Songbird Season Page 8

  Kevin and Ada, who were waiting in the lobby, gave a quiet round of applause when Melinda, Ron and Horace returned. “It’s a special day!” Ada gave Melinda a long hug. “I always say, things work out for a reason. The farm was meant to be yours.”

  Ada was in her early seventies, with cropped white hair. She and her husband farmed by Eagle River most of their married life. After he passed away, she moved to Mason City to be closer to Kevin, who was a community college instructor.

  Kevin put an arm around Melinda’s shoulders and grinned. “Bet that’s a relief. If you need a glass of wine at lunch, I’m buying.”

  “I just might.” She exhaled deeply and stared at the stack of paper in her hands. “Why don’t you all head over to the restaurant? Mom and Dad should be there by now. I’ll get these into my lock box, and Ron and I will be right behind you.”

  A clerk reached for the vault’s master keys and guided them into the small room. After she opened Melinda’s box and left, Ron leaned against one wall and closed his eyes for a moment. “Thank God, that’s over. I’m so happy for you,” he added quickly. “But I was just waiting for something to go wrong.”

  “Me, too. But I think we’ve had enough of that.” Melinda shuffled some of her lock box’s contents to make room for the acreage’s deed. She put a palm on it for another second before sliding the metal container back into the wall. “Of course, we haven’t sorted out the contents of the house yet. Let’s wait until next weekend to see if we’re really in the clear. Thanks again for helping me get that estimate for the electrical updates. And working it into the sale.”

  “Oh, it was no trouble. Uncle Horace didn’t bat an eye when I told him about it. You’ve got the cash on hand to get that done, now. I just wish the guys could come out sooner.”

  Merle had been right about the farmhouse’s electrical system. It barely passed code, and several lines needed to be updated. But it was already early April, and home-improvement season was in full swing. It would be late May or early June before the electricians could fit Melinda in. But she didn’t mind.

  “It’s worked well enough all this time. A few more weeks won’t make much of a difference.” She couldn’t help but do a quick hop-and-twirl on the vault’s thick carpet. “I just can’t believe it! I’m a homeowner!”

  She dropped her voice to a whisper as they came out of the vault. “Everything fell into place. I got that first-time homebuyer credit, which was a nice bonus, and Horace gave me such a good deal on the farm. And now, the electrical work is covered, too. Oh, I have so many projects planned. But, do you know what I want to do first?”

  “You’ve got your work cut out for you, that’s for sure.” Ron smiled warily as he opened the bank’s front door and they stepped out into the soft sunshine. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

  “I want to eat lunch. I was so nervous this morning, I barely ate anything. The rest of it can wait.”

  ✽✽✽

  Melinda had hoped to tint her Easter eggs with natural dyes, and even gathered choice bits of produce at Swanton’s only grocery store in preparation for hours of chopping, boiling and steeping. All that went out the window, however, when Nancy begged her to stay in town longer two afternoons to help fill plastic eggs with candy and coins for the city’s annual treasure hunt.

  It was just as well Melinda settled for the packaged dye she snatched off the Easter display at Prosper Hardware, as Grace and Hazel’s playful paws quickly jeopardized the foam cups on the newspaper-covered kitchen table. The project had to be moved to the counter, which was thankfully still out of the kittens’ leaping range.

  “No, I’m sorry, you can’t help.” Howls of disappointment echoed from around her feet. “I love you girls just like you are, I don’t need you turning green and purple. Hobo’s in there on the couch. Why don’t you go sit with him, OK?”

  Easter morning was bright but chilly, and Melinda added a warm coat over her pale-blue sweater and gray trousers when she left for sunrise services at her home church in Swanton. It was one of the few occasions when she might have worn a dress, but she decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. She and her parents were also going to Prosper’s egg hunt, which was held at the city park next to the water tower, then to dinner at Frank and Miriam’s Victorian on Cherry Street. Nancy had organized this community event for years, but there was always the chance Melinda’s help would be needed. Sensible shoes and slacks seemed to be the right choice.

  There was no doubt about what Jerry would wear to the egg hunt, and he was less than thrilled. He would once again appear as the Easter Bunny, a role he’d tired of years ago.

