Marry Me on Main Street

by LuAnn McLane

  “That’s not true,” Susan insisted, but he remained silent, as if contemplating how to explain more of what he was feeling. She wanted to pull him into her arms and kiss his worries away. “Have you told your family any of this?”

  “No …” Danny shook his head slowly. “Of course not. I mean, not really. Like I said, they all need me in one way or another. Mason and Mattie might be able to replace me but who would run the marina? I can’t put that pressure on my father. He’s in pretty good shape and I don’t want any of his heart issues to come back. He’s got a pacemaker, Susan. He insisted that I put my head on his chest and feel it.” Danny shuddered. “It’s got this thing that will shock his heart if it stops beating.”

  Susan squeezed his hand.

  “Seeing my strong, robust dad nearly die …” Danny shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut. After a moment he cleared his throat. “No way am I going to lay this on him,” he said gruffly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought this up again.”

  “No, Danny, I want you to tell me everything. We need to understand each other completely and be there for each other no matter what. That’s what love is all about.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry I said that. You deserve to know everything about me and what makes me tick. But I hope you can understand my reasoning and my fear.”

  “I do. I have from the beginning. But Danny, things are different now. The marina is flourishing. I still think you might benefit from telling your family how you feel.”

  “True, but there’s still stress involved. I can’t take that chance with my dad’s health. How could I live with myself if he had to come back at the helm and started having heart issues again? Besides, my parents spend most of their time in Florida. They love the warm weather, and fishing has always been my father’s favorite way to chill.”

  “But there’s grandchildren involved now. They just might want a reason to have to stay in Cricket Creek year-round. Did you ever think of that?”

  “I know my mom would like that,” he said with a hint of sadness. “She confessed as much to Mason. But Mom puts my dad’s health first too. We all do.”

  “Maybe you should at least approach the subject with him,” Susan gently persisted. “You might be surprised at his reaction.”

  Danny scrubbed a hand down his face. “It’s just not a risk I’m willing to take.”

  “Or you could hire someone to do your job managing the marina so you can branch out and try other things,” she said. She hoped she hadn’t offended him by suggesting that anyone could run the marina as well as he did. “Is there something you’re passionate about doing?” she asked, thinking there must be or he wouldn’t have this restless feeling. “What about the rocking chairs? I know you claim woodworking is just a hobby that calms you down, but why don’t you make a few for my shop? Like a trial run?”

  Danny shrugged but something in his eyes said that this was something he longed to do.

  Encouraged, Susan continued, “What do you say? I bought a lovely rocking chair at an estate sale but I just couldn’t part with it, even though I knew it would bring a pretty penny. I just know they would sell.”

  “I … just can’t. I don’t mind making pieces for my friends or family as gifts but …”

  “But what? It’s a talent that needs to be shared.” She tilted her head to the side. “It’s almost as if you’re afraid of success,” she said hesitantly.

  Danny’s eyes widened and he let out a chuckle devoid of humor. “Wow, you nailed it. Here I thought the entire time I was terrified of failure, but in reality it’s success. Susan, if I make money at doing what I love, then how can I go back to working for my family? No, I’m better off not doing it at all and keeping my woodworking a hobby,” he said firmly.

  “Okay.” Susan nodded, but his admission troubled her. Her mind was reeling at his admission of loving her, but the turmoil she saw in the depths of his eyes affected her in a way that made her sure of how deeply she’d fallen in love with him. Danny Mayfield was a kind, giving person, putting others before himself. But it wasn’t at all fair that his own life’s ambition had to fall short because of the love and respect he had for his family. There had to be some sort of compromise for him to be able to do both.

  “I thought about hiring someone to manage the marina,” he continued, “but I can’t really imagine anyone other than a Mayfield running the family business.”

  “I understand. I felt guilty leaving the farm. Like most kids raised on farms, I was doing chores from the time I could walk, and I knew my mother would miss me, especially because I was her only child. We did everything together, from cooking meals to weeding her garden.”

