Page 11 of No One But You

“Thank you. I think I will.” I filled a mug with coffee. It smelled amazing, and one mouthful told me it was much better than what I drank at the crappy hotel I was staying in just outside of town. I couldn’t decide what was worse, the coffee or the lobby it was brewed in. My taste buds and insides thanked me for the amazing, rich coffee flavor seeping through my blood. I could almost feel the caffeine taking effect. “This is great. Thank you, Ms. Diane.”

Diane brushed away the gratitude. “Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t started anything.”

The lady with the silver foil in her hair, Tonya if I remembered correctly, leaned on the counter.

I squirmed a little as she looked me up and down again. It wasn’t the first time I had the older ladies intrigued. “So, ladies. Maybe I should introduce myself correctly. I’m Kai Lawson, and just got into town. I’m working with a construction company, currently on a site in Nashville, so I’m looking for extra work at night and on weekends.” I sipped my coffee and started to relax. “I’ve had years of experience and love doing little fix-up jobs around houses and small businesses.”

“Well, Kai Lawson, I’m Tonya McKendry. It sounds like you have the experience needed to fix up this shithole.”

“Watch it, T. The owners of this shithole could leave your color in too long and fry those lovely locks of yours. Then where would you be?” Kaye replied.

“Looking my age, I guess.”

“Exactly.”

Tonya rolled her eyes. “If you weren’t one of my oldest friends, I wouldn’t keep putting up with your abuse. Anyway.” She turned her full attention toward me again. “So, you think you’ll be able to fix up this sh—I mean amazing hair salon?”

“Better.” Kaye winked at her.

I chuckled. Tonya might have been a little off, but there was something about her that made her fun. “Well, if this is how it’ll be, at least it won’t be boring around here. But first I need to see what you need done.”

“Follow us.” I did as instructed and trailed after Diane and Kaye through a side door, and we spent some time looking at the room and discussing what they wanted done. I took measurements and asked questions. It really was a simple job. Pulling out some old shelving, adding additional plumbing, and electricity possibly, then putting up walls and stations.

“I think what you’re asking will be relatively straightforward. Not a problem at all.”

“Do you often do whatever women ask of you?” Tonya asked in a sultry voice.

I was in the middle of swallowing coffee and choked, spitting some out of my mouth.

“Tonya! Don’t scare the man off already. We need him to stick around,” Diane yelled as she slapped Tonya across the arm.

“It’s good. Trust me.” I held up my hand and tried to get control of my coughing fit. “Keep the coffee coming, and I’ll be here forever. The coffee where I’m staying is a close cousin to mud, which shouldn’t surprise me since the motel could use a total overhaul.”

“Where are you staying?” Diane asked as she mopped up the bit of coffee I spewed on the floor. I tried to take the mop from her, but she brushed me off and made quick work of cleaning up.

“I’m staying at the motel at the edge of town.”

Tonya stepped away from the counter, a horrified look on her face. “Motel 256?”

“Yeah, that’s it.”

Her eyes went wide as saucers, and she shared a glance with Diane and Kaye and a head gesture.

I had no clue what was going on between them. It seemed as if they were communicating without words. When you were friends as long as they seemed to have been, I guess you could. I wouldn’t know anything about that as I never had good friends growing up, and lately I hadn’t been in one place long enough to set down roots and make friends. Someday I really hoped that would finally come to an end.

Diane spoke up. “You know, we have a small office space with a single bed we turned into a couch. We don’t use the room anymore. You’re more than welcome to use it. It’s clean, and you’d have full use of the kitchen.”

Did she just invite me to stay here? They don’t know anything about me. I’m all for small towns being friendly and everything, but that’s a little bit crazy. “I don’t know. I don’t want to put you out.”

“You won’t. Just think about it.”

“Thanks. I will. If you don’t mind, I’ll take some time, write up a plan of action, and make a list of everything I’ll need and get a quote for you before I leave today. It looks pretty simple. If you agree with what I write up, I could start as early as tomorrow. As soon as you close, I can start demoing.”

“That sounds great. Take your time, and if you have any questions, just let us know,” said Diane.

“We would be happy to help you with anything you might need,” Tonya said. “And welcome to Orlinda Valley.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” I went back to the room and started to take notes and make lists. It didn’t take long for me to get into the groove of what I was doing and lose track of time. Before long, I knew where the electric would need to be moved to and planned out the new plumbing. The most difficult part would be tapping into the existing plumbing. That wasn’t my strength, so I’d have to find a reliable and local plumber to help.

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