Chapter 21
Avery
October 21st
Mandy Reynolds had been shacked up with Bryce now for nearly a week. It was finally Saturday and I needed to catch my breath. I’d been so busy with classes, labs and making “To Do” lists for Bryce this past week, I hadn’t had time to stop by for a neighborly chat with her.
I had no reason to hate the girl even though she’d torn my world apart and, quite frankly, her attitude at our one and only encounter upon her arrival had not impressed me.
Still, I knew Bryce had left early this morning to take a bus to his parents’ home to pick up his truck. The reason I knew this was because I scheduled some overtime for him on his Friday list. He’d called my cell yesterday evening. I’d let it go to voicemail.
“Hey, Avery. This is Bryce. I appreciate the OT, but I need Saturday off. I’m going up to Decatur to get my truck. Taking a bus out around six in the morning. I should be back late Saturday evening. If you need me to do this on Sunday, I can. Just let me know. Take care.”
I had played it over three times because I’d been missing the sound of his voice. It made sense for him to go get his truck. The old beater Mandy had driven down looked like it was on borrowed time. Which is why it occurred to me that maybe I should stop by the cottage and see if she needed anything since I was making a trip into town this afternoon. It was the neighborly thing to do what with her delicate condition and not knowing the area.
It was a crisp, sunny day. The temperature was in the mid-60’s. My favorite season. I had placed some of Martha’s freshly baked apple cinnamon muffins onto a clean checkered cloth and arranged them, along with some fresh fruit into a wicker basket and headed up the path to the row of cottages. Most of them were now empty; closed up and winterized for the season. The year round permanent help didn’t live on site during the off season. Only Cottage 3 and Cottage 7 had occupants at the moment. Bryce and Carter Sims.
Carter had been a late season hire when the rest of the summer help was packing up and preparing to go home to start college classes. He was hired as a handyman for some special repairs we were doing over the fall and winter. He was extremely quiet; kept to himself. Maybe thirtyish. Bryce had said he thought he had something to hide with how closed-mouthed and unfriendly he was. He wasn’t a bad looking guy, kind of an introvert. I chose to believe the man wanted his privacy. That he wasn’t some shady criminal with a past. He seemed to do good work. Always completed the lists he was given by the main office. He had nothing to do with the horses so he didn’t report to me. I only had Bryce under me now–but not literally any longer.
An idea sprung to mind as I walked past the first two empty cottages. As I approached Cottage 3, the front window was open, I could see the mini blinds rustling with the soft breeze that was blowing. I stopped short when I heard a female voice.
“I told you, Sami, I’m not coming back.”
Pause.
“You don’t need to know where I am. It’s none of your fucking business where I went! As far away from you as possible. That’s all you need to know.”
Pause.
“Yeah, good luck with that! I haven’t talked to my parents since they booted my ass out three months ago. Do you really think they give a shit?”
Pause.
“Oh whatever! You played, you need to pay. Do you think being pregnant doesn’t cost me? The doctor’s appointments, the freakin’ pre-natal vitamins, not to mention the clothes I needed to buy. Do you really think two grand is a lot for what you’re putting me through?”
Pause.
“Yeah, you go ahead and call the cops. Whatever. Prove that I stole any of your shit. And good luck finding me, asshole. You’re blocked!”
I was frozen in my tracks trying to comprehend exactly what that conversation meant. Especially what it meant for Bryce. Who was Sami? Should I mention any of this to Bryce?
I collected my thoughts and took the steps up to the front porch and knocked on the door. She answered immediately, wearing a pink terrycloth bathrobe, her hair all disheveled, and mascara smeared under her eyes.
“Hi, I’m Avery…” I started.
“Yeah, we met, remember?”
“Of course, I just wanted to bring you some baked goods and fruit. I wasn’t sure if you needed anything. I’m going to town in a bit, so if you do need anything, well–”
“Well aren’t you a sweetie?” she said, pushing open the screen door to allow me inside. “And with Bryce gone for the day. Of course, you must’ve known that, right?” She stepped back as I entered the cottage. I immediately looked around, noting the disarray inside.
Bryce was not a neat freak by any means, but his cottage was typically tidy. It looked like Hurricane Mandy had hit it full force. Empty soda cans had been left on the coffee table, along with partially eaten bags of chips and pretzels. I noticed blankets and a pillow folded at the end of the couch. Was Bryce making her sleep out there?
