He seemed extremely proud of his tools and the pieces that he showed her. The kitchen table in his little cottage was really beautiful, a blond wood. The rocking chair in the living room was a darker wood and looked great with the old buffets and china closet. Together with a Victorian end table and love seat they looked like an antique collection.
“I didn’t know you collected antiques. These are beautiful.”
“Except for the rocking chair I made, those were my mother’s things, and my grandmother’s. Would you like some coffee? I have some shortbread.”
“Uh, no thanks. Really. I’d better get going. Thanks for the tour. I really enjoyed it.”
“Jade, can’t we at least be friends? I know you have someone special but he’s gone a lot. Why don’t you let me buy you dinner and you can tell me what you want to carve? A man gets lonely around here. I promise not to pester you.”
Jade smiled at the shy man. “Henry, you’ve never been a pest. I’ll have dinner with you if you want to leave early. I have some work to do before I turn in tonight. I have to be at the company early in the morning.”
She followed Henry to her favorite restaurant, and the only one in Mishap, Oregon. It was called The Pretty Good Egg and owned by her best friend, Juani Hernandez.
“Well, it’s about time, girl. I thought you were mad at me or something. How you doing, Henry?”
“Fine. I’ll have my usual.”
“I’ve just been running around a lot, lately. How about your Bean Garden Salad? Make it with only a little jack cheese , lots of tomato, and, of course, corn bread.”
“You’ve got it. You look different. We’ve got to talk. I can tell I’m falling behind on what you’re up to. Hey, did you know my Ronnie’s cooking on weekends now? Tell me what you think of Sarah’s corn bread. She runs the bakery now.”
“I thought she was going to go to business school.”
“She is. She goes nights and then she’s going to get her computer science degree after that.”
“Good for her.”
Jade looked up to see a sad smile on Henry’s face. “No wonder everyone loves you. You’ve got a good word for everybody who does anything decent.”
She blanched and then grinned. “The trouble with you, Henry, is you never see yourself like everyone else does. You’re just as upbeat. You’re just quieter about it, that’s all. People really like you around here, including the women. You need to pay more attention.”
“Who appreciates me, that isn’t married or ten years older, besides Alice?”
“Let’s see. There’s Leanne What’s Her Name and that blonde who works at the market and—“
“I’m not ready to take on four kids and there are three blondes at the market. Two of them are grandmothers and Betty is engaged to the new mechanic that works for Handelman.”
“Oops. Well, maybe you should take a class at the Grove.”
“What kind? Cooking? Come on, Jade.”
“You know, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. She broke up with her guy quite a while back and you’d have a lot in common. I mean, she’s a sculptor and you build furniture.”
“A sculptor? She must be pretty beefy to do stuff like that.”
“Well, she’s in marvelous shape but she’s beautiful, not a weight lifter. Her stuff is more about glass and gem work. She doesn’t do outdoor stuff.”
“I don’t know.”
“You aren’t prejudiced, are you?”
“Against women? What are you saying, Jade?” Henry looked mortified.
Jade laughed before she could stop herself. “That’s not what I meant. She’s African-American but she’s a stunner.”
“Well, no. I just never thought about it, I guess. If Sarah Hernandez weren’t so young I’d ask her out, but she’s headed for the big city, anyway. I hate cities.”
While she drove home, after dinner, the more Jade thought about introducing Henry to Delta the better she liked it. He would be a change of pace for Delta and she might help Henry out of his shyness. She had been enjoying exchanging e-mails with Delta since the meeting at Scottsdale. If she hadn’t missed Matt so much she would have written to her more often. This time she had an idea that would help them both.
Back at the house she hurried into her office and started her computer. By the time she finished the e-mail she was humming. If Delta decided to visit Jade, she could meet Henry and brighten his day. Jade would feel less guilty about him, too. Before she signed off she added one more thought. It was unlikely that Rafael would want to visit the back woods but it was worth a shot. If he was looking for a cooler area for the hot shop he might offer Winks a big price for the ranch and she would kill two birds with one stone. After she shut the computer down she rubbed her hands together in satisfaction and headed for her shower.
* * *
On the following Saturday morning, Jade parked her car in the university library parking lot, in Eugene, and headed for the arts and crafts area. By the time she had made copies of pages out of the four best books on wood carving that she found, it was time to grab some lunch near the airport. A trip to the bookstore in the mall would have to wait. She had a bowl of vegetable soup in the airport cafeteria before she freshened up and took her overnight bag to a window near the gate for her flight to San Francisco. She put a paper bag holding two apples in her lap with her purse and settled down to read her art magazine.
After they were allowed to board the plane, she put her overnight bag between her feet and leaned back to close her eyes.
“Either you’re a real pro at this or you’re so terrified you don’t want to know where we are until we get to Frisco.”
Jade opened one eye and looked at the man who had taken the seat next to her, on the aisle. He was handsome, graying at the temples, and sported a neat mustache. His smile was perfect for ads and TV commercials. “I’m just impatient. I hate the way these planes seem to get in line like losers placing bets at a race and it takes forever to get on the runway and take off.”
“It sounds like you have no tolerance for gambling either.”
