“Sure,” Richard agreed without knowing where Henry wanted him to go.
“Let’s take a walk around back and look at the lot,” Henry suggested with a twitch of his eyebrows. They rose and exited the diner after a few obligatory handshakes with patrons and an assurance to Suzy Grainger, the proprietor, that they would be right back. Once outside, their conversation continued.
“What’s up, Henry?” Richard asked as they walked around toward the back of the building.
“I want you to see something. Besides, too many ears in there,” Henry said, referring to his desire to keep the remainder of their conversation confidential.
“Gotcha. So what am I looking for?”
“Ok, that’s the lot that Everett owns right there,” Henry stated, pointing to a small parcel of mostly weeds directly behind the strip plaza.
“Yep,” the mayor concurred.
“We both know what he wants. He’s looking to get paid and get his rear end kissed for bringing cell service to town. Probably plans to put his name on the tower too.”
The mayor chuckled, knowing that Henry was spot-on with his assessment.
“Ok, now look just through those trees about fifty yards over and tell me what you see,” Henry directed, now pointing to the far side of the proposed site.
“The old fire house?”
“Right! And who owns that building and the adjoining piece of ground?”
Mayor Ross broke into a huge grin and shook his head as he now knew where Henry was going.
“Why, the town of Lewis owns that fine piece of property,” he announced.
“I think the town would benefit from leasing that unused ground to a cell phone company for a brand spanking new tower, don’t you?” Henry asked the mayor facetiously.
“I sure do!”
“Over there, you’re off the main drag and out of sight but still in close enough proximity to get the coverage they want. Your constituents will be tickled pink and on top of it, Lewis gets the payday instead of Everett.”
Richard laughed and slapped Henry on the shoulder. He wondered why he was the mayor and not Henry Engel.
“Can I ask you a personal question that’s always intrigued me?”
“Sure, go ahead. I don’t promise you an answer, though,” Henry replied with a twinkle in his eye.
“What the heck is the deal with you and John Everett? On the outside nobody can really tell, not much is ever said. But since I’ve been on the inside on a few things with you over the years, I know how much you like to stick it to him. What’s that all about?”
Henry stared off in silence for a moment at the lot and considered his answer. Then, he spoke slowly and chose his words carefully.
“Let’s just say he crossed the line with me a long, long time ago, and I figured out what he is all about. Now, anytime I see his name attached to something, I know that it’s good for him and not as good for everyone else. If I can knock that blow-hard down a peg or two and do right by everyone else, it suits me. Unlike him, I’m not one for airing my affairs in public. So, just like always, keep me out of this cell tower deal.”
“Sure Henry, of course, I completely understand.”
“If my name comes up, it’ll just piss him off. Everett would love to meet me at noon on Main Street for a gunfight and put on a big show anyway, not that he’d ever draw. I don’t roll around with the pigs, Richard; once you’re done you’re both dirty, and no one can tell who’s who. I’m more than satisfied just to be the fly in his ointment once in a while.”
“Good deal, Henry, I’m grateful for your help on this one. It gets me out of a jam and will really help the town,” the mayor said as he shook Henry’s hand.
“Believe me, Dick, it’s my pleasure. Let’s go eat!” With that, they went back inside and enjoyed a robust lunch. The meeting left both men changed. Mayor Ross left that day with an even greater respect for Henry Engel. He appreciated his devotion to the town and his candor. He knew that whatever grudge Henry held against John Everett, it must be well-deserved, and he respected the manner in which Henry dealt with it. He also left with a brilliant plan that would benefit the town of Lewis greatly and aid in his reelection.
