Covered Bridge Charm

by Christner, Dianne;

  “You get started on that. I’ll be right back.”

  The emergency squad took Martha out through the emergency exit at the end of the hall, and thankfully her departure didn’t cause much of a stir. Except in Carly’s heart.

  One night in the middle of the week, Adam was heating leftover soup Ann had given him when he saw Jimmy pull into his drive. He turned off the stove. Either Jimmy had come to make amends, or he’d heard about his date with Carly and was going to make even more threats.

  “Hey. Come in.”

  Jimmy went to Adam’s favorite chair and plopped down in it. He crossed his arms as if daring him to ask him to move, which normally would have happened. But under their strained friendship, Adam let it pass and moved onto the sofa.

  “I’m fixing soup. You want to eat with me?”

  “Nope. Won’t hold you up long.”

  “You look beat.”

  “Just pulled into town.”

  “So what’s on your mind?”

  “Just wanted to apologize for the way I acted before.”

  Adam was suddenly glad he’d left the plane ticket in his truck after he’d gotten the mail. Wouldn’t have been good for Jimmy to see it when it didn’t mean anything. He really needed to send it back to Dale and somehow convince him that he wouldn’t be taking him up on his offer. “No problem. I get it.”

  Jimmy explained, “When I was gone, I was thinking about how much I love being on the road. I understand how a new start would sound good to you. I don’t know how you’ve endured being under your dad’s thumb this long. If you go to Indiana, I’ll stop in and see you.”

  “Apology accepted, but I won’t be going to Indiana. I’m serious about your sister. I’m just holding back until I get Dad’s blessing.”

  “That could be a long time.”

  “Believe me, I won’t wait forever.”

  “I’m going to keep my nose out of this, but it would be better for you to tell Carly about Dale’s offer before she hears it from somebody else.”

  “I was going to tell her, but things are going good between us, and I don’t want to bring any doubts into her mind.”

  Jimmy jumped to his feet. “Maybe you’re right. I’ve gotta get home and shower. Hit the sack.”

  As he watched Jimmy leave, he felt uneasy. It was as if Dale’s shadow hung over their budding relationship. Maybe Jimmy was right. Maybe Carly even wanted to talk about Dale. It might clear the air so they could move ahead without any qualms. And if Jimmy let it slip about Indiana, she’d be hurt. It would take forever to penetrate her stubbornness. In that respect she was like her brother. Adam would take her home from church on Sunday and set things straight before he went to the birthday party.

  Thursday night, Jimmy stopped by Carly’s cottage. He grinned. “Yard looks great.”

  “No thanks to you.” She gave him a bear hug.

  “Sorry I skipped out on you. But how about Saturday after next I rake some leaves?”

  “That long?” She pulled a face. “It’s a date.”

  “And you’ll make me something really great to eat?”

  “Don’t I always? I have some of Auntie’s Texas sheet cake if you want a piece now.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice.” He sat at her table, and Cocoa hopped over and propped his head on Jimmy’s shoe. He laughed at the rabbit. “You’ll get what you want after I eat.”

  Carly joined him with the cake, smiling.

  His fork paused midair. “You’re sure in a good mood.”

  “Just happy.”

  “That’s good.” He licked his fork clean. “Any special reason?”

  “I’ll tell you, if you promise not to get upset.”

  “Uh, oh. What are you up to now?”

  She felt her cheeks heat. “I had a date with Adam last weekend.”

  His eyes lit with interest.

  “We’re seeing each other now.”

  “Jah, that’s what Adam said.” He laid down his fork and folded his hands, questioning her in a soft tone. “Just be careful. Sometimes guys don’t take things as seriously as women.”

  Carly bristled. “You mean like with you and Miranda?”

  “Jah, like that.”

  Miranda’s happy report of her date with Jimmy struck Carly hard. Could the two relationships be compared? No. “Adam told me he loved me.”

  Now her brother’s face reddened. “He did?”

  Blushing, she asked, “Why don’t you want us to be together? Don’t you want me to be happy?”

