Maid to Love

by Jennifer Johnson

  He remembered purplish pink had been Addy’s favorite color when they were growing up. He cut as many different variations of the colors as he could find as well as a few smaller white flowers. He should have listened to his mother a little better when she told him the different flowers. He was pretty sure he’d gathered a couple of irises, which he thought were kinda ugly. But he’d gotten some really little white flowers that he thought might make them somewhat nicer.

  Shrugging his shoulders, he walked back to the house and into the kitchen. He looked underneath the sink. His mom used to keep vases there years ago, but he was pretty sure she’d taken them all with her. Pushing through several plastic bags and a box of dishwasher soap, he confirmed his concern. He didn’t have any vases.

  He tapped his lips with his index finger. What could he put the flowers in? He opened several cabinets until he reached the one that held his cups and glasses. In the back, he saw a tall, clear plastic glass he’d gotten from an amusement park. He pulled it out and frowned at the picture of a roller coaster on the front. It’s way too early to traipse into town to get flowers. Even the grocery store isn’t open yet.

  With a sigh, he filled the cup with water. I’m afraid it’s all I’ve got. It’ll have to do.

  He clipped the stems of the flowers the best he could. He did remember his mom used to cut them diagonally. He stuck them in the cup and fiddled with them until they were arranged pretty well. He placed them in the center of the kitchen table. He knew she came in the back door, through the mudroom. The kitchen table would be one of the first things she saw.

  He grabbed his favorite cap and pushed it on his head. Hopefully she’d simmer down a bit before he came up here to talk to her. She deserved an apology. She deserved to know how he felt, and though he didn’t deserve her forgiveness, he hoped he’d get it today. He was itching for another kiss like the one that kept him up last night.

  Making his way outside, he headed to the barn to start on his chores. The morning passed by slower than soup beans took to soak. And nothing seemed to go right. Every tool he touched needed mending. Every step he took required him to take two back to fix a problem. It was almost ten o’clock when he looked up the hill at the house. Addy’s car was in the driveway just as he knew it would be.

  His heart thumped against his chest as he headed toward the house. He needed to clean up, even if just a bit, before he saw her. Reaching the house, he grabbed the water hose and washed off his hands. He walked into the mudroom and dried them on a towel he kept hanging by the back door.

  “Addy?” he called. He swallowed the knot in his throat. He could hardly wait to see her, but he didn’t want to scare her by coming into the house almost two hours before he normally did.

  “Addy?” he called again when she didn’t answer. He stepped into the kitchen and heard the vacuum cleaner running upstairs. Deciding to use the time to clean up a little better, he slipped into the downstairs bathroom and washed his face and combed his hair.

  He opened the bathroom door. A woman held a glass fish-shaped paperweight over her head. She dropped it onto the ground and placed both hands over her heart. “Nick, you scared the life out of me.”

  “Becky? What are you doing here?”

  She cupped her hand against her cheek and puffed out a breath. “I got back from my cruise last night. Addy had planned to clean today for me, just one last time. But she called this morning from Val’s and said she didn’t feel well. Told me she’d clean for you if I couldn’t. But I’m fine so I came on over.”

  Nick’s heart seemed to fall out of his chest and slam into the floor. If she’d called to tell Becky she couldn’t come, then he was certain she’d seen he’d called her and left a message. He was sure she was avoiding him. Not that he blamed her.

  Becky pointed to the flowers at the center of the table. “For Addy, I presume.” She clicked her tongue. “I always thought you two would make the cutest couple. Once she grew up a bit.”

  Nick felt numb. He nodded then walked out the back door. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and opened it. Pushing her number, he waited while the phone rang until the voice mail picked up again. “Addy, please call me back. I need to talk to you. I’m sorry.”

