The Handy Men

by Jamie K. Schmidt

  Her heart shattered and Paige closed her eyes in pain. Damn it. “Thought you wanted me to fight for you guys. For us.” Was a break permanent? Was this good-bye? She suddenly couldn’t breathe.

  “The scandal could wreck the inn,” Jack spoke up. “You need guests if your parents call in the loan.”

  This sucked so bad. It was worse because he was right.

  “Not to mention that we want joint custody of Brendon. The court might not give it to us if we don’t prove we’re a committed couple.”

  And once again, Paige was the odd ball out. They had a family waiting for them. A little boy and a woman that they had cared for, maybe even loved once upon a time. They were being so sweet about this, trying to let her down easy. But she saw it for what it was.

  “I understand.”

  “Paige,” Dean said. “It’s just until things get sorted out with Brendon and your parents go home.”

  How long would that be? Weeks? Months? Never?

  She nodded. “I get it. This situation is complicated. It’s for the best. I need to concentrate on the inn. You’d both be a distraction. And you need time with the baby.” Her voice trailed off into a sigh. “I just thought…” She stopped herself from finishing the sentence.

  I just thought things would be different this time.

  But as usual she was on her own.

  She forced a smile. “There’s no reason we still can’t be friends.”

  Jack frowned. “Wait. What’s going on?”

  “We’re taking a break. Indefinitely.” Paige brushed by them and waited until she was peddling down the street before bursting into tears.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Paige pedaled back to the inn as fast as she could and helped Anna with the dinner clean up. After saying good night to her guests, she took a long, hot shower. She would miss Dean’s hands on her and Jack’s frenzied kisses. Letting the shower stream wash away her tears, she girded herself for battle.

  The first thing she did after she toweled off was shut off her phone. With any luck, that would buy her the rest of the night. If they couldn’t reach her by phone, they would have to come to the inn. The doors were locked and only the guests had keys. Still, she wouldn’t put it past her parents to knock on the doors, so she got dressed in her best jeans and a V-neck tee.

  Then she pulled up her bank account and started transferring money around. After about a half hour, she scraped together sixty thousand dollars. She wouldn’t have enough to pay her bills next month. She didn’t have enough to even buy food. But she had thirty days to figure something out. As long as her guests didn’t cancel, she could still pull this off. Paige had enough stuff frozen or stocked up, so she didn’t need to go food shopping, and she still had a few emergency credit cards.

  She wrote her parents out a check with shaking hands, although it felt like a gigantic weight was off her shoulder. As part of the loan agreement, if the entire amount was paid in full within five years, her parents gave up any interest.

  It was better this way.

  When she felt that her legs could hold her, Paige grabbed a sweater and decided to take a drive out to Caillie’s place.

  It was a beautiful night. The ocean breeze soothed her and she drove with the windows down to enjoy the night air. She wished Jack and Dean had decided to stick with her—they would have been proud of her. It was because of them that she had come so far.

  A year ago, she would never have dreamed of throwing the money back into her parents face. She wouldn’t have the courage or the belief in herself that she could make it without the cushion they loaned her.

  The lights were on at Caillie’s house, and she could hear a backyard party going on. So she parked the car on the street and walked through the front yard. Sure enough, there was a large fire pit, and festive Chinese lanterns were strung all over the back. Barbie had her nose in her tablet, the large glass of sangria next to her untouched. She looked lovely with khaki capris and a tight-fitting blouse. Paige waited for the anger, but there was nothing. Fred was talking with her father by the bar, probably about business. Caillie and her mother were sitting with their backs to the party, on lawn chairs facing the water.

  There were a few other townspeople there, and she waved at them as she made her way over to her father and Fred.

  “Excuse me,” she said.

  They both looked up at her in surprise. Fred actually leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, but she stopped him with a firm hand on his chest. “Don’t.”

  “What are you doing here?” her father asked.

