Women knew what it was like to be alone on a birthday, no one to share the special day with. It turned out Carol and Debbie were also widows. So they'd formed a bond of sorts.
"What about you, Tesha?" Mrs. Miller prodded. "I'm sure you had a date gone wrong."
"I did." Tesha took a swallow of wine. "The first time I went out with a guy after David died. He ordered steak the same as David and I began bawling. I couldn't stop crying. You should have seen the look on the poor guy's face. And then his expression tickled me so much I started laughing hysterically. To top it off, I drank my wine in two gulps and ordered three more glasses. By the end of the night my eyes were swollen, my makeup gone and I was drunk." She waited for the women to stop laughing. "I can't imagine why he didn't call me again?"
Mrs. Miller burped and they erupted into fits of giggles. "At least you girls haven't tried dating in your sixties. Carol and I went on a double date, both our dates fell asleep during the movie. When the movie ended my date wouldn't wake up so after ensuring he was still alive. I left him there." Once again they burst into laughter.
Cassie handed Tesha a small bag. "Happy birthday."
Tesha dug out a small stained glass teapot that twirled on a wire. "It's beautiful. Thank you." The overhead light caught the glass perfectly sending reflections around the room.
The women watched in anticipation as she opened the next present, a rectangular cardboard box tied with a blue mesh ribbon. Nestled in the box was a carved hand painted wooden sign with the words New Horizon etched into the wood.
Tesha sniffed as she held it up. "It's beautiful, I love it. I knew the house would name itself."
"I remember you saying you weren't sure what you planned to call this house." Mrs. Miller smiled brightly. "We thought this was an appropriate name. Carol, Debbie, and I ordered it a week ago from a local artist. He did a great job."
"I absolutely love the name." Tesha meant it. "I'm going to get Mr. Shanty to put it up by the front door."
"There's more," Mrs. Miller looked to Debbie. ”Tell her."
Debbie a retired schoolteacher smiled widely. "The girls and I plan to volunteer here the week the widows arrive. We will be here to help for a couple hours each day, provide a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, that sort of thing."
"Oh..." Tesha didn't hold back the tears this time. "That's the best present ever." She grabbed the tissue Cassie proffered.
Mrs. Miller's eyes were shiny with unshed tears. "It gives us something to do besides harass Gus at the Bingo Palace."
Cassie stayed behind after the older ladies left. She and Tesha sat on the couch and watched entertainment television. Cassie sipped from her drink. "I may have to stay here. It's only five miles to town, but Deputy Castro is always parked on the side of the road right before getting into town."
"Isn't he the one asked you out?" Tesha laughed. "He's kinda cute."
"He's annoying," Cassie replied and attempted a stern expression, but failed. "Okay, he's sort of cute."
"I'd feel better if you stayed." Tesha assured Cassie when her friend yawned.
The next afternoon Tesha worked in the garden. It was a quiet day since Mr. Shanty had finished the last tasks she'd given him. She planned a trip to Nashville to purchase furniture the following week to furnish the upstairs rooms. Since she wanted to fill them with vintage like items, she figured the bigger cities would have better options. The sounds of the leaves rustling made her jump back. The last thing she needed was to get bitten by some sort of venomous snake while alone.
A Boston terrier puppy burst through the plants and headed straight for Tesha. She laughed when it hopped up and down in joyous puppy dance at finding her. "Well, hello there. Who do you belong to?"
"Adam Ford." A man entered the garden with a leash in his hand. He gave her a boyish grin. "Sorry, I thought it would be okay to let her off the leash."
Tesha picked up the puppy that was delighted to finally reach her cheek to lick. "She's so cute. I don't think Adam has a dog."
"I'm James Malloy, here to deliver Ford's dog. My parents saved this little girl for him." His light brown eyes crinkled in the corners when he smiled. "She'll be a surprise I'm sure since he expected a Shepard, but they stopped breeding them since I last talked to Ford."
