I sense he’s keeping his gaze on me, and it’s exhilarating and frightening. “Sounds like a rough time.”
“When I came back, I felt like a failure. Seeing a city girl like Jenna move here and so effortlessly blend in, not to mention make Ben forget he ever had a broken heart, which was hard to take. I wasn't nice to her. After a while it hit me, I had no job. No prospects. And it broke me. I kind of went into a depression, mad at my failure, clueless about my future. I’ve been floundering ever since.”
Wendy returns for our orders, and its perfect timing. So much hasn't changed in my life, and I hate revisiting it all. Even if a handsome man is asking to hear my story.
After we give our order, Wayne sighs. “I think it's all about perspective. What seems like punishment to you, for me is opportunity.”
Okay, color me confused. “I need some explanation on that one. It sounds to me like you're trying to make me feel better.”
Wayne reaches across the table and gives my hand a quick squeeze. My napkin squishes between us. “Trish, you're too hard on yourself.”
If all the ice in my glass melts with the heat in his touch, I wouldn’t be surprised.
“Okay, look at it this way. Maybe God's plan was to show you how to appreciate what you had all along. That this is a great place to live with nice people. And by moving back, it wasn't as a failure, but to provide vision for a village that needs the gifts you have.”
“Like?” I lean on my hands and keep my eyes on his.
“What you were saying earlier. You have ideas to increase business by creating great storefronts. Your mom already believes in you to manage the department store. And you can't be too hated if Jenna wants to partner with you for an event with the seniors that you claim don't care for you.”
Wayne's missed his calling. The only other person who can spin like that is my dad. The lawyer.
“Thank you. You're very kind. Either way, that's my story.”
We sit in silence for a while, before I remember something he said.
“Okay, a question for you.” I grin.
He spreads his arms wide. “I'm an open book. Go for it.”
“What do you mean stunning? In less than a week you've rescued me from a fainting spell and cramps. Nothing beautiful about that.”
Wayne lets out a hearty laugh. “See, we're back to perspective. I've enjoyed everything about meeting and getting to know you better.”
I roll my eyes. “You didn't answer me.”
“Fair enough. Have you looked in a mirror? You belong on a magazine cover without needing airbrushing. C'mon. Long blonde hair with crystal blue eyes. I can see how all of Speculator Falls saw you and Ben as the couple of the decade when you were in high school. You two look like movie stars. Same for why Kyle honed in on you. You were something he wanted to own.”
“You think I'm a Barbie doll?” I wish the menus were still on the table so I could mask my hurt.
“No, Trish. Not at all. You’re a beautiful woman who is intelligent to boot. Now everyone is getting to see the warmth you have, too. That's a stunning package if you ask me. Speaking of questions, I have one more.”
Lord, please have the waitress deliver our food. Right now.
Wayne’s smile is full of warmth. “You don't have to answer if you don't want to.”
“All right. Go ahead.”
“If a job comes up that isn't based around here, say, back in New York, would you take it?”
Before I can reply, Wendy arrives with our plates. And I want to hug her.
He places his napkin on his lap and once she leaves, he asks, “Do you mind if I say grace?”
I shake my head. That’s twice today he’s prayed aloud.
“Father, thank You for this day and all that came with it. Bless our time together, our conversation, the food, and the hands that prepared it. In Christ’s name, Amen.”
“Amen.” I open my eyes and reach for a fry. “Can I ask more questions?”
“Absolutely. Don’t mind me, I’m going to chow down on this burger, though.”
I swallow my food. “I’ve heard a little about you as well. When did you become religious?”
Whether it’s my question or the burger, he starts to cough. He takes a few sips of water and recovers. “Food went down the wrong pipe. That’s a great question, and I could answer it in one word. Noah.”
“You want to be a good dad and set an example?”
He shakes his head. “That makes sense, but no. He was raised in the church and has a good head on his shoulders. His faith is real. He kept inviting me to church after I moved here and sometimes I’d show, but my motives weren’t pure. For a time I was hoping to woo Carla back.”
I almost drop my fork.
“Noah got in a little trouble at school and Carla chose Will, which by the way, was the best choice for everyone. Noah invited me to church, and there was something in his eyes. It was more than sitting with him or chatting after service in the sanctuary. He needed to see his dad have a relationship with Christ. Pastor Reynolds gave a great message on the topic of real faith versus being a poser, and I surrendered it all.”
With my fries gone, it’s my turn to talk. “That’s incredible. I confess, I’m not there yet. I’ve always attended and appreciated the messages. For a long time it was what was expected of me, so I never took faith seriously.”
“I don’t think I would have without Noah. I became a parent in an irresponsible way, and I stayed immature for a long time. Carla has every right to say horrible things about me, but she’s extended such grace. But if you went to our hometown, you’d hear a lot of bad things about me.”
I sip my water. “We’re quite the pair.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I want to crawl under the table. Wayne’s chuckle is sweet and disarms my panic. “I agree. It’s been great spending the day with you. One more question, if you’re up for it.”
Do I want pie? Will I run another race with him? Is marriage on the table? What?
“I’m ready.”
