The Sweetheart Deal

“Nothing this weekend won’t help.” She started to clear her throat and turned away from the food. “Sorry. Smoker’s cough.”

“I thought you gave that up.”

“It comes and goes. Right now, it’s my nasty habit.” She turned and looked at Kelly, who had brought in their overnight bags. “You warn your sister about this weekend?”

Megs raised one eyebrow. “And ruin my fun? I don’t think so.”

Penny laughed then started to cough again. “I really gotta quit for good this time.”

Megs put her hand on her friend’s arm, then walked into the living area where a fire had been lit in the wood-burning stove. The mulled wine was already in the pot on top of the stove. She took the wooden spoon resting on a shelf above and gave the wine and fruit a stir. The front door opened, and she greeted Lizzie Allyn. “You’re off work for the weekend?”

“Didn’t want to not participate in the shenanigans again.” She pulled her wheeled suitcase inside and placed it near the pile with the others. “Did I miss anything?”

“Just baby pictures of Jack.”

Penny and Shelby had started the girls-only weekend a few years ago. And each year, the festivities got bigger and louder. Friday night was mulled wine and catching up with everyone. Saturday meant hiking with canteens of wine, a huge dinner, then a pajama fashion show and board games. Sunday was a big brunch after sleeping in late. Megs rarely took a weekend off from the bakery, but it was always this one. She wouldn’t dare miss the party.

Kelly walked back into the living room. “Here’s a picture of Rick, our now illustrious mayor, with Jack mooning the cheerleaders.” She chuckled. “I forgot about that. It’s amazing what the years can do to your memories.”

“I was there, and trust me, I’d rather forget it.” Penny carried the platter of cheese and crackers into the living room and placed it on the coffee table. “Seems we’re all here if we want to get this party started.”

Shelby returned to the living room followed by Lizzie, Suzy, Page, Tori and Presley. “Now that roll call’s been taken, I’m starving. Is it all ready?”

“Yes, no thanks to you.” Penny brought over a tray of mugs and balanced it on the seat of a chair from the dining room. “Would someone like to serve the wine?”

Since she was standing near the stove, Megs did the honors of ladling the hot spiced wine into the mugs and distributing them to each woman. All but Lizzie. “I can’t.”

Conversations stopped as the group turned toward her. Suzy asked what they were all thinking. “Why, Mrs. Allyn, are you pregnant?”

Lizzie’s cheeks colored. “I wish. We’ve been trying, but nothing’s happened. I’m off alcohol and caffeine to boost our chances.” She got up from the sofa and walked into the kitchen to get a bottle of water from the fridge. She turned back to find them watching her. “It’s no big deal.”

Suzy put her mug down. “We don’t have to drink this weekend if it would make you feel uncomfortable.”

Lizzie waved her hand at her. “No, don’t abstain on my account. I’m fine.” She took a seat on the sofa. “Well, not completely fine. I mean, I’m failing as a woman since I can’t even get pregnant.”

Page, ever the counselor, shook her head, her long blond curls moving in waves as she did so. “A woman’s sole purpose is not to have a baby, Liz. You shouldn’t accept that as a failure on your part.”

“It feels like it, though.” She raised her head, tears glistening in her eyes. “But Rick’s been great. He’s trying so hard to cheer me up.” She gave a soft smile. “He even surprised me one night by wearing my pink teddy to bed.”

Shelby covered her eyes. “Don’t want that image in my head.”

“He only did it to get me to laugh. And it worked. Especially when he couldn’t get out of it, and I had to cut the thing off him.”

The women chortled and sipped their wine. Penny looked around at the other women. “Matt and I...lost another baby this past October.” She put a hand on her flat belly. “My problem isn’t getting pregnant, but staying so. My ob-gyn doesn’t know why the miscarriages keep happening.”

Shelby reached over and put a hand over her sister’s. “I had a feeling something was wrong. Why didn’t you tell me?”

The sisters shared a glance. “Matt and I had agreed not to tell anyone until I was past the three-month point. I couldn’t tell you.”

“Well, Mom figured it out.” Shelby rushed on before her sister could reply. “She didn’t say anything to anyone but me, so no one but those of us here know.”

Megs leaned in close to Kelly. “That’s one of the rules this weekend. Whatever is shared between us stays here. Consequences of sharing our secrets is pretty stiff, too.”

Kelly nodded and glanced around at the other women. “I want to thank you for including me this weekend. Megs has told me about her wild weekends before, but I’m glad to be a part of it this year.”

