“Everything. I teach sixth graders at the elementary school.”
His answer surprised her. For some reason, she’d expected him to say history or algebra or some other class taught at the high school level.
She asked another question. He answered and asked his own.
Patti shared about her mom’s divorce when she was in middle school. Al shared about the recent death of his grandfather, a farmer like his dad. She shared about her move to Boise at the age of sixteen and how difficult it had been to feel comfortable with city life, though she loved it now. He shared how eager he’d been to finish college and get his teaching certificate so he could return to Hart’s Crossing. She shared her love of books and the theater. He shared his passion for golf and basketball. She mentioned her cat. He told funny stories about his dog.
And in the midst of it all, there came a moment when Patti knew that Al Bedford was destined to be part of her future. At least she hoped so with all her heart.
Chapter 1
August 2006
SOFT MEWLING SOUNDS AWAKENED Patti at 3:00 a.m. She lay still, hoping Al would get up and be able to walk the baby back to sleep. Trouble was, if she waited too long, the cries of one twin would wake the other.
She heard Al’s breathing, a sound not quite a snore but close enough. As she slipped from beneath the sheet and lightweight blanket, she felt a spark of irritation. Not at their precious twins, but at her husband. Why did he get to sleep when she didn’t?
The two bassinets—one pink, one blue—were set in the far corner of the master bedroom. Moonlight, falling through the window, illuminated her way across the room. Placing one hand on each bassinet, she leaned over to see which baby was fussing. Like his father, Weston didn’t budge. Sunni, however, punched the air with tiny fists, warming up for a good cry.
“Shh,” Patti whispered as she lifted her infant daughter. “Mommy’s here. Shh.”
A short while later, as the baby nursed at her breast, Patti set the rocking chair in motion and stared out the window of the family room. The silvery-white moonlight bathed the rooftop of the house across the back fence. Somewhere in the neighborhood, a dog barked. Soon another dog replied. It was a strangely comforting sound.
She and Al had purchased this home in a new subdivision on the east side of Hart’s Crossing last spring. She’d fallen in love with it upon entering through the front door. If they were going to stay in this small town, then this was the home she wanted to live in. Yes, the mortgage was higher than what they wanted, but whose wasn’t? At least they were investing their money instead of throwing it away on rent. She just wished there was a little more of Al’s paycheck left over each month after they paid their bills.
She leaned her head against the back of the rocker and closed her eyes as the memory of their latest argument played through her head.
“We could move to Boise. You’d make more money in a larger school district, and you’d have more opportunities for advancement.”
“There’s more to life than money, Patti. I want our kids to grow up in Hart’s Crossing. We’ve talked about that. I like my job. I like the people I work with. I know and love the kids I teach. There’s no reason to leave.”
“Raising children is expensive. Have you seen the doctor and hospital bills?”
“We’ll manage.”
Tears spilled from beneath her eyelids, trailing down her cheeks. She and Al never used to fight. Now they seemed to disagree about everything. Her mother said it was whacked-out hormones and too little sleep. Maybe that was true. Maybe not.
Her gaze lowered to the infant in her arms. Sunni slept again, her mouth gone slack.
Why can’t I be content with things as they are?
Guilt surged. She had much to be thankful for. And she was thankful. Truly, she was. The babies were healthy and strong despite their early arrival. Al loved teaching at Hart’s Crossing Elementary. Her wonderful mother-in-law dropped by as often as she could to help with the twins. The ladies of the Thimbleberry Quilting Club and her friends from church had showered the Bedford family with gifts.
And yet…
I’m sorry, God. I don’t mean to complain.
There was something else to feel guilty over. Her spiritual walk was almost nonexistent, except for church on Sundays. For several years it had been her habit to rise early to read her Bible and pray before she got ready for work. She’d loved those quiet times, sitting in the Lord’s presence, waiting for him to speak to her heart. When was the last time she’d read her Bible? When was the last time she’d heard God’s voice? Weeks? No. More like months.
