UNDER CONSTRUCTION, CHAPTER 11

 

          When Adam arrived at Charlie’s company offices, he was impressed by how clean and modern they were. He hadn’t ever had many occasions to visit a construction company, but he’d always thought they’d be like the job site trailers…dirty, dusty and not very pleasant.

There wasn’t anyone at the reception desk, so he wandered around until he found Charlie’s office. He stood in the doorway and watched her as she looked first at the papers on the desk and then at whatever was on her computer. She made some notes in both places and would have probably continued, but Adam knocked softly on the door.

Charlie turned to look at him and he was struck by how business-like she appeared. She’d pulled her hair back from her face into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Not a single hair escaped and until she smiled, she looked rather forbidding. “Hi Adam. You’re right on time. I’m glad you found your way in. I told Stephanie that when she left to leave the door unlocked because I knew you were coming.”

“So, staff work a regular eight hours while the boss puts in extra time, I take it?”

“Yep, that’s the way it works; the way it has to work if you’re going to be successful. And, we’re far more successful than I would actually like.”

“Ah, you want to lead the lazy life I guess. Most people would be overjoyed at the success your company has. The web site alone has to bring you a lot of business. You also seem to update it regularly because when I looked at it today, there were some new photos I hadn’t seen before. I didn’t see any of your magic little house though.”

“We have a web master who keeps the site updated and organized. There won’t be any photos of my home until after the magazine article appears. That was part of the agreement, that they’d publish the first photos and then I can have some placed on the web if I want. I’m afraid that article is only going to increase our business and I’ve been thinking about what I need to do to meet the demand.”

“What would that be?”

“You know what, I’m starving. How about I close up shop and we head out for dinner. If you really want to know more, we can talk about it once we’ve placed our order. I was too busy for lunch and I’m famished. Where are we going by the way?”

Charlie had stood up, turned off her computer and straightened up the piles of paper as she was talking. The sleeves on the white shirt she was wearing were rolled up and it was tucked into a very tailored pair of black shorts which hit just above the knee. And, perhaps the trailing scarf that went around the collar had been tied at her neck at some point. She looked very business-like. A matching jacket hung from the back of her chair. She pulled it off and draped it over her arm, pulled a bag from her desk drawer and walked around the desk.

“So, shall we?” Charlie questioned.

“Yep, I’m hungry too. I thought we’d go to Ebenezer’s for ribs although judging by your attire, we should probably go someplace a little fancier.” Adam replied.

“Forget that idea.” Charlie responded, locking the office door. “First, you’re not dressed for someplace fancier and I can adjust. Besides Eb’s is my most favorite place in the entire city.”

“Well, if you’re sure.” Adam opened his car door for her. By the time he’d walked around the car and got in, Charlie’s appearance had changed. She’d taken off the scarf, opened a couple more shirt buttons and let her hair down to fall over her shoulders and down her back. Now, she looked more fun and way less forbidding.

At Ebenezer’s they were lucky enough to snag a booth because the people who’d been in it got up to leave as they walked in the door. It was a two-person booth, so the other people waiting couldn’t utilize because their groups were too large.

“Wow,” Charlie exclaimed, “this is so unusual. I’ve always had to wait at least 10 or 15 minutes, even when I order to-go. I may have to put you on speed dial so the next time I want to come here, I can call and make you go with me. I hate waiting for anything.”

They ordered beers and a full rack of ribs each with collard greens, and cornbread. While they waited, Adam returned to his question asked in the office. “So, what are you planning that’s going to help you meet the demands for your company’s services.”

The waitress put down their beers and Charlie lifted hers to take a sip. “Well, I seriously need a second in command. Before my folks took up traveling, and I’m so glad they did and are enjoying it, I could always go to dad and ask him for help or advice. With them gone, it’s just me, myself and I. There’s a definite need for someone with experience and knowledge who could step up and lend a hand, take over some of the work I have to do in the office. I think I’ve mentioned my first love is actually working at the job site. Having to dress up, look professional and meet with clients is not my favorite thing to do. I know it’s necessary, but I still don’t enjoy that part of the job.”

“You have any people in mind for the job? Is there anyone on any of your crews who could step up and take on a more managerial position or are you going to have to advertise and interview?”

“There are a couple of foremen who might work out, but I haven’t brought up the subject with either of them. It would depend on whether or not they prefer using a hammer as opposed to a pencil and computer. One, or even both of them, would be my first choice, but I’ve got to finish writing the job description first.”

“I don’t know a thing about business, but from listening to my dad and brother, it usually makes sense to hire from within. Looking outside the company is always more difficult and even when they thought they’d found the right person, it didn’t always work out.”

“I know and thanks for the advice, even though it’s kinda second-hand.”

At that point, their platters arrived. Charlie grabbed her bib and put it over her head. Then, she yanked a number of napkins out of the holder and placed them within easy reach. She looked at Adam, winked and said, “Now, you’ll get to see the real me, chomping on bones and getting barbeque sauce all over myself. But I’ve never been able to resist from the first time my daddy brought me here. I was barely walking and having a single rib with mild sauce kept me busy the entire meal. Mamma took photos of her messy girl and I don’t think there was a square inch of my face, head and arms that didn’t have sauce. I still remember that and how really good it was.”

Adam followed Charlie’s example and put on his own bib and gathered napkins. They began to work on the platters before them and between biting and chewing and swallowing, there wasn’t really any way they could talk. Charlie hadn’t lied about how messy she got eating her ribs. Adam found himself wondering how it would be to lick or suck the sauce from the various locations before him. Even though she was messy, she didn’t eat quickly, but appeared to enjoy every single bite, even closing her eyes sometimes. Adam wasn’t sure, but he thought she might be moaning with pleasure at those times, but he couldn’t quite hear.

The platter in front of Adam was empty first. He used the little packets of wash-its to clean his fingers and mouth. He only needed a couple because he was a daintier eater than Charlie. As he looked over at Charlie, she laughed, her mouth stained with sauce, and winked as she threw the last empty bone back on the platter.

“Yum, yum, yum. That was so good.”

Adam started laughing and asked, “Have you ever heard of or seen a movie made some time in the 60s called Tom Jones. Tom is a young Albert Finney and there’s a scene in there where Tom and his lady friend, I think it was Joyce Redman….”

Charlie burst out laughing and interrupted Adam. “It’s the sexiest eating ever filmed in my opinion. I was thinking about that very movie a couple of months ago when I got ribs to go. The only thing that would make it better here is if Eb would let us throw our bones over our shoulders.”

“You do know the movie? Do you or did you see the movie when the scene where Mrs. Waters, or Joyce Redman puts a raw oyster in her mouth and holds it on her tongue before swallowing it. Because the director refused to delete that scene, the movie got an “X” rating. In the updated version, that scene was cut.”

“I don’t remember seeing that in the movie I watched. About all I do remember is how much they enjoyed their dinner; and, most likely how much they enjoyed each other in one of the rooms at that inn…that is if that’s what happened.”

