A timer had been rigged to it, wires leading to the door. It was obvious the timer had been set to go off fifteen minutes after the doors had opened. Right when someone might have settled in to read a book, as she’d once said…or create her next work of art.
Everything he’d worked to accomplish had failed.
11
The kids got off the bus, playing and running up the driveway.
Stone jumped up to touch tree leaves, working on his basketball lay ups.
Jason hated having to burst their bubble, right when they were all settling into the Mom Tryout.
Natalie had gone to her room, all the life gone from her eyes as she trudged up the stairs.
He had no idea if she was up there packing her bags to leave, or if she was so crushed she’d flung herself across the bed to cry in private.
Regardless, he had to discuss this with the kids.
Stone noticed Jason’s stance and expression first. He hesitated a moment, and then continued walking, totally silent in the face of Jason’s serious countenance.
Larissa and Joe looked up, saw him, and became suddenly quiet.
Only Anna continued talking, her little voice high with excitement over something one of her friends had said.
“Stone,” Jason began. He stopped. He couldn’t get the words out. His kids had never done something that harmed another person’s property, not that he knew of, anyway. They’d been naughty, of course, but only with typical childish antics. This was new. He’d not expected them to be so against the Mom Tryout, they’d not openly objected at all. He still couldn’t fathom why they’d seemed to prefer Miss Jenkins over Natalie, either. Especially when they’d interacted with her so warmly when he was around.
Natalie had spent more time with them, although Miss Jenkins didn’t object when she did play or read to them. The kids had soaked up Natalie’s attention, he knew them well enough to observe that much. So why? Why would they behave so badly? And why had they targeted Natalie?
Stone looked away, his gaze everywhere but on his father’s face. He stiffened when he saw the open door to the gazebo. “Ahhh…no. I forgot, I forgot.” His stricken face clouded up, his eyes leaking actual tears.
Jason was shocked. Stone hadn’t shed a tear since he was eight years old.
Joe and Larissa started to cry, too.
How in the world could he handle this when his kids were so upset?
Anna began to wail.
“Stone…Natalie said you played several tricks on her, all of you.” Jason struggled to keep his voice calm. “Why?”
“It wasn’t her, Dad.” Stone’s voice trembled. “You were supposed to follow my suggestion to put Miss Jenkins in the green room. We couldn’t un-do what we’d done because every time we tried, Natalie was in the room. And the kitchen chair was so spur-of-the-moment.”
“Wait a minute, what kind of tricks are we talking about? What did you guys do?” Jason stared in horror as his oldest gave a run-down of all the pranks they’d played on Natalie.
“But Dad, it wasn’t supposed to be that way. When you told us the names of the women, we did a search online and found out Miss Jenkins is a prison guard. So we decided we’d want Natalie for our mom. We figured she’d be nicer. But you put Natalie in the wrong room!”
“Oh, son.” Jason had no idea what to do. “I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in you. You all deserve to be punished for the mean things you did.”
“Will you make Miss Jenkins lock us up in jail?” Anna’s lip trembled as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Of course not!” Jason was appalled at the idea.
“We deserve it, though.” Stone’s voice was glum. “I’m sorry she got wet.”
“Oh, she didn’t just get wet. You’ve ruined her next project, which I’m sure would have sold for thousands of dollars.”
Stone’s face blanched white.
12
Natalie slung clothes into her suitcase. She moved around the room, grabbing things up, throwing them onto the bed while her mind churned with indignation and outright anger.
As she moved to the dresser, her gaze fell on the printed out photos of Bethlehem. Fresh tears sprang into her eyes. She stood in the middle of the room, staring at the pictures, mind unable to grasp the hours of work she’d poured into dying the fabrics. They weren’t yet the exact right colors, but she was close…had been close. If only she could figure out the right shade of brown for the hill fabric.
She sniffed, mopped her eyes on her sleeve and looked out at the gazebo. The sun shot through the glass, landing on the ruined, half finished bits of fabric stuck to her design board.
She froze. The tears dried up as if they’d never been. She stared down at the picture, studying it closely. Picking up the paper, she held it against the window, lining the edges of the hills in the photo with the fabric she could see in the gazebo’s blaze of sunshine.
Staring, she turned, shot out of the room and ran down the stairs. She zipped through the kitchen, past Jason and four of the children now standing on the back porch, and ripped through the gazebo. She heaved breaths in from her sprint and raised the paper, lining up the edges again.
“They match! Hallelujah, they match! Thank you, God!” She waltzed out of the gazebo, ran to Stone, whirled him around and kissed the other three kids in three quick pecks that appeared to startle them. She grabbed Jason’s hands and crowed with happiness, swinging his arms back and forth.
“Uh, Natalie…what are we celebrating?” Jason asked, obviously confused by her massive mood swing.
“The sprinklers, the water, it muddied up the colors to the exact color I’ve been trying to blend for a week! Look!” She shoved a paper photo in his hands and ran back to the gazebo.
Jason and the kids trailed after her, uncertainty reflected on their faces as the crazy woman danced around with glee.
