Mom,
Hope you are feeling better. Andrew said not to wake you.
Kevin
She tried to work up the nerve to be mad at Andrew for deciding for her that she needed to stay home. It took too much effort. She forced down the juice, took some more cold medicine, and headed back to bed.
****
At school, Andrew’s appreciation for Faith was renewing itself. Without her, nothing seemed to run smoothly. The morning announcements didn’t get prepared on time, the mail didn’t get sorted, the phone rang constantly, and he couldn’t find…well, anything. He wished there was a substitute he could call for school secretaries. At least it was Friday. Faith would have two more days to recover before he needed her back at school.
By the end of the day, Andrew was exhausted. He couldn’t wait to get home, turn on the TV and…get ready for his date.
During the chaos of the day, he’d forgotten that he was supposed to have dinner with Harmony Solberg tonight. He considered canceling, but he’d promised Robin and the sooner he actually went on the date the sooner this could be over. As Andrew shrugged into his suit coat and threw some papers in his briefcase, the phone rang. He thought about ignoring it, but then with a sigh picked it up.
“Orchard Hill Elementary. Can I help you?”
Kevin’s voice came across the line. “Andrew, I’m glad I caught you.”
“Is something wrong? Is your mom okay?”
“She’s still running a fever, and her throat’s real sore.”
“Rest and fluids, Kevin, just like I said last night. Anything else?”
“Actually, would you…could you…?”
“Spit it out.”
“Would you stop at The Green Scene and pick up some herbal tea. Misty has this kind for sore throats that’s really good. Mom gave me some this winter when I had strep throat, and it helped.”
“Why don’t you ride your bike over to the store?”
“Um…um…I wanted to stay with Mom. She’s really not feeling good.”
Andrew closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He sensed there was something more going on than Kevin had said, but didn’t have the time to pursue it. One more thing to do. “Sure Kevin. I’ll be by later.”
****
Before Kevin came home, Faith had managed to drag herself into the shower. The steam made her feel better and she lingered there. Then, she dressed in clean pajamas—the ones with the flying pigs on them that Kevin had given her for her birthday. She put her hair back in a scrunchy. No one but Kevin would see her, and he didn’t care what she looked like—as long as he wasn’t required to be seen with her in public, that is.
He was on the couch eating a bowl of cereal and watching TV, Davy curled up beside him. When they’d first brought the dog home, Faith had tried to keep him off the furniture. By now, she’d given in to the inevitable. Davy wanted to be wherever Kevin was, and Kevin had worked hard to train him. She could live with a little dog hair on the couch if the dog was well behaved in all other ways.
She sat down beside the pair. “Hey hon, how was school today?”
His eyes never left the TV screen. “Fine. Andrew’s coming over later.”
“Why?”
“I asked him to pick up some of that tea Misty sells. The stuff you gave me when I had strep throat.” He took a bite of cereal and crunched loudly.
“The immune system boosting tea? I just bought some of that.”
“Sorry, Mom. I didn’t know.”
“Maybe I should try to call him and tell him.”
“He’s probably already at Misty’s.” He reached for the remote and turned up the volume. “Now, if you don’t mind, this is the good part.”
So much for family communication. Faith wandered into the kitchen and wondered if she could eat anything. She hadn’t had anything other than the juice today, but she didn’t have any appetite, and her throat was still sore. Maybe she’d make herself some oatmeal later. Right now a cup of Misty’s tea sounded like a good idea.
After his show ended, Kevin abandoned the TV and took Davy out for a walk. Faith settled herself on the couch with her tea and turned the channel to reruns of what had been her favorite show when she was Kevin’s age.
****
Andrew went home and got ready for his date. He was just about to turn onto Harmony’s street when he remembered the tea for Faith. He turned off his blinker and drove ahead to the downtown area instead.
He stepped inside The Green Scene and felt instantly lost. He’d never been here before, and, as he gazed at the shelves packed with absolutely everything, he wondered how anyone found anything in the store. Where was the tea?
“Can I help you?” asked an older lady with long silver and blonde hair.
“I’m looking for tea.”
“Right this way.”
There was a whole section of shelves filled with different boxes and tins of tea. “Do you want loose tea or tea bags?” asked the woman.
“I don’t know. I’m supposed to pick up some kind of tea for sore throats.”
The woman smiled. “I’ve been expecting you.”
“Expecting me?”
“Yes. Kevin... um… called me. He said you were coming to pick it up for his mom.”
“Oh. Well, that’s right. Kevin’s mom is my secretary.”
“I know. Faith and Kevin have been good customers for years. I’m Misty, by the way. This is my store.”
“It’s good to meet you. I’m Andrew—”
“I know. Faith’s told me a lot about you over the years.”
