Libby folded the tablecloths and set them aside, and Hal rolled out his design for them to inspect. In a few seconds, they all gathered around and peered at the drawings.
Pamela clapped her hands. “They look marvelous, Hal, and the improvements seem to showcase the cottage even more.”
The other ladies murmured their agreements and nodded their heads. Naomi pointed a finger at the building behind the cottage. “This is where the new offices for the city are to be?”
Hal leaned toward the plans. “Yes, on the upper floors. As you can see, the bottom will be a glassed-in walkway connecting the courthouse and City Hall. It’ll enclose the block by taking in the street between the two buildings and filling it with the new addition. Also you will find an expanded parking area behind the addition.”
Over the bent heads of the ladies, Caroline caught Hal’s eye. He winked and she grinned in return. So far no complaints or negative statements had come from the women. If the committee approved, then they’d schedule another meeting so Pamela could present it to the whole group. The garden club had been taking care of the landscape on the property ever since the donation of the land to the city.
With her mother as one of those early presidents, there had never been any discussion as to who would be responsible for the gardening care. “I think our predecessors would be proud of the way our group has cared for the cottage property, and it looks like Hal’s plan will showcase the gardens even more than they are now.”
The new proposal had been the number-one topic of conversation at the committee meeting yesterday when they had worked on the decorative flower pots for the Bloomfield Garden Club’s booth at the festival. With only a week and a day until the fourth, they’d have to hurry to get everyone in the club informed.
Pamela tapped her bottom lip with a yellow flowered fingernail. “If we can get copies of this and get them distributed among our members, I don’t think we’ll need another meeting. There’s really not much time anyway. We can divide our membership among ourselves and call for the opinions.”
“That sounds good. I’m supposed to give these to Woody by Friday.”
Caroline sighed in relief. The club president had come to the rescue. Polling the members by telephone was certainly easier than trying to schedule another meeting. “Now, let’s have some tea and some of those new cinnamon cookies I made up this morning. We can talk about the ideas and eat at the same time.”
Pamela clapped her hands again, probably just to hear those bracelets jingle. “That’s a fine idea, Caroline. Refreshments from the Pink Geranium are always a treat.”
Hal rolled up the plans. “While you ladies enjoy your snacks, I’ll take these and have some copies made and bring them back here. That way, you can get them distributed this afternoon.”
The ladies applauded the suggestion then turned their attention to the refreshments Caroline had set out. One thing about the garden club ladies, any occasion they were together became an occasion to eat.
Naomi filled a plate with cookies. “I’m glad Hal’s staying in Bloomfield. This is where he belongs.” Then she winked. “I wouldn’t waste any time going after him. After all, we don’t often get second chances like this one.” She closed one eye and pointed a bony finger at Caroline. “If I was ten or fifteen years younger, I might be going after him myself.”
Caroline’s jaw dropped as Naomi shrugged her shoulders and continued. “I’m just saying, sweetie.” Then she turned to rejoin the women at her table.
Mercy sakes, looked like everyone in town had her paired up with Hal. Truth be told, she had come to enjoy his company, but that didn’t mean she was ready to fully give her heart to him, but each time they were together drew her closer to a complete change of feelings.
As the ladies finished eating, Hal returned with the plans and handed them out. Everyone promised to distribute them to their assigned names and then call later for a vote. If all went as planned, Hal could turn in his plans to Woody right on schedule.
No sooner had she closed the door behind the last garden club lady than Winnie bounced through the door. She seemed to be doing a lot of bouncing these days with an extra spring in her step. Maybe going around with Woody had done more than simply getting him to listen to what Hal had to say.
“Hey, girlfriend, what did the Bloomers decide? From the looks on their faces just now, I’d say they like the ideas.”
“Yes, they did like the ideas Hal showed them, and I must say it’s going to look even better than I had hoped.” She picked up one of the printouts and handed it to Winnie.
After perusing it for a moment or two, Winnie slapped her hand against her thigh. “By gum, he did it. This is as pretty as can be. Why, it just might become a showplace for Bloomfield.”
Maybe an exaggeration, but Winnie’s enthusiasm boded well for the plans. Since she liked them so much, she should have no problem convincing Woody to go along with them.
Winnie pulled out a chair and plopped down in it. “Got any of those cookies left? And some sweet tea? I could use something to wet my whistle about now.”
Caroline reached over for the tea pitcher and the plate of cookies then set them in front of Winnie.
She drank a long swallow of tea, set her glass down, and leaned forward. “Something I’ve been wanting to talk with you about. You know I said early on that this whole thing with moving Founder’s Cottage wasn’t like Woody? Well, I’m convinced there’s something afoot, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
Caroline didn’t remember Winnie ever saying that before, but the idea reflected her own thoughts. With the way things were working out, it didn’t actually matter what Woody proposed weeks ago. Still, the idea that he’d done such a thing in the first place raised her hackles a bit. “Do you have any ideas to back your theory?”
“No, not really, but it’s really out of character for a man who loves Bloomfield like Woody does to go off on a tangent like this with the one thing so dear to the people he serves.”
