For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

  Luke says: Observed about me?

  Tina says: Aggie is too busy with her family to see what is a little obvious to the rest of us, Luke.

  Luke says: I see.

  Tina says: I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.

  Luke says: No, that’s fine. I didn’t realize I was so obvious. I was trying to give Aggie plenty of time to adapt to her new role before I let myself be transparent.

  Tina says: I think that’s why William hasn’t seen it. I lived there for all those weeks. It’s easier to see when you’re there all the time.

  Luke says: Aggie didn’t. It might have worked if things hadn’t gotten complicated.

  Tina says: So the Lord had different timing plans. Who cares?

  Luke says: I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right.

  Tina says: You’re good for her, Luke. She respects you. She likes William, but while she respects his position as a deputy, she doesn’t actually respect him--and this latest thing hasn’t helped.

  Luke says: Respect is a good place to start.

  Tina says: So is this number. 555-3255

  Luke says: How did you know I was looking for it? Their number is unlisted.

  Tina says: Luke, it’s who you are.

  Tina says: Man, now I know what Aggie was talking about. You really do start typing and backspace or think a lot, don’t you?

  Luke says: I never noticed, but I guess I do.

  Tina says: Oh, man. It’s late. I need to call Aggie before she goes to bed. She’ll sleep better knowing that William will be back to normal soon enough.

  Luke says: Are you sure he’s not more important to her than she thinks?

  Tina says: Absolutely certain. You have no competition there.

  Luke says: So where IS my competition?

  Tina says: You have eight people to compete with. Somehow, you’ll have to convince her that you want to join the team rather than compete with it. Until she knows that, she won’t even consider it..

  Luke says: Thanks, Tina.

  Tina says: Anytime. Night, Luke. Poofs.

  Luke says: Poofs?

  Tina says: Ask Aggie. Nighters.

  Luke says: Night.

  Visits & Cheesecake

  Chapter 17

  Wednesday, September 24th

  Luke’s truck sped along the highways out of the Rockland area and north to Yorktown. He’d called Aggie’s parents the first thing Tuesday morning and received permission to visit the next day. Though he had no doubt they guessed his reason for his trip, he appreciated that they hadn’t made an issue of it over the phone. Some things needed to be said in person.

  By the time he pulled up in front of the craftsman-style bungalow, Luke was beginning to feel nervous. He gripped the steering wheel and rested his head on the backs of his hands. “Lord, I hope You know what I’m doing, because I sure don’t,” he murmured. He had hopes and some very important dreams riding on his visit with Aggie’s parents, but now that he was there, he wasn’t as confident of their approval as he had been while on the phone with them in Brant’s Corners.

  Martha met him at the door with a hug. “Come in, Luke. I convinced Ron to let me make an apple pie. Are you hungry?”

  Luke nodded, smiling awkwardly. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

  She led him to the kitchen table and pulled out plates. “Ron will be here in just a minute. He’s working on something in his shop and you know how that goes. He just can’t stop in the middle of his projects. Varnish isn’t very forgiving, from what I’ve heard.”

  “This is very true.”

  Ron entered the kitchen wiping his hands on a paper towel. “Hey, Luke. I’ll shake your hand once I’ve washed mine. I’m covered with all kinds of garbage.”

  “Oh, Ron. Go change. You smell like solvents of some horrible kind.” As her husband left the room, Martha set a plate of pie in front of Luke. “Coffee or milk?”

  “Coffee, please. Thank you. This smells wonderful.”

  “Thank you.” Martha’s slippers squeaked on the linoleum as she returned to the coffee pot to pour him a cup.

  Ron returned before the silence in the room could grow awkward. “So, Luke. How are Aggie and the children?”

  “They’re doing better. Tavish still hasn’t broken out, but everyone else seems to be on the mend.” Luke set his fork back on his plate, half the pie uneaten, and clasped his hands together with boy-like earnestness. “Mr. and Mrs. Milliken--”

  “Luke, please call us Ron and Martha. I have a feeling we are going to be too close for formal names.”

