A Good Time Was Had By All

Chapter 2

She hadn’t slept so well in a month of Sundays.

Stretching in the queen-sized brass bed, Rachel yawned. With a sigh she snuggled deeper into the plush featherbed provided by the lovely folks at The Basket Inn. Perhaps she would do well to stuff it in her trunk and take it home with her.

The car!

Rachel groaned. What a way to ruin an otherwise perfect morning. She remembered the drive into town the night before and was not looking forward to finding a replacement for the rental. Apple Creek, USA, didn’t appear to be brimming with such modern conveniences as mass transport or rent-a-car companies.

She groped on the nightstand for the travel clock. Nearly nine. Such a sinfully late hour to finally wake. Not to mention hours since her last meal. What she wouldn’t give for a decent cup of coffee. Or a nice long shower. That would be heavenly. Of course, the child would need to be taken care of first.

Child?

Rachel rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Surely she was imagining…no, a head of dark ringlets was half-hidden at the foot of the bed. Brass spokes framed the fragile face with its violet eyes. She was a gorgeous little thing.

"Hey you," Rachel whispered, holding out a hand. The girl took it in complete faith. So much for not talking to strangers. "What’s your name?"

Without hesitating, the child climbed onto the bed until she was on eye level with Rachel. The hem of her purple sundress was grass-stained Rachel noticed, and her feet were bare.

"My name is Rachel. Are you staying here with your mommy and daddy?" The girl continued to study her intently. "That sure is a pretty dress. Did you pick it out yourself?"

"You’re my Daddy’s angel."

The words caught Rachel offguard. She’d been expecting something a bit more mundane.

Before Rachel could answer her, the little girl leaned in to hug her then hopped down and ran from the room.

She should have followed the child. Her words had definitely piqued Rachel’s interest. ‘You’re my Daddy’s angel.’ She chuckled. She’d nearly forgotten how imaginative little ones could be.

Resigned to the task that lay before her, she threw back the fluffy patchwork quilt and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. As the chilly air from the air conditioner hit her bare legs all she wanted to do was crawl back in bed. It wasn’t often she had the luxury of sleeping late. Especially in such peace. At home she’d already be at the office shuffling papers, juggling meetings and trying to keep Carl out of her thoughts. Unsuccessfully. Today wasn’t going to be any easier so she might as well bite the bullet and get the day started.

*(*

Lorna glanced at her watch. Just a little after nine. So she was behind schedule, it was nothing to get worked up about.

She was about to launch a manhunt when she heard tiny feet pounding down the Inn’s back stairs.

"There’s my little chickadee! Come here baby."

"Lorna! Where’s Daddy." Norie threw herself into Lorna’s open arms.

"Well, good morning to you too." Lorna nuzzled a tiny ear before placing her back on the floor. "He’s waiting for you little girl. How was your night with Uncle Seamus? And look at those stains all over your new dress." She zipped Norie’s overnight bag, only listening with half an ear to the child’s excited chatter. In a matter of minutes she learned a few bits of interesting gossip, even if Norie didn’t know it was indeed gossip, and that Seamus had left town unexpectedly early that morning. She only gave her full attention when she realized Norie had stopped talking. "What’s wrong kiddo?"

"Daddy’s angel is upstairs," she whispered rather melodramatically.

"It is?"

"She is. I talked to her."

Lorna contemplated Norie’s grave face. "Daddy’s angel, huh? With you around I bet she didn’t get a word in edgewise." She ruffled the dark moptop. "Come on baby. I’ve go to take you home and then run back to the auditorium. My big benefit’s tonight."

Lorna slung the bag over her shoulder and watched Norie dance out of the Inn and into the bright morning sun. The little dynamo might not be Carl’s by blood, but she certainly had his imagination. Carl’s angel? Ha! That would be the day.

