He took the steps two at a time and slipped into a chair. “You’re seriously going to make them wear those things while they play?”
“I told you, you don’t know them. You have no idea the capacity they have for finding trouble.”
“You’re right. I stand corrected.” He watched Brady struggle to get into the swing, the girth of his jacket-clad body pushing out against the chains. “Can I offer you a word of advice?”
“Sure.” Britney dipped a chip.
Matt found himself staring at her as she nibbled on it with dainty bites. She had a nice mouth. It was perfectly shaped and turned up at the edges to give the impression of a perpetual smile. But even as she ate, she kept her attentive brown eyes on her siblings.
When he didn’t speak, she glanced over at him. “You were saying?”
“Oh, um. Right. If you decide to hang around for a while, you might want to check into swimming lessons for the kids. You’ll feel a lot better and”—he watched Brady’s awkward attempt to swing while clasping the bulging chains and flinched—“so will they.”
Britney and Allie looked over at Brady and laughed. “Maybe it is overkill. After we eat—when we can give them our full attention—I’ll let them take the life jackets off.”
Seven
Between the rambunctious kids and the many questions and answers bantered back and forth between parties, dinner seemed like pure chaos. Brit felt it was a good kind of chaos. She learned more about her grandmother and Matt. Gram seemed happy to learn about their life and sad that she hadn’t been there to be a part of it and make things better as they grew. Britney was relieved to find out Matt wasn’t her distant cousin, but her grandmother’s next-door neighbor. “How long have y’all lived next to each other?”
Matt leaned back in his chair. “Ever since I can remember. Ethel became a surrogate mom to me when I lost my own mother. I didn’t really give her the choice, but she happily stepped into the role.”
“He decided I was his aunt early on and has called me that ever since.” Gram clasped his hand. “I couldn’t have been happier to fill those shoes for him. Kimberly had already left home, and I missed her something fierce.”
“Do you know why our mother left here?”
“No. She’d always been difficult, but I’m not sure what the final catalyst was that set her to running. Sounds like she hasn’t stopped running either. I’ve prayed for her every night, and I’ll continue to do so. But having Matty around certainly helped ease the pain.”
Britney tried not to feel jealous. He’d had the experience with her family that she’d always dreamed of. “I bet that was nice, having Gram to lean on.”
Matt exchanged a warm smile with Gram. “It was. She stepped in and filled a void for me. Apparently I did the same for her. You’ll find out for yourself now that you’re here.”
“You sure will!” Gram placed her cool hand on top of Britney’s and clasped it just like she had Matt’s. “We have so much lost time to make up for.”
The comments filled Brit with happiness and peace. A warmth spread through her heart. God had a hand in this; He’d brought them to this place. Brit couldn’t be happier.
Matt stood from the table amidst many protests from the younger crowd. He’d spent the predinner time pushing the younger kids on the swing and chasing them away from the lake’s edge, and they weren’t ready to let him go now that dinner was over.
“Please push us one more time!” Noelle begged, jumping up and down.
“We won’t even f–fight about turns, right Skye and Noelle?” Brady implored. “We’ll wait n–nicely, just like Matt asked us to earlier.”
“Right. We won’t fight at all.” Noelle elbowed Skye out of her way. “I promise.”
Skye jostled back. “I promise more.”
Skye’s solemn promise made through gritted teeth had them all laughing.
“The twins are nothing if not competitive,” Britney stated.
Allie nodded in agreement.
“Okay, a few more turns and then I have to get back to the office.” Matt turned to Britney. “I’ll see you in court first thing in the morning.”
Britney wrinkled her nose.
“Court?” Gram looked over her glasses. “Matthew, please explain to me why you are dragging my granddaughter into court?”
Matt started to speak, but Britney answered for him. “It’s okay, Gram. It was my fault. We met at an old gas station outside of town, and I pulled in last-minute. Matt felt I was driving recklessly and gave me a ticket. I’m sure from his viewpoint it was reckless.”
“If you say so.” Gram shrugged. She looked at Matt. “I’ll have her there bright and early.”
Britney frowned. “We don’t have to get a court date or make an appointment?”
“Not in this town.” Gram laughed.
“Oh.” Brit wasn’t overly excited about appearing in court at all, but at least she wouldn’t have to spin her wheels unnecessarily while she waited. She’d rather get in and get it over with.
Gram nixed that plan with her next words. “Matt? Make it a week from tomorrow. I want a few days to get to know my grandchildren.”
“Yes’m. I’ll notify the judge so he’ll expect you.”
Brit and Allie stayed put at the table with Gram and watched Matt interact with the kids. He teased and laughed and at times seemed like a kid himself.
Brit found herself smiling over his antics. “He seems like a natural around small children. He must have a lot of siblings.”
“Nope. Matt was an only child.” Gram sighed. “Siblings would have been nice for him. He loves children.”
“I can see that.” Britney couldn’t help but compare Matt’s natural ability to relate to all ages to Ryan’s refusal to even take a few minutes to meet her family. “The kids seem to love him, too. They’ve never. . .” She let her voice trail off.
“Never what, dear?” Gram patted her hand again.
