Her Unexpected Family

by Ruth Logan Herne

  “All too well.”

  “Well, me, too. I was so busy thinking I had all the answers, I never paused to examine the questions. Now I do.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Me, too. Are you hungry, Serenity?”

  She made a face. “Not much appetite.”

  “Can we go get your stuff? Move you to the inn at Grace Haven?”

  “My mom’s with me.”

  “We’ll move you both over, then. I’m glad she’s here.”

  “She’d like to see the kids now and again, Grant.” She lifted one shoulder as if hedging her request. “When I’m gone.”

  Her words pierced his heart. How foolish they’d been to waste precious time, as if life was a given, not a treasured gift. “Absolutely.”

  She wavered when she stood. He rounded the table and took her arm. When they got outside, her mother approached from the sedan. “Jacqueline.” He reached out and grasped her hand with his free one. “You should have come in.”

  She took her daughter’s arm and gazed up at him with heartbroken eyes. “She needed to see you alone, Grant. How are the children? Are they well?”

  “They are, Mom.” Serenity sounded relieved. “We’ll get to see them. Tomorrow?” Serenity faced Grant.

  “Tomorrow, yes.” Sudden concern broadsided him. “What if you catch something from them?”

  She held his gaze. “A risk worth taking.”

  He agreed wholeheartedly. “Jacqueline, I’m going to move you two to the inn in town. Do you remember where that is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you need help getting your things?”

  She shook her head. “We traveled light on purpose. I’ll drive back to the hotel and gather everything. It won’t take long.”

  “And I’ll call the inn and make sure there’s room, but this time of year that shouldn’t be a problem.” He made the call, booked the room and hung up the phone. “Come right over to the house in the morning, okay? Don’t waste time.”

  Serenity reached out and hugged him.

  His heart ached and expanded. “I’m glad you came to meet me.”

  “Me, too.”

  He helped her into the car. Now that she’d told him, the difference was remarkable. She looked more relaxed, but drawn. Hollowed eyes, a lax jaw, but in her gaze he glimpsed a commitment he hadn’t seen in a lot of years. He waved them off, climbed into his SUV and drove back home, remonstrating himself.

  What if he hadn’t had a change of heart? What if Emily hadn’t called him on his behavior? What if he’d gone on, never letting Serenity see her children? How would he have atoned for a grievous mistake like that?

  God’s timing. Instead of ignoring it, he’d embraced it, all because Emily Gallagher called him out and walked away.

  He came into the house, drained. Tillie and Percy had just settled the kids into bed. Quiet reigned.

  “They were good as gold.” Tillie tried to whisper, but Tillie’s bad hearing made even her soft voice loud. “Percy grabbed the mail from the box—it’s there on the counter. You got a letter from Christa and you need milk.”

  He’d forgotten to stop for milk while digesting Serenity’s news. “I’ll get it on the way home tomorrow.”

  “And the kids are doing okay with the new day care lady?”

  He nodded. “She’s very nice, and Mary should be back in four weeks. But yes, they both like her.”

  “Good!” Uncle Percy had gone out to warm up their car. Tillie hugged him. “A busy month with the wedding and all, and then back to normal.” She bustled out the door and pulled it snug behind her.

  Normal.

  Emily gone.

  Serenity’s tragic news.

  And in his hand he held a letter from his beloved sister. He stared at the letter, almost unwilling to open it. Their last phone conversation had been a disaster. Would the letter chew him out?

  Probably, and deservedly so.

  He sank into the broad recliner and didn’t turn on the weeknight football game like he normally would. He held the letter in his hand, and then did something Grant McCarthy hadn’t done on his own in decades.

  He prayed. He prayed for guidance, discernment and patience, and when he slit open the envelope and withdrew Christa’s note, he was glad he did.

  Dear Grant,

  First, I love you. You have been more than just a big brother to me. You’ve been my best friend. My confidant. So when you read this, I want you to understand I’m not trying to hurt you. A soldier learns early that the truth sets us free, and that honor and honesty go hand in hand. And that’s the crux of this letter.

