For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

  The minutes ticked by as Aggie sat in thoughtful silence. For the first time in his life, Luke understood how nerve-wracking it was to wait for someone to speak. Her face was a study in conflicting emotions, but at last she spoke. “Will I lose my best friend in Brant’s Corners if I say no?”

  A pit grew to the size of a bowling ball in Luke’s stomach, but he forced himself to give her a truthful answer that wouldn’t add more pressure. “Mibs, you’ll always be my friend. Nothing is going to change that.”

  “Good, because the last time a friend tried to date me, I almost lost a good friend. I don’t want that to happen again. I don’t want to start dating you only to find out that it’s not going to work, and then things get awkward--”

  Luke interrupted her. “Mibs, I’m not interested in some casual dating thing.” His face fell as he spoke. “I’m hoping that you can learn to care for me-- that you might eventually see me as husband material. If you don’t think you can do that, tell me now.”

  Aggie opened her mouth to speak and then clamped it shut. “Are you asking me to marry you?” Confusion filled her voice.

  “Not yet, no. You don’t love me and maybe you never will.” The words caught in his throat, and Luke knew she heard it and understood why. “I just had to be up front about this. I can’t be casual with my feelings. I want us to take the next few months to get to know each other better. I’m hoping you’ll learn to love me and want to marry me.” He shook his head and tried again. “Mibs, all I want to know today is if you are willing to see if we can develop a relationship that is conducive to marriage.” Luke stuck out his tongue in disgust. “That was romantic, wasn’t it?”

  He watched as she tried not to laugh and failed. Her snickers turned into giggles and finally laughter. Every attempt he made to look hurt and serious failed until he too lost all composure and joined her. The joke seemed to release some of the tension that had grown between them, and Luke relaxed enough to finish what he had to say.

  “Aggie, you should know that I would marry you tomorrow, but I know you’re not ready for that, and I wouldn’t want to cheat you out of the experience of falling in love. If you can’t learn to love me, then we’ll deal with that later. In the meantime, in case you can, I want to do my part to give you the special memories and moments that come with a relationship like that. I don’t quite know how to do it…” He shrugged sheepishly. “I don’t think I’m naturally very romantic.”

  With an exaggerated shake of her head, Aggie said, “What do you call a stuffed chicken and a box of pansies… ‘for thoughts?’”

  “You have no idea how close I came to leaving off the pansies. I wanted so badly to try to do something special for you--to cheer you up--but I thought it was still too soon.” He shrugged. “I remembered Mom’s little verse and couldn’t resist.”

  “Pansies are for thoughts. Now let it be: Mine are of you. Let yours be of me.”

  “You have an amazing memory! That’s word perfect, and I don’t remember writing it down like I said I would.” Luke’s grin lit up his entire face even in the darkness.

  She ducked her head, embarrassed. “I cheated. I did a Google search, found it, and memorized it.” A satisfied smile settled over Luke’s features and grew even more content as Aggie’s face showed her trying to read his expression-- and failing. Her curiosity overcame her self-control, as she demanded, “Spit it out, Luke.”

  For a brief moment, Luke wondered if answering would hurt his chances. He still hadn’t received Aggie’s agreement to give a relationship a chance, but he couldn’t resist teasing her. “Well, it’s just that it’s hard not to hope that you care a little for me if you deliberately searched for a poem and memorized it just because you received flowers from me.”

  Red flooded her face until it was hard to see the spots anymore. “I--” She swallowed and shrugged.

  “Do you need time to think about it?”

  “Think about what? Us?”

  “Yeah.” The hope he’d allowed himself slowly dissipated as he saw her chew her lower lip. Just as he decided to tell her not to worry about it--he wouldn’t say anything about it for some time, she raised her eyes to meet his.

  “I don’t know what I’m agreeing to really, but I trust you. If you say you can still be friends with me even if I don’t return your feelings after months or years of whatever it is this is about, then ok.”

  Relief flooded Luke’s heart. “That’s an amazing gift, Mibs. Thank you.”

  “Good. Then you can tell me what I just gave you, because I’m still quite lost.”

