‘Sure. On one condition.’ Mary-Jo folded her arms and glared.
‘Go on.’
‘I intend on joining you so you can tell me all about this secret romance. Plus I want every detail of Fee’s awesome warrior princess act. The whole town’s talkin’ about it.’
Fee’s cheeks flamed. She hadn’t bargained on that story getting out which was beyond stupid in this small, close-knit community.
‘Okay, I guess,’ Tom mumbled.
At least retreating inside would get them away from the other people standing around the street and watching them with unashamed curiosity. Tom yanked on Fee’s hand and pushed past Mary-Jo to drag them both inside the cafe.
The second his foot crossed the threshold every pair of eyes in the place turned to stare at them.
‘If it isn’t my renegade son. This must be the lady I’ve been hearing so much about. Come and join me, both of you.’
His mother’s blunt command silenced the buzz of conversation going on around them and Tom squeezed Fee’s hand in an effort to reassure her.
‘Mama, what a surprise to see you here.’ He steered Fee in front of him towards his mother’s favourite table over by the counter.
‘Why? You know your Aunt Ina and I have coffee together most mornings.’
He wasn’t about to admit his brain was too mixed up to know what time it was or even the day of the week. Mentally crossing his fingers he introduced the two women and caught a glimpse of the swift appraisal taking place on both sides. He and Gina grew up together so there were never any awkward “this is my girlfriend” moments to get through. Girlfriend? Could a man have a girlfriend when he was almost forty-one?
No sooner than they’d sat down, Aunt Ina emerged from the kitchen brandishing two cups of coffee. She set them on the table in front of Tom and Fee before pulling out a chair to join them. Mary-Jo dragged over another chair from the next table as well. At this rate he might as well make a public announcement.
Within twenty minutes Fee and his mother were chatting and laughing like old friends but instead of being grateful, Tom had the distinct sensation of being ganged up on.
‘Right, that’s settled,’ his mother declared. ‘You’re bringing Fee over to the house for supper tonight. Six o’clock. I’ll call your brothers and see if I can round them up too.’
Tom opened his mouth to protest but Fee stamped on his foot under the table. ‘Yes, Mama.’
‘That’s very sweet of you, Mrs Chambers,’ Fee added with a smile.
‘Oh, call me Sarah, honey. We don’t stand on ceremony around here.’ His mother patted Fee’s hand.
‘We’d be delighted to come, wouldn’t we, Tom?’ The mischievous glint in her eyes made him choke on his coffee.
‘Of course.’
‘I hope you’ll excuse us but we need to head back to Black Cherry.’ Fee pushed her chair back. ‘Tom has work to do, don’t you?’ She tossed him a lifeline and he grabbed it with both hands.
‘Yeah, a ton.’
‘I’m sure you do.’ His mother’s dry response made him wince and before they could get into any more trouble Tom leaned across the table to kiss his mother and grabbed Fee’s hand. Without another word he whisked her out of the cafe as fast as he could without engendering more pointed remarks from his nosy family.
‘In a hurry, are we?’ she joked. ‘The day’s not quite turning out as we expected, is it?’
‘Understatement of the year, sweetheart.’ Tom tossed his arm around her shoulder because there wasn’t much point in pretending they were just friends now. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t get fed.’
‘I’m sure you’ll remedy that, Mr Gourmet Chef.’
Tom spotted his cousin, Suzy, striding towards them, her cheeks turning pinker in her obvious effort to hurry and not miss anything. The town grapevine had done its work. ‘In the truck, now.’ He hurried Fee across the street and had the engine running by the time she fastened her seat belt.
‘Are we in a race?’
‘Cousin alert.’ He pointed down the street and waved at Suzy while he put the truck in gear. ‘That’s enough for one morning. I’m sure she’ll find out every detail in about two minutes.’ Tom pressed the accelerator to the floor and they shot off down the road. Hopefully his father wasn’t around or he’d get a lecture on his driving later on top of everything else. He glanced at Fee and noticed the air of conspiracy lurking in her warm smile. The idea of having this woman on his side felt strange but good.
