Practically Married

by Karin Beery

A large, sweaty body bumped into Ashley, knocking her off balance and into the seat in front of her. Readjusting her bag, she righted herself and continued down the aisle, ready to be off the plane. Four hours ago, Russ had wrapped his arms around her, holding her near the security line at the airport. He didn’t mention Jess’ text message, and she didn’t ask. She simply held on, loving the way she fit against him.

  Now, two cranky senior citizens sandwiched her as they tried to force their way past her. Ashley pulled her purse over her shoulder and let the crowd herd her onto the walkway. As soon as she spotted an opening, she wove her way through the people, easily passing small groups of travelers.

  By the time she reached the luggage claim, she’d broken away from the pack. Her suitcase slid along the edge of the moving carousel, right past her aunt and uncle.

  “Aunt Rose, what are you doing here?”

  “Don’t fuss. Our neighbors dropped us off with the car.” Rose rushed toward her, laughing as she hugged Ashley around her puffy white coat. Her aunt wore white capris and flip flops with a light jacket. A definite contrast to Ashley’s jeans and boots. “You could have left this at home, sweetheart. It’s supposed to be eighty degrees this week.” She helped Ashley out of the coat.

  “Don’t worry. I brought a ton of clothes, just to be safe.” John hobbled over, a cane in his right hand and a cast on his foot. Ashley’s heart ached, but she put on a smile. “You look good for an old man.”

  “You’re more beautiful than you were when you left.”

  “That was two weeks ago.” She hugged him quickly, inhaling the familiar licorice scent. “Seriously, I can’t leave you alone for fourteen days without supervision.”

  “It’s not me that needs supervision. You need to find that kid on the bike who ran me off the sidewalk.”

  Ashley’s suitcase came back around, so she passed her purse off to Rose while grabbing the ragged, flowered case. John tried to take it, but she smacked his hand away. “You’ve got a cast and cane.”

  “A gentleman always offers.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek. “I’m going to head for the car. It’ll take me a while to get there.”

  Ashley lagged behind him with Rose, happy to have a minute with her alone. “He seems to be doing okay this morning. How’s he handling the break?”

  “It’s been less than twenty-four hours, and he’s taking painkillers, so he’s fine for now. Ask again next week.”

  “How are you doing?”

  Rose inhaled, her breath trembling. “I was so scared when he didn’t come back. I knew something must have happened, but I didn’t know if I should look for him or call the police.”

  Ashley glanced at Rose, whose tears clung to her lower lashes. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “I know, but I was so worried. John and I take such good care of ourselves that I haven’t thought much about how to get to the hospital without him. I’d call 9-1-1 for an emergency, but is a broken foot considered an emergency? The whole thing took me by surprise.”

  “A broken foot would surprise anyone. The important thing is that you handled it, and you have a better idea of what to do next time.”

  “I don’t want to think about a next time.”

  Ashley bit back a smile as she draped an arm over her aunt’s shoulders. “That’s why you didn’t know what to do yesterday. We’ll come up with a good plan for you, in case anything like this happens again.”

  Jingling from inside Ashley’s purse interrupted them. Rose managed to find the phone immediately and handed it over. “Who’s Russ?”

  Ashley’s heart tingled at his name. “A friend.” She took the phone and stepped away. “Hello?”

  “Hey. I wanted to make sure you made it.”

  “I just got here. My aunt and uncle met me at the airport, and we’re on our way to the car now.”

  “Good to hear. Pearl’s here with my lunch, so I should go.”

  “Say hi for me. And thanks again for the ride this morning.”

  “My pleasure. Why don’t you call me tonight, fill me in on how things are going?”

  The tingles intensified. “Sure. And you can tell me how things went with your sisters.”

  “I’ll tell you everything later.”

  “And by later tonight you mean before nine, right?”

  His chuckle washed over her, warmer than any winter coat she’d ever owned. “Call as late as you want.”

  “Okay. I’d better go. My aunt’s giving me the evil eye.”

  “Have fun.”

