Her Heart's Bargain

by Cheryl Harper

  Macy Gentry didn’t ever wing it if she could help it.

  “Any questions you have should be directed to Ash or Winter. Both are happy to answer. Both are proud to work for the Reserve and to be from Sweetwater.” So you should have their backs instead of waiting anxiously for juicy news to gloat over.

  Macy thought the last part, but she could never say it. The people in Smoky Joe’s were neighbors and they loved their town, too. Being committed to the Reserve was something most of them shared, even if they disagreed over what was best.

  And they didn’t know Ash, not really. Or her, based on the theatrically whispered, “Why should we listen to her?” that floated from somewhere near the front door, according to Odella’s narrow-eyed stare.

  “My name is Macy Gentry.” She shifted her purse over one shoulder. “I’ve arranged pavilions for your birthday parties and told you the marina’s or diner’s hours a million times over the phone. I know the ranger station and I know Ash Kingfisher. While he’s in charge of the Reserve, you can trust that it is in good hands.” And if he loses his job, you can’t.

  Macy dug around in her pocket and slapped down all the cash she had for Odella’s tip. “Really good banana nut bread, Odella.”

  Odella lifted a shoulder to acknowledge her due while her hand snaked out to grab the tip before sliding it into the pocket of her apron.

  Macy knew it was a weak parting line, but she’d already used up every bit of bravery that she had and she wanted out.

  “Ain’t you gonna invite us all to your party, Miss Macy?” Odella called before Macy made it to the door.

  Frozen in her tracks, Macy nodded. “Right. There’s some information on the bulletin board, but we’ve got new exhibits in the visitor center at the ranger station, and we want to celebrate. Come find out what’s happening in the park this winter. There’ll be firefighters and face painting. Please bring your kids. They’re the reason we’re all hard at work, making sure Otter Lake is around for their kids, too.” Macy backed out the door.

  As soon as her heel hit the sidewalk, breathing became easier. She didn’t turn to look back in the window of the coffee shop but shifted her purse and marched to her car.

  Janet Abernathy was on the sidewalk in front of Sweetwater Souvenir, talking with Leanne Hendrix about the window display when Macy reached into the tote bag of library books. Her first foray into pulling in the local businesses had been rocky, but she’d had a chance to improve her sales pitch.

  “Morning, Macy,” Janet called and pointed over her shoulder. “Come give us your opinion on the window display. Leanne here’s working some magic.”

  Meeting the former wild girl of Sweetwater at nine o’clock on a Monday came with a few warnings, but Macy was relieved to have some kind of real business to conduct. She hoped all the people in Smoky Joe’s had their noses pressed against the windows. Macy pasted on a wide grin. She marched across the sidewalk, her hand held out in the universal sign of “good to see you.”

  Janet thought nothing of it. Leanne Hendrix stared suspiciously at her hand for a hard second before she shook it.

  “Leanne. This window is great.” Her handshake was strong, but there was a hesitation that convinced Macy that Leanne was even more uncertain than ever.

  “Macy here works out at the ranger station. With Brett.” Janet smiled. “But I expect you know that.” Unconcerned with the meeting, she returned to admiring her shop window.

  “I don’t think we’ve ever met officially, though.” Macy straightened.

  Leanne blinked slowly before her smile spread. “Sure, I know who you are. And Christina’s mentioned you.”

  “I noticed the window as soon as I parked.” Macy pointed at a beautiful painting of sunset over The Aerie, the hardest trail on the Reserve. When a hiker reached the summit, they felt it in every muscle. She needed to get back up there soon, especially if the lodge project got up and running. The place would never be the same. “Is this a local artist?”

  Janet Abernathy shot one hand up in the air with a victorious whoop while Leanne turned bright red.

  “So local you can’t even believe it,” Janet said as she danced in place. “Leanne did it. It’s. So. Good!” Janet clapped wildly as if she were leading a standing ovation.

