Practically Married

by Karin Beery

  “You haven’t even told them about Tom yet?”

  Ashley pulled the blanket closer, trying to block the sudden chill. “I haven’t had a chance.”

  Another deep breath on the other end of the line. “Ashley, you’re doing the same thing to your aunt and uncle that Tom did to us. Rachel wants to buy them plane tickets for the wedding, and they don’t even know who you’re marrying. I can tell you exactly how they’re going to feel when they get the call and have no idea what she’s talking about.”

  The weight of reality pushed her deeper onto the bed. “I didn’t think about it that way.”

  “You need to tell them.”

  “I will.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Ugh. “Fine.”

  “Rip off the Band-Aid.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

  “Are you pouting?”

  “I don’t pout.”

  “It sounds like a pout.” His voice stayed even, but Ashley could hear the smile in his voice.

  “I promise I’ll talk to them.”

  “Thank you. Did you want to talk about your day?”

  “Are you sure? It’s getting late.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  That’s right. He received late-night text messages too. “I don’t want to bore you with details about the pharmacy and my uncle’s fourteen trips to the grocery store. I’m actually working on a transcription right now. I was hoping to finish it tonight.”

  “I’ll let you get back to it then. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

  She hoped so.

  *******

  Russ handed another file to Chad. “Why do we have so many useless files?”

  “Employee records aren’t useless.”

  “They aren’t helping.”

  “If you’d keep track of everything you signed, this wouldn’t be an issue.”

  “I never had to worry about it before. Then again, I never thought Tom would will away the family house, so …” The ancient heater growled, then hissed, blowing musty air through the office.

  Chad flipped through another folder before tossing it on the growing pile on the floor. “How many more drawers do we have to go through?”

  “This is the last drawer in this cabinet.”

  “How many more cabinets?”

  Russ looked up from the papers in his hand. “Two, but I think one of those has my paperwork in it.”

  “You don’t even know where you keep your files?” Chad shook his head. “I can’t believe we’re still in business.”

  The front door opened, blasting the small space with cold air. Wayne Dunville. Great. “Councilman,” Russ said, “it’s nice to see you.”

  The stocky, curly-haired man walked toward the desks, the top of his head level with Chad’s shoulder. “It’s Wayne, please. I’m sorry to stop by without an appointment, but I haven’t been able to reach you by phone.”

  For a reason. Russ tapped into his manners and motioned toward the kitchenette. “Can I get you some coffee? Water?”

  “I’m fine, thank you. I would like a few minutes of your time, though.”

  Chad picked up a stack of manila folders and made his way across the office. Russ motioned toward the vacant chair. “What can I do for you?”

  When Wayne sat, he practically disappeared behind the desk. “I wanted to talk to you about the farmland preservation effort.”

  “I’m not selling the farm.”

  “I’m not asking you to. I need to know if you’re interested in turning part of it into a learning and preservation area.”

  “Chad told me about that. You want to let college kids come in and farm the land. There isn’t a formula they can learn in one semester. I don’t want kids coming and going, destroying the land and my trees.”

  “It wouldn’t be like that.” Wayne picked up a bag Russ hadn’t noticed him carrying. He pulled out a shiny yellow folder and set it in front of Russ. “Central Northern Michigan College contacted me about a program they’re trying to set up. They want to develop a hands-on, multicurricular program that will teach all aspects of farm management, not just the agriculture or business side.”

  “What does that have to do with me?”

  “They need a farm. They aren’t expecting large numbers in the program, so the farm can’t be too big, but it needs to be big enough for the students to get experience outside and in the office.”

  In the office? Russ glanced at the tower of files. “What kind of office work?”

  “Students will be required to learn all aspects of farm management. That includes accounting, employee records, and general office management.”

  Interesting, but “I don’t want a bunch of kids accessing my accounts and legal affairs. And I won’t be able to teach them anything about it anyway. This was Tom’s thing. You can see what’s happened since I took over, and it’s only been two weeks.”

  Wayne pointed at the yellow folder. “If you’ll read through the information, you’ll see how the school plans to make it work. This is an inclusive, interactive program. The business department is involved for office management and accounting. Natural sciences will offer the agricultural studies.”

  “Why my farm? There are hundreds of farms in the area.”

  “But not many are the right size and have your family’s history attached.” Wayne flipped through the folder. “Somewhere in here is a history tract. They would like to work on a centennial farm so the history department has the option to get involved and do genealogy work. All of the students would work here as interns.”

  Russ picked up the folder. Growing up on the farm, he’d never needed an internship, but he’d heard good things from others about their experiences. Maybe he could provide that opportunity to someone else. Besides, even if it didn’t work out, a business professor couldn’t possibly make the office situation any worse.

  The idea had merit. He dropped the folder on the desk. “I suppose I could talk to the dean about it. Why did he send you, anyway? What does any of this have to do with the township?”

  “If the history department gets involved, we can apply for farmland preservation status and assistance from the state. You may qualify for funding.”

  Funding? Russ’ shoulders tensed. “You think I need grant money to run my farm?”

