Chapter 13
Whitney
I’m well into the Viking story, and thankfully most of the research has been repetitive. I have printed a lot of information regarding Viking culture, and it has been worth the time I spent doing that. It has been a boon when I’ve been checking facts.
I have to admit I love the idea of Valhalla, and can imagine the halls with large men drinking ale, eating sizeable chunks of meat from the bone, and slapping the serving girls’ asses as they walk past. Very sexist, but that’s how the Vikings saw it, and who are we to say they can’t dream of Valhalla being like that?
My phone rings, and quickly picking it up from where I’d placed it next to the laptop I give a smile. “Hello, Lee. What’s having you call so early in the morning? You know it’s only eight thirty?”
“Shut up. Honestly, you are a pain in my ass. But I have gossip, and I wanted to fill you in on my way into the office.”
I frown because gossip isn’t usually Lee’s thing. “What gossip?”
“Well, I went for drinks last night with one of my co-workers and bumped into Pamela. I’ve not spoken to her or Stacey for weeks.
She asked if you were good, and I said you were perfect, and why was she even interested.
Which had her blushing I can tell you, girlie.
Anyway, she spilled that Kyle had a date with none other than Gemma.
Seems Gemma isn’t as nice a person as Kyle thought because she stole his credit card and took a chunk of cash from it. He had to get the cops involved.”
Now, I’m shocked. Lee is laughing her ass off on the other end of this conversation, but suddenly the thought that this served him right came to me. Oh yeah, you got it. I giggled, that turned into a laugh, which Lee shared heartily.
“God, we shouldn’t laugh, but that serves him right. What happened?”
Lee laughs a little more. “Well, he had her arrested. She’s out on bail, and she’s more than likely going to serve some time.
The credit card company is going after her as it appears she’s done this three times before.
Each time she’s split up a marriage without a physical affair.
How she mesmerizes the men I don’t know, but hey, if they are too stupid to see they are being conned that is not our problem. ”
“Kyle came to see me. Wanted to know if I was okay, and said to tell him if I ever needed any help. As if!” I fill Lee in on the visit, and even the part about Oren not being happy he was at the house.
“I can’t wait to meet Oren. He sounds like great fun, and I’m sure I can get into some mischief with him.”
Laughing because I’m sure Lee could. “He’s a darling, and I don’t want you getting him into deep trouble with his daddy. But hey, you may like his daddy. He’s tasty, just like Clem.”
“Is that right? Well, I’m not looking for a man right now, but I wouldn’t kick one to the curb if he is as nice as you’ve said Clem is.”
We talk for a short while before Lee is called away from her phone by her secretary.
She’ll probably be due for an appointment with one of her sad clients.
Lee once told me she’s never purchased so many boxes of tissues as she has since she qualified to be a divorce lawyer.
At the time we both laughed, but now I can understand the heartache that people feel.
I quickly get back to work and become engrossed in the tale the author is telling.
Maybe I should get myself a tall, well-built Viking who would throw me over his shoulder and take me to his longhouse?
Hm, maybe not. I’ve found myself a good man in Clem, and although I’ve not known him long I trust him implicitly. I can see myself loving him deeply.
My mind roams over the image in my mind of Clem.
6’1”, broad shoulders, and muscled, but not like you see from a gym rat, but from hard work hauling engines at the garage.
Short hair, cut neatly, and is slightly longer on top, with brown eyes that are warm and friendly.
I noticed yesterday that he has a slight kink in his nose, as though it had been broken at some time.
But he is a handsome man, which he doesn’t seem to recognize.
He didn’t show any sign that he saw the flirtatious looks he was getting on our date night.
Either date night, although I saw Oren giving looks to women that were staring.
Oren is going to be a force when he grows up.
My phone vibrates, and picking it up I see it’s a message from Rhea, I smile because I hoped she would follow through and contact me. I had waited because I didn’t want to appear desperate for friends.
Rhea: Hi, Whitney. I’m not at work today. Are you up for a visitor?
Whitney: Yeah, come on over. I’ll get the coffee ready.
