You Are Invited...

by Holly Jacobs

  Mattie fretted that if someone did claim the dog, not only would Mickey’s and the girls’ hearts be broken, her mother’s might be, as well. And she worried about how Finn would handle Bear when—if—he won custody.

  She tried to force herself to stay positive, but it was hard.

  “Mochachino,” she said as she passed the man at the counter his coffee and longed to stop worrying about the dog, the kids and Finn...well, Finn in relationship to the lawsuit, not in any other way.

  “See you tomorrow,” the customer said as he exited. Mattie didn’t know his name yet, but he’d been in every day this week. She’d have to ask tomorrow. She liked to call the regulars by their names.

  The oven timer dinged and she headed for the kitchen. Rich had outsourced his bakery items before she started working for him—and they still bought some—but Mattie was gradually making more from scratch. Her whole-wheat banana and blueberry muffins were a clear favorite.

  She’d made some small changes to the menu and the shop’s layout over the past few months, and Rich seemed content to let her have her way. The revenue had picked up and she liked to think that it was in part thanks to her suggestions.

  If she wasn’t planning on spending her savings on the lawyer, and if she was keeping custody of the kids and remaining here for the next twelve years, she might ask her brother about buying a share in the coffee shop. She liked the idea of working for herself, and Rich had been thoroughly engrossed in his latest project.

  The bell over the front door rang.

  Mattie hurried to the counter. “Hi, Lily,” she cheerfully greeted her friend, but there was no happy smile in return. “What’s wrong?”

  “Have you seen Hank?” Lily’s voice trembled as she asked the question.

  “No. How long has he been missing?” She’d worried about him the other day when he’d seemed confused about who she was. “I can close up and help—”

  “He left the diner to get a few things. He’s taking quite a bit longer than he anticipated. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

  “You’re sure?” Mattie asked.

  “I’m sure. He’s had a few memory lapses. I finally convinced him to see the doctor. He has an appointment this afternoon.”

  “You’re concerned.” It was a statement, not a question.

  Lily nodded. “He was just my landlord at first, but now he’s become a real friend. And I haven’t told anyone yet, but I bought into the diner.”

  The fact that Lily had done the very thing Mattie had been considering struck her. “You did?”

  “It’s a lot for Hank to manage on his own. I’m going to continue to do home health care, but I’m not sure I’ll have enough clients in the area to totally support myself. So the income from the diner will be a nice supplement, and being there with Hank on occasion will make me feel more a part of the community.”

  “You already feel like you belong here, at least to me. I can’t imagine not having you in our lives. I can’t imagine you not being part of Valley Ridge. When Bridget—” She stopped a moment and collected herself. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you when Bridget was sick.”

  “I’d never done home health care until Bridget. I’ve worked in hospitals since I got my degree. Being such a major part of her care and allowing her to be home—it changed the direction of my career. She taught me lessons in strength and dignity...and introduced me to two of the most amazing friends I’ve ever had.”

  “Wow, what’s up with us today?” Mattie asked. “Sap City.”

  “I won’t tell if you don’t tell.”

  Mattie smiled. “Will you call me when you find Hank?”

  “I will.”

  “And holler if you need help. I’m worried about him.”

  “Me, too. But I suspect his disappearance is related to the fact he doesn’t like doctors and is annoyed I insisted on an appointment. He’s going to show up after the appointment, I know it.”

  “Men,” Mattie griped.

  “Can’t live with ’em, can’t hog-tie them and drag them to the doctor’s,” Lily groused.

  “Has Hank heard from Seb?”

  Lily nodded. “Hank said he’s coming home any day now. Of course, he’s been saying that for months.”

  The normally warm and easygoing Lily was obviously less than impressed with Hank’s grandson. Seb was older than Mattie, but she remembered his escapades when he was younger. Some, like the car on the football field, were legendary.

  “It will be better when he gets home,” Mattie assured her.

  “I hope so.” Lily sounded doubtful. “I really need to go. Call me if you see Hank?”

  “Sure.”

  Mattie thought about Hank the rest of the morning. He was another try-not-to-worry-about item on her long list of worries. Lunchtime was another big rush. People in town running errands, stopping in to refuel on their daily dose of caffeine.

  Maybe she should add a few healthy snacks to the menu? She didn’t want to compete with the diner, but turkey or veggie wraps were a possibility. Some yogurt and granola? She had a great granola recipe. She could make up big batches...

  More changes that would only make sense to follow through on if she knew whether or not she was staying...but she didn’t. And there she was, back to the lawsuit.

  Possibilities for the coffee shop gave way to more worrying—and trying not to worry—about her whole list of worries.

  By two-thirty, she’d cleaned the shop and prepped for the next day. At three on the nose, with the day’s receipts locked in the safe, she shut the shop and walked down the south side of the block. She passed the pharmacy and Annie’s Antique Barn.