“She has?” How come this woman knew all about him, but he didn’t know anything about her? He thought he knew everything about Faith, but she’d never said a word about this Misty.
“So, Faith is sick, and you’ve been called on to deliver tea for her.”
“Yes.”
“I’m guessing she needs a bit of comfort right now.” Misty was grinning at him. What was that all about?
“Possibly. How much is the tea?”
Misty told him, and they finished the exchange.
“Tell Faith I know she’ll be better soon,” Misty said, still sporting that Cheshire-cat grin, as he left. What was with that woman?
****
She woke to the sound of the doorbell ringing. It was dusk, and shadows darkened the room. Where was Kevin? Faith threw off the quilt she’d wrapped herself in and headed for the kitchen door. No one was there.
The bell sounded again, and Faith realized that someone must be at the front door—an oddity in Orchard Hill. She shuffled to the front and turned on the porch light.
Andrew was standing there, a box of tea in his hand and an impatient look on his face. Faith opened the door.
“Andrew, thank you for the tea, but you didn’t have to…”
“Where’s Kevin?” he barked.
“I’m not sure. He took Davy for a walk, but then I fell asleep and… Let me see if he left a note.”
In the kitchen, they found a note propped on the table. It said he went to supper at his friend Mark’s house and would be home at 9:00.
“He shouldn’t have left you alone,” grumbled Andrew.
“I was alone all day. At least he left a note.” Faith took the tea from him and went to put it in the cupboard. As she reached up to place it on the top shelf a wave of dizziness swept over her, and she staggered backwards.
“Faith, are you all right?”
Andrew caught her. He turned her gently as his arms steadied her and looked into her eyes. “What happened?”
“I just got a bit dizzy.” Her voice came out as a breathy whisper that had nothing to do with dizziness or sore throats and everything to do with the fact that Andrew had his arms around her.
“That’s it,” he said. “I’m not leaving you alone. You’re too sick.”
“I’m not that sick. I just haven’t felt up to eating anything today.” She desperately wished she weren’t sick because then maybe
she’d be brave enough to reach up and kiss him. But if she weren’t sick, he’d never have put his arms around her in the first place, she reminded herself.
“I’ll make you some soup. Do you think you can eat that?”
“I was thinking oatmeal.”
There was a knock at the kitchen door. Faith looked over Andrew’s shoulder to see Harmony Solberg’s face framed in the window of her kitchen door.
“Andrew do you think you might have forgotten something—or someone?”
Andrew turned, keeping a hand on Faith’s arm, as if she needed the support. “Harmony! I forgot she was waiting in the car.”
Faith groaned. “I look horrible. I can’t ask her in now.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You just look like a beautiful woman who happens to have a cold.” He pulled out a chair for Faith and pushed her down into it, then he crossed the room and threw open the door.
“Harmony, I’m so sorry I’ve taken so long.”
“Is everything all right?” she asked, peering into the kitchen.
Just great. A Martha Stewart clone had to be checking out her kitchen now, when there were empty cereal bowls in the sink and crumbs on the counter and…
“Faith was feeling a little dizzy. I wanted to make sure she was all right,” Andrew explained.
Harmony looked elegant in an oh-so-simple but tastefully cut black dress. Her hair was caught up in a jeweled clip, and she held a slim black purse. Faith couldn’t stuff all her necessary items to fit into a purse twice that size. And she didn’t look that good on her best day, never mind for a casual dinner date. Who was she kidding? Why wouldn’t Andrew pick Harmony over a frumpy, single mom who…
Oh, good grief. She was wearing flying pig pajamas. And her old threadbare bathrobe. And she hadn’t even attempted to comb her hair today, never mind the Rudolph look-alike nose. ‘Beautiful woman who happens to have a cold,’ my foot, Faith thought. That’s it. They have to go. Now.
Harmony was looking at Faith with real concern. “Maybe we shouldn’t go tonight, Andrew. If you need to stay with your friend…”
“No, I’m fine,” Faith protested, mortified when her voice came out in a croak. She rose from the chair, desperate to show Andrew that she was not going to faint away the moment he left.
Andrew looked thoughtful for a moment. “Well, I guess if Kevin is going to be home by 9:00…”
“Yes, Kevin will be home. I can manage until then—really.”
“Okay,” Andrew agreed. “We’ll go. As soon as I make you that oatmeal.”
Oh joy. Not only was Harmony Solberg going to get to see her dirty kitchen, she’d also see that Faith bought the kind of oatmeal that came in little packets. She probably harvested her own oats from her garden to make oatmeal.
