Love Inspired January 2016, Box Set 1 of 2

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “You want me to sell my house so you can be near your grandchildren?”

  “I want you to think of the big picture. There are three houses. You aren’t the only one. Hannah Oster and her sister Sadie can’t be here tonight. Sadie is in Denver for some specialized cardiac surgery. Selling that house expeditiously means they can buy a little place with less maintenance and pay off their medical bills.”

  The arrow hit its mark and Anne folded her arms protectively across her chest, shielding herself from further pain. “Mrs. Hotchkins...”

  “You call me Mabel. I’ve known your family since they first came to the valley. Known you since you were this big.” Mabel gestured with her hand.

  Anne took a deep breath. “Mabel, thank you for the update. I imagine that since you know my family so well, you’re also aware of how long my aunt’s home has been here in Paradise. Well over one hundred years. In fact, that house is all that my aunt and I have left of our family.”

  “Family isn’t about houses.” Mabel tapped her heart with her palm twice. “It’s about what’s in here.”

  “Pardon me,” Juanita said from where she stood in the aisle.

  Both Anne and Mabel looked up.

  Juanita narrowed her eyes and thrust out her chin. “You’re in my seat.”

  “I was just leaving.” Mabel stood and backed out of the row.

  “Was that woman harassing you?” Juanita handed Anne a foam cup of coffee.

  “No, merely a bit of a guilt trip. It worked. Now I feel absolutely awful.”

  “Stop that,” Marta interjected as she sat on the other side of Anne. “It’s your house. You are entitled to save it, despite what anyone else thinks.”

  The room began to slowly fill up as homeowners and local businessmen and -women wandered in, their chatter creating a low buzz as they greeted each other.

  When the mayor’s secretary entered, an agenda was passed out.

  “Uh-oh. Robert’s Rules,” Marta whispered.

  “Why ‘uh-oh’?” Anne asked.

  “No starting time for each issue. The easiest way to defeat an issue is to take up so much meeting time that the issue you want to squash never comes up. They may try to keep you from having an opportunity to speak.”

  “These are my friends, my neighbors. Why would they do that to me?”

  “Anne, get real. When it comes to love and money, the chaff is burned away with the wheat.”

  Anne turned to Juanita. “I think you messed up that verse. What exactly are you trying to say?”

  “What she’s trying to say in Juanita-speak is that this is when you find out who your friends really are.”

  “I still don’t understand,” Anne said.

  “Honey,” Juanita said, “I was talking to folks while I was getting coffee. Apparently if you don’t sign the contract by the due date, then your house will stall the project. That means the town will lose money. The contractor will lose money. And if that road isn’t built, then the businesses of this town will not reap the rewards, which would have translated to increased tourism. That means businesses will lose money.”

  Anne sat very still, absorbing Juanita’s words. Not signing was going to hurt the town. The words spun ’round and ’round, tightening like a noose. Her only defense was that she had only just received the letter. She hadn’t had time to consider the whole picture.

  “It doesn’t matter,” she said aloud.

  “What?” Marta asked.

  She turned to look at her friends. “It doesn’t matter that I just got the letter. From the moment I received it, I’ve only been thinking about me and Lily. What this means to us. I’ve been so selfish.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Marta said. “Your response is perfectly normal. I’d feel the same way.”

  “Maybe the Lord doesn’t want to save my house,” Anne said.

  “Our maybes don’t matter. We didn’t pray for your will to be done,” Juanita said. “We prayed for His will to be done. And it will be. We’re just standing in faith now. Waiting on Him.”

  “Tell that to the people in this room.”

  “How long do you have until the contract has to be signed?” Marta asked.

  “The end of the month, which is coming right up.”

  The mayor’s secretary tapped the microphone. “Please be seated. We’ll be reading and approving the minutes of our last meeting.”

  Anne didn’t hear the words; instead she glanced around the room. There were seventeen hundred people in Paradise and those who were members of the town’s small business group were all present.

  Patti Jo who owned the bakery and café was here, as was fire chief Jake MacLaughlin, who owned the hardware store, and his wife, Maggie. Several of the local ranchers, the Gallaghers, the Elliotts, and others were in the audience of the small town hall building. Physicians and nurses from the hospital filled the seats, as well. In fact, the room was completely packed and there were people elbow-to-elbow clear into the foyer. Standing against the far wall were Matt and Manny.

  Matt nodded to her and she turned her head away in shame.

  The gavel rang out and Mayor J. D. Rutherford presided over the meeting.

  First the reports of the town officers, boards and standing committees were read, along with the treasurer’s report. Anne sat in silent agony, checking her watch often, her eyes on the cold coffee cup in her hand. Everything around her became white noise as she waited.

