Cafenova

by S. Jane Scheyder

  John locked eyes with her and then grinned. “Look, I basically trust these guys, and appreciate their work, but I can’t guarantee that they’ll always…”

  “Always what?”

  “Well, behave,” he finished, for lack of a better word. He’d talked to his guys in the past about boundaries, but it had never been a serious issue.

  Maddy gave him a coy little smile. It didn’t help him remember his point. “Maddy, these guys can get sidetracked.” He paused, but she simply waited, so he continued. “The first day, it was kind of funny, how they tried to get your attention, or made some excuse to talk to you or be around you.”

  “They did?”

  “Oh, please.” John sighed. “Travis walked through the porch at least four times on the way to his truck, which was parked, as you know, on the other side of the house.”

  Maddy laughed. “I guess I was into my railing,” she said, “I didn’t notice.” She turned as Burt began to whine and wag his tail, indicating that someone else had arrived. She looked back up at John with a smile that he’d missed the day before. “I’ll be good,” she promised, and left to go greet the others.

  

  Maddy spent the morning at the library again, and checked in with the crew when she got home after lunch. They were in the former hole-room, or more accurately, in the hole-room closet, admiring their handiwork from the other side, and discussing some additional repairs that were needed. Maddy looked at the bedroom, now primed, the floor clear of all carpeting evidence.

  She was very pleased as she crossed the room to join the men. “Party in here?”

  Frank started dancing, and John shook his head as they walked back into the room.

  “This looks great,” Maddy said.

  “It’s coming along,” John acknowledged. “The floors will need a lot of work, but we’ll get there.”

  “Well, I’ll let you finish up,” she replied. “Lemonade’s out downstairs.”

  She slipped out and went across the hall to the next bedroom. Here, too, the floor was relatively bare, but the walls had not yet been primed. The two others were the same. She could hardly be disappointed; she had no idea how long this phase took.

  Maddy changed into shorts, and then ran into John in the hall-way as she emerged from her room. She looked up at him, momentarily unable to think of anything to say.

  “Have you got a few minutes?” Apparently John didn’t share her impairment.

  “Let’s see …” Maddy consulted her busy mental calendar. “Yep, I’ve got the whole afternoon free. What’s up?”

  “I need to touch base with Willie, but then I’ll need your input on a few things.”

  “I’ll meet you on the porch; I have a date with the rain.”

  Maddy called her dog and went outside to put her feet up. Settling herself in her rocker, she watched and listened to the rain fall over the water. It was wonderfully soothing, and she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

  

  A short time later, John came out to the porch, where Maddy was sitting in the rocker with her feet propped on the railing – asleep. He checked his advance, smiling as he looked down at her peaceful face, her hands folded in her lap. He glanced at Burt, who was also napping, but somehow managed a brief wag of his tail between gentle snores.

  John took advantage of his unusual opportunity to study the features of his new employer. Her face was nicely proportioned. Her eyebrows, which could form an excellent scowl when necessary, were relaxed and framed her eyes well. Her nose, although a little sunburned, was otherwise unremarkable, which, as noses go, was probably a good thing. Her lips were very nice, he thought, especially when she smiled. A few strands of her wavy, sun-streaked hair blew gently around her face as she rested.

  Pretty and peaceful as she was, John thought he’d enjoy the privilege of looking into those lively eyes while her smile was fully engaged. She was, without a doubt, one of the most animated women he’d ever met. She displayed her changing moods very effectively. But when she smiles…

  John looked out over the water. The falling rain was very soothing; Maddy had picked a great spot for a nap, whether or not she intended to take one. Venturing another look at her, he tried to guess her age. Late twenties, he guessed. She had to be at least that old to have worked long enough to be able to afford the porch on which she was now napping. She didn’t seem like the type that had grown up with a lot of money.

  She turned slightly and John took a step back. He walked quietly to the door, opened it, and then let it bang! Maddy-style. This had the desired effect of making her jump and wake abruptly.

  “Hey there,” he said, a little too loudly. “Enjoying your date with the rain?” He walked over and pulled a chair out from the table. “We need to talk about your roof. Are you up for that?” Opening a folder, he began pulling out some information and brochures and laid them on the table.

  “Sounds pretty serious,” Maddy said, trying to stifle a yawn. “What’s to discuss?”

  She watched as John ran his fingers through his hair while he contemplated how to broach this terribly serious subject with her. She was distracted by the curls and colors. Was that a little bit of silver mixed in with the sandy brown near his temple? How old is he?

  “We can go with twenty, thirty, or even forty-year shingles.”

  “What? Really? I’d say forty,” she answered more quickly than either of them expected. “I think thirty’s too young, or whatever …” She burst out laughing at John’s expression.

  “Thirty is too young?”

  Maddy continued to laugh. “I’m sorry, my mind was wandering.” She eased her body out of the rocking chair, still feeling a little stiff from her workout earlier in the week. She walked over to the table. “Okay, tell me all about your shingles.”

  This unusual invitation provoked another giggle as she fell into the chair next to him.

  John continued to regard her display in puzzled silence, which, of course, only made Maddy laugh more.

