by JoAnn Durgin
“The master at work,” he said. “I’ll leave you alone.”
“You can talk. Just don’t expect an answer every time.”
“You realize this is what we’d be doing on a Sunday afternoon if we were dating.” Sidney flipped a page of the book and realized he needed to be careful since it was so old.
“I know. Please read, Sidney.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll try.” He pretended to read his book but stole glances at her as often as possible. Although he tried to be nonchalant, he wasn’t fooling Isabella any more than himself.
An hour later, after getting a glass of water, Sidney strolled back into the living room, trying not to peek at her painting.
“You can look if you want.”
“Thanks.” He took a step closer. “You’re painting Caroline and Seth’s house?”
“Seth commissioned it for her birthday in October. Even though it’s not for a few months, I figured I’d get a head start. Seth’s given me some photos of the house to use for reference.”
“Looks terrific to me. Have you painted houses before?”
“A few buildings and the gazebo in the park, but no houses. Toby’s going to help me with this one to give me pointers, advice, that type of thing. I hope she’ll like it.”
“Coming from you, I’m sure she will. I appreciate your support of my painting, Sidney.” He figured Tristan must not have given her much encouragement.
“By the way, I met Toby at the dance last night,” Sidney said. “I told him I’d like to help out with one of the church beautification projects while I’m here, but that was before I knew I’d need to go back this week. If I don’t see him before I leave town, would you mind passing on my apologies? I’ll plan on helping out at some point in the future if the opportunity comes up.”
“I’m sure he’ll understand.” Isabella’s smile was reassuring yet he detected lingering sadness. He felt it, too.
“Thanks. Toby also mentioned your Aunt Clara’s vision to sell the store to you. I hope I can meet your aunt before I leave town. She sounds like quite a character.”
“You could say that.” Isabella’s lips twisted.
Another half hour later, Sidney waggled his brows with a mischievous grin. “Care to join me over here on the sofa?”
She blew out a sigh. “You’re tempting me again. Friends, remember?”
“Whatever you say. I enjoy being around you. On your terms, Isabella. Whatever you want, but I figure we’re adults capable of self-restraint and discernment.”
She was quiet for a long time as she concentrated on her painting. “How often do you plan on coming to Evergreen?” she finally said. She put her paintbrush in a jar of liquid and swirled it around.
“That’s difficult to say. Depends on what happens, I suppose. Maybe once every couple of months?” He closed the book. No sense pretending he was reading anymore. “Say what you mean, Isabella.”
Standing, she untied the smock and removed it. He could tell she was deep in thought as she draped it over the easel. “Are we crazy here? If you have the opportunity to date some gorgeous professional woman in Boston, can you honestly tell me you’ll turn her down?”
“Come over here. Please?” He patted the space beside him. She curled next to him, leaving a respectable space between them.
“First of all, I know you heard what I said last night about my last few dates.” Sidney shifted to face her directly. “One thing you should know about me is that I don’t lie.” He propped his right elbow on the back of the sofa. “I want to be with you, Isabella, but I understand I’m not the man you need at this point. So, if a man comes along you want to date, call me, and we’ll talk about it.”
She laughed under her breath. “You would hate that.”
“You’re right. I would. In some respects, maybe it’s a good thing I’m going back to Boston. I’ll go to church with Bryce and Tiffany. I’m going to keep reading the Bible. I’ll keep praying and hope God hears those prayers.” He shrugged. “That’s all I can promise at this point. I want to keep in touch with you every day if that’s not too overwhelming. Text, email, phone, Skype. I’ll call you, you call me. If I’m busy, leave a message, and I’ll do the same.”
“I didn’t say you’re not the man I need you to be, Sidney. I said you’re the man I love.” She looked at him with a helpless expression. “So, where does this leave us? We agree to not date but be like best buddies for now?”
He scratched his head and gave her his best version of puppy dog eyes. “We’ll fumble our way through this together, okay? We don’t have to make any decisions today, or tomorrow, or before I leave.”
