Henrietta's Heart

by Pat Dale

  “Not quite.”

  “Why not?”

  “If I’d known about this, we’d already have the work under way. Wilson would have to find another place to build.”

  “Maybe it’s not too late.”

  “I’m afraid it is. Gerald came to me this afternoon and told me there’s a rumor floating around town already that I’m going to sell out. Someone’s trying to light a fire under me.”

  “I’ll bet I know who that someone is. Our esteemed mayor, Chuck ‘the rat’ Manley. He’s the kind who’d stoop to that.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. But what can I do about it?”

  “You have to decide right now what it is you really, really, want. Then you have to go after it with everything you’ve got. I mean everything. No holding back this time.”

  Is he talking about the store? Or my wanting him? Will I ever be able to trust him again? “That’s why I came up here. I know I have to make a decision now. Finding Dad’s plans makes me want to go ahead and build the new store. He’d worked out the details, down to the last penny.”

  , “Now that we know Wilson is going to come in around here, I’m not sure it would be a wise thing to do,” Brad felt compelled to caution her.

  “You may be right.”

  “But you don’t have to tell those guys your feelings. If they think you might build on your own and face them down, they’ll probably go out of their way to buy you out.”

  “Do you think so?”

  “It’s worth finding out, isn’t it?”

  “But what will happen to my employees if they do? I told Gerald I wouldn’t let them down or sell them out without taking care of them.”

  “Good girl. And we’ll make sure you keep your promise.”

  “We?”

  “Yes. That is, if you don’t mind letting me help you.”

  “Like you were going to help Dad?”

  “Exactly. Well, not exactly. You know what I mean.”

  His attention was captured by the afternoon sun playing on her auburn curls, setting them afire. Copper sparks glinted when she smiled. For crying out loud, she’s so beautiful I want to grab her and hug the breath right out of her!

  “Brad Trimble, you’re a true work of art. You just about had me convinced you were in cahoots with the mayor and those guys. And now you say you want to help me. So you really think the best thing would be to forget about the old store?”

  “That’s what Harry decided. He said it wasn’t worth the cost to refurbish an old building in a decaying obsolete downtown that would never rise from the ashes of its past.”

  “Why didn’t you just say that when I first asked you?”

  “I know I should have.”

  “Yes, you should. So, why did you hesitate?”

  “I knew what your dad wanted. I had no idea how dedicated you would be to the kind of project Harry had in mind. This isn’t something for the faint of heart."

  “You think you know me well enough now? You’re not worried about how faint my heart might be?” She waited for his answer, a twinkle in her eye and a warm glow in her chest.

  “I know a whole lot more about you now than I did three days ago, Hattie. More than I ever did when we were kids.”

  “And we’re certainly not kids any more, are we?”

  “Not by a long shot.” He took in the mature woman in front of him. It was more than just her beauty. He really liked the person she’d become.

  “Too long, maybe?”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  The conversation was at a point that made him uncomfortable. There would be a time he could pursue their relationship. But, for now, as much as he wanted to share his feelings, he desperately needed to change the subject.

  “I do know something that’s been waiting too long. Mom admires you too, you know, but she’s seen nothing of you since you’ve been back. Could you come see her? She’d really like that.”

  “Amelia,” she whispered, smiling placidly as her thoughts turned to the petite older woman she'd once hoped would be her second mother. “How is your mom?”

  “Not too well, I’m afraid. She won’t talk about it and I can’t get her to go to the doctor, but I think her heart is giving her trouble.”

  “Has she been sick?”

  “Not sick, exactly. She just gets really tired sometimes and says her chest hurts.”

  “My mom was like that. She just kept going until the day her heart stopped. She ran out of gas.”

  “Mom’s that way, too. Will you come and see her?”

  “Sure. I’d love to. She’s always been one of my favorite people.”

  “That’s great. Seeing you will make her really happy. Maybe we can all go to church again. Like we used to.”

  “Like we used to,” she whispered. “Maybe.”

