For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

  “I would have.” Her face lit up into a smile as he grinned down at her.

  “I bet you would.”

  Friday, October 31st

  “Want to watch another L’Amour with me?”

  Luke’s expression was priceless. “As long as there’s nothing about pink tights…”

  “This one is The Quick and the Dead. It’s supposed to be about a family moving west from Pennsylvania.”

  “Sounds better than the last one already.” Luke stood. “I’ll make the popcorn.”

  “Nope.” Aggie pulled him back to the couch and handed him the remote. “You man the machine. I bought junk food. If the kids are going to come home hyped up on sugar, I’m going to be ready for them.”

  A veritable smorgasbord of snack items appeared on the coffee table. Several brands of chips, salsa, bowls of ice cream, pumpkin-butterscotch cookies, and a huge basket of mixed candy were flanked by glasses of water and bottles of root beer. “If you expect me to eat all that…”

  “Nope. Just whatever you want. I made sure I didn’t leave anything out. I even have pizza on redial in case we get hungry.”

  “When will Tina and Mom be back with the kids?”

  “They promised to have them in the door by nine o’clock, so I figure nine fifteen.”

  The opening scene of the movie sent a sigh of relief over Aggie. “That reminds me of Little House on the Prairie--even the music feels similar.”

  “It’s a good start anyway.”

  Laughing, Aggie shoved a salsa-laden chip at him and pointed to the screen. “You’re expecting a repeat of the last one, aren’t you? You’re the one who told me L’Amour was safe.”

  “The books!” Luke’s eyes were full of laughter.

  Their enjoyment and jocularity fizzled quickly. The men in the town were rough and coarse. Comments about dibs on the wife nearly sent Luke into cardiac arrest. Aggie blanched. “This isn’t looking good, Luke.”

  His murmur of agreement dissolved into shocked protest when the so-called hero kissed the wife of the other main male character. “That’s it. I can’t take it. I don’t care how they redeem it, I can’t watch this. It makes me livid.”

  “So, I take it you won’t go for me making out with other men?”

  Luke’s eyes answered for him. “Got any more movies of torture to weed through, or should we put on something we trust.”

  “I only have one more. Shalako. If it’s no good, we can dig out His Girl Friday or Christmas in Connecticut. Those are safe enough.”

  “You like the oldies, don’t you?”

  She frowned. “Well, before this run of bad westerns, I used to say they were ‘safe,’ but this is anything but safe.”

  The movie swap was accomplished in seconds, and the next movie began. Almost instantly, there was a dual sigh of relief. They both sensed the difference immediately. For once, the heroine wasn’t a married or attached woman who was immediately drawn away by the leading man. A plot, a genuine interesting plot, surfaced and as they relaxed, Luke found himself with his arm around Aggie curled beside him as if the most natural thing in the world.

  “I could get used to this, Luke. I could so get used to it.”

  “You’d better. I plan to have a lifetime of nights like this-- sans the junk food. I can’t even look at it anymore.”

  “You’re supposed to be watching the movie,” she teased.

  Remembering her mother’s admonition to give her a cherished time of “courtship,” Luke set aside his natural reticence and cleared his throat. “I’d rather watch you watch it.” Aggie’s blush told him it was the right thing to say. “That’s a lovely shade of pink you’re wearing tonight, Mibs.”

  “Oh, be quiet and watch the movie.”

  “I told you…”

  Aggie glanced up at him, ready to fire another comeback, but the look in his eyes stopped her. She swallowed hard. “Luke… you’re making me wish I’d never made a certain vow.”

  “Good.”

  “Good! Why good?”

  Luke’s cheek pressed against her head for a moment. “It tells me that you’re closer to caring for me than I thought you were.”

  “I cared about you before you ever--”

  “Ok, loving me then.” He shook his head and tried to focus on the TV screen. “It’s hard for a guy to use words like love when you haven’t, ok?”

  “Luke, I--”

  “Do you mind if we talk about it later? I don’t want to be interrupted by the children and it’s getting closer and closer to nine.”

