Mommy in Training

“But these are in good shape.”

“Brigit at the library wants them, so they’ll be put to good use. They’re sending a truck here to pick them up.”

“I’m glad of that.” At first Matt thought he was going to need to transport the books to the library, too. He wouldn’t have minded, but his back and arms were already releasing a heartfelt sigh.

Sitting on one of the stacks of boxes, perched on the edge like a parakeet, so bright and vivid in her yellow and lime-green jogging suit, Mrs. Wy said, “Matt, we’ve been moving things out here for a whole week. Have you noticed that the place isn’t looking much emptier?”

He’d noticed that from the moment he’d lugged down a mattress and discovered five storage containers underneath it, each filled to the brim. “You, Mrs. Wy, are a pack rat.”

She laughed. “I didn’t think I was…but you may be right.”

“You have four different sets of china.”

She twisted her lips in a pretend pout. “And darn if I can’t use but one cup and plate at a time. Well, don’t worry about that. Minnie’s going to be here any minute to look at those dishes.”

That brought him up short, though he didn’t really know why. Minnie Clark had been a nice kid at one time, and seemed nice enough now. She was pretty to look at, if you were more into the girl-next-door type instead of cover-girl wanna-be’s.

“You close to her?” he asked, figuring he might as well get her whole story since Wanda seemed to be bringing her name up on a regular basis.

“We have gotten close over the years. Minnie is the type of genuine person that comes few and far between.” Mrs. Wy lowered her voice, even though there was just the two of them in the warm garage. “Her last beau was handsome as all get-out, but a real stick-in-the-mud, I’ll tell you that.”

Before he knew it, Matt was perched on a box of books, too, looking out her garage opening at two rows of rosebushes and feasting on gossip. “What happened?”

“Peter decided to move on to a bigger city and left Minnie in a state of shock.” She lowered her voice. “He’d led everyone to believe he was going to propose.”

“He never did?”

She paused and blew out a heartfelt sigh. “Nope. I tell you, when Minnie came knockin’ on my door, all teary-eyed and sputtering, I was sure she was going to be flashing a diamond, not telling me a tale about how Peter had cut and run. She was in a sad state, I’ll tell you that.”

Crossing her knees, Mrs. Wy confided, “I heard his rejection had a lot to do with little Kimber. He didn’t want any part in taking care of another guy’s child, even though that little dear is just about the cutest thing you ever saw.”

Though Matt guessed he could imagine some men not being too interested in a rival’s child, holding it against Minnie for taking in her orphaned niece was a whole other matter. “That guy, Peter, sounds like a—” he tried to come up with a term safe for a lady’s ears “—jerk.”

“Oh, he was a jerk.” Folding her arms over her chest, Mrs. Wy nodded. “It’s good he went. I never liked him anyway. But he could have been nicer about everything, you know? There was no need to just go on out there and trample poor Minnie’s heart. Especially when she was trying to do her best. Nobody deserves that.”

Matt was saved from saying a word by a sunny greeting from the topic of conversation herself. “Hello? Wanda, you around?”

“We’re in the garage!”

Footsteps click-clacked on the cement walkway that led from the front of the house to the garage in the back. Before he knew it, Matt was returning a smile just like the one Minnie was gifting Wanda with. “Hey.”

Her steps faltered. After nodding in his direction, she wandered over to his companion. “Wanda, you shouldn’t be outside in this heat. It’s gotta be ninety degrees in here.”

“I’m always cold. This feels better than that blasted air-conditioning.”

“You can change the thermostat. Raise it higher, you know. Then you won’t be so chilled inside.”

“I’m fine, dear.” Mrs. Wyzecki pointed to the boxes of china. “Matt brought these out, but it’s up to you to choose your set. After you do, Matthew can carry them over to your house.”

Minnie glanced his way. “You don’t need to do that.”

“It’s no trouble.”

Dark brown eyes finally met his, sparking in him a new wave of interest. Minnie was far more than simply pretty, Matt decided. She was…lush.

Mrs. Wy cocked her head, obviously listening for the pitter-patter of tiny feet. “Where’s your shadow?”

Matt liked how Minnie smiled at that.

“Kimber’s helping Mom make cookies today.”

“I was just telling Matt here about what an angel that little pea pod is.”

“I don’t know if angel is the best descriptor, but she is a good girl.” Her voice softening, Minnie added, “I never knew how much I needed hugs at the end of the day until I had her. Now I can’t imagine life without Kimber sleeping down the hall.”

