by Regina Hart
“I agree.” Foster sipped his ice water. “I was proud to have three of our faculty members serve on the fund-raising committee for the center’s fortieth birthday celebration, including Doctor Harris and Doctor Brooks.” He gestured from Peyton to Vaughn.
“It was an honor.” Peyton looked from Foster to Ms. Helen.
“Peyton and Darius provided great leadership to the fund-raising committee.” Vaughn felt Benita’s eyes on him.
Darius refilled his glass with iced water from the pitcher on the table. “I was glad to help the center. Growing up, I spent a lot of hours there.”
“So did I.” Vaughn accepted the water pitcher from Darius. He filled his glass as well as Benita’s. Benita then filled Ms. Helen’s.
Foster started his salad. “Vaughn, how is your play coming?”
Vaughn swallowed a mouthful of salad. “Rehearsals are going well. I’m glad Benita’s been able to help.”
“This isn’t much of a vacation for you.” Lana sipped her water. “Between assisting with this event and helping Vaughn with his play, when are you finding time to relax?”
Benita glanced at Vaughn before responding. “These three months are more of a working vacation. I’m still managing my clients.”
“And she’s helping to plan a friend’s wedding.” Ms. Helen waved a fork toward Benita. “She’s never been able to relax, even as a child.”
Vaughn could attest to that. Even in high school, one student group hadn’t been enough. She’d joined several of them. However, whenever they were together, she would give him her total attention. Why was she so different in Los Angeles?
“I must get that from you.” Benita squeezed her great-aunt’s arm. Her love for the older woman was in her voice.
Ms. Helen patted Benita’s hand. “Doreen—the friend whose wedding Benita is helping to plan—is putting her house on the market.”
The announcement caught Vaughn’s attention. He was looking for a house. “That must have been a hard decision. She’s lived in that house for decades.”
“But she and Alonzo are starting a new life together.” Peyton finished her salad. “They’re moving into Alonzo’s house.”
“I’m going to ask her about it. I wonder what she’s listing it for.” Vaughn considered the timing of Doreen’s decision to be divine providence.
The servers returned to clear away the salad plates and distribute the main course. Vaughn drew his dinner plate to him. Tonight’s menu consisted of orange chicken, wild rice, and green beans. Steam rose from his plate. The scent of the well-seasoned chicken reminded him that he’d skipped lunch.
Benita looked at him in surprise. “Are you house hunting?”
“It’s a nice house.” Vaughn looked into Benita’s eyes. “It’ll probably sell quickly once she lists it.”
Her bright brown eyes dimmed as she lowered her gaze. Yes, Benita, I’m staying in Trinity Falls and I want you to stay with me.
Foster sliced into his chicken. “Speaking of Doreen and Alonzo’s wedding, I assume Quincy and Ramona are planning to attend?”
“They’ll be here next Monday.” Darius scooped a forkful of rice. “They’re staying at Harmony Cabins.”
Foster nodded as he chewed his food. “His contract with the University of Pennsylvania is up in June. I was hoping to lure him back to TFU.”
“I can understand the appeal of a larger university.” Lana sipped her iced water. “But Trinity Falls is a special place. And the university offers faculty a lot more flexibility than a larger institution would.”
“I left Trinity Falls.” Benita turned to Vaughn. “And both of Vaughn’s brothers left Trinity Falls.”
He understood what she was doing. Benita was staging a public protest with her subtle digs. Vaughn remained calm and returned fire. “Ben and Zach are returning to Trinity Falls later this year.”
Benita blinked at him. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“I just did.” Vaughn returned to his dinner.
“I’m from New York.” Peyton broke the short silence. “Moving to Trinity Falls is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Audra Lane, who moved here from Los Angeles, feels the same way.”
Darius caught Peyton’s gaze. “I’m glad you made the decision.”
