“I saw a spark in his eyes when he asked if you were okay.” Kate sipped her coffee. “I may be old, honey, but not that old.”
“He said, ‘are you both okay?’” Jasmine corrected. “He is just a nice man. I admit he is very attractive. Men that good looking know it and are what I call man whores.”
Kate burst out laughing and set her cup down on the table. She shook her head and looked at her niece. “You young people today. Man whore. Is that a real term?”
Jasmine nodded seriously, resisting the urge to laugh. “Sure, is Aunt Kate. I have met plenty of them. They are everywhere. I am sure if I get to know Drake he will be one of those ‘playing the field’ type, the ‘I will never settle with one woman’ type. No, thanks. My next man is going to be a mature man who is ready to settle down and be a real man, not a playboy.”
“Well, that’s smart, dear.” Her aunt smiled, putting her cup in the sink. She leaned against it. She was already dressed for the day in a green dress with short sleeves and a chunky gold necklace. Her short hair was pulled away by a green headband. She looked tired but Jasmine wanted her aunt to stay busy. Kate had admitted she spent most days sitting at home thinking of her husband.
“We should get breakfast in town and go see the store. I shudder to see what damage was done. I have some valuable pieces in there. I will call my friend Linda. Her son owns a tow truck business. He will go and get your car for you.” Kaye grabbed h
er purse and started looking for her car keys.
Jasmine had already showered and was dressed in a light blue summer dress with no sleeves. It was already hot and humid. All she had to do was pull her hair up into a ponytail. Jasmine stood up and grabbed a brush out of her purse. It was too hot for makeup but she added a gloss to her lips. What if she ran into Drake again? Should she just ignore the attraction she was feeling? She was hesitant to get involved with another man again. Grant had really hurt her and she felt ashamed of herself for letting it go on so long and for how blind she had been. She couldn’t take that kind of risk again. She had to keep her mind on business.
“Let’s go, Aunt Kate. I am feeling like it’s going to be a good day.”
* * * *
Kate’s store was located on the main road of town. It was a large red brick building with plenty of windows that were currently broken or cracked. A large dented green metal trashcan stood in front of the doorway upside down. A lot of the trees had lost their leaves and trash was scattered all over the streets and sidewalks. Jasmine moved the trashcan aside.
“Oh wow, Kate, I love these old-fashioned lanterns standing on each side of the door. What an elegant touch.” Jasmine took a look around. The street was different from last night and not because the sun was shining. People and cars were everywhere. Men were up on the poles restoring power and a few deputies were directing traffic. She was disappointed Drake was not one of them but maybe that was better. She did not need the temptation or the hassle. Men were off limits, she reminded herself.
Despite the damage to the businesses, the town had a charming, welcoming feel to it. Jasmine felt good about her decision to relocate here to Red Hook. She felt lighter already. Sometimes new beginnings were good.
“Oh boy. My insurance company is not going to be very happy,” Kate sighed, opening the huge front door. “Luckily these windows on the front door are fine. They are so thick they would be expensive to replace.”
“I imagine all the insurance companies are going to have their hands full today.” Jasmine followed her aunt into the store. Besides pieces of broken glass, there wasn’t much damage inside the store. The furniture stood intact.
“Thank goodness, the inside looks fine.” Kate took a good look around. She showed Jasmine her favorite pieces of antique furniture and some old vases. Jasmine was excited about the prospect of helping out in such a wonderful store. She had so many ideas already beginning in her head. She turned the radio on, grabbed a broom and trash can, and started the cleaning process. Several people Kate knew stopped in and checked to make sure they were okay and didn’t need help. Jasmine met so many people already. Everyone was willing to lend a hand and Jasmine found it touching.
Kate went to check on her friend Louise, who owned a clothes store down the block.
“Louise is recently divorced,” Kate had told her before leaving. “She has no family here so I just want to see her and make sure she is okay. She has no one else.”
The bell above the door rang. Drake walked in with another deputy. The other deputy was taller than Drake with huge muscles and a dark tattoo peeking out of his short shirt sleeve. He looked a little mean but Jasmine tried not to react. Both were dressed in khaki uniforms.
Drake looked around the store. Jasmine had cleaned most of it up already. “It’s not too bad in here.”
“We were lucky,” Jasmine admitted, leaning the broom against a glass case. “Kate went to check on Louise Nelson down the street. Kate was worried about her.”
“Most people are dealing with broken windows and some signs were torn off the buildings. A few buildings lost part of their roofs but it could have been worse,” Drake informed her. He looked so handsome in his uniform and dark shades. Jasmine tried not to stare but it was hard.
Jasmine looked at the big, quiet man standing next to Drake with curiosity. His brown hair was cut short in a military-style cut. He looked to be in his mid-thirties.
“This is Deputy Matthew Smith.” Drake made the introduction.
Jasmine stepped up bravely to shake his hand, looking into his green eyes. “I’m Kate’s niece, Jasmine.”
He seemed really scary until he smiled at her. His features looked much friendlier with a smile on his face.
“Nice to meet you, Jasmine. I remember how it felt to be new in town,” he said kindly. “If you need anything let me know.”
“Everyone here is so nice.” Jasmine smiled back at him. “I thought I would feel awkward being the new girl in a small town.”
Matt laughed. It was a deep booming sound. “Anytime you have a break from work and want to hang out, just give me a call. I know Kate can be a slave driver. I have worked for her a few times moving furniture around.”
“Now quit telling tall tales, Matthew. I gave you a two-minute break.” Kate walked back into the store, hearing his statement. She patted Matt’s big arm, not at all intimidated by the big man. Jasmine relaxed more. He couldn’t be so bad if her aunt liked him.