“It was a long ride, but here I am.” He set down his suitcase and enveloped her in his arms.
His lips met hers in a kiss that seemed to melt the frigid air around them. Old feelings reawakened, their ardor reminding her all the more how much she had yearned to be near Gladdie and how glad she was that he had finally arrived.
“Enough, you two. We all know you’re dizzy with this dame,” Archie teased. “Need help with that bag, Gladdie?”
Gladdie broke the embrace slowly enough to let Drusie know he was sorry for the interruption. “Nope. I got it.”
Archie started walking to the car. “Too bad you won’t be seeing much of North Carolina. We’re heading into Virginia and Tennessee on the next leg of the tour.”
Gladdie picked up his bag and followed, along with Drusie. “Anywhere else?” he asked.
“Maybe Kentucky. Anywhere our music will be well received. This tour has helped get the girls known. Before long, we’ll all be rich.”
Gladdie touched Drusie’s shoulder. “The longer you were gone from me, the less I cared about being rich. And I still don’t care nothin’ about havin’ more than I need. I’m just glad we’re together now.”
“You’ll be sick enough of each other with all the rehearsals and performances we have scheduled,” Archie jested as he opened the trunk of his Auburn. “Gladdie, you need to run through the music with the band tonight and work in your part.”
Gladdie tossed in his suitcase. “Fine. Has the other harmonica player gotten over what ails him?”
“He’ll recover, but not before this tour is over.”
“I’m sorry to hear it’s gonna take so long for him to get well. I hate that my opportunity came at someone else’s expense.”
Archie shrugged. “I know it. But that’s life.”
“I reckon. Say, Archie, do you mind if I take Drusie out for a cup of coffee at the diner?” Gladdie cocked his head toward an establishment in sight of them.
Archie nodded. “Sure. There’s time. June and Betty have a new number they want to go over, but after that I do need you to rehearse with the band. I know the girls are used to your playing, but Elmer needs to get comfortable with you, and you need to get to know him. Hows about I give you two love birds a half hour?”
“That’s not enough, but we’ll take it.” Gladdie grabbed Drusie’s hand, and they headed off for some time alone.
Ten
Gladdie looked across the table at Drusie. With her eyes bright in excitement and her elated expression, she looked more beautiful than ever. They’d been apart too long.
A waitress carried a hot, open-faced roast beef sandwich and a ham dinner past them, sending enticing aromas their way. On the counter, slices of pie and pastries looked tempting under glass. He wished they had enough time for dinner, but he also knew Archie had to keep the band members to a schedule if they hoped to perform at the grueling pace he set for them. At least the coffee looked rich and smelled delicious. Sugar and cream added to the brew made for a tasty pick-me-up.
“And you know what?” Drusie was saying. “Archie never could get June to confess to burnin’ holes in them dresses. Not that I blame her. He was plannin’ to dock her pay—or worse. I just hope she got the idea of revenge out of her system and Archie’s threats were enough to stop her.”
“Judgin’ from what you told me, she’s mad as an old sittin’ hen, all right. It ain’t no fun to be thrown over for someone else.”
“How would you know?” she jested.
“I don’t know for sure, and I don’t want to find out.”
“I can tell you one thing; she’ll never get to our clothes like that again. And I’m keeping an extra close watch on my money and jewelry.”
“Why is that? She don’t have nothin’ against you, does she? Other than the fact you’re Clara’s sister.”
“No, and I’ve always been nothin’ but nice to her. But. . .” Drusie added an unnecessary spoonful of sugar to her coffee and stirred.
“What’s wrong?”
She set her spoon on the plain white saucer that matched the cup. A tear escaped from the corner of her eye. “Oh, I was hopin’ I’d find it before you came. I looked and looked and looked. Nothin’.”
He knew what she meant. “The gold necklace.”
She nodded, and tears came at a rapid pace. “I’m sorry.”
