by Rebeca Seitz
“You did. But I needed to get up anyway.” The sun hung high in the sky now and bathed the farm in a golden light.
“Sorry about that. This grass was looking like nobody lived here, and with the street fair today and the parade tomorrow, I knew I wouldn’t get to it anytime soon if I didn’t do it this morning.”
“Really, it’s fine.”
Cooper sniffed the tires, his stub of a tail wagging.
“Did you find enough volunteers for the ice cream giveaway?”
Daddy nodded. “Zelda’s taking care of all that.”
Tandy’s chest tightened. “Oh? I didn’t realize.”
“Yeah. She’s a social whiz, I tell you. Had a list of volunteers a mile long last week. All I had to do was sign the check for the ice cream and talk to Clay about storing it.”
Tandy swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I’m glad she’s such a help to you.”
Daddy’s gaze softened on her. “I know this isn’t easy for you, honey girl.”
Tandy waved that away. “That doesn’t matter. You have every right to have a … friend.” She prayed he wouldn’t feel the need to reveal it was more than that.
“All the same, I want you to know she isn’t a replacement for your mother. Nobody could replace her, and Zelda wouldn’t be dumb enough to try.”
Tandy nodded, backing away from the tractor, not ready to have this conversation about a woman she barely knew. “I understand. I need to go put my face on. You want to ride downtown together?”
“Sure.” He stared at her a minute. “If you want to talk about this, about Zelda, you’ll let me know?”
She bobbed her head and looked away. “Yes, sir.”
“Okay.”
He turned the tractor key, and the engine rumbled to life. Cooper skittered back and began barking. “We’ll leave in half an hour or so,” Daddy called over the noise.
She nodded and walked back to the house.
It was time to learn more about this Zelda woman. Daddy wasn’t a rich man, but he also didn’t rank poorest in the county either. He had a big farm and a steady income from Grace Christian. If Zelda thought she could hook a bill payer, she had another thing coming.
Tandy veered into the kitchen and snagged the phone from the wall. She dialed Meg’s number.
“Hello?”
“Meg? It’s Tandy.”
“Hey, girl. You ready for the street fair? The kids are going nuts about it.”
“I’ll bet. Daddy and I are leaving in about an hour. Listen, I need to ask you about something.”
“Shoot.”
“Tell me about this Zelda woman.”
Meg’s sigh crackled over the old phone line. “I can’t say I know a whole lot about her. Daddy’s been seeing her for several months. She’s a widow. Moved here a year ago, I think.”
“You didn’t check her out when he started seeing her?”
“I tried, but I didn’t get very far. She’s only been here a year, and she doesn’t reveal much about herself. I know. I asked around.”
“Clay says she’s okay.”
“How would he know? Forget that, why would he know?”
“Long story. But he says he checked her out and she’s not a hussy.”
“Make him tell you how he knows. If she’s okay, then I’d like to be sure. Daddy’s spending an awful lot of time with her these days.”
“I know.” Worry tightened Tandy’s voice. “He just assured me she wasn’t a replacement for Momma.”
“Well, nobody could do that. But he is lonely, Tandy. I worry about him all by himself in that big house, just rattling around.” A child screeched in the background, and Meg hollered, “Let go of your sister’s hair this instant, James!”
Tandy smiled. “World War III erupting over there?”
“You’d think.” Tandy heard the smile in her sister’s voice. “Ever since he got that ribbon at the pet show yesterday, he’s been dangling it in front of Savannah’s face and daring her to take it. As soon as she does, he yanks it away. She screams, he pulls her hair, they get in trouble, the wheels on the bus go ’round and ’round.”
Tandy chuckled. “I don’t know how you do it, sister.”
“Me, either, most days. I wish I had more to tell you about Zelda.”
“Me, too. Does Joy know anything?”
“Nothing more than what I know. I think your best bet is to have a chat with Clay and find out what he knows and how he knows it.”
“I think you’re right.” Another screech sounded in the background. “Go break up the battle. I’ll see you at the fair.”