As for Henry, his evolution as a man was continuing. He was learning to share his feelings and let his guard down in ways that would have been impossible for him a year before. His expressions of genuine affection for Millie had sparked a change inside of him. He was beginning to see that he could trust people other than just a chosen few who were included in his inner circle. The world was now beginning to open up, and it included more than Jake, Joe, Millie, and George. A year before, he would have never answered the mayor’s question. However, now he could see that Richard was not just an honorable man, but also a friend. Helping him solve a problem while improving the quality of life for the residents of Lewis made Henry very happy. The added bonus of sticking it to John Everett and depriving him of his bragging rights and bag of cash was merely icing on the cake.
Chapter 14
Girl Talk
Millie peeked out the front window for any signs of Henry’s return, but as of yet, he was nowhere in sight. She knew that his lunch meeting with Mayor Ross would likely take a while, and her interest wasn’t due to concern about his well-being. It was simply that she missed him and was anxious for him to come back home. Nevertheless, since it was Friday, which had long been designated as her deep cleaning day, there were plenty of chores to keep her busy while he was gone.
“No sign of him yet, baby,” she reported to Joe as she walked past. The sleepy cat was taking an afternoon snooze on the bottom step of the staircase and cracked open her eyes at the sound of Millie’s voice. However, she quickly determined that there was no cause for movement on her part and resumed her slumber.
Millie picked up a damp sponge and began scrubbing the counter surrounding the kitchen sink. As she did, her thoughts drifted back to her date with Henry and she happily hummed a soft melody. However, her pleasant song was abruptly interrupted by a sudden knock on the front door. The sound of it startled her and caused Joe’s head to pop up with alarm.
“Now who on earth could that be?” Millie said aloud as she dropped the sponge in the sink and looked over at the clock. It was a tad before 1:00 p.m. and certainly too early for Lucy Dawson, the extremely punctual mail carrier, to be dropping off a package. She turned on the faucet and rinsed her hands quickly before grabbing a nearby towel and drying them in haste. Since Henry hadn’t forewarned her to expect anyone, she reasoned that it must be some sort of delivery and stepped toward the door.
“Hold on, I’m coming!” she called ahead as she made her way down the hallway. She looked through the panes of glass on either side of the door but couldn’t see a delivery person or any type of truck for that matter. Good Lord, couldn’t even wait a minute while I washed my hands? she wondered with agitation. As Millie pulled open the large door, she was growing perturbed by the thought that whoever had been knocking had been rudely impatient and already left. Much to her surprise, there wasn’t a uniformed package-toting person on the other side. Instead, she was greeted by an attractive younger woman who was peacefully waiting for someone to answer the door. Millie thought that she looked tired as if she had been on a long journey. She also immediately noted that this young lady had the most sensational green eyes she had ever seen. The expression on the visitor’s face indicated that she was just as surprised to see Millie.
“Hello there miss, can I help you?” Millie asked as she opened the storm door.
“Hello, I’m looking for Henry Engel. Is he home by chance?” the woman asked politely.
The British accent was unmistakable. Millie instantly guessed that the person standing on the porch was none other than the famous author that she had heard so much about from Henry. He said she was pretty; never said she was a knockout, she thought with a degree of jealousy. Off to the left, Millie noticed a dark green Jeep Cherokee that looked to be packed to the gills.
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br /> “Why hello, Ms. Wagner! I’ve heard plenty about you. Mr. Engel isn’t here right now, but he ought to be home directly. Would you like to come in and wait for him?” Millie’s hospitality was genuine and typical. She treated everyone she encountered with great respect and would give the shirt off of her back to a stranger in need. However, in this case, her invitation was also slightly self-serving. The opportunity to size up her competition and possibly speak privately with Anne was too good to pass up. She felt better about Henry’s mindset after the events of the past twenty-four hours, but she was uncertain what Anne’s intentions might be. If need be, she was determined to set the Englishwoman straight about a few things related to her relationship with Henry.
“That would be simply lovely! I’d so appreciate it, if you don’t mind. I drove all night and just hit town, and I’m pooped,” she said with a fatigued laugh as she stepped through the doorway.
“Well come on in, and take a seat,” Millie beckoned as she led the way toward the kitchen.