  ❧

  Addy could hardly believe Southern Designs Unlimited had called and asked her for an interview. She’d spent the last three days working diligently on Sarah’s hotel. She’d decided on mahogany furniture and a pale yellow and burgundy pattern for the lobby’s chairs and love seats. The pattern was dark enough to hide spills and soils, but the yellow in the fabric would allow a wonderful light into the space. She’d even decided on two shades lighter and one shade darker than the yellow color in the fabric to paint the trim and walls. During that time, she’d also done some serious soul-searching, begging God to reveal Himself to her. She knew she had to talk to Nick, even though she had avoided his numerous phone calls over the last few days.

  God wasn’t going to let her get away with not reconciling with Nick, but she also hadn’t expected to get an interview with one of the best design companies having offices in Kentucky and Tennessee. One thing’s for certain: I can’t spend too many more nights sharing a room with Val. I’m a clean freak, but her compulsiveness is killing me.

  Addy took a deep breath as she walked into the office building. Her old boyfriend, Trevor, worked in the same building, and she really didn’t think she wanted to deal with seeing him again. At least not right now. She pushed the elevator button, waited for it to stop on her floor, then got on and selected the fifth floor.

  Alone in the elevator, she lifted a quiet prayer for discernment up to her heavenly Father. She’d felt so confident about staying in River Run; she wasn’t sure that God had changed course in that area, but with finding out about the bet and then this sudden interview—God, show me Your will.

  The doors opened, and Addy made her way to the correct office. She told the secretary who she was and then sat in a black leather chair and took in the design of the room. The decor was more contemporary than she would have imagined for Southern Designs. In fact, with the black and pewter accents and bold shapes and sizes of the furniture and paintings, Addy felt a bit discombobulated. This room didn’t epitomize what she believed to be Southern at all. Her mother would definitely wrinkle her nose.

  The door to the inside office opened, and a tall, exceptionally thin, dressed-to-the-nines man waved her inside. After shaking her hand, he walked behind a large mahogany desk, so large it looked like it would gobble him up once he sat down. He motioned for her to take a seat across from him. She did, and when he sat, just as she assumed, the man seemed to get lost behind the furnishing monstrosity.

  This room’s decor flowed from the waiting area, which was an excellent design feature, but Addy couldn’t help but want to scrunch her nose at the design. It simply wasn’t her style at all, and she was surprised at how uncomfortable she felt. However, she did notice a terrific square, beveled mirror on the far wall that would look wonderful in Sarah’s hotel.

  She tried to listen as he spoke about what the job entailed and what it offered, but she found herself squirming in her chair at the uneasiness that cloaked her in the office. The man wasn’t threatening, the secretary had been as nice as she should be, but she just didn’t feel at home.

  “I’m not sure if I mentioned on the phone, but the job is based in Jackson, Tennessee, so you would have to be willing to relocate.”

  Addy’s mind shifted into overdrive when she heard those words. She’d been to Jackson one time in her life, for a cheerleading competition back in high school. She hadn’t enjoyed the city at all. When she thought of Tennessee, she thought of mountains and valleys, black bears and wildlife; however, Jackson was flat, and it was a city, a huge city.

  Not that there was anything wrong with that. The people there had been as nice and friendly as they could be—and the Casey Jones train exhibit they’d ventured through had been cute and nice—but it wasn’t a plac
e she wanted to live. Especially after having spent the last two months in River Run. She needed the hills and the open air.

  “So what do you think?” He clasped his hands together and rested them on the oversized desk.

  Addy shook her head. “I’m sorry.” The man’s name escaped her. She was sure he had told her, but for the life of her, she had no idea what he’d said. “I’m sorry. I’m not able to relocate.” She stood and extended her hand.

  He frowned as he shook her hand. He hadn’t expected her to be the one to turn him down. And his confusion made sense—who would turn down Southern Designs Unlimited?

  Me. I would.

  Addy continued. “Thank you so much for your time.” She hefted her bag over her shoulder and turned and walked out of the office. Blowing out a sigh of relief, a soft blanket of peace washed over her at the decision. She nodded to the secretary then walked out the door.

