by B J Phillips
Andrea nodded. “I know, I’d like her to have the final say as well. She should make that decision regarding the cabinets on the end, too. It’s her office, after all.”
“It is and she’ll be the one that will look at them every time she’s in there.”
“I’m glad you see it the same way. Now she has a choice…options, if you will. Let me double-check these measurements, and I’ll be out of your way.” Kelly grinned as she reached into a pocket of her shorts for her tape measure.
Andrea grinned back. “Thanks, but you’re not in my way at all. Here, let me help hold the end of the tape measure, at least.”
Chapter Six
SHORTLY AFTER LUNCH, KELLY’S phone went off. She sat down in the kitchen dinette nook to take the call. Piper jumped up to sit right next to her.
Without even a hello, Elise started right in. “Kelly, I love your design for my bookcases.” Kelly could hear the smile in her voice. “Thanks for offering me a second option. Andrea agrees with me that either of them works in this space.”
Kelly felt herself grinning. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.” She reached over to scratch Piper’s ears, which always made Piper lean into Kelly’s side even more.
“Since I do have tons of books, let’s go with your second idea of having doors on the bottom halves of the three in the middle, with shelves all the way down on the end cabinets.”
“Great. Thanks for calling right away. I’ll get right on it,” Kelly said. “One more question. Do you want hardware on the doors? I mean, handles to open them. Or would you rather have them with a slot cut into the top of each door to pull them open?”
“You’re full of options, aren’t you? I hadn’t considered that. Tell you what, let me mull that over for a little while and let you know. I’ll take a look at the drawer pulls and the like on my desk and other things in the room to help me decide. Can I get back to you in a couple of days about that?”
“Of course, you can. There’s no rush, since I don’t have to know until I’m building the cabinet doors. Take your time.” Kelly had stopped scratching Piper’s ears, so Piper began patting Kelly’s arm with her paw. Kelly grinned at her, then resumed her ear scratching with her free hand.
“And if I decide on door handles, we can make a decision about them later. If we do put on handles, I’d like them to look as much like my desk and other things as possible but you already know that.”
Kelly grinned again. “I kind of figured that’d be what you wanted. We can do that. There are lots of options, as well as plenty of places to order them if we can’t find something you like at one of the local stores. We’d only need three of them, so it wouldn’t make any difference in the price, one way or another. Let me know as soon as you decide.”
“I will,” Elise said. “Oh, by the way, Andrea told me you two had a pleasant chat.”
“She offered me some iced tea and we sat and talked for a few minutes. I enjoyed her company.”
“She also said that she thought you were very nice. I guess that means you two are getting along well?”
“She did help me re-measure, which was handy. So yes, I guess you could say we’re getting along well. You have a lovely niece.” Kelly decided she didn’t need to mention that they were planning to get together sometime. She figured that’d be up to Andrea.
Kelly heard Elise release a small sigh. “She means the world to me. She doesn’t know anyone here her own age. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous, but I kind of hoped you two would hit it off, friend-wise. She seems so lonely. Anyway, I’ll let you know about the doors as soon as I can. And thanks for a great design. I’m sure it’s going to look great.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll get right on it.”
Kelly was about ready to end the call, when she heard Elise say something in a near whisper. “And thanks for being kind to Andrea.”
“Elise, that’s easy. She’s a very pleasant person to be around, just like her aunt.”
Kelly hit end on the call. Yes, Andrea’s a pleasure for sure. She reached into her pocket and found the card with Andrea’s number on it and took it out to look at it. She ran her thumb across the card, feeling the indentation of the numbers. Piper reached up to smell the card before lying down on the bench, apparently deciding it was of no interest. Kelly decided to wait a day before calling Andrea. Or not. She wasn’t sure what to do.
Andrea seemed to be asking her to call her. Maybe she’d like to go somewhere, have coffee or something, and chat. She decided she’d think about this for a bit first. She was startled out of her deliberation by her phone. The phone ID showing it was Shawn.
