Neptune's Ring

by Ali Spooner

  “I bet the island is buzzing with excitement this morning,” Cat said. “Did you have any problems from the storm last night?” she asked.

  “No, I lost power, but it came back on during the night and the generator worked wonders. I am amazed at the efficiency and speed of the workers,” Levi added. “It is almost magical to see the rooms develop before your eyes.”

  “Would you mind if I come over tomorrow to take a look?” Cat asked.

  “Not at all, you are welcome anytime you wish to visit,” Levi said. “You are like part of the family now, Cat, so you never need to ask.”

  Levi made Cat blush this time, but Cat was warmed by Levi’s comment. It had been since her mother’s death since she felt truly a part of any family and she welcomed joining this group.

  Max returned and handed Levi the packet of information.

  “I included copies of all the paperwork from this morning’s transactions, a copy of the deposit from the check and a check for Julio is also inside,” Max said. “Welcome to our bank and I hope we have a long and fruitful relationship together.”

  “Thank you, Max, I do believe we will,” Levi said, as she stood and shook his outstretched hand.

  “Have a beautiful day, ladies,” he said as he walked them to the front door and they stepped out into the morning sunshine.

  “Let’s go see Julio,” Cat said.

  Levi and Cat walked around the corner of the bank and down a narrow alleyway until they reached a small shop. They opened a door and stepped inside to an empty display room. Levi followed Cat through a small hallway and a door that led to a large workshop. The smells of fresh cut wood and stain filled her nostrils as she stepped into the large room. Six men were working on various stages of construction, cutting, sanding, staining or assembling the beautifully crafted sleigh beds.

  A man looked up from the template he was cutting and he turned off his saw. “Good morning ladies,” he said with a beautiful accent.

  “Good morning, Julio,” Cat said. “I wanted to bring Levi by to introduce you to your newest client.”

  “The pleasure is all mine Miss,” Julio said as he shook her hand gently. “Welcome to my shop,” he said.

  “Thank you, this place is amazing,” Levi said as she watched two men sanding head boards to smooth perfection.

  “I hope we will have the first two beds finished by this afternoon,” Julio said.

  Levi walked a few more steps and stared as a young man barely in his twenties was busily hand carving ornate designs into a sanded head board.

  The young man looked up and smiled at Levi. “My son, Roberto,” Julio said.

  “Levi Johnson,” she said as she reached out her hand. “That is beautiful work you are doing.”

  “Thanks,” Roberto said. “Carlos and father said they wanted some really nice work, so I am giving it my best.”

  “It shows,” Levi said. “Thank you for all your hard work.”

  “You are welcome,” he said and turned back to his project.

  “Nat and the others will be very pleased,” Levi said to Julio.

  “We are very proud of our work,” Julio said.

  “I bet once Nat sees how beautiful these beds are she will be ready to replace some furniture at Venus Rising,” Levi said.

  “We would welcome any business,” Julio said.

  “I almost forgot,” Levi said as she fumbled through the folder. “Carlos said you needed a down payment to order the mattresses.”

  Julio took the check from Levi. “Thank you so much for getting this to me so quickly,” he said. “I will order them now.”

  “Thank you, Julio,” Levi said.

  “You are welcome and feel free to stop in anytime,” he offered.

  “I will, thanks,” Levi said.

  Levi and Cat left the workshop and walked back toward her office.

  “Do you want to go for a late breakfast?” Cat asked.

  “I do think I have worked off my toast,” Levi said. “My treat though,” she insisted.

  “Deal,” Cat said as they walked toward the diner.

  Levi held the door for Cat and they took a small table by the front window. The same waitress that had served her the day before walked to their table.

  “Hello, Cat and welcome back young lady,” she said.

  “Good morning, Sara. This is Levi,” she said.

  “Pleased to meet you Sara,” Levi said.

  “Likewise,” Sara said. “What can I get you two?”

  “Coffee for starters,” Cat said.

  “I will be right back with that while you look over the menu,” Sara said.

  “The Spanish omelet is to die for,” Cat said.

  “Sounds like the ticket then,” Levi said, “with some hash browns and toast.”

  When Sara returned with their coffee, Cat placed their orders. Sara trundled back to the kitchen to place their orders.

  “I still can’t get over how beautiful those beds are going to be,” Levi said.

  “The Chavez family does only top quality work,” Cat said.

  “I wish I had brought my camera into town with me now,” Levi said.

  “Well come back tomorrow when you can see a sample of the finished product,” Cat said.

  “I could do that, couldn’t I,” Levi said.

  “Yes and it will be my turn to buy breakfast,” Cat teased.

  Sara walked back to their table carrying platters of food and placed them in front of them.

  “Thanks, Sara,” Levi said as she stared at the platter. “You certainly cannot argue about the portion sizes here.”

  “We never want anyone to leave hungry,” Sara said with a wink.

  “I am not sure I can eat all of this, but I sure am going to try my best,” Levi said, as she cut into the omelet,

  “I can finish this meal, so you can’t let me out do you,” Cat teased, as she reached for the hot sauce.

  Levi watched as Cat removed the lid and covered the omelet with a healthy dose of hot sauce.

