“I’m afraid,” whispered Little Jenny.
“That’s right,” cackled the Creepy Crumbly Confidence Stealer. “Be afraid. Don’t raise your hand in class.”
Marvella Monster hated it when the Creepy Crumbly Confidence Stealer stole girls’ and boys’ confidence. She stomped across the classroom and gave Creepy a whack with her big, blue tail. “That’s enough out of you.”
Creepy rubbed his crumbly ugly face and took a step back, but not before whispering to Jenny, “You don’t really know the answer. You just think you do. And you don’t know that Ben Fordham will call. In fact, he probably won’t.”
“What?” Little Jenny looked confused.
The Creepy Crumbly Confidence Stealer lowered his crumbly brows. “Wait a minute. Who’s Ben Fordham?”
Do you mind? Marvella snapped. We’re working here.
Yikes! When had Ben Fordham sneaked into her story? This was no time to be thinking about him, especially with such a defeatist attitude. Noel gave herself a mental shake and went back to work.
“You can do anything you set your mind to,” Marvella told Jenny.
How does that apply to Ben Fordham?
Marvella threw up her blue hands. I can’t work like this. Go...do something. Come back when you’re ready to be useful.
Marvella was getting awfully bossy lately. But she had a point. Noel shut her laptop and returned to the real world. Since no plan B had presented itself yet, she needed to get back to flattering Ben Fordham some more.
She wasn’t exactly dressed to see anyone. She was in her usual work attire—fuzzy pajama bottoms, an Old Navy top and her Hello Kitty slippers, so she decided to give him a call and see if he’d like to try dinner again. This time she’d take him out. She hoped he liked burgers, since that was all she could afford.
She picked up her cell and called his office.
His secretary answered. “Fordham Enterprises.”
“Is Ben Fordham in?”
“He’s in a meeting. May I take a message?”
“Just tell him Noel called.”
“All right.”
The woman didn’t sound very sincere. Maybe she recognized Noel’s voice. Still, short of saying, “Promise?” there was nothing Noel could do to guarantee that his secretary would give him her message.
“Thanks,” she said and did the phone call equivalent of slinking away. The minute she disconnected, she realized she hadn’t left her phone number. That wouldn’t do. He knew where she lived but he didn’t have her number. She called back.
“Fordham Enterprises.”
“This is Noel again.”
“He’s still in a meeting,” his secretary said, her tone of voice adding, pest.
“I forgot to leave my phone number.”
“What is this regarding?”
Okay, somebody was definitely sounding a little adversarial now.
You shouldn’t have called back, said the Creepy Crumbly Confidence Stealer.
Great. Bad enough that she had Marvella constantly whispering in her ear lately. Now she was hearing from the villains in her stories? But old Creepy Crumbly had a point. She looked like an idiot.
For heaven’s sake, she’s just an employee, cried Marvella. Tell her to shape up or you’ll have her fired.
Marvella talked to people like that, but Noel didn’t. I certainly won’t, she informed Marvella. But what should she say? “It’s personal.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line followed by an abrupt, “All right.”
Noel recited her number and hoped the message would get delivered. She had her doubts. The secretary ended the call, leaving Noel to sit there, drumming her fingers on the table. She picked up her cell again and checked the time. Ten thirty. Everyone deserved a midmorning coffee break. She’d go out, after all. She’d swing by Java Josie’s and pick up some coffee for Ben Fordham. Maybe Ginger the barista knew how he liked his coffee. Yes, that was a good plan. She needed to get out more, and this was much better than sitting around hoping his secretary would give him her message.
She showered and dressed in the skinny jeans she’d borrowed from Jo, along with a black sweater. Oh, yes. Jewelry. On went the borrowed necklace. She pulled on her boots, grabbed her loaner coat and went out to do some serious buttering up.
