ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Ask him. Maybe you can witness to him.”

  “Me? I have so many questions.”

  “Fire away. I’ll answer what I can. But you don’t have to know everything to tell others about Jesus. Just tell them what He did for you.”

  “You’re right.”

  Right before his eyes, she was becoming a new creature. Thank You, God, for this woman You’ve placed in my life.

  Hayden caught Laken’s hand as they walked to her porch. The rest of their dinner conversation had remained on spiritual things. Seeing hope radiate from her warmed his soul.

  He squeezed her hand. “You should have told me you didn’t like steak.”

  “It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just so iffy. I gave up years ago on trying to get a steak cooked right at a restaurant.”

  “And what is right?”

  “Completely brown, but still moist. I thought that thing you ate might moo at us, so I just order grilled chicken instead. You can’t go wrong with chicken.”

  “Colton’s always gets it just right. You need to broaden your horizons.” He pulled her close as they neared the door.

  “Hayden.” She pushed away from him.

  “Sorry.” All evening, he’d wanted to hold her, but maybe he was moving too fast. Maybe she didn’t want to broaden any horizons with him.

  “Don’t be.” She touched his shoulder. “It’s just—I don’t need any gossip. I’m technically your boss.”

  Hayden winced. She was right. One of them would have to transfer or they couldn’t date. The latter wasn’t an option, but he loved the anticipation of seeing her twice a day. Without her and without Brady, his days would dim. “I’ll admit working with you today was a challenge.”

  Her head dipped down.

  Though the porch light shadows didn’t reflect her expression, he could imagine her blush. With gentle fingers, he tilted her chin up.

  “I’m supposed to be temporary, since I didn’t want to be in Romance.” Her laughter held an ironic ring. “You make me want to take a demotion, so we don’t have to worry about things.”

  “Things?”

  Her shy grin sped his heart.

  He drew her close again, rejoicing in the soft yielding of her returned embrace. “I’ll put in for a transfer and tell the powers that be, it was all me. All you did was look beautiful and I couldn’t help but fall at your feet.”

  She blushed. “Let’s just wait and see what happens.”

  “If anyone has to commute, I’d rather it be me. I’d worry about you on the road by yourself.”

  “See, my head says tread carefully. If the wrong person happened to drive by, this mail carrier could get me fired. But my heart…”

  “Yes.” He pressed a teasing kiss at the corner of her lips.

  She traced his cheek with a fingertip, sending shivers through him. “My heart says, priority male.”

  A wave of warmth washed over him as he chuckled.

  Chapter 9

  His head dipped toward hers.

  Her sharp intake of breath revved his pulse.

  With a flutter of lashes, her eyes closed.

  Softly, sweetly his lips caressed hers. Too soon, he ended the kiss.

  As if she wasn’t sure her legs would support her, she leaned in to him.

  With a ragged breath, Hayden gently pushed her away. “I have to go home. Now.”

  “Good idea.” She giggled.

  He unlocked the door for her.

  With a wave, she stepped inside.

  Finally, he’d given in to the feelings tumbling within him, and she’d gone all soft and vulnerable on him, making him want to hold her closer and longer.

  He turned and leapt off the porch, clicking his heels together in the air.

  It was Brady’s first day in second grade. Hayden followed Brady and Scott through the doors of the elementary school. Though it was a different school, the shiny industrial tile, lockers, and classroom doors brought back memories. Justin and Mike waited just inside.

  They all bumped fists then the four boys continued down the hall.

  Longing to follow, Hayden hung back.

  Brady stopped and turned his chair. “You can go, Hayden. I know my way around.” So serious, so grown-up.

  Swallowing the large lump in his throat, Hayden nodded. “See you after school.”

  As he walked out and across the parking lot, his cell played “Please Mr. Postman.” Laken’s ringtone. Knowing she cared made him smile. “Hey.”

  “How’d it go?”

  His insides jellied at the sound of her voice. “He didn’t need me. We found his friends, and I was dismissed.”

  “You poor baby.” She laughed. “He was trying to act tough, but he needs you. So do I.”

