Huntington Family Series

by Rachel Ann Nunes

  Ryan wasn’t so sure, but he was glad he hadn’t voiced his own thoughts along those lines. She would have thought it was a line.

  She put the vase on the counter in the kitchen and led the way to the garage for the shoes. “Aw, do we have to go?” Tiger whined.

  “Yes,” Ryan said. “Ria has practice.”

  Tiger’s eyes lit up. “Can we shoot hoops?”

  Ryan thought of himself asking his father that same question many years earlier. “Of course we can. I’d like nothing better.”

  “I like basketball.” Caleb was, in fact, holding his blue ball, the one he sometimes threw to Ryan in the mornings.

  Ryan glanced at Kerrianne, wanting to invite the child but confused over the proper way to go about it. She shook her head almost imperceptibly. Apparently, she wasn’t ready to trust him with her children—yet.

  “We’ll play sometime,” he said instead.

  “When?” Tiger asked—or yelled, as he always did. “And did you ask her again about school? I want to come here with Caleb. He’s my best friend.” The two boys linked arms over each other’s shoulders, causing Caleb’s ball to drop to the floor.

  “She doesn’t have any openings.” Ryan scooped up the ball and handed it back to Caleb.

  Kerrianne cleared her throat. “Actually, I do have space.”

  “What days?” Ryan couldn’t believe his luck.

  “Well, the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday class has fewer students, but I could squeeze him in on Tuesdays and Thursdays if you’d prefer.”

  He wondered briefly if she’d had the openings all along, or if a student had dropped out. If she’d had the openings all along, that meant she hadn’t wanted Tiger in her class. Was it because of him? Had he made her nervous that night at the play? He couldn’t decide if making her nervous was a good or a bad thing. Of course, it might have nothing to do with him at all or even a student dropping out. Perhaps her yearning for a greenhouse had encouraged her to enlarge the classes. He found he really didn’t care what her reasons might be. Having Tiger at her house would allow him to see her more—a lot more.

  “Okay,” he said. “Let’s do it.” He was sure he could swing the price, but maybe this was one more reason to look into that management position down in Provo’s East Bay location. If it meant more money, he might be able to handle the night shift. That would eliminate the need for a sitter during the day, though he’d have to find a college student to stay nights at the house with the kids.

  The boys were jumping up and down and shouting with excitement, still clinging to each other. Benjamin and Ria looked on with indulgent smiles. Only Misty frowned, her arms folded across her middle. She caught Ryan watching her and quickly looked away.

  Kerrianne smiled at the boys’ excitement. “What days?”

  Ryan considered a moment. “How about all of them? Tiger hasn’t had any schooling at all. Where he is now, he mostly watches TV. I think he could use the extra time. I can swing by and drop him off on my lunch break, but I’ve got a little problem picking up at two or three. I don’t get off until four, give or take a bit. But don’t worry—I’ll work it out. I know some people who can help.” At least he hoped they would help. If Susan couldn’t do it, he’d ask his neighbor, or maybe some of the women from the family ward he attended with the children. If worse came to worst, maybe Sam would pitch in a bit, provided her husband didn’t object.

  “Okay, then.” Kerrianne was apparently unaware of his internal dilemma. Good. Just the way he wanted it.

  Misty gave him a disgruntled look and stomped down the hall. Ryan knew he’d have to work on her, but if he couldn’t understand the tomboy Ria half the time, how could he relate to a girl who was the image of a porcelain doll?

  Later, as he started the truck, he realized he was thinking not only of having Kerrianne in his future but also her children.

  “Dad, why are you stopping here?” Ria stared across him toward Maxine’s house.

  “Well, I know this lady, you see, and she owes me a favor.”

  “A favor?”

  “Yeah. Come on.” They trudged up to the front porch. The cold was biting now with the steady breeze, and Ryan felt a drop of icy rain on his cheek.

  “I wanna push it!” Tiger stood on tiptoes to ring the doorbell.

  Maxine opened the door, looking as trendy as ever in wide-legged dress pants and a patterned black and brown sweater with a waist tie. “Ryan? What are you doing here? I already got my mail this morning. Not delivered by you, I might add. You know, I don’t like those other carriers as well. He left my mailbox half open, and in this weather!”

