by Unknown
“I listed it in the classifieds for free to the first person who could come and get it. Turns out there are a lot of people in this world who like kitschy things.” He winked to show he was teasing.
“But not me,” she clarified.
“No, thank goodness. Because what would that make me?”
She fingered the stubble across his chin. “Not kitschy, that’s for sure.”
Noah chuckled. They had such an easy camaraderie. They shared similar tastes—at least once Landon was out of the picture. They both loved Adi and Kajsa. They got along. They had a blast together. The chemistry between them was a force to be reckoned with. And they both liked cookie dough ice cream. How was this not a sure thing for her? He didn’t understand.
The slam of Noah’s truck door echoed down the street, sounding loud in the quiet of the night. He started toward his house, then paused. The blinds were open, his front room light was on, and Becky was clinging to Justin with her phone clasped between her fingers. Justin was rubbing her back in a comforting gesture.
Only then did Noah remember that Kevin had tried to call.
He took the front porch steps two at a time and rushed inside. “What’s wrong?”
Becky pulled free from her husband’s arms and looked at him. “It’s Emma,” she said, her voice cracking. “She went into labor. Kevin said she was bleeding. He took her to the hospital thirty minutes ago, but I haven’t heard anything else.” She swallowed and shook her head. “I’m sorry for not calling, but I didn’t want the girls to know, so I got them to bed first. Then I lost it and called Justin instead.”
Noah kicked himself for not answering Kevin’s call earlier. He’d been in the middle of dinner with Cassie and that had seemed more important than taking a call from his brother-in-law.
He should have answered.
Becky clasped Justin’s hand and shook her head. “It’s too early. She can’t have those babies yet. And if they can’t stop the labor… if the bleeding becomes dangerous…” Tears welled in her eyes. “They’ve waited so long, why this now? Why?”
“Shh,” Justin said quietly, pulling her close once again. “It’s going to be okay. They’re going to stop the labor, and those babies are going to be just fine. You’ll see.”
Becky looked up with tear-streaked eyes. “How can you be sure?”
“I just know.”
But he didn’t know, not really. No one did. Noah dropped down on the armchair and leaned forward, placing his forehead in his hands and hating how out of control he felt. How out of control life in general could be. He’d learned from experience that people came into this world and then they left it. Sometimes they stayed for a while, sometimes not long at all, and sometimes only twenty-seven years.
Noah could only hope and pray that Emma and those babies had years of life ahead of them.
“We can stay here if you want to go to the hospital,” said Becky.
As much as Noah wanted to be there for his sister, there wasn’t much he could do sitting in a waiting room at the hospital. Nor was he about to leave Adi and Kajsa while the reminder of how precious life could be was staring him in the face. He wasn’t going anywhere.
“You and Justin go,” said Noah. “Just promise you’ll call as soon as you hear anything.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure. I need to be here.”
She nodded, then clasped Justin’s hand and started forward, pausing when she reached the door.
“I almost forgot. How was your date tonight? Did Cassie love the basement?”
“It was good. And yes, she did. Thanks for keeping Adi and Kajsa for me.”
“We had fun,” she said, wiping her eyes again. “I’ve missed them.”
“They’ve missed you too.” Noah waved her off. “Now go. And don’t forget to call.”
“I won’t.” The door opened and closed, and the room suddenly became very quiet. Too quiet.
Noah grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. He flipped through several channels before he gave up and tossed it aside. Unable to sit any longer, he strode down the hall and quietly opened the door to Adi and Kajsa’s room. As always, the room emanated a soft, peaceful glow—a peace he could really use right now. Adi was snuggled under her covers into a little ball with her head peeking out, and Kajsa had turned sideways on her bed, with her legs hanging over the edge.
Noah crept forward, carefully lifting her legs and swinging her around. Then he grabbed a pillow that had fallen on the floor and lay down in the middle of their room, willing the sound of their even breathing to lull his mind into a more peaceful state. Emma was going to be okay, she was. And those babies were going to be fine too. He tried so hard to know it, to feel it, to believe it, but the anxiety refused to go away.
