by Tricia Goyer
“I can say the same to you,” Bob shot back.
Charlotte folded her arms over her chest and feigned a frown, but she knew Bob was right. She had as much to hide as anyone around here.
“What secret?” Christopher asked as Lightning wiggled to get out of Christopher’s grasp. Christopher released the cat, but as soon as she scurried away Christopher must have changed his mind. “Hey, Lightning, wait. Get back here, you silly thing!” Lightning raced upstairs and so did Christopher. Emily rose and moved to the stairs. “Okay, I’m going to go upstairs to, uh, clean my bedroom. Grandma, why don’t you kick back and relax? Enjoy your needlework. Make yourself a cup of coffee.”
Now Charlotte really knew something was up, but that didn’t keep her from following Emily’s orders. “Well, all right. I think I will,” she mumbled to herself a minute after Emily had raced up the stairs. And for once it felt okay to ignore the list of chores that never seemed to get done—this time she had permission.
A smile still filled Emily’s face thirty minutes later when she brought down a basket of dirty clothes. Charlotte was relaxing on the living room sofa, working on an embroidery project she’d put aside a few months ago and hadn’t gotten back to. She knew she should be starting dinner, but secretly she hoped Bob would suggest going out to eat—maybe even to Harding. Perhaps that’s what they were whispering about. It wasn’t something he typically did, but Bob had gotten her a card so anything could be expected.
Emily had just tossed a load of laundry into the washer and exited the laundry room when Pete entered, hurrying into the house, rubbing his hands together.
“Hey, Mom, you wouldn’t happen to have any black shoe polish would you?” he called from the kitchen.
Charlotte glanced up and noticed that Pete wore nice dress slacks, a button-up shirt, and his dress shoes. He’d even put on a nice leather jacket that Bill and Anna had gotten for him a few Christmases ago.
“Yes, in the cupboard above the washing machine—top shelf.” She couldn’t help but appreciate how handsome Pete looked, or how much he reminded her of her own brother, Chet, when he was younger. Chet had always been a looker.
Pete hurried to the laundry room, and Charlotte could hear him rummaging around.
“Wow, Uncle Pete. I thought you were some stranger breaking into the house,” Christopher called after him. He’d been sitting at the table the last half hour, working on his story for the school newspaper.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen you look so—clean.” Emily giggled. Then she tapped her finger against her chin. “Actually, when you’re all dressed up like that you kind of look like a movie star.”
“Like a young Robert Redford,” Charlotte commented.
“Who?” Emily frowned.
“Oh, just a movie star who was popular when I was young.”
Pete entered the room again. “Mom, the shoe-polish can is empty.”
“Sorry. I’ll add that to my shopping list. But if you wipe your shoes with a damp rag it will help. How did they get so covered with mud?”
Pete opened his mouth to answer, but Emily gave a low whistle as she eyed her uncle again. Charlotte noticed Pete’s cheeks turning pink.
Bob turned down the volume on the television and motioned to Pete to come in his direction. Pete shuffled into the living room and his face wore an apology as if he’d been caught playing with his dad’s suit coat.
“Looks like you’re off for a special night.” Bob set the remote control on the side table next to his chair.
“Yeah.” Pete shrugged. “I suppose.”
“Well, I don’t understand why you don’t have a ring on that girl’s finger. If you’ve got something that good, you don’t want to lose it—again.”
“It’s not that easy, Pops. There’s a lot of history. A lot of questions.” Pete glanced at Charlotte and the kids, and instantly she felt guilty. She knew they were part of the questions Pete had.
How will he ever be able to start his own family when he’s working so hard to take care of all of us?
“She’s a lucky girl too,” Charlotte added, hoping to encourage her son. “Did you buy her something special? A girl always loves surprises.”
Pete’s face grew pale. He stuck his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box of chocolates.
“That’s it?” It was Christopher’s voice that spouted out what they surely all wanted to say. “But I thought you liked her, Uncle Pete!”
