And he was married.
She didn’t understand why she was surprised and why she even cared. Something was terribly wrong with her character if just the thought of him with someone else, making love to another woman as he had made love to her, made her heartbeat escalate, her palms grow moist, and a dull ache settle in the middle of her body.
Disgusted with herself, she went to the door to throw out the apple core. It opened at her push. It was unlocked! She pulled it closed and locked it with a click. She was sure that she had locked it last night before she went to bed, and she hadn’t come out to the porch this morning.
Grandma and Grandpa never locked the doors. She doubted they had a key. That was then. Times had changed. Living in Chicago, where break-ins
were a common occurrence, had taught her to keep doors locked.
On her way back through the house, she paused at the big oak coffee table and looked down at her picture album. Had she left it there? She must have, she thought, and picked it up to put it back on the shelf under the library table. Oh, well, with so much on her mind, it was a wonder she didn’t forget where she had left her head.
After repairing her makeup and combing her hair, she locked the back door and went to the car. Kelly was nowhere in sight, but she could hear excited yelps coming from behind the shed.
“Kelly. Come,” she called.
When there was no response, she walked across the yard to the shed to see Kelly digging fiercely in the ground in front of the door.
“Stop that!” The dog looked up at her and whined. “I’m leaving, and if you want to go you’d better get in the car or you’ll stay here locked on the porch. Now come on.”
She waved her hand and the dog, with his tail between his legs, walked beside her to the car. Before he got in he looked back at the shed.
“Arrr . . . woof!”
“There’s nothing in that shed but Grandpa’s old harnesses and things like that. Nothing to eat, except maybe a mouse, and you have never eaten a mouse in your life.” She opened the car door. Kelly jumped up onto the backseat and sat down on the blanket she kept tucked over the seat cushion.
Nelda drove directly to Mr. Hutchinson’s office.
She parked the car, leaving the windows partially open for Kelly.
“Don’t let anyone get in the car. That’s your job until I get back.”
“Arrr . . . woof.”
“I’m glad you understand. Be back soon.”
Inside the office she was greeted by a pleasant gray-haired woman who smiled at her when she came in.
“May I help you?”
“I’m Nelda Hanson. I’d like to see Mr. Hutchinson.”
“Have a seat, and I’ll tell him you’re here.”
The receptionist left the area and Nelda settled in a chair beside the window. Almost immediately the woman was back, followed by a tall man whose face was young and unlined though his hair was iron gray. He wore a dark suit, a white shirt, and dark red tie.
“Mrs. Hanson.” He came toward her with an outstretched hand and a smile on his face. “We meet at last.”
“I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Hutchinson. After our many phone conversations, I feel that I know you.”
“The same here. Come on back to my office.”
They walked down the hall to the large office at the back. The lawyer offered her the chair in front of his desk, then went around and sat down.
“Are you settled in? Did you find everything all right?”
“Yes and yes. Thank you for making it so easy.
The house and all in it was in perfect order. I had no idea what condition it would be in after being vacant for so long. I was pleasantly surprised.”
“I have good people who checked on it from time to time. When you called to say that you were coming, they cleaned it thoroughly.”
“They did that all right. Even lined the drawers with fresh paper before the clean linens were put away. I appreciate it. Will the cost be taken out of the farm account?”
“Yes. The farm has made money the last few years. I invested some of the profit for you, and you have a tidy sum on hand.”
“I don’t think I’ll need to draw on it. I’ll be all right money-wise for a while.”
“It’s available, as are the books anytime you want to look them over or have an accountant do so.”
Earl Hutchinson leaned back in his chair and studied the woman seated before him. He had not pictured her as being so pretty. For a woman so young, she was well thought of in her profession. When he had talked with her on the phone she had been all business, quick and firm in what she wanted. He liked that.
“I’ve heard from your father . . . several times, in fact.”
“Oh, dear. Hearing from my father is never good news.”
“He wants to buy the farm now that he has given up on breaking Eli’s will.”
“Why does he want it? He hated the farm. As long as I can remember, he was ashamed that his
father was a farmer. He would refer to him as owning farms . . . plural. At times he would talk about the Hansen Estates, again plural.”
“As your lawyer, I feel I can speak frankly. Major Hansen—”
“Oh, he’s a major now?” Nelda said with a sarcastic tone in her voice. “It took him long enough. He’s been trying for it for years.”
“Yes, well, the major was considerably put out when his father left the farm to you. He did all he could to break the will, but it was airtight.” Mr. Hutchinson pulled open a drawer on the side of his desk and brought out a file. “He says that when it goes on the market, he wants a chance to bid on it.” He placed a letter on the desk in front of Nelda.
“I don’t want to read it, Mr. Hutchinson.”
“He was foolish enough to ask me not to tell you he wanted the farm. I’m your lawyer, not his.”
“I’ve not made up my mind about selling. I’ll be here for six or eight months. It depends on how long my boss in Chicago will hold my job. There wouldn’t be much of a demand for a commercial decorator around here.”
“There’s another party here who is interested in buying the farm if you decide to sell. Eli wanted you to sell to a local person rather than a conglomerate, you know. The farm was clear of debt when you inherited it. Eli left money to pay the inheritance tax. You can sell the farm and invest the money, or keep it and rent out the land. In a few years land may go up in value. Either way you will have a nice little income.”
“I’ll think about it. If you answer my father’s letter, tell him that I don’t intend to sell, and if I do, it won’t be to him.” Nelda stood, her face frozen in lines of determination. “If there’s nothing else to discuss, I’m off to buy a television set. I miss watching the evening news.”
