Scraps of Love

by Gibson, Rhonda

  She ducked her head and turned to place the pie on the counter behind her. “Thank you, Adam.”

  “Is that your first apple pie?” He leaned against the wall and watched her wipe her hands.

  “It’s not an apple pie. I made the apple pie. Colleen made a chicken pot pie.” Jenny turned off the oven. “She said we could stay for dinner if you want to.”

  Colleen finished wiping down the counters and drained the sink. Adam noticed she still hadn’t met his gaze since he complimented her.

  He moved away from the wall. “I don’t know Jenny. We wouldn’t want to put Colleen out.” The last thing he wanted to do however was leave.

  “Please stay. I never could have made this beautiful pie if it hadn’t been for Jenny. Seems only right she should share it.” Colleen’s soft voice halted his footsteps.

  He turned and found her looking at him. For a moment, Adam thought he would drown in the beautiful sea of green. Her eyes compelled him to stay.

  “Great! It’s settled then.” Jenny whipped off her apron and grabbed three plates and silverware.

  Once more, Colleen caught his attention with her warm voice. “I’m glad. I’ll make a salad. Adam, would you shut the windows and turn the sign to CLOSED?”

  How could he refuse to stay? Why would he want to?

  Chapter 3

  What is that pounding noise?

  Colleen didn’t want to know. She pulled the pillow over her head and groaned. The pounding didn’t stop. If anything, it grew louder. Just when she’d been in a wonderful dream of listening to Adam tell her she was the girl he’d been looking for all his life.

  “It’s Saturday, Go away.” She groaned into the mattress. Her head felt thick.

  “Colleen, wake up! It’s me, Jenny!”

  Jenny? What in the world was she doing up early on a Saturday morning? “Aren’t teenagers supposed to sleep in on the weekend?” Colleen grumbled and pulled her head from under the pillow. She squinted at the clock beside her bed.

  Twelve o’clock glared red at her.

  Midnight? The question rattled through her groggy mind.

  “Colleen, please wake up!” Jenny’s voice pleaded loudly.

  She pushed back the covers and swung her feet to the floor. “I’m coming.”

  “Hurry.”

  Cold air entered the house when she opened the back door.

  “What’s wrong? Do you know what time it is?” Colleen demanded in a harsher voice then she meant to.

  Jenny burst into tears. “I had to come.”

  Colleen stepped back to let the teen into the house. Only then did she notice that Jenny carried her suitcase.

  “Calm down, sweetie. What are you doing here?” Unease stirred at the sight of the overnight case.

  The young girl dropped her luggage and covered her face. Loud sobs filled the room. Jenny’s shoulders shook. Her tears broke Colleen’s heart.

  Colleen took Jenny in her arms and let her cry. When the sobs trailed off, she patted Jenny’s shoulders and released her. “Let’s go to the kitchen. I’ll make some hot chocolate; then maybe you can tell me what’s going on.”

  She led the way. A hiccupping Jenny followed close.

  Colleen set a kettle of water on to boil and turned her attention to Jenny. Thankfully the young girl had gotten her emotions under control and no longer sobbed. Colleen offered her a stool to sit on at the small island in the center of the kitchen and gave her a box of tissues.

  Colleen prepared two cups of hot chocolate and handed one to Jenny, then sat on the stool beside her. “Now tell me why you’ve run away.”

  “Adam said I couldn’t go to Durango.” Jenny blew her nose. “So I snuck out of the house. I sorta hoped I could stay with you.”

  “Did he say why?” Colleen’s question was tentative. She wasn’t sure she should get involved in a dispute between the two of them.

  Jenny shrugged her shoulders. “Not really.”

  “He just decided for no reason that you couldn’t go?” Colleen’s voice held the skepticism.

  The young girl nodded and took a sip from the hot beverage. Colleen noted Jenny wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  “Well I guess I’d better call him and tell him where you are.”

  “No.” The single word burst from Jenny’s lips.

  “Why not? I’ll tell him you’re here, and then he won’t worry about you.” Colleen could only imagine Adam’s distress.

