Finding Love in Ivy Falls

Chapter Thirty

MANNY

Frustration With A Massive Side Helping Of Pity

Was it possible to miss someone even if they were standing right in front of you? Apparently so, because even though Tess and I had continued to talk over the last two weeks, worked side by side to set up the antique buffet in the store, it was like she was a million miles away.

She walked slowly around the antique piece, the edges of her bright pink skirt swirling around her gorgeous legs. The curves of her beautiful lips pinched tightly as she surveyed the wood and polished marble. I ached to touch her, but instead I stood with my hands jammed into the pockets of my cargo pants, waiting on what she needed next.

‘I can’t get over what beautiful shape it’s in.’ She ran her hand over the white marble with the gray veining. ‘Does any of the wood need to be treated? How will the marble do with heat? I want to make sure we don’t do anything to damage it.’

‘A sealant will protect the wood and marble. I’ll make sure that’s done before you serve your first espresso.’

She gave me a nod, kept her eyes focused on the piece like she couldn’t look at me.

From the moment I walked away from her house the other night, I’d felt guilty about accusing Billy. I knew he was lying about when he first came back to Ivy Falls, but I could have handled it in a much better way.

‘Tess, about the other night with Billy.’

‘Manny,’ she sighed. ‘It’s over. I know you were just looking out for me.’

‘I was, but, still, I shouldn’t have accused him of anything without proof.’

‘After the break-in at the house, and then that rock, I get why you’re worried. But Billy is a terrible liar. If he’d been here in Ivy Falls, he would not have been able to keep a straight face.’

‘You sure about that?’

‘Yes. I was with him long enough to know when he’s pulling something shady.’

‘Okay. Consider the matter dropped.’

‘Thank you,’ she said before moving to give the piece one final scan. ‘I appreciate you bringing it here. Helping get it set up.’

I stepped forward, needing to be closer to her. ‘Is there any way we could have lunch today? The girls are supposed to be with Lou at the babysitter’s for another few hours, and we can’t do any work at the old Thomas Place while the guy from the city goes over everything that needs to be brought up to code.’

‘Wish I could, but there’s inventory in the office I need to unpack.’ She gave me a wan smile. ‘Another time?’

‘Sure.’

She brushed past me, and that ache to touch her, let her know everything was going to be okay, swept through me again.

Needing a distraction, I pulled out my sketchpad and went back over the bar design. I stayed busy with measuring and designing new ideas for how the piece should look. It needed a wraparound counter, which meant the lip on the front required enough of an overhang so several barstools could be tucked underneath. I continued to survey the old antique when a damaged bit of wood in the buffet’s upper right corner caught my eye.

I walked to the register and waited for Penny to finish with a customer. Even though it was a Saturday, the store only had a few patrons milling about. The scene only made me want to work harder, faster, for Tess so that she could get the coffee bar up and running. Extinguish at least one of the worries spinning around in her anxious mind.

Once Penny was done, she trained her bright eyes on me. ‘What can I help you with?’

‘Can you tell Tess I’m running over to Silvio’s? I need some sandpaper for the buffet.’

‘Sure. I’ll let her know.’ She gave me that lingering smile that reminded me too much of the way women looked at me in the square now.

I rushed out the door and made my way down the brick-paved sidewalk. White twinkle lights lit up store windows. The scent of gingerbread spice and cinnamon filled the air near the Sugar Rush. A few kids rode by on their electric scooters. More than once, Lou had hinted she wanted one for Christmas, which was only a few weeks away. I’d told her that maybe she needed to start with something slower like a kick-scooter and she had reluctantly agreed.

When I reached Silvio’s, I pulled back the steel handle on the thick glass door. The smell of fresh lumber and paint thinner filled the small box-like store. In a corner, Silvio talked with Ferris. As soon as they saw me, they gave me that pointed stare. It was the same look I’d been getting from people all over town. Frustration mixed with a massive side helping of pity. Like they all knew how things had changed for Tess and me before Billy arrived and screwed it all up.

I walked toward the back of the store, hoping to avoid Billy, but his voice carried over from the next aisle as he talked to another contractor, Lucas Pride, about wood screws.

‘You still drivin’ that black Charger?’ Lucas asked Billy.

‘Yeah, but it’s in the shop after my run-in with the old oak near the gazebo.’

‘So, you’ve been back for a bit then? I could have sworn I saw you driving it near the town limits a couple of weeks ago.’

I came to a stiff stop.

Billy’s voice went thready as he said, ‘Nope. Must’ve been someone else. I’ve been in Atlanta until recently.’

‘Huh, could have sworn it was you.’

‘What size wood screws did you say you needed?’ Billy said.

‘About a quarter-inch.’

The sound of drawers opening and closing echoed through the small store.

‘I know what he needs.’ Silvio’s unmistakably harsh voice drew closer. ‘I have them stored on a higher shelf.’

‘I can get it,’ Billy insisted.

‘No, I’m not too old to climb a damn ladder,’ Silvio snapped.

I moved toward the next aisle to make sure Silvio knew what he was doing. He dragged over an old ladder and flipped down the hinges. The soles of his tennis shoes slapped against the steel steps. When he reached the top shelf, he grabbed a small cardboard box with thick black printing. He began his descent with one hand, and only got two rungs down before missing an entire step. The box flung out into the air, sending the screws pinging out in several directions. Silvio tried to make one last grasp for the ladder, but his weight sent the entire thing crashing toward the floor.

I raced forward, but Billy was already there, throwing out his body to break Silvio’s fall. The force of the catch threw both of them backward into a display of rakes. Steel pieces ricocheted into the air, slicing Billy across the forearm.

For a few seconds, time stopped before Lucas ran to them, and I quickly followed. Silvio was slightly shaken up. Billy was in worse shape, his blood pooling all over the floor.

‘Ferris, call an ambulance.’ I grabbed a rag off the counter and pressed it against Billy’s arm.

Billy’s eyes fluttered and he asked, ‘Is Silvio okay?’

‘He’s fine,’ I said.

He gave me a weak smile before he passed out.

As soon as the ambulance arrived, I sprinted across the street to get Tess. Penny looked sick as I ran past her, blood still coloring my hands and T-shirt. Without knocking, I pushed open the door to the office. Tess got one look at me and sprang up from the chair.

‘Oh my God, Manny. You’re bleeding! What happened?’

‘It’s not my blood.’

‘Who’s is it then?’

‘It came from Billy.’

She wobbled on her feet, and I caught her by the arms.

‘He’s okay. There was an accident at the hardware store, and Billy acted like a damn hero again.’

‘A hero?’ She blanched.

‘Yeah. He’s on the way to the hospital. Do you want me to take you there?’

‘Yes,’ she choked out. ‘And I need you to tell me every single detail.’