by Debby Mayne
She picked at a snag on the throw her mother had crocheted. “It caught me off guard.”
“I never understood why. I mean, it’s not like you were engaged or anything, but not for his lack of trying. Theo was madly in love with you.”
“Could have fooled me.” A sarcastic laugh escaped her throat, and when she lifted her hand to cough, a prong in her ring caught the yarn and unraveled the edge of the throw.
Brad leaned forward and nodded toward the throw. “Uh-oh.”
Sherry shook her head. “Seems as though everything around me is starting to unravel lately.”
“Can you fix it?” He pointed to the snag.
She shrugged. “I can’t, but Naomi might be able to.”
“Yes, Naomi is pretty good at fixing things, isn’t she?” Brad chuckled.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Back to what we were saying.” Brad held her gaze. Too bad he hadn’t forgotten. “I always wanted to date you, but with Theo in the picture, I couldn’t act on it.”
“Really?” Sherry glanced at him and dropped her gaze as she lifted a shaky hand to tuck some hair behind her ear.
“Really.” He scooted closer to her, lifted her hand to his lips, and dropped a whisper-soft kiss on the back of it. “So will you go to the potluck with me?”
She inhaled deeply, slowly let out her breath, and turned to face him. “I guess.”
Brad backed away and laughed. “I’ll try to match your enthusiasm.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
He shook his head, chuckled, and stood. “No, you’re fine.”
“Maybe you can call me later.”
“Or you can call me. I’ll get started on designing the playground.”
Sherry followed him to the door. He grabbed the doorknob, turned, and tugged, but the door resisted. Embarrassment washed over her. “I’ve been having a little trouble with the doors lately.”
Brad nodded and pulled even harder, this time with success. “If you want to make a to-do list, I can come over and take care of some of this stuff sometime.”
“You don’t have to.”
He cupped her face with his hands, gazed into her eyes for a few seconds, and kissed her forehead. She gasped, but before she could say a word, he kissed her smack-dab on the lips, then turned around and left.
Still stunned by the kiss, she stood at the door and watched him pull away. In a matter of a few seconds, everything had changed. Thirty-eight years of doing the same thing, having the same reactions, and harboring the same fears had become so chiseled into the fabric of her being, she didn’t know what to do next.
BRAD DIDN'T CALL HER the next day or the next. She’d begun to think she’d dreamed it. Then on Friday morning he walked into the card shop.
“I don’t have much time since I’m on lunch break, but I thought I’d stop by and confirm our plans for tonight. Pick you up at five thirty?”
“Sure. I have a part-timer closing up, so I can leave a little early.”
“Then I’ll be at your house at five thirty.”
After he left, she let out a sigh. So this was what it felt like to be pursued. She’d dated Theo for nearly ten years, and even though he’d proposed, he’d never made her feel like this—as though she floated a few inches off the ground and could topple over at any minute.
Naomi stopped by mid-afternoon, shortly after Nan arrived. “I hear you and Brad have a date tonight.”
“I don’t know how you do this, Naomi, but you seem to know everything before it happens.”
“That comes from almost eighty years of living in Bloomfield. Let’s just say I’m well trained and plugged in.”
“Will you be at the potluck?”
Naomi made a face. “What do you think?” Before Sherry had a chance to answer, she added, “When have I missed anything at the church or garden club?”
“Never.”
“And as long as I’m able to get around, I’m not likely to. I don’t want to miss out on anything. Besides, I have to help put everything out tonight. Pamela said she spoke to Brad and got a good report about the meeting. She’s very happy about how things are going.”
Sherry’s tummy flipped. “I thought she might be, since we’ll save money on everything, from the design to the materials and labor.”
“Yep.” Naomi snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot to tell you, I heard from Gina. Her husband finished his job and went back home to her and Lacy.”
“Awesome.”
