by Nancy Fraser
“I’d love to. There’s also a snowman building contest behind the Common.”
“Shall we enter?”
“Maybe Helen and Vince will enter, too. But you’ll have to wear your cap so it covers your ears.”
“Laura, I already have a mother. I had another title saved for you.”
“Oh, dear. I hope it’s not as a nag. I’m afraid to ask.”
“Maybe I’ll tell you on Saturday. Sweet dreams, Laura.”
“Same to you, Ward. Good night.”
Chapter 9
ON SATURDAY, LAURA wore her warmest clothes again in preparation for the snowman building contest and community tree lighting ceremony. The night before, she’d made a double batch of Snickerdoodle cookies in case anyone came to her apartment this weekend.
Although he’d been professional at work, Ward had called her every night. She couldn’t suppress her excitement at the prospect of spending the day with him.
He stepped into her apartment and pulled her into his arms. “I wanted a few minutes in private to hold you close.” Wearing jeans and an unfastened parka, he looked ready for cold weather.
He pressed his lips to hers, then nuzzled her neck. “You’re positive you want to build a snowman? It’s cozy and warm in here.”
“It’s not important to me but Helen and Vince expect us, remember?”
Eyes sparkling, he frowned. “Who are they? Do I know them?”
She rested her head against his chest. “Your best friend and mine. Loyal friends we’d never desert.”
“You’re a hard-hearted woman but I’m under your spell and must obey.”
She laughed. “I’d really love to have that in writing.”
“Aren’t you a comedian? Get your coat and gloves and scarf, funny lady.”
He helped her with her coat, then she added her scarf. “I hope we arrive about the time they do.”
“I’ll make sure we do.” He took out his phone and pressed the contacts. “Vince, she insists we’re leaving now. Yeah, see you in a few.”
“So, you were both hoping to skip this event. We can go somewhere else, you know. We could all come back to my place and play cards or pop corn and watch a movie until time for the tree lighting. Oh, and I made cookies.”
“Oh? Let’s see what Vince and Helen choose.”
“We may as well walk. You won’t be able to get a close spot to park.”
He linked his hand with hers. “I’m sure you’re right.”
“Are we taking Doris to the tree lighting?”
“I offered, but she chose to stay in and work one of the jigsaw puzzles you gave her. In addition to mentioning difficulty finding a parking spot, she didn’t want to use the wheelchair, especially in a crowd. She said the event is for people in better physical condition than she is this year.”
“She’s missing your stepfather and needs cheering up. I visited her a couple of times this week and Helen did once. Having Mrs. Chambers stay with her is a good idea and the woman seems nice, but she is not a bundle of laughs.”
“So I noticed when I visited Mom last night. Mrs. Chambers staying in Mom’s guest room during the week may be convenient for Mrs. Chambers, but I think Mom is sorry she made that arrangement.”
They left the Park Plaza building. The sun was shining, but the temperature was definitely around freezing. Fortunately, there was no wind.
“Mom is used to being on her own except for my stepfather. She probably doesn’t like having someone there all day every day.”
“I probably wouldn’t either.”
“Except for having me around, you mean.”
She sent him a flirtatious smile. “Is that what I mean?”
His blue eyes sparkled with humor. “Of course. You didn’t say it in so many words, but fortunately I understood that’s what you meant.”
“You are so full of yourself, Ward Callahan. Oh, there’re Helen and Vince.” Laura waved and they returned the greeting.
Once they were face to face, Ward said, “Laura has offered a choice. If you’re not eager to build a snowman, we can go back to her apartment for cards or popcorn and a movie. I also spotted a plate of cookies that looked like Snickerdoodles. What do you pick?”
Helen looked at Vince. “I worked a double shift in the ER last night and have had only a couple of hours’ sleep. Frankly I’m not sure I have the energy to devote to a contest more taxing than checkers. Do you guys mind going to Laura’s? Her place is quieter than mine. A movie and popcorn sound wonderful.”
