But now she didn’t need that. She’d continue to be active in various groups, like the knitting club, and maybe she could help out with the Wednesday night suppers. Now that she didn’t have to worry about moving out of her home, she had the freedom to choose what she wanted to do with her time. That freedom had energized her — she’d spent time the past two weeks organizing her house so that she hardly ever wasted time looking for things.
She still couldn’t believe Paul had used her money — borrowed it, as he put it — without asking. But he seemed genuinely sorry and promised it wouldn’t happen again. Nancy had found a part time job at the elementary school, and they’d cut back on some of their expensive habits. A coffee pot on their counter got more use now that they’d given up buying fancy lattes and cappuccinos. Paul took his lunch to work rather than eating out each day.
A part of her felt sorry for her son and daughter-in-law. It was difficult to give up one way of life for another. Perhaps it was her fault for indulging him when he was growing up. But maybe by budgeting and living more frugally they’d come out stronger.
The family settled in their usual row. Against her better judgment, Helen glanced across the aisle where the Sikkema family always sat. Kathy and her children were there, along with Loretta and Mike. As if she’d said his name aloud, he turned, fastened his bright blue eyes on her, and winked. She felt her face heat and she looked down, smoothing her skirt. Surely everyone had seen that wink! He might as well have shouted her name aloud.
The youth pastor began the song service, and she rose to join in the singing. Since no one seemed to be staring at her, she finally started to relax. But where was her younger son? She’d begun to worry when Jonathan and his wife arrived just after the first hymn. She sighed in satisfaction. All was right in her world.
Before she knew it, the sermon was over, and children and adults alike headed for their Sunday School classes. She stayed in the auditorium for the rehearsal.
~~~~
The next night she and Mike had decided to have dinner at the Pizza Barn. They managed to get a booth right away, and Mary Veeninga took their orders.
Helen wondered if tonight would be the night Mike said his goodbyes. Now that Loretta’s medical woes had an explanation he had no reason to stay. His mother was on medication and had been instructed to stay away from certain foods that built gas in her system. It must have worked, because last Sunday she was there in the front row, next to her daughter-in-law and grandkids. Mike would go back to his busy life in Chicago, and Zutphen would be a distant memory.
“Earth to Helen. Something troubling you?”
“No, just… thinking about tomorrow’s rehearsal. I’m trying to figure out… how to keep those kids in line when they’re not actually moving around on the stage.”
“I suppose you could threaten them.”
“With what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe with making them kiss a girl in the next pageant.”
She burst into laughter. “Now that would be an awful thing to ask of an eleven-year-old boy!”
“He’d thank you in about four or five years.”
“Think so?”
Her phone rang, and she reached in her purse to turn it off. But she couldn’t find the right button, so she pulled it out. Spotting the phone number, she frowned.
“Something wrong?”
“It’s Nina Finch, Bradley’s mom. The junior high school boy who is supposed to play the father,” she added at Mike’s puzzled look.
“Maybe you’d better answer. Go ahead. I can check my messages while you do that.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket.
Helen answered. “Hello?”
“Helen, it’s Nina. Brad is sick.”
“Oh dear! What happened?”
“He came home from school on Friday with a headache. Today I had to drag him out of bed for basketball practice, and that never happens. But when I picked him up an hour later, he had splotches all over his face.”
“Splotches? Is it a rash?”
“It’s the chicken pox.”
“Oh no.”
“I’ve got to keep him at home. I hate to do this to you, since it’s so late, but I don’t think he’ll be able to do the pageant.”
“Of course not. He’s got to take time and get better. Thank you for letting me know, though.”
“You’re welcome. I’d offer to send my older boy, Randy, but he’s on the varsity team, and if he misses practice, the coach won’t let him play.”
“I understand. I’ll figure something out.”
“Good luck. I know the pageant will be great, in spite of everything.”
“Yes, it will. Good night, dear.”
She hung up.
“Problem?” Mike looked up from his phone.
“Brad has the chicken pox. He won’t be in the pageant. I’ll have to find another Father.”
“From your expression, I take it that’s a difficult job?”
“I had to pull teeth to get the boys I have.”
“Mmm. Maybe the other boys have a friend they can cajole into doing it.”
“I suppose. Two of the wisemen are brothers. David and Jason Ingle. I’ll talk to them tomorrow.”
“Why don’t you call them now? That’ll give them time to find a buddy to bring to practice on Wednesday.”
She frowned at him. “I thought it was impolite to use the phone in a restaurant.”
“Normally, I’d agree with you. But this is an emergency you need to deal with. Go on. I’ve still got messages of my own to read and respond to.” He picked up his phone again. Helen gave a mental shrug then looked up the Ingles’ phone number.
Jessica Ingle answered on the first ring. “Helen! What a coincidence. I was just ready to call you.”
A knot began to form in her tummy.
“David and Jason came home from school with spots all over their faces. I took them to the doctor today. I guess they both picked up the chicken pox. They’re both in bed. I guess it says something about how they’re feeling when they miss supper.”
