Pieces of it All (11 page)

"Absolutely not," her dad cut in. "Didn't your mom discuss this with you earlier?" He accused her mom with his eyes.

"Yeah," Beth answered, "and she agreed as long as I got a job, I could see Harvey."

"Michael, I filled you in last night. Don't you remember?" Her mom left her post at the entryway to the kitchen and sat down next to Beth at the counter. "Why would you bring him with to something like this?"

Because I want to kiss him some more. I want to lose myself in his beautiful face.
Those reasons wouldn't work on her parents. Good thing she prepared points in anticipation of their reaction. "Mom, even though it's only Aunt Sue, I don't want to go alone."

"So bring Lucy." Her dad logically concluded.

"Lucy made plans with Jackson."
Ha! Counterpoint!
"Besides, Mom, you're itching for more information about Harvey. Think of Aunt Sue as your personal spy. I'm certain the second Harvey and I leave, she'll be on the phone with you."

She tapped the counter top. "This is true. She's quite the gossip."

Like
she
wasn't. "And Dad, you worry about me driving at night, for whatever reason. Harvey can drive." He squinted his eyes, the wrinkles multiplying on his forehead. "He's a good driver, Dad. Trust me." Trust. She started the last point within the previous one. Perfect. He had confidence in her to go to college and live off campus with a friend. How was this any different? She wasn't going on a cross-country vacation with Harvey.

He took his phone out of his pocket. "I have to get upstairs and take care of this." He pressed the button to lock the screen again. "You've only known this guy a few weeks, Beth."

"Isn't everyone a stranger first?
I
was a stranger when you first met me." Okay, a stretch, but whatever she needed to say to get this done.

Beth's parents exchanged glances, and her Dad peeked at his phone again, agitated. "This can't wait anymore." He turned to Beth's mom. "You and Beth seem to have talked for awhile last night about Harvey. I'd rather know where she is than her sneak out with this guy. I think you agree."

Either the pretzels made her thirsty, or the nerves were making her mouth dry. Two for two. Damn, she should have taken debate class.

Her mom stood. "I've got to finish this book for tonight, and I don't want another migraine. I trust Beth. She's only going to Sue's house." Tapping her paperback on the counter, she added, "Tell your aunt I want a full report."

Horace was a quaint little town only twenty minutes west. Beth's Aunt Sue and Uncle Ralph lived in a tri-level house tucked away on a quiet street outlined by Lake Horace. The steep driveway led to a three car garage, connected to the small home. The two bedroom and one and a half bath house laid out more like a condo. However, Sue, quite the creative decorator, managed to give each room an elegant, spacious appearance.

When they got out of the car, Beth started to walk up the stairway. "Wait a sec!" Harvey called as he grabbed an item from the trunk. He caught up with her. "I picked up some sparkling grape juice," he showed her.

"I'm sure she'll like you brought something, but sparkling grape juice?" Her aunt would've let her drink
one
glass of wine. Since she turned sixteen, her parents allowed one small alcoholic beverage under supervision at certain functions.

"You're not old enough to drink, and I can't. So this was the next choice."

They started up the long walkway leading to the front door. "What do you mean you can't drink? Aren't you twenty-two?"

"Yeah, but I can't have any wine."

"Are you allergic or something?" Beth laughed as they reached the door.

"Something like that." He scratched the side of his nose. "Now Sue is your dad's sister?"

"No, Uncle Ralph is my dad's brother," she clarified, making a mental note to Google a prospective alcohol allergy. Someone not being
able
to drink alcohol. Weird.
Here goes nothing
, she thought and rang the doorbell.

Ralph opened the door, "Hi sweetie! I'm so glad you're here! Come on in. Aunt Sue is finishing up dinner." A smaller version of her dad stood in front of her. They had similar features, from the shorter, stylish hair, to the slight curve in the nose. Ralph, however, only stood five foot seven against her dad's even six, often claiming he was robbed in the height department. Freckles also covered his face, which her dad thanked God he didn't have, but Beth found them sweet.

"Dinner smells delicious," Beth said as she walked in to a permeation of buttered rolls and roast beef. Her nose flashed her back to the many home cooked meals she'd had at her aunt's house, usually followed by a fun board game.

