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Wade hit the running trail for the second time that week. He really needed to continue edits on the book. The library was the perfect spot to spend the day, but he couldn't put dinner with Darcy out of his mind, and it made him want to do sprints.
His footfalls echoed in the tree canopy. It made him feel lonely. Wade was used to a lot of alone time, and he usually relished it, but there were moments like this when a part of him felt empty. Anna and he had spent a lot of time together outside of work, but they were both voracious readers and easily sucked into documentaries. They didn't actually do much together. She wouldn't run.
The couples snickering in the booth behind Darcy at the diner had obviously known her. Her face turned beet red when one of them called her "Downtown," whatever that meant. Wade wiggled his brows to shake off the sweat trickling down his forehead.
Darcy wasn't exactly a country girl, but she wasn't an urban queen. Maybe just a little in-between. She dressed up nice sometimes, but she didn't seem obsessed with fashion, either. Her attire for school was cute and appropriate, and he rather liked the paint splatters. He hadn't even noticed if they were perfectly spaced. The randomness had been... perfect.
He wiped his face with a towel when he got back to the car and unzipped his lightweight jacket. It may have been a little frosty, but he was plenty warmed up now. He decided to swing back by the B&B to shower and then walk to the café before returning to the library.
The Home Again Café looked open, so he snuck in for a croissant. He put the white paper bag deep in his backpack, meaning to continue to the library, but a hardware store across the street next door to the police station caught his eye.
Darcy had mentioned that her mother managed a hardware store. It seemed a little odd, but he shrugged it off and walked a few shops down. A loud, annoying bell clattered when he pulled open the glass door and stepped inside. Christmas music played on overhead speakers, and the air smelled like pinecones and cinnamon.
Wade looked around. An elderly man wearing a green vest stocked glass spherical ornaments on a shelf. A row of artificial trees lined an empty aisle. He looked for signs and found the aisle with car mats and deodorizers. It only took a few seconds to choose an ice scraper—there were only two. He browsed the adjoining aisle looking at giant outdoor deep fryers. A sign said they were perfect for deep frying turkeys. He raised a brow. So it wasn't just a Tennessee thing.
"Are you looking for a fryer?"
Wade turned around. A petite woman with silver-streaked hair coiled up on top of her head stood behind him with hands on her hips. She had bright eyes and a small pert nose. Her denim work shirt was rolled up to her elbows and colorful bangles hung from her wrists.
"Nice boots." Wade nodded. They were bright red and matched her bangles, but the rest of her was all business.
She waited for his answer.
"No." He let out a small laugh and held up the ice scraper. "I was picking this up, just in case. It's getting pretty cool here."
"You'll need one of those before too long," the woman agreed. She motioned toward the giant turkey fryers. "We only have two of those left, but if you don't mind your bird roasted then there's no hurry."
Wade chuckled. "I'm a little old-fashioned. I like mine straight from the oven."
She grinned. "Just like my mama used to make, not that I mind the turkey breasts smoked in the summers like they do at the Wagon Wheel. "
"I've eaten there."
"You just move in?"
He shook his head as they walked elbow to elbow to the front of the store. "No, I'm just driving through Kansas and thought I'd stay a few days in Blessings to get some work done."
"Ah." The woman narrowed her eyes and looked at him like he was familiar.
"You didn't by any chance eat at the diner the other night, did you?"
He grinned. "Busted. Actually, I did. You must be Darcy's mother."
She looked him over from head to toe. "I'm Raelynn, and you're either Wade Spears or a psychic."
"I am."
A smile bloomed across her face, and she took the ice scraper from his hand and walked around the counter to the register. "Darcy told me all about you," she winked then said, "but not really. I hear you're a writer?"
Wade swallowed. It sounded weird when someone called him a writer—weirder when someone called him an author. He wasn't really— yet. "Actually, I'm a history professor, but I'm taking some time off to write a book."
"About Kansas?" Darcy's mom, Raelynn, stabbed the buttons on the old cash register with impatient flicks.
"Actually, I'm writing a book on the Santa Fe Trail."
"Oh yeah? It didn't come right through here directly, you know."
"I know," he agreed, "but nearby. A town named Blessings seemed like a good place to stop and get some work done and find time to relax, too."
