Broad Street Goddesses Page 6

  “Go over there tonight. I’ll go with you. Come up with some reason and we’ll tag team it… then I’ll slip over and see Etta.”

  “Yeah, then there is Etta, you piece of work, she only cried for months after you left with no warning Bro… she’ll be thrilled to see you.” Jake picked up an axe and made psycho noises with it.

  “So, I’ve got some ass kissing to do… I’m ready,” Will gave him a boyish grin.

  “I don’t think ass kissing is going to cover it.” Jake laid the axe down, looked at his friend dead in the eye, “Don’t hurt her again, Will, she’s too good for that shit.” Jake walked out the back screen and let it slam, ending the conversation.

  Paige was tangled up in the rose bush with flakes of white paint flying everywhere as she passed the flat silver scrapper over the peeling and aged paint of her house “This is a lot harder than it looks,” She brushed flakes from her safety goggles. Wally found it fascinating and rolled in the piles of what Paige could only imagine was lead based paint, “Oh, Wally, NO!” With the leg of her overalls hopelessly hung on the thorns she tried to scoop up her kitty and get him in the house away from the paint, but he was cagey when he didn’t want to be caught. He ducked out of the shrubbery and ran across the lawn. “Fine, but stay away from my paint!”

  “I’m calling Jake, he’s got a pressure washer.” Etta yelled from across the short fence separating their yards.

  “Don’t you dare! This is like a meditation for me.” Paige realized she was ass deep in a rosebush, wrestling a cat covered in toxic paint chips. The safety goggles were so dusty she could hardly see Etta across the yard. Ripping her leg loose from the thorns, she tripped out of the flower bed and stood on her freshly mown lawn, slipped off the goggles and shook like a dog. The rain of tiny particles catching color through the air fluttered to settle around her feet. Then she blew a short breath up into her bangs for the final dusting and coated her lips even further.

  “I hope your hair doesn’t start glowing in the dark! Paige that’s not healthy. At least wet it down so you won’t breathe it.”

  Feeling ridiculous, “I’ll call him. I’ve got to catch my cat, he’s covered in this!”

  Etta chuckled, “What’s your plan tonight? I was thinking south of the border…Carne Asada Tacos?” Etta snapped her finger close to her head.

  Wally’s movement caught the corner of Paige’s peripheral vision. She followed him around the back side of the house and placed a piece of tuna on the bottom step to tempt him close enough for her to catch. Once he was in a tuna coma eating his treat she nabbed him and ran a damp towel over his fur to remove any paint chips that he’d come into contact with. As long as the tuna kept coming Wally allowed the indignity of a public bathing. When Paige released him from her grasp, he meandered away stopping short of the corner to shoot Paige an accusatory glare. It was a clear message; Wally had given his mother the equivalent of the cat finger.

  Once she called Jake, things happened quickly. He offered to bring the pressure washer by the house that evening. No flirting, no date invitations, he was all business. She was relieved as she stepped into the steaming shower to wash the work of the day away. Being with Etta came so easily, it was like they had always been friends, sisters separated at birth and reunited again. Paige searched her past for anyone who had touched her life like Etta had. She had her high school girl friends, but after they married and had kids things we never the same again.

  “Bound by red dirt,” Georgia said.

  “It’s starting to make sense to me.” Paige whispered, “Well, not really… but I’m trying not to think too much.”

  “Good girl,” Georgia cooed, “now open your heart.”

  “What are you talking about? You don’t know anything about my heart.” Paige argued as she toweled off her hair.

  “Open your heart, Paige,” the air around her head became lighter and she knew Georgia was gone.

  Her recently acquired status as medium was still unnerving when she thought about it. She’d be walking through the mansion and suddenly see things as they had been in the 1800’s. When Paige didn’t think about it, talking to a dead woman who used to own her house was part of an ordinary day. The peculiarities of eclectic Nevada City crept into her life, welcoming like a quilt waiting by the fire on a cold night. But it was still damned weird.

