by Molly Cannon
“I don’t like the idea of leaving while he’s still here.”
“I can handle Charlie. And I’ll call you later so we can discuss the rest of the work on the float.”
“You know we have more to discuss than the damned float.” He opened the bathhouse door and went inside.
She found one of her long terry cloth robes and wrapped it around her bikini-clad body. She didn’t want to deal with Charlie without having a lot more coverage.
Theo walked out dressed in his jeans and T-shirt. He walked over to where she was sitting at a poolside table. He didn’t look happy. “Because you asked me nicely I’m going, but if I don’t hear from you in the next couple of hours, I’ll be back up this hill knocking on your door.”
“That’s not necessary, Theo.”
“Consider it a favor to your old fiancé.”
“I’ll call. Now just go, please. It will be better if Charlie doesn’t see you again.”
“You got that right. It will be better for his health. Next time I won’t be so gentle.” And with that last warning, he leaned down and kissed her one more time.
She watched him roar off in his pickup truck, and her fingers covered her lips, savoring his taste. She was in big trouble where Theo was concerned, but for now she had to go inside and deal with Charlie.
When someone breaks up with you when you’re away from home, there is a big disconnect. All your memories are happy ones, so it doesn’t make sense. Theo couldn’t remember anything bad about the time he’d been with Ree. They’d moved into that apartment, and for him it had been like playing house. Except in the beginning they hadn’t shared a bedroom. She had been very clear that they were strictly roommates. But he was already madly in love with her, so he had agreed. They’d shopped for groceries together, counting their change and coupons to scrape up enough food for the week. They cleaned the apartment together every Sunday like clockwork. She would tie a bandanna around her head and attack the bathroom like a woman possessed. He would vacuum and whistle while she worked around him. They were happy days. At least he thought so. And the night she finally crawled into his bed blew every other day and night they’d shared together out of the water.
They’d argued over what show to watch on their little portable TV that evening. She wanted to watch a movie, and he wanted to watch baseball. It was all so silly, but he’d stormed off to his bedroom to do homework. He could hear the movie in the other room. It was a love story, which irritated him even more. She would moon around about some romantic movie for days, but she never even noticed how he suffered for her. But why would she? He was careful to keep his unrequited feelings to himself.
He’d barely dozed off when she’d knocked lightly on his door. He pretended to be asleep. By morning he’d be able to handle things with new resolve. Instead of going off to her own room, she’d opened the door and stuck her head inside.
“Theo, are you awake? I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I hate it when we fight.” He didn’t answer, but she came farther and farther into the room until she was standing right beside his bed. “Theo?”
She’d reached out, touching his shoulder, and then crawled onto the bed beside him. She was on top of the covers, but her head rested on his chest and his arms naturally went around her, pulling her close. Having her so close lying in his arms was a dream come true. But it didn’t change the way she thought of him, so he reined in his rampaging hormones and tried to go back to sleep. Ree seemed to have other plans. She kissed him. Not a good buddy peck on the cheek, but the real thing, and the top of his head blew off.
Kicking off the blanket that separated them, he kissed her back, rolling onto his side so they faced each other. “Ree? What are you doing?” He pulled back to read her intentions and maybe protect his heart before she could break it, but she threw one of her legs over his and burrowed into him until all space between their bodies was erased. When she kissed him again, he stopped asking any questions. Hell, he was eighteen years old, and the girl he’d loved for years was in his bed.
After that they not only shared the apartment, but a bed as well. When they were together, they couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other. A simple glance while doing homework could turn into tearing off all their clothes without warning. Theo remembered it as a hot and heavy and intense time. Not to mention the happiest days of his life. But it wasn’t all about the sex. They’d been good friends before, and they were better friends now. So when they talked about the future, they said “we” and “us.” And they laughed about growing old together, though marriage wasn’t mentioned. They were still so young, and they were still in school with things to accomplish. But life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it. And this one changed everything. For both of them.
After getting dressed, Irene found Charlie sitting at the kitchen table wearing dry clothes and drinking a beer. He looked chastened, but she would expect an explanation before buying his act. And it better be a damned good one.
“I put my suitcase in one of the extra bedrooms. I hope you don’t mind.”
“So, you plan on staying? It’s a little late to care if I mind, isn’t it? What is going on, Charlie? I haven’t heard from you in ages. And now you barge in here and embarrass me and my friend.”
“He looked like more than a friend.” His tone was sullen.
“What he is doesn’t concern you, but for the record, I’m entitled to have someone that’s more than a friend, too, if that’s what I want. Your father has been gone for a long time now.”
He held out a hand in her direction. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to him too if that will help.”
Irene didn’t want his apologies. “Just tell me why you’re here.”
He looked embarrassed. “I got fired.”
“Charlie? How many jobs is that now?” He’d always struck her as one of those men who thought he should start at the top without having to work his way up through the ranks. Maybe it was the curse of having a rich father who paved the way for him his entire life. Now that his father was dead, he was having trouble figuring things out on his own.
