Chasing Down a Dream

  When she did, her eyes widened.

  “What’s it say?” Gen asked eagerly.

  “For Rocky and Jack. Use of my jet to anywhere in the continental US for their honeymoon.” Tears pooled in her eyes again. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Have you two picked out a place yet?”

  “Yes. New York City.”

  “When you’re ready to go, just let me know.”

  Rocky was so moved all she could do was nod in reply.

  Tamar presented the last gift. “Your godfathers, Mal, Clay, and Bing, asked me to give you this.”

  It was another envelope. Inside were two season tickets to the Chiefs games for the upcoming NFL season. She pumped her fist. “Yes!”

  Surrounded by her booty, Rocky took in all the smiles and the damp eyes and decided she might be the luckiest motorcycle chick on earth. Since she was a little girl, she’d dreamt about having a life as perfect as this one with its great job, fantastic love, and an amazing group of friends. “Thank you, everybody.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Lily called out, “And now, cake!”

  Cheers filled the air.

  Walking on air after the shower, Rocky rode the short distance across the street to see if Jack was home. She wanted to tell him about the great gifts and see if he wanted to get together later. There was an unfamiliar car parked in his driveway. Not wanting to butt in on anything, she sent him a text saying she was going home, to not disturb him and his company. Her phone rang. Caller ID showed jack. “Hey, babe.”

  “Hey,” he replied. “You aren’t interrupting anything. Come on in.”

  “You sure?”

  “Positive. Eva’s cousin is in town on business and I want her to meet you.”

  “Eva’s cousin?”

  “Yes. Please, Rock.”

  “Is she giving you drama?”

  He didn’t answer, which she took as a yes. “Be right there.” She walked to the door. Steeling herself for what she’d find on the other side, she turned the knob and went in.

  The woman, a petite brunette, looked so stunned when Rocky walked in, Rock almost smiled.

  Jack did the introductions. “Helen, my fiancée, Rochelle Dancer. Rock, Eva’s cousin Helen Simon.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Rocky said.

  The woman appeared to shake herself out of her shock and said, “Same here. I wasn’t expecting—”

  Rocky spoke into the breach. “Someone who rides motorcycles? I know.” She placed her helmet on a table. “Many folks are shocked that I do.” She sat down on the arm of the couch where Jack was sitting.

  He looked up at her and smiled. “How was the shower?”

  “A lot of fun. Got some pretty nice stuff, too.” She turned to the cousin, who continued her assessment. “Are you going to be in town for a while?” Rocky asked her.

  “About two weeks. I’m doing some consulting work over in Franklin.”

  “Ah.”

  Jack said, “I thought she might like to have dinner with us later.”

  Rocky had nothing but respect for Jack’s ties to his late wife, but the woman eyeing her with barely veiled, narrowed eyes didn’t impress her as a friendly dinner companion. “I just stuffed myself at the shower but if you don’t think I’ll be intruding on you two catching up, I’ll go.”

  “You won’t be intruding,” Jack insisted.

  Rocky looked to the visitor and asked, “Helen?” The woman seemed to be still sizing her up.

  “Oh,” she replied, as if startled. “Sure. Please come along. I’d like for us to get to know each other.”

  Rocky sensed the lie but if Jack wanted her to tag along, so be it.

  They went to the Dog. Jukebox Gina was playing “If I Was Your Woman” by Gladys Knight. It was Sunday evening so the diner was crowded. Helen cast a critical eye around the place and voiced, “How quaint. Looks like a diner in Mayberry or American Graffiti.”

  “We like it,” Jack said.

  “Music is extremely loud, though.”

  Rocky disagreed, but then she was accustomed to the sound levels of the jukebox.

  In his role as shift host, Eli approached them and Helen squealed, “Eli!” and threw her arms wide for a hug.

  His responding hug appeared more polite than heartfelt. “Hi, Cousin Helen. Dad said you were in town.” He then stepped back.

  “Yes. How are you?”

  “I’m good. You?”

  “Good. You’re all grown up, and you look so much like Eva.”

  Eli didn’t reply, just sort of nodded in response. “Booth or table?” he asked his dad.

