by Leah Atwood
They reached the front porch in an hour. Clearing access to the door came first, and then they started on the sides of the porch and the walkway from the steps to the front gate along the road.
The front door opened, and Mrs. Addy appeared with a cell phone in hand. “Landon, your phone keeps ringing. I wouldn’t have bothered you, except it’s rung five times in a half hour, so I thought it’s probably important.”
His face tightened, and he gave Jessa the shovel. “I’ll be back.”
She knew his first thought was to worry something had happened to Gran. Though tempted to follow him inside, she gave him privacy and stayed back, praying while she shoveled.
He came out five minutes later, a huge smile on his face. “Tanya is in labor and at the hospital. I’ll have a new niece or nephew by the end of the day.”
“That’s great.” Thank You, Lord, for good news.
“I wish I could be there, but there’s no point getting upset. It’s not like I can control the weather.”
“She knows you’re there in spirit.”
“I know, and it pains me to admit it, but she doesn’t need me. Scott will be there with her, along with Mom and Gran.” He took the shovel back from her. “When Lacy was born, Archer and I were both with her at the hospital for moral support. We didn’t stay in the room for the birth, but for hours leading up to it and afterward.”
“You’re really close with your siblings.” She frowned, tried not to let her mind go to the dark places. “Even before Hunter started drinking and Trixie ran off, we didn’t have the bond you have with Archer and Tanya. We were close, but it’s not like what you have.”
He sighed. “That bond is a byproduct of our parents’ abandonment. We were so young when it happened and didn’t understand—granted, I don’t think we would have understood no matter how old we were. It’s not something anyone can comprehend. For a long time, we didn’t believe our grandparents would keep us. We kept waiting to be sent off again, and it was during those times we decided we’d always stick together, no matter what.”
“That’s sweet, even if the circumstances were sad.”
“And naïve.” He snorted. “We had no idea families were split up into foster homes all the time. I’ll be forever grateful Granddad and Gran took us in and kept us together.”
Did he realize he spoke with less bitterness than he had two months ago? “I’m proud of you.”
He stopped shoveling and looked up with confused features. “What for?”
“You can mention your parents without resentment taking over. You’ve come a long way in forgiving them.”
“Like Archer told me, it’s a process, but I’m trying.” He shifted his gaze over the front yard. “I think we’re done. The others have gone in.”
“I know we need access to the front exit, but a part of me wishes we didn’t have to disturb the snow. It’s so much prettier when it’s untouched.” She gave a parting glance down the street, to where the snow still lay unmoved. She locked the memory in her head and went inside.
She shed her outermost layers by the door so she wouldn’t track the snow and water through the bed and breakfast. Mrs. Addy had set out old metal folding chairs on top of trash bags and ordered that everyone coming in from the snow discard their wet clothes there. When the power came back on, she’d throw it all in the dryer.
Landon laid out his coat over a chair, along with his scarf, gloves, and borrowed snow pants. “I’m going to check on coffee. Want any?”
“Yes, please.” She pointed to her feet. “I’m running upstairs for dry socks. Keeping the snow out of my boots didn’t work as planned.”
She ran upstairs and changed her pants and socks, added her old lady slippers to the outfit. While she was up there, she grabbed her phone and turned it on. To conserve her battery, she’d kept it powered off—after letting her mom know so she wouldn’t worry if her call went straight to voicemail.
Holding her phone, she waited a minute before making a call to see if any messages popped up. One from Rachel checking in, and Jessa typed a quick reply letting her know everyone at Addy’s was fine and surviving without power. Her boss, the board president, sent her an email that today counted as a paid day off.
Not that she would have gone in regardless. The walk to her office was very short, but trampling through three feet of snow to get to an office without power while the wind still blew and precipitation fell? Not worth it. She would have used a vacation day if it had come to that.
No word from Trixie. Where was she? Had it snowed where she stayed? Protect her, please, Lord. I love my sister, and I know You love her infinitely more. Wherever she is, give her warmth and a full stomach, and may she know she always has a home here. She prayed for her brother, as well. The prison had generators so Hunter wouldn’t be without power or warmth. It was a small comfort as she envisioned her brother in a stark cell.
She called her parents’ landline, but no one answered. Had they lost power too? If so, their cordless phones wouldn’t work. Dad reasoned they had cell phones to use if the power ever went out. She’d gently reminded him even cell phones needed electricity to charge the battery, but he hadn’t been concerned.
Let’s put him to the test. She called Dad’s cell phone, surprised he answered on the first ring.
“How’d you fare last night?” he asked.
“Good. A little on the cold side, but we made it. How about you? Did you lose power?”
“We made it until midnight, then it cut out. We’re all gathered in the living room now, soaking in the warmth of the fireplace.”
“Phoebe’s still there?” She caught a glimpse of her hair in the mirror and scowled at the messy hat hair.
“Yes. She made us a delicious breakfast of cereal and milk this morning.” Three different tones of laughter came through the phone from Dad’s side.
Jessa chuckled too. “That is her specialty.”
“For lunch, she said it’s her other one—peanut butter and jelly.”