The day was clear and the skies were blue. She had a perfect view of the Olympic Mountains as she drove from her quiet neighborhood of older homes down the hill toward downtown. Whispering Pines was one of many small, picturesque towns on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, situated along Case Inlet. Travelers often stopped on their way to the beach towns on Washington’s coast to get a bite to eat at the Olympic View Café or The Rusty Saw. Sometimes people would stay at Waterside House, the town’s one B & B, to enjoy the scenery or play a round of golf at The Pines Golf Course.
In spite of that, it remained a quiet burg. Most of the people who lived there owned a local business, worked remotely with an occasional foray into the city, or enjoyed retirement. Traffic jams were rare and townspeople never got their grocery-shopping done without running into one or two acquaintances or fellow church members.
Noel had grown up in this town and she still loved living here. It wasn’t as hip as Seattle or as rich as Bainbridge Island, but it was comfortable. Whispering Pines almost had it all—family, friends, food and lattes. And now with the nearby mall, there was the added joy of department stores. (Macy’s, Kohl’s and Penney’s!)
As far as Noel was concerned the only thing lacking was a bookstore. The Book Nook had closed two years ago, and it had been a sad day when that happened. She’d worked there since high school and Suzanne Selfors, the owner, had hosted a book-signing party for her when her first Marvella book was published. Suzanne was now living in New York with no plans to return, but Noel still nursed the hope that someone would take that empty space and turn it into a book-lovers’ heaven again. Meanwhile, though, there was still the Whispering Pines Library, where her mother worked part-time, and when she wanted to purchase a book, she could at least do it online.
So life here was good. This was where she wanted to stay, where she wanted to get married, raise a family, live happily-ever-after. And the only house where she could envision living happily-ever-after was the one she was in now.
As she waited at one of the three traffic signals in town she checked her makeup. Lookin’ fine. She practiced a smile. Was it flirty enough? She wasn’t very skilled at flirty smiles. She tried again and cocked her head. Gave her hair a shake, letting the long red locks shimmy. Okay, that was pretty good. She’d have to make sure she did that.
The signal changed and she drove down Pine toward Ben Fordham’s office. There was Riley’s grandma, Mrs. MacDonald, coming out of Tease, her white locks freshly coiffed. Noel tooted her car horn and waved, and Mrs. M smiled and waved back.
She drove past Wellness Drugs, where her sister Aimi worked as a cashier, past the bank, past Doggie Style Pet Grooming. Every parking space along the street was taken and on the sidewalks people rushed from shop to shop, trying to finish their holiday errands.
She wouldn’t be doing much shopping now. Thanks to the latest development with the house she was pinching her pennies even tighter. Most of her presents this year would be homemade. She sure hoped her mom and sister would like the scarves she’d started knitting for them. (Yarn had been fifty percent off at The Yarn Barn.) She knew Dad and Uncle Bill would love the blackberry liqueur she had stewing in the pantry in her big glass jar. Made from berries she’d picked in August and then frozen. She’d gotten plenty of scratches picking them, but now she was glad she’d let Mom talk her into a neighborhood berrying expedition. She’d probably never master the art of baking pies but she could manage mixing crushed berries and vodka.
She turned onto the street where Ben Fordham’s office was—and saw him leaving. Crud. He was on his way somewhere. He wouldn’t be able to talk to her now. She slumped down behind the wheel.
What are you doing? Marvella demanded.
He’s going somewhere. He doesn’t have time to talk.
You’re chickening out, Marvella sneered. Do you have a brave cell anywhere in your body? How’d you ever think of me, anyway?
Good question.
He’s getting away. Are you just gonna sit here or are you gonna do something?
Do something. She’d follow him. Maybe he was going into town to run some errands. She could bump into him. That would be better than coming to his office, anyway. More natural. He started his big truck and it varoomed to life. Then he made a U-turn and drove down the street right past her. She slumped so low she nearly got stuck.
You’re pathetic, Marvella said in disgust.
She was not pathetic. She was, well, she wasn’t sure what she was. She whipped a U-turn herself and followed him.
He pulled up in front of Java Josie’s and parked. Ah, a perfect place for a chance encounter. See? she told Mavella. I know what I’m doing.
