by Kinney Scott
He hadn’t noticed the nipple clamps until just now. His eyebrows rose. “Those are new.” She hissed and released the tight toys from her reddened nipples. Seth bent to sooth each peak with licks and light sucks. But his kisses and nibbles didn’t explore her mouth. They rarely kissed anymore, it just seemed to intimate since the divorce. Chelsea slowly stretched as he toyed with the sleek hard plane of her stomach, and considered for a moment staying for round two. But spending the night was always awkward between them. Making breakfast in the morning had always been one of their favorite activities when they were married. Now she avoided those domestic scenes that brought back too many memories of what she had given up.
Chelsea gathered her clothes from around his bedroom. “As always, that was amazing, Seth. But, I need to get going.”
He had never assumed any different and watched as she pulled her snug jewel-bedazzled jeans over her lean hips. “I’ve got to get back to Northside Grill. My sister sent a text. She needs me to give her a ride home.” Looking at Seth as he reclined on the still warm sheets, well-muscled and comfortably naked, she regretted her decision. “Hey, babe, can I stop by tomorrow before I go back to Portland?”
“Yeah, I guess. Text me first. That way if I’m not home you won’t drive all the way out here for no reason.”
“We could mess around in your office again. That was fun last time.” In the bright lights of his master bath, she brushed her perfectly sleek straightened hair that showed no signs of their recent activities. He gritted his teeth for a moment, as the too polished appearance set him on edge.
“No, Carlos plans on finishing up a project. I don’t want you to run into my crew.”
“Good thing I’m not some clingy girlfriend or I’d think you were ashamed of me, Seth.”
It occurred to him that he wasn’t ashamed of her. No, that sentiment sat squarely on his shoulders. Ashamed that he would not allow himself to trust any woman again.
***
Losing all sense of time, Natalie poured through plans, and looked on other tiny home websites for ideas. She also stalked Seth, just a little, on the internet. How could anyone fault her? He was gorgeous.
Killing time the following morning at work, she found a photo of him on an Ashwood community page. He was giving back, helping an elderly couple by installing a wheelchair ramp on their modest home. Wearing work boots, jeans, and a black t-shirt that clung to his pecks and trim waist, he stood smiling with the happy elderly couple next to the new addition to their home.
Elsa’s keys jingled in the back door of the coffee shop. Her friend was early today. Probably because she couldn’t sleep. Losing Pete had been difficult for Elsa too.
“I’m glad you are a little early Elsa, can you take a look at this website?” Nate pulled up the Whitewater Homes page. “Elsa, do you know anything about this tiny house construction business? It’s located in Ashwood, your old home town.”
“Let me take a look,” after taking a quick peek she said, “There weren’t any construction businesses by that name that I recall. Why do you ask?”
“I’ve been thinking about an idea for a business.”
“What type of business? Are you thinking of buying a place in Ashwood?”
“No, nothing like that. You know that tiny house show we watch on TV? It got me thinking about combining a home with a mobile coffee shop. If I live and work from the same space I could travel around, park in different places, and take my shop on the road.”
“It sounds like you have given this a lot of thought. I like it. Adventure and travel, what a great combination. And Ashwood, how does my hometown play into your plan?”
“There is a guy, his name is Seth Michaels. He owns the business and builds tiny houses in Ashwood. I figured if I chose a local Washington business to build it, maybe I could be a bit more involved in the process.”
“Ah, yes the Michaels’ family. They have lived in Ashwood for a couple generations. They are good people.”
“That’s a relief, because I already sent him an e-mail, and he seems interested in building my tiny-house-coffee shop.”
***
Emails picked up between Seth and Nate as they ironed out basic choices of the trailer style, size for her sleeping loft, and types of materials. As soon as Seth realized that Nate would visit the area over the summer, it made more sense to make the small decisions in person.
Nate: I should be in Ashwood sometime early in June. Why don’t we go over some choices on equipment for the kitchen after I arrive? Any problem waiting until then on those details?
