Page 4 of One Scorching Summer

“I swear it is. I relabeled it myself. See?” Nettie pulled a glass jar from the drawer and showed it to Jorja. It readMiracle Ointmentin Nettie’s handwriting.She placed the salve on the vanity’s counter and folded a large towel. “For your neck and shoulders. Take as long as you want. Just don’t slip under the water and drown.”

“Hahaha.”

“I’ll put your shoes in the bedroom and get you a robe. Bring your bags up.”

Jorja handed the damaged shoes to Nettie and tugged the blouse from the waistband of the grimy skirt. “Thanks for everything, sweetie.”

“I adore that creaky old truck, Jorja, but you need to get those doors addressed. Can we take it tomorrow anyway? I have so many memories of us in it during college. Screw the heat. We’ll drive with the windows down. You do have clothes for this predicted heat, right?”

“Sure. And yes, I have the clothes, including a bikini and coverup. You mentioned a pool party and barbecue.”

“That’s Sunday. Maybe we can swim before that, too. Oh … Change of plans. I know we discussed going out tonight, but we’re staying in, if you’re okay with that. We can go out tomorrow, to Beugy’s.” There was a beat of silence. “Sound alright?”

Jorja fingers paused on the skirt’s zipper. Nettie’s tone was a subtle plea. She glanced at her, searching for a clue. Nothing.

“I picked up anything a person could want for pizza and salad at the market this morning, including some interesting looking mushrooms.”

“Sounds perfect.” Jorjawassore. Staying in was probably a better idea. Catching up and watching a movie in their pjs was more than appealing, as was eating buttered parmesan popcorn and having wine. “Capers?”

“You betcha. We’ll treat tonight as an end-of-the-week-recharge-for-the-weekend.”

“I’m all in, Nettie.”

Nettie smiled serenely and nodded.

Hm ... Something was definitely up. “You know, except for this warehouse conversion, you’ve whined about living in Ulen. Said how you need new man-blood. Blah, blah, blah … But lately—” She cocked a hip, tilted her head, and studied her friend. “You haven’t complained. And now that I think of it, you’ve been kind of quiet. Mysterious-like. What gives?”

“Voilà!” Nettie clapped and giggled. “I’ve been waiting I saw you in-person. I’ve met someone. Hi name is Levi Marx, and he’s wonderful.” She exhaled a dreamy sigh. “I think he might be ‘it.’ You’ll meet him tomorrow night.”

“I’m so happy for you!”

“Really? I always thought it would be you who found Mr. Right first.”

Nettie’s news was huge. Back in college, they had made a pact to be each other’s maid or matron of honor. Jorja had always believed she would be married first, but after breaking up with Johnny a year ago, her dating life was a wasteland. “Absolutely. I want all the details after I soak.” She would never wish to wipe that smile from her friend’s animated face; Nettie glowed with an inner light.

“Great. Levi will be with his friends. A guys’ night out, but I mentioned we’d be eating there. The restaurant is across the square.”

“Yeah, I passed it as I drove into town. It still looks like the hole-in-the-wall that I remember.”

“I’ll have you know that Beugy’s is the oldest eatery in Ulen, and the best. They did a major renovation last year. I worked on the project. The restaurant is much nicer inside than it used to be, well, with all of the old stuff melded in. Remember,” –she extended a hand and slowly waved it about— “my home used to be a hole-in-the-wall, too.”

“Good point.” Horning in on a guys’ night out was not appealing to Jorja. But she had to think that Nettie knew her man and his friends and that they wouldn’t mind.

Nettie gave Jorja a pointed look. “Take your bath. I’ll get appetizers started. Coffee?”

“Between the heat and a hot soak, an iced latte sounds more appetizing. Can you make one?”

“Does a duck swim?”

Laughter bubbled out of Jorja. How she missed her friend. “Double espresso?”

“A strong iced latte coming right up. I’ll have one, too. We can sit on the front patio. It’s in deep shade at this time of day and comfortable with the fan going. Promise.” Nettie stepped away and paused, turning on her heel. “Also … About tomorrow night. Several of Levi’sunattachedfriends are handsome. One in particular. You might want to hook up with?—”

“Girlfriend …” Jorja cautioned, half joking.

Nettie raised her brows and shrugged. “Just saying. Levi may come back here afterward, but don’t worry. He’s an early riser and will be gone before you get up.” She gave Jorja a devilish wink. “And don’t worry, sound doesn’t carry in here. That goes for you, too.”

Hooking up was not what she was usually into. A blush stole over Jorja’s neck and face when the cloaked-in-shadow rancher flashed in her mind and her breath hitched as she remembered the gorgeous visage revealed in the sunlight. She dipped her chin and studied on the rustic floral-patterned blue tile under her feet. Could she be with someone who ignited her temper so easily? What would sex with him be like? Wild and edgy, she imagined. Her blood surged. What a harebrained thought. Enough of that. Come hell or high water, she had a mission, to get him to sit down with her, very soon, and negotiate a lease.

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