  “I can picture you doing those things,” he said with a warm smile.

  “We went through some tough financial times too, and for farmers that stress never goes away. Selling our land or leasing the acreage to a corporation would have solved our financial difficulties but farming has always been more than earning a living … it was a way of life. In my parents’ blood. I know that’s how you and your family feel about the marina. Danny, I really know some of what you’re going through.”

  “Yeah.” Danny nodded. “It would have been easier to sell for us too. We had offers but my father didn’t want a big hotel or fancy upscale marina to come in and change the heart and soul of the marina, or for the local families not to have the opportunity to use the beauty of the river or the lake up by the cabins. Selling out wouldn’t have been worth the pain of losing the marina.”

  “I get that too. We all pitched in during the lean years, not only to save Cricket Creek but to keep the quaint, small town atmosphere.” Susan’s family wanted to preserve the Quincy family farm and Susan hoped to someday be successful enough to come to their aid if need be. Opening Rhyme and Reason had been intensely, over-the-top scary. Investing her inheritance and losing it would have been just horrible, but in the end she’d taken the chance. But if the health of her mother or father had been involved, she wouldn’t have risked it, so she understood his feelings. “It just doesn’t seem quite fair for the burden to rest so solidly on your shoulders, Danny.”

  He gave her a crooked grin. “Life isn’t always fair though, is it, Suzy Q?”

  “No.”

  “Mason gave up his fishing career to come home for my dad. Mattie ran the restaurant, and I knew she had other things she wanted to pursue, but she never complained.” Danny smiled. “Who knew my tomboy sister had such a creative side?” he said, and she knew he was attempting to change the subject.

  “Oh, I know,” Susan said. “Walking on Sunshine Bistro is so amazing. The menu might be a bit more progressive now that it’s no longer just a breakfast hangout for local fishermen, but she still makes the best melt-in-your-mouth biscuits and gravy on the planet. Sophia Gordon came pretty darned close when she took over during Mattie’s pregnancy but Mattie still takes the prize.”

  Danny grinned. “I’ll pass that along to her. Look, we all pitched in and put our lives on hold and I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said vehemently. “And they wouldn’t have either.”

  “I know that, Danny, but—”

  “Unfortunately, there are no buts. I’ve thought this over a million times,” he confessed but then seemed sorry he’d said it. “Look, it’s fine,” he added, even though the stormy expression on his face defied his statement. “It’s not like I hate any of the jobs I do.”

  “Oh Danny …” It occurred to Susan that falling in love also meant feeling the other person’s pain.

  “No, really. I think I get like this during the slow months of the winter when the marina isn’t busy. And now that Mason and Mattie are married with children, our social lives have changed, so I tend to get bored.”

  “I never had much of a social life, so I can’t relate, but I do get it.” She leaned her head over onto his shoulder. She wanted to snuggle next to him on the couch, cuddle, hug him tightly, and give him tender kisses. But she knew Danny didn’t want
sympathy from her right now. Still, she had to say something encouraging and meaningful. “Danny, the marina is such a vital part of Cricket Creek. It’s not just about the recreation for the residents, but also the tourism that boating and fishing brings to the town. Running the marina is important,” she said, but she felt as if her attempt at reassurance fell woefully short.

  “I know.” Danny put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed before he looked at her and smiled. But there was a hint of sadness at the corners of his mouth that tugged at her heart. “You know that I’m very proud of the marina, the brewery, and the bistro. I know what all three mean to the Cricket Creek economy. And you should be very proud of your part in the continued revival of Main Street, Susan.”

  “Thank you.” Susan thought of the empty store she was considering leasing but didn’t want to talk about her desire to expand right this moment. She thought again that it wasn’t fair that Danny couldn’t pursue something on his own, and she just bet that if he’d finally talk to his family about it, they would come up with a solution that would work for everyone. Her mother used to say that where there was a will there was a way. She sat there for a moment, absently petting Rusty’s head, but her heart thudded. “So … where does this leave us, Danny?” she asked, thinking this was the weirdest day ever. “I have to admit that I’m confused.”

