“Snowbanks taller than you are,” he continued. “Big as a building.”
“That’s a lot of snow,” she said flatly.
“You bet it is. So you best not be thinking about leaving anytime soon. Your father sent you here for a reason, and you know what that reason is. You can leave in the spring. Start over then.”
Valerie frowned slightly.Does he know something?“I haven’t made any travel plans.”
Frank turned and started down the steps. “Good. Let’s keep it that way. I’ll be back next week to see how you’re doing. Call if you need anything.”
“Will do,” she replied, feeling more than a little bothered by the visit.
The dining room was fully booked for a large private birthday party that evening, so Angie arrived early to help set up tables. When she walked in, Valerie was in the kitchen helping Henry peel potatoes.
“That’s a lot of potatoes,” Angie said. “Want some help?”
“That would be nice,” Valerie replied.
Angie tied an apron around her waist and reached for a vegetable peeler.
“Did you mail the letter?” Valerie whispered as they stood at the worktable, their backs to Henry.
“I sent it first thing this morning.” Angie finished peeling one potato and reached for another.
Valerie reached for another as well. “Did you tell Joe about it?”
“No.” Angie glanced at her. “Why?”
“Because his father was here this afternoon.”
“Frank?” Angie’s brow furrowed with concern. “What did he say?”
“He came to give me ten dollars and ask how I was doing, but he made it very clear that I shouldn’t think about leaving anytime soon. He talked about the snow, but the main message was that I had to stay here until the spring and follow through with my father’s plan for me.”
“To give up your baby,” Angie quietly said, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Henry was out of earshot.
Valerie spoke softly as well. “It seems kind of coincidental that he would come out here to say that after I sent that letter with you yesterday, don’t you think?”
Angie lowered the potato and peeler. “You think I snitched on you?”
Valerie shrugged. “I don’t know. Are you sure you didn’t tell Joe? Because he might have shared that information with Frank.”
“I told you I didn’t say anything. Even though he’s my husband and I don’t like keeping secrets from him.” Angie began to peel faster and more aggressively.
Valerie stopped what she was doing and faced Angie, who was obviously offended. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”
“It sounds like you did,” Angie said. After a moment, she stopped peeling and exhaled heavily, as if she was too tired to be angry. Turning to face Valerie, she whispered, “I swear I didn’t tell him, and he doesn’t know anything about you being pregnant. I just told him that you left a boyfriend back home and you were missing him. That’s all.”
Valerie reached for another potato. “Okay. I believe you. But maybe that was enough to worry Mr.Brown.”
“It’s possible.”
Later, Valerie couldn’t help but wonder if Blaine had been the one to say something to Mr.Brown. Perhaps they were in cahoots to keep her here until spring. Maybe she had to be more careful about whom she trusted.
CHAPTER 15
Half the town showed up to celebrate Carol Brown’s fiftieth birthday at the community hall that weekend. Joe had taken a rare night off, and Angie had bought a new cocktail dress. It was sleeveless, light purple with shiny silver threads and a crew neckline. When they walked through the door, a live band was playing a Perry Como hit, and streamers fluttered from the ceiling.
Angie and Joe found Carol by the punch bowl, which was the centerpiece on a long table with sandwiches, cookies, and cakes. Carol wore a yellow chiffon party dress with a bow at the waistline and a bouffant hairstyle.
