Once seated with the iced tea and cake, Lacey explained about their visit to the house. “My concern is how she’ll get around until she can afford her own vehicle.”
“We have Joel’s old car sitting in the garage. It needs to be driven before it deteriorates.” Mrs. Garrison looked at Abby. “I know he’d appreciate you using it and keeping the motor in shape.”
“How do you all make doing a favor for me sound like I’m doing the favor for you?”
“Because you really are helping us,” Lacey answered.
“When I get a job, I’m going to start paying you all back. I can’t refuse the transportation, but I’d like to pay for it, and I will start a little bit at a time when I’m employed.”
“We don’t want or need the money. Let us help you.” Mrs. Garrison patted her hand. “If one of my sons needed help, I’d hope they’d find a person to assist them.”
“All I can say is thank you. I won’t let you down.”
“Never thought you would.” Mrs. Garrison got up and headed toward the refrigerator. “We had dessert first, but could you all eat my favorite, tuna sandwiches for lunch?”
“I can’t. I’m off to feed my baby. Have a good day, Abby.” Lacey rushed out. They heard her car as she left.
“I’ve been blessed with my two daughters-in-law and my grandchildren.”
“You have a wonderful family. Being an only child, I envy your sons having siblings to grow up with and still live so close.”
“The best part is they wanted to stay close. My sons are similar and yet very different in personalities, even the twins. I only wish my oldest son, Heath, worked from here. Someday, he’ll get tired of the city and return. Most of his work is done by phone and computer. He’d only need to make a few trips to New York during the year.”
“I suppose he knows what you’d like him to do.” Abby bit her lip to keep from grinning.
“Over and over he’s heard my plans for him. But he has to figure out what’s best for him. Still, it’ll happen one of these days. Take the keys on the keychain with the red car and see if Joel’s car will start.”
“Shouldn’t I ask him first?”
“Maybe, here’s his number. You can start the car, and then if it works, call him.”
Abby didn’t hesitate. She needed transportation. When she opened the garage door, she took a deep breath. It was a beautiful renovated Mustang. I can’t drive this. It’s valuable and what if I had a wreck?
Getting up her nerve to start the engine, she opened the door and got inside. Her hands rubbed across the soft leather. Obviously, Joel loved his car and kept it pristine. Abby turned the key in the ignition, and the engine came right on. She took the paper with Joel’s phone number written on it. First, she’d turn off the engine before asking to use it. Leaning back into the comfortable leather seat, she punched in the numbers. Abby had little hope he’d allow anyone and especially not a woman to use his car.
“Hi, this is Joel Garrison. How can I help you?”
“Joel, this is Abby. Do you remember me from being at dinner?”
“Sure do. What’s up?”
“I’m going to rent Lacey’s house, and I need a car to go back and forth to town. Your mom thought you wouldn’t mind if I used your car, the Mustang, but seeing it, I can’t believe you’d let a stranger drive this beauty.”
“Ah, so you have an appreciation for my car. Give me a day to think about it. You’re right. I don’t even like to let my brothers drive it, but I do on occasion. I’ll call you later. Is this your cell number?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll get back to you.” He hung up his phone. Abby sat staring at her cell phone. She’d have to look elsewhere. But, no one knew her, and she doubted any of the brothers would let go of their car. Abby didn’t blame them. Still, her shoulders slumped as she walked toward the home place. There were so many obstacles. If she had enough money, she’d leave and not impose on the Garrisons. Straitening her posture, she went in the back door to her loaned room and wondered how long it would take her to walk to town. After lunch, she’d let Mrs. Garrison think she planned to rest, but she’d take off walking and once there she’d look for a room to rent and a job.
* * * *
Abby trudged back toward the Garrisons’ home. She’d gotten a paper, but found no rooms for rent in town. There were a few jobs, but the one position she called about had been filled. The sound of a car speeding toward her had her raising her head. She stepped further off the side of the road. The car screeched to a halt.
“Fletcher, what are you doing here?”
“I came looking for you. Mom found the bed empty and got worried when she didn’t find you in the house or yard.”
“I’m a grown woman. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“You looked sad and tired when I saw you.”
Abby pulled back her shoulders and swallowed around the lump in her throat. I so want to run to him and have him cuddle me and tell me it will be all right. But I’m determined to show him I am not as weak as he and his family think.
“I’m tired of imposing on your family. I walked to town to get a paper and check on a room. There weren’t any rooms available, but a few jobs are listed. I called one. They’d filled it this morning.”
“Get in.”
Fletcher’s voice sounded gruff. She had to admit the walk seemed longer than the one going to town. Fletcher opened the door, and she got in. When he joined her, he frowned.
“You didn’t have to come after me. I’m not a child.”
“If you were I’d put you over my knee and spank you. There can be wild animals out here. This section isn’t part of the homestead. You’re new to our state. In many ways, it’s like another country if you’ve never been out West.” He reached out and put his hand on the side of her face. “Promise me you won’t just take off again. Mom said she’d offered you Joel’s car to drive.”
