Anything For Love Page 3

  “She’ll be safe. The world would rise up against anybody who attacked a ship of doctors on a mercy mission.” Jen reached for her roll.

  “I hope you’re right. Still, I’ll worry until she’s home next June. At least she won’t be too lonesome; she has her fiancé with her. They’re going into practice together after they return and get married.”

  “Does she want a big wedding like Evelyn’s? That was one of the most beautiful and romantic I’ve attended. The reception was fantastic. People are still talking about it and trying to outdo it. You’re a genius, Rach.”

  Rachel smiled in pleasure and gratitude. “I can’t take all of the credit or even much of it; I had a magician handling almost everything for me. I basically told him what we wanted and he took care of all the details and added some great ideas of his own.” As the two women talked about her youngest daughter’s splendid wedding, Rachel mused, I wish I could have had at least a small and special ceremony in church, but foolish me—If it hadn’t been for that miscarriage, everyone in town would know why we eloped.

  “I bet the Gaineses will go all out when Karen gets married. I’m sure they’ll throw a huge and lavish party for her like they did for Evelyn.”

  They only did it for show, my friend, not out of love.

  Becky continued, “You should be proud of yourself, Rach; you did a wonderful job rearing those two girls alone after Daniel’s death. I don’t know what I would do without Scott; he handles all of our finances and problems. If he died, I wouldn’t have the vaguest idea about how to manage my affairs. You’ll recall that the entire estate of our friend Mrs. Parson was wiped out by mismanagement and fraud. The dear woman is living on Social Security and government aid. I can’t imagine losing everything and being poor.”

  “When I was learning my way through that maze, there were plenty of scary moments, but with God’s help and guidance, good friends, an honest and patient lawyer and banker, I made it just fine. Before much longer, you two should sit down with Scott and Adam and get educated; one never knows when a tragedy could strike. There are unscrupulous people out there who will take advantage of a widow’s lack of knowledge about money and investments. I was lucky that Daniel kept his records and accounts in excellent shape. Cliff was so kind to come over all those evenings to teach me that complicated computer program Daniel used and how to do my budget and monthly bills.” Rachel didn’t add, but thought, He’s such a nice man; too bad he has such a terrible wife in Janet. “Daniel had set up savings accounts for the girls’ educations, which was helpful.”

  “You must miss Karen the most; Evelyn’s been gone for years.”

  “I’m glad Karen chose MCG so she could live at home while she was in school and doing her internship. It’s one of the best medical schools in the country. Pediatrics is perfect for her, because she loves children and is very good with them. She’ll be an excellent mother one day.”

  “She had an excellent teacher and example, Rach, so take credit where it’s due. There have been times when my kids almost drove me nuts. Thank God my son finally realized the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. He’s clean now and doing great at Princeton.”

  “I’m happy for you and him. He’ll make a good lawyer. Actually, all of us have been fortunate with our children. It’s so easy for them to get in with the wrong crowd and make mistakes. They have so many temptations to deal with these days. The world and people are changing too fast and it’s confusing for them. Confusing for us, too.”

  Becky and Jen agreed. Rachel poured them more tea, then all were silent for a time as they finished their lunch.

  “Don’t forget our arts council meeting was changed to July twenty-first because of the reunion next Friday,” Jen reminded. “We’re supposed to discuss sponsoring a show for two budding local artists.”

  “And don’t forget my pool party on the sixteenth,” Becky added. “I would have made it on the Fourth, but you know Scott’s parents always have a big to-do on Independence Day. We can’t break a family tradition, and it is loads of fun. I haven’t finished my guest list and sent out invitations, so is there anybody you want me to include, Rach?”

  Rachel sent her a playful scowl and teased, “Don’t you dare say to bring a date or you’ll have one there waiting for me, like Keith Haywood.”

  “There may be a few single men present, but by coincidence, and probably with dates. I haven’t decided about inviting Keith yet.”

  “That’s fine; just don’t shove anyone on me. Promise?”

  “I’ll try my best to behave,” Becky quipped.

  “How is the novel coming along?” Jen asked, changing the subject.

  “That Sandhills Writers Conference at Augusta College last month helped me a lot. There’s far more to writing books and getting published than I imagined. In the beginning, I just wanted to put my stories down on paper, then have people read them and enjoy them. I never realized how complicated the business is. As soon as I finish the manuscript, I need to find an agent to represent me. There’s so much I don’t know about literary contracts, advances, royalties, and such, so I have plenty to study and learn. Even after a publisher buys a manuscript, it takes one to two years to edit, prepare, and print it; then twelve to eighteen months to get paid royalties on sales, if you make enough to earn out your advance.”

  “Then, my dear Rach, it’s lucky you don’t need the money for support and darn lucky you attended that conference. It sounds like a difficult business, but don’t worry; you’re smart and determined, so you’ll make it. Won’t she, Jen?”

  “We’re positive. I bet you become the next Mary Higgins Clark.”

  “Thanks, you two. Of course, the others don’t know I went to the conference, so don’t tell them. The last time my secret slipped out, I was teased without mercy. I can’t help it if I like to read and want to write soft horror and child-in-jeopardy novels; some of our friends consider them tasteless and think I have a hidden crazy streak. Some think this is a whim or a hobby, but I’m serious about writing and getting published.”

