A New Attitude

by Charlotte Hughes

  “We’re supposed to meet with Father’s attorney before that,” Garth said.

  Marilee and Irby exchanged looks.

  Linda Kellet stiffened. “Oh, yes, we wouldn’t want to miss that, now, would we?” She marched off without another word.

  Garth started after her, then turned. “I hope we don’t have any more surprises waiting for us at the grave site,” he said to Irby.

  “Depends,” Irby said, “on whether you like dogs and ponies.”

  “That’s not a damn bit funny,” Garth said, and walked away.

  Debbie looked at her husband. “Honey, I didn’t know you knew Mr. Kellet or that you visited him in the nursing home.”

  “I never met the man in my life,” Irby said. “Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have to stuff old man Kellet in a hole so his son will get out of my face. Marilee, go home and rest.”

  Debbie looked at Marilee as her husband hurried away. “Well, I guess the old Irby is back.”

  MARILEE FOUND SAM WAITING in her kitchen when she arrived home. “Where’s your mother?”

  “Resting. She’s in no condition to face a lineup after having stayed up all night.”

  Nell picked that moment to walk in the back door. “Everybody ready to go? I want to put those scoundrels behind bars before they terrorize more innocent people.”

  “Mom, I asked you to rest.”

  “I’ll rest when this is over.” She looked determined.

  Sam shrugged, knowing it was useless to argue. His mother had become even more feisty than usual the past couple of months; he assumed Marilee and her friends had something to do with it, and he knew his mother had never been happier. He owed a debt of gratitude to Marilee and the others.

  Marilee showered and dressed in record time, woke Winnie, and they were on their way in a matter of minutes. Sam had chosen to drive his car, since it would accommodate everybody. Marilee didn’t care that her hair was wet and that she wore no makeup. She just wanted to get this business out of the way and rest. The rain looked as though it would continue through the day.

  “Marilee, I’ve been thinking,” Sam said. “You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met, but you need an equally strong man in your life. That Jack fellow doesn’t look all that capable.”

  Marilee glanced over her shoulder at the back seat and was relieved to find Winnie and Nell sleeping. “I don’t work at the Pickford Inn anymore,” she replied, “so I won’t be seeing much of Mr. Helms.”

  Sam was relieved. “Well, that’s too bad,” he said. But he was grinning. His smile faded after a moment. “Are you going to be okay financially?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She patted his hand, and he captured it, letting it rest on his thigh as he drove. Somehow, it felt natural to Marilee. “By the way, you were a real hero last night, you know that?”

  “I did what I had to do. It’s only natural to want to protect those you love.”

  Marilee’s insides warmed at the thought, and her hand remained on his thigh until they reached the town of Pickford.

  Chief Harris was waiting for them when they arrived. “Jack Helms and Gertie Johnson have already come and gone,” the chief said. He looked surprised to see Nell. “You okay, Mrs. Brewer?”

  “Of course I’m okay,” she said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “This won’t take long,” he said. He explained the procedure before escorting Marilee into a room that shared a large window with an adjoining room. Six men appeared in a lineup. She had no trouble spotting the two who had robbed the Pickford.

  Sam paced the floor as the others took their turn.

  When it was over, Harris looked satisfied, although he didn’t comment on the women’s choices. He handed each of them his card. “I’ll be in touch.” He looked at Sam. “These lovely ladies need to go home and rest now.”

  MARILEE FOUND HERSELF NODDING off several times as Sam drove them home. The rain had let up, but the roads were slick. Once they arrived at Sam’s place, the weary group parted, and Sam escorted his mother inside their house as Marilee and Winnie crossed the lawn to theirs. Sam ushered his mother into her room, helped her out of her coat and pulled off her shoes once she sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Are you sure you don’t want anything to eat?” he asked.

  “Not now,” she said. “I’ll get something later. You need to check on Winnie and Marilee.”

  Sam had already planned to do just that. He found the two eating a sandwich at the kitchen table. “Do either of you need anything?” he asked.

