by Nancy Mehl
“So let me get this straight,” she said. “If you can find something close to the size and location of Rand’s farm, you’ll continue with the project?”
Eric considered her question for a moment. “It’s possible. Just remember that I have several investors. The final decision isn’t up to me. It’s up to them. It would have to be a pretty good plot of land. Trust me, it’s not that easy to find.”
Mary sat down. The crowd murmured among themselves, but no one else addressed Eric. He dismissed the group and hurried off the platform, stopping at the end of the row where I sat. He motioned to me. I excused myself and scooted past Sam.
“Gracie, Grant and I would like to talk to you. Can you meet us in the restaurant for dinner?”
I started to explain to him that I had to drive Ida home first, but I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Sam.
“You go ahead,” he said. “I’ll take Ida home.”
I looked past him at Ida. “Is that all right with you, Ida?”
“Ja, ja. You go to Mary’s,” she said. “But don’t stay in town too long. If it keeps snowing, you might have a problem getting home.”
“We won’t keep her too long, I promise,” Eric said, smiling at Ida. “And if it gets too bad, I’ll drive her. My truck has four-wheel drive.”
Ida pointed at him. “I will trust you to take care of her, young man. She is precious to me.”
I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be fine. You go home and get warm.”
She nodded and Sam took her arm, guiding her toward the back of the room. Several people stopped them on their way, wanting to tell Ida how much her comments meant to them. By the time I got my coat and purse, Ida and Sam had left the building. Sam had basically ignored me. Self-pity simmered inside me. He’d told me everything was okay. That he loved me. But his actions tonight sure didn’t show it. Just then Eric touched my arm.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
I nodded and followed him toward the door. Before I could reach it, someone grabbed me. I turned to find Ruth staring at me oddly.
“Gracie, I’m sorry to bother you, but I need to speak to you for just a minute. It’s important.”
“Well, I was on my way to a meeting,” I said hesitantly.
“We’ll see you at the restaurant,” Eric said. “You go ahead.”
Ruth took his comment to heart and immediately pulled me to a corner of the room that was empty. In several other areas, residents had formed small groups and were deep in discussion. I looked for Abel, but he was already gone. I’d really wanted to ask him about the baby.
“First of all, I’m so glad you’re back,” Ruth said. “I missed you so much.” She gave me a quick hug, but I could tell her heart wasn’t in it.
“What’s wrong, Ruth? I can tell you’re upset.”
“Oh, Gracie,” she said, her round, red face even more flushed than usual. “People are talking. I mean, I know it’s not true, but I just think you should know. Not that it matters what people think, but talking behind someone’s back, well, I mean…”
“Ruth,” I said sharply. “What in the world are you talking about? Spit it out.”
She took a deep breath. “It’s about that baby someone left on the church’s doorstep.”
“What did you hear?” I felt my heart sink.
She reached for my hand. “The story is circulating that the baby is yours, Gracie. Everyone’s talking about it. Well, almost everyone. I told Esther Crenshaw to shut her trap, and so did Cora and Amos.”
“And where did Esther hear it?”
“I have no idea. Esther spreads gossip like wildfire, but she won’t tell where the spark started. I guess she thinks it makes her look innocent of spreading her nasty rumors.”
I glanced around the room. Sure enough, quite a few of the people who hadn’t left were looking my way. Why hadn’t I noticed it before?
“Look, Ruth, there’s no truth to—”
“Don’t you dare deny this stupid lie to me, Gracie Temple. I wouldn’t believe it if that baby crawled up here, grabbed your leg, and called you Mama. You would never desert your child. We may not have known each other for long, but I know you well enough to be sure of that. You’re one of the most honest, thoughtful, and good-hearted people I’ve ever met.”
Her sentiments touched my heart, and I hugged her tightly. “Thank you,” I whispered. “At least you and Abel believe in me.”
“Abel? What does he have to do with this?”
“He got a letter from someone claiming the baby was mine. He had to ask me if it was true.”
