Every Girl Gets Confused

by Janice Thompson

  It was clear, all right, though she’d lost me at the mud part.

  “Hello, people. I am still in the car.” Eduardo’s voice had a hint of laughter in it.

  “Does anyone remember that I’m still on the phone?” Lori-Lou’s voice rang out through the speaker.

  “Of course I remember,” Alva said. “And I’m your solution. I’m the perfect candidate to come and play with the children. In fact, I might just stay there with you instead of coming and going. If you don’t mind my gentleman friend coming for a visit every now and again. During daytime hours, I mean.”

  “That would be lovely,” Eduardo said. “I would like that very much.”

  “Do I have your permission to allow a male visitor in your home while I’m there, Lori-Lou?” Alva continued to raise her voice. “If not, then all bets are off.”

  My cousin sounded like she was choking on the other end of the line. Finally she said, “Certainly you’re welcome to have a visitor, Aunt Alva. No problem at all.”

  “I promise to behave myself,” Alva said. “In front of the children, anyway.” This led to a hearty laugh from my aunt, who slapped her knee and then groaned in pain. “I always forget about this stupid knee. Must be a storm coming. It’s aching something fierce.”

  There was a storm coming, all right, but not the kind she referred to. I couldn’t picture Aunt Alva putting up with Lori-Lou’s three kids for more than a few hours before throwing in the towel, and I certainly couldn’t picture Eduardo handling them.

  On the other hand, she might have them walking the straight and narrow in no time. And who knew? Maybe Eduardo secretly longed for grandchildren to spoil.

  “You’ve got room in that new house of yours, don’t you? I can stay in Joshie’s room on that air mattress you’re always talking about.”

  “You’re planning to sleep on an air mattress, Alva?” I shook my head. “It’s not easy to get up and down from that thing. Trust me. I slept on it for weeks when I first moved to Dallas.”

  “Then we’ll put in a proper bed. I’ll stay at your place as long as you need, Lori-Lou. That’s what family is for, right?”

  So I’d be at Alva’s house by myself. That might be a little weird.

  “Oh, one more thing before I go,” Lori-Lou said. “The game just finished. The Mavericks pulled it out in the end. I hear Spurs fans are beside themselves.”

  “Wow.” Brady chuckled. “Guess we got out of San Antonio just in time then.”

  Lori-Lou ended the call and I turned the radio back up. A familiar worship song was playing.

  “I’m so relieved to hear that Lori-Lou has quit that radio program.” Alva yawned. “I would hate to see her overtaxed.”

  “But Alva, surely you heard her say that—”

  “Yes, I heard her say that she’s on bed rest, and that’s a good thing. When I’m at her place I’ll make sure she gets the TLC she needs. But promise me one thing, Katie.”

  “Anything.”

  “Promise me you won’t listen to our radio program without me. It’s getting so good!”

  Good gravy. After all of that, she still didn’t get it? My poor auntie. Clearly her mind was starting to slip.

  “I don’t mind admitting I am a wee bit confused,” Eduardo said.

  Join the club.

  “Oh, it’s the most intriguing program. You would love it, Eduardo. I know you would. It’s kind of like a soap opera. There’s a girl who’s ordering a wedding gown and her family doesn’t get along. It was just getting to the good part when we had to turn it off, so I’m feeling a little conflicted about how the story is going to end.”

  “I can assure you, it will end with a happily ever after.” Eduardo’s words had a loving tone. “They always do.”

  “Yes, they do, don’t they?”

  Soon gentle snores followed from both of them.

  I kept my gaze on the road in front of me, but the guy in the seat next to me—the one who couldn’t stop laughing—proved to be quite the distraction. One of these days I’d explain it all to Alva. Or maybe I wouldn’t. Maybe I’d let her go on thinking that life was a radio program, filled with highs and lows, cliff-hangers and breathtaking moments. Because, after all . . . it really was all of those things and more.

  29

  Sentimental Journey

  There was something very special about walking onto the set and seeing Doris Day. It was just electrifying. Just looking at her.