"Hm," said Raelynn. "I suppose it's changed a lot since back then, but not everything."
"It's nice to know some things stay the same. Beautiful country."
Raelynn smiled. "It is even when it's downright cold, which that's a'coming."
Wade slid his credit card over the counter without her asking when the purchase total popped up on the register's screen. "I understand you have a big Thanksgiving celebration here in town every year. There are flyers all over the place."
"Oh," Raelynn waved her hand, "this is Blessings, you know. We have one every year. You might as well stay around and enjoy the pageant and parade and some good food. You won't get that out on the trail."
Wade laughed. "I hope to cover the trail by car and not by horseback like they first had to do it, but yes, this might be a great place for turkey and pumpkin pie since I won't make it home this year."
Raelynn swiped his card and gave him a look of sympathy. "I'm sorry you're going to have to miss that. I'm sure your momma will be disappointed."
A prickle of guilt stung the back of Wade's neck. "My parents understand. My mother's encouraging me to get this done."
"Well, Darcy would be in big trouble with me if she missed Thanksgiving," chuckled Raelynn. "This is her first year back in a long time." She handed Wade a small paper receipt to sign. "As a matter of fact," she added, "she's supposed to set up a parade float for the school."
Wade raised a brow. "I didn't know she was so overworked."
"My daughter's dedicated if she's anything. She's spending her Friday night hanging up popcorn trees or some kind of crazy art project all over the school to celebrate November. I'm going to have to watch our quiz show by myself later."
Wade passed her the receipt and picked up the ice scraper. He didn't want to keep bumping into Darcy on purpose, especially when she was busy and they both had things to do, but hanging around an empty school all weekend didn't sound like much fun.
He pressed his lips together, calculating how much revising he could get done on the project before late afternoon. "I wonder if she needs any help out there."
Raelynn smiled at him with a funny glint in her eye. "Dismissal's at three-thirty." She gave him another one of her little winks then strode back down the aisle straightening plastic Christmas trees as she went.
***
DARCY WRUNG THE SPONGE out after washing down the desks where students missed streaks of black during cleanup. They'd drawn feathers in class today using pencils and charcoal. She'd showed them some patterns, and they'd talked about headdresses of the Native Americans. It'd been a low key day, and she was glad.
She tossed the sponge on the counter to dry and wiped her hands on her black trousers. She'd survived the school day unscathed for the most part. Tranquil and beautiful flute music from a Native American soundtrack had kept the classroom quiet most of the day. There'd been no whining, arguing, or complaining.
Footsteps clapped down the hall, and Darcy pictured a crowd of first grade teachers hurrying back to their classrooms after bus duty to pack up their things. She hoped they'd leave soon because she wanted the halls to herself.
A brisk knock made her jump. Mrs. Darlington stuck her head in the classroom. "Hey, Darcy. Did you hear from Payson's mother yet?"
Darcy felt her eyes widen in concern for one of her students. "Payson?"
"That's right."
"No, I haven't," she answered. Her heart thumped in her chest. "Is she sick?"
"No." Mrs. Darlington stepped in and glanced around the room. "She had black stains all over her blouse shirt sleeve. Didn't you notice?"
"I remember she had on a little white shirt, but no, I didn't see that."
"Oh." Mrs. Darlington scrunched her nose like she smelled something unpleasant. "Yes, that was a nice blouse, and it was new I think because she cried all through lunch. She had black ink all over her wrist and arm, too. She thought she'd be in trouble."
Darcy forced herself not to do a dramatic eye roll. "Well," she said with a slight huff, "her mother can call if she likes, but it's not Payson's fault. We used charcoal today so she must have really been focused on her design."
The other teacher nodded. "Yes, I know." She gave a small smile. "I knew it wasn't Payson's fault. I jotted her mother a quick note, just so you know."
The passive-aggressive finger-pointing gave Darcy's chest a little poke, but she didn't show that she'd felt it. Instead, she forced herself to smile and rewashed the sponge so she didn't have to watch the woman's face anymore. "Thanks for letting me know," she said in a dismissive tone.
"Of course." Mrs. Darlington clomped back down the hall in her loud shoes. Darcy shook her head. The woman's niece had wanted to teach the art class, but Darcy earned the job fair and square. Revenge was so petty.
