by Molly Cannon
“Two or three weeks—are you crazy? You planned this, didn’t you?”
“No. I honestly thought things with Roger were over. I was surprised as anyone when he showed up at Lu Lu’s.”
“I bet. So surprised you forgot about your responsibilities as a mother.”
“I know, call me selfish if you want. I had a chance to get what I want and I took it. And I’ll make it up to Daphne. This is a chance for us both to have a better life.”
Etta didn’t answer so Belle kept going.
“Listen Etta, this gives you a chance to make sure Donny Joe knows what he’s doing with Grammy’s house, right? And you can take Daphne to school like a good aunt, and make sure Beulah’s doing okay without Grammy Hazel around.”
“Is that all? And what am I supposed to tell Diego?”
“I’m sure Diego will understand.”
“How would you know? And even if he does, I won’t. You’ve gone too far this time, Belle.”
“Can’t you be happy for me?”
“Oh, I forgot. Your happiness is all that matters. And your ability to rationalize your behavior is beyond words. I’m going to let you talk to Daphne now. Make sure you don’t upset her if that’s possible.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Hold on while I go inside.” Etta walked into the house and headed toward the room Daphne was using. She knocked softly on the door then opened it a little. Daphne looked up from her book, her face a blank mask hiding her emotions.
“Hey honey, your mom’s on the phone.” She held it out and before she could take a single step inside the room, Daphne was off the bed grabbing the phone from her hand.
“Mom, where are you? They said I had to go to school here in Everson. I want to go back to Houston. Can’t you come get me?”
Etta couldn’t hear Belle’s response but Daphne sat down on the edge of the bed and soberly listened to whatever her mother was saying. Etta slipped out of the room to give her some privacy. She went to the living room to wait with Beulah, wondering what kind of fallout they’d be dealing with once the conversation was over.
Beulah put down a quilt square and asked, “Well, what did she have to say for herself?”
Etta clenched her fist and hit it against her thigh. “I’m trying to remain calm for Daphne’s sake, but oh, brother, Beulah, I’m about to explode. She plans to be gone for at least two weeks, and we are all supposed to put our lives on hold until she gets home. Except Daphne. She’s supposed to start a new school in a new town, and I’m supposed to make sure she’s okay with that. Daphne’s talking to her on the phone right now.”
Beulah fluttered around the room, clearly distressed. “Oh dear. Well, we’ll have to put the best face we can on everything until Belle gets home. Then I’m going to have a few choice words for that girl.”
“Stand in line.”
Daphne walked into the room holding out Etta’s phone. “Here’s your phone, Aunt Etta. I’m supposed to thank you and Cousin Beulah for taking care of me, and I need to thank Donny Joe for letting me stay here, too. Where is he?”
“He’s in his office working right now. You can tell him later.”
Daphne seemed subdued, but smiled bravely, resigned to make the best of things. “Okay, I will. Guess what? Mom says we can Skype every day until she gets home. She’s going to call and figure out the best time. Isn’t that cool?”
“Very cool, sweetie.”
“So, Aunt Etta, can we go shopping for my school supplies later?” Even now Daphne was being the responsible one.
“So, you’re okay with starting school here?”
She nodded. “Mama said it would be fine.”
Etta’s heart twisted, but for her niece’s sake she smiled valiantly, too. “Well then, I guess we better get those supplies. Do you have clothes you can wear?” She didn’t have a clue what third graders wore to school, but she’d buy Daphne a ball gown if it helped her fit in on her first day.
“The kids at Everson Elementary wear uniforms and the department store sells them,” Beulah said. “That makes it easy.” She stood up from the sofa and headed for the kitchen. “Who wants some hot chocolate? I could use a cup to warm these old bones of mine.”
“I do, Cousin Beulah,” Daphne told her. “I had to wear uniforms in Houston, too. I hope these aren’t as ugly.”
Etta declined the offer of hot chocolate and grabbed a pen and notepad from the end table. “Let’s make a list, okay?”
