Inescapable (24 page)

I laughed. “When I found out you were delivering on Thursdays, I always found a way to be in town so I could see you. Thursdays were my favorite days. I couldn't wait until that old delivery van drove into town.”

“You know what? You're even more beautiful now, Lizzie. I still see the girl in you, but there's a woman in your eyes as well. And I love them both.”

I could feel that same pull that had led me down the wrong path years ago, so I gently dislodged my hands from his. “It's getting late, Clay. I've got to get some sleep. Tomorrow morning will be here very early.”

He looked at his watch. “Yikes. You're right. Sorry.”

“That's okay. When Cora gets back, I'll take a few days off. Maybe you could spend some time with Charity and me? We could go into Washington for lunch.”

He chuckled. “Manhattan's larger than Washington and only an hour and a half away. They have all kinds of restaurants and a very nice mall. I'll bet they're decorated for Christmas. Maybe we could even take Charity to see Santa Claus.”

“That would make her so happy, Clay.”

“Then it's a date.” He put on his coat and pulled on his hat and gloves. “Walk me to the door?”

I got up, linked my arm through his, and we strolled together to the front entrance.

“This has been a wonderful evening,” I said.

“The best night of my life.” He leaned down and kissed me softly. “I'll call you tomorrow.”

“You have Cora's number?”

He nodded. “Got it the first day I came here. I had no intention of letting you get away from me again.”

He kissed me once more and then walked out the door. I watched as he got in his car and drove away. Then I turned off the light and stood in the darkness. “Oh, God, this is all I ever wanted. To have a family. A father for Charity. Why can't I just jump in with both feet and take this wonderful gift you've given me? Am I afraid of being hurt again? Please help me. Show me what to do.”

I picked up the vase of roses Clay had given me and began to climb the stairs. A face filled my mind. It should have been Clay's, but it wasn't. It was Noah's, and there was a sadness in his deep green eyes that echoed the ache in my heart.

Wednesday morning was busy.
An odd-looking sky caused me to turn on the old battery-operated radio Cora kept in the kitchen. Another major storm was headed our way, and this one had the potential to be much more serious than the smaller storm that had passed through over the weekend. The predicted snow totals were significant. I couldn't be sure just why that brought so many people into the restaurant, but I suspected they were worried they'd be snowed in for a while. Getting one last chance to see their friends before the storm hit was too inviting to pass up.

A few customers asked about buying extra supplies from me. I had no idea what to do about their requests. Avery heard me talking to one old farmer who lived alone about a mile out of town and wanted to purchase some eggs and milk. Avery called me over to his table after we finished our conversation.

“Cora gives folks whatever they need during emergencies if she's got it,” he said. “And they always pay her back. But don't put yourself at risk. Be sure you have what you need.”

“I know we get a lot of storms out here,” I said, “but snow doesn't necessarily mean everyone will be trapped inside.”

“You lived in town when we had big storms. You'll find it's mostly the single farmers who need help. Most of 'em don't can fruits and vegetables for the hard winter months while lots of the womenfolk do. And gettin' stuck out in the country is a bit different than it is in town. We can all help each other get around, and our horses can be ridden without a buggy through pretty deep drifts. But living miles out of Kingdom with no one nearby can get pretty scary.”

“Now that you mention it, I do recall Mother and Father taking food to folks who lived a ways out after particularly bad snowstorms. Can't imagine why I forgot about that.”

“Your folks have always been right good about takin' care of their neighbors. Your mama puts up tomatoes, peaches, beans, and jams every summer and fall. A lot of them jars are for her neighbors. Not just for her and your pa.”

I laughed. “Boy, I sure remember how hot the kitchen got when she was canning. I'd leave the house and walk to the creek, just trying to cool off.”

“My wife did the same thing. The house was so steamy I never could figure out how she managed not to faint dead away.” I could hear the sadness in his voice when he mentioned her.

“Hey, thanks for letting me know what to do about the supplies. You've been such a blessing to me and Charity. We love the furniture you gave us. If you ever want it back . . .”

He shook his head with vigor. “Ain't no reason for stuff to sit around gatherin' dust. Berlene has a new life far from here. She don't need it anymore. I'm grateful it's bein' used.” His face, creased by years of working in the sun, wrinkled in a rare smile. “It does me good to see you and your little girl makin' a life here. Sometimes I kinda pretend you're my Berlene.”

I smiled at him, touched by his heartfelt sentiment. “You know, I really haven't properly thanked you for that furniture. Why don't you come over for a late dinner one of these nights after the restaurant closes? I'll ask Ruth and Myra too. I know they'd love to spend some time with you, and I would too.”

