Razors Ice 04 - Hot Ice

by Rachelle Vaughn

  “Or to actually go through with marrying him,” Patricia gasped. “Do you think he would have taken it that far?”

  “Maybe. We’ve all read about men who had a wife and kids and were secretly gay the whole time. Oh God, Pats. That could have been me. What a freakin’ disaster. How did this happen?”

  “Well, you’ve been working a lot lately and time flies when you’re busy.”

  Violet nodded. “Phillip blamed work, too, but I’ve never let work dictate my life before. Maybe I’ve been working so much to escape from my miserable relationship with Phillip.”

  “Hey,” Patricia said optimistically, “At least you’re free to be with Jace now.”

  Violet groaned and leaned her head back against the wall. “Oh, Pats, Jace broke up with me.”

  “What? Why? What happened?”

  “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that he was right and honorable and he said all the things that a man should have said.”

  “If he’s as honorable as he sounds then he’ll understand and take you back, right?”

  Violet shook her head. “He hates me, Pats. And he has every reason to.” She groaned again. “I’m such a fool. Phillip made a fool out of me for years and I’ve made a complete fool of myself with Jace. Promise me we’ll bring in another therapist soon. I don’t want to end up working my life away and not being able to enjoy it.”

  “I will. I will,” Patricia reassured her.

  “I can’t keep going on like this. We’re out of the red now. I want to cut back my hours so I can have time for stuff besides work. I want to get my life back. This isn’t the life I wanted and I’m finally going to do something about it!”

  A smile spread across Patricia’s face and Violet frowned. “What?”

  “I already did something without consulting you.”

  The way she was holding back a smile, it must not have been terrible. “What did you do?”

  “I’ve decided we should bring someone in to help out with our growing clientele.” She handed Violet a stack of resumes. “I know we’re partners and we’re supposed to run everything by each other, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Violet, I know how hard you’ve been working and the long hours you’ve been putting in. That’s why we’re finally able to afford to bring in a third.”

  “Wow, you even take your work home with you,” Violet murmured and flipped through the pages.

  “It just so happens that I’ve already started interviewing new therapists. In the meantime, one of Carter’s friend’s moms does quick massage at the mall and I offered her space at the office to set up her chair. Ooh, this is the guy I’m interviewing next week,” she said, tapping the resume Violet was reading. He specializes in sports massage and he just graduated from…” Patricia flipped though the file she had created specifically for new candidates.

  “Pats,” Violet interrupted and waited for her to look up from the file. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, Violet. I know we’re supposed to make these types of decisions together but—“

  “Thank you.”

  “There’s no need to thank me. It’s something we should have done a long time ago.”

  “This is great, Pats,” Violet said, flipping through the rest of the file. “You stick with the athletes because I know how much you love sports massage and I’ll take the elderly clients. It’s why I got into this field in the first place. I don’t mind driving around making house calls. It’s nice not being cooped up in the office.”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  Violet tossed the folder on the table and let out a sigh of relief. “This is just what we need. I’m working six, sometimes seven days a week and I’m starting to burn out. I knew when we started this that it wasn’t going to be easy but I don’t know how much more I can take. When was the last time we actually sat down and had coffee together? Or went out for lunch? Or went to a hockey game? We have to make time for these things or else the rest doesn’t matter.”

  “I know, Violet. I’ve been feeling that way, too.”

  Violet sighed. “Then why didn’t you say something? Here, I thought it was just me complaining. But I know we’ve both been massaging our fingers to the bone.”

  “Maybe I was afraid that if we cut back we’d lose everything we’ve worked for. But I’m realizing now that we’ll be fine. We have a large client list and business is steady. I think part of why John and I split up is because I was working too much.”

  “Bringing in someone to help with the workload isn’t a sign we’re struggling, Pats. It means we’re successful and have more clients than we can handle with just the two of us.”

  Patricia smiled for what seemed like the first time in a long time. “You’re right.”

  “So, what now?”

  “Are you free for lunch?”

  The two women laughed.

  “Oh, Pats! This is such a relief. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Go! Reclaim your life and go get your man back.” She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall above the sink. “Well, after your Molinari.”

  Violet rolled her eyes.

  “I would take him for you,” Patricia offered, “but I have a client coming in, too. You can take the rest of the day off, though, if that helps. Deal with Molinari and then go get Jace. Fight for him, Violet.”

  Violet shot her a sideways look. It was what she wanted Phillip to do for her. Of course she’d fight for Jace. She just hoped it wasn’t too late.

  Patricia reached out and patted her hand. “It’ll all work out. Trust me.”

  “What makes you so sure? No offense, but you’re a single mom with a divorce under your belt.”

  Patricia gave her a sideways smile. “John and I are getting back together.”

  “Right. And Mr. M discovered the art of waxing.”

  “I’m serious. John came to pick up Carter for the day and he ended up staying here. We ordered pizza and watched movies... We were a family for the first time. After Carter went to sleep, we stayed up and talked for hours. And he spent the night—”

  To Violet’s surprise and Patricia’s embarrassment, John strode into the kitchen on bare feet, wearing only boxers and a smile. “Mornin’ ladies,” he said and poured himself a cup of coffee.

