Sidney nodded.“Thank you for the warning. And the other thing?”
“If you happen to see a young man come around, or hear Candace talking to him would you be willing to tell me? I’d like to offer my help.”
Sidney stared for a moment into her neighbor’s eyes and knew something was off. She hadn’t worked with high school kids for ten years, without figuring out when someone wasn’t being completely forthcoming with information.“I’m sorry Matthew, but Candace is my employee. I’m not going to spy on her. If she’s pregnant, and she’s planning on staying on here with me at the inn, she’ll have to tell me eventually. As for Astrid Peterson, I’m sure there’s room on this island for both of us.”
Matt swallowed, slowly.“Don’t be so certain, Sidney. Astrid is a force to be reckoned with.”
Sidney chuckled and started leading them out of the garden and back toward her house.“Like I said, thanks for the warning.” She glanced over at him.“Would you like to come in and have some hot cocoa?”
Matt’s eyes revealed a slight hint of disappointment. He pointed toward his house.“No, thank you. I need to get back. I’ve got to finish some reading.”
“Tell Jake I said, hi.”
~
Matt walked toward his house, feeling more befuddled with every step. He’d hoped to get further with Sidney. She wasn’t one to be pushed around, he realized. He had assumed she’d be oozing curiosity and want to know all about Candace. He hated the thought that he’d run out of options. There wasn’t much he could do to help Astrid find out who the father was. He’d tried all his options, to no avail. She’d push retirement so fast he’d be out on his tail by the end of the year. No one messed with Astrid Peterson. Except, he realized, her granddaughter Candace, and now, apparently, Sidney Franklin.
He prayed quietly. He asked God for wisdom and some more time. More time to help Candace, more time to be a pastor. It couldn’t be God’s will that he retire. God had called him to the pastorate. He was the one who had all the history, the family information. A new pastor wouldn’t understand why Astrid was so upset. A new pastor would tell Astrid to get over it, to get on with her life. He was different. He understood why Astrid was so bent out of shape. Her life was repeating itself and it scared her.
Chapter Eight
An Invitation
Sidney needed to clear her head from all the inner chatter. Her list of things to do before her grand opening was growing daily. On top of it, she couldn’t sleep. She found herself waking up at all hours of the night, wondering about Jeff. It had occurred to her during the middle of the night, tossing and turning, that it might be an appropriate time to pray. But Sidney had become a master at pinching her lips and tossing and turning without God’s help.
She had trusted God her whole life, and didn’t like the results. Following God was supposed to lead to life, not divorce and rejection by the one man she loved and admired with her whole heart. It’s not like she thought life was supposed to be perfect, she had always known there would be times in one’s life filled with pain and loss, unmet expectations. However, this was different. She’d done her best to follow God and make decisions that would honor him. Jeff’s unfaithfulness had shattered her world.
Sidney’s thoughts meandered around to her mother. She hadn’t talked to Lucy in a couple of weeks and Lucy hadn’t gone this long without calling her in years. Sidney picked up her phone and scrolled through the names till she came to her mom’s.
“Sidney?”
“Yes, Mother it’s me. We haven’t talked in ages.”
“I can’t believe you called. I’m usually the one who has to call you.”
“I know and since you haven’t called in a while, I decided to find out what’s going on. How are you? How’s Granny? Bill?”
Her mom sighed.“Not so well, dear. I think Granny probably only has few months left. Bill is more ornery and irritated than ever.”
Sidney’s stomach flipped over. Was it a mistake to move so far away from her mom? Lucy needed her more than ever, and here on Perez, she was even more inaccessible.“I’m sorry, Mom. I know it’s hard. I’ll be in Seattle this weekend. We can have lunch.”
“All right. It would also be good for you to see your grandmother.”
“Of course. Do you think you can come out for Thanksgiving. Maybe even bring Bill?”
Her mom sighed deeply.“We’ll see. I think Bill’s kids are planning on having him for Thanksgiving. Maybe I can go and see you. It depends on Granny.”
