Romance Me (Boxed Set)

by Susan Hatler

  “I’m so sorry.” Lisa’s voice broke for the sorrow her new friend must have felt.

  “Yes, well, it was a long time ago.” Judy folded the letter and returned it to the envelope unread. “We’ve all loved and lost. I’m sure you have, too.”

  “Yes.” Lisa averted her gaze and concentrated on not rubbing her belly.

  Judy came around the counter. “I think it’s time for us to have a sit-down. We might have just met in person a few days ago, but we’ve been chatting online for months. Even so, there are a few things we should flush out.” Judy donned an apron, smoothing the wrinkles from the front. “I’ll go make some decaf tea and, I tell you what, I’ll share my story, if you tell me yours. Not all the deep dark secrets, but the overall picture. When you’re ready to share the rest, I’m sure you will. As will I.”

  Lisa’s throat went dry. What did Judy want to know? How much did she have to share? Lisa paced the store nervously while Judy busied herself in the kitchen, and her eye caught sight of the curtains hanging from the far wall. The set she’d ordered for the New York condo. The ones that arrived the day she told Mark she was pregnant. The day he said he’d kill her if she didn’t have an abortion.

  Chapter Five

  Eric turned onto Main Street, heading for his office and his chest tightened at the memory of Mary Lynn by his side all through high school. This small town was filled with memories of her—the two of them strolling down the sidewalk, hand in hand, or eating sundaes at the ice cream parlor he’d just passed. She’d make funny faces as they shared fries at the local dinner across the street, telling him how his laugh turned her grey day bright.

  Mother. How much had she told Lisa?

  Pulling into his parking place, he cut the engine and clenched the steering wheel. He’d finally found a daily routine that didn’t involve constant visions of holding Mary Lynn dying in his arms, and nightmares of him abandoning his own baby.

  Tap. Tap.

  Eric turned to the driver’s side window to see a young girl stepping back from his car. He unclenched his hands and morphed into Eric Gaylord, attorney at law, a look he’d perfected while working in New York. With his briefcase in tow, he opened the door. “Can I help you?”

  “Yes, sir. You’re Attorney Gaylord, correct?” Her light eyes darted back and forth, scanning the street behind him. “I was hoping I could speak with you before heading back to school.”

  She looked familiar, but even in a small town, there were still some he didn’t know, or hadn’t met since he’d returned a year ago. “Certainly, Ms.—”

  “Burton, Rose Burton.”

  Eric hit the lock button on his remote and the doors all clicked in unison. “As in Burton Enterprises?”

  The girl glanced left and right, as if the world was listening in to their conversation. “Yes, that’s the one.” She pulled her purple coat sleeves over her knuckles and danced between feet. She was obviously plagued with distress. He’d been around enough corporate people to know how challenging that kind of life could be. Perhaps she just needed to speak to someone.

  Part of him wanted to tell her that she needed to return with her parents, but the other part wanted to help her. What if she was in trouble and her parents were part of the issue? “Would you like to come to my office?” Eric asked.

  “No. That’s why I came to your car. Your secretary knows my mom. They’re in the same tennis league or something. I have some money saved, but…I’m not sure if it’s enough to have you retained. That’s what it’s called right?”

  Eric smiled and nodded. “Yes, there’s usually a retainer fee.”

  “How much?” Rose asked eagerly.

  Eric analyzed her face and hands, but didn’t see any signs of bruising. His mind couldn’t help but instantly assume the worst before exploring other options, not when he’d grown up watching someone being battered on a regular basis.

  Mary Lynn always had bruises during high school. Of course, the first year they dated, she had him convinced it was from cheerleading.

  Perhaps it was something small that this girl thought she needed an attorney for, but likely all she needed was advice. “Why don’t you tell me what this is about, and then we’ll figure out if I can help you.”

  Ms. Burton toyed with her bottom lip and lowered her chin, avoiding eye contact. “I want to divorce my parents.”