“I’m sure you’ve seen his car. It’s a beauty. He said he’d have to think about it.” She blinked and looked away from him, but he gently turned her face back. “I’d worry I might have a wreck or bump into something while driving it. I can’t accept his Mustang. Lacey has offered me her house, and I like it. I can pay rent when I get a job. But I can’t walk to town and back every day.”
“Have you ever driven a stick-shift?”
“My dad taught me to drive on one. He said I might need the knowledge someday.”
“My brothers laugh at me. I’ve still got my first truck in a garage at my house. I take it out on the weekends for a spin. It may be old, but it runs great. You can use it.”
Abby sighed. “There I go getting more and more beholden to you. This isn’t fair to you.” She tried to smile, but her lip trembled. “It’s not like you saved my life and karma says you are responsible for me.”
Fletcher leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “My head understands what you’re saying, but my heart isn’t listening.” He straightened in his seat. “We’d better get back. Mom will be in a tizzy worrying about you.”
Abby pulled her cell out of her pocket. “I’ll give her a call.”
* * * *
Fletch glanced her way as she reassured his mother. What a stupid thing to say, “my heart isn’t listening.” I’ve never been so corny with any woman. If my brothers find out, I’ll never live it down. What is it about her? I want to take care of her and make her happy. I haven’t thought I’d want to marry for years yet. I wanted to be the last on the list. He shook his head.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, I’m thinking about some problems on the farm.” He pulled into the long drive to the home place. “Mom will have dinner ready. Maybe afterward you’d go for a ride with me. I’d like to show off my home.”
“Perhaps this is too soon.”
His mom waved from the porch. Fletch parked and got out. “Who are you afraid of, me or you? Wait, I’ll come around and open your door.” When he came to the do
or, he opened it partway. “You didn’t answer me.”
“Both of us.”
Fletch closed Abby’s car door and followed her inside. Well, hell, she gave me an honest answer.
At dinner, Fletcher told his parents he planned to loan his old truck to Abby. His mom looked surprised.
“You won’t let your brothers drive that truck,” Mr. Garrison said.
“They’d try to race it and get my engine messed up.”
Mr. Garrison tried to hold back his laughter. “You love to work on that old car, so why should you care if they break something. With your mechanical ability, you can fix anything.”
“I understood, from what you said at lunch, that Joel didn’t say a definite no when you called him.” Mrs. Garrison looked puzzled at Abby.
“Not exactly, as I mentioned he offered to think about it. But I couldn’t drive his beautiful Mustang. I’d be too afraid of putting a scratch on it.”
“You don’t have to worry about my truck. It’s got lots of marks on it. I’d paint it, but then she’d lose her personality.”
“The truck is a she?” Abby asked.
“Of course, Brown-eyed Susie.” That did it, all three laughed, and Fletch joined in.
“What’s the joke?” Joel asked as he sauntered into the kitchen. “Any dinner left, Mom?” He sat across from Abby. “I thought I’d come to tell you I’ve decided you can drive my baby.”
“She’s going to use my truck.”
“You’re letting her drive Brown-eyed Susie?” Joel frowned. “You won’t let any of us near her.”
“If you remember, that came about after you ended up in the ditch with her.”
“It was an accident.”
“How’d you feel if Abby does the same to your baby?” Fletch asked.
Joel glanced at Abby. “I’m glad you are driving his truck.” After much laughing, they finished dinner.
“How’s the lumber business doing,” Mr. Garrison asked.
“Great. We got several orders for new home developments coming soon in neighboring counties, but I hope Pleasure Valley stays the same.”
“You can’t stop progress, if not now it’ll come soon,” his dad warned.
“Yeah, I know. Thanks for the meal, Mom. I’m going to stop and see Justyn. He’s been buried in his cabin working on designs for the more expensive development. Progress, bah humbug.” He waved and went out the side door.
Mrs. Garrison rubbed her husband’s shoulders. “Our forefathers were wise to buy so much land when they did. It won’t affect our business or lifestyle much. We have a good bit of undeveloped property, and the boys have their own homes and land around them.”
Mr. Garrison clasped his wife’s hands. “We’re lucky our sons all decided to stay nearby. But that will change as other generations come along. Our grandchildren may have minds of their own.”
“Not my grandchildren. I’ll keep telling them year after year how good it is to live here.”
“Just keep cooking the good meals, and they won’t go too far away,” Fletcher said. “Speaking of home, I’d like to take Abby to see mine. How about it, Abby?” He saw the indecision on her face, but after a short hesitation, she said yes.
“But only if you start teaching me to ride tomorrow.”
“We’ll do it tonight. Riding in the moonlight is very relaxing.” He winked at her.
His dad pulled a key out of his pocket and handed it to Abby. “Just in case you get back late, and we’ve gone to bed.”
“Thanks, Mr. Garrison.” Abby placed the key in her jeans pocket. “I’ll get my jacket and be ready.”
Once she’d left the room, Mrs. Garrison sat down at the table. “You’ve found the right one.”
“You’ve noticed?”
“All the family has, and your brothers are relieved they’re off the hook for now.”
“I’m not ready, Mom.”
“Most of us aren’t, son. It happens, and we’re caught up in a whirlwind we can’t resist. But, we’ve all been happier because of it. Ask Hunter or Devin.”
