Finders Keepers

by Catherine Palmer

  “Zachary?” Concerned, she walked the long hall, peering into every room. “Where are you?”

  She turned a corner and caught a glimpse of something red at the far end of a narrow corridor. “I told you he’s not here,” Zachary said over the rumble of thunder. “Boompah promised to get him home on time.”

  “What’s Boompah doing at the market? And what are you doing there in the dark?”

  “I’m just sitting here, OK? If you don’t mind, I’d like a little privacy for once.”

  She bristled. “Have I been bothering you?”

  “This whole town has been bothering me. I can’t take a step without everybody tracking my footprints.”

  Pausing, she studied the hunched figure seated at the bottom of the attic steps, his arms wrapped around a bulky red wool coat. “Is that Grace’s winter coat?”

  “You tell me. I found it in the attic.”

  She approached him. “Grace wasn’t able to get out much the last few years except for church, but I’d recognize that coat anywhere.”

  “Then she’s the one who took me to the park when I was a kid. She’s the one who gave me Bobo.”

  “Grace gave you Bobo?” Elizabeth sank onto the dusty step beside him. “Wow. Do you remember her well?”

  “No. She stopped coming to see me.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Too busy, I guess.” He pushed the coat aside. “But I remembered her after all these years.”

  “She must have remembered you, too. She gave you her house.” Elizabeth looked over his shoulder up the attic stairs. “Did you find anything else?”

  “Not much. A couple of pairs of shoes. An old board game.” He stood. “Well, I guess you’ll be wanting to get Nick from the market.”

  She remained seated. “Zachary, I want you to know that Phil Fox and I—”

  “Skip it. Doesn’t matter.”

  “It does matter. You and I … we were just starting to connect. That morning at the donut shop, I felt like we had an understanding.”

  “What’s to understand? You and Phil are doing everything in your power to block me.”

  “It’s not you personally. It’s just that we want to preserve Ambleside’s history.”

  “Don’t give me that. I personally intend to take down this old house, so I personally am the enemy.” He leaned one hand on the door frame. “Look, Elizabeth, this is how it is. All my life I’ve believed in one thing. Tear down the old, and build the new. That’s how life taught me, right? The old family structure wasn’t working, so my parents put me out into the foster-care system to fend for myself. My heritage said education wasn’t important, but I fashioned two college degrees from the rubble of that old image. My father’s example taught me not to hold a job more than a few months, so I built myself a business that will withstand anything. That’s my experience and my motivation. I don’t dwell in the old; I get rid of it and build the new.”

  “Are you happy?”

  “Of course I’m happy.” A look of disgust crossed his face as he stared up into the attic gloom. “I don’t want this old stuff trying to creep back into my life. I don’t want Boompah acting like a father to me, dispensing the wisdom of the ages. I don’t want to face a needy little boy day after day, reminding me of the child I used to be. I’m done with that, OK? And I don’t want to care about a woman whose whole life is fixated on preserving the past and resisting change. Old cabinets, old couches, old lamps, old Bibles, old memories …”

  He lowered his head and shut his eyes. “I can’t go backward, Elizabeth. I won’t.”

  “It hurts.”

  “There’s no point.”

  “Yes, there is. You say you’re building on the rubble of the past, but I don’t think you’re moving forward at all. How can you build these grand worlds all by yourself? You need to let people in. You need to care and hurt and feel all the emotions that real people feel. And you need to quit trying to run your own life.”

  “Oh, yeah, what about you?” He swung around to face her. “You let people in? Only the safe ones. Only the ones you can control. Only the ones who won’t mess up your little comfortable world where nothing changes and everything is tied up in tidy packages.”

  “Well, I—”

  “What about someone like me, huh?” He moved toward her, and she rose and stepped back against the corridor wall. He followed. “You keep me at arm’s length because I’m new to town, I have crazy ideas, I’m just too blasted risky. Grace and Boompah and your grandma are safe. They’re all either old or dead. They’re not going to push you or argue with you. And Nick is safe, too. He’s just a kid—moldable, teachable, controllable. What are you afraid of, Elizabeth? Why do I scare you?”