With a sigh, she rose from the rocker and carried the baby to the pink bassinet in the bedroom.
If I just weren’t so tired all the time, maybe
As if on cue, Weston whimpered.
Patti cast an envious glance toward her sleeping husband before stepping toward the blue bassinet.
* * *
The beep-beep of the alarm clock awakened Al at 6:30. With a flailing arm, he managed to hit the snooze button without opening his eyes. He wanted five more minutes of sleep, and he didn’t need the alarm waking the twins.
This first week of the new school year had been rough. In the past, he’d looked forward to meeting his students and discovering more about each one of them, but he hadn’t had much rest since the babies were born. A sleep-deprived teacher had few defenses against the wiles of a bunch of sixth graders still getting into the groove after summer vacation.
“Al?”
So much for those last five minutes. “Hmm.”
“I didn’t make your sandwich last night. I forgot.”
He opened his eyes. Morning light filtered through the bedroom curtains. “That’s okay. I’ll get hot lunch with the kids. I think it’s burger day.” He turned his head on the pillow to look at his wife. Her eyes were closed.
“I was up and down with the babies three times in the night.” Patti pulled the sheet over her head as she rolled onto her side. “Try not to wake them.”
“I’ll do my best.”
He slid out of bed and made his way to the master bathroom, closing the door without a sound. He didn’t bother to flip the light switch. Enough daylight came through the block-glass window over the jetted tub.
Minutes later, freshly shaved, he stood beneath the shower spray, suds from the shampoo sliding in globs down his cheeks and neck as he used the bar of soap to lather the rest of his body. He wasn’t normally a guy who took long showers, but this morning he had to resist the desire to stand there, eyes closed, and catch those five extra minutes of sleep.
But he didn’t. Duty calledand so did eighteen eleven-year-olds.
After dressing in clothes he’d laid out the night before, he left the bathroom and walked to the edge of the bed, where he leaned down and kissed his wife on the forehead. Next he moved to the bassinets, where he smiled at his son and daughter, so sweet in slumber.
See you tonight, he mouthed before leaving the bedroom.
Al was thankful the twins had arrived during the summer months. It had given him time to bond with them in a way many dads couldn’t because of their work schedules. He didn’t mind changing diapers or burping or bathing them. The only thing he couldn’t do was feed them. And even though there were times he might prefer his children had arrived one at a time, with a couple years in between, he wouldn’t trade Sunni and Weston for a million bucks.
He yawned as he grabbed his briefcase and car keys from the table near the back door, already planning to get a few minutes of shut-eye during the lunch break.
Chapter 2
“HONEY,” HER MOTHER SAID, “it’s time you found someone to watch the babies and give yourself a few hours out of the house.”
“How can I do that?” Patti shifted the cordless handset to her left ear and pressed it close with her shoulder, then continued folding towels. “Do you know how much sitters want per hour these days? Even in a small town like this one.”
“Are you telling me you have no friends who would watch those adorable babies for a couple of hours?”
“Of course I have friends who would do it if I asked. But I think they’re intimidated with two babies.” I know I am sometimes. “I’d hate to impose on them.” She released a sigh. “I wish you could have stayed in Hart’s Crossing longer.”
“Me too. But I’ve used the last of my vacation time for this year.”
“I know.” She swallowed another sigh.
“You heed my words. Get out of the house for a while. Even if it’s just long enough to get yourself a cup of coffee at the diner. You’ll have a better perspective on things if you do.”
Her mother made it sound so easy. If only…
“I’ve got to run, dear. I’m about to burn your stepfather’s dinner.”
“Bye, Mom. Give Doug my love.”
“I will. You do the same with Al.”
After setting aside the phone, Patti sank onto a chair at the kitchen table. Wouldn’t she love to take her mom’s advice? How much fun it would be to go down to Twin Falls to spend a few hours at the mall. Or maybe drive up to the resort for a nice dinner with her husband. It felt as if she and Al hadn’t talked to each other in ages, other than to say, “Would you change her diaper?” or “Can you fold the laundry?” or “Where’s dinner?”