  Paige smiled. “I’ve got some good news for you.” She handed him the check.

  He looked down at it in disbelief.

  “I wanted to thank you and Mom for giving me the chance to prove myself. I’m so thrilled and proud that I was able to pay you back on my first day. It’s a dream come true, and I’ll always be grateful for your kindness.”

  “I don’t understand. I saw your budget. We did the forecasts. You can’t last a month without this money,” her father said.

  He was right. But that wasn’t going to stop her. “It’s time I sink or swim on my own. I let Fred control our finances and my skills in that area atrophied. But I’m better now. I’m ready.”

  “Where are you getting the income from to stay afloat?” Fred asked. “Because I’m willing to invest in the property.”

  Oh no, she didn’t just get off the carousel to get right back on it again. So even though a little bit of her was tempted, Paige pointed to a woman who was nibbling on shrimp cocktail. “Joan’s our local realtor. She should be able to find you something else.”

  “Is it those two men of yours?” Fred asked.

  “None of your business,” Paige said. “And speaking of business, please stay out of mine. There’s no need for you to email me anymore. Not unless it’s something urgent. Devote all your time to your lovely bride. I’ve changed my mind about the wedding, by the way. We’re not going to be able to attend, after all. But I do wish you well.” She patted his shoulder before turning back to her father. “I don’t want to bother Mom when she’s reminiscing with Caillie, so please tell both of them I stopped by.”

  “I’m not sure why this couldn’t wait until morning,” her father harrumphed.

  “It was on my way,” she said. “I’ll see you later.”

  She smiled at everyone and then turned back to the car. She felt giddy and nervous and part of her still wanted to throw up. But she’d done it.

  “Paige?” Barbie was walking toward her.

  She’d almost gotten away scot-free; her hand was on her car door handle.

  So much for a flawless victory.

  “I wanted to apologize.”

  “For ruining my marriage?” Paige quirked an eyebrow. She wasn’t mad, but that didn’t mean she was ready to forgive and forget.

  “Honestly, if it was that strong, I couldn’t have ruined it.” Barbie grimaced in sympathy.

  “You have a point.”

  “I’m sorry for Fred being an asshat. And I’m sorry for what your parents had planned. You ripped the rug right out from under them. Bravo.”

  “Thanks.”

  Barbie took a deep breath. “Look, I know this is kind of awkward.” She glanced over her shoulder and then unslung her pocket book. “I’ve been doing some research, and I love what you did with the Nutmeg Inn. I’d like to book the place for my wedding in August.”

  “I’m booked solid the first two weeks,” Paige said, her heart thumping.

  “What about the last two? I would need all ten rooms.”

  “I can accommodate you. I would need a fifty percent non-refundable deposit, though.”

  “How much?” Barbie asked, pulling out her checkbook.

  “Thirty thousand.” Paige started to shake again. She might have padded that price a bit, but Fred could afford it.

  Barbie handed her the check. “Done.”

  Paige looked down at it in disbelief. It was from Barbie’s
personal account. “Are you sure about this?” Once she paid the second half at the end of August, Paige would be right on track with her finances.

  Barbie nodded. “I’m sorry. You seem like a really nice person, and you shouldn’t have had to find out about us the way you did.”

  Paige tucked the check into her jeans pocket. “Fred has my email address. Let me know if I can make something special for you guys.”

  “He still raves about your cooking. I’m sure anything you serve will be fine, but he is partial to your lasagna. I should get back to the party. It’s bound to get a little more interesting.”

  Paige grinned and watched her walk back through the yard.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The last two weeks were the longest in Dean’s life. While he was thrilled to meet his son and have Brendon get to know Jack and him, they both missed Paige. It had gotten so ridiculous they would make up excuses to check on the inn just so they could catch a glimpse of her. Jack even suggested sneaking in and clogging up the toilets.