“That’s not all.” Naomi’s lips spread into a sly grin. “She told him about Bloomfield and said that the best way for them to start over as a family is to come here. It’ll all be fresh and new. He’s willing to check us out, so we need to behave.”
“You think that’s possible?”
Naomi slowly shook her head. “I don’t know, but we can give it a shot.”
“Any idea when they’re coming?”
“Soon, maybe even today. I told her about the playground, and she told her husband—Jeremy, I think is his name. He used to work construction, so he offered to lend a hand in building it.”
“So if they move here, he’ll need to get a job, right?”
Naomi nodded. “Yeah, I’m already working on that.”
Sherry had no doubt Naomi would have a job lined up for Jeremy, a place for them to live, and meals delivered the first month they were in town and whatever else the Maples family needed. “You’re good, Naomi.”
“Maybe, or maybe I’m just doing this to boost our population.”
“I think you’ve made your position clear on that. I think it’s just because you love Lacy.”
Naomi swallowed hard. “Of course, I do. I miss my own grandkids so much, and she sort of . . . I don’t know . . . fills that emptiness in my heart.” She quickly turned away, but not before Sherry noticed her eyes glistening.
“Lacy obviously adores you too, so you shouldn’t have any trouble seeing her as much as you want.”
“That’s what I’m counting on—that and getting Pamela off that population growth tangent.”
“If we can just find a way to keep people from moving or dying, we’ll be in good shape.”
“Honey, if you ever figure out how to do that, you can bottle it up and sell it, and Pamela will forever be indebted to you.”
“Let’s just concentrate on making Bloomfield the best place to live.”
“It already is, sweetie. That’s why you and I are both still here.” Before Sherry could agree, Naomi added, “And Brad too. He had the sense to stick around, unlike Theo, who ran away when he didn’t get what he wanted.”
Sherry wasn’t so sure about that or about anything at the moment. “I don’t know . . .”
Naomi stepped closer to Sherry and turned her around to face her. “I’m praying for you, sweetie. You’re an amazing woman who has had to deal with stuff on your own for far too long. Don’t get me wrong. Your parents loved you, but some people are so caught up in their own pain, they don’t know how to show it.” She hugged Sherry. “At least your mother had the sense to allow me to step in, even though I know it hurt her pride. I’ve loved you since you were little. I watched you in the church nursery, and it broke my heart to see your parents stop attending.” She paused. “And the fact that you had to deal with so much.”
Sherry hated being reminded. “We can’t change the past.”
“You got that right.” Naomi leveled her with a serious look. “But we can change how it affects our future, and I’m glad to know you’re finally getting past the scars and moving forward.”
“I best get out of here so I can get ready for the potluck.”
“Good idea.” Naomi stepped back and gave her the once-over. “I hope you’re not wearing that.”
“I thought I’d change into something else . . . something a little nicer.”
“Why don’t you wear a dress?” Naomi smiled. “I think Brad would like that.”
CHAPTER TEN
Sherry must have tried on half a dozen different combinations of slacks and blouses, but when she stood in front of the mirror, nothing looked date-worthy. She pulled out a sensible navy skirt, but then Naomi’s voice echoed in her head. She finally gave in and slipped into one of the few dresses she owned, a black-and-white geometric print with a cinched waist and a flowing skirt that hit the top of her knees. She added a wide red belt, red patent leather shoes she’d bought on impulse last year, and a single strand of pearls. As she stepped back in front of the mirror, she saw an astounding transformation. Definitely a date-worthy outfit, but was she ready for something so girly and flirty?
When the knock came at the door, Sherry hesitated for only a few seconds before forging ahead to answer it. Brad’s chin dropped. Her heart thudded even harder.
“Whoa, Sherry, you look absolutely . . .” He stepped back and looked her over before closing the gap between them. “. . . amazing.”
Her cheeks burned, but she liked the feeling of his appreciative gaze. “Thank you. Let me grab the casserole, my purse, and a sweater.”
