Brian pulled her closer and smiled. “Still, it sounds like a lot of fun. I never had that kind of thing.”
“As a rich child, your parents could buy you a proper playhouse. Of course, that’s not to say we didn’t have great times. I was remembering just this afternoon that we used to play out in the barn stacking up bales of hay and making tunnels.”
“I’d like to visit that barn again.” He kissed her lightly. “It might be fun to tunnel in the hay with you.” A coy smile spread across his face. “Maybe we could sleep out there tonight.”
“Sleep there if you want,” Sunny said, feigning disgust, “but not me. There are rats and snakes that like to tunnel out there too.”
He trailed kisses down from Sunny’s cheek to her earlobe. “I’d protect you.”
She sighed and leaned into his embrace. “I know you would.” She tightened her hold on him. “I know you will.”
Kathy had just finished balancing her checkbook when the phone rang. Startled, she got up from where she’d been sitting on the floor and finally answered it on the fifth ring.
“I thought perhaps you’d already left,” Aunt Glynnis began. “I wasn’t sure if you were spending the night in Hays.”
“No, though I had thought about it. I mean, all the furniture is gone. We saved back a couple of sleeping bags, but that’s about it.”
“Oh goodness, that’s not going to allow you a very comfortable sleep. You’ll be exhausted by the time you drive here.”
“I think I’ll be fine. It’s only four or five hours. How are you doing?”
Glynnis told about her recovery from the fall. Her back was much better and the trouble it had created with her hips was nearly gone. Her garden was in great shape thanks to a neighbor girl who wanted to earn extra money that summer.
“I just sit and watch her pull weeds and deadhead my flowers. I’m telling you, this is definitely the way to garden when you’re my age.”
Kathy laughed, despite knowing full well that sitting while someone else puttered in her garden was probably driving her aunt nuts.
“So Sunny hasn’t changed her mind about coming here too, has she?”
Kathy wanted to choose her words carefully so she wouldn’t ruin the surprise of having Brian join them. “No. She’s very excited.”
“That’s good. I have both guest rooms ready. It will be so nice to have someone visiting again. Have you heard from Kyle?”
“No, not since he sent me a postcard. He sent it global priority. Seemed like an awful lot of money just to ensure his postcard got here before he beat it home.”
“Well, that’s true love.”
“It would be nice if true love would allow for an international phone call,” Kathy teased.
“Maybe it will. You know, your uncle said Kyle is being groomed to take over one of the departments. He’ll be a vice-president . . . one of several, but nevertheless it’s an important position.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“Personally, I think it’s done him a world of good to have had these years to build his career. Of course, he’s pined over you every step of the way. If I hadn’t fed him a steady diet of photographs and information, he probably would have stormed your doors.”
“Photographs? You gave him pictures?”
“Indeed I did. Remember all the times we visited and I forced you to pose for photos?”
“Or snapped them at every opportunity when I looked a wreck. Oh, please tell me you didn’t.” Kathy suddenly felt very embarrassed imagining Kyle looking at those pictures.
“They were charming. I assure you, he loved them.”
Kathy thought of the long years between them. Did Kyle look much different now? She could honestly say that she still looked very similar to her college days, but did he?
“So what’s he like now . . . what does he look like?”
Glynnis laughed. “Like a man in love. Oh, Kathy, I’m glad you’re finally going to give him a chance. He’s crazy about you—always has been.”
“And I’ve . . . I’ve never stopped loving him,” Kathy admitted. “And one of the things I’ve loved most about him was the fierce loyalty he had for those he cared about.”
“You’d best not let him slip away twice.” She fell silent for a moment. “Goodness, I’d best get things wrapped up. You know your uncle likes to get up at the crack of dawn. Sometimes even before dawn cracks. I should get to bed. I’ll be looking for you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Well, don’t fret if we don’t show up until five or so. I don’t know how long it will take at the title company, and then I promised we’d have a nice hot sit-down breakfast.”
“You’ll still be here before five. I’m certain of that. Besides, you’ll want to avoid rush-hour traffic. The interstate can be such a mess at that hour. Why don’t you call me when you hit town? That way we can be looking for you.”
“That sounds wise,” Kathy agreed. “I love you, Aunt Glynnis.”
“I love you, sweetie. It’s going to be so good to have you in town. I can hardly wait.”
Kathy closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. “Neither can I.”
Kathy hung up the phone and stared around the empty kitchen. For a moment images of the past swam before her eyes. She could almost hear her mother humming as she worked to can applesauce.
“Hope you’re gonna save some of those apples for pie,” her father would always say.
Smiling at the memory, Kathy began to wander from room to room. She paused at the den. Nothing remained of Dad’s sick room. Fresh paint was on the walls and she’d managed to give the wood floors a nice going-over the day before the auction. Everything looked as if it just begged a family to come in and fill it with love. Maybe they would all share it. Maybe Sunny’s mother-in-law would want to keep the place for family gatherings.
With a sigh, Kathy made her way to the front porch and walked around to the side. She’d already packed the hammock in the trailer that she’d rented in Hays. She’d never pulled anything behind her car before, but she needed the extra space in order to take everything she’d saved out of the sale.