  Finally the report of the special committee dealing with the Paradise Lake Project began. Though her aunt was not named as the remaining homeowner who hadn’t yet signed the purchase agreement that would allow the project to proceed, all eyes were on Anne, making it completely obvious everyone knew. Once the deadline arrived, the town had five business days left to decide if they would consider moving forward with action against the remaining homeowner.

  “Consider. That’s the word they used. So don’t get yourself all worked up,” Marta whispered.

  Too late, she was already worked up.

  As murmuring began in the audience, Anne slunk lower in her chair.

  Finally, as though he couldn’t put it off any longer, the mayor tapped the microphone. “Are there any questions?”

  Mabel Hotchkins stood and hurried to the microphone in the aisle. “Yes, Mr. Mayor. I want to know if the town is going to file an injunction to force Lily Gray and her great-niece to sign their house over to the town. I believe this action would be for the good of Paradise.”

  “We’ve already covered that, Mrs. Hotchkins,” J.D. returned. But it was too late. The audience was stirred up, which was clearly what Mabel wanted.

  Voices in the room rumbled, getting louder and louder. Some stood and they began to argue. The mayor tapped the microphone with force as he struggled to rein in the meeting.

  Anne stood. She stepped over Juanita and pushed through to the aisle and to the closest microphone.

  She tapped harder and harder until the sound of her hand hitting the mike drowned out the voices.

  Finally the room was silent.

  “You’ve all had your say. I’d like a chance to share mine.” She glanced around, summing up a courage she didn’t feel.

  If she could manage an emergency department she could do this. Right.

  Lord help me.

  “I want my friends and neighbors to know that my great-aunt, Lily Gray, and I love Paradise. We also love our home. We’re being asked to choose between two things that have been near and dear to us our entire lives. It’s not my intention to do anything that would hurt this town or to stand in the way of what Paradise needs.”

  Anne took a deep breath. “I’m asking you to allow us a little time to prepare ourselves to do the right thing, whatever that may be.”

  Ducking her
head, she turned around and moved out of the noisy, stuffy room through the meeting room double doors and outside.

  “Anne, I’m sorry.”

  When she turned, Matt was behind her on the sidewalk.

  “Matt, I don’t understand any of this. I’ve been like an ostrich with my head in the ground. I’ll be hurting Paradise if I don’t sign, isn’t that right?”

  “I can’t answer that.”

  “Well, I’ll be hurting your business by stalling the project. Even my friends had the guts to tell me that.”

  He shoved his hands into his pockets and didn’t look at her.

  “Why did the road have to be there? Whose idea was that? Yours or Manny’s? Couldn’t it have gone on the other side of the woods? Why can’t I have my house and you have your road somewhere else?”

  “Whoa.” He held up a hand against the torrent of her questions. “The plans as they are include the best use of the land and the town’s money and take into consideration future growth of Paradise. The decision was made without bias.”

  “I’m sure you’re right.” She hung her head. “I’m making this all about me. I’ve only had a short time to think about everything and I guess I just kept hoping that there would be some sort of Godly rabbit-out-of-the-hat solution.”

  “Anne, look at me.”

  She raised her head and met his blue eyes. What she saw there worried her.

  “The plans for the road?”

  “Yes?”

  “They were my design. I’m responsible. Not Manny. Only me.”

  Another arrow to her heart. She stood very still, trying to compose herself.

  “You and only you designed the plans that included tearing down my house?”

  “I didn’t know it was your house when the plans were proposed.”

  “How could you not know?”

  “I’d never been to your home. Think about it. You always kept me away. Once I submitted the designs it was all out of my hands until the town voted and approved the project. Another contractor would have likely provided a similar solution.”

  “Why didn’t you say something? All these weeks with Claire? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He shook his head. “Because deep down inside, I was hoping a solution would present itself, just like you were.”

  “Are you sure this isn’t some sort of retribution for what happened ten years ago?”

  Matt’s head jerked back just as if he’d been punched. Pain registered on his face and immediately contrition hit her. “Do you really believe that?” he rasped.

  “I don’t know what I believe anymore.” She turned away. “I’ve got a lot to think about. To pray about.”

  “Do you want a ride home? Maybe you shouldn’t be driving when you’re so upset.”

  “No, I’ll be fine.”

  “Anne, wait.”

  She faced him once more.

  “Do you know why there was so much discussion going on in there after Mabel got up to talk?”

  “I thought it was because everyone was angry. Mad at me.”

  “No. Half the town is on your side. It’s your house and they don’t agree that the town has the right to take away your home and your land. The Gallaghers and the Elliotts are your biggest supporters. All the ranchers in the valley are. After all, if the town can take your home, they’re worried it might also decide to take their land for the betterment of Paradise.”

  He raised both hands this time, as though trying one last time to reach out to her. “I’m on your side, too, you know. I’m your friend, and friends are there for each other no matter what.”

