by Nancy Mehl
I started to say no. If I could count on Sam to drive me back to get my car when the storm moved out, I would have said yes immediately. Eric noticed my hesitation.
“I’ll come back by in the morning when it’s light and drive you back into town. I can easily pull your car to your place if necessary. I’ve got a strong bumper and solid chains in the back bed. My cousin has a small car, too. I’m always pulling him out of snowdrifts.”
I decided to take him up on his offer. He seemed eager to help, and to be honest, I hate driving on snow and ice. Without giving it further thought, I agreed.
“Great,” he said with a smile. “Now let’s enjoy the rest of our meal.”
A few minutes later, Mary returned with Grant’s food. He thanked her, put a big tip on the table, and left. I watched as he made his way through the restaurant. He walked slowly past the Crandalls, his eyes locked on Drew. By the way his shoulders slumped, I knew he was discouraged. It wasn’t just because of the business deal he stood to lose. He and Evie must be having a tough time with Jared. It seemed to go in waves. I felt bad for them both.
“So this is the town you gave up your job for?” Eric said, interrupting my thoughts.
“Believe it or not. Of course, when I left, things weren’t all stirred up like this.”
“I guess you have me to thank for that.”
Eric ran his hand through his thick dark hair. I was struck once again by his boy-next-door looks. A slightly turned-up nose and steely blue eyes that made women turn their heads when he walked by. But Eric seemed totally oblivious to how good-looking he was.
“Don’t be silly. This deal is good for everyone. If I’d thought for a moment it would hurt Harmony, I would have said something. I still believe in this project.”
He grew silent and his forehead creased.
“What are you thinking?” I asked. I immediately regretted my words. An old boyfriend told me once that men hate to be asked what they’re thinking. “Most of the time we aren’t thinking anything,” he’d told me. “So quit asking.” We broke up not long after that.
“I can’t help but think about your friend—the older woman who spoke at the meeting.”
“Ida? Oh, goodness. I’m certain you noticed the way she dresses. She’s Old Order Mennonite. They don’t like change. I wouldn’t worry too much about her. Most everyone else disagreed with her.”
As I said the words, I felt disloyal to Ida, but I truthfully felt her allegiance to the “old ways” meant she would never be supportive of anything that could disrupt the status quo in Harmony.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Quite a few people seemed to respect her opinion.” He stopped eating and seemed to scrutinize me for several seconds. “You know, I’m not so sure she’s wrong, Gracie.”
I put my spoon down. “What do you mean? You’re not rethinking this project, are you?”
“No. Not really. It’s just that I understand the idea of protecting things that are important to you. I wouldn’t want our development to harm this little town in any way. You really do have a special place here.”
“But that’s just the point, isn’t it? We need some money coming into the community to keep Harmony going. Your development is just right. Not too big so as to change the complexion of the town, but big enough to undergird many of our businesspeople.” I found myself speaking with more passion than I thought I had. Several of the speakers at the meeting had made sense. And the same was true in my situation. Without the work from this project, I was in a heap of trouble.
Eric shrugged, but I saw the first spark of hope in his face since the meeting. “I pray you’re right. All I can do is keep going forward. First thing tomorrow I’m going to try to find Rand. If I can save the deal with him, I’ll do it. If I can’t, then we need to look for new property.”
“You said at the meeting that Rand’s was the only property that would work for your project.”
He polished off the last bite of his cheeseburger before answering me. “That’s right. But I’ll look again. And now that the word is out that we could lose the development, maybe someone else will be willing to sell.” He scanned the room until he saw Mary and waved his hand, trying to get her attention. “I think we need to get going. Even my truck has its limits. Let’s get you home. I’m tired, and I’m afraid the forty miles in front of me will be slow going. It hasn’t stopped snowing since we got here.”
I scooped up the last spoonful of chili while he and Mary settled the bill. I tried to offer to pay for my own meal, but he wouldn’t hear of it.