“Me, too.” Presley, a tall redhead, lifted her mug. “Thank you for the invite.”

Suzy put her arm around her friend and squeezed. “I had to include both you and Page this year. You’re my besties.”

“How’s Will surviving with little Ben on his own?” Page asked.

Suzy shrugged. “His mom’s staying with him over the weekend, so he’s not exactly alone. And as they say, not my circus, not my monkeys.”

“Plus he’s watching my twins, don’t forget,” said Tori. “So he’s going to have his hands full. But my brother was a marine. He’ll be fine.” Tori saluted her sister-in-law with her mug. “I need more wine. There seems to be a hole in this cup. It’s empty already.”

She rose from her seated position on the floor and went to the stove and held up the ladle. “Anyone else?”

Kelly joined her and got her mug refilled. Megs stared down into hers. This weekend seemed to be starting on a negative note. She got to her feet and joined them at the stove for a refill. More wine would be good.

Shelby cleared her throat. “Okay, I have some good news. I’ll be finishing my associate’s degree in business management this May.” She gave a short laugh. “A two-year degree that’s only taken me four to finish.”

“That’s great news!” Tori took her seat on the floor again. “Does that mean your boss, Walt, will give you a raise now? You’ve been managing his cottage and rental property business for a while.”

“Which is why getting my degree has taken four years.” Shelby shrugged. “We haven’t talked about it, but when he comes back this spring from Florida I’ll really need to nail him down about my future there.”

“Walt’s getting up in years. You might want to talk to him about taking over the cottages when he retires.” Penny shrugged when her sister stared at her. “What? You’ve talked about that before. I’m only saying it out loud.”

“He has a grandson with a fancy degree to inherit them.”

“A grandson who hasn’t been back to Michigan in how many years? While you’ve been putting in your own blood and sweat into this place. More than any of the Austins, so why not ask for what’s due to you?” Penny sipped her wine.

“It’s an idea.” Shelby took a napkin from the stack on the coffee table and filled it with several rounds of cheese and crackers. “Who else has news?” She turned to Megs. “What are you going to do about the bakery?”

The one topic she’d been hoping to avoid. Megs sipped her wine rather than answering. Kelly leaned in as if to share gossip. “She went to the bank this past week and talked to Adam about getting a business loan to rebuild.”

“That man is seriously hot.” Page fanned herself. “And I heard he’s single.”

“He can stay that way for all I care.” Megs rose to her feet and walked into the kitchen to grab the box of mini éclairs and cream puffs. She pulled out a plastic plate and put the empty box to the side before taking the pastries into the living room. “We all remember what he was like in high school.”

Presley raised her hand. “Not all of us grew up here, so no, I don’t.” She glanced at Page. “And you were in the next town over.”

Page shrugged and picked a cream puff. “I still heard stories about him, though.” She glanced at Megs. “A real heartbreaker with the ladies.”

Megs bristled. “And a big bully to boot. He took delight in hurting those weaker than him.” She loaded her napkin with mini éclairs. “I’d rather not talk about him if that’s okay.”

“I sense a story there.” Presley looked to Kelly who shook her head. “But you don’t have to talk about him if you don’t want to.”

“I have some good news.” Kelly glanced at all of them then smiled widely. “Sam called me to say that a couple of the songs we wrote together sold and will be on Tyler Wilson’s next album.” Everyone hooted and cheered.

Her sister, the songwriter. Megs grinned. Who would have thought? Kelly the singer, sure. But she hadn’t known her sister had the writing talent until she’d sung a song she’d cowritten with Sam last November. “And that’s only the beginning for you both.”

“Any wedding bells ringing for you two yet?”

Kelly blushed but shrugged at Penny. “Who knows? We have to sort out what’s going to happen to Grammy’s house. Do we sell it or not? Brandy said we have time before the real estate season really starts, but we need to make some decisions. And soon.”

“Where is Brandy, by the way?” Suzy glanced at Lizzie. “I thought you invited her.”

“I did, but she called this morning and said she wasn’t feeling well.”

Suzy nodded. “The flu is getting around. Half of my patients have it and pass on their germs to the other half. It’s a never-ending cycle.”

Tori stood and lifted her mug. “Ladies, here’s to good health and hanging on to it.”

They all clinked their mugs and settled in to devouring the pastries and finishing off the mulled wine.

