Kelly's Rules

by Barbara Miller

  “It probably means that I’ve been the laughingstock in this town my whole life without knowing it. Look at your reaction.”

  “Is that what this is all about, your reputation?” He took her hand finally. “Everyone in this town thinks well of you. That’s why they sent me to you.”

  She licked the last drop of wine from her glass and tossed it onto the soft grass. “I don’t know. I just need to numb my brain a little today.”

  “The problem, if it is a problem, will be there tomorrow. Believe me, I’ve tried numbing my brain and it just delays the inevitable.” He pulled her to him and hugged her.

  “I guess so.” She sighed and leaned against him.

  “Besides you’re babysitting tonight. You have to be alert.” Quinn didn’t know what else to say to her but he didn’t want her to keep drinking.

  “Sue has a hot date. The kids are played out and should sleep the night. Mom went to Pittsburgh, and I have no idea when she may come back. So I have my house back, but as usual I feel like I’ve been hit by a tornado.”

  “Do you feel like a different person than you were yesterday?” Quinn asked, sorry that he had not paid more attention in psychology class. Here he was, setting out to be a teacher and he had no idea how to counsel people. That wasn’t really true. He knew how to help Jason, so maybe he wasn’t as inept as he feared.

  A laugh escaped her. “I feel stupider.”

  “But you could still wire in a light in five minutes or plumb a sink by yourself.” What other examples could he use?

  “Sure.”

  “Then you are the same person, and from what I hear, people in this town respect you. When I stopped at the hardware store to ask about contractors, yours was the only name that was mentioned.”

  “They feel sorry for me. They’re just surprised I survived.”

  Quinn lifted her chin with one hand and looked into her eyes. “That isn’t surprise I see on Sue’s face when you rescue her or on Earl’s face when he comes to pick up the people you set up for him. It’s admiration.”

  Kelly smiled. “Earl is special. I wish he had been my dad.”

  “Maybe he is.”

  Kelly snorted a laugh and sat up. “Earl has always been too smart for Bea although she has tried to ensnare him.”

  “I think he would have liked to have been your dad.” Quinn’s arms kept their embrace on her and she leaned into them again.

  The revelation from her mother was nothing to the epiphany Kelly now found. It had all happened such a long time ago, she needed to let go of it, to forgive her mother for not being perfect even though her mother never asked for forgiveness. As soon as she realized what she had to do she felt light, like she could fly and it wasn’t just the wine. Just let the past stay in the past where it belonged. It didn’t matter who her father was. It only mattered who she was.

  She finally let go of Quinn and laughed. “So the possibilities are limitless. My dad might be the president or a movie star or a great athlete.”

  “Or even a cowboy. What I do know is that you are a quality person through and through. No matter how you got to be who you are, you’re very important, especially to me and Jason, not to mention Sue’s family.”

  She nodded and stood up, keeping hold of the chain.

  “Feel any better?”

  “Yes, but I’m afraid logic will set in by tomorrow when the wine wears off.”

  He walked her to the house. “You make your own reality. And you are one of the few people who give me hope rather than take it away.”

  At the risk of losing her balance, she looked up at him and he was gazing at her in more than a friendly way. She now thought that time was the only thing standing between her and Quinn having a relationship. She could never be like her mother, never be the other woman even if Quinn was getting a divorce.

  “Jason and I talked. I think he’s smarter than me and my lawyer. He thinks I should sell you the house for half what I paid for it, then if his mom gets half my money she’ll only get a quarter of the value of the house, and we’ll still have some left to work on the place.”

  “He is a smart kid and should have some input into your future. Later I can sell your house back to you for the same amount plus my work.”

  “By then I should be able to get a mortgage.”

  “The plan is flawless except for one thing.” She leaned against the door and waited for him to say what he needed to say.

  “I’m trusting you with my—our entire future. I know that and so does Jason.”

  “I’m honored.”

  “When I said our, I meant you as well.”

