Summer In Iron Springs Read online

  Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief. She was happy it was Howard, and not a stranger, living in her parent’s home. “My parents lived here,” Phoebe said. She was not sure how much Howard knew about her situation. “And I . . .” she glanced behind the old man, her eyes absorbing every detail of her surroundings, “Well . . . I was hoping I could take a look around.”

  “My house is your house, young lady,” Howard said. He moved to the side, and motioned for her to enter.

  He shuffled into the small living room. “This room is very much the way it was when your parents lived here,” he said. The room was attached to an even smaller dining room. Phoebe glanced around and was surprised by the sense of familiarity she had with the house. She didn’t have any memory of her current surroundings but she felt at home in the cottage.

  “This is the kitchen,” Howard said, tapping his hand on the arched doorway. “I haven’t changed a thing since I moved in.” As Phoebe stood in the small cozy room, she imagined her mother, standing at the old fashioned oven while preparing dinner for her father. She looked out the kitchen window and pictured herself as a toddler playing under the large tree that dominated the tiny back yard.

  This would have been a nice place to grow up. Although the house and its furnishings were old, and despite that the rooms were tiny, Phoebe fell in love with the place. She loved the old fashioned charm and she hoped Howard would leave it just as it was.

  “Your dad sold me this house under one very important condition,” Howard said after leading Phoebe back to the living room where he motioned for her to take a seat on the small sofa.

  “What was that?” Phoebe asked.

  “He asked me to bring purple lilacs to your mother’s grave every year on her birthday. I’ve done it faithfully for thirteen years.”

  Phoebe smiled at the old man. She wanted to speak but she didn’t trust her voice so instead she glanced around and took in every detail of the comfortable room. She wanted to make sure she would always be able to close her eyes and picture the scene before her. After a short visit, she left the cottage with an invitation to return anytime.

  Eight

  “It’s hot today!” Phoebe said as she and Jenna inched their way toward the ticket counter at the Iron Springs carnival. She scanned the crowds of people attending the celebration and was surprised by the throngs of people filing in from the temporary parking lot. The line for tickets stretched clear to the entrance and it was moving at a snail’s pace.

  “Iron Springs has held this carnival for over sixty years,” Jenna said as she fanned her face with the flyer she’d been handed by the parking lot attendant. “Every year it gets bigger. Most everyone that lives here and lots of people from the small towns around us come to it.”

  “Yeah, I heard Anna and Norm talking about it. Anna has a booth here.” Phoebe had offered to help out in the booth but when Jenna asked Phoebe to hang out with her at the carnival, Anna refused to let her work and insisted she go play instead.

  “Best caramel apples in the world!” Jenna grinned. “We should go get one later.”

  “Definitely, but we better ride rides before we eat anything!” Phoebe simulated what it would look like to be sick by sticking out her tongue and pointing her index finger toward her throat.

  Jenna laughed. “Good idea.”

  An array of delicious aromas wafted through the crowd. The smell of cotton candy, funnel cakes, buttered popcorn and various other heavenly smells were carried on the light breeze and entered into Phoebe’s senses. As people enjoyed their delicious treats, she allowed the mouth-watering selection of sumptuous choices to combine and create one delectable aroma that tempted her appetite.

  The two girls finally made it to the front of the line where they each bought plenty of tickets before heading toward the roller coaster. After that, they rode the Ferris wheel and then they played games on the midway. For popping three balloons in the dart game, Jenna won a little brown stuffed monkey holding a half-peeled banana. She gave her prize to a small boy who was crying. The boy’s tears were immediately replaced with giggles as he threw his arms around Jenna. Phoebe smiled at her friend who whole-heartedly returned the embrace. As she watched the tender exchange between the two, Phoebe felt grateful for Jenna. As much as she tried to convince her father to the contrary, she knew her friends in Seattle were not really friends at all. They were all just as caught up in their own lives as she had been in hers. None of them were anything like Jenna who, Phoebe was certain, was the first true friend she’d ever had.

