In Another Time Read online

  It wasn’t the first time Cindy—who knew the store as intimately as Sadie and loved it almost as much— had stepped in to run the store. Sadie knew she’d jump at the chance to take a break from “the balancing act,” the nickname she’d given her job at the dealership. The girls had practically grown up together in the store. When they were in elementary school, they’d played numerous games of hide-and-seek, read every new Highlights Magazine the minute it came in and did their homework together on the little ladybug table that Sadie’s Dad had constructed for the kids’ corner of the store. They’d had a blast throwing tea parties on that table when they were young. It was still in the stockroom at the back of the store, and whenever they got the chance, they’d still squeeze their grownup bodies onto the little chairs, pull up as close as they could to the beloved table and spend time catching up.

  Over the years they’d cussed and discussed everything from accounting to Ziploc baggies at that table. Although it was a little scuffed and worn, Sadie hoped that one day she’d have children who’d play on it.

  In sixth grade, they learned how to run the store cash register and stock the bookshelves. Cindy had kissed her first boyfriend in the magazine section and Sadie had accepted a date to the junior high school dance from behind the information desk.

  In high school, they’d helped out after school and on Saturdays and they’d both opened their college acceptance letters there. They’d shared so many cherished memories of La-La Land.

  *****

  At exactly nine o’clock, Cindy parked in front of the store, tooted the horn of her bright yellow Volkswagen Cabriolet twice and waved effusively just as Sadie was flipping the sign in the window to Open. It was so like Cindy to drive a foreign-made car when she worked at a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealership, Sadie thought with a snort. Then Cindy breezed through the front door and the girls squealed, hugged tightly and pecked each other on the cheek.

  “I’ve missed you Sadie! What’ve you been up to?” Cindy gushed enthusiastically.

  “I’ve missed you too! And, you know. Stuff like studying late and not sleeping much. The usual,” Sadie replied rolling her eyes.

  “Yeah, pretty much the same here. Nothing too exciting going on in my life. Numbers, numbers, numbers! I’m so pumped to read some words. Real, delightful words! Do you have any suggestions?” Cindy bubbled.

  Laughing at her friend’s enthusiasm Sadie replied, “Since I know how much you love Jack Ryan, Tom Clancy’s newest bestseller, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, is already waiting for you on the counter next to a steaming cup of coffee and a new biscotti brand I discovered.”

  Cindy hurried down the aisle toward the counter as if the book was summoning her. “Well, yeah. He’s my new boyfriend! Thanks, Sadie! Happy studying,” she said, going behind the counter and climbing onto the stool as she picked up the novel. Distracted by the book jacket, she waved and mumbled from her perch, “Have fun. See you at six. Love you.”

  Sadie snickered and said, “Love you, too!” She blew her a kiss, and soundlessly exited through the back door.

  Chapter 15

  The library was the oldest building in Harmony Glen. Built in 1908 as the county courthouse, its lawns spanned the entire center courtyard of the town square. After World War II, the state of New York had determined that the town was too isolated to be the county seat, so King’s Landing was named as the new county seat instead. After the county seat was moved, the building sat empty until 1950 before the town leased it to the local Roman Catholic Church. It became a parochial school until 1975 when the church decided to close due to low enrollment. In 1977 the town dedicated the building to the soldiers who’d fallen in the wars and opened the Harmony Glen Public Library.

  Sadie treasured the ancient building’s history. She walked through its grand double-doored entry, took the stairs to the second story two at a time and sniffed deeply the faint scent of chalk dust and school books. Her favorite study room had once been the first-grade classroom, and the enormous chalkboard still occupied one wall. Choosing a seat next to it, she laid out her study materials and dove into her notes.

  Hours later, Sadie stretched and peered behind her at the old school clock. One o’clock. She’d been at it for three and a half hours. It was the perfect time to grab a quick lunch then get in a few more hours of studying before she had to be back to help close the bookstore at six. Standing stiffly, she stretched her legs and back gazing out the window before loading her study materials into her backpack and heading for the front door.