  He chuckled. “I promise I’ll talk to him. Look, I’m here for a favor, if you’re willing.”

  She smiled and opened the door wider. “Why don’t you all come in? I’m leaving for a date in a while, but you’re welcome to sit for a minute.”

  “Actually, we have basketball practice so we’d better not come in,” Ryan said. “Tiger’s starting preschool at Kerrianne’s next week, and I’m worried about finding someone to pick him up on time with so little notice. I think I’ll be able to find someone, but if I can’t, I was wondering if you’d let him come here on Monday for an hour or two until I can pick him up.”

  Her mouth fell open a little. “You want me to baby-sit?”

  “Not really baby-sit. Just let him hang out until whoever picks him up. He’s not a problem.” Thankfully, Tiger was standing at Ryan’s side on the porch looking angelic.

  “What about me, Dad?” Ria asked, tugging on his sleeve.

  “You’ll walk to Susan’s after school as usual.”

  Ria looked ready to cry at his answer.

  Maxine swung her head back and forth. “Sounds to me like you’re complicating things. Why don’t you just ask Kerrianne to keep your son if there’s ever a problem?”

  “Because I think I just squeezed him in by the skin of his teeth, that’s why. I don’t want to give her a reason to change her mind.”

  Maxine snorted. “Oh, you’re playing a game I see. When will you young people learn that games take too long? Just get to it!”

  “To what?” asked Tiger, his head tilted back to see her better.

  “To dating, to love, to life.” Maxine emphasized each word with her slender hands.

  Tiger scrunched up his mouth. “But I like games.”

  “Uh, never mind.” Maxine shifted her gaze back to Ryan. “If you actually trust me with him, then yes, I’ll stand in if you need me. Temporarily, of course, because I’ve been there, done that, you know? But you’d better call me as soon as you know you’ll need me. I’ll get my number.” She was gone for a few minutes and then returned with a paper which she handed to Ryan. Then she smiled at Tiger. “Do you like exercise? I need a new walking partner.”

  “Don’t you have a TV?”

  “Not for you to watch. No, I think exercise is just what you need.”

  Tiger looked at her glumly while Ria smirked.

  “You too, young lady.” Maxine clicked her tongue.

  Ria grinned at her. “I’m the best runner in my class.” She thought a moment and then added, “I could be your walking partner. I could come every day after school.” Her gaze was so hopeful that Ryan didn’t have the heart to tell her Maxine usually had her walk in before he delivered the mail.

  “All right, I’ll try you out,” Maxine said with a snap of her fingers. “You come on Monday. We’ll pick up your brother and go for a walk.”

  “Uh, he’ll get out at two on Monday,” Ryan said. “Ria wouldn’t get here until nearly four.”

  Ria shook her head. “Monday’s an early day, remember? We get out an hour early.”

  “Oh, yeah. But you can’t walk all the way here.”

  “I know which bus it is. Janelle goes on the same one. I’ve seen her get on a million times with Misty and Benjamin. I can go on the bus with Janelle and get off here.” When she saw Ryan’s doubtful face, she added. “Please, Dad. I know the way. Y
ou can even call Janelle’s mom.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I think it’s a great idea,” Maxine said to Ryan. “Don’t you worry one bit. We’ll manage until you get here. Monday’s your heavy day at the post office, isn’t it?” She waggled a finger at him. “See? I pay attention. You’re always late on Mondays so we won’t expect you until four-thirty or five.” She paused a minute before barreling on. “Never mind about calling me. Let’s just plan on it. Monday is taken care of. No, come to think of it, they can come on Tuesday, too. Since next week is Thanksgiving and I bet Ria only has those two days at school. That will give you another week to make more permanent arrangements.” She looked at him pointedly. “And that means finding another place for Ria after school. You can’t expect her to go to this Susan’s if she hates the place.”

  “That’s easier said than done.”

  “Well, you’d better get to work finding something, then.”

  He didn’t dare protest. At least he’d have time to work it out. He’d taken two vacation days next week so he could stay home and watch the children during their time out of school. With the holiday, that meant he’d only be working Monday and Tuesday. “Thanks, Maxine.”

