Antique Virgin

For Rita, my everything in this world Chapter One “Saxony!” At the sound of her name Saxony Edwards looked up from the sales ledger that lay open on the glass display case overflowing with junk. A bright red neon sign, which read Antique Virgin in reverse from inside the store, sat in the dirty window facing Highway 101 where cars and motor homes streamed by. Antique Virgin was the name of the family owned antique shop, and Sax’s view of her own non-existent love life. Yup, that’s me all right, an antique virgin. In her twenty four years Sax had never had a serious boyfriend and she was sure she never would. As far as Sax was concerned her life sucked. She yearned for someone to love who would love her back. She studied the figures in the ledger. But there had been Marty Spiers. He had come closest to saying those magic I-love-you words. He might have been the one. After his leg healed. And his brother’s front teeth were fixed. It just wasn’t in the cards. Not with her problem. “Yes, Mom?” Her mother was in the back room where the delivery van had dropped off two large cardboard boxes. No doubt the boxes contained new pieces for the shop. New pieces they didn’t need. New pieces they couldn’t pay for. According to the figures on the page in the ledger they’d sold exactly three antiques in the past month. A silver souvenir spoon with GLAD BEACH stenciled into the nickel plate by a factory in China, a garish scarf with the smiling cartoon image of a California grey whale (real whales don’t smile) printed on cheap nylon fabric, and a plastic piggy bank with the words GLAD BEACH WELCOMES YOU stenciled on the side. All very touristy. All very bad. Saxony often wondered how they called themselves an antique store when all they sold was stuff to tourists. It was false advertising wasn’t it? She’d seen pictures of the exhibits at the British Museum and their antiques look nothing like what her mom and dad sold in the store. She shook her head. What is wrong with me? Why do I stay here? But she couldn’t just abandon her parents. Her mom needed her to look after her father. She couldn’t look after him on her own. She picked up a pencil and made a tick mark on the page next to a line for Queen Elizabeth key chains. She’d counted them earlier and there were still forty-seven in stock. Same as last month. “Dear, can you come here and help me?” called her mother from the stock room. Saxony, or Sax as she preferred to be called, set the pencil on the counter then closed the ledger with a thump. She walked toward the stock room at the back of the store. She held the beaded curtain aside with her hand and saw her gray-haired mother bent over a waist-high cardboard box. Sax smiled to herself. Mom looked ridiculous. Her mother was struggling to remove something from inside the box. I better help her before she falls in. She released the beads then walked into the store room. They snapped behind her. As she approached, her mother straightened and withdrew her head from the within the box. Her hair was covered in dust. With a laugh her mother shook her head to create a cloud of dust. The dusty air made Sax rub a finger across her upper lip and wiggle her nose. Allergy season was early this year. She hated having the sniffles. She covered her mouth in time to catch a sneeze. Sax stopped on the side opposite her mother and peered into the box. She sniffed. She studied the object, her curiosity piqued. A wheel? Why would she buy a wheel? “What’s that?” Her mother looked up from the strange object. “A spinning wheel, dear. Just like Queen Victoria’s.” Her mother and father being the “all-things-English lovers” only bought things for the shop that were connected, no matter how tenuously, to England. What’s wrong with Greece or France? They’re perfectly good countries too. Some around town called them obsessed; she preferred to think they were eccentric. Her three brothers just called them nuts, but then they didn’t live with their parents any more, did they? Why was it her sole responsibility to look after them, obsessions and all? She sighed. It wasn’t fair. But what’s a girl to do when her brothers are out in the world living their lives and I’m here? “Great.” More money wasted on crap. She wondered if they would ever listen to her. “How much did we spend on that thing?” Her mother frowned and her sky blue eyes narrowed. “Now don’t start that again. Your father knows what’s going on in the market. He has his finger on the pulse of the antique business.” If that’s true then our business was about to have a heart attack. They were going to be eating cat food soon if they didn’t start listening to her. She paused to watch her mother once again bend over the side of the box, grunting, trying to lift the obviously heavy spinning wheel over the side. Not that she didn’t love them, but they were so impossible. Sax snorted in frustration. Her mother glared at her. “For heaven’s sake, girl, don’t shuffle your feet, and don’t snort. Act like a lady. That’s what the Queen does.” Yeah, right, Queen Liz probably snorts in private. Rolling up the sleeves of her heavy wool sweater, Sax reached in and grasped one end of the faux antique spinning wheel. Her mother grasped the other end. It was surprisingly heavy. For a piece of copycat crap. On the count of three Sax and her mother managed to lift the wheel out of the box. Her mother gazed at the made-in-China wheel as if it were a rare treasure. Oh, brother. Sax swiveled her hips to flex her back muscles. She’d need a hot bath tonight to work out the kinks, for sure. Sax looked at the cheap imitation of Brit-junkana covered in smelly lacquer. Yeah, a real treasure, Mom. She stopped moving when she felt a sharp pinch