Looking for something to say, Matt stated the obvious. “I’m glad she’s getting settled in.”

A shadow formed behind her eyes. “Well, we’re working on the settling in. Sometimes I think Kimber’s adjusting. Other times, I don’t know if she ever will.”

“Give it a while more. Time heals. It always does,” Mrs. Wy said.

Matt knew those words were true. Too bad Minnie didn’t look as if she agreed. She kept flitting her eyes to him, then to Mrs. Wy, then back to him like a firefly that couldn’t stay away.

Minnie pointed to the boxes. “Wanda, I was thinking…I don’t need any of your dishes.”

“You better take a set, I’ve been planning on it.” Mrs. Wy clucked. “You said you could use them.”

“Y’all are busy. And you don’t need to bother.”

Matt flexed his arms and pretended he felt no pain. Pretended he didn’t feel a pull toward her. Something about Minnie made him want to go all he-man. Maybe because she looked so surprised that someone would go out of his way to help her? “It’s no bother. Believe me, you don’t want to carry them around. Those boxes are heavy.”

“Oh. Well, then, thank you.”

Matt was just thinking that her show of appreciation was definitely lacking when Mrs. Wy got right to the point. “Minnie? You look a little peaked. Is something wrong?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, what is it? Honestly, I haven’t see you so sad since that Peter took off.”

Minnie visibly winced as she turned Matt’s way. “Please don’t tell me Wanda’s been telling you about Peter.”

“Not too much,” he said. But he couldn’t help looking at Minnie meaningfully. “Not too much” meant Mrs. Wy hadn’t yet told him Peter’s social security number.

“I bet.” Minnie rolled her eyes.

“What is wrong, then?”

As if they were at a coffee shop, Minnie plopped down on yet another box of books. “SavNGo Discounters is coming. They just put up a big sign in the front field of the old Crocker Ranch.”

It took about half a moment for Matt to realize two things. One, Minnie didn’t like SavNGo, and two, she didn’t know he had anything to do with it.

Mrs. Wyzecki sighed in relief. “I know that, dear. Now we won’t have to drive to Wichita Falls for toilet paper.”

“One of my customers, Zenia, mentioned that when SavNGo comes, she won’t have to come to Carried Away anymore. She’ll be able to get her cards and gifts cheaper there.” Flipping that thick brown ponytail off her left shoulder, Minnie exhaled softly. “And the thing of it is…I’m afraid Zenia’s right.”

Matt suddenly felt as if Mrs. Wy’s hot-as-blazes garage had just sucked all the life out of him. Usually he surrounded himself with folks who couldn’t say enough good things about the coming of his store. SavNGo brought jobs and good prices. Healthy competition.

Now, looking at Minnie, he was terribly afraid SavNGo might cut into her business. It was always a possibility.

While Matt fumbled for a comment that wasn’t full of false hope, Mrs. Wyzecki jumped to the rescue. “People will still come to your store, honey. And I wouldn’t pay any mind to that silly Zenia Hardt. Everyone likes you. And they like all your cute gifts and fancy stationery. Business is going to be just fine.”

“What am I going to do if they don’t?” Pursing her lips, Minnie added, “I’ve been talking to other people in my shopping plaza. Brenda Martin, who owns Mystery Books is worried, too. So is Abel Pierce at the hardware. We’ve been doing the math, and it doesn’t look good. If I lose even a fourth of my customer base, I’m going to be in a heap of trouble. And I’ve got Kimber.”

Matt was surprised. Hadn’t Paige left Minnie money for the girl? And…why wasn’t Mrs. Wy saying a word about how Matt practically was SavNGo? At least to the town he was. Things were getting awkward. He’d just opened his mouth to set Minnie straight when Mrs. Wy spoke.

“Don’t fret, honey. We’ll come up with something. We always do.”

“Oh, I know. I’ll figure it out.” With a look of apology his way, Minnie hopped off the box she’d been perching on. “I’m sorry I even brought it up. I guess I haven’t put the office behind me yet today.”

“Don’t you worry. Matt here can’t seem to stop talking on his phone and that silly blueberry.”

“BlackBerry,” he corrected. “And I’ve got work colleagues expecting me to take their calls.”

Mrs. Wy harrumphed. “Morning, noon and night?”

“Especially then.”

