Second-Chance Sweethearts

by Cindy Caldwell

  “Really?” Corinne asked as Kelsi walked toward the kitchen.

  “Really. You’re the most adventurous person I’ve ever known, and you’ve never steered me wrong. I’ve had some of the most fun times of my life with you.”

  “Aw, honey, that’s so sweet. You must really trust me if you don’t even know what it is.”

  “I do. Always have,” Tamlyn said as she reached for Corinne’s hand.

  They caught up on family business, and they both laughed when Kelsi brought two plates of grilled cheese with tomato soup on the side—which happened to be one of Tamlyn’s favorite things when she was little. Corinne used to make it when she’d stay after school during long sewing projects.

  “Look at that. It was meant to be,” Corinne said.

  Tamlyn narrowed her eyes after a bite or two and glanced at the kitchen.

  “Don’t tell Bob, but it’s not as good as yours,” she whispered.

  Corinne laughed. “I won’t tell him either. And thanks, Tamlyn. It sure is great to see you.”

  Tamlyn smiled, and filled her aunt in a little more about River’s End Ranch. Corinne looked out the window as Tamlyn described the TV show, how it ended up here at the ranch and everything she’d learned about the place and the cast since she’d arrived.

  “I’ve had a roommate since I got here, but she just got married. Last weekend, in fact, and so she’s moved out. Perfect time for you to come. I have the apartment all to myself while I decide if I want a roommate or not.”

  “Wow, just last weekend? That really is divine timing.”

  Tamlyn laughed. “Yeah, it was. They had their hands full with Hershel, and decided it was time to all three be in the same place.”

  “Hershel? They had a baby?”

  “Uh, no. A rabbit. In fact, Hershel was the ring bearer at the wedding.”

  Corinne’s eyes widened. She’d thought that the ranch was beautiful when she’d arrived, but it was even more fun to find out that the place had a personality all its own.

  “Wow, that’s unusual.”

  “Yes, it is. In fact, it was one of Jaclyn’s rabbits. I think I saw her when we walked in.”

  Tamlyn turned around and caught the eye of the woman in the purple dress that Corinne had thought was staring at her earlier. They exchanged waves, and the woman—Jaclyn—held her gaze a bit longer before she nodded and looked away.

  Tamlyn sighed and rested her napkin on her empty plate. She glanced at the clock over the cash register and her eyes widened.

  “Oh, Aunt Corinne, I’ve got to hurry. I have some costumes I need to finish before my doctor’s appointment this afternoon. I can’t wait to get this boot off for good.”

  Corinne waved Kelsi over and asked for the bill. She jumped up to help Tamlyn as she struggled to her feet.

  “Are you sure you don’t want crutches?” she asked as Tamlyn put some weight on her foot and winced.

  Tamlyn groaned. “I’m so tired of all of this. I think the sooner I strengthen it, the better off I’ll be.”

  Corrine sighed. Tamlyn leaned against the restaurant counter as Corinne thanked Kelsi and paid the bill, handing her a healthy tip with a smile.

  Kelsi thanked her and nodded at Tamlyn as the two headed for the door, Tamlyn’s arm over Corinne’s shoulder. Corinne made sure to wrap her arm around Tamlyn’s waist before they made it to the top of the steps.

  They slowly made their way down the steps of the cafe. Tamlyn walked gingerly but a little more strongly toward Corinne’s car. She stopped at exactly the right one.

  “Still have the old beast, eh?” Tamlyn ran her hand down the side of the Land Cruiser that Corinne had driven for ages.

  “Sure do. I don’t go anywhere without Bertha, you know that. She’s served me very well. And you, too, for that matter.”

  “I can’t wait to take you back to the apartment. I was so excited you were coming that I pulled out some old pictures of that trip we took to Florida. It was one of the best trips of my life.”

  “We sure have had fun, haven’t we?” Corinne asked as she closed the door behind Tamlyn and slid in beside her. She patted the steering wheel of the old Land Cruiser before she turned over the engine. “Bertha has been very good to us.”

  Tamlyn smiled and rubbed her hand over the dashboard. “She sure has. Always got us where we were going.”