  “I don’t know why I ever volunteered,” he’d told Melinda the other morning at the store. “I guess when I was principal at the school, I felt I needed to give back to the community or something. But now that I’m mayor, I’d like to ‘give back’ that silly suit. Isn’t it enough that I’d be there, anyway? I’d love to pass this tradition on to someone else.”

  Before Melinda could comment, Auggie had jumped in. “Watch out. He’s trying to rope you into doing it. And don’t look at me,” he told Jerry. “I’d say you’re stuck with it for at least another year.”

  There was already a sizable crowd at the little park when Melinda and her parents arrived. Jerry was easy to spot, of course. Frank and some of the other council members were ushering the kids to the starting line on the far side of the greenspace.

  Nancy, dressed in a lilac pullover and purple sweatpants, served as the Easter Bunny’s assistant. The whistle around her neck announced the start of the egg hunt, and the children laughed and squealed as they rushed out in search of their treasures. Since the park held only a modest swing set and a set of climbing tires, most of the eggs were tucked into the mulch at the base of the water tower or nestled under the bushes that marked the west side of the property.

  “You just missed Miriam,” Uncle Frank said as they approached. “She helped hand out juice and doughnuts to the kids before heading home to start on dinner. It’s a beautiful morning, even if it’s a little chilly.”

  Melinda spotted Jerry by the water tower, where he was encouraging a group of the youngest egg hunters to search its shadows before the older kids came along. “I bet Jerry’s staying warm, though. At least he’s got a sense of humor about it.”

  Frank said nothing, and looked away.

  “So,” Roger asked his brother-in-law, “what’s on the menu today? I mean, besides one of Miriam’s famous homemade angel-food cakes.”

  “We’re having ham this year.” Frank brightened. “And scalloped corn with extra cheese. I sprinkled more into the casserole when Miriam wasn’t looking. Dairy’s good for you, no reason I can’t indulge a little.”

  “Oh, no,” Diane said to Melinda in a low voice. “Here comes Jake. Not exactly one of Frank’s favorite people.”

  Jake Newcastle was another member of the city council, and known around Prosper for his big ideas and even bigger opinions. But his brash style appealed to at least some of the small town’s residents, as he was in his thirties but already serving his second term. Jake was the physical education teacher at the high school in Swanton, as well as the assistant wrestling coach, and couldn’t seem to leave his competitive attitude on the mat.

  “Hey, Frank, what’s this I hear about you putting some fancy pavers in front of the store?” Jake’s grin was not exactly friendly. “I know you’re new to the council and all,” he added in a paternal tone, “but a project like that requires city approval. Don’t think I’ve heard of a motion being set up for next week’s meeting.”

  Frank crossed his arms, as if trying to hold in his irritation. “Well, it’s just talk at this point. We’re not going to give it much thought until, oh, at least later this summer.” He glanced at Melinda, and she gave him a supportive nod. Way to put him off, Uncle Frank, she thought.

  “Well, you know, it’s not such a bad idea,” Jake said as if he hated to admit it. “Lots of towns are doing
streetscape improvements along their business districts. We’ve already got the benches, and the flowers. Brick sidewalks might be a nice addition.” He turned toward Jerry, who was trying to make his way across the park, the oversized ears of his costume flopping into his eyes. “Hey, Jerry, what do you think about …”

  Jerry stopped abruptly and turned away, then leaned down to speak to the four children tagging along behind him, their plastic baskets swinging on their arms.

  “Jake, it’s time to go!” His wife hurried over and grabbed his arm. “Jerry’s not here, remember?” she whispered.

  “Oh, yeah.” Jake shrugged. “Frank, we’ll talk about this later.”

  “What did Jake want?” With his little fans gone, Jerry switched to his normal voice. Melinda was glad, at least, that he was attempting to talk to Frank. They continued to avoid each other every morning at the store.

  “He’s running ahead with this brick-paver idea,” Frank sighed. “Thinks maybe it would look nice all along Main Street. I tried to shrug it off, but I’m not sure if it worked.”

