Chapter 10
10
M aileah clicked her computer keyboard, flipping between screens. As she researched, she grew more excited about creating a business on Crown Island.
She could do this. All she needed was her first client. While she would feel more confident about moving out of Junie’s house if she had work, she could manage.
Junie opened the door. “Knox and I are having a barbecue tomorrow night and inviting the neighborhood. Want to ask Todd?”
“We’re going out the next night.”
Junie grinned at that. “You can see him two nights in a row, can’t you?”
Maileah shook her head. “Just taking it slow this time.” She got up and stretched before wrapping her arms around her sister. “I’m glad we’re back on speaking terms. I’m sorry for everything I said.”
Junie feigned an angry attitude. “If you apologize one more time, so help me, I’ll have something to apologize for.” She held out her little finger. “Sisters forever?”
“Forever,” Maileah agreed.
Laughing, she hooked her little finger around her sister’s, just as they used to do when they were younger. A pinkie promise, they called it.
She was also going to yoga with her grandmother to work on harnessing a sense of calm—and her mouth, which had gotten her into trouble on too many occasions.
Junie eased onto Maileah’s bed and crossed her legs under her flowing floral print skirt. “How’s it going with Todd?”
“He’s Mr. Perfect. He even cooks—and actually enjoys it.”
“Just what you need.” Junie’s excitement for her was almost contagious. “What else?”
Maileah thought about it. “He’s becoming more affectionate, but we haven’t kissed.”
“Why not?” Junie’s eyes widened in alarm.
“Relax, we’ve only had three dates. Two really. The first one at Cuppa Jo’s doesn’t count. That was a meet-and-greet. So the Ferry Cafe was the first, and that was too soon. The cooking lesson wasn’t conducive to kissing, what with ten couples and my flinging hot pasta sauce all over the floor.”
Junie covered her face and laughed. “Oh, my word, I can’t believe you did that.”
“And yet, he still called me back. Unbelievable.”
“He must be crazy about you. This next date will surely seal your relationship.” Junie shook her hands with excitement.
“I think you’re more thrilled than I am,” Maileah said, sitting beside her.
Looking crestfallen, Junie made a pouty moue with her lips. “You’re not?”
“No, no, I am,” Maileah quickly assured her. “I’m just trying not to show it. You know, I want to be cool this time. Let him chase me for a change.”
“I knew he was right for you the first time I saw him.” Junie clasped her hands and beamed. “You really listened to me.”
“I did. And you’re right.” Still, Maileah missed the blinding passion she’d had in other relationships. Of course, those had been disastrous and burned out as fast as fireworks, she reminded herself. “Nana shared some advice with me the other day.”
Furrowing her brow, Junie asked, “About Todd?”
“No, it was about the need to work on me first. To get myself situated and settled before becoming involved with someone.”
Junie gave her a sympathetic smile. “You don’t want to miss out on Todd, though. I think he’s great. He seems to like you despite what you’re going through.”
As if I’m a charity case, she thought. Maileah bit back the snarky comment; she could do better.
“I’ve been thinking about Nana’s advice,” Maileah said instead. “I think she’s right. I’d feel better about becoming serious with Todd if I had my life together. I don’t want to need a man anymore. Financially or otherwise. You didn’t need Knox when you met him.”
Junie rocked a little in thought. “I understand what you mean. But now I can’t imagine my life without him. Knox is just what I needed, emotionally, that is.”
“That sounds serious.” Maileah bumped her shoulder. “Anything you want to tell me?”
“We haven’t made any definite major plans, but we make little everyday plans. I’m growing closer to Penny and his parents. We both want to be certain because of her. I couldn’t bear to break that little girl’s heart if Knox and I didn’t work out.”
It was Maileah’s turn to be concerned. “What do you think the chance of that is?”
“Very, very slim. But everything is good between us. It’s more than good; it’s truly wonderful. I love him, and I believe Mark would’ve liked him, too.” Lowering her eyes, Junie smiled.
Maileah took her hand and squeezed it. “I imagine it takes time to shift your feelings when you loved one man for so long. ”
Her sister nodded, pressing her lips together to stem the tears that sprang to her eyes. “We’ve talked about that, and Knox understands. Slow is good; we both know we’ll get there. I want to spend my life with him. And I adore his family.”