“See ya.” Tandy heard the click and replaced her receiver. She briefly considered looking up Clay’s number and grilling him over the phone but decided it’d be better to wait and do that in person. Then she could watch his face and know if he was holding something back.
She snagged a biscuit from the cookie sheet on the stove, then stared at it in her hand. Daddy had gotten up early. She dropped the biscuit and went upstairs to put her face on.
An hour later, with Cooper panting in the backseat and Daddy humming an old hymn, Tandy parked her car three blocks over from Lindell. “I can’t believe this crowd.”
“It seems to get worse every year.” Daddy unhooked his seatbelt. “I should go check on the church booth, make sure they don’t need anything.”
Tandy knew he was going to see Zelda and decided not to mention it. “You go on ahead. Coop and I will catch up.”
Daddy exited the car and walked off toward Lindell. Tandy sighed, seeing the spring in his step and praying Zelda was worthy of putting it there. “Cooper, we need to do some digging,” she said, getting out of the car and raising the seat to allow Cooper to exit. She grabbed his leash as he passed by and shut the door. “First stop, Clay’s Diner. Just follow the scent of hamburger.”
Cooper’s ears swayed back and forth as he padded along the sidewalk, sniffing the ground, then the air, then the ground again.
Tandy took in the people milling about, red balloons bobbing on strollers, toddlers on parents’ shoulders, various leashes pulled taut just like hers as canines followed the confusing array of scents carried by the breeze. She smelled funnel cake and knew she’d have to have one before the end of the day.
The birds chirped and a squirrel darted across her path as Tandy and Cooper neared Lindell. Cooper froze at the sight of the squirrel’s furry tail, and Tandy tightened her hold on the leash. “No, boy. We’re not chasing animals today. You be good.”
Cooper watched as the squirrel zoomed up a tree and out onto a branch. He turned his attention back to the sidewalk, and Tandy relaxed her hold a bit.
“Good boy.”
Hoping no one would be offended at Cooper’s presence inside the diner, she strolled in with fake confidence and stood at the counter. A long minute went by before Clay saw her through the opening and came out of the kitchen. “Hey.” He came over and gave her a peck on the lips. “You two headed over to the street fair?”
“In a little while. I need to talk to you as soon as you have a second.”
He sat down on the stool and motioned for her to join him. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure.” She glanced around the room and caught a few people looking away. “I’d rather talk about this somewhere else.”
“Can it wait a few hours?”
“If it has to, sure.”
“I’ve got some help coming in here in,” he checked his watch, “two hours. If we’re not packed, I can meet you somewhere. I don’t know what it’s going to be like with the fair and all.”
“Okay. You’ve got my cell number. Just call me when there’s a break, and I can meet you over in the park.”
“Okay.” She stood to go, and he stopped her with a touch. “You’re sure everything’s all right?”
“I hope so, Clay.”
“If I need to, I can step out back for a few minutes.”
“No, no. You go ahead and take c
are of things here. Between the fair and Emmy’s scrapbooking section, I can kill two hours easy.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah, no problem.”
The little bell over his door tinkled, and they looked up to see Zelda Norman walking in. “Morning, Clay!”
Tandy’s face froze as fast as Cooper at the sight of a squirrel.
“Just need to grab another bucket of ice cream. It’s going like crazy out there!”
“Sure, Zelda, you know where it is.” He nodded toward the back. “You need help?”
“Nope, I’ve got it. I’ll just borrow another dolly, if that’s all right with you?”
“Help yourself.” He turned back to Tandy. “So I’ll see you in a couple of hours?”
Tandy blinked. “What’s she doing in your kitchen?”
“I thought I told you. The ice cream for Grace Christian is in my freezer. It’s easier than them going back and forth to the church.”
“No, I don’t think you told me that.”
“Oh.” He studied her face. “Is that a problem?”
“Uh, no. It’s really nice of you.” She tugged on Cooper’s leash, and he stood up. “You need to get back to work. See you in a couple of hours.” She weaved her way through the tables as fast as a plodding basset hound allowed and exited the diner, not daring to look back.
