CHRISTMAS IN A NEW TOWN

chapter three

Toni didn't want to keep Eddie waiting so she got up early to water the plants took a shower got dressed have some coffee before going into town he had gave her direction and she got there just about the time they were opening,
Since Eddie would have to wait for Toni to get the things he need to work he thought he would give her a hand with the lawn he put the lawn mower in the Wagon and straps it to the back of the van he brought the cutter as well for  if he's done with the lawn before she made it back he could cut and groom the fencing trees, he dropped Hariel off at school he just went over and started on the lawn it was a good amount of lawn space but his lawn mower was up to speed,
Toni had told Eddie that by eleven she would get back but she stop at the appliance store to get a washing machine for the laundry room it seems her God mother was old fashioned she wash in her basin or maybe she just took it to the laundry mat she noticed an active one in town people were going in and out, she bought a television as well as she likes to watch the news she know it's two weeks but since she's here why not get comfortable,
Twelve twenty she got to the house she noticed Eddie's van at the gate as she was turning in she saw the lawn cut she then saw him sitting on the porch step,
"Hi there" She push her head out grinning at him
"I see you make use of the time you wait" she got down from the van, "I'm sorry I'm late I got everything you wanted"
Eddie got up walking to the van she was now opening the back
"Washing machine?" Eddie question
"I have a lot to laundry if I am to use my hands I won't get done in two weeks, besides the electrician is already here I don't want to call him again when he could just do it with the others"
Eddie lift the the machine to take it down front the van they both take time to lift it in, by himself he  carry the television while she bring something small
They got inside everything to rest in the livingroom
"May I offer you a beer, coffee,  cool ice tea?" Toni asked
"Beer thanks"
Toni went to the kitchen Eddie followed he got to the door look around "nice" he said
"Yeah very nice" Toni said
She hand him the beer
"What's funny everything in here works even the microwave"
"Some appliances are like that they lost for years" Eddie said
"Mmhm" Toni said she took some ice tea for herself and they went into the dinning room since Toni wants to finish up in there he put the lights in first,
"So how is Hariel?" Toni asked
"Hariel is in school" Eddie said
"You did tell her I said hello right?"
"I did" Eddie said he  remember her face when he mentioned Toni saying hello she grinned so widely "so you see you could have brought me over"
He had told her next time but he wasn't going to let her come invade the lady's space,
"There you go mam" Eddie said he switched the light and it came on beautifully,
"Nice" Toni said "thank you"
Eddie nod, "What's next?"
"How about the passage lights upstairs? it's pretty dark there"
"You're afraid of the dark?" Eddie asked
"Not that I'm but I hate the dark"
Eddie chuckle, he picked up his ladder they left the dinning room climbing the stairs they came to a stop in the passage there were three bulbs that was there each needed a new socket and new bulbs Eddie had wrote the things down she got everything he needed nothing short,
Toni watch him as he changed them out in no time thinking how quick he was with his hands and to think he cut a whole lawn, he fix the outside ones to the four corners of the house, it was late evening when he got through the last outside lights, Toni was glad he did that the outside won't be so dark tonight,
"I can offer you something to eat?" Toni asked
Eddie shook his head
"You don't eat from strangers you only drink beer?" She tease with a smile Eddie pause to admire her she really is pretty he felt her hard to resist wonder why it is she have to be married. Toni full eyes blind as she look at him, her sexy pair of lips still curved in a smile,  he want to pull her in and kiss that smile away to left her full of passion that the smile she puts on next would be one of pure pleasure.
"I can eat from a stranger but it's almost dinner time at home I missed dinner with Hariel yesterday so I have  to make up for it"
"I see" Toni said
Eddie nod "I should see to the machine for you so you get to do your laundry"
"Now you'll do it?, I thought you have to get home for dinner"
"I'll get there in time" Eddie said "show me your laundry room I'll start on it"
Toni show him where they push the machine down he was able to fine things in his van to work on it after a hour the machine was ready to be use,
Toni stood close behind him watching him finish up, he was done run the water to fill it up, he stepped back into her almost stepped on her toes he avoid putting his foot down for his boots were heavy she brace her hand to his back he turn to face her "So sorry" he said
"That's fine" Toni said
She didn't know why she was letting herself gain feeling for another man she and her husband are having some marital issues but they're not parting she's only here to give him some space for he's a bit upset because of how things are now, so she didn't want to be feeling any such thing,
"I'm all done, that with the machine so what time tomorrow?"
"I want to go in to town for a rake and a borrow I have to get this lawn clean"
Eddie nod,
"I could leave the key under the mat" Toni said
"You trust me?"
"I trust my instinct"
"And what is that?"