  She crossed the street. On that northeast corner was the Valley Ridge Diner. She peeked inside and saw Hank behind the counter. He waved as she walked by. She waved back and pulled out her cell phone and texted Lily. You know he’s at the diner?

  Yes, grrr was her reply. Mattie guessed the grrr meant that Hank missed his appointment. She was sure that Lily would figure out how to get him to the doctor’s.

  She continued along the street, beyond a small, vacant storefront, and then the dentist’s office. Opposite to that was Jerry’s Farm and House Supplies. He had everything from scrub buckets to threshers.

  The next block was the school.

  Mattie waited on the corner. Stanley Tuznik, the town’s retired mayor, was the local crossing guard. He said the job made him feel as if he was still part of the fabric of the town, but there was no paperwork and he got lunch, weekends and summers off.

  “Hi, Stan,” Mattie called.

  The orange-vested, sign-carrying former mayor smiled. “Hi, Mattie. You making more of those banana-blueberry muffins?”

  “I made a batch today and they sold out. I’ll make some more first thing in the morning.”

  Stan liked to stop by for a coffee and snack after his crossing duties were done in the morning. “Save me one, will you?”

  “Sure,” she promised.

  “Actually, why don’t you save me a couple?”

  “I’ll try to time it so they’re warm when you get there,” she promised.

  He twirled his stop sign in his hand. “You need one of those signs on the store like that doughnut place has. Something you light up when there’s something fresh out of the oven.”

  “I’ll tell the boss you said so. Only don’t tell him I called him the boss, please? We don’t want Rich to think I’m going to start liste
ning to him.”

  Stan laughed. “My lips are sealed.”

  A bell inside the school sounded loud enough that they both heard it.

  “Here we go.” Stan gripped his stop sign and adjusted his vest.

  Somewhere in the middle of the thundering herd of kids, Mattie spotted Zoe, Mickey and Abbey. Abbey saw her and ran to the corner ahead of her siblings. “I got an A on my spelling test.”

  “That’s fantastic, sweetie.” She hugged Bridget’s youngest daughter and could smell the remnants of her daily lotion application. She hugged her a little tighter and a little longer than the news required. And for a moment, she felt Bridget’s presence.

  “Can I call Uncle Finn and tell ’im?” Abbey asked when Mattie finally released her. “He helped me practice this weekend.”

  Mattie nodded. Finn had become involved in their lives. Even during the week, when he was in Buffalo, he was part of things. “Sure, Ab. Uncle Finn will be thrilled. You can call him as soon as we get home.”

  “Can’t I call now on your phone?” Abbey wheedled. “I can’t wait to tell ’im.”

  “Sure.” Mattie fumbled in her pocket for her cell phone and hit Finn’s name, which had moved up to the top of her speed-dial list.

  He must have picked up because Abbey started bubbling with happiness.

  Mattie was struck by the fact that he’d answered the call. He was still at the office.

  “Okay, in a couple days.” Abbey paused and said, “Aunt Mattie, Uncle Finn says don’t cook on Friday. We’re gonna go celebrate my A.”

  Finn spoke again because after listening, Abbey amended, “If that’s okay with you.”

  Mattie forced a smile. “Sure.”

  “She said sure, Uncle Finn.” Abbey studied Mattie intently and said, “No, she don’t look ’noyed. Not like the time I stole her lipstick and used it for a tattoo.”

  Whatever Finn said made Abbey laugh. “I love you, too.”

  She handed the phone to Mattie. “Yes?”

  “You’re sure it’s okay on Friday?” Finn asked.

  “It’s fine.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  “Is that a promise, or a threat?” she grumbled.

  Finn didn’t seem to take offence. He simply laughed. “Maybe it’s a little of both. I know you’re going to find this hard to believe, but I miss you all during the week. I appreciate you letting Abbey share her news.”

  Finn had changed. She knew that. He was making a concerted effort to be here for the kids, and seemed willing to pitch in on her behalf, as well. If she was honest, she missed him, too, and that thought was disconcerting, so she changed the subject. “You’re still watching the kids on Saturday?”

  “Sophie’s shower. I remembered, and yes, I’ll watch them,” he affirmed.

  “And Bear,” she warned.

  “No calls on the dog?” he asked.

  The other kids came up and she waved them quiet a moment. “None.”

  “So we’ve inherited a dog, too.”

  We.

  His use of the word we, as if they were a team, stayed with her. They weren’t a team. Not really.

  “Mattie? You still there?”

  “Yes. I’ve got to go.”

  “See you, Friday,” he said.

  She didn’t respond. Instead she disconnected.

  “All right, gang, let’s go get Bear and head home.”

  Home.

  She used that word with ease. And as she walked, Abbey’s hand in hers, and the other kids next to them, chatting about their day, she realized Valley Ridge was home in a new and different way. It wasn’t because of the geography, or the fact she loved the community. It was because of the kids.

  They made it home.

