“I know, but at your age, you can’t wait forever. Better get out there and snatch up the good ones right away.” She ginned and Charlotte knew she was teasing, but the trouble was she felt the same urgency.
“I have met one guy.”
“I thought so. I noticed that gleam in your eye.”
“He’s an insurance salesman. How boring is that?”
“There could be worse things. At least it’s legal.” They both laughed and Charlotte felt the warmth and understanding between them. “So, is this serious?”
“No, not at all. I enjoy being with him, but I’m not sure he’s what I want. I’m trying to figure that out now before I get in too deep.”
“Wise girl. So when do I get to meet him?”
“Actually, I’ve invited him over for dinner Friday night. We’ll see how he enjoys spending the evening with my mother. That should tell a lot about him.”
Janice joined them for dinner that night, and she and Margaret got on like a house afire. Margaret felt especially happy that Charlotte had found a friend so quickly. She’d worried about her a lot when Charlotte’s boyfriend left her suddenly, but Charlotte proved herself stronger than her mom thought.
She also met Mrs. Bartholomew. They talked gardens for hours. In fact, Charlotte was afraid she wasn’t going to get her mom back again, but eventually she returned and they got to work on wallpapering her kitchen. The great thing about working on projects with her mom was that the conversation flowed the whole time. They hadn’t spent time together in months because of both their schedules, but they made up for it now. Charlotte respected her mother’s opinion more than anyone’s.
Because of that, she was very anxious for her to meet Frank. She needed to find out what her mother thought, so she didn’t tell Frank that her mother would be there. She didn’t want him to reschedule.
Wednesday night, Charlotte took her mom to Bible study. Everyone greeted her like a member of their own family, including Pastor Gordon. Margaret liked them all and got a lot out of the study. “That pastor’s a good teacher, Charlotte. Nice looking too.”
Charlotte looked at her mom as if she’d pinch her. “Stop it, Mother. You get to meet Frank. Be happy with that.”
“Okay, okay. I can’t help it if I have eyes,” and she grinned a little too knowingly.
Friday night finally came. Charlotte planned a simple meal of baked mostaccioli, salad, and bread sticks, with peppermint ice cream for dessert. Frank arrived right on time, bringing a box of chocolates and flowers, impressing Margaret right away. “Hi Charlotte. These are for you. Sweets and beauty for the sweet and beautiful.”
“Thank you, they’re lovely. Frank, before I put them in water, I want you to meet my mother. She’s staying with me this week.”
“Mrs. Fyne, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Your daughter has spoken of you very fondly, a rare thing these days between mothers and daughters.”
“Oh, call me Margaret. Mrs. Fyne makes me feel ancient.”
“Margaret, it is.”
The two of them sat down on the sofa while Charlotte retreated to the kitchen. “So Frank, since I hear you’re a life-long resident, tell me what’s the best thing about Crispens Point.”
“The best thing . . . I’d say it’s the way everyone cares about their neighbor. When I was in the service, I realized for the first time what a great place this is. I returned as soon as possible and have no intention of leaving.”
Charlotte came back into the room and Frank stood up. “Can I help with anything?”
She waved her hand. “No, I’ve got it under control. The mostaccioli just needs a few more minutes.” She handed each of them a tall glass of iced tea and slipped into the chair on the other side of the room. Frank and Margaret returned to their conversation and Charlotte sat contentedly listening to them banter. By the end of the evening they acted as if they’d known each other for years.
When the evening ended, Charlotte walked Frank out to his car. “Thanks for including my mom so much in the conversation.”
“Are you kidding? She’s great. If my mom were that interesting, I’d love it. I’m really glad she was here.” He reached up and brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. He wanted to do a whole lot more, but knew he’d have to take it slow with Charlotte. It was worth it, though. She smiled and grabbed his hand, squeezing it before she turned to go back into the house.
“Well, Mom, what do you think?”
“I thought he was delightful. More to the point, what do you think?”