“What do you mean? I do. Besides …” Pete shoved the box into his pocket. “She told me not to get her anything. On the phone the other night, we talked about how commercial this day is. It’s not even a real holiday, you know—”
“Uncle Pete, you’re such a man,” Emily interrupted. Then she glanced at the clock. “If you hurry now, I think you can make it. I heard a commercial on the country radio station that the flower store was staying open extra late tonight—you know, for poor saps like you who wait until the last minute.”
“But I told you—” Pete’s jaw cocked, as it always did when he was about to jump into an argument.
“I know what you said.” Emily fiddled with a vase on the kitchen counter that held her two roses, refusing to make eye contact. “But I’m just telling you, even if a girl says she doesn’t want anything, she really does. Right, Grandma?”
All eyes turned to Charlotte.
Charlotte reached over and patted her son’s hand. “Actually, she’s right. Girls—women—just say they don’t want a gift to make sure the guy really likes her, because if he really likes her he will get her something nice anyway.”
“Are you kidding?” Pete scratched his forehead.
“No wonder you’re still a bachelor, Uncle Pete.” Emily crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t you understand women at all?”
“No. I don’t.” He ran his hand over his hair, smoothing it again. “There are all these unwritten rules. How’s a guy supposed to know? Man, there should be a manual on this or something.” He glanced at his watch. “Okay, I really gotta run.”
Bob nodded and smiled as if he enjoyed seeing his youngest son in such a state. Pete managed to handle the farm with ease, but maybe he wasn’t beyond needing their help.
“Should you call after him and remind him he forgot to wipe his shoes?”
Charlotte waved a hand in the air. “Nah, he’ll realize it—most likely when he’s kicking them off.” She shook her head and chuckled to herself. First, for the fact that it was one of the only times she’d ever seen Bob stick his nose into one of their kids’ relationships. And second, mostly because Emily received two flowers and now saw herself as the resident love guru.
Charlotte had just risen to start dinner. She’d decided on shepherd’s pie, one of Bob’s favorites, when the phone rang.
“Hey, Grandma.” It was Sam’s voice. “I just finished up work for the day, and I was just making sure it was okay if I stayed at Paul’s house.”
“Paul. Yes, that’s right. Did Paul talk to his parents about it?”
“Yup. They said it was fine with them. So it’s okay with you?”
“Sure, but I didn’t see you take anything extra—you know, your clothes. Your toothbrush.”
“Yeah, I totally forgot—I, yeah.” Sam sounded distracted. “I spaced out what day it was.”
Charlotte moved the receiver to her other ear. “Well, do you want me to drive in and bring you some clothes? What about a sleeping bag?”
“Nah, we’re guys, remember? We don’t worry about stuff like that. It’s only for one night. I can either sleep in my clothes or borrow something. And I’m sure he has a sleeping bag I can use.”
“Fine. I suppose one night won’t hurt.” Charlotte chuckled, remembering the numerous times she’d packed Bill’s and Pete’s items for a sleepover—or even for summer camp—only to discover them still neatly packed just as she’d left them.
“Cool. Good-bye.”
“Sam,” Charlotte interrupted. “Do you know what tim
e you’ll be home?”
“No. I don’t know. Paul might have stuff planned. I’m not really sure.”
“Okay, well, don’t stay out too late. Remember that your grandpa’s taking you to the races on Sunday.”
“Yeah, okay.” Sam’s voice sounded muffled as if he had his hand over the receiver.
“Also, make sure you call me before heading home tomorrow. Your car’s been acting up, and I don’t want you to break down somewhere.”
“Okay, sure. Talk to you later,” Sam said hurriedly, and she thought she heard the sound of a car honking.
“Sam, where are you?” Charlotte asked. “What’s all that noise?”
“Oh, nothing.” Sam laughed loudly in her ear. “Paul just has the TV on a little loud. We’re finishing up a movie, and then we’re gonna play video games. You know, stuff like that. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“All right. Have a nice ni—” The dial tone interrupted Charlotte’s words.
