Maddy followed her, mentally taking notes. Interesting curtains, love that table, weird couch – can’t be comfortable.
She passed the next two hours hearing how Carolyn and David Evans started their inn ten years ago, the changes it had undergone, business in their part of Maine, and other details as they occurred to the rather disorganized but very friendly mind of her hostess. Mr. Evans joined them mid-evening, and after a few brief stories of his own, reminded his wife that it was time to let their guest turn in. Maddy was grateful.
“We’ve given you our nicest room,” Carolyn said as she led Maddy up the steps. “It has a lovely view of the ocean in the distance; you’ll see it better in the morning.”
She pointed out a few of the amenities, and was especially proud of the bathroom with its one-of-a-kind claw-foot tub. Maddy smiled and gushed accordingly, admired the soaps and the wallpaper, and wondered if Mrs. Evens was ever going to leave.
When she found herself alone in the rose-themed room, Maddy set her laptop on the desk. It was a beautiful piece in dark wood, with dainty little drawers and tiny brass knobs. It was definitely a woman’s desk, and Maddy wondered what kind of women had sat in the very same chair over the years to do their work. She looked at her screen and then shut the computer down and put it away. Pulling her pad out of her bag, she began making notes.
The sun pouring through the sheer curtains on the other side of the room woke Maddy the next morning. She’d evidently missed the sunrise. She stretched and turned to look at the clock, contemplating the day ahead. Burrowing back down into the crisp sheets and soft blankets (no expense had been spared there) she wondered if she would be able to handle Mrs. Evans before she had coffee. As the only guest, she was bound to receive lots of extra attention.
Finally pushing the covers back, Maddy got out of bed to check out the view. The view was really only that; the ocean was a fair distance. It didn’t compare with the sight, sound and smell, sometimes even the taste and feel of the ocean from her bedroom window. Maddy smiled a smug little smile. If she was keeping score, her B&B would have won that round.
She dressed and went down to greet her hosts. The house smelled wonderful, and Maddy could only imagine what awaited her at the breakfast table. She noted this fact with mixed feelings. Round two – Mrs. Evans.
She liked the dining room better in the daylight, especially when she beheld a lovely coffee urn. She made a mental note to get a cool-looking coffee dispenser, and wasted no time in helping herself. She smiled contentedly and looked around. Fresh flowers adorned the hutch and the middle of the table. A breeze gently blew the white lace curtains into the room.
Mrs. Evans came in a few minutes later with some apricot scones. “Good morning, Miss Jacobs,” she said cheerfully.
“Please, call me Maddy.”
“How did you sleep, Maddy?”
“Very well, thank you.” The bed had been comfortable, but the pillow was a little stiff. She’d made a note about that.
“I’m so glad. Please help yourself to the scones,” her hostess beamed. “The Belgian waffles will be ready shortly.”
“Thank you so much; they smell wonderful,” Maddy said, taking a scone and a seat. She’d brought her notebook along with her, so she’d be ready with questions when her hostess had some time to chat. She had a feeling that she wouldn’t be waiting long.
ten
It was interesting to walk into her house after having been gone. It smelled of wood and stain, and Maddy was happy to see the dining room well underway. Cans, brushes and tarps covered the floor, and she recalled Mrs. Evans’ dining room with the lace curtains and fresh flowers. She wondered if her own dining room would ever compare.
Burt continued to demand attention as she walked into the kitchen, and she smiled as she scratched his ears and picked up a note from John. It referenced the painting of the bedrooms, and the fact that he would be in Augusta the following day. The disappointment that she wouldn’t see him for another whole day was fairly acute, and Maddy stood in her kitchen, more perplexed than she cared to admit.
Determined to think about her house instead of her contractor, she hurried upstairs to see the newly painted rooms. The smell of paint was strong, though the windows were open for ventilation. She went from one room to the next, marveling at the transformation. It was starting to look inviting, and now she had furniture that she could picture in the rooms as well. Delighted, she went back down to the porch with her dog to get some fresh air.
She sat for a few minutes, breathing in everything that was wonderful about her front yard, when the phone rang. She wasn’t terribly familiar with the sound. Her land line had only been hooked up for a week, and not many people had called her on that phone in the interval. Few people even had the number. Maybe it’s John?
“Becky?” she said with surprise when she picked up the receiver. “How are you?”
Maddy felt particularly happy to wake up in her own bed the next morning. She made coffee and greeted the crew, then went back up to work on her balcony.
So, Becky’s coming up for the weekend. Her younger sister had said she’d visit in July, but Maddy hadn’t put much stock in the promise. Becky’s plans tended to change, especially when her family was concerned. And how was it the Fourth of July already? She’d completely lost track of time.
Maddy continued to scrape the paint off the wooden boards. Becky had suggested that she have a picnic. As long as I’m coming, why don’t we have a little party? Maddy sighed and scraped. Becky didn’t know what she was asking. She was hardly ready to entertain, and who could come on such short notice anyway? John and the rest of the crew probably already had plans for the day. Besides, a beach party meant Becky in her string bikini and butterfly tattoo on her…
“It looks good,” Frank observed, having suddenly materialized in the doorway. “I’m glad you’re taking your time.”
