Practically Married

by Karin Beery

  “And you’re getting all of your information from a journal she wrote when you were fifteen years old, and she thought she’d be around to talk with you about all of these things.” Rose smiled. “She never saw your face light up when you went to your first Tim McGraw concert, and she didn’t know you’d fall in love with military biographies. Your mom was talking to the child Ashley, but you need to live as the adult you are. Now, what do you want to do?”

  “I want to be happy.”

  “Everyone wants that, sweetheart. Your uncle’s right. You need to figure out what you want. If I don’t agree, I’ll get over it, but you can’t live my life. It’s your turn.”

  A door opened, and possibilities rushed in. Ashley picked up a brochure. She didn’t want to go to Vietnam or Hawaii. She wanted to see the Italian countryside, take a cruise, or spend a week in Boston. Honestly, she didn’t care. Russ said he’d go anywhere.

  Her heart raced. None of those trips mattered without Russ. She didn’t want to plan her honeymoon alone. She wanted to plan their honeymoon with him. A week on a tropical beach with Russ? Ashley fanned her face.

  Rose giggled. “That’s quite the blush.”

  “What’s wrong?” John pressed the back of his hand to Ashley’s forehead. “Are you running a fever?”

  “Hush, John. She’s considering her options.” She patted Ashley’s knee. “Take all the time you need, but this decision has to be yours.”

  *******

  The extra helpings of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy filled Ashley’s stomach like a sandbag. She stared at the ceiling above her bed. Her bedroom door muted all signs of life. Rose would probably enjoy some company in the living room, but it would take a few more minutes for the Thanksgiving feast to settle before Ashley could move. Comfort food should come with a warning.

  She checked her watch. Five minutes later than the last time. Would Russ be available to talk? She should have called him the day he left, but she didn’t want to lead him on if she was wrong. After two days of pros and cons, however, the pros were winning. The doubts had faded. She wanted to tell him everything but didn’t want to hurt him again. Maybe one more day, just to be sure.

  PING.

  Without looking, she pulled the phone off her nightstand. Russ and Kristy, asleep on the couch, filled the screen. Post-Thanksgiving nap Rachel.

  Tears flooded Ashley’s eyes. She recognized that living room. Had stroked Kristy’s soft cheeks, snuggled into the scratchy blue pillow on that couch, and awakened in the warmth of Russ’ arms. Every cell in her body ached to return. John and Rose wouldn’t need her soon, and Ashley needed Russ.

  Her heart fluttered. She’d tell him she was coming back, but not the whole truth. Ashley wanted to see Russ’ face when she told him she was falling in love with him. Thinking about it warmed her cheeks, then flooded her body. This time she didn’t need Rose to point out her blush.

  One week. The doctor said her uncle could drive again in seven days. Then she’d be on a plane to Michigan. She could make it that long. It had already been—she checked her watch—two minutes. She’d never make it.

  Rolling off the bed, she headed toward the kitchen. Maybe mint tea would help her stomach while killing a few more minutes. Snores rattled through the other bedroom door as Rose sat on the couch crocheting, the original Miracle on 34th Street playing on the TV.

  She spotted Ashley and smiled. “The only time that man snores is after a holiday meal. I should be happy we don’t celebrate more of them. Are you going back for more?”

  “No way. Do we have any mint tea? I need something to settle my stomach.”

  “I’m not sure, but there are peppermints in the cupboard.”

  Ashley found the bag and popped one in her mouth, then another. A little extra comfort couldn’t hurt before she shared the news. With a deep breath, she headed into the living room and dropped onto her uncle’s overstuffed recliner. “I’m going back to Michigan to marry Russ.”

  Rose’s fingers paused for a moment, then continued. “You’re sure about this?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “I think so. Every day I miss him more, and I can’t wait to see him again.”

  “You may look like your mom, but this situation reminds me of Harriett.”

  “Your oldest sister?” Ashley grabbed the remote and muted the TV. “Why?”

  Rose’s fingers moved steadily as she watched the silent screen. “When your mother was in elementary school, Harriett was nearly thirty and had just gotten engaged to Lewis.”