  Wally sat on the pile of clothes suspiciously watching Paige go through her closet like a tornado. She didn’t want to look like she dressed for him. She didn’t want to look sloppy either. Jeans, she decided, and a pale blue tank top that showed just a little cleavage. She slipped into the jeans and reached for the tank. Having her arms bare felt too sexy so she pulled a denim shirt over the tank, nodding in approval. Her hair was wrecked, half dried and all curly, so she put it up in a clip. It was a casual, ‘oh, didn’t know you were dropping by’ look she was going for. Paige shook off the feeling she was getting ready for a date.

  It was getting harder to deny her attraction to Jake; he’d become a constant visitor in her dreams. He didn’t always appear as the Jake she knew. It was his pale blue silvery eyes shining out of a stranger’s face. It was startling. When her mind wandered she could conjure up his smell surrounding her, the way his embrace drew her into him, how his face so close to hers felt when she looked into his eyes and relaxed for the kiss… she’d woke up wanting him more than once. Being burned by a taken man wasn’t going to happen to her again. She may not have been able to control her dreams, but she was going to take charge of the situation and nip it in the bud. She heard a truck pull into her drive. Damn, why did he have to be so punctual? She slipped into her flip flops and ran out to meet him.

  Bonnie Raitt was singing “Are you ready for a thing called love,” when she walked out the kitchen door to meet him out back. He was casually leaning on the side of his truck, music lulling, smiling like a cartoon cat. He too, looked showered clean and charming, “I ain’t no icon carved outta soap, sent here to clean up your reputation…”

  “I just love Bonnie,” Jake said over the music.

  Her smile was immediate, “Me too.”

  “Wow… that smile! I don’t think I’ve seen that from you before, well, not aimed at me.”

  “Thanks for coming over on short notice.” She tried to wiggle away from the compliment.

  “It’s just a machine, sitting all alone in the back of my shop. It’ll do ole Freddy good to be useful.”

  “You named your pressure washer?”

  “All of my tools have names.” He realized quickly what he’d said and looked away to hide his blush, “You know Paige, I think we may have gotten off to a rough start.” His eyes were the most perfect shade of steel cool blue. She swallowed hard as he continued, “I would like to be your friend, if that’s ok.”

  Bonnie was singing “Nick of time” behind him; “When did the choices get so hard? With so much more at stake, life gets mighty precious when there’s less of it to waste...”

  “I’ve learned that you can never have too many friends.” She softened cursing herself for the weakness. She planned on blaming Bonnie.

  “Hey Jake!” Etta was coming across the yard wearing her BBQ apron.

  “Hey beautiful…” He reached out to kiss his sister’s cheek.

  “Stay for dinner, I’ve got enough for an army.” She said without hesitation.

  “Is that what I smell?” His nose was in the air, eyes closed, smile widening.

  “Yep, you go get some Corona’s and we’ll eat in about an hour. Carne Asada!”

  “You’ve got enough for an army you say… ok to bring someone?”

  “Plenty…” Etta waved him off to get the beer. Bonnie was singing “have a heart” when he pulled out of the drive.

  “How does that just happen? One minute we’re scraping paint and the next we’re having a Mexican dinner party?”

  “I woke up with a hankering for Mexican food this morning, and while I was at the store

  I had the urge
to buy much more than we needed… I try to not question my intuition when it’s working.” Etta shrugged and pursed her lips, “It’s a gift.”

  They were walking towards Etta’s back yard when Paige said, “So, you just follow what your gut tells you?”

  “I try.” Etta opened the gate and held it for Paige.

  Etta’s back yard had all the colors of a carnival carefully organized to create the peace of a sanctuary. Huge oaks shaded overhead and bushes had been carefully selected to soften the edges. Flowers exploded from old wine barrel planters, ground cover cushioned the steps and Spanish moss grew obediently between the stones on her walkways. Tiny lights sparkled in the bushes surrounding the patio; four grottos located inside the entertaining area illuminated statues of women. It was evident that every blade and petal had been tended tenderly by Etta’s extraordinary hand.