  Frustrated, Aggie nodded. “M’kay.”

  His arm squeezed her shoulder once more. “You make me very happy, Mibs. I just want the chance to make you happy too.”

  “You assume that you don’t.”

  Luke’s reply was cut short by an intense scene springing at them from the Arizona desert. A coach fled from the Apaches who were determined to drive them from the reservation. Aggie buried her face in his side as the coach rolled and the Indians attacked. Just as they relaxed, the self-centered woman they’d despised from the beginning twitched. The following scene sent a shudder through Aggie. “I expected a different horror. I can’t decide which is worse!”

  “I--” Luke swallowed. “No, there’s just no response.”

  As the movie came to a close, Aggie shook her head. “I can’t decide whether it’s ok for now or not. I mean, I think the unfaithful wife part would probably go over his head, but even if it didn’t, they don’t glorify it in any way. It might be good to show the pain something like that can cause. She earned her fate.”

  “Why not just put it away until you’re confident?”

  Aggie gave him a sly look. “Or, I’ll just wait until it’s your decision to make instead of mine-- the books too. I don’t want to deal with pre-reading the books, and now I’m nervous about them.”

  “I’ll make a note to have Tavish start pestering you about that movie tomorrow.”

  Aggie says: Mom?

  Martha says: How are you? Did the kids have fun at the church festival?

  Aggie says: Yep. They’re all loaded with enough sugar to last them a lifetime.

  Martha says: Allie always scheduled dental visits in November for that reason. Geraldine loaded them with sugar on Halloween.

  Aggie says: I thought they didn’t “do” Halloween. We never did.

  Martha says: They didn’t. Allie didn’t even do the festival at their church. Geraldine thought it was horrible and cruel, so she more than made up for it.

  Aggie says: She didn’t? I thought she must have. Laird said they did.

  Martha says: Do you remember exactly what he said? From what I know of the boy, he won’t lie, but he’ll arrange the truth to his purposes.

  Aggie says: Like restitution for the broken window. Yeah. Um… *Aggie thinks hard* Oh, yeah. You’re right. He said, “Who is going to take us to the Harvest Festival?” as if it was just a foregone conclusion. I just assumed…

  Martha says: As he wanted you to.

  Aggie says: OY. I don’t have time for these games. I had all kinds of fun stuff planned that I set aside for November 5 instead.

  Martha says: Remember, remember?

  Aggie says: I thought it’d be kind of a fun history lesson.

  Martha says: It will! And vocabulary. They’ll learn what effigy means.

  Aggie says: *giggles*

  Martha says: Is everything ok between you and William now?

  Aggie says: I think so. When I’m not in the middle of it, I can see that

  he means well. He really does care about all of us. I just wish he could see things through Luke’s eyes.

  Martha says: If he did, you might be married to him already.

  Aggie says: I wouldn’t have married him, Mom. I think I was already a little attached to Luke, even back then. I just hadn’t had a moment to realize it.

  Martha says: We love him already. William is a wonderful man, and we would have been happy for you, but Luke feels
like family.

  Aggie says: Tina is happy. She’s finally made her presence known.

  Martha says: She’d be good for him. She’d keep him in his place without stripping him of his masculinity. That’s a delicate balance that most of us can’t achieve.

  Aggie says: That’s a great way of putting it! I’ll have to tell her.

  Martha says: So how are things going with Luke? Do you feel pressured, or are you enjoying yourself?

  Aggie says: I’m enjoying this so much, Mom. He really does love me. I don’t know how anyone could resist that.

  Martha says: Don’t let you convince yourself that you feel what you don’t. This is for life, Aggie. This is for the rest of your life. You have to trust him with the most intimate parts of your heart and soul. Don’t pressure yourself.

  Aggie says: I could marry him tomorrow and be truly happy for the rest of my life.

  Martha says: Because you think he’s a good man?

  Aggie says: Because I know he’s a good man, and I love him.

  Martha says: Does he know that?

