Promise Kept

by Jodi Vaughn

  “I packed my things in case you hired me. That way I wouldn’t have to go back and get them.” Truth was, there was nowhere to go back to.

  “Good.” Elizabeth gave her a look of approval. “I’ll let you get settled, and then when I get up, we can start supper and talk about your duties while you are here. I’ll show you around the farm as well.”

  “Ms. Harland?”

  “Call me Elizabeth.”

  “Ms. Elizabeth…”

  “Just Elizabeth. No need to add Ms. to it.”

  “Elizabeth.” She nodded. “I need to know if you are allergic to anything. Foods, medicine…”

  Elizabeth’s eyebrows shot up.

  She saw a girl go into anaphylactic shock when she was given a peanut butter sandwich at one time in one of the foster homes she frequented as a child.

  “Just one thing. Tomatoes.” She slowly made her way back in the direction of her bedroom.

  Heather quickly made a note.

  She waited until she heard the bedroom door close before heading out to her car and grabbing her meager possessions.

  Chapter 3

  Grayson McCade pulled into the parking spot of the Roses and Lace Flower Shop. He’d just finished delivering a few flower arrangements to the hospital. It was his sister’s busiest time of year, and he didn’t mind helping out when he could manage time away from his farm.

  He slid out of his truck and opened the door to the shop.

  “Hi, Grayson. I’m just about to order some lunch for me and Olivia. Can I get you something?” Amy Williams smiled behind the counter. She was just the opposite of his sister. Where Amy was outgoing and bubbly, Olivia was shy and reserved. Olivia thrived at arranging flowers into beautiful bouquets and baskets. She hated the marketing part of the florist shop, so she had hired Amy to talk to customers and take orders as well as do the bookkeeping. Olivia preferred to stay in the back, tucked between her coolers full of flowers and making her floral creations.

  “Nah, I’m good. I had a big breakfast.” He gave the young girl a smile. “Olivia have more deliveries to make today?”

  “I think so. I think Sam was on his way over to lend a hand. I tried to tell her I could help with deliveries and making arrangements, but she said she’d rather I stayed out front answering the phones and taking orders.” Amy looked a little dejected.

  Grayson knew the truth. Amy would drive Olivia mad with her incessant chatter if she were in the back with her. Olivia preferred deep conversations that matter rather than chats about fashion or movie stars or something else that didn’t seem to matter.

  Amy was a good person. She was just young and had some growing up to do.

  “We couldn’t run this place without you.” He smiled and headed to the back.

  Soft sounds of classical music mingled with the scent of roses in the cool space. Olivia spared him a glance when he entered.

  “The nurses at the hospital didn’t seem to keep you long, I see.” She grinned as she worked a long-stemmed red rose into an arrangement.

  He groaned. “I told them I was busy.”

  “You’re always busy.” She looked at him and continued working.

  “A couple of them did ask about you. They wanted me to let you know that there are openings on the med-surg floor. Said they are desperate for more nurses.” He opened the cooler and peered inside at their inventory of flowers. She was getting low. Thankfully, the tulip harvest at Elizabeth’s was only days away.

  Olivia grimaced. “I hope you told them I’m perfectly happy here among my flowers. Besides, not everyone is cut out…”

  “I know, I know. Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse.” He gave her a sad smile.

  She looked up at him. “So, no date tonight? It is Friday, you know.”

  “Too much to do.”

  “You shouldn’t work too much. I know the farm takes up all your time and trying to help me with deliveries is too much to ask of you. I had Amy put an ad in the newspaper for a delivery boy. I’m thinking it would be a good fit for a high schooler. They could make all my deliveries after school.”

  “Sounds good. Even if you got help, the farm still needs my full attention. Twenty-four seven.”

  “You should still make an effort to have a social life. You’re gonna need a wife to help with that farm.” She pointed a rose at him.

  “I’m perfectly happy where I am in life, Olivia.”

  “Grayson, you know Sarah wasn’t the right girl for you.”

