Home on Apple Blossom Road (Life in Icicle Falls)

by Sheila Roberts

  The fight went out of Colin as quickly as it had entered. “I understand that, Dad. But things didn’t work without her. I tried.”

  “Maybe you both know what you want now.”

  “I think we do.”

  Dad suddenly took a great interest in studying the bookcase on the opposite wall.

  “It’s your life. You have to live it.”

  These last words were hardly a vote of confidence, but they were said with fatherly love, and Colin could at least appreciate that. “Yeah, I do.” Then he laid a hand on his father’s shoulder to show there were no hard feelings and went upstairs to bed.

  He wondered if his father realized that one of his biggest mistakes might have been not giving love a second chance. There were many things he admired about the man—his smarts, the way he looked like he’d stepped right out of the pages of GQ, his commitment to his family. Dad had always been busy with work, but he’d also found time to help when he was needed. Colin could still remember him and Uncle Mark up on the roof of the old orchard house for several weekends, laying shingles in the summer heat. He’d helped Gram find the nursing home for Gramps, managed to get Colin through school. And Colin knew he’d helped some of the older people in town, often pro bono. Heck, Dad could’ve stayed in Seattle and become a hotshot trial lawyer, could have made partner in some firm and pulled in a butt load of money. Instead, he’d come back to Icicle Falls to make sure his son had a good childhood. Yeah, he’d done a lot of things right.

  But not love. Dad knew about broken hearts but he knew nothing about mending them.

  * * *

  Mia lay in the old brass bed, watching as the moon and the trees outside cast a shadow puppet show on the ceiling of her old room. A summer breeze danced into the room, tickling the lace curtains at the window and caressing her cheek, whispering, “Welcome back.”

  What an incredible turn her life had taken. She’d returned to Icicle Falls, her heart laden with grief, and now, tonight, she was brimming with happiness. She touched her fingers to her lips in an effort to bring back the memory of Colin’s kisses. His words floated gently at the back of her mind. We’ll make it work this time.

  Of course, he hadn’t said how they’d make it work. What if they couldn’t?

  Don’t think about that, she told herself. Not tonight. She wasn’t going to let so much as a drop of doubt contaminate the way she was feeling now. It had been a long road back to love, and the last thing she wanted was to put up a roadblock just when everything was working out. “More adventures lie ahead today,” Aunt Beth said the next morning as they sat at the kitchen table, enjoying early-morning lattes and scones.

  Mia finished her scone and Aunt Beth nudged the plate of goodies closer to her. At the rate Mia was going, she’d soon be standing in line behind Hildy, asking Beth to let out her clothes. But now wasn’t the time to worry about that, she decided, and helped herself to another.

  “Are these going in your cookbook?” she asked.

  “So you heard. Pat must have told you.”

  “I think it’s a lovely idea,” Mia said. “I hope I’ll get a copy.”

  “You’ll get the first one,” Beth promised. “It’s been great having you back, sweetie.”

  “It’s been great to be back.”

  Aunt Beth toyed with the rim of her mug. “Would you ever consider moving home for good?”

  “After I’ve had a chance to prove myself with the company.”

  Aunt Beth nodded. “Ah, yes. The promotion.”

  The way she said it made it sound more like an inconvenience than an accomplishment. “I worked hard for it,” Mia said, stung. Aunt Beth had always been her biggest fan.

  “Of course you did.”

  Maybe she was worried that Mia was somehow deserting Colin. “Colin would be willing to move,” she added.

  “So, you two have already gotten to that point, have you?”

  Mia could feel a flush creeping up her neck. She nodded.

  Aunt Beth laid a hand on her arm. “I’m glad. You belong together.” She gave a decisive nod. “Whether that means on the East Coast or out here, you’ll have to decide.” She took a sip of her latte. “I don’t think he’s meant for the city, though.”

  “He lives in a city now,” Mia pointed out.

  “He’s drifting in a city now. That’s not the same thing.”

  The sunshine streaming through the kitchen window suddenly didn’t seem as warm. Mia sat back and regarded her. “Is there something you’re trying to tell me?”

  “No. Not really. I suppose, when it comes down to it, Colin’s drifting has nothing to do with his location. He needs an anchor and that anchor is you. His grandmother tried to tell him as much.”

  Obviously, he hadn’t listened.

  Aunt Beth smiled. “My mother always saw what was best for people long before they did. She also knew what was important.”

  What did Aunt Beth mean by that? Mia didn’t get a chance to ask because her phone rang. Glancing at caller ID, she tensed. She’d been dreading this call, afraid her voice-mail message wouldn’t be enough. It was nine in Chicago. She was surprised Andrea had waited this long. She excused herself and left the kitchen, saying a leery hello on her way to the front porch.

  She opened the door and found Colin standing there, about to knock, a grin on his face. He looked good enough for a Vanessa Valentine book cover, casual in jeans and boots and a brown T-shirt that lovingly hugged a fine set of pecs.

  “Hi,” he said just as Andrea said, “Mia, I got your message. What on earth is going on? We expected you back in the office today.”