in her lower back. After she set it down she groaned. Man, that thing is heavy. She hoped she didn’t have to carry it any further. Sax crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head in disgust. She wondered if a millionaire would drop by looking for a cheap copy of an antique spinning wheel. How ’bout that, I made a funny. She covered her mouth with her hand as she snorted. Her mother glared at her. “Hello? Is anybody there?” Sax started and her heart beat faster at the sound of a man’s voice from the other side of the bead curtain. A customer? Maybe it was the handsome millionaire coming in on his white steed to take her away from all this. Her heart rate slowed and she smiled to herself. In my dreams. “Coming!” Sax called as she locked eyes with her mother. “I’ll take care of the customer. Okay, Mom?” Her mother stepped back, and like one of the models on The Price is Right motioned toward the spinning wheel. As if I’m going to be able to sell this thing. Sax rolled her eyes and headed back through the bead curtain. She wondered if her father would ever fix the bell over the shop door. It’s only been what, a year? Sometimes she wondered if he realized how scary it could be if she was in the back and some scary serial killer came into the shop. I could be killed, buried in a shallow grave, and no one would ever know. Her breath caught in her throat when she walked through the bead curtain to find a man with soft brown wavy hair framing a lean, tanned face complete with a square jaw. Oh, my. He was too handsome. If that was even possible. Her heart beat hard in her ears and the moisture in her mouth evaporated. He stood in front of the fingerprint-covered display case smiling at her. He was beautiful. The blue-eyed man’s build fit his tight blue jeans perfectly. And his jean shirt had the top two buttons undone, revealing a bed of wispy brown curls. This was way too weird. I think about a handsome guy and poof, one appears. Guys who looked like him never came in here. The men that came in were usually bald with beer paunches with their blue-hair wives nagging at them. It’d be wayyy weirder if he was rich. Which she seriously doubted. Maybe I should ask him? Her face grew warm and she averted her gaze from his when she realized he was looking at her with his friendly blue eyes. Oops. He was looking at her. She looked down at her dust covered t-shirt and wrinkled jeans. She was dressed like Cinderella. More cinder than rella, actually. She scolded herself. Girl, you are such a dumb-ass for even imagining he’s your dream man. Out of the corner of one eye she spotted a man and woman, both blond, studying the collection of Coca-Cola tiffany lamps, and the Chinese dragon porcelain statues lined against the back wall. Sax teased her mother about the statues, calling the dragons the breakable Great Wall of China, and her mother really hated it when she called them that. Unfortunately, there was limited interest in large porcelain dragons on the Oregon coast, so she spent more time dusting them than selling any. They were just dust collectors that annoyed her and were a symbol of a string of bad ideas. She tried to swallow then cleared her throat. “Uhhh...yes...can I help you?” Oh, brother I must sound like a moron. “Yes, my name’s Bryce Kelly. I just bought a house out at Emerald Lake and I’m looking for some unique items to decorate it.” “Uhhh, certainly, Mr. Kelly. Was there anything in particular you were looking for? We—” “Hello!” Sax’s mother called from the back room, interrupting her. At the sound of her mother’s voice Sax turned to see her mother coming through the bead curtain. No, no, she thought, her heart stopping for a beat. Her mother was going to make a fool out of her as usual. “I’m Bertie Edwards,” indicating Sax with a nod she added, “and this is my daughter Saxony.” She had a feeling her mother would take one look at this man and immediately go into matchmaker mode. It was as good a time as any for her higher power to save her from utter embarrassment. A smile registered on Bryce Kelly’s handsome features and one corner of his mouth curled slightly. “Saxony? My, what a lovely name. English?” One eyebrow rose on Sax’s forehead and she wondered if he was laughing at her name, but before could respond her mother spoke, “Why, yes, Mr. Kelly. How did you know?” Her mother stepped up and wrapped one hand around Sax’s shoulder. With her other hand she poked Sax in the ribs. Sax glared at her mother. “Mother, please don’t,” she said between gritted teeth. She hated being poked. Her mother knew it bugged her but she kept doing it anyway. It’s not like she was going to run away. You ran away one time in the seventh grade when Billy Cooper tries to kiss you and it follows you around forever. Men usually run away for me. But what really bugged her was her mother was always trying to hook her up with men. Parents! They never gave up trying to run your life. A sly grin played across her mother’s lips. “Isn’t he a clever one, Saxony? Sharp as a pencil I’d say.” The man and the woman had finished their self-guided tour of the shop and they now approached the counter. The woman, a willowy blond, was model tall and thin and smelled of cinnamon toast. Her designer sunglasses were perched atop her head, and the arms of an angora sweater were tied loosely around her slender neck. Her male companion, also wearing designer clothes, looked three inches shorter than the woman. He was stocky like a fire hydrant. