Secret Sundays

by Judith Keim

  “I see.” Cam gave her a steady look. “It might be a good idea for you to stay home for a while. We don’t know if or when Sheri might be back in the picture.”

  “We’ll have to wait to see how it all works out,” said Sukie. “But, Cam, I can’t stay home and do nothing. I’ve got to keep busy. It would be unfair of you to ask me to give up some of my normal activities.”

  Cam’s eyebrows shot up. “As long as it’s not a full-time job, I don’t care. But I want you home when Chloe gets out of school.”

  Sukie gasped. “Are you trying to tell me what I can or cannot do?”

  Cam held up his hands. “Whoa! Let’s not get into an argument over this. Let’s wait and see how things go. All right?”

  Sukie bobbed her head. She’d learned enough through her failed marriage to Ted to know when to fight and when to hold back. But when the time came to work things out, she vowed she’d be the one to decide what she would or would not do.

  Cam seemed to read her mind. “You can decide later. Right now, I have a hankering to spend some quality time with my wife.”

  The tension that had gripped Sukie evaporated. Over the past several weeks, they’d been so worried about Chloe’s safety that they’d lost some of the lusty sparks that had brought them together. Now would be a good time to light that fire again—beginning with lunch and then later, something even more pleasurable.

  Cam appeared to have read her mind and winked at her.

  She laughed, liking that they were in sync once more.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  GRACE

  After taking Misty to school, Grace hurried into the office out of breath. Following a brief conversation with Misty’s homeroom teacher, Grace agreed to meet with the school counselor later that day.

  As Grace approached her desk, Lee came out of her office. “Grace? Do you realize you’re forty-five minutes late?”

  “Yes. I had some important personal business I needed to tend to. I’ll make up that time by not taking a lunch hour.”

  Lee placed a hand on her hip. “Did you have permission to take off this time?”

  Grace shook her head. “No, I tried calling my boss, but he’s traveling today. Glenn knows he can trust me to keep track of my time.”

  “Well, I can’t. Before you take any more time off, you must clear it with me. Understand?”

  Aware of everyone around her looking on, Grace felt the blood rush to her cheek. “All right, I’m telling you now that I need to leave work early today. I have an appointment at my daughter’s school at 3:30 this afternoon.”

  Lee shook her head. “I’m sorry, but you can’t arrive late in the morning and leave early in the afternoon. It’s just that kind of behavior that has caused problems with some of our east coast clients.” She turned and faced the other administrative people. “This is exactly the reason I’ve been sent here—to bring about some changes.”

  Aware of her temper, Lynetta and Carol Ann gave Grace warning looks.

  Grace remained quiet, but she hadn’t been put through a lot of crap with an overzealous, abusive ex-husband to go down easily. She would, she decided, simply bide her time.

  After Lee had disappeared in her office, Carol Ann rushed over to her. “Is Misty back?”

  Grace smiled. “Yes, I went to Ohio to get her. Bert Collins, a man in my support group, helped me. She escaped with most of her things, but not all of them.”

  Carol Ann clapped her hands together. “Oh, my! How terrifying! Why don’t I call the others in the group? We can meet at my apartment after work to hear all about it.”

  Grace nodded. It would be good for Misty to be with this group of friends again. They’d all tried to call her as they’d promised.

  At lunchtime, Lee made a point of coming over to Grace.

  “Where’d you get that lunch? Did you go down to the cafeteria?”

  Grace gritted her teeth. “No. Lynetta brought me a sandwich.”

  “Okay, just checking. You told us you were going to stay right at your desk.” Lee smiled and walked away.

  Grace fought the urge to tackle her and wipe the condescending look off Lee’s face. With all she’d been through lately, she didn’t need a young brat treating her like a naughty five-year-old. It reminded her too much of her treatment at the hands of her ex.

  Lynetta and Carol Ann walked into the room together and came right over to her.

  “It’s all set,” said Carol Ann. “Tiffany and Sukie will meet us at my apartment at five-thirty. Neither one can stay late, but they wanted to say hi to Misty and find out from you what is going on.”

