Chapter Eleven
Libby stepped out of the old station on Friday morning to a sweet-smelling breeze and met Benny just coming out of his trailer. She took a deep breath, and the faint aroma of bacon and coffee mixed together wafted across the road to her. A vision of a full plate, complete with eggs and hot biscuits, zipped through her mind. Tomorrow, she promised herself, she would get up fifteen minutes earlier so she could make herself a hot breakfast. She would not use those minutes to do anything about her grandmother’s box. Of course, it would turn up like a bad penny. She should have tried harder to talk Amanda out of sending it.
“Hey, you two!” Opal yelled and waved from her porch. “We had leftovers, so I made up a few breakfast biscuits for y’all to have at break time.”
“Thank you!” Benny jogged across the street and took the covered dish from her hands.
Libby raised her voice. “Thank you. From the looks of the parking lot, we’ll have to eat them on the run.”
“This is the first weekend of the month. I knew it would be really busy,” Opal said. “I saw the UPS truck over at your place yesterday. He put several boxes on your porch.”
“Yep, my friend sent the rest of my things to me,” Libby told her.
Minilee poked her head out the wooden screen door. “If y’all need help, call us, but we have to be home at two o’clock for our shows.”
“We’ll keep that in mind—and thanks again,” Benny said on his way across the road.
Vehicle doors began to slam shut as Benny and Libby crossed the parking lot, and by the time he opened the door, a whole line of customers had formed behind them.
“Do you feel like we’re playing follow-the-leader?” she whispered.
“Little bit,” he answered and flipped on the overhead lights that also set the ceiling fans in motion.
The big building was almost cool that morning, but as the day wore on, it would get warmer and then downright hot before closing. Four huge ceiling fans circulated the air, but there was no way to air-condition an enormous place like this. The store wouldn’t hold the cool air, and the electric bill would eat up all the profits. Swamp coolers weren’t even a possibility because they would cause everything in the place to mold.
Some folks greeted Libby with a good morning and a smile. Others barely nodded and went right to the business of looking around. When she was a little girl, she had been mesmerized by an anthill out behind the antique store. The people milling about in the store reminded her of that experience. Some of them were there with friends and discussed every piece they came across—like the little ants stopping to touch another’s feelers on their way to and from the nest. Libby thought of Dolly and her cronies, and a feeling of nostalgia swept over her. She made a mental promise to call her elderly friend soon for a long visit.
“Could you help me, please?” a young lady asked and then cocked her head to one side. “Are you Libby O’Dell?”
“Yes, to both questions.” She tried to place the woman. Her voice sounded vaguely familiar, but Libby couldn’t put a name or a face to it.
“I’m Raisa Clapton. From the puzzled expression on your face, I don’t think you remember me.”
Things finally clicked. “You went to Jefferson High School at the same time I did, right?”
“Yes, and now I work for my aunt in her antique store,” Raisa said.
“Now I’m putting it together. You sat behind me in history class when we were seniors,” Libby said. “It’s good to see you again. What do you need help with?”
“Right over here.” Raisa led the way, and kept talking. “I would have flunked that class if it weren’t for you. I needed every credit I could get, so I cheated off your papers during test days. If you hadn’t slid down in your seat so far, I wouldn’t have been able to see over your shoulder.”
“I was self-conscious about my height,” Libby admitted.
Good job facing one of your fears, her inner voice said.
Raisa pointed up to a pink deviled egg plate and a divided relish dish. “Those two right there, and if you’ve got any more of any pattern in pink, I’d like to see it. And it’s a little late in coming, but thank you for helping me get through school. I couldn’t make myself taller, but I could learn to change my lifestyle, which I did because of you.”
And I would have gladly traded those positions for a stable family like you had, Libby thought.
“That’s my ego trip for the day. You are so welcome—but I’ve got to admit, I always envied you more than a little bit. You were the class president and secretary of the student council.” Libby set the two glass pieces on a nearby buffet. “I believe we’ve got some more pink crystal in the kitchen area, if you want to look at them.”
“Definitely, and I’ll take both of these,” Raina said.
Libby showed Raisa where to go, filled out a Sold tag for each piece, and then turned to wait on a new customer.
“I was in here last weekend—I’m a cousin of your old neighbor, Dolly. I should have bought a set of Martha Washington lamps, and I’ve regretted not buying them all week. Now I can’t remember where they are. Could you point me in the right direction?” the lady asked.
“Yes, ma’am, glad to have you back. We have two sets of those back in the living room part of the store. Over there on the buffet,” Libby answered.
“Thank you. I’m Teresa Wilmington. Dolly said to tell you hello,” the woman said. “She loved the little handmade cards you sent to her.”
“Take her a hug from me. I sure miss her,” Libby said.
“I’ll sure do that,” Teresa said. “She misses you, too.”