  She wedged her hands behind her, wishing she could hang onto something besides cold, crumbly wallpaper. “Because I might lose you,” she whispered. “I can’t … can’t lose any more people that I … that I love.”

  “Oh, Elizabeth.” He slipped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. “Boompah says I need to surrender my life, but I’ve fought so long and so hard I don’t know how to do that. I believe in God, in Jesus. I know I do.”

  “Christ wants more than belief, Zachary. He wants to be in charge.”

  His cheek brushed her eyelashes. “You’re so soft,” he murmured. “You’re gentle. You make me want things I’ve pushed out of my life. Tenderness and quiet and intimacy. Hope. Love.”

  “Zachary.” Her mind reeling, Elizabeth lifted her face to his. She felt herself sinking deeper and deeper into this man. How long had it been? How long since she’d let any man this close to her heart? The risk was so great, yet the pleasure felt so intense. So wonderful. “If you lose the battle for the house …”

  “Then I’ll leave town. Why would I stay? Please don’t fight me, Elizabeth. Let me stay here and build. Let’s see what’s up ahead on the road. Maybe there’s something for us. For you and me.” His lips covered hers, and his hands slid up into her hair.

  Go ahead and tear down the mansion, she wanted to cry out as his lips grazed her cheek, her ear, her neck. Take the house, take everything … only don’t go! Don’t leave, Zachary. Stay forever and forever.

  As she tightened her arms around the man’s chest, Elizabeth felt a small hand at her waist and a little head pressing against her hip. With a jolt of dismay, she looked down to find Nick standing as close to her and Zachary as he could get, his arms clutching them both.

  “Hi, Mom,” he said, his head thrown back and his green eyes shining. “You guys are kissing, huh?”

  Zachary stiffened and pulled away. “Nick.”

  “Hi, Zachary. I brought you a good vase for your mansion. Boompah carried it all the way from the old country, and it’s worth about a million dollars.”

  “I didn’t hear you come up the stairs.”

  “I was very quiet because I didn’t want to interrupt the kissing.” He grinned from ear to ear. “My plan is going to work really good now, huh? I’m going to get a dad, and we can all live together in Grace’s house with Boompah’s vase from the old country, and everybody I love will be together.”

  Elizabeth glanced at Zachary and then quickly sank to her knees. “No, sweetie,” she said to her son. “That’s not the plan at all. If the mansion stays, then Zachary will have to leave. But if Zachary stays, he’s going to tear down the mansion. He’s not going to be your dad, and we’re not going to live in Grace’s house, and where on earth is Boompah? Why did he let you come up here by yourself?”

  “He didn’t want to interrupt the kissing either. He said, ‘I think the surrender is coming.’ And I said, ‘That means presents!’” Nick looked from one adult to the other. “So what do you think about that?”

  NINE

  “Liz, I haven’t seen hide nor hair of you lately.” Pearlene Fox watched as Elizabeth unlocked the front door of Finders Keepers. “Something going on I need to know about?”

  Definitely not, Elizabeth thought. She turned
the Closed sign to Open and gave the brass bells a quick dusting with the hem of her soft cotton skirt. Pearlene was the last person in the world with whom she would ever share the turmoil inside her.

  “Is something bothering you, honey?” Pearlene asked, leaning on her broom. At this point in the summer, there were few fallen leaves or dropped flower petals to sweep up, but Pearlene never missed a morning with her trusty broom. It was said around town that a person could eat off the sidewalk in front of Très Chic.

  “I’ve been busy, that’s all,” Elizabeth said, hoping to put an end to the conversation. “Well, I’d better—”

  “I’ve seen a fair number of customers going into your shop—which reminds me. Phil said Al Huff was all hot and bothered again about the parking problem. People are leaving their cars over at his gas station so they can shop on the square. You know everybody hates to parallel park if they don’t have to. Have you ever seen Ruby McCann trying to get her big DeSoto into one of those little spaces? Anyhow, Al’s thinking of taking up the matter with the city council. He wants to put up one of those signs that says No Parking except for Customers of Al’s Gas Station and Garage. Or one of those Tow Away Zone signs like they gave Zimmerman on the cannon corner of the square. Anyhow, what have you been up to, Liz?”

