Maybe she still thought of him as an outsider. After all, hed only lived in Crossroads for seven years. Shed been living in Dallas when he moved to town, so hed never known her before her accident. Small-town people are sometimes slow to accept strangers, and maybe her being blind made it harder still.
But Wes sat across the aisle from her in church every Sunday and they sometimes ate at the same cafeteria table during the potluck suppers for singles. That didnt exactly make them friends, he guessed.
He set a cup of coffee down in front of her but didnt move around to his desk.
We sold out of the apple jelly last week, he said, proud of himself for thinking of some way to start the conversation. With Christmas coming, you might want to think about restocking on Saturday, or you could leave a case and Ill take care of it.
I will. Her slim fingers brushed the heavy mug and circled the handle. I could wrap a few gift baskets. Theyd be expensive, but people might buy them as Christmas gifts.
It wouldnt hurt. Last-minute shoppers are always looking for something unique. That was it, he thought. The limit of their conversation.
He didnt blame her for not wanting to know him better. They were simply polite acquaintances. Both too quiet. And even though she couldnt see him, someone had probably told her he was homely. He might be only thirty-four now and considered himself passable, but in a few years hed get that buzzard look his father and grandfather had aged into. Too tall, too thin, hawk-nosed and big-eared. The few women he had dated years ago must have seen the future the moment he took them home.
A rattle sounded at his open office door.
The Franklin sisters, who owned the bed-and-breakfast down the street, poked their heads in and interrupted his torture. They used to brag that they put up their own jams, but since Maria had started selling her jams and jellies, the sisters had decided to buy from Wes.
Morning, Maria, Rose Franklin said as she waddled past Wes like he was a post in the center of the office. You got any of the apricot jam? I make a great chicken bake with it.
Yes maam, I made some more up from the apricots I froze this fall. You might want to stock up because whats on the shelf will be the last until next summer.
Maria grinned for the Franklins. Something she never did for him. She had a sunbeam smile, he thought, a slice of beauty peeping through her normally cloudy-day expression.
Daisy Franklin leaned close to Maria. Wed buy it from you wholesale, Maria, if youd let us. She glanced over at the six-foot-two post named Whitman and must have decided he wasnt listening in. Cut out the middleman, you see.
Wes didnt move or comment. Hed heard the sisters try this trick before. Marias jars might not bring in much income for him, but her product brought in customers. All it took was one jar and they stopped by for more every time they passed Crossroads.
No, thank you, Miss Franklin, Maria said as she carefully sipped her coffee. I have an agreement with Wes. He buys all I can make and I sell only to Whitman Grocery.
Wes smiled. Shed said his first name in front of someone. Like they were friends. Theyd made a deal and shed stuck to it.
Half the store was regular supplies, but the other half was specialty items, all locally grown or canned or baked or brewed. Shed walked in with her sister leading the way and asked if he wanted to stock her jellies. Wes couldnt have said no even if hed had to eat every jar.
Now folks stopped in to buy the small jars that had red bandannas tied with ribbons on the lids. Every week, Wes watched her stock empty off the shelf, counting down the days until shed be back.
Rose Franklin frowned as she looked around his office. Two chairs. Walls lined with boxes and Wes standing at the door. I understand if you two have some kind of private agreement, just between you. She wiggled her eyebrows. Ive had a few of those myself over the years.
Neither Wes nor Maria looked up. Arguing with Rose was like fighting a case at the Supreme Court. Youd better be ready to brawl, or stay out of the court.
Wes saw Marias cheeks redden. Rose seemed to be hinting there might be more between them. Much as he wished there could be, he knew the chances were zero.
Everyone who has your peach preserves on our famous nut bread at breakfast wants to buy both. If the bed-and-breakfast carried a stock of the preserves, it would save them a trip over here. Rose straightened, prepared to wait it out for the answer she wanted. Youd only up your sales.
Wes stepped into the line of fire. Now, Miss Franklin, Ive heard of that homemade bread of yours. Folks say its straight from heaven. Have you ever thought of marketing it? I think it would be cute with both of you ladies pictures on the label. Franklin Sisters Famous Breads. I can see it on the shelf.
