Bourbon Blaze

by Deanna L Rowley

  “You don’t know what snow looks like?” Curt asked in shock.

  “I’ve seen it in pictures, you forget, I’ve lived in Florida my whole life. It’s gotten cold some years, we’ve even had frost, no snow.”

  “Yes, it’s snow. According to the weather, we’re supposed to get at least three inches today. How are your tires?”

  “Round?” Sophia said.

  Curt laughed, held out his hand. “Give me your keys, I’ll take it out for a drive, the tread looks good. I’m sure the dealership made sure you had good tires, but let me drive it.” Sophia handed her keys off and took his to unlock the door. Curt went to her car. Sophia opened the office and went inside. She swore, knowing the coffee hadn’t been made yet. She turned on the lights, grabbed the pot, washed it. By the time she had the carafe full of water and the old grounds dumped, Curt was back. He took over. Sophia stopped him.

  “Stop, I don’t know if you know or not, I can’t cook. I live on sandwiches and cereal. I want to know how to make coffee. There’s a coffee pot where I live, I don’t know how to use it.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know. I see you have the water, pour it in here.” He showed her the reservoir and watched as she poured it in. “See the hole in the back” Curt pointed. “If you have too much water, it’ll come out that hole, don’t fill it over the twelve mark on the carafe.” He took the pot and showed her the number. “Take a filter” Curt continued to watch as she followed his instructions. “I like it strong. I notice you don’t drink it if it’s too strong. Instead of putting four scoops in, let’s try three.” He opened the coffee can, took the scoop to show her how level to make them. He put the first scoop in and had her do the rest. Curt instructed Sophia how to finish and stepped back.

  “That’s it.” He grinned at her confusion.

  “Nothing more complicated?” Sophia was surprised it had been so easy.

  “Nope, water and coffee. The complicated part is what you put in it afterward.”

  “Oh.” Sophia smirked once the coffee starting to drip. “So, how were my tires?”

  “Good. As long as you take it slow, you should be all right. Do you have a snow brush?”

  “What’s that?”

  Curt chortled as he went out to his truck and came back with a thin, long-handled brush. “Run down the street to the hardware store and pick one up for yourself. You’re going to need it leaving work tonight.” Sophia nodded before leaving. It took her almost half an hour to pick out one, she came back and put it in her car. She approached the office as Ginny pulled in. Sophia waited to walk in with her.

  Both Sophia and Curt answered any questions Ginny had, before going to their own offices. Sophia went out to the paint booth and settled down to work. Later in the afternoon, at a knock on the door, Sophia looked up, she saw Ginny standing there.

  “May I come in?”

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “It’s two o’clock, you’ve been in here for the last five hours. I talked to Curt and ordered you some lunch.” Ginny smiled smugly as she held up a take-out bag. “Curt said you prefer the turkey club from Joe’s.”

  “Oh my god, thank you so much.” Sophia stood, wiping her hands on a rag. Laughing when her stomach began to growl.

  “May I look?” Ginny pointed to where Sophia had been seated.

  “Sure, this is Sean Kilduff’s gas tank.”

  “Okay.” Ginny grinned. She approached, leaned in, and covered her mouth with her fingers. “Oh, wow, I’m showing my ignorance here. Do you have a pattern?”

  “I do, but I use it as a reference point. I freehand everything.” She pointed to the piece of paper clipped to some sort of table beside where Sophia had been working. “I put on one layer of color at a time. This is the gas tank for his motorcycle. I’ve been putting the finishing touches on everything. Once I eat, I’m ready to put the clear coat on.”

  “What happens afterward?” Ginny stepped back, looking at all the parts. “Is this what I’ve been answering calls for? People call and ask what the waiting period is to get their bike detailed.”

  “Yes. Since it’s snowing, the riding season is over. They’re calling to get the work done now that they can’t ride. Depending on their wishes, it should take two to three weeks to do the work. Curt’s been the one doing it since he opened. I transferred in from HALO-Florida. I’ve been here a little over a month, and this is my first job here.”