By now, the waitress had removed their empty dishes and returned with a second beer for each of them. Charlie excused herself to go to the restroom and give her hands a serious wash. Adam watched her move across the room, stopping now and then to say a few words to someone or respond to whatever was being said to her. He watched as she reached the end of the bar where an old black man sat. He was slim and his hair was as white as new snow. He reached out to Charlie and she hugged him hard with both arms and gave him a smacking kiss on his cheek. They talked and laughed for a minute before she continued to the restroom.

Adam watched Charlie’s return, which was in much in the same fashion as her departure had been. This time, she took the old man’s hand in hers, raised it to her cheek and then gave it a kiss. Before he took his hand back, he gave her chin a little nudge and they both laughed again.

When she arrived back at their booth, Adam asked, “Who’s the old guy at the bar?”

“Oh, my goodness, you’ve never met Mr. Ebenezer. He’s the one who started this place long ago. He gave me my first rib and was delighted by how I bit and sucked and made a huge mess. He says the reason he’s lived so long is his ribs and secret sauce. Mr. Ebenezer is the most delightful man. He always makes me laugh over something and is usually in his place at the bar on Friday and Saturday nights. His family runs the place now, but he likes to come ‘enjoy the ambience’ is how he puts it. I’ll have to introduce you. I’m sure you’d like him…everybody does.”

They finished their beers and prepared to leave. Charlie took Adam’s hand prepared for the sizzle she’d receive and led him over to Mr. Ebenezer. “Mr. Eb, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Adam. He’s a yankee, but he has good taste because he loves your ribs.”

As the two shook hands, Mr. Eb, spoke in a very lazy southern drawl, “Course this young man has good taste. Look who he’s with. Only a man with good taste would have brung you here. And since you hardly ever come in for a meal with a man, I’m thinking maybe this here yankee might be a special friend.”

“I’m very pleased to meet you Mr. Ebenezer. I found your restaurant probably the first week I came to town. I haven’t eaten inside often because I hate having to wait for a place, plus I hate eating alone. Your ribs and sauce are the very best I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed your dinner. I saw you didn’t have any bread puddin’. That’s another specialty. Here, let me send some home with you. Hey, Sammy, put some bread puddin’ in a to go box for this young friend of Ms. Charlotte’s.”

Adam started to object, but Charlie told him it was fruitless. When Mr. Eb makes a decision, ain’t nothing gonna change his mind, ain’t that right Sir?”

“It shore is.” Mr. Eb said as he took the little bag from Sammy and handed it to Adam. “You enjoy now, yuh hear.”

“And, Ms. Charlotte, don’t you go being such a stranger. I know you get ribs to go, but I sure do like seeing your pretty face a lot more often than I have been. Your daddy’s workin’ you way too hard.”

“It’s not daddy that’s making me work so hard Mr. Eb; it’s the company. Mamma and daddy are off on another one of their trips, so it’s just me, myself and I left behind to handle it all. Say, didn’t your grandson just graduate from Georgia Tech last spring?”

“Yes, that would be Dennis. He graduated at the top of his class. We’re all mighty proud of that boy.”

“Does he have a job? Is he working someplace right now?”

“Yeah, he’s workin’ for that Nelson Company, but I don’t think he’s real happy with his job or the work. Why you askin’?”

“Until tonight, I’d forgotten Dennis had graduated and I think he was in the same or very similar program as I was. I’m thinking about doing some hiring. Can you tell Dennis to drop off his resume or give me a call? I’d really appreciate that.” Charlie said as she pulled a card out of her bag.

“Happy to do that Ms. Charlotte, happy to do that. Now, you take care yuh hear. And, you, young man, be sure you stop over and say hi the next time you’re here if I’m sitting at the bar. Always like to greet people and watch them enjoy the ambience.” Mr. Eb laughed and patted Adam on the shoulder while he gave Charlie another hug with his other arm.

Outside, Adam took Charlie’s hand as they walked toward the car. Once again, she received the expected sizzle and seriously hoped Adam intended to spend the night at her house or take her home to his cabin. They didn’t say much as they returned to his car and Charlie was sad to let go of his hand when he opened the car door. Instead of climbing inside, Charlie turned and with the door between them, reached up to kiss Adam’s mouth. What ensued was the best kiss Charlie had ever received. It was brief and left her wanting more, but Adam stepped back and said, “I find public displays of affection embarrassing, probably because I’m an uptight yankee. Go on, hop in.”

Charlie looked up at him, into his eyes and would have sworn she saw desire there, but if he wanted to be more circumspect, she could do that too. It was only when Adam got in the car and asked, “So, where did you park your truck? I’ll drop you off there.” that Charlie realized there would probably not be any fun and games at either one of their places that night. She now wished she’d gone home and had Adam pick her up there. Damnit anyway.

Charlie told him her truck was behind the building that housed her company. Neither one said much as Adam drove the short distance, stopped and turned off his car. He opened his door saying, “A gentleman always walks a lady to her door, even if it’s a truck door.”

Adam came around the front of his car and opened her door. Charlie allowed him to take her hand and help her out. Once the car door was shut, but before he could walk her to her truck, Charlie faced Adam and murmured, “There’s no one to watch back here.”

With that, Charlie reached up and clasped her hands behind Adam’s neck and pulled his face to hers. The taste she’d had just a short time before didn’t prepare her for the shockwave of feeling that went through her body. Their lips met, separated and met again, changing direction but never really breaking contact. Adam’s tongue found its way into Charlie’s mouth and she welcomed it with her own, sucked it gently and then offered her tongue to Adam’s mouth. Adam pulled her tongue inside with suction and deepened the kiss. His arms were around her, holding her so their bodies were pressed tightly against each other.

Charlie had never shared kisses like the ones they were sharing now. She would have been happy to go on kissing Adam and having him kiss her for an eternity. She love, love, loved the kissing. At the same time, she could feel Adam’s erection pressed against her and she desperately wanted to feel more of that as well. Her nipples were hard and she knew her panties were becoming damp.

Adam pulled away and used his hands to hold her away from him. “Charlie, you were right when you told me I felt something when we touched. I do and it scares the crap out of me. All I can think about is kissing you and having sex with you and this is just happening way too fast for me.”

“Oh Adam,” Charlie murmured, “I’ve been thinking about how it would be between us because every time you touch me, every single hair on my body stands at attention. I want to crawl all over you, fuck you, suck you, do anything and everything we can think of that would pleasure us both. I know you probably think I’m way too forward, but I believe in being honest and I’m being honest. I want to have sex with you. I want to have sex with you now, tonight.”

Adam wasn’t sure what to say. Part of him wanted to have sex with her in the cab of her truck. Another part wanted to put her back in his car and take her home to his cabin. But the sane, sober part of him simply couldn’t move ahead this fast. As it was, Charlie saying she wanted to fuck and suck him both thrilled him and left him a bit aghast at how forward she was. He simply didn’t know how to respond aside from backing away until he felt more sure of his feelings.

