The Price of Trust

by Amanda Stephan

  "It's not just that," he said, looking at her. "It's always harder to do the farm work when one of us is sick. It takes us twice as long to do it all, and by the time the work is finished, there won't be much light left to work on the house."

  "So we have to wait longer to be married; it'll be okay," she said, squeezing his arm.

  "I don't want to wait longer to get married. I want to get married right now." He pulled her over to him and set her on his lap.

  "Neither do I, but sometimes we have to," she said softly, tracing his jaw with her finger.

  "You don't want to wait to get married?" he asked, grinning wickedly.

  She shook her head earnestly. "No. I want to be married just as much as you, but we just have to have somewhere to live."

  "We always have your apartment," he said, winking mischievously. She smacked him playfully on the chest and stood up, finishing the table.

  "Her apartment?" Todd asked skeptically, one eyebrow raised. "Kelly told me how tiny that thing is. You wouldn't last a day there, Joe."

  Carly set dinner on the table, staying out of Joe's reach. "That's what I've been trying to tell him."

  "I could handle it for a little while," he protested, getting up to wash and be in Carly's way. She giggled and pushed him away lightly, bringing the forks to the table.

  Todd shook his head doubtfully. "I don't think so."

  "What's for dinner?" Tom asked, coming out of their bedroom and closing the door softly.

  "Turkey pot pie," Carly said, cutting the steaming pastry into servings.

  "I thought you didn't know how to cook," Todd asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowed.

  "I said I didn't get the practice."

  "Turkey pot pie?" Joe asked doubtfully, sitting down. "Where did you learn to make that?"

  "Sounds great to me," Tom said, rubbing his stomach.

  "Well," Tom said after praying, helping himself to dinner. "I think your house isn't going to be done before the New Year."

  Joe scowled with disappointment. "I know."

  "What can I do to help you guys?" Carly asked.

  "You know, we might not even catch it," Todd said optimistically before anyone could answer. He cautiously tasted a small bite of food. "This is really good, Carly," he said, surprised, taking a more generous bite. "You really need to teach Kelly how to cook."

  Joe laughed. "I think it's funny that you asked a girl that couldn't cook to marry you."

  "Not bad," Tom said approvingly. "Thank you, by the way, for taking care of Penny today."

  "You're welcome," Carly said, blushing with pleasure. "I wasn't able to do much to help her though."

  "What did you do then?" Joe said, teasing.

  Her eyes twinkled mischievously at him. "Well, I didn't do much, just cleaned up your room."

  Joe looked mortified.

  "You cleaned his room?" Todd asked incredulously. "That must've taken you all day!" Joe shot him a withering look.

  "It was tough." Carly laughed, rolling her eyes. "I didn't know it would be such hard work."

  "Better get used to it." Tom laughed heartily, enjoying the playful banter. "He's notorious for not keeping things neat."

  Joe turned crimson. "Hey now, I've had other things on my mind lately."

  "Uh huh," Todd muttered skeptically, keeping his head down.

  "Back to our other conversation," Carly said, anxious to be of help to them.

  "Well now," Tom said kindly, leaning back in his chair. "We appreciate your help, and I'm sure we'll be able to find something for you to do, right?" He winked at Joe, who gave an enthusiastic nod of his head.

  Todd snickered. "Yeah, she could keep his room clean."

  "That would work pretty good for me," he said, unruffled.

  "How are you going to let me know if you need my help or not?"

  "I'll call you at five every day and let you know," he said simply, finishing his dinner. "That was good, babe." He winked, leaning his arm on the back of her chair.

  "Babe? Is this something new?" Todd asked, raising his eyebrows. Joe grinned, shrugging his shoulders. "I think I'm going to be sick." Todd groaned and held his stomach.

  "I think I'll start cleaning up now," Carly said, blushing charmingly.

  She cleared off the table, washed the dishes, and finished the laundry she had started while the men sat at the table drinking coffee and discussing how they were going to divide the work.

  "Carly," Tom said, standing up and stretching. "Thank you for dinner, it was good. I'm going in to check on Penny, so I'll see you three later."

