Page 7 of Better Together

Susan placed a hand on top of hers, which, for some reason, comforted her. “Are you sure, Alexis?”

“Absolutely! Not a problem.” She hoped she sounded convincing, but her heart plummeted.

She wasn’t sure she’d persuaded Susan by the way the other woman studied her, but James seemed okay with her declaration. “When do we start?”

* * *

Alexis wished she could talk to Maggie, but she didn’t want to bother her with her drama, so she sent a text to tell her she had met with the Hennings and that they’d talk in a couple days. She needed chocolate and time to think. On her way home, she stopped at the gas station, filled her tank, and picked up a few boxes of Junior Mints. Popping some into her mouth, she sat back, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

She hadn’t expected this blast from her past to descend on her small town and wondered how she’d feel when she saw Ryan again. She couldn’t afford to pass on the opportunity. If she did, she’d risk losing her business. With her foreman on paternity leave, she’d have to hire another and assemble a new crew. But for now, she’d work both jobs. Alexis looked to the sky and hoped the first snowfall would hold off until well after Halloween. Closer to Thanksgiving would be perfect, but she knew that would be wishful thinking in northern Minnesota.

Susan had given her the address of the house her crew would remodel. She knew the place; she’d passed it many times. The Hennings were scheduled to sign the papers in the morning and would hide the key for her. The family who owned the house had vacated the property. The wife had been the principal at Deer Creek Falls High School, but had accepted a superintendent position elsewhere, and the house had been empty for months. Alexis drove past the house for a quick peek on her way home.

She glanced at her phone. Maggie had texted back with a lot of exclamation points and smiling-face emojis. She chuckled. Maggie always knew how to make her smile.

Satisfied with the property being in favorable condition, she pulled away. A few minutes later, her phone rang, connecting to her Bluetooth. “Hey, Mom.”

“I hope you’re not too busy.”

“I’m on my way home now.”

“Are you driving? You know you shouldn’t be driving and talking on the phone. I’ll hang up.”

“No, it’s hands-free. I’d planned on calling you tonight. I’m pulling into my driveway now.”

Alexis pulled into her garage and switched her phone over. “What’s new with you?”

“I’m in town and wanted to see you.”

“Really? Why didn’t you start with that?”

“I’m at Linnie’s. Can you join us for dinner tonight?”

“I’ve already eaten, but I’ll be there. What time?”

“In an hour?”

“Sounds good.” She’d fill her in on her upcoming job. Maggie and Zeke, her confidants, were out of town. Her mom . . . the next best thing.

CHAPTER FOUR

As Alexis drove home from her visit with her mom and Linnie, the clouds overtook the night sky and lightning flashed in the distance. She lowered her window to listen to the faint sound of thunder. She loved storms; she always slept better after drifting off to the rumbling of thunder and the pitter-patter of raindrops.

Walking into an empty house normally didn’t bother her but for some reason, tonight it did. Maybe she should get a cat. She loved dogs but they needed constant attention, something she couldn’t give because of the long hours she dedicated to her career. Maybe she’d add time in her schedule to visit the Humane Society. She could use someone to cuddle with after a long day.

Her blind date from the other night had texted and said he’d taken a job and was transferring out of state. Whether that was true or not, she didn’t know. Oh well, it wasn’t like anything sizzled between them when they briefly touched. She chuckled at her musings; she had read too many romance novels.

Alexis placed her keys into the metal basket on the island and removed her black leather boots. First a shower and then a bowl of popcorn with a box of Junior Mints to complement the salt. Her taste buds came alive in anticipation of the upcoming snacks. She’d find a chick flick and curl up with a blanket.

She opened the glass shower door, turned on the water, and waited for it to heat. Ice cold. Damn. Her water heater had been on the fritz for a while, and apparently the hot shower she craved was no longer a possibility.

She strode back into her bedroom, slipped on a T-shirt and yoga pants, grabbed her comfy pj’s and her key ring, and headed out the back door. Zeke wasn’t home, and he’d had a multi-jet and rain shower head installed when he remodeled. She needed to water his plants anyway. He had a popcorn kettle and a cabinet full of movies. Why not spend the evening at his place? She grabbed a box of candy on the way out.

The gate they had installed in the fence they shared came in handy. A slight drizzle started as she crossed the yard, but as she stepped onto the back patio of Zeke’s house, the rain began coming down in sheets, drenching her while she fiddled with the lock to the back door.

Inside, she kicked off her shoes, stripped off her wet clothes, and hurried into Zeke’s master suite. She dropped her pj’s on his bed then, shivering, she went into the bathroom and turned the shower dial to hot.

Alexis relaxed under the rain shower, allowing her thoughts of seeing her ex again wash down the drain. Realizing she’d forgotten to grab her shower gel, she reached for Zeke’s. Zeke was a good friend, but he’d also been her teenage crush, and lathering her body with his scent made all sorts of past dreams about him replay in her mind. A large boom of thunder rattled the house, shutting down her thoughts. She turned off the water, stepped onto the mat, wrapped herself in a fluffy towel, and headed into the bedroom to find something dry to wear.