Three of Hearts (2 page)

“To move around so much must have been exciting. I’ve never been outside New England. Bryan keeps saying we need to honeymoon south of Connecticut just so I can’t own that fact anymore,” Robyn chuckled.

Mae laughed, already feeling herself comfortable with Robyn Finn. Given that she was new to Vermont she thought it would be nice to have a girlfriend who she didn’t work with.

“Let’s go upstairs and see the bedroom and bath. You’ll love it. There is a whirlpool tub that I’ve been known to fall asleep in.” said Robyn. Mae followed her upstairs and noticed in addition to the multiple windows and skylights, there were two French doors that opened to a balcony that overlooked the water and were currently open. Robyn’s bed was cornered in the room and covered in deep plum with sage green accents. There was a huge walk in closet with so much shelving and drawers, Mae knew there was no need for a bureau in the room. In fact Robyn must have thought the same thing since she didn’t have one but instead had a plum chaise lounge opposite the bed. To the right of the room was the bath that did not disappoint. A huge ivory whirlpool tub was placed in the corner with a large window looking out over the lake. There was a pedestal sink and a ceramic tiled shower that the shower head hung from the center of the tiled ceiling.

“Well Robyn, this is more than I was expecting when you said there was an apartment for rent. I’m afraid this is probably way out of my price range, but I have to say, I would love to live here.”

“Mae, it just so happens I know the owner, and I think I could get you a deal,” Robyn said with a smile.

Without getting too excited, Mae tried to contain her emotions and dared to hope.

“I will have to speak with Seth, but I’m sure we can come up with something you can agree with.”

Just as Robyn finished her statement, Mae heard a loud, massive-sounding diesel engine pull into the yard.

“Speaking of the devil, there is Seth now. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable and I’ll go talk to him and see what we can come up with.” Robyn started to descend the stairs. Mae stopped her. “Thanks Robyn but I really can’t wait; I’m due at the hospital in 30 minutes. Could you discuss it with Mr. Finn and give me a call?”

Robyn walked Mae out through the screen porch and went down the stairs. Mae stopped and realized she left her bag in the kitchen. She went and retrieved it and walked down the stairs towards her car and noticed Robyn talking to a brick wall. Well, not really a brick wall but a man bigger than she had ever seen. Even at the distance she was, she could estimate he was easily over 6 feet tall and honestly looked just as broad. Mae didn’t even notice she had stopped walking and was staring. She gave her head a mental shake and continued towards her car. She had almost gotten there when she heard Robyn say “Before you leave, Mae, let me introduce you to Seth.”

Seth looked over Robyn’s head just as a curvaceous woman wearing pink scrubs the color of Megan’s favorite doll blanket descended the stairs. As she walked, Seth couldn’t help but notice that she jiggled in all the right places. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail and seemed to be quite curly. The ponytail swished back and forth with every step she took. When Seth pulled in the driveway and saw the car he assumed there would be a guy looking at the apartment but seeing her, he realized it must be her husband or boyfriend’s car.

“Seth Finn, go say hello to Mae. I really like her and think she is the one for the apartment.” Robyn instructed her brother. Even though Robyn was a full head shorter than her brother and twelve years his junior, she knew how to get her brother to do what she wanted. And as if she had a rope around his waist, Seth followed Robyn toward the woman named Mae.

As Seth got closer he noticed that the ponytail continued to swish but her hair wasn’t the only thing that swished. The sway of her hips was almost hypnotic. Her hips would have been completely hypnotic if he wasn’t trying to focus on her face. Her face was very pleasant to look at, more than pleasant in fact. She had blue eyes that reminded him of the water he loved so much. Whether it was her boyfriend or husband, he was a lucky man.

“Mae Turney this is my brother Seth Finn. Seth this is Mae, your new tenant.” Robyn said definitively.

Seth wanted to throttle his baby sister. He told Robyn numerous times he didn’t want to rent to a couple, but to a single person who wasn’t going to pry into the kids time in the yard and overall run of the house. “A professional,” is what he said, someone that wouldn’t be around a lot. But, oh no, not Robyn. Robyn did as she wanted and probably found this lady at the salon or something. All Seth could think was Robyn wouldn’t be interfering around the house much longer she will soon be Bryan’s full time problem. Seth loved his sister and wouldn’t let her consider marrying Bryan if Seth didn’t feel he was a standup guy who would take care and respect his baby sister.

