Fixer-Upper (Spinning Hills Romance 3) (17 page)

Amy let out a
“Woohoo!”
that got all the kids’ attention and soon they were all celebrating, funny looks forgotten.

But the celebratory mood was not to last. “So . . .” Amy began, as the two women walked back into the school. “What was that about?”

Marissa looked over at her friend. “What was what about?”

“You and Johnny . . .” She trailed away for a moment before rushing on. “I know it’s none of my business, but the two of you were in your own little world for a moment there and, I don’t know . . .”

“I told you, I’ve known him since I was a baby. We’ve had our issues, but being with him is like . . . being with family. I guess it could look like we’re in our own little world.” She turned and gave Amy a quick squeeze on the shoulder. “Thanks for looking out for me, but I’m okay.” She then picked up her pace, and soon left her friend’s concerns outside. It was true, Johnny felt like family.

By the time she got to her classroom, the kids were all there, talking and planning among themselves. It looked like they had finally tired of arguing and getting nowhere.

They began to really listen to each other and work together to choose and edit the videos to submit along with Act Two, and the afternoon ended up going by a lot faster than the morning had.

Johnny left right after school for the first time since he’d started working there. There was something he needed to do, and he had to make sure Marissa wasn’t around when he did it.

He stopped by a local grocer, bought the biggest and brightest flower arrangement he could find, and drove to Michelle and Roberto Medina’s house.

Michelle was watering some plants when he arrived. The look she gave him was not encouraging. Her highly mobile features looked like they’d been cemented into a scowl.

Johnny extended the flowers. She folded her arms. He began his overdue, heartfelt speech, but didn’t drop his arm. “Mrs. Medina, you’ve been a second mother to me, and I am so sorry for what happened during Melinda’s welcome home party. I know there’s no excuse for ruining your daughter’s welcoming, and for making her and everyone in your family feel bad, but I’d really like the chance to explain myself.”

She frowned, ungraciously took the flowers, and motioned for him to sit on the garden bench.

Michelle Medina found her voice the moment she sat down, and her face and hands instantly became active again. “What possible explanation can you have? You told Marty and Rosa you were sure. Everything checked out. A masquerade party. Meeting someone. The invitation. The costume. What could she have possibly done to make you reject her in less than two minutes after you’d been going on and on about her for an entire year? How do you think that made her feel? How do you think I feel that I told her and everyone else? I’ve been beating myself up over it. It was the last thing Melinda needed. What do you have to say for yourself?” she finished, accidentally hitting him with the flowers for the third time.

Johnny took a deep breath, but he waited to make sure Mrs. Medina was done. He hadn’t anticipated her bringing up all the details that had initially made him sure Melinda was the one. “I know it sounds crazy, but I made a mistake. It turns out Melinda and I were both at the same masquerade party that night, and I did find her invitation nearby, but she wasn’t the girl I met. Melinda herself confirmed she was dressed as Little Bo Peep. The girl I met was dressed like a . . . peasant.”

“But why did you have to tell her right then and there? Couldn’t you have waited?” She lowered her voice and glanced around. “You and Marty are close. I’m sure you know she came back because she hasn’t been able to find work in years. It wasn’t by choice. She hates it here. The party was meant to ease everything, but instead . . .” Her voice died away.

“Marty’s the most loyal person I know, Mrs. Medina. He doesn’t tell me personal details about any of you. I knew LA wasn’t what Melinda had thought it would be, but I thought she was looking forward to this great backup plan of going to college to study broadcast journalism and start a community theater here . . . I had no clue she wasn’t happy. And Marty had asked me to please make a clean break with Melinda if I thought things wouldn’t work out between us.”

Johnny paused and looked over at the woman who’d fed him, chided him, and welcomed him into her family for years. “I haven’t told anyone this, but I
want
to change. Marty had said I was too careful with people’s feelings, and that I end up sending mixed signals. So that night, I followed Marty’s advice to a tee, but it backfired. For a moment there, it seemed like no matter what I do, I always get into trouble. But I’m starting to figure it out.”

Mrs. Medina sighed. “Well, I’m glad you’re figuring it out, because you always seem to drag a Medina along with you.” She looked out into the distance. “Marissa’s trying to get us to adopt one of those puppies, you know. But Brian’s allergic, and then they wouldn’t be able to visit us, and they’d spend more time with his parents than here, and that would drive me nuts.”