He handed her his handkerchief and patted her hand. “Now don’t you worry one little bit. I can buy you another necklace. Now that I’m in the band, I can buy you one soon. Maybe even one with a diamond.”
“But I don’t want a necklace with a diamond. I want the one you already gave me. It means a lot to me.”
“You still got me. Now that I’m here with you, you don’t need to read ‘I love you’ engraved on a pendant. I can tell you myself, every day.”
She patted her eyes. “Well, that’s the best way to look at it, I reckon.” She smiled.
“That’s better. So you think not only that she burned holes in Clara’s dresses, but that June’s a thief in your midst, too?”
“It seems maybe so. Things turn up missin’ from time to time.”
Gladdie finished his coffee and set down the cup. “As much as y’all move around from place to place, it’s no wonder things get lost.”
“True. I just hope you’re right. I have another story that beats that, though. Two weeks ago, a show producer shorted us on ticket receipts.”
“That’s awful! How can somebody get away with that?”
“Archie tries to line us up with people who’ll pay our fee ahead of time, but it’s not always possible, apparently. He says sometimes we get involved with someone that ain’t honest. There’s not much we can do. At least we were just shorted and they didn’t run off with the whole sum of admission money.”
“True.”
The waitress appeared again, and Gladdie accepted another cup of coffee even though Drusie declined. He wanted to linger and get the bad news out of the way. “Drusie?”
“What is it?”
“I have somethin’ to tell you. I’m tellin’ you now because I don’t think you’ll haul off and hit me in front of all these people.” He looked around in an exaggerated manner.
“Haul off and hit you? You’re a silly old thing. What’s the matter?” She leaned across the table.
Her levity eased him. “First of all, I want you to know that I’ll always be grateful to you for agreein’ to sing in Archie’s band so I could buy the store, even if Pa did end up comin’ up with the money.”
She reached over and took his hand. “I’d do anything for you. Thank you for lettin’ me come out here with Clara. You haven’t seen her yet, but she’s blossomed under the limelight.”
“And ain’t got into much trouble?” he joked.
“Not too much. She and Archie seem to have found romance.”
“They have? Well, how about that.” He paused. “Come to think of it, I could sense somethin’ in the air with them even before you left. You don’t mind her gettin’ involved with him, do you?”
“Not if it makes her happy. And after gettin’ to know him, I’ve decided Archie’s okay.” She smiled. “But we’ve gotten off the subject, and the waitress is eyein’ us like she’d like us to leave so somebody else can have this booth.”
Gladdie cut his glance to the waitress. “Yeah. Right. Well, anyway, I’ve decided I don’t want to keep shop all my life.”
Drusie gasped. “You don’t?”
“That’s right.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“I don’t blame you. The whole story isn’t as simple as all that. You see, the decision has been made for me. Mr. Goode sold the store out from under Pa and me.”
“What?”
“That’s right.” Gladdie filled her in on all the details.
“Maybe the Moores will sell you their store,” Drusie joked.
“If only.” Gladdie let out a humorless chuckle. “You know what? This ain’t what
I thought I’d want—being out of a chance to own the store—but maybe it’s what God wants. Why else would He let somethin’ like that happen?”
“He does let things happen for a reason.”
“I believe that, too.”
“God works all for good.” She squeezed his hand. “And now you’re here. With me. Could we ask for more?”
“No. We sure couldn’t.”
❧
Four weeks later, Drusie knew that she had never been happier. For the first time since leaving Sunshine Hollow in Archie’s Auburn, she enjoyed rising each morning in anticipation. Seeing Gladdie every day lifted her spirits. She knew she’d missed him while they were apart, but she didn’t know just how much until they were together again.
“You look mighty cheerful,” Clara noticed as they dressed for yet another performance.
“That’s because I am.” Drusie wiggled into her costume. “I’m enjoyin’ singin’ for folks a powerful lot more now that Gladdie’s onstage with us. He gives me more confidence in singin’ for folks I don’t know.”
“And I don’t?” Clara jested.