  A truck started up in the front yard. “Uncle Zeke is leaving. Have you watched him and Aunt Martha?”

  “Some.”

  “Then you’ve seen how in love they still are after fifty-some-odd years.”

  Aggie nodded. “Yes. It’s adorable.”

  “What I’m hoping you agreed to was for me to have a chance to have that with you someday.”

  She closed her eyes and sighed. “How could I not agree when you put it like that?”

  Luke rose and offered his hand. Just inside the kitchen, he took the cheesecake from her and took it to the fridge. Once she walked into the dining room, he exhaled, relieved. Unaware she could still hear him, he looked heavenward and closed his eyes. “Thank you, Lord. Don’t let me fail her.”

  Luke says: What are you doing up still?

  Mibs says: Your mom ordered me to bed after you left. I laid there until a little while ago and then gave up. I’m under orders not to get up until I’m absolutely rested.

  Mibs says: I think your mom is afraid I’ll have a nervous breakdown after this past week.

  Luke says: It has been intense. I should have waited to talk to you. It didn’t need to be tonight. I’m sorry.

  Mibs says: I’m not. I’m not as fragile as people seem to think.

  Luke says: You’re right. Mom and I have often remarked on how strong you really are. So, what have you been doing? We both know you haven’t been resting.

  Mibs says: Well, actually, I was thinking about you.

  Luke says: That’s a nice thing to hear. Or is it?

  Mibs says: Well, I was wondering about something.

  Luke says: And that is…

  Luke says: You know, it’s unusual for you to be the one having trouble with what you want to say.

  Mibs says: I just wondered if you’d considered that I am a packaged deal.

  Luke says: Do you mean the children?

  Mibs says: Yes. If you want me, you get eight children too.

  Luke says: We’ll manage. It’s about priorities. We may not be wealthy, but we’ll be fine.

  Mibs says: Financially, Allie left me more than enough. I’m not talking about money. I was thinking more about the months or years that couples have for just them. I can’t give you that. For that matter, I can’t give any man that. Ever. How do you feel about that?

  Luke says: I understand that, Mibs, but I’m not interested in having an experience. I want a wife and not just any wife. I want you. I also want the children, the kitten, the dogs, and the three turtles that Tavish thinks he’s hidden from us in the back yard. I want it all, and if the timing was right, I’d do it tomorrow.

  Mibs says: You’re a rare man, Luke Sullivan. Hey, what’s your middle name?

  Luke says: Actually, I have two. Mom wanted to name me after Dad and Dad wanted me named after Uncle Zeke.

  Mibs says: Luke Stephen Ezekiel Sullivan?

  Luke says: Nope. Ezekiel Lucas Stephen Sullivan. Alphabetical. Since Dad was Stephen, and there was already a Zeke, I became Luke.

  Mibs says: Oooh. Lucas. I love Lucas. Someday, maybe I’ll call you Lucas. It can be my version of your mother’s “my Luke.”

  Luke says: Mom does that with all of us. She’s always saying, “My Stephen says… My Olivia went…”

  Mibs says: That sounds like her. I love that. Which sister is Olivia?

  Luke says: Olivia is the oldest. She was named for mom.


  Mibs says: I assumed your mom was an Elizabeth.

  Luke says: Mom says her big brother was just a toddler when she was born. They were going to call her Livvy, but he couldn’t say it, so she became Libby.

  Mibs says: I can’t imagine calling her Olivia.

  Luke says: Yeah, she’s too down to earth for a formal name like Olivia.

  Mibs says: You sound like you value and admire “down to earth.”

  Luke says: Well, I think the more accurate way of putting it would be that most of the people I admire happen to be down to earth.

  Mibs says: That’s beautiful, Luke. *wonders if she’s considered down to earth*

  Luke says: I’d say you are… you’re definitely among the people I admire.

  Luke says: Now, it’s your turn. Aggie isn’t your full name, right? It’s short for something. What?

  Mibs says: If you haven’t seen my full name, that’s not my problem. I’m not sharing.

  Luke says: What about a middle name?

