Covered Bridge Charm

by Christner, Dianne;

  Sunday afternoon was sunny but brisk as Carly biked to Aunt Fannie’s. Only Cocoa’s twitching nose was visible from the bundled wicker nest. The sun cast glints on her shiny new bell. She wasn’t able to try it out with Cocoa on board as she didn’t know how he would respond since he was trained to come at the sound of a bell. But the gift tickled Carly and she wanted Jason to see she liked it.

  Parking her bike on Auntie’s porch, she carried Cocoa inside and was met with the smell of chocolate chip cookies.

  “Oh. You brought that rabbit.” Aunt Fannie made a face that appeared to show genuine displeasure. She clasped and unclasped her hands. “Think we could cage it for the meeting?”

  Carly swept her gaze across the dining-room table. Auntie’s patterns were neatly organized and cookies on china served as a centerpiece. “Sure. I’ll put Cocoa down for a nap. Looks like you’re ready.”

  “I’m a nervous wreck,” Auntie replied.

  Kissing her on the cheek, Carly took care of Cocoa. When she returned, Jason was standing in the entryway, introducing his editor friend Tom. She also saw Miranda and hurried to get in on the introductions.

  “Jason gave me a ride,” Miranda whispered. “You aunt set it up.”

  Carly’s eyes widened. “That works. When’s your flight again?”

  “Tonight.”

  Jason introduced Tom. The editor was tall with reddish-blond hair and freckles. Younger than she’d imagined, maybe he just had one of those baby faces. He wore a button-down shirt and jeans, and his finger sported a wedding ring. “It smells good in here.”

  “Bribery,” Auntie replied. “Let’s all go to the table, shall we?”

  “It’s kind of you to give up part of your weekend,” Carly acknowledged.

  “Not a problem. The wife and kids are at her mom’s today. I’ll join them later.”

  They settled around the table, where Jason settled in beside Carly and whispered, “Don’t get jealous over Miranda. Your aunt asked me to pick her up.”

  Carly feigned a smile, hating to admit she had felt a prick of jealousy. How foolish. “It’s fine.”

  Tom flipped through designs and questioned Aunt Fannie about her work.

  “I see you attached the bell,” Jason whispered.

  “I love it. Did you know Cocoa’s trained to come to me at the sound of a bell?”

  “No way. What—” Jason’s next question stuck in his throat when a stranger strode into the house.

  “Hey, everybody. Having a party without me?”

  Carly jumped up to greet her brother. “Auntie’s showing her patterns to an editor. Come join us.” She introduced him, and he settled in next to Miranda. Grinning at Jason, he helped himself to a cookie.

  Jason whispered, “Do he and Miranda have a thing?”

  “Not anymore, why?”

  “Just didn’t want to end up with another shiner.”

  Carly giggled. She looked across the table to see Jimmy’s curious gaze resting upon her.

  She quieted when Tom suddenly raised his voice. “I’m glad you brought me here, Jason. I think we’ve got a winner. I did a little research before I came, since I’m not an expert on quilts, but these seem unique.”

  Carly watched Auntie’s eyes light. “Thanks so much.”

  Tom turned toward Aunt Fannie. “I’ll have to take it to committee, of course, but if I get my way, you’ll be getting a contract.”

  With a triumphant whoop, Auntie pumped her hands in the air. Everybody laughed, and the older woman jumped up. “This calls for a drink.”

  Jason arched his eyebrow, glancing questioningly at Carly.

  “Make mine straight, as usual,” Jimmy said.

  “So what will you have, Tom? Coffee, tea, or milk?”

  He chuckled. “You had me there.” He glanced at the cookies. “Milk. And this is all going in my report.”

  When the party started to wind down, Jason pulled Carly aside. “Think Miranda would mind hitching a ride back with Tom so I can take you and Cocoa home? I have some photos I want to show you of Gramps and Martha and some of the other residents.”

  Carly glanced across the room where Miranda and Jimmy were laughing. “What about my bike?”

  “I’ve got a rack on my car.”

