Holly's Heart Collection One

by Beverly Lewis

  “Just kidding, Daddy. She’s my best friend.”

  He chuckled. “You’ll have to fill me in on all your friends.”

  I couldn’t imagine him being interested in hearing about Andie or Danny Myers.

  “This happened so fast,” I said.

  “It’ll be great having you girls here. Your stepbrother is anxious to meet you both.”

  I’d completely forgotten about him. “How old is he?”

  “Tyler’s nine,” he said. “He’s already making plans to entertain you.”

  I couldn’t say I was anxious to meet Saundra’s son, especially if he was anything like her. Well, I’d just have to wait and see.

  I said good-bye to Daddy, kissed Mom good-night, and pranced off to bed. I wouldn’t get much sleep tonight, but who cared? I was going to California!

  SECRET SUMMER DREAMS

  Chapter 12

  The next morning I woke up early. Life was too exciting to stay in bed. This afternoon I was going to ride up Copper Mountain with Danny, and on Monday I was flying out to see my dad.

  God had answered my prayer so fast, my head was spinning with the speediness of it, like getting a return email message from God. I couldn’t wait to tell Danny about my latest miracle.

  Sitting up in bed, I opened my devotional book. The Scripture was Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect.” No kidding! If I had tried to put the trip together this fast, well…it was obvious who was in charge here.

  After breakfast, I phoned Andie. “Can you come right over?” I asked.

  “Too early,” she complained. “I’m sleeping in.”

  I assured her it was extremely important. “Besides,” I said, “you have all summer to get caught up on sleep.”

  After I hung up, I loaded dirty clothes into the washing machine and cleaned up the kitchen while Mom and Carrie slept.

  Boy, was Carrie’s summer turning out radically different than she’d thought. Tagging along with me to California was the perfect answer to all her fears. Surf, sun, and Daddy awaited. Just two days away.

  At last, Andie arrived, her dark curly hair still wet from her shower.

  “What took so long?” I said, opening the door.

  “Had to clean my room. Mom’s in a spotless mood,” she grumbled.

  “Want to help me clean mine?” I laughed.

  No way, her frown indicated.

  “What did you drag me out of bed for?”

  “I’ll tell you. C’mon, let’s take a walk.” I didn’t want Mom to hear Andie fussing about the latest turn of events.

  “Where to?” she asked.

  “The library.”

  “It’s not open yet.” She looked at her watch. “Too early for anyone sane to be out of bed on the first day of summer vacation.”

  “Guess Carrie and Mom are saner than both of us,” I muttered as we left the house.

  “You guys stay up late or something?”

  “Yeah…some scary stuff happened with Zachary while I was sitting for him last night. He’s real sick.” I paused, then I said, “Because of that, I’m going to California in two days. My grandma’s flying in this afternoon, and then she and Carrie and I are going to see my dad.”

  Andie stopped dead in her tracks. “Holly, are you crazy? What’s the throw-uppy kid got to do with you going to California?” She stood in front of me with her hands on her hips, as if she dared me to take one more step.

  “Mom wants to be near him while he’s in the hospital in Denver, so Grandma’s taking care of us, and…oh, Andie, I know it sounds complicated, but the way I see it…this is a miracle!”

  “What’re you talking about?”

  It wouldn’t be easy convincing her that God could use something as bad as Zach’s illness and turn it around so I could go to California.

  “It’s like that verse in Romans,” I explained. “All things do work together for good, because we love God.”

  At last, we proceeded down the sidewalk. Andie’s fast pace told me she wasn’t one bit happy with me. “I love God, too, Holly. What happens when I pray that you’ll stay here this summer? That’s for my good, like in the verse, right?”

  She had a point.

  “It’s only for a couple weeks,” I said meekly.

  “Two weeks? Holly, that’s forever!”

  By the look on her face, this was going to be a problem between us, no matter how long or short my visit was.

  “I’m going to California, and that’s the end of it,” I said.

  “Whatever,” she said angrily.

  “Put yourself in my place for once.”

  “Right,” she muttered.

