Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold (15 page)

T
HE NEXT MORNING
H
ARRIET AND
M
ARTHA ROSE FAIRLY
early, even though Martha’s body clock was not yet on California time. Harriet had not slept all that well considering Martha’s snoring, but she wouldn’t tell her that. And Humphrey had done a pretty good job of sawing wood himself.

“Good morning,” Martha said as she sat up in bed.

“Morning,” Harriet said. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a log. I can’t believe I slept so well.” She hung her legs over the side of her bed. “I thought I would have trouble the first night or two, but I was really tired.”

“I’m so glad.” Harriet yawned.

“How about you?”

“Fine,” Harriet said. “Although I will admit that I might have been kept awake from time to time thinking about everything.”

“You have a lot to think about,” Martha said.

Harriet took a breath. “You know, you’re absolutely right. Here I was complaining to you about how bored and lonely I was, and now I’m almost overwhelmed with things to do and think about.”

Martha slipped her bathrobe over her shoulders. “So what shall we do first? I want to see everything.”

Harriet took another breath. This time she let it out slowly. “Well, first we should have breakfast and then I need to meet Win at the café at ten-thirty.”

“Oh yes, the call from yesterday.”

“Yeah. He needs more money.”

Martha sat back down on her bed. “Harriet, are you sure about this guy? Have you checked it out?”

Harriet cinched her bathrobe around her waist. “I didn’t think I needed to. Wait until you meet Win and Lily. You’ll see what I mean. And besides, he said he’d have pictures of the actual mine for me today.”

“Okay, but … but … well, this is your call. I’ll try to keep an open mind.”

Henry had risen early also. He was already sipping coffee and writing by six and had managed to complete another chapter. Feeling pretty good about the book, he thought it looked like a French toast kind of day. He leaned back in his chair. “Yep. I think it’s going to be a good day.”

He saved his file for the third time. “I’ll be back later,” he said.

That was when Humphrey ambled into the den and let go a woof. “What’s that, boy? You say you need to go out?”

Humphrey wagged his tail.

“All right, I’ll let you out. Mom must still be sleeping.”

Henry slid open the deck door, and Humphrey scooted out and made a mad dash for his favorite bush.

“All-righty then,” Henry said. “French toast with raspberries.”

He was whisking eggs and milk when Prudence appeared in the kitchen, looking a little like a wrung-out dishcloth. Henry stopped whisking. “You don’t look so good.”

Prudence sat down at the table. “I don’t feel so good.”

He sat across from her. “Are you sure this is normal?”

Prudence shrugged. “According to your mom and every mother at the office, it is perfectly normal.”

Henry was not about to let his anxiety show. “Then we don’t worry. Maybe something to settle your stomach. Some tonic water with a splash of cranberry juice?”

Prudence shook her head. “Nothing yet … but maybe a couple of crackers.”

“Sure thing. I’m making French toast.”

“None for me,” Prudence said. “I think I’ll shower and get ready for work.”

Henry set three crackers on a plate near Prudence. “Work? Are you certain you’re up for it?”

“I have to. Court today.”

Henry went back to his egg mixture. “Look,” he said with his back turned. “Maybe you should quit.” He waited. He soaked two slices of bread in the mixture and set them in a hot, buttered pan before turning around.

“Did you hear me, honey?”

“I heard. And I’ve thought about it, but we’d never make it without my salary.”

Henry felt his heart sink through the kitchen floor. “I’ll get a job.”

Prudence shook her head. “No. You’ll never get your books written.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes. I can work at night.”

“Check your pan,” Prudence said. “No, I just have to get through this part of it. Everyone says it goes away. Usually.”

Henry flipped the bread and dropped another slice into the eggs. “Just promise me you’ll not overdo it.”

“I promise.”

That was when Henry noticed Martha standing at the kitchen doorway. “Good morning,” he said.

Martha looked at him with wide eyes. “Morning. Smells good in here.”

“Come on,” Prudence said. “Coffee is on and Henry is making his famous French toast. I’m just going to go shower and head off to work.”

Martha smiled at Prudence. “It really does end.”

“Thanks. You have a good day with Harriet. I’ll be home for dinner.”

Henry handed Prudence a glass of bubbling Coke. “Just a few sips. I’m sure it will help.”

Prudence sipped the Coke. “Starting to feel better already.”