“I asked you to have dinner with me,” he said, his sky blue eyes twinkling. “Besides, just having you to talk to is worth a hundred bowls of chili.”
Mary laughed. “Now that is a compliment, Gracie. Especially when it’s my chili.”
I smiled at both of them. “Now on that, I have to agree. It was delicious, Mary. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And don’t forget to call me about that dinner. How about Monday night? It’s pretty slow here Mondays. I can close early.”
“Sounds great as long as we’re not both snowed in.”
She glanced out the window at the thick, fast-falling flakes. “Boy, you’ve got that right.” She took Eric’s money and started to rummage around in her apron pockets for change.
“Hey, just keep it,” Eric said. “Best cheeseburger I’ve had in a long time. It was worth much more than you charged me.”
Mary flashed Eric a coquettish grin that lit up her heart-shaped face. Even in the harsh, yellowish hue of the restaurant lighting, I was struck by her looks. Her long black hair glowed, and her dark eyes with their long, thick lashes sparkled. I felt washed out next to her. Her perfect, pale complexion was free of the freckles sprinkled across my nose. Most of the time I tried to hide them with makeup, but by the end of a long day, like today, they seemed to emerge from under their temporary camouflage. Some people in Harmony probably wondered why Sam ended his relationship with Mary to start one with me. A sudden flash of insecurity exploded inside me, and Mary’s chili seemed heavy and indigestible.
“I said, are you ready?” Eric’s voice caught my attention. Mary had already walked away, but I was still staring at her.
“Sorry. I guess I really am tired. Yes, I’m ready to go.”
I pulled on my coat and followed him to the door. Several customers stopped eating to watch us leave. I knew most of them, but some were strangers. I had no idea if their stares were for Eric or for the low-life baby deserter. Either way, they irritated me. By the time we made it to the front porch, my blood was boiling.
“You okay?” Eric asked.
I nodded. “I love Harmony, but one negative aspect of living in a small town is that everyone knows your business—or they think they do, anyway. It’s really starting to bug me.”
“Sorry if I’ve added to your stress.”
I turned to look at him. He seemed so concerned for me it stirred something deep inside. I needed Sam, but he wasn’t here. I was suddenly grateful Eric had come to Harmony.
“No. I’m glad you’re here. I just wish I could come up with a solution for you.”
“That’s not your job, Gracie. Please don’t worry about it.” He pointed across the street to his huge black truck. “Let’s get you home before you turn into a very lovely popsicle.”
He held out his arm and I took it. The street was icy, and Eric kept me upright more than once when my feet almost slipped out from underneath me. As we approached his truck, I realized for the first time that it was a Hummer. I’d seen them, but I’d never known anyone who had one. Eric held the passenger side door open for me and helped me climb up into the seat. It was made easier by a metal step that gave me a head start. Then he closed the door and went around to the driver’s side door. When he got inside I said, “Wow. This is a Hummer. I’ve never been inside one before.”
He started the engine and the heat came on almost immediately. “Your seat heats up, too. If you get too hot
, let me know.”
“Again, wow.” I couldn’t help but compare Eric’s Hummer to Sam’s old broken-down truck.
“Don’t be too impressed,” Eric said. “It’s not brand new. I bought it from a guy in Kansas City who’d lost his job and had no way to pay his mortgage. I think I paid more for it than it’s worth. I just had a new alarm installed, and now sometimes the engine won’t start. Most of the time I can fix it by wiggling a few wires around.” He grinned. “Real high-tech stuff.”
“Well, I still think it’s nice.” We weren’t even out of town yet, and I was already warm and toasty. Eric’s heater was much better than the one in Sam’s old truck.
We were silent the rest of the way home except for my occasional directions. I assumed Eric was thinking about his project. My thoughts centered around Sam. I had an internal battle going between my selfish side and the other part of me that loved him no matter what. But I had to wonder if it was enough. Would I be debating our relationship if I felt certain we were meant to be together? I was hurt by his request to spend a few days alone. I wanted to understand, but in truth, it just felt like rejection. I suddenly realized that Eric was turning onto the unpaved road that led to my house. Of course, now it was buried under so much snow I was amazed he found it. Especially since there were ditches on both sides.
