Cold Heart

by Sheila Dryden

  She headed downstairs, switched on the outside lights and peered out the window beside the door before opening it. It was Michael. When he saw her he began yelling.

  “For heaven’s sake Lexi, open the door.”

  Lexi supposed she had to open the door but she really didn’t want to. Reluctantly she did but stood in the doorway so he couldn’t come in.

  “What the hell are you doing, Lexi?” Michael said throwing his arms in the air. “Why aren’t you returning my calls?”

  “Because I have no interest in talking to you Michael, no interest in being with you anymore and no interest in what your lame excuses are.”

  “Lexi be reasonable, please,” he implored. “It was one time, I made a mistake. I love you. I was planning to ask you to marry me. She means nothing to me.”

  “She was my best friend Michael and I know for a fact, it wasn’t just one time,” Lexi said. “You are wasting your time. We are done, finished, over. I was very generous in what I left for you. In fact I left practically everything and your rent and all the utilities are paid til the end of the month. After that, you are on your own. You may have to actually go out and get a job.”

  “And what about my half of this?” Michael said.

  “What?” Lexi yelled. “Are you freaking kidding me? You’d better go Michael before I call the police.”

  “Look I didn’t mean that, Lex,” he begged. “Let me come in. We can talk this through.”

  “No Michael, no amount of talking is going to change what you did. We are done, there is nothing to be said,” Lexi said very calmly. “Now I’d like you to go please.”

  “Come on baby, you don’t mean that, you’re just mad right now. You know how good we are together. You can’t just throw that away,” Michael begged.

  Lexi was about to speak when a truck came up the driveway going pretty fast and lurched to a stop. Carter jumped out and sprinted up to the porch.

  “Everything okay here?” he asked looking directly at Lexi.

  “Yeah buddy, everything is just fine here,” Michael said turning to face Carter. “I’m just having a private conversation with my girlfriend here and I’d appreciate you keeping your nose out of it.”

  “You’re not listening Michael,” Lexi said in as calm a voice as she could muster. “We are through. I don’t love you. I’m not taking your cheating ass back and I would like you to leave now.”

  “You heard her,” Carter said as he stepped closer to Lexi. “She wants you to leave.”

  “Hey, I don’t know who you are mister,” Michael threatened, “But you need to get the fuck out of here and mind your own business.”

  With that Carter grabbed Michael by the neck of his jacket and began dragging him off the porch. Michael struggled to get his feet back under him and began yelling obscenities. The two struggled and when Carter had him down off the porch he let go.

  “Lexi go and dial 9-1-1,” Carter said. “Maybe the Sherriff will be able to persuade this jerk to move along.”

  Michael straightened his jacket and ran his hands through his hair. “Back off, there is no need to get the law involved,” he said. “I’ll leave.”

  “Good,” said Carter.

  “Lexi this isn’t over,” Michael said. “I know you’ll come to your senses, so I will give you a little time. I can wait. I love you. I’ll even come up here and help you get this thing up and running if you want. I’m sure you could use the help.”

  “Michael,” Lexi said taking a deep breath and trying to sound as calm as she possibly could. “I don’t want to hear from you or see you again. If you so much as set foot on this property, I will call the Sherriff and I will have a restraining order drawn up so fast, it’ll make your head spin. Leave now. Goodbye. Have a nice life.”

  Michael started to speak and then thought better of it. He turned and walked to his car. The car sprayed gravel everywhere when he gunned the engine as he sped down the driveway.

  “So mature,” Lexi said, but she was shaking now and pale.

  “Come on,” said Carter, taking her arm and leading her through the door and into the great room. He sat her down on one of the sofas and then released her arm. Tucker had followed and sat on the floor next to Lexi and put his head in her lap.

  “How did you ... I mean ...” Lexi couldn’t finish.

  “I was just coming back from town and turning into my driveway when I saw him go speeding by and roar up your driveway. Took me a few minutes to get to my truck turned around but I thought I best come over and make sure you were okay,” Carter said.

  “Thank you,” she said, sincerely. “I couldn’t get him to leave.”

  “Yeah, well he seems like the hard headed type,” Carter said.

  “I thought I loved him once,” Lexi said. “Looking back, I’m not really sure why and it was a very long time ago. I think I was just really lonely after my parents died.”

  “That happens sometimes,” Carter said. “Relationships aren’t easy. I’ve learned that the hard way.”

  Lexi looked at him and thought she saw pain behind his smile. She stifled a yawn.

  “Well I’d better get going and let you get back to bed,” Carter said.

  “Yeah,” she said. “I’m used to being in bed early as I had to get up so early to be at the deli.”

  “Deli?” Carter said.

  “I owned a deli in San Francisco. I sold it to come up here.”

  “Wow, impressive,” Carter said. “I had no idea you already knew something about running a business.”

  “Well I had intended to work my way up to head chef in a restaurant when I graduated from the Culinary Institute a few years ago. When my parents died, suddenly I had the money for a business of my own. The deli seemed to be a good start. The plan was for a restaurant eventually and well then poof I had this.”

