by Tonya Kappes
“Over here,” Jenna yelled and waved her hands over the crowd in the coffee shop. “Here’s a non-fat vanilla latte for you.”
“Yum. Just what I need.” Liz laid the bag of tassels on the table, and brushed the snow off her coat. “The snow is really coming down out there.”
The blizzard outside wasn’t stopping the townsfolk from getting out. The streets were filled with warm conversations and Christmas cheer.
“We’re supposed to get a couple inches.” Jenna handed Liz a menu.
She set it down. There was no reason for her to look at it. She ordered the same thing week after week.
“I was afraid the snow might keep you away.” Kerri Ann McComb wiped her hands down her Christmas apron, causing the bells decorating it to jingle.
Kerri Ann was an inspiration to Liz. She didn’t care what people thought, and she always said it like it was.
She pulled a pen out of her hair and tapped the order pad.
“The usual?” Kerri Ann asked.
“Yes, please. And I’d like to add a bowl of your soup.” Soup was exactly what Liz needed to take the chill out of her spirit. “Plus, I’d never miss our weekly date. Are these from The Ladybug Florist?”
She picked up the bud vase, admiring the cream, white, and red Poinsettia with holly sprigs.
“Mamie ordered one for each table. Didn’t Celia do an excellent job?” Kerri Ann asked.
Celia Briggs was the owner of The Ladybug Florist. Her flowers decorated all of Grandberry Falls, and beautifully so.
“I hope she’s back in time to get the fundraiser arrangements done.” Jenna gave a cross look to Kerri Ann.
Kerri Ann should have the inside scoop since she dated Marty, Celia’s father.
“Marty is in Los Angeles at the movie wrap party, and he said he has a big surprise to tell me when he gets back.” Kerri Ann refilled the coffee cups. “I still can’t believe Sam Barber was living in our town and we didn’t even know it. Much less falling in love with Celia.”
What luck, Liz thought, as she considered Celia Briggs.
Sam Barber, the famous movie star, was escaping his life and wound up in Grandberry Falls of all places. He’d even applied to The Ladybug Florist to be Celia’s delivery boy. Despite a few hiccups, Celia and Sam fell in love, and she was doing all the flowers for his new movie’s wrap party in Los Angeles.
“Oh, she’ll be back in time. Then I’m going to spend some time with Marty.” Kerri Ann winked, referring to the relationship she’d sparked with Marty a few months ago.
Looking over Kerri Ann’s shoulder, Liz noticed a crowd gathered around a table in the back of The Trembling Cup.
“Kerri Ann, what’s going on back there?” She strained her head.
Kerri Ann looked around, then back at Jenna, then at Liz. “Nothing, nothing.” Her voice was tinged with anxiety.
“That was strange.” Liz watched Kerri Ann rush back toward the table to quiet the crowd.
Kerri Ann couldn’t fool her. She was the eyes and ears of Grandberry Falls. If there was anything new in town, she knew about it, and there was definitely something new in the back of the coffee shop.
Liz wrapped her scarf around her neck.
“That’s Kerri Ann for you,” Jenna said as soon as she was out of earshot. “Did you go to The Figure 8? I told Beth to expect you and set you up with a great dress.”
The dress was the last thing on Liz’s mind. They needed to get the fundraiser finalized. That way, she’d be able to put this holiday season behind her.
“Yes.” Liz rolled her eyes. “What about you?”
“Me?” Jenna put her hand on her chest. “My situation was different from yours.”
Liz laughed. Everyone in the coffee shop stopped and looked. All except the table in the back that was still crowded with people.
“What? I’m a widow.” Jenna said, reminding Liz of the tragic drunk driving accident that left her without a husband and Samantha fatherless. “You are a divorcee. Let me guess, black dress?”
Liz moved slightly to the right so Kerri Ann could put the food down.
“Yes, but it’s different. You’ll have to wait and see.” Liz jabbed at a bit of salad with her fork and dipped it in the dressing cup.
Jenna was going to have to wait.
