Page 3 of Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please

“Sometimes, this bakery feels more like home than my actual home,” I admit. It may sound sad but it’s true. Warbee took me in when I first stumbled into town. When I walked into the bakery, I barely had anything left, but she stuffed me full of sweets until I thought I would burst. Afterwards, she asked me about my plans, which I had none. To be honest, I hadn't thought that far ahead. She insisted I stay with her until I figured it out. I can still remember fighting back the tears that pricked at the back of my eyes. I couldn’t imagine anyone being so kind. Warbee wasn’t nosey, just incredibly kind. The next morning, she offered me a temporary job for as long as I needed it. She never asked for my story, and I was relieved. Of course, now she knows everything, but she also knows my job isn’t temporary. After a couple of weeks in Blue Ridge, I knew I had found a place to call home. It was kind and safe.

She gives me an understanding smile. “I get that.” Silence falls between us for a few minutes, before she shakes her head. “So, what can I do for you?”

I sigh and yawn a bit. “I wanted to get a decaf sleepy time tea.”

Warbee laughs. “Are you sure? You just yawned; you know?”

“Yes,” I tell her, with a laugh. “I know the moment I get home and lay down I won’t be tired at all.”

“Okay!” Warbee gets the tea steeping before she comes around the counter. “So, tomorrow I want you to take the day off again.”

“What?” I always work six days a week. It was my request. The bakery is always a little shorthanded and I love to work. It keeps me busy and out of trouble. The last thing I need is extra down time.

“Look, I know you like to work six days a week, but this week you’re getting two days off in a row. You’ve earned it. Sleep in and relax for a while.” Warbee heads back around the counter and pours the tea in a hot cup to go. “Now, go get some sleep.

I take the tea after trying to pay Warbee. Try being the key word, because she just walked away telling me my money was no good. I end up dropping the five-dollar bill into the tip jar and head back to my car so I can get home. The alley is dark except for the few porch lights from the houses and buildings. As I climb out of the car, I feel as if someone is watching me. It’s silly really because I know that’s not possible. After collecting my tea, purse, and some of the sacks from my trunk, I head inside. The bottom floor of the building is the laundry room, office space for the owner, and mailboxes. The staircase to the right leads upstairs to the two apartments that Ella Mae and I rent. However, I only take one step inside when the slosh of water can be heard as my shoes soak with water. “What in the world?” I feel around for the light switch and to my surprise the bottom floor is standing in water. The hideous aqua tile glistens under the water and for a moment it’s actually kind of pretty. Gurgling noises come from the laundry room directly ahead of me. I wade through the water carefully and sure enough, one of the washers is spurting water into the floor. Carefully, I make my way back outside. Tossing my bags back into the trunk I fish out my cell phone. Clark, the owner of the building, is out of town. He’s a forty something year old single man who goes to Florida to visit his parents every October and December for the holidays. We don’t have a maintenance man. Usually, when things break, Clark calls in Jayse. I dial Clark and wait for him to answer.

Laughter fills the phone before I ever hear his raspy voice. “Capri?”

“Yes, it’s me. I’m so sorry to bother you, Clark. I just got home, and the entire bottom floor of the building is standing in water. It seems to be coming from a washer.”

“Oh goodness. Can you tell if Jayse is home?” he asks.

I turn around and study the small but cute house. There is a faint light, I’m assuming coming from a television, that I can see. “I think he might be.”

“Great. If you can go grab him and tell him to email me a bill.” Clark sighs heavily. “I’m really sorry to put this off on you.”

“It’s not a problem. I’ll run over and if for some reason he isn’t home I’ll call you back,” I tell him. The last thing I want to do is bother Clark on his little vacation. I certainly didn’t mean to make him feel bad, but his voice sounded that way.

“Thank you. If he’s not home, I have his cell phone number and I can call him so just call me back.”

I nod my head as I head across the alley. “I will.” We disconnect the call without bothering to say goodbye. Hesitation hits me as I reach for the back gate of Jayse’s fence. It almost feels like I’m invading his privacy, but Clark did tell me to do this. Shaking my head, I flip the hinge and march through his dark yard and up his back porch. My hand fists and I knock on the door, harder than I intended, as knots form in my stomach.

When the door opens, the version of Jayse in front of me is the last one expected. His hair is loose and skimming the skin on his shoulders. Shirtless so that every angry scar is visible, as well as all of his well-defined muscles and tattoos. Red basketball shorts hang low on his hips, the band of his underwear just peeping above. His eyes narrow. “Capri?”

I fidget for a moment, the knots in my stomach intensifying. “I’m sorry to bug you, but there’s a water leak so I called Clark and he asked me to come and get you.”

“Where’s the water leak?” he asks.

“The whole bottom floor is standing in water right now. One of the washers, I think.”

Instantly, Jayse starts to gather his hair back and I watch in fascination as he ties it back with a hair tie on his wrist. “Let me get dressed and grab my tools and I’ll head that way.” I nod my head and turn around, briskly walking back to my car. I’m standing by the front door of the building when Jayse appears in front of me. “So, I’m going to clean up the mess and cut the machine off. More than likely, it will need some parts that I don’t keep on hand but I’m sure I can get it fixed first thing tomorrow.”

“I’m sure that works. Clark is out of town.”

Jayse nods his head. “Visiting his parents, right?”

“Yeah. What’s this machine?”

“A Shop Vac, is what I call it. Basically, it will suck up the water,” he explains.

I won’t admit it in front of him, but I didn’t know those types of machines existed. I was just dreading the amount of mopping it was going to take. Jayse heads inside and I follow closely behind him. A low whistle comes from him as he assesses the bottom floor. “It’s bad, right?”

He glances over his shoulder. “It’s not great.” I start to step around him to show him which machine I saw throwing the water everywhere, but I slip and the next thing I know I’m falling. I land with a splash, my head bouncing down into the water, slapping against the tile of the floor. Strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me towards the staircase. I’m a little dizzy and can’t fully focus on anything right now. However, it doesn't slip my attention just how good his arms feel.

FOUR

Jayse

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