  Overhead, a jet left a vapor trail behind as it climbed up, up over the mountains, reminding me of the trip ahead and the short time I had to get ready.

  I suggested we run back to my house without stepping on any cracks in the sidewalk. “Don’t want to break your mother’s back, do you?” I said, trying to chase away the dark mood that hung over Andie. Giggling, I pushed her onto some cracks.

  Not so deep inside, we were still kids. Good thing Danny wasn’t around to see us now. I doubted that the giggling and jumping would do much for his impression of me. Unless, of course, there was a logical reason for all the jumping.

  Logical. That described Danny perfectly. Everything he did was carefully thought out. Even the way he expressed himself and the way he treated his friends. Just knowing I was one of his closest friends made me want to improve my posture—hold my head up, walk tall, throw my shoulders back a little more.

  “You’re really weird,” Andie scoffed at the way I was walking.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Oh, nothing.” She didn’t always have to know what I was thinking.

  “Looks to me like you’re developing a shape, Holly.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “You should walk around like that all the time.”

  “Thanks, uh…I think.” What had she noticed that I’d missed? Or was she being sarcastic?

  “No kidding, Holly. You’re starting to blossom. That’s what my mother calls it. Who knows, in a couple months it could happen…you could become a woman.”

  I really and truly hoped so. I was tired of looking like the only praying mantis around. Guess seventh-grade girls think more about their bodies than they should. For sure more than eighth- and ninth-grade girls. They’ve already got their curves. But I figured if a girl like me could survive the seventh grade, where you feel all scrambled up, like in a giant mixing bowl, I could make it through till I truly “blossomed” and it happened.

  “Look out,” Andie said. “There are tons of cracks coming up.”

  We’d turned onto Downhill Court, my street. Part of the sidewalk was bricked, making it almost impossible to run and still miss the cracks. The street was still quiet, too early for activity. The laziness of summer had come.

  “I’d rather starve than eat that for breakfast,” Andie told Carrie, who sat on the front-porch swing nibbling on a nectarine.

  Carrie held up the rosy-colored fruit. “There’s nothing wrong with fruit,” she said. “Here, try a bite.”

  “Nope,” Andie said, holding her stomach. “You didn’t wipe off your spit.”

  “Don’t be gross in front of my little sister,” I warned.

  “Give me a break, Holly.” Andie plopped down on the swing beside Carrie.

  “Okay, if you don’t break the swing.” I laughed.

  Mom came outside, carrying a tray of toast and jelly, and some glasses filled with milk. “Anybody hungry?”

  “I am,” Carrie said, reaching for the tray.

  “No thanks, I better go,” said Andie, getting up from the swing, making it creak again. “Have to baby-sit my baby brothers while Mom runs errands. See you at Copper Mountain, Holly.”

  I nodded. “How much money do we need for the gondola ride?”

  I asked, forgetting what the youth pastor had told us last week.

&nb
sp; “Not sure. I’ll call you.” Andie sauntered down the redwood steps and waved.

  “Better get busy and start packing, Holly-Heart,” Mom said. “If you don’t start planning, you’ll run out of time.” She poured more milk for Carrie.

  “I’ll have my things packed in a flash,” I said.

  Carrie wiped her mouth, eyes wide. “Where’s Holly going?”

  It was then I realized Mom hadn’t told Carrie about our exciting travel plans.

  “To California,” Mom said calmly. “And so are you.”

  “I am?” Carrie raised her eyebrows.

  I hurried to sit on the swing with her, grabbing her hand.

  “It’s going to be so fabulous, Carrie. We’ll walk along the beach, shell hunting. Maybe you’ll find some pretty ones to bring home. And…”

  “Why are we going?” she asked.

  Mom rehashed the whole amazing story. “It’s a good time for both you girls to visit your father. Your grandma will fly out with you while I’m in Denver with Zachary at The Children’s Hospital.

  Everything’s set.”

  Carrie was quiet. I didn’t know if she was too shocked to speak or just still too sleepy.

  “Daddy has a stepson a little older than you, named Tyler. We’ll both get to meet him for the first time,” I said, hoping for a response.

