I touched his leg just where he had touched mine, and left it there for more than just a second before I turned back to the window.
When Marc and I got to my apartment in New York, I immediately went for my cell. Three messages—one from Amanda and two from Ryan, one Friday and one today. I held my breath as I listened to his voice.
“Nell, it’s me. I don’t know if you want to talk to me or not, but I’d like to talk to you. I just want to know if you’re okay with everything. If you’re okay, period. Give me a call.” Beep.
“Nell. It’s Ryan. I know you’re hurt and you’re probably angry at me.” Probably angry? “But I think it’s unfair not to call me back and just let me worry about you. Please just call me, or I’ll keep calling you.” Beep.
“Everything okay?” Marc still stood in the doorway, watching me.
“Fine.” I attempted a smile, and threw the phone in my purse. “Come inside. I’m pretty much packed up, so it shouldn’t take long.” I grabbed a box and handed it to him.
The only furniture I really had was my futon and TV; everything else was disposable or easy to pull apart. He had the truck packed and ready to go in less than two hours.
“I’m getting coffee for the road,” he said. “Want anything?”
“Coffee sounds good.”
“Take these,” he said, and threw me a small set of keys—just two, a car key and what looked like a house key—on a worn leather key chain. “I’ll be right back.”
I went upstairs to see the place one more time and check that everything was in the truck. In the corner I had left one box. I wanted to carry it down myself, sort of a symbolic good-bye. In it was the lover’s knot quilt I’d received just a few days earlier. Strange to think how much had changed in so little time.
I thought I would burst into tears. I’d planned it. But I felt nothing; I just was anxious to get on the road and breathe in some clean, crisp air.
When I walked out onto the street I could see that Marc was talking with someone. I took three steps and realized who it was—Ryan.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“What are you doing?”
“She’s moving, pal.” Marc stood between Ryan and me.
“She’s my fiancée, pal.” Ryan moved around him.
“Not anymore.” Marc moved toward me.
“All right, guys. That’s enough.” I pulled Ryan a few steps from Marc. “I was about to leave you a message,” I told him.
Ryan moved close to me, very close. More for Marc’s benefit, I knew, than either his or mine. “Who is that asshole?”
“My grandmother’s handyman.” Ryan looked Marc over. Marc stared back. I loved Marc for acting all knight-in-shining-armor over a woman he hardly knew. “And my friend.”
“You’re making new friends already?” If he had meant to sound tough, he’d failed. I could see his eyes getting watery. Ryan gently touched my hair.
“Have you changed your mind?” I knew better than to ask the question, but I wanted to give him every chance.
He just stood there looking embarrassed, then he reached for my hand. I pulled it away.
“You didn’t call me back,” he said.
“I forgot my phone,” I answered.
“How did we get here?” He stared at me.
“You,” I said quietly. “You got us here.”
He nodded. “So you have to move? Because I need more time, you have to pack up and leave?”
“My apartment was rented, remember?” He suddenly remembered. “What am I supposed to do, crash on Amanda’s couch until you’re ready to get married?”
“No,” he said sharply. “I just don’t think we’re going to solve anything with you all the way up there.” I could feel Ryan’s breath on me and I started to feel confused. I moved a few steps away from him.
“I don’t have anything to solve,” I said. “You do. And maybe what you need is time alone to figure out what you want.” I didn’t know whether to be mad or hurt or disappointed. But I knew I had to leave. Marc was right. I couldn’t sit around and wait for Ryan. I had to make my own plans. And I had to make them now, before I changed my mind.
“My grandmother needs help,” I said. I stepped away from him and climbed into the passenger seat of Marc’s truck. Marc immediately jumped in the driver’s side.
“You have your cell phone with you this time?” Ryan called after me.
I nodded.
“Then I’ll call you,” he shouted.
“Don’t make any more promises until you know you can keep them,” I said, but I wasn’t sure Ryan heard me. As Marc drove away, I watched Ryan standing on the street looking as hurt and confused as I felt.
CHAPTER 15
We were halfway to Archers Rest before either of us spoke. “I’m sorry to have dragged you all the way into the city,” I said by way of apologizing for Ryan.
“I love New York. I don’t go there too much now, but I used to live there. I went to Columbia for a couple of years.”
“Really? What did you study?”
Marc made a face. “Biology, if you can believe it. My father’s a doctor in town and he really wanted me to follow in his footsteps. I liked science, so I gave it a try, but medicine was not for me. I’m not cut out for postponing gratification.” He winked at me. “Nearly killed my old man when he saw my grades. He gave me this lecture about how he wasn’t spending hard-earned money so I could go drinking.” He laughed. “Sure was fun, though.”
“How did you end up . . . I mean . . .”
“As the town handyman?” He looked over at me. “It’s cool. I don’t know. I like working with my hands. I’d love to build a house someday, maybe a smaller version of your grandma’s, right on the Hudson, and build furniture.”
“Have you built anything I could see?”
He got shy for a moment, then admitted, “Yeah, I guess, if you want to. I’ve got some tables and chairs and stuff. I like to build old style. I use a lot of hand tools and I make some reproductions. That’s my real love. I’d like to build something someday that my son, my children, and grandchildren could use and know that I made it.”