“That Sam?” Bob asked, cutting himself a piece of sugar-free pie that Charlotte had made from the last of the summer berries in the freezer. She thought about scolding Bob—telling him not to ruin his appetite for dinner, but then she realized she hadn’t even started it yet.
“Yes, and I’m hoping things are turning around for him. Yesterday he cleaned his room without being asked, and tonight he’s sleeping over at Paul’s house.”
“Did he get his chores done before he left?” Bob asked.
Charlotte nodded. “I’m sure he did this morning. I saw him doing something out there. He carried out some trash from his room and then headed into the barn.”
“We’ll check, Grandma.” Emily grabbed her jacket off the hook. Then she swept her arm before her.
“Farm boy, wish to join me in the barn?” Emily grinned at Christopher like the princess in The Princess Bride. “We have much work to do before supper.”
“As you wish,” Christopher said as he bundled up and followed Emily outside to feed the animals. They seemed almost eager to do their afternoon chores—without being told. Charlotte thought she should pinch herself. They usually never did their chores without being reminded at least once.
“At least Sam is connecting with his friends.” Charlotte cut a piece of pie for herself. “In fact, it’s a good night, Bob. At least for this moment it feels like we’re turning a corner.” She let out a sigh. “It seems that good things are coming around the bend.”
Chapter Thirteen
Emily and Christopher finished their chores in record time, whispering between themselves as they unloaded the dishwasher. Watching them, Charlotte had a feeling something fishy was going on. And then, like a stone falling in the pit of her stomach, she wondered if she’d missed something important. Something she should have clued into sooner.
Earlier that day she’d noticed Valentine’s Day gift baskets for kids and teens at the grocery store. At the time they seemed silly and commercial, but what if her grandkids were expecting something like that from her? Had Valentine’s Day been a special day in the Slater household? Did Denise turn it into an event? Were Emily and Christopher eagerly expecting something—a nice dinner? Gifts? A special dessert? She had gotten a box of sugar-free chocolates for Bob and had left them on his nightstand with a card. He’d obviously found them because the last time she was in the room a third of the chocolates were gone.
Charlotte’s mind scurried to think of what she could come up with. If I hurry I can whip up some sugar cookies for the kids to decorate while dinner’s cooking. I think there is some ice cream too … Charlotte’s mind worked on a plan. She also nixed the idea of shepherd pie. That was too everyday. Too ordinary.
“All done, Grandma,” Christopher said as he hung the dishtowel on the rack. Then, casting a smile her direction, Emily and Christopher scurried up the stairs. Charlotte put down her embroidery.
“Good job,” she called to them, pleased with herself for enjoying the time to relax. “The kitchen looks nice.”
She glanced at Bob as she got up from the couch. “Guess I should get started on dinner. I think the kids are expecting me to make them something special.”
Bob nodded and smiled at her, and then glanced at his watch. “Well, it is a special day.” His tone was lighthearted, and Charlotte noticed a twinkle in his eyes.
Bob must be expecting something too. Thoughts ping-ponged around her mind as she tried to think what she could do. In the past they did very little to celebrate this holiday.
Charlotte was about to nix her plans for making a special meal and suggest they all go to dinner in Harding when Bob stood and looked out the window.
“Would you look at that, Char? Here comes Hannah. Did you know she was coming over today?” He glanced at her awkwardly and then stuck his hands in his pockets.
Charlotte followed Bob’s gaze, and sure enough, she spotted Hannah’s car turning onto their driveway.
“What’s she doing here? I thought she said she was going out tonight—on a Valentine’s Day date.”
“Dunno. But you better get the door for her.” Bob attempted to hide a grin. “Maybe she’s making a special delivery.”
Charlotte had just gotten to the side door when Hannah burst inside with two large bags in her hands. “Whoa, the wind’s really picking up out there! That storm’s blowing in.”
The bags in her hand read Mel’s Place, and Charlotte didn’t have to open them to understand that her dinner had just been delivered. And that her family didn’t expect something special—but rather had planned it. Warmth filled her chest, mixed with disbelief. And for the briefest moment she understood how those Publishers Clearing House winners must feel. She wondered if Hannah had been behind it all.