  Grace nodded. “Sounds good. A short get-together is better than none.”

  When Glenn Mitchum called in after lunch, Grace told her boss about the time she took off that morning and requested permission to leave early.

  “Not a problem,” he said, even after she told him about Lee’s objection.

  The anger that had been bubbling inside Grace eased a bit. But later, as she prepared to leave, it resurfaced when Lee approached her.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Lee asked her.

  “To meet with my daughter’s school counselor,” Grace answered tersely.

  “No, you’re not! I told you that you couldn’t go.”

  “Glenn told me it was all right,” Grace said evenly, continuing to put away her paperwork.

  Lee rushed at Grace. “I told you no. I’m Glenn’s boss. You have to listen to me.”

  “No, I don’t,” said Grace, feeling her anger take over.

  Lee shook a fist at her. “If you go, you can’t come back. You’re fired.”

  Grace drew a deep breath, but couldn’t contain the fury that had built inside her all day. “No one is going to keep me from helping my daughter at a time when she needs me. Do you understand?”

  Lee’s face twisted with spite. “Okay, then, you’re fired!”

  “Fine!” Grace threw the papers down on her desk. “You can take this job and stuff it where the sun don’t shine! I’m done!”

  Grace’s shout echoed in the shocked silence in the room. Ed and three other execs emerged from their offices.

  “What’s going on?” asked Ed.

  “Lee just fired Grace,” Carol Ann told him as Grace marched out of the room.

  “Wait!” Ed called to Grace.

  Grace ignored him and walked into the elevator.

  As the door closed behind her, Grace leaned against the back wall of the elevator car, wondering what in hell she’d just done.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  CAROL ANN

  Carol Ann hurried home to get ready for the other women. She made some fresh sweet tea and pulled out a hunk of cheese from the refrigerator. On short notice, it was all she could do.

  At the sound of the doorbell, she rushed to answer it. Lynetta smiled at her and handed her a box of snack crackers. “’Thought you could use these.”

  “You’re a lifesaver,” Carol Ann said, giving Lynetta a quick hug as Sukie approached them holding up a bag. “I brought some fresh carrot and celery sticks.”

  Carol Ann laughed. “Great! Love it when everyone brings something.”

  They were fixing their tea in the kitchen when Tiffany arrived with Vanna. “Sorry, I had to bring her. Hildie is off today, and Kevin is at a meeting.”

  Sukie lifted Vanna into her arms and gave her a kiss that made Vanna squeal with pleasure. Carol Ann watched them, thrilled to think her own baby might get such loving attention.

  “What’s new, everyone?” Sukie asked.

  “Grace quit her job,” said Carol Ann.

  Lynetta’s face shone with admiration. “It was magnificent the way she handled Lee, our new boss.”

  “What is she going to do about a job?” Sukie asked. “She really needs it.”

  “In a town this size, good jobs are hard to find,” said Tiffany, giving everyone a worried look.

  The doorbell rang, ending their speculation.

  C
arol Ann hurried to answer the door.

  Grace and Misty stepped inside and were quickly surrounded by the other women. Hugs were exchanged all around, bringing a smile to Misty’s face.

  “Come get yourselves drinks, and then let’s sit down. We all want to hear about Misty’s escape,” said Carol Ann.

  After everyone was comfortably seated, Grace began her story.

  Carol Ann, like the others, couldn’t hide her surprise at hearing how Bert Collins had helped Grace bring Misty back home.

  “Were you scared living there, Misty?” Carol Ann asked. She remembered how long it had taken her to realize she was being mistreated at home.

  Misty glanced at her mother before turning back to Carol Ann. “Yeah, things got a little weird.”

  “Josh is a very controlling person,” Grace explained. “I don’t think Kate meant to hurt either one of us as much as she wanted to keep her marriage intact.”

  “What about school?” Lynetta asked. “You lost several weeks of work.”

  “I’m going to have to attend summer school,” said Misty.

  “She can catch up in one of her classes by doing online work,” added Grace.

