Deacon grinned, watching Kacy rip into one of the electricians Dino had hired. She was going to make them all hate her or love her. He wasn’t sure she cared which as long, as they did what she told them.
“I’d better help that fella, Doc. He’s doing what I told him to do, and she’s going to burn him, if I don’t stop her.” He rose with difficulty, leaning on the chairs next to him. “Oi, Kacy!” He imitated her accent and inflection perfectly.
She turned around in mid-sentence, her face clouding with concern. “Deacon, what’s wrong?”
“Overdoing, ma’am. Listen, you want to jump someone, then jump me. Dexter is doing what I told him.”
She glanced up at the electrician, looking humbled. “I’m sorry. Obviously Mr. Stewart and I got our wires crossed.” She grinned at the unintentional pun. “May I see you in your office, Mr. Stewart? We need to finalize the plans, so they can be copied.”
“Ms. Du Champs?” Dexter called as they were leaving. “What is it you want me to do? Your way or his?”
“Her way, Dexter,” Deacon told him. “She’s in charge of lights. I’m just the token gimp.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Stewart!” Chuckling, Dexter went back to work, taking apart what he had already done.
Leaning on Kacy, but trying not to show it, Deacon hobbled to his office, which was closer than hers. She found an old stool to go with the ancient chair, and made him comfortable. Kissing him gently, she perched on the edge of the desk.
“You rescued that poor man, didn’t you? I’m still being beastly. I’m so sorry.” She wouldn’t look at him, hanging her head in shame.
“No, you were doing your job. I told him wrong. Feel free to correct him. Just tell him I messed up, you chewed me out, and you want it done differently. They don’t disrespect you, Kacy, they’re just scared to death of you.” He smiled to soften the reprimand.
“I’ll do that, but you sit there, and don’t move. I’ll grab the plans on my way back. We do need to finalize, so construction can begin.”
“I’ve got the guys rigging basic flats and platforms. The old stuff is all eaten up by bugs, or so mildewed that it can’t be used. I’ll have the college kids top them and put the canvas on the flats. They’re coming in tomorrow. Oh, got you something.”
She looked at him expectantly. He handed her a key and pointed across the hall to a large storage room. “Go ahead, open it.”
Curious despite herself, she hopped up and opened the door. Her cries of delight pleased him. He’d just received the shipment of all the theater lights. The other ones were past repair. He and Dino didn’t want to risk other injury.
Dancing with glee, she ran back into his office, hopping onto his lap before she remembered he was injured. A sharp intake of breath, and she jumped up as if he’d bitten her.
“Oh, Deacon, I’ve done it again! Bloody hell!”
He laughed despite the discomfort. “I’m fine, Kacy. Sit down, gently this time, eh?”
She seated herself on his lap with caution, kissing him lightly on the lips. “I’ll thank you properly once we get home.”
“Dino paid for it, you going to thank him properly, too?”
He winked and she smacked him playfully on the cheek. It stung a little, but not badly. It had been a subtle reprimand, as well.
“He’s like a brother to me, Deacon.” She didn’t add that he had been Pete’s closest friend. Deacon could see it in her eyes.
“He’s a hell of a guy, isn’t he?” he replied more diplomatically.
“Yes, he is. I’ve more to thank him for than just the lights.”
“Oh, what’s that, you figure?”
“I’ve not properly thanked him for you. Let me ask you something, don’t take this wrong, please.”
“Whenever a woman prefaces a comment like that, it makes me nervous. Ask away, whether or not I answer, is up to me.”
She nodded, agreeing to the condition. “Did Dino know, about you, when he hired you?”
“I was hired sight unseen, based on Bernie’s recommendation. I guess they knew one another as kids, or something.”
She giggled, throwing her head back happily, nearly tipping the chair over.
“You don’t know, do you? Bernie is Dino’s cousin!”
“I had no idea. Do you know Bernie?”
Her smile faded a little. “Bernie and Maxine were attendants at our wedding.”
He saw the direction her thoughts were going before she spoke. He wondered if he should defend himself, or if he was out of the immediate line of fire.
“Dino never saw you, but Bernie has known you for years. That swine. I’ll kill him!” She whipped out her cell phone, dialing Bernie’s number with unmatched fury. “I’ll roast him! I’ll cut off his balls and use them for a gOba! He set me up!”
“What are you doing?” He wrested the phone from her gently. “Kacy, what’s wrong.”
“He knew, don’t you see? He knew about you and Pete!”
©2021 Dellani Oakes
Dellani Oakes 