by Abigail Keam
There was a lot on his plate. He had a traumatized daughter who had seen her mother die in an unfortunate accident. His house had been destroyed in the hurricane and they were now living with his mother.
Eva would just have to move on. She was making a new life for herself in Key Largo and Mike was just a small bump in the road.
19
Mike had been thinking about Eva all night. In fact, he got little sleep. He hadn’t been this restless since . . . well, since Beth.
He didn’t want to think about Eva. Mike didn’t want to invest in a relationship that wasn’t going to stick. He didn’t think Eva would hang around. She’d sell the Last Chance Motel and move back to the Big Apple.
Mike couldn’t take that chance with Jenny . . . or with himself either. He didn’t know what to do.
But he couldn’t forget that kiss. It was explosive, at least on his part. Maybe he should feel Eva out. Maybe she might be interested too.
All through the day, he tried to stay away from Eva. Being around her clouded his judgment.
Juan said he was being ridiculous . . . that Mike should talk with Eva.
After being harangued all afternoon by Juan, Mike decided to take his advice.
He went to look for Eva. Of course, he found her in a bathroom with a radio blasting away.
Mike turned down the radio. “Eva, can I talk to you?”
“Sure thing. What do you need?”
Mike wanted to say . . . “you” but thought that was too corny.
Eva waited for Mike to speak. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he answered “you” to her question! She knew it would be corny, but awfully romantic.
Instead Mike stammered, “I think I might work late tonight. Okay with you?”
Disappointed, Eva nodded.
Mike stood staring at her.
“Is there something else?”
Finally Mike gathered up his courage. “I hope you’re not mad at me for kissing you last night.”
“I was surprised but not angry. It was nice.”
“Really?”
Eva smiled. “Yes, it was pleasant.”
“Maybe you and I can go out sometime . . . like to dinner.”
“As on a date?”
Mike puffed up his chest. “Yeah. No. Yes. Like a date. Would you like that?”
“Dinner would be nice.”
“That’s great. I don’t have time for the next several weeks but how about after that?”
“Just ask me again when you have freed up some time.”
Mike smiled. “Will put on my to-do list.”
Eva wiped dust off her face while chuckling. “That’s a first for me, being put on a to-do list.”
“Okay, Boss Lady. I’ll get back to you in a couple of weeks.”
“You know where to find me.”
Mike grinned and started backing out of the bathroom until he stumbled over some buckets.
Eva tried not to laugh.
Mike clumsily straightened the stack of buckets and made a hasty retreat. He felt his chest. His heart was pounding.
“What have I just gotten myself into?” muttered Mike under his breath. But he wasn’t upset anymore. The hurdle had been jumped. He had asked Eva out.
What will happen will happen.
20
Eva decided it was time to go to a popular watering hole and meet the local homies. She needed to start making relationships with resident business people, and also try the restaurants so she could make recommendations to her motel guests.
She shaved her legs and the small moustache above her upper lip after rubbing cream on her skin until it reflected light. Make-up was carefully applied, even false eyelashes. Looking at herself with approval in a full-length mirror, Eva put on a sixties-era black cocktail dress that had been her mother’s and new sandals.
It was time New York chic met Key Largo casual.
Eva walked across the highway and down a short road to the restaurant nearest the Last Chance Motel.
The restaurant, called Aussie Jack’s, was extremely busy. A hostess escorted Eva to the bar that was on the water at the back of the eatery. Eva sat on the left side so she could see the restaurant through its large panels of glass. People inside could watch people outside looking in. Perfect.
“What can I do for you, Luv?” asked the bartender.
“I’ll have a Manhattan,” replied Eva, giving him a bright smile.
The bartender began mixing the drink. “Down here for the fishing?”
“Not really.”
“Didn’t think so. You’re not burned but really tan. That means that you’ve been here awhile and you don’t look like the snowbirds we usually get after nine.”
Eva chuckled. “I am Eva Hanover. I bought the Last Chance Motel across the road.”
The bartender stuck out a hand. “I’m Jack. Glad to meet another local.”
Eva shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“I drive past your motel every day and I’ve got to say that it looks like you are doing a great job.”
“Thanks. I’m trying.”
“I especially like the pink flamingo sign. Does it work?”
“Yes, but we’re saving the lighting for the Grand Opening Day.”
“Let me know when that will happen. I would like to see her lit up.”
“Sure.” Eva took a sip of her drink. “Are you really from Australia?”
“Born and bred. Came here for a vacation and met a local gal. End of story.”
“Except that every day is still a vacation?”
“Exactly,” Jack grinned. “No complaints here.”
Eva returned his smile. “How much do I owe for the drink?”
“On the house, as you are a fellow business owner.”
“That is very sweet. Does that mean you own this restaurant?”
Jack put his finger up to his lips. “Don’t let anybody know. They won’t give me tips then.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
Jack winked and then hurried to the other end of the bar where a customer was signaling for him.