Outside the sunshine had warmed up the day, and she was glad for her choice of shorts. The Iris Festival had grown in the past three years, and she let herself be pulled into the slowly moving throng. Vendors called to lines of people crowding the walkways between green and white tents. Wares of every size, shape, and color were being offered. Tandy paused at a display of handmade jewelry and admired the artist’s work on a heavy pendant. Layers of glass had been burned together so that, no matter how she turned the pendant, it reflected a color. Gingerly, she laid it back on the black velvet and walked on.
The sharp scent of eucalyptus wafted from a stand of flower arrangements and wreaths, making her nose wrinkle. Momma always sneezed at this scent. Tandy spotted the source on a table at the back of the booth. Long stems of the round green and purple leaves were woven into an arrangement of cattails and tiger lilies. A pretty effect, but Tandy knew she’d never be able to have that smell in her home.
She continued down the line of booths, checking out clothes and purses, plants and pets, waving to the occasional Stars Hill resident who recognized her. Cooper barked at a cage holding a floppy-eared rabbit, making her laugh. The rabbit hopped to the edge of the cage and stared at Cooper, its nose twitching.
“I don’t think he knows what to make of you, Coop.”
The standoff ended when the booth owner dropped a lettuce leaf into the rabbit’s crate. Coop gave the rabbit one last sniff and moved on.
They kept going, stopping to see anything of interest, until at last they reached the end of the line. Tandy pulled Cooper around and began walking back up the other side, amazed again at how many vendors were here. The familiar Flippen’s Orchard sign two booths down caught her attention, and she pulled Coop over. Their apples were better than any she’d tasted here or in Florida. Pulling a bag mixed with golden delicious and red delicious varieties from its wooden crate, she paid the booth worker and trudged on.
“Aunt Tanny!” Savannah was on Jamison’s shoulders, her little face lit up, arms stretched out toward Tandy.
“Savannah!” Tandy hustled over and handed Coop’s leash and the bag of apples to Meg. “Look at you!” Reaching up, Tandy caught the little girl as she slid from Jamison’s shoulders. “Where’d you get such a pretty dress?” Daises covered the spring frock and a ruffle of white bustled around the hem.
“Mommy got it.”
“Your mommy has good taste.”
James pulled on Tandy’s shorts. “I’m handsome.”
“Yes, you are. And a master dog handler, too.” James grinned, revealing a gap in his teeth. “Did you lose a tooth?”
“Uh-huh. Dad says the toof fairy will bring me something if I put it under my pillow. But I don’t want to yet.”
“You don’t? Why not?” She hefted Savannah further up on her hip.
“’Cause the toof fairy takes the toof, or she won’t leave the surprise.”
“You don’t want her to take your tooth?”
“Uh-uh.” He shook his head. “It’s mine. I growed it and everything.”
“You grew it,” Meg corrected. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and Tandy noticed she looked tired.
“Hey. How long have you guys been here?”
“About half an hour,” Jamison said.
“Long enough to be the proud owners of every type of sugar here.” Meg held up a bag of cotton candy and a giant sucker.
“Not so. I smell funnel cake.”
“Funnel cake!” James jumped up and down. “I want funnel cake!” He paused and turned to Meg. “What’s funnel cake, Mommy?”
The adults laughed. “It’s something that’s going to wait until after lunch at least,” Meg said. “How about we go find the jump-a-tron?”
“The what?” Tandy said.
“It’s a big inflatable room the kids can go in and jump to their hearts’ content.” Meg leaned forward and whispered. “Wears them out like nothing else.”
“Oh, good strategy.”
“I think I saw it over by the library,” Jamison said. “It was near Broadway last year. Here.” He pushed the stroller so that it was in front of Meg. Tandy saw a sleeping Hannah inside. “You take her, and I’ll go with them over to the rides.”
Relief flooded Meg’s face. “You are the most wonderful man.” She leaned over and kissed him.
