by Judy Baer
“What a wonderful memory.”
“I guess we’ll find out if it’s still the same or if it’s changed like everything else.”
He was tired of changes, he realized, hoping against hope that this one place had stood against the storm of progress.
Chapter Ten
I will have to bring Danny here, Hannah thought as they walked up the stone path to the front door. Children were playing and laughing on an old-fashioned swing set that sat in the side yard. Others were engaged with the small petting zoo run by two pretty teenage girls. Families were eating on a stone patio. She tried to imagine Ty as a small boy, accompanied by a much younger Lily and her husband.
An older woman in a prairie dress and bonnet greeted them at the door. “Two for lunch?”
“Yes, please.”
The woman looked at Ty and her eyes narrowed. “Are you Lily Matthew’s grandson?”
Ty appeared startled. “Yes, I am. How did you know?”
“I’ve been greeting people at this door for forty years. You were a beautiful child and now you’re a handsome man. Besides, you look just like your grandfather.” She thrust out her hand. “I’m Winnie Carlyle. My husband and I own The Farmhouse.”
“I’m surprised you recognized me,” Ty said as they shook hands.
After he’d introduced Hannah, Winnie said, “You were here almost once a week when you were a child. It would be hard not to see the resemblance.” A faraway look flickered in her gaze. “Your grandparents told me that you loved to come here, so they made a point of coming every week. I thought that was very sweet. Of course, the sun rose and set on you, according to them. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a better-loved child. How are your grandparents now?”
Hannah could see that Ty was touched by that comment. It also gave her a peek into one of the reasons for Ty’s devotion to Lily now.
“My grandfather has passed away, but Lily is as much a fireball as ever.”
“Oo-weee, we loved to see that woman come into the gift shop, if you know what I mean.”
“Perfectly.” Ty smiled.
“Say hello to her for me, will you? She was such a gracious lady. It would be fun to see her again.”
“Maybe we could come for lunch sometime?” Hannah addressed Ty. “She’d love that.”
They ate fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh green beans with almonds, coleslaw, baked beans and strawberry shortcake. Winnie must have given orders to their server because the helpings were huge, their coffee cups stayed full and at the end of the meal, she came out of the kitchen with cake and berries to take to Lily.
Hannah leaned back in her chair, feeling too full to move. “I envy you your history, your background with your grandparents.”
His blue eyes widened. “Surely you have good memories of your childhood, too.”
“Yes, I had very loving parents. I suppose it’s what happened after I grew up that makes me forget those good times.”
“I don’t understand.”
She drew a deep breath. She’d chosen to tell as few people as possible about her and Trisha’s past. It was just too painful, even now. But Ty seemed genuinely interested.
“My parents died when I was in college and I raised Trisha. I was the one trying to make memories for her, but we didn’t have a lot of money to go places. There was some insurance money, of course, but I paid for my schooling and our living out of that and it ran out when Trisha was in high school. Fortunately, until recently, I’ve always had a good job.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Ty said sympathetically. His compassionate expression encouraged her to continue.
“My parents had gone on a skiing trip with some friends and rented a chalet. The night before they were to come home, something went terribly wrong in the heating system. In the morning, they didn’t wake up, all poisoned by carbon monoxide. I’m ten years older than Trisha, so I was staying with her, babysitting.” She felt herself drifting back toward those horrific days. “It was in the news for some time. When all the confusion with the press and the curiosity-seeking died down, I decided that I wasn’t going to talk about it anymore. I didn’t want that to be the thing that defined either me or my sister. I don’t crave pity or sympathy. My parents were Christians. I know where they are and that I’ll see them again someday. It was necessary to move on—for Trisha’s sake, if not my own.”
“So you were mother, father and sister to her?”
“I tried. I don’t think I did a very good job sometimes.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. That’s a big responsibility for someone so young.”
“I know I did some things right. Trisha is a well-rounded, talented girl who has a strong faith.”
“Isn’t that enough?” He leaned forward, looking at her intently.
“I did a very bad job of instilling common sense in my sister. She’s impulsive sometimes and she has very little grasp of finances. I held on to the reins of all that for far too long. In fact, when I moved over to your house, that was the first time I gave Trisha the responsibility of paying the mortgage and utilities.”
“Sounds like she’s a smart girl, so she’ll figure that out.”
“It’s still an area in which I feel I failed her. It was simply too hard for me to think of everything.”
“What about other family members? Couldn’t they help you?”
“My parents were both only children. It was up to me to take care of my sister. Steve was good with her, of course.” Hannah pulled herself away from the memories. “At least I’m getting another chance with Danny. That boy will be prepared for anything by the time I’m through raising him.” She pushed away from the table. “I think I’d better walk or I’m going to settle here and not be able to get up.”
He paid the check and hurried to pull back her chair.
It felt good to be treated this way, Hannah realized, but she’d better not get used to it. Today was an unusual one and likely wouldn’t repeat itself.
She groaned as she stepped into the sunlight. “How am I ever going to stay awake this afternoon after eating that huge meal?”