  “A little shut-eye, and I’ll be okay,” Winnie said.

  Sam stared at Winnie. “You’re not having any pains or anything?”

  “I’m fine,” the girl assured him. “Stop worrying.” She carried her plate to the sink and trudged upstairs.

  Marilee offered Sam half her sandwich, but he shook his head. “Is your mother okay?” she asked.

  “She was sleeping like a baby when I left. You’ve barely touched your sandwich,” he said.

  “I guess I’m not hungry.”

  He saw her shiver. “Are you cold?”

  “A little.”

  “Come on.” He stood and held out his hand.

  Marilee didn’t question him. She took his hand and let him lead her up the stairs and into her bedroom. She supposed she was just too tired to argue. He released her hand and pulled back the covers. “Climb in,” he ordered as he took her phone off the hook and tucked it into a drawer on her nightstand. He covered it with a throw pillow and closed the drawer.

  “Sam, what on earth are you doing?”

  He chuckled. “I learned that little trick in my partying days.”

  “Among other things,” she said drolly.

  “Yes, but those days are behind me.”

  She sighed. “I’ll never be able to fall asleep. I’m too wound up.” Nevertheless, she kicked off her shoes and crawled beneath the covers. Sam sat on the bed beside her and began removing his own shoes.

  She looked at him, mouth agape. “Now what are you doing?”

  “I didn’t get much sleep myself last night. I thought I’d lie down beside you for a minute if you don’t mind.” When she merely stared at him, he smiled. “Don’t worry, I trust you completely. Now, scoot over.”

  For some crazy reason, that’s exactly what she did. She didn’t stiffen when Sam joined her beneath the covers and pulled her close so that her head rested on his shoulder; instead, she relaxed against the contours of his body, seeking out his warmth, which soon chased the chill away and soothed her frazzled nerves.

  “Go to sleep now, Marilee,” he said, his voice lulling her. “You’re safe.”

  She did feel safe, for the first time in months, and it was only then that she realized the enormous amount of stress she’d been under, even long before Grady had walked out on her.

  How strange that she’d found sanctuary for her tired soul in the arms of a scoundrel like Sam Brewer.

  IT WAS SOME TIME BEFORE Marilee awoke. When she did, she noticed the rain had stopped. Sam was still sleeping beside her, holding her close, his body comforting and reassuring. She studied him, wondered if he was capable of being faithful to a woman.

  She knew he cared for her, but was he the type of man who could love a woman for the rest of his life?

  Marilee stared at the ceiling, trying to pull her thoughts together. Would Grady have risked his life for those he loved, as Sam had done? She could see Grady ordering the police about, using his influence to get things done, but she could not envision Grady actually putting himself in danger if there was somebody else to do it.

  Marilee wondered if she was falling for Sam. The thought terrified her. How could it have happened so quickly? She had only been separated from Grady a couple of months; surely she needed more time to recover from the loss of her marriage. Yes, but she now knew she had not loved Grady for the past couple of years they’d lived together, at least not the way a woman should love her husband.


  Grady had known, and deep down she had suspected it.

  Leaving him had not crossed her mind because, as a team, they did well together, and their life was so full that she seldom had time to think about it. But there were times she realized just how lonely her life had become. Like when Grady sat up late watching TV or reading as he did each night, and she climbed into a cold empty bed. And that feeling of loneliness that never went away. Although his leaving had devastated her at the time, she admitted now it was a relief. He had done what she was incapable of doing.

  Marilee knew the moment Sam opened his eyes. She looked up and found him watching her, curiously at first. Instead of feeling shy or uncomfortable after having shared a nap with him, she felt a sense of renewal, as if everything was going to be okay.

  He grinned. “What would the ladies at Chickpea Baptist Church have to say about you now?” he asked.

  Marilee stretched. “Frankly, I think they’d be jealous that I was in bed with the town stud.”

  He winced. “What does a man have to do to live down a bad reputation in this town?” He snapped his fingers. “I know. Hang out with the town’s finest lady.”