Was this how Cassie felt about him? Was it this much of a struggle? This much worry and stress?
If there was one thing Noah had learned in his short life, it was that life happened. Whether good, whether bad, whether he made it happen or whether it happened all on its own, it just happened. And even though it may not seem okay at the time, eventually the pain subsided, the kinks got worked out, and weak people became a little stronger.
Eventually.
Maybe that’s what Justin was referring to earlier, when he seemed so sure. Maybe that’s what Cassie needed to learn and understand. Everything really was going to be okay.
The shrill ring of his phone made Noah lurch awake. He hit his head on Kajsa’s bed frame and swallowed a curse as he yanked the phone from his pocket and turned off the sound. Then he escaped from the room and pulled the door closed behind him before answering the phone.
“Becky?”
“She’s going to be okay,” Becky said, sounding relieved. And tired.
“And the babies?” Noah clenched the phone in his fingers, waiting for news. Good news, he hoped.
“They were able to stop the bleeding and labor. For now, at least.”
“For now? What does that mean?”
“It means they’re going to monitor her for the next twenty-four hours, and if it stays stopped, they’ll let her go home.”
That sounded like a stupid idea to Noah. “But what if it doesn’t stay stopped?”
“It should, as long as she stays in bed. At least that’s the hope.”
And then it all sank in. Bed rest. Emma could go home as long as she stayed in bed for the majority of every day until it was safe for those babies to come. He swallowed. “How did she take that news?”
“Let’s just say that those little babies got their first scolding.”
Noah chuckled, appreciating the release it gave him. “Can I talk to her?”
A shuffling noise sounded, followed by low murmurs, and then Emma’s voice. “Hey bro.” She sounded more tired than Becky.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m okay.” Her voice sounded quiet and withdrawn—so unlike Emma. And no wonder. For her, being confined to a bed all summer would be the equivalent to being stuck in an office all day for Noah. It would suck. He didn’t envy her the next couple of months.
“I’m actually glad you’re getting put on bed rest,” said Noah, trying to sound upbeat and positive. “Now I can finally start paying you back for everything you’ve done for me during the past few years. We’ll come visit and bring you dinner and help you clean and—”
Emma laughed. “I’m not sure I want your dinners. You’re a worse cook than me. And while I appreciate the thought, I refuse to let you scrub my toilets. Wait, what was that, honey?” Emma’s attention was pulled away for a moment, and then she returned. “Kevin just said he’s going to hire a maid for me for the summer. Can you believe it? Me, having a maid. Imagine that.”
“The next few months are going to fly by. Just wait and see. We’ll take good care of you.”
“I know you will.” She paused. “It’s not me I’m worried about. It’s you.”
“Me?” They must have given Emma morphine or somethin
g. She was clearly a little out of it.
“Well, Adi and Kajsa anyway,” she said. “I won’t be able to watch them this summer, and it’s killing me.”
Noah blinked. Had she been planning to do that? He let out a breath and sank down on the couch, suddenly exhausted. Of course she had. She was Emma. “I wasn’t going to let you take them this summer—even before you got put on bed rest. You’re pregnant with twins. You need to take care of yourself and stop worrying about everyone else.”
“I know, but with Sam taking that internship and Becky’s job getting busier in the summer months, I just—”
“Need to relax and know that I’ve got it covered.”
“You do?”
“Yes,” he lied. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before now.”
“Is Cassie… ?” She left the question hanging, probably because she knew it wouldn’t be right to ask that of Cassie anymore than Noah did.
But he knew Emma. She wouldn’t stop worrying until she knew the girls were okay. “Yes, she can help out. So don’t worry.”
A sigh sounded, and the tight edge to Emma’s voice relaxed. “I’m so glad you have her now. She’s been such a blessing.”
