Tom gave him a questioning look. “You’re suggesting I coach?”
Cal nodded. “You did play ball at Clemson, didn’t you? First base, as I recall.”
Tom gaped. “How on earth do you know about that? I only played college ball for a year before I was injured and had to give it up.” Then his eyes widened. “Cal Maddox?” he said, the name finally sinking in. “You played for the Atlanta Braves?”
Cal nodded. “Briefly. I was sidelined by an injury, too, but I was there when the scouting reports on you came in. You were a hot prospect, which I figure qualifies you to coach Little League in Serenity. Will you think about it?”
“First you need to have a Little League program in place,” Tom said. He gestured toward the folder. “I’ll go over your proposal this weekend and see if it fits in with the budget the town’s about to finalize, then we’ll talk again.”
“Fair enough,” Cal told him, standing up to leave.
“Hey, before you go, you’re an athlete. Where do you go to get a good workout in this town?”
The confident man before him looked oddly disconcerted by the question. “If you swear never to repeat it, I’ll tell you,” he said at last.
“Confidentiality is my middle name,” Tom assured him.
Cal leaned closer as if he feared Teresa or someone else might overhear. “I sneak into The Corner Spa after hours.”
Tom stared at him incredulously. “You’re kidding me! I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that the place is off limits to men.”
“It is,” Cal confirmed. “I’m married to one of the owners. She pretends not to notice that I borrow her key from time to time. Of course, if anyone ever catches me in there, I suspect my wife would throw me to the wolves and deny knowing me, much less admit she gave me tacit permission to sneak in.”
Tom laughed. “Sounds like an interesting relationship.”
“You have no idea,” Cal said. “Maddie’s a fascinating woman and the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m sure you two will cross paths before too long, especially if we get this Little League thing pulled together.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Tom said. “And I’ll be in touch within the next week or so about your proposal.”
“Thanks. Enjoy your weekend.”
Tom thought about the formal event ahead of him tonight and the inevitable lecture from his father likely to be on tomorrow’s agenda. Enjoyment didn’t enter into any of it.
* * *
Jeanette had gotten through yet another day without crossing paths with Maddie. She was hoping to keep it that way. She’d picked up her tote bag and purse and was headed out the side door when Maddie appeared.
“Sneaking off?” she inquired lightly.
Jeanette grinned. “I was trying to.”
“Can you stay for a minute?”
“Is that a request or a command?”
“A request, of course,” Maddie insisted. She held up two glasses of tea and a clear box that held two cranberry-orange scones, Jeanette’s favorite. “I brought bribes.”
Jeanette released a sigh and turned toward the outdoor patio, Maddie following on her heels.
After they were seated, Jeanette took a bite of the light, flaky scone, then frowned. It was still warm. “Where’d this come from? I know we didn’t have scones in the café today. I checked.”
“I asked Dana Sue to whip up a batch and send them over,” Maddie admitted. “They just arrived a few minutes ago, straight from the oven.”
“You really are desperate for me to serve on this Christmas festival committee, aren’t you?” Jeanette said as she savored another bite. Between the comfort food and Maddie’s bribes she was going to be as big as a blimp.
“At the moment, I’m more interested in why you’re so opposed to the idea. I’ve been giving you some space and thinking about our conversation, and I don’t believe your reaction had anything to do with taking on a little extra work for a couple of months. Am I right?”
When Jeanette remained silent, she prodded, “So what was it about?”
Because she absolutely didn’t want to get into that, Jeanette looked Maddie in the eye. “I’ll do it.”
Maddie appeared taken aback. “Do what?”
“Be on the stupid committee,” Jeanette grumbled. “Isn’t that what we’re talking about?”
Maddie did not appear nearly as pleased by her capitulation as Jeanette had expected.
“Forget the committee for the moment. Tell me why Christmas upsets you,” Maddie said. “I’ve just realized that you always take your vacation at Christmas, but you don’t go home to visit your family, you don’t go away, you just hole up in your apartment. I checked with Helen and Dana Sue, too, and none of us can recall you accepting a single invitation to a holiday celebration with any of us. There has to be a reason.”
“I’m antisocial,” Jeanette said.
“No, you are not,” Maddie said, dismissing the reply. “You’ve come to lots of things—Fourth of July barbecues, margarita nights, Thanksgiving dinner. No, this is all about Christmas. You have an aversion to that specific holiday and I want to know why.”
“It’s my business,” Jeanette replied stubbornly. “I know you want to help, but there’s not a problem. I just don’t like Christmas holidays.” She scowled at Maddie. “And don’t you dare tell me that everybody loves the holidays.”
“Well, they do. At least around here.”
“Then I’m an exception to the rule. Look, I said I’d serve on the committee. That should be enough.”
“What changed your mind?” Maddie asked.
“Boy, you really don’t know when to quit, do you?”
Maddie merely lifted a brow.
“No, of course you don’t,” Jeanette muttered. “Part of it was to get you off my case and part of it has to do with Mary Vaughn. She begged me to do it because she has to do it.”
Maddie stared at her incredulously. “You’re doing this for Mary Vaughn? After the way she tried to steal Ronnie from Dana Sue?”
“He
