She stepped inside the church building and scanned the lobby for her mother’s pouf of reddish hair. Kristy finally spotted her mom, Nancy, chatting with Dorothy Aaron. Nancy and Dorothy had met in a divorce recovery group last year, and they’d become fast friends. Even though it’d been years since Kristy’s parents divorced, she was glad her mom had a support system. Especially these past few months. Kristy had been distracted with her engagement, and Sarah, Kristy’s younger sister, rarely found the time for a visit.
Kristy gave her mother a hug then smiled at Dorothy. “It’s great to see you again.”
“You, too. I was just telling your mom how sorry I was to hear about your breakup.”
Don’t be sorry. I may have dodged a bullet. “Thanks.” Kristy managed a smile.
Dorothy’s eyes lit up at someone past Kristy’s shoulder, and she waved him over. “Kristy, have you ever met my sons?”
It only took a second for Kristy to realize why Dorothy was so eager. The man who was making his way over looked about Kristy’s age. Before she’d become engaged, she’d been used to mothers dragging their single sons over for an introduction. If Dorothy’s behavior was any indication, it looked like she’d have to get used to it again, now that the ring was off her finger.
The tall guy who ambled over and stood beside Dorothy looked vaguely familiar to Kristy, but she had no idea where she’d seen him. A teenage boy trailed behind him, his handsome features marred by a slightly sour expression on his face. Dorothy beamed at them and then at Kristy.
“This is my oldest son, Robert.”
Robert’s light brown hair was still damp from the shower, but everything else about him looked well put together. His charcoal gray suit and shiny dress shoes looked expensive. He stepped forward rather formally and offered her a hand.
“Hi, I’m Kristy.” she took his hand and gave it a halfhearted shake.
“I think we met a few years ago at a singles’ event.” Robert’s green eyes looked at her appraisingly. He put a hand on Dorothy’s shoulder. “I live in Jackson, but Mom promised me a homemade apple pie if I’d come for a visit today. I can’t ever turn down her cooking.”
Dorothy smiled and patted his hand then turned to her younger son.
“And this is Zach.”
Zach barely moved his head in what could have been a nod in Kristy’s direction. Or at least she thought he’d acknowledged her.
“Hi, Zach. Nice to meet you.”
“Kristy works as a park ranger at Shiloh.” Nancy always loved to tell people this fact. Kristy kept hoping the novelty would wear off, but apparently that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. And especially after the week she’d just had, culminating with Ace putting her on the spot at Rhea Springs, the last thing Kristy wanted to do was talk about work. But it looked like she had no choice.
“We live very close to the park. In fact, Zach rides his bike over there sometimes.” Dorothy patted the scowling boy on his back.
“Well, if you ever get a flat tire or need some water, I live right beside the visitor center,” Kristy said. “You’ll know which house is mine because of the barking dog in the window. And we have lots going on tomorrow to celebrate Memorial Day. Y’all should come out if you get the chance.”
Zach eyed her suspiciously. “Thanks,” he mumbled. “Mom, I’m going to sit with the youth group.”
Dorothy nodded as he rushed off. She looked back at Kristy with a hint of red in her face. “Zach’s dealing with some things right now.”
Kristy smiled. “I remember being his age.” she hadn’t been so sullen, but she had definitely been too “cool” to sit with her mom during services.
“We’d better get a seat.” Robert ushered them toward the sanctuary and held open the door. Kristy followed her mother into a pew, Dorothy trailing behind her.
As soon as they were seated, Dorothy jumped back up. “I think I left my bible out in the lobby. I’ll be right back.” she attempted to scoot past Robert.
“I’ll go look for it.” He started to rise.
“Don’t be silly. I’m already up.”
Suddenly Dorothy was gone, and Kristy found herself seated next to Robert. She wanted to believe that the maneuver hadn’t been planned, especially considering that the deception involved a bible, of all things. But she’d seen her own mother in action too many times. It was as though once they had single children who were in their late twenties, they lost all sense of subtlety.