“Hey, bud. We were wondering if you’d like to come over for supper tonight. I know you were just here a few days ago, but Carrie’s making one of your favorites and there’s always much more than we can eat. Piper can help eat some of it, too, as usual. Of course, if you’ve other plans…”
“No, I don’t have other plans, actually. Every single thing she makes is one of my favorites. Which one is it this time?”
“How about country fried steak?”
“Oh yeah, that sounds great and I’d love to. About six, as usual?”
“Yep, the usual. We’re looking forward to seeing you. Oh, and get ready to take home some leftovers. For some reason, she always thinks you can’t take care of yourself and you need someone to feed the two of you.” Shawn laughed. “Of course, if it came down to it, Piper would eat kibble. I doubt if you’d want to do that.”
“Yeah, well, I guess I do eat out a lot. I sure do like Carrie’s cooking, but you know I can cook when I want to.”
“Look, you know that and I know that, but Carrie…, she’s convinced you need a good woman in your life to take care of you.” Shawn chuckled again. “I did. She’s absolutely convinced you do, too.”
“Maybe I do. But unlike you, the right woman has not yet taken a flying leap into my arms or moved in down the street.”
“Give it time, my friend. I’m sure yours is on her way and you don’t know it yet. We’ll see you at supper tonight.”
Chapter Seven
KELLY’S TIRES CRUNCHED ON Shawn’s crushed-shell driveway as she pulled into her home away from home. She always enjoyed time spent with Shawn and Carrie. She and Shawn had been friends since grade school and she’d been ‘best woman’ at their wedding last year. The little Florida cracker house Shawn had renovated before they were married still had the same appeal it always had, but it was now a warm, inviting home with the addition of Carrie’s touches.
As Kelly walked up to the screened-in porch, she thought about all the hours she and Shawn had spent out there, bare feet up on the porch railing, lifting a few and solving the problems of the world—including their own. Not to mention talking about Carrie before she and Shawn finally got together. They both had affections for Carrie, but Carrie only had eyes for Shawn from the day they met and Kelly knew those two were meant for each other.
Before she could knock, Shawn opened the door and grabbed her into a hug. Piper ran for Carrie, who was close behind with a hug for her as well as a kiss on her cheek before she scooped up the little dog. Yep, other than her own house, this was the next best thing to home she had and she loved it. She loved them. It was obvious that Piper loved them, too.
“Come on, Piper,” Carrie said as she carried the little dog to the kitchen. “Let’s get you something good to eat.” Piper looked like she was smiling as she looked over Carrie’s shoulder at Kelly as if to say, “Look, Mom! I’m getting my dinner first!”
A few minutes later, the humans were sitting down to one of Carrie’s home-cooked meals of country fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. Of course, there were hot biscuits with butter and for Kelly, Carrie always put out grape jelly.
“Didn’t you go back over to Elise’s today?” Carrie asked as she handed Kelly a plate loaded with the flaky golden biscuits.
“Yes, I did. Today was to show her the drawings and give her t
he chance to suggest changes and approve them.” With the tips of her fingers, Kelly removed two of the still hot biscuits from the basket. She blew on her fingers to cool them after she dropped the biscuits onto her plate. “But guess what, she was a no-show. She had Andrea look at them instead and approve them.”
“Andrea? Really? That’s odd.” Carrie paused, her head cocked to one side in thought. “Elise is quite particular about her projects. I’m surprised she didn’t want to look at the plans herself.”
“I thought so, too. Not that I minded spending some one-on-one time with Andrea, but it did seem rather odd. This project isn’t in the guest room. It’s in Elise's office.”
“Hmm…even more reason to want to see what you came up with before you started on them. Very odd.”
“And even more odd was that she asked Andrea to borrow her car. So even if Andrea wanted to go somewhere, she was pretty much stuck with me. It was almost like she was trying to throw us together. I’ll have to admit it wasn’t in the least unpleasant.” Kelly grinned. “She’s gorgeous.”
