by Diana Tobin
“Your Stan practically turns himself inside out to do all he can for you. He’d probably be happier out in the woods cutting down trees than inside that mill all day supervising others. He does it because he knows that’s what you want. Appreciate what, and who, you’ve got, Cathy. You’re luckier than you know.” Nettie pushed up from her chair. “And, be nice to Web and the people he’s bringing to our town. He’s not helping just himself, he’s helping all of us.”
Cathy’s lip quivered as a look of shame came over her face. “Do I really treat people like that? Am I that mean?”
“Yes,” Nettie said without hesitation. “If you stopped to think before speaking you wouldn’t say half the things you do. Especially when it concerns Joe’s family. Thirty years is a long time to carry a grudge over a high school crush, and you shouldn’t use your position as mayor to get even for it.” Nettie’s lips thinned and she gave Cathy a stern look. “Grow up and move on, or I’ll see you out of office.”
Tears spilled down her rounded cheeks. “Nettie,” Cathy spoke quietly. “Thank you…for still being my friend. I didn’t realize anyone knew how I used to feel about Joe. I…didn’t understand why he couldn’t see me.” She drew a deep shuddering breath. “I’ve let those old feelings control me for too long. A stupid habit. It’s not as if I love Joe, or ever really did.”
“Who understands how love works?” Nettie patted Cathy’s shoulder. “Some people just instantly click, while others are blind to what someone feels.”
“Is that the problem with you and Wil?”
“Me and Wil?” Nettie frowned. “Wil and I…are friends. I’ve never thrown myself at Wil.”
Cathy drained the last of her latte and gathered up her things, preparing to leave. “One of you is blind and it isn’t Wil.” Smoothing down her jacket, she added, “Open your eyes my friend the next time you see him. And,” she winked at Nettie, “throw yourself at the man. I guarantee he’ll catch you.”
****
Ethan paced the length of the porch while Web tended the grill and Gusta relaxed on the swing with three-year-old Noah. It was this time of year Gusta and Web first met. She’d been at the lowest point in her life, but Web, and his love, had turned all that around for her. She was filled with love for her husband, her son, the family she’d gained, the friends she’d made, the place she now called home, and the new life growing within her.
Gusta looked up and met Web’s loving gaze, knowing they were both thinking chances were good Noah had been conceived on the very swing where mother and son perched. She smiled at her husband, knowing she needed to tell him her news tonight, when they were finally alone. Chances were very good the child she now carried had also been conceived on this swing.
A chuckle escaped before she could catch it. There would not be another night-time rendezvous on the swing with hockey players in the house the next few months. Another giggle escaped.
“You think this is funny?” Ethan demanded. “That woman is bat sh—uh, she’s crazy.” He plowed a hand through his hair.
“No, it’s not funny,” Gusta soothed. “Well, actually, it is.” She grinned at her husband’s new coach. “I don’t believe anyone has ever walked away from Catherine before. Certainly not in the middle of a showing.”
“That’s just it. She wouldn’t show me anything I asked for. If I’d had my own car, I’d’ve left her and found my own way back to town.”
Web laughed. “I’d pay money to see that.”
Ethan’s shoulders relaxed and a grin crept across his lips. “You should’ve seen her face when I refused to get back in her car and called Gusta. Red as her little jacket.”
“Little? Catherine?”
“Be nice, Web,” Gusta admonished. “Catherine is a…full figured woman.” Both men sort of “hmm’d”, but didn’t say a word. “By the time I got there, she was hiding in her car.” She looked up at Ethan. “At least she waited for me to get there. She didn’t abandon you.”
“She was probably hoping you wouldn’t show up and I’d buy that wreck of a place just to get a ride back to town.” He moved over to a cushioned chair, stretched his legs in front of him, and began kneading his left thigh. “Thanks for finding the house for me, Gusta. It’ll work fine once I get furniture in it. Thanks, both of you, for housing my guys until I’ve got beds for them.”