  Mibs says: Yep. Aggie Grace Milliken

  Luke says. Grace. That fits you. I just might consider switching out Mibs for Gracie.

  Mibs says: As in “goodnight, Gracie?” You wouldn’t dare.

  Luke says: If you call me Lucas, I think it’s fair. Besides, I don’t even know your real name. It’s more than fair. I wonder if Tina or your parents can be bribed.

  Mibs says: Won’t work, Luke. No one will reveal my name. Everyone lives in terror of my wrath. Even Mom feels guilty for naming me.

  Luke says: Now you really have me curious.

  Mibs says: Good. I succeeded.

  Luke says: Will you do something for me?

  Mibs says: Depends on what it is.

  Luke says: Will you try to sleep?

  Mibs says: I’ll try. Thanks, Luke.

  Luke says: Night, Mibs.

  Mibs says: Not Gracie?

  Luke says: Not this time.

  Mibs says: Night, Luke.

  School Days

  Chapter 18

  Monday, September 29th

  After weeks of almost twenty-four-hour help, the first day of Aggie’s home-schooling adventure was a solo flight-- a Murphy day if ever there was one. The children protested when she entered each room at seven o’clock calling for them to “rise and shine.”

  “Aunt Aggie!” Laird’s protest earned him a look that no child would mistake.

  “Get up and get dressed. Breakfast is in twenty-minutes.”

  Groans answered her, but Aggie hoisted Ian from his crib, grabbed clothes and a diaper, and carried him downstairs to the dryer. The baby loved getting dressed on the warm tumbling appliance. She shooed him into the bathroom, set him on the counter, and rinsed a washcloth with one hand while the other kept the wiggling boy from taking a dive onto the floor.

  The difference in her appearance was marked. The spots were fading from her face, her hair was neat, clothes bright and fresh, and she looked rested for the first time in weeks. “Ian, I think we’re turning a corner today. I even have a few new toys for you to play with while the others get started on their assignments.”

  In the kitchen, she strapped the baby into his highchair, scooped oatmeal from the pan, dumped fresh blueberries on top, mashed them with the spoon, and sprinkled a little cinnamon and sugar over the top. “Ok, let’s see how much you can finish before everyone gets down here.”

  As she fed him bites, making the silly mouth opening movements mothers always do, Aggie glanced around at her handiwork. Breakfast was ready and had been since seven o’clock. Small glasses of milk were placed at each child’s plate, along with spoons and napkins. It was perfect. If the entire day went as smoothly as it began, home-schooling would be a breeze.

  There was still no sign of the children even after Ian finished his breakfast and Aggie cleaned his hands and face. The upstairs was suspiciously quiet except for the occasional squeals of Cari and Lorna who clearly were not getting dressed. After swiping the wash cloth over the highchair tray, Aggie unbuckled the tot from his chair and carried him back upstairs. What she found nearly made her see red.

  Vannie was curled up in bed reading a book, as was Tavish. Laird faced the wall, snoring again, and Ellie and Kenzie still sat in their beds blinking as if trying to remember if they were awake or asleep. Lorna and Cari bickered over what to wear, each insisting on matching the other but with differing outfits. Aggie glanced at her watch. Nearly seven-thirty and no one was up and ready. School would never start on time.

  “I said to get up and get dressed. No one is dressed.” She popped her head in Vannie’s room. “I’m very disappointed in you. Since when do you ignore me?”

  “I just wanted to finish my book…” The girl at least had the grace to look ashamed of herself.

  “You can finish after school. I want you downstairs in ten minutes. Not a minute more.” She held out her hand. “I’ll take the book. You can have it after you’re done with your work.”

  Vannie’s face fell, but she crawled from the bed and handed Aggie the book, an expression of betrayal on her face. “I thought you said school was going to be fun, and we were going to get to explore things that interest us, not just follow the teacher’s manual.”

  “And you truly think,” Aggie asked trying not to laugh, “that reading…” She glanced at the book title, “--Sherlock Holmes is what I meant by pursuing interests?” Without waiting for an answer, Aggie left the room and entered Laird’s. Using the book as a mock paddle, she whacked the boy gently on the rump.

  “Get up.”

