by Pat Dale
“I know that, and we’re the poorer for it. I took the liberty of talking to the folks in Farmville, Hattie. They miss you very much down there.”
“That’s nice to know.”
“How do you like retail management?”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. Do you enjoy it?”
She wanted to tell him the truth. Lord knew, she didn’t enjoy much of anything about this store or the town any more, but she wasn’t about to tell him that. “It’s okay, I guess. I’m not sure enjoy is a word I’d use to describe it. Takes some getting used to. I was shocked when Dad died so suddenly and I had to come home to run the place.”
“You don’t sound like it’s okay. Is there any way you could get free to teach again? I really need you.”
“You need me? Tom, this is October. You should have filled your vacancies a long time ago.”
“I did, but this is an emergency. Our head English teacher collapsed last week. She’s still in the hospital and she won’t be able to come back before next year. If then.”
The possibilities swam in Hattie’s mind. She could take Tom’s offer and leave this place forever. Goodnow was serious about offering her more money than she had any right to expect.
It could be just what she needed, a clean break from Leadburg, from the Mercantile. Especially from Brad.
“I don’t know. It’s something I’d need to think about before giving you an answer. I have to admit I miss teaching. There’s a lot of frustration with this old store, too. More than I let on earlier. But I can’t just pull up stakes and leave. My store employees deserve better than that.”
“Same old Hattie. Always putting others first.”
“I don’t know about that. Anyway, what about Denise? She was training to be an English teacher, wasn’t she?”
“Yes. But she’s in a family way again. Six months along. So she won’t be able to do more than substitute for a couple of months until Christmas break. That’s what she’s doing now.”
“I see. So your family is growing. That’s wonderful.”
“I think so, too. Dee would love to see you again. What do you say to coming down and looking over the school and community, at least?”
“You just might be able to convince me to do that. There are a couple of things I have to take care of here first.”
“Really? That would be great.” He looked at his watch. “It’s almost noon. Do you have time for lunch?”
“Sure. Let’s go up to the highway junction. There’s a good restaurant up there.”
With any luck, Barry Goodnow would be holding forth up there. It wouldn’t hurt to be seen in the company of a good-looking stranger. She put her hand on Tom’s arm and let him lead her outside.
* * *
Brad had gone to his Jeep, ready to drive away from the square, his mind numb with the realization Hattie kissed someone in front of her staff. Who is he? How does she know him? More to the point, just how well does she know him?
Jealousy flamed in his heart as he tried to sort out his feelings. Didn’t she know how he felt? He’d told her he loved her. What more could he do to make her understand?
While he was sitting there with the vehicle idling, she and the man came out, her hand on his arm. They got into the big car at the curb. Brad wanted to go the other way, but couldn’t help himself. When they drove off, he followed them.
Up the hill they went until they passed Hattie’s plot of land. The car braked and turned off the road. That did it. He wasn’t about to watch her go kissy-face with this bum.
Doing a quick one-eighty, he headed back down the hill. Moments later, he slid to a stop beside his house. Amelia was at the door. “Hello, dear. You’re home early.”
“I know, Mom. I need to talk to you. Let’s go inside.”
“What is it? Something’s eating at you, I can tell.”
“I’ve sold the Express.”
“You’ve what?”
“I sold the paper to Sheila this morning.”
“Just like that?”
“Yep. Remember, I have an offer to buy the Gazette in Farmville. I needed the money to make the transaction.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing. Where will you live?”
“I don’t know. That’s what I want to talk to you about. I’ve had it with Leadburg. Farmville’s a nice town and it’s a chance for better business than I have here. When I find a house, will you move down there with me?”
“Oh, dear. I suppose I could. I really hate to leave this place, with the memories and all. It’s been my home for so long. Yours, too.”
“I know. I wish we could just pick it up and move it. But we can’t do that. Mom, I’ve made a real mess of things.”
She noted tears in his eyes. She couldn’t remember ever seeing her son cry. “What have you’ve messed up so badly?”
“My life. My miserable excuse for a so-called life. I always thought I didn’t need anyone to help me. But it was a lie and I know it. I guess I always knew it. Now Hattie won’t have anything to do with me and she has this big blond guy hanging around and slobbering all over her and kissing her and—”
“Hold on, dear. You’re going too fast for me. What big blond guy are you talking about?”
“The one I saw her with downtown.”
“Hattie was hugging and kissing a man? And you don’t know who he is?”
“I don’t have a clue. But he’s no good, that’s for sure.”
Amelia couldn’t help chuckling. “You know nothing of the sort. Surely there’s a good explanation for her behavior.”
“Oh, yeah. She’s in love with the guy.”
“I doubt it. I have it on good authority there’s only one man that girl loves. And he isn’t the least bit blond.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Simple, o son of mine. She told me, herself.”
“What did she tell you?”
“I don’t think I should violate her confidence. Maybe you should ask her.”
“Mom! Please?”
“I’m sorry, but if she wants you to know she’ll tell you. You know how Hattie is.”
