Broad Street Goddesses Read online

  “Sell them. Put the money to good use.”

  The thought of selling the rings had never occurred to her. What use are they in the box, taking up space in her regret filled heart?

  “Do it, Paige. Free your conscience. Do you think any one of those men is keeping your love hostage? Still crying over you?”

  “No, I’m pretty sure they are not thinking about me for a minute.”

  “Why marinate in misery? Let them all go. Nothing you can do except forgiving yourself will release the energy you’ve got in your heart. How do you think you’re going to fit a love as big as Jake’s into your heart when it’s so full of past nastiness?”

  Georgia’s words sunk in after a couple of minutes. Paige opened the box and looked at the rings again. There was not one thing left for her in that box.

  Paige tucked her straying wild hair under the red bandanna and padded down the back stairs to the kitchen for something to drink. She poured iced tea into a huge plastic tumbler and was buried head first in the fridge looking for a lemon when she heard his truck rolling down the drive. Her first thought was to duck into the bedroom and put something presentable on. Then she figured, he hadn’t called, it was a drop-in and he’d have to deal with what he saw. She looked at her reflection in the window and fluffed the bandanna ends on top of her head, brushed away some stray hairs and wiped away the smears of mascara under her eyes. He was in his suit, coming up the stairs quickly, knocking on the door with sharp raps. She jumped even though she saw him coming.

  “Come in!” She said all smiles.

  “I’ve got to talk to you Paige. And we have to think quickly.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I saw the master plan of our redevelopment downtown. They have taken some old properties and repurposed them as parking, future building sites and renovation.”

  “You mean the mansion is in the redevelopment area?”

  “The property is…what I’m telling you is your property is scheduled for repurposing as a parking lot.”

  “Oh that’s just silly, Jake. We’ll straighten this out.” Paige smiled, “It’s just a misunderstanding.”

  “Well, that would be fine if we were in Mayberry, but Jed Grisworth is not what I would call an open minded man.”

  “What are you trying to tell me, Jake? Are you saying that even though I have submitted my business License application, I’m making renovations to improve the property, and in turn improve the City…I own the damn property Jake, they can’t take it from me!” Paige was shaking and trying to breathe.

  “Have you ever heard the term imminent domain?” Jake took her hand to steady her.

  “Of course I have.” Cold blades of fear stirred up the past. She started to shake and back away from him, “There has to be a mistake. I have a title company and a deed of trust…” She looked at him for an answer, “This house has intrinsic value to the City. Isn’t it registered as a historic place in Nevada County?”

  “It’s worth checking into, but as soon as I saw the plan at the court house, I wanted to let you know. We need to be prepared for this.”

  “They don’t know who their messing with! I’ve fought City Hall before!” Paige remembered her loss in Oregon and demanded with a crackling voice, “Who is in charge of the legal city stuff down there anyway…” There was a long pause between them.

  “I am,” He answered softly.

  “What? And you’re just finding out about this?” Paige looked confused.

  “I’ve been busy with other things and probably haven’t been as available as I should have been to city projects.”

  “So this could really happen?” She felt small and insignificant as the demons of her past started gnawing at her future, “They could take my house and turn it into a parking lot?”

  “It’s possible. But the City Council has a soft spot for its past. If you can prove that this house in some way is part of Nevada City’s history, then that’s in your favor.” He stood and put his hands into his pockets, “I’m so sorry, Paige. I haven’t had any court cases in a while, and I’ve ducked out of the City Council meetings to work at the cabinet shop for the last couple of months. This got past me. I’ve got no one to blame but myself. I remember about six months ago when there was talk about repurposing some of the old run down properties next to Broad Street. Before you were here, this place was a pretty big wreck, ready to be torn down.”

  “Well, it’s not now.” She stood and put her hands on her hips, “So Councilman, are you with me or against me?”

  “Do you even have to ask?” He frowned.

  “Apparently I do.” Her voice was curt, “How much time do I have to make a case?”

