Secretly Smitten (46 page)

“Now, I know you’re all eager to fill up on tasty treats and spend your quarters on the dunk tank . . .” He shot Pastor Walden a grin, and Pastor, wearing Hawaiian trunks and a T-shirt, pretended to bite his stubby nails.

The crowd chuckled.

“But, first, an important word from your Bicentennial Committee Chairperson. Please welcome Violet Garner.”

The crowd applauded, giving Aunt Violet her due. Even Grandma, standing beside Clare, clapped enthusiastically.

Aunt Violet shuffled her papers on the podium as the crowd hushed. Her hands shook as she lifted her reading glasses from the chain on her neck, perching them on her nose.

“Good afternoon, friends.” She cleared the tremble from her voice and continued, “We gather today on this momentous occasion to celebrate this town’s great and long heritage. Whether you’re a native of our community or are visiting for the first time, we invite you to celebrate our special town, born two hundred years ago, withstanding difficult times, and thriving today as a beacon of hope and love.

“The survival of Smitten has taken the effort of many people over many years. Common folk, like you and me, working together to provide a safe and peaceful place to raise families and a productive place to learn and grow.”

Aunt Violet paused, finding her family in the crowd before returning to her notes. “One such man was born right here in Smitten almost seventy-nine years ago. A man of honor, he went off to fight for our country, making all of us proud, the way so many of our young people have.”

Clare glanced at Grandma, whose brows puckered in a frown. Where was Aunt Violet going with this?

“Unlike our other fine Smitten veterans, this young man didn’t return from the battlefield. The community was informed he’d become, like so many others, a casualty of war.

“A mistake had been made, though. A mistake with repercussions that would ripple across the generations. Our veteran hadn’t died at all but had been imprisoned until two years after the war’s end. When he returned, it was only to find his family moved and his first love married to another.

“Distraught and disillusioned, our young man of Smitten went off to find his own way in the world. He took a menial job with Central Vermont Railway, worked hard, taking night courses, and after many years, against all odds, reached the level of corporate leadership.

“Meanwhile, the people of Smitten went on believing that the young man had died. Years went by . . . and then the veteran’s dog tags were mysteriously found in an attic. The mystery stirred up a tale of betrayal and deceit.

“But it also stirred up the truth.” Violet looked up from her notes. “And as you are about to see, sometimes the truth changes everything.

“Please welcome to the stage an honorable Smitten veteran, and the retired president of RailAmerica, David Hutchins.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

G
randma Rose palmed her chest and drew in a deep breath.

The crowd applauded as David Hutchins appeared, rising up from the side stairs, tall and slender in a crisp gray suit. He had white hair and a sure gait. He crossed the stage to the podium.

Grandma’s face had gone pale. Clare put an arm around her trim waist, as did Anna from her other side.

“You okay, Grandma?”

“Davy. Oh, Davy,” Grandma whispered as the crowd hushed.

His gray eyes pierced the crowd. “Thank you. It’s so good to be back home among friends. Smitten is the kind of place that always lives inside you no matter how far away you go.

“I don’t have any notes or a fine speech to deliver, but I do have good news for this special town, these special people. Violet Garner has been in contact with me over the past several weeks. She went to great lengths to persuade me to return, and when I heard the full set of circumstances, I knew I had to come home.

“The reason for my return is twofold, but it’s the second reason that involves all of you. I’ve been in contact with the fine people at RailAmerica. I’ve told them about a charming village in the shadow of Sugarcreek Mountain, a place where community and tourism walk hand in hand, a place where lovers reunite. A place more people need to know about. I encouraged them to revisit the idea of a partnership with this special town.”

He stopped, smoothing his red tie.

“And it’s with great pleasure that I announce a new contract with RailAmerica and the town of Smitten. The deal has been struck and the papers have been signed. Welcome back to the Central Vermont rail system, Smitten.”

A stunned silence followed, then a loud cheer rose and whistles pierced the air, the noise building into a thunderous applause.

“Oh my goodness!” Anna said.

Tess turned to them, hugging Grandma. “Can you believe it? Aunt Violet did all this?”

“I suppose she did,” Grandma said, still staring trancelike at David.

“It’s about time,” Zoe said.

Once the hubbub died down, William wrapped up with some final words and the crowd began dispersing. The atmosphere had gone from nostalgic to jubilant in the space of five minutes.

Clare looked toward the stage where David mingled with Violet and the committee. “Come on, Grandma, let’s go see him.”

“Oh dear.” Grandma couldn’t seem to take her eyes off him, but her feet seemed rooted to the ground.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Anna asked.

“I’m just—I don’t know—so
old
. I was eighteen years old the last time he saw me, and look at him—he’s so handsome.”

“Grandma, you look beautiful!” Tess said, and the others nodded.

“I can’t wait until he sees you,” Clare said.

Grandma pursed her lips. “I hope he’s terribly nearsighted.”

“Oh, stop it.” Zoe took her arm and led her toward the side of the stage. “He’s here, isn’t he? How romantic is that?”

They reached the steps as the committee was descending.

When David reached the bottom, his eyes were only for Grandma. “Rose,” he whispered. “I’d know those beautiful blue eyes anywhere.”

Grandma’s eyes filled with tears. “Davy.”

