“Promise?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“Andie! I won’t introduce you to my cousin,” I bribed her.
“Hmm. Sure wouldn’t want to miss out on meeting Stan,” Andie said, scratching her head. “All right, worry-bean, you win.”
I smiled. “Here’s the plan. Can you get your hands on some mascara and eyeliner?”
“Mom’s got tons of it,” she said.
“Perfect. Make sure you get it over here by ten o’clock on Labor Day morning.”
“Why so early? That’s the last day to sleep in before school starts.”
“C’mon, Andie, cooperate with me. You have all next week to sleep in.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, getting up to leave. “See you in church tomorrow.” She turned around and giggled at me. “Can’t believe you got yourself into such a mess, Holly. This takes the cake.”
“Get outta here,” I said, tossing a heart-shaped pillow at her.
She caught the pillow and threw it back. “What I wouldn’t give to tell Danny Myers about all this.”
I leaped off the bed. “Andie, you promised!”
“Oh yeah, almost forgot.”
I opened my bottom dresser drawer and ripped a page out of my journal. “Here,” I said, shoving the paper under her nose. “Write your name.”
“What for?” Her eyes were wide.
“Just do it.”
She scribbled Andrea Martinez with a pen from my dresser.
“Thanks,” I called after her as she dashed down the stairs.
“Happy analyzing,” she yelled back.
I stared at the paper. Not a single A in her name was closed at the top!
I froze. If the handwriting book was correct, Andie’s open A’s meant she could not keep a secret. Not at all.
Uncle Jack showed up after lunch to pick up Stephie. His handsome face looked tan from his time in Hawaii, and his wavy brown hair had blond streaks from the sun.
“Daddy!” Stephanie called to him, running to the door.
“Hi, shortie,” he said, gathering her up for a big bear hug. He leaned over and wrapped his arm around Carrie, too. Then he spotted me, hanging back close to the stairs. “Whatcha hiding over there for, Holly?”
He came over and gave me a big squeeze. How good he smelled—fresh, like summer wind.
“Take a look at this young lady,” he said. “Boys must be calling 207 Downhill Court day and night.”
I brushed my hair away from my shoulder. “Thanks,” I said, blushing, as always.
Carrie jumped on his back, pulling the collar of his shirt. He grabbed her and swung her around. She squealed. “Where are you taking Mommy?”
Uncle Jack lowered his voice mysteriously. “It’s a very special secret surprise.”
“I wanna come, too,” Carrie said.
“Me too. Me too,” Stephie squealed.
“Well,” Uncle Jack said, pulling his pretend beard, “if we take you along, what about Holly?”
“And Stan and Phil and Mark,” shouted Carrie.
By now the girls had wrestled Uncle Jack to the floor. Mom appeared from the kitchen just as Stephie sat on his back. Carrie messed up his hair, giggling hysterically. It was good to see hair again.
Mom smiled, wiping her hands on a towel.
“Hello, Susan,” Uncle Jack said, sitting up and pulling Stephie onto his lap while Carrie hung on his neck.
“Hi,” Mom said, almost shyly. “Looks like you’ve met our welcoming committee.”
“And some welcome it was,” he said, tickling Carrie and Stephie again.
“We’re going on a date with you, Mommy,” Carrie announced, trying to pull Uncle Jack’s Reeboks off.
“There’s room for everyone,” Uncle Jack said, looking at Mom. “But only if it’s okay with my date.” There was an irresistible twinkle in his voice.
“Sounds like fun,” Mom said, laughing.
Uncle Jack jumped off the floor, bringing the girls up with him. “Okay, then, we’ll see you ladies at five-thirty.”
“Give us a hint where we’re going,” Carrie begged.
“Only one,” he said, pulling a piece of straw out of his shirt pocket and slipping it into his mouth. “What political office does a horse run for?” he asked, with the straw dangling off his lips.
“What’s ‘political’?” Carrie asked.
“I’ll tell you later,” Uncle Jack said, poking her ribs.
I stood close to Mom. “What political office does a horse run for?” I asked.
