“So did I.” Marjorie smiled.
He turned to her. “And then I let this little girl turn my head. I suppose the die was cast when I got hitched before I joined up.” He reached over to squeeze her hand. “But no regrets there.”
“None for me either.” She beamed at him. “No regrets whatsoever.”
He looked deeply into her eyes as he continued to hold her hand. “You honestly don’t feel bad about not having that wonderful acting career you’d hoped for?”
Marjorie laughed. “Well, if I feel bad, I’m in good company. Me and about a million other delusional girls who came out here with movie star dreams. We’ve all had to figure out another way to live.”
“So you’re really happy?”
“I am.” She leaned forward and they exchanged a sweet kiss.
Caroline glanced away, preparing an excuse to leave the happy couple alone, but before she could even stand, the boys came barreling into the room.
“Chocolate!” Danny declared, his eyes eager.
“Just one,” his mother told him. “With a glass of milk.”
“Can Joseph have one, too?” Danny asked innocently.
Marjorie patted Danny on the cheek. “Joseph can have two.”
“Why does he get—”
“Because he’s twice as big as you.” Marjorie pointed to the bathroom. “Now go wash your hands and I’ll get both you boys a glass of milk.”
While the rest of them were scurrying about, Caroline turned to Rich. “I really do appreciate you getting those mattresses for us. It was very thoughtful.”
He smiled. “And I’m really glad you and Joseph are here, Caroline. I think it’ll be good for all of us.”
On Saturday morning, Caroline felt torn. On one hand, she wanted to spend time with Marjorie and her family. On the other hand, she wanted to use this day to get Joseph and her somewhat settled. At the moment it felt more like camping than real living. So when she woke early, even before the sun was up, she took careful inventory of the sadly neglected apartment, peeking into cabinets and cupboards and creating a long to-do list.
“I have lots of errands and chores today,” she told Joseph as she sat on the edge of his bed later that morning. “You can come with me and help if you like. Or you can stay here at Aunt Marjorie’s. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Especially if you help out with your cousins.”
“I’ll stay here,” he said sleepily.
Then, still wearing her pajamas and robe, she crept up the stairs to find Marjorie, also in her pajamas, warming a bottle for Lulu in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Caroline said. “I wasn’t sure you’d be up yet. I mean since it’s Saturday.”
Marjorie blinked sleepily at Caroline. “I’m up because Lulu is up. But why are you up? I figured you’d be exhausted after your long trip.”
“I woke up full of energy.” Caroline quickly explained her plan. “If you don’t mind, Joseph would like to stick around this morning. He promised to help with Danny and Lulu if you need it.”
Marjorie’s eyes lit up. “Sounds good to me.”
“I should be back by noon or sooner.”
“Where are you going?”
“I noticed some shops as we drove through town last night,” Caroline said. “I need to pick up a few necessities, you know, for the apartment. I’ve made a list. And I thought I should lay in some food provisions as well.”
“Oh, yeah, sure.” Marjorie turned off the burner and, removing the bottle, tested it on her wrist with a weak smile. “I know, I know, Lulu is old enough to drink cold milk now. At least that’s what one of the parenting journals says. But she still likes it warmed.”
Caroline placed a hand on Marjorie’s shoulder. “You’re a good mom.”
“Really?” Her blue eyes grew big. “You think so?”
“I know so.”
As Caroline walked down the tree-lined street, she could feel a bounce in her step. It was hard to fully grasp everything, but it felt as if she were in the right place at the right time—and it felt good. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the sun was shining, or that she’d fled the land of winter to arrive in the land of springtime. Besides that, she had a happy anticipation for what lay ahead today.
She’d dressed relatively casually for her errands. Not trousers, although she’d wanted to, but being new in town—and new to California life—she felt she should dress for the occasion. And a work suit seemed a bit over the top. So she’d worn a dress she’d made for herself last summer. The first new thing she’d had since the war began. It was only a simple shirtwaist dress in a practical gray-and-white-checked fabric, with a little white collar. Over her shoulders, she’d draped a gray cashmere sweater (a thoughtful Christmas gift from her parents) not because she was cold, but simply because it was almost January and to go without outerwear seemed shocking. Besides, the soft sweater felt luxurious.
She had numerous items on her list, and doubted she could accomplish everything today, but determined to try. Mostly she was grateful for the ground beneath her feet (not the rumbling train) and she was eager to get acquainted with Golden Oaks. She knew from what Marjorie had told her that the population was just under twenty thousand. Very small compared to what she was used to, but big enough to have some interesting businesses. And because it was a bedroom city to Los Angeles, she suspected Golden Oaks was much more cosmopolitan than a town of similar size in Minnesota. She wanted to walk around and imagine what it would feel like to be a real citizen here.
It was interesting to see the tidy little town in the morning light. And staggering to see that flowerpots were in full bloom! Most of the buildings seemed relatively new, as if this town had sprouted up in the twentieth century. The chocolate company appeared to be one of the oldest ones, and the brass sign in front said: COMPANY FOUNDED IN 1903—FACTORY BUILT IN 1913. She peered in the front window of the factory, but it looked dark and quiet inside. Even the cute little retail shop next to it was closed. She read the sign on the door, discovering that, like most of the other shops and stores, it didn’t open until ten on Saturdays.