  “Certainly, Mr--I mean Ron.” He swallowed and tried to reformulate his thoughts. “I can’t imagine you don’t know why I’m here. I…”

  Ron and Martha made the terrible mistake of glancing at each other. The moment their eyes met, they both dissolved into laughter. It took a few moments, but at last, Martha regained some composure and apologized. “I’m so sorry, Luke. Aggie’s descriptions of you are… well…”

  “Aaah. I see she has exposed my deep secret to the world. I cannot formulate and articulate my thoughts very quickly, it is true.”

  Luke’s words, spoken so bluntly, sent Martha apologizing profusely. “Oh, Luke, we--”

  “Oh, no apologies are necessary. It’s sort of a family joke. My mother always says that I used to take three times longer during bedtime prayers than the other kids--combined. I could never just say what I wanted to say.”

  Ron covered his mouth with his hand for a moment and then took a swig of coffee. “Well, I know Aggie found it frustrating at first, but she said recently that when you do finally say what you want to say, it’s usually very wise. Coming from Aggie, that’s huge.”

  He felt his ears go red at the compliment, but Luke forced himself not to be distracted. His hands twisted together for a moment, and then he rubbed his palms on the fronts of his jeans. “This isn’t easy for me.” A wry smile twisted his lips at the irony of what he was trying to say. “I’ve never been good at talking about myself, but I’m here because of how I feel about Aggie.” Luke sipped his coffee, unconsciously wincing at the lukewarm drink. Ron grabbed the cup and filled it with hot coffee for him. “Thanks.”

  “We don’t bite, son.”

  They all erupted in nervous laughter until Luke, after another sip of the coffee, tried again. “I’m in love with your daughter, Mr. um, I mean Ron.” He forced his eyes to meet those of Aggie’s parents and was encouraged at the understanding he found in them. “I didn’t want to tell her yet. She seemed to need time to adjust to her life without adding in the complication of a…” He struggled to find the right word.

  “Besotted swain? Suitor? Boyfriend?” Martha’s eyes twinkled as she slowly modernized the relational words.

  “I guess I’m a little old fashioned. I prefer suitor to boyfriend. Boyfriend sounds so--so--dispensable.”

  The way Luke paused, thought, reformulated sentences, and tried again was unfamiliar to the Millikens. Ron and Martha were used to the lively and quick conversation that characterized their family, but Luke’s earnest confession of love for their daughter, and his evident desire to treat her well endeared him to them. They smiled their encouragement, nodded at appropriate places, and tried to keep him as comfortable as possible when it was evident that the man just wanted the ordeal to end.

  “I’m sure Aggie told you about William’s visit and how he ‘suggested’ that he and Aggie marry.”

  Martha snickered. “She said it was just like Mr. Darcy’s proposal in Pride and Prejudice. I think her words were, ‘it was quite imperious and just as insulting.’”

  Luke shook his head remembering. “That’s about right. I overheard it all, and it wasn’t exactly the model proposal out of Emily Post. Frankly, it was somewhat degrading.” He swallowed hard and clenched his hands together. “I confess, my mother and I laughed at how it sounded, but I couldn’t laugh if I thought his heart was involved. I think Aggie saw, as I did, that William
was being chivalrous. He truly believes Aggie needs to be cared for, and I agree.”

  Ron’s eyebrows drew together as if annoyed, and Martha’s smile faded. Luke saw their disapproval and hastened to explain. “Please understand, I don’t mean to imply that Aggie isn’t doing a marvelous job. She’s a very capable and loving mother to those children. She’s accomplished so much in such a short time. My Uncle Zeke keeps saying that she’s a natural with them.” His struggles with words seemed to dissipate as he spoke of Aggie. “Even things I know are difficult for her, the cooking, shopping, and housework are kept going even when many mothers would be falling apart. Of course,” he added with a smile, “having all those little workers does help.”

  The red stole up his neck to his ears once more as Luke tried to articulate what was on his heart. “But Aggie needs more. She needs someone to care for her--someone to talk to, cry on, and someone who can dream wonderful dreams with her.” He swallowed hard and forced himself to meet the Milliken’s gaze. “I want to be that man.”