  "You're welcome," Carly said kindly as he walked out of the kitchen.

  "Well, I'm not staying in here. You two make me sick," Todd said, going into the living room and turning on the TV.

  Joe got up and silently helped Carly finish the dishes. Carly folded her towel and hung it up on the oven handle.

  "Well," she said awkwardly, aware that she was alone with Joe. "I guess I'll get on out of here."

  "You don't have to," Joe said quietly, walking toward her.

  "I've been here all day," she stammered, backing toward the door.

  He caught her arm and drew her to him, kissing her lightly. "And I like it. You have to get used to it, you know," he whispered in her ear.

  "I know," she said breathlessly. "But I've really got to go," she said, pushing him away.

  He pulled her back to him. "Why? What are you going to do? Don't you want to stay a little longer?" He kissed her ear.

  "Yes, but I don't think that would be a good idea," she said, placing her hand on his chest.

  "Why wouldn't it be a good idea?" He caressed her cheek tenderly, holding her face in his hand, looking longingly into her eyes.

  "Because I don't want any regrets."

  "Ah," he said softly, after a short silence. "I understand. I'll see you at church then, Lord willing." He walked her to the door, helping her on with her coat.

  "I love you," she said quietly, standing on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. "I'll see you later." She walked away quickly before she could change her mind.

  "Drive careful," he called as he watched her drive slowly away.

  Chapter 20

  Sunday morning Carly waited as long as she could for Joe to pick her up for church. Checking her watch one last time, she sighed, wrapped her scarf around her, and started to walk briskly, jamming her hands deep into her pockets. She bent her head down, trying to shield her face from the icy wind, too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice a truck was pulling over to the curb.

  "Hey!" Billy called, rolling his window down.

  Startled, Carly looked up and stepped into a large snow drift

  "You want a ride?" he asked, pointing to the empty seat next to him.

  "Oh, no." Carly hesitated, trying to think of an excuse. "I'm fine. Thanks anyway." She smiled politely, starting to walk again after she shook the snow out of her shoe.

  "You don't have to worry. I'm sure Joe won't get upset," Billy said sarcastically. "Come on, you're turning blue."

  "I'm on my way to church," she said awkwardly, unsure of what to do. It was a bitterly cold morning, her feet were wet, and she was sure she was about to freeze.

  "That's where I'm heading," he said easily, leaning over to open the passenger door for her.

  She hesitated a moment longer, smiled pensively, and walked to the other side of the truck.

  "Thanks," she said, climbing inside and closing the door behind her. "It's good to feel heat again."

  "Sure," Billy said, spinning away from the curb. He looked at her curiously. "Where's Joe? I thought he'd pick you up on such a cold day."

  She turned red, embarrassed. "I don't know."

  He pulled into a parking space and turned off the truck. "You two didn't break up, did you?" he asked hopefully, trying to hide a smile. She opened the door and got out, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea.

  "No," she said, hurt at his obvious enjoyment of their possible breakup. "
We didn't break up. In fact, we're engaged." She held up her ring for him to see.

  Billy stood next to the truck in stunned silence, an angry scowl on his face.

  Somehow, in spite of all his rudeness, unpleasantness, and obnoxious behavior toward her, she suddenly felt extremely sorry for him.

  "Billy," she started, wanting to comfort him in some way. "I'm sorry."

  "Sorry? For what?" he said in disgust. "I don't care anyway." He looked away, his face turning red.

  "Billy."

  "I hope he'll make you happy," he spat, getting back in the truck.

  "Aren't you coming in?" she asked in surprise.

  "What for?" He slammed the door and started the engine, revving it up.

  "Please?"

  He glared at her.

  "Can't we be friends?" she asked softly.

  "Not with Joe in the way," he said bitterly, leaning over to close the door and quickly driving away, leaving Carly to stare after him.

  "What was that all about?" Kelly asked, joining her as Billy sped off.

  "He's mad at me," she said sadly.

  "Why would Billy be mad?" she asked as they walked into the church together.

  "I told him Joe and I are engaged."

  Kelly nodded. "Oh."