  Paige’s eyes couldn’t get enough. Blooms and blossoms everywhere! The water fountain looked as though it had been there for hundreds of years, covered in moss, flowing quietly in the corner. It was alive with a magical earthiness known only to flower fairies and water babies. How had she known Etta for weeks and not experienced this backyard wonderland? She’d been too wound up in her own projects to see what was right next door. The table was set with brightly colored linens and plates.

  Etta said, “I better grab two more.”

  Paige sat down on a cushioned wicker chair taking in the beauty of her surroundings. How had she survived her whole life without this particular feeling? She reached down to touch a striking pink azalea blossom and then went straight for the dirt. Placing her hand on the lumpy soil she tried to feel it, tried to draw from it the answers to her endless questions.

  “You ok, Paige?” She looked up and Jake had entered the patio with a twelve pack of Coronas under his arm. He also had a pink box which she could only imagine held dessert. She drew her hand away from the dirt and patted it off against her jeans.

  “Just taking it all in,” she said honestly. “Didn’t you say you were bringing someone to dinner?”

  “Wanted to shower first, but he’s not one to pass up a great meal.” Jake headed toward the kitchen door and handed Etta the pink box. Paige had to smile. He’d definitely been raised right.

  “Adult beverages” Jake came to the patio with a bucket full of ice and Corona’s.

  “My Hero!” Etta grabbed one before the bucket hit the table and plopped her bottom into a turquoise metal chair between her two guests.

  Jake opened a beer, handing it to Paige, “Senorita,” His masterful grip instantly created sweat on the bottle. Paige blushed with a flush of naughty thoughts.

  “So, tell me Jake, what purpose does a power washer serve a cabinet maker?” Paige decided to take the conversation into safe waters.

  “It belonged to my Granddad. The whole cabinet business does actually, well did, until he died a few years ago. Ole Freddie hasn’t been run in a long time so I thought I’d come by in the morning and fire him up, show you how it all works.”

  “Tomorrow is Saturday. I don’t want you to spend your day off working at my house.”

  “The truth is, I want to spend some time with you.” He was being straight to the point.

  Paige’s hackles twitched and a surge of anticipation covered her immediately, “Listen Jake...”

  “Wait just a minute Paige,” he said softly, holding up his hands, “I think we have a misunderstanding…”

  Etta took in a sharp breath, “Jesus,” she gasped. They both looked at her to see tears welling in her eyes. They followed her line of sight to Will who was coming up the walk with a dozen pink roses. “That wasn’t fair, Jake…” she ran straight toward the door shaking her head and ducking inside.

  “Buddy!” Will called out to Jake, “Ah, fair Paige.” He reached over to take her hand, grazing a kiss across her fingers. “Was that Etta making a quick getaway?”

  “Don’t, Will… this was obviously not a good idea.”

  “I’ll talk to her… I got it.” Will went through the kitchen door like he’d done it a thousand times… maybe he had, Paige thought. She certainly didn’t know any details of his connection with Etta. He had never been mentioned, not by name anyway.

  “I’m assuming there’s a story?” Paige said quietly, shifting uncomfortably in her chair.

  Jake met her eyes with a sorrowful look, “Yeah, there’s history. If he comes back out with all his limbs, my guess is she’ll forgive him. If not… start looking for a shovel.” He took a long drink from his beer.

  “A shovel?” Paige didn’t quite follow.

  “I love Etta enough to bury my best friends’ body.” His tone was somber.

  “Sounds messy, not like Etta at all…” Paige said softly looking at the kitchen door for the answer.

  They finished their beers and waited, voices could be heard from inside. There was no yelling. When the door opened, Will left with the roses in hand, saying nothing to either of them.

  Etta came out moments later, her eyes freshly wiped and carrying trays of food, “I simply do not want to talk about it. Not with you,” she looked at Jake, setting the trays down, “and I’ll tell you about it later…” She looked to Paige. There was no argument. “So, tonight we drink.” She raised her beer and they joined her in a toast to “To crimes of passion.”

