Small Town Rumors(37)

“Thank you.” She wished she had that huge compliment from her mother written in calligraphy on fancy paper so she could frame it. Or better yet, engraved on stone to display proudly on a marble pedestal in her little apartment.

Charlotte only ate half a hamburger and two french fries, but that was a lot for her, so Jennie Sue didn’t push the issue. When they’d finished, the sun had pushed the dark clouds away and was shining brightly.

“Don’t you love the smell of fresh rain?” Jennie Sue said as they walked back to the bookstore.

“It’s so muggy that I’m sweating off my makeup,” Charlotte answered. “I’m not coming inside. I’ve got a committee meeting for a fund-raiser this afternoon. We are raising money for the next annual tea for the senior girls at the high school. I remember when you went to that tea. Your lovely blue dress may still be in your closet at home.”

“That was a long time ago.” Jennie Sue gave her mother a quick side hug. “Have a great afternoon and, Mama, I love you.”

“Love you, too.” Charlotte got into her car.

Jennie Sue was stunned speechless by the response. Charlotte had only said that a few times, and those had been when Jennie Sue was a little girl. She waved until the Cadillac turned three blocks down Main Street, and then she opened the store door and flipped the sign. She sank down on the sofa and shut her eyes, replaying her mother’s words several more times before she made herself get up and go back to work.

A bright ray of light showed how dirty the two front display windows were. A cute little bistro table with two chairs and a selection of books scattered on top sat in one bay window. At one time the other one had held a wingback chair with a book lying on it, but now it was a jumbled mess of boxes and books.

“I should have started there first,” she said. “The windows should invite people inside the store, not make them wonder if we’re having a garage sale in here.”

She started for some cleaning supplies but hadn’t gone two steps when Dill poked his head inside the store. “Who’s having a garage sale, and who are you talking to?”

Good Lord! Both her parents in the same day, and one right on the heels of the other—this had to be a sign of some kind. Jennie Sue crossed the distance between them and hugged him tightly. “I’m thinkin’ out loud. Come in, Daddy. Can I get you a cup of coffee or a glass of sweet tea?”

“Don’t need a thing except to see my baby girl.” He took a step back. “How are things going? I heard you’ve been out at the Lawson farm messin’ around with Rick.”

She pulled him over to the worn sofa and made him sit beside her. “Did you come to fuss at me for falling in love with a farmer? Not that I have or will. It was just one kiss on the lips and one on the nose. I did kiss him on the cheek when I left, but that doesn’t count, either.”

“No, honey, I did not. I wouldn’t stand in your way no matter who you fall in love with. Just be sure it’s love and not rebellion. You never did go through that thing that other kids do when they’re teenagers. So be careful. What I came to talk to you about is different. I don’t want to leave town without you having some means of transportation and money. Please let me set up a checking account for you and give you a car,” he said.

She shook her head. “No, thank you, Daddy.”

“Okay, then, have it your way. But when we get home, we are going to discuss a job in the family business. You can start at the bottom and learn every facet of it from there on up to the CEO position, if that’s what you really want,” Dill said.

Her mother said that she loved her, and her dad was about to take her side and give her a job. Oh, yes, sir. This surely meant she was supposed to stay in Bloom.

“And what does Mama say about this?” she asked with caution.

“You let me worry about Charlotte,” Dill answered. “I’ll have a few days in Vegas to warm her up to the idea. And besides, she called me on her way home after you two had lunch and told me that she admired you for your determination. I think she’s comin’ around already. I’m glad that I didn’t sell the company last year after all.”

“You really thought about it? What did Mama say?” Jennie Sue asked.

“She threw a fit,” he admitted. “I’m ready to retire. I realize I’m not that old, but I’m tired of the stress. I’d hand the whole company over to you today if I could.”

For the first time, Jennie Sue could see that her father had aged more than normal in the last year. More lines etched his face, and his eyes looked tired.