“I heard what you said about Prudence quitting her job,” Martha said once Prudence had left the room.

Henry flipped the bread. “I wish she could. I wish she would never have to work again.”

“Oh now, that might not be best for her. But I understand. It would be nice if she could quit, at least for a while.”

“There’s just no way. I don’t make nearly enough writing books. That’s why I’m thinking about culinary school, but that could just make it worse, what with tuition and books and whatever else I might need. Not to mention the time away from home.”

Martha poured coffee into a mug. “Well, maybe something will happen to change all that.”

“Like what?”

“Oh, I don’t know, but things have a way of changing. Maybe your mom—” Martha stopped talking.

“Maybe my mom what?” Henry said.

“Nothing, Henry. I just mean people have been affording babies forever. You’ll figure it out.”

After breakfast and making a grocery list, Harriet and Martha went into town in Henry’s BMW. They stopped at the bank first and
Harriet withdrew the money Win requested. Martha’s eyes grew when she saw that much cash. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Maybe it would be better to just give the cash directly to the kids.”

“Martha,” Harriet said, “don’t be so pessimistic. Now, come on. The café is just down the street.”

The same server was there to greet them. “This is my friend from back east, Martha,” Harriet said as Cindy led them to the usual table.

“Nice to meet you.”

Martha took the seat across from Harriet.

“Are you expecting the others?” Cindy asked.

“Yes,” Harriet said.

“Okeydokey. It’s a little early for fries, but—”

“Oh, not today,” Harriet said. “We had a lovely French toast breakfast. Just coffee.”

“This is nice,” Martha said, looking around.

“It is nice.” Harriet glanced around. She spied that same woman sitting on the stool at the counter again. She leaned over the table. “Do you see that woman over there? Dark blue pants. Sitting at the counter reading a book.”

“Yes?”

“She’s always here, I mean, there, sitting over there. Every time I come in. There she is. Isn’t that weird?”

Martha shrugged. “I don’t know, if she’s always here when you are doesn’t that mean you’re always here?”

Harriet had to think about that for a second. “Well, yeah, I guess, but there’s something strange about her. She looks … out of place.”

“Maybe she’s a spy.”

“Oh don’t be silly. Why would there be spies in Grass Valley?” Harriet said. She glanced at the woman again and saw Lily making her way toward them.

“Oh good, there’s Lily. Now you’ll see what I mean.”

Martha turned. “Is that her? With that black hair?”

“Yes.” Harriet still couldn’t get used to the black hair, but she was pleased as punch that Lily was wearing one of the outfits she bought her. Green shorts with a pretty blue blouse tucked in and a multi-colored striped belt.

“Lily,” Harriet said. “You look adorable.”

“Hi,” Lily said with a wave. She stood by the table. “Thanks.”

“This is my friend Martha from back east. The one I told you about. She’ll be visiting for a while.”

“Hi,” Lily said.

“Go on, sit down,” Harriet said. “Where’s your dad?”

“He’ll be here soon.”

Harriet couldn’t help but notice that Martha’s brow had wrinkled like a cheap suit. “What’s wrong, dear?”

“Nothing,” Martha said. “I was just wondering why she isn’t in school. Is it a holiday?”

“I don’t go to school,” Lily said.

“So you graduated?” Martha said.

Lily shook her head.

“She dropped out on account of moving around so much with her father,” Harriet said. “But who knows, maybe when we strike it rich you can finish school and go to college.”

Lily sucked louder on her straw. “Oh, that’ll never happen. Believe me.”

“Oh now, she doesn’t mean that.” Harriet looked at Martha. “We’ll strike it rich.”

“No,” Lily said. “I just meant I’m not smart enough to go to college.”

“Pish,” Martha said. “You certainly are smart enough.”

“Smart enough for what?” Win said as he took a seat.

“College,” Martha said.

“Oh, that,” Win said. “She don’t need college. And you must be Martha, Harriet’s friend.”

Martha nodded. “And you must be Win.”

“Dad,” Lily said, “stop making decisions for me. Maybe I’d like to go.”

“Now hold on, girlie girl, I’m not saying anything new.”

Lily folded her arms against her chest.

“Don’t worry. You can go if you want,” Martha said.

Harriet was surprised at how quickly Martha thought she could speak into Lily’s life. It wasn’t like her. “Maybe we should get down to business.”