  He came and kissed her. It felt like a promise, like the kind of kiss you hoped for on your wedding day. And she realized she was the other woman whether she liked it or not.

  “Thank you, Quinn.”

  “How soon can you get the paperwork started?”

  Kelly cleared her throat. “Tomorrow. The appraisal won’t be a problem because you bid for it at a tax sale, right?”

  “Right, so it was already undervalued. I didn’t realize you were one of the other bidders.”

  Kelly shrugged. “It’s how I make my living.”

  “Not babysitting amateur carpenters through their first remodeling effort?”

  She smiled. “But I’ve actually enjoyed working with you. If only you weren’t a teacher, we could go into business together.”

  “I’ve had some thoughts about that myself. As a teacher I have the whole summer off.”

  “Quinn, thank you for trusting me. I won’t let you down.”

  “I know that. I’d better get some sleep.”

  “Me too. Good night, Quinn.” She waited at the door to enjoy the sight of him walking away. She would never tire of that.

  Only one thing worried her. If she and Quinn married, the sale of the house was academic. They would share it without money changing hands. Did Quinn’s need for the transaction mean he wasn’t sure they were going to be able to marry? At least not soon. Kelly shook her head. She had finally resolved her problems with the past and here she was worrying about the future. She had better learn to live in the present and enjoy it for what it was. The future was totally out of their hands.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Rule 11: Men need to growl. They may do it with power tools, chainsaws, a loud TV, or by squealing the tires of their cars or racing their engine. This is usually harmless behavior and can be ignored. If he has to make noise by shooting small animals, become a vegetarian until he loses interest.” — SMFA

  Kelly was dog tired but she sat up late in her office drafting the agreement for Quinn’s house, hoping to give him as much security as possible. Tomorrow she’d call her insurance agent and get him to set up an inspection. If they got the gas working in the fireplaces, that would be the last thing they needed to get a minimal policy. She’d just pay the premium and put it in her name since she was buying it temporarily.

  When she finally finished, she went into the kitchen and stared out over the yard. Quinn was sleeping at the summer house, Jason was in the new house and Kelly was alone in her old house except for Sue’s kids. She hadn’t heard from Sue. That could be good or bad.

  The date must have lasted or Sue would have come for them. She always needed to hug her kids when she was down. On the other hand she hadn’t called to check on them. Kelly thought about calling her, but if she and Devin were having a romantic night she didn’t want to interrupt that. Her mom wouldn’t carry a cell phone so Kelly just had to wait to hear from her.

  She thought about calling Quinn, but what could she say to him? Go over the work schedule for tomorrow? Go over the agreement? If she called him he’d think she was desperate. Well, she was desperate. Still it was never good to let a guy know that.

  She went into the hall and reached for the phone uncertainly but it rang and the shock almost knocked her over.

  “Hello?” she asked as if the instrument had a life of its own.

  “I h
ope I haven’t wakened you,” Quinn said.

  “No, I’m still up.” What would she say if he asked to come over? She sucked in a breath.

  “I was wondering about alarms for the house. We did put in smoke alarms, but I was thinking about something that would make a lot of noise.”

  She coughed out the pent-up air. “Next on my list. Now that we know Brenda is a threat as well as your older son, we need to take care of that right away. Even you might sleep through a break-in.”

  “Or an attempt to torch the place.”

  “You have such pleasant thoughts. We’ll pick up what we need in the morning.”

  “Did Sue come for the kids?”

  “Not yet and she didn’t call. I’m sort of worried but not panicked.”

  “She’s not out alone. I think Devin could handle about anything.”

  “I know, but her men picks always seem nice, then she finds out it’s all a façade. I just hope he doesn’t let her down.”

  “She seems to have more misadventures than…”

  “Than me? She takes more risks, that’s for sure.”

  “Am I a risk?”

  “No, you make me feel safe.”

  “Good…I think. See you in the morning.”