  Carrie stood up and placed her empty glass on the tray. “I’m not going,” she said. “I’m staying home. What if Zach gets worse? I can’t leave him behind. I won’t.” She reached for the screen door.

  “Carrie, you have to go,” I wailed.

  “I’ll handle this,” Mom said, getting up and going inside after her.

  Just great, I thought. My sister’s such a baby. There was absolutely nothing she could do to help Zach by staying home. Nothing.

  I sat there in the morning stillness, listening to the gentle humming sounds of insects as they sent secret messages back and forth. Leaning my head back, I could see the clouds playing follow-theleader.

  Slam went the screen door. I sat up.

  There stood Mom, her arms crossed, wearing an exasperated frown. “Carrie simply does not want to go. She’s upstairs crying about it, and I don’t see the sense in forcing her.”

  I stuck my feet up under me on the porch swing. “That’s weird. Yesterday she didn’t want to stay behind with a bunch of sitters.”

  “There won’t be any sitters around, with you and Grandma here until I return from Denver.”

  “Grandma? Me?” What’s happening? I wondered.

  “Holly, I’m sorry, but things have changed,” she said abruptly. “The trip is off. I’m really very sorry.”

  “Why?” I cried. “Just because Carrie doesn’t want to go? What about me?”

  Mom pinched a dead leaf off the geranium plant.

  “What about Daddy?” I continued. “He’s expecting us.”

  “Your father will have to adjust his plans.”

  “Why can’t I go alone? I’m thirteen. Why does everything have to change because of Carrie?”

  “Holly, listen,” Mom said. “Carrie’s crying because she’s afraid.”

  I sighed. “That’s dumb. There’s nothing to be afraid of. She’s acting like a big baby, and I can’t believe you’re letting her.”

  Mom eased down into the porch chair. “There are things to be frightened of, and Carrie’s not the only one who has fears. I struggle, too.”

  “Like what?” I didn’t really care what, I just wanted to talk sense into Mom. And fast.

  “Like losing you, Holly-Heart.”

  “How could that possibly happen?” I shot back. She was talking in riddles now.

  Sighing, she stared down at her lap. “Maybe you’d end up wanting to live with your father.”

  I wanted to laugh. “That’s the silliest thing I’ve heard. Why would I want to do that?”

  She blew her nose. Now Mom was crying.

  “If you want to know the truth, Mom, when it comes right down to it, there’s only one thing that could make me want to leave Dressel Hills. And that’s if you and Mr. Tate decided to get married.” There, I’d said it. My greatest fear.

  “What a terrible thing to say.” She got up. “You have no right to threaten me with such a thing. Now, go to your room.”

  “I’d rather go to California!”

  “That’s out of the question now,” she said.

  The porch swing swayed as I gritted my teeth. So much for miracles and divine email messages.

  SECRET SUMMER DREAMS

  Chapter 13

  I was crushed. How could things be so perfect one minute and so messed up the next?

  Lying on the porch swing, I stared up at the sky. Puffs of cotton dotted the blue. They seemed close enough to touch. Squinting one eye shut, I reached up, aiming for the smallest cloud in the bunch. My squinting squeezed out a tear. Then another. Soon, the cloud I reached for was a blurry blob. I dropped my arm and covered my face with it, letting out the sobs.

  How could Mom do this to me?

  And Daddy…When would I ever see him again? If not this summer, when? Once school started there would be no time. Eighth grade was much harder than seventh. Everyone said so.

  The phone rang. I listened through the window, hoping it was Daddy or someone else talking sense to Mom besides me.

  The screen door opened. “It’s Andie, for you,” Mom said, handing the phone out to me.

  “Hello.” I brushed my tears away.

  “Well, don’t you sound morbid,” she said.

  “Promise not to cheer if I tell you?”

  “Maybe, maybe not,” she said with a giggle.

  “It’s not funny, Andie. The trip’s off.”

  “You’re not going?” She was obviously happy.

  “No.” I explained my dilemma.