“How in the world did you locate my driveway?” I asked. “Is there some kind of special Hummer radar that sees under snow?”
He laughed. “No. The snow dips down on both sides of your driveway. I assume those are ditches. It’s not that complicated.”
“Boy, you’re good. Sorry I wasn’t watching.”
He stopped the car and put it into park. “It might also have something to do with the super-duper headlights this thing has. Of course, any small animals caught in their beam are now permanently blind.”
“So when I see bunnies and squirrels running into each other, I’ll have you to thank?”
He grinned widely. “Yes, ma’am. Happy to serve.”
“Well, thanks again. I’m definitely glad I didn’t have to take my little car out in this. Not only would I have probably ended up in a ditch—the snow would have buried me in seconds. I might have been missing until next spring.”
Eric shook his head. “I doubt that. You’re the kind of girl someone would look for right away. You’d be missed.”
I felt my face flush, and it wasn’t because of the heated seat. “Um, thank you.” My hand fumbled for the door handle.
“Let me help you up your porch steps,” Eric said, turning off the engine and jumping out of the truck. He came around to my side and opened the door. “I would hate for anyone to find your frozen body during spring thaw.”
I laughed and thanked him, holding on to his arm while we tramped through the snow. Once we reached the door, I fumbled around in my purse until my fingers closed over my keys. “I’d ask you to come in,” I said as I unlocked the door, “but I know you need to get to Council Grove.”
“You’re right. Maybe some other time. I’ll be back in the morning, and we’ll fetch your car.” He turned to leave but stopped halfway down the stairs and looked back at me. “Thanks, Gracie. For everything. Most of all for just being there.”
The light from my living room bathed his face in a soft glow. The sincerity in his handsome features made me catch my breath. “You’re very welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I watched as he followed the path we’d made through the snow all the way back to his truck. Then I closed the door and leaned against it. Was I having feelings for Eric? Was I comparing him to Sam? Emotions tumbled around inside me like numbers in a bingo basket, and I couldn’t hold back a sob. I wanted to go back in time somehow—grab Sam and hold on to him as hard as I could. But after the way he’d ignored me tonight, I was beginning to wonder if he had already slipped away.
Chapter Six
I’d hung up my coat and put a kettle on for tea when a knock on the front door startled me. Who in the world would be stopping by on a night like this? As I hurried toward the insistent pounding, hope sprang up in my heart that Sam had come to apologize. To talk out our situation. I flung the door open expectantly. Eric stood there looking cold, wet, and extremely embarrassed.
“I’m so sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t get my stupid truck started. Can I come in for a while? I’ll try it again in a little bit.”
I held the door open. “Of course. Get in here before you freeze to death. Have you been out there all this time?”
When he came inside, I could see him trembling.
“Yes. I really didn’t want to bother you.”
“Oh, for crying out loud, Eric,” I scolded. “I think it would have bothered me more to find your corpse in my front yard.”
In spite of his obvious discomfort, he laughed. “Stupid Hummer. I had my eye on a Jeep. I should have bought it instead.”
I helped him off with his overcoat. “Take off your boots and set them on the small rug in front of the door.”
He leaned over and pulled off his boots. His socks were soaked. He frowned. “Seems as if I have defective boots as well as a defective vehicle.”
“I think you’d better remove those socks, too. I’ll get you a dry pair that will make your feet feel better.”
“That would be quite an accomplishment since I can’t feel them at all.” As he slowly pulled off his socks, he reached out a hand and placed it on my shoulder for balance. His toes were bright red.