  Ashley slipped the phone into her pocket, but the lift of her aunt’s eyebrow told her the conversation was far from over.

  “Who is Russ, and why are you blushing?”

  How was she supposed to tell them about Tom’s accident, the funeral, and the engagement? The airport didn’t seem like the right place to have that conversation, especially the part about Russ.

  “Sweetheart, are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Russ is Tom’s cousin. And I’m not blushing. It’s a lot warmer here, that’s all. Come on, Uncle John should be to the car by now.” Ashley wheeled her suitcase away. “Why don’t we figure out how to spend the next month?”

  Rose slipped her hand around Ashley’s arm. “We can, but you’re going to tell me about Russ sooner than you think.”

  Great.

  *******

  Rachel and Carrie talked, shaking their heads as Russ wove through the crowded restaurant toward his family. He didn’t normally eat out twice in one day, but there was no rush to get home now that Ashley was gone. Instead, he looked around the table as he dropped onto the hard seat. “What happened to the boys?”

  Chad motioned behind him. “Paul took them to play video games so your sisters could talk.”

  Rachel smacked Russ’ arm. “Why are you still talking to Ashley? She left you at the altar. Again.”

  Liz leaned her shoulder against his, her blue eyes wide. “Did she change her mind?”

  “No.”

  “Then why did she leave?”

  Frustration tightened his shoulders. “I told her to go. She went to take care of her eighty-year-old uncle with a broken foot. Ashley didn’t leave me at the altar again. She hasn’t done it once.”

  “You could have at least called and saved us another trip into Boyne,” Chad said. “This is costing me a fortune in gas money.” Rachel elbowed her husband.

  Russ chuckled. “And miss another opportunity for the Sister Inquisition?”

  Chad shook his head. “You’re nuts.”

  Three sets of eyes turned on him. Russ couldn’t see his sisters’ faces, but he suspected they weren’t friendly. He raised a glass to his brother-in-law. Taking one for the team.

  Carrie refocused on Russ. “Where’s Mom?”

  “We explained what was going on, so she decided to move back home. She was awake this morning when I took Ashley to the airport.”

  “How did she handle the news?”

  Russ shrugged. “She seemed happy to see Ashley taking care of her family, and she believed me that we’re not calling off the wedding.”

  “Are you certain she’s not coming back for four weeks?” Chad said. “I’d like to plan ahead if possible, so I can adjust the budget for another trip to town.”

  “Four weeks is enough time to plan a proper wedding,” Liz said, her voice perking up. “It shouldn’t be hard to find a banquet room in December. We won’t have many choices for flowers this time of year, but we can at least decorate and have some music. If I can find a place, who do we want to cater?”

  Rachel huffed. “Why would you want to do that?”

  Liz crossed her arms. “Ashley’s going to be family, whether we like it or not. Instead of making her and Russ feel like they need to sneak around, maybe we should open the door and welcome her in.”

  “If she actually shows up.”

  Russ rolled his eyes. “She’ll be here.”

  Liz pulled a pen out of her purse and brushed off a napkin. “Then let�
�s give her a proper welcome. We could get poinsettias, go with a Christmas theme.”

  All three women talked simultaneously. Russ didn’t understand most of it, but he understood “invitations” and “guest list.” Warning bells sounded. “Hold on a second. We don’t want anything big.”

  Carrie waved him off. “This isn’t about you.”

  “How can it not be about me?” He looked among his sisters’ faces, waiting for one of them to smile, but they’d never seemed so serious. “You’re planning my wedding.”

  “No, we’re planning Ashley’s wedding,” Rachel said. “I don’t care what she told you. Every woman has expectations for her wedding day, even if it’s small.” She swiped his phone off the table. “I’ll ask her myself.”

  Fear clenched at his heart as he reached for the phone, but Rachel shielded herself behind Chad. Russ’ eye began to twitch. “Don’t bother Ashley. Let her have some time with her aunt and uncle before you start harassing her.”

  “I’m not calling her this second. I’m just getting her number.”

  “I thought you didn’t like Ashley. Why are you suddenly so helpful?”