  “Would you care for some?” Cat asked holding the bottle out to Levi.

  “No thanks, this is spicy enough for me,” Levi said. “May I have a glass of ice water?” Levi asked Sara, who chuckled as she walked back behind the counter.

  Sara returned with a large glass of ice water. “Let me know if you ladies need anything else,” she said and then returned to the kitchen, shouting loudly at the cook for some reason.

  “Don’t let her fool you,” Cat said. “She may have a rough exterior, but that woman has a heart of gold.”

  “I bet she does,” Levi said. “I certainly wouldn’t want to cross her though,” she whispered with a grin.

  “No, I wouldn’t either,” Cat said.

  After they finished their meals, Levi paid the ticket and Cat walked with her to the boat. “I am stuffed,” Levi said.

  “Better work it off today then, because tomorrow is my turn to buy,” Cat said with a wink. “Have a great day,” she said and walked back to her office.

  Levi released the mooring lines and slowly backed out of the slip.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Levi enjoyed the short ride over to the island, the breeze blowing through her hair. She secured the boat and walked back up to the resort. The men were stretched out among the trees eating or napping during a lunch break and she stepped inside to find Carlos. Levi dropped the package of papers onto the small table and walked down the hallway. She could hear voices far down the hall and followed the sound.

  She poked her head into a couple of the rooms as she walked and saw that the walls had been textured, bathroom fixtures had been installed and the crown and base moldings and been put in place as well. When she poked her head into one room she found Carlos and one of the plumbers working on the connection to one of the claw foot tubs.

  “Damn, this isn’t going to work. We will have to rerun the piping for this room,” he said.

  “Problems?” Levi asked.

  “One of
the water fittings is off by a half inch in this room and will have to be reworked,” Carlos said. “Not a major problem, but a nuisance just the same,” he said.

  “It looks as if the plumbing was run correctly in the rooms up until this one, so I would say we have been lucky so far,” Levi said.

  “It will be lucky if this is the only one not plumbed correctly,” Carlos said.

  “Has everything else gone well this morning?” she asked.

  “We are making good progress,” Carlos said. “After lunch and a quick siesta, the men will finish bringing in the fixtures while the texturing continues and tomorrow we can begin painting the rooms once the texture has cured and dried.”

  “I stopped by to drop off the check to Julio and saw one of the beds they were working on,” Levi said.

  “Were you satisfied?”

  “They are going to be so beautiful,” Levi said with a smile.

  “They do really good work and none of Roberto’s carvings are identical,” he said.

  “That young man definitely has a talent. I plan on going back tomorrow and taking pictures of the finished product to send to Nat,” Levi said.

  “I hope she will be as pleased.”

  “I know she will be and I wouldn’t be surprised if she orders some beds for Venus Rising,” Levi added.

  “Julio would welcome the extra business. Thank you for getting the check to him so quickly,” Carlos said.

  “Not a problem,” Levi said. “I am going to wander around a bit so give me a call if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, Levi, I will catch up with you later,” Carlos said.

  Levi walked back through several of the rooms and smiled at the progress being made. She went back to the lobby area and retrieved her camera to take pictures of several of the rooms. Lighting fixtures had been hung and these would be one of the first rooms to be painted and floors lain, hopefully by tomorrow, so she would have comparison pictures to show to Nat by the end of the next day. She walked to the area where the wood strips were laid out and admired the deep grains of the wood and let her imagination picture what they would look like installed.

  Soft foot steps behind her made Levi aware that the men’s break was over and they chatted excitedly as they returned to their duties. She marveled at how the men smiled as they worked and seemed to enjoy working with their hands completing the various tasks.

  Levi heard machinery start up and walked outside to see what was happening. Two men were using a ditch witch to dig a trench out to the pool area. They were preparing to run water and electricity into the area that Carlos had staked out for the pool bar and Levi sat next to a tree to watch them work. Another small crew was forming up the foundation for the bar and preparing to start framing up the walls. Camera still in hand, Levi snapped off several more images as the men worked. At this pace, the small pool bar would be completed in a day or so, she thought as the men hammered nails and built the frame for each of the three walls. Two others worked to build a bar counter that would be slipped into place once the walls were framed out. Levi watched as they measured the wood and checked their measurements twice before making each cut.

  Levi smiled as their movements reminded her of something her father had always said. “Measure twice, cut once,” he always said when he was working on a project around the house. He was a perfectionist when it came to woodworking and Levi was disappointed now that she had not taken some of the furniture he had built from their home when she sold the house. She realized that other than memories, she really did not have anything to remind her of her deceased parents. She had one photograph of the three of them on vacation and had salvaged a few wedding pictures, but that was all.

  Her cell phone rang and she opened it up to answer.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Levi this is Nat, calling to check in and see how things are going.”

  “Things are going really well,” Levi said. “I went to town and opened up the bank account and dropped off a deposit check to Julio to order the mattresses. I can’t wait for you to see the beds he is building.”

  “They are nice, huh?” Nat asked.