“That would be perfect.”
“And how’s the inn? You getting everything ready? How’s the cooking?”
“It’s all going well. I’ve got a woman staying with me who is teaching me how to make the most amazing food. Even you’d be proud.”
“I always knew you had it in you.”
They hung up a few minutes later. Sidney could tell by the tone of her voice, that her mother was discouraged. Her normal feisty spunk was missing. At least she’d see her soon.
Sidney set her phone down and thought for a few minutes. She liked what was happening at the inn. The furniture she’d picked out was perfect for it. The menu was coming together. Betty was such a help. Sidney still hadn’t talked to Candace about the pregnancy, she was waiting for Candace to tell her herself. Betty was treating Candace well, they were almost becoming friends she thought. Well, maybe not friends, but at least no household objects had been thrown around. Sidney had almost perfected the cinnamon rolls. Despite how reluctant she’d been to open an inn, every day she felt more and more sure that this was where she was supposed to be.
She stood up from her desk and glanced out the window. It wasn’t raining. She decided to meander over to the pond.
She opened the front door. The late October air was cold and an afternoon fog had settled on the ground. The fallen leaves crinkled under her feet as she walked out of her yard. It smelled damp and earthy. She had her hair pulled back in a braid, but because of the island humidity, some of the wispy hairs around her face had come out and the frizzing curls tickled her cheeks.
She wandered around the pond, letting the different people she’d met on the island fill her mind. For a small island there sure seemed to be a wide variety of people. She was lost in thought when she heard someone call her name.
She turned in a few directions trying to figure out where it was coming from and finally spotted Jake on the other side of the pond fishing with his dad. Jake waved at her with enthusiasm. She waved back at him, intending to walk on. The last thing she wanted on such a beautiful fall evening was an argument with Dr. Kellen.
“There’s something I want to ask you,” Jake called, waving her over. Sidney turned and resolved to be kind to Jake’s father no matter how rude or grumpy he was, particularly with her. She brushed her frizzing hair off her forehead and went over to the fishermen.
“Hey, neighbors,” she said.“Nice evening for fishing.”
Jake held up two fish. He smiled, showing all his front teeth.“Dad’s going to make fish tacos tonight.”
Sidney’s eyes widened.“That’s my favorite food!”
“You should come over,” Jake said.“We’ll have plenty and no one else makes fish tacos as good as my dad does.”
Sidney gave Jake a thank-you-for-trying smile and patted him on the shoulder. She knew Dr. Kellen didn’t want her there. She could still feel his initial words permeating her mind,“Not even a friend.” There was no way she’d ever forget his boundary, neighbor or not.“Thanks Jake, but I’ve got plans to eat with my house guests. Betty’s making dinner.”
Dr. Kellen looked over at her and their eyes met. She gave him a curt nod. They stared at one another for a moment and she knew they were both thinking of the same thing—his words to her on their first encounter. He didn’t want her around and she was more than happy to comply. His son, though, was another matter.
Jake frowned and hung his head.“Okay,” he said. Then, his eyes lit up again and he snapped his fin
gers like he remembered something he had almost forgotten about.“There’s something else I wanted to ask you!”
“What is it?” Sidney inclined her head down to make sure he could see she was listening.
“There’s a banquet coming up that we go to every year. It’s kind of boring but everyone on the island goes. My dad said I could bring a friend. I was wondering if I could bring you?”
She paused for a moment. How to say the hard, yet obvious,“no”?“Jake, I’m not sure I’m the kind of friend your dad was thinking of.”
Jake shook his head.“I asked him, didn’t I, Dad? And he said it was fine.”
Sidney eyed Dr. Kellen again. His lips curled up in what she thought was a smile and gently waved his hand in the air.“Don’t feel obligated at all. I told Jake I didn’t think this would interest you, but that he was free to ask. You’re more than welcome at our table.”
