Sweet Beginning (5 page)

On my day off, I decided to finish up some shopping. I had
to figure out what I was going to get Jaylah for Christmas. I wanted to make it
special. I have put her through alot these last six months and it's not going
to be any better for awhile. 

She has so much on her plate right now. Her dad was
diagnosed with Colon Cancer seven years ago. He is still battling it today. 
Her mom had Breast Cancer about nine years ago. Thank god she is doing well.
Jaylah puts on a strong front for everyone else, but she needs a break from
it. 

I have been thinking a small vacation would be nice, for
both of us. Jaylah's Canadian, her dad was in the Air Force and met her mom
there. A trip to Toronto for a weekend, is the trip for us.

I pull into the travel agents office, to figure out my
options. I could do the research online myself but I never seem to have the
time. Our friend Mary from high school owns the place, I know she will give me
the best deal. I tell what I want to do and my budget. She works out the
details and tells me she will mail me my packet. 

I am so excited to give this present to Jaylah. We are going
the weekend after New Year's. It's something we both need.

I get into my car feeling happy, which I haven't felt in a
long time. I put my key in the ignition, nothing happens. I try to turn it over
again, then again.

"Are you kidding me right now?!" I say to myself. 
I try a couple more times and it finally turns over.  I call my dad right away.

 "Hello baby, how are you?" he answers. 

"I'm ok dad.  I was calling because my car almost
didn't start. It took me a couple of tries. Can I drop it off to have you look
at it?" 

"Sure, but I'm not there right now. Wyatt's there, I
will have him look at it for you.  Let me call him." he replies

"Thanks,"I say and we hang up.

I start the driving to my dad's shop and think about my
luck. Just when I was finally feeling happy and things were looking up. How can
this be happening now. Its a short drive, I pull into "Tom's Auto Repair
Shop" and park my car in front.

I always get a warm feeling pulling up to my dad's shop. I
had my first job here answering phones and ringing up customers. Dan and Rick
are like uncle's to me, they are great guys. The shop is a small brick
building, attached to a large garage. The garage can hold up to six cars
inside. There is a fenced lot behind it, for the tow truck and any cars that
can't be put in the garage. The office is small, with a large window looking
out to the small parking lot in front of it.  My dad put some chairs along the
wall in front of the window for customers to wait. A computer is on the counter
and a tv hangs in the corner, in case customers want to watch.

I walk into the front office and ring the bell on the
counter, it rings in the garage, so they know someone is here. My dad has
talked a lot about Wyatt, he really likes this guy. I wish Rick or Dan were
here, so I didn't have to deal with some new guy. But f course, they are all
gone for the day. I turn around and am looking out the window waiting.

"Can I help you?"  I hear from behind me.

I turn around and have to catch my jaw from dropping. Holy
shit, this guy is HOT, he reminds me of Anson Mount, from "Hell on
Wheels." I mean seriously, DIRTY HOT. He has dark brown wavy hair that is
shoulder length and pulled back off his face. He has a beard, and beautiful
blue eyes, that you can get lost in. He has smudges of grease on his face, that
my fingers twitch to touch. I realize all I have done is stare at this guy not
saying a word.

I clear my throat and say, "Hi, I'm Tom's daughter,
Anne.  You must be Wyatt." I walk up and shake his hand. He wipes his hand
on his pants, before reaching to take mine. When our hands touch, I get shivers
up my spine. I pull my hand away quickly.

He smiles at me and says, "Tom said to take a look at
your car. Is it that one in front?" 

"Yeah, here are my keys. It didn't want to start,"
I answer.

He takes my keys and his hand brushes mine. I get that
shiver again. He walks outside and I get to see the back of him.  Wow, he has a
nice ass, too.  Oh my god, what am I thinking.  I really need to stop, I'm
still married technically.

I follow him out and he gets behind the wheel, of my 2008
Dodge Caliber. We bought it new, when I was pregnant with Shannon. It was my
first new car, and I am very attached to it. He tries to start it, nothing.  He
pops the hood, gets out and turns to me. 

"Try starting it when I tell you."

I nod and watch him walk around to the front and look at the
engine.

He yells, "Okay, try it."

