Maid for Martin

by Samantha Lovern

  “It might not be easy. And it may take until after Christmas, for me to sort this out.”

  “I understand, but what do you want me to do?”

  He moved his hands from hers, and placed them on her shoulders. He leaned in, kissed her lightly on the cheek and then whispered as his lips brushed her hair. “Trust me.”

  *****

  Monday, as Martin stood in front of the mirror brushing his teeth he couldn’t wipe the smile from his lips. He hadn’t felt this excited about life in a long time. He rinsed, used mouthwash, and then washed his face. Running about the house wouldn’t be easy with Randi on the loose, but he would have to work it out.

  He would also have to work out how to tell her the truth in the best way possible, so that she didn’t end up hating him. His plan might not work, but he wanted her to get to know him, the real him, before she found out the truth. Finding her wouldn’t be an issue, but finding her in the house and spending some time with her, without Celia knowing, would be the hard part.

  The real Mike was no real help. When Martin explained what was going on he just laughed, and shook his head, adding a few expletives to get his point across. Martin did get Mike to agree not to spill the beans to Randi if he saw her again, and his friend was gone now and wouldn’t be back until the party, so he was pretty sure that base was covered.

  Today was Monday and he had a meeting with his agent later that night, so the rest of the day he was free. He did need to do some script-reading later in the day. But for now, he needed to find out what Celia’s schedule was. He pulled on a white T and picked up his cell phone.

  Since he was still in the guest room, Celia might be home and he needed to find out for sure before he went gadding about the house in search of Randi. The phone rang three times and Celia picked up. She sounded chipper again, and Martin knew he’d have to begin to distance himself from her so it wouldn’t come as such a shock.

  She had to have an idea that things were not perfect, but then again she was so centered on what she wanted it was possible she’d not noticed. “Are you home today?” He began.

  “Not yet, I’m working with a friend today on her new apartment. We’re trying to get some furniture ordered.”

  “Are you with Sue?” He asked.

  “Yes, this is where I spent the night. Are you home or still with Mike?”

  “I’m home. I’m going to work on my new script. I’m having dinner with Bill tonight.” Martin paused. Sure enough, she broke in right where he thought she would.

  “Oh, I can’t make it. So sorry. I’ll be here most of the day and I will just be too tired. And there are all those Christmas cards to send out. I haven’t gotten to a one of them and if they don’t go out soon, they won’t go.”

  Here was his first chance to start the break-up. “Celia, I’ll be honest, I don’t think we need to send them out. I want to be sure things are going in the right direction before we start sending cards out as a couple.” He grimaced as the words came out, ran his fingers through his hair, and began to pace.

  “What? Where is this coming from?”

  “I just want to be sure. I know what people will think if we send out those cards, and that Christmas picture of the two of us.”

  “Did you look at the cards? I don’t understand. A month ago you were fine with this, and you picked the pose from the proofs.”

  “I know, but . . . I’m just not sure this is what I want.”

  “You’re starting this now, when we’ve got this party coming up?”

  “I know. I’m not saying we make any decisions until after the first of the year. Never mind. Forget I mentioned it.” He waited and listened and she finally spoke.

  “Okay, I’ll be home tonight.”

  “See you then. Bye.” Martin pushed the off button, not giving her time to say anything. They never were ones to say I love you or the like, and he didn’t want to give her time to start now. He also didn’t want to take a call from her today so he turned his phone off and tossed it on the bed. The first thing he needed to do was get rid of those cards.

  He slipped into jeans, socks, a casual shirt, and tennis shoes, ran his fingers through his hair, and then opened his door and peeped out. He didn’t want Randi to see him coming out of this part of the house so he looked around. If he had to he could make up some excuse, but this time he got away clean.

  There were two maids in the great room cleaning, but no sign of Randi. He went up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and soon was in the bedroom he shared with Celia. He glanced around and there on the desk were the Christmas cards. He knew if didn’t get rid of them today that Celia would get them in the mail when she came home.

  He sat down and his desk and looked at the junk she had everywhere. Were all women this messy? He reached for the stack of cards. The front of the card showed a happy couple. Martin stood behind Celia, his arms wrapped around her as they stood in front of a very real-looking fireplace.

  He started to pick them up, when the words came into his mind -- "Did you look at the cards?" Martin’s brow furrowed and he took a card from the top and opened it. He read down through the loving Christmas rhyme. It was about jingle bells, and at the bottom, in her own handwriting, Celia had written:

  By years end Martin and I

  will not only be ringing jingle bells, but wedding bells too.

  Chapter 14

  One Man’s Trash

  Emma was not happy with the progress so far. Ann had been keeping things in line while she was gone to get her contact lenses, but so much more needed to be done. She’d worn the contacts for a few hours, and they were finally adjusting. She sat down at the kitchen table and was ready to start looking over the menu for the first dinner.

  Celia’s family, it seemed, would be arriving Wednesday instead of Friday. Her father, Robert Carson, got some extra vacation days he wasn’t expecting so they were coming a few days early.

  Emma took in a breath. They hadn’t even started getting the decorations up. The great room was clean, but she wanted to get the tree up next. So many things to do. Would they ever get it all done before Celia’s family arrived Wednesday night?