Ruth crossed her arms and frowned at me. “You’ve only been in town less than a day. Someone’s already written a letter accusing you of something awful, and Esther has hold of this little nugget of poison.” She shook her head. “Something doesn’t seem right here. I mean, even Esther can’t spread a story that fast.” She patted my arm. “You need to be on the lookout. It’s like someone is out to get you, Gracie.”
I tried to smile at her. “I’m sure it’s just Esther and some of her silly friends trying to stir up something interesting in Harmony.”
Ruth chuckled. “Seems to me Harmony’s already pretty interesting, even without your illegitimate baby.”
“Shhhh,” I hissed, looking past her. “Don’t ever say that.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Ruth reached over and squeezed my arm. “You’d better get going. It’s starting to snow pretty hard. You call me if you need to talk, okay? In the meantime, I’m going to threaten Esther within an inch of her miserable life. If anyone can get her to shut up, it’s me. That woman’s afraid of me for some reason.” She grinned. “Might be because I told her once that if she didn’t keep her gossipy comments to herself, I was going to tell Marvin Upshaw that Esther’s brown curls aren’t really hers.” She covered her hand with her mouth, reminding me of a little girl with a secret. “Esther wears a wig, you know. She doesn’t think anyone suspects. I think everyone in town knows her hair isn’t real. But as long as Esther doesn’t know we know…”
“You have some control over her?” I finished. I grinned at her. “You’re pretty crafty, you know that?”
Ruth giggled. “Let’s just keep that between us, okay?”
“You’ve got a deal.”
I left Ruth and made my way to the front door, looking straight ahead. If people were talking about me, I didn’t want to know it. I stepped outside to find thick, fat snowflakes filling the sky. In the dark, lit by streetlamps and carried about by the wind, their sparkling dance seemed almost magical. I stood for a moment in the cold, letting the flakes drift down on my face and coat. There’s something so special about snow. As I let it fall on me, I felt a sense of peace in the hushed quiet of a winter’s night. It was as if God was caressing me with His love.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
I turned to find Marcus Jensen standing next to me. “It reminds me of the scripture that talks about Jesus washing us as white as snow.” He smiled. “Snow covers up the ugly things. It has a way of making everything seem clean.”
I nodded. “I feel the same way.”
He pointed toward the diner. “Are you going to Mary’s, or were you planning to stay here for a while?”
I involuntarily shivered from the cold. “No. I think I’ve had enough. I’ll be satisfied to sit in the restaurant, drink a hot cup of coffee, and watch the snow where it’s a little warmer.”
He laughed and held out his arm. I took it, and he guided me across the street. Right before we reached the steps to the diner, he stopped.
“Gracie, I’m your pastor. If you ever need someone to talk to…”
I peered at him through the flakes that drifted between us. “I know that, Pastor. I don’t think I…” My stomach did a flipflop. “Pastor, if you heard a rumor about that baby dropped off at Abel’s church…”
He chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Gracie, I am talking about that, but probably not for the reason you think. I know t
hat baby isn’t yours. I’m just concerned about you. About having to face these kinds of silly stories.”
“How did you hear about it?”
He shook his head and sighed. “You know that Esther Crenshaw is one of my parishioners. Much to my chagrin.”
“Well, you could certainly give her a message from me.”
“I’ve probably given her your message already. Although I suspect it was presented in a more charitable fashion than what you might be prone to employ.”
Even though I was upset, I smiled at the kindly pastor. “I have no doubt about that.”
“Let’s get inside and warm up. But my offer holds. Come see me anytime. I mean that.”
“Thank you. I know you do.”
As we entered the restaurant, I seriously considered taking Pastor Jensen up on his offer. Between this ridiculous baby rumor and the way Sam had reacted to it, I definitely needed someone to talk to.
“Gracie, over here!”
I spotted Eric and Grant sitting at a table near the back of the room. Probably hiding. I pushed my way through the crowded restaurant. It looked like most of the town had decided to eat at Mary’s after the meeting. I could hear angry discussions as I passed tables and booths packed with concerned Harmony residents.