Seth: Sounds like a plan. I have plenty of work to keep busy. Sometimes guys like to help with work on their house alongside our crew, if they have time and some build experience. You can join us on the build if you want.
Guys! Crap. Like a lightning bolt, the realization struck Natalie. All this time in her communications with Seth she’d been using her nick-name. NATE. Seth thinks I’m a guy. Awkward, no matter how she handled it. Awkward or maybe a little fun? It wasn’t like she intentionally hid who she was, and gender really shouldn’t make any difference. She was just a client, nothing more. She pondered her response for a moment.
Nate: I may take you up on that, but I don’t have much experience in construction. I’ve been a city dweller, in a tiny rented studio in Seattle. No need for those skills, the property manager took care of repairs, if I was lucky.
Seth: No problem, you can pitch in with a paintbrush while you learn some basic maintenance. It’s good to have some experience with repairs in case you need to fix something on the road.
Seth looked forward to meeting Nate - he seemed like a cool guy. With home prices in Seattle skyrocketing, he had more and more city dwellers looking at the tiny home option for a place of their own. Seth wasn’t surprised that Nate wanted to make this change from the urban chaos of Seattle.
Cities like Seattle and Portland may be great places for some, but definitely not a life Seth ever wanted again. He and his ex-wife Chelsea both grew up in Ashwood, dating since they were juniors in high school. Getting married not long after graduation seemed like a good idea at the time.
His job at the lumber mill paid well, before the layoffs hit. Chelsea worked as a cashier at The Stop and Shop, a small supermarket in town. The cost of living was low, he was content with the simple life they had together, and thought they were happy. One thing he knew, the sex was hot. Seth knew how to please Chelsea.
About a year after high school graduation, she began taking classes online. Chelsea applied and was accepted to a school in Portland. Seth went along, finding a job in construction. At first living in the city was an exciting change. Away from home, they lived in married student housing near campus. His job in construction didn’t pay as well as the mill, but it was enough for now. Chelsea began to hang out with her friends to study each evening. Seth was exhausted from taking overtime to cover their bills. Living in Portland was expensive. Chelsea kept a part time job but with limited time and even less sleep, they slowly drifted apart. After a while, even the explosive sex was not enough to save the marriage. After only four years, and thank God, no kids, Seth went home to Ashwood.
***
Nate had to find a way to gather information about Seth out of her best friend Kelsey. They liked to talk on the phone at least a couple times each week. She attempted to dig around for details without appearing obsessive. Her plan was to stick to questions about the quality of the work at Whitewater Homes, and see if Kelsey gave up anything about the steamy owner.
She hit speed dial and Kels almost immediately picked up. “Nate, hi! I miss you.”
“Hey Kelsey, I miss you too. How was your first rafting trip this spring?”
“A little dangerous. The water is extremely cold with winter runoff, and I don’t know where all this year’s snags are hidden.” Kelsey’s job scared Nate, but her friend had a need for adrenaline that pushed her to take risks. Fortunately, she was naturally athletic.
Then Kelsey tried to put on the pressure, “Nate, you haven’t changed your mind about visiting me soon? I need to see you. School’s almost out, you need a vacation. Especially if you are going through with your idea to live and work in a tiny coffee home.”
“How would you feel if I spent most of the summer?” Natalie asked. She had given it a great deal of thought, and wanted to be a big part of the building process of her home.
“That would be terrific! I’ll be gone some, but you will love my friends. I promise to introduce you to everyone. And I guarantee you won’t be lonely.”
“I plan on spending a lot of time reading and hiking. If I have time I can also help build my little house. Do you know anyone who works at Whitewater Homes?” Natalie asked, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah. One of my best friends works for the owner. Kent told me they are getting busier every day. He used to have more time for rafting, but Seth Michaels keeps him very busy. You will love Kent. I know he will keep you busy when I’m out of town rafting.” Nate rolled her eyes in frustration. Why was it so difficult to get at the information she really wanted?
