by Amber West
“Ah, yes. This will help. You said you volunteered at the hospital in the city before moving here?”
“Yes. I did a lot of different things. Mostly counseling with trauma patients, things like that.”
“Really? Well, I don’t know that you’ll find our town very stimulating then.”
“I’m okay with that. I moved here to get away from all the stimulation.”
Father Mike nodded with a smile. “I understand. Sometimes it’s nice to get away.”
I smiled back, tipping my head to one side. “You aren’t from here, are you?”
“What makes you say that?”
“Your accent. It’s a bit...off.”
“Observant.” He looked around at the quickly disappearing sun, not offering any explanation, and nodded to the church. “We should head in. Once the sun drops this time of year, it gets surprisingly cold.”
He wasn’t wrong. I was already resisting the urge to dance around in one spot to keep warm. We quickly made our way inside.
“I should probably head home, then.”
“Of course. I’m sure you’ll get along fine here. Just give the town a little time to get to know you and they’ll warm up quickly enough.”
“Thanks for looking out for me Father...I mean, Mike. Sorry, it’s the collar. Throws me off.”
He smiled. “I know. I appreciate the effort, though.”
“I’ll take you up on that tour sometime soon, if the offer still stands.”
“Of course. Will you be at the barbecue and rummage sale tomorrow?”
“Yes, I will.”
“Good, that will help your reputation with the sisters as well.”
“Thanks, I need all the help I can get I guess.”
I headed for the door and down the steps, grateful that the heavy camera equipment convinced me to drive and not walk.
“Hey, Jameson!”
Father Mike stood at the top of the steps as I was about to get in my car.
“Yeah?”
“Maybe leave the phone home tomorrow, yeah?”
He smiled before walking back inside the church, the big wooden door slowly closing behind him.
Chapter 13
I was enjoying the brisk weather, walking to the town barbecue in my boots and favorite scarf. I told Jack that I wanted to take some photos on the stroll up, but would gladly accept his offer for a ride at the end of the festivities. While it was true that I wanted to take photos, I also wanted to avoid showing up to my first town event with the beloved Sheriff. I wasn’t looking to give the town anything else to talk about.
I didn’t have too much further to go when a truck passed and hit its brakes. The passenger door flew open and I heard Emma squeal my name.
“James!”
She waved her ride on and hopped over next to me, linking her arm in mine. “I’m so glad to see you! You don’t mind me walkin’ with you, right?”
“Not at all!” I laughed. “It’s nice to see a familiar face.”
“You haven’t met too many people from town yet?”
“Not really. I mean, a couple of shopkeepers, but I haven’t said much more than a ‘hello’ to them.”
“Well, most everyone is real nice. I’ll introduce you around.”
I loved Emma’s sweetness. She was so genuinely pleased with everything. It was refreshing after months of hanging around Dylan’s friends, who seemed to complain about everything, including each other.
It was another odd, yet really welcome, change.
“So, Emma, what do you like to do when you aren’t working at the diner?”
Emma scrunched up her face, thinking. “Oh, I don’t know. Sometimes I volunteer at the church. In the spring there is always a lot to do in the garden, and I love flowers, so I like to help out there. And I spend time with my momma. She isn’t in the best health, so I read to her and keep house.”
“She must be happy to have you around to take care of her.”
She shrugged. “She says it’s what I’m ‘spose to do.”
For the first time, I saw a sad look cross Emma’s face, but in an instant, she perked up. “How did your photos from the diner look?”
“I liked them. I sent off for some prints, so I should have some to bring by the diner next week.”
“I’m excited. I love pretty pictures.”
“You should come out with me one day and take some yourself.”
Emma hopped as we kept walking. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Just let me know when you have some time and we’ll go.”
We were approaching the rummage sale and Emma squeezed my arm. “Thank you, James, that is so sweet.”
We walked into the sea of tables, filled with old lamps, vases, and various knick knacks. Some tables had piles of neatly folded fabrics, crocheted shawls, and knit scarves. A girl walked up, about Emma’s age as far as I could tell, tugging at the sleeves of her sweater.
“Hey Anne, this is my friend James,” Emma said, making introductions. “She’s from New York.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss James.” Anne was thin, with light brown hair that fell to her waist. She wore wire frame glasses and seemed considerably quieter than Emma.
“Just James. It’s very nice to meet you, Anne.”
She smiled and nodded without looking up at me. “Emma, the sisters wanted us to help set up the dessert table.”
“Oh, I completely forgot.” Emma frowned and squeezed my arm. “James, I have to go, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not a problem. I’m sure I’ll catch up with you later.”
Emma took off with Anne shuffling behind her, leaving me to fend for myself. I lifted up my camera and started to snap photos of some of the more interesting looking figurines on one table. I’d smile and say hello to the ladies watching over the items as I snapped away. Some would smile in return, while others would only stare.
I had moved past several tables when something caught my eye: an old camera bag. When I opened it, there was a camera, a lens, and some old film still inside. I picked it up, fiddled around with it a bit, and discovered it was in good working order. I placed the camera back in the bag, threw it over the opposite shoulder of the bag I was already carrying, and walked up to a table of ladies with a little locked box in front of them.
