Friends to the End

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  “Logan, if you are going to always be Amish, I think I have some other things to study besides math, don’t you?”

  His mind must have been playing tricks on him, because he could have sworn she was talking about changing her life completely. “What are you saying?”

  “Trish?” Elizabeth Ann yelled. “Get in that car and turn it on. We’re waiting for you to follow us back.”

  No way was Tricia leaving right that very second. “Hold on, E. A.!”

  “But the engine’s running.”

  “I will,” Tricia called out. “Please, just give me two minutes.” Turning back to him, her brown eyes looked luminous. “I’m saying what you think I am, Logan. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be with you.”

  “You’d consider becoming Amish?” He could hardly believe he was even asking such a thing. Could hardly believe how badly he wanted his wish to come true.

  She nodded. “I know it might take years before I’m ready, but I don’t mind waiting a while longer for you.” She looked down at the ground before meeting his gaze again. “But the way I figure it, another year or two or three is nothing. After all, I’ve already been waiting for you since I was ten.”

  Since she was ten. An old memory suddenly surfaced. A memory of a hot and sunny summer day in his front yard. A moment when he’d given in to an impulse and twirled her in his arms and it had felt so perfect and right.

  Was that what Tricia was referring to?

  He opened his mouth to ask, but stopped himself just in time. It had been such a little thing. Inconsequential, really.

  Standing in front of him, Tricia bit her bottom lip. “Logan, were you serious about the two of us, or did I get it all wrong?”

  Even though Andy might kill him, there was no way he was going to let Tricia think their relationship was one-sided. “I was serious.”

  She smiled softly. “Then I’m serious about this, too.”

  His heart was pounding. She was staring up at him with such trust, he ached to pull her into his arms. Finally claim the lips that he’d been trying so hard not to notice for far too long.

  But no matter how amazing this moment was, it wasn’t the right time.

  “I’m going to come by your house when your family gets back,” he said. “Then we’re going to talk about all of this again.”

  She smiled softly. “I’ll be waiting for your visit.”

  Suddenly, he didn’t care whether it was the right time or not. He needed to hold her. To touch her. To do something to seal the promises that they’d just made. Unclenching one of his hands, he reached out and brushed her hair away from her face.

  “Tricia Warner, you get in your car now or I’m calling your brother!”

  Eyes wide, Tricia stepped away. “I’ve got to go. Marie isn’t kidding.” Looking sheepish, she reached out and clasped his hand. “Thank you again for coming to save me.”

  He wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed it. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Always.” Looking beyond her, he sighed. “Come on. Marie’s right. It is time to go.” Especially since it looked as if they had a lot more ahead of the two of them in the future.

  SIXTEEN

  After handing me four mason jars, Sarah picked up the lemonade pitcher and headed out.

  Feeling awkward again, I followed.

  Then, just before we went outside again, she turned to me. “You know you’re Englisch and Logan’s Amish, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then you ought to remember that we can all be friends but never anything more.”

  Everything she said made sense, but I didn’t believe it. Even back then I’d known that what actually mattered was how people acted, not who they were.

  All that is why I lifted my chin, looked Sarah Clark right in the eye, and said, “I don’t know about that. I mean, never is a really long time.”

  You need to stop worrying, Andy,” Tricia said for at least the third or fourth time. “I’m home, the cabin is locked tight, Logan and his horses are back at his place, and the rest of your friends are home safe now, too. It’s over.”

  Andy gripped his cell phone tighter as he tried his best to not say something he would later regret. But it was hard. Only his sister would act like he was overreacting about the fact that four of his friends had to move heaven and earth in order to make sure she was home safe.

  When Andy finally felt like he could talk without yelling, he said, “It’s not as simple as that, Trish. Just because you’re home safe, it doesn’t mean that this whole episode has been forgotten.”

  “What do you want me to say? Thank you? I’ve told you and Logan and Marie and Harley and Elizabeth thank you multiple times.”

  “I know you’re grateful.”

  “But?”

  “But you don’t want me to finish my thought.”

  “No, I do,” she countered, impatience lifting her voice. “Tell me what you’re really thinking.”

  “I’m thinking that it’s unfair of you to think that we’re all supposed to keep your secret,” he replied. “To assume that Logan Clark didn’t miss multiple days of work. That Marie and the rest of them didn’t rearrange their whole schedules to save your rear end.”

  “I never said that I thought they did. And I’m not asking you to keep the secret.”

  “So you are fine with me telling Mom and Dad?”

  “If it means that you are going to stop making me feel guilty, I am very fine with that.”

  “I might just tell them everything,” he warned. He knew he was acting like a jerk, but honestly, his little sister had to start making better choices. What if he hadn’t been able to take her phone call when she’d first called? Something really bad could have happened to her.

  “If you do, I hope it feels great and freeing. Do whatever you need to do. In fact, Logan said that . . . never mind.”

  There was something different in her voice. Concerned, Andy tried to place it. What was it? A new warmth? “What did Logan say?”

  “Nothing that you need to know. It’s between him and me.”