  Aggie says: No. Every time I try to tell him, something messes it up.

  Martha says: Wait a few weeks, sweetheart. Wait. Let him “work” for you. A man like Luke will enjoy the challenge.

  Aggie says: I suppose. He’s really very sweet about it. Tonight he brought me a huge sunflower. His mom had tied the stem with a bunch of raffia. I stuck it in that graniteware coffee pot that I keep up on the shelf over the sink. My kitchen looks sunshiny.

  Martha says: He’s a wise man.

  Aggie says: Why do you say that?

  Martha says: He’s doing what he can continue with. He’s not taking you on elaborate dates or bringing you expensive gifts when it doesn’t fit with the lifestyle you’ll have.

  Aggie says: You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that, but it makes sense.

  Martha says: I always prayed I’d live to see you married and with children. I just never expected it to happen on the same day.

  Aggie says: Oh, mom. You’ll get stronger, have the surgery, and live long enough to see great grandchildren.

  Martha says: I don’t know, Aggie. The doctor said that if my numbers go any lower, I’ll have to go on portable oxygen.

  Aggie says: Well, then, we just HAVE to get you stronger.

  Martha says: You do that, and I’ll keep fighting. They didn’t think I’d live to see you go to kindergarten, then they said high school, and then they said I wouldn’t see you graduate from college. I’ve already beat the odds three times.

  Aggie says: I love you, Mom.

  Martha says: I love you. Your father is glaring at me-- again.

  Aggie says: Goodnight, Mom.

  Martha says: Night.

  For Keeps

  Chapter 25

  Thursday, November 6th

  Thursdays had become Aggie’s favorite day of the week. Any other day, she might be scheduled or forced to leave the house for some appointment, class, or other obligation, but Thursdays had become sacred. Nothing but an emergency would induce her to pick up the van keys for any reason.

  The children, all but Kenzie having finished their week’s work the previous day, were busy with a game of hide and seek that rivaled any ever played in the history of the Stuart household. Ian slept in his crib, Tina relaxed on Vannie’s bed, posting her opinions in her online class discussion. Aggie, on the other hand, enjoyed watching the game in process from her favorite spot on the front porch.

  Children ran past, snuck by, and screamed as they raced to the tree house as “home base.” The only thing missing was Luke. Even as she thought it, Aggie smiled. How much had changed in the past nine months!

  Pat Jenson strolled up the drive, waving as she saw Aggie sitting on the porch. “Got a package for you from some library place. More curriculum?”

  “Oh, those are probably the science videos I ordered. Great.” Aggie accepted the small box and the stack of envelopes. Pointing to a plate on the little wicker table, she added, “Want a cookie?”

  “No thanks.. Still working to lose those last five pounds. I’ll probably gain it all back the first week from all the celebrating I plan to do, but hey.”

  “Keep walkin’!”

  “You know it. I figure I’m helping to keep postal prices lower by walkin’ it too.” Pat waved and strolled back down the driveway.

  Aggie tossed the box next to her and flipped through the usual stack of first of the month statements, bills, and junk mail, pausing at a large envelope from the Law Offices of Moss & Younger. Dread filled her heart as she unfastened the metal clasp on the back of the envelope. Surely, Geraldine Stuart was too busy dealing with Douglas’ illness to start a new round of custody or visitation hassles.

  Her eyes closed as she leaned against the back of the chair, willing herself to relax, trust, and pray. Just as a few quick p-mails left her mental inbox, she heard Luke’s truck crunching on the driveway. As irrelevant as it seemed at the time, Aggie couldn’t help but realize that she could recognize the sounds of several cars on the driveway without seeing who it was first.

  Luke’s face lit up when he saw her, making her heart swell. She’d never imagined how wonderful it felt to mean so much to someone. Yes, she’d seen a similar look in little Ian’s eyes often, and several of the children made her feel indispensable to their happiness, but Luke’s admiration and affection was different-- more.

  “Let me guess. Hide and seek?”

