by Molly Cannon
“Impressive,” Theo agreed as she slid his smothered steak onto the table.
“Anyway, our float will be more elaborate than ever. Nell’s already working on the costumes and some top secret special effects. But good luck, Irene. You go ahead and give it your best shot, darlin’. It’ll be real nice to have some new blood in the arena.” Confident as the reigning owner of the award, she grinned and waltzed away.
Irene slapped the table. “Oh, they are going down. Three years is too long for the same place to win. It’s time for a new grand prizewinner. It’ll boost the morale of the town folks if a new float is declared champion. And it might as well be mine.”
Theo grinned. “I like this side of you, Ree. Full of spit and vinegar. I hate to break into your dreams of future glory, but if we can get back to the real world for a minute. I have another full day working on your shelves before I start on the storage closet tomorrow. Then I promise I’ll get to work researching parade floats.”
She leaned across the table, pinning him with the determined gleam in her eyes. “Not just parade floats, Theo, but floats that can win the Fourth of July Penelope Bottoms Grand Prize trophy. Now eat your lunch.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Not needing any more encouragement, he dug into his smothered steak.
Irene stood on the front porch of her childhood home and knocked on the front door. She called out, “Aunt Jo? Are you home?” Jo Anne Cunningham was the closest thing to a parent she’d ever known.
Irene’s real mother had given birth to her when she was seventeen. Her father wasn’t interested in having a baby, so when he left town her mother left with him. Irene was left with her grandmother. Grandma Grace had been sweet, but she was also old and in bad health. She died when Irene was seven. That’s when she went to live with her aunt and uncle. They had two kids of their own, and her uncle made it clear that taking Irene on to raise was a complication the family didn’t need. But her aunt tried to make her feel welcome, make her feel like part of the family. She loved her for that.
The small house she’d grown up in over in Derbyville boasted a fresh coat of paint and a nicely manicured front lawn these days. Irene had tried to convince her aunt to allow her to buy her a nicer house in a better neighborhood, but she always refused. Since the death of Irene’s uncle a few years back, Jo thought it was silly to live in anything bigger. The little three-bedroom cottage suited her just fine. Anything larger would just be more to take care of. Irene had offered to have a housecleaning service come in once a week, but Jo Anne seemed to resent the suggestion. Irene only wanted to help, but her aunt thought Irene was ashamed of where she came from.
That might have been true when she was growing up in this house. Even back then it was old and falling apart. And she never knew if she’d come home from school to find the electricity had been cut off or the phone disconnected because her uncle had used the money meant for utilities on one of his get-rich-quick schemes. Irene’s aunt worked hard to keep a roof over their heads, but her uncle believed in keeping his head in the clouds, dreaming of hitting the ever-elusive jackpot. Eddie Cunningham always thought his big break was around the next bend in the road. The idea of holding down a nine-to-five job that would help put food on the table paled next to that.
Irene was about to knock again when the door opened. “Hi, Aunt Jo. I had a meeting down at city hall and thought I’d see if you wanted to keep me company at lunch before I head home.” She knew she had to state it as if her aunt would be doing her a favor before she’d say yes.
Jo Anne Cunningham was a tall woman like Irene. It ran in the family. When she’d been a young woman, she’d been quite a beauty, too. Now her dark hair was cut into a short bob, showing a bit of gray, and a few wrinkles lined her face, but she still attracted the attention of the older men in town. “I wish you would have called, Irene. I look a mess.” She smoothed down her crisp pink button-down blouse over her neatly pressed gray slacks.
“You look fine. In fact, you always look fine. And when I call ahead of time you always make up some excuse not to go with me.”
Her aunt opened the screen door and invited her inside. “What makes you think I’m making them up? You aren’t the only one around here with a schedule, girly.”
“I know. You are busier than most people I know.” And she was. With all of her volunteer work she put in more hours now than she did before she retired from the law office she’d managed for forty-something years. “But you can’t blame me for wanting to spend time with you, can you? So, I thought I’d take my chances.”