“Hi. I was wondering how much this camera bag is?”
One of the ladies looked over her spectacles, perched precariously low on her nose. “That’s an orange sticker on there. Twenty-five dollars.”
I slid a wallet from the inside of my camera bag out, and handed the lady a couple of bills. She counted them and started to make change. While she did that, one of the other women spoke.
“Are you the girl from the city living out at Jack’s place?”
“I’m renting the place behind Sheriff Jack’s house, not living at his place.” I let out a nervous laugh, while the women looked at each other. One started to hand me my change, but I put a hand up, “Keep it.”
“Well, that’s mighty generous. Bless you.” She smiled and added, “Why don’t you take a look at some of those quilts over there. Handmade by Miss Sherry.”
My attempt at winning them over seemed to slowly be working. I thought I may as well keep with the momentum. “Those quilts are gorgeous. How much for the green and white one?”
Now the woman behind the table I figured must be Miss Sherry was smiling, too. “That’s a large one, so it is on the pricey side. Sixty dollars.”
I knew if I wanted, I could probably convince her to sell it to me for less, but I was on my way to losing my reputation as the ‘rude city girl with the phone in church’, so I whipped out a few more bills. “I’ll take it. It’s just what I need for my new place.”
The ladies all seemed very pleased with themselves, and quite possibly me. Sherry wrapped the quilt up and put it in a bag before handing it to me. “Thank you, dear.”
“Thank you. Sherry, right? And I didn’t catch your names?” I nodded towards the o
ther two women behind the table.
“I’m Beverly,” said the woman with the cashbox, “and this here is my sister, Francine.”
“It’s lovely to meet you ladies.”
“The pleasure is ours,” smiled Beverly, as she took the sixty dollars from Sherry and placed it in the box. “You go enjoy yourself.”
As I walked away, loaded down with two camera bags and a heavy quilt I looked back to see the women chatting with other townspeople, with the occasional glance in my direction. It looked like the good graces of the town might have cost me just under a hundred dollars.
Not a horrible deal.
I wandered around for a while longer. Taking photos was becoming more of a challenge with the load I was carrying, and I was getting hungry. I walked towards the smell of smoked meat that had been wafting over to the sale tables all afternoon. As I got closer, I could see the spread of macaroni and potato salads, puddings, cakes, and of course, grills loaded with meat.
“Looks good doesn’t it? The sisters do all the cooking, if you can believe it.”
I turned to see Father Mike standing beside me, sipping a root beer. He was wearing jeans and a dark blue coat, nearly disguising the tiny scrap of white at his neck.
“Amazing. I don’t know much about barbecue, but if that tastes half as good as it smells, I may never leave this tent.”
“We’ll be sure to wheel you out if necessary.” Father Mike looked me up and down and smiled, “Looks like you had a good time rummaging?”
“Yes. Although, I have to admit I didn’t completely think the timing of my purchases through.” I set the bulky bag with the quilt down at my feet and removed one camera bag, rubbing my shoulder and neck where the strap was digging in. “I may need to be wheeled out even without the barbecue.”
Father Mike smiled while taking another sip of root beer, but as a voice came up behind me, his smile seemed to switch from genuine to strained.
“Afternoon, Father. James, let me help you with your stuff.”
Jack leaned forward picking up the quilt and sliding the camera bag over his shoulder.
“Thanks, but I have it.”
Jack shook his head and slid his hand under the strap still slung over my shoulder. “I’ll put all of this in the Jeep so you can eat and wander.”
“I’ll keep this one actually,” I said, gripping my digital camera bag, “in case I want to take any more photos.”
Jack’s hand was still resting between the strap of the camera bag and my shoulder. “You sure?”
I nodded, wondering if the flutter in my stomach was brought on by Jack’s hand or hunger.
“Alright. If you change your mind, let me know.”
He walked off, carrying my newly purchased goods to his Jeep while I stood with Father Mike.
“Well, then, looks like you have your hands free for some food?”
I nodded. “Yes. I can’t wait. You won’t think I’m rude if I don’t find a nice way to wrap up our conversation, will you?”
“Not at all. Leave. I insist.”
I grinned and rushed off to make myself a plate. As I walked along the table with my paper plate in hand, I scanned the traditionally southern dishes. I heaped some macaroni and creamed spinach on the plate before making it over to the grills.
Father Mike wasn’t kidding when he said the nuns made everything, as I walked up to a woman dressed in dark clothes behind the grill, wimple on her head and a cross around her neck.
“What can I get you? We have ribs, brisket, all sorts of goodness.”
“I’ll try the brisket.”
“Good choice,” she winked, placing a pile of meat on my plate. She tossed a couple of ribs on there and added, “These are a favorite too. Special recipe.”
“Thank you, Sister...?”
“Sister Catherine. Enjoy your meal, Miss Quinn.”
