Express Duet

by Jody Day

  What if it rained and ruined the whole thing? The gazebo wasn’t big enough for all the guests. Cold I could handle, but rain would not be good. I’d just have to go forward with my church wedding.

  I doubted Dr. Harkin’s opinion that Scott would be physically able to go through with the wedding and then a honeymoon. More than that, I knew he’d go right back to work the minute we got back. What if he had another heart attack?

  Toppy had encouraged me to stop trying to take up the slack for him. It messed with his ego. He needed to feel useful, to feel back in control. The control issue made me nervous. Would that escalate after we married? Or was it perhaps just health related?

  I didn’t even want to believe my strong, godly, sweet Scott could ever become an overbearing husband like my estranged father. Kevin Brown was so jealous of Mom that he didn’t like her to go anywhere without him. They’d argued so much.

  I must think of more pleasant things. I smiled as I remembered my latest interaction with Scott. I’d run up for a visit between my prayer time with Mom and Toppy that morning and my shift at the diner. His mood had improved a little that day knowing he’d get to come home soon. He’d sung a random, made-up song about chocolate bars. His sweet tooth had kicked back in.

  “Just get well and strong, and you can have anything you want.”

  He’d whistled a playful “whee-whoo!” He wasn’t thinking about candy bars anymore.

  “In moderation.”

  “You’re blushing.” He grinned, obviously pleased that he’d rattled me.

  I looked forward to the physical relationship of marriage, but now the thought haunted me. Where’s your faith, woman? I had to remember that Mom said people go through stages after a heart attack. With time, Scott would return to his old self. I wanted him back; I wanted the wedding to go on as planned. His work ethic, which ordinarily I’d be proud of, and had been accused of myself, weakened him. I could see it wearing him down from the first day I’d met him. He needed to let it go from time to time. Had he ever just sat and done nothing? He didn’t even like to watch TV that much.

  He claimed that fishing relaxed him, but he’d never gone since I’d known him. Or if he had, he hadn’t taken me. Maybe guys needed to fish with guys. What did I know about men? My Mom and Gran raised me, both homebodies. They read for sport. So much to work out, to pray about. Happiness rocked me deep down, but the ominous possibility of death framed this lovely picture. I didn’t want to be left alone.

  I flipped through my wedding notes. Everything else seemed to be in place, but I still needed to go and pick out a dress. Maybe Tracy, Liz, Mandy, and Macy would like to go with Mom and me to Dallas. It would be fun to pick out a dress together.

  The thought of Gran’s wedding dress burned to a crisp in the fire marred my excitement a bit. I’d planned all my life to wear that dress. I’d just wear the precious gold cross necklace she’d given me to represent her love for me and Mom and all she meant to us. With that thought, I remembered I’d taken it off. I went into the living room to retrieve it. The tangled, golden knot I’d left on the coffee table wasn’t there. I dropped to the floor to check underneath and around it

  The necklace was gone.

  8

  Cleared for takeoff, finally. My jeans and boots trumped that hospital gown big time. Armed with a list of dos and don’ts a mile long and a blood pressure prescription, I waited for my uncle to pick me up. My whole body longed for my home. I needed to be in the prayer garden behind the inn. I wanted to kneel at the benches on the gazebo and try and make sense of this crazy man living inside my head. I kept having that crazy dream where my mother said she’d never leave me. But she had. I just didn’t understand. The prayer garden my parents built together, where we’d spent so much time as a family, would surely give me a sense of peace.

  The door opened, but it wasn’t Toppy. I’d only seen her once before. Phoebe Waverly. She posed as if in a photo shoot while the door swung shut behind her. “Scott, oh, my, bless your heart! Has it been just awful?” She clasped her hands to her chin and posed again.

  I didn’t even know her, except as the woman who’d caused Bailey a lot of trouble and then helped her in the end.

  “I’m all right, just leaving, actually.” I was already in a precarious state with Bailey. If she came in and found Phoebe here, oh, man. I scanned the room for an escape route.

  “Is that any way to treat your new employee? I declare.” She sat down next to me, a little too close.

