Family Forever

by Valerie J. Clarizio

  They climbed into bed but sleep didn’t come easy to Dylan. How could a boy as small as his brother take up so much room on a king-sized bed? He pushed Luke’s feet off his stomach twice before he conceded.

  And then, every time he closed his eyes, visions of Marissa in that orange swimsuit invaded his brain. The glow of her milky white skin nearly lit up the room, even through his eyelids. He needed to stop this madness right now. She was the housekeeper/nanny, heading off to college, and only nineteen years old. The devil on his shoulder reminded him that she was an adult, and he was only twenty-four, not much older than her. Truth be told, she was mature and wise beyond her years. Growing up the way she did, without a mother, and with an alcoholic father, probably caused her to grow up faster than your average child. She had to learn quickly to do for herself, forcing her to be the responsible party at a young age.

  To the best of his knowledge, her dad hadn’t stopped by or even called her since she’d left his house a couple months ago. The man didn’t even acknowledge her birthday. Dylan’s heart ached on behalf of Marissa. It wasn’t right. She deserved the love of parents. His brothers deserved the love of parents, the very love he had been lucky enough to know. His eyes watered beneath his eyelids.

  Chapter Seven

  Dylan, Marissa and Luke loaded into his truck as Cole, Aric, Braden and Nate loaded into Cole’s car and headed off to the annual church picnic. The picnic was much like a mini-county fair in some ways. They always brought in a few little kid carnival rides, set up a little petting zoo, and provided musical entertainment under a big tent. But this year, unlike last year, people wouldn’t need to cram under a tent due to rain, because this year there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the bright sun had already warmed the air to nearly eighty degrees.

  Dylan parked on the grass lot. Cole parked next to him and the doors of his car flung open as quickly as if his brothers were embarking on a Chinese fire drill. Nate and Braden took off running to meet their friends, evidently not realizing they needed their tickets to get their hands stamped so they could participate in whatever activities they chose. A chuckle escaped Dylan as they halted and looked back at him. He waved their tickets in the air. They ran back to him, plucked their tickets from his hand and took off again. Cole and Aric snatched up their tickets as well, yet walked leisurely with him, Marissa and Luke to the grounds.

  He held Luke’s hand as he walked, and watched as his little brother reached up and snatched Marissa’s hand with his other. She smiled lovingly at Luke.

  The entrance attendant took their tickets and stamped their hands. Aric mentioned something about eating first, before looking at any of his brothers’ contest entries. Aric’s priorities were not a surprise. All the kid ever did was eat. The boys’ entries could wait, they hadn’t been judged yet anyhow. Luke had entered a colored picture in his Sunday school class’ art contest, Nate had entered a ceramic bowl he made in school, and Braden had entered a small wood carving of a dog. Aric thought he was too old to participate in the contests, though there were age brackets suited for high school students. And Cole entered some of his photos in the adult bracket.

  Aric led them to the food booths where you had your choice of hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and corn on the cob. Aric and Cole went for the pizza, nearly clearing out what the poor pizza vendor had prepared. Dylan grabbed a couple of burgers and corn on the cob for himself and Luke, and Marissa opted for just a burger.

  They took a seat at a long table under the big tent by a couple older ladies Dylan had come to know through the years. In fact, he and Cole had gone to school with some of their grandkids. The ladies were finished eating but sat there chatting as they sipped on their coffee.

  Dylan unwrapped Luke’s plain hamburger and handed it to him, then sprawled out the wrapper on the table before setting his butter-drenched corncob on the wrapper. “The corn is still hot, so be careful.”

  Luke nodded at him.

  Cole disappeared to the beverage booth and returned moments later with sodas for everyone.

  Marissa chatted with the ladies next to her. She had come to know them over the past couple of months, through attending church with Dylan and his brothers.

  “So Marissa, I hear you’re headed off to college this fall,” Mrs. Moore said. “UW Green Bay, I heard,” the kind woman added.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good for you, dear.”

  “Green Bay, huh, that will be nice, you’ll be away getting the college experience, yet not too far away from your family,” Mrs. Jome interjected as she shot Dylan a strange look, accented with a wink.