“I thought I did. I really thought I knew. Now I’m not so sure. Besides, she won’t even speak to me these days.”
“She’s just angry about something.”
“That’s pretty clear. But what?”
“Who knows? With Hattie, it’ll blow over soon enough. That’s one thing we can be certain of. Give her a little time, dear. She’ll come around.”
“I don’t think so, but thanks. I know you’re trying to be helpful, but I’m afraid it’s too late.”
“It’s never too late, son. Not while you’re still alive.”
He had an idea. It was time to clear the air with Hattie. With, or without, her new boyfriend, he had to know how she felt. He said goodbye to Amelia and shot out the door. She went to the window and watched him leave again, this time with a soft smile on her face.
When he passed the lot again, it was empty. He went on to the Inn where he saw the stranger’s car and parked a few spaces from it. Once inside, he looked around the huge dining room until he spied the two of them totally engrossed in conversation.
Brad started into the room, and then hesitated. He’d make a total fool of himself if he confronted her here. Best to wait until she was back at work. He slipped quietly outside before releasing a pent-up sigh.
Once back downtown, he strode into the Express office. The surface of his desk was totally clean. Sheila returned from lunch at that moment. He looked up in surprise when she entered the room. “Hi, Sheila. I was just going to pack up some of my junk.”
“I have it all in the box beside your desk.”
“Have you set up my editorial yet?”
“Yep. It’s over on the composition desk if you want to approve it.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” Sitting at what would no longer be his desk was awkward. “Sheila, I want to say...” He hesitated. “…Well, we’ve had some
good times together here at the paper and I want to thank you for all you’ve done.”
“It’s okay, Brad. I’m sorry we don’t agree on things now, but I’ve enjoyed working for you. You’ve taught me a lot.”
He dropped his gaze to the bare desktop. She stood there for a moment in the looming silence before asking, “What are you going to do after tomorrow?”
He mumbled, “I’m going to get a life.”
“Huh? I didn’t catch what you said.”
“Oh, I have something working for me. But I won’t be in Leadburg any more.”
“I’m truly sorry to hear that. Where will you go?”
“Not far, Sheila. Not very far.” Brad grabbed the box from the floor and headed for the door.
* * *
Hattie said goodbye to Tom after agreeing to consider his offer of a teaching position. She waved to him, then went in and dialed the phone. “Amelia, it’s Hattie. Is Brad there?”
“No, dear. He left about an hour ago.”
“Oh. That’s too bad. I need to talk to him. I guess I’ll call him at the paper.”
“I doubt he’ll be there, dear. He sold the Express to Sheila this morning.”
“What! Why in the world did he do that?”
“I should let him tell you himself.” She stopped to clear her throat. “Oh well, since you’re not speaking to him, I’ll tell you. He’s buying the paper down in Farmville. He said he’s going to move down there.”
“Wow. Did he give you a reason? This seems to have come up awfully fast.”
“No, dear. He didn’t seem to be making much sense of things. But he did say things are different now you’re not speaking to him any more.”
“Not speaking to him? Did he actually say that?”
“Yes, he did. Are you?”
“Well—no. But he should certainly know why I’m not.”
“Can you tell me?”
“Uh...” She shuddered at the thought of sharing what she’d seen with Brad’s mom. “It’s pretty complicated.”
“I thought you were able to confide in me, Hattie.”
“I am. I was. Oh, this is so confusing. I don’t know what to say.”
“You know, if you and Brad were eight instead of twenty-eight, I’d turn the both of you over my knee and give you a good spanking. I’ve never seen so much stupid pride in my life.”
Chapter Fourteen
Hattie stared at the dead phone in disbelief. Amelia was angry with both of them. What did I do to deserve that? Maybe I should have gone ahead and told her about Brad and with his blonde bimbo.
In her heart, she knew she would never tell Amelia. She dabbed at the tears trickling down her cheeks, thinking back to the day Brad came to the store with the advertising. The pinprick she’d suffered that day should have told her what falling for him again would mean. This was more than a pinprick, more than dozens of them.
It was a sword run through her heart. What she wanted was to run her fingers through his , gaze into his eyes, and crush his lips with hers. To have his strong arms around her. She...
“Get a grip, Hattie McCall,” she yelled into the empty room. “You’re not going to feel anything where Brad is concerned. Not now. Not ever. Get used to the fact you’re going to die an old maid English teacher.”
When she swiped at her eyes there was an image in the mirror. Brad. Blurred as it was, she stared into his hazel eyes wondering if it was an apparition. Then the eyes blinked.
She spun around to find him standing squarely in the doorway. “Who said you could invade just show up whenever you want, Brad Trimble?”
“Hattie? What’s happened to you?”
“Reality. This is reality.”
“I’d like to think what you and I have been going through isn’t reality. I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
“I know. You sold the paper. Is that what’s so important?”
“Part of it. There’s more. Can we talk?”
She folded her arms over her chest. “I suppose. You talk and I’ll listen. But it had better be good.”
“Oh, it is, Hattie. It’s very good.”
