Chapter 9
Tuesday afternoon, Emily received a text from Chloe asking if she was available to go with her to Til’s house.
Excitement surged, and her fingers trembled as she quickly texted her reply.
Chloe arrived at four, pulling to the curb in front of the hotel and slanting Emily a sideways glance as she slid into the passenger seat. “I hope this works for you.”
Though Chloe’s smile was bright, Emily saw lines of tension around her eyes. “It works perfectly.”
“I heard you’ve been playing in the town square around this time.”
Obviously, Chloe wanted to keep the discussion off the house. Which was okay with Emily. “I’ve tried different times and days, but I’ve discovered that over the lunch hour works best. I’ve been thinking of setting a specific time and day of the week so those who like to listen will know I’ll be there.”
Chloe’s fingers, holding the steering wheel in a death grip, relaxed. “That’s smart.”
Emily’s lips twisted into a wry smile. “Of course, a job will put an end to busking, at least during the day.”
The stop at a traffic light had Chloe shifting to face Emily. “Job? You got a job? Where?”
“Not yet. But I put in an application with the school system. While I don’t have a teaching certificate, I do have a BFA and lots of music experience.”
“I bet they’ll hire you.” Chloe offered a supportive smile. “You’ll make a wonderful teacher. They’d be lucky to have you.”
“Thank you for that.”
The light changing to green had Chloe shifting her eyes straight ahead. “But school doesn’t start until August. Can you make it that long without a job?”
“If I have to. Besides, August isn’t that far off. I mean, it’s nearly July. And teachers usually start a couple weeks before the students.”
“You seem to know a lot about teaching already.”
“I did my research.”
“What if you don’t get the job?” Chloe then rushed to add, “Though I’m sure you will.”
“I don’t know.” The not knowing had caused Emily a moment of panic. “Private lessons, both in person and online, are a possibility. I’m sure there are other options I haven’t thought of yet.”
The truth was, Emily had been having too much fun for the past week to consider what she was going to do with the rest of her life. But as the money she’d rescued from the coffee can grew smaller, the need to find something—anything—grew more urgent.
“I also need to find somewhere other than the hotel to live.” Emily kept her tone casual, knowing that Chloe and Jaclyn had a roommate who’d recently moved out. “You don’t know of anyone looking for a roommate, do you?”
Chloe appeared to consider, then shook her head. “Tia—she was our roommate—recently moved in with her boyfriend, but Jaclyn doesn’t want to replace her. In fact, I think she’ll go solo when I move into Til’s house.”
“You’re moving into Til’s house?” Why had Emily not considered that? Why had she thought Chloe would sell the home and buy something more modern?
“I’m thinking about it.” The lines of tension had returned to bracket Chloe’s mouth and eyes.
It didn’t surprise Emily that Arthur Louden, the attorney handling the estate, had given Chloe the key. Til had put the house in a trust to go to Chloe upon her death, bypassing the need for probate.
Chloe pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. Neither of them made a move to get out of the vehicle.
Emily studied the bungalow that had been her home for decades. “That’s a nice house.”
A soft look filled Chloe’s amber eyes. “Til took such good care of it. I mean, it’s not a mansion or anything, but, like you said, it’s nice.”
As Chloe seemed in no hurry to get out, Emily relaxed back against the leather seat. It struck her that, like Chloe, she needed a few minutes to settle before entering the home.
“I want to do the walk-through.” Chloe expelled a breath. “The thing is, I know doing that will stir up all sorts of memories.”
“Good and bad?” Emily kept her voice light.
Chloe gave a little laugh and shook her head. “Only good. There are no bad memories in this house. Unless you count that Til is no longer here.”
The sadness on Chloe’s face tugged at Emily’s heartstrings. “You’re missing her today.”
Chloe pushed open the car door. “I miss her every day.”
Emily shot a quick glance at the single-stall garage and thought longingly of the five-year-old sedan sitting inside with only 30,000 miles. Unfortunately, it was now out of her reach.
Instead of going inside, when Chloe reached the porch, she dropped to sit on the glider.
Following her lead, Emily sat on the other end of the turquoise and white glider that had graced her front porch for the last thirty years.
Once seated, she shifted her body in Chloe’s direction. “I love these.”
For a second, Chloe looked confused, then she smiled. “Oh, the glider. Yeah, it’s great.”