  As Kelly hung up she wallowed in the remembrance of Quinn’s voice, pictured him in his underwear sliding into her bed in her summer house. She thought of all the assurances that Quinn was a decent man. Jason for one. A man who had raised such a kid had to be all right. Of course his other son was a piece of work. Must take after Brenda. Strange that two children reared in the same family could be so different. They didn’t even look alike. Then it hit her why that might be. She had better keep her suspicions to herself because Quinn might not realize that Paul was not his son.

  * * * * *

  Kelly fed the kids cereal the next morning and was rounding up the tools she would need for the day when Sue came to the door looking so pale Kelly thought she must be ill. But it wasn’t that. She just wasn’t wearing any makeup. Compared to last night, she looked soft and approachable in her jeans and t-shirt.

  “I came for the kids.”

  “They’re getting dressed. You okay? Come in and have some coffee.” Kelly watched Sue as she came in and sat at the kitchen table. Kelly poured two mugs and went to get the creamer but Sue started drinking hers black.

  “No, but I’ll survive.” She crossed her arms and didn’t say anything more.

  Kelly continued to stare at her, trying to figure out what was wrong. If Devin had done something terrible, Sue would be angry. “He likes the kids,” Kelly said. “He seems—”

  An accusing glare from Sue stopped her.

  “He seemed like such a nice guy,” Kelly finished.

  “Devin is a nice guy. I just misinterpreted his interest.”

  “Huh?” What could that possibly mean?

  “He’s already involved with someone.”

  Kelly shook her head ’til her brain rattled then sat down. “But, then why dinner?”

  “Neither he nor his partner have any kids. They love children but for obvious reasons, they don’t get to be around them much.” She bit her lip.

  “Partner? Devin is gay?” she squeaked. “But he’s so…so…”

  “Macho?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “He’s also completely devoted to Ray Costlow. That’s why he invited me to dinner, to meet Ray. They’re sweet, both of them.” Sue drew in a breath and sighed, then lifted her mug again.

  “So you’re okay with this?” Kelly leaned toward her slowly as though Sue was a time bomb about to reach detonation.

  “Sure, why not? At least he didn’t steal my wallet or decide to move in to save on rent money. I’m keeping him as a friend. Ray too. They’re coming to help me paint Saturday.”

  “You picked colors without me?” Kelly asked almost falling off her chair.

  “Well, no I don’t have the paint yet. I’m not insane.”

  That sounded more like the old Sue. “That’s a relief. I can go with you tomorrow at lunch.”

  “Actually Ray is going to help me decorate. He’s a decorator.”

  “Hmm, I think I know him. Does he have that really cool store on Third Street?”

  “That’s the one. He thinks forest green for the entryway. Won’t show the kids’ prints as much. Would be the perfect backdrop for that mirror you keep promising to sell me.” Sue looked sideways at her.

  “I told you I’m saving that for a wedding present. Besides, if I’d given it to you already, Joe would have broken it. So, you really are okay with this?”

  “Kelly, I’ve decided to move on with my life. I had romance. It didn’t work out. I got two kids out of the relationship, which is more than some people get. I’m giving up on romance. That doesn’t mean I can’t have men friends.”

  Kelly gulped and nodded slowly. “Right.”

  “So which is it going to be with Quinn?”

  “Have to wait and see. He’s still married to Brenda, the bad witch.”

  “Just because I’m giving up, that doesn’t mean you should.” Sue reached over and patted Kelly’s hand. “Quinn is the one for you. I can sense these things.”

  Kelly hugged her. “The mirror is yours. I’ll bring it over as soon as you finish painting.”

  * * * * *

  Quinn was relieved they came to turn on the gas the next day. Kelly kept the valve to the furnace off. By noon Quinn and Kelly had tested the fireplaces and all worked properly. They weren’t even that difficult to light. They also added carbon monoxide detectors. Kelly had bought four solar motion sensor lights, one of each corner of the house, all easy installs.

