by Diana Tobin
Catherine Yablonski stood blinking at the man before her. “Maybe you should get your friend to come get you. I don’t believe we want your kind in our town.”
“Gusta, I’ll call you right back. Once I explain a few things to your mayor, I’ll check my GPS and call you with my location. Thanks.” He ended the call and shifted his weight. Pushing aside the pain throbbing in his head, he leveled a cold gaze on the woman. “You plan to rid my kind from your town, Madame Mayor? You going to chase out the Websters? Isn’t your town named for Web’s ancestor?”
“Why, I-I—”
“Web is who brought me to your town. If I leave, he’ll have to look for another coach. At this late date, it’s possible there would be no hockey team this season. Have you given a thought to the jobs and revenue that team will bring to the area?” When the mayor remained silent, he said, “I thought not. While I’m happy to work with Web, I can assure you, if and when I decide to buy it won’t be through you—and it won’t be in your town.” He turned away and walked to the road, holding up his phone.
****
Mike thought the day would never end. It still hadn’t, but she could see the end in sight. Almost.
The drive from Norwich, Connecticut to Webster, Maine should only take about half a day. Theory and reality were often planets apart.
Instead of getting an early start, as she’d planned, Dani had procrastinated, whined, and complained so much it was close to lunch time when they finally hit the road. Charley, bless her, had been more than happy to pack up and do whatever Mike needed so they could leave.
Charley was happy with the idea of moving to a new town, to having a grandmother close by, one who might actually care about her. She didn’t see why Dani made such a fuss about leaving. It wasn’t like Dani had any friends. At least, none who were nice to her.
Charley thought she’d miss her friend, Lucie Miller, but she hadn’t seen her all summer so what difference would it make if she was in Norwich or Webster if she couldn’t play with her? Lucie didn’t say mean things to her like Dani’s friends, but Charley didn’t like the things Lucie’s mom said about her mom and dad. And, she’d told the old bat so. That’s when Mrs. Miller told Lucie she and Charley couldn’t be friends any more.
She supposed Lucie’s mother wasn’t that old, but she was older than Momma Mike. Most of the other kids’ moms were older than hers; that didn’t make Momma a bad mother. They were just jealous because Charley had a young and pretty mom.
Mrs. Miller had said bad things about Charley’s daddy, too. Things that were lies. She knew her daddy didn’t want to leave her and Dani and Momma Mike. He loved them, Charley was sure of it. But, he’d been so sad since the accident. He’d cried every time he saw Dani in her wheelchair, so much so, he often left the room when Dani wheeled herself in.
One night, Charley had heard something and had slipped out of bed. She’d found her daddy on the couch, looking sadder than anyone she’d ever seen. Quietly, she’d called his name, then climbed into his lap. She didn’t like how he smelled and knew it came from the bottle on the table in front of him. But, he’d cradled her against his chest and kept apologizing for her broken arm as tears rolled down his face.
“It’s okay, Daddy,” she’d told him. “My arm will soon be good as new. Doctor and Mike said so.”
“I know, baby. I know.” Daddy started rocking her. “I’m sorry, honey. So sorry.”
When Daddy had fallen asleep, Charley had slid from his lap and gone back to her bed. Daddy always slept on the couch after the accident. Even after he and Mike married, he still slept on the couch, leaving the bedroom for Mike.
Charley was glad to be leaving their house in Norwich. There were too many bad memories, even if she didn’t remember them all. It was a sad house. She hoped the one in Webster would be a happy one.
“Is Grandmother Nettie going to like us?” she asked her mother.
Mike wrapped her arms around her youngest daughter while she tried to wrap her mind around the fact she had two daughters to care for. “Grammie Nettie is going to love you. Both of you,” she assured Charley.
“Yeah, right,” snorted fifteen-year-old Dani. “I’m sure Grammie Nettie can hardly wait to have three more people around. What’s wrong with her that you haven’t been back in all these years? Or, are you the problem?”