“I had a feeling the Brewer place was what you were looking for, and they’re glad to have it rented. As for the guys,” she waved a hand around, “it will get us in practice for having a full house. I’m glad it’s warm enough some of the kids can sleep in the basement, unless they want to camp out in the yard.”
Ethan gazed out over the lake, thinking his friends were lucky to have this view. Maybe, if he decided to stay in Webster, he’d think about a place on the water. “How many kids are you going to host?”
“Truthfully, Ethan, between you and us we need to take in any we can’t find host families for,” Web said. “I’d like only two, just to make less work for Gusta. Noah keeps us both on our toes. But, I’m not about to turn away anyone because we can’t find a place for him.”
“Fine with me,” agreed Ethan.
“Food’s ready,” Web announced. “Honey, where do you want us to eat?”
Gusta rose from the swing, bringing little Noah with her before plopping him down in Ethan’s lap. “You keep an eye on this guy, while I bring out the plates. Let’s eat out here. The boys can sit on the porch or the yard. Where ever they want.”
She went in the house to gather what was needed while Web announced dinner to the players.
Ethan and Noah stared at each other. Brown eyes to hazel-green. “What do you say, buddy?”
“Skate. Noah skate.” The little boy nodded his strawberry blond head in emphasis.
“Just like your dad.” He grinned. “Might as well start sometime. Be careful of those damn blades.”
“What are you teaching my son?” Gusta demanded.
“Uh-oh. Busted.”
Noah grinned at his new friend. “Dam, dam, dam.”
Ethan looked like he wanted to crawl under the porch as Web tried not to laugh. “Come on, son, let’s get you some supper. Go ahead, guys,” he said to the hockey players. “Grab a plate.”
Gusta turned a stern look on Ethan, but couldn’t hide the twinkle in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Miz Augusta,” his southern drawl came out. “I’m not used to being around lil’ ears.”
Gusta leaned down closer to Ethan. “You should’ve seen me back pedal when Noah called his grandpa a nice son-of-a-bitch.” She grinned at him. “Come eat. Try to watch what you say, please.”
“Yes’m.” The Websters had a nice way about them. They made him feel welcome, calmed him down from the mayor’s behavior, and accepted him, as is, without making him feel useless or needing to be coddled. Ethan began to think he’d made the right decision in coming to Maine.
CHAPTER FOUR
Mike pulled the truck and trailer to a stop in front of Moose-ley Coffee, thankful to find an easy place to park. Most people were heading home to supper, not stopping for coffee to get them there. Her mother might be at home, but it was easier to stop and check.
“Don’t tell me we have to live here,” Dani demanded.
“No, we aren’t living here,” snapped Mike. She rubbed at her temples before speaking more evenly. “I’m not sure where Mom is. Since her shop is on the way to her house, we’ll check here.”
“I’m not getting out.” Dani popped her ear buds back in and ignored Mike and Charley.
“Can I come with you?”
“Of course, sweetie,” Mike smiled down at Charley. Taking the keys with her, Mike slid out of the truck then helped out her youngest. Holding hands they went around the front of the truck and approached the door to Moose-ley Coffee. A closed sign sat in the window, but Mike tried the door anyway. When it opened, they stepped inside with Mike calling out, “Hello.”
“Micki?” Pans rattled before a bal
l of energy came bustling from the back room. “Micki! You’re here, baby.” Arms spread wide, Nettie dashed across the room to enfold Mike into a huge hug. “Let me look at you.” Keeping her arms around her daughter, Nettie leaned back enough to view Mike’s face. “You’re too thin, and look tired.”
Mike laughed and hugged her mother tight. “It felt like a very long trip. And, I have no doubt you’ll fatten me up too much, all too soon.” Giving her mother one last squeeze, she stepped back, placing her hands on Charley’s shoulders. “Mom, this is my daughter, Charley.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” the little girl said politely, looking up at the older woman. “You look like Momma.”
A smile spread across Nettie’s face. “I’ll take that as a compliment because I’ve always thought my Micki was a beauty.”
A frown marred Charley’s brow. “What should I call you?”
Nettie’s eyes widened then, she smiled. “How about you call me Grammie?”
