Best Laid Plans

by Martha Rogers

  “Yoohoo, Caroline, where are you?” Winnie’s voice carried from the foyer.

  “In the reading room.”

  Winnie sauntered in wearing her favorite Saturday attire of denim pants and a bright, multicolored top. Her eyes opened wide at the stack of books. “Wow, you got some new ones. Let me see what you have I want to read.” She reached for the Dacus novel in Caroline’s hands.

  “Only if you promise to buy a copy from the book store after you decide. Elsie ordered these for me, so you’ll have to get your own from her.”

  Winnie pursed her lips and fisted her hands on her hips. “Caroline Short, of course I will. I only want to see what you have that might be something I’d want.”

  “Okay, but that’s not why you dropped by on a Saturday morning. What’s up?”

  “Nothing really. I had barbecue for lunch then decided to drive by here before going home.”

  Another voice floated from the front entrance. “Caroline, it’s Libby. Where are you?”

  “In the reading room.” Now what did she want?

  Libby flitted in and jerked her head back toward the door. “Selena ought to put a sign up telling people where you are.” She stopped short and raised her eyebrows. “Hello, Winnie. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

  “Don’t know why not. My car is parked right out front. You can’t miss it.”

  “Oh, I saw it, but I still wasn’t expecting you to be here.” She glanced over at Caroline. “Do you have time to talk a bit?”

  Caroline looked down at the books around her. She could take care of these later. Besides, maybe Libby could give her some advice on what to wear on her dinner date with Hal. She swallowed a groan. Winnie would know and spread the news faster than a bolt of lightning in a thunder storm.

  “I guess I can spare some time. Let me get a pitcher of tea and a few of the pastries left from breakfast.” She set the books on the table and headed for the dining room. Selena glanced up from her work as they passed.

  “Time for a tea party, I see. Y’all go sit down, and I’ll bring in some refreshments.”

  “Thank you, sweetie. We’ll be over by the window.” Before she had a chance to seat her friends at a table, Doreen Patrick popped around the doorway.

  “Hey, Caroline, I saw the cars and decided to see what was going on.”

  “Come on over, Doreen. We’re getting ready to have some tea and chat.”

  The four ladies seated themselves at a table looking out toward the street. The window also offered a view of the front flower beds blooming in early summer colors. Only light traffic rolled past the inn.

  Caroline settled then placed her palms down on the table. “Now, to what do I owe this special visit on a Saturday?”

  The three ladies exchanged glances and their faces blushed a nice pink. Winnie poked at Libby. “You go first. You’re the one who said you had to talk.”

  Libby cleared her throat. “Um, well, we’re curious as to what Hal has done to stop Woody from tearing up Founder’s Cottage.”

  Caroline shook her head and grinned. “Nothing yet, except to get Woody to promise not to do anything until Hal could come up with a suitable alternate plan.”

  Winnie squared her shoulders and grasped the table edge. “At least that’s a start.” Then she giggled and peered at Libby and Doreen. “Did either of you see Woody this morning on Main Street?”

  Libby and Doreen both laughed and nodded. Libby shook her head. “Did I ever. The sight of our skinny mayor, Woodrow Hansen, strolling down the street was a sight to behold.”

  “Yes, and those khaki shorts and polo shirt really showed off those chicken legs. Must think he can get a few votes in favor of his project since it’s not an election year.” Winnie glanced behind Caroline and clapped her hands. “Here’s my favorite part of these gatherings.”

  Selena set a tray with four cups, a basket of tea bags, a ceramic pot of hot water, and a plate of cranberry scones on the table. “What’s so funny? I could hear your laughter back in the kitchen.”

  Winnie cackled. “We were talking about that skinny-legged chicken strutting down the street like he was king of the roost. Thought I’d fall out of my car laughing.”

  Laughter once again filled the room at Winnie’s description. Caroline pictured Woody’s bony, white knees in shorts and those snow white legs, and she giggled with the others.

  Selena raised her eyebrows in disapproval. “Winnie, how can you be so cruel? Woodrow is a fine, Christian man and a good mayor. I don’t know why you all have to make fun of him.”

  Libby patted Selena’s arm. “Now, honey, they’re not making fun. He did look kinda different, and he is skinny.” She glanced over at Winnie.

  “Don’t look at me. I was just stating facts.” She grabbed a scone. “Let’s forget about Woody’s looks and talk about his crazy ideas.”

  “With Hal living next door to me now, I hope he’ll share anything he comes up with. I had my yardman go over and mow the grass and trim the edges so his yard would look in keeping with the rest of us on the street.”

  Caroline poured hot water into the cups then passed the basket of tea bags. “That was nice of you. He told me he has a few ideas floating around and will share them with me at dinner tonight.”

  The silence that hit the room with her announcement shouted surprise. All three sat with their mouths gaping. Even Selena stared, her face filled with curiosity. Then Winnie snapped to attention. “You have a date with Hal McKenzie?”

  “I guess so, if you want to call it a date.”

  Libby grinned and leaned forward with her shoulders hunched. “Where is he taking you?”

  “Um, the Fancy Schmantzy.”

