The Old Fashioned Way (A Homespun Romance) (2 page)

"All set for your vacation?"  Jerry, his business manager asked coming into the room. 

"All set," said Daniel automatically. 

"Still don't want to tell me where I can contact you?" 

"No." 

If Jerry knew where to reach Daniel he would call every day with a different scheme for doubling his money.  Only Daniel didn't need any more money.  He was taking this vacation to prove something to himself.  For the last few months a growing restlessness made him wonder if this was all there was to life. 

Fame, success, emptiness. 

Since his accident, Daniel had let Jerry arrange his life for him.  Conducting seminars had led to writing books on business.  Overnight success had made him a public figure, very much in demand.  For a while he had gone along with whatever Jerry had suggested.  Now it was time to pull back, to stop and think about the direction his life was taking before it was too late. 

The bleakness inside seemed to reach gigantic proportions today.  He had everything.  He had nothing.  Daniel didn't welcome this self-searching.  His thoughts forced him to consider what he was going to do about the way he felt.

Telling himself he needed nothing more out of life was no use.  The reflection Daniel had seen of himself in Abby Silver's eyes confirmed what he had begun to suspect a part of him had been trying to tell him. 

Career wise you might be a wonder, Hawthorn.  As a man you're out of touch with the rest of the world.

"That went very well, don't you think?" 

Jerry's self-satisfied voice irritated him.

"I guess."  If he could blot out the memory of a face etched with worry.

"So, where can I reach you?"

Jerry's casual question didn't fool Daniel.  A corner of his mouth lifted as he said, "I'll contact you when I get back to L.A."

Jerry wasn't content.  "At least tell me if you're going to be out of the country."

Suddenly the vague plans Daniel had made crystalized into one clear picture.  A pair of green eyes framed by a tumble of black hair, looking at him as if he'd given a new name to the word low-life. 

What was the name of that place she had mentioned?  Carbon Canyon?

Daniel knew exactly what he was going to do.  "I'm not even going to leave the state of California, so relax."

Calories never helped solve any problems, but the chocolates definitely offered temporary consolation.  Food should be included in the top ten list of dangerous addictions, Abby reflected as she popped a chocolate into her mouth.  The glance she gave the box on the passenger seat elicited a groan of dismay.  She hadn't meant to eat so many.

It was all his fault. 

Daniel Hawthorn, with his man-of-the-world air, had upset the even balance of her mind.

She'd seen the shock in his eyes when she'd asked him how many small businesses he'd helped.  Abby popped another chocolate into her mouth.  She wasn't quite sure what had gotten into her.  Gran would never believe her granddaughter had stood up in front of a crowd and challenged a man who was obviously an expert in his field.  Abby almost didn't believe it herself.  She ran a hand through her hair.  It had been years since she had acted on impulse.

"You've got a brain, Abby.  Why don't you use it?"

Wishing her late husband's gibes didn't haunt her still, Abby looked at the next sign.  She had another ten miles to go. 

The sixty five mile drive, each way, hadn't been easy.  Neither was renting a car to make the trip.  All in all it had been a complete waste of money.

This morning she had been sure Daniel Hawthorn would produce a solution to Gran's problems.  Far from pulling the rabbit she wanted out of his hat, the man had unsettled her, revived memories of a marriage that hadn't worked.  Made her feel stupid.

Abby reached for another chocolate as her mind went back to the seminar.  Daniel Hawthorn's first words had been, "If your business is in trouble refer to the list in my handout." 

She tried to recall the list. 

Self-confidence was the first trait on it.  Abby's had shriveled in the course of her marriage, and she had no idea what to do about it.  Maybe she should have asked the so-positive Mr. Daniel Hawthorn if he gave seminars on self-confidence as well.

Motivation was next.  She had plenty of that.  The Busy Bee had to stay open, no matter what it took.  It wasn't only a retail enterprise.  It was a life support system for people in Gran's age group who gathered there to talk and network. 

Decisiveness had been the third word on the list.  Abby ran a hand through her hair.  Her decision-making abilities were on par with her self-confidence.  Non-existent.  Rod had contradicted everything she had said or done till it had become easier to simply leave the decisions to him. 

Trying to focus on what came next, Abby drew a blank.  Oddly enough all she remembered the way Daniel Hawthorn's suit had matched his dark brown hair more clearly than she remembered anything else he'd said.  His expression had conveyed sympathy.  She must have imagined the concern in his eyes.  The caring.  Big successful business sharks didn't care about floundering guppies.

Abby reached for another chocolate.

There was a time when he'd thought success and public approval added up to happiness.  Lately, Daniel hadn't been so sure.  At thirty four, it was time to stop and discover the reason behind his discontent before it was too late.

Daniel sat in front of the store, staring at the sign above it.  The Busy Bee.  It was a strange name for a store.  It had taken a while to find.  The signs beside the road, advertising the craft store, hadn't been very big.  A sweeping glance showed that except for his car, the parking lot was empty.  Abby Silver's problems were genuine.

Had he had bitten off more than he could chew? 

"You can always turn around and leave Hawthorn.  You're on vacation, remember?"

Today, his first free Saturday in ages, he had wrestled with his decision to stop at Carbon Canyon.  As he'd packed his things this morning, he'd realized whichever way he looked at it he knew he had to make this stop.  It was the only way he'd be able to enjoy the rest of his vacation.

He had left L.A. at three.  It was almost five now.  Daniel looked at the painted sign in front of the store.  The Busy Bee stayed open till six on Saturdays and Sundays.

Daniel noticed the huge stuffed giraffe staring at him.  He wasn't positive he could name all the other items in the window.  Some pieces looked like lace, others had flowers and scenes on them.  So, this was the kind of merchandise a craft store carried.  How large could the market for this kind of stuff be?

