The Secrets of Rosa Lee (31 page)

S
idney stood on the front porch of her great-grandfather's home and faced the small crowd brave enough to ignore the weather and come out for the committee's report. The mayor wanted to have the meeting in the courthouse, but Sidney thought it more appropriate here.

The town's newspaper reporter was present, with his notepad and camera, as well as all three oil companies. Talon Graham didn't look happy. Sidney guessed the mayor had already given him the results even though the vote hadn't been announced officially.

Crystal Howard, of Howard Drilling, walked from her car where her husband watched to the edge of the porch. She greeted several in the crowd warmly.

Sloan stood back near his truck. True to his word, he'd never tried to sway Sidney's vote. He'd been gone by the time she awoke at dawn, but he'd left a note promising to cook her the best Mexican food in Texas for dinner tonight, no matter what happened this morning. Micah had told Sidney that Sloan had told his boss he'd quit before he'd break his word to Sidney and interfere with the vote.

Old Earl Hamm sat in his rusty pickup waiting. He didn't seem so mean now that Sidney knew he'd been a true friend to Henry.

“Has the committee reached a decision?” the mayor yelled as if someone might not hear him.

“We have,” Sidney said. “We recommend that the Altman house and the land be sold to the oil company that will agree to two demands.”

Everyone but the committee and the mayor looked surprised that Sidney would place demands on the sale.

“First, the oil company offering the highest price will agree to fence off a section of the land for a park to be named after Clifton Creek's founding father Henry Altman. Second, Rosa Lee's roses will be removed at the company's expense and moved to the library where a rose garden will be built.”

Everyone applauded.

Sidney stepped back among the other committee members as the mayor moved forward. “Thank you, Dr. Dickerson, for serving on the committee. The city owes you and your tireless group many thanks.” He unfolded a piece of paper. “Now, I have the honor of announcing that though the bidding was close, one oil company came up with not only the best price, but a bonus offer. They agreed to the committee's terms and would like to donate up to half the funds needed to build a new room onto the library to be dedicated to books on gardening.”

The mayor smiled at the Rogers sisters. “The other half has already been matched by an anonymous offer that came in an hour ago. The wing will be called the Rosa Lee Altman Room and a percentage of the oil rights will make sure it houses the best books on gardening in the country.”

Everyone applauded.

The mayor paused for the newspaper reporter to take a shot, then continued, “The sale of the Altman property goes to Howard Drilling.”

Crystal Howard, representing her husband's company, stepped onto the porch to shake the mayor's hand.

Sidney tried to hide her shock. She glanced at Sloan, but he was gone. Somehow during the mayor's talk, she'd looked away and he'd disappeared. Before she had time to think, everyone around her started talking at once.

People wanted to shake her hand and tell her what a great job she'd done. Sidney tried to follow the conversation, but in the back of her mind, she couldn't understand. Why had Sloan left?

Crystal Howard took her hand. “Thank you, Dr. Dickerson, for suggesting the library room for Rosa Lee. I thought it was touching. We didn't like the idea of destroying a part of Clifton Creek's history any more than anyone. Now, we'll always have a part of her with us.”

Sidney smiled. “Who told you about my idea?” She tried to sound casual, as if the idea had been hers.

“Sloan McCormick called us early this morning. He said he thought his company could meet our offer on the land, but he knew they'd never agree to the bonus of the library and the percentage to keep it up.” Crystal tilted her head. “He knew we might care, since we're from here, and he was right. I admire his honesty. If you see him tell him, if he's ever looking, Howard Drilling could use a man like him.”

“I will.”

Sidney had no time to say more; Crystal was surrounded by the Rogers sisters who wanted to talk about the rose garden. Sidney stepped away, trying to understand why Sloan would talk to Crystal.

She watched Lora Whitman drag Billy Hatcher off the porch. “Come on,” she protested. “You have to meet my mother sometime and a public place is far safer. She rarely kills with an audience watching.”

“But I'm not sure I've built my blood count up enough yet,” Billy complained.

“She's not going to eat you.” Lora laughed. “Just kill you. But don't worry, I'll pick out a nice coffin for you and I'll visit your grave regularly.”

“Slow that imagination down, babe. I'm not planning on leaving you anytime soon no matter what your mother does.”

Sidney watched as Lora introduced Billy to her very proper mother. Before Mrs. Whitman could even think of being rude, the sheriff stepped beside Billy. Sidney wasn't sure if Granger was there for support or protection, but Mrs. Whitman seemed to get the point. She smiled and extended her gloved hand to Billy.

Micah, who'd been standing beside Randi, walked over to the group to lend his support to Billy. Somehow, they were family, and if Mrs. Whitman planned to pick on one of them, she'd better watch out for them all.

Sidney noticed Micah's son, Logan, walk up to Randi. “Hi,” he said in a shy little voice.

Randi folded down to his level. “You must be Micah's son,” she said. “You look just like your father. I came by to meet you last night, but you were already asleep.”

“I got my mother's eyes,” the boy said.

“And they are very handsome eyes,” Randi added. “I'll bet she was beautiful, wasn't she?”

“I don't remember much, but I think she was. She died when I was little.”

“I know.” Randi touched the boy's shoulder. “Your father told me.”

“You like cats?”

“Yes. I do.”

“I got a cat. His name's Baptist, but I think he's Methodist.”

Randi smiled.

Logan looked up at her. “You my dad's girlfriend?”

She looked like she might bolt, but she held her ground. “I guess so. Is that all right with you?”

The boy took her hand. “Mrs. Mac and I saw you standing next to him and thought you might be. He's never had one before. We think it's 'cause he doesn't know how to talk to women. Except for Mrs. Mac. He talks to her fine. We're real worried about him. I think he's been waiting for you to show up for a long time.”

“You think so?”

The boy nodded. “He needs someone to look after him. Mrs. Mac and I can't do it all.”

Randi laughed. “I'd like to meet this Mrs. Mac.”

Logan pulled on her hand. “She's over in the car. She says she's not standing outside again until spring.” He pulled Randi along.

Sidney watched them move to a parked car and laughed. The boy was right, Micah needed someone to care about him.

She walked over to the side of the porch and placed her hand on the worn wood by the steps. Sidney couldn't help but wonder how many thousand times Rosa Lee must have stood in the same place and looked out on a town she'd never joined.

She touched the place Rosa Lee had touched and somehow she felt close to her, this grandmother she never knew. The house could fall. It didn't matter. Everything Rosa Lee had loved would live on. In Sidney, in memory, and in the rose garden.

As the crowd cleared, Sidney walked to her Jeep and climbed inside. As she waited for the heater to kick in, she pulled the old recipe card from her briefcase and read the back one last time.

Never forget the secrets of Rosa Lee.

Smiling, she put her Jeep in gear. She had classes to teach and a life to get busy living. It would be late before she made it back to her little bungalow, but she knew she'd have the best Mexican food in Texas waiting.

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