Uplifted by Natalie’s good mood, the kids chattered over dinner, having dodged the bullet of punishment Jason still intended to mete out. Things may have worked out for the best in light of Natalie’s new appreciation to the incident, but that didn’t change the fact that his children had premeditatedly pranked an unsuspecting guest in their home. The fact that the acts were misdirected was irrelevant.
Perhaps they needed to help at the soup kitchen for Thanksgiving. No, he didn’t want them to think of that as a punishment. It was their duty to help those less fortunate, and they couldn’t be taught anything less.
Maybe he could send them over to help his neighbor, a farmer who raised chickens for a living. They could muck out the chicken coops or something. Of course, right now, at least two of his children loved helping around the farm and wouldn’t see that as a punishment.
Maybe a time out. Grounding? No phone or computer privileges? Maybe he should just ask Natalie. Surely she had some idea.
Miss Jenkins tapped her glass with a spoon. “I have an announcement to make.” Her face was wreathed with smiles, but her voice wobbled just a little.
Jason shushed the kids, but he didn’t need to.
They had gone instantly silent, their manners had been impeccable all evening. Stone had probably ordered them to behave and as usual, he set the example.
“I am truly blessed that you all asked me to be a part of the mom tryouts, as you call it. I want to thank you for the warm welcome you gave me, too, even though I know now that you intended some of those things for Natalie.” She tossed a genuine smile Natalie’s way. “But I would like to withdraw from the contest to be your mom, even though I would love to stay in touch with all of you and would welcome being invited over any time you wish.”
“But why?” Natalie asked. “Why do you want to withdraw?”
“Because I’ve…found another…position.” Her gaze swept the room. “George has graciously asked me to be his wife, and I find that I love him and am comforted by the thought of living in the cottage and seeing you kids daily. That is, if you all consent to me
being nearby.”
Jason shot a glance at George, whose face was as red as beet.
“Didn’t mean to upstage you, Jason. But Rose is a fine woman, and I’ve come to love her. We’ve been spending time together, getting to know one another, and we have so much in common. And a few things not in common, but that’s the spice of life. I hope you aren’t angry.” His voice faded away.
Jason stood, went around the table and pumped George’s hand. “Congratulations, man! I’m delighted you’ve found someone to love. You deserve it. Congratulations to you, too, Miss Jenkins.” He leaned down and kissed Miss Jenkins’s cheek, causing her to flush a pretty pink.
“I think now that we’ve known each other a proper amount of time, you can call me Rose. All of you.” Rose was almost shy with her invitation.
“Well, Rose, that will be my pleasure.” Jason kissed her cheek again. “Well, kids, what do you say?”
“Congratulations, Miss…Rose.” Stone managed.
The others followed suit, rushing over to give her hugs and kisses.
“So does this mean that Daddy has to marry Natalie?” Anna’s squeaky little voice was loud over everyone else’s.
“well…uh…” Jason couldn’t think of what to say.
“It means we have one more week of the mom tryouts and then we can discuss it.” Natalie turned to Jason. “Unless there are more women in the running?”
“Nope.” Jason grinned at the look on her face.
13
Natalie was snuggled in bed, exhausted from the swing of emotions she’d packed into this day. She’d gone from the depths of despair to the gleeful rendering of the fabric colors. That was God’s hand to be sure, when she recalled the light blazing through the gazebo window.
And now Miss Rose—Stone’s name for her, which suited the woman to a T—was marrying George.
Natalie jumped out of bed. Nervous energy had her mind leaping from topic to topic and she needed to find calm. She reached for her Bible and settled in the chair near the window.
Stars winked in the darkness, but disappeared when she clicked the lamp on. The moon was full, so the glow dimmed, but it didn’t go away completely. Silvery light shone through the window. Winter had arrived. The last vestiges of fallen leaves danced on the ground in silent swirls of moonlight.
Natalie turned the pages of her Bible, her mind wandering, letting the Lord dictate what she’d read tonight. The pages fluttered, settling into an open place, one well loved by her and many other people.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…
Natalie paused, struck by the words. “He restoreth my soul…” She savored them out loud, letting God’s peace fill her heart. “He restoreth my soul…”
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
She went back to bed, cuddling down into the covers. Her soul settled, her body relaxed. As her eyelids slid closed, a face formed in her mind.
Jason, his dimpled smile wide, his hand held out to hers.
“I have to go to my apartment today." Natalie’s announcement at the breakfast table fit right into Jason’s plans for this Saturday morning.
“OK.” He nodded.
As the kids cleaned the table off and started with the dishes, Natalie went off to her room. She came downstairs a few minute later, dressed in jeans and a sweater, carrying a purse.
The kids hollered various goodbyes and returned to their chores.
Natalie’s car left a trail of dust that hung in the air down the gravel drive even after she’d turned onto the main road to town.
Jason returned to the kitchen. “All right, kids, time for a family pow-wow.”
They all sat down at the table, their faces pensive.