  “No, please don’t tell him I’m here. He’ll be angry.” Jenny set down her cup. Her eyes pleaded with Colleen.

  Questions raced through Colleen’s sleep mind. Could Jenny be telling the truth? She thought so, but there was more here than what Jenny conveyed. Her gut feeling said that the teenager over reacted to something Adam had said.

  Lord, please let me be right.

  “Jenny, I can’t let you stay here and not tell Adam where you are. It wouldn’t be right.” She reached for the phone.

  “Why do you and Adam always go on about what’s right?”

  Jenny demanded. She continued on in anger. “You both have that holier-than-thou attitude.” Why can’t you just leave me alone and let me do things my way?” She glared at Colleen, waiting for an answer.

  Colleen searched her face. “Our ways aren’t always God’s ways, Jenny I’m not always right, and I don’t always do what I should, but I do pray and ask for guidance. Would you like to pray with me?”

  “No, I don’t want to pray about it. I guess since you won’t let me stay here, I’ll go to my friend Sarah’s house. She’ll let me sleep on her couch.” Jenny flounced to her feet.

  Lord, I’m no good with teenagers. Please help me use the right words now. Colleen watched Jenny grab her suitcase off the floor.

  “Jenny, why did you really leave home tonight?”

  Jenny’s eyes filled with more tears. “Adam and I fight all the time. He said I’m pushy and willful.” A tear slid down her face.

  This time Colleen knew the tears were real. The hurt ran deep, and the misery in Jenny’s eyes tore at her soul. She opened her arms, and the young girl eagerly came into them.

  An hour later, Colleen hung up the phone. The fact that Adam wanted to work the problem out immediately gave Colleen an even higher opinion of the man. He finally agreed with her that Jenny needed time to settle down and decided that she could stay the night.

  She returned to the kitchen. “Adam said you could spend the night.”

  “Jenny smiled and sighed in relief.

  “Come on. Let’s get to bed.” Colleen leg Jenny into her small apartment. They went through the living room and down the hall to the last bedroom on the right.

  “You should be comfortable here.” Colleen went to the bed and pulled back the light blue quilt that matched the curtains hanging over the window. It was a small room with a twin bed and matching oak nightstand. A writing desk sat against the opposite wall.

  Jenny put her suitcase down just inside the doorway.

  “Thank you, Colleen.”

  “You’re welcome. Running away won’t fix your problems. Tomorrow you have to face your brother.” She knew all about running away.

  A dejected look crossed Jenny’s young face. “I know.” She moved into the room and dropped down on the bed.

  “Were you being pushy and willful?”

  Jenny looked up at her. “A little.”

  Colleen walked back to the door. “You know how to fix this, right?” She put her hand on the light switch.

  “Yes, but it’s going to be hard.” Jenny laid her head on her crossed arms.

  Colleen gave her what she hoped was an understanding smile. “Asking forgiveness isn’t always easy, especially when you are sincere, but once you take that step, the relief and cleansing is well worth the agony.”

  Moments later, Colleen crawled back into her own bed. She wondered if Adam would forgive Jenny and allow her to go to Durango with her friends. She thought of her own trip into town and wished she had the nerve
to ask Adam if he’d like to go with her.

  She recalled the way they had laughed and talked during the simple meal. He seemed happy to be there. When Jenny moaned about the school history project, they shared a knowing smile. Colleen wondered now if she’d misread Adam Walker’s interest in her.

  Who said he was interested in her? She scolded herself mentally. The image of Cassie Masters filled her tired vision.

  Cassie portrayed everything Colleen wasn’t. She had big Bambi eyes surrounded by long lashes that fluttered with every blink. Her silky blond hair was cut into a short style that curled around her ears. Creamy white skin and perfect teeth completed the package.

  Colleen flipped over onto her stomach and groaned into the pillow. What if Adam had already scheduled a date with Cassie? Colleen decided it would be better not to ask him to make the trip with her.

  Tears of exhaustion seeped into the pillow.

