“You need someone to hold that ladder for you,” he called up.
“Huh? Oh, probably. Since you’re here, would you brace it for me?” Maggie called down, inching farther out on the branch. “I hate cleaning this up. They could have at least used the more expensive paper instead of this cheap stuff.”
She grabbed a handful and tossed it down, barely missing his head.
“What happened here?” He asked, keeping a close eye on her as she was perched precariously on the limb, reaching up to the next one.
“Don’t tell me you don’t remember doing this kind of stuff when you were younger.”
“I take the fifth on that. We only did it if we were really ticked at someone,” he told her.
“Well, if that’s the case, I really pissed someone off. Uh!” Maggie grunted, stretching up.
“Careful. You don’t want to lose your footing.”
“I know. That would be hilarious. I can see the headlines now: ‘Woman falls from tree while getting toilet paper.’ Whoever did this would love it!”
She stretched a bit too much and started to lose her balance. Squeaking in fear, she quickly grabbed hold of the branch overhead. Slowly, she made her way back to the trunk of the massive oak. She carefully climbed down a couple of branches to reach the ladder. Kevin steadied the ladder, feeling her shake as she climbed down.
“That was a little too close. I wish I could punish them for this,” she told him, getting her bearings on land again.
“Do you know who did it?”
“I think so. Probably Eric, the one I gave the report to. Usually when this happens, they come by to help clean it up the next morning. He must really hate me now!” She laughed. “What are you doing here?”
“I was just out driving by and noticed you climbing that ladder. Looked like you needed some help,” he told her, grinning.
“Thanks. You really aren’t from around here, are you? Oh, well, that’s all right. It’s always nice to see a new face,” she smiled at him, her face radiating friendliness.
Kevin decided he liked this person. She acted like she never met a stranger. Already, he felt like he was a life-long friend of hers.
“Well, thanks again,” Maggie told him. “But, if you will excuse me, I’ve got some work to do. Owning a house comes with a lot of responsibilities!”
“What are you going to do?” He asked, leaning against the tree.
“Nosy bugger, aren’t you?” She laughed again. “I’ve got to clean out the stupid rain gutters and rake the leaves in the yard. I love my trees, but they are just shedding too soon this year. And that means I’ve got to keep up with them.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if your husband did it or at least helped you?” He ventured, wondering how she would answer. The boy in the grocery store yesterday had called her “Miss” but most students called their teachers that.
“That’s a hoot,” she snorted, grabbing the ladder from beside him. “If I had a husband, he sure wouldn’t be out here on a Saturday. This is the season for widows-football widows. Around here, college football is right up there with church on Sunday, an institution. And if you actually miss a game to do something meaningful, like yard work, it’s basically a sin. Guess that makes me a blasphemer!”
Kevin laughed, taking long strides to catch up with her. He grabbed the end of the ladder that was dragging the ground. She turned around and grinned lopsidedly, shaking her head.
“You look like you have a lot to do here. Maybe I could help,” he offered.
She placed both hands on her hips. Her gray sweats fit loose on her, as did the oversized T-shirt. He noticed the screenprint on it was of a college team.
“Roll Tide?” He asked, reading it.
“Well, just because I’m not inside watching it doesn’t mean I’m not a fan,” she told him. “I have never had anyone ask to help me in my yard before. Thank you for offering, but I think I can handle it.”
“I really don’t mind. In fact, I think I’d like it. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything like this. I’m not trying to be forward or anything. Don’t take it like that. I just don’t have anything else to do.”
“Great! I’m a second choice to doing nothing. How wonderful! If you’re really serious, take these gloves,” she said, tossing an extra pair at him. She eyed him, sizing him up. “Your arms are a lot longer than mine. I’m kind of scared of heights.”
“So I guess my job is to clean the rain gutters,” he said, propping the ladder against the house. “I can handle that.”
They worked for the biggest part of the afternoon, making small talk as the day wore on. It was nearly four o’clock when Maggie felt a pang of hunger.
“I didn’t realize it was so late,” she said, sitting on the front steps next to Kevin. She swiped her gloved hand across her face, leaving a trail of smudge. “You’re welcome to some lunch. Well, it being this time, it’s more like supper.”
