The Price of Trust

by Amanda Stephan

  Everyone except Todd was done eating, just relaxing in their chairs talking. Joe leaned back, bringing his chair closer and resting his arm on the back of her chair. He watched her closely, enjoying the flush of her cheeks and the sparkle of her eyes as she talked.

  She smiled, glancing at him. "Well, we didn't cook much seeing as how it was just dad and me. Just a turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and biscuits. That was pretty much it. Then we'd spend the day watching a movie or playing a board game. He had only two days off a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we sure did enjoy them."

  "Who did the cooking?" Todd asked, finally done eating.

  "It was Dad at first after Mom died, but I always helped in the kitchen, so I took over the cooking when he thought he could trust me to run the stove and oven." She grinned. "I started doing all the cooking when we moved out to Houston. Dad worked all the time, so I had to learn really fast."

  "I thought you didn't know how to cook," Joe said, leaning up to see her face.

  "I know how to cook; it's just that lately I've just been cooking macaroni and cheese." She laughed, looking at Kelly.

  "You should try some," Kelly said cheerily. "It's the best I've ever tasted, and that's saying a lot. I'm difficult to please when it comes to macaroni and cheese!"

  "You cooked for Kelly?" Joe asked, surprised. "I'm jealous. You haven't cooked for me yet."

  "Yes, she did," Penny said gaily. "She cooked the sweet potatoes and took care of all the mashed potatoes for me. This was the easiest Thanksgiving I've ever had to cook for! I couldn't have done it without you, Carly." She smiled warmly.

  "Oh no, you had it almost finished when we came in."

  "Did Kelly cook anything?" Todd asked, a wary look on his handsome face.

  Penny laughed good-naturedly. "She watched the pies and set the table."

  "I told you I wasn't a good cook." Kelly laughed, looking at Carly. "I try really hard, but I'm just no good at it."

  "So when do I get to try some of your famous macaroni and cheese?" Joe asked.

  "Oh, I don't know, maybe never. I've had it almost every day for about two years, and I'm getting a little tired of it. Especially after eating your mom's and Sue's good cooking. They've spoiled me!"

  "Speaking of Sue, Sam told me that they were going to be gone until after the New Year. What are you going to do while they're gone?" Tom asked lazily, rubbing his stomach.

  "I really don't know. I thought I'd wax the floors, straighten the shelves, dust, and just try to keep myself busy. I really hadn't thought too much about it though," she said thoughtfully, picking at her napkin.

  "You were such a good help here this morning, you could always come out and help us. I'm sure Joe wouldn't mind," Tom said, watching for her reaction.

  She blushed. "I'd be glad to help. I was wondering if Penny could teach me how to make butter and cheese."

  "Nothing to it. I'd love to show you. Why don't you come on out while Sue and Sam are gone. We'll find lots for you to do."

  "I wouldn't want to be a bother though," Carly said awkwardly, not sure if they really wanted her to come out or were just being nice.

  "You wouldn't be a bother," Joe said quickly, grinning widely at her.

  "All right. I'd like that." She looked at Joe warmly, not dropping her gaze.

  "Well, let's clean up, and we can go in and sit by the fireplace and talk," Penny said, getting up to clear off the table. They all got up to help her, taking the food and dishes to the counter to be cleaned off and washed.

  "I'll do the washing," Joe said, pulling Carly's arm.

  Penny laughed, knowing what he was up to. "Oh no, I don't want another episode like the last time! I'll wash, Carly can dry, and you can put them away. Todd, would you and Kelly mind clearing off the rest of the table and sweeping the floor?"

  "Sure thing, Mom," Todd said for them both.

  They cleaned up the kitchen quickly with no messes, only slight attempts from Joe to get Carly's attention. After they were all finished and the kitchen tidy again, they all went into the living room by the fireplace.

  "Carly, we have a tradition here for Thanksgiving," Penny began as soon as they were all seated. "After dinner, we always come in here and tell what we're thankful for. Kelly, you did this with us last year, so you know how it goes. Whose turn is it to start first?"

  "I went first last year," Joe said quickly, taking Carly's hand in his.

  "So, I think it's Dad's turn this year."