Robert glanced over at her and half smiled. Thankfully, the song leader chose that moment to announce the first song. She didn’t want to feel compelled to make awkward small talk. After all, there would likely be plenty of that in her future.
Kristy opened her mouth to sing and for the next hour was able to forget her troubles. Her surprisingly good mood got even better when her mother insisted she choose the restaurant after church. Finally, an easy decision. Hagy’s Catfish Hotel was one of her all-time favorite places to eat.
“Such a nice young man, that Robert,” Nancy declared as the two of them walked though the parking lot.
Kristy stopped in her tracks, high heels digging into the warm asphalt. Surely her mother wasn’t serious. Robert’s mom she could understand. But her own? it was way too soon to even think like that. “Don’t start, Mother.” Kristy hit the unlock button. “I just got left at the altar, for crying out loud.”
“All I said was he’s a nice guy.” They climbed into Kristy’s white Jeep Liberty and headed toward Hagy’s. “He’s an accountant, you know. He graduated from UT-Martin.” Nancy wasn’t going to let it drop without a fight. “And did you notice what a sharp dresser he is?”
Irritated, Kristy turned up the volume on the radio.
Nancy took the hint and pursed her lips.
Bon Jovi could drown out her mother, but he couldn’t drown out her thoughts. Kristy clenched the steering wheel and watched the budding trees fly by. It must be painful for the old leaves to die and new ones to take their place. The idea of going on a date with someone new made her feel sick. What she wanted right now was to be left alone. She would probably date again. When she was ready. Which truthfully might be never. But she didn’t tell her mother that.
Nancy remained silent as they walked up the wooden stairs to the restaurant. Kristy hoped her silence meant she’d given up on having a conversation about Robert.
Once their plates were heaping with catfish, though, Kristy’s hopes were dashed.
“Sweetie, let me give you a little advice.” Nancy poured a packet of sweetener into her tea and regarded her daughter as she stirred. “The best thing you can do now is get back out there. You know what they say.” she took a sip. “It’s like falling off a horse. You have to get right back up there before you lose your nerve.”
My mom, the cowgirl.
Kristy resisted the urge to mention the lack of dates her mother had gone on since her divorce.
“Really, Mom. I appreciate your concern. But I’ll be fine.”
“I only want what’s best for you,” she said in her familiar I’m-so-offended-you-don’t-want-my-motherly-advice voice.
“Let’s just drop it, okay?” Kristy spooned some tartar sauce onto her plate.
“Promise you’ll at least think about it.”
She’d been Nancy O’Neal’s daughter for twenty-eight years. She knew how this worked. There was only one response guaranteed to prevent her mother from trying to play matchmaker. “Fine. I’ll make you a deal.”
Nancy’s carefully lined eyebrow rose. “What’s that?”
“You can’t prompt Dorothy to have Robert ask me out. Don’t even mention the idea to her. And if she mentions a setup to you, tell her no. But if he ever decides on his own that he wants to go out, I’ll accept.”
Her mother took another sip of her tea and narrowed her eyes as if mulling over Kristy’s offer. “Okay, honey. It’s a deal. I won’t do any meddling. And if Dorothy mentions it to me, I’ll talk her out of it. But if he ever calls, you
have to promise you’ll go.”
Rather than shaking on it, they split a slice of pecan pie. Kristy was pretty confident about the agreement. It should get her mother off her case, at least for a few weeks. And since Robert didn’t even live here, by the time she saw him again, he could be married. Especially if Dorothy came across another single Christian girl in his age bracket anytime soon.
CHAPTER 7
This is Kristy. She’ll be showing you around the park and training you on all the seasonal responsibilities. Do what she says and you’ll be fine. Owen stood in the doorway of the seasonal office, flanked by identical twin teenage boys.
Kristy stood and forced a smile. She took in their freckled faces and strawberry blond hair. Very cute and very young. Had she been that young her first summer here? it seemed like so long ago.
