Twelve
A green-eyed ebony cat streaked through the living room with the speed of lightning. “That was Panther,” Sinda announced.
“I sure hope he won’t fight with Jake,” Tara mumbled.
“You’re fast on your feet, Tara. Go after him!” Glen pointed to the staircase where Panther had bounded.
Tara scrambled after the cat, and Glen followed Sinda to the kitchen. Five minutes later Tara came running in, holding tightly to the cat, its ears lying flat against its head in irritation.
Sinda had been sitting beside Glen at the table, drinking a cup of coffee, and just as he reached for her hand, Tara marched across the room and dropped Panther into her lap.
“You found him!” Sinda exclaimed. “Where was he?”
“Hiding inside a box in that room full of junk.” Tara gave her ponytail a flip and scrunched up her nose.
Glen’s forehead wrinkled as he looked at his daughter. “I hope you didn’t disturb anything.”
Tara flopped into a chair. “Nothing except the dumb old cat.”
“Now that he’s been found, let’s put him to work.” Sinda stood up and hurried to the basement door. Glen and Tara followed. She placed Panther on the first step and gave him a little nudge. “Go get ’em, boy!” Sinda slammed the door. “That should take care of our little basement ghosts.”
“You’re sending a cat to chase ghosts?” Tara’s eyes were wide, and her mouth hung slightly open.
“Panther’s on a mouse hunt,” Sinda explained, moving back toward the kitchen.
Tara was right on her heels. “Mice? You think there are mice in the basement?”
Sinda nodded. “I told you that before. I think the jumping doll leg was a lively mouse who has taken up residence in the box of doll parts. You probably frightened him, and when he jumped, it caused the doll leg to go flying.”
Glen nodded. “In an old house like this, it’s not uncommon to find a few mice scurrying around. We don’t want them overrunning the place, though, so I think we should set some traps.”
Sinda leaned against the cupboard. “That might help, but I’d rather let the cat take care of things naturally. I don’t want to take the chance of either Sparky or Panther getting their noses caught in a trap.”
“Or their tails,” Tara added. Her gazed shifted to her father. “Remember when Jake got his tail caught in a mouse trap? That was awful!”
Glen held up his hands. “Okay, ladies. . .I get the point. We’ll forget about setting any traps.” He pulled Tara to his side and gave her a squeeze. “Guess what?”
She shrugged. “What?”
“Last Sunday, when Sinda came to our house for dinner, she invited us to eat at her place this Sunday.” Glen smiled and winked at Sinda. “Now we get to try out some of her cooking.”
Sinda was surprised Glen hadn’t told his daughter about her dinner invitation until now, and the troubled look on Tara’s face told Sinda all she needed to know. The child was not happy about this bit of news. What have I done now? she silently moaned.
❧
It had been raining all morning, and Sinda could see out the kitchen window where the water was running off the roof like it was being released from a dam. “We do need the rain, but now new gutters will have to be put up. Another job for poor, overworked Glen. Is there no end to the work needing to be done around this old place?” She groaned. “I can’t believe I invited the Olsens over for dinner today.” Tara didn’t want to come, and when he’d phoned last night, Glen had once more tried to convince Sinda to go to church with them. As much as she enjoyed Glen’s company, she couldn’t go. The last time she’d gone to church. . .
Sinda turned away from the window and grabbed her recipe for scalloped potatoes from the cupboard. I will not allow myself to think about the past today. Thinking about it won’t change a thing, and it will only cause me more pain. She wiped a stray hair away from her face and moaned. “Why don’t children get to choose their parents? Life is so unfair.”
Sinda heard a knock on the front door and hurried to the hall mirror to check her appearance. She was wearing her hair up in a French roll and had chosen to wear a beige, short-sleeved cotton dress that just touched her ankles. The prim and proper look was a far cry from her normal ponytail and cutoffs.
