CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

The next morning Merrick was at the door early with Willa on his heels. He brought his tools and a load of lumber and drywall up in the freight elevator. He’d also brought a selection of bagels, two flavors of cream cheese and a jar of strawberry preserves with him.

Willa toasted the bagels and he made coffee.

“The two of you look like the picture of domestic bliss,” Max said. “I think I’m gonna puke, or something.”

“Maybe some of it will rub off on you, little sister,” Merrick said. “You could learn to make a decent cup of coffee, you know?”

Max made a face at him. “I don’t even drink coffee.”

“True, but maybe some day you’ll meet someone who does and you’ll wish you knew how.”

Max snorted. “Someday, I’ll be a rich and famous artist and hire someone to drive to Starbuck’s for me.”

“Dream on,” Merrick said.

“Eat up, children,” Willa said. “We have walls to build.”

Merrick framed in the proposed walls around the toilet while Max and Willa peeled the plastic wrapping off the glass block.

He removed his shirt, giving Willa a show as his lean, tanned muscles flexed in counterpoint to his labors.

“He’s pretty good with that nail gun,” Willa said loud enough for him to hear. He grinned at her. “Did you ever notice how hot men look when they’re using power tools?” She made a fanning motion.

Max rolled her eyes. “I was thinking men in Wranglers and cowboy boots were really hot.”

“Or without them.” Willa caught Max’s eye and they burst into giggles.

He finished the framing and ran electrical conduit to the small enclosure. “You’ll need a light fixture and I suggest a vent with a fan. We can take a run to the store later.”

“This is so cool! You put my commode in jail.” Max grinned as she admired Merrick’s framing job. “What’s next?”

“If you ladies will join me,” he announced, “we’re ready to drywall.”

Merrick nailed the sheetrock into place and showed them how to tape and float the seams. “Nice and smooth, just like you’re frosting a cake.” He laughed abruptly. “Excuse me. I forgot who I was talking to.”

“I frosted a cake once,” Max said.

“I remember it well.”

The toilet enclosure was framed, wired, rocked and floated. There was no door and the mud had to dry but it had walls around it.

Merrick informed them that he was taking a break. He opened the window to the fire escape and leaned out. Willa handed him a bottle of water.

“Thanks.” He gestured to the window. “Want to go up stairs with me?”

“This is the top floor,” Willa replied.

“I’m going to the roof.” He stepped out onto the metal grating.

“Be careful, Merrick.” Willa reached out to him. “Those stairs aren’t safe.”

He squatted outside the window and took in the concern written on her face. “Don’t worry, baby. I’d never put you in danger. Sherman and I welded the places that were rusted and broken off last week.”

She expelled the breath she’d been holding.

“Come on up with me.” He extended his hand to her.

Willa hesitated, reaching toward him and then drawing her hand back.

Merrick patiently held his hand for her. She placed her hand in his and allowed herself to be drawn out onto the metal framework. “Look up.” He held onto her waist to guide her. When they reached the top, he led her to the opposite side of the roof.

The view of Houston was unobstructed. Large, puffy cumulus clouds floated in the blue sky and the sun warmed their skin.

“This is beautiful,” she said.

“I discovered it last week,” he said. “I wanted you to see it.”

“That’s really sweet.” Willa grinned at him. “I’m not used to you being sweet to me. I’m accustomed to the terse, teasing Merrick who chased me with frogs and garter snakes.”

“Is that what you slick, sophisticated city girls like?” Merrick turned her around by her shoulders.

She grinned up at him, squinting in the bright sunlight. “That’s how I first knew you liked me.”

Merrick considered a moment. “You want me to chase you with reptiles and amphibians?”

“No,” she said. “I want to get to know sweet Merrick. I think I’ll like him more than snake boy.”

“Do we still have a real date tonight?”

“Yes. It’s our first date,” she said. “Don’t blow it.”

“I want to take you somewhere you really like.”

Willa shook her head and grinned. “Pick your favorite place. I imagine I’ll like just about any place you take me.”

“Reptile house at the zoo?”

“No, Snake Boy,” she shouted.

He smiled at her. “Dress comfortably and wear your running shoes.”

Willa leaned into his embrace, resting her cheek against his tanned bare shoulder.

He kissed her forehead and held her, rocking slightly. “This feels right,” he said.

“Yes it does and that’s what frightens me.” She raised her head. “It almost feels too good.”

“Not to me,” he said. “It feels just right.”

“What’s going on up here?” Max climbed onto the roof. “Wow! What a great view.”

“Yeah,” Merrick whispered, staring into Willa’s eyes.

~*~

Jon knocked at her door. He hadn’t seen the artist’s truck in the parking lot. It was late and he hoped she was alone. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say to her. They hadn’t exactly parted on a good note and she didn’t know he’d seen her with Max.

