Henrietta's Heart
Page 17
He said nothing but trudged along after her into the main office. His ears perked up when she asked to see a person whose name meant nothing to him.
Moments later, the infamous blond man came out of the Superintendent’s office. His eyes lit up when he saw her. “Hattie! Hi. I didn’t hope to see you again quite this soon.”
“Things happen quickly sometimes, Tom.”
She turned. “Brad, I’d like you to meet my dearest friend in the whole world, after you of course. This is Tom Millstone. Tom, meet Brad Trimble.”
Tom held out his hand, grinning. “Hello, Brad. Welcome to Arcadia Valley.” He did a quick once-over of the bewildered man. “So you’re the famous Brad Trimble.”
Brad shook his hand. “I don’t know about famous.”
“Oh, but you are. You probably don’t know it, but I tried my best to win Hattie’s heart in college. In each of the dozen dates we shared, the main topic of conversation was you. I finally gave up and settled for her roommate, something I’m not the least bit sorry for.”
Brad muttered, “I didn’t know.”
“We’ve never met, but I’d say I know quite a lot about you just from listening to this amazing lady ramble incessantly about you.”
“I guess I should be flattered, then.”
“Flattered, and then some. Take it from me, Brad. Don’t let her get away from you. She’s definitely a keeper.”
“I don’t intend for her to get away. Ever.”
“Hear that, Hattie? Sounds pretty serious if you ask me.”
She mumbled, “Yeah. Serious...”
Tom surveyed the strange eye contact between them before turning to her. “So, have you considered my proposition?”
“Could we use a different term? I don’t want anyone…” her eyebrows tilted toward Brad, “…to get the wrong impression about our relationship.”
“Right,” Tom said, eyes twinkling. “Call it a proposal.”
“I’m still thinking about it. There are a few items that have to be resolved, but I’m definitely leaning your way.”
Unable to constrain himself, Brad cut in. “Could one of you please tell me what the devil you’re talking about?”
“Tom wants me to fill in as English teacher for the rest of the year. His teacher has had a serious medical emergency.”
“That’s it? Then why were you two kissing each other?”
“That’s it. We hadn’t seen each other for several years, Brad. We were very good friends in college. It was just the spirit of the moment.”
“That’s right,” Tom added.
“Pardon me, folks, while I turn seventeen shades of red. I thought—”
“I know what you thought,” she muttered. “Been there, done that. Remember?”
Brad groaned. “Um-hum.”
Tom looked at his watch. “I hate to rush off, but I have a board meeting in ten minutes. Can I tell them I have a potential candidate for the position, Hattie?”
“Yes. Definitely. Brad and I have some details to work out, but I think you can count on me. Should I take along an application?”
“Good idea. I’ll get one for you.”
He returned in a short moment, gave the form to Hattie, then turned to Brad and shook hands. “Nice meeting you, Brad. I hope to see a lot of the both of you in the near future.”
Brad watched Tom go out the door before turning. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Well I do.” A single word formed as she gave him a canary-eating grin. “Gotcha!”
“I think I owe you a really huge apology.” Brad looked hopeful.
“Accepted. If you’ll accept mine. I can’t stand to see another woman put her hands on you. I get insanely jealous.”
“But you never had a thing to worry about on that count.”
“I know that now, but just the thought of it drives me crazy.”
“So you do care about me?”
“I care more about you than anything in the whole world. Anything or anyone,” she whispered.
“That sounded like it came from the heart.”
“It did. I finally understand what my father was trying to tell me about listening to my heart.”
“Well then, I suppose I should confess something, too. The sight of that guy kissing you sent me into a rage. I know I don’t own you. I don’t have any right to tell you what to do, but I can’t help my feelings, either. I don’t want anyone kissing you but me. And that’s the way I feel.”
“Brad, can we step outside?”
“Sure. Why?”
She said nothing until they were back inside the Caliber. “Kiss me. It wouldn’t have been appropriate for a teacher to be making out in front of all those impressionable students, would it?”
“No, but would it be allowed here in the car?”
“Definitely allowed. Maybe even mandatory.”
They met over the console in a passionate embrace. For minutes they held each other, exchanging pent-up emotion that had been denied far too long. Her heart took wing as his lips whispered words of love and devotion in her ear.
“I love you,” she moaned into his mouth.
He responded instantly as desire surged through both of them. The time for holding back would soon be over. “Sweetheart,” he whispered, “I not only love you. I’ve never loved anyone but you. Never. You’re the only one, and I’m never going to let you go again.”
She felt the intensity of his words and the sincerity. Though they were still separated because of the limited space in the car, she knew he was aroused. Her hormones were going crazy.
When they finally released each other, she grinned. “See. Don’t you feel set free now?”
“Free. And so much more. I love you, Tigger. You’re the only girl I ever loved and the only girl I could ever be intimate with. I hope you believe that now.”
“I do. I love you, Brad. I spent years trying to hate you, but it didn’t work. Nothing you do could ever erase the way I feel about you.”
“So what are we going to do about all this?”