  He felt Kelly was toppling his problems one by one. Of course it would be her house, not his once they got to a notary. But he still felt as though he was winning even if he was only thwarting Brenda.

  They spent the afternoon installing audible alarms on all the doors and alarm tape on the basement and ground floor windows, finishing up at the kitchen door. He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

  Kelly snapped her toolbox shut. “Someday you may want to hire a service and get a monitored alarm, but this is a quiet neighborhood. I guarantee if any of these alarms go off, someone will call the police to complain. In fact they may call to complain about the motion sensor lights winking on and off.”

  “Still doesn’t protect us from a determined arsonist.” Quinn looked at the numerous windows in the front rooms, thinking how easy it had been for Brenda to break one.

  “Right, the house is brick, but a Molotov cocktail through a window could do us in. We have an inspector due this afternoon. If he gives his approval we can get insurance.”

  Quinn liked the way she always said we as though they were in this together, as though she really believed they would be able to get married. “I feel like I’m preparing for an attack on the fort.”

  Kelly nodded. “You are. If you could afford it, I’d say hire a PI to keep an eye on Brenda and son.”

  “That’s pretty expensive, maybe more so than lawyers.” Quinn had never thought of going on the offensive in that way. If he had, he’d by now have lots of evidence of infidelity before the separation which might have helped his case.

  “I know a PI who owes me for a new deck on his cottage.”

  Quinn sighed. “Is he any good?”

  “Spouse surveillance is right up his alley. Besides, if he catches Brenda at anything unwifely, even if she isn’t setting fire to something, it may help.”

  Quinn chuckled. “We already decided to divorce. I don’t think anyone is going to care about her fidelity anymore.”

  “Are you forgetting? She wants you back. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to know where she is.”

  “That’s what has me puzzled. She completely accepted my idea of moving out here with Jason. Suddenly she wants to get back together?”

  “If it puzzles you, then I’m really worried since you can read her pretty well by now.” Kelly lo
oked her most provocative.

  He felt his face flush, knowing he’d been duped by Brenda time and again. “I guess her agreeing to the separation was a delaying tactic, just something to use against me. She was setting me up to fail again.”

  “Fixing it so you have to go back to her or else. So you told her all your plans, moving out here, the job at the school?”

  “No, I told her I was leaving. I’m sure she saw some mail from the school.” Quinn was beginning to get an even sicker feeling. Brenda had seemed resigned to the divorce, so why was she springing into action now?

  “I know she’s the mother of your children, but…”

  Kelly stared at him, looking for some answer he couldn’t give her. “Brenda seemed all right with all this. Soon after we met with the lawyers, she went off on some vacation.” He began to wonder if it was a trap.

  Kelly folded her arms and leaned on the windowsill, studying the floor. “Something must have changed. There is some reason she wants you back.”

  “And if she can’t have me…”

  “She means to destroy you.”

  “But why? She knows we can’t get along.”

  “That’s the other reason I’d like to sic Tennant, my tame PI, on her if she comes back to town. Besides, he works well with Earl. If anything happens, Tennant is another person to back us up.”

  Quinn felt himself nodding agreement against his will. “Okay, but add it to my bill.”

  They were standing in the kitchen and heard a swish, then saw an envelope lying on the parquet floor in the entryway.

  “Yikes, I forgot about the mail slot,” Kelly said. “Let’s screw that shut, possibly even cover it on the outside. We don’t want someone to be able to toss a lit lighter in here.”

  “I never even thought of it, just merrily signed up for the PO box and figured that would solve the mail problem.”

  “So she was stealing your mail?” Kelly went to her toolbox and picked out some screws while Quinn went to get the letter.

  “Why are they delivering mail here? If I hadn’t checked with the school, I wouldn’t have known about the job offer. That’s when I decided I had to move quickly. By then I had enough evidence…” He stopped himself. He couldn’t believe he’d almost let something slip about the investigation of his former employer.