20. Zeth #2
“Millie’s pestering aside, my day was productive. I borrowed a ladder and some tools from Todd to chip off the kitchen’s wet ceiling plaster. He said I have to do that to dry the beams before he can fix the inside.”
“He’s a saint. I’m glad you’re getting some help. Did you decide if you want any of the furniture from the barn?”
“I’ll not lie, I dream about your rocking chair, but it’ll be a waste of effort and time to move it into the laundry. I’ll just sit on it when I visit you in the barn. Until it sells, that is.”
“It wouldn’t be a waste. You’re worth it. If you want it, it’s yours.”
I didn’t know what to say in the face of such kindness, so I laughed off his offer and kept walking. “We’ll see. If chairs went to people who deserve them, then a person as good as you should have five hundred and fifty-two.”
“That’s a very random number of chairs, but thank you.” Amby chuckled and grabbed my hand. He really did deserve that many chairs and anything else he wanted out of life.
I squeezed his fingers and asked, “Are you still thinking about selling your furniture at the Founders Day Festival?”
“Yes. Do you want to help me? I’ll split the profits with you.”
“Split them? Evenly?” I eyed him sharply, but he looked earnest. “That’s hardly right. Thirty-to-seventy is the usual ratio. If you agree to give me thirty percent of the sales, then I’m your man.”
“You’re already my man.” Amby brought my hand up to kiss it. “Good thing you told me about the cuts. I think I might have overpaid someone for moving something the other day… But yes, if you don’t mind, I’d appreciate your help. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“Don’t doubt yourself, darling. You’ll sell out.”
Amby leaned against me, kissing my shoulder before he said, “You’re too good to me.”
I smiled at him. This connection between us tied so easily back together that it felt like we never parted. Walking side by side with the love of my life was such a blessing. Amby’s promise to be with me still stole my breath every time I thought about it.
Just ahead, the river widened, and I could see people jumping in.
I heard their mirth from here. They reminded me of how Amby and I used to play in a shallower part of the river as kids.
It also reminded me of something that happened recently.
“Hm, maybe I should push you in the water? A bit of retribution.”
“If you do, you’re going down with me.”
“Oh, I have no doubt. You’re a brat.”
Amby came close to my ear to whisper, “You like it when I’m a brat.”
“You know me well.” I tugged him closer by his waist.
He lingered only a moment before slipping out of my embrace, and disappointment hit me.
Then I realized how public we were being with our affection.
I wanted to court him officially, but Amby asked for patience.
That might be more difficult than I estimated.
I also hated that there was a bit of doubt hovering around inside me.
“Soon, I promise,” he said.
His reassurance helped. I winked at him and looked forward to the day we could walk as a couple. Soon.
The riverside gathering spread before us.
There were at least twenty young people in the river and several others huddled in blankets on the sandy banks by a blazing fire pit.
This drinking party was much larger than Millie led me to believe.
I didn’t see her sitting anywhere, so I scanned the water. Not there either.
The bend in the river formed a semicircle of land upon which sat the distillery.
It was a large stone building with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that emptied out into a patio of flagstone and grass beneath a wooden pergola covered with wisteria vines.
Just beyond, the second floor of a house was visible, made of the same beautiful stones.
A low, iron fence lined the patio. Lush greenery, rose bushes, and wisteria vines grew along the spools, creating a secluded patio.
Several tables and chairs held dozens of lively, imbibing patrons.
This was the distillery garden Amby mentioned, and it looked lovely.
I wondered why he didn’t attend more often.
Amby and I walked under an arched arbor into the garden.
Jovial conversation surrounded us while we hugged the edge of the crowd to search for my sister.
Most people cuddled under a rainbow of quilted blankets, just like on the shore.
Some sipped from small cups or ate from wooden bowls.
The food and drinks came from a massive wooden bar top outside the glass doors.
That’s where I found Millie, Emiline, Hattie, and Arthur. They were still dry and standing in line. Millie was bound to get toasted if she took more than a sip of liquor. Thankfully, Arthur was buying her a meal as well. Filling her belly would help.
The steaming bowls of boiled fish and potatoes made my mouth water. Just then, my own belly made its demand for food.
“I’m hungry,” Amby said. “You want to get some food?”
