by Janet Eaves
“So, you don’t like factories?”
Martin started to sway, carrying her along.
“I don’t like our people being taken advantage of. The deal sounds too good. Can we just leave it at that? What we’re here for is to raise some money to help the kids, eat a good meal… It’s supposed to be a nice evening.”
“It is nice.” Midnight let go of any thoughts of a factory, and slid back into the moment. I’ll be home for Christmas was playing. The dance floor was crowded. The man who held her had a magnetism even his temper couldn’t ruin.
“Be just my luck the band would stop after this song.” Midnight felt the words brush past her temple as he said them. She couldn’t help chuckling.
“If they do, we could keep dancing anyway.” She smiled up into his face. “I’m game if you are.”
“That’d start talk, Miz Shelby. Doesn’t take a lot to start talk in a small town, you know.” He squeezed her hand, danced her around in a circle. “Now, even just that move right there might start some talk. How would you feel about that?”
She laughed. “I’d feel as if I’d rather do something more scandalous if I were going to be the subject of discussion.”
Martin’s eyebrows rose and he was about to say something when Mayor Pete Crenshaw tapped him on the shoulder. The moment of pleasant flirtation was lost due to the mayor’s cutting in. He introduced himself, and got down to business.
“So, Miz Shelby. Business good for you?”
“Not yet, but I hope that will change before long.”
“I understand your shop will be consignment of local arts and crafts. That right?”
“That’s most of it. Also a coffee bar and a little space for presentations or book readings.”
“Really? Sounds pretty fancy.” He cleared his throat. “You know, I wonder if you’d do better with something like a used clothing store. I just don’t see a lot of people in Legend Valley buying arts and crafts they’ve mostly grown up around. Especially since unemployment is so high. You know, money’s tight and all that.”
“Money is tight in most parts of the country, Mayor Crenshaw.”
“Sure. Sure.” He nodded, frowning. “I’m just trying to be helpful.”
“Yes sir. I realize that. I expect to do quite a lot of advertising. Bring people in to the area. Legend has a lot to offer, but your customers haven’t found you yet.” She found Martin McClain’s eyes watching her as he was talking to some other people along the edge of the dance floor.
“Advertising, huh? Well, there’s another problem, Miz Shelby. We don’t have money to throw at bulletin boards along the interstate. Those things cost a fortune! Plus they’re all full of Gatlinburg shops and Dollywood’s new ride of the year. Who would want to come to Legend when they can go to those places?”
“Oh, Mayor. There are lots of people who would prefer a quiet, quaint little town to spend an afternoon or even a weekend. Get them here to visit the shops, eat in the restaurants, stay in the B&B. Bring them in the summer to rent pedal boats on the lake, or to hike or fish. Legend doesn’t need to be Gatlinburg. It just needs to be the very best Legend it can be!”
“We’re a long way from that. But I like what you say, Miz Shelby. The question is, how do we bring the people in?”
“I’ll work on that a bit and get back to you, Mayor. I have some thoughts.” She watched Martin’s son Daniel clearing used dishes off a table. “I think you have more to work with here in Legend than you may realize.”
The music ended, and another song was just beginning when Martin McClain tapped the mayor’s shoulder.
“Cutting in, Pete.”
“Gotcha, Martin.” Mayor Crenshaw slapped Martin on the shoulder. “Real fine lady you’ve got yourself here.” He turned to Midnight. “Miz Shelby, I want to hear more about your ideas. I’ll be in touch.”
As if they’d done it a thousand times, Martin and Midnight came together for the next dance.
“That Pete Crenshaw putting a move on you?”
She laughed up at him, enjoying the crinkles at the outside corners of his eyes when he smiled.
They didn’t talk at all, just moved together as the schmaltzy Christmas music played. Martin was smiling now, which made him even more handsome. Midnight decided the Christmas Ball was living up to and above any expectations she might have had. She didn’t try to stifle the sigh of contentment. Maybe this could be home after all.
After another dance or two they returned to the McClain table.
Dorothy yawned delicately. “We’re about to call it an evening, dears. It’s been lovely.”