  After hours of riding rides and playing games, the two girls stuffed themselves with pizza and nachos. For dessert they each devoured a double-decker ice cream in a homemade waffle cone.

  “Let’s go see how Anna’s doing,” Phoebe suggested. “I need to let my food digest before I go on any more rides.” Phoebe knew Billy was working at Anna’s booth and she hoped she might run into him before the dance started later that evening. They had made arrangements to meet at the big red barn at seven. He promised to teach her how to line dance.

  “Good idea,” Jenna said. The two girls headed to the center of the carnival toward the rows of concession stands in search of Anna’s booth. Once they found it, Phoebe was shocked at the line of people waiting to buy caramel apples. Even on tip toes, it was impossible to tell where the line ended and where the crowds of people began. She motioned for Jenna to follow her.

  “Come on,” she shouted so that Jenna could hear her above the noisy crowd. “Let’s go help.”

  The two girls rushed through the crowds of people as quickly as they could. When they arrived at the caramel apple booth, they saw Anna working alone as she hurried to fill orders, accept payment and make change all by herself. The girls ducked under the rope that sectioned off the vendor booths and jumped in to assist her.

  “Oh, am I ever glad to see you!” Anna exclaimed. “It’s been like this all day.” Anna motioned toward the line of people waiting to place their orders. She picked up two apple covered aprons and handed one to each girl.

  “You’ve been here all alone?” Phoebe asked. She hurried and tied the apron around her waist.

  “I had help until about an hour ago,” Anna said. She dug in the front pocket of her apron in search of change for a customer. “Norm and Gina left to pick up more apples and supplies. They should be back soon. We knew it would be busy but we didn’t expect this!” Anna exclaimed. We’ve run out of almost everything.

  “Where’s Billy?” Jenna asked. Although Phoebe wondered the same thing, she didn’t want to ask so she was happy when Jenna did it for her.

  “I sent him to the bank to make a deposit and get more change.” Anna smiled at a young girl who was doing a balancing act trying to hold a large stuffed bear, a helium balloon tied to a string, and her caramel apple. “He should be back any time.”

  In no time at all, the girls had established a routine. Jenna took the orders and called them out over her shoulder. Phoebe retrieved the caramel apples from the long shelves that lined the back half of the tent. Anna collected the money and handed out change. Before long, Phoebe could tell, just by looking at an apple, whether it was covered with crushed peanuts or crushed pecans. She had no idea there were so many different varieties of caramel apples. Some were simply dipped in caramel. Others were elaborately decorated and beautiful. Some were covered in caramel and then dipped in dark, white, or milk chocolate. Some were coated with colorful sprinkles and others were decorated with brightly colored candies.

  As they worked, Phoebe was impressed by the way Jenna handled the customers. One man, in particular was holding up the line because he couldn’t make up his mind. Jenna, in her not-so-subtle, but very effective way, helped him make a decision.

  “I’m not sure which one I want,” the overweight man glanced at Jenna. His eyes moved to the apples covered in crushed up Oreos and then to the ones coated in chopped peanuts.

  Jenna shot him a friendly smile and said, “Why don’t you get them b
oth?” And then, tilting her head, she waited for him to accept her offer. It reminded Phoebe of buying the pink dress at Hildi’s.

  “Great idea,” the man agreed happily. “That saves me from having to decide!”

  Jenna nodded her head. “It sure does. And this way, you get twice the enjoyment.”

  “You’re quite a salesman . . . saleswoman, I mean. “Anna patted Jenna on the back as she squeezed past her to retrieve a small white box to package the man’s apples in.

  “You sure are,” Phoebe agreed. “Have you ever thought of running for political office?”

  “Oh, stop you two,” she waved off the compliments but her face revealed the pleasure she felt at receiving them.

  “With you two here, we’ll be able to pay for the school’s floor, buy the kids new computers and maybe even have some money left over.”

  It took a while, but eventually the three women were able to reduce the line to a much more manageable length. Phoebe and Jenna helped Anna straighten up the booth and, when Norm and Gina returned, the girls helped to replenish the supplies.

