Haven

by J D Worth

  “Supper is all set!” Cal smiles at Martin who creases his forehead in return.

  Martin says to me, “You’ll have to excuse us. We’re a bunch of bachelors. Cal will be right next-door to you for most of the summer. Any problems, please holler. We’ll fix you right up.”

  “You both amaze me with your talents. The cottage is perfect. Thank you.” Martin acknowledges my words with a gracious smile before chasing after Aiden, giving him the slip in search of more Twinkies.

  “He’s adorable.” I smile at the little feet dashing around the corner, thinking about my sibling coming soon.

  “He’s trouble!” Cal says while we head to the checkout. He goes to pull out his wallet, but I’m quicker.

  I challenge him with my eyebrows raised. “This is my treat for your friends who gave me a hand.” He mocks me by putting his hands up as if I could take him down.

  Cal refuses to let me carry even one grocery bag, so I tease him on the way out by attempting to knock his baseball hat off his head. Our laughter dies when we run into Payton. Stunned to see me again, her sage green sundress swishes, as she sways back on her sandals.

  Payton is more beautiful in the daylight as her mesmerizing hazel eyes dazzle in the warm sunlight. Maybe it’s the combination of her eyes and rich skin tone that gives her an exotic look along with her high cheekbones, almond shaped eyes, and raven hair. She looks polished as her long straight black hair glistens in the sun. My own hair is up in a clip with messy curls tumbling around my face while I’m lamely passing athleisure wear off as clothing.

  “Hey, Payton. Good news!” Cal slings his arm around my shoulder. “Audrey’s staying at the Wakefield cottage for the next month. Did you hear ’bout the welcoming party tonight?”

  “I came to give you a hand,” she says, the corners of her mouth turn downward. “But guess I’m too late.” By the looks they’re exchanging, there’s an attraction between these two, yet neither have acted on it.

  “After crashing your party, I’m hosting a thank-you dinner.” She keeps glancing between us. I step up, letting her know I’m not a threat by smiling as warmly as I can. “Cal bought orange juice for your screwdrivers. He told me how much you enjoy them.” I elbow Cal who is stuck gazing at her.

  “Cal, you remembered OJ for me?”

  “Well, yeah, last summer it was only the two of us drinking vodka. You were always wishing you had OJ to make screwdrivers, your favorite drink.” Cal fiddles with the bags, dipping his chin.

  Smiling, I watch the giant beast succumb to the exotic belle. He looks like he could use help. I offer, “Payton, I hope you’ll join us later?”

  “I’ve got to pick up a few things for Candace anyway.” Payton edges towards the store, leaving us on the sidewalk.

  I call out, “We’ll see you later? Cal is bringing you orange juice.”

  With her hand on a cart, she shifts her eyes between Cal and me. “Yeah. I’ll bring Violet, I’m her ride tonight.”

  I perk up. “Great, I can’t wait to hang out with new friends here.” She jerks her head at my response and disappears into the grocery store. My smile falls. I’m not sure she’s open to having me around.

  I hip check Cal. “She likes you.” He throws the groceries in the back of the truck and opens my door for me.

  “What, no! She’s not into anyone. She’s been turning guys down since she moved here, but she did have a short thing with Trent.” He grimaces. “I guess she was with some guy who roughed her up pretty bad in her past. If he ever steps foot ’round here...” An angry thought crosses his mind, playing out across his tight face as he slams my door.

  I duck my head down, wishing I wasn’t so apt at discerning body language. Watching others process emotions is just too painful. I press my lips together, shaken by an awakened sense of grief. He peels out of the lot.

  “Cal, perhaps the right guy hasn’t asked Payton out yet.” His eyes brighten. My heart stirs at the sweet sentiment.

  “Do you honestly think so?”

  “Yes, I do. I think her hard-shell is protective.” I have my own and recognize hers for what is.

  “Still doesn’t explain Trent.”

  “From my own observations, Trent seems less serious, and she’s all business.”

  “She is. Payton helps at our office. In two weeks, she’ll leave us when the resort officially reopens. She’s studying Criminal Justice at Bell Community College. She needs the money and makes big tips as a server. I’m in the Construction Technologies program. BCC is a mighty decent school for ’round here.”

  “I’m unfamiliar with that degree. What does Construction Technology entail?”

  “Actually, the major is a part of the Architecture and Construction Technology program. Your momma was the inspiration for my major. I’d like to expand on my pop’s business. All the older cottages along the coast need updates to meet insurance codes. Some need complete rebuilds. A hundred miles up or down the coast would keep me busy for a lifetime. Then we get the hurricanes too. North Carolina is the fourth leading state to receive the most damages each year

  “My mother helped with your educational vision?”

  “More like life vision, but still. She stressed how important it is to keep the memories alive by maintaining the shell of the original structures. By making the structures stronger, the cottages will last another lifetime, no matter what kind of storm hits. It’s much easier to tear down the old buildings and start new. Some of these rural properties are grandfathered so no new structures can go up to prevent overdevelopment of the coast.”

