by Lisa Dyson
Before the service ended Callie had decided to take off for Poppy’s without eating. She didn’t think she could enjoy the afternoon after the run-in with her stepsister. She’d have to walk the mile or so home since she hadn’t driven to the church. But she could use the exercise to ease her mental anguish.
She turned to Tyler to tell him her plan when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around, still a little skittish, and was pleasantly surprised to see her friend, Riva.
“I didn’t know you’d be here today,” Riva said. “I’m so glad to see you.” She leaned closer. “Wait until you taste the food. I swear some of the people around here are the best cooks.”
Callie was about to say she wasn’t staying when she found herself surrounded by other people she hadn’t seen since she’d left town.
“How long will you be in town?”
“Let’s get together for dinner.”
Everyone seemed to be talking to her at once. She had no idea that so many of the people she went to high school with were members of this church. She was introduced to their husbands and wives and children, and she had a plate of food and a seat at a picnic table without giving it another thought.
“I’d love to catch up sometime,” one of the women said, “but right now I need to eat and run.” Her preschooler was making it difficult for her to do anything but chase after him.
Callie smiled. “I understand.” She pulled a business card from her purse. “My number’s on here. Give me a call and we’ll get together.”
Several people pulled out their cell phones to take down her number. She’d never been a “popular” kid in school, but from the welcome she was receiving, an outsider might assume she had a million friends in town.
“That was quite a welcome,” Tyler said about two hours later as they helped with the cleanup.
Callie couldn’t help but smile. “It was, wasn’t it? I was pretty surprised at how many people remembered me.”
“It’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone. At least, that’s what I discovered when I moved back.”
She thought about his comment while tying a full garbage bag and replacing it in the can with a new one. “I guess as a kid I didn’t see the town as being friendly. We didn’t go to church or socialize with anyone, so my experience was probably completely different than yours.”
“True.” He took the full garbage bag from her and they walked to the Dumpster. She carried one bag and he had two. “My dad was a member of the American Legion and was also my Boy Scout leader, so we knew a lot of people from those events, as well as from running the hardware store. And my mom was a leader when Isabelle was in Girl Scouts and we were all active in the church.”
The mention of Tyler’s sister made Callie remember the parking lot incident. “So what’s Isabelle doing these days? Is she still living in town? I haven’t seen her since I’ve been back.” Callie was trying to be polite but she only cared because she didn’t want to run into her.
They threw the garbage bags into the large bin, the lid slamming shut with a loud thud.
“No, she’s west of Baltimore. She was engaged and they broke up, so now she’s dating some guy she met on one of those online dating services. I haven’t met him yet, but she seems pretty happy.”
“That’s nice.”
His head turned in her direction. “That wasn’t very sincere.”
Callie shrugged. She didn’t want to tell him that his sister had been one of the people who’d taken Wendy’s side against her. “I’m glad Isabelle is happy.”
“Still not selling it. I take it you’re not a fan of Isabelle’s? I know she and your sister—stepsister—hung out as kids.”
“Let’s leave the past where it belongs.”
They were nearly back to the picnic area when he said, “Someday you’ll tell me what really happened back then.”
Callie doubted it. She wasn’t even forthcoming with her therapist. Which reminded her that she should think about what her therapist would want to hear about her visit with her dad.
Anxious to change the subject, she asked, “Where are the girls?” Callie looked around but didn’t see them.
“They went home with their friend, Brittany. She’s an only child, six like Alexis, and her mother loves having both of my girls over to play. Brittany and Alexis will be in the same first-grade class next month.”
“That’s nice for them. Do they live near Poppy’s?”
He shook his head. “No, but they live on the same street as our new house.”
Poppy waved to them as they got close to the parking lot and said, “I’m taking off. I have my dishes, but you’ll need to get the chairs.”
Tyler nodded and went in the direction of the chairs, leaving Callie astonished at the good time she’d had this morning. She still couldn’t get over how many people remembered her and had gone out of their way to be friendly. She had a lunch date and dinner plans with two different people, while several others promised to call to set up something. She’d even been invited to sub for Bunco Friday night, which she said she’d think about.
They loaded the chairs into Tyler’s truck and the two of them drove back to Poppy’s.
“Have you figured out where I can work on those financial records?” Callie asked.
“Not yet. That’s my project for this afternoon. Once I figure it out, then I’ll have the banker’s boxes moved there.”
Callie checked the time on the dash and saw it was only midafternoon. “Sounds like a plan. Let me know if you need any help.”
Callie needed to check her work email. It had been two days since she’d opened her laptop because she’d been so preoccupied with what was going on around her.
She smiled. Especially with Tyler.
*
AFTER GETTING THE chairs unloaded and put away, Callie went upstairs and Tyler headed out in his truck for the police station to find an office space for Callie.
There wasn’t a large enough room in the small building that would accommodate Callie and all the boxes that were involved.
