“And Austin can definitely handle the nursery by himself. When is your next long weekend?”
“Actually, it’s this weekend. It’s the fourth of July. I have Friday off.”
“Then it’s settled. Where’s your laptop? We can get the plans started. I bet the plane tickets might be a little steep with the last minute trip and all but I’m sure we can swing it.” Leah smiles and grabs for the laptop I pointed to on the coffee table.
“We can leave Thursday afternoon when you’re done with your last class and drive to Tulsa and stay the night. We can get up the next morning and fly out. You could go to the garage you said he worked at and talk to him.”
“Oh my gosh Karlie I’m not sure what I would say to him. Hey sorry to bother you but you’re going to be a father. I live in Oklahoma and you live here in Nebraska but I’m sure we could work something out.”
“Ok Audrey that does sound terrible.”
“Settle down you two. Let’s take this one step at a time. I can’t leave Friday because of a big delivery coming in but I can leave early Saturday. Looks like there’s a flight leaving at 10:30am from Tulsa and it’s non-stop to Omaha. They have a room available at that hotel you stayed at when you were there so you’ll have no trouble finding the garage.” Leah says and reaches for her purse. Once I realize she’s pulled out her debit card and paid for the trip I really start to feel anxious. This is final. We’re going to Omaha to find Maysen and tell him we’re going to be parents.
“I think I’m going to throw up.” I sit down on the couch and hang my head in my hands. The room is spinning and I’m not sure if it’s the pregnancy or just the thought of facing Maysen.
“What if he’s not happy about it and wants me to abort the baby? What if he gets mad and thinks I’m trying to trap him? This could go very wrong. Maybe I’m just better off not telling him.” I get up and start pacing the floor.
“Audrey, it’s going to be just fine. Karlie and I will be there the whole time. Nothing is going to go wrong.”
“Until your brothers find out anyway.” Karlie stands to hug me and smiles a very wicked smile.
“That’s easy for you to smile about because it isn’t your life!” I throw my hands in the air and let out a growl. My brothers are such pains in the butt!
“We have to listen to them every minute that you’re not around. It’s going to be a nice change to not be on that end of things. You need to tell your mom though.” Leah says and hugs me too.
“Thanks girls. You made me feel a little better. I guess we’re going to Omaha Friday. Oh my.” I open the door for them to file out of. Each smiles that tender smile that I love to see so much and walks away discussing how exciting it’s going to be to have another baby around.
I’m just so unsure about all of this that I couldn’t tell you if I’m excited or scared to death. A little of both I think.
Omaha in a few days. Wow this is really happening. Lord help me.
10
“Dude, how far is Hickville? It seems like we’ve been on the road forever.”
“Carter, it’s been like twenty minutes. Are you sure you’re up to possibly moving there?”
“Moving there and driving there are two different things. If I move there I will already be there Einstein.” He says and shakes his head like I said something that was totally off mark.
“Um, ok that made sense. Mom, how far did you say it was?”
“It’s about an hour and a half more. It’s not a bad drive really. Only takes about two hours to get to the big city if you need to but have the small town feel at home. It’s a wonderful place, it really is. You boys will love it. And Carter it’s Colvin not Hickville.” Mom says and pats Carter on the arm. He smiles at her and decides he needs to keep quiet because she was happy to be going to “Hickville” as he put it.
“Maysen, Aunt Ingrid is expecting us to come straight to their house when we get to town. She’s going to have a little lunch ready for us. Then we’ll tootle on over to the garage after that to see Uncle Sam.”
“Sounds good Mom. I’ll be happy to eat anyone else’s cooking besides Carter’s.”
“My frozen entrees are the bomb man what are you talking about?” We all crack up laughing.
“Aunt Ingrid will never allow you two to eat frozen meals again. She and half the ladies in town will probably keep you fed day after day.” Mom beams with pride. She really does want this to work out. Not sure if it’s for her or Carter and I.
“That sounds like Heaven. What are the ladies like in what did you call it? Calvin?”
