Hello Dolly

by Reina M. Williams

  She looked away then ate the last bite of morning bun, trying to focus on that delight instead of the ones Luke Levi offered.

  “Thanks. Mrs. D told me about your project, so I saved room in case. Wouldn’t have wanted to let Mrs. G’s niece down.”

  Sipping her coffee, she wondered how much of his kindness was just because of his respect for her aunt. But his kiss hadn’t had anything to do with that, and neither did his feelings. Why couldn’t she just stop thinking about all that? She had to focus on business.

  “Thanks for meeting with me. I’ll look forward to getting started next week.” She rose and he nodded, standing.

  “I’ll get you the paperwork later this week. Have a good one.” He grabbed his folio.

  “You too,” she said, glancing anywhere but at him. She’d been so preoccupied, she hadn’t even enjoyed the view from the patio. Luke had too much of an effect on her. There was a wide gap between where she wanted to go and where she was. She needed to bridge that. Too bad all she could think was getting Luke to help with the job.

  Chapter Twelve

  Favorite Songs

  Luke knocked on Mrs. G’s door. It’d been only the day before yesterday that he’d seen Dolly, but he’d thought about her more times than he could count. Hopefully, once they handled this contract business, he wouldn’t see her much during the job. He doubted she’d be around—there was no need for her to be on site while they worked. And though he wanted to see her, he knew it was best not to see her.

  She opened the door and her smile nearly brought him to his knees.

  “Come on in,” Dolly said, opening the door wide. “I’m guessing you have the paperwork for me?”

  He nodded and walked in. Her scent followed him, mixing with something sugary.

  “I’ve been baking. Want to come into the kitchen? Aunt June’s at the café, of course.” She wended her way into the kitchen. He followed her, trying to keep from disrespectful ogling of her curves. He had to admit it wasn’t easy.

  “Here are the papers.” He set them on the round kitchen table. It was one he’d built for Mrs. G when her old table had finally given out after being in her family almost a hundred years.

  “Want a cup of coffee? And I’ve got some peach bread, if you like.”

  “Sure, thanks.” He sat and kept his eyes on the window behind the sink that showed the yard.

  She bustled around then handed him a mug of coffee before setting down one for herself and a plate of quick bread studded with what he assumed were peaches.

  Sliding into the seat across from him, she pulled a pen out of a pocket in her lightweight long cardigan, and read over the papers.

  He sipped his coffee and tried the bread. “Delicious.” Was there anything this woman couldn’t do? She couldn’t be with you.

  Rubbing his chest, he closed his eyes a moment. Flashes of his nightmare about his mom caused his hand to shake. He set down his mug. He’d been fine for years, but this week she’d been haunting him again, like some old song you hear again and gets stuck in your head.

  “You okay?” Dolly asked.

  “Sure.”

  She signed the papers and he did as well. He placed his copy back in his folio. “Guess that’s it,” he said.

  “Why not finish your coffee? And, would you like to take some of the bread?”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  She rose and packed some in a baggie. “Aunt June says you made this table?”

  “That’s right.”

  “It’s amazing. I thought she was joking with me.”

  “Nope.” His chest lightened at her admiring glance.

  “I can’t wait to see what you can do for the shop, then.”

  “You’ve got my email. Just shoot me your ideas when you want.”

  “Couldn’t I just tell you? I’ll be there just about every day.”

  “You will?” There went his plan to not see her. He rubbed his neck.

  “I’m going to work on the backyard. I figured that way, it might be done when the inside is. Besides, best to get it done before the weather turns, right?”

  “True.” He hadn’t thought of that. He’d figured she’d get someone in to raze the weeds and all and clear it. No way had he thought she’d tackle it herself. “I know some good landscapers. It’s a lot of work, just for you.”

  “I’m stronger than I look.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” He knew she was capable; he wasn’t sure he was capable of seeing her regularly and not falling for her completely.

  “Then I’ll see you next week. Don’t worry, I’ll stay out of your way.” Her cheerfulness remained, even when she said something that from others might sound snappish or passive-aggressive. He admired her.