  He flinched at the sound of his ex-fiancée’s name.

  “You need a woman who likes the simple things in life. Someone who isn’t always reaching for more.”

  “I don’t know, Olivia. I think it’s too soon.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

  He’d been engaged to Sarah Wilson, his high school sweetheart, for over a year. Until she broke it off a week before their wedding.

  He’d been hurt and humiliated. She’d left town to go find herself. She said she’d never lived anywhere but Harland Creek. She wanted to see what else was out there. The truth was, she’d found someone else.

  Grayson, on the other hand, could never imagine leaving the town. He liked the comfort of knowing everyone and the countryside that Harland Creek boasted of. Green rolling hills and rain in the spring, and bonfires and deer in the backyard in the winter.

  “Stop,” Olivia said softly.

  “Stop what?” He frowned.

  “Thinking about the what-ifs.” She waved a stem of baby’s breath at him. “You have to move forward, not go backward.”

  “You’re one to talk. You spend every hour here in the flower shop. You haven’t had a date in…” He scratched his head and blinked. “Please tell me it wasn’t senior prom.”

  She winced at his words.

  “I didn’t mean anything by it, Olivia. You know I just want to see you happy.”

  “I am happy. I have my business and my flowers. And my Brutus when I get off work.”

  “A German shepherd the size of a horse isn’t the kind of companionship I am talking about.”

  “Sounds like you are deflecting.”

  “Who’s deflecting?” Sam Tucker walked in the back door and let it slam behind him.

  Olivia winced at the loud noise. “Sam, tell Grayson that he needs a new girlfriend in his life.”

  Sam smiled broadly and slapped his hand on Grayson’s back. “She’s right. You need to get back in the saddle and start dating again.”

  “I hate when you two gang up on me. I’m fine as I am.” He picked up a piece of baby’s breath and twirled it in his fingers. One of the nurses just that day had told him he smelled like a meadow.

  He was a man; he didn’t want to smell like a meadow. And he didn’t want women throwing themselves at him, thinking he was desperate.

  “I’m sure Sam could hook you up with one of his lady friends.”

  “You act like I have some black book filled with names.” Sam gave her a look of shock.

  Olivia stopped working and looked at Sam with mischief in her eyes. “Don’t you?”

  “Sorry to disappoint but I’ve been as busy as you, little mouse.” He touched the tip of her nose. She went red at his teasing.

  “The only women I’ve been around are the women at church.”

  They both stared at him.

  He shrugged. “I’m building a new fellowship hall in the back of the church.” He patted his stomach. “And they all are trying to fatten me up so no woman will ever want me.”

  Olivia laughed and shook her head. “Agnes stopped in while you were out. She said she was going over to Ms. Elizabeth’s house to sit with her. She said she was going to help her interview a caretaker that had responded to the ad.”

  “People still take out ads?” Sam frowned and picked up a fuzzy leaf and sniffed. He pulled a face. “This smells like my grandfather.”

  “It’s eucalyptus. And yes. There are people that still read actual newspapers instead of news on their phones.” Olivi
a snatched the branch away.

  “I heard she was getting someone to stay with her while she was healing from hip surgery.” Grayson frowned. “I need to go over there anyway. I was going to help her harvest some flowers after I see to my cows. Do you have a list of what we need for the shop?”

  Olivia nodded and handed him a slip of paper. “I talked to some florists in surrounding cities. They are making a list of what kinds and how many flowers they will need as well. They should get back with me by the end of the week.”

  Grayson shook his head. “I would hate for her to lose money at her busiest season.”

  “I know. She’s been very fair with her prices. As long as she can get the flowers harvested and delivered on time, she should be okay,” Olivia said positively.

  “I’ll head over in the morning.” He stuck the paper in his jeans pocket. “Oh, and Sam, if you don’t want Amy flirting with you, I suggest you head out the way you came in.”

