“What?”
“Pick something that you like and I will be fine.”
“Why what I like? I don’t understand. Do you want a fried bologna or a burger?”
“What would you order?”
“I guess a grilled cheese?”
“See, I’m asking so I can learn more about you. Grilled cheese, hmm? You either don’t eat meat or adore cheese.”
“Or I am extremely cheap and normally wouldn’t eat here?” she muttered absently.
Just then, she saw his face crack a smile as he threw back his head and laughed. A good, honest, belly deep laugh that had her chuckling in happiness.
“I like that,” he admitted with a tight smile. “A girl that isn’t afraid to call it like it is. Blunt and doesn’t beat around the bush.”
“That’s me.”
“So, if we are being blunt? I like you and would like to see you some time. When do you get off of work?”
“NOW!” Ruby exclaimed, interrupting from close by. It was obvious she’d been eavesdropping on them and shoved Penny into the booth with the sheriff. Penny caught herself on the table to keep from falling to the floor and looked at her friend in shock.
“I’ll cover your shift. You sit there with him, okay? A grilled cheese for Penny and you Sheriff Clarke?”
“Make it two of them and two slices of that pie on the counter, if you please?”
Penny stared between him and at Ruby in horror and sheer embarrassment. She was struggling financially. She had enough to cover her rent and not much would be left unless she started get more money in tips. She hadn’t even bothered to decorate or celebrate Christmas this year because she was alone, and the money was so short. Her treat to herself had been new shoes and stockings since she was on her feet a lot.
“I can’t right now, Ruby. Forget the pie and sandwich. I need to get back to work,” she argued in a heated whisper, glaring at her and silently pleading that she would read into what she was avoiding saying aloud.
“But I can, and I insist,” William interrupted softly with a knowing look in his eyes. She saw that he didn’t want to embarrass her in the slightest and looked like he was trying to avoid any shame in her situation. Did he just want her company or was something wrong and he needed to speak with her? Was it her mother? “Please, Penny – may I call you Penny? It’s my treat.”
“Sit down and enjoy a nice meal with the sheriff. Teddy would want you to, remember?” she subtly reminding her of their conversation. Penny nodded slowly looking down at her hands in her lap. Her mind was racing. What would Joe say about her sitting with a customer?
“Tell me about yourself,” William prompted gently. She was glad there was no one else in the diner just yet because she felt like she was being put on the spot. If you were in trouble, didn’t they take you downtown in a paddywagon?
“Is something wrong sheriff? I mean, Will… uh, Sheriff Clark.”
“No, should there be? And please, call me Will.” Penny glanced up at the tone she heard and was surprised to see the corner of his lip upturn on his stoic face. She stared at him for several moments trying to get a read on his expression and finding nothing. Ruby brought out two cups of coffee and leaned over the table to set them down, her body blocking the view of the sheriff.
“Smile!” she whispered fiercely to Penny. Nodding, Penny plastered a false smile on her face as Ruby moved away. The air was strained and very uncomfortable.
“Nothing is wrong?”
“Not a thing. Cream?”
“Yes, please…and sugar,” she asked politely. Sugar was a luxury she’d avoided at the house due to the increasing costs. Things were getting really tight and she’d taken to the idea of starting a small garden in the backyard come springtime in order to have some things for free. She’d never canned anything before in her life and neither had her mother, but Ruby swore it was easy and promised to teach her. Stirring the cup, she took a sip and sighed as the sweet taste hit her tongue.
“That’s pretty good, isn’t it? Ted said it was some of the best coffee around”
“How do you know Teddy? Is he in trouble?” The handsome stranger chuckled lightly and took another sip of his coffee.
“You are a worrisome dame, aren’t you?”
“When I have a bigwig from the police suddenly singling me out, it tends to make a girl nervous that something is wrong. Can we cut with the chit-chat and just spill it?”