  She hadn’t missed his hint of their being together again. An electric thrill ran through her. Just as she fantasized a very pleasant what-if, the icy reality of his next words shattered her reverie.

  “We need to talk about what we’re going to do about Manley and those rumors, Hattie.”

  “Well, you’re the editor of the paper. Can’t you write an editorial or something?”

  “I can. I already wrote one, but you were right about that. It sounded good, but didn’t have any real meat to it. It’s already out, though.”

  “There’s always next week.”

  “Right. But what about your Friday decision?”

  “Oh, that’s no problem. I’ve told Goodnow I might be able to have a decision for him next Friday. We have another week.”

  “Maybe and maybe not. Somehow, I don’t think they’re the kind who’ll sit still and be put off. They’re up to something and they won’t wait long before acting.”

  “Do you think I shouldn’t wait until next week?”

  “Well, you have them thinking you’re not ready to act. It would be good to keep them off-balance. What do you think?”

  “I could ask them to give me a specific proposal.”

  “Right. You can’t make a decision if you don’t know what figure they have in mind. Then what?”

  “I turn them down, of course. No matter what they offer.”

  “Good strategy. Make them up the ante. Then you keep it up. Keep demanding more until they stand firm.”

  “I think that’s the only way I’ll ever know just how much they truly are prepared to pay for my land.”

  “I agree. Well, if I can help in any way, you know I’m backing you. Don’t you?”

  “Yes. I do—now.” She gave him a warm smile. “That means a lot to me.”

  “About Mom? Could you come to dinner tomorrow evening?”

  “Yes. I’d like that.”

  “Great. Well, I’d better get back to the office. Sheila will probably be gone already.”

  “Brad, do you ever take Sheila home to see your mother?”

  “No. Why?”

  “I just wondered.”

  He leaned down, kissed her on the cheek, then climbed into his Jeep and drove off with an enigmatic smile on his face.

  * * *

  She watched him drive slowly back onto the highway. The thought of seeing Amelia again after all these years was exciting. And a little unnerving, but it was good to know he didn’t take Sheila to see his mom.

  Hattie looked at her watch. Five-thirty. Time for dinner. Her appetite was back for the first time all week. A slow drive past the Townhouse revealed the limousine in the parking lot. Good.

  With any luck, she’d find Goodnow stuffing his superior face in the dining room. She could go in and make the first of her newly determined series of demands and then enjoy a nice meal.

  Sure enough, Goodnow was seated at the center table with his underlings. From the looks of it, Manley wasn’t with them. That was good, too. She marched deliberately to the opposite side of the table from Goodnow and smiled at him.

  “Evening, Mr. Goodnow. Gentlemen,” she acknowledged the others. “I�
��ve been thinking about our situation and I need to know exactly what you’re prepared to offer me.”

  Goodnow smiled broadly and rose to his feet. “That’s very good news, Miss McCall. Would you care to join us?”

  “No. Thanks, anyway. I only want to set an appointment for this Friday morning if that is suitable.”

  “Oh, yes. Very suitable. What time would be convenient?”

  “Shall we say nine o’clock?”

  “Nine it is. Excellent. Should we meet in my suite?”

  Hattie batted her eyes rapidly and pulled back a step. “I think not. That would hardly be proper for a lady.”

  “Oh! Of course not. Please forgive me, Miss McCall. I’m so used to dealing with men, I didn’t think.”

  “No problem, Mr. Goodnow. I’m sure you are. But, after all, I am a lady and this is a small town. A very small town. Rumors spread at the drop of a hat. I do hope you gentlemen understand.”

  She watched their faces, but could see no hint they knew what was being rumored down the hill. That probably meant Manley was freelancing again. She shouldn’t have been surprised.

  “We do, indeed. Forgive me, Miss McCall. Where should we meet, then?”

  “I see no reason why we can’t meet right here in the dining room. This room is actually quite open, but we should be able to communicate with some degree of confidentiality.”