"That you're a nice guy"
Eddie smile he got in his van she watch him drove away shyly smiling to herself,
She fix some noodles for her dinner but since it wasn't yet bed time she finish in the dinning room while she put some things to wash some of the drapes and sheets she threw away for they remain in used for so long they were no longer good for use anymore, but she fresh up the others dry most of them and some she wait to hang out in the morning, it was late when she climb into bed it was only thought of him that kept her awake she picture Eddie's handsome face especially when he smile and his forehead rincle up and his cheek shows his dimples he is absolutely sexy she fornicates with her mind as she think of him it was nothing sexual but she couldn't help the inner feeling that overwhelmed between her thighs,
"Daddy are you going to see Toni again today?" Hariel asked her father had drop her off to school he was about to drove off,
"Yes I have more work to do for her" Eddie said
Hariel smile she turn and left her father Eddie shook his head as he watch her ran off to go inside,
Toni went out early again to gather the things she needs for the house she got more garbage bags and one of those bins the garbage at home was too much for it she thought she could bring them to town the next time she went there,
Eddie let himself in  when he reach Toni's house, the key was under the mat just as she said he has four more rooms to fix the lighting system two needed both switches and lights one a switch the other sockets need changing he got to
it right away
By Toni was done in town and stop to say hello to Dorothy and Hariel as she forgot she goes to school for they haven't gotten off for Christmas break as yet,
"You're looking for Eddie?" Dorothy asked before she knew why she came,
"He said he would be by me early but I had to go out I told him where the key would be so if he's late that's on him" Toni said with a smile,
"Oh so you made arrangements so I'm being nosey that's alright" Dorothy said
They both laugh
"I forgot Hariel would be at school, I wanted to say hello but it was on getting here I remember her father said she is in school"
"Oh yes she'll be off on Wednesday, next Wednesday" Dorothy said today was Wednesday, they will get holiday on the eleventh today was the third of December but around town people were already decorating if it wasn't that she would go away in two weeks she would surely decorate for Christmas too,  when  her husband comes she'll see if he would love to stay for Christmas or maybe next year they'll come up together.
"So what's his favorite what does he eat?" Toni asked after chatting with Dorothy for a while she was telling her about the house and how well Eddie was working
"He can do just about anything" Dorothy said
"So I see" Toni said pausing to wonder if he was good at making love frown at herself for even thinking it, "I might ask him to pave the drive way you think he can do that?"
"I just said he's good at anything" Dorothy said
Toni laugh,
"I better go see how he's doing"
"I'll fix a lunch for you to take for him he love chicken tamale pie why don't I fix you one too"
"Great for I noticed he don't eat from strangers"
Dorothy laugh "I'm sure that's not the case"
"I know he explained" Toni smile she took up a case of beer when Dorothy comes she cash for it for Dorothy didn't let her for the pies or the two cups of coffee, Toni  thank her and left, she left Dorothy smiling,
Eddie was getting thirsty a little hungry too but Toni didn't come he had finish with the lights ran a check they were working now everything fine and he had also exchanged the fan in the living room it was perfectly working now, he clean the pipes to get the water flowing better,  he thought he could start painting the living room for her at the same time he wonder if she got lost or something went wrong, he didn't let that thought sink in he has the feeling she was capable of looking after her own self so he wasn't going to worry too much he got the paints ready he wasn't sure what color it was she wanted but the fancy green was ideal for the living room the blue she got was a outdoor color so he decided on the fancy green he was a far way in the livingroom room when Toni got to the house the scent of paint fill the front yard as she stepped out the van Eddie was still parked and she hurry to see what he was now doing,
He was brushing the corner of the wall near the ceiling when she walk into the house, "I love a man who don't waste time" Eddie startled one of  his foot  slip from the ladder,
Toni ran to him grab the ladder,
"I'm fine" Eddie said
"Please be careful" she said
"Yes mam" Eddie said coming down he was standing facing her,
They stood looking in to each other eyes for a while glue there, Toni forced to move away from him for she was force to kiss him if she heal to that she would definitely be cheating on her husband,
"I brought lunch I know you must be hungry with all that work" she said walking away to go into the kitchen, "Come I'll serve it"
Eddie followed her inside they both wash their hands in the sink rubbing shoulders his muscles didn't look as strong as how they felt she ease  away in order for them not to touch anymore, they sat at the table she open the bag hand him a chicken tamale pie
Eddie look up
"So I realized you don't eat from strangers so I got lunch at your grandmother's I know you won't resist that' and there's coffee and beer"
Eddie smile "thanks"
"You're welcome" she said sitting down, "Thank you too I would have to paint the walls myself and you cut the lawn I will have it ready in the morning when you come, you will  in the morning right?" Toni question
"I'm finish with the lights they're perfect preforming as should" Eddie informed
"And I have fix the water pipe so you should have it flowing a bit better now"
"Oh, yeah you're done, you did that too?"  She asked looking out and about
Eddie nod,
"Wow that was quick, I know you work fast but I was expecting you to be here a little longer" she shrugged
Eddie smile
"Thanks for painting the living room I'm going to do some cleaning right away, but first I have to get my things off the line I'll be right back" she got up leaving her lunch halfway to go to the laundry she took a basket went out bring the things off the line she then came back with a cheque book and a pen, she sat back with him, "How much do I owe you, you take cheque don't you?" She asked