  What did she mean by that? Surely she knew Marissa didn’t have much for family, especially after her dad abandoned her a couple months ago. Her uncle did call on occasion but even those calls were getting to be too few. There were no secrets in this small town.

  Dylan glanced at Marissa who was still looking at the ladies who sat to her left.

  “Yeah, on one hand, I can’t wait to go,” she leaned right until her shoulder touched Luke, then she put her arm around him and kissed the top of his head, “I’ll miss them while I’m gone.”

  Her bright blue-eyed gaze ran over Aric and Cole who sat across the table from her and then swung back and landed on him. The intensity of her gaze rendered him breathless.

  She glanced back at the ladies. “I feel so blessed to be part of this family.”

  Dylan’s heart hammered in his chest. Little did she know how blessed he felt as well. He didn’t know what he was going to do without her. She’d become such a help with the boys and around the house. Before she entered their lives, between the farm and caring for his brothers, he was on the verge of stressing out, drowning in life. At least now he was able to come up for air every now and then. Yeah, he paid her a fair wage to help with the cooking, cleaning, and carting the boys around, but what he hadn’t expected was the incalculable depth of emotional attachment he and the boys, especially the younger ones, Braden, Nate, and little Luke, would come to know. Was it a benefit though? She would be leaving soon, then what? Had he made a mistake, bringing her into their lives? He mentally sighed. Why did his life have to be so complicated?

  A short time later, Braden and Nate appeared looking for money for food, and then they all went to check out the contest booths. It came as no surprise to Dylan to see that Luke had scored a first place on his colored picture of a sheepherder and some sheep grazing in a field. The kid was artistically inclined. First place not only landed him a big blue ribbon but also a five-dollar cash prize. Braden’s dog carving had scored a second place and Nate’s handcrafted ceramic bowl had garnered an honorable mention. Ribbons only for Braden and Nate, no fun money. Luke offered to share his with them.

  Dylan would be sure to place all his brothers’ entries in the built-in display cabinets in the kitchen just like their parents had done with his, Cole’s, and Aric’s items in the past. Sadly, his three youngest brothers hadn’t the opportunity to share many of their creations with their mom and dad during the short time they actually got to spend with them.

  Next, they moved on to check out the two photos Cole had submitted. Much to Dylan’s surprise, one of the photos was of him bottle-feeding a newborn calf. Judging from the Carhartt bibs he was wearing, his brother must have taken that photo when he was home last Easter. The large bottle he held for the calf was nearly empty. Milk ran down the sides of the animal’s greedy mouth as it stood there with its legs spread awkwardly wide. Dylan loved feeding the newborns. The other photo was a bright orange sunrise spanning the length of the barn. Based upon the color of the sky that photo had to have been taken in spring as well. The morning was the best part of the day.

  Marissa pointed at Cole’s pictures. “Cole, you sure have an eye for capturing beautiful moments.”

  She was right, his brother was talented. Both Cole and Luke were gifted in the arts—music, drawing, photos, all of it. He, Aric, Nate, and Braden, not so much.

  Cole smiled a
t her compliment. “Thank you. But that one was so easy. I remember it, the sky was so vibrant that morning. The camera nearly took the picture itself.”

  “Yes, that photo is nice but I was talking about this one,” she said as she pointed at the other photo. “You can actually see and feel the love Dylan has for animals in that shot. How do you capture that? If I had taken the photo you’d see Dylan feeding a calf, but you were able to make it come to life.”

  Marissa stretched out her arm and ran her fingers over the photo, over him. “It’s like it’s three-dimensional or something.”

  Dylan’s heartbeat picked up pace. He imagined her soft, small fingers touching him as she touched the photo. His cheeks warmed where her fingertips rested on the photo. Good Lord, what was he thinking? What had he gotten himself into? This arrangement with her was temporary. She needed a place to go and he needed help. That was it, period.

  He glanced at Cole. His brother’s smile couldn’t grow any wider as Marissa continued to talk about his photos, including the ones he took yesterday of their boat ride with Jake. Everything Marissa was telling him was true and correct. He had a way of bringing photos to life which was probably the reason Dylan had been so affixed to the photos he viewed of Marissa the night before on his computer screen.

