heard Bono sing the words.
I made myself get up as the song replayed for the third time. Maybe third time was a charm to push my butt out of bed. As I sluggishly made my way to the kitchen, I heard a light knock on my door. Before I opened it, I pulled the curtain back to see who was there. Eddie? My hair was in all different directions and my shorts were a wee-bit too short. I tried to brush my hair down but taming the beast was going to be impossible.
“Eddie? Everything okay?” I leaned my body against the door frame.
“Yeah. I hope I didn’t wake you?”
“No, U2 did.” He seemed confused by my answer. “They’re my alarm clock lately.”
“Oh, good choice. You left your bike in my truck last night.”
“Shit, I’m so sorry for making you drive all the way over here.” I stepped back. “Um, would you like some coffee? I was just about to make some.”
He pulled his phone out and tapped on the screen. Then looked back up at me. “Sure. I have few minutes to kill.”
“My brain doesn’t function until that first sip of coffee.”
“You too, eh?”
I knew wherever I stood in the small space we would still be close. The kitchen was big enough for one person. Two was pushing it. The room had seen better days with the hideous linoleum and paint chipping off the walls, but for now, it was home.
He sat down at my little cafe table. The chair seemed too small for his tall, muscular frame. “Have you had the equipment inspected? It looks outdated.”
“The realtor mentioned they were used. I haven’t even turned on the oven because I brought my own microwave.” I measured out three tablespoons of coffee. “Do you think I should still have them inspected?”
“It’s not a bad idea. I would be happy to look at them for you?”
“Only if you have time. There’s no rush.”
“Let me grab my flashlight and call the station to let them know I’ll be a little late.”
I combed my fingers through my hair, maybe U2 on replay for the last several mornings was working. I didn’t want to tell Eddie, but the real reason I had not had the equipment inspected was because I didn’t trust anyone to come into my home. Until now.
When he came back into the kitchen carrying his toolbox and flashlight, I had to remind myself that men were off limits. Or were they? He was making it harder and harder for me to tell myself that.
Chapter Seven
Eddie
“Sorry I’m late.” I walked into my boss’ office and sat down in the chair next to the door.
“Hot date last night?”
AJ was thirty-two and somehow landed the fire chief position. Small town living, I guess. There were days when I wondered if he wanted the job because he never seemed to take the leadership role seriously. Instead, he would just act like one of the guys.
I ignored his comment because it was easier. “You remember that woman from the diner who ran away after Jackson talked to her?”
“Yeah?”
“I inspected the wiring in her kitchen this morning.”
“Is that all you inspected?” He winked and slapped his hand on the desk.
“Okay, I’m done here,” I stood and started to leave, but stopped in the doorway. “I thought you needed to talk to me? Otherwise I could be doing something more productive.”
“Wait. Sorry, man. Yeah, I do need to talk to you. We have a CPR class in a few weeks and I need you to teach it.”
“That’s fine. Just email me the details.”
After spending a few hours with Sarah, a part of me wanted to play hooky and go enjoy the rest of the day with her. When Kelsey woke up this morning she told me how much fun she had with Sarah. To see the light in my daughter’s eyes again, well, it felt damn good.
I headed into the kitchen to grab some coffee. Lina the dispatcher yelled for me, “Eddie, you have a call.”
There was a phone by the table. “This is Eddie.”
“Hi.”
It took me a second to register who was on the other line. “Sarah? Are you okay?”
“Um, there was a pop when I turned on the light in the bathroom. Should I be worried?”
“I’ll be right over. Don’t touch the outlets.” I hung up the phone and walked to the front room. “Jackson, you free?”
“Uh, sure.” He followed me to the pickup truck.
“You remember that woman from the diner who didn’t warm up to you.”
“Yeah? You know her?”
“She lives about a mile from my place in that old run-down home.”
“Wait, someone is living in that dump?”
“I guess they were marketing it as a fixer-upper.”
“Wow, seems like false advertising. That place should be torn down.”
“Yeah. I checked the wiring in the kitchen this morning and everything seemed fine. She just called and said there was a pop in the bathroom when she turned on the light.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yeah, my thoughts exactly.” The visions of Sarah nervous around me ran through my mind. I realized at that moment I needed Jackson to keep his distance from her. “Hey, can you stay back with the truck when we get there? She had a weird reaction to you before.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I don’t know her that well yet, but what I do know–”
“She hates men.”
“Hate seems harsh, but basically, yeah.” I could hear Jackson let out a snort of laughter. It was weird but I just wanted to respect her space.
The station was about ten minutes from Sarah’s house. I knew once you heard a pop there was a fifty-fifty chance the situation could turn to dangerous. As we pulled into the driveway the place seemed quiet. I made my way to the front door and knocked twice.