  “I thought her husband was Stanley.”

  “He was, but she didn’t meet him until after she broke off her engagement to Lewis.”

  “What happened?”

  Rose shrugged. “Harriet could never explain what it was, but she said she knew in the pit of her stomach that she wasn’t supposed to marry him. She prayed and prayed and prayed about it, but that feeling never went away. He was a good man, a kind person, but something wasn’t right. It broke her heart, but she called off the wedding. She cried for six months.”

  “Did she ever say why?”

  “Only that she wasn’t supposed to marry him. I can’t say that I understood it. I was in high school and thought Lewis was amazing. I was still trying to figure out what happened when she met Stanley. One day she announced that she’d grieved long enough, so she went to a dance with her girlfriends and met him. They got married four weeks later.”

  “What?” Ashley nearly jumped off the chair. How did she not know that about her aunt? Maybe Ashley wasn’t crazy—it was genetic. “What happened?”

  “That first night, Stanley asked if he could court her, and she said yes. One week later, she told me she was going to marry him, and she did.”

  “Did she love him?”

  “Absolutely, but it was different than with Lewis. With Lewis, she giggled all the time and burned dinner while she daydreamed about him, but with Stanley, she said it was comfortable. She said he felt like home, and she wanted that more than butterflies.”

  “Were they happy?”

  Her fingers finally stopped, and she looked at Ashley. “I’ve never seen a happier couple. They were married for fifty-six years when Stanley died.”

  There was hope! Ashley wasn’t losing her mind. She was following in Aunt Harriett’s footsteps. Excitement swirled through the air but crashed into a wall of confusion. “If it worked for them, why were you trying to stop me from doing the same thing?”

  “Harriett was older than me, and I looked up to her. I look out for you. You’re a braver woman than I am, but I’m not sure that’s the best way to start a marriage. If you want to marry this man, though—if you’ve considered everything and are certain this is the right decision—then I can’t argue with you. Harriett made it work, and you’re so much like her.”

  That was the closest thing to a blessing Ashley could hope for, and she let it wrap around her like a warm hug as a hopeful smile spread across her face. In one week she would be with Russ, and she could go with John and Rose’s support. “I want this, and I’m committed to Russ. I care about him … a lot.”

  Rose resumed crocheting as Ashley imagined her homecoming. Russ’ deep laugh. His calloused hands. His strong arms around her. The pain in his eyes when he walked away from her. What if he changed his mind? What if he had decided he was better off alone? Or with Jess?

  “Sweetheart?”

  “What if it’s too late? Russ was so angry, and he was right to be, but what if he can’t forgive me? What if he changed his mind?”

  “Ashley, calm down. You—”

  “I played with his heart, and he caught me. He was right to leave.”

  “Sweetheart.”

  “I hurt him, and—”

  “You’re overreacting.”

  “What do I do?”

  “Why don’t you fly back tomorrow?”

  “I need to apologize, to tell him how I feel. I should … wait, wha
t? I can’t leave tomorrow. Uncle John’s still in his cast. Someone has to drive you around.”

  Rose dropped her hand onto her lap. “Nonsense. We can survive for a few days. Besides, next week we’ll be on a plane to Michigan for your wedding.”

  An extra week with Russ? Ashley’s heart skipped. “Do you think I can change my flight?”

  “If not, we can buy you another ticket. After all, we have that wedding money saved for you, and it certainly doesn’t sound like you’ll be using it all.”

  Anticipation trickled through Ashley’s veins. “Will you be—”

  “Ashley Elaine Johnson, John and I have survived for decades without your assistance. We will make it through the next week. Now do you want that ticket or don’t you?”

  Ashley dove at her aunt and wrapped her arms around her. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you.”

  “I know. Now—”

  “I’m on it.” Ashley planted a kiss on her cheek before racing back to her bedroom. Grabbing her phone, she punched in Rachel’s name.

  Flying back 2morrow! Don’t tell Russ-want 2 surprise him!