Daisy clicked her tongue almost like a little drumroll. Oh, no, no, we cant do that. Weve got far bigger irons in the fire. She glanced at her sister for permission. With Roses slight nod, Daisy continued, Rose and I have decided to open another business. What with the town growing, were going to become wedding planners. And though our first clients are keeping it a secret, were planning a huge wedding, bigger than this town has ever seen.
Rose nodded. Once we establish our name, folks from big cities like Amarillo or Lubbock, or even Abilene, can call us. Well put the wedding party up in the bed-and-breakfast, plan the wedding, bake the cake, and all theyll have to do is show up.
Daisy giggled. Its called a destination wedding.
Imagine that, Wes said politely. Hed never thought of Crossroads as a destination, more like a potty stop where two highways crossed.
That sounds grand, ladies. Let me know if I can help. Wes considered asking how two ladies whod never married had suddenly become experts on wedding planning, but he didnt want to hurt their feelings.
Rose straightened. Well, as a matter of fact, you can help. If youd find a bride, wed give you half off for being our first local customer. We could work you in before the big wedding in June.
Both women laughed when Wes backed away.
Its all right, dear. Daisy Franklin waved him back. We know youre like us, Mr. Whitman. Some folks just arent meant to ever marry.
Wes was thankful when one of his employees stepped up with the sisters bags.
The Franklins waddled off and Maria handed him her empty cup. His time alone with her was over.
She moved away without a word.
Wes sat down in his office chair and turned his back to the door. He wished he could close off the world. Hed worked on being able to make small talk with customers. The weather. Sports. The local news. But it never came easy, and his mind didnt seem to work fast enough to think of something witty to say to Maria.
A light tap came from the direction of his door.
Wes swiveled and looked up. Yes? was all he could think of to say.
Maria stepped back inside his office and, to his surprise, closed the door. Would you mind if I stay longer?
No. Would you like more coffee? He stood and knocked a stack of car part catalogs off the corner of his desk.
She moved to where hed knelt, but made no attempt to help him pick them up. Im sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were all right after what Miss Franklin said. Her soft voice seemed to whisper through the cluttered room as she reached out and touched his shoulder.
He straightened and tossed the catalogs into the trash behind him. I should have tossed these a long time ago.
He didnt move away. He just stared at her delicate hand sliding down his arm. Im all right, he finally said, more surprised that she was worried about him than upset by anything Daisy could ever say.
Maria nodded. Of course you are. Daisy Franklin didnt mean anything. Her words get ahead of her brain sometimes.
He sat on the corner of the desk so he could look at her face. It was kind of you to worry about me. He still towered over her.
He thought about touching her, maybe her cheek or covering her hand with his, but that might not be right. If he were another man he might ask her out, or kiss her cheek. Then he remembered what shed come back for. It was time to settle the account. He needed to pay her.
Oh, Im sorry. If youll wait a moment, Ill write your check. He sat down at his desk and opened his checkbook.
She remained at his side.
Dread settled like lead in his chest. She must have something to tell him, and if she closed the door it had to be bad. She was moving? Marrying? Selling out to the Franklin sisters?
He placed her check on the corner of the desk without looking at her and waited.
Swiveling in the chair, he started to stand. Maybe it would be all right to walk her out this time?
She took a step and placed her hand on his shoulder again, holding him down with her feather touch.
When he looked up at her, he saw her sunbeam smile just for him, and her fingers brushed his jaw.
Then she did the strangest thing. She leaned down and touched her lips to his.
He was so shocked, he didnt move.
Straightening, she frowned at him, then kissed him again. Harder this time.
He reacted like a man waking up and finally kissed her back. A light kiss. An almost innocent kiss.
Then she stepped away as if the tidal wave that had just rolled over him was simply receding back into place.
Ill see you next week, she said, as proper as ever.
Yes, he answered. He stood and awkwardly opened the door for her. Hope you get home before the cold front comes in.
She never turned back as she left the store, but quiet Maria Anne Davis had just changed his world.
Wes stood in his cluttered office and wondered how people sleep with strangers they meet at closing time and have more lovers then they can count. He didnt even know how to talk to women anymore, or ask Maria out. He had no idea what to say but he was pretty sure a weather report wasnt right.