  This time her friends squealed in delight, and all three talked at once. Caroline couldn’t make heads or tails of any of it. She held up her hands. “Hold on. I can’t understand any of you. It’s just dinner and it’s more business than social.”

  They all snickered at that, but then what could she expect? Her friends were determined to hook her up with Hal again after all these years.

  Doreen cocked her head to one side and wore a silly grin. “I was just remembering those cemetery runs we used to take. Caroline and I were left behind just for the fun of it because we were the youngest. The first few times, it scared me to death. It was so dark and creepy.”

  “You and I held on to each other like it was the end of the world, then my Clint and your Bubba started staying behind with us, and everyone decided it wasn’t such a big deal anymore.”

  Winnie slapped her knee. “Yep, Hal wanted to be the one to stay, but Clint beat him to it, and I imagine you had yourselves quite the time.” She made kissing sounds with her mouth.

  Doreen turned three shades of red and ducked her head. “Nothing like that went on. They were perfect gentlemen.”

  Winnie leaned back with a smirk on her lips and a twinkle in her eye. “That’s what you said. And I don’t believe it anymore now than I did then. We figured the four of you were having too much fun by yourselves.”

  “We were not. Clint was as perfect as Bubba.” Of course he’d stolen a few kisses as had Bubba, but no sense in admitting it now.

  Libby set her cup on its saucer. “Well, that was before my time. You three are older than I am.”

  Doreen’s eyes opened wide. “Elizabeth Birdwell, you don’t have to rub it in. Besides, it’s less years than you’d like to admit.”

  Libby simply shrugged. It reminded Caroline of her date with Hal. “Um, I need some help. Since we’re going to the Fancy Schmantzy tonight, I don’t know what to wear. Want to help me decide?”

  Libby rubbed her hands together with raised eyebrows and a smile as broad as the backside of a barn. “Lead me to your closet.”

  With that, the four of them rose and headed
toward the back. Selena grabbed Caroline’s arm. “Are you really going out with Mr. McKenzie? Is that why he wanted to see you earlier?”

  “Yes, sweetie. He wants to bring me up to date with the Woody issue. It’s no big deal, but I do want to look nice.”

  “No big deal? Mom, it’s the nicest, most expensive restaurant in town. If it was all business he could have taken you for barbecue or pizza.”

  “Now don’t go reading into this something that’s not there. It’s just dinner.” She patted her daughter’s hand and joined her friends.

  If those ladies now in her bedroom and rummaging through her closet had their way, they’d put her back on the road to a relationship with Hal. A lot of years had passed since that attraction when they were teens, and Hal had broken their trust when he moved to Atlanta to start a new business without Clint. That trust had to be reestablished before anything else. If Hal came through in this fight against Woody, she might consider a relationship with Hal, but at this point that was a pretty big IF to conquer.

  Chapter 10

  Hal parked his car in the Pink Geranium lot, but he didn’t get out right away. He still had a few minutes before six, and he needed all of them to ready himself for an evening with Caroline. He reached back and pulled the rolled-up diagram from the backseat. It was only a rough sketch, but everything depended on Caroline’s approval tonight.

  Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and reached for the door handle. It was now or never, with everything he hoped to gain hanging in the balance. He grasped the green-paper-wrapped bouquet he’d picked up at the florist and stepped from the car.

  Selena greeted him at the front desk. “Hi, Mr. McKenzie, have a seat. Mom’s all ready, so she’ll be here in a moment.”

  “I’m here now, sweetie. Good evening, Hal.”

  Her smile was as bright as it had been fifty years ago, and his breath caught in his throat. He swallowed hard and said, “You look lovely, Caroline.” Indeed she did. Her skirt had blue and white flowers on it, and she had added a blue knit top over a matching blouse that intensified the blue of her eyes.

  He handed her the bouquet of flowers, and a bit of pink rose in her cheeks as she clutched her handbag. “Thank you, Hal, they’re lovely.” She handed the flowers to Selena. “Find a vase for these and set them on the registration desk where everyone can enjoy them, will you, sweetie?” She turned her smile to Hal. “I’m ready if you are.”

  Selena grinned like the proverbial Cheshire cat. “Have fun, you two. I’ll expect you back when I see you. And don’t worry, Mom. I can handle whatever comes up here with our guests.”

  “I’m sure you can.” Caroline walked through the door to the porch and waited for him.

  He placed her hand on his forearm and escorted her down the steps and out to the car. Once they were both settled, he backed out of the space and headed for the street. “I hope you still like Simon and Garfunkel. I had some of the songs on records transferred to a CD.” He slipped the disc into the slot.

  “Oh, yes, it does bring back some good memories.” As the strains of “Sounds of Silence” floated in the air, she closed her eyes and moved her head in time to the music.

  The harmony of the two voices on the disc took Hal back to the mid-1960s and high school. Their senior year had been one to remember forever. Then had come graduation, and they’d all gone their separate ways. He shook his head to clear it of the memories that led to his betrayal of his best friend. Perhaps his choice of music hadn’t been the best one after all, but Caroline seemed to enjoy it.

  By the time the song ended and the next one started, they arrived at the restaurant. The lot was almost full, typical of Saturday nights if Hal remembered correctly. He’d made reservations, so they wouldn’t have to wait.