  “No worries.” He rubbed the side of his mouth. Should he tell her what seemed to be circulating around town? No, he wouldn’t. He didn’t give air time to gossip, so he wouldn’t start now. The gossip just usually wasn’t about him. And he didn’t want Dolly affected.

  He rose and took the bread. “See you.”

  “Looking forward to it!” Her voice rose with enthusiasm. Of course she was excited. New place to live, new business. Nothing to do with him personally, however much he might wish it did.

  But wishes didn’t come true.

  HERE HE WAS AGAIN ON another Sunday after church. But it wasn’t just another Sunday, not with Dolly here. In one week, his world seemed to have shifted, and his thoughts overwhelmed with her presence. Which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, if she were the type of woman he could love and leave, if she were able to give him a chance, if he could work her out of his system. He supposed it might happen eventually.

  Leaning against the wall of the church hall, he watched the kids playing in one corner, and the groups of people chatting and laughing, the minister making his rounds as quickly as the mediocre coffee would run out.

  Mrs. D and Mrs. G introduced Dolly to Pastor Bob. Dolly, in a floral dress that poufed out a bit at the bottom, held Luke’s attention. The pattern of the dress made him recall her scent, rosy and sweet like the flowers on her dress. His chest ached with the desire to hold her close in his arms again.

  Then any soft feelings leaked out on hearing Jason Riggs and his pals, who weren’t making much of a secret of their conversation.

  “Don’t worry, fellas, she’ll get to all of us eventually,” Jason said.

  Luke focused his gaze on the men. They were leering at Dolly. He fisted his hands.

  “First day here, and she was kissing ole’ Luke, and she’s already onto that sheep rancher. We should lay wagers who’ll be next.”

  Luke stepped in front of Jason, blocking his view of Dolly. A man like that shouldn’t even be allowed to set eyes on a woman like Dolly.

  “Shut your mouth about her or I’ll shut it for you,” he said in a low tone, as he didn’t want to draw attention to this scene. Nor would he commit violence in a church. Or at all, if it could be helped.

  “Like to see you try,” Jason spat out.

  “Hey, Jas, come on,” his buddy said. Both of them pulled at Jason. At least they had some sense.

  Jason shook them off. “Nah, he thinks he’s so high and mighty, Mr. Levi here, trying to steal my family’s business out from under us, and all the girls in town. He’s nothin’, not even fit to shine my shoes.”

  Luke swallowed down the rage bubbling up his throat at the too-familiar taunt. When he was a boy, it’d been followed by a shove into the dirt, to get him closer to said shoes. And sometimes capped with a swift kick and a hateful jibe at his wealthy Jewish father.

  He wasn’t a boy anymore.

  “You’re asking for it, Riggs,” Luke ground out, his jaw tight. He and Riggs were inches from each other. Luke could smell whiskey on Riggs’s breath.

  “Yeah, I’m not asking. I’m telling you to—”

  “Jason Riggs!” Mrs. D said in a voice that would freeze everyone in a chaotic schoolyard.

  While Luke wanted to teac
h Riggs a lesson, it really wasn’t the time or place, so Mrs. D’s intervention was good.

  Except the whole congregation seemed to follow behind her, with Mrs. G and Dolly leading the group.

  Mrs. D heaved an aggravated breath. But before she could unleash her verbal assault, Lucinda Riggs stepped beside her son.

  “Mrs. Davis,” Mrs. Riggs said, her thin, sallow frame vibrating in offense, “you leave my boy be. You’ve always had it out for him, just like you did me.”

  “Always is as false as false can be,” Mrs. D countered with one of her truisms.

  “Are you calling me a liar?” Mrs. Riggs appeared both puzzled and angry, the way her brows tugged together. She was a wiry, middle-aged woman whose thin-lipped expression seemed to move between disapproval and anger. Luke hadn’t ever seen her smile. ‘Course, she might have reason enough for that, given her bully of a husband.

  “No, Lucinda.” Mrs. D shook her head. “I’m saying no one does anything always. Why don’t you take your boy home for Sunday dinner?”

  “Yes,” Mrs. G put in, “it’s about time we all went to our respective suppers.” Mrs. G kept her steady gaze on Lucinda.

