Hometown Courtship (Love Inspired)

by Diann Hunt

  Callie didn’t know what the future held. She could no longer deny the love in her heart for Brad. He was out of reach, and she would just have to accept that—the way she had to accept that her father was gone and would never come back. One thing she’d learned from it all, though. She could never abandon family the way he did. He had made his choice, and she was making hers.

  She would live and die in Burrow, Ohio.

  “Hey, Callie, we’ll have to call off working on the playhouse tonight,” Brad said, pacing his kitchen. “Gram has taken a turn for the worse, and they’ve called in the family.”

  “Oh, no! I’m so sorry, Brad,” Callie said.

  “Would you pray for her—for us? She’s such a great lady and I don’t want her to suffer.”

  “I would be honored to pray, Brad.”

  “Thanks. I’ll keep you posted.” He clicked off. Just knowing Callie was praying gave him comfort.

  He picked up his mom and they hurried over to see Gram.

  “You gonna be all right, Mom?” Brad asked as they stood just outside the entrance of the nursing home. His eyes searched hers. “I mean, if Gram—”

  She put her hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine, Brad. I’ve known this day was coming, I just didn’t know when. We’ll make it through, no matter what.”

  He nodded and took a deep breath. He pulled her arm through his. “Let’s go.”

  Brad could not believe what they saw when they entered the room. Instead of Gram breathing her last breath, she was sitting up and laughing with an attendant.

  “Well, don’t just stand there with your mouths hanging open, get over here and give me a hug,” Gram said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  Amid tears and laughter, Brad and Annie hugged Gram. She said in her no-nonsense fashion, “What’s the matter? Did you have me written off already? It ain’t over till the old lady sings, remember?”

  “Only you, Gram. Only you.” Brad shook his head and chuckled.

  “So, what happened?” Annie asked.

  Gram shrugged. “Oh, same old thing. This old ticker is giving out on me. One day you’ll come in here and I really will be gone, but in the meantime, I’m still kickin’. Come here, you two, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  Annie walked over and sat on the bed. Brad stood beside them.

  “I’ve been wondering why people wait until they’re dead to dole out their gifts to their loved ones. I know I need to keep some money back for my living expenses, but I have plenty to part with, too.”

  Brad and Annie exchanged a glance.

  “Surprised?” She chuckled. “The truth is, I’m rich. Have been for years. But I’ve never been one to live high on the hog. It just ain’t in me. I’ve given my share to charities, but I wanted to save some for my family. Annie, my boy is gone, but you’ve been just like a daughter to me from the day you married into our family. I don’t believe Naomi loved Ruth any more than I love you. I hope I can live long enough to see you put this to good use.” Gram handed her a check.

  Annie held up her palm. “Mom, don’t do this. You’ve been through a lot, and you need time to think about this. It’s a major decision.”

  “Now, Annie, don’t you be stubborn about this. My mind’s made up.”

  “How does your attorney feel about it?” Annie said.

  “Ain’t none of his business. It’s my money. I can do what I want with it. And yes, I’m still of sound mind. Just had a couple of witnesses here at the nursing home sign a paper swearing to it.”

  “Were they residents?” Brad asked with a laugh.

  Gram let out a hearty whoop. “No, they weren’t. I may be old, but I’m not stupid.”

  Annie reluctantly took the check, appearing very unsettled about the whole thing. When Annie glanced at it, her eyes widened and she shook her head. “My goodness, no, Mom! You may need this money to take care of yourself. Where on earth did you get all this?”

  “Your father-in-law wasn’t the only one who played the stocks,” she said with a glint in her eyes.

  Annie’s jaw dropped.

  “Gram, you been holding out on us?” Brad was happy for his mom. She could use a boost to encourage her spirits. Maybe there would be enough for her to take a trip or buy something she’d always wanted.

  “A girl’s gotta have something up her sleeve every now and then. I didn’t forget you, either, Brad, my boy.”

  “Gram—” Brad began.

  She cut him off. “Now, don’t you start, too. This is an old lady’s dying wishes. Now you take it.”

  “You don’t look like you’re dying to me,” he teased.

  Her gnarled thumb and index finger thumped against her chest. She laid her head against the pillow with great drama. “Got a bad ticker.”

  “Don’t count on any academy awards.” Brad grinned.

  Gram popped her head up. “I can take this back, you know.” She shoved the check into his hand. “Here, now take it.”

  “Thanks, Gram.”

  “Well, don’t be mannerly about it. You know you’re dying to see how much it is. So do it while I can see ya.” Her eyes studied him carefully.

  Brad turned the check over and when he saw the amount on the check, he started coughing.

  She smiled and thumped back against her bed with obvious satisfaction.

  “Gram, I don’t—you don’t—”

  She waved her hand. “Just say thank you and be done with it.” Her face beamed.

  “Thank you.” He kissed her. “I love you, Gram—and it has nothing to do with the money.”

  She smiled and piped up, “But it sure helps.” She chuckled and handed him an envelope.

  He turned the envelope over in his hands. “What’s this one for?”

  “For Callie.” She pointed at him. “And don’t you question it. It’s my money to dispose of as I please.”