  CHAPTER 35

  Snow covered the front steps, erasing any evidence that Russ had shoveled. Typical Michigan weather. Next week’s storm would blanket the state, but last night’s lake-effect snow took everyone by surprise, including him. Any sane person would stay inside today, but he had a stomach full of holiday leftovers to burn off and frustration to release. Clearing his own porch wasn’t going to cut it.

  He pushed the snow off the steps again before propping the shovel against the house. He opened the front door far enough to grab his truck keys off their hook on the wall, locked the house, then cut a path through the yard toward his truck. Time to swing by Mom’s house and shovel her out. That should provide at least another hour of manual labor and distraction, not counting the drive over. If he was lucky, he’d get to engage the four-wheel drive and take his frustration out on some snowdrifts along the way.

  Without any other cars on the road, Russ let the silence of the drive seep into his bones. Normally he needed a few hours of quiet after the chaos of a family holiday, but today the emptiness taunted him. It reminded him that Ashley was in Florida. They hadn’t talked since before Thanksgiving, and the uncertainty of their relationship gnawed at him. How had he let himself get into such an insane situation?

  That stupid will. All of this because of the family house. No, he couldn’t blame the will or the house. Russ couldn’t care less where he lived. His heart had never hurt like this because of his living arrangements.

  It might be time to consider his alternatives. Lifting his foot off the accelerator, Russ coasted to a crawl, cranked the wheel to the left, and headed to town. He passed a handful of cars, most of them inching their way through the blizzard. As he rolled down the street, blowing snow obscured the buildings and people, but he recognized Rob’s Jeep parked in front of his office. Parking behind it, Russ hopped out of the truck and leaned into the wind, hiding his face from the pelting snow. He fought his way over the drifted sidewalk and into the warm law office.

  An unoccupied receptionist desk greeted him in the well-lit, yet seemingly empty, office. “Hello?”

  “I’ll be right there!”

  Russ plopped himself on the pleather couch He stomped the snow off his boots and was brushing flakes off his coat when Rob walked out front.

  “Did we have an appointment today?”

  “No, I was driving out to my mom’s and decided to swing by. Do you always work the day after Thanksgiving?”

  “Kelly and her mom go shopping every year, so I try to put in a few hours in the morning.”

  “They’re out in this weather?”

  “It would take more than a blizzard to cancel Black Friday. Something about a new bedspread.” Rob sat in an armchair across from the couch. “My office isn’t exactly on the way to your mom’s. What’s up?”

  “I’m not sure. I think it’s time to seriously look at the will and consider my options. Have you had any luck with your research?”

  “I, uh …” Rob scratched his neck, suddenly very interested in the carpet.

  “You have been looking into it, haven’t you?”

  “It hasn’t really been a priority.”

  “Where exactly does it rank on your list of priorities?”

  “It wasn’t my idea.”

  “What wasn’t your idea?” Russ crossed his arms, trapping the growing frustration in his chest. “I’m not going to be happy about this, am I?”

  “Your mom asked me to do it.”

  “Do what? What are you talking about?”

  “Your mom called after Tom’s memorial. She told me the family would figure the house situation out and asked if I could sort of … ignore it for a while.”

  “What the …? Are you working for me or my mom?”

  Rob held up his hands in surrender. “I didn’t actually agree to it,” he said. “I was looking into things and had it on my calendar to call you and schedule a meeting. Then I heard about your engagement. Congratulations, by the way. At that point, I figured it wasn’t urgent, so I sort of let it slide down the list.”

  Unbelievable. Mom had been plotting against him from the beginning. The wind howled outside, whistling past the door as the office groaned against the pressure. He could relate. Clenching his fists, he jumped off the couch, looking for an outlet before he showed his frustration all over Rob’s face.

  “You’re looking a little purple there. You okay?”

  “No! You and my mom lied to me. You’re messing with my life, and you’re messing with Ashley’s. She deserves better than that!”

  Rob laughed. He actually laughed! Every muscle in Russ’ back stiffened.

  “Calm down, man. Are you even listening to yourself? You’re engaged to Ashley. You should be focusing on her right now, not worrying about whether or not the house is technically yours or hers.”