The night air felt less heavy than it had earlier. A nice southerly breeze kept the bugs to a minimum and offered relief from the heat as well. She leaned against the porch rail only able to see as much as the backyard light would afford.
She thought about her sister and wondered if they would stay in touch. There was so much about Sunny she still wanted to know—needed to understand. Kathy felt that in order to truly put the past behind them, they needed to have a future to focus on together. But Sunny would also need to focus on her family now. And that was a good thing too.
“It all changes tomorrow,” Kathy murmured. “Like Sylvia said, nothing will ever be the same.” The thought was bittersweet. On one hand was the land of her childhood—a place that offered comfort and mostly pleasant memories. On the other hand was an unknown world that hinted of even greater things.
“I’m afraid, Lord. I don’t mean to be, but I am. It’s hard to go and start over. I’ve never known anything but this life.” The verse in Isaiah immediately came to mind.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
“‘Now it springs up,’ ” Kathy said, and a smile spread across her face. The reference to springs and her destination of Colorado Springs did not go unnoticed.
“I do perceive it, Lord. You are making me a way—doing a new thing. But even more important . . . you’re going with me.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
KATHY TOOK THE CHECK handed her by the title official and noted it was more than she’d expected. She looked at the young man who’d handled the paper work. “I thought this would be smaller.”
He laughed. “Usually folks complain because they get less than they expected.”
“I’m not complaining, just amazed.”
“Well, as I was told a couple of days ago, your father had a small life insurance policy through the bank. That money went to pay off the loan first, and then you received the balance from the sale.”
“He never told me he had life insurance. He must have forgotten.”
“Could be,” the man said. “He purchased it twenty-some years ago. When we were processing the loan papers, his name was flagged as having a life insurance policy with us as well.”
“It’s a wonderful surprise.” Kathy looked at the check again and shook her head. “I’m truly blessed.”
She left the office and went into the parking lot, where Sunny and Brian were waiting for her.
“How’d it go?” Sunny asked. She held a look of concern as if maybe the entire event was too much for Kathy to cope with.
“It went really well. I got more out of the sale than I expected. It seems Dad had a life insurance policy I didn’t know about. So this check is much bigger than I had anticipated.”
“Wow, that is a nice surprise.”
Brian put his arm around Sunny. “I’m glad you’ll have what you need, but you know we’re family now. You don’t need to ever go without. Sunny can tell you—we’re quite comfortable.”
Kathy laughed. “Apparently so am I. In fact, breakfast is on me.”
They made their way to one of the chain restaurants that specialized in breakfast. After placing their orders, Brian cleared his throat and offered a blessing on the food.
“There’s something we’d like to ask you,” Brian said immediately after he finished praying.
Kathy looked at Sunny. She seemed entirely youthful and pretty today. So much of the careworn look was gone. It was amazing what setting your heart back into the right place could do. “Well, go for it,” Kathy said with a shrug. “I’ve got nothing to hide.”
“Oh, it’s not that kind of a question,” Sunny interjected. “But it is one that we’d like an honest opinion on.”
“Okay, but now you’re starting to worry me.”
Brian laughed. “It’s not that kind of question either. Look, it’s this simple: we’d like to know what you’d think about having us in Colorado Springs.”
“To live?” Kathy had never expected this conversation.
“Yes.” Brian continued while Sunny nursed her cup of coffee. “Sunny and I need to make a fresh start as well. I suggested to Sunny that we could start over anywhere. Colorado Springs came to mind because it would allow Lucy to grow up knowing her aunt Kathy. It would also let the three of us become a real family—four if you count Kyle. I . . . well . . . I never had a brother . . . or sister.”
He choked up a bit and turned to Sunny. Kathy was touched by his emotion. “I think it would be incredible,” she said, hoping she sounded reassuring. “Like I told Sunny, our relationship, our road on the path of forgiveness, is a journey. It’s going to take time to rebuild our trust and friendship.”
“Just like with Brian and me,” Sunny admitted. “When Brian mentioned moving to be near you, I wanted to jump and shout. I know you understand, because you want to start over again with Kyle. As much as you want that with him, I want that for us.”
“Then it sounds like Colorado Springs is the place to start,” Kathy said. “How soon would you come?”
“Well, we’d need to wrap things up in California,” Brian said. “I’d have to finish up with some patients. I put off several surgeries to come here, but it won’t take long. I started taking fewer and fewer patients after what I did to Sunny.” He frowned. “I really wasn’t much good to anyone.”
Sunny squeezed his hand. “We also would need to sell the house and convince his mom to consider moving too. At least for a summer place. She’s such a neat lady, Kathy. I think you’d enjoy getting to know her.”
“She’d mother you both, I’m sure,” Brian said, his expression lightening.
“Do you think she’d uproot herself after such a long time in California?”
Brian picked up his juice. “I think she’d find it impossible to be so far from her granddaughter.”
“And any other grandchildren God might give her,” Sunny said with a grin. “Besides, she’s owns a farm in Kansas. She might as well see what she’s bought.”