  “Wasn’t going to, Gram. I quite agree with you.”

  She smiled. “I thought you would. See that she gets it, will you?”

  “I will.”

  “Now you can use that money to fund your way through mission work overseas or do something with it right here. The choice is yours. Just make sure of one thing,” she said.

  “What’s that?” Brad asked.

  She sat up a moment and looked him square in the eyes. “You make sure whatever choice you make, you make it for the right reasons.” She sank back into her pillow. “Now, go celebrate your day. I need a nap.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “But I don’t understand. Why would she give this to me?” Callie stared at the envelope. As much as she appreciated Gram’s gesture, she didn’t feel right about taking it.

  Brad shrugged. “I guess she likes the way you fix her hair.” He winked. “Besides, you should know Gram well enough to know that not everyone can win her over.”

  Callie nibbled at her lower lip. “I just don’t know.”

  Brad dropped the nails back into his toolbox and covered her hand. “She wants you to have it, Callie, or she wouldn’t have given it to you. Make an old woman happy and just accept it.” He took the envelope back from her and stuffed it in her bag.

  With her luck, it would be lost forever.

  She wanted to change the subject. “How do you feel about classical music?” Her question caused him to make a face.

  “Where did that come from?” He laughed.

  “The Philharmonic is giving a concert in a few weeks, and I can get tickets.” Did she just ask him on a date? Being desperate to change the subject was one thing, but why did she have to do that?

  He held up his hand. “No offense to you, but there are two things I don’t do—cook and go to orchestra-type concerts. Just not my thing.” He dropped his measuring tool and stood to face her. “I prefer those high-energy, hand-clapping, feet-stomping kind of concerts.”

  She should have stayed on the subject of Gram’s money.

  “But I would love to get together with you.” He took a step towar
d her. “Now, would you rather talk about Gram’s money?” A teasing glint lit his eyes.

  She took a step back. “I just don’t want anyone to think—”

  He took a step closer. “Think what?” His gaze probed deeply into hers, as though searching her heart with a spotlight.

  Another step back. “That I—”

  “I don’t think anything other than you’ve captured Gram’s heart just like you’ve captured—” her breath caught in her throat, making an audible sound “—Mom’s heart…and…the Sauderses’.”

  Disappointment ran through her, but it was ridiculous, of course. What had she expected him to say? He kept his eyes on her, neither one of them daring to make so much as a twitch. The hearts with fluttering wings were back—and they’d brought friends.

  “It seems you have that effect on people.” He reached his hand down to her hair and lifted a strand as though testing the softness of a silky scarf. His head dipped toward hers. Their lips melted together. Emotions swirled and tangled with reason. Callie knew she had to let him go. If he wanted to leave Burrow, she shouldn’t hold him here. He would always blame her. With great reluctance, she broke free from the strong embrace of his arms, the warmth of his breath upon her lips, the brush of his whiskers against her face.

  Weakness tingled down her arms and legs. Her breath came in shallow puffs.

  “Gram gave me a gift, too,” he said.

  Callie’s stomach clenched and her throat tightened. “So when will you be leaving?” She tried to make her tone cheerful, though an ache clutched her heart and refused to let go.

  “I haven’t been asked to go on assignment anywhere,” he said.

  “Not yet. But if the opportunity presents itself, you’ll go,” she said, trying desperately to hide the plea in her voice for him stay.

  His hand reached under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Look, Callie, I—” The pain in his eyes was more than she could bear. It was too much to ask, and she knew it. If he thought he should serve elsewhere, she had no right to ask him to do otherwise.

  She pulled away from him. “It’s getting late. I really need to go. I’ll be sure and thank Gram.” She steadied herself, making her way over wood slats and cords.

  “You’ll be back?”

  The sound of his voice curled around her heart. She turned to him.

  “To help me finish the playhouse…I mean.”

  With sheer determination she pulled a smile into place. “Yes, of course I’ll help you finish the playhouse. Good night.” Satisfied that her words sounded pleasant enough, she waved over her shoulder and headed toward her car. Tears threatened, but she steeled herself against them. She thought of Gram’s advice and wondered if it would change things if she told Brad how she really felt. But of course she couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t hold him back from his dream. People had left her before and she’d survived.

  She could do it again.

  Callie had just settled into bed when the phone rang.

  “You didn’t give me a chance to finish what I was going to say,” Brad said before she could even say hello.

  “Okay, what were you going to say?” Callie wasn’t sure she wanted to hear this, but it didn’t appear she had a choice.

  “I was going to tell you that I’ve been offered a job—”

  “Oh.” Her spirits plummeted.

  “—here in Burrow.”

  Hope surged but skepticism kept it in check. “Doing what?”

  He explained about the offer his brother had presented to him.

  “But I thought you wanted to work in another country?”

  “I did, too.”

  “And now?”

  He let out a long sigh. “I’m not sure.”

  She didn’t know if that answer had a double meaning. Maybe his feelings for her were growing. There was an obvious attraction between them, but was it a surface relationship on his part, or did his caring go deeper than that? Should she tell him how she felt? Propriety told her it wasn’t her place to do that. Shouldn’t he be the one to express himself to her first?