She dried off with a paper towel and gave the desks one last glance before walking to the closet to get out the rest of the popcorn art. The first graders had been so excited to see their work in the hall, some of the older students had asked about theirs. Maybe having all of the grades do the same project hadn't been such a great idea. She'd be hanging up artwork for hours.
Another knock rapped on the door, and she jumped. The laundry basket she used to carry the artwork jostled in her arms.
"Hey." It wasn't Mrs. Darlington again but a smooth familiar voice.
"Wade?" Darcy tried to process the image of the tall, good-looking professor standing at her door in pressed jeans and a blue oxford.
"I heard you were busy?"
She couldn't quit staring at his loafers. They looked so comfortable and trendy.
"I, uh..."
Darcy looked up. His cheeks were rosy like he'd just come in from cool outdoor weather or else he felt embarrassed. She realized he looked tentative.
"I was just getting ready to come out to the hall." She raised the blue laundry basket filled with layers of paintings.
He nodded. "Yes, I talked to your mom this morning."
"My mother?"
Wade smiled small and sheepishly. "I picked up an ice scraper like you suggested, and she was there at the hardware store. We talked a bit, and she said you had to stay after school a while so... If you need help I'm done for the day, and well, I don't want you to miss your quiz shows."
Darcy burst into laughter. He looked contrite like he was invading her space, but she really didn't mind. In fact, she felt happy to see him again.
"I would love some help." She showed him the children's projects. "I have to get these hung in the second and third grade halls before Thanksgiving."
"There's not much time left," grinned Wade. He followed her around the next corner.
"Here." She set the basket down and handed him a roll of painter's tape. "You start on this wall, and I'll do that side." She moved the basket to the middle of the hall trying not to show she felt butterflies in her stomach.
He studied the length of the wall she'd assigned him. "It doesn't matter what order?"
"Nope." Darcy felt herself relax. She'd had a few miserable nights reminiscing over high school bullies, but having Wade show up after she'd fled the diner erased any remaining self-pity she'd carried with her to work. He was even better than lute music.
He turned to hang the first sheet of paper, and she admired how his wide shoulders tapered down to his waist. A faint sandalwood aftershave scent wafted through the air. With a small smile, she turned around to get busy. "So you ran into my mom?"
"Yes. She's quite a character."
Darcy widened her eyes, wondering what Raelynn had said. Had she revealed how Darcy had dashed into the trailer after her night out with him, thrown her purse, and burst into tears?
"I can see where you get your charm," teased Wade. He looked over his shoulder right when she glanced back at him. When their eyes made contact, Darcy felt a zinger of electricity shoot through her veins.
She struggled to make conversation, but only managed to say, "My mother is a one in a million."
"Oh, I believe you. She tried to sell me a turkey fryer."
Darcy giggled. "She's really into Thanksgiving. It's her favorite holiday. I mean, she tries hard because when I was a kid..." She stopped, realizing she was about to bring up her father.
"Do you have a lot of family here?" Wade didn't seem to notice her hesitation.
Darcy swallowed, rueful that she'd brought up the past. "My grandparents have passed on her side and her older sister, too, but she has a younger brother who lives on a farm west of here. We get together with our neighbors and friends every year, and the celebration is a big deal."
"So said your mother. She mentioned you're making a parade float, too."
Darcy closed her eyes. "You're right. Gosh, I forgot about that. We have a meeting after church on Sunday."
"Because you don't have enough to do," finished Wade, and she chuckled. She met him halfway across the hall and picked up another student's piece of work to give to him. "I do over-schedule myself," she admitted. "I've been gone a few years, so I guess I'm trying to make up for it."
"We all tend to do that in one way or another."
"Enough about me. How did your writing go today?" Darcy wanted to know what Wade did all day at the library with his backpack and laptop.
He gave a lopsided shrug. "I rewrote my thoughts about some of the passages from Susan Magoffin's diary. She started out with quite the caravan—furniture and servants and coaches."
"Oh my," finished Darcy with a grin. "It doesn't sound like she was roughing it."
"Not everyone had to rough it," said Wade, "but it wasn't a picnic. There were wives who wanted to see the country, too, and she had the money to do it in style.
Darcy frowned and tried to remember her American history. "Susan Shelby Magoffin. She was the Kentucky governor's niece, right?"