“There’s nothing to spill. I think you are pretty and wanted to get to know you. I’ve known Ted a long time and when he told me there was two ritzy gals working at the diner, I wanted to see what he was talking about.”
“I don’t think we are exactly the cat’s meow here, but this is a nice place.”
“I’m talking about me getting to know you a bit, maybe letting me take you home after a while.”
“I don’t think so, I have to work.”
“Her shift is covered, Sheriff. Just take care of my little girl’s friend. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by,” Joe announced suddenly bringing the two plates out. Ruby wasn’t far behind him grinning wildly, in her hands were the two slices of pie. Penny gaped at the conspirators who were watching her. The sheriff raised an eyebrow at Penny expectantly and again, that expression cracked ever so slightly showing that he actually could smile. Picking up her napkin, she unfurled it and lay it in her lap in a ladylike manner. Looking in straight in the eyes, she smiled politely.
“I guess you have your dinner companion tonight after all, Sheriff.”
“Let’s start over. Please call me Will.”
“Penelope. Everyone calls me Penny but I guess you already know that.”
“Do you mind me inviting you to join me or offering to take you home? If you’d prefer not, I understand,” he said softly, watching her. There was something in his eyes that struck her for a moment, something she couldn’t put her finger on.
“I don’t mind but you are a bit intimidating, to be frank about it,” she blurted out and bit her lip for a moment.”
“Please go on?”
“Well, if you could relax a bit and not look like I’m under investigation about something, it might make it a bit easier to talk to you or get to know you – if that is what you are here for,” she stammered. She was out of her element here. She’d been out dancing several times and knew when a boy liked her, but this was different. Sheriff William Clarke wasn’t boyish in the slightest, he was all man and she didn’t know how to handle him. Boys she could twist about her finger, but this was above her head.
“Fair enough,” he nodded easily and tried to smile.
“See? That! You are trying so hard right now that your face looks like its gonna shatter – ease up and just let it happen, like when you laughed a minute ago?”
“Well I don’t want my face shattering, as you put it.”
“Me neither, it would make quite the mess,” she confirmed with a grin. She was really glad that he wasn’t upset at her candid remarks. Instead, she saw a glint of humor in his eyes. If he could just drop the mask and relax a bit? It would be quite heady to have his undivided attention.
“Better,” she nodded and picked up a sandwich half, pointing at his plate. “Better eat up while its hot. It’s better that way.” She took a bite and savored the buttery goodness. Joe made the very best grilled cheese. He would let the butter brown on the griddle and then crisp the bread on it, giving it a taste that she adored. She wasn’t crazy about meat in the slightest and due to the costs, avoided it.
As time wore on, they finished their meal and continued to talk over coffee. William, once he had let down his guard and tried to unwind a bit, was actually a really nice genuine guy. He was far different from any boy she’d ever talked to before. The man was five years older than her, making him near thirty. He looked stern all the time, but when he eased up and finally let his personality shine through? He was intensely beautiful. Those green eyes reminded her of a deep green silk dress she’d seen on her mother once be
fore, years before her father had passed away. His eyes had a way of crinkling at the edges when he smiled, reminding her of her comment of his face shattering. He just seemed so solemn all the time, perhaps being a sheriff had made him numb in order to protect himself? He looked like he was struggling sometimes to just simply let go and she found herself wanting to help him along the way.
Ruby came by the table to refill their coffee cups yet again, but this time she hinted aloud at the thought nagging at the back of Penny’s mind: they needed the table for the dinner rush. She saw that Ruby and Mabel would be working the dining room tonight. She almost offered to stay, but when William stood and extended his arm towards her politely? She decided against it.
There was a firm elegance to him that spoke to her. Penny placed her hand at the crook of his arm and shook out her skirt delicately in order to make it fall into place from where she’d been sitting for so long. She watched as William left Ruby a huge tip that made her a bit envious, but she was grateful for the meal and the company and it was worth more to her in the end.
She liked him.