“Sounds delicious.” Jessa smiled, savoring those moments of humor from her father. It was a glimpse of the old him, and she cherished it. “I won’t keep you long, but call me later if you can, let me know you’re okay.”
“You do the same. I love you.”
The call ended. Jessa stood from her bed and pulled out the elastic ponytail holder. She brushed her hair and refashioned it into a neater ponytail. Semi-satisfied, she went downstairs, stopping first in the kitchen to find Landon.
He wasn’t there, nor was he in the library.
Mrs. Addy came out of the game room, holding April’s hand. “We’re going to make cookies by candlelight. Would you like to join us?”
“Maybe in a few minutes. Have you seen Landon?”
“He’s in my office.” She nodded in the direction of that room. “Another call came through, and I told him he could use it for privacy.”
“Thanks.” She went to the door and stood still for thirty seconds. Did she knock and interrupt or wait for him out here? She went with her instinct to knock.
A broad grin spread from cheek to cheek when he opened the door. “We have a baby. A little boy.”
“Aww. That was quick.”
“She was further along in labor than anyone realized.”
“What’s his name?” She couldn’t hold in her own smile. Who didn’t love news of a tiny baby being born?
“Caleb David Lamar. Eight pounds, three ounces.”
“That’s a strong name.” Her heart fluttered, announcing its own desire for a baby in the future. “Do you have any pictures?”
“Madison said she’d send one soon.” He sighed and reached for her.
She willingly went into his arms. “What a day.”
He rested his chin on her head and folded his arms around her. She could have stayed like that forever, but he moved his head and his gaze locked with hers.
A poignancy in his eyes told her not to move or say a word.
His hand
s rested on the small of her back, and he stared at her with unwavering strength. “I love you.”
Fifty different sentiments, all related to joy and love, welled within her and expressed themselves in a single tear. Of all the changes in her life, Landon was the one that kept her grounded. He brought her joy amid the darkest months of her life and breathed new life into her existence. He showed her how to persevere and show compassion, and how to swallow her pride to attain personal growth. Because of Landon, she’d become a better person. “I love you too.”
Chapter Thirteen
Easter came early this year, falling on the last Sunday in March. Landon paced through his apartment, searching for any speck of dust or anything out of place. He’d spent all evening Thursday cleaning, down to the corner of the bathroom behind the door which was often neglected. Jessa and her parents, along with Phoebe, would stay at Gran’s, but he assumed they’d come visit his home at some point during their time in Maryville.
He looked at this phone, disappointed to see only three minutes had passed since he’d last checked. Sighing, he decided to head to Gran’s house anyway. He’d rather wait there, hanging out with his family than alone in his place.
This weekend was a huge step in his relationship with Jessa. He’d made trips to Jasper Lake almost every weekend to spend time with her—Mrs. Addy stopped charging him for a room and said he’d become family—but she’d yet to see his stomping grounds. He understood she didn’t want to leave her parents right now.
He’d seen for himself how they worried incessantly when not able to get in touch with Jessa or Phoebe, and if one left Jasper Lake for any reason, even to the other side of the lake, their parents would call every half hour on the dot. He imagined that’s how it would be until Trixie came home, which he prayed would be soon. Every time he saw the pain in Jessa’s eyes and the worry in her parents’, he wished he could do more.
Inviting her parents to come visit with her was the least he could do. He loved Jessa, and if making concessions for her family is what it took for them to have a healthy relationship, then that’s what he would do.
The drive to Gran’s saw little traffic. Most people were already at the ballfields, picnics, or wherever else a spring Saturday took them. He parked along the curb, leaving the empty spot in the driveway for Jessa. On the opposite side of the road, he spotted Tanya’s car and grinned. That meant a high chance his favorite little nephew was inside.
He jumped from the truck, grabbing the flowers he’d give Jessa when she arrived. As he strode to the door, he heard the cry of a baby with a healthy set of lungs. I don’t have to worry about waking him up with the doorbell.
Dad came to the door and welcomed him, and it struck Landon that he thought of his parents as Mom and Dad now without any acrimonious thoughts.
“We’re giving free earplugs to all visitors today.” Dad winked and gestured him in.
Landon stepped into the house, laughing. “Why’s the little guy crying?”
“Tanya said he’s tired and hasn’t slept since an hour-long nap at three this morning.” Dad pointed down the hall. “She set up his portable bassinet in there for the day, and Gran added a rocking chair.”
If he listened carefully, he could hear strains of Mozart coming from the room and Tanya whispering cooing words to her son. “Where are Scott and Lacy?”
“Scott had to work. It’s his first weekend at work since Caleb was born, and he’s not taking it well.” Dad grimaced. “He’s texted Tanya three times since she’s been here to check on the baby and that’s stressing her out. Mom said she needs to relax because the baby can sense it.”
His heart went out to his sister and brother-in-law. He knew Scott only had good intentions and missed his son, and he also remembered the many sleepless nights Tanya had when Lacy was an infant. “Where’s Mom?”
“Outside with Lacy picking flowers for a centerpiece.”
The crying subsided, and a minute later Gran tiptoed from the room. “Caleb is sleeping peacefully in his mama’s arms. Don’t make any loud noises to wake him up.”