Or to argue. Again.
And though she was loathe to admit it, she started too many of those arguments. What was wrong with her? Why did she pick fights with him? It wasn’t for sport. She preferred peace. She preferred laughter.
Patti swept loose strands of hair back from her face as her gaze moved around the kitchen. Breakfast dishes were in the sink, and the dishwasher needed to be emptied. Clean baby clothes, sheets, and towelsabout four loads’ worth of laundryhad yet to be folded. Al would be home in less than an hour, and she hadn’t given a thought to dinner. Was anything defrosted?
After she and Al had moved into their new home last March, Patti had kept everything in perfect order. Little Miss Susie Homemaker. That was Patti. She loved cleaning and shining and decorating, and her pregnancy hadn’t slowed her down one bit. She couldn’t have imagined the day would come when her home looked like a cyclone hit it.
She heard a knock on the back door and turned to see who it was. Amy Livingston, the thirteen-year-old girl from next door, grinned and waved at her through the glass.
“Come in, Amy. It’s unlocked.”
The girl opened the door. “Hey, Mrs. Bedford. How’re the twins today?”
“They’re sleeping.” She glanced at the baby monitor on the counter. Not a sound came through the speaker, to her great relief.
“Mom said it was okay if I came over as long as I’m not in the way. Will I be in the way? Can I help with something?”
“Amy, you’re a lifesaver. I could definitely use some help. Would you mind folding the laundry while I clean the kitchen and see what I can fix Al for dinner?”
“No, I don’t mind. Is there any special way you fold things?”
Patti laughed. “Any way that gets it done is okay with me.”
She rose from the chair and moved toward the dishwasher. In short order, she had the clean dishes in the cupboards and the dirty ones closed inside the machine. Then, with a bottle of spray cleaner in one hand and a damp cloth in the other, she wiped the countertops, the front of the microwave, and the handles on the refrigerator.
She was staring into the pantry, contemplating dinner, when she heard the first whimper through the monitor. The fullness in her breasts told her it was feeding time. It looked like Al would have to wait for his supper again.
* * *
“Hey, Bedford!”
Standing beside his 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider convertiblea college graduation gift from his parentsAl looked over his shoulder and watched as Jeff Cavanaugh, the town doctor, strode toward him.
“What’s up, Doc?”
Jeff rolled his eyes at Al’s Bugs Bunny impersonationan old and overused jokeand ignored the question. “You look tired, buddy.”
“Yeah, it’s hard to remember what a good night’s sleep feels like.”
“But your babies are thriving. I was pleased when they were in for their six-week checkup.”
“That’s what Patti said.”
Jeff jerked his head toward the building. “I’d better get inside. I promised Penny I’d help her with a school project her first graders are doing.” He flexed his right arm. “I’m the muscle.”
“Things getting serious between you two?”
“Could be.” Jeff shrugged.
Love was definitely in the air in Hart’s Crossing. Al and Patti had been to two weddings in the past nine months. First there was James Scott and Steph Watson, childhood sweethearts who’d fallen in love again after fifty years apart. They’d wed in late autumn, before the first snows flew. In May, Angie Hunter and Bill Palmer, owner of the local weekly newspaper, tied the knot in a ceremony with the whole town turned out to witness the union. Now, word was Mel Jenkins had proposed to Terri Sampson, the mother of one of Al’s current students, and the wedding was set to take place in December.
Yes, love was in the air. Why not for Jeff and Penny?
Al opened the car door and tossed his briefcase onto the passenger seat. “Cavanaugh, you’re the most eligible bachelor this town’s got left. Good looking and a doctor to boot. What mother wouldn’t want you for her daughter? I’d say your days are numbered.”
Jeff gave him a good-natured punch in the shoulder, then walked toward the main entrance to the school.
