Practically Married

by Karin Beery

  The soft thump of John’s cast set a somber tempo as he joined them. “Your aunt didn’t tell me everything, but when I see my sweetheart this upset, it’s time to step in. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

  Ashley rehashed the conversation. Rose didn’t look any happier. John’s face wrinkled even more, his normally cheerful eyes darkening. “You’re going to marry this man?” he asked.

  “We were supposed to get married Saturday but agreed to postpone the wedding so I could be with you. We’re planning on getting married when I go back next month.”

  Only the ceiling fan dared speak. The silence pounded in Ashley’s ears. “He’s a great guy. You’d like him. I’m sure Mom would have.”

  “You’ve known him for two weeks.” Rose shook her head. “This is a lifetime commitment. You can’t change your mind in a year or two.”

  “I understand that, but I’m not worried. Mom had her doubts about Dad, but—”

  “Your mom and dad knew each other for years before they started dating.” She twisted the wedding ring around her finger. “This isn’t the same. Your mother wanted you to fall in love and start a family, not marry some random man so you could say that you’re married. She wanted you to have a good life, not simply go through the motions. I can’t.” Shaking her head again, she pushed her chair back, then headed to the kitchen.

  Drawers and cupboards pounded out an unsteady beat. Ashley had to make this right. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I didn’t know how to tell you,” she said. “Then I thought forgiveness would be easier than permission.” Obviously not.

  Rose sniffled. “You were going to get married without us. If John hadn’t tripped … you weren’t going to tell us? I would have missed your wedding.”

  “What can I do to help you feel better about this?” Ashley turned so she could see her aunt. “I didn’t expect you to be thrilled about the situation, but I don’t want to do this without your blessing either.”

  “Then you may need to give us time to get used to the idea,” John said. “Why do you want to do this, anyway? Why not move back to Ohio? You have friends there.”

  “Because I don’t want to move backward. Yes, Russ and I just met, but Tom told me so much about him that it feels like I’ve known him for months. When Russ told me Tom had died …” Ashley sighed, propping her elbows on the table and leaning forward. “When I told Russ about me and Tom, he didn’t pity me. He didn’t try to cheer me up. Instead, he invited me to join the family and introduced me to everyone. He welcomed me.”

  Rose returned and set three mugs on the table. “Do you love Russ?”

  “It’s been two weeks.”

  “You’re blushing again.”

  Ashley covered her cheeks.

  John grunted. “If you’re going to marry this man when you go back, then I suppose that gives you four weeks to get to know him first. You can do the computer thing again. It worked for you and Tom.”

  “But they spent six months dating, or whatever you want to call it.” Rose sat beside her husband. “Six weeks isn’t enough time.”

  “It’s better than two weeks, Rosie.”

  A flicker of hope sparked in Ashley’s heart. “Are you giving me your blessing?”

  John shook his head. “I can’t honestly tell you that I’m happy about this, or that I want you to go through with it, but you’ve got a month to figure out if this is what you really want.”

  “It is. I’ve thought—”

  He held up his hand. “I don’t doubt you’ve thought about this, but I want you to be confident in your decision. If you’re still sure at the end of the month, then I’ll bless it.”

  The teakettle whistled, but Rose didn’t move. “You can’t be serious. This is crazier than the online dating.”

  “She’s a grown woman. We can’t ground her.”

  “What if he’s taking advantage of her and her situation? She’s beautiful and vulnerable. That’s no way to start a relationship, much less a marriage.”

  “I didn’t say it was, but what do you want to do, forbid it?”

  “We don’t have to encourage it!”

  Ashley’s heart deflated. It was bad enough that they worried about her. Now they were fighting because of her. Was it worth it? Her hand instinctively went to the journal.

  Grief clung to her like the humidity clung to her skin. Russ had a large family to console him, but she only had her aunt and uncle. She couldn’t please Russ and them, but she couldn’t do something that would hurt them either. Regret clawed at Ashley’s throat. “I won’t do it.”

