3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Simeon
T uesday was unexpectedly both mild and sunny. For mid-November in southern British Columbia, this felt like winning the lottery. Then I reminded myself that this warmth might be a result of climate change. We’d had a good rainy period for most of late-October and well up until now. We’d needed it. After the parched and wildfire-filled summer, the reprieve was appreciated. I never complained about rain and snow.
Well, that wasn’t strictly true. If I had an outside job to do and couldn’t because of the weather, I’d become slightly irritated. Mildly. I’d find something inside to do and just move along.
“Hey Simeon.” Kennedy waved as I stepped out of the prefab house and into the sunshine.
I waved back. My boss was good with few words from me. She looked so different from Rainbow and their other six sisters. While Rainbow and the rest of the Dixon crew had blue/black hair and pale-blue eyes, Kennedy had dark-brown hair and deep-brown eyes. I’d witnessed her taking some ribbing, as the firstborn, from her sisters. The joke was she was the mailman’s kid. Not true, of course. Her parents were devoted to each other. And while her seven younger siblings were dead ringers for their mother, Moonshine, Kennedy truly favored their father, Brian.
“I’m wondering if you can check something out in the house.” She rubbed her temple. “Rainbow’s tried to fix this bathroom tile repeatedly, and it just…won’t fix. I can hire someone—”
“I’m h-here. I work f-for you.” I pointed to the ranch house.
She grinned and led the way. I toed off my boots and followed her upstairs—to the private family quarters. Somewhere I’d never been and somewhere I now felt uncomfortable.
As if sensing my discomfort, she gently laid a hand on my arm.
That gesture calmed me. On my first day on the ranch, Rainbow asked if I was okay with small touches. I’d been surprised.
As if sensing that surprise, she tried to back away from her request. Of course they never touched patients without consent. Just that, touch was important, and so, when the moment was right, sometimes they offered support.
Totally fine if I was uncomfortable…she wanted to explain in case I saw other people doing it.
Her words stuck with me and, three days later, I sought her out and said it’d be okay. She didn’t touch me often, but a pat on the back or a squeeze of my forearm often went a long way to soothing. And, in the end, I realized I was touch-starved. My grandparents were too frail—and too old-fashioned—to reach for me often. Even when I was distressed, a regular occurrence, they didn’t tend to initiate contact.
And I was too scared of rejection to try on my own.
“You okay?”
Kennedy’s words penetrated my memories. “Yeah.” I smiled. “I l-like how casual everyone is on the ranch.”
“With each other? For sure.” She squeezed my forearm where her hand lay, and then gently led me to the bathroom.
Instantly, I recognized the problem. “Uh, these subway tiles are cute…”
“But also from the seventies.”
“Uh… Yep.”
“How much would it take to replace them all? With something that’ll last fifty years again?”
“T-that’s a long time.”
She grinned. “I’ll almost be ninety. That works for me—assuming I can still do stairs.” She cocked her head. “Or I might wind up selling the place to a younger generation of counselors. Or gifting it.”
“This is your l-legacy.” I had to protest. I’d only been here a handful of times, but clearly this place was part of Kennedy and Rainbow.
Kennedy smile shone in its brilliance. “I’m so glad we hired you.” She turned back to the black-and-white tiles. “Do you think you can fit this in?”
“Of c-course. You decide whether you w-want this first, or you want the prefab done first.”
“Prefab. But I know you book out in advance, and I don’t know if you’ll have time to do the bathroom.”
I eyed the peeling vinyl floor. “I suggest a t-total do-over.” I winced. “I mean, if that’s in the b-budget.”
“It is.” She smiled. “My parents have sold their property. A massive acreage that a developer is planning to subdivide. That makes me sad in some senses—so many memories of tromping around the property—but we need more housing. The developer’s keeping part of the wilderness as a sort of park, so that’s something. Somewhere we can take our kids.” She smiled ruefully. “Not that any of us are matched up and planning families.”
She waved her hand in the air as if swatting away the idea. “What I’m trying to say is my parents made a fortune on the sale. Their new house up in 100 Mile House is lovely, but cost just a fraction of what they profited. Between Dad’s airline pension and the time Mom put in with the school board, they’re truly well-off. So they split some of the proceeds between the eight of us. I have enough to pay for the renovation of this bathroom. I don’t know what Rainbow is going to do with her share. I should have you look at her bathroom as well.”
“S-sure.”
