Lorna Seilstad - [Lake Manawa Summers 03]

by The Ride of Her Life

  He snaked an arm around Lilly’s waist and kissed her cheek.

  “Yuck!” Levi said, sticking out his tongue. “Mr. Nick, you’re going to get all gooshy kissing a girl.”

  “I don’t think kissing your mama will make me gooshy. Will you make me gooshy, Lilly?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Sometimes I don’t know who is the grown-up when you two get together.”

  “Mama, Mr. Nick is more growned up than me, and he’s more growned up than you too.”

  “Taller does not make him mature.”

  Nick grabbed Levi, whirled him in a wide circle, and then set him back on the ground. “Being mature isn’t nearly as much fun as playing. Lilly, what do you say? Shall we ride the miniature train? Or maybe the carousel? I saw they were both getting set up for tomorrow.”

  “Please, Mama?”

  “Nick, you said you have work to finish here.”

  “I can come back later.”

  “In the dark?”

  “Sure.”

  Lilly stood beneath the first incline of the mammoth roller coaster and stared at the lift chain. “Maybe we’ll go in a while, Levi.” She turned to Nick. “I know you got all this installed in one day, but tomorrow—”

  “Is the park’s opening day. I know.” Nick wiped his hands on a rag and chuckled. “We were lucky that the freight clerk in Atlantic miraculously found a spot for it on one of the trains headed to Council Bluffs after Sean had a visit with him.”

  Levi jumped up and down. “When can I ride it?”

  “Never!” Lilly snapped.

  Nick cocked his head in her direction. He fought the urge to argue with her. Levi was her son, but how overprotective could she be? The boy had been watching the coaster go up since the beginning. Naturally, he wanted to ride it.

  He drew in a long breath. “Apparently your mama and I need to discuss that, buddy. Would you go get me my canteen out by the worktable?”

  “Sure, Mr. Nick.”

  Her back ramrod straight, Lilly propped her hands on her hips. “I do not want him on this contraption.”

  “Well …” Nick drew out the word. “Why don’t you at least let me show you how this ‘contraption’ works? Let’s go inside the engine shed.” He held the door for her, then walked toward one of the cars set on a sawhorse stand. She remained by the door. “Come here. You can’t see anything from over there.”

  Lilly sighed and moved closer. “I won’t change my mind.”

  “This is the chain dog.” Nick indicated a horseshoe-shaped piece of steel beneath the car, then he stepped toward Lilly and wrapped his arms around her waist. “It engages the car to the lift chain. It bears the full weight of the car as the chain pulls it up the first lift hill.”

  She licked her lips. “What if it slips? Mistakes can easily happen.”

  “Not with me.” He held her gaze for a second, then took her hand. “Let’s go back out and I’ll show you.”

  They joined Levi at the foot of the first incline. After a long drink from his canteen, Nick pointed to the lift hill. “See those green boards? We use those to keep the cars from rolling back. They allow a car to pass by going up, but if it were to slip and try going down, the boards would stop it.”

  He wasn’t sure which was worse, the doubt in Lilly’s eyes about him or about the coaster, but he wished he could make both go away. Unfortunately, relationships didn’t have anti-rollback devices.

  Pressing his hand to her back, her urged her closer to the lift chain. “Each of these sections is called a lift-chain barrel. That’s what the chain dogs under the cars attach to.”

  “So once the motorized lift chain pulls the car to the top, what keeps the roller coaster going?”

  He smiled. “Gravity, excitement, and magic. The trick is to design a track that keeps the ride going fast enough for a thrill, but not so fast you lose control.”

  She stepped out of his reach. “You need to be careful. Going too fast can get someone hurt.”

  Why did he feel the conversation had taken an unexpected plunge? How could he make her see she needed to give them a chance?

  He glanced at the top of the roller coaster, the red flag on the cupola waving in the wind. “But, Lilly.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “Some rides are worth the risk.”

  “The miniature train is harmless, Lilly!”

  Lilly glared at Nick. He couldn’t possibly understand why she didn’t want her son on the train any more than the roller coaster. Why didn’t he leave it alone? “It’s my choice to make. Not yours.”

