Heart's Design: A Contemporary Christian Romance (8 page)

Chapter 8

~~♥~~

The girls enjoyed a leisurely morning browsing in the jewelry and antique shops on and off the main streets in town. Kat splurged on some small but expensive pieces of hand blown glass and Paulina found some unique antique kitchen utensils that struck her fancy. Caroline had in mind something she wanted to buy, but she’d wait until she could scoot down to Mahoney’s on her own. She glanced at her watch, not wanting to lose track of the time. As long as she returned to the inn before twelve-thirty, she should have enough time to get ready for the wedding.

“Caroline, come over here.” Kat tugged Caroline over to a display case in a small jewelry shop on Quartz Street. “Look at these amethyst necklaces. I’ve never seen pink amethysts before, but that’s what the clerk said they are. Aren’t they exquisite? Come on,” she coaxed, tapping a finger on the glass, pointing to a necklace. “I really like this one. I’m thinking of buying it and I need your educated opinion.”

Caroline stepped closer to the glass case. “It’s nice.”

“That’s it? But…?” Kat prompted. “You know, Caroline, you’ll design jewelry again as soon as you crawl out from under that huge rock you’ve allowed your family to put over you.” At least she’d had the decency to lower her voice with that statement. “Just tell me. Is it worth the price or not?”

“You bought the red garnet pieces without my approval yesterday.” That sounded snotty. Motioning for Kat to follow, Caroline stepped outside the store. Paulina sat on a bench chatting with a white-haired woman.

“You weren’t with me in the store yesterday or I
would
have asked you.” Kat frowned. “You and Paulina were in that antique store at the time. You’re here now and I’m asking.”

“I didn’t want to insult the shop owner,” Caroline said. “The proportions of the stones are wrong. To the naked eye, it’s pleasing, but it also looks like sloppy workmanship. For the money, I’d advise you not to buy it. Depending on how often you wear it, it won’t last long.”

Kat nodded. “And that’s what I’m talking about. You got all that just from looking at it for a couple of seconds? Impressive. You definitely know your rocks.”

“Gemstones.” This conversation was already becoming a running joke.

“Whatever. I need to go find a dress to wear to the wedding reception. Paulina? You with me?”

“Coming!” Paulina hopped up from the bench. “Nice to meet you, Marla. See you around.” The woman smiled and waved as they started down the street again.

“Listen, I’m going to run an errand,” Caroline said. “I’ll meet you back at Landon’s in a bit.”

Paulina checked her watch. “Sounds good. Hopefully we’ll find something to wear or else they’ll have to accept me in my shorts.”

“I saw the perfect dress for you in one of the stores yesterday. Practical yet dressy enough for a wedding. It’s in one of the cute little boutiques over on Elm Street,” Kat told Paulina before smiling at Caroline. “That dress you found in Lisa’s closet looked perfect for you, Prescott. Sweet and innocent but shows just enough leg to get a rock doctor’s attention.”

“Liesel.” Paulina and Caroline said the name at the same time.

“You know, if you’re going to be an actress, you really need to get the names right.”

Kat frowned, but Paulina made a valid point.

~~♥~~

“Why, hello there, young lady.” A portly man, balding with glasses, greeted Caroline as she stepped inside the door at Mahoney’s a few minutes later. “Now, you look like a woman with a mission as my wife would say. If you need anything, you let me know.” This man couldn’t be Clara’s husband since the shop owner had told her she was widowed. Must be another employee helping out since Clara might be preparing to attend Liesel and Paul’s wedding.

Caroline headed for the quilt rack. “I was here yesterday and one of your quilts caught my eye. I’d like to buy it.” She didn’t know why, really, but ever since Clara mentioned that Liesel had admired the quilt, the idea had planted itself in her mind. Not that she wanted to throw her money in their faces, not that she was trying to impress anyone, but this was something she could do. Somehow she’d get the gift into the wedding reception anonymously.