  “For right now I think we need to brave the elements, get out there, and cut down a tree.”

  Susan decided that an adventurous distraction was the best way to handle things at the moment. They were in love. Surely the rest would fall into place.

  “Are you game?” he asked.

  “Ha, brave the elements? I grew up on a farm, remember?”

  “I remember everything about you, including the first kiss we shared when we were seventeen. It seems like a million years ago.”

  “Oh Danny …” Susan felt a wave of emotion grab her and cling like Velcro. She wanted to tell him that she didn’t care what he did for a living or how many jobs he had, but it mattered to him, so in turn it mattered immensely to her as well. He deserved to feel a sense of fulfillment and to use his God-given talent. And she knew his parents would feel the same way if only he would confide in them. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

  He loves me.

  The words fluttered around her heart like a colorful butterfly and landed with delicate beauty in her brain. The knowledge gave Susan the strength and the power to smile and nod. “Let’s go chop down a tree!”

  Danny smiled back and said, “Later, Suzy Q. I’ve got something else in mind first.”

  22

  If You Could Read My Mind

  Betsy looked outside the window of Rhyme and Reason and nearly shrieked … and then she did shriek. “Holy moly, when did this happen?” While she’d been in the back room scooping sand into the luminaria bags, Cricket Creek had been transformed into an ice skating rink. Worried about Aubrey’s safety, she hurried back into the break room and frantically searched for her cell phone. “How in the world do I continually lose my doggone phone?” She finally located the elusive phone beneath her sweater and then shook her head, thinking she could have used the landline rather than run around like a chicken with its silly head cut off. “Ew,” she muttered, when she pictured a headless chicken.

  Aubrey had gone home a while ago to prepare dinner but Betsy wanted to make sure her daughter had the good sense not to go out. Young people sometimes feel the need to brave the worst of weather just to go out on a Saturday night.

  “Hey, Mom,” Aubrey answered in a sleepy tone. “Sorry, Macy came over and we both dozed off watching a movie. What’s up?”

  “Have you looked outside, sweet pea?” Betsy walked back through the showroom and peered at the window, somehow hoping that the ice had miraculously melted. Nope … but it sure was pretty glittering off of the bright holiday lights strung across Main Street.

  “No. Should I?”

  “Yes, it’s a winter wonderland.”

  Betsy heard Aubrey moving around and then shouting to Macy to wake up and look outside. “Oh wow. That’s crazy.”

  “Just stay put and don’t even try to go anywhere.”

  “I won’t. Hey, but how are you going to get home? From the looks of it you shouldn’t even attempt to walk, much less drive.”

  “I’m not about to risk a broken bone. I can tell you that much. I’ll just have to stay here at Rhyme and Reason.”

  “Oh Mom, I know how you hate storms. Wait, did Susan get back there yet?”

  “I’m guessing she’s in the same boat and is stuck at Danny’s.”

  “Ooooh … snowed in with Danny Mayfield. There are worse things in life,” Aubrey said, and Betsy heard Macy laugh. “Or I guess I should say iced in. Mom, what are you going to do about sleeping?”

  “I have a spare key to Susan’s loft so I can crash there, I’m sure. Don’t forget to charge up your phone in case we lose power. Ice is the worst thing for power lines and tree limbs. Your car isn’t parked beneath a tree, is it?”

  “No.” Aubrey yawned and Betsy could picture her stretching.

  “Good. Well, just relax and enjoy the evening. I think Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer is on tonight.”

  “Oh Mom …” she said and then laughed. “Although it’s still my all-time favorite.”

  “Okay, well just stay warm and shoot me a text later.”

  “I will, and you do the same thing, Mom.”

  “Hopefully, the road crews will get out and throw down some salt and by tomorrow I can at least walk home.”

  “Well, Macy just said they’re calling for piles of snow on top of this.”