“I’d say we have more decisions to make,” she kissed him on the cheek, “soon.”
“Very soon.” Brad kissed her again, tenderly this time. “I’ve waited a long time for you. A little more won’t hurt. But only a little. Will you marry me?”
Joyful tears welled up. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Lord in Heaven, yes! It’s what I’ve always dreamed about.”
Chapter Seventeen
On the way back to Leadburg he broke the silence. “I never got to tell you what all I found in Farmville.”
“I thought you found a newspaper.”
“I did. But there’s more. A lot more.”
“So, are you going to tell me, or is this another of your little secrets that will have to wait until almost too late?”
“No, No more holding back, thank you. I’m done with that. Farmville needs a good general store and you’re just the person who can supply it.”
“But you just approved of my going back into teaching.”
“That’s right. But once you’ve sold all your property, you’ll have the money you need to finance a store. You’ve told me how good Gerald and Shirley are at managing the Mercantile. Surely they’d like to manage a new one for you.”
Her mind raced. She could actually afford a store and pay someone else to run it. “Wow! That’s a great idea. But it’ll take time to build new.”
“Not necessarily. Sam Young, the mayor down there, showed me a building that will work, once it’s refurbished.”
“You looked at a store for me when you were buying the paper?”
She pulled off the road near a boarded over convenience store. “You planned this for both of us all the time, didn’t you?”
“Not all the time, but yes, I wanted it for both of us. I hoped it would work out.”
“What if it hadn’t? Would you have found someone else to run the store?”
“There wasn’t anyone else. There never has been. Ha
ttie, you’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted.”
They met at mid-car and kissed again. Her lips burned with the feel of his even as her spirit soared with love. Emotions threatened to get out of control again. Finally, they broke for breath.
“I love you, Brad Trimble. I should have known you had my best interests in mind when you took off like that. But you should have trusted me enough to tell me what you were doing.”
“I should have, I know. I almost blew it. But you’re going to enjoy living in Farmville. Sam and his wife, Edie, are wonderful people. I met most of the other businessmen while I was there, too. They’re all really nice. You’re going to love it there.”
“We’re going to love it there. Remember, I used to live down there. I know lots of people, including Sam and Edie. You don’t have to sell me on living in Farmville. But honestly, Brad, I’d love it anywhere as long as you and I are together.”
After another long passionate kiss, they headed north.
* * *
Back at the store, Hattie went up to the old office and made the call. Brad dropped into the chair to listen.
“Mr. Goodnow?”
“Miss McCall. Hello. I’m relieved to hear your voice. I was beginning to wonder whether you would get back to me today.”
“I’m sorry for the delay, Barry. There was something I had to do and it couldn’t wait. But it was worth it. And I’m here now.”
“Right. Well, shall we conclude our business?”
“Yes. That’s why I called. There is just one more teensy weensy little detail we need to take care of.”
Goodnow exhaled in exasperation. “What is it this time?”
“The Mercantile.” She winked at Brad.
“What about the Mercantile?”
“I need to know what to do about the existing store.”
“What to do? Well, Hattie, I have to tell you since we’re going off the deep end in purchasing your property, we will definitely insist on a non-competitive clause in the contract.”
“Non-competitive, huh? Statewide or worldwide?” She laughed pleasantly.
Barry joined in the laughter. “Nothing as severe as all that. No, we’ll just insist that you close your doors in Leadburg.”
“Oh, I see.” She covered the phone with her hand and whispered, “He says I’ll have to close my store in Leadburg. What do you think?”
He winked and mouthed the words, ‘Do it.’
“Hattie? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Barry. I’m here. I was just wondering what I can do for my employees. And for myself. This will mean that I’m also out of work, you know.”
Goodnow harrumphed. “That is correct.”
“Well, in that case, would it be too much to ask you to compensate my loss?”
“I suppose that can be arranged. What do you think would be appropriate?”
She winked at Brad again. “Buy me out.”
“Buy you out? You mean, buy the Mercantile?”
“Yes. It’s an old building, but a solid one. And its shelves are full of first rate merchandise. You could run it while your people are building your new mega-center. It’s worth far more than I would ask for it.”
“I suppose that is possible. How much are you going to hold me up for this?”
“Hold you up? I think not, Mr. Goodnow. Really, I’ve been very reasonable under the circumstances. Remember what I said at our first meeting? Had you not attempted to pull the rug from under me, I would have been easier to deal with.”
“Yes, I remember. Oh my, do I remember. Well then, Miss McCall, I’m waiting for a figure. Two of them, actually. One for your land, and one for your store.”
“For the land, seven-hundred-thousand. Cashier’s check.” Brad’s eyes bugged out when she added, “And you can have the Mercantile for a paltry five-hundred-thousand.”
“Miss McCall,” Goodnow’s voice was gruff. “I told you five-hundred grand was our final offer.”
“That’s true. But as you once said, I know you can’t be serious about that figure.”
“Perhaps I should make a trip to Farmville. I’m sure I can find a suitable location for our center down there.”