“Sure thing,” the man said. “Which one would you like?” When Caroline pointed out the one, he raised an eyebrow but dutifully pulled the quilt from where it was draped over the rack. “Ah, the double wedding ring one. This here quilt’s a popular one. Lots of people have looked at it but, well, to be honest, no one’s had the money to buy it. Have you, uh, looked at the price tag, Miss?”

No, she hadn’t, but it didn’t matter. “It’s not a problem.” A thought struck her. “You do take credit cards, right?”

“Yep. We couldn’t survive these days if we didn’t take them,” the man said with a light chuckle. “For something like this, using a credit card makes sense, but if somebody comes in for a few things that cost under five dollars? Well, that kind of confounds me.” He scratched his head. “Would you like your quilt gift wrapped?”

“You gift wrap? I mean, sure, if it won’t take too long. Or, if you want, just point me in the direction of the paper and I’ll take care of it. Do you have a box large enough?” That seemed the more important question.

“I’ll give it my best effort. Clara keeps a collection of boxes back in the storeroom. Let me go see if I can find one for you. Be back in a jiffy and then it might take both of us to get it wrapped seeing as how it’s so bulky. If you don’t mind helping.”

Caroline smiled. “Not at all.”

“Hey, Tommy! You here?” he called across the store.

“Yep. I’m here, boss. Whatcha need?” The question came from a nearby aisle.

“Watch the front counter for me, would you? I need to run to the back for a couple of minutes.”

“Sure. Be right there.”

As Caroline waited for the man’s return, she walked around the store. A card would be nice. Surely Mahoney’s had at least a small selection of greeting cards. Scooting over a few rows, glancing up and down the aisle, she found them. After only a moment, she selected a suitable wedding card and carried it to the front.

A young man lounged behind the counter, elbows on the glass top, playing a game on his phone. “Hey,” he said, standing up straighter. “Wow. You sure are pretty.” His cheeks colored and he dropped his gaze. “Sorry. Clara keeps telling me to stop saying things like that. Didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“None taken. A girl can’t hear a compliment like that enough. The other man is trying to find a box for me. I’m buying a quilt, and I’d like to buy this card, too.”

He turned and jerked a thumb at the quilt, neatly folded on the counter. “That one?”

“Yes.”

“I can go ahead and ring you up while you’re waiting, if you want.”

“That’s great. Thanks.” Caroline pulled her credit card from the pocket of the small purse she’d bought.

The kid glanced at the tag and let out a loud curse. “Sorry. Excuse my language.” He fumbled with the tag attached to the quilt with a safety pin and a short length of string.

“Here, let me help.” Caroline disengaged the tag.

“This’ll be my biggest sale of the year,” he said with a huge grin, taking the tag from her. “The whole decade, I imagine. You know how much this thing is, right?” He whistled under his breath.

“No, but it’s fine. Do you work on commission?”

“I guess not since I don’t know what that means.”

Tommy punched the numbers from the tag into the ancient cash register. Charming like everything and everyone in Evergreen. Picking up the greeting card, he punched in the SKU number and eyed her closely as he relayed the amount. If he thought she’d flinch, he was in for a long wait. Her dad insisted on paying her to clerk in his law office. Other than supplies for this trip, she hadn’t spent much since her graduation. Neither had she touched her trust fund left by her maternal grandparents nor did she intend to dip into it unless it was to help set up her own business. Someday. Somewhere.

“You must be loaded. Pretty and rich. What a combination. You need a younger brother?”

“That’s no way to speak to our customer, Tommy.” The other man returned and gave her a nod as he scooped the quilt off the counter. “I’ll meet you at the table in the back and we’ll get the quilt wrapped. Tommy, you stay on the register.”

“Yes, sir.” The teenager gave her a sheepish grin. “Do you want a bag for the card?”

“I don’t need one. I’ll just tape it the box.”

Avoiding her gaze, Tommy pushed the sales slip across the counter with a pen and asked for her signature. After she signed the slip, he tore the carbon copy off and handed it to her. “This part’s your receipt. Thanks”—he glanced at the name on the card—“Caroline Prescott.”