Jake’s face was eager and so hard to disappoint. She hoped that Dr. Kellen didn’t see this as her going against his wishes. For one fleeting moment she thought it might be nice to see Dr. Kellen in a suit, but then sent that thought to the moon. Jake was still waiting for an answer.
“Thank you so much for such a lovely invitation,” she said.“I would be delighted to accompany you.”
“Awesome,” he said.“I knew you’d say yes. I need to go and tell grandpa we won five bucks!” He grabbed his pole and two fish and ran off in the direction of his house.
Sidney raised her eyebrows and looked over at Dr. Kellen.“I was the object of a wager?”
He nodded and held up his hands.“You were. And I lost.”
“Good. I’m glad Jake had faith in our growing friendship.”
Dr. Kellen pointed toward the road back home.“Should we start back? I doubt Jake’s going to do anymore fishing. He really likes you, you know.” He started gathering up the fishing gear and tucked the poles under his arms.
Sidney turned and they started to walk down the road side by side. She put her hands inside the pockets of her sweater.“I like him too.”
Dr. Kellen shook his head.“He has a crush on you.”
“That’s flattering.” She didn’t want to get into another argument with him so she stayed quiet.
He broke the silence.“It looks like you’ve opened for business before actually opening for business.”
“I know. Tell me about it.”
“How are Betty and Candace doing?”
Sidney smirked, thinking of their conversation about him the other night.“Surprisingly enough, they seem to be really getting along. Candace has been very nice to her and I think Betty’s got too many other things on her mind to argue with the girl.”
Dr. Kellen looked at her, surprised.“It was good of you to hire her.”
“She’s a determined employee.”
Dr. Kellen kept his eyes on the road in front of them. He cleared his throat.“You do know her grandmother owns the other bed and breakfast on the island, right?”
“I do. Candace is the one who mentioned it.”
He finally looked at her and shook his head.“Astrid Peterson has been on Perez her whole life. She’s prided herself on the fact that she’s got the only bed and breakfast here.”
“How can that be? I noticed the same thing but it confused me. There have to have been other bed and breakfasts? I don’t understand how it is that she has the only one.”
“Others have tried to starting up. They haven’t succeeded.”
Sidney frowned and tried to sound lighthearted, but her voice sounded tight nonetheless.“Are you trying to say you don’t think my bed and breakfast will make it?”
Dr. Kellen didn’t say anything for a minute as if he were searching for the right words. He finally shook his head.“I’m not saying that. I’ve always thought your house would make an excellent inn. You’ve got a great location. The house is beautiful. And Betty is an extraordinary cook. Just watch your back with Astrid Peterson.”
“What is it that she does to bring down these bed and breakfasts?”
“Under charges, beats their deals, steals their staff, starts rumors about their food. Just basic petty stuff that gets tiring after a while. Pretty soon, people give up and let her have her way.”
Sidney couldn’t believe it. She sounded like someone out of a children’s story.“That’s awful. You know her well?”
“I grew up here. Everyone knows everyone. She goes to my dad’s church too.”
“What in the world? That woman goes to church?”
Kell grinned.“Course she does. Her family donated the wood for the building years ago. Astrid won’t let anyone forget it.”
“I wouldn’t have figured her for a person of faith, with such a reputation.”
Kell shrugged.“I didn’t say she was a woman of faith. I said she goes to my dad’s church. People go to church for lots of reasons.”
Sidney knew that was true. Still, it frustrated her that this Astrid woman was such a nuisance.“So what’s your advice? What should I do to stay out of Astrid’s grip?”
Kell rubbed his forehead.“I think the key is perseverance. If she doesn’t run you out of here within the first year, you’ll be fine. Don’t let her intimidate you.”
They arrived at the end of the road; their houses were on either side of them.“That’s helpful. I need to open my bed and breakfast soon. I can’t be looking behind me every day making sure she’s not out to sabotage me.”
He nodded.“I wouldn’t think too much about it, but watch your back, like I said.”
“I still can’t believe someone with that kind of a reputation goes to church.”
Kell shrugged.“Since when did vindictive people stay away from religion?”
