Beans?

As if remembering all at once that she and I were still practically strangers to each other Mia suddenly stiffens in my arms then pushes away from me. Stepping back she turns her blushing face away from me and whispers. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m never gonna complain about free hugs.” I quip.

Smoothing her dress with her hands she takes another step away from me, shifting subtly closer to Heather. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She says softly. “I’m…a little emotional today. I’m sorry.”

“Mia.” I say in a kindly tone. “It’s cool.”

With a sheepish glance that lasts no more than a second she nods. “Thank you.”

“Relax, sweetie.” Heather steps in to take her embarrassed niece in her arms. “Elliot is a warm and understanding man. He won’t judge you.”

“I’m in no position to be judging anybody.” I admit. Laying a hand on Mia’s shoulder just for a moment I say. “It’s cool, Mia. I’ve had those nights too.”

With wide, green eyes she looks at me but says nothing. Sensing the fragile state that she was in and picking up on her need for Heather’s gentle comfort I make a graceful exit so that the women could be alone.

Taking my plates to the sink I say. “I think I’m gonna get a start on that yard work before it gets too hot out. Everything I need out in the shed?”

Heather smiles as she recognizes what I was doing. “Yeah, baby. The key’s in the front pocket of my purse.”

“Great.” I trot into the spare room to grab some of my tools. On my way back to the front door I see that Heather had started the kettle and pulled down the teapot while Mia browsed the selection of teas and tisanes. I catch Mia shyly tracking me from the corner of her eye as I walked by. “I’ll be around if you need me.”

“We’ll be here.” Heather says back. After I slip into my sneakers she and I share momentary gaze which gets us both a bit flustered, though it certainly put a spring into my step as I stride out the door.

As I pass under the kitchen window on my way around the house I just catch Mia saying. “He smells nice.”

That makes me smile. Tempted as I was to eavesdrop again I respect their privacy and carry on with my chores. In the back yard I find the dilapidated old shed to be sitting at a skewed angle. Ms. Hancock’s fence seemed to be the only thing holding it up. The lean made opening the right half of the double door a challenge but with some effort I manage. I shook my head at the contrast between the heavy steel padlock in my hand and the flimsy, deteriorating door it had just come off of. Anyone wanting to steal something inside could have just ripped the doors off the hinges without much trouble if they wanted to. The inside of the shed was in even worse condition, if that was even possible. The wood was gray and cracking and everything in it except for the mower itself was covered in dust and cobwebs. Heather might have been neat and tidy on the inside of her home but it was clear that, with the exception of her flower beds, her care for the outside was lacking.

Leaning in I look around at the wall and ceiling. With what I’d already learned from my new job I was sure I could build a far better replacement in just a day or two. Hell, I could probably do it mostly with some of the scrap lumber from the site. Stepping back I look across the fence and think again about the roof I wanted to build over the parking area. The two projects coalescing in my mind I begin to wonder…could I build her a whole damn garage?

That was when it hit me. Not for her, for us. This was my home now. My true, real, forever home. I wasn’t rooming here and this place wasn’t rented. A strange sort of rush courses through me as I begin to look around me with fresh new eyes. The place could use a coat of paint, so could the fence. And of course there was the shed and the parking area. The lawn was green but not as lush and healthy as it might be and a couple of the paving stones were cracked. Nobody else was going to do anything about them, so why not me? And over there, against the house, that sure would be nice place for a grill and some outdoor furniture where Heather and I could enjoy lovely nights like last night. For the first time in my adult life I felt a sense of ownership, of connection, with the place I was living. Suddenly I had a whole house on which I could tinker to my heart’s content! And while the inside was always going to be Heather’s I had a feeling that she would not mind one little bit if I claimed the entire exterior as my own person canvas for projects or…whatever I wanted. That is so…fucking…COOL!

Feeling like the king, or prince at least, of my own little domain I grab a screwdriver from my tools and approach the back gate with its finicky latch and set to work. I am almost disappointed when fixing the latch ends up being as simple tightening a few screws and so I just keep working my way along the fence to firm up the nails and make note where we needed new ones. We. God, I loved that.