And since it was barely past nine, she decided to buy a newspaper from the newsstand and try out Dee Dee’s Coffee Shop. Dee Dee’s was just one block down from the chocolate factory, and judging from the traffic going in and out, it was a busy place. She waited her turn to order her coffee and butterhorn, then carried them to the only unoccupied table. Proceeding to make herself comfortable, she opened her paper and read the front page, then skimmed the following pages, before finally settling into the employment section of the classified ads. With a pencil handy to circle anything of interest, she studied the first ad with care. It was for an accountant, and although she’d had one bookkeeping class in secretarial school, she did not feel it was her strong suit.
“Excuse me,” a male voice said.
She looked up to see an attractive dark-haired man smiling down on her. Dressed casually in tan trousers and a dark blue knit shirt, it was his disarming smile that made her catch her breath. “Yes?”
“Do you mind if I sit here for a bit?” He nodded to where the rest of the small coffee shop was packed full. “Until another table opens up.”
“Not at all.” She gave him a polite but slightly nervous smile. “I felt a little guilty taking this big table all to myself, but it was the only one left. Please, make yourself at home.”
“Thank you.” He sat down in the chair to her right and removed the first section of a much bulkier newspaper than the local one she had opened. She peered to see it was the Los Angeles Times. Leaning back in the straight-back chair, the handsome stranger took a relaxed sip of his coffee as he gazed at the front page. She was tempted to read the headline, but knew that was rude. And why was she staring at him? What was wrong with her anyway?
Feeling silly and slightly unsettled, she attempted to refocus her attention on the employment ads, but there was no denying that this attractive gentleman was proving a major distraction. That in its
elf was curious, since she’d never wasted much time concerning herself with men in general—not in the last decade anyway. And if anyone ever asked, she clearly communicated that she had no interest in dating…and no intentions of ever marrying again—period. But at the moment she felt strangely obsessed with trying to get a glimpse of this stranger’s left hand. Curious as to whether his ring finger was occupied or not. Although that seemed rather ridiculous considering that her own ring finger, currently concealed by her newspaper, still displayed the gold band that Joe had given her back in 1934.
Stop it—stop it—stop it! She silently scolded herself for being such a nitwit. Then, fixing her attention back onto the employment ads, she used her pencil to circle a large help-wanted ad without even reading it. Simply to appear preoccupied.
“Hunting for a job?” he asked.
She turned to look at him, but when their eyes locked, she grew as tongue-tied and awkward as a schoolgirl. “Uh, yes,” she stammered, “as a matter of fact, I am.”
He laid down his newspaper with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be a busybody. I just noticed you were reading the employment ads. Excuse me for intruding.”
“That’s okay.” She smiled meekly.
With a doubtful look, he reached over and pointed to the ad she’d just circled. “You, uh, have mechanical experience?”
Now she peered more closely at the ad. It was for a garage mechanic. She laughed in embarrassment. “Oh, dear! Silly me.” She crossed the ad out, then shook her head. “I must be tired.” She picked up her coffee and, taking a slow sip, willed herself to become invisible. A garage mechanic—really?
“Are you new in town?” He leaned forward slightly.
“Fresh off the train.” She quickly explained how she’d just arrived last night. “All the way from Minnesota. Three days, two nights. Some people say they sleep marvelously on trains, but I’m not one of them.”
“I never sleep well on trains, either.”
“Joseph had no problem whatsoever. He slept like a baby.” She saw the question in his eyes. “Uh, Joseph is my son. He’s with me,” she rambled nervously. “Well, not here with me. He’s with my sister and her husband at the moment. I came to town to look around and do some shopping.” She felt even sillier now. Why was she going on like this?
“I see…”
She took in a deep breath. “Sorry…I didn’t mean to give you my whole personal history. I suppose I’m still feeling a bit sleep-deprived.”
“But you are looking for a job?”
She made a stiff smile. “Yes, I am. But not as a car mechanic.” Her smile became uncomfortable. “The truth is I’m not even a very good driver.”
To her relief he laughed.
“I need to find work as soon as possible,” she confessed. “My brother-in-law works for MG Chocolates and he says they’re hiring right now, and that I might possibly get a job on the assembly line.”
“Have you worked an assembly line before?”
“No.” She smiled sheepishly. “But I like chocolate.”
He laughed again, and she felt herself relaxing a bit more.
“I actually worked as a stenographer. You see, I did a full secretarial course and worked for an insurance company until I married.” She paused, wondering why she was telling him all this, but he did seem interested. “After that I had a very good secretarial job at a Minneapolis factory.” She sighed. “I’d been there nearly five years, throughout the war.”
“Laid off because of the returning servicemen?” His expression looked sympathetic.
“Actually I was one of the few women not laid off,” she confided. “I quit my job when we decided to come out here.”
