Chapter Two
Ashley flipped the sign closed making sure the time of her return was clearly visible to those passing by. No one had ventured in after the mayor left, so her morning had been spent printing up more flyers and brochures to distribute. A few were now tucked in the pocket of the handbag slung over her shoulder. It was the most expensive bag she owned and one that could go from busy executive to soccer mom. A ShayD’Lux signature bag was now a hot commodity across the Caribbean and in high-end stores in the US and UK. Her girlfriend was now living her dream of being a fashion designer and the bags were part of her newest venture into accessories. When she grew up she always wanted to be bold like Shay. The girl was fearless or so it had always seemed to Ashley who preferred to stay in the background. How the two ever became friends was still a mystery to everyone? The two women were total opposites but there was no doubt about the fact that their friendship would be a life long one and for Ashley her only life line in the past five months.
The Bluebird Café was at the end of the street. The lunch crowd had begun to make their way to the restaurant known for its great variety of Caribbean dishes. Something crunched under Ashley’s heel and she looked to find more crumpled copies of her flyers. She swiped them up and dumped them into a nearby bin. The last thing she wanted was to be reminded that she had issues learning to find trustworthy people. Alan Smithy had taken much more than her twenty bucks, he had managed to put another dent in her limited confidence that she could make it on her own.
Ray had said as much. He had told her over and over she could not make it without him. Even at the firm they both worked, he never hesitated to let everyone know she wouldn’t have the job without him. The minute she broke it off with him, so went the job, the house, the car. She was out on the streets with her five-year-old daughter and no inkling of what to do next.
Ashley shook herself from the thoughts and entered the café. There were a few minutes before she was to meet with the mayor and she needed every second of it to get her thoughts back to a more positive place. Pity was not what she was looking for and she needed to show that any business he sent her way would be appreciated and handled with professionalism.
The waitress smiled at her and led her to a table in the far corner. Ashley had only ventured in here once before. She and Mya had just arrived off the ferry and needed a quick bite to eat as they waited for the keys to the apartment. The food was delicious and it was a happy memory to experience cooking like her mom used to make. Lord, she missed her.
The arrival of the fruit punch jolted her from her thoughts. This day needed to be over quickly, she was way too morose and none of this was good for business. Tomorrow would be better she told herself. It was going to be better.
Ashley knew the minute Michael Johns arrived. His frame cut off the rays of sunshine which had been coming through the open café door. She grabbed the glass and pretended to be engrossed in its contents as he made his way to her. Boy, he was tall and the smile he was generously sharing with the café’s patrons was now being turned on her.
“Hope you weren’t waiting long. The meeting went into overtime but it was necessary,” he said as sat opposite her.
“I just arrived, so no harm done,” Ashley answered looking up from her drink.
“Well how was your first morning in business?” he asked while perusing the laminated menu.
“No new customers but I got some work done nevertheless,” was her cheery response. “I’m going to hand deliver new flyers and brochures this afternoon and introduce myself around. People need to be able to put a face with the business so they can feel more at ease.”
“Yeah that will help a lot. Before we leave, I’ll introduce you to everyone,” Mike said looking straight at her. Again, she felt like he was seeing way beyond her skin and was thankful when the waitress arrived to take their order.
Mike toyed with the straw of his drink that the waitress brought with her. Obviously he was a regular, probably a bachelor, Ashley mused to herself.
“So how does it feel to be home?” His question interrupted her wayward thoughts.
“Really good and a pleasant change for Mya and I. Mya is my five-year-old daughter,” she answered in response to the question in his eyes.
“She’s at school?”
“Yes, this was not the best time to come home in the middle of the school year but she is adjusting. Already she has made friends and I know who is expecting a new baby and who’s daddy and mommy just got divorced.
“Children are quite resilient and they tend to feed off of their parents. So I am sure if you are settled she will be too,” he responded. “Are you settled Ashley?”
She paused. Always one to guard her words, the sudden desire to spill her guts was new.
“I’m getting there. I haven’t been home since my parents died and a lot has changed, so it will take a bit of getting used to.”
“Well before too long, you will be zipping through our one way streets and blowing your horn to say hi, good bye, call me later, get out de way,” he joked emptying the remains of his drink.
Ashley could only laugh.
“Lord, I hope not all of that but it would be nice to not have to take the bus everywhere.”
“So how do you get Mya to school? The bus doesn’t run to that area.”
“Well her teacher agreed to pick her up every morning and then she comes home with another student’s parent. It’s not ideal but for now it is a big help.”
“Well I have a small run around that is in good repair. You could use it until you get your own ride,” Michael suggested, not sure where the offer came from.
“I couldn’t do that…Before too long I will have my own car, so we will make do until then,” Ashley tried to maintain eye contact.
“Really Ashley, I have access to all the company vehicles. The car only gets used when my little sister comes over and that’s not often. You would be doing me a favor to keep her running. I don’t always remember to start her on a regular basis.”
Ashley doubted that was true. He seemed to be a man who kept everything in check and running smoothly. She couldn’t deny it, having a car would be a blessing. She wouldn’t be able to afford taxis much longer to pick up her equipment and supplies for the store.
“Ok, I accept but I have to lease it from you.”
“We can work that out. Also I still need your help with my office administration until I find a replacement secretary.”
“The Business Center can also find you temporary workers. I can vet them for you based on what you need and we can establish a contract for future employment that way.”
“Ever the business woman Ashley. Why don’t you put together a proposal for me to look at? Bring it by my office tomorrow and I will have the car ready for you to pick up at the same time.”
“Alright I will do that. Thank you Michael. You have been a great help.”
“Well I don’t want New Ebonee’s first Business Center to fold before it has a fighting chance. Did I tell you I was also on the board of the Chamber of Commerce?”
“When do you have time for yourself if you are so busy?”
“It’s always easier when there is no one waiting for you to get home by dinner time,” was his immediate response.
There it was out in the open. He was not married and neither was she. Now what did that mean and why did she care?