Tesha placed the puppy down and it scampered to explore the garden. "I'm Tesha. I would shake your hand, but as you can see, they're very dirty."
"Ford was supposed to come and pick her up. Since he didn't come to get her and I have to leave for an extended business trip, I brought her here instead only to find him gone." He looked towards Adam's house. "Any idea where he is?"
"He's in Nashville. A family situation I believe."
James had a pained expression when he looked to the puppy. "I don't know what to do. I might have to drop her off at a shelter."
"No!" Tesha frowned up at him. "How could you do that?"
"I'm a private pilot. I have a six-week assignment on the west coast. I'm flying out in the morning."
"I'll take her." Tesha was not about to allow the beautiful puppy to spend one night in a horrible shelter. "When Adam returns, he can claim her. If he doesn't then I'll keep her." She gave James a triumphant smile. "I may just keep her anyway. I think he was expecting the larger dog."
James's eyes locked with hers and he nodded. "Sounds good to me." His eyes flickered to her left hand. "Can I take you to dinner to celebrate your new dog?"
Her stomach flipped. The last thing she expected was a date. Not to mention a handsome pilot who actually came to her. A friend of Adam's, so probably a horrible idea. She opened her mouth to tell him no, but instead, "Sure. Sounds great," came out.
"Can I pick you up at seven?"
Once James left, Tesha went inside to find the keys to Adam's house. If he planned to get a dog, he must have acquired the essentials. At least that's what she hoped, not wanting to trudge into town when she had a date to get ready for.
She walked across the lawn towards Adam's house, the puppy bouncing beside her. When she opened the front door, the emptiness of the house made her waiver. "I'll just get your things and we'll leave, okay, girl?" Tesha spoke to the little dog that had no qualms about entering and rushed in and promptly began to sniff the floor.
Thankfully Adam had bought a crate, a bed, dishes and a large bag of puppy food. Tesha made two trips back to her house carrying the items. She refused to stop and look around. It was not the time to acknowledge how much the space reminded her of him. The smell of the house, the shirt thrown over the back of a chair all made her want to stop and sit for a bit. To explore the bedroom to check how much damage they'd caused. Not today, it would be a mistake.
In almost three weeks, Adam had not called or attempted to contact her through her brothers. From the one phone call from Caden, she learned he was at his parents’ home outside Nashville and doing well. Other than asking her the status of the house, Caden had not said anything else about his brother.
If she were honest, Adam didn't owe her anything. They'd never clarified their relationship. No strings attached she supposed. Besides what would he say? "I'm in therapy because of you?"
She closed and locked the door behind her and headed back with the puppy at her heels. The black and white bundle of energy rushed back and forth in front of her and Tesha had to admit it helped brighten her spirits. "I think I want to keep you regardless."
She carried the dog bed and placed the puppy on it. "I have to get ready for a date. How about you hang out with me until I leave?"
The woman in the mirror did not look thrilled at the prospect. "Get over it." Tesha told the reflection. "Maybe it's time to move on."
Two days later, Tesha walked around the open space between the kitchen and the living room and adjusted the pillows on the couches one last time. On the wall behind the couch, a large painting of a woman reading in a garden got her attention next. She moved to it and touched the corner ensuring it was straight. She took a fortifying breath
when the sleek Cadillac SUV pulled into the driveway and under her newly constructed carport. From where she stood she could see through the large windows in her office. In the vehicle her parents talked. Well, her mother did most of the talking with her father nodding.
Of course, they had to have a game plan for talking her out of living in Lovely. Her mother's excuse of some fabulous news was no doubt a tactic to bring her back to Georgia. She'd lost track of most of her friends in Atlanta since David's passing. The only one she kept in touch with since moving to Tennessee was Cleve who she spoke with on the phone weekly. There was very little to return to in Atlanta.
She looked around the expanse of her new home. Beautiful moldings framed the ceilings circling each room painted in pristine white to show off the tan color of the space. The combination of old and new came together perfectly.