Then he remembered the Lincoln Hotel. After listening to Aunt Poppy’s unhappy account of her argument with Gino last night, he knew that Gino was restoring the building. If work hadn’t begun yet, using a space in there might be a possibility. Callie would only need a week or two at the most.
And if Gino agreed, he might make points with Aunt Poppy.
When Tyler pulled up to the house, he’d hoped to speak to Gino, but his car wasn’t out front. He made a U-turn and went back into town, thinking he’d find Gino at the hotel.
Sure enough he located the man’s car in the small parking lot behind the old building. Tyler parked his truck and went around to the front door of the hotel, which was locked. He knocked loudly, hoping Gino could hear him. No answer. He knocked again and then he heard movement right inside the door.
The lock clicked open and the large wooden door opened. Gino’s eyes widened and he smiled, but not as heartily as he normally did. “Come in, Ty, come in.” The older man held the door open wide for him and then locked it again when Tyler was inside.
The two men shook hands and Gino spread his arms. “So, what do you think? Can this old building become grand again?”
Tyler nodded as he looked around at the lobby that had been used hard by groups over the years. “It’ll be a lot of work, but I definitely think it’s worthwhile.” There were bulletin boards and posters half-torn down on the walls where plaster was either cracking or coming off completely. Beyond that, Tyler saw the intricate woodwork, the oak floors that needed refinishing and all the other bits of personality that would require some loving care.
They spoke for a few minutes about Gino’s plans for the building before he said, “I suppose you’re here to tell me you’re taking Poppy’s side and that I shouldn’t have bought the property.”
“Actually, no. I’m here for a different reason, although I’m not happy that you’ve hurt Aunt Poppy.”
Gino nodded vigorously. “I know, I know. But you have to believe me that I had no idea that she was planning to go from boardinghouse to B and B.”
“I think that was always her plan,” Tyler said. “She just didn’t want so many strangers coming in and out of the house while the girls live there. Give her some time and she’ll come around. Maybe the two of you can somehow collaborate and make things work for both of you.”
Gino seemed to consider the idea.
“Anyway,” Tyler continued, “I think I might have a way for you to make points with Aunt Poppy.”
Gino’s eyebrows rose. “Go on.”
“I need a work space for Callie to go through financial records and wondered if you might have room here. The police station is already way too cramped.”
Gino looked around the lobby. “Come with me. I have the perfect spot.” He led Tyler down a long hallway, past restrooms and other doorways. He stopped at a large room at the end of the hall. “Would this work?”
There were no lights on since the electricity was probably turned off, but some natural light came through the large windows. Tyler could see the room would be more than adequate for Callie’s needs.
“This would be perfect. What about construction? Will Callie be in the way if she’s working in here?”
Gino shook his head. “I’m still getting permits and working with an architect. Anyway, we’re only talking a few days or weeks, right?”
Tyler nodded. “I hope it won’t be more than two weeks tops.”
“Then the room’s all yours.”
“Electricity?”
“Supposed to be turned on by tomorrow. This room gets plenty of light from the windows, but I can’t guarantee that’ll be enough light.”
“We can work around that.” Tyler hesitated. “How much?” He had no idea where he’d find money in the budget, but this work needed to be done, and the person responsible—if there was a problem—held accountable.
Gino put his hand out. “No charge.” The men shook hands and Gino added, “Better chance of making points with Poppy if I don’t charge her nephew.”
The two men went over specific details and Gino gave Tyler a key to the front door.
“I’ll move the boxes over in the morning,” Tyler told him.
When he left, he felt like he’d accomplished something and almost dreaded the next thing he needed to do.
Call his sister, Isabelle.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk to her. They spoke every few weeks or so.
He was more worried about what she might tell him about Callie and her stepsister. If he trusted what Isabelle had told him when they were teenagers, back when he’d had a crush on Callie, then Callie had a bad temper and was mean to Wendy.
But if he believed what he’d witnessed since Callie returned to town, he’d guess his sister hadn’t told him the whole truth.
He pulled into his parking space at the police station and walked in the front door of the building. Making the call from his office would be more private than making it at Aunt Poppy’s. The last thing he wanted was Callie overhearing him talking about her.
He waved to the officer, reading a book at Donna’s desk, who was covering the phone that rarely rang. Then Tyler unlocked his office door and turned on the lights. Before he called Isabelle, he checked his email then wrote an email to his staff asking for help moving the financial records from the storage space to the Lincoln.
Finally he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called his sister.
“Hi, Izzy,” he said when she answered.
“Hey, Ty,” she responded. “What’s up?”
“Why does something have to be up for me to call you?”
She harrumphed dramatically. “Because I’m usually the one who calls you.”
He chuckled. “You’re right. I’ll try to do better.” He paused. “So what’s going on with you?” He’d do the chitchat thing before getting into the real reason he called since she was already suspicious.
“Not much. Work is busy, so I don’t have much free time. I’m hiring a new assistant manager and several of my servers left for college.” Isabelle managed a chain restaurant.
“What about that guy you met online?”