Her aunt’s attitude seemed to soften. “Well, there is a new place over in Derbyville Square I’ve wanted to try. The Snooty Fox. They have English pub food, and Lila Gifford has been carrying on about the fish-and-chips to everyone who’ll listen. Seems her husband took her to England for their thirtieth anniversary so now she considers herself an expert on everything English.”
“Why don’t we plan a trip together somewhere sometime, Aunt Jo? Just me and you. It would be fun. Or maybe Bonnie and Carrie would want to go, too, if we timed it right. What do you think?” Bonnie and Carrie were her cousins, and Aunt Jo doted on them still.
“I think you need to slow down. Every time I make a simple remark about this or that, you try to turn it into a whoop-de-do major event. For one thing I don’t need to start gallivanting around the world at my age. Goodness gracious. And I’m sure you have better things to spend all that money of yours on.”
“I can’t think of anything better to spend it on. What’s the use of having it if I can’t make life easier?”
“My life is easy. It’s just fine, Irene. I’ve got a roof over my head, food in my pantry, and both my girls are healthy and happy. On top of that, you’re about to take me out to eat. Who could ask for more?”
Irene knew she wasn’t counted as one of her girls, and she also knew when to stop pushing. Now that the idea of a trip had occurred to her it seemed like a wonderful plan. At this point her aunt would resist any attempts at persuasion, but Carrie or Bonnie might be able to convince her. She made a note to call her cousins later.
The restaurant was charming and made a nice change from the hamburger joints and pizza parlors that filled Derbyville. They both ordered fish-and-chips, dousing them with malt vinegar, and even though they were stuffed, they shared bread pudding for dessert.
“How’s your wedding planning business going?”
Her aunt shared little interest in the various charity boards Irene served on, but since she’d mentioned her newest venture, she seemed unusually curious about the day-to-day details.
“Business is starting to pick up. This last weekend was Jake Jacobson and Marla Jean Bandy’s wedding, and I have several more scheduled this summer.”
“I think that’s wonderful, Irene. You’re using your talent to help people.”
Irene could read between the lines. What she meant was she wasn’t using Sven’s money. Aunt Jo had never come to terms with her marriage to Sven. Since his death, she still felt uncomfortable with all the money Irene had inherited. “I help people all the time, Aunt Jo.”
“Of course you do, but this is more personal. I’d be happy to help if you ever need another pair of hands.”
Irene was surprised and pleased. “You would? That would be a big help. I’m still putting together a staff that can be available to help regularly.”
“I think I’d enjoy it. So, keep me in mind. And you wouldn’t have to pay me, so that would be a savings right there.”
“The couples do pay me for my services, you know. It’s not a charity, so if you work for me, you will be paid for the work you do. No arguments.”
“Okay. We can settle that later. But it sounds like fun.”
“I’m having some work done at the office right now. Jake’s brother Theo is building some shelves for me. Maybe you’d like to come over next week and help me set up the displays.”
Irene’s aunt smiled. “I do have a good eye for design. Just
tell me when you want me to come by, and I’ll be there.”
Irene was ridiculously pleased at her aunt’s interest. “Okay. It’s a deal.”
“You mentioned Jakes’ brother, Theo? That’s not a name you hear every day. Wasn’t that the name of the boy you ran off with to Dallas after high school? The one you were engaged to? Good grief, the one you mooned over for months after you broke things off?”
Irene sighed. Her aunt had a memory like a steel trap, especially about things concerning her past transgressions. “Nothing gets by you, does it? Okay, it’s the same Theo. He was Jake’s best man so he had to come to Everson for the ceremony.”
Her aunt sat up straight in her chair. “Irene, are you telling me the first man you were ever engaged to is back in town and working for you? After all this time, he’s back in your life. Goodness, how do you feel about that?”