  Corinne put the car in reverse and looked over at her niece, happy to see her big smile.

  “So, where are we off to now? Just point the way.”

  Chapter 3

  Allen looked up from the cash register at the gallery as Opal walked in. He glanced at his watch and back to his daughter—then down to the garment bag that rested over her arm. When he’d left that morning and she’d said she’d be right there but wanted to find her mother’s wedding dress, his stomach had fluttered a bit. Now, he couldn’t look away from what he suspected was the dress, and the fluttering was back in force.

  “Hi, Dad. Sorry I’m so late. I brought you some lunch to make it up to you.” She plopped a bag from the cafe down on the counter and gave him that smile. The one she always did when she knew he was annoyed.

  “Mm, apology accepted,” he said as he reached into the bag and took out his favorite—grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup. She really did know him well.

  “I really am sorry.” Opal flashed that smile again and walked behind the counter, hanging the garment bag on the hat rack. “I guess Olivia and I kind of fell into the trunk, so to speak. There were so many things of mom’s that we hadn’t seen in forever.”

  That was exactly why Allen hadn’t offered to help. The flutter in his stomach was something he hadn’t felt in many years as the pain of Mary’s passing subsided, so long ago that it was almost unfamiliar. Oddly, it was a similar flutter to what he’d felt the first time he’d seen Mary, accompanied by sweaty palms. He smiled at the memory—it had been love at first sight, and they’d had many happy years together until it had ended way too early.

  He hadn’t seen those things either since they’d packed them up so many years ago. And he was pretty positive that he didn’t want to see them now, so he’d headed out to the gallery even earlier than usual, taking a walk down by the lake on his way. After Opal’s announcement the previous evening, thoughts of his own lost love had been flitting through his mind unbidden, and he’d hoped maybe the crisp, spring air and the beauty of the towering mountains around River’s End Ranch might give him a reprieve.

  It had almost worked, but now that Opal had brought in Mary’s wedding dress, still vivid in his memory after all these years, the memories were back. And with everybody in his family happily partnered, his memories were likely all he’d have.

  He sighed deeply and gratefully accepted the hug Opal offered.

  “You all right?” she asked quietly after she gave him one last squeeze.

  Was he all right? He had been, he thought. He hadn’t expected these kinds of memories to flood him, and he was determined to make peace with them, somehow. And his fate of being alone.

  “Sure, sweetheart. I’m fine. I’m thrilled for you, and glad you found the dress.”

  Opal narrowed her eyes at him and he looked away, taking a bite of his grilled cheese.

  “Huh,” she said as she shook her head. “Okay...”

  He thought he should probably ask to see the dress as Opal seemed so excited, but he took a bite of his tomato soup instead.

  They both turned toward the door as it opened. He’d had several customers earlier but it had been slow just long enough for him to eat a little bit.

  “Hello, Jaclyn,” Opal said as she crossed back in front of the counter. “How are you today?”

  “I’m great,” Jaclyn replied as she smoothed her gray hair and then her purple dress. “Never been better. Things are right on track with me and the fairies—at least I think they are. They told me to come here for some reason, so...”

  “Oh,” Allen said as Jaclyn turned her gaze to him and
cocked her head. “Shopping for art?”

  “No, no,” Jaclyn said, her eyes intent on him. “I’m not exactly sure why yet. They just said go see the Hamiltons.”

  He met her gaze as long as he could, then glanced at Opal, who shrugged her shoulders. She reached up and took the garment bag from the coat rack and laid it out over the counter. She unzipped it and pulled out the wedding dress and Allen watched for a moment, turning away as the white satin tumbled onto the counter.

  “My, that’s beautiful,” Jaclyn said. She ran her finger down the smooth fabric and gently touched the soft lace around the neckline.

  “It is, isn’t it?” Opal held the dress up to her shoulders and twirled. “Bernard’s asked me to marry him. This was my mother’s, and I hope to wear it at my wedding.”

  “Ah,” Jaclyn said. “Yes. The fairies and I weren’t speaking at the time, but I did get the sense that you and Bernard were meant to be together. And the dress is lovely.”