  Eric fought the desire to chuckle. This young girl obviously had a disagreement about something and now thought she could leave her parents. It wasn’t the first time he’d been asked that.

  She lifted her chin and straightened, her face serious. “I want to sue for emancipation.”

  Eric’s amusement died, his heart aching at the sadness in the girl’s wide eyes. Something beyond a disagreement had brought this on, at least in her mind. “I’d need more details.” Don’t get involved in this. It’s Burton Enterprises. “If there is abuse in your home, I encourage you to report it to the authorities.”

  “No. They don’t beat me.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Is it a disagreement? Perhaps you can seek family counseling―”

  “No,” Ms. Burton snipped.

  “Mr. Gaylord, I have an urgent call for you,” Connie, his secretary called out to the parking lot from the front door of his office building.

  “I’m going to need more details prior to taking your case. Here.” Eric pulled a card from his briefcase and a pen. “I’ll give you my direct line. We can set up an appointment for you on a morning my receptionist is out of the office.”

  “Thank you.” Ms. Burton took the card. “I appreciate it so much.”

  Eric shook his head. “I’m not saying I’ll represent you. I’m saying I’m willing to hear more about your case.”

  The young girl reached for her purse. “I only have—”

  “No need to worry about money right now. Let me hear more before we decide on any financial obligations.”

  “Okay. Thanks. I better get back to school. Lunch period’s almost over.” She turned, her expensive glittery bag catching his eye.

  What was he thinking? Taking on a case with the daughter of the biggest business owner in all of Sweetwater County, and four other counties to the west, didn’t seem like a good idea.

  He slid his phone from his pocket and headed for the door Connie was still holding open.

  “Who was that child?” Connie asked.

  “Some teenager asking for legal advice.” Eric opened his text messages and selected his mother.

  “She looks familiar,” Connie mumbled under her breath.

  He chose to ignore her and continue passed her desk and into his office. “If my mother calls, please put her through.” He dropped his briefcase on his desk and typed, We need to talk then hit send. “Connie, do you mind running out and getting us some coffee?” Eric called out.

  “Sure, but it’s afternoon, you know. You’ll be up all night,” his secretary protested.

  “Yes, well, I have enough work to keep me up all night, so that’s not a problem.”

  “If that’s what you want, but you know you’ll be cranky in the morning,” Connie mumbled as she left the office.

  Once he heard Connie’s car start, he opened his top left drawer and removed the small box he kept there. Opening it, he retrieved the picture of Mary Lynn. The one they’d taken in Rockefeller center at Christmas, before the fight.

  Her cheeks were red from the cold wind, and her brownish-red hair was cropped short. She was snuggled into his side and smiling, while he only sat with a blank stare. She’d dragged him out there, saying she wanted to see the sights and give him a special Christmas present. After an hour of her begging, he put aside his work and took her sightseeing, but all he could do was think about a big corporate meeting he had to prepare for the day after Christmas. He hadn’t even given her his undivided attention on Christmas Eve.

  Guilt hammered away at his soul. He dropped his head into his hand, accidentally bumping the still open drawer, and somethin
g jingled. Glancing down, he spotted the Christmas present Mary Lynn had wanted to give him so bad but never had the chance. The one he’d found at his apartment after the next morning. He choked on gut-wrenching grief.

  The silver baby rattle.

  Chapter Six

  The teapot squealed in warning that Judy would be returning soon and Lisa still hadn’t figured out what she would share. Perhaps she could keep Judy focused on her long lost love from before she was married. It sounded intriguing.

  Though their grand opening was the following day, the front door remained unlocked. Customers had come in a few times, asking about the opening, so there was a good chance their conversation could be cut short. Or better yet, she could just tell Judy she was on an adventure. Tired of city life and trying something new. Yes, that was it.

  “Here you go, dear.” Judy carried two cups and saucers to the antique wood table near the cash register. “Mint tea, no cream or sugar. Just the way you like it.”