  “What?” I scooted to the end of the couch. “I don’t understand.” I stood and inched toward the door.

  “I dropped by the diner to visit poor Bailey. I had a terrible fall there, by the way.” She lifted her skirt to reveal bandaged knees.

  No wonder she fell. You could kill somebody with those shoes.

  “Sorry about that, but what do you mean new employee?” I opened the door. I thought I might have to bolt without hearing an answer, because she came toward me like a moth to the flame.

  She put her hands on my shoulders. “Why, your uncle said he could use some help, so I volunteered. I just came by to see how my boss fares in the hospital.” She squeezed my shoulders.

  I backed out the door. “I’m going home today, so extra help isn’t necessary. Thanks for the thought, but we won’t be needing you.” My boots scooted down the hall with the clicking of her heels close behind.

  “But I was told I could start today. The truth is, well, I’m in between jobs just now and could use the money. You won’t fire me before I even get to start, will you?” Tears.

  Ordinarily tears would trip me up. Not today. I didn’t know if she told the truth or not, but I couldn’t fathom that Phoebe at West House would be OK with Bailey. Had Toppy really hired her? “Listen, Phoebe, I’ll speak to my uncle about it. He’ll be here any minute to take me home. I’ll give you a call.” I stopped at the nurse’s station for reinforcements. Where was Mom?

  “That’s more like it. I’ll just wait with you.” She leaned against the counter.

  The nurse looked up from her paperwork with wide eyes. “I was just about to bring a wheelchair to your room for your exit ride, Mr. West,” she said to me, but looked at Phoebe.

  “I don’t need a wheelchair.” Come on, Toppy, get here.

  “I’m afraid it’s hospital policy. You have to ride to the front door in a wheelchair.”

  “Look, Phoebe, you run along. I’m fine, and I’ll give you a call after I talk to Toppy.” What if Bailey came along with him?

  “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll wait.” She crossed her arms and leaned back against the counter. “Oh, just the man we wanted to see.”

  Toppy walked up. “Ready?” he asked, but his questioning eyes were on Phoebe.

  “Yes,” I said, but before I could squirrel him away for a discussion, Phoebe pounced.

  “Scott doesn’t quite seem to believe that you’ve hired me. Go on, tell him I start today.” She stepped close to Toppy and put her hand on his shoulder.

  “Well, uh, yeah.” His normally pale skin blushed crimson. His words seemed to choke him.

  “Still, Phoebe,” I tried to sound authoritative, “I’ll be there now, and we really don’t need the extra waitress.”

  “All right, then. But that brings me to another reason I came to see you. I don’t think I’m suited for waitressing anyway. Perhaps something in management might be available?”

  Laughter chuckled from my throat. “Phoebe, we’re a mom and pop establishment. I do all my own paperwork. Thanks for your interest, but there really isn’t anything for you now.”

  “You don’t think...” Toppy started.

  “No. I don’t. See you later, Phoebe. I’m anxious to get home.”

  An angry scowl flushed across her face. She clicked away but with a limp she didn’t have before. She dabbed at tears and slapped the front door of the hospital open. Not a pageant exit, but dramatic nonetheless.

  Toppy opened his mouth to speak.


  I shook my head. We’d talk about it on the way home. “If I have to ride in a wheelchair, could you just let me go from here? I don’t have to go back to my room, do I?”

  “I don’t think that’s a problem. Here you go.” The nurse wheeled a chair around the station. She helped me get seated and positioned my feet and then rolled me to the front door with Toppy following behind.

  “You’ve forgotten your things. I’ll just grab them and be right back,” the nurse said and left me alone with my uncle.

  An uncomfortable silence hung between us. It might be unfair for me to deny this good man the extra help. He, actually everyone in my life, had changed their schedule to help me out. But Phoebe Waverly? Not a chance.

  The nurse returned and handed my bag to Toppy.

  “Mr. West, that bouquet of roses. Don’t you want to take them home?”