Inside Laura’s apartment, she hung up their coats because there simply wasn’t much room unless she kept things tidy.
Then she handed Ward the TV remote. “I know a couple of men could never let us frail women have dominion over the controls. You two will have to take turns sharing the power.”
Helen plopped onto the couch. Vince sat beside her. Ward followed Laura into her tiny kitchen.
“There’s really not room for two so have a seat at the counter. Shall I order a couple of pizzas for our lunch?”
“Sounds good. I’ll take care of that and ask them to be delivered about one if that’s all right with everyone. What’s everyone want on their pie?”
Vince called, “Everything.”
Laura grinned. “Ham and pineapple and cheese and sauce.”
Helen called, “I’ll have what Laura said.”
Ward looked at Laura. “Should I get soft drinks? Beer? What?”
She opened her refrigerator door so he could see she’d stocked up on soft drinks, beer, and wine.
He punched in a number. “I want an extra-large he-man pizza with everything. I also want a large with ham, pineapple, cheese, and sauce. To Park Plaza Building, Apartment 210.” He gave his card number and asked for a one o’clock pm delivery.
“You’ll have to call the concierge and let him know we really ordered a delivery.”
While he took care of the calls, Laura had popped corn in the microwave.
“Wow, I didn’t know the stuff came in such a large bag.”
She opened the bag and divided the contents between two bowls. “There’re more packages if we want extra, but we have to save room for pizza.”
When they carried the bowls, napkins, and soft drinks to the living room, Helen was stretched out on the couch with her feet in Vince’s lap. Her shoes were off and he was massaging her feet.
Laura gave her a can of soda. “Maybe this will pep you up.”
“Not unless I take it intravenously, but thanks.” She sat up and kissed Vince. “You are a saint for massaging my feet. Better wash your hands before you eat popcorn.”
“You’re wearing socks.”
She raised her eyebrows.
He stood. “I’m going. Heaven help me, I’m already henpecked.”
Laura and Ward laughed. Laura was happy because that indicated to her that Vince had plans to marry Helen.
Helen shook her index finger at the two of them. “Don’t laugh at him. He is a saint. My feet were killing me, but now I feel much better.”
Ward looked askance. “A saint? This the same Vince Adams I know?”
Vince reappeared. “Don’t spoil my image with Helen. Even her family likes me.”
Laura shook her head. “I hate to break it to you, but they are incredibly nice people who like everyone unless a person is mean to one of their family or friends.”
Vince frowned. “That’s disappointing. I thought my charm was responsible.”
Ward sat in one of the two living room chairs. Instead of choosing the other, Laura sat on the floor beside his feet. He found a movie they agreed on and they watched the story unfold.
Ward threaded his fingers in her hair. “I don’t need a napkin because I have Laura’s hair handy.”
She elbowed his leg. “Very funny.”
Helen stretched on the couch again, this time with her head in Vince’s lap.
Ward slid to the floor beside Laura. “Let’s scoot so our backs are against the cou
ch. We won’t block Helen’s view if we stick to this end.”
“I suspect she’ll sleep through the movie anyway. She’s always busy in the ER and there are slackers there who take advantage of her work ethic.”
They settled back and watched the movie. By the time the pizza was delivered, Helen was sound asleep.
Chapter 10
WARD HADN’T SPENT SUCH a pleasant afternoon in a long time. He’d really enjoyed last Friday night and Saturday, but today was restful as well as fun. He’d be up for this every weekend.
They let Helen sleep while they ate pizza. Seated at the kitchen table, the guys each had a beer and Laura had another canned soft drink. Laura didn’t make much of a dent in her and Helen’s pizza, but he and Vince murdered theirs and followed with several cookies.
Vince stood and stretched. “I plan to use your facilities and then join Helen on the couch. Feel free to talk among yourselves and carry on without me.”
Ward helped clear away the clutter they’d created while Laura forced the box holding the remaining ham and pineapple pizza into her fridge. As far as he could tell, she ate a lot of yogurt and salad.