“The town is called Colvin. Why’s that so hard to remember?”
“Sorry Colvin. What are the ladies like in Colvin?” He smirks at me while raising an eyebrow.
“Carter, there are nice girls that live here in Colvin and they don’t need some overly excited young man chasing them around. This isn’t the big city we’re talking about. They act respectable around here. Please tell me you aren’t going to embarrass me.”
“Dude, you just got Mom’d. She is right though. Things will probably be different here when it comes to how people act and expect you to act. Don’t be dumb like you usually are. We’ll be taking over a business that has a reputation. Not the kind you had in Omaha and Tulsa.”
“Well, I’m being ganged up on here. I think it’s time for me to take a little siesta. Wake me when we’re in Hickville.” He smiles knowing he said the name wrong again but knew neither Mom nor myself would say anything back. Mom just shakes her head and rolls her eyes. I smile and shrug not knowing what else to say or do.
****************
“Hey Mom. Dad here?” I say as I enter my parents’ kitchen later that afternoon.
“No, he’s gone to town to check on the tractor he has at Sam’s. Anything I can help you with?”
“No, I actually wanted to talk to you alone.”
“Ok, pull up a seat. I’ve got some key lime pie left over from last night. Would you like some?”
“Oh my favorite. Please.”
“What’s going on sweet girl? Classes going ok? I heard you had been feeling bad, better now?”
“Yes, classes are great. The kids are wonderful actually. I just need to tell you something and I really don’t know how to tell you.”
“Just say it Audrey. You always were one to beat around the bush.”
“Well, Mom I’ll just say it then.” I breathe in deep and exhale hoping courage comes with it.
“You’re pregnant aren’t you?” Mom says and shocks the stuffing out of me.
“What? How in the world do you all know that but I never had a clue? That is so not fair! When did they tell you?”
“No one told me silly girl. I know you and I know what it’s like to be pregnant. I did have four pregnancies you know.”
“Mom, I can’t believe you already know.”
“I didn’t know I just had a feeling that’s what was wrong with you. The boys said you had been sick and whenever you came for dinner last night you seemed to turn your nose up at everything you normally devour. Didn’t take a mother long to figure that out.”
“I was clueless Mom. Absolutely clueless. I never in a million years expected to have a baby right now.”
“Babies don’t always come when we plan them. You were proof of that.”
“I know. You’ve told the ‘oops we had Audrey’ story a trillion times. At least you were married though. I’m not and now look what I’ve done. The one time I throw caution to the wind and do something out of the ordinary, it comes back to bite me. Oh Mom. Are you upset with me?”
“Upset with you? You’re an adult Audrey. What you choose to do with your life and whom you spend that time with is none of my business. You have always been the responsible one and so what if you had one wild night? You are human and now you’re going to be a mother. And I will be a grandmother again. What’s there to be upset about?” She walks over and hugs me tightly. This hug from Mom has been my happy place throug
hout my life thus far.
“Thank you Mom. The girls and I are going to Omaha in a few days to talk to the father. I don’t have any other way to get ahold of him. I know how that sounds but I honestly never expected to need to talk to him again. I figured that if it were meant to be it would be.”
“Sounds like you’re meant to talk to him again.” She pats my stomach on her way back to the sink and smiles.
“Oh boy.”
*************
“Carter, wake up. We’re here. Mom’s already inside and you’re zonked out in the car. Wake the heck up man.” I shake him trying to wake his dead to the world body up.
“I’m up. I’m up. No worries man, I’m up.” He jumps up and hits his head on the roof of the car. Idiot. I laugh knowing he’s still half asleep. That was video worthy, should have had my phone ready.
“Dangit that hurt. What’re you laughing at?” He punches me in the stomach as he gets out of the car.
“You’re an idiot. That’s what I’m laughing at. Idiot.” I punch him back and head to the house. Mom’s inside probably giving Aunt Ingrid the lowdown on Carter. Making sure they keep an eye on him and the local ladies I’m sure.