“I like him. I don’t know him that well. It’s only been two weeks. I’m awfully afraid of getting hurt again.”
“I know, darling, but you can’t live your life being afraid. It’s better to take the chance.”
“That’s a fine thing coming from you, who’s been single since Dad died.”
“Ah, but I found the perfect one. Anything else would be a step down.” She smiled sadly and Charlotte loved her more than ever.
CHAPTER Eleven
As Janice got ready for work Friday morning, she thought about Frank. She hadn’t thought of him for years, not since she had a big crush on him in high school. Of course, everyone had a crush on him in high school. But back then, he’d had eyes only for Shari. There was something that bothered her about him being paired up with Charlotte. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it nagged at her.
Janice was tired of being single. She’d moved out of her parents’ house a couple of years ago, which made her feel more independent. But she’d also been a lot lonelier. She missed the good-natured bantering that went on in a family and longed to start her own. She’d even tossed around the idea of adopting an unwanted child just so she could have her own family. But she felt her motives were wrong in wanting to adopt for herself and not for the child, so she dismissed the idea.
Her mood had perked up since Charlotte came to town. She believed that they connected so quickly because she already knew a lot of Charlotte’s thoughts from her novels. Why Charlotte attached herself to her, she wasn’t sure, but she was thankful for it. She hadn’t had a best friend since high school, and Charlotte was the best one ever.
Maybe that’s why the thing with Frank bothered her. She’d just found this great friend, and he was going to take her away. Not away, just monopolize her attention. She knew she was being petty, but she couldn’t shake the feeling just the same.
The thought did occur to her that she might be jealous: Charlotte had been here just two weeks and already was dating someone. Janice hadn’t dated anyone steadily for years. She’d thought of subscribing to one of those dating services, had even filled out a form, but in the end she couldn’t make herself turn it in.
That’s why she’d suddenly noticed Victor Mason. Victor had been two grades ahead of her at school. She remembered him as a shy, studious sort back then, even made valedictorian, but no one really knew him. He’d gone away to college and out of the minds of everyone in Crispens Point, but last month he came back. He showed up in church, just about a week before Charlotte came. Janice didn’t even recognize him until some of the older women began murmuring about him. That got her thinking about him.
He was rather a mystery. The word was that he married a girl from college, but that she had died of breast cancer. Since he was left with a little girl, he’d moved back home to Crispens Point so his mother could watch her during the day. He worked as a professor at a university almost an hour away. It was a long commute, but worth it to him.
Janice had never spoken two words together to Victor in high school. She’d tried smiling at him a few times but he never smiled back, so that was the end of her effort. But there was something so tragic about him now. He sat in church with his little girl, looking like the life had been sucked out of him. Janice wanted to help somehow, so she did the boldest thing she’d ever done in her life. She invited him over for dinner. She hadn’t told anyone, not even Charlotte. She wanted to write the evening off as a disaster if she had to an
d not have to explain it to anyone else.
She was rather amazed that Victor accepted her invitation. He’d looked at her a minute, then nodded, murmuring, “What can I bring?”—the standard Crispens Point answer—but she’d assured him she’d take care of everything. That comment seemed to perk him up. Perhaps he felt so weary that even bringing a dish to someone’s house sounded enormous.
So tonight was the night. She’d put a meal in the crock pot so that dinner would be well on its way when she arrived home after work. Taking one last look in the mirror, she said out loud, “Wow, Janice. Is that a wrinkle? You’d better quit messing around.” Then she added to God, “Help me not to do anything stupid tonight. Make it what You want it to be.”
Just saying that aloud helped her, and she closed the door behind her with a slam.
Charlotte called Janice Saturday morning. “Hi, it’s me. Mom just left and I’m depressed. Want to go for coffee or something?”
“That sounds great. I have a lot to tell you.”
Charlotte’s curiosity rose. “Let’s meet at the Junction at ten o’clock.”
“Okay, see you then.”