  Sam flicked a gaze at Olivia and paled. “Thanks for the heads-up. Find out if Ms. Elizabeth needs helps around her farm. I’ll try to arrange my work schedule so I can do what I can.”

  “That’s very generous of you,” Olivia said. “I know it’s hard with her kids living so far away.”

  “Who would ever want to leave Harland Creek?” Grayson shook his head. “Not me. That’s for sure.” He nodded to his sister and her best friend and headed back to his truck.

  Chapter 4

  Heather woke to sun spilling through her long window. She blinked and looked around the unfamiliar room. Yesterday’s memories came flooding back. She was no longer in Georgia anymore. She was in Harland Creek, Mississippi.

  She stretched and looked at the clock on the side table. She had slept later than she intended.

  She had settled into the smaller room at the end of the hall last night. She’d chosen it because it had more windows for the light to shine through. The walls were wallpapered in a light-blue background with tiny cherry blossoms. There were sheer white curtains that hung on the tall windows.

  She liked the light. She’d spent too much of her life in the dark.

  Yesterday after Elizabeth had finished her nap, she had helped with supper. She wasn’t much of a cook but had helped peel potatoes, and under Elizabeth’s instructions, she seasoned the pork chops that had been taken out of the freezer. She took notes when Elizabeth added butter and milk while beating the potatoes until they were rich and creamy. When it came time to make the cornbread, Elizabeth had added the ingredients and let Heather mix them together. Less than thirty minutes later, she was taking golden cornbread out of the oven.

  While the meal had cooked, Heather made more notes of ingredients and measurements so she would know how to do it next time. She had caught Elizabeth giving her a strange look. She needed this job more than anything and she wasn’t going to mess it up.

  By the time supper was done, Elizabeth was too tired to take her out and see the farm. She sat in the living room, watching the nightly news while Heather cleaned up the kitchen. Afterward, she helped Elizabeth get to bed and then went to her bedroom, taking a ziplock bag of crackers and cheese.

  Her fingers itched to unpack her small suitcase and backpack she’d brought with her. Every time she tried to pull some clothes out and tuck them in the empty chest of drawers along the wall, she hesitated. She shouldn’t get so comfortable. Not yet. She was still on a one-week trial.

  After that she could unpack.

  And then what?

  What would she do once Elizabeth was back on her feet and didn’t need her anymore?

  She had quickly shoved those thoughts out of her head. She couldn’t focus on the future. She just had to get through today.

  She sat up, tossed the coverlet off, and stood. The cool hardwood floor felt good against her bare feet. She grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

  When she stepped back into the bedroom, she quickly dressed and dried her hair.

  As she went down the stairs, she took the time to study the family pictures along the wall. There were pictures of Elizabeth and her husband and four children. She wondered if the children lived nearby. If so, why were they not here helping their mother recover?

  She headed into the kitchen and saw Elizabeth holding on to the sink, trying to make a pot of coffee.

  “Please, sit. I’ll do that.” Heather bit her lip. “I meant to set my alarm but I didn’t. I’m sorry. I usually get up around six.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you were worn out after your drive. I know when Mark takes me to his house, it takes all the energy out of me. I need a vacation after visiting him and his family.” She eased into the chair and sighed. She tucked the edges of her robe around her knees.

  “Is Mark your son?” She poured water into the coffeepot and measured out the ground coffee.

  “He is one of three sons. Jeff and John are my other two. And there’s Maggie, my daughter.”

  “Do they live nearby?”

  “Oh no. They all grew up and moved away from Harland Creek. Mark lives in Jackson. And the other three live in Alabama.”

  “Jackson’s not that far from here, is it?” She thought she remembered seeing it on the map.

  “Depends on who you ask.” There was sadness in the old woman’s voice. Heather thought it best to change the subject.

  “What do you usually like to eat for breakfast?”

  “I usually have just coffee and maybe some toast. I’m not the kind that can jump out of bed and eat. My husband was though. And he wanted homemade biscuits every morning.” She chuckled.

