Woody’s face glowed red. “I don’t know what to do with that woman. She’s as exasperating now as when she was in high school.”
“Be nice to her, Woody. Be nice.” Of course Winnie might look at it as Woody trying to get on her good side and get her to agree with him. “And don’t even mention the courthouse or City Hall. If she brings it up, tell her I’m working on an alternative.”
Woody waved at the waitress to signal he wanted his check. When it arrived, he laid a few bills with it and narrowed his eyes at Hal. “Asking you to come back here and help draw up plans may not have been as smart as I thought it would be.”
He stood and stepped toward the door, but he stopped and gave one last stare at Hal. “If you think I oughta be nice to Winnie because I care about her, then what are you going to do about those long repressed feelings you’ve had for Caroline?”
Hal’s mouth dropped open, but before he could answer, Woody strode to the door and shoved his way out into the evening. Hal grabbed his wallet and pulled out the money to pay his own tab. Who else besides Woody suspected his reasons for coming back to Bloomfield concerned Caroline Short?
Chapter 8
When the ladies arrived for Bible study, Caroline made sure they understood that nothing concerning Woody’s plans was to be mentioned or discussed until later. They all agreed, but the study flew by much faster than on other nights.
Libby Birdwell closed her Bible and glanced around the room. “Any questions about the Scriptures we studied tonight?”
One by one the ladies shook their heads. “Any special prayer requests other than the obvious one we’re not discussing yet?”
This time, Doreen Patrick raised her hand. “Our boy Bryan is planning to stay around the university and get a job for the summer before his senior year. Please pray he’ll find one that will pay enough for him to save for some of his expenses.”
That brought a few murmurs of sympathy, but no more requests were made. Libby voiced a prayer for the police chief’s son and any other requests that may not have been mentioned.
As soon as Libby ended the prayer, Winnie Simpson nearly jumped from her chair. “All right, girlfriends, let’s get down to business.”
Caroline stood and headed for the kitchen. “For pity’s sake, Winnie, can’t you at least wait until we serve refreshments? Helen brought over some fresh pastries from her shop and I have coffee to go with them.”
“No, it can’t wait. We have to know who’s on our side and who isn’t.” Winnie perched on the edge of her seat like a bird on a wire.
Sherry Butler raised an eyebrow. “And you don’t think you already know after that little confrontation at the council meeting?”
“A lot of people did come up and offer support, but I want to know about my friends.”
Caroline almost dropped the plate of pastries she held. Winnie didn’t usually count any of the garden club members as real friends. She only tolerated them at the Bible study because Libby was the teacher and for some reason Winnie admired her.
Lynn Myers tucked her notes inside her Bible and frowned. “I haven’t been back in Bloomfield long, but this does seem to be a strange way of doing things.”
Before Winnie could make another comment, Caroline set the last plate down. “Pastries are on the table and coffee is ready. I want to make one thing clear before we eat. If anyone isn’t in agreement with someone else, we won’t have any shouting or arguing. We’ll discuss this in a civilized manner.”
Pamela Jasper sent a pointed look in Winnie’s direction. “Hear, hear, Caroline. You’re exactly right. We must be calm and come up with some good ideas to present to the mayor. I just wish Victoria was here tonight so she could shed a little more light on the subject.”
“I don’t think she knows any more than the rest of us at this point.” Caroline poured several cups of coffee which the ladies promptly snapped up.
Libby bypassed the pastries and nursed her lone cup of coffee. “Caroline, tell them what Hal McKenzie is doing.”
All eyes turned toward Caroline, and heat rose in her cheeks. Winnie sat back with a smug smile on her face and chomped down on a piece of pastry as Caroline cleared her throat.
“It seems that he was as much in the dark about what Woody wanted to do as any of us. He’s working on some ideas for a new plan that wouldn’t move the cottage and would leave the grounds pretty much intact.”
Pamela set her plate and cup on a side table and clasped her hands with fingernails painted in various hues of spring flowers which suited her position as garden club president. “That’s the best news I’ve heard since the other night. I’ve been most concerned with what this would do to the beautiful gardens we’ve tended to for so many years.”
Winnie sat up straight again and glowered at Pamela. “Pooh on the flowers. It’s the cottage that has me worried the most. Flowers and grass can be replaced, but that house belongs where it is.”
“Now, Winnie, we know that, but the gardens are beautiful all year round, and it would be a shame to ruin them. Hal told me he planned to keep it as much like it is now as possible.” If Caroline didn’t take care of her friend right now, she’d have the whole group arguing and not getting anything else done.
Libby held her coffee mug between her hands and peered over at Winnie. “And I’ve talked to Hal myself. After all, he will be living next door to me in a matter of days now. His house is almost ready to move in.”
Doreen laughed and grabbed another pastry. “I’m not surprised he’s moving back or that he’s helping Caroline. Perhaps he expects to pick up those old days back when we were in school.”
Caroline’s cheeks burned. That was one of the problems with living in a small town all of your life. Everyone knew everyone else’s business from childhood to adulthood and beyond. If she hadn’t fallen for Clint, she might have been Hal’s girl back then, and more than one woman in this room knew it.