Envy pricked Vaughn as he watched the other couple exchange a loving look. He glanced at Benita from the corner of his eye. Audra was one of Benita’s celebrity clients. Born and raised in Los Angeles, the songwriter said she’d moved to Trinity Falls because it felt more like home. How could he convince Benita that Trinity Falls was home for both of them?
CHAPTER 19
Early Saturday morning, Benita curled up on the love seat in Ms. Helen’s foyer and sipped her chai tea. She contemplated her great-aunt as the older lady sat on a straight-back oak chair positioned before her front windows, providing Ms. Helen a comfortable spot from which to survey her neighborhood.
No matter how early Benita woke up, she found Ms. Helen awake and dressed before her. This morning, her great-aunt wore the fashionable cherry red cotton lounge suit Benita had bought her for Christmas.
“What’s on your mind, Benita?” Ms. Helen’s quiet question brought their companionable silence to an end.
“My vacation’s halfway over.” She was stalling for time. “I’m driving back to L.A. June twenty-first, the Sunday after Doreen and Alonzo’s wedding.”
“I still don’t understand why you chose to drive all that way.” Ms. Helen sipped her tea.
“I wanted my car with me. But I appreciate your worrying about me and it was more convenient to pack it up. I worry about you, too.” That was a smooth transition to the conversation she had in mind.
“You want to talk about that old-age home again, don’t you?” Apparently, Ms. Helen saw through her.
“It’s not an old-age home, Aunt Helen.”
Her great-aunt shifted on her seat to face Benita. “One of the reasons I love living in Trinity Falls is that everyone counts. Everyone contributes.”
“I suppose you’re right.” What was behind the abrupt change of subject?
“When Megan McCloud took a leap of faith and diversified her family’s bookstore, she created new jobs for the community.”
“That’s true.” Benita liked the new Books & Bakery even more than the old bookstore, but she’d never considered the impact the store’s changes had on the community.
“When Ramona McCloud returned from New York and ran for mayor, she repaired the damage the previous mayor’s mismanagement had caused the community. Now we’re starting to thrive again.”
“I remember that.” It had taken a lot of courage and strength of character to stand up to the establishment and turn the town in a new direction.
“Darius Knight convinced Stan Crockett to enter an Alcoholics Anonymous program. Now Stan’s a healthy, contributing member of the community. He even volunteered on the fund-raising committee for the community center.”
“That’s wonderful.” What was her great-aunt’s point?
“As you heard last night, I’m also a contributing member of this community.” Ms. Helen’s voice cooled. “And I won’t be driven from my home until I’m no longer able to contribute.”
Benita swallowed a sigh. “Aunt Helen, you live alone. There’s no one here to go to for help if, God forbid, something happened to you.”
Ms. Helen cradled her mug of tea in her left hand and gestured toward her window with her right. “Haven’t you noticed the parade of people who stop by every day?”
“I’ve noticed you have a few regular guests.”
“You’re not very observant, are you?”
“What do you—”
“I call them my Watchers. They stop by every day.” Ms. Helen lifted her fingers to count off her team. “Megan and Ean stop by at the end of their morning run around six. Alonzo drops in around noon on his way to lunch at Books and Bakery. Doreen checks in after work around four. Darius has the last shift at six. The others�
�Vaughn, Peyton, and Jackson and Audra, Ramona and Quincy when they were here—aren’t as predictable.”
“I hadn’t realized they were checking on you.” Benita stared at the four fingers Ms. Helen held aloft, each representing the shifts her Watchers covered, a twelve-hour service.
“They are. I’ve asked them to stop, but they’ve ignored me.”
“I’m glad. But Aunt Helen, suppose they forget or get out of the habit of checking on you? Doreen is moving. Will she still stop by at four?”
Ms. Helen smiled. “You don’t know Doreen.”
“But wouldn’t you feel more comfortable living in a residence in which there are nurses to check on you regularly and who are there if you need medical attention?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” Ms. Helen stood. “I’d rather be here, in my own home.”