I looked over at him and noticed for the first time that his smile was slightly crooked and that he had a dimple on his right cheek. When he saw me watching him, I could see he was blushing a little, but he said nothing and neither did I. He was sweet and full of his own dreams. I liked him. And as simple an emotion as it was, that seemed very complicated to me.
We chatted about his future furniture-building business the rest of the way home, and then spent twenty minutes moving my stuff into the guest room at my grandmother’s house. It was hard to believe that what had taken up an entire New York apartment hardly made a dent in the floor space of one room in this house.
The next day, when Eleanor was released from the hospital, she didn’t criticize either the new arrangement or the fact that I’d taken a leave of absence to help her out. I took this as approval.
“A lot of work for one person,” she said as I helped her into bed.
“Marc helped me.”
“He has a good heart, when he wants to use it.”
“That’s a little unkind.”
She waved me off. “How are you getting off work?”
“Sick grandmother. Desperate for my help.”
“Now who’s being unkind?”
“What was I supposed to tell my boss?” I protested. “That I’m running away from a broken heart? One of us had to be needy and pathetic for me to get time off, and it wasn’t going to be me.”
She took my hand. “It isn’t you. You’re helping me, and I’m glad you’re here. What about some dinner? If I know my friends, there are five casseroles and ten pies in that kitchen.”
“At least.”
“First thing you do is tell people to stop bringing food.”
I wasn’t about to tell people that, especially since it wasn’t likely my grandmother would be coo
king anytime soon, and she wouldn’t want to eat what I could whip up. I heated two plates of a noodle dish that Susanne had dropped off and arranged them on a tray with glasses of water and dinner rolls.
From his position next to my grandmother, Barney wagged and wagged as I carried the tray into the living room, but he wasn’t about to leave her side.
“I didn’t think he was allowed on the bed.” Barney had his head on a pillow, stomach up for easy petting.
“You tell him,” she said as she gave his tummy a pat. They were a good couple, Barney and my grandmother. She pretended to be annoyed by his dependence, and he pretended to dislike her rules. All the while they clearly adored each other. If he had been a person, it would have been an enviable match. Truth was, I envied them anyway, despite the difference in their species.
We watched the news while we ate, then Andy Griffith on Nick at Nite. I settled into the bed and felt the tension in my body release as I watched Andy outsmart a big city crook two episodes in a row.
“This is a bit less exciting than you’re used to,” Eleanor said.
“That’s a good thing. I’ve had enough excitement.” I told her about the scene between Marc and Ryan.
“Good enough for him,” she said. “Did he think you would wait forever?”
“It’s been less than a week.”
“Long enough.” I had to agree with that idea. “Ryan didn’t think he was making a decision,” she continued. “He thought he was delaying one. He didn’t think about how it might change everything.”
“Because he’s selfish,” I suggested.
“I don’t think that’s it. Scared, maybe. People make most of their worst decisions because they’re afraid.”
I sat up. “I don’t know whether I’m supposed to hate him or feel sorry for him.”
She smiled. “I felt the same way about your grandfather after he died. One too many beers and he wrapped his car around that tree, changing my life, your mother’s, even yours, in a way. Of course, your grandfather couldn’t have imagined that his decision would have that kind of effect. Just like now, Ryan didn’t think that postponing the engagement would send you off with another man.”
I blushed and stammered for a minute until I could figure out what to say. “Marc’s not another man, he’s a friend.”
She sighed. “I don’t mean to interfere.”
“You’re not. Well, you are.” I smiled. “But I could use a little wise interference. It could be your way of paying me back for all the help I’m going to give you around the house.”
“And at the shop, if you can. I took a lease on the diner to expand the shop.”
I practically jumped. “You did what? When?”
“Why are you so surprised? It was your idea.”
“You’ve been in the hospital.”
“I had access to a phone.” She rolled her eyes, but I could see she enjoyed being one step ahead of me. “I thought about what you said, and it made sense, so I made a few calls. I had nothing else to do, just sitting there like some sick person.”
I settled back down next to Barney. “Wow” was all I could get out.
She patted my hand. “And it worked out perfectly, with you here to help. That will keep you busy.”
I stretched myself out on the bed, wrapping my arm around a sleeping Barney. “Not too busy. I have a limited amount of energy.” I closed my eyes and was asleep to the sounds of Opie and Aunt Bee talking about their day.
CHAPTER 16
My grandmother’s alarm went off at six-thirty in the morning, but I was awake for several minutes before. Barney had woken up and jumped off the bed, stepping over me in the process. My grandmother reached for her crutches and dropped them, saying in a loud whisper, “Damn,” a word she’d never used before, at least not in my presence.
“Let me help.” I got up and the day began.
I scrambled eggs according to my grandmother’s strict instructions, and they weren’t just edible—as they were when I made them in New York—they were quite good. I walked Barney, did the dishes, and brought down unfinished quilting projects so my grandmother could do some hand sewing. I made a list of all the needed groceries and errands she wanted me to run. When I got back, she told me, I would need to pack some of her old clothes into boxes for a charity drive.