By the time Charlotte got there, Janice was on her second cup of coffee and acting like she’d had two espressos. Her eyes were bright, and she almost bounced on her seat. Charlotte slid into the booth. “Okay, lady, tell me what’s going on. You look like you’re running away to join the circus.”
Janice grinned, showing both dimples. Reaching over to grab Charlotte’s hand, she said, “I think I’m in love.”
Charlotte’s eyes got wide, doubt flooding her face. “You’re in love?” She enunciated this as if Janice had said that she was an alien.
Janice’s smile got even larger, if that was possible, and she nodded her head up and down so hard it looked like she’d get whiplash.
Charlotte’s eyes now squinted as if trying to see Janice for the first time. “How can you possibly be in love? I just talked to you three days ago.”
“I know. That’s what’s so crazy about it.”
“Crazy is right. Who in the world is this guy?”
“Victor Mason.” Janice said his name as if she’d just said Rudolph Valentino.
“Who?”
Now she looked annoyed. “Victor Mason from church. You know, he came to Bible study for the first time last week.”
“Oh,” said Charlotte as light dawned on her face. “The one whose wife died?” Janice still grinned and nodded as if Charlotte had said something cheerful. “Janice, you hardly know him. How can you be in love?”
“Well . . . I had him over for dinner last night.”
“What? You didn’t tell me you were going to do that.”
Janice looked sheepish, even a little guilty. “I know. I was afraid to tell anyone. If it had been awful, I didn’t want to have to talk about it. But it was wonderful, and I’m in love.”
Charlotte hadn’t smiled yet and still didn’t feel like it. For being a romance writer, she was very cynical about romance. “You aren’t in love, Janice. You can’t possibly be in love after one dinner.”
“But that’s what’s so amazing. I am.” She sat there looking satisfied, as if no further explanation was needed.
Charlotte sighed loudly enough for half the people in the restaurant to hear. “Okay, slow down. Tell me why you think you’re in love.”
“Because I’ve never felt this way before.”
If Charlotte could have, she would have shaken her at this point. “What way, Janice?” she said as if her teeth were clenched together. Janice didn’t appear to notice.
“Like this is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Like he’s the one I’ve been waiting for all these years. Like there’s never been any other guy in the whole world.” As Janice made each proclamation, she raised her voice a little louder and spoke with a little more emphasis. Several people turned around to glance at her, which caused her to lower her voice to a whisper. “He’s my dream man, Charlotte.”
Charlotte just shook her head, the way an adult would shake their head at a child who regularly made up fantastic stories. “Why is he your dream man, Janice?” This time she spoke as if she were weary beyond measure.
Janice looked up at the ceiling as if seeing Victor’s face engraved there. “He’s kind, gentle, smart, crazy about his little daughter, and loves God. He’s dependable, actually has a decent sense of humor, and he likes the Three Stooges. He’s perfect.”
“Nobody’s perfect, Janice.”
“Oh, I know, Charlotte. But I think he’s as close to perfect as I’m ever going to get.”
Something about the way Janice said that made Charlotte relax. “What does he think of you?”
“That’s the best part. I mean, all evening I’m falling head over heels in love with this guy and I’m wondering what in the world he’s thinking. But when the evening was over, he invited me to go with him and his daughter to the zoo next Saturday.” She smiled so big that you’d think he’d just proposed to her.
“Well, that’s nice, Janice, but it’s hardly a commitment for life.”
Janice waved her hand and laughed. “Oh I know that, but it’s a good start, don’t you think?”
“Yes, it’s a good start. I think I’d feel better if you talked about it that way. All this ‘in love’ talk is driving me crazy.”
Janice frowned for the first time. “Don’t you feel that way, just a little bit, about Frank?”
“No, I don’t. I mean he’s nice. I like to spend time with him, but being in love . . . I’m not even close to feeling that way.”
“Oh well, I guess it’s different for everyone. Hey, maybe we can double date.”
For the first time Charlotte smiled. “I’d like that.” Janice noticed Charlotte was twirling her hair with her finger, and she couldn’t understand what was making her nervous.