  The roses. Such an abandoned and neglected effort. Too many hard feelings were associated with them. Melissa meant well, but it just didn’t turn out the way either of us had hoped.

  “Please give them to someone who doesn’t have any.” Maybe the flowers would accomplish something for someone else.

  “Thank you. I’m sure I can find someone who needs cheering up. Goodbye, Mr. West. Take care.” She turned and rolled the chair back inside.

  Once in the car, I started in on Toppy. “I don’t know what made you think that would be OK. I’m sure Bailey must not like the idea.”

  “It’s just that she needs help. My gut, or rather, the Holy Spirit, nudged me in that direction. I know it doesn’t make sense, and you’re right, Bailey didn’t like it. She did agree to pray about it, though.” He sighed as he steered the car onto the highway.

  “I’m having a hard enough time keeping things right with Bailey. I do have respect for your reasons, but it’s just not going to happen.” I’m in charge again. I’d appreciated everyone’s help, but I was back at the helm.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first. You know, I just thought about how your parents helped people who wandered into the diner. She just seemed to need help.” He bounced his thumbs on the steering wheel.

  “I get that, but now is not a good time. Let’s drop it. I can’t wait to get home.”

  He pressed his lips together and nodded his head.

  I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and texted Bailey.

  Bailey, Phoebe is not coming to work for me. She came by to see me, but I let her know it wouldn’t work out. Be home soon.

  I relished the thought of taking up where we’d left off, but without the fractured heart I’d let mar our happiness before I’d hit the concrete. I anticipated a smooth landing back on Exit 477, back in my domain, wedding plans in full swing, and getting on with my life.

  “Swing me by that flower shop on Main. I want to get something for Bailey.”

  My uncle didn’t answer, but just drove to town. He stayed in the car while I popped in and bought a small autumn bouquet recommended by the florist. Bailey would love that.

  My cell phone buzzed a text from Bailey.

  I can’t wait to get you home! Let’s don’t nix Phoebe yet. We’ll talk about it when you get here. I love you!

  What?

  9

  The stairs to my room at the inn felt like the ascent to Everest. I kicked my shoes off, dropped my purse and wedding planner on the floor, and went to the much closer couch. I’d pulled a double at the diner to give Tracy a much-needed morning off. My heavy eyelids closed, but my racing mind wouldn’t let me sleep.

  Scott is coming home today.

  He’d texted me that Phoebe wouldn’t be working at the diner. I’d thought about what Toppy had told me. Scott’s parents had always taken needy folks under their wing. Me, Tracy and Liz, and a host of others who’d passed through. Why should their legacy stop just because I was a smidge jealous of poor Phoebe? She had helped me in the end, after all. I’d gotten used to Melissa’s presence as Scott’s nurse. Tall, thin, accomplished. At least Melissa wasn’t a former Miss Texas, just a former fiancée.

  “Fat little kid.” Those hurtful words had been my inner voice nearly all my life. That is, until I took the Washout Express exit, running from my broken down life. Dear, old Exit 477.

  Sure, it hurt a bit to find out he’d been engaged and never told me about it. I’d had a rough couple of days. I reached, but my bare neck reminded me I still couldn’t find my necklace. I’d swept the floor, checked my purse, and I’d even gone through the crocheted blankets to see if it had snagged on one of them. I refused to believe I’d lost it. No, it would turn up. It had to. Lord, please help me find it.

  My old insecurities had popped up at the knowledge that Scott had been engaged to a beauty like Melissa. Should I laugh or cry at how easily I’d reverted to my old thought patterns? Wasn’t it on this very couch that I’d berated myself silly the morning after Darryl dumped me?

  Forgiveness came easily. Newness in Christ defined our relationship. I’d not hold Scott accountable for anything in his past. He’d certainly not held mine up to scrutiny. Besides, I’d nearly lost him. That put things in perspective. My cell buzzed. It might be the hospital. I retrieved my purse and rummaged for my phone.

  “Bailey, this is Jim Ballard. Got a minute?” My lawyer and family friend often checked on me.

  “Yes, sir, nice to hear from you.” I snuggled deeper under the afghan.

