Between Land and Sea (9 page)

Chapter 16

Barbara tossed and turned all night. While she was excited about the positive response to her presentation, she couldn’t get Sharon’s words out of her head. Deep down, Barbara knew there would be some disappointment and hurt feelings when she left Carden, but she hoped that it would not be as earth-shattering as Sharon had predicted.

Morning finally dawned and Barbara forced herself to get out of bed. She groaned when she caught sight of the dark under-eye circles in the mirror. It was a good thing she had gotten up so early. She would definitely need some additional time to put on her face.

After breakfast, Barbara found herself with almost an hour left before work. It was too early to go to the office. Instead, she decided to take a longer walk along the few streets she had yet to discover. She smiled when she read the street signs that greeted her new stroll—Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dublin, Suffolk. Definitely a strong Anglophile influence in this part of town.

She wasn’t too surprised to find herself the lone traveler on these well-maintained streets that housed larger, multi-level homes. Barbara suspected these homes were inhabited by busy mothers trying to get their children washed, clothed, fed, and ready for school. It was too early for any of them to be taking leisurely walks.

A familiar voice called out. “Barbara. Barbara Davies!”

Barbara looked about and caught sight of a slender, older woman approaching her. As the woman drew near, recognition dawned. “Good morning, Elaine. I didn’t expect to see anyone around at this hour.”

“No one usually is.” Elaine waved her hand to include the entire area. “These streets are mine for another twenty minutes or so. And then the mass exodus of children begins.”

“What a lovely area. Do you live around here?”

“Just a couple of streets over. I’m at twenty-seven Dublin. Do you have time for coffee?”

“No, I’m on my way to work. I got up earlier than usual and decided to take a walk.”

Elaine smiled as she examined Barbara’s attire. “That camel coat looks beautiful on you. And I like the scarf and broach you’ve added on your own.” She sighed. “If I wasn’t planning to close the shop, I would know exactly what styles to order for you.”

“You sound a bit down, Elaine. Is everything all right?”

“Just a few twinges of regret and a pinch of nervousness as well,” Elaine said. “I haven’t moved or done anything different for over forty years. Even though I’ve rocked my own boat, I still feel apprehensive about the future.”

Barbara put her hand on Elaine’s arm. “It’ll work out. You have friends in Toronto, and I’m certain you’ll find lots to do once you’re there.”

“I know. I just have to get through this transition period and I’ll be fine.” She took out a business card with her new address written on the back. “If you’re ever in Toronto, drop by for a visit. We can go out for lunch or dinner.”

Was this one of the signs that Sharon was talking about? Barbara shook her head in disbelief. “It’s the second invitation to Toronto that I’ve received in the last twenty-four hours.”

“I’m intrigued. Who gave you the other invitation?”

Barbara gave Elaine a quick rundown of the previous evening.

“I can’t believe that Sharon Clarke is still showing her face in Carden,” Elaine said. “That woman has no shame.”

“You know Sharon?”

“My dear, there’s no one in Carden who doesn’t know the infamous Sharon Clarke Jamieson Rossi Smith.”

“I take it she had three husbands.”

“And many other paramours we don’t know about,” Elaine said. “Sharon and her parents moved here when she was just finishing up high school. During her senior year, she managed to break up five couples. On the night of her senior prom, she took off with Peter Jamieson. They eloped and divorced one year later. I’m not certain how she met and left the other two gentlemen, but when she returned to Carden after a ten-year absence, she started having affairs with several of the married men in town. At one point, I think she got pregnant. No one knows what happened to the child.”

Barbara found it difficult to imagine that tall, slightly overweight woman wreaking so much damage. She didn’t look like the home-wrecker type. Barbara shared her thoughts with Elaine.

“She may look matronly now and spout all the New Age nonsense, but trust me, Sharon Clarke has not changed or evolved.” Elaine’s face paled. “Be very careful around her, Barbara. I know she is well connected in Toronto and sends many contracts our way, but I wouldn’t trust her with any personal business. And don’t pay too much attention to all that nonsense about the universe crashing down around you. I suspect she’s projecting her own past onto everyone she meets.”

It was good to hear that Sharon had a reputation for stirring up trouble. Barbara wasn’t too comfortable with the idea of someone else predicting her departure from Carden. “Thanks, Elaine. I’m glad I saw you this morning. I have to admit I was a bit put off by Sharon last night.”

