Come to the Lake

by Macarthur, Autumn

  But he couldn’t avoid the reality. This was vacation. His life lay elsewhere.

  Despair sagged his shoulders and weighted his breath. Dented the confidence he’d felt that if God wanted them together, He’d show them the way. Every minute he spent here reinforced how much he loved Maddie.

  And reinforced the challenges keeping them apart.

  All he could do was quit worrying about the future, surrender to making the most of this time together, and pray God really did have a plan.

  Hiram’s deep tones boomed above the buzzing voices. “Everyone, thanks for attending. It’s time to think about collecting the dish you brought, along with your box of shared leftovers, saying goodnight, and making your way home. Safe travels, and may you all have a blessed and joyous Christmas.”

  The evening began to wind down as people left. Old Joe first, carrying a huge bag of provisions Maddie put together for him. Then the families and couples filtered away. Jacob ran up to Brad, face puckered as he held up his sheep, displaying a dangling leg.

  “We’ll fix your sheep tomorrow,” he promised, praying he could figure out how as he picked Jacob up. His son’s tired head lolled against his shoulder. Love for the boy filled him, fierce and strong.

  Maddie hurried over and ruffled Jacob’s hair. “Way past your bedtime, Peanut.” She smiled at Brad. “I might be hours more here, cleaning up. Would you take him home and put him to bed?”

  “Gladly. Then I’ll come back to help. I don’t want to leave you working here by yourself or walking home late.” The thought of those reports waiting in his email for review tweaked at him. He pushed the guilty twinge away. He could pull an all-nighter to get them done if he had to. Maddie and Jacob were more important.

  She laughed. “Okay. I’d appreciate your help. Though I’d be safe walking home. The bears should all be hibernating now. I wonder when Gran and Hiram plan to leave?” She gazed past his shoulder and smiled.

  The older pair stood behind him.

  “We’re going right about now,” Hiram said, grinning. “I can take Jacob from you, if you want.” He reached out to take the drowsy boy.

  “No! Stay with Daddy,” Jacob protested sleepily, clinging with his arms and legs like a monkey.

  Brad checked with Maddie. This had to be her decision.

  “If you’re okay to carry him home later, I’m sure Susanna won’t mind me borrowing a quilt and pillow from a spare bed to make him a nest.” She hugged her gran. “You go home, and don’t wait up for us. You look a little tired.”

  “Don’t stay too late.” Liz patted Maddie’s cheek. “Remember what I used to do. Clean up the food mess, and then close the doors. What doesn’t get done tonight will still be here tomorrow. Moving the chairs and tables back can wait till spring, if needed.”

  Surveying the chaotic room, Maddie sighed, and then straightened her shoulders. “Wise advice, Gran.”

  When they left, Maddie hurried off to the living quarters, returning with bedding in her arms. Claire and Mrs. Parks had dismantled the props and rolled up the artificial grass, leaving only the brown cardboard that served as the stable roof.

  Maddie dropped the bedding onto it. “Perfect.” Spreading the folded quilts, she made an improvised bed.

  Brad knelt and snuggled Jacob in, untangling himself without waking the boy.

  “We could probably drop a stack of plates, and he’d sleep through it.” Gratitude warmed Maddie’s smile. “Thanks for staying.”

  A busy hour later, the four of them had scraped nearly two hundred plates, loaded the commercial dishwasher over and over, wiped down the tables and counter, and mopped the floor. Last time Brad did KP like this was scout camp when he was a kid.

  Maddie planted her hands on her hips, scanned the café, and nodded. “Great work, team! Time to go home.”

  They were a team. As he and Maddie walked home through the stillness of the snowy night, blazing with stars, he carried Jacob, and Maddie tucked a hand in his arm. Again, he felt that sense of belonging, of family. What he’d thought was love when they married was no more than attraction, insubstantial as candy floss.

  This new sweet tenderness he felt had God-given depth. The solid bedrock of commitment he’d been too immature and self-absorbed to give before.

  But he still couldn’t see how they’d make it work.

  Chapter 11

  Christmas Eve

  For once, early morning sunlight seeping through her curtains woke Maddie, not Jacob bouncing on her bed before dawn. His voice filtered through her closed bedroom door. He was somewhere near, chattering away. Still drowsy, she stretched like a cat.

