Ridge Creek (16 page)

“Okay,” I agree instantly as he pushes away from the bed and
heads for the door.

I knew there was a reason Luke was my number three reason
for my newfound love of biker men.

*****

“I wanna sort this out.  Set up displays, put prices on
stuff.  What do you think?  I was thinking it would be my thank you present to
the two boys for looking after me and giving me somewhere safe to stay.”

I am standing in the shopfront with Luke and Emma.  Emma is
nodding thoughtfully but Luke looks like I just announced that I am planning to
murder the Prime Minister.

“You sure that’s a good idea.  They know where all their
shit is, even if it does look a bit disorganised.”

“There’s no way they know where everything is and they are
losing customers because you can’t browse with it all piled up the way it is. 
I’m still not sure how the shop is viable.”

It is then that I notice the look of alarm that streaks
across Luke’s face briefly before he turns to look out the window.    I then
watch as his brows knit before he blows out a slow breath and adjusts his face
to neutral impassive.

“Perhaps it is a good idea that you fix the shop up,” he
murmurs, seemingly to himself.  He then casts an eye around the shop and nods
(again to himself), “Yes, this could work.”

Emma and I both glance at each other and roll our eyes. 

Men.  It has to be their idea and then it’s all good.

“All righty then,” I announce twirling a pointer finger
towards my temple and looking towards Luke.  Emma nods recognizing my ‘he’s
nuts’ sign and we turn our backs on him to look around the room.

“We’re gunna need some lockable glass cabinets for the
pricey knickknacks like the knives and silver hip flasks.  We’re also gunna
need normal shelves for some of this other product, particularly the bike
parts,” Emma announces as she moves forward to poke a large box nearby that has
not yet been opened.   “This could end up being fun.  It will sort of be like
Christmas because we’ll get to open all these boxes.”

I hear a hiss from behind and swing to look at Luke again. 
He looks startled, stiff and very concerned.

“You might not want to go opening any boxes until you’ve
spoken to Jake and Zane about your plans,” he warns, speaking in a low, deep, don’t
fuck with me rumble.

Emma and I glance at each other again, this time Emma does
the ‘he’s nuts’ sign and we both shrug our shoulders.

In unison we then pipe, “Whatever,” and resume our
conversation.

“We’ll break it up into sections too yeah?” I continue as I
walk towards the front counter that has been vacant since earlier in the
evening.  “Let’s get online and see where we get shelving and cabinets from.”

“I know where to get shelving from,” Luke breaks into the
conversation finally snapping out of whatever funk he’d been in and following
me to the front counter.

“I’ve got my own shed where I store my solar panels,
inverters and other stuff.  I bought shelving for it from a company that sells
it wholesale.  They’re a few hour’s drive away but they have cabinetry as
well.  We can take my truck and pick it up.”

“Excellent!” I chirp.  “When can we go?”

I watch as Luke chews his lips for a few beats and surveys
the room again.  His eyes settling on the large unopened box that Emma had
poked at.  “Monday.”

“Monday?  Cool!” I chirp again.  “How many can you fit in
your cab?  Can Ems come too?”

Swinging his attention back to me he grins, “Yeah it’s got a
bench seat.”

“Righteous!” I fist pump the air as I swing my eyes to
Emma.  She looks as pleased as I am.  In unison we both yell, “Road trip!”

“Jesus,” Luke mutters shaking his head.  “I’ll be here to
pick you up at eight Monday morning.  We’ll be back midafternoon if we get
moving straight away.”  Then he starts to move around the counter to head for
the door.  It is as he is about to exit that he turns and in his ‘don’t fuck
with me’ voice reasserts, “Don’t open any boxes until you’ve cleared this with
Jake and Zane.”

I stare at him a few beats and consider my choices on what
might happen if I ignore his warning.  Probably not much.  On the other hand,
he seems insistent about it and Luke is a nice guy.

“I can see your cogs turning there woman.  I’m only gunna
warn you once more and you are gunna listen.  Don’t open any boxes until it’s
been cleared by the brothers.  You hearing me?”

Whatever.

Putting on my best pouty face I reply, “I’m hearing you.  We
won’t.”

He smirks at me, nods and then disappears through the door.