The old man nodded slowly. “I'd really like that, Elizabeth. I'd like that very much. Lately I've been spendin' way too much time alone. It would be real nice to sit down and share a meal with good people. Thank you.”

“I look forward to it, Avery. I'll figure out a night that will work and get back to you.”

He didn't respond, but I was happy my invitation pleased him. I just wished I'd thought of it sooner. On the way back to the kitchen, I began to understand that this restaurant really was more than just a place to eat. I thought back to something Cora had said when she'd petitioned my father all those years ago. She'd said the restaurant would be a ministry. A place that felt like home. And that's what it was. Although it had crept up on me slowly, I realized my job was starting to become important to me. And not just because it provided for Charity and me. It mattered. It gave people a place to belong. And no one knew more than I how vital that was.

I was filling up another pot of coffee when the sound of a bell startled me, almost causing me to drop the carafe on the floor. What in the world was that? I whirled around and realized it was Cora's phone. It was the first time I'd heard it ring. I grabbed the receiver.

“Hello?”

Cora's voice came over the line. “Is that you, Lizzie?”

“Yes, it's me, Cora. How are you? How's your sister?”

“Well, that's just it, honey,” she said. “She's not good. Not good at all.”

“I'm so sorry. I've been praying for her.”

“Thank you, Lizzie. That's probably what's keepin' her goin'. How are things goin' back there?”

I gave her a quick rundown of the past several days, assuring her that everything was fine. Since I had her on the phone, I confirmed Avery's information about sharing kitchen supplies with Kingdom residents.

“Avery's got it right. You give folks what they need. Keep some notes so we'll know where everything went, but I've never known a one of 'em not to pay me back. Usually with more than they borrowed. And after the roads clear, if you run low on supplies, you go to Washington like I told you.”

“Okay. Will do. When are you coming home?”

There was a long pause. Finally she said, “I just don't know, honey. It might be a while. And when I do come back, it will just be to get my stuff and sell my house. My sister needs me, Lizzie. I'll be movin' up here with her for good. Or for at least as long as she's alive. The doctor tells me that could be quite a while. MS patients can live long lives, but they need an awful lot of help.”

I was stunned. “But what does that mean, Cora? What about the restaurant?”

“I been thinkin' a lot about that, Lizzie. Why don't you buy it from me?”

I snorted. “I don't have a dime to my name. How in the world could I do that?”

She laughed. “When I get back, we'll sit down and hash it out. We'll come up with a fair price, and you'll just send me what you can when you have it. My sister's well-to-do, so I don't need much up here. You send me a little every month until it's paid off. I promise to make you a good deal.”

“I don't know. I mean, I'll have to think about it. Is that all right?”

“Of course it is. You take all the time you need. I'll probably be here at least another three weeks. Will you be okay until then? Do you have enough money?”

“Yes, you left me quite a bit. Besides, there's also the money we're taking in. I'm sure there's enough for three weeks.”

“Okay. Well, I gotta go, honey. I'll call you again soon. Oh, and if you need me, my sister's number is in my personal phone book in the little drawer to the left of the sink. Her name's Georgia Ballwin. Don't be afraid to call me. Sorry I didn't give you the number before I left. I was just so flustered I didn't think about it.”

“It's okay. We miss you.”

“And I miss you too, Lizzie. How's Charity?”

“She's doing just fine. I plan to start her in school after the Christmas break.”

“Why, that's great news. Leah's a wonderful teacher, and she'll fall in love with Charity, just like I did.”

I could hear someone talking in the background. “I gotta go, honey. But you take care. And think about what I said.”

I promised I would and hung up the phone. Then I leaned against the wall and considered her offer. Actually, it appealed to me. But what about Seattle? Clay promised Charity would go to excellent schools and have everything a girl could want if we went with him. Didn't I owe my daughter the best I could give her? Why was I even considering the idea of staying in Kingdom to run a restaurant?

Thoughts tumbled around in my head like sightless birds flying into each other. I wasn't doing myself any good thinking it over now. I had to find out what was happening in Kansas City before I could make any future plans.

Folks piled into the restaurant through lunch, but around one thirty the snow began in earnest and everyone headed for home. I'd hoped Clay would come in, but with the weather the way it was, I doubted he'd leave Belleville. My mother came into the kitchen, carrying dirty dishes.

“Mother, you need to head out. It's liable to get bad.”

She was silent as she scraped off the plates.

“Mother? Did you hear me?”