“Well, then, I can see what you mean regarding feeling no pain about it.” Shawn tried not to laugh. “I’m sure your snowbird customer’s very nice, but I bet her niece is a whole lot cuter.”
Kelly had picked up her fork to begin eating, but instead twirled it around slowly in her fingers before laying it on her plate. “It’s not like that, actually.”
“Are you sure? Sure, sounds like a classic set up to me,” Shawn said.
“I know what it looks like, but I’ve realized something. Carrie, as you suspected, Andrea needs a friend right now and I told her I’d be just that. Look, she isn’t planning to stay, I’m sure, and there’s no future in getting involved with someone that won’t be around. We exchanged phone numbers and we might go out sometime…not as dates, as friends only.”
“Okay, we got it.” Shawn Carrie gave each other looks that said otherwise.
“Stop it, you two. I saw that.” Kelly retrieved her fork. “Besides, I came up with another option for the bookcases from what I originally discussed with Elise and asked Andrea to have Elise let me know what she thinks of it. This other option didn’t require new drawings yet, so she wouldn’t have any trouble visualizing it. Either way, I’ll get Elise to sign off on the final design before I start.”
“Sounds like a wise idea,” Carrie said. “So…looks like you got to spend a little more time with Andrea.”
“True, I did.”
“What’s this Andrea like?” Shawn asked. “Carrie said you told her she was a blonde and had brown eyes, but that’s about it.”
“Yes, give. I know you’ve been around her more now, so what’s she actually like?” Carrie asked.
“I’d say she looks a little bit like Elise probably looked when she was younger. Dark blonde hair, eyes the prettiest shade of brown with amber flecks in them I’ve probably ever seen, and a beautiful smile. She’s probably about five feet six. I’d say she has a lovely figure. She’s perfect like she is. How’s that for a description?”
Shawn and Carrie looked at each other. “You’re not falling for her, already are you?”
“Me? No. Why would you say that?” Kelly asked as she buttered a biscuit.
“Why? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you describe a woman quite like that, that’s why.”
“Can I help it if she’s beautiful? She just is. I can admire someone without having a thing for her. Besides, we hardly know each other.” She didn’t look up as she reached for the grape jelly.
Shawn laughed. “The last time you were here, you seemed rather, shall we say taken with her. Hardly knowing a woman hasn’t stopped you in the past for having a thing for her. I only hope you aren’t setting yourself up for a big disappointment with someone like that.”
“I’m not falling for her. She’s simply someone in need of a friend right now. Besides, like I said, she isn’t going to be here very much longer and I don’t think a long-distance thing would work out, even if we did like each other that way.”
Carrie put her hand on Kelly’s arm. “I’m sure she appreciates you being kind to her. Everyone can use a friend and I’m sure she’s happy you came along when you did. Who knows, it’s possible she’ll stay in touch after she goes back to wherever she lives. She might come back to visit or you could go visit her. The important thing is, well, I guess we just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Right. Anyway, I’m simply being sociable. That’s it. Don’t worry about me. But I did think it might be nice to invite her along and the four of us have dinner or something. I think she’d enjoy getting out with other people and I know you’d like her. What do you think?”
“Sure,” Shawn said. “If you’d like to ask her out, we could all go somewhere for lunch or dinner and keep it very casual. Hey, we could all go play miniature golf!”
“Really, Shawn? Miniature golf?” Carrie shook her head.
“What’s wrong with that? Doesn’t it sound like fun? We could get hot dogs and sodas and play a round. It’s a great way to get to know someone, chatting while waiting your turn.”
“You know what, that does sound like fun,” Kelly said. “I’ll see if she wants to go and I’ll get back to you. But don’t be disappointed if she’d rather not. Believe it or not, there are people out there who don’t like miniature golf. But in case that happens, the same place has those little race cars you can drive, too. And batting cages. There should be something she likes, I’d think.”