  “Don’t you tell me what to do, June Gallagher. You’re still an outcomer, just like your niece. My mom told me a thing or two about you, and we can see your niece is carrying on your loose ways.” Mrs. Riggs gripped her purse tighter as the crowd seemed to take in a collective gasp.

  “Don’t bring my niece into this, Lucinda Riggs.” Mrs. G drew herself to her full five-foot-three height, as imposing as anyone with a foot on her.

  Dolly, though, seemed to crumple in on herself, slightly slumped, her eyes filled with tears, though she too had an angry set to her lips, a mirror of her aunt. He wished he could take Dolly in his arms, protect her from this hateful talk, take away any pain it caused her. Instead, he stayed still.

  “You can’t stop me from speaking the truth,” Mrs. Riggs said. Jason smirked.

  Luke itched to pound that expression right off the guy’s face.

  “She was kissing this one”—Mrs. Riggs pointed to Luke—“and we all know his reputation. And then she was out at Nathan Shepherd’s ranch, doing who knows what with him. She’ll get her claws in every man in town.”

  Dolly opened her mouth, but didn’t speak. Luke stepped to her, but he didn’t know what to say either. There was no point wrangling with gossip.

  “You take your malicious gossip somewhere else, Lucinda,” Mrs. G said. “And that’s all it is. And if Betty won’t call you a liar, I will, if you slander my niece again.”

  “Ladies,” Pastor Bob eased his way between the two women. “This is the Lord’s house. Let’s remember that.” He bowed his head a moment and the room quieted. “I think June has a point; it’s about time for Sunday supper. May we go in peace and bring the Lord’s love into being wherever we can.”

  “Amen!” a few voices rang out.

  Mrs. D, huffing, stomped to Luke. He took hold of Dolly’s fingers and squeezed. Leaning over, he whispered, “It’ll be okay.”

  She nodded and he let go. He’d already overstepped the bounds of keeping it professional by kissing her. And he wanted to do it again, wanted to protect her too. This wasn’t just attraction.

  “Ready?” Mrs. D asked.

  He nodded and gave a backward glance at Dolly, who walked out with her aunt’s arm around her waist. The two faced forward, their heads held high.

  “Where to, Mrs. D?” He glanced down at his companion.

  “June’s, of course, after we stop at Careys’ for some things. Didn’t I tell you we’re invited to supper there?”

  “No,” he croaked. When he’d first moved here, it had been as comfortable and easy-feeling as listening to his old favorite songs. Now all that was being twisted into bad renditions sung in all too familiar tones.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Stayin’

  “Dolly, they’ll be here soon,” Aunt June called from the kitchen.

  Dolly checked her appearance in the mirror, to make sure it didn’t look like she’d been crying. It was silly to cry over gossip. It was even more silly to care what Luke Levi thought of her and her looks.

  Smoothing her Sunday dress, one of her favorites that had arrived in the moving truck, she scuffed her way into the kitchen.

  “Aunt June, why did that woman say those awful things about you?”

  “Why does anyone say such things? She’s an unhappy woman. As to the origin, her mother disliked me because her husband asked me to marry him before he asked her, and she held onto that hurt until the day she died. Even passed it on to her daughter.” Aunt June waved her hands. “I can’t help it if men like me, and neither can you. Don’t let such talk mean anything. You’re a wonderful person as you are.”

  Dolly smiled. “I get it from you. And Mom and Dad.” She pushed out a breath, letting go of some of the hurt that had sliced into her at church. “I did kiss Luke. It was a silly thing to do, in view of who knows how many people at a small-town wedding. I should’ve thought it through instead of being impulsive.”

  “Maybe so. And maybe it’s a sign that you and he aren’t good for each other.”

  Aunt June set out green and fruit salads. Dolly checked on the crockpot macaroni and cheese.

  Aunt June placed a hand on her arm. “Now, that Nathan Shepherd is a different story. You said you had a lovely time at his ranch, and I bet he remembered to be a gentleman.”

  “Aunt June... Luke wasn’t not a gentleman. I think we both got carried away in the atmosphere of the wedding.”