  “I’m sorry Janet overheard us and blabbed to everyone. We think it’s a fantastic idea. You put it on hold for a long time after getting married and having children. Your duties are over now, so why not indulge yourself? If this is what you want to do, don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Just be sure to dedicate the first novel to me and Jen as you promised.”

  “After the way Janet and Dianne carried on, are you certain you two won’t be embarrassed to have your names in such a book?”

  “Heavens, no; it will be a thrill and an honor. Right, Jen?”

  “It will for me. I just finished reading the latest by Mary Higgins Clark and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Thanks for the suggestion. Next, I’m catching up on V. C. Andrews’s old series.”

  “If you aren’t careful, Jen, you’ll be reading Stephen King next,” Rachel teased.

  “I will, if he’s as good as they are. Speaking of Dianne, we ran into her at the club yesterday after tennis. She’s planning to nominate you as the chairwoman for our new woman’s club project. I think it’s going to be a combination bake, crafts, and garage sale at the Civic Center in August.”

  “She won’t have any luck there because I have enough jobs to do if they’re going to be done right. I’m on too many boards, committees, and councils now. If I’m going to have time to write, I need to trim down my schedule and outside responsibilities; at least, not take on new ones. Some of those women think I have abundant free time because I don’t have a husband or small children to occupy it. Dianne is one of those people, but I’m just as busy as she is.”

  “Probably busier, because she has a full-time nanny for her kids and a live-in housekeeper and cook,” Jen said.

  “And don’t forget that part-time secretary who does her committee work and runs her errands,” Becky added. “She loves to dole out jobs to others but not do any work herself, just claim the credit and glory.”

  Jen looked at Rachel and alm
ost whispered her news, “You know Dianne recently had a face-lift; so did Betty, and Louise just returned from a diet spa. They all want to look twenty at the reunion, and Louise wants to look fabulous at her daughter’s wedding in August.”

  “Dianne sneaked off to Atlanta to have hers done under the pretense of a shopping trip, but Betty let the news slip when she was telling us about hers,” Becky related. “Betty looks terrific, but Dianne is a mess. She didn’t trust any local plastic surgeon to work on her, but she should have. When we saw her yesterday, we couldn’t believe our eyes; her face is as tight as a balloon filled with too much water. She looks stern, Rach, and her eyes and mouth are shaped funny now. If that were me, I’d fly my tail back to Atlanta and demand an immediate corrective procedure. She shouldn’t have waited until so close to the reunion to improve her looks. For heaven’s sake, we all have wrinkles and sags we want gone.”

  “Are you thinking of having one, too?” Rachel asked.

  “Maybe in a few years; I’m holding my own pretty well. So are you, Rach; your skin is like a baby’s and you have no wrinkles anywhere.”

  “Thanks. I suppose I inherited good skin from my mother; and those new creams work wonders.”

  The women chatted for a while longer before Becky ended their visit.

  “It’s getting late; we need to be going. Scott’s coming home early today. Are you sure you won’t join us Friday night?”

  Rachel walked them down the hall and to the front door. “No, but thanks for the invitation,” she said. “You all have fun.”

  As they approached Becky’s car, the blonde turned to Rachel. “We’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow for shopping and lunch.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  “That means you’ll go with us next weekend?”

  “As you said, Becky, I can’t say no to you two and survive.”

  They laughed, then embraced. Rachel watched Becky back out of her driveway and head down the street to travel three blocks to where the two women lived next door to each other. Becky and Jennifer had been friends since childhood and she was glad they had drawn her into their genial duo years ago. The two women had filled many voids in her life.

  Rachel looked at her gardener when he rounded the house. “You’ve done a superb job this spring, Henry; everything is beautiful.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Gaines. The pool’s done and I’m almost finished out here, so I’ll be going soon. I’ll see you next week.”

  “Thanks, Henry.”

  Rachel went to speak with Martha before she ran errands. She told herself, if she hurried, she could get in a few hours of writing later. Since she had a busy day tomorrow, she couldn’t stay up late working on the manuscript as she had done for many nights after Karen left weeks ago. She refused to think about failure and tried not to imagine how she and her life would change if she succeeded. If she couldn’t find a good man to curl up with and enjoy, a word processor could be a substitute for a while. Maybe, she mused with a grin, she should write wonderful romance novels. Sort of like the song says, “I can dream about you, if I can’t hold you tonight.”

  Maybe I should write a fictional sequel with a happy ending to our brief story, Mr. Quentin Rawls. I doubt you remember me from twelve years ago, but I haven’t forgotten you and our reckless affair. What would happen if we ran into each other again? Fat chance of that happening after so many years without contact and living worlds apart! Oh, well, I’ll just have to be content to dream about you.

  Two

  As Rachel, Becky, and Jen left a mall boutique the next day, they met Janet Hollis and Dianne Blackwell who were also on a shopping spree. With everyone’s hands burdened with packages, the usual embraces and cheek kisses between “close friends” weren’t possible when the five women halted to chat.