  “More than anything in the world. But you’re my sister. And Adam’s just my dumb friend. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I know you’re thinking about Dale. But it’s different with Adam. You know that. Sometimes I think your reservations are causing Adam to overthink things.”

  “You’re kidding, right? He’s always been the brooding type.”

  “Jah, but—”

  He put both hands in the air as if to fend off her accusations. “Sorry, Sis. You’re probably right. I’m overly protective.”

  Carly got up and kissed him on the cheek. “That’s why I love you.”

  On Sunday, Adam pulled into the church parking lot behind Jimmy. When they got out of their trucks, he slapped his friend on the back.

  Jimmy flinched. “I know I should stay out of this, but just so you know, Carly’s in love.”

  Adam nodded at another member of their congregation and whispered. “You better mean with me.”

  Jimmy halted. “It’s that serious between you two?”

  “Jah, that’s what I’ve been trying to convince you about. I’m taking your advice. Telling her about Indiana today.”

  Jimmy nodded. “It’s the right thing. Good luck.”

  “Jah, better say a prayer for me.”

  Adam took his own advice and after church hurried across the parking lot to speak to Carly. “Can I take you home?”

  She gave him a melting smile. “Sure. Just let me tell Auntie.”

  He waited for her in the truck, his heart picking up speed when she returned. “I still have the birthday party today, but I wanted to see you.”

  She shivered.

  “What? I’m that repulsive?”

  “Hardly,” she grinned. “But it’s so cold.”

  “Move closer.”

  She moved over, and he reached across her to turn up the heat, surprised when she jerked away.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She rubbed her eye. “Something just flew into my eye. Something from the vent.” Tears streamed down.

  “There’s tissues in the glove box.”

  Half blinded, she opened it and found the tissues, dabbing at her eye.

  He turned onto the next gravel road and parked on the shoulder beside a row of sheltering trees.

  Looking at him through watery eyes, she asked, “What’s this about?”

  He hugged her, pulling her close. “Just want to make sure my girl’s all right.”

  “It’s better now.”

  “Hey, look at this tree. You thinking what I’m thinking?” He pulled her gently into his arms, kissed her wet cheeks and found her lips. When he pulled away, he whispered, “I guess you know I’m falling hard for you.”

  “Jah. I’m falling for you, too.” Her hand flew up to fix her hair.

  He caught her hand. “I like it messy.”

  “Adam, the Beilers live on this road. We can’t park here.”

  Feeling bold from Jimmy’s enlightenment, that she was in love with him, he teased, “Where do you want to park?”

  Smiling she scooted away, removing a handful of bobby pins and pulling down the visor to fix her hair. And to Adam’s horror, the plane ticket floated down and landed right in Carly’s lap. Feeling his world collapsing, he watched her pick it up and turn it this way and that.

  “Just trash,” he tried.

  “Are you sure? It looks like a ticket of some sort.” Curious, she pulled it close to her face and studi
ed the print. “This isn’t trash! It’s a plane ticket. To Indiana.”

  Adam rubbed his hands through his dark hair. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”

  Her face tensed. She shoved pins into her hair. “I’m listening.”

  “We need to talk about Dale.”

  Instantly she went rigid. Her voice went cold. “You want to know if the rumors about us are true?”

  “No.” He shook his head, fumbling for words and trying to figure out how her mind had gone there. “I don’t care. I mean I don’t believe them.”

  She stared at the cursed ticket as if it was vile.

  “Not about you and Dale. About me and Dale.”

  She troubled her brow. “You’re going to visit him? To talk about us? You going to ask his permission?”

  “Ew, no. This isn’t about us. Look, Dale wants me to move there. He’s offered me a job.” When her eyes widened and her mouth slackened, he quickly added, “Of course I’m not going. Sometimes with Dad, it’s tempting…” He was losing it, attempting to be humorous at such a crucial moment.

  “You’re considering it?”

  “Not anymore.” He cupped her cheek. “Not since we started dating.”