  “Oh Nat, you have no idea. The first two will be finished today and I will go back to town tomorrow to take photos and send them to you,” Levi said. “Julio’s son, Roberto, is hand carving each of the headboards and his talent is amazing.”

  “Damn, I want to come over so bad,” Nat said. “How is the construction coming along?”

  “It is amazing to see the rooms coming to life before my eyes. I have pictures of the various stages of the rooms and will send them tomorrow as well.” Levi sat back against the tree. “Right now I am watching them raise the wall frames to the pool bar,” she said.

  “Wow, they are really making some progress,” Nat said.

  “They have been hard at work since five this morning,” Levi said. “They took a short lunch break, but have been toiling away all day.”

  “How are you holding up?” Nat asked.

  “I am doing well, thanks,” Levi said. “I have been so busy today the time is sliding away quickly.”

  “Has Carlos quit smiling yet?” Nat asked.

  “Are you kidding? He is one big grin from ear to ear,” Levi teased. “He acts like a kid on Christmas morning, moving from one room to the next.”

  “I can just imagine,” Nat said.

  “The painters will begin tomorrow and as they finish in the rooms, the flooring will begin, so the rooms will really begin to come to life tomorrow,” Levi said. “Hopefully by lunchtime I can send you photos of a room nearly complete.”

  “I will be waiting to see those. Is there anything you need?” Nat asked.

  “No, I think things are moving along as scheduled. I expect the crew will work until about three and then head for home,” Levi said.

  “Has there been any funny business to scare them?” Nat asked.

  “No, everything seems to be quiet so far, no pranks or any signs of a haunting,” Levi said.

  She couldn’t help but think back to the tear drop on her journal. She did not want to mention it to Nat to cause her to worry unnecessarily. Other than a few odd things, there was nothing that occurred to alarm Levi or cause her to worry for her safety. If the spirit of Celeste was still on the island she had been invisible so far.

  “Well that is good news,” Nat said. “We need to finish off the construction and get opened as quickly as possible to start generating revenue.”

  “Have you and Liz begun to think of some marketing schemes?” Levi asked.

  “Liz has begun building a web site for Neptune’s Ring and I am sure she will be using some of the photographs you send. We have been gathering a list of lesbian web sites to advertise in as well, but I am sure the word of the new resort will spread quickly,” Nat said. “We have already had numerous clients from Venus request reservations for the Grand Opening.”

  “That is wonderful news,” Levi said.

  “I really don’t think we will have any problems keeping our beds filled,” Nat projected.

  “Oh, before I forget. When I was in town yesterday, I met the owner of the local dive shop and she is very interested in submitting a proposal to provide all of our dive services,” Levi said.

  “That is interesting,” Nat said. “When you get the proposal, see if Cat will fax it over to us.”

  “Will do,” Levi said. “I think I will probably be getting the proposal in the next day or so, since Cat has already reviewed a draft.”

  “Cat has reviewed it already?”

  “Yes, she said Codi was in her office first thing this morning to show her the plan,” Levi said.

  “So what do you think about using her instead of having our own service?” Nat said.

  “I think it would be a good display of faith to show the locals we plan on generating as much income for the local economy as possible and we would not have to fork out big bucks for our own equipment and maintenance, or insurance for that matter.”r />
  “It sounds like you have given this some thought already?” Nat said.

  “I have had plenty of time to think,” Levi said. “At night, there is not much else to do.”

  “I know it must be lonely out there alone,” Nat said with a note of concern in her voice.

  “It is at times, but it has given me an opportunity to sort some things out,” Levi said.

  “All good things, I hope,” Nat said.

  “Yes, Nat, all good things,” Levi said with a chuckle.

  Nat could hear the smile in Levi’s voice and she was relieved to hear Levi in good spirits.

  “Good, well I won’t keep you even though we could talk about the resort all day,” Nat said. “Call us tomorrow when you get a chance, or later tonight if you get lonely.”

  “I will,” Levi said and she ended the call. She then dialed Vanessa’s phone and was immediately transferred to her voice mail. “Hiya, baby, I just wanted to call to say I love you, so I will call back later.”

  Levi looked at her watch. It was nearly two-thirty and she rose to her feet to walk back inside the resort.

  The men were busy shutting down the project for the day, securing equipment and supplies for the evening. She found Carlos inspecting the first two rooms in the hallway.

  “Are you pleased with today’s progress?” she asked.

  “I can always hope for more, but I would rather take our time and do things right the first time,” he said with a grin. “Overall though, yes I am pleased. Not a bad days work at all.”

  “Well, I for one am very impressed by the progress,” Levi said. “Nat was excited to hear about what all has been accomplished today.”

  Carlos smiled at the mention of Nat. For some reason they had forged a close bond between them and he was proud that Nat was pleased with their progress.

  “I can’t wait for her to see the finished product,” Carlos said.

  “Don’t be surprised if you see her sooner than we had originally planned,” Levi said with a chuckle. “I expect we will see her within a week or so.”

  “I would welcome that,” Carlos said with a smile.

  They walked out the front lobby together and after Levi had collected her gear she walked toward the golf cart. “I will see you tomorrow,” she said to Carlos, who waved a goodbye.