He nodded. "The revolutionary war hero, Isaac Shelby."
"Wow," said Darcy. "It's not exactly like the struggle the Benedicts had to endure."
"Your founding fathers of Blessings?"
She looked at him from the corner of her eye. "You've been studying up on Blessings' history, too."
He smiled. "Guilty. What else am I going to do on breaks in the historical section of the library?"
Darcy laughed. "At least you made good use of your time." She handed him another project and returned to her side of the hall. "You do love your history."
"I do." They worked in silence for a few minutes, making their way down the plain walls and filling them with color.
"What about your history?" said Wade in the quiet. "I don't mean to pry, but you seemed upset when you left the diner the other night. Those weren't fans of yours, I take it."
Darcy's fingers froze around a small piece of tape. She'd wondered if he'd bring it up. Her heart shrank a little, and she let out a small breath. "Well," she admitted in the comfortable quiet, "that was Darrell Busby and company. We went to school together." She cleared her throat.
"Oh, I see," said Wade, and she was amazed that he didn't suspect a thing.
"I mean, until my junior year," Darcy added.
"That's right, you said you took your GED." He sounded curious.
Darcy swiped at a loose piece of hair hanging around her face. "I was bullied a lot in high school," she said in an emotionless tone. She didn't want his pity. "I wasn't into drama or the social life, plus I wanted to see the country and explore different kinds of art."
"I get it," said Wade. "So, that's why they call you 'Downtown' — because you wanted to get out of Blessings and see something bigger?"
Darcy closed her eyes again as a flush arose on her cheeks. She gave a slow blink but didn't turn around, although it sounded like Wade was looking at her.
"Something like that," she answered in a low voice. He didn't reply and everything felt uncomfortable and awkward. They met in the middle of the hall again and picked up the last two art projects at the same time.
"Hey," he said with a sharp shrug, "not everybody's history is rosy."
"Oh, mine's colorful all right, but there's nothing I can do." She shrugged. "I'm not that person anymore, but we can't undo the past."
As they finished up, Wade changed the subject and talked about a road trip to Council Grove that he planned to take on Saturday. When she told him about the Neosho Riverwalk, he seemed even more excited to check the area's monuments out.
"You should come along," he teased. "You could be my guide."
Darcy smiled. She liked the idea. They walked back to the classroom to lockup. She'd planned to start on the school's parade float for the festival weekend, but spending time with Wade felt more tempting. Besides, he'd probably only be around another week or so, and then he'd be gone—another blip in her rainbow-streaked life—but definitely a bright spot.
"I'd love to come. I'll give you the sugar-coated version, and you can teach me some history."
Wade held out his hand. "Deal."
It seemed silly to take his hand standing alone in the art room. Darcy's heart suggested that she put her arms around his neck instead and draw him in for a long hug, but she reached out and shook hands. "You've got yourself a guide," she said without stuttering. Her heart pattered in disappointment.
They walked out to the empty school parking lot together. "I guess I'll see you in the morning," waved Darcy, realizing they'd have to meet somewhere. Before she could suggest the park, Wade said, "I'll pick you up. What's your address?"
Her mind whirled. She didn't want him to drive out to the trailer park and see where she lived. He was a relatively well-off if not comfortable college professor who probably lived in a fine apartment or townhouse outside the University of Missouri.
"Your address?" he repeated, like he didn't want to point out that she was staring at him with a blank face.
"Oh," Darcy said with a nervous laugh, "I'll just meet you at the B&B." She forced a smile like it was nothing.
Something ticked in Wade's jaw. "I don't mind. There's not a whole lot of extra parking there."
Darcy's mind raced. "Then I'll meet you at the Home Again Café. I'll need to get an extra-large coffee if we're taking off that early in the morning."
"Oh, nice. I love that place." Wade grinned. "That's perfect if you're sure you don't mind leaving your car there." He raised a brow in question.
"I'll have my mother drop me off," answered Darcy in quick reply.
"Okay, then. I'll see you tomorrow." Wade dipped his chin, and she waved goodbye and turned back to unlock her car with strange, trembly fingers.
Why was she nervous? She'd just met the guy. They'd shared a friendly dinner, and he'd asked her to go for a little drive. Not a big deal, she told herself. She didn't have to jump to any conclusions. And she didn't have to show him where she lived either.