Behind the store, a little to the right, was set another larger building, with a well tended front lawn.  Abby Silver's house?

Turning, he looked at the German Shepherd in the seat beside him.  Patting the dog's head he said, "I won't be long, Princess.  Stay."

The cool evening breeze ensured Princess would be comfortable with the window down.  Stopping at a rest area two miles back to give her a drink of water and let her stretch her legs had been a good idea.

As soon as he found Abby Silver he would ask her if he could let Princess out.  On the end of a long leash the dog would be quite happy under the enormous tree in the yard.  Making a quick assessment of the situation and giving his recommendations shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. 

Abby smiled at Mrs. Jacobs as she handed her a bag.  "I'm sure your daughter's going to love the lace tablecloth."

The woman nodded, "All Clara's got in her house is an old plastic cover.  She's always loved nice things.  Losing the baby was very hard on her.  I wanted something really pretty to cheer her up.  You're sure you don't mind my paying for this with the eggs, Abby?  I'll bring in a fresh dozen twice a week."

Abby looked at the careworn face, the anxiety in the faded blue eyes.  Gran had started the barter system for people like Mrs. Jacobs.

"We don’t mind," she said gently.  "Don't worry about it."

As Mrs. Jacobs left, Abby glanced at her list of things to do.  She had to put some more stuffed toys out.  Picking up the box that held them, Abby looked around for the best spot to display them.

From the community room, to the right of the shop, came the background murmur of voices.  She could picture the scene in there.  Gran with her sewing circle in one corner.  Hamish's wood whittling group busy in another.  Mrs. Patel, by the window, bent over her sewing machine, her glasses perched on the edge of her nose.  There were others too, people who came by bus, to work as a group on their hobbies or attend the classes or simply to talk. 

Carbon Canyon Vista was a very popular retirement community.  Opening The Busy Bee, had been Gran's way of forming a vital network for people her age. A network that was in danger of extinction now.  Abby's eyes dimmed.  Mr. Hawkins the manager of the bank had been most apologetic over the telephone this morning, but he could no longer extend them time or credit. 

The store had been opened in the hope they would be able to pay their bills with the income.  The last few months there hadn’t been any and now Gran’s savings were almost gone.

Of the four weeks they had left to come up with some cash, three days had already dripped away like water from a leaking faucet.

The sound of a car pulling up in front of the store, brought Abby's head around.  She hoped it was another customer.

Daniel ducked his head as he pushed the swing door open.  It reminded him of the ones he'd seen in western movies.  When the hero went through them, trouble always followed. 

"What are you doing here?" 

The breathless voice was familiar.  He turned his head and saw her behind the cash register. 

"Hi!" 

He liked the jewel brightness of the green dress Abby Silver wore.  Though the loose shape hid her body completely, its color suited her to perfection.

"I was just...er..passing by...and thought..er...I'd stop by and take a look at your store."  What on earth was wrong with him?  He never stammered.

"Why?"  Abby's heart had jumped into her throat at the sound of his voice.  There was no real reason for him to be here.  No real reason for the fact her voice was so shaky.

"I thought I might be able to give you a few constructive suggestions, if I saw the store... maybe took a quick look at the accounts."

Stunned, Abby kept quiet.  She had never imagined this in her wildest dreams.  Daniel Hawthorn, business genie, was actually here, in The Busy Bee. 

There had to be fairy godmothers after all. 

It was the shock, Abby told herself, that had her body reacting exactly the way it had on Friday.  Her mouth was dry, her heart pounded, and her skin tingled.  She barely registered what Daniel Hawthorn said.

"Ms. Silver?"

Abby shook her head to clear it.  The action didn't help.  "Yes?"

"Would you like to show me around?" 

One of his opening remarks at the seminar had been, "Business and emotion never mix.  The latter bogs down the former." 

Determined to prove she could be as businesslike as anybody else, Abby nodded.

"Yes, of course." 

He had never been in a craft store before.  The Busy Bee had none of the musty-antique-store atmosphere he'd imagined.  The handmade items were displayed with classic, eye-catching elegance.  Most of the merchandise was like the stuff in the window.  There was a small section devoted to craft supplies, another area to the most beautiful hand carved animal figures he had ever seen.

"Are these made here?"  Daniel couldn't resist reaching out to touch a wooden doe.

"Yes."  He heard the pride in her voice clearly.  "A few craftspeople bring things in to sell us, but most of the items we stock are made on the premises."

He made no other comments as they walked through the store.  Gradually Abby's nerves settled enough for her senses to come into play.  The citrusy smell of lime coming from Daniel Hawthorn was very pleasant.  He wore a sky blue tee shirt and fawn slacks.  His tousled hair made her wonder if he had been driving with the window down. 

This version of the man disturbed her more than the one she had seen on Friday.  Then, his suave sophisticated look had reminded her of Rod.  She had felt her defense mechanism crush the spurt of attraction she felt for him.  Now he seemed warm, approachable, homey.  She had no defense mechanism against that.

"Ms. Silver?"

She looked at the door of the community room with a start.  When had she stopped talking?

She pushed the door open.  "Through here is the community room where most of the things are made."

As they walked in, Daniel looked around the enormous room in disbelief.  It was a beehive of activity.  The next instant, another fact registered.  With the exception of Abby and himself none of the people in the room were under sixty.

A woman came towards them briskly and Abby said, "Gran, this is Mr. Hawthorn, a business consultant in Los Angeles.  Mr. Hawthorn, this is my grandmother, Sarah Trenton, one of the other owners of The Busy Bee."