Kayla used some of the tissues to clean up the tears she had cried while Ronnie excused himself. He came back a few minutes later with a warm washcloth. After she did the best she could to collect herself, she whispered, “Take me home, please.”
He led her out to the parking lot and she handed him the keys to her car. He helped her into the passenger seat and then drove her back to her house. When they arrived, he told her not to worry about telling Addie tonight. It was already late and Addie was enjoying her night with Kaitlyn. He then ordered Kayla into bed, where he brought her some tea. She fell into an emotionally exhausted sleep with the feel of his hands playing with her hair.
She woke the following morning to the sound of Ronnie talking on her cell phone. She felt his weight as he sat on the edge of her bed. Sergeant Buck was pressed against her side much as he had snuggled with her mother the night she had run away from the nursing home.
“Addie’s on her way home. I told her you were in the shower,” he said, brushing her hair back from her face.
“Will you be here when I tell her?” she asked, getting up and finding some clothes.
“Sure. Get a shower. I’ve got some coffee going downstairs whenever you’re ready,” he said, getting up and leaving the room.
The cry she allowed herself in the shower and the heat of the water did wonders for preparing her for the conversation with Addie. Once downstairs she found Ronnie and Addie sitting at the table drinking coffee. Addie looked at her and then quickly looked down at the table.
“She’s gone, isn’t she? Grandma died…didn’t she?”
“Yes, honey, yesterday afternoon. She had a stroke. I’m sorry I waited to tell you. It was late when we got back from the hospital,” she said quietly as Ronnie brought her a cup of coffee.
Addie was very quiet for a few minutes. Then she looked up at Ronnie with tears shining in her eyes. “You were right. Thanks for making me go see her before the competition. I think she knew I was there, and maybe that’s what she had been waiting for.”
Chapter Twelve
Watching Kayla and Addie hurting over the loss of Mary was killing him. Standing in the lobby of the funeral home while Kayla met with the director about a service for her mother, he was grateful for his own family. Grateful that when shit happened, his sisters rallied around him with a force equal to that of his brothers in arms.
Kayla had told him she worried that this year’s Christmas would be a poor one for Addie due to losing Mary. He couldn’t fix their grieving—it would have to mend in its own good time—but he could try to ensure the holidays were good for Addie. Taking out his cell phone, he dialed his oldest sister.
“My brother who never calls unless he needs something, is that really you? What is it this time? Do you need bail money?” Elaine answered.
“Hey, sis. I called to ask for the big one,” he replied. The standing joke was that at some point he was going to need something really big and by then he would have burned up all his sisterly favors on the little stuff.
“Are you okay, Ronnie? What’s going on?” she said in that motherly tone of hers.
“Kayla’s mom died. We’re here at the funeral home and she’s making arrangements now. She doesn’t have a big family…not like us. All she has left is an aunt in a nursing home and a couple of cousins she doesn’t really know. The problem is that she’s worried that the kid is going to have a bad Christmas with the funeral and all. I don’t really know how to help her,” he choked out.
“When is the viewing and funeral?” Elaine asked.
“I think she’s shooting for Tuesday, since everything was already prearranged and paid for. The viewing will be right before the service,” he replied.
“Let me call everyone and find out who all can make it up there. Regardless, Jack and I will bring the kids. They’re off for the holidays and Jack can work from his laptop for a few days. The office won’t fold and go under with him gone. I know Mama will want to come so you can count on her and Daddy, too. Let me make some calls and I’ll get back to you,” she said.
“Thanks, sis, I’m glad I didn’t blow the big one,” he said.
“Never. Besides, we are all anxious to meet her. I just hate that it’ll be at such a sad time for her and Addie. Don’t worry, though, Carrie and I will take care of everything. It’ll give us something to do on the long car ride. Expect us sometime Monday evening,” she said.
His oldest sister was married with two kids. Her husband, Jack, was a self-employed CPA. His youngest sister, Carrie, worked as a receptionist in Jack’s office. Despite the twelve-year difference in ages between Elaine and Carrie, they were very alike and could plan the event of the year for the entire military in about four hours when they put their minds to it. Then there was Mama, who would keep the two of them from going overboard.
When he got off the phone with Elaine it rang again.
“Hey, Ronnie, some of the kids on the team and their parents want to come to the funeral. I never told them that Grandma didn’t really get us that CD and it kind of seems wrong to say anything now. Do you think it’s okay if they come?” Addie asked.
“Yeah, and you tell Chase I said that is the kind of suck-up points I’m talking about,” he replied. Then, seeing Kayla heading his way with the funeral director, he said, “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you at the house.”
“The viewing will be Tuesday morning starting at ten with the service right after and then a short graveside service,” she said as she approached. “I called my mother’s church and they will get the word out to the members who were friends with my mother.”
As he guided her out of the funeral home to her car he said, “I know I told you that the number of people who come isn’t important, and it isn’t, but I think you are going to end up with more people at the funeral than you thought.” Seeing her look of confusion, he explained about Addie’s friends and she smiled through her tears.
“That is so sweet of those kids. I’m glad they will be there for Addie.” She sniffed.
