“What do we do?”
He rakes his hand through his hair and sighs. “We aren’t close to a gas station, or your house.”
This isn’t looking good.
“But, we are close to a house where I know I can borrow a gas can.”
I cross my arms, feeling the chill of no heat. “Great. What house?”
“Will and Carla’s.”
The thud I hear is me hitting the headrest. “So you’re saying the place to get help is Noah’s mom? The one that had a little chat with me about not hurting her son?”
He reaches into his pockets and pulls out his gloves. “She’ll be fine. Who knows, Carla might be asleep already. I really don’t want to leave you here with no heat, but I feel like a jerk for making you walk.”
I dig into my pocket and find my gloves and hat. “I’ll go.”
The snow feels like cold water missiles aiming for my eyes as we trudge through the fresh layer of the season’s first snow. It’s not too slippery but I don’t resist when Wayne reaches for my hand.
“Please forgive me. This is not how I wanted tonight to end.”
“Wayne, it’s okay. An honest mistake. I’m more nervous about Carla seeing me and being upset.”
“I’m telling you, the real concern will be Noah hearing about this and having a field day with this.”
When we reach the Marshall’s porch, a flickering light from a television is on, as well as a lamp near the window. Wayne takes the first step toward the front door and knocks three times. Within seconds, Noah appears.
“Dad? Trish? What are you doing here?” He opens the door and gestures for us to come in.
We take a couple steps inside. I don’t want to get snow on the floor, and there’s enough heat that I can feel my fingers.
“Um, is Will up? I wondered if he has any gas.”
Noah’s eyes widen. “You ran out of gas? On a date? Classic.” He smirks.
Wayne hangs his head. “It’s not like that. I offered to take Trish home because her car doesn’t have snow tires, and I didn’t realize I was out of gas.”
Noah’s still grinning. “Uh-huh. If that happened to me on a date, Mom would never believe it. Anyway, yeah, I think he’s up. I’ll be watching TV if you need anything after I find him.”
A couple minutes later, Will enters the mud room wearing his orange hunting cap on. “Hey, Wayne. Trish. Hear you’re having some trouble.” He reaches for his coat.
Wayne nods. “I ran out of gas. Wondered if I could borrow your gas can and siphon some.”
“No need. I have some fresh gas in a can. Let’s get it, and then I’ll drive you there.”
My boots weren’t made for a lot of walking in the snow, so I speak first. “Will, thank you.”
Before he can respond, another voice speaks up from behind. “Will? What’s going on?”
We turn and see Carla in her flannel pajamas and robe, rubbing her eyes.
“Hey, sweetheart. Wayne and Trish need a ride to his SUV.”
She perks up. “How come? Did you break down?”
Wayne looks like he wants to melt into the floor. “No. I, uh, ran out of gas.”
Carla raises her eyebrows. “Seriously? On a date with Trish? Isn’t that one of the oldest tricks?” She chuckles. “Didn’t you use that one with me?”
If crickets could survive the cold, I think that’s all we would have heard for the next minute. Thank goodness for Will. He breaks the awkward silence. “I won’t be long. Don’t wait up.”
She manages a small smile. “Okay. Well, goodnight you guys.”
.***
Half an hour later, Wayne pulls into my parent’s driveway with his car. The sidewalk is covered in snow and it’s still coming down. He opens the door and slides out. Suddenly, my door is open.
He offers his gloved hand. “Here, let me help you.”
We walk to the porch step and like magic, the light comes on. Even in my twenties, Dad still waits up.
I giggle. “So, this was interesting.”
He shakes his head. “I’m embarrassed. This wasn’t how I wanted the evening to go.”
“It’s okay. I know it was an accident, and it worked out. Will Marshall to the rescue.”
Wayne sighs. “Right. Good ole Will.”
I rest my hand on his upper arm. Even with the bulky coat, I can feel muscle. “Wayne. I had a great time tonight. It was a horrible day and you said you wanted to help me. You did. Thank you.”