Chloe gave a little push with her foot, and thanks to the WD-40 that Emily had used only days before she’d met Serena in the park, the glider slid silently back and forth.
“Before I texted you, I asked Jaclyn again if she wanted to come with me this afternoon.” Chloe spoke almost to herself, her attention now focused on a hanging basket of red geraniums that appeared to have been watered recently. “I had the afternoon off, and so did she.”
Emily said nothing.
Chloe’s gaze abruptly shifted back, her eyes meeting Emily’s. “I know Jaclyn can come across as unlikable, but she’s protective of her friends and a really good person deep down.”
When Emily gave only a noncommittal smile, Chloe continued.
“I think the real reason she didn’t want to come with me is because she knew I’d get emotional.” Tears filled Chloe’s eyes. “Looks like she was right.”
Emily laid a hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “You can cry all you want around me. When my father had his first stroke, anytime anyone asked how he was doing, I’d dissolve in a puddle of tears.”
“You don’t seem like the puddle-of-tears type.” Chloe’s lips quirked upward.
“I loved him,” Emily said simply. “Seeing him hurt, hurt me.”
Chloe nodded, and Emily saw understanding in the amber depths. Then her gaze shifted to the front door. She stood. “It’s time.”
It’s strange to walk through your own house,Emily thought, trying to see it through the eyes of a stranger. She was glad she had tidied up before leaving for the card party that final day.
The print she’d purchased so long ago at ARTistry in the Park, an archival-quality print of Andrew Wyeth’s Christina’s World, hung on the wall.
Emily had been drawn to the image that many saw as depicting the strength of Andrew’s neighbor in Maine who was unable to walk.
Chloe didn’t even glance at the print as she walked through the living room, her hand brushing the multicolored crocheted throw lying across the back of the sofa.
Emily wondered, but didn’t ask, if Chloe remembered that time when they’d sat on the sofa and crocheted the little squares when she was eleven. How proud they’d both been when they’d put the squares together.
She’d wanted Chloe to take the afghan home with her. Chloe had refused, saying it didn’t fit her mother’s décor and would likely end up getting tossed out.
Chloe moved to the sideboard, her lips lifting in a soft smile as she studied the framed photograph of her and Til holding up the certificates that they’d received for their volunteer efforts one long-ago summer.
Though Chloe, at fourteen, hadn’t really been old enough to volunteer, that was the year she’d spent the entire summer with Til. There were only so many leisure activities one could do.
As volunteerism was a big part of Til’s life, she’d wanted to share that experience with Chloe. And, in the process, hopefully instill that same love in the young girl.
“What are those certificates you’re holding?” Emily asked by way of bringing up the topic.
“Volunteer Appreciation.” Chloe’s smile had the sadness leaving her eyes. “Til would work with the families of newly arrived seasonal workers on building their language skills. While she was with the mom or dad, I would be on the other side of the room having a conversation in English with the children.”
“How did you like it?”
“I had a blast. Often, at the beginning, I could tell the kids worried I was going to be mean and critical, but they quickly discovered I was there to applaud their efforts and bolster their confidence.”
Emily hid a smile, recognizing the words she’d said to the younger Chloe.
“Do you do any volunteering now?” Emily tossed out the comment much as a fisherman would toss a hook into the water. Then she waited.
“I haven’t. When I was in school, well, I was too busy. In Miami, it never happened.” A thoughtful look crossed Chloe’s face. “I could make it work now.”
“There’s always a need.” At Chloe’s quick glance, she added, “I’ve done it in the past. Though I can’t make it work now, for obvious reasons, I found that giving back feels good. Does that sound weird?”
The first natural smile she’d seen on Chloe’s lips since they’d entered the house blossomed. “Not weird at all. In fact, it sounds like something Til would say.”
Emily followed Chloe into the kitchen, a cheery room with wallpaper sporting a bright yellow floral print with green and yellow flowers.
“Wow.” Emily forced a surprised tone. “Get a load of the wallpaper.”
“I know.” Chloe’s eyes softened with remembrance. “Definitely retro.”
“I bet that’ll be one of the first things you change.” Emily loved the brightness of the paper. On gloomy days when the outside skies had been gray, simply walking into the kitchen in the morning had brightened her mood.
Chloe turned, her eyes widening in surprise. “I’m not changing it.”
“You’re not?”