“I’m getting ready to clean up,” she said, running her fingers through her tousled hair. “Kind of getting a late start today. Bryce and I keep late hours. Mostly my fault. I’m a sucker for old movies and I make him watch them with me. Not to mention the odd food cravings I’ve been getting. What can I do for you, Avery?”
It was clear she was uncomfortable having me inside the cottage, but I didn’t really give a damn. I handed over the basket to her. “Maybe these will curb your cravings,” I said. “I hope you enjoy them.”
She pulled back the cloth and breathed in the sweet cinnamon scent of the muffins. “Umm, smells good. Did you bake them?”
“No. Martha, one of the housekeepers up at my grandparents’ house, did.”
“Ah…wealth does have its privileges, doesn’t it? Not that I would know about that. But thank you and thank Martha for me,” she said, walking over to the counter in the kitchenette where she placed the basket. I noticed the sink was full of dirty dishes.
“So, I’m off to town. Do you need anything while I’m there?”
“No, I’m good. I gave Bryce a list before he left this morning. I’ve got plenty to tide me over until he gets home.”
Home. Yeah, right. This wasn’t her home.
“Speaking of that, Mandy, I know these cottages are really small. They’re meant to accommodate one person. I see you’re sleeping on the couch and I wanted to offer–”
“Who said I was sleeping on the couch?” she snapped, her eyes narrowed as she looked over at me. She was clearly pissed.
I nodded towards the sofa. “I just saw the blankets and pillow over there and figured–”
“Well, you figured wrong,” she said. “Bryce takes the couch occasionally. Just because that double bed isn’t all that comfortable for two people. Especially when our baby is kicking between the two of us.”
If her last statement was designed to burn me, she succeeded. I felt myself tense up, but I was not going to give her the satisfaction of knowing she got to me. Had she somehow figured out that Bryce and I had been involved?
“I’m sorry,” I forced the words out with a sweetness I didn’t feel. “I only wanted to say that I could have Carter open up one of the other cottages that isn’t being used right now if you’d be more comfortable having your own place.”
She studied me for a moment. “Now why would you want to do that for me? I can’t pay rent.”
“No rent is necessary. We have several sitting empty. I just thought it might be more comfortable for the both of you, that’s all.”
“I see. What about when the baby comes? I’m due around the New Year, you know?”
“No, I didn’t know. But you need to understand this is all just a temporary arrangement.”
“Is that what Bryce told you?” she asked, a smirk gracing her lips. “I’m not so sure about that. At any rate, let me ask Bryce when he gets home. He’s awfully protective with me being in this delicate condition. I’m not sure if he’d want me in another cabin. I’ll have him let you know, how’s that?”
“Fine,” I said, smiling sweetly. “Have a nice day, Mandy.”
“You do the same, Avery,” she called after me. “Oh, and by the way—would there be anything I can do around here to earn a little bit of my own money? I’m not picky… well, except I refuse to shovel horse shit the way Bryce does all day,” she finished with a snicker.
“Oh?” I replied, “Do you have any skills, Mandy?” I asked, knowing damn well I was being a shit, but hell, she deserved it. Bryce was a hard worker who was making an honest living. How dare she make like she was above any of what he did to earn his pay?
She bristled just like I knew she would. It had been a fairly obvious slam, but I didn’t regret it. “Well, I might just surprise everyone with my skills,” she said, “but as far as around here, any clerical work would be great. Even if it’s only a few hours a week. I’m a whiz on the computer, I know all of the MS Office applications. I’d be grateful for anything. I hate having Bryce totally supporting me, you know? A girl has her pride.”
The bitch made my skin crawl for some reason. I didn’t believe a word she said. She was up to something and my gut instinct said it didn’t have a damn thing to do with Bryce.
“Let me ask Becky over at the office. This isn’t a busy time of year, obviously, but there is a large Christmas gala being planned over at the Belle. I’ll see if she needs any help organizing it and let you know.”
“I really appreciate it, Avery. Bryce is right. You are a sweet kid.”
I wanted to claw her eyes out with my fingernails. Her saccharine statement was clearly a revenge dig for my previous question. I doubted very much if Bryce had said any such thing to her, but I had better things to do with my time than spar with this bitch.
“Don’t mention it, Mandy,” I replied with a smile. “Take care. I’ll get back to you.”