by Vicky Jones
Shona pulled up to the garage, feeling a mixture of emotions. She’d spent the weekend talking over their plans for the coming months and how they were going to cope with the changes to their lives. Shona also, from the second she stepped out into the parking lot, felt the eyes of the town on her once again. Taking a deep breath, she clicked open the padlock and opened up the garage for its first morning of business. Across the street, the blinds to the doctor’s office twitched.
“Doctor Thomas, can I have a word with you? It’s just I noticed something in Mrs. Clark’s notes and…well, she’s with child and I ain’t seen no sign of a husband in the last few weeks she’s been in town.” Nurse Marion ran a short red fingernail over the edge of Chloe’s file.
“Marion, please don’t concern yourself with my patient’s confidential information. Our only job is to care that mother and baby are healthy and free from harm. That’s it. And you’d do well to remember my stance on that,” Doctor Thomas replied.
“Well, I just think it’s strange is all. She comes into town with that young blonde woman who’s just opened the garage, from underneath everyone’s noses,” she added with an air of scorn in her voice. “I mean, don’t you think that’s strange? That they have the money to buy that place? Without a husband in sight for either of them.” Marion nodded her head and folded her arms. Doctor Thomas exhaled.
“Marion, it may have escaped your attention, with your own husband not taking the draft, but there was a war on over in Korea not too long ago. Maybe they lost their husbands in that? You consider that? As far as I see it, it’s none of our business,” he said, emphasizing every word. “As long as the baby comes out healthy and is well cared for, that’s the end of our involvement. I don’t want no sour grapes in my office just ‘cos you lost that garage to a better offer. Now, I don’t want to hear another word on the subject. Understand?”
“Yes sir,” Marion replied, her cheeks reddening.
“Lawrence, get the hell in here now!”
Sheriff Everett bellowed out of his office into the noisy police station where Deputy Lawrence and his fellow officers were sharing yet another tale of his antics out on patrol last night. He dragged himself away and into Everett’s office, sinking down in the chair opposite the desk. Everett glared at Lawrence from the other side of the desk a few seconds before letting out a long breath of frustration.
“Why is the first thing that my assistant tells me this morning a story of how you’d been drinking on watch last night? She had a call from a guy you pulled over. Said you were more loaded than he was.”
“Well, that guy’s tellin’ lies, boss,” Lawrence protested.
“Oh really? Well I got it on good authority that earlier you bought a six pack of suds from the store.” Everett crossed his arms over his chest and set his lips. “You gon’ deny that too? God damn it. It’s like looking after a child. Go home, Jake. You’re suspended for two days, without pay.” Everett walked over to his office door and opened it wide.
“Sir, you can’t do that. I’m the best you got on this force. I got a feelin’ trouble’s stirrin’ over at that dyke bar. You need me out there,” Lawrence rose out of his chair and stood in front of Everett, his dark eyes blazing.
“I need officers I can trust to protect and serve, not pick fights with local business owners without evidence or just cause. You leave folks alone and be back in two days, sober and reformed like I asked. No excuses or I’ll have your badge for good, y’hear?”
Lawrence slid past Everett whose muscular, six-foot frame almost filled the doorway.
“You got my beers in there, Marion?” Jake Lawrence asked his wife as she returned home carrying two brown bags of groceries.
“What are you doing home?” Marion asked, walking straight passed him and into the kitchen, setting the bags down on the counter. “Your shift finish early?”
“Somethin’ like that. Where’s my beer?”
Marion walked back over to him reclining on the couch watching TV and handed him an open bottle of beer. She perched on the end of the couch and stared, waiting for him to ask about her day, even though he rarely did.
“You wanna hear some gossip from town?” she began. Lawrence grunted. “Well, I was speaking to Edie at the store and apparently…” Marion stopped chirping away when she noticed the sharp look her husband was giving her.
