“Good.” He squeezed me closer as I leaned against his shoulder. Puck had by then finished eating and come around to check us out. Puck was a lanky black cat who I suspected sometimes saw me as his mother. He’d been hesitant about Roger, but soon found he appreciated the extra attention – and Roger’s lap. The cat butted his head against my hand and then plopped down next to me, giving Roger an assessing look before closing his eyes and curling into a ball.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Roger mused.
“I was thinking that this is like a very nice dream,” I murmured before drifting off to sleep.
12
I WOKE THE next morning tucked into my bed, still dressed, but with my shoes off. I was confused for a moment, forgetting how I had gotten there, since I recalled dozing off on the couch.
I felt something warm – on both sides of me, in fact – and felt my way around. To my right was Puck, curled up against my waist. I petted him for a moment, and he stretched and made a little combination squeak and groan.
To my left I found Roger, sound asleep. I smiled when I saw him there and took a minute to examine his handsome features. His chin was a bit more stubbly and he looked manly and rugged.
I glanced farther up and spotted Fido curled up next to Roger’s head. I caressed the cat’s fur and he stretched and gently swished Roger’s face with his tail. The motion woke Roger and he opened his eyes and faced me.
“Good morning,” he smiled. “Did you sleep well?”
“Fantastic,” I murmured, sitting up and stretching. “But did you carry me up here?”
“Yes. You were out like a light, so I just scooped you up and brought you upstairs to bed.”
I groaned. “I’m sorry if I was too heavy. I wouldn’t have minded sleeping on the couch. I’ve done it more times than I care to confess.”
He dismissed my concerns. “You’re not heavy. Come on. My dad has a lumber mill. I spent a lot of time moving logs or chopping wood when I was growing up. And I work on cars and trucks, picking up heavy equipment. You’re nothing in comparison.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, but I’m sure you’re lying.”
“I’m not lying. Plus, you’re a lot nicer to touch than timber encrusted with fungus and moss.”
I should hope so, I thought. “Aren’t you sweet,” I replied. “You don’t think I should try those supplements that my cousin is pushing me to try?”
He shook his head. “Nah. You’re great the way you are.”
“That’s an excellent answer.” I looked over at the clock and realized I had plenty of time to get ready. “I’m going to take a quick shower, but I could make you some coffee if you’d like.”
“Go shower. I’ll make coffee for us. Then we can go to breakfast. I showered before coming over, so hopefully I’m acceptable.”
“Did you wash off all your mechanical grease for me?” I teased.
He nodded. “I didn’t shave, though. I thought I’d keep a bit of growth in case you wanted me all rustic or something.”
I laughed and planted a soft kiss on his mouth.
“You’re giving me ideas,” he teased, pulling me closer for a moment.
“I’ve been having ideas, and I’d brainstorm with you a bit if opening my shop and an imminent family visit wasn’t on today’s agenda.” Oh, to be away from grownup things – well, most of them – for a long weekend.
I was making my way to the bathroom connected to my bedroom when I was startled – as were the cats – by someone fiddling with the front door.
“Are you expecting someone?” Roger asked, instantly alert as he stepped in front of me and held a hand out to prevent me from going ahead of him.
I shook my head. “Well, my aunt and cousin are coming, but they’re going to my mother’s, and will be staying there, too. They shouldn’t be here already. My cousin, unless she’s suddenly turned low maintenance, won’t be ready to leave until at least ten.”
The door finally popped open and in stepped my mother.
“Mom! What are you doing here?”
She looked up the stairs and appeared surprised for a moment. “Oh. I didn’t know you had company.”
“Even though Roger’s truck is out front?”
She smiled, ignoring the question. “Yes, I see things are progressing nicely. Roger, her ring size is a seven, by the way.”
“Mom!” My mortification died back quickly when I heard him let loose an amused chuckle.
“What? Maybe he wants to get you a certain sparkly something come Christmas time.”