Benita watched her great-aunt walk into the kitchen. Was she wrong to push so hard for her great-aunt to move into a senior residence? She might as well ask herself whether she was wrong to love the elderly lady.
But Ms. Helen had inherited more than her fair share of the stubborn gene for which their family was well known. It was already May second. Benita was running out of time. How was she going to convince Ms. Helen that she was right about her great-aunt moving into a senior residence?
The peaceful goodwill Doreen always felt after church services was fading fast this afternoon. She slid another sideways look toward Alonzo as he sat beside her on his living room sofa. “Thank you for helping me move my belongings into your house.”
“Our house,” he corrected. “Of course I’m going to help my fiancée move in with me. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t?”
He’s still not looking at me. Why? Have I become Medusa?
“I’m not questioning the kind of man you are.” Doreen shifted on the sofa to face him. “I just wanted to thank you. I don’t want you to think I’m taking you for granted.”
“Thanks aren’t necessary.”
“I get that.” Perhaps someone should have gone to church with me this morning. It might have helped to prevent the weird mood he was in. “You seem on edge. Is everything all right?”
Alonzo still avoided eye contact as he stood and crossed the room. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
“You’ve been tired a lot lately. Should I take you to the doctor?” Or is your fatigue a convenient excuse to keep you from telling me what’s on your mind?
“I’ll be fine.” Alonzo dragged a hand over his still-dark hair.
“All right.” Doreen rose to her feet as well. She studied Alonzo’s broad shoulders. Even from across the room, she could tell they were stiff under his brick red jersey. “The realtor said my house would show better with the furniture in it. But we should decide now what pieces of mine we’ll keep and what we’ll donate to charity.”
Alonzo turned back to face the room—not her. “Whatever you want to do is fine.”
Doreen scanned the living room. Alonzo’s modest furnishings were a strong contrast to her warm and welcoming decor. His dark brown recliner, sofa, and area rug were practical but lacked the warmth of her pink and white fun furniture patterns. It would be so easy to make the executive decision to pack up his belongings and deliver them to a nonprofit organization. But her moving in and making unilateral decisions wasn’t the way she’d envisioned starting their life together.
Doreen gestured toward the furniture surrounding them. “So I can just replace everything in here, including that oversized flat-screen TV, with my stuff?”
“That’s fine.” Alonzo’s tone was dismissive.
Doreen’s patience slipped another notch. “Is that really the sum total of the effort you’re going to put into building a home together? ‘Whatever you want to do is fine’?”
She had his attention now. “They’re just things, Doreen. I’m not emotionally attached to them.”
“I haven’t sensed a great deal of emotion from you at all these past few weeks.” Doreen crossed her arms as she regarded her soon-to-be husband. “This is just another task to you, another day to you.”
Alonzo’s coffee-colored eyes grew wary. “What should it be?”
“I’m giving up my house in preparation of sharing my life with you.” She jerked her chin toward his staircase. “You helped move my suitcases into your bedroom as though you were welcoming a roommate.”
Alonzo pulled his long fingers through his thick hair again. “What should I have done?”
What should it be? What should I have done? Wasn’t this day special to him in any way at all?
Doreen spread her arms. “I wasn’t expecting Harry Belafonte to serenade us. But I think I deserve to be treated like something more than a check mark on your to-do list.”
“I don’t mean to treat you that way.” Alonzo’s expression was stricken. “Do you want me to take you to lunch?”
“We’ve been together for ten months. We’re about to get married. I shouldn’t have to tell you what to do to make this day special.” Doreen blamed him for her ridiculous behavior.
“I don’t know what you want from me, Doreen.”
“I just want you to talk to me, Alonzo. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Nothing.” The look in his eyes told her he was lying.
Doreen stepped back. The back of her calves came into contact with his sofa. The plump cushions were soft against her slacks. She held Alonzo’s gaze despite the pain in her heart. It was less than seven weeks before their wedding and they’d never been farther apart. What was she supposed to do?
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong? There’s nothing you need to discuss with me?” Fear kept her from asking the direct question: Do you still want to marry me?