“For God’s sake, woman, shut up. I’ve had a hard day and the last thing I need is for you to bore me to death with some tittle-tattle you heard from someone I couldn’t give a damn about. Now, shouldn’t you be in there fixin’ your man his dinner?” He pointed to the kitchen doorway behind her. “And quit yappin’, will ya, the game’s just started,” he added, turning his gaze back to the TV.
Chapter 11
“Well, I just don’t have a clue how to fix cars, young lady. My husband did all that, but now he’s over in Bakersfield, a good half hour drive away. I gotta be there by two this afternoon. He’ll be expecting me. Mr. Perkins used to help me out every now and again, but he was a little strange. Probably thought being a judge’s wife I’d be looking out for ways to catch him out. D’you think you could help me out, sweetheart?”
Minnie Barker was sixty-six years old, with light brown hair tightly permed and cut short against her small head. She wore a fitted plaid beige suit and pumps. Her thin mouth was wrinkled at the corners, yet her soft brown eyes twinkled as she looked down that Tuesday morning at the edge of a set of creepers peeking out from underneath her Toyota.
“Well, Mrs. Barker, I think I know what’s causing you the trouble. If you leave her with me for an hour or so, I’ll get her all fixed up for you,” Shona slid out and looked up at Minnie’s face, which glowed.
“Oh, why thank you so much.” She paused as a cloud of worry appeared to cross her face. “Do you have any idea how much it’s going to cost? I don’t have a lot of cash on me,” she said, running the strap of her purse through her fingers.
“For you, ma’am, no charge.” Shona cocked her head towards the sign she’d put up in the front yard. “Judge Barker fits into the lawmen category by my reckoning, so I’d be honored to ensure his wife is safe on my watch.” She tipped her cap to Minnie who beamed a huge smile back.
“You’re a gem, young Shona. I don’t quite know how to thank you. And when I tell William what you’ve done, I’m sure he’ll be grateful too. At least let me give you a tip.” She began to rifle through her purse.
“No need, ma’am. It’s my pleasure,” Shona assured, pushing Minnie’s dollar bill-laden hand gently back to her.
“Thank you. I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
Shona watched her totter across to the diner, then, smiling, sank back down to her set of creepers. Just as she was about to slide back underneath the Toyota, a shadow appeared over her, blocking out the light.
“Thought it was about time I came over to say hello,” the figure announced. Shona looked up to see Bertie’s piercing ice-blue eyes staring down at her.
“Can I help you?” Shona asked, her eyes taking in the formidable sight of Bertie who was wearing oversized turn-up jeans and a buttoned up blue and white checked shirt. On her feet were heavy black boots with the laces wrapped around the ankles and tied in two solid-looking double bows. Shona had rarely seen another woman who dressed similarly to her.
“Can you help me?” Bertie repeated. Her gaze then travelled around the garage parking lot and into the open doors of the workshop. “Must be nice to have the money just to bypass auctions.” Shona stood up. “The name’s Bertie. I own the bar over there. My girls told me you been there already?”
“Yeah.” Shona wiped her hands on a cloth she’d taken out from the back pocket of her overalls.
“I was gonna buy this place.” Bertie took a step forward towards Shona. “Had the money all ready to make an offer at the auction. But then I saw the sign had been taken down.” She began to walk around the garage, picking up Shona’s wrenches and inspecting them before placing them
back down. Running a fat finger over the edge of one of the work benches inside, she looked down at the layer of brake dust she’d collected. “And I go make a call to ol’ man Perkins.” She eyeballed Shona and placed both hands on her hips. “Says a young brunette lady offered him the full asking price, and some. Just so he’d take it off the market.” Bertie waited for a response from Shona. It didn’t come. “The brunette your…” Bertie paused and sucked in the corners of her mouth. “Sister then?”
Shona looked down at her boots and clenched her teeth together. “Look, I’m just here, same as you, trying to run a business.”