“Sarah. Are you okay?”
She opened the door wearing a pair of sweats that had paint all over them. Her sweatshirt looked about the same. “Hey.” She glanced over at the truck where Jackson was standing. “Everything seems fine now, I probably overreacted.”
“Show me which switch,” I insisted. “With a place like this it was right to be concerned.”
I spent the next several minutes inspecting the wiring in the bathroom. It was a mess and that was putting it mildly. We also discovered that the second switch in the bathroom for the fan; the wiring was connected to the switch in the hallway.
After about fifteen minutes, I almost gave up. “I need to have Jackson help with a few things. Are you okay if he comes in?”
“Um, sure. I need take care of something. I’ll be in my room. Just let me know when you’re done.”
She really did have an issue with men. Why was she okay with me
then? I made my way out to the pickup. “Hey, I need you to look at something for me.”
Jackson was leaning against the truck looking at his phone. “Sure. She okay with me coming inside?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.” I turned and made my way back to the house. “I’m concerned about the wiring. Nothing is matched up correctly.”
“Well, I’m not surprised. An old place like this, I bet they jerry-rigged everything.”
After about thirty minutes and several curse words, we both agreed the realtor needed to give Sarah her money back. The place had obviously not been inspected when they decided to rent it out. We both agreed there were too many code violations in just the bathroom alone.
“I’ll talk to her. Give me five minutes.”
I went to the closed bedroom door and knocked once. “Sarah, you got a sec?” Before she even opened the door, I could smell paint.
“Hey, sorry. I should’ve had my music lower.” She laughed and opened the door all the way.
The room was bare. She had a sleeping bag on top of an air mattress in the corner. There was a duffel bag and a few clothes laying in a pile. A paint brush was on top of the paint can and her window was open for ventilation.
“Listen, I’m concerned about the wiring here.”
“Can I get it fixed?”
“Yeah, or if you want–” I paused for a beat. “You could room in the extra bedroom at my place?” It was like the words just spilled out on their own. I usually thought about things and then asked. Not this time though.
“What? Oh, no.” She walked over and grabbed the paint brush. “I can call the realtor and let them know they need to check the wiring.”
“It’s not a problem and Kelsey would be so happy to have you there.” I knew I needed to let it go and she could decide when she was ready.
“Honestly, It’s fine. I’ll be fine. I’m sorry I bothered you.” She turned and continued to paint the rest of the wall.
I realized that was my cue to exit. “Call me if you hear anything else unusual.”
“Thanks, Eddie.”
I made my way back to the truck. “I’m worried about leaving her in this place but she won’t budge.”
“Women,” Jackson mumbled and opened the truck door.
“I’ll stop by later and make sure she's okay.” I slapped him on the back and walked around to the driver side and hopped up into the truck.
Chapter Eight
Sarah
The next day…
“Yeah, this house probably should be rewired.” The contractor my realtor sent over dropped the flathead screwdriver in his toolbox and turned to face me.
“Rewired? So, is it safe to live here?” I stepped away from the doorway.
“Well, technically you probably shouldn’t, but your landlord will fire me if they knew I told you that.”
“Wait, so they’re lying to me?”
The guy just shrugged his shoulders and went to walk around me. My skin crawled the moment he stopped and we were shoulder to shoulder. “Sounds like it.” I could feel his eyes scanning my body. “You can stay with me if you need a place to crash.” He winked and bumped my shoulder.
I jumped away and hit my back against the door frame. “Um, no, I’m good.”
He laughed and took a step closer. “Are you sure? A pretty thing like you shouldn’t be all alone in this house.”
The memories of my past came rushing back and I did the first thing that popped in my mind: I kneed him where the sun doesn’t shine. He yelled and dropped to his knees. I used that moment to run. My first thought was where should I go? Then Eddie and Kelsey popped in my mind. I grabbed my keys laying in the bowl on the little table next to my purse. My car had fumes left because it desperately needed a full tank of gas. I was hoping it would be enough to get me to Eddie’s house.
Why didn’t I make sure there was a full tank of gas in the damn thing?
I mean, I knew why. You needed money to do that.
As I ran out the door, I thought about my life in North Carolina. I wondered if some of my decisions in my past caused men to treat me like I was less than them. There were days I found it hard to not blame myself for how men treated me. What if I could’ve been better? After years of dealing with this inner battle I finally left home. The only trouble was, your past will always catch up with you eventually.
I shook my head and tried to free the negative thoughts from my mind. “Hold on, girl.” I rubbed my hand over the top of the steering wheel. “We’re almost there, I promise.” As I turned the corner there was a sound that shouldn’t be coming from the engine. I patted the dashboard like it had feelings. “Eddie, will help you. Hang on.”