  Leanne seemed to want to crawl under the sidewalk.

  “I love it. A lot.” Macy shifted her tote bag higher. “My art skills are limited to coloring inside the lines. I admire talent like this.” Macy leaned forward. “Is it for sale?” Not that she had a place to hang such a painting. It was meant for grander things than her apartment.

  “It will be, soon as I can do some research on proper art pricing.” Janet tapped Leanne on the shoulder. “This one thinks we should give it away. Since she ain’t in a hurry to be making her millions, we’re gonna stir up some interest. Then, when she has more paintings—” she paused to glare at Leanne and Macy had the feeling this was a common refrain “—we’ll have us a show.”

  Leanne crossed her arms over her chest and squeezed. Since she was petite already, it was like watching her try to disappear.

  “I don’t want that attention, Miss Janet. You know that.” She shook her head. “I’ve gotta get the cash register set up.” She hurried toward the door, but paused. “It was nice to talk to you, Macy.” Then she was inside the shop.

  Janet’s long, despairing sigh floated down the sidewalk. “You know, all my life, I’ve hustled. Done a million different things, most of them just because I love it, not because it paid money. Woman gets to my age, you think she’d be slowing down. Relaxing.”

  Her mournful tone struck Macy as funny, but she did her best to keep a straight face. “But...no?”

  Janet nodded. “Work part-time at the elementary school like I always have because those kids need me.” She pressed both hands to her chest. “Started flipping spaces with my best friend, and you know Regina needs me. She does not have my flair for color.” She shrugged as if it couldn’t be helped. “We’ve got this little shop which is going to be nothing but fun now that Leanne’s in place. Girl arranges stock like she was born with a price tag in her hand.”

  Macy said, “That’s a lot to keep you busy.” And whatever it was, was working. Janet vibrated with an energy that was inspiring. If she’d been wondering if her life had reached peak boring, she could take a page from Janet’s book.

  “And now I’ve got to fix Leanne.” Janet pointed to the painting. “Can you imagine talent like that and she doesn’t want to show it off. I swear, how do I fix this for her without losing my best manager?”

  Macy stared hard at the library. She’d wanted to drop her books, not solve all of Sweetwater’s problems from the middle of the sidewalk.

  But she had a suggestion.

  And the fact that she knew the answer meant she had to say it. It was a flaw in her personality she had no interest in changing.

  “Maybe the problem is focusing on Leanne,” Macy said slowly as she worked it all out in her head. “If you had other local artists on display, that might make it easier for her to handle the idea of a show or valuing her artwork.” She studied the crack in the sidewalk as she considered all the options. Janet would have to track down more artists. “You could run an ad in the paper, request portfolios. Offer to sell on commission. I don’t know how that works, but...”

  “You don’t worry your head about that. Regina Blackburn will figure out the details. Woman is murder on contracts.” Janet Abernathy squeezed her arm. “I like the way you think, Macy Gentry.” Her eyes narrowed. “Know any artists?”

  Pleased with the praise and how well her day off was turning out, Macy rocked back and forth, considering the problem.

  Then the memory of Martin Kingfisher and his Cherokee double-sided baskets lit like a lightbulb over her head. “As a matter of fact, I might. How do you feel about Cherokee art? I know a local baske
t maker.” Imagining how Martin Kingfisher would fire up any room he landed in made her grin. “And he would dominate your art show in the best way. If you want people to be drawn to your events, to love art and the people who make it, you need to talk to Martin Kingfisher.”

  Janet leaned back as if she hadn’t expected that. “Well. Kingfishers are kind of...” She trailed off as if she couldn’t come up with the right words.

  “I know and it’s ridiculous. Call him. You won’t be disappointed.” Macy was on a roll. “If you don’t believe me, give me an hour and I’ll bring back a sample of his work. All it will take is one look and you’ll understand he’s good at what he does. You’ll have to meet him to understand what a special guy he is. I promise, he’s an addition you won’t regret.”