“One more thing,” she said as I was walking out the door with half a dozen lists. “Stop at the shop. See if Nancy needs any help.” I was exhausted, and it wasn’t even ten o’clock.
When I walked outside I half-expected to see Marc’s truck and his ladder to the roof. I found myself a little disappointed when they weren’t there. I wondered if he was finished with the roof, which would be a good thing, I told myself, since it looked like rain.
I did most of the errands and managed to grab a cup of coffee at the diner before I walked to Someday Quilts. From the outside it looked quiet, but when I opened the door, I walked straight into a very frazzled Nancy.
“We have to shut down the store,” she said instead of hello.
“What? Why?”
“Ask him.” She pointed to Marc, who was coming up the stairs with a toolbox and a measuring tape. I smiled, a little too happily, I knew, but I was glad to run into him.
“Nancy,” he chided, “Eleanor wants this wall knocked down as soon as the diner closes tonight. I can’t do that with people walking around. There will be dust everywhere, power tools. If you don’t care about the customers, think about the fabric.” He was having fun with her, I could see, but Nancy wasn’t interested.
“Did she hire you?” I turned to Marc. “She didn’t say anything to me.”
“She called me this morning. She said to get started right away. I think you were out running errands.” Marc shifted a little but stood his ground.
Nancy looked at me. “I’m sorry,” I said. “She just told me last night that she leased the shop. And you know my grandmother. Once she makes up her mind, she doesn’t like to wait.”
“Look, I’m all for this renovation,” Nancy sighed. “But this one shows up without any warning when I’m trying to run a store.” Nancy tilted her head toward Marc but looked at me. “I admire enthusiasm, but you don’t want someone going off half-cocked.”
“Hey, I’m here.” Marc leaned toward Nancy. “I could be at the track with your husband.”
Nancy rolled her eyes. “You could hardly do more harm there than you’re doing here.” She smiled at Marc as though he were a slightly mischievous puppy. “And before you get smart with me again, young man, remember I’ve known you since you were a small child. There’s no fooling me with that charm of yours.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Marc pretended to look contrite, and then smiled. Then he turned to me and shrugged. “What now, granddaughter?”
I blushed, and I knew he could see it, so I looked around the shop trying to think of something to say. “The diner’s closing tonight?”
“After the lunch crowd. The owners told Eleanor she could have it all. Not that she wants a bunch of old kitchen equipment.” He smiled. “Didn’t Eleanor tell you all this already?”
“No,” I said. “Why don’t you start work on the diner, then, pulling out the old stuff and getting it cleaned up. How long will that take?”
“A few days.”
“Fine,” I continued. “We’ll close Wednesday, do inventory, and bring everything over to my grandmother’s. Everyone in town knows where she lives. We can run the shop out of there for a few weeks. And Marc can wait until, say, Saturday to knock down this wall. In the meantime, we’ll pack up whatever we can.”
“Fine with me,” Marc said. “I have a doctor’s appointment Thursday anyway.”
Nancy turned to me. “I’ll call our regulars,” she said, “and let them know we’re moving to Eleanor’s for a while.”
“You do that,” I said. “And don’t worry about Marc. I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything without my supervision. Okay?”
She laughed. “Good luck w
ith that, dear.” She drifted to the stairs and disappeared to the office below.
“Good thinking.” Marc threw an arm around me. He leaned his head in and rested it on mine. “I like the idea of you supervising me.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “Work fast,” I said, then pulled away. “And don’t cause any trouble.”
“Man, you are just like your grandmother.”
Less than twenty minutes after I arrived, Carrie was in the shop to confirm what Nancy had, apparently, told her on the phone. Several minutes later, Maggie arrived. Then Bernie. Then Susanne. Only Natalie was missing.
Carrie said twice to me and once to Susanne, “Well, the shop needs to be bigger. I agree with that. But it’s a shame to lose a place to get some coffee.”
“What about setting up some tables and making a little coffee shop in the store?” I suggested by way of compromise, and was verbally beaten in response.
“We’ll have coffee all over the fabric,” said Nancy and Susanne.
“You can’t run two businesses and do them both well,” declared Bernie.
“Have you ever had Eleanor’s coffee?” whimpered Carrie. I had actually had my grandmother’s coffee. And while it wasn’t a halfdecaf soy latte, it was quite good.
I could see that no one was interested in a coffee and quilt shop. “Just throwing out ideas,” I said in my defense. “I’m sure my grandmother knows exactly what she wants in the space.”
“She certainly does,” Marc finally spoke.
“Thank you, Marc, but we’ll talk with Eleanor about her plans.” Maggie gave him an icy stare I hadn’t thought she was capable of. Only Carrie smiled at Marc and said she’d be interested in hearing what he had in mind.
“Can I start doing anything now, boss?” Marc asked, smiling broadly.
I looked around at the shop. “We can move stuff away from the wall you’re going to open up.” I looked toward Nancy. “But only while I’m here helping.” She nodded her approval.
“Why don’t you bundle up some of the out-of-season fabric?” Maggie suggested.
Nancy leaned against the checkout counter. “I want to go through that for inventory first. Maybe pack up here, behind the register.”
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