  She smiled. “Know what I think?”

  “What?”

  “I think I like napping beside you.”

  He smiled back. “It was pretty nice, wasn’t it? At least I got one of my wishes.”

  “What was that?”

  “Waking up next to you. Of course, in my fantasy it would have been after a night of mad, passionate lovemaking.”

  Marilee shivered.

  “Cold?” he asked, giving her a knowing look. “Or warm?”

  She blushed. Sam was beginning to know her better than she knew herself. He leaned forward to kiss her, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.

  Winnie and Nell peeked in. Winnie grinned; Nell’s hands flew to her breasts. “Samuel Brewer, this sort of thing is simply not done! There’s a young girl living in this house. Close your eyes, Winnie.”

  “No way,” the girl said. “I like the looks of this.”

  Marilee blushed. “I’m afraid it’s my fault, Nell,” she said. “I was so shaken when I came home that Sam decided to stay with me for a while. I guess we both dozed off. I promise it was completely innocent.”

  Nell didn’t look placated. “Well, I’m not about to have my son jeopardizing your good reputation in this town. Samuel, if you’re going to share a bed with Marilee, I insist you do the decent thing and marry her.”

  Sam looked amused. “Marilee isn’t exactly in a position to marry anyone right now, and besides, I’m not sure she’d have me.”

  “Maybe if you changed your sorry ways,” Nell replied.

  Sam frowned as he looked at Marilee. “And to think only a few hours ago she was so proud of me for rescuing her.”

  “Look, I don’t care what anybody does as long as it doesn’t involve guns and duct tape,” Winnie said. “We just wanted to tell you dinner is ready.”

  “And I helped,” Nell said proudly. “Now, you come on out of this bedroom, Sam, so Marilee can freshen up.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He stood and grabbed his shoes, tossing Marilee a boyish grin. “See you downstairs.”

  RUBY AND CLARA POPPED IN as the four were finishing their meal. “Did any of you watch the six o’clock news?” Clara asked. “They have coverage of us leaving the Pickford Inn. We wanted to call, but the line was busy.”

  “Oh, the phone is off the hook in my bedroom,”

  Marilee said. “I’ll put it back on,” Sam said, and hurried up the stairs as Clara’s and Ruby’s gaze followed. They looked at one another, then at Marilee.

  “I’m not going to say anything,” Ruby replied. “And neither are you, Clara.”

  “We were really on the news?” Winnie asked excitedly. “Boy, the kids at school will love it. Maybe my old friends will start speaking to me again.” As if realizing she’d said too much, she busied herself clearing the table.

  “They’ll probably show it again at eleven,” Ruby said.

  Marilee only vaguely remembered the television crew parked outside the Pickford Inn. She had been so intent on getting to the funeral home that she’d ignored the flash of cameras. But her thoughts were centered on Winnie at the moment. She had suspected the girl’s friends had abandoned her when she became pregnant, just as her parents had. Marilee’s heart ached for her.

  Ruby went on. “The only reason we weren’t bombarded with reporters was because Chief Harris had the officers surround the place with crime-scene tape. Frankly, I wouldn’t have minded talking to those reporters. I could have put in a good word about my salon.” She frowned. “Naturally, my hair was a mess, and my dress was as wrinkled as a duck’s tail.”

  “How’d I look?” Winnie asked.

  Ruby looked at her. “Pregnant as all get-out.”

  “Janie, from the Gazette, wants to interview us,” Clara said. “I told her I’d let her know.”

  Marilee suddenly remembered her manners. “Clara, Ruby, get a plate. Looks like Nell and Winnie fried enough chicken for an army.”

  “We can’t stay,” Ruby said. “My friend from the VFW called to say they were cooking steaks on the grill tonight and wanted to invite us over so we could tell them our harrowing adventure. We came over to invite y’all.”

  “I can’t believe I’m going to a VFW function,” Clara muttered, rolling her eyes.