* * *

THE MORNING LIGHT peeked in through the slats of the vertical blinds that covered the large picture window in the living room. Megs took her top pillow and placed it over her face. Way too early to be thinking about getting up after a night of drinking many mugs of mulled wine. She rolled over to find Shelby percolating coffee using an ancient kettle on top of the wood-burning stove. Another tradition.

Megs sat up and gave a long yawn while stretching her arms up and out. Might as well get the doughnuts and strudel ready for the morning meal. She stacked her pillows next to Shelby’s in the corner and folded her blankets beside them. “How long have you been up?”

Shelby shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep. I’ve been stuck on what Penny said about asking Walt to run the cottage business.” She glanced at Megs. “Think I could do it?”

“You’ve been working there since you were fifteen. If anyone knows that business, it’s you.” She walked into the kitchen and rinsed off a tray before placing a paper towel over it. She started to stack doughnuts on it. “It’s like the Sweetheart. It’s all I know.”

“So what are you going to do about the bakery?”

“Kelly was right. I’m applying for a loan, but Adam asked for a written business plan and I don’t know the first thing about that.”

“Hey, I could help you with that. No problem.” Shelby reached over and snagged a honey cruller. “That’s part of what I learned for my degree. Do you have time next week?”

“Time is all I have at the moment. Thanks.” Megs claimed one of the stools at the kitchen island and helped herself to a sour-cream doughnut. “Then maybe Adam will get off my back with this loan app.”

“You doing okay working with Adam?”

Megs made a face. “I guess. I mean, I told him that we couldn’t discuss the past. And absolutely no touching.”

“And he agreed just like that?”

He had, which puzzled her. The old Adam would have argued with her nonstop until he’d gotten whatever he wanted. Instead, the new Adam had gone along with her proposal.

As if he didn’t care.

“Just like that.” It had been too easy. He had to have some other kind of angle he was working on with her. Because he never did anything at face value. He always had a scheme going. “He doesn’t matter.”

“If you say so.”

More of the women started to stir, so Megs busied herself slicing the raspberry strudel that she’d made yesterday. She handed a slice on a napkin to Lizzie and a cup of herbal tea. “Thanks.”

“My Grammy had a recipe she called the baby maker. I’ll see if I can find it if you want to try it.”

Lizzie gave her a half smile. “I might take you up on that.” Penny clapped her hands. “I filled the canteens with wine, so once we’re dressed, we can go on our hike.”

Kelly whispered to Megs, “Hiking with wine? I don’t get it.”

“It’s not just a hike to the lake,” Megs explained. “We do a polar-bear plunge before we run back. The wine is to give us the courage to go out naked into the icy water.”

Kelly’s head snapped up. “Skinny-dipping in February? Isn’t the lake frozen over?”

“Not completely.” Megs shrugged. “You don’t have to if you’re chicken. Not everyone does it.” She winked at her sister then joined the others to get ready.

* * *

“I WANT TO see the man in charge!” The old man stood in the middle of the bank, hands on his hips. “They said he has money, and I need some.”

Adam saved his work on the computer then walked into the lobby. “I’m the branch manager. Why don’t you step into my office and we can discuss what you need?”

The man pushed Adam aside and took a seat in one of the chairs. He whistled as he took in the furnishings of the office. “No wonder this bank never has any money. You spend it all on decorating.”

Adam took a seat across from him and folded his hands on the desk in front of him. “Mr. Taber, right? You used to drive the school bus.”

The old man eyed him and gave a short nod. “For thirty-eight years, I picked you kids up and dropped you off. I’m retired from there now, but I work part-time at the hardware store.” He paused. “Or I did until that roof collapsed.”

“When do they expect the hardware store will reopen?”

“Few weeks, best they can tell.” Mr. Taber shook his head. “Problem is, I live on social security and that job. How can I pay my bills if I’m not working?”

Adam pulled out a pad of paper and started to take notes. “That’s a very good point, Mr. Taber. How much did you usually make at the store?”

“In a week? About one-fifty after taxes.” Mr. Taber shifted in his chair. “I wouldn’t normally complain, but that paid for groceries and gas in my car. No paycheck means I’m not eating.”

Adam wrote all of this down, then pulled out a withdrawal slip from a desk drawer. “Will three hundred dollars help you in the meantime?”

Mr. Taber’s eyes narrowed. “And what’s the catch? I done told you I’m not working, so I can’t pay it back.”

“We set up the community fund to help people like you survive until the hardware store reopens. And we don’t expect to get paid back.” Adam signed the slip. “Will tens and twenties be sufficient?”