Chapter Twenty
‘If you’ve got anything more urgent to do we can …’ Fee’s voice trailed away as Tom shook his head.
‘Nope. There’s nothing can’t wait around here. Thank goodness the Waters’ family wrapped up their week here a couple of days ago and with them gone you’re my only guest now and no one else is due until next weekend. Tell me more about your Mom.’ Tom stretched out on the sofa and pulled her down between his legs to let her head rest back against his chest.
‘My mother’s a nomad. She gets itchy feet. She never stays in one place very long and growing up we moved so many times I lost count. It bewilders me how I got any kind of education because I never spent a whole year in one school. Maddy’s a great one for causes and she’s always protesting about something. Climate change, legalising marijuana, the plight of the polar bears, GM foods. Her latest interest was always more important than me.’
‘I’m sorry. All kids need stability and the security of knowing they matter more than anything else. It doesn’t have to be the same house or the same meal every Tuesday, but there’s got to be an underlying knowledge of safety. You never had that, did you?’
She shook her head, struggling to swallow the tears filling her throat.
‘You’re one strong woman to have survived in one piece.’
Fee was used to getting praise for her work, but Tom’s simple statement of pride touched her heart. ‘I left home when I was sixteen and worked three or four jobs to put myself through a photography course. I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve spoken to my Mum since then. I know you can’t imagine that.’
Tom’s warm laughter rumbled through her back. ‘Yeah, it’s pretty difficult. My mama couldn’t last ten days. When I was overseas she kept the US Postal Service in business and I’m taking a wild guess that I got more care packages than the whole damn Army put together. Everybody fought me for her homemade chocolate chip cookies.’ He kissed the top of Fee’s head. ‘And yes, I know I’m lucky. I’m thankful for them every day even when they drive me half mad.’
For a second she couldn’t speak. His mind reading was spot on which should have been scary but somehow was the opposite. Fee began to explain about her father including the fact his name and nationality changed at regular intervals until she’d given up knowing what to believe. ‘Can you understand now why I’m reluctant to follow up on this man she swears is my actual father?’
‘I sure can.’
‘Come on. Spit it out.’
‘Your mother didn’t have to get in touch. Twice. Strikes me this means a lot to her. What’ve you got to lose?’ He stroked his hand along her arm.
Fee twisted around to face him. ‘Nothing much, I suppose.’
‘Do you want my company or would you prefer to go into town alone to contact Dupre?’
Tom’s openness gave her the freedom to admit she’d prefer to have him along. ‘Maybe I’ll phone him to get it over with.’
‘I see where you’re comin’ from, honey.’ A slight frown creased his brow.
‘But?’
‘An email will give him a chance to consider his reply. It gives you thinkin’ time too.’
‘I hate you being right,’ she complained.
‘Yeah, I know, women always do. If you want to avoid another run in with the Pine Ridge Mafia I suggest we go over to Norris instead. Nobody will hassle us there. It’s only a thirty minute drive and we’ll easily be back for interrogation time with my beloved family.’
‘I suppose that
’ll work.’ She managed a weak smile.
Tom turned the radio on low and hummed along with one of his favourite country songs as he negotiated the curvy mountain roads. Tension emanated from Fee in silent, rolling waves and her slim, pale hands clutched her phone as though it might run away. They pulled into Norris and he spied a parking space free outside the library.
‘There’s Wi-Fi in there or in a couple of the cafes. Your choice.’
The fine lines around Fee’s eyes deepened. ‘A cafe I think. That way we can get a drink and sit around a while in case …’
‘He replies? Good idea.’ He took a guess at finishing her sentence and was rewarded with a grateful smile. Tom ran around the truck to open her door but Fee didn’t attempt to move. He waved his hand in front of her face. ‘You ready?’
‘No, but I’m coming anyway.’
‘Good.’
Fee stepped out and stopped for a second to glance around them. ‘This is a pretty town. It’s almost got an English look about it.’