  Then a bunch of realizations smacked her like a barrage of wet snowballs. She bolted straight up in bed and swung her legs over the edge.

  One — Brad was here.

  Two — she had to open the store by ten a.m., finish clearing up from last night, and pray for Ruth and the baby.

  Three — it was Christmas Eve, so there were presents to wrap, baking to do, and meals to prep for tonight and tomorrow.

  Four — she’d slept in. Seriously slept in. She had under an hour to get up, dress, check on Gran, give Jacob breakfast, hustle him into his clothes, and make it to the store by opening time.

  Help me, Lord! How will I get it all done?

  Grabbing her robe, she rushed to Jacob’s room then stopped in the doorway. Jacob busily tried to convince Brad, standing with his back to the door, that he really was allowed to wear his Superman pajamas all day and didn’t need to change.

  She failed to hold back a snort. Brad turned his head and smiled at her. Okay, she admitted it, her heart flipped over. Tightening her robe to cover her ratty, old, paint-splattered yoga pants, she wished she’d thought to wear prettier PJs. In his T-shirt and sweatpants, with his hair all mussed, he looked every bit as adorable as his son.

  “Nice try, Peanut, but if you want to come to the store, you need to get up and get dressed now. And you need to brush your teeth.”

  He pouted and didn’t move. Too much sugar and excitement last night. “Is Daddy coming?”

  “Sure thing.” Brad’s enthusiasm rang a little forced, and he stifled a yawn. Normally, he woke with a perkiness she needed two or three cups of coffee to achieve.

  “How late were you working on those reports?” Once they tucked Jacob into bed with Trunkie last night, she’d peeked in on Gran, and then flopped straight into bed after a two-minute shower. Clearly, he hadn’t.

  “Only three a.m.” He smiled as if it were nothing. “The problem wasn’t as complex as my boss thought.”

  Three a.m.

  Remorse chewed at her. How many of those nights he’d come home so late when they were married had he actually been working? All of them?

  Brad hadn’t been the only one working overtime. Her imagination had, too. Add late nights and working weekends to his expensive gifts, so much like guilt offerings, and it hadn’t taken a big stretch to come up with some crazy explanations.

  Mostly involving another woman. And all completely wrong.

  She pasted on a grin. “You don’t need to come to the store today, if you have more work to do.”

  “No, it’s fine.” He tickled Jacob on the tummy. “Come on, up you get. You heard what your mom said. Clean your teeth then get dressed.”

  Jacob bounced out of bed, giggling.

  With Brad’s help, it took far less time than usual to get Jacob ready, pack a bag of toys and books to amuse him at the store, and chase him downstairs for breakfast. Gran was already waiting for them, with fresh coffee and the streusel-topped muffins Claire made. They’d turned out great.

  But better than breakfast was the sight of Gran’s bright smile. No sign of whatever troubled her last night. Even so, leaving her alone half the day worried Maddie.

  “Will you be okay while we’re out?” She rinsed Jacob’s favorite plastic juice mug at the sink, inhaling the soft fragrance from Brad’s vase of sweet peas as she did. Mug tucked in her bag, they
were ready to leave. “We should be home before two.”

  “Don’t fuss, child. I’ll be fine.” Gran lifted her eyes heavenward. “Nancy is coming over soon. We’ll wrap presents together. I’m sure Hiram will drop by, too.”

  “Okay. But please, if you go outdoors, take your phone with you.” Gran really did look fine. But Maddie hoped the older woman understood she wasn’t just fussing. Basic safety precautions were important.

  Gran nodded. “We agreed. I’d rather a cell phone than that button thing you wanted me to wear.”

  Now it was Maddie’s turn to roll her eyes. Gran flatly refused the emergency help alert the occupational therapist recommended. But she couldn’t baby the older woman. All she could do was pray. Laughing, she hugged Gran and kissed her cheek. “I trust you. We’d better get moving.”

