Cottages

Chapter 4

“Morning, Leda,” Brian smirked as Leda was shown into the main office at Kinnetik.

“Morning, yourself!” Leda retorted.

“I see you haven’t had your coffee yet,” Brian replied, nodding to the receptionist to send in coffee immediately.

“Never enough coffee,” Leda mumbled.

Brian chuckled out loud. That used to be his expression “never enough”.

“What?’ Leda demanded.

“Nothing,” Brian said quickly. “Here’s your coffee.”

Brian waited while the intern brought in the tray of coffee and fixings. There was a dish of fresh fruit and a few small doughnut bits. Leda grabbed a mug of coffee and savored the delicious brew while Brian continued to wait.

When Leda let out a satisfied sigh, Brian thought it was time to begin. “I’ve arranged a conference call with our California office in eight minutes,” Brian informed her after looking at his watch.

“Are we ready to launch?”

“You’ve seen the mock-ups. We’re ready.”

“Good, let’s get this show on the road,” Leda said confidently. “I have a house to pay for.”

Brian smiled. “I’ve heard about your latest purchase.”

“You have?” Leda asked smiling shyly.

“You used my husband’s mother for your realtor, and my brother’s firm is doing the renovations. How could I not know?”

“True,” Leda smiled coyly.

“What brought on this bout of domesticity? I wouldn’t think it was your speed.”

“You did actually.”

“Me? How the fuck do you figure that?”

“You invited me to Edna’s Treasures, and I kind of re-evaluated my whole life as a result.”

Brian chuckled. “Edna’s Treasures kind of does that to people.”

“It’s very reassuring to know I’m not the only one to have this happen.”

“It doesn’t happen unless you’re ready for it,” Brian informed her.

“You have a wonderful place there, Brian.”

“I know.”

“I’m hoping the cottage I’ve bought will be the same kind of home for … Jamie and me.”

“I hope so too. Jamie’s that artist, isn’t she?”

“Yeah,” Leda chuckled. “She’s that artist. I think I’ve finally found the one who’s right for me.”

“I’m happy for you, Leda.”

Leda smiled. “I think you actually mean that, Kinney. Is it time for that fucking conference call yet?”

Brian glanced at his watch. “Let’s go to the meeting room. It’s a video call. You’ll be able to see exactly what’s happening on the west coast.”

“Ooh,” Leda chuckled. “Nothing but the best for Kinnetik.”

“Or for Lethal Motorcycles,” Brian said as they headed for the conference room.

 

*****
 

“Brian!” Lacy said in surprise as Brian Kinney entered the Liberty Diner.

“That would be me,” Brian replied with a smirk.

“Have a seat and I’ll be right with you.” Lacy continued to top up coffee cups while Brian sat down in one of the booths. It was between breakfast and lunch so the diner was not very busy.

“Coffee?” Lacy asked as she arrived at his table.

“Nope,” Brian said. “I’ve had enough coffee for this morning and I want to celebrate.”

“Celebrate?”

“You don’t have a bottle of champagne tucked away someplace?”

Lacy laughed. “You’ve come to the wrong place for champagne. I might have a bottle of Perrier, but that’s as good as it gets.”

“Then Perrier it will have to be.”

“Be right back with your order.”

“Bring something for yourself. I want to talk to you,” Brian said.

Lacy frowned. She wondered what Brian wanted to talk about. She hoped he hadn’t decided she was too big of a risk and would no longer back her. “Okay,” she said uncertainly.

She returned in a minute with a Coke for herself and a Perrier for Brian. “Is something wrong?” she asked as she sat down across from him.

“Did I say there was?”

“No, but…”

“Relax! I heard that you were making some more changes around here … and I wanted to see for myself.”

“You think I’m moving too fast, don’t you?” Lacy asked worry clear in her tone.

“Did I say that?”

“No, but…”

“Lacy, deep breath. You’re starting to remind me of Emmett, and not in a good way.”

“Sorry.”

“I see you’ve painted the place.”

“Yes, and I want to have the seats all recovered and…”

“Whoa!”

“What? What did I say?”

“I lent you the money to buy this place. Can you afford all these renovations?”

Lacy smiled. “Are you worried that I’m spending too much of your money?”

“Yes.”

“I used your money to buy this place. Katerina and I painted the place ourselves a couple of weekends ago. We did it overnight and closed down for one night only. I’ve found this really great guy who can redo the seats … cheap. I know what I’m doing, Brian.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” Brian said taking a drink of his sparkling water.

“It is?”

“It is.”

“Well, thanks for your concern, but…”

“You don’t need it,” Brian said quickly. “I get that. I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to be sure that everything was okay.”

Lacy smiled. “Thank you, for caring … and for loaning me the money.”

“But stay the fuck out of your business,” Brian added.

“Well, yeah,” Lacy said with a grin.

“Message received and computed.”

“I don’t want to offend you, Brian,” Lacy added quickly.

“I know.”

“We’re still okay, aren’t we?”

“Absolutely.”

“Can I get you anything else?”

“You wouldn’t happen to have one of Emmett’s popovers, would you?”

“I think I have a very special one with your name all over it.”

“Good,” Brian said as he sipped some more water.

 

*****
 

“Well, hello stranger!” Gordon called out as John stepped into Leda’s cottage. “Come to mix with us common folk?” Gordon teased.

“Have I really been such a recluse lately?” John asked his longtime friend.

“You know, when you and I first began our little enterprise, I got quite used to Mother Claire calling to remind me that I had better send her precious little boy home in one piece at the end of the day. When you and Bobby tied the knot, I got used to answering to him.”

John opened his mouth to comment but Gordon held up his hand to stop him.

