Jessa James - Handy

“It’s fairly quiet. Certainly never any trouble, there are some great local places with good people and fair prices that won’t gouge you like the city. The cafe down on Main is really good too for a bite to eat, and I think a new place just opened up. Oh and Edgar runs the hardware store if you need it. Which you no doubt will.”

“Great, that sounds perfect. How about you two, what’s the story with Kadee?” After his obvious hesitation I followed up with, “If you don't mind me asking? You can tell me to mind my own business if you want. I won’t hold it against you.”

He shrugged, “It’s fine. I’m divorced and Kadee lives out west with her mom for the most part. I hardly get to see her.”

I decided to tip toe around the emotion creeping into his tone at this new line of discussion.

“That must be tough. She seems like a great kid,” I offered in tactful support.

“Yeah, she’s everything,” he said, sitting back from his empty plate.

He was watching me now with a look I couldn't quite decipher, was it curiosity? Or had I overstayed my welcome? Before his stare unnerved me too much I continued my questioning.

“And what about you? You said “this is what you do”, how do you mean?” I asked gesturing my arms at our surroundings.

“You’re full of questions aren’t you?”

I took a bite and swallowed. “If you prefer we can sit in silence and eat like two strangers?”

Derek chuckled and shook his head. “Full of sass too.”

I smiled. “I try… it’s practically the only thing I’m good at.”

“I’m sure that’s not true. What’s your story then?”

“We aren’t talking about me. Besides I asked you first.”

The edge of Derek’s lips curved upwards, the half-smile almost reaching his eyes. “Fine, well, I’m a carpenter by trade. Interior finishings are my specialty you might say, though I’ve fixed up pretty much everything in this place over the years. You name it, I’ve fixed it. Maybe I could give you a few tips?”

I bristled at his boastful bravado on this subject and his assumption that I, a woman, didn’t know what I was doing. And sure his place looked great, but steady on there fella. I was suddenly reminded of our remarks earlier about my porch and his insistence that he knew better. Well there was always more than one way to get something done and this gal needed help from no one! Even if he looked as dreamy as Derek.

“I’ll manage just fine, thank you.”

Derek shot his hands up. “Suit yourself.”

A lengthly and uncomfortable silence sank into the room like an unwelcome fog. Derek glanced at his watch. He tried to do it without me noticing but he wasn’t exactly subtle about it either. I shifted on my stool, it squeaked and I winced.

“Are you finished?” Derek asked pointing to what remained of my mac and cheese. There was still a couple of mouthfuls but my appetite had fled.

“Yeah. I’m done. I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll just clear these up and walk you out, give me a sec.”

With my own sudden gush of good manners I reached for the plates to clear up before he had the chance. However without looking it only resulted in me awkwardly grabbing his reaching hand… his warm strong hand. I let out a gasp as sparks zapped up my arm, sending my heart into overdrive for the second time that day.

We froze for a moment, the once relaxed atmosphere of our little mealtime now completely shattered by the intimacy of this touch. I met his eyes for an instant, but before they captured me completely and I surrendered all sense, I broke free. The abrupt motion caused the plate to spin out of control and I could only look on in horror as it careened towards the edge.

Thankfully, Derek had quick reflexes. He shot out his hand, palm flat and managed to subdue the wayward crockery.

“Shit sorry, that was close. I’m not normally this clumsy, I promise.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. He sounded annoyed, grumpy and irritated. I’d definitely outstayed my welcome now.

“I should be getting back, I’m expecting a friend soon,” I said heading for the door before he could stop me.

“Sure sure, no problem,” I heard behind me.

I reached the front door trying to shake the moment off, where I spotted Kadee sat near the top of the stairs, a bear next to her. She was huddled with her arms wrapped around her knees, in the quiet mode of a child who’d sneaked out of bed to listen to the grown-ups talk below. I smiled and sent her a small secret wave. Her little face brightened and she lifted her hand to wave goodbye in response.

Derek had caught up to me and took hold of the door. I left him in the doorway and headed back over to mine. It was perfect good timing as my friend Fiona was just getting out of her car and looking around to see if she had the right place.

“Hey Fee!” I called out to her as I crossed the road.

She looked up a little confused that I had appeared from the wrong side of the road. Fiona was my oldest and only real friend, we had met in college, and even though she had continued through law school while I dropped out we had remained in touch ever since. The fact that she worked in the city an hour away had certainly helped with my decision on the house.

“Hey, I have the right place don’t I?” she asked pointed back to my house behind her, “and just who is the hunk, you minx!” she inquired in a quiet voice as I neared.

“Just the neighbor, don’t get excited he’s a bit of a dick,” I said hugging her.

“Well who wouldn’t mind a bit of that!” she replied in her usual filthy tone.

“Oh, I’ve missed you,” I laughed. “Come on, let me show you around. See what your scheming has gotten me into.”

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