“I love you, too.” Taking one child in each hand, he steered them off in the direction they’d come.
“Bye, Aunt Tanny!” Savannah waved with her free hand.
“Bye, cutie. See you in a little bit!” She turned to Meg. “You look exhausted.”
“I’m a little tired. They’ve been a handful this morning.” Meg stuffed their bags into the bottom of the stroller and turned it so they could continue perusing the booths.
“Do you ever wonder why you had three?”
“Sometimes.” Meg’s smile turned wry. “I don’t regret having any of them, but I do get tired and need some peace and quiet.”
“I think I’d pull my hair out.”
“Oh, it’s not bad. A little harder this year with James starting school, but I’m grateful I get to stay with them.”
“How’s the homeschooling coming?”
“It’s not as hard as I thought it’d be. James catches on quickly to just about anything I show him. I’m sure it’ll get harder as he ages, though.”
“Let me know when he’s ready to learn law.”
“You bet.” They stopped at a booth and considered some painted lap desks. Deciding the price was too high, they continued on. “Did you talk to Clay yet about Zelda?”
“He’s over at the diner. I stopped in this morning, but he couldn’t get away right then. We’re supposed to meet over at the park in a bit.”
“You think he’ll tell you what he knows about her?”
“Yeah, I think so. I just don’t know if he dug deep enough to find the dirt on her.”
“Maybe there isn’t any.”
“Everybody has dirt, Meg. We’re living proof of that.”
“True.”
“Do you know how Daddy met her?”
“I think it was in church. She went to the Baptist church for a while but then moved over to Grace Christian.”
Tandy’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm. Sounds like a calculated move to me.”
“We don’t know that,” Meg defended. “Let’s hold off on the judgment until we know more about her.”
“You’re okay with this whole Zelda-Daddy thing?”
“Not okay, no.” Meg sighed and looked away. “Like I said, though, I worry about him. Can you imagine how lonely that must be? Night after night, nothing to
keep him company but a book or the television?”
“Or a dog,” Tandy muttered.
“What?” Meg blinked and looked down at Cooper. “Oh, Tandy, I’m sorry. That was awful. I didn’t mean to imply—”
“No, you’re right,” Tandy rushed to assure her. “Being single has its downside. I hadn’t thought of Daddy like that.”
“Whether Zelda turns out to be okay or not, he needs someone to talk with, to share his life with.”
Tandy stuffed her hands in her shorts pockets. “Can’t he find a buddy?”
Meg snorted. “You sound like Joy.”
“She may be the baby, but she has good ideas sometimes.”
“That she does.”
Tandy’s cell phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey.” Clay’s voice sounded in her ear. “I’m walking to the park right now. Where are you?”
Tandy looked up and got her bearings. “A couple blocks away. I’ll meet you at the picnic tables.”
“Sounds good.” He clicked off and she turned to Meg.
“Clay?”
“Yep. You want to come?”
“No, I think I’d rather enjoy the fair with a sleeping baby.”
Tandy hugged her and blew a kiss at Hannah. “I understand. Enjoy your peace while it lasts!”
Meg nodded, and Tandy pulled her bag of apples from the stroller. She trotted off, tugging an increasingly tired Cooper behind her.
By the time they got to the park, Cooper was exhausted and his big head drooped.
“I think he’s going to keel over of a heart attack.” Clay stood as she approached the picnic table.
“He might. This is a whole lot more walking than he’s used to.” Meg sat down on top of the table, dropped her bag of apples on the bench, and looped Cooper’s leash around her foot, knowing he wasn’t going to take off anywhere. Cooper flopped in the dirt and closed his eyes.
Clay sat next to her, resting his elbows on his knees and looking out across the park. “So, what’d you need to talk about?”
“Remember when you said Zelda Norman was okay?”
He nodded.
“I need to know everything you know.”
“Tandy, come on.”
“Don’t ‘come on’ me. This is Daddy we’re talking about, and if he’s falling for—” her throat squeezed at the words— “some woman, then I need to know all I can about her.”