“Hi,” they said in unison.
Wow. Good thing name badges were a required part of the uniform, or she’d never tell them apart.
“I’m Matthew.” The one on the left stepped forward and stuck out his hand.
She grasped his hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you, Matthew.” she turned to his brother. “And you must be Mason.” He blushed and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Oh dear. Their mama had obviously raised them to be polite southern boys, but she hated to be called ma’am. At least wait until she was over thirty for that.
She smiled at them and gestured around the office. “Feel free to put your things in here. Today isn’t going to be a normal day since it’s a holiday. In fact, I’m usually off on Monday, but since we have a lot going on today, I’m working. How about you two? What are your days off?”
“Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Matthew.
“Thursday and Friday,” Mason chimed in.
Good. They’d probably do better not having too many working days the same.
“Today you’ll both be stationed outside. There’ll be several hundred people here for the Memorial Day ceremony in the national Cemetery. I think Owen plans on having one of you stand at the gates and pass out programs. Matthew, why don’t you do that?”
He nodded.
“And Mason, you can help park cars. Our lot will be full, so they’ll park in the field closest to the cemetery. Owen will be out there as well, and he’ll show you what to do.”
Kristy put her hat on top of her head. “You guys can just follow me. I’ll take you to your stations. Make sure to take your radios in case you need to call for help.”
She felt a bit like a mother duck as they followed her out the back door. After stationing Matthew at the gates of the cemetery, she directed Mason to where Owen stood in the nearby field. She would spend the morning at the Memorial Day ceremony handling crowd control, and the afternoon in the visitor center collecting fees. Even though the day was certain to be busy, at least it wouldn’t be boring.
“Hi there,” a familiar voice called. She turned to see her mother coming up the cemetery path, Dorothy and Zach in tow. “Surprised to see us?”
“There’s not much you do that surprises me, Mom.” Kristy smiled and greeted her guests.
“We’ve never been to one of these ceremonies,” Dorothy explained. “Your mom said they were really neat, so we thought we’d check it out.”
“Well, you’re in time to get a great spot.” Kristy pointed toward the podium. “There’ll be some patriotic songs, a short speech, and then representatives for all of the wars the United states has participated in will be dressed in replica uniforms and will fire a twenty-one-gun salute. It’s pretty cool. Be sure to check out the one representing a Revolutionary War soldier.”
Even Zach looked impressed.
“I’ll try to catch you after it’s over,” she told them as she rushed off to help manage the influx of people coming through the gate.
***
Ace looked down at the clicker in his hand. More than seven hundred people had come through the visitor center so far. He and Kristy were working the desk, trying to keep some semblance of order. Because of the heavy number of visitors, they had no choice but to work together as a team. He watched as she greeted a family and collected the five dollars for their entrance fee.
“The movie will start in ten minutes,” she said, pointing in the general direction of the movie theater. “Feel free to look around the museum in the meantime. There’ll be an announcement before the movie begins.” she handed them their orange parking pass, but instead of moving on, they lingered at the counter.
“Can I help you with something else?” she asked, her blond ponytail bobbing as she spoke.
“Actually...,” the woman began, “we were wondering if you have a Junior Ranger Program. Kelsey and Jonathan have Junior Ranger badges from all the other parks we’ve visited.” she motioned to the two children standing next to her.
Ace peered over the counter at them. Indeed, they were each wearing Junior Ranger badges from Yellowstone.
“We do have a program,” Kristy said. “Just a second, and I’ll get you the information.”
“I can do that,” he said—and immediately regretted it. He’d only been trying to help so Kristy could move on to the next family who was waiting to pay. But from the look she shot him, he could see that his helpfulness had been mistaken for something else.
“He’ll help you.” Kristy’s words were clipped as she motioned toward him. Without another word, she turned to the next family. Clearly, he’d messed up again. And just when he thought they were working well together. He turned his attention toward the kids in front of him but couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d just made things even worse with his new coworker.