“Okay.” Daphne sat down beside her on the couch. “I need folders. Every time I go to a new school, I always need folders in lots of colors.”
Etta started the list. “Okay, got it. Colored folders. What else? Pens and pencils?”
“Sure.” Daphne seemed lost in thought and didn’t say anything for a minute, and then in a quiet voice she asked, “Aunt Etta, can I tell you a secret?”
Etta looked over at her niece and put the notepad on the coffee table. “Of course you can, Daphne. You can always tell me anything.”
For a minute Daphne looked shy and ducked her head, and then she leaned close and whispered, “I think I figured out why my mother left me here.”
Because she’s self-involved, thoughtless, and thinks the world should revolve around her every whim? Etta didn’t think that response was appropriate for sharing, so she reached over and squeezed Daphne’s hand. “Go on, sweetie. Tell me what you think.”
Daphne closed her eyes and said in a rush, “I think she left me here so I can find my father.”
Chapter Ten
Etta’s heart skipped a beat and then twisted into a big painful knot. Poor kid. Of course Daphne had a natural curiosity about her father. And Belle had actually used that curiosity to appease her daughter while she was off gallivanting around the globe. She should be ashamed. Etta was ashamed for her. For Daphne’s sake she asked calmly, “Why do you think that? Is that what she said?”
“Not exactly.”
First Belle left hints with their lawyer and now she was teasing Daphne with the idea. Etta wanted to know her precise words. “Well then, what gave you that idea, sweetie?”
“I heard her talking to Roger while we were still in Houston about coming to Everson for the funeral. She said it was time for me to learn about my roots. See where my family comes from.”
“Well, she was probably talking about Grammy Hazel. You know the house next door has belonged to our family for generations.” Etta relaxed a little, thinking her explanation was the most probable, and Daphne had just jumped to conclusions. But Belle needed to stop playing around and clear this up before the poor child started imagining that every man in Everson was her long lost father.
Daphne shook her head. “I know, but I don’t think that’s it.”
“Why? Did she say something else on the phone just now?”
Daphne nodded. “Uh huh. She said my father went to school here, and I should be excited about going here, too.”
She said that to her eight-year-old daughter? Unbelievable. Well, Etta had always suspected Daphne was conceived during that last summer they’d spent in Everson, and her conversation with Mr. Starling this morning had pretty much confirmed it. Since Belle always refused to talk about it or name the father she had never pressed her about it, considering it her right. But now, for her to casually share this information with Daphne just so she wouldn’t be unhappy about attending another new school was reckless and irresponsible. What the hell was she thinking?
“Have you ever just come out and asked your mother?” Etta was completely unprepared to have this conversation with her niece. She could scar her for life. “A lot of people went to school here in Everson.”
“I’ve never asked her, but when she gets home I will—that is if I haven’t found him first.” She looked at her aunt with wide eyes. “Aunt Etta, do you know who he is?”
“I honestly don’t, sweetie. Your mother was very private about everything, except for one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“She never made a secret about how much she loves you. And from the moment you were born, we all felt so blessed to be part of your family. Can I get a hug?” She needed one, because now she was going to be looking at every man in Everson wondering if he might be Daphne’s father, too.
Daphne scooted over and let Etta wrap her arms around her. “We better go get my school supplies before the stores close.”
“You’re right. You finish your hot chocolate, and let me tell Donny Joe we’re leaving, and we’ll hit the road.”
Donny Joe sat in his home office with the door closed.
So, Daphne’s father was someone from Everson. He rewound the years, trying to recall that last summer Belle had spent here teasing and flirting and luring all the men within shouting distance. He hadn’t been immune, either. In fact, he’d been flat out infatuated. He remembered Alan Dodd had been crazy about her and Bobby Lee Douglas had bragged to everyone who’d listen when she agreed to let him take her to a movie. But she’d bestowed her womanly charms mainly on his friend Peter. Peter was from a well-heeled family, and that seemed to be her preference, then and now.
