Heavenly Corners Read online

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  “Autopsy inconclusive. Waiting on tox screen.”

  “??????????”

  I kept the information to myself. I knew it was a solid lead if it was murder, and I didn’t want to discuss it. I heard the town hall clock chime five o’clock, and it was time to lock up and go home. I looked down at Yummy and knew I needed a much longer leash to let him roam through my backyard. It was a good thing the hardware store was open until six.

  #######

  I couldn’t leave Yummy in the car, so I carried his carrier in my hand when I pushed through the door of Cavanaugh Hardware. The Cavanaughs had owned the hardware store as long as my family has owned the bookstore, but refused to name it Heavenly Hardware. Townsfolk said the first Cavanaugh thought the name sounded too feminine. He wanted the store to cater to men who wanted to build and prosper their homes and farms. Hence, Cavanaugh Hardware is one of the few stores in town not named after Heavenly Corners.

  I set the carrier on the counter and said, “Excuse me.”

  A man nearly six feet tall with dark blonde hair graying gracefully on the sides and deep hazel eyes turned and smiled. I think he’s a man, or possibly a Greek god. I swallowed. He’s the first man that’s caught my eye since Steve. I smiled back.

  He gazed at me intently and said, “As I live and breathe, Annie. Annie Ryan how the heck are you?”

  A moment went by, and it struck me. I was in Cavanaugh Hardware staring into the eyes of Clark Cavanaugh.

  “Clark, I’m fine thanks. How are you? I heard you were back in town.”

  He smiled at me again, and I remembered back to when Steve and I were in high school. Clark was two years ahead of us, but a popular guy everyone knew and liked. I heard he was planning to come back to town after his parents were injured. Mr. Cavanaugh needed knee surgery when a branch from a tree he was trimming fell on him. Mrs. Cavanaugh thought she would take care of the store and fell off a ladder and injured her back. They were both laid up, and Clark came back to town to help out in the store.

  “What can I help you with this evening, Annie? Who’s this little fella?” He looked into the dog carrier, and Yummy yipped at him. Clark laughed.

  “I was thinking about buying some sturdy rope to keep Yummy from running off. I just inherited him today. He needs to run around my backyard.”

  Clark threw his head back and let out a loud belly laugh. “Yummy, you named that little ball of fur Yummy?”

  Yummy was barking at the sound of his name.

  “Hey, I didn’t name him, but his name fits him. He was Inga’s dog. She wanted me to have him.” I bit my lip to keep tears from my eyes as I placed my arm protectively over his carrier.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you both. I think we can do better than a length of rope.” He motioned for me to follow him to the side of the store.

  Clark showed me a modular puppy run that was the right size for Yummy. He couldn’t jump out, and it gave him several feet in all directions to run around. I could put it next to my patio and watch him. It was ideal.

  I looked at Clark and asked, “Is it hard to put together?” I scrunched my face at the directions on the box.

  He smiled. “It might be tricky. I could bring it over after I close the store and take dad home.”

  I nodded, walked back to the counter, handed over my credit card, thanked Clark, picked up Yummy’s carrier, and walked to my car.

  #######

  Clark arrived a little after seven and carried the puppy run box to my patio. I was amazed at how quickly he put it together. It looked like a puzzle to me. I also noticed how good he looked in jeans and a t-shirt.

  Knock it off, Annie. I thought. Then I thought some more. I heard through the town grapevine that he was divorced. It couldn’t hurt to be friendly. I was friendly with everyone, but maybe a little extra friendly could be fun. Goodness gracious Annie Ryan, what are you thinking? I thought to myself to shut up and smiled at Clark when he picked Yummy up and placed him in the puppy run.

  I walked over to the fenced in area and said, “Nice job. Yummy looks as if he’s enjoying it. Would you like a beer?”

  “Sounds great, thanks.” He walked over and dropped into a lawn chair as I hurried to get a beer and a wine cooler out of the fridge. I handed him his beer and sat in the chair across from him.