“I don’t know. Lately, I’ve screwed things up and I know it.”
Irene was amazed he was making this confession to her. He’d never been happy with his father’s choice of a second wife, but while his father was alive, he kept his opinions to himself.
“So why come here?”
“I was hoping you’d give me a job.” He smiled nervously like he’d wandered out onto a scrawny branch of a tree.
“A job?” She was surprised. She’d been expecting him to ask for a handout.
He nodded and launched into a spirited pitch. “I have some experience working with foundations. I’m a lawyer after all. I wouldn’t expect to be a voting voice, but I know it was important to my father. Maybe it’s time I respected his wishes and got involved.”
Irene sat down at the table, not sure what to think. If he was really interested, she’d welcome him with open arms. Sven expressed more than once his disappointment that his son showed no interest in carrying out what he’d started. Sven would have been so pleased to have Charlie aboard. But if he was just using this as a port in the storm while he found something more worthy of his time and attention, then she didn’t want any part of it.
“Let me think about it and talk to the board. I don’t even know where you’d start. But in the meantime, you are welcome to stay here for a few days while we figure it out.”
He smiled, looking genuinely grateful. “Thanks, Irene. After this afternoon, it’s more than I deserve.”
“Yeah, I haven’t forgiven you for that stunt yet.” She got up, leaving him sitting at the table. “I’m going out for a while. Make yourself at home.”
For reasons that didn’t make sense, she felt the need to discuss the situation with Theo. She wished she could discuss it with Sven.
She’d become acquainted with Sven while working at the country club. He was a regular on
the golf course and many times would end his day by eating at the club. She’d waited on him a few times, and they’d chat a bit. He’d always been polite and respectful, not to mention a generous tipper.
And then she’d gotten a call saying her aunt Jo was sick. She needed an operation and didn’t have insurance that would cover the necessary treatment. It made Irene furious that her aunt worked so hard, but couldn’t afford to be sick. Her cousins were both still in high school, and both were scared. Aunt Jo was the rock of the family. And while some people show their character under duress, Uncle Eddie completely lost it. Instead of getting a second job or doing anything remotely helpful, he started drinking. Irene had missed so much school going home to try to help, she was afraid she would fail the semester.
Irene had finished her shift at the country club and was sitting at an empty table in the back corner of the dining room, trying to find the energy to go home to her empty apartment. Her cousin Bonnie had called that afternoon, upset because her mother insisted on going back to work even though she could barely sit up for more than an hour at a time. Irene felt overwhelmed and helpless. The tears she’d fought to hold back for so long finally fell. For her aunt, for her cousins, for herself, for Theo. He’d been gone several months at this point, and she’d written a letter, breaking things off with him. Giving him his freedom had seemed like the sensible thing to do. So now as usual, she faced her problems all alone.
Sven stopped at her table, and she’d tried to smile, wipe the tears away before she embarrassed herself, but he sat down and handed her his handkerchief. “Is there anything I can do to help?” His voice had been kind and sincere.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Cornwell. I could lose my job, and that’s the last thing I need.”
“I have a little pull around here. No one is going to fire you. Now what’s wrong?”
Before she knew it, she’d told him about her aunt and school. She stopped short of telling him about Theo because that was all over now. The two of them talked for hours, and though nothing was solved, just getting it all off her chest made her feel better when she finally went home.
A couple of days later she got a call from her aunt saying that the law firm she worked for had come up with a bonus that would cover her medical bills. It was a miracle, but she couldn’t believe it. Things were going to be okay.
Irene couldn’t believe it, either. After all the pain and worry they’d suffered through, her aunt was going to get the surgery she needed. When she saw Mr. Cornwell at the club, he’d had a certain twinkle in his eye when he asked about her aunt that made her suspicious.
Suddenly the big miracle made sense. “What did you do, Mr. Cornwell?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” He sat down his iced tea and straightened the napkin on his lap.
She pushed him for answers. “I think you do. The question is why? You barely know me.”
He said kindly, “I saw a problem I could fix, so I did.”
“We can’t accept your money,” she insisted stubbornly. She didn’t know how she was going to break the news to her aunt.
Mr. Cornwell looked at her with sad eyes. “Money is the one thing I have in abundance, Irene. Sharing it with others is one of the few pleasures I have left in this life.”
“I can try to pay you back, then.” Irene didn’t like the idea of owing him.
“There are no strings, Irene. I don’t want the money back. I want your aunt to get healthy, and I want to see a smile on that lovely face of yours again.”
“There must be something I can do for you.” She didn’t have a clue what that might be, but she was willing to try.
“If I think of something, I’ll let you know.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
A few months later he asked her to marry him.
Chapter Thirteen
Theo stood in front of the counter inside city hall, reading the name tag of the clerk. “Good afternoon, Carlotta. I need an application for a permit to build a parade float, please.” He figured he’d take care of this little piece of business while he waited to hear from Ree. Otherwise, he’d find himself driving back up her long steep driveway to check on her whether she invited him or not.