  His mouth went dry. “I think I’ll come spend my day off at the post office.”

  “Under the circumstances, not a good idea. My head’s clearer than it was last night.”

  “Lunch?”

  “I think we should wait until I move to a permanent position before we go out again.” All the enthusiasm drained from her tone.

  She was right, but he wanted to see her. Every day, every night, for the rest of their lives. “Dinner Friday night?”

  She laughed. “Did you hear what I said? Besides, I can’t make it.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I hope. Collin’s coming back. I asked for the day off, and we’re going to see Mother and Father that morning.”

  “Still no clue what it’s about?”

  “None.”

  “I’ll be praying.” He leaned back against the headrest, missing her even though he’d see her at work tomorrow. He definitely had it bad. “I have to work Saturday, since I’m off today, but we could do something Saturday night.”

  “Not if I’m still your boss, but I’ll be working Saturday, too. Gotta go, I’ve got a customer coming.” The line went dead.

  He hung up. He loved seeing her twice a day but wanted more. Lord, speed up a permanent position. But what if the post office moved her far away? Or what if she got demoted because of him?

  As Collin drove, nearing Searcy, Laken stared out the passenger window. The farmhouses, pickup trucks, and cedar trees surrounded by leaning hay-fields faded into nothingness in her delirious mind’s eye. Hayden wanted to spend time with her. A sensitive, solid, dependable hunk cared about her. A warm ripple bubbled through her stomach.

  It had been a long week and weird. Last Friday night, she’d gone out with Hayden for the first time. And what a kiss.

  This week, she’d only seen him at work. Funny how she could see him twice a day at the post office and miss him. But at work, they barely spoke, careful not to let any feelings show.

  “You’re sure Martin hasn’t drunk anything today?” Collin’s words snatched her thoughts.

  “Mother said he promised.”

  Collin blew out a deep breath. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

  “So, Brady was awfully quiet about the trip. Everything go okay?”

  “Fine. While I worked, he played video games. The system Hayden has is outdated, so Brady got to play lots of new, better games.”

  Laken rolled her eyes. “You didn’t even take him swimming or to a basketball game.”

  “There wasn’t time. By the time I finished work, just getting Brady ready for bed was a major accomplishment.” Collin turned into their parents’ drive.

  Mother’s prize roses climbed pristine trellises in front of an immaculate two-story house. The neighborhood children didn’t dare play on the grass, which didn’t dare grow longer than a quarter of an inch. Nary a flower petal littered the yard, and everyone who stepped foot inside took their shoes off, while the housekeeper constantly toiled at perfection.

  A muscled man hoisted a bag of potting soil on his shoulder toward a flower bed. Catching his gaze, Laken smiled, just to be nice. No response. He turned away and set the bag down, then knelt to open it. Probably not used to anyone a
cknowledging him.

  With a glance at the house next door, memories flooded Laken. She’d spent half her childhood there. Sara’s parents were warm and nurturing, everything Laken’s family hadn’t been. Though still well-kept, the house seemed dimmer and duller, just knowing Sara would never visit again.

  She, Grace, and Sara had spent hours dreaming of their futures. Husbands, babies, careers. While Sara achieved the first two, for a short time, Grace was over halfway there. So far, Laken had only accomplished the last. Could she grab the rest of her dreams with Hayden?

  Staying on the sidewalk, Laken followed Collin single file. They stepped onto the columned porch that boasted an outdoor table with perfectly aligned place mats, like something straight out of a magazine. Laken pressed the glowing button beside the door.

  The bell pealed and only moments passed before the heavy mahogany door swung open. A woman in a blue maid’s uniform curtsied a greeting. “Why, Miss Laken, Mister Collin, I don’t believe my eyes. I heard y’all were both hanging around Rose Bud, but I never dreamed you’d show up here.”

  “Trust me.” Collin winced. “It’s not our choice. We’ve been summoned.”