So now Seth had to somehow undo what Robyn had done as far as promising this lady the apartment. Just as Seth was about to start this sticky conversation, Mae spoke. “Well Robyn, like I said, I think this is out of my price range and I do have to get to the hospital. So please give me a call and let me know what you are looking for rent and we can go from there.”

To Seth, Mae said “Mr. Finn your home is beautiful and I appreciate the opportunity to view it. It was a pleasure meeting you and I will look forward to your call.” Mae opened the Camaro door and before sliding in she turned and added, “I know it isn’t any of my business but I think Conner should put some sunscreen on. He is starting to get sunburned.” And on that note, she slid into the car, started the engine and backed up the driveway.

Robyn waved goodbye and then turned to where Conner was out on the dock and called him in so she could examine the boy’s skin. Sure enough, Mae was right; her oldest nephew was getting quite the burn. “Conner, you need to put sunscreen on or go inside” Conner looked as if Robyn struck him with a hot poker. “No way, we are on some prime fishing right now, I’ll put my shirt on.” And on that note, he headed back to the spot he vacated moments earlier. Seth yelled to his younger boy and said, “Hey Aidan, make sure you cover up too, we all can’t be as lucky as Michael and have a suntan twelve months a year.”

Robyn called to her brother to follow her in so they could discuss Mae and her rent payment. Now was as good a time as any to lay into Robyn for not following his instructions. Without surprise Robyn didn’t go into the apartment but went into the main house. Seth followed her in and immediately noticed the boys had pretty much eaten him out of house and home. There were cereal boxes laying all over the counters as well as chip bags and pretzel boxes. An open container of Rocky Road ice cream that was now dripping onto the floor—because apparently they couldn’t quite eat the whole quart but god forbid, they put it back in the freezer. Seth was about to turn around and yell for the boys to get their Irish hides in this house to clean up this mess when Robyn read his thoughts. “Leave them be, I’ll clean this up before Lynne comes home and besides you heard Conner, they are on prime fishing.”

Seth knew he could never repay Robyn for moving in after Megan was born and taking over the full time care of three kids, including a new born baby. But he hated how she covered for them and went easy on them all the time. He loved his kids, but knew his kids took advantage of Robyn and Lynne’s kind heartedness. He thought it was time to have a talk with his kids.

“So dear brother, I can clean and talk so tell me what you think of Mae.” Robyn said.

“Ro, how many times do I have to tell you, I don’t want to rent to a couple. I was very clear when I told you I wanted a single person who wasn’t going to be home too much. Now you’ve pretty much guaranteed her this apartment and I’m going to be the asshole that says no.” Robyn stared blankly at her brother and then said “Seth what are you talking about? She is a single person looking to rent.”

“But the Camaro—” Seth started.

Robyn more than willingly finished for him “. . . can be owned and driven by a woman. Sometimes Seth, your Neanderthal tendencies show,” Robyn finished with a laugh that came right from her belly.

Now with his Irish temper aflame, “I do not have Neanderthal tendencies; I just assumed that car was not hers! How do you know she is single?”

“Because dear brother, when I spoke with her on the phone earlier, I asked her given your specific requirements of a single person renting the apartment. She confirmed it would just be her. She further explained that she was new to Hamden and just transferred to the hospital from Boston.” Robyn was nervous about adding this additional piece of information but knew it would eventually come up so she thought to just get it out of the way. “Mae is an oncology nurse at the Cancer Center at Hamden General.” She looked at Seth to see how he swallowed that bit of information and was not disappointed when she saw the pulse in his throat beat faster.

After a short bit of silence Seth added “Well they need all the help they can get, don’t they?” and on that note, Robyn knew there would be no more discussing the cancer center any more.

“Seriously Seth, Mae fits all of your requirements for the apartment and I don’t think she is going to be having any wild parties. Besides I like her. And I think she will be good for Megan. You don’t need to charge a fortune for the apartment; God knows you don’t need the money. So give Mae a chance. If you would feel better why don’t you do a shorter lease? That way if I’m wrong, but we both know I’m not, you don’t have to renew if you don’t want to.”