  He tipped the bottle back and while he took a long drink; I fumbled with the cap on my wine cooler. Darn it all, he looked good sitting there on my patio. I finally got the bottle cap off and took a sip.

  Say something, Annie, say something. You look like an idiot. My thoughts were driving me crazy. I took another sip and said, “I bet your folks are happy to have you back for a while to help out. Your mom was such a trooper helping your dad in the store, but she shouldn’t have tried to climb up to get something off the top shelf. I’m glad she’s out of the hospital now. Okay Annie, you can shut up now. I gulped more wine cooler. Goodness gracious, you’re babbling.

  “I was worried about them both when I heard the news, but it helped me make my decision.” He drank more beer and turned in his chair a bit to look straight into my eyes.

  Act interested, say something. I was dying to know what decision so I asked. “What decision, if you don’t mind my asking.”

  He smiled, “Not at all. I have moved back to Heavenly Corners permanently.”

  “Really?” I said my heart beating like a smitten schoolgirl. “You left San Diego for our cold winters?”

  “Yes, but it was more than for the winters.”

  I nodded and gulped more wine cooler. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I stumbled on my words and blurted out, “I hope it wasn’t anything bad that made you leave California.”

  Geez, Annie, you’re an idiot. He’s going to think your snooping in his life. Goodness gracious, you’re going to scare him off.

  “It was a lot of things. You know I joined the Navy right out of high school.”

  I nodded and finished my wine cooler wishing there was more.

  “I met a girl after I was there a few months. We were both young and eloped a month later. My son, Zach, was born before our first anniversary. First ten years were great, next five weren’t and we divorced. Zack was accepted at a college on the East Coast, and when mom and dad were hurt, there was nothing keeping me there. My boss understood; I put my condo on the market leaving it in the hands of a real estate friend to sell, and came back home to stay.”

  “Well, welcome home. I never left except for college. Steve, Georgie, Paul, and I attended the same college, so it was like being home. Would you like another beer?”

  He held up his hands, “I’m good, thanks. I heard about Steve. I was sorry to hear it. He was a great guy.”

  “Yeah, he was, but our daughter Laci has his sense of humor, so I feel he’s still around.” I lifted my empty bottle of wine cooler to my lips and took a last non-existent sip.

  Clark stood. “I should get going. Customers expect the hardware to be open early.”

  I stood, and walked him to the door. Clark stopped and looked at me, “Would you like to have dinner with me Friday evening, Annie?”

  I swallowed and said, “I can’t.”

  His smile fell.

  “I keep the store open until nine on Friday night,” I blurted, “but I close up on Saturday at five.”

  He smiled, “Saturday it is. Pick you up here at six?”

  “Great,” I said waving at him with the wine cooler bottle in my hand. “Nice move, Annie,” I mumbled as I closed the door.

  I exchanged the bottle for the phone and called Georgie. “Hi, guess what? Clark Cavanaugh asked me out for dinner on Saturday night. No, I’m not kidding.” I explained my evening and Yummy’s contribution. After thirty minutes of talking and a few giggles, I went to take a shower. Yummy whined the entire time I was in the shower.

  I bent over and looked at him, “Are you that attached to me already or do you miss Inga?” He yipped at me and dropped at my feet. “It must be me,” I murm
ured as I began to brush my teeth.

  At bedtime, I climbed into bed after placing a nice soft quilt on the floor for Yummy. He whined and yipped until I placed the quilt on the bottom of the bed and set him on it. Before I could turn off the lamp and lay my head on the pillow, Yummy was curled up in the middle of it. I moved him gently and tried to get a spot on the pillow before he claimed his spot again. We fidgeted, and I pushed him a bit and we both finally had a spot on the pillow and I fell asleep.

  #######

  I woke to wild yips, barking, and a knocking coming from downstairs. I threw on my robe and rushed downstairs to find Aunt Irene knocking at the patio door and Yummy acting as if he was having some sort of breakdown. Aunt Irene’s eyes were big as she pointed at Yummy through the patio door. Yummy was running in circles favoring his right paw and yipping. I opened the patio door. Aunt Irene walked in, picked Yummy up, and he immediately settled into her arms.