After retrieving her things from a hall table, Brad opened his car door for her, and soon they were driving toward the church.
“It might rain, so we’re having the potluck in the church fellowship hall.” He pulled up to a stop sign and cut a glance in her direction before refocusing on the road. “Have I told you how pretty you look?”
“Yes.” Sherry pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
Brad didn’t talk much on the way to the church, but the silence between them wasn’t awkward. It gave her a chance to get used to feeling like a pretty girl.
As soon as they arrived in the fellowship hall, Naomi greeted her with an apron but dropped it on a table as she stepped back to look her over. “Good job, Sherry! You clean up well.” She nodded toward the nubby beige sweater Sherry had draped over her shoulder. “Except for that. I’ll take it. We were going to put you in the kitchen, but since you look so good, I think we should find a more visible spot for you.” Naomi didn’t give her a chance to argue as she turned to Brad. “We need the bigger guys to help haul the food from the kitchen, so head on back.”
Sherry was surprised that Naomi separated them so quickly, but she didn’t argue. She picked up the apron, but Naomi snatched it from her hands. “Oh, no, you don’t. We’re not coverin’ up that pretty dress.” Salads, casseroles, and desserts already covered half the serving table.
“But—”
“No buts. You really are a pretty girl, Sherry. I bet Brad is beside himself, having to let you out of his sight, but it’s good for him—gives him a chance to think. When Pamela first said where she wanted folks, I started to argue, but now that I think about it, I get it.” She leaned over to look around Sherry. “Oh, and I suppose I should warn you. Theo and his wife are here. They’re visiting his parents for the weekend.”
Sherry froze, but she did her best to act unfazed. “That’s fine. It’s been a long time.”
“Yes.” Naomi took Sherry’s hands in hers and looked her in the eyes. “I think you’re better off with Brad than Theo anyway. Brad’s exciting and fun. Theo is milquetoast and boring.”
“Naomi!”
“I know, I know, I’m opinionated.” She hugged Sherry. “And that’s why you love me, right?”
Sherry laughed. “That’s just one of the many reasons. So where do you want me to go?”
“Let’s start out with you greeting at the door. Looking like this, you should be on public display.” She stepped back and looked Sherry up and down again. “If I had a pedestal, I’d put you on it.”
Embarrassed, Sherry glanced away. “Okay, but after everyone arrives, what should I do?”
“Sherry, honey, this is a social event, and you have a date. You can figure that one out for yourself.”
Pamela came toward them, issuing orders to various people along the way. She stopped in front of Naomi and gestured to show off her fresh manicure. “We need you in the kitchen. Without supervision, some people have no idea what to do.”
“Aye-aye, ma’am.” Naomi issued a mock salute, turned on her heel, and marched off.
“Such a silly woman.” Pamela gave Sherry the once-over. “You’re all dressed up.”
Sherry swallowed hard. No matter what Pamela said to her, it always felt like a reprimand.
“It’s about time you started dressing like a girl. I wondered if you’d ever get past your dowdiness.” Pamela glanced over her shoulder and barked an order to one of the guys. “So let’s see where we need you most.”
“Naomi told me to greet people.”
“Oh, she did, did she?” Pamela turned around and surveyed the room. “Actually, that’s probably a good idea. You look nicer than anyone else here, and we don’t have a greeter yet. Just make sure to give visitors a little extra attention, particularly if they don’t live in Bloomfield. We can’t let go of any opportunity to sell our beautiful town.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Oh, I think I might even have some brochures in my handbag. Go on over to the door, and I’ll bring them to you.”
Sherry obeyed. Two minutes later Pamela loaded her up with a thick stack of colorful brochures.
The familiar sound of a little girl’s voice outside the fellowship hall caught her attention. She turned around in time to see Lacy skipping toward her. As soon as Lacy spotted her, she stopped, turned around, and ran toward Gina, right behind her daughter.
Before Sherry could open her mouth, she heard Lacy say, “Mommy, there’s that old maid lady.”