  “Addy?”

  A familiar voice sounded to her right. She turned and saw Trevor motioning for her to wait. Once he reached her, he gave her a quick hug. “I’d heard you had an interview here today.”

  “You did?” Addy had been worried about seeing Trevor again, but with him standing in front of her, she was surprised at how nice it was to see him. He had been a good boyfriend, and as he looked at her now, she knew he’d have been much better as a friend.

  “Yeah.” He looked down at his watch. “I was just heading to lunch. You want to go with me?”

  “Sure.”

  Addy followed Trevor onto the elevator. He pushed the first floor button and turned toward her. “So, how’d it go?”

  “It’s not the job for me.”

  “Ah.” He trailed the back of his index finger along her jaw, just as he had when they were dating. “Sorry ’bout that.”

  Addy stepped back to put a bit of space between them. “I’m not. It wasn’t a right fit.”

  They walked to the deli they’d eaten lunch at more times than she could remember when they were dating. Trevor ordered his usual sandwich, as did Addy. With food in hand, they found an open booth and sat down to talk. Lunch with Trevor was nice. She enjoyed catching up with him.

  Out of her peripheral vision, she saw a familiar figure walk through the front door. She turned and furrowed her eyebrows. “Nick?”

  ❧

  Nick thought he would scream when he saw Addy walk into the little sandwich place with that lawyer-looking guy. Who was he anyway? They obviously knew each other, the way they were laughing and carrying on.

  He couldn’t believe he was here to begin with. Nick hated the city. He especially hated the dead center of it, where every other road was one-way and you had to walk fifteen blocks to get to where you were going, waiting on lights to change and cars and people to move. Nick needed the open air, the open space. He felt trapped in a cardboard box every time he walked into the city.

  But the woman wouldn’t answer his phone calls. He’d waited three days, trying to give her a chance to cool down, but he couldn’t take it any longer.

  He took off his cap as he walked straight up to Addy and the fellow’s booth. This was one of those times he was thankful to God for his tall height and the width of his shoulders and chest and arms, all from the real labor of a hardworking farmer. He had to work hard to keep from snorting like a bull down at the city slicker sitting across from his Addy. And proud though it was, and he knew God was working on him with his pride, Nick still wanted the man to feel a bit uncomfortable with Nick standing over him.

  “Hello, Addy.” He hadn’t realized how tightly his teeth were clenched until he had to practically spit the words out at her.

  She glared up at him, and he realized this was going to be even harder than he’d imagined. “What are you doing here?”

  “You won’t answer my phone calls.” He placed his fists on the table and leaned closer to her face. “I need to talk to you.”

  “Well, what if I don’t want to talk to you?” she spit back at him.

  “Addy, do we need to—”

  Nick turned and scowled at the suited-up man sitting across the booth from his Addy. The guy’s face turned three shades of red, then he looked at his watch and cleared his throat. “Sorry, Addy. I’ve got to go.” He scooted out of the booth and hurried out the door.

  “Humph,” Nick growled. “He’ll take good care of you.”

  Addy stood to her full height, which was still several inches shorter than him. She lifted her chin and lasered him with a look of complete contempt. “That was real mature, Nick. Real mature. Just like the little bet you boys have.”

  She grabbed her purse and clipped on high heels out the door. She was all dolled up today in a straight black skirt and pretty green blouse that made it nearly impossible to look away from her eyes. Of course now all he was looking at was her walking out the door away from him. “Wait, Addy. I need to talk to you.”

  On the curb, she turned on her heel quicker than he’d expected, and he slammed into her. She started to lose her balance, and he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to himself. The fury in her eyes subsided for the briefest of moments, and Nick dipped his head, anxious to taste her sweet lips again.

  She pushed away from him. “What do you want, Nick?”

  He spread his arms. “I’m sorry, Addy. The bet’s off. I forfeited. It was stupid. I was stupid.”