“I don’t intend to take advantage of any former relationship we may have had. He’s doing this because he wants to do what is right for Bloomfield.”
A loud grunt sounded from Winnie. “And he’s a looking to recapture those days and make up for lost time.”
If Caroline had a sock, she’d stuff it in Winnie’s mouth right this minute. Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? “We’re getting off the subject. Now where were we?”
Naomi McCord had remained quiet during all of the previous talk, taking in everything that was said, her eyes and ears never missing a beat or each nuance of words from those gathered. She shook her finger at the group now and said, “As the oldest member of this group, I say we sit back and let Hal come up with some ideas. If he runs them by Caroline or any of us then we’ll have a chance to voice our approval or disapproval as the case may be.”
She stood and looked around at them. “I know you all have a lot more to talk about, but I need to get home. I have a Zumba class in the morning and I want a good night’s sleep beforehand.” She glanced over at Pamela. “I’m sure you can take care of anything that comes along and let me know.”
Caroline walked her to the door. “Thank you for being here and giving good advice. I just hope Winnie can keep her mouth shut and not rile up any of the garden club members.”
“Honey, let her talk. She has a heart of gold and we all know it. She rubs us the wrong way sometimes because she puts her mouth in gear before her brain, but she’s usually right in what she says.”
“I suppose you’re right about that. Thank you, again.”
“And between you and me, let Hal catch you this time. You know he wanted you to be his girl, but he wasn’t about to hurt Clint.” With that she traipsed down the stairs and out to her car.
Caroline’s heart pounded in her chest. If Naomi thought that about her and Hal, what must the others be thinking and saying? She waited on th
e porch until the elderly woman reached her car and started it up. At seventy-eight, Naomi McCord still had more life in her than a lot of women years younger. The garden club had been fortunate to have her as its president for so many years.
The red taillights of Naomi’s car disappeared into the darkness, and Caroline bit her lip. What if Hal really did care about her after all these years? Deep down she had to admit, his return had stirred up long dormant emotions, but she had no clue as to what to do about them.
Hal walked through the newly cleaned rooms in his house. The cleaning crew had done a great job, and he could move in the next day and buy whatever supplies he’d need for the rest of his stay. Of course he’d need to make a trip back to Atlanta for more of his personal belongings. Whether Caroline accepted him or not, he’d be home, but if she did, his life would be a lot happier.
He locked up and returned to his car. The evening was still early, which meant time for a visit with Chuck Harrison. He might be retired, but he still handled the legal affairs of many of Bloomfield’s prominent and longtime citizens.
When Hal drove into the Lake Bliss Retirement Village, he shook his head in wonder at the layout. The arrangement of the cottages perfectly complemented the main building in the back and the fountain lent an air of elegance to the entrance. Last time he’d been in Bloomfield, Lake Bliss had only been a blueprint with a foundation.
He parked and walked around to the cottage number he’d found listed for Chuck. After two rapid knocks, Chuck opened the door and swung it wide. His thick white hair was ruffled and instead of his usual rumpled seersucker suit, he wore jeans and a knit shirt.
“Hal McKenzie, come on in. I heard you were back in town raising a stink with that project of Woody’s.”
“That’s not what I intended to happen.” Hal followed Chuck into the kitchen area.
“Then let’s sit down and talk about this over a cup of coffee and some muffins from the bakery.”
“Sounds good to me.” He perched on one of the stools at the kitchen bar. “I’m here mainly to get some information.”
Chuck poured two mugs then set them on the bar. “And what kind of information is that?”
After dumping in a spoonful of sugar, Hal stirred his coffee. “Do you still handle the legal affairs for Caroline Short?”
“Yes, I do, and I know why you’re asking. It’s about Woody’s plan to remodel and expand the courthouse and City Hall.”
“Right. If I remember correctly, there was some kind of stipulation when the land with the Founder’s Cottage was donated to the town.”
“Sure was and I’ve been looking into that. Found all the information today, but with Caroline having the Bible study tonight, I plan to see her tomorrow and talk with her about it.”
Hal sipped his coffee and eyed Chuck over the rim. It’d been two days since the council meeting. He should have spoken with Caroline before now, besides, Woody should have been aware of what was in the agreement to begin with.
“The trouble is, the old will and the donation were over fifty years ago, and most people have probably forgotten about it. Took me all this time to go back through my records and find the original documents.”
Hal stifled a chuckle at that announcement. If memory served him correctly, Harrison’s law offices had never been the most organized in the world. Maybe his son would do a better job now that he’d taken over the main list of clients. “Seems to me that Woodrow Lee Hansen has forgotten that document too.”
“Soon as I speak with Caroline, I plan to visit Woody and remind him that the Millers didn’t give that land and house to the city for whatever they wanted to do with it.”
“That’s what I hoped you’d say. I’m working on an alternate design that will keep the house and gardens intact but still allow for the expansion and improvements needed.”
“So, you’re not in cahoots with the mayor on this project?”
