The Crossing Trilogy

Chapter 12

12

A pounding on the door drew Sydney out of a deep sleep. She groaned and rolled over to see the clock. The time read nine thirty in the morning. What? She dragged herself out of bed and padded bare foot to the door. Jessie was standing on the stoop with two large take-out coffees.

“Sorry, Jess. I slept in.”

Jessie handed her a cup and followed her back inside. “No wonder. We moved a lot of stuff into the farmhouse yesterday. But we still have time to get you out of here and make the delivery of your furniture at eleven this morning.”

Sydney curled up in the easy chair and sipped her coffee. “I'm happy I was able to get most of the furniture at the same store. All I need is the right dining table to seat my residence clients. Big enough for twelve people. I want old country, something in pine. So far I've only found ones in French or Italian. Too ornate and not comfy looking. But the country style sets I've seen are too small.”

“You'll find it.”

Sydney powered through her coffee and stood. “I'd best get in the shower so we can get out of here.”

Jessie looked around the cabin. “What's left to go from here? I'll pack up your car.”

“That suitcase and the boxes by the door. Leave the overnight bag on the table. I'll finish packing it after my shower.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later, Sydney checked out of the cabin and headed to the farmhouse with Jessie following her. Bubbling over with excitement, she couldn't wait to get in and start setting up the rooms. The farmhouse renos were complete inside and the crew were now working on the residence building. She parked off to one side of the driveway and Jessie followed behind her, leaving room for the delivery truck to park by the porch steps. Sydney climbed out of the car.

Jax rounded the opposite side of the farmhouse with a wave and a huge grin. “Welcome home.”

“Hey. I can't believe I'm here for good.”

He joined the girls at the rear of Sydney's car to help carry in the boxes. Sydney climbed the stairs to the porch carrying a suitcase. She stopped and sniffed the air. “Is that smell of smoke coming from the Washington State fire?”

Jax pointed to the southwest. “Yup, the Cascades fire. The winds changed direction and the smoke is funneling right through the valley. It's still ten miles south of the Canadian border but there are concerns about it heading our way.

Sydney followed his gaze. In the far distance she could see what looked like smog covering the tops of the hills. “We're only about ten miles from the border. That's scary.”

“There's a community meeting in town tonight at the community hall. The fire officials were in Osoyoos last night.”

Jessie passed them both carrying a box. “I guess we better go to it then.”

Sydney followed her. She got busy unpacking her clothes and putting her toiletries in the bathroom. She'd tried to shake off the unease she felt about the fire. Once the delivery truck arrived with her furniture, all else was forgotten. She and Jessie had already decided where each piece should go and the delivery men had the living room done in no time. The men even set the beds up for her. Jax and his crew had installed the window blinds and draperies yesterday.

The girls spent the next thirty minutes in her Nan's bedroom making the bed and rearranging dressers until they were satisfied with the look.

“Your Nan is going to love this room. The greens warm up the room and that white electric fireplace opposite the bed is such a cosy touch.”

Sydney took in the whole room, from the white pine furniture, to the slate green walls with the jade sea grass wall paper behind the headboard. Her gaze fell on the window. “I had Jax build a bench in the bay window and the olive green cushion and throw pillows will give her a place to sit and read. But in case she doesn't like the bench, I bought the easy chair.” They'd set it up beside the window so her Nan could look out the window or look at the fireplace.” Sydney smiled and nodded her head in satisfaction.

“Let's go outside and eat the picnic lunch I brought. Then we'll go create your room. I haven't even seen what you bought for the master bedroom,” Jessie said.

They ate by the lake but didn't dally. In no time, they were back in the house and busy at work. An hour later they were finished in the master bedroom. This room was a dream.

“I love the old country flavour. What do you call this bedroom set?” Jessie asked.

“It's pioneer in burnished pine. The donkey beige shade is perfect.”

The walls were painted champagne. The headboard wall was done in a burnt orange.

“I have to hand it to you. When you told me plum and orange were your colours…ouch. I couldn't see it. But the headboard covers most of the burnt orange wall. And the deep plum bedspread with some burnt orange throw pillows, and abstract plums and beiges…wow! Your room is a showcase piece.”

“Thanks. It took me forever to find the field stone fireplace. I didn't want white or the dark wood. The beige stone is perfect. All I need are some paintings for the walls, otherwise both bedrooms are done.”

They headed to the kitchen. As they passed the empty middle bedroom, Jessie stopped. “What are you doing with this room?”

“It's going to be a guest bedroom.”

“Great idea.”

Jessie and Sydney went to tackle the kitchen next. By dinnertime they were finished with the kitchen and bathrooms. They were relaxing in Sydney's new living room when Jax joined them.

“Wow…this looks inviting. Mind if I wander around and see what you've done?”

“Fill your boots. But you're on your own. We're resting our tired feet.,” Sydney said.

A few minutes later, he was back and sat on the fireplace hearth. “Don't want to sit on the new furniture in my work clothes. I love what you're doing with the place. It's really coming together.”

“You gave me something awesome to work with. We're a great team.” With that said, Sydney and Jax held each other's gaze long enough that Jessie cleared her throat and broke through the silence. “Earth to star gazers.”

Sydney blushed and Jax laughed. “We're cutting it short today so we can all attend the fire meeting. I was going to order pizza as a congratulatory gesture; your first night in your new home and all that but we don't have time.”

“Aw…nice gesture though,” Sydney said.

Jax stood. “I need to get home and shower. I'll see you at the hall at eight o'clock.”

“We'll be there,” Sydney said. She watched him leave the house and turned to Jessie who was studying her with a raised eyebrow. “What?”

“You two. Something's going on with you both.”

“No there isn't.” Sydney gave her a defiant stare.

“Oh come on. Jax has never looked at a girl the way he looks at you. Mr. 'Play it Cool' and you, Miss 'I Don't Want a Relationship' are into each other.”

“I don't want to complicate my life and he only likes me because I haven't jumped into bed with him yet. I have no intention of being another one of his girls.”

“Brian told me he caught you two kissing the other week. Don't you dare try to deny it.”

Sydney opened her mouth and promptly shut it. She didn't know what to say.

Jessie laughed. “I think the two of you are in over your heads. You just don't know it yet. It's bigger than you both of you. You'll see.”

“It? What does that mean…it?”

Jessie shrugged. “Love, romance, l**t…you'll know soon enough.”

Sydney stood and stretched her aching legs. Time to change the subject. 'I'm going to shower in my new en suite. You can use the main bathroom if you like. Shall we eat in town before the meeting?”

“Sure.” Jessie yelled out as Sydney headed to the bedroom. “But remember, you can't wash away those sinful thoughts.”

Sydney thought about that as she undressed and smiled to herself. Good thing Jess can't read my thoughts.