Donny Joe also remembered how upset Belle had gotten when she found out Peter was actually engaged. His long time girlfriend Frances was away in Europe with her family that summer. Belle had let him have it with both barrels after Peter told her he wasn’t about to break his engagement over a summer fling.
The phone rang, interrupting his thoughts, and after a short conversation he realized he had pressing problems of his own to deal with. It seemed that Reflection Pools, a national outfit, was swooping in and taking advantage of the slow economic times to buy out smaller pool companies in the area. Charlie Biggs from the next county over was calling to say he was selling Cool Blue Pools and Spas and wanted to give him a head’s up. He said the guy at Reflection Pools promised to keep on most of his crew and pay him a nice bonus. They even offered to keep Charlie on as manager, but he’d turned that offer down flat. He was about ready to retire anyway, so he planned to take his wife on a nice two-week Hawaiian vacation, and then come home and live the good life. Fishing in the morning. Taking naps in the afternoon.
Donny Joe hung up the phone, thinking he didn’t have those kinds of options.
He didn’t know how long it might be until he’d hear about the bid he’d put in for the chain hotel pools, but the opportunity that had looked so promising suddenly seemed like a long shot at best. A small company like his didn’t have much of a chance to beat out the bigger companies in Dallas. Especially now—if a national company was moving into the territory that could all but kill any chance of competing for business.
Reflection Pools would flood the local market with specials and discounts he’d have no prayer of matching. As much as he hated to admit it, if the hotel contract didn’t come through he’d be forced to downsize. He’d still have the store and the pool maintenance side of the business, but cutting back would make it even more important for the B&B to open as scheduled.
Since Etta had been clear she wasn’t going to stay and run the place, finding a cook to replace her was going to be crucial. They needed something that would draw people’s attention when they were trying to decide which out of the way place to choose for a weekend away from the big city. A good chef would also give them an advantage in booking other events like weddings and conferences they’d need if this had a chance in hell of being a money-making operation. He should tell Etta to start interviewing people right away.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and he yelled, “Come in.”
Etta stuck her head inside. “We’re going shopping for school supplies. Do you need anything from town?”
“No, but thanks for asking. How’s Daphne taking everything?”
She paused like she wanted to say something, but then she shook her head and said, “She’s fine. I have to say she’s a lot more adaptable than I’d be under the circumstances.”
“She is a special little girl,” Donny Joe agreed.
Etta started to leave the room, but then stopped. “Listen, I’ll be happy to cook dinner when we get home.”
“Or I can order pizza.”
“Didn’t we already have this conversation?”
“You’re right, and I’d be downright crazy to turn down another home-cooked meal prepared by the incomparable Etta Green.” He leaned back in his chair and winked.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I realize you need to charm the pants off every woman you meet—”
“And yet your pants are firmly in place.” He enjoyed seeing her riled up, and it was so easy to do.
“And they’re going to stay that way.” She seemed to realize she was very close to flirting with him because she caught herself and shook her head. “Honestly, Donny Joe, save the flattery. It’s wasted on me.”
“Good to know.” He grinned, letting her know he didn’t believe her for a minute.
The door to his office closed with a little more force than necessary.
After insisting on doing the dinner dishes Donny Joe decided to go out to Lu Lu’s for a while. He’d eaten way too much. Etta had whipped up a meat loaf along with a big bowl of real mashed potatoes. Not the instant kind he kept in his pantry. He’d wolfed down two servings before he forced himself to push away from the table. He wasn’t sure what she did to make simple food taste so good, but if she wanted to keep volunteering to cook every night he was through trying to stop her.
When he’d left the house all the women were busy getting Daphne ready for school the next day, and he felt like a fifth wheel. He figured he’d go out and do a little dancing, or play some darts. Maybe he’d shoot some pool. He hadn’t done that in a while. Hell, he’d go out and do whatever it was he normally did for fun, though recently none of his usual activities held their customary appeal. He ended up sitting at the bar half listening to Bennie Martin talk about re-grouting his bathroom shower, while the other half of his brain wondered what Etta and Daphne and Beulah were up to back at his house.