“I would love that.” Libby had figured out how to make cards on the computer, and Benny had given her permission to print them at the office. Dolly had sent back a long letter for each one received, and Libby loved reading them over and over.
“When you get done, I’ll take all of these,” Raisa called out. “Just tag them, and I’ll keep looking around.”
Libby gave her a thumbs-up and focused on Teresa. “Where do you live?”
“Over in Clarksville, and I’m so glad that my friends and I decided to come over here today. My mama had a set of lamps like these, and I can’t believe they are still here. Today is my lucky day.”
“Tell Dolly I’ll be looking for her to come visit someday,” Libby said and hurried back to tag the pieces Raisa wanted.
At one o’clock, there was a slight lull in business, and Benny motioned for Libby to join him in the office. He opened the covered dish to find half a dozen biscuits stuffed with scrambled eggs and bacon, and he slid it across the desk to her. “I made a fresh pot of coffee, but there’s bottles of sweet tea in the fridge.”
“Coffee sounds great. Can I pour you a cup?” she asked on her way across the room.
He held up a half-empty bottle of tea. “This is good. Been a hectic several hours, hasn’t it? This could be a record-breaking day for sales.”
Libby nodded as she filled a cup and carried it back to the table. “I need to replenish my Sold tags before I leave. You’re going to need to visit several sales next week to build the stock back up.” She picked up a biscuit. “Give me one of these over a quick protein bar any day of the week.”
“You might as well sit while you can,” he said. Hiring Libby was the best thing he had done since he’d decided to quit the law firm and manage his grandfather’s antique business. She fit right into Sawmill. She was a hard worker—and more than that, she liked Elvis. Plus, she was personable when she dealt with customers, knew antiques, and was a wonderful bookkeeper.
And she’s a blue-eyed brunette, and even tall. Just your type. His grandfather’s whisper was so real that it put a smile on Benny’s face.
She eased down into a chair, polished off the biscuit, and reached for another one. “The customer that bought all that pink glassware this morning was an old classmate of mine from Jefferson ... Why are you smiling like that?”
“My grandfather’s voice popped into my head. That always makes me happy,” Benny answered. “And your friend sang your praises the whole time I was invoicing her items. You should have put her down for a personal reference.”
“To tell the truth, I have forgotten most of my classmates. She had to tell me who she was,” Libby said. “And there’s the doorbell ringing ... and ringing ... and ringing again. I’d better eat the last of this one on the run.”
“We are going to trade places this afternoon. You can invoice the purchases, and I’ll wait on customers,” he said as he downed the rest of his tea and stood up. “See you in a few hours.”
Benny was more than glad to get back out on the floor and stretch his legs. He had checked the progress Libby had made in the two drawers and was amazed at the organization. If she kept up the good work, the office would be in tip-top shape in the next six months. He hoped that if everything kept going the way it was, she would agree to sign a year’s contract when the current one played out. There was no way he could ever find another person—male or female—who would fit the bill for what he needed like Libby did.
The afternoon went by as fast as lightning, and then there was another lull at about four o’clock. Only half a dozen people were in the place when Opal and Minilee arrived.
“You missed the party,” he teased as he sat down at the break table with them.
“We’ve been keeping an eye on the parking lot and figured that this was a bumper crop of a day,” Minilee said. “I see that pretty oak secretary is gone, and lots of glassware.”
“Yes, and two of the four-poster beds, a couple of chifforobes, and that old pie safe that’s been in the store since before Grandpa passed away. I’m going to get a bottle of water. Y’all want something?”
“I’m good,” Opal answered.
“Me too,” Minilee said.
“Okay, then,” Benny said with a nod. “Libby and I were sure thankful for the food you sent, and I’m grateful that you talked me into hiring her. I’m not sure I could have handled everything today without her.”
On the way from the front of the store to the office, he stopped and told a couple of dealers where the rolltop desks were located. When the cool air in the office hit him, he almost told Libby that he would trade places with her for a while, but then he realized she was working on files in between customers.
“I just came to get a bottle of water. Opal and Minilee are here. Want to come out for a few minutes’ break?” he asked.
“Thanks, but if I keep at it, I can get today’s work all in a folder and be that much more ahead when it’s time to do that drawer,” she answered without looking up. “If I don’t get some of these off the desk, the stack is going to fall onto the floor.”
“Remember to stop and get something to drink every now and then,” he suggested.
She pointed at a bottle of root beer on the desk. “Tell Opal and Minilee that the biscuits were wonderful. I had another one a while ago, but there’s still one left if you want it.”
He picked up the dish and headed back out into the shop, leaving the coolness behind. When he got back to the table, Opal was waiting on an elderly lady. The woman bought a set of six china salt dips with tiny gold spoons. She was telling Opal that she had a thousand in her collection, but most of them were crystal. Opal stuck a Sold sticker on the box, and the lady went off toward the office.
“That sale should get Tatum another date,” Opal said when she returned to the table.