She wiped Junie’s tears and smiled. “Mom has gotten pretty friendly with his folks.”
Her sister nodded, her eyes shimmering with love. “I want the same for you, Maileah. To be so sure of someone, to light up every time you see him. For your heart to ignite when he touches you. It’s the best feeling in the world—as if you have the most wonderful secret between you.”
“Even though everyone can see it plainly on your face,” Maileah added, grinning.
Still, she wanted that, too. In time, she imagined she could grow to feel that way about Todd.
Or it could be like an arranged marriage where they grew together and cared deeply for one another. Only in this case, she was the one doing the arranging. This approach was sensible, she told herself, feeling rather proud of her newfound maturity. She would channel her passion toward her business.
Just then, her phone buzzed, and she reached for it. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Babe. I’m sorry I got so busy. Are you still interested in my guest cottage?”
Hesitating, Maileah looked at Junie, who nodded. When Babe didn’t call her back, she’d started having second thoughts. Maybe it was her, or the cottage wasn’t all that Babe had described, but it wouldn’t hurt to look.
“Sure. When could I see it?”
“How about now?”
Maileah agreed, and Babe texted her the address. She hung up. “Want to look at a guest cottage with me? I’m not sure what kind of shape it’s in.”
“You go ahead,” Junie replied. “I’ll make dinner. How about a veggie pizza and salad? ”
“No wonder Knox loves you.” Maileah bounced off the bed. “Tell you what, I’ll make the ice cream tonight. I watched how at the cooking class. All you do is mix the ingredients, pour them into the electric ice cream maker, and punch a button. Even I can do that.”
“That’s all I do.” Junie laughed. “Remember to take pictures. I want to see this place. I could help you fix it up.”
“I hope it’s not a moldy old cottage,” Maileah said. “Property can deteriorate near the ocean if not kept up.”
“You mean, like this one?” Junie stood. “This place is a perpetual work-in-progress.”
“But you love it, and now you have Knox to help. However, I don’t want to live with black mold or some other creepy stuff.”
She would have a quick look to cross it off her list.
Maileah drove slowly along Orange Blossom Way, which looked like many other streets on Crown Island, with its cottages splashed in vibrant rainbow shades. She searched for the address Babe had texted her.
With the top down on her old convertible, she inhaled the subtle scent of orange blossoms.
She squinted at sun-bleached numbers on a pink mailbox and pulled to the curb. This was close to Junie’s house and her grandmother’s on Beach View Lane. She’d ridden her bike past this street but had never ventured this far down it.
“Well, here goes nothing,” she said, swinging out of her car.
The rent Babe quoted her was low enough that this property probably needed repairs. Beachfront rentals were often expensive. But Maileah’s budget was tight until she could secure work, so she had to at least look at it.
As she approached the neat, rosy-pink house, a familiar figure emerged from behind a riot of red bougainvillea.
Babe waved to her. “Come around the back. Your parking area is behind the cottage, accessible from the side street.” She led her down a winding stone path, chattering about the neighborhood. “Most people on the street are friendly. And you can walk to the beach or bike to town. I trust you’re not throwing wild parties or waking the neighbors.”
“Not anymore.” Maileah fixed her attention on managing her expectations. She recalled Babe mentioning that prior tenants had done some damage.
She’d seen enough beach shacks to know better than to hope for much.
They rounded a tall hedge of flowering hibiscus trees that separated Babe’s larger home. In front of her, she jingled the keys. “Here we are.”
Maileah stopped short. “Oh,” she said, taken aback.
In a small clearing stood a charming stucco guest house. Spring-green splashed walls were a canvas for rambling pink roses that cascaded over a rustic arched trellis. Sunlight dappled wildflowers that grew with abandon.
Babe stopped to inhale. “Roses, orange blossoms, and ocean breezes. Sweet, huh?”
Maileah nodded. Although the setting was appealing, the inside must be a wreck. She knew a sales job when she heard one.
Babe slid a key into the old lock. “Wait until you see inside.”
The interior was small, but sunlight streamed through large windows and spilled onto the original hardwood floors. Scars in the narrow planks added to the character. A small, adobe-style fireplace filled one corner, its hearth littered with shells and sea glass.
The cottage was surprisingly cozy, just as Babe had promised.
“Does the fireplace work?” she asked.