His eyes sparkle for just a moment. “I appreciate that. I’d like to do this again, soon, with some modifications.”
I tilt my head so I can get a better look at his expression. At least he’s smiling. “I’m curious. What changes?”
He bends down and grazes his lips on my cheek. “I’d like to subtract running out of gas.”
I can’t argue with that. “Anything you’d like to add?”
Wayne nods. “Next time, I’d like to give you a real goodnight kiss.”
Chapter Ten
The blustery November winds plunge the temperature to twenty degrees and chase most people off the streets or keeps them at home. The quiet gives me time to work on more store window sketches, and my sketch book is three-fourths full. The long stretches at the store without any human interaction leave me excited to take the next step with the drawings and businesses.
The bell on the front door jingles and a tall, late twenty-something looking male with blond hair enters wearing a paramedic jacket. Sadly, it isn’t Wayne.
Brad makes a straight line to the register. “Trish, right?”
I push my book aside and smile. “Yes. Can I help you?”
He nods. “My boots are leaking. I need a good waterproof pair.”
“No problem. We have some in stock. Follow me.”
I mosey over to the shoe corner, Brad a couple paces behind. Once we reach the boot shelf, he stands next to me and smiles.
“So, you work here alone?”
I point to the waterproof style. “When it’s slow. I’m fine.”
He grins. “Yes, you are.”
Ugh. How does Wayne work with this jerk? “I’ll leave you to try these on. If you have any questions, I’ll be up front.”
He holds a hand up. “Wait. Are you seeing anyone?”
I take a few steps back. “Like I said, if you need any help with something from the store, let me know.” I turn and make my way back to the register before he has a chance to reply.
Ten minutes later, he’s placing a box on the counter. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I saw you with Peterson and wondered if you were with him. Bro code and all. But if you’re single, I’d love to take you out sometime. I’m harmless. Promise.” He lifts his hands up in a sign of surrender.
I muster a polite smile. “I’ll keep it in mind, thank you. One hundred thirty-seven dollars and fourteen cents.”
He plunks down a credit card and I hand him the receipt.
“Thanks, Trish. Hope to see you again soon.”
Not if I have anything to do with it. “Have a nice day.”
He turns and grins. “Bye.”
.***
My growling stomach is the only activity in the store after Brad leaves, so I grab my purse, turn over my handmade sign that reads Return in 15 minutes, and lock up. The moon cookie isn’t the healthiest thing to eat, but I make a beeline for JB’s with my focus on getting one.
Ben’s near the entrance and looks up when the doors open. His store has a couple customers, but it isn’t that busy. Winter months are barren in a lot of ways, reminding me why I was so anxious to leave the mountains for New York City.
“Trish, hey. What’s going on?” I join him in the produce section where he’s unpacking tomatoes. “Cookie craving.”
He chuckles. “Moon? You never could say no to those chocolate cookies with them.”
I move closer to the crates and help stack. “That’s one thing that hasn’t changed. Another is how quiet things are around the Four Corner
s this time of year. The department store barely has a handful of customers each day. How about you?”
Ben sighs. “Thankfully, I have a little more traffic because we’re the only food available for miles. People need groceries. I haven’t given Noah as many hours, but so far, I keep busy. Are you installing games on your mom’s computer to pass time?”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “She’s flexible, but I think playing games would not go over well. Actually, I’ve been doing some sketching.”
He stops with a tomato in his hand and faces me. “Like art? I don’t remember you loving art in school.”
I nod. “I didn’t. I’m drawing out ideas to pitch to businesses around the Adirondacks. When I participated in that race with Wayne and Noah up north, I noticed how much opportunity there is if storefronts were used for optimum promotion. The ideas are flowing, but that’s all I’ve done with it. Draw out the ideas for different businesses.”
Ben appears deep in thought as he handles a few tomatoes without saying anything. Then, he looks up and at me. “Did you draw JB’s?”
My stomach lurches like I ate the tomato crate for lunch. “Yes.” My answer comes out more like a question.