  Philip Brown

  By the time we reached mid-January the shop was filled with customers again. On a particularly busy day I received a call from Carrie Sanders. In spite of my crazy schedule I was happy to hear from her. I closed the door to my office so I could hear above the din coming from the shop.

  “Carrie!” I did my best to focus on her. “How are you?”

  “Good. Making progress.”

  “And Jimmy?”

  “He’s out of the rehab hospital. He won’t be doing any marathons, but that’s okay, since he’s not a runner.” She laughed.

  “I’m glad he’s better. So glad. We’ve been praying.”

  “Thank you so much, Katie. He’s graduated to home care, so it’s time for us to think about the wedding. I thought you’d want to know we’ve set a new date.”

  “You have?”

  “Yes. Palm Sunday weekend. But I have the best surprise ever. I guess some guy at Texas Bride magazine somehow found out about our story.”

  “Is his name Jordan Singer, by any chance?”

  “Yes, how did you know?”

  “I have a sneaking suspicion I might know how he got your name, but keep going.”

  “Well, he called me and wanted to know if they could bring a camera crew to photograph us. Jimmy and I are going to be on the cover of Texas Bride! In March, I think. Or maybe April? I wasn’t clear on that part, but they want a shot of me in that amazing Doris Day dress. Can you believe it?”

  “I can. And Eduardo will be tickled pink.”

  “We all are. But the best news? My dad has been the one helping take care of Jimmy. He goes to his house every day and spends time with him, runs errands for him, that sort of thing. It’s really gone a long way in mending fences between our families. This accident could have taken us down, but it’s only made us stronger.”

  “You’ve survived the season.”

  “I guess you could put it that way.”

  Yep. I could put it that way, because that was the way it was.

  I had to end the call with Carrie quickly because another call came through—this one from Mama. I knew that she and Pop would be leaving tomorrow for their big RV road trip, so I wanted to hear what she had to say.

  “Mama, are you packed and ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. I still can’t believe we’re going to do this. Your father has some crazy idea that we might buy an RV park. Can you picture that?”

  “You haven’t even been to an RV park yet. How does he know if he’ll like it?”

  “Exactly what I said. But you know the man—crazy as a loon. He’s been working up a sweat loading the RV—er, fifth wheel—and I’m trying to stock the kitchen. Can’t imagine making all of our meals in that teensy-tiny cracker box of a kitchen, but I guess I’ll try.”

  “And you can eat out while you’re on the road.”

  “Humph. Your father and food. Between the cruises and eating out at so many restaurants, he’s going to be as big as a house. We’ll have to squeeze him through the door of the fifth wheel. But anyway, I just wanted to call to say goodbye. Next time you hear from me we’ll be in New Mexico. I think. And then Arizona. After that I’m not really sure. California, likely.”

  “Ooh, Alva might be going to California with Eduardo. She wants me to go with. Maybe we could all meet up.”

  “W-what? Alva’s traveling with that sewing fella now? I thought she was staying with Lori-Lou until the baby comes.”

  “Oh, she is. The California trip would be later . . . if at all.”


  “I guess Alva and Eduardo are a couple, then?”

  “He’s fallen head over heels for her, and vice versa.”

  “As I live and breathe. I guess it’s true what they say—love knows no age.” Mama paused and then her tone changed. “And apparently it knows no boundaries either.”

  “Boundaries? You think Alva and Eduardo need boundaries? That’s why they’ve invited me to go along on their trip, to serve as chaperone.”

  “Oh, sorry.” My mother sighed. “I wasn’t thinking about Alva and Eduardo at all when I said that. My thoughts were on someone else entirely. Well, a couple of someones.”

  “Mama, shoot straight with me. Who are you talking about? I’m so confused.”

  “Poor Levi,” she said. “Poor, poor Levi.”

  “Poor Levi? What do you mean?”

  “That poor boy just doesn’t seem to have any luck with women.”

  “Joni told me a while back that she wasn’t really dating him. Are the WOP-pers disappointed by that news?”

  “Maybe a little. The WOP-pers believe they have an inside track to the Almighty, and they were pretty sure about that one. But they were wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.”