  “I don’t think Jimmy will mind taking her home.”

  Adam snatched his phone to his ear the second it vibrated. “Hold on.” He headed to the hall bathroom for privacy. “Okay. Let me have it.”

  “Auntie impressed the editor. He’s a nice guy and seems to think he can convince the publishing committee to give her a book contract. He even mentioned art prints and stationery.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Jah, everybody’s pretty excited. Auntie was ecstatic. This place was a real mess. Everybody hugging everybody.”

  The picture that came to Adam’s mind of how Carly would thank Jason wasn’t pleasant. His voice hardened. “So what’s your take on him?”

  “Mm. Good looking. Polite. Big smile. Big Teeth. Black eye’s fading. You sure you gave him one? Oh, and I hear he’s loaded and generous.”

  Impatient, Adam said glumly, “Jah, I already knew all that.”

  “Oh”—Jimmy milked it for all it was worth—“you wanted my take on Tom? I think he was right about Auntie’s designs.”

  “Jah, very funny.”

  “All right. You sitting down?”

  Adam frowned. “No. I’m closeted in the bathroom, waiting for my friend to quit joking around. And from what I can see in the mirror, I’m getting ticked.”

  “Ticked at me? After I went out of my way to help you? Though the chocolate chip cookies were worth it.”

  “Should’ve been here. Lemon bars and peanut butter fudge.”

  “Jah, you win.”

  “Come on. Just tell me what you saw.”

  “You’re right. I should cut this short because Miranda’s waiting for me to give her a ride home. They’re tight. There’s no denying it. And your plan won’t work tonight, because she just left with him. Something about showing her some pictures he took at Sweet Life of the residents.”

  Adam felt as though he’d taken a fist to the stomach. Guess there was more than one way for a guy to fight back. If anyone was passive-aggressive, it was Irish.

  “Hey, you still there?”

  “Jah.”

  Jimmy’s voice took on a serious tone. “If it’s any consolation, she doesn’t look at him the same way she looks at you. But you’d better move fast. I don’t trust this guy. Don’t want him lurking around my sister. And if you’re not going to do something about it, I will.”

  “I’m going to do something, all right. But we’ve got to regroup. Does tomorrow night work?”

  “Nah, thunderstorms heading in. How about Tuesday?”

  “Nope. Dale and Jenny get in that afternoon. Wednesday?” Adam asked.

  “I’ll make Wednesday happen. Good luck.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Adam lifted the lid off the slow cooker and sniffed the aromatic stew.

  Ann smacked his hand, gazing around the sparkling kitchen to make sure everything was set for his guests who would arrive at any moment.

  “Hey, I’m starved. My mouth’s been watering all day.”

  “And you can wait a little bit longer.” She put on a mitt and pulled piping hot corn bread from the oven.

  He watched her place it on Mom’s old table set for dinner with her old dishes. “Looks great. I couldn’t host without your help, you know.”

  She removed her apron and hung it on a hook in the pantry. “It was time this place had another good cleaning, and it was my turn. But don’t forget to thank Ron for taking care of the kids today.”

  “Nah, you deserve the thanks, getting the beds ready.”

  She placed her hand on her hip. “One of these days you won’t need us anymore. You’ll have Carly taking care of you.”

  “I’m trying not to think about that right now. Makes me nervous.”
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  “Sorry,” she said with a grin that belied her words. “The wheelchair ramp was a good idea.”

  “Dale’s, actually.”

  The doorbell cut off their small talk. Adam threw open the door and his gaze fell on Dale, appearing out of place in the wheelchair. His leg was in a cast, and he was grinning from ear to ear. Behind him, helping with the chair, was Jenny—looking even more pregnant than before. But it was the other woman that made Adam’s jaw drop.

  “Cynthia?”

  “Surprise!” she said, waving her hand.

  He didn’t know how long he stood there with his mouth hanging open, but finally he felt Ann pulling him aside. “It’s cold out there. Let them in, Brother.”

  Coming to himself, he jumped back. “Sure, come in.”

  Jenny pushed Dale over the threshold, and then he was able to wheel the chair around himself. “Nice place.”