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes. They not only look big city, she sniffed, they smell big city. Man, they’re gonna be snobs, I see it comin’, and I hate snobs. “Are you done yet, Bryce? I want to walk on the beach before it gets dark,” said the woman. Bryce turned toward the blond woman. His blue eyes locked with hers and he smiled then wrapped one arm around her slender waist. “No hurry, Cinnamon, my love. There’s lots of daylight left.” He shifted his gaze from Cinnamon to Sax. A slight smile played across his lips. “I’m sure Saxony here would agree.” The stocky man grunted. “Saxony? What kinda name is that?” “Now, Pep, don’t be rude,” Bryce Kelly mock-scolded his companion. “This is Miss Saxony Edwards and her mother Bertie.” “Charmed I’m sure,” said Pep, a sneer in his tone. As if it were an afterthought he added, “No offense.” His hands were stuffed in his tan Dockers and his expression was indicative of someone who didn’t care who he offended. Sax had seen far too many tourists in Glad Beach like Pep. Summer residents were the worse. I’m a person too ya know, not your personal slave, mister. This used to be such a nice little town when they moved here fifteen years ago. Money was all people seemed to care about these days. And the big city types were the worst. Sax sighed under her breath to hide her annoyance. The ultra rude arrogant visitors, who treated locals as if they were servants, were a pet peeve of hers. Sometimes ya just wanta kick ’em in the butt. “None taken, Mr. uhhh...?” Pep ignored her, preferring to stare out the picture window and at the traffic streaming by on Highway 101. He and the blond woman walked away to study the wall of mirrors. They whispered softly to each other and Sax couldn’t hear what they were saying. She looked at Bryce who rolled his eyes. He shook his head. “Sorry for my friend’s bad manners. He’s a New Yorker.” “Ohhh, I see. Pity.” Sax covered her mouth and giggled. Oops. That was rude. She hoped her face wasn’t too red. He could be from New York. Her face grew warm. “Sorry, did I say that out loud?” Bryce laughed and it was like nothing she had heard before. The joy in his laughter caused her heart to warm and she realized she would love to hear it again. Cinnamon and Pep seemed oblivious to her and Bryce’s conversation. Instead their attention was focused on the wall of antique mirrors. Whew. I’m glad they didn’t hear me. They might even buy some of her mom and dad’s crap. Like her mom always said, never insult your paycheck. Bryce held out one hand. “Let’s reboot this conversation. I’m Bryce Kelly. That lady is my fiancée, Cinnamon Wolthorp and that is her brother Pep, my soon-to-be brother-in-law.” Fiancée? Oh crap, he’s engaged. “You can call me Sax by the way.” Sax took Bryce’s hand in hers and was surprised how warm and soft his skin was against hers. Her fingers seemed to tingle, sending warmth through her body like nothing she’d ever experienced. She didn’t want to let go. Until this moment she had never been comfortable speaking to, never mind touching, such handsome men. Handsome men had intimidated her since high school when the football team’s quarterback, Butch Arnold, made fun of her at the only school dance she ever attended. That memory was a source of pain that had tainted every man she’d ever felt any attraction for. She didn’t want to be hurt like that ever again. Now the old painful feelings had surfaced again. This time with this man. Why now? Why him? She had to find to why. She fought the urge to sigh. Butch Arnold was an i***t. Bryce, however, is so my type if only it weren’t for the fiancé. Maybe their relationship wasn’t that serious. You never know…oh my, what am I thinking? Shaken by her drastic thoughts she withdrew her hand from his as if it were on fire. Bryce frowned, his gaze appeared concerned. “Is something wrong?” She shook her head. “No. Of course not.” Cinnamon interrupted them. “Let’s get going, Bryce.” Her tone was clipped. Cinnamon frowned at Sax as her cool gaze traveled up then down Sax’s lean frame. Wow! What was her problem? “Uh yes, of course. I’ll be back, Sax. I want to fill my new house with antiques and I think your shop is just the place I’m looking for.” Cinnamon wrapped a long arm around Bryce’s and started for the door. Pep moved to the door and pulled it open. He held it for Cinnamon and Bryce as they exited to the parking lot. “I’ll be back! See you—” Bryce called out as the slamming of the shop door cut off his words. Gazing through the window Sax watched as Bryce held open the rear door of the silver and black Hummer for Cinnamon, who climbed into the back seat. The jealousy of watching him with another woman came as a surprise. She didn’t even know him and yet wanted to claim him as her own. Bryce looked back at the shop. Quickly ducking at the fear of getting caught watching him caused her face to warm. Slowly rising, she could see a small smile on his handsome face before he climbed into the passenger side of the truck. As the massive Hummer merged with the flow of traffic, the sound of her mother's voice reminded Sax she was not alone in the room. “Hmmm. He’s a looker, eh, Saxony?” Her mother said, her tone amused. “Uhhh, yes. I guess so....” Now that they were gone Sax moved behind the comfort of the counter. She opened the accounts ledger again and tried to focus, but the numbers began to float around the page. Sax removed her glasses and blinked a few times. What’s wrong with me? She gasped in shock and her heart skipped a beat. Oh, crap! Did he say antiques? Her heart began to pound in her chest. “Mom, did he say he wanted to fill his house with antiques?” Her mother nodded. “Yes, I think that’s what he said. Why?” Sax groaned. “We don’t have any antiques.” Go figure. She met an attractive, albeit taken, guy. He seemed like a nice man she’d be interested in, and now he wanted to buy “antiques” from her parents’ store. That is just my luck.