  After social pleasantries were exchanged, Dianne said, “It’s fortunate we ran into each other today, Rachel; I intended to phone you later to ask you to be in charge of the new fund-raising project for our women’s club. It’s going to be a big and exciting affair at the Civic Center on August sixth from ten to five; that’s a Saturday. It’s a combination crafts, artwork, bake sale, and rummage sale. We’re asking club members to check their closets, garages, and attics for things to donate to the event. You can also convince local merchants to contribute items. Of course, our members will have to bring their baked goods down that morning at nine to give you time to set up that booth. We’ll sell refreshments, have entertainment on the hour, and at least five prize drawings. One of the radio stations will broadcast live from start to finish, and all three television stations have agreed to do coverage; so has the local newspaper and Augusta Today magazine. That will give you about six to seven weeks to collect everything from our members and the merchants, get the items tagged with prices and boxed by category; I’m sure that’s ample time. You can store the boxes in your garage; we’ll hire someone to transport them to the Civic Center. Louise is handling the publicity and entertainment. We’ll let a caterer do the refreshments and divide the profits. You can assign members to work the booths. Make sure you select the best donations for the prize drawings.”

  Rachel tried not to stare at Dianne’s bad surgical results as the woman talked on and on without giving her time to speak. She smiled to soften her refusal. “I’m afraid I can’t do it; I’m on too many committees and projects now, so it’s impossible for me to take on another one.” As Dianne first looked astonished and then annoyed, Rachel attempted a polite explanation. “I’m in charge of the church bake sale on July thirtieth for the new homeless shelter, and collecting pledges for the Heart Fund and helping to plan their fall gala. I have to gather items for that celebrity auction on September third for the library extension, help out with a show on August second for a local new artist, and make collections for the abused children and wives’ crisis center. I also have things to do for the community outreach program for the handicapped, and this is my six-month period to visit our church’s shut-ins and take our senior citizens on errands. Plus, I have work to complete on a few other projects.” My writing for one.

  “But I’m sure you can fit in one more little job for such a good cause,” Dianne protested. “You do these things so well, and we depend upon you.”

  “Thanks,” Rachel said, “but I can’t.”

  Janet—the vice president—added, “You really should say yes, Rachel. This sale is very important to our club and its members. You heard what Dianne said about the media, it will generate a lot of publicity and enhance our image. You simply must say yes; no excuses will be accepted.”

  Is that a fact? “I’ll help out with phone calls and collections but I can’t be in charge of such a big undertaking. My other responsibilities and projects would suffer, and I wouldn’t have any free time for myself and my friends. Besides, six weeks is not enough time for anybody to do so much work.”

  “We all have to make sacrifices for worthy causes, and that’s the only Saturday the Civic Center is available before Christmas. It’s a great way to meet people. You’ll have to call on plenty of men for donations. You are our only single member at this time, so that task is perfect for you.”

  Rachel tried to keep her fury from showing as she responded to Janet’s snide remark. “Have Susan, Norma, and Rose gotten married since last month?”

  “I meant, our only single member without small children to take up your time, and you’re still young enough to do the leg work required.”

  “Thanks for the compliment, but I can’t take on anything else.” She watched her banker’s wife and nearby neighbor frown. “Besides, with all of the other collections I’m doing, I wouldn’t be able to fit my car in the garage if I added another one; and everything would get mixed up.”

  “Where is- your thinking cap today, Rachel? That’s what Magic Markers and boxes are for, to keep things identified and separated.”

  Rachel forced out a phony smile just as Janet had done. “Trying to keep different things for several groups separate
d in an overloaded room would be difficult and time consuming. Why don’t you two select another location and a later date? If you do it after the first of the year, I’ll accept the job.”

  “It has to be held at the Civic Center to be impressive and to get free promotion,” Janet snipped, “that’s how to draw in the common crowd. Besides, the event is going to be too big to hold anywhere else.”

  “That’s why I can’t take charge; I don’t have the time or space right now. It’s an enormous task and a tight schedule. I doubt many of the members want to give up so much of their summer helping out whomever does it. Why don’t you wait until you present this idea at our next meeting?”

  “We’re already committed; Dianne and I and the board have that authority, you know. I thought you would jump at the chance to contribute to a cause your daughter would love. In the board meeting, we decided the profits would go to buying clothes, food, and medicine for children from third-world countries. And toys for Christmas; that’s why it has to be done in August, and that’s the only open date the Civic Center has. How can you possibly refuse to head up this important project and sleep at night?”

  You little bitch, you saved that coercive news for last, didn’t you? “That is an excellent cause, Janet, though I personally would rather see us aid unfortunate American children. So many organizations and people help foreign children, but our country’s poor and abused are often overlooked. That’s why our local organizations are so important to me and why I’m scheduled so heavily with prior commitments to them.”

  “The board has made its decision. Surely knowing the charity involved will change your mind. I don’t see how it could do otherwise.”

  Rachel caught Janet’s domineering tone. There was no reasoning with the woman, so it was relent and be sorry and overworked or stand her ground and take the brunt of Janet’s anger. “As I said, I’ll help out but not take control. Maybe next year, Dianne, when my schedule is lighter.”