  “I’m so sorry, I don’t know if I can do this right now.” She pulled her chair up and tried to look at his pictures, but kept erupting in giggles, making it very hard for either one of them to concentrate.

  “I had no idea that picking out roofing materials could be so funny,” John observed.

  “Neither did I. Didn’t I tell you that renovating was going to be fun?” She smiled up at him, and he couldn’t help but meet her grin.

  “It’s definitely more fun with you than with most people,” he conceded.

  Maddy’s eyes cleared a little and she gave him her most unaffected smile yet. John met her gaze and completely lost his train of thought. Maddy tilted her head, and then patted his hand.

  “So how do I pick my shingle age?”

  John cleared his throat. “It depends on when you want to do all of this again.”

  “Probably never. Let’s go with the forty-year-olds and see if they outlive me,” she said playfully.

  “Not likely, for a number of reasons; the biggest one being the toll taken by your proximity to the ocean. So, while you’d like them to last until your eightieth birthday, it probably won’t happen.”

  Maddy slapped his arm. “So you think I’m forty! Do I look that old?” She started to get up from her chair, and immediately buckled back into it.

  “Well,” he answered slowly.

  She gave him one of her very best scowls. “Nowhere near, for your information.”

  He grinned at her. “I’m just kidding, but you could set the record straight, if you like.”

  “No,” she held up a hand and turned her head. “If you want to think I’m old like you, go right ahead.” She continued to look out over the water, but the smile that spread across her face was evident in profile.

  “Touché,” he said. “Maybe we’d better get back to the shingles. The forty-year shingles are the best, but they’re expensive. I can get you a deal on the thirties, and I’m inclined to go with those,” h
e explained. “They’re on sale at Builders’ Supply, which is why I thought I’d look into it now. I don’t plan to do the roof until August, when I can be relatively sure of a dry spell.”

  “Thirty is perfect,” she smiled at him, “in so many ways.”

  “I’m glad you approve. They sound a little young, but they’ll probably do just fine.”

  Maddy laughed and asked, “So what else do I have to decide?”

  “Well, now that we’re working with the thirty-year group, we can look at the colors.”

  “Colors?”

  John pushed the paperwork in front of her. “They look pretty bland here, but it makes a difference when you see them on your roof. You can go to the store and see some of them displayed on their sheds. It helps to visualize what your roof will look like.”

  Maddy looked down at the endless variations of rusty brown and gray shingles. “I can’t imagine how I would choose,” she said. “Do you have any recommendations?”

  “I’d suggest either the pewter gray or charcoal, or maybe even the slate blend,” John pulled out another sample page and pointed out the color. “I think you had mentioned going with a white exterior?” he asked, and Maddy nodded. “Then I think those colors would be your best bet. The sale runs through next Saturday, so if you could take a look at them sometime during the week, that would help.”

  “I’ll drive out this afternoon,” she offered.

  He looked through the papers again, and pulled out another sheet. “While you’re there, check out the two different styles – traditional three-tab and architectural, and see what you think.”

  “I had no idea this would be so complicated,” Maddy replied. “I can’t imagine really caring one way or another. No offense,” she quickly added. “I appreciate all that you’re doing.”

  “Don’t worry about me; I’m just letting you know your options. Some people feel strongly about these things, and I have to give them the opportunity to share their input. It’s your money,” he shrugged and sat back in his chair.

  “Do you like either one of these better than the other?” Maddy looked at the pictures and tried to visualize the different styles on her roof. She wasn’t sure which one best fit the character of the house.

  “I would lean toward the architectural style,” he offered. “There’s a little more texture to it, and I think it’s more interesting.”

  “Well, we don’t want a boring roof.”

  “That would be unfortunate,” John agreed soberly.

  They looked at each other for a moment, and smiled.

  

  In her former life, weekends were for traveling, so on Saturday morning Maddy decided to take off and explore. Awaking to another beautiful sunrise, she figured it would be a good day to see the coast. She also knew it would be a good day to work on her rails since the weather was dry, but that option just didn’t have the same appeal. Aware of the fact that her house would not be filled with people working on a Saturday, she felt not relieved but a little lonely. It was time for a road trip.

  She decided to head south, driving along the coast as much as possible, and visit every antique store and souvenir shop along the way. She mapped out a route and then packed a few things, figuring she’d spend the night somewhere and come back Sunday evening.

  As she started to back out of the driveway, she looked in her rearview mirror and saw that John was pulling in. She got out to greet him, not particularly disappointed about the delay, but wishing she’d at least put some lipstick on before getting in the car with her dog.

  John waved as he pulled to the side of her drive, and Maddy realized that Blake and Parker were in the truck with him. She decided to get Burt so they could have a full-out reunion.

  “Hey, Dad! It’s the ugly green house!” Parker yelled, running toward Maddy. Blake came up alongside his brother, and they both reached up to pet Burt.

  Blake remembered his manners first. “Hi Miss Maddy. I like your house.”

  “Thank you,” she answered, wondering if he felt compelled to make up for his brother’s candid observation.

  John came up behind Parker and whispered in his ear.

  “But it is!” Parker said earnestly. He looked up into his dad’s eyes, sighed and turned to Maddy. “I’m sorry I said your house is ugly.”

