Page 25 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Twelve
Burrowed into an easy chair at the back of the small library, Tom lost himself in researching the Chambers’ family history. If he needed to take his mind off everything else going on in his life this always worked and was one of the few reasons he regretted not having internet coverage at Black Cherry.
Fee’s swift, cool appraisal of him at the cafe andthe tiny, knowing smile lingering around her lush mouth had shaken him. The damn woman could have made a polite, friendly comment to put him at ease but instead held her tongue and let him imagine what was going through her mind.
He only had ten minutes left before the library closed at five o’clock but the florist next door didn’t shut for another half hour so he had plenty of time. Hisbrothers wouldn’t be free from jobs, wives and children until at least eight so he had several hours to himself. Tom packed his laptop in the bag and went to buy a bunch of flowers. Outside the cemetery he parked and fetched the cleaning supplies he kept in the bed of his truck then tramped across the damp grass. Because he came so often Gina’s grave never got dirty, but he tried to keep it perfect.He’d failed her enough in life without neglecting her now too. Tom brushed off a small amount of lichen before working at the last stubborn piece with the rounded edge of a popsicle stick. Pouring water from a gallon container into a small bucket he carefully scrubbed from the bottom of the stone upwards, rinsing his brush frequently and changing the water when it got dirty.
‘There, that’sbetter, sweetheart,’ he murmured. Tom dried the surface gently with a soft cloth and ran his fingers over the simple inscription – her name, the too-short dates of her life and the simple, guilt-laden words he’d chosen “Beloved Wife of Tom”. Kneeling in the dirt he leaned back on his heels and reached for the large bunch of chrysanthemums he’d set down while he worked. Gina loved all the richfall colours and she’d insisted they marry in October. The red and gold shades set off her dark hair and creamy skin to perfection and she’d been a beautiful bride. Eighteen years ago today.
Tom struggled to arrange the large, floppy blooms in the container sure Gina was watching him from somewhere and smiling. ‘It’s the best I can do. I’m sorry.’ There was so much he was sorry for, notleast of which were his new and unwelcome feelings for Fee. He stood back up and stretched his aching knees. When he’d cleared everything away he pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted his brothers to cancel their evening together. Why he’d suggested they got together today of all days was downright crazy and only proved Fee had jumbled up his brain. Tom turned the phone back off so he wouldn’tsee their replies.
Company was the last thing he needed tonight.
An hour later he was settled out on his porch with the wedding album Gina had spent many long winter evenings putting together open on his lap and a mug of coffee on the table next to his right arm. The sound of vehicles crunching along the gravel road startled him and Sandy’s black truck came to a stop in front ofthe cabin followed close behind by Mikey’s blue minivan.
‘Hey, little brother.’ Sandy leapt out and stepped onto the porch, his heavy leather boots clunking on the bare boards. He set down the cooler in his hand and opened the lid. ‘Get this down you.’ He popped the top on a can of beer and thrust it at Tom.
‘I don’t—’
‘Drink, or we’ll pour it down you.’ Mikey brandisheda couple of pizza boxes and made a grab for the beer. ‘We brought food and we’re staying the night with full permission of the ladies.’
Tom reluctantly closed the album and laid it back on the table. He took the beer from Sandy’s outstretched hand.
‘We told Mama about your message and she remembered the date. We knew you’d be—’
‘Grieving?’ Tom snapped. ‘What’s damn wellwrong with that? Gina was my wife.’ Tears pressed at his eyes and he blinked to push them away.
Sandy rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. ‘It’s not wrong, bro. We didn’t want you to be alone, that’s all.’
Tom jerked away and walked across the porch to lean against one of the wood posts. ‘I appreciate it, okay, but when you go home to your families I’ll still be here.’ A glanceflitted between his brothers. ‘Mama sent you to turn the screws, didn’t she? Could her timing be any worse?’
‘Hey, sit down, and take it easy.’ Mikey stuck his oar in. ‘I’m goin’ to throw the pizzas in the oven to warm.’
‘Fine,’ Tom grouched. ‘I guess I’m not gettin’ rid of you both anytime soon.’ He sat down as Mikey reappeared.
‘Smart, isn’t he?’ Sandy jibed and theyboth tossed him the annoying older brother smiles he’d suffered all his life.
Deep down Tom was glad to see them. His own company was lousy at the best of times and this was the absolute worst day of the year to get through. ‘What’ve you been up to?’ he asked Sandy. He rested one foot up on his other leg and half-listened to his brother complain about work.
In the middle of a long,convoluted tale about a bank robbery that went wrong and the man they suspected of being responsible but couldn’t get enough evidence to charge, Sandy stopped and gave him a piercing stare. ‘You’re a sneaky devil.’
‘I’m not a complete moron.’ Tom grinned. ‘Mama sent you to find out how I’m doin’, man-to-man, right?’
‘Maybe.’
He took a long, cold swallow of beer and scrutinisedhis brother. Not many people could put one over on Sandy, a twenty-year veteran detective, and it’d be foolish of him to try.
‘It’s up to you, bro. I’m simply following instructions,’ Sandy declared. ‘You wanna tell me to piss off it’s no skin off my nose. I’ll report your answer back minus the cuss words.’ His easy laugh loosened something in Tom’s gut.
‘I don’t want to get youin trouble too.’
Sandy rubbed at the condensation on the beer can and wiped his damp thumb on his jeans. ‘It doesn’t bother me none. Why’s she so bent on hassling you now anyway?’
‘Not sure. Maybe because I turned forty last year? Who knows with our sweet mother?’ Tom ventured. Nothing more was said. The comfortable silence was only punctuated by the sound of slow, steady drinkingand the scraping of the chairs on the porch floor. Mikey hauled himself to his feet and disappeared inside the cabin.
‘There we go. Gourmet pizza courtesy of our favourite aunt.’ Mikey set a couple of oversized pizzas down on the table along with three plates.
Immediately they all dove in and munched away without bothering with any conversation.