  Pastor Jahn came by and pinned a blue ribbon to the photo of Dylan feeding the calf. “Nice work, Cole.”

  “Thank you, Pastor.”

  Marissa leaned toward Cole and hugged him. “Congratulations.”

  Cole leaned into her and lingered a bit longer than Dylan liked.

  Now that they had checked out all their contest entries, Aric, Braden, and Nate disappeared to be with their friends. He, Cole, Marissa, and Luke returned to the big tent and mingled with the other parishioners. A local country music band started playing tunes on the raised wooden platform located in the corner of the large tent. A few brave souls danced as others ate.

  Cole’s friend, Jake waved them over. He had taken a seat by his grandmother, Mrs. Moore, who they had been sitting by earlier. Jake’s gaze ran the length of Marissa from top to bottom, then up again. Dylan stepped in front of her, intentionally blocking Jake’s view of her slim, shapely legs darting out from her jean shorts, her tiny waist, and breasts held snugly by her fitted hot pink tank top. He recalled how he hadn’t noticed her breasts before he viewed the photos of her that Cole had taken yesterday. Now suddenly, whenever he looked at her, his eyes, as if they had a mind of their own, zoned in on her breasts. It was like she had gotten implants the night before last.

  They sat. Marissa flung her long blonde hair over her shoulder as Jake ogled her across the table. Jake’s hungry look irritated Dylan as he listened to him and Marissa make small talk about the boat ride they shared the day before. And then Jake invited her to go along again. She easily accepted his invitation. Too easily.

  Jake rose from his seat, scooted around the table, extended his arm toward Marissa and asked her to dance. She instantly smiled and placed her small hand in his. He led her to the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her waist. She reached up and placed her arms around Jake’s neck.

  Blood rushed through Dylan’s veins at the speed of light as he watched Jake pull Marissa firmly to his body. This wasn’t right. They shouldn’t be pressed against one another like that. She hardly knew him.

  Dylan fought to pull his gaze from them but couldn’t seem to do so. He just kept staring at them like some jealous madman.

  Luke audibly slurped from his soda can pulling Dylan’s attention away from the swaying couple. He looked across the table and caught Cole’s knowing gaze, accented by a slight smirk. What’s that for?

  Mrs. Moore’s knowing gaze landed on him as well. Was he really that easy to read? She smiled at him and winked. “Come on, good looking. Push this old lady around the dance floor a bit,” she said as the next song started.

  He couldn’t very well resist the nice woman, and a quick glance over his shoulder let him know Marissa and Jake were going for another round.

  Dylan glanced at Luke, and then at Cole. “Keep an eye on him.”

  Cole nodded.

  Dylan held his hand out to Jake’s sassy little grandmother and led her across the ground to the makeshift dance floor.

  Reaching up, she placed her frail hand to his cheek. It was eighty degrees out yet her hand was cool, or maybe his cheek was just that hot.

  “You’re a fine young man, Dylan Jacobs.” She shot a glance over her shoulder toward Marissa and Jake. “The Lord works in funny ways sometimes, and things just don’t happen, they happen for a reason.”

  He nodded at her even though he didn’t really know what she meant by her last statement. She must have read his mind and she continued on. “Marissa’s a sweet, kindhearted young lady. She didn’t deserve the upbringing she had.” The woman’s warm gaze filled with sympathy. “And you, it breaks my heart about your parents and the responsibilities dumped onto you at such a young age. But the good Lord never gives us any more than we can handle. And he has a way of uniting people for a particular purpose.”

  Though this type of conversation always made him uncomfortable, he worked to keep his attention on the compassionate woman who suddenly broke from his hold and reached over to tap Marissa's shoulder.

  “Sorry, Marissa, but can I cut in and dance with my handsome grandson?”

  Marissa stepped back and gestured toward Jake. “He’s all yours.”

  “Thank you, dear,” Mrs. Moore replied as she pointed at Dylan. “I got this one all warmed up for you.”

