“Oh.” Emily obviously needed a while to compute. Natalie worried if she was all right. After asking, she felt better, but not completely. She was glad she’d called.
“Yeeeow!”
“That Star?”
“Yes, he always wants to talk on the phone.”
“Oh. Put him on.”
“Here. I am holding the receiver to him.”
Natalie heard another yeow, then a purr. Cute. What a strange cat.
“So, Emily,” Nat paused trying to decide how to ask the question diplomatically. “How are things going?” That was lame. So generic.
“Not so good,” Emily replied. “Have to move. Can’t afford living here anymore. Don’t know why I’m telling you this.”
Natalie wasn’t sure, either. Maybe God had nudged her to call.
~
Natalie looked up from her constant paperwork when she heard the tapping on her office door. She expected it to be Bryce. Instead, a tall, gangly woman with streaked blonde hair carrying a wiggling canvass valise entered and plopped the case on her desk. The first thing Natalie noticed, besides the gyrating valise, was the woman’s face. Blanched; lids lowered over dull brown eyes with dark circles underneath. If it hadn’t been for the wiggling case, Natalie wouldn’t have recognized Emily. She had only met her once, briefly, at Rob and Cindy’s wedding when she flew to Costa Rica. She couldn’t resist asking why.
“Why did I spend all that money and fly there for their wedding?” Emily rolled her eyes and clasped her hands on her chest. “Had to have closure.”
Natalie felt her brows raise in question, but she didn’t want to pry. So, she kept her normally questioning mouth shut and waited. Finally, Emily explained.
“You have time for this?” she asked.
“Sure. Sounds like you need to share.” Natalie got up from the chair behind her desk and hugged Emily. “Everything you tell me,” she said in a soft voice, “is confidential. It’s a Candy Cane promise.”
“Yeh. Tell me about the CCs. I understand Cindy is one of them. Secret society?”
Natalie tried to not belly laugh, but she did giggle, hoping Emily didn’t think she was laughing at her. “Just a bond between friends, very good friends who have been through a lot, and who pray for each other.”
Emily cocked her head with eyebrows raised. “Really? Just friends? Why?”
“We took a vow over ten, or maybe it was twelve, years ago. Praying for each other is our big thing.” She explained about the swim team and how the girls had stuck together, and how they all were still close to each other.
“So, Cindy is one of you?”
“Yep. She is not only the founder, but what we call the leader. Her prayers are powerful.” Natalie looked at Emily’s face for a reaction. What she got was tears.
~
How did she get a cat? Natalie was still trying to figure out why, and especially how, Emily had bamboozled her into it. The woman was distraught. Natalie recognized the sadness in her when she shoved the wiggling valise across Nat’s desk, then bolted out the door with tears streaming down her face.
Nat placed the case with the fancy design on her coffee table and unzipped it. She was greeted with “Meeeow” and a tiny white paw. Finally, a black nose and white whiskers. Because of her crazy schedule at the gym she had never had any animals. Well, maybe Shrimp, the Beta fish. But, he didn’t count. Not for cuddling.
She could leave Shrimp alone and feed him once a day. Maybe clean his bowl once a week. Super simple.
The little cat approached her and touched his tiny nose to hers. “Meeeow.” She couldn’t resist and picked him up. He immediately pressed that same nose into her neck and purred. Yep, she was a goner.
CHAPTER FIVE
The next morning she summoned Bryce to her office. She felt she was in luck that today was one of his days to train. She’d noticed he had a full schedule. Many members had signed up, so he would be kept very busy all day. Some like Kerstin Day, Noelle’s mother, had signed up months in advance. Bill Lord Senior and the now Mrs. Bill Lord, Candy’s mom Vivian, had signed up for group lessons. Wow, Bryce was a busy guy. Mostly with links to Candy Canes.
She heard his knock on the door and waved. Hopefully, he could help her.
“Need to know more about your dad’s cat rescue. Just got a cat dumped on me.”
He asked how and she explained without giving too much detail. He went to his locker and returned with a tri-fold brochure. “But,” he said, “call dad or mom. Maybe they can help.”