He’d still not dished out any punishment for their crimes against Natalie, but that would have to wait. “How many of you want Natalie to be your new mom?”
“Not just a tryout mom, but a real one?” Anna asked.
“Will she live here and be with us always?” Emily gave her father a hard stare.
Jason nodded.
The kids all looked at Stone, their big brother. “Nope, this time you have to decide for yourselves.” He folded his arms and sat back in the chair.
Surprisingly, Joe raised his hand first.
“Tell me your reason, Joe.” Jason gave him an opening to speak.
“When Anna set the horse poop in her chair, she pretended nothing was wrong.”
“And she didn’t tell on us, either,” Anna added.
“That’s not a good enough reason.”
“We really, really, really like her.” Joe was earnest.
“No, we love her.” Anna was truthful.
Joe nodded.
“Larissa, how are you voting?” Jason prompted.
“I vote yes. I do love her, she plays games with us, and she seems to like it here. I promise we won’t play any more tricks on her, either.”
“Emily?”
“Well, she wead stowies to me and pwayed princess, so I love hew for that.”
Jason still found it funny that Emily couldn’t say the “R” letter, except for the word, princess.
“I wuv Natatie, too.” Adam put in his two cents.
Jason took a deep breath and turned to his oldest son. “Stone?”
“I vote yes. She put up with our tricks, never ratted us out, and I do love that she’s good with the little guys.”
Jason waited.
Stone looked sheepish. “OK, I do love her. I think she’s awesome.”
“She is awesome. I love her, too.” Jason grinned at his kids. “I’ll ask her to marry me when she gets back.”
“Does this mean we’ll have a mom for Christmas?” Anna asked, bug-eyed.
“Could be. We’ll have to ask her when she wants to marry us, she may need more time.”
“Oh, wow!” Stone high-fived his Dad. “So I guess all we have to worry about is what to wear to the wedding?”
“Uh, no. I would think that you have to worry about the revenge Natalie is plotting against you for the tricks you’ve been playing the last few weeks.”
Stone’s eyes bugged out appropriately. The other kids who understood were just as wide-eyed.
Jason laughed.
14
Two weeks later
Jason waited with the preacher as Natalie floated down the aisle.
An endless stream of bridesmaids clad in dark green velvet and Christmas red velvet, and both her sisters and his had preceded her. Scads of flower girls and ring-bearer boys had also come down the aisle. The satin cloth that had been laid on the floor was littered with mounds of red rose petals. The rings were actually safely in the best man’s pocket, since the kids couldn’t be trusted with such a treasure.
His line of groomsmen stretched far, one to match all the women who’d attended the bride.
Apparently, it was an amazing thing his mother and her mother had done, pulling this wedding together in less than two weeks.
Jason didn’t care. As long as Natalie was in his arms, carrying his name by the end of the I-do’s, everything else was just wonderful.
The ceremony passed in a blur, despite fidgety kids, crying babies, lots of people around them, and both sets of parents beaming with delight.
“…I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Jason swept his Natalie into his arms and gave her the kiss of a lifetime, one filled with love and wonder that his heart could barely hold.
Christmas Ev
e, nearing midnight
The last few weeks had been hectic, but Natalie had enjoyed every minute.
With the kids’ help, she’d decorated the tree, stung lights around the windows, made paper snowflakes and gingerbread houses. They’d drank hot chocolate, eaten an astounding amount of homemade cookies, and met every member of each other’s families.
Tomorrow, the families would all converge for the biggest Christmas this house had ever seen.
Natalie sat on the couch, staring at the flames in the fireplace, sipping her chocolate, snuggled in the arms of her husband.
“Well, Mrs. McLane, do you think your mom tryout was worth it?”
“You bet.” She grinned up at Jason, brushing a kiss onto his cheek. “Your stickers tickle.”
“I’ll shave tomorrow.”
The grandfather clock in the hallway began to bang out the midnight hour, and when it finished, Westminster chimes played their sonorous theme.
“I do believe it’s Christmas,” Jason said. He leaned down and kissed his wife. “Merry Christmas, Natalie. I’m glad you made the cut. I love you.”
She giggled. “Merry Christmas, Jason. I am, too. And I love you. And our children.”
Epilogue
Christmas night
Stone was ecstatic. He’d longed to turn the basement into a really rad gaming room, and his Dad and Natalie had made it happen.
After Rose put Emily and Adam to bed, Stone lined Larissa, Joe and Anna up at the basement door, ready to take them down to the pool table and the big screen TV with which they could watch movies. A couple video game machines graced one whole counter, and an arcade game sat in another corner. Plush seats with drink and snack holders built in gave a cinema like atmosphere to one end of the L-shaped room.
Natalie had even had a popcorn machine installed at the door, so they could get the authentic feel of a theater.
They all scooped popcorn into the buckets provided and then prepared to watch their first movie in their very own game room.
Stone let his siblings get settled, and then clicked the lights to dim. Only the lights went out completely, leaving them all in darkness.
Christmas Mom Tryouts Page 5