  Our father didn’t coldly abandon us. He tried to see us many times. When I was in Colorado, he showed me the letters to Mom and her replies.

  He had no money. He was in treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. He’d made mistakes, then worked really hard to clean himself up and get his head on straight. (His words.)

  She wouldn’t see him. She wouldn’t let him see us. And she got a restraining order against him when he came to town.

  Grant, I’m not making excuses for him. I don’t minimize your pain at being thrust into a caretaker role as a child. But I don’t want to go on bearing a grudge.

  Whatever you decide is fine with me, really it is. But I needed you to see the truth of the matter.

  Our mother was a great woman in many ways, but she had a hard side. It makes me sad that for all of her dedication to church and faith, she never found it in her heart to forgive Dad. I am determined to make sure I don’t make the same mistake.

  With great love,

  Christa

  Grant sat back in the chair and studied the note.

  The truth of her words hit him square.

  He knew his mother. He understood the gravity of her stubbornness. Had he let the facade of her Christianity color her too sweetly?

  He sighed, because he knew he had. And hadn’t he just recognized similar qualities in himself?

  Yes.

  He read the letter again, and somewhere deep inside a flicker of hope sparked into life.

  His father hadn’t simply walked out on them. He’d tried to make contact.

  All these years he’d lived in the shadow of a lie, and his mother allowed them to believe it. She’d encouraged them to believe it. She’d let anger turn her to deceit, at the expense of her children’s relationship with Joe McCarthy.

  He gripped the letter hard, thinking, and then he got up. He moved to the computer and typed his father’s name into the search engine. When Joe McCarthy’s name came up outside Denver, Grant reached out and picked up the phone.

  His sister was right. Life was too short to live it under a cloud of anger and resentment. He dialed his father’s number, and when Joe’s voice said hello, over thirty years of shadowed sorrow began to melt away. “Dad? It’s me. Grant. How are you?”

  “Grant.”

  There was no missing the tight emotion in his father’s voice, the slightly ragged breath that came afterward. “It’s really you? Oh my gosh, son, how are you? I can’t believe this, I can’t—” A short gasp for air followed, as if Joe couldn’t believe his ears.

  Grant knew how hard it was to talk, because he felt exactly the same way. The voice... Joe’s inflection...so similar to his. “I’ve missed you, Dad. So much.”

  He was pretty sure that big, strong Joe McCarthy was emotional on the other end of the phone. He knew he was. Over thirty years gone. Wasted in anger. Cloaked in resentment.

  “I miss you, too. I can’t even say how much, son.”

  The thought of his mother, purposely keeping them apart, struck him deep, but then another image bloomed. Sweeter. Even stronger.

  Seventy times seven. That’s how often you sh
ould forgive those who hurt you.

  Grant took a deep breath. He might not have been a churchgoer for a long time, but he remembered that teaching from childhood and he wasn’t about to repeat his mistakes. He was not going to spend the next decades resenting or hating his mother.

  He was going to leave the past where it belonged, in the past, and move toward a new future. “Dad, I don’t know if this is possible, but Christa’s getting married next week. Would it be possible for you to come? And your family, of course.” It sounded and felt weird to say that, but almost good, too. “I’ve got enough money in the wedding fund to cover the tickets.”

  “We’d love to come,” Joe replied. “And I appreciate the offer, but we can foot the tickets on this end. Grant.” A sigh came through the phone, filled with relief. “I can’t wait to see you.”

  “You can meet your grandchildren.”

  “Best news ever, when Christa told me that,” Joe declared. “If you give me your email, I’ll send you our flight information as soon as I book them.”

  Grant gave him the address. Dolly squawked in her room, and Grant stood up. “Dad, one of the kids is waking up, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you next week, okay?”

  He’d have to be really hard of hearing not to hear the joy in his father’s voice. “Yes, it’s very okay.”