“My mother has her own business. She can’t take off at a moment’s notice.” Mike slid an arm around Dani’s shoulders. “You might think about working part-time for her. It would be a good way for you to meet people.”
Dani moved so her mother’s arm slipped off her. “I’m sure Grammie Nettie will love having a cripple work for her.”
Mike jammed her hands on her hips. “You know, Danielle, the only thing crippled about you is your attitude. Get in the truck so we can get going. We’ve wasted enough of the day.”
Letting her daughter know she expected to be obeyed, Mike turned to her late husband’s best friend, Bruce Johnson, affectionately known as “Brucie Bear” by the girls. At six-foot-six, Bruce towered over Mike. With his long, dark hair and full beard, the only bright spots in his face were his blue eyes and the white of his teeth. She wrapped her arms around his girth, her hands unable to meet, as she hugged him goodbye.
“Thanks for all your help, Bruce. I don’t know what I—we, would’ve done without you these past few months.” She looked up into his face and smiled. “These past few years.”
“Sure you won’t change your mind and stay?”
Giving him one last squeeze, she stepped back from Bruce and shook her head. “No. I think it’s best for the girls, for all of us, to have a fresh start.” She gave him a faint smile. “I couldn’t wait to get away from Webster, now I can’t wait to get back.”
Placing a big finger under her chin, Bruce lifted her face to meet his gaze. “You know I’d always hoped things would…work out for us. I know Denny’s only been gone a few months, and I wouldn’t rush you, but is there a chance…”
Mike forced a smile to her lips and took his big hands in hers. “My crystal ball is rather cloudy. I never would have predicted I’d be in this situation,” she waved a hand toward the loaded moving van hitched to the back of Denny’s truck. Her truck, now. “I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready to try marriage, or a relationship. My priority is Dani and Charley. They have to come first.” She squeezed his fingers. “You’re welcome to come see them any time. You’ve been part of their lives since they were born, and I’d never keep them from you. All I can promise you is friendship. And, that, I really need.”
Bruce nodded his head in understanding. “Sure you don’t want me to drive the truck and van up there for you?”
“I can do it, but I appreciate your offer. No offense, but a clean break would be best.” She smiled again to take the sting from her words. “While you will be welcome, give us some time to settle first. Dani is having the hardest time, and I don’t want her to think returning with Uncle Brucie is an option.”
“Okay. I get it.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. He went to the passenger side of the truck to give the girls hugs and kisses goodbye. “Help your mama,” he instructed. “Don’t make her do all the work.”
“She’s not our—”
Bruce laid his fingers over Dani’s mouth. “She is!” he insisted. “Mike is the only mama you’ve got and you’re both damn lucky to have her.”
“Brucie,” Charley admonished. “A quarter in the swear jar.”
The burly man gave her a wink. “Well worth it.” He shut the door then looked across at Mike. “You drive carefully. Call if you need me.”
“Promise,” Mike vowed. She could feel tears welling in her eyes and blinked them back. “We love you.”
As expected, Bruce gave out his rolling laugh. “Who wouldn’t love all this?” he asked, spreading his arms wide.
****
They hadn’t even made it to the state line when Dani complained about being hungry.
“How long will that take?”
“About an hour.”
“I don’t see why we can’t stop now,” stated the teen.
“Danielle, we should’ve left three hours ago. We’re late because you dragged your feet.”
“I only drag the right one, and I can’t help it.”
Mike wanted to curse in frustration or spit or something. Talking to Dani was an exercise in futility. Nothing Mike said was right, nothing she did was right. There were times she thought Dani would be glad if Mike dropped dead; but then, who would take care of them? Too often, Dani pulled the lame card when trying to get out of chores. Not that she went out and did anything else. Unless it was to get under Mike’s skin.