“Okay, out with it. What’s really bothering you?”
“How long has Victor’s wife been gone? Are you sure you’re not a rebound?”
Janice looked like someone had sicced their dog on her. “She’s only been dead a year. We talked about her a lot, but I think that’s enough time, don’t you?”
Charlotte felt bad because she’d robbed Janice of her joy, making her look miserable in contrast. “Oh, it probably is. I don’t know anything about these things. I just think it’s something you should keep in mind.”
Janice nodded, but an awkward silence settled between them. “Well, I’d better get back home. I’ve got a million things to do,” she said and started to get up.
Charlotte feel wretched, so she grabbed her hand. “When do you want to do this double date?” She smiled so big that her eyes squinted almost shut, trying to counteract her spoil sport words. It worked. Janice perked up.
“How about a week from Friday? I’d better not schedule two things for one weekend.” The grin was back in full force.
“Great. I’ll tell Frank. We’ll talk details later.”
Janice nodded and fairly skipped out of the restaurant. Charlotte watched her with a smile on her face. She hoped this would turn out good for Janice. The thought of her getting hurt made Charlotte feel horrible. There was something disconcerting about how sure Janice was about Victor. Charlotte hadn’t been that sure even about John, the man she’d intended to marry.
CHAPTER twelve
Mrs. Bartholomew was confused. She’d been absolutely certain that Charlotte had fallen for the pastor at the Community Church, but now she was regularly seen in Frank Rubin’s company. “It’s gone far enough, Custer.” Custer looked at her through one eye, making a great effort to lift his head on this lazy Saturday afternoon. “I’m just going to have to investigate this matter directly.”
She’d noticed that Charlotte had moved her writing instrument—she thought it was called a lap computer or something like that—outside to write under the big shade tree. It was a warm day, so she decided that Charlotte could use a nice cool lemonade. Going to her
refrigerator, she poured the pink liquid into a large glass filled with ice cubes. After she made another one for herself, she headed out the door. “You coming, Custer?” Custer didn’t even raise his head, so she took that as a “no.”
She walked across the street briskly and smiled when Charlotte noticed her and waved. “Here you go. Cold lemonade to take away the heat of the day.”
“Thank you. How did you know this is just what I wanted? I’ve got a folding chair on the porch. I’ll get it for you.” She stood up, and Mrs. Bartholomew nodded her approval.
When she returned and both had taken a long sip of lemonade, Mrs. Bartholomew asked, “You writing one of them romance novels?”
“Yes, I am. I get tired of being shut inside all day, so I try to bring my laptop outside whenever the weather permits.”
Mrs. Bartholomew knew exactly what she wanted to ask next but it’d be too nosy, so she found another way around the matter. “In those books you write, does the heroine always know when she finds her Prince Charming?”
“Not always right away, that’s for sure. My Prince Charmings are very flawed, like men in the real world, so it may take some sorting out just as in real life.”
“But . . .” and here Mrs. Bartholomew struggled. “Does your character ever pick the wrong fellow?”
Charlotte laughed. “Not by the end. It wouldn’t be much of a romance if she got stuck with the wrong one. That is the ending of way too many romances in real life. No one wants to read about it.”
Mrs. Bartholomew nodded, looking back towards her house and wishing Custer had followed her out. This conversation wasn’t getting her anywhere. She needed inspiration. Finally, she decided on the direct approach. “I’ve noticed Frank Rubin stopping by.”
Charlotte gave a small smile, not at all surprised by the question. In fact, she’d been amazed that she hadn’t asked sooner. “Yes. He’s been attentive. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him.”
Mrs. Bartholomew nodded and took another sip of lemonade. After a few moments of silence she asked suddenly, “So, still enjoying the sermons at the Community Church?”
Charlotte blushed bright red, and Mrs. Bartholomew thought “aha,” though her outward countenance remained the same. “Yes, I like them very much. Pastor Gordon is a knowledgeable man.”