“Do you mind showing me?”
I bite my lip before nodding. “Okay. I need to grab that cookie and get back to work, but I’ll run my sketch pad over and you can look at it when you have time. Be kind.”
“You know me, Trish. I’ll be kind. But I’ll also be honest.”
.***
Knowing Ben has possession of my sketches and he’ll be truthful, my nerves send me into deep cleaning at the store as I wait for closing. Shelves are dusted, I’ve rearranged the store front to advertise the fashion show, and I vacuum until it is time to pull down the shades and go home. Even the sugar from my cookie couldn’t give me the fast pace to walk back to JB’s and hear Ben’s thoughts.
I saunter through the automatic doors. “Hey, Ben? You here? It’s Trish.”
Noah’s at the register putting plastic bags on the carousel for easy check-out. “Hi. Ben’s in his office.”
I take a couple steps toward the back.
“He’s looking at your drawings.” Noah’s statement causes me to freeze for a moment.
“Oh. Great. I’ll see what he thinks. Thanks, Noah.”
“Good luck.”
Ben appears deep in thought, unaware I’m in the doorway until I knock. He glances up, smiles, and waves me in. “Great timing. I’m done. Have a seat, if you have time.”
I take a deep breath and sit across from him. “So? What do you think?”
“I’m really impressed. It isn’t just what you drew, it was your notes in the margins. Why these storefront ideas are important. How they will drive more traffic to the business. I loved that you used JB’s for each season. You really showcased what we’re about and have to offer.”
My sigh is definitely from relief. “Thank you.”
Before I can continue, there is a buzz and what sounds like a walkie-talkie. “Ben, Code. K. I repeat, Code K.”
Now it’s Ben’s turn to expel air as he stands. “Follow me, I’m needed up front.”
“What’s ‘Code K?’”
Ben turns around, his expression serious, one I remember from school when he was annoyed. “Code Kyle. I told Noah anytime Swarthmore comes into the store, I want to be up front just to make sure he doesn’t try to manipulate Noah or who knows what else.”
I tag behind Ben. “Wow. You two really don’t get along. But I get it.”
Ben ends in the dairy aisle as Kyle stands over the milk products. “Something I can help you with?”
Kyle turns, his long business coat slapping him in the back of his legs. “Ben. Trish. What a nice reunion between a girl and her exes.”
I roll my eyes and stay silent.
Ben’s voice sounds strained. “The spam is in aisle four.”
Kyle laughs hard enough to throw his head back. “Oh, Ben, it’s always comical to watch you get riled up. I’m looking for almond milk. It appears as if you don’t carry the latest for those who want the best for their health.”
Ben’s tone remains the same. “I carry lactose-free milk, as well as items for those avoiding gluten. However, I’m out of almond milk. I believe my grandmother bought the last of it.”
Sara Bivins, the most fit senior citizen I know who always makes a pit stop for donuts.
Kyle shakes his head. “You might want to rethink not doing business with me. Families are starting to order groceries online and have them delivered. It won’t take much for your little store to shut down.”
“If I lived in a major city. Those things aren’t available here, and even if they were, it wouldn’t be affordable. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish talking with Trish.”
Kyle extends his hands. “Be my guest.”
Ben shuffles a few feet away from Kyle but doesn’t turn his back, or his eye on him. “Trish, I’d like you to join me and Jenna for dinner this week. We’ll work together and make an official proposal for you to start right here in Speculator Falls. We’ll include grant plans that could get you funded across the Adirondacks. The next council meeting is in two weeks. You need to pitch this.”
“Okay. But wouldn’t it be a conflict of interest with you helping me, since you’re on the council?”
A low chuckle from the cheese aisle distracts us as Kyle speaks. "Conflict of interest. That's rich." He walks toward us.
Ben backs up, the vein in his forehead bulging. In high school that was Defcon 5 anger for him. "Swarthmore, this is none of your business.”
"Oh, c'mon, Ben. You know I'm teasing. Of course I'm not serious about you working with your ex-girlfriend on a village council agenda item when last year you wouldn't even work with your now wife on such a thing."