Clicking heels echoed down the hall and Aunt Sue galloped into the room, her energy bursting out of her. Deep set eyes accentuated by a tad too much eyeshadow jumped out against her blond bob. For a woman of her age, she was very pretty. Kindness in her features and her spunky personality certainly added in her attractiveness. Confidence radiated from her glowing smile.

"I'm Sue," she extended her hand to Harvey, a grin spread across her face.

"Harvey?" Beth tapped on his shoulder. "Earth to Harvey? You okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." He shuddered himself out of a trance. "Nice to meet you, Sue." He shook her hand, for what seemed to be a little too long in Beth's eyes.

"Beth's mom told me so much about you on the phone. It's hard to believe you just met!" She turned to her husband. "Well come on, let's eat now." Beth hadn't volunteered a lot of information to her mom, so it confused her what she told her.

"I brought some sparkling grape juice," Harvey handed her the juice.

"Oh," she took the bottle from him and pressed it against her chest. "Such a sweetheart! Thank you! I'm not sure if I've ever had this." She touched Beth's arm and chuckled. "I'm more of a wine drinker, right dear?"

She hoped her aunt wasn't making Harvey feel uncomfortable, especially since they only arrived minutes ago. "First time for everything, Aunt Sue." Harvey put his hand against Beth's back as Sue led them into the dining area, just through the small galley kitchen. The soft hold he had on her told Beth he thanked her for moving the conversation forward.

The long table was placed in the middle of the room, set nicely, with red placements at each setting. Sturdy wood chairs surrounded the table. "I put you two over here, and Ralph and I sitting here." She pointed to their seats.

Though a small house, this room always impressed Beth. The table definitely defined the space as the centerpiece, but the entire east wall was ceiling to floor windows overlooking a backyard of greenery. With a lake on one side of the house and practically a forest on the other, living there must've been peaceful.

"It smells incredible," Harvey complimented as they gathered around the table.

"Thanks. I enjoy cooking. Baking not so much. I don't know why. I've never been successful at it." Sue sprinted into the kitchen and came back with a flowing bowl of salad. "Everyone dig in!"

Beth filled her plate with the leafy greens and vegetables before filling the rest with roast beef and potatoes. She wouldn't go overboard, but couldn't resist her aunt's cooking. "God, Aunt Sue, even your salad looks incredible."

She lifted her shoulders in joy. "Thanks, sweetie!" She slid lettuce off her fork. "Anyway, your mom said you need to make some extra cash this summer and wanted to pick up a few cleaning jobs."

Her mom sure knew how to embellish. Wanted was a pretty bold word. "Yeah. She thinks it's a good idea." She picked at the salad, moving grape tomatoes from side to side and stabbed a cucumber. "I guess a job isn't a bad suggestion."

"You'll earn some cash to spend when you get on campus," Ralph pointed out.

"What's the name of your cleaning business?" Harvey jumped in.

Thank you, Harvey. She didn't want to go into all of her mom's reasons, especially with Harvey sitting right next to her. "Sue's Squeaky Clean Cleaning Services!" Sue exclaimed, beaming with pride. "I started up about two years ago as a side business, really. For a day job I process loan applications at Horace Community Bank. Cleaning got me off my feet and kept me moving." She squinted her nose and pushed up the tiny black framed glasses outlining her face.

"This roast beef is excellent, don't you think, Harvey?" Beth kicked Harvey's foot as he stared at Sue, unresponsive.

"Is everything okay, Harvey?" Sue asked.

"Yeah." He put his fork down and rubbed his thighs. "I'm sorry, it's just ... you just look so familiar to me."

Sue wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I get that all the time. People tell me I look like a librarian. Maybe you think you saw me at the library." She pushed her elbow into Ralph's side while letting out a snort.

Ralph leaned over and kissed Sue on the cheek. Beth always admired her aunt and uncle's relationship. Affection never failed them, regardless of who occupied the room.

Sue sipped her water. "Anyway, Beth, cleaning houses isn't rocket science. I'm sure you'll do fine." She pulled her chair out slightly. "Now, the issue of money. As I said, this is only a side business for me. I don't have a fancy van or a secretary. I charge by the job. Since you'd be helping me out, I'd give you thirty percent. Sound fair?"