  “I love how charming my cottage is. I’m glad my mother chose the two of you to complete her vision.”

  “Her ideas took our business in a new direction. Kingfield owns the two cottages that used to belong to Jonathan. You’ll be seeing plenty of me. I’m redoing the one next to yours so I can live there. If I can get enough done, I can stay there this fall. My pop deserves the break. His hands are plenty full with Aiden.”

  “Where’s your mother? Oh, I’m so sorry, how impolite of me. Please disregard my gaffe.” I bite the inside of my cheek, wishing I had more grace. I used to when my mother was alive. Lilith has none, only a blunt and brash personality that she throws around like a brute force. Yet, another reminder I’m growing more like Lilith every day. Avoiding my reflection, I glance out the window.

  “My momma, Marlene, and Pop are divorced. Pop was military, stationed out of Southport, and settled here. My momma’s gotta take care of my gram who has Alzheimer’s.” He clears his throat, saying, “That’s mighty hard on a family, so she headed back to the mountains where my folks originate from and where I grew up. My momma’s family runs a handcrafted furniture shop and does well there. That’s how my folks met. Pop got his start from my momma’s carpenter daddy.” He shakes off a frown. “Sometimes relationships don’t work out. But they’re friends. They co-parent mighty fine. Those Adirondack chairs on the property are from my momma. She made ’em herself.” He plasters on a proud smile.

  “Those chairs are beautifully crafted. That also explains the military crew cuts the three of you sport. Short hair must be easier to deal with in the heat. Do you get to see your mother often? Aiden’s so young.”

  “Some. She mostly stays in the country, looking after her momma while Pop takes care of us. I’m usually busy, but Pop makes the trip with Aiden on the weekends.” Cal shrugs his shoulders.

  “Sounds like my father in the business world. I don’t get to spend time with him either.” Cal nods. “You and Martin seem to enjoy working together. That must be nice. He’s excited about your new contract next spring.” I’m not sure I’ll have the same working relationship with William.

  “Mine is the best daddy you could ever ask for, and that contract means everything to us right now.”

  “That was how I felt about my mother.”

  “Miss Charlotte loved you something fierce. Told you family’s the most important t
hing.”

  I smile. She must’ve told them all about me while she was down here. “I could help with your cottage. I’ll be hanging out on the beach.”

  “Sorry, Audrey, Pop would kill me if anything were to happen to you. It comes down to insurance. My crew helps out, and Kingfield can only cover so much liability.”

  “You have your own crew?”

  “Yeah, last summer I had Jax, Trent, and Colt working for me. Sometimes Mace lends a hand for the big projects. This summer, I only got Trent and Jax. Colt’s on a fishing boat with his daddy and uncle up the coast. I handle all the maintenance on the properties that Kingfield owns and manages. The beach rentals run three grand a week. In the summer, I usually work fifty plus hours a week. When we have down time, we work on the cottages and crash there when the nights run long.”

  “Like beach parties?”

  Cal claps me on the shoulder, grinning. “Exactly. We got the same great minds.”

  “I spent several school breaks working on rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Oswald hit.”

  “Little Audrey can swing a hammer. Well, this oughta be good!”

  “Not at first,” I say. Cal’s boisterous laugh fills the cab. “I’m sure Aiden could out-build me at this point. The chances are he was born with a hammer in his hand like you were. No, I had to work my way up.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “At first, I kept missing the nails and spent more time pulling them out. They moved me to the drill, but my screws went in sideways. That’s how I ended up being the runner.”

  Cal coughs a laugh.

  “Don’t laugh! I was a productive runner and ran all sorts of errands. I memorized all the product numbers. I figured out who was doing what job and learned the volunteers’ skill sets while making sure everyone had all the materials they needed. I learned to pay attention to the little details and our worksites became streamlined. The heads started coming to me. They asked me to direct the volunteers and materials. They were following the timetable I had already configured based on what projects needed completion next. Things worked out smoothly while we maintained a tight schedule with the crew. We also finished that neighborhood early and under budget.”

  “I’m impressed. If I need you to whip my boys in shape, I’ll call you. Runner my ass, Goofball, you sound like the project manager!”

  We pull up to a two-storey garage with a large sign hanging over the bays, signaling this is Doc’s. The building’s gray paint is peeling, and the windows are caked with dust. Older model vehicles line the lot, waiting for service or pick up. The closed office is on the left. The large picture window is framed with crumbling gas and oil advertisements. The hood of my Benz is up in one of the bays, and I don’t see any mechanics milling around.

  “This is what a small-town garage looks like?” The empty business is at the end of a dead end street with a large lot in the back where more vehicles and a mud spattered tow truck are located. Spying a random spastic animal at the back of the lot, I point to the spry fowl. “Wait, is that a chicken just running loose?”

  Cal chuckles. “Yup, that’s ole Bessie. Someone once paid Doc in chickens. He turned ’em over to the closest farmer, worried they’d get run over at his garage. Bessie likes roaming the town instead, checking up on Doc when she can.” He snickers. “Don’t tell anyone, but that old fool keeps feed in the back for her.”