Sinda’s hands trembled as she opened the door. Glen smiled and gave her an approving nod. “You look nice today.” He was dressed in a pair of navy blue slacks and a light blue cotton shirt, which made his indigo eyes seem even more intense than usual. He handed Sinda a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a bouquet of miniature red roses.
“Thank you, they’re lovely.” She opened the door wider, bidding him entrance. “Where’s Tara?”
“She’ll be here soon. She couldn’t decide whether to stay in her church clothes or change into something more comfortable.”
“Why don’t you put the cookies on the kitchen counter? I’ll find a vase for these beauties and use them as our centerpiece. I bought some lemon sherbet the other day, so the cookies should go well with that.” Sinda knew she was babbling, but she seemed unable to stop herself. If Glen would only quit staring at me, I might not feel as nervous as a baby robin being chased by a cat.
“What’s for dinner?” Glen asked, lifting his dark eyebrows and sniffing the air. “Something smells pretty good.”
“Nothing fancy. Just scalloped potatoes.”
“I’m sure they’ll be great.” He cleared his throat a few times, as though he might be trying to work up the courage to say something more. “I–uh–have a question for you.”
“What is it?” she asked as she filled the vase with water.
Glen moved slowly toward Sinda. Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed so hard she almost choked. What’s he doing? I hope he’s not. . .
He took the vase from her hands and placed it on the counter. Then he pulled her into his arms. “My question is, how come you’re so beautiful?”
Before Sinda could open her mouth to reply, his lips captured hers. The unexpected kiss left her weak in the knees and fighting for breath. When it ended, she pulled back slightly, gazing up at his handsome face. She pressed her head against his shoulder, breathing in the masculine scent of his subtle aftershave. She could feel the steady beat of Glen’s heart against her ear, and she closed her eyes, feeling relaxed and safe in his embrace. Safer than she’d felt in a long time. What had happened to her resolve to keep her neighbor at arm’s length? It was fading faster than a photograph left out in the sun, and she seemed powerless to stop it.
“I haven’t felt this way about any woman since Connie died,” Glen whispered. “I realize we haven’t known each other very long, but I find myself thinking about you all the time.” He lifted her chin with one hand, bent his head, and captured her mouth again.
How long the kiss might have lasted, Sinda would never know, for a shrill voice sliced through the air like a razor blade. “Dad, what are you doing?”
Glen pulled away first. He seemed almost in a daze as he stared at his daughter with a blank look on his face. Several awkward seconds ticked by, then he shook his head, as though coming out of a trance. “Tara, how’d you get here?”
“I walked. We live next door, remember?”
Glen’s eyelids closed partway, and he shook his finger at Tara. “Don’t get smart with me, young lady! I meant, why didn’t you knock? You don’t just walk into someone’s house. I’ve taught you better manners than that.”
Tara blinked several times, and Sinda wondered if the child was going to cry. “I did knock. Nobody answered, but since you were already here, I tried the door. It was open, so I thought it was okay to come in. Then I found you. . . .” Tara touched her lips with the tips of her fingers and grimaced. “That was really gross, Dad.”
Sinda reached up with shaky fingers and brushed her own trembling lips. What can I say or do to help ease this tension?
Glen moved away from her and knelt in front of his daughter. “Sinda
and I are both adults, and if we want to share a kiss, it shouldn’t concern you.”
Tara’s eyes were wide, and she waved her hands in the air. “Why not? Dad, can’t you see that Sinda’s got you—”
Glen held up one hand. “That will be enough, Tara. I want you to apologize to Sinda for being so rude.”
“It’s okay.” Sinda spoke softly, hoping to calm Glen down. From the angry scowl on his face, she was afraid he might be about to slap his daughter. She couldn’t stand to witness such a scene, and she’d do almost anything to stop it from happening. Sinda touched Glen on the shoulder. “We didn’t hear her knock, so she did the only thing she could think to do.”
He stood up and put his arm around Sinda, but his gaze was fixed on Tara. “I’m glad Sinda is kind enough to forgive you, but you do need to apologize for your behavior,” he said in a more subdued tone of voice.