  CHAPTER 9

  “No, no… I think that should be just a smidge higher. Yes right there. Hang that sucker!” Mim waved her petite hand and Jake hammered in the last picture fastener of the morning. His head felt a little thick and pounding from the beers at Ettas the night before. Jake made a promise to Auntie Mim and there he was at 7am helping her add new art to Etta’s gallery. Perched on a ladder he turned to get her final approval before he got down. Mim’s gaze was fixated and tearful staring at the door, hands over her heart, “William!”

  “Hi Mom,” Will ran to pick up his mother, swinging her around in his arms.

  “You wretch!” she smacked him with her balled up fist, “You are not the son I raised! You put me down this instant, I can’t believe you just waltz in here, thinking I’m gonna’ make all over you.” Mim’s eyes were blazing fire lasers. Will carefully put her tiny kicking feet back on the stone floor. “The fruit of my own womb…I can’t even look at you!” Mim slammed her heals with purpose on the stone floor and disappeared into Etta’s office and blasted the door shut.

  “Way with the women, Bro…” Jake shook his head.

  “Hey, your girl seems to like me ok.” Will shot back squinting his eyes.

  “First of all, she’s not my girl, and you need to mend some fences quick my friend or I sense your life-force running low.”

  “I’m workin’ on it.”

  “Flowers ain’t gonna’ fix this one, man.”

  Will was already knocking lightly on the closed door of Etta’s office, “Come on Mom…”

  Paige was humming in her kitchen. Raisin bran and yogurt in her bowl, coffee in her cup, she was ready to start the day. She sat down and tried talking to Wally who had assumed his position in the sunny window and was incommuni-cat-o.

  “That’s why I never had a cat.” Georgia said.

  “Good morning, Georgia.”

  “I always had dogs. They are happy to see you and forgive you anything.”

  “Forgiveness,” Paige whispered under her breath, “great.”

  “It’s the path to a peaceful heart.”

  “Was that little piece of advice for Etta?”

  “Whoever needs it…So simple, really…Simple as pie!”

  Georgia left the scent of berries in the air as she dissipated.

  Jake’s truck was slow down the drive, no music. He parked behind her little car and walked right to the power washer.

  “Down in a minute,” Paige yelled out the door.

  “Bring an extension cord.” He yelled back.

  Paige bounced down the stairs wearing old athletic grey sweats, hair in a pony, no makeup, dragging fifty feet of
orange cord from the kitchen. She wasn’t going to fix herself up when she knew Jake was around sending the wrong message.

  “Perfect!” Jake had the hose hooked up and they were dragging the machine over to the side of the house where Paige had been scraping the day before. “Okay, Freddy, make me proud…” Jake turned it on and a blast of water came out strong enough to strip the paint off the house in one pass.

  “I’m impressed!” Paige reached for the handle.

  “I don’t mind helping.” He passed the washer over three more boards exposing grey naked wood underneath. “I was hoping you would do something for me while I get this side of the house done…” Jake looked deep into her face for some empathy and turned off the washer.

  “What is it?”

  “Etta. I’m worried. Will you check on her this morning? I was an ass to invite Will last night. I don’t think she really wants to talk to me about it. Maybe you can check in with her.”

  “Yeah, sure,” She immediately turned and walked toward the gate connecting their back yards.

  “Paige…” Jake called out, “Thanks…”

  Humble Jake, that was new.

  The side door to the kitchen was open so she knocked on the screen and called into the house, “Good morning”. There was no answer.

  Paige peeked in through the screen. Dishes from last night’s party were stacked high in the sink. She could hear water running and assumed that Etta was taking a shower. Cleaning up gave her something to do while she waited.

  By the time Etta shuffled out in her robe, Paige had most of the dishes done and put away. “Now who’s the angel?” Etta said softly running fingers through her wet hair.

  “We should have done this last night.” Paige turned to see her friend’s puffy eyes and blotchy face. Her heart ached as Etta’s shoved her shaking hands into robe pockets and slumped in a kitchen chair.

  “Oh Dear,” Paige said going straight to her side, “What can I do?” Placing her hand on Etta’s shoulder she closed her eyes and remembered what Georgia said.