I turn the key, and it trys to turn over, but won't start. I
get out and walk up to him.

He looks over to me, "Well, it looks like we will have
to keep your car."

I sigh,  "Great, I knew it. Thanks for looking at
it."

We walk back into the office. I set my spare key on the
counter and  pull out my phone.

"I will just call to get a ride." I say.

Wyatt looks at me and says, "I can give you a ride, I
was finishing things up waiting for you.  That's if you want." 

I feel like a teenager, I wanted to jump up and down and
scream, HELL YES. I smile and say "That would be great, thanks."

I watch as he closes up the shop, making sure everthing is
locked and all the lights are turned off. When he is done, I follow him out to
his pick-up truck.

I jump in, feeling all giddy like a teenager. I don't know
if I have ever felt like this around a guy, not even Kyle. I guess I always
felt so comfortable around Kyle, even when we first met. I watch him hop in and
he looks over to me. 

"So, where am I taking you?" he asks.

God, he has a beautiful smile. I would like to do more with
those lips... wait what? I shake my head.  I smile back, "To my shop,
Sweet Pleasures. I live in the apartment above it."

He turns back in his seat, I see the hint of a smile on his
lips. He starts his pick up truck.  "Is that the bakery on Main
Street?"

"Yeah. I own it with my friend Jaylah."

We don't talk much more. I try stealing glances at him
without being a creeper.  "So Wyatt, how do you like Richmond?" I
ask.

He looks over at me and gives me another of his smiles. I
mean seriously, how can someone be that fucking hot! I feel myself blush at my
thoughts and I try to hide my face.

"It's been nice. Tom is a great guy. I am so grateful
he hired me." he says as we pull up to the shop.

I am disappointed the ride is over. "Thanks for the
ride, it was really nice meeting you."

 He smiles, "You too. I hope to see you again." 

That smile could melt ice, I swear.  I feel giddy again that
he hopes to see me. Snap out of it, he is only a man....One HOT man, but a man.
I turn and wave as I walk into the shop. 

I still have a stupid smile on my face as I wave to Jaylah.
I walk towards the back to get to the stairs. I hear someone call my name
behind me.

"Anne, ANNE," Wyatt yells. 

I turn to see Wyatt jogging towards me. I smile, before I
can wonder why he is calling me. 

"Hey, you left your purse in my truck.  Here." he
says, as he hands it to me.

"Ttthanks," I stammer out. 

"Wow, this place is really nice. I have been meaning to
come in here." he says, as he looks around.

I see Jaylah eyeing me and smiling. Thank god Wyatt is
facing me, she is hanging over the counter to look at him. She gets a shit
eating grin on her face and mouths "Nice Ass."

I chuckle, "Thanks." I reply, as I look away from
Jaylah and into his eyes.

"Sorry, would you like a coffee? It's on the
house."

He looks over his shoulder to see Jaylah hanging over the
counter, he laughs. "That would be great."

I walk behind the counter and start to make him a coffee.
Jaylah comes to stand next to me.

"Who the hell is that, he is fucking HOT!" she
whispers.

"I know right, that's Wyatt, he works for my dad."
I whisper, back.

I turn around, to see him looking at all the sweets. I walk
down and give him his coffee. "I hope you like carmel latte's, did you
want a dessert to go with it?"

He looks through the case more and says, "The coffee is
great, surprise me.  It all looks great, I don't think I could choose."

He smiles again.  I box up one of our famous cream puffs and
hand it to him.  "Thanks again for the ride."

He winks at me. Jaylah jabs me in the ribs, because again I
am staring at him. 

"Oh, this is Jaylah, my best friend and partner. Jaylah
this is Wyatt, he works for my dad. My car is at the shop and he gave me a ride
home." I say to each of them.

He gave me a ride home. I swear I sound like
"Baby" from Dirty Dancing, when she says, "I carried a
watermelon." 

"Thanks for the goodies. Good-bye," he says and
waves.

"Good-bye," I reply and Jaylah waves. We both
stare at him as he leaves.

As soon as he is out the door, I start breathing again. I
hadn't realized that I was holding my breath. Jaylah looks at me and starts
laughing hysterically.