  “Is that stew I smell?” Cynthia asked, moving toward the slow cooker. “I didn’t expect this kind of hospitality from a bachelor. Figured Jenny and I would have to do the cooking.”

  “You will,” Adam replied. “Ann’s responsible for dinner and getting this place presentable.”

  Ann rushed forward to introduce herself to Jenny and Cynthia. Then Ron and the children arrived, and Adam didn’t have a moment alone with his sister until he walked her to the car. “You handled that without so much as a blink,” he accused. “You didn’t know about her, did you?”

  “Of course not. But I’m glad you had some extra sheets in the linen closet.”

  “That’s all you can say?” he demanded.

  “You think they brought her to snare you?”

  “Of course they did!” He sounded panicked in his own ears. He leaned close. “In Indiana I didn’t think she knew about the matchmaking scheme. But she’s called me a few times, and she’s acting predatory.”

  “Jah, I thought so, too. I’ll call the sisters. We’ll all pray.”

  Wednesday the morning sun glistened on lingering patches of snow and warmed Carly’s cheeks as she peddled through Sweet Home and veered off her normal route. Imogene had once had her mail stolen from her mailbox and had since instilled in Carly that whenever she paid bills, she needed to drop her mail off at the post office. But when she peddled around the corner, she saw something that made her heart somersault. Adam’s truck.

  Slowing, she watched him hop out and go to the passenger’s side. He opened the door. Out popped a pretty pregnant woman. Instinctively, she knew this must be Dale’s wife. She braked and moved her bike behind a large bush to watch what would happen next. She rather expected Dale to appear. But Adam leaned back inside and assisted another woman. A long-legged brunette who clutched his arm far too long for Carly’s liking. She wore jeans and a pretty scarf at her neck. Her hair was long and straight. She was stunning. Cynthia!

  Disbelief and anger washed over her. Jenny glanced her way, and Carly ducked behind the bush. Her heart slamming inside her chest, she waited a moment, then stole another look. Jenny hopped back into the truck on the driver’s side. Adam and Cynthia’s backs were turned, and they walked toward a restaurant. The brunette laughed and clung to him, but she couldn’t see Adam’s face. Then they disappeared inside.

  Carly clasped her hands over her heart and stood frozen. No wonder he’d stopped calling. She thought she was going to be sick. The truck drove away, leaving her bereft and angry. Fighting not to cry, she mounted her bike and peddled furiously. She was so buried in her miserable thoughts when she reached Sweet Life Retirement Center that she didn’t see Adam’s truck again until it was too late.

  She jumped off her bike, pausing momentarily while her brain scrambled to find a way to avoid meeting its passengers. But it was too late. A wheelchair appeared from behind the truck. From bad to worse, her emotions plummeted when she recognized Dale.

  “Carly?” He wheeled toward her, laughing. “On a pink bike?”

  She lowered the kickstand and placed her hands on her hips. “The way rumors fly, I would have thought you’d heard about it.”

  “It suits you.”

  Just then Jenny appeared and strode toward them.

  “Jenny, this is Carly.”

  The pregnant woman smiled. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  Reluctantly, Carly feigned a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  An awkward silence prevailed until Jenny said, “If you’ll point me to a restroom, I’ll let you two catch up.”

  With surprise, Carly acquiesced. “Sure,” she said and gave brief directions. Turning back to Dale, she asked, “You here to see Simon?”

  “Yup. Hope he’s here.”

  “Jah, that’s his car.” For all the times she’d practiced what she’d say if she ever saw Dale again, words escaped her. “Jenny seems nice.”

  “She’s a jewel.” He gave a mischievous grin much like Adam’s. “Jealous?”

  “Really?”

  “Guess I was a little bit when I heard you were seeing Adam. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with Jenny.”

  “Was seeing Adam, while you were trying to lure him to Indiana.”

  “Look, we could go on slamming each other, but Jenny left us because she knew I hoped to make amends with you on this trip.”

