Husband Wanted (17 page)

Clay wondered if the man knew just how close he was to the truth. “I need to get back to work,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

Walter did not respond right away. “I know it’s none of my business,” he said after a moment, “but does it involve the land deal?”

“Something like that.”

“Why not tell her you refused it? Although you know how much I’d like for you to take it back. I was really looking forward to hearing some of your ideas.” He suddenly snapped his fingers. “I just remembered something. When I was trying to come up with ideas on what kind of house to build for your mother, I ordered at least a dozen house plans and blueprints. If my memory serves me right, they’re in a box in the attic.”

“Thanks, Dad, but I think I’ll hold off.”

“Will you be here for dinner?” Walter asked.

“I think I’ll just head back to my place,” Clay said. “My mail has probably piled up. Maybe another night.”

“You know you’re welcome any time.”

Clay nodded. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“It’s beautiful!” Mandy said, once she and Frannie finished her room. “Thanks for all your help.”

“I am happy to do it,” Frannie said, having ironed the drapes and pillow shams. And you were right about the colors,” she added. “They really brighten the room. You have great taste.”

“Do you think Clay will like it?” She didn’t wait for Frannie to reply. “You know what we should do?” Mandy said. “We should order pizza for dinner and invite him over.”

“I don’t know, Mandy. He took a lot of time off work to help us. He’s probably trying to catch up.”

“Don’t you miss him?”

“Of course I do,” Frannie said, which was true. She missed him so much her heart ached, but she knew it would hurt worse if she were to see him. “I don’t want to impose on him,” she added, wondering how long she could put off having Clay visit without drawing suspicion from Mandy. She decided to change the subject. “By the way, we should probably pick up a few school supplies before you start.” Frannie did not ask about clothes after having helped Mandy pack what was in her closet at her aunt’s house. The girl had an enviable wardrobe. Too bad her aunt had refused to let here wear it.

When the doorbell rang at five thirty p.m. the following day, Frannie froze, fearing it was Clay. Instead, she found Blair standing on the other side of the door.

“Hello, stranger,” Frannie said.

“Hey, you’re the one who has been out of touch,” her friend said. “I ran into Walter in town, and he told me you were able to bring Mandy back. I’m so happy for you.” She gave Frannie a big hug.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled. By the way, how are Alice and Grace Dempsey?”

“You haven’t heard? They, along with some of your best customers, no longer eat at the diner. They started going to Fran’s Place for breakfast and lunch. Of course, nobody spoils them like you did.”

“It’s just as well,” Frannie said. “You know my internship is coming up.”

“Hi, Miss Blair,” Mandy said, coming into the kitchen.

“Call me Blair,” the woman said and gave Mandy a big smile. “Welcome to Hanahan. Permanently,” she added.

“Thanks. Do you want to see my room?”

“I’d love to!” Blair said. She followed Mandy from the kitchen.

Frannie could hear her friend making a big fuss over Mandy’s bedroom. She smiled. Even though Hanahan was only a fraction the size of D.C., Mandy seemed perfectly content to be there.

Blair returned to the kitchen. “Mandy’s room is adorable,” she said. “I insisted on seeing her clothes, of course. The kid has great taste.” Blair stepped closer. “She seems very happy,” she whispered.

Frannie nodded. “She’s relieved to be free of her aunt, and I don’t blame her.”

“How does it feel to be a mom?”

“It’s great. Mandy is easy to get along with. I’m just trying to figure out how a mom should act, you know? I haven’t had any practice.”

“It’ll come to you. How are things with Clay?”

Frannie’s smile vanished. Just hearing his name hurt more than she let on. “Not good,” she whispered. “Don’t say anything to Mandy.”

Blair looked both surprised and disappointed. “I got the impression that the two of you were
very
close,” she said, again whispering. “I mean, the way you two looked at each other.”

“Could we please change the subject?”

“As long as you know he called Mandy and invited her to dinner this evening.”

“I wonder why she didn’t mention it,” Frannie said.

“Are you going to let her go?”

“Of course. Just because things didn’t work out for Clay and me, doesn’t mean they can’t be friends.”

Blair checked her wristwatch. “I need to get going. I’ve got a date.”

