Again with the chuckle. Dixon’s face lit up brighter than a sparkler at sunset. “And you would know, wouldn't you." His eyes twinkled. "Starla Bishop, what is it going to take for you to trust me?” His huge-ass grin grew wider. “Since the moment we’ve met you’ve had it in your head that I’m not to be trusted, and yet, I haven’t done a single thing to prove that. I’ve given you a job, an advance and now an apartment, so your mom doesn’t have to drive you here every day. I know I promised a vehicle after three months, but I’m working on getting it to you sooner. I’m here to help you, that’s it.”
Mom nudged the side of my thigh with her finger. It was one of those take-notice nudges.
“You’ll have to forgive her,” Mom spoke up. “She’s not used to trusting people right off the bat.”
I coughed, my way of telling Mom I didn't need her to speak for me. I wasn't sure she got the hint though.
Dixon leaned forward his hands fisted on the table. “I get that. But things are different now, and your life is going to be different here on out. Stop letting your past dictate your present. It’s the only way to ensure your future doesn’t repeat the past.”
I wanted to roll my eyes. This guy was a motivational speaker along with being a council member and used car salesman. If he wanted me to start believing him, his words needed to be followed by action.
I wanted to believe him. I’d never had a man want to help or take care of me, especially when there weren’t strings attached. I hate that I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I want to have faith that Dixon is who he claims to be, but I can’t afford another mistake.
Sure, Dixon has done everything to make me believe he could be trusted: He did give me an advance, handed me keys to an apartment that came rent free for three months and working with Mom on getting a new truck.
“I appreciate all you’ve done for me, Dixon, I really do. Be patient with me, okay? Anyone who ever told me they had my back, ended up stabbing me in it.” I reached over and patted Mom’s hand. “Other than Mom. She’s the only one who has even watched out for me.”
“Well,” Dixon said, “now you’ve got two sets of eyes watching out for you.”
Mom teared up, raised the napkin from her coffee to her lips and struggled not to cry. I could see it. The edges of her lips twerked, one of her many tells.
“Why don’t I grab us all another coffee to go and we can head out. I’m sure you’re wanting to see your apartment, but I’d like to introduce you first to my partner in crime. Alexius Dixon is another woman who will be by your side, Starla, I guarantee it.”
He pushed his chair back, the metal screeching on the patio tiles.
“Alexius Dixon,” Mom said. “Is she your wife?”
Dixon shook his head. “Used to be until we realized we were better off friends than spouses. Alexius and I are partners. She runs Soil and Springs, where Starla here is going to be working. I’m a silent partner, there to help as needed, but she’s the queen of green thumbs. That woman can do wonders with soil.” The pride in his voice, in his eyes, on his face, spoke volumes.
“It’s not often you hear of divorced couples remaining friends,” Mom said.
“I’m of the mindset that anything can be done, if done right. Divorce doesn’t mean disaster, it’s just a new path to take in life. I’d be lost without Alexius. She’s the most important person in my world, always will be.” He held out his hand, showing off a wedding band. “We still wear them, to show how connected we are.”
“How long have you been divorced?” Wearing rings just seemed down right creepy.
“Give or take ten years,” he shrugged. “I know it seems weird, but once you meet her, you’ll understand. Trust me.”
He left to gather more coffee for us and I turned to Mom and realized we were probably thinking the same thing.
“That poor sod is still in love with her.” Mom tsked. She gathered her purse, slinging it over her shoulder and stood. "You be careful with that, Starla," Mom warned. "No need to get involved in history like that. It'll never end up well for you, take my word for it."
13
Say Hello To The Ice Queen
I've worked for landscapers before. Pushed a mower, dug holes, did grunt work only ex-cons can get. The companies were always small, their rent-a-trailer office grimy and smelled like week-old coffee.
I've never worked for a company like Soil and Springs Landscaping.
Mom followed Dixon as he pulled into the circular driveway and whistled.
"They must cater to the rich and famous," she said in an awe-filled whisper. "I heard some big names live around here but never believed it."
When we parked, I almost didn't get out of the vehicle. Self-doubt was playing havoc with my belief system - the first time in a long time I've experienced this. Who was I to work at a place like this? Maybe Dixon had it wrong. Maybe I was to be on a crew, digging holes again and not in the office.
For some reason, I could stomach that better than working inside an office. I wasn't sure why and didn't want to
Dixon stood on the steps, his focus on his phone as we walked up to him. It didn't take long for him to pocket the phone and throw his arms out wide, welcoming us to...his home?
"This is home base. I know it looks monstrous, but don't let that scare you." He eyed it like candy. "I live in one half and Alexius lives in the other. Neither one of us wanted to give it up and the market was just as bad when we divorced as when I bought it."
Mom nudged me in the side.
"We converted the back half into an office," Dixon continued, ignorant of the looks between Mom and I. "There are a few greenhouses where Alexius plays with her plants and then her own special...well, we call it the Shed. It's where she hides most of the time."
"Hides?" My spidey sense went haywire.
Dixon shrugged. "Maybe not the right word for it. My wife, sorry, my ex-wife is a Pedologist. She is working toward her doctorate and often heads into the city to teach."
He must have caught out blank looks.
"She studies soil."
Mom and I nod in unison as if that made all these sense in the world.
Studies soil? Like a scientist?
"That's just great. I barely got my high school diploma and you want me working with a bloody scientist," I said. Any self-worth I had disappeared. Just hand me coveralls and send me out for heavy labor. That's where I belonged, not working side by side with some brainiac.
"Come on, I want you two to meet. You'll love her. And don't worry...she's more interested in what's happening in the soil she's playing with than anything else."
Every step we climbed, the muscles in my body tightened as I realized just how out of my element I was. We veered off to the right, following a stone pathway that took us behind the house.
Dixon stopped just around the bend, turned and smiled with a broadness the size of the dump truck. He didn't say anything, but he obviously wanted a reaction.
Mom gasped when she saw the backyard.
My chest pinched; fingers of dread worked their way up the skin of my arms. I swallowed what felt like glass shards as I took in the grounds.