The door opened and she smiled at him. She glanced away and then met his eyes. “Come in.” She was barefooted and clad in shorts and a tee.

“I hope it’s not too late,” he said.

“I was just relaxing and listening to music.” The lights were off and she had a couple of glass jar candles sitting on the stool beside the futon.

He noticed the canvas drop cloth was missing and in its place a curve of glass block sparkled at the end of the loft.

“What do you think? Is it what you envisioned?” She led him into the arced wall of glass lit by yet another candle beside the bathtub.

He smiled and nodded. “It looks good. Who built it for you?” He asked the question lightly, but his stomach knotted in anticipation of her answer. Although he’d witnessed Max Foster’s proficiency with power tools, Jon had thought Millie would turn to him for the execution of his designs.

“It was a group effort. There’s no door to close off the toilet and no light yet. The wiring’s in place but I need to buy light kits for the loo and for over the tub.”

“You need a chandelier.”

“Oh, no,” she said. “I don’t need anything so grand. I bathed by candlelight tonight. The moon is almost full so there was plenty of light. It was fine.”

“I’m sure it was.” He glanced at her sadly. “And did you take this romantic bath alone?”

She met his gaze. “And who would I be bathing with?”

“You’ve bathed with me,” he said. “Twice.”

Max glanced away, coloring in the dim light. “I’m not in the habit of sharing my bath.”

“But you didn’t hate it.”

A little smile played with her mouth. “No, I didn’t hate it.”

Cupping her face in his hand, he raised her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I didn’t either,” he whispered.

This evoked her dimpled grin. She leaned her forehead against his chest.

Jon stroked her hair and gently encircled her with his arms. He could sense her wariness, like a skittish colt. He didn’t want to spook her.

She relaxed, her shoulders releasing some unknown tension. Breathing an audible sigh, she seemed to be searching for the right thing to say.

“It’s alright, Millie,” he said. “I know I’m rushing you and you’re confused. I take full responsibility for everything that’s happened between us.”

She looked up at him, her expression conveying her inner turmoil.

He took her face in both hands and kissed her tenderly, hoping that the depth of his feeling could be telegraphed through his lips. Her arms came around his torso and she pressed closer to him. He splayed his fingers out, running them down her back.

Her little laugh against his neck made him grin.

“You have some kind of fascination with my butt?”

“It’s a fascinating little handful,” he said. “I’m sorry, Millie. I can’t seem to keep my hands off when we’re together.”

She turned from him and took a few steps away. “That’s nothing. Whenever we’re alone in the same room, my clothes seem to fall off.”

“Millie, I’m not just out to seduce you. I have real feelings for you.”

“Stop! Stop! Stop!” She shook her head and put her hands over her ears. “I can’t hear this now. I have feelings for you, but I’m not sure what they are.” She turned back to him. “You don’t know much about me, Jon. Some things might come out later that would make you feel differently about me.”

He smiled encouragingly. “I can’t think of anything you could tell me that would make a difference.” He thought she would confess her relationship with Max.

“What if I told you that my father is a drug pusher and he pimps out my mother all the time?”

A wave of pity swept through him. He couldn’t imagine a girl like Millie living through such a wretched childhood. He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry you had such a rough upbringing. It doesn’t make me think less of you. It makes me admire you even more for overcoming something like that.”

She groaned aloud. “No...No you don’t understand. That’s not it. That was only a joke. I’m just not a good person.”

“Yes you are and I’m in love with you. You don’t have to be perfect. Just love me back and we’ll be fine.”

“Love you back? That’s what you want?”

“It’s where we start. We can take it one little step at a time, as long as I’m not in this all by myself.” His dark eyes searched her face, bathed in the glow of the moon and flickering candlelight.

“Can we discuss this after the opening on Saturday? I think we’d both have a clearer idea of our feelings.”

“Saturday? I can wait that long.” He put his hand in the pocket of his jacket and drew something out. “I brought you a present.”

She grinned. He thought she looked pleased. “You don’t need to keep bringing me presents.”

“It’s nothing, really.” He extended his hand to her. He placed the millefiore paperweight in her palm. “You told me you liked it.”

She gasped. “It’s lovely.” She held it in both hands and bit her lower lip. “Thank you.”

“It’s only a trifle, but I’m glad it pleases you.” He watched her dimpled grin flicker on and off. At times she looked like she was going to cry. He brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “I’d better be going now or I’ll be grabbing your butt again.”

She gave him a wry grin and nodded her head.

“The truck will be here around nine to transport the paintings to Gilman Gallery. The men know how to load art so don’t worry about anything. I’ll see you at Gilman’s around noon and we can have lunch, if you’re willing.”

“I’m willing,” she said.

He kissed her lightly. “Until tomorrow, then.”

“Tomorrow.”