“Thanks for your help, Tommy.”

“Sure thing. Come back again.” He handed over her credit card. “I’ll see if I can work on that commission thing.”

She smiled. “If anyone asks, you didn’t get the idea from me.” She paused. “Matter of fact, if you could
not
mention that I was the one who bought the quilt, I’d appreciate it.”

Tommy gave her a thumbs-up. “Our secret, pretty lady.”

She also made sure to suggest to the nice older man, Clyde, that he not tell anyone she’d bought the quilt. As they finished wrapping the package in a pretty floral paper, Caroline pondered how to sign the card. She finally wrote a simple wish for God’s blessings on the happy couple and signed it “A friend.” Adding the part about God’s blessings seemed appropriate and the thing to do for this couple.

As she prepared to leave the store with the bulky package, another idea popped into Caroline’s mind. This scenario was getting rather silly, and she suddenly felt like a spy trying to cover her tracks. Who knew who might see her crossing the town’s busiest street with this package? Remaining anonymous was the top priority in her mind.

“Tommy?”

“Yeah, Caroline? What’s up?” He’d already gone back to playing his game, but at her call, Tommy put his cell phone down on the counter.

“I’ll be happy to pay you if you could run this package over to the reception hall at Evergreen Community Church sometime before two o’clock today.”

“He’ll do it,” Clyde said, “but you don’t need to pay him.”

“Hey, can I please speak for myself here?” Tommy held up both hands. “A little hush money wouldn’t hurt. I got a girlfriend to take to dinner tonight. She wants to go sit-down fancy.”

Caroline pulled out her wallet. “Clyde, please let me do this since I know a personal delivery is probably a special request.”

Clyde shook his head, laughing. “Fine. It’s your money, Caroline.”

Tommy’s grin grew wider as she handed over a crisp twenty dollar bill. “Take your girlfriend someplace nice. Hopefully this will help.”

“Yeah, considering the church is only four blocks away, it’s a really nice tip. Thanks a lot. Can I run it over to the church now, boss?”

Clyde waved his hand. “Go already, kid. I know Clara and some of the ladies are down at the church getting the food ready. Just make sure you get back in ten minutes. I need you to do some stocking.” He nodded to her. “Real nice meeting you, Caroline. I hope to see you around here again soon.”

“I hope so, too, Clyde.” As she dodged Humphrey the cat resting at the base of the steps, Caroline thought about Clyde’s sentiment. Funny how she knew Clara, Clyde, Tommy, Beverly, and Seth better than the man and wife team who’d owned and operated the corner convenience store closest to her father’s office. She’d been going in that store for years, since she was in her early teens, to get her dad’s favorite jelly donut, something he’d sworn her never to tell her mother. The simple fact was that the shop owners in Boston never had the time—or never
took
the time—to get to know her. Not that people in Boston weren’t friendly. She’d always thought the reputation many held of Bostonians—uptight and snooty—misleading overall. The citizens of her city were simply…
busy
all the time.

The sun was climbing higher in the sky and a light breeze stirred the branches of the maple and white birch trees lining the sidewalk. Not having a tight schedule was so freeing and Caroline took her time walking back to the inn. Meandered even, and that was something she’d rarely done. A number of the townspeople raised their hands and called out a greeting. She couldn’t remember smiling so often or being this relaxed in months, maybe even years.

Inhaling the fresh mountain air, Caroline glanced with appreciation at the foothills and the White Mountains behind them. How was it she’d never visited this region of Maine before? The Swiss Alps were fabulous to visit. The Colorado Rockies equally gorgeous. But this?

Incomparable beauty.

Yes, coming back to Evergreen, Maine again one day was something she’d consider. Most definitely.

Chapter 9

~~♥~~

A tall, lanky, middle-aged man in a black tuxedo hurried into the house while the girls relaxed in the living room. Glancing up from her book, Caroline caught the harried look on his face.