Marvella grunted and then went away.
Noel walked into the coffee shop and was enveloped in warmth, probably body heat considering how many people were in there. Obviously she wasn’t the only one who thought a midmorning coffee break was a good idea. The aroma of coffee beans danced around her nose, and the chatter of voices and hiss of steam wands greeted her.
She gave her hair a practice toss and walked over to where Ben Fordham stood at the end of the order line. Okay, she was here. Now, what to say? “Hi.” Wow, that was brilliant.
He turned and smiled. “Noel. I don’t think I’ve seen you in here before.”
That was because when she was there, she tended to be invisible, hunched over her computer, doling out adventures to imaginary characters, missing out on them herself.
“You come here often?”
“I do.” She used to, anyway. She hadn’t been in much since she and Donny broke up. “They make the best lattes in town,” she added. Well, that was dumb. They also made the only lattes in town.
“What’s your favorite?”
Get flirty, Marvella commanded.
Get lost, Noel told her. She could do this. She wasn’t completely hopeless. She tossed her hair again. “I was going to ask you that. I’d love to buy you something to make up for dinner.” There. Well done. Jo would be proud.
“There’s nothing to make up for,” he assured her.
“Noel, I was going to call you.”
Noel turned to see Donny, the disaster ex-boyfriend, behind her. Great. Just what she didn’t need. “Donny, how are you?”
He shrugged. “I’m okay. I miss you.”
Which was why he hadn’t called her in six months. “Still writing?” Still using people?
“Actually, I’m working on a children’s book.”
That explained why he was planning to call her. She could see where this was heading and decided to detour. “Where are my manners? Ben Fordham, this is Donny Lockhart, my, uh...” User ex-boyfriend? No, that was a little too honest. “One of my writing friends.” They weren’t really friends but Donny was hard to label.
He looked at Ben suspiciously, as if Ben was some sort of threat. Which he could hardly be, since Noel and Donny weren’t dating anymore. “Are you a writer?”
“Nope. I remodel houses.”
“Oh.” Donny was underwhelmed. The line inched forward. “So, Noel, how about lunch tomorrow? I want to tell you about my new book idea,” he continued, oblivious to the fact that she’d been talking to Ben.
Who was standing right there with a curious smile on his face.
“Gee, Donny, I’m pretty busy these days.”
Donny frowned. “With him?”
Noel could feel her cheeks flaming. “With life. Aren’t you seeing someone?”
“I was. She left me for a hack mystery writer.”
They were at the order counter now. “Hi, Ben,” said Ginger the barista. “Noel, we haven’t seen you in a while.”
Yep, come here all the time. Noel’s cheeks kept on burning. “I’ve been a little busy lately. Can you give me an eggnog latte? And put whatever he wants on my bill, too,” she said, nodding at Ben.
“While you’re at it I’ll have a large Americano,” Donny put in, and Noel frowned at him.
“They’re all on me.” Ben said and took his wallet out of his jeans back pocket.
“Hey, thanks,” said Donny.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Noel told Ben. “I wanted to pay.”
“Never say no when people want to do nice things for you,” Donny advised her as they moved toward the pick-up counter. “So, how about lunch tomorrow?”
“Donny, I really am busy.”
“You can’t be that busy. Everyone knows you have no life,” Donny said with a scowl.
The flame spread from her face clear up into the roots of her hair. Any minute now someone was going to take a fire extinguisher to her. What had she ever seen in him?
“She’s busy with me,” Ben said and slung an arm around Noel’s shoulders, stirring up all kinds of excitement in long-dormant body parts.
Donny looked completely perplexed. And irritated. “You’re with him?”
“People move on, dude,” Ben said and handed Donny his drink. “Good luck with the book.” Then, to Noel, “I see a table over there.” Before she could say anything he’d put her drink in her hand and was steering her to a small table by the window. “Nice meeting you, Donny,” he called over his shoulder.
“Yeah. You, too,” Donny called after him. He didn’t sound as though he meant it.
