Snow Belle (Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Book 1)

by Jackie Castle

  She glanced over her shoulder at the shops on the other side of the street. On the corner, a neon sign flashed ‘Alton’s Antiques and Tea Room’. She hoped Great-Aunt Daisy might help find a buyer for the pot-belly stove.

  Turning back to Bill, Haley tilted her head, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “Maybe we can barter for your time. Please, you have to work with me. It’s my fault he went off the road.”

  Bill chuckled. “Why does that not surprise me? You ride one of them nags out into the road again without looking?”

  “No,” Haley snorted, offended at his assumption. “’Twas Papop’s blasted snow-blowing monster machine. You know how he was about tweaking things. The darned contraption got away from me.”

  He whooped a loud laugh, bending over as he clutched his stomach.

  Haley hoped Mr. Winters wasn’t watching. When she searched for him, she spotted the sheriff’s car easing by. Great, that’s all I need.

  “Um, Bill?” She motioned for him to step into his office. “A word?”

  He followed, still chuckling.

  When he shut the door, she spun to face him. “I really need you to work with me here.”

  Bill spun his cap so the bill faced forward. “I’m going to need some upfront cash, Haley. I’ll have to order parts. Maybe he has insurance?”

  “It was my fault, so I’ll fix it.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You’re always going on about how you’ll fix this and fix that. Girl, you can only do so much. Give yourself a break, eh?”

  “I can do this. Just give me a day.”

  Bill stepped a bit closer, his former joviality turning more somber. “So, hey, there’s the annual Thanksgiving Dinner party at Mallory’s Diner. Know you don’t have anywhere to go. So why don’t we agree to meet—”

  “I’ll think about it. What about fixing that car?”

  Bill waved the rag. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get it done if that’s what he wants. Maybe he’ll just have it towed somewhere else. Maybe he wants to sell. I’d be willing to take it off his hands for the right price. That’s one sweet machine.” He scratched the back of his neck which was also covered in grease. Did they bathe in the gunk? “Seems from all the boxes in his backseat, he’s just passing through.”

  “Think so. Said he was coming from Cali; heading to the U.P.” Haley shuddered, wondering who in their right mind would want to go any farther north than they already were, especially after living for any length of time in the warmer southern climates. She’d had no choice. This place was her last hope of making a real life.

  Through the window, Haley caught sight of Sheriff Boyd talking to Mr. Winters. Drat! Would the Yank tell the sheriff it was her fault? All she needed were more tickets on her record.

  She grasped the door handle. “Look, Bill, I’ll get some cash to get you started, all right? But I need you to work with me here. I just wanna do what’s right. At least I’m trying.”

  His face softened as he offered a nod of understanding. “I’ll do what I can, Haley Belle. Hope you’ll at least consider coming to the diner Thursday, even if you don’t want to officially accompany me. It’ll be a fun time. Mallory serves everything up home-style and we all pitch in with cooking and cleaning up. Last year, Hank opened up his alley next door and we all bowled and had the karaoke going.”

  Haley promised to think about it but doubted anyone besides Bill actually wanted her there. She feared Mallory might resent her plan to open up another restaurant to compete with. Not to mention everyone else in town considered her nothing more than a donkey’s backside. All because of that house.

  Well, she loved the house, too. Between the two, the old barn had far better memories and room for her dog, Wally, and the horses. With a bit of fixing up, she’d make something special out of that beautiful old barn.

  Haley tiptoed around the tow-truck to avoid bumping into the sheriff. Mr. Winters was on his phone, so she didn’t stop to explain where she was going. Time was of the essence. She let him know she had everything fixed, then hurried on across the street to Alton’s Antique shop.

  The doorbell tinkled as she entered the store smelling of dust and old things. A lot of the town’s history most likely sat in this place. Great-Aunt Daisy was part owner with her second husband, George, who didn’t wish to be called ‘Uncle’ by anyone. To Haley’s dismay, it was George who came out to greet her. She plastered on her biggest smile.