“I don’t think you two have met,” said Andrew as he pulled out a bowl and poured a packet of oatmeal into it. “This is Harmony Solberg. Of course you know who she is, Faith. Harmony this is Faith Fielding, my administrative assistant.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Harmony replied. “I’m only sorry it wasn’t under better circumstances.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Harmony. Please don’t be offended if I don’t shake your hand,” Faith responded with a graciousness she thought admirable under the circumstances.
Andrew slid the bowl into the microwave and started it. In passing, he pressed Faith back into her chair. “I have to make sure Faith gets better,” he explained. “After living without her for one day, I know I won’t make it a second.”
“I’ll have all weekend to rest. Of course I’ll be there on Monday. Was it really that bad?”
“Worse. I’ll spare you the details until you’re stronger.” Andrew smiled at her, and Faith wanted to melt. Then she wanted to smack him. How dare he do this to her?
The timer on the microwave went off, and Andrew grabbed a pot holder and pulled out the steaming bowl. “You really know your way around this kitchen,” remarked Harmony.
“Yeah. Faith and I have been together for years.”
“Together?” asked Harmony, raising one perfect eyebrow.
Faith stirred sugar into her oatmeal and remained silent. He put his foot in his mouth. Let him pull it out.
“Well, as coworkers. But we’re both widowed, and so we’ve helped each other out a bit over the years.”
Harmony was smiling, so Faith guessed she wasn’t jealous. Probably thought it was hilarious that Andrew made that little slip, as if he’d ever be “together” with someone like her.
“Would you like a cup of tea before we go?” asked Harmony. “I could make you one.”
“No! No thank you, that is. A glass of orange juice would be fine.”
As Andrew poured the juice, Harmony put her hand on Faith’s arm. “I hope you feel better.”
He set the glass of juice in front of her. “Maybe I should stop by later.”
Faith’s anger was rising to a level that was difficult to conceal. “No, don’t. I’ll probably be in bed long before your date is over.”
“Oh, we won’t be out late,” Andrew assured her.
“Perhaps a call in the morning would suffice,” suggested Harmony.
“Yes.” Why did she have to be so helpful? Not that Faith didn’t need an ally, but not Harmony, not Andrew’s date. “I hate being fussed over. I’d rather you just called tomorrow.”
He hesitated. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m positive.”
“All right. I suppose we should be going. Is there anything else, Faith?”
She took a big bite of oatmeal, to reassure him that she was eating, and shook her head.
“I don’t mean to make a big deal out of this, Faith. It’s just that you’re never sick, so…”
“It’s only a cold. Everyone gets one once in a while.”
“You’re right. Are you ready, Harmony?”
She was smiling that little smile again, as if something very amusing had just happened. “Yes, are you?”
“Sure. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
When the door finally shut behind them, and she heard Andrew’s car start up, Faith pushed away the bowl and laid her head on her arms. She wondered if she should laugh or cry. A tightness in her throat and a prickling behind her eyes told her which was more likely.
TITLE
Orchard Hill: volume Two
Chapter 4
By the end of the weekend, Faith’s symptoms had lessened to the point where she felt she could go back to work. She was tempted to take Monday off just to spite Andrew. But even though he deserved it for showing up at her house with Ms. Perfect, Faith was too dedicated to follow through on that whim.
She’d done a lot of thinking over the weekend, and she was starting to agree with Misty. Maybe she did need a change of scenery. There was no way she could continue to work here and pine after Andrew if it was clear that he had no interest in her.
But what should she do? Where would she find another job? She’d never find one she enjoyed as much as this one. She loved all the children and knew each of them by name. If her husband hadn’t died, she was sure they would have had more children. But now she felt as if all the students were at least a little bit hers.
No, she really couldn’t quit. She’d just have to get over this silly crush she had on Andrew. But it wasn’t a crush, and Faith knew it. She loved Andrew, and that wasn’t so easy to get over when they were constantly together.
Like now. He sailed into the office, shrugging out of his suit coat and smiling at her. Her heart jumped at the sight of him.
“Good morning, Faith. Feeling better?” he asked.
“Since you called last night? Yes, a bit I think.”
“That’s good. I wasn’t looking forward to holding down the fort again.” Then he stopped in front of her desk. “But if you want to go home early…”
“I’ll be fine,” she hurried to assure him.
“All right. I’ll be in my office. Later today, we need to go
over the list of things to do and to buy for the Memorial Day School Picnic.”
They had the picnic every year on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. It was the official end of the school year. “Sure,” said Faith. “I’ll pull the file from last year.”
The morning swept by, busy as usual. A small boy was sent in with a nosebleed. A teacher went home sick, and Faith sat with her class until a sub arrived. She spent an hour on the phone arguing with the supply company over an invoice. In other words, everything was pretty routine.
Orchard Hill Volume Two Page 3
