Destiny and a Bottle of Merlot (7 page)

“Sasha? I had no idea it was you. What the hell? Sorry… I mean why did you change… everything?”

“I’m impulsive. New town, new house, new appearance, that’s all. Do you like it?” she asked, with Allium bulbs filling her gloved hand.

“Um, sure… I guess. Yeah… it’s cute. Your hairstyle is the way Victoria Beckham wore hers last year.”

“Right, except she’s old enough to be my mother, sort of. I get what you mean though. So what do you think of the colors?”

“Of what?” he asked, still gawking at her.

“The house. Are you okay? You seem weird. We can go inside if you’d like some water. C’mon, I’ll show you what I’ve done with the place so far.” Sasha set the bulbs down and pulled off her gloves. She led Josh up the sidewalk, across the porch and in through the beautiful double doors. “There’s still a lot to do, but I am making progress. Here, sit at the card table, I’ll get you a bottle of water.” Sasha disappeared through the formal, burnt orange dining room and into the kitchen. Josh looked around, admiring the work she had done in the few short weeks she lived there. She returned with two bottles of water and sat in the vacant folding chair next to him. “How do you like the dining room? We had a painting party. It really was a riot. I guess I’ll be hosting a lot of parties if I ever want to get the rest of the house painted,” she laughed with a tiny snort. “Oops, sorry.”

Josh was so smitten, he didn’t even hear the snort. He had to come up with a way to spend more time with this beautiful woman. “I could help you paint whenever you want. My job is pretty flexible since I’m the owner. With kids back in school, the housing market slows down until after Christmas. I really wouldn’t mind.”
Please say yes, please say yes
.

“Why would you want to help? You barely know me. You don’t seem like the kind of guy who gets his hands dirty.”

“Well, to be honest, Sasha, I’m really surprised you’re taking this work on yourself. You don’t seem like the type of woman who would get her hands dirty, either.” Josh snapped the cap on the water bottle and took a gulp. He waited for her response.

“The old me wouldn’t have done this work, but the new me loves it. I feel like I can accomplish anything now. I even bought a truck. Can you believe that? I had no clue how to drive until Aaron taught me.” She giggled out loud thinking about her driving lessons.

“You’ve come a long way, Sasha, but getting back to what I said before, I really would like to help you. Don’t you want this beautiful house completely painted by Christmas? The floors could be sanded and re-stained by then too. I bet you’d love to hold a few holiday parties here, wouldn’t you? And I don’t mean painting parties. I mean real parties in this gorgeous, historic home.”

“You make a good point, Josh, but what’s in it for you?” she asked, suspiciously.

“Well, I could hand you a line of bs about wanting to do the ‘neighborly’ thing, or I could tell the truth. I suppose you’d rather hear the truth, right?”

Sasha smiled and ran her fingers through her hair. It was nice. She liked the short style. Before, with her hair so long, it would either tangle in her fingers, or it would have been in a ponytail anyway. “I would prefer the truth, please.”

“I like you, Sasha. From the day I met you, and I’ll never live that down, I knew there was something different about you. I’m acquainted with most of the women in town because I’ve lived here forever. I’ve dated them all, and I’m not saying that to brag. They try too hard, and I don’t even believe it’s about me. They seem to be competing with each other for my attention, just to win. You don’t care about me one way or another. It’s actually refreshing in a weird way.” He laughed at the irony of it, then looked down, staring at the floor.
Shit… did I say too much?
“Sasha, I’m just a regular guy, and a little lonely at that. I’m tired of playing the single, stud game. It gets old. I’d really like to know you better. No games, no expectations, just friends.”
Hopefully more than friends later.
“I actually like doing remodeling work. I own a lot of properties in town, and did most of the work myself. What do you say? Do I get a chance?” He looked at her hopefully.

“I guess you can never have too many friends, right? Here’s my question Josh, do you know anything about vineyards?”

A late October chill cloaked the air and a definite north wind blew against the Victorian.

“Josh, what’s going on with these windows?”

Sasha rolled daffodil yellow paint on the walls of an upstairs bedroom and noticed the paper drop cloth blowing slightly. A light breeze was coming through the window.

“Hang on, I’ll be right there.” Josh, in the next room was busy sanding floors. He wiped his forehead and took a look. “Yeah, I see what you mean. They aren’t in the best shape, but the storm windows aren’t on either. Are there windows in the shed?”

