Your Heart's Desire (10 page)

Instead of returning to the ballroom area, Caroline decided to stop by the parlor to check on Gladdie and Beulah. Suddenly their company—especially compared to Evelyn the Ice Queen—sounded delightful. But when she found her way back to the parlor, only Gladdie was there, quietly reading a magazine.

“Sorry to disturb you,” Caroline apologized.

Gladdie looked up, removed her glasses, and smiled. “You're not a disturbance, dear girl. I simply sent Beulah to fetch us some dessert. Have you had any?”

“Not yet, but I'm still full from the lovely buffet. Thank you.”

“Come sit with me,” Gladdie insisted. “Tell me if you danced with Terrence and whether he stepped on your toes or not.”

So Caroline told her about dancing and how they both did better than expected. She even went on to tell about the billiards game and how she very nearly beat him.

“But then he went on to win,” Gladdie said with dismay.

“Not at all.” Caroline explained about their interruption. “Of course, Miss Stuart insisted on taking him back to the other guests, which was understandable. And, really, I didn't mean to monopolize his time.”

“Ha! I know my Terrence well enough to know he wouldn't let
anyone
monopolize his time unless he was enjoying himself, too.”

“Oh…” Now Caroline didn't know what to say, and she felt a little guilty for telling his mother about this. It was almost as if she was tattling.

“Evelyn seems to have fixed her sights on Terrence,” Gladdie said quietly. “And I suppose it's not terribly surprising…I mean after losing Max Jr., it's only natural that she should look to the other brother…I suppose.”

Caroline considered this. “So Evelyn and Max Jr., uh, were romantically involved?”

“It's a bit complicated…but the short answer would be yes. You see, the Stuarts have been our dearest friends for years. We've known Evelyn since she was in diapers. And I suppose we parents had always imagined our families would be linked through the marriage of our children one day.”

“I see.” Caroline imagined a sort of monarchy.

“Evelyn always seemed more interested in Terrence than Max. But Terrence was always off doing something, flying planes, traveling to foreign countries. Max, on the other hand, had stuck around. And when Evelyn went to work at the chocolate factory, she and Max grew closer. Then Max went to war.” She sighed.

Caroline patted her hand. “And war changes things.” She repeated the exact words she'd heard Gladdie saying earlier.

“Yes, that's just right. It certainly does.”

Just then Beulah returned with their desserts and Caroline excused herself, feigning interest in procuring a dessert, too, but in reality she simply wanted to go home. Suddenly and inexplicably, she felt exhausted. And, really, it had been an incredibly long day. So much had happened. So many feelings—highs and lows—that she felt emotionally drained.

Of course, as she walked along the perimeter of the dance floor area, she realized that her feet would probably sprout fresh wings if Terrence approached her for another dance. Was that even a possibility? She glanced over the crowd, hoping to see him coming her way. But when she spotted Terrence, he was dancing with Evelyn—and Caroline turned away, pretending not to have seen…not to have cared.

“Where have you been?” Doris asked her with arched brows. “I haven't seen you since we arrived.”

“Oh…I had a nice visit with Mrs. Gordon and her sister…” Caroline glanced back to the dance floor, curious as to whether Terrence was enjoying himself, then chastising herself for caring.

“Don't they make a handsome couple,” Doris said with a conspirator tone. “Isn't Miss Stuart's dress a knockout? Rumor is Mr. G might be planning a proposal for tonight. Wouldn't that be romantic? A New Year's Eve proposal? Oh, I think I would swoon if it was me.”

“I guess that would be romantic.” Caroline tried to sound oblivious. “But I heard that everyone is predicting he'll pop the question on Valentine's Day.”

Doris laughed. “Your first day at MG and you've already heard about the pool?”

Caroline shrugged in an attempt at nonchalance. All she wanted was to go home now. She felt tired. Bone tired. But as she observed Doris, happily tapping her toes to the music, it was obvious her friend had no intention of leaving before midnight.

“I'm so worn out,” she quietly told Doris. “I wonder if I should get a taxi and just call it a night.”

“Don't bother with a taxi. The Gallaghers were just getting ready to leave,” she told Caroline.