Dad cupped Landon’s elbow. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” He didn’t know what about—they’d had multiple conversations already to air their feelings and begin the process of moving forward—but Dad’s face didn’t register any emotion to warn Landon it would bring distress. If so, he’d have said no on the grounds his nerves were already shaky with Jessa’s impending visit.
He followed his dad into the study, where a sleeper sofa would be Jessa and Phoebe’s bed for the weekend. All the linens to prepare it and four pillows were neatly folded on a table against the wall.
Dad grabbed a plain white envelope off the desk and sat on the right side of the sofa. “Have a seat.”
“What’s up?” He narrowed his eyes and assessed his dad for any hint of what this talk meant.
“Your mother and I have done a lot of talking lately. We’re excited to meet Jessa and keep trying to figure out if we spotted her at all during our visit to Jasper Lake.”
Landon laughed. “Probably. She’s all over town.”
“She’s the one, isn’t she?”
“Yes.” The answer came with no hesitation. His heart belonged to her, and only her, for the rest of his life if she would have him.
“I’m happy for you. One of my biggest regrets about what mom and I did was seeing how it affected you.” Dad took a deep breath and swallowed. “I don’t deserve the love you and your siblings have given me, but I’m eternally grateful for the grace each of you have shown. That said, I’m not sure I’d have forgiven myself if you missed out on a life of love because I spent too many years being selfish.”
“But that didn’t happen. I came close to losing my chance, but it would have been my own fault.” The entire ordeal with his parents had taught him many lessons, and he understood now how the truth could set him free.
“Will you move to Jasper Lake when you and Jessa marry?”
“We’re not even engaged yet.” Yet. He didn’t plan for that yet to last long.
Dad held out a hand, palm forward. “That’s only a matter of time.”
His heart pounded. He hadn’t discussed it with anyone except Jessa, but he did plan on moving to Jasper Lake. The decision hadn’t come easy, and it wasn’t made without reservations. He loved his family, even Mom and Dad, and he didn’t want to leave them. At the same time, once married—he chose to think in optimistic terms—his first loyalty would be with Jessa.
He couldn’t ask her to leave Jasper Lake, nor did he want to. He loved the town and could envision living there, raising his family in a home up the mountain or right on the lake. After much prayer and consideration, he knew Jasper Lake would be his forever home.
He breathed in and exhaled slowly before answering. “It’s only several hours away. We’ll all be able to make trips back and forth often to see each other.”
A knowing light brightened in his dad’s eyes. “That’s what I thought.”
“How do you think Gran will take the news?”
Dad chuckled. “She’s the one who first mentioned it, and she couldn’t be happier for you. She’s already told us to prepare for one weekend trip a month.”
Relief washed over him. “I’ll hold you all to that.”
“So will your grandmother.” Dad sobered and slipped the envelope to him. “This is for you, a gift from me and your mother. It’s for a down payment on a house.”
He tried to refuse it, but Dad insisted. Finally, Landon took it and peeked inside. His jaw dropped, and he stammered several times before speaking. “This is enough for an entire house. I can’t take this.”
“Please accept it. Your brother and sister also received a gift. I know it can’t make up for all the lost years and it's not meant to, but this is us wishing our children the best and doing our part to see that happen.”
“Bu…but, how do you have that much?” He’d not meant for the question to sound like a
n insult, though it did.
“Violet and I lived simplistic lives for many years, but we still worked. Since our expenses were low, we saved most of our earnings and invested them wisely.”
Landon didn’t know what to say. He’d made so many assumptions about his parents that had turned out wrong. They’d made poor decisions, there was no denying that, but they’d also made good ones apparently. They weren’t the vile monsters he’d made them out to be. He shuddered when he remembered how he’d once suspected them of moving in with Gran to mooch off her limited income. “The improvements that have been going around here. Who paid for them?”
His dad lowered his head. “Your mom and I.”
“Gran’s ramp?”
“Us.”
“Gran’s nurse on the days mom can’t watch her?”
“Her medical insurance covers those.”
Landon crossed his arms, trying to absorb this latest news. “So you could live on your own financially, but you choose to stay and take care of Gran?”
Shame dotted his dad’s face. “I want Mom to have the best care, and that means having family near her. I wasted too many years being a rotten son, but she won’t want for anything for all her remaining years.”
“I’m glad you’re here for her.” The words lifted all remaining weights from his shoulder. “And I’ll accept the money, if and only if it’s a gift and not an act of penance.”
“It’s a gift, son. Given freely with no strings attached.” Dad smiled and leaned forward. “Well, maybe one.”
“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows. “Let me guess, I have to invite you to the house from time to time?”
“You’ve got it.”
Landon chuckled, amazed at the difference from last spring to this one. “I think I can handle that.”
Chapter Fourteen
Jessa’s nerves twisted into a million pretzels when the GPS announced they would reach their destination in one mile. She sat in the back seat of her parents’ sedan, clutching the door handle. Phoebe smiled at her and tried to distract her with conversation, but Jessa’s concentration on the upcoming meeting couldn’t be broken. Meeting Landon’s family, seeing where he lived and grew up, felt like the only missing puzzle piece in their relationship.