  Rose and John stopped arguing.

  Ashley swallowed. “If it upsets you this much, I won’t do it. Russ and I tried to make this a practical decision, to do what we thought was right, but it’s upsetting everyone. I don’t know how he moved past his family’s reaction to the news, but I can’t. I don’t want you fighting because of me. I won’t do this if it upsets you this much. I’ll call it off.”

  Her aunt’s eyebrows pressed together. “You would do that?”

  She offered a weak smile. “I’d do anything for you. I never wanted to upset you.”

  John whacked his cane on the ground. “You can’t not marry the boy to make Rosie happy any more than you should marry him for your mom. What do you want, Ashley?”

  “I want a family, and you are my family. It would be stupid to hurt my relationship with you to start another family with someone else.” The words sounded good, but her heart wasn’t convinced.

  Rose finally rushed to the kitchen and silenced the whistling kettle. Ashley didn’t need to see her to know that she would come back with peppermint tea, and they would have apple pie for her uncle’s birthday, sweet-potato pie for Thanksgiving, roast lamb at Easter, and every other tradition Ashley grew up with. She didn’t need kids around the Christmas tree or a house full of siblings on the Fourth of July. Rose and John had always been enough. They would be again.

  Her uncle shook his head. “Now who’s upset?”

  Rose returned with the kettle and filled their mugs. Minty steam billowed out of the cups. Resting the kettle on a trivet, she sat beside John, who handed her his hankie.

  “What a fine bunch we are,” he said. “Rosie’s trying to do what’s right for you, and you’re trying to please your mom and Rosie, but what has that accomplished? Everyone’s frustrated and no one’s happy. Maybe it’s time to stop worrying about everyone else and start doing the right thing, even if that means someone else doesn’t like it.”

  With a whack of his cane, he stood. “Enough of this for now. It’s going to be a beautiful day. Why don’t we drive down to Venice and have dinner at that restaurant you girls like? We’ll be there early enough to look around the shops and still be back before dark.”

  Her aunt sniffed but nodded. “I need to shower and change first.”

  “Then get moving. We’ve got to beat the crowd.”

  She patted Ashley’s shoulder as she walked around the table, then disappeared into the bedroom.

  “She’ll be okay eventually,” he said. “Give her time.”

  “I’m doing the right thing, Uncle John.”

  “I figured so.”

  “I feel peaceful when I think about marrying Russ.”

  “That may be, but you certainly don’t look peaceful right now.”

  She didn’t feel it either. “Telling you didn’t go quite the way I’d expected. It was completely different when Russ told his family.”

  “How so?”

  “He told them. They argued. He won.”

  “It’s not about winning,” he said. “Marrying Tom was what you wanted, but now you want to marry Russ for practical reasons, whatever that means. And a minute ago you said you wouldn’t marry him for your aunt, but you think this would make your mom happy.

  “I love Rosie, and your mother was one of my favorite people, but this is your life, no one else’s. You’ve got to figure this out.” He carried his tea to the couc
h. “I’ve never understood the female brain, but you’re in a league of your own. The only other person I’ve ever met like you was your mom. You’re more alike than that journal will ever show you.”

  “Really?” Ashley ignored her tea and joined him on the couch, always eager to hear stories about her parents. She settled beside him on the beige-and-gray tweed upholstery. Rose had tried to soften the look of the living room by crocheting pastel arm covers and afghans. The contrast reflected her and John’s personalities, which comforted Ashley as she gave her uncle her attention.

  “When your mom was in college, she had all kinds of ideas about what she wanted to do with her life. She changed her mind every few months, deciding to go here and do that. It made Rosie crazy, all of the uncertainty and change.”

  “But I’ve never been like that. I lived in the same house my entire life. I’ve had the same boring job for years.”

  “Until you found your mother’s journal.”