  “Hey, John,” Violet replied and shot Pats a wide-eyed look.

  John strode back out of the room and Patricia let out the breath she was holding.

  Violet’s jaw dropped. “He spent the night?! Patricia Liles! You crazed animal,” she exclaimed in a hushed whisper. “I’m utterly shocked you would do something so impulsive. This is great!”

  Patricia blushed. “Yes,” she said primly. “We ended up sleeping together. It didn’t feel like falling into a bad habit or jumping into a past mistake. It just felt right. Like that’s what’s been missing all this time.”

  “Oh, I’m so happy for you, Pats.”

  Patricia sighed. “All these things were happening in each other’s lives and we didn’t even know about them. We really need to touch base with each other more often.”

  “I know. I know. I just didn’t want to burden you with my…my crap.”

  “It’s not a burden, Violet. I’ve been unloading on you for years with the whole John and Dennie drama.”

  “Yeah, and that’s okay. It’s different when it’s about you. When it’s about me, I just feel so stupid.”

  Patricia rolled her eyes. “You shouldn’t feel stupid. We’re friends and friends talk about this kind of stuff.”

  “I guess so. I just didn’t know what to do. On top of everything else, I’m homeless now. Well, Phillip said I could take as much time as I needed to move out, but I couldn’t stand the thought of living there another minute, so I’m not going back there. I already loaded all my stuff into my car. It’s pretty pathetic. Mostly just a bunch of clothes.” She had no furniture, no knickknacks, no frivolities. She’d sunk every dime into their business. “Phillip gave me my freedom and I gave him his ring back.”

>   “Violet, you can stay with me as long as you need to. You know that.”

  “No thanks. I’ll pass on your pizza and sex shack.”

  Patricia threw a pen at her. “It’s not like that. Now, get off your ass and go call Jace and tell him the good news.”

  * * *

  Violet drove to Healing Touch and with a few minutes before Mr. Molinari was due for his appointment, slipped into the bathroom to call Jace. When he didn’t answer—surprise, surprise—she left a message on his voice mail.

  “Jace, it’s me. I understand what you said, but you also have to understand that everything is different now. Please give me another chance. I…can we get together soon? I can’t tell you what I need to tell you over the phone. There’s something you should know before you decide to never speak to me again.”

  Well, he’d done that already, hadn’t he?

  “Anyway, please call me. Thanks.”

  Her phone rang almost immediately and a shot of electricity bolted through her. It fizzled when she looked at the caller ID. “Hi, Mom,” she answered. “This isn’t a good time.”

  “Why? Are you and Phillip finally setting a date?”

  “The wedding is off, Mom,” Violet said a little harsher than she originally intended.

  Her mother sputtered in response and then asked in disbelief, “Violet, whatever are you talking about?”

  “The wedding is off,” she repeated, more for her own benefit than that of her mother’s. “Phillip and I broke up.” Wow, that felt really good to say.

  There was more sputtering. “But things were going so well.”

  “Not really.” If Janie had truly listened to the conversations with her daughter than she wouldn’t have assumed that.

  “I’m sure the two of you will work everything out. Couples have quarrels all the time.”

  Violet sighed. “This wasn’t an ordinary fight. There isn’t going to be a wedding because Phillip is gay.”

  Janie took the sputtering to a whole new level. “I think we must have a bad phone connection because I think I just heard you say Phillip is gay.”

  “No, you heard right.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Violet smiled at her mother’s naiveté. It wasn’t like there was some medical test for homosexuality. “Yes, I’m positive. I can have Phillip’s boyfriend confirm it for you, if you want. His name in Marcus.”

  Her mother gasped. “I just don’t believe it. Or understand it.”

  “Neither could I.”

  “But, he was always so polite.”

  Violet laughed out loud this time. “Right. Because gay people are so rude.”

  “I didn’t mean that …I just meant…”

  This was the only time Violet had ever witnessed her mother speechless. She took advantage of the opportunity and ended the conversation. “Look, Mom, I’ve got to go. I have a client waiting on me. We can discuss my shortcomings as a woman later.”

  “Oh….okay then.”

  “Goodbye, Mom.”

  “Bye, hon.”

  * * *

  With the grace of a zombie, Violet went through the motions during Mr. Molinari’s massage. Finally, when his forty-five minutes was up, Violet heaved a silent sigh of relief.

  “May I have a moment to speak with you?” he asked before she had a chance to slip from the room.

  Violet gulped. “Sure. I’ll just step out to give you time to get dressed and then I’ll be back in shortly.”

  Violet went out into the hall and felt a twinge in her stomach. She didn’t know what Mr. M could possibly want to talk to her about. She might have complained about him behind his, ahem, back, but she had never been anything but professional towards him during his appointments. She really didn’t need any more complications in her life. She was already up to her armpits in the ones she had now.

  When Violet went back into the room, Mr. Molinari was dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt. He didn’t look upset, so that was good.

  “Is everything all right, Mr. Molinari?” she asked, clasping her hands behind her back.