“Oh, Barry and I have been talking a lot. At least by email and text.”
“No phone calls?”
“No. We never seem to be free to talk at the same time. You know how my hours are at the restaurant.”
“And remind me what Barry does.”
“He’s a firefighter. So his hours are crazy, too.”
“Doesn’t he have days off at a time?” Something wasn’t sounding right about this Barry.
“True. But they never coincide with mine. Besides, his schedule is always getting changed. You know, people taking time off and needing to switch. He’s just a really nice guy who says yes.”
Again, warning bells went off in Tyler’s head, but he decided to keep his suspicions to himself. For now. Maybe Barry really was the perfect guy Isabelle thought he was.
“What about you? What have you been up to and how are my nieces?”
“The girls are good. You should come down to visit before school starts.”
“I can’t believe Alexis is going into first grade already.”
“I know. Time flies.”
“You’re still at Aunt Poppy’s?”
“We are. My house is coming along slowly.” He needed to get to the reason he called. “Speaking of Aunt Poppy, a new tenant moved in last week. Callie James.”
“Oh.” A less than enthusiastic response. “Why is she back in town?”
He didn’t want to betray Callie’s confidence by telling his sister what he knew, but he didn’t want to lie, either. “She’s taking care of some family stuff.” Not a lie, just not the whole truth. “I doubt she’ll be here more than a few weeks.”
“Family stuff, huh? That family will need more than a few weeks to straighten itself out.”
She’d piqued his interest. “How’s that?”
“They’re just all pretty screwed up from what I’ve seen.”
“That’s right. You and Callie’s stepsister hung around in high school. Do you still keep in touch with Wendy?”
“I haven’t spoken to her since I left for college. I heard through other friends that she went a semester to community college and then dropped out when she got pregnant.”
“She has a kid?” Where had the child been every time he’d run into her?
“I guess so.”
“Is she married?”
“From what I’ve heard, her marriage has been rocky. He’s got an alcohol problem and maybe drugs, too. But that’s just what I’ve heard from other people.”
“Are they living in Whittler’s Creek? There haven’t been any incidents involving Wendy’s husband since I’ve been on the force.”
“I think they’re living right there in town.” Isabelle paused. “Why are you so interested in Wendy?”
He decided to be honest. “Because I’ve run into her several times over the past week and she’s been downright nasty to Callie. Didn’t you tell me Callie was the one with the temper?”
“That’s what Wendy told me. She’d go on and on about how Callie would scream at Wendy’s mother and belittle Wendy. So I always kept my distance. I didn’t want Callie turning on me, too.”
“So Callie had a bad temper. Did you ever witness it?”
“Honestly, no. I only heard about it from Wendy. Why? Has she done something? Did she do or say something to the girls?”
“No, no. Nothing like that. I’m just curious. Callie’s been extra calm around Wendy and I’m trying to wrap my head around it. Even when Wendy has been downright rude and aggressive to her, she’s kept her cool. I’ve seen no sign of this supposed temper.”
“Maybe Callie has grown up and learned to control her temper,” Isabelle suggested.
“Maybe.” But he didn’t quite believe it. “Can you thin
k of any reason why Wendy might have lied about Callie’s temper?”
Isabelle didn’t say anything at first. “No.”
Now that he’d spoken to his sister, Tyler was more confused than ever.
CHAPTER TEN
MONDAY MORNING CALLIE rose early and was surprised by her good mood. She was actually looking forward to the day. That feeling was a first in the week since she’d returned to Whittler’s Creek.
Last night, Tyler had told her about the space at the Lincoln Hotel that he found for her to go through the financial records. She couldn’t wait to get started. She loved a challenge.
“I’d give you a ride this morning,” Tyler said when they ran into each other in the kitchen a little while later. “But I don’t want to strand you at the hotel if I get called somewhere.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind getting myself there. There’s parking in the back, you said?”
He nodded. “I’ve got the boxes being moved there this morning, so I’ll go unlock the building. After they’re all moved, I’ll give you the key to hold on to so you can come and go as you need to.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She helped herself to coffee. “Oh, one other thing. Can you forward me the email you received about the embezzlement?” She pulled out a business card she’d stuck in her jeans’ pocket and took a pen from the container on the counter. She wrote her personal email address on the back and held it out to him. “I won’t bother taking my laptop. I can do everything from my phone. I’d love to see specifics, if the person provided any.”
“I’ll do that as soon as I get to the office.” He took the card from her and put it in his wallet.
She felt a spark when their fingers touched and she couldn’t help being disappointed that Tyler hadn’t made any more mention of that short-term affair they’d talked about having. She understood about him dealing with Poppy and then his daughters, but why hadn’t he even hinted at it since?
“Where are the girls?” she asked instead of the question burning her tongue.
“They’re outside already, riding their bikes on the sidewalk. Aunt Poppy’s with them, enjoying her coffee on the front porch.” He looked over at the clock on the stove. “I better get going.”