  Rachel passed his phone back to him. “I like her well enough. It’s this whole situation that’s ridiculous, but Liz has a point. Regardless of how much I dislike it, I’m not willing to let you mess it up even more by having a horrible wedding reception. We all know I plan the best parties. I’ll call her in a few days and find out what she wants.”

  The thought of Rachel calling Ashley didn’t do anything to calm Russ’ nerves. When Carrie pulled out her phone, all-out panic grabbed him by the throat.

  “Does Mrs. Hicks still cater?” Carrie asked. “She always had the best food.”

  “Too greasy,” Rachel said. “Besides, she’s probably a hundred years old by now.”

  Liz tapped the pen against her lips. “Russ, how can we reach Ashley’s family?”

  “She’s with her family.”

  “No, how do we get ahold of everyone else?”

  “She doesn’t have anyone else. Just her aunt and uncle.”

  Liz’s eyes widened, but Rachel and Carrie shook their heads, so she put pen to napkin, then faced Russ. “Okay then. We need to do whatever it takes to get them here. Who else should we invite?”

  That was one detail Russ wanted a say in. “Only family.” All eyes turned on him like he’d suggested they have the wedding at a nudist colony, but he wouldn’t cave. “I’m serious. Uncle Bill, Aunt Rita, and the cousins. That’s it.”

  Carrie cocked her head. “You know I’m not a fan of big parties, but even I think that’s small for a wedding.”

  Russ pointed at each sister. “The three of you alone practically overwhelmed Ashley. She should enjoy her wedding, not be looking for an escape route. If you want to be there, then it’s family only.”

  Their waitress showed up then, unloading trays full of sandwiches, chicken strips, and French fries. Chad headed toward the video games. The dinner pandemonium would give Russ at least thirty minutes of peace.

  “Hi, Russ.”

  Or God could continue to test him. He turned to face the death of his reprieve. “Jess. I didn’t realize you were still in town.”

  “Didn’t you get my text?”

  “I must have missed it.”

  She flashed an easy smile. “I’m glad I ran into you then. I’m going to be training employees in the area, so I’ll be around for a while. Between that and vacation days, I should be here until Christmas.”

  Russ could feel the burn of his sisters’ eyes on the back of his neck. Maybe he could get his meal to go.

  “Unca Wuss!”

  God bless toddlers. Phin ran straight for him.

  “It’s nice to see you, Jess.” Russ picked up his nephew and plopped him onto his lap. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again before you leave.”

  “I hope so.” She squeezed his shoulder.

  When he turned back to his family, Carrie raised a finger, her mouth open. Russ grabbed a fistful of French fries and gave them to Phin. “Dessert for anyone who keeps their mom and aunts too busy to talk to Uncle Russ!”

  “Yeah!”

  Blessed chaos.

  CHAPTER 27

  Ashley tossed her purse on the table, rolling her eyes as her uncle huffed behind her.

  “All I’m saying is I’ve seen Mrs. Miner drive these streets. Pretty hypocritical of her to criticize anyone else’s driving.” He passed his cane to Rose, then shrugged out of his jacket. “Last week, I saw her—”

  “There’s a new winter cooking show starting tonight.” Rose passed the cane back. “Why don’t you find the channel while I make tea.”

  John snorted, but he hobbled into the living room.

  Ashley slipped out of her coat. “Before I hang these up, are you sure we’re done for the day? Uncle John’s not going to think of another errand that can’t wait until tomorrow?”

  “Not with his cooking shows on.”

  “Then I’m going to disappear for the rest of the night.”

  Rose kissed Ashley’s cheek as she handed over her and John’s jackets. “You deserve a break. Thank you for playing chauffeur.”

  After hanging the coats in the hall closet, Ashley retreated to the guest room. She chuckled as she pulled the rainbow afghan off the bed and around her shoulders. It had been in the donation pile when she left Florida, but the blanket—as well as a few other colorful remnants from her childhood—had somehow made their way into the tan-and-cream bedroom. The fuzzy, blue pillows could stay with her aunt when she left, but she might take the blanket with her.

