This Time Around

by Denise Hunter

  Once the woman tore her eyes from Luke long enough to return to her job, the sheriff turned to Allie and Luke. “Can I give you kids a ride somewhere?”

  The thought of pulling up to her grandparents’ house in a sheriff’s car . . . “Oh no, that’s okay.”

  Luke checked his watch. “Sure about that? We’re already late, and it’s not like we’re going to catch an Uber around here.”

  “You’re right about that.” Sheriff Dudley nodded. “Where you folks headed?”

  Allie’s stomach knotted. “My grandparents’ house—Lou and Vicki Stuart.”

  “I know them. My mother plays bingo with Miss Vicki on Wednesday nights at the community center.”

  Perfect.

  And just like that, they were riding with Sheriff Dudley, Luke in the front for legroom and Allie in the back seat like a common criminal. She looked over at Walter on the seat beside her. He rested his big head on his paws, already on his way to another successful nap.

  Once they were on their way, Allie bucked up her courage and dialed her mom. Better to give a little warning before she broke her family’s hearts. But her mother seemed to have her phone off. Her dad’s phone rang and rang, which wasn’t unusual.

  As much as she hated to, she dialed her sister. But Olivia must’ve had her hands full in the kitchen. Somehow Allie didn’t have her brother-in-law’s phone number, and her grandparents didn’t believe in cell phones.

  Looked like they would find out about her monumental failure in person.

  “I can’t reach my family,” Allie told Luke during a lull in his conversation with Sheriff Dudley.

  “We’re almost there anyway,” the sheriff said. “Just up the street.”

  Allie looked out the window. He was right. The knots in her stomach tightened, a sense of doom hanging over her like a thundercloud. Before she could gather herself, they were pulling into her grandparents’ driveway. There was the big white farmhouse and the red barn behind it. Cars lined one side of the wide drive, leaving the other side free for passing—and that’s just what Sheriff Dudley was doing.

  “Oh, hey . . .” Allie leaned forward. “You think you could—”

  The sheriff chirped the siren as he breezed past the house, heading to the back.

  Oh, good. Now everyone would see her pulling up in a sheriff’s car, in the back seat, no less, restored ’57 Chevy nowhere in sight.

  The crowd turned their way. It seemed the entire town of Bedford had shown up for the big event. There was Gram, little Emma on her hip, and Gramps, showing off his newly stained deck to someone Allie didn’t know. Even Mom and Olivia had escaped the confines of the kitchen in time for her arrival.

  Sheriff Dudley pulled to a stop, and Allie exited the car, leaving the door open for Walter. She was vaguely aware of Luke unloading their stuff, then the sheriff gave a wave and circled back out of the drive.

  Her mom had approached, looking summery in pink capris and a billowy white top, her blonde hair pulled into a chic ponytail. “Allie, what in the world?” Her harsh whisper harkened back to Allie’s childhood days. “Where is the car?”

  “Hi, Mom. I can explain.” Allie hugged her, finding the embrace stiff and formal.

  Dad joined them, his dark brows pinched behind his glasses. “Where’s the car? What happened?”

  Allie swallowed hard as she drew back. “Mom, Dad . . . I hate to tell you this, but—”

  “Allie, honey, are you all right?” Gram approached, looking beautiful with her short gray hair curled and her makeup just so. She gathered Allie in a warm, soft hug. “Did you have an accident, dear? Are you hurt?”

  “Please tell me you didn’t have an accident.” Her mom’s voice was tight.

  “No, ma’am.” Luke shared a look with Allie, silently asking if he should expound.

  But no, this was her responsibility. Gramps had joined them, along with Olivia and Spencer. After greeting them, they all waited with expectant expressions.

  Allie’s heart hammered in her chest. Probably best to just get it out there. She drew in a shaky breath. “I’m afraid the car was stolen.”

  Her mom’s gasp sucked half the oxygen supply from planet Earth.

  Her dad frowned and blinked.

  “What?” Gramps nudged his glasses up. “We’re going bowling?”

  “Turn up your hearing aid, old man,” Gram yelled. “She said her car was stolen. Oh, Allie, you poor dear. Come inside and have a cookie.”

