Haven

by J D Worth

  “I know just the right person who will love ’em regardless. They’ll be an early birthday gift.”

  “Whose birthday is coming up?”

  “Aiden will love ’em. He doesn’t have any little brothers or sisters to play with and Martin’s not remarrying anytime soon. Aiden’s great with other people’s pets, so they’ll be perfect for him. Martin’s a big softy anyway. He’ll love ’em too.” Mace’s mouth curls into a grin. “He won’t say no after he hears how you rescued ’em.”

  “The mother was killed by one of their dogs, yet the priority for their well-being seemed to be nonexistent. Vera said they have only been eating on their own for a few days. They’re so small and probably would’ve died as well.”

  “Yeah, the mother’s body was ’round back, torn to shreds. They hadn’t gotten ’round to burying her. I offered, the proud old man said no.” He sticks his hand into the box, rubbing one of the kittens under the chin. I watch in amazement as the kitten mows him over with a loud purr. Grinning, he checks each kitten over. “I’d say these kittens are less than a month old by their size. They’re eating on their own so that’s good news.”

  “When I cuddled the kittens, she blessed my heart, but it wasn’t a positive remark.”

  Mace lets out a hearty chuckle. I rise my eyebrows at his reaction. “Sorry, Princess.” He laughs again from the base of his chest. “Blessing one’s heart is an insult when said like that.”

  “Really?” My cheeks flush.

  “Yup. Better get used to those backhanded insults Southern women are masters at throwing.”

  “Now I understood why she thought I was somewhat stupid or naive for cuddling the kittens in the first place. For someone like me, they would be a pet. I assume not for her.” He hums in agreement. I think about the socioeconomic disparities that separate the financially infused North from the habitual poverty-stricken South. “Vera said they haven’t had a working vehicle in ten years, and they have no money. How do people survive like that? I am rather naive about these things, and that’s why she called me out to begin with. I know it’s none of my business. I shouldn’t be—”

  “No, it’s a great question. I don’t mean to be hurtful here, but someone of your affluent status may never realize there are folks in this very country who barely make it as is. Too many go hungry more times than not.” He taps his steering wheel. “Bell Peninsula’s a good example. We’re an hour and half outside a decent-sized city, yet thirty miles in any direction, you see real poverty. Most people are working two jobs and still can’t afford to put food on the table. The system we got going doesn’t help enough. These really poor people in the hills stay there ’cause they have to rely on family and neighbors to get by.”

  “I can partly understand. In the rebuilding program, we built houses in neighborhoods that had been hit multiples times by hurricanes in the past. These families owned the land, the only thing of value they had left. They were stuck there, but the community they had was amazingly supportive, even though nobody had anything.”

  “Yup. Those hounds you saw are for hunting. Don’t ask for what, unless you truly wanna know. That’s how they eat most of the time. The cats take care of rodents both inside and out of their house. The couple has a decent garden out back and make do with the rest. People in these parts pickle for off-season and keep a stocked root cellar for lean times. Now, what are you gonna name your two refugees?”

  I hold up the black striped kitten with white on her tummy. Imitating Georgina, I muster a Scarlett O’Hara accent, “Well, I do declare she shall be called Daisy!”

  Mace snickers. “Try again, Princess.”

  “I was wrong about Darla, but I’m guessing Daisy is an acceptable Southern name. Violet is.”

  “Not for a boy, it ain’t.” Mace slides a wide grin across his face.

  I hold up the kitten while taking a closer look and chuckle. “Oh, sorry little guy. Let’s call you Duke.” I pick up the other black and gray tiger kitten with a cute white streak on her nose. “This one is Daisy. I’m sure she’s a girl.”

  “How do you know ’bout Daisy Duke? I thought you never watched any TV shows.”

  “I didn’t know that was a television show reference. Georgina is from the South and bought me tiny shorts, which Payton called ‘Daisy Dukes.’ The other night, Payton referred to those white workout tank tops as ‘wife beaters.’ You really do have interesting slang down here.” We share another laugh. “I’m guessing that’s why you tease Cal rather than insult him for being ‘country.’”

  “There you go, Princess, learning Southern fashion trends mixed with linguistics. Violet fell in love with Cal’s country ways when he moved to Bell. She followed him ’round and recited his idioms all over town. That was her way of breaking through to that shy country boy Cal is. That’s Violet’s gift. She’s able to bring everyone together like family.”

  “Just like how she orchestrated Thanksgiving dinner in her backyard to bring me back here. Violet is the cheerful glue that holds your close-knit group together.” I smile at my clever friend. “I’m glad she teases Cal. He still clams up around Payton, I can imagine how he was when he first moved here.”

  Mace’s face softens. “Thanks for coming with me today. Makes going to the back country far more interesting.”

  “I also noticed your accent grew in strength when you approached Elmer. I’m guessing this was a display of respect on your behalf?” I ask, curious if he was mirroring Elmer’s accent to put him at ease. Mirroring behaviors is a standard business practice back in the city. I suggested Cal do the same thing to break through with Payton, which seemed to work.

  “These folks ’round here are real suspicious of outsiders.”