  Wayne leaned back, his tired eyes trained on Russ. “It’s no secret that things have been hard since your dad died. I can’t imagine things will be any easier now. I’m not trying to be coldhearted. I’m trying to help. This was a good idea last month when I first called you about it. It’s still a good idea, and it might make the transition easier.”

  Anger rolled through Russ. “I’m not walking away from my farm—from my family—because you think I can’t run the business without Tom.”

  “That’s not what I—”

  “This farm has supported my family for four generations. I’m not turning it over to a bunch of eighteen-year-olds who want to pick cherries one year and design video games the next because farm work is too hard, and the township doesn’t think I can handle it!”

  “Russ, I didn’t mean—”

  “I don’t care.” But the pain and frustration rushed to the surface. “The Russell family farm is not for sale, it’s not for consideration, and it’s not going to be a stomping ground for kids! I think you’d better—”

  “Leave that folder here, and we’ll take a look at it.” Chad walked over and pushed Russ back down onto his chair.

  Wayne offered his hand to Chad. “I realize the timing isn’t great, and I’m sorry about the circumstances, but I wanted to give you the information. I’ve always respected your family and all you do for the community. I think this is a good opportunity for all of us. I don’t need an answer until the end of the year, but the school needs to plan, and I’ll need to start paperwork for the state historical society.”

  Chad pumped Wayne’s arm. “We’ll get back to you.”

  “I’d appreciate it. And please, read the p
aperwork. It should answer most of your questions.”

  Russ shifted in his seat, but Chad’s hand anchored him to the chair. Fine. Russ nodded once. “Thanks for the information. You can leave now.” Vice-like fingers crushed his shoulder before Chad escorted the councilman from the building.

  The nerve. Insulting Russ’ abilities. Butting in on family business. Russ scrubbed a hand over his face, trying to erase the image of the township official.

  Normalcy. That was all he wanted. Why couldn’t anyone leave him alone and let things get back to normal?

  When Russ slid his hands down his face, his gaze landed on the ugly yellow folder staining the crowded desk. He tossed it on the table behind him. He would read through it after finishing the documents already in front of him.

  Chad reclaimed the seat across from him. “Now what?”

  “I haven’t got a clue. Rob’s supposed to be looking into this too. Maybe he’s had some luck.” Russ picked up the office phone and dialed.

  “Rob Kraft.”

  “It’s Russ. How’s it going with the document search? Have you found anything yet?”

  “Hi, Russ, I’m fine thanks. How are things with you?”

  “Sorry. How’s the family?”

  “They’re good. How’s Ashley?”

  “She’s good.”

  “I hear she’s in Florida.”

  “Word travels fast. She had to go take care of her uncle.”

  “So I heard. You two still planning on getting married?”

  Apparently he’d heard everything. “We are.”

  “Then there’s no rush on the paperwork, right? I mean the farm isn’t in any jeopardy. You’ll share the house. Nothing to worry about.”

  “I guess, but I need to take care of this. If anything ever happened to me, I wouldn’t want to leave my sisters with this kind of mess.”

  “I’ll keep digging around, but I haven’t found anything yet. I’ll call you if that changes.”

  “I’d appreciate it.”

  Russ hung up as Chad closed another file. At their current rate of speed, the rest of their week might revolve around those stupid files. The piles weren’t going anywhere, and Rob had a point. What was the rush? Russ smacked the desk. “I’m done for the day. How about you?”

  “Leo’s having listening issues lately. Rachel would probably appreciate it if I gave her a break.”

  “Then let’s get out of here and take tomorrow off too. Our brains need a break. Nothing’s going to change while we’re gone.”

  “I’m glad you’re finally taking time off.”

  “Only because I don’t want to do paperwork.” Russ didn’t bother straightening the desk. It would be easier to pick up where he left off if he left everything where it was, open folder and all.

  “What are you going to do with your free time?” Chad shrugged into his coat, heading for the door. “If you want to spend some quality time with your nephews, I can arrange for babysitting at my house.”

  “Not going to happen.” Russ slid into his coat as he followed Chad outside. The phone buzzed in his pocket. “I’d better check this. Say hi to Rachel.”

  Chad climbed into his truck.

  Hi Russ. Going 2 TC tonite for errands. Join me for dinner? Jess

  He didn’t have time for this. Stuffing the phone back into his pocket, he ran to Chad’s truck. “How would you and Rachel like to go out to dinner tonight?”

  CHAPTER 28

  Ashley held her mother’s journal as she rocked herself in the wicker rocking chair on Rose and John’s porch. Nearly identical houses lined the quiet street. White-trimmed porches, windows, and rooflines accented various shades of tan siding. Young palm trees dotted the yards. A white-haired man waved at her as he drove his golf cart down the wide, winding street.

  Rose walked along the sidewalk toward the house, her skin glistening in the afternoon sun. “What are you up to today?” she asked, skipping up the front steps.

  “Enjoying the Florida sun. How was your walk?”

  Her aunt adjusted the hem of her pink velour jacket. “Lonely without John. Where is the old coot?”

  “I lost track of him. He’s probably retiling the kitchen.”