  “Not my car, Gram.” Allie looked at her parents. “I’m so sorry, Mom and Dad. We were gassing up a while ago and I—I left the keys in the car. A couple of kids took it. We called the sheriff and filed a—”

  “For heaven’s sake, Allie!” Mom said. “You left the keys in the car? How could you do that?”

  “Oh, Allie . . .” The disappointed look on her dad’s face brought a lump to her throat.

  She swallowed hard and drew a shaky breath. Luke had come to stand close to her, and his solid, warm presence bolstered her.

  “You know how much that car meant to your grandparents.” Mom began wheezing.

  “I’m confused,” Gramps said. “What happened to Allie’s car?”

  “Not Allie’s car, Dad,” her mom said loudly. “Bill and I had your old Chevy restored for your anniversary, and Allie was supposed to drive it here and surprise you with it. But now . . .” Her mom covered her trembling mouth. A wheezing sound escaped.

  “Oh dear,” Gram said.

  “That was awful nice of you two.” Gramps rubbed his bald head. “It was stolen, you say?”

  “That car was irreplaceable, Allie,” her mom said. “You promised you’d take good care of it.”

  A crowd had gathered and conversation buzzed around her. The snippets she heard filled her face with heat, her eyes with tears. She wanted to sink into the ground. She wanted to—

  “It wasn’t Allie’s fault.” Luke’s voice cut through the clamor, quieting the crowd. “It was mine.”

  * * *

  Luke felt as if his breath was stuffed inside his lungs. He struggled to draw another. He hadn’t known he was going to say that. But he’d seen the disappointed looks Allie’s parents were giving her. He’d seen Allie withering before him, and it had just come out.

  “I left the keys in the car.” Luke pinned Bill and Becky with an unswerving look. “So if anyone’s to blame . . . it’s me.”

  Becky’s gaze toggled between Luke and Allie, finally settling on Luke. Her eyes turned down at the corners, her lips tightening, her breath raspy. The look of displeasure cut straight into Luke’s heart. The cold trickle of fear returned.

  Then Becky burst into tears.

  Bill spared Luke a look before gathering his wife in his arms. “Now, now, sweetheart. We’ll figure this out.”

  Well, Luke had done it now. All those years of trying so hard, and he’d finally disappointed them. He’d probably lose them over this. At the very least, things would never be the same. But he couldn’t bring himself to regret it.

  “I’m so sorry about all this,” Luke continued. “The sheriff has a good description of the culprits, so there’s still a chance they’ll catch them, find the car. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

  But Bill was leading Becky away, and the crowd was dispersing. The hollow feeling inside would go away. Eventually.

  He caught Allie’s gaze and saw the gratitude shining in her eyes. “Luke, I don’t—”

  “Allie, honey.” Her grandma hooked an arm around Allie’s waist.

  “It’s so good to see you, sweetie,” her grandpa told her, then stretched out a hand to Luke. “You too, Luke. Glad you could make it.”

  Mrs. Stuart looked at her husband, raising her voice. “Fetch some water for the pooch. You kids come inside and get some food. We’ll figure all this out.”

  The three of them headed up the deck steps, but Luke hung back, watching until they disappeared into the house. His gaze flickered up to the white structure, then over the pretty pr
operty. His eyes drifted over the crowd, mostly strangers, mingling on the deck and lawn.

  Bill was still consoling Becky over by the grill, Olivia must’ve retreated to her kitchen duties, and the rest of the party carried on as if nothing had even happened.

  Chapter 12

  Once Allie had a cookie, she joined her mom and sister in the kitchen where the aromas of prime rib and yeast made her stomach turn. Normally she’d be outside keeping her nephew and nieces out of trouble, but as Allie had just lost a prized antique car and subsequently let someone else take the blame, she figured she should probably make herself useful.

  She helped the others carry food to the tables set up on the lawn under the shade of the big oak tree. The sun was setting, streaking the sky with pink and lavender, and an evening breeze beat back the heat of the day.

  Her mother had recovered from her shock and was now in the-show-must-go-on mode. Allie had to admit, they’d done a wonderful job setting up the party. Fresh flowers and balloons adorned a dozen round tables. They were beautifully set with china, their white tablecloths fluttering in the breeze. Twinkle lights draped the tree branches above, creating a space that would feel intimate when darkness pressed in.