  “It’s okay, Parker. Anyone can see it’s ugly.” She smiled and shrugged. “That’s why I have your dad.”

  John grinned. “Sorry to stop by without a heads-up. I need to check out how much cement you have in your shed before we go to the hardware store this morning. I want to be ready to repoint your porch and fireplace when we get around to that job.”

  “Oh,” Maddy replied, trying to remember what ‘repointing’ meant. “You don’t have to apologize for coming over here. You’re welcome any time.”

  “We were going to be spies,” Parker told her. “I was going to jump out of the truck and run behind the bushes!”

  “Wow, that sounds like fun,” Maddy said. “I’m sorry I ruined it by being here to catch you.”

  John looked over at her car. “Are you leaving? We don’t want to keep you.”

  “I’m in no hurry,” Maddy replied. “Do you guys want to come inside for coffee or juice, or something?”

  “Yeah, Dad, let’s go inside!” Parker jumped at the invitation.

  “I’d really like to see her house,” added Blake.

  Maddy smiled and watched John be a dad.

  “Hang on, guys,” he said. “Remember how we weren’t going to disturb Miss Maddy?” He looked down into their disappointed faces, and then over to Maddy, who raised an eyebrow expectantly.

  “Okay, we’ll stay for a few minutes.”

  Parker jumped and squealed in response, and immediately ran up to the porch, Blake in tow.

  They walked through the lower floor, the boys enjoying the sound of their echoing voices in the empty house. Making their way upstairs, they found themselves, finally, in the hole-room. John tried to point out the work that had been done to repair the wall, but the boys were more interested in the closet.

  “This isn’t even the best part,” Maddy insisted, grinning at John, who returned a puzzled smile. Satisfied that he would be surprised by her revelation, she got down on her hands and knees, and gestured at the boys to follow.

  “There’s a secret panel under this shelf,” she said, sliding it back with some effort. She squeezed through to a tiny room beyond, and the boys followed. Maddy had found it several days after she moved in, only because she’d had trouble removing a box that had been lodged in the space in front of the “door.” She hadn’t yet gone in herself and momentarily regretted the urge to squeeze through the tiny portal.

  “This is so cool!” exclaimed Blake, showing as much emotion as she’d seen from him.

  Parker walked around the periphery and hollered, “Dad, come in here! You gotta see this!”

  “Sorry guys, I don’t fit,” John replied with some chagrin. He crouched down to peek in, but his shoulders wouldn’t allow him any further into their hideout.

  Maddy smiled. “This is where we can come and have secret meetings without your dad.”

  “Yeah!” Parker agreed.

  John pulled back from the hole, noting the relationship developing between Maddy and his sons, and really wishing he could get into that room.

  “You go ahead and have your secret meetings,” he called out. “But just remember what a good spy I am.”

  Maddy laughed. “Okay, let’s go and join your dad before he gets too lonely.”

  “Oh, man,” Parker sighed.

  John helped his boys to their feet, smiling as Maddy wriggled out after them. She ended up flat on her back, looking up at him.

  “Need help?”

  “This wasn’t the graceful exit I had planned,” she replied, turning and pulling through. “Okay, so maybe that spot isn’t made for me, but I still think it’s really cool, don’t you guys?”

  The boys agreed who
leheartedly as they went back downstairs. Blake and Parker were fairly anxious to explore, so John took them out to the beach while Maddy made coffee. She heard his cellphone as he walked onto the porch, and he came back a few minutes later, looking rather pleased with himself.

  “Your water heater is in at the hardware store,” he announced. “They’ll even deliver it today if we want them to.”

  “That’s great!” Maddy answered.

  “I can get Frank to come over and help me install it.”

  “I don’t want you to have to work today,” Maddy protested. “Can they just leave it in the shed?”

  “It would be good to get it in place before the rain comes,” John replied. Noting her look of concern, he added, “We’re used to deliveries at unusual times. We take things when we can get them.”

  “Well, I’ll stay and help.”

  John grinned. “You’re going to help move the water heater into the cellar?”

  Maddy smiled back. “Maybe.”

  Frank was available to come over and help out, so Maddy entertained the boys while the men opened the bulkhead and cleared a path for her new appliance. By mid-afternoon, the heater was delivered and installed, and except for a faulty thermostat, ready for use. Willie would be able to fix it first thing Monday morning, John assured Maddy over a late lunch.

  “So what do you guys think of my house, now that you’ve had the tour?” she asked the boys.

  “It’s awesome!” Parker answered enthusiastically.

  “It’s really, really big,” Blake observed.

  “Yes, it is,” Maddy agreed. “Your dad’s working hard to fix it up for me.” She smiled at John, and he raised his glass of lemonade in response.

  “Yeah, my dad works really hard,” Blake replied proudly.

  Maddy nodded. “So, what are you doing this afternoon?”

  “We’re going to look for a baseball glove,” Blake said happily.

  “Yeah, and go to the park!” Parker added, amping up the excitement level.

  “Yeah, and mow the lawn!” John mimicked his son’s enthusiasm.

  Maddy laughed. “Sounds like fun.”