by Stacy Monson
She should be. “I, uh… It hasn’t sunk in yet. And nothing’s official. We’ll talk on Tuesday when I see him.”
“Then I’ll be excited for both of us. Now, do you think you can unknot this?” She held out the delicate chain. “I tried, but I made it worse.”
Mikayla settled at the kitchen table and focused on undoing the mess Lindy had created. Questions and thoughts became as tangled as the necklace. Start a new department. Implement new ideas. A tingle ran down to her toes. She could create her own outlets focused on women that would bring in new readership. Hold fun events to introduce skills, promote female-focused outings, and raise visibility for the magazine. Maybe some mother-daughter events. Definitely girlfriend outings.
Whoa, there. You’d be back in an office all day. The office where Leif works, remember? When would you have time to be outdoors? Unless you were the one leading those events. Your staff would keep things running in the office while you let the creativity flow, right? But what about going back to Colorado someday?
When the last of the knot loosened, she rubbed her eyes and then her temples. Ted’s idea had not only created chaos in her head, now she had an ache in her chest, a longing to grab hold of both worlds. This job was far beyond what she’d hoped she’d get to do someday, and now it was being offered to her with a pay increase.
Dawson had said once that work was necessary for anything worthwhile, but he hadn’t mentioned she might have to give up part of her heart in the process. Returning the necklace to Lindy’s room, she shook the discussion out of her head. She needed to focus on these last few days with Lindy and Mags. Three sisters about to add a brother to the mix. That might be more frightening than running her own department.
“Can I have everyone’s attention please? Eyes up here. Thank you.” The wedding coordinator stood on the stage in the sanctuary of Beau’s church. From the start of rehearsal to now, she’d gone from polished and calm to a bit disheveled, sweat showing on her brow.
Mikayla hid a grin as she turned fully to face the front. Maggie’s comment in her ear with the same observation made her snort in response.
“Good. Thank you. Now, bride and groom. Are you ready for a full run-through? Wait, did we lose the groom again?”
The groomsmen traded glances and shrugs. “Probably in the restroom.”
She put a hand to her forehead as she searched the sanctuary. “Could someone find him, please? No, just one of you. Thank you. Where’s our bride?”
Mikayla and Maggie waved from the back of the sanctuary and pointed at Lindy standing behind them.
“Good. Ladies, you may go out to the foyer and wait for my cue. Dads and moms, you too.”
Trailing Lindy and their parents, Mikayla and Maggie shared a grin. “Let’s hope tomorrow isn’t this big of a circus,” Mikayla whispered.
“Crossing fingers and toes. If it is, she’ll probably look for a new line of work. Lin is holding up surprisingly well, don’t you think?”
Lindy stood calmly with the four parents, watching for Beau to appear. When he did, tucking in his shirt, she smiled and turned to Dad, reaching for his arm. Mikayla bit her lip to keep her mouth from falling open. Months of hysteria and now she was calm?
Beau stiffly escorted his mother down the aisle, his father beaming behind them as if this were the actual event. He returned for their mother, then took his place beside the pastor, wiping the sheen from his upper lip. The coordinator cued the first bridesmaid and groomsman, smiling as the group performed their duties without the earlier silliness.
Awaiting her turn, Mikayla glanced back at Lindy and mouthed, “Got your back.” Lindy nodded and winked. This weekend she’d lose her twin to married life, and next week she’d meet with Ted to design her future. So much change in so few days. No wonder there was chaos in her heart.
Beau’s brother offered his arm, which she took with a smile. The groomsmen had barely noticed her. They preferred flirting with the prettier, flashier bridesmaids. Maggie didn’t seem to care, and Mikayla tried not to. She wasn’t the flirty kind. But it would be nice to be noticed.
Dawson had. Her heart squeezed as they processed down the aisle behind Maggie and her groomsman and took their places at the front. Dawson had admired her skills, encouraged her to try new things. He’d liked her for her. He’d even fallen for her—or said he had. That had no doubt worn off now that she’d been gone a few weeks with no plans to return.