“Afternoon,” he mumbled with a nod before walking into the kitchen. Kat and Paulina shot curious looks her way.

Must be Mr. Landon, Beverly’s husband. She checked her watch. Three o’clock.

A couple of minutes later, the man returned to the living room with a small wrapped package tucked beneath one arm. Giving them a polite nod, he ran a hand over his thinning hair. “Afternoon, ladies. I’m Randall Landon. My wife wanted me to let you know that Liesel and Paul’s wedding reception is starting soon. It’s only a few blocks from here, but I’m driving over now and can take you, if you’d like.”

“Sounds good to me.” Jumping up from an armchair, Kat smoothed one hand over the skirt of her new dress, a simple but elegant pink sheath. Modest, always a good thing. Beside her, Paulina wore a green blouse and ivory skirt. They’d both bought new sandals and handbags to match and had burst into their guest room earlier, raving about the inexpensive prices compared to everywhere else in New England. They looked very pretty.

“Thank you, Mr. Landon.” Caroline rose to her feet and gave him a warm smile. “It’s very kind of you and your wife to invite us.”

The ride was quiet. Unlike his wife, Mr. Landon was not inclined to make small talk. Or talk much at all, apparently. Within minutes, he pulled his older sedan into the crowded parking lot of Evergreen Community Church. He pulled up to the door of the sanctuary and then exited the car to help them. Pulling the passenger door open, he helped Caroline out of the car and then did the same for Paulina. Kat couldn’t wait and opened her door before he could assist her. After acknowledging their thanks, he told them to have a nice time.

Pastel balloons were tied to the stair railings leading into the church and floated in the light breeze. A banner suspended from the ceiling just inside the doors of the church proclaimed
Congratulations, Liesel and Paul Mattingly!

“Wedding receptions are always so ripe with possibility,” Kat whispered as they followed the sounds of laughter and the buzz of conversation. “Even in little towns in Maine. This could be fun.”

Caroline bit her tongue as they walked down the staircase and into the fellowship hall. This wedding reception with its simple but pretty decorations, and a buffet served by the ladies in the church, would be nothing like the ones they’d attended for their college friends. She, Kat and Paulina had all been attendants in a number of weddings during their Wellesley years. High society, high church weddings, every last one of them. Caroline’s bridesmaid dress for one of those weddings cost more than her portion of the house rental for two months. An obscene excess, especially considering she’d heard the groomsmen making bets as to how long the marriage would last.

Caroline hadn’t known any of the brides all that well, save one who was her sorority little sister. Even then, she didn’t know the girl all that well. She was also smart enough to understand she’d most likely been included in the wedding party for no reason other than longstanding business or social connections. Or the significant weight the surname Prescott carried in Boston social circles.

“Party!” Kat brightened at the sound of live music although it was subdued, more like a string quartet than a DJ spinning pop or R&B tunes. Twinkling lights winked at them from fake trees set up around the perimeter of the room and the delicious aromas of cooking food drifted from the kitchen in the far corner. Knowing Beverly Landon, there would be plenty of food, and this was no cake and punch only reception.

“Let’s go congratulate the happy couple.” Caroline led the way to where the bride and groom stood across the room chatting with their guests. An impromptu receiving line appeared to be forming.

With an engaging smile and sparkling green eyes, Liesel resembled neither her mother nor her father physically. Paul stood by his wife’s side, obviously besotted with his bride. Caroline’s heart swelled as she watched them for a few moments. Paul reached for his wife’s hand, giving it a squeeze. Then he slipped his arm around her waist. Caroline’s breath caught when Paul glanced at his hand intertwined with Liesel’s. He ran one finger over her gleaming wedding band with a look of wonder as if he found it difficult to believe he’d married the most beautiful woman in the world. Liesel glanced up at her groom, adoration shining in her eyes. From what Caroline could tell, these two were very compatible. They’d be happy. Raise beautiful kids. Grow old together. Sometimes you could just tell.

“Liesel’s lovely, isn’t she?” Caroline mused.