  “Let me pay you for helping me,” Anna dug into the front pocket of her apron.

  Phoebe held up a hand. “No, Anna. You are not paying us. We wanted to help. Right, Jenna?”

  “Yep,” Jenna said, flashing her signature smile. “Just save us a caramel apple.”

  “Sounds good,” Anna wrapped her arms around both girls at once and gave them a tight squeeze. “Now, go have fun.”

  Phoebe quickly scanned the crowds of people. She was hoping she’d get a chance to see Billy. “Are you sure you’ll be okay? We could stay a while longer.”

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Anna smiled at Phoebe. “With Norm and Gina here, we’ve got it covered. Now, shoo. You’re not here to work.”

  ***

  When the sun began to sink behind the mountains, the two girls hurried to Jenna’s car, grabbed the clothes they had brought for the dance and made their way to the bathrooms to change.

  “Can I ask you something?” Phoebe asked, as she and Jenna walked toward the big red barn.

  “Sure.” Jenna smiled at Phoebe as her fiery red curls bounced around atop her head.

  “When I first met you . . . that day at Hildi’s . . .” Phoebe paused for a moment.

  “Yeah . . .” Jenna smiled, glancing at Phoebe. “What about it?”

  “Well, you said something about how Billy was the talk of Iron Springs. What did you mean by that?”

  Jenna giggled. “Oh, that. I just meant that all the girls went crazy over him,” she smiled. “A new boy in a small town is a pretty big thing—especially a boy as hot as Billy.”

  Phoebe glanced at Jenna. It felt strange to hear her refer to Billy as hot. “You think Billy’s hot?”

  “Not anymore,” Jenna smiled. “Now he’s like a brother or cousin . . . but, when he first got here . . . oh my . . .” Jenna’s words trailed off as she seemed to be recalling the time when Billy first got to Iron Springs.

  “What?” Phoebe asked—it was clear there was more to the story and she wanted to know it all. “What happened when he first got here?”

  “Well, all the girls chased after him like crazy. So, there was a lot of drama. It was typical girl drama.” Jenna shook her head. “You know how girls are . . . new boy in a small town. Anyway, it seemed like every girl in Iron Springs made it her sole mission in life to get close to him. After a while he was just like every other boy and things calmed down.”

  “So, did you two ever date?” Phoebe asked, hoping the answer was no. She wasn’t sure how she’d feel about dating a boy who Jenna previously dated. Things could get pretty awkward.

  Jenna let out a loud laugh that seemed unintentional and then clamped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh,” She smiled at Phoebe. “It’s just that . . . me and Billy? No. Not even close. Billy’s nice looking but he’s not my type—and I’m not his.” She paused for a moment, stopped walking and turned to face Phoebe, her eyes twinkling. “But he is a super sweet guy. And he really likes you. I’ve known him long enough that I can tell.”

  Hearing Jenna’s words caused a wave or relief to come over Phoebe. Other than Billy—who she liked to think of as a little more than a friend—Jenna was the first true friend she’d ever had and she didn’t want any drama getting in the middle of their friendship.

  Jenna put her arm around Phoebe’s shoulder. “Now, let’s go dance!”

  The barn was already overflowing as people poured through its large doors. Loud country music blared through the speakers that carried the music being performed by the “Blue Rhinos”.

  “They’re a local band,” Jenna said, pointing toward the stage. “They started out playing country bars and they’ve gotten really popular. We’re lucky they agreed to play here tonight.”

  Even though Phoebe had never been into country music, she liked the sound of the Blue Rhinos. They had more of a country-rock style and not the twangy sound that she had expected from a small-town band.

  The girls scanned the crowd until they spotted the friends Jenna had arranged to meet at the barn. Once they all found one another, the group made their way to the dance floor. Phoebe didn’t exactly go voluntarily; she was dragged by her arms and legs until she had no choice but to line up and make a fool out of herself.

  ***

  “I thought you said you didn’t know how to do dance like us rednecks,” Billy said after sneaking up behind Phoebe on the dance floor. “It looks to me like you’ve been holding out on me.”