“Charlie, I enjoyed having dinner with you. I enjoyed the kisses we just shared. I also desire you, but this is moving way too fast for me. So, I’m going to say good night even though I know I’m going to kick myself later when I’m alone in my bed, but that’s the way it has to be for me. A northern yankee, you know. Now, drive yourself home safely and I’ll see you soon.”

With a quick peck of a kiss on her mouth, Adam moved away and got into his car. He waited for her to get into her truck. Charlie just stood there for what seemed like forever, feeling like the world’s biggest fool. She’d done everything but, well everything…damnit, how could he possibly refuse her. She unlocked her truck, climbed in and slammed the door.

Once Adam saw her inside her vehicle, he started his car and drove away. Charlie sat in her truck, fuming, “He’ll see me soon,” she muttered. “Like hell, he’ll see me soon. Fuck you Adam. You’ve missed your chance. No need to see me soon. I’m done. Finished. Don’t bother your little self. I’m just fine as I am and don’t need you one single tiny bit.”

Charlie started her truck and headed for home. All the way there she kept muttering a wide variety of epithets, half formed sentences that consigned Adam to hell and back. Even so, there was one tiny shred of hope that she’d find his car in her driveway and him waiting with open arms when she left her truck.

BORING UPDATES???

         

             It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything but chapters of the books I’ve written or am writing. Those don’t really match the intent of my blog, “Learning to live alone after almost 55 years,” although in a way, they do because I probably wouldn’t have found the time or silence in which to create. That doesn’t mean I’ve learned to live alone and LIKE it, it just means I’m moving on with my life as best I can. I think I owe my readers some updates.

First, my health. I had the last CT scan and lab work a couple of weeks ago and everything came back normal. That was great news although it’s been three months now and I’m still working to regain my stamina. During this period, I’ve only managed to walk my hour route three times and it was a struggle. This week, I’ve done half the route three times and didn’t have a problem, so maybe my stamina is returning. I can’t wait because being 75 and feeling like 95 isn’t the way I want to spend my life.

Second are my plans for the future. My real estate agent sends me the latest listings every day in an email. I view them and to date haven’t found a single one to which me and my doggies could move. Earlier this week I also came to the conclusion, and how it escaped me before this I have no idea, that wherever I move, if I move, the doggies may be a problem. I was getting ready to leave and put the doggies in their kennels before deciding I should go to the bathroom. The entire time I was in there Kaizer howled and barked and carried on. I can just hear my condo neighbors complaining about the noise. He also makes a lot of noise in the morning to let me know it’s time to get up and that would probably be even worse for condo neighbors.

Most of the listings are for condos. There have been very few of houses, most in Everett and built in the early 1900s. One of them would have been perfect had Chip and Joanna Gaines been available to rehab the entire place. Most, while eminently affordable are simply in fairly bad shape. As for the condos, most do not have a fenced area right outside for the doggies and I do not want to have to be taking them for potty walks three or four times a day. I like being able to stand in the garage door and wait while making sure they do their “bidness.”

I also really do not want to be on the bottom floor with someone tramping around over my head. The top floor would be best and there have been some great ones, but it would mean getting rid of the doggies and I don’t think I can do that…they’re family. So the hunt for a new place isn’t going well.

My plan now is that if I reach the end of April without having found a new place, I will simply stay here. If I stay, I won’t be spending $39,000 on the foundation, but will have the windows with broken seals replaced. I’ll also paint what was the marital and then John’s bedroom, purchase a double bed, all new linens and who knows what else and move myself in there.

With regard to eliminating stuff around here, the garage is almost completely empty of unnecessary items. There’s still a few things I’m hoping someone on Craig’s List will purchase or people on Buy Nothing will take and if they don’t go via those two sources, they’ll be headed for recycle/dump. I felt quite bad a couple of weeks ago when Haley and AJ left here with her truck mounded high with stuff for the dump. The largest item was John’s California king size bed. I searched all over for someplace to donate it to since it was in great shape, but there were no takers.

My granddaughter and sons, but especially Haley has been so much help to me I cannot begin to thank her enough. It’s not like she spends the entire day doing my bidding, but she does come and assist with various projects. I began to pay her last year when she was organizing the garage with me. Her availability will cease come September when she goes off to school. So, it’s a good thing I am paying her because I’m going to have to hire someone(s) who can come help me with stuff around here…providing I’m still here.

Also, as part of the moving idea, I reached out to folks who hold those estate sales for you. It would have meant my moving some place two weeks ahead of the sale. I’m sure AJ and Angie would have let me stay there, but the end result didn’t sound promising. I could either take care of removing whatever was left after the sale, or the company could do it for me. If I took care of what’s left, they’d get one-third and if they emptied the house, they’d get half. It was amazing and extremely saddening to get an approximate figure of what all my crap is worth. I laughed and raged at John over all the crap he saved, but it appears my choices weren’t much better than his…apologies John!!!

Third and last, is how widowhood is going. Let me tell you this past year of no contact and very little social interaction really sucked big time. There have been days when I would have loved to have been able to curl up with John skin-to-skin and just lay there for hours. There have been times when I would have loved to hold a big potluck party like we used to. There have been times when I would have happily fought with John over anything at all, just to be able to hear his voice, see his angry face, and ultimately make up for whatever ridiculous problem we’d been arguing about.

Then, there’s the lost potential of going places. At one point I told myself I was going to pick a place every single week and just go there. It didn’t matter where and it could have been a nursery, park, beach, anywhere that wasn’t in the house. Did I do that…nope. It would have been good for me to get out and drive around even if I didn’t have a destination in mind. Just leaving the house and seeing other sights that weren’t either my walls or out my window would have been good. Did I do that…nope. It just didn’t seem all that fun to do with just me myself and I. Besides, when it came to the driving around part, it would have been so good to have John in the driver’s seat so I could look and look and look at whatever was passing by.

I guess what I’m trying to say here is that it’s been extremely lonely for the last 19 months. I found myself envying all my girlfriends who still have a husband in residence, and most of them do. There’s only a couple who don’t have one, and they don’t live close enough to pal around with. True, there’s phone calls, face time, social media and some visitation providing you keep your distances, but even those are few and far between.

I am vaccinated and have passed the two-week period after. Since then, I’ve seen my family and been able to hug and kiss Xander, Haley, AJ, Thor, and Angie. When it comes to friends, I’ve been Maryanne and Greg and we’ve hugged. I also now walk with Kathy without a mask. I do, however, wear a mask when I go out in public for anything for any reason. I believe I’ll be, as will anyone else with a brain, doing that for some time to come.

Meanwhile, most days I try to count my blessings and I have many. I’m alive and healthy, my bills get paid, there’s food in the fridge, cupboard and freezer and if I don’t want any of what’s here, I can order in or go pick something up. I’m definitely not going hungry. I have friends and family who care about me and check in or welcome me checking in with them. I may soon (probably not until 2022) have the ability to travel to other places and the 15-day Viking cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam sounds delightful, although Costa Rican beaches still remains my first choice.