  “Joni and Levi are still good friends,” I said.

  “Yes, God bless Levi. You know how he is. He’s always been the forgiving sort. And he seems to bounce back no matter what life throws his way. Must be all that ministry training.”

  “I’m so confused, Mama. What does he have to forgive?”

  “Joni’s gone off the deep end. She’s dating someone else entirely.”

  “Who?”

  “Well, I really hate to say.”

  “Mama.”

  “Okay. Casey. Casey Lawson.”

  For a moment there I thought I’d heard wrong. Surely I’d heard wrong. “Mama, did you say Casey Lawson?”

  “Yep. I don’t know how he did it, but that wolf in sheep’s clothing came in through the back gate and stole Levi’s girl. Right there in front of God and everybody.”

  “Well, she must’ve wanted to be stolen.”

  “The way I hear it—and I’m not one to gossip, so forgive me if I get this wrong—he stayed after at Queenie’s wedding to help clean up. Joni was there working at the Methodist church and Levi had gone back to the Baptist church.”

  “You’re saying they hooked up because of the two different churches?”

  “I’m not blaming it on the churches. Just saying that Levi went back to the Baptist church and Joni and Casey were there at the Methodist church. They struck up a conversation.”

  “But Casey and Joni? They’re as opposite as two people can be. Casey always thought Joni was, well . . .”

  “I know, I know. But clearly she’s woman enough for him now. And they’ve been spotted all over town, even taking a drive down to the lake. Folks are saying it won’t be long before she has a ring on her finger. The WOP-pers are saying it, so I’m guessing they’ll be hitched soon.”

  Wait—ring on her finger? Casey’s ring? How many times over the years had I envisioned him putting a ring on my finger? And now, could it really be true?

  As soon as those thoughts emerged, I pushed them down. I had nothing to be jealous of. Nothing whatsoever. My feelings for Casey had faded ages ago, never to return.

  “I think the WOP-pers need to pray for Joni,” Mama said. “Can you imagine her being stuck with that heartbreaker Casey Lawson for the rest of her life?”

  “Actually, there was a time when I could’ve imagined it for myself. But you know what, Mama? Maybe God really brought Joni and Casey together. Just like he brought together Queenie and Pap-Paul. Jasper and Crystal. Dewey and Dahlia. Beau and Twiggy. Alva and Eduardo. Me and Brady. Maybe this was all meant to be. Not everything in life turns out the way we think it will.”

  “Sometimes . . .” I heard Brady’s voice behind me. “Sometimes it turns out better.” He slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me close, planting kisses in my hair.

  “What’s going on over there, Katie Sue?” Mama asked. “I’m hearing static on the line.”

  She was hearing static, all right. Brady kissed the top of my ear and I giggled. “Mama, I have to go. I’m . . . working.”

  “Doesn’t sound like you’re working.” She sighed. “Just pray for Joni. I guess you know this is more than just a marriage. We’re losing her to the Presbyterians.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Casey’s a Presbyterian.”

  “And she was such a great wedding planner at the Baptist church. What a loss.”

  “Look on the bright side, Mama. Maybe Casey will convert and become a Baptist.”

  “Not sure we want him. Wolf in sheep’s clothing. We have enough of those already,” she said. “Anyway, I have to go now. Your father wants to show me some great deal he found online on an RV park in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Can you picture me living in New Mexico? Because I surely can’t. I hope they have Wi-Fi at this place so I can stay in touch with my children. I’m going to want to help Jasper and Crystal plan their wedding. It’s so hard to believe they’re getting married soon and I won’t be here to help. But you will be, Katie. Promise you’ll be there for them. I’ll feel so much better knowing you’re helping.”

  “Well, actually, I—”

  “Ugh. Your father wants me to hang up. He’s got this RV park idea on his mind and you know how he is. I swear, I don’t know what’s wrong with that man. He’s gone nutso. Someone needs to reel him in.”

  Someone was reeling me in right now . . . with his eyes. I ended the call and threw my arms around Brady’s neck, all giggles and smiles.