The doorbell made her jump and she inhaled letting the air out slowly as she made her way to the door. The puppy that she named Kylie, ran to the door and began to bark while hopping up and down.
Her mother burst in first. "Oh my goodness, Tesha, you look amazing. I missed you so much." Her Caribbean accent fell over Tesha instantly relaxing her. Her mother's familiar Dior perfume surrounded her as she was pulled into a firm hug.
"Should I go back to the car?" Her father joked when her mother continued to hug her. His hazel eyes were warm when meeting Tesha's. He shook his head when her mother finally released her but held onto her hand. "I haven't seen my baby in months, now don't hurry me, Robert."
Tesha threw herself into her father's arms, trying hard not to cry when he patted her back awkwardly as he always did. She kissed his cheek and he chuckled. "Looks like our girl missed us too."
Kylie barked and her father bent to pick her up. "Well, hello there, pup."
"It's beautiful, Tesh." Her mother was already walking about, peeking in doorways and taking in all the décor. "You do amazing work. When you sell, you will be able to demand a great price." Her heels clacked on the wooden floors as she disappeared down the hall. "Oh Robert, come look at this amazing laundry room," she called from the room behind the kitchen.
"We may as well join her," her father said and they walked in the direction of the room.
When the tour of the home was over, Tesha beamed with pride at her mother's compliments and admiration of her work. Her mother didn't miss a single detail, commenting on Tesha's decisions in each room. Finally sipping iced tea, they sat at the table overlooking the garden where the puppy ran in circles chasing a butterfly.
Her mother pointed out the door. "I'm going there next." Her parents were relatively young, as they'd had Tesha when Loren Tilden was only eighteen and her father twenty. They'd met when his family had gone on vacation to St. Croix. It was a summer love fling.
After finding out the girl he'd left behind was pregnant, her father managed to find a way to return to the island and marry her. Tesha always found their story romantic.
"What is this fabulous news you two have?" Tesha took in her mother whose flawless caramel skin stood out against the turquoise fabric of her vintage Gucci shift dress.
Her mother's bracelets tingled against each other as she placed her hand over her chest and leaned forward to look at her father. "Should I tell her or you?"
Her father chuckled. "I think it's best you do."
"Tell me already," Tesha huffed. "What are you two up to?"
"We're going to be on television!" Her mother exclaimed while clapping her hands. "On one of my favorite programs, House Buyers International. You know I watch that show all the time."
Tesha couldn't help but laugh at her mother's excitement. "Seriously?"
"Yes, and don't laugh. It's a very popular show." Her mother giggled, her eyes shining brightly. "I'm so excited."
The fact that her mother was excited was easy to understand, but Tesha's father had always been on the quiet shy side. She looked to him. "I can't believe you agreed to this. You're going to have to interact and be talkative on the show, Dad."
The sun shined through the French doors highlighting the soft sprinkling of grey in her father's otherwise chestnut brown hair. He wore a mustache and kept a five o'clock shadow on his face, which always gave him a handsome without trying look. There was no mistaking the love when he looked at her mom. "Your mother's thrilled. I'll just grunt and nod."
"Wait." Tesha held her hands up. "Did you say international? You're moving away?"
"Only for part of the year," her mother explained and clasped her hands in front of her chest while smiling broadly. "We're buying a vacation home in St. Croix."
Tesha let out a squeal and jumped from her seat to hug her mother who also got up. They held hands and turned in a circle. "I'm so excited. A place to call home in St. Croix is amazing. Oh. My. God."
After a dinner of baked chicken and salad Tesha prepared for her parents, they relaxed in the living room. Her father watched the sports channel with Kylie in his lap, while Tesha and her mother looked at the laptop screen at pictures of houses in St. Croix. Her mother placed a hand over hers. "You can come and stay in Atlanta in the house while we're gone, if you're ready to come home."
Although she knew the subject would come up, she couldn't help the defensiveness that rose. "This is my home now, Mom."
"I know you feel that way, honey, but your career won't flourish here. The market changes and you have to stay abreast of what's current. You certainly can't do it here in this small town."
