After they returned from Lima, they were soon working side by side again, digging holes in earth softened by the morning rain as if their heated exchange had never happened. They’d decided to build the weather shelter on roughly the same site as the previous one, on the opposite side of the drive to the mailbox and farthest from the curve that the bus rounded on its route to town. They spent the rest of the afternoon setting four notched, precast concrete blocks into the holes.
Luca planned to place the door facing the highway so that whoever walked Thomas to the road could stand inside and wave a goodbye. He pictured Kai in there, but it was strange to realize it wouldn’t be her for long; she’d be back in New York soon. Eventually Thomas would be walking that path by himself, so a small window on the side of the shelter would allow him to see the bus coming.
After they’d secured the blocks, he had gone back to the shed to start the framing while Kai had returned to the farmhouse to try calling her mother again.
When he heard the bus horn, he poked his head out of the shed to see if Kai was going to meet Thomas. The screen door slammed shut, and she waved at him as she and Amigo began to jog up the drive to the road. Minutes later, Thomas was standing in the shed watching him.
“Hey, Thomas! Think you can give me a hand with this after you’ve had your snack? It’s a weather shelter for you.” Luca turned from hammering in the last nail and saw a series of questions pass across the boy’s face followed by a spark of interest in his eyes. Thomas nodded and ran off to the kitchen door. He was back in less than ten minutes, clutching a peanut butter sandwich in one hand and a juice box in the other.
“All right then. I’m going to sort through this pile of lumber for the pieces that will be part of the floor. Then you and I are going to carry this square up to the road, where your aunt and I dug in the concrete blocks. Maybe you noticed them when you got off the bus?” He glanced up.
Thomas nodded, wolfing down his sandwich at the same time.
“If we’re lucky, we can finish this tomorrow and start painting. Think about what color you’d like it to be, inside and out. After that, we’ll have to buy some sheet metal for the roof and a window. I was thinking a window would be nice, so you could see the bus coming before the horn sounded. Of course, if you’d rather not have one, let me know. It’s your school bus shelter, not mine.” Luca kept the patter going while he gathered together the tools they’d need to haul up to the road.
While he was speaking, Kai appeared in the doorway, listening and smiling quietly. He felt good about making her happy, especially after his unreasonable reaction about going with her to meet Boychuk. The incident reminded him that his healing process post-Afghanistan was still ongoing. If he wanted Kai in his life—and he knew he did—he’d have to work harder at keeping her.
“I brought the wheelbarrow,” she said. “And my camera, to record this historic event.”
“Great. Your Auntie Kai thinks of everything, Thomas. Ready to load up?”
Thomas giggled as he jumped off the stool and helped Luca pile what they needed into the wheelbarrow. “Okay then. Auntie Kai is going to push the barrow while you and I are doing the manly work of carrying this frame.”
It was a long walk for an eight-year-old toting his half of the burden, and Luca saw Thomas struggle at least twice, but he refused to let Kai, busily photographing, take over. When he made it to the road, Luca gave him a high five. “Well done. Now comes the easy part.”
As they leveled and then set the frame in place, Kai clicked away with her camera. There wasn’t a lot of talking other than some basic instructions from Luca to Thomas, who was a quick learner.
Long after Kai had excused herself to prepare dinner, Luca and Thomas wheeled the barrow of tools back to the shed. Walking toward the farmhouse, Luca casually draped an arm over Thomas’s bony shoulders. The day hadn’t started out great but the end of it had been one of the best Luca could remember.
* * *
MARGARET TURNED OFF her cell phone and breathed out her frustration at not getting hold of Kai to tell her the good news. “She left two messages for me and now when I call her back, there’s no answer.”
Harry, tucking into his beef stew, shrugged.
Margaret pulled her chair closer to the table and took a moment to consider the stew, hoping against hope it was an improvement over the Stroganoff they’d had last night. But then, the beef tonight was probably recycled from those leftovers, so...
She heaved a loud sigh. “I’m really looking forward to some good home cooking.”
Harry grunted but raised his head to smile. There was anticipation in his face, in spite of the harsher reality of that homecoming—taking a cane and walker with him.
Enough of that! She was taking home her husband. That was all that mattered.
Her cell phone chimed as they were forcing their way through chocolate pudding, and Margaret dug into her handbag. It was a text message from Kai, with a photograph.
Building a bus shelter for Thomas.
The image of Thomas, bending down with a hammer in one hand while a tall, slender man stood over him, caused Margaret to zoom in for a better look.
Harry peered across the table. “What?” he asked.
She read the text, then handed him the phone so he could see the photo.
The struggle in his face was painful to watch. He sank back against his chair and passed the phone to her with a shaky hand. Finally, he asked, “Why is that man still there?”
Good question, Margaret was thinking. If only she had the answer. Phoning and emailing were no substitutes for talking face-to-face, which was what she preferred. Yet she had no choice but to continue the round of telephone tag until she got home.