“I don’t want money or a car right now, Daddy. I’m doin’ fine with my two jobs, and Miz Lettie lets me borrow her truck when I need it. I’ll think about your offer until you get home. I could use the time. There’s a fair amount of pride in working for what I need,” she said.

Dill moved closer to her and draped an arm around her shoulders. “What turned you this way?”

“Percy. I was dependent on him for a living, and had to do what he said or else disgrace the Wilshire name with a divorce. After he left me and I lost the baby, I made up my mind that I’d finish my degree and no one would ever control me like that again,” she answered.

He pulled her closer to his side. “I love you, Jennie Sue, and I’m so proud of you. If you don’t want the company job, I’ll support your decision in whatever you decide to do.”

Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she sniffled. “I love you, too, Daddy. I promise I’ll give it some serious consideration. If I do take a job, I want it to be on the lowest level possible. No nepotism.”

“Can’t promise no nepo-whaddyacallit.” Dill whipped out a white handkerchief and handed it to her. “You are my daughter. Can’t change that.”

She wiped her tears away and handed the hankie back to him.

“Keep it. You might need it again.” He grinned. “I’ve got a meeting, so I should be going. You can go on back to talking to yourself now.”

She hugged him one more time. “Thanks for understanding.”

“That’s what daddies do. See you later.” They exchanged waves as he left the store, and she tucked the hankie in her purse, hoping that she didn’t need it again for a long, long time.





Chapter Sixteen

Snow cone and a drive? The text came from Rick as she was finishing up at Nadine’s house.

Was this a date? Should she tell him that she didn’t have time? She worried with it a full minute before she typed slowly, Ten minutes?

The answer came immediately: I’m outside. No rush.

She finished putting away her cleaning supplies and left a note on the cabinet for Nadine.

Locking the door behind me. See you later.

Rick was leaning against the truck when she reached the driveway. He flashed a brilliant smile, but he had sunglasses on, so she couldn’t see his eyes. Opening the door for her, he said, “That was the shortest ten minutes I’ve ever had to wait on anyone.”

“You had me at snow cone, but Rick, are you sure about this?” she said.

“Hey, it’s not dinner and a movie. It’s just a snow cone after a long, hot day of work. What’s your favorite flavor?” He slammed the door shut.

She laid her arm on the open window. “Rainbow. Cherry, banana, and grape. I like that you don’t have AC in the truck. It reminds me of Frank’s old vehicle when I was a kid. I liked to hang my arm out the window and catch the wind.”

“I’ve saved enough money to buy a newer truck, but just can’t make myself let go of it when this one is runnin’ good except for the air. The heat works fine in the winter, so we don’t freeze. But—” There was that sexy grin again. “I remember when the heater went out in Dad’s old truck. Cricket and I were little kids, and Mama would bundle us up in quilts when we went anywhere. When he finally bought a newer model, we both cried and wanted our quilts back.”

“It would be like going for an open carriage ride in New York City in the winter, all bundled up in blankets. Daddy and Mama came to visit me the first New Year’s that I lived in New York, and we went on a carriage ride. It’s one of my favorite memories,” she said.

“Didn’t you do things like that with Percy?”

She shook her head. “No, he liked limos more than carriage rides, and parties with lots of people more than anything else. When it came right down to it, he wasn’t very romantic, at least not with me. Maybe he’s better with whoever he’s with now.”

“He’s an idiot,” Rick growled as he got in line behind half a dozen cars at the snow-cone stand. “Did you see lots of snow-cone stands in the big city?”

“Not in my part of the place. I haven’t had one since I left Bloom to go to college,” she answered. “So I want a large one, and add a stripe of lime to it with the other flavors. What are you havin’?”

“The same thing you are. It sounds great,” he answered. “I feel like a little kid every time I get a snow cone.” He moved up in the line, but there were still two cars ahead of him.

“Me, too,” she said, but her mind settled on the little unmarked grave. That baby would never grow up to be a little kid or eat a snow cone or go to proms or pick peas in the garden. She would never cry or laugh or pull her first tooth.