“Lacy! I’ve told you not to say that anymore. Her name is Miss Sherry.” Gina gave Sherry an apologetic glance. “I’m so sorry. You look very pretty tonight.”
“Thank you.” Sherry saw that Lacy’s eyes had misted over, so she leaned down. “Welcome to the church potluck. We have a whole bunch of really yummy food over there.”
Lacy shyly turned away from her mother and widened her eyes. “I like your dress, Miss Sherry. You look like a princess.”
Sherry took that as an apology and a chance to start over with Lacy. She bent down. “Thank you, Lacy. I’m glad you and your mommy could come.”
“My daddy came with us too. See?” Lacy pointed her thumb over her shoulder.
Sherry glanced back up at Gina and noticed an athletic man beside her with dark hair and day-old facial hair, looking as uncomfortable as she felt.
“I’d like you to meet my husband Jeremy.”
“Hi, Jeremy, welcome to Bloomfield Community Fellowship Church.” She tentatively extended her hand, relieved when he grasped it.
“Thank you.” He pulled his hand back and rubbed his neck. “I appreciate all you people have done for my wife and little girl.” He looked around. “This is such a nice group of people. No wonder Gina wanted me to come check it out for myself.”
Sherry nodded. “We welcome all guests and hope you have a nice time. Why don’t you all go on over to the serving table? The pastor will be in shortly to say the blessing.”
“C’mon, Lacy, let’s go see if there’s anything good.”
Lacy clearly adored her daddy, who made a goofy face and started toward the serving area while Gina lagged behind. “Sherry, I can’t express enough how sorry I am for what I said to Lacy that day in your shop. Normally, I’m not like that, and I really don’t think of you as an . . . an old maid, but I was so frustrated. I—”
“Don’t worry about it.” Sherry placed her hand on Gina’s shoulder. “I know you’ve been through quite a bit.”
“I just feel so terrible. I’ve talked to L
acy about how we say things we don’t mean, but she keeps forgetting.”
Sherry glanced over at the little girl, now surrounded by several of the elderly members. Pride showed on Lacy’s face as she introduced her daddy to her ardent admirers.
“I’m sure she’ll eventually stop doing that. Children are smart little creatures.”
Gina leaned forward and hugged Sherry. “You are one of the sweetest . . .” She leaned back and looked Sherry over from head to toe. “. . . and prettiest women in town. You look absolutely stunning in that dress. In fact, you glow.” She narrowed her eyes and grinned. “Am I missing something?” Then a look of understanding came over her. “You and Brad, right?
“I don’t know, but thanks. Why don’t you join Lacy and Jeremy while there’s still some food left?”
Gina laughed and headed toward the buffet. “Okay, I get the message, but he’s quite a prize. You better not let him get away.”
Sherry smiled, relieved when Gina left, but she suspected they’d wind up being pretty good friends if the Maples family decided to move to Bloomfield.
As more people arrived, Sherry fell into her greeter position with ease. She knew practically everyone, and most of them complimented her on how she looked. Each time she felt more confident in simply saying, “Thank you.”
Naomi approached her after she’d been there a little more than half an hour and pointed toward the crowd. “I’ll relieve you for now. Go grab some grub.”
“That’s okay. I can stay here until time to eat.”
“You’re the one who came with a date, not me. Now go give him some attention.” Naomi gave her a gentle shove, but she wasn’t used to wearing pumps, and she stumbled. “Whoa, there, missy.” Naomi latched onto Sherry’s arm and steadied her. “If you’re going to fall for a man, try not to be so obvious.”
Sherry looked around to make sure no one else saw her and then breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was engrossed in conversation, including Brad and Theo. “Maybe I should take these shoes off. They’re not comfortable anyway.”
“No, leave ’em on. Who cares about comfort when they look that good? Now go on.” This time Naomi was much gentler as she turned Sherry around.