“Those are my feelings exactly, but he didn’t get the historical landmark designation and that speaks of disloyalty to me.”
“Yeah, there is that, but it doesn’t seem right either. One thing about it, Woody doesn’t mix his business with his social life, or at least he doesn’t with me. He may with voters, but not on our outings. He won’t talk politics at all.”
“I would think that to be a good thing. Which brings me to the fact that you and he are getting rather chummy here of late.”
Winnie’s face burned a nice shade of dark pink, and she drew circles on the table with her forefinger. “He’s not so bad, and we’ve become almost as close as we were in high school.”
Caroline reached over for her friend’s hand. “I think that’s about the best news I’ve heard from you in a long, long while.”
If there was hope for these two old sweethearts to rekindle the flame, then maybe, just maybe, there was hope for a renewed relationship with Hal.
After Hal dropped the plan copies off for the garden club, he headed back to his home to put the finishing touches on drawings before taking them to Woody after the garden club decision. If he based it on today’s reaction, the acceptance was a done deal. One week from tomorrow, the Independence Day Festival would make him a hero or a goat in Caroline’s eyes. He trusted Woody, but little things he’d seen in his friend this past month caused doubt to rear its ugly head. Either Woody was the biggest idiot Hal had ever seen or the smartest fox in the den.
When he headed back out to his car, Libby hailed him from her yard. “Hal, wait up a minute.” She jogged over to his driveway with her Schnauzer on a leash beside her.
“I was on my way out to walk Tobie and take him to the dog park, but I wanted to stop and tell you how excited I am about your ideas for the remodeling project. I’m sure all the ladies will approve. I divided our membe
rship roll among the board members, and we’ve already started distributing the plans. We should have an answer tomorrow, or by Thursday at the latest, so you can get them to Woody.”
“Thanks, Libby. You make a fine secretary.” Everything Libby did was done with organization and style. He admired everything about the woman, and Chuck would do well if he captured her heart sooner than later.
“Just doing my job. Well, we’re off to the dog park with a stop at Paws & Pals for a few supplies. Tobie needs new toys. His others are chewed to pieces.” With a wave and a yank on Tobie’s leash, she headed back across her lawn and then out to the sidewalk.
A picture formed in his mind and a chuckle crossed his lips. The idea of perfectly groomed Elizabeth Birdwell and rumple-suited Chuck Harrison struck him as the best example of opposites being attracted . . . that is, if Chuck could get Libby to take notice.
Hal backed out from his driveway. He hadn’t made it by the cemetery since his return, and it was time to pay a visit to his parents’ graves. He passed Libby on the street and honked and waved. She returned his greeting and jogged along with Tobie at her side.
Maybe he should get a pet. Josh at the pet store should have a good idea where to find a good dog. Perhaps a lab or a retriever would be a nice companion, but he’d prefer an older dog. The idea of house breaking and training a puppy didn’t set well with him at his age. Getting a dog would have to wait until after the fourth.
After stopping at the florist for a bouquet to place on the graves, Hal headed for the cemetery. He passed the home where the old eccentric recluse Myron Cofield had once lived. It still reminded him of an old Gothic place, but Lynn Myers, Myron’s sister, and her daughter Rachel had done wonders with it since their return to Bloomfield after Myron’s death.
He found his parents’ plots more easily than he thought he could after so many years. Old Jason kept good care of the place. The grass around the McKenzie plot was well-tended and recently mowed. His parents would be proud that he’d moved back to his hometown, and his dad especially proud of the way his son had handled this crisis, if it really was a crisis.
Jason sauntered over from where he was working. “Hello there, Hal. I was wondering if you’d ever get around to coming out here for a visit with your folks.”
“Good afternoon, Jason. Thank you for taking such good care of everything.”
Most people considered Jason to be creepy and strange, but to Hal he was an old man doing a job, and doing it well. Of course working in a cemetery might be thought creepy by most folks.
Jason leaned on the rake he’d been using. “I’ve been listening to all this talk about what the mayor wants to do. Beats all I ever saw. T’ain’t like him at all. He’s done stirred up a hornet’s nest and somebody’s bound to get stung bad.”
The old man’s thoughts coincided with Hal’s as well as several other good citizens of Bloomfield. The closer Fourth of July drew, the more suspicious Woody’s behavior became. Whatever Woody’s reasons for the way he’d conducted himself the past weeks, Hal figured the mayor had a good reason for causing such a stir among the people of Bloomfield.
Chapter 14
The Fourth of July holiday dawned clear and sunny, perfect for all outdoor activities. Caroline dressed and hurried downstairs to wait for her son, Don, and his family to arrive. She had set aside rooms for them as well as two other families who came to celebrate the holiday and spend the night. Woody should be glad of that. He and the council were always looking for ways to bring new people to Bloomfield. For every one who moved back, it seemed as though two decided to leave.
When she stepped out onto the front porch, Don’s car pulled into the driveway and stopped. Doors opened and three children spilled out shouting and waving. “Grammy, we’re here! We’re here!”