Irene shook her head. “He’s not back in my life. He’s passing through at most. He’ll be in Everson for a couple of weeks, and then he’ll move on to some new adventure.”
“So, it’s no big deal.” Her aunt raised her eyebrows and studied her curiously.
Irene shrugged and ducked her head. She could never hide much from her. In fact, she was one of the few people she’d confided in when she broke things off with Theo. “Seeing Theo again has brought up some memories, but it was a long time ago. We have both had interesting lives since those days, and neither of us have been walking around heartbroken. Theo’s behavior has been very civilized.”
“Civilized? Is that what you want?” Her aunt’s smile was uncharacteristically wicked.
“Aunt Jo, really.” Irene blushed because she couldn’t deny the feelings he still inspired.
“I’m not convinced you ever stopped loving that boy.”
Irene raised her chin stubbornly. “I married Sven, and he was a wonderful husband.”
“But you didn’t love him. Not like a woman should love a man.” Aunt Jo Anne didn’t mince words.
Irene closed her eyes. This was a discussion they’d had before, and Irene wasn’t going to explain why she’d married Sven. If her aunt knew the truth, she would be even more upset. “Don’t start on Sven, please.”
“Sven was a nice man, but he was old enough to be my father, much less your husband.”
“Yes, you’ve never hidden the way you felt about him, but he’s gone now, and he left me with a great responsibility.”
“He left you with lots of money. The one thing you always believed would make you happy.”
“You make me sound so coldhearted. His money continues to do a lot of good in this county. I won’t apologize for being proud of that.”
“I’m not criticizing, but if that man hadn’t had money, you wouldn’t have agreed to become his child bride.”
Her aunt had no idea. “Okay, we are rehashing old territory now. We are never going to agree on this point. Are you ready to go?”
Jo reached across the table and took Irene’s hand in hers. The show of affection was unusual and took Irene off guard. “Listen, I won’t say another word about Sven Cornwell. But you promise me that you’ll make sure that Theo doesn’t disappear again until you find out if there is anything still there.”
“Oh, you are impossible. When did you turn into such a romantic? What I’m going to do is concentrate on my new business, and if you are serious about helping, I’ll be glad to put you to work.”
“I have lots of good ideas for decorations.” Aunt Jo smiled. “Weddings are just the loveliest occasions. Just give me a theme, and I’ll bet I can come up with some fabulous designs.”
Irene nodded. “I’ll bet you can, but first I have to come up with a theme for my parade float. Why don’t you help me think about that?”
“A float for the Fourth? You’ve never done one before, have you?”
“No, this will be for I Do, I Do.”
“You know, that sounds like a great project. Okay, I’m going to put on my thinking cap.”
“You can ride on it too if you’d like. After all, you’ll officially be part of my staff.”
“Me? On the float? Lila Gifford would be green with envy. But oh, I don’t think so. Really?” Her aunt was clearly flustered.
Irene grinned at her aunt’s mixture of enthusiasm and caution. “We can decide on the details later. Let me take you home now. I have another meeting this afternoon.”
Chapter Ten
Theo sailed through the clear blue summer sky. He needed to clear his head, and flying was the best way he knew how to do that. Working so close with Irene the past few days had stirred up a thousand buried memories. Memories he’d refused to relive over the years, but now they came to him unbidden at unsuspecting moments. When he was awake, when he was asleep, and any state in between. Old memories haunted him.
He remembered the day they’d finally found an apartment in Dallas they thought they could afford. Irene had been excited, jumping around like a little kid. It was a shabby two-bedroom place with one bath and a tiny kitchen that was so small they had to take turns opening the refrigerator and oven door to inspect them. None of that mattered to him, either, because he would be sharing it with Ree.
He’s done a good job of keeping his feelings for her hidden. Especially since he knew without a doubt that he was nowhere on her radar when it came to anything romantic. She considered him a buddy, a friend, a nice guy to split the rent with. And he was happy to be that guy.