“I’m sure you can and it is your choice. By the way, Barry, while you’re there you might say hello to my old friend, Mayor Sam Young.”
There was a gurgle. “You know Sam Young?”
“Well, yes. Everyone knows the mayor of Farmville. Oh, yes, and everybody down there knows he kicked your sorry behind out of their fair city months ago. So, do we have a deal or not?”
She focused on Brad’s panic-stricken face and waited what seemed an eternity before he released his breath. When Goodnow spoke, it was with a strangled voice. “You want one million-two-hundred-thousand total?”
“That’s right, your math is still good, Barry.”
The man sounded like he was being choked. “We have a deal. Today, though. We need to finalize today. I may have a heart attack before tomorrow comes.”
“Oh, I think you’ll recover just fine. You’re still getting a bargain. I’ll be up there in an hour if you can have everything ready by then.”
“I’ll have it. But we’ll need to make out two checks, and two contracts for the separate transactions.”
“That’s what I expected. Two cashier’s checks, right? Just like the one Brad got for the paper.” Brad almost fell out of his chair.
Another gurgle, then, “Right.”
“I’ll see you in a little while, Barry. Shall we meet in the dining room? Oh yes, and please don’t forget the clause that protects my employees, will you?”
“I’ll have it all ready.” Goodnow paused a moment. “Tell me something, Miss McCall. Have you ever considered becoming a negotiator?”
“You mean, doing what you do?”
“Yes. We could use a person of your unique ability.”
“No, Barry. I could never do anything like that.”
“But you just did.”
Her face flushed with pleasure. “This was a once in a lifetime thing for me, Barry. A short time from now, I’ll be on the way to a new chapter of my life. I’m not quite sure yet what it will be, but nothing like this. Thanks for the compliment, though, if that’s what it was.”
“It was, indeed. Well, I’ll look forward to seeing you shortly, Miss McCall.”
She looked at the dead phone, stunned she’d actually pulled it off. She was going to pick up over a million dollars. And her people would be taken care of. She was in Brad’s arms, kissing him, before the full impact of what she’d just done hit home.
“Oh, gosh! Brad! We did it! We’re going to be rich!”
His arms pulled her tighter. “Yes, we are. But it’s a lot more than the money. You and I are truly free now.”
* * *
Hattie went up to sign the papers and collect the checks from Barry Goodnow with more than the financial windfall on her mind. Her life was about to take on a whole new dimension. He presented the pair of contracts, checks attached, which she signed with only cursory examination of the fine print. As he’d said, everything was in place. No tricks. Although the man still seemed friendly, she shook his hand with the feeling she’d be far better off if they never met again.
A little voice whispered into her heart at the moment she returned to the car and Brad. It was time to look ahead. “We need to include Amelia in our plans, husband of mine to be. She’s like my very own mother. There’s no way we can leave her behind. We’re going to be family now. One very happy family.”
He studied Hattie as she maneuvered down the road, he’d always been fascinated by her profile. Of Scotch-Irish ancestry, her temper was only exceeded by her constancy to values that meant so much. And not the least, her ability to drive a hard bargain in the deal.
She was also engaged in introspection, remembering what she’d once thought about love. Love was still a four-letter word, but she realized now it was a four-letter word for devotion, commitment, passion, maybe even
paradise. And these values were part of their life.
* * *
Amelia was napping on the divan. Hattie tiptoed over and knelt next to the lady. “Amelia, hi,” she whispered. “It’s Hattie. Brad and I have to talk to you.”
She shuddered and opened her eyes. When she recognized Hattie, she smiled wearily and sat up. “Oh hello, dear. I must have dropped off to sleep.”
“I hate to disturb you, but we’re involved in some really serious planning and we need your input.”
“Serious planning? What’s happening, dear?”
After returning to Brad’s side and wrapping herself in his arms, she smiled. “Well, first things first. Brad has asked me to marry him. Haven’t you?” She glanced up to meet his worshipful gaze.
“Yes. I’ve asked Hattie to be my wife, Mom.”
“Thank heaven, and it’s about time!” Amelia was fully awake, her soft eyes shining as she clapped her hands together. “That done, what else has you two scurrying around like rats at a picnic?” Her voice was gruff, but there was an expression of joy in her smile.
“I’ve already told you, Mom. I’ve sold the paper here and bought the Gazette in Farmville. Hattie sold her land and store. She’s taken a teaching job in Arcadia Valley.”
Amelia shrugged. “Sounds to me like you have all your bases covered. What in the world do you need me for?”
Hattie took her hand. “We’re going to live in Farmville. It may be days or weeks before we find a house for the three of us.”
“Three of us, huh? Are you sure you want that, dear?”
“I’m sure. More than sure. I’ve already told you how I feel, Amelia. And my feelings don’t change, ever. You can ask Brad about that.”
“I don’t think I need to. One look at that grinning monkey face of his and I know what you mean. But there’s something you two have to consider.
“As much as I love to mother you both, I think it would be better if the two of you began married life on your own. Just the two of you. In your own house. You deserve a chance to establish your own household.