CHAPTER 8
After the exhausting day Kristy had just experienced, nothing would have made her happier than to sink into a hot bubble bath and then climb into bed. A great plan—except that most of her things were still in boxes. It would have been a scavenger hunt to try to find a bottle of bubble bath right now. So, as much as she needed to relax, she knew she couldn’t put off unpacking any longer.
What an odd experience to go from planning a future with someone to being all alone. Once Mark’s company let him know they were transferring him to Atlanta, he’d taken Kristy house hunting. They’d picked out furniture and wall colors together and even jokingly selected the room that would someday be the nursery. He’d moved into their dream home a month before the wedding date. Kristy looked around at the boxes that now surrounded her. Her heart dropped a little. When she’d packed up her things, she’d expected to unpack them with Mark, in their new house, after they had returned from their honeymoon.
How could so many things change in such a short time?
In hindsight, she could see all the ways they weren’t compatible. Besides the obvious—she showed up for momentous occasions and he didn’t.
She’d spent a lot of time on the cruise making a list of reasons a marriage to Mark would’ve been hard. Following the advice of a self-help book, which guaranteed to have her over him and ready to move on in a month or less, she’d taped the list to the refrigerator door. Usually looking at number one on the list made her feel better. He wouldn’t allow me to ask him how his day was. But tonight it didn’t help. It only made her realize how much time and effort she’d wasted on someone who wasn’t worth it. How would she ever be able to trust her own judgment again?
The telephone rang as she was cutting the tape on the second box. Still on her knees and holding the scissors, she crawled toward the phone. Out of habit, she looked at the caller ID before answering. No way. She checked one more time to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her.
Mark.
Her heart pounded in her ears. Ring. She didn’t want to hear his voice right now. Ring. Nothing he could say would change anything. Ring. Would it? Ring. Definitely not.
“Hi, it’s Kristy. Leave a message!”
As her own voice came over the machine, she looked down at her white knuckles wrapped around the scissors. She leaned closer to the phone. A dial
tone sounded loudly through the room.
She exhaled the breath she’d been holding and sat back on the carpet. She let the scissors fall from her fingers.
Maybe she should’ve answered. Really let him have it. Or even better, gone against his rule and asked him how his day had been. For a moment, she considered dialing him back but thought better of it. She’d gone over two weeks without calling. No way she was caving in now.
The phone rang again. This time she lunged for it before the first ring was complete. No use even looking at the caller ID. She was ready to get it over with. See what he had to say for himself.
“Mark.” she tried to keep her voice even, but the shakiness won out as she said his name.
“Um. No.” An unfamiliar male voice sounded confused.
Kristy held the phone away from her ear to see who it was.
According to the caller ID, Dorothy’s son Robert was on the other end.
My mom had better not be behind this. Suddenly, the agreement she’d made with her mother seemed like a very poor decision. But maybe he was calling for something innocent. Like he was inviting her to his mom’s birthday or something. Yeah, right. Because Dorothy and I are BFFs.
“It’s Robert Aaron. We met at church last Sunday.” Robert’s voice was muffled. Must be a bad connection.
Even though Kristy didn’t want to deal with him, she didn’t have a choice. Hanging up on him would’ve been rude. And asking him if he could wait and call back sometime when she wasn’t about to have a nervous breakdown might have made her seem a little odd.
“I remember. How are you?” Here was that awkward small talk she had so hoped to avoid.
“I’m fine. Listen, I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go out to dinner with me?” no small talk after all. He cut right to the chase.
If she said no, would he tell his mother, who would in turn tell Nancy, who would call her out on the deal they’d made? Kristy hated to go back on her word. She knew she’d end up feeling guilty. Sometimes she wished she were more like her sister, Sarah, who probably wouldn’t have thought twice about backing out of a promise.
Love Is a Battlefield Page 4