“Mare,” Uncle Jack said, straight-faced.
For some reason, the joke struck me funny. I laughed till the tears came to my eyes.
“I don’t get it. What’s the hint?” asked Carrie.
“The joke’s the clue,” Uncle Jack said, kissing her forehead. “Think about it.”
“Don’t worry, Carrie. I don’t get it, either,” Stephie said, heading toward the door with her dad. Mom and I followed behind them.
“Jump in the van,” Uncle Jack told Stephie, taking the straw out of his mouth and shoving it into his blue jeans.
Carrie hurried off to see our boy cousins while Mom and I stood on the porch, waving to them in the van. Stan sat smugly in the front passenger seat, trying to look cool. Phil and Mark hung halfway out the windows.
Mom quietly thanked Uncle Jack for the roses.
“My pleasure,” he said, giving her a peck on the cheek, the way he used to when all of us visited Uncle Jack and Aunt Marla back east.
He kissed me, too. “Wear your rattiest jeans tonight,” he said with a wink.
Carrie raced back to the porch as the sleek gray van pulled out of the driveway and disappeared down our street.
I turned to Mom. “Where do you think we’re going?”
“Think about it,” she said, playing Uncle Jack’s game.
“You know, don’t you?” I said, glad to see the stress gone from her eyes.
“It’ll be a date to remember,” she said.
I ran upstairs to add important info to my journal, starting with Lucas and ending with Uncle Jack.
Soon it was time to get ready for the “family” date. It felt weird and good at the same time. Then I remembered it was just last week that Danny had suggested Mom and Carrie and I come to his house for dinner sometime. Like that would ever happen.
Carrie ran past my room shouting, “Look, there are horses in our street!”
I gave my hair a final brushing and flew down the steps to see.
A hay wagon, pulled by two horses, waited like Cinderella’s pumpkin coach. Stan, Phil, and Mark sat in the back, chewing long pieces of straw. Uncle Jack jumped down off the wagon, heading for the house.
“Mom!” I called upstairs. “You’re never gonna believe this.”
“Believe what?” She appeared at the head of the stairs, a sweater draped over her shoulders.
I stared at her. “Mom, you look so young tonight.”
“Why, thank you, Holly-Heart. I feel young,” she said, fluffing her hair in the mirror just as the doorbell rang.
Funny, I thought. Mom and I should trade places on Labor Day when Lucas Leigh comes to town.
Mom went to the door and opened it. There stood Uncle Jack, grinning. “Are m’ ladies ready?” he asked, tipping his straw hat.
“Certainly,” Mom replied, taking his arm. They walked down the sidewalk, very dignified.
Carrie, my cousins, and I burst into loud giggles. What a change from Mr. Tate, I thought as I clambered aboard the wagon. Thank you, Lord!
SEALED WITH A KISS
Chapter 18
Exactly one week later Uncle Jack took all of us out on a “date” again. Guess we made a good impression the first time. Anyway, it was fun having so many relatives around—even if it meant squeezing all of us into a single raft on the wild Arkansas River.
That night I wrote in my journal about riding the rapids with Uncle Jack and our cousins. No one fell overboard this time, b
ut we did get soaked. Best of all, I couldn’t remember seeing Mom laugh so much.
Counting the hours till I met Lucas face-to-face took most of my energy, as well as my thoughts. Andie and I did a practice run on my makeup and hair after church on Sunday. It was amazing the difference a little—a lot—of makeup could make. To complete the look, I found the perfect tailored suit at a secondhand shop.
But on the day of Lucas’s visit, Andie showed up ten minutes late. She had me totally freaked by the time she arrived.
“Hey, it’s Labor Day,” she said. “What do you expect? My mom had me hand washing and waxing the floors.”
“Right,” I said. “Somehow I can’t picture it. But nice try anyway.”
“Hold still,” she insisted, carefully outlining my eyes with dark liner.
At last, I was ready.
“Now what?” Andie stepped back, admiring her handiwork.
“Let’s role-play till it’s time for me to leave,” I said.
