Kissing Cousins

by Diana Tobin

  Web, do not blame yourself for my accident. It was great fun, but I was a foolish old woman. Happily, I shall be reunited with my Henry, and possibly at long last, Julia.

  Augusta, I so wish I’d gotten to meet you and Hope in person. You deserve a good man like Web. Rest assured, Henry and I will look after your Hope.

  As for the house, etc., you both share equally with no time limit, no strings. That was my ploy to give the two of you time to know each other. Do what you will, just be good to each other.

  I love you both!

  Gran Emma

  Gusta and Web stared at each other.

  “We need to talk,” they said at the same time.

  John Gates cleared his throat, reminding them of his presence. “Does the letter let us know how to proceed?”

  “I’m sure you need to make a copy of the letter for your file,” Web said. “Ms. Thompson and I need to discuss the matter at great length.” Gusta opened her mouth, but Web shook his head and squeezed her hand. “We’ll call you when we’ve made a decision.”

  Web took the letter from Gusta’s hand and ushered her out of the office. He stopped long enough for the secretary to make a photocopy, then steered Gusta out to the parking lot.

  “Are you willing to leave your car here?”

  “For how long?” Gusta asked.

  “We can go to your motel, unless you’re willing to discuss the matter at home.” He waved the letter between them. “Tell me you didn’t sleep in your car,” he said between clenched teeth.

  “I didn’t, but I’ve checked out of the motel.” She gripped her hands together. “I was coming home, to Webster, but when I called Mr. Gates, he said we had to see him today.”

  “Then, let’s get a room.” Web led her to his Jeep, but she dug in her heels.

  “Web, I don’t want to leave my car here. And, I’d rather we discuss…things…at home. Please.”

  He wanted to refuse. He’d much prefer having her under him, staking his claim on her and making sure she understood how he felt. But, he knew they needed to talk, and not just about Gran’s letter. Maybe the drive home would give him a chance to cool off and settle. He’d been so afraid he’d lost her. If she was willing to return to Webster and talk with him, maybe he had a chance.

  “All right. We’ll drive home,” he conceded. “I’ll follow you.”

  She rose to her tiptoes and he thought she was going to kiss him. She must’ve changed her mind since she let her heels fall to the ground and walked to her car.

  He watched while she got into her car, buckled the seatbelt, and started the engine. Only then did he climb into his own vehicle and follow her from the parking lot.

  The trip from Portland to Webster had never been so long. Web wanted to push the speed limit; at the same time, he wanted to slow down and delay their arrival. He did neither, remaining close behind Gusta’s car, thankful he’d had new tires put on it.

  Come to think of it, she’d never said a word about the tires, which meant she hadn’t noticed. He felt sure she’d have argued about the expense. Just one more reason why she needed him. She seemed unwilling to take care of herself, so she needed him to look out for her.

  He needed her because…he had no life without her.

  The deed would be put in her name. She needed the security of knowing she would always have a home. And, she needed the financial security Gran had left. Gusta would be able to pay off the medical bills and have enough left, if she planned carefully.

  Web just had to find a way to convince her she needed him as well.

  ♥•♥•♥

  Finally, they were home. For the first time, entering the house together felt awkward. They hung up their coats, and Gusta removed her shoes.

  “Do you want some coffee? Are you hungry?” she asked rubbing her hands together.

  “No. Augusta, we need to—”

  “Talk,” she finished. “Yes. I have things I need to tell you.”

  “Why–”

  “Would you please sit down?” She gestured to the living room. “On the sofa. I-I can’t talk with you towering over me.”

  He did as she asked, taking a seat in the middle of the sofa. Web was hoping she’d sit there, too, and by taking a seat in the middle he’d be close to her.

  Once he sat down, Gusta straddled his lap, placing her rounded bottom on his hard thighs, her knees folded on each side of him.

  “I wanted us to be close to eye level,” she said before he could say a word. “Plus, I need you to listen to me. This way, you can’t just walk away. Not without dumping me off your lap, and you’d never hurt me that way.”

  Meaning, he’d hurt her in other ways. “Gusta, I’m sorry I walked off the other night.”

  She put a finger to his lips. “Please, just listen.”

  He realized her voice trembled. Web clasped his hands around her hips, keeping her firmly on his lap, and nodded his agreement.

  Gusta drew in a deep breath. “I owe you an apology. I should have told you what I was feeling, thinking, but I was trying to deal with it on my own. I’ve never had someone to share the inner me with.” She thumped a fist lightly on her chest. “And, I was grieving many losses.”

  “Oh, baby, I’m—”

  She covered his mouth and shook her head.