Finally, I’m writing and enjoying every single keystroke. Some of the ideas I use come to me out of nowhere to be incorporated into the story. Sometimes, it’s the character or characters who tell me where they want to go. I seriously doubt I’ll ever have anything published that would end up on the NY Times Bestseller list, but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is that I enjoy bringing other people to life and living with them for a time. They do make it a lot less lonely and (I’m laughing here) the sex is absolutely GREAT.

So, here’s my update. Hope you enjoyed it. Under Construction will return soon. Charlie and Adam are about to…well, you’ll just have to wait and see.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION, CHAPTER 10

 

         Charlie realized she wasn’t alone and didn’t like that fact. Her head ached and her mouth felt as though an army had marched through it while she slept. She moaned and muttered, “Quit, just stop it.”

“Hey babe, it’s time to wake up. I’ve got something for you. I wanted to give it to you last night, but you were passed out by the time I came in to join you. I was so disappointed.” Bradley’s voice was much too loud. It made her head hurt worse. And his hands, he couldn’t seem to keep them to himself. It actually felt as though he’d grown several more pairs. Then there was his hairy leg thrown over both of hers. Thank God she was laying on her tummy.

“Bradley, stop it. I have a huge hangover and I have to pee. Move your leg please.”

When Charlie climbed out of bed, she cast a swift look at Bradley and he was pouting. It was his most unattractive feature. If he didn’t get his way, he got this look on his face. It was a look that made her want to send him to stand in the corner like the little kid he appeared to be at those times.

Finished on the toilet, Charlie started the shower and stepped inside. She was barely wet when Bradley tried to join her. “No Bradley, I’m not in the mood for fun and games this morning. If you want a shower, you can have one after I finish.”

“Well fine. If that’s how you feel, I think I’ll just head on back to my condo.”

“Go ahead. Have a nice Sunday.” Charlie responded and turned her back to him.

When Charlie stepped out of the shower, she felt much better than she had going in. Her headache was almost gone and she’d drunk at least two quarts of warm water during her shower. It also made her feel much clearer to know that Bradley had left, that is if he had. Wrapped in a towel, she entered her bedroom to find both him and his clothes gone. Yippee, she thought. I get to have my very first morning in my first new house all to myself. If I hadn’t been so wined up, I would have sent Bradley away last night.

Dressed in shorts and a tank top, Charlie went into her kitchen and prepared her first latte of the day. She took it and a fuzzy blanket to the porch and nestled into the pillows on the porch swing. It was a little bit chilly so the blanket felt good over her legs. She sipped her latte and watched the lake and surrounding woods while she listened to the bird calls. She thought she could happily spend hours right there enjoying the peacefulness emphasized by the natural world around her.

Charlie returned to the swing with her second latte and a couple slices of peanut butter toast. As she munched away between sips, she thought about Bradley and decided it was time to send him on his way. They didn’t really have much in common and he definitely wasn’t someone with whom she’d want to spend her life or even a long period of her life. She also thought about Adam and knew one of the reasons for telling Bradley farewell was because she hoped to see if a relationship could develop with Adam. She wasn’t raised to be the kind of woman who juggled two men at the same time. That was tantamount to being a whore in her mamma’s book and she definitely didn’t want to find herself in that particular book. And, if it turned out Adam wasn’t interested, that would be fine too. She was ready to stop seeing Bradley regardless.

It was good Charlie had the talk with herself because before the afternoon was over, Bradley called, over his pout and ready to get together.

“Hey Babe, how about I pick you up and we go out to dinner? I can be there in a few and after dinner, maybe we can christen that new bed of yours like I wanted to last night and this morning.”

“Bradley, thanks for the invitation, but I believe it’s time we called it quits. I don’t want to continue seeing you….”

Bradley broke in, “What do you mean Babe. We’ve got a great relationship, with terrific sex and….”

“First, Babe, I really hate being called Babe and I’ve asked you more than once to use my name and not that word. And, yes, the sex has been good, but I’ve gone without before and can do so again.”

“But, how can you, I mean, I thought things were great.” Bradley flustered by her dismissal tried to find words that might change her mind.

 “I know you did, but I never intended our involvement to be a long-term thing. My mamma keeps introducing me to eligible young men and you were one of them. I’m just not the least bit interested in a permanent relationship. I really shouldn’t have gone out with you to begin with, but it did get mamma off my back for a while. Now that I’m living in my own house, it will be much easier to avoid her match-making.”

“But, Babe, I mean Charlie, I really like you. I thought we might have a future together.”

“Well Babe, that’s simply not possible. I enjoyed my time with you, but now, it’s time for you to find a new playmate. I’m done.”

“Charlie, wait….”

“Bradley, I wish you the best. Have a great life. Goodbye.” Charlie pushed the button on her phone and immediately deleted Bradley and his information from her contacts. Just to make sure he didn’t become a nuisance, she blocked his number so his calls, if he called, wouldn’t come though. Her mother wasn’t going to be too happy about her sending Bradley on his way, but not living under the same roof would make it easy for her to ignore her mamma’s unhappiness about the lost potential of marriage and babies.

Over the next few weeks, Charlie spent most of her time in the office dealing with a wide variety of issues and reviewing requests from companies and individuals for her firm’s services. They were already booked well into the fall and even in some cases, had set aside time for some clients the following spring. Suddenly, everyone seemed to want to build environmentally and electronically sound homes. That was one thing Charlie had chosen to not include in her home. She allowed for Wifi, cable and internet, but she didn’t want all the bells and whistles that would turn lights off and on and perform everything that was now possible. She probably should have done that, but wasn’t sorry she’d decided to leave it out of her home.

As she’d expected, her mamma wasn’t happy about her no longer seeing Bradley and Charlie was grateful her folks had made arrangements to travel for a couple of months. She looked forward to receiving the post cards and letters and even the phone calls which weren’t very frequent, but she wasn’t going to miss the weekly dinners with the man of the week her mamma seemed to always manage to find.

Fortunately for Charlie, her mamma had taken her suggestion about having a house sitter seriously and had found and hired a young woman who would stay there for the duration of their absence. That meant Charlie didn’t have to go by the house or take care of anything there. She was available if the house sitter called, but otherwise, she could just go home each night and she’d done that eagerly in the beginning.

Unfortunately, all her being home on time or even early didn’t bring Adam to call. She had been sure he’d show up, wandering out of the woods between their places to share her porch with her. Of course, Charlie had been looking forward to sharing more, but she couldn’t share if there was no Adam to share with.

Charlie became annoyed with herself over her Adam expectations. She told herself to get over it and do what she would have been doing if she wasn’t kind of waiting for him to arrive. So, she read a few books, worked in her garden, laid in the sun and did all her usual stuff. One thing she hadn’t done was go kayaking. When she thought of that, she decided she really wanted to try paddle boarding so she went and bought herself a paddle board and paddle.

