Chapter Six

Just as the ice and snowstorm seemed to lock everyone in one place, the melting of the snow sent everyone out in all directions. Her Aunt Linney had a new hospice care assignment starting up and drove to her appointment with the family. Paige had unpacked and organized further in her room, tucking items away, knowing she’d work on the walls first and couldn’t have everything spread out.

She needed to shop. Not the kind of shopping done in Buckhead where style and name brand were coveted at any price, especially on sale. A usable winter coat was a necessity and several other items, all practical. She assessed what was necessary to fix up her room and thought to also include the dining room, which apart from the grandfather clock, had not been attacked. She would claim that to do.

Her list grew from cleaning supplies, to include spackle, wall patch, brushes, and paints, in addition to the mop her mother mentioned. She wasn’t sure what supplies her aunt had. Armed with credit cards, some money in the bank and more of a “buy it and return it if not needed” mentality, she left the farmhouse with determination, not waiting for her aunt’s return.

“I took several wrong turns, but I ended up in Scranton,” Paige said when she’d later called home from her cell, thankful to reach her aunt.

“That’s the only way people end up in Scranton—by accident. What’s up?”

“I’m in the bedding department. Is the bed a queen size in the room I’m using?” Paige got a confirmation and reviewed home improvement purchases. When asked, she detailed the contents of her department store shopping cart to include a couple pillows, the rest of the cleaning supplies, and a winter coat. “Do you need anything else while I’m here, Aunt Linney?”

“Sure, a couple things.”

“Can you text it? Oh, right, you don’t like to text. Hold on getting paper.”

“No need, Squirt. I trust you on the cleaning stuff. Grab some work coveralls.”

Paige pulled out a paper list anyway. “What size?”

“Whatever you wear. And boots—make that waterproof work boots. You’ll need ’em.”

“That it?”

“No. Some kind of snacks for munching as a reward. Whatever you like.”

“Got it. De-hoard rewards. What else?” Paige had her pen poised.

“Just a big thank you, kid.” Her aunt hung up.

Paige’s purchases were far less lavish than her shopping sprees had been in Buckhead. Not that she missed it. At least not yet. What she did miss was the internet. Her homing instincts sent her to a coffee shop, replete with acoustic guitar music, overpriced coffee, and excellent Wi-Fi. The shop even came with a handsome bearded barista with green eyes who smiled warmly and seemed to drink in more than coffee as he looked at her. She smiled back quickly, deflecting any flirting she’d next expect. She was careful to thank him quickly, but her drawl seemed to have an effect on him.

She took off her new puffy white coat and sank into a chair far from view of the counter. She also easily sank into her competent office mentality, with her laptop open, paying bills, transferring addresses. Texts pinged in on her phone. She flew through them and sent several to friends. After the first one, Paige set the rest of Michael’s aside. His texts were to be treasured.

She noted her ex’s texts and emails had changed from pleas for her return to money requests. This time, Paige made sure to include his parents and her mother on her responding email to him. She wasn’t Davis’ puppet anymore. She explained in the email to her ex that she had paid her part of the rent through the whole month, though she had already moved out. As to the furniture, which she loved, he had a choice to keep it all. She’d transferred the final payments to his name. If he kept it, she was owed at least one half the value, receipts attached. Should he sell it, she was to get her portion which was three quarters of the value. Very detailed, professional, and precise. The fog of live-in boyfriend/girlfriend had lifted. Without her blinders on, she realized how much he’d been leaning on her and not the other way around.

“No more, Davis Martin Greer. No more. Take that!” she said to her computer. She sent the email with a flourish and took a big swallow of her coffee.

While her business acumen was in full force, she gave forwarding information to her previous employer and requested a letter of recommendation, which had been mentioned to her when they laid her off. After all, had she not accepted the promotion, she might still be employed and had been one of their best workers. Professional and calm.

She sat back for a moment on that thought. She’d felt her efficient self all day. She’d speed-shopped. Her car was packed with cost-effective purchases. She would tackle the important Wi-Fi issue for the house next. She pulled up a list of providers.

Paige stopped. The word Wi-Fi reminded her of Michael. Her mind went from sharp business mode to something far more languid. She couldn’t help herself and instead began reading the saved texts from Michael:

“I’m here at the Inn, safe but far from sound. Flee, you are on my mind. How is it that I miss you already?”