Dani claimed she couldn’t attend school dances because no one wanted to dance with a cripple. She used the same excuse for not attending other school functions or spending time with her friends. Of course, over time, fewer friends had called to invite Dani to outings. Dani hadn’t told her, but sweet Charley let it slip that Dani’s friends no longer called. Mike had a feeling that was due to Dani’s attitude.
The girl’s friends had rallied around her when she’d first been injured. With both legs broken, Dani had spent months getting around in a wheelchair before graduating to walking casts and crutches. Physical therapy hadn’t been easy, but she’d done it. These days Dani had a slight limp. Doctors and therapists told her if she kept up the work, that slight limp would most likely disappear in time. Instead of spurring her on to continue the work, Dani had decided to wallow in self-pity.
Part of the problem could be the boy of her teenage dreams hadn’t asked her to the Homecoming Dance last fall. Dani claimed he hadn’t asked her because she was a cripple. Mike felt sure it was more like the situation between her and Bruce; the spark was one-sided. Dani’s confidence had been shattered with the bones in her legs. She’d only been ten years old at the time of the accident, but she’d had to deal with a lot pain at a time when she was just beginning to enter into womanhood. Entering her teens and dealing with all that had been on her plate was a lot for anyone.
Hell, Mike was twenty-eight and her confidence as a woman wasn’t much better than Dani’s. Of course, the only men she’d spent much time with the past few years were Denny, her husband, and Bruce, his best friend. Much as she liked him, the thought of being intimate with Bruce brought her no joy. He was like a giant teddy bear. At a fraction of his size and more than a foot shorter, if he rolled over on her, she’d be squashed like a bug.
“Are you two done fighting now?” asked Charley, seated between her mother and sister.
“We aren’t fighting,” Mike said.
“Yes, we are,” Dani said at the same time.
“Well, stop it!” Charley crossed her arms over her little chest and stared out the windshield. “This is a happy day and I want no more fighting.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Mike hiding her laughter.
“Whatever,” sneered Dani as she plugged in her ear buds.
CHAPTER THREE
Catherine Yablonski sat in her car alone, waiting until Gusta Webster picked up Ethan—her ex-real estate client.
She didn’t like admitting when she made mistakes. As mayor of Webster, Maine she couldn’t afford to make them. As the only real estate agent in town, she also couldn’t afford to drive off clients. But, that young man had been so rude to her.
How was she to know he was a friend of the Websters? His dark brown hair was much too long, practically reaching his shoulders. Cathy didn’t want to admit, even to herself, she’d noticed how broad those shoulders were. Oh, my! He never smiled, and looking into those dark brown eyes was like looking into the depths of hell.
If Augusta Webster hadn’t come for him with a smile and a laugh, Cathy would be sure he was lying. What could Web have been thinking to bring someone like this Ethan Reigh fellow to their town? Of course, she didn’t understand Web’s thinking about many things.
She’d thought building that ice rink a foolish idea. And, naming it after his wife’s deceased daughter was plain maudlin. So, maybe a few more people were moving into the area. Cathy Yablonski convinced herself it had more to do with her leadership as mayor and business acumen than Web’s little skating rink.
Who cared about ice sports? She supposed those figure skaters were quite pretty. She could skate like that, if she wanted. Granted, she might have to lose a few pounds. She brushed a hand over her ample girth. Maybe a bit more than a few.
Pish posh! She was just as good as those Websters with their lakeside home. She’d given Joseph Webster ample opportunity to see what was right in front of him. But he couldn’t see beyond Alice Biddle. Stan, Cathy’s husband, had assured her plenty of times that men liked curves they could hold on to. Joe must have the devil’s own time trying to grab hold of Alice. The woman wouldn’t have known a curve if it hit her in the face.
Once Joe had married Alice, Cathy Morrison had let Stan Yablonski sweep her off her feet, or at least, let him think he had—and she’d become Catherine Yablonski.
Stan was content to work at one of the few paper mills still in operation, but Catherine had seen better things for him. She pushed him to become a supervisor and work his way up in the company. Stan was a good man, he just needed someone to steer him in the right direction. A trait she excelled in.