Johnny hesitated. He wanted to make sure he and Mrs. Medina were good, but it was hard to have to listen to her talk about an allergy he knew was fake. “Are we okay, Mrs. Medina? I truly am sorry.”

Mrs. Medina got to her feet and tapped his shoulder with the flowers. “I know you are. And I know my big mouth was to blame, too. Just promise me you won’t get any other Medinas tangled up in your adventures. We all got caught in this last one. Even Rosa. And she thinks she never makes mistakes.”

Johnny laughed. “I’ll do my best,” he promised, then got up to leave.

“See that you do.”

He turned back to give her a soldier’s salute, but he caught sight of Melinda standing at an open window upstairs. She looked sad and stunned, and he guessed she must’ve heard her mother’s worries. “And try not worry about Melinda. She’ll find her way.” He glanced up. Melinda stuck her middle finger up at him. Oh well.

“I hope so.” Mrs. Medina bent down to continue to tend to her garden. “Good luck with
la brigada loca
tomorrow!”

“You know about that?”

“Of course. Rosa, Marty, and Roberto are going, too.”

Johnny shook his head.
Brigada loca
, indeed.

M
arissa got up the next morning bright and early. It was beautiful out, and hope for a fun, productive day burned bright. But her spirits sagged somewhat when she looked at her phone to see that Brian had texted her late the night before, asking her to try to be home by eleven because he’d be picking her up to go see a few houses in Springboro. Springboro was a good choice. It was a midpoint between both of their jobs. Still, she was agitated when she texted him back, telling him to expect her at twelve sharp, like they’d agreed.

When she got to the kitchen, her father was waiting for her, sporting a huge smile. Her mother had made them a big breakfast and had filled two thermoses with steaming hot coffee for the road. Her mood lifted again.

“I’m really looking forward to today,” her father said, before stuffing a forkful of eggs and bacon into his mouth.

“I think you’re all doing a great thing. Kids lose hope when their surroundings are depressing,” her mother said as she slid two pancakes onto a plate that was already full of eggs and bacon. “You’ll need extra fuel to get through the day,” she added when she saw Marissa staring wide-eyed at her overflowing plate.

Seeing both of her parents on board made her feel better about holding Brian off until twelve. As different as her parents were, they both believed in what she was doing.

“Is Brian meeting us here, or will he meet us at the school?” her father asked after washing down his food with orange juice. Again, that agitated feeling fluttered in her chest. Brian had warned her he’d end up looking bad.

Marissa took her time chewing, swallowing, and planning her response, because Brian’s whereabouts would inevitably come up again. “Actually, I was supposed to go up to Cleveland this weekend, but I really wanted to do this.” It had been Brian’s decision to come down because they needed to find a house within the next six weeks, but it was all still true. “He’s tired from the drive down and he has a lot of work to get through this morning, plus he’s researching towns, neighborhoods, and houses for us. I’m meeting him at twelve to go house-hunting.”

“You’re leaving at twelve?” Her father had been about to put another forkful of food in his mouth, but he paused to give her a surprised look. Marissa ignored the look and kept eating. Twelve sounded early, but they’d be at the school by seven, and she knew she’d get a whole lot done. If they ever got out of the kitchen, that was. Michelle Medina insisted on packing up leftovers in case anyone got hungry before lunch.

When Roberto and Marissa finally got to the school, her father’s jaw dropped, and Marissa laughed out loud, shocked but delighted. Marty, Johnny, Sam, and Dan were standing in front of at least ten kids and twice as many helpers. Marissa recognized some parents, grandparents, and both older and younger siblings.

A bright-eyed Johnny somehow caught Marissa’s eye, and she couldn’t help but smile. With this many helpers, the school would be spruced up, both inside and out, before the day was through.

First up, they power-washed the school to get rid of as much old paint and grime as quickly as possible. They had three industrial power-washers, and most of the boys and a few of the girls wanted turns with them. The Amador boys gave careful instructions and supervised the kids closely, but the kids ended up doing a better job than the three brothers because they were careful and focused, while Johnny, Dan, and Sam used their turns to turn power-washing into a pissing match.

And Marty and Johnny apparently still had some issues to work out, because they kept arguing about who had been able to use the most power with the most precision. The kids had a blast cheering for Johnny until Sam and Dan put away the power toys.

With Rosa and Roberto interpreting for those who only knew Spanish, and Marissa juggling three translation apps and multiple dictionaries for those who spoke other languages, the Amador brothers were able to take inventory of everyone’s skills and preferences, organize teams, and hand out assignments. They didn’t have enough materials and supplies to go around, though, so Sam and Dan went back to Amador Construction and Preservation to get more.

