Home to Walnut Ridge

by Diane Moody

  “No, it wasn’t me, Tracey Jo. It was God. All God. Every bit of it.”

  “Don’t let his humility fool you,” Noah said. “He always tells us it’s the Holy Spirit that convicts us, not him. But without your dad here, none of us would be here doing this. We’d all still be screwed up and . . . messed up.”

  “Noah, I’m only doing what God led me to do. When my brother Rob dragged my sorry carcass out of the house a couple years ago, I’d pretty much lost the will to live. And he told me I basically had two choices. I could spend the rest of my life feeling sorry for myself and building a monument of hate to those who’d ‘done me wrong’ as he put it. Or I could get off my keister, kick out of that self-imposed prison of pity, and start over. Make a fresh start.

  “Here he was, my own brother, telling me how to let God give me another chance. Rob, my crazy biker beach bum brother from Naples, Florida, telling me‌—‌the pastor‌—‌about forgiveness and purpose and the unconditional grace and love of Christ.” Buddy raised his hands in the air. “Ah, the strange and mysterious ways of Almighty God whose wonders never cease! Can I get an amen, brothers and sisters?”

  Tracey laughed and shouted, “Hallelujah, amen!”

  “I’ll second that hallelujah and raise you two more,” Noah quipped.

  “Daddy, how come you never told me all this before? I wish I’d known.”

  “Well, sweetheart, as I recall you haven’t been around much.”

  “Ouch?”

  “No, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just saying you were living your life, and I was living mine. It is what it is. But as the great Paul Harvey used to say, ‘and now you know the rest of the story.’ And that’s what matters most.”

  Tracey put down her hammer and carefully crawled up to where her father sat on the ridge of the roof. She scooted beneath his arm and wrapped hers around him. “I love you, Daddy. I’m so proud of you.”

  Not wishing to impose on their private moment, Noah bit his lip and looked away. He also didn’t want them to see the dam threatening to burst just beneath the surface inside him. It unnerved him, this inability to keep his feelings under control. He vowed to spend some time back at the cottage and try to get his emotions in check.

  He pounded another nail then gazed over at Tracey as she made her way back to her work spot. Just then she looked up. And as she did, the kindest possible expression seemed to glow on her face. As if she were telling him‌—‌it’s gonna be okay. Trust me.

  And oh, how he wanted to believe her.

  Chapter 14

  That night after dinner, Tracey turned on her laptop and opened her email. She’d avoided it as long as she could. She knew Morgan wasn’t stupid enough to put anything in writing, short of a cryptic “office” issue that he needed to discuss with her. Sure enough, as the new emails flooded her inbox she saw his name on a handful. Reading the first one confirmed what she’d expected. He needed to ask her something about her notes on that matter with Senator Crawford and would she please give him a call.

  Not happening.

  She browsed through the rest of them, nothing urgent popping out. Most everyone assumed she was still on vacation and had the decency not to bother her. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the voicemail Amanda had left the day Tracey flew home. She prayed Amanda would never have to know why she was leaving her job with Morgan. Sometimes, while lost in her thoughts as she painted, she tried to think of a way to explain her reasons without lying, but without having to tell her best friend the blunt truth.

  Tracey took a deep breath and blew it out, then offered up a prayer for guidance. Then she opened a new email and started typing.

  Dear Amanda,

  I’m so sorry I forgot about meeting you for breakfast the day I left! I had so much to wrap up before leaving town, and honestly, it just slipped my mind. A thousand apologies. And please tell Aaron how sorry I am that I missed his call. You can just tell him Aunt Taycee lost her mind and has gone away in hopes of finding it. Or something.

  I’m having such a great time here with Dad and Alex. The weather has been gorgeous. Alex is opening a new shop where she can sell the amazing vintage furniture pieces she’s been restoring. Amanda, you would love what she’s doing. I’ve never seen her so happy. And yes, she’s no longer teaching . . . long story, which I’ll explain another time. I’ve been helping her and loving every minute of it.