  She dropped her gaze. “Then why do you have this ticket dated January 10?” Her voice sounded small and hopeless.

  “Because Dale sent it to me.” How could he explain it? “Every time I talk to him, he comes up with some new enticement. He’s not taking no for an answer. This ticket is just one of his useless tactics which won’t work any better than the others have.”

  “What kind of enticements?”

  Adam shrugged. “Dumb stuff. Completely ineffective.”

  She placed the ticket back in the visor and snapped it closed.

  Watching her neck color, seeing her fury rising, he started to ramble. “Jah, dumb stuff. Like he picked out a house for me. Jenny wants to set me up on a blind date with her friend.” He shook his head. “It’s surreal. But I’m not having any of it. Because I have everything I need and want right here. It’s you I want. You believe me, don’t you?”

  She dropped her gaze. “I want to, but this is sounding vaguely familiar.”

  Feeling hurt, Adam snapped, “I’m not Dale.”

  She looked up, surprised. “I know, but—” She shrugged.

  Or maybe he was too much like his cousin. Maybe that’s why she was attracted to him. But he was smart enough not to tread there. He gave a contrived laugh. “Well I’m glad that’s behind us. I knew you’d understand.” But his heart hammered in his chest.

  “You haven’t told him no yet, have you?”

  He shrugged. “We both know how hard it is to say no to Dale.”

  Her eyes turned dark with fury. “You’re wrong about that. Regardless of what you’ve heard, I could say no. And I did.”

  “Oh, Carly. That’s not what I meant.”

  She pushed him away. “Just take me home.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Carly slammed the door and stumbled to her couch, listening to the fading rumble of Adam’s truck. It was happening all over again. Adam would use the tickets to check out Dale’s offer. Then he would decide to move and leave her. She gave a bitter laugh. Dale was determined to ruin her life.

  She tried to calm herself, replaying the conversation. I’m falling hard for you, but I need to clear the air. Then there was all the blathering about Dale. Obviously, Adam was waiting for some kind of confession or denial. While he was weighing his options, he wanted to know the truth about those rumors. Well she’d set him straight on that. Or had she? What exactly had she told him?

  Cocoa leapt onto the cushion beside her and snuggled into her side. She shouldn’t have demanded he bring her home, but she hadn’t been able to handle the shock. Her head ached from the stress of it all. She turned her face into the pillow.

  When she awoke, she rose and was cleaning out the litter box when she heard rap, rap, rap.

  Oh, go away.

  Rap. Rap. Rap.

  Jimmy wasn’t going away. Fine. She jerked the door open. “Oh. I thought it was Jimmy.” She backed away as Auntie stepped into the cottage.

  “He’s a coward. He asked me to check on you. Adam called him pretty distraught.”

  Carly plopped back on the sofa and hugged a pillow. Auntie sat beside her and pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry.”

  “Men are jerks,” Carly hiccupped.

  “Of course they are.”

  “Except for Uncle Bob.”

  “Jah. There’s a few good ones out there.”

  “But not Adam. I thought he was. But I was wrong. Not only is he flying to Nappanee in January to check out his cousin’s carpentry business, but he’s checking out a house they found for him. It’s like history’s repeating itself.”

  “Appears that way.”

  “But the part that really hurts is they’re even setting him up on a blind date.”

  “He told you he’s going to Indiana?”

  “No, he denied it. But I saw the plane ticket. It fell down from the visor in his truck. I don’t know if he would have told me anything about it if I hadn’t found the ticket. He claims he loves me but admitted he hasn’t given Dale his answer.”

  “The man sounds confused.”

  “I’m confused.”

  “Well…”

  Cocoa started thumping. Auntie look worried. “Uh-oh. Did you feed him?”

  “Jah. But I’ve been ignoring him.”

  “Well I suppose I’ll have to humor that old rabbit.” She reached down and met his sweet spot. “Did you know Miranda has helped me with some quilt designs?”

  “No.” Instantly, she remembered what Jimmy had told her about Miranda. “Was she helpful?”

