I didn’t play in it much anymore, but I did use it for exercise.
“Oh, and Ernie,” I asked before hanging up. “I don’t usually have guests, but I’m having company this Sunday. Do you have any floats or things that might be fun that I could get from you too?”
Ernie promised to hook me up and I appreciated his hospitality.
I went to the back of the shop to get the fresh box of honey that had been delivered so I could inventory it and stock the shelves. Then I decided I’d make Aggie a little welcome basket...with local stuff from Hazenberg.
However, a basket I did not have. So it would have to be a crate. That was more me anyway. I started adding stuff to the crate so I could scan and purchase the items, just like I’d do with any customer.
It was just easier since these products were consigned to me. This meant in my case, on the other hand, I could easily write them off.
My local suppliers would appreciate the sales too. A jar of honey. A jar of jelly and apple butter. A pound of butter, dozen fresh eggs, two different kinds of cheese. Glinda Weatherby had just dropped off a large box of fresh baked goods, so I added a loaf of potato bread and one of each flavor of her fried pies. I still had a few containers of fresh candies too...peanut butter Buckeyes and peanut butter potato candy.
That would do nicely.
Except I forgot jerky...everybody loves jerky! And I couldn’t wait for her to try mine.
Chapter Eleven
Aggie
What do you like to drink? I texted. Wanting to at least make sure I had beverages at the apartment if nothing else.
Well, bourbon, of course. But if you’re just talking soda, I’m a Coke drinker.
Easy enough, I thought. My soak in the garden tub gave me extra time to pamper a little bit. Shaving again, moisturizing. And tending to my cuts. My mom always told me to let skinned knees air out when I was younger, so I put on shorts and a soft shirt to head to the apartment. My leftovers were in tow and I was ready to go when I turned in my key and thanked Velma and Harold. I promised they’d see more of me, especially since I’d be working at the newspaper.
I only had about a half-hour before the furniture delivery window, so I ran in the nearby dollar store and stocked up on drinks, ice, and a few other snacks.
My red Focus was packed to the gills and I had just enough room in my front seat to put in my quick purchases. I knew I was not going to feel like unloading the car when I got to the apartment.
Thankfully, the air conditioning was working beautifully when I opened the apartment door and the paint smell had started to subside. I planned to open the upstairs windows at nighttime after I got some screens. I was hoping to find some at Walmart.
First things first, I stocked the fridge and put the ice in the empty freezer. I sat on the steps for a little bit and waited for the furniture guys. Waiting was so much fun when you didn’t have anywhere to sit. At least it was cool, I thought.
Velma had given me a little tin of the salve she made for me and I took the time to reapply, noticing her magic had already begun working. She was right too, it helped take the sting out.
The furniture guys came around 2:00 and pulled in as I had just gotten up to attempt to unload some boxes from my car.
After their greeting, they hauled in all the furniture, placing it where I asked them to, and they insisted on unloading my car after they got a good look at my hands, knees, and cheek. Sympathy was not how I had planned on everyone reacting upon their first impression of me in Hazenberg.
“Sweetie, if my little sister were in your shoes, I’d want someone to help carry her boxes inside too. Give us a few minutes and we’ll have it done,” said the one whose name tag read Kian.
I was glad I had gotten some cash because I was able to tip them well and they appreciated it.
So my butcher friend could certainly help with the rest. This, I was looking forward to.
I fiddled around until it was time for his arrival and when I opened the door, he was a sight for sore eyes. And cheeks. And hands. And knees.
“Chicken Pineapple Curry, Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and some dumplings," he said as he held up dinner. "I didn't know how spicy you'd like it, so I got a few options. We can share." He winked at me and I thought I'd melt standing right there in the doorway. He set the bag down and ran back to his truck for what I assumed was his toolbox.
Instead, he carried a large crate of groceries inside. Then he went out one last time for his toolbox.
I waited and held the door for him before doing anything else.
"How's the cheek?" he asked as I shut the door behind him.
“Not too bad. Velma gave me this salve to put on it and it has helped.” He turned my chin to get a good look at my cheek. Drake’s hands were warm, and I liked the way his touch felt.
“I thought I’d bring you a little welcome basket...but it’s more of a welcome crate, because I don’t have baskets at the shop,” he said. “The locals here have some goods that could rival name brands. Most are even better.”
We went to the kitchen where he unpacked the crate, telling me which farm had made each item and who made them. I pulled myself up and sat on the countertop as he told me about each thing individually.
“You’ll get to know these folks, working at the newspaper and all, but when you meet Miss Hailey Winterbloom, you’ll know how good her apple butter is when you shake hands.”
“Can I have a bite of that?” I said, ready to eat the apple butter straight from the jar.
Spoons weren’t unpacked yet, so Drake opened the jar and lightly grazed the top of the apple butter with his finger, holding it out for me to lick.
I’m not sure what came over me, but I did. I reached over and grabbed his hand, pulling the apple-butter-covered finger to my mouth.
“Fuck,” he said with a sigh. “You, Cutie, keep me guessing.”
“Keep going,” I said. “There might be something else I want a bite of...”
Chapter Twelve
Drake
When she licked the apple butter off my finger, I knew I was hooked. I wasn’t going to be done with this girl anytime soon.
I put the eggs, cheese, and butter in the fridge. I had tossed a few packs of ground beef in with the jerky too, figuring she'd at least have some meat until she was able to grocery shop.
“Unless you’re a vegetarian, most everybody can use hamburger,” I said. And she shook her head in agreeance. “Oh, and I tossed in a pack of jerky.”
“Jerky?!?” She perked up when I said it, like a puppy being told it was going to get a treat. “I love jerky! It’s seriously my favorite snack. I’d rather have jerky over ice cream, if given the choice.”
"Wow, that’s weird. I like jerky. But I also really like ice cream...”
“Okay, so maybe that was an exaggeration, but I can’t wait to try it!” she said and took the bag from my hands. “Just one bite for now since we’re getting ready to eat Thai.”
She did as she said and took a small piece, biting down and pulling it apart with her teeth. My God was she sexy.
“This is frigging delicious,” she said, and I could tell she really did like jerky. What other secrets did this woman have up her sleeve?
I set the bread and fried pies on the counter next to a container with muffins. I assumed they were from the B&B. Typical of Velma and Harold to send leftovers.