“Yes, but I never knew why. They’re my storm windows? Does that mean we have to put them over all the windows in the house? All thirty windows?”

Josh laughed and shook his head. “Yes, dear lady of the manor, that’s exactly what it means. It’s a dangerous job though, one that should be left to the experts. Let’s go take a look.”

He took the roller from Sasha’s hand and helped her down the ladder. The antique oak claw foot table in the kitchen beckoned them to sit for a while. Sasha bought furniture as each room was completed. The wide plank maple floors in the kitchen glistened like new so the beautiful table and four pressed back spindle chairs were put in place. A cozy braided rug rested beneath the table and a matching one lay in front of the sink. The cabinets and counter tops needed to be replaced, but that would come in time.

“Let’s take a break as long as we’re downstairs. How about lunch? I can whip together some grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We’ll check out the windows after we eat.”

“That sounds good, I’m starving. The house is really taking shape, Sasha. By next summer, the Victorian will be a showplace. So you’re serious about turning the extra lot into a vineyard, right?”

“Well… yeah. It’s not about having a real vineyard, Josh. I want to draw people in. It will be unique and something to see, a novelty, I guess. But given the space I have, there may be a chance to produce a little wine. I guess it depends on how many grape plants I can fit on the lot.” Sasha handed Josh a can of soup to open as she busied herself assembling sandwiches.

“And you want a vineyard… why?” He clamped the can opener with one hand and turned the crank with the other. He rummaged through several cabinets until he found a small stainless steel pot to pour the soup in.

Sasha put the sandwiches on the hot griddle. They made a sizzling sound as they turned a golden shade of brown. “Because I want to make this place into a small inn. Nothing that will take all my time. I’d rent out rooms now and then when something special is going on in town. What I want to do, is host weddings here. Isn’t that romantic?” The smile she wore melted his heart. “I’m going to give the Victorian an official name.”

“Really?” Josh filled the bowls and placed them on the table. “What are you going to call her?”

“She’s going to be called ‘Martha’s Vineyard.’ There’s a reason behind all of that, but that’s a story for another day. Let’s eat.”

The outbuilding on the south side of the property consisted of the shed and garage together. It was painted to match the house and in pretty good condition. A padlock held the double barn doors closed. For now, Sasha only used the shed for gardening tools. Until an overhead garage door with an opener was installed, she parked her truck next to the house. She pulled the key from her pocket and unlocked the doors, then flipped on the interior light. In front of them and to the left, twenty five storm windows in various stages of condition rested against the wall.

“There aren’t enough storm windows,” Sasha said, after counting them twice.

“Yeah, I think it’s right. You have some stained glass windows that are just decorative. They wouldn’t have storms over them because they don’t open anyway. These aren’t perfect, but I think they’ll keep the wind out. Next year you should replace all the windows. The new types are double, or even triple paned. They don’t need storms.”

“You know a lot about houses, Josh. I’m glad you’re around, thanks.” Sasha reached out and squeezed Josh’s arm. “I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to be neighborly,” he said, grinning.
God, I want to kiss her so bad.

“Well… I do like your company.”
God, I wish he would kiss me.

A deafening silence fell between them for a few seconds. It was awkward, because they were both thinking the same thing.

“Okay, should we get back to work?” Sasha asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, sounds like a plan.” Josh put his hand on her back as she led the way out.

“Aren’t you the cutest thing I’ve ever seen?” Vic called out, as Sasha entered Hair Brained wearing one of her new outfits and sunglasses. “Nice duds, babe.”

“You like?” Sasha asked, giggling.

“Sure do, hon. Give me a second. Mrs. Johnson, come over here and sit under the hair dryer. I’ll set the timer for twenty minutes. Here’s a few gossip magazines.” Vic patted her customer on the shoulder, offering her a cup of tea and a smile. “Okay, what’s up?”

“I’d like to host a dinner party in two weeks. I have a kitchen table with two leaves and the card table, and I’m planning on nine people. Will you help me arrange things?”

Vic gave Sasha a hug. “Are you starting to like me? Of course I’ll help you, we all will. We’ll get enough chairs together, no problem.”