“Really?” she whispered.
“Really,” stated Nettie, gathering the child in for a hug. “Welcome home.” With her arms still wrapped around Charley she met Mike’s gaze. “Where’s Charley’s sister?”
“In the truck.” Mike gestured over her shoulder.
“She’s pouting,” put in Charley.
“Dani hasn’t taken to the idea of moving,” added Mike.
Nettie patted Charley’s back before jamming her hands on her hips. “Well, she’ll just have to get over that. You girls need to be here with family.” She cupped Charley’s chin in one hand. “You’ll make friends in no time.” Meeting Mike’s gaze, she said, “Let’s get you girls home and settled. You must be hungry.”
“It smells good in here.”
Nettie laughed as she headed for the back room. “I was prepping for tomorrow morning. You have Micki—uh—your mom, bring you down for breakfast. Fresh blueberry muffins and hot chocolate will be a good way to start your day.”
Charley slipped her hand into Mike’s. “Can we, Momma?”
“Sure. Grammie makes the best blueberry muffins.” Stepping to the doorway of the back room, she asked, “Do you want to ride with us?”
“No, you girls go ahead. Just pull into the yard. I’ll be right along.”
“Okay. See you in a few.”
****
“Are we done with the happy homecomings?” sneered Dani as Mike and Charley got into the truck.
Mike wanted to beat her head against the steering wheel in frustration. Instead, she bit back her irritation at Dani’s attitude. They’d all suffered the past few years and needed this new beginning. It would be an adjustment for each of them. Charley was willing to accept it more than Dani, and Mike…she was trying to hold it all together.
“No, we are not done. If you hadn’t been so rude, my mother would’ve welcomed you, too.” Mike started the engine.
“Grammie’s making us blueberry muffins tomorrow.”
“Whoop-de-doo,” said Dani.
Mike reached across the seat and pulled Dani’s iPod from her hand and threw it to the floor. “Say what you like about me,” she stated in a cold voice as she stared at her eldest, “but you will be polite to my mother and give her the respect she deserves.”
“And, if I don’t?” Her words would’ve come off as tough, but her chin quivered.
“Don’t push me, Danielle. Believe me, you won’t like the results.” Mike put the truck in gear and pulled away from the curb. Truthfully, she thought a smack to Dani’s bottom was deserved, but both girls had seen enough violence—and it was past time for that at Dani’s age. Not that Denny had ever hit, or even spanked, either of the girls. His temper tended to flare when he drank, so he threw things or picked a fight with those around him. Bruce had become his favorite target due to the fact he was the last of Denny’s remaining friends.
Mike drew in a long deep breath as she turned away from the lake and headed out to her mother’s farm. The land had been in Nettie’s family for generations, and fortunately, Nettie had never added Mike’s father to the deed. Ted Baxter had never been a farmer and had no desire to become one. He’d had little more interest in being a husband and father. By the time Nettie started her coffee shop—something else in which Ted had no interest—she had rented out most of her pasture land since she had no time, and little help, utilizing the land herself.
By the time Mike had jockeyed the trailer into an out-of-the-way position, Nettie was pulling into the drive. “Let me help you unhitch the trailer.”
“I can do it tomorrow, Mom.”
“Nonsense,” Nettie declared. “It will be easier with the two of us, and you’ll have your truck free to drive.”
Charley slipped out of the truck behind Mike and dashed over to Nettie as if she hadn’t seen her in weeks rather than the few minutes it had truly been. “What can I do to help?”
Giving her a one-armed hug, Nettie said, “Just stay back till we get the trailer uncoupled. Then you can help carry in your luggage.”
The women had the truck and trailer separated in a few minutes and Mike began pulling out suitcases from the truck bed.
“You must be Dani,” Nettie said to the teen who finally emerged from the cab of the truck. “I’m—“
“Yeah, I know who you are.”
Nettie gave the girl a hug. “Welcome home.”
“This isn’t my home,” Dani said, pulling away and walking toward the house.