  She’d already decided to order a burger, fries, and a Coke at the Dairy Boy that was just off Highway 74 which was a little bit of a drive as she had to cross the river and drive down old Harmony Road for a mile, but it’d do her good to get out of town and out of study mode for a little while.

  Unfortunately, she caught sight of Mrs. Jordan heading straight toward her as she was dumping her backpack onto the back seat of her Ford Escort, which she’d gotten a great deal on at Cindy’s uncle’s dealership. Sadie hoped maybe Mrs. Jordan hadn’t seen her as she grabbed the door to close it except Mrs. Jordan appeared from behind it.

  Sadie jumped and said, “Oh! Mrs. Jordan, you scared me!” How did she do that? She was like a tiny, elderly ninja!

  Mamie Jordan and her husband, Charles, had lived in the white, Dutch Colonial house down the block from Lala for as long as Sadie could remember. She’d always admired the gambrel roof and curved eaves of the stately house. Since Mr. Jordan had passed away last spring, Mamie had made it her mission, even more so than when he was alive, to stay abreast of all the goings-on in town. She was like the Hedda Hopper of Harmony Glen. If there was something to gossip about in town, she definitely wanted to be first with the news.

  “Well, hello, Sadie dear,” she purred. “I haven’t seen you in a while. How are your classes this semester?” she inquired. Her curious eyes twinkled behind her thick glasses. Sadie knew what she really wanted to ask her, and she wasn't about to give her the chance to take the conversation that far.

  “Hello, Mrs. Jordan. How are you? I’ve been pretty busy keeping up with a difficult class, but thanks for asking,” she said as she walked around the front of the Escort, opened the driver’s side door, and before settling into her seat, she stated, “I’m kind of in a hurry. I’m off to grab a quick bite to eat so I can get back to studying for my midterm, so I’ll talk to you later. Have a great day!” she added as she quickly closed the car door, started the engine, waved as she backed out and pulled onto the road. Her rearview mirror captured the image of Mamie Jordan’s disappointed demeanor.

  “Phew! Dodged a bullet there!” Sadie said aloud. She knew that Mrs. Jordan was lonely, but she’d always been one of those people who had her nose stuck right in the middle of other people’s business, and she delighted in spreading her knowledge to her ladies’ groups. Lala’d once revealed to Sadie that you could see Mamie’s eyes twinkle and her tiny body practically vibrate when she felt she had a particularly juicy tidbit to share. Well, every small town had at least one pot stirrer. Sadie felt sure that Mrs. Jordan had seen her with Sam and she needed some more “food for the fodder” before she could babble about what she knew.

  Not today, Mrs. Jordan!

  Chapter 16

  The burger was delicious and hit the spot. Sadie felt revitalized enough to apply herself to her studies for another four hours. That’d leave her just enough time to get to La-La Land in time to chat with Cindy while they closed the bookstore. They really needed to catch up a little. She missed hanging out with her. They’d both been so busy with work and school lately and could scarcely find the time to get together for a fast lunch much less drive into the city to catch a movie and meal together as they used to do. Excited now that she and Cindy might be able to grab a few minutes together, she parked in front of the library, took the steps two-at-a-time, laid out her papers on the table of her favorite study room again and jumped right into studying.

  By five-thirty Sadie was t
ired and felt certain she knew more about Human Physiology II than anyone would ever want to know. “Humph, maybe even more than surly Dr. Evans.” She giggled then rolled her eyes since she’d added a few more questions to ask him to her list.

  Parking her car in the garage under her apartment behind La-La Land, she grabbed her bag and strolled through the back door just as Cindy was at the front door changing the sign to Closed.

  Sadie yelled out, “Yoo-hoo! Cindy, I’m back.”

  “Hey!” Cindy replied. “I’ve already checked everything. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  They met in the stockroom and took their places at the ladybug table where Cindy placed glasses of iced tea for each of them then blurted out, “So, how’d it go today, Sade? How are you feeling about your exam? Better, I hope.”