  “Maybe you can earn some money helping Carol Ann or me,” said Tiffany. “When you have any free time, that is.”

  Misty’s face brightened. “I’d like that. I want to save money for some extra things that Mom can’t buy.”

  Grace’s phone rang. She looked at her cell and rose. “Excuse me. I have to take this in private. Carol Ann, may I use your bedroom?”

  Carol Ann smiled. “Sure.”

  The conversation continued about Misty’s babysitting, but Carol Ann’s attention remained on Grace’s phone call. At seeing who was calling, Grace’s face had drained of color.

  When Grace returned to the living room, Carol Ann piped up, “What’s going on?”

  Grace collapsed onto a chair. “That was Glenn. He found out Lee fired me. He said he’s going to try to get my job back, that all I may have to do is apologize to Lee.”

  “Great!” said Lynetta.

  Grace shook her head. “You don’t understand. I’d die before I’d apologize to that bitch.”

  “At least think about it,” counseled Sukie, getting to her feet. “I’ve got to go, but feel free to give me a call anytime.”

  She left, and the others quickly followed, leaving Carol Ann to wonder what she’d do in the same circumstances. Soon, after the baby was born, she wouldn’t have to worry about Lee. But in the meantime, she’d have to put up with most anything from the most obnoxious boss she’d ever had.

  Later, talking to Ed on the phone, she realized that Grace’s departure would only make it harder on the rest of the admins on the exec floor. Lee had immediately called a meeting of the execs to tell them that no administrative person was safe, that she was their boss, and her wishes superseded theirs.

  “Word has already gotten back to headquarters, but the CEO says Lee is to be given respect, and we’re to do as she says,” Ed explained.

  “I hope I can make it until the baby’s due. And then we can get married!” Carol Ann’s heart lifted at the idea. She couldn’t wait to become Mrs. Edward Pritchard. She’d already practiced writing her married name in a variety of styles.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  SUKIE

  Sukie checked her watch and sighed. She’d be a few minutes late to the Fat Fridays luncheon at a new place. Molly’s By Golly, a café that served both breakfast and lunch, had opened last weekend, and word around town was her biscuits and gravy were to die for, her homemade soups and fresh salads even better.

  She quickly gathered her purse and headed out the door of the library. She’d spent the entire week showing her replacement around and meeting with several board members to discuss her plans for the children’s department.

  Outside, the May weather was full of the promise of a warm summer. She gazed at the colorful flowers planted around the library and felt her spirits lift.

  She slid behind the wheel of her car, anxious to talk to the other women in the group. Between library business and rearranging her schedule to be home with Chloe, she hadn’t had much time to keep up with them.

  Molly’s sat in the center of town, a couple of blocks away from Anthony’s. Sukie parked in the street and walked up to the small yellow house that sat between brick-fronted stores on either side of it. White cottage curtains hung in the windows. Pots of late-season, bright-faced pansies lined the brick walkway.

  Sukie entered the restaurant and paused to look around. Round tables were covered in bright-yellow vinyl cloths, offset by sea-blue dishware, giving the interior a French Country look she loved. The smell of freshly baked bread drew her farther inside. The interior was divided into three areas: the main dining area; and two smaller rooms off to either side.

  “Sukie! Here!” Tiffany waved to her.

  Sukie went into one of the smaller rooms to a table where Tiffany was sitting with Grace.

  She gave them each a hug. “Where are Carol Ann and Lynetta?”

  Tiffany made a face. “They’re coming, but they can only stay for forty-five minutes. Lynetta said Lee has set up a new routine. They have to punch in and out with a time clock now.”

  “I’m so glad I left that company,” said Grace. “It’s become a prison. Lee Fredericks has no respect for the people who’ve worked there long before she ever arrived.”

  “What are you doing these days, Grace? Have you found something new?” said Sukie. Grace seemed so calm about losing her job.

  Grace’s cheeks grew pink. “I’m going to manage the office for Bert Collins.”

  “At the hardware store? How wonderful,” said Sukie. “I’m sure he can use the help.”