He slides both hands over to my side of the table and reaches for my trembling hands. “Do you want to do this again sometime? Soon?”
Chapter Six
With my hair in a messy bun and a colored pencil anchored in my mouth, I look at my sketch pad. Rough drawings of Speculator Falls storefronts fill the pages. My laptop’s open to Google and several tabs with other Adirondack villages and their merchants.
A soft knock disrupts my research as Dad nudges my bedroom door. “You okay? It’s your day off and I haven’t seen much of you.”
I drop the pencil from my mouth and wave him in, making room for him to sit on my canopy bed. “Come, in, I want to show you something.”
He saunters in, ducking under the frilly material before taking a seat. His earthy-smelling cologne trails after him, a scent I remember from childhood. “Sketching? I haven’t seen you do that in a long time.”
I leaf through the different pages and decide to show him the senior center window design advertising the fashion show. “When I went to Indian Lake I was surprised by how much the village has changed. It offers a lot more shopping and business opportunities, but it didn’t look like they were capitalizing on it. I started thinking about window appeal. Decorating the windows and the front displays to attract more people, and hopefully, business for them.”
He lifts the book up to the light, nods, and thumbs through other pages. “You’ve sketched more than Speculator Falls here. This is Gloversville.” He flips another paper. “Wow. Even Lake Placid.”
Okay, so my vision covers a lot of territory. After all, the Adirondacks have over a million acres. “What do you think?”
“Very professional. You customized each design. So, what’s going on? Hobby? New direction for you?” Dad pauses from looking at the sketches and raises his eyebrows while turning toward me.
“I, um, I’m not sure. I thought I was helping mom at the store without any real commitment, but she’
s gone a lot, which I understand. You need the help. I also peek at job postings back in the city.” I push the laptop monitor back to reveal all the searches. “But this, I haven’t felt excited about something for a long time. I thought I’d start with asking Jenna if I can dress the senior center front for the fashion show. If that goes well, who knows?”
He pats my knee before standing. “God knows, honey. Have you prayed about it?”
Oh, right. That. “I will.”
“Good. I know things haven’t gone exactly how you thought they would the last couple years. But the verse I use for everything as a husband, father, lawyer, everything, is true. ‘Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ God’s never failed me. Not once.” He winks.
“I know.” But I’ve failed Him. “You have an amazing life, and you deserve it.”
He walks to the door. “All God’s doing. I promise, you put your trust in Him, and your life will be amazing, too. Not easy, but blessed. Your mom’s at the store and is closing tonight, so it’s just us. How about I order a pizza for dinner?”
I gaze down and see the Four Corners Pizzeria sketch. “That I don’t have to pray about. Sounds good.”
.***
Before going into work the next day, I bring my sketch pad to the senior center. Pulling into the gravel lot transports me back in time. Back when Ben and I were a couple, most everyone in town expected us to get engaged. I was the director, so restless and ready for change. Now, my stomach churns as I face the people I disappointed.
A noise that sounds like a door slam grabs my attention. “Trish? Is that you?”
I turn and see retired banker and Councilman Fred Beebe walking toward me. His white hair makes him look debonair, coupled with the deep blue cable knit sweater he’s wearing. “It is. I’m hoping to meet with Jenna for a couple minutes before I head to the department store.”
He nods and offers a warm smile as he steps ahead in order to open the front door for me. “Sounds interesting. New project?”
“I hope so. If Jenna agrees, I’d like to use the senior center as my experiment. If all goes well, maybe I can expand and make it a career.” Talking to Fred comes naturally and I hope Jenna is as easy to pitch my idea to.
Once I duck past him, he follows me inside. “Something tells me whatever you’re planning, you’ll make it a success.”
Before I can respond, Shirley clears her throat and holds up a clipboard. “Visitors need to sign in.”
Fred chuckles. “We know the drill. Is Jenna here?”
She pushes her enormous glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Who wants to know?”
It’s my turn to clear my throat so I can find my voice. “Me. I don’t have an appointment, but if she has ten minutes, I’d like to talk with her.”
Shirley leans to the right and looks past me, probably into Jenna’s office. She picks up the phone and punches in three numbers. “Jenna, its Shirley. Trish Maxwell is here. She would like to talk to you, but doesn’t have an appointment.”
I look to Fred, who signs in. Only Shirley would phone Jenna when she could just as easily call out to her.
“Are you sure? Okay, you’re the boss. Thanks. Bye.” Shirley puts the ancient phone back in the cradle and focuses her beady eyes on me. “She has a busy schedule but said to come in.”
Phew. I grip my sketch notebook and take a breath. “Thank you, Shirley.” My voice shakes, but I refuse to let the volunteer secretary know she rattles me. I straighten my posture and lift my chin and I move toward my former office.
Jenna stands as soon as she sees me. Her smile is as bright as the halo I imagine she wears to bed at night. As much as I tried to find something wrong with her, I can’t. It’s no surprise everyone in town loves her. “Trish, what a surprise. What brings you by?” She gestures for me to take a seat.
“A favor. When I was in Indian Lake, I noticed how the businesses have changed over the years. I think there is potential across the Adirondacks to bring attention to the merchants.” I pause, noticing she has her arms on her desk and focuses her attention on me.
