Page 64 of Dear Henry, Love Edith
“That’s fine. We’re fine. The historical society project will keep us plenty busy.”
“If they ever hire us. Supposing they do, it’s still not going to keep us busy forever. I don’t know if you even realize it,what with your head in the sand these past few weeks, but we’re not exactly filled to the brim with projects these days—Mrs. Newberry’s kitchen notwithstanding.”
Henry stepped back to his desk and tossed his glasses down. “So which is it? Is my head in the clouds or in the sand?”
“Right now it’s up your you-know-what,” Peg said with a piercing glare.
“Gee, Peg, don’t hold back. Tell me what you really think.” Henry flopped into his chair and palmed each eye. She was right, of course. The business his dad had worked so hard to build was crumbling slowly, just like his hopes with Edith had, one brick at a time.
Maybe he should be glad his parents weren’t around. After all these years, he still had a way of taking great opportunities and turning them into failures.
After a few silent seconds, he heard the groan of Peg’s chair followed by the squeak of her orthopedic shoes as she treaded across the tile floor. “Henry,” she said in a much gentler tone. He felt the warm press of her hand against his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to harp at you like that. Sometimes I forget you’re my boss and not my own flesh and blood.”
He lowered his hands and looked into the eyes of a woman who had known him since long before her face grew wrinkles and her hair needed to be colored to hide the gray. “It’s okay. I need a good harping every now and again. Especially when my head is not in the right place.”
“To be honest, I’m more worried about where your heart is these days.”
“I’m sorry, did we just start filming a Hallmark movie all of a sudden?”
“No, you listen to me. I’ve known you since the day you were born. I’ve seen the choices you’ve made in your life—and yes, I’ve seen the mistakes too—but sometimes I wonder what it is exactly that’s driving you. Since your mama died, I couldn’t help but see the way you changed your life around. You pushed yourself and worked harder than a body is practically capable of, learning everything there is to know about contracting and construction. But what I’ve never been able to fully figure out is what for.”
Henry shifted his shoulders in the chair. “I dropped the ball, Peg. Literally and figuratively. You know that.”
“Oh, who cares about a football game from high school?”
“A lot of people, actually. My brother. My coach. That scout from U of I.” Henry let out a humorless laugh. “Maggie.”
“So your team didn’t make it to state. So you didn’t get any fancy scholarship. So your girlfriend dumped you. So what? That was a long time ago. You’re a different man now.”
Henry’s throat thickened and he blinked several times to fight off the sting in his eyes. “Am I?” He didn’t know. Maybe. He’d tried to be a better man ever since Maggie. Ever since she showed up on his doorstep, telling him she was pregnant.
He’d been foolish enough at the time to think dropping that football for the winning touchdown had been fate. Why bother with scholarships or college when he could have everything he wanted? A solid job in his hometown. A girl he loved. A family.
Too bad Maggie hadn’t seen it the same way. Especially after she miscarried. Nothing Henry said could convince her to stay and marry him. She left town without looking back. And if Henry had any thoughts of following her, they fled the moment his mom died from a sudden heart attack.
“After Maggie left and my mom died, working my hide off was the only way I knew how to cope. The only way I knew how to redeem myself in this town. Honestly, it wasn’t until Edith showed up that I realized how much I was missing and how much I still hoped for.”
Henry rubbed his fingers across his cheeks. “Not that it matters. I’m pretty sure I messed that one up too.” He straightened himself in the chair and cleared his throat. “Anyway. You think we need a logo, huh.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you just said we do.”
“No. Why do you think you messed things up with Edith? According to Julie, you two are smitten with each other.”
“Yeah, well, Julie might know how to make the best scones in the county, but that doesn’t mean she knows everything that goes on in this town.”
“Hmm... except I have it on good authority from at least half of the town that you two weren’t just playacting when that Steve fella was around. Shoot, Willy who runs the hardware store, why he says he even caught the two of you making out behind his dumpster one day.”
He’d already cried in front of her. Was this woman really going to make him talk about his love life too? “I think the pelican would make a great logo.”
Peg folded her lips inward and slapped his shoulder withthe back of her hand. “Fine. Be that way. But can I just say one more thing?”
“Have I ever been able to stop you before?” He got another slap to the shoulder.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re a good man, Henry. A man I know your mom and dad would both be proud of. Maybe whatever’s going on between you and Edith right now has nothing to do with something you did. It might just be God’s way of making sure both your hearts are in the right place so you can finally move on.Together.I don’t know what’s happened in Edith’s past, but I feel like I understand yours pretty well. And I don’t see any reason why you should ever give up hope. You’re a forgiven man, Henry. Stop punishing yourself over things God already wiped clean. And on that note—” she patted his shoulder and winked—“I’d say our little Hallmark movie is due for a commercial break.”
Henry reached out and gave Peg’s hand a soft squeeze. “You know something, Peg? You’re a heck of a lot better at passing out wisdom than my physical therapist is.”
