Kelly let her needles rest in her lap, watching Nancy’s face. The anxious expression had vanished for a moment and she’d brightened visibly. But only for a moment, then the worry returned.
“He calls you Sunshine?” Kelly asked, smiling at Nancy. “That brings back memories of my father. He used to call me ‘Tiger’ when I was growing up.”
“Boy, was your dad psychic or what?” Lisa teased. “If we have a problem with someone, we sic Kelly on them. She’ll go toe-to-toe with them. In your face.” Lisa laughed, eyes dancing.
“Lies, all lies,” Kelly said with a dismissive wave of her hand, joining Lisa’s playfulness. Nancy looked like she could do with a few moments of lighthearted conversation.
Nancy’s little smile returned. “Your father sounds a lot like mine. Does he live here?”
“He used to years ago. In fact, I grew up here until I was twelve, then we had to move. But my dad is dead now. Smoking.”
Kelly picked up her knitting needles again. “Did you grow up here in Fort Connor? Lots of the university students are local.”
“No, my dad and I moved here six years ago after my mom died. We lived in Wisconsin, where my dad and mom grew up. But I finished high school here. We both fell in love with Fort Connor and Colorado when we got here. The mountains and the Cache La Poudre River running through town.”
“That sounds like most of us,” Lisa said, picking up her needles again, too.
“Boy, how many times have I heard that story?” Kelly asked with a smile. “I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that a university student decided to stay here once they came.”
Lisa leaned over and placed her hand on Nancy’s arm. “Don’t worry, Nancy. Your father is just being your dad. He wants to talk to your boyfriend Neil. And I’m sure it will go well. Let’s think positive, okay? Maybe your dad can get through Neil’s attitude.”
Kelly had to bite her lip to keep from adding “Neil’s bad attitude” to the end of Lisa’s sentence. Nancy didn’t say anything, simply gave a little nod. But Kelly noticed her momentarily relaxed fingers had clenched each other tightly once more.
Just then, a cheerful voice came into the room. “Well, hello, girls!” Mimi chirped, giving them a bright smile. “I don’t believe I know your friend, Lisa.”
“Mimi, this is Nancy Marsted. She’s a graduate student at the university, too. We met in one of our classes together, and I convinced her to start knitting.”
Mimi’s pretty face lit up. “That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you stopped by to visit us, Nancy. What are you working on?”
Nancy gave Mimi a small smile. “I’ve started a baby sweater but I haven’t gotten very far. I’m not really very good at knitting.”
“Well, we can certainly help with that,” Mimi said, walking around to that side of the table. “Do you have it with you, dear? I’d be glad to help you if you’d like.” Mimi pulled out the chair next to Nancy.
“Well, yes . . . it’s down in the bottom of my shoulder bag,” Nancy said with a sheepish look as she lifted her large fabric bag from the floor. She dug into the bag and pulled out a tangled mass of yarn and two dangling needles. “Uh-oh, I’m afraid I’ve ruined it.”
Mimi gave a little wave of her hand. “Nonsense, we specialize in rescuing knitting projects, don’t we, girls?” She gently took the tangled mess from Nancy’s hands.
Lisa and Kelly exchanged a glance and nodded dutifully as they answered in unison, “Absolutely.” Mother Mimi to the rescue. Perfect timing.
• • •
Kelly pulled her car into a parking space in the driveway between the knitting shop and her cottage. Being inside her car with the air-conditioning, Kelly felt the shock of the August heat the moment she stepped from her car. Thank goodness August usually marked the time when the hotter temperatures of the summer gradually moderated week by week into the lower eighties by the end of the month or early September.
Slipping her briefcase bag over her shoulder, Kelly grabbed her travel mug and walked into the green shade of the café’s garden patio. It was time for a refill after spending the morning with client Arthur Housemann debating which rental property would be a better purchase.