“But this Seth Michaels, he knows his stuff?” Nate held her breath. That sounded awkward, even to her own ears.”
Kelsey burst out laughing, “Seth Michaels? Hell yes, all the girls in town want to know his stuff. Damn, Seth is seriously hot. Sorry, probably not what you meant. I know he is respected, and Kent likes working for him. I’m sure he will build you a terrific home. When do you want to be here Nate? Because I could hop in my car right now and drag you down here.”
“Well that brings up one more problem. I’m not sure if I’m ready to drive my grandpa’s huge truck all the way to Ashwood. If I buy you a train ticket, would you be willing to help me figure out how to drive this big truck I inherited? And don’t even think about paying for the ticket, you are doing me a favor, so I insist.”
***
Elsa tested the weight of the picnic basket before attempting to lift it into the back seat of Natalie’s already full truck. “Kelsey dear, could you come and pack this for me? I’m not sure I should be lifting it!” Elsa called to her great-niece as she tucked some napkins in the top of the basket of food she had just finished packing. “I wish you girls didn’t have to leave so soon.”
“Aunt Elsa, we’ve been hanging out in Seattle for almost a week, I’ve got to get back to work. You will see both of us when you visit this summer.” Kelsey easily lifted the picnic basket into the back of the truck Natalie inherited from Grandpa Pete.
“I’ve packed snicker doodles in the basket along with sandwiches, fruit, and chips. There’s also juice and bottled water for the drive.” Kelsey’s long white-blonde hair glowed in the summer sunshine. At five-nine, her lean muscular body effortlessly lifted all of the boxes and suitcases Natalie packed for her visit to Ashwood. This planned summer-long stay was an overdue escape from Seattle.
Elsa always cried when her family left. This time as she hugged Natalie and Kelsey she shed an extra tear. “I love you both. It won’t be long before I see you both again. Please call when you arrive in Ashwood. Good luck Natalie, you have made an adventurous decision. I’m so excited for you…” One last hug and the girls were pointed south on Interstate 5, thankful as the traffic eased with each passing mile.
CHAPTER TWO
In early June, Ashwood could go from bright sun to frigid hailstorms in the same twenty-four hour period. Fortunately, today, the winding roads that carried Natalie and Kelsey up into the foothills on the southeastern flank of Mt Adams were under blue skies.
The huge truck followed the path of the tumbling Little White River. Natalie still wasn’t comfortable behind the wheel on these unfamiliar roads, so Kelsey took the last leg of the drive into Ashwood.
“We better go into the Stop and Shop for groceries on our way home. Elsa may have packed enough food for an army but I can’t live on snicker doodles alone. My refrigerator probably has pickles and sports-drinks, but not much else.”
“Sounds great, I’m pretty hungry. Please don’t let me to fill the cart with everything I see. How far is it from town to your place?”
“Calling it a town is generous Nate. We only have two stoplights, but I’m not even either still works. If it wasn’t for the lake and hikers heading to the mountain, I’m not sure if we would have much population left at all.”
Kelsey looked out the window, taking in the familiar details of the town she loved, but where she often felt trapped. “I know the place is a little worn looking. Ashwood took such a huge hit when the timber industry slowed.”
Choosing her words carefully, Natalie attempted to get a little more information about this man. “What about Ashwood Homes? That business seems well established. How long has Seth been building homes?”
“Seth rents a section of the old lumber mill complex. Part of it still produces wood products. How well do you know Seth? I know he is building your home, but what have you been hiding from me Natalie?” Kels studied her for a moment. “Because there aren’t many things better to do in Ashwood than come up with excuses to stop by and watch that man work.”
Kelsey felt a wave of jealousy flow over her. “Yeah, well I don’t know him other than through a few emails. I’ve obviously never met him. So you think he’s hot?” she lied, pretending not to know how fine he was. Natalie could feel heat rise in her cheeks, always a terrible liar. “Does he have a girlfriend? Are you interested in Seth?”