I gasp, although his crassness shouldn't shock me.
Ben's eyes are locked on me. "Trish, my offer stands. Between the three of us I think we can come up with something. I will give full disclosure that I helped, and if they don’t want me to vote, I’ll abstain. Promise.”
Kyle folds his arms against his chest. "Hey, I'm offended. Trish, there was a time my business expertise was a magnetic attraction for you. I'm running businesses in Newark and central New York. I could help."
I roll my eyes and move to the front, toward the registers. "I can't afford you."
Out of the corner of my eye I notice Ben smirking.
Kyle stays by my side. "We had a good thing once."
"We were like the spam. A poor man's version of something real."
Now Ben's laughing.
Kyle gestures toward his chest. "You wound me, Trish. But, I think you'll reconsider when you realize how much we have in common, as much as you're trying to fit in here. You're a great businesswoman stuck in a dead-end job helping family. The bright lights of bigger things beckon to both of us. These mountains confine you. Let me help. Forget Hamilton County. You could be planning events for Westchester and Rockland counties."
It's easy to ignore Kyle's voice because it always sounds toxic. But he hit my trigger. Events. Planning. Counties with potential I never got to tap into. “Life in the big city isn’t always the best.”
The automatic doors grind open as Kyle nods. “True. But I know you, Trish. You have way more potential than you can live up to in these mountains. I’m just asking you to take these proposals and work with me for bigger opportunities. Don’t partner with the small-minded newlyweds. You can do much better, and you know it.”
I glance toward the doors and my eyes land on Wayne in his crisp, white paramedic uniform. He stands in the middle of the doors, looking at me. “Trish? What’s Kyle talking about?”
Chapter Eleven
On the night of my dinner with Ben and Jenna, Wayne texts me as I close up the store.
So xcited 4u. Knock ‘em dead. Thx 4 telling me u like living here.
I punch in my reply. Pls pray. I’m nervous!
Thirty
seconds later, my phone vibrates. Call me later. Can’t w8 2c how it goes.
I stop at JB’s to buy a coffee and moon cookie before driving to the Regan home. I need caffeine to get me through this dinner with Ben and Jenna. I think back to my text and realize as I start my car that I had my priorities right the first time. I need to pray.
“Heavenly Father, I need everything You have. I ask for peace. Wisdom. Discernment. I want this dinner to be enjoyable for everyone and for the business aspect to move forward. I need to know what Your plan for me is. I don’t think it is the department store, but I’m afraid that might be your punishment for me because I was so against Speculator Falls for so long. Forgive me for all that. Thank You for bringing Wayne into my life. This night is for You to do what You will. Amen.”
Ten minutes later, I knock on their massive log cabin door, and a snowflake lands on my nose.
I don't know how far along Jenna is, but she's beaming. No cosmetic company in the world could create a face cream to match the look she's wearing as she opens the door. "Trish, welcome. Ben and I are so happy to have you here for dinner."
I step inside and slip off my shoes.
"I appreciate you guys asking. I know it's crazy with Thanksgiving coming in a couple weeks, so it means a lot you guys wanted to meet to help me with that proposal for the council meeting."
She takes my coat. "It was a year ago I had to give my big senior center proposal to the council. I was so nervous. But, this is different." Jenna hangs the coat in the closet and gestures for me to follow her. "Ben told me your plan. The county needs someone like you."
Jenna escorts me to the dining room, where Ben stands. One year ago Jenna was his girlfriend. Less than two years ago, Ben’s girlfriend was me. It's surreal to see him. Them. And me, in the middle.
I smile, thankful we can work together despite our history. "That's nice of you to say. But as you know, without funding, plans stay ideas."
Ben pushes my chair in, and then Jenna's as he answers. "Don't worry, Trish. After a good taco casserole the three of us will hammer something out. But you know, this sends a message."
Engaged: Surrendering the Future (Surrendering Time Book 3) Page 6