  “Good Morning, Mr. Alton,” she greeted the elderly gentleman standing behind the counter. He held a polishing rag in one gnarled hand and a gold brooch in the other.

  He grunted his reply.

  Haley sucked in a deep, steadying breath, intent on not letting the old geezer intimidate her. “Mr. Alton, I have a few things I’m looking to sell and was wondering—”

  “Can’t find a buyer, eh? Think you can sell everything off piecemeal? Well, I’m not interested in helping you ruin a historical landmark, Missy.”

  “It’s Haley, sir.”

  He glowered at her, setting the brooch back into the display case.

  “Look, Mr. Alton, I’m trying my best. I don’t want to sell the house to that company—”

  “So it’s true. You’ve had an offer?” He peered up at her, one gristly brow arched.

  “Yes, but—”

  “If Ol’ Chuck knew what a mess you’d make of his family’s home—”

  “Papop said he trusted me to do what was best. I have big plans for the farmlands. I’m going to—”

  “Your big plans are nothing more than big nightmares for the rest of us, girl. You’re doing nothing but bringing shame to the Madison family name.” Mr. Alton threw his polishing rag onto the counter, then turned and stormed into his office, slamming the door so hard, Haley nearly jumped out of her skin.

  Now what? Selling that stove was her golden ticket to getting out of this accident mess.

  “Poor Haley, dear, don’t let him intimidate you.” Mrs. Alton, or, rather Great-Aunt Daisy, stood in the arched entrance to her section of the antique store. She motioned for Haley to follow her into the tearoom. “Come with me, dear. You look as if you could use a spot of tea.”

  Aunt Daisy had lived overseas for a few years with her first husband, who’d loved traveling. Everyone said she brought back some of that international snobbery with her, but Haley found her Memaw’s sister interesting. Daisy Alton loved being a social butterfly. Her tea-times and card games in her little sanctuary at the shop were her way of keeping in touch with the town’s gossip. Haley could totally understand, and hoped someday people would love coming to see her at the old barn when she turned it into the best place in Yankee-land to get barbecue.

  “My pinochle group will be here shortly, but we have some time to talk. I overheard you saying you were looking to sell a few items? In particular, a cast-iron stove? Would that be the old potbellied one in the garden room, dear?”

  “Yes.” Haley sat at one of the little round tables adorned with beige crocheted doilies and a milk-glass vase full of plastic yellow and white daisies. “Don’t suppose it’s been used since Memaw passed, but I bet it still works fine. You know of someone who’d like to buy it from me? I could really use some quick cash, Auntie. I’m in a bit of a pinch.”

  Aunt Daisy, wearing a pink flowered dress and pink silk slippers, shuffled over to her electric teapot and poured steamy water into a pretty china pot decorated with hummingbirds and purple flowers. She set two matching cups on a tray, along with milk and sugar. Haley hurried over to help her carry it to the nearest table.

  Daisy added a small cut-glass plate of gingersnap cookies and set it beside the pot. “Well, I know for a fact it works perfectly. That old stove was built in the early 1920s. It’s only belonged to the Madisons and has never left its place in the sunroom.” She took the opposite chair and set their cups with a bit of milk and sugar. “I’ve admired that little stove since I was young girl, not that I ventured into the grand house often. No, not until Emma Rose, your gran
dmother, married into the family.” She poured the steamy tea into each cup and pushed Haley’s in front of her with a spoon delicately placed on a cloth napkin. Nothing but the finest for Auntie Daisy.

  The room filled with the sweet aroma of oranges, cinnamon and cloves.

  “Our family was usually invited to the Madisons’ Christmas parties. They called the winter festival the Holiday Hoopalooza.” Daisy clapped her hands with a laugh. “Every year we were on the guest list. I suspect it was because your grandpa, Ol’ Chucky, was sweet on my sister. Of course, she was sweet on him, too.” She let out a sigh while placing a pink linen napkin in her lap. Haley copied her. “I do so miss that special time of year. Why, the whole town joined in.”

  Haley remembered Auntie Daisy being a frequent visitor to Memaw’s weekly Bible study meetings. The ladies would always meet in Memaw’s garden room. Haley could barely stand to go into that section of the house anymore. The memories of what it once was were too painful to bear.