  Jerry turned his rabbit head this way and that and, not seeing any children nearby, pushed up the small screen on its front. “Whew, it’s getting warm in this thing. Yeah, I’ve gotten comments from several people already about those sidewalk rumors. I guess they’re spreading around. The sooner this lot thing gets resolved, the better.”

  Frank stiffened. “We’ve reached out to the other landowners, you know. And nothing. But there’s an easy way to settle this, and fast.”

  Jerry stepped back and, before Roger could try to change the subject, pointed a paw at Frank. “Oh, really? And what would that be?”

  “Guys.” Roger stepped between then. “It’s Easter. This can wait.”

  “I’m not sure it can.” Jerry’s voice was louder now, although Melinda wasn’t sure if he realized it, since he was stuck inside that rabbit suit. “I think I know what you’re going to suggest, Frank, and you know what I’m going to say. But let’s hear it.”

  “I’d say its painfully obvious who should be paying for this.” Frank’s face was starting to flush. “And it’s not me.”

  Jerry threw his padded arms up in an angry gesture, then elbowed Roger aside and got right in Frank’s face. A little girl in a pink polka-dot dress, wandering by with her mother, started to cry. “Mommy, why is the Easter Bunny so mad?”

  Two older boys standing next to Melinda started to snicker. She hurried over and grabbed Jerry’s arm. “Mister Rabbit,” she said in a cheerfully loud voice, “I think there’s some kids over there that would like a picture before they go.”

  Jerry sighed, but let her lead him away toward a group of children sorting through their plastic baskets. “I don’t want to talk about it,” was all he said.

  “Agreed. It’s Easter, remember? Hey, kids,” she called out, “look who I found!”

  The comforting aromas of smoked ham and corn casserole greeted Diane and Melinda as they came through the side porch of Frank and Miriam’s house, which was just two blocks from the park. Frank had stayed behind to help Nancy and Jerry retrieve the last of the hidden plastic eggs, and Roger offered to join them so he could keep an eye on Frank.

  “Smells wonderful, Miriam.” Diane gave her sister a hug as soon as she shrugged out of her coat. Melinda set the cooler carrying her gelatin salad on the kitchen table.

  “How’s the hunt going?” Miriam added a pan of rolls to the oven.

  Diane rubbed her face. “Well, Frank and the Easter Bunny nearly got into a brawl, if you can believe it. All over that nonsense with the store’s land.”

  Miriam dropped her oven mitt on the counter and sighed. There were shadows under her tired brown eyes. “Today, of all days! I hate to talk shop at the dinner table, but it sounds like we have to. Diane, maybe you can help me. Our attorney’s reached out to the other property owner, but we haven’t heard from them yet. If we can just keep Frank on a short leash until then …”

  Melinda reached for one of the aprons hanging on a wooden peg by the refrigerator. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Well, when it comes to Frank, who knows?” Miriam shook her head. “But there’s some strawberries to stem and sugar for the angel-food cake. And Diane, you can clean these green beans.”

  Melinda gathered a crockery bowl and paring knife, and went to the sink. The store-bought strawberries were rosy and mostly sweet, but paled in comparison to the fabulous vintage varieties that made up Horace’s patch. Her patch. Two months, and she’d have more berries than she would know what to do with.

  “I don’t know when I’ve ever seen Frank that upset,” Diane said as she filled a colander with beans. “Of course, I wasn’t at the store the day he made his awful discovery. I’d hoped once it was turned over to your attorney, he’d be willing to let things play out.”

  “He won’t drop it, that’s for sure.” Miriam started to peel potatoes with vicious strokes from her paring knife. “If only he’d leave the city out of this. He’s on the council, for goodness’ sake! Even if he abstains from any votes, which of course he has to, the whole thing will reek of favoritism if the council agrees to foot the bill for … whatever’s going to happen.”

  Diane rolled her eyes. “And he’ll be furious if they refuse to cover the cost. But either way, it’ll strain every friendship he has in this town.”