  “Then at least tell me why.”

  Levi’s lip jutted out, and tears filled his eyes. “Why, Mama?”

  “I said no and I mean it.” She took his hand. “Come on. Maybe Mr. Wissler will still be at the merry-go-round. I’m not promising anything, Levi, but if he is, he might let you give it a go.” Nick started to follow them, and she turned to him. “You can go back to work now. Levi and I will be fine.”

  “Lilly, what has gotten into you? One minute you were fine, then the next, well, you were acting like someone put molasses in your flour. Is it me, the roller coaster, or the train?”

  “Maybe all three.” She whirled and walked away.

  He caught her elbow. “Or maybe it’s not any of that. Maybe it’s you.”

  “Or me.” Levi hung his head, and his voice choked with tears. “I’m sorry, Mama. I know I shouldn’t want to ride the train. You told me before.”

  Nick lifted Levi and dried his tears with his handkerchief. “Hey, Chipmunk. Don’t cry. It’s only a train. I think we can ride the merry-go-round, and it’s way better. Look! It’s all lit up.” He glanced down at Lilly. “You coming, or are pretend horses riding in circles too dangerous as well?”

  Her stomach ached as if she’d swallowed a loaf of sourdough. She pressed her hand to it. “You go ahead. I’ve got some thinking to do.”

  “I imagine you do.”

  On the carousel, Nick waited while Levi bypassed the long-eared rabbit and the portly pig and headed for a dappled white steed. It had an ornate blue saddle blanket and gold-trimmed saddle. “Good choice, Levi.”

  Despite Levi’s protests, Nick selected the less decorated black horse on the inside. The boy claimed good guys always rode white horses.

  “This good guy wants to ride beside his buddy,” Nick said. He lifted Levi onto his mount, then swung his leg over his own black stallion. Unfortunately, having long legs meant his feet still touched the floor of the carousel.

  When the music commenced, Nick smiled at Levi. “Wave to Mr. Wissler. It’s mighty nice of him to let us have an early ride and test this out for him.”

  Tears now replaced by a wide grin, Levi waved his arm back and forth at the gray-haired man. He gave a loud “giddyap” to his horse, followed by a rousing “yee-haw.”

  Nick added a “yee-haw” of his own, and Levi giggled. As the carousel turned, Nick caught sight of Lilly on a park bench near the turnstile. She gave them a halfhearted wave each time they passed. On the third time around, she was gone.

  Nick’s heart felt like it had a kink in its chain. Maybe he shouldn’t have whisked Levi away. Perhaps he’d been too harsh. But that woman could be more complex than a set of drawings for a hundred coasters. What would make anyone react that way to a miniature train ride designed for children?

  The merry-go-round slowed, and Nick spotted Lilly waiting with Mr. Wissler. The older man took her hand and helped her step on the carousel. She walked between the horses, holding on to the brass poles for balance since the ride had yet to come to a complete stop.

  She looked at Nick and tilted her head toward a swan-shaped chariot seat for two mounted behind Levi’s horse. “Want to join me?”

  Nick nodded and stepped over the back of the black stallion. He squeezed Levi’s shoulder. “You hold on tight, Levi. Your mama and I are going to ride behind you.”

  “In a bird?” Levi scowled.

  Chuckling, Nick held out his hand to Lilly. “Appa
rently he doesn’t approve of our choice, but I think this is perfect.”

  The lively organ music began again, and the carousel picked up speed. Nick glanced at Lilly. Twice she’d opened her mouth to speak, then clamped her lips shut. He draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

  A long sigh escaped her. “I don’t like trains.”

  “I gathered that.”

  “Ben was killed in a train accident. He was on his way back from Minneapolis when the train derailed.”

  A weight settled on Nick’s chest. No wonder she’d gotten so upset. He should have guessed it was something like that. “Have you ever told Levi how he died and why you don’t like trains?”

  Her eyes fixed on the little railroad as they passed. “It’s not fair to burden him with my fears.”