“Yeah.” Noah left it at that. Yes, he did have Cassie. Only he didn’t. Not really. Not yet. “Let me know when they let you leave tomorrow.”
“I will.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
Noah tossed the phone on the couch and bent forward, raking his fingers through his hair. What was he going to do about Adi and Kajsa? Summer was only a few weeks away and he still hadn’t figured it out. Every time he considered hiring a stranger, his stomach twisted into knots. But he couldn’t put it off any longer. Becky had mentioned that Sam had a friend who might be interested. Maybe he’d start there.
“Noah, it’s so great to finally meet you.” Mrs. Fuller hugged Noah close, like he was already a part of their family. “We’ve heard so much about you from Cassie and the McCoys. I feel like I know you already. Come in, come in.” She gestured inside her home. “Everyone is anxious to meet you.”
Only then did Mrs. Fuller notice the two little girls standing nervously behind their daddy. “Oh my goodness!” Her warm smile spread even larger. She bent forward, lowering her head to their eye level. “You must be Adi and Kajsa. How beautiful you both are.”
They smiled shyly, their eyes widening when they looked beyond Cassie’s mother. The family room was full of people, voices, and laughter. Through the back window, a bunch of kids ran around the backyard.
Noah couldn’t wait to meet everyone. During his time in Honduras, one of his best friends was number five in a family of ten kids. Even though their house was tiny, run down, and crammed, Noah could have spent every day there. Being surrounded by such a large group had made him feel like he was part of something bigger and greater and more important. Nobody messed with the Sandri kids because they’d be taking on the entire clan.
Cassie’s large family, all clustered together, brought back memories of the Sandri family. Big, great, and wonderful. Some people yearned to marry into money. Noah wanted this—for both him and his girls.
“Vern Fuller.” Cassie’s dad was suddenly there, holding out his hand.
“Noah Mackie,” said Noah, shaking his hand. “It’s good to meet you, sir.”
“Come on in. No need to stand out here all evening.”
Noah took each of his daughters’ hands and followed Cassie inside. The noise quieted down as introductions were made, and a lot of curious eyes took in the small Mackie family. Noah only remembered half of the names, but he’d never forget the feeling of closeness and camaraderie in that room. How could Cassie have stayed away for so long?
Her family made room for them on the loveseat, and Noah settled in, one daughter on each knee with Cassie at his side. Her parents asked some questions, her siblings followed up with some more, and then the ice officially broke and chaos resumed. Three different conversations struck up at once, squealing kids ran in and out, and somewhere, a dog barked.
“Noah.” Vern folded his arms across his large chest. “I hear you know something about plumbing.”
“Dad.” Cassie shot Noah an apologetic look before glaring at her father. “I already told you—no.”
“No?”
“No.”
“Maybe Noah will say yes.”
“No. He won’t,” she said firmly, looking back to Noah. “You won’t.”
“I might.” Intrigued, Noah readjusted his girls and shifted his legs to keep them from falling asleep. “What’s the question? Or do I have to give you an answer first?”
Vern shifted in his seat. “Yesterday our toilet started leaking and—”
“Oh my gosh.” Cassie dropped her forehead to her hands.
“And,” her father repeated. “I was wondering if you’d take a look. I’m not sure what parts I need to get at the hardware store.”
“I’d be happy to,” said Noah.
“But not right now,” Mary Ellen rushed to say. “I was just about to call everyone for dinner.”
“After dinner then,” said Noah.
Vern grunted in agreement, and Cassie leaned over to whisper, “You really don’t have to.”
“And I really don’t mind. Why didn’t you tell me before? I would have brought my tools.”
“Because I didn’t want you to have to bring your tools so you could fix my parents’ toilet.”
“But I like fixing things.”
“Really?” said one of Cassie’s brothers. Mark or Tyler? Noah couldn’t remember. “Because my daughter has this dresser with drawers that are always getting stuck, and—”
“Seriously Mark?” Cassie hissed.
Ah, so his name is Mark. Noah committed the name and face to memory.