  “Did Tavish reading on the other side of the fence give it away or what?”

  Laughing, Luke lowered himself into the chair opposite her. “How was today?”

  “Well, Tina explained how phones work to Tavish, and now he and Elspeth are trying to create some kind of working model. Tavish has read so much on telegraphs and telephones that I expect we’ll have one rigged from upstairs to downstairs sometime next week.”

  She saw the concern in Luke’s eyes, but Aggie couldn’t help herself. The envelope in her hands sent such a fierce sense of foreboding over her, that Aggie couldn’t shake it. “Come on,” Luke urged, taking the pile of mail from her and setting it in the chair. “Let’s go for a drive or something. I’ve hardly seen you all week.”

  “What are you talking about? You’ve been here nearly every day!”

  With a boyish grin, Luke pulled her up and grabbed the mail to take inside. “But, you’ve been surrounded by children and friends. I want to have you to myself for a bit.”

  Aggie shrugged and grabbed the large envelope from his hands. “Well, I’m warning you. I don’t feel very companionable. I just got this from Mr. Moss, and I suspect bad news.” She tried to smile and show him some kind of encouragement. “But, I’ll let you take me to get a French Crème at Espresso. Maybe it’ll help me wash down whatever is in this thing.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Seated alone on the corner loveseat at Espresso Yourself, Aggie opened the manila envelope that she felt sure would destroy her happiness. Luke watched her, concern written in his expression, as he waited for their order. Inside the envelope was another, smaller, manila envelope and a business letter sized one. The larger one was addressed to her in Allie’s handwriting, while the other was labeled with a computer generated label with Mr. Moss as the sender. A hand written admonition to open it first caused Aggie to shake down the contents and tear one end from the envelope.

  Aggie sat in thoughtful contemplation as she read the letter enclosed and waited for Luke to return with their drinks. As he sat beside her, she passed him the letter. “Will you read this and tell me if I want to open the other envelope or not?” She passed the unopened manila envelope as well.

  “From Allie?”

  “Yeah.” Aggie choked out the answer as Luke unfolded the lawyer’s letter.

  Dear Aggie,

  According to the terms of your sister’s will, I am instructed to forward the enclosed letter nine months after her death. While I have not read the contents of the letter, I am aware of what it ent
ails and am prepared to take whatever course of action you choose as soon as you have made your decision.

  I am sorry that you are put in this position, but as difficult as it is, I do think your sister made a wise provision.

  Sincerely,

  Robert Moss Attorney at Law

  The trepidation Aggie felt was evident in her demeanor and even the rigid way she gripped the other envelope. He pried her hand from the source of her unease and began praying. That familiar gesture, always his first course of action in any unfamiliar, unpleasant, and even joyful situation, brought her more comfort than she could have expected. She loved the way Luke’s heart was not only attuned to prayer but also how quick he was to include her in it.

  Once finished asking for the Lord’s strength and wisdom, Luke unclasped the envelope with Allie’s letter and pulled the sheets of paper from it, handing them to her. Aggie smiled. “You knew that was the worst part for me, didn’t you?”

  “I knew you’d be less reluctant if it was already opened, yes.”

  Grateful for his insight, Aggie read the letter, reread sections, and tried to digest the contents. Her face was devoid of all emotion, something so unusual in Aggie that Luke grew visibly alarmed. When she passed him the letter, Luke gave her one more glance before reading the words that had clearly upset her even if it didn’t show.

  Dearest Aggie,

  I promise I won’t start with, “I guess I’ve gone to glory if you’re reading this.” Are you relieved? Somehow, I think you are. I can almost see your face as you’re reading this.

  First, I need to apologize. I know I never asked you if you’d be willing to take on such a huge responsibility. I know you never really understood what the paperwork was that we had you sign every now and then. You trusted me, and even as I write this, I feel like I’m abusing that trust, but it’s for my children. You’ve lived with them for nearly a year. Have you learned what the love of one’s children can do to a mother yet? Somehow, I think you have.