“Fine, whatever, if you say she is good for it, give her the go ahead. I swear Ro if you are wrong, you and Bryan are going to have a roommate fast.” Seth said with less bite in his tone.

Robyn couldn’t wait to call Mae and let her know the apartment was hers.

TWO

Three weeks later, Mae was so excited about moving in to the apartment at Seth Finn’s house. She was overjoyed when Robyn told her that all the furnishing, towels and kitchenware would be staying. Given her lack of furniture, moving to another place meant just some boxes in a small U Haul—it would make moving day easy.

With the U haul parked in the driveway, Mae was on her fourth trip carrying boxes when the boys from the other day came up to her. “Hi Ms. Turney, I’m Conner Finn. Can me, my brother Aidan and my friend Michael help you with your boxes?” Given that Mae was starting to think she was going to have a heart attack climbing the stairs another twenty times, she quickly took the boys up on their offer. But making sure they didn’t carry too much or anything too heavy especially the smaller boy, Aidan. On one of the last trips from the U haul to the apartment Mae could have sworn she saw something fast and red moving from the screen porch to the apartment entrance. Mae immediately dismissed it and thought she was just tired. Considering it was the beginning of April the weather was quite warm. Mae mentally chastised herself for not picking up something cold to drink. When the last box was in, she turned to the boys and said “thanks for all the help, I thought it was going to take me until tonight to get everything in. Let me just get my purse and I’ll pay you for your help.” Mae scurried around searching for where she left her purse. Conner spoke up. “No, that is ok Ms. Turney. My dad told us to help.”

Mae was stunned “Well thank you guys. I really appreciate the help. And please call me Mae. Ms. Turney makes me look for my mother.” Both Mae and the boys laughed.

Just as the boys were heading out, Mae asked them “can you guys tell me where the closest grocery store is so I can get some stuff for the apartment?” Conner turned to her with a smile and said, “Lynne stocked your fridge and cabinets this morning. Oh and I’m supposed to tell you she will be bringing some pot roast over for dinner. She thought to make it easy for you while you were moving.”

Mae didn’t know what to say. After a moment, she answered, “well please tell your mom, I said thank you and to let me know how much I owe her.”

The smaller of the boys responded this time. “I’m Aidan, Lynne isn’t our mom, she’s our housekeeper. Our mom died a long time ago.” And with that clear answer all three boys ran down the stairs and headed to the dock. Mae didn’t think she could be so stunned twice in such a short amount of time, but she was.

After she came out of her stupor, she went about unpacking boxes. There wasn’t much for the kitchen and dining area except for her tea pots, cups and saucers and of course the china she inherited from Nana Jean.

As Mae unpacked the china, she ran her fingers over the glazed glass of blue and orange. Admitting it wasn’t the prettiest of china patterns, she still loved it. She remembered as a child feeling so important eating off of it at Nana Jean’s house. When she passed away, Mae asked her mom if she could have it. Mae knew she wouldn’t use it often. Sometimes when she thought of Nana Jean, she would break out a plate and reminisce, and her heart would fill of warm, distant memories.

Since Mae made quick work of those boxes she decided to head up to the bedroom, bath and unpack there. She walked up the stairs and could have sworn she heard a giggle. She got halfway up when she heard a knock from the door in the living room.

Mae went back down the stairs and opened the door. On the other side stood a woman in her mid-fifties, with a grandmotherly look about her. She had her gray hair cut in a stylish bob and a white frilly apron covering her blue dress. When she spoke a lovely Irish accent could be heard. “Hello Ms. Turney, I’m Lynne O’Shanahan. I’m the Finns’ housekeeper. Are you settling in okay? Do you need help with anything?” Mae immediately thought of Nana Jean. The thought and pleasant demeanor of Lynne O’Shanahan made her smile.

“Please Ms. O’Shanahan, call me Mae. And thank you for stocking the apartment up for me. I would really like to pay you for the groceries.”

“Please call me Lynne, and the groceries are a welcome to the house. I hope Conner told you about my famous pot roast. It’s cooking as we speak and I thought you’d like a hot meal after your long day moving.”