“I see…”
“I hope I didn’t do it backward though.”
“Backward?”
“Yes. I keep wondering if I should’ve secured a job out here before giving up the one back there. You know the old saying, a bird in the hand…” She frowned. “I was just reading an article in Life magazine. Jobs are scarcer than ever.”
“Over all, I’m sure that jobs are scarce. But opportunities vary from region to region. And you’re right about MG Chocolates. We are hiring for the assembly line.”
“We?” She studied him closely. “You work there, too?”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“I suspect you don’t work on the assembly line.” Of course, as soon as she said this, she regretted it. People took all kinds of jobs these days. Work was work and you were lucky if you could get it. Who was she to judge?
“I’ve worked the line before.”
“Really?” She blinked in surprise.
“As a matter of fact, I got rather good at it. You have to have fast hands and a quick mind.” He studied her. “Do you think you’d have those skills?”
She set the newspaper aside to look down at her hands, spreading her fingers. “Well, I can type pretty fast, and that takes some quick thinking. But to be honest, I’m not sure how that would translate to an assembly line.”
“Well, you never know until you try.” He took a sip of coffee, glancing over his shoulder.
“Right. And if I don’t find something else…something more suitable to my training and background…” She shrugged. “Well, the assembly line would be better than nothing.” She wanted to add that she would do almost anything to support herself and her son, but knew that would sound desperate…and pathetic.
“Then I suggest you get your application in as soon as possible. I hear they’ve received quite a stack already.”
“I plan to go in first thing on Monday.”
“Good luck with that.” He pointed to a small table on the other side of the coffee shop that had just vacated. “And now I will leave you to your paper and your peace.” He tipped his head politely. “Thank you.”
She picked up her paper, but peace was nowhere to be found now. Something about that man, the way he questioned her, the way he looked at her, well, it just made her uncomfortable. Too familiar…too personal…too disconcerting. And she didn’t even know his name! If this was how people—particularly male people—behaved out here in California, well, maybe she was in the wrong place!
Chapter 4
Caroline pushed thoughts of the disturbing stranger from her mind as she strolled up and down Main Street, going from store to shop, visiting with the various businesses as she attempted to locate the miscellaneous items on her list. From basic cleaning supplies to slipcover fabric, table lamps to area rugs, it felt like she needed a little bit of everything. And to her relief the small town of Golden Oaks seemed to have it.
By noon she had unearthed all sorts of treasure and most items on her list were crossed off. Not only that, but many of the shops, when they discovered she was on foot, arranged for free delivery later in the day. Her last stop was at the grocery store, where she pulled out another list. When she discovered their delivery service was free for anyone with a revolving account, she agreed, gratefully handing the young man her rather large list. As he made a rounded tally, she filled out the form for her account.
“We’ll get that to you around three,” he said as she handed him a check. As he made her a receipt, she totaled what remained in her checkbook, trying not to cringe at the surprisingly low number—hoping she’d made a mistake.
As she walked back home, she mentally retraced her spending. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been frugal. She had! She’d shopped for bargains and asked about discounts. And the larger purchases, like the dresser for Joseph and a small kitchen table and two chairs and a few other items, had all been from a nicely run secondhand store.
However, her nest egg had taken a beating. And, although she’d given herself a fairly strict budget, which included what she’d set aside to repay Rich for the new mattresses, she wasn’t sure there was enough left over to tide her and Joseph by until she secured a job—and a paycheck. Suddenly the idea of working on an assembly line or even as a car mechanic didn’t sound so t
errible. When times were hard—and she’d certainly been through plenty of them—you simply did what you had to do. And you prayed a lot.
“There you are,” Marjorie said happily as Caroline walked across the yard with her arms full of bags and packages. “What on earth have you got there?”
“Just a few things for the apartment.” Caroline set a bag next to the exterior entrance to the basement apartment and came over to where Marjorie was sitting on the front porch steps, sunning her legs, which already looked golden tan.
“Well, your trunks and things were delivered from the train station just a little bit ago. I had the men put them inside your door. Don’t trip over them. And I put the extra paint I told you about down there. As well as paintbrushes and some old sheets I was using for drop cloths and a few other things.”
“Thanks.” Caroline looked around the yard. “Where are the kids?”
“Lulu is napping. And Joseph is reading to Danny. And when he’s finished, Danny is supposed to take a nap, too.” She sighed happily. “My favorite time of day. And even better with Joseph here to help out. I’m tempted to steal that boy from you, Caroline. He is a gem.”
Caroline smiled. “I know.”
“And Danny just adores him.”
“I’m so glad.”
“Well, you probably want to go put your packages away.” Marjorie stifled a yawn. “And I might just grab a nap myself.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Caroline nodded. “I remember how tired I would get when I was expecting Joseph. I can’t imagine how much more exhausting it must be to have two little ones to chase with a new one on the way.”
“You got that right.” Marjorie brightened as she slowly stood. “And that reminds me of something. Can I ask you a favor, Caroline?”
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