  “I heard your young man had a heart attack. How is he?”

  “Scott is doing well. In fact, he’s coming home today.” Yes, thank God.

  “That’s good news and I’m glad to hear it. I had a heart attack myself, just at his age. Overwork and stress nearly killed me.”

  I sat bolt upright. “I didn’t know that, Mr. Ballard. You’ve lived such a long time, so that gives me hope, I mean...” Way to go, Bailey.

  Mr. Ballard laughed. “Yes, a very long time.” I heard a muffled chuckle. “I had to learn to pace myself, ask for help. If Scott goes through the same thing I did, you’ll need to have patience with him.”

  “You got that right. You wouldn’t believe his attitude right now.” I cringed remembering how touchy Scott could become if work was mentioned.

  “Give him time, Bailey. He needs your help, but he doesn’t want to feel helpless. Don’t baby him. I’m sure he needs to adjust his work and stress level, but try not to make him feel incapable. His mind will be playing tricks on him.”

  Balance. So that’s it. Help him, but don’t take away his dignity. His words went with what Mom and Dr. Harkin had already advised. “That’s advice I needed today, Mr. Ballard. Thanks so much.” Maybe I’d get a handle on all this after all.

  “You’ll have lots of babies and grandbabies. I have an appointment so I need to go. Oh, I forgot to mention the other reason I called. The scholarship is all set up at the college. When you are ready to award it, just call the college business office, and they’ll connect you to the right person. I’m so pleased you decided to do that.”

  “Thank you. I know Gran would be happy about it. We’ve decided to give it to Tracy Salas. She works for Scott and is well-deserving. I hope we can get her started this spring semester.” I should have told Tracy by now. So many other things were going on that made that important issue get tabled. But I couldn’t leave Scott out of it.

  “Have you decided to rebuild on the Pinewood Manor lot? You’ve still got a quarter of a million in the insurance settlement left after the scholarship.”

  “We’re praying about it. It’s been so hectic that we haven’t been able to think about it.” I didn’t want to think about my grandmother’s historical home leveled in ashes. My broken dream of a bed and breakfast there was at least lessened by my upcoming marriage, and the inn I’d get to continue running.

  “Well, please call if you or your mother needs any assistance. Bye, now.”

  I took a breath to say “bye” but then he spoke again.

  “Oh, wait, I almost forgot another reason I called. That’s a bypr
oduct of my old age,” he said with a laugh. “I ran into that woman, Phoebe Waverly, the one who helped you out with that Darryl Graham business.”

  “Yes?”

  “She saw my ad in the paper for a temporary job. My secretary will be gone for three months to help out her daughter and new grandbaby. She gave you as a reference. What do you think? I have the feeling she really needs the job.”

  Mercy. She hadn’t even had her first day at West House Diner. “The only thing I know for sure is that she does need a job. We were about to give her a chance at the diner, but I think she wants something a little more, oh, I don’t know. Maybe classy?” Should I tell him I didn’t offer my name as a reference? Maybe Mr. Ballard’s maturity and his upscale law office would be just what she needed. “She’d dress up the place, and she is good with people. As to her other skills, I’m not really sure.”

  Phoebe still hadn’t come back to pick up her purse. Since she’d be working for Mr. Ballard, I decided to just drop her purse off at his office. I’d been tempted to read that letter from Darryl, so getting it out of the house was a plus. Maybe there had been more to their relationship than his just using her.

  “Well, I think I’ll give her a try. It’s temporary, and she seems to need the job. An inkling in my spirit, if you will.”

  “I totally understand. We were going on that same inkling. Hope it works out for you. Thanks again for the advice regarding Scott.”

  Mr. Ballard chuckled as he ended the call. He’d mentioned babies and grandchildren, giving me something nice to think about. Warmth rushed up my cheeks at the thought of becoming a mother. Scott and I hadn’t settled the when and how many on that subject. Or maybe it was just me.

  “The more the merrier, and the sooner the better.” Scott laughed every time he said that, but I thought he meant it.