  Adam poured himself another cup of coffee. He stared at the empty pot in his hand. How many did that make, two or three pots? And he was no closer to an answer. The question pressed upon him again. What was he going to do with Jenny?

  He raked a trembling hand through his disheveled hair. She’d never run away before. Adam drained the last drop of coffee from the cup and wished his father were still around to talk with about Jenny.

  He set the empty cup and coffeepot in the sink. “Lord, I should have come to you first. Father, what am I going to do about Jenny? She is stubborn, willful, and my baby sister. I just don’t know what to do.”

  Peace settled over him as he released his concerns to his heavenly Father. The thought that he should just love her first and foremost and the rest would be taken care of came to mind. “If only it were that easy, Lord.”

  Adam looked up at the clock. Time to go pick up Jenny. He changed into jeans and a warm sweater before stepping into the chilly autumn morning.

  He decided to stop by the post office before confronting Jenny at Colleen’s. Saturdays off were rare for a postman his age, even in a small town like Silverton where everything was within walking distance.

  Adam felt a pang of guilt. He knew Sly Mason was working for him today. No one knew Sly’s real age, but he was old. Sly had been the one to make the arrangements for him to be off on Saturdays after Adam and Jenny’s parents had been killed. The old man had reasoned that Adam would need the time off to keep an eye on his young sister. For that, Adam was grateful.

  “Morning, Sly,” he called as he pushed the door open.

  Sly Mason looked over the rim of his glasses. “What are you doing here this morning, Adam?” The older man’s gaze moved to the calendar. “Son, this is your day off.”

  Leave it to Sly to point out the obvious. Adam shut the door against the brisk morning air. “I just thought I’d come by and see if there was anything pressing you need delivered.” The words sounded phony in his ears.

  The old man studied him for several long minutes, causing Adam to squirm. Sly laughed.

  Adam realized he must look as guilty as he felt. Why had he come here? Did he really dread the conflict with Jenny so much, or could it be that he dreaded seeing Colleen even more? After all, she probably thought they were the most dysfunctional family she’d ever had the misfortune of befriending.

  “Well, since you’re here, would you mind throwing this big trunk in the back of your Blazer and delivering it to Grammy’s Bakery this morning?” Sly grunted as he pushed a large box in Adam’s direction.

  Adam looked at the item in question. The chest was huge and black. “Hold on, Sly. I’ll need to go get the SUV.”

  The old man stood and placed both hands on his hips. It’s a mite heavy. Think you can lift it by yourself?” he asked. His bones popped as he pushed the small of his back.

  Adam laughed. “I’ll see what I can do. Give me a few minutes to get the Blazer.”

  After he collected the trunk from the post office, it didn’t take Adam long to drive over to Grammy’s Bakery. He drove slowly, telling himself it was in the interest of the old chest not to drive too fast.

  The closer he got to the bakery the more his stomach knotted. What must Colleen think of them? Last night she had sounded concerned. He wondered how much Jenny had told her.

  He pulled up in front of the bakery and hopped out of the Blazer. He moved to the back of it and pulled the heavy trunk toward him. Its weight tugged on his shoulders and back.

  Adam carried it to the porch and set it down. The scent of fresh bread filled the frosty air. His stomach growled. He took a deep breath and knocked.

  Colleen opened the door. The dark circles under her puffy, red eyes told him what kind of night she’d had. Something deep down told him it was his fault.

  Chapter 4

  “Come on in, Adam. I hope you don’t mind, but Jenny is still asleep.” Colleen stepped back so he could pull the trunk into the entryway. Then she closed the door. She bent down and looked at the old trunk. The address label said it came from Aunt Ethel. What could this be? She pulled on the lid. It didn’t budge.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Adam looking around the small living quarters. “I don’t mind, but I think we’ve imposed on you enough.”

  “Not at all. Help me open this, and we’ll call it even.” She searched his face. A soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

  “Deal.” Adam knelt beside the old trunk.

  “Would you like some coffee?” Colleen asked, standing up to get out of his way.