“Sure, you help me a lot. More than you know. Sometimes I don’t think I could’ve made it at all if you hadn’t been here. And that’s the truth,” Drusie said. “And I have to say, I’m not as afraid of audiences as I used to be. I reckon I’ve gotten used to not knowin’ nobody I’m singin’ for.”
“Not to mention, Archie’s rehearsed us so many times I think I’m recitin’ lines and singin’ in my sleep.”
Drusie laughed.
“I know you bein’ happier has made Archie happy, too.”
“There’s only one thing. I’m gettin’ tired of wearin’ this stiff fabric. It’s scratchy, too.”
“But so pretty. And you know what Archie says. He says with the Depression on, people like to see singers wearin’ pretty clothes even if they cain’t afford to buy nice things for themselves.”
“Like the men havin’ to wear rhinestones and beads on their suits, huh?” Drusie grinned and shook her head. “Could you imagine them wearin’ such getups anywhere else but onstage?”
“No, I cain’t.” Clara touched the hem of her dress. “But I sure do like my dress. It’s even prettier than the one June burned.”
“Now we cain’t go around sayin’ that even though we suspect,” Drusie scolded. “After all, it ain’t happened no more. Looks like whoever did it learned their lesson.”
“Maybe, but if it was her, I wish she’d own up to it.”
“She won’t. The Hays Code might make sure everybody in the movies who’s done somethin’ wrong gets punished, but we ain’t in no motion picture.”
“It don’t seem right. Why should she get off scot-free?”
Drusie shrugged. “I know it. But the Bible never promised us that everybody who does wrong will be punished here on the earth. She may look like she’s gettin’ away with somethin’, but she ain’t. At least, not in the long run.”
Clara adjusted her bodice. “I reckon you’re right.”
“What we need to do now is pray that June finds the right man for her. If Archie was the right man for June, he never woulda looked at you twice.”
“True.” Clara nodded once. “And because you pointed that out, I think I will pray for her.”
Drusie looked at the wall clock. “First we’d better get through this show.”
“You’re right. Time to get on out there.”
Moments later, Drusie stood by Gladdie, waiting to go onstage. She eyed a now-familiar woman and tugged on his sleeve. “Who is that woman?”
He peered into the audience. “What woman?”
“She’s sittin’ on the second row, near the center. See? She’s the brunette wearin’ fur.”
Gladdie spotted the woman in question. “She sure is familiar. Warn’t she in the audience in several places in Tennessee?”
“Yes, and Virginia, too. And now it looks like she’s followed us back to North Carolina.”
Elmer interrupted. “Who you talkin’ about?”
“This woman in the second row. She sure travels a lot,” Gladdie said. “She’s been followin’ the band awhile now. Got any idea who she might be?”
“I—uh, why would you think I know?”
His stammering drew Drusie’s attention. “You seem like you’re a little slow to answer.”
“I told you, I don’t know.”
Gladdie laughed. “So you say. Is she comin’ to see you play every night?”
“You could do worse,” Drusie said. “She’s mighty pretty.”
“Aw, come on. They’re all here to see you and Clara. You’re the stars.”
Approaching from behind, Archie shushed them. “Stop your yammering. You’re being introduced.”
“He’s right. We’re on.” Gladdie brushed Drusie’s lips with his. The gesture never failed to send chills down her spine.
Drusie hung back as the band took to the stage and played a few chords of “Cindy.” She and Clara were always introduced after that.
Archie placed his hand on the small of Clara’s back and whispered something in her ear. Watching them, Drusie could only hope that he wouldn’t break Clara’s heart. She wanted her sister to have a real love, a love like she and Gladdie knew.
The rustle of a dress lured her gaze behind the couple. June’s expression as she observed Archie and Clara held a mixture of wistfulness and resignation. Drusie had a feeling that June wouldn’t be burning holes in any more dresses.
Soon their set was completed, and the sound of applause filled the air. Drusie lingered long enough to hear Gladdie play harmonica for the other bands. His music added texture to any act of which he was part.