Catherine Yablonski didn’t consider herself a gossip or busybody, she just needed to keep her finger on the pulse of the town she led. With that in mind, she headed to Moose-ley Coffee to see what tidbits she might pick up.
She’d barely walked in the door when Nettie scowled at her across the counter. Jamming her hands on her hips, she said, “Catherine Morrison Yablonski, what the hell is the matter with you?”
One hand fluttered in front of her while the other patted her perfect bottle-blonde hair. “Wh-what do you mean?” Then, Catherine straightened her spine and looked down her nose at the barista. “How dare you speak to me that way.”
“Don’t try that mayoral crap on me,” Nettie stated. “I knew you when, and right now I’m sorry I ever voted for you. How could you treat that boy so shabbily?”
Feeling her face flush, she continued her act of innocence. “I have no idea what you are speaking of.”
“You know perfectly well I’m talking about Ethan Reigh. He’s looking to rent a house and the Brewer place would fit his needs just fine. But, did you show it to him? No! You didn’t listen to a word he said, just carried on with your own agenda, and when he wouldn’t fall in line with your plans, you told him we didn’t want him here.” Nettie crossed her arms over her chest and continued to glare at one of her oldest friends.
Catherine sputtered, before protesting, “That’s not how it happened at all! I was just—”
“You were just looking for a sale. Not what was best for your client, not what would be good for the town. Stan might be willing to put up with your bossiness and bullying, but the rest of us won’t. I’ve a good mind to go to the town council and see about a recall!’
“A-a re-recall?” Catherine’s face crumpled. “N-Nettie, you wouldn’t.”
Nettie let her arms drop to her sides and blew her anger out with a big breath. “Sit down and I’ll bring you a latte.” She turned away to make the drink, muttering, “God knows I ought to keep something stronger back here for days like this.”
Catherine was dabbing at her face with a napkin when Nettie placed a cup in front of her before sliding on to the opposite chair. “Thank you, Nettie. It’s nice of you to remember what I like.”
Knowing that was Cathy’s form of apology, Nettie waved it aside. “You’ve got to stop this.”
Taking a sip, Cathy avoided Nettie’s
gaze. “I don’t know why you’re so concerned about this Reagan fellow.”
“Ethan Reigh,” Nettie corrected, “as you well know.” She placed a hand on Cathy’s. “He’s not the problem, Joe Webster is. It’s long past time you get over it.”
Pulling her hand from beneath Nettie’s she gave it a little pat. “There’s never been anything between Joe Webster and me.”
“Exactly!” Nettie jumped in before Cathy could say another word. “Much as you wanted otherwise, Joe was never interested in you.”
“I wouldn’t say he was never interested, we just never—“
“Flirted. Dated. Kissed,” Nettie interjected. “He was friendly to you, which is remarkable, considering the way you threw yourself at him.”
“Why, I never,” she huffed.
“Why, you did,” Nettie mimicked. “Over and over. At first, it was funny. Then, it just became pathetic, but you didn’t stop until he and Alice said ‘I do’.”
Cathy’s eyes widened in horror. “You all think I’m pathetic?”
“Not anymore,” Nettie said with a small smile. “At heart, you’re a good woman, and you want what’s best for this town. But you have a stubborn streak a mile wide when it comes to the Websters. Then, you’re just plain mean and vicious and can’t see clearly for your own delusions. You had a crush on Joe.” Nettie’s grin was huge and she looked a bit star-struck. “Hell, every girl in the region had a crush on Joe Webster.” She licked her lips. “He’s still a fine looking man and Allie is one lucky lady.”
She narrowed her eyes at Cathy. “But, that doesn’t mean we should all treat Web and his family and friends like crap because we didn’t get a taste of his daddy. If Joe had wanted you, or anyone else, nothing would’ve stood in his way. He wanted Allie, and they have a good life together. It’s time for you to get on with your own and put the past behind you.