Vince left the bathroom and sniffed his hands. “Your soap smells girly.”
Laura looked amused. “Why do you suppose that is, Vince?”
Ward led her to her bedroom. “I’m not planning to jump your bones—not that I’d turn down the opportunity given permission—but we might as well take a nap until time to go to the tree lighting. I’ll set my watch to wake us.”
While he did, Laura took her phone from her pocket. “Just in case, I’ll set my phone alarm.”
He looked around. “Wow, nice room but feminine.”
“Should I repeat what I asked Vince?”
He sat on the bed and removed his shoes. “No, I get it. You’ve done a great job decorating your apartment.” He stretched out and sighed. He hadn’t realized how tense he’d been all week.
“Thank you. Many of the pieces were from my parents’ home. This was their bedroom furniture.” She walked to the other side of the bed and took off her boots before she stretched out beside him.
“Which explains why a spinster needs a king-sized bed. Glad you saved it.”
“Spinster? You trying to get on my good side?”
“Both your sides are good.” He scooted until they were close, then faced her and put his arm at her waist. “This is really great. Sure glad we came back here instead of freezing all day.”
“Ever the adventurer.” She snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes and sighed.
Maybe she was as contented as he was. He sure hoped so. He could live like this for fifty or sixty years, then die a happy man.
THE ALARM WOKE LAURA and she punched the phone’s button to quiet the noise. Disoriented, she took a few seconds to recall why she was spooned to another person. The sensations were wonderful. For a few moments she lay still, recording the secure and happy result of waking in Ward’s arms.
Scolding herself for her fanciful thoughts, she slipped from bed. She carried her boots with her. After brushing her teeth, she repaired her hair and reapplied lipstick.
She didn’t know whether or not to wake the others, but when she came out of the bathroom, Ward was waiting for a turn. Vince and Helen sat close on the couch, talking softly.
She walked into the living room and looked at Helen. “Would you like some pizza?”
“I had some while you were asleep, just one slice. Vince promised to take me for Mexican food after the tree lighting.”
“You feel better after a nap?”
“Tons. I don’t work again until Monday at three. I’ve told them I want days or I’ll find another job.”
Laura said, “I guess everyone wants daytime hours.”
Helen shook her head. “Some of the moms want to work while their kids are asleep. They sleep when the kids are in school.”
“That must be hard.”
“Yeah, but there are a lot of single moms who work around their kids’ schedules.”
Ward looked at the others. “Shall we go?”
At the tree lighting, they saw Helen’s parents walking hand in hand.
Her dad peered around. “Our kids are scattered around here somewhere.”
After the tree lights were shining brightly, Vince asked Mr. Hampton to take his and Helen’s photo with Ward and Laura. Vince took one of Helen’s parents, then the four of them decided to walk to the restaurant.
Ward held Laura’s hand as they walked along behind Vince and Helen.
Laura saw Celia and another woman coming out of a store. Oh, no, this was it. She told herself to brace for an explosion.
Celia said, “Hello, Vince.”
“Hello, Celia. Helen Hampton, Celia Gervaise.”
They exchanged greetings and Celia introduced her friend. Apparently then Celia spotted Ward holding Laura’s hand.
Celia gaped, her eyes growing wide then narrowing in anger. “You’re here together? That explains a lot.”
Ward sent her a steely glare. “Such as what?”
Celia licked he lips and her eyes darted around. “Um, just uh... I thought I saw you earlier and wasn’t sure, but this explains I really did. Well, have a lovely evening.”
Vince grinned. “After some stuttering, she took off like we’d shot her out of a cannon.”
Laura grimaced. “You can laugh. She can’t damage your reputation.”
Vince gave a dismissive wave. “Listen, anyone who pays attention to her is dumb as dirt. Only John is that stupid. Oops.” He clamped his lips closed.
Ward leaned Laura’s way. “You may have noticed that Vince is not a fan of a couple of our coworkers.”
Laura looked at him. “I admire his taste.”