Mr. Hutchinson stood and followed her down the hall.
“You can get a television down the street at Clear Lake Appliance, or go over to Sears in Mason City, where there’s a larger selection.”
“I’ll need an antenna installed.”
“You can arrange that with the appliance store. If not, let me know. I’ve got a handyman who will do the job. By the way, I notified Bob Halford down at the telephone company to hook up your phone and to send out a desk phone. The one on the wall has been there since the Civil War.”
Nelda laughed. “Well, not quite, but almost. Thank you. I was going to the telephone office next. You’ve saved me a trip.”
“If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
“I will. Thank you. Mr. Hutchinson, who is renting the land?”
“Lute Hanson.”
“Lute?”
“When Oscar Olsen sold out and went south, Lute asked to rent it. His land is next to yours, and he’s a damn good farmer. The land produced more this past year than it ever has. Lute rotates his crops. Corn one year, soybeans the next. Is that a problem?”
“No problem. I was just curious. Who cleaned up the yard and trimmed the hedge?”
“Lute or his hired man.”
Nelda heard Kelly barking as soon as she stepped out the door. She hurried to where she had parked the car. A woman had backed away and stood looking at Kelly.
“Don’t put your hand in the car,” Nelda warned anxiously.
The young woman turned and smiled, her big brown eyes sparkling and amused. Though a bit plump, she radiated a wholesome charm with her fresh complexion and shining brown hair.
“I know better than to do that. Your dog is beautiful and so protective.”
“He thinks the car belongs to him, and he’ll not allow anyone in it if I’m not here.”
“I thought I knew every Irish setter in the area.” Her eyes widened when she looked at Nelda. “Well for goodness sake! I can’t believe it. You’re Nelda Hansen. Remember me, Linda Sharp?”
“Linda?” Nelda’s brows puckered, then she smiled in sudden recognition. “Of course. Linda from my homemaking class.”
“I know. I know. I’ve gained weight.”
“It’s been such a long time—”
“I’m so glad to see you.” Linda suddenly, impulsively, hugged her. “I’ve thought about you.”
“You were my closest friend, Linda. I’ll never forget that.”
“You didn’t have much time for girlfriends, if I
remember right.” Linda’s brown eyes teased. “You only had eyes for Lute in those days.”
“Those days are over, Linda. What about you?”
“I married a fella from Ventura and have a five-year-old boy. I’m Linda Branson now. I’d love to hear about all you’ve been doing. I saw your picture once in a magazine, and I was so proud that I knew you. Do you have time for a Coke?”
“Sure. Where can we go?”
“Corner Drug okay? I’ve a weakness for fountain Cokes.”
Thirty minutes later, Linda was walking with Nelda back to her car.
“You’ve seen Lute?”
“Yes, I’ve seen him.”
“Good-looking devil, isn’t he?”
“He is that.”
“I’m sorry about your little girl. I never even knew that you and Lute had married, or about the baby until after it died and you had left here.”
“It was . . . sudden. Lute was in the Navy. We were already divorced.”
“Yeah.” Linda sighed. “You two were . . . so in love.”
“And . . . so young,” Nelda said laughingly, although she felt like crying—remembering.
They reached the car and Kelly allowed Linda to stroke his head. “He’s a beautiful dog. We have two setters,” Linda explained. “One English, one Irish. Kurt likes to hunt.”
“I’ve had Kelly three years. He was a year old when I got him from a coworker who was moving
into an apartment that didn’t allow pets. He is my best friend. We talk to each other, don’t we, boy?”
“Arrr . . . woof!”
Kelly’s eyes were on his mistress’s face, and his tail was beating a tattoo against the back of the seat.
“Do you need to get out and water the tires?
In answer, Kelly’s tail went faster.
“All right. You can get out for just a minute. We’re going to see about buying a television set. After that, we’ll go to the grocery store and then home. That’s what you want, isn’t it?” She didn’t stop to think that Linda might think she was slightly wacky talking to a dog as if he were a person.
“He’s very well trained. Too bad husbands don’t train as easily,” Linda said with a short laugh. “This has been such fun, but I’ve got to get on. Eric, my son, goes to afternoon kindergarten, and he’ll be home soon.”
“It’s been fun for me too, Linda. My phone is being connected. Call me sometime, or come out. I’d like to keep in touch.”
“I’d like to. I really would.” Linda’s eyes were focused on a car coming slowly down the street toward them. It stopped and the man in the car spoke to Linda.
“Ain’t it ’bout time for Eric to get home?” The man wore a greasy billed cap. The arm that rested on the window ledge was generously sprinkled with dark hair. Dark eyes swept over Nelda then stayed on her face.
“Not for fifteen minutes yet.” Linda glanced down at her watch.
“Better get goin’ then.” The car moved slowly away. Linda’s face was flushed when she turned back to Nelda, who was urging Kelly into the car.
“I had better get going. It’s been great seeing you.”
“Can I give you a ride home?”
“I’ll walk down to Lincoln School and walk home with Eric. This is his first week of school. Besides, I need the exercise.” She laughed nervously. “Kurt says I’m as broad as a barn door.” She waved and walked briskly down the street.
Nelda was pleased that she had met Linda. She had thought about her over the years, hoping that she was happy. Although pretty and smart, Linda had not been one of the “in” group because her mother and her father spent more time in the beer joints than they did at home.
At the appliance store, Nelda bought a television set and an antenna and made arrangements for delivery and installation. It took longer to buy enough groceries to last for a while than it did the television. Mr. Jensen helped her put them in the car.