Her cell phone jangled then and Kelly deliberately stepped sideways along the flagstone path so as not to disturb the customers enjoying lunch at the outside tables dotted among the flowering bushes and decorative trees. Steve’s name appeared on the phone screen.
“Hey there. Are you going to be down from that mountain property in time to make it to the game tonight?”
“I should be. I’m actually on the edge of Denver now at a coffee shop off the interstate,” Steve’s voice came over the phone. “After I get some things done at the office, I can head home. Of course, there’s rush hour, but what else is new?”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll already be at Rolland Moore field since our game starts early at six. So don’t rush heading over there. You’ll have time to stop by a fast food place or a deli and grab something better than concession fare. Cassie’s team doesn’t start playing until seven thirty.”
“That’s a good idea. By the end of the season, concession park franks are getting a little tired.” He chuckled.
“I hear you. Drive safely, and look out for the crazies, okay?”
“Always. See you later.” Steve’s phone clicked off.
Kelly dropped her cell phone back into her bag and started to move away from the shady corner of the garden when Jennifer walked over to her. “Do you have a minute, Kelly?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
Jennifer gestured to a nearby empty table. “Why don’t we sit down. Lunchtime is winding down so Julie can handle it. If she needs my help, she’ll give me a wave.”
“Sounds like a good idea. You probably need to get off your feet by now anyway,” Kelly said as she settled into a black wrought iron chair.
Jennifer sat across the circular table and momentarily closed her eyes. “Wow, it does feel good to sit down.”
Kelly smiled and waved at passing waitress Julie. “Jen will never ask for it, but could you snag her an iced tea while you fill up my mug, please?”
“Sure, no problem,” Julie said with a bright smile. “I’m glad you got her to take a break. Jen usually refuses.”
“I’ve got the magic touch,” Kelly said with a laugh. Watching Julie walk away, Kelly glanced at her longtime friend. “So what’s going on? Everything okay?”
“Yeah, the café’s going great. I just thought I’d give you an update. Pete spoke with Cassie last night after ball practice and told her that her mother, Tanya, wants her to come down to Denver for a weekend before school starts to spend some time with her.”
Kelly stared at her friend’s face. She noticed some of the worry lines she’d seen the other day. “What did Cassie say to that idea? I mean, how did she respond? Were you there when they talked?”
Jennifer nodded. “Yes, I was there while they talked. Cassie was confused, understandably. I could tell from the expression on her face. She asked Pete why. ‘Why does my mom want to see me now?’”
“Good question. That would be the first thing I’d ask, too. Why, after all those years of ignoring her, would Tanya suddenly become interested?”
Jennifer caught Kelly’s gaze. “That was my first thought, too. But I kept it to myself.”
“What did Pete say? Cassie’s a smart girl. He’d have to give her a believable reason.”
“Yeah. And I think he did. Pete explained that it was really important to Tanya. And she wanted to get to know Cassie better before she was all grown up.”
Kelly felt that resonate inside, and she nodded. “That is a good reason. What did Cassie say?”
“I could tell it made sense to her, watching her face,” Jennifer said as she glanced toward the green bushes. Thickened by summer’s heat and reg
ular watering, their leaves had grown wide and fat, spreading like waiting fans in the quiet and still shade.
Another thought surfaced in the back of Kelly’s mind. “There’s only one thing which could complicate that. Softball season is coming to a close. The league championship games have started already. They’re playing tonight in the second round. And the final games won’t be until next weekend. Cassie probably won’t want to miss those games, I’m guessing.”
Jennifer smiled. “You guess right. Cassie brought that up first thing. She said she couldn’t go to Denver until those games were over. And that leaves the last weekend in August as the only one available. The following weekend is Labor Day, and Pete and I have already promised we’d join Mimi and Burt and Cassie on a camping trip up in Cache La Poudre Canyon.”
“Oh, yes, I remember Mimi saying something about that.” Kelly grinned. “Apparently Mimi and Burt and Cassie will be doing all the cooking so you two can sit back and relax.”