  Betsy groaned. “Well, at least we’re all safe and sound. I knew we were on the edge of a possible storm system but I was hoping it was going to miss us. Have you talked to Grandma?”

  “Earlier. I invited her to dinner like you asked but she said she was staying in, so I left it at that. She seemed in pretty good spirits, though.”

  “Good to hear,” Betsy said. You never knew what you were going to get with Gladys Gunther, since her mood could swing at the drop of a hat. “Well, there’s plenty of food in the fridge. I stocked up on all of your favorites. You and Macy have a good old-fashioned slumber party.”

  “Mom,” Aubrey said with a laugh, “Macy and I already raided the fridge earlier. You bought all the stuff I loved when I was like … five.”

  “What, you don’t still like grape popsicles, Hot Pockets, and Toaster Strudel? Orange Crush?”

  “Oh look, SpaghettiOs!” Macy said in the background. “Cap’N Crunch cereal!” she exclaimed with apparent delight.

  Aubrey laughed harder. “Yes, I guess I still do. Funny, you bought a lot of stuff that you used to say no to when I was a kid. What’s up with that?”

  “I was just going down memory lane while at the grocery store. Couldn’t help myself. There’s Sour Patch Kids and gummy bears in there too.”

  “Yes!” Aubrey exclaimed but then said, “I hate that you’re stuck there and not hanging out with Macy and me.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Betsy promised, hoping Aubrey believed her lie. She cleared her throat. “Listen, I’m going to call Susan and make sure she’s okay. Looks to me like we don’t have to worry about the Christmas Walk tomorrow.”

  “That’s kind of a bummer. I was looking forward to it.”

  “Maybe it will be rescheduled. But hey, after all that studying, just kick back and do a whole bunch of nothin’.”

  Aubrey yawned again. “Actually, that sounds like a plan. And you have to admit that it sure looks pretty outside. Maybe we’ll have a white Christmas this year.”

  “More like an ice Christmas,” Betsy said, peering outside. “You might want to heat up your dinner soon in case the power goes soon. The flashlights are in the junk drawer. If you burn candles remember to blow them out.”

  “Mom … geez. I’ve got this.”

  “Okay well, remember now, charge up your phone, okay? I
got rid of the landline.” Even though Aubrey had received several scholarships, every cent still counted.

  “I know, Mom.”

  “Right …” she said, trying to think of more motherly advice just to keep her daughter on the phone and hear her voice a while longer. “Oh, and there’s extra blankets and pillows in the hall closet.”

  “Gotcha, Mom,” Aubrey said with a hint of humor, and Betsy could almost hear her eyes roll. “You do realize I’ve only been gone a few months, right? The house hasn’t changed one single bit.”

  Betsy had to chuckle. “Well, it’s seemed like forever to me, honey child.”

  “Oh Mom, I love you,” Aubrey said with a little hitch in her voice, sounding much younger than her eighteen years. “I’ll be honest, it really sucks that you can’t come home.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m just glad you’re there and you have Macy with you. And knowing you’re in Cricket Creek instead of Lexington is a big comfort.”

  “Oh wow, Mom, there’s more ice hitting the window again. Macy, come look,” she said, and Betsy loved the sudden excitement in her daughter’s voice. Aubrey always did love any kind of storm. Getting her to go into the basement during tornado warnings had always been a challenge.

  “I love you too, my sweet baby. I’ll be fine here at Susan’s. If I get bored she’s got a stack of romance novels up to the ceiling.”

  “Speaking of romance, Macy gave her daddy your number, so he might be calling you sometime soon,” Aubrey said in a sing-song voice.

  Betsy winced. “Oh, okay.”

  “Isn’t that cool?”

  “Oh … fantastic,” Betsy said with a bit of false enthusiasm. She wanted to come up with an excuse, like the holidays were going to be busy and perhaps they should put it off, but she didn’t want to disappoint Aubrey and she heard Macy do a little clapping in the background. “Bye now,” Betsy said. “Give Macy a hug for me.”

  “Will do. Bye, Mom. Stay warm.”