“Hannah. What in the world are you doing? I thought you were going out tonight. Are you and Frank joining us? That would be a special treat.” Charlotte noticed that Hannah was dressed up. Her normally faded jeans and favorite goose sweatshirt had been replaced by a red belted jumper and black faux-fur jacket.
“Joining you? Oh no, we wouldn’t want to intrude on such a special evening.” She put the bags on the counter. “We’re actually heading over to my sister-in-law’s house. It’s their thirtieth anniversary, and their kids came in from out of town. I’m just here dropping off the first of your surprises.”
Bob glanced between the two women as if he was unsure of what he should do next. He moved toward the stairs and looked up as if seeking help from above.
“Surprises? There’s more?” Charlotte planted her hands on her hips. “Yes, I have to admit I’m completely surprised.”
Hannah offered Charlotte a quick hug. “Okay, I’ve got to go. I don’t want to be late. Have fun! And happy Valentine’s Day.”
After seeing Hannah out, Charlotte moved to the first bag. The aroma caused her stomach to rumble. “Not so fast, Grandma! Grandpa, don’t let her look!”
Emily hurried down the stairs, her high-heeled shoes clomping on each step. She was wearing the black skirt and polka-dotted shirt she saved for special occasions, and Charlotte realized that the kids were in on this too. Actually, from Bob’s uneasiness, she would bet that they were the ones who’d planned it—dragging their grandpa along.
Christopher followed Emily down. He was wearing the same pants he’d worn to school but had put on a clean shirt and had combed his hair. Charlotte grinned. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that he’d buttoned the shirt one button off. It warmed her heart to see they were all part of the surprise.
“What in the world is going on?” Charlotte ran her hand through her short hair, suddenly feeling underdressed.
Emily placed her hands on Charlotte’s shoulders and turned her in the direction of her bedroom. “You’re gonna find out soon enough, Grandma. Now, I suggest you head to your bedroom and put on something nice. Maybe that blue dress you like to wear to church? Grandpa and I are going to get everything ready—right, Grandpa?”
“Uh, yes, of course we are.” Bob’s words sounded
confident, but the look on his face showed just the opposite.
Charlotte went to her room feeling a little giddy. She grabbed her favorite dress—grateful that it was clean and pressed—and hurried into the bathroom to freshen up. She found herself humming as she dressed and then ran a brush through her hair.
Just as she was exiting the bathroom, she found Bob in their room, buttoning up a clean shirt.
Similar to Christopher, Bob had put on a dress shirt but had kept on the same blue jeans he’d been wearing all day. Like grandfather like grandson.
Charlotte offered her husband a quick hug. “Bob, what are you up to?”
“Oh, about six foot one.”
She poked his ribs. “Seriously …”
“You’ll see. It’s something we’ve been plannin’—at Emily’s insistence, of course. And I’m pretty proud we were able to pull this off. You didn’t suspect a thing.” He stepped closer and took her face in his hands. “You look beautiful, Charlotte, as pretty as the day we met. You didn’t have to change your outfit.”
“Not change? Getting dolled up is half the fun.” She stretched up on her tiptoes and offered him a quick kiss. “Can you give me five more minutes?”
“Make that ten. We have to set the table and such.”
“Okay, ten it is.”
Bob hurried to the kitchen, and Charlotte closed the door and leaned against it. True, some women were dining at fancy restaurants, and others might be receiving jewelry in velvet boxes, but to her this was romantic. Her guy in a dress shirt, making dinner plans so she didn’t have to cook. It had to be one of the most romantic things ever.
Charlotte let out a contented sigh as she dabbed her wrists with her favorite perfume.
This will be a Valentine’s Day to remember.
CHARLOTTE RE-ENTERED the living room in her blue dress and black heels, and stopped short. Bob was standing at the dining room table, poised and smiling as if he’d just stepped out of a Big and Tall catalog.
“Oh, Grandpa, you almost forgot.” Emily grabbed the single white rose from the kitchen counter, hurried to the dining room, and thrust it into his hand.