Tara hung her head. “I–I’m sorry for coming into your house without being invited.” She glanced up at Sinda, and tears shimmered in her dark eyes.
Sinda had the sudden urge to wrap the child in her arms and offer comfort, but she was sure it would not be appreciated. Tara obviously didn’t like her, and she didn’t think there was anything she could do to change that fact.
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m hungry,” Glen said, changing the subject and breaking into Sinda’s thoughts. “Is dinner ready yet?”
Sinda nodded. “I think so.” She moved away from Glen and busied herself at the stove. Inviting my neighbors to dinner was a terrible mistake, and it must never happen again.
Thirteen
“There’s only one way to get Glen Olsen out of my mind,” Sinda fumed, “and that’s to keep busy.”
She was alone in the doll hospital, working on an antique bisque doll. Panther, who was sleeping under the table, meowed softly, as though in response to her grumbling.
In spite of her determination not to think about Glen, Sinda’s thoughts swirled around in her head like a blender running at full speed. It had been four weeks since she’d had Glen and Tara over for dinner, and during those four weeks she’d been miserable.
Sinda swallowed hard and fought the urge to give in to her tears. Glen had called her after he’d gone home that night, apologizing for Tara’s behavior and suggesting that they try dinner the following Sunday at his place. When Sinda told him she didn’t want to see him anymore, he seemed confused. She’d even said she didn’t want him doing any more work on her house, and he had argued about that as well. Sinda knew having Glen around would be too much temptation, and she might weaken and agree to go out with him again. Or worse yet, let him kiss her again. Of course her decision meant she would either have to do all her own home repairs or pay someone else to do them. Until business picked up and she had a steady cash flow, she would forget about all repairs that weren’t absolutely necessary.
Sinda could still hear Glen’s final words before she’d hung up the phone that night. “I care about you, Sinda, and I really want to help.”
She’d almost weakened, but an image of her mother had jumped into her mind. There was no future for her and Glen, so why lead him on? And even if her past wasn’t working against her, Tara certainly was!
The telephone rang, and Sinda’s mind snapped back to the present. She reached for it, thankful that she’d remembered to bring the cordless phone downstairs this time. “Sinda’s Doll Hospital.” Her eyebrows shot up. “You want to run a story about me in your newspaper? I–I–guess it would be all right. Yes, I’d like it to be a human interest story too.” That would no doubt be good for my business.
Several minutes later she hung up the phone, having agreed to let a reporter from the Daily Herald interview her the following morning. She hoped it was the right decision.
❧
The interview with the newspaper columnist went better than Sinda had expected, but she was relieved when he and his photographer said they had all they needed and left her house shortly before noon. Even though she knew the article they planned to print about her doll hospital would be good for business, Sinda had some reservations about having so much attention drawn to her. She’d always tried to stay out of the limelight, and during her childhood none of her friends except Carol had been invited to her home. Carol had only come over a few times, and that was always whenever Sinda’s father was gone.
Thinking about her friend reminded Sinda that Carol had promised to come over after work today and help her paint the kitchen cabinets. After lunch she would go to the nearest hardware store and buy some paint.
Sinda knew Glen probably could paint the cabinets much faster and probably a whole lot neater than she or Carol, but she couldn’t ask for his help. . .not after his daughter had seen them kissing and thrown such a fit. No matter how much it pained her, she had to keep her distance.
❧
Glen paced back and forth in front of the counter at the hardware store, waiting for his brother to finish with a customer. He’d been promising himself for the last several weeks to repaint the barbecue and had decided to stop by Phil’s Hardware on the way home from work and pick up what he needed for the project. He hoped to have several barbecues this summer and was getting a late start. Too bad they won’t include Sinda Shull, he fumed inwardly. I know the woman likes me, and she’s just being stubborn, refusing to see me or even let me continue with the repairs on her home. If only there were some way I could convince her that my jealous daughter will eventually come around. I know Sinda has some issues she needs to resolve, but that’s even more reason I should keep seeing her. I might be able to help.