  “But--”

  “I’ll apply this more forcefully next time unless I see you on your feet in the next five seconds.”

  Grumbling, Laird dragged himself from his bed, stood at the foot, and saluted with a scowl on his face. “I might as well have to catch a bus!”

  “You’ll catch it from me if you don’t arrive downstairs, dressed, and ready to eat in ten minutes. I’m ashamed of you!” Her words hardly seemed to make an impact.

  Kenzie and Ellie were digging through drawers by the time Aggie arrived in their room, but their movements were sluggish. “Come on, girls. This isn’t difficult. Make the bed, put on the clothes, wash your hands and faces, and show up at the table. This isn’t rocket science.”

  It took several calls for Tavish to return from wherever his book had taken him. Aggie pulled it from his hand and frowned. “Louis L’Amour? Really? Isn’t he a bit mature for you?”

  “Daddy gave them to me. He said I’d like them.” Tavish frowned as he watched her turn with book in hand. “Can I at least have it back to put with the others?”

  “You can have it back after your schoolwork is done. I’ll decide about reading it later.”

  Downstairs, Aggie pulled a basket of toys out of the closet and set it on the kitchen floor. She’d learned the hard way that it made the most sense to pull Ian from room to room with her rather than trying to run back to check on him every few minutes--usually too late to prevent whatever damage or mess he caused while unsupervised. She stirred the oats, turned them back on to rewarm them, and frowned at the milk. It’d be warm now, but they could just learn to get ready faster.

  Cari and Lorna skipped into the kitchen, each wearing half of two separate and glaringly clashing outfits. Compromise was a good thing; the result was not. A glance at the clock told her to deal with good taste on another morning. She helped the girls get their oats, admonishing them not to overload on sugar and blueberries, and carried their bowls to their places. Cari took one sip of her milk and wrinkled her little nose. “That is gwoss.”

  “If you had been to breakfast on time, it would have been nice and cold. You can just drink it like that.”

  “I don’t wike warm milk.”

  Prayers whizzed their way to heaven as Aggie begged the Lord not to have a big battle before the day even started. “I don’t blame you. I don’t either. It’ll help you remember to get dressed faster tomorrow, won’t it?”

  S
omething in Aggie’s tone reached Lorna’s conflict radar. She grabbed her glass and chugged the entire thing in one long gulp. “I drank mine. Now may I have some cold?”

  Laughing, Aggie nodded. “After a few bites of your cereal, you can certainly have more milk.”

  Ellie arrived minutes later followed by Vannie. The others, however, were still MIA by the time everyone finished their meal. For a moment, Aggie was tempted to put away the food, wipe down the counters, fill the dishwasher, and declare the kitchen closed until snack time. Her mother’s admonitions about nutritious food before school mocked her, though. She couldn’t expect the children to learn without a decent breakfast, could she?

  “Ok, everyone in the library. Vannie, can you take Ian with you, and Ellie, can you grab his toys and basket and carry them in for me? I need to go light a fire under those guys.”

  Upstairs, the other children were dawdling. Laird had his clothes on, but just stood staring out the window instead of making his bed. Tavish’s bed was made and his pants were on, but he stared into his drawer as if waiting for a shirt to jump out and slide over his arms. “Come on, boys. Get ‘er done! I’m about to close the kitchen, and you can just wait for lunch.”

  That helped speed both boys through their paces and down the stairs. Kenzie, however, just stood in front of her closet, staring at her clothes, confused. “What’s wrong, Kenzie?”

  “I don’t know what to wear.”

  “Well, pick a dress and put it on.”

  “But do I wear school clothes or play clothes? I’m not going to school, but I’m going to do school. I’m going to play too so I don’t know what I’m supposed to wear.”

  “Anything is ok. Just don’t wear your church clothes. If you decide to play in the mud, make sure you are wearing your play clothes.”

  The child reached into the closet and then jerked her hand back. “I don’t know!” she wailed.

  “Ok, you’re making this overcomplicated.” Aggie pulled out one of the simple little t-shirt dresses. “Wear this. Downstairs immediately. You can make your bed during your break.”