  “Oh, hush, Clara, it’ll be good for you. And stop tugging at your hair, I went to a lot of trouble to fix it up nicely.” Ruby glanced at Sam as he was coming down the stairs. “They want to meet you too,” she said, “now that you’re a hero.”

  “I’m really not up to it,” he said. “Maybe some other time.”

  Ruby looked around. “Anybody else?”

  “I have to study,” Winnie told them.

  Marilee yawned. “Maybe some other time, Ruby. I’m still tired.”

  “I’ll go,” Nell said, surprising them all. “Maybe I’ll meet a man. Am I dressed okay?”

  “Sure you are,” Ruby said. “Let’s go.”

  Sam was amused at the thought of his mother looking for men. “Please be home early. I can’t spend another night sitting up waiting for her to come home.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  MARILEE WALKED INTO THE Mockingbird Café as though it were an everyday occurrence for her to lunch alone. In the past, she would have felt nervous and self-conscious doing so. To avoid it, she would have grabbed a hamburger at a drive-through window or waited until she arrived home to prepare something. She didn’t know why it was so important to do something so insignificant that other people did all the time, but it was important. She waited while Flora, the owner, seated couples and groups of women. Marilee saw that she was the only one in the entire place eating alone, unless you counted the busboy standing near the back, who was eating a bag of chips while waiting to clean the next table.

  She hitched her chin high. She could do this. Why, she could go to the theater alone if she wanted. She could order a large buttered popcorn and eat the whole bucket by herself if she liked. She could attend a play by herself, instead of staying home because nobody else wanted to go.

  Marilee had purposefully chosen a time when the café would be busiest because she wanted to prove to herself that there was nothing she couldn’t do if she put her mind to it, no matter how uncomfortable it made her at first. Look what she’d already done! She had survived Grady’s leaving, her son’s anger and her phobia of dead people, although she still preferred not touching them. She had even survived a robbery. She had found a job—two jobs, actually, although she’d quit one of them. She kept her bills paid, had learned to check her car for oil and transmission fluid, she’d even caulked around the windows and checked the attic for insulation when her power bill had shown a slight increase. She’d learned, with Winnie’s help, how to replace that rubber bulb inside the tank of her toilet, and she had repaired a leaky faucet. To some people it might sound si
lly that she was so proud of her accomplishments, but each one was a small victory to her.

  Flora greeted her warmly. “You waiting for somebody, Marilee?”

  Marilee smiled. “No, I’m alone today.” She said it proudly.

  “You want a booth?”

  “I think I’ll take that small table in the center of the room if you don’t mind.”

  “Certainly.” Flora led her over and handed her a menu. “Our special today is Salisbury steak.” She hurried away.

  Flora’s daughter Bea appeared a few minutes later. “Hi, Marilee. Are you by yourself today?”

  Once again, Marilee smiled. Why did people naturally assume one could not dine alone? Of course they could. “Yes, Bea, and I’d like the special.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Marilee sat there wondering what she should do while she waited for her food. She chanced a look around, nodded at several people she knew then pulled a paperback from her purse, a book on positive thinking she’d purchased at the local used bookstore.

  Marilee’s lunch arrived. She ate and read, only vaguely aware of the people around her.

  Bea stopped by to refill her iced tea. “So where’s that handsome devil you came in with the other day?” she asked.

  “I’m sure he’s at work,” Marilee said. “I don’t really keep up with his comings and goings.”

  “You on your lunch hour?”

  “Yes. I decided I was tired of eating at my desk. You can bring me the check next chance you get.”

  “Sure, honey.”

  Well, now, Marilee thought. She had asked for her own check. She pulled money from her wallet. She would not be chintzy about tipping like Grady; she would leave Bea twenty percent.

  Marilee paid her bill and walked out of the Mockingbird still holding her head high. She climbed into her car and drove to the funeral home, feeling pretty good about what she’d done. Such a small thing really, but once you tackled the small problems it made the bigger ones easier to handle.