“Who’s the lucky guy?”

“He just moved to town. Bought Owen’s Insurance Company. I’ll have to introduce you.”

Frannie walked Blair to the door. “Thanks for stopping by. I’ve missed you.”

Blair took a long look at her. “Are you okay, Frannie? I mean
really?
”

“I’m a big girl, Blair. I can take care of myself.”

“Do me a favor.”

“Name it.”

“Please don’t let the best thing that has ever happened to you get away.”

“You’ll never guess who called and invited me for pizza,” Mandy said, joining Frannie in the kitchen a few minutes later.

“Clay,” Frannie said.

“Blair told you.”

“You should go.”

“You should come with us.”

Frannie laughed. “Hey, you’re not the only one going back to school on Monday. I need to look through the material. Also, I want to go to Walmart and pick up some paint samples.”

“What are you painting?”

“The pink bathroom.”

“I would really like to help you pick out the color.”

“That’s why I’m getting samples instead of actually buying the paint. I trust your judgment.”

Mandy looked pleased at first, but she dropped the smile and shrugged. “Okay, but I know Clay will be disappointed that you can’t make it.”

“I’m sure he’ll understand
.
What time is he picking you up?”

“Seven o’clock.”

Frannie glanced at the wall clock, and felt a moment of panic. “That’s only fifteen minutes from now,” she said, trying to figure out a way where she would not have to see him. “I have to grab a quick shower.”

“You don’t want to see him, do you?” Mandy said, as though she had just read Frannie’s mind.

“I have a ton of stuff to do, honey. Please give him my best.” Frannie hurried from the room. She turned on the shower and stripped off her clothes. She took her time, dried off, and wrapped a towel around her. She used the blow dryer, and applied light makeup. She picked up her wristwatch. Seven thirty. Clay would have picked up Mandy by now. She opened the bathroom door and stepped out. And almost ran into Clay.

He smiled. “Nice towel, Frannie.”

“Um, I thought you were going to be here at seven.”

“Didn’t Mandy tell you I called? I was in a meeting with a client, and it ran late.”

Frannie had not heard the doorbell. Clay must have arrived while she was using the blow dryer. Wasn’t it just her luck to come out of the bathroom wearing only a towel? She noticed Clay was looking at her legs. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said, “I need to get dressed.”

“Wait, Mom!” Mandy said, holding up a gift bag. “You will never believe what Clay bought me. Try to guess.”

“Hmm. A pony?” Frannie said.

Mandy laughed. “Very funny.” She pulled a box from the bag and opened it. “Look, a diary! Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Oh, yes!” Frannie said, noting it was of high quality. “And very thoughtful,” she added, not quite meeting Clay’s eyes. “I hope you remembered to say thank you,” she said in her best motherly voice.

“Oops!” Mandy put the box on the table and threw her arms around Clay. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she said, giving him a hug.

“You’re welcome,” he said, laughing. He looked at Frannie. “I hope you’re having dinner with us.”

“Sorry,” she said. “I can’t make it tonight, but I hope the two of you have a good time.” She hurried from the kitchen and into her bedroom where she slumped on the bed. She waited until she heard the front door close before letting the tears fall.

The following Monday, Frannie drove Mandy to school to get her registered. She could tell the girl was nervous.

“What if the kids don’t like me?” Mandy said.

Frannie patted her hand. “What’s not to like? You’re smart, you have a great personality, and you’ll be, without a doubt, the cutest girl in school.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“It’s true!” Frannie said. “And just think, you don’t have to wear an ugly uniform. Instead you have an awesome wardrobe and a tricked-out book bag.”

Mandy chuckled. “I can’t believe Clay bought me paste, and told me not to eat any.”

“Hey, some kids like the taste of paste,” Frannie said.

“Mom, please tell me you didn’t eat paste.”

“No, but I knew this boy in second grade who did.”

“I’ll bet he was your boyfriend.”

Frannie gave her a playful shove. “That was low, Mandy. Really low.”

The registration process didn’t take long; true to her word, Mandy’s aunt had sent her school records, and her attorney’s business card.

Frannie could feel herself getting emotional as one of the office personnel prepared to take Mandy to her class. “I’ll be here at three o’clock,” she whispered. “Look for my car in the teachers’ parking lot.”