“Then I’m feeding you lunch. Rainbow made a massive pot of chili that’ll feed all of us for a week. I love leftovers, but even I’ll get tired of it. If you help…”
“I w-won’t turn down chili.” From the little I knew of the women, that would’ve been an insult. Although Kennedy and I were the same age, I hadn’t gone to school in Mission City. I’d heard stories of the Dixon sisters and all the mischief they got up to. Caring about Kennedy and Rainbow was easy. “Uh…” I named a price for the reno.
Kennedy shook her head. “No way.”
My heart fell.
“I looked into what a remodel will cost. It’s more than double your price. I’m not willing to cheat you.”
I blew out a breath, trying to center myself. I couldn’t believe I was about to argue about offering a lower price. “I get a d-discount on the materials. I’ll be doing m-most of the work myself. Gio, a guy I hire, will h-help me with the bathtub install and t-the floor—”
“That sounds great. Except either Rainbow or I would like a shower installed instead of another two bathtubs. We’re thinking long-term.”
“You want a s-seat? A g-grab bar?” Those were things for older people—or the disabled—but both women were still young.
“Yes, that.” She nodded. “My parents might want to use them when they’re here. We did a bathtub in the prefab because my dad loves them. Mom’s a shower person… and that was way more information than you needed.” She countered with an astronomical price and ended her quote with, “That’s for both bathrooms and the least amount I’d wind up paying someone else. If Gio needs the work, I’m happy to pay him as well.”
I cocked my head.
She shrugged. “I assume you know his history. Well, I’ve heard it as well. You’re giving him a fresh start. You’re a good man.”
Gio had spent time in prison in east Asia when he got caught with weed. He’d completed his prison sentence and returned to Mission City. His new boyfriend—and high school crush—Mercer, hooked him up with me. Mercer ran the paint store and I spent a lot of time there. When he asked if I could throw work Gio’s way, I was happy to do it. Strong guys willing to do menial labor were in short supply some days.
“Gio’s a g-good man.”
“Great, so we’re in agreement.” She gestured for me to leave the bathroom.
Which I did.
“The p-price—”
“Is what we just agreed on, and if things are more complicated, then I pay more. Let’s go eat that chili.”
Sometimes the logical thing to do was not to argue. If I took this money from her, then I might be able to lowball a bid for someone who didn’t have the money. Plenty of low-income people needed help. Just…Kennedy didn’t need to know if I shared the wealth.
I was happy to follow her downstairs to where the scent of chili filled the great room. My stomach growled as we headed into the kitchen. I gently brushed Kennedy’s arm.
She turned with a smile.
“C-can I put my sandwich in your fridge for t-tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
I nodded.
Rainbow clapped her hands when Kennedy and I entered the kitchen. “Oh, yay.”
I couldn’t help myself—I grinned. She was such a happy woman, but I felt like her greeting for me was extra special. I got a warm glow in my chest when she directed her enthusiasm toward me.
She gestured to the table where three counselors sat, eating.
Justin was a cute ginger with red hair and beard. He was happily married to Stanley. I adored both them and their kids.
Avery Stinson was an addiction-and trauma-counselor. Denise Lang was the resident child psychologist. Both women were blonde, although Avery was a bit taller. They were also two of the kindest people I knew.
Rex, the cream lab, sat placidly at Avery’s feet. Not an official therapy dog, but he still did plenty around the ranch. His secret power was keeping kids occupied. He never tired of them.
“W-where’s Tiffany?” I asked. She was the ranch’s official comfort dog, but rarely left Kennedy or Rainbow’s side.
“She’s, uh, busy.” Justin met my gaze, then shifted his focus to Kennedy. “He hasn’t left the property. I mean, his car’s still here and Tiffany took off after him. I’ve checked repeatedly, and she hasn’t come back.”
Rainbow placed a bowl of chili at the table and gestured for me to sit.
I did as bade.
Kennedy sat next to Justin and placed her hand over his. “Don’t worry. One, she’ll bark when she’s back and wants in. Or she’ll just trail along with the next client.”
“Yeah.”
“Two…if she went, then she thinks she can help. If she’s still gone later, then searching her out will help us find him.” She turned to Rainbow. “Let one of us know immediately if he comes back.”
“Disturb you?” Rainbow set her bowl at her place and sat.
The four counselors exchanged looks.
