Chapter Fourteen
All day, Red tidied up around the cottage and worked in the garden. She put away canned food and scrubbed the rust out of the stove, washed the windows with vinegar and water until they sparkled, and took a broom to every inch of the floor inside. Bags of trash began to pile up, and she moved everything into the back of the garage and squeezed her car inside. The moment the door was down and her car hidden she felt better. Safer.
Around about noon, Bandit came strolling down the hill by himself, looking well rested and happy. She was annoyed with Jeeves for a moment for letting him out. But in a place like this, far from civilization and people who might want to harm the black and white feline, she reasoned that the very worst thing that might happen was that he could get disoriented. And that had never happened with Bandit. He was a sharp cat, who knew well how to climb trees to avoid larger animals and flee on foot faster than a puma. When she saw that he was now sporting a jaunty red collar and a little wooden tag with "BANDEET" scrawled on it in permanent marker, she was even more relaxed. Actually amused and touched.
"Looks like the most terrifying neighbors on the planet are turning out to be a dream come true in most ways. You're certainly looking well fed and pleased with yourself. Come on in, get a snack. Then it's back up to the house with both of us. I have work to do tonight and I'm not leaving you all alone in a cold dark house."
She picked up the cat and nuzzled him, breathing in the comforting, familiar scent of his thick fur. He purred, a deep throaty sound that melted her heart, and when she set him down again he promptly trotted to the door and then inside, waiting expectantly on the counter top for his meal.
Red laughed at his eagerness and opened a can of cat food, dumping it onto a plate for him. Then she set about getting ready. A bath was first, using the shampoo and soap and razor and lotions Tsugi had brought her days before. She was delighted to find deodorant and powder and a few cosmetics in the bottom of the bag. And absolutely best of all, a bottle of perfumed oil.
Lavender. Finally she would have an opportunity to smell like something other than dish soap and sweat.
She sank into the hot bathwater up to her shoulders, sighing in contentment. It was sheer bliss, the best bath she'd ever taken in her life. Layers of dirt came off, salt from her dip in the sea, months of oil and residue that had built up in her hair. The dish soap removed a lot of it, but left it feeling greasy and limp. Now, she washed it twice and rubbed conditioner through it, then tackled her fuzzy legs with the razor until they were as smooth as satin. She was extra careful around the site of the shin injury, which had healed now to the point of an ugly, knobby red scar. But it was a hell of a lot better than she'd hoped for.
Bandit jumped up on the counter to watch her, his green eyes unblinking. Red smiled at her friend and dunked under to rinse her hair, then leaned forward to pull the plug in the drain.
"Time to get dressed and head up to the house. I'm actually looking forward to this now, 'Bandeet'." She laughed slightly, standing up and reaching for a towel. "That's a cute variation on your name. I think it'll be your nickname now. Deeto. Avert your gaze, Deeto! I'm coming out."
She stepped onto the chilly tiled floor and rubbed herself dry with the towel, then began luxuriating in the gifts Tsugi had brought. She brushed her teeth, slathered on lotion, combed her hair and fluffed it lightly with her fingers to encourage the natural wild curls to form, glided on the deodorant and touched on the lavender perfume. Finally, when all else was done, she applied a little mascara and some blush. Lipstick. It had been ages since she'd spoiled herself this much, and she was almost embarrassed at how much she was enjoying it. The little things that a person on the run completely forget about in their struggle for survival and safety.
When she was ready to head up to the house for the evening, she picked Bandit up with one arm and put him over her shoulder, grabbing her backpack with the other. In it she'd packed the bathing supplies and a change of clothes in case she got dirty cleaning the upper floors. She had no idea what to expect up there, how bad it might be. But she was ready for absolutely anything. The sun was just beginning to set when she emerged from her cottage and began the slow trek up the hill to the Tremor house. A chilly, crisp autumnal wind swept yellow leaves around her in eddies. The moon, a touch shy of full, floated above the eastern treeline.
"We've fallen into a lucky break, Deeto." Red said softly, hugging his plump warm body tighter. The thought of all those cold, hungry nights that now lay behind her in the past flashed across her mind. Best not to dwell. Although her situation was much improved as far as food and shelter and possibly protection went, there were still immense complications to overcome.
But she seemed to have a gift for survival, if not for wisdom.
The windows of the house were yellow with warm lamplight. It looked cozy and comforting and solid and utterly charming sitting there against the dark pines on three sides. Red made for it, her booted feet thudding dully up stairs she still remembered all to well crawling up with a leg injury not that long ago. Briefly, she considered knocking. Was she supposed to? Or just walk right in? She turned the handle of the door and slipped inside, setting Bandit on the floor. The big cat immediately trotted off in search of Jeeves. Lester stood at the counter with his back to her. Red cleared her throat.
"Um...hello?"
His voice was gruff. "Take your goddamn boots off, don't go trackin' mud in here. I just washed the floor." He didn't turn around, a wicked-looking chef's knife in one hand and an onion in the other. With a rhythmic sound of metal on wood he expertly diced it and slid the little pieces into the steaming pot on the stove with the back of the knife. Red felt a little shy, especially after the way they'd parted earlier. She closed the door behind her and leaned down to untie her boots.
"I'm sorry about...you know. It's a sore subject."
They were alone in the kitchen, the others off in their rooms or outside. She sat down on a nearby chair to slide the boots off and pull up her socks. Lester set the blade down with a sigh and turned to pick up the coffee pot. He poured some into a mug and brought it to her, setting it on the table.
"We all got sore subjects. You will grow thicker skin in time, kiddo. It's still real fresh in yer mind at the moment. Don't you go apologizin'."
Red had no answer to this. She guiltily picked up the mug and took a sip. Then she made a face.
"Les...your coffee could eat the paint off a battle ship."