On the drive home, Al’s thoughts drifted to the day he and Patti first met. He’d been taken with her from the start. Lucky he hadn’t tripped as he walked Olivia’s mother to her seat at the front of the church. In the months that followed, he made countless trips to Nampa, about a three-and-a-half hour drive from Hart’s Crossing. The more he saw her, the more he knew he wanted to spend his life with her. One of the best days of his life was when he proposed and she said yes.
Maybe Patti was right. Maybe he should look for work outside of Hart’s Crossing. His teaching salary was stretched to the limit with a wife, two babies, payments on a used Honda Odyssey, and a hefty mortgage. Only he didn’t want to leave his hometown. Patti knew that was how he felt before they got married. She’d been in agreement with him. At least, that’s what she’d told him in the beginning.
Approaching their house on White Cloud Drive, Al pushed the button on the remote clipped to the visor, slowed as the garage door opened, then drove in beside the Odyssey. He glanced at the front yard as he exited the car. The lawn needed to be mowed, but he wasn’t keen on doing it with the temperature still hovering around the ninety-degree mark. Cooler weather couldn’t get here fast enough to suit him.
As he opened the door into the house, he called, “I’m home.”
A moment later, Amy Livingston poked her head into the kitchen. “Hi, Mr. Bedford. Mrs. Bedford’s upstairs feeding the twins. I was on my way home.” She waved before making a beeline for the back patio door. “Bye!”
“See ya.”
Two years ago, Amy had been one of his students. She was bright, friendly, and as kids her age go, dependable. From the moment the Bedford’s moved to this house, she’d been a presence in their lives. Maybe because she was an only child with a working mom and a father who traveled a lot for his business. Plus she was crazy about the twins.
She wasn’t the only one who could say that.
Al dropped his briefcase near the entrance of the den before taking the stairs two at a time. He paused in the doorway of the master bedroom.
Patti sat in an overstuffed chair, her legs tucked to one side, one of the babies nursing at her breast. Her long, black, wavy hair was pulled into a ponytail, keeping it out of her face and out of reach of an infant’s grasping fingers.
“Hey, beautiful.”
She looked up with a smile. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I
came in as Amy was leaving.” He strode across the room to look at the baby in her arms. “Wes’s turn?”
“Mmm. Sunni ate first.”
He stepped to the side of the pink bassinet. His daughter stared up at him with wide, dark eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to be sleepy after you eat?” He lifted her into his arms and kissed the top of her downy-haired head.
Did every dad feel like his heart might explode with joy when he held his child? There wasn’t anything like this. Nothing to compare.
“Al, I’ve been thinking I might want to start supplementing with formula.”
“Really?” He turned to look at Patti.
“I’m not sure I’m making enough milk.”
“Jeff said their weight’s good.”
Tears flooded her eyes and slipped down her cheeks. She lowered her gaze to Weston, but not before Al felt like a complete heel for making her cryeven though he didn’t know what he’d said wrong.
“Patti, I thought breast-feeding was the better way to go. That’s all.”
“Better for you, maybe,” she said softly.
“What?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired.”
Al sank onto the ottoman near the chair. “Hey, if you think that’s what you should do”
“I don’t know what I think I should do.” She met his gaze again, giving him a tremulous smile. “I love the ease of nursing, and I know it’s better for them. I’ve tried using that pump I got at my baby shower, but…Oh, I don’t know. I just feel like if the twins were on bottles, things would be easier. We could even ask someone to watch them for a little while. Maybe you and I could go to dinner or to a movie instead of staying home all the time.” Patti moved Weston to her shoulder and started patting his back. “Would you order a pizza to be delivered?”
Pizza? That was the fourth time in two weeks.
Al swallowed his objection. His wife was in one of those moods, and he didn’t want to make her cry again.
“Sure. I’ll call it in now.” He glanced at the baby in the crook of his arm. “Come on, Sunni. You can help me decide what to get.”
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