  The difference between how cautiously Luke spoke of William and himself and the confidence he displayed when speaking of Aggie was remarkable. Ron and Martha exchanged curious glances as the already familiar pauses gave way to undaunted speech. Ron nodded slowly as if processing Luke’s words and asked, “And Aggie? Do you think Aggie wants you to be that person?”

  The doubt in Luke’s eyes elicited visible compassion in Martha. “I don’t know, sir. I am here to ask permission to see if she can be. I want to leave here, go home, and be able to tell Aggie that you’ve given me your approval to try to win her heart.” A sheepish look settled on Luke’s face. “See, I told you I was old fashioned. ‘Win her heart.’” He made a silly face at his own words.

  “Well, Luke, you didn’t have to drive all the way up here to get our approval, but I’m glad you did. It’ll mean a lot to Aggie that you went to the trouble for her.” His hand rested on his wife’s and squeezed it. “I don’t mind saying between the three of us that I hope she does choose you.”

  “Yes! I confess,” Martha interjected with a smile so like Aggie’s, “I’ve been rooting for you for some time.”

  “I guess I wasn’t very subtle.”

  “Well, I’d say it’s more like a mother sees things that others might miss.” Martha’s smile was infectious. “After all, Aggie’s been so focused on the house and learning to mother those children-- but I bet Tina and your mother won’t be surprised.”

  “No,” he agreed.

  “But Luke, I want you to do something for Aggie.” Martha took his hand and waited for him to meet her eyes again. “Give my girl a memorable…” she struggled for the word she wanted. “I don’t know, courtship seems hopelessly old fashioned, but it works. You guys will never have that special alone time that most couples have for a year or so after marriage. Make sure she has a few months of special times to look back on when she’s older. She’s given up so much already--”

  “I will, Martha. I will. And if Aggie does--” He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

  “If the day comes that you want to ask Aggie to marry you, you already have our blessing.” Ron spoke, but Martha stood and hugged Luke.

  “I’ll be very disappointed if she doesn’t.”

  Luke’s sigh was almost missed as he grinned and agreed. “I will too!”

  ~*~*~*~

  Libby, helped by Luke’s Uncle Zeke and Aunt Martha, kept the children occupied playing games with all the children so Aggie could “rest.” Zeke crawled on the floor like a much younger man, with Cari, Lorna, and even little Ian riding his back like a horse. Martha Sullivan played Concentration with Kenzie, losing more rounds than she liked to admit, while Libby played Trouble with Laird, Vannie, and Ellie. Tavish, lost in his book, laid on the couch and ignored the moans, shouts of triumph, and the popping of the Trouble bubble.

  When Aggie tried to do laundry, Libby ordered her out of the mudroom. The moment the kitchen sink faucet came on, Martha insisted on the dishes being left for her. At last, left with nothing she was “allowed” to do, Aggie grabbed her purse and slipped out the back door. She’d go get a coffee at Espresso Yourself and drink it on one of the couches in the corner-- just her, a coffee, and maybe a slice of cheesecake. They had the best raspberry white chocolate cheesecake she’d ever tasted.

  Just as she began turning the van around in the driveway, Luke’s truck pulled in. She started to wave as she continued to drive away, but he held up a coffee tray and paper bag. For a moment, she was tempted to wave, feign misunderstanding, and keep going, but the disappointed look on Luke’s face couldn’t be missed even in the moonlight. She slammed on the brakes and pulled back into her accustomed parking spot.

  “Hey! Thanks! I was just going to go get some coffee and cheesecake.”

  “Before you call, I will answer? Didn’t Isaiah say something like that?” Luke passed the paper bag. “They even included forks. I told them it wasn’t necessary, but it was too late.”

  “I’ve been ordered away from the family. So, I decided to go sit on their couches and have some peace and quiet.”

  “Will the back swing do instead?” Luke took a sip of his coffee. “Oops, this isn’t mine. I think you have mine.”

  Aggie tested it and made a face. “Oh, yuck. Yep. Definitely yours.” She strolled around the corner of the house, oblivious to the adult trio inside who were now distracted from their games. “You came just in time.”

