The Twin Bargain

by Lisa Carter

  “It’s settled.” Grandma Hicks shrugged. “At least for tonight. We’ll work out something. Don’t you worry, sweetheart.”

  He grimaced. “Why can’t your husband take care of the girls, Amber?”

  Lucy tugged at his jacket. “We don’t have a daddy, Efan.”

  And the bottom fell out of his stomach.

  GeorgeAnne pursed her thin lips. Grandma looked like she wanted to strangle him. Without meaning to, he’d put his foot in it.

  * * *

  The shock at seeing Ethan again was not dissimilar to the stinging jolt Amber had felt when once she overturned one of her father’s rafts into the freezing cold water of the river.

  But the sensation was the same. Fighting her way to the surface, gasping for air. Her heart in overdrive. This couldn’t be real. He couldn’t be real.

  Amber shook herself slightly, trying to clear her muddled thoughts. Ethan Green wasn’t an illusion. Standing beside Miss ErmaJean’s hospital bed, he was as real and solid as the granite rocks of the North Carolina mountains.

  She tried not to gape at him. The broad shoulders, the well-muscled chest beneath the jacket, the six-pack waist that tapered to his jeans. This man she didn’t know—the man who’d fulfilled the youthful potential of the boy she’d once loved so impossibly. This man robbed her of coherent thought.

  Amber wasn’t sure why her brother hadn’t told Ethan about the last five years of her life. When he and Matt left for basic training, she believed she’d never see Ethan again. His leave-taking had been so final. He’d been so exultant about finally gaining his freedom from the small-town life he hated.

  Freedom. A concept she barely remembered. She tucked a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. His gaze followed the motion of her hand. And something fluttered like the wings of a butterfly inside her rib cage.

  Ethan’s gold-flecked hazel eyes were as intense as ever. She swallowed against the rush of feeling. What was wrong with her?

  He’d surprised her, that’s all. She hadn’t expected to see him here. Not after so much time. No big deal.

  Especially on a day like today when her plans to make a better life for her children were falling to pieces.

  She endeavored to get her traitorous heart to settle down. No easy task when it came to the boy she’d had a schoolgirl crush on since she was... Eleven?

  As far back as memory served, there’d been her, Matt, Ethan and Callie. Inseparable. Or that’s what she’d believed until Ethan made a deal with Matt, convincing her brother to also join the Marines after graduation.

  She and Callie had been left behind. At sixteen, she’d never dreamed being left behind would become the story of her life. She finished growing up alone, the hard way. Experience, a bitter teacher.

  Why was he staring at her? Self-conscious, she smoothed her hand over her scrubs. Well aware the years hadn’t been kind. But he could at least pretend not to look so...so shocked.

  Was it her appearance or single motherhood that shocked him the most? Her ex-husband, Lucy and Stella’s father, had been an irresponsible jerk, but she worked hard to make sure the twins never suffered for her errors in judgment.

  She fingered the end of the stethoscope. “Girls, tell everyone good-night.”

  “Night-night, Gigi.” Lucy smiled at Ethan. “You, too, Efan.”

  Stella glued herself to Amber’s leg.

  “I was kidding about the bolts.” GeorgeAnne planted her hands on her bony hips. “I’ve heard you two girls like milkshakes. I wasn’t misinformed, was I? Thought we might swing by the drive-through on the way to your house.”

  Lucy immediately abandoned Ethan. “I wike vaniwaa, Miss G’Anne.”

  Stella made a face. “I like strawberry-vanilla-chocolate ice cream.”

  GeorgeAnne’s mouth quirked. “Who doesn’t?”

  Amber quickly calculated how much money her depleted wallet contained. Not enough for milkshakes. “I’m sorry, girls, but—”

  GeorgeAnne raised her hand. “My treat. Got nothing but a passel of grandsons. I think it’s time to see how the other half lives.”

  Amber warmed toward the often sharp-tongued, overly brusque woman. “Thank you, Miss GeorgeAnne.” For not making her feel like such a charity case.