“Oh my, how awful! Well, of course I can’t expect him to do the pageant. Just keep those boys home in bed. I hope they feel better soon.”
She hung up her phone and sighed. And then she sank onto her seat in the booth.
“Bad news?” Mike set his pizza slice down and reached across the table to take her hand.
“Two of the wisemen are down with the chicken pox. I’ll have to find three new people. Soon.”
“Uh…”
“I knew something like this would happen. Just when I’d started to relax and assume that everything was going to go right and I could finish this job on a high note, I have to lose a big chunk of my cast.” She groaned. “What would you do if you were me?”
“Well, I guess I’d get on the phone and start calling people.”
“Who?” I’ve got every single boy in the church involved already. I had to pull teeth to get them to understand what they were supposed to do. If I add anything to their instructions they’ll freak. Or forget.”
“It can’t be that hard to be a wiseman. Walk in, set the gift in front of the manger, step back.”
“Close. Walk in majestically, slowly, don’t trip over robes, set gift gently in front of manger, step back without running into anyone.”
“Right. These are pre-teen boys.”
“And there aren’t any more. I’d try to recruit a girl, but they’re all busy helping Joanie with the younger kids.”
“Hmm. Looks like you’re stuck with adults, then.”
She stared at him, her brows raised in an unspoken question.
He sighed. “Yes, I’ll do it.”
She broke into a wide smile. “That’s one. Who else?”
“One or two of your sons?
The smile got even bigger, if it was possible. “Great idea.” She picked her phone up again and dialed.
Chapter Twenty-five
Helen stood at the sink p
reparing a salad for the evening meal. She had so much more energy and ambition to cook now for two rather than one. They’d fallen into the habit of eating dinner together each night. He spent the day with his mother or in his apartment writing. But they spent their evenings together, talking, playing board games, and cuddling in front of the TV. A part of her wondered when the shoe would drop. Now that they’d figured out what was bothering Loretta, would he return to Chicago? Of course he would. He had an important job there. Why would he remain in rural Zutphen, in the middle of nowhere, when he had a life there? Well, now that her money woes had been taken care of, she could go on more of those bus tours. She’d already booked herself on the next tour with Donna. Next spring they would travel to Branson, Missouri, to see some shows and do some shopping. And later on there was a trip to the Mall of America that looked interesting.
Maybe she’d do both. It would take a lot to make her forget this wonderful fall and the handsome man who’d made her life so magical. She wouldn’t ever forget, but her heart would be shredded when he left. Only time would heal the pain.
Mike stepped up behind her and kissed her cheek. He flashed something colorful in front of her. “Flowers! How lovely.”
“Lovely flowers for a lovely lady.”
“Thank you. Let me put these in water.” She dug in her pantry for a vase. “I’ve got a nice beef roast for dinner.”
“My favorite.”
She swatted his arm. “Everything is your favorite.”
He helped her move the food to the table, and they sat. They held hands and said grace then dug into their food.
“So what did you do today?”
“I ran a few errands. I got a new dress for the Christmas pageant and other holiday gatherings. Got the last of my Christmas shopping done. What about you?”
“I filed the Mackinac Island story for the magazine. And I talked to my editor about my next article.”
“Oh? Where are you going?”
“The Seychelles Islands.”
“The Seychelles? Isn’t that—”
“In the Indian Ocean. The one ocean you haven’t dipped your toe in. I want you to come with me.”
She put her fork down. “Come with you? I can’t possibly do that.”
“Why not?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be… I mean people will say… I mean…”
She stopped short when she saw the little box he pulled out of his pocket.
“They won’t say anything if you’re my wife and we’re on our honeymoon.”
“Honey… moon?”
“Honeymoon. As in, will you marry me?”
“Marry — you?” She stood, agitated, and hurried to the living room. He followed close behind.
~~~~
Mike stood behind her, wanting to touch her but afraid of her rejection. “I’m sorry if I upset you. I thought you felt the same as I did.”
“This — this is so sudden.”
“I know. But it’s what I want. I was hoping you’d want it, too. I’ve spent my whole life thinking I needed a career to be happy. Now I know I need more. It’s been a journey, but I finally have my priorities straight. You’re what I need to be happy.”
“Why would you want an old woman like me?”
“Old? Who called you an old woman?” The look on his face was so fierce, Helen giggled.
“No one called me that. I have a mirror to tell me the facts.”
He took her shoulders and squeezed. “You. Are. Not. Old,” he told her. “You are a beautiful, confident woman. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.”
“But I forget things. I let things go and get into trouble, like running out of gas. I-I’m always needing to be rescued.”
“We all forget things. But you remember the important things. Like family.”
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Listen, I know I sprang this on you, and I caught you by surprise. I’m sorry. The Seychelles trip came up and I grabbed it, thinking of you. And I knew you wouldn’t feel comfortable going with just me, so I proposed. No — that’s not true. I was going to propose to you anyway, but not yet. The trip made me propose earlier than I’d planned. Maybe too early for you.”
He waited, but still she didn’t say the words he wanted to hear. Finally he sighed and took her arm.