  Opal beamed, and Allen couldn’t help but smile too. “I’m glad you think so, too,” Opal said.

  “Hm,” Jaclyn said as she tapped finger on her chin and stared at Allen again.

  He tugged at his collar under her gaze. He’d only met her once or twice and had never actually spoken with her at any length. Why she was staring at him now, he had no idea.

  “Yes, of course,” Jaclyn finally said, nodding as her eyes twinkled. “That’s it.”

  Allen exchanged a quick glance with Opal. He had no idea who Jaclyn was talking to, and from the look on Opal’s face, she didn’t either.

  “Opal, sweetheart, that dress is just beautiful, truly, but let me be frank. It doesn’t exactly look to be your size, I’m afraid. Have you tried it on?”

  “Oh, shoot. No, I haven’t. I didn’t even think about it,” Opal said as she rushed into the restroom at the back of the gallery.

  “So, Allen, it appears that each of your family members is settled, with their perfect matches.”

  Allen’s eyebrows rose. This lady knew just where to plunge the knife, and then twist it. How could she have known what he was thinking?

  “Yes, yes. It’s wonderful,” he said after he’d cleared his throat. “I’m happy for them all.”

  “For them, yes,” Jaclyn said. “And for you.”

  Warmth spread through him as she rested her hand on his for a moment before Opal groaned.

  “Oh, no, it doesn’t fit at all,” she said from the restroom.

  “Of course it doesn’t, dear,” Jaclyn said. She patted Allen’s hand and winked at him.

  Allen frowned at this odd woman. Why was she smiling? And what did she mean, for him?

  Opal looked about to cry as she came out of the restroom, and Allen wrapped his arm around her shoulder as Jaclyn hung the dress back on the hanger.

  “I wanted to wear this, Dad. I forgot that Mom was so tiny. I look like a sausage in that dress.”

  Allen laughed and lifted his daughter’s chin, meeting her eyes.

  “Yes, your mother was tiny but you are, too. Just a little less tiny. Maybe there’s a tailor in Riston we can try.”

  Jaclyn laughed and zipped up the garment bag. “My goodness, it sure feels good to be back on track.”

  Opal and Allen both stared at her.

  “What are you talking about?” Opal finally asked.

  “Oh, nothing. I will share, though, that I just met a wonderful seamstress who I’m certain could help you. You know Tamlyn, I’m sure, who’s working on the costumes for the TV pilot. Her aunt is just in to help her now that she’s got her cast off. I’m sure she can help you. She’s an experienced seamstress.”

  The weight lifted from Allen’s shoulders—and maybe his stomach even fluttered a bit—as a smile spread across Opal’s face. All he wanted was for his daughters to be happy, and if she wanted to wear Mary’s dress, he was glad there was a fix.

  “That’s great,” he said to Jaclyn. “We can go after we close the gallery.”

  Opal nodded, but stopped short a moment later.

  “No, no, that won’t do. They just went back to the costume studio. I don’t know how long they’ll be there, and you simply mustn’t play fast and loose with these kinds of things. You must go now. I’m sure of it.”

  “But the gallery...”

  “Right. I’ll stay here, Opal. You go.”

  “No, no, no. You’re not listening,” Jaclyn said with an annoyed stomp of her foot. “You both must go, and you must go now.”

  Allen shrugged and glanced at the clock. “I suppose there’s still some lunch hour time left. We rarely close the gallery for lunch, but we can. It’s posted on the hours.”

  “Perfect. Grab the dress and get going. It’s just at the other side of Old Town, not far,” Jaclyn said as she opened the door and waited for them. “Go on now. Life is short. Carpe diem and all that.”

  Allen dropped the key in his pocket and held his arm out for Opal, who threaded her arm through his. Before they were out of earshot, she held her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.

  “I don’t know what to say,” he whispered. “No way she was going to take no for an answer.”

  “There sure wasn’t,” Opal whispered in return. “No idea why, but at least maybe there’s still hope I can wear mom’s dress.”