“Sure does,” Babe replied. “Perfect for chilly nights in the winter. It heats the entire place.”
Maileah ran a hand over the soft, floral slipcovers on a loveseat and chair. The room had a shabby-chic vibe that she liked. “Does the furniture stay?”
“Everything you see is yours to use. Or I can get rid of anything if you have furnishings. I’ve been renting this to short-term visitors, but some were more trouble than they were worth. I’m through with that.”
As they moved through the cottage, Maileah’s spirits lifted. The living room and bedroom were compact, but each opened onto a patio that expanded the living space. Outdoor tables, chairs, and loveseats sat in groupings under umbrellas. She imagined working on her laptop outside, enjoying the fresh air and sounds of birds and ocean waves.
The kitchen was merely an extension of the living room, though it was quaint. Retro appliances added to the charm of the storybook cottage.
In her mind’s eye, she could see pitchers brimming with colorful wildflowers. That was all the decorating this space needed.
“The stove is old but works fine,” Babe said. “They made appliances to last back then. I had it checked out, so it’s clean and calibrated. You can roast a small turkey in the oven.”
“I’d have to work up to that,” Maileah said. “I’m more of a takeout kind of person.” She looked over the top of the refrigerator.
Babe laughed. “The fridge is compact, but it’s plenty icy. So, what do you think of the place?”
The peaceful atmosphere of the cottage washed over Maileah as she considered it. Could she afford to take the chance?
Yet here, she could focus on herself and her needs. She could work uninterrupted and do whatever she wanted. Most of all, it would be hers. For now, at least.
She needed a respite, a place to think, to gain clarity—and a good night’s sleep.
A room of her own, as it were. A place to herself. A space to figure out what she wanted to do with her life—not what others thought she should. Some might laugh at her desire, but she suspected every woman needed that at some point.
How could she not afford it?
Confident that she could figure it out, she said, “I’ll take it.”
In the grand scheme of life, this was much more satisfying than her old luxury ride.
The two women sat at a table to tend to the details of their agreement. When they finished, Babe handed her the keys. “Move in anytime, and welcome to the neighborhood.”
Babe walked her back to the front of the house. Just before Maileah got into her car, a flash of movement across the street caught her eye.
A young woman with blond hair was watering an impressive collection of potted plants on her front porch.
“Hi there,” Babe called out. “I’ll introduce you. If you need anything, you can talk to her.”
“Sure,” Maileah replied. They strolled across the street.
The other woman put down the watering can and brushed her thick hair back. She wore a simple T-shirt and denim cut-offs, typical beach wear.
“Hi, I’m Skeeter,” she said, offering her hand to Maileah.
“Nice to meet you,” Maileah said. “You have quite the plant collection.”
“With a little water, everything grows like mad here,” Skeeter said.
Maileah admired the neat house, painted a calming shade of peachy orange with white trim. It seemed Skeeter took care of her home, and Maileah looked forward to having friends nearby.
“Have you lived here a long time?” Maileah asked.
“This is Sailor’s house,” Babe said. “You know him, right?”
“Uh, sure do.” Maileah tried to hide her surprise. She hadn’t pictured him in a place like this. Or with a woman like Skeeter—assuming that’s who she was .
Babe chatted easily with Skeeter. “You didn’t go to Hawaii with him?”
“Not this time,” Skeeter replied. “He had to fend for himself because I have schoolwork to catch up on.”
“Are you a teacher?” Maileah asked, trying to make conversation.
“Maybe someday. I’m in graduate school.”
Maileah hadn’t known Sailor had a girlfriend, let alone one who lived with him. She was surprised, but knowing men as she did, she probably shouldn’t have been. She had even asked him if he had a girlfriend. Not that it mattered, except now she couldn’t trust anything he told her.
What was wrong with men?
That was a dilemma for another day, not that she could ever hope to solve that.
“Well, I’ll see you both around,” Maileah said to Babe and Skeeter.
She got into her car and started back to her sister’s house. She’d forgotten to take photos for her, but Junie would see it soon enough.
Despite learning that unsettling news about Sailor, she was looking forward to a change of scenery.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she reconsidered her plan. She could still pitch Sailor on her idea when he returned.
Meeting Skeeter was fortunate, Maileah thought. Knowing he was involved with someone would make their friendship and professional relationship less complicated.