  “What are you doing with Yummy?” She asked squinting at me.

  “It’s a long story. Would you like some breakfast? She nodded and walked out the door and placed Yummy in the puppy run.

  She walked back in the house and said, “I think he hurt his leg. He’s limping a bit. I checked it. It’s not broken. Why is he here?” She sat at the kitchen table while I started the coffee maker.

  I sat with her and explained how I became Yummy’s owner and my guess that his paw hurts because he must have jumped off my bed when he heard her knock at my door.

  “I think I’ll have to get a box for him to use as a step because he refuses to sleep anywhere except my pillow.” I rubbed my forehead with my fingertips.

  Aunt Irene laughed. “He always slept with Inga, too. He must be used to it.”

  “Well, I’m not. I haven’t slept in a bed with anyone except Laci on a bad stormy night for years. I might roll over and squash him. Coffee’s ready,” I said standing and grabbing two mugs off the mug rack. Filling them, I set them back down on the table.

  Aunt Irene laughed again. “Do you have any of those waffles left from last week? I knew you were going to freeze some of them. I’d love one or two with strawberry preserves. I have some preserves at home if you’re out.” She picked up her mug with two hands and took a sip of black coffee.

  “I have some waffles left. Let me heat them in the oven so they stay crisp.” I turned the oven on and sat back down.

  Aunt Irene looked at me and said, “Inga’s final wishes do not include a funeral. She’s going to be cremated without any service, and the funeral home is going to take care of having her ashes scattered. She and Rupert owned quite a bit of land up north, and that is where her ashes will be scattered. The church quilting club is going to hold a memorial luncheon after a proper amount of time.”

  I pulled the waffles out of the oven and placed two on a plate for Aunt Irene and two for myself. Setting a jar of strawberry preserves and a long handled spoon to scoop out the preserves on the table, we dug into our breakfast. When we finished, Aunt Irene walked outside and talked to Yummy. I filled his food and water bowls before I brought him back inside. He stopped limping, but I decided to check work for a box anyway. Aunt Irene waved as she made her way back to her cottage. I watched her feeling happy she lived close. I missed Laci and my parents. Having a family member close was heartwarming.

  Chapter Six

  The rest of the week dragged by slower than melting snow in January. I had the usual amount of customers and gossipers, but my mind was on Saturday night’s dinner. Georgie stopped by after lunch on Saturday. She walked in and turned the sign on my front door to “closed.”

  “What in the world are you doing? It isn’t even two o’clock.” I said as I tried to get past her to turn the sign back.

  She grabbed my arm. “Wait, I have a question.”

  “What? I could lose a customer.” I tried to pull my arm back, but she had her fingers wrapped in my sweater.

  She let go and crossed her arms. “Annie Ryan when is the last time you went out to dinner?”

  “Last Sunday I took Aunt Irene to brunch at McNally’s after church.” I scrunched my eyebrows and asked, “Why?”

  Georgie rolled her eyes, “Okay, when did you last go on a date?”

  I twisted my lip and said, “College.”

  She doubled over in laughter causing Yummy to bark and dance around her. I tried to explain there was a reason I haven’t been on a date, and she knew better than anyone why and she laughed harder.

  Finally, she dropped into a chair to catch her breath and said, “Get your purse, we’re going shopping.”

  “For what?” I shook my head and headed for the door again.

  Georgie called after me. “You need something sexy for tonight and something made in this decade. When’s the last time you bought anything except jeans and sweaters or shorts and tanks?”

  I stopped dead in my tracks. She had me there. Jeans, sweaters, shorts and t-shirts or tank tops were a big part of my wardrobe. I spun and said, “I have several dresses I wear to church. I’ll look fine.”

  “You’ll look like one of the ladies from the quilting circle.” Georgie laughed again. “Did you miss the word ‘sexy’ in my description of what you need? C’mon we’re going shopping.”

  “I can’t, I have Yummy.” I smiled smugly and walked away.

  Georgie picked him up and placed him in his carrier. “Inga took Yummy everywhere, so will we. Let’s go. He’s ready.”