  Carly’s eyebrows shot up. “Let me get this right. So you came to scoop up Adam and hoped to leave everybody on better terms this time? Including your dad?”

  “That hurts, Carly. The truth, if you’ll allow yourself to admit it, is that we didn’t love each other enough. That was the real issue.”

  It hurt to hear him blurt out the very thing she’d been telling herself for the past three years. She sighed. “I know.”

  “But it was cruel of me to allow those rumors to circulate. I’m going to set that matter right while I’m here.” He gave a contrite grin. “If I don’t, Adam will break my neck.”

  “I don’t know if it will make a difference for me at this point, but I appreciate it.”

  “I’m real sorry about everything.”

  “Jah, me too.” She gave him a genuine smile. “Your wife’s lurking around the corner over there. Maybe you should call her back. I’ve got to get to work, anyway.”

  “Okay. It’s been good seeing you. You look good on that bike.”

  She toed the kickstand and started to walk it past him, then hesitated. “It’s crazy, but I think right this second I just forgave you. And don’t worry about Simon. He’s softened a lot the last couple of months. He’ll be glad to see you.”

  “That means a lot.” The silence stretched between them again. “Hey, regarding Adam… May the best man win.”

  “Don’t push it,” she replied. But as she walked away, she felt as though the competition was already over. Yet she was wrong in thinking the day couldn’t get any worse. Crusher was waiting for her at the bike rack.

  “Will you humor an old man?”

  “Of course. How are you doing?”

  “Don’t worry about me. Dot left me a long time ago. I had a dream she passed peaceful, reciting that Bible verse she’d memorized.” His voice broke. “And don’t be sad for me, either. I’m moving to Houston to live with my daughter.”

  “You are?” Carly felt tears sting her eyes. “I’ll miss you.”

  “Before I go, can I give you a little advice?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’ve been watching you for a long time. You’re good to everybody at Sweet Life but hard on yourself. Quit pouring everything into a bunch of old folks and save some of that affection for Adam. You two are meant to be together. Remember, there’s enough of God’s love to go around.”

  She nodded, unwilling to dash his hopes about Adam. “Does he know you’re leaving?”

  “Jah.”

  “I’ll try to remember your advice,” she replied, clutching him by his suspenders and then hugging him tight.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  Cocoa raced around Auntie’s house while Carly rested her head on the
sofa armrest.

  “That’s quite a story,” Auntie said, working the rocker. “I’m glad you were able to forgive Dale.”

  Jimmy pestered her with his stocking feet, trying to crowd her and usurping more than his share of the couch. “I’m sure Adam didn’t invite Cynthia.”

  “At this point, it doesn’t matter. It’s over between us, and they’ve set their trap for him.”

  Jimmy poked her with his toe. “It’s not like you to give up so easily.”

  She kicked his leg. “Thanks for taking Miranda home.”

  “Took her to the airport, too.”

  Auntie winked at Carly.

  “Don’t give me that look. You know I’m not ready to settle down. But I don’t mind having Miranda’s pretty face around to look at. You two get pretty boring.”

  “Pooh!” Auntie said. “Carly that rabbit’s getting ready to scratch the sofa.”

  Reaching down and lifting Cocoa, she nestled her face in his plump wrinkles. Speaking to the rabbit, she said, “Should we ask Jimmy for a ride home?”

  “Already, what’s the rush? Got any popcorn, Auntie?”

  Carly nudged her brother with her toe. “Well scoot over then and quit hogging the couch. I think I’ll take a nap.”

  Unfortunately for her, the doorbell chimed.

  “Get that,” Jimmy demanded.

  “You get it.” When she saw he wasn’t going to budge, she shot him a dirty look, repositioned Cocoa, and shuffled to the door in her stocking feet. “Jason?”

  “Jason?” Jimmy echoed, embarrassing her.

  “Could we talk?”

  “Come in.”

  He eyed the porch. “Out here?”

  “Sure, let me get my shoes and coat.” She shrugged at her relatives’ inquisitive gazes and quickly rejoined him.

  He brushed off Auntie’s porch swing, and she joined him.