The girls retreated a few steps, pulling Violet with them, casting glances back at the reunion.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Grandma said.

“I can’t believe you’re as beautiful as ever.”

Grandma gave a watery laugh. “Oh, you rascal . . . you always did know how to charm the ladies.”

David reached out for Grandma’s hand. “I never forgot you, Rose.”

“So much has happened . . .”

“We have plenty of time to catch up.” He shook his head. “No one could replace you in my heart. I’ve missed you so much.”

Clare turned away from the private moment, her heart aching at the devotion in David’s eyes.

Anna dabbed her eyes. “Oh, it’s so beautiful.”

“How’d you pull that off, Aunt Violet?” Zoe asked. “The railway, talking him into returning . . .”

Violet blinked back tears, her mascara already smudging. “The railway deal’s been in the works for weeks, but we didn’t know for sure it would go through, so I didn’t want to say anything.”

Clare glanced back at Grandma and David. “And that . . . how did you manage that?”

“That took some doing.” Aunt Violet dabbed at her eyes with a tissue Anna produced. “He was convinced his return would only stir up more trouble between Rose and me. That’s where I went last week—to convince him to come home.”

“Aunt Vi!” Anna said. “You went all the way to North Carolina alone?”

“Oh no, dear.” She looked at Clare sheepishly. “Ethan gave me a ride.”

“Ethan?” Clare asked, her heart going into overdrive. That’s where he’d gone?

“Not on his bike!” Zoe said.

Aunt Violet laughed. “I’m not that crazy. He left that in my garage and drove my Buick.”

Clare’s thoughts skidded to a stop. If he’d left his bike in Aunt Violet’s garage, he had to come back for it. She grabbed her aunt’s arm. “Where is he? Is he still here?”

“I’m not sure, dear. I was so worked up over that speech—”

She had to try to find him. “I have to go.” She took off across the lawn.

“Good luck, sweetie!” her mom called.

Clare dodged the people who milled around chatting. She had to get to her car, parked way over on Maple. She headed west.

Or would it be quicker to go straight to Aunt Violet’s? The roads were blocked for the festivities. Yes, quicker to go straight there. She changed her course, thinking it through, already huffing.

Aunt Violet had returned last night. Ethan would’ve dropped her at her house and taken his bike then. Her heart dropped and her pace slowed. She passed through another cluster of people on the lawn. Why would he have stayed? He was probably halfway to Virginia by now. Or Ohio or Maryland.

Clare slowed to a stop, realization sinking in. She was no better off than she’d been five minutes ago when she’d thought he was gone for good.

He was gone. Again. This time the realization made her eyes sting, made tears well up, blurring her vision. She caught her breath, that familiar empty feeling swelling inside. She’d lost her chance, not once but twice. He’d been so close. If only she’d known.

She swallowed against the lump in her throat. If she was no worse off than she’d been five minutes ago, then why did it feel like the bottom had just fallen out of her world?

Her vision cleared as she blinked back the tears, and a man’s form came into focus. A familiar form, rising from a park bench, his eyes on her. Hope sucked the breath from her lungs.

Ethan.

Her lips parted. Her feet moved toward him of their own volition. He looked so good. He wore a black T-shirt, jeans, and a hesitant expression that tugged at her heart. No wonder he was uncertain. She’d not only fired him, she’d sent him away. She’d thought she’d never see him again. Never see those deep brown eyes, that overgrown hair, that scruffy jaw.

He met her halfway, stopping an arm’s length away.

“You’re still here,” she said. “I was afraid . . .” I’d lost you for good. That my stupid pride had scared you away. That I was going to live the rest of my life wondering what might have been.

He glanced toward the depot, and she took the opportunity to reacquaint herself with his face. With the fringe of lashes that tangled at the corners of his eyes, the sun-kissed cheeks, that little scar by the corner of his mouth.

He looked back to her and she pulled her eyes from his lips, feeling heat flood her face.

“So that’s pretty cool, huh?” he said.

She didn’t know if he was referring to the railroad deal or Grandma and David. It didn’t matter. “Very cool. Thank you for your part in it.”

He shrugged. “Didn’t really do anything. It was all your aunt’s doing. I hope she and your grandma work everything out.”

“They will.” She was more certain of that than ever.

They were talking about everything but what mattered. She could stand here making conversation, or she could be brave and say what she thought she’d never have the chance to say.

“I’m sorry I sent you away. I didn’t mean it.” Her eyes burned.

He stepped closer, his eyes softening. “I’m sorry too, for what I said.”

She shook her head. “You were right. I was afraid.”

He brushed her cheek with his thumb as if needing to remember how she felt. “Was?”

His touch was driving her to distraction. “I’ve done a lot of thinking since you’ve been gone, made some changes. I moved everything around at the nursery like you suggested, and I’m looking into starting my own business, and . . .” She didn’t know quite how to say the rest.

“And . . . ?”

“And . . .” She swallowed hard.
Now
or
never, Clare.
“I’m thinking I might, you know, open my heart a little, give love a chance.”

His hand moved down to her chin and he tipped her face upward. “Have anyone in particular in mind?”

Her smile wobbled. “Actually, I do. He’s kind of a big risk, lives in a tent.”

“Really? I heard he rented a place over on Lookaway Lane.”