It had been another hot day and going on three weeks since Charlie had seen Adam. She decided to test out the new paddle board. It wasn’t as easy as it looked and she’d fallen off a couple of times before she got far from her dock. At least it was fairly easy to climb back on. She told herself she wasn’t going to paddle toward Adam’s cabin, so she paddled the other direction. Eventually, Charlie was able to get a rather good rythym going and before she knew it her dock was a small speck when she looked back. It would actually be easier to continue in her current direction rather than turn back, so she proceeded around the lake.

As Charlie passed the two cabins on the far side of the lake, she slowed and took a good look at them. There was an older couple sitting on their deck with what looked like cocktails. Charlie waved her paddle. There didn’t seem to be anyone around the other home and she couldn’t remember what Adam had said about the folks who lived in those two places.

It was with high hopes Charlie turned toward her side of the lake, high hopes she could paddle quietly by Adam’s cabin without his being aware of her presence. She heard the hammering before she got very close and there was Adam, on his dock clad only in a pair of brief shorts apparently replacing some bad boards. She sort of hoped he was too busy to look up and notice her, but nope, just as she almost reached his dock, he stood up, pushed his curls out of his face and shouted, “Hey Charlie. Long time no see.”

Charlie smiled and waved her paddle as she’d done on the other side of the lake, prepared to paddle on by. Before she could manage that, Adam dropped his hammer and dove off the dock in her direction. The next thing Charlie knew, Adam came up right beside her board and pushed it over, sending her into the lake with him. When she surfaced, shaking her hair out of her face, he was laughing and pushed a handful of water into her face.

“Okay mister, you asked for it.” Charlie dove deep and came up behind Adam, put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him under. She let go and tried to swim quickly away, but at the last moment, Adam managed to grab her foot and yank her back toward him.

“This sure is a lot more fun than hammering boards.” He told Charlie when she began to tread water in front of him. I was getting very hot and this was the perfect solution. So glad you came by. Now I’m all cool, how about hopping up on the dock and I’ll bring us a couple of beers and maybe even some chips. What do you say?”

“Sure, why not,” Charlie responded. She hoisted herself up onto the dock and turned back so Adam could heave her paddle board and paddle up to her. She sat down on the new boards and began to squeeze the water out of her hair.

“Be right back.”

Charlie had finger-combed her hair back out of her face by the time Adam returned. She took the opened beer, looked at the label and said, “Mmmm, my very favorite.”

“I wasn’t sure, but you gave me this brand at your place, so I thought I’d have some on hand in case you dropped by. How’s things been going anyway?”

“Good, no complaints on my part although I’ve had to spend way too many days in the office taking care of business. Next week I hope to be back out on a job site doing what I like best. How about you?”

“Seeing your house made me take a hard look at my little cabin. I can’t believe all the work that needs doing around here. Of course, the fact my grandpa hasn’t been here in years and I just sort of moved in without thinking about repairs or anything like that, I guess I should have expected more work than I thought possible.”

“What needs doing? Maybe I can give you a hand?”

“I don’t think that’s likely only because you’re a professional and I’m just a look it up on YouTube, take notes and try not to hit my thumb or cut off an appendage I might continue to need into the future. I’d be embarrassed to have you watch me work.”

“What if I promised not to laugh or to not laugh too hard? Plus, I could probably teach you how to do stuff. My crews have always thought I was a good teacher.”

“We’ll see Charlie, we’ll see. I also need to start on my next book, so it may be only the absolutely necessary repairs will get done for now. That, or I’ll just hire someone to do it for me.”

“I’m available evenings and weekends.” Charlie responded with a wink.

“Well enough talk about my poor dilapidated cabin. How are your folks?”

They sat on the dock together drinking their beers and eating chips dipped in salsa while they talked about Charlie’s parents, their latest trip, the house sitter, a potential vacation Charlie was thinking about, and a bunch of other stuff. Charlie was amazed when she noticed dusk had settled in.

“Oh my gosh. I’d best get back on my board and head home. Who knows what’s under the water since this is my first time out on the lake.” She stood up and lowered her board onto the water. Adam laid down on the dock and held it steady. Once Charlie was standing, paddle in hand, she looked at him, his face a bit lower than her own.

“Thanks Adam for the beer and chips, but especially for the conversation. We’ll have to do this again some time.”

“I’ve a better idea. How about I meet you at your office tomorrow and take you to dinner? I could use a really good meal that includes meat and vegetables.”

“Sure, that sounds wonderful. You know where the office is located?”

“Yep, I’ve got that thing called the internet and can look you up, have looked you up. I’ll be there about 5:30. That good for you?”

“Yes, perfect. See you then.”

         Adam watched Charlie paddle away. He was glad she’d paddled his way. He’d seen her on the other side of the lake and had had to hustle to get himself on the dock with a new board. He’d been working out there earlier, but had stopped for the day. He’d been wanting to go see her, but hadn’t wanted to run into her and Bradley. But, if she accepted his dinner invitation, maybe they were done? He’d find out tomorrow evening and could barely wait. He felt a bit like a teenager who'd invited the most popular girl to the prom. 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION, CHAPTER 9

 

        Charlie had spent her last night at her parents’ house. All the furniture and necessary items had been installed in her home over the last three days. That included the bulk of her clothes, but she’d held back what she planned to wear to complete getting everything ready for the housewarming. She was so grateful to her mamma for taking the lead on the party. Charlie didn’t know how she would have fit the party preparations into her workload.

Her mamma got her up early. No sleeping in this Saturday. “Now c’mon Charlotte, get that behind of yours outa that bed. I expect you to strip the bed and at least get the sheets into the washer before we leave here in about an hour. You don’t have to do any other cleaning because I’ll have Millie give your room an in-depth cleaning next week when she comes.”

Charlie stretched, moaned and replied, “Sheesh mamma, but you make it sound like I’m a kid again, hiding cheeseburgers under my bed and I only did that once. I think my bottom hurt for a couple of days after you found all that moldy food hidden away.”

“I’m not worried about moldy food being in your room these days. I just want Millie to give it a good clean. I’m thinking about redecorating and turning this into a true guest room.”

“Like you and daddy need another guest room in this big house. What you should do is sell it and move into something small, you know a pied-a-terre for when you are in town. If you and daddy keep travelling, it’s going to sit empty for weeks at a time unless you get someone to house-sit while you’re gone.”

“There’s an idea I hadn’t thought of. Maybe I’ll redecorate for the house-sitter. Now, c’mon scoot. We’ve got to get busy.”

In barely more than an hour, they reached Charlie’s new house. Shortly after, the caterers arrived and began to set up. There would be a small bar on the back porch, a larger one on the side porch accompanied by bins of ice filled with beer and soda. Food would be found on various trays of hor d’oeuvres placed around the house, both inside and out. Her kitchen would be used by the caterer for staging and replenishing the various food and drink. Charlie hadn’t wanted waiters moving among the guests with trays, her house was simply too small to allow for that. She wanted her housewarming to be simple and casual and her mamma had worked with the caterer to make it so. Charlie was so happy with the way everything looked as party time approached.

