by Solly, Clare
“Just don’t go for any more wreaths. Or if you do, please let me know and I’ll stay out of that aisle,” he grinned at her.
She was so glad to see him. That smile made her fall head over heels all over again. Dottie hated that she was the one who suggested that they hold off on their relationship until things got straightened out in his life. It was all she could do to keep her hands at her sides and not throw them up around his neck and kiss Joe.
“Hey,” she said, and punched him lightly in the arm instead.
“Hey,” he laughed at her and shook his head.
“You two don’t have to pretend around me,” Murray said with his head down in his crossword.
“Joe, did you hear about my roof?” Dottie asked watching him to see his reaction.
“Oh no, did it leak again?” he asked in earnest.
“No, the opposite. Someone paid to have a new roof put on,” Dottie stared at him trying to see if he would give anything away.
“Wow. Who?” he asked and then seeing her inquisitive look, put up both hands and took a step back, “It wasn’t me. I wish it was. Wait, how do you know that the roof was paid for, but you don’t know who did it?”
Dottie retold the story Murray just told her. Joe seemed genuinely surprised.
“You really don’t know, do you?” she asked, double checking.
“Dottie,” he said comforting her by softly stroking her upper arms with his hands, he didn’t care who saw. “I’ve tried to help you with the museum, and you’ve told me you don’t want my money. I know you better than to be sneaky and trying to do things for you behind your back. Do you not remember your fifteenth birthday? We tried to give you a surprise birthday. You thought Hetty and I were dating when we were just trying to keep your party a secret. You wouldn’t talk to us and wouldn’t come over for the party. After multiple calls from both Hetty’s and my mom, your mom finally dragged you kicking and screaming. You were more upset than surprised. I swore that day, never again to surprise you. It only turns out badly,” Joe confided.
“Okaaay, I believe you,” Dottie groused. “I still feel bad about that, by the way. The party. And accusing you both of dating. I should have known better,” she said taking his hand in hers for just a moment and looking up into his eyes.
“Hey Murray,” Alvin Marks, a teller at the bank walked in. He had two daughters in school that visited the museum last week. “Oh, hey Dottie,” he acknowledged, waving as she was facing the front door. “Murray, I need new plates for my outlets. Sarah wanted to paint, and…” Dottie didn’t hear the rest of the conversation as she focused on Joe.
“I should go pick out decorations,” she cleared her throat and took her hand back.
“Yes, you should,” he agreed.
Looking over her shoulder at him as she passed, she caught him looking back at her. And he winked. She wasn’t in the clear yet, but everything was going to work out. Somehow.
ChapterTwenty-Six
At Joe’s house, plans were underway for the open house and the horseshoe tournament. Joe thought it would be a good idea to hire some security for the open house, and also someone to manage it, just in case there were an issue, or someone wanted to put in an offer. Frank, with some assistance from high school kids who needed to do a service project, provided by Robert, helped clean out the barn, which was more of a large storage space. They found two horseshoe pits and made four more. Murray had done some research about indoor horseshoe games and found that clay in the pits made it similar to outdoor play. So, they poured a thick gray clay in all of the pits. This stopped the bounce of the horseshoe and made it much safer to play indoors.
Heather even helped. She and Joe were to be a team. This was to make them appear to still be a couple to the public. Heather also got two of her celebrity friends to come into town and play as well. Ashley Mills was a star on a popular TV show about lawyers, and she played the high-profile secretary. Kevin Gray was an up and coming pop star. Both were living in New York, so they were only a few hours’ drive out of the sleepy river town in Connecticut. Ashley needed to polish up her image. Kevin was a friend of Heather’s from the reality show. His band played at a club they frequently visited on the show. The three shared the same agent and Heather was glad to have a little more star power around her as well. She tweeted her fans to come and watch.
They borrowed temporary bleachers from the high school and put them up in the barn to accommodate up to two hundred seated spectators. Additional security was hired for inside the barn as well.