  I turned and looked at Georgie standing there holding Yummy’s carrier. His traitorous little face looked happy to be going somewhere with her.

  “Goodness gracious, Georgie. Fine, I’ll go,” I said. I grabbed my purse, and we headed out the back door to shop.

  #######

  I found a pretty blue silk blouse that would look great with a new pair of jeans, but Georgie yanked it out of my hands and hung it back on the rack. When she dragged me to the dress department, I knew I was doomed. A couple of hours later I was dressed in a silky burgundy colored dress that showed way too much cleavage. Georgie thought it should show more. That girl is crazy. The dress is above my knees and thank goodness I still have passable looking legs. Georgie said they are great legs, but I have my doubts. Here I am staring at myself in my bedroom mirror wondering what made me let Georgie convince me to buy this dress.

  Don’t blame her Annie, You know darn well you like this dress. Your light brown curls bounce just above your shoulders and look good with the dress color. Goodness gracious, am I trying to convince myself or do I look good. I think I look good.

  I leaned closer to look at my face. Georgie insisted on putting on my makeup before she declared I looked perfect and ran off for home. She left before I could get a good look at myself. I think I am wearing too much makeup, but I don’t know how to fix it without messing it up. Ugh! Well, maybe the makeup makes my brown eyes look bigger. I sat on the bed and stared at my image in the mirror.

  Too late now, Annie. Let’s hope Clark doesn’t think you’re easy. Can you still be easy at forty- two or is it called something else. No, easy is easy. Goodness gracious. I should call and cancel. Darn, the doorbell.

  I opened the door and smiled at Clark standing there in a dark blue suit. His smile let me know he liked what he saw.

  Slow down heart, it’s just a date with an old friend. Oh no, a date. Does he think I look easy? Is that why he’s smiling. I’m going to strangle Georgie.

  I opened the door wide and invited him in.

  Clark walked in and smiled at me again. My mind raced trying to think of something to say. Thankfully, Clark spoke first.

  “You look lovely tonight, Annie.” He interlaced his fingers in front of him.

  My mind went blank again. Speak, Annie, speak.

  “You do, too” Brilliant Annie, you sound like an idiot.

  “I mean you look very nice in a suit.” Like that was better, Annie. He’s going to turn around and leave.

  I swallowed, took a breath, and tried again. “
Would you like to sit and can I get you something?”

  “I made a reservation at Dunber’s Steak House and it’s in a little over twenty minutes. I think we have enough time to get there if we leave now.” He smiled again.

  Why does he keep smiling? Is he as nervous as I am? He can’t be; he must have dated other women. Date…there is that word again. Is this a date? Oh goodness, Annie, get a grip.

  “Sounds wonderful,” I said grabbing my purse and a black wrap because April evenings can get a bit chilly.

  Clark was a gentleman and opened the car door for me. While he walked around the car to get into the driver’s seat, I had enough time for a couple of deep breaths to get my hands to stop shaking. I felt like I was in high school again.

  Clark and I discussed my bookstore and his parent’s hardware store on the way to Dunber’s. It helped me relax and by the time Clark parked the car we were laughing and I felt relaxed. He placed his hand on the small of my back as he guided me through the door opened by a young man dressed in black slacks and a white shirt. I haven’t been to Dunber’s in years. It was nice to know it was still a nice place for dinner.

  Clark spoke to the hostess, and she asked us to follow her when I stopped and felt the wind knocked out of me. It was her. Here of all places and tonight. Why? I hurried to catch up to Clark, but I felt Claudine’s eyes burning into my back. Thankfully, we were seated across the restaurant, and my back was to the section where Claudine sat.

  Clark knitted his brows and asked, “Is everything all right?”

  “What? Yes, of course.” I tried to smile my best smile.

  “Annie? What’s up? I can tell. You’re pale and look as if someone is after you.” He reached across the table and took my hand. “You can tell me if there’s a problem.”

  Tell him, Annie. It’ll be all over town, and he’ll figure it out anyway. No sense in starting a friendship on a lie.