“That’s exactly how they explained it,” Jennifer said with a smile. “Of course, I’m not big on camping outdoors, but Burt has assured me they have special tents with comfy air mattresses and all that.” She wagged her head. “But I don’t know. The idea of trying to walk out in the dark to the outdoor privy, well, that’s not exactly my idea of a good time. I’m afraid there would be a bear waiting for me behind some tree.”
Kelly sank back in the chair and laughed out loud. “I don’t think you’d have to worry about bears waiting for you in the dark. Those are small black bears up in the canyon anyway. About a hundred pounds.”
“That’s big enough to do some damage.”
“Shoot. Carl almost weighs that. He’s over ninety pounds.”
“Even so, a hundred pounds is big enough to be scary.”
“Actually, the only one who’d be hunting at night would be puma. Mountain lions. Cats hunt at night,” Kelly said with a deliberately wicked smile.
Jennifer’s eyes popped wide. “Thank you so much, Kelly! Now I’m really scared. I’ll probably cower in the tent next to Pete all night.”
“You can always take Carl up in the canyon with you. Of course, he’ll be barking during the night whenever he hears all the different creatures moving around.” She grinned.
Jennifer gave her an exasperated look. “You are impossible, you know that. I’m going to tell Julie to substitute hot tea for your coffee,” Jennifer teased as she pushed back her chair.
“So it’s decided then? Cassie will go down to Denver weekend after next.”
Jennifer nodded as she gave a little stretch. Julie was walking their way with a glass of iced tea and Kelly’s coffee mug. “Yes. Pete called Tanya last night and told her that was the only weekend Cassie had free before school began. And after the school year started, the fall sports season had games scheduled every weekend. So it’s that weekend or wait until holiday vacation days.”
“Well, I hope Tanya understands. Cassie has made a life for herself here, and her mother will simply have to accommodate herself to it if she wants to see her daughter.” Kelly reached out to accept her coffee mug from Julie’s outstretched hand.
“Here you go, Kelly,” Julie said, then handed the iced tea to Jennifer. “Sit down, Jen. You can talk to Kelly longer. Three couples have already left and the other two tables are still talking. No rush.”
“Thanks, Julie. I appreciate that. I have to take this new client out to some of the new housing developments in Fort Connor. So we’ll be climbing lots of bare staircases and scrambling over dirt all afternoon.”
“Be careful in those new houses,” Kelly warned. “I’ve been to several that my client Housemann is building. And those new-built staircases are just wooden planks nailed together in some places. No sides, no backs even. Empty spaces to fall through all over the place. Dangerous.”
“Don’t worry,” Jennifer said, returning to her chair. “I’m very careful in those new houses. They can be hazardous to a real estate agent’s health.”
“For sure,” Julie said with a vigorous nod. “And for the record, I agree with you guys. Cassie’s absentee mom will simply have to change her schedule to fit in with Cassie’s. Tanya can’t just show up and expect Cassie to drop everything and go see her. Not after her mom has practically ignored her all these years.” Julie’s pretty face had puckered with a frown. “That’s just my two cents. So there.” And with a nod, Julie turned and hurried back to the grill counter. Back to work.
Kelly looked over at her friend, who was smiling after Julie. Kelly waited until Jennifer turned back to her then said, “So there.” And gave a definitive nod of her own.
Five
The Next Morning
Kelly’s cell phone sounded from inside her cottage as she poured fresh water into Carl’s large doggy bowl on the backyard patio. Carl immediately began to slurp, long pink tongue splashing water from the bowl.
Kelly slid the patio screen door closed and snatched her ringing phone from the kitchen counter. Lisa’s name flashed on the screen. “Hey there. Are you coming to Cassie’s game tonight? League games have already started.”
“You bet. I love watching the kids play. Greg will have to miss it because a student friend has a thesis party. I just heard from Megan, too. She was not able to schedule an earlier babysitter so Marty will be coming to the game alone. She hates to miss it, but we’ll see her afterwards at your house.”