  “Well, I have the rest of tonight and tomorrow morning to do some last-minute prep, but I do feel much better about it. A lot better than I did. Thanks so much for stepping in for me today, Cin. I knew I could count on you,” she said and squeezed Cindy’s hand. “Hey, there’s something I want to ask you. Do you remember Lala ever talking about a guy named Sam Evanston?”

  “Hmm. I don’t believe she ever mentioned him. Why? Is he the gorgeous, older gentleman you’ve been seen with at Comfort & Joy the past couple of nights?”

  Sadie gawked at her with raised her eyebrows. The girls shook their heads and said in unison, “The Widow Jordan strikes again!”

  “She brought her car in for an oil change yesterday,” Cindy explained, laughing.

  “Oh my gosh! I don’t know how anyone can keep a secret from her, not that I’m trying to,” Sadie added with an eye roll. “Sam knew Lala when they were in high school and he’s been sharing some of their stories with me.” She thought of her discovery of her dad’s and Sam’s eyes being the same color. “But every time I see him, Cin, I’m more convinced that I’ve met him before. I have this feeling in my gut, you know, and I can’t get over how seeing him tugs at my memory. You know how when you’ve got something on the tip of your tongue and it just won’t come to you? That’s how I feel. It’s so frustrating! But I must admit, I’m intrigued. There’s something there. I know it. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

  “Well, I know you. You’ll figure it out. But, hey, let me know if I can help,” Cindy said as she reached for her hand. “You know how much I like detective work. Anything that takes my mind off debits and credits for a while!”

  The girls chit-chatted about this and that until Cindy said she had to go run some numbers for a proposal her uncle was putting together.

  “He’s even going to splurge and give me a big bonus if I can help him make this work! I’ll finally be able to afford the new set of tires for ‘Nellie Belle’ that I’ve been eyeing in the parts department.”

  “You’re so practical. You’re the only twenty-one-year-old woman I know who gets excited about putting new tires on her car! I’d probably blow it on ridiculous things like clothes and shoes and music CD’s,” Sadie teased.

  “Pshaw! If there’s enough left over, that’s exactly what I’ll spend it on. I saw a beautiful rabbit fur jacket in Moore’s Department Store window last week. I’ve been drooling over it ever since. But my car’s in dire need of new tires, so I have to be sensible,” Cindy explained, shrugging her shoulders and raising her palms.

  “I’m so glad you’re my friend, Cindy. I know you’d never steer me wrong and you’re always available to help me sort things out,” Sadie said while clenching her fingers with those of Cindy’s outstretched hands.

  “Right back atcha, Sade. Even when we don’t talk for weeks, I know I can come to you with anything, and you’ll be there for me. That’s why we’re such great friends,” Cindy declared as they reached across the ladybug table and hugged. “Now, let’s get out of here before we both melt into puddles of mush.”

  She and Sadie giggled as they rinsed their tea glasses then Cindy grabbed her things. At the front door, they hugged again before Cindy walked to her car and Sadie locked the door.

  Chapter 17

  Sam—Thursday

  Sam spent the day in King’s Landing meeting with his parents’ attorney. Receiving the phone call last March from Chris Jennings had stunned him. He’d had no idea that after all these years there was anything left of his parents’ lives in King’s Landing. When he’d had regained his memory, he’d tried calling the phone number of his childhood home. The recorded message saying that it was no longer a working number was all he’d gotten. When he’d dialed the operator, he’d been told that there weren’t any Evanstons listed in King’s Landing.

  During his call, Mr. Jennings had explained that Sam’s parents had named him executor of their will and there were loose ends that needed to be tied up. Sam had assured him that he’d be able to get away in the middle of October promising he’d phone Mr. Jennings to schedule a conference within the next couple of weeks.

  Chris enlightened him about his parents leaving the area suddenly after receiving the second disheartening letter from the military department telling them that their youngest son, Sam, had been killed in action during a bombing raid on July 25, 1943. Barely two years before, they’d gotten the same agonizing letter informing them that Michael, Sam’s older brother by two years and his only sibling, had died in the war.