  He walked to Dolly’s room and peeked in. She lay curled back up, sound asleep.

  He tiptoed away, back to the great room, then unlocked the sliding glass door and stepped outside. Cold, crisp air greeted him. The house blocked the west wind, but swirling snow danced and drifted around the corners, forming new mounds.

  He stared up, into the sky, clear and bright and huge. He’d moved forward today, in ways he’d never have imagined just a few weeks ago, and it felt good. So good.

  But losing Emily shadowed the accomplishment. Was this another side of selfishness, this longing for her to stay right here, in Grace Haven, with him?

  Or was it the simple and beautiful love of a man for a woman?

  The latter, he decided as the cold bit his cheeks. In the end, the decision would be hers. But in the meantime, he wanted to give her every possible reason he could to stay.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Emily and Kimberly were busily putting together a flowchart of spring events and summer weddings when their mother called the next day. Emily clicked the button and warned, “You’re on speaker, Mom, and Kimberly’s here so don’t say anything mean about her, okay?”

  “I can’t yell at you on speaker, Emily.” Kate sounded perturbed, but not really angry. “Take me off speaker where I can ream you out in private.”

  “It’s more fun this way, Mom!” Kimberly exchanged an amused look with Emily. “I love it when she’s the one in trouble. Go for it!” To Emily she whispered, “Do you have any idea what she’s talking about? What have you done?”

  “I got nothin’,” Emily whispered back. Then she spoke in a louder voice. “It can’t be too bad, Mom, because I’ve been too busy to have done too much wrong. Trust me on that.”

  “Noel Barrister contacted us.”

  Emily stared at the desk phone, mouth open. “He what?”

  “Uh-oh.” Kimberly made a face of mock horror. “This sounds good.”

  “He told us he made you a very lucrative offer, with employment guarantees, and a New York office. He reminded us that this is a chance-of-a-lifetime deal and that we are selfishly holding you back from living your dream. Emily, why didn’t you tell us? You know we’d never do that. All your father and I have ever wanted was for our girls to be wonderful women, full of life and love, living your dreams. If this is what you want, you should do it, honey. Although the thought of you working for the Barristers again doesn’t exactly top my list,” she added in a more dour tone. “But if this is your dream—”

  “Mom.” Emily sighed out loud on purpose to interrupt her mother. It worked. “First, I love you.”

  “Emily Rose, I—”

  “My turn,” she interrupted smoothly. “Let me finish. I love you guys to pieces, and while I’m actually learning to enjoy my job here with Kimberly and I’ve gotten better at this whole event-planning thing, I’m not great at it like she is, so I’m turning in my full-time notice as of six o’clock next Tuesday.”

  “You’re what?” The look of surprise on Kimberly’s face was worth the momentary shock value. “You’re taking his job offer? Seriously?”

  “But Emily, he just called and said—”

  “Hang on, both of you.” Emily held up a hand to stave off Kimberly’s reaction just as Rory came into the room. “I’m not taking Noel’s offer. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here in Grace Haven and if Kimberly needs or wants help, I’ll be available nearby because...” She flashed her sisters a delighted grin. “I’m buying Caroline’s Bridal. We do the closing on Tuesday, and I am absolutely delighted to be staying in town.”

  “You’re buying Caroline’s? For real?” Kimberly grabbed her shoulders, then hugged her, hard. “I knew she was having health issues, and I was hoping someone would step in because losing the only bridal shop in town would be terrible! Oh, Em!” Kimberly hugged her again, as if she just couldn’t stop. “This is perfect. We’ll be just up the road from each other, and we can give each other backup as needed.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Emily agreed happily. “And then there’s Rory.” She sent a teasing look to her younger sister.

  “Who has no plans to do anything bridal, ever, so you two just go on with your own little Gallagher bridal dynasty and I’ll cheer from the sidelines.”