Mark shrugged. “What? He said he liked fixing things, and I happen to have something that needs fixing.”
“He was only joking.”
“No I wasn’t,” said Noah.
“No he wasn’t,” added Mark, pointing at Noah as if to say “See?”
Cassie stood and leveled Noah a look. “You are not going to fix my brother’s dresser. He’s a big boy and can do it himself.” Noah laughed while she reached for Adelynn and Kajsa’s hands. “C’mon, let’s go wash up before anyone else tries to add another project to your daddy’s to-do list.”
Dinner was a crazy, messy affair. Two cups of juice toppled, one plate piled high with grilled chicken and rice overturned, and a few kids ran through the messes before parents got a chance to clean it up. Voices had to be raised to be heard above all the other voices, and laughter sounded often.
Noah was ready to call them all family.
The girls finished eating and went outside with some of the other kids to play kickball. Noah watched from the back window until Vern reminded him about the leaky toilet. He withheld a grin as he followed Cassie’s father to the bathroom and crouched down to examine the area that Vern pointed to.
“Do I need a new valve?”
Noah turned on the water and watched a few drops squeeze from one of the connections. He shut it back off and dried it with a washcloth. “I think all you need is a new compression ring. I’m pretty sure I have one hanging around somewhere if you want me to bring it by tomorrow on my way to work. It will only take a few minutes to switch this out for you.
“Oh, you don’t need to go to all that trouble. I just wanted to know what I was dealing with.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ll drop by in the morning. It’ll be my way of saying thanks for a wonderful dinner.”
“Well, offer accepted again. I’d appreciate that.”
Noah returned to the front room and found Cassie on the couch chatting with a few of her siblings. He paused in the doorway, noting the easy way she talked and joked with them. There was no sign of awkwardness. Only happiness.
She glanced up and caught him watching. A soft smile lifted her lips, and sh
e slid over to make room for him on the couch.
Noah sat beside her and rested his arm across the back of the sofa. She snuggled next to him and lay her head on his shoulder, surprising him. He hadn’t expected her to show any affection in front of her family, and yet here she was, cozying up to him and interlacing her fingers through his. Noah’s arm slid from the back of the sofa to around her shoulders.
A few knowing looks passed between some of her siblings, but Noah didn’t care.
Mary Ellen walked into the room, drying her hands on her apron. “Cassidy, did Monique ever get a hold of you? She called earlier this week for your phone number.”
Lifting her head, Cassie cleared her throat. “Um, yeah. She called a few days ago.”
“What did she want?”
Cassie directed a nervous glance at Noah before answering. “She, uh… was wondering if I’d be interested in teaching at her school’s summer camp this year. One of the teachers quit suddenly, and she needs to fill the spot as soon as possible. The first session starts at the beginning of June, and she‘ll have to cancel one of the classes if she doesn’t find a teacher.”
“Haven’t you already committed to teach summer classes at your own studio?” said her mother.
“Not this year. I planned to use the summer to get my basement set up and everything reorganized before starting up again in the fall.”
“So what did you tell her?”
Cassie’s hands fidgeted in her lap. “That I’d think about it.”
Her sister, Michelle, walked in the room and settled on the armrest of the loveseat next to her husband. “Are you talking about Monique Sladen? I haven’t seen her in years. Where is she these days, anyway?”
Noah was wondering the same thing—especially when Cassie shot him another uncertain look. “Um… Houston.”
Houston? Noah’s body went stiff. Cassie was thinking of going to Houston for the summer? Since when? And why was he just finding out about it now?
“Wow, that’s kind of far away,” said Mary Ellen. “Are you really considering it?”
“I don’t know,” said Cassie. “She could really use my help, and I’m one of the few people she’s contacted who could make it work. So… I don’t know.” Cassie fiddled with a ring on her finger—a ring she hadn’t received from Noah. Which meant she was free to go. Or free to not go. Or free to do whatever she wanted without telling him anything, which was exactly what she’d done.