I eyed him. “Are you only saying that for my sake? I think the next town over heard my stomach just now.”
“I mean, yes, I am hungry. Obviously you are too.”
Feeling conspicuous, I used the bottom edge of Amby’s vest to lead him against the fence with me to an empty table nestled against a tall plant.
The vines above were thicker here, and the sun speckled his face as his brown eyes questioned me.
I straightened his shirt collar as I said, “Thank you for taking care of me, but wasn’t our plan to stay hidden? ”
“Good idea.” Amby grabbed my arm with friendly affection. “You can sit at the table here behind this huge plant while I get our food.” He left swiftly, and I chuckled at his way around my objections.
Since my pockets were as empty as my stomach, I appreciated his generosity. His insistence on feeding me was as familiar as his laughter. Both sustained me.
Tucking myself into a seat, I set my blanket roll against the fence and sat low to avoid attention.
Amby got in line behind a well-endowed woman.
Our sisters chatted to themselves just in front of her.
Not a moment later, Emiline turned toward Amby, as if sensing her twin.
Amby ducked comically behind the woman between them.
When she shifted, he moved with the woman’s skirts, and I laughed.
A few tables over, two men turned my way, and I quickly recognized them from my school days.
Ben was a quiet rich kid a few years younger than us.
I recalled his wealthy family coming over from the far west, and Ben having to learn our language.
I didn’t remember the other fellow’s name, but I did remember how much he picked on me during lunchtime.
His hair had grown out, the brown locks knotted on top of his head, and his sharp, blue eyes locked on me.
His smile widened with recognition through a scruffy beard.
My stomach knotted. I scooted my chair until I hid behind the big plant, much to my shame.
Suddenly feeling ten years old again, I stayed out of sight and watched through the leaves as the men stood and approached.
The bully was named… Richard… That’s right.
Dick was what everyone called him. How did I forget such a fitting name?
Maybe I pushed his name to the bottom of my paper pile with all the other unpleasantries of being a poor kid.
Dick stepped up to my empty table, appearing very tall as he peered down where I sat with no food. Fuck, this felt familiar. When Ben walked up behind him, I forced myself to offer them seats.
Dick reached his arm out, making me flinch, but he only slapped my shoulder in greeting as he barked, “I thought that was you! Zeth, right? Welcome back, friend, how’ve you been?”
Friend? I tipped a bit sideways in my seat, more from shock than anything else. This camaraderie certainly wasn’t expected. “Um, good. You?”
“Wonderful. I’m working here at the distillery. You remember Ben? We started courting a few weeks ago.” He wound an arm around Ben’s waist, and the two of them beamed at each other. “He really helped me become less of an asshole.”
“Rich doesn’t give himself much credit,” Ben said with a twitch of his lips as he offered me a hand to shake. I never would have paired these two from different social classes. They gave me more hope for Amby and myself.
“I wasn’t nice, and we all know it.” Dick shook his head. “Sorry for how I was back then, Zeth.”
“That’s… honorable of you to say.”
Dick whistled at me, and my shoulders tensed in anticipation for his teasing. It didn’t take long, “Listen to you, putting on fancy pants.”
Before I could defend myself, Ben tapped his mate with a soft, “Manners,” and Dick sent him a remorseful look.
“I mean that in the best way,” Dick reiterated. Well, I’ll be damned, he did change for the better.
Just then, Amby joined us balancing two bowls and drinks in his arms. I helped him by taking mine, and he slid into a chair beside me until our shoulders touched.
“Rich, Ben, good to see you.” Amby nodded at them.
“Ah, the Daring Duo returns,” Dick… or rather, Rich, chuckled. “I wondered who Zeth came here with. Boy, you two sure got into trouble when we were kids. Rekindling your friendship, are you?”
Amby put his arm around my shoulder. “We’re like two peas in a pod. Distance and time aren’t enough to snuff out our friendship.”
I snorted. Two peas? He was so cute. I glanced at Amby’s handsome face so close to mine and slipped a hand under the table to rub his thigh. “What if I don’t like peas? They feel weird when I swallow.”
I was being serious, but Rich and Ben were quick to laugh. It was only after Amby’s eyes widened with humor and a quick blush lit his cheeks that I grasped the sexual suggestion. I winked at Amby in play, and he lightly punched my side in jest.