Page 55 of Things Good Girls Don't Do

Katie was taken aback. She’d actually been expecting an apology from her, not a resignation. “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, Mrs. Andrews. I know we both said some things we didn’t mean, and I apologize for my inappropriateness, but you don’t have to quit the committee.”

“You misunderstand me,dear. I am here to tell you that it’syouwho is no longer welcome on this committee,” she said.

How dare you try to undermine me?Katie thought as she tried to control the lump in her throat. Every time she got angry or upset, she felt like she had swallowed a jawbreaker. “You can’t kick me off the committee; I’m in charge.”

“I’ve spoken to the council and informed them you had some issues that you needed to work out before you could take on any more town projects. They were very understanding,” she said.

Katie said, “Was there something wrong with the way I organized the parade and the fair?”

Mrs. Andrews glared. “There were no major problems, no.”

“So this is personal. This is because you don’t like who I’m dating or the way I’m behaving?” Katie wanted to scream at the older woman, but she was managing to keep her voice just above a harsh whisper.

“You are not behaving like yourself. You’re usually so responsible and easy to work with, but the way you’ve been since ...”

Katie interrupted. “Just because I don’t automatically agree with everything you say doesn’t mean that I can’t do my job. It just means I’m finally tired of people treating me like someone who should be seen and not heard. So with all due respect, Mrs. Andrews, you need to leave the committee until you can apologize for your lack of professionalism.”

Mrs. Andrews’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t ...”

“Oh, you bet I can. You have done nothing but try to make me feel incompetent and small since this whole project started. I was trying to be nice before, but the way you spoke to me at the pageant was inappropriate and unacceptable. So you need to go home and think about the way you have been treating everyone in town who doesn’t follow your rigid view of what’s right. Once you’re willing to apologize, you may come back.”

Katie didn’t wait to listen to any more spluttering the older woman had in her. She felt good. She had said what she needed to and hadn’t been rude, only firm.

She walked into the community center with a weight off her shoulders and announced loudly, “Good afternoon, everyone! Mrs. Andrews will not be joining us for a few days, and if anyone else has a problem with the way I manage this committee or my personal life, they are welcome to leave now too.”

Several older women and one man stood up and left, but instead of feeling bad about it, she just said, “Anyone else? All right then, let’s get to planning.”

Chapter Eleven

KATIE CLIMBED INTOher car after the meeting and drove past the Jagged Rock to see if Chase was busy at work. Looking in the window, she saw several guys inside with him. Not wanting to interrupt, she pulled into The Local Bean parking lot to turn around. The last thing she wanted was for someone to notice her car driving up and down the road like some weird stalker.

As she pulled back out onto the street, she saw Becca leaving her shop and almost ducked down. Becca was too sharp not to know she had been making a pass to see Chase.

But she had already seen Katie and was waving. Rolling down her window and stopping along the sidewalk, she said casually, “Hey, so is my advertising helping?”

“Well, considering that I’ve made more in the last four days than I have in the last month, I’d say so,” Becca said.

Katie pulled over and parked her 4Runner as Becca came to her window. “That is so great! I am glad it’s working.”

“You on your way over to see Chase?” she asked, leaning in.

No, I already checked and he’s busy.“No, I was just on my way to Twin Falls when I remembered I forgot my Costco card,” Katie said, pretty sure that was a logical enough explanation for driving up and down the street.

“Oh, I see,” Becca said, giving her an assessing look. “Be careful with him.”

Katie tensed, waiting for Becca to start giving her a warning about how he was going to hurt her, but she didn’t. “He’s not as cool as he thinks he is. He likes you. I can tell.”

Katie’s heart twisted and fluttered. “That wasn’t what I expected. I thought you were going to tell me he’s no good.”

Becca smiled. “Like Steph?” Katie gave her a surprised look, and Becca added, “It’s amazing the things women will tell you when they’re shopping for lingerie. It’s like all the boundaries are gone and they start spilling their issues.”

Katie laughed. “Yeah, same goes when you’re doing hair. You become a therapist.”

“Oh yeah. Anyway, she told me that she acted like an ass.”

Katie gripped the steering wheel. “Putting it mildly, but yeah.”

Becca shrugged. “Just my two cents, but you guys have been friends since diapers, right?” Katie nodded and Becca said, “Give her a chance to grovel. Best friends should get a free pass every five years.”

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