  “Yes. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve been coming here for a few months now and I’ve had an excellent experience every time.”

  Phew!

  “Oh, well, that’s always good to hear.”

  “I don’t know if you know this, but I’m the Executive Director at August Bluffs.” He handed her his business card.

  Violet looked down at the small white card. August Bluffs was an independent senior living community in Red Valley.

  “I’ve been looking into it,” he continued, “and I think massage would help the residents with their arthritis and might help improve their circulation and mobility. I just wanted to let you know that after recommending Healing Touch to the board of directors, they’ve agreed to make you our first choice in massage therapy. I think we could come to an arrangement that will benefit your business as well as our residents.”

  Violet’s eyes widened. “That sounds like an amazing opportunity, Mr. Molinari.”

  “Please, call me Marvin.”

  “Of course, Mr., uh, Marvin. I’ll just need to discuss this with Patricia, my business partner.”

  “Great,” he clapped his hands together. “I’ll have my assistant call you and we’ll set up a more formal meeting to iron out the details.”

  In spite of her current relationship turmoil, Violet beamed at the news. It was a good thing Patricia was already bringing in reinforcements.

  Because Healing Touch was going to need them.

  * * *

  When Patricia finally arrived at the office, Violet shared Mr. Molinari’s news with her. The two women celebrated briefly with enthusiastic hugs and squeals.

  Violet couldn’t stand waiting any longer and found herself driving the long, twisty mountain road to August Lake. She was familiar with the road now and thought back to the first day she had driven it. So much had changed since then. The seasons, the truth, her future. She found out the truth about Phillip and their engagement. She’d found out what love was. True, passionate, real-life love. The kind that grabbed you by the shoulders and refused to let go.

  She’d also found out what she wanted out of life. It hadn’t changed too much, but now she wasn’t going to let her personal life take a backseat to her career. Her well-being was just as important as the bottom line.

  As her car zoomed past the sign welcoming her to August Lake, population 8,000, Violet turned the radio up and pressed her foot down harder on the accelerator.

  The lake was still and peaceful, gently lapping at the shore. August Lake reminded Violet of Jace. Part of it was rugged and untamed like him, yet the rest gave way to beauty and serenity and calmed her heart. When she was here, she wasn’t searching for the next best thing or trying to make ends meet or fighting for her dream. All those things were already there. Waiting for her.

  All she had to do was take the leap.

  * * *

  On the drive back home, Jace reviewed the afternoon in his head. In an ironic turn of events, his unemployment hadn’t lasted five minutes and he had a good agent to thank for that.

  His agent, who was eternally optimistic, presented Jace with several offers to join the UNHL channel affiliates in a commentative capacity. The job of color commentator for the Razors was his if he wanted it. All he had to do was sign on the dotted line.

  Jace wasn’t sure at first, but after he thought about it, it sounded like it might be fun. At least he had something to fall back on. But that was also like telling a race car driver “Sorry you lost your eyesight and can’t drive, but now you can stand around and talk about racing.” He had a lot to think about, but his retirement wasn’t looking quite so excruciating after all.

  When Jace drove around the bend and saw Violet’s car in his driveway, he had to suppress his first instinct to jump out of the car, sprint into the house and gather her in his arms.

  Instead, he took a deep breath, calmly pulle
d into the garage and parked. Inside the house, Violet was nowhere to be found. In the living room, he looked out the window and saw her standing outside on the shore looking out at the water. Her back was to him and her hair hung loose past her shoulders, the breeze playing with the ends and causing it to flutter around her neck.

  Although he couldn’t see her face, he knew it was beautiful. Without looking, he could tell those green eyes would be dark and her mouth would be set, trying to work out her inner dilemmas. Jace resisted the urge to run to her, knee be damned, bring her to him and crush his mouth down onto hers. Instead, he calmly strode outside to the shore.

  The gravel crunched under his feet as he made his way to where she stood.

  When Violet heard him approaching, she looked over at him. His jet black hair was in sharp contrast to the bright white snow on the mountains behind him. Despite the grim line of his mouth, his eyes were twinkling and maybe a little amused to see her there, she thought. All the anger and doubt slithered out of her. She couldn’t be mad at him. Darn, she’d had a speech ready to go and everything.

  Jace was the first to speak. “Hi,” he said, stopping to stand next to her and look out over the water.

  “Hi,” she answered back. She studied his profile and then turned her focus back on the lake.

  “What brings you out to August Lake?” he asked.

  “It turns out that Mr. Molinari is the Director at August Bluffs and he wants to hire Patricia and me.”

  “That’s great, Vi.”

  “Yes. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

  “But you didn’t come all the way out here to talk about business.”

  They both turned and looked at each other.

  “No, you’re right. But I had to open with something besides “I’m a fool, now please take me back.””

  The breeze ruffled her hair, reminding him of that fateful day on the sidewalk when he’d first laid eyes on her. His entire life had changed since that blustery day. Some things were gone and some were still here.

  He wanted to brush her hair from her face, but shoved his hands in his pockets instead. “Is that what you came all the way out here to say?”