“Thanks,” she said to Ben as they sat down at the table.
“Glad to help. So you and that guy were...”
“We went out for a while.” It had made sense at the time.
“Why? Wait, don’t tell me, let me guess. He had potential. That’s usually why women go out with guys like that.”
“Everyone has potential,” Noel said in both Donny’s defense and her own.
Ben nodded slowly. “So, you’re one of those women who believes the best of everyone?”
“I try to.”
He regarded her over the rim of his mug. “Even house-flippers?”
“Most of all, house-flippers. They understand potential. They also understand how a person can fall in love with a house.” That was subtle. Not.
He set down his mug. “Yes, they do. Noel, I’m sorry you didn’t have the money to buy the house. I really am.”
This sounded like the beginning of a speech she didn’t want to hear. “I know. And I appreciate the fact that you’re open to listening to my suggestions for how to keep its character. Can I buy you dinner tonight so we can talk about them? It’s Peppermint Blizzard season at Dairy Queen.”
“Are you trying to bribe me again?” he teased.
She cocked her head and tried a flirty smile. “Maybe.” Yes, of course.
“I can’t.”
Her flirty smile faltered. “Oh.”
“I have to go over to my mom’s.” Just when she was feeling that all was lost he said, “How about tomorrow night?”
She was so happy with this turn of events that she forgot to cock her head or toss her hair. “That would be great,” she said and gave him a plain, old Noel smile.
“You have a great smile.”
“I do?” She’d always thought her smile was rather average.
“Come on. I’m sure guys tell you that all the time.”
“Not really. I guess not everyone sees my potential.”
He shook his head. “Cute and funny.” Then he sobered. “I wish we’d met under different circumstances.”
That statement didn’t bode well. It pretty much said, “I like you, but I’m still going to sell your house out from under you for an obscene profit.” She tried to think of something clever to say in response but her brain was taking a nap. Even Marvella was strangely silent. Noel attempted to bring back the flirty smile; it refused to make an appearance and her normal one wasn’t up to the task.
He felt the awkwardness, too. He cleared his throat. “I’d better get going. I have to check on a house I bought over in Bremerton.”
She nodded. All was lost. Why bother with burgers?
There’s a winning attitude. Marvella was back. Don’t give up. It’s not over till it’s over.
True. She had nothing to lose. “I enjoyed visiting with you,” she said. No lie. She had until the subject of the house came up. If only they’d met under different circumstances. If only he didn’t have that one character flaw of buying houses someone else was in love with, she could so fall for him.
“Same here,” he said and downed the last of his drink.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at Dairy Queen,” she said, working hard to inject fresh enthusiasm into her voice.
He nodded. “Six o’clock.” Then he left.
She watched him go, feeling let down and miserable. Ben Fordham liked her—just not enough to lose money for her.
There were some women men would do anything for, including lose money. What was their secret?
“Are you seeing him?”
She broke out of her reverie to find Donny sliding into the seat Ben had vacated. And what was it about other women that they attracted men like...Donny?
“Oh, Donny, go away,” she said in disgust.
“What?” he demanded, clueless.
On second thought, she’d go away. She took her latte and left the coffee shop.
She needed to talk to someone. Riley was teaching, so she couldn’t call her. Anyway, Riley wasn’t doing any better at managing men than she was. What she needed was an expert.
Jo. Jo had always had boys trailing after her in high school and beyond. Cool attitude, hot looks—she had it all together. Noel parked in the Pineland Supermarket lot and put in a call, hoping Jo might have a minute.
“Mikey’s about to wake up. You’ll have to talk fast,” Jo said.
“I need help.”
“The clothes aren’t working?”
“It’s not the clothes. They’re great. It’s me.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“That’s what I want to know. I saw Ben Fordham again. I don’t think he’s going to budge on making it affordable for me to get my house.”
“What a turd,” Jo muttered.
“He’s not really,” Noel said. And when, exactly had she changed her opinion about the man? “He’s just a businessman.”
“Who’s ruining your life? Noel, are you falling for this guy?”