"What?" She keeps laughing and shakes her head. 
"What JayJay?"

"Wow, Anne. I have never seen you drool over a guy like
that. Don't get me wrong, that man is HOT, he is some nice DIRTY HOT." she
says still laughing.

I start laughing. "He was nice, that's all. I'm not
even divorced yet."

"I wasn't saying anything about you going out with this
guy. But obviously you were thinking it."

"Whatever, JayJay. I need to go upstairs and take a
shower." God, I hate that she can read me so well. 

"I'm sure you do after being in such a small space with
Wyatt." she yells after me,  with a laugh. 

"God JayJay!" I say as I  throw a towel at her. I
hurry and run upstairs before Jaylah can say anything else.

~~~

Wyatt

God, I hope I didn't make an ass out of myself. When Tom
told me his daughter was dropping by with her car, I had no idea. She is
beautiful, long brown curly hair pulled into a pony tail. But her eyes are a
something you could drown in, they are such a beautiful blue.

I was thankful that I couldn't get her car to start. I know
that sounds so juvenile. But I wanted to drive her home. I almost fist pumped
the air, like a teenager when she said yes. I have never acted like this when
I've met a woman before.

When we get in my pick up, I swear I could feel electricity
between us. I keep trying to steal glances at her. I caught her looking at me a
couple of times. We talked a little before we pull in front of "Sweet
Pleasures." It was too fast of a ride, I want to talk to her more. I give
her a big smile, that I hope it doesn't come off creepy. God, I'm acting like I
have never been around a beautiful woman before.

I watch her walk into the shop, I look down before I drive
off and notice her purse. Yes, this gives me a reason to go in after her.
Again, what is wrong with me.

I walk into the bakery, I notice she is going in the back
and I yell out her name. When she turns around, I see a big smile come across
her face. Is it me or does she feel something between us too. She thanks me and
offers me some coffee. If it keeps me talking to her, then yes.

I catch the girl behind the counter looking at me and I
laugh. I watch Anne as we walk to the counter, she is breathtaking. I look at
all the goodies, so that I am not standing there drooling over her. The baked
goods all look good, yet I'd rather taste how sweet Anne's lips are. 

What is wrong with me. I really haven't dated much, since my
divorce to Lynn. She burned me bad, that I really don't want any kind of
relationship. That's why I moved down here, nobody knows me. Yet I feel there
is something different about Anne.

I look up to see the other women behind the counter eyeing
me up and down. Anne turns, hands me a coffee.

"I hope you like carmel latte's, did you want a dessert
to go with it?"  she asks. 

I don't want anything but her. "The coffee is great,
surprise me.  It all looks great, I don't think I could choose." I reply
quickly, before I say something stupid.

I see the two of them whispering as she boxes up a cream
puff. She turns and hands me the box. The other woman jabs her in the side.

"Oh, this is Jaylah, my best friend and partner. Jaylah
this is Wyatt, he works for my dad.  My car is at the shop and he gave me a
ride home." she says, as an introduction.

From the look on Jaylah, I feel that she can see right
through me. She keeps smiling and looking between us. I decide its time to
leave, before I make an ass out of myself.

I say my good-bye and head to my truck. I swear I can feel
them watching me as I go.

~~~

I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I kept seeing those
blue eyes and that beautiful smile. How can one meeting get me so worked up and
acting like this? I rub the sleep from my eyes, roll out of bed and head for
the shower.

The ride into work is filled with me thinking of Anne. I
don't know this woman, I really need to stop this. On top of that, she is my
boss' daughter. I pull into the shop and park.

I walk in to see Tom at the counter.

"Good Morning, Tom."  I greet him.

He looks up from the computer and says, "Good Morning.
Hey thanks again for helping Anne. I see her car is still here."

I nod and say, "Yeah I couldn't get it started. I
figure its the starter. I can get started on it if you like."

"That would be great."

I nod, again and walk into the back to punch in for the day.
I really wanted to pick his brain about Anne. But how do you ask a man about
his daughter, without offending him? I have to learn more about her. Maybe I
will ask Rick or Dan, they have been working for Tom for about seventeen years.
I shake my head at myself for thinking like this. I better get to work.