Dottie’s research into the school tournaments said that the best two out of three games and the team advanced. With the last two teams competing against each other for the trophy. Donated by the local horse farm, the trophies were a pair of real horseshoes spray painted gold, one for each member of the winning team. They sat displayed in the front room at the museum with a sign that said, “sign up for your chance to play in the first annual celebrity horseshoe tournament.” The clipboard got over seventy entrants. To make it fair, the names were drawn out of a hat both to see who would play and who was paired.
Hetty’s husband Don was picked and was paired with fireman Aaron, who rescued Joe from the roof. Kaitlyn from the museum board was selected and paired with Kevin Gray, the celebrity musician. Ashley Mills was paired with Bart who owned the oldest bar in East Haddam. There was a wide selection of contestants including the owner of the pet food store, and the band director from the high school. The owner of a kitting store was paired with an architect. Some of the match ups made Hetty and Dottie laugh when they called them out. Some of the pairings were so mismatched but would be very entertaining to watch. Both Hetty and Dottie excused themselves from the competition, as they were running the ball that evening and Hetty was to be the Master of Ceremonies. Six pits in total were available in the barn, so a total of twelve teams were selected.
Plans for the ball were going well too. An additional security team was in place. No one was allowed into the museum that night without tickets or were on the list. The mayor insisted on all of the security as a precaution for the celebrities in attendance. Hetty was closing the diner for the night and offered Dottie her cooks and wait staff, all four of them, to work as the catering crew for the event. They were only having light hors d'oeuvres and canapes. Some of the high school journalism students volunteered to run the coat check as long as they were allowed to photograph the event for the school paper. Bart offered to bartend, as he said it would give his bar good advertising. It was less professionally staffed than what Dottie had originally wanted, but Hetty talked her into it.
“If you use volunteers, that is more money that goes into saving the museum. True it isn’t the high caliber of the events you would like to do, but you keep saying that this place is the backbone of the community. It needs the community to thrive. Well, how better to have the community help it thrive then to take their offers to volunteer and help with your party?” Hetty urged. “The great thing is that you’ve already had most of the guests pay in advance. So, they aren’t expecting glitz and glamour. They just want a fun party with famous people in attendance. More importantly, they want to support the museum and you,” she reminded her friend.
“You’re right. And we’re serving hot cocoa, and eggnog at the bar. Passed simple comfort food, like cookies and savory puff pastries, so it’s nothing crazy.” Dottie took a deep breath. “Ok, let’s do it,” and the plan was set in motion.
Frank and Murray volunteered to decorate the ballroom, under the condition Dottie wasn’t to see it and wasn’t to peek. A big reveal of the room was to happen just before the guests arrived. Dottie wasn’t one to allow someone else to take over for something this important. Hesitantly she agreed.
“Well, it seems like everything is handled,” Dottie said to Hetty over the phone, as she collapsed on her sofa the night before.
“What are you wearing?” Hetty changed the subject matter-of-factly.
“Tomorrow? Probably just j
eans and a museum shirt,” Dottie replied thinking Hetty was talking about the tournament.
“No. Tomorrow night?”
“I don’t know,” Dottie sighed. “I haven’t really thought about it. I have my black dress and gold heels. I’ll probably wear those,” there was a knock at Dottie’s door. “Hold on Hetty,” she said into the phone and then hollered to the door, “Who is it?”
Hetty’s voice boomed in stereo, “It’s your stylist, open the door.”
Dottie got up to open the door and half said into the phone and half and the door, “You know it’s open, why—” Dottie’s mouth dropped when she opened the door to see Hetty holding two garment bags.
“You’re wearing one of these,” Hetty pushed past Dottie and laid them over the back of the sofa, then walked into Dottie’s room. “What do you have in the way of foundation undergarments?”
Closing the door, Dottie hollered, “I should have some compression shorts in there somewhere,” She started to unzip the first bag when Hetty came back in the room holding gold heels, nude Spanx and a strapless bra. “Put those on,” Hetty instructed.