“It’s October, and we’ve only really been dating a couple weeks,” I snapped, feeling cornered that she’d bring up such a thing.
She looked us up and down. “Poppy, why are you wearing the same clothing you had on last night? And Roger, isn’t it awfully early for you to be dressed, considering? You should be walking around in boxer shorts. In fact, I wouldn’t mind seeing that. I bet you’re something to behold shirtless.”
“Thank you, I guess.”
“Mom, we just sat together on the couch last night and talked a bit, and then I fell asleep. Then Roger carried me upstairs.”
My mother shook her head. “Clearly you’re doing things wrong. I’m going to have to give you some advice. I’m going to have Tom install that sex swing I found online – at least once your Aunt Lindy leaves. I’ll let you know how that plays out.”
“Wait? What?” Roger looked confused.
“No, no, no, no …” I muttered. “I don’t want to hear this.”
“You need to keep things spicy, Poppy. Men like that.”
“Seriously, no, let’s not go there,” I groused.
“Poppy. You know the expression: Madonna in the kitchen, whore in the bedroom.”
“Please, no. It’s too early for this,” I said, holding a hand out, hoping she would not get descriptive or offer any further advice.
“I also advise greeting your man naked at the door from time to time. They like surprises like that. Wouldn’t you like that kind of a surprise, Roger?”
Roger just chuckled and shook his head, as he began making his way down the stairs. “Good morning, Mrs. Wheeler.”
“Call me Fiona.”
“Yes, Fiona. I’ll make some coffee and feed the cats. And yes, Poppy can surprise me like that any time.”
I made a note of that little tidbit for later. I liked the idea very much. I just didn’t want my mother to be privy to all my thoughts, fantasies and schemes.
“Puck, Fido. Do you want your breakfast?” Roger called out.
As if they understood what he was saying, both cats bolted out of the bedroom and raced after him, their nails scratching on the hardwood floors as they scurried into the kitchen.
“I guess they’re hungry,” Roger observed.
“That Fido is always hungry,” my mother said. “Look how fat he’s getting.”
“Most of that is fur,” I said.
“I’ve seen the cat eat. He may as well grow a curly tail,” Mom said. “I’ll get you some diet cat food. The black one doesn’t need to go on a diet, though. I suggest feeding them separately.”
“I play with the cats regularly, and so does Roger. They’re fine.” I wasn’t going to admit that Fido was looking a tiny bit chunky. He was still young, so I was giving him the benefit of the doubt that maybe, just maybe, he was still enjoying one last growth spurt. “Anyways, you should be focusing more on Jordan,” I told my mother.
“Oh, I’ll be focusing on him, too, no doubt. But he’s done such a good job on the shop and house that I have some extra time. Plus, I’m a woman, and we women are marvels at multi-tasking. No coffee for me, Roger,” my mother said, when he held a cup up and shot her a questioning look. “I am hoping I won’t have to be here long.”
I started down the stairs and asked my mother why she was visiting so early.
“Well, company will be here this afternoon. I thought I’d come by and do an inspection and see how your place looks, si
nce you will be having us all over for dinner one day. Roger,” she said, getting his attention and pointing at him at the same time, “you are expected to be over for dinner, too.”
“I will definitely be there,” he promised.
“Good,” my mother said, smiling, as she looked around my living room and kitchen, and giving the downstairs half-bathroom a quick inspection. “I suppose this looks alright. I think you could use a new rug in here, and to move those pictures around. And that cabinet would look better in the dining room. But this will do.” She set her eyes on Roger and looked him up and down. “Yes,” she said, vigorously nodding her head in approval. “Most definitely, yes.”
“Yes, what?” I asked.
“He’s a fine-looking man. Your cousin Plenty will be so jealous when she feasts her eyes on him. Now I’ll leave you two to whatever it is you were doing. And I will let you know how that sex swing works out when Tom and I have it set up.”
“Please don’t,” I said. “No one wants to know about their mother getting it on, especially on a sex swing. I’m happy for you and Tom, because it sounds like you’re having fun. But as for the details, I’d rather they remain one of life’s mysteries.”