  Sam grimaced when he imagined the pain his parents must have felt upon receiving the second letter.

  When the first letter was delivered, he’d been a junior in high school and had mourned along with his parents, witnessing firsthand their quiet breakdown. Huddling together on the sofa, they’d cried for hours that first day. In the following months, his parents went through the motions of their daily lives like shadows of the people they’d once been. They were devastated, depleted, vacant. Sam had even noticed that his parents’ eyes had lost their luster and their steps had become increasingly slower. His mother’s hushed sobs could be heard coming from Michael’s bedroom during the dark, lonely nights which always led to his dad joining her, where he’d attempt to sooth her, whispering over and over for her to come to bed, rocking back and forth with her in his arms and sobbing right along with her.

  Growing up, Sam and Michael had been as close as brothers could be. Of course, they’d had their share of the usual sibling skirmishes, but Michael had always relented to his younger, slighter brother ever concerned for his well-being. Michael was the one who’d tirelessly tossed the football in the yard and shot baskets in the driveway with him since their dad kept long hours at the garage and couldn’t. He was the perfect older brother. Sam understood why his parents had left King’s Landing after getting the second letter knowing his mom, especially, wouldn’t have been able to handle it. It’d been hard enough after Michael had passed, and living in the house on Noble Road where the boys had grown up, in the town where they’d played ball, and down the street from the school they’d attended for years, would have proven to be too much for both of them he was sure. So, Mr. and Mrs. Evanston had packed up their car with a few belongings and headed to Florida.

  Before leaving, they’d hired Chris Jennings and requested that he see to leasing the house and the business to John Riley. Jerry, Sam’s dad, had started the transaction with his employee John, who’d worked for Jerry for several years, so he knew he was a good man and that he’d take care of the properties, but because John hadn’t had enough money for a down payment —as most people didn’t in those days—the bank wouldn’t give him a loan. As heartbroken as his parents were, they really didn’t care what happened with the properties by that time. Their main objective was to leave behind the ghosts of their sons’ lives. Sam had found Chris a good and honest man when he’d said he respectfully promised to handle their properties as if they’d been his own parents.

  As he’d explained to Sam on the phone last July, Mr. Riley had eventually found a way to buy the property a few weeks after it’d become available. But Mr. Riley had suffered a heart attack and died with only four
installments left to make the garage his. Therefore, legally, the garage still belonged to Sam’s family.

  That was another thing Sam had been saddened about after regaining his memory, finding that his parents had both passed away several years before. He’d been sorry he hadn’t been able to see them to let them know he was still alive, and he remembered feeling angry at Jeanette for that also, but as with everything else, he’d finally decided to let it go.

  So now seeing as the properties were part of their estate, Sam was the sole owner. But the attorney had a family interested in buying the business and the house, so he’d been desperate to find a living family member and get the matter settled.

  It’d taken him six months to locate Sam after John Riley had passed away. Chris had asked everyone he could think of who had known the Evanston family, but no one could help him locate a living member of the family. In fact, they’d all insisted that Sam would have been the youngest Evanston, but he’d been declared deceased during the war which was why his parents had left the area. As far as anyone knew, Jerry and Sarah Evanston’s relatives all lived out west somewhere, and they had no way of knowing if any of them were still alive.

  It wasn’t until one Saturday morning in early March when Chris was golfing at King’s Landing Golf Club and ran into Willie Carter who’d told him about the mix-up with Sam’s identity and given him Sam’s phone number. The following Monday Chris had called Sam.

  Luckily, Chris Jennings was extremely efficient and had all the necessary paperwork already prepared for Sam to sign. He spent the morning carefully explaining the process to him and willingly answering all of Sam’s questions. By noon, they’d finished their business and Sam had breathed a sigh of relief. He’d been dreading the meeting, afraid it would conjure up painful memories of when they’d received the news of Michael’s death, deepening the guilt he’d felt upon learning that his parents had had to endure the devastating news of losing a son a second time. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised that visiting with Mr. Jennings over lunch brought forth many of the happy times his family had experienced in King’s Landing.