  The lake treated them to a perfect winter morning as she walked to the store with Brad and Jacob. A light fresh snowfall dusted glitter on everything. Just enough to be pretty and fun, not enough to be a slog to walk on. The snowplow hadn’t been through, so the overnight fall lay crisp on the road and sidewalk. She paused at the corner to look out across the lake to the pine-covered hills and thank God for all this beauty. Huckleberry Lake could be a Christmas card. Calm and bright, like the carol said.

  She loved this place so much.

  The splat of a snowball on her back interrupted her musing. Jacob giggled as Brad patted together another ball and handed it to him. She ducked, scooped up two handfuls of snow, and flung them wildly. Battle was on. As they ran down the street, she chased them, pelting them with snow. Breathless and laughing, they all collapsed on the store steps.

  Just when she thought she was safe, Jacob smacked her with the snowball he’d held onto.

  “Truce,” she cried, raising her hands.

  He jumped on top of her, and they rolled in the snow like puppies.

  When she finally stood up, snow beaded his red fleece cap and mitts and crusted his woolen coat. Hers, too. Chuckling, Brad stepped close, and gently brushed the snow from her hair and cheeks. As she gazed into his warm laughter-filled eyes, love for him expanded her chest. The thought of going back to the city with him chilled her worse than the snow, but she’d miss him badly when he left. And so would Jacob.

  If she were free to leave Sunset Point, would she be willing to go with him?

  She simply didn’t know the honest answer.

  The morning in the store passed quickly. Most of the town dropped by. Picking up their turkey orders, buying last-minute supplies and gifts for Christmas, asking after Ruth, and wanting to get another look at Brad.

  He and Jacob stayed busy with what Jacob importantly declared was “boy stuff”, moving the furniture back to its usual place in the café. Keeping a straight face, she agreed. When Ryan ambled in just before noon, ready to help, they’d almost finished. All that remained for him was to show Brad how to work the bear-proof catch on the dumpster, so they could cart out the trash.

  She worried that she’d heard nothing yet about Ruth and the baby. No reply to her email or text.

  Finally, just when she was on the verge of texting again, an email arrived from Pat.

  Baby Carol Noelle born at 4:22 a.m., weighing 1 pound 8 1/2 oz. There’s an 80% chance she’ll make it. They anticipate at least a two- to three-month hospital stay. Pictures attached. Ruth is tired, but recovering. Thankfully, her blood pressure is better. Susanna will stay in Spokane with her, and I’ll stay in Coeur d’Alene with the other kids for as long as Ruth needs us. It’s a big ask, but would you keep working there? We’ll pay you the profits the store takes while you’re in charge, and you can use the living quarters like it’s your own home.

  Maddie swallowed tears and slumped onto the stool behind the counter. She’d been so blessed to have a healthy child. The photos of an impossibly small baby, attached to so many wires and tubes… her tiny face and skinny body barely visible, would break any mother’s heart. The only normal baby thing about her was her little pink knitted hat.

  Oh, Lord, please, hold Baby Carol in Your hands. Keep her safe through the long journey ahead. Comfort Ruth and her family.

  Without hesitating, she emailed back, telling Pat of course, she’d stay on here. Not for whatever money she’d earn, but to help them. Knowing the store was taken care of would be one less worry.

  Somehow, they’d manage. Though she might need to ask Jacob and Gran to move into the living quarters here, so she could keep an eye on them while she worked. That minor inconvenience was nothing compared to what that family would be going through. Gazing at the pictures of Baby Carol again, she couldn’t restrain her sniffles, and her throat burned.

  Brad hurried from the café, where he’d been playing a noisy game with Jacob. “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t find a tissue.” She stopped searching her purse to point at the computer screen.

  “No need to cry over a lost tissue.” He handed her one from his pocket. “It’s clean.”

  “Thank you,” she sniffed.

  He leaned past her to the screen and gulped. “Oh.” His hand rested on her shoulder, and she leaned against him. “Now I see what upset you. Do they think she’ll make it?”

  “It will be a long haul. But she has a chance.” Closing her eyes for a second, she prayed for Ruth and the baby again. Then she pulled away from the comfort Brad offered, to meet his eyes. “I told Pat I’d stay and manage the store.” Apology infused her voice.

  Brad said nothing. But the hand on her shoulder stiffened, and his jaw tensed. She’d disappointed him.