“They’ve never had a chance to just relax and play like this. Yet looking at them, watching them play with such carefree abandon, you’d never be able to tell.”
“Children are resilient.”
“You sound like you have experience with things like this.”
“I do.”
Gram didn’t elaborate. Brit didn’t push. They settled into a companionable silence as they watched the kids play and continue to interact with Matt.
This is how life should have been for Britney and her siblings. Brit hadn’t had the opportunity to experience a carefree childhood, but she was glad that her siblings might be able to. She hoped the experience would last. Even Allie wandered down to the tree and took a few turns on the swing. When Matt prepared to leave, she stepped in to take his place. Brady, Noelle, and Skye circled him and begged him to stay.
“Let him go, kids. He’ll be back soon enough,” Gram called. “I think I have some ice cream in the freezer for a bedtime snack if anyone’s interested.”
The kids immediately left Matt’s side and hurried up to the porch. Allie followed and slumped into the chair next to Britney’s.
Gram motioned to the door. “Go wash up while I’m putting everything together.”
The threesome rushed inside. Gram followed at a more sedate pace.
She turned as she reached the doorway. “You two will join us in eating some ice cream, right?”
Britney grinned. “Who am I to turn down a good bowl of ice cream?”
“I’ll have some, too, please.” Allie’s reply was formal.
Britney started to stand. “I’ll help.”
“You’ll do no such thing. I can manage. You two just relax and enjoy the quiet. Enjoy the pretty lake.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Britney turned to Allie. “Walk down to the lake with me.”
Allie stood and jogged down the stairs that led from the deck to the soft green lawn. She kicked off her flip-flops. Britney followed suit. The grass was cool and soft under her feet, unlike Georgia’
s bristly sod. Her college campus had several green areas, but the grass there never felt as pleasant to her feet as this did.
“Allie, why are you being so quiet?”
“Just taking it all in I guess,” Allie answered.
“I can understand that. It’s kind of overwhelming, isn’t it?”
“Look at this place.” Allie spread her arms in a wide arc. “Why would Momma ever leave a place like this? Why’d she lie about her parents dying before we were born?”
“I don’t know, Allie. Why’d Momma do most anything she did? I’ll never understand her. I doubt anyone will. But what I do know”—she stopped at the water’s edge—“is that this is a good place, and Gram seems to be a wonderful woman. I don’t want to mess this up for you or the little kids.”
“I don’t want to mess things up either.”
“Could you see yourself growing up here, Al?”
“I don’t have a lot of growin’ to do. A couple more years, and I’ll be out on my own.” Allie narrowed her eyes and stared at Britney. Dusk put her face in shadow. “And why’d you ask like that? Where do you plan to go?”
“Stop being so suspicious. I have no plans beyond here. I don’t even have the money to meet Ryan at the beach after this little trip.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. It isn’t your fault.”
“But I don’t want to mess things up for you.”
“You aren’t messing things up for me. Besides—” She hesitated, not sure how much she wanted to say. She wanted to talk to someone about Ryan’s selfish behavior, but it didn’t seem right to burden Allie with it. She decided to share the basics. “Ryan and I didn’t exactly part on the best of terms. I’m not sure if I’m still welcome down there, especially since I haven’t talked to him since we started out on our road trip.”
“Has he called you?”
“No.”
“Why not? What happened?”
“I don’t want to get into it right now. I’m still trying to sort it all out in my head.”
“Oh.” Allie looked out over the water and then sent her an impish grin. “In the meantime, maybe you should get to know Matt a little bit better.”
“Matt?” Britney laughed. “Why him? He’s the reason I have to go to court, in case you’ve forgotten!”
“So you had a rough start. Who knows what the future can bring? People in romantic comedies always meet under weird circumstances.”
“You’re nuts.” Britney swatted at her sister, but she was glad to see the spark coming back into her eyes. “My life is fine as it is, with or without Ryan. I don’t need a man to make me complete. And I’m pretty sure Ryan isn’t the man I thought he was. I want to be sure I pick the guy God has for me. I don’t want to choose the wrong one. And Ryan’s behavior lately—well, I’m not sure he’s living his faith the way he should.”
Allie stared at her. “We all make mistakes and bad choices that affect faith. God forgives for stuff like that, right?”
“Of course He does. But with Ryan—I’m not sure the faith is even present.”
The noise of their siblings pouring back out onto the porch interrupted the conversation.
“C’mon, Brit! C’mon, Allie! Gram’s bringing out huge bowls of ice cream, and we get to pick our own toppings!” Noelle was beside herself with excitement.
Britney wondered if their grandmother knew what she was getting herself into. The kids would be up until the wee hours with that kind of sugar rush.
“What is she thinking?” Allie asked as evening descended.
They watched Gram exit the kitchen door with a tray full of bowls and other small containers.
“I think she wants a chance to spoil them. She’ll find out soon enough that sugar and bedtime don’t mix when it comes to those three.”
“I don’t know. They were really tired in the car, and they ate a lot at dinner. Maybe the fresh air and food will counteract the sugar.”