“Fine. If you not going to divvy up the details, I guess we can work on this.” Jenna slapped her hand on a stack of file folders.
With only two weeks until the benefit, Liz wondered how they were going to get everything they needed to get done…done.
The New Year’s Eve benefit, Night at the Casino, was sponsored by the local Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter, and there are no alcoholic beverages served at the function. They rented games and people had volunteered to be table dealers, servers and show everyone that you can have a good time without alcohol.
The Trembling Cup erupted in a burst of laughter. Liz looked up, but Jenna continued sorting through papers and talking about a document she couldn’t find.
The crowd parted from the back table. Why was everyone smiling and laughing? And who were they patting on the back?
Ever since Sam Barber put Grandberry Falls on the map, you never knew who would show up.
Liz couldn’t help but notice the handsome gentleman that emerged from the crowd. He was definitely good looking, but she wondered what made him so popular. She sat up a little taller as he headed for their table.
She was sure she’d never seen him around town. Anyone new in town would be hard to miss since the town only consisted of one Main Street with several side streets. The countryside was vast, but everyone’s names were known.
He stared back, but not at her. He was focused on—Jenna.
She tilted her head toward Jenna and whispered, “I think someone was checking you out.” Her eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
Is Jenna hiding something, or someone from her?
Jenna looked up and then quickly back to Liz. “We have to get out of here.”
She frantically gathered the files scattered all over the table. With the flip of a piece of paper, Liz’s cup tumbled over and the coffee went everywhere.
“Oh no!” Jenna screamed and scrambled to save what she could.
“Here.” A masculine hand dropped napkins on the table.
Jenna grabbed them and soaked up the mess.
“Good morning, Jenna.” His husky voice fit his tall and slender yet muscular frame.
Liz was unable to move, lost in his milky big brown eyes, until he turned and went out the door.
“Are you going to tell me who that man is?” Liz put her hand out to stop Jenna from getting up so fast.
It had been a long time since Liz felt that kind of energy from a man and she wasn’t about to dismiss it so quickly.
“Someone I haven’t seen in a long time,” Jenna whispered, while dabbing at the papers with napkins. “Nobody, just someone from my past who needs to stay there.”
After some mumbled words, Jenna shoved the papers in her bag and walked out the door. All Liz understood was that Jenna would call her later, which would give Liz time to get her emotions in check.
TWO
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.”
~Gilda Radner
Liz laughed as she drove down her neighborhood street. Everyone’s driveway and sidewalks had been shoveled and salted. Everyone’s but hers.
She wondered if it was a hazard and if someone could sue if they slipped and fell in front of her house.
Well, it was going to have to wait until after the appointment for Tramp, the shelter dog. Actually Tramp was part of the bribe Liz used to get Hayes to agree to move to Grandberry Falls.
They had never been able to get a dog because Hayes’ father was allergic to them—but Liz didn’t have to worry about that now. Now she had to worry if Tramp had chewed up her heels, her furniture, Hayes’ toys, or strewn toilet
paper all over the house every time she got home.
“Tramp?” Liz yelled as she opened the door with the sequined gown held high in the air.
If she could turn off Tramp’s curiosity button, she would. His nose was always in everything, and usually where it didn’t belong.
Uh, oh. Liz thought walking down the hall to her bedroom when she didn’t hear dog nails scraping up her wooden floors to get to her. No matter what the time of day, Tramp was always up for a tail-wag that would prompt a few ear scratches when anyone came into the house.
Great watchdog. Liz began to peek in all the rooms, but no sign of the fury guy.
“Tramp?” Liz yelled back down the hall towards the kitchen when she’d reached her room and didn’t find him sleeping on top of her pillow, his usual spot when she’s not looking.
Quickly, she hung the dress on the back of her bedroom door and continued to open all the shut doors looking for Tramp. He was up to something, and it couldn’t be good.
“Oh, Tramp. Thank God. We have an appointment. Come on.” She stood with the bathroom door open and snapped her fingers to rush him along.