“I’m sorry I was giving you a hard time about this, Kelly,” Carrie said. “It does sound like fun. Give us a heads up if or when you want to go somewhere together. If that doesn’t seem like her thing, I’d be glad to make dinner here for us. I’d even make a chocolate pie…” She grinned, waggling her eyebrows and making Shawn and Kelly laugh.
“I’m thinking even if she decides not to go, we can still do it. The three of us have lots of fun there. But I’m good with dinner here, too,” Shawn said. “You do seem to like her and if you like her, I’m sure we’ll like her, too.”
Chapter Eight
KELLY PUNCHED IN ANDREA’S number, her hands shaking. She hesitated before the last number, took a deep breath, erased the potential call, and put the phone in her pocket. She walked out the sliding glass door onto her lanai with Piper trailing along after her, tail wagging as usual.
What if Andrea isn’t into ordinary things like miniature golf? What if she’s more interested in shopping in fancy places or dinner at upscale restaurants? After all, she is from New York City and drives around in an expensive car, even if it is a rental.
Looking around, she patted herself on the back for all the hard work that had gone into this house. Last year, there had been only a little concrete patio out here, but now there was a comfortable screened and glassed-in lanai big enough to entertain in. It was solely her work for the most part. It hadn’t been easy, but it was worth it.
She liked sitting on the lanai in the evenings with Piper. The little dog always wanted to sit in her lap or right next to her with her head in Kelly’s lap. That position made it much easier for Kelly to scratch her ears or neck. Kelly had adopted Piper as a pup last year. Piper had rested her head on Kelly’s lap the first time she saw her and had come home with her that day. She had scarcely plopped herself down into one of the cushioned chairs when her phone buzzed.
“Andrea! Hi.” Kelly couldn’t help the smile that instantly lit her face. Piper came running and jumped up in her lap for her usual ear scratching.
“Hi, yourself, and I think it’s about time you called me Andi. My friends do and I think we can call ourselves friends now, right?”
“Of course, Andi. What’s up?” Kelly’s grin was even wider, if that was possible, as she absently stroked Piper’s neck.
“Well, I was just sitting here doing nothing and wondering if you were sitting there doing nothing, too.”
“I’d say that pretty much describes what I’m doing right now. Almost, a
nyway.” Kelly fiddled with the seashell sitting on the side table. “Were you thinking about doing something?”
“Well, yes. Nothing big. How about going out for a drink somewhere? I was thinking it would be fun to be out for a bit.”
“I think I could manage that. Where would you like to go?” Kelly absently ran her fingers over the smooth inside of the seashell.
“I’m open. It could be a restaurant that has a bar, or just a bar. Either’s fine with me. I’d assume by now you’ve eaten supper, right?”
“Yes, I have. Have you eaten?”
“I ate something earlier. I have an idea. Would you rather go somewhere for some dessert and coffee?” Andi asked.
“That sounds even better to me. How about we meet at the Perkins over on Cleveland Avenue? It’s about halfway between us and they make great pie and other kinds of desserts as well. How does that sound to you?” Kelly sat up on the chair and moved the shell back to its home.
“That’s great. I’ve heard their bakery’s excellent. At least their ads on TV look good. Meet you there in, say, twenty minutes, if that’s good with you?”
“Perfect. See you there.” Kelly hit end on her phone and sat back in the chair for a few seconds, smiling. She picked Piper up and gave her a hug as her face was being licked before putting her down. She jumped up and headed for her keys.
Fifteen minutes later she pulled into the parking lot at Perkins Restaurant. This time of the evening and on a weeknight Kelly knew it wouldn’t be crowded—even during snowbird season—and it wasn’t. Snowbirds were famous for showing up for the early bird specials, which ended by five. She scanned the parking lot for Andi’s Mercedes, and not seeing it, she decided to get out and wait by the door
A familiar voice behind Kelly startled her out of her thoughts. It was her on and off friend and former sort-of-girlfriend, Tracy, with her latest conquest. She didn’t think Tracy noticed her at first, being busy hanging onto the arm of the tall, handsome woman she was with. But she did see her as they were almost ready to walk in the door.