“Huh?” Andie stared wide-eyed at me.
“You be Lucas, and I’ll be me.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Not really. It helps to plan what I’ll say.”
“You mean you don’t know?” Andie said.
“I have a plan.”
“Oh great,” she muttered. “Another plan.”
The phone rang. “For you, Holly,” Mom called to me.
I whispered to Andie, “Check to see if my mom’s downstairs.”
She crept out into the hallway and peered down the staircase. “All clear.”
I dashed to the hall phone, keeping my face toward the wall. “Hello?”
“Hi, Holly.” It was Danny.
“Oh, hi,” I said softly, hoping Mom would stay downstairs.
“I’ve missed you,” he said.
“You have?” I said, wondering why he hadn’t called for two whole weeks.
“Yeah,” he said. “I know it’s been a long time since we researched the handwriting book at the library, but…”
“Look, Danny,” I said, checking my watch, “I’m really sorry, but I can’t talk now. I’m kinda in a hurry. Can we talk later?”
“Please listen. I’ll make it short.”
“Okay.”
“I’ve been thinking,” he said. “About us, er…you and me, you know.”
“Uh-huh?” I heard footsteps on the stairs. My heart pounded. No way could I let Mom see me this way.
“Holly,” Danny said, taking a deep breath. “Would you consider being my girlfriend?”
I saw the top of Mom’s head out of the corner of my eye. She was coming upstairs fast.
“Uh, sorry, Danny, I’ll have to talk to you later. Bye!” I left the phone dangling as I dashed to my bedroom and slammed the door. Hiding in the closet, I told Andie, “If Mom wants me, I’m unavailable.”
“Are you crazy?” she said through the crack in the closet door.
“What’s going on?”
Just then…knock, knock.
“Holly, come hang up this phone, please,” Mom said.
I heard Andie open my bedroom door. “I’ll do it,” she said, closing the door safely behind her.
Inside the dark closet, I suddenly felt disloyal to Danny in my globbed-on getup, preparing for a lunch with Lucas Leigh. All summer I’d waited for this moment—for Danny to ask this question—and now I couldn’t even give him an answer! All because of the game I was playing with Lucas. And with myself.
Once Andie was absolutely sure Mom was out of sight, I stuffed all my Leigh mysteries in an overnight case and sneaked down the stairs and out the back door.
Andie walked me to Aspen Street, where we said good-bye. She wished me luck with Lucas and made me promise to tell her every thrilling detail.
Downtown, the souvenir shops bustled with end-of-summer tourists. I caught my reflection in the donut-shop window as I made my way to the Explore Bookstore. Pushing my shoulders back, I snickered at the shapely look I’d achieved with a wad of tissues stuffed in all the right places. No question, I appeared older than thirteen.
As I waited for the light to change, I heard Jared Wilkins’ voice behind me. “Holly, is that you?”
I kept facing forward as I heard him running to catch up with me. I ignored the traffic light, hoping to lose Jared in the shuffle of cars and people.
“Wait, Holly! Watch out!” he shouted.
A car swerved. I kept running, raising my left hand to protect my perfect French twist. Only half a block more to the bookstore.
Just then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Jared whirled me around. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed back there.”
“What do you want?” I said, anger and embarrassment boiling up inside me.
He stepped back, a perplexed look on his handsome face. “Well, well, what is this?”
“None of your business, that’s what. Now, leave me alone.”
“You look absolutely dazzling, Miss Meredith,” he said, his eyes focusing on my hair. “I’ve never seen you look so, uh…”
“Grown-up?” I said.
He snapped his fingers. “That’s it! You look much older. But why?”
“Please excuse me,” I said, pushing past him.
“Going my way?” he asked.
“I hope not,” I said, cringing inside. Jared would blow my cover for sure. It would serve me right for thinking I could pull off such deception.
“Man, Holly, you’re acting so strange.”
I looked at my watch. Five minutes to go. “Will you please get lost?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Hey, don’t cry,” he said, backing away. “If it means that much to you, I’m outta here. See you at school tomorrow.”