“I’m sure.”
“All right.” Doreen walked past him toward his staircase.
“Do you want me to take you to lunch?” Alonzo’s ridiculous question followed her as she mounted his stairs.
“No, thank you. I’m just going to unpack.” Doreen never paused.
She kept her chin up as she climbed to the top floor. At the landing, she turned right to enter the master bedroom. Doreen closed the door behind her. She leaned against the solid wood and let the tears flow. Her engagement was a disaster. This whole thing—moving in together, getting married—was beginning to feel like a mistake. But she couldn’t fix it alone and Alonzo wouldn’t even try.
What should she do?
CHAPTER 20
Quincy parked his Buick in front of the garage of one of the Harmony Cabins rental properties. His muscles were stiff as he climbed from his driver’s seat after the six-hour trip from his new home in Philadelphia. He circled the trunk in time to help Ramona from the car.
“Thank you.” She gave him a pained smile.
“Maybe next time, we should stop and stretch during the trip.”
Ramona chuckled as she shut her car door. “You said you were in a hurry.”
“I’m paying for it now.” Quincy glanced up as he heard the cabin door open.
“You’re here.” Audra hurried down the porch steps with Jackson beside her.
She stopped in front of Quincy’s car and hugged first Ramona, then Quincy. The joy on their friends’ faces glowed like neon Welcome Home signs. Emotion swelled in Quincy’s heart.
Quincy embraced the little songwriter before greeting Jackson with a one-armed man hug. He stepped back to get a good look at his childhood friend and owner of Harmony Cabins. “I’m glad to see you’re still shaving.”
Jackson rubbed the side of his face with a rueful smile. “I don’t know why I missed you, Q. We missed both of you.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” Quincy’s words were an understatement.
It was the second Monday of May. The sky was a cloudless cerulean blue. The weather was perfect. Quincy’s gaze devoured their surroundings, the lush carpet of grass rimmed by maple trees and wildflowers. He filled his lungs with a deep breath. Instead of the big city stench of smog and
garbage, he reveled in the scents of freshly cut grass, moist earth, and the nearby Pearl River.
Ramona wagged a chiding finger at their host. “Now you know how we felt when you exiled yourself to these cabins for two years.”
Jackson started toward Quincy’s trunk. “I’ll help you with the bags.”
“We both will.” Audra trailed Jackson.
“I’d appreciate it.” Quincy unlocked his trunk. “Ramona still hasn’t embraced the concept of packing light.”
“We’re going to be vacationing for two months.” Ramona opened the rear car doors to pull suitcases from the backseat.
With the six suitcases distributed among the four of them, Quincy followed Audra, Ramona, and Jackson to the cabin. He mounted the steps to the wraparound porch and waited while Jackson nudged open the door. The rental cabins owner obviously hadn’t felt a need to lock the door while he waited for his guests.
“Thanks for letting us stay here.” Quincy deposited his suitcases beside the others in the great room. “We appreciate your generosity, but we want to pay for the rental cabin.”
Jackson shook his head. “If you feel that strongly about it, give the money to the elementary school. They could use some supplies.”
“Done.” Quincy relaxed. He’d anticipated an argument. He should have known Jackson would have a quick solution—and one that benefited the community. That sense of community was one of the things he’d missed about his hometown.
“I don’t think the front office phone has stopped ringing.” Audra’s champagne eyes were wide with amazement. “So many people have called to find out when you’re arriving.”
“I was tempted to rip the phone from the wall.” Jackson’s grumble was halfhearted. He linked his fingers with Audra’s, then led everyone back onto the porch.
Audra laughed. “It’s a good thing you’re staying for six weeks. Something tells me you’ll need every day of that time to catch up with the people who want to see you.”
“We were coming for Doreen and Alonzo’s wedding.” Quincy slipped his hands into the front pockets of his khakis. “We’re glad Vaughn’s play is scheduled for the weekend before.”