  He smiled, his demeanor restored. “Excellent. Then I’ll look forward to seeing you on Friday morning at nine. And thank you, Miss McCall, for being so reasonable.”

  She gave the man an enigmatic smile. “You may not think me reasonable after we enter negotiations, Mr. Goodnow.” His eyes wavered a split second before he nodded.

  Again, she acknowledged the others. “Mr. Prince. Mr. Durgeon. Please forgive me for interrupting your dinner.”

  Both men rose awkwardly to their feet as she sauntered away. Hattie found a table for one in the side room and sat where she could see the men through one of the decorative mirrors on the wall. They were talking excitedly among themselves. Good.

  She ordered her meal, as relaxed as she’d been in ages. This would be a very good time to enjoy her food. Lording it over these self-aggrandizing buffoons was becoming a rather pleasant pastime.

  Chapter Seven

  Thursday passed quickly. Hattie worked most of the day in her office, compiling the costs of fulfilling Harry’s plan. It would be a very expensive proposition if it came to it. But, knowing that would at least give her some idea whether Wilson’s men were being honest with her.

  Brad offered to pick her up for dinner, but she insisted on driving herself. When she parked at the curb just before six, Amelia stood on the porch, smiling.

  “Henrietta McCall! Oh, my dear, I haven’t seen you since you were a little girl. And you’re all so grown up!”

  “I wasn’t that little, Mrs. Trimble. Well, maybe I was. I guess some of us just don’t get very large.”

  “Amelia, my dear. Please call me Amelia. And I wasn’t thinking of your size. My, my, let me look at you. Oh, you’re so pretty. Just darling.”

  She felt her cheeks flaming as Brad came to the door. “Mom. Let the poor woman in. She’s probably starved.”

  “Oh, yes. By all means, Hattie, do come in.”

  “Thank you, Amelia. It’s so good to see you again.” She turned to him. “Brad.”

  “Come on in. Mom has dinner all ready.”

  “Wonderful. I am kind of hungry.”

  Amelia gave her a soft smile, aging pale blue eyes sparkling. “Well, I just fixed a little of this and a little of that.”

  Hattie glanced past them into the dining room to see a table heavily laden with all the little this and that. “Looks to me as though you’ve prepared a banquet.”

  After Brad gave the blessing, the next few minutes of the meal were silent. She could tell from the anxiety on Amelia’s face, the lady wanted to ask questions. She just hoped they wouldn’t be embarrassing ones.

  Amelia gave her a timid smile. “Well, my dear, it’s nice to see you still have a good appetite.”

  “I hope I’m not making a pig of myself. Everything is just wonderful.”

  “Not at all, dear. I’m glad you like it.”

  Brad stuffed a biscuit into his mouth. He had a familiar half-smile on his face that told Hattie he’d been about to tease her. It was clear he remembered how she always amazed everyone with the amount of food she could consume, considering her pint size.

  She smiled sweetly. “Were you going to say something, Brad? You’ve been awfully quiet.”

  “Oh, no. I’m enjoying being with my two favorite ladies.”

  “Favorite ladies, huh? I’m happy to know you place me in that category, though the mayor and Wilson’s fellows may not agree with you after tomorrow.”

  Amelia asked, “What are you planning to do?”

  She gave them a sweet innocent smile before saying, “I intend to take their best offer and then insist that they double, or even triple it.”

  The woman choked on her chicken. After a brief coughing spell, she said, “Oh, my goodness. Henry would be so proud of you, Hattie. And I’m glad you’re able to drive a hard bargain. I could never do anything like that.”

  “That’s why you have me, Mom,” Brad said. “Hattie, on the other hand, has to fend for herself now.”

  Hattie was on the verge of disclaiming any desire to fend for herself. She’d always admired the older woman’s soft-spoken femininity. And here she was in the lady’s presence, sounding like some brash bargain-hunting vixen. “I’m not all that good at it, but I don’t seem to have much of a choice.”