  “I understand. I’m about ready to sound stupid here. Where’s the rest of the bike? Because there’s no way this can be driven down the road.”

  Sophia laughed and had Ginny follow her out into the shop. She lifted a tarp. Ginny studied all the parts lying there. “This is the motor, tranny, wiring, once the clear coat is on, I’ll put the bike back together.”

  “You can do that?”

  “Yes, if the guys aren’t busy, they’ll help me. Have you met the others who work here?”

  “No, I’ve met you and Curt.”

  “Come with me.” Sophia went to the other side of the shop. She stood between Scott and Randy, put her take-out bag on their bench, opened it, and dug in.

  “Jeez, Soph, you could at least share.” Randy grinned as he looked up.

  “You can have my pickle. Guys, this is Ginny Alexander, she’s our new office manager. She started today. If you need any parts ordered, clients called, whatever, Ginny will be taking care of it.”

  “So, she’s freeing you and Curt up to do your own work?” Scott asked. He wiped his hand on a dirty rag, stuck it out to shake Ginny’s. Sophia was impressed she didn’t flinch at the dirty hand offered her. Scott took over introducing her to everyone, as Sophia ate, she noticed Randy couldn’t take his eyes off her. He tried acting like he wasn’t watching her.

  “Her husband left her? How many kids does she have?” Randy whispered to Sophia.

  “Three, Alyssa is the oldest at twelve. She’s in the same grade as Susan’s son, Connor, along with Curt’s son, Justin. There’s ten-year-old Brandon and eight-year-old Jack. She’s thirty. She was eighteen when she married and had Alyssa.”

  “Wow, her husband left her?”

  “Yes, I don’t know anything else. I do know he’s a lawyer. He works in Des Moines. I don’t know how far away that is.”

  “That’s almost three hours away from here. It makes me wonder if he had an apartment there, you know, a place away from the wife and kids.”

  “Not our business, Randy.”

  “I know.” Randy sighed. “She’s beautiful. I won’t make a nuisance of myself, between you and me, I’m going to keep an eye out for her. I’m going way out on a limb here, if you ever move out, I’ll offer her the doublewide.”

  “How? It’s a three-bedroom, and there are four of them.”

  “Three-bedrooms upstairs. I never showed you the basement. There’s room down there for more bedrooms.”

  “Oh.” Sophia didn’t know how to answer. She shared her lunch with Randy. After she cleaned up, she and Ginny went back into the office. At the entrance to Sophia’s, Ginny stopped her.

  “I know I have no right to ask, are you and the man you shared your lunch with a couple?”

  Shocked, Sophia looked at her with wide eyes. “No, I’m dating Sean Kilduff.”

  “The owner of the bike you’re painting?”

  “Yes, do you know who he is?”

  “No, never heard of him.” Ginny sighed. “I’m sure Connor or Justin told you, John believed a woman’s place was at home. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the last thirteen years. As long as I’ve been married. I don’t have proof, but I believe John’s having an affair. If I overstepped asking if you’re a couple, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, his name is Randy Fry, other than being a mechanic here, he’s my landlord. I’m going out on a limb here, Ginny, I like you. He’s been asking questions about you.” Sophia watched Ginny’s expression. Seeing her blush, she reached out and took the other woman’s hand in hers.

  “Tell you what,
you’ll have to come over to my place. We can get to know each other better. What are you doing for Thanksgiving?”

  “I don’t know yet. I don’t know if John’s going to take the kids or not. Like I said, we haven’t talked since he left. It took me a couple of days to get over the shock, then anger set in. I’m done taking direction from a man. I was upset you knew about John leaving, but you know what? Screw him; this is my life now. I’m thirty years old. He left me with three kids, a house, a ton of bills. I sat at the kitchen table looking through the bills, wondering what the hell I could do to put food on the table. I only have a high school diploma. Then you called. Thank you. I’m going to be the best-damned office manager I can be.”

  “That’s all we ask. If you need to talk to someone, you’re more than welcome to come to my house. We can have a girl’s night. I can always invite my cousin Susan.”

  “She’s Connor’s mother, right?”