Yes, they were, and she opened her arms wide to bundle them into a hug. Seven-year-old Davy hugged her neck and planted a wet kiss on her cheek. The aroma of chocolate milk and pancake syrup from breakfast filled her nose. How good those chubby little arms felt.
After hugs and kisses from nine-year-old Abby and twelve-year-old Clinton, Davy tugged on her shirt.
“Grammy, are you going to watch me on the rides today?”
The innocence in those big brown eyes melted her. She had planned on spending some time with Hal, and she had to work in the garden club booth, but she’d go to the moon and back if little Davy asked her to.
“Of course I am.” She tickled him, and he giggled and snuggled against her. She’d enjoy it as long as she could. It wouldn’t be long before he’d be too big to cuddle with Grammy. Clinton was living proof of that.
The parade assembled a few blocks up from the inn, so the front porch with its rockers made the perfect place to watch the Independence Parade and Festival. The music of the high school band coming down Main Street turned all eyes and ears to the red and white uniforms. At least the director had the sense to dress them in white slacks and red shirts rather than those heavy things they wore for football games. The bass drummer pounded out the beat while the drum major counted to begin a rousing rendition of “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The first car in the parade held Mayor Hansen as the Grand Marshal. He waved to the crowd as if nothing had happened the last four weeks to make many people angry with him. A couple of floats inched by, one built by two churches in town depicting a Vacation Bible School scene, and the other represented the town history. The Chamber of Commerce paid honor to their town’s name with a float loaded with flowers of all colors, sizes, and shapes. Lots of local kids on their decorated bikes and trikes passed by waving and singing. A few cars sporting red, white, and blue streamers joined in the procession.
Davy and the others clapped and cheered, but Caroline counted the minutes until it ended so she could get started with her duties for the day. As soon as she finished her stint in the booth, she’d spend some time with Davy before the mayor’s speech in the early afternoon. The others would be off to their own interests until lunch.
When the parade finally ended, she sat Davy on the ground and handed him off to his mother. “Jenny, I’m heading over to the garden club booth to help, but come on over there in about an hour and I’ll take Davy on some of the rides.”
“Oh, Caroline, you don’t have to do that.” Jenny pushed her sunglasses to sit atop her dark hair. “We can take care of him.”
“No, I told him I would, so bring him on over.” Caroline kissed Davy’s cheek. “See you later, buddy.”
As she backed out of the driveway, she remembered Hal again. He’d understand about spending time with Davy since some of his family planned to be here today as well.
She parked in the special lot set aside for vendors and hurried to the garden club’s booth. She spotted the huge colorful sign and arrived where Sherry and Naomi had already begun setting up their flower pots.
“Looks like I arrived just in time to help.” Caroline snapped open the lid on one of the plastic bins.
“Yeah, I’ve only been here a few minutes.” Sherry glanced at her watch. “Got fifteen minutes before we’re supposed to open. Sure hope we have a good crowd coming by our booth today.”
“I think we will. I noticed a bunch of the folks from up around the lake at the parade as well as a bunch of strangers in town.”
Naomi snorted and placed several bejeweled and glittery flowerpots on a shelf. “I hope they feel like spending some of their money on our crafts. We need those improvements to the youth center.”
Libby sprinted toward them. That gal didn’t even look winded, but of course being a few years younger, she was in better shape. Caroline couldn’t walk two blocks without huffing and puffing.
She opened the last of the boxes. “You timed that perfectly. We’re about finished.”
“Sorry about that, but I picked up a few flowers and some other things
so people could see how useful our pots are.” She set a bag on the table and began taking out pencils and pens, rulers, and plants in little plastic containers.
“Now why didn’t I think of something like that?” Caroline chided herself since she was supposed to be the “crafty one” of the committee.
They finished setting up their wares and putting up signs while the ones around them did the same. The sun really beat down, and Caroline was thankful for the canopies to lessen the heat.
As people strolled up and down the path between the booths, a large number did stop and admire the flower pots.
One of Bloomfield’s school teachers picked up two. “These will be perfect on my desk next fall. They’ll brighten up my day.”
Caroline took her money and made change. “Thank you. Our ladies did a wonderful job with the decorations.”
Miss Clary pocketed her change and picked up her bag. “What do you think Mayor Hansen will announce today? He said he’d let us know about his decision about the Founder’s Cottage. How do you feel about that?”
“I think he’ll do the right thing and come up with a better plan than the one he started out with.”
“Well, it’s a shame he even considered moving it. I’d be pretty upset if it was my family home being bothered.” Miss Clary hooked the bag handle over her arm and headed off for another booth.
Caroline shook her head. Most people in town had expressed the same feelings, but she didn’t see much use in fretting and getting upset, especially since Hal had come up with such a good plan.
“Hello, ladies. I’m glad I finally found your booth.”
Hal’s voice came from behind her and started the butterflies a swarming in her stomach. Her cheeks burned hotter than a two-dollar pistol.
Libby wore a silly grin as she poked Caroline with her elbow. Sherry stood next to her with her mouth gaping open.
Best Laid Plans Page 10