The coordinator cued the music change, then motioned for Lindy and their father to start. Mikayla sighed. Dawson and Colorado seemed so long ago. And now with what Ted was suggesting, that life was becoming just a beautiful dream. She needed to find a new apartment, and that required money. She’d squirreled away most of what she’d earned at Outlook, but it was barely enough for a first month’s rent and security deposit.
Lindy and their father reached the front and shared a hug, then Dad proudly put her hand in Beau’s before stepping to Mom’s side and putting an arm around her waist. Under the watchful eye of the coordinator, Mikayla straightened the pretend train of Lindy’s dress, took her paper plate-and-ribbon practice bouquet, and faced the front.
The dream of a camp like Outlook that focused on girls also required money. First, she’d have to get the new department up and running and learn to manage a staff. She had no clue how to do that. She’d never wanted to be in charge. Leading groups on hikes and camping? Yes. Managing people day to day? Not hardly. But watching Dawson lead his crew had been inspiring—
“Psst.”
She started and looked toward Maggie who motioned toward the front with her head. Lindy, Beau, and his brother had stepped forward and now waited for her.
“Oops. Sorry.” She scooted forward as everyone chuckled and remained focused for the remainder of the rehearsal. After last-minute instructions from the coordinator, she hopped into her jeep with Maggie to drive to the dinner.
“You looked somewhere else entirely for a while there,” Maggie commented. “Dreaming about the mountains?”
She sighed. “Always, but mostly thinking about the pros and cons of accepting the new position, assuming Ted offers it.”
“Come up with a decision?”
She glanced at her ambitious, focused sister and smiled. “Seems silly to pass it up. The pay raise would help me get back on track after my summer wanderings. And it would put me in a good position to start my own adventure camp someday. I’d make great contacts and have a ready-made audience when I was ready to launch. Which,” she added with a forced laugh, “will probably be about ten years from now.”
“And by then you could be married with 2.5 kids, living in a house in the ’burbs complete with a white picket fence.”
Maggie’s teasing pulled a real laugh from her. “Right. And, of course, be pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen.”
“Now that I could see, without the picket fence.” But only if she found a man like Dawson.
“Or the house in the suburbs.” Maggie pointed ahead to the right. “Looks like the turn is there.” They turned into the parking lot of the country club and stared. “Wow.”
“I suddenly feel way underdressed.” Though Mikayla wore a dress and sandals, and even had her nails painted, it didn’t seem nearly enough. “I hope I don’t embarrass Lin. I promised her I wouldn’t. On purpose, anyway.”
“You look fine. We’re not the high-society people she hangs with, but we’re also not her hillbilly folk just in from the backcountry.”
Mikayla giggled. “If you put it that way, we look great.”
During the cocktail hour, Mikayla shared some of her story with Uncle Jim, Sara, James and Aunt Cindy who had graduated to using just a cane. They laughed over stories of tiny Lula and her “boys,” and how the dog had been the saving grace of Hannah’s injury on the mountain path.
“Honey, I’ve been thinking.” Aunt Cindy leaned forward and set a hand on Mikayla’s arm. “Now that I’m finally back on my feet, I’m feeling surprisingly nervous abou
t falling.” She rolled her eyes. “I know it sounds like something an old person would worry about, but it’s my reality until I’m fully healed.”
Mikayla nodded. “Totally understandable. Once you’re back to full strength, I’m sure you’ll feel differently.”
“That’s my plan. But in the meantime, much as it hurts my heart, I’m thinking Lula should stay with you. Permanently. She moves so fast, I’m afraid she’ll trip me up at some point.”
Keep Lula? She tried not to let her excitement show. “She’s fast and tiny to boot, so I’d probably worry about that for you too. But you’re sure you’d want it to be permanent? I could keep her through the winter and then see how you feel.”
Aunt Cindy leaned back with a sigh. “I’ve talked it over with Jim and the kids, and given it a lot of thought. Everyone is in agreement that if you’re open to it, the best option would be for her to stay with you. What do you think? Be honest.”
