Page 9 of Falling Again
“And don’t you forget it,” Ginny teased. Studying her friend for a moment, she hesitated before continuing. “Is everything okay? You seem a little lost today.” Natalie opened her mouth to tell Ginny that everything was fine, but she hesitated a moment too long.
“I know that while I was wedding planning and getting settled I wasn’t very available to you, but you know I’m here if you need anything, right?”
Natalie was touched by Ginny’s offer, especially since she wasn’t used to asking people for help. While she was tallying up her weaknesses, Natalie knew she needed to add her inability to confide in others. Natalie was the friend everyone went to with their problems, but rarely shared her own burdens. It wasn’t her style.
“I’m good. Just a little lost in my thoughts today.” Natalie tried for a genuine smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Hoping a subject change would help, she opened the next file on the stack. “You got Evan another web design contract?”
Ginny hesitated, clearly picking up on Natalie’s deflection, but she soldiered on. “Yep. We’re helping with the hardware store’s employee appreciation banquet next month. Apparently what the employees would really appreciate is a new website.”
Now a real smile crossed her face. Natalie loved helping Evan get established with his web design business. Even before he started dating her friend, Natalie had held a soft spot for him. “That’s awesome. You’re a miracle worker.”
Before Ginny could respond, there was a knock at Natalie’s office door.
“Yoohoo! Anyone in?” It was Trudy, Anthony’s assistant.
“Trudy! What brings you in?” Natalie stood and walked around her desk to hug the older woman. Trudy had been a part of the Snyder family’s lives for decades. Anthony once told her that his first memory of his father’s mayoral run was when Trudy scolded the high school principal during the 4thof July parade for eating cookies from the bake sale without paying. Even on the best days, Trudy was a force to be reckoned with.
Trudy hovered in the doorway, her hands balled together in front of her. She nodded to Ginny who vacated her chair and held it out for Trudy. “Have a seat, Trudy. I need to get back out and make some calls.” Ginny excused herself and closed the door with a soft click.
Natalie opened her drawer and pulled out a candy dish, sliding it across the desk toward Trudy. “Help yourself,” she said as she opened her own chocolate and popped it in her mouth. Since she and Ginny hadn’t gone to the diner today, she offered herself a little treat for her willpower. Yep, she’d totally get on the diet train. Eventually.
Shaking her head, Trudy put her handbag on her lap and sighed. “I need help.”
Natalie raised an eyebrow. “From me?” This wasn’t necessarily new, but usually all of Trudy’s requests came through Anthony. As Buckeye Falls’ first lady, Natalie was expected to help with certain duties. She was no Jackie Kennedy, but Natalie prided herself on supporting not only Anthony, but their town.
“I triple booked your husband,” Trudy moaned, her head shaking as she said the words. “I don’t know how it happened. We got some new calendar software at town hall, and I guess I didn’t save things properly.” Her shoulder lifted in a mindless shrug, belying the tension creasing her brow.
Sensing where this was going, Natalie pulled her calendar out of her purse and flipped through it, pen at the ready. “When and where do you need me?” she asked without looking up.
“Well, it’s not so much where, but when.” Natalie blinked, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “It’s June 30th.”
At first Natalie didn’t see the issue; the thirtieth was several weeks away. Then everything clicked—it was their wedding anniversary. It should have upset Natalie that Anthony hadn’t planned anything special, that his day was already so busy she needed to take some of the load. Deep in the pit of her stomach, the chocolate curdled. Wedding anniversaries weren’t everything, but she and Anthony needed a little romance. Apparently it would have to wait in line like everything else.
“Where do you need me?” Natalie asked, her tone all business. “I have a morning meeting, but I can adjust the rest of my schedule.”
Trudy deflated in relief. “Thank you. I feel awful about the mix up, especially since it’s your anniversary. I really am sorry.”
“You’re allowed to make mistakes, Trudy. You’re human.”
Trudy grimaced. “Please don’t let that little tidbit get out. I need the residents of Buckeye Falls to fear me. At least until I retire.”
Natalie laughed and popped another chocolate into her mouth. She needed the distraction, even if it made her queasy. “So where do you need me?”
Trudy retrieved a spiral notepad from her handbag and flipped it open. Sliding her finger down the page, she tapped it and sighed. “How about at the hospital for the dedication of the new children’s wing? You won’t even need to give a full speech. It’s only the welcome remarks. I’ll put Anthony at the council meeting and then he can leave for the parade planning meeting.”
Jotting down a few notes, Natalie snapped her calendar shut and nodded. “Consider it done. It’s not a problem.”
Trudy gathered her things and thanked Natalie twice before they made it to the door.
“You tell me when you and Anthony want to get away for your anniversary. The big 1-0 is worth celebrating.”
Natalie nearly walked into the unopened door at Trudy’s words. It was their tenth anniversary already? How had she missed that?Well, maybe it’s the fact that she felt like a stranger with her own husband. Forcing that thought away, Natalie mumbled something before waving goodbye to Trudy and sagging back against the wall.
Ginny stuck her head out of her office and frowned. “Everything alright?”
“Sure,” Natalie sighed. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “When did you decide to leave Max?”
Ginny stood in shocked silence for a beat, her mouth gaping open. She and Max had remarried that year after a divorce five years prior. Now they were back together, and seemingly better than ever. While they had talked a little about the divorce when Ginny first returned to town, she hadn’t shared the nitty gritty. And right now, Natalie needed details. She was starving for them.