  “I know. I’m terribly sorry.” She stepped aside to let Colin in.

  “Not as sorry as I am. We put you in this position because we thought we could depend on you.”

  “You can depend on me,” Mia assured her.

  “This is a company that’s going places and we expect our employees to be dedicated enough to stay on for the ride. You are dedicated, aren’t you, Mia?”

  “Of course I am.” The way Colin was studying her made Mia feel like a bug being dissected in front of an audience. She turned her back on him. “But there are extenuating circumstances...”

  “Someone new has died?”

  “No. But like I said, the will—”

  Andrea cut her off. “Has, I’m sure, been read by now. Whatever you need to handle can certainly be handled by email.”

  “Well, not exactly. It’s complicated.”

  “Life is not that complicated when your priorities are in place, Mia, and the only people who make excuses are the ones who aren’t team players. Now, are you a team player or aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I am. Of course I am.” Hadn’t she proved it these last five years?

  “Good. I’m sorry for your loss and I’m glad you were able to see your family, but now I expect you back here. Find a flight that’s going out later today. I need you in the office tomorrow. Actually, I needed you here today.”

  “T-tomorrow?” Mia stuttered. How was she going to make that work? They still had clues to follow. “I don’t know if I can do that.”

  “Then I don’t know if we can have you in charge of the Sprouted Bliss campaign.”

  Andrea would remove her just like that? After she’d worked so hard for the company? After all those sixty-hour weeks?

  “I stuck my neck out for you, Mia. Don’t let me down. Don’t let GF Markets down.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Good.”

  Mia could hear the smile in her boss’s voice. At least someone was happy. She ended the call and started searching online for cheap flights out.

  “I guess your boss doesn’t get it, huh?” Colin said.

  She kept her eyes on her phone screen, not wanting to look
at him. She wasn’t sure what she’d see in his eyes, but she plainly heard disappointment in his voice.

  “I was supposed to be back today.”

  “Things happen.”

  “Try telling that to my boss.”

  “That’s the downside of working for someone else.”

  She did look up and saw that he was frowning. “Colin, everybody works for someone else.”

  “Gramps worked for himself. No one told him what to do. He mapped out his own day, his own life.”

  “We can’t all own an orchard,” she said, and that deepened his frown. What a dumb thing to say, considering how much Colin had loved the orchard. “I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

  “But true,” he said.

  The conversation suddenly stalled. Where to go from here?

  Nowhere, she decided, and went back to her internet search. “We have to finish this hunt today. I’ve got to fly out tonight.” Oh, good. There was a flight leaving at five. Surely they were on their last clue. They could find whatever Grandma Justine had left them, figure out what to do with it and then she’d roar off to the airport, turn in the rental car, get back to Chicago and rescue her job.

  And hope Colin would follow her. She booked her flight, reserving one of the last remaining seats.

  “How long do we have?” Colin asked.

  “Just this morning.”

  “And then you leave.”

  “Not for good, not forever. And you’re coming to Chicago, right?”

  “Absolutely.”

  It was the correct word, but she still felt as if a giant shadow had cast itself over the day.

  It’s not like we won’t ever be back, she reminded herself. That didn’t help. In the end, Chicago wasn’t Icicle Falls. And her job wasn’t as secure as she’d always thought. Success could be snatched out of her hands just like that. Reality was a cold bitch.

  “We should get going if we’re going to solve this puzzle,” Colin said, opening the front door.

  Mia hurried down the front walk with him, wishing that instead of money or whatever trinkets Grandma Justine had left, they’d find a magic bottle complete with the requisite genie. Then...

  What would she wish for? To become instant millionaires? That wouldn’t make Dylan like her any better. To turn back the clock? How far back would she have to turn it? To some time before her mother got sick and her dad took off? To the idyllic time when what she and Colin had felt like the rock of Gibraltar? No. All you could rewind were movies you’d recorded on TV. Anyway, going back didn’t make you smarter. You probably did the same stupid things all over again.

  They didn’t have to do the same things over again this time. They could work out their issues. They’d already worked out the biggest one, where to live.

  So why did she not feel right about it?

  She didn’t want to look for an answer, not yet. One search at a time.

  February 14, 2016

  Dear Mother,

  I know it’s silly to be writing a letter to someone who’s no longer with me, but I miss you and this helps. Here it is, Valentine’s Day, and I must confess I’m feeling a little alone. It’s been so many years without Gerald you’d think I’d be used to being a widow by now, but I’m not. I wonder if you ever get used to it. I never thought to ask you.

  I’m not sitting around moping, however. I had some ladies over today for a little Valentine’s lunch, widows like me. Muriel Sterling-Wittman and Dot Morrison. Then there was my old friend, Sarah. She found the nicest man last year, dear Peter Gabriel. So sad that he died only a few months after they were married. She barely had time to get her new name printed on her checkbook! She’s talking about finally retiring and selling the hair salon. I’ll believe it when I see it. Anyway, they all came over. Bethie picked up a salad and some cupcakes from the grocery store for me, so it wasn’t the most elaborate lunch, but it was all I had the energy for. The ladies enjoyed themselves and it made a nice diversion. Bethie wanted me to come to her house for dinner tonight, but I told her Valentine’s Day is for sweethearts. I’m glad I said no. I’m tired.