Caroline tried to recall why the name sounded familiar.

“
Georgia
Gallagher is Mr. Gordon's secretary, remember?” Doris reminded her. “She and her husband were about to go home. Perhaps you can catch a ride.”

“Thank you.” Caroline forced a smile, then hurried out to the coat area, spotting Mrs. Gallagher being helped into her short fur jacket.

“Excuse me,” Caroline said eagerly. “Doris just told me that you were heading home and that I could perhaps get a ride.”

“Of course.” Mrs. Gallagher pulled on her white gloves.

After Caroline gave her ticket to the young man, she quickly told the Gallaghers where she lived.

“You're right on our way,” Mr. Gallagher assured her.

“You don't want to stay until midnight?” Mrs. Gallagher asked. “I thought all the young people stayed up late.”

“It's been a very long day for me.” Caroline tossed Marjorie's stole over her shoulders. “And I'd really like to be with my son…to wish him a happy New Year.”

“Well, of course,” Mrs. Gallagher said as they walked outside. “I don't blame you a bit.”

As Mr. Gallagher drove them home, Mrs. Gallagher raved about her boss. “I wasn't sure that I'd like working for the younger Mr. Gordon,” she said, “but I must say he's been a pure delight. MG Chocolates is very fortunate to have such a kind and caring man at its helm. I'd venture to say that everyone there loves him—and he loves them back. Such a good man.”

Mr. Gallagher changed the subject by asking Caroline about herself. She explained about how her husband was a casualty of war, the age of her son, and why she'd moved out here to live with her sister and her family…finally sharing about her hopes to start a new life and anticipations for a good year ahead. But the truth was she mostly felt dismayed.

Chapter 11

On New Year's Day,
Caroline was determined to begin the year with positive thoughts and hopeful feelings. She started the morning by fixing a late breakfast for herself and Joe. And she was just about to ask him about spending the rest of the day with her when he announced that he wanted to go visit his new friend Jimmy Rolland today.

“But New Year's Day is sort of a holiday,” she said weakly.

“Aunt Marjorie said they're not doing anything special, just sleeping in and stuff,” he told her. “And she let me call Jimmy yesterday, and Jimmy invited me to come over to play ball with him and his buddies.”

“Ball?”

“Yeah. Jimmy's dad and uncle and some of his cousins and neighborhood kids, they all get together to play football on New Year's Day. It's a tradition.”

“Oh…” She frowned at Joe. “Football? Isn't that kind of dangerous?”

“It's just touch football,” he told her.

“You really want to go?”

He eagerly nodded.

“All right. But you write down Jimmy's address and phone number for me,” she told him. “Since I haven't met his parents yet.”

After Joe went off to Jimmy's house and she'd returned Marjorie's Cinderella outfit, assuring her that she'd enjoyed the New Year's Eve party, Caroline went back down to her apartment and did some routine cleaning. But after a bit, she found herself repeating chores that didn't need doing, and she realized that the apartment was clean enough. Feeling antsy and unsettled, she paced back and forth, pausing now and then to glance at the sunny, clear day outside. She suddenly felt like a caged squirrel. She had to get out of there!

She went to her closet, where she'd already hung all the gorgeous clothes that Marjorie had so generously shared. She flipped through the garments until she came to the red and white polka-dot dress. She pulled it out, admiring the nice full skirt and the crisp white belt that would go around the fitted waist. This would never be a work dress. Not for her anyway. But it seemed a good “Saturday” dress. At least what she used to call a Saturday dress. And although today wasn't Saturday, it felt sort of like it.

And so she put on the dress along with the lower-heeled black pumps she'd gotten yesterday. And then she let her hair down so it curled loosely around her shoulders. But then she pinned the front part up, similar to how Marjorie had fixed it yesterday.

“All dressed up and no place to go.” She smiled at her surprisingly cheerful image in the somewhat dim bathroom mirror. Why not take a walk? She doubted that anything in town would be open on New Year's Day, but she could window-shop and get some fresh air.