“One day you’re going to find out that work won’t stop for the day unless you do the stopping.” Heading to the door leading into the kitchen, Mrs. Wyzecki fanned herself. “I think I’m going to take a little break for a bit. It is warm out here.”

As the door shut behind the elderly woman, Matt stood up, too. And, he was just about to tell Minnie the God’s honest truth—that he worked for SavNGo—when he took a real good look at her.

She turned his way and then stepped a little closer. When she smiled, a dimple appeared. So did a set of pretty white teeth.

His senses came alive. Suddenly, talking about work seemed like a real bad idea.

Minnie smelled like lemons and something like cherries or spring. Her pink T-shirt clung to her breasts in the midday heat, making it near impossible to keep from sneaking a peek at her chest every time he tried to do the right thing and keep his eyes focused above her neck.

Minnie leaned forward an inch. “So…were you about to say something?”

“No.” Actually, no words were coming to mind. Not a one.

“You sure?”

“I mean, it can wait.”

“Oh. Well, then I think I’d like these dishes,” Minnie said, pointing to a box filled with delicate china covered in hand-painted roses. “Wanda used to serve me tea on this set when I was little.”

“All right. I’ll carry it over for you.” Matt wiped his suddenly sweaty hands against his thighs.

“You sure it’s no trouble?”

Matt bent down and stifled a grunt as he lifted the china-filled box. “No trouble at all,” he muttered as Minnie Clark, once very young and very forgettable, started leading the way to her house.

And he, Matt Madigan—former high school quarter-back and current director of store planning for SavNGo Discounters, aka Minnie Clark’s nemesis—was following Minnie like she was the next big thing.

Chapter Four

“Just set that box right here, Matt,” Minnie said, pointing to the one clear spot on her back kitchen counter.

As he did that, she asked, “Would you like a glass of tea?”

“Thank you.”

Quickly Minnie poured some into a mason jar and handed it to him, trying not to notice that their fingers brushed. That he was standing in her kitchen. To give herself something to do, she poured herself some, too. “This tastes good.”

A ghost of a smile lit his lips. “It does.”

They’d run out of conversation. After darting a glance her way, he wandered down the length of her counter. “What’s all this?”

“Samples. I’m thinking of expanding a bit, hoping to hook some more people before SavNGo comes in. I’m looking into selling some local artists’ work and also carrying more fancy stationery.” Pointing to the cards encased in plastic, she said, “These run a little on the expensive side, but they’re real pretty, you know? Some of my older gentlemen customers love to pick up fancy cards for their wives’ birthdays and such.”

Matt jumped back as if they were on fire. “They’re real pretty.”

She laughed. “Don’t worry if you couldn’t care less. Most men don’t think about cards until they need one. And that doesn’t happen too often.”

“It’s not that. It’s just that I probably ought to tell you something, but I’m not real sure how to do it.”

Minnie wondered what he could possibly have to say to her that would worry him. Maybe it had something to do with Mrs. Wyzecki?

When he still seemed tongue-tied, she playfully patted his arm. “My mother always says it’s best to get tough things over with. Just tell me.”

“It’s not easy.”

With amusement, Minnie watched Matt sip his tea, examine her silly 1950’s era kitchen clock, run a finger along the edge of her white laminate countertop. “Come on. Whatever it is can’t be all bad. What is it?”

“I work for SavNGo.”

Thank goodness her glass had been out of her hand! “What do you mean?”

“I’m the Director of Store Planning.”

He said that title with a bit of importance, like she was gonna be impressed.

She most certainly was not. “A director?”

He nodded. “I travel around the country, helping to open new stores. It’s one of the reasons I decided to move back home right now. Store 35 is about to break ground.”

“You came out because it fit in with your schedule?”

“And I wanted to help Mrs. Wyzecki.”

Remembering their conversation in the garage, Minnie folded her arms over her chest. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

He played dumb. “When? I’ve barely been here a week.”

“There’s been loads of opportunities. Like when you were in my card shop. Like when we were in the garage.”

To his benefit, Matt did not point out that it would have been pretty darn awkward to bring up his job while she was complaining about her financial future. “Minnie, I don’t go around telling everyone my business.”

There it was. To her, he was special. To him, she was “everyone.” “Well, now I know. Thanks for telling me.”

Blue eyes blinked. “You don’t have to put your arms over your chest like I’ve done something wrong.”

