Page 2 of Better Together

“Hello! I’m Susan Henning and I’m new to town.” She gestured to a nearby group of women. “Those nice ladies said you were the contractor and the designer behind this beautiful addition. I thought you two could use a cup of cider. It’s quite good.” She handed them each a cup of the steaming beverage.

“Thank you. Yes. I’m Alexis Welby the contractor and this is my friend and designer, Maggie Jacobs.” They both glanced over to where Susan pointed and saw who the nice ladies were. Rosie, Emma, and Elsie gave a little wave. They waved back and accepted the drinks. “Have you toured the facility? My crew and I added therapy rooms, the exercise room with swim spa, and the four studio apartments for short stay residents.” Alexis breathed in the scent of apples and spices, then blew on the cider and sipped. Way too sweet, but she’d drink it because it was nice of Susan to offer the hot beverage on a cool fall morning.

“Yes. It’s absolutely wonderful. Are the four studio apartments the only housing the Veterans’ Center has available?” Susan asked.

Alexis nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. We’re hoping for another wing for housing in the future. We don’t have many short-term rentals in the area available during the summer months, and the few homes that are for sale would need work to house someone with disabilities.”

Susan looked deep in thought. “I see the dilemma. This facility will bring men and women from all over the state, but without housing you may not have a choice but to turn people away.”

“Exactly, but between the city and the revitalization committee, we are working hard to provide accommodations to everyone who requires them,” Maggie said.

“It amazes me how much a small town like this has done already.” Susan gestured to the iron statue near the entrance. “What a magnificent structure. I teared up when I first arrived. It’s powerful but evokes a sense of peace and hopefulness for the returning soldiers. I’m from a large military family, an Army brat. Our country’s heroes deserve this facility, and this tribute—what an honor to the men and women who have fought so gallantly for our freedom. It’s truly breathtaking. Do you know the artist?”

“That would be me, and thank you.” Maggie beamed at the compliment.

“You don’t sell items at the lovely bookstore in town, do you?”

“I do. That’s so sweet of you to make the connection. The bookstore is owned by my future sister-in-law, Paige Turner.” Maggie nodded to Alexis. “Alexis remodeled Turner Books and the Eagle’s Nest, the local hangout downtown.”

“Well, ladies, you are both incredibly talented. I’ll have to bring my husband, James, to the Eagle’s Nest tonight and check out your work. We just bought the Whitmore Estate on the west end of the lake as an early retirement gift to ourselves, and we’re looking for someone with your talents to update our home. We’ve been dining out or grilling, anything to not spend too much time in the kitchen. But overall, the house is livable for now as we look to hire. My talents lie with teeth. I was a dentist.” She chuckled. “When I retired, all I got was a little plaque.” She laughed at her pun. “Do you have business cards? I’d like to speak with my husband first, but I can’t wait to tell him I met the two of you.”

Alexis and Maggie handed their cards to Susan. Alexis swiped her tongue over her teeth, hoping a poppy seed from her morning muffin hadn’t taken up residence.

“Thank you,” Susan said. “It was lovely meeting you both. I’ll be in touch.” As she walked away, she waved toward the statue. “Stunning. Just stunning!”

Alexis noticed that Maggie’s reaction to the newcomer matched hers. Their smiles grew.

“Can you believe it? This may be the best day ever!” Maggie said.

“I know.” This could be an answer to my prayers, Alexis thought. “Fingers crossed.”

After a long day of small talk and shaking hands, Alexis headed toward the Cup and Cone, or as the locals referred to it, The Hut. The outdoor ice-cream shop the size of a small bedroom resembled a tiki bar and was conveniently located adjacent to the Deer Creek Lodge, close to the local boat ramp. Since Maggie had mentioned they were now serving her favorite flavor, Pumpkin Pie, she couldn’t think about anything else. Plus, they’d only serve her fall favorite for a limited time. The Hut closed before the first snowfall and opened for fishing opener in the spring; she had little time to get her tasty treat.

As she drove through town, she noticed a long line at The Hut, so she drove home and parked her truck. Usually, she’d get Zeke to come with her, but he was out of town, and she’d been delegated to take care of his plants. Which reminded her: she needed to water his vast collection of greenery.

Alexis pulled out her phone and texted Zeke. She couldn’t wait to tell him she’d met the new owner of the Whitmore Estate.

Hey, it’s Alexis. I have news. No worries if you’re busy. Just be safe.

He texted back: What news? Tell me you haven’t killed my plants already.

Alexis pictured the glint in his hazel eyes and the corner of his mouth turning up as he teased her.

She hadn’t had time to water his plants in the past few days, and hoped they were still alive. A green thumb she did not have, and she wondered why Zeke trusted her. He knew her tendency to kill anything green.

So sorry. I killed them all.

Now you’re scaring me.

BTW . . . I found your last box of Thin Mints. So yummy! She giggled to herself as she waited for his response.

Damn. I thought I hid them better.

Don’t worry. I’ll replace them with Girl Scout Lemonades.

You know lemon makes me gag.

She laughed out loud, feeling a hundred times better than this morning as she put away her phone and started toward town.