Harry’s puzzled disappointment when she showed him the photo of the weather shelter pained her. Before his stroke, he’d talked about building a new one for Thomas, completing the task they’d both known David had intended. The planting had to be finished, and yet that man was still there. She didn’t want to share her thoughts about it with Harry—he had enough on his mind—but Margaret was very curious to find out what exactly was going on.
* * *
THERE WAS NO sign of Thomas in the kitchen or family room the next morning. It was Saturday, and Kai had slept in. She was surprised he wasn’t taking advantage of his weekend television privileges, or waiting for her to follow through on the waffles she’d promised him last night when she’d tucked him into bed.
“Okay, so no waffles, I guess,” she said with relief.
She began to do the math when she noticed the green light on the coffee maker. Next came the collection of dirty dishes in the sink, including a large mixing bowl. Her gaze drifted to the counter, where she spotted the electric waffle maker with bits of burned batter sticking to it, and soon fell upon the yellow Post-it note attached to her empty coffee mug next to a clean plate.
Waffles keeping warm in oven. We’re at the shelter.
Smiling, she tore off the note and poured her coffee. Sitting in her chair with feet propped up on the one adjacent, she reveled in the luxury of a morning to herself and a quiet kitchen on a sunny Saturday. Of course, she’d had other peaceful mornings here, and with Thomas, they were mainly quiet. But today she knew her nephew was engaged in an activity he was enjoying, and sharing it with a man who seemed attuned to their needs and even their wants. How he’d managed to figure all that out in such a short time defeated her. If only he could figure out a way to communicate to her without closing down every time emotions popped up.
When she finished her coffee, she decided to make a quick inventory of her cameras and what she’d need for the Memorial Day shoot. She’d brought a basic set home, thinking she’d be back in New York after Harry’s discharge from the hospital, but most of her more expensive equipment was at her studio. However, what she had here at t
he farm would suffice for this particular assignment.
She brought everything down to the kitchen table and was sorting through her lenses when Luca and Thomas breezed into the room.
“Finished already?”
Thomas shook his head and ran past her up the stairs.
“Washroom break,” Luca explained. “But we’re about half done. I promised Thomas he could choose the paint color, so we may be making a trip into Lima shortly. Meanwhile, we were hoping for a cold drink. Whatever’s handy.” He glanced from her to the table. “Housecleaning?”
“Taking stock of what I’ll need for the photo shoot on Memorial Day. Iced tea okay?”
“Thanks,” he said, as he moved toward the table for a closer look.
By the time she’d poured two glasses, he had a camera in his hands, examining it. “This one is awesome.”
“That’s my favorite, and one of the first expensive pieces I bought. It’s a Nikon D7100. I have a better one back in the city.”
“Hmm. So is this the supersonic jet of the camera world?”
“More like the trusty workhorse.”
He looked up. “I’d like to see some of your work. Whenever.”
“Sure, I can show you some stuff on my website. Unless you want to see the album my mom made of my work from high school.” She grinned.
“You have a website?”
Kai smiled at the surprise in his voice. “Doesn’t everyone these days? I share the site with two friends from my college days. We also share a studio. It’s a great working arrangement, especially since I travel so much.”
“So travel is a big part of your life.”
“Well, it has been.” She handed him the last of the iced tea. “But the only traveling I’ve been doing these past six weeks has been between here and Lima.” Her laugh sounded more bitter than she’d intended, and he frowned. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’ve had a chance to get to know Thomas better—at least, as well as anyone can. And I’ve taken some shots around here when the light was interesting.”
“But it’s not the same, is it?”
Something in his voice made her pause. It was as if he’d had a glimpse into her heart. “No, it’s not.”
Thomas rushed into the room followed by Amigo and Kai’s last remark was swallowed up in the bustle of the boy filling up Amigo’s water bowl, then downing his iced tea, belching and giggling. He cocked his head meaningfully toward the screen door.
“Back to work, I guess,” Luca said. “I’ll text you when we’re finished so you can view our handiwork.” Thomas grinned at Kai as he and Amigo rushed out the door ahead of Luca.
An hour later, after she’d stowed her equipment, she got the message from Luca.
Give us another half hour or so. Can you make us some more iced tea?
Kai smiled. “I can do that.” She got busy, making the tea from scratch the way her mother had always done, and snacking on a waffle while she worked. The tea was cooling when the landline rang. Kai hesitated. She had a feeling it was her mother. Failing to make contact again with her yesterday, she’d simply texted a message that she knew might make waves. And here it is, she thought. The tsunami.
She picked up after the second ring.
“Kai? Is that you? Are you there?”
Kai had to smile. With Margaret, there was never a single question. “Hi, Mom. I can hardly hear you. Can you speak up?”
There was some static, followed by muffled background noise, until Margaret’s voice, clearer now, came over the line. “I hate using this cell phone. It’s so annoying. I can never tell if I’m getting through or not.”
“You’re getting through, Mom. How are you both?”
“We’re fine, especially your father. You’re going to see a big improvement. I’ve been trying to reach you. Harry’s been discharged and we’re coming home.”
Kai couldn’t speak at first. Her mind was too busy racing ahead, picturing a number of homecoming scenes, none of which were appealing. “That’s wonderful news,” she finally managed to say. “When?”
