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Hidden Hearts
D. Agnew--
1
Hidden Hearts
Copyright 2001
Denise A. Agnew
New Year, New Beginning...
Returning to her hometown, Tiffany Kent struggles with awkward childhood memories like the
time certified nerd Zack Blayne tried to kiss her. Instead, she discovers a town as changed as she
is and Zack transformed from chemistry-set kid...to firefighter hottie.
“No can do, Andrea. I’ve got lots of work to do. Things piled up over Christmas,” Tiffany
Kent said into the phone as snow drifted passed the windows of her office in Blaircroft Museum
in Denver. “Besides, this weather looks like it might turn into a blizzard.”
A blast of wind swirled the white stuff around in the air. She sank into the chair behind her
desk.
“Don’t say no again this year,” Andrea Blayne said, a plea in her voice.
“You are one stubborn woman, you know that?” Tiffany asked. Then she chuckled. “New
Year’s Eve is no big deal to me. Every year I climb into my flannel PJs, pop open a bottle of
sparkling apple cider, and give myself a toast while I watch the ball drop in Times Square. I’m
comfortable and there are no wild parties to wade through.”
Andrea’s sigh echoed over the phone line. “Exactly. That’s just what I mean. You’re
always alone. Don’t you ever get bored with the same old scenario?”
“No. Maybe when I’m ninety-five I’ll be tired of the same state of affairs, but right now
I’m comfortable.”
“Comfortable.” Andrea made the word sound contemptible. “Loneliness is comfortable.”
“Oh, come on. It doesn’t follow that because I’m alone I’m lonely.”
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D. Agnew--
2
“Uh-huh.” Andrea didn’t sound convinced. “And if you weren’t such a good friend, I
would strangle you. When was the last time you were here?”
“You know how long.” Tiffany frowned and listened to the small clock on her desk tick
away.
Andrea and her family came to Denver several times a year, but Tiffany didn’t venture to
little Clydeswell, Colorado. Ever.
The museum was quiet. Almost too quiet. Most of the employees of the museum took
vacation during Christmas and New Years and that left a rag tag staff. Still, she enjoyed the
calm and tried to persuade herself she didn’t mind that year after year everyone expected her to
work during the holidays.
“Come have a great time with us. You won’t be disappointed.” Andrea’s voice took on a
mischievous bent. “Besides, I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
“No, no, no.” Tiffany groaned. More snow flew by the window, and she mentally urged the
storm to continue. “Not another hunter with a voice like Elmer Fudd. I’m not doing it.”
“Everyone misses you.”
“Right. After ten years most of them don’t remember me.”
“Wouldn’t recognize you, either. You’ve changed so much.”
“All the better.”
“Okay, let’s put it this way. If you don’t peel your butt away from that desk for a change
and party a little, I’m going to drive through this storm and kick your butt. How does that
sound?”
“Menacing.”
Hidden Hearts
D. Agnew--
3
A huge sigh came over the line. “Besides, you have to come to Clydeswell this year.
There’s this guy who is dying to meet you.”
“It won’t work.”
“What if it’s something he wants more than anything in the world?”
Tiffany screwed up her face and caught a glimpse of herself in the glass front bookcase near
her desk. Her long red hair stuck up in several places, and her face looked pale. She doubted
any guy would be too enthralled with the picture she presented right now.
“Guess he’ll just have to be disappointed,” Tiffany said.
“All right, all right. I’ll tell him it’s a no go and that’s the end of it, okay?”
Relief slid through Tiffany. “Good.”
After a short pause Andrea continued. “By the way, your mom called me.”
“She didn’t.”
“Yes, and she told me a little secret. Fess up. Why didn’t you tell me you battled
pneumonia for two weeks over Thanksgiving? Hmm?”
Tiffany stiffened. “Because I took care of it myself.”
“Took care of it yourself?” Andrea’s voice sharpened. “You mean you had no one there to
look after you?”
“I missed a lot of work as it is because I was out sick. I feel like I’m still trying to catch up.”
“It sounds to me like your workplace is abusing you. You know, one of those places that
finds a person who is a good worker, then promptly drives them into the ground because they’re
the only ones working hard and then some.”
Hidden Hearts
D. Agnew--
4
“Isn’t that the way it is everywhere?” Tiffany sounded resigned to her own ears, and though
she didn’t like the attitudes of many people she worked with, she refused to stoop to their level
and become lazy.
“It doesn’t have to be that way, and you don’t have to always be on your own. It makes me
shudder to think you were that ill with no one to care for you.”
Tiffany smiled at her friend’s concern. “You’re a sweetie, but not to worry. Mom and Dad
almost flew up from Arizona, but I told them not to.”
“Yeah, you probably said it wasn’t that bad. Were you in the hospital?”
Tiffany almost lied, then decided against it. “Yeah. Two days.”
Andrea groaned. “My God.”
Another line on Tiffany’s phone rang. “Look, I’d love to talk longer, but I’ve got another
call.”
“Okay, but call me later so I can finish convincing you that it’s better to be up here with us
partying.”
Tiffany chuckled and hung up. After she took care of the other phone call, she noticed that
the snow seemed to be easing and the wind ceased. Maybe she could make a drive into the
mountains tomorrow and arrive in her old hometown in a couple of hours. Good thing the
holiday came on a weekend this year. If she decided to go to Clydeswell, she would still have
time to return to work on Monday.
She closed her eyes and remembered how pristine and beautiful little Clydeswell looked in
the winter when it snowed. The town sparkled like a jewel, each frosted façade on the Victorian
buildings festooned with Christmas decorations. She wondered how much had changed in ten
years. If she went there now, would she find the place so altered she wouldn’t recognize it or
Hidden Hearts
D. Agnew--
5
care for it anymore? Would she regret driving through the streets and retracing old memories?
Shoving aside speculation, she returned to her work.
After an hour she put down her pen and rubbed her temples. Looking at the clock, she
realized quitting time approached. Soon her colleagues would file out the door and head home to
warm hearths and families. She would return to a chilled apartment and a cup of tea.
Whoopee.
Maybe she did need a change. Would it hurt to discover if Clydeswell remained the stuffy,
restrictive town she escaped all those years ago? One visit didn’t mean she would stay forever.
She looked out the window and realized sunshine peaked through the clouds.
Moments later she snatched up the phone and dialed Andrea’s number.
* * *
“Halleluiah! We’re here. I can’t wait to pick up my costume. I’ve never been a fairy
godmother before.” Andrea opened the door to Vicksman’s Costume Shop and waved her hand
to Tiffany. “You first.”
Since Tiffany arrived in town early that morning, her short, bubbling blonde friend never
seemed to stop talking. “I hope you’re pleased with yourself.”
“I’m very proud. I managed to do something no one has done in years.”
“Oh?”
“Convince my stuffy friend to break out and have some fun.”
“Me? Stuffy? I left Clydeswell because it’s stuffy.”
Andrea put on her oh, sure look. “We both know that’s not the only reason you left.”
A pang of annoyance ran through Tiffany, but she gave her chattering friend an indulgent
smile and stepped into the shop. “Are you sure I’ll be able to find something on short notice?”

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