“Let’s back up to where we were talking about our day. We were sitting at the table eating your delicious roast, which is still sitting uneaten on the table.” He led her back to her seat and pushed her chair in for her, then sat. Then he proceeded to make small talk while pretending to enjoy a meal that had suddenly turned to dust.
~~~~
Later that evening, he sank into the recliner in his apartment. He’d prefer to be in the house on the other side of the wall, but he’d left after that disaster of a proposal. He’d been so sure she shared his feelings. How had he gone wrong? Now that he’d finally embraced who and what he was and had come home, as his parents had always wanted, the missing part of the puzzle didn’t fit, and he was left with a gaping hole where that piece belonged. He wouldn’t mind staying here, but without Helen it would be pointless. He might as well go back to Chicago with his tail between his legs.
His cell phone rang, and he picked up without checking to see who the caller was.
“Hello?”
“Mike, you need to come over. Now, if you can.”
He sat up. His brother never used that tone of voice unless it was truly urgent. Something was wrong. “I’ll be right there.”
Three hours later he returned to the apartment. If his heart had been heavy when he’d left Helen, it was even heavier now. Loretta’s test results had come in. Her stomach problems were not just a matter of eating gaseous foods. She had colon cancer. And since she’d waited so long to get a diagnosis, it had spread. Surgery was an option, but since the cancer was so far advanced, her chances of surviving even after surgery were not good. As expected, Loretta had declined surgery. “I’ve lived a good life. I’ve raised two sons who are healthy and happy—” She glanced at Mike then. “Mostly happy, anyway. There’s no sense in chasing after moonbeams. Just let me rest. I’m ready to be back with my husband. I’ve missed him so.” She looked at Mike again. “If there’s a silver lining in this, it’s the gift of having you around for the last few months. Your father and I were always proud of your success, but I’ve missed you. We both feared you’d never find true happiness. I’d like to see you settled before I go.”
He’d choked back his tears. “I’m trying, Mom.”
So his mother knew as well as he did that Helen was the woman for him. How could he convince her of that?
You write for a magazine. A publication that goes to several million homes each month and millions more online. You have an audience. Use it!
He could do something for this town that had accepted and embraced his brother and mother, and seemed to welcome him. And it would keep him here for a while. Hopefully, long enough to convince a certain lady that they belonged together.
Chapter Twenty-six
Mike checked his briefcase one last time before closing it. He needed to have all his ducks in a row before pitching his idea to the board. He’d had to call in more than a few favors to get on the agenda for this meeting, and he’d better have everything ready. His suitcase was packed and waited for him by the door. The weather forecast for the next few days was good. Travel around Lake Michigan could be treacherous in the wintertime, and they’d already had one major snowfall. He needed to get to the meeting and back before the pageant on Sunday. If he had to, he’d snowshoe back to Zutphen before he’d disappoint Helen.
Satisfied that he had everything in order, he closed his briefcase and stood. He had a three-hour drive ahead of him — in good weather and light traffic — so he’d given himself five hours to get there. He’d better get going.
He trudged out to the garage, thankful he’d taken the snow blower and cleared the driveway the previous day. Using the little snow blower had
taken quite awhile, but it was better than shoveling. Maybe now that Helen had more money each month she could hire a snowplow service. Or maybe she’d let him help pay for it.
The suitcase went in the trunk of the car and the briefcase went in the passenger seat. He felt in his pocket for his keys then remembered they were hanging on the hook inside the door. Turning to go back inside, he nearly toppled over as a hundred pounds of sobbing woman hit his chest.
Helen’s arms circled tightly around his neck. She had no coat and nothing on her feet. He wrapped his arms around her and tried to discern what she was saying through her tears.
“I’m sorry! Please don’t go. Don’t leave me. If you have to go back to Chicago, take me with you. I do want to marry you. I do love you, but I was afraid to admit it. I’m a silly old woman who doesn’t know what she wants. Please, please, give me another chance.”
The joy in his heart warmed him, and he held her more tightly. “Sweetheart, you’re going to freeze out here. Let’s go inside and talk.” Mindful of her lack of footwear, he carried her back into the house, going through the kitchen and into the living room. He set her in her recliner and wrapped an afghan around her, then knelt in front of her. “Did you think I would just take off for good without talking to you? I’ve never done that to a landlord, and I wouldn’t do it to you. I wouldn’t be a very good tenant if I did that. And you mean so much more to me than any landlord.”
She wiped at her eyes with her sleeve and sniffed. “I don’t know. You seemed awfully upset with me the other day.”
“I wasn’t upset with you. I was disappointed because I thought I’d miscalculated, misunderstood your feelings.”
“You didn’t. I did. I was going to tell you, but then I saw you putting your suitcase in your car… I panicked.”
“Yes, you did.” He got up and perched on the arm of her recliner, setting his arm around her shoulders. “Helen, I have a meeting I have to attend. I’m presenting an idea for a new series of articles to the board. One that features the best places to live. Starting with Zutphen. I figure that will keep me here for a while, and maybe it will help the town a little bit.”
The Patricia Kiyono Christmas Collection Page 25