“Auntie’s still talking about Tom and her contract.”
“I’m glad it turned out well for her.” He took her hand. “I have something I need to tell you.”
Growing worried, Carly asked, “Is Gramps all right?”
“He’s fine. But I’m going out of town for Christmas.” He hesitated, searching her eyes.
“All right,” she replied, growing increasingly concerned over his fretful behavior.
“Karen called. She invited me.”
“Oh,” she gasped. “That’s great. Really, I’m happy for you.”
He massaged her hand. “Friends?”
She drew her hand away. “Absolutely. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you the next time you bring Gramps to bingo.”
“Thanks for understanding. I hope things work out for you and Adam, too.”
Carly stood. “It was kind of you to drive all the way out here. Tell Gramps hi for me.”
He stood, watching her with concern.
She gave a small wave and went inside. She smiled at Jimmy and forced a cheerful, “I smell popcorn.”
“What did he want?”
She gave a small wave. “Nothing important.” Starting toward the kitchen, she halted at the sound of the doorbell again. With exasperation, she turned to see what else Jason wanted. But when she opened it, she stared dumfounded.
Adam thrust flowers in her face. “Peace offering?”
Surprising herself, she slammed the door. “Men!” she spat at Jimmy and stomped to the kitchen. But she heard her brother let Adam in and afterward some male murmurings. Then it grew quiet.
She jumped at Adam’s voice. “Something smells good in here. Carly knows I love popcorn.”
“I could care less what you love.”
“Carly!” Auntie chided, then gave her an arched look. “Finish up in here?” she asked and left them alone.
Carly snatched the flowers out of his hand and started rummaging through Fannie’s cupboards for a vase. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here.”
“I have a knack for being at the right place at the right time.”
He’d surely seen Jason leaving. “You rub me like a burr. Did you know that? It’s my private nickname for you. Burr.”
“Wow. That’s harsh. Does it mean anything to you that you’re driving me mad with jealousy?”
She ran water into the vase and stuffed the flowers into it. “I get the mad part. I saw Jason’s eye. How often does your angry side surface?”
“Hardly ever. Ask any of my sisters.”
“If I cared, I would. You also need to learn a few things about communication. It really hurt me when you wouldn’t listen. That you threw me out of your truck. Flowers don’t make that right.”
“But I know what will.”
“Oh, jah?”
“Come with me. I’ll show you.”
“You don’t get it. I’m not going anywhere with you. Right now you’re on my blacklist.”
He tried to touch her dimple, but she slapped his hand away.
“Listen. If it was any other time of the year, I’d let you take all the time you needed to forgive me. But Christmas is only a few days away, and I don’t want to spoil it for us.”
“Sorry, Adam.” She used the words that had been tumbling in her mind ever since his rejection. Ever since she’d seen him with Cynthia. “It’s over. Just go.”
“Well I tried to handle this the easy way. But you asked for it.”
Before she knew what had happened, he’d swept her up into his arms and was carrying her through the house. She tried to wiggle out of his hold, but he’d clamped her tight. “Let me go! Are you insane?” As he strode through the living room, she cried. “Jimmy!”
But her brother hopped up and opened the door for Adam.
“Wait!” Auntie shouted, then ran toward them with Carly’s coat.
Carly twisted. “Aren’t you going to help me?”
“Sure, honey. I’ll watch that old rabbit.” Then she shooed Adam out and shut the door.
On the porch, Carly spewed, “You drive me crazy.”
“Ditto.”
“Where are you taking me?”
“Us. Taking us someplace special.” When he got to the truck, he didn’t release her. “How many times have I either helped you with your projects or come to your rescue?”
“A few, but—”
“I know you’re mad, but you owe me at least one last favor. Can you agree that you owe me one favor?”
“Maybe.”
“So will you please promise to stay in the truck and hear me out?”
She rolled her gaze upward. He made a good point, and her rebellious heart really wanted to give him a chance. “Jah, I suppose.”
“Good, because I won’t let you get away, even if you try.”
He placed her inside, helped her into her coat, and fastened her seatbelt. Then giving her an impish grin, he ran around to the driver’s side and started the truck, wasting no time in putting it in gear. Probably thinks if the truck’s moving, I won’t get out. But by now she was far too curious and a tad entertained. Yet there was no need to let him know that. “I’m still mad at you. I can’t believe you ambushed Jason in the parking lot.”
“But I’m getting better because I let him leave peacefully a moment ago.”
“Humph!”
“You told me I didn’t know how to communicate. But I’m going to try to explain. Normally I’m pretty laid back, but Uncle Simon pointed out that I was letting Dad run my life. I guess because it was a pretty good life, I hadn’t let it bother me much. About that time Dale made his offer, and I was trying to figure out what I should do. But the real straw that broke the camel’s back was when Dad and Si both started telling me how to handle my love life.”