  I can’t help but smile. “This town is the complete opposite of New York City.”

  “Yup, sure is! Your car’s all set, and you’ll have your cottage key now. I’ll put the grocery sacks away and lock up for you. I gotta finish my work on a rental, but I’ll be back ’round seven. We’ll fix those steaks up proper.”

  The smile remains on my face, relishing his Southern twang. “Thanks, Cal. I’d say you’re the first real friend I’ve met here.”

  His face breaks out in a huge grin. “I’m glad I snagged that title.”

  “Do me a favor and change into something other than your dusty work clothes. You wore similar clothes when we met Saturday on the beach.”

  “Why?” He looks down at his gray polo work shirt paired with a worn pair of jeans.

  “Stop being so bashful. Payton was wearing a green sundress. Show her a different side than sawdust and your work clothes. You’ll make an impression if you try to match her dress with a nice green shirt,” I suggest. Cal thinks for a second before smiling. I’ve picked up a few tricks being around suave businessmen my whole life. This is a strategic plan on my part, hoping Payton will soften around me. All I have to do is prove I’m not a threat in regards to Cal.

  “It’s been awhile since us King boys had any female input. Oh, your momma gave us plenty. Looking forward to yours as well.”

  Tittering to myself, I say, “I guess I take after my mother. You’re the King boys?”

  “Yup. Kingfield sound better for business. Thank you kindly, ma’am, for providing supper. Holler if you need anything.” He tips his hat to me as I smile at his polite gesture. I step out of the truck, pausing by the open door. “Yes?”

  “Umm, don’t laugh, but when you say to holler, do you expect me to stick my head out the door and holler over to you? That seems rather rude.”

  His body jerks with laughter. “Goof, hand over your phone.” I slide my phone over, and he adds his number to my contacts. “Yes, you can holler at me out the door or over the phone. Your momma had a nifty set of lungs on her.”

  An incredulous smile wedges on my lips. “My reserved and quiet mother hollered over to you?”

  “All the time. Like I said, we let everything slide in the South. Go wrangle your car!”

  “Well, okay, then. Don’t forget to get ready for your date.”

  “If I were you, I’d practice my hollering at old Doc here. Let it all out. He’s the reason your car’s here in the first place.”

  “Does he think I’m an easy mark because I’m from the resort?” The smile slides off my face as I glance back at the tow truck. “Did he hijack my car because of the out-of-state license plates, hoping to score an easy paycheck? Well, he’s got another thing coming!”

  “Yup. Luxury cars are his favorite. Expensive to fix if you know what I mean.” Cal sputters out a loud laugh as I work up a growl. “Be careful, he’s a real surly bastard, but he deserves all the fallout you’re gonna give him. Remember: no matter what, you don’t go easy on this fella. He’s a townie who wants to rob you blind.” He tugs the door shut before taking off, leaving me to deal with my car.

  As I watch Cal drive off, I wonder what I’m walking into with the ill-mannered town mechanic. Now would be a good time to have a personal bodyguard as I take in the empty, deserted road. Nobody could hear me in the middle of nowhere, no matter how loud I holler. But I need my car and my cottage key, and the “surly bastard” of a mechanic is the only thing standing in my way.

  9

  I approach the garage bay with hesitation. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” blares from my car. I’d say the mechanic is enjoying my mother’s Southern rock playlist I kept on repeat for my trip.

  Peeking around the hood, I stumble upon a white T-shirt and blue work pants hunched over my engine. I bend further, catching a head full of sandy brown ruffled hair moving along with the smooth song. Cal’s teasing sinks in like a lead pipe.

  My stomach drops. I take a large step back, but my long shadow gives my presence away.

  Mace calls out, “Give me a minute to finish this. Then I’ll take care of you.” His biceps flex as he takes his time tightening a part in the engine.

  Fuck, I wasn’t expecting to run into Mace my first spin around town. I didn’t even think of Mace when Cal popped up at my cottage. I was too excited to settle into Haven, calling this place my own for the next month.

  Sighing, glimmering dust piques my curiosity. He cranes his neck in my direction as I swipe my fingers across the sleek silver body of my Mercedes Benz. Mace jerks up and closes t
he hood. The force of air jets up a large cloud of more glinting particles that swirls all around, enveloping us like magic.

  I shake my head free of such silly thoughts and gesture toward the particles. “What is happening here?”

  “Aluminum silicate.” I give Mace a questioning look. “Otherwise known as mica. A mining guy pulled in here one day and had me fix a blown hose so he wouldn’t crack his engine block. His dump truck was brimming with the stuff. Funny how that four years ago, and today of all days, the dust kicks up from the cracks and sprinkles us with glitter.”

  A shiver works through my body. “Four years ago?”

  “Yeah.” The music is the next victim of his hasty behavior as he cuts the stereo off. Grabbing a nearby rag, he leans against the hood and focuses on wiping his hands.