  “Well, it’s probably a good thing. The way you keep erupting in pox…”

  Aggie’s face drained of color. “Oh! I completely forgot. That antihistamine that your mom found--the stuff that doesn’t make you sleepy--it works so well that I forget about those things.” She grimaced. “Except for when I’m in front of the mirror. Then I feel like Heather Walker from fourth period in the ninth grade. That poor girl had the worst acne I’ve ever seen.”

  “You can’t look like her then, because your face is not remotely covered like a bad acne case.” Luke pulled a clear plastic container from the bag. “Eat up.”

  “Thanks, Luke.” Aggie took the tiniest bite of cake and allowed it to melt in her mouth before taking another miniscule bite. “Mmm… this is so good.”

  “So, can you guess what I did today?” There was something enigmatic in Luke’s tone.

  Her eyes widened. “You bought that house! The big rambling one between here and New Cheltenham! I can’t wait to see it.”

  “Well, actually, I did that yesterday. It’s mine in thirty days.”

  “Um, you finished the one on Kent Street?”

  “Bzzz. Wrong again. Last guess.”

  “You started building that shed your mom wants.”

  Luke shook his head. “’Fraid not, but I do need to get on that.”

  “Well, then, what did you do?”

  She took another teeny bite while waiting for him to answer her. Luke swallowed hard, took a swig of coffee, choked, and then said, “I took a little trip up north.”

  It took several seconds of waiting for him to elaborate for Aggie to realize he thought she’d make sense of his ambiguous statement. “That’s nice…”

  “I went to Yorktown to visit your parents, Mibs.”

  Aggie’s head snapped up. Understanding slowly dawned, but she fumbled for words to stall him while she absorbed the news. Luke was exactly the kind of man who would talk to her parents about his feelings for her, but she didn’t quite know how she felt about it. “Why would you do that?”

  “Do you have to ask that?” His cheesecake sat untouched in his lap, but Luke had nearly downed his coffee.

  “Well, obviously I do, or I wouldn’t have.” Though she knew Luke could see through her, Aggie didn’t care. She’d never expected him to do something like that so soon. The idea unnerved her.

  “Well, after we sat and talked a bit, I explained about what I shared with you the other day. I told them that I had planned to give you a lot more time before putting you in the position
of dealing with…” A smirk made his face look comical. “I think your mother’s exact words were ‘besotted swains.’”

  “She didn’t!” Aggie’s shock was palpable.

  “Well, I think the other suggestions offered were suitor and boyfriend. Do you have a preference?”

  “So you went to tell them that you told me you care about me? What for?”

  Aggie, having avoided Luke’s eyes, since she’d heard of his trip, glanced at his face and drew back, startled by the intensity she found in his eyes. Luke just smiled--a weak but genuine smile. “Oh Mibs, I couldn’t tell you that I love you without ensuring your parents were ok with that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because, now that you know,” Luke dropped his eyes. “I was hoping we--I mean I--” She watched as he struggled to find the right words. “I hoped--”

  Aggie swallowed her next bite whole. “And they said?”

  “They gave their approval for me to speak to you about what is on my heart.”

  “I don’t know what to say, Luke.” She shoved her cheesecake back in the bag. “I just don’t know what you expect from me.”

  “I don’t expect anything from you until I ask the question I have for you.” Luke struggled to hide the smile that strained to break free. The expression on Aggie’s face was priceless. It was evident from her eyes alone that she expected him to ask her to marry him. Though he was tempted to go down on one knee and really make her squirm, his mother’s caution to “go gently, son” helped him resist.

  “Well, do you ever intend to ask your question?” He saw her straighten and don a bravado that he could see she didn’t feel and decided he needed to come to the point.

  “Well, my question is whether you’re willing to grant me the same permission that your parents did. Are you willing to give me a chance to win your heart?” His mouth went dry, and he swallowed several times to keep from croaking out his next words. “Last Friday, I told you that I love you. I want to know if you are willing to explore a more intimate--um, that’s not--I mean personal--closer relationship with me.” His face flushed as he realized how his words could have sounded.