  “He’s your son, but the way I see it, you’re doing that already by getting so upset about the train ride. He’s a smart boy. I’m sure he senses your fear. Have you ridden a train at all since the accident?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know if I could, and Levi doesn’t understand.”

  “He’s not going to understand anything unless you explain it to him.”

  Lilly said nothing for a full turn of the carousel. Nick glanced at her. The evening light cast shadows on her weary face. How he wished he could erase the last hour’s events.

  The merry-go-round began to slow. Lifting her face to his, she said, “I need to ride it.”

  “If you can’t, Lilly, you can’t. It’s okay. It’s understandable. I’ll even explain it to Levi for you.”

  “No, I can do this. I’d do anything for him. Anything.”

  “I know.” Nick nodded and kissed her cheek.

  The merry-go-round came to a stop, and Levi turned toward them with a big grin. “My horse had to be more fun than that silly bird.”

  Someday maybe Nick would get the chance to tell the boy the truth.

  Placing her hands on Nick’s shoulders, Lilly let him swing her off the carousel and onto the ground. He lifted Levi high into the air before depositing him beside her.

  “Let’s go ride the train.” Lilly took Levi’s hand.

  “But you said—”

  “I changed my mind.” She linked her arm in Nick’s. “Right, Nick?”

  “That’s a fact. I only hope Mr. King is still there.”

  They came around the side of the bowling alley and discovered Mr. Thorton walking toward them.

  Halting, Lilly pulled her hand free from Nick’s arm. “Mr. Thorton. I didn’t expect to see you around this evening.”

  “Obviously.” He glanced down at Lilly’s clasped hands. “Aren’t you three a happy little family?”

  Nick frowned. “Lilly and I were on our way to take Levi on a train ride. Several of the operators are gearing up for tomorrow’s opening and told me earlier today to bring him by.”

  “Mrs. Hart, I thought you’d be busy preparing for the opening day as well.”

  “I’ll be heading back to the diner after Levi’s train ride.”

  “I see. Have you given any more thought to what we spoke about? Your in-laws would like to take the boy for the weekend.”

  “Sir, they are my former in-laws, and as I told you before, if they want to see Levi, they can come here and do so any time they want.” Levi tugged on her hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Levi is pretty excited about possibly riding the train.”

  “By all means. Excuse me.” Mr. Thorton stepped out of the way. “But be careful, Mrs. Hart. I’d hate for you or your son to get hurt.”

  Was that some kind of veiled threat?

  Nick pressed his hand to the small of her back and directed her around Mr. Thorton. When they were out of earshot, he glanced at Lilly. “More trouble?”

  “Ben’s father has been passing along some messages through Mr. Thorton.”

  “I’m surprised he’s still pressuring you. Mr. Thorton seemed like a kind man.”

  “He is, I think. But he’s a businessman too. I don’t know if you realize how powerful Claude Hart is. Ben used to say his father could ruin a man in twenty-four hours if he wanted to.”

  “Yet you still are fighting him.”

  “And now so are you. I don’t have a choice, but you do. If he wanted my business, he could have it. But he wants my son.”

  “Mr. King is there! I see him!” Levi ran on ahead.

  Lilly spotted the train and stopped. Her pulse drummed, and she rubbed her sweaty hands on her skirt. “I know it’s ridiculous and I’m ashamed, but I don’t know if I can do this.”

  “First of all, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Second, you can do this. Have a little faith. We’ll do it together—like we petted the snake.”

  They caught up with Levi, and Mr. King smiled at them. “Mr. Perrin, I was wondering if you folks would be coming by.”

  “Sorry, we got delayed on the carousel.” Nick reached in his pocket and pulled out some tickets. “These are for the roller coaster. Please come as my guest.”

  “Tomorrow?” Mr. King tugged on the bill of his black-and-white-striped railroad cap.

  “’Fraid not. Still have some safety checks to do, but it’ll be running by the end of the week.”

  “I can’t wait.” He looked down at Levi. “Are you ready for a ride on my train? Since I’m the engineer, I need a good conductor who can yell, ‘All aboard.’ Would you do that for me?”

  A smile blossomed on Levi’s face, and he nodded. “I can yell real loud.”

