The Mystery of Maple Creek

Chapter 10. The Welcome Gift

Chapter 10

The Welcome Gift

(Perspective: Hellen Mayweather)

By the next day, my dad asked me to buy him a wristband. He needed it for fishing next time, so his hands would not be weary. I quickly went to mid-town. My eyes found the only sport good store in there. The front board on the canopy written Durrand’s Sport Station.

When I entered, a bell jingled above my head at the doorsill. As I looked around, there was no visitor, except me.

From the front desk, a tall blonde man greeted me cheerfully.

“Uh, hey,” I said to him. I was trying to look friendly as well.

“Can I help you, beautiful?” He asked, and he kept on playing with his eyebrows. He made such a witty impression, until I had to giggle along.

“Yeah, actually, my dad wants me to buy him a wristband. Do you have one?” I asked on the point for what I was looking for.

“Yes, there it is,” he quickly led me to see the collection inside the glass display counter.

I saw a variety of fancy wristband. From masculine to feminine. I had to choose one.

“Can I get this one, please—” I chose the red wristband with blue lines. I hoped my dad wouldn’t complain with my preference.

“Nice choice. I’m sure your dad will like it,” he said while taking out the item. “I’m Neil Durrand, by the way.”

I glanced at him and smiled. “Nice to meet you. I’m Hellen Mayweather.”

“Hellen?” He seemed wondering. He stared up for a second while thinking. “Huh, never heard that name around here before.”

“That’s because I’m a newcomer. But my dad once lived here,” I informed him.

“Ah, I see. That’s why Mayweather seems to ring a bell,” he murmured while wrapping the wristband into a paper bag. “Your dad must be a fisherman, also the one who owns the legendary fish market. And you are, the daughter of the merchant king.”

I simply nodded. Seemingly, everyone already knew who was my dad. And I didn’t want to talk so much with a stranger, although he kept giving me a handsome smile.

I could tell, he was probably the male version of Melissa in town. It was all just my judgment. But he could be mister popular and the most wanted bachelor around girls here.

As I was paying for the item I bought, he mumbled, “Do you know there was an accident in the woods? People keep talking about it these days. I heard a woman almost died—”

I raised my eyebrows. My chest got tingled when I realized who he was talking about.

I quickly snapped, “Yeah, that woman was me.”

He stopped mumbling and looked at me astonishingly. “Oh, shoot! Sorry, dear.”

“I’m lucky, I guess,” I said as I took over the paper bag from his hand.

“But I’m glad you are safe now,” he tried to make it up for me. He didn’t want to sound rude. I totally understood. “I hope the evil deer will be found and taken into a full consideration.”

I froze when he said that. Every single person in this town literally believed it was a deer. But I couldn’t tell him the truth yet. Nobody knew, except Joanna and me.

“So, how come we just met now?” He asked wonderingly. “There are parties in town recently, but I haven’t seen your face.”

I shrugged my shoulders and murmured, “I guess, next time we will meet again. Maybe in the Dine Club or just somewhere.”

Before I left the store, I forced myself to smile at him.

As I walked to the door, I heard him exclaiming excitedly to me, “CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU AGAIN, HELLEN!”

***

After the terrible accident I had, I didn’t know if I wanted to get to know people in town. Or even made good friends with them. I was planning to be friendly and all, but now everything had changed. I didn’t know if I could trust people here. This town hid secrets.

As I returned to my dad’s fish market, I saw Noah. He waved his long hand at me.

Maybe he was the only good friend that I could be with. His presence always comforted me. And whenever I saw his face, I felt calm.

“Look what Noah brings today!” My dad exclaimed happily.

I immediately took a heed. I looked at the box placed on the front desk.

“What is it?” I asked curiously. I peeped to see what was inside the box.

“Uh, my parents want to give you both a welcome gift. I hope you like a maple syrup. It’s best to drink in this warm season,” Noah informed me.

“Oh, wow, I have to thank your parents in person. We feel so blessed!” I said, exaggerating my excitement at him. I was just so happy to see him again today.

I glanced at the large box contained of these maple syrup bottles. They looked delicious.

“I used to eat a bread with your parents’ maple syrup. Can’t wait to enjoy it again. The taste is perfect,” my dad. He made an okay gesture with his thumb and index finger.

“I’m so glad that you like it, Mister Mayweather,” Noah said.

“You know what?” My dad made a face again. He looked so energized. “I won’t let you go home empty handed, Noah. You should bring this icebox with you. Tell my gratitude for Mister and Ms. Jarlath.”

My dad quickly handed over the icebox contained of fresh fish to him.

Noah smiled widely. “Wow, thanks a lot, Mister Mayweather!”

“You should grill the fish with margarine. It will taste better,” I added.

Noah nodded to agree. Then he looked at me sweetly and said, “I will do, Hellen.”

“Alright, children, let me work now. I have to manage our sales report,” my dad said as he sat at the front desk.

Afterward, I walked Noah outside. When I looked, he kept smiling. I didn’t know what made him so happy at the time.

“Is there something good happening? You seem happy,” I teased him.

He giggled and glanced at me. “Yeah, meeting you makes me happy. I was just wondering, when will you visit the Dine Club again? I will treat you a drink.”

I paused my breath and grinned at him. “Sure, I’d like to. Just tell me what time.”

“Okay, what about tonight? And tomorrow night? And other night?” He joked with me. “I mean, can we just meet every single night and day?”

I laughed with him. He was trying to flirt with me.

“And the next thing, you will ask me, if I want to date with you,” I teased him back.

He was half opening his mouth to answer me, suddenly, we saw an incoming. Melissa hollered out at us. She was such a boomer.

 “Oh, you two again, together,” Melissa emphasized the last word. She just basically wanted to give a warning bell for me.

I slightly saw her jealous face. She stared a bit cynical at me. But I didn’t care anyway.

“It seems that you already look fine, Hellen. How was your wound? I was so worried,” she exaggerated her tone. I knew she didn’t give a damn about my health condition. She just wanted to tease me annoyingly.

I half smiled and answered her, “I’m fine. The wound certainly makes a scar. It’s still there.”

“Don’t worry, Hellen. I’m sure your scar will disappear in time,” Noah comforted me. And I hoped so. But then he stole a glance at his wristwatch. “Look at the time. I have to go to the farm again. See you two later.”

Once he walked away, Melissa glanced annoyingly at me. The way she stared at me, was so irritating. If she hated me for getting closer to Noah, I wouldn’t give a damn. Her behavior was just so childish.

“Didn’t I warn you before? You should not get too close with Noah,” Melissa muttered. She didn’t blink at all.

I stared back at her. Then I crossed my arms defensively. “And, so what? What are you going to do about it? Why is it so wrong for me to be friends with Noah? What is your problem?”

This time I talked too much in just one breath. I let my emotion drove me wild.

Melissa crossed her arms as well. She walked closer to me and said, “Sooner or later, you will regret your decision. Noah has something that you won’t like. Believe me, once you know who he really is, you don’t want to see him anymore.”

I chuckled. I just could not believe the words she said.

“I’m the only one who can handle how lunatic Noah is,” her tone was thrilling. “And when his craziness may relapse in the future, you will run away from him.”

I shook my head. I still didn’t understand what she meant by that.

“You’re just trying to scare me off,” I muttered. “You are just jealous, Melissa.”

This time, she only smiled quietly. But there was something strange with her flat expression. It was like she waited for the ticking boom for me. She wanted me to feel regret. But I would not.