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A roll of blueprints for a Baldwin Ridge outbuilding was spread out on a table in the construction trailer. Ash jabbed his finger on a shaded area that indicated the Cummings’ property. “This is supposed to be a club house for the condos, not a fucking pumpkin patch.” He turned toward his police chief. “Get rid of that son of a bitch.”
Willy Parks sat in a swivel chair, scratching lazily at his chest, his legs propped up on a sawhorse. “I was going to have a little talk with him over the weekend, but I didn’t see him around.”
“Well he’s back up on her roof right now. I don’t care if you have to shoot him. Get him off there before he fixes anything else.”
With a groan and a creaking of knees, the chief sat upright. “I can’t grab him in front of the old lady. It’ll look suspicious. As soon as he drives into town, I’ll stop him and convince him to leave. Don’t worry, he’ll be out of your hair.”
Ash leaned over the table and planted his palms flat on the surface. His half-smile was more dire than a threat. “He had better be, Will. Because if you can’t get rid of that redneck drifter, I’ll call the Simpson brothers to do it for you.”
“Jeeze, Ash, Jake and Harley Simpson? You can’t actually kill this guy. I’m a cop for Christ sake. I didn’t hear you say that.”
Ash ambled to the trailer door, straightening his tie as he walked. He spoke over his shoulder. “You’ll only be top cop for as long as I need you to be, and for as long as I’m willing to pay to shut up the next stripper you ‘accidentally’ sleep with. Get the drifter out of my town.”
****
As promised, Jenna took the memory card that contained pictures from the concert to the drug store to have them printed. Janie was eager to have them and Jenna, try as she might to be adult, couldn’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction knowing her daughter would be getting even with darling little Tiffany Baldwin. Jenna would love to be a fly on the cafeteria wall when Janie showed her classmates pictures of Riley and herself at the backstage party.I hope Anne got good shots.
Later, as Jenna walked back to her car, a voice rang out. She turned and forced a smile. “Hello, Ash.”
“I called you this weekend. Did you get my message?”
“Afraid I didn’t. I was in the city with my daughter.”
Relaxed, ever a picture of charm, he grinned and folded his arms, his weighty biceps evident beneath the silky linen of his sports coat. “Ah, that’s a relief. I thought you were avoiding me.”
Jenna tapped her fingers against her thighs. The passion of kissing Eric cooled whatever small attraction she felt for Ash. “No, I’ve just been busy.”
The pharmacy parking lot wasn’t the place for a detailed explanation of why she wouldn’t be accepting any more invitations to any of the pricey restaurants where Ash Baldwin was a front-row, season ticket holder. She smiled and said she had to run.
“Wait.” His eyes were softly appraising, his grin amiable. “I thought we might have dinner one night this week.” His request sounded like more of a dictate than an invitation.
“I’m sorry I can’t.” Her reply was too quick, and she saw the ease escape his posture. “I’m expecting my friend back tomorrow night. It would be rude to go out and leave her.”
“I’m sure your friend won’t mind if you take a night for yourself. I’ll call you.” He hopped into his convertible, giving her no time to argue the point.
****
Another spring shower halted Eric’s work for the day. Since returning from the city, work seemed effortless. Kissing Jenna, having her respond the way she had, suffused him with energy. She’d set the almighty chemicals of happiness flowing in his veins. The schoolboy grin on his face was a giveaway, and Ina commented on his happy mood, fluttering around him at dinner, ladling food, and swamping him with advice.
“Now, you give her a gentlemanly call to show you’re interested.”
Eric swallowed a hunk of a potato whole so he wouldn’t spit it across the table while laughing. “Ina, I told her she was the love of my life. I’m pretty sure she knows I’m interested.”
Reaching across the table, she scraped more spinach onto his plate. “Iron. A young man, especially one in love, can’t have enough iron in his blood.” She winked at him and dove into a long discourse. “Flowers would be a nice gesture, nothing showy, she already knows you’re richer than Midas. Courtship is very important…you don’t want to blow it, not this time around.”
The elderly woman continued to counsel him on affairs of the heart while refilling his plate. Her advice ran out only when the supply of food was depleted.
She plucked her bright red raincoat from a hook by the front door and shrugged into it. “Well, I’m off to bingo.” She bustled out the door and it slammed behind her.
Eric was still laughing as he cleared the table and washed the dishes. After, he sat on the porch as he did most evenings. Outside it was warm, and mist caused by the evaporating rain rolled along the ground. Moonlight glittered through the breaking clouds. Propping his feet on the railing, he looked out at the night. Hazy ribbons of fog turned into Jenna’s hair, the brilliant gold of the moon her eyes. She was everywhere, all around him, but mostly inside, locked away in his heart.
“I’m never letting you go again,” he vowed as he gazed up at the stars. He went inside to take Ina’s advice and call her.
****
Jenna picked up the phone.
“Hi, Babes.”