Rhea: It may take me longer than normal as my area hasn’t been plowed yet. But once I hit the main road, I’ll be fine.
Whitney: Just be careful.
Rhea: Will do.
I quickly make notes of where I am and what I need to fact-check before closing the laptop and putting the coffee machine on for fresh drinks.
Opening the fridge, I take out two pastries and pop them in the oven to warm slowly.
I am so pleased that the cottage has underfloor heating because it's wonderful to walk around barefoot with warm feet.
Rhea bursts inside when I open the door, and that was after I heard her stamping her feet to get any snow from her boots.
“Gosh, it’s cold. The snow has settled, but thank goodness they have had the roads cleared.
I don’t enjoy driving in snow and ice, but my daddy made me do it and taught me about skidding, and all sorts.
He’s a bit of a drama king.” Rhea smirks at the last part, and I can’t help but giggle imagining her daddy pestering her.
“Come on, coffee is ready.” I head to the kitchen area and place the drinks on the table. I hand Rhea a pastry, and we both eat and drink while getting to know each other better.
“I like the way the furniture looks. It has given the place a homey feel. The open plan works well, doesn’t it?”
“I think so. I like the feel of the cottage. It’s very welcoming and has no dark, nasty corners.”
Rhea laughs, “Yeah, I know those. Daddy has one at the house, and I used to run past it when I was a kid. Still gives me a spooky feeling, but Daddy just laughs at me.”
“Do you want to see the rest of the cottage?”
“Yeah, why not. If the furniture looks as good as I think then I know you’ll have a lovely home, Whitney.
It’s hard starting again, but you’ve done it with such flair.
Good for you, and an example for anyone who has divorced.
” Rhea looks a little sad, but I’m not digging into her privacy. If she wants to tell me she will.
After making arrangements for Rhea to come again over the holiday period, she leaves, and I know I’ve made a new friend.
I’m feeling blessed with how my life is progressing.
I think divorcing Kyle has given me a freedom I didn’t know I needed.
Now though, on the other side of the divorce, I can see how little I was getting from our marriage.
1:00 p.m. and I need to get finished with the cleaning I’m doing before Oren gets home from school. He’s like a dynamo at full power all the time. The thought has me laughing to myself because I hear ‘Aunt Whitney’ in my sleep.
Once done, I make a call to Lou as I promised her I would tell her how I was doing once I’d settled into the cottage. The phone rings four times when she takes the call.
“Hi, Lou, it’s Whitney. I wanted to let you know everything is good. I’ve had no problems with the cottage.”
“Hi, Whitney. That’s great to hear. I didn’t think you would find anything wrong, but you can’t always see everything. How are you enjoying all this snow?” Lou gives a growl.
Laughing at her antics, I reply. “Well, I’ve had a snowball fight already. But I didn’t enjoy cleaning the snow from the drive much.”
“Oh, I can imagine. I bet your arms and back hurt by the time you’d finished.”
“They did a bit, but it was worth it. I love the cottage, and I’ll be honest with you, I am happier now than I’ve been in a long time. I love locking my door at night and knowing everything is mine. I’ve worked hard, and this is my reward.”
“That’s so good to hear. I’m thrilled for you, Whitney. Anytime I can help just give me a shout.”
“Thanks, Lou. I wanted to invite you over during the holidays. I’m going to have a small get-together with all the new friends I’ve made. I would love it if you could come?” I ask with a little nervousness.
“For sure, with bells on.”
Now I burst out laughing when she says that, and I explain to her about Oren and the fact he keeps dropping it into conversations, although at times it doesn’t fit.
My next call is to Gerald, and he sounds harassed. “Are you okay, Gerald? I called to give you my schedule over the holiday period.”
“Jesus, you have really left me in the lurch. The new woman I got to help is about as useful as a butt plug when you need a crap.”
Now, I’ve never known Gerald to lose his temper, or say something like that. I open my mouth and close it four or five times before I have the capacity to say anything. “What on earth is wrong?”