  “That man doesn’t understand how to rest.” Rose sat on the matching rocker beside Ashley. “Speaking of men, how’s Tom? And tell me about Russ.”

  Ashley’s foot slipped across the decking. Even though she’d promised Russ that she’d tell them, she had managed to avoid the subject for a few days. Apparently her time was up. “What would you like to know?”

  “You haven’t told us much. If you aren’t driving us around, you’re out taking pictures or transcribing something. I want to hear about this new family of yours. Russ sounded nice on the phone. Why was he there with you?”

  “Russ is Tom’s cousin.”

  “So you mentioned. His name seems to make you blush.”

  Ashley pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I didn’t realize.”

  “Why does he make you blush?”

  “I don’t know.” Liar.

  “Do you like him?”

  “Yes.”

  Her aunt stopped rocking. “What about Tom?”

  Ashley drew in a calming breath. Now or never. “There was an accident, and Tom was killed three weeks ago—”

  “Sweetheart!” Rose covered her mouth with her hands. “Why didn’t you call? Are you okay?”

  Ashley squeezed her aunt’s knee. “I didn’t find out until I got to Boyne Heights. That’s why he didn’t call me before I left. I thought maybe he’d extended his trip, but”—sorrow weighed on her shoulders—“he died in a hiking accident.”

  “Why didn’t someone call you?”

  Embarrassment warmed Ashley from the inside. She leaned back in the rocker, turning her attention to a couple walking on the other side of the street. “He didn’t tell anyone I was coming.”

  “But they could have called—”

  “No one knew about me. He never told them.”

  The blades of the chairs creaked against the composite decking. Muted chatter floated through the air. The woman beside Ashley, however, didn’t make a sound.

  “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

  “It sounds like you avoided an awful mistake.”

  Ashley’s jaw dropped. “Aunt Rose! Tom is dead. That’s hardly appropriate.”

  “What’s inappropriate is a man asking you to give up your life, to relocate for him, then treating you like some awful secret. Why wouldn’t he tell anyone?” Rose crossed her arms, her face tight. The corner of her eye twitched like it had when she found the neighbor’s dog digging up her flower bed.

  Ashley sandwiched her aunt’s hand between hers. “Please don’t be upset for me. The last couple of weeks have been hard for everyone. My discomfort hardly matters compared to everyone else’s loss.”

  “But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been hard on you too. Why didn’t you tell me? I would have come up to see you. How are you doing with all of this? It can’t be easy, especially all by yourself.”

  Ashley leaned back and resumed rocking. “I cried the first two nights, and I started sleepwalking again.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I am, mostly. It’s all so surreal.”

  “Is this how you met Russ? Because of Tom’s accident?”

  “Yes. Russ and Tom were roommates.”

  “Did he at least know about you?”

  “Russ and I have spent a lot of time together. It’s been nice to have someone to talk to and mourn with. He really has been a godsend. I don’t know what I would have done without his friendship.”

  “I’m glad he was there for you, but what are you going to do now? I don’t think it would be a problem for you to live here for a few months, or did you want to go back to Cincinnati?”

  “It’s too late for that. The new owners closed on the house before we got you and Uncle John settled here for the winter.”

&
nbsp; “Maybe our Ohio rental is available. We can call the landlord and see if he has space.”

  “Actually, I sort of have a place.”

  “Thank goodness.” Rose exhaled, relaxing into a synchronized rhythm with Ashley. “Where are you staying?”

  “Tom left me his house.”

  “In Michigan? You want to stay there after everything that happened?”

  “There’s more.” Ashley focused on the view ahead of her, careful not to look directly at her aunt. “Russ has agreed to marry me.”

  The rocking stopped. Out of the corner of her eye, Ashley watched Rose stand. She braced herself for whatever her aunt had to say. It couldn’t be worse than anything Russ’ sisters had said. Instead, she stepped in front of Ashley, her face blank and eyes staring into space. Then she walked past her and into the house.

  “Aunt Rose?”

  The screen door clicked shut, creating the largest barrier that had separated them in nearly two decades. Of all the scenarios Ashley had imagined, silence hadn’t been one of them.

  As her nerves trembled, she rubbed her hand across the soft, worn cover of her mother’s journal. Mom would have liked Russ and had always wanted to see Ashley get married. It shouldn’t matter how she got there, right? So why was Rose so upset? A mixture of guilt and panic gripped Ashley’s chest. She hadn’t expected her aunt and uncle to fully embrace the quick engagement, but to turn their backs on her? Tears filled her eyes, but she willed them to stay in place. She had to fix this.

  The door swished.

  “Aunt Rose?” Ashley jumped up but met the tired eyes of her uncle.

  “Why don’t you come inside and talk to your aunt and me?” He held the door open, but his gaze went back inside.

  Would neither of them look at her? Ashley’s heart ached in a way she’d never experienced, in a way worse than loss.

  She picked up the journal and shuffled across the deck as one of the tears escaped. John opened the door wider for her to slip past his extra-large foot and cane. She couldn’t look at him as she made her way to Rose sitting at the dining-room table.

  “Let me explain. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Ashley sat across from her. “The situation is unusual, but please trust me.”