But if she kissed him, she must like him.
If he did figure it out, she probably wouldnt know how to answer, or they wouldnt have anything to talk about on the date. Neither knew much about communicating.
He smiled. Maybe it didnt matter. Shed kissed him. That was a start.
CHAPTER THREE
TRAVIS WALKED INTO the county offices, thinking, How bad could this new home be? The three great-uncles probably had no clue about how to raise a kid. He barely remembered his father mentioning them, and if they were kin to his dad, they were probably drunks. New town, new house, same old problem. Hed still be on his own.
When the deputy motioned him into the sheriffs office, Travis swallowed his gum apprehensively and stepped into his new life.
The three old men lining one wall were worse than hed feared. Ones face was so wrinkled that at first Travis thought it was a mask. One was tall, real tall, and skeleton-thin. And the third looked like he was wearing pajamas.
The deputy smiled. Travis, meet your nearest relatives.
Travis thought of bolting, but it was like looking at the freaks at the circus. He was afraid to blink.
The wrinkled uncle grinned and removed his hat that said CAP. Hello, son, Im your Uncle Cap, Cap Fuller.
Of course you are. Travis took his offered hand, wondering what the other two would be namedprobably Slim and Crazy.
Were sorry about your folks, Cap said, without letting go of Traviss hand. Well do the best we can for you while youre here.
The bony one took a long step like he was crossing a line in the sand and committing himself to sudden death. He removed his cowboy hat and nodded. Im Dice, Dice Fuller. Youre a fine-looking boy. How old are you, son?
Almost sixteen.
I would have guessed older, maybe seventeen. You got old eyes. Dice looked him up and down as if there would be a test later. Height, weight, hair color.
Travis decided he liked the thin manunless, of course, Dice was planning on frying him up for supper. He probably hadnt had a meal in years.
The third uncle was chubby and looked like hed spent way too much time staring at the refrigerator light. He didnt speak, but he smiled at Travis like the criminally insane might. The guy had too many teeth to be normal and his lips looked like rubber bands pulled tightly between fat cheeks.
In fact, none of them seemed normal. That one point probably confirmed they were kin to him.
About the time Travis had decided to run, a uniformed man stepped into the room. The deputy straightened slightly.
The stranger, who had kind eyes, introduced himself as Sheriff Brigman. I know this isnt going to be easy on you, Travis, and I want you to remember that Im right here if you need me. He turned to the uncles. Youve all made changes to make this work. He looked at Travis. This wont be like home, son, but if you give it a chance it wont be so bad.
Travis lowered his head, not wanting to say anything. The last time he saw the trailer he called home, there was trash everywhere, broken furniture and blood. Even the uncles place probably wasnt that bad.
Cap shook the sheriffs hand. Thanks for your help, Dan. If youve no objection, wed like to keep him out of school until the new year? Let him get used to the place and us. Hell stay at Horaces house with Dice at night, but theyll drop him off at my place across the street on the days theyre working. Among the three of us, well do our best to keep up with him.
You guys work? Travis was shocked. They all looked old enough to be drawing Social Security checks.
Cap turned to him, talking slowly, as if there was a language barrier between them. I retired from teaching several years ago, but I still help out at the retirement village. The manager needs my advice often. And as a former captain of the volunteer fire station, Im called in to handle problems. Ive even been known to work crowd control for the sheriff from time to time. It seems to be in my DNA to take charge in emergencies.
Typical teacher. Ask him the time and you get a lecture on how the watch works.
You ride, son? skinny Dice Fuller asked.
Horses? Travis thought of yelling that he wasnt any of their sons, but hed save that tantrum for later. Four-to-one odds didnt look so good.
Yeah, horses. We dont usually ride the cows. Dice chuckled.
Nope. Never had the chance, but Ill give it a try.
Ill teach you. A man oughta know how to ride.
How about drive? Thats important, too. Ill be old enough to get my license next year. Travis saw the first ray of hope. If these old guys would teach him to drive he wouldnt have to run away; he could drive. Then he could really go places, live in his car, much safer than the streets. If he didnt like the place he landed, hed just drive away.