  Jack turned to Rocky. “Do you have a preference?”

  “No, we’ll take whatever you have open, Eli.”

  “Okay. Right this way.” He grabbed some menus and led them to a booth on the back wall. “I’ll send your server right over.”

  As they settled in, Bing Shepard, sitting at a table with his housemate, Clay Dobbs, and a couple of local farmers, leaned over and said, “Rock. Spaghetti is excellent tonight. Just excellent.”

  “Why thanks, Bing. I’ll let Siz and Randy know.”

  Helen appeared puzzled by the interaction so Jack explained, “Rocky’s the co-owner here.”

  “Ah, I see. So, is this the only place to eat in town?”

  Rocky heard the dig in her voice but didn’t glance up from her menu.

  Jack answered, “Yes. Best food in the county.”

  “How long have you been co-owner, Rochelle?”

  “A few years.” Had Helen’s tone held genuine interest, Rocky would’ve added that she’d worked as the lone cook for years before being offered partial ownership, but it didn’t, so she kept the expanded version to herself. A glance over the top of the menu showed Helen still assessing her coolly. Ignoring that, Rocky asked Jack, “What are you having, Professor?”

  “The snapper and fingerling potatoes.”

  Their server, a short redhead named Lisa, appeared at the table. “Oh hi, Ms. Dancer. I didn’t know you and Mr. James were here. So sorry for the delay. We’re really busy as you can see. What can I get you to drink?”

  Rock and Jack asked for waters and colas. Helen turned the menu over and looked at the back. “Can I see a wine list?”

  “We don’t serve alcohol.”

  “Why on earth not?”

  Rock said, “Because the principal owner’s continued sobriety is important to us.”

  “Oh,” Helen replied sounding and looking displeased. “I’ll have water and a cola too, then.”

  “Coming right up. Do you want to place your dinner orders now, or do you need a few more minutes?”

  They were ready. Rock ordered the spaghetti. She’d eat a little of it and take the rest home.

  Helen asked, “Is it really snapper or just a pretense for the menu?”

  Rocky drew in a deep breath.

  Lisa looked offended but kept her tone professional. “It’s real snapper, ma’am.”

  Helen gave her a brittle smile. “I was just curious. I’ll have the snapper then.”

  “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” Lisa sent Rocky an angry look before she moved on.

  Helen asked, “So, Jack, how in the world did you and Eli end up here?”

  “The school superintendent made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Plus, Eli and I needed a change.”

  “I understand. We were all devastated by Eva’s death. It had to be doubly hard for you and Eli since you loved her so much.” She then turned to Rocky. “I hope talking about my cousin Eva isn’t making you uncomfortable.”

  “No. I’m fine.” Rocky met Jack’s eyes and lingered there for a moment before shifting her attention to the well-ordered chaos of the Dog.

  Helen kept the conversation going about Eva, asking Jack if he remembered certain family vacations and how beautifully Eva played the harp. Jack kept his responses short and did his best to include Rocky in the conversation, but Helen plowed right over his at
tempts and brought the conversation back to Eva.

  “I remember the time we went to the shore and she and I won the sandcastle-building contest. We must have been eight or nine. She and I were the same age and resembled each other so much people often mistook us for twins.” Her voice turned wistful. “I miss her so. You and Eli probably do, too.”

  She threw Rocky a look which was met with no reaction.

  Lisa returned with their food and set the plates down. Helen studied her order. “Not many people can prepare snapper correctly. I hope this tastes as good as it appears.”

  Rocky chuckled to herself and started in on her spaghetti. The old Rocky would’ve already snatched Helen bald by now, but this was the new and improved Rochelle Dancer, and the last thing she wanted was to embarrass herself or Jack. At least publicly. But, as sure as she loved Jack and her motorcycle, Rock knew that before cousin Helen left town she’d be forced into finding out how she tasted with mustard. And truthfully, she was sort of looking forward to it.

  “So, Rochelle. How long have you lived here?”

  “All my life.”

  “How interesting. You never wanted to leave?”

  “I did. Went away to KU, got a job, then traveled around the world for a year before moving back.”