  As she started writing down the things she would need, Randi came in. She looked tired. Emma knew she was working overtime, trying to make up for the second helper that didn’t make it. Thankfully, Ann was also there to help.

  “You look like you could use a break,” Emma said as Randi stepped into the room. The young woman nodded, took a bottled water from the refrigerator, and took a long drink before speaking.

  “I could, but I don’t have time. I was just coming in to get a drink. I’m about finished filling the linen closets and getting the guest rooms ready.”

  “Good. The guests will be here Wednesday.”

  “What? Did I hear you right?”

  “Yes, you did. Change of plans, it seems.”

  Randi put the lid on her water and set the bottle down as she looked at Emma. “I thought Nancy said they were supposed to be here Saturday morning, just in time to get ready for Christmas on Sunday. Are they all still staying all the way through New Year's?”

  “The plans do keep changing, and more than likely, they’ll be staying until New Year's.” Emma added a few more items to her list.

  “But today’s Monday, and we don’t even have the tree yet. It needs to go up first so we know how much tinsel garland we need to buy for the stairs and the other rooms. I better get back to work and get busy.”

  “You’re right, we need trees. Celia and Martin are supposed to pick out the tree, but he’s got this thing tonight, and I don’t know where she is. If we don’t get that tree in here soon, we won’t be ready for the family.”

  “Will they let someone else pick it out?” Randi took another long drink and then tossed her empty bottle into the recyclables bin under the sink.

  “I don’t know. If I know Celia she’ll want us to go down and take pictures with a camera, email them to her and then go back and get
it.”

  “I can do that. I can email with my phone.”

  “I was just kidding.”

  “But if you think that will get us the trees sooner . . . ”

  “It might.” Emma looked back up quickly. “Can you really do that?”

  “Sure I can. All the best trees come from the big tree market out by the mall. I don’t mind, but I don’t have anything to drive.”

  “You’re right about the trees. That’s where we always get ours. You can drive the truck . . . oh . . . it’s all piled up with trash, and all those clothes.”

  “That’s not a problem. I can dump the trash, then go look at the trees.”

  “Could you really?” Emma took out some paper. “Jot down your number in case I need something. Take a moment and I’ll see if Celia has an issue with this.”

  “Sure. I’ll take the trash just the same. If I go get the tree, how do I pay for it?” Randi walked a few feet and turned back around when Emma spoke.

  “I’ll call and make arrangements. Hopefully, Celia will allow us to pick out the trees. I’ll tell her we’re pressed for time, which we are. If she says yes, you’ll need to pick out the best tree you can find. They’ll put it in the truck for you.”

  “Do I have time to change clothes? I don’t want to go shopping looking like this.” Randi pointed to her black pants, white smock, and white apron.

  “Sure, go change, and I’m sorry about that. Celia left orders this morning that the maids all start dressing alike. I hate to say it, but there will be skirts and black hosiery for you girls to wear when the family comes.”

  “I know. We’ve already been given those items.” Randi smiled and said over her shoulder, “I’ve worn worse. I’ll be ready in a few.”

  Emma looked down, rubbing her head, wanting to rub her eyes, and wondering if she was going to like contacts. She straightened and her brow furrowed as she spotted Martin walking past, carrying a white bag. “Since when did you start taking out the trash?”

  Martin held up the trash bag and smiled. “I wanted to be sure this got tossed out.”

  “You’re just in time. Randi’s getting ready to haul off the trash, in your truck, if you don’t mind.”

  “Don’t we pay someone to do that?” Martin set the bag down.

  “Yes, my dear, but they’re putting the lights on the house. Also, you popped in just in time. It’s time to pick out the trees. Celia wants three.”

  “Me?” Martin said, picking up his bag, ready to go. "Would she trust me to do that?”

  “I doubt it. I wouldn’t.” Emma smiled, “I asked Randi if she could do it. That is, if Celia doesn’t mind.”

  “What?” Martin asked, turning back.

  “I was just getting ready to call Celia and see if she wanted us to go ahead and pick out the trees. Her family will be here Wednesday instead of—”

  “No, don’t bother asking. I’ll take care of the trees.” Martin said in a rushed tone. “I don’t want anyone driving that old truck. I better go too.”

  “Are you sure?” Emma shrugged when he didn’t answer, and she thought it a bit strange that he was offering to help. Men normally liked having a tree around, but they never wanted to help pick one out. Then again, they could be very picky about their vehicles, so she shrugged and went back to work.

  Chapter 15

  Playing With Fire

  When Randi came out, Emma was on the phone and she just waved her on out to the truck. She guessed that meant it was a ‘go’ for the tree, but she would call to make sure. She’d slipped into a white tank top, a flannel shirt, and jeans. She didn’t want the trees to scratch her arms.

  She glanced at the truck, full of clothes and trash, and then went around to the side of the garage, taking out a doggie treat. Ann had bought the treats earlier when she went out to buy garbage bags. Celia had cleaned out her closets a few days ago and wanted the items taken to the dump. Most of the bags needed to go to Goodwill. Only a few were really trash.