  “I like you, Macy. Something about you makes me trust you.” Janet grinned. “All right. I’m going to do some measuring, some planning and some asking around. After I talk to Regina. She makes every plot better.” Janet absentmindedly patted Macy’s shoulder. “Wonder who owns this empty storefront next to us because art needs room to breathe.” She chuckled softly. “I sound like I know what I’m talking about, don’t I?” Her pleased grin was contagious.

  “Janet, if you don’t mind,” Macy said as she reached into her bag and pulled out a flyer, “we’re having an open house out at the ranger station this weekend. Here are the details. I’d love to see you there.” Inspired, Macy leaned in to whisper, “I’ll introduce you to Martin Kingfisher. How about that?”

  Janet studied her face. “I like a fellow woman who sees opportunity and goes for it.” She pinched the piece of paper between finger and thumb, and winked. “I’ll see you there.” Then she marched inside Sweetwater Souvenir.

  “Disss-missed. But it was a good morning’s work, anyway.” Macy was still smiling as she continued down the sidewalk. Encouraged by her early success, Macy stopped inside each storefront and got everyone to agree to hang a poster. Almost every interaction started with a cold shoulder, so she was worried about the crowd size of the open house.

  Do the best you can, Macy. That’s all you can do.

  The flyers were up. She’d made her stand. She’d accomplished a lot for her “sick” day. “Time to hit the best spot in town.”

  “Smiling when she walks in the door,” Astrid said from her spot behind the large desk that dominated the center of Sweetwater’s library. “Usually I see that smile as you’re leaving with your tote bag full of books. Always the sign of a satisfied reader. I guess we managed to find you a hobby after all.” She nodded her head so firmly that her wild blond curls shook. The fat orange cat spread out across her desk opened one eye before lazily flicking his tail in disapproval.

  “Well,” Macy said slowly as she stacked the books she was returning, “not so much. I have solved several problems with one conversation, though. Since I’ve been on a real losing streak lately, that’s nice.” She pushed the pile of books forward. “I failed at all of these. Knitting and crocheting take too much concentration and learning. Same for guitar playing...” Macy shook her head sadly. “I actually threw this book across the room.”

  Astrid’s scandalized gasp upset Pippi who jumped up, shot them both an ugly look and headed for a quieter corner.

  “I didn’t hurt the book.” Macy didn’t think she’d hurt the book, but it was not a good idea to tell the librarian she’d tossed it onto the floor. Librarians had to be sensitive about those things.

  “I hope not.” Astrid made the tsking noise between her teeth as she flipped through the Guitar for Kids book that had pleased them both so much. “I’ll have to rethink my plans for my next suggestion if you’re going to punish the books for your own shortcomings.” She raised her eyebrows over her glasses and then the corner of her mouth quirked up. “The fact that I’m only sort of joking about that should concern the both of us, but let’s move on.”

  Confused, Macy saluted. “Yes, ma’am. It will never happen again, I solemnly promise.” If she ever threw a book again, she would definitely not tell Astrid about it. “You have another suggestion?” Macy checked her watch. It wasn’t even noon. Unless Astrid had a fabulous idea, she was going to be in danger of proving Ash right by failing to avoid the Reserve. The not-knowing-what-was-happening was killer.

  Astrid looked sheepish and hesitated as she spoke. “I was thinking...” She used both hands to pick up a superthick book with a piece of paper on top. She lifted the paper to show the book cover: a beautiful shot of a fancy camera.

  I will not impatiently demand that she get on with it. I will not. Macy crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’ve always wanted to learn this. I mean, photography. Not like professional-grade where I’d go into business kind of photography, but you know...” Astrid’s longing gaze landed on the exit. “For fun. Take the camera out and shoot interesting shots. I spend so much time locked up indoors, which I love, do not get me wrong, but photography could be the hobby that gets me out and about. Seeing things.”