  "Are you sure?" Tom asked sleepily. "I suppose it is. Okay, let me see. What am I thankful for?" He rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. "I'm thankful for a lot of things. First, my salvation. I praise the Lord every day for saving me. Next, I'm thankful for my beautiful wife, who is also my soul mate. I couldn't live without you." He gave her a kiss. "Then there's my two boys. I'm proud of you both, and I'm thankful that you love the Lord and are willing to serve him. Now, I'm thankful that my turn is over so I can go to sleep!" He laughed as Penny playfully punched him on the arm.

  "Don't go to sleep until you hear what we're all thankful for," she admonished. "It's my turn. I'm thankful for my salvation too, of course. And I'm thankful for my wonderful husband and my two fantastic boys, who have grown into fine young men." Todd bowed self-importantly, making everyone laugh. "And now, I'm thankful to have gotten to know two of the most amazing young women God could have brought into our lives." She smiled kindly at Carly and Kelly. "Todd, I do believe it's your turn."

  "Okay." He moaned playfully. He sat on the floor in front of Kelly's chair, his back leaning on her knees. "I'm thankful for my Christian parents, who loved me enough to teach me the difference between right and wrong, and who led me to the Lord. I'm thankful that when I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins, he did. I'm thankful for my big brother, who has borne with me through thick and thin, and who has always done everything with me"—he nodded meaningfully at Joe—"and"—he turned toward Kelly—"I would be extremely thankful right now if this beautiful young woman would consent to be my wife." Kelly gasped in astonishment, her hand on her chest.

  He knelt on his knees, pulled a velvet pouch out of his pocket, and handed it to her. "Kelly, I love you with all my heart and soul, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

  Kelly was speechless, tears welling up in her eyes. She picked up the pouch and dropped it, her hands shaking. Todd took the pouch from her and pulled out a diamond ring, taking her left hand in his.

  "Will you marry me?" he asked quietly. She nodded immediately, still not able to talk. Todd put the ring on her finger tenderly. She threw her arms around him, laughing and crying at the same time.

  Carly glanced over at Tom and Penny, who were both smiling broadly, but teary eyed. Tom pulled Penny close and gave her a tremendous hug, kissing her soundly on the lips. Carly wiped tears from her eyes, overjoyed for her friend.

  "Kelly, I think you should probably go next," Joe said quietly, grinning broadly.

  Kelly sniffed, wiped her eyes, and said, "I'm thankful for everything!" More tears. "Especially that he finally got around to asking me!" Everyone laughed exultantly. "When did you get this?" she asked, looking at the beautiful ring.

  "Remember when we went to Billings to the mall with Joe and Carly?" he said, nodding toward them. "I got sick and had to go to the bathroom? Well, I did go to the bathroom, but I stopped at a little jewelry store first."

  Kelly hugged him again. "You sneak!"

  "Me? Sneak? Who was it sneaking around the porch this morning, Joe?" he asked with a hearty laugh. "And by the way. You all are witnesses that she said she would marry me, even after she saw my room!" They laughed, congratulating the happy young couple.

  "Joe, it's your turn," Todd said, grinning.

  "That one is going to be hard to beat, little brother," Joe said, smiling happily. "Let me see. I'm thankful that Jesus saved me as well and gave me two of the best parents a kid could possibly have. I love you, Mom and Dad. Don't faint. I know I don't say it enough,
but I really do love you both, and I appreciate all you've done for me.” He paused and cleared his throat.

  “I'm tremendously thankful that God didn't allow me to marry Amy, which would have been the biggest mistake of my life. I'm thankful that he brought Carly into my life, and I don't intend to let her get away from me." He squeezed her hand tightly. She smiled gently and rubbed his hand with her fingers. Todd looked at him a little perplexed but didn't say anything.

  "It's your turn, Carly," Tom said kindly.

  "I've got so much to be thankful for, I don't know where to start," she said softly, feeling a little out of place. "I'm thankful that for the first time in quite a few years, I've been able to have a real Thanksgiving dinner with people that I care deeply for. I'm thankful for my salvation, just like all of you, and I'm thankful that God has taken care of my every need, and led me to this little town, where I could meet you all. He's given me some of the best friends I could ever wish for, which I haven't had since my dad died, and"—she paused, taking a deep breath—"I'm very thankful for you letting me milk your cow!" They all laughed heartily.