Those words lit the very short fuse of Hattie’s temper. “As good as Sheila was the other night?”
“Sheila? What has she got to do with this?”
“You tell me. I mean, you’re the guy who got his jollies off with the big cow!”
“Henrietta! What the heck are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
“I saw you, Mister Trimble! Don’t try to deny it. I was standing right beside the car while you two were going at it.”
“Going at it? I don’t know who you think you saw, but it wasn’t me. When did this happen?”
“Saturday night. After you’d conveniently disappeared.”
“I spent Saturday night in Farmville. It wasn’t me.”
“That’s a lie. I saw you with Sheila in the back seat of her car. Parked beside the paper office. You were—”
“It wasn’t me!” he shouted, totally out of patience.
He jammed his fists into his jacket pockets, trying to understand what she was talking about. As he stood there, his fingers closed over a piece of paper. Realization dawned at what he held in his grasp.
“I can prove I was in Farmville, Hattie. Here, look at this.” He pulled the motel receipt out and handed it to her.
“So that’s where you took her!”
“I didn’t take her anywhere! I spent the day with the Farmville mayor. It was late so I got a motel room. Alone!”
“Alone? I’ll bet!”
“I won’t have you calling me a liar, Henrietta McCall. I’m telling the truth.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Besides, you owe me an explanation about that guy you were kissing this morning. The guy was slobbering all over you.”
“I don’t owe you an explanation for anything, Brad Trimble. It’s none of your business. And, besides, he wasn’t slobbering.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeah!”
“Well, thanks for everything, Miss Priss! For all I care, you can kiss this whole town off. I’m kissing it, and you, goodbye!” He stomped down the stairs.
Hattie stared at her image in the mirror. Her eyes were red, but her face had gone pale, freckles standing out as she dropped into the chair.
He’s lying again. If it wasn’t Brad in the car with Sheila, then who could it have been?
Chagrin swept over her. The man in the car. His hands. He wore a big gaudy ring! Suddenly, an indelible image stood out in her mind. Brad didn’t wear any rings. It couldn’t have been him.
“Oh, no!” Chest tight with emotion, she muttered, “Oh, Brad, I’m sorry. I thought...” She stopped, realizing he wasn’t there to hear.
* * *
Here we go again. I’m tired of it. She makes me think she cares about me, and then stomps me senseless when I respond. I’m done!
He hurried through the door of the paper and into the back, only to stop short at the scene in his old office. Sheila was perched on the edge of the desk, sweater pulled up to her neck exposing everything she owned. Chuck Manley was in the chair, shirt half open as he leaned forward, kissing her...
They hadn’t heard him enter the room. He watched them, red-faced, for an instant before clearing his throat. “Uh... Excuse me, folks. I thought this was still my office.”
“Wha—” Manley’s face flamed as he jerked around, falling out of the chair onto the floor.
Sheila shot him a naughty grin and pulled her sweater down slowly after giving him a good look at her wares. “Hi, Brad. I didn’t expect you back.”
“So I see.”
“Did you forget something?”
“No. I just didn’t have any other place to go right now and I needed to think.”
Now I really need to think! His mind cleared rapidly. The situation explained what he hadn’t understood when Hattie yelled at him. She’d seen Manley in the car with Sheila and assumed it was
him.
“Oh, yeah. There is one thing I need to cover. The building inspector’s notice concerning the discrepancies in Hattie’s store—”
“No problem, boss. Chuck brought it over just now.”
“So you’re going to go ahead and print it?”
“Sure. It’s a legal notice, right? Or don’t you think that would be proper, Mister Clean Conscience of the World?”
“Oh, no, Sheila. By all means, I think it needs to be printed. After all, it is our civic duty as was amply pointed out to me this week.”
“That was my plan.”
“Good. Well, then, I’ll see you tomorrow...” he couldn’t resist adding, “...with your clothes on, I hope.”
She blushed but said nothing. He walked out of the office. He was surprised she’d had the grace to be embarrassed.
* * *
Amelia was watching from the porch when he parked in the drive. “Brad, I think we need to talk some more.”
“I agree.”
“I’ve made oatmeal raisin cookies and the coffee’s on.”
They went in and sat at the dining table. After he’d eaten a couple of the cookies, she pushed her chair back. “Hattie called me earlier. She finally admitted she isn’t talking to you, but she wouldn’t say why. Do you suppose you can let your mother in on what’s happening?”
“I have no idea, Mom. It doesn’t matter, I don’t care anymore. I tried to talk to her down at the Mercantile. She accused me of some pretty unsavoury things and wouldn’t believe me when I said I knew nothing about it.”
“What does she think you did? ”
“It doesn’t matter. She thought she saw me being intimate with Sheila on Saturday night.”
Amelia snapped, “Did she?”
“No way! I’ve never had a serious thought about any other woman. I love Hattie.”
“That’s what I thought, though you couldn’t tell it from the way either of you are behaving right now. So, you told her it wasn’t you?”
“Yes, and I had proof, for all the good it did. I showed her my motel receipt from Farmville. That just made her angrier than ever.”