“Liesel is an interesting name, but I like it,” Kat said. “Sounds German.”

“It’s the name of Captain Von Trapp’s oldest daughter in
The Sound of Music
. The pretty girl who’s all gushy about her first love. She sings and dances in the gazebo with that messenger guy, and yells ‘Whee!’ or whatever—I find that part extremely annoying—and then that same boy betrays Liesel’s family to the Nazis.” Paulina turned, smiling as she watched Liesel and Paul. “They do look really happy. Like one of those perfect couples on the top of a wedding cake.”

Kat frowned, but she was distracted and obviously not paying close attention. “Who? The Nazis? What are you rambling about now? I think we’ve all seen
The Sound of Music
like a hundred times, and the couples on top of a wedding cake are plastic with fake smiles. So not appropriate, Paulina.”

Caroline couldn’t help it. She laughed at the absurdity of this conversation. If she didn’t laugh, she might cry. What was it about weddings that made her so emotional? Her parents might have been married for years, but how did it count when infidelity had raised its ugly head? Paulina’s parents were the exception, but Kat’s parents had separated twice and then reunited twice in recent years. From what she knew, they were still currently together.

Caroline pushed those thoughts aside. Not the time. “No wonder I invited you two along on this trip. You’re very entertaining.”

“Glad we can amuse you,” Paulina said.

Kat blew out a breath. “I suppose it’s a shame some people in town already know who we are. Think about it, girls. Wouldn’t it be fun to take on assumed identities and make them believe we’re long lost relatives? Or speak in French? Do something really crazy and shake them up?”

Paulina surveyed the room. “Let’s stick with being wedding reception crashers. Although, we
were
invited.” She waggled her brows. “I say let’s go be alluring, charming and mysterious, my darlings.”

“Let’s not and say we did.” Caroline could only hope they’d behave. Some of their shenanigans at Wellesley made her cheeks burn just thinking about them. She nodded to Beverly from where she called to them across the crowded fellowship hall. Dressed in a pretty periwinkle dress that offset her white hair, Beverly was a very lovely mother of the bride. She wore a pink orchid corsage on her wrist.

“Thank you for coming,” Liesel said to Kat and Paulina after Beverly introduced them a couple of minutes later. The pretty, glowing bride shook their hands as Beverly told her they were guests at the inn.

After shaking Paul’s hand and murmuring her congratulations, Caroline met Liesel’s gaze. Something indefinable whispered in her heart. It was as though, in that moment, she somehow knew Liesel would one day be a good friend. Given the opportunity.

Crazy
.

Not really knowing why, Caroline embraced the other girl, squeezing her shoulders in a quick hug. “I’m so happy for you and I’m thankful for your sweet mother. Treasure her. She’s a gem.”

“I know. Thank you for saying that.” Liesel appeared somewhat surprised, but touched. “What did you say your name is?”

“Caroline Prescott.” Realizing that she was wearing Liesel’s dress, she smiled. “Your mother gave me permission to raid your closet. I hope you don’t mind.”

Liesel laughed. “Not a problem. Keep it if you want. That dress looks a lot better on you than it ever has on me.”

“Well, I’d better be going…” Embarrassment overtook her, and motioning to her friends, Caroline stepped aside to make room for the next well-wishers in line.

“Anyone see the bar?” Paulina glanced around the room.

Kat rolled her eyes. “We’re in a church. You’re not going to find a bar unless this is some new breed of church. Better stick with the punch.”

“Why?” Paulina sounded genuinely puzzled. “Yeah, we’re in God’s holy place or whatever, but Betty Crocker isn’t allowed to drink?” She huffed and waved one hand. “I’ve never heard that before.”

“Nothing’s wrong with them, Paulina,” Kat hissed. “Sometimes people make a conscious choice not to drink, you know. That’s their prerogative.”

“I don’t think that’s the reason.” Caroline kept her words quiet. “I think it’s more a faith-based decision. Exhibit A, the reason the reception’s being held here instead of somewhere where liquor is served.”