“True. Judging by your suit and your briefcase you’re headed to Washington, D.C. or New York to make earthshaking decisions.”
“Not really. I’m heading home to a dog and a cat and a good book after attending a conference here at the university.”
“You don’t look like the dog and cat type. Let me guess. You’re a recent widower.”
“You’re unusually perceptive. Yes, I lost my wife a couple of years ago. What about you?”
“I haven’t scored too well in relationships but I’m trying one more time. At least I wasn’t crazy enough to marry. I don’t know if that’s ever going to be in the cards.”
“And you’re a very independent career woman, in an executive position I’ll bet.”
“I have my own little catalog company but it supports my hick lifestyle. I sell favorite items that are hard to find now days.”
The man’s eyebrows twitched and he smiled again. “Perhaps you carry Bruce shirts?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do.” By the time the plane ascended into the outgoing flight pattern Jade had his name and address and an order for several golf shirts and a cardigan. She bit into the apple in her hand and chuckled to herself. Other women met handsome men and slipped away for a romantic weekend with them. Jade usually ended up with an order for one of her catalog items. She sighed and shook her head.
“I must say, if you’re eating an apple to keep your ears open while we climb, I certainly appreciate it. Most women put two or three sticks of gum in their mouths and sound like a Chicago bar maid.”
Jade laughed out loud. “I know what you mean. I’ve had them sit next to me, too.” When her companion settled down to read the Wall Street Journal from his briefcase, she settled back and went to sleep.
At San Francisco International she almost cried when she saw Matt’s huge smile. She stepped through the door into the airport terminal and slipped
into the milling crowd to get to him. He was carrying four roses wrapped in a baggy with a little water in it. She was so busy kissing him when she reached him that she hardly noticed the thorn sticking in her finger.
“Sorry, about the thorns. These are off my mother’s deck rosebush. She was getting ready to pack it up to take it to her new place.” Matt kissed her finger where the thorn came out.
“Good. That means they’ll last twice as long as any florist roses would. So where is she going?”
“I’m going to move her to Woodland before the end of the month. She found a nursing job which includes a nice place to live and food. An old school friend of hers teaches in the area and saw the ad in the newspaper. It’s some old guy who doesn’t want to leave his house but needs medications and a respirator. This should be great for her. He has a housekeeping service come in.”
“I’m so glad she found some place she can count on. I know you’ve been worried about her.” Jade hurried to keep up with his long legs while they headed for his pickup.
“I’ve been behind on helping her with the rent so I’ve been part of the problem. I finally put my foot down with a couple of my friends so at least she’s got her bills paid until she leaves. You were right. I need to stop loaning money out that I can’t do without. These last two guys will probably never speak to me again. Maybe that‘s just as well. Before I forget it, Mom will be home tomorrow night so we have the place to ourselves until then.” His smile made tingles run up and down her back. “I’d like you to meet her before you go. How do you feel about that?”
“Fine. I’d like to meet her. I hope she isn’t staying away overnight on my account. That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Oh, she’s filling in for another nurse at this fancy home in Palo Alto. It’s good money and she could stand to get away from that neighborhood for a while. Too many people come to her with their problems.” Matt helped her into the pickup and stowed her bag behind the seat.
“I think you and your mother are trying to save the world.”
“She takes care of too many poor people but she doesn’t hand them cash. And don’t look at me on the money part. I’ve bowed out. I admit I’m not up to it. Saving the world takes a lot more cash than I’ll ever have and I’m tired of being a chump. How about some Chinese takeout? I’ve been living on tuna sandwiches and fresh fruit. I could use a change.”
“Either one is fine with me.” All Jade wanted to think about was curling up with Matt in front of his heater or in his bed.
“Are you still up for helping me put this package together in the morning? I thought we’d make it an early night.”
“Perfect. You read my mind.”
The next morning Jade washed their few dishes and started assembling Matt’s numbered pages for his project. “Okay, it looks like I need two figures and a list to go right here.” She held several pages up while she looked for the illustrations and the list.
“Here’s 1a and 1b. The list is that sheet on the corner which says Access Panel Switches.”
“Right. Here are pages six through twelve and the figures are plugged in.”
After they put the package together Matt checked it, found a couple of missing pages, and let Jade get it ready for registered mailing while he got dressed. “Man, this is a load off my mind. This guy promised me a bonus for getting it to him early and he’s been great about paying me on time. His check is going to go into my savings account and, after I pay you the rent all the way to New Year’s, I’ll have enough to buy a good kiln from a friend of Delta’s. He has his shop in a little town up north so I’ll be pretty well set when I come up to your place.”
“I can’t wait. Are you still planning to make your move around the first of November? I know you need to move your mom, too.” Jade hoped she wasn’t making him feel henpecked.
“I may even be earlier than that. I’m planning to move her weekend after next, on my way up to visit you. We have to vacate the apartment by then. The rent will be up. I’m going to be staying in little motels after that, while I make some deliveries and collect several payments.”
“Do you carry a gun when you travel with all those gems and collect your payments? I mean you’d be a prime target for muggers and such.”