“Here?” Dottie questioned standing in her living room.
“Why not? Drapes are closed and it’s your apartment, isn’t it? No one else is here, and I’ve seen everything there is to see backstage at beauty pageants.” Hetty remarked.
Dottie turned her back and changed, feeling a little self-conscious, as Hetty unzipped the first dress. She set it on the floor so Dottie could climb in.
“I’m not sure one of your pageant dresses would fit me, you’re so much taller,” Dottie worried.
“These aren’t my pageant dresses.”
“They’re not?” Dottie questioned with surprise.
“No. They have this magical thing now called the internet and you push some buttons and things arrive at your door. It’s amazing,” Hetty quipped sarcastically.
“You bought me dresses?” Dottie asked.
“Nope, there is this great company that I wish was around when I did pageants. You can rent designers and keep them for a week so you can wear things to events, and then return them,” Hetty said zipping Dottie up, “It’s really a miracle. Wow.” Hetty did a circle around Dottie. The dress was a floor length halter, platinum beaded gown that was fitted all the way down with a slit from the right ankle to knee. “Go take a look!” Hetty urged.
Walking into her bedroom, Dottie went right to her floor length mirror next to her closet door. Hetty was right behind her. “Wow,” the said in unison.
Grabbing Dottie’s bright auburn hair, and gently twisting it said, “we can easily toss your hair up and make you look very dressy.
“I didn’t know I could be...” Dottie stopped and looked up to the ceiling trying to stop the oncoming threat of tears.
“Hold that thought,” Hetty ran into the other room. She brought back the other dress out of the garment bag. It was an emerald green gauzy Grecian dress. “Shall we try on the other one before you lose it? I mean decide!” Hetty winked at Dottie, who quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.
As she climbed into the green, guilt overtook her. “Hetty, you’re so good to me.”
“Of course, honey. The street goes both ways,” Hetty replied finishing up the zipper. Dottie turned and grabbed her hand.
“No, I mean, you’re so good to me always. And I’m sorry I ever doubted you or suspected you,” Dottie remorsefully admitted.
“I don’t… when did you...? Honey, I’m confused. When did all of this happen?” Hetty had stepped back and placed her hand on her hip.
Dottie brought her hands to her face and flopped down on her bed. “There were a couple of moments lately that I thought you were against my decisions. To be honest, there were moments lately that I didn’t trust you. When the reality was, I didn’t trust myself.” Dottie took a deep breath and turned away from her friend. “I have just been so confused. And you’ve been nothing but supportive and wonderful,” Dottie let out a small sob.
“Now stop that,” Hetty grabbed her friend by the elbows and pulled her off the bed. “No, I’m serious,” her tone was now matter of fact, “If you cry your face will be puffy, and if you sit the dress will wrinkle and I didn’t bring my steamer.” Hetty said wanting to hug her friend. “Aww, screw it,” she said and hugged Dottie anyway.
Letting out a contented sigh, Dottie said, “Thank you. I think this is the one, by the way.”
“I think so too; I was hoping so. You look amazing in green. Honestly, I’m jealous. With my dark hair, that color makes me look like I’m sickly,” Hetty grumbled.
“Thank you,” Dottie repeated and started to cry.
Putting her finger in Dottie’s face, Hetty snapped, “I’m serious. Your face will be all puffy tomorrow if you cry! Stop. That.” Her face softened to a smile. “Now, get out of that so we can hang it up and have a drink. Heaven knows we deserve it.” Hetty retreated to the kitchen and was clinking around in the refrigerator.
Dottie undressed and then got into comfy reindeer pajamas. Ones that Hetty got her last year for Christmas. It was really nice to have a best friend who took care of her so well. Even if she did meddle a little at times.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dottie awoke the morning of the ball and horseshoe tournament to a text that said: CALL ME from Joe. Rubbing her eyes, and not really able to think clearly, she hit send and called Joe. The clock on her bedside table said it was only 8:30. Six hours until the horseshoe tournament and just under twelve until the ball. Plenty of time to figure out any emergency or difficult situation.