  You’d also be happy to know I’ve met someone . . . He’s one of Dad’s friends (my age, thankfully!) and it’s been really nice getting to know him. I’d forgotten what it was like to go out on an actual date again. His name is Noah, and I know you’d love him. We’ll see what happens next.

  Tracey’s hands rested on the keyboard. She started and stopped three times, carefully deleting lines she couldn’t finish, words that felt untrue. She mentioned the possibility of staying longer than she’d planned, then quickly erased those words too. She knew Amanda would have called or texted or written if Morgan had told her she quit, so she certainly didn’t want to go there. Fifteen minutes of starts and stops came and went. Oh, for heaven’s sake. She’s my best friend! Why can’t I just‍—

  But of course she couldn’t. She would deal with it when she had to. Tonight was not the time.

  I hope you’ve had a great week. I miss you, but thanks for understanding why I’m keeping my phone off and not checking email. I just really needed this break. Take care and keep me in your prayers.

  Love you,

  Tracey

  She prayed another prayer‌—‌this one for Amanda. She needs it more than I do, that’s for sure. Tracey closed her laptop and set it aside.

  “TRACEY JO?”

  She smiled, remembering all the years her dad had called up the stairs just like that. She padded to the top of the stairs. “What do you need, Dad?”

  “Me? Not a thing. But Noah’s here.” He quirked a silly grin and danced his eyebrows. “Just thought you might want to know.”

  “Yeah?” she said with feigned indifference.

  “He’s out in the kitchen. Why don’t you come down and say hello?”

  She grinned. “Why didn’t you say so? I’ll be down in a sec.”

  She dashed into her bathroom and brushed her teeth, brushed out her hair, and put on some lip gloss. A minute later she went downstairs.

  Noah stood up from the kitchen table as she entered. “Hi, Tracey.”

  His sheepish grin tickled her, knowing it had everything to do with her dad’s presence. “Hey, Noah. I would’ve thought you’d had enough of the two of us after spending half the day with us on Mrs. Oglesby’s roof.”

  His smile widened. “You’d think, wouldn’t you?”

  She smiled back. Then they both looked at Buddy.

  “Oh. Okay, I think I’ll go upstairs and read for a while.” He stood up and grabbed his cup of coffee. “If that’s okay with the two of you?”

  “Fine with me, Dad.”

  “Fine with me too, Buddy.”

  “Well then, it’s unanimous. G’night, you two.”

  He headed for the kitchen door, his old slippers slapping against the oak floor. Just before leaving, he turned and gave Noah a nod of the head. Another smile and he was gone.

  Tracey reached for a mug from the cabinet and poured herself a cup of coffee. “What was that all about?”

  Noah sat back down at the table, his hands wrapped around his mug. “Ah, you know your dad. Nothing, really.”

  “Nothing really, huh? Want me to warm you up?”

  Startled, he looked at her with the strangest expression. Then his eyes landed on the coffee pot in her hand. “Oh . . . sure. Please.”

  Tracey snickered. “My, my, Mr. Bennett. Surely you didn’t think‍—‍”

  “Well, surely I did.” He raised his cup, a guilty smile on his face.

  “You did?” She topped off his coffee and put the carafe back on the burner.

  As she turned around, he reached for her hand and silently led her
into the den. She had hoped he might come by tonight. Her thoughts seemed to be consumed with Noah and wanting to see him again.

  Preferably alone.

  She couldn’t help it. She was thrilled he’d come to see her, and even happier he’d led her back to the same exact spot where they’d been the night before. They set their coffee cups on the table and took a seat on the sofa.

  Same sofa. Same fire blazing on the hearth. Same heart pounding inside her chest.

  He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Wow, you smell really good.”

  “I could say the same for you,” she said, lifting her face to his. “In fact, you clean up pretty nice for a roofer.”

  “I try.”

  “You succeed.”