  Three years ago, somehow hidden in a box Ashley had never fully emptied. She smiled. “Mom dreamed about all kinds of things. We never had a chance to talk about most of them, so reading about them was like meeting her for the first time.”

  “Ever since you found that thing, you’ve reminded me more of your mom, which is how I remember you as a child.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “As a kid you were always trying new things, looking for something fun to do. You would play a different board game every day for a week, but when you found the game you liked, we couldn’t pull you away from it. That’s how your mom was. She took five and a half years to graduate from college because she kept switching majors until she found a subject she liked.

  “You were like that before your parents died. I suppose it makes sense that you picked up some of Rosie’s traits when we started seeing you more often, but you weren’t always so practical.”

  “Did I really change that much?”

  “Not all at once, but over the years. You’ve spent as much time being our girl as you were with your parents, so I can understand the change, but it’s fun to see your spirit re-emerging.”

  John chuckled. “Your mom and Rosie used to get into awful fights. Your mom wanted to explore all of her options, and Rosie wanted her to settle down and figure her life out. The ten-year age difference didn’t help either. You never met your mom’s oldest sisters, but they grew up in a different era, much more traditional. Rosie was stuck between their influences and your mom’s. She tried to accept their traditions and your mother’s free spirit, but she usually came home all worked up.”

  “Do you think my mom would have married a man this fast? Is that why Aunt Rose is so upset?”

  “I can’t guess about what your mom would do, but these last three years have been wonderful watching you step back into yourself. It’s more uncertainty than your aunt’s had to deal with in years. Give her time. Your mother’s starting to influence you again, so Rosie has to give up some of her influence. Not easy for a seventy-five-year-old beauty like her.”

  “Do you think I’m giving my mom’s journal too much influence?

  John shook his head, his face tense. “You’re still too focused on what you think everyone else wants, honey. You did everything for your aunt, and then for your mom. You need to figure out what you need to do. This isn’t about them. It’s about you.”

  Ashley heard his words, but they rattled around in her heart. “I don’t want to hurt either of them.”

  “You can’t hurt your mother, and you can’t keep trying to please everyone else. I promise you, though, if you’re sure this is the right decision for you, Rosie will support it.”

  CHAPTER 29

  Finally—silence. Russ peeked into the boys’ rooms, confirming that all three were in their own beds before heading downstairs. His nephews had maneuvered their bedtime back by well over an hour, but Monday Night Football would still be on. Not how he’d imagined his evening, but better than a night alone. Or with Jess.

  He flipped on the TV as his phone rang. Only Ashley called this late. Without taking his eyes off the game, he answered the phone. “I was hoping you’d call.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Jess? Sorry, I thought you were Ashley.”

  “Are you sure? I heard she left town.”

  The referee blew his whistle. “Still engaged.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Did you need something?” The Cowboys lined up on the Eagles’ twenty-five-yard line. Not his favorite teams, but a game was a game.

  “Russ, did you hear me?”

  “What? No, sorry. The game’s on.”

  “I won’t keep you long. I heard that Ashley skipped the wedding again, and I wanted to see if you’re okay.”

  “Her uncle broke his foot, so she went to help out. Everything else is fine.”

  “Listen, I know the timing is weird, but I’m serious about the dinner invite, especially now that your fiancée’s gone.”

  Whistles sounded, but they weren’t coming from the television. “Jess—”

  “It could be a good distraction.”

  “A distraction from what?”

  “It’s a big house, Russ. It can’t be easy sitting there alone every night.”

  Which was one of the reasons he didn’t mind babysitting. Of course, the other reason was on the other end of the phone.

  “It’s just dinner,” she said. “We can catch up, talk about the farm. My parents heard you were working with Central Northern Michigan College on a new agribusiness program. I’d love to hear about it.”

  “Is there anything you haven’t heard?”

  “Small towns.”

  God bless Boyne Heights. “I don’t actually know much about the program. I haven’t looked through the paperwork yet.”

  “Bring it with you. We can figure out what they’re proposing and see if it’s anything you should consider.”