“Aunt Ingrid, this is Carter. Carter, Aunt Ingrid.”
“Nice to meet you ma’am. Thank you for having us.” He smiles and she swoons. Oh boy. This town has no idea what they’ve gotten into with Mr. Player of the Day here.
“Okay, let’s get these boys fed so they can meet Sam at the garage. I’m so excited for Maysen and Carter to see it. I think they’re going to love it. Sam has loved it since he was a boy.” Aunt Ingrid smiles like a proud wife should. My gut clenched at that thought because of course my brain conjured up a picture of Audrey beaming like that at me. Wow I am losing it.
“I’m sure we will Aunt Ingrid. What have you got for us to eat? Mom says your casseroles are the best.”
“They’re the best in the county. Sam has always loved them clear back to the beginning when I brought him one for working on my car before we started dating.” She lets out a slow sigh and once again I envision Audrey doing that after we have been married for ages like Sam and Ingrid. Snap out of it man!
“Looks and smells great. We are starved. Right Carter?”
“Most definitely. We drove all the way here for your cooking. And maybe a little garage talk.” He smiles and winks at Aunt Ingrid again. I elbow him on my way by towards the table. He just smiles that devilish smile and follows.
“Well boys, I’m going to go get settled in and take a little cat nap. Let me know when you’ve been to the garage. I’m eager to hear your thoughts.” Mom kisses my forehead as if I was a child again and walks to her room in the back of the house. She seems a little tired and I hope that’s just from the traveling. But we did only go a couple of hours it’s not like we were in the car all day. She did just get out of the hospital so I guess I can stop worrying. Just a little.
“So, Maysen is there a young lady in your life? Carter?”
“No ma’am. We’re single.” Carter beats me to answering.
“Aunt Ingrid, this is amazing casserole. You’ll have to give me the recipe. Seems like something two bachelors could make easily and feed on for a week.”
“Oh poppycock. While you’re here in town you won’t need to cook. You can come by and eat with us or I can bring some things to you.”
“Oh ma’am there’s no need for that. Maysen loves my frozen dinners that I make.” He smiles and winks at me. He’s baiting her into offering to cook for us every day. I glare at him and shake my head.
“Well, no more frozen meals for you two handsome men. And with the hours you’ll keep at the garage, you won’t have time to cook. I should know since I’ve been married to the current owner for forty-eight years now.”
“Wow that’s a long time. Congratulations.” That really is an accomplishment. If only I could find a woman to be happily married to for that long. And there’s the Audrey vision in my head. I’m beginning to think I’m losing my mind with how easily she pops into my head.
“You boys will find your one true loves. Just be patient.”
Carter chokes on his food with the “one true loves” remark. I kick him under the table to shut him up. Yes, that was a very female thing to say but I know what she means. I want to meet that one girl I’m meant to be with forever, maybe he’s not interested in that but I am. I just won’t tell Aunt Ingrid or she might have me set up with every eligible woman in town before sundown.
11
“Hey. Are you ready to go?” Leah asks as I open the door the next morning. Saturday morning, the morning of our flight to Omaha. Ready? Not really. Packed? Yes.
“Let’s go then. Have everything you need?” Karlie asks as she picks up my bag and winces when she feels how heavy it is.
“Whatcha got in here? Rocks?”
“I didn’t have a clue what I would want to wear when I saw Maysen so I took a few extra things.”
“Like your whole closet? You packed more than I do for Aleah and she’s almost 5 months old!”
“I know but I couldn’t decide. Figured you two would help me decide when the time came.”
“Yes we will. Karlie and I will be there every step of the way. You know that right?”
“Yes I do. Thank you two for going with me. I know you have lives of your own.”
“You are a part of those lives silly. Let’s go. Aleah hasn’t woken up yet and I don’t want Aiden to call and need me to run over and help once she does. I’ll never get out of here.”
“Ready or not, here we go.” I breathe in and out trying to calm my nerves and keep from throwing up. Goodness I hope this part ends soon.