  Her surprise showed. “Where’d you go?”

  “Cambodia. Senegal. Rio. Mumbai. Tibet.”

  “You didn’t see Paris or London?”

  “No.”

  “How on earth can you go abroad and pass them up?”

  “Had no desire to see Europe.”

  Her mouth dropped. Rocky twirled more spaghetti onto her fork and glanced up into Jack’s humor-filled dark eyes. “I’m pretty unconventional.”

  “Which is how she stole my heart,” Jack added.

  “But so soon after Eva’s death?”

  Now we’re getting to the meat of the matter, Rocky thought.

  “It’s been five years,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Eva wanted me to remarry. In fact, she made me promise I would.”

  “I see,” came the doubtful response.

  Rocky asked, “Are you married, Helen?”

  “No.” And her eyes moved to Jack. “Unlike Eva I never found my soul mate.”

  Rocky wondered how long Helen had been in love with Jack. Although the Professor was a boss in the classroom, he was not the most observant guy and there was a good chance he might not know how she felt. Then again, maybe he did. Had Eva known? In the end the questions didn’t much matter. Jack was her guy now and poaching by lovesick cousins would not be encouraged or allowed.

  “So, Helen, what type of consulting are you doing in Franklin?” Jack asked.

  “I’m working with the city’s governmental leaders on how to fine-tune their practices. The company I work for does this nationwide.”

  “They have been having issues.”

  Helen nodded. “Yes, the former mayor nearly bankrupted the place, so I’m here to help put them back on the right track.”

  Rocky said, “I hear Mr. Proctor is doing a very good job.”

  “He seems knowledgeable. More importantly, he listens. I often run into situations where the men in charge don’t want to take directions from a woman. It’s been refreshing.”

  Rocky was admittedly impressed by that. On more than a few occasions, she’d had to fight the good fight on behalf of her gender, and her bank account was still smiling from the seven-figure settlement she’d won as a result a few years back. She was liking Helen a bit more.

  “My Ivy League master’s degree in public administration has given me a good life,” Helen said and asked, “Do you have a degree, Rochelle?”

  “Sure do. Graduated from Henry Adams High.” Helen was back in the mustard category. “And with over a million in the bank, my degree has served me well, too.”

  Helen coughed and coughed some more.

  Jack silently toasted Rocky with his glass of cola.

  Rocky asked, “Are you okay, Helen?”

  After wiping her mouth with her napkin, she replied, in a much less superior tone, “Yes. I’m fine.”

  Smiling, Jack asked, “Who’s ready for dessert?”

  After leaving the Dog, they rode back to Jack’s place and Helen walked to her car. “Thanks for dinner.”

  Jack replied, “You’re welcome.”

  “Nice meeting you, Rochelle.”

  “Same here. Let us know if you want to have dinner again before you leave town, or if you need anything while you’re here.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Rocky kept the plastic smile on her face and, like Jack, waved when Helen backed out of the driveway and drove off.

  “Thanks for coming along,” Jack said as they climbed the steps to the porch.

  “How long has she had the hots for you?”

  “Since the day we were introduced.”

  “Was wondering if you knew.”

  He opened the door for her. “Oh, I do. Eva knew as well and wore the same fake smile you’re wearing now every time Helen came around.”

  Rocky laughed. “I think Eva and I would’ve gotten along well.”

  “I think so, too.” He took her in his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Thanks for putting up with her, I know that couldn’t’ve been much fun for you.”

  “It wasn’t, but I knew she and her master’s degree in public administration would be going back to her hotel, and I was coming home with you, so that kept me from snatching her across the table.”

  “You’re so wonderful.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  That night as Rocky lay in bed, she thought back on the encounter with cousin Helen. It was very apparent the woman thought Rocky not a good choice for Jack. In some ways, Rocky agreed, but she was becoming more comfortable with the idea that maybe she was. She wondered how pissed off Helen would be if they sent her an invitation to the wedding. Smiling, she turned off the lamp and snuggled in to sleep.