  She offered a watery smile at her aunt. “I remember you visiting when I lived there those two years while Momma was working the rodeos.”

  Daisy patted her hand. “You and near any other relative or poor soul needing a place to rest their heads. After Ma and Pop Madison passed, Chuck and Emma turned it into a regular flophouse. But a nice one, I dare say.” She sighed again, stirring her tea. “Those were some happy times.”

  “Flophouse?”

  “Oh you know, like a motel, though they hardly ever charged people to stay. There’re so many rooms in that Victorian that after all the kids left, they felt lonely and wanted to bring life back into the walls again. So Emma took in boarders. Some were missionary families or people in transit. Some had moved here and just needed a temporary shelter. They were all welcomed in with open arms.”

  Haley sat back in her wrought-iron chair. Well, no wonder Papop suggested turning the house into a hotel. Or he’d actually called it a bed and breakfast. Oh, but the work required to make that happen …. Impossible. Completely out of the question.

  Aunt Daisy shook her finger at her. “And I remember you. Such a cute little sprite traipsing after your grandpa like a shadow. Chuck took great joy in his grandchildren. I don’t suppose your younger sister will join you here, will she? I’m sorry, I can’t remember her name, dear.”

  Haley’s heart squeezed in on itself. She didn’t want to think about Lexie right now. She had enough going on already. “I’m trying to make us a place to live, Auntie. I know everyone’s mad about me for selling the house. But I can turn that barn into a barbecue restaurant everyone will simply love. I know it. If they’d just give me a chance.”

  “Well, Haley, dear, this is the first I’ve actually heard of your plans. Interesting. You deem yourself a good cook?” Daisy dipped one of the cookies into her tea. Haley copied her and thought the treat delicious. Then she remembered the poor Yank out there waiting for her. She needed to cut this meeting short, even if she was enjoying it.

  Haley made a mental note to stop in more often to visit Great-Aunt Daisy. There weren’t many of the family left alive, and Daisy was a kind old soul and easy to talk to.

  “I was taught by the best while we were living on the ranch. And I was accepted into a top-notch culinary school, too. But then everything terrible happened. So with Papop calling me to come home, and all, I decided this was the best place I could start over.” Haley reached across the table and placed her hand on her aunt’s cool one. “I really believe I can make this happen. I have to….” Not only for her own sake but Lexie’s as well. Haley had to get her sister out of that mess.

  Aunt Daisy pushed the plate of cookies toward her. “Have another, dear. I’ll be right back.” Taking her cup, she stood and shuffled over to her register where she opened the till and began counting out a stack of bills.

  Haley stood and followed her.

  “I want to buy that potbelly stove. I have five hundred I can give you today. The rest I’ll have transferred from my bank into your account.”

  “The rest? Auntie, just how much you think that ol’ lump of iron is worth?”

  She slid the stack of bills across the counter. “I’m willing to pay $800.00 total and hope Charles won’t come haunt me for cheating his granddaughter.” She chuckled. “I have no intention of reselling that lovely thing. I could probably get close to a thousand, truth be told, considering the condition it’s been kept in.”

  Haley’s mouth hung open. Her vision blurred as she slowly tucked the money into her back pocket. “Auntie Daisy, how can I ever thank—”

  She waved her hands dismissively. “That ol’ potbelly will sit right here, warming hearts, just as it’s always done.” She pointed to a spot in the center of her little room where several round lace-covered tables lined the walls. “You know, dear, I have so many fond memories of the Madison house, and I hate to see it leave the family. But, it’s not the house that makes a family special. It’s the people inside. The Madisons have always been known as generous souls, and that’s why everyone looks at that old place so fondly, I suspect. Why, I’ve been in many houses in this town and some leave you feeling as if you’re standing in a January blizzard.”

  Haley sipped down the rest of her tea, hoping to wash away the big lump forming in her throat.

  “You come from good stock, Haley,” Aunt Daisy continued. “And, like the rest, you have a kind heart in you, too. I can see it. You come by it honestly, truth be told.”