  He took a deep breath and let out a long, contented sigh. “It was nice having you out there with us today. You’re not much of a roofer, but‍—‍”

  “Hey! I think I kept up with you and Dad, so what’s the problem?”

  “Just kidding. The thing is . . .”

  “Yes? The thing is . . ?”

  “Tracey, ever since last night, I haven’t been able to think straight. I know I got kind of, well . . . the thing is—”

  “There’s that thing again. Out with it, Noah.”

  “I can’t stop thinking about you.” He shrugged. “There I said it. “I can’t. I tried, but I can’t.”

  She laughed, momentarily dropping her head to her chest. Finally, leaning back and pushing her hair out of her face, she looked up. “Ah, that’s too funny, because the thing is . . .” she paused, prolonging the anxious look in his eyes, “this is all I’ve thought about today.” She placed her lips on his and felt a wave of butterflies skitter through her stomach as he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her back.

  Tracey felt herself relax in his arms, feeling the warmth of his body so close to hers, loving the scent of his clean skin against her face. It felt so right‌—‌so secure, so perfect. As his kisses grew more intense, she felt something else. A desire so unlike anything she’d ever known before. It was too much, too good, too soon‌—‌but she didn’t care.

  Slow down, slow down, slow down!

  Tracey stopped herself, pulling away, startling both of them.

  “What’s wrong?” he breathed. “Did I do something‍—‍?”

  “No.” She placed her hand against his chest. “No, not at all. I just . . .”

  I just feel myself falling for you, and the thought of that scares me!

  She’d never been in love. Lots of boyfriends. Lots of kicks, but never anything like this . . . “Whoa.”

  “Whoa?” The hint of alarm in his eyes calmed her, made her smile.

  “Whoa. I’m, uh, I think maybe I was just getting a little too . . . carried away.” She ducked her eyes, embarrassed.

  He didn’t say anything but slowly tucked her back under his arm and leaned his head against hers. “Well, then. We’ll just have to work on that. Take things a little slower.”

  Whew. Tracey wondered why it seemed like she was on a roller coaster every time she was with Noah. It didn’t make sense, but at the same time, she could tell she was falling for him. Falling hard. And that concerned her.

  “Probably a good idea,” she said, putting those thoughts aside. She reached for her coffee and handed his to him.

  Noah took a sip. “There’s something I want to ask you.”

  “Oh?”

  “A bunch of the guys are going on a ride on Saturday, and I was wondering if you’d like to come along. With me, I mean.”

  She smiled, relieved that they’d changed the subject. “Is that why Dad was acting so goofy a few minutes ago?”

  He set his mug down, chuckling. “Yeah. I’d asked him if he thought you might like to go. Obviously, he does.”

  “Will I be the only female on this little adventure?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe? But you won’t be the first. Gristle mentioned bringing someone he’s been seeing.”

  ”Gristle’s seeing someone? Have you met her?”

  “No, but to hear him you’d think she’s part Beyoncé, part Mother Teresa.”

  Tracey laughed. “Now there are two names you don’t often see together.”

  “I know, which is why I’m actually curious to meet her.”

  “Me too. But tell me where you all are headed Saturday. Will I get saddle sores from hours and hours of riding?”

  “No way,” he said, a smile forming. “As I recall, you didn’t seem to mind last night.”

  “No, but that was a short little hop.”

  “We’re heading over to Natchez Trace Parkway and riding down to Tupelo.”

  “That’s pretty far, isn’t it?”

  “Not to a biker.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Is that some kind of dare?”

  His raised a brow. “Not unless you’d like it to be.”

  She wasn’t at all sure she was up to it, but Tracey wasn’t about to let him know that. She raised her chin, shooting him more confidence than she felt. “Sure, I’ll go. What time do we leave?”

  “Early. So don’t keep me up half the night on Friday. I’ll need my rest. Never a good thing to doze off behind the wheel.”

  “Before sunrise or after?”

  He tugged at a strand of her hair. “Neither. We leave right at sunrise.

  “Not a problem.”

  “One more question.”