  “Your mother gave me permission.” Her lips curled slightly. “She said if I needed to cry or rant or whatever, to do so rather than keep it all inside and let it fester. Pretty much what we figure my mom did.” She fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. “I should’ve told you. Even if I couldn’t explain exactly what I was feeling or why, I should’ve let you know what was going on with me. I’ll try—No. I will do better next time.”

  Web pulled her closer but she wouldn’t allow herself to lean into him. “Why did you leave?”

  “This house needs to be yours,” she stated firmly. “Your grandfather built it. Your mother grew up here. You grew up here. It’s part of your legacy. Yes, I know Henry gave it to Emma, and I’m eternally grateful she included me in her will, but it belongs in your family.”

  “But you need the security of your own home,” Web protested.

  Gusta shook her head. “The only security I need is you and your love. I can live anywhere as long as it’s with you. Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

  This time, he pulled her in for a tight hug. “I was going to beg you to let me stay, even if I had to sleep in the basement or garage.”

  She pulled back enough to meet his gaze. “Are you kidding? With that beautiful huge new bed upstairs? I’d be lonely rolling around in it by myself.”

  “You’re not sharing it with anyone else,” he growled.

  “Never.”

  Web kissed her. “I love you.”

  “I know,” she grinned. “I love you, too.”

  His eyes closed as he wrapped his arms tighter around her. “Say it again.”

  “I love you.” She wiggled freeing her arms so she could cup his face in her hands. “You were right, I was being a coward. Losing you wasn’t going to hurt any less if I never told you. I love you, Charles Webster.”

  “Thank God!” His mouth closed over hers. “We’ll call Gates tomorrow and have him put the deed in your name. Then, we’ll pay off Hope’s medical bills.”

  “Um…I need to tell you about that.” She sat up so she could look into his eyes. “Most of Hope’s bills are paid.”

  Web’s eyes widened in surprise. “Your ex came through with insurance after all?”

  “No.” Her lips twisted in disgust before she dropped her gaze and smoothed his shirt, obviously nervous at what she was about to reveal. “There were insurance policies.” Gusta drew a deep breath and straightened her spine, then met Web’s gaze.

  “After my parents died, I found policies on Mom, Dad, and even Hope. Dad sold insurance, so…” She lifted her hands before letting them drop back between them. “They had a safe deposit box in Spokane. I left the policies there until my divorce was
final. Actually, I closed the box on my way here and dealt with the insurance company once I was settled. I owe very little. The policies covered nearly all the expenses.”

  Web stared at her for a long moment, then tilted his head back in a full laugh. When he could control himself to speak, he said, “Your ex never knew about the policies, did he?”

  Gusta shook her head. “Dad was always trying to get Steve in the business, but he wanted no part of it. He thought Dad was a fool for spending so many years in an office job. Since he wanted nothing to do with Dad or Mom, I saw no reason to inform him of the policies I found.” She looked at Web with a small grin. “I didn’t know the true value myself. I didn’t dare inquire about them until the divorce was final and there was no way Steve could get his hands on the money.”

  “Good for you,” he said with a laughing hug.

  “Back to the deed…It should be in your name.” Seeing he was about to protest, she added. “What if my name changes?”

  “That depends on what you change it to.” Web looked deep into her eyes. “Is that your way of saying you’ll marry me?”

  “I haven’t been asked.”

  “I’ll get down on my knees, later,” he vowed. “I promised I wouldn’t dump you off my lap.”

  Gusta threw her arms around his neck. “Then, I’ll say yes so you won’t be surprised at my answer.”

  “Honey, I have a feeling you’ll always surprise me.” He tilted their bodies to lie on the sofa while he kissed her. “How soon can we have the wedding?”

  “Does it have to be a big wedding?” She brushed her fingers through the bronze locks of his hair.

  “I don’t care what size it is as long as it’s soon,” he declared, peppering kisses down her throat.

  “What about New Year’s Day?” She brought his face up to meet her gaze. “Finding you has been the best part of this year. Not to take away from that, but we’ve had two major losses this year. I’d like to start our new life together in the new year.”

  “I can agree with that,” and sealed his agreement with a long kiss.

  “Web. I have one more thing I’d like to do this year. If I can.”

  “Sure, honey.” He met her look at the seriousness of her tone. “What do you want?”

  “Could I…could we bury Hope’s ashes with Emma and Henry?”

  He felt the sting of tears in his eyes. “I think that would be a fine thing. I’ll see to it.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly, holding his face between her hands. She kissed him, letting her tongue dart out to trace his lips. “Are you ever going to make love to me again?”

