January 7

Rosemary stifled a yawn as she opened the door to Dottie's Apparel Shop and stepped inside the warm building. She had finally drifted asleep last night after fruitlessly trying to piece together clues every which way. Her sleep had been fitful, as if she was on the verge of breaking through to a major development. She put a satin-gloved hand to her mouth to cover another yawn. Before she could call out a greeting to Dottie, she heard voices coming from the back room. She strained her ear toward them.

"So please accept my apology." Florence's voice barely reached her ears. "I don't know what got into me. Perhaps it was a succession of too many lonely days at home during the holidays? It was like the gossip mill just got me revved up again. I do believe the truth of my statements though or else I surely would not have passed them on. I am sorry if I offended you."

"I appreciate you coming in and saying all this, Florence. In the future, I do ask that you be more mindful of your words and the hurt they can cause others." Dottie's voice was clear and bold.

What on earth were they talking about? She racked her brain; something felt familiar about this conversation. Oh yes, they were speaking of the gossip session at Abigail's yesterday morning. That was yesterday? It felt like days ago. Well, she had her fill of excitement with her eventful escapade at Lee's office yesterday. She must applaud Florence for her bravery to come in and apologize for her overabundance of gossip, yet she knew that Dottie was agitated even before Florence started her intense gossip spree. But what was the source of Dottie's frustration? Hopefully by the end of today she'd hash that mystery out. Along with all the other mysteries she had on the back burner.

Rosemary shrugged out of her coat and set it on the worktable for now until the women were done with their conversation in the back. She straightened her shirtwaist and then set about tidying things in the already impeccable store. A moment later, Florence emerged from the back room in her newly fashioned purple dress; an outrageous feathered red hat teetering on the top of her head. Why, with all those ridiculous feathers, she looked like she could about fly away. Someone ought to teach that woman what hot couture for Hope Valley was.

"Oh good morning, Rosemary. You are another one I was wishing to speak with. I feel I was a bit relentless yesterday in our conversation. Please forgive me. I truly am just trying to inform my fellow citizens of Hope Valley, but even I felt as if I stepped over a line yesterday." Florence's bobbed her head and one lone red feather flitted down to the shop's floor.

She waved her hand in the air. "Think nothing of it, Flo." Although she truly should reconsider those feathers. Rosemary couldn't help but stare at her hat.

Florence's seriousness melted away into a smile, obvious relief pouring over her features at Rosemary's easy forgiveness. "You know, it was for good reason I announced that tidbit of news to you. I want my dearest of friends to be in the know about the future of Hope Valley, including all of its inhabitants, which involves our own Pastor Frank. It was only out of the grace of my heart I mentioned it at all."

She bit her tongue. An apology followed by excusing the infraction? That was hardly an apology. But still, she appreciated the effort Florence made. "Thank you—"

"Good day, ladies." With that Florence flew out of the shop, leaving the bell jangling in her wake.

"Good day." She said but Florence and her absurd feathers were already out the door.

Dottie slipped behind the cash register and began to stack various recipes and order slips with focused determination. Her sleeves were rolled up, the white of her blouse a nice contrast to the burgundy of her skirt, and frustration knotted her face.

"Oh that woman irritates me so." Dottie shook her head, her voice low, as she continued to shuffle through the pile of slips.

"But she did come to apologize. At least we know she has somewhat of a conscience." She chuckled and turned towards Dottie, who remained focused on the receipts, her forehead wrinkled in worry.

"Dot, I don't think she is what is truly bothering you. What's going on?"

Dottie stacked and restacked the receipts in a nervous manner, obviously trying to avoid the conversation at hand. Well, she couldn't delude Hope Valley's finest actress. She had a whole bag of tricks up her sleeve. She would like to see Dottie Ramsey try to fool the great Rosemary Coulter. There wasn't a chance.

She kept her eyes trained on her. "Dot? Is everything okay?" At the slightest tremor of Dottie's hand upon the receipts, Rosemary quickly darted to Dottie's side and placed a hand on her friend's elbow, causing her to still for a moment. Dottie released the receipts and they floated down to the countertop, then she promptly pinched the bridge of her nose. Dottie did not sob or cry as Rosemary thought she might, instead she was very still, as if she was trying to contain herself. After a moment, she dropped her hand, her face composed again. But Rosemary could see the extra moisture in her eyes.

"I don't know what has come over me. Excuse me." Dottie turned to door leading to the backroom, but Rosemary continued to hold her elbow, prohibiting her exit.

"Dottie, talk to me." She pulled Dottie closer to her, willing her to break down the wall she was intent on setting up. "You're the one who helped me when I have had misunderstandings with Lee. You also helped me when I was wallowing in confusion about this pregnancy. You have always been there for me. I know I'm maybe not the most conventional of friends, but I am here. And there is nothing wrong with saying you've had a bad day or need a shoulder to lean on. Goodness sakes, it seems you have been too strong for too long. There is no need for keeping secrets from a dear friend."

She tried to peek at her friend's eyes. This morning they were as cold as ice.

"Although I do appreciate what you are saying," Dottie cleared her throat, "I do wonder how forthcoming you are with your own secrets and hurts. Don't you have things you don't want people prying into, Rosemary? Aren't you afraid someone might come back and stab you in the back with the very thing you entrusted to them?"

She paused, speechless. Why yes, she did have a secret. A secret she never entrusted to anyone, not even Lee, because of that very fact. People would not look at her the same if they knew her story. Keeping a hurt secret was painful, but letting the truth out was even more painful. It was a very scary thing trusting others. She clapped a hand to her mouth. The pep talk she had just given to Dottie was one she couldn't back with her actions. Dottie was right, some secrets, some hurts, were worth keeping hidden, where no one could find them, no matter how much pain they caused her.

"I see you have secrets, too." Dottie's voice shook with seriousness.

She couldn't do anything but stand there, her mouth pinched shut, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"So, Rosemary, while you plead with me to share my secret, the thing that pains me so, what is your secret? What is your hurt you keep buried inside?"

She wished for relief from this conversation that started focused on Dottie, for now it swirled her direction. Deciding two could play this game, she quelled the feelings rising in her and set about purposefully folding the rest of the fabric on the table. With precise words she let the lie fall from her lips. "Well, I am sure I don't know what you are talking about."

Denial could often be a beautiful thing for it allowed escape from the pressing topic at hand, no matter how painful. But this time, all she could think was how much Dottie obviously needed a confidant, but she was instead putting up a wall. Is that what Rosemary herself had been doing all these years? Instead of coming clean about her past, had she buried it? Had she built a wall up around the inner fortresses of her heart, letting no friend within miles of it?