“Don’t give her another thought.” Elaine glanced at her watch. “We’d better leave now if we want to avoid the chaos of thirty households of children spilling out onto the street.”

The two women parted company.

Barbara was surprised to discover that she and Elaine had spent almost an hour walking and talking. Elaine was definitely one of those positive people who brighten up every encounter. She would visit her in Toronto. That last thought surprised her. For over three months, Toronto, Chicago, and New York had been out there as unlikely and unattainable goals. She was now actually considering visiting Toronto. As for Chicago, she was certain that Gillian would be calling soon. New York was still out there.

Barbara arrived at the office a few minutes before eight-thirty, her latest arrival to date. She was usually at her desk by eight-fifteen, organizing her day’s agenda. The other counselors exchanged looks and Barbara caught a few glimpses of raised eyebrows.

“Congratulations, Barbara.” Janice’s voice rang through the office. “I hear you were a roaring success last night. I’ve already received several very complimentary emails.” She motioned toward her office.

Barbara followed her inside and closed the door behind her.

Janice started reading from the computer. “A breath of fresh air. Eloquent and inspirational. We’ll be calling again. Barbara Davies lit up the room.” Janice smiled at Barbara. “It sounds like you were a big hit with the CWIN group, and I hear that Sharon Clarke offered you a job.”

“How . . .? What did you . . .?” Barbara laughed. “I guess I’m not sounding very eloquent right now.”

Janice joined in the laughter. “Sharon Clarke does not like to fade into the woodwork. I suspect she spoke in her usual loud voice and at least one other person overheard the conversation. That person must have emailed at least three others.”

“That’s how news spreads in Carden,” Barbara said.

“You’ve got it,” Janice said. “I also hear you weren’t too impressed by her New Age predictions.”

Barbara was glad she had already spoken to Elaine about Sharon. She could sense that Janice wanted to gossip more about Sharon, but Barbara did not wish for any more information about that unsettling interloper. As far as she was concerned, Sharon Clarke was a very tiny blip in her life, and there would be no need for any further involvement. Barbara continued to smile neutrally at Janice, who took the hint.

“I suspect many of the local church and service clubs will be calling to ask if you can speak at their luncheons, dinners, and other functions,” Janice said. “Let me know if you need any help or time off. Lois has been handling many of our speaking engagements. She’ll be happy to have you share that load.”

Chapter 17

Barbara received many invitations to speak in Carden, Milton, and the surrounding area. As much as possible, she created speeches based on her book. She was determined to establish a platform before the book’s publication.

One morning, Barbara looked at the calendar and was shocked to discover it was already December. She couldn’t believe that two weeks had already passed since her first presentation. She had purposefully filled her schedule as much as possible, so as not to dwell on the book or her relationship with Graham.

Graham tried to attend as many of her presentations as he could. He complained about not seeing enough of her, but Barbara was fine with the one or two times a week that they managed to get together. The sex was still good, but Barbara was starting to become restless. She could feel her life changing, albeit slowly.

Barbara continued to look at the calendar on her desk. In a few weeks, it would be Christmas. She thought of Graham’s elaborate plans for the holiday. He was hosting a traditional turkey dinner for Christmas Day and planning an Open House for Boxing Day. His children would be visiting and he was expecting many other guests to drop by. Although Barbara would not be alone with him, she was not comfortable with their relationship. Everyone in Carden thought of them as a couple, and a few ladies at the Art Shoppe had started to hint about wedding bells.

“Why so glum?” Lois asked.

Barbara looked up and smiled tightly at the younger woman. While she got along with her colleagues, she kept her distance and didn’t confide too many personal details. The occasional smirks and sly looks that Lois exchanged with the other counselors unsettled her. “I was hoping for a short winter. Is that possible here in Carden?”

“Dream on. Winter’s just beginning. Wait until we get those cold, snowy days in January and February. Now that’s winter.” Her eyes glinted. “I was just talking with Carolyn the other day. She doesn’t mind being housebound in this weather.”

“How is she doing?”

“Very well. It’s been almost a month since her surgery and she’s starting to perk up. She should be ready to come back in no time at all.”

“That’s great. Give her my best.”