The morning was hot and the sun was shining down from a cloudless sky. They decided to get the outside done first, before the day got any hotter, and then move to work on the inside when the sun was at its highest. They’d work on the courtyard and lawns in the afternoon.

Before long, Dan and Sam were back and everyone was working. Aside from a few differences on the best way to paint or scrape, the individual groups got along well. Bits and pieces of animated conversations and laughter reached Marissa as everyone went merrily about their assignments. It was hard work, but already it felt rewarding.

Ruby and Rosa argued most of all. Ruby insisted she’d learned enough Spanish with Rosa over the years to understand the conversations going on in that language, and Rosa kept telling her she didn’t. Unfortunately, the water and snack station they were manning was right next to Marissa.

“Your nose is all out of joint because you can’t stand that you’re not the only one who understands Spanish anymore. The girl who just came up to us told you she liked your shoes. See? I understand perfectly.”

“She pointed at my shoes, smiled, said something, and then I smiled, too. A monkey could have figured out what she was saying. But her grandfather did not ask you out, Ruby. He said he was lucky to be served water and snacks by two such beautiful women.”

“But he was looking at me when he said it.”

“Fine, Ruby, he was looking at you and asking you out. Go sit with him at lunch and plan your date with him in your perfect Spanish.” Rosa rolled her eyes.

“I will.”

Marissa scraped furiously, hoping she wouldn’t get dragged into their spat. After a while, they finally stopped bickering with each other because Ruby had started in on Johnny, who wouldn’t let her work because she wasn’t dressed for it. Her shirt had wide sleeves that couldn’t be pulled back. Johnny walked over to Marissa and whispered, “What’s gotten into her?”

Marissa nodded her head toward Manuel, the grandfather Ruby was talking about, and Johnny looked over just in time to catch Manuel and Ruby exchange flirtatious glances.

He and Marissa exchanged bewildered looks. It was strange to see Ruby flirting. “What’s going on between those two? Should I be worried?” Johnny leaned in, eyes twinkling, and a different kind of fluttering bloomed in her chest. Marissa quickly decided the fluttering was because she was so grateful for all he was doing, but she stepped away before answering, in case her excessive gratitude showed in her eyes and he got the wrong idea.

Before she could answer, Marty appeared, seemingly from nowhere, and stepped between the two of them. “We need your help unloading the paint,” he said to Johnny, and clasped his hand on his shoulder. “And, uh, when you get a chance, we should talk.”

Johnny nodded, but before Marty could lead him away, Abuela Rosa came up to Marissa to ask, “Where’s Brian? I thought he’d be here.”

Marissa tried not to sound as if she was speaking though gritted teeth. “I already told you, and you’ve heard me tell a few other people, too.”

“Oh. I’m sorry,
querida
. I keep thinking how nice it would have been for him to meet these wonderful kids, and then I wonder where he is because I forget you already told me. My memory’s not—”

“What it used to be.” Marty interrupted, glaring at their wide-eyed grandmother. “We know because you keep telling us, not because we’ve seen any real proof of it. I’ll be happy to remind you why your soon-to-be grandson-in-law isn’t here. See, he drove four long hours yesterday after work, just to be with Marissa, even though it was Marissa’s turn to go up to Cleveland to see him, and even though he knew he’d be losing the morning with her ’cause she’d be here.”

It wasn’t entirely the truth, but Marissa wasn’t about to correct him. “And he still has tons of work to do before he can move down here,” she added. “He has to transition his old clients while getting to know his new ones, and he’s taken on most of our house-hunting.”

Abuela Rosa quietly listened, looking bored and even yawning once.

Ruby came back then, looking like she was bursting with news. She took them all in with her bright eyes and promptly stood with Johnny and Abuela Rosa, as if she somehow understood the subtext of what was going on, even though her mind was clearly on something else. Marissa inwardly groaned. If Ruby was with Abuela Rosa, then she was really in for it. Where her grandmother was sharp and intelligent, Ruby had unrestrained zeal. Her best bet would be to stay away from them altogether.

“I was telling Javier’s grandmother that I read tarot cards, and she told me she reads cowrie shells! She left to fetch some, and she’s going to teach me how to read them,” Ruby declared when she had their attention. “Isn’t that wonderful news? You’ll all get your shells read!” She looked around, but nobody seemed to be buying that this was wonderful news.