He looked at her so that she understood he was referring to them. “After you told me I was passive-aggressive, I knew I had to confront both of them. Honestly, they can be so childish at times. Anyway, they both backed down when they saw me taking control of my own life. Confrontation is not always a bad thing.”
Carly had to acknowledge it was something she did all the time, and she admired him for the way he’d taken charge. “But fighting?”
The truck suddenly hit an icy patch and started to slide toward a snowy ditch. She clasped the armrest and was thankful when Adam brought it back under control. She saw they were on Route 20 headed north toward the country.
“Sorry about that.”
She relaxed her grip on the armrest. “It just doesn’t seem like you to clobber somebody.”
“I know you have issues with your dad’s anger, but you know I’m not like that. The man I dealt with is not the same one you know. Irish provoked it. But I regret my actions. Just so you know, it takes a lot to make me angry.”
She knew it was true. Adam’s anger wasn’t easily tripped like her father’s had been. If she was honest with herself, she shouldn’t even be comparing them.
“Still, I won’t let anyone take my girl. I know I hurt you when I asked you to get out of the truck. But I needed to leave before I did something dumb again. I needed space.”
“Your girl?” She asked sarcastically although she felt tingly with delight. “What about Cynthia?”
Surprise lit his eyes. “She’s nothing to me. You stole my heart that first night you kissed me. And I plan to steal yours back in a few minutes.”
“Throwing the kiss in my face again.”
“You bet.” He winked.
“What exactly did your dad and uncle say about me?”
“It’s probably better if you don’t know.”
“I need to know.”
Adam studied her, and she matched his gaze with pleading eyes. “At the time Uncle Si was aggravated at you, and he wanted me to date you because he thought I’d keep you happy and occupied.”
“That’s awful.” She didn’t put it past Si, though. Following Adam’s earlier remarks to its logical conclusion, she asked,
“So your dad doesn’t want us together? I knew he didn’t like me.”
“Keep in mind how controlling he is. Mom’s easygoing like me. He thinks you’re too much of a handful for me.”
“Is that so?” She arched a brow. “He’s obviously underestimated you. You’re a stubborn man.”
“And underestimated you.”
She smiled.
“Once he gets to know you, he’s going to adore you. You’re so irresistible.”
He was doing a pretty good job communicating now, saying all the things that made it easy to forgive him. “We’re going to the bridge, aren’t we?”
He ignored her question. “It seemed like everybody had an opinion about us. Jimmy didn’t help matters when he threatened me.”
He’d obviously changed his mind, the way he’d opened the door for Adam to sweep her away. “We had a rough start.”
“So let’s start over.”
“Jah, I’d like that.”
When they got to the Larwood bridge, he gave her a mischievous grin. “I kinda liked holding you in my arms. Want me to carry you over the walking bridge?”
“No, I do not.”
“Your loss.”
And she knew it was, but she wasn’t ready to throw all propriety to the wind. He helped her out of the truck, and memories flooded over her. How they’d snuck onto the bridge and how he’d rummaged through the lumber. How he’d come back for that piece and fashioned it into something lovely for Martha. He might not be much of a communicator, but his romantic bent would make up for it.
“Careful, it might be slick.”
She paused at the center of the footbridge and looked down at the river. “It sounds different from the last time we were here. More of a creaking than a roar.”
“That’s because it’s partly frozen. We’re going to have to come back in the spring when we can enjoy this without freezing off our toes.”
She nodded, wondering why he had brought them. Larwood bridge was still under construction, but even through its snowy blanket, she could see progress. “Martha hung that carving of her initials on the wall in her apartment. Have I thanked you for that?”
“Jah, but you can do so again.” He bent and captured her lips. Breathless, she matched his fervor. When he drew back, he whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Then let’s seal it.” He took her hand and led her across the footbridge toward the large old tree that grew on Crabtree Creek. “I wanted to make this day special for you so I brought you to our kissing tree.”
“This is special,” she breathed, feeling her heart race in anticipation.
But he didn’t embrace her. Rather, he dropped her hand and stood askance with crossed arms, staring behind her. “It’s a nice old tree, don’t you think?”
What a funny thing to say. If he’d bothered to bring her all this way, why was he talking instead of kissing?
Her heart still racing, she replied, “Jah, it’s big.”
“I love the twisted mossy trunk, don’t you?”
She laughed. “Thinking of becoming an arborist?”
“If that’s what it takes to get you to turn around and examine the tree.”
Shrugging, she turned. And stared. At eye level was a beautiful carving of a large heart with—“That’s our initials!”
“Uh-huh. Because I’m making a lifetime commitment to you.”
Delighted, she ran her fingers over the carving. “When did you do this?”
“About a week ago, and I’ve been trying to get you out here ever since.”
She recalled how on the way home from Dot’s funeral, he’d told her he wanted to do something special on Sunday, but she’d told him about meeting with the editor. Then making it worse, Jason had been waiting for them. Turning back to him, she said, “I’m sorry. You must have been so disappointed.”
“You’re worth the wait.”