“No, I’m not, and I finally got Caroline and Winnie to listen to me and go along with my idea to come up with an alternative for Woody to consider. Look, wait until I see if I can come up with a successful plan that will satisfy him. If I don’t, then you can spring this news on him.”
“You do know that the conditions of the donation can put an end to the whole thing, so why delay?”
“Most of us agree improvements are needed, so we’ll work to come with something to satisfy everyone.”
“If anyone can do it, you can.” Then a sly grin crossed his face. “This delay wouldn’t have anything to do with trying to win back Caroline’s trust would it?”
Heat flushed Hal’s face. He had no answer for that and bit into the apple cinnamon muffin from Helen’s bakery.
Chuck, supported by his elbows, leaned on the counter. “One thing I never understood is why you didn’t take Clint Short on as your partner. You two were closer than twin brothers in high school.”
Hal twisted his mug between his hands. The one subject he wished to steer clear of, and here his friend brought it up. “That’s a long story, and I’m hoping Caroline’s forgiven me.” No sense adding it had been one of the biggest mistakes of his life, the first one being not making Caroline his girl before Clint made his move.
“If she has, then you are one lucky man. If I were you, I wouldn’t waste any time on taking advantage of that. Make her your girl this time around.”
“Don’t you think we’re a little old for that?”
“Nope. I got my eye on Libby Birdwell. She’s a bit younger than I am, but I’m aiming to win her heart one of these days.” Chuck sat back with a huge grin and crossed his arms over his chest.
Hal almost choked on the bite he’d just taken. Libby and Chuck? That was a new one. “When did this happen?”
“Oh, I’ve had my eye on her for a few months now, and like I said before, you better not waste time. Most likely you won’t get a third chance.”
The big question for Hal wasn’t third chances. Did he even have a second chance?
Chapter 9
With the tearoom closed on weekends, Caroline spent Saturday after breakfast cleaning the kitchen and making sure all would be ready for Sunday morning breakfast. While Ashley cleaned the rooms for the guests who had departed for the day, Selena worked in the office sending out orders for the next week.
Cleaning sinks and wiping counters wasn’t Caroline’s favorite chore, but she enjoyed the quiet time, and it gave her a chance to think while working. All day yesterday, she’d hoped to hear from Hal, but not a word had come. Of course he was busy getting moved back into his family home and probably hadn’t had time to do much work on a new plan for the courthouse.
Anger against Woody once again built up, and she scrubbed the sink with added vigor, one good way to take the anger out on the mayor without actually hitting him or saying a few words she might regret later.
Finally, she tossed the cleaning rags into the laundry hamper and stood back to admire the spotless kitchen.
“You’ve been hard at work. Those counters are shiny enough to see your reflection.”
Caroline jerked and swirled around to find Hal leaning against the door and grinning. “Hal McKenzie, you almost scared me out of a year’s growth. What are you doing here?”
“Selena told me you were in the kitchen cleaning, so I came to find you. Sorry I frightened you. Thought I’d made enough noise to warn you.”
Heat filled her face. She’d been thinking about him and Woody and missed any sounds Hal might have made. “I guess I was engrossed in my cleaning, but why are you here? Do you have a plan yet?”
“No, I don’t, but then I haven’t had time to really work on it. I do have some ideas floating around in my head. Thought maybe we could discuss them over dinner tonight.”
Dinner tonight? Didn’t he realize she had guests staying in the inn and had
to take care of them? Selena could do that, but there was still food to prepare for breakfast. Caroline could do that and go out to dinner as well. Actually, she had no excuses for not accepting his invitation.
She bit her lip and glanced around the kitchen. Nothing more to do there until later in the day, and he deserved an answer now. Hal still leaned against the door. He no longer grinned, but he didn’t frown either.
“I think dinner would be a fine idea. I have a few other things to take care of this afternoon, but I should be free after that.”
Now he grinned and straightened. “That’s great. I’ll pick you up around six if that’s not too early. I’ll make reservations at the Fancy Schmantzy.”
“That’ll be fine.” Caroline tried to return his smile, but worry marred her effort. What in the world would she wear to the fanciest restaurant in Bloomfield?
“Okay, I’ll be back then. I don’t want to keep you from what you have to do.” He turned and disappeared into the dining area.
She leaned back against the cabinet with her elbows on the counter. Her wardrobe these days consisted mainly of slacks, jeans, knit tops, denim skirts, and sweaters or shirts. She hadn’t worn a nice dress in a long time, and she wasn’t sure what she did have would still fit.
Work called and dismissed the clothing issue for the moment, but she’d have to deal with it soon as she finished unpacking a few boxes of new books for the guest reading room. She’d picked them up at the bookstore yesterday, but hadn’t had time to unpack, list the books in her inventory, and put them on the shelves. So many times guests had been pleasantly surprised to find Christian novels to be read at their leisure. The first book to catch her eye when she opened the flaps was Brandilyn Collins’s new mystery. She set that one aside to be read first before putting it away. She’d read all of them eventually, but mystery and suspense were her favorite genres.
She stacked the books in alphabetical order then held a Kaye Dacus romance in her hands while trying to decide what to move to make room for the new arrivals.
Best Laid Plans Page 6