Inheriting Trouble (In Ashwood Book 1)

by Kinney Scott

  Seth laced his fingers through Natalie’s, as they walked a few blocks to a nearby neighborhood pub. Ben and Kelsey walked several feet ahead talking about his plans to fly out on Thursday.

  He decided having his furniture shipped out would cost more than buying new pieces. Leaving only his clothes and some smaller appliances to box up for the move. His old car was on its last leg, so parting with it would be a relief. The timing was almost too perfect.

  “Have you talked to the owners of the community near Lincoln City?” Seth asked Natalie as lagged a few feet behind Ben and Kels. “When do they expect you?”

  “I sent my deposit for the space last week.” Natalie’s stomach sank, thinking of her imminent departure.

  “I’d like to follow you out if that’s ok. To make sure everything is set up, and looks solid for the first move.”

  “Are you sure? Ben already offered to help.”

  “I’ll talk to Ben. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind changing his plans.”

  “Seth, thank you. We can do some sightseeing on the coast when you visit.” He paused, on the sidewalk, pulled her to him wrapping her in a quick kiss before walking into the pub.

  During the meal, Ben scrambled to arrange for the move on his phone. Kelsey couldn’t keep her eyes off his profile, able to steal looks while he was distracted. She had distanced herself from Ben after he revealed the change to his job and upcoming move. Long term relationships seldom lasted for Kelsey, still, she wondered if the two hour distance would provide enough of a buffer to keep things casual.

  After Ben flew out of Portland, Natalie shifted her focus to the final preparations for her move. Before she filled the tiny home with her belongings, she wanted to take it for a test drive around Ashwood.

  Seth watched her as she went through the process to hook up the trailer to her truck. Lights worked, back rear safety cameras operating perfectly. Seth provided a detailed checklist that outlined everything to prep before a move. After the final box was mentally checked, she started up her truck and pulled out onto the highway.

  Pulling the practice-trailer helped to prepare her for the sensation, but the added weight was a little slower at the outset. Looking in the rearview mirrors, she was thrilled to see the details of her home. A broad grin stretched across her face, “Seth, look, I’ve got this down!”

  He was so proud of her. “I never doubted that you would. Where are you taking us?”

  Her confident smile beamed, “The farmers market has a nice sized lot, and I’ve made a lot of friends there. How about we show this house off? We could even give a tour. What do you think?”

  “You’re in charge! I’ll be happy to be your wingman.”

  Almost instantly, after parking at the farmers market, a small crowd began to form. Natalie opened the large window with the customer counter. She had not stocked for food service, much to the disappointment of the folks surrounding her tiny home.

  Seth texted Carlos, Kent, and Rick, asking them to come over from the shop. He wanted to give them the opportunity to see the impact their work had on the community. A line formed for impromptu tours, and Seth stood outside to answer questions while Nate enthusiastically demonstrated the details and features of her home. After Carlos arrived, it was not long before he had a fan base of potential customers wanting upgrades for innovative kitchen remodels.

  Amanda happened to be at the market helping her friend Annie. She spotted her brother and rushed over to give Natalie a big hug. “Do you have your camera with you Nate? I could take some pictures to commemorate the day!

  “I do, what a great idea, Amanda thanks.” She dug out her camera and handed it over. Seth’s sister captured shots focused on the passion his crew had in the craftsmanship involved in their work.

  Finally, the mass of people thinned, leaving the friends that had represented Whitewater homes staring at one another. “I never realized how interested people were in our homes,” Seth said, in amazement.

  “Why haven’t we tried something like that in the past?” Kent added.

  “We should keep this interest going and bring your home to the Octoberfest celebration,” Carlos said before he caught himself.

  After remembering that too soon Natalie would be gone he suggested with a shrug, “Maybe we can take one of the other models. It’s something to consider.”

  Natalie still glowed with the enthusiasm of the moment, “I just love this town. Ashwood has been so supportive, and I was able to see so many of my new friends. Wasn’t this a perfect way to finish the project, Seth?”