“Oh good.” Sasha breathed a sigh of relief. “There’s one more thing. I’m inviting Josh Redmond. He’s number nine.”

“No shit? Hey Tina, did you hear that? Sasha is having a party and Josh Redmond is going to be her date. Sweet!”

The salon started buzzing with whispers. The blue hairs and young hipsters had new fodder for the gossip mill. Pretty soon all of Tarrytown would find out who the latest notch on Josh Redmond’s headboard would be.

“Vic, thanks a lot! I’d prefer to keep my private life private.” Sasha timidly looked around and saw twenty four eyes staring at her.

“Honey, we gave you a heads up when you moved here. Small towns can be your best friend, or your worst nightmare. Make it your best friend, you’ll be a lot happier. Call Mia and Karen and see if they want to do lunch. We can talk about your party over a few burgers and beers. Tell them to meet us at Morey’s at noon.”

The bar area was full at lunchtime so the girls opted for a booth. There were double air kisses and compliments on Sasha’s outfit choice. They sat, ordered lunch and leaned in as Sasha explained her dinner party plans.

“The Victorian is coming along nicely, so I want to have an appreciation party. You’ve all helped so much and I don’t know what I would have done without you. I’m truly grateful.”

“There’s still a lot of work to do, isn’t there?” Mia asked.

“Well… yeah, but Josh Redmond has been helping me quite a bit. The upstairs is painted, some of the floors are done and the storms are on the windows.”

“What’s that about? Since when did he become one of us? We didn’t take a vote,” Karen said, with a snort.

The rest joined in, clinking their beer glasses together.

“Cut him some slack you guys, he isn’t that bad. He’s been very polite and a gentleman lately, not to mention, very helpful. Plus I have an announcement to make,” she said, happily.

“You’re preggers?” Vic asked.

“Seriously, Vic, you’re so deranged,” Sasha pouted.

“Just saying… you have been alone in the Victorian with Josh Redmond. He has a reputation to uphold, you know.”

More snorts and snickers with another round of glass clinking came from the four. Mia caught the attention of the waitress for refills.

“Can you guys grow up? I swear you act like third graders. Anyway, we need to plan a menu. I’m not really good at that stuff yet. The party will be Saturday, the 8th of November.”

“What’s the occasion?” Mia asked, as she spoke to Aaron on her cell. She had him on speaker phone while she washed the windows facing the street.

“Do I need an occasion to take the love of my life to a fancy restaurant for dinner? We’ve been to every restaurant in Tarrytown um-teen times. Let’s try something different. I hear Avery’s is really nice and they’ve got rave reviews. It’s only a thirty minute drive. I’ll pick you up at six, okay?”

“Sure, it sounds wonderful. Do you want to stay the night?” she asked, teasingly. “I make a great dessert.”

“Oh, baby, I know you do. Maybe we should skip dinner and get right to the dessert,” he joked back.

“Not on your life, mister. You offered, and now you have to man up and take me to Avery’s. I’ll be ready at six. Love you, babe.”

“Love you right back.” Aaron had great plans for later. Avery’s was known for their extensive champagne list. He wanted something wonderful, but not over the top. Champagne in the one hundred dollar range would be perfect. Aaron called ahead and spoke to the Master Sommelier. He suggested the Cattier Brut Blanc de Noirs, and said they would set a bottle aside. With that done, Aaron browsed through his closet, looking for something nicer than average to wear. Tonight would be special. He had two questions for Mia. He hoped she would say yes to both.

Mia finished her usual weekend chores. Tonight would be exciting, even though she didn’t know what Aaron was up to. With the cleaning products put away, she checked the time on her watch: 4:10 p.m.
Good, there’s plenty of time to walk Reggie and get ready without rushing.
She grabbed Reggie’s leash. “Let’s go, boy. We have a half hour to take a nice walk.”

Reggie rolled over and opened his eyes. A large yawn came from his mouth as he got up, stretched and casually walked to the front door.

“Sorry I disturbed your eighteen hours of rest. It’s hard being you, right, Reg?” Mia laughed as she clipped the leash to his collar. “C’mon were out of here.”

The air was fresh and cool. Late October brought earlier sunsets and stronger winds. Mia bundled up in her wool coat and scarf. She wound the scarf around her neck twice and slipped on a light pair of gloves, then closed the door behind her.