As they prepared to exit the diner, she saw him hesitate a moment. He held her coat up for her as she put her arm in it. It was very nice of him to be so polite and thoughtful towards her. Insecurity didn’t seem to be a facet of his personality, but she had glimpses of it here and there. It was little things that he thought he had hidden away by the mask he wore.
“Do you want a ride home or shall we walk?”
“Which do you prefer?” Frankly, Penny wasn’t a fan of motor cars. It was cold out, but her coat and scarf had been warm enough on the walk over, surely it would be fine for the walk home too. Motor cars seemed to go too fast and she wasn’t in control but rather carried along. She’d heard of friends damaging their vehicles and causing severe injury in the process. The black Chevrolet was very intimidating and reminded her of William.
“I’d rather walk if it’s not far,” he admitted looking down at her with a shy smile. “It takes longer, and we can talk more.”
“Sounds perfect.” Penny was honestly touched by the sincerity of his answer. The more she talked with William, the more she saw there was more to him. He’d grown up on a farm in East Texas and was one of nine children. He claimed to be the apple of his father’s eye, but then admitted that there weren’t any favorites in the family, his father told that to all his children. She couldn’t fathom growing up in a family that large since she was an only child. Her mother had kept a separate room from her father for as long as she had known.
The sun was coming down but they still had at least an hour before it was dark out and temperatures really began to plummet. Winter time it usually wasn’t completely dark out until seven pm. It rarely snowed in north Texas but it did occasionally sleet or ice over. She was ready for springtime. Ready to open the windows, let a breeze through the house she was renting. She was ready for her garden and simply ready for warm sunshine. The only thing warm right now was Will’s arm under her ungloved hand. As if he could read her mind, he handed her his own gloves without a word. Glancing up at him in surprise, she saw the unspoken request in his eyes.
“I can put my hands in my pocket, but if I want you to hold my arm then your pretty hands will be exposed to the cold air.”
Nodding, she was touched the thoughtfulness again that he showed. She slipped the large gloves over her hands and while it felt odd to be wearing such baggy gloves, the supple leather and the knowing they were his warmed her heart. They walked the three blocks to her small house in silence. She’d known he wanted to talk but neither knew where to start and before she knew it, they were on the stoop of her house.
Turning to him, she smiled shyly in the fading sunlight. It was casting deep shadows along the street from the elm trees that lined the road and sidewalk. She pulled off the gloves and handed them to him.
“I had a wonderful time this evening. It was quite a surprise and a treat, Will. Thank you.”
“I had a nice time as well.”
“Will you be in with Teddy again tomorrow?” she quickly asked since it had been a few weeks since his last visit.
“Unfortunately, no. That is why I came by today and pushed so hard at getting to see you. I am on a team that has been assigned to investigate bootleggers in the area. There was a large still confiscated and we are going to check into other leads. I don’t know how long I will be tied up with work.”
“That’s terrible.”
“Agreed. Ordinary consumption is against the church and prohibited by the law and dangerous.”
“I hope you find them and come back safely soon.”
“I do too,” he agreed softly. She saw him hesitate and the lean forward to kiss her on the cheek. His warm breath brushed her cool cheeks and the heat of his lips made her gasp, catching her breath.
“Forgive me,” he apologized and backed away awkwardly. “I was overcome and too forward.”
“Perhaps we can see each other again when you return?” she asked quickly, frightened he would leave and not see her again. She’d not told him her innermost thoughts: that she’d wished he’d kissed her on the lips instead of the cheek. She really liked him, more than she’d ever dreamt possible.
“I’d like that,” he said with a small smile, his green eyes dancing. “I will see you soon, Penelope.” She stood there on the stoop of her front porch for quite some time until she couldn’t see his shadow any longer in the growing dusk. The thought of his warm lips burned a pattern on her cheeks that would have to hold her over for an unknown time frame.
