Page 23 of Worth the Want
“Hey, Sally. What are you up to today, girl?” I ask as she trots out onto the dock after me. Crouching down, Sally runs at me, almost knocking me backward. “Such a sweet girl,” I tell her, sitting back as she nuzzles further into me. I stay there only a few minutes, knowing I need to clean up and get dressed. I’m heading into work for a few hours to shadow Anna in the front of the bakery.
“I’ll be back later, and maybe you can come on a hike with me.” Sally gives me a small bark as an answer, and I smile while walking back to my house. She goes the opposite direction, back toward her place, wagging her tail as she goes. I’ve never had a dog. We always lived in an apartment, and that doesn’t necessarily mean youcan’thave a pet, but my parents weren’t interested in having one. They also were not swayed by mine or my sister's attempts to convince them it would be a good idea.
I’m still thinking about the cat we stole from one of ourneighbors in the building when I notice a neon-yellow sticky note on the front door. Wiping my forehead with the back of my arm, I hop up the steps.
Hot water is fixed.
That’s all it says. The handwriting is masculine and clear. Reaching out, I peel it from the door, looking at the big lake house down the road as I do. He must have come while I was out running. I’m thankful, seeing as a hot shower is needed before I head into work. One can only wash her hair in the sink for so long, and boiling some water for a bath had been so time-consuming. But Iama little disappointed I didn’t get to see him.
Opening the door I hang my borrowed ball cap back on the hook I found it on, and I untie my sweatshirt from my waist, tossing it into the laundry basket on my way to the bathroom.
The bathroom is small, but everything in it is beautiful. There’s a white clawfoot tub that sits underneath a big skylight in the ceiling. A wrought iron, curved curtain rod that a white shower curtain hangs from wraps around the outside of the tub. The faucet, and shower head that’s detachable, are an antique gold. The sink is free-standing white porcelain with the same style faucets, and the floor is a stunning jade stone tile.
I check the water to see it’s warming up, feeling my whole body relax, knowing I'll be getting a hot shower soon. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I set it on a wooden stool in the corner of the bathroom, then peel my sweaty clothes off, tossing them into the laundry with the rest of my clothes. I look at my reflection. Hair a mess and face still flushed, my neck is splotchy. I stop at the mark on my shoulder, quicklyturning and stepping into the shower, rushing through my routine so I can make it to the bakery on time.
On my way out, I’m not sure if I should—but I can’t stop myself. I grab another neon-pink sticky note and scribble a thank you on it, sticking it to my landlord's door as I pass by.
While going over my schedule for the next couple of weeks, I catch myself smiling over getting Indiana’s note on my front door this morning.Had she gone three days without hot water just to avoid me?I had planned on seeing her, but when Hazel and I stopped by, she didn’t answer. Her car was still parked out front. We checked the dock but found it empty. Maybe she was out for a walk. I saw no one come to pick her up. I hope she had pepper spray with her. We don’t have a large bear population, but there have been some mountain lion sightings in the area.
I had let myself and Hazel into the house with my key, walking to the closet that houses the hot water heater. It looked like I had forgotten to turn the thermostat back up after having it at a lower temperature for the winter when it sat unused. A quick turn of the dial was all that was needed, and we were able to be on our way. Hazel was disappointed she wasn’t able to see Indiana. After talking with her a few nights ago, she has beenthe main topic of conversation in our home. All while I’ve been doing my best to avoid the beauty living next door.
From her hair to her camera to the little gold hoop in her nose, Indie has been discussed at length.
I can’t blame all the curiosity on my daughter though. I was also left wanting to know more about the woman next door. Wondering about the shirt she might have on today and what it might say. If she’s at work or not.Maybe my last few hours here at the office require coffee.
Locking the front door on my way out and taking the sidewalk to Thistle and Sage, I’m at war with myself, not wanting to admit that I’m hopeful I may catch a glimpse of her. I shouldn’t care if she’s there, but I find myself searching through the glass windows as I get closer, looking for her. It felt weird leaving this morning without having seen her come back to the guesthouse. I don’t see her in the bakery—which is probably best. I don’t need to concern myself with what she’s doing with her days.
The bell chimes with the door when I walk in. There’s a small line, but it’s late enough that the morning rush has cleared out. Winnie pops out from the back carrying a small tray of cookies. She narrowly misses the edge of the counter, avoiding taking a spill. I swear, sometimes she trips over nothing but air.
She glances up at me while placing the baked goods into the glass case. “Hey, Knox. A little late in the day for you,” she greets me, smiling at me from her place in front of the door to the kitchen.
“Hey, Win. How’s it going?”
“Good. How are things with you? Everything going okay with Indiana?”
“Fine” is all I say, hearing the door chime behind me.
“Yeah? Well, I’m glad to hear it. I’m happy things are working out.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I’ll be glad when she’s off my property and out of my hair,” I tell her, instantly regretting my words. It’s not really the truth, but at this moment, I’m not sure how I feel about the situation, or if I want anyone to know I’m feeling anything. A throat clearing has me turning to see none other than Indie, head bent down toward her feet, a look I’m starting to recognize as embarrassment on her face.Shit.
“Excuse me,” she says quietly, gesturing to the door behind Winnie. I move to the side to let her move past, she smells like clean clothes drying in the breeze. Warm and sunny.I want to bury my nose in her neck.
“Hey, Indie!” Winnie greets her before sending me a glare.
“Hey. Let me just put my things in the back, and I’ll be right back out.” I can hear the strain in her voice. I hadn’t meant for her to hear that. I hadn’t even meant the words at all. She disappears through the door, and I feel like a grade-A jackass.
“Jeezes, Knox. You could attempt to be nice. She’s done nothing to warrant that kind of behavior from you,” Winnie scolds me. She’s right.
“You could have warned me that she had just walked in,” I accuse, knowing full well it’s not Winnie’s fault that I acted like an asshole.
“How was I supposed to know you would say something so rude? I know you can be crabby, and when someone gets on your bad side, you don’t mind setting them straight, but this isn’t that. I’m not sure what's gotten into you, but you need to apologize. She already felt bad having to stay at your guesthouse when it’smyfault she has to be there. Are you going tobe mean to me too?” Winnie is a good friend. Loyal. I hadn’t realized she and Indie had become friends already, but it’s apparent from the berating I’m getting that she already counts her as one.
“I’ll apologize,” I say before leaning in to kiss the top of her head.
She lifts her chin. “You better. I just hope she accepts it.”
I nod, reaching up to scratch the back of my neck. “I do too. What I said didn’t have anything to do with her, and I’ll tell her as much. I have a feeling she’s waiting to come back out after I leave, though, so I’m gonna go.”