“Danielle,” said Mike. “You need to help carry things inside.”
“Can’t. My leg hurts.”
“Bullshit!” Mike saw Charley open her mouth to chastise her for swearing and held up a hand to keep quiet. “Your leg didn’t hurt too much to sneak out of the house a few nights ago.” She saw Dani’s eyes widen. “You’ve used that excuse for the last time. Lose the tough bitch attitude and pull your own weight.” She turned to Charley. “I don’t want to hear a lecture from you about my language.”
“Yes, Momma.” Charley sucked back a sniffle. “I’ll take Mr. Whiskers inside.”
Nettie grabbed a suitcase. “I’ll show you girls to your room. Who is Mr. Whiskers?”
Charley pulled a small animal crate from behind the seat. “He’s our cat. Grammie, do you like cats?”
“I do.” Nettie led the way into the house without looking back to see if Dani followed. “I bet he’d like a drink and some food. Then, we’ll see about feeding us.”
Mike had just stepped inside when she heard Dani complain about sharing a room with her sister. They’d shared a room from the day Charley was born and in one too small for them both. Mike gave serious thought to beating her head against the wall until she blacked out, but that would leave her mother to deal with a fifteen-year-old’s bad attitude. Nettie had been through the teen years three times, and was more experienced than Mike, but Dani and Charley were her responsibilities, not Nettie’s.
She started down the hall when she heard her mother agree with Dani.
“You know, Dani, I’m sure Charlotte would love to have her own room. Since I only have three bedrooms and you don’t want to share with your sister that means you’ll have to sleep outside. I’m not about to force you to stay in my house. Be sure to use bug repellent or the mosquitos will carry you away. Now, Charley, let’s get your kitty something to eat.” Nettie stepped out of the room Mike had shared with her own sister.
“You’re going to make me sleep outside?” wailed Dani.
“No, dear, you have a choice,” Nettie said as she stopped and looked back in the room. “You can share this room with your sister just as your mother and aunt did, or you can sleep outside and let Charley have the room to herself.”
“She’s not my—”
Nettie turned back to the teen and raised a hand to stop Dani’s words. “She is the only mother you have. You can stop being rude, and be grateful for a family who loves you. If you stay in my house I expect you to speak politely and show respect for others. And, you will do your share o
f chores. If you can’t manage any of that, you are more than welcome to leave. In fact, I’ll insist on it.” She stared hard at Dani then turned to wrap an arm around Charley’s shoulders. “Come on, honey.”
When they reached her, Nettie put a hand to Mike’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re home, sweetie. You take Marc’s old room. I’ve given Charley yours.”
“So I heard.” She mouthed thank you.
“That’s what mothers do.” Nettie pressed a kiss to Mike’s cheek. “They dole out tough love when needed, too.”
“What’s tough—“
“Come along, Charley. Mr. Whiskers is crying for you.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Do you have a clean shirt I can borrow?”
“Y’all can have anything I own.”
Mike spun around to face the tall handsome man standing on the stairs leading from the small room overhead. She’d thought the footsteps belonged to her mother. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
“Thinkin’ I’ve died and gone to heaven.” His gaze was riveted on the breasts practically spilling out of the lacy pink cups. He licked his lips.
The action made Mike realize she was standing in front of a stranger in her denim shorts and bra. She splayed a wet hand across her chest. “Who the hell are you? Customers don’t belong back here.”
The man leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Didn’t know you were sellin’, darlin’,” he said with a grin.
She slapped the shirt she’d been rinsing into the sink and jammed her hands on her hips. “Get out!”
“Nope.”
Her mouth dropped open. “No? What? You—”
“Why would I leave? I’m enjoyin’ the view just fine.” His grin widened. “Gotta say, darlin’, you’re the best breakfast surprise I’ve seen. Wanna come back upstairs with me?” He nodded his head to the stairs behind him.
“Enjoy the view, you idiot. The only place you’re going is jail.”
“Micki! Where’s your shirt?”
“Call the police, Mom. You’ve got a customer who thinks there’s more on the menu besides coffee.”