Her mamma had brought her dress and went to change in the spare bedroom. Charlie retired to what was her room, removed her shorts and tank-top and laid down in the middle of her big bed in her underwear. She absolutely loved this room and expected to be very happy there. She stretched and thought about Bradley staying over after the party. Charlie was sure she’d be more than ready for some great hot sex once the last invitee had left. Bradley hadn’t seen the inside of the house and she wondered what his reaction would be, especially to this, her very personal space.

Charlie looked around the room from her viewpoint on the bed. The various odd-shaped windows along the top of the outside wall were, in her opinion, adorable, as if someone had simply flung pieces of colored glass at the siding. The skylight over her bed was stained glass made with lightly colored and plain glass that during the day showed an abstract design but would allow her to moon and star-watch at night.

Her eyes flowed from wall to wall and appreciated the various black and white sketches she’d found at different antique stores. They were of women and men, done in the style of the early 20^th century. All were rendered as nudes with some of the bodies facing front, others reclining, others showing the backside of the figure. She’d had them framed according to their size in plain black wood. Some of the frames had no carving or ornamentation and others did, but in each case, the frame complimented the interior sketch. Charlie had looked up the various artists, and hadn’t found any mentioned online, but it was obvious they had been admirers of Picasso and Barrington.

A lover of bright colors, the wall behind Charlie’s bed was a deep emerald green. A small rug beside her bed carried the same color while her duvet cover and pillows were a riot of colorful flowers. The furniture, and there wasn’t much beyond a small rocker, a large dresser and small vanity as well as the headboard, was made of reclaimed wood, pained a glossy white. The cushion on the chair in front of the vanity matched the material on the bed. The various knick-knacks placed around were glass odds and ends she had found in the various antique stores she’d visited over her life or received as gifts. She knew where each and every item in the room came from. It was truly a woman’s room, truly Charlie’s room.

As in all the rooms in the house, there was a temporary sign on the wall that provided information about everything Charlie had used to create her bedroom. The signage mentioned the kind of wallboard, a magnesium oxide board that was not only noncombustible but was nutritional waste. This meant if her house was torn down, all the wallboards could be ground up and used as a soil nutrient. The sign also detailed the various suppliers of all the items in the room. Bamboo floors, sheep’s wool insulation, replenishable cotton in the fabrics, reclaimed glass, etc. There wasn’t a thing in her bedroom that could be considered newly manufactured.

Charlie got up and pulled the dress she planned to wear from the closet. It was very simple, a calm blue without decoration made of some kind of cotton with a bit of stretch to it. The bodice fit like a tank top and didn’t require a bra, then flowed down and over her hips to mid-thigh. Simple flip-flops completed her attire. And even though it was fairly hot, Charlie chose to let her hair hang down her back, pulling a blue ribbon through her hair to hold it away from her face. A bit of lip-gloss and she was ready to party.

Adam hadn’t decided just when he’d walk over to Charlie’s. He didn’t want to go too early and was actually hoping he’d be able to stay until the last guest had gone. Of course, that meant the man he’d seen Charlie with had to either not attend or leave as well. Adam fully intended to pursue some sort of relationship with Charlie beginning that very day.

It was going on six by the time Adam headed out. When he reached the edge of the woods, he stopped to admire Charlie’s house. It looked as though it had grown from the very earth, its rounded foundation, now planted with low-growing shrubs looked so natural he was amazed. She’d chosen a color for the foundation that matched the earth on which it rested. The siding had been painted a green, taken from the trees through which the house nestled. He thought that in certain light, it was possible the entire structure would disappear into the landscape.

The porch which went along the front and down one side was also painted the earth color. The furniture and porch swing were bright pops of coral and yellow and the various cushions also reflected those colors. It was the windows that really caught Adam’s eye. He’d been here after their installation, but he hadn’t really stopped to actually look and appreciate the beauty of the various sizes and shapes. He would have bet money not one window was the same as another. He was quite intrigued by the five small windows, placed high up the back side of the house. They were all odd shapes and appeared to contain colored glass. He really wanted to see those from the inside.

Adam stepped from the woods and approached the porch, now filled with people holding drinks and napkins. There was some kind of music in the background, but voices and words pretty much drowned it out. Charlie was standing just outside her front door, welcoming people, talking, encouraging everyone to wander around and see her new home. She greeted Adam with a hug and the faint gardenia smell that always seemed to cling to her filled his nose and caused every cell in his body to sit up and take notice. He gave her a more intimate hug than he’d intended and as he stepped back, she looked at him questioningly. He wanted to hug her again because the one he’d just had hadn’t been long enough. Before he could pull her back or she could say anything the man he'd seen Charlie with in the lake came up behind her from the interior of the house.

“Wow, Charlie, you really knocked the ball out of the park this time.” the man said, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing the side of her neck. “I cannot tell you how impressed I am with what you created here. One of these days, you’re going to build one hell of a family home.”

Adam’s heart sank just a bit at those words, but he chose to remain undaunted. Unless they were engaged or planning a future together, as far as he was concerned, Charlie was available. May as well find out now.

“Family home?” Adam said with a raised eyebrow. “Charlie is there some news you’ve forgotten to share. And, I’m Adam, Charlie’s next-door neighbor.” He added, holding out his hand for the man to shake.

As the two men shook, Charlie laughed. “Oh, sorry Adam, this is Bradley. And, no, no news to share Adam. I haven’t spent even one night here, so I won’t be planning a family home any time soon. I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. I need to do hostessing or my mamma’s gonna be after me with a switch.”

“So, you live next door?” Bradley asked. “You lived there long? I don’t think Charlie’s ever mentioned her neighbors.”

“I moved down here a few years ago and loved the peace and quiet which has finally returned. Charlie’s building just about drove me nuts. Have you known Charlie long?”

“Her mom introduced us a couple months ago. Ruth Ann knows my Aunt Isabelle and invited us both to dinner. We’ve been hanging since then, not as often as I’d like, but Charlie has priorities and I’m not always one of those.” Bradley laughed and added, “But, she’s definitely worth the wait. Now her house is finished, I plan to make sure we spend more time together.”

“Charlie definitely seems very interesting. I find just her career and the way she interacts with her crew fascinating. Of course, we’ve only had a few conversations so I don’t know all that much about her. Probably wouldn’t even be here tonight if I weren’t a neighbor.”

The two men talked about their work. Bradley was an investment banker and Adam managed to avoid giving an actual answer that would out him as an author of bodice rippers. He’d rather Bradley think he was independently wealthy. Eventually, Adam excused himself to find a drink and Bradley directed him toward the bar on the side deck.

Drink in hand, Adam went inside the house to wander from room to room, although there were really only five actual rooms. The master bedroom which held those odd-shaped glass windows and its adjoining bathroom. Another smaller bedroom with a bathroom that served that room and was accessible from the huge open space that comprised kitchen, dining and living. True, there was an additional room at the back that served as laundry and mud room. Adam was seriously intrigued by the staircase that wound up to the only second floor and which was covered by the cupola. Up there, he went from window to window and was amazed at everything he was able to see. Even his cabin was visible, but just barely. He also liked the way the tassel of ribbons brought color and movement into the room.