“Everyone is interested in Seth. He was married a few years ago, but it didn’t work out. Chelsea lives in Portland, and has since before the divorce. I do see her around here every once in a while, and rumor has it they still hit the sheets from time to time.”
Kelsey grimaced, “In such a small town, that we always know when anyone leaves or comes back. Old ladies can’t help but gossip about every insignificant detail.”
She slowed the truck as they pulled into town, careful to obey the speed limit in the well-known speed trap. “Seth and Chelsea are a little older and finished high school when I was in junior high. They were practically married by the time they graduated. I’m surprised they still seem to be friends. I guess she probably just wanted out of Ashwood. He lived in Portland with her until they split-up.”
Nate asked again, trying to get the information she was after without giving anything away to Kels, “How can he hope to have a girlfriend with his ex-wife coming around? Especially if they are still friends.”
“Yeah, not a problem, I’ve never seen or heard of Seth hooking up with anyone from Ashwood. I do go out for beers with guys from his work crew most weekends.” Kelsey pulled into the lot of the local grocery store and found a spot to park.
“Kent and I graduated together and he will guide a float trip with me if I give him enough notice. Now that the tiny house thing has taken off, they are busy, so I don’t see Kent as often as I used to. Watch out, he is a huge flirt. Maybe you two could have fun together this summer?” Kelsey studied Natalie hoping to gage her reaction. She had already encouraged her longtime friend Kent to ask Natalie out and see if any sparks would fly.
“You are serious. Did you talk to him about me? What have you done Kels?” But, Nate was not really shocked, not when it came to Kelsey.
“Come on, how long has it been since you’ve been with anyone? At least with Kent it wouldn’t be serious. You need a perfect summer fling. No pressure because you will be moving on after your house-on-wheels is done. Promise me you will give him a chance!” Natalie just smiled, and nodded to agree with her best friend. “Fine, I’ll be friendly.” Arguing with Kelsey was always a complete waste of time.
The Stop and Shop attempted to meet the many needs for the small community, along with the hardware store that sat right next door. In addition to tools and household goods the hardware store stocked fishing, camping and hiking gear.
Nate walked into The Stop and Shop and noticed that every surface appeared to have frozen in time around mid-1970. A sandwich co
unter was up front with a small seating area located not too far from the checkout. Directly to the right of the entrance a tiny old man in faded coveralls watched over an ancient post office. A row of ancient brass metal post office boxes with small glass windows covered a small section of the wall. Separated by a glass partition the liquor store had a separate checkout. Whisky seemed to fill most of the space on the crowded shelves. One local craft beer dominated the cooler shelves, Mosquito Brewing.
From behind the sandwich counter a slim tall girl with long dark called out. “Hey Kelsey, glad you’re back. How is Miss Elsa? Looks like you brought someone back with you from Seattle. Why don’t you wander over so I can meet her?” The barrage of questions shot out rapid fire. Natalie nearly ducked for cover, to dodge the sudden rounds.
“Hey Amanda. I’ll fill you in on Seattle later if that’s ok. We’ve had a long day on the road. We both want to get home and settled. Elsa is doing great, sends her love to everyone.” Pausing for a moment she decided to go ahead and introduce Nate to Seth’s little sister. “Amanda this is Natalie, she is staying at my place this summer.”
“Nice to meet you Natalie, I’m Amanda. Welcome to Ashwood. I look forward to getting to know you.” Amanda could have been a self-appointed official welcoming committee. Bubbling from a deep well of exuberance, she appeared genuinely happy to meet Natalie.
“Thanks, I’m glad to be here,” Natalie replied.
Looking over the menu Kelsey asked Amanda to put together an order. “How about you put some of the soup of the day in to-go containers for us, I know we won’t want to cook tonight. We will pick it up on the way out.” Kelsey grabbed Nate’s arm to move on while she talked. Amanda was terrific, but could easily take up a half hour of your time with town gossip.