  Melinda dropped her paring knife. “Oh no, I just thought of something. Aunt Miriam, we cannot let Frank go after the city. I can’t imagine there’s any money to cover these expenses, so they’d probably have to raise taxes to pay for it. Prosper Hardware is a fixture of this community, always has been. But I can’t think of a better … or should I say worse … way to alienate customers and cause people to take all of their money to Swanton. Or shop online.”

  Diane and Miriam stopped what they were doing and stared at each other. Melinda could see the tears in her aunt’s eyes.

  “I’m afraid you’re right. This isn’t just about money, or land boundaries. The reputation of our business, its very ability to stay in business, could be at stake.” Miriam swallowed hard and opened a cabinet door, then pulled out her best plates with trembling hands. “I miss Father and Mother terribly,” she said quietly. “But I’m thankful they aren’t here to see this.”

  Roger and Frank soon arrived, strangely cheerful. Frank washed his hands at the kitchen sink and offered to carve the ham, as if nothing had happened. Roger only raised his eyebrows at his wife and daughter, then helped Miriam set the table.

  The meal was wonderful, but Melinda could hardly swallow her food. The more she thought things through, the more upset she became. Roger and Frank discussed the weather and the start of baseball season in great detail, as if trying to prevent any lull in the conversation that might allow a more-serious topic to be introduced. The sun streamed through the dining room’s picture window, and the stained-glass side panels bathed the space in a lovely glow, but the knot in Melinda’s stomach wouldn’t go away.

  “My dear, that was delicious.” Frank sighed at last and rubbed his stomach. “And thanks for letting me off my heart-healthy diet for one day. I was afraid there might be kale on the menu. Diane, you should see these smoothie things your sister is forcing on me.”

  “They aren’t that bad.” Miriam pointed a fork at her husband. “I’m drinking them, too, you know. Now, who wants some angel food cake?”

  “Me,” Frank answered quickly. “Lots of ice cream, please.”

  “Honey,” Miriam smirked, “I was asking our guests what they would like. It’ll be good exercise for you to get up and get your own.”

  Melinda picked at her dessert and wondered when her mom and aunt were going to drop the hammer on Frank. Miriam’s homemade angel food cake put those box mixes to shame, but Melinda could hardly taste it. Maybe she could take some home, enjoy it when her appetite returned.

  Miriam waited until everyone had finished their dessert, then gently rapped her knuckles on the cherry-wood tabl
e.

  “With Diane and her family here, we need to talk,” she said gently to her husband. “About the store.”

  “Oh, not today,” Frank said mildly. “It can wait. Allen’s working on it.” He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Besides, this is the city’s problem.”

  “It is our problem.” Miriam tried for a smile, but there was an edge to her voice. “One we need to fix on our own. With our own money.”

  “No, it’s not.” Frank put his elbows on the table. “This is why we have an attorney. Other than Liz and Mark, it doesn’t concern anyone outside of this room.” Diane and Miriam had no siblings, and Frank and Miriam never had children. Melinda’s sister and brother, both living out of state, were already aware of the situation. “And we certainly don’t need to start talking about this with people outside the family. Besides, there’s nothing to discuss.”

  “I disagree,” Miriam snapped. “This discussion stays confidential, as always. But we have to have it, all the same. And today.”

  “I don’t see the point.”

  “I do.” Diane spoke up. “We can’t put this on the city, no matter what error was made over a hundred years ago. Frank, what do you think’s going to happen if you demand the city pay for everything? You know, as well as anyone else at this table, how fast gossip spreads in this little town. It’ll backfire on us. On all of us.”

  “That’s why Allen’s handling everything.” Frank shrugged. “He’s reaching out to the other landowner, then he’ll take it to the city. That keeps it professional. Separate, if you will.”

  Roger seemed about to speak, then hesitated. “But that won’t work, Frank,” he finally said. “You’re on the council. And you depend on this community to keep Prosper Hardware’s door open. People will feel for you, no doubt, but they won’t want to empty their own pockets to fix this mess.”

  Frank’s chin twitched and his cheeks began to burn. Melinda knew her dad tried to stay out of Prosper Hardware’s business dealings, and her mom also hesitated to intervene. Frank and Miriam had bought the store years ago, and its future rested squarely on their shoulders.