  Allen squeezed her hand as they walked down the boardwalk toward the shop Jaclyn had directed them to. He glanced over his shoulder and frowned. Jaclyn was still standing outside the gallery, her arms folded as she smiled and watched them.

  He opened the door and gestured for Opal to go in. He followed her, and glanced around as Opal started her explanation to Tamlyn, unzipping the bag and pulling out the wedding dress. He glanced away again, and noticed that Tamlyn had an assistant, who was busily sewing something.

  His stomach fluttered again—Mary had been an excellent seamstress, making most of the girls’ clothes.

  He was shaken to his boots when the woman turned, her tousled red hair run through with a shock of white just over her forehead. And his stomach fluttered again at her dazzling smile as she said, “Hello, I’m Tamlyn’s aunt, Corinne.”

  Chapter 4

  The hum of the sewing machine was like music to Corinne’s ears. Just the vibration of the needle was comforting to her, and she ran up the seams on the costume she was helping with in short order. She’d been working for thirty minutes or so when a couple entered the studio and the young woman began talking to Tamlyn about altering a wedding dress.

  She was completely engrossed in her task and had barely looked up when they walked in—although she had noticed that he seemed a little old for her. Not that she was judgmental or anything. She had no illusions about being a relationship expert, having only had one long ago, so she’d stopped assuming that she knew anything about what would make a good one years before.

  She glanced up as the young woman walked back toward the fitting rooms. She turned toward Tamlyn and her breath caught in her throat for a second. The man who had entered with the young woman was staring at her, with the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen.

  She stood and smiled, holding out her hand and introducing herself.

  She was not surprised when the man glanced over at Tamlyn and asked, “Your aunt?”

  “I’ll get this one, Aunt Corinne,” Tamlyn said with a laugh. “We get this all the time.”

  “Corinne is my mother’s sister. In fact, she and my mom look exactly alike. It’s my dad who had the stronger genes, apparently,” Tamlyn said good-naturedly with a wide smile.

  “Oh,” the man said, looking wholly embarrassed. Corinne couldn’t blame him—almost everyone was curious about how they could be related, and they were all embarrassed that they were curious. She and Tamlyn were used to it.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to look so surprised,” the man said.

  His pink cheeks began to return to normal and Corinne almost felt sorry for him. He did look flustered, but it was really nothing to be worried about.
/>
  “Please, don’t be embarrassed,” she said, taking pity on him and resting her hand on his arm.

  He looked at his arm with alarm, and she pulled her hand away, sorry that the pink was returning to his cheeks. She made a mental note not to say anything else—especially about how young his future wife was.

  They both glanced to the back of the studio as the young woman came out from the fitting rooms, wearing a dress that was clearly too small.

  “Oh, dear,” the man said. “That’s not exactly the way I remember it.”

  “Very funny, Dad,” she said.

  “Dad?” Corinne asked before she could stop herself, breaking her own rule already.

  “Oh, yes. I don’t think I ever did introduce myself. I’m Allen Hamilton, and this is my daughter, Opal. She’s getting married and wants to wear her mother’s wedding dress. Unfortunately, they were not exactly the same size.”

  “Were?” Corinne asked, against her better judgment.

  Allen cleared his throat and glanced at Opal, who looked down at the dress.

  “Yes. My wife passed away,” he said slowly, looking down at his boots.

  Corinne reached for the pin cushion, hoping there was a needle in it so she could sew her lips shut. It was her turn to flush, and she closed her eyes for a moment.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said quietly as she reached for her measuring tape and swung it around her neck. “I really shouldn’t have asked. Now it’s my turn to be embarrassed.”

  She started toward Opal to see about the dress, and he reached for her arm, turning her toward him.

  “Please, don’t be. It was a long time ago, and Opal and I have gotten on with things. All of us, really,” he said as he smiled down at her.

  She looked up at him and then nodded. She could tell he was sincere—still hurt, but okay. Somehow, she just knew he meant it.

  She took a deep breath and smiled at Tamlyn. They muttered to each other as they walked around Opal, tugging here and pulling there, writing down measurements as they did.