*(*

Rachel trudged her way along the uneven sidewalk careless of the occasional massive crack. What a day! She’d spent most of it haggling over the phone in an attempt to arrange a new rental. When that failed she’d spent the remainder of the day outside in this monstrous heatwave trying to find any sort of help. Not time well spent at all. In a few hours she’d seen more of Apple Creek than she cared. Under different circumstances, she’d consider it charming, quaint even. Yet at the moment all she saw was a backwoods black hole.

Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since morning. The Inn had provided quite a spread, she was thankful for that at least. Now if only she cold find supper. This entire pathetic situation was wearing on her nerves making Rachel cranky. Which wasn’t like her at all. Really. She was hot and tired and hungry and she wanted to go home. Now! But she couldn’t do that just yet so she’d have to suck it up and settle for something a little more within reach.

Food.

She caught the first whiff a block away. Barbeque, she was sure of it. Not her usual, but this beggar wasn’t about to quibble.

Letting her nose lead the way, Rachel found herself in front of a restaurant tucked into one of the side streets of Apple Creek. She read the sign—Harry Mary’s

Harry Mary’s?

Ewww. Not exactly an appetizing name, especially if you stood around repeating it. But if the crowd inside was any indication the food had to be good.

Rachel sniffed again and could have sworn she was starting to drool. Oh but she was starving!

"What the hell," she muttered. "When in Rome…"

*(*

"I’m home!"

Lorna tossed her natty knapsack to the floor as she entered the front door. The last minute prep-work she’d hoped would take a couple of hours had lasted most of the day. Now she was left with precious little time for herself. But it felt good to be home.

As she approached the kitchen she could hear muted laughter. She smiled. How wonderful to live amid such happiness. Too bad some people took it for granted

"Hey guys, what’s for dinner?"

"I told Daddy about his club Lorna."

"Yes Lorna, my, club?" Carl’s eyes widened with amusement. "You may enlighten me if you so desire."

She rolled her eyes. "Like you had no idea. You know the Applettes think you walk on water. I just finished the set up and they couldn’t stop gushing about you. If they could, they’d change their name to the Carl Hutchins Estrogen Brigade."

"Very funny. Care to join us for a supper on the ground? We’re having a veritable feast we are. Potato salad, bologna sandwiches and ants."

"Appealing as that sounds, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass. I have to get ready."

Carl shrugged. "Your loss. Have a good time. If you can."

She watched as father and child carried on their conversation, lost in one another. She and Morgan could have had that if he hadn’t gotten an incurable case of cold feet.

Sometimes she thought she could have it with Carl too if not for Rachel. She could see herself settled with Carl. Hey, she practically lived with him anyway. They’d been close once before, long, long ago.

That was just it—whatever physical intimacy they’d shared had withered away. Now their unusual platonic relationship was the rule and it suited her fine. Why mess with success?

*(*

Rachel sucked each and every one of her fingers until she was satisfied they were clean. After that meal she was sure she’d died and gone to heaven. She didn’t even care that she’d smeared most of the sauce all over the top of her dress.

"Anything else ma’am?"

Rachel patted her belly. "I don’t think I could eat another thing Sherry. If you’ll bring my check…"

"It’s already been taken care of hon. Ronda," she pointed at the raucous group of women at the back of the restaurant. "Ronda and the girls insisted on payin’ for ya seein’ as how you’re new in town."
"Oh. I guess I should thank them."

"No need," said a short plump brunette as she approached Rachel’s table. "I’m Ronda and those are the gals."

Rachel waved at the group. "Thank you Ronda, it was a lovely gesture. I’m Rachel by the way."

"Nice to meet ya. Anyhoo, the gals and me were wondering if you’d to join us. You know, a girl’s night out."

"With a stranger?"

"You’re not a stranger, we just met. And don’t tell me you’re goin’ back to the Inn to sleep."

Okay, skewed logic, she could handle that. Girl’s night out. Hmm, how long had it been? Too long, way too long.

"What the hell. Gee, that phrase is becoming a habit." Just like the way she kept landing in unfamiliar situations. "Sure Ronda, I’d love to."

…to be continued…