“We can leave anytime. Evelyn wants us to stay through the holiday weekend with her, and I thought that might be a good thing. See how Harry copes before the longer trip home.”
“Okay. By the way, I got a freelance job from the Columbus Dispatch to photograph and write up the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday.”
“How wonderful! You must be happy to get to your own work again, rather than farming.”
Kai hesitated, wondering if she was imagining a barb in her mother’s remark. “Um, so you’re coming back maybe on Tuesday?”
“That’s what I’m thinking. How’s Thomas doing?”
“He’s fine, Mom. Great.” She was on autopilot, adjusting to this unexpected news.
Suddenly there was the muted sound of a voice in the background and more static as her mother obviously placed a hand over the phone.
“Sorry, dear. That was your father reminding me of the other reason for my call. That photo you sent? Of Thomas and a man? Is that the same man who was helping with the planting?”
Kai inhaled and exhaled very slowly, counting to ten. “Yes, Mom. I’m sure I told you about him. He’s the man who owns Amigo. Remember? His name is Luca Rossi.”
“No need for impatience, dear. I do recall a connection with that dog, but you never told me his name. Your father wants to know if you’ve finished the planting and if so, why is that...Luca? Why is he still at the farm? And building a bus shelter for Thomas?” Her voice rose at the end.
Kai stuck to the facts. “We actually just finished the planting the other day. And since it was raining yesterday morning when the bus came, Luca thought it would be a great idea to build a shelter. He offered, and I took him up on it. And he paid for the materials, as well.”
Silence from the other end. Then, “Money is hardly the issue, Kai. If the planting is done, what’s his purpose in remaining?”
Well, Mom, it seems that neither of us can make the break. We simply can’t get around to saying goodbye. “We thought an extra few days here would give Thomas a chance to get used to the idea of Amigo going away. So he could have a bit more time with the dog.”
“There’s no point prolonging the inevitable, Kai. Get to work!”
Her mother didn’t have to spell out what she meant by those last three words.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
KAI WAS HANGING up when Thomas and Luca pushed through the screen door.
Their faces were flushed, but they both sported huge grins. Luca went to the sink right away to wash his hands, and Thomas followed.
“You two look pretty satisfied with yourselves,” Kai remarked.
Luca reached for the hand towel. “We’re very satisfied, aren’t we, Tommy?”
Thomas craned his head around to nod, the grin still stretching across his face.
“Yup. Did a man’s work today,” Luca went on. “Didn’t we?”
Another nod from Thomas, now drying his hands.
“Okay, men, your iced tea is ready. Though you may have to ice it from the freezer.” Kai organized the tea and ice cubes as well as the cookie tin. “Sorry, but this woman had no time to bake, so grocery store cookies are all I have.”
They ate and drank as if she might close the café at any moment, Kai thought, watching them with some amusement. At some point, she noticed that Thomas was copying everything Luca did. When Luca pushed his chair back and crossed one leg over the other, so did Thomas. Luca downed the last of his tea with an exhale of satisfaction, and so did Thomas.
The warmth that flowed through Kai at this touching sight was tempered by her mother’s news. Thomas would be happy to see his grandparents but would also have to say goodbye to Luca and probably Amigo. Her own departure would be temporary of course. She
vowed to check on her parents more often now that they’d need her help. And she was determined to maintain her relationship with her nephew. On the other hand, every time she thought of her return to New York and the possibility of sharing her life there with Luca, a thrill of excitement arose.
“So we’ve finished the frame, except for the roof,” Luca was saying, “and Tommy and I need to go into Lima to buy sheet metal and paint.”
“Mind if I tag along?”
“What do you think, Tommy? Can Auntie Kai come, too?”
Thomas’s laughter was wonderful, and Kai shoved aside her qualms about her parents’ return. It’s all about the here and now, she told herself.
* * *
WATCHING THOMAS FOLLOW Luca around the hardware store reinforced Kai’s determination to savor the weekend. The large outlet for hardware, farm equipment and even sports paraphernalia was a magnet for Lima shoppers. Knots of people—friends and neighbors—gathered in the aisles to chat, and several times Kai lost track of Luca and Thomas.
They were checking out the paint samples when Robyn Patterson and her family bumped into them. Mike, Robyn’s father, accompanied them this time so introductions were made, and while Robyn and Thomas studied the paint chips, Kai asked, “How are you liking the old Morrison place?”
“Needs a lot of work,” Mike said. “And we wouldn’t have minded doing it if we thought there’d be a payoff eventually, but it turns out Mr. Morrison’s grandson and family want to move back to Lima and take over the farm.”
“Oh, no,” Kai said. “What will you do? Move into town?” She pictured Thomas riding alone on the bus.
“Looks like it. Temporarily, anyway, until we can get something outside.”
“Mike’s a born and bred farmer,” Jane put in. “He’ll get cabin fever if we have to rent in town too long. We love this area and hope we can stay.”
“I hope you can, too. And I know Thomas would seriously miss sitting with Robyn on the bus.”
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