‘Yeah, it should do. I’ve read up on it some and they modelled Norris on the English garden towns Sir Ebenezer Howard tried to make popular at the end of the nineteenth century. You can pick them out by the common ground in the centre and the protected greenbelt running around the outside. The Tennessee Valley authority built this original part of the town to house the Norris Dam workers and they were some of the first all electric homes in the state. It’s a recognised Historic District now.’
Fee stared hard at him. ‘You’re a surprising man, Tom Chambers. I never know what you’re going to come out with next.’
He suspected continuing to be unpredictable in certain areas was good. ‘You might like to come back and take photos sometime.’
‘That’d be good.’ She agreed but the light faded from her eyes. ‘Pick a cafe and let’s get this done.’
Tom ran through the alternatives in his head and dismissed a couple of the more popular places. ‘Let’s try the Magnolia Tree. It’s tucked away behind the Baptist Church and been here forever. They’ve got decent coffee and it’s more popular with locals than visitors so they won’t fuss if we sit a while.’ For a brief moment he wished they could simply relax and enjoy themselves in the pale sunshine. ‘Come on.’ He held her hand as they walked along in silence.
He peered into the cafe and was relieved to see it was almost empty. Tom opened the door and rested his other hand at the base of Fee’s spine to encourage her to step inside. ‘You pick a spot and I’ll get us a drink. What’ll you have?’
‘Sparkling water, or lemonade, either works,’ she said with a touch of impatience, plainly not caring but trying to be polite.
While he placed their order Tom caught Fee frowning at the tablet she’d carried in and nibbling her bottom lip.
‘What do you think of this?’ She turned the screen to face him as he sat down. ‘It’s bad, isn’t it?’
‘Hey, hold your horses I haven’t read it all yet.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, really. Us Southerners do things slow, but thorough, okay?’ He grinned, relieved when she relaxed enough to smile back.
‘You certainly do.’
He made himself concentrate on the task at hand and suggested a few minor alterations. After Fee made the changes and sent the email Tom covered her cold hand with his own. ‘Let’s talk about something else now. Alright?’
Fee nodded and picked up her glass of water. He hoped he wasn’t being a bully but they couldn’t sit here staring at the screen and waiting. Allain Dupre might only check his email once a week or could have changed his mind about connecting with his newly discovered daughter. Tom launched into stories about his family, hoping it’d take her mind off what they’d come here for plus prepare her for being thrown into the deep end of a Chambers’ family dinner.
The tablet gave a short, loud beep and Fee’s hand jerked into the air sending a cascade of water down over her fingers and onto the table.
‘A new email?’ She didn’t speak or move. Tom passed her a handful of paper napkins and she managed to take hold of them to dab at the wet mess ‘Do you want me to see who it’s from?’ She nodded and he leaned across to pick up the tablet. ‘It’s from Dupre.’ Tom laid the tablet back down and fished out a clean handkerchief from his pocket to dry off her hands before setting it back in front of her.
She scanned the message at least twice before glancing back at him, her pretty eyes shimmering with tears. ‘He wants to meet me. He’s offered to come here or for me to visit him in New Orleans.’
‘That’s good, isn’t it?’ Tom was bewildered by her lack of enthusiasm.
‘I suppose so. I hadn’t actually gone any further in my mind than exchanging a few emails.’
‘Wouldn’t you like to see him?’
‘I’m not sure. I’ve done without a father for nearly forty years and I’m not sure what to do with a possible one now.’ Her attempt at humour fell flat. ‘I should send a reply.’
‘Hang on a minute, sweetheart. He doesn’t know you’ve seen the message yet. Take some time to think.’ Relief flooded her pale features and Tom mentally patted himself on the back for saying the right thing. ‘Send him a reply tomorrow.’
‘Do you think that’d be alright?’
‘It’ll be fine. If the man’s got an ounce of common sense he’ll be unsure too.’ Tom wrapped his hands around hers. ‘Why don’t you close down for now and we’ll go and have a wander around the town. I’ll buy you a pretty little trinket then drive you back to Black Cherry. What do you say?’
Fee leaned against him. ‘I’d say you’re a wonderful man, Tom Chambers.’