  “Good for you.” Mr. King pointed to the cars. “Okay, go ahead. Say it as loud as you can.”

  Levi took a deep breath, leaned back, and cupped his chubby hands to his mouth. “Aaaaaaall aboard!”

  “Well done. Maybe you can have my job someday.”

  “Nope. I’m gonna build roller coasters like Mr. Nick.”

  The miniature train bumped along with a steady clack clack, but Lilly couldn’t relax. She clutched her pocketbook in her hands, her knuckles whitening. Nick pried her hand free and held her sweaty palm in his as if he didn’t notice. All the while, he and Levi chattered like railroaders about the track, the engine, and the cars, contrasting and comparing them to those on the roller coaster.

  “Isn’t this fun, Mama?” Levi twisted in his seat to face her and Nick.

  Nick squeezed her hand and chuckled.

  She elbowed his ribs. “It’s certainly an adventure.”

  Levi whirled the other way and leaned out over the side.

  “Get back in and sit right, Levi Hart,” she snapped.

  He frowned and glanced at Nick.

  “She’s the boss.” Nick patted the back of the boy’s seat. “Sit back here and enjoy the rest of the ride.” He shot Lilly a devilish grin. “I know I am.”

  Heat infused her cheeks, and her pulse quickened again, but for a whole new reason. What was she going to do with Nick? Didn’t he realize this could never work between them? He kept saying to trust him and trust the Lord, but he didn’t know what she did. The only one she could trust was herself. Bad things could happen to anyone. Perhaps God had blessed her with love again only to rip Nick away as well.

  27

  Nick dropped into a wicker chair outside Emily’s cottage. He rubbed his face with his hands. Lilly was pulling away again. He knew it as surely as he understood how fast the cars of his coaster had to go to make it through the whole figure eight. What did he have to do to convince her they had a real chance?

  The incessant chirping of crickets annoyed him. He needed to think. No, he needed to pray. Dear Lord, show me what to do.

  The screen door opened, and she stepped out of the cottage. The sweet scent of her rose cologne greeted him first, making him want to pull her into his arms and kiss the daylights out of her.

  “That didn’t take long.” Nick patted the wicker chair beside him.

  “All the excitement must have worn him out.” She buttoned her spring cape around her neck. “I can’t sit. Remember, I have to do s
ome additional work at the diner. Emily said she’d watch Levi.”

  “You’re going back tonight?”

  She shrugged. “I have to. Care to walk me over?” She started down the path that led to the Midway, and he fell in step beside her.

  “You’ll be there alone.” The thought made his neck prickle. That spidery feeling had been niggling at him all night. He glanced around.

  “I’ve been alone before.”

  “But you’ve already worked a full day, and I know you’re tired. Why don’t I stay and help?”

  She stopped and faced him. “Absolutely not. The last thing we need is for my former father-in-law to get wind of you and me spending time alone together at night. Can you imagine what he’d do with that information? He’d have Levi taken away by morning.”

  “I would never let that happen, Lilly.” He swallowed hard. “A child belongs with his mother.”

  He took her elbow, and they began walking again. The lapping of the lake and the whir of cicadas filled the silence between them. He didn’t like the idea of her being in the diner by herself, but he liked the idea of causing her more heartache even less.

  “Nick, when you said that a child belongs with his mother, it sounded—personal.” Her voice was soft and gentle. “Why is that?”

  “Maybe I should tell you another time. I don’t want you to have to work even later.”

  “I can spare a few moments, and I’d like to hear now.”

  Having reached the Midway, he motioned toward a park bench lit by the lights emanating from the shooting gallery. Even though he was concerned about the lateness of the hour, she was reaching out to him, and he wanted to encourage that more than ever. Perhaps this was the chance he’d been praying for.

  They sat down, and he drew in a long breath. “You know I’m from a large family.”

  She nodded.

  “And you know we didn’t have a lot of money.” He shifted on the bench and watched a frog hop by in the dim light. “Things got real bad one winter. My dad lost his job, and we were living on the money my mother made washing clothes and ironing for other folks.”