  “Busy.”

  “Busy with what?”

  Elizabeth selected some news that could be shared. “A couple of days ago, I signed a contract with an interior designer.”

  “No kidding? What kind of a contract?”

  “The woman is refurbishing some of the old houses on the east side of Jeff City. The state bought them, and they’re turning them into agency offices. The designer who’s doing the interior work subcontracted the antique furnishings to Finders Keepers.”

  “Who’s doing the exteriors?” Pearlene’s voice took on a teasing note. “It wouldn’t be Zachary Chalmers, by any chance?”

  “No. It’s another firm.” She propped an old iron boot last against the door to hold it open. “Anyway, I’ve got a lot to do today.”

  “Well, I think this calls for a celebration, Liz. I mean, it’s not every day someone from little ol’ Ambleside gets a big Jeff City contract. Why don’t you and Nick come over to our house for dinner tonight? I put a roast in the slow cooker this morning. You know how Phil likes his dinner real regular, and all. I mean, it’s not like we’re just going to up and eat out every night. No, ma’am. I cook. I plan ahead. It won’t take anything to open a can of peas and pop some biscuits in the oven. We’ll have plenty to eat.”

  “Thanks, Pearlene, but—”

  “I won’t take no for an answer. You just pack up that little boy the minute you lock your shop door, hear me? You and Nick drive over to our place, and we’ll celebrate that new contract of yours. Besides, I know Phil was wanting to talk to you. He’s all worked up over that town charter he found, and the parking problems, and all that city council business. That man is so devoted to his elected position. So, can you come?”

  Elizabeth glanced down the sidewalk. Boompah had just rolled his little fruit cart out the front door of the market. As Boompah reached for the handle of his striped window awning, Zachary Chalmers rounded the corner. The two men greeted each other with a handshake and a friendly slap on the back. They spoke for a moment, laughed over something, and then Zachary reached up and began to crank down the heavy folds of canvas.

  “Liz? Oh, I should have known something more important had captured your attention.” Pearlene glanced over her shoulder. “Or maybe I should say someone.”

  “I’m sorry, Pearlene. I’m just concerned about Boompah.”

  “Sure you are.”

  “I am. I really don’t think he was ready to go back to work as soon as he did.”

  “What about that other fellow over there? Aren’t you just the teeniest bit interested in him?”

  “You know that I like Zachary well enough. But the fact is, his plans don’t mesh with mine. Since day one, I’ve been opposed to Zachary’s desire to tear down Chalmers House. And now that Phil has found the old town charter, it looks like we’ll be able to block the demolition. I’m not too popular with Zachary these days.”

  “Hmm. That’s not what I hear. Ruby McCann told me she was locking up the library one night last week when she saw you and Zachary come out of the mansion together.”

  “And Nick. I had gone over there to … oh, never mind.” She set her hands on her hips. “You know, I really wish Ruby McCann would just keep out of my business. This whole town is so nosy; everybody knows what I’m doing even before I do it.”

  “Don’t get all huffy, Liz. It’s just that folks think you and Zachary make such a cute couple.”

  “This isn’t high school, Pearlene. We’re not cute, and we’re certainly not a couple.”

  “Well, listen to you, Miss High-and-Mighty, picking apart everything I say. If you don’t want to come for dinner, so be it. Why didn’t you just say so in the first place?”

  “Oh, good grief, Pearlene, don’t get mad. I’ll come to dinner. Thank you for the invitation. Nick will look forward to playing with your puppies.”

  “Well, if you’re sure.”

  “I’ll bring a salad.”

  The woman’s face brightened. “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing? Be sure to put fat-free dressing on it. Phil and I are watching our cholesterol, you know.”

  Swinging around, she gave a cheery wave to Zachary and Boompah. “Hey there, you two! Isn’t it a beautiful morning?”