  “The next City Council meeting is a week from Tuesday.

  ~

  It was almost three in the morning by the time Paige managed to fall into fitful dreams.

  She looked out the big turreted window from the main bedroom, the room reserved for her infrequent visits. Wearing a lavender silk robe, trimmed in the finest French lace, she fluffed her bosoms up in the corset and fiddled with the tiny ivory satin rose in the middle. She’d cancelled her engagements and traveled three hellish days from San Francisco to see him. Of course, being famous, she would never admit to anything as common as… love. The feelings she shared with Reece were otherworldly, rare and obscure.

  The long auburn hair fell across her shoulders and down below her waist. It was how he liked it best, free and wild. Reece was going to make her an honest woman, or she’d die trying. She’d all but given up her dancing and had enough money to start a good life with the man she was hopelessly drawn to. She ordered up some whiskey and a bottle of champagne. Perched on the edge of the delicately carved loveseat by the window she watched for him. And she waited… for hours. The feeling of abandonment and desperation felt like a fist in her chest. The Champagne was empty, but she wouldn’t sleep. Uncorking the whiskey bottle, the pungent aroma caught in her throat but she poured a glass and sprawled on the end of the bed to watch the naked cherubs painted on the ceiling. She would not cry.

  The whole house was quiet. With ears perked and eyes unfocused, she detected the sound of boots in the hall. Her heart jerked to attention. She snuck to the door and locked it tight just as she heard him say, “Eden, Honey, it’s me, let me in.”

  “Shhhhh” she slurred, “you’ll wake the dragon down the hall… you don’t want trouble.”

  “Then let me in! I’ve got something for you.” Her smile was immediate. Yes, he had something she couldn’t live without!

  The door clicked open and he burst through all shaved and shining like a preacher on Sunday Morning. His arms slipped around her waist twirling her around the room and raising her up by the fanny. Her giddy breathing came quickly and she was going to burst if she didn’t get him inside of her. Eden began kissing his neck and his face and landed on his lips with a tenderness that surprised both of them. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. His pircing silver-blue eyes… something in his eyes.

  “You’re the prettiest, sassiest, most infuriating woman I’ve ever seen, Sugar Pie, and I’m damn sure gonna miss you.” Reece let her go and reached for her whiskey glass, draining the remnants.

  “Miss me?” She smiled sweetly, “But, I’m right here… and this time, Reece, you are going to make me an honest woman. Or I’m going to know why! I’ve quit my dancing, cancelled all of my engagements, even the invitation of the King!”

  “I thought you we’re comin’ to say goodbye.” He looked at the floor.

  “I am here to stay!” She said pulling her robe snugly around her tiny middle feeling very uneasy.

  “That is going to be troublesome…” he said hedging for the door.

  “Troublesome for whom?” Eden picked up the whiskey bottle and took a swig.

  “My wife.” Reece said, “I married Mary Ellen Mathews this morning.”

  “Get out.” Eden threw the bottle at his head which grazed him on the chin, “You’re wi
fe will have to get used to having me in town. I’m not leaving. And don’t you ever step into my path again or I will murder you with my bare hands.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Jake stood in the office of the City manager, Jed Grisworth pleading the case he never wanted to take on. “Come on Jed, you should see the plans for the mansion. It’s going to be the premier Bed and Breakfast in Nevada City. She’s really pulling it all together, and a ton of money she’s already invested.”

  Jed was a tall lean man wearing a bright green golf shirt and plaid pants. His hair was thinning and grey, heavily sprayed to stay in place. “It’s been in the redevelopment plan for over six months. It’s how we promised the tax payers we would fix the parking problem down town. I personally don’t give a rat’s ass if it’s a magnificent work of art. If I don’t fix the parking down town, I won’t have a job next term.”

  “There has to be another way. She’s pouring herself into that mansion.”