She felt her spirits lighten as she strolled to town. Something about wearing a pretty dress on a sunny day was uplifting. She walked past Dee Dee's Coffee Shop, which was closed. Past Speckled Hen Groceries and Dorn Brothers Shoes, where she'd gotten her black pumps yesterday. All were closed. But she didn't really care. She walked past MG Chocolates, too, and past the chocolate shop, which she'd yet to visit, and they were closed, too. She was about to turn around and go home when she noticed that the Black and White Café was open across the street. She wasn't hungry for lunch yet, but when she saw the
SODAS
sign, she decided to investigate.

The bell on the door jingled as she went inside. Cheerful black and white checkerboard floors and aqua-blue booths greeted her, as well as a plump middle-aged woman in a black and white uniform. “Take any seat you like,” she called out. “As you can see, we're not exactly packed yet.”

“But at least you're open.” As Caroline slid into a booth by the window, she realized she was the only customer.

“I was just wondering if that was a mistake.” The woman glumly set down a menu. “But last year I got a lot of high school kids in here on New Year's Day.” She shrugged. “You never know.”

“I'm afraid I'm not terribly hungry,” Caroline admitted. “But I would like a soda.” She chuckled. “I haven't had one in years.”

“What flavor?”

“Do you have strawberry?”

“You got it, honey.”

As Caroline listened to the sound of the radio and whirring soda machine, she couldn't help but compare what she was doing right now to what she would be doing if she were still living in Minneapolis. Probably nothing. Perhaps knitting or reading. Or maybe getting ready to go have lunch at her parents'. As much as she missed them, she didn't regret her choice to come out here. Even sitting here by herself, waiting for her strawberry soda, seemed preferable to her previous life.

She sighed happily as she gazed out the window. Certainly, her life wasn't perfect and she still had plenty to figure out, but at this moment, she felt content…and very nearly happy. She smiled as she looked out the window, gazing out onto empty sidewalks. Across the way was MG Chocolate Factory. Interesting how it dominated the street…perhaps even the town. And for now, she was employed there. At least for six weeks. And maybe even after that if the company continued to expand the way everyone was predicting.

“Here you go, honey.”

Caroline's eyes grew wide when she saw the gigantic strawberry soda mixed with ice cream and topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream in front of her. “Oh, my!”

“You looked like you could use the jumbo size.” The waitress grinned. “Happy New Year.”

Caroline thanked her and picked up her spoon. She was about to dip into it when she saw a figure exiting the chocolate factory. She leaned closer to the window, peering curiously at the man emerging onto the street. When she realized who it was, her heart seemed to skip a beat. Dressed in a gray business suit and matching hat, it appeared to be Terrence.
Rather, Mr. Gordon
, she reminded herself. Her boss.

Not wanting to be caught staring, she quickly turned away, focusing her attention on the decadent-looking soda in front of her. It was so big it was almost embarrassing. But when she tasted a bite, she realized she didn't care. It was delicious. Just as she was dipping her spoon in for a second bite, she heard the bell jingling, and when she looked up, she saw him.

“Hello,” he said warmly, removing his hat as he entered. “I thought that was you.”

“Oh, hello,” she said, trying to appear calm and collected.

“That looks interesting,” he said as he approached her table.

“It's actually quite good,” she confessed. “But I had no idea it would be this big.”

He tipped his head to the other side of her booth. “Is that seat taken?”

“No.” She tried to keep her voice calm. “Please, feel free.”

He slid into the seat, but as he did, his smile faded. “You seemed to have disappeared last night.”

“Oh…yes…” She felt surprised he'd noticed. “I was tired. I caught a ride home with Mrs. Gallagher and her husband.”

“Georgia took you home?”

She just nodded.

“You didn't even say goodbye.”

“I'm sorry. I did speak to your mother. I believe I told her goodbye.” But even as she said this she was unsure.

“Afternoon, Mr. Gordon.” The waitress smiled brightly at him. “It's good to see you today.”

“You, too, Nadine. You're looking well. I assume the holidays were good to you.”

“Thank you.” She patted her dark hair with a flirty smile. “No complaints. Now what can I get for you?”

He pointed to Caroline's soda. “I'll have what she's having.”

“Coming right up.”