  Adam looked up at her. “I’d love some, thank you.”

  Colleen went into the kitchen and made a fresh pot of coffee. Her hands shook and her heart pounded. How could one man shake her up like this?

  To keep busy, Colleen made bacon and eggs. It gave her something to do and calmed her nerves. She filled two plates, making sure to leave plenty of bacon for Jenny.

  Just as she set the plates on the small table, Adam walked in. “It’s open.”

  “Great! Why don’t you sit down and start eating. I’ll go see what my aunt sent.” She moved past him and returned to the entryway.

  She knelt beside the chest and carefully lifted the old lid. A child’s coat lay on top. The fabric looked old and fragile. Being careful not to damage it, Colleen set it on the floor beside her.

  She sifted through the remaining clothes. At the bottom on the box were several books and a sewing box. She gently lifted an old Bible from the bottom. The black leather was worn and ragged around the edges.

  “Wow that is really old.” Adams voice drifted over her shoulder, startling her.

  Colleen jumped. The Bible slipped from her hand, and they both caught it. Their fingers brushed. Her heart rebounded against her ribs.

  Adam released his hold on the book.

  How long had he been kneeling beside her? She felt heat crawl up her neck and into her face. She quickly returned all the items to the chest except the Bible.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Adam straightened and took a step back.

  Colleen closed the lid. “It’s okay. I just thought you were eating breakfast.” She picked up the Bible, stood, and smiled.

  He returned her grin. “I hate to eat alone.”

  The low reverberation of his voice turned her knees to mush. He probably had no idea how appealing he sounded when he spoke in low tones like that.

  “Me, too.” Colleen led the way back to the kitchen. Adam wanted to eat with her. Did that mean anything? She was afraid to hope. She poured them both coffee.

  When she turned back to the table, Adam stood waiting behind his chair. Colleen didn’t know what to do. She felt just as funny as she had the night before at dinner. If sharing meals was going to be a regular occurrence, maybe she better put a stop to this now. “I’m not real formal, Adam. You don’t have to do that.” She thought the protest sounded a little weak.

  “I know.” He continued to wait with a soft smile on his face that showed off the dimple in his right cheek.

/>   Colleen realized he had no intention of sitting down until she did. She carried the coffee to the table and allowed him to seat her.

  As soon as he sat down, Adam asked, “Shall I say the blessing?” He extended his hand palm up on the table.

  She placed her hand in his. “That would be nice, Thank you.”

  His smile warmed her heart, and she bowed her head. The prayer was simple and straight to the point. Just the way it should be.

  “Amen”

  She echoed him, pulling her tingling palm from his, and looked up. “I hope you like your eggs sunny-side up.” Unable to keep from staring at him, Colleen tried to focus on spreading strawberry jam on her toast.

  Adam sampled the eggs and grinned. “Love them. Thanks.”

  They ate in silence for several moments. Adam laid his fork down. “Great breakfast.” He watched Colleen sip at her coffee.

  “I hope you don’t mind that Jenny came here last night. I’m really not sure why she came to me. I would have thought she would have gone to one of her friends homes.” She stared into her cup.

  Adam picked up his own coffee. “She thinks of you as a friend, Colleen.”

  Her eyes met his. “I know, but most kids run to other kids.”

  She watched him set his cup back down. He reached across the table and took her hand in his. Warmth surrounded her fingers.

  “I’m glad she chose to come here, but I’m really sorry we placed you in the middle of our family problems.”

  The roughness of his fingers on the back of her hand sent goose bumps up her arms. Colleen pulled her hand away. “I’m glad I could be here for her.”

  Adam lifted his coffee cup again and held it with both hands.

  Jenny stumbled into the room, rubbing sleep from her eyes and focusing on her brother. She said, “I’m sorry Adam,” as she sank into a chair.

  Colleen didn’t know if she felt happy or sad about the interruption. She stood up, “Would you like some eggs and bacon, Jenny?” She gathered up her plate and coffee cup.

  “If you don’t mind,” Jenny answered. She pulled her legs up into the chair.