  “Don’t try to reason your way out of this. It still doesn’t excuse what you did.”

  “Maybe not, but I think you’ll forgive me after the honeymoon.”

  A honeymoon. With Ashley. A completely different rush of emotions slammed into Russ. She may not know what she wanted, but he did, and he was tired of waiting. “You’re right. I’ll worry about you and my mom later. Right now, I need to talk to Ashley.” No more waiting for her to decide. If she wasn’t sure that she wanted to marry him, then he’d go convince her.

  Rob’s phone rang.

  “Kraft Law Offices, this is Rob.” His eyebrows pinched together. “Yeah, he’s right here. It’s Rachel.”

  “What?” Russ grabbed the receiver, pulling the entire phone off the desk. “What’s going on? Why are you calling me here?”

  “You’re not answering your phone. I’ve been calling for over an hour.”

  “I must have left it at home. How did you know I’d be here?”

  “I didn’t. I called everyone I could think of. Don’t tell Robbie, but he was number twelve on the list.”

  Russ smiled. “What’s so important that you’re tracking me across the county?”

  “Ashley’s on her way here.”

  His legs wobbled. “When?”

  “Now.”

  “In this storm?” Outside, snow piled up on the sidewalk, covering his footprints. All the warmth evaporated from the room. “How do you know?”

  “I just talked with her. She’s in Detroit. They delayed her flight, but apparently there’s a break in the weather, so they’re taking off now. She wanted to surprise you, but Chad said the roads are bad, and she’s planning to rent a car and drive to your house. You saw what she rented last time. I asked her to wait in Traverse City, but she insisted.”

  “I’ll pick her up.”

  Rachel sighed. “Thank you. I didn’t want to ruin her surprise, but—”

  “Chad’s right about the roads. I wouldn’t go out without my truck. I’ll head to the airport now. Thanks for calling
.”

  “Tell her I’m sorry I ruined the surprise.”

  “I will.” Russ hung up and smiled. “Ashley’s flying into Traverse City.”

  “In this storm?”

  “I’m going to get her.”

  Rob snagged a business card from the desk and pointed at the bottom line. “See that? Estate planning.” He gave the card to Russ. “I suggest you and Ashley put everything in writing. And file it properly this time. Call me if you need help.”

  Russ shoved the card in his back pocket. “If you’re nice, we’ll give you all the paperwork and let you figure it out.” Without waiting for a reply, he ran outside, disregarding the wind and snow. If he drove straight to the airport, he should arrive at the same time as Ashley’s plane. Maybe he’d be on that honeymoon sooner than he’d expected.

  The truck fired right up and slipped into gear. He loved that truck, and today he loved it more than ever. Nothing would stop him from being the first person to welcome Ashley home.

  *******

  Ashley finally understood Russ’ winter warnings. A gust of wind pushed the compact car to the right, to what she assumed was the side of the road. The car rumbled on the way over and again when she drove back into her lane. The blowing snow and solid-white ground hid everything. She flipped on the high beams, throwing herself into simulated warp speed, then switched back to low.

  How did anyone get to work in this weather?

  The wipers swung about uselessly but somehow calmed her nerves. The car rumbled again, the hard, rubber steering wheel vibrating in her grasp. Ashley strangled the wheel as her pulse picked up. She should have called Russ. His ridiculous truck made so much sense now.

  She lifted her foot off the gas as the road took a familiar turn. Squinting, she tried to find the road sign. Between blasts of white, she spotted it, but the front half of the car had passed the intersection, so she hit the brakes. The car swerved. She tapped the brakes again. Skidded. Slowed. Stopped.

  Her heart raced. It couldn’t be more than a mile to the house. She could do it. Sliding the car into reverse, she maneuvered back onto the road.

  She turned into what she hoped was her lane, clipping a mailbox with the passenger-side mirror. Ashley pulled on the wheel, her heart pounding as she swerved left. Every nerve wanted to stop, but she couldn’t see a thing, and no one would see her blocking the road. She had to find the driveway.