  “Now what?” she teased.

  “Do you have plans tomorrow night?”

  “I don’t think so. Why?”

  “There’s somewhere I’d like to take you. But we’ll need to see if Buddy would loan us his car.”

  “As long as it’s not his ratty old pickup, I’m fine with that.”

  “Exactly. I was hoping for something a little more comfortable.”

  “I’m sure he won’t mind. But where are you taking me?”

  “It’s for me to know and you to find out. Dinner’s involved, just so you know.”

  “Blue jeans or ball gown?”

  He tilted his head. “More like something in-between.”

  “Ah. Then I’ll send my boa out to be cleaned.”

  Chapter 15

  The team was making considerable progress on the smokehouse. The electricians had wired the shop and added plenty of recessed lighting per Alex’s wishes. The plumbers had set all the water pipes in place to provide running water, and the carpenters had successfully replaced the interior walls and cathedral ceiling with mismatched weathered planks to retain the vintage look. Similar weathered planks were used on the floor of the large front porch. And behind the building, a covered deck would provide room as a gathering area. Just beyond the deck, the Elders built a fire pit which the girls surrounded with primitive chairs and colorful cushions to encourage customers to relax and chat.

  As Tracey and Alex entered the shop from the back door, they could barely contain themselves.

  “I cannot believe how much they’ve done in such a short amount of time. Look at this place!”

  Tracey could already feel the ambiance coming together even before the final touches had been added. The large back room would be their studio, out of sight to the customers behind a new wall separating the two rooms. With plenty of cabinets to store their materials and a large workbench in the center of the room, they would have a perfect work environment. Noah had suggested a couple of skylights cut in the roof to give them natural light in addition to the track lighting directly above the workbench.

  The front showroom with its pitched ceiling made the room feel open and airy, giving them ample space for the constant flow of pieces they’d stage. She and Alex had ordered bright pillows and rugs to soften the room, as well as long curtains made of vintage fabrics to dress the windows. Alex found a ridiculously good deal on some quirky lamps to set on tables here and there giving the room a cozy feel. Up in the attic at Walnut Ridge, they’d found some surprisingly well-preserved upholstered chairs to use for seati
ng as customers contemplated their purchases.

  Tucked in the back right corner of the shop, the checkout counter offered endless possibilities. The spacious wooden counter Stump built them would provide plenty of room to wrap purchases. Slotted nooks beneath would house all their supplies. At an estate sale, the girls found a tall square pillar which they decided to use as a caddy for the brown paper sacks, twine, and assorted colors of tissue paper they’d use to bag smaller purchases. Tracey refinished it in a creamy sage and attached vintage decorative hooks to the sides and front. Perfect.

  They continued wandering through the shop, making notes of display ideas and items that still needed attention. Gradually, they made their way out the front door and into the small lawn where they could stand back and take it all in. Tracey suggested the possibility of hanging floor-to-ceiling curtains made of outdoor fabric on each of the posts to “frame” the porch and make it feel more welcoming. They decided to put a few rustic rockers and chairs cushioned in coordinating fabrics, as well as seasonal flowers and greenery to cheer the entrance.

  As they turned to admire the storefront, they noticed Hank and Lester up top, securing the awning that would cover the front porch. Alex and Tracey hadn’t decided quite what to do, whether to purchase a fabric awning or go with more of the aged wooden slats. Then early that morning, Hank and Lester had surprised them by showing up with a pile of rusted sheets of corrugated metal. The look would give the awning a more rustic appearance. Alex and Tracey had been skeptical, but once the two Elders started putting it together, the girls both loved it.

  Tracey marveled now, watching the shop take on an entirely different look. “Who knew rusty old metal could add so much charm?”

  Alex leaned close, speaking out of the side of her mouth. “Seriously, Sis, don’t you wonder how on earth those two came up with such a thing?”

  Tracey snickered. “Oh, to have been a fly on the wall for that discussion. Can’t you just hear it?” She and Alex played the parts, keeping their voices low.