Startled, Maddy nodded as she tried to redirect her thoughts to the project at hand. She wasn’t sure she could do it any faster if she tried. Better to let him think she worked slowly on purpose.
“You know we won’t be working on Friday, right?” he continued. “Fourth of July?”
“Oh, right, I figured as much,” Maddy replied. She hesitated, and then said, “Say, Frank, I was thinking of having a cookout on Friday. No work, just relaxing, maybe some beach time. I’d love it if you could come and bring your family.” She smiled tentatively.
“That sounds like fun. We have a party at my brother’s house, but we’ll probably stop by. What’s your time frame?”
“Maybe in the afternoon? I’m just making this up right now.”
Frank chuckled. “You can let me know tomorrow.”
Maddy didn’t sleep well during the night, but when the sun began to rise, she was out like a light. She never heard the men arrive, and woke only when she heard voices in the next room.
Looking at her clock, she sat up in bed with a start. How had she slept through her alarm? She squinted at the clock again, and realized that she’d unset it. She rarely used it anyway. Running her hand through her wild hair, she wondered how long it would take to make herself look human enough to greet the crew.
Maddy got up and stumbled into the bathroom, gasping at her reflection in the mirror. What had happened to her during the night? She threw cold water on her face, trying to revive it. Sighing, she brushed through her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail. A little bit of makeup would be necessary to make it look like she hadn’t slept the morning away.
This was not the way she’d hoped to greet John after three days. Resigning herself to their unseemly reunion, she opened her door and walked down the hall.
Someone was in the hole-room; it sounded like Frank and John. Maybe I can just sneak down the stairs and pretend that I’ve been busy … somewhere else.
It was worth a try. She started quietly down the steps when she heard footsteps in the hall above.
> Immobilized, she turned to see John standing at the top of the stairs. He looked awake and completely composed. His hair was perfect in its unruly way, and there were no frightening bags under his eyes. He held his mug of coffee and grinned at her, and Maddy’s heart melted down into her stomach.
“Hi,” she said simply.
“Late night?”
John walked down the steps, unable to take his eyes off her face. She looked a little sleepy, but something else, too. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He met her halfway, and they stood for a moment in the stairwell.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Maddy answered. “Until about four a.m., but no problem ever since. I missed the sunrise.”
She was fidgeting, and John was thoroughly charmed. “I’m glad you’re back.”
Maddy smiled. “Me, too. Sorry I wasn’t up to make coffee.”
“I managed,” John replied stoically. “Ten cups is definitely easier than fifty. Let’s go get you some.”
Maddy decided to spend the morning weeding the gardens. If she was having a picnic, people would be outside, and that’s where she needed to spend her energy. She looked out over her front “yard” and smiled at the fact that no mowing was necessary. That part of her property was low maintenance at least.
Burt followed her around throughout the morning, finding shady spots to lounge in while she got good and dirty. She weeded and pulled the remains of past-their-bloom flowers, working her way around the house.
So much for taking the time to clean up this morning. She was sweaty and dirty, and at least once she’d rubbed dirt into her hair while slapping at a bug. All that remained was for John to have some urgent matter to discuss with her before she had a chance to clean up again.
It didn’t take long for that little fantasy to be fulfilled. Just before noon, John walked out through her “office” door. Maddy, down in the garden to the side of the porch, squinted up at him; the sun was almost directly overhead.
“Hey,” John smiled down at her. The right side of her face was streaked with dirt, as were her arms and legs.
Maddy stood up and stretched her back with a grin. “How’s it going inside?”
“Fine, the floors are looking good. We’re just about to break for lunch. Can we get you anything at Theo’s?” John could hear himself rambling. Focus, he told himself. Just don’t look at her. He walked over to test one of the hooks that supported the swing. It looked like it could use some tightening, especially with the way his boys had swung on it.
Maddy tried to push a strand of hair out of her face with her dirty garden glove. “I’m all set, but thanks for asking.”
John walked back toward her, gesturing toward the door. “You’re planning to move into this room eventually, right?”
“Yeah, I’m actually kind of excited,” she replied. “There’s a lot of space, and I like the fact that there’s a door to the porch.”
“That doesn’t bother you at all?” John asked.
“Why would it?”
“Well, do you think it’s a good idea to have outside access to your bedroom?” He shifted uncomfortably. “I mean, what if you’re sleeping and someone comes prowling around?” He stopped when he saw the look on her beautiful, dirty face.
“I have Burt,” she reminded him. “No one’s going to mess with me, but thank you for planting that little seed of fear.” The gardening metaphor seemed appropriate.
“Sorry,” John said. “I’m sure you’ll be safe, but,” he hesitated. “Maybe you could use one of the upstairs rooms?” He liked this idea much better. “How about the hole-room?”
“I need immediate access to my sunrise,” she reminded him. Then, changing the subject, “So, anyway, I’ve decided to have a little picnic for the Fourth of July. I promise we won’t work at all. We could cook out and play on the beach; that kind of thing. And bring the boys, of course.”
“Sounds like fun,” John answered. “What can we bring?”