Wonderful worked fine for him. He hadn’t been any woman’s “wonderful” for a very long time.
Chapter Twenty-One
Amid the cacophony of seven adults and five children competing to be heard Fee mentally retreated. This was when she needed her camera to hide behind because right now she’d rather face a hail of bullets than the loud, happy Chambers family.
‘Supper’s ready, come and get it.’ Sarah popped her head in around the door and yelled. ‘Fee, you’re sitting by me. I’ve been too busy cooking to have my turn with you.’
Fee’s pleading glance at Tom only got her an apologetic smile and a shrug.
‘Mama’s orders, honey. It’s more than my life’s worth to argue.’
‘Are you a man or a mouse?’ she hissed.
He shuffled from one foot to the other. ‘Mouse when it comes to my mother. Sorry.’
He didn’t look terribly sorry but she could hardly start an argument here. She’d already endured an hour of being examined by his brothers, their wives and assorted children – her only reprieve came from his father who’d been delayed at work. Fee hoped a mini crime wave swept through Pine Ridge and kept the sheriff away as long as possible.
‘Fine, lead me to my execution,’ she murmured.
‘Don’t fret. She’s a sweet lady and loves you already.’
Fee didn’t fall for Tom’s effort at reassurance. Sarah was a shrewd lady who ruled her family with a rod of velvet-covered steel. In theory his mother might want Tom to meet another woman but Fee wasn’t convinced a frayed-around-the-edges, nomadic English war photographer was what she had in mind.
The spread of food covering the massive oak dining table was enough to feed an army but she suspected there wouldn’t be much left when they were all done. She’d try to make careful choices and hope no one noticed.
‘Meat loaf, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, fried apples, turnip greens and cornbread,’ Tom recited, pointing to everything in turn with a massive grin on his face. Plainly nothing made the man happier than sitting down to a tableful of his mother’s cooking. The fact she could barely manage to heat up a tin of soup was another black mark against her. ‘Hey, Mama, I just realised Mee Maw’s not here. Is she all right?’
‘She said she was tired and goin’ to have an early night. Your daddy checked on her
this afternoon and found out the doctor changed her heart tablets and it’s thrown her a bit that’s all.’
‘Everything looks wonderful, Sarah.’ Fee was in awe of all the work Tom’s mother had done.
‘Thank you, hon it’s nothing fancy but it’ll fill up the boys.’
Fee glanced over at “the boys” – three hulking good-looking men who were shovelling food into their mouths as if they might not see another meal for months. With a pang she remembered multiple times in her own childhood when her stomach ached with hunger. If she asked her mother when they’d be eating Fee usually received a blank stare. Maddy would tell her to find herself something in the kitchen and not to bother her.
Under the table Tom squeezed her knee and she managed a tiny smile. He knew this was hard for her. Fee plunged right in and asked his mother a myriad of questions about what Tom was like as a boy. This served the dual purpose of finding out more about him and slowing down her own interrogation. Sarah was happy to launch into a long story about her youngest son involving a dead snake and his least favourite teacher. Suddenly she stopped and frowned at Fee’s untouched plate.
‘I suppose this isn’t your sort of food?’
If she wanted to win over Tom’s mother, and she wasn’t convinced on that score yet, not appreciating her food wasn’t going the right way about it. Fee recognised another plain-spoken woman when she met one and came to the instant decision not to be foolish. Without any fuss she explained about her ulcer and the restrictions it placed on her diet.
Sarah glared at Tom. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have been more considerate about what I fixed.’
Everyone stopped to listen and Fee wished she could slink under the table.
‘It wasn’t my story to share. Fee prefers to deal with it her own way.’ Tom’s firm tone made his mother’s face colour up and for a moment the room was silent.
‘You’d better have saved me some food, you scavengers.’ Hank Chambers breezed in, tugged off his uniform jacket and hung it on the back of the empty chair next to his wife. ‘What’s up?’
‘Nothing, Pop. If you’re lucky you might find a chicken bone left,’ Tom joked. Fee didn’t miss the quick silent exchange between the two men and envied their easy communication.
Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat Page 12