“Right,” she said. “We wait on God’s timing. That’s what we need to do.” Isabella sounded like she was trying to convince herself.
He reached for her hand. “Hard, isn’t it?”
She blew out a sigh. “Yeah. But you’re worth it. Are we going to give this a time limit?”
Leaning his head back on the sofa, he laughed. “I’m not. The fact that I’ve resisted kissing the living daylights out of you this far should tell you something.”
“We’re both showing amazing restraint.” She crossed her arms over her middle.
“Yes, we are.”
She jumped to her feet. “It’ll be time for a light supper in a little while. How about soup and a grilled cheese sandwich?”
“Shared with you? One of my favorite things in life.”
Chapter 25
The next morning dawned bright and beautiful with scattered fluffy white clouds dotting the brilliant sky. Yesterday’s rain had cleared the air. He loved Maine—no city fumes, no smog, no factory pollution. Sparkling and crisp. The backdrop of the majestic mountains surrounding them. No wonder the citizens of Evergreen felt closer to God here. Sidney felt as though he could reach and touch the sky.
Breathing in as he jogged down Elm Street in the direction of Mahoney’s General Store, he drew fresh air into his lungs and then exhaled. A man jogged toward him. He’d been introduced to him at the church yesterday.
“Morning, Sidney!” He gave him a friendly wave.
“Morning, John.” He hoped that was the man’s name. Based on the other man’s smile, he was correct.
The front door of Mahoney’s was propped open. Isabella was busy with some of the local customers. He stood in front of the door and waited until he caught her eye and lifted the small bouquet of red roses in his hand, fresh from Seth’s garden. She gave him a radiant smile, and Sidney gestured to the bench.
Humphrey lounged nearby. “Hello there.” Dropping to the bench, Sidney pulled out his water bottle and chugged down half the contents. “I’m willing to share. Would you like some water, Humphrey?” He’d seen a bowl on the ground, shoved halfway beneath the bench. Sliding it out, Sidney poured water into it. “There you go, buddy.”
An older model, white Oldsmobile rattled up the street and stopped beside the curb. A woman who appeared to be in her early 60s or thereabouts stepped out of the car. Dressed in her Sunday best, she closed the car door and walked around the back of the car. With her handbag clutched between her hands, she wore pearls around her neck and in her ears.
Sidney studied her under veiled lids.
“Morning, Mr. Prescott.” Her smile was genuine, polite, and somewhat reserved, as though she were sizing him up in terms of worthiness. For what, he couldn’t be sure.
Who did she remind him of? Ah, Aunt Bee from Mayberry, that was it. Even her voice somewhat resembled the actress who’d played the role.
Giving her a bright smile, Sidney nodded. “Morning, ma’am.” He’d given up wondering how people knew him. For one thing, sitting in front of Mahoney’s was a good indicator. He might as well pee like a puppy around the front step to mark his territory. No, not a good idea. Hamilton Watters would probably be around the corner and dash right over.
Oh, he was silly.
The woman peeked inside the front door. “Looks like Isabella’s busy at the
moment, so I might as well wait. Do you mind if I sit here with you and Humphrey? And your roses?”
“Not at all.” He slid across the bench to make room for her, painfully aware of his sweaty clothes. Maybe he should have gone back to the house and changed before coming here. Humphrey jumped on his lap and stretched, nudging Sidney to rub his belly.
“I’m Isabella’s Aunt Clara. I imagine she might have told you a thing or two about me.”
“Nice to meet you.” He gave her a friendly smile. Somehow a handshake didn’t seem appropriate. “I know you and your husband owned Mahoney’s for a long time, and that you sold it to Isabella a little over a year ago. You should be proud. She does a great job with it.”
“Yes, she sure does. God told me to sell the store to Isabella, you know.” After Sidney looked at her askance, Clara laughed. “I’m eccentric, but I’m not crazy, no matter what you’ve heard. I’m also a firm believer in the ways of God, and how He looks out for our best interests.” She darted a glance his way. “Are you a believer, young man?”