  “That’s why you started with the familiarity of discussing their ‘kin’?” Mace confirms with a nod. “How is this Delmar related to the old couple? You began discussing his family tree when you followed Elmer and were still discussing the same family tree after you returned with the bike. I missed a bit.”

  Mace lets out a gruff laugh. “True sign of a Yankee.”

  “And that would be?”

  “Didn’t cha know we’re all cousins down here?” Mace grins. I squint in disbelief at him. “Well, perhaps in the back country.” He winks while I nuzzle Daisy and Duke. “You got me saving kittens from rabid hunting hounds. Unbelievable, Princess!” Mace shakes his head.

  “Thank you for saving the kittens—and me—from being eaten by a pack of wild dogs,” I tease back. Mace laughs and breaks out an assortment of stories he’s heard based in western North Carolina while driving the long trip back to Haven. Most of his tales have to do with illegal moonshine operations, illegal hunting, and all around foolish behaviors.

  When we reach Haven, he pulls into the hardware store. He comes out with a bag full of kitten supplies.

  I pull out a small container of dewormer pills that catches my eye. “You can purchase this stuff at a hardware store? Isn’t this what you see a veterinarian for?”

  “Aiden’s young and still puts stuff in his mouth so I’m covering the bases. Most folks can’t afford to see Harold our ancient veterinarian on Bell. These parts are poor enough that sometime folks barter by trading goods for services to get by. I once received a six month supply of fresh eggs for a brake job.”

  “Oh, that’s right. I saw Bessie when Cal first dropped me off at your garage.”

  “That was another job where I got a six pack of chickens.” He laughs.

  “Wow. That was kind of you to do the job, even if you knew they couldn’t afford the work.”

  “That’s part of surviving.” Mace’s answer is blunt. “I wasn’t gonna refuse, make either of their situations worse. They need safe cars, and I could always use eggs. I got no place for chickens, but I can make one hell of an omelet now,” he kids, lightening the sullen mood.

  I shift in my seat, knowing I have so much, and my family gives very little back. The Wakefields we
re generous with their money, especially in the impoverished community of Bell Peninsula.

  I think of Cal’s hardworking family. “I hope we aren’t placing a burden upon Martin by doing a good deed. My reaction prompted you to offer money for them.”

  “The kittens won’t be a burden.” Mace looks me straight in the eye. “Just so we’re clear, Princess, and something you should expect from us Southern men, I won’t be collecting on that hundred either, so don’t even try.” I nod in understanding, not wanting to offend any of my friends, insinuating they can’t afford certain things when I come from a massive amount of wealth.

  I help Mace unhitch the trailer from his Jeep, and he stores the bike in the back of his garage under an old tarp. We go over to Cal’s house in Hearth to drop off the kittens. They live in a nice ranch with a large fenced in backyard on the end of a quiet dirt road. Mace parks by a large garage where they store equipment for their business and takes me around the back. He shuts the gate behind us.

  “Uh-oh, here comes trouble!” Cal grins as he pushes Aiden on an impressive wooden swing set.

  Martin waves us into his yard as he flips burgers on his wide grill. “Mace and Audrey, please come join us. Perfect timing, we’re just putting burgers on now.”

  “Martin.” Mace tips his chin at him. “Nice day for the grill.”

  Martin beams at Mace. “Turned out to be a beautiful day.”

  Mace says, “Ooh, it’s gonna get better.”

  “Hello.” I smile.

  Mace snickers at me as he shares, “Martin, we picked something up for Aiden as an early birthday gift. It was Audrey’s idea.” I grimace, hoping they’ll take the kittens, or Mace will be stuck with the scrawny duo.

  A beautiful smile breaks upon Martin’s somber face as he peeks into the box in my arms. “Audrey, you take after your sweet momma, don’t you? My goodness, what a blessing.”

  I stare at Martin a little dumbfounded as my throat tightens. The townsfolk of Bell seem beyond thrilled I’m not like the Asters one bit. What kind of hell did the Asters pull down here? “Martin, I hope you don’t mind?”

  Mace says, “Yeah, Martin, we’ve been blessed with our very own Princess. She had a unicorn when I first met her. He was magical too!” I slap my hand over my gaping mouth. His head falls back into loud laughter.

  “What did you get Aiden, Goof?” Cal comes towards us with a laugh, knowing it’s going to be good by Mace’s teasing tone.

  I angle the box forward. “Meet Daisy and Duke.” Cal laughs as I smile up at him. “To be fair, I just found out about that Daisy Duke show.”

  Mace says with raised brows, “True, she thought the reference was just a pair of skimpy shorts. We rescued ’em from that old farm in the country.”

  “Goof, the show is called Dukes of Hazzard. We’re gonna have to catch you up on some good, old-fashioned Southern programing. I bet your momma used to watch that show when she was little ’cause Pop grew up on the Duke boys!” Cal slaps his dad on the shoulder.

  Martin laughs deep in his chest. “This is true, back in the day you wanted to be either Bo or Luke, and the girls wanted to be Daisy.”

  Grinning, Mace says, “They’re all cousins.” I let out a giddy laugh.