Though he hadn’t asked about Jason, she wanted to clear the air. “Jason and I are only friends. He even has a girlfriend.”
“I’m sorry. It seemed like you were falling under his spell.”
“I never did. I was already under yours. And I’m afraid I always will be. But I saw you with Cynthia. Is she staying at your house?”
“Not anymore. They’re at Simon’s now. And I won’t be going to Indiana with them. When I convinced them I was crazy about you, Jenny said she’d get one of her brothers to help Dale out instead.”
Thinking of her recent conversation with Dale, she replied, “So they’ve really given up?”
“Jah. Because I told them I was going to marry you—if you’d have me. Will you?” His dark, pleading eyes penetrated to her very soul.
She cupped her hands over her mouth and shook her head.
“No?” Worry instantly clouded his dark features.
She’d never thought such a day would happen. Wetting her lips, she murmured, “I just can’t believe my dreams are coming true.”
“Does that mean—”
“Jah, I’ll marry you. You’re my godsend. How could I not?”
He swept her into his arms. They confessed their love again, and Adam whispered, “I told the family I was bringing you home for Christmas.”
“I thought you were coming to my place on Christmas Eve.”
“We can do both. I just want to be with you. Let’s invite Jimmy and Fannie, too. Think they’ll go for it?”
“It seemed like they were in on this little plot of yours.”
He shrugged contritely.
“I’m sure they will.”
“Good.” He smiled at her, his eyes filled with love. “Well if this is our kissing tree, we’d better do some kissing.”
EPILOGUE
Ach!”
Adam looked up from his paperwork. Dad tugged a hanky from his pocket and dabbed at the coffee he’d sloshed onto his shirt. Adam bit back a smile, thinking it wasn’t always his fault. Though sometimes he did hit ruts on purpose. “Maybe you should just give up the habit.”
“Maybe you should mind your own business.” Pulling a chair over to Adam’s paper-littered desk, he spilled more on his boots. Swiping the toes of his boots onto his pants’ legs, he looked at the stacks of paperwork. “With such a good year, I suppose we’re going to owe a lot of taxes.”
Adam leaned back and folded his hands. “I’m just getting started here.”
“You could say that. Dale’s way ahead of you.”
“Jah, I know.”
“Something you probably don’t know: when a couple gets engaged, they set a date.”
“Thought you didn’t like the idea of me marrying Carly.” He thought of Carly’s latest motto: Rome wasn’t built in a day. She called Dad her Roman project. He didn’t know who he was up against, didn’t stand a chance against her charm.
“I don’t. But I like the idea of grandkids. Especially those who will carry on the name and the business.” As if a new thought suddenly struck him, he set his coffee on the desk and leaned forward. “Since you wouldn’t take my advice, there’s only one thing I ask of this whole Blosser-woman thing. One little favor.”
Now he was calling his stipulations favors. Possible softening? “Oh, jah? What’s that?”
“You’re going to have to produce a son.”
While he loved everything about that idea and would do everything possible to make it happen, he replied, “You know that God’s in control.”
“Better start praying, unless you want a whole passel of kids.”
“That’s probably not going to happen at our age.”
“So quit wasting time. Someday I’d like to see my grandson sitting at this desk.”
Shaking his head, Adam humored him and listened to his ramblings until his phone rang.
“Hello.”
On the other end, “Hi, good looking. Thought you’d like to know about a little problem. We’ve got rats in the attic.”
“What?”
“Not really. The work
ers are putting on the new roof, but the residents think we have rats in the attic.”
“That’s why you’re calling?”
“No, there’s another problem.”
“Concerning Carly?”
“Yep.”
Dread traipsed up Adam’s spine.
“What’s she gotten herself into this time?” Dad demanded. “Is that Simon?”
Shaking his head, Adam whispered, “Miranda.”
“Who’s Miranda?” he shouted.
“Shush!” Growing impatient, Adam said, “No not you. What’s happening? Is she all right?”
“She’s stuck in that old elevator again.”
Adam glanced at his dad’s angry expression and the stacks of tax preparations. “Anybody with her?”
“Mm-hm. The General, Nines, and Repeater.”
“I’ll be right there.” He hung up the phone and looked his dad straight in the eyes. “She’s stuck in an elevator. This kind of stuff happens all the time with Carly, so if you want that grandson, you’d better get used to it.” Then grinning, he left to rescue her.
Other books by Dianne Christner
THE PLAIN CITY BRIDESMAIDS SERIES
Something Old
Something New
Something Blue
Dianne Christner’s first book was published in 1994, and she now writes full time. She has written more than a dozen novels including several historical fiction titles and writes contemporary fiction from her experience of being raised in the Mennonite church. Dianne lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she enjoys the beauty of her desert surroundings and life sizzles in the summer when temperatures soar above 100 degrees. Dianne and her husband have two married children and five grandchildren. Readers are invited to connect with Dianne at www.diannechristner.net.
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