Nodding her thanks she called. Then came her explanation and excuses. They suggested she keep the cat for ten days. They had a protocol. Even rules before they could take in a cat unless it was feral. Natalie sighed. “I will try. But, I am not an animal person.”
~
Bryce pounded on her condo door. Her first thought was how did he know where she lived? Aw, feeble memory at her age. Not only had he plied her with guacamole and chips the evening after their trip to the hospital to check on Claire, but he had picked her up for the fancy dinner, the CATastrophe dinner. She stumbled to the door in her slippers. He pushed his way in.
“I am here to help,” he said. She could only nod.
Bryce circled her briefly with his strong arms. It seemed like a friendship hug. Then, he took over. First he picked up Star who climbed on his neck. While Star still nestled there he went to check out a litter box and food. Star meeeowed and rubbed his neck with a wet nose.
“You could bring him to work at the gym,” he said. “The gym mascot.”
Natalie wondered about that, then worried. Weren’t there city regulations for having an animal in a business?
~
Star scratched in the litter box in the corner of Natalie’s office. He groomed himself briefly, shook the litter sand off his feet, then leaped onto her desk to explore all the enticing items – paper clips, pens, notepads, erasers, the rock that said Faith painted on it, the Bible verses propped into little standup holders, and finally her keys. After he had pushed everything aside with paws and nose, he pushed his face into her busy hands. She was about to pick him up and put him back in his comfy carrier, when the door vibrated with a persistent knocking.
Kerstin Day, or was it Lydia Lovejoy? burst in grinning. The two women were so much alike she often got them confused. Guess it was Lydia who exclaimed, “My grandcat! Star.”
Natalie knew the cat had been given to Cindy who was technically the cat’s owner. Or, mother. But, Cindy and Rob Lovejoy couldn’t take Star to Costa Rica. So, first Emily, now Natalie fostered Star. Lydia grabbed for the cat and he struggled. “Oh, baby, I love you. Wanna come live with me? You could be a flower shop cat and smell roses every day.”
Star finally found a spot on Lydia’s neck and settled down. He snuggled his nose under her ear and purred. A little white paw poked at her cheek. Natalie guessed he had decided.
CHAPTER SIX
Natalie stared at the ceiling in her bedroom. Her life seemed to revolve around a cat and her friends. No romance. She knew of all the Candy Cane sisters she was the least chic. Doreen was a model now, Noelle with her blonde hair and effervescent personality and stylish taste in clothes had always been dubbed stunning, Connie was a fashion designer and pretty and wore her own gorgeous designer clothes as well as now being married to a handsome banker, Candy was just Candy. She was truly beautiful and loved so much by a man who showed that love to convince her to marry him – twice. Cindy, of course, glowed with the Lord’s light. She was the consummate leader, the one who encouraged and prayed and the one they all truly believed would plant a church in Costa Rica, the one who loved Rob with all his health failings, the one who had given all of them the first Candy Cane baby. Now, because of Cindy, they were all aunts.
Her mind wandered to Melanie, the latest Candy Cane who was so graciously accepted after she had caused Doreen’s accident. Melanie was special and had become an integral member of the group. She prayed with them, she supported the
m, she shared her own pain. Natalie felt a unique bond with her. Yes, she was special.
What was she, Natalie? How special was she to anyone?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Natalie rubbed her bleary eyes. It was after ten, and she was drifting off to sleep. She reluctantly grabbed for her chiming phone. Caller ID showed a number she didn’t recognize. She waited for a voicemail. Emily!
What could that woman want? She had dumped Star on her, shared her difficult situation and disappeared. The voice was shaky and tearful. Pleading. Asking Natalie for prayer. Wow! She hadn’t expected that request.
She refused Emily’s begging to come to her apartment. Instead, she convinced Emily to come to her place. Natalie wanted to feel in charge of this strange situation. Could she be? Would she be? Opening the door to Emily who collapsed in her arms, she wasn’t sure.
Emily was a mess. Makeup smeared down her cheeks, hair tousled, clothes wrinkled and disheveled. Natalie wasn’t sure how to comfort her, but led her to the sofa with a soft pillow behind her and pressed a cup of aromatic tea into her hands. She felt like a rescuer, maybe a therapist. Not qualified for either.