Eva ordered an appetizer and was sipping on her drink when she spied Mike in the dining room. She was about to wave and catch his attention when she saw that a woman was sharing his table . . . a hot looking woman who was much younger than Mike.
Eva picked up a menu and hid behind it. Slowly she pulled the menu down so she could see into the restaurant. The young woman was definitely flirting with Mike, who did not seem to be resisting her charms. Mike’s companion was rubbing his hand and leaning toward him. That was code for “want to stay the night?” Mike was laughing and looking down the woman’s low-cut blouse.
Eva’s heart sank.
“What’s the matter, Luv?” asked Aussie Jack, suddenly concerned after seeing Eva’s expression.
“I’ll tell you what the matter is. A woman might as well cut her wrists after the age of thirty-five.” Eva reached into her purse and fled the premises, after throwing a twenty on the bar.
21
Usually Mike was entranced with these hot little Miami cuties that wandered to Key Largo looking for a little R and R, but he felt different tonight.
He had made a firm date with his lady friend a week ago and hadn’t cancelled. But after what had happened with Eva, Mike wasn’t interested anymore. The problem was that Mike was bad about letting women down. He hadn’t figured out a good excuse to get out of this date or his pattern of behavior with available ladies.
And it was clear that this young lady expected more than just dinner and was very upfront about it. It was all he could do to keep her hands where he could see them, as they kept wandering below the table.
Since his wife died, he had welcomed the no-strings-attached sex, but it just wasn’t enough now. Not since Eva had entered his life.
Mike begged off dancing, explaining that he had to get up early. He took the disappointed young lady to her hotel. When he tried to explain why he wasn’t go
ing to join her for the night, Mike couldn’t really give a good reason.
The young woman listened patiently and then said, “You don’t have to explain. You’re in love with someone else.” She pressed his hand. “Happy for you. Thank you for a lovely evening.”
“You’re a class act, Babe. They don’t make many like you anymore.”
The young woman kissed Mike goodbye on the cheek and sashayed into the hotel.
All the men turned to stare at her.
Mike sat in his jeep and thought about what she had said to him.
A honk sounded. “Move your jeep, buddy!”
Mike waved okay and drove the jeep off the hotel’s property. All the way home he kept thinking if his date had been right on the money.
Was it true? Was he falling in love . . . again?
22
Mike arrived early the next morning to find Eva already turning on the sprinklers for the plants. Mike looked at the sun. No doubt it was going to be a scorcher today.
He jumped out of the jeep and headed toward her. “Hey, Eva.”
“Good morning,” greeted Eva. She had had a sleepless night. Finally she had come to the conclusion that she must treat Mike as though she had seen nothing at the restaurant. She couldn’t afford to have a tiff with him and then have him quit, leaving her stranded. For the sake of the Last Chance Motel, she had to keep a cool head if not a cool heart.
If she were fair, she would admit that Mike had promised or insinuated nothing except for a little casual flirting and one kiss. Hardly a commitment on either of their parts.
“Hi,” rejoined Mike, coming up to Eva. His heart started beating faster. It caused him to lose his concentration.
“Yes?”
“Ahmmm. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“You’re not quitting, are you?” Eva wondered if he had seen her run from the restaurant after all. The thought of Mike quitting left her cold.
Mike shook his head. “No, no. Ahmmm. I was just wondering if you would like . . .”
Just then Juan drove into the compound, blowing his horn in greeting.
“I can never get a break,” murmured Mike.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. I’ll talk to you later.”
“What do you need?”
“I’ll tell you later,” replied Mike, moving to join Juan. He needed some privacy to ask Eva out. He didn’t need Juan as his wing man on this.
23
The last bathroom had been demolished and Eva waited in her office for the plumber and his staff to finish installing the new pipes.
The original pipes were made of copper but many of them had to be torn out. Eva made sure the discarded copper was properly secured as she was going to scrap it along with the cast iron bathtubs. It would bring in a small amount of welcomed revenue.
Seeing Mike going over the invoice with the plumber through the window, Eva gathered her checkbook and went outside. She waited at a discreet distance until Mike finished negotiations.
They had previously agreed upon a fixed estimate of the repairs and now it seemed that the plumber wanted more money.
Eva would let Mike handle this. He was very good at this part of his job, which was to keep costs down. Finally there seemed to be an accord for the two men shook hands. Mike brought the invoice over to her.
She looked at it. “This is not the amount for the bid.”
“I know but he ran into some issues we weren’t expecting. I think this is a fair deal. I talked him down five hundred dollars.”
Eva consented and wrote out a check, giving it to Mike. He walked over and gave it to the plumber. They shook hands again and the plumber waved goodbye to Eva.
Mike might have given Eva’s heart a little pinch, but she trusted him completely on construction matters. She started back into the office.
“Eva, can I talk to you for a moment?” asked Mike, shoving his hands in his stained pants pockets.
“Okay.” Eva waited for him to approach her. She hoped Mike was not going to give her bad news.
Mike looked around making sure Juan had gone home. “Ummm, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me this week?”
“So soon? I thought you said in a couple of weeks. I have thought it over and I’m not sure if that is a good idea.”