“Good idea,” Win said.

Cindy came by. “What can I get for you?” she asked Win.

“Now I know it’s a little early for lunch, but could I get a cup of coffee and French fries for my sweet little filly here?” He touched Lily’s hair. Harriet saw Martha wince when she jerked away. “And I’ll just have a grilled cheese, no pickle, and chips,” Win said.

“Grilled cheese sounds good,” Lily said. “If we can afford it today.”

“My treat,” Martha said.

“Why thank you, ma’am,” Win said.

“Be right back,” Cindy said. “And would you like a Coke, sweetie?”

“Sure,” Lily said.

“So, how long will you be staying?” Win asked Martha.

“Two weeks,” Martha said.

“Unless I can convince her to stay longer,” Harriet said.

Martha smiled. “We’ll see.”

After a few minutes of idle chit chat, Cindy returned with their orders.

Harriet watched Win give Cindy a quizzical look.

“Now I know,” Win said. “Didn’t you used to work at the bakery in Nevada City?”

“Yeah,” the waitress said. “But I do better here. We never got
tips at the bakery, and all I did was stand behind the counter and pass out donuts and cupcakes.”

Harriet snapped her fingers. “That reminds me,” Harriet said. “I have to get donuts for Humphrey.”

“Humphrey?” Lily said. “Who is Humphrey?”

“My dog. He’s a big, fat Basset Hound with ears that drag on the floor when he walks and an insatiable appetite for glazed donuts. Didn’t I tell you about him?”

Lily laughed. And that was when Harriet realized that that was the first time she had heard Lily laugh. Laugh in a way that sounded genuine.

“Donuts?” Lily said. “That’s funny. Your dog eats donuts.” Then she looked at the table. “I had a dog once. But we had to give her away after Pop and me started moving around so much.”

“But,” Win said, “as soon as we make enough money to buy us a pretty little house on a pretty little street, we’re goin’ right down to the pound to pick you out a new pup.”

Lily shook her head. “Right. I’ll believe that when it happens.”

“Now, now, dear,” Harriet said. “You must have faith. Faith is the most important thing in life. Well, that and family.”

“That’s good,” Win said. “You tell her about family and how important it is. In fact, you came out here to live with your son, isn’t that right?”

“Yes. And his wife. And now they’re having twins. Can you believe that? Twins.”

“Congratulations,” Lily said. “That’s nice. You never told me much about your daughter-in-law. Lots about Henry, but not much about her.”

Martha pulled her coffee mug from her lips. “That’s because Harriet never really thought much of Prudence. Until now.”

“Prudence?” Lily said. “That’s her name?”

“It suits her,” Harriet said. “No, really, she’s a terrific woman. I’m so proud of her. She’s a lawyer.”

Win coughed. “A lawyer, you say.”

“Yes. And a good one. She even serves on the … the … what do you call it?”

“City council,” Martha said.

“Yes, that’s it. She’s very smart and knows all about the law.”

Lily grabbed two fries and dipped them in the ketchup. “These are really good fries.”

“I know,” Harriet said. “But not as good as some I used to get at the Jersey Shore.”

“Oh yeah,” Lily said. “Pop and me lived near there for about three months once. Someplace called Browns Mills.”

Win bit into his grilled cheese. “I was just wonderin’ some-thin’,” he said. “Have you told Prudence and … and Henry, of course, about the gold mine?”

“Nope. I was gonna, but then I decided to keep it secret for a while. Until after we strike it rich. Keep it a surprise.”

Win let go a long breath. “That’s good. I mean, that’s right nice of you, Harriet. Surprises are always fun.”

“I hope so. I’m thinking I could get them a big head start on the babies’ college education.”

Win finished his sandwich in only four or five bites. “Anyway, that’s all nice, but first we have to find the gold, and in order to do that we need to move more gravel and dirt.”

“Right,” Harriet said. “I guess that’s where the backhoe comes in. Are they terribly expensive?”

“Oh, you got it all wrong, darlin’. We don’t buy a backhoe. Nobody buys a backhoe. We just need to rent it for a while. A few weeks before the rainy season starts.”

“A few weeks?” Harriet swiped one of Lily’s fries. “It’s gonna take that long to strike gold?”

Win smiled wide. Cindy came by and asked if they wanted anything else. “No, darlin’, we’re just about to leave.”