  "I feel terrible," Carly said as they sat in their usual places.

  "Terrible? Why?" Kelly asked in surprise.

  "Because I hurt his feelings, and now he isn't in church." She smiled ruefully. "I feel responsible."

  Kelly squeezed her hand reassuringly. "He's a big boy, Carly, and he can make those decisions on his own. You can't make his problems yours. Pray about it."

  "Where are Joe and Todd?" She asked, desiring to change the subject.

  "Was that Billy Pruit I saw you with, Carly?" Angie said nastily behind them before Kelly could answer.

  Carly tried to ignore her, knowing that she was just trying to bother her.

  "Did you and Joe break up or something? I would have thought that you'd find someone a little better than Billy to hang out with. Oh, you must be desperate," she said sarcastically, leaning forward on the back of their seats. "You'll never be able to replace Joe, he's irreplaceable. You wouldn't mind if he and I went out, would you?" She smiled hatefully.

  She turned to look at her, eyes flashing. "We didn't break up."

  "Are you two-timing him? He better not find out; he's kind of funny about things like that," Angie said maliciously.

  Carly was about to reply when she spotted Joe and Todd coming toward them.

  "Good morning." She beamed, ignoring Angie. "I'm glad you could make it! How's your mom doing?" she asked, noticing that neither of the elder Baird's were there.

  "Good morning." Joe smiled, giving her a quick hug. "Sorry I couldn't pick you up this morning. We were trying to hurry, but we weren't fast enough. Mom seems to be getting over it, but Dad stayed home anyway to help her."

  Angie leaned over, putting her hand on his arm. "Don't worry, she got a ride with Billy Pruit."

  "With Billy? Well, that was nice of him," Joe said, unperturbed, his look cold. Carly squeezed his hand, relieved that he wasn't upset.

  "Where is Billy anyway?" he asked, smiling at Carly.

  "He left like he was mad," Angie said in a last attempt to make Joe jealous.

  "Mad?"

  Carly nodded, blushing. "I made him mad."

  Angie sneered, rolling her eyes contemptuously. "What did you do? Tell him you were afraid Joe was going to catch you two?"

  "Angie." Joe sighed, tired of her nastiness. He put his arm around Carly's shoulders and smiled. "I've got some news for you." He smiled at Carly tenderly. "I'd like you to meet my fiancée."

  "Fiancée?" Angie choked, her face turning pale. "Well, I guess if that's what you want," she said, turning and leaving abruptly.

  "That's pretty much how Billy reacted when I told him," Carly said softly, watching her go.

  "So that's why he was mad," Joe said, giving her one last squeeze as the music started. She smiled up at him, thankful that the Lord had brought them together.

  "Joe! Todd was just telling me that he and Kelly are engaged!" The pastor greeted them, shaking their hands after the services. "When's he going to ask you, Carly?" He winked amiably.

  Joe beamed, holding up Carly's hand to show him her ring. "I already did!"

  "Whew!" He whistled, impressed. "I'm blind!" He put his hand over his eyes, teasing. "Congratulations! When's the wedding?"

  "We haven't agreed on that yet," Carly said hurriedly, noticing a small crowd gathering around them.

  He flashed her a happy smile. "I'd like to get married today, but she seems to feel that we need somewhere to live first."

  "Oh yeah? Aren't you staying at the apartment up top of Sam's store? Why couldn't you live there for a while?" he asked good-naturedly.

  "That's what I keep telling her, but she just won't listen."

  She laughed, elbowing him in the ribs. "I'd do it in a heartbeat if I thought Joe could handle it, but I just don't think he's got what it takes."

  "I could handle it. How bad can it be?"

  "Not bad if you're a sardine." Kelly laughed, coming to Carly's rescue. "It's okay for one person, but I couldn't imagine Joe living there. Not a doubt in my mind that he couldn't handle it."

  "Is it really that small?" the pastor asked, amused.

  "Yes." Carly sighed, nodding her head. "It's perfect for me because I just go to work in the morning anyway, and I don't spend a lot of time there. But Joe's a different story."