After the fence I pull the mower out of the shed. It was an electric with the extension cord sloppily looped over the top. With the mower out of the way I step into the shed and take stock. Near the front it was all gardening stuff, pots, planters, gloves, trowels and the like, but in behind just stacked against the walls were a bunch of tools from a time when Heather and Alexander owned a much larger property. Taking it upon myself to organize the space I hang what I can on the rusty nails sticking out of the exposed two by four frame and the rest I group as I thought was appropriate. It was like hitting the jackpot when I move a dusty tarp and discover a jar full of shiny new nails. Jar in one hand and hammer in the other I head back out to replace the nails in the fence I noticed missing earlier.

I was having such fun that I’m not even sure how much time had passed before I hear a soft clearing of a throat behind me. Spinning around I discover Mia at the corner of the house with a tall glass of lemonade in one hand and a plate with two freshly baked scones in the other. I wondered just how long she’d been standing there watching me. When our eyes meet her cheeks immediately darken and she cannot hold back a sweet smile from brightening her face.

“Excuse me, Sir.” She says, extending the glass and plate. “We thought you might enjoy these while the scones were still warm.”

Tucking the hammer into my belt I hurry over. “Nice! You guys are the best.”

Her already smiling face brightens as I take her offering. “Um…I made the lemonade.”

Taking a sip I smack my lips. “Delicious!” She stares at me for a couple of seconds….then spins on a heel to disappear back around the building. “Uh, thank you!” I call after her.

I hear some sort of peeping reply but damned if I could make it out. Mia clearly liked me but was also intimidated by me. For a guy like me this was such a role reversal from the norm. Mia was so damned pretty. If she wasn’t held back by her special biology she’d be turning down guys WAY hotter than me. It was so weird, and wildly flattering, to be considered intimidating by somebody that normally would have been out of my league. In this family I was going to have to work hard to keep my ego in check.

Squatting down in the shade of the shed I sip my quenching cold drink and gobble down the delectable buttered raspberry scones. Daaaamn were they good!

It wasn’t long after that that I see Heather come swooshing around the corner.

“I heard you out here hammering away.” She says as she slips into my arms. Resting her hands on my chest she gazes deep into my eyes. “My handy man.” She kisses me.

“Mmm.” I smile.

“I have to run down to the store.” She says. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”

“Oh.”

“I’ve got someone that helps out on the weekends but she needs a bit of supervision.”

“I’ll walk you to work.”

“No.” She rubs my chest. “Stay. Do your thing.” She giggles. “You looked so happy puttering away out here.”

“I am happy.”

“Mia’s going to be inside working on her own stuff for school.” She says. “She shouldn’t get in your way.”

“I’ll be lucky if I see her.” I chuckle. “She’s a shy one, isn’t she?”

“You are something completely new for her. New and wonderful. You’re a lot for her to take in.” She says cheerfully. “She thinks you’re terrific. She’s really happy.” After taking in a long sniff of my aroma she says. “Be gentle with her, Elliot. She’s not accustomed to men and your rough and rowdy ways.”

“Rough and rowdy?”

“Men are different.” She snickers and kisses my cheek. “Even the soft ones.”

Her face becomes serious. “You are going to be extremely enticing to her. It’s natural for women like us. Don’t think of her poorly. Be firm but…please be gentle.”

“Oh!”

Looking into me she says in a gently firm tone. “If something does happen between you…use protection. Understand?”

“Heather! I just met the girl. And I haven’t even decided if I’m…doing that yet.”

“I know. And she’s not expecting anything, but…” She pets me. “You’re so handsome. She’s so pretty. And you’re both young and full of beans. A girl her age…whoo! I remember what it was like.”

“Beans?”

“Just use protection! If it comes to that.” She boops me. “Protection either way. If you get Mia pregnant God help you. I’m not sure even I could protect you from Rebecca’s wrath. She’s going to be upset enough as it is, but if you…ooooh boy. Hell hath no fury.” She pinches my chin and gives my head a little shake. “And I can’t be having Mia cumming inside you and claiming you first. I could probably overpower it if I got to you quick enough but…I’d rather not put that to the test.” Fixing me with a stare she says in no uncertain terms. “You are MY man, Elliot. Mine.” As quick it went hard her expression softens once more. After a tender kiss to my lips she says. “And don’t you forget it.”