  The older woman moved toward the door. “The train for milkshakes is leaving now. Anyone going to hop on board?”

  “Me!” Lucy grabbed hold of her sister’s hand. “Stehwaa, too.”

  Amber’s heart sank. Stella looked like she’d rather eat live worms. Her babies had made so many sacrifices so she could finish school and get a good job.

  Doing her best to ignore Ethan and her zinging pulse, Amber ushered the odd trio to the elevator.

  Until Miss ErmaJean offered to take care of Lucy and Stella, she’d struggled to juggle her waitress job, single parenting and nursing school. It was good of Miss GeorgeAnne to babysit the girls, but with ErmaJean out of commission, tonight would have to be her last class.

  The twins and Miss GeorgeAnne stepped into the elevator.

  Only two months left till graduation. But there was no other option. She’d have to withdraw from the program.

  Lucy waved goodbye. Stella glowered. As the elevator doors closed, the rest of Amber’s life stretched out before her in a bleak panorama.

  Endless shifts at the Mason Jar. The broken-down trailer. Never quite making ends meet. Once again, it would be her girls who suffered the most for her mistakes.

  Her shoulders slumped. She was so tired of battling life alone. “Is this all there ever will be for me and the girls, God?” she whispered.

  She passed her hand over her face. It wasn’t like Amber to be melancholy. She was a fighter. Scrappy, Ethan used to say. But right now, she felt the fight had been beaten out of her.

  Yet she wasn’t alone. She had wonderful friends like Miss ErmaJean and Callie. God had never left her. He wouldn’t fail her now, even with this seemingly insurmountable setback.

  After all this time, seeing Ethan revived memories and dreams she’d believed long buried. Emotions she had no time, energy or right to feel. And Ethan wanted to take ErmaJean away for good?

  It felt like the final straw. His grandmother had become a mentor, confidante and friend. If only there was a way to convince him to let Miss ErmaJean convalesce at home.

  Who was she kidding? Amber couldn’t get her own life on track. Why did she think she had the right to tell anyone else how to live theirs?

  Chapter Two

  With the departure of GeorgeAnne, Amber and her daughters, Ethan turned again toward his grandmother. “You were watching the girls when you fell, Grandma?”

  “It wasn’t their fault.” At the hint of censure in his voice, his grandmother pressed her lips together. “And nothing makes me happier than seeing their bright little faces.”

  Of late, when he’d called she’d seemed distracted—not all there. Half the time, she forgot to return his calls. And after a friend’s mother was diagnosed with dementia, he’d begun to fear his beloved grandmother was slipping.

  Ethan hugged her now. Reassured by the usual lavender scent that always clung to her. Somehow he’d feared she’d be frailer. Or her mind not as sharp.

  But Grandma wasn’t any frailer than he remembered. Her mind... Well... ErmaJean Hicks would never be accused of thinking like everybody else.

  “How did you fall? Were you dizzy? Did you lose your balance?”

  She fluttered her hand. “I was in a hurry. Tripped over my own clumsy feet on the back steps.”

  “It makes me sick to think about something happening and me not being here, Grandma.”

  She scanned his face. “A situation easily remedied.”

  “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the future lately.”

  She clasped her hands to her heart. “Oh, Ethan, I’ve been hop
ing, praying, you would.”

  He pulled a chair close to the bed. “Remember how much fun we had the last time you visited me in Wilmington?”

  Confusion darkened her eyes. “Ice cream. Sand between my toes. Life is a beach.”

  “You know I like working with my hands.”

  “Granddad always hoped one day you’d take over—”

  “A buddy of mine is starting his own boat repair business and has offered me a job.”

  Her hands fell to her lap. “I’m guessing boat repair means the job is on the coast.”

  “You said it yourself, Grandma—life is a beach.”

  “I misspoke. Vacation is a beach.” Her expression clouded. “Life is home. I was hoping when you finally decided to settle down—”

  “Truelove was never an option for me, and you know it.”

  She gnashed her teeth. “What I know is you’re stubborn, obstinate and aggravating.”