SHE DREADED FACING Celia on Monday, wondering what the other woman would do to retaliate. Since she’d come to work at Callahan Group, Laura had watched Celia preen and flirt with Ward. She had to concede he’d never responded. Apparently, Celia refused to let that discourage her. Or, maybe she was one of those women to whom flirting was a sport.
As Laura expected, Celia breezed in earlier than usual. In fact, she arrived before Ward.
Celia practically stomped her four-inch heels to stand by Laura’s desk. “I suppose you think you’re clever. I should have known you were sleeping with Ward from the way he catered to you.”
“You’re wrong. Ward and I have not slept together. Don’t judge others by what you’re willing to do. I heard you offer to accompany him to Atlanta.”
Shock crossed the other woman’s face then quickly returned to anger. “The BriteBite account should have been mine. I have seniority here. You think because you have a grad degree you should have special treatment. Well, you sure get it.”
“You have a lot of accounts, Celia. You can’t have them all. Learn to be a team player. We should all be working for Callahan Group to protect our income.”
“As if you have to worry with the boss in your bed.”
“You’re still wrong, Celia, but I’m not going to argue with you. Think whatever you want. Tell whoever you want to tell. Anyone who believes you is as dumb as dirt.”
“We’ll see who believes me. I’ll bet others saw you Saturday.”
“Why wouldn’t they have? We weren’t hiding because we’ve done nothing wrong.”
All the same, Celia’s accusations stung. During the morning Celia made the rounds. Breanna acted cool and said she had some shopping to do at lunch. Laura and Sherry ate together at the tea room.
“Don’t let Celia’s gossip get you down. You know what she’s like. No one will pay attention to her.”
“They will but I can’t help what they think. You notice Breanna gave me the cold shoulder. Frankly, I’m not willing to stop seeing Ward to please Celia.”
“I’m glad. I’ve always thought you’d be perfect for each other.”
Laura couldn’t hide her surprise. “Really?”
“Yes, from the first day yo
u were here. You have the same outlook. Professional, ethical, polite.”
“Thank you, Sherry. I appreciate your friendship. Looks like you’re the only one at the office being supportive besides Ward and Vince.”
Sherry shook her head. “Just wait, you’ll see.”
Chapter 11
LAURA WAS AT HER DESK early Wednesday. Her biggest account was BriteBite toothpaste, aimed at teens and early twenties. She had won the account by presenting a cartoon strip series to run in the back of teen graphic novels, in comic books, and in teen magazines. She didn’t claim to be a cartoonist, but she could do these simple panels.
This one had taken more than the usual time. The first panel was of three young men named Joe, Ben, and Sam who were running into the woods. They had to hide because it was the Zombie Apocalypse and an army of zombies was headed their way.
The next panel showed them hunkering down behind some bushes. Joe tells his two companions to be perfectly still and keep their mouths shut.
As the zombies are staggering past, Ben whispers, “They didn’t see us,” and grins. The next panel shows his teeth shining like a beacon in the dark. The final panel shows the zombies turn and grab the three friends while Joe yells, “I told you to keep your mouth shut.”
She smiled at the silliness of the comic. In spite of their simplicity, these comic ads were becoming popular with their intended audience. The head of the toothpaste company was delighted. The company produced what she was certain was the same formula in an adult brand, but that part of the account was handled by Vince.
“You look like the cat that found the cream.” Celia carried a soft drink from the break room. “Oh, that’s your latest little cartoon. I find it hard to believe Ward let you show such sloppy work to a client.”
Laura ignored Celia’s barb. “You’re not the target demographic, Celia. I’m lucky Mr. Boggs has teens and knows what they like.”
Celia grated out quietly for Laura’s ears only, “That account should have been mine.”
“So you said a couple of days ago, and I reminded you to be a team player because you can’t have all the accounts.”
Laura recognized the expression in Celia’s eyes and knew what the woman intended to do. But before Laura could snatch the strip away, Celia leaned over and spilled her soft drink on it.