  “Well, I think Max would have been thrilled to see someone finally make something of this place. Goodnight now,” Carter said and headed for the door. Tucker followed him and scooted out the door.

  “I keep hoping one night he’ll stay,” she said.

  “Well it looks like he is becoming attached to you,” Carter said. “So give it some time.”

  “I will,” she said showing just a hint of her dimples. “Goodnight Carter and thanks.”

  “Night,” he said and closed the door. He got in his truck and drove out to the road then unbeknownst to Lexi, he sat in his truck at the end of her driveway for a couple of hours just to be sure that Michael didn’t come back.

  5

  Lexi was surprised at how well she slept. Perhaps it was all the clean fresh air she was getting or maybe it was the end of her relationship with Michael because she really did feel that it was finally finished now. She had enjoyed sending him packing and was surprised at how freeing it felt. She hadn’t even minded Carter stepping in to help. He was really being very protective. That was okay, she liked it. Don’t be reading too much into that though. After all, it didn’t matter what his motivation was, she was done with men. She had to laugh at herself.

  She got dressed in some sweats because today was another day of cleaning. She would work on the upstairs and try to get it under control. It would also give her a chance to see what was under those sheets in the way of upholstered pieces. It was going to be a big job for someone. She could also make a list of what might be needed for the bedrooms. The cable guy was coming as well to set up her internet and she hoped that the satellite company would send someone also, although they told her they were really booked up so they had not promised. That was okay because she hadn’t actually noticed a TV in the place yet so there was no big rush on that. The internet would be great though as she had lots of research to do.

  She took the stairs at a run and after a quick breakfast for herself and for Tucker she went back upstairs and got straight to work. While she worked she thought about Michael, about Max’s death and about Montgomery. She also found herself thinking about Carter. About twelve thirty she decid
ed that it was time to stop and have some lunch for a change. She went down to the kitchen and made herself a chicken sandwich, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took both outside to the porch. She was there, eating her lunch with Tucker looking on, when Carter drove in.

  He was becoming a regular visitor, but she didn’t really mind. He was keeping her from becoming a total recluse. She stood and walked down from the porch as he got out of the truck. He was wearing blue jeans and a jean jacket as usual, but he left the cowboy hat in the truck. He had that same unshaven look and his hair was especially curly today. Lexi found her heart beating a little faster. He really was a handsome man.

  “Hi Carter,” she said.

  “Hi yourself,” he replied. “How are you today?”

  “I’m good,” she said. “Thanks again for coming to my rescue last night.”

  “No problem,” he said. “Just wanted to see how you were feeling today as you seemed pretty shook up last night.”

  “I’m great, really I am,” she said. “I admit I am not a fan of confrontation, but I think that Michael really had to hear it from me that things were over. I did kind of creep out of town without really talking to him, just left a note.”

  “Gotcha,” he said.

  “But I was afraid of a scene, which I got anyway, didn’t I?” she laughed.

  “No second thoughts?” he asked.

  “No. Not one. You know the guy was really a bit of a loser, hanging on because I was the one paying the bills, then cheating on me with my best friend and heaven knows how many others. He even had the gall to ask about his half of this, as if he should have any share of this.”

  “Sounds like you are lucky to be rid of him,” Carter said.

  “Most definitely,” Lexi said. “What I didn’t tell you was I had another visitor before that. You might be interested in who it was.”

  “Really, who was that?” Carter asked.

  “None other than Mr. Geoff Montgomery himself,” Lexi said.

  “Wow, he’s not wasting anytime, is he?” Carter said.

  “Nope. He mentioned buying the property, within the first two or three sentences, said that he and Uncle Max had come up with a number that he was happy with. He told me that things weren’t always that easy when I said I was planning to open up Wildwood.”

  “Guy is such a jerk,” Carter said.

  “Yes, he is and the jerk even invited me to his party on Saturday night,” Lexi said, “As if I would go.”

  “Oh, I think you should go,” Carter said quickly.

  “Why would I want to do that?”

  “Haven’t you heard the expression keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” Carter said. “I think it would be a good opportunity to check him out on his own turf.”

  “Gosh, I didn’t really think of that,” Lexi said. “Do you really think he is a threat?”

  “I don’t want to scare you but I just think he is very pushy and for some reason he was on Max constantly about selling,” Carter said.

  “You’re not suggesting anything are you?” she asked.

  “Like he had something to do with Max’s untimely death, you mean?” Carter asked.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean,” she said.

  “That’s a reach, I guess. I just don’t trust the guy at all. I do think you should go to his party though, size him up,” Carter said.

  “Gee, I’m not really comfortable in situations requiring a lot of small talk. Would you consider coming with me?”

  “Sure, why not,” Carter said. “I wouldn’t mind checking out Mr. Hoity-toity in his own territory. I’ve never set foot on his property but this would be a good chance.”

  At that moment the sound of a truck coming up the driveway interrupted them. It was the cable guy.

  “I see you have company, so I will let you get on with things,” Carter said.

  “Okay then, so you are coming on Saturday?”