  If they had any question on whether Stephanie could replace Paige, there was no longer any doubt. Stephanie was glad to get free babysitters and some extra cash. When they made it obvious that sex was completely off the table with her, she wasn’t devastated. She might have even been a little relieved.

  Dean couldn’t stop thinking about Paige and how she had become as important to him as Jack. Jack loved her, too.

  When he’d spied on her, his heart warmed at the sight of her. Paige looked beautiful and completely in her element as she made her guests comfortable. She hadn’t called them once, and he wondered if she missed their weekly board games as much as they did.

  “Where have you been?” Jack asked him when he walked into their house on the mainland.

  “I took the ferry over to the inn. I put Boardwalk and Park Place on her pillow.”

  “Subtle,” Jack said. “I spoke to the bank today. They approved the mortgage.”

  Dean grinned. “I knew they would.”

  He pulled out his phone and texted Paige. His fingers were trembling.

  Call me when you find it.

  She texted back:

  Find what?

  He didn’t answer her.

  They were back on the island spending time with Brendon when Paige texted back.

  Why are there Monopoly properties on my bed?

  Dean grinned and showed Jack. He texted back:

  We landed on your property. We wanted to pay up. So we mortgaged some assets. I’ve got $60,000 for you.

  His phone rang. Jack fought him for it, but Jack got distracted when Brendon joined in trying to grab the phone, and Dean took the call outside.

  “Paige?” he breathed, needing to hear her voice.

  “You didn’t have to do that. I can’t accept your money.”

  “Paige, we’re dying here without you. Fuck the island. Fuck the townspeople and fuck your parents. Pay them back and let’s get back to normal. I miss you. We miss you so fucking much.”

  She gave a hiccupping cough. “What about Brendon?”

  “Everything’s fine. We’re not going through the courts. We need to see you.”

  Paige was quiet a long time, and he started to panic.

  “I’ll come over tonight,” she said. “Dune Street, right?”

  “Right.” He let out a huge sigh of relief.

  “I missed you guys, too,” she said.

  …

  Paige was jittering with excitement when she drove up to the address Jack and Dean had given her two weeks ago. After parking in the driveway, she went up to the door and knocked. But there wasn’t an answer.

  “Are you looking for the handymen?” One of their neighbors poked her head out of her window.

  “Yes,” Paige said.

  “They’re over at the Sabatino house.” She pointed to a big Colonial at the end of the cul-de-sac.

  “Thanks.” That had to be Stephanie’s house.

  She got back in and took the short drive over. It was just after ten and she wasn’t sure if she should knock or what—Paige didn’t want to wake Stephanie’s son. She put her hand on the door knob and it swung open.

  What if she walked in and they were having sex? That they wanted to be a foursome, after all.

  Paige had a flashback of seeing Barbie and Fred in that swanky hotel room. When Fred had told her his conference was in Manhattan, she had taken the train in to surprise him.

  She had dressed up in a French maid costume and ordered champagne and chocolate to be brought up to her husband’s room, bribing room service with a hundred-dollar bill to allow her to take the tray to the room. Once she had been alone in the hall, she pulled off the trench coat she had buttoned up to hide her skimpy outfit and stuffed it under the trolley. The lace itched her crotch and the fabric of the costume wasn’t forgiving on her belly, but Paige hadn’t cared because her breasts looked fantastic. She had been as excited as a teenager and eager to give her husband the ride of his life.

  “Room Service. Complimentary champagne,” she’d said, barely able to contain the giggles.

  The door opened and a gorgeous woman in a robe, wearing a towel on her head, gestured her in. The woman barely looked up from texting on her phone. Her skin was still glistening from the shower. She was a perfect size eight, with huge knockers peeking out of the robe. The belt cinched a tiny waist and was short enough to show off her long, shapely legs.

  Paige froze. Shit. Wrong room. Should she leave the champagne and get out before the woman figured out she didn’t work here?

  Wearing just a towel around his waist, Fred came out of the bathroom. “Who was at the door, darling?”