"I am not sure I want to do modern design anymore. I may have found my calling in vintage, old houses and such."
"There are plenty of older homes to decorate in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. I worry about you being alone here in this remote area. What about friends, do you date? You're much too young to be a hermit."
Tesha laughed. "Mom, I'm not a recluse. Although I do admit I have spent more time home than ever, but I've met some nice ladies and I've even gone on a date. With a pilot."
"Oh, do tell." Her mother pursed her lips and lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. "Did he fly into the empty field across the street?"
Tesha told her about James and how he came to bring the puppy to her neighbor who was gone. She was purposely evasive about Adam, not wanting to give her mother any inkling about what transpired between her and the hunky neighbor. She explained how Adam expected a German Shepard, so she was pretty sure he'd not have a problem with her keeping Kylie. After that, she told her mother about Cassie and Mrs. Miller and how they'd come to celebrate her birthday.
Although appeased, it was obvious her mother continued to think she was wasting away in Lovely. She tapped her finger on the coffee table. "I understand what you're trying to do here, I really do. But by bringing hurting widows, I'm afraid it will cause you to relive your grief, sending you backwards instead of moving forward."
Tesha considered the truth in her mother's words. How would looking into the raw pain of a recent loss affect her? She hadn't considered it. "I'll think about it and maybe restructure my plans. I have several women who have volunteered to help. It will only be for one week a year, so I don't even have to be here." Her mind reeled with new possibilities, but at the same time, she decided that while others would pay, widows would come free of charge.
"Robert, I almost forgot the gift we brought." Her mother knew exactly when to pull back and let her Tesha off the hook.
Her parents went outside while Tesha obediently sat on the couch not looking out the windows. Her mother came and took her hand. "Come outside."
In the corner of the garden her parents had placed a tall-carved wooden angel that held its hands open, wings stretched out. It fit perfectly amongst the flowering bushes. Her mouth fell open at a beautiful chair made of branches placed next to it. The wide armrests perfect to hold a book or cup.
She turned to her mother a tear escaping the corner of her eye. "It's perfect."
"We do support you, honey. I understand what you're doing here. But I also miss you terribly." The
y hugged while her father and the puppy walked out of the garden toward the back of the house. Tesha suspected he planned to take advantage and smoke without her mother's reproach.
"The white hydrangeas are beautiful," her mother told her as she settled into one of the wicker chairs outside the French doors. "I didn't know you gardened."
Tesha sipped her iced tea. "I started container gardening in Atlanta, Mom. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and decided to go bigger here. I find it relaxing. Honestly I didn't expect the plants to flourish like they have. And I have to admit, I've had a lot of help from Mrs. Miller."
The breeze stirred and the wind chimes she'd recently installed tinkled. Her mother looked across the way to where the puppy now slept. "I can see how you love it here. But this is a life for an older woman, Tesh. Consider it a vacation. You are young, vibrant, and full of life. Have always enjoyed an active life, nightclubs, nice restaurants and sporty cars. I don't see you staying here forever."
"Neither do I, honestly." Something in her chest constricted when catching sight of Adam's house. "But for now, it's what I need. Don't worry about me, Mom. I promise I'm still me. My plan is to stay here for two or three years. At that time, I'll decide whether to live here or get the B&B going, find someone to take it over and keep it as a business or maybe sell it. I will decide when the time is right."
"Regardless of anything, I expect you in Atlanta in August. We always attend the wine festival together. Since we missed it last year, we have much to make up for."
"Of course, nothing can drag me away from endless wine." Tesha missed spending quiet time with her mother. They were close as she was their only child. It made living away from Atlanta harder, but at the same time, it helped her move past the melancholy that had stuck to her like a thick coat of paint. "I miss you, Mom."
"We'll spend time together in August and once we buy the house in St. Croix, promise me you'll come and stay for a bit."
Even Heroes Cry, Fords of Nashville, Book 1 Page 11