  “Sounds like she’s pouring sugar on you, Jake… There are a hundred old houses she can turn into a bed and breakfast around here. We’ll give her fair market value for it. She can just relocate.” Jed was thumbing through the newspaper instead of giving Jake his full attention. Finally he looked over the top of his reading glasses and asked, “Is that all?”

  Jake slammed his hands on the edge of Jed’s desk and said, “Jesus, Jed, is there a heart inside that chest of yours?”

  Jed’s smile was condescending at best, showing perfectly straight, white teeth, “I was there on the board when they decided to grant you the law school education your family couldn’t afford. Should I remind you what that education cost the City and how much longer you’ve got on your contract with us?” Jed stood and moseyed across the room to his bar, pouring brown liquid into a rocks glass, “Care to join me?” Jed held the glass up.

  “No.” Jake’s face went hot with rage at being reminded of his place and his debt, “thank you”.

  Jed laughed, “One more thing, Jake.” He slipped back into an overstuffed leather desk chair, “I’ve seen you around town with that pretty girl. She looks like she’s thick with your crowd. I’m going to give you some advice since your Dad’s not here to do it, or your granddad.” He took a long drink from his glass and then tilted his head to see the pain in Jake’s face, “Keep your pecker in your pants, son and get your job done.”

  “Yes sir.” Jake pressed his lips firmly together, afraid to say another word. He turned to leave and summoned the strength to prevent ripping the door off its hinges. The door knob was firm in his hand as he closed it behind him, solid and slow.

  Fuming through the front door of his house, the furious slam rattled the windows. He flipped on the air conditioning, he pulled off his suit and left it rumpled on the floor of his bedroom. Once he was in his boxer shorts and socks, he rubbed his head for some great ideas. There was nothing. Pacing the house, he walked to the fridge for a beer, reached in for a coke classic instead, struggling to keep his head clear. He popped the top and slammed half of the can, felt the burn of carbonated sugar goodness rush through his body.

  He studied the can and had a quick flashback of sitting on the porch of the cabinet shop with his granddad, sharing cokes in glass bottles. It was one of the sweet, simple things that reminded him of his childhood. He missed his Granddad, who would know how to handle the situation. With only a sixth grade education Jake’s Granddad had more intelligence than anyone he’d ever known. The cheap shot about Jake’s dad not being in his life just reminded him what an asshole Jed really was. Jed should lose the next election; it would be the best thing for Nevada City. If they only knew half of the sleazy underhanded things he’d done to keep face in his office. He closed his eyes and imagined that his granddad was sitting on the sofa next to him with some words of wisdom. Jake made a mental note to buy coke in glass bottles, damn the expense.

  How had his life focus changed so much in just a few years? Even in the heat of the day the leather sofa felt chilly against his bare legs. Rolling his socks off with his toes, he stared at the thermometer outside his window. It was 97 degrees at six thirty. Begrudgingly doing his time for the city was no way to serve them well. He loved Nevada City but longed to be free of the encumbrances of his debt. Jake’s head fell to the back of the sofa and he studied the pattern on the ceiling. This is when he did his best planning.

  Paige was clearly not in love with him. Jake recalled the frozen solid look she gave him when he let it just fall out of his face that he loved her. Stupid, stupid, he knocked his head against the back of the sofa. She looked so happy until he dropped the bomb on her. His job was to demo her house and provide a parking lot, remedying the City’s most pressing issue of the last two decades.

  Images of her sketches flashed through his head. Her artistic nature was a pleasure to watch as it budded and then fully bloomed. She was growing into herself, the self she’d been hiding from her whole life. His smile went painfully lopsided as he recalled her standing in her kitchen wearing those ratty overalls, covered in paint, with that wild beautiful auburn hair all over the place. He wanted to reach over and grab the bandanna bunny ears and pull her close to him. Shake it out of your head he thought. It broke his heart to tell her what the city was planning. It broke it even further that she didn’t return his feelings. He felt dead inside.