He couldn’t take offense at the question since Isabella’s aunt obviously loved her niece and wanted the best for her—including a godly man. Maybe this is what Toby was referring to when he talked about Clara’s vision and the sale of the store as providential. Clara must have a direct pipeline to God or else she thought she did.
“I’m a believer in a lot of things, Miss Clara,” Sidney said. “May I call you that?”
“I didn’t give you my last name for a reason, young man. Most people in Evergreen don’t need last names. It’s only when strangers come into town that we remember we even have them.”
“Then I hope you’ll call me Sidney. I’ve been in town a few days, and most of the folks use my first name. I realize it’s not the same thing as living here, like Isabella, but—”
“But you’re Caroline’s older brother. Any relation of that wonderful young woman is all right in my estimation. Sidney it is, then.” Clara smiled and, releasing her grip on the purse, placed it on the bench beside her. “God also told me a few things about you, too, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know, but I’m fascinated to hear what He told you.”
“For one thing, He clued me in that you’ve come to Evergreen for a reason. I understand you’re a successful lawyer, a powerful man.” She glanced his way. “From what I can tell, you’re also a bit evasive.”
That made him smile. “Some people would disagree with you.”
“I have nothing personal against a man in the legal persuasion, as long as he’s honest and upright.”
Sidney chuckled at her use of the word persuasion instead of profession. In Clara’s case, he had an inkling that word choice might have been intentional.
“‘He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.’ No doubt those words of wisdom came straight from the Good Book.
“I’m not motivated by money, and I never have been,” Sidney assured her. “Neither have I ever accepted a bribe, and I never will.” Why did he feel the need to justify himself?
“Good.” Clara appeared pleased, but then she looked over at him. “I’m not necessarily talking about you.”
Sidney would need to ponder that statement. Was she referring to his father? Lawyers in general? “That’s from Proverbs, right?” When she nodded, he continued. “I’ve been reading the Bible, a little each day since I’ve been here. Caroline has an old Bible that Seth gave her—”
“I’m well aware of that Bible and its significance in your sister’s life. Old things aren’t any less valuable. God’s Word is the same today as it always was, although a lot of people nowadays twist the Scriptures to suit their own purposes.”
Clara was a straight-shooter. For whatever reason, that didn’t surprise him a bit.
“‘The mind of man plans his way,’” she said, “‘but the Lord directs his steps.’ Sidney, I know a little something about your father from what Caroline’s shared. I’m sure it wasn’t easy growing up in the shadow of such a man. You’ve had a lot of expectations placed on you through the years, haven’t you?”
“Yes, but going into law was my choice. I mean, sure, my parents heavily promoted it. I followed that path willingly, and so did my brother, Bryce. I admire Caroline for balking the family tradition, moving here to Maine, and following her passion.” He stretched out his legs and released a sigh.
“The Lord directs his steps,” Clara repeated. “My dear Isabella thought she had everything she could ever want in Hartford, and then she found out differently. In the same way, I think you’ve believed you have everything you could ever want in Boston, and now you’re questioning if that’s true. Is that right?”
“I suppose that depends on what I’ve wanted. I think when things happen in our lives, it helps us refine that vision,” he said. “I love practicing law, Clara. In my case, family tradition dictates that I practice in Boston. I’ve had no reason to doubt where I practice, but I’ve changed the focus of my personal caseload in the past couple of years to something more palatable.”
“Maybe God’s whispering in your heart.”
“I’ve never thought of it that way. I just know that I started to wrestle with my conscience. Even now, I’m not where I want to be just yet.”
Bribes. Sitting forward on the bench, Sidney dropped his head to his hands.
Clara placed her hand on his shoulder. “Are you all right?”
“Give me a minute, if you don’t mind. I’m absorbing.” What was that verse again? He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
“Take your time.”