“Be sure to wear something that shows off your tits a bit,” she said, before heading to the door. “Plenty is flat chested – like bee stings. You and Vanessa can literally overshadow her in that department, and I’m counting on you to do so.”
“Maybe I’ll flash her and show her what she doesn’t have,” I grumbled.
“Now that’s a great idea,” Mom said, waving goodbye as she drifted out the side door.
Once I was certain she was out of earshot, I shook my head. “Unbelievable!” I choked out. “I need to get new locks, and I can’t believe she brought up getting a sex swing. I’m so embarrassed right now.” I groaned as I rested my forehead in my hand.
Roger came to me, holding two cups of coffee. I took one, and he took his free arm and wrapped it around me, pulling me close. “For the record,” he said, “I don’t mind if you try and overshadow your cousin with what you and Vanessa obviously have plenty of.” He looked down at my chest and pulled at the front of my shirt to peer inside. “Feel free to show off as much as you like, especially if I’m standing over you like this.”
I smiled and leaned in to him, and he hovered his mouth over mine before giving me a soft kiss that quickly went from sweet to smoldering. I sank into it, feeling a little thrill thread its way down my spine and wriggle its way deep into my pelvis, and thinking maybe this would be a good morning to skip breakfast and fool around a bit.
I was about to give Roger’s lower lip a little nibble when the front door flew open.
Mother had returned.
“No mattress games today,” she ordered. “Get ready!”
The door was pulled shut and we were left in stunned silence.
“You said something about getting new locks installed?” Roger asked.
“Yes. Yes, I most certainly did.”
Roger and I made our way to Emily’s Eatery for breakfast before we opened our respective businesses. I thought it’d be a nice way to enjoy a bit of quiet before the familial storm arrived. I also wanted to lean a bit on Emily’s intuition, and see if anything was pinging for her in terms of our impending visitors, or life in general, for that matter.
Once Roger parked his truck in front of Emily’s he jogged around and opened the door for me. I smiled and clasped his offered hand as I stepped down from his truck. Our fingers interlaced as we made our way into the shop. Emily was just finishing with a customer and waved us over as she let the two girls who helped her take orders and serve the patrons.
We sat down with her near the window. “You two look like the cat that ate the canary today,” she smiled.
I returned the grin and looked at Roger who also had a happy expression on his face. “Things are going good,” he said.
“I’m glad to see you both in good spirits,” Emily said. “You in particular, Roger.”
“I’m happy to be in good spirits,” he agreed. “So, what flavors are we today?”
“Oh, you’re always ginger,” she said. “You never waver in your devotion. I do have a pumpkin spice latte, with lots of clove and nutmeg in it, and some of that spicy chai seasoning you like so much. As for you,” she said, turning to me. “You’re still about the white chocolate, but I think there’s some almond returning to the fold as well as a bit of orange, for zest.”
“Zest?” I asked. “I have to admit that combination does appeal, but why zest?”
“You’re going to need a bit of that zing,” she said. “And the white chocolate for good feelings, the almond to ground and focus you.”
Interesting, I thought to myself. I turned to Roger, raising a questioning eyebrow.
“You can use that focus on me,” he said, as he rubbed my knuckles with his thumb. “The pumpkin spice sounds good, Emily.”
She left to get our coffees while we hovered over one of the table’s menu cards. “You’ll want eggs and Canadian bacon,” she called out to me. “You want protein to fortify you.” She looked at Roger for a moment. “The same, but also some buttermilk pancakes.”
“Pancakes?” Roger asked. “You usually don’t have pancakes on offer.”
“I do today. It’s one of those days. People need them for a bit of comfort. It’s going to get really chilly out.” She paused, then added: “And besides, the new girl ordered an extra case of maple syrup, and I need to unload some of it.”
“That’s far from magical,” I called out in a teasing tone.