Have a safe trip girls. Love you all.
“You have the best mother ever!” Leah says as we all get the same text from my Mom.
“She is one of the two best!” Karlie says and smiles.
“Yours is awesome too, yes.” We all text Mom back and set off for a trip full of uncertainty.
“What do you think you’ll do if he is happy and wants you to stay?”
“Um, I hadn’t even thought about that scenario. I was so worried about the negative I never really thought about the positive one.”
“Maybe you need to prepare yourself for that too. He didn’t sound like the kind of guy to shuck his responsibilities. And if his Mom’s as sick as he said, she might love to have a grandbaby around. Especially if she thinks she’ll never have one before she dies.”
“Oh don’t say that Karlie. I would hate to hear that his mother passed away.”
“No one would Audrey, but we know first-hand it happens.”
“I know Leah but I can’t think about that too. I don’t know what he’s going to think let alone what his Mom’s going to. Oh my goodness what am I doing? Take me back home please.”
“No ma’am. Tickets are bought and paid for. We are going. You need to do this for you, the baby, and for Maysen. You’ll thank us later.”
“Or hate you.” I shrug and sit back in the seat to relax. Yea right who am I kidding? Relaxing is not something I’m going to be doing any time soon.
*************
“Sam, this is Maysen and Carter. Guys, this is Uncle Sam.”
“I think they figured that out Ingrid. Goodness woman, you’re hovering like an old mother hen. The boys and I will be fine, you can go on now. We need to talk shop. Love you though. See you tonight.” He kisses Aunt Ingrid on the cheek and walks her to the car. He even opened the door for her and waited until she drove away to turn and come back inside. Wow people just aren’t like that anymore. I could take a page out of his book with….. Audrey. Dangit there I go again.
“Now, do you boys know anything about turning wrenches?”
“Yes sir, we do. We both went to college for automotive and diesel mechanics and both worked at a small garage in Omaha before we moved to Tulsa.” I say before Carter can spit something stupid out. He has such a way of opening his mouth and i
nserting his foot that now isn’t the time for that. I’m sure Uncle Sam already thinks we’re idiots because we came from the big city.
“Well, let’s see what you can do. I have a tractor in the back there that belongs to one of the local ranchers and it needs an overhaul. I’ve been working on it little by little but I’m getting so old I’m having trouble climbing up and down the ladder.”
“Sure, what do you need done? I would be glad to help.” Carter says and shocks me that he’s beating me to it too.
“Well, I can’t get it to idle so if you can diagnose that issue, we’ll talk more.”
“Yes sir.” Carter smiles and takes off his button up shirt leaving the white muscle tee he had on under it. You would think a beautiful woman was in the room with the way he smiled when he threw the shirt to me. I just shake my head and follow Uncle Sam to another vehicle.
“This one here had a transmission overhaul and is about all buttoned back up. You can finish that and I’ll go get some paperwork done. You just holler at me when you’re all done. But if it gets dark and Ingrid calls for dinner before-hand, I’ll holler at you two.”
“I don’t think he has much faith in our abilities Mayse.”
“Well, we’ll show him that we can do anything he can.” I smile and get to work.
*************
“I can’t believe I’m back in Omaha. That’s the exact restaurant we ate at. Those are the stairs he carried me up after our walk in the park. What have you two gotten me into? I don’t think I can do this.” I sit down in the nearest lobby chair unable to hold myself up any longer. My emotions are all over the place. On one hand I want so badly to see Maysen again but I’m also so afraid he’ll reject me and the baby or be angry.
“You can do this Audrey. Karlie and I are here to help hold you up whenever you need it.”
“Let’s get our stuff upstairs. I’m sure you’ll feel much better once you’ve freshened up”
“Alright but I’ve showered here before and I know for a fact they aren’t that fabulous. It would take a gold plated shower head and a hundred water jets to make me feel better right now.”
Third Time's a Charm- Book 3 of the Colvin Series Page 6