Maddy’s heart did a little dance. “Let’s see. I invited Frank and his family, and Otis, and my sister will be here, too.” This last was added with mixed emotion.
“Your sister’s coming?”
“Yeah, she lives in the Boston area. She called last night and reminded me that Friday was a holiday and told me to have a party.” Maddy shrugged. “So I guess I am. She’ll fly into Augusta late tonight and spend the weekend here.”
“It’ll be nice to meet her.”
Maddy tried to feel enthusiasm about the impending introduction. “If you wouldn’t mind bringing a dessert, that would be great,” she replied. “Otis is bringing a pasta salad, and Frank said he’d bring some sort of watermelon bowl.”
“He’s famous for those,” John said with a grin. “The boys will help me think of something appropriately sugar-filled,” he assured her. “Anything else?”
She smiled up at him. “Just yourself.”
The drive to Augusta took longer than Maddy had expected, and she hoped that Becky could keep herself entertained. She shouldn’t have doubted that inevitability. Maddy found her sister at one of the car rental booths, the man on the other side of the counter fairly drooling. She was leaning seductively over the counter, making the most of what little cleavage she had by the way she folded her arms. Becky’s propensity to be tall and thin had only that one disadvantage; she wasn’t particularly curvy. Still, her model-like stature was definitely striking.
It always took Maddy a moment to rein in her critical eye and prepare herself to greet her sister with what she supposed was a warmth that came naturally to everyone whose sister wasn’t Becky.
“Hey, Becky,” she called out.
Becky turned slowly – it was part of the persona – and waved. Maddy knew that she was receiving the same appraisal that she’d just given her sister, and felt sure that Becky would be gracious enough to point out areas of potential improvement.
“Hey darlin’!” Becky floated in her direction.
Maddy smiled, still happy to see her, for all of the baggage that came along with Becky’s brand of sisterhood. “How was your flight?” she asked, picking up one of Becky’s suitcases and leading her back through the airport.
“Boring; no one fun to talk to,” Becky complained. “You look fabulous, by the way. You’re getting lots of sun.” She sounded a little envious. “I’ll have to catch up this weekend.”
“It’s supposed to be nice for the next few days,” Maddy replied, wondering what kind of strange beachwear was forthcoming.
“Perfect,” said Becky. “Those sandals are adorable. Didn’t you get those last year?”
“Yep. I was delighted to find that they still fit me, so here they are again.”
“Oh, you’re so funny,” Becky giggled.
“So, how did your show go?”
“It was okay,” Becky answered a little flatly. As an art teacher, she’d had some of her paintings featured at a show with those of other Boston-area teachers. “We can talk about that later. So, what’s the deal with your contractor?”
Where did that come from? Maddy didn’t think she’d mentioned John to Becky. In fact she was sure she hadn’t.
“I’m not sure what you’re asking,” Maddy answered carefully. “He’s doing a very nice job, if that’s what you want to know.” She was not about to give away the tenuous position of her heart with regard to John. That would be a bad idea on so many levels.
“Like I care about that,” Becky rolled her eyes. “I mean, what’s going on between you?”
“Nothing,” Maddy absolutely lied. “Why do you ask?”
“Mom said there might be something…”
Maddy considered this. It was unlikely that her mother had implied anything. It was more likely that Becky was looking for drama and determined to find it, and complicate it if possible.
“I can’t imagine why she’d say that.” They arrived at the car and loaded Becky’s bags into the trunk. Maddy was glad for
the dis-traction. She really didn’t want to talk about John with Becky.
“So, is he hot or what?”
Maddy sighed. “He is very nice-looking.”
Becky looked at her wickedly. “Really? How old is he?”
“Too old for you.”
This won an honest laugh from her sister as they pulled out of the lot. Maddy wasn’t completely comfortable with that reaction.
“So, is he married?” Becky pressed.
“No, but he does have two sons from a previous marriage.”
Becky showed the first signs of disinterest at this bit of information. It wouldn’t last when she saw John, but it was a momentary deterrent. They spent the rest of the ride home catching up on family news. They had plenty to cover, and the trip passed quickly.
Becky marveled appreciatively when they finally pulled into Maddy’s drive. The outside of the house definitely looked better at night.
“This is fabulous, you lucky girl!” Becky smirked. “I can’t wait to see the inside.”
Once they were in, Becky greeted Burt with affection, and then proceeded to ask for a cork screw.
“I brought along a fabulous Shiraz,” she told Maddy. “You’ll love it.”
A tour of the house, which Becky apparently could wait to see, gave way to a glass of wine on the porch. The latter wasn’t so bad for Maddy. The porch was, after all, her happy place. The wine might help Becky seem a little less menacing as well.
They sat with the lights off, watching the moon on the water. It was very peaceful, and they talked companionably for some time. Becky launched into the details of her recent jobs, relationships and jewelry purchases, and Maddy sat back and listened. She tuned in to the professional references, but didn’t get too involved in the rest. The story rarely changed, or perhaps it changed too often. Either way, Maddy had learned not to get too invested.
“So, who’s coming to the party tomorrow?” Becky stopped to draw air.
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