She applauded wildly for him.
He met her backstage after the show.
“You thrive under that spotlight, don’t you?” she said.
“I hate to admit it, because I don’t want to seem like I think I should be the center of attention, but I do enjoy performin’ for the crowd a lot more than I ever thought I would.”
“That’s because they appreciate you. But not as much as I do.”
“They appreciate you. You were wonderful tonight. You’re wonderful every night.” He punctuated the statement with a kiss.
“You were even better.” Drusie kissed him back. If only they were married. Traveling together had brought them some temptation they hadn’t experienced at home under the vigilant eyes of their parents. Yet they knew they could trust each other. Both were too committed to God and a strong beginning for their marriage to go beyond a kiss.
“I wish we could marry right away,” Gladdie mused.
“I know,” Drusie agreed. “I wish we could, too. But you know it would break Ma’s and Pa’s hearts if we didn’t marry in the same little church where they were wed all them years ago. And what kind of married life could we have on the road like this, anyway?”
They were interrupted by Archie. “That no good Burns.”
“What do you mean?” Gladdie wanted to know. “Who’s Burns?”
“Isn’t he the show’s producer?” Drusie guessed.
“He sure is. Or was—before he disappeared.”
“What do you mean, he disappeared?” Drusie felt her heart sink in her chest.
Archie shrugged, a nonchalant motion that defied his face grown red with rage. “He up and left. No one seems to know where he is. At least, they’re not willing to tell me.”
“He’s the stocky man wearing a cowboy hat and boots, right?” Drusie asked.
“Yes, that describes him. Have you seen him?” Archie’s eyes took on a hopeful glint.
“Not since before the show. And I don’t know where he would have run off to. I saw him takin’ the ticket money, so it’s not like our show was a flop,” Drusie observed. “He—he did pay you our fee before he left, right?”
“That’s just it. He didn’t,” Archie said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t care where he’d run off to.”
�
�Drusie told me somethin’ like this happened before.” Shadows hovered over Gladdie’s face as the stagehands dimmed the lights.
Archie started walking toward the dressing rooms. Drusie and Gladdie followed. “Yeah, but I had it on good word from one of my contacts that this guy could be trusted. I’ll remember not to trust him again,” Archie said. “I feel awful about it. I try to protect us, but we’re out on our own in this world. From now on, our show is not performing for anybody until we’re paid. And that’s final.”
“That’s all you can do, Archie,” Gladdie agreed.
“I hate having to punish the honest ones because of the ones who aren’t so good.”
“It’s not your fault,” Drusie said. “Don’t beat yourself up. You do your best. And that’s usually pretty good!”
“Yeah,” Archie agreed.
Drusie took that as her cue to depart. “I know one thing. I’ve got to change out of this outfit. I’ll let you know if I see Mr. Burns, Archie.”
“Oh, one thing before you go,” Archie said. “Speaking of seeing things, have either of you seen my mother-of-pearl cuff links?”
Gladdie and Drusie both shook their heads no. “When did you last see ’em?” Gladdie inquired.
“Last night, when I took them off to go to bed. I couldn’t find them this morning, so I had to put on these other ones. Good thing I brought an extra set, even if I don’t like them half as much.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe the thief has struck again.”
“Maybe you just misplaced ’em,” Gladdie consoled him. “Maybe you put ’em someplace different than you thought.”
Drusie was sure June wouldn’t be interested in cuff links. She hadn’t been near Archie any more than necessary ever since the incident with the dresses, and Drusie had become convinced that June had given up on Archie.
“I just hope they turn up,” Archie said.
“They cost a pretty penny, didn’t they?” Gladdie asked.
“You shred it, wheat. And I’d better not catch anybody wearing them.”
“I ain’t wearin’ your cuff links.” Gladdie held his arms out for Archie to see. “I cain’t afford shirts with no fancy cuffs. All my shirts button.”
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