  * * *

  FINN HAD REPLAYED HIS Wednesday conversation with Mattie ever since then. The discussion had gone from friendly to icy in the blink of an eye and he wasn’t sure why. Last night, the kids had seemed genuinely happy to see him, but Mattie had been distant as they celebrated Abbey’s acing her spelling test.

  Today, as he stood on the porch, waiting for someone to open the door, he wondered who he was going to find today...the friendly, open Mattie, or the closed-down one.

  The door swung wide and Mattie frowned when she saw him.

  Finn had his answer. “Good morning, Mattie.”

  “Great. You’re here,” she said, not returning his salutation. “I’ve got everything in the car, ready to go, so they’re all yours. I’ll be home as soon as the shower’s over.”

  “Take your time. I have it under control.” That was obviously not what she wanted to hear.

  Mattie’s frown hardened. “I’m sure you do. I’ll have my cell if there’s a problem. And don’t worry about the house. The kids and I rescheduled our pickup party for this evening. Good luck.”

  He strolled inside and was immediately plowed down by Bear.

  “Bear, Bear, come on,” Mickey was hollering. He skittered to a halt when he saw Bear on top of Finn.

  “Uncle Finn, you’re here!” Mickey exclaimed, ignoring the fact that the small mountain of a puppy was sitting on Finn’s chest.

  “Yes,” Finn said as he pushed the puppy onto the floor and got up. “I’m here.”

  “So are we gonna do something fun today? I gotta brush Bear, ’cause Aunt Mattie said he’ll get even rattier if I don’t, but then I’m done.”

  “I thought maybe we’d surprise your aunt and have the pickup party already done when she comes home. She does an awful lot of nice things for all of us. We should do something nice for her today.” She balanced the kids, her job and now Sophie’s wedding on her own. She deserved a Saturday off.

  “Oh.”

  “What’s wrong?” Finn asked his nephew.

  Mickey uttered a heartfelt sigh. “Cleaning.”

  Finn laughed. “The faster you start, the faster you’ll finish.”

  “Yeah, I guess so. The girls are upstairs.”

  “Abbey, Zoe...” Finn called. He smiled, imagining how happy Mattie would be when she got home and found everything done.

  * * *

  MATTIE MADE A FACE at Lily. “Sophie, go sit down. This is your day. Lily and I are your minions.”

  Sophie shook her head, sending her white-blond ringlets bouncing. “I don’t know how to sit back and watch other people do the work.”

  “You know what they say,” Lily said cheerfully as she put the wine coolers at the center of a table, “Practice makes perfect.”

  Sophie picked one up. “These are beautiful.”

  “It’s all Mattie. I had to beg off that day,” Lily told her.

  “No, it was the whole family.” At the description of family, Mattie’s mind flashed on Finn. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that, so she ignored it. “Some have a very Jackson Pollock-ish quality to them. So I plan to tell people that makes them art.”

  “Weren’t you going to get here a bit late and make a grand entrance?” Lily asked the bride.

  Mattie fingered the stoneware and couldn’t help but think about Finn jumping in and helping as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He’d done that a lot lately. Jumped in. Running the vacuum. Telling Mickey and Abbey stories. Helping with dishes. Running interference with the social worker. Standing up for her, even.

  She didn’t want to like the man who was suing her. She certainly didn’t want to be charmed by him. But unfortunately, she liked him on occasion
, and found him charming sometimes, as well.

  She set the stoneware down and concentrated on Sophie, who was looking even more stubborn as she proclaimed, “I don’t do sit and watch others work, and I really don’t do grand entrances.”

  “Today is a perfect time to start and try both,” Mattie said.

  “Sit there and tell us about the wedding plans,” Lily, ever so much more tactful, said.

  As they set up the Nieses’ picnic pavilion for the shower, Lily’s distraction worked and Sophie waxed poetic about her wedding plans. “...perfect,” she said as she wound down.

  The room was all set. The lake cottage’s picnic shelter was more than just tables and a fantastic view. It was a wine-themed shower. Lily had made strings of pastel-colored paper wine bottles. Pastel was the color palette of the shower. When Mattie had asked why, Lily had given her an odd look and informed her that bridal showers were always pastel.

  Mattie had never gone to, much less thrown, a bridal shower before, so she bowed to Lily’s color scheme.

  As she watched the women arrive and mill about, Mattie admitted that she’d missed out on this feeling of community as she’d traveled from city to city. Oh, she’d had friends, but not like this. Not women she’d grown up with, or friends like Lily and Sophie. The kind of friends who, if she called from jail, they’d bring the bail money...or put the file in the cake.

  She smiled at the image.

  “Hey, honey,” her mother said, wrapping her in a warm hug. “Everything is beautiful.”

  “I know this is going to come as a shocker, but this is all Lily. If I were planning it, we’d have simply all gone to Hank’s.”

  Her mother shook her head. “I don’t believe that for a moment. Maybe if it was your shower, but knowing it was for Sophie, you’d have done something like this because it would be what she wanted.”