With his tail tucked, Tramp ran to the back door to avoid a smack on the butt, his usual punishment. Liz let him out to romp in the snow. If she didn’t have the fence, Tramp would take off just like he did when they first brought him home.
“You stay out there for a few minutes.” Liz checked her watch and saw that she had a little bit of time.
Hoping she already had a pair of shoes and some jewelry to go with the pricey dress, she headed back to her bedroom, briefly stopping at Hayes’ bedroom door.
Slowly, she opened his door and inhaled.
Ahhh.
Any whiff of Hayes was welcome right now. For some reason, it was especially hard not having him around this weekend. Maybe it was because it was Tramp’s first obedience class, or maybe she just missed him.
She walked into his room, picked up his pillow, and hugged it tight before putting it back in its place. She’d promised him that she would tell him everything that Tramp did in class, and prayed that Tramp wouldn’t get kicked out in the first five minutes.
Carefully, Liz ripped the plastic up the front and took a closer look at the dress. Unfortunately, she couldn’t help but like the black strappy heels she’d bought for the fundraiser where she’d discovered Paul, her ex-husband, looking for something up his secretary’s dress.
She should’ve taken the Louboutin heels back to Nordstrom, but decided that she deserved them, whether or not she was ever going to wear them. And why not wear them to the benefit, even if most of Grandberry Falls was going to be in overalls and boots?
“Perfect.” Liz held them up next to the dress. She rushed over to the dresser and sorted through each piece of her jewelry, picking out the best pieces.
She still couldn’t believe Jenna had talked her into this. Jenna was trying to get Liz started on a social life, but her life with Hayes was the only social life she cared about having.
She ran her hands down the sequined dress before she held the crystal earrings up to it. A flutter tickled her heart.
Everything seemed to be coming together. Maybe this year would be different. Liz had created a little life all her own, right here in Grandberry Falls.
The old grandfather clocked chimed. It was time for her to grab Tramp and go. After all, they couldn’t be late for their first day of class.
The smell of the live Christmas tree in the family room filled the hallway. She didn’t bother turning on the lights on the damn thing. Hayes wasn’t there to enjoy them and he’d been the one who wanted the live fir in the first place. She just didn’t care about Christmas this year, let alone having to decorate for it. Despite this, she’d gone through the motions for Hayes.
Regardless, it wouldn’t be possible to recreate the Christmases he was use to. From a ton of presents he didn’t need, to candy-filled bowls, Christmas just wasn’t a big thing on her radar this year. Especially since the custody papers stated Hayes would be spending the week after Christmas with his father.
Idiot.
Liz shouldn’t have agreed to any custody arrangements, but they had to put their differences aside for their child. And no matter what happened between her and Paul, Hayes still loved him.
She picked up Hayes’ photo off of the fireplace mantel, next to the unlit tree. It was from last Christmas, just three days before her cheating husband was caught playing peek-a-boo with someone other than Liz.
With a heavy sigh, Liz put the frame back in place and sauntered into the country style kitchen.
She loved that kitchen. It was definitely different from her million-dollar home in Cincinnati. The butcher-block counter and the brick floor were special touches Paul would’ve never gone for. He liked the bare, cold, institutional look of granite countertops and tile flooring
She thumbed through the Grandberry Falls Chronicle searching for the $5 off coupon for Claws and Paws, and checked the address. It was all the way on the other side of town. This was unusual for Grandberry Falls, since most of the stores were right in the center of town.
They even bought Tramp’s dog food from Benton’s IGA, because it was cheap and closer to their house.
Tramp’s bark kicked Liz into gear. She grabbed her purse and shoved the coupon inside. She grabbed the leash off the counter before opening the front door.
“Come on.” Liz quickly locked the door behind. She dug her Uggs into the snow once she saw Tramp barreling towards her.
As soon as he sees his leash, he goes nuts. And seeing it in three-inches of snow was no different.
True to form, the yelping began before she could get the leash attached to his collar, and once it was, the pulling game started.