Martin said, “Yep. I was just going to say I have an early morning. Should probably head out myself. That is, if you don’t mind, Miz Shelby.”
Midnight picked up her evening bag. “Not at all. That’s fine.”
“We enjoyed meeting you, Midnight. Don’t be a stranger now,” said Dorothy. “Stop in at the pharmacy sometime. Lunch will be on me!”
Sharon, Martin’s mother, took Midnight’s hand. “Do you know about the Christmas Eve service? Seven PM. It’s at the Methodist Church this year. Nice candlelight service, community choir. Our cousin Eli and his wife Jeannie are singing a duet this year. Not to be missed. Eli used to sing professionally before he came back to Legend to teach music at the high school. Gorgeous voices!”
Dan nudged her. “You’re gushing, dear.” He looked at Midnight. “They are really good though, and the service is always worthwhile. You’ll be glad if you come. We will be, too.” He smiled and touched her arm. “Nice to have you here, Miz Shelby. We hope you’ll be happy in Legend.”
Martin led the way through the crowd, occasionally looking back to make sure she was there. Once he took her hand and she felt the shock again. And again, he didn’t seem to notice anything. It was annoying that this man was making her feel things she hadn’t felt in such a long time, and didn’t particularly want to feel…and yet he wasn’t affected at all.
Once on the road, Martin asked, “You need to head right back to the B&B? Or do you feel like a drive?”
“A drive would be nice, thank you.” Midnight settled more comfortably into the seat, watched the darkened scenery slip by. They headed up a steep road and continued to climb. Eventually Martin parked in a little pull-off at the edge of the road.
“Legend by starlight, Miz Shelby. Best viewed from out of the car, if you’re up for it.”
Midnight pulled her cape around her and slid out of the vehicle. Martin joined her and shut the car door. Then he extended his arm to the cloudless star-filled sky, and the little town glittering below them.
His voice was low. “I’ve been some places. Not seen the whole world—I’ll admit that. But I can’t imagine there are many spots prettier than this.”
She sighed. “I’d say you’re right, Martin. Legend is a cute little town. Legend by starlight is…breathtaking. Add snow, and this would be the perfect Christmas card. In the city, light pollution keeps us from seeing the stars, you know.”
“So I hear.” He shook his head. “That’s an awful shame. A person needs to be able to see the stars, so he has a better sense of his place in this world.” He puffed out a breath. “Are you frozen to death yet?”
Midnight had barely kept her teeth from chattering. “Not yet, but it is chilly up here.” She looked up at the sky, out and down at the town. “I hate to leave, though. It’s so lovely. Thank you for bringing me up here, Martin.” She put a hand on a sleeve of his suit jacket. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
“No problem, Miz Shelby.” Martin looked down at her, caught a strand of hair that had escaped, and smoothed it behind her ear. “This is a place the kids come to make out, y’know.” He winked. “I’ve been up here before, but never with anybody like you. You’re different, but I like you a lot.”
Midnight looked up at him. “I like you too, Martin. You’re an interesting person when you’re not being all blustery.”
Martin leaned down qui
ckly and kissed her lightly on the mouth.
“Had to hurry and do that before I lost my nerve,” he said. “You mind?”
“As it happens, no I don’t. I imagine I’m more surprised to hear myself say that than you are.” Midnight smiled, rose on tiptoe and kissed him back, slowly and thoroughly. His arms came around her and for several minutes there was nothing and no one else in the world but the two of them. Until bright lights shone on them as another car came along the road.
“Well, hell,” Martin muttered, opening Midnight’s door so she could climb in. He got in too, and headed the Jeep back down the mountain road.
Neither of them spoke until he parked in the B&B lot.
“Sorry about earlier,” he growled. “I was acting like a damned teenager. Don’t know what came over me.” Martin stared at the steering wheel.
Obviously he regretted what had happened. Midnight didn’t want to feel hurt by that.
“Oh well,” she said. “Lovely dinner, beautiful scenery. People get carried away sometimes.” Her chuckle sounded and felt hollow. “It’s no big deal.”
“Good. Friends, then?”
“Sure,” she said. “Friends.”
