Anger crested, and Caroline crossed her arms over her chest. “I see, and what if he had come and liked your plan? What would you have done then?”
Woody grinned and shook his head. “As if that would have happened. He cares too much about this town and you too, Caroline. He had to take your side. Winnie’s little outburst at the council meeting was just the thing I needed to get the ball rolling.”
Caroline’s hands clenched, and she had to count to ten to keep from spouting words no Christian lady should be thinking much less saying. “All of this was just an elaborate scheme to get new voters?”
She narrowed her eyes. “What about the historic designation? Was that a part of this?”
Again that sly grin covered Woody’s face. “Of course. It came through months ago, but I kept it quiet, and Blanche didn’t even know it’d been granted. That document is safe and sound in my safe at the office.” Then he winked. “Now that’s all settled, we have a much more important announcement. Don’t we, Winifred?”
Winnie’s face turned three shades of red and her lips turned up in a grin. “Yes, we do, Woodrow.” Winnie held out her left hand and revealed the diamond ring there. “We’re getting married but we haven’t set a date.”
Caroline’s heart almost stopped, and she swallowed hard to digest this bit of news. The one thing Winnie had indicated would never happen had become a done deal. Woody’s duplicity in handling town affairs in recent weeks took a back seat.
She reached over and hugged Winnie. “I really am happy for you, but why didn’t you give me any hints, and what changed your mind?”
Winnie took Caroline aside. “He told me the real reason he didn’t ask me to the prom, and it broke my heart. He was too ashamed to tell me then. He didn’t have the money for the tickets and flowers and all that.” She leaned over and sniffed the rose and gardenia corsage on her shoulder. “He gave me this, and we’re going to the dance at the center later tonight. He wants to make up for missing the prom.”
“Oh, Winnie, that’s the best news I’ve heard, even better than about the cottage.”
“I thought my being with Woodrow so much these past two weeks would be a dead give away. It was hard keeping these secrets, but they turned out to be fun.”
Caroline shook her head then hugged Winnie again before they rejoined the men.
Hal grabbed Woody’s hand and shook it. “I have to say, your little scheme did work, but we’ll see if it was worth it when election time rolls around.”
Woody wore a lopsided grin and hugged Winnie. “I must say my original plans went like I hoped, but God put in a little extra perk that makes the whole thing even better.”
After a good laugh from everyone, Hal reached for Caroline’s hand. “Now that your best friend is all taken care of, don’t you think it’s time to think of yourself?”
Winnie tucked her hand under Woody’s elbow. “Let’s get out of here and let these two be alone.” With that, the couple strolled off into the crowd.
Hal peered into Caroline’s eyes and squeezed her hand. “I care about you, and I’m praying that your trust in me has risen a degree or two this past month. Maybe we can make our own plans.”
Now Caroline’s heart pounded, and her palms grew moist. “I think I might like that.” She allowed him to grasp her elbow and pull her to his side as they walked away from the town square. Sometimes the best laid plans, no matter how bizarre or sneaky, really did work out.
Best Laid Plans Page 12