“Addie also called your friend Tori. Then Rusty called and I mentioned it to him and the guys all want to come. Then I called my sister and she… Well, Elaine is…an organizer. She wants to take care of the food and everything for the funeral, if you’re okay with that. That’s what they do. It’s kind of their way of expressing their sympathy. But if that is too weird, since you haven’t met them before, I can call her back,” he said. It was a white lie, but he’d paid for it already by calling in the big one.
“Your family?” she asked.
“I might have mentioned you and Addie a time or two, so now they feel like they know you through me, and it’s what they do. My family is crazy, my sisters especially,” he said.
Maybe this was a mistake. He’d seen the disappointment on Kayla’s face when she worried over who would come to her mother’s funeral, and maybe he’d overreacted but what was done was done. It had seemed so important to Kayla. And during the brief moment of lucidity he’d experienced with Mary she had been great. Kayla was proof of her greatness.
“No, that’s fine. I just hope they understand I may not be at my best that day,” she said.
“Don’t worry about that. One thing my sisters all understand is emotion,” he replied. “It’s a southern thing.”
The next couple of days flew by with his sisters calling often to make sure he had a suit, to get an idea of how many people would be coming to the funeral and to ask for gift ideas for Addie. They also had several tips for helping Kayla that he hadn’t thought of, so he didn’t mind the near-constant interruptions. Between doing the things his sisters suggested and making sure Addie and Kayla were taken care of, he was a little stressed by the time Monday evening rolled around.
As he and Addie loaded the dishwasher after dinner, Sergeant Buck started barking near the front door. Ronnie listened as Kayla answered the door and winced when he heard Elaine say, “You must be Kayla. I’m Elaine Andes, Ronnie’s sister. Bless your heart. I’
m so sorry for your loss. Mama sent me over with some coffee cake for breakfast in the mornin’.”
The truth was probably that Elaine had dropped everyone off at the hotel and then used GPS and the internet to find Kayla’s house because being nosy with an excuse, she just couldn’t wait another minute to meet her.
“Oh, well, thank you,” he heard Kayla reply and he knew his sister had entered the house.
“You’re every bit as pretty as Ronnie said you were. And your house, it’s absolutely beautiful,” Elaine said. His sisters’ ability to embarrass him knew no limits, and often made him feel like he was in junior high school all over again.
“Thank you. Ronnie and Addie are in the kitchen,” Kayla said.
A mere second later the two women appeared in the doorway. Spotting Addie, Elaine handed Ronnie the coffee cake and made her way over to the girl. She put her well-manicured but chubby hands on each side of Addie’s face.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry about your granny. I know she must have just adored you. I’m gonna give you a little hug,” Elaine said, wrapping Addie in a hug that he knew could both smother and comfort all at the same time.
It never ceased to amaze him how, between his sisters and his mama, they could make just about anyone cry. Though Kayla had been in tears off and on throughout the weekend, he’d not seen Addie do more than sniff. His sister’s abundant bosom was apparently a magnet for crying children, though, because within seconds, Addie was sobbing. Kayla glanced at him in alarm before looking back to where Elaine stood holding her daughter.
“You go on and have a good cry,” Elaine said, rubbing Addie’s back. Having been given permission, Addie sobbed for several minutes before making an attempt to collect herself. Elaine motioned for Ronnie to get a tissue, and as he headed to the small bathroom near the laundry room he heard her say, “Once you get it all out we’ll run up to that shoppin’ mall I saw on my way here. Nothing helps me feel better like some shoppin’, especially with the company of another woman.”
An hour later he found himself sitting alone in Kayla’s living room watching Buck sleeping on the rug. This was exactly why he’d called Elaine, but he’d forgotten just how good she was at it. Elaine had managed to convince both Kayla and Addie to go to the mall with her in search of boots and a wrap, since it was so cold up here and she hadn’t packed the right things for the weather. It was ridiculous and crazy but it worked.
He called Carrie to get the hotel name and room numbers for where they were all staying. She informed him that Elaine was stopping by to pick up her and their mother before going to the mall. She went on to tell him that his father was already sleeping because he’d done all the driving and Elaine’s husband and kids were downstairs at the indoor pool. So here he sat, watching Buck sleep and wondering how Kayla would get along with his family.
During his recent visit, his family had been thrilled when he’d mentioned Kayla and Addie. They knew he liked her and that she was a little hesitant to get involved with him. That is where he let it stand. He could only hope his family would stay on topic and not try to convince her of his worth.
Kayla’s need to keep him hidden from Addie had said it all. Even now that Addie knew about them, Kayla hadn’t said anything to him about what she wanted from him. If she wanted anything from him.
As much as he still wanted something more with her, being without her since Addie’s competition had made him reassess the whole friends-with-benefits idea. Maybe he was weak, but having some form of Kayla was better than having none. Right now, though, the loss of her mother was hard on her. He would be here for her as long as she would allow it.
Watching Elaine work her magic with Addie made him consider taking her boys camping for a couple of weeks next summer to allow her and Jack some time alone. He’d called in the big one and she had delivered far more than he’d hoped for. Addie’s need to pretend like everything was okay when it wasn’t really bothered him. He hoped she would learn to express herself…even the not-so-happy-and perky parts. No one was happy all the time.