  Elizabeth hurried up the steps and into her store. She hadn’t talked to Zachary in a week—not since the night they’d been alone together in the mansion. That had been awkward and wonderful and frightening all at the same time. As she organized her cash register for the day, Elizabeth glimpsed Grace Chalmers’s old Bible on the glass counter.

  Picking it up, she clutched the soft black leather book to her chest and closed her eyes. Sometimes she found it so hard to know what God had planned for her. Surely her heavenly Father didn’t want Nick led astray in his desire for an earthly dad. It was up to Elizabeth to protect her son from mistaken ideas and false hopes.

  Though his eyes beckoned her and his gentle kisses moved her deeply, Zachary Chalmers would never be Nick’s father. He had told her plainly he didn’t want a needy little boy around to remind him of his own unhappy childhood. And he didn’t want Elizabeth, either. She was too headstrong, too set in her ways, and far too careful to risk letting a man like Zachary into her safe, controlled world.

  Lord, she prayed, please keep me on the right track. On your path. Please help me keep Zachary at a distance, so that I can save the mansion and protect the town and guard my heart. And please help Nick to understand.

  “The Lord works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he?” Pearlene opened her screen door to welcome Nick and Elizabeth. “You’ll never guess what happened right after I invited you to dinner. Well, I ran into Zachary Chalmers over at the Corner Market, and so I invited him, too!”

  Seated on a plaid couch that matched the Foxes’ avocado green shag carpet, Zachary watched Elizabeth’s focus flick across the room. Her face registered instant dismay when she spotted him. She put a protective arm around her son and turned to her hostess.

  “Pearlene, I thought … I thought this was a celebration.”

  “Zachary can celebrate, too, can’t you, Zachary?” She swiveled and gave him a wink. “I told you about Liz’s big contract, didn’t I? Somebody from Jeff City is paying her to furnish a bunch of old houses they’re restoring. If you ask me, that just sounds wonderful. Is this the salad? Oh, Liz, you brought your seven-layer extravaganza, didn’t you? Phil, she brought the seven-layer salad! He just loves this salad of yours, but you know that cheese will kill us both.”

  “I went easy on the cheese.”

  “Zachary brought a loaf of bread from the donut shop, can you believe it? Wasn’t that thoughtful? Zachary, you are so thoughtful.” Pearlene whisked the salad from Elizabeth’s
hand and hurried into the dining room. “You all just make yourselves at home. There’s not a thing you can do. This dinner has all but made itself. Nick, you want to come with me and see the puppies? They’re out in the garage. How’s Montgomery? I heard her mother is not feeling well. Not well at all.”

  As her son left with Pearlene, Elizabeth crossed the room and sat down on the edge of a green plaid love seat near its matching couch. Her softly gathered skirt puddled around her feet as she folded her hands in her lap. “I think we were set up,” she said.

  Zachary grinned. “What gave you that idea?”

  “Listen, about last week—”

  “I enjoyed that.”

  She looked up, startled. “Well, but … but you and I are on opposite sides in this town charter thing. And Nick is pretty confused about our relationship. I don’t like to have Nick confused. Plus, Ruby McCann saw us coming out of the mansion together, and that’s just not appropriate. So from now on—”

  “From now on, I think we should go out on real dates. The movies. The Nifty Cafe. That kind of thing. Make it official.”

  “Zachary, don’t be ridiculous.”

  “What’s ridiculous about it? I like being with you. You like being with me. We have some good talks. We enjoy kissing each other.”

  “Shh!” She practically jumped out of her seat. “For Pete’s sake, hush!”

  “Nick already knows.”

  “But it’s not going to happen again. I’ve done a lot of thinking and praying about this. Zachary, I’m going to go ahead and stand with Phil on the matter of the town charter. You’ll have to leave Ambleside.”

  “Chicken.”

  He leaned back on the couch and eyed her. Elizabeth Hayes was afraid of him. He could see it in her blue eyes. She was determined to maintain her little town’s integrity, and Zachary was the enemy. She was protective of her son’s fragile dreams, and Zachary was Nick’s hope for a father. Most of all, though, she intended to guard her own heart. And Zachary threatened the barriers she had so carefully erected.