  Him and her? “Wait a minute. Logan and I are best friends.”

  “I know that, but maybe he and I are close now, too.”

  There was something new in his little sister’s voice. Something he didn’t quite understand but that was starting to worry him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means that I think it’s time I got off the phone.”

  He wanted to argue with her, attempt to explain again how he was feeling, but he knew he wasn’t going to win that battle. “Fine.”

  “I’ll call again soon, Andy.”

  “Wait!”

  “What?”

  “I love you, Tricia. I’m glad you’re home safe.”

  When she spoke again, her voice was rough sounding. “I love you back, brother. Thank you for helping me so much. I would be lost without you.”

  “Luckily you won’t ever have to worry about that,” he said, finally able to smile.

  “Bye again,” she said around a chuckle before disconnecting.

  After pressing End as well, Andy sat down on one of the lounge chairs and finally allowed his body to relax. Tricia wasn’t in danger. She was fine. And though she had needed a little bit of help, she’d taken care of everything without him.

  Maybe if one day he wasn’t there for her, she would be just fine on her own.

  “Andy?”

  “Yes?” He turned to see his mother approach.

  “What’s been going on with you?” she asked as she sat down on the chair next to him, her navy jersey dress flowing around her knees.

  For a second, he took the time to realize that his mother was still very pretty. When he was little, he’d never thought about her looks. When he’d gotten to high school, her youthful looks kind of embarrassed him. More than one guy had teased him about having a hot mom. But now he realized that her looks were simply a part of her, just as his father’s studious nature was a p
art of him.

  “What do you mean?”

  She glared at him. “Oh, please. Tricia might get away with playing dumb from time to time, but you’ve never been good at it. I’m talking about all the intense phone conversations you’ve been having. Practically every day I’ve seen you on the phone, your expression so intent, like there was something really bothering you. What’s been wrong?” She held up a hand. “And don’t tell me it’s work. No one looks that concerned about work unless he or she is worried about getting fired.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, no. Is that it?”

  “No. My job is just fine.”

  “Is it Kalie?”

  “No.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “The truth is, I’ve been talking to Tricia.” Even though he didn’t feel good about betraying her, he liked keeping these secrets even less. If he didn’t share what had happened, chances were pretty good that they were all going to come back to bite him. He hated lies and he could never remember them, either.

  “Tricia?” Looking both aggravated and pained, she exhaled. “You’ve been talking to her that much? Oh my word. What has she done now?”

  And just like that, he changed his mind.

  Tricia had been right. She’d done so many goofy things over the years, their parents were kind of over giving her the benefit of the doubt. Now they automatically assumed the worst.

  If their parents got wind of this latest mess, they’d freak out. She’d made a pretty bad decision and she could’ve gotten hurt or in a car accident. But instead of sympathizing with her, they’d most likely chalk it up to another silly episode. Say it was another example of how she really wasn’t capable of doing much on her own. Next thing Trish knew, she’d be leaving Bowling Green early and moving back home into her old bedroom.

  Besides, he’d promised her he’d keep her secret. Maybe that counted for more than even the consequences.

  “Trish hasn’t done anything, Mom,” he said, hoping that he sounded kind of put out. “I mean, not besides feeling disappointed that she didn’t come on vacation with us. I’ve been talking to her so much because she’s been kind of lonely.”

  “That’s it?”

  He did his best to look affronted. “What? Isn’t that enough? You know how empty the house can get. I’m sure she’s regretting her choice and wishing she could have just driven down here.”

  “Thank goodness she didn’t. She could’ve gotten stuck in some of that nasty weather. Then what would she have done?”

  Feeling like the lies and half-truths were coming far too easily now, he shrugged. “I don’t know. Though I do know that you won’t have to wonder. She’s fine.”

  “Yes, of course.” Crossing her legs, she leaned back in her chair. “I’m sorry. I sounded pretty harsh, didn’t I? I don’t know why I always assume the worst about that girl. She does so much right. I need to focus on that more.” She shook her head. “No, I need to tell her that more often.”

  “She knows you love her, Mom.”

  “I hope so.”

  “She does. I know she does.” Thinking of all the escapades Tricia had been involved in over the years, he added, “Mom, I don’t think you should be too hard on yourself. I mean, Tricia really has given you reason to think the worst is coming a time or two.”

  “I guess that’s true.” She pressed her lips together. “I hate the thought of her being home alone and sad. I wonder why she never called Dad or me? I would’ve been happy to chat with her.”

  Fervently wishing he weren’t in the middle of this convoluted conversation, Andy paused. He needed to attempt to navigate it without going behind Tricia’s back or making his mother feel worse than she already did.

  He settled for the truth. “Mom, if she’d called you and told you she was bored and lonely, what would you have said?”

  Looking sheepish, she said, “I would like to say I would have been understanding and sympathetic, but I have a feeling we both know better. Knowing me, I would have gotten on her case about staying home.” Drumming her fingers on her thigh, she sighed. “Which would, of course, have made Trish feel even worse.”