“Emily,” she asked, “what do you do for a living?” That was a start.
“I … I am a decorator,” she gulped. The tea sloshed a bit over her hand, and she wiped it away with her other hand. “I do remodels, but mostly office spaces.” She gulped again, the words stuck in her throat. She looked at Natalie with teary eyes. “I’m good. But, no clients lately. Don’t know why,” she said sobbing into the sofa pillow. Wiping the pillow with her sleeve she said, “So sorry. I can’t seem to anything right lately. Now, I’ve ruined your pillow.”
Natalie had an idea. “Can you show me some offices you’ve decorated?”
~
With Natalie’s encouragement Emily called a few former clients who agreed to let her show a possible new client what she had done. The next morning, after Natalie had asked Bryce to be in charge of the gym, the two women set out to explore. Emily looked revived, but it had been a difficult night, even for Nat who worried about her and had lost sleep.
First they stopped at a realtor’s office, then a small restaurant hidden in a side street in Corona del Mar. Next was a large waiting room for a group of doctors in Fashion Island. Finally, the waiting area and therapy area of a noted physical therapy company intrigued Natalie. She was impressed and said so. “I love your use of vibrant colors, Emily. Were all of these your suggestions?”
“Yes, most were. But, if the clients have some ideas for color in mind, I try to work around that. Thanks, by the way.
“But, I would love you to see my favorite. It’s a doctor office, too. His wife chose all the artwork, so I worked around her colors and the contemporary scheme.”
Natalie was blown away. The colors and furniture and décor were super contemporary – brilliant red upholstered chairs and glass topped tables. The walls were vibrant green and yellow. Yet, there was a calming effect. So unlike the boring pale washed green of many doctor offices. The office décor was encouraging – made the visitors and patients feel important and special. She loved it.
“Emily, would you work for me? To redo the gym? To liven it up?”
Emily’s face drained of all color. Her pasty white contrasted with her drab blonde hair, and her tears made tracks in her makeup. She placed a shaking hand on Natalie’s arm. “Do you really mean that? Not out of charity?”
“Not at all. Yes, I mean it. My funds are limited, but the gym seriously needs an upgrade.”
“Really?” she repeated. “Shall we start tomorrow?” Emily’s eyes got big and questioning. Natalie nodded.
“You have done so much for me, given me back my confidence. I can’t charge you.” Emily looked Natalie face to face.
“Of course you should charge me. Maybe give me a discount?” Nat laughed. “How about a free gym membership for a year? Would you use it?”
“Oh, yes. Especially if that trainer you’ve talked about would be there. I need personal training.”
Bryce? How did she know about Bryce?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Bryce tapped on her door and stuck his head in.
“Who’s the cute girl with all the little things hanging from her hands? Looks like color samples?”
“They are. We are upgrading and re-decorating the gym. Needs it.”
“Wow. If it turns out okay, maybe my dad could use her for CATastrophe. It could use a boost of color.”
“Great idea, Bryce.”
After he retreated she thought about that. She really should visit CATastrophe sometime to see what it is like. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe with Emily for her ideas.
She decided to link up with Emily who was wandering around the gym and taking notes on an IPad. Emily had made a color graphic idea. When she showed her, Nat was excited.
“You got that vision just today?” she asked. “I am impressed. Can you detail it and write it up as a proposal?”
“Of course. But, as I told you, there will be no charge to you for the ideas. You will have to pay for the paints and fabrics and the workers, but at a discounted cost.” Emily slanted her head toward Nat. She looked ninety percent better than yesterday. Her skin glowed and her eyes smiled. Natalie knew the other woman was healing.
~
The renovations started the next week. Some equipment was temporarily shut down, but the treadmills and free weights were still available. Only the stair steppers couldn’t be used. Not a big deal for most members. Bryce and Nat had to move the classes and personal training to smaller rooms. Everyone was excited, even the members. They all had suggestions that Emily took into account. It became a fun adventure.
