Page 23 of Your Heart & Mine

"Will you be staying long?" Mitzi asked, her drawl smooth, voice polite as ever. Wyck figured the question she was too well-mannered to ask was actually 'When the fuck are you leaving?'

"Yeah, well, things are developing and I, uh, thought I'd hang out for a few months. Bought old Doc Stanley's place as a home base." Wyck shuffled from foot to foot uncomfortably. "Just moved in so I needed to stock up on some things."

She glanced at his empty cart. He'd come straight to the coffee aisle. "What are you ladies going to do with all that coffee?" Wyck asked, suddenly feeling a warmth in his chest he hadn't experienced in a long time. He wanted Mitzi to keep talking to him. She'd been like a second mother to him, and he realized suddenly how much his heart had missed her.

"Tonight is our GED and budgeting class at the church. Most of the people are coming after work so we have coffee and some food for them," Mitzi explained. "We try to make it as easy for them as possible. We even provide childcare in case they need it."

Wyck's lips tipped up in a genuine smile. Mitzi had really grown the community outreach. That was always her way – to give not only money, but time and attention as well. "How many people do you have? If I remember correctly, the church basement isn't that big."

"It's a bit cramped, but we make it work," Mrs. Osborne answered. "It would be lovely to have a bigger space. Especially for the food pantry and weekly free dinners but we make due with the blessings God has given us."

Nodding, Wyck's mind began working. This was exactly the type of project he'd been looking for. "Do you need any help?"

Mitzi blinked at him like a hoot owl. "Help?"

"Yeah, I mean. I'm not a teacher, but I could help with budgets and math, things like that. If you could use me. I don't want to displace anyone. It's fine if you don't need me." Wyck tried not to sound needy but damn if he really wanted her to say yes.

Mitzi and Evelyn exchanged a meaningful look. Clearing her throat, Mitzi finally responded. "We'd never turn down volunteers, Wyck. Six work for you?"

"Yes, ma'am," Wyck said, his smile broadening. He pulled two big bags of Dunkin' Donuts coffee from the bottom shelf. "And let me get this. That stuff you've got there is like drinking dishwater."

"Oh, Wyck, you don't have to…" Mitzi sputtered.

"I know I don't have to. I want to," Wyck interrupted. "It's hard and commendable what these people are doing and they should be rewarded for it a little. I'll be there at 5:45 to help you set up if that's okay."

"That would be lovely. Thank you, Wyck." Mitzi put the bargain brand coffee back on the shelf. Her bland mask cracked to show her pleasure along with her obvious confusion.

"See you later, ladies." Wyck pushed his cart down the aisle. He had extra shopping to do now as well as a review of his properties. He had his first project for the town to plan.

Chapter twenty

Partnerships

"Brenna!Lizzie!"Harperraninto the kitchen calling for her sisters, a huge smile lighting her face.

Brenna heeded the call first and slid across the tiles of the kitchen in her fuzzy, pink socks.. "What's happened?

"We got it!"

"Got what?" asked Elizabeth coming through the doorway.

"The property on Independence and 2nd Street!"

"You're kidding! I thought they were refusing to sell any of them?" Elizabeth asked, snatching the paper from her sister's hand. Her eyes greedily reviewed the contents, Brenna looking over her shoulders.

Harper's grin widened. "The old clinic building downtown and that small block of old shops across from it."

Elizabeth's face broke into a bright smile that Harper was pleased to see. Her sister was always so serious. It was good to see her genuinely happy about something.

"That's the block we wanted to put the apartments in." Elizabeth practically vibrated with excitement. "And if we get that grant to secure low-interest business loans, people could open a small shop and live above. It would bring life back to downtown."

"And the clinic!" Brenna gushed. "It's already set up for patients so all it will need is some cleaning and updating!"

"And a doctor and staff." Harper sighed but quickly rallied. "But I'm sure we will be able to find medical assistants, nurses, and office people around here that need jobs with the high school med-tech program."

Brenna squealed. "It's so exciting, Harp! But still nothing about the house?"

Shoulders slumping a little, Harper said, "No, not yet. Mr. Morton said he just got the call from Ward Development this morning about these properties. We're supposed to meet with the realtor to look over everything and sign the paperwork. I was hoping to meet someone from the company directly but apparently not."

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