  “Right now,” he promised, stretching his arm to reach for the drawer in the side table next to the sofa. “Just let me—”

  “They aren’t there,” Gusta said.

  “Okay,” he said slowly. “Then let me run to the—”

  “Those are gone, too.”

  Web slowly pushed himself to a sitting position, looking down at Gusta calmly lying on the sofa. Anxious as he was to bury himself inside her, he didn’t know if he could last to check all the places he’d put condoms. “Do you know where any are left?”

  “No,” she said cheerfully. “I threw them all out.”

  He gripped his hair with both hands in an attempt to rein in his frustration and need. “Why would you do that? You were really pissed at me, weren’t you?”

  She didn’t seem so sure of herself. “You said you wanted to have children with me. That you wanted us to be a family. I thought we could get started…”

  Web stood up and started shucking his clothes, paying no heed to where they landed. When he was completely naked, he began removing Gusta’s clothes. She reached up to help him, but he pulled her hands away.

  “My gift,” he said, his eyes burning with his love for her. “I get to do the unwrapping.”

  EPILOGUE

  A rectangle of sod sat off to the side of the gravesite. Dirt from the hole that had been dug was piled on a tarp nearby. Despite the few times snow had fallen, the ground hadn’t yet frozen. Now that she’d made the decision, Gusta was thankful she didn’t have to wait for spring.

  Web kneeled on the cold ground and gently placed the carved box inside the hole. Gusta knelt next to him and placed a single yellow rosebud on top of the box. She threaded her fingers through his while they knelt together in silence.

  Finally, Web squeezed her fingers and helped her rise to her feet. “Do you girls want to take a walk while Dad and I finish up?” He looked at his mother standing behind Gusta.

  “Come on, dear.” Alice placed an arm around Gusta’s shoulders, drawing her away from the small grave. “Let’s go for a stroll while they finish up. I think Web has a surprise for you.”

  ♥•♥•♥

  As the women walked away, Joe and Web replaced the dirt and sod.

  “This is a nice thing you’ve done, son,” Joe said.

  Web shrugged. “Since we own the cemetery, it made sense for us to take care of this rather than hiring a crew. I knew Gusta would prefer having it quiet and just us here.”

  Joe chuckled. “That too, but I meant the stone you ordered.”

  Hope’s ashes were buried between Emma and Henry. Web had ordered a small stone to be set over Hope’s burial spot. After he set the stone, he cut pieces of sod to fit around it, then looked up at his father.

  “I hope Gusta likes it. If not, I may yet end up sleeping in the basement.”

  “I have a feeling you’ll find a way to keep from doing that. Gusta will like it fine. It shows how much you love her.” Joe gave his son a long look. Web had never looked this nervous before a race. “I’ll put the tools away. You go get our girls.”

  Web nodded, brushed the dirt from his knees, and walked to the back of the cemetery.

  “Finished?” Alice asked when she saw him approach.

  “Yes,” but he looked at Gusta. He held out his hand for her. “I have something to show you.” He swallowed hard, hoping he hadn’t made a huge mistake, and if he had, that she’d forgive him and let him make it right.

  Gusta placed her hand in Web’s and followed him back to the grave. “It looks nice. Oh!”

  He knew she was reading the words carved on the flat stone. “If you don’t like it... I should have asked—”

  Gusta turned to him, flinging her arms around his waist, tears coursing down her face.

  Joe placed a hand on Web’s shoulder. “We’ll wait for you back at the house.”

  Web gave his father a grateful smile, continuing to hold Gusta. He didn’t say anything until his parents drove away.

  “I know she wasn’t mine. I should have talked to you, asked you what you wanted.”

  Gusta lifted her face to look up at Web. “It’s wonderful. Thank you, so much. It means the world to me. You mean the world to me.”

  She turned in his arms to once again read the words he’d had carved.

  Beloved Daughter

  Hope P. Webster

  2006 – 2014

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR—DIANA TOBIN

  My first job was at a hotel in southern California where I grew up – not Eloise style. Over the years I’ve provided daycare, worked as a cake decorator, been a farmer, and retired from 30 years of banking. These days I spend my time writing, gardening, scrapbooking, and spending every possible moment with my beloved grandchildren. One of my best vacations was taking them to Disneyland for the first time.

  With family members spread across the country, and overseas, I was born in Maine, grew up near Los Angeles, and have made the Rogue Valley of Oregon my home for the past 34 years.

  Half my life has been involved with writing; the study and practice of it, plus being part of local and national organizations. A lifelong love of reading has filled my bookshelves to overflowing. There is nothing like entering another world, another place, and meeting new people through the pages of a book.

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