Claire was back. Again she took over turning the lights on and off in Nat’s Zumba class, but this time Nat didn’t mind. She was grateful the woman was out of the hospital and smiling. She even hugged Claire the first time she saw her Monday morning. Claire looked startled but hugged her back. That was the thing about Nat’s gym – it was small enough so patrons got to know each other and become friends. She was glad she had hung in with the little, intimate gym and had not succumbed to being bought out by some conglomerate. Most of her parking space was on the street, except for eight next to the building, but that hadn’t stopped members from coming. Emily was going great guns with her ideas. She even had a whiteboard installed in the entrance for members to rate color preferences and ideas for change. Natalie looked at the names and comments, mostly from women. But, good old Bill Lord Senior made a few. She chuckled when she saw them.
He asked for a motorcycle space in the small parking lot, a more masculine bathroom and, of all things, a separate workout room just for women. The guy was definitely thinking. She went out to the little parking lot and measured. There were specific city guidelines for spaces, and two of them were designated handicapped. But, she thought if that little area in the one corner could be paved, there might even be enough room for two cycles – Bill Seniors’ and Bill Juniors’?. The men’s bathroom when she inspected it really did need to be upgraded. She caught Bill on the treadmill and asked him to join her for ideas. “Midnight blue and silver,” he said emphatically. “Needs a little oomph.” He was right. The boring black, tan and gray walls were nauseating. Now to figure out a space for a women’s only workout room.
She got an idea. She would check her sign-ins for the times most women worked out and also take a poll. Maybe . . .
~
She was in the only large classroom making notes and taking measurements when Bryce startled her by throwing his arm around her. “Yikes, Bryce, don’t do that again. Ever. I was concentrating and you scared me.”
He apologized, but too briefly, Nat thought. Suddenly, after almost three years working together, he had become possessive. Not acceptable on Nat’s territory.
“So,” he said, “what are you thinking?”
She decided to stuff down her anger and tap his brain. “How about making this room a women’s only
area, but just for certain hours?”
He looked around, scratched his chin and nodded. “Might work. But, you would have to leave enough room for small classes. Obviously, you would need basic equipment in here.”
“I was thinking two treads, a pull down weight and the sit on equipment for working legs.”
“That would probably work. Lots of mirrors, too, because women need to be sure they are doing the free weights right. Of course, a bank of free weights – 2 to 20 pounds max. If a woman wants to use a heavier weight, she can work out in the main gym.”
“That all?” Natalie asked.
“No. A few benches, at least one flat and one slanted, and lots of mats rolled up in the corner for them to grab and use,” he replied. “One more thing. A row of hooks for women to hang purses and towels on, keys, too.” Natalie looked at him with raised brows. How had he gotten so smart?
CHAPTER NINE
Bryce took off his athletic shoes and shoved the little balls in them that were supposed to make them smell better, or at least less smelly. He knew he was compulsive about that, but his mother had bought them for him, and that’s the way he’d been raised. He set the shoes on a rack in his closet and stuffed his gym socks in the hamper. Tossing his workout clothes in a heap on the bathroom floor, he stepped into the steaming shower. It was in the nineties today, but before he got out he would lower the water temperature – a lot. His muscles needed the heat, but his psyche needed the cold spray. He loved to sing in the shower, released tension. The old Blue Moon song was one of his favorites. After he’d given it his hearty best, he moved on to a praise song. All the while, even during the praise song, he thought of Natalie. Sorry, Lord, but You put her on my heart.
They had worked together for nearly three years in a contract situation. He was good with that, but why hadn’t he noticed her before? Really noticed her. Maybe it was the night of his parents fundraiser for CATastrophe when she wore that slinky black dress. He had always seen her in gym clothes with her brown hair pulled back. Nice, but not very seductive. He toweled off and pulled on a tee shirt and pajama bottoms before sitting on the edge of his bed to check messages on his cell. He had hoped for one from Natalie about the gym renovations. Instead, there was one from Emily the decorator. How did she get his number, and what did she want? He pressed messages and found out.
Natalie's Deception (The Candy Cane Girls Book 5) Page 2