“I love this house just the way it is.” Chloe’s gaze settled on the black wall clock in the shape of a cat. She pointed. “When I was little, I loved to eat my cereal and watch his eyes and tail move back and forth.”
Emily’s only response was a smile. She’d loved watching the cat every morning, too.
“Each room in this house holds many wonderful memories.” Chloe’s gaze shifted to her. “Why would I want to make changes?”
“I just thought you’d want to, I don’t know, maybe put your own mark on the house?” While the knowledge that Chloe wasn’t planning to gut her home pleased her, Emily also wanted Chloe to enjoy her new home.
“Maybe, in time, but I’m in no hurry.”
“This house has, what, two bedrooms?”
“Yes. Til used the spare as a sewing room when I wasn’t spending the night.” Chloe paused, then shook her head. “I don’t need to see those. They haven’t changed since I was a kid.”
Pushing the back door open, Chloe stepped into the attached lean-to, scooping up a pair of gardening gloves on top of the shelves.
“Do you have another pair?”
Chloe whirled. “What did you say?”
“I-I was just wondering if there’s another pair of gloves.” Emily shifted uncertainly from one foot to the other, not understanding the look on Chloe’s face. “If you’re going to do some gardening, I’d like to help.”
Expelling a ragged breath, Chloe bent over. Pulling open a drawer in the cabinet where Til kept extra supplies, she grabbed a pair of gloves and tossed them to her.
“Did I say something wrong?” Emily asked, wondering at the odd response.
“No.” Lifting her hands, Chloe shook them back and forth. “It’s just, that was my line.”
“Your line?”
“Til would grab her gloves, and I would always say, ‘Do you have another pair?’” Chloe gave an embarrassed laugh. “I know it’s silly, but in that moment, I could see the two of us and—” Biting her lip and blinking rapidly, Chloe turned away and stepped into the yard.
Emily followed her out the back door. The second her gaze swept the yard, Emily felt her heart rise to her throat. Instead of the shriveled plants and weed-filled mess she’d expected after so many days since her death, she saw a thriving vegetable garden and flowers—including her precious hollyhocks—in full bloom.
“I’ve kept things nice. I didn’t want all of Til’s work to be in vain.” Pride filled Chloe’s voice. “I thought I’d do just a little weeding today. It won’t take long.”
“I’m happy to help.”
Chloe studied Emily, taking in the shorts and cotton T-shirt she wore as if seeing them for the first time. “Gardening can be a dirty job.”
Emily flashed a smile. “Since when did a little dirt hurt anyone?”
They picked produce, then went to work weeding. Even though Chloe’s efforts were clearly visible, at this time of year, weeds fought back.
As it had for decades, working in the dirt settled and soothed Emily. She and Chloe worked side by side in companionable silence.
“Til was my inspiration, you know.”
Chloe’s unexpected comment had Emily’s hand freezing on the spade. “For?”
“So many things.”
The minute of silence that followed had Emily remembering all those times when Chloe had shared what was troubling her.
The conversations most often had occurred when she had been at the sink washing dishes while Chloe dried or when they had been working together in the garden, like they were now.
“When I was in Miami, I dated this guy, Paul.”
Emily waited through fifteen long seconds of silence before tossing out, “You thought he might be the one?”
Chloe nodded and made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. “I did think that—early on, anyway.”
“What did Til think of him?”
“I never mentioned him to her.”
“Oh.” Emily forced a little laugh. “I guess that was a silly question. Like you’d tell her about your love life.”
Chloe’s teeth sank into her lower lip. “I always did before, but Paul was my boss and fifteen years older than me. I knew she’d have concerns.”
Emily only nodded.
“The thing is, without her even knowing about him, she was the one who helped me break it off.” Chloe’s eyes took on a distant look. “He could be charming, but he didn’t treat me how I wanted to be treated. I realized I didn’t have to settle for that. That’s where Til came in.”
“I’m confused. You said she didn’t know about him.”
“Til didn’t need a man to be happy, for her life to be complete. She was open to romantic love, but it didn’t happen, and she was okay with that. She had friends—good friends—and she enjoyed the life she built here in GraceTown. I realized that I, too, could be okay without a man.”
Emily nodded. “Did you move back to GraceTown to get away from him?”
“Not at all. Paul and I were over long before I decided to move back. I returned because eventually I’d like to open a BB here.” Chloe stood and brushed the dirt off her jeans. “And mostly because no other place but here has ever felt like home.”