She glanced at her arms, then glared at him. “Don’t tell me where to put my arms, Matt Madigan.”

“Then don’t say my name like it’s your next favorite curse word.”

“It just might be.” Memories of her whining about SavNGo kept slapping her in the face. “I wish you would have told me before I sat there and complained about you in Wanda’s garage.”

“Minnie, I’m not your enemy. I just work for SavNGo…I don’t own it. If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer them. I answer questions about SavNGo for a living.”

“No questions come to mind, but I’ll let you know.” As a matter of fact, Minnie didn’t know what was in her mind at the moment. All she could deal with was the sudden loss she felt. She’d been so excited to see him again.

Now he was the reason she was going to lose her business. “I’m not mad. I’ve just got things to do.” She pointed to the long line of cards. “As you can see.”

“I do see.”

“And thank you, Matt, for carrying over the dishes. It was really kind of you,” she said, all super sweet and fake.

He stepped forward. “Minnie—”

The front door slammed, followed by the patter of tiny feet in sparkly purple tennis shoes. “Minnie?”

In alarm, Minnie looked at Matt. Kimber had had enough to deal with without witnessing an argument. For one second, she met his eyes and forgot to be angry. Please don’t say anything, she silently pleaded. Please just act like we’re old friends.

“I’m in the kitchen.” Turning to Matt, Minnie whispered, “Listen, don’t—”

And then, to her dismay, in popped Kimber, a bright smile on her face as big as the Royal Gorge. The smile was unexpected. In her experience, Kimber didn’t smile for anyone without a whole lot of coaxing.

Why was Matt different?

“Who are you?” Kimber asked.

“Matt.”

“Are you Aunt Minnie’s boyfriend?”

Minnie was sure she couldn’t blush anymore. “No, he isn’t. He’s just an old—”

“Friend.” Matt leaned closer and held out a hand. “You must be Kimber. Glad to meet you.”

With wide eyes, Kimber shook his hand.

“Oh my goodness, look at you, Matt,” JoAnn Clark said, hauling in a Tupperware container filled with what had to be a hundred cookies. “It’s so good to see you. I had forgotten you were back.”

“Mrs. Clark, nice to see you again.” He squatted down to Kimber’s level. “I like those shoes.”

“They’re purple.” Kimber was all girl. As if she was stepping right out of Sex and the City, she pointed a foot so Matt could have better access.

Matt touched the toe. “Cool sparkly lights.”

Floppy bangs that begged for a trim shielded her eyes. “Minnie got them for me. Where did you come from?”

Matt stood up. “Pennsylvania, but I’m here now for good. I’m going to be your neighbor. I’m going to live in Mrs. Wyzecki’s home.”

JoAnn looked like Christmas had come early. “Did you hear that, Minnie?”

“I did.”

Matt took a step back. “I suppose I best get a move on. Kimber, Mrs. Clark, it’s nice to see you again.”

Kimber blocked his way with a sparkly two-step. “Guess what? I’m getting me a guinea pig.”

“When?”

Kimber turned to Minnie. “When did you say?”

She’d never wanted a guinea pig. “Soon.”

“I’m gonna name him George.”

Matt flashed another smile. “Maybe when you get him, you can introduce him to me.”

Minnie was pretty sure that would only happen when it snowed in July.

Chapter Five

“Why didn’t Matt tell me that he worked for SavNGo the first chance he got?” Minnie griped as she grabbed hold of a dandelion and yanked hard on its stem. “He had any number of chances to tell me the whole reason he was here, but he didn’t.”

As a tiny gust of warm wind floated around Minnie’s front yard, Wanda repositioned the brim of her floppy straw hat. “Maybe it was because he knew you’d react this way?”

“React how?”

Wanda motioned to the limp weed Minnie was clutching in her hand. “Like you’d pay money for his body to be buried in the ground near here.”

In reflex, Minnie dropped the dandelion as if it were covered in red ants. “That’s unfair. I certainly don’t wish Matt was dead.”

“Just maimed?”

“No, of course not.” Minnie fumed as she pulled up another weed, grasping it in a chokehold the way she was envisioning wringing Matt Madigan’s neck. “I just hate being surprised, that’s all. And I embarrassed myself, too.”

“Embarrassed yourself? When?”

“I don’t know. A couple of times.”

“What did you say when he brought the dishes over?”