“Cowrie shells!” Abuela Rosa looked especially angry, even stomping one red kitten heel into the ground. “That is Santeria, Ruby. You cannot play with those shells.”

“I wouldn’t be playing, and what the heck is Santeria?”

“It’s like voodoo, it’s very dark,” Rosa whispered, her eyes flitting around as if a spirit nearby could hear her.

Marty, Ruby, and Johnny all laughed while Rosa and Marissa remained serious. The lines were suddenly redrawn. Marty, Johnny, and Ruby were on one side, and Rosa and Marissa were on the other.

“Don’t tell me you believe in dark magic, Marissa,” Johnny teased.

“The world is full of things we don’t understand, Johnny. I’m just humble enough to admit I don’t know what I don’t know.”

Ruby turned on Johnny and Marty, her bright blue eyes blazing. “So you two were laughing because you don’t believe at all? I thought you were laughing because you knew darkness cannot exist where light lives.” She took Rosa’s arm and began leading her away. “Come, Rosa. Don’t worry. It’ll be fun and revealing, and nothing dark will reach you while I’m near. And the novelty might bring new people to the café.”

Rosa lifted one shoulder without looking back. “It might,” she conceded. “As long as you
always
say it is just a game. Always!” And the two women went off, arm in arm, Rosa’s earlier fear trumped by curiosity, and the idea of having something fun and new to do at the café.

They took a snack break soon after, and Marissa somehow ended up being the first victim of the cowrie shells. A few people gathered around Javier’s grandmother as she instructed Ruby on how to read Marissa’s future using the shells. The older woman only spoke Spanish and, to Ruby’s credit, she didn’t need translating. Rosa felt the need to add that it was all fun and games.

“From what I understand, the eight shells will fall in one of two ways, with the open sides up or down, and the way they land will give us the answers we need,” Ruby was saying, while looking at Abuela Rosa, who was nodding in an encouraging way, letting her know she’d understood. “We’re ready,” Ruby declared, eyes dancing. “Ask your question, Marissa.”

“Ask how many kids you will have,” one of her students prompted, with the others clapping yes in an excited manner.

Marissa gave them a look, but shrugged and complied. “Alright. How many kids will Brian and I have?” Marissa jiggled the shells in her palm as if they were dice before tossing them onto the table. The eight shells landed each with the closed side down.

Ruby looked at Javier’s grandmother with consternation. “I think that means none,” she said, signaling a zero with her fingers. The other lady agreed and shook her head at Marissa, saying, “No children Brian,” in her strong accent.

“That’s it!” Abuela Rosa turned to Marissa. “Ask how many children you’ll have, but don’t mention Brian.”

Marissa gave her a look, but everyone egged her on. “Fine. But it’s obvious the shells are top heavy,” she grumbled.

“Ask! Ask!” Veronica egged her on.

Marissa laughed. “Okay. How many kids will I have?” she asked, and threw the shells again. Four landed open side up and four landed open side down.

“Four children!” Ruby exclaimed. Something niggled at Marissa’s insides. She’d always wanted four kids.

“Four children?” Abuela Rosa’s eyes widened. She looked at Javier’s grandmother for confirmation. The woman offered a solemn nod, and her grandmother rounded on her. “How are you going to take care of four children in this day and age?”

Thankfully, someone whistled loud and clear before shouting, “Time’s up!” They all slowly got up and went back to work, the girls giggling as they looked from Marissa to her grandmother.

The second half of the morning went by just as quickly, but with a lot more sweating, and a few more arguments between the kids as the day got hotter.

A series of long and loud honks from a car on the street made them all look over. Sherry’s mint green Volkswagen Beetle convertible was filled to the brim with what looked like lunch, and everyone cheered. Holly and Sherry got out and began unloading.

Marissa looked at her watch. It was quarter to twelve. She’d be late. It was time to leave. Oh, how she wanted to stay and chat with Holly and Sherry for a while, too. But Marissa said her good-byes and dragged her feet to her car.

 

Johnny watched Marissa go. It was obvious she didn’t want to leave, but he knew she was going house-hunting with Brian. As hungry as he was, the idea of Marissa and Brian taking another important step toward their future made his stomach feel queasy.

The more time he spent with Marissa, the deeper he fell for her. It was like a bottomless pit. The way she clucked at the kids like a mother hen, her nose crinkling in the most adorable way whenever she thought they were doing something dangerous, her laughter when she was proven wrong, and the way her eyes lit up when she accomplished something, all of it made Johnny want to be close to her.