She bit her lip to keep from blurting out a resounding yes. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to let her go. We went through a lot together this summer, and I absolutely adore her.”
A warm smile filled Aunt Cindy’s face. “That’s what I’d hoped. Sara said Lula took to you instantly when you first met her.” She nodded firmly. “Then it’s settled. It makes me happy to know she’ll have a wonderful new mama and a forever home, and I won’t have to worry about falling over her.”
After a few more minutes of sharing stories about the dog, Aunt Cindy excused herself to use the restroom, and Mikayla took the opportunity to slip outside. On the spacious patio, she pulled in a deep breath and smiled. Whatever the future held, at least she’d have her sweet little buddy along for the ride.
The setting sun spread golden light across the lush green of the fairway. Not quite the mountains, or even her favorite lake, but at least out here she could breathe. Leaning on the railing, she lifted her face to the waning sunlight. What was that verse she’d read the other day? She’d been trying to memorize it. The words floated by on the gentle breeze. “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” It had sounded a beautiful chord deep inside as she visualized living, moving, and being in the openness of God’s creation.
The words scattered like the fuzz of a dandelion, and she sighed. Later. She’d be able to do that when she’d gotten the camp going. Maybe she’d have those words put on the main wall in her lodge.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Maggie stood beside her.
“Dawson offered me a quarter once.”
“Whoa! He must have thought you had some major revelation going.”
“He was disappointed,” she admitted. “Whatever it was at that moment wasn’t very deep.”
“Well, this one looked like it.”
Mikayla studied the pretty pale lavender of her nails, lifting a shoulder. “Remembering a Bible verse I read recently that struck me. And I was thinking I’d put it on a wall of my camp someday.”
“Then you will. All our growing up years, you were always able to do whatever you set your mind to. I had to work like a dog while you just marched along doing exactly what you wanted and making it look effortless.”
Mikayla gaped at her pediatric surgeon sister. “What? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! You’ve always been the one with the brains and the determination to reach goals I couldn’t even dream of, doing things I can’t even pronounce.”
“Not without it taking every waking moment of my life. I like science,” she said, “but it’s never come easy for me. I’d watch you go off with Dad, a fishing pole over your shoulder, stomping along in your boots, looking so happy, and wonder what that would be like.”
“To go fishing or wear boots?”
Maggie laughed. “To be happy. I’ve always had to be so focused on my studies, I never had a free moment to breathe, let alone be happy.”
Mikayla studied her sister’s profile, stunned into silence. The revelations she’d heard since coming home had turned what she thought about her childhood upside down. None of what she’d learned came close to her own perception.
“Hey, girls.” Lindy leaned on the balcony on Mikayla’s other side, a glass of wine in hand. “It’s lovely out here, and I’m so tired of visiting, I had to join you. And we all know I don’t like being left out. So what are we talking about?”
“I was telling Mags that she’s achieved things I couldn’t even dream of.”
“You’re both amazing,” Lindy said, “while I walk around like a Barbie doll.”
“Looking gorgeous and helping others, like me, figure out how to dress themselves as adults,” Mikayla replied. “Without people like you, people like me would always look like schlubs.”
“And I for one get sick of scrubs, which is different from schlubs,” Maggie clarified with a grin. “Although I feel like a schlub in scrubs sometimes. So I’m thrilled there’s someone who can tell me what to wear to look like an actual person.”
“You guys think that?” Tears sparkled, and Mikayla reached for her wine glass.
“Yes, we do. And you’ve had enough to drink until you’ve eaten.”
“There you are.” Beau joined them, putting an arm around Lindy’s tiny waist. “Dinner is served.”
“And none too soon,” Mikayla said out of the corner of her mouth to Maggie as they trailed the couple.
“I heard that,” Lindy said without looking back. She wobbled on her stilettos.
Mikayla and Maggie shared a silent giggle, then found their places at the linen-covered table with the other bridesmaids. Conversation and the clink of silverware on beautiful china kept the room buzzing through a meal of salad, steak, shrimp, roasted vegetables, and other foods Mikayla couldn’t identify.