“She’s made it clear that she’s allergic to dogs, and I’m not willing to put up with all that entails.” Benny didn’t usually argue with his pseudo grannies, but he hoped his tone didn’t leave room for debate.
“You’re going to regret that decision,” Minilee whispered. “Choosing a dog over a lifetime mate don’t make a lot of sense.”
“Do you believe in signs?” Benny asked.
“Always have,” Minilee answered. “But not in this case. I think you’re being stubborn.”
Benny’s phone rang. He held up one finger and whispered, “We’ll get back to that later,” before he answered the call.
“Hello, darlin’,” the sugary-sweet voice on the other end said.
“Who is this?” he asked.
“I’m hurt even more than I was when my eyes swelled up last night,” Tatum said with a sexy giggle.
“Sorry about that.” Benny held the phone to his side and glanced over at Minilee and Opal. “Excuse me. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Opal motioned toward the door and said, “We’ve got to get back to the house. See you later.”
“I’ve decided to forgive you for not mentioning that you have a dog,” Tatum said. “I really, really like you, Bennington ...”
He heard blah, blah, blah for a few seconds. He hated to be called Bennington. It sounded so stiff and formal, and he wasn’t that guy. When he tuned back in to what she was saying, he bristled even more. “I’ve found a wonderful home for your dog.”
“Oh, really? Does your potential adoptive friend or his acquaintances ever use drugs of any kind?” Benny asked.
“A little pot every now and then, but nothing hard,” Tatum said.
“Would she or he be happy with a former police dog that has a front leg missing? Elvis lost it in a battle with a drug dealer at the same time his owner and my best friend was shot and killed,” Benny said.
Tatum laughed. “Probably not.”
“It’s not funny,” Benny spat. “And I wouldn’t give him away if the president of the United States asked to adopt him.”
“Oh, come on, Bennington.” She lowered her voice back to a sexy tone. “I know you feel something for me. I can see it in your eyes, and God only knows how much I’m attracted to you. Let’s give us another try. I believe I can change your mind if you give me a chance. I’m worth more than even a pedigreed show dog with all its legs.”
Bennie gritted his teeth. “I’m at work, and more customers just came into the store—but, Tatum, there can’t be another try for us. I wish you all the best. Goodbye, now.”
He took several deep breaths to clear the anger from his mind and was glad that Minilee and Opal had left. He needed time before he talked to them. At seven o’clock, when the last customer left without buying a single item, he quickly locked the doors and turned to find Libby coming out of the office.
“Been a day, hasn’t it?” he said.
“Yep, but I’d rather be super busy than bored,” she answered. “That said, I don’t expect a case of bored to happen until I get all the files organized.”
“You are doing a fantastic job, Libby—both in the store and in the office. Let’s go home and prop up our feet for the evening. Want to share a frozen pizza with me? We could have a front porch picnic.”
“Love to,” she said. “I’ve got a couple of pieces of the leftover book club dessert in the fridge. There’s no mold on it, so I guess it’s still good enough to eat.”
“If there’s a speck of green, we can scrape it off,” he suggested.
Elvis met them on the far side of the lot, and Libby squatted down to hug him. “You are such a good watchdog. I just know that you’ve kept all the varmints like possums and skunks away from the station all day, haven’t you?”
He wagged his tail so fast that it stirred up a breeze.
“You really like him, don’t you?” Benny asked. He shouldn’t compare Tatum and Libby, but it was hard not to do so. Tatum was trying to rehome Elvis, and Libby would probably take him and love him if Benny wanted to give him away—which he did not!
Libby straightened up and resumed walking. “I always wanted a dog, but Victoria said no, and there was no use in arguing with her.”
“Have you always liked antiques?” Benny blurted out, and then wondered why he would even ask such a misplaced question when they had been talking about dogs.
“I thought I didn’t, but maybe it was working with my grandmother that I didn’t like. I don’t seem to mind this place.”
“Why didn’t you like your grandmother?” Benny asked, then winced inwardly. “I’m sorry. Don’t answer that. It’s way too personal.”
“Not really. On a scale of one to ten, with one being the worst and ten being the best, Victoria was probably a minus two,” Libby said. “But I’m told that with time, I will find closure for the way she treated me.”
“How much time?”
She held up a finger and shook her head. “I’m kind of personal and don’t share a lot, but something about this place is making me open up.”
“Sawmill seems to have that effect on folks,” he said after a long sigh.
“You too?” she asked. “Want to talk about it? I’m a good listener.”
“Not tonight. I just want to sit on the porch, eat pizza, drink beer, and watch the sun set. Meet you there in thirty minutes?”
“I’ll be the one with wet hair because I’m going to take a quick bath,” she told him.
“I may jump in the shower while the pizza bakes,” he said with a nod. “That store can get downright hot in the afternoons. I don’t know how those poor men could do hard manual labor in there when it was a sawmill.”
“They were tougher than us,” she said and went on inside the station.