  Macy did not get where this was going. “So, you found a hobby for yourself?” That was nice. That wasn’t anything Astrid needed to tell her about, though. She’d come in looking for help, not...this.

  Astrid huffed out a frustrated breath. “What I’m saying...badly...is there’s a class at the camera shop in Gatlinburg.” She waved the piece of paper in front of Macy’s face. “I want to take it, but I like to have company when I try new things. Would you like to take it with me?” She waved the paper again. “Eight weeks. One night a week. Gatlinburg. We could eat dinner there and then go to class.” Then she dropped the book back down and held out the piece of paper. “Are we going to do this thing or not?”

  Macy read the details. The cost of the class? Free.

  Except for one little thing: the cost of the camera.

  “I know. You were looking for an easy, inexpensive thing that could keep your brain occupied, not an investment,” Astrid said. They’d had that long conversation on Saturday when Macy had marched into the library, desperate to find a distraction that would mean Ash was wrong, wrong, wrong about her inability to stay away from the Reserve. “This is not that. But it could be fun. You obviously love hiking.” Astrid motioned wildly at her. Macy stared down at her uniform, not sure what the librarian meant, but it was impossible to argue over her love for the Reserve’s trails. “Think of all the lovely photos you could take while doing that.”

  Macy handed her the piece of paper. “You’ve managed to do the impossible. You’ve given me the task I needed to make sure I don’t go near the Reserve. I guess I’m headed in to Gatlinburg to buy a camera.” Pleased more than she could say by Astrid’s invitation, Macy sighed happily. “This sounds amazing, Astrid. I can’t wait.”

  Astrid clasped her hands in front of herself like a kid excited for Christmas. “Really? We’re on?”

  “In January, we’re going to take photography classes together.” Macy offered her hand to shake. Astrid waved it off and ran around the desk to wrap her arms around Macy in an enthusiastic hug. A hard squeeze had Macy laughing.

  “A smile to a laugh. This place is working its magic today.” Astrid gave her a hard pat on the shoulder and stepped back. “Something to look forward to after Christmas.”

  Some of her excitement dimmed. January seemed a long way away.

  “There’s no reason we have to wait until January to have dinner, though.” Macy tried to be casual about the suggestion. At the same time, Leanne Hendrix’s face popped into her mind. “We could do a girls’ night out.” She’d see how it went, then make the suggestion that they include Leanne. Even Christina could come if Astrid was up for it.

  Look at her, planning regular dinners with friends. Preparing to spend a large amount of money on a truly frivolous purchase. No angry Gran in her head for a minute or two...

  What a difference a day could make.

  “Great i
dea. I was thinking...” Astrid trailed off. “That I should try to get the other single ladies together. Maybe we could set up a thing. With them.” Astrid didn’t name names, but the choices were so few that Macy believed they had to be thinking of the same people.

  “Sounds good.” It really did.

  “Next time Winter is in, I’ll ask her.” Astrid nodded. “It’s settled.”

  Macy froze as she flipped through the photography book for beginners. “I was thinking of Christina Braswell and Leanne Hendrix.”

  Astrid’s eyebrows raised. “Five of us. That’s awesome.” She nodded enthusiastically. “That’s a real party right there.”

  It could be. Astrid was right. Would the other three agree? Picturing forthright Winter Kingfisher seated next to shy Leanne Hendrix didn’t give her confidence. Macy could feel the anxious thought settling in and realized it didn’t matter. Astrid was committed. And all either of them needed was the first step. They already had that.

  “Can’t wait.” Astrid rubbed her hands together as if she was plotting a great escape. “Let’s go to The Branch next Friday. It’s not much of a wild night on the town, Sweetwater’s only bar that serves just beer and light beer on tap, but it’s comfortable. Then we can make plans for the next time. Can you invite Leanne and Christina? Winter’s supposed to be coming in to talk to me about the story times she does, but she’s got a few things going on. If I don’t see her, I’ll call her.” Then Astrid frowned. “I should check on her, anyway.”