“Maybe we should work it off?” Ty’s eyes were twinkling. “I challenge you to a game of miniature golf.”
“I thought you were the one who had so much work to do,” she teased, delighted that he’d asked. “I’m supposed to be taking over some of your duties, not causing you to have more of them.”
“This is for old time’s sake. Lily will think it’s a hoot when we tell her.”
His eyes sparkled, making him downright irresistible. “Well, if it’s for Lily...”
Ty took that as a yes, paid three dollars each for the clubs and ushered Hannah onto the course. The first hole was the open mouth of a dinosaur, its head resting on the ground.
“I haven’t done this since—” Hannah felt emotion tightening in her throat “—since I did it with my parents when I was a little girl.”
Ty took off his suit coat, folded it carefully and handed it to the attendant. Then he began to roll up the sleeves of his finely ironed white shirt. His forearms were muscular and tanned. For the first time Hannah noticed his hands, strong and well-groomed. This man didn’t seem to have any flaws whatsoever—except for his impatience and that touchy issue concerning the dent in his Mercedes.
“Do you know how to do this?”
Before she could answer he came around behind her, tucked a club into her left hand and drew her right into position, for all practical purposes, holding her in his arms.
He was wearing that cologne again. The one that Hannah come to associate with him. The one that made her feel a little giddy.
“You first.” He gestured toward the box. “Start here.”
She weighed the club, obviously made for a child, in her hands and eyed the Tyrannosaur on green number one. The dinosaur was wearing lipstick.
Ty stepped back, but her senses were still rattled.
It wasn’t unti
l the third hole that Hannah finally relaxed. By the fourth hole, her competitive spirit had been stoked. She squealed when she timed her ball to go between the blades of a five-foot-high windmill and drop into the cup.
“Yes! I’m winning!”
“Don’t get puffed up quite yet, missy,” Ty cautioned. He was one hole ahead of her, which displayed a sand trap with a thirsty camel and a wooden palm tree. He eyed the hole at the base of the tree and chipped over the sand.
Hannah watched the ball drop beneath the palm tree and into the hole. “No fair! You’ve been practicing.” Her small chin came out indignantly.
He threw his head back and laughed. “Only for business and on a regular course. I usually get out once or twice a month. Before Lily got hurt, I played every week.”
“I need a handicap,” she muttered. By the ninth hole, Hannah had completely forgotten that Tyler was her employer. She threw herself into the game with such abandon that nothing mattered but the score.
“Do you want to go another round?” Ty asked as he sunk his ball into the final cup. Then he glanced at his watch and whistled between his teeth. “Or maybe not. I lost track of time.”
They were both laughing out loud as they returned to Ty’s car. “That’s the most fun I’ve had in ages,” Hannah blurted. “I don’t know why I didn’t think to bring Danny to one of these before. I guess I’ve been too serious for too long. We’ll come back. Danny will like it here as much as you did as a boy.”
“Let me know when. Maybe I’ll join you.” Then they were at his car.
As Hannah slid into the passenger seat, her mind whirred. What did he mean, he’d join them? Why would he want to do that? Granted, Danny was a fun little boy, but Ty himself had admitted he was swamped with work. Perhaps it was because of his own fond memories? That had to be it. Hannah couldn’t think of another good reason he’d want to come with them to The Farmhouse.
* * *
Now where had that offer come from, Ty wondered as he started the engine. He didn’t have two extra minutes in the upcoming days, but he’d offered to go miniature golfing? He must be more exhausted than he’d thought. His mouth was working completely without his brain. Or, a niggling voice said in his head, maybe it was his brain working. Hannah St. James was good for his soul.
Lily was, as he’d expected, waiting for them.
“How is she? How’s Clara?”
He and Hannah glanced at each other. He would have liked to hide Clara’s troubles from Lily, but the truth won out.
“She’s got a small, crowded room at the back of the house, which faces north. I don’t think a sunbeam could get in there even if it wanted to.”
Lily’s bright expression faded. “Oh, my.”
“Her sister’s son, John, is supposed to be taking care of things and driving them places in trade for room and board.”
“John? I’ve heard about him as a teenager. Clara told me that he was a big loser. She said her sister had a terrible time with him. He was always being picked up for petty theft or starting a fight or vandalism. And he’s the one taking care of Clara?”
“She says they have pizza or deep fried chicken almost every night, something he picks up at the store.”
“Pizza? Clara hates pizza!”
“She loved the cookies, though, Gram. Hannah will bake some more for her.”
“I can do nutritious trail mix and things with oatmeal and raisins. Maybe I’ll get some meal supplements for her, too. John doesn’t need to know.”
“I don’t think he’d care, even if he did,” Ty said dryly.
“My poor, dear friend,” Lily moaned. Energy seemed to bleed out of her. Suddenly, she looked all of her ninety years. “I think I’d like to rest now, if you don’t mind.” She dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
Outside the door Ty muttered, “I’ve never seen her like that before.”