  Randi wanted to make sure the clothes were taken to a place where they would be useful, so she had offered to empty the truck. She wasn’t relishing driving it. She knew it belonged to Mike, and she didn’t feel right driving it without his permission.

  She bent over and called. The two pups came and stuck their noses through the fence. She slipped her hand out through the hole, petting them. They were so cute, and she was thinking about taking them home when this job ended.

  “Don’t you know better than to feed strays? Where did you get such bad habits?”

  Randi smiled. She pulled her hand back through the hole and rose, turning to look at Mike. “You’re one to talk about bad habits.” She walked past him and even brushed his shoulder lightly as she did so.

  He was gorgeous as usual, and she so wished he wasn’t dating anyone -- except maybe her. She could only guess that Mike turned around, gave her a dirty look, and then followed.

  “You don’t think you’re driving do you?” Randi didn’t answer. She opened the driver’s side door, found the keys, and held them up.

  “I was planning to.” She watched him approach. He wore jeans, a white shirt, and tennis shoes. The shirt was unbuttoned two buttons, and the cuffs were rolled up to his elbows.

  He was a sight. It was tempting to ask him if he had any clue how good-looking he was. She guessed by the smile playing on his lips, that he knew very well what kind of effect he could have on the opposite sex.

  Randi left her hand on the door and turned to face him. “Don’t you have anything better to do than go with me to dump trash and pick out a tree for this fancy shindig these fine folks are having?”

  “I don’t guess I do.” He held out his hand and of course she gave him the keys.

  “You are the driver.” She smiled and put her hand on the wheel to climb in.

  “Yes, I am,” he said, stepping closer. “Now get in there and slide over.” The look he gave her would have melted Iceland. Randi did as the man said, knowing good and well she was playing with fire.

  Her mother had told her all her life, "Don’t play with matches, don’t date married men, and don’t ever go to bed without asking the good Lord to forgive you for all the stupid things you’ve done this day."

  This was going to go on the top of the list of stupid things she’d done. She climbed into the truck, slid over somewhat, and looked at Mike. For some reason he didn’t look like a Mike. He stood there a moment, glanced at the stuff in the back of the truck and gestured. “This doesn’t all look like trash.”

  “It’s not. There’s some clothes in there we’ll need to drop off at Goodwill, some stuff we will take to the dump—”

  “And then we’ll go pick out a tree?” He interrupted.

  “That’s the plan.”

  Mike looked at his watch, sighed, and climbed in, closing the cab door. He put in the key, leaned back, and smiled. “If we’re going to do all of that, and eat lunch, we better get going.”

  “Who said anything about eating? I’m on the clock here and so are you.” Mike left his hand on the keys, paused, and started the truck. Randi didn’t like the smile playing on his lips when he spoke.

  “You’re fine. I know the boss, and he won’t say a word.” When he rested his arm on the back seat and looked over his shoulder to turn around, they were close. He stopped backing up when she spoke.

  “You know the boss, and you are or were sleeping with Celia, and the two of you still get along? That must be a man thing, or he doesn’t know.”

  Mike smiled and sat looking at her. She had a feeling if she didn’t say something else, or move, he just might kiss her.

  “You do ask a lot of questions.”

  “I know, but this makes me feel kind of not so good. I want to know. Are you dating Celia or not?” Randi started to move, sliding over to her side of the truck, but Mike’s hand went to her shoulder.

  “You and I are not doing anything. I haven’t kissed you. You haven’t kissed me.” He couldn’t say this with
out smiling, she noticed.

  “No, but I think you want to.”

  “I want to do a lot of things, but until I do, it’s not wrong . . . right?”

  “You got me there.”

  “Yes I do. We’re just running an errand, and we might find time to eat lunch while we’re out.”

  “I know what you’re saying. But I can see where this is going, and it doesn’t feel—”

  When Mike moved his left hand from the wheel and touched his finger to her lips, she felt electricity. She knew he could feel it too, because he pulled his hand back. For the first time, she saw a bit of guilt, or something, in those blue eyes.

  He put his hand back on the wheel and his right hand let go of her shoulder. “I asked you to trust me. I’m still saying give me time, and let's just be sure and take this slow.”

  Randi hated to slide away from Mike, but she did. He didn’t like it either, but it showed in the slight nod he gave her, that he understood. He backed up, turned the truck around and sat facing the street with his hands on the wheel.

  He seemed to be contemplating something, but when he turned and looked at her he didn’t speak. He just gave her that slow easy smile, leaned back, put the truck into drive and turned right onto the highway.

  Chapter 16

  Mistletoe

  Why was it every time Martin felt he was gaining ground with Randi something knocked him back into reality? They took the clothes to Goodwill, dumped the trash off at the local dump, and were walking through the trees for sale.

  They had almost gotten back into that usual, playful mood, finally, and he had reached out to take her hand a few times. Each time she didn’t notice, or when she did she refused the connection. She would point to some tree, or bend down to see how the bottom branches looked.

  Randi was so full of life, and so unlike Celia that it amazed him how he could have been attracted to both women. He couldn’t imagine Celia getting on her hands and knees and digging around, feeling inside the tree to see how dead the branches were.