  “Jah. The young woman’s very talented. She asked me a lot of questions about our faith.”

  “She acts all nonchalant, but I think she’s setting her cap for Jimmy. And he’s not serious about her.”

  “Not yet, anyway,” Auntie replied.

  Carly’s head jerked to the side, not liking where this was heading. “Are you matchmaking?”

  “Maybe. She’s really sweet and kinda lost.” Cocoa nipped and she jerked her hand away. “Ouch!”

  With a sheepish shrug, Fannie watched Cocoa hop down the hall to the laundry room. “I sense you don’t like her. Is there something I should know about her?”

  Carly thought hard. “I’m not sure why we don’t click. Unless it’s our age difference. She’s so young, and she acts even younger than she is. She is good with the residents.”

  “Jah. But given her past, it’s remarkable that she keeps such a great attitude.”

  Staring at Auntie, she admitted, “She hasn’t told me anything.”

  Auntie patted Carly’s knee. “You should try to get to know her.”

  Giving her aunt a reproachful look, she replied, “That’s fine to suggest, but the truth is I don’t even know if I can drag myself to work tomorrow.”

  “You’re a fighter. You’ll survive. Once we get through today. What can I do for you?”

  Carly shrugged. “Just stay awhile.”

  “There’s no place I’d rather be.”

  On Monday, Carly returned to work. Becca was still flustered from a mistake she’d made over the weekend. “There was a mix-up in scheduling, and I had the guitar musician come the same time as the lady doing the Christmas card craft. And with all that mess going on, we found out that Martha was taken to the care center because she wasn’t strong enough to return here after the hospital got her stabilized.”

  This saddened and worried Carly. She knew how upsetting it must be for Martha not to be able to administer her own inhaler. She was trying to think of something to cheer her up when she would later visit the care center. Thus her mind was partly preoccupied when Nines announced that Teacup was missing again.

  Surely not, Carly thought. She’d just had Martha’s room disinfected and cleaned, readied for her return. She hurried into
the vacant room and saw the familiar lump in Martha’s bed again. Angry, she jerked back the covers and gasped at the stiff corpse. She stared a moment, then threw the covers back over Teacup and headed for the receptionist’s desk.

  On the way, however, she heard Dot crying, so she stopped to see what was happening with her. “Dot?” The small woman sat at her table, her head in her arms. Gently, Carly approached. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” She spent several moments trying with no luck to make sense of Dot’s garbled response. She went to her kitchenette and got her a glass of water.

  After that, Dot was able to express herself. “Everybody’s gone. I’m all alone.”

  “No you aren’t. I’m here.”

  “Martha’s gone.”

  “Jah, but she’s just recuperating and will return to us.” She didn’t know that for a fact, but Dot wouldn’t remember what she’d said long enough to hold her to it. “I’m going to visit her later. Would you like me to say hello for you?”

  Dot nodded. “I miss her. She’s my best friend. Besides Crusher.” Then she started to cry again. “And he forgot my orange juice this morning.”

  Carly went to the sink where they always kept the dirty glass to prove that he’d brought it. “Look. See this glass. He was here.”

  Dot took the glass and peered into it. Then she set it on the table with a clink. “Am I going crazy?”

  “No. Of course not. Just a little forgetful, but otherwise good as ever.”

  “I just don’t understand why Martha doesn’t come to see me.”

  Then Carly remembered the cat. “Would you like me to turn on the Christian music station?” It had been one of the ways Martha was helping Dot remember her faith.

  “Please.”

  After getting her settled, Carly focused on her earlier purpose, hurrying to the front station to locate Sherie.

  She whispered. “Nines’s cat died on Martha’s bed.”

  It took a moment for Sherie to recover, but then she quickly responded. “Let the cat alone for now, since Martha’s not here. Call Adam and see if he’ll make a box. Then we’ll tell Nines and have a funeral for it in her room.” The sad thing was that Nines didn’t have any family in town to help her through times like this. With her son living out of town, they’d have to be her support.