  "Anyone want to watch a movie?" Todd asked, wanting a reason to cuddle with Kelly when they were done.

  "Sure!" Tom and Penny said merrily. "Joe, Carly, what do you want to watch?"

  "Well, I thought Carly and I would exercise some of the horses for a little bit if she wants to." Joe gave her a hopeful look.

  "Why not just let them out in the pasture for a little while," Penny said helpfully. Tom cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. "Besides—"

  Tom squeezed her hand, smiling. "Let them go, dear. They'll be back soon."

  "Oh." She looked at him, confused. "Okay, have fun."

  "I want to show Carly the project I've been working on before it gets dark," Joe said gently, hoping to ease his mom's bewilderment. "We'll be back." He led Carly out by the hand.

  "Project?" Penny asked after they left. "What project?"

  Todd and Tom smiled knowingly at her, Tom squeezing her to him.

  "Oh! That project!" She smiled, relaxing considerably.

  Joe and Carly rode in comfortable silence for a little while, listening to the snow crunching under the horse's hooves.

  "I want to show you this place first," he said, leading her up an old, overgrown driveway she'd never noticed before.

  "What a neat place!" she exclaimed as they came to an old but well kept, two-story farmhouse in the middle of a pine clearing.

  "This is Todd and Kelly's place," Joe said confidentially, reining in his horse so she could look around.

  "Todd's?" Carly asked, looking at him questioningly.

  "It used to be my grandparents' house. When Grandpa died, he left it to my dad along with all the property he owned. When Todd turned twenty-one, Dad split all the property he had three ways, giving one piece to Todd, and one to me, letting us choose which we wanted," he explained, walking his horse around the place. Carly followed. "Dad, of course, kept the place he's got now, Todd really wanted this one, because of Kelly I assume, and I took the piece of property on the other side of Mom and Dad's."

  "Oh," Carly said thoughtfully, admiring the beautiful old place. "It's in pretty good shape."

  "We've kept it up pretty well, and we've remodeled a few things inside that Todd wanted done. All it needs now is a good painting, and it's ready to live in."

  She could just imagine how it would look after Todd and Kelly were married. The picket fence painted white to match the house, flowers blooming profusely in the flowerbeds along the front, two rocking chairs looking inviting on the front porch. She sighed, happy for Kelly and Todd, but feeling a little out of place herself.

  "You're awfully quiet," Joe said softly, turning to go. He looked at her compassionately, walking next to her back to the road.

  "I was just imagining what it's going to look like when they're living here," she said sadly. "I'm happy for them, but it's kind of bittersweet, you know?"

  "What do you mean?" he asked, going back the way they had come. They had passed his parents house before she continued.

  "Things just won't be the same," she said sadly. "They'll be married, and Kelly and I won't be able to visit like we do now, nothing against Todd, of course," she added quickly with a quick smile.

  "And you feel a little alone," he said, understanding what she was feeling. She nodded slightly. "When he asked her to marry him today, it brought back all kinds of memories of Amy and me. And," he said slowly, "I suppose it did the same for you with Ian."

  "Yes," she said quietly, looking ahead of her. "Do you miss Amy?" She couldn't help asking, her curiosity burning.

  "Miss Amy?" He laughed incredulously. "Why would I miss her? I really think she was the devil in disguise! She was awful. I couldn't possibly miss her," he looked at her tenderly. "You don't have anything to worry about with her. Why? Do you miss Ian?" he asked, glancing at her sideways. "He could afford to give you everything."

  "If I missed Ian, I could go back to him anytime I wanted to." She smiled wryly. "And I don't want everything, never did."

  They were silent as Joe led them down a tractor path lined by trees on both sides.

  "Here we are," he said, coming into a gently sloping meadow, mountains towering big and black in the setting sun.

  Carly caught her breath, looking around her in amazement. "This is gorgeous," she said quietly, gazing at the scenery, unaware of Joe's watchful gaze.