“True. You sound like a regular cynic.”
He smiled and set his gaze on the ground for a moment.“A realist is more like it.” His voice had a sadness to it she had never noticed before.
“I’ve been wondering when Astrid’s going to show up here. She hasn’t even called. After all, her granddaughter is at my house.”
“If she doesn’t come to the house, you’ll meet her at the banquet. I’m sure she’ll find a way to introduce herself.”
Sidney paused in reflection.“You know, this is the first conversation I’ve had with you that didn’t end with me being irritated.”
Dr. Kellen raised his eyes and looked at her and let out a small laugh.“Are you surprised you aren’t irritated, or that I wasn’t irritating?”
Sidney laughed, took one hand out of the sweater pocket and pushed her hair back from her forehead.“I’m not sure. Probably both.” She smiled at him.“I’ll keep my eyes out for Astrid Peterson.”
“I’m not worried about you. I have a feeling when it comes to Astrid Peterson, you’ll come out swinging”
“Was that a compliment?” she asked.
He gave her a quick nod.“It was.”
“Thanks, again.” Sidney smiled, and turned to go. She took a few steps toward her porch stairs.“See you later, Dr. Kellen.”
Kell remained standing there for a moment. So strange how he felt in her presence. Everything shifted and got muddled up. Parts of him came alive that were used to being in a constant fog, and other parts of him seemed to calm. Jake absolutely adored her. Innately, he understood why.
The part that came alive was his mind. She forced him to interact with her, to be present, engaged. And yet, strangely the part of him that was always on edge with a woman, fearing they would manipulate him in some way, trick him with their words, wasn’t there with Sidney. She was open and clear—there were no murky waters with her. He quietly turned to go inside and felt a pang of sadness.
For the first time since Chelsea’s death, he found that he truly enjoyed the company of another woman, that she might have been a good friend and one with whom he could actually converse. Since his wife’s passing, he’d struggled with women and their ulterior motives. He constantly felt as if he were under inspection, on display. Consequen
tly, he’d become almost a hermit, afraid to interact, afraid to let his thoughts loose.
After a handful of conversations with Sidney, and reflecting on his own appalling behavior, and her willingness to accept him on his incredibly rude terms, and continue to treat him with neighborly kindness, he wasn’t sure what to make of her.
Chapter Nine
Banquet Preparations
Sidney, Betty, and Candace set out on the Friday morning before the banquet on an early ferry. Betty drove her silver Tahoe, declaring she didn’t trust small cars.
“You sure you don’t mind using all the gas?” Sidney asked.
Betty waved her hand in the air.“Course not. Who do you think’s paying for it?”
“Dan never cancelled your card?” Sidney asked.
“He cancelled one of them, but didn’t touch the others. He doesn’t want me to get so mad I’ll never come back.”
Sidney bit her lip and said no more. When coming out of the ashes of infidelity, it was easy to want vengeance. She knew all about those feelings.
The morning fog made the air feel damp, but it would soon clear off. It was going to be a gorgeous fall day. Sidney checked the time on her watch.“My mom is planning to meet us for lunch, and later this afternoon, I have a coffee date with Jeff. He said he could meet me at the Starbucks in the mall around 3:30. Right after school gets out. Is that going to work?”
Candace nodded. She sat in the back seat with her mouth closed, nibbling on saltine crackers. Sidney wondered if she should tell Candace she knew about the pregnancy, or if she should wait. At some point Candace would have to break the news, her body wasn’t going to keep the secret forever.
“I’m happy to hang out at the mall while you have coffee with Iron Man,” Betty said.“Just remember, you’re coming back to island with us.”
“Why do you keep calling him Iron Man?” Sidney asked.
“Didn’t you say he trained for it?”
“Yes. His training partner was the woman he threw our marriage away for. Deborah Shields. The Ironman was a few weeks ago.”
An Ordinary Love (A Christian Contemporary Romance) (Sidney's Sanctuary Book 1) Page 9