  Funny how Judy already knew that about her. Mark didn’t even remember she liked coffee and tea, despite her daily habit. And when he had remembered, he would belittle her for it, saying it stained her teeth. Looking back now, there were signs. Many signs that their relationship wasn’t really what she thought it was. So, why hadn’t she seen them earlier?

  “Tell me about your mysterious pen pal,” Lisa gushed, not wanting to give Judy an opportunity to pry into her past.

  “He was my first and forever love.” Judy sat across the dining table, moving merchandise that had yet to be displayed out of the way. “Don’t get me wrong. I loved Eric’s father, but it was different. A comfy, protected, happy to have a good man kind of love. But I loved James in an I’d-die-for-you kind of way.” She sipped her tea and smacked her lips. “We planned on marrying when he returned from Vietnam. Heck, we’d planned on marrying before he’d even left, but I was too young. We had to wait, promising when he was due home for leave after his tour, we’d be married.” Her voice softened. “But that wasn’t to be.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Lisa reached out and cupped Judy’s soft hand. “That war cost so many so much.”

  “You were affected, too?” Judy released Lisa’s hand and returned to her tea.

  “Yes. My dad returned from the war with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and a drug problem. Instead of my mother helping him, trying to lift him up, she bolted.”

  “You were left behind with a sick father?” Judy asked.

  Lisa nodded. “I took care of him until he died. It wasn’t so bad. On good days, he was the best father around. Other times…” Lisa hadn’t thought about him for almost a year. She’d laid the pain to rest the day she buried him. “So, James never made it home?” she asked, redirecting the conversation.

  “I received word a month prior to our wedding date that he was missing in action. The day we were supposed to be married, we got the news. He’d been captured and presumed dead.”

  Lisa gasped. “Oh, Judy.”

  “It was long ago. I was lucky. I’d been loved like no other woman on Earth. James had eyes for me and only me. He showered me with affection. He was a good man.” Judy shook her head softly then her sad eyes turned bright. “Now, your turn.”

  Lisa clutched her teacup and took a long sip.

  “Come on, now,” Judy urged. “If we’re gonna work together and become best friends, you need to start talking.” The older woman sat across from her with determined narrowed eyes.

  “There isn’t anything to tell.”

  “Bull hockey.” Judy leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Spill it, young lady. I know why I signed on for this little project. I’m an old lady with nothing to do. I wanted an adventure, a change of pace. And I wanted a partner. I’ll admit you being a young woman from beyond Sweetwater County wasn’t a bad point either. My son doesn’t belong with any of these women. He’s too cultured and refined, but he refuses to leave me here alone since his dad died.” Judy bit her bottom lip and arched a brow while Lisa fiddled with the tag hanging over the side of her teacup. “Okay, I’ll guess,” Judy said finally. “You lost your job and boyfriend and needed a change.”

  “That’s somewhat true,” Lisa answered, hoping the discussion would stop there. “He was my fiancé, not my boyfriend, and I quit my job since he pretty much owned the people at the museum with his donations.”

  “New York City is an awful big place. Plus there’re tons of museums. What brought you to our small town?”

  “I wanted to leave the city, settle into a quieter way of life.”

  “Oh, honey, this town ain’t quiet. Gossip is an epidemic here. Everyone knows everything about everyone, whether you live east or west of the creek. And that’s not just a geographical feature around here. That creek’s an epic divide of social class and economic situations.” Judy relaxed in her chair, her face softening, and she leaned over her cup of tea. “Does it have anything to do with the bruise on your arm? Are you running away from an abusive man?”

  It was then that Lisa realized she’d been tugging at her sleeve. She let go and shook her head. “It wasn’t like that. He never hit me or did anything to hurt me in the past. We just had a disagreement. He didn’t want me to leave, so he grabbed my arm and wouldn’t let go.”

  “Did he threaten you?” Judy nudged.

  Lisa thought back to that night. The cold rain, candlelight, the hours she’d spent preparing to tell him she was pregnant. Never had she imagined he would have taken it the way he did. The hatred in his eyes and the accusations that she was trying to trap him and ruin his life bombarded her once more. “Yes, but it was in the heat of the moment. I don’t think he’d actually hurt me.”