Anne followed closely behind and felt glad to be back at Oak Forest. The estate had a discernible warmth, and she was drawn to it.
“Oh, hello Joe!” she exclaimed as she caught sight of the little Siamese cat on the staircase. “How have you been, darling?”
Joe immediately stood and cried out at the sight of her, causing the weary author to kneel and shower her with lavish affection.
“Looks like somebody sure remembers you,” Millie observed, a little irked by the cat’s vociferous reaction to their visitor. Joe was generally friendly toward guests, but clearly she was particularly thrilled to see Anne.
“I’ll say! We hit it off right from the first, didn’t we baby?” Anne declared happily as she scratched the feline’s neck and ears. Suddenly, it occurred to her that she had not formally introduced herself.
“Goodness sakes, now look at me. Where are my manners? Here I’ve intruded on you and disrupted your afternoon and not even introduced myself properly,” Anne apologized as she stood and stepped toward Millie with her hand extended. “It seems you already know who I am, and you are Henry’s housekeeper I suppose? Millie is it?”
“Yes ma’am, Ms. Wagner, I’m Millie all right. I’m Henry’s housekeeper.” For the first time, the title stuck in her throat like a dry bite of a sandwich.
“I’ve heard about you too,” she said with a smile as they shook hands politely. “Please do call me Anne; all of my friends do, and I so hope that we can get to be friends in time.”
Millie smiled. We’ll have to see about that Ms. Wagner, she thought.
“I hope so too,” she replied courteously. “Would you like something to drink?”
“That would be delightful. I could really go for a spot of tea. I don’t suppose Henry ever got any?”
Henry? She calls him Henry? Millie didn’t like where this was headed. She shook her head with a forced smile.
“Sorry, no tea. He’s got a fine-looking teakettle, though,” she said referring to Anne’s recent gift.
“Oh lovely! Did he like it?”
“Put it right on his desk where it’s been ever since,” Millie jabbed, softly downplaying his interest in the present.
“Ugh, he’s such an American man!” Anne moaned in jest.
“He is certainly all of that and a handful more. How about a glass of lemonade instead?”
“That would be wonderful, Millie, thank you.”
“All right. You rest your legs, and I’ll get us some.”
Anne pulled a chair from the table and sat down as Millie stepped to the cabinet. She retrieved glasses and then moved on to the refrigerator for the pitcher, which held two quarts of the freshly made refreshment. As she filled each glass with ice from the dispenser on the fridge door, she could understand why a man would be attracted to Anne. She’s young, gorgeous, and sweet. What’s not to like? After she had poured lemonade into the glasses, she picked them up and moved to the kitchen table.
“Thank you so much!” Anne said as she accepted her drink and took a long sip from it. “My, that is good!” she announced as she savored the flavor.
“Hard to beat on a spring day,” Millie pleasantly agreed as she sat down and took a sip as well.
“Indeed.”
“So, I hear we’re going to be neighbors. Henry told me that you bought the old Stewart place,” Millie stated, attempting to make conversation.
“Yes, that’s right. You know the home?” Anne asked innocently.
“Oh yeah, it’s just a couple blocks over from where I live. My place is on Maple.”
“That’s grand!” Anne declared excitedly, not truly knowing yet where that street was but guessing that it was close to her new home. “I do hope you’ll come by and visit once I get settled.”
“I look forward to it!” Millie was impressed by Anne’s friendly demeanor. She was having a hard time not liking the engaging British author.
“I’ve contracted with a nice man from town to fix things up. You might know him, he’s called Louis from Lewis?” Millie smiled and nodded her head affirmatively at the mention of his name. He had been a fixture around Oak Forest for years when a problem arose, and Millie knew him to be a fine father and excellent handyman.
“I was originally planning to hold off on moving until summer, but I couldn’t wait. Henry is such a dear; he’s been keeping an eye on things for me, but I decided to go ahead and come out here now and oversee the renovation in person. I may have to rough it for a bit, but I confess I’m excited to make a go of it,” she added with a giggle.