“So what?” Paulina groused. “I know some so-called Christians and they’ve got an entire wall of wine in their house. Don’t be naïve. Even Jesus drank wine. Besides, alcohol in moderation has proven health benefits.”

Caroline found that statement uninformed since Paulina’s mother had either been in detox or rehab several times in the past four years. Who was the naïve one here? The woman might have a happy marriage, but she wasn’t without her problems.

“Beverly talked with me about God this morning,” Caroline said as they sipped their punch a few minutes later. “She told me that God’s the source of her comfort and strength.” She shrugged when both Kat and Paulina stared at her. “Made sense.”

“In that case, she probably thinks alcohol is a sin.” Kat’s green eyes narrowed as she glanced around the room. Caroline recognized the telltale signs. Her friend was sizing up the crowd for eligible men.

“I guess that means ditto for dancing.” Putting her hand in front of her mouth, Paulina feigned a yawn. “Just another boring wedding reception.”

“Give it a chance,” Caroline said. “You might surprise yourself and have fun.”

“Yeah, bring out the Twister and we’ll have ourselves a real good time.” Paulina’s scowl deepened.

“You ever played that? Twister?” Kat grinned. “It’s actually hysterical when you get all tangled up. Especially when there’s a guy involved.”

Caroline tuned out their banter and her gaze strayed to the gift table. The oversized box with the quilt sat to the far left. With any luck, the newlyweds would save opening the gifts until later. Isn’t that what most young couples did these days?

Kat’s voice broke into her thoughts. “You didn’t even hear what I just said, did you?”

“What’s that?” Caroline took another sip of her punch and focused on her friend.

“There’s only one eligible man here and he can’t keep his eyes off a pretty blonde in a floral dress borrowed from the bride.”

“Go talk to Seth now while you’ve got that pretty color in your cheeks.” Paulina nudged her arm and tried to turn her around, but Caroline wasn’t budging. “Give the man an image to remember, girlfriend.”

Kat and Paulina took off not long after, giving Caroline flimsy excuses and telling her they’d see her back at Landon’s. “You stay,” Paulina advised. “Have a good time.”

“In town only a day and you’ve already caused a stir in this little mountain town.”

Good thing she’d perfected the art of peering over the rim of her a glass without batting an eyelash or she might have jumped in surprise. As it was, Caroline’s heart stopped a few seconds when she turned to face Seth. So handsome he stole her breath. Dressed in a gray tuxedo with a lavender rose pinned to the lapel of his jacket, he was a beautiful man, but completely, ruggedly
male
.

When he stepped closer, she tried not to stare at the way his broad shoulders filled out that tuxedo. The way his dimple winked at her from one clean-shaven cheek. The normally windblown look of his chestnut-colored hair was replaced by a more sophisticated but styled look that accentuated his high cheekbones and square jaw. But it was the look in his eyes that stopped her—as if she was the only woman in the room.

Barely able to breath, Caroline forced a smile to her lips. “I’ve caused a stir? How so?”

Seth’s gaze lingered and he appeared at a momentary loss for words. Somehow she found that difficult to comprehend. “Let’s just say it’s not every day we have three beautiful girls drop in on Evergreen.”

Caroline smiled, pleased by his compliment. “Thank you, but are you claiming Evergreen? Since you don’t actually live here, I mean.”

“True, but yes, I claim it. Once you visit this town, I think you’ll find it settles in your heart.” He chuckled. “I realize how
It’s A Wonderful Life
that sounds, but it’s true. I’m glad you’re here to experience it for yourself, Caroline.”

“Me, too.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here since you turned down my invitation.”

“Beverly also invited me this morning so I figured why not? Might be fun.” She shrugged and attempted to act nonchalant, but unlike Kat, she couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag. “I probably should be leaving now since my friends have…” Caroline faltered when his gaze refused to relinquish hers. This could be dangerous, this power of sorts Seth seemed to hold over her. Not that it was a bad thing. She cleared her throat. “Why, um, are you staring at me?”