  “Sure sounds good,” Carter said. “What time should I pick you up?”

  “Pick me up at seven” Lexi said. “It starts at seven but I’d rather slip in once most people are already there.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Carter said. “See you Saturday.”

  “See you Saturday,” she said.

  Carter went over to his truck and got in. He waved and drove off down the driveway. Lexi was pleased. As much as she disliked Montgomery, she had somewhere nice to go on Saturday and she was going with a man, a good looking man whom she had once been head over heels for. She would wear a dress. She realized that once again Carter had seen her dressed in sweats with her hair stuck up in a bun with no make-up on. Well never mind she would definitely make an effort on Saturday because she was going to let him see that she could look better than this if she tried. Not that there was anything but friendship between them. They were becoming friends though and she liked that. Just remember you are done with men for a very long time, maybe forever.

  The cable guy was approaching the porch with a tool belt on and carrying a length of coax cable over his shoulder. Lexi couldn’t help noticing that he was really good looking.

  “Afternoon Ma’am,” he said.

  “Hi,” said Lexi, not pleased with the ma’am but realizing he was all of about twenty-two.

  “Understand you want some internet for this place,” he said.

  “That’s right. Come on in and I’ll show you what I have in mind.” Lexi said.

  Lexi took him in and explained that she wanted wireless internet throughout the whole building and to the cabins as well. He suggested she would need several wireless routers. He told her what kind to buy and explained how and where they would be set up and who she would need to contact once she purchased them if she did need assistance. Lexi made a point of writing that information down. She was sure she would need help. She knew her way around computers but was no whiz when it came to the ins and outs of making them work.

  It took the man several hours to complete all the wiring and Lexi was sure this would mean a big bill but was excited because this was an important first step towards creating what she wanted to be a first class resort. In these times people just didn’t completely unplug. She had to admit that she was a little anxious to have the internet herself. She continued to work on her cleaning and then once the man had left she changed and drove into town to purchase at least one router so she would have internet herself. The rest could wait until she was closer to opening Wildwood to the public which was several months away.

  While she was in town searching for a big box electronics store she drove past an upholstery shop and decided to go back there after her router purchase. By the time she got back to the store, it was closed but she made a note of its location and hours and the telephone number. She may as well employ a local to look after the work. It was good business practice if she wanted to be liked in the community.

  It was past Tucker’s dinner time once she returned to Wildwood and she felt bad. He came running from the barn when he heard her SUV and greeted her warmly.

  “Hey Tucker,” she said giving him a big cuddle. “Sorry boy, you must be hungry.”

  He followed her as she picked up his dishes and went into the kitchen. She decided to just put his bowls down there and he was happily munching immediately. Lexi reached for one of the bottles from the case of wine that she had been gifted, may as well give it a try. It was becoming a habit she thought, but wasn’t a glass or two of wine supposed to be good for you. She wondered what she should have for dinner and finally after staring into the open fridge for a few minutes she decided she would cook the lone pork chop she had purchased.

  Before she cooked however, she decided that she would try to install the router that she had just purchased while she still remembered what the man at the store and the cable guy had told her. She would put it in the office and that would allow her Wifi in there and in the dining room area. That should suffice for now. Lexi was pleased with herself when she was able to attach
all the appropriate wires to the appropriate places but then when she tried to set a password, she wasn’t able to. She found her purse and fished out the help line phone number she had been given. The service was prompt, a pleasant surprise and the fellow on the end of the line had things up and running for her in no time. He stayed on the line until she had booted up her laptop and managed to connect to the internet.

  Lexi was so pleased with herself that she poured a second glass of wine. She supposed it was time to do something with that pork chop. Here she was a trained chef but cooking for one was decidedly boring she thought. Maybe one night she should ask Carter to come for dinner reminding herself it would be strictly as a friend. Still she was smiling and she got busy preparing a meal for herself while sipping her wine. The wine was very good she had to admit.

  She wondered what Montgomery’s winery looked like. She had presumed the party was in his home but now realized she wasn’t sure. That would probably become obvious when they arrived. Once her dinner was ready she took it out to the dining room and Tucker followed. He seemed content to spend the evenings with her now and she was very pleased about that. She was convinced that before long he would be sleeping in the house instead of the barn. For now she felt a little less lonely with this big brown dog at her feet.

  Since her laptop was still on the table and connected to the internet she decided to see if the Montgomery Estates Winery had a web page. While she ate her meal she found the website and looked under each heading to see what was there. There was lots of information about the wines they made, their process, wine tasting and tours and also pictures of the outside and the inside of the winery and a couple of the outside of the house and the grounds. It was very impressive. She found herself looking forward to the outing on Saturday.

  Lexi went on to look at restaurants and hotels in the Valley and even checked out the menus on some of the websites. She knew that she wanted to make this a family friendly place so her cuisine would be much simpler than it was in most of these places. It was important to her because she felt that family life had changed so much with both people in the family working that she wanted to provide a place where they could gather as a family and relax. She definitely wanted the pond to be stocked with fish so kids could fish and she was thinking about trail rides of some kind.