Bertie snorted and walked towards Shona. “You bought this place from under me. I had big ideas for this place, then you two swoop in.” She stood toe-to-toe with Shona, then pressed her face so close their noses were almost touching. “You expect me to believe she’s your sister?” She gave a menacing lopsided grin. “I came round to say hi the other day, but your doors were closed. I thought to myself, why, that’s mighty strange. Losing custom like that? Especially as your truck was still parked in the lot outside.” Bertie paused while Shona thought back to that day. As soon as Shona registered why, and the sinking feeling she felt flashed it across her eyes, Bertie gave a sly smile. “Yeah, so I went around the back to see if anyone was around. I looked through the window and there I see something that no two sisters should be doing. Even in private.”
Shona clenched her jaw and swallowed. That damn window, she thought.
“Don’t worry,” Bertie winked, “I won’t rat on you both.” She moved away and surveyed the area around them. “I’m the oldest of four sisters. I’m very protective of the women around me, and my girls over there in my bar. I’m not looking for trouble either. Just wanted to meet the person who stole my new business from under my nose. Us girls gotta stick together. There’s a greater enemy out there.” She motioned for Shona to look over at the patrol car parked outside the bakery. “So, I tell you what, Shona. I’ll cut you some slack with this place if you come by to the bar once in a while. The girls have been dying to meet the new dyke in town.” Bertie leaned in to whisper into Shona’s ear. “Bring that gorgeous brunette with you as well, Chloe is it?”
Bertie left Shona and headed back over to the bar.
“Here we go again,” Shona whispered to herself.
“So if it hadn’t have been for young Shona then I never would have got the truck going again. She’s an angel, that girl.”
It was half past one that same afternoon and Minnie had spent the last half an hour or so gushing over Shona, after arriving at her husband’s side with time to spare.
“She sounds it,” Judge Barker replied, his gratitude evident in his smiling gray eyes. “I’m glad my girl’s being looked after. Puts my mind at rest, being stuck here,” he continued, setting his lips as he looked around the neat garden of his retirement home. His physical health had deteriorated over the last year and, after he suffered the latest in a long line of strokes three months ago, Minnie found herself with no choice but to bring him here.
“I know you hate not being able to look after me, honey, but it’s the same for me, with you in here. I couldn’t manage the day to day on my own.” She patted her husband on the arm. “But, I see the gardener is taking your advice on how to trim those wisteria bushes.” She nodded over to the corner of the garden.
“Yeah, well, I’m not completely useless,” Judge Barker said, taking a sip of his tea. His hand shook as he lifted his glass, leaving a thin trickle of tea running down his chin.
“Oh, honey, let me get that for you.” Minnie clasped her handkerchief to his chin.
“Thank you, my darling.”
“Hey Bert,” Lula greeted as she walked into the bar and up to the counter. Receiving only a grunt back, Lula sat on a stool next to her. “Jeez, what’s got your goat?”
“I went over to the garage this morning. Checked out my competition,” Bertie replied.
Lula sat forward, her eyes bright at the mention of Shona. “Yeah?” She licked her lips. “What’s she like?” Bertie gave her a sharp look. Lula floundered then set herself right. “Did you find out how she managed to buy that place from underneath you?”
“Apparently her sister bought it for her. I tell you one thing though, about that Chloe and our new blonde friend.” Bertie paused to sip her drink. Lula waited for the sentence to continue, then stomped her foot.
“What?” she prompted.
“I know for a fact they ain’t sisters.”
Lula’s face darkened. “They’re together then? For sure?” Her voice was quiet.
“Oh yeah, and I’m sure they wouldn’t want this town to find out what I saw Chloe doing to Shona up against that work bench,” Bertie sniggered as she sipped the shot.
Chloe entered the doctor’s office for her first official check-up. Nurse Marion ushered her into the treatment room.
“Well, Mrs. Clark, how are you today? Please. Sit.” Marion held out a chair for her, then seated herself at her small desk.
“I’m doing OK, considering,” Chloe began.
“I’m sure. So…” Marion fixed her with her laser stare. “Is there a nice strong husband at home helping you out with all the baby furniture and…everything?” Her eyes were unblinking.
Chloe fidgeted. “Well, now, I was told Doctor Thomas would be overseeing all of my check-ups. Is he available?”