The old man nodded. “Fine.”

Adam stood and left the office. He went up to one of his teller’s windows and waited as she ran the transaction and counted back the money. Adam placed it in an envelope and took it with him to his office where he held it out to Mr. Taber. “You’ll let me know if you need any more.”

Mr. Taber stared at the envelope. “Is this some kind of joke? I walk in with empty hands and walk out with cash? Maybe that’s why you people never have any money.”

“This all comes from donations, Mr. Taber.” He thrust the envelope in the man’s hand. “People want to help others like yourself in this community.”

“I never took no charity, but I appreciate the help.” He stuffed the cash in his coat pocket. “Now, are you done with me? Or can I get out of your hair?”

Adam shook his hand then saw him to the front door. He turned to find some of the other customers watching him. A woman approached him. “How do I donate to the community fund? Can I just write a check?”

Adam ushered her into his office. Sometimes you gave, but other times you received.

* * *

BEING A NEW MOM, Suzy had stayed behind to keep the wood-burning stove fed and roaring when they returned from their hike to the lake. She grinned at their wet heads. “You all did it?”

Kelly scowled at her sister and moved closer to the stove to warm up. Megs grabbed the wool blanket that she’d brought with her and draped it over her sister’s shoulders. “You’ve officially been initiated into the girls’ club.”

“Only had to freeze my nether regions to do it, too.” She grasped the ends of the blanket and pulled it around her.

Tori put her arm around her waist. “The only thing is that you can’t tell anyone about it. Otherwise, I’m sure we’d get a few spectators.”

“Jack.” Penny and Shelby nodded at each other. “If he only knew what we did in his cabin each year.”

Presley and Page joined Kelly near the fire while the veterans compared notes to years past. Suzy walked up to Megs and handed her her cell phone. “You got a call while you were out there.”

“Thanks.” Megs checked her caller ID and frowned at the unfamiliar phone number. She pressed Redial.

A male voice answered on the other end. “Megan? It’s Adam.”

She glanced at the other women, then walked quickly down the hallway to Jack’s study. She closed the door behind her. “Is something wrong?”

“I haven’t heard from you since we met on Thursday. I’d hoped to have your application so we can get moving on that loan.”

Right. The loan app. “I’m not home this weekend. It’s going to be the middle of next week before I have it ready for you.” Silence on the other end. She sighed. “I’m working on that business plan you asked for.”

“If you need assistance, I’d be glad...”

“No.” She winced at her tone and dropped her volume. “I mean, no, thank you. I’ve got someone who’s volunteered to help me.”

“Good.”

A moment of silence while Megs wondered why he’d call her on a Saturday morning. And how had he gotten her cell phone number? Probably from the listing on her personal account. She cleared her throat. “So I need to get back to my friends.”

“Sure. Have a good weekend, Megan.”

She hung up before she could tell him to do the same.

* * *

AT TWO, ADAM helped the tellers get their cash drawers back into the vault and shut the door, spinning the dials to secure it for the weekend. He’d hoped that by being in the office on the weekend, he’d get more traffic from the Lincoln Street business owners needing loans. He’d had one customer besides Mr. Taber. John Striker, who ran the hardware store. The damage had been minimal to his store, but enough to need some assistance.

He tried not to take the absence of the other business owners personally, but it looked as though his efforts to improve the relationship of the bank to the community had a long way to go. He walked his staff out to their cars after he’d locked the bank, then used his key fob to unlock the doors to his truck. He had his hand on the door handle, but he didn’t want to go home to an empty apartment just yet. He locked the truck again and decided to head toward downtown and the diner. Maybe a burger and fries would improve his mood.

He entered Rick’s diner and saw the mayor leaning on the counter as he chatted with a guy on one of the stools. Adam took a seat several stools down from him and perused a menu, even though he’d already made up his mind what to eat. Rick walked down the counter and put a glass of ice water in front of him. “Haven’t seen you in here since high school.”

“There’s a time for everything.” He put the menu down. “I’ll get the cheeseburger platter with a diet pop.”

“Good man.” Rick wrote the order down on a pad, then took Adam’s menu and placed it back on the stack near the register. “I’ll go put that in for you.”

Adam noted the other man at the counter. He had longish dark hair and a beard, but he looked familiar from his high school days. The name rested on the tip of his tongue, but it eluded him. Rick set a plastic opaque cup in front of him with his drink. He followed Adam’s gaze. “Jack Novakowski. I believe he was in your year at Lake Mildred High.”

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