  Phoebe whirled around to see Billy smiling at her. “How long have you been standing there?” She hoped he hadn’t actually been a witness to her clumsy attempt at line dancing.

  “Long enough to see your impressive line dancing skills,” Billy chuckled and took her by the hand. “Come dance with me. I promised to teach you and I never break a promise.”

  Phoebe blushed as she noticed how especially handsome Billy looked. He was wearing a pair of snug fitting jeans, a black t-shirt, black boots, and a cowboy hat. The smell of his cologne wafted through the air and sent chills up Phoebe’s spine.

  “Guess you’re a country girl at heart,” Billy said, looking her over from head to toe. “Let me guess, Jenna picked those out?” He motioned his hand toward her jeans.

  Phoebe nodded. “Do you like them?”

  Billy made a show of putting his hand to his chin and studying her. “Turn around,” he said, making a twirling motion with his finger.

  Phoebe rolled her eyes and spun around one time.

  Billy smiled, “Yes, I like them a lot. But, mostly I like you.” He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. “You could wear a burlap sack and you’d look good.”

  Phoebe laughed. “Well, you won’t catch me wearing a burlap sack anytime soon.” She glanced down at her outfit. “This is far enough out of my comfort zone.”

  The jeans—although she had to admit they looked good on her—were definitely not something she would have chosen without Jenna’s prodding. They were snug—but not skin tight—with a white barbed wire design on the back pockets. And the top—Jenna practically had to force Phoebe to try it on had been “skeleton washed”—whatever that means—which gave it a faded black appearance. On the front, amidst the sparkling rhinestones, the words Country Tuff; named after the boutique Jenna talked her into visiting, were printed in a curly script.

  “Come with me.” Billy led her to an open spot on the dance floor and held her hand as he showed her how to do the two-step. “Just follow me and you’ll pick it up quickly.” He moved easily to the beat of the music. “Sorry I missed you earlier. Anna said you helped out at the booth.”

  Phoebe copied his movements and quickly caught on. Each dance had specific steps and the steps repeated so, once she got the hang of it, she was able to follow along without help. “Yeah, Jenna did too. What took you so long at the bank?”

  “I had to go to three different banks to get
enough change. All the banks in town were running out of cash because of the carnival. I guess nobody expected it to be so busy.”

  When the band announced that they were going to slow things down a bit, Billy took Phoebe in his arms and slowly danced her around the floor. He held one of her hands in his and put his other hand around her waist. He knew the steps so well that his body seemed to move without effort. Phoebe relaxed in his arms and allowed herself to float through the dance, wrapped up in his embrace.

  “Have I ever told you that you have beautiful eyes?” Billy whispered in her ear.

  “Thanks,” Phoebe said, gazing into his eyes. “And yes you have, but a girl can never get too many compliments.”

  “Do you want to get some air?” Billy asked once the song ended. “It’s hot in here.”

  Phoebe fanned her face with her hand. It was too noisy to even try to communicate so she nodded and allowed Billy to take her hand and lead her toward the exit.

  “That was fun,” he said, once his ears had stopped ringing. “You’re a fast learner.”

  “Thanks, you’re a good teacher.”

  Billy led her to a small wooden bench that was far enough away from the barn that they could talk without having their words drowned out by the music. “Let’s sit here for a minute.” He waited for her to sit down before taking a seat beside her.

  The night air was crisp and it smelled wonderful. Phoebe gazed into the beautiful clear sky. She loved to watch the stars as they twinkled and moved about.

  Billy picked up a strand of her hair and held it between his fingers. “You look really pretty tonight.”

  Phoebe blushed, and her gaze went to the pebble-covered ground. Billy placed his fingers beneath her chin and gently lifted it until his eyes met hers. Her heart beat wildly and her body tensed the way it always did when Billy was about to kiss her. He leaned in—his eyes were glued to hers and all that surrounded them seemed to vanish. In that moment, they were the only two people on earth. Phoebe closed her eyes and their lips met as they shared a delicate, tender kiss.