I was almost to the table when I spotted Pat Taylor sitting alone only a few feet from where Eric and Grant sat. I must not have hidden my shock well, because he tipped his hat at me and grinned. Why was he here? Had he been in the meeting? It seemed he was popping up all over the place. Feeling unsettled, I nodded his way and kept going. Funny to see him alone at a table that could easily seat four people. Every other table was full, with family and friends eating together. Either no one was brave enough to approach him—or if they had, he’d sent them packing. Nice man.
“We already ordered,” Grant said apologetically when I reached them. “Sorry, but I’m starved, and it looks like it’s going to take a while to serve everyone.”
I shook my head, slid my coat off, and sat down. “Don’t worry about it. Honestly, I’m not hungry anyway.”
“Quite a town you’ve moved to, Gracie,” Grant said with a hint of sarcasm. “The physical description you gave me is accurate, but I thought you said this place was peaceful.”
“I thought it was, too. Frankly, ever since I hit the edge of town, everything’s been topsy-turvy. I have no idea why.”
“I hope we can still work this thing out,” he said. “I do have a couple of other jobs I can send your way, but to be honest, I can’t pay much for them.”
“I understand.”
Grant had never had a robust complexion, but tonight, under the lights in the restaurant, he looked pasty and haggard. I knew he was worried about losing the work this venture promised, as well as the additional future work Eric had alluded to. The investment group behind the project had their fingers in many other pies. For both our sakes, as well as the town’s, I hoped Eric would find a way to keep the deal with Rand.
I noticed Grant staring past me. I turned to see Cora and Amos Crandall walk in the door with Drew. As they waited for a table, I couldn’t help but compare Drew to Grant’s son, Jared. Drew’s happy nature was controlled and appropriate. Amos and Cora treated him with kindness but applied gentle correction when it was needed. Actually, their attitude toward Drew was one of normalcy. Not that they didn’t allow him to be himself, but they also expected him to display proper behavior. They didn’t give him a pass because of his disability. Jared, Grant’s son with Down syndrome, was much less disciplined, often running through the office, grabbing people, and running off with items from their desks. He reminded me of a playful puppy. Grant seemed uncomfortable correcting him—almost as if he was embarrassed by his son.
“So what should I do now?”
Eric’s plaintive question forced me to refocus my attention on the situation at hand. Problem was, I had no answer for him, and Grant just stared at him blankly.
“Coffee?” I hadn’t seen Mary come up behind me.
“Oh yes, please,” I answered. “Right now a cup of your coffee is exactly what I need.”
“Are you okay? You look stressed.” She poured coffee into the cup that sat next to my silverware.
All I could do was shake my head. “You have no idea.”
“Sorry to hear it,” Mary said. “I guess everyone’s skating on the edge a bit.” She patted my shoulder. “Don’t let it get to you. Everything will work out. It always does.”
“From your mouth to God’s ear,” Eric said under his breath.
“Your food will be out shortly, Mr. Beck,” Mary said with a smile.
“Please, call me Eric.” He pointed toward Grant. “And this is Grant Hampton.”
“Nice to meet you, Grant,” she said. “Someone told me you’re Gracie’s boss. Is that right?”
Grant nodded. “For now anyway.”
Mary’s eyebrows shot up, but she didn’t ask him what he meant. She turned her attention back to me. “What are you hungry for, Gracie? We’re backed up some, but I’ll push you to the front of the line so you can eat with your friends.”
My appetite was almost nonexistent even though I hadn’t finished the sandwich I’d made at home, but I ordered a bowl of chili.
“She’s very pretty,” Grant said after Mary walked away.
I nodded. “Yes, she is.”
“By the way, where is Sam?” Grant asked. “I thought I’d get the chance to meet him tonight.”
My voice caught. “He—he took my friend Ida home so I could come here. I’m sure you’ll meet him later.”