Throughout, Charlie had utilized earth colors ranging from deep green to a deep brown. They served as the backdrop for the colorful paintings and fabric weavings that adorned the walls. The furniture was rather modern with soft cushions and any framework that showed was a very dark wood. Eclectic pieces of glass and other knick-knacks, none of them recently manufactured, occupied tables, bookcases and other flat areas around the rooms. As she’d told him, each room held signage which explained the various products used to develop her home. Adam wondered where the camera man from the magazine was since he’d not seen anyone taking photos.

When he decided to freshen his drink, he again found Charlie at the door. “I absolutely love your house.” Adam told her, reaching out to touch her shoulder and feel the zing he knew he'd get. “You’ve done wonders, but I’m wondering where the magazine guy is. I expected he’d be here too.”

Charlie laughed and leaned into his hand because she liked the feel of it on her shoulder. Why couldn’t Bradley make all her hairs come to attention? “She, not he was here late yesterday afternoon and came back this morning before the festivities began. I invited her to return for the party, but she had to get back. I can’t wait to see how the article and photos turn out.”

“I particularly liked the signage. I learned a lot from reading the information and didn’t realize there were so many environmentally friendly choices to be had these days. If I ever decide to update my cabin, you’ll be the first person I call for advice.”

Charlie, emboldened by the wine she’d imbibed leaned toward Adam, her mouth so close to his he could feel her breath and told him, “Well Adam, you surely don’t have to wait until you’re ready for construction on your cabin. You can call me any time. For that matter, you can stop by here any old time. I know I’d be real happy to see you.”

Charlie sort of lost her balance and her lips came against Adam’s. It was all he could do to simply steady her as opposed to yanking her into his arms and kissing her senseless, providing he was capable of making her senseless, but he thought just maybe he, to use her words, surely was. “Oops, sorry, or to quote that peanut butter candy motto, Not Sorry. I think you might be a good kisser. I’d surely like to find out Adam.”

Adam hung around the party, talking to this person and that person, hoping to see Bradley lope off into the far distance, but finally, it was obvious Bradley wasn’t going anywhere. As the caterers began tidying up, Adam found Charlie, now laying on the porch swing propped up by pillows. She smiled as Adam approached.

“Charlie, I want to thank you for inviting me and tell you again what a wonderful creation you made in this space.”

She held out her hand and Adam took it in both of his. She stared into his eyes and whispered, “Feel that. Tell me you feel that Adam.”

He released her hand and didn’t respond other than to say good night, turn and walk off the porch and into the woods.

Charlie leaned back against the pillows disappointed Adam hadn’t told her he felt what she did. Then again, it was quite trampy of her to do something like that when she was dating Bradley. While she was ruminating over Adam and her reaction, Bradley sat down on the edge of the swing. “The caterers and everyone else had left. It’s just you and me now. How about you head for the bedroom. I’ll join you after I blow out all the candles and lock up. How does that sound.”

Charlie sighed and bit back the first word that popped into her wine-drowned head which was disappointing. Instead, she said, “That would be so good of you Bradley. I’ll do my best to stay awake until you get there. I may have had one too many glasses of wine.”

“I know babe,” he replied as he helped her stand up from the swing. “You need some help getting there or will you be fine now you’re upright?”

“I’ll be fine,” Charlie responded and moved to the door muttering to herself, “But not as fine as I’d surely be if you were Adam.”

UNDER CONSTRUCTION, CHAPTER 8

 

          Charlie didn’t hear anything from either Adam or Rebecca, but that was just fine. She was concentrating on getting her little house completed so she could live there instead of at her parents. They’d decided not to go off again until after she had her housewarming party and she desperately wanted to get that on the calendar. It wasn’t that she didn’t like her parents, she loved them, but her mamma kept trying to get her to meet this or that man who would “…be absolutely perfect for you my dearest.”

Actually, the last man her mamma had invited to dinner hadn’t been too terribly bad. He was tall with dark hair he kept clipped very short which emphasized the five-o’clock dark shadow on his face that he seemed to have no matter what time of day. He was also slim and athletic, hated golf as much as she did, and was even more interested in environmental causes than Charlie. He had a job with a nonprofit that worked on projects that removed dams from rivers around the world.

His name was Bradly, not Brad, and he had a wicked sense of humor that complimented Charlie’s own. She saw him when she could and because she really liked sex and he was very available, she visited his condo after their second date. The sex was okay, he was tender and considerate, asking what she did and didn’t like and made sure she orgasmed each time. Still, there was no zing to the relationship and Charlie knew she’d eventually become bored. Still, he was fun and interesting for now.

Adam had indeed gone north to visit family. He’d even given serious thought to staying and had looked up some of the women who’d interested him at one time. Unfortunately, with the exception of one, they’d all found their soul-mates and weren’t interested in him any longer. Susan, the now divorced one was available, but after having dinner with her twice, he was so bored with their conversation, it was all he could do to keep from yawning. Not only that, but he kept comparing her to Charlie and the comparison wasn’t good. Charlie was vibrant, interesting, fun, opinionated, and knowledgeable about a lot of stuff while Susan wasn’t. Her favorite topic of conversation seemed to be the latest fashions.

His parents and Susan weren’t happy when he announced he was returning to his cabin on the lake. He also used the excuse that if he didn’t go back, he lose his job and he actually like what he did down there. They all thought he was some kind of salesman, a terribly poor occupation in their opinion. Adam sometimes laughed at the idea of sending everyone in the north autographed copies of his books.

Once Adam settled in, he decided he’d walk over to Charlie’s place and see how it was progressing. He’d decided he was going to see what kind of a relationship they could have. Charlie had been right when she said he felt something just like she did. A bit before he reached the edge of the woods, he heard voices and laughter. It was Charlie and a man and Adam assumed it was probably one of the crew. Just before he stepped out from behind the huge tree he had to pass to stay on the pathway, he looked toward Charlie’s dock and there she was, almost naked and with an almost naked man.

Adam felt like a voyeur standing there, but he couldn’t look away from the two figures. He watched as the man reached out, unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans and knelt to yank them down, leaving her standing there in a very brief pair of panties. When the man stood up, Charlie performed the same ritual for him, except he was commando, so his cock sprang up like it was on a spring. Charlie stood up, reached out and grasped the hard member while the man used both his hands on her breasts.

Suddenly, Charlie let go and gave the man a huge push. He fell backward off the dock into the water while Charlie first grinned and then laughed delightedly. When he rose from beneath the water, Charlie gave a little bow and then did a cannonball right beside him. When she came up, she put her arms around the man’s neck and placed her mouth over his. It was obvious where this was going to go and Adam was torn. He wanted to stay and watch, but he also felt like a real shit standing there hidden from view.