“Why are you parking there?”

“It’s quicker. We won’t have to wait in a long line of other moms picking up their kids,” she added and wondered if Mandy suspected she didn’t want to embarrass her by pulling up in an ancient car.

Mandy shrugged. “Okay.” And then she was gone.

Frannie was still trying to get her emotions under control when she drove to the mental health center and met with the social worker, Linda, with whom she had worked closely the previous year.

“We’re so happy to have you back,” Linda said.

“I’m thrilled to be back,” Frannie replied, “especially since I’m getting a paycheck this time. So what is my actual start date, and what hours will I be working?”

“I’m going to be in meetings all day tomorrow,” Linda said. “How does Wednesday sound?”

“Perfect.”

Linda smiled. “I figured, with your daughter recently moving in and what classes you have left to take in order to graduate this summer, we could start you part-time, say from eight a.m. until two p.m.”

Frannie nodded. It would mean dropping Mandy off at school fifteen minutes early in order for her to get to work on time and having the girl take the bus home, meaning they would have to discuss it. She hoped Mandy was amenable to the idea of riding the bus. “Those hours will work for me,” she said.

“Great. I’ll start you off doing mostly patient intake, and we’ll go from there.” She held out her hand. “Welcome back, Frannie.”

Frannie was waiting in the teacher’s parking lot when Mandy exited the school shortly after three o’clock. “How was your first day?” she asked.

“I’ve already made a friend,” Mandy said. “She helped me find my way around school, and she invited me to sit with her in the cafeteria so she could introduce me to her friends. And there’s this really cute boy in my math class.”

“Uh-oh,” Frannie said.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let him get in the way of my studies. He’s just eye-candy.”

Frannie laughed, then told Mandy about her meeting with the mental health center. Although she had mentioned it briefly—there had been so much to do since Mandy’s arrival—she hadn’t given her the details.

“Congratulations, Mom!” Mandy said. “I’m so proud and happy for you.”

Frannie almost choked up when her daughter mentioned being proud of her. “Thank you, honey. I hope you’re equally happy when I tell you that you’re going to have to ride the bus home several times a week. I still have a few more classes to take.”

“Oh.” The girl did not sound happy.

“You’ll only have to take it two or three times a week,” Frannie said.

Mandy sighed. “It’s not my favorite mode of transportation, but okay.” She suddenly laughed. “Maybe Clay should have bought me a pony after all. I could tie it to the bicycle stand.”

“So, do you think you’ll be okay by yourself on the days I have classes?”

“I’m thirteen years old, Mom. I think I can manage for a couple of hours. I’ll use part of that time to do my homework and chores.”

Frannie hadn’t given any thought to chores. She still had a lot to learn about being a mother. “Chores would be very helpful,” she said. “After you study.”

“I could paint the bathroom.”

“Umm. We might have to hold off on the bathroom, honey. That’s going to be a
joint
task.”

“You don’t trust me with a gallon of paint, do you? Admit it, Mom.”

“Okay, I’ll admit it. I don’t trust you with a gallon of paint. I barely trust myself.”

“I’m starving. What are we having for dinner?”

“Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Remember our deal. I’ll let you eat junk food a couple of times a week, but you have to eat vegetables to make up for all the toxins.”

“May I at least have a snack when we get home?”

“Absolutely. In fact, I’ve already prepared one for you. I hope you like Brussels sprouts.”

Mandy’s jaw almost dropped to her collar bone. “For real?”

Frannie grinned. “No, honey. You can have milk and cookies.”

“Wow, that’s a relief. For a minute there I thought I was going to have to write mean things about you in my diary.”

Clay followed his father into the den and sat on the leather sofa while Walter made each of them a drink. “You look like you could use a stiff one, Son,” he said. “Is everything okay?”

“I’ve been working long hours. Trying to finish up two houses, getting ready to start another one.”

“Business must be good.”

“Yeah.”

“So why the glum face?” Walter asked. “As if I don’t already know.”

“If you know so much, why are you asking?”

“Because I’m worried about you. I can’t believe you and Frannie haven’t worked things out by now.”