Looking to Emma I whisper, “Makes you wonder what’s in the
boxes doesn’t it?”

That’s when I sense movement in the doorway again and I look
to see a very angry Luke.  “Fuck,” he growls.  “You two, out!” He points to the
door beside him and pins us with a ‘don’t fuck with me’ look.

Glancing quickly at each other Emma and I both jolt to
action and do as we are told.  It is as we pass by that Luke’s voice softens
and he murmurs, “I’ll take you both out to tea, you got five minutes and then
we’re leaving.”

Stopping at his announcement, I quickly lift on my toes and
plant a peck on his cheek.  “Yay.”

I then watch as his eyes move from soft to inky and he draws
in a huge breath before mumbling, “Jesus.”

Grinning happily, I launch forward and give Emma a shove in
the back.  “Five minute spritz, we’re on it!”

*****

The venue for our dinner was unexpected in a number of
ways.  The first because it was within walking distance of the shop.  This,
Luke explained as we walked, was a good thing.   Mainly because his only two
transportation options for us were his truck or his bike.  If we took his bike
he’d have to do two runs. 

This also lead to a discussion on whether I would fit in the
small child sized seats in the back of Emma’s Maserati.  We all agreed that in
desperate times I probably would.  On this occasion however, I didn’t need to.
Walking was our best choice.

The second unexpected and very welcome surprise was the
venue clearly had some sort of connection to Jake and Zane.  I worked this out
as we approached when I saw the name ‘Holder’s’ displayed in gold lettering on
the bargeboard above the front door.   

The restaurant was classy and spanned three shop fronts in
the main street of Ridge Creek.  Well lit by spotlights out front, the
shopfront was painted in light gray shadings.  As we approached, I could also
see flickering candles on individual tables inside the restaurant itself. 
Passing through the front door as Luke held it open for us, Emma and I were
instantly assaulted by the mouthwatering smells of freshly prepared meals. 
Casting my eyes around the interior quickly, I noted the restaurant was busy. 
Something that I should have preempted considering it was a Saturday night. 

Feeling myself falter slightly at another public appearance,
it only took a heartbeat for Emma to place her hand on my arm and reassure me,
“You’re fine.”

Thankful for her support, I nodded and turned to wait for
Luke.  No sooner had I laid eyes on his than his face split into a huge grin. 
The strange thing was that he wasn’t grinning at me.  He was grinning over my
shoulder.

Turning back to face into the restaurant, I then received my
third surprise.

Ellen.

With her arms held wide and moving towards me at speed. 

Moving with such speed that I had about half a second for my
brain to register the familiar scent of her musky perfume before I was fully
enveloped in her arms.

“Arianna!  My precious girl.  It is wonderful to see you
again.  You are looking so well.”

Stiffening under her assault, I was surprised when she did
not let me go.  “Relax my dear, you are with family.”

Then without further ado, she let me go and herded us to a
table near the window muttering that she would take care of everything.

Which brought us to now.

Emma, Luke and I sitting at a candlelit table, after having
consumed three enormous plates of steak, baked potato and steamed vegetables. 
The steaks had arrived shortly after Ellen had delivered a bottle of red wine
(thank you Lord!) As well as a beer for Luke and a basket of fresh bread with
olive oil for dipping. 

We were full.

Sensing movement to my left, I turn to find Ellen dragging a
chair across to our table.  The restaurant has quietened.  The main meal rush
is now over.

“I hope you enjoyed your meals.  Would you like some
dessert?”  She asks as she points to a waiter and gestures for him to clear our
table.

“I don’t think I could fit one in,” I mumble, slightly
miserable because the steak had been so good I am sure a dessert would be
spectacular.

“Nonsense,” Ellen announces before turning to the waiter who
is now clearing the table.  “Bring us a selection of Petit Fours please
Joshua.  And another bottle of wine.  Another glass for myself and another beer
for my boy Luke too.”

With a nod, Joshua finishes clearing the table and leaves
with a friendly smile on his face.

Turning her focus on me, I watch as her gorgeous green eyes
sparkle and soften.  She is dressed fashionably in a simple black dress with
lace around the neck and a string of gorgeous pearls.  Her hair is tied up in a
neat bun.  A thought whooshes through my mind. 