“But it’s entirely practical,” Emily replied. “And they’re delicious. I’ll bring you some, too. You’ll want your strength for when your rambunctious cousin visits.”
“Is that something you sense,” I asked.
“Nah. Your mom was in here the other day. She gave me an earful. Sounds like you all will have your hands full.”
That’s what I was afraid of.
13
JORDAN WAS WATCHING Thingamajigs while my mother nervously made her way back and forth between her shop and mine.
On the final circuit before Aunt Lindy and cousin Plenty’s arrival, my mother looked me up and down several times, eyed Vanessa as well, and gave us curt nods of approval.
Mom’s cell phone rang. She peered at the screen, and saw it was Aunt Lindy calling. Before she answered she made a prediction: “I bet she’s lost.”
After a minute of “how far are you?” and “where are you?” my mother told her to look around for a store or landmark so she could pinpoint her location.
“You just passed the Burger King? It’s on your right? Good. You’re going the right way …” she stepped outside to offer directions.
“Your aunt has never been here before?” Vanessa asked.
“She has. But she’s always gotten lost easily,” I explained.
A few minutes later an old Ford LTD slowed in front of my shop, paused, and then went past.
My mother stood on the sidewalk and waved for her to turn around and backtrack. Aunt Lindy instead put the car in reverse, speeding backwards too quickly and then hitting the brakes with a loud screech. A passing truck honked its horn in several short bursts as it curved around her. The car then made an agonizingly slow turn into the gravel lot, missing the driveway. As it jumped the curb, Jordan and Tom ran out of the shop and they tried to guide the large car into the lot.
Vanessa and I burst out laughing several times while watching the melee. She had pulled out her cell phone and was filming the fiasco.
“I can’t wait to show this to Ethan.” She watched as my aunt stopped, reversed and jerked forward several times, sending gravel and dust flying in her wake.
“Is your aunt two years older than your mom?” Vanessa asked as she surveyed the show. “Or two hundred years older?”
I chuckled. “Two years. It’s like some crazy car rodeo isn’t it?”
Vanessa nodded and laughed
again as Jordan leapt out of the way of the car. “I hope she has a good mechanic on retainer. This is ridiculous.”
After a few nervous stops and starts, and a couple more honks and angry shouts from passing traffic, the LTD was safely parked by the back fence of Tom and Mom’s red house.
I had my arms crossed across my chest as I watched my mother lean into the driver’s side window and say something to my aunt.
“Should she even have a license?” Vanessa asked. “And why isn’t your cousin driving?”
“Both are very good questions,” I replied. “Aunt Lindy has long been nervous about driving. Plenty is a more confident driver, but not necessarily a capable one, as she has racked up a couple DUIs over the years.”
“She doesn’t have her license back, then, you think?”
“I would assume no. God, I hope that tank stays parked there for the duration of the visit,” I told Vanessa.
“I think I’d like to know when they plan to leave. I intend to be off the road at that time. I may warn Ethan and my family, too.”
“We’ll hire a plane to fly a banner over the city,” I deadpanned.
“I guess that I don’t see any small animals or children affixed to the grill is a good thing.”
A moment later my pale blonde aunt extracted herself from the driver’s seat. She wore a scarf around her hair and a pair of large Jackie O. sunglasses. She was a couple inches shorter than my mother and a few pounds heavier. She raised her shades and peered around at us all. She had watery eyes, a light blue tinged with silver and gray. I knew my mother would be gleeful about the extra weight, even though most of it had landed on my aunt’s breasts and hips.
“You actually look a bit more like your aunt than you do your mother,” Vanessa mused. “It’s not like you’d be mistaken as her daughter, but your coloring is close. She has really pretty skin, too. Very English rose. Does your cousin look more like your mother than your aunt?”
“Yes. In pretty much the same ways. My cousin is a bit more lean and leggy, and has a warmer complexion that tends to tan easily, unlike my aunt and me. She’s a few inches taller, though. She’s the tallest girl in the family.”
Plenty of Trouble Page 8