“Thank you.Is… is Fred here today?”She tried to keep her tone nonchalant, as if she was just mildly curious and not trying to deduce if he was just ignoring her or if he was busy or what was going on.
Parker shook his head.“He had a meeting with his contractors and realtor at his house today – something about checking out options for what to do with it – not that I’m supposed to know that, but I listen.I’m a good listener.”He winked as if this was something that only she and he knew.“I heard him telling Sean about it before the two of them left for the Marydale store.”
“Wait?What?”Any feigned nonchalance that had been nearly successfully portrayed earlier fled.Fred was thinking of selling his house?Before it was even finished?And why was he going to the Marydale store?“He’s thinking of selling his house?”Why would he do that?
Parker nodded and propped himself up on one hip against her car.“Mr.Drummond – or more accurately, Scotty and Fred – are opening a mechanic shop at the Marydale store.Drummond is going to need someone to head up the department, so I’m guessing Fred might be in line for that position.”
“Fred?”Her Fred was thinking of moving away from Hatfield Falls?Her hand moved of its own accord to cover her heart – likely to make sure it stayed where it was supposed to be rather than galloping off with anxiety.Change always did that but never – ever, in her whole life, had it hit her as hard as this.
“He’s really good, and whether he wants to admit it or not, he’d make a great team leader.”Parker pushed off from her car.“I’m just speculating about the position, but it’s the only thing that makes sense to me about why he and Scotty are going to be hiring and training all the staff over there in the new year.”
Esther blinked.This was a lot of anxiety-inducing info to take in.“But Fred said he’d never leave Hatfield Falls.All his life, he’s said that.”
Parker shrugged.“People change.”
Not Fred.At least, not like that.He was the most constant person she had ever met.He loved Hatfield Falls.He loved his family.He loved his friends.He had always known what he wanted to do and then did it.He was as steady as the ticking of time.He wouldn’t leave Hatfield Falls willingly.He just wouldn’t.He didn’t leave the things he loved.Except…
Hewasleaving the worship team.Because of her.
She sucked in a deep breath.Because of her.Oh, no!He was leaving Hatfield Falls and everything he loved because of her!
“Do you know how long he’ll be at the other store today?”she asked.
“I would imagine until six or so.”Parker smiled as if he understood the thoughts going through Esther’s head – the ones where she ran after Fred and begged him to not leave Hatfield Falls and her.“How’s your washer fluid?Do you have enough to battle the salty slush on the road over to Marydale?”
Apparently, he did have some idea about what she was thinking.“The light hasn’t come on yet.”
“Do you know how to fill it?”Parker asked as he walked away from her.
“I do,” she called after him.“Why?”She watched him pick up a bottle of purple washer fluid.
“Then, I’m going to insist that you take this jug with you, just in case.That storm is supposed to start with flurries tonight, so you know the brine trucks have been out already – prepping.”He brought it over to her.“My treat.”
“But I’m sure I’ll be fine.Marydale is only forty-five minutes away.”
“Nope.Nope.Nope.I insist.Between you and me – and only you and me – I don’t want Fred in Marydale.I need a guitarist.”Again, he winked at her as if they were sharing a private joke.
“Well, okay, then, but I think you’re worrying too much.”
“Did Fred make sure you had good winter tires on your car?”He moved to look at them.
“Of course, he did.I got a whole new set last year, and he said they’d be good for at least one more season.”He always saw to it that she was as protected as he could possibly make her.Oh, she had been so stupidly blind.Fred had loved her for years.No, he had never said it.No, he had never asked her out again after the hayride incident.But his love had been there for one and all to see in all the little things he did for her.
“Are you okay?”Parker asked her.“You look a bit like you’re in pain.Did you turn your ankle or something?”
“No,” she replied on a sigh.“I just realized how stupid I’ve been.It’s nothing to worry about.”She smiled like she did when one of her students was anxious, and hoped it was enough to keep any further questions at bay.
“If you say so.”He didn’t look convinced.
It seemed he was not as easily calmed by a smile as the kids in her class.Oh, well.It would have to do to leave him still somewhat confused.She had an errand to run in Marydale.A very important errand.Likely the most important one of her life.So, she opened her car door.“Thank you for your help, Parker.”
“You’re welcome.Drive safe.”
And with that, he returned to the garage while she started her car and then, typed:
Were you going to tell me that Fred was moving?
No.