  “If you think that, you don’t know Luke Levi.”

  Dolly wrinkled her brow. “You’re right, I don’t really know him. Or Nathan. All I want is to be friends with people. I’m not looking for romance.”

  Her aunt shook her head but didn’t comment. A knock sounded from the front door. “I’ll get it,” Aunt June said.

  Dolly busied herself scooping the mac and cheese into a bowl and setting it on the table. Luke’s brief touch at church had given her too much comfort. A comfort she didn’t understand. After all, she really didn’t know him, and she also didn’t understand these feelings she had for him. There was attraction, but this kind of connection with and yearning for someone she barely knew didn’t make sense.

  Then there he was in front of her. Goodness, he made her feel like a romance cliché: her breath hitched and her legs wobbled and she wanted to fall into his strong arms and nestle into his solid chest.

  His intense blue eyes shone with too much feeling. Turning away after waving at Luke and Mrs. D, Dolly set the table.

  “Need help?” Luke asked, stepping too close for her comfort.

  “It’s all ready, thanks,” she said, her voice falsely cheerful. Maybe Aunt June was right. If being around Luke didn’t make her behave like her best self, he wasn’t someone she should be around at all.

  Aunt June and Mrs. Davis sat. Dolly set a pitcher of iced tea on the table.

  “Anyone want something else to drink?” Dolly asked.

  “Don’t suppose you have the makings for a Shirley Temple?” Mrs. D asked. It was her comfort drink of choice.

  “Of course,” Dolly said. She could use one too after the day they’d had.

  As she passed him to get the ginger ale, grenadine, ice, and cherries, Luke grinned at her. That grin made her soft in places she didn’t want to think about.

  “Thanks, Dolly,” Mrs. D said. “I hope you’re paying no mind to that Lucinda Riggs. Spiteful behavior is what that was.”

  Dolly shrugged as she mixed a couple of drinks.

  “Maybe she’d rather not talk about it,” Luke said in a quiet tone.

  At once she didn’t know whether to thank him or bristle at him speaking for her. So she said nothing.

  “Best to get these things out in the open,” Mrs. D said.

  “There’d be nothing to talk about if you hadn’t kissed her at the wedding,” Aunt June said in an even tone as if
it were a reasonable thing to say.

  Dolly’s forehead tightened.

  “Other people shouldn’t feel free to comment on something private,” Luke said. Dolly admired his ability to reply calmly yet firmly to such incursions into sticky territory.

  “If it happens in public, is it private?” Aunt June responded.

  “Don’t you give Luke a hard time, now, June,” Mrs. Davis put in. “He and Dolly are adults.”

  “They are, but then don’t you go pushing them together.”

  “I don’t push.” Mrs. D’s voice prickled like the spines on a porcupine.

  Dolly’s hands trembled as she brought the drinks to the table. There had been too much conflict already today. Any more and she didn’t know what she’d do.

  Setting down the drinks, she rubbed her forehead. “Please stop,” she whispered. But they didn’t seem to have heard, as they were already talking again.

  “You’re a pushy old broad and you know it,” Aunt June said.

  “Me? What about you, you old battle axe.”

  “Stop, both of you,” Luke said in a louder voice, firm and sure.

  She absolutely wanted to throw herself into his arms. And that was worse than the bickering.

  The two women hushed and looked at him, then Dolly.

  “She asked you to stop,” Luke said more quietly now that silence reigned. “Sunday dinner, right? Go in peace?” He pulled out Dolly’s chair and waited until she was seated then slid into the chair next to her. “This looks delicious.”

  “Thank you.” She meant more for his stepping in and getting them to stop bickering than the compliment about the food. He nodded in reply.

  They passed the food around and starting eating. It was delicious, but she couldn’t quite appreciate it as the events of the day had left a bad taste in her mouth.

  “Maybe me being here is a mistake,” she said.

  “Doll,” Aunt June said. She grasped Mrs. Davis’s hand on one side and Dolly’s with her other hand. “I love this woman like a sister. And, like sisters, sometimes we argue. I’m sorry it’s affected you.”