Kathy saw the exchange between Sunny and her husband. It was obvious that things were going well. Observing the easy restoration of their marriage, Kathy found her old frustrations with Sunny and their relationship resurface.
God help me, she thought.
“Trust me,” a voice seemed to whisper to her heart.
Kathy knew it had to be God’s reminder to her. Yes, I do trust you, Lord. I trust you to make a new thing—a way in the desert—streams in the wasteland.
Several hours later, Kathy found her way through Colorado Springs to her aunt and uncle’s mountain home. The house was a newer two-story creation that looked as though it had been especially created just for the owners.
Kathy studied the stucco and stone façade. Huge arched windows went from ground to the roof on the front of the house. No doubt they had a spectacular view of the city.
“It’s quite the place,” Sunny said as she came up behind her sister.
“Yes. I had no idea.”
“How long have they lived here?” Brian asked.
“Only about five years. I knew they had built a new house—their retirement dream house. But I didn’t know much else. I guess I was all caught up in Dad’s situation.”
“Kathy! Sunny!” Aunt Glynnis called as she came from the front door. “Oh, you made it safely. I’m so glad.”
They all embraced and Glynnis fussed over each niece before noticing the man who stood to one side. “And who’s this?”
Sunny took hold of her aunt’s hand. “This is my husband, Brian. Brian, this is Aunt Glynnis—my father’s sister.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Brian said, extending his hand.
Glynnis took his hand but looked at Sunny with great wonder. “He’s come to take me home,” Sunny offered.
A huge smile spread across their aunt’s face. “That is good news.” She turned to Brian. “I’m so glad to meet you. What a wonderful surprise. We must have a very long talk.”
“We can stay at a hotel if you’d rather,” Sunny said.
Glynnis shook her head. “Nonsense. You can see for yourself that this house is plenty big. Come on. Uncle Will has no idea of what’s happening. He’ll want to meet your husband and hear all about your reconciliation.”
“There’s more,” Sunny said with a hint of laughter. “We’re making plans to move here. We’ll need some advice as to where we might look at real estate.”
The surprised look on their aunt’s face quickly faded to joy. “Oh, I can’t imagine better news. Of course we’ll advise you. Come on. I can’t wait to tell Will.” She still held Brian’s hand and pulled him toward the door.
They stepped inside the house to a beautiful marble-floored foyer. The room opened up to the second floor, giving a feeling of expanded space. The warm butternut color on the walls and the beautiful way her aunt had furnished the room instantly made Kathy feel welcome.
“Uncle Will!” Sunny declared. “I have someone for you to meet.”
The introductions were made quickly and Glynnis told them of a barbeque supper that Will had been preparing for them. “That was why I wanted you to call when you hit town. Then Will knew when to start the fire.” Glynnis gave her husband a wink. “Plus I had another reason. Another surprise.” She walked to Kathy and took hold of her hand. “Come with me. Will, you take Sunny and Brian out to the deck and get them something cold to drink.”
She left the others to go a different direction, while she pulled Kathy down the hall to where the house opened into a huge great room. Kathy’s gaze immediately went to the cathedral ceilings, then came back to settle on the face of the only man she’d ever loved.
“Kyle.”
He grinned at her, looking much as he had when they’d gotten
engaged. He had aged a little, but it had only served to make him more handsome.
“I’ll leave you two to catch up. Supper won’t be for a little while,” Glynnis said, giving Kathy a smile. “I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”
Kathy couldn’t believe Kyle was actually here. She put her hand to her head and sighed. Why hadn’t Glynnis warned her so she could look her best?
Kyle seemed to understand. He came forward and shook his head. “You look so beautiful.”
“I wish I’d known you’d be here. I thought you were still in England.”
“I got back a couple of days ago. I thought it would be fun to surprise you.” He reached out to touch her cheek. “I’ve missed you so much. I feel like it’s been a lifetime since we were together.”
Kathy couldn’t speak. Tears came to her eyes. “I told you not to wait.”
“And I said I’d wait, even if it took forever. But I’m sure glad it didn’t.”
“I’m so sorry. I was so wrong. I should never have done that to you . . . to us.” The words just spilled out, and Kathy wondered if this was how Sunny felt when she’d first showed up at the farm.
“I forgive you,” Kyle whispered. “I forgave you even then.”
Kathy wrapped her arms around Kyle’s neck and hugged him close. She felt his arms embrace her and pull her closer. “I don’t deserve you.”
He chuckled. “No, you deserve much better, but you’re stuck with me.”
She laughed amidst her tears and pulled back to gaze into his eyes. “And you’re stuck with me. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
He grinned. “If I don’t, I mean to have fun figuring it out.” He kissed her long and hard. Twelve years of pent-up passion left them both breathless as they broke apart.
Kathy closed her eyes for just a moment. She felt Kyle put something on her finger and opened her eyes to find her old engagement ring.
“I don’t want to waste another minute. Will you marry me? Will you marry me right away?”
Kathy began to cry once more. “Of course I will. You know I will.”
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