  "There's more," he said, walking his horse toward the back of the meadow.

  Just inside the tree line, Carly saw an unfinished house emerge. "Is this the project you've been working on?" she asked breathlessly, awed by the beauty of the scene before her.

  "Yep. This is it." He slid off his horse, tying the reins to a tree. He helped her down, tied her horse next to his, and took her hand protectively, leading her toward the house.

  It was much more than a foundation now. The outside walls and roof were done, the porch and front steps almost finished. He had already put in the windows and front door. She looked at him in amazement.

  "This is the one you were building for Amy," she said with a pang of envy. He nodded silently, unable to take his eyes off her.

  "She was a stupid woman," she said softly, looking steadily at him.

  His face lit up with hope.

  "It was just a foundation when I showed it to Amy," he said, leading her up the front steps. "I stopped working on it for a while because I didn't have any hopes or dreams," he said, turning to her. "But when I met you, I came alive again. I knew that God had meant you for me, and I started building again. Dad and Todd have helped me a lot, and it'll be done soon. I've just got to do the inside and finish some things outside."

  "You've been busy," she said, her heart beating madly, butterflies in her stomach.

  "Do you want to see the inside?" he asked softly, pulling her after him. He unlocked the door, stepped aside to let her in, and followed after her. He left the door open behind them to let in some of the remaining light.

  "This is the living room," he said, pointing to his left. "That frame on the floor there is going to be the fireplace. It's going to separate the kitchen from the living room, and it'll be open on all four sides so we can enjoy it everywhere."

  Her heart skipped a beat at the word ‘we.’

  "Over here to my right, is going to be the master bedroom and bathroom, two more bedrooms will be down on the other end of the house, and the guest bathroom will be right here." He stopped, pointing each of the rooms out for her to envision.

  "Well? What do you think?" he asked, heart in his eyes.

  She looked down at her feet, not meeting his gaze. "What can I say?" she said, shrugging her shoulders. "I think Amy was the stupidest woman in the world."

  "Is it too close to my parents?"

  "Too close?" She remembered that was one argument he'd had with Amy. She smiled gently. "No, it's not too close."

  "Does that mean you like it?" he asked qui
etly, walking toward her.

  "Do you want me to like it?" she said shyly as he took her in his arms.

  "No." He paused, kissing her forehead. "I want you to love it." He kissed her cheek. "In fact, I want you to want it." He kissed her other cheek.

  "Why do you want me to want it?" she asked, breathing fast.

  "Because I want to give it to you," he whispered, pulling her to him tighter. He kissed her right hand."I love you with all my heart, Carly." He kissed her right palm. "I'm asking you to be my wife." He looked at her keenly. "Will you?"

  "Can I think about it?" she asked slyly, relishing the power she had over him.

  He grinned, his eyes flashing. "No."

  "Yes!" she threw her arms around him and hugged him fiercly.

  He stepped back slightly and slipped a diamond ring on her finger.

  "I know it's not much…" he began.

  "I don't want to hear it," she said lovingly, gazing at the ring. "I love you more than words can say, Joe. I just want you." She threw her arms around his neck, laughing.

  He pulled her close, kissing her on the mouth, taking her by surprise. He stepped back, passion smoldering in his eyes. She looked at him, touching her mouth where his kiss still burned.

  "I'm sorry," he said thickly, afraid that he had offended her.

  "No. It just took me by surprise, that's all." She smiled, placed her hands on his cheeks, brought his face down to hers, and kissed him boldly on the lips.

  He let out a whoop of excitement, picked her up, and swung her around as if she weighed nothing. He set her down gently, kissing her again.

  "I hope you'll marry me soon," he said seriously, still holding her fast. "I can't take too many of those." He kissed her again. "I love you."

  "I love you too," she said, resting her head on his chest. They stood for a moment, savoring the newness of their relationship, confident in each other's love and affection.

  "Let's go back and tell everybody," Joe whispered in her ear.

  "I don't think we should," Carly said anxiously. Joe stepped away, perplexed. "It's Todd and Kelly's day. We can tell them another time," she said hurriedly, trying to soothe his fears.