  “Look, there’s my date. See you on Monday.” Maxine picked up her purse from somewhere near the door and pushed passed them, going down the steps at an alarming rate. Somewhat less quickly, Harold climbed from his car and met her on the walk, taking her hand and giving it a noisy kiss.

  Maxine shook her head at him. “Goodness, Harold, what is this fascination you have with my hand?” Without waiting for an answer, she pulled open her own door and slid inside his car. Looking calm and unruffled, Harold trod slowly around to the other side.

  Ryan grinned at Ria, who grinned back.

  “She’s weird, Dad,” Tiger said in his loud kid whisper.

  “Yeah,” Ria agreed. “She’s cool. I really like her.”

  Maxine waved to them as Harold’s car drove away.

  “So do I,” Ryan said. He wondered what Kerrianne might do if he tried to kiss her hand.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Scarcely thirty minutes after Ryan left, the flowers from Morgan were followed by a dozen red roses from someone named Clark, who Kerrianne thought might have been one of the older men she’d danced with—hopefully the one who smelled like mint. She breathed in the intoxicating scent of the flowers and laughed. One had to admire the men’s resourcefulness, especially as she hadn’t given them any personal information except her name.

  Though she felt a little foolish, she was enjoying the attention. Two bouquets in one day when she hadn’t received flowers from a man not related to her in four long years. What an event! She hummed as she stood on a chair to unearth another vase from the small cupboard over her refrigerator. The green glass was slightly dusty, though she had cleaned out the space regularly. She had a lot of time to clean when the children were in bed.

  “Are these from that guy who was here earlier?” Misty climbed up on a kitchen stool to better view the roses, her lips pursed in suspicion, though she usually loved flowers of every kind.

  Kerrianne jumped down from her chair. “His name is Ryan. But no, sweetie, these came from someone else I danced with last night. Here, smell.” She pulled a rose from the bunch and handed it to Misty.

  “Was the dance fun?” Misty sniffed the rose.

  Kerrianne grinned. “Yeah, it was.”

  “You and Daddy used to go dancing.” Misty’s blue eyes grew large. “Benjamin and I’d stay with Aunt Manda.”

  “I remember.” Adam would sing in her ear all night until his voice was hoarse and she was so full of love for him that she couldn’t speak. After coming home, they’d put the children to bed and dance on in their bedroom, all alone. He’d kiss her—oh, how he’d kiss her! And then finally, much later, he would bring out his guitar and play until she fell asleep, curled up next to him.

  Tears filled Kerrianne’s eyes, and her heart was full, as full as it had always been with love for Adam. There was no room for the pain, at the moment, or the longing for him. No room for regret or bitterness. There was only space for the love. It filled her up like water filled a stream, flowing with clear, vivid memories.

  She reached out to smooth a curly lock of her daughter’s blonde hair. “I loved to dance with your daddy.”

  “Better than Ryan?” Misty wrinkled her nose as if smelling something bad.

  “Better than anyone. But that doesn’t mean I’m never going to dance again.” Once, she thought it might mean just that, but not after last night. Her experience was proof that she needed to dance, that she should go on with her life.

  Misty considered the implication. “Oh. Well, it doesn’t have to be with Ryan, does it?”

  “No. But I do like him.” Kerrianne picked up the vase and rinsed it under the tap.

  “Are you going to marry him?”

  “Heavens no! What made you ask that?”

  Misty shrugged. “I don’t like that girl.”

  “Why not? She seemed nice to me.”

  “I just don’t!” Misty dropped the rose and folded her white, slightly chubby arms, so different from Ria’s lean brown ones.

  “I didn’t notice her being mean.”

  “She said my doll was stupid!”

  “Was that before or after she found out it was yours?”

  Misty didn’t answer.

  “So it was before.”

  Misty touched a thorn on her fallen rose. “It’s like she hangs on you—practically. I don’t like her.”

  Kerrianne leaned over close to her daughter’s face. “Why, Misty, I do believe your eyes are turning green.”

  “No, they’re not. They’re blue. They’re always blue.”