“Hey, big brother, it’s good to see you!”
Glen turned toward Phil, who was finally finished with his customer. He grabbed his brother in a bear hug. “It’s good to see you too. It’s been awhile, huh?”
Phil swiped a hand across his bearded chin and frowned. “I’ll say. Where have you been keeping yourself, anyway?”
Glen was tempted to tell Phil about his new neighbor, and that up until a few weeks ago, he’d been helping Sinda with some repairs on her rambling old house, but he thought better of it. Phil was a confirmed bachelor, and whenever he discovered that Glen had dated any woman, Phil bombarded him with a bunch of wisecracks and unwanted advice.
“I’ve been busy.” Glen nodded at Phil. “What’s new in your life?”
Phil shrugged, and his blue eyes twinkled. “Until a few minutes ago, nothing was new.”
Glen’s interest was piqued. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve met the woman of my dreams,” Phil said, running his fingers through his curly black hair. “She came in awhile ago, looking for some paint, and it was love at first sight.”
Glen chuckled. How many times had he heard his goofy brother say he’d found the perfect woman, only to drop her flat when he became bored? Glen was sure this latest attraction would be no different than the others had been.
“You’re not going to say anything?” Phil asked expectantly.
Glen shrugged his shoulders. “What would you like me to say?”
Phil wiggled his dark, bushy eyebrows, and Glen had a vision of his kid brother as an enormous teddy bear. “How about, ‘Wow, brother, that’s great. When do I get to meet this woman of your dreams?’ ”
“Okay, okay,” Glen said, laughing. “When do I get to meet her?”
Phil turned his hands palm up. “Maybe you already have. She’s your next-door neighbor.”
Glen felt his jaw drop. “Sinda Shull?”
Phil nodded. “Like I said, she came in looking for some paint for her kitchen, and we got to talking. She told me she wants a new screen for her back door, and since the size she needs is out of stock, I promised to order one today and deliver it to her house as soon as it comes in.” He smiled triumphantly. “That’s how I got her address and discovered she lives next door to you. Small world, isn’t it?”
“Too small if you ask me,” Glen mumbled as he moved
toward the front door.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“Home. Tara’s probably starving, and I need to get dinner started.”
“But you never said what you came in for.”
Glen hunched his shoulders and offered his brother a halfhearted wave. “I came by for some heat-resistant paint, but it can wait. See you later, Phil.” He left the hardware store feeling like someone had punched him in the stomach. Not only had Sinda decided to do some painting without his help, but she’d gone to his brother’s store to buy the paint. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Phil suddenly had a big crush on a woman he didn’t even know, and he was obviously looking forward to delivering Sinda’s new screen door. Glen loved his little brother, but he cared too much for Sinda to let her be taken in by Phil the Pill. He would do whatever it took to prevent her from being hurt. Trouble was, with her refusing to see him, he didn’t have a clue what he could do other than pray. “That’s it,” he muttered under his breath. “I’ll pray for answers until they come.”
❧
Tara let out a low whistle. “Wow! Take a look at this, Dad!”
“What is it?” Glen asked as he continued to chop mushrooms for the omelet he was making.
“Our weirdo neighbor lady made the newspaper. Listen to what it says: ‘Doll Doctor Has Heavy Caseload.’ ” Tara stifled a giggle behind the paper. “Pretty impressive, huh?”
Glen wiped his hands on a paper towel and sauntered over to the kitchen table. “Let me see that.” He snatched the newspaper out of Tara’s hands. “I want you to stop referring to Sinda as ‘our weirdo neighbor lady.’ She’s not weird!” He was still upset over the conversation he’d had with Phil the day before, and he didn’t need anything else to get riled about.
Tara shook her head. “She plays with dolls, Dad. Don’t you think that’s kinda weird?”
“No, I don’t, and how many times must I remind you what the Bible says about loving our neighbor?”
Neighborly Thing Page 9