  I’m tired a lot these days. I don’t think I’m going to be around much longer. While I’m ready to meet the Lord and see you and Daddy and, of course, dear Gerald, I’m also a little sad to go. I would’ve loved to see Dylan find someone, although at this point in life he probably won’t.

  I’m especially sad to see Colin so unsettled. I don’t think he’s happy in work or in love, the two most important sources of a man’s contentment. I still don’t know what happened between him and Mia, but it’s a shame. The last time she came home to Icicle Falls it was plain that he’s still crazy about her. I think she loves him, too. Neither of them has found someone and I’m sure that’s because they only want each other. They simply need a little push. I wish there was something I could do to help them. I have a few affairs of my own to settle. I’m wondering if I can do it in a way that will help both Colin and Mia. I need to think about this.

  Now I’m going to bed. Perhaps I’ll see you in my dreams. I miss you terribly.

  Love,

  Justine

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Welcome back,” Pat said, letting Colin and Mia in.

  “I guess this qualifies us as your best customers,” Colin joked as they entered the bookstore.

  Colin had never been Pat’s best customer, but he did remember the time she’d helped him pick out a book for Mia’s birthday. He’d gotten her a copy of The Princess Bride. Aunt Beth had shown them the movie, and they’d both liked it, for different reasons. He’d loved the action and the funny bits. She’d been taken with how romantic it all was. No way was he ever going to run around saying, “As you wish,” and he refused to admit that getting her the book was tantamount to the same thing. But he’d been secretly pleased when she’d opened his present at her thirteenth birthday party and let out a reverent gasp at the sight of it.

  She’d been to the bookstore countless times since, investing in novels like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and, of course, Wuthering Heights. Now, as they made their way to the nonfiction section, she was gazing avidly around as if they hadn’t been in only two days ago. He was sure she was going to get sidetracked by the display of new arrivals.

  Instead, she plunked herself right back down where she’d left off on Friday and began pulling out books and leafing through them. Colin did the same.

  They’d been searching for a few minutes when Muriel Sterling came in. Between having had several books published and the fact that her family owned Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company, she was the closest thing Icicle Falls had to royalty. “Thanks for stopping by,” Pat said to her. “I have a case of books for you to sign.”

  Mia looked up and said hello to Muriel. “You have a new book out?”

  “Just today,” Muriel confirmed.

  “Oh, you didn’t tell me when we were at your house,” Mia said.

  “That visit wasn’t about me. It was about you.”

  No doubt about it. Muriel Sterling-Wittman was a class act.

  “Yes, but I always like hearing when you’ve got a new book out,” Mia said. “I have every one.”

  Muriel picked up a book from the pile Pat was stacking on a table. “Well, then, we must continue that tradition.” She scribbled something on the title page and handed the book to Mia, who thanked her as if Muriel had given her a hundred bucks.

  Colin glanced at the cover—a single candle glowing in the window. Love Never Fails.

  He hoped that was true.

  “You’re welcome,” Muriel said. “I hope you find it helpful.”

  “I’m sure I will,” Mia said, reverently running her hand over the cover.

  Yep, Mia and books. She’d always had her nose in one. There was probably a corre
lation between that and the fact that she was class valedictorian in high school.

  She’d been scared spitless to give her speech at graduation. Gram had counseled her to pretend she was working at the information booth, telling visitors about Icicle Falls. Uncle Mark had said to picture everyone out there in the audience in their underwear and wearing red clown noses. Aunt Beth had given her Saint-John’s-Wort. Colin had given her a kiss for courage and told her to look at him.

  She had, and she’d smiled. She told him later that she couldn’t have gotten through the speech without him, especially when she pictured him with a red clown nose.

  She carefully set Muriel’s gift aside and returned to searching through the ones on the shelves. The process sped up considerably in comparison to their Friday-afternoon inspection.

  Colin, too, was aware of the minutes flying past. What kind of jerks made her come back even though she’d explained that there’d been a problem with the will? And why would she want to go back? Was there any place as great as Icicle Falls?

  Yes, he reminded himself. Wherever Mia was, that was as great as Icicle Falls. He pulled down a thick paperback, Stock Investing for Dummies. And lo and behold, he found a pink envelope inside. “Got it!”

  Mia scrambled to her feet. “What was it in?” she asked and he showed it to her.

  Pat ambled over. “I see you finally struck gold, so to speak. Are you wondering why your clue’s in a book like that?”

  It did seem kind of weird. “Yeah,” Colin admitted. “I thought it would be in something on gardening or cooking.”

  “There’s a reason she hid it in a book on stock investing,” Pat explained. “Stocks were how she turned herself into the proverbial millionaire next door.”

  “Millionaire?” Gram?

  “Grandma Justine was a millionaire?” Mia asked. “Seriously?”

  “I don’t get it,” Colin said. “She had to sell the orchard to pay for Gramps’s nursing care.”