  Kerrianne began to arrange the roses in the green vase. “Well, it sounds to me like you’re a little jealous.”

  “Of her?” The scorn in Misty’s voice was clear.

  Letting the rest of the roses slide into the vase, Kerrianne leaned her elbows on the counter so she could stare into Misty’s face. “Honey, Ria lost her mother. You know how much losing your daddy hurt? Well, think of how she must feel to lose her mother. It’s not like you to be so unkind.”

  Misty’s eyes filled with tears. “But you’re my mother.”

  The words said it all. Misty didn’t want to lose her, not even in part, to anyone else.

  Kerrianne went around the counter and hugged her daughter, who clung on tightly, more like a baby than an eight-year-old. “I will always be your mother,” Kerrianne said, surprised at the fierceness of her feelings. “That’s never going to change. And I’ll always love you as much as I do right now.”

  “Do we really have to go to Ria’s grandma’s tomorrow?” Misty released her neck and slid back onto her stool.

  “I’d like to. I’m curious to see their green room, and I’d hate to cancel after I already said I’d go. But if you feel uncomfortable, you could stay with your aunt.”

  Frowning, Misty shook her head. “No, I’d better come.” There was a determination in the gathering of her forehead that didn’t bode well for the trip.

  “Okay, but try to be nice. Maybe Ria isn’t so bad. You might even become friends.”

  Misty’s flat, uncompromising stare showed her how much she thought of that idea.

  “Why don’t you take the boys out on the driveway and play ball with them so I can start dinner? It shouldn’t be too cold if you keep moving.”

  Misty shook her head. “Playing ball is for boys.”

  “But you’ve always played with them.”

  Her chin rose. “I’m going to play with my Polly Pockets and my dollhouse.”

  “Well, okay, but don’t blame me when the boys break their clothes.” The plastic clothing sported by most of the mini dolls was part of their appeal, but once broken, could never be mended.

  “They won’t.” Misty slipped off her stool just as the phone rang. She hesitated near the refrigerato
r.

  Kerrianne picked up the phone. “Hello?”

  “Kerrianne?”

  “Yes. Who’s speaking?”

  “It’s Gunnar. You know, from the dance last night.”

  “Oh, hi.” Kerrianne stifled her laughter. So Gunnar had found her, too. Tina had been right about all the attention. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine. Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about you, but other than that . . .” He trailed off, ending with a chuckle.

  Kerrianne shook her head. Now that was a line if she’d ever heard one.

  “Mom, who is it?” Misty asked, though her attention was on the stainless steel handle of the refrigerator where she appeared to be looking carefully at her eyes.

  Gunnar was speaking again, but Kerrianne didn’t hear what he said. “Can you hold on a minute?” she asked.

  Covering the receiver, she stepped toward Misty. “It’s a man I danced with last night.”

  “Did he send the roses?” Misty looked toward her.

  “No, someone else.”

  Misty shook her head. “You must have danced with a lot of guys.”

  “Something like that. Now aren’t you going to get your Polly Pockets?”

  “Yeah, but just so you know, my eyes are still blue.” With that pronouncement, Misty left the room in search of the boys. Kerrianne knew they’d fall into Misty’s doll-playing plan. While they would prefer ball, playing with Misty was more exciting than playing on their own.

  “Okay, I’m back.” Kerrianne tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder and began to arrange the roses against the greenery and the tiny white babies’ breath that had come with them. She toyed with the idea of mixing the roses with the lilies of earlier, but decided she liked the look of the individual arrangements. She had the lilies on the table; these she’d leave on the counter where she could smell them often as she made dinner.

  “I was thinking we could go out tonight, if you’re not busy,” Gunnar was saying. His voice lowered. “Or we could stay in—maybe at your place.”

  Kerrianne felt immediately uncomfortable. “Uh, that’s not a good idea. My kids are here, and I don’t want to . . .” She didn’t know what she was trying to say, but she suddenly understood the conversation she’d overheard Rosalva and Tina having about keeping their children away from their dates until it became necessary to introduce them. Misty was already feeling threatened by Ryan and Ria, and Kerrianne wasn’t about to add Gunnar to her load.