“She’s not ready.”
Mrs. Garrison glanced at the doorway and spoke more softly. “Let her realize how strong she is before you push her to marry you. Can you imagine what courage it took for her to come out here? Most women would be crying and begging for help. She’s insisting on getting on her feet herself, with as little help as possible. I like her, and I admire her. Don’t mess this up by being too obstinate and pushy.”
“I’m not obstinate.”
“You are, in the nicest way. It works for you most places. She’s obstinate, too. I can’t wait to see how you two work this out. I’m going in to watch one of my favorite TV shows. See you later.”
Fletch waited until his mom had gone down the hall, and then he glanced across at his dad. “Which show is that, Dad?”
“One of the many mysteries she watches. The more suspense and blood and gore, the better for her.”
“My mom watches those kinds of shows?”
His dad stood and patted him on the shoulder. “Women are full of mystery and mystic. That’s why we love them so much. See you tomorrow.” Abby entered the room as he was leaving. “Good-bye Mr. Garrison.” He smiled and waved at her before going on out the door.
“Your parents are great,” Abby said as Fletcher helped her into the truck.
He walked around and got in, started the engine and drove down a road to the right of the house. “My brothers and I know how lucky we are to have them. We’ve seen some of our friends, not all, whose parents didn’t have much time for them. All our friends liked to gather at our house.” He glanced at Abby. “And it wasn’t just for Mom’s cooking. They loved Dad’s stories, and sometimes he’d fill the truck with hay and take us on hayrides or go riding with us.”
“You make it sound like an idyllic childhood.”
“It was, and that’s why we’ve all stayed close. We want our families, when we marry, to have the same experiences.” The truck bounced over a rut in the unpaved road. “We need to pave the roads to our houses. Look ahead, we’re almost there.”
Night had fallen, but the lights Fletcher had placed around the house and barn came on automatically at nightfall. Plus, a full moon lit up the area. Whenever he came home, a sense of peacefulness and comfort greeted him. He stopped the truck in front of the large house.
He took hold of Abby and swung her to the ground. Then Fletcher walked her to the front door. “Welcome to my home, Abby.” He swung the large wooden door open.
* * * *
Abby stood in the middle of the living room. She held her hands up to her lips. Large windows showed a wide expanse of trees, mountains and the full moon from the front and back of the room.
“What do you think?” Fletcher spoke softly.
“This is the most beautiful sight I can ever remember seeing. You must sit here and spend your evenings admiring the view.”
“I do often, but there are other views you might like. Some are better seen in daylight. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Yes, thank you. I prefer white if you have some.”
“Follow me.” They walked to the right and up a few stairs to the dining room. It also had the front view. Fletch walked to a wine cooler and took out two bottles. “This first one is a slightly sweet white wine and the other a red wine for me.” After opening the white wine, he poured her some.
Abby strolled around the dining room. At the back end, a doorway led to the kitchen. She wandered into another huge room. Across from where she entered, a long counter ran lengthwise with double sinks in the middle and a stove and microwave at the end. Next to it were two wall ovens. Then a refrigerator and a huge pantry filled in the rest of the space on that side. On the opposite side, a long table with chairs on one side and a long booth type seat on the other made it an eat-in kitchen.
Fletch joined her and wrapped his arms around her middle. Abby jumped. She’d been so absorbed in the room and hadn’t noticed hi
m enter. His lips nuzzled her neck as shivers slid down her spine.
“What do you think of my house?
“The part I’ve seen is beautiful. But it’s so big. Are you planning on having a large family?”
“I don’t know. What do you think about six or eight children?”
She twisted around in his arms. “What?”
He bent over laughing. Through the laughter, he sputtered, “Mom wants to have lots of grandchildren.” Fletch straightened and grinned. “She insisted we build big homes just in case we needed the rooms later. That was quite a few years ago. Hunter was the first to give her a grandchild.”
“And all of you did as she said?”
“No, Justyn is an architect. He built a small cabin for himself. But he assured Mom if the unlikely happened and he married, he’d build a bigger home closer to the road to town. Right now he’s the furthest away from roads and the home place.”
“Why did he want to be so solitary?”
“He says it helps him think creatively. No one interrupts him without calling first, and we are not to call between seven and midnight unless it’s a major emergency. He’s the opposite of his twin, Joel, who is much more outgoing. But they are close.”
“You’d never get the impression he’s a person who’s so private. He’s been very pleasant the few times I’ve seen him.”
“He tries for Mom and Dad. But watch, he’ll usually leave first unless he and Joel are up to something. Last time, Mom found out they’d made a bet on her reaction to something. They had to clean the barn. Why are we talking so much? Come and see my favorite room, besides the bedroom.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Abby hesitated. Did she want to open the door so soon to being intimate with him? He made her heart race and inside she ached for his touch. But how would he react when she told him she’d had sex only once and afterward her so-called boyfriend said she was frigid and worse, he told his friends. My romantic experiences have been few and unsuccessful. Just look at the mess I’ve gotten myself into this time.
The Unclaimed Mail Order Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 4