  Grace shrugged. “Well, we’ll see how it goes. There’s a lot to learn.”

  Tiffany shook her head. “He’s not going to fire you. He likes you, Grace, really likes you, or he wouldn’t have gone to Ohio with you.”

  Grace held up her hands in protest. “It’s not like that.”

  Sukie and Tiffany exchanged knowing glances.

  Sukie turned to Tiffany. “How are things with you and Kevin?”

  “They’re going well. I just don’t want Muffy and Regard to know about us. Not yet.”

  Sukie clapped her hand to her mouth. “Oh my God! I forgot to tell you about my conversation with Edythe Aynsley. It had to do with you.”

  Tiffany’s eyebrows formed a V. “Why would you be talking to Edythe Aynsley about me?”

  “It was about your mother-in-law.” Sukie leaned forward. “Edythe told me she got a call from Muffy asking if she’d be willing to sell her house to them.”

  Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Whaaat!”

  “That’s all I know. Apparently, Muffy mentioned they might be looking at houses here. Oh, Tiffany! I’m so sorry I didn’t mention it to you earlier. In all the fuss with Chloe’s mother, I forgot.”

  Tiffany clutched her arms in front of herself and made a face. “Ugh. I’ve just lost my appetite.”

  “It may come to nothing,” said Grace, patting Tiffany’s back with sympathy. “I can’t imagine that woman being happy living in Williston. It’s definitely not her kind of place.”

  “Amen,” said Sukie. “She’s all about high society. Believe me; there’s no one here like that.”

  Tiffany straightened. “You’re right. She’d be miserable here in such a small community.” She let out a bitter laugh. “I would too if she ever tried it.”

  Before they could continue that conversation, Lynetta and Carol Ann hurried over to them, drawing their attention.

  “We’ve got to order in a hurry,” said Carol Ann. “Lee will be checking on us.”

  “I’ve already told the hostess,” added Lynetta, taking a seat next to Sukie. “She’s sending the waitress right over.”

  A pleasantly plump, gray-haired woman approached them. “’Heard all y’all were in a rush. What’ll be, ladies?”

 
; Sukie turned her attention to the menu board posted on the wall. The menu was limited, but each item listed looked wonderful. She settled on vegetable soup, served with Molly’s famous cheese biscuits.

  The other women quickly made their choices, and then Grace said to Carol Ann, “What’s going on at the office?”

  Lynetta let out a growl. “That woman is driving us crazy. Glenn had a real brawl with her when he came back into the office yesterday. We all heard what he said.”

  Carol Ann grinned. “He pretty much told her what she could do with all her foolish rules. He’s not in the office today. Rumor has it that he flew out to California to talk to the execs there.” A worried look replaced her smile. “How are you? What are you doing about a job?”

  Grace’s cheeks once again flushed a pretty pink as she told Carol Ann and Lynetta about her new position at the hardware store.

  “Bert Collins? Isn’t he the guy who went to Ohio with you to get Misty?” said Lynetta.

  Grace’s cheeks turned even a brighter pink. “Yes, but don’t go making anything out of it. He’s just a friend from the support group.”

  “I bet it could be something more,” said Carol Ann. “Oh, Grace, it’s romantic, in a way, that he cares so much about you.”

  Grace shot her a severe look of disapproval that immediately quieted Carol Ann. Sukie, like everyone else in the group, knew how Carol Ann loved the idea of romance in someone’s life. They also knew Grace didn’t believe in such a thing.

  “Speaking of romance,” said Lynetta. “I’ve got news.” Her dark eyes brightened, lighting up her face. “James called me. He’s coming back to Williston in a couple of weeks, and he wants to see me.”

  “Sweet,” said Sukie. “Has his mother passed on?

  “And what about his job in California?” Tiffany said.

  “His mother is gone,” said Lynetta. “I asked about his job, but he isn’t sure what he’s going to do. He’s taking time to decide where he’ll be.”

  “I hope he stays here in Georgia, with you,” said Tiffany. “You make such a nice couple.”