“Oh, wow. Come over here and sit on the couch. I’ll get a fire going.” My uncle’s unused fireplace had originally been covered by a bookcase. Sam had shown it to me when he was working on the heat and electricity. He’d cleaned it out so I could use it. Benjamin had relied on a cast-iron stove to heat the living room, but with the new gas heating system, I’d had it removed. I guided Eric to the couch and covered him with one of Mama Essie’s quilts. Then I took some logs out of the wooden bin Sam had made for me, placed them in the holder, added some kindling, and lit one of the long matches kept on top of the mantel. “While the fire gets going, I’ll make you something hot to drink.” I smiled at him. “Are you a coffee, tea, or cocoa kind of guy?”
He chuckled. “Hot cocoa in front of a fire sounds like a slice of heaven. Are you sure you want to go to all that trouble?”
“I’m sure. You stay cozy. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Before I left the room, I moved his coat, socks, and boots near the fire to dry.
As I prepared our cocoa, my emotions swung back and forth between being glad Eric was here—and being uneasy Eric was here. We were just acquaintances through work—nothing more. Why did I feel guilty? I stirred the powdered cocoa into the bottom of a pan along with the sugar and a little milk, making a paste. Since my electricity was still a little iffy, Sam had told me to wait on a microwave. However, I had to admit that I’d grown to enjoy my hot chocolate prepared the old-fashioned way. I even liked popcorn popped in a pan on the stove better than the microwave stuff.
I added the rest of the milk and stood next to the pan, stirring it so it wouldn’t burn. What if Sam drove by and saw Eric’s truck here? What would he think? Had Ida looked out her window and seen Eric’s giant Hummer next to my house? Would she think we were up to something? I shook my head. Why was I worried? Wouldn’t my real friends know better? I couldn’t hold back a harsh laugh. Sure, just like they knew I’d never drop off my baby on the church steps.
The milk started to bubble, so I removed it from the burner and turned off the heat. As I poured the hot chocolate into two cups, I made up my mind. Sam and Ida—in fact, the entire town of Harmony—would just have to think whatever they wanted. I couldn’t control them. And I couldn’t live my life worrying about what they thought or didn’t think.
I found some marshmallows in the pantry, plopped them into the cups, and carried them out to the living room. Eric appeared to be comfy on the couch. Snickle sat on his lap, looking as happy as that spoiled cat could possi
bly look.
“Oh, Eric. I’m so sorry.” I glared at my furry feline friend. “You get down off of there, Snickle, or I’ll put you in your carrier.”
“No, please,” Eric pleaded. “He’s a great cat. I think we’re bonding.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m certain. He’s purring, and if I could purr, I’d join him.” He frowned at me. “What did you call him? Did you say ‘Snickle’?”
“Yes. It’s short for Snicklefritz. It’s my father’s pet name for me. I decided to give it to the cat as a way to discourage my dad from using it for his daughter. Especially in public.”
Eric grinned. “Snicklefritz. I like it.”
I held one of the cups up in the air. “If you want this hot chocolate, you will promise right this minute that you will never call me that.”
He laughed and put one hand over his heart. “I give you my word, I will never, ever call you Snicklefritz. Even under pain of torture.”
“Well, I’m not sure just who would want to torture you to find out my nickname, but I’ll accept your promise anyway.”
I put his cup on the table in front of him and sat down in the rocking chair. “I must say, you look pretty comfortable.”
He sighed. “I am. This has been a very stressful day. Dealing with Rand, the meeting, the truck not starting. This is the first moment of peace I’ve had.”
“I’m sorry everything has turned out so badly. I wish I could do something to help you.”
“Thanks, but you’re doing that right now.” He took a sip from his cup. “Wow. That’s delicious. My grandmother used to make cocoa that tasted like this. Now she makes the instant stuff just like everyone else.”
I smiled. “If I had a microwave, I’d probably be doing the same thing. But I really do think this is better.”
Eric put his cup down and his expression grew serious. “Gracie, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”
“Go ahead. My life is an open book.”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I noticed you and Sam at the meeting. Things seemed, I don’t know…”