  “I’m glad she called me.”

  “I feel bad, though. You’ve been putting in so much overtime at work. Dad and I wanted you to enjoy yourself, not worry about your sister the whole time.”

  “I have enjoyed myself.” But as far as worrying about Trish? Well, they didn’t even know the half of it! “I’m glad she called me. It’s good to feel needed.”

  “She’s always needed you, Andy. Just like you’ve always looked out for her, just like you’ve always looked out for everyone.”

  “Come on, Mom. You know that’s not true.”

  “I think it is. I think that maybe you also aren’t thinking of yourself the way others see you.” Shifting again, she kicked her legs out in front of her, crossing her ankles. “Why, I remember when you were just six or seven. Remember when you first went over to Mrs. Kurt’s house and made friends with all the kids there?”

  “I do. I went from being upset that you were sending me to a babysitter to never wanting the weekend to come.”

  “I heard from the other parents that the rest of those kids felt the same way. What you built with them, with the Eight, was special. Tricia never did feel as close to the rest of them.”

  “She liked being near you and at the office day care. I would’ve hated every minute.”

  “I knew that,” she said softly. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m not surprised that you took Tricia’s burdens on as your own. You’ve done that for your friends from time to time.”

  “That was different. God intended for them to be my best friends.” He believed it, too. On paper, it didn’t make sense that so many kids from such varied backgrounds would ever forge such a bond.

  “If God intended that, then he also intended for you to be the boy to pull everyone together and make a cohesive group.”

  He didn’t like how she was making it seem as if there wouldn’t be the Eight without him. “I don’t know about that.”

  “I do. Each member of your group is unique and special. I firmly believe that. But not each member was meant to be the leader. That was you.” She smiled softly. “And here you are now, helping Tricia get through a difficult time. I guess you’ve become her leader, too.”

  “I don’t think that’s true, but thanks.”

  “Does she need anything before we get back in two days?”

  “No, she’s fine.” Thanks to Logan, Marie, Harley, and E. A.

  She got up. “All right, then, I’ll try not to worry. Oh! I actually came out here for a reason, and that’s to tell you to get ready to go to dinner. Your dad wants to leave in fifteen minutes.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  She smiled at him, delighted, then turned to walk back into the condo, running her hand across the top of his head as she did.

  When he was alone again, he got to his feet and walked over to the balcony and rested his elbows on it. Right below was the condo association’s pool. Four or five people were lying in lounge chairs below him.

  Lifting his chin, he scanned the parking lot just beyond the pool area. Then the grassy slope, along with the gap through the fancy landscaping to where a series of steps was cut into the slope, zigzagging through the space and eventually popping out the other side. On the beach.

  The wide expanse, stretching for miles in either direction, sloping toward the banks and the surf. Eventually disappearing into the murky blue waters. And beyond.

  He loved standing in this spot, gazing into the distance, letting his mind drift, reminding himself that he was just one person in a very big world.

  Really, when it came down to it, he hardly mattered at all. Until he thought of his sister and his friends. Of the Eight.

  A sense of peace surrounded him, and the headache that seemed to be his constant companion of late finally lessened. Easing the depression that had seemed to take hold of him more often than not these da
ys.

  He shook it off.

  No, right now, at this minute, everything was right in his world. His sister was safe and happy. His friends were, too. He was standing in the sun, and its heat was warming his skin. He relaxed, allowed his eyes to unfocus. Allowed the rest of his senses to acknowledge everything. The sights. The smells. The warmth.

  The way he was free of pain.

  It was almost as if God Himself was reaching out and soothing him, reminding Andy that He was there, that he had never been alone, just like Andy had tried so hard to always be there for Tricia. Just like the Lord had always been there for Tricia, too; she had just never realized it.

  This feeling of well-being that had settled over him, combined with the warmth of the sun and his hope for the future, raised his spirits. He was good.

  Right now? He didn’t need another thing.

  “Andy? You ready?”

  He turned. Saw his parents through the screen of the sliding door. Waiting for him.

  “Yeah. I’m ready, Dad,” he replied. For the first time in a long while, he felt ready for anything the future had to offer. He held on to that feeling and held on tight.

  Keep reading for a sneak peek at the next charming installment in the Walnut Creek series from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray.

  The

  PATIENT

  ONE

  Coming SPRING 2019 from Gallery Books!

  ONE

  “The first thing you all should remember about Andy was that he was afraid of snakes,” Katie said with a grin, her voice cracking slightly. “He was also really embarrassed by that. Which, of course, is why one afternoon, back when we were fourteen, all eight of us decided to go for a walk in the woods.”

  THREE MONTHS LATER—OCTOBER

  This little house isn’t much, and I can’t say I’m real thrilled about its location, but I suppose it has a certain amount of charm,” Marie’s mother said as she ran one manicured nail along the granite kitchen countertops. “These are sure pretty.”

  Marie smiled with pride. “Thanks, Mom. The kitchen is the reason I snapped the place up. That, and the amazing amount of closet space.”