She hoped he would be safe and knew that there was inherent danger in being with the police at this time period. Bootleggers were a dangerous lot and often armed. She’d heard the stories on the radio several times regarding the infamous antics going on in Chicago with Al Capone. She would include Will in her prayers until he returned safe.
3
March 1930
Ruby moved in to her home at the beginning of the month. Penelope had wished that she would have taken the plunge and moved in sooner, but she completely understood wanting to tell her father at the right time. Joe had been pretty down but the excitement Ruby showed made him realize that his little girl was growing up. He helped bring the boxes over to the small house that Penny rented.
While it was enough room for one, with two women in the tiny home it made it very cramped. The only relief felt was the financial one and the fact that she wasn’t alone all the time now. It had been a month since she had seen or heard from Will and her prayers grew more and more feverishly each evening. She found herself pouring over the newspapers and listening to the radio for any word of developments. She prayed for his safety and well-being. A fresh blossom of hope was growing in her heart and she dreaded the loss of her admirer more than she wanted to admit. The only peace of mind she got was that he was never listed among the injured.
The house was truly shaping up to be a home and it warmed Penny’s heart. It was the little touches that she didn’t realize were missing. Ruby brought a few doilies that she had crocheted as a teenager, a tea set to display on the sideboard making it seem downright cozy inside and a few recipe books. They tried their hand often at a few simple meals with the supplies that they had. Joe would supplement from the diner to make sure his daughter wasn’t missing out on anything, thus benefiting Penny. When he showed up with eggs, bacon and cheese one morning, she could have sworn it was mana from heaven delivered straight to her door. She had been pretty fed up with buttered toast or bland oats for breakfast.
Bonnie had shown up around town with a new man in her life, Clyde Barrow. The couple was seen down the street at the local hoodlum’s house, Clarence Clay. He was the one person that could bring down a neighborhood and create havoc. The two, Clarence and Clyde, both reminded her of two snakes running in the grass together. Clarence was obviously having a party down the street because you could hear the laughter and music carrying on the silent street. When she heard glass brea
king, Penny and Ruby had both darted out the front door to see what the issue was. Turns out the group was intoxicated. The women looked at each other in shock at the flagrant display of drunkenness and obscenities shouted.
Several cars came running down the street noisily not long afterwards and the shouting drew them to the front porch yet again. Penny stood there with a shawl thrown about her shoulders watching the fiasco unfold as several officers poured out of a paddy wagon causing several people to scurry in a panic. She saw several men jumping fences and running through yards.
“Ruby? What is going on out here?” Teddy’s shocked and indignant voice was heard from the right of where they were standing. The small house they rented was at the corner of the street and he must have come up from the next block over. Penny never even thought to ask where he lived, nor if he and Ruby were actually going to ever go out on a date. She’d been so quiet about him and it was surprising to see him show up suddenly.
“Teddy? What are you doing here?” Penny asked and saw the sneaky smile appear on Ruby’s face. Ted just beamed with happiness and pride at her incredulous look.
“I’m taking Ruby to the picture show tonight. Gloria Swanson is staring in The Trespasser tonight. It’s supposed to be incredible and I could think of no better treat for my girl,” Teddy told Penelope, his eyes glued on Ruby. Penny looked between the two of them in confusion. His girl? Had they been seeing each other on the sly?
“Ruby?”
“Don’t wait up for me,” she grinned at Penny and grabbed a coat, darting back out the front door and locking arms with Teddy as the two disappeared into the night. Penny felt a bitter pang of envy clench in her stomach. She’d heard the motion picture was breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing the glances between the two made her yearn for Will, simply to have someone gaze at her the way Teddy looked upon Ruby. The man was head over heels in love and Ruby had absolutely no idea.
Penny turned back to the scene expecting to still see chaos erupting from the drunkards stumbling about at Clarence’s house, but instead it was settling down nicely. She almost turned to head inside when a pang of recognition hit her.
Lawfully Chosen Page 2