  “Home is family. And you’re the only family I’ve ever had.”

  She lifted her chin. “GeorgeAnne, IdaLee and I have some ideas on how you could remedy that situation.”

  The sheer thought of the matchmakers plotting to pair him to some Truelove girl was almost enough to send Ethan running for his Harley motorcycle. Or break out in hives.

  Instead—as a Marine he’d been taught not to flee in the face of peril—he found his grandmother’s hand through the bedrail. “Now that I’m stateside for good, I want us to spend more time together.”

  Her lips pursed. “That will be difficult with you six hours away.”

  Ethan set his jaw. “Which is why I’d like for you to relocate to the beach.”

  She pulled her hand from his. “Out of the question.”

  “Hear me out, Grandma. I’ve done my research. There is a great senior adult village near my apartment. You’d love the cottages. A sweet deal, right on the water. You’d have your own little garden for your flowers. I’ve got photos on my—”

  “Absolutely not.” She steepled her hands in her lap. “My life is here, Ethan. My friends. My church. The family business. They’re all here.”

  What family business? Although his grandmother had continued to work on upholstery projects here and there, his grandfather’s furniture restoration workshop had gathered dust since his death.

  Ethan shook his head. “You’ve worked hard your entire life. With this new job, I can take care of you. You can retire and enjoy life for a change.”

  She crossed her arms. “I’m enjoying life right where I’m planted.”

  “You’re the friendliest person I’ve ever known. You’ll make lots of friends. There are amazing churches at the beach.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “And you would know that how, Ethan?”

  Okay, she had him there. He hadn’t sat in a church pew since he left Truelove.

  Grandma’s chin wobbled. “Besides, I could never leave your grandfather.”

  Ethan took a long, measured breath. “Granddad has been dead a long time. I don’t like to think of you living here alone with me so far away.” He gestured at the bed. “Changes need to be made.”

  Grandma stiffened. “I have good friends to watch out for me.”

  “The house has to be getting too much for you. And you must get lonely.”

  “Are you sure it’s not you who’s lonely?”

  This wasn’t going like he’d envisioned. Since leaving the Corps, he had been lonely. Actually, the empty feeling inside his chest had begun before he left the service.

  “I do miss you, Grandma. Which is why you moving closer is a wonderful idea.”

  Her mouth down-turned. “Maybe for you. I’m not the decrepit old woman you think I am, Ethan Todd Green.”

  She only used his full name when he’d gotten on her last nerve.

  Her eyes glinted. “If I need or want your help, I’ll ask for it.”

  “Grandma, I’m concerned about you.”

  Her lips thinned. “If this accident was your only reason for finally visiting me, then you’ve wasted a trip home.”

  Ethan opened his hands. “I wanted to see you. I thought you’d be excited by my news. And I was worried about you.”

  Her face creased. “Why were you worried?”

  “You’ve sounded so...” He swallowed. “So distant on the phone. Not like yourself.”

  Like he was losing her. His grandmother, the only anchor he’d ever known. Hence, his determination to put his plan into action.

  “Other than this bum leg, I’m great.” His grandmother tilted her head. “I told you I’ve been busy, Ethan. I’ve been watching Amber’s kids so she can finish her nursing degree.”

  “Why did no one tell me that Amber is married?”

  His grandmother gave him a cockeyed glance. “Didn’t realize you were interested in Amber’s marital status.” She moistened her lips. “And it’s married as in the past tense. When she got pregnant with the girls—”

  “What happened, Grandma? To Amber and...” He made a face. “The guy.”

  “You mean her husband?” For a second, something appeared to amuse his grandmother. Then her smile faded. “Tony told Amber he didn’t sign up for parenthood.”

  Just like his own deadbeat excuse for a father. Anger roiled in Ethan’s belly.

  “I still don’t get how this involves you.” He frowned. “And I’m surprised Amber asked you to take care of her children.”

  “Which part comes as a surprise to you?” Grandma arched her brow. “That I adore children or that I’m still capable of taking care of them?”