  As they walked to the entrance, Caroline said, “I don’t get to come here very often. Running the tearoom and the inn takes up so much time. It’ll be nice to sit back and forget my guests for a little while.”

  Hal held open the door. “I’m glad you have Selena to help you out.”

  “I am too, but I’m afraid it doesn’t give her much freedom to pursue her own interests. She should be the one going out to a fancy restaurant on Saturday night, not me.”

  Hal wouldn’t touch that comment with a ten-foot pole. As much as he liked Selena, he was very glad she stayed home this particular Saturday night. He gave the hostess his name and she handed them off to a young woman dressed in black who led them to their table.

  Even with almost every table filled, the noise level remained low with only a soft murmur of voices and the clink of china and crystal. The tables, covered in white cloths with black napkins tonight, held centerpieces of white carnations in short, black vases. Those, along with the exposed beams and lighting created an ambiance that lent itself to a long, leisurely meal. No hurry up and get out so the next party of diners could eat.

  After their orders had been placed and the wait staff had provided warm bread and iced tea, Hal unfolded his napkin and peered at Caroline. He prayed she’d like the rough idea he’d come up with yesterday.

  “I have a rough sketch of an idea I think will please you, Woody, and all the garden club members.” He picked up the plans from the chair on his left. “It does take in some of the land where the cottage sits, but there’s plenty left and the gardens are pretty much intact.”

  Her expression revealed nothing in reaction to his statement. This was harder than he’d thought it might be. Then again, she was too smart to reveal her emotions or opinions right away. He unrolled the paper, placing the salt shaker on one edge and holding the other with his hand.

  “As you can see, it’s very rough, but it’ll give you some idea of what I have in mind for the final drawing.” He waited with his heart thumping for either her approval or rejection.

  She studied the drawing, moving her fingers over different parts. Finally she peered up at him and pointed to a back section of the plan. “Is this where you’ll connect City Hall and the courthouse?”

  “Yes. I’m including a walkway and two-story section above it across the back of the cottage property that will have space for more city offices as well as a connecting glassed-in walkway that will showcase the gardens already in place.”

  He pointed to the courthouse. “Woody’s plan called for one more courtroom which I agree is needed, so I’ve moved some judges’ chambers to the second floor of the extension and remodeled the old offices into a courtroom near the others on the second floor of the courthouse. The bathrooms will be remodeled and updated along with new elevators, repainting of the walls, and replacing some of the old flooring with new.”

  “And it will all stay within the budget allowed for the expansion?”

  “As far as I can tell it will. Even if we go over a little, I think the town can afford to go into debt to make more room for trials and offices for the town officials. I’m concerned that most of the equipment in the hall is antiquated, especially the computer system. I’m going to suggest that Woody replace them with the latest in electronics.”

  “You lost me there. Electronics are a foreign language to me.” Then her smile lit up her eyes with a sparkle that sent his heart racing. “I see you haven’t done anything to the courthouse on the outside.”

  “No, Bloomfield has one of the prettiest courthouses in the state, and we should be proud that it has stood the test of time. Our leaders have been diligent in taking care of her.” The town had been established in the late 1880s and the courthouse erected in 1889. It had a Victorian look about its stone blocks and arched windows. He’d admired it as a boy and even more so after he became interested in architecture.

  A young woman returned with their meal, and Hal rolled the paper and set it aside. So far Caroline had said nothing negative and that raised his hopes. When he had given thanks for the meal, he raised his eyebrows.
“Well, what do you think?”

  “I think you’ve done an excellent job all around. I like it and I’m sure the others will too. Now if we can only convince Woody it’s a good plan.”

  His prayers had been answered. With Caroline’s approval, he’d go after Woody with full confidence in his ideas, but he did have one other ace up his sleeve.

  “Hm, there’s one other thing you can do that I think will help our cause.”

  She halted with her fork halfway to her mouth. “Oh, and what is that?”

  “I think Winnie may have our key to success. Woody cares more about her than he wants to admit, but that gal is always on his case about something. If she’d back off and be a little kinder to the man, I think we’d have a much better chance of his approval.”

  He could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. She laid her fork back on her plate and narrowed her eyes in deep thought. “You know, Homer Tatum mentioned almost the same thing. Well, actually he only said he knew a few things about Woody from the old days, but he didn’t share. I figure Winnie must be one of them.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Homer and Mr. Hansen were best of friends. He’s known Woody since he was a boy. Close friends know lots of things about family that others don’t. I still think getting Winnie to soften her attitude will go a long way in helping our cause.”

  “I believe you’re right. I’ll have a little talk with her. I do think she cares more about Woody than she wants to admit. She loved Earl, but Woody was her first love back in our school days, and we just might be able to ignite that old flame.”

  Hal agreed and buttered a roll. He’d have the final plans done in the next few weeks and have it ready to present to Woody by the end of the month. Now if Caroline had any luck with Winnie, they’d be all set.

  Then another thought troubled him. Caroline needed to know the truth about his move to Atlanta. Her attitude this evening built his confidence, but would it survive the truth? No matter, she had a right to know.