“I’ve advised her to wait out the winter and come back in the spring, but she’s talking about coming back sooner. And Leslie told me that Sarah will be coming back in early February. What will you do then?”

Barbara ignored the unsettled feeling that was forming in the pit of her stomach. “I just take everything one day at a time, Lois. I found that works best for me.”

Lois furrowed her brow. “But you must have something—”

The telephone rang and Barbara picked it up after the first ring. “Good morning, Barbara Davies speaking.” She waved to a disappointed Lois, who started moving toward her own desk.

“Good morning, Barbara. And it’s going to be an even finer morning when I give you the good news.” An unfamiliar male voice boomed across the telephone lines.

Barbara glanced at the call display. It was an unknown number. Hopefully he wasn’t one of those telemarketers offering her a free cruise package. She sighed and waited patiently for the man to continue.

“This is Stewart Tobin, calling from Chicago.”

Barbara held her breath in anticipation. Even though Graham and Janice had told her it might be months before she heard from the agent, she had fervently hoped that the call would come sooner.

“Are you still there, Barbara?”

“Yes, yes, I’m here. Please continue.”

“I gave your book to Melanie James, who is an editor with New Spirit Publishing House. She called this morning and told me that they’re interested in meeting with you. A few of the other editors in the office have read the book, and everyone is convinced it will be a best-seller. This book of yours might be out in time for next Christmas.”

It was starting to happen. She heard the excitement in her voice as she spoke. “That’s wonderful, Stewart.” She paused. “New Spirit Publishing House. I don’t think I’ve heard of them before.”

“It’s a small publishing house based here in Chicago. They only accept five books a year and devote all their attention to them. They may not be Random House or Penguin, but they will deliver.”

“I can’t begin to thank you.”

“Barbara, that book of yours sold itself. I’m just a messenger.” His voice became more businesslike. “Now how soon can you get down here? We need to strike while the iron’s hot, and I’d like to set up a meeting before the Christmas madness begins. Can you come this week or next?”

Barbara would have to talk with Janice, call Gillian, arrange for a flight, pack, and fly. A feeling of nausea overcame her at the thought of flying.

“Barbara, Barbara. Earth to Barbara.” Stewart was laughing. “You’ve got to make a decision. Don’t leave me hanging like this.”

Barbara took a deep breath. “Can you arrange a meeting for early next week?”

“Melanie gave me a couple of possible meeting times. How about a week today? Monday at ten a.m.?”

This was moving fast—too fast. But there was no way that Barbara could stop the momentum. “That sounds great. I’ll talk to my boss and call Gillian.”

“I’ve already spoken with Gillian. She’ll be calling you tonight at home.”

Barbara was taken aback by all of Stewart’s advance planning. “Do you always plan everything before talking to your clients?”

“Of course. Why waste time with more calls and emails?” He added, “Oh, and I’ve arranged for the two of us to have brunch on Sunday. I’ll pick you up at Gillian’s. Now, I must go. See you then.”

Barbara stared at the phone for a few minutes before hanging up the receiver. She couldn’t believe how slowly she was reacting to all the news. She took a few minutes to gather her thoughts and then headed toward Janice’s office. She knocked on the door and waited for the familiar “Come on in.”

Janice looked up, worried. “Are you all right, Barbara? You look very pale. I hope you haven’t come down with that terrible flu that’s going around.”

“No, everything’s fine. Better than fine.” Barbara sat down and told Janice about her conversation with Stewart.

“I can’t believe it’s happening so quickly for you. But then I shouldn’t be so surprised.” She thought quietly for a few minutes. “Why don’t you fly down to Chicago Friday night and fly back here next Tuesday or Wednesday evening? Since you’re staying with a friend, you don’t have to worry about hotel expenses. So, take your time and make a holiday out of it.”

“Take all that time off work? But how will you manage?”

“Don’t worry,” Janice said. “December is a slow month for us. People are getting ready for Christmas and are not too interested in career advice. The other ladies usually take days off to attend their children’s plays and recitals and prepare for the holidays. Take two or three days off now and later in the month you can cover for them.”

Barbara was glad she had spoken to Janice first. The older woman had a calm, competent air about her that inspired confidence. The two women chatted briefly about the book’s possibilities. Barbara went back to her desk and forced herself to concentrate on the day’s work.