Adam decided he’d feel much better about himself if he left, so he very quietly turned and made his way back over the path to his cabin. That’s what happens, he told himself, you just had to ignore the signals and the feelings and now Charlie’s with someone else. He pulled down his bottle of Glenfiddich, retired to the porch and decided he’d maybe drink one too many and have a serious discussion with himself about his total and complete stupidity.

 Charlie didn’t know Adam had returned and he didn’t try to visit again for several weeks. When he did go over, he did it during the day, figuring the crew would be on hand. When he stepped into the clearing, his heart almost stopped. Charlie was high up in the air on one of those man lift things. She was leaning over the edge of the platform, far too much of her extended as far as Adam was concerned. She had something in her hand and once she finished whatever it was she was doing, her crew cheered and clapped.

There hadn’t been much wind, but as if Charlie had summoned it, a breeze sprang up and took the various long colored ribbons she’d put at the very top of her cupola and made them dance. Charlie herself clapped and bowed, then stood back so the lift could be lowered. It was at this point she saw Adam and she smiled and waved, calling out “Welcome back stranger. You got here just in time for the finishing touch.” And she pointed to the streamers flying and lifting in the air.

On the ground, Charlie addressed her crew. “Thank you all for coming out here today just to see my freedom flag installed. You know you’re all invited to my housewarming this coming Saturday. There’ll be food and drink. Come early and stay late. Bring your wives, husbands, kids, whoever. I really want to christen the home you’ve all helped me create. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Then, Charlie went from man to man and the one woman Adam had never noticed before, giving them each a hug, saying something that either made them laugh or at least grin, and providing pats on some of their butts.

Todd began to button up the man lift so he could transport it back to town. A couple of the other staff assisted and it was soon rolling out of the yard. Charlie told them to be sure to stop at the pub for their last beer for this project and added that she’d join them in a bit.

As everyone drifted away, Charlie walked over to where Adam was standing out of the way. “So, do you want a tour or would you rather wait until Saturday when everything is perfect and all the signage is up?”

“Signage? What are you talking about?”

“I’m proud to announce that the Environment Design and Construction Magazine heard about this project and asked if they could feature it in their magazine. I, of course, told them that was a terrific idea. So, I’m making signs that will be installed throughout the in- and outside of the house identifying the various products used and why I chose them. I’m quite excited about this recognition.”

“Congratulations. Another wonderful project to illustrate your and Terrance’s hard work on your web sites. I think I’ll wait until Saturday and see the entire finished product.”

“Suit yourself. Care for a beer? I eventually have to hit the pub, but I wouldn’t mind having a beer in the peace and quiet first.”

“Sure, I’ll wait out here on the porch which, by the way, looks a thousand percent better than the last time I was here. The paint and furniture really set off the entrance.”

“Thanks, be right back.”

When Charlie returned with two beers, Adam was sitting in one of the chairs. She set his beer on the little table and took the other chair. “I thought you might be on the porch swing when I got back. It’s the absolute best place to lay and watch the lake, clouds and any birds and animals that come visit. It’s probably my favorite place of them all. You’re going to have to give it a try.”

“It looks tempting and perhaps I’ll return one of the afternoons when I could really use a break or a nap, assuming you’re going to be off at work on another project some place. I really do love the fact the noise was pretty much gone when I got back.”

“So, how was the home visit. Did you confess and tell your family what you actually do down here? And, since you came alone, I gather you didn’t marry an old girlfriend and bring her back.” Charlie said with a laugh.

“The visit was fine. The girls I knew are all married women now and I found I really missed being here. As for telling my folks what I do, everyone thinks I’m some kind of salesman and deplore the fact I’m doing such menial, way beneath my education job. If I’d only come back home, my dad and brother would welcome me into their company and I’d finally be doing something worthwhile, not to mention something I would absolutely hate.”

“Will you be bringing Rebecca on Saturday?”

“Um, no. Your little announcement about my heading north at the end of your mother’s party pretty much took care of that problem for me. If you’ve invited her and she’s here Saturday night, she probably won’t even speak to me, but that’s okay. I feel bad she felt hurt, but I did actually try more than once to get the point I wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship across. You pissed me off at the time, but I have to say thank you because you actually helped me.”

“I don’t know if Rebecca will be here or not. As usual, my mamma pretty much took on the housewarming. I did give her a list of people I wanted to invite, but I don’t think I included you or Rebecca. Now, of course, that I know you’re back you are indeed invited.”

“Well thank you so much. I look forward to it.” Adam sat there and tried to figure out how he could ask if she was involved with anyone. He really wanted to know about the man he’d seen her with, but it looked like he’d have to wait until Saturday and she if she had a date.

“So, you going to start another book, or have you started another book?”

“I’ve been toying with an idea for a while, but haven’t actually put any words into the computer. It’s not going to be the kind of stuff I’ve written before so I’m just a bit unsure of myself and the topic.”

“What is the topic?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not quite ready to talk about it. I’ve found I have to let the words and ideas stew away in my brain for a while. Then, at some point, I sit down and the words flow from my fingers into the keyboard. Doesn’t mean I don’t revise or get stuck or decide I’m not happy with my creation, but that’s how it’s pretty much been with the books I have written. And, then sometimes, my characters have their own ideas about where they want to go and what they want to do and I simply follow along.”

“Wow, you make it sound pretty easy. Maybe I could try writing a book and see what I come up with. And, is it really true that your fictional characters come alive for you and take over, so to speak. I’ve heard that said by other authors, but wasn’t sure I actually believed it.”

“Yes, at least for me. When it happened with the first book, I was so annoyed I stopped writing for a couple of weeks. I hadn’t intended to write a bodice ripper. I was working on a historical fiction novel set in the wild west. I hadn’t planned on my female protagonist becoming involved with a Native American. I hadn’t even planned on calling it Savage Surrender, but when it was finished, there it all was.”

Seriously, I enjoyed that book and one of the reasons was because it was obvious you’d researched the wild west and Native American history. It didn’t seem like you were making a lot of it up as you went along. And, to be perfectly honest, I had to simple had to Google some of the information and found what you wrote was based on an actual historical happening. I was impressed.”

“Well, thank you. I did and do try to write fiction that’s not all just erotic sex and more sex, so I do a bit of research, depending on the time and location.”

Charlie glanced at her watch and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize so much time had passed. I’d better get into town and to the pub or I may have to drive most of the crew home.”

“Thanks for the beer and I’ll see you Saturday. Oh, by the way, what time are the festivities set to begin?”

“The invitations say it starts at 3:00 pm and it will go until the last person leaves. You’re welcome to come whenever you wish and stay as long as you wish. Oh yes, no housewarming gifts either. That was in the invitations as well. I am in need of absolutely nothing. Having people attend and enjoy is all the gift I want.”

Adam went down the stairs and headed for the path while Charlie gathered up the empty beer bottles, took them inside, locked up and got read to head for town. She still had a lot to do in the next three days, but she’d get it done. Outside, she stood for a second and watched her colorful ribbons wave about in the breeze. The sight made her heart swell and her brain happy.