“We can only hope.” Brit shared a grin with her sister and grabbed Allie’s hand.
They started back up the sloping lawn. Small lights lit the circumference of the lawn, giving the yard a festive feel. Cicadas sang from the surrounding trees as fireflies appeared and dotted the air around them. Allie squealed in a childlike fashion and started chasing the lightning bugs. The younger three abandoned their ice cream creations and joined her.
Britney caught her breath as tears of happiness welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t imagine a happier homecoming if she’d been asked to design one. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to see her little sisters and brothers play with such glee in a place such as this.
Thank You, Lord. Is this the abundant life You spoke of in scripture?
“Britty, c’mon! Fireflies!” Noelle squealed in the same tone Allie had used moments before.
Not wanting to miss the fun, Brit hurried to join them. The ice cream could wait. Gram watched from the darkened porch. Brit didn’t miss the fact that the older woman wiped at some errant tears of her own as she watched. They hadn’t talked about long-term plans, but Britney hoped something permanent could be worked out. Gram didn’t seem to have anyone in her life and could use some family ties. And Brit and her siblings could certainly use some of their own.
Eight
The following Monday, just as Gram had promised, Brit stepped up to stand before the judge. Her nerves were on edge. Surprisingly, the man who sat behind the bench was an older version of Matt.
“Your father is the judge?” she hissed in an aside. “Why didn’t you tell me? What kind of town is this?”
The scowly faced man at the front of the room leaned forward. “You have something to say in my court, young lady, you’ll say it to my face.”
“I’m sorry, sir.” Brit’s nerves took over and spoke for her. “I was just saying you two are like a pair of matching bookends, except you’re. . .” Her voice trailed off.
The judge’s eyebrows knit together as he leaned far over his desk and glared at her. “Except what, missy? Except that I’m older? Is that what you were about to say? I can promise you my hearing is just fine. I’ll have you know—”
Matt raised his hand, apparently wanting to get control of the situation before it got worse. “I’m sure she meant that you are—”
“More intimidating,” Britney hurried to interject.
Both men turned to stare at her.
The truth was the truth. “Sometimes when I’m nervous, my thoughts come out before I think them through. But that’s what I was going to say. I wasn’t going to say that you were old. You look like matching bookends, but from where you sit from behind the far side of the bench, you seem to be far more intimidating. I meant no offense.”
Interestingly enough, the judge relaxed while Matt bristled, both of their reactions the opposite of what she’d expected them to be.
“You’re saying—what—that I’m nice!” Matt spewed. He made it sound like that was the worst insult ever.
Now she’d offended him. She rolled her eyes. “Most people would take that as a compliment. How can that offend you?”
“It’s not a compliment when I’m doing my job as sheriff. I need to present an air of authority. If I’m not, I’m not doing my job right.”
“You’re not technically doing your job as sheriff right now.”
“Yes I am.”
“Fine. But you aren’t staring me down like your father was.”
“True. But you have to admit, I did intimidate you when I first approached you and your siblings back at the gas station when you were driving into town.”
“That you did. But you aren’t now, and that’s a good thing.”
The judge resumed his frown. “So you’re saying what you said to me wasn’t a good thing? It wasn’t a compliment? I’m trying to understand here.”
“No, I didn’t mean that at all!” Brit glanced over at her grandmother, terrified to see what her reaction would be to Brit’s unintentional rude
ness. These men were like family to Gram, after all.
Much to her surprise, Gram had her hand over her mouth and appeared to be hiding a smile. She quickly ducked her head and searched for something in her purse.
Matt started talking again. “As long as you remember I was intimidating when you were frantically rolling up your window during my approach back at the gas station.”
“I remember.” Britney sighed and looked up at the ceiling. These two were even more alike than she’d first thought. “I’m not saying you looked nice, Matt, okay? I’m just saying you were approachable when you walked up—if a bit menacing with your suspicion of us and your dark, bad-boy clothing. Whereas a moment ago your father was scowling so hard his eyebrows almost touched even as we walked through the door. If that’s not intimidating, I don’t know what is.”
“The scowl wasn’t meant for you.” The judge threw his hands up into the air. “My sciatica is acting up. How else would you expect me to look? This confounded bench makes my back hurt, and my sciatic nerve is affected. I shouldn’t be up here wasting away on this doggone bench—I should be out on the streets fighting crime like I always did in the past.”
Britney tried to follow. “You don’t like being a judge? I would think this would be a wonderful job for you. After all, you earned the position after a lifetime of fighting crime.”
Now it was Matt’s turn to snicker.
His father glared at him before glaring down at Britney. “Fighting crime? Hrmph. Nothing ever happens here. Why do you think you’re on the docket for my courtroom first thing in the morning? Until you came along, Matt probably hadn’t written a ticket in a month.” The judge stared out the window. “But even with that little fact laid out, I’d much rather be outside working in the fresh air. I’m not fit for a desk job. It makes me cranky.”
That was an understatement. Britney figured the thought was better left unspoken. “Then why don’t you retire? I saw your gardens when we left Gram’s house this morning. I can tell you love working the land. Why not make your life what you want it to be?”
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