Beth didn't have an expectation as her mom presented the job idea to her. How much did a typical job pay? How much did thirty percent equate to? She didn't want to bust her butt for only twenty or thirty dollars, but doubted her mom cared, as long as she made money and spent less time with Harvey. "Works for me."

"I'll call you when I have a job for you. After you're done, you can bring the cash to me and I'll give you your portion. Sound good?"

"It sure does, Aunt Sue. Thanks so much."

"Anything for my favorite niece! Harvey, did Beth tell you she practically grew up here? She and her mom would come visit almost every day until I started working at the bank. I could share so many funny stories with you."

"No, no," Beth waved her hand at Sue. "No need. Please. You don't need to bore Harvey with them."

He pulled her chair closer to him and put his arm around her. "Yes, I do. Sue, please embarrass Beth the best you can."

Outside, Beth blushed. Inside, however, she was pleased this man wanted to spend his evening hearing about her growing up. She hoped one day to be able to hear stories about him.

Chapter Thirteen

Beth wouldn't have classified the first house she cleaned as a house. The mansion belonged to Dr. William Naise, who was hosting a party in the evening. The decorators and catering staff were arriving at noon, so with a seven o'clock start, this only gave five hours to make the place shine.

When Harvey offered to help, Beth jumped to accept. He even volunteered to drive, as long as they took her car. First the seat belts, and now his trunk refused to open. She hated lying to her parents, but the thought of another conversation regarding her relationship with Harvey irritated her. If her aunt agreed to allow Harvey to come along, her parents didn't need to know. Sue made the decisions about her business, not her mom and dad. Beth viewed it as simply omitting information, not lying.

Sue provided them with all the cleaning essentials - a broom and dustpan, a mop, wood polish, and some other items. A laundry basket full of supplies sat in Beth's trunk.

Awe filled Beth when they arrived. The only thing missing at the entrance were two lion statues greeting them on either side. The driveway led them under sugar maple trees shadowing the stone drive, each pebble intricately designed with no pattern the same as the next. Once on solid pavement, it dropped them at the front of the house, located on the opposite side of Lake Horace, where apparently the rich citizens lived.

They parked directly next to the stairs leading up to the double red doors on the home. "You know, red doors are supposed to bring good luck," Harvey commented.

Beth lifted the bucket from the floor. With her other hand, she opened the car door. "Well, considering he's paying my aunt three hundred dollars to do this, I would say we're already lucky." Not to mention she had Harvey at her side for the morning. She wasn't just lucky - she was in heaven.

"Well," Harvey cleared his throat. "Are you ready to clean this baby?"

"I sure am," Beth took on the challenge. "We've got five hours. Let's get this done."

Beth punched a temporary code her aunt had given her into the security box. She heard a click and opened the door.

"Stop." Harvey said. "My lady," he twirled his hands into the house, "would you like me to carry you over the threshold?"

She replied, "What is this? You're being silly."

"Come on, play along," he pleaded. "I'm trying to have some fun."

She covered her face with her free hand, the other clenched tightly around the handle of the bucket. How did she get so lucky? For every negative everyone tried to give her about Harvey, she had a positive. He was attractive, older, experienced, and spontaneous. A little squeal escaped her as she dropped the pail onto the floor, jumped into his arms and dramatically responded, "I would love for you to carry me over the threshold."

He scooped her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her head in his chest. His spicy, woodsy cologne filled her nose. She'd lock the scent away for later. He put her down as soon as they entered the breezeway.

"Wow," Beth's mouth dropped open. "This is absolutely stunning. I don't know what to say. I've never seen anything like this before." Unless HGTV counted, but she didn't think it did.

A dark mahogany floor lay beneath their feet. Before them, a staircase with at least ten wide steps, led to a landing, and ten more steps. A walkway connected one side of the house to the other. Above her head a pewter chandelier hung, crystals sparkling as they dangled from the light. A gigantic black piano caught her eye, owning the all white room to her right. A hallway curved to the left blocked the view of what lie ahead. "Bet that's the kitchen. I've gotta check this out."