  Her stomach growled. Embarrassed, she clamped a hand across it.

  “There’s some cereal in the cabinet and fresh milk in the refrigerator. I haven’t had time to go to the grocery store so we’ll make a list today. Add anything you normally eat.”

  “Anything?”

  “Within reason. I don’t expect you to pick up filet mignon.” Elizabeth shook her head.

  “I’ve never had filet mignon in my life, so I think you’re pretty safe.” Heather pulled some cups out of the cabinet and found the cream and sugar. She set them on the kitchen table. Her gaze cut to the stack of papers.

  “I can go through those and organize them if you want.”

  “First coffee, then I need to get out to the flowers and see how they are doing.”

  Heather poured two cups of steaming coffee into the mugs and set them on the table. She slid into the chair across from Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth took a sip and smiled. “Good coffee.”

  “Thanks. It’s the one thing I can make.” She slammed her mouth shut and looked at Elizabeth.

  “It’s okay. I figured cooking wasn’t your specialty after last night.” Elizabeth glanced to the stove. “Just keep taking notes and you’ll get better with it in no time.”

  “What do you normally wear? I can go ahead and lay your clothes out and help you with your shower?” Elizabeth doctored her coffee with creamer and one sugar before taking a drink.

  “I can manage my shower by myself. My son had the forethought to update my bathroom a few years ago. He took out the tub and installed a large walk-in shower with a bench.”

  Heather felt relieved.

  “As for my clothes. I usually wear a muumuu.”

  Heather blinked.

  Elizabeth eyed her over her coffee. “You don’t know what a muumuu is, do you?”

  Heather swallowed.

  “It’s like a loose dress. A cross between a long shirt and a robe.” Elizabeth looked at the laundry room off the kitchen. “I’ve got some hanging up in there. Just get me whichever one you can get your hands on first.”

  Heather took a sip and stood. She stepped into the cramped laundry room and saw three large dresses hanging up near the small window.

  She picked the pink one with yellow flowers. She walked into the kitchen and spotted some black rubber boots sitting by the back door.
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  “You usually wear rubber boots when you go out to the flowers?”

  “Yes, but my doctor told me to wear tennis shoes until I’m steady on my feet.” She narrowed her eyes. “The only shoes I’ve ever worn are my rubber boots when gardening and my dress shoes for church or going to town.” She shook her head.

  “Hopefully you’ll be healed quickly and you can go back to wearing your rubber boots.” Something inside Heather caught. She didn’t want to think where she would have to go when Elizabeth didn’t need her anymore.

  She breathed out a breath and took a sip of her coffee. “I’ll lay this on your bed for when you are ready.”

  “Thank you.” Elizabeth cupped her coffee mug in two hands and took a drink.

  When Heather got back, she went to the kitchen counter to tidy up the papers.

  “Did you sleep well?” Elizabeth looked over at her.

  “Yes, I did. Thank you.”

  “You picked the smaller room at the end of the hall.”

  Heather looked at her in surprise.

  Elizabeth grinned. “It’s an old house. I can hear footsteps and I knew you were in Maggie’s room.” A sad smile crossed her face.

  Heather didn’t want to press. “I liked how bright the room was. It looks right out onto the field of flowers.” She refilled Elizabeth’s coffee and topped off her own. She sat down at the table. “It’s a lot different environment than what I grew up with.”

  “Where did you grow up?” Elizabeth pried.

  Heather hated lying to the woman. But she wanted and needed this job. Would Elizabeth let her go when she found out she’d been in foster care?

  “I…”

  The phone let out a shrill ring, and Heather jumped up to answer it. She glanced around the kitchen for the landline.

  “In the living room. By my recliner.” Elizabeth waved.

  Heather hurried and picked up the phone. “Elizabeth Harland residence.”

  “Well, well, well. Aren’t we high and mighty.” Agnes snickered on the other end.

  “Good morning, Agnes.” Heather sighed.