"Yes I take cheque but you don't owe me" Eddie said
"Say what of course I owe you, come on you can't do so much work for nothing, you do have a daughter" Toni said
"My daughter is ok really you don't need to pay me"
Toni flopped down the book on the table she shook her head "You're a  crazy guy" Toni said
Eddie smile,
"Ok so let's say you find yourself in a situation and you need my help call on me ok" she wrote her cell number and gave it to him,
"I should start cleaning I really want to complete everything before I'm to leave"
Eddie nod
She got up he got up as well they went into the living room together Toni was looking around thinking of apoint to start she turn and pumped into him falling against his chest, she brace her palm there and felt the hardness of his nipples she quickly pulled away,
"You need help moving these things around?" Eddie asked
"You'll manage?" Toni asked shakeyly
"The moment you need my help"
Toni smile she nods
They were moving things around,  sweeping and dusting Toni noticed the painting "That's nice" she said
Eddie stopped moving lift himself their backs came in contact he wonder why so much collision is being made it's making him nervous for she's someone else's woman and he can't take advantage of that,
"I didn't try to move it it look heavy that too as if it causes a fortune and I didn't want to cause a problem"
"Fortune or not it's just a painting I couldn't kill you for it"
He smile,
"Let's lift it down together there must be some dust behind it" Toni said
They took there time to do it, it was pretty heavy as he thought it would be both of them could hardly manage
Toni grin "wooh!" She said twisting her arms, "I see what you mean"
"Yeah" Eddie nod he went for the paint and brush to paint it after she dust the wall Toni pick up the broom facing the spot
"Is that what it looks like?" She asked
Eddie turn and saw the small safe he walk to it turn the little nob it opened up Toni widen her eyes
He took out a box
"What's in that?" She asked
"why don't you see?" He hand it to her
Toni took it from him she rest it on the coffee table to open it it came up freely
There was a letter she noticed before she noticed the jewelries inside, it was addressed to her Toni Ann Cameron
"Hello God daughter" it reads, "if you're reading this it means you have came out to visit" she read a loud for Eddie to hear,
"I pray that you're in good health and that all is well with you I hope that all you've received is enough and you'll be comfortable in your home I know you will love it and care for it, you've always been so caring that is why I'm glad to have you as a God daughter your mother has always been proud of you so was I you were a daughter to me as you were to your mother, she was a sister to have, as you were a daughter you deserve to be given the best so I want you to have the best everything I have I give to you for i know how appreciative you are you're such a sweet young woman Toni a God bless child, here is the last of your inheritance  by this I know you're old enough to control all that you have, I love you and will always be watching over you"
Toni look up at Eddie they both  look around the house they both laugh
Toni lift the box lid again she found that  the bag that is inside  contains some jewelries, she  throw them on the table there wasn't more than half a dozen chains with the same amount of bracelets some rings and fancy earrings two watch a silver and a gold,
"Nice" Eddie said
"Very nice you see" Toni said
She picked up the watch to see they still work,  they were both digital watches for men Toni wonder if she had a man from what she heard she never gotten married or have children she figure that they were left for her just like the money for when she got married,
"You like these?" Toni asked showing the watches to Eddie
"They're nice,
"Why not take them?" She asked
"Take them both they're only two of them you won't save one for your husband?"
"He has plenty, he's a good real estate broker he manage at his workplace he's recognized so often and each time he gets a watch"
"I'm sure they ain't anything as these"
"No these are far more expensive but they still has the same purpose, and I'm hoping you'll take them since I can't pay you"
"You can pay me I just won't let you" he said he put the watch in his pocket turn to pick up the paint and brush he quickly apply the small amount of paint on the wall giving it some time to dry Toni dust and wipe the painting they few minutes later hang it back as if it didn't come down,
"Finally it's looking  like a living room" Eddie said when he plugged the television then power it on,
Toni grin, "Thanks to you" she said
"You're welcome, by the way I managed to get the garage door open" he said
Toni open her mouth "you did?"
"I did" Eddie said nodding it was jammed as it's going to need a new lock I took it off the garage door outside needed some greasing for it haven't open  in such a long time"
They went in and look around it was nice like everywhere he press the button on it open up and close,
Toni slap his shoulder and grin "You're amazing" she said
"I know the lock so I'll get it on my way tomorrow, don't expect me too early" Eddie said
Toni nod they left the garage went back to the living room, "I'll see you tomorrow" Eddie said
"I want to give these to Hariel if you allow her to take things from strangers"
Eddie laugh "I might this once"
Toni nod she took his hand open it up and placed the pretties chain and bracelet she go in the box and a pair of earring,
"You're giving her the best one you got?" He asked
"Take it and kiss her for me" she was still holding on to hiss palm she lift her head meet his lips and kissed him she pulled back let him go then step away, "I'm sorry" she said but haven't she wanted to do that"
Eddie nod sucked his lips he turn and left her standing there, he was driving away when she come out  to the porch he watch her through the rear view as he drove away
Toni sigh lifting her head she wondered what got in to her to let her do that but admit his kiss was sweet and tasty.