  Paige rammed the cart full speed into his knees.

  The woman screamed.

  “You cheating bastard!” Paige yelled at him.

  Fred staggered over to the bed, howling at the pain in his shins.

  Sex toys got knocked onto the floor, some that she had no idea what they were.

  For years, sex with Fred had gone like a well-choreographed dance. It was efficient and pleasant, but not earthshaking by any stretch of the imagination. She’d wanted to spice things up, surprise him. She could have saved herself the humiliation and just bought a vibrator.

  “I want a divorce,” Fred had said.

  They had to call the ambulance.

  For her.

  Paige had gone into a full-blown anxiety attack and had forgotten how to breathe. She passed out in their hotel room next to a pink dildo and woke up in the emergency room, still in the naughty maid’s outfit. At least someone had been nice enough to put a sheet over her.

  What if she walked into a similar scene tonight?

  Paige’s breathing became too fast, and for a moment she thought she was going to pass out. Bracing herself on the door frame, she forced herself to walk in the house. She was going to be brave, even if it broke her heart. She wasn’t that person anymore. Dean and Jack were expecting her. They would never treat her the way Fred had.

  Even if they wanted a foursome.

  Dean wouldn’t have set her up like that. She was looking forward to seeing them again. Even though she had been busy, she missed them, too.

  Following the sound of voices, she passed by a kitchen made for a gourmet chef and walked down the hall. Stephanie, fully clothed, stood up from the chair she had been slouched on in front of the television set.

  Jack was fast asleep with a two-year-old boy on his chest.

  Dean stretched as he got up from the couch, careful not to wake up either Jack or the baby.

  “Hey, sorry we weren’t home.” He kissed her on the mouth and then hugged her for a good five minutes.

  There wasn’t any awkwardness. It was like that awful scene in the pavilion had never happened.

  Paige pulled away before she started bawling again and looked over at Stephanie. “I’m sorry for barging in. The door was unlocked and I didn’t want to ring the bell.”

  “That’s all ri
ght. I should have locked it. It’s just habit not to around here.”

  “We should get going.” Dean slung his arm around Paige. “If you grab Brendon,” he said to Stephanie, “I’ll wake Sleeping Beauty.”

  “Sure,” Stephanie smiled and gently extracted her son. “Good night.” She left the room, carrying Brendon in her arms.

  “Night,” Paige said. This was all very surreal.

  Dean nudged Jack with his foot. “Get up or spend all night on the floor while I’m making love with my wife.”

  “Wife?” Paige said. Her heart stopped and then started beating loud enough it drowned out everything else.

  “Yeah,” Dean said. “Will you marry me?”

  “Will you marry us?” Jack said sleepily from the floor.

  “I thought we were taking a break,” Paige said.

  I thought it was over and we were just friends.

  “The break was only supposed to be just until your parents left,” Dean said.

  “And only in public, until you got your feet on the ground and everything settled down.” Jack groaned as he got up on his feet. Wincing, he put his hand on the small of my back. “If I ask nicely, would you rub some massage oil on my back?”

  “I don’t know if I have any.” Paige was shaking. She had convinced herself it was over. It was very hard to believe that she hadn’t dreamed being with them.

  “That’s okay,” Dean said. “We stocked up.”

  They walked back to her car and drove the three houses back to their house.

  “Missed you, gorgeous,” Jack said, swinging her around and kissing her senseless once they got out of the car. It didn’t take much after the big shock she just had. “And by the way, we were serious about the marriage thing. We’ll go ring shopping after your parents leave.”

  “They left.” Paige told them about paying them back the sixty thousand and then Barbie booking the room. “Of course, before she gave me the check for thirty grand, I told Fred we wouldn’t be attending the wedding. Apparently, my ex-husband will be honeymooning in my inn.” She shook her head. “That’s so weird.”

  “That’s fantastic news. Honey, we’re so proud of you,” Dean said as they walked into the house.