Page 11 of Built of Illusions

Josie gave them the address as Nico joined them. She gave herself a mental shake. These three men had taken time out of their weekend to help her and she’d just made the assumption that they would be snobs about her new place. She was the one with the problem. Mentally shoving the chip off her shoulder, she thanked them again.

Nico put his hand on the small of her back as the others moved to their trucks. The tingles warmed her and had nerves bouncing at the same time.

Once again, Nico opened the door for her and then rounded the car. He input the address into the GPS and started their parade across town.

“Why did you pay Paul and Juan?”

He grinned. “The two kids? They were drooling over the car, so I gave them a few bucks to make sure no one messed with it.”

It should have embarrassed her that she lived in an area where he had to pay to protect his car, but it made her laugh. “They’d love that. Good choice. They’re solid kids and the money will go to new shoes or sports equipment, not drugs.”

As they neared her new house, Josie’s excitement grew. Her emotions had kept her up most of the night. Joy about her home. Worries about the mortgage. Sadness for those women on the board at the FBI. Anger at the man she’d drawn. Fear because she now lived in a single home without the safety of neighboring apartments.

In the daylight, it was easier to push away the negative emotions and focus on the joy. And on the attraction building between her and Nico. She’d never thought her interest was reciprocated, but things had felt different yesterday. And that difference was evident again today.

Nico’s voice broke into her thoughts. “I’m guessing it’s the one with the sold sign?”

“It is.” She leaned forward in her seat as he pulled up in front. The blue siding and the shiny windows sparkled in the sun. Josie was out of the door almost before Nico stopped the car. Roman had been right. This was her own little castle and she couldn’t be happier.

Nico arrived beside her on the sidewalk. His arm landed on her shoulder and he squeezed her into his side. “Congratulations, Josie. This looks like a great place.”

She leaned in and squeezed him back. “It’s going to be. It’s exactly what I’ve always wanted.”

The other two men parked and congratulated her as well. No one looked disdainful or snobby, making her glad she’d kicked the chip off her shoulder.

Nico gestured to the front door. “Why don’t you show us the place and we can get an idea what to bring in first?”

She grinned and opened the door, feeling the excitement flood into her all over again. Hers. Contentment filled her as she walked the rooms and ran her fingers over the surfaces.

While the men moved outside to get the first load, she whispered to the empty space. “I’m going to take good care of you. We’re going to have a good time together.”

It didn’t take long to unload the trucks and place her furniture in the right places. Her bed had almost filled the bedroom, but she didn’t care about that.

Joe brought in the last box and stacked it with the others. “Where’s the TV?”

Josie laughed. “I don’t own one.”

Three shocked faces looked back at her, making her laugh again. “I don’t have time for TV. Help me open these and you’ll see why.”

Her table was soon set up with her sculpting materials, her easels sat where they could get the best light. Her paints took up the island. The shelves held her sketchpads, charcoals, and pencils.

Soon, she had curtains on the windows and a few of her favorite sketches and photographs on the walls.

A knock on the door brought her first visitor. The pizza delivery guy. She hadn’t planned on having helpers, so she’d had no food ready. Pizza was an easy, if expensive, solution. She tipped the delivery guy and cleared some space on the table for the pizza. “Sit. Eat. I can’t thank you enough for your help today. This would have taken me weeks.”

Joe lifted a piece of pizza in salute. “Any time, Josie. You call and we’ll be there.”

Roman nodded and Nico lifted an eyebrow in a told-you-so smirk.

After they’d eaten, Josie stood to collect the pizza boxes and the inevitable coupons and flyers that came with them. Nico grabbed one that had fluttered to the ground. “Wait, is this a souvenir of yours?”

Josie looked at the postcard of a covered wagon. It was a new blank one with no writing on it. “Abilene, Texas? Nope. Other than Vermont over the holidays, I’ve never left the state.”

Nico gave her one of his mini-frowns, but she didn’t let it bother her. Not everyone who had money traveled, never mind people who didn’t have excess.

She grabbed the postcard and stuck it in the pile for recycling. “Thanks again for everything. I really appreciate your help. Now, go on before I take up anymore of your weekend.”

Joe leaned over and hugged her. “Great new place, Josie. Happy to help anytime.”

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