  Anne cocked her head. “Funny but someone just said similar words to me before the meeting.”

  “They were right.”

  “Yes. Unfortunately we’re both in an awkward position.”

  “Yeah, we are, and I’d do anything to turn back the clock.”

  “Turn back the clock. I doubt that’s the answer for us, Matt.”

  “So what is the solution?”

  “I don’t know. No matter what we do, we don’t seem to ever get it right.”

  “Anne, that’s so wrong. I don’t believe that at all.”

  She shrugged.

  “Deep down inside don’t you think that maybe we deserve a second chance? A chance to forget the past and move toward... I don’t know, something more?” he asked.

  “No.” Her heart clutched as she said the words. “You represent possibly the biggest mistake of my life.”

  “I’m a mistake?” he asked, hurt etched on his face.

  She shook her head. “That’s not what I mean. I’m telling you that I’m angry at myself for what I did to you. Angry that I didn’t fight for us. I’m ashamed of myself, but I can’t take back the past. I can’t make it up to you.” She inhaled and slowly released the breath.

  “You have no reason to trust me, and my mistake will always stand between us.”

  “You’re so wrong and someday I’m going to make you understand.”

  “Before or after you tear down my house?”

  “Anne, that wasn’t fair.”

  “Well, I’m not feeling very fair right now.”

  The silence that filled the space between them grew larger with each passing second.

  “What about tomorrow?” Matt murmured.

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Your house. The window?”

  “Could we postpone that? I think I need some alone time. Can you explain to Claire?”

  “I will. But I want you to know that I’m not your enemy. I’m trying to understand how you feel, except, I guess I’ve never faced losing anything that mattered to me. Except you.”

  Her gaze flew to his and her heart stumbled at the honesty of his words.

  “But I do know that when you’re hurting it isn’t the time to shut out the people who care for you,” he continued.

  “Are you telling me that you care for me, Matt?” After all she’d just said, his words both saddened and encouraged her.

  “Both Claire and I care for you. We need you. Probably more than you know.” He offered a slow, almost wistful smile that said that he wasn’t at all surprised that she didn’t realize the truth of his words.

  “I don’t understand how you can forgive me,” Anne said.

  “I hadn’t planned to. Not really.” He chuckled. “In fact, my plan included resentment, bitterness and a few other things. But, fortunately, the Lord got a hold of me.”

  “You’re a good man, Matt.”

  “Don’t put me on a pedestal. I’ve made plenty of mistakes and will probably continue to. All I’m saying is don’t turn your back on us. We want to help. We do care.”

  “You’re right. I’ll try to remember that.”

  * * *

  “Anne, was that the doorbell?”

  “I’ll get it, Aunt Lily.”

  “Manny?” Anne grinned when she saw him standing behind the screen with an effervescent smile on his face. The same Manny she remembered. “What are you doing here?”

  “I thought it was about time we had a chance to catch up.”

  “How are you feeling? I’m sorry our paths didn’t cross in the hospital. Although, I did see you in the ER.”

  “So I heard. I don’t exactly remember much about that.”

  She pushed open the screen. “Come in. Come in. How are you feeling?”

  “Feeling good and the ribs are healing.”

  “Then I’d better not give you a bear hug,” she said with a smile.

  “Who is it, Anne?”

  Anne motioned for Manny to follow her to the living room.

  “Aunt Lily, this is a friend of mine from college. Manuel Seville.”

  �
�Oh, how nice to meet you.” Lily stood and carefully maneuvered around her chair with one hand on the furniture at all times. As usual, the lady of the house was dressed for company. Since it was Sunday afternoon she wore a burgundy-print silk shirtdress that set off her white hair. “Did you attend Washington State?”

  “No, ma’am. I met your great-niece at the University of Denver.”

  “Oh. Did she attend?” A deep frown settled on her face. “I can be forgetful these days.” She shook her head and shrugged. “Well, no matter. It is certainly a pleasure to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, ma’am.”

  “Aunt Lily, we’re going into the kitchen.”

  “All right, dear. Do serve your friend some of that lemonade. Oh, and be sure to show him the roses.”

  “I will.” She led Manny down the hall to the oversize kitchen and stood next to the huge oak table. “I heard you got married and have a new baby. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” Manny reached for his back pocket. “I said I’d never do this. But I pull out my wallet more in one day than my father ever did.”

  Anne laughed as she took the billfold from him. “And you should. You have a beautiful family.” A pang of longing struck her as she flipped through the pictures. What would it be like to have a family of her very own? For a brief moment her thoughts flew to Matt.

  She handed him back his photos and he glanced around at the ceiling moldings and the gingerbread trim at the windows.

  “Wow, this place is as amazing