I wish you were my mum.

She’s everything a real mum should be.

Beautiful, loving and maternal.

Something I have never experienced before.  Jake and Zane
are very lucky.

Watching me for a few beats she starts to fiddle with her
pearls.  “My boys bought these for me,” she says softly.  “Even though I know
that they are still the same naughty little boys they have always been, they
still always look after their mama.”

“They’re beautiful,” I murmur before adding, “Your
restaurant is beautiful too.”

“My boys bought this for me too,” she smiles as she talks. 
“It was a mess when I first saw it, but we have renovated and we are now very
popular.  I have a wonderful chef.  I also have a wonderful electrician who
keeps everything running for me don’t I?”  She winks at Luke as she reaches her
hand out to place it on his.  He responds by lifting his other hand and placing
it over the top of hers.

“I have known this boy since he was ten years old.  My boys
bought him home from school for a sleepover and he is now my third son.”

I watch as Luke and Ellen share a soft look with each other
before Ellen finally retracts her hand so she can lean back in her chair.  The
waiter arrives and delivers our beverages.  We wait while he refills glasses,
pours a drink for Ellen and then backs away.

Taking a sip of her wine and placing it back on the table,
Ellen shifts her eyes back to me before asking, “So my dear, tell me, what do
you plan to do with yourself now?  Do you need to find yourself a job?  I can
offer you some work here at the restaurant if you would like?”

Startled that Ellen has instantly offered me a job I feel
the hot burn of tears at the back of my eyes.

Oh my god. 

Could these people be any nicer?

Grabbing for a serviette on the table, I dab at my eyes and
look out the window as I attempt to control the threatening flood of emotion.

“Oh, my dear, I did not mean to upset you.  I am sorry,”
Ellen says softly as her soft hand reaches to grab one of mine.  “I thought
that you might like something to do.”

“She’ll have plenty to do, we are opening another Web Design
business together,” Emma interjects.

Without hesitation, Ellen continues, “Ah.  I see.  This is
good.  Then why the tears my dear?  What did I say to upset you?”

Dragging my eyes from the window, I blink slowly and regain
control of my tear ducts.  Squeezing her hand I stumble to find the right
words.  “I’m sorry,” I pause and take a breath, “I’m not usually so emotional. 
It was just you being so nice.  You barely even know me.”

Emma agrees instantly.  “Your right about the emotional
bit.  Shit girl, I’ve seen more tears out of you in the last two days than I
saw in the two years before that.  Shit, you didn’t even cry when we were
sitting watching fuckwads porn show through she-bitch’s front window.”

“I know,” I sigh heavily and straighten in my chair.  “I
must be hormonal.”  Pulling my hand from Ellen’s so that I too can lean back in
my chair I announce, “No more tears.  Ellen, thank you, from the bottom of my
heart for your offer but Emma is right.  I’ll have plenty of work soon.”

“I can help with that,” Luke butts in.  “You can build a
website for my Green Energy business first up.”

Swinging my eyes to Luke, I lift my eyebrows and ask,
“Really?”

“Really,” he confirms.  “I’ve needed a website for a long
time but never got round to it.  The jobs yours if you want it.”

“We want it,” Emma confirms quickly.  “We’ll have wire
frames to you by the end of the week.  You’ll need to let us photograph some of
your stock and get some shots of complete setups at some stage, but we won’t
need them for the wireframes.”

“What are wireframes?” Luke asks Emma.

“Just proposed layouts of various screens, sort of like
drafts but they won’t hold much real information.  Just dodgy text and fake
pictures.  It’ll give you an idea of screen layout and colors.”

Nodding, Luke swings his attention back to me.  “I’ll take
you guys out to my shed on Thursday and then we’ll go for a spin and visit some
houses I’ve set up.  Monday we are shelf shopping and Tuesday/Wednesday I have
an installation to do.”

“Sure,” I agree happily, excited to be working on a web site
again.  It’s been months since I could do what I love doing best and not feel
guilty for it.  No Tony to complain about my work.  No stress.

Perfect.

Grinning happily, I turn to see Ellen smiling at me.  “You
are so strong,” she says approvingly.  “You take what life hands you and you
run with it.  I am proud to have you in my family.”