Page 44 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Twenty
‘If you’ve got anything more urgent to do we can…’ Fee’s voice trailed away as Tom shook his head.
‘Nope. There’s nothing can’t wait around here. Thank goodness the Waters’ family wrapped up their week here a couple of days ago and with them gone you’re my only guest now and no one else is due until next weekend. Tell me more about your Mom.’ Tom stretchedout on the sofa and pulled her down between his legs to let her head rest back against his chest.
‘My mother’s a nomad. She gets itchy feet. She never stays in one place very long and growing up we moved so many times I lost count. It bewilders me how I got any kind of education because I never spent a whole year in one school. Maddy’s a great one for causes and she’s always protestingabout something. Climate change, legalising marijuana, the plight of the polar bears, GM foods. Her latest interest was always more important than me.’
‘I’m sorry. All kids need stability and the security of knowing they matter more than anything else. It doesn’t have to be the same house or the same meal every Tuesday, but there’s got to be an underlying knowledge of safety. You neverhad that, did you?’
She shook her head, struggling to swallow the tears filling her throat.
‘You’re one strong woman to have survived in one piece.’
Fee was used to getting praise for her work, but Tom’s simple statement of pride touched her heart. ‘I left home when I was sixteen and worked three or four jobs to put myself through a photography course. I could count onone hand the number of times I’ve spoken to my Mum since then. I know you can’t imagine that.’
Tom’s warm laughter rumbled through her back. ‘Yeah, it’s pretty difficult. My mama couldn’t last ten days. When I was overseas she kept the US Postal Service in business and I’m taking a wild guess that I got more care packages than the whole damn Army put together. Everybody fought me for herhomemade chocolate chip cookies.’ He kissed the top of Fee’s head. ‘And yes, I know I’m lucky. I’m thankful for them every day even when they drive me half mad.’
For a second she couldn’t speak. His mind reading was spot on which should have been scary but somehow was the opposite. Fee began to explain about her father including the fact his name and nationality changed at regular intervalsuntil she’d given up knowing what to believe. ‘Can you understand now why I’m reluctant to follow up on this man she swears is my actual father?’
‘I sure can.’
‘Come on. Spit it out.’
‘Your mother didn’t have to get in touch. Twice. Strikes me this means a lot to her. What’ve you got to lose?’ He stroked his hand along her arm.
Fee twisted around to face him. ‘Nothingmuch, I suppose.’
‘Do you want my company or would you prefer to go into town alone to contact Dupre?’
Tom’s openness gave her the freedom to admit she’d prefer to have him along. ‘Maybe I’ll phone him to get it over with.’
‘I see where you’re comin’ from, honey.’ A slight frown creased his brow.
‘But?’
‘An email will give him a chance to consider his reply.It gives you thinkin’ time too.’
‘I hate you being right,’ she complained.
‘Yeah, I know, women always do. If you want to avoid another run in with the Pine Ridge Mafia I suggest we go over to Norris instead. Nobody will hassle us there. It’s only a thirty minute drive and we’ll easily be back for interrogation time with my beloved family.’
‘I suppose that’ll work.’ Shemanaged a weak smile.
Tom turned the radio on low and hummed along with one of his favourite country songs as he negotiated the curvy mountain roads. Tension emanated from Fee in silent, rolling waves and her slim, pale hands clutched her phone as though it might run away. They pulled into Norris and he spied a parking space free outside the library.
‘There’s Wi-Fi in there orin a couple of the cafes. Your choice.’
The fine lines around Fee’s eyes deepened. ‘A cafe I think. That way we can get a drink and sit around a while in case…’
‘He replies? Good idea.’ He took a guess at finishing her sentence and was rewarded with a grateful smile. Tom ran around the truck to open her door but Fee didn’t attempt to move. He waved his hand in front of her face.‘You ready?’
‘No, but I’m coming anyway.’
‘Good.’
Fee stepped out and stopped for a second to glance around them. ‘This is a pretty town. It’s almost got an English look about it.’
‘Yeah, it should do. I’ve read up on it some and they modelled Norris on the English garden towns SirEbenezer Howard tried to make popular at the end of the nineteenth century. You canpick them out by the common ground in the centre and the protected greenbelt running around the outside. The Tennessee Valley authority built this original part of the town to house the Norris Dam workers and they were some of the first all electric homes in the state. It’s a recognised Historic District now.’
