At breakfast, Marcus was still spelling words. Better than James could at that age. Although he’d done nothing to help Marcus learn, he felt a wave of pride for the boy.
Rocking Holly in his arms, James thought he might just be ready for parenthood. He’d had to get up during the night for feedings and was a little tired, but seeing the two kids doing so well energized him more than a nap ever could.
Good thing, because he had a busy day ahead. Dropping off Holly at Frost Farms was at the front of it, the Winter Recital at the tail end—and he’d already assured his mother he would be there, on time, ready to perform.
In between, he needed to mail off the DNA samples he’d taken, buy supplies to fix the bathroom ceiling and pick up Marcus’ special food at Kate’s. After some initial hesitation, it turned out the little guy liked the new things she’d prepared.
He arrived at the cafe later that morning and spotted Heather wiping a table, Kate nowhere to be found. Excellent timing. He sure didn’t want an audience for this confrontation.
James pulled the earring from his pocket. “I believe this is yours.”
“Thank goodness. Where did you find it?”
“I didn’t. My girlfriend did. In my car.”
Heather flushed. “Oh, James. I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t make trouble for you.” She was so genuinely apologetic and embarrassed that he felt guilty for suspecting her of leaving the earring in his vehicle on purpose.
“Was that who you were visiting the other day out on Tamarack Tree Lane?”
Though she’d been repentant, he didn’t want to give her any more information than necessary. And he certainly didn’t want to involve April in any of this.
“I’m sorry if it sounded like I was accusing you. Finding the earring was just...a very awkward moment.”
“I completely understand. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you...”
“That’s okay.” Her eagerness for penance only made him feel guiltier. He softened his voice. “How are you managing?”
“Much better, thanks to you.”
“You’ve got enough money?”
“I’m fine.” But she said the words quickly, leading him to believe her situation was far from fine.
“Did you need more?”
“No, no. Actually, what I need is...some moral support.” Heather raked her top teeth over her bottom lip. “I was wondering if you’d come to the police station with me. Once I work up the courage to tell them the truth.”
His stomach took a dive. Accompanying her would pretty much look like an admission of guilt. “We’ll talk about it, when you’re ready. Did you drive here?”
“I walked again. I’m going to the Winter Recital this evening and, since it’s just down the street, I didn’t need to bring the car.” She smiled shyly. “I hear you’re performing.”
“That’s right. Hope you enjoy it.”
He slipped her a few extra bucks for a cab home following the show and she left soon afterward, her shift at Kate’s done for the day.
James sat and waited for Marcus’ food, sipping coffee. His phone buzzed and he viewed the text message—Stephen’s offer on April’s farm. James’ initial excitement diminished as he read the amount again. It was much lower than he’d suggested. He’d do what he could to talk Stephen into going higher, but at least now he had an offer on the table. He couldn’t wait to tell April about it.
He pulled up to the farm an hour later. There was another vehicle already in the driveway that he had to squeeze in beside. A car he recognized.
His heart sank. What was Heather doing here?
The front door opened and she emerged. When she reached the walkway, he blocked her path. “What’s going on?”
Her cheeks reddened. “I-I-I heard April makes pottery. I wondered if she had any Christmas pieces for sale. Did I do wrong?” She flipped her hair back as she spoke, exposing those hoop earrings. If April noticed them...
“I’m sure you were just trying to be nice, Heather, but I don’t want you here.” That came out harsh. Still, he needed to make his boundaries clear. “If you have to reach me, you’ve got my number.”
She took a step back, her hand lifting defensively. “Okay, James. Okay. I’ll stay away.”
Her stricken expression had him feeling guilty all over again. Had he misread her? At least, she got in her car and headed back to town. However hard it was to deal with her, he figured explaining to April was going to be far worse.
He retrieved Marcus’ food from his trunk and let himself in the front door, pulling it closed with his foot.
“April?” He called her name again but no one answered. When he went into the kitchen to put the take-out in the fridge, he found her sitting at the table, the cat at her feet. Bandit’s tail sliced the air as he gave James a cold stare. April looked just as grim.
“Why was there a Getalot man here surveying my land? I asked him, but he said I should speak to you.”
Yes. Far worse.
James put the groceries away, stealing an extra minute to pull himself together. He thought about sitting, but the chair across from her looked too much like a hot seat. He remained standing.
“Getalot hires me as an independent contractor, to look at land options and oversee new constructions. That’s why I’m in the area. To check out proposed locations for a Vermont store. You said you’d had this place up for sale, and I know it would be a great spot for the franchise. For you, too. If you wanted to sell the whole farm, you could take the money and set up your school in a more central area. Or, you could keep the house and the barn. The Getalot store would be right next door. How convenient is that?”
Although, as he said it, it didn’t sound convenient at all. He pictured the tree with their initials—the only one left standing—smack dab in the parking lot, where it would eventually wither and die. He pictured Marcus running out in the street, into the added traffic, and getting hurt. He saw the school through April’s eyes. There’d be no place for the kids to play. Not like the two of them had—running through the sugarwood, breathing in the clean mountain air, enjoying the freedom of youth.
He thought back to the argument he’d had with Garret and, for the life of him, James couldn’t remember now what he’d been defending. Concrete and asphalt?
No. Jobs. Jobs and opportunity.
“Look, there’s a real need in this community for a Getalot store. People want to work. And they want to stretch every dollar they earn.” He found himself repeating the narration of a Getalot training video, April looking at him as if he’d just turned into a two-headed ogre. Didn’t she get it? “Your own parents objected to me because they thought I had no future. Getalot gave me one. I made something of myself. I’m different now.”
April had never seen Jimmy so vehement, his chest heaving, his voice echoing off the walls. And she couldn’t take another word. She slammed her hands on the table, as she stood and met his gaze.
“I appreciate the fact that you’ve improved yourself. But you don’t need to change who you are at heart to be acceptable. The Jimmy I knew was a great guy. You’re still that person. Look at all you’ve done for me. You’re kind and generous and this Getalot thing...it’s just not who you are.”
“You don’t think I’m capable of holding down a high-powered job?”
Now she’d insulted him, and she hadn’t meant to. She softened her delivery. “You can do anything you set your mind to do. You’ve proven that. I just don’t think you’ll be happy working for a big corporation like that long term, Jimmy.”
He hooked his thumbs into his belt, his glare boring into her.
“Well, I am. And it’s James.”