Three rings and Joe picked up.
“Hey,” he said out of breath.
“Hey,” she repeated.
“Did. You. Just. Wake. Up?” he panted.
“Yesh,” she yawned as she shuffled out of bed into the kitchen.
“Oh. Sleep well?”
“Joe, are you running?” Dottie asked.
“Oh, yeah. I do ten miles every morning, there is a great—”
“I don’t mean to be rude, because I really do want to learn everything there is to know about you, especially your super fun, early morning runs,” a little sarcasm dripped into the last sentiment, “but, I doubt you texted me in all caps to ask how I slept or tell me that you run every morning,” she took a sip of coffee.
“Right,” she could tell he stopped running.
“Uh, oh. What’s wrong?” she asked quickly waking up.
“Well, Heather got called into New York to do a photo shoot. She had a car pick her up really early this morning. It’s for a clothing designer’s new line. This was the big contract she was waiting for.”
“Wow.” Dottie marveled. “That’s… amazing!”
“Yeah, well… it means I don’t have a partner for horseshoes. And you’re down one celebrity. She promised to tweet all day and she wanted me to text her pictures that she will post on Instagram for us but—”
“That’s great Joe, but who can play in her place?” she cut him off.
“Well, I was thinking… you.”
Silence fell on the line.
“Dottie, are you there? Did the phone disconnect? Hello?”
“I’m still here,” she sighed. “Don’t you think—”
“No,” Joe stopped her thought.
“But—”
“Dottie, I want it to be you,” Joe said resolutely.
“Joe... “Dottie whispered.
“I know,” he comforted. “I am scared too, but it’s going to happen eventually. People will see us together. And now that Heather has her contract, and Harold is off in New York with his big job, you and I are free to be together.”
Silence again.
“Okay,” Dottie both gave in to his request and felt her smile radiate to her toes.
“Okay,” he agreed. “Oh, Dottie, it’s my agent. I… need to take this. I’ll call you back in a little bit, ok?”
“Sure! Bye.” she longingly said.
“Bye,�
�� he replied warmly then took the other call.
She turned on the TV and waited for Joe to call back. Around noon she still hadn’t heard back from him. Instead of worrying about it, Dottie decided to get dressed and headed over to his house. Before she left, she packed up the dress, makeup and hair products. She would stop at the museum, drop off the dress and her other things upstairs so she could get ready there and then would walk over to Joe’s.
When she arrived, she was greeted by Murray, who had found a stool and was doing his crossword in front of the pipe and drape that was sealing off the ballroom.
“Don’t trust me, Murray?” She sighed.
“Nope, we don’t Dottie,” he said not looking up from his crossword. “Hetty said you might be by to drop things off, so here I am. Just in case.”
“Fine,” she laughed. “Is Hetty in the kitchen?”
“Yes, I am!” Hetty yelled.
“Great,” she hollered back as she started up the stairs. “I’m just dropping off my dress, and I’ll be heading next door. Did you hear? I’m playing in the horseshoe tournament today!”
There was a small bedroom upstairs that had a bathroom attached. They had left it this way in case they had anyone needing the room as a bridal suite or something like that to get ready. There was a daybed and a few chairs. Mostly it stayed locked. Dottie opened the closet door and hung the dress from the top of the door. Unzipping the garment bag, she let the dress out, so it wouldn’t wrinkle. She set her canvas bag carrying her accessories down on the daybed and then hurried back down the stairs.
At the bottom, Hetty stood like a prison matron with hands in fists on both of her hips. Her entire head moved with Dottie as she descended. “What did you say?” Hetty turned back asking the question as she neared the bottom of the stairs.
“I’m playing horseshoes.” Dottie was matter-of-fact about playing a sport, when Hetty knew she was not the athletic type.