“Oh, yeah. I think I’ll show you where I keep it before you leave. In case something happened to me and you had to get it out to defend yourself.” Matt gave his boots a quick shine before he grabbed his jacket and wallet.
“Well, I hate the thought of ever having to use one but I’m sure glad you keep one handy, just in case.”
“What about you? I mean when you drive to Eugene to shop or catch a plane?”
“I don’t go anywhere by myself without my .38. I’m not the live on the edge type. Little Miss Prepared and Ready. That’s me.”
“Great! Now, where should we have lunch? Italian or healthy?”
“Italian. I’m starved but I want to keep it simple.” Jade gave her hair one last comb out and put on some lip oil.
“Then it’s Kuleto’s. Okay, let’s go. Afterwards, I want to show you something I think you’ll love.”
After sending off his package Matt led her through the crowded streets to the Italian restaurant and hurried her to a corner table in the happy noise. The aromas of garlic, mushrooms, tomato sauce, and parmesan cheese made Jade’s stomach growl. “How did you know there was going to be a table for us over here?” She felt like she was shouting.
“Paolo promised me my favorite spot if I got you here by eleven-fifteen. And he’s a man of his word.” Matt grinned when he looked up at their waiter.
Paolo nodded, smiled, and handed them their menus. “Some of our wonderful wine to start?”
“I’ll have iced tea.” Jade didn’t look up. She didn’t want to see his disapproval.
“Same here. Nice try, Paolo, but wine makes me sleepy.”
“Practice. You only need more practice. Tea with parmesan dishes! Revolting!”
Matt chuckled softly. “Poor Paolo. He tries so hard to give me some class.”
“He sounds like my dad. By the way, I actually heard from him last week. He’s going to be in Eugene for an architectural seminar next weekend so he asked me to lunch. I can’t believe it. I haven’t seen him in three years.”
Matt looked pained. “Don’t you ever call him?”
“I call him on Father’s Day and his birthday. He calls me on my birthday, except he’s usually a couple of weeks late. I sometimes wonder if he asked my mother what that crying noise was two weeks after I was born and found out he had a daughter?”
“He’s really that bad?”
“Oh, he’s not bad. He’s just totally focused on his work and his social obligations. He doesn’t mean any harm and I think he probably thinks he’s a top-notch dad. After all, he sends me a five hundred dollar check for my birthday. And when I graduated from college he sent me on an all expenses paid trip to the Riviera. Actually, I think he felt guilty because I went through a little private college on a full scholarship.” Jade enjoyed her zucchini parmesan but could only eat half of what was on her platter. She was stuffed.
“Wow! I never expected my dad to give me money but he couldn’t have done that on a bet. If Sari hadn’t managed their money they would never have had any. I know what you’re thinking. You think that’s where I got my sloppy money habits. I think I simply got sloppy because I wanted to be in solid with my arty friends, like my dad was. The trouble is, none of them seems able to hang onto money, either.”
“If that’s the case then you need someone like your mother or me to pinch your pennies for you. I’m not volunteering for the job, mind you. I know you’re man enough to handle your own affairs.”
“Don’t worry. I stopped kidding myself about the way I handle money a while back. I saw my mother struggling like crazy and she was careful. It was just that someone would come to her that hadn’t eaten in three days because they were feeding their children and she couldn’t turn them away.” Matt l
ooked down, his sympathy seemed to make him bashful.
“But you gave her the money to give them, didn’t you?”
“If I had it. What killed me was when I was broke and that happened.”
“Is she still doing that?” Jade didn’t want to see Matt as a drain on her budget. She was going to have to get him out of this city as soon as possible.
“No. She’s smarter than that. She started sending those people to a priest in the area that gets funding from a local charity for people like that. She’s just the person who gets them lined up for help with the right people now, but it still wears on her. That’s why I want her out of here.”
When they left Kuleto’s Matt led her down a packed Third Street, past their parking garage and Moscone Center. “They’re having this huge sculpture event in the Yerba Buena Center and a lot of it is supposed to be wood. October is our summer, you know, and all the best events are going on.”
Jade could feel her nerves light up. “I didn’t know you were into wood sculpture.”
“I wasn’t. But Delta and I noticed that you’re crazy about it so I want you to see this.”
“Have you been back to Scottsdale again?”
Matt shook his head. “I e-mailed Delta before I put in my last order with your buddy, Lee. When she answered me, she said you were running around like a crazed fan, finding books on carving and e-mailing Robinson to find out about the next class or seminar in Eugene.”
“I’m not crazed, exactly. I’m just interested.”
“Hey, I think it’s great. You put up with all my raving about ceramic art.”
When they got to the indoor exhibits Jade was thrilled. Most of the sculptures were bronzes, some of them life size, especially those of children and pets. The ones that interested her the most were wooden miniatures of several figures interacting with each other. When they walked out to the outdoor show, she was bowled over. The bronze adults had such lovely detail, as did the wild birds. What surprised her were the woodcarvings of animals and people. They were usually half size but several carvings of teams of horses and athletes in competition were life size and simply amazing in their detail. By the time they left the center Jade admitted she had become a crazed fan of woodcarving.
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