“Too much.” Minnie tossed a handful of weeds into her wheelbarrow. “Wanda, I know you love Matt like he was your own, but you have to try and see things from my point of view.”

“Oh, I think I can see your side, plain as day. But I can see Matthew’s, too.” As if weighing her conscience, she slowly said, “Matthew never could abide conflict or confrontations. He doesn’t trust easily, Minnie. I don’t know if he ever has.”

This was news to Minnie. “Because of his dad?”

“Because of a lot of things. Matt is a pleaser on the outside. He does what people expect, says what they want to hear. It’s charming. But unfortunately, it makes all those feelings and emotions inside of him get all bottled up. He hasn’t been able to count on too much, you know. His mama died when he was nine, and, well, his daddy had never been the type to listen to complaints or secrets.”

Minnie picked up her spade. “Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course.”

“Years ago, I had such a crush on Matt.”

“Oh, honey. I already knew that.” Under the brim of her straw hat, Wanda grinned broadly. “Everyone knew that.”

Well, that was mortifying. Minnie pushed at the ground with her spade to cover up her embarrassment. “Oh.”

Wanda chuckled. “Don’t worry, Minnie. You weren’t the only girl who was sad to see Matt leave town. And I don’t think you’re the only one who has entertained a thought or two about Matt Madigan over the years.”

Watching a bumblebee zip around her geraniums, Minnie added, “Maybe I’m just thinking about what could have been.” She looked Wanda’s way. “I guess you remember about Matt dating Paige?”

“I do. I remember she failed him, too.” She shook her head sorrowfully. “Oh, Paige. What a mess that girl was!”

“Paige was so mean to him.”

“She broke his heart.” Incredibly, Wanda was probably the only person Minnie could trust to be objective when it came to her older sister. Paige had been born thinking that she knew everything, and the sad part of it was that most people thought she was right. Minnie sometimes felt that she was the only person to see that Paige had a healthy case of impulsiveness and arrogance that got her into trouble.

Minnie looked down the street, thinking of Matt, thinking of Kimber. “It’s not just broken dreams I’m anxious about, Wanda. I’m worried about everything. I’m worried about Kimber. I’m worried about SavNGo coming in and taking away my only means to support her.”

“You have every right to be troubled, dear. Those are all justified fears.”

Minnie brushed off her hands. That was why she liked her neighbor so much. Wanda Wyzecki never tried to shrug off Minnie’s concerns or sugarcoat bad news. From the day Minnie had met her, Wanda had always been the kind of woman to call a spade a spade.

“Have I told you lately how glad I am that you live across the street?”

“No.” But the lady’s lips twitched. “But I love you, too, Minnie. Don’t worry so, okay?”

Minnie glanced at the new pile of weeds next to her knees, their leaves and stems already shriveling up in the hot afternoon sun. “What should I do about Matt?”

“Whatever you think best, I suppose.”

“I’m going to have a real hard time looking at him every day if his SavNGo puts me out of business.”

“Some might say you would have every right to feel that way.”

“But not you?”

“I’ve been around long enough to know that feeling bitter doesn’t help a person sleep at night. Just like I know that work isn’t the only thing that matters.”

“The only people who say that are the ones whose jobs are going real well.”

Wanda stood up. Minnie noticed that her crisp white capris were still, well, crisp and white, and her red T-shirt looked straight out of the dry cleaners. She, on the other hand, had a coat of dirt all over her.

“I best get going,” Wanda announced. “Matthew said he’d help me organize Jim’s golf things this afternoon.” Looking fondly at Matt’s truck, Wanda smiled. “I tell you what, though, no matter how you must feel about that man, one thing just can’t be denied. He sure is handsome.”

Saying Matt was handsome was like saying the sky was blue. Neither did the reality justice.

As Wanda walked back home, Minnie scooped up the last of the weeds and tossed them and her spade into the wheelbarrow. After pulling off her gloves, she walked to her front porch. The shade was a blessed relief. She sat down on one of the wicker rocking chairs and tried to look everywhere besides Matt’s shiny black pickup truck across the street.

It was sure hard to realize that heroes were made of flesh and doubts.

“NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE the day when this field would be made into a parking lot,” Lane Henderson said as they watched yet another dump truck roar out onto the street. For the past five hours, earthmovers had cleared out shrubs, grass and rubbish while Bobcats had followed, smoothing over what used to be the Crocker Ranch. “If all goes well, you’ll be opening right on schedule, in eight months’ time.”