  “Well, I called to find out what you’re wearing to the sky ride,” she said, ignoring my woes. “Don’t forget, Danny’ll be there.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “Hey, I know you better than that,” she said. “You really can’t wait to see him, can you?”

  Mom was giving me a signal.

  “Gotta go now,” I told her.

  “Remember, wear pink,” Andie said.

  Mom stood by the kitchen door. She pulled her keys out of her purse. “I have to pick up some groceries for tonight.” She looked at me searchingly. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  I turned away. I didn’t want to talk to her. She’d spoiled my summer dreams with her ridiculous fears. Now all I could look forward to was the gondola ride with Danny. If the Miller twins didn’t get to him first.

  I’d seen crowded parking lots before, but this one was really hopping. Every teen in the church youth group, and all their friends, must’ve shown up to ride the gondolas up Copper Mountain.

  I scanned the cars for Danny. Was he here yet?

  Billy Hill was heading up the walkway leading to the ticket booth. I grabbed Andie’s arm. “Look who’s here,” I whispered, popping a chunk of bubble gum into my mouth.

  “Shh,” Andie said. “Act cool.”

  “Wanna ride with me, girls?” It was Jared, sneaking up behind us. As usual.

  “Guess again,” Andie retorted, fluffing her curls. “Don’t you have someone to hang out with?”

  “Sure.” He grabbed my arm playfully. “How ’bout you, Holly? You look lonely.”

  “Look again.” I blew a bubble in his face.

  “Thanks, think I will.” Jared stepped back, playfully turning his head this way and that, as if admiring me.

  “Oh, please,” Andie groaned.

  Just then I spotted Danny’s auburn hair as he climbed out of the church van. I wondered if he was going to ride the gondola with our youth pastor. Please come over and talk to me, I thought, excitement bubbling up.

  Andie and I purchased our tickets and stood looking up at the apparatus that held the gondolas on the cable line. Looked wobbly to me. The best thing about the ride,
in my opinion, was that the cars were enclosed, with windows all around. Even though there was room enough for four, I secretly hoped Danny and I might have the chance to ride together. Just the two of us.

  “Hey,” Danny said to me, arriving in time for boarding.

  “Hi, Danny.” My smile was big. I could feel my face stretching…stretching.

  “Step right this way,” the man working the gondolas called. He pointed out where I should wait for the next car to come around. “Who’s riding with this young lady?”

  Danny stepped up. “I am.” He grinned.

  I caught my breath. What a smile he had. And the twinkle in his gray-green eyes did strange things to my pulse rate.

  The worker steadied the gondola as it came around, and I stepped in. Danny climbed in and sat in the seat opposite me.

  “Keep the window halfway down,” the worker told us. “No roughhousing or leaning out the window. Don’t throw objects out of the gondola. Okay, you’re off.” He slid the door shut, locking it behind us.

  My hand clutched my purse. I wished for something to grab on to. No roughhousing…no problem! I wasn’t exactly crazy about heights, and I was hoping our weight would evenly balance the car on the cables so it wouldn’t swing in the slightest.

  The car swung away from the wooden platform and out into the open air. I looked down at the parking lot, milling with people. But as we climbed higher, their faces faded, becoming small dots.

  We passed over the tops of trees, blue-green pine and quaking aspen. The sun was shining, and a breeze swept through the window, smelling of damp earth and pine needles.

  The gondola rumbled past the first set of terminals, shaking us. I shivered a little and looked over at Danny.

  “First time on the sky ride?” he asked.

  I nodded. “I rode one when I was little. Mom says Daddy took me for a ride on the Fourth of July, but I don’t remember.”

  “You miss him, don’t you?” His voice was gentle.

  “More than ever.”

  “You seem a little sad today,” he said.

  I didn’t want to spoil the gondola ride, but I was feeling lousy. And Danny had listened so well when I told him about my plans for California. So I shared everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours—about Zachary and his cancer, our plans to go to California with Grandma, how Carrie had chickened out. “It seemed like God was working everything out,” I said, “and then Carrie had to mess it up.”