  “It’s good to see you, Sharlene.” Laken kissed the powdery cheek of the woman who’d driven them to school, taken them to the park, and forced broccoli on them while Mother dallied with her roses, her bridge club, and fancy luncheons.

  Without being told, she and Collin slipped their shoes off and left them on the throw rug. The foyer hadn’t changed. Wood floors stained in a light finish, white walls topped with crown molding. Flowing gold draperies flanked wide windows on each side of the door. The living room began to the right. All done in white and gold, it didn’t look like anyone lived there.

  To the left, an oversized table with over a dozen matching chairs filled the dining room. Double doors led from the dining area to the kitchen, where Sharlene had helped Collin with homework and taught Laken to cook.

  “Your mother and father told me we were expecting guests, but I didn’t know the guests were family.” Sharlene led the way. “They’re both in the drawing room.”

  “Is it just me,” Collin whispered, “or have we stepped into a different century?”

  Laken elbowed him. Double doors parallel to the entry led to what most people would call a den. But Mother called it the drawing room.

  Sharlene opened both doors.

  Mother perched on a white camelback sofa, reading a society magazine. She gave Sharlene no acknowledgment, keeping the lowly servant in her designated place.

  Father hunched next to her. Old and beaten. He’d always looked beaten, but he’d aged beyond his years. His once dark hair now silvered, his blue eyes sunken, his skin sallow.

  “Miss Sylvie, your guests have arrived.”

  Only then did Mother’s gaze rise. “Laken, Collin, we’re so glad you could come.”

  Compassion slithered through Laken’s hardened heart. “Father.” She kissed his cheek and caught a whiff of alcohol. Drinking or not, over the years, the sweetly soured odor had embedded in his flesh.

  “Sharlene.” Mother snapped her fingers. “Bring us a tea tray.”

  Neither of them liked hot tea, and Mother knew it.

  “Laken dear, do you like what we’ve done with the house?”

  Nodding, Laken surveyed the austere white furnishings, white walls, and white carpet with matching billowy curtains. Too cold and too perfect. Where could Brady play? So stuck on faking blue-blooded, upper-crust wealth, Mother missed out on the living part.

  Who was she kidding anyway? This house was no place for Brady. Not with Father and his constant drinking.

  Sharlene silently reentered the room, and with practiced precision set the tray on the coffee table and poured four cups of steaming liquid. As the double doors closed behind the maid, Mother made a great show of adding sugar cubes, milk, and honey before the taste test. With her pinky at elegant attention, Mother let out a satisfied sigh. “Please, sit down.”

  Laken sat in a white velvety wingback on Father’s side, while Collin claimed its twin beside Mother.

  “Why did you ask us to come?” Collin huffed out an irritated sigh.

  With a shaky hand, Mother set her teacup back in the saucer with a clatter. “Your father and I have something to tell you.”

  “So, get on with it,” Collin snapped.

  Father’s gaze skewered Collin. “You and Laken have a brother.”

  “Excuse me?” Laken whirled toward Mother.

  Mother covered her face with both hands. “It’s true. I got pregnant between my junior and senior years in high school.”

  “Who’s the father?” Collin deadpanned.

  “I am.” Father jabbed a finger at Collin. “And you will watch your mouth.”

  “We were so in love.” Mother sobbed. “But my parents didn’t approve.”

  Father grabbed his cup of tea. With his hand trembling much worse than Mother’s, he downed the steaming liquid. His face twisted, and, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Her parents tried to keep us apart.”

  “But the more they tried, the more determined we were to be together and, well…” Mother turned both hands palms up and shrugged. “Needless to say, they weren’t happy when I told them I was pregnant. They gave me two choices.”

  Father jittered more, obviously needing something to drink. “Abortion or adoption.”

  Laken’s stomach sank. How could loving parents pose such a choice? Loving parents couldn’t. It wasn’t Mother’s fault the way she was—cold, elegant, perfect. Laken had rarely seen her grandparents, and the few times she had, they’d seemed stiff and uncaring. Mother’s parents had raised her that way, and when she’d messed up their perfect little plan, she’d paid.