  “I’d love to know what that was all about.” He gestured to the phone I had just shoved into my purse.

  “Um, kind of a long story. It involves a Baptist, a Presbyterian, and a God-ordained moment at the Methodist church.”

  “I see. I think.”

  He didn’t, but it didn’t really matter. All that mattered right now was melting into the sweet kisses of the man I loved.

  30

  I’ll Never Stop Loving You

  I liked being married instead of the girl who’s looking for a guy.

  Doris Day

  On the morning of Valentine’s Day, just before leaving for church, I got a call from Jordan Singer, reporter at Texas Bride.

  “I just wanted you to know that I decided to go ahead with the photo shoot with Carrie Sanders, even though her fiancé couldn’t join us. It went great. I think I snagged the perfect picture for the magazine cover, really captured the gown and her personality. I know Carrie and Jimmy had to reschedule their ceremony, which stinks, but I do think our readers will appreciate hearing about everything this couple has been through. So please thank Brady for introducing me to them. It’s the perfect story for our publication.”

  “I’ll tell him. Oh, and how’s this for coincidence. Guess where Brady and I are headed this afternoon after church? Back to the stockyards where we did our photo shoot last summer.”

  “I’ll never forget that day.” Jordan laughed. “Pretty sure it was a game changer for all of us.”

  “It certainly was for me.” I couldn’t help but smile as memories flooded over me.

  Later that afternoon Brady and I strolled the main street of the historic stockyard area in Fort Worth. As we walked, we reminisced about the day we’d come here for our photo shoot. I’d been a different girl then, a nervous wreck. But I’d discovered my love for Brady on that day.

  As we reached the area where the photo shoot had taken place, I gasped. “Brady, look.”

  The whole area had been set up in exactly the same way it had that day, complete with photographer. “W-what? Jordan?”

  He grinned and extended his hand. “Good to see you again, Katie.”

  “But I thought you were in San Antonio.”

  “I was. Yesterday. But now I’m here in Fort Worth.”

  My mind reeled as I tried to take in all of this. “I’m so confused.”

  �
��That . . .” Brady kissed my nose. “Was . . .” He kissed my cheek. “The idea.” He kissed me on the lips.

  “My phone call this morning was meant to throw you off,” Jordan said. “Did it work?”

  “Um, yeah.” I gazed at him and then shifted my attention to Brady. “What is this?”

  “Oh, just a little something I planned as a Valentine’s gift.” He took my hand and led me to the very spot where we’d been photographed months before. “I thought it would be fun to re-create a few photos. Do you mind?”

  “In regular clothes?” I pointed to my shirt and jeans.

  “Yep. In regular clothes.”

  “But why?”

  “Because, Katie, we need to mark the day.”

  “Mark the day?” This made no sense at all. Well, no sense until he reached into his pocket and came out with a little box.

  “I would love to drop down on one knee, Katie,” he said. “But that’s a technical impossibility right now. So I’m going to do the next best thing.” He gestured to a wooden crate, the same one I’d stood on during our original photo shoot. “Would you mind stepping up, my dear?”

  “W-what?”

  “Climb up on the crate, Katie,” Jordan said. “I want to get a shot.”

  “O-okay.” So I did. It didn’t exactly put Brady below me, him being so tall and all. In fact, we were face-to-face, but that was just fine with me. I shivered, half from the cold and half from nervous anticipation.

  Brady gazed into my eyes and then back down at the box, which he popped open. Inside, the loveliest diamond ring shimmered in the afternoon sunlight.

  “Oh, Brady! How did you know?”

  “Alva. She busted into your diary.”

  “What?”

  “Kidding. She told me that you’ve always talked about having a princess-cut diamond. Oh, and she said you’ve got photos from Texas Bride pinned to your wall.”

  “Oh, right.” I giggled. “Well, I have been planning my wedding since I was, like, twelve.”

  “Perfect. Now you have something to plan for.” He pulled the ring from the box. “If you feel the way I do, I mean.” Off in the distance I heard the click of cameras. I could hardly contain my joy as I gazed into Brady’s eyes.