He jerks forward, nearly pulling her shoulder out of the socket. She yanks him back, making him gag. And this game goes on and on, leaving neither one of them victorious. They were both hard-headed.
“I will win.” She opened the car door with a bit of hope he would soon be learning some obedience. “The last laugh is on you, buddy.”
She wasn’t sure, but when Tramp took his place in the front seat, she could’ve sworn he turned to her and smiled.
He loved sitting in the front seat in the car. Liz rolled down the window and put the heat on high to keep the chill off of her. He hung his head out the window with his ears flapping in the wind. The weather was cold but his carefree personality didn’t care. His coarse hair didn’t move as the wind whipped around him. Standing a total of three-feet high and weighing 100 pounds, he was scared of very little.
Claws and paws was a little mom-and-pop pet store. As they pulled into the parking lot, she could see that it was practically empty. Liz picked up the coupon to confirm she had the right time and place. Tramp was already gnawing at the door handle to get out after Liz put the window up.
Tugging his leash, Liz stumbled behind him all the way to the glass doors of Claws and Paws.
“Good afternoon. Can I help you?” The older gentleman behind the counter asked.
“I’m here for the obedience class.” Liz tugged hard on his leash causing him to put his leg back down, but was too late. “No, Tramp!”
Embarrassed, Liz looked wearily at the man.
“I’m so sorry. This is why we need the class.”
“Don’t worry.” He held out a spray bottle and a roll of paper towels. He gestured, pointing out the fact they were a pet store. “It happens all the time. Nature of the beast.”
Liz took the bottle and bent down to clean up the mess. Tramp was all over her, trying to apologize for what he’d done. She knew he was good-hearted and patted his head to let him know she still loved him.
“You must be Tramp.” Liz could feel someone behind her.
She tried to wiggle and adjust her jeans. Granny panties weren’t the best option for hip huggers, but they were clean.
“Hi, I’m Cole, Tramp’s teacher.” He smiled and stuck out his hand.
/> She stood up, surprised, and more uncertain than ever.
The man from The Trembling Cup was standing in front of her.
Cole? So that’s his name.
She put her hand out, but Tramp managed to wrap his leash around her ankles causing her to wobble, like a Weeble, to the left, then the right, then down to the floor.
“Let go of the leash.” Cole guffawed.
The leash was cutting into the palm of her hand making her wince. When she let go, Tramp ran off with his leash trailing behind him.
“Can you teach this goofy dog to use a leash properly?” She tried to redeem what little self-esteem she had left at this point. “Elizabeth Day, nice to meet you. I don’t believe we were properly introduced at the Trembling Cup.”
“Well, Elizabeth Day, it looks like we have our work cut out for us.” Tramp had come back to sniff Cole. “Good thing he’s the only student this session.”
Cole seemed to have ignored her comment about Jenna. She got the sense he didn’t want to talk about it. He hadn’t even flinched. Well, there was plenty of time to figure it out, but right now she needed to get this dumb dog on track.
“Sit.” Cole put his hand out and miraculously, Tramp sat.
Liz pointed. “He. . .he never,” Liz started to say, but Cole interrupted her.
“I’m going to take Tramp back to the training room. Joe will help you fill out all the paperwork. You can come on back when you’re done.” His dark brown eyes were compelling, even magnetic.
Silently she watched as he turned on his heels and strode to a door in the back of the store.
“Did you bring his immunization certificate?” Joe asked, bringing Liz back to reality.
Shaking off the tingling in the pit of her stomach, she dug into her seemingly bottomless purse to find the certificate the shelter had given her.
“I hope this helps. We got him from the shelter. He isn’t due for shots, but I need to find a veterinarian around here.” She looked back at the door, but Cole and Tramp had already disappeared.
“Great. This will work. He’s due for shots in three weeks. I recommend the clinic down on Country Street. I hear he is a good vet.” He continued to look at Tramp’s paper work. “Okay Mrs. Day, it’s all in order.”