Carlotta Todd, the middle-aged woman behind the counter patted her flaming red hair and peered at him curiously over her glasses. “Oh, well, let’s see now. Will that be for a business, a community organization, or for some kind of personal expression?”
“The city has categories?”
“Certainly. Every year besides the high school bands and the commercial enterprises, we have a few entries from folks who like to show off their juggling or some such talent. A few years back Hogan Farley set his float on fire when his fire-eating endeavor went wrong. Now, for safety reasons, we have to keep a tighter rein on applications.” She smiled, pleased at the city’s efforts.
“Was anyone hurt?”
“Oh no, but the fire scared Grant Tucker’s horse, and he reared up and knocked over the lemonade cart. Hogan escaped without a blister, but he had to pay for all the damages. It was a quite a boondoggle.”
“Well, this application is for a nice, quiet business. No fire eating involved. Irene Cornwell’s I Do, I Do. Her new wedding planning business?”
“Oh, of course. I attended my niece’s wedding. Mrs. Cornwell did a lovely job.”
“Great. So, anyway, I’m building her float, and I was told I needed a permit.”
“Well, between you and me and the ten-foot lamppost, I honestly don’t think you need to bother.”
His first reaction was to defend Irene and her right to participate in the parade like anyone else in town. His indignation was clear as he spoke. “If it’s because you don’t think we can compete with the Rise-N-Shine Diner, think again. We plan to give them a run for their money this year.”
Carlotta seemed startled by his vehemence. She reached out and patted his hand. In a voice one would use to soothe a snarling dog, she said, “Goodness, son, I hope you do.”
Theo was caught short. “You do? Well, then what’s the problem?”
“Oh, there’s no problem. If you want to go through all the bother to fill out paperwork, knock yourself out. I just don’t think it’s necessary. That’s all.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Well, if you hadn’t noticed, Irene Cornwell’s late husband’s name is on half the parks and buildings in town.”
“I hadn’t noticed, but what does that have to do with anything. If all of the other floats need permits, why wouldn’t Mrs. Cornwell’s?”
“I take it you’re new around here?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Otherwise, you’d know without asking that if it wasn’t for Sven Cornwell, we wouldn’t have a parade at all. Leastways, not on the grand scale that we do now.”
“You wouldn’t? Why not?”
“Because until he died, he provided the money for the whole shebang. The parade, the picnic, even the fireworks.”
“You’re kidding. I thought all towns funded their local celebrations through taxes or business contributions.”
“No sirree. Not in our case. And since Sven died, his foundation has carried on in his footsteps like a trooper. Sven was born here, and the town owes him a lot. So, I figure if his wife wants a float in the parade, there’s not a soul in Everson that would turn her down.”
Theo was stunned. He knew her late husband had money, but he didn’t know how much. The man had played benefactor to the whole town. He wasn’t sure what to make of it. “I’ll go ahead and do the paperwork just to be on the safe side. Is that okay, Carlotta?”
She opened a file and pulled out a form. “Sure, here you go. I guess sticking to the rules is a good idea. Just drop it back by when you’re finished. And good luck.”
He took the form and folded it in half. “Thanks, I appreciate your help.”
Theo walked down the steps of city hall, and the muggy summertime heat h
it him in the face like a blast from a furnace. Taking a deep breath, he looked around the town square with new eyes. There was the Sven Cornwell Gazebo in the middle of everything. He wandered over and sat on a bench. It bore a plaque saying it had been donated by the Sven Cornwell Foundation. The building across the way was the Sven Cornwell Recreation Center. The community garden on the corner was named after none other than Irene’s late husband. How had he never noticed that before? He was surprised the town hadn’t been renamed in his honor while people were at it.
Theo hadn’t given it a lot of thought, but he’d had the odd notion that Irene started the wedding planning business because she was starting to run low on funds. After all, Sven had been dead for over five years. Even a large inheritance didn’t last forever. He’d been wrong apparently.
He got up from the bench and headed to his truck and drove to the house on Overbrook where he was camping out with Sadie. He could use a good run, and he knew Sadie would be raring to go after being inside all day. As he approached the house, he saw Irene’s Shelby sitting out on the street. She was sitting on the front steps. She came toward him as he got out of the truck.
He slammed the door to the pickup. “Hey, Irene, is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, but the world must be tilted on its axis.” She frowned, looking unhappy.
He took her arm and guided her back toward the house. “Why’s that?”
“Because I need some advice, and you are the only person I wanted to talk to. I must be crazy.” She seemed embarrassed by the idea.
He was unaccountably pleased. He noticed Sadie jumping up and down in the front window. “Hold on a minute. Sadie is going to bust through the glass if I don’t let her out.”
She laughed. “Oh, sure. We’ve been having a nice conversation while we were waiting for you.”
She waited while he opened the door. Sadie bounded out making a beeline for Theo. “How’s my girl? How’s my Sadie?” She bounced around sharing all of her doggy joy with Theo and Irene equally. “I was going to take her for a walk. She needs to work off some of this energy. Would you like to join us?”