“Oh, that’s all right,” he told her, glancing at his watch. “You probably have other things you need to do besides entertain.”
“Who said anything about entertaining? I only mentioned sandwiches,” she said, playfully swatting him with her gloves. “Tell you what, you can go on in and wash up in the guest bathroom. No one ever comes by to use it. I’ve got the nice towels out for no reason.”
He stood up with her. Looking down, he smiled. I could be an axe murderer, he thought, and she’d still welcome me in. Then again, she could be an axe murderer. Live life dangerously, Richardson, he told himself, following her in the house.
Kevin suddenly found himself being charged at by two large dogs. They were barking like they could chew him up in one second flat.
“Dusti! Thunder!” Maggie scolded at the dogs. They slowed their run, shaking all over in excitement.
“Are they dangerous?” He asked, casting a cautious eye at the canines.
“Not unless you are afraid of being licked to death. They put up a big front, but that’s it. Come on, you two, outside!” She said, opening the door in the kitchen to the back yard. “Bathroom’s down the hall, second door on your right.”
Kevin returned a few minutes later, his face still damp from the water he had splashed on it. She excused herself to wash up. He looked around the kitchen. She had an apple theme going, very country in style. Somehow, it fit her.
Maggie returned and began making the sandwiches. She chatted with him in the process.
“What brings you to this hole in the wall?”
“My car.”
She chuckled. “I figured that. You know what I meant.”
“Yeah. I don’t really know. I was driving and stopped for the night. Something about this place said to stay. Thank you,” he told her as she set the plate before him.
“Help yourself to whichever kind of chips you want,” she said. “By the way, since we’re supping together, I’m Maggie Martin.”
“I’m Kevin…Scott,” he said, still not wanting to be himself.
“Oh. Are you any relation to the Scotts in town? Visiting the kinfolk, huh?”
“Mmm, no. I guess you could say I’m on a break from work and just getting away from it all.”
“A sabbatical, then? Wish I could do that. Oh, wait, that’s what summer vacation is supposed to be,” she told him, smiling.
“Sabbatical? I like that. Yeah, that’s what it is,” he agreed.
“What do you do that you need a break from?”
He realized he was caught. What could he say?
“I’m in the music business.” That sounded good. It was true without too much detail.
“Oh. Is it that stressful?” She asked, interested.
“Sometimes. Here lately, more than ever it seems. Sometimes you just have to get away.”
“I understand,” Maggie told him.
She eyed him suspiciously. Am I busted now, he wondered?
“What?” He asked.
“You normally don’t wear a beard, do you?”
“No,” he answered cautiously. “Why?”
“Because I can tell. If you’re going to wear a full beard, you need to thin it out a little around the mouth. Usually a goatee kind of guy, aren’t you?”
“Mmm, yeah,” he answered, running a hand along his new growth.
“I think you should go with a full beard. Somehow, I can’t picture you with a goatee. Not too fond of those, really,” she told him, taking a drink of lemonade.
“Why not? I like them.”
“It’s stupid, but it has something to do with their origin. If I knew you better, I’d tell you about it. Besides, not everyone can pull off wearing one.”
“Well, lots of people think I can,” he told her indignantly.
She widened her eyes in mischief. “Good for them. I just don’t like goatees. On anyone!”
He laughed at the earnestness in her voice. She joined in, standing up to clear the table.
“Is there anything else you need help with?” He asked, stretching his long legs out.
“Nah. Thank you so much for what you did! Sorry I couldn’t offer you more than a sandwich in payment.”
“That was more than enough. Anyway, you gave me some fashion advice. That was well worth the sludge in the rain gutters.”
She walked him to the door. He turned to face her. Or, at least towards her to look down at her.
“Maybe I’ll see you around,” he asked, a somewhat hopeful look on his face.
“Maybe,” she answered coyly, leaving him to wonder.
As he backed out of her driveway, Maggie noticed her neighbor across the street staring at her. Yep, she thought, that’s a good one for the ol’ rumor mill--single teacher has strange man in house. She waved wildly, trying to be even more obnoxious than her neighbor already thought she was.