I stood there close to tears as Jared turned and walked away. He was right—I was acting strange. So strange I hardly recognized myself.
Dreadful apprehension—and a bit of determination—flared up inside me as I headed for the bookstore.
The place hummed with people, overflowing with quiet conversation and occasional laughter. Ferns and ivy hung in potted baskets from the ceiling. Bamboo chairs were scattered around for book-inspecting by prospective buyers.
Then I saw him…Lucas Leigh. My summer pen pal was unmistakeable.
Quickly, I hid in the corner, behind one of the high-backed bamboo chairs. There, I was able to observe him privately. Wearing navy blue dress pants and a light blue dress shirt, he seemed older than his picture. And attentive to each of the fans waiting in line.
I felt really ridiculous hiding in this outrageous getup. Pulling a tiny mirror from my purse, I checked my makeup. The new Holly smiled back at me, French twist and all. Thoughts of honesty crept into my mind, spoiling the moment. I felt jittery. Even sinful.
I glanced at the wide table where Lucas stood beside a stack of Marty Leigh’s most recent book. My favorite author wore a bright green two-piece dress with pearl earrings. She was signing a book for an obvious fan. The girl watched her, apparently awestruck.
Feeling as shy as the girl looked, I drew a deep breath and stood up. It was now or never.
SEALED WITH A KISS
Chapter 19
I tried to move but stood frozen behind the chair. Then something inside me popped loose. The truth! It was time to let it emerge. I began pulling the pins out of my French twist on the way to the ladies’ room. Inside, I searched for a brush in my purse and some tissues to wipe off the eye makeup.
“Please, Lord, forgive me,” I whispered as I shook my hair free. Frantically, I washed away the heavy makeup. Next I pulled out the tissue wads, revealing my own true shape, such as it was.
Stepping back, I admired the real Holly Meredith in the mirror. Perfect.
Then, taking a deep breath, I left the rest room and marched toward Lucas Leigh and the book-signing event. I waited in line like the others, and when it was my turn at the book table, I said, “Hello, Lucas. I’m Holly Meredith.”
He looked a bit surprised but shook my ha
nd and introduced me to his aunt. “Marty, this is Holly, the writer of ‘Love Times Two.’ ”
“So very pleased to meet you, Holly,” she said, smiling broadly.
My heart pounding, I shook hands with Marty Leigh.
Lucas seemed confused. “I hardly recognized you, Holly. You looked much older in your picture,” he said. “I thought—”
“I’m sorry,” I confessed. “I must tell both of you the truth about myself. I’m really only thirteen and a half. I shouldn’t have misled you. I guess I wanted to impress you.”
Miss Leigh smiled warmly. “Holly, dear, you don’t have to impress me. I’m already impressed with you.”
“You are?” I felt self-conscious with Lucas staring at me.
“Oh yes,” she said. “You have a marvelous talent, my dear. And thirteen or thirty, I plan to help you get published.” She touched her single strand of pearls.
Lucas nodded, smiling. “I hope you can join us for lunch, Holly.”
“I’d like that,” I said, surprised at his kindhearted reaction to the real me. The line of people was growing longer behind me. I reached for my overnight case, filled with many Leigh mysteries. “I’d be honored if you’d sign these,” I said.
She wrote her name in each novel, just as it had appeared in the handwriting book Danny and I discovered at the library. When she finished, I thanked her generously. Then Lucas escorted me upstairs to the coffee shop while my favorite author of all time continued to sign books and greet her adoring fans.
“My aunt will join us soon,” Lucas said, leading me to a table near the windows. “How’s this?”
“Fine, thanks,” I said as he pulled out the chair for me.
“You certainly don’t write like a thirteen-year-old,” he said, handing the menu to me. “Your story was better than most of the stories my college classmates write.”
“Thanks.” I blushed, which was probably a good thing, after scrubbing all that makeup off. About now, I could use a little color on my face.
“It’s true,” he said, reading the menu. “Please, order whatever you’d like.”
“How about a cheeseburger with everything on it?”
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