He must have dozed off right along with Buck because the next thing he heard was women’s voices coming up the walk. Kayla came through the door and the look she gave him was one of gratitude. He released the breath he had been holding since they’d left for the mall. Addie followed behind Kayla along with his sister Carrie.
“My dress is up in my closet. Come on and I’ll show you,” Addie said to Carrie.
At twenty-five, Carrie was the baby, the free spirit of the bunch, and he watched in fascination as she followed Addie up to her room as though they’d been friends for years. Elaine and his mama were the last through the door. He stood up, walked over and bent to kiss his mother’s cheek.
“Elaine is right, your home is lovely. It will be plenty big enough, since not everyone will attend the graveside service, and of those that do, not all will come back here for food,” his mama said to Kayla.
“Are you sure, Carol? I mean, where will everyone sit?” Kayla asked his mama.
“Did you get those chairs Elaine told you to?” his mama asked, looking at him.
“They are at the apartment,” he replied.
“Make sure you bring them in the morning and put them in the garage. Carrie can set them up while Elaine picks up the food and I’ll take care of setting everything out,” his mother said. Buck whined at all of her orders. She eyed the dog. “As much as I appreciate what you did for my son, we are going to have to find a place to stash you tomorrow. You’re a pretty fella but scary.”
Turning back to Kayla she continued, “Don’t you worry about a thing. Me and the girls have done this more times than I care to think about. You can help us on Wednesday, though. We need to find a place big enough to hold Christmas around here. Have you seen Ronnie’s little apartment? It’ll never do. It’s way too small.”
“Your family is welcome to have your Christmas here. It’s just Addie and I now,” Kayla choked out. “It might be nice for her to have other people around actually.”
This was why he loved his mama. Her ability to talk you into what she wanted and make you think it was your idea. He watched as the older woman made a show of considering Kayla’s offer.
“Are you sure? My daughter, Emmy, and her boyfriend, Sam, will be here tomorrow and my other daughter, Chrissy, should be too. That’s a lot of people when one is used to only two. We wouldn’t want to impose,” his mama said, patting Kayla’s hand.
“No, it will be fine. Though we don’t usually have a big meal for Christmas since it’s usually just the two of us,” Kayla said.
“Don’t you worry about that. The girls and I can take care of that, too. It’s the least we can do to thank you for welcoming us all into your home like this, especially at such a difficult time,” his mama said. “We should get going so you can get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be hard and you’re going to need all your strength. You call us if you need anything between now and then. You’ve got Elaine’s number, right?”
Kayla nodded and then his mama gave her a hug. He could see tears shimmering in Kayla’s eyes, but she didn’t say anything. Elaine hollered up the stairs for Carrie and soon enough they were headed back outside to Elaine’s Cadillac, talking the whole way. Addie called for Buck so she could take him outside before heading to bed.
When they were finally alone Kayla said, “They…your family…they are so great. I just know my mom and your mom would have gotten along so well.”
“Are you sure about having Christmas here? Your offer is very sweet but my family is… Well, you just spent two hours with them,” he said, approaching her.
“For the past few years, since Mom got sick, Addie and I would have breakfast together and open gifts and then go visit her at the nursing home. I think it will help make this holiday a little less painful for both of us to have people around,” she said.
Unable to stop himself, he pulled Kayla into his arms. She felt so good—soft and warm, like she belonged right where
she was. If only she wanted it, too.
He held her for several minutes until he heard Addie come back inside with Buck. “I should go. I’ll be over in the morning with the chairs and to pick you both up. Try to sleep, and call me if you need me.”
He called Elaine on his way back to his apartment to thank her. As “mouth of the South,” she would spread the word to Carrie and their mama. He lay awake for a while worrying about Kayla and wishing he could hold her in his arms all night and keep the pain of her grief away until sunrise.
* * *
The viewing and funeral went as well as could be expected. There appeared to be about fifty people who attended. Ronnie stayed right by Kayla and Addie, supporting them as best as he could. His mother and two sisters headed to Kayla’s house to prepare everything for any guests who came by for lunch while he drove Kayla and Addie to the gravesite.
Once they finally made it back to the house, Elaine ushered Addie and Kayla upstairs to freshen up. He headed into the kitchen to see what he could do to help. Rusty was off in a corner talking to Kayla’s friend Tori, while Ian and Seth were in the kitchen. Kaitlyn and Chase headed down to the basement with his two nephews to play video games. His father sat in the living room reading the local paper and talking to Jack and a couple of ladies from Mary’s church.
Finding his mama making coffee, Ronnie approached her and hugged her shoulders and said, “Thanks, Mama…for all this.”
“I like this one a lot, Ronnie. She’s smart and sweet and will eventually figure out that you’re the perfect fit for her. Let her get through this initial pain of her loss and I promise she’ll come around. And that little Addie is just too cute.”
“Did Ronnie mention he’s coaching Addie’s team?” Seth asked Carol as he entered the kitchen followed by Elaine and Kayla.
Maid to Fit Page 16