  Addy didn’t respond. She stood staring at him for what felt like forever. The warmth of the day beat down on his neck, and again a wave of claustrophobia washed over him as he stood on the road in the middle of the city. The cars, the horns, the people—it was all overwhelming.

  Addy continued to glare at him as if she wanted to punch him in the nose and be done with it. He’d lost her trust. If he hadn’t been such a fool about that bet, he could be holding her in his arms right now. But he’d lost her trust, and he needed to earn it back.

  An idea formed in his mind. “Addy, I’m sorry, and I mean it, but I have a favor to ask of you, too.”

  Addy placed her hands on her hips, cocked her head, and squinted at him. “What?”

  “Would you be willing to redecorate some of my house?”

  Addy rolled her eyes. “Nick, I don’t know about—”

  He grabbed her hand in his, relishing the softness of her skin. “I’m serious. I want to hire you.”

  She looked down at their hands then up at his eyes. “Nick—”

  “Please.”

  Addy gently pulled her hand away from his. “I shouldn’t be doing this.” She peered up at him, lifted her chin, and set her jaw. “Okay.”

  Thank You, Lord. It isn’t much, God, but it’s a start.

  Twelve

  Addy couldn’t believe Nick showed up in the city. He hated the city. In the years she’d known him, she couldn’t think of a single time he’d driven outside of River Run unless he’d been forced to get something for the farm. He’d probably willingly gone on a field trip to a city of some kind when he was in school, but did that really count? Since he was five years older than her, Addy wasn’t even sure that he’d done that.

  She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Nick insisted they visit some shops to give him some ideas for his living room. The whole idea made her nervous. It brought back the memory of her painting his wall and switching around his furniture and him getting so upset with her.

  “So what color would be good to paint the walls?” Nick’s question brought her mind back to the present.

  “Probably a neutral color.” She pointed to a shop just a block ahead of them. “We’ll look at different wall options in there.”

  Addy had to lengthen her stride again to keep up with Nick. Sneaking a peek at him, she had to bite her bottom lip as she took in the dark waves peeking out beneath his worn cap. He wore a plain green T-shirt and well-worn Wrangler jeans. She held back a giggle as she thought of him being completely out of his element.

  She believed he was sorry about the bet, and she thought he did care about
her. But she couldn’t help but acknowledge the difference in their actions. At the fairgrounds she had wrapped her arms around him, kissed him soundly on the lips, and admitted she loved him. He had barged in on her lunch with Trevor, practically forced her to redecorate his house, but hadn’t mentioned anything about loving her.

  Her heart stung at the truth of it. God, help me not to think of that right now. She swallowed back the emotion that threatened to make a visible display. I need to talk with You about it later.

  She cleared her throat and reached for the door of one of her favorite paint and wall-covering stores. Every color and texture imaginable assaulted her senses, and she basked in the beauty of them all. She couldn’t help but believe heaven captured every color in complete beauty. All she had to do was take a walk on her daddy’s farm, and she knew it would be true.

  “Wow.” Nick sounded surprised when he stepped in behind her. “I didn’t know there were so many colors.”

  Addy smiled up at him. “This is my favorite shop.” She led him to a wall of neutral colors. “Your living room is a wonderful size, but the ceilings are a bit low, and you have a lot of furniture that’s really in too good of shape to get rid of unless you’re planning to donate it to someone.”

  Nick scratched his jaw, seeming to contemplate her words. He snapped his fingers. “You know what, Mom was telling me the other day about a family two counties over who lost a lot of their stuff in a fire. I think they were needing some furniture. Let me call Mom real quick.”

  Addy picked out a few colors while Nick talked to his mom on the phone. If he ended up buying new furniture, they’d really need to look at paint samples after he made the purchase.

  He clicked his phone shut. “They’ve been given a lot of things they need, but they do still need a couch.”

  “Okay.” Addy placed the samples back in their places. “Well, let’s go look at furniture first. You’ll want to have that before we decide on paint.”