  That idea definitely had merit. While Jess might have made a mess of her social life, she had a great mind for economics, especially when it came to the farming industry. Even Tom had recognized it. Russ wouldn’t mind hearing her opinion. “I could certainly use some advice on this one, but—”

  “I know, I know. It’s not a date. In fact, you can do it as a favor for me. I’m staying with my parents for the next few weeks, and they’re already making me crazy. If you don’t need the distraction, I do.”

  Russ kept his eyes on the game as he mulled his options. A quiet night at home with nothing to do except think about Ashley, or a couple of hours with an agribusiness expert and Wayne Dunville’s information folder.

  “Russ?”

  “Honestly, I could use the help. As long we’re clear—this is business only.”

  “Got it. And I really think I can help. Consider it an apology for the way I acted. Besides”—she chuckled—“we both know you’d rather move manure than papers.”

  He laughed. “The township supervisor tried to explain it, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk. If you could give me your personal and professional opinion, I’d appreciate it.”

  “Done. I have a business meeting tomorrow night, but I’m free the night after. Why don’t we go to that oyster bar in Charlevoix? I have to drive by your place on the way, so I can pick you up. I should be done around six.”

  “Sounds good. Meet me at the house and we’ll carpool.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  Russ tossed his phone on the coffee table, never taking his eyes off the TV. Fumble, recovery, first down. Technically an exciting game, one of the best quarterbacks in the league versus a top-two defensive line, but he couldn’t focus.

  That didn’t make sense. Good football. A stomach full of extra-pepperoni pizza. Free professional advice from one of the smartest business minds he knew. So why didn’t it feel right?

  PING.

  Ashley! How could he have been so stupid? He’d just agreed to have dinner with a woman who wasn’t his fiancée. The
pizza punched him in the gut. Russ checked the message.

  Rough day. Can we talk about it 2morrow?

  His shoulders tensed. R u ok? The television crowd cheered, but Russ couldn’t pull his eyes from the tiny screen in his hand.

  I’m ok. U?

  Babysitting for Rachel. What time 2morrow? Want 2 catch up. He glanced up long enough to see the right tackle sack the quarterback. Half of the stadium cheered.

  Will text a time in the morning. Don’t know 2morrow’s plans yet. Shouldn’t B 2 late.

  Talk 2 u then. Russ was about to toss the phone back to the table when it pinged again.

  Miss u.

  His gut burned. How could two words stir so many emotions? He didn’t want to push Ashley, but he couldn’t help it. Miss u 2.

  He set the phone on the couch beside him as he tried to refocus on the game, but those two words kept popping into his mind. And then he tried to imagine her rough day. How rough was rough? Could he help? He didn’t like leaving the conversation like that. Even if they didn’t talk about her problems, he wasn’t going to ignore Ashley for the Cowboys. Monday Night Football wasn’t that important.

  PING.

  How are the boys?

  His chest warmed. Not important at all.

  CHAPTER 30

  Ashley spread the brochures across the table. Greece. Hawaii. Alaska. Vietnam. Stark-white buildings surrounding crystal-blue bays. Pink leis on tanned skin. Brilliant, snow-covered mountains. Curved rooftops and straight-lined Asian buildings. The most beautiful places she’d ever seen, or dreamed of seeing.

  John set a plate of cookies in front of her. She snatched up the cream-filled goodness. “Thank you. What’s with the brochures?”

  He picked up the Vietnam packet and flipped through the glossy pages. “This is a test.”

  “I’m pretty good at geography.”

  “But not decision-making. I’ve got some money saved up, and I’d like to send you and Russ on a honeymoon if you decide to marry him.”

  A chunk of cookie lodged in her throat before she choked it down. “You can’t pay for my honeymoon.”

  “Of course I can. Your mom had a wedding account for you, and Rosie has been adding to it for years. If you’re not going to use it all on this wedding, at least let me send you someplace nice.”