“I . . . I wonder if I might be able to stay with you again, Daughter. I put some extra clothes and things in the buggy in case you would say yes.” She smiled sadly at me. “I find the house so lonely since your father left. I would like to be with someone I love. Especially if the storm snows us in for a while.”

I went over and put my arms around her. “Of course you can stay. You don't even need to ask. We love having you here.”

She sighed. “Thank you, Elizabeth Lynn. But please, I will sleep on the couch. You do not need to give up your bed for me.”

“Don't be silly. The couch is perfectly comfortable. And I must confess, when I put logs in the stove, I feel so comfortable and cozy that I've spent a couple of nights on the couch just because I love that room so much.”

She gently pulled herself out of my embrace. “Then I will also confess that many nights I would tell your father I needed to stay up and sew just so I could nod off in my rocking chair in front of the fire.”

“I remember Father chiding you for falling asleep in your chair. So you did it on purpose?”

She nodded. “There is something about a warm fire on a cold night that makes me feel so secure. Strange, is it not?”

“Well, if it is, I'm just as strange as you are.”

She laughed lightly. “I will clean up the rest of the dishes, but then I must move Blackie to your father's shop. He will need to be protected from the storm.”

I shook my head. “Why don't you do that now, before it gets any worse? I'll finish up the dishes.”

She nodded. “Thank you, Daughter. That might be best.”

I hadn't gotten the chance to tell her about Cora's offer, but that could wait for a more opportune moment. I was rinsing off the dishes when the phone rang again. As with the first time, I almost jumped out of my shoes. Twice in one day. Maybe it was Cora calling back. I picked up the phone. It was Clay.

“Lizzie, I wanted to come out there today, but with the storm moving in, it might be better if I stay put.”

Disappointment flooded through me even though I was expecting the news. “I understand, Clay. I think it's wise. Sounds like it might be a pretty big storm.”

There was silence for a moment. “Lizzie,” Clay said finally, an odd tone in his voice, “one of the reasons I wanted to see you today is because I have some news. I'm afraid it will upset you.”

My stomach turned over. “What is it?”

“I heard back from my contact in Kansas City, and it's not good.”

My knees suddenly felt weak. I grabbed Charity's small chair, pulled it over near the phone, and slumped down. Thankfully, she was drawing in the dining room, since all our customers were gone.

“Just tell me, Clay. What did he say?”

I could hear him take a deep breath. “They're definitely looking for you. Harbor House has filed charges against you for embezzlement, and the story has hit the newspaper. So far, they're not naming you in the press. They're just calling you a ‘former employee.' If there's any good news, it's that no one knows where you are. That guy, Parsons, if he was hired by someone at Harbor House, never got the chance to reveal your location. My source knows some guy named Webb on the city council who's dating that Reba woman who's running Harbor House, so I'm sure this information is accurate.”

“Are you sure your source won't tell Commissioner Webb about me?”

He snorted. “I said he knows the guy. I didn't say he liked him. Seems Webb has a pretty rotten reputation. You can be assured my contact won't say anything that will lead to your location. But Lizzie, I think you can see how important it is that we get out of here as soon as possible. I'll take you and Charity to Seattle. No one will ever find you there. You'll both be safe.”

My head swam, and I felt faint. “I thought about going back to face these charges, Clay. But how can I put Charity through that?”

“I understand,” he said gently, “and I agree. I'll take care of you, Lizzie. I promise. You need to start packing. As soon as this storm moves out, we have to go. There's no time to lose.”

“All right. We'll be ready.”

“I love you, Lizzie. Everything will be all right. Trust me.”

“I . . . I do. We'll see you soon.”

We both said good-bye and hung up. I sat there, rocking back and forth with my hands wrapped around my knees. So there it was. The decision had been made for me. I wanted to feel grateful that Charity and I had a place to go. But the idea of leaving Kingdom, my mother, and this wonderful restaurant, especially after Cora's offer, hurt me inside. Somewhere along the way, I'd fallen in love with this town and its people. A place I couldn't wait to get away from had become home. Now I'd have to leave. Again.

And though I didn't want to think about him, I couldn't get Noah out of my mind. How could I explain the situation to him? The idea of leaving him made it hard for me to catch my breath. Unfortunately, I had no other choice. I had to get Charity away from danger. Besides, Clay loved me. He would give us a good home.

I forced myself to stand up and finish the dishes. Mother came back after taking Blackie to shelter, and Charity, finding that she had both of us captive, used the situation to make us play Candy Land. I made hot chocolate and brought out a plate of cookies. Then I stoked the fire in the large fireplace and added several logs. We stayed downstairs so we could watch the storm through the large windows in the front of the restaurant.