“Interesting. How so?”
I open my book to my senior center sketch. “I’d like to explore the idea of creating visuals for the store fronts to bring attention to each business. I would custom design and create each one, and I wondered if I could start here. Use the fashion show as a backdrop to decorate your bay windows up front. If people enjoy it and you notice an increase in interest, I’d use the center as my exhibit to ask other businesses if I can do the same for them. My basic vision has me designing all of Speculator Falls.”
“What’s your long-term vision?” She holds her gaze without revealing her thoughts.
“If it’s meant to be, I’d love to be a business that does this for all Adirondack merchants.”
She bites her lip for a moment. “Where does finding another job in New York City fit in?”
Her question feels like a slap, but given my history, it’s legitimate. “Honestly? I don’t know. I’m excited about this idea. I’m helping my mom at the store, and I feel like I’m at a crossroads. But, I promise, I don’t intend to leave town like before. What do you think?” Swallowing hard, I’d love to see Jenna blink. Laugh. Something.
She brings the sketch closer and flips through the others. After a couple minutes, she looks up and her smile is wide. “Trish, these are beautiful. I really think you have something here. I’d love for you to start here with the senior center. Make a supply list and I’ll see if we have everything. Start as soon as you want. I’ll even submit pictures to the paper so you get publicity.”
The urge to jump up and hug her is overwhelming, but I stand and offer my hand. “I won’t let you down. Also, let me know when your volunteer models want to come in to choose their clothes for the show. The entire process is going to be amazing. Thanks, Jenna.”
She stands and takes a few steps toward the office door when her phone beeps. I peek out to the reception area and see Shirley waving at Jenna. She picks up the phone. As she listens, I can hear what Shirley is saying just from her proximity to the office.
“Okay, I’m coming right out.” Jenna hangs up and touches my arm as she jogs past me. “Sorry I can’t walk you out, Bart had to do the Heimlich on Dora Parks.”
Instead of finding the exit, I follow Jenna to the small cafeteria area. A crowd hovers over Dora, who is sipping water.
Jenna arrives on the scene. “Are you okay? Thank God for Bart.”
Dora nods. Her voice is weak. “Embarrassed. Cracker. Purse.”
A siren overpowers her whisper, then the noise stops as doors slam.
Shirley hands Jenna a paper that I can clearly see says Incident Report. “She probably ate a stale cracker from the fifties.”
Before anyone can admonish her, the front doors open and Wayne leads the way inside, holding the front of a stretcher. “Where’s the emergency?”
My heart does a fast dance at the sight of Wayne in uniform. Jenna’s about to answer when Jill enters, holding the back end of the stretcher. “Where’s our patient?”
Watching the blonde bounce in, her flirty gaze resting on Wayne, I want to raise my hand.
Chapter Seven
Dora signs off on going to the medical center and I hang around the seniors, hoping to spend some time with Wayne. He shuts the lid on his box of supplies and heads for the door.
Jill zips up her paramedic jacket without looking at me. “Hey, Wayne. Are you hungry?”
He looks at his watch. “Not really. Jack Frosty’s is open. Go ahead, I can finish packing up. I’ll find you when I’m ready to head back.”
My stomach feels as if I ate jumping beans. Maybe we can have a few minutes to chat.
Jill’s dirty blonde ponytail bobs as she walks his way. “You sure?”
Wayne winks in my direction. “I’ll keep busy.”
She shrugs and exits, while
Wayne doesn’t move. My options are to talk to Shirley or him. Not a hard choice.
“Busy shift?”
He smiles and gestures for me to follow him outside. “Not bad. Glad this one wasn’t any worse.”
I match his pace and we walk side-by-side to his work SUV. “So, you’re on break?”
Wayne opens the trunk and places the medical kit inside. When he turns around, he’s inches away. The goosebumps I feel has nothing to do with the mid-October weather. “Yep. If I get a call we have to take it, but for now, I thought I’d talk to you. I’ve been hoping to meet up.”
It’s so hard to act collected when a handsome man is in your personal space. “Really? What for?”
He sits on the edge of the trunk and taps the carpeted area next to him. “I needed to follow up with you on something.”
I sit next to him, crossing my legs as my feet touch the pavement. “Oh. Is something wrong?” Please don’t say we can’t see each other. Or that the seniors are right not to like me. Let it be good news.
He sighs. “I hope not. You might not remember, but at the race, when you met Brad and Jill, she mentioned you as a patient. Thing is, she broke confidentiality and protocol. I had to write her up.”
“Am I in trouble?”
Wayne shakes his head. “No, not at all. I wanted to give you a heads-up. I haven’t worked with Jill long, but she can be immature. I hope this doesn’t happen, but she might blame you. She doesn’t know that yet, my boss is going to talk to her tomorrow.”
The butterflies in my stomach drop like lead. “Immature how?”
He cracks his knuckles. “Talking about you the way she did, for one. That’s a basic rule in healthcare.”
I bite my lip for a moment. “You look like you have more to say.”
Engaged: Surrendering the Future (Surrendering Time Book 3) Page 4