Midnight got out of the Jeep and went up the porch steps, into the B&B and to her bed. But tonight, instead of feeling comfy, the big soft bed felt lonely.
Martin McClain was messing with her head, and she was afraid she was in trouble.
Chapter Five
A week later, Saturday morning sneaked up on Midnight. For the first time in years she hadn’t set her alarm, and when the sun finally woke her, it was high in the sky. Stretching, yawning, and feeling completely blissful, she pulled back the covers to start the day.
After her usual yoga time, showering, and being sweetly chastised by Suzie as a “sleepyhead,” Midnight left for town. While she drove, she drank coffee from a Legend’s Landing B&B travel mug Suzie had pressed into her hand. A basket of delicious-smelling breakfast leftovers tantalized her from the passenger seat. She would eat them while she worked on her building. She was excited about getting to the physical labor portion of her new start. So much had happened already, and all of it good. But there was still a lot to be accomplished—on the business, and on her life.
The business part was coming along. Since Chloe had signed, several others had done the same. She’d have plenty of arts and crafts to sell, and had promotion and advertising ideas to bring customers to Legend from all over. There was a lot to see in this cute little town if you slowed down long enough to enjoy it. She’d talked with Chloe, Betsy, Suzie, the newly married Lilly Hood who ran New Beginnings, a Main Street shop geared towards infants’ and toddlers’ needs, pharmacy owner Dorothy McClain, and bookstore owner Jane Smith. They were enthusiastic about helping involve other business owners in a united promotional campaign. But Betsy had cautioned, and the others chimed in to agree, that there were people who’d probably try to dissuade them from a big promotion of Legend. One of them was Martin McClain. He liked Legend just the way it was, and Betsy hesitantly admitted it pained him to sell property to newcomers.
“Just what I said to him,” Midnight had told them, “the first time he took me into my building and talked about the history of the place.” Her frustration with that had helped her ignore his good looks and virility. Of course, at the time she had thought he was married to Betsy. But married or not, he was just another man determined to have his own way. Delicious-looking, of course, but still. He’d need to stand aside, and get over the past, because Midnight believed big things were on the way for Legend, Tennessee.
So her business was getting started. She also felt she was making progress on the life part of her makeover, since she hadn’t pulled the voodoo doll out from under the car seat in days. She finally felt as if the divorce was behind her, as was the loss of her job. Neither of the men involved mattered to her at all. Enough time had passed that she’d begun to heal. Really. But just in case, she’d keep the little doll handy for a while. She might need it if Martin got in her way. Or if she felt like getting in his way.
The weather guy on TV had said some kind of weird high had moved into the area. Midnight took advantage of the warmish morning by putting the convertible top down on her car. She knew the pleasant weather wouldn’t last, but that made her appreciate it even more. She started the car, and pulled out of the B&B lot. Like the magical time she’d shared with Martin on the night of the Christmas Ball, the cool, fresh air was even more of a delight because it was so unexpected.
With some effort, Midnight pushed all thoughts of Martin McClain out of her mind, determined to enjoy the moment. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since he’d sped out of the B&B parking lot without asking for a another kiss, or even a handshake. Driving slightly over the speed limit, the wind played with her hair. Her Queen CD reminded her Too Much Love Will Kill You. Ha. Fat chance of that happening. Too much love? She couldn’t even fathom the idea, and laughed.
****
Martin McClain stepped out the front door of his office. Gliding down the street a few yards away was a glistening little silver power car with a beautiful woman at the wheel. She laughed as she drove, and her long, silky black hair whipped about behind her. A song played, and loudly, but he paid no attention. He just stared after her, wondering what had brought such an exotic creature to tiny Legend, Tennessee.
She intrigued him. He’d tried to quash that feeling since he’d first spotted her on the sidewalk in front of her building. All beauty and elegance, looking worried and hurried, yet somehow in charge of the situation, she’d been so obviously out of place in his simple hometown. In Legend, life moved slowly, people lived simply, and the word “elegance” was seldom used. Midnight Shelby seemed the epitome of the word. Even dressed simply in snug jeans and form-fitting knit shirt with her hair hanging straight down her back. But that night at the Christmas Ball, wearing a simple black dress that was probably sinfully expensive, and her hair twisted into a knot on the back of her head, she’d looked more beautiful than any model. His dad had remarked that she reminded him of the late Audrey Hepburn. Martin knew Midnight was out of his league, even if he’d been interested in getting involved. Which he definitely was not.