  “Now you’re cuter than a box of kittens.” Cal bumps me in the shoulder and turns his attention to Mace, beaming with excitement. “Did you get the bike?”

  “Yeah, the parts are rusted, but the body’s still good for being kept in an old barn all these years. Vintage, though not as old as Darla, but same model as his daddy’s.”

  Cal bursts out laughing. “Let me get this straight, Doc. You go all the way across the state on account of a motorcycle and wind up with kittens?”

  Mace shakes his head, unfolding his hand my way. “Like you’d say no to Snow White.” Cal snorts a laugh and grips my shoulder for support.

  I smirk at Cal. “Mace can’t say no to kittens just like I can’t say no to Twinkies. I finally found his kryptonite.” Cal and Martin chuckle together.

  Mace lifts his chin towards Cal. “Let’s keep the bike quiet.”

  Cal says, “Graduation gift?”

  “That’s my thought at least. After things cool down on my end, I’ll have plenty for the restoration. Jax certainly deserves the bike, and he’s gonna shi—” Mace smiles down at Aiden who has joined us. “Hey, Little Buddy. Look what Audrey got for your birthday.”

  I place the box on the ground as Mace whispers to Martin how we came across the orphans. Glancing over the sweet boy again, I count the smattering of freckles along the bridge of his button nose. “Wow, Aiden, I heard you have a birthday coming up. Just so happens Mace and I found these kittens who need someone to love and play with them.” Aiden smiles as he carefully pats the soft kittens.

  “Baby kitties?” he asks, a wide smile frames his sun-kissed cheeks. Aiden is a beautiful child who will grow up to be handsome like his brother and father.

  “Yes, this is Daisy, and this is her brother Duke. See the white on Duke’s tummy?” I hold the kitten up, and he giggles. “And Daisy has the cute white streak on her nose so that’s how you can tell them apart.” Cal flops beside me so he can play too. Martin and Mace laugh under their breaths while Mace snaps pictures on his phone.

  “Goof, too bad you won’t be here for his birthday. We throw a big barbecue every year, and Violet and Boyce go all out decorating.” My smile saddens as I stand up. I like the thought of joining my new friends to celebrate important milestones, but that won’t happen for me.

  Throwing Cal a dirty look, Mace turns to Aiden. “Hey, Little Buddy, we need bowls so we can feed Daisy and Duke.” Aiden smiles and tugs Mace’s hand as they head for the backdoor. Emerging with several bowls, Mace carries the pet supplies and shows Aiden how much water and food to give the kittens. Cal brings the kittens over and seems to trade a few tense words with Mace.

  Martin pretends not to notice the sudden tension and flips the burgers on his grill. He asks, “Is everything good at the cottage?”

  “Yes, thank you. Everything’s perfect.” A gracious smile covers my lips again and his face softens. Martin is the pivotal key to my mother’s past and my future surrounding the cottage. I can’t go back to Wall Street with a bleeding heart, so it’s best if I wrap my emotions up now. “Martin, to be honest, I’m trying to seek closure while I’m here. I never dealt with my mother’s passing. This is where she grew up, and the place she loved the most. The Wakefield legacy is still strong here. Now seems to be the right time to let go of the grief before I move onto the next chapter of my life. ”

  “That’s understandable and brave.” He offers a kind smile.

  “I was in Europe and heard few details of how things unfolded. We don’t know each other all that well, but I was hoping you’d give me insight. Did my mother disclose her diagnosis with you right away? She was here when she found out she was sick.”

  Martin’s voice turns grave as he shares, “She needed us to fast-track everything. What an unfortunate situation. I’m sorry you lost your momma at such a young age.”

  “Thank you. I always wondered if she pushed to finish the cottage after she found out she was sick, or if the situation was serendipitous with the hurricane.”

  “After the hurricane wiped out her family’s homes, your momma had a complete change of perspective. That was on top of her impending divorce.”

  Divorce? I lock my knees in place before they buckle under me.

  19

  “I never knew about the divorce.” My voice sounds strange as the words fall from my mouth.

  Martin says, “Oh, wow.” Catching his unintentional disclosure, he swipes at his brow. “I’m sorry. I assumed you knew. The cottage became Miss Charlotte’s number one priority after she sent you away from the divorce chaos. The cancer only gave her more drive to live. To really live the life she wanted, and she did too.”

  “Where I come from, you only discuss divorce in front
of a team of lawyers. My mother’s nature was not to make waves. Given divorce was on the table for her, everything she did had to be strategic and well-planned before countering my father’s demands. Turns out, Italy and the cottage were part of those plans.”

  “Charlotte told me she sent you to Italy after the divorce turned ugly.” Deep regret surfaces in his voice. I was a refugee in my own right when she sent me away once their marriage descended into an all-out war.

  “Was my father divorcing my mother so he could marry his mistress, Georgina? That would’ve given my mother the leverage she needed for the divorce proceedings.” Martin’s eyes widen. I realize my line of questioning has put him on the spot. “That’s an inappropriate question to ask. I’ll never have all the answers anyway.”