  Realization hit both of them. This was the beginning of goodbye.

  “You really handled the trailer well on the drive over. Why don’t we get it back to base and then we can all get together to celebrate at The Northside Grill. My treat!”

  “I’m in,” Kent hollered. “How about it Amanda, can you join us?”

  She beamed excited to be included, “I’d love to, I will meet you there, after I say goodbye to Annie.”

  Carlos declined, “Gotta pass on that today, but this was great. Natalie congrats on your new launch! I will see you all later. My daughter has soccer practice. Thanks Seth.” Carlos waved as he crossed the lot to his car.

  Kent and Nate secured the windows, doors and latches to be ready for the short trip back to Whitewater Homes. Seth drove this time, and was satisfied with the way the gooseneck trailer handled. The worry deep in his gut had nothing to do with Natalie’s ability to manage the rig. Managing life without her, that was a different matter.

  Seth ordered a bottle of Champagne for Natalie and Kelsey, a root beer for his sister, and the guys stuck to IPA from Mosquito Creek. He picked up the tab on dinner, not that The Northside was extravagant, but celebrating anywhere else would have been a sham.

  Wade joined Seth, Kent and Rick while the conversation shifted to Octoberfest and the hop harvest in Yakima. Seth leaned back, toying with Natalie’s hair, losing the thread of the conversation, but not caring. All he could think about was getting her home and in his bed. Need began to simmer between them. Natalie yawned, making eye contact with a heated gaze that Seth understood. Her feigned exhaustion got Seth out of the bar and on the road straight home.

  ***

  Arriving late with Seth the next morning, Natalie uploaded Amanda’s pictures to Whitewater’s web page. The enthusiasm practically leapt out of the shots. Seth stared over her shoulder as she worked her magic with her photo program, adding a slide show with cascading graphics, mixing in text and music. She peeked at him over her shoulder, “I can help with this remotely once I leave, if you would like.”

  “Amanda’s photography is great, but if you want to come back and take pictures of every finished home, that would be just fine with me.”

  That was as close as he could get to asking her to stay. It has to be her choice. I am not standing in her way, if she needs to leave.

  “Thanks for all your help, Nate. If you changed any passwords, please put them on the orange pad in the top drawer. I need to be able to figure this all out again on my own.”

  She felt him pull away, hurt by his sudden coldness. The door to his office closed firmly behind him, as he wandered out onto the shop floor, placing distance between himself and Natalie.

  Later that afternoon, Natalie found some comfort working alongside Kelsey stocking her business with coffee beans, plates, cups, and lids. Most of Natalie’s personal things were already stowed securely in her tiny house. All at once, her last day in Ashwood was upon her.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Natalie packed up the last of her clothes. Most of her belongings were already on board. Only her small suitcase and travel camera case were left to carry.

  She stole a moment standing on the deck, overlooking her property below, on the shore of Osprey Lake. Crisp morning air almost crackled, frost was not far off, and would decorate the forest within a few short weeks. But she would not see it, the weather was far milder on the coast. At least the flowers she had plant
ed still bloomed, though the hummingbirds were gone.

  Inhaling the scent, Natalie attempted to memorize this moment. As she finally spun toward the tall windows, she found Seth, waiting. As she entered his home, he held out his hand, and they walked, fingers entwined, out to his truck.

  Moving at the painfully slow pace pulling a home, the four hour drive to the coast stretched to six. At the halfway point, Natalie pulled into a large gas station with a bay that could handle the height of the tiny home. Climbing out of her truck, she stretched and moaned shoulders tight and fatigued.

  Seth circled to a nearby parking spot and jogged over to her. “I don’t need to gas up this time, I’ll take care of this for you,” he said, taking over the job of filling her truck with fuel. Natalie propped her foot on the running board, stretching while attempting to work out the kinks in her hips and thighs.

  “I’m so sore. Driving with this much trailer behind me makes me so tense.” Natalie said, stretching her arms into the air.

  “Let me take over for the second half, you can follow in my truck. How about we grab a burger here.” He topped off the gas, got in the truck and moved the rig away from the gas pump to an empty section of the parking lot.