“I’ve had to get rid of the woman. She was supposed to be able to do what you did.
Which is to make sure things are on hand for me when I need them.
Do editing, fact checking, etcetera. But Whitney, she was totally and utterly useless.
I spent half my day showing her what to do.
” Gerald is nearly screeching at this point, and I am holding back laughter because this is a side of Gerald I’ve never seen.
“Gerald, you need to look for someone who has worked in the industry. Knows what is needed and not employ someone who gives you a half-assed job experience.”
“I may promote Julia and get her to find a replacement for her job.”
I can hear the wheels turning in his mind.
He’s going to throw the dilemma out to Julia, but I know she is more than capable of managing it all.
“Actually, I think that is a good idea. Julia is more than able to replace me in the office. She will find a suitable person to step into her position I’m sure. ”
“Yeah, I’m going to do that. Now, what’s this about you having time out for the holiday?”
I smirk because Gerald can jump from one thing to another so easily, yet be totally overdramatic, like a moment ago.
“I’m taking the week before Christmas through to the week after New Year.
Before you bluster, remember I’ve not had a vacation in a year, so I have time to come.
It is only three weeks, which leaves me two more.
Do you want me to take all five weeks now? ”
“Dammit, Whitney. You are a tough one to negotiate with. But you are right. You are entitled to vacation time. When you have finished the projects you have at hand, send me a message. I think you only have the Viking Saga?” I hear Gerald rustling papers, and I know that’s the ledger he keeps so he can visually keep up without having to use his computer.
“Yeah, the cowboy book is finished and uploaded to the cloud. The Viking I’ll be done with end of next week. It’s a very large novel and could have been split into two books. I may recommend that, Gerald, but let me finish it before I make any comments about it.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you to complete the project and then I’ll take a look at any suggestions you make. I agree mind you, it is a very large novel and could be split into two books. Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Gerald, as always, was right to the point.
“No, I think that covers things.”
“Okay, thanks, Whitney. Talk soon.”
I look at my phone because he’s gone already, and more than likely his head is already into whatever next needs his attention.
I think the man is great. He is, however, a bumbler if not kept on the project he’s doing at the moment.
He easily gets sidetracked, and that was one of the things I used to avoid with him.
At times we’d never have got things completed otherwise. I’m wishing good luck to Julia.
The back door bursts open, and Oren rushes inside, then stops, turns back and kicks his boots off. “I stamped my feet, Aunt Whitney.” Oren gives me a huge smile to which you just have to give one back to him. “What are we doing today?”
“Well, I was looking at the tree and thinking it needs a little something extra…hm, how do you feel about making a corn garland?”
“What’s that?”
Grinning, I quickly point to the jar of popping corn, and the pan I have set up ready. “We pop corn. You know, popcorn, then we string it for the tree.”
“Oh yes, we can do that.” I smile when Oren rushes to the sink to wash his hands.
He has learned quickly that nothing he does in my kitchen is started until he has washed his hands.
I step behind him and lean over, washing my hands right next to his, which has him giggle.
I kiss the top of his head, and then dry my hands, right before making sure his are dry too.
Did I really want to do this I ask myself half an hour later.
We’d had a mishap when Oren poured too much popping corn into the pan.
It exploded faster than we were ready. Popcorn everywhere, and the funny thing was Oren was trying to catch it.
I had to stop him to prevent him from burning his hands.
We get it strung without too much trouble, but I’m sure he ate more than he put the needle through. I ignore it because hey… we are only kids once.
“That was fun, Aunt Whitney,” Oren says as we look at the Christmas tree, now that we’ve hung the popcorn garland. Oren has one for his tree at home, and he looks proud of it too.
“It was fun. Oh, I think that’s your daddy honking his horn for you to go home.”
Running to the back door, Oren peeks out and waves. “Yeah, it’s time to go home.” Pushing his feet into his boots quickly, right before shouting to me as he closes the door. “See you tomorrow, Aunt Whitney, with bells on.”
I giggle because he’s got that rattling around his head. I’ll have to think of another one that could go along with it.