  Allie set down a platter of corn on the cob and scanned the crowd for Luke. She found him tossing a football with her nephew. She’d hunt him down later. He’d come through for her, at his own risk, and that meant more than he could know. She couldn’t let the blame fall on him, however.

  She passed the assortment of hot foods, salad, and the coolers of bottled drinks. At the end of the table, silverware was set out with cups and napkins and—

  Allie did a double take. She’d brought white napkins—the really nice ones that were practically cloth. But the napkins on the table were blue.

  Heat flushed through her limbs, leaching into her face. Her mom had brought backup napkins. Allie’s muscles quivered and her fingers twitched. She scanned the table. But no, her white napkins were nowhere to be found.

  Her mom passed with a crock of something. “Honey, can you get the candles for the cake? They’re on the kitchen—What’s wrong?”

  “Where are my napkins?” Allie tried hard for a level tone and didn’t quite succeed.

  “Oh, they’re inside. I saw the blue ones at the store and thought they’d look wonderful against the white tablecloth. Pretty, don’t you think?”

  “But you asked me to bring the napkins—and I did.”

  Her mom blinked at her. “Well, sure, honey. We can put them out, too, if you want.”

  “That’s not the point, Mom.”

  Her mom set the crock down and tilted her head at Allie. “Then what is the point, dear?”

  “I wish you’d just—” She struggled for the words. But now that she was trying to verbalize her thoughts, it all sounded so stupid. Besides, there was the stolen car to consider. “Never mind.”

  Allie turned to go.

  Mom took her hand. “Honey, what is it? If this is about the car, I’m sorry I flipped out on you. But it was terribly upsetting, as I’m sure you can imagine.”

  “It’s not the car, Mom. Or not just the car.” Allie huffed, collecting her thoughts. “You don’t trust me to do anything. You treat me like I’m incapable of carrying out the most basic tasks—I can’t even be trusted with napkins.”

  “I just thought blue would look so—”

  “This is not the first time. If I’m assigned cups you bring extra, just to make sure. If I have an important appointment, you call to remind me. I can handle basic tasks, Mom.”

  Her mom glanced sheepishly at the napkins.

  “I know I’ve been a little changeable in the past,” Allie continued. “I still am—that’s just who I am. But that doesn’t mean I’m not a capable adult. That’s the reason I was so adamant about bringing the car up here. I wanted to prove to you that I could follow through. That you could count on me.” Allie threw her hands up. “And now look what’s happened.”

  Mom squeezed Allie’s hand. “Well, that wasn’t your fault, honey.”

  Allie caught a glimpse of Luke across the lawn, still tossing the ball with Evan. Ella had joined them, and Luke had taken the spot of man-in-the-middle. As far as Allie knew, neither of her parents had even spoken to him since his confession. Since they’d turned their disappointment on Luke. Allie couldn’t get his stricken look out of her mind.

  Allie faced her mother, her spine straightening. “You know, Mom, it wasn’t really Luke’s fault—it was mine. I left the keys in the car. He was only being nice, taking the blame for me. And I’m really sorry to disappoint you. I’ll do everything I can to get that car back.

  “But you know what? You’re basically the only parents Luke has. He loves you guys, and you need to let him know that you’re going to love him no matter what he does—even if he loses a priceless car.” Allie’s throat tightened and the words constricted.

  Her mom’s face softened, her lips going slack. She gave Allie a long, speculative look. “And maybe you need that, too, honey?”

  Allie’s eyes burned. She blinked back tears.

  Her mom squeezed her hand again. “You know, part of being an adult is accepting responsibility. And you did that today. In fact, if I consider the past few years, you’ve been doing that all along. I guess I’ve just been too blind to notice.”

  “I know I’ll never be like Olivia, Mom. I’ll never be perfect.”

  “Oh, honey.” Mom chuckled. “Olivia’s far from perfect, and we never wanted you to be her. We don’t want you to be anyone other than who you are. I’m sorry we ever made you feel otherwise. It’s just . . . I still see you as my baby girl—the girl who wore two different shoes to school in the seventh grade and needed me to rescue her.”