Maybe. “No. Look, I need to find a way to make him want to help me more than he wants to make money.”
“Good luck with that.”
“What is it about some women that makes men willing to do anything for them?”
Jo laughed. “That’s only in books.”
“Yeah? What about you? Guys have always tripped all over themselves to do what you wanted.”
“Tell that to my husband,” Jo said irritably.
“Come on, I’m serious. What have you got that I haven’t?” Besides blond hair, style, a husband and a baby.
“Are you asking me what I think you’re lacking?”
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
“Confidence,” Jo said. “You need to practice walking into a room like you own it. When you want something tell yourself, ‘I deserve it,’ because, Noel, you do. You’re pretty and sweet and kind-hearted and you need to appreciate yourself a little more. If you don’t, who will? Don’t let people turn you into a carpet. Decide what you want and then go about making it happen. That’s all there is to it.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Noel said wistfully.
“It may not be easy for you, but it’s what you need to do. Oh, the baby’s crying. That’s the end of the shrink session for today.”
“Thanks,” Noel said.
“I’m only telling you what’s true. You’re special, Noel, you really are. Now start acting like it.”
Special. Was she really? She pulled down the car visor and studied herself in the mirror. She wasn’t bad-looking. Why on earth didn’t she have more confidence?
Oh, yeah, high school. She could still remember how her tummy churned when she’d tried to talk to boys she was crushing on, could still feel the terrible sting of rejection when the boy of her dreams turned her down after she asked him to the spring dance. She remembered how nervous she’d get when a date wanted to kiss her, sure she’d mess the whole thing up. She invariably did. She’d only had a couple of serious boyfriends, and Donny Lockhart had been one of them.
But she could change. She was going to be more confident. She got out of her car and made her way into the grocery store. Confidently.
At the row of grocery carts at the entrance, she was just reaching for one when a fifty-something woman she’d seen in the store before snagged it and wheeled it off. How rude! She scowled at the woman’s retreating backside, commandeered the next cart and followed her inside. Designer jeans, boots, an expensive jacket and cashmere scarf. Diamonds in her ears. Perfectly highlighted, straightened, chin-length hair. Well-off and entitled. She was probably the kind of woman men would do anything for.
Noel thought of her own sweet mom, a little pudgy with streaks of gray in faint auburn hair. Mom never wore designer jeans. Her daughters were grown-up now but she still wouldn’t spend that much money on herself. She especially wouldn’t now that Dad was laid off. Was Mom the kind of woman men would do anything for? Maybe not, but Dad would, and that was all she needed. “It’s what’s in your heart that counts,” she liked to say. So how to balance a good heart and confidence? Jo managed to do it.
Still mulling over what Jo had told her, she wheeled her own cart to the produce department. She was selecting some apples when she realized the rude, cart-stealing woman was standing only a few feet away, inspecting oranges and talking on her cell.
“Yes, that girl would love to get her acrylic nails into him.” Pause and a frown. “Of course I’m aware he’s a grown man, but he’s still my son and you know he has a real blind spot when it comes to women. Thank God they only went out a couple of times. He’s done. I told him what a disaster she’d be.”
Yikes! Noel couldn’t help wondering what was wrong with the mystery woman who wanted to get her nails into this woman’s son. She was probably breathing.
“I’ve got another call coming in. Talk to you later,” the woman said. Her voice turned to syrup as she answered the new call. “Ben, dear. Are you staying for dinner tonight after you pick up Timmy?”
Ben? Noel blinked. No, couldn’t be. The Ben she was dealing with wouldn’t have this lizard for a mother.
“Good, because I need you to fix that leak under the sink.”
There had to be more than one Ben in a town of almost ten thousand who knew how to fix leaks.
“And bring your tool belt. I need you to put up a shelf for me in the laundry room.”
And there had to be more than one Ben in a town of almost ten thousand who owned a tool belt.
If there wasn’t, and if he really was as hard-hearted as his mother... Okay, Noel was so not going to think about that right now.