Right as I reached Eddie’s driveway my car started to slow down. “Just a few more inches.” I rubbed my hand over the dashboard hoping my soft touch would keep it moving for a few seconds longer. When I was about halfway up the driveway my car just stopped.
I looked up at Eddie’s house. “We made it.” I gave my car one last soft touch for good luck.
I couldn’t go anywhere but here. What was it about this man that made me feel safe? I still didn’t know that answer. What I did know, my rental was far from safe. I was ready to call it quits on the fixer upper. Hopefully the offer to rent a room at Eddie’s was still on the table.
I grabbed my purse from the passenger seat and hopped out. It felt too quiet like no one was home. I decided if I had to wait I would. Plus, I didn’t really have an option since going back to my house was out of the question…and my gas tank was officially empty.
Eddie had a beautiful home that was two stories high with an amazing wrap-around porch. There were three rocking chairs on one side of the porch, probably for Eddie, Kelsey, and his sister, Jan. I knocked once on the door and waited.
After a few seconds Jan opened the door and flashed the biggest smile. “Sarah. Hi, Sweetheart.”
“Hi, Jan. I hope I’m not bothering you?”
Just then you could hear the little pitter-patter of feet approaching from behind Jan. “Sarah!” Kelsey yelled, then proceeded to jump up and down.
“Hi, Sweet pea.”
“Looks like we have a surprise guest today, don’t we?” Jan pulled back the door. “Please, come in?”
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
Kelsey yelled, “Yes, yes, yes.”
“There’s your answer. Kelsey has spoken.” Jan placed her hand on my back as I stepped inside.
“Is Eddie home?”
“No, he gets home around seven-thirty,” Jan started to walk down the hall but turned to face me. “Do you need to talk to him?”
“Oh, it can wait.” I brushed it off like it was no big deal.
Kelsey grabbed my hand. “Sarah, come and help me draw.”
“Help you draw? I think you may need to teach me how to draw.”
“She’s pretty talented.” Jan walked over to the stove. “Are you hungry?”
Her question made me realize I had not eaten yet today. I had been nervous about the contractor coming to my house so food was furthest from my mind. “Yes, I am.”
“Kelsey, are we having bunny mac n’cheese or bunny shaped grilled cheese?” Jan asked pulling out a package of cheese from the bottom drawer in the refrigerator.
“I’m sensing a pattern here?” I pulled out a chair and sat down beside Kelsey. “Does someone love bunnies?”
Kelsey seemed to be focused on her coloring book, but at the mention of bunnies she lifted her head. “Mac n’ cheese, please.” Then she glanced over at me. “I love bunnies.”
“Sarah.” Jan pulled a container from the fridge and poured it into a sauce pot. “Eddie told me you’re from North Carolina?”
“Yeah, born and raised.”
“Have you been in Michigan long?”
“For about three years now.”
“Do you have family here?”
I knew Jan was just making friendly conversation, but it still didn’t make it any easier to tal
k about. “Um, no, I had some friends who told me I should visit.” Well, now I was lying to a very kind woman.
“Michigan is wonderful.” She dug a spoon into the pan and added mac n’cheese to three bowls.
“How long have you been here?”
“Oh.” She straightened while still holding the pan. “Wow, almost twenty years now. Time flies when you’re having fun.”
“That’s true. Do you have any kids?” I regretted the question the moment it slipped from lips. I noticed how she stilled at my words. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”
She shook her head and reached over to squeeze my hand. “No, it’s okay. I had a miscarriage a few years ago. It took some time but I’ve decided to try again.” She grabbed the third bowl. “I love helping Eddie because then I get my baby interaction.”
“I’m not a baby,” Kelsey sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You’re right–” Jan squatted down beside her– “you’re a big girl now.”
“And she’s pretty cute.” My stomach growled as I reached for a spoon in the center of the table.
“She is pretty cute,” Jan sprinkled salt and pepper over her mac n’cheese.
Kelsey had a spoonful of mac n’cheese next to her lips. “I am pretty cute.” Then she started giggling as she stuffed the pasta in her mouth.
After dinner we chatted about simple things. It was easier to enjoy small talk than discuss portions of my past. I wasn’t ready to share my world with Jan just yet but she did make me feel comfortable just like her brother.
At twenty minutes after seven there was a click click on the front door. “Guess who’s home?” Jan stood up from the sofa.
The moment I realized Eddie was home something unusual happened, my heart rate increased.
Chapter Nine
Eddie
“Hey, who’s car is that in the driveway?” I set my keys on the table and closed the front door.