Mike didn’t like the look on Eva’s face. She seemed confused and fearful. Something had changed since he had last talked to her about going out.
He thought he better change his tactic. “Let’s not consider it a date. I mean you’re always buying me food. I should feed you once in a while. Why don’t you come over and eat with Jenny and me? My mom cooks a mean pot roast. I would like you to meet her.”
Eva sighed with relief. She was so glad she hadn’t made a fool out of herself as for a brief moment she thought Mike was asking her out on an official date. He was just being neighborly.
“Sure. I’d like to meet your mother. And pot roast sounds wonderful after eating carryout night after night. I’m afraid I’m not a very good cook myself.”
“Great. How about tomorrow night around six?”
“You’d better give me directions.”
“I’ll pick you up.”
“You don’t have to do that. It’s so inconvenient.”
“I don’t mind. See you tomorrow night.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, then sure. Six it is.”
Mike gave Eva a wide smile. “Okay. See you then.”
He waved goodbye while jumping into his jeep.
Eva went into the office with her heart pounding. Thank goodness she had hidden her true feelings from Mike. She didn’t want him to know that she thought she was falling in love with him . . . especially not since she discovered that Mike was dating other women. Regardless of how she felt, she was not getting involved with a cheating man again.
They could just stay as they were . . . friends.
That would have to do.
24
Jenny pushed the screen door open and raced to meet the jeep.
Eva barely had time to get out of the vehicle before the youngster wrapped her arms around Eva’s waist, giving her a big hug.
“Hello, Jenny,” laughed Eva. “Glad to see you too.”
Jenny raised her sunny face to Eva and smiled, showing a space where a tooth should have been.
“Has the tooth fairy visited you yet?” asked Eva, surveying the fractured smile.
“Yes, and she left a dollar!” exclaimed Jenny.
Eva glanced at Mike, giving him a knowing look. “The tooth fairy must like you a lot because all I ever got was a quarter when I lost a tooth.”
“A quarter? That’s cheap.”
“That’s what I think, too. Here, you can help me. These flowers are for your grandmother and the wine is for your daddy.”
“Nothing for me?”
“Help me with the flowers and there might be something in my purse. I’ll have to look and see.”
“Mama. Mama. She brought flowers!” Jenny raced into the house with the bouquet.
A thin woman with salt and pepper hair came to the screen door and held it open for Eva and Mike.
Eva noticed that the woman’s nails were professionally manicured and her casual clothes were expensive. Mike’s mother had a pampered, naïve quality about her though Eva knew “Mama” was working very hard to put her family back together again after the tragedy.
“Hello. So nice to meet you, Eva. I’ve heard you have done wonders with that old motel. I’m Mary Bishop.”
“Thank you for having me in your home.”
“I hope you like roast.”
“I’d like anything that is home cooked. I’m so tired of eating hamburgers.” Eva held out a bottle to Mary. “I’ve brought wine. I don’t know if you drink it.”
Mary smiled at Eva. “We do. I drink a little red wine every night before bed. My doctor told me it was good for the heart.” Mary accepted the bottle. “Son, please show Eva around whi
le I put the finishing touches on dinner.”
“Sure, Mom.”
Mary excused herself and went to help Jenny find a vase for the flowers.
Eva looked about the house. “Have you remodeled lately?”
“Yes. About five years ago for Mom. I took the dining room, living room, and kitchen and made one great room. Then I moved the washer and dryer from the garage to the side pantry in the kitchen. Easier for her.”
It was obvious that Mike was proud of his remodeling. Eva had to admit the light and airy house was the perfect Florida home.
“And back here I took out the deck and put in a loggia.” Mike held open the back glass door.
Eva stepped out onto the loggia where she was greeted by a stunning backyard with a beautiful pool and outside kitchen with carefully tended tropical landscaping. Everywhere Eva looked was the explosion of orange, yellow, red, and green framing the ocean. The property also boasted a dock with an Oceanic Catamaran Ketch gently bobbing on the water.
“Everything is just breathtaking,” gushed Eva, who was truly impressed.
“Thank you,” replied Mary as she joined them. She handed Mike and Eva each a glass of wine. “Let’s sit out here and enjoy the sunset, shall we.”
The riot of color in the sky accented the garden even though they were facing east.
“I’m so glad I came to Key Largo,” murmured Eva. “You never see anything like this in New York.”
“It is Paradise, isn’t it,” agreed Mary. “I’m originally from Kansas and came here after I met Mike’s father. I’ve got salt air in my blood now. I couldn’t dream of living anywhere else, even with the downside of the hurricanes.”
Jenny stuck her head out the door. “Mama, the oven buzzer went off.”
“Excuse me. The roast is done.”
Eva rose. “Do you need any help?”
“Stay out here and enjoy the view. I’ll call when dinner is ready.” Mary picked up her wine glass and went into the kitchen.
“Mom doesn’t like anyone in her kitchen,” tattled Mike, watching his mother through the glass panels that made the back walls.