  Marissa stepped toward him. Her captivating, big blue-eyed gaze drew him to her like a magnet, yet a sense of awkwardness overcame him. He couldn’t seem to figure out where to put his hands or how to hold her. It was like he never danced with a woman before. She took another step toward him. He knew he’d better figure things out pretty quick or he’d look like a complete idiot. He wrapped his right arm around her waist and raised his left hand to her. She placed her warm palm against his and then he pulled their hands to his chest.

  * * * *

  Butterflies fluttered in Marissa’s stomach the second Dylan’s dark gaze zoned in on her. She’d have to remember to send Mrs. Moore a thank you card for the gift she’d just given her. Dylan would never have asked her to dance on his own. He’d have to stop treating her like a little sister, or a wounded puppy first. She wondered if that day would ever come. Would the handsome man holding her now ever be able to see her as she wanted him to, as a woman? She didn’t seem to have a problem getting Jake or Cole to look at her that way, but Dylan was another story.

  She leaned into him, not as hard as she would have liked but hard enough to let him know how she felt. His muscles stiffened against her. Excellent, she got his attention.

  Though she wasn’t sure if it was his intention, his hand splayed across the small of her back and he pulled her closer to his firm body. Her breath hitched, and his masculine scent intoxicated her. Sure, she’d smelled him before, but never at this close proximity. She inhaled slowly and deeply, taking in his cologne, sending her on a natural high. The array of sensations rising in her were more than she bargained for. Her heart raced, and her blissful mind soared to a divine place much like she imagined heaven would be. Her body felt light as Dylan swayed her to the music. Were her feet even touching the ground? She wasn’t sure.

  Dylan stepped back, removed his arm from around her waist, and released her hand, but his gaze held hers for a moment longer. It took her a second to realize the music had stopped completely. The band was taking a break. How could they? Didn’t they know every cell in her body needed them to keep playing slow country songs so she could enjoy the comfort of Dylan’s arms?

  As she followed him back to the table she couldn’t help notice the sly grin tugging at Cole’s lips. She took a seat across from him as Dylan carted Luke off to the bathroom.

  “So, Jake will be disappointed,” Cole stated curiously.

  “About what?
”

  His grin widened. “About what?” he repeated. “Oh, just the fact that Jake thought he stood a chance with you.”

  He was on to her, but she didn’t want him to be. “Maybe he does.”

  Leaning forward, Cole rested his long arms on the narrow table. His face was only inches from hers. “I can see that by how you look at my brother.”

  His gaze bore into her. She knew he knew the truth. And unlike Dylan, he obviously had no issue talking about personal stuff like this.

  Her gaze drifted to the tabletop. “You’re mistaken.”

  He placed a finger under her chin and lifted it until her gaze met his. “Really? How about you look me in the eye and tell me I’m mistaken.”

  She just stared at him, unable to speak, unable to lie to him.

  “I knew it.” He smiled and leaned back. “Why the big secret though?”

  How could he not know? But then again, as she thought about it, this was Cole’s first trip home since she’d moved into Dylan’s house. He probably didn’t really know much about anything that had gone on at the home front during the past couple months. Yeah, he knew the logistics of things, but probably didn’t have a clue about the inner workings.

  Cole arched a brow. “Well?”

  On one hand, his pushiness annoyed her, on the other she’d kept her secret inside for too long, and since he knew anyhow, perhaps spilling her guts would make her feel better.

  “He looks at me like I’m his weak little sister, a bird with a broken wing. And lately, I feel like he’s avoiding me.”

  “How so?”

  “He works the farm a lot more than he did when I first moved in. He’s hardly ever in the house anymore.”

  Cole chuckled.

  She frowned at him. Why was he laughing at her?

  “Sorry, I’m not laughing at you. This actually makes a lot of sense.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “First off, being a dairy farmer comes with consequences, some of those being the long work hours, which is why I want no part of it. But Dylan, he loves it. He loves the physical labor, the animals, working the fields, all of it. And now that he has you here, taking care of the home front, he can work the farm more. Plus, he’s paying you, right?”