  “I couldn’t leave Sunset Point, anyway. There’s Gran to think about. But I had to help.” Why she felt she should apologize, defend her decision, she wasn’t sure. This changed nothing.

  “Of course, you must. It’s the right thing to do. I wouldn’t expect you to choose differently.” But his smile didn’t quite meet his eyes.

  “Dad-dee. Come back. It’s your turn,” Jacob called.

  Brad resumed the game, but his laughter didn’t ring quite as true.

  At least they only needed to keep the store open till one today. Early closing on Christmas Eve. She printed a sign saying where to reach her and stuck it on the door. Just in case anyone had a genuine emergency, like running out of stove gas halfway through cooking their turkey.

  When they got home, rustles and giggles drifted from the kitchen. By the time she’d hung up her coat, pulled off her boots, and walked down the hall, Gran, Hiram, and Nancy all wore blandly innocent expressions. A litter of wrapping paper, sticky tape, and ribbons covered the table in front of them, and a stack of brightly wrapped presents towered on one chair.

  She grinned at the conspirators. “So are you finished or do you need us to go away for a bit longer?”

  “Give us five more minutes.” Gran’s eyes twinkled. “And shut the door behind you.”

  Maddie laughed. So she’d been right. Someone’s gift, possibly hers, had been hastily hidden.

  Thankfully, first Nancy then Hiram left soon after, so they didn’t keep her out of the kitchen long. Time to start preparing the festive food. Ever since she was a little girl, they’d had a special meal on Christmas Eve, and opened one present each.

  She baked a fresh batch of sugar cookies. Then she and Gran sat companionably peeling vegetables. After frosting the cookies, she put a few on a plate for the guys and carried them to the living room, where Brad was supposed to be entertaining Jacob. They’d been suspiciously quiet. When she saw why, suppressing her chuckles shook her so hard she nearly tipped the cookies off the plate.

  Brad lay stretched out on the couch, Jacob nestled beside him, both sleeping. Their relaxed steady breathing could almost be called snoring. Tenderness pierced her as she stood watching them.

  If only it could be like this all the time.

  Brad’s eyes flickered open, and he smiled drowsily. So much meaning and connection flowed between them, it almost hurt.

  “Shhh. Go back to sleep.
”

  His eyelids drifted shut again. Quietly placing the plate on the low coffee table, she tiptoed away.

  In the kitchen, Gran turned off the carols they’d listened to, and an unusually serious expression smoothed her face. “Shut the door, child.”

  Maddie did, then flopped into a seat and stared at her. “What’s wrong?”

  Gran’s smile hinted at uncertainty. “Nothing’s wrong. At least, I hope you don’t think so.” She lifted the large flat envelope resting in her lap and pushed it across the table. “I wanted to give you your Christmas present now, rather than do it with everyone else around.”

  Mystified, Maddie opened the envelope and slid free the title deeds to the house. She tried to speak, but no sound emerged.

  “I want you to have this house.” Gran twisted her wedding ring on her finger. “I know you don’t have any deep attachment to this place. I don’t either. The store will always be our real home. But I’ll make the arrangements after Christmas to transfer the cottage to your name. You can live here, sell it, rent it out, or keep it as a holiday home. It’s a gift, to do with as you wish.”

  Maddie gaped at her. “But… what about you?”

  Gran ducked her head, and bright color tinged her cheeks. “This is the part I’m not entirely sure you’ll like. I know how close you and your pop were. But the thing is…” She raised her head, and her words tumbled over each other. “The thing is, I’m not getting any younger, and these mini-strokes have made me realize I don’t have a lot of time to waste. Hiram and I are getting married. We’ll live in his house.”

  “Married?” Maddie’s brain seemed to have gone on strike. How could she not have seen this coming?

  “Married.” All uncertainty gone, Gran gave a firm nod. “We’ve always been good friends while your pop and Hiram’s wife were alive. But since Lucille died this year, our feelings have deepened. I wanted to wait until you were settled again, rather than leave you and Jacob on your own. But then I realized you might not feel free to remarry because of worry over me. So I hope this” — she patted the deeds — “sets us both free to be with the men we love.”