N. Walters - Past Promises

Linda Fletcher stared at the creamy vellum envelope with the dark black script printed on the front. It looked so innocent lying there on the top of her oak desk. But she knew that looks could be deceiving.

Shed hoped the move to Jamesville, Maine, would stop the letters from coming, but theyd followed her from Vermont. There was no doubt in her mind that they wouldnt stop anytime soon.

She recognized the logo of the prominent law firm printed in the upper left-hand cornerFletcher, Fletcher and Dyson. Her great-great-great-grandfather had founded the law firm more than a hundred years ago. The two current Fletchers involved in the firm were her father and her brother. She had no idea which of them had sent this letter and she wasnt certain she wanted to know.

Its just a piece of paper, she assured herself. She ignored the burning sensation in her gut, absently rubbing her stomach with her hand as she continued to stare at the letter.

But why, today of all days, did this have to be in her box when she stopped at the post office to pick up her mail? She hadnt even known it was there until shed hurried back to Past Promises and dumped the mass of mail and flyers on her desk.

Ignoring the envelope, she stared around Past Promises and felt the pain in her stomach lessen slightly. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. The smell of fresh paint and lemon cleaner was faint beneath the scent of rose potpourri.

Stepping out from behind her desk, Linda wound her way through the three rooms that made up her antiques and collectibles store. She stroked her fingers over the gleaming hardwood of an oak dining table set with simple, but elegant, Wedgwood china. Assorted pieces of Minton, Spode, Royal Albert and Johnson Brothers china sat in a hutch just beyond the table.

She smiled at the whimsical display of childrens dolls, their china heads and delicate linen and lace gowns a thing of beauty. Tin toys vied for a spot on a trestle table that had seen better days, but was charming nonetheless.

A settee that would have looked at home in a ladys parlor a hundred and fifty years ago sat in a corner, a tea service was arranged on a low table beside it, as if waiting for the lady of the house to avail herself of refreshments. A brass bed was located just behind it, dressed with snowy white linen and lace. The linens were new, but they fit the feel of the display to perfection.

There were knickknacks and kitchen utensils, old tools and small tables inlaid with beautiful mosaics. Some pieces were worth a fortune, while others could be had for less than twenty dollars. There was something for everyone. And that was exactly the kind of place she wanted Past Promises to befriendly and accessible to everyone.

And hers. It had taken her a few years to get here, but she finally had what she wanteda store of her own. A place of her own, not tainted by her family or their expectations.

Shed worked for several years in the antiques business, building up her reputation and knowledge. Months of planning and hard work had all culminated in this special day.

The burning started up in her stomach again as she glanced at the clock. It was half-past nine and she would open her doors for the first time at ten oclock. She didnt have time to waste worrying about what her family wanted with heras if she didnt already know.

Stop it. Shaking her head, she strode purposefully to the antique countertop that now held the cash register, bags, wrapping paper and everything else she needed to service the customers of Past Promises. The countertop had come out of a five-and-dime store that had gone out of business during the depression. Shed gotten it for a song at a barn sale and had spent hours stripping layers of paint from it to find the gleaming wood below.

She ran her hand over the smooth surface. She and the countertop had a lot in common. It had taken time to find its true self beneath the layers, but shed done itfor both herself and the lovely piece of furniture.

Behind the counter, shed strategically positioned two coffee pots with gourmet coffee beans, ground and ready. She flicked on both pots to get them started brewing. She then turned on the electric kettle before checking her supply of teas. Several covered platters were already sitting on the countertop, filled with delicious cookies and treats from Delicious Delights, the aptly named bakery just up the road.

Everything was ready for her to open the doors of Past Promises and start her new life. Everything except her.

Sighing, she gave in to the inevitable and went back to her desk. The envelope was still there, looking innocent.

Linda grabbed the two-hundred-year-old silver letter opener from her desk drawer and lifted the envelope. Fitting the silver tip in the corner, she slit the top. The tearing sound seemed unusually loud in the quiet of the store. She dropped the letter opener back on the desk and pulled out the letter.

Like the envelope, it too was made of the finest quality paper. Only the best for Fletcher, Fletcher and Dyson. Her stomach churned, the low-grade burning a reminder she needed to take some of her medication. And shed been doing so well these past few weeks controlling her ulcer. This was why shed moved farther away from her family. They literally made her ill.

Folding back the paper, she scanned the signature first. It was from her brother, Austin. She let out a breath she hadnt even been aware of holding. At least it wasnt from her father, Austin Senior.

She scanned the letter and the pain in her stomach intensified. It was the usual song and dance. When was she going to give up this foolishness of being a shopkeeper and join the family firm? She was an embarrassment to them all. And if she didnt want to join the law firm, she could at least marry well and join her mother in her charitable pursuits.

Linda blinked back tears as she stuffed the letter back in the envelope. It was always the same. Ever since she was a child, shed been different. Shed wanted to play softball, but was enrolled in ballet instead. Shed wanted to learn gymnastics, but was sent to ballroom dancing class. Her childhood had been a series of controlled activities and schools. All her friends had to be approved by her parents. Public school was not an option.

Shed hated every minute of it.

Everything from the clothing shed worn to the girls she could be friends with was chosen by her parents. Shed chafed at the restrictions, but eventually theyd worn her down. Linda had responded by withdrawing, becoming a quiet, studious child, which had suited her parents just fine.

The only person whod understood her at all had been her maternal grandmother. Antoinette Lafayette had been a force in her own right. Even Austin Senior gave way when her grandmother put her foot down and demanded something. And what shed demanded had been Lindas presence every summer.

Linda had lived for summers spent with her grandmother. Antoinette was the one whod instilled her with her love of antiques. The two of them had spent days driving around the state and beyond, attending estate sales, yard sales and searching through thrift shops for buried treasure.

At her grandmothers house she could wear jeans, run and laugh. It was a time of freedom and shed always cried when summer ended and she was sent back home.

Are you okay? A low, male voice startled her out of her daydreams of the past. Linda whirled around, hand on her chest, heart pounding.

He stood just behind her. Watching. Waiting.

She had no idea how long hed been there. It should have been impossible for a man his size to sneak up on her. At six-and-a-half feet tall, Levi Mann took up a lot of space. His body was massive, but it was all solid muscle. There wasnt an ounce of fat on the man.