  As he made this move, an older couple approached Natalie. They wanted to ask questions about her cute little house. After introducing them to Seth, the couple asked if they could treat Seth and Natalie to lunch.

  Mr. and Mrs. Carter carried their tray of burgers and fries to a large booth joining Seth and Natalie. “You two are such a cute young couple, are you planning on living at the coast for very long? What a terrific way to spend fall and winter, with all those exciting winter storms to watch,” Mrs. Carter asked.

  Seth decided to play along after Natalie looked a little uncomfortable. “We look forward to exploring the area together. Do you have any suggestions?” he directed the conversation away from their relationship to the Carter’s knowledge of the area.

  By the end of the meal, Natalie had a long list of sights on her must-see list. The aquarium, a majestic lighthouse, and even a cheese factory to tour. All places not to overlook, according to Mr. and Mrs. Carter. “Thank you so much for lunch, and all the helpful information.” Natalie said giving Mrs. Carter a quick hug as they all prepared to go their separate ways.

  “Pleasure to meet you. It’s so nice to see such a happy young couple starting out life together,” Mr. Carter added, patting Seth on the back. “Take good care of Natalie, young man.”

  “Yes, sir, I plan to,” Seth shook his hand, and walked Natalie to his truck. “Here are my keys. I’ve got the route on my phone, so I can drive on in, if you want to follow.”

  “Thank you,” she stood on tiptoes to give him a quick kiss, but Seth deepened the embrace pulling her to him for a moment. Lengthening the kiss until her knees gave way a bit beneath her.

  “That’s my girl,” he laughed, loving the response, as her body melted to his. Opening the cab of his truck he lifted her then buckled her in, “You are good to go, see you at the coast!”

  “Ready or not, “she smiled. He slammed the door and sprinted across the lot to pull the house back onto the road. Two and a half more hours on the highway gave them plenty of time to settle before dark.

  Seth pulled into the community where Natalie would spend the winter months. Quickly, Natalie texted Kelsey to let her know they arrived safely on the coast. Next, she found Faye, the owner of Driftwood Shores.

  “As you know the lease here at Driftwood Shores is month to month. We find that the freedom needed to live this kind of life gives people the itch to move on whenever the winds change. It’s just part of the life!” Faye wore a long faded jeans skirt and a shirt she had certainly tie died herself. Her age, hard to determine with her long braid plaited down her back, and lack of shoes even on a slightly chilly day, gave her the illusion of perpetual youth.

  Faye’s cat played with a bug on the sandy soil, stalking and pouncing like a predator, “Bramble, did you catch it?” Faye scooped up the small orange striped cat, stroked him between his ears as he immediately purred. “Don’t be surprised if Bramble leaves a gift on your porch in the morning. Most of the new residents have a dead mouse to greet them after a day or two.”

  “I look forward to it Bramble,” Natalie stroked the cat.

  “Let me know if you have any other questions, or find you have left something behind. Adjusting to life in a tiny house takes time. We find that if everyone lends a hand and watches out for each other, it makes living with less a communal adventure.”

  “That makes sense, I’ll be glad to pitch in when I can.” Natalie went to shake Faye’s hand, only to be pulled into a warm embrace.

  “Welcome home!” Faye practically skipped away, as her cat leapt from her arms and skittered into the tall shore grass to hunt.

  Leveling the home took care and time, Seth had a small dolly-like device that maneuvered the trailer into precisely the right spot. Once in place, he leveled the home, and secured the wheels. “Why don’t we stop at the market down the road and pick up a few groceries to get by? Those crashing waves are calling me. I would love a sunset walk on the beach.”

  Shopping together felt oddly romantic, as they chose provisions to last until Seth returned to Ashwood.

  Spaghetti came together quickly. Every brush of Natalie’s hip against Seth heightening the awareness between them, a kind of domestic foreplay.

  While finishing up the last of the garlic bread, Seth wanted to get her opinion. “What did you think of the layout in the kitchen, now that it goes from theory to practice?” He asked genuinely interested in her assessment. “Do you see any way we could have improved the design?”