  “Perhaps not, but does he know where you went?” Judy asked.

  “Please don’t worry. I told him what he needed to hear. He won’t be looking for me,” Lisa reassured her. As long as Mark thought the pregnancy was terminated, he’d leave her alone and there was no way he’d find out otherwise.

  “And what did you fight about?” Judy lifted the teacup to her lips.

  “Nothing really. It doesn’t matter now. I saw him for the man he is and I left. Simple as that.” Lisa straightened. She’d never agree to stay in a relationship where a man hurt or threatened her. Mark had never even raised his voice until that night.

  “Good for you, dear.” Judy gave her a smile. “Okay, you keep your secret, and I’ll keep the rest of mine. Someday maybe we’ll both be ready to share.” She pushed from the table. “It’s late so let’s finish up. I need to run an errand, but I’ll meet you back here and we can go to the Hoe Down together.”

  Lisa thought of all her own boxes that needed unpacking at the house she was renting, but it could wait. The event would be a great place to meet people from town. Perhaps even a nice couple who would adopt her child.

  Judy clicked off a side table lamp. “I can’t believe the opening’s tomorrow. Oh, and you’ll be coming to my house after we close to celebrate. No excuses.”

  “That would be great.” Lisa cleared the table, wondering if Eric would be there. “If I said something wrong to Eric, please extend my apologies.”

  Judy smiled. “Don’t worry about it, dear. He’ll be there tonight. You can talk to him then. But remember, we all have our secrets. Eric is no different.”

  Chapter Seven

  Eric was buried in paperwork when he heard two light taps on his office door. “Yes?” he asked, not bothering to look up.

  The door squeaked and Connie stuck her curly brunette head through the opening, her perfectly manicured fingers grasping the edge of the door. “Your mom’s here to see you,” she said.

  He’d been waiting all day to give her a piece of his mind. But lucky for her, it had been a long one, with enough time to cool off. Having already decided to be blunt and honest, with none of his mother’s games, he leaned back in his chair. “Show her in and then you can call it an early evening. I know you’d like to go to the social tonight.”

/>   “Won’t you be there?” Connie quirked an eyebrow. “There’ll be a lot of broken hearts if you don’t show.”

  “I’m not really in the mood for a party, but feel free to have a drink of the infamous Sweetwater punch for me.”

  She smiled, something of a rarity around the office. “Well, I hope you change your mind. Good evening.”

  “Good night, Connie.”

  “Oh, he’ll be going.” His mother’s voice sparked his resentment for her meddling, but he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. He’d treat this like he did his client meetings, particularly when their families were present, with logic and a clear mind.

  “There you are.” His mother stepped into his office, but remained in the doorway. “You said you wanted to see me, so here I am.”

  “Yes, I did.” He held out a hand to direct her to the seat in front of him.

  “Really?” She arched a brow at him. His mother took the chair and yanked it around the desk so they were sitting side by side. His attorney façade chipped a little at his mother’s concerned eyes. “What’s going on, son?” she asked, leaning forward to offer him a hand in comfort, but he leaned back and narrowed his eyes.

  “I want to be direct and to the point.”

  “I’d expect no less,” his mother replied.

  He cleared his throat and readied for a good Gaylord argument. “You had no right to tell Lisa about Mary Lynn.”

  “You’re right. I don’t.”

  Eric paused, narrowing his eyes at her. “I don’t understand. Is that your apology?”

  “No. I have nothing to apologize for. Lisa told me what happened, and I had nothing to do with it. Now I have one question for you.”

  “What?”

  His mother crossed her arms over her chest. “Have you ever considered that you have a laugh that makes more than just one girl’s heart melt? Maybe that’s why two different women told you basically the same thing. Or do you just like to accuse your mother of being the town busy body, with nothing better to do but gossip about her only son?”