“I’ve even had a call or two from your little man. He just wanted to make sure you ate your lunch and wore your safety gear. And I still get the random call to light a fire under your ass so you’d scoot home to dinner. Do you want to know what they’re saying when they call now?”

John shrugged but remained silent.

“They all want to know when you’re going back to work! Now, are you here to work?”

John nodded in the affirmative.

“Then put your hard hat on and get your ass in this cottage. I need that creative eye of yours in the new powder room. It looks more like a locker room to me. You know me, I like things in a straight line,” Gordon teased and John knew he wasn’t in real trouble. “Good to have you back, John Boy,” Gordon quipped as he slapped John on the back.

 

*****
 

“So what’s the real reason you’ve been hiding in the attic? You haven’t grown tired of that red-headed partner of yours, now have ya?” Gordon asked bluntly. They were sitting in the Village diner having a late lunch.

“Of course not, Gordo. I love Bobby, with all my heart.”

“So what’s up?”

“Gordon, we’ve been involved with five cottages in the past nine years. Six cottages really, since Edna’s Treasures is really the two. I just want to know why.”

“Why?”

“Yeah, why. Take Leda, for example. I’ve heard Brian refer to her as an uber dyke.” Gordon cracked up with laughter. “I know, I know. Not very PC of my brother but Leda is a formidable woman. She’s a modern, forward thinking woman and yet she found solace in the simplicity of a cottage. And now the girls want the old Somerville place to find themselves. What makes two very modern women like Melanie and Lindsay want an old cottage to help them find themselves?”

“Maybe their neighbors are complaining about the noise.” John gave Gordon a quizzical look. “Hey, I keep my ear to the ground. Their arguments are legendary. No one will hear them out there.”

“That’s for sure.”

“John, what are you going to do with all that research you’re doing? Are you planning on writing a book about cottages?”

“I haven’t a fucking clue,” John said with frustration.

“Then why don’t you spend a little more time working on the old Somerville place while you figure it out. We’re almost done with Leda’s place.”

“You do good work, Gordo,” John said with a smile. He was proud of his friend.

“In all fairness, it’s an easy job. But Hunter's kids are getting quite an education. That electrician buddy of yours, Aaron, has hired a couple of the kids as apprentices. Says they’re doing just fine.”

“That’s so good to hear.” They were just about finished with lunch and getting ready to go back to the cottage. “So, maybe I should report to the girls’ cottage in the morning?”

“I think that’s a wise decision,” Gordon said smugly.

“You do know you’re full of it, don’t you?”

“Yep! And that’s why we get along so well for all this time. I’m full of it and you keep shoveling it. Now, back to work.”

“Yes, sir!”

The best of friends got back to work.

 

*****
 

“Wow!” John exclaimed as he drove up to the girls’ cottage.

The landscaper had started implementing Brian’s plans. The straight cement path leading up to the front door had been taken up and the beginnings of a meandering flagstone path were being laid down. Fall plants were being placed in urns and evergreen shrubs planted until the spring and summer flowers could be planted for the next season. John found Brian in the back.

“Do I know you? Your face is somewhat familiar,” Brian snarked.

“That’s because you see it in the mirror several times a day.”

“Minus the grey hair. Thank you very much.”

“Ha fucking ha.”

“So what do you think?” Brian asked as he swept his arm out. The artificial rocks had been planted turning a portion of the stream bank into a small grotto with the large ‘sitting’ rock as the major feature. The weeds were gone and small ornamental trees had been planted.

“Will they survive the winter?” John asked.

“I’m going to have them protected in about a month but they should be okay,” Brian assured his brother.

“Looks like you have it under control.”

“What about the cottage?” Brian inquired.

“The studio sun porch will not be like yours....”

“Ours.”

“Ours. They want it small, but Lindsay will have room to work on several pieces at a time, and they can use it as a dining room too if they wish. They’ll have an extra door which will open up into Mel’s office. That way they can pursue their individual projects but not totally ignore one another.”

“That would defeat the purpose of having a lovenest. Gag.” Brian made noises. “Very good, big bro!”

“I can’t take the credit for that one. Patrick suggested it.”

“A chip off the old block,” Brian chuckled.

“Watch it with the old shit,” John groused, using Brian’s line. “Come on, little bro, you show me yours then I’ll show you mine.” John indicated he wanted more of a tour of the gardens and then he’d update Brian on the cottage.

The brothers slowly strolled the grounds.

 

*****
 

“Hey, JR,” Curtis called as he saw the girl coming out of the high school. “How’s it going?”

JR smiled. “I’m good. How about you?”

“Not too bad. Have you heard from Gus?”

“Yeah, he calls at least once a week.”

“How’s he doing at university?”

“So far, so good, but he’s luuuuuuuvsick.” JR giggled.

“Lovesick?”

“Yeah, when Ray came for Gus’ birthday they sort of … got together.”

“Oh?” Curtis said. He wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but it sounded like Gus had a new boyfriend.

“Then Ray had to go back to New York. I think they’re pining away for each other,” JR giggled again as she made a dramatic wrist-to-brow movement.

Curtis chuckled. “You shouldn’t be so hard on your brother. I hear love can do weird things to people.”

“Yeah, just look at my moms.”

“What’s their problem?”

“They’ve bought a cottage out near Uncle Brian and they’re making a lovenest out there,” JR said sarcastically.

“What’s a lovenest?”

“I don’t know but that’s what they keep saying. It’s gross.”

“No kidding. Your moms make my dads look so normal.”

“Anybody’s more normal than the moms.”

Curtis chuckled. “If you’re talking to Gus, tell him I … miss him. I gotta go.”

“Sure,” JR replied as she watched Curtis walk away. She wondered what Curtis was up to. He didn’t usually talk to her. Could he be interested in Gus? NO. Not possible, she decided as she headed for home.

 

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