“She’s upset. We’ll try to lift her spirits after she’s had some time alone. She and Danny are friends. He’ll cheer her up if I can’t.”
“Call me if you need me,” Ty ordered.
“We won’t need you. Just catch up on your work.”
He nodded absently, still frowning, and disappeared down the stairs.
Hannah remained in the hallway. What a puzzling, frustrating and delightful day it already had been. Their time at The Farmhouse had been a wonderful respite and Ty’s friendly, practically affectionate, behavior had warmed her soul.
What would happen next in this day full of surprises?
Chapter Eleven
Hannah was relieved to hear the front door open on Monday afternoon. Danny was home. She’d done all she could to cheer Lily today, but it hadn’t worked very well. Maybe her son could do better. Lily always perked up when Danny was around. No matter what conversation Hannah had started, it always rolled around to Lily’s concern for Clara.
“Hey, Mom. What is there to eat?” He dumped his backpack on the kitchen table and opened the refrigerator door. It hadn’t taken him long to feel perfectly at home here in this big house. Better yet, he was smiling. That meant no bullies had been after him today. Small for his age, Danny seemed to have more than his share of trouble with bigger, meaner kids.
“Oatmeal raisin cookies, trail mix, cereal bars and morning glory muffins.”
“All that? Cool.”
“I’m baking for a friend of Lily’s. Don’t eat everything.” She put food on a plate while Danny poured himself a glass of milk. “How was school?”
“Boring. What’s Lily doing?”
He asked that every day, Hannah thought with amusement. Lily apparently had a way of charming little boys.
“She’s feeling a little sad. A friend of hers isn’t doing well. I was hoping you’d have something exciting to tell her about school today.”
“Well, the rabbit in the sixth grade room had babies today. That was exciting.”
“I should say.”
“Especially since they’d named the bunnies Bert and Ernie. My teacher said that one of the bunnies was actually Ernestine.”
He said this so innocently that Hannah held back a smile. “Lily would love to hear about that.”
Danny grabbed a handful of trail mix. “I’ll go tell her. Besides, she told me that she had a plan for us, me and her.”
“To do what?”
“I don’t know. She acted like it was a big secret. She said I couldn’t tell you.”
“But you just did.”
“No, I didn’t. I don’t know what she’s talking about. Maybe it’s a birthday present for you or something.”
“I don’t think Lily knows when my birthday is, honey. Now go upstairs and tell Lily about Bert and Ernestine.”
He obliged happily, and Hannah sent up a word of thanks for her small son. Danny had turned out to be a special gift in this house, her secret weapon when Lily was cross. Then her thoughts turned to Trisha.
Sometimes her sister didn’t act her age, she mused grimly. She certainly hadn’t been good about keeping in touch. Granted, Hannah hadn’t been away long, but Trisha hadn’t made any effort to call her. It was always Emma or Jane who answered the house phone when she called. What was Trisha doing with all her time?
She picked up the phone and dialed her home number. Emma answered.
“Hi, Emma, how are things?”
“Good! We love living here.”
“Have you had time to look for apartments?”
“We’ve looked at a few. There are a couple we like. Of course, we’ll need to know when you’re coming back before we rent one.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I do. If you girls have to stay a couple extra weeks, that’s okay, too.”
“You’re a doll, Hannah.”
“Is Trisha around? I’d like to talk to her.”
“No, I think she’s going to be late. She was on her way to the library. She planned to eat dinner out and then study at Jason’s for a while.”
“Jason? Who is Jason?”
<
br /> “He’s a good friend of Jane’s. She introduced them. He’s a nice guy, I think.”
“Could this have anything to do with why Trisha is impossible to catch at home?”
“Have you tried her cell?”
“It goes directly to voice mail.”
“She hasn’t been good about picking up for us either. I know she’s been working a lot. Should I tell her to call you when she gets home?”
“Yes, please. It doesn’t matter if it’s late.” Now she felt some urgency about talking to her sister. Trisha had never had a real boyfriend. Surely she wouldn’t fall in love now. She needed to finish school first. Then Hannah shrugged it off. She was being overprotective again. Her sister was a big girl. She’d spent so much time and money putting Trisha through school that she probably cared about it as much or more than her sibling. She just hoped this fellow wouldn’t distract her already unfocused sister even more.
Here was an area where she and Tyler were alike. He hovered over Lily like she fussed about Trisha. Quite a pair, they were. They both needed to relax.
Danny was still with Lily when Hannah started supper. Hannah had made a pan of enchiladas and was preparing Spanish rice when Ty walked into the kitchen.
“Home already? I thought you were working.” Her mind flashed back to a time when Steve would walk into her kitchen and she would say those very words to him. Of course, he’d also taken her in his arms and kissed her soundly. Ty’s arms around her at the miniature golf course came to mind. She’d felt surprisingly safe and warm there, too.
“I told my secretary to tell everyone I was out for the afternoon. I got much more work done than I’d expected. Besides, I wondered if Lily was still worrying about her friend.”