“Beau’s family knows how to party,” Maggie observed.
“This is delicious, but way too formal for me.”
“Paper plates are too formal for you.”
Mikayla covered her snort with the linen napkin. “True. Why use plates when you can just stand around a campfire and eat? Better for the environment. Do you know how long it will take the kitchen staff to wash all this stuff by hand?”
“They can’t,” Maggie said. “The Health Department would close them down if they didn’t use commercials washers.”
The ting-ting-ting of a knife against crystal stopped Mikayla’s retort. Beau’s father stood at the front of the room, behind where Lindy and Beau sat like royalty. “Can I have your attention for a few moments, please? My wife and I welcome you to this dinner to celebrate the marriage of Beau and Lindy. Aren’t they beautiful?”
“Nobody will say that about me when it’s my rehearsal dinner,” Mikayla said during the applause. “I’ll be lucky if there aren’t leaves stuck to my dress since we’ll be outside standing around a bonfire. Maybe I’ll put you in charge of checking everyone’s hair before we eat.”
Stifling a laugh, Maggie pretended to cough and sipped her water.
Beau’s father extolled the virtues of his son, welcomed Lindy to their family, and gave a toast that lasted nearly as long as his speech. When he finally handed the microphone to their father, Maggie poked Mikayla without saying a word. Mikayla hid a smirk. The man did seem to love a mic.
“Bob and Jane,” Dad said, “thanks so much for this delicious dinner in this beautiful place. Your generosity and your love for our daughter has touched us all.”
As Bob and Jane smiled and nodded regally, Mikayla decided she’d never marry into money, not that it was likely.
“Rachel and I have three wonderful daughters of which Lindy is considered the youngest, although she and Mikayla have always shared a birthday.”
As the group chuckled, Mikayla met Lindy’s gaze. And they would continue sharing it.
“Our girls are all unique, successful, amazing young women. And we’re blessed that they are best friends as well as sisters.”
Maggie’s hand found hers and squeezed.
“We’re grateful for Beau and
his endless patience, encouragement, and love for our Lindy. He’s a welcome addition to our family, especially since I’ve been outnumbered for thirty-some years.” A chuckle ran through the room. “No getting out now, Beau,” he added with a wink.
Beau’s mock horror followed by Lindy’s playful elbowing brought a bigger laugh.
Dad took Mom’s hand, then picked up his glass and held it aloft. “As our toast tonight, Rachel and I wrote a blessing for this wonderful couple. Lindy and Beau, may God’s light shine brightly upon your marriage. May His love bring you closer to each other as you grow closer to Him. May His Spirit teach you to love, laugh, forgive, accept, and persevere through the coming years. And may His truth be the foundation upon which you start and grow your family. We love you both.”
Mikayla forced a swallow of water over the lump in her throat, then laughed with Maggie as they wiped their eyes. These past months had indeed changed every member of her family. She was beginning to see it as a blessing.
~ 37 ~
Lindy burst into Mikayla’s room with a shriek, and Mikayla bolted upright out of a deep sleep. “What? What’s wrong?”
“It’s pouring outside!”
A roll of thunder punctuated her sobs.
Mikayla pulled herself from the lovely dream with difficulty, wanting to jump back into the stream where she and Dawson had been fishing. “Pouring. Okay.”
“You know what humidity does to my hair,”’ Lindy wailed. “And the guests will get soaked b-because it’s such a long w-walk from the parking lot. And what about the cake?”
“Whoa. Slow down.” She rubbed her eyes, then reached for her phone on the bedside table. “Let’s check the forecast.” And the time: 6:15 a.m.
Lindy flopped back on the bed across Mikayla’s legs, like she had as a child, tears running down her temple. “I told you we should have waited. What if this is a bad omen? Maybe my bio parents are actually evil—”
“Huh uh.” Mikayla held up a hand. “Not going there. Your real parents are Mitch and Rachel. The bio people are just that—biological donors.”