  “Yes, we’re second cousins. I’ve lived with her for the last month. I moved into my new place three days ago.”

  “So, you’re not even unpacked yet?”

  “I am. The place is furnished.” Sophia laughed. “I drove my motorcycle here from Florida, so I didn’t bring much with me. It was recommended I go out and get a car.”

  “The white one in the parking lot?”

  “Yes, Curt told me to go buy a snow brush. I was coming from there when you arrived. Hell.” She laughed again, “I don’t even know if I know how to use one.”

  “How’s everything in the booth?” Curt interrupted the two women laughing.

  “Good. I can put the clearcoat on tomorrow.”

  “Cool, I’m going out to finish what I’m working on. Maybe we can clearcoat together. I’ve got a new brand Chris sent me. He highly recommends it.”

  “Who’s Chris?” Ginny asked them.

  “My brother. We started HALO Customs in Daytona, Florida. After Dana and I married. I moved here and opened HALO-Iowa. Sophia was hired to replace me. One thing you need to know since you’re working here, you’re part of the HALO family now. If you need anything, we’ll be there for you. Here.” He handed her a piece of paper. “Here is a list of all phone numbers of who works here. Please program them into your phone. With your permission, I’ll give your number to the others.”

  “Everyone?” Ginny asked in shock.

  “Yes, think of it this way. If you get a flat on the way to work, you can send a group text. If someone lives near you, they can stop to help. Or I can come to pick you up, or someone else can give you a ride.”

  “You’d do that?” Ginny bent over Sophia’s desk and wrote her number down. Sophia was the first one to program it into her phone. Curt did the same thing, he nodded, going out to the shop, leaving Ginny to go back to the front and Sophia to her office. Hours later, Sophia went to leave, she again had the feeling of being watched. She started her car, let it run as she took her new snowbrush and cleaned off her car. As she left the parking lot, she shivered. Not because of the cold weather. She couldn’t shake the feeling she had. Once home, she wasn’t surprised to see Randy plowing her driveway. He paused long enough to tell her he’d left a shovel for her on her front porch.

  Parking her car in the garage, Sophia used the shovel to clean off the steps and sidewalk. Before she finished, Randy tooted his horn and left. Leaving Sophia alone. She went inside, after kicking the snow off her boots, she changed into warm sweats and fuzzy socks. In the kitchen, she looked at her groceries, sighing. She wanted a grilled cheese sandwich. Afraid she’d burn it like she had in the past.

  Biting the bullet, Sophia pulled her phone and called Sean. She figured if he wanted a relationship with her, he had better know from the beginning she didn’t know how to cook.

  17

  “Kilduff.” Sean answered his phone. It was Wednesday, and he had the day off. After being called into the office late Saturday night, he’d worked almost twenty-four hours straight. The sheriff had given him a pick of the day he wanted off. He’d opted to have Wednesday off. Right now, he stood in front of his refrigerator, debating what to cook for dinner. He looked over, grinning when Kilo came inside covered with snow. Shaking it all over the mudroom.

  “Sean? It’s Sophia.”

  “Oh, hey, how are you?” Sean was surprised she’d called.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “What are you doing right now?”

  “Standing in my kitchen, wondering what I’m going to cook for dinner.”

  “You’re not working?”

  “Not today, I had a doctor’s appointment, I’m off.”

  “Oh, maybe I don’t feel bad about asking you this.”

  “What?” Sean closed his refrigerator door to settle in at the kitchen island.

  “You want to have a relationship, right?”

  “Yes.” Sean said, wondering where this was going.

  “Did I happen to mention I don’t know how to cook?”

  “Once or twice.”

  “Can you cook?”

  “I can. I’m willing to teach you.”

  “Perfect.” Sophia said. “I’m home, I’m craving a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup. I could probably handle the soup, but I’ve burnt the sandwich in the past. I was wondering if you could come over and instruct me.”

  “If you tell me where you live, Kilo and I can come over to teach you. Do you have enough for both of us? If not, I can grab stuff from here to bring.”

  “What do I need?”

  “Cheese, bread, butter, a pan, soup, a pot to cook it in, and milk. I add milk to my tomato soup, I find it’s creamier.”