  Chapter 7

  Monday morning, Bernadine and Trent toured the newly rebuilt Sutton Hotel on Main Street. Constructed originally in the 1880s, the once glorious establishment, ravaged by time, had tumbled into disrepair. Now, it was ready to be occupied again and she couldn’t be happier. Lily found an Italian family of old-school stonemasons, who, using some of Tamar’s old photos, had re-created the elaborate structural carvings on the building’s face. As Bernadine walked the interior and surveyed the five ground-level businesses, her heels echoed on the newly installed tile floor. Kelly Douglas’s beauty shop would be occupying one of the places and Doc Reg would be moving his practice out of the school to take over another. Bernadine stopped for a moment to view the overhead skylights set into the ceiling of the courtyard-like interior, and the large potted plants tastefully set about, courtesy of Sheila Payne. “This looks wonderful, Trent.”

  “I agree. Have you decided on the other tenants besides Kelly and Reg?”

  “I have a couple from Vegas interested in opening a combination coffee shop and bakery coming in to visit next week, but I’m still trying to decide on the last two spaces. It has to be something that serves the community best.” She’d had plenty of offers from outsiders, everything from spas and boutiques to bank branches. Whatever she decided would have to not only serve the community but also be sustainable. It made no sense to take on an enterprise that would go belly up in six months.

  “And upstairs?” he asked.

  There were four one-bedroom apartments available for rent. The tenants would be able to access their spaces through a private entrance on the side of the building. “Crystal will have one. The other applicants are still being vetted. I want to be careful there, too.”

  “Have you talked to Mal yet about possibly bringing in a new restaurant?”

  “Not yet.”

  Smiling, he asked, “Scared?”

  “Yes. On one hand, he might not take it as a threat, but on the other hand . . .” Her voice trailed off. A ne
w eating establishment was needed. With Siz working his magic in the kitchen, diners were coming from far and wide, and wait times for tables, especially on weekends, were getting longer and longer.

  “Maybe we can just expand the place,” Trent said. “Have fine dining in one part and keep the old Dog for casual meals.”

  She thought that might work, but then came the question of whether Mal and Rocky wanted to manage a larger place. “I plan to run it by him this evening. I’ll let you know what happens.”

  “Okay. Wishing you luck. Who knows, maybe he’ll surprise you. I’m heading over to the firehouse. Luis says he’s noticed some drainage issues.”

  “Should I be worried?”

  “Hope not. I’ll let you know.”

  Alone, she surveyed the place again, imagining the way it might look with the businesses open and customers coming in and out. Having the building restored and on the brink of occupation was a big step for her growing town, and with growth came worries. There were at least five new families slated to move in over the next year, bringing with them new personalities, ideas, and maybe different ways of viewing the Henry Adams she’d come to love. Would the old residents lose the close connections they’d forged? What might happen with traditions like August First, the monthly town meetings, and the newly established Mexican Christmas celebration of Posada? A change in the connections of the residents was probably inevitable, but could the growth be managed so as not to impact the town’s heart? She wanted neighbors to know each other, to continue Friday Night Movies, and for those moving in to know how Henry Adams was established and why. Only the future would tell if that was achievable, and having no crystal ball, she contented herself with being pleased that the old hotel was alive again. She hoped the original owner, Virginia Sutton, and the other Dusters were, too.

  Back in her office, she sent Mal a text to make sure they were still on for dinner and checked her e-mail. As she’d promised Gemma, she’d placed a call to the Kansas Department of Families and Children to get some direction on how to proceed with Lucas and Jasmine Herman. Her contact at the office, Gwen Frazier, had been very helpful with the paperwork tied to the fostering of Amari and his crew, and she’d been eager to help this time around, too. In fact, Ms. Frazier said she had no problem putting Gemma Dahl on the fast track to becoming a foster parent. The state of Kansas, like many others, was beating the bushes to find good people willing to open their hearts and homes, and Ms. Frazier didn’t want to discourage someone willing to step up by making them jump through a prolonged series of hoops. In the meantime, though, Ms. Frazier promised to reach out to her counterparts in Ohio to see if the kids’ files could be shared so she, Bernadine, and Gemma could get a handle on why no family members had stepped up to take the children after the death of their parents.