  “Oh no, dear. Don’t apologize for having a good head for business. Your father was a masterful businessman and I suspect you have the benefit of his heritage. No, I only meant to say that I’m proud of you.”

  Brad said, “Nobody is about to run over Henrietta McCall.”

  Her gaze locked with his as he spoke. There had been no bitterness or sarcasm in his tone and his eyes were clear. Is he challenging me or teasing me? Why did he say that?

  She flashed him a big smile and turned her attention back to Amelia. “That’s right. I may lose in this battle of wits, but not because I caved. McCall’s may lose, but they go down fighting, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

  “Way to go.” He lifted his tea and saluted.

  “Well, it looks like you two are ready for some dessert.” Amelia rose to her feet. “It’s a little early in the season, but I baked a nice pumpkin pie. Let me get it for you.”

  Hattie said, “Here, let me help.”

  “No, dear. I can do it. You and Brad just relax. It won’t take very long.” She disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Your mom is so nice. A wonderful lady.”

  “Yes, she is that.”

  “She’s a fantastic cook, too. I ate way too much, it was all so good I couldn’t help myself.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve wondered, though, whether you’ve been eating well. All the fuss you’ve gone through has to have made you a little bit nervous.”

  She blinked rapidly and ducked her head. A little bit? Oh, Brad, if you only knew. And you’re smack dab in the middle of my nervousness.

  “That’s what I suspected. How many regular meals have you eaten lately?”

  “I don’t know. I may have missed one here or there. But I’m okay. I don’t need to eat as much as larger people do.” Her mind skipped to the image of Sheila in her skin tight pink sweater. “One advantage of never growing up.”

  “Oh, you’ve grown up, Henrietta McCall. You may still be petite but you’ve definitely grown up.”

  Her face flamed as she grasped the meaning behind his words. She was ready to pin his ears back again when Amelia reappeared with two generous slices of her pie.

  “Here you are, dears. Would you like more milk, or tea? Or do you prefer coffee?”

  They both spoke at once, Hattie choosing milk while Brad said c
offee. There was an awkward silence before Amelia turned back to the door. Minutes later, she’d refilled Hattie’s glass and set a cup of steaming coffee before Brad. The pie vanished in short order as the lady watched in amused silence.

  “Well, now, if you two young people don’t mind, this old lady is going to go rest for awhile. And Hattie, dear, don’t you be a stranger. Please come ‘round as often as you can. And you give those geezers what for tomorrow, young lady.”

  Hattie giggled, responding, “I’ll do that, Amelia. Thank you for a wonderful dinner. There’s nothing like a good home-cooked meal to give a girl strength for battle.”

  “You’re more than welcome. After all, you’re almost family, you know.”

  The woman’s eyes narrowed on Brad’s momentarily, her eyebrows raised. “Good night, dear. Oh, and don’t worry about the dishes. I’ll do them later.”

  “You’ll do no such thing.” Hattie nodded at Brad. “We’ll take care of cleaning up. It’s the least we can do.” Her teasing smile was back. “Isn’t it, Brad?”

  “What? Oh, yes. Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll do the K.P.”

  “Well, if you say so. Goodnight, then.”

  He kissed his mother on the cheek. Hattie followed suit. Then they stood side by side as the lady went upstairs.

  “I can take care of the dishes, Hattie. I usually do. Mom likes to rest after dinner for an hour or so.”

  “Has she always done that?”

  “No. It’s beginning to worry me. She tires so easily. She used to have so much energy.”

  “I remember.”

  “But now...”

  The worried look on his face gave her a start. “We can’t let anything happen to Amelia. We just can’t. She’s the only parent either of us has left.”

  “I know. But I can’t get her to go to the doctor.”

  “Maybe I can help with that. She’s an amazing person and I want her around for a long time.”

  “Um-hum.”

  Hattie gathered dishes from the table. While she did that, he went into the kitchen and pulled out the necessary items and filled one side of the double sinks with hot soapy water. In a short time the two of them settled into a steady routine, she washing and rinsing, he drying and setting away.