“I’ve got an easy workload this afternoon.” Avery waved her spoon in the air. “Mostly caretaking clients—all of whom would be understanding. All of whom were in tough spots at various times themselves. If he’s willing to stay and talk it out, show him to Max’s office and come and get me. I’ll let you bring Rex with you and take care of my client, and I’ll help him.” She glanced between Justin and Kennedy. “Then Rainbow will nab either of you as soon as you’re available.”
“Not ideal, but workable.” Kennedy frowned. “I’ve got a…rough afternoon.”
“Mine’s not much better.” Justin eyed his food. “I feel like I should be looking for him.” He winced. “I don’t even know…” He glanced at me.
I’d sort of been tactfully trying not to pay attention while eating as quickly as I could so leaving would be logical. “I c-can leave.”
“I was just going to say what might trigger him.” He smiled. “We trust you. You’re not getting any great secrets here.”
Which was what I figured. The ranch had a reputation as the best counseling center in Mission City and they wouldn’t be careless with confidentiality. “Max?” That name was new to me, and I thought I knew everyone who worked on the ranch.
“Oh, Max Crawford. He’s the psychiatrist who mainly works out of the hospital. He has a few clients he sees up here. People who would be traumatized or just have problems if they had to meet him in a clinical setting. He mostly rides horses with them.”
“L-lovely day today.”
“Yes.” Rainbow grinned. “I have plans to do some outdoor work.”
“N-need help?” I was a bit ahead of my own work, and if she needed—
She shook her head. “Nah. Just little things like taking the horses out for a stretch. I’ll…” She cleared her throat. “Be able to keep my eye out without being obtrusive.”
Impressed. I was damn impressed. She’d confided early on that she didn’t have a counseling degree—or inclination—but her empathy made her a great addition to the ranch. And she was a generous boss.
“Oh.” Kennedy tapped the table with her index finger. “Rainbow? Simeon’s going to renovate both our bathrooms.”
“Yay.” Rainbow fist pumped the air. “Best investment ever. What a great way to spend my inheritance. I’m loving the idea of a walk-in shower.”
“Hey.” Kennedy frowned. “I thought I was getting the walk-in shower. We agreed one of us had to have a bathtub. Although it’ll be a nice, new one. Simeon is going to help us pick one out.”
Oh I am, am I? Well, I’d done it before.
Thus begun a friendly and lively discussion between the sisters over who would get the shower and who would have the bathtub.
Avery caught my gaze and winked.
Yeah. The food wasn’t the only thing warming me.
The sun still shone as I walked the short distance from the ranch house back to the prefab. Wish Rainbow could’ve used my help. What a beautiful day to be outside. I eyed the new structure, trying to determine if there was anything to be done on the exterior. Alas, I had crown molding to install inside, and that needed to be completed. At least in the bedroom where Gio had painted last week. He was working on a different project today and needed neither help nor supervision. I planned to swing by there after work to check out the final result and to settle the bill with the owner. She’d had initial doubts, but now was more than willing to let Gio do the work. His reputation around town was solidifying as a good guy who made a mistake as a young man. Plenty of people around Mission City needed second chances. Needed redemption. Just as many folks willing to give it.
I entered the prefab and gazed around. I’d cut the molding yesterday. I should’ve been finishing the flooring first, but my knees protested at even the thought. What I loved about working for myself was I could go with what my body wanted. Standing on a ladder to do crown molding now. Flooring again tomorrow morning while Gio painted.
See? You’re really good at this. I needed that affirmation sometimes. My clients said it. My grandparents said it. My parents…had not. My dad had been embarrassed by my stutter. By my low grades in subjects I couldn’t wrap my mind around. A shop teacher saw my talent for working with my hands and taught me everything she knew—often staying after school to give me extra lessons. Her support practically saved my life, when I was drowning in how useless Dad said I was. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today, working at a job I loved on a bright fall day.
I positioned the ladder, took a moment to confirm Gio’s paint job was flawless, then grabbed my nail gun and the piece of molding I’d cut yesterday.
Only to realize I really needed help holding it in place. I’d forgotten how long the wall was.
Damn. Should I grab Rainbow? She’d be happy to help… Nah. If I got a few center nails in perfectly, then I’d be able to do the rest no problem. I positioned myself, said a little prayer to the universe, and depressed the gun to shoot the nail, and did a little happy dance inside when it worked. I did several more in quick succession to secure the molding before barking somewhere inside the house nearly had me falling off the ladder.
What the hell?