  “Wow, let me think for a second,” she contemplated the details. “The counter space was nice and deep, it made prepping easy. I think I will need a step to reach the top shelves.”

  “I’ll be able to build a pull out step for you. Anything else?”

  “The lighting we designed is a little bright. We planned it around a working kitchen environment, but a dimmer would be nice when I’m cooking for myself.”

  “That’s an easy fix. No problem. I’ll get on that tomorrow.”

  “How do you feel about letting the dishes soak in the sink until after our walk?”

  “Sounds good, let’s head out to the beach.”

  Natalie and Seth took off their shoes, walking bare foot across the wide dunes that rose in high drifts between her community and the ocean. They could hear the crashing waves grow louder. After a final arduous climb in soft sand, the turbulent waves came into view.

  A wide stretch of pale sand extended out, streaked with snaking strips of white foam, on the darker firm sand of the shore. Small bits of shell, rock, and wood rolled back in forth, smoothed by the action of each wave. Blue sky reflected water, creating an illusion on the horizon that the ocean and sky merged seamlessly.

  Far to the north, a large mountain like rock formation extended far out to sea. Looking south, crashing waves beat against rock outcroppings that she hoped would reveal starfish and shiny black mussels at low tide.

  Fingers laced together, the pair walked to the edge of the waves, splashing their feet as they walked along the surf. Briny air, swept Natalie’s hair back, while the same stiff breeze carried seagulls on rollercoaster flight. A family with two kids and a black lab sailed kites; pink and electric blue dragon tails, twisting on the end of taught strings

  Natalie watched the kids for a moment. “I remember when Ben and I were little, before our parents split, when we spent a week at a musty little cabin on the coast. We built sand castles, went horseback riding, and cooked hot dogs over an open campfire. That was the best vacation. Our family was happy then.”

  “Your dad may attempt to mend the relationship. Don’t give up on him. I’m glad your brother decided to move to the area.”

  She agreed, “The lapse in time hasn’t damaged our relationship at all. I’m lucky to have him in my life again. B
en said he would visit here in a couple weeks, after he settles into his job.”

  “I plan on visiting too…if that’s okay.”

  “I’m counting on it Seth. I plan to visit Ashwood often. If you like I can stay with Kelsey, but I’d want to see you too.” She stopped for a moment, looking at the waves lapping against her toes, the water frigidly cold. “Seth, do you want to try to keep seeing me? With this long distance between us, I will understand if you want something different.”

  “Natalie, I don’t know how everything will work out, but that doesn’t change the fact that I want to try to make our relationship last. And when you visit Ashwood, you will be staying with me.” And I may try to persuade you to stay forever. He knew she needed to see this through, but God, this hurt.

  Approaching a rocky outcrop protruding from the sand, they explored tide pools. Large red sea stars clung tight to the black rock face. Deep pools trapped warmer water where Natalie waded in up to her knees. “It’s really warm.”

  “Whatever you say. I’m not ready for a swim.”

  “Chicken!” Bending down she swept her hand through the pool, sending a wide curtain of water cascading over Seth’s head. Immediately regretting her action as he chased her down the beach. Seth caught her and swept her legs out from under her, carrying her to the surf. He waded in deeper and deeper, the bottom of his shorts completely soaked, water still dripping from his hair.

  “What are you going to do now, babe?”

  “Beg for mercy?”

  “I’m merciless, when it comes to you.” Still holding her in his arms, he pressed his lips to hers. Seth trailed kisses down, plying her neck with nibbles and bites. She squirmed and screamed as the path of kisses crept lower, attempting to taste the soft white mound peeking out of her V-neck t-shirt.

  Natalie stilled in his arms, entwining her fingers in his hair, pulling his mouth to hers. A searing tangle of tongues lips and teeth brought them both to the point of moaning. Coming up for air, Seth realized the beach was dotted with people. He walked toward the dunes and set Natalie back on her bare feet in the sand.