  “That was a long time ago.”

  Her mom drew her into a hug that felt warm and welcoming. Allie settled her head on her mom’s shoulder, inhaling her flowery scent.

  “You’re right, honey. Somewhere along the way, you grew up. I’ll do better. We both will, I promise. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too, Mom. Thanks.” A weight lifted off Allie. She should’ve said something long ago. Why had she let this go so long?

  Over her mom’s shoulder, her eyes caught on Luke as he made a show of missing the football, which was well within his grasp.

  Allie pulled back, meeting her mom’s gaze. “And you and Dad will talk to Luke?”

  Mom’s blue eyes sharpened on her, probably seeing far more than Allie intended. “Of course we will, honey.” She cradled Allie’s face. “And now we’d best gather everyone around before all this wonderful food gets cold.”

  The meal was finished, the cake had been served, and the sun had set. Allie’s dad had made a sentimental toast that brought tears to her grandparents’ eyes. After supper Allie played two rounds of tag with her nieces and nephew and one round of Chase the Mean, Hairy Monster—Allie being the monster, of course. She had grass stains on her pants, leaf chips in her hair, and a smile on her face.

  Darkness pressed in, the twinkle lights aglow as the guests mingled on the deck, lawn, and makeshift dance floor. The sweet strains of “I Only Have Eyes for You” filtered through the air, and a cool breeze ruffled Allie’s hair as she leaned on the deck railing, watching her grandparents slow dance.

  They looked so sweet, rocking back and forth, smiling at the gathered guests. Gram had a bit of red lipstick on her teeth, but Gramps was so farsighted he probably couldn’t tell.

  When Gram said something to him, Gramps leaned closer. “What’s that?”

  “We haven’t danced in years!”

  “I did clean out my ears.”

  “No, we haven’t danced in years!”

  “We have ants in here?”

  “I said, we haven’t— Oh, never mind. Just hold me, old man.”

  Allie chuckled, her eyes stinging a little. A strange bubble swelled in her throat. It wasn’t all rainbows and sprinkles with her grandparents, but th
ey loved each other. Allie couldn’t even imagine being with the same person for fifty years. But she’d sure like to try.

  Olivia joined her at the railing, her dark braid hanging over her shoulder, looking no worse for wear after hours of slaving over the hot stove.

  “Kitchen duties all done?” Allie asked.

  “Spic-and-span.” She scanned the lawn. “Where are my kids? If they’re eating cake again, I’m gonna kill Spencer.”

  Allie pointed toward the back of the property where they were trying to get Walter to fetch a stick. The dog was rooted to the ground like an ancient oak tree.

  “Sugar rush aside,” Allie said, “I think I got them good and tired for you earlier.”

  “Thanks for keeping them occupied. When Spencer gets to talking he forgets to watch them.” Olivia swished her drink around in the glass. “I was wanting to ask if you’d be free to babysit a couple weekends from now. Spencer has this work thing in New York, and I thought I might tag along.”

  Allie’s lips parted. “Really? You want me to babysit?”

  “Listen, I overreacted to the whole Cocoa Puffs thing. You acted in Evan’s best interest.” Olivia gave her a chagrined smile. “It’s not your fault he likes to put food up his nose.”

  Allie chuckled. “I’d love to babysit, Olivia. Thanks for asking. And the meal was great tonight, by the way. Everything was delicious.”

  “Thanks. And in case you didn’t notice . . . I switched out the napkins after Mom went through the line.”

  Allie’s gaze connected with her sister’s. They burst out laughing. A moment of recognition that yes, their mother was ridiculous sometimes. But they were in this together, Olivia and Allie.

  Allie’s laughter hadn’t yet died away when she caught sight of Luke by the rose trellis talking to her parents. He was so handsome under the golden glow of twinkle lights. He wore an attentive expression as he listened.

  Dad put a hand on Luke’s shoulder as he spoke with him. Her mom chimed in, smiling. And then . . . a group hug.

  Allie looked on, her eyes burning yet again, something like relief filling her. Also maybe a bit of gratification at having prompted this moment. Luke deserved to know he’d always have Bill and Becky. He was family. He was accepted. He was loved. Her heart went squishy at the thought.