"Well thank Christ your throat ain't a battle ship. Shut up an' drink it."
"Did you call Darwin to come down and get me from the shore?"
"Yep." He was back at the counter now, prepping a potato for the soup.
Red didn't know whether to thank him or feel annoyed at the meddling. She pulled the sugar jar to her and dumped some of it into her coffee, completely dispensing with a spoon.
"I looked like an idiot in front of him. I would have been fine, I just needed time to clear my head. But he came down there and startled me and I slipped and he had to swim out and save me again. It was a disaster."
"Figured as much. The moment you were outta my sight I knew you'd be up ta somethin' stupid. There are chickens with more common sense. You better believe I got Dar on the walkie the moment you slammed that door. Might never have seen ya again if I hadn't."
Red's face flushed hot with embarrassment and anger.
"If you thought I was about to get myself killed somehow, why didn't you march out after me and do your own damn unnecessary babysitting?! Why involve Darwin?! I already look stupid enough in his eyes."
Lester glanced back at her over the tops of his glasses. He looked stern and paternal, his usual expression.
"It ain't my job ta go draggin' your ass back to the cottage and make ya settle on down. It is my job to finish up the laundry an' get food on the table. Then I gotta have a look at them layin' hens, make sure they're locked in tight for the night. We got foxes an' wolves around here, they'll clean out the coop faster'n you can spit."
"Spitting is a disgusting habit. I never spit."
"I reckon Dar'll be happy ta hear that from ya. Heh."
"You're a foul redneck, Lester Tremor."
He flashed her a grin, seemingly unperturbed by the comment, and went back to chopping.
"Put yer stuff in the guest room ya stayed in before. I got cleanin' supplies here for ya. Tackle them bathrooms on the upper floor, shouldn't take ya too long ta get rid o' the dust. I was up there not too terribly long ago. Maybe an hour fer all four bathrooms, tops. Come on down when ya finish. I should have dinner ready by then."
Red nodded, mollified, and went down the hall to the cozy little room she was daring to think of as hers.
Tsugi was in there when she arrived, just tucking in the fresh sheets. She turned and smiled when she saw her friend.
"You look gorgeous." she said softly, and Red beamed. It had been a long time since she'd been complimented and believed it. Going to the side of the bed, she set down her small bag and reached for the other end of the sheets, helping.
"I took a long hot bubble bath, put on the makeup you gave me, a little perfume, and suddenly I'm a different human being. I feel wonderful. Tsugi, I can't thank you enough."
"I know what it's like to be on the run, and to have no time for such pleasantries. But those days are hopefully over now."
They finished making the bed and pulled the thick quilt up, then fluffed the pillows. When it was done, Tsugi bundled up the old bedding and carried it to the door.
"I'm going to start the laundry so Les can focus on the chickens. We've been having some issues with predators lately. And don't tell Darwin, but there's a baby raccoon in a box in Jeeves's room. He found it earlier by itself in the field, no mother to be found anywhere. It's a very good possibility that she was killed. The poor little thing was starved half to death, but Jeeves brought it home and Les made up some formula to fill its belly. I hope your cat isn't frightened of strange creatures."
Red blinked, a little surprised at the sweetness of Jeeves and the fact that gruff, ornery Lester had gone to such lengths to help. She bit her lip.
"Bandit won't mind. But I'd like to ask that we keep him inside from now on. He came down the hill to find me earlier, and it scared me. Especially now that I know there are big scary forest things around. Hey, do you think Jeeves would mind my having a look at his new friend? I've never seen a baby raccoon before."
Tsugi smiled and together they walked out into the hall.
"I don't see why not. Just go tap on his door, he's in there being secretive." She slipped into the laundry room as they passed it, and Red went on to the closed door with the 'Keep out' sign taped to the center, the letters drawn in bold marker lest there be any mistake. She raised her hand and knocked.
"Who is it?" Came Jeeves's deep voice from the other side of the door. He sounded cautious. Bandit threaded his way through Red's ankles, hearing the voice of his beloved friend.
"It's me. I..." She lowered her voice to a whisper, "I heard you have a new addition in there. "
Silence. Then the handle turned, and the door slowly creaked open a little bit. A bright blue eye peered down at her appraisingly. Then the door opened all the way and he ushered both cat and woman in.
"Yew aren't gonna tell Darwin, right? He gets mad when I bring ma' fuzzies inside."
Red promised not to say a word. Satisfied, Jeeves sat down on the bed and patted his leg, inviting Bandit up for a snuggle. He nodded to a laundry basket in the corner by the heating vent. The basket was filled with towels, and when Red knelt by it and reached down to touch the top, a lump under the towels moved.
She pulled back the top layer to reveal a cute, tiny masked face. Glittery black eyes focused on her, and one wee little paw batted her hand. Her heart melted. It was so small, and so utterly adorable. This wild woodland waif.
Jeeves beamed at her from the bed, scrumpling Deeto's fur.
"Ain't he nice? Imma keep him."
"He's wonderful! You saved his life, Jeeves. You should be very proud!"
"Yeah, I heard him makin' an awful fuss an' I went over to see if he was alright. Sometimes there's old traps set up. People poach. I don't like them people, and if I catch them then they have a dead. But it was just this baby kitty there in the leaves. And he didn't have no momma. So I'm his momma now."
Red rubbed the raccoon's head, and it closed its eyes in pleasure. She paused, looking over her shoulder.
"Did...did you say 'kitty'?"
Jeeves nodded happily.
"Yeah. Now I got a kitty too! Like Bandit. Only this one looks real different. He's a special kitty. Imma name him Fluffkins."
It took Red the rest of the evening to wipe the silly grin off her face. Even on her hands an knees a half hour later, she was still laughing over the Special Kitty in the laundry basket.