  How long had it been since Haley heard anyone say kind a word to her? She let out a long breath, knowing exactly how long. Since the last time she’d spoken to Papop, that’s how long. He and Memaw always had nothing but good things to say. She rubbed at her forehead, feeling a headache beginning to form. She had to do what was best for her and Lexie. She had to consider their futures. If only people would let go of the past and let her do that.

  Good Lord, don’t let me mess this up, too.

  Chapter Five

  Snowbelle hopped from one place to another like a rabbit with a fox at her tail. One minute, Ethan watched her enter the antique shop. She spent quite a while in there. He’d moved most of his belongings to the back of her pick-up, but kept his violin case at his side.

  The mechanic named Bill said soon as they had a clear stall, he’d take a look at the Camaro. Bill Benton wondered if he would consider selling, but Ethan told him not on his life. After exchanging numbers and getting yet another business card, Bill promised to call soon as he had an estimate. The next call Ethan needed to make was to his adjuster to let them know what had happened. Luckily, insurance should cover some of the costs of repairs.

  While he’d dealt with the details of his car, Haley had hopped down to the corner deli and bought them both a couple of sandwiches. He wasn’t a fan of turkey but ate it anyway. She’d disappeared again while he gobbled down his lunch only to reappear a few minutes later with a smile on her face.

  “That probably wasn’t what you had in mind for a decent meal, but I promise I’ll make it up to you at dinner tonight. I’ll cook it. Haven’t had anyone to fix a meal for in ages. She practically bounced in her seat as they headed back to her residence.

  Before he could get a good look at the stately Victorian, she turned off the road onto a narrow muddy trail. “I have to stop by my barn first and feed the horses. And I bet Wally is beside himself by now. He’ll be wondering where I’ve gotten off to.”

  The tires slid over the still frosty ground, the back end shimmying left and right. Ethan grasped the dashboard, his head pounding from the bumpy ride.

  She slowed the speed. “I’m sorry Mr. Winters. I should’a dropped you off. I can tell your head must be aching you.”

  At that moment, he had been rubbing at the lump on his forehead, and, though it was aching, the gesture was more from his wondering what he’d gotten himself into, than the pain. “I’m okay and please call me Ethan. Mr. Winters is my dad.”

  “Oh, sure, Ethan. And you best call me Haley. I ho
pe you don’t mind this side trip too much. I bet you’re probably wore out from your ordeal and all. I’ll make it quick. Then we’ll get you settled into the house. You’ll pretty much have the run of it.”

  “I don’t mind at all, Haley.” Who would mind spending an afternoon with such a beautiful, yet curious woman? He felt as if he were trying to catch one of those tornadoes Texas was famous for. He had a feeling she might be worth the effort, but then he reminded himself he wasn’t staying.

  Her heart outsized the state she came from. Not many people would take responsibility for an accident that wasn’t entirely their fault. She’d not only dropped all her plans to help, but she’d gone to a lot of trouble to help him fix his problem.

  He’d already told Mr. Benton to not take a dime from Miss Madison. The poor man seemed anxious about having to tell her no. Finally, Ethan said if she insisted, that he was to hang onto the money until the job was done. Ethan would make sure it got back to her when he left.

  Something in his gut told him she couldn’t afford this, and, from the way some of the folks seemed to treat her, he had a pretty good idea she was in a bit of a hard spot. Maybe, just maybe, he’d been waylaid for a reason.

  Wouldn’t be the first time God had knocked him off his course. For the past year, Ethan had made his own plans, not even bothering to stop and pray about them. His parent’s taught him the value of seeking God’s will, but Ethan had a goal in sight and refused to deviate from it.

  Most of his screw-ups were due from his lack of thinking things through. During the drive home from California, he’d vowed to change his approach to making future decisions.

  “There it is,” Haley pointed as they turned a bend and the land opened up before them. “Two hundred acres are all that’s left of the Madison Farm property. The house across the street sits on another fifty acres. That’s the part I’m trying to sell.”