  ~

  One minute Paige was closing up her paint cans and the next she was in the shower, cleaning up, dressing and then walking across Broad Street staring at Jake’s front door. Not realizing she’d walked through Nevada City with any purpose at all. The last thing she remembered, was dressing in her bedroom. Finding herself at Jake’s was like an out of body experience. She had to look into his eyes. The dream was haunting her with a thousand unanswered questions. Who was Reece and why did he have Jake’s eyes.

  The persistent chimes of his doorbell snapped him out of the misery he’d been wallowing in. Jake looked at his bare chest and boxers and decided to ignore it. Whoever it was would eventually go away. Flopping his head back against the sofa, he waited for the intruder to leave.

  Paige leaned heavily on the bell for the third time and started to feel foolish. What on earth was she going to say to him? How would she explain her wild imagination creating a dream in another time period with them staring in Nevada City history?

  He tip toed to the side window to see who was so nervy. Paige stood on his porch looking sun kissed. She rang the door bell a fourth time and realized that if he was home he certainly didn’t want to see her and she beat cheeks off the porch.

  He dashed to the bedroom for some pants and hopped back to the front door pulling them up. The only thing left on his porch by the time he got there was her unmistakable scent; like grapefruit and violets it wafted into the entry and tormented him.

  Keeping Paige at arm’s length was something he hadn’t planned. He tossed the coke can into the trash and grabbed a beer, falling back into the sofa for a nice long sulk.

  The heat of the sidewalk penetrated through her sandaled feet as she wandered aimlessly down Broad Street reading each business sign. She’d barely got away from his house before he opened the door. What an idiot! There was nothing to be said. Her head was buzzing from the news Jake dumped on her. It was happening all over again. Where was the lesson in this for her. She’d read that if you encounter the same problem repeatedly in your life, you’re missing the lesson. The possibility that her dreams were showing her just how reoccurring this theme with Jake was, was ridiculous. How appropriate she thought, just as she got her life together and it felt good, everything should fall apart. It always did. Apparently through the annals of time this had happened to her. Why should now be any different?

  Paige walked passed an old gentleman in a pale blue polo shirt smoking a cigarette outside of his jewelry store. She hesitated for a moment remembering the box of rocks in her purse. Reaching into her leather satchel, she pulled out the velvet box, turned and asked the man, “Do you have a minu
te?”

  One of his eyes squatted down as he took a final drag from the filter-less stub held tightly between his thumb and forefinger. Throwing the smoking butt into an overflowing can, he opened the door and waved her into his business without a word. He slowly shuffled through to the back counter of his store and ambled behind the glass case. Placing both hands gently on a piece of black velvet he coughed once and then cleared his throat. From under a wild bush of white eyebrows his dark eyes made contact with her for the first time, “What do you have there?”

  She raised her head, leveled off a look and handed the box over into his shaky yellowed fingers. He took the treasures from her and popped the lid. Blindly reaching for his jewelers loop, he gave each ring a quick look through the contraption. He took the gaudy sapphire over to his microscope and looked in three positions through the lens. “Hmmm,” he muttered.

  “Quite a collection,” He dead panned. Pursing his fleshy lips in contemplation, he breathed out a long sigh, “Listen, I’m Samson.” He held out his wobbly hand.

  “Paige Hamilton.” They shook firmly.

  “What do you want to do with your collection, Miss Hamilton?”

  “I’d like to sell them.”

  One of his eyebrows rose dramatically and his sharp dark eyes looked over the rim of his glasses directly into hers waiting for more information.

  “I’ve bought an old house off Broad Street and I could use the money.”

  “That old rat-trap at the top of the hill?” Paige nodded numbly. He frowned and shook his head as if no one in their right mind would attempt such a feat.

  Paige stuffed her angry pride, “Now, I’ve got to convince the city it’s worth saving. I need a lawyer.”

  “You’re going to need more than a lawyer!” his whole body vibrated with a chuckle that worked its way into a coughing fit. He collected himself, took a drink of Pepsi from a can and said quite strongly, “I thought you were seeing a lawyer.” He raised his head and squinted at her face through bifocal lenses.