“While my program was compiling, I reviewed the best Wi-Fi for you. In case it helps, here’s the break-down for the top three…”

The text was long and detailed. It saved Paige research time. She was amazed at how thoughtful her Groundhog Man was. He didn’t gush. He helped. Again.

She read the next two texts.

“Why did I send that text instead of telling you about how I wish I could nibble my way down your chest and stomach? I know why. If I stop to think about you, my body betrays me and I’m in public.”

“I want you, Paige.”

Her eyes popped open at the last one. Heat rose to her cheeks. Okay, he gushed, too. He gushed very well.

She began to type a text.

“I miss you, too, Groundhog Man. I miss hearing your voice whisper to me. I miss touching your—”

She nearly jumped out of her skin when a cat brushed her legs. She’d accidentally sent the incomplete text.

“Oh, you sweet thang.” Paige picked up the cat and petted him, calming down. A text pinged in:

“Touching my what, Flee?”

She laughed and sent further texts to Michael.

“Face? Other parts?”

“All of you?”

“I’m in a coffee shop. Not sure if it was the cat or your texts that startled me most. I’m petting the cat, and my mind is racing. Just thinking about you gives me butterflies.”

She quickly sent two more texts:

“No. Make that more than butterflies. I get a whole menagerie of fluttery, crawling things.”

“Ignore that. It didn’t come out right.”

Michael’s response was fast.

“I’ll say. I was going to suggest taking a shower.”

“Cute. Thanks for the Wi-Fi list, Michael. It really helped. Thoughtful present by the way.”

“In that case, Happy Early Valentine’s Day. Saves me buying you waxy chocolate.”

Paige quickly responded.

“What about flowers?”

He just sent an emoji of roses and a note that he had to rush to another meeting. She sighed as she had been one button away from calling him.

Paige was assessing Wi-Fi options for the farmhouse when two last texts pinged in.

“Jealous of the cat, btw. Jealous of anyone who gets to spend time with you, naked or otherwise.”

“Strike that. Save the naked just for me, Paige. xox”

Paige drank the last of her coffee, with her heart racing at heat of his text. She mouthed the words she texted back to Michael.

“I want to be naked just for you, too.”

“Whoa, all right.” Came the blushing words of the bearded barista who was clearing off her cup right then. “I’m ready, you Southern Sweetie.” He dropped everything on the table to next her and came at her, arms open.

Paige’s cheeks were instantly heated. “I meant him.” She pointed to her cell near the cat with one hand and blocking him with her other hand.

“Mr. Cat?” The barista paused as if he were considering it. He shrugged. “Okay. I could go for that, too.” With a wide grin, he came at Paige again.

She made a full football block. “No. No. I meant my text. Nothing against you or cats.” Her phone rang. “I have to take this.”

“Gotcha. No touching the cat, only you.” The barista left her tableside, dishes in hand, and motioned he was going to the counter, smiling and nodding his head as he did so.

Paige rolled her eyes. “Hello, Aunt Linney. What’s up?”

All she said was, “Get home soon. Bring mousetraps. Kind ones if they got ’em.”

“Did you see a mouse?”

“Only in the garage. The house was taken care of by pest control first thing, but still…”

“Oh no. Do you think they’re hiding in the debris?” Paige shivered at the thought. “Let’s just shovel out the whole dang bunch.”

“We can’t, Paige. There’s good stuff in there, too, like jewelry. I found a couple hundred dollars stashed in an envelope, not to mention all the family heirlooms. Too bad it’s not summer where we can sort outside.” Then she heard something crash, followed by her aunt swearing and hanging up.

She held the cat and said in a sugary tone, “Looks like we could use one of you. Do you have a kitty friend who can come stay at the farm?” It just meowed when she put the cat down. In no time, she had arranged a Wi-Fi company to come to the farmhouse later in the week and packed up to leave the shop.

Before stepping through the door, the barista was at her side. He handed Paige a pet adoption flyer from the bulletin board. “Meow, you sweet thing. Call me when you want me. My number is on it. Never did it with a furry before, but I’m in.” He opened the door for her, accidentally brushing against her.

She stepped out, a bit dazed, mumbling to herself. “Furry? Sweet thing? Oh no… He thinks I want to…in a cat suit? Or is it with a cat?”

Paige cringed at either prospect and made a concerted effort to note the coffee shop location. She would make sure to avoid the place.

The barista waved, most likely thinking her perusal of the shop was a look of interest.