I forced a nervous smile, still unaccustomed to strangers knowing my name. At least this sister was friendly. I found an empty table and sat down. I took a bite of the brisket and closed my eyes. The meat was smoky and sweet, practically melting in my mouth, nothing like anything I’d tasted before. I knew barbecue in the south was supposed to be better, but I didn’t imagine it could be so different.
“How’s the food?”
I didn’t have to open my eyes to know it was Jack’s voice. “So good I almost took the Lord’s name in vain.”
Jack laughed. “Well, don’t let anyone else hear you say that. But I know what you mean.”
Jack set his plate down on the table across from me, along with two plastic cups.
“Oh, thanks, I totally forgot to grab a drink.”
“Sweet tea.”
“Excuse me?” I held a forkful of macaroni in front of my face, waiting.
“Sweet tea. That’s what I got you. Can’t have barbecue without it.”
“Oh, sweet tea. Gotcha.”
“What did you think I said?”
“Nothing.”
“Beautiful evening, isn’t it?”
I nodded and looked around at the people milling about, smiles on their faces, the smell of barbecue and cool fall air all around. “The church holds these events often?”
Jack nodded. “Seeing your neighbor for a few minutes each Sunday doesn’t really give you an opportunity to get to know them. The church figures the more time we all spend together, the more we invest in each other.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“You don’t sound too convinced.”
“It’s not that. I’m just not used to it. I couldn’t even tell you the names of the people who lived in my last building, let alone tell you anything about their personal life.”
Jack leaned forward against the picnic table. “And do you prefer that? Keeping people at arm’s length?”
I shrugged. “Not everyone.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Jack gave me a quick wink before turning to say hello to some of the townspeople at the next table. I watched the way he gestured as he told a story, his hands calloused and strong, the way his sapphire eyes seemed to dance when he laughed. I was amazed how at ease he was with everyone, sweet and sincere, and how they responded in kind. It was endearing to see someone genuinely interested in others.
Maybe a little more than endearing.
~~~
“You ok? You haven’t said a word the whole ride.”
Jack threw his jeep into park as we entered the barn. I shook my head, realizing I had zoned out on the short drive home.
“Sorry about that. Just a little tired. All that food and chatting wore me out.”
I grabbed the door handle and hopped out of the jeep, reaching inside for my camera bags while Jack grabbed the quilt.
“Sherry got you to buy one of her quilts, huh?”
“It’s cute,” I said defensively. “Plus, you should have seen those ladies faces when I bought it. I went from ‘heathen from the city’ to ‘sweet girl down the road’ in a matter of seconds.”
Jack put his free hand up as we walked to my door, “Hey, I’m not judging. You should see my linen closet. I think I have one in every color of the rainbow.”
“Pink?”
“Well, not pink.”
I laughed and opened my door, setting the camera bags just inside, then held out my arms for the giant quilt. He handed it over, his arm brushing mine as he did.
“You got it?”
“I’m good. Thanks for the ride. And helping me with my stuff.”
We stood staring in silence for a few seconds.
“Of course. I better head in. See you in the morning?”
I thought, then remembered, “Right, Mass. Of course.”
He gave me a big grin before saying good night and heading up the walk. I closed the door and lugged my stuff upstairs. I looked out of the giant bedroom windows just as Jack was walking up the back porch steps to his house. I kicked off my boots and clothes, threw on my sweatpants and climbed into bed, cuddling with my new comfort
er and quilt.
Chapter 14
“So you actually went to school to be a psychiatrist?”
I sat across from the town doctor, a short man with salt and pepper hair and a nasally voice. I had received a call from Sister Marjorie informing me that I should meet with the doctor to see if I could help at the town hospital, or at least that’s what she called it. In reality, it wasn’t much more than a few rooms, barely a clinic.
“Actually, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be, but yes, my degree is in Psychiatry.”
The doctor looked down at the paper in front of him, then up at me. “Not too sure we need that kind of expertise here.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m happy to help with whatever’s needed. I do have some basic nursing skills as well. I did a volunteer stint in Haiti, so I do have real world experience with some basic stuff – wound care, nothing too fancy.”
“You realize this isn’t a paid position. And I won’t be having you treat patients in any way. You probably won’t do more than file papers, order supplies, things like that.”
I nodded. “I understand. I just want to help in any way I can.”
The doctor stood up and extended his hand. “Well, in that case, Miss Quinn, welcome to Ruth Valley Hospital. It’s generally slow here, so I can just call you when I need an extra set of hands to take care of things.”
“That sounds great, Dr. Matthews.”
He shook his head. “Well, you go on for now and I’ll be in touch.”
I headed out of his office, through the empty waiting room and out to the sidewalk. He didn’t seem too thrilled about my help, but I wanted to make it clear that I was willing to help where I could in town. To that end, I started towards the bookstore, just a block away.
As I pushed the door open, I was greeted by a middle aged woman sitting behind a desk. Reading glasses sat on the edge of her nose, a book in her hand. “May I help you?”
“Actually, Jack told me I should come by. He said you were looking for some help around the shop?”
The woman set her book down on the desk. “Yes, I am actually. When can you start?”
“Soon, I guess. You didn’t want to ask me any questions?”