When he got home things were dark and quiet. He just assumed everyone was asleep, but he found Etta sitting outside on the back deck. She spotted him before he could make a graceful retreat.
“Hey, Donny Joe.”
“Hey, Etta. It’s late. I didn’t expect to find you out here.”
“I know. I couldn’t sleep. I thought some fresh air might help.”
“I know what you mean. I’ve had the same trouble lately.” He walked over and sat down in the lounge chair beside her.
She turned to face him. “Oh? What’s keeping you up at night?”
He wasn’t ready to admit she was the reason he’d been tossing and turning. She’d rocketed into his life without warning, disrupting his easygoing routine. Gabe yowled and jumped onto the deck, settling into Donny Joe’s lap. He scratched the cat’s big yellow head while he thought of a good answer. “I don’t know exactly. But it helps to sit out here sometimes and ponder my life. Where it’s been. Where it’s going.”
“Really? You strike me as a man who’s content with his lot. You own your own business, you’re popular with the ladies, and you’re part of the community here in Everson. You have deep roots, a place where you truly belong.”
“I do have an awful lot to be thankful for. But it’s human nature to think about the things you don’t have.” He stared out at the yard like the darkness hid all the answers.
“So, tell me, Donny Joe. What do you want that you don’t have?”
Her playful tone elicited all of his most dangerous impulses. He turned his eyes to look at her, daring her to guess the answer to that question. Her short pixie-cut hair danced around in the wind while her brown eyes watched him, waiting for his answer. She sat huddled on the lounge chair inside a sweatshirt three sizes too big. He wondered if it belonged to an old boyfriend. He found himself envious of the old boyfriend and the sweatshirt. She seemed to grow uncomfortable under his scrutiny and squirmed in her chair,
drawing her knees up and resting her chin on top of them.
He rubbed his neck and squinted up at the night sky. “I like to think I’m the self-reliant sort, but sometimes I wish I had someone to share all this with.”
She looked surprised. “That shouldn’t be hard for you to find if you put your mind to it.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I just snap my fingers, and the woman of my dreams appears?”
“Wouldn’t that be nice?” She snapped her fingers. “When we’re ready to fall in love we just snap, and by golly, there he is.”
“Well, here I am, darlin’. See? It worked.” He laughed, opening his arms wide.
She laughed too. “But I’m not the one looking.”
“No? Everyone’s looking for something, aren’t they?”
“Right now I’d settle for a good night’s sleep.” She stood up, causing the sweatshirt to fall below her knees, and walked toward the back door. “Good night, Donny Joe. Thanks for the company.”
“Good night, Etta.” He scratched Gabe under his chin and watched his houseguest go inside, knowing sleep would be more elusive than ever.
Dropping Daphne off at school for her first day at Everson Elementary had been surprisingly simple, especially considering how much the poor child had hated the idea when Mr. Starling sprung it on her at the diner. But when Belle said her daughter was adaptable, she hadn’t been kidding. Once Daphne accepted her fate, she became matter of fact about the whole thing. They’d gone shopping for school supplies and school uniforms, and she’d been practical and adult about what she’d need, passing over anything like a fancy notebook or a glittery bag for her pens and pencils. Etta had always campaigned for those things when she’d been in school, so when Daphne wasn’t looking, she’d slipped in some fancy colored gel pens and a folder with a cat on the front just in case.
They’d walked into the school office that morning and Etta had been prepared to walk her to her class, meet her teacher, and make sure she knew her aunt was there absolutely to support her all the way. But it seemed they’d been expecting Daphne. As soon as they entered the front office, the principal, Mrs. Carney, had greeted her and whisked her off to Miss Lumpkins’s third grade room. Etta started to follow, but Daphne stopped her. “It’s okay, Aunt Etta. I’ve got this. I’ll see you after school.”