Marion shifted uneasily in her seat. “Well, he is a very busy man.” She cleared her throat, “I can assure you I am more than qualified. I just want to know you’re receiving all the help and support you need for this very trying time.” Her voice remained pleasant but had a little more bite to it now.
“I’m sure you do. However, I’d much prefer to speak to Doctor Thomas, if that would be OK with you?” Chloe added when she saw no flicker of compliance from Nurse Marion.
“As you wish, ma’am. I’ll go see if he’s available. Won’t be a tick.”
Marion rose out of her seat and left the room.
“Vegetables have gone up in price again,” Chloe announced as she climbed into the truck after her doctor’s appointment. Shona had just finished locking up for the evening.
“Yeah? About that. I was thinking of maybe planting a garden round the back of the house. It gets a lot of sun there. I’ll have to test the soil first, but I figured I could grow some carrots, ‘taters, maybe some fruit trees? Then we never have to worry about another recession happening. What do you think?” Shona smiled as she looked back over to Chloe, who seemed lost in her thoughts, gazing out of the window, her head resting on her palm as the truck rumbled along. “Honey? You alright?”
Chloe snapped back into the here and now. “What? Oh yeah, sorry. Just baby brain, I guess. What were you saying?”
Shona laughed off her concerns. “Oh, nothing. Say, I met a friendly local today.”
“Who? Not Marion from the doctor’s office, was it? She’s sniffing round looking for gossip. Avoid that one.”
“No. But that reminds me. I need to go in there sometime and sort out our health insurance. We’re gonna need it in a few months.” Shona nodded down to Chloe’s stomach. “It was Bertie. The woman who owns the bar? Says you bought the garage from underneath her nose. She’s pretty pissed,” Shona added with a wry smile.
“Yeah, well, that’s too bad. I bought that place fair and square, and if this Bertie don’t like it then I don’t give a rat’s ass. She’ll just have to get used to the idea.”
Shona looked back over at Chloe and raised her eyebrows, smiling. “Somehow, I don’t think she will. She told me she’d seen us the other day. In the garage that day I locked up early. She looked through the side window and…”
“What?” Chloe gasped, then reddened. “Will she tell anyone?”
“No, I don’t think so. I think she wants to keep me in her pocket.” Shona shuddered at the thought.
Chloe sighed, knowing that the damage had been done. “Well, no point worrying about that now.
We just need to be more careful. And board that damn window up,” she added.
“I’m sorry. I’ll do it first thing tomorrow. What should I do about Bertie?” Shona turned to look at Chloe.
“You’ll just have to charm her like you charmed me.” Chloe paused, realizing what she’d said. “Well, not exactly like that, of course.”
“I only got eyes for you, baby,” Shona chimed in, resting her hand on Chloe’s knee. “Anyway, hopefully I’ll be able to make the town see I only wanna do good there. I did a few jobs for free today. I remember how it felt when I fell on hard times. Harry taught me the right way to be and I wanna honor that. I used to thank the Lord above if anyone did me a favor. Now I finally got the chance to give back.”
“I know, honey. That just makes me love you even more,” Chloe replied, her brown eyes shining in the late afternoon sun. “If that were even possible.”
“You really think we can do this?” Shona began, her palm resting on Chloe’s stomach.
“Yes. I do,” Chloe replied, without even a second to think. “No matter how it came about, this is the family I’ve always dreamed of.”
Shona swallowed the lump in her throat, thinking of the moment she’d found out about Kyle’s attack on Chloe and the rage it had caused in her heart. She’d wanted to tear Kyle apart limb from limb that day, but seeing Chloe now safe with her, Shona knew that he could never ever hurt her again. Now they could be a real family.
Chapter 12
“Another letter to Elbie?” Chloe asked over the breakfast table.
Shona looked up and smiled. “No. I thought I’d write to Dorothy, let her know how things are with everything. I thought of calling, but you know how much she likes receiving my letters.” She grinned at Chloe who nodded.