  Kate laughed through the phone. “Emily, I’m over-the-moon delighted that you decided to do this. It’s right up your alley! And knowing the two of you can work together as needed—”

  “A welcome change, right?” Emily met Kimberly’s gaze, and they both laughed.

  “And I’m sure Grant is thrilled.”

  Kimberly’s eyes went wide. The room grew quiet. Emily hadn’t brought up Grant’s name since walking away from him a few weeks before. Kimberly and Rory had both respected her silence, with regular gifts of chocolate. But now—

  Kimberly waded in to save her. “Well, why wouldn’t he be? With his sister’s wedding coming up this week, life’s been crazy, but we’re going to celebrate Emily’s new business as soon as Christa’s wedding is over.”

  “Perfect timing!” declared Kate. “Girls, I’ve got to run—Dad’s due back from his treatment any minute. He’s looking worn, but the treatment appears to be working. Keep praying, okay?”

  “Haven’t stopped, Mom, and no worries. Everything’s fine here.”

  “I’m sure it is, dears. If you gals can handle the Yorkos family, you can handle anything. Goodbye! I love you!”

  They disconnected the call. Almost on cue, Allison buzzed them from the first floor. “Stella Yorkos is here to see you, Emily. And I have a delivery down here you need to sign for.”

  Stella and Kimberly in the same venue meant Kimberly was about to learn the details of the Worst Bridal Shower Ever, but Emily realized it couldn’t be helped. She led the way downstairs, dreading the confrontation as she prepared herself mentally. Rory slipped out the back door to go home as Emily started toward Stella.

  Allison motioned her toward the delivery person first. “Signature here, please.”

  “It has to be me?” Emily asked out loud, surprised. Allison usually signed for anything as needed, but when she drew close, she saw the framed, unwrapped package on Allison’s desk and caught her breath. “Oh good heavens, can you possibly even stand the cuteness?” She jotted her initials into the signature box and lifted the picture as the delivery man strode out through the back door. In her hands she held a wonderful picture of Dolly and Timmers, all dressed up, looking like a pair of absolutely adorable country kids.
A small card was attached. Emily lifted the flap while Kimberly greeted Stella behind her. “Miss you, Em. We all miss you. With love, Grant.”

  Her heart wound up, then down.

  She missed them, too. She missed Grant’s gentle gaze, his strength, his warmth, the ingrained dedication of a good man. But without faith and a forgiving heart—

  She blinked back emotion, winced when she met Allison’s gaze and took a step back. Stella was waiting, and she didn’t want to be rude or put off reckoning any longer. She turned and was surprised, no, make that struck dumb to see Stella smiling. As Emily approached, Stella came toward her.

  And then Stella hugged her.

  Numb with surprise, she looked at Kimberly over Stella’s shoulder and arched a brow in question.

  Kimberly shrugged, equally at a loss.

  Stella ended the quick embrace, stepped back and met her gaze. “I came to apologize for my behavior and to thank you for standing by me at that train wreck of a shower.”

  Kimberly looked interested now. Really interested.

  “I don’t know what came over me, or why I let my mother’s influence push so many buttons, but seeing her in action that day, seeing how many people she hurt on purpose, was like looking in a mirror. And I didn’t like what I saw.

  “Your sister—” she turned back toward Kimberly “—put up with my hysterics like a pro. She had no reason to be nice to me, but she was, and in the midst of utter craziness, Emily was the calm in the storm. Thank you, Emily.” She redirected her attention toward Emily. “Scott and I have it all worked out with his family, and they’re still coming to the wedding. And Katelyn is still my flower girl, with the right kind of dress this time. Now that we’re into the new year, I wanted to personally express my gratitude. You went above and beyond, and I’ll never forget it. And I’ll let everyone know just how amazingly wonderful Kate & Company is.”

  Emily couldn’t believe her ears.

  She’d expected a full reaming for whatever reason. Instead Stella’s apology rang sweet and true. “It was a rough situation, but it’s all worked out.” She took Stella’s hand. “Marriage is tough enough without the family drama thrown in.”