  “You said we have a brother.” Laken’s voice quivered. “So obviously, you chose the second option. Where is he?”

  “I don’t know.” Mother’s shoulders slumped.

  Father wrapped his arms around her, tears streaming down his face.

  Laken’s jaw dropped. Never had she seen Father show emotion or offer comfort.

  “By then, my father was running my grandfather’s pharmaceutical company in Little Rock. We moved there to avoid scandal.” Mother’s words came in bursts between hiccupped sobs. “No one in Searcy knew I was pregnant, except Martin. My parents told me to forget him, that he’d already moved on to his next conquest by the time the baby came. They home-schooled me and kept me out of the public eye until after our son’s birth.”

  “You abandoned him?” Collin spat.

  “Not by choice.” Mother pressed trembling fingers to her lips. “I wanted him to live.”

  “Collin, please.” Laken closed her eyes. “The important thing is that we have a brother. How will we find him?”

  Mother took the monogrammed handkerchief Father offered and dabbed her eyes. “My parents always donated heavily to the children’s home in Little Rock that our church in Searcy sponsored. So I had a suspicion they took him there.”

  “Did they?” Collin’s voice cracked, a chink in his steel facade.

  “As soon as your mother came back here and we married, we started trying to find him.” Father’s tone echoed anguish. “But by then, our boy had been adopted out.”

  “My parents disowned me, so we couldn’t afford a lawyer. By the time my grandmother talked them into letting me have my trust fund and giving Martin a job in the family company, our son was six. We decided it would be too jarring for him to fight for custody.” Mother cupped Father’s cheek in her hand, wiping his tears. “Your father’s heart never recovered.”

  So he pickled what was left of it in alcohol. The grandfather clock ticked in the silence.

  “What do we have to go on?” Collin rubbed the back of his neck.

  “I spoke with the director of the children’s home.” Mother dabbed her eyes. “Since your grandparents set up trust funds for you both, Martin and I set up a trust fund for our first son with
part of my inheritance and invested the rest. We put the papers, my grandmother’s pearl necklace, and a letter in a safe deposit box, with some cash. The director promised to give the adoptive parents the key. Our son became eligible to claim the trust fund on his thirtieth birthday.”

  Collin chuckled. “I bet the director cashed in on that.”

  “The home is run by a church, and the director is an upstanding Christian man.” Father’s glare silenced Collin’s laughter. “Besides, no one can claim the trust without our son’s original birth certificate.”

  Mother took a steadying breath. “Over the years I’ve periodically checked the safe deposit box. Each time, everything was still there. On your brother’s thirtieth birthday, I stayed in a hotel in Little Rock and waited at the bank for three days straight. Since then, I’ve checked weekly. Last month, I discovered it’s empty.”

  Laken’s pulse leapt. “Did they give you a name?”

  “No, all records are confidential.” Mother dabbed her eyes. “I made sure the nurse put both my name and Martin’s on the birth certificate, and my parents let me name him. I guess to appease me. His original birth certificate identifies him as Martin Rothwell Kroft Jr., but the director said adoptive parents often rename infants. My letter gave our names and whereabouts. I’m praying he’ll contact us. But so far, nothing. I’ve hired a private detective.”

  “Drink your tea, darling.” Father almost spilled the cup as he handed it to Mother.“It’ll help settle your nerves.”

  “I’ve put my story on the Adoption Registry.” Mother’s voice trembled. “But our son will have to register to see it.”

  The pain in Mother’s eyes gnawed at Laken.

  A nerve-shattering, echoing gong nearly launched Laken through her skin. Nine more gongs followed as the clock struck ten.

  “Basically, we have nothing to go on.” Collin stood. “I guess we could put an ad in the paper: Thirty-year-old man with a trust fund, a pearl necklace, and a wad of cash. Have you seen him?”

  Laken rolled her eyes. Why did he have to make everything worse? “Let’s go, before you twist the fork any deeper.” She stood and linked her arm through Collin’s, urging him toward the door. “We’ll do everything we can to help. And, Mother…”