I tried to sound nonchalant, but Grant knew me well enough to know something was wrong. He stared at me for a moment but let it go. I was grateful. The last thing I wanted to do right now was talk about my love life. “So why did you two ask me to meet with you?” I glanced toward the big windows at the front of the restaurant. If anything, the snow had thickened. “I need to get going soon. If it snows much more, my little car won’t stand a chance.”
“We thought since you know the residents better than we do, you could help us navigate this situation,” Eric said. He leaned in and lowered his voice. “I truly don’t believe Rand is going to come around. I didn’t want to say that at the meeting, but it isn’t just the money. For some odd reason, he’s taken a real dislike to me.” He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t think I’m a snob, but Rand has convinced himself that I think I’m better than he is. There were signs of his attitude early on in our relationship, but I convinced myself it was my imagination. I mean, I don’t see myself as better than anyone else. I try to treat everyone with respect.” His blue eyes sought mine for reassurance.
“You’re not the least bit stuck-up,” I said, trying to match his quiet tone. “From what I’ve heard, Rand is convinced everyone is out to get him.”
“I hope you’re right. I’d feel terrible if I’d done something to make him feel uncomfortable.”
“Oh, come on,” Grant said, shaking his head. “The man’s obviously a fruitcake. This isn’t your fault.”
Eric’s eyes swept the room. The cold expressions tossed his way were everywhere. He sighed again. “Anyway, I want to save this project if at all possible. I’m going to scan the property maps again. Look for another location as close to Harmony as I can find. I may need your help with that, Gracie.”
“I’ll be glad to do anything I can.”
“I want you to keep working on the advertising campaign we started,” Grant said to me. “I’ll make sure you get paid for your time, no matter what happens.”
Eric clapped Grant on the back. “And I’ll make sure you get paid for your work so far—even if this project is scrapped. Even if I have to pay you out of my own pocket.” His expression turned serious. “I have no intention of allowing people who trusted me to come out of this with a loss of any kind. I intend to find a way to follow through with the development—if it’s humanly possible.”
His earnestness tou
ched me. I hoped his good intentions would be enough. Weariness began to overtake me just as Mary made it to the table with our food. Across the room, I noticed Hannah and her friend Leah taking orders.
“Mary, do you need help? I used to wait tables on the weekends while I was in school. I’d be happy to put on an apron and do what I can.”
She set the bowl of chili in front of me and slid Grant and Eric’s plates to them. Then she leaned down and studied my face. “I appreciate your offer more than you know. But I’m going to say no. The girls and I are on top of it. You look so tired, Gracie. I think you could use some rest.”
“I’m sorry,” Eric said. “I should have realized you were tired. Let’s eat and head out of here. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked you to meet with us tonight.”
I shook my head. “It’s fine. I was concerned about you, and I wanted a chance to see Grant.”
“The snow’s really getting deep,” Mary interjected. “You all need to get on the road.” She frowned at Grant and Eric. “Hope you two are staying in town.”
“I’ve got a hotel room in Council Grove,” Grant said. “Think I’ll leave before it gets any worse.” He smiled at Mary. “Can I get a box for my hamburger and fries? I’d like to take it with me.”
“Here.” Mary held her hand out for his plate. “I’ll wrap it up in tinfoil first and then put it in a box. That way you’ve got a fighting chance of keeping it warm.”
“Thanks, Mary,” he said, holding out his plate.
“What about you?” Mary’s question was directed at Eric.
“I’m at the same hotel,” he said. “But I’m going to eat here. My truck has four-wheel drive and does great on snow.”
“Well, my Bug doesn’t have four-wheel drive, and when it sees a flake of snow it immediately drives straight for the nearest ditch.” I quickly slurped down a couple of spoonfuls of chili and reached for my coat.
Eric frowned and took hold of my arm. “Listen, Gracie. I don’t think you should take a chance with your small car tonight. Why don’t we both finish our dinners, and then I’ll take you home on my way to the hotel? You can pick up your car later.”