In fact, he was more than happy. He was out of Derbyville, and Irene, like no one else, understood what that meant for him. She had aspirations of her own, too. They would both attend the junior college and work part-time. When she got the job waitressing at the country club, she made a joke about finding a rich husband, but he never took her seriously. He knew she was serious about getting through college with a business degree and making enough money to help her family. Working hard to secure a stable economic future was the thing that drove her.
And he understood that.
Theo approached the Everson airport and made an effortless landing. He taxied over to the hangar and saw Nell Harcourt standing outside. He’d done his best to steer clear of her since their date at Lu Lu’s, but Everson was too small to avoid her completely.
He climbed out of the plane and greeted her neutrally as he passed. “Nell.”
She smiled like they were old friends. “Hi, Theo. I’ve wanted a chance to talk to you.”
“Oh? I thought we’d said all there was to say.” He kept walking, but she trotted along at his side.
“I should start by apologizing. I have a tendency to run my mouth too much.”
He raised his eyebrows, not disagreeing.
She tried making a joke. “Not that it’s an excuse, but with Bertie for a mom, I come by it naturally.”
He kept walking.
She seemed determined to keep talking. “So, like I said, I want to apologize for the things I said about Mrs. Cornwell.”
Theo sighed. “Maybe you’d like to say that to her instead of me.”
Nell nodded in agreement. “You’re right. I’ll do that next time she comes into the diner.”
He was almost to the airfield office. “Really? She said you warned her about breaking my heart or some garbage like that just the other day.”
She tugged on his arm until he stopped. “I don’t know what comes over me. I get all protective when you’re around. That’s why I told you all those stories about her in the first place.”
“You’re protecting me. From Irene.” He stopped and laughed in her face. “That’s the most convoluted excuse for spreading rumors I ever heard.”
She made a pleading face. “So, can we start over?”
He started walking again. He didn’t have time for this. “We never started, Nell.”
She dogged his heels. “And that’s my fault.”
He stopped and faced her. “Look. I’m only here for a couple of weeks, so I’ll make a deal with you.”
She lit
up like a streetlamp. “What’s that?”
“You stop spreading lies about Irene, and I won’t cross to the other side of the street when I see you.”
“Wow, you’re really upset with me, aren’t you?” She seemed confounded by his attitude.
He was on a roll now, so he kept preaching. “You need to remember you are talking about real human beings when you open your mouth, Nell.”
“You are so right, Theo. I’m going to reform my ways.”
He looked at her skeptically. “What are you doing out here at the airfield, anyway?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not stalking you. The empty hangar over there is where we build our parade floats.”
“Is that so? Can I take a look? And who is ‘we’?”
She took off, waving at him to follow. “Sure, come and have a look. Everyone’s in the basic foundation stage, so no one will think you’re a spy.”
He stopped. “You’re kidding, right? Why would anyone think I’m a spy?”
She turned to face him. “It’s no secret you are helping Mrs. Cornwell with her float this year. Folks around here take the competition for the Penelope Bottoms trophy very seriously, so I would never kid about a thing like that.”
He started walking again toward the hangar, and before he reached the door he could hear the sound of hammering, sawing, and good-natured banter filling the air. He walked inside and saw ten floats in various stages of construction lining the walls. He waved at Larry Binnion from the lumberyard. Hoot and Dooley supervised the work on a float toward the back of the hangar. He didn’t recognize anyone else.
Nell stopped by his side and proudly pointed out the Rise-N-Shine float in the front. “We are going to have a kick-ass float this year.”
Right now it didn’t look like much. Theo noted the basic structure for future use. “Your mom was showing off the trophy last time I was in the diner. She seemed determined to win it again.”
“Of course she is, but I admit, it’s getting harder to top myself every year. I’m expected to come up with bigger and better ideas every year. I’m still ironing out the details, but we’ll get there. Do you know what Irene’s planning?”