That momentary lapse at the overlook could be explained. She’d said it herself…something about the evening being nice, and the scenery. Not his fault. The mountains had made a little magic where he hadn’t intended it. Legend had kind of a reputation for people falling in love when they didn’t expect to, but ever since Daniel’s mother, Martin had managed to keep that brand of disaster at a safe distance. He kept busy with work, with his son, helping friends and family with projects. It was good to be busy and not let his mind wander, or start to think about what life could be like with the right woman. And the owner of the new shop in town certainly was not the right woman.
He had to admit, Midnight Shelby was intriguing. And as far as he could tell, she was slowly winning the hearts of the general populace with her idea of selling their handmade crafts. Betsy certainly idolized her.
But Betsy was like that, Martin thought as he locked the door behind him. Sweet and innocent, really, in spite of his idiot cousin Mike. Betsy liked everybody and often trusted too quickly. Martin found himself watching out for her, even lecturing her at times for not keeping her guard up. He knew all about keeping up a good guard. And keeping a distance. Most people were out for whatever they could get.
Since his wife had left him with a tiny baby thirteen years ago, Martin had been wary of women. She’d filed for divorce and sent him papers to sign, giving full custody of their son to Martin and three-fourths of everything they owned to her. Martin had signed the papers and filed them at the county courthouse, said good riddance, and gone on with his life. He was raising his son Daniel by himself and doing a damn fine job of it.
Sure he was bitter. Who wouldn’t be? But he’d also learned his lessons and had been teaching them to Daniel his entire childhood. Take care of number one, al
ways watch your back, and remember that home is where you belong. Home wasn’t just the house they shared. It was the extended family and friends who loved and supported each other in Legend. Martin made sure Daniel knew the importance of home.
Martin was devoted to family and friends, most of whom still lived here where they were born and raised. But since the divorce, he’d avoided a relationship with any woman interested in more than friendship. There were some local girls, like Suzie Schul and Jane Smith, who were okay. But in general, Martin steered clear of the fairer sex, out of habit. It was becoming an issue with thirteen-year-old Daniel, who, like all teenagers, thought he knew everything. He was a handsome kid, well-built, popular, and smart. Everyone liked him, including the girls. Martin thought about it often. When would Daniel’s heart be broken for the first time? And how could he bear to watch?
Martin sighed and shrugged, knowing he couldn’t protect Daniel forever. At least for today he was safe, at his cousin Joe’s house. The boys would spend the day messing with computers and throwing the football around in Joe’s back yard. Growing up would be put off for another day.
Which left Martin with some time on his hands. He’d pick up Daniel this evening, but until then, there wasn’t a whole lot he needed to do. Maybe he’d amble downtown and see what was going on at the new arts and crafts shop… Just to check on his recent sale. Nothing personal.
****
In the front second-story room of her building, Midnight lay on the raw-silk upholstered love seat she’d carefully arranged by a mahogany-and-marble reading table in the corner of the room. Her living quarters above the shop had been coming together quite nicely…until just now. A few minutes ago she’d been thinking this would be a wonderful corner to curl up with a book on cold winter nights she knew weren’t far away. But right now, reading and weather weren’t on her mind.
As she lay there contemplating the ceiling of her new bedroom, various methods of murdering her realtor flitted through her head. She was slumped back onto the love seat, where she’d nearly collapsed a moment ago, after looking overhead for the first time. Her long jeans-clad legs in front of her, ankles crossed, she also had her arms crossed over her middle. She felt as if she were literally holding herself together, to keep from flying apart. Her head resting on the sofa back, black hair hanging down over the expensive cream colored fabric, Midnight squinted upward, hoping that might change what she was seeing. What in the world? How had this not made it into the virtual tour she’d taken via her realtor’s website? She would definitely have to kill him!