  Joe hung his head dejectedly, trying to look pitiful. "She doesn't think I'm capable."

  "Whatever happened to that place you were building for Amy?" Angie asked contemptuously, joining the group around the two new couples.

  Joe looked at her evenly. "We're working on it. We're hoping to have it done before the New Year." He turned his attention to the pastor.

  "I don't think I would want a house that a guy was building for someone else he used to be engaged to," she said, trying to pass her remark off as a joke. Joe turned red with fury, and a silent hush fell on the crowd around them, as everyone was curious to hear what he would say.

  "Well, she didn't want it and," Carly said, coming to Joe's defense, "she didn't want him either, so I guess he can build it for anyone he wants to build it for."

  "Well," the pastor cleared his throat, embarrassed, "I'm sure there's quite a few young women around here that are jealous of you, Carly. Joe's quite a catch. The same goes for you two." He turned to Todd and Kelly. "I think everyone here has known that you would get married, we just didn't know when it would be. Congratulations to both of you." The people around them offered their congratulations as Angie slunk away sullenly, unable to be happy for the two couples.

  "Do you have to hurry home?" Carly asked, walking with Joe to the truck and getting in as he opened her door.

  "I'm afraid so," he said glumly, driving her home. "I need to make out a materials list for the house and help Dad with the rest of the work that we didn't get to this morning." He parked the truck in front of the store, leaving the engine running. "I'm not even sure I'll be able to make it to church tonight."

  "Well, I hope you can make it. I'll miss you if you don't." She kissed him lightly, opening her door. "Are you going to call me tonight to let me know if you need my help in the morning?"

  "I'll try to call you by five and let you know. I love you." He leaned across the seat to give her another kiss.

  Smiling, she closed the door gently and waved as he pulled out of the parking spot and drove away. She watched him as long as she could and let herself into the store, wondering what she was going to do with herself for the rest of the day.

  After she ate, she changed into some grubby work clothes, mopped and waxed the entire store floor, straightened the stockroom shelves, labeled boxes, scrubbed the downstairs' bathroom, dusted, washed the windows, and was just finishing scrubbing her bathroom floor when the phone rang down
stairs. She ran to answer it.

  "Hello?" she asked hesitantly, hoping it wasn't Ian.

  Kelly's voice floated over the line. "Hi, Carly."

  "Kelly! Hi!" She leaned on the counter and wrapped the cord around her fingers.

  "Todd just called and asked me to let you know that Joe won't be able to make it to church tonight. He thinks Joe might be getting the flu now."

  "Oh," Carly said, disappointed. "Well, I guess that means that they'll need my help in the morning then."

  "I'm not sure about that. Todd did say that Penny was feeling a bit better tonight, but he wasn't sure if she would be able to do much tomorrow. Who knows? Penny might be the only one that feels well tomorrow!" Kelly laughed. "Are you going to church tonight?"

  "I was just about to get ready when you called. Are you?" Carly asked pleasantly.

  "Yes. I'll come pick you up so you won't have to walk, and we can chit chat on our way."

  "Isn't Todd going to church tonight? I thought he'd pick you up," Carly said.

  "No, he's going to stay home and help out there. He figures he'll be sick before the weeks out, so there's really no use in him trying to avoid it. I'll be over in a few minutes."

  Joe and Todd weren't the only ones to miss evening services that night, as there were only a faithful few in attendance. The pastor preached a short message and dismissed early on account of the weather getting worse, and Kelly drove Carly back to her place.

  "Do you want to come up for a little hot chocolate? It's the least I can do for you giving me a ride."

  Kelly smiled, turning off the car. "Okay, that sounds nice."

  Carly let them in, locking the doors behind them, and led the way upstairs. Just as she unlocked her apartment door, the phone rang.

  "Maybe that's Joe," she said breathlessly, pushing the door open. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back," she said, hurrying back downstairs.

  "Hello?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and not sound as though she had been running.

  "Good evening, Carly. I'm so glad I finally got a hold of you," Ian said softly.

  "Stop calling me, Ian. I don't have anything to say to you," Carly said after a moment's hesitation, trying to sound braver than she felt.