The mention of dear Henry reminded Millie that Anne may, in fact, be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She realized that all of Anne’s girl talk may be no more than a device to get into Millie’s good graces and get her even closer to Henry. Things had gone too far, and her heart was too taken by Henry to sit idly by and watch as anything or anyone attempted to wedge in between them. Therefore, she sensed an opportunity to feel the Brit out a bit about the nature of her interest in him.
“Yeah, Henry is a very special man for sure. He and I have been together for near twenty-five years now.” The mention of the tenure of their relationship was deliberate and intended to make the point that Anne was treading on Millie’s well-established turf. “He’s been awful good to me. He’s one of those rare people that is just awful good to everybody, you know? I couldn’t have found a better man… To work for, that is.” Millie caught herself and added that last phrase as she realized that her heart was overflowing with affection for him these days. She had wanted to feel Anne out, not confess her own love for the man. It was a slip that wasn’t lost on the astute younger woman.
Anne smiled. She had become a renowned and accomplished author in large part because she understood people and was able to convey their genuine human emotions in her books. It now occurred to her that her presence in Lewis might be seen as a threat and she rapidly moved to quell any concerns that might exist. In just those few moments shared together, she already had a strong desire to befriend Millie and make her an ally, not an enemy. She had an idea for a bestseller, but she knew that it might take Millie’s help to make it happen.
“Yes, I concur completely. Henry is a rare and special man to be sure. From the very first time I met him, he was different than what I expected. I came here looking for a story; you know, something I could use in a book I am working on. Instead, I found someone that so reminds me of my father. I lost him tragically some years back, and it left a huge hole in my heart. In some weird way, Henry fits there, and I’m just drawn to him. It’s a large part of the reason I bought Molly Stewart’s house and decided to move here. I suppose that sounds a little daft, right?” she asked, mildly embarrassed by her own confession of her feelings.
“Not at all, Anne. Are you hungry, can I make you a sandwich?” Millie’s face broke into an enormous smile as she reached her hand across the table and patted Anne’s forearm. Her reservations and jealousy about the author’s budding relationship with Hen
ry had been entirely misplaced. She fully understood precisely how Anne felt and shared the sentiment. It was exactly the same reason, just from a different angle, that had drawn her to him all those years ago. Henry Engel was an extraordinary man and knowing him made you feel better about yourself.
Now that Millie knew that she could let her guard down, she could see that Anne might be wonderful for Henry. He had never had any children of his own, except for Joe, and it was something that she knew he regretted. Perhaps Anne was just the piece he needed to complete that section of his puzzle. It was something that Millie could relate all too well to, and it was also the reason that she was now highly motivated to find her own son and reconnect with him.
Anne was famished and gratefully accepted the offer. Millie cheerfully prepared a fine lunch for them both featuring ham sandwiches, potato salad, and sweet peaches. While they ate, they chatted and laughed and got to know one another. They also spent a good deal of time talking about Henry. Anne was very curious to learn more about him and asked lots of questions that Millie happily answered. By the time Henry arrived back at Oak Forest, the women had been talking for nearly two hours and were beginning to feel like old friends.
“Uh-oh, this can’t be good,” Henry protested in jest as he entered the kitchen.
“Hello, Henry!” Anne cried out as she popped up from her seat.
“Hi, kiddo! What in the world are you doing here? You didn’t say anything last time we talked about coming out here yet. I was shocked just now when I saw your Jeep out front.”
“Bad surprise?” Anne inquired with a playful twist of her head.
“Just the opposite,” Henry reassured her with a smile as she reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Good to see you again!”
“You too! I’ve just been having the nicest afternoon with Millie!” she said as she turned to the table.
“So I see,” Henry noted cautiously. “And what have you two been talking about?”
Celebrations With Jake and Joe Page 15