  Somewhere he and Grandma had gotten off on the wrong foot. She appeared determined to take offense at every turn.

  “Amber didn’t ask. But juggling work, school and the kids...” His grandmother’s shoulders rose and fell. “It was too much. Something had to give.” She smiled at him. “So I decided to give. I’ve had so much fun with them.”

  Ethan fisted his hands. “Where’s their father?”

  “Tony declared himself tired of being married. Abandoned her before the girls were even born, so Amber came home where she belonged.” Grandma Hicks raised her eyebrow. “To the people who love her.”

  An unmistakable challenge gleamed in his grandmother’s bright blue eyes. In her opinion, Amber wasn’t the only one who needed to come home. But besides Grandma, there was no one else who loved him.

  “You won’t reconsider moving to Wilmington?”

  She gave him the Look.

  “We’re not done with this conversation, Grandma.”

  She sniffed. “You might not be, but I am.”

  “Grand—”

  “Don’t you Grandma me.” She laced her hands on top of the coverlet. “I’m Truelove born. I’m Truelove bred. And here I’ll remain until I’m Truelove dead.”

  Exactly what he feared most.

  “With the cast, you’re not going to be able to take care of yourself for a while. You have to come to Wilmington with me.”

  “Don’t assume you know what’s best for me. I don’t have to do anything but die and pay taxes.”

  He gritted his teeth. “Grandma, please. Be reasonable.”

  “You’re the one being unreasonable.” She stuck her nose in the air. “You’ve seen me. I’ll mend. Put your conscience at ease. I have plenty of friends who will look out for me during my recovery. You’re under no obligation to stay. Feel free to get on that death-mobile of yours and head for the surf.”

  He tightened his jaw. “You’re kicking me out? Out of town and your life?”

  The lines in her face deepened. “No, honey. I told you when your dad left and then your mom remarried—we’re lifers, you and me. Together forever.”

  “Just not in the same place at the same time, though?”

  “Try to understand, Ethan.” H
is grandmother’s voice softened. “I have responsibilities here and a full life I’m not ready to abandon.”

  He ran his hand over his head, spiking his hair with his fingers. How could he persuade her to come with him? What could he do to change her mind?

  “I’m going to pray on the situation and I suggest you do the same. Go to the house. Maybe in the morning, you’ll be able to think more clearly.”

  He scrubbed the back of his neck. It wasn’t him who needed to think more clearly. But she was right. It had been a long day for both of them. Better to let both their tempers cool before either of them said or did something from which there might be no retreat.

  Ethan gave his grandmother a quick peck on the cheek. “Tomorrow,” he growled. “Decisions have to be made.”

  Hand to her forehead, she gave him a snappy salute. “Aye aye, Captain.”

  “I was a marine, not navy.”

  She winked at him. “Good night, honey. I love you.”

  He sighed. “I love you, too, Grandma.”

  It was dark when he left the hospital. And despite being April, once the sun set behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, the night turned cool. It was only a short drive to Grandma’s rambling bungalow.

  Bone tired, he let himself into the house and stumbled toward his old bedroom. Not bothering to switch on a light or undress, he threw his duffel onto the floor, laid his cell on the nightstand and crawled beneath the quilt.

  Hours later, he awoke to an insistent buzz from his phone on the nightstand. Groggy, he checked the incoming text message. Emergency. Call me. Now. Grandma.

  Since when did ErmaJean Hicks text? Although if anybody in her generation would learn to text, it would be his talk-to-a-signpost grandmother. Throwing off the covers, he slung his legs over the side of the bed.

  He dialed her number. Surely if she’d taken a turn for the worse, a doctor or nurse would be calling him, not his grandmother. His temples throbbed.

  “Grandma?” he barked into the phone. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Raking his hand over his face, he willed his pulse to settle. “You scared me to death.”

  “GeorgeAnne just texted me. Amber never made it home. After her night class ended, she ought to have been home by ten-thirty at the latest. GeorgeAnne fell asleep on the couch waiting for her. Or she would’ve contacted me sooner.”