His clients accepted bribes. That’s what a large part of his white collar defense cases involved. By extension, was he guilty of the same offense? What was it Seth had said? Something about taking his practice in a different direction. Caroline believed God was softening his heart, preparing the way. Hattie’s hints that Evergreen needed a law office…
“Where do you want to be?” Clara said. “Maybe that’s what you should ask God. You don’t have to wait until you’re in church, dear boy. You can ask Him anytime. Sitting here on this bench, when you’re jogging around town, when you’re in the shower. Anywhere. When you have a close relationship with Him, you can talk to God anywhere and He always listens.”
Sidney lifted his head and glanced over at Clara. “I get that you’re probably in cahoots with God, but are you also in cahoots with Hattie Nelson?”
“I beg your pardon?” Although she feigned offense, the corners of her mouth curved upward. “I don’t do cahoots, thank you very much. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He laughed. “Spunk must run in your family, Aunt Clara.”
“Sounds like you two are getting acquainted out here.” Isabella stood in the doorway. Arms crossed, she leaned on the doorjamb. “Cahoots and all.”
“Your Aunt Clara has given me some important things to think about.” He leaned close and planted a gentle kiss on the woman’s surprisingly soft cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered.
She put her hand on the side of his face. “You’re a good man, Sidney. I can’t wait to see how God is going to use you, how He’s going to work in your life, like He’s worked in my dear girl’s life. After all, God told me that she was—”
“Aunt Clara, I missed you in church yesterday morning.”
“I drove over to Augusta to see Samantha on Saturday and ended up spending time with them. That’s my oldest daughter and her family,” Clara told Sidney. “Phil and I had five children. None of them wanted to take over the store, so you can imagine how thankful I am that Isabella wanted to keep the tradition going. And when she marries—”
“Clara, don’t you have that meeting at the Bethel Historical Society this morning?” Isabella gave her another pointed look.
“Yes, well, you’re right. I suppose I should be on my way now.”
Taking her by the hand, Sidney helped Clara to her
feet. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Be good, Aunt Clara,” Isabella called. With her cheeks bright red—as red as he’d ever seen them—she turned and headed back inside the store.
Sidney almost laughed. He’d love to know what that was all about. He was surprised Isabella hadn’t insisted on walking Clara to the car herself.
He looked at the older woman. “Why do I get the feeling Isabella was afraid of something you’d say to me?”
“You’re a smart man. I have no doubt you’ll figure it out. Just keep thinking, and I’ll keep praying. I’ve enjoyed our chat.”
“Wait.” Running back to the bench, Sidney retrieved the roses and brought them back to Clara. “For you.”
“Why, thank you. I’m sure you intended these for Isabella, but don’t mind if I do. Seth Barnes does grow the most gorgeous roses.” She patted his cheek and then climbed inside her car. “I’ll hope to see you again soon, Sidney.”
Sidney tucked the bottom of her dress inside the car and then closed the door. “I’m sure we’ll see one another again, Miss Clara.”
~~♥~~
Tuesday morning, Sidney jogged near the center of town. He wasn’t leaving Evergreen until after lunch, and Liesel promised to have a picnic lunch ready in a half hour. Isabella had agreed to meet him on the front porch of Landon’s. She needed to go back to the store soon after, and in his heart, he knew she didn’t want a prolonged good-bye any more than he did.
A large yellow ball rolling across the front lawn of the bed and breakfast caught his attention. Bella ran after it, giggling, and carefree. Sidney smiled. Then he realized that ball would keep on rolling, and Bella would keep on running, if no one stopped them.
Both were making their way to the curb.
His heart lurched. If she didn’t stop, in only a few seconds, Bella would be in the direct path of an oncoming car, a blue Buick with an older woman behind the wheel.
He had to do something.
“Bella! Stop!” His pulse pounded. “Sweet Jesus!” That wasn’t a curse. It was his prayer.