“It’s hard to believe that the school year will start in a couple of weeks. Cassie will be a freshman in high school.”
“I know what you mean. Watching Cassie and Eric grow like weeds these last two years, it’s really amazing.”
“Yeah, I know. It seems like only a few months ago Cassie came to live with Jennifer and Pete.” Kelly took a sip from her everyday mug on the counter. The last of her morning coffee. “I’ve got to start on my client accounts now, but I haven’t decided if I’ll go on over to the patio garden or inside the shop to work. It’s gorgeous outside and will be in the eighties all day.”
“I know. I wish I could be outside but I’ve got physical therapy patients all this morning, and then I’ll be going over my research notes for this psych paper I’m writing. So I’ll be working this afternoon.”
“Hey, why don’t you come over to the garden patio and study your notes there? No need to close yourself up in some building. I work outside in that patio all the time. Even with customers at the tables. Believe me, it doesn’t disturb my concentration at all.”
“Hmmmmm, that is tempting.”
“C’mon. Do yourself a favor. It’s the middle of August, and September will be here, and the regular university school year will start. Then you’ll be taking another psych class. Enjoy summer while you can.”
“Boy, you are one heckuva salesman, Kelly. I think you’re wasted doing accounting.”
Kelly had to laugh. “Ohhhh, no. My dad was a salesman for a national auto parts manufacturer. And I remember how much work he had to put into getting sales. Regularly. Every day. That’s a hard job. Accounting is easy compared to that.”
“Easy? Ha! Easy for you maybe,” Lisa teased. “Listen, I’ve got to get to the sports medicine clinic. My patient will be there in half an hour. I’ll see you tonight at the ball field.”
“No, you can see me this afternoon in the café patio garden like I suggested,” Kelly countered.
Lisa’s soft laughter sounded over the phone before she clicked off.
Kelly shoved her phone into her white summer pants pocket, then grabbed her empty travel mug and her briefcase bag and headed for the cottage front door. She might as well take her own advice and find a comfy small outdoor table in the café patio garden and start on her client accounts. Besides, one of Eduardo’s yummy cinnamon rolls would easily serve as breakfast.
Stepping outside in the beautiful sunny August morning, Kelly checked the cars in the drivewa
y. Breakfast customers. Carl barked once behind her and she turned to see her rottweiler behind the chain-link fence. It was made secure years ago by an addition to the top of the fence to make sure Carl the Explorer didn’t go roaming again.
“Keep those squirrels in line, Carl,” Kelly called to her dog. Carl woofed once in reply then trotted back into the yard to do as he was bade.
Kelly walked slowly over to the garden patio, glancing around her and savoring the view of the Rockies in the distance behind the outlines of Old Town Fort Connor. Once more, she was glad that years ago she’d decided to leave the East Coast and stay in Fort Connor and make it her home. Even though that decision meant Kelly had to walk away from her corporate CPA career in Washington, DC, to create an entirely new accounting career in Fort Connor. And she had done so.
Now, Kelly’s high-level accounting expertise was completely focused on two clients. Both of them extremely successful businessmen in entirely different areas. Both of them more than satisfied with the corporate-level accounting that Kelly provided. One of them, Arthur Housemann, older and wiser, called Kelly’s level of service “concierge accounting.” Something available to just a privileged few. Kelly had laughed at that description and wished her father were still alive to share her success. But then she looked around her world and her life in Fort Connor, and she knew she had more than enough “family” to share success and struggles with. Kelly counted herself lucky.
As she strolled into the patio garden itself, Kelly spotted a table beside the small outdoor classroom building in the corner of the garden. Kelly promptly claimed it, setting her briefcase bag on the table, and pulled out a chair.
“Hey, Kelly, can I get you some coffee?” Julie asked as she walked along the flagstone path, tray in one hand.
“You’re reading my mind again, Julie,” Kelly said and handed over her oversized mug.
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