He looked back at Caroline. “We never finished the billiards game.”

She made a sly smile. “Maybe you should be relieved.”

He nodded. “Yes, you weren't doing too badly.”

“Well, I did feel bad for monopolizing your time,” she said quietly. “When there were so many guests.”

“I like to think that my time is my own when I'm not at work.”

In her mind's eye she saw him dancing with Evelyn. “Yes, that seems fair.”

They both grew quiet and Caroline couldn't think of anything to say. And then without really thinking, she spoke. “I heard that there might've been a big announcement last night. Hopefully I didn't miss anything important.”

“An announcement?” He frowned.

“Well, it was just something someone said…probably nothing…just idle gossip.” She focused her attention on the frothy pink drink in front of her, wishing she'd kept her mouth closed.

“Here you go, Mr. Gordon.” The waitress set another strawberry soda down. “Happy New Year.”

“You, too, Nadine.” He held it up to her. “Here's to a really good year for the Black and White.”

“Thank you, sir.” She smoothed her hands down the skirt of her uniform, then walked away.

He sampled his soda, then smiled. “Hey, this really is good.”

“Told you.” She smiled, then began telling him about the first time she had a soda like this back in Minnesota. She knew exactly what she was doing, hoping to distract him from her nosy question. “And I haven't had a soda in years,” she admitted. “I guess maybe I missed it.” She smiled at him. “I'll bet there were a lot of things you missed during the war. What do you suppose you missed the most?”

Her tactic seemed to have worked, because he was suddenly telling her about all the various deprivations and the foods and things that servicemen used to daydream about. “But, of course, it was probably the people we missed most of all. Our family and friends back at home.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “I can understand that firsthand now. Well, certainly not like you experienced. But I've never lived far away from my parents before. And even though it's not even been a week, I miss them dearly.”

They chatted congenially as they sipped their sodas, but eventually the tall glasses were empty, or nearly, and Caroline could tell this impromptu meeting was about to end. And judging by Terrence's suit, she suspected he was off to something of more importance than sharing a soda with a new employee.

“Before I go,” he said as she pushed the empty glass aside, “I'm still curious about what you said earlier…you mentioned a rumor about a big announcement. Care to elaborate a bit?”

She felt her cheeks growing warm again. Why had she mentioned it? “Oh, it wasn't really anything.”

“And here I thought you were my friend and that I could trust you.” He gave her a slightly wounded look that reminded her of her son when he didn't get his way. It disarmed her when he'd called her his friend. And yet…

“If rumors are floating around, it only seems fair I should know about them,” he persisted.

Naturally she felt even more torn. “Well, if you really must know, it was a rumor about you and Evelyn—I mean Miss Stuart.”

His dark brows arched with interest.
“And…?”

“And the rumor was that perhaps you were going to announce your engagement to Miss Stuart last night. You know, for New Year's Eve.” She made a little shrug.

“I see…” He was reaching for the check.

“Well, you know how people talk,” she said apologetically. “It's fun for them to speculate about such things. I didn't really take it seriously.”

“Was that why you left?” He looked intently into her eyes.

“No, of course not,” she answered quickly. “The truth is I was very tired.” As she reached for her handbag, extracting some change for her soda, she replayed all that had gone on in her world the past several days. “I really hadn't intended to go out last night. Despite it being New Year's Eve. And when the Gallaghers offered me a ride home, I gladly accepted.” She started to lay her money on the table, but he stopped her.

“Let me.” He laid three dollars on the check and picked up his hat. That was far more than the total even with a generous tip, but as he stood she could tell he intended to leave all of it.

“Well, thank you,” she said as she stood. “I didn't expect—”

“Happy New Year, Mrs. Clark.” His eyes twinkled as he put on his hat. “Have a good day.”

“You, too,” she said, pretending to be fussing with her handbag and gloves, but really just allowing him time to leave without her. For some reason, she felt like she needed that much space. Room to catch her breath and figure out what had just happened. He had never answered one way or the other about the big announcement, but for some reason she took that as a negative. If he were a newly engaged man, he surely would say something. And he surely wouldn't buy another girl a soda!