  “Well, I’ll be praying for you, Brad. I know it’s a big decision.”

  “Yeah. For more reasons than you might think.”

  Hope shot through her. Should she dare ask him why or just revel in the possibilities? Before she could decide, he thanked her for her prayer support and told her he had to go.

  For the first time ever she would allow herself to dream of a future with Brad Sharp.

  Callie crossed the kitchen to grab her handbag and keys. Her body begged for coffee after a night of bad sleep. She’d tossed and turned, trying to figure out exactly what Brad had meant.

  No matter what happened between them, God would give her the strength she needed, because she trusted in Him. That didn’t mean the path would be easy. She wasn’t that naive. Life was hard, but God was always good. He’d get her through it.

  She grabbed her bag and her gaze fell on the envelope from Gram. In all the commotion of last night, she had completely forgotten about it. Her fingers ripped through the envelope flap and lifted out a check, the amount of which made her falter a moment. In her hands was enough money to assure her aunt and uncle a memorable anniversary. This money would relieve her of the extra pressure of working so many hours. It was a gift she didn’t deserve, but for some reason Gram wanted her to have it. Why? Gram hardly knew her.

  When Callie’s cell phone rang, it startled her. A glance at the clock told her it was Heather. She anxiously flipped open the phone as she headed out the door.

  They exchanged their morning greetings and Callie got down to business, telling Heather about last night and Gram’s gift.

  Heather let out a whistle. “That is a nice gift.”

  “Do you think I should accept it?” Callie settled into her car and edged onto the street.

  “Well, of course you should. She wanted you to have it or she wouldn’t have given it to you. You must have made quite an impression on her.”

  “Honestly, Heather, I think she believes I will be a member of the family and that’s why she gave me the money.”

  “Well, sometimes older people have a sense about these things.”

  Callie almost didn’t notice when the stoplight turned green. “That could be, but I don’t know.”

  “Does he still want to go to South America?”

  “I don’t know.” Callie decided not to say anything about Brad’s job offer. She didn’t want to raise false hopes. They’d have to wait and see what happened.

  Heather hit her horn. “That guy cut right in front of me!”

  “You okay?” Heather wasn’t known for her patience.

  “Yes. I hate it when people do that.” She paused. “So, do you think Brad is running from something here in Burrow?”

  “Yeah, I think he is.”

  “His sister’s death?”

  “That would be my guess.”

  “Hmm, you may be onto something. I know Judge Sharp has expressed a concern for his little brother. Still, lots of people move away from their hometown.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Maybe I’m looking for something to blame it on, wishing I were enough of a reason for him to stay.”

  “So you admit it?”

  “Admit what?”

  “That you’re in love with Brad?”

  She hadn’t meant to confess that. Somehow saying it out loud to another person made her feel vulnerable and exposed. But there was no going back now. Heather knew her too well.

  “Yeah, I guess I do.”

  “I’ll be praying for you, Callie. Things will work out, you’ll see.”

  “Doesn’t always work out the way we want,” Callie said.

  “I know. But you’ll get through it.”

  “Yeah.” I always do.

  Brad’s body ached. He’d been pushing hard to get the playhouse done in time for Micah’s returned. Callie had turned out to be more of a distraction than a help. It wasn’t her fault. He c
ouldn’t seem to keep his mind on the work when she was around. He’d asked her to help, though, so he could hardly tell her to stop coming around now.

  He had a little time before she would join him so he decided to do something he hadn’t done before. He pulled into the gated cemetery where Nicole was laid to rest.

  Sunlight dappled the sycamores, and birds sang a soothing melody. He thought it interesting that cemeteries were so peaceful even the birds cooperated. When he reached Nicole’s grave, he was surprised to see a vase of daisies. He didn’t think his mom would have visited. Though she had been feeling much better these days, he didn’t think she would have been in the frame of mind to come visit the grave just yet. It could have been Ryan, though he couldn’t see Ryan doing something like this. He was too methodical about life. Not that he wasn’t compassionate, but life was what it was, and he saw little need for all the frivolities that accompanied emotion.

  Whether his mom or Ryan, it didn’t matter. Somehow the flowers comforted him. Maybe because he thought they would please Nicole. He should have thought of it himself. But the fact was he hadn’t been here to visit before. It shamed him to think he hadn’t come, but he couldn’t bring himself to face the truth before now. Yes, he knew she had died, but seeing the grave marker with her name and dates on it made it seem so…so…final.

  The air around him barely stirred as he whispered his grief to his sister. A tear spilled down his face while he uttered his regrets and apologies for not being there for her. Growing up together, they had shared their dreams of the future. They had given one another advice about love interests, and now he brought to her his love for Callie. It seemed only fitting that he tell his sister about the woman who had stolen his heart. From there, his thoughts went to Ryan’s offer. He hadn’t prayed about it and he’d said he would. It’s not that he didn’t want to pray. He knew God could use him anywhere. Even in Burrow. Yet, working in other countries had always seemed the right thing to do. Still, as the words poured from his soul, he surrendered his future to God’s leading. He could work in Burrow or elsewhere. He’d leave the decision to God and be obedient—no matter the path ahead of him.