  “But the can said to add water.”

  “You don’t have to always follow directions. It depends on your own tastes.”

  “Oh, remember when you said to go down the road next to the shop? Look for the mailbox with the red and orange flames?”

  “Yes.” Sean shook his head at her quick change of conversation.

  “I live on that road. I’ve never passed that mailbox.”

  “Where on the road do you live?” Sean glanced at Kilo when the dog cocked his head at his owner.

  “Do you know Randy Fry? He’s a mechanic at HALO.”

  “Yes, he’s my neighbor. I live about two miles past him, on the opposite side of the road.”

  “Oh, well, he’s renting me his doublewide. He lives in the main house.”

  “He finished the work?”

  “Yes, I’ve been in the doublewide since last Monday. So, I’m inviting you to come to my house to teach me how to cook a toasted cheese sandwich.” Sophia blurted out, “Kilo can come.”

  “Kilo and I can be there in a few minutes. I haven’t been out since two this afternoon, how are the roads?”

  “They were fine when I drove home. Randy’s plowed me out.”

  “We’ll be right there.” Sean hung up, looked at Kilo, and smiled broadly. “Want to go see Sophia?” The dog ran to the front door, sat down, and waited for Sean. Sean ran up to his room, changed his shirt, tossed off his sweats, donned a pair of jeans. Back in the kitchen, he went to his pantry, grabbed a loaf of bread, a couple cans of soup. From the refrigerator, he grabbed the milk and cheese, for the hell of it, he threw a stick of butter in the bag. He grabbed Kilo’s extra dog bowls. With his leash looped over his neck, Sean slipped his feet in his boots then, donned his winter jacket. The two of them left their house in under ten minutes.

  Kilo ran to Sean’s personal truck, jumping in when the door opened. Sean put the bags on the floor, ran around, jumped in, and started the truck. As it began to warm, he hopped back out to brush the snow off. Knowing where he was going, he made it in five minutes. Getting out, Kilo walked beside Sean up to the front door. It opened before Sean could knock.

  “Hello.” Sophia said, stepping back to let them inside her house. “Welcome.”

  “This is nice.” Sean said, looking around. “It’s larger than Susan’s place
, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it’s a three-bedroom. Take off your boots and coat, I’ll give you a quick tour.” Afterward, they stood in the kitchen. Sophia filled the bowls for Kilo. Instead of eating, he laid down inside the living room, out of the way, watching the two of them.

  “Show me what you have.” Sean got right to the point. Sophia went to her refrigerator, pulled out her cheese, turning toward him.

  “This is all I have.”

  “No bread?”

  “I have leftover biscuits.” She held up a plate of biscuits. Sean walked over, moved her to the side, frowning at the contents of her refrigerator. He began opening the cupboards, he saw most of the food in the form of boxes of cereal, or microwaveable meals in the freezer.

  “I brought some things.” Sean opened the bag he brought, pulling out ingredients. He asked for a knife, a frying pan, and a saucepan. Once she gave them to him, he stood back.

  “Tell me what you would do with what you have in front of you.”

  Sophia looked at the counter. Taking a deep breath, she studied the ingredients and the pans. “The soup can go in the pan.” she held up the saucepan.

  “Correct, why don’t you open the soup, pour it in?” Sean watched, stopping her before she tossed the can. “Use the milk, put about this much in each one.” He held his fingers about two inches apart. “Swish it around to clean off the sides. Do you have a rubber spatula?”

  “I have no clue.” Sophia laughed, opening drawers.

  Sean leaned over, pointing to one. “This is a rubber spatula. You can use it for cleaning out the can. If you don’t leave it in the pan, you can use it to stir the soup.”

  When Sophia gave him the stink eye, Sean laughed. He took the spatula from the drawer, demonstrated how to use it on the first can, passed the can, and spatula back to Sophia.

  “Wow, it cleans the sides.”

  “Yes, now you do the second one. I’m a firm believer you learn faster being hands-on.”

  Sophia nodded as she concentrated on the second can, then passed it to Sean.