  She grabbed her transcribing equipment from the dresser, then settled herself on the bed and got to work. The dining-room table would have been more comfortable, but also more distracting. John would have insisted she watch TV with them, and she rarely had a good enough reason to say no. Plus, if she finished her projects before Thanksgiving, she’d earn a small bonus that would help her buy toys for her soon-to-be nephews and niece.

  PING!

  Ashley jumped. Her back protested as she reached across the bed for her phone. Nine o’clock already? How had that happened?

  R u awake?

  Russ? Ashley rubbed her eyes. Yes. Y r u?

  The phone rang, and she almost dropped it. She hadn’t been that nervous since introducing her freshman homecoming date to her dad. With shaky fingers, she answered the call. “Hello?”

  “I figured you’d still be up.”

  “Of course, but you’re rubbing off on me. I’m already in bed. How did it go with your family?”

  “Better than I expected.”

  “Have you been on the phone all day?”

  “I didn’t call anyone. I met them at the church.”

  Ashley gasped. “Why would you do that? They must think I’m—”

  “They think I’m a jerk for not calling them, but I couldn’t have the same conversation three times. They would have kept calling or texting me all day, and then I’d have to change my number. It’s a hassle.”

  A tremor flittered through Ashley’s chest. “I can’t imagine they’re too happy with me.”

  “Accidents happen. It wasn’t your fault, and they know that. They did, um—” He cleared his throat. Something brushed against his phone, sending static through the receiver. She pictured him looking at the floor, avoiding imaginary eye contact. Finally, he sighed. “They decided to plan a wedding for you.”

  “They what? I didn’t think they’d want to see me again.”

  “Why?”

  “This is the second wedding I’ve missed.”

  “For good reason. Don’t worry about it. I’ll try to talk them out of it, but—”

  “Don’t do that!”

  Silence.

  “Are you there?”

  “I thought you didn’t want a wedding.”

  “I do, but considering our circumstances, I didn’t want to be fighting with our families through the whole process. There’s s
omething nice about your sisters wanting to plan this for us, though.” Ashley pictured her parents’ wedding photos. Her mom in the beaded, puffy-sleeved dress. The crisp black tux her dad wore. “Can I break our agreement for a few minutes?”

  “Which part?”

  “Talking about Tom.”

  Russ sucked in a deep breath, blowing it into the phone. “I’ll hear your argument, then decide if we should break procedure.”

  Ashley smiled. “Thank you. When Tom and I talked about our wedding, he was incredibly vague. He kept coming up with ideas, but we never settled on anything.”

  “That sounds like him.”

  “And now that I’ve met you all and realize he didn’t tell anyone about me, well …”

  “You’re wondering if he ever really planned anything.”

  Ashley tucked the soft, Downy-fresh blanket under her chin. “Is that wrong?”

  “No. That’s Tom’s way. He always had great ideas, but he never followed through. He probably thought up a dozen different ways to marry you and tell us about you, but he never did.”

  “That’s a nice thought, but the truth is, I sort of stopped dreaming of a wedding when I realized he hadn’t done anything.”

  “Why would you ever let him plan it, anyway?”

  “It seemed like a good idea at the time. He knew the prettiest locations and the tastiest food, and I didn’t know anything about Boyne Heights. Now that I say it out loud, it does sound pretty stupid, doesn’t it?”

  Russ laughed. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. No one warned you not to ask Tom to plan anything. Especially a wedding.”

  “But now your sisters want to plan one, and that’s kind of exciting. Running off by ourselves made me think of a shotgun wedding or two people sneaking off to do something forbidden. I like the idea of your family being there like they want to celebrate with us.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way because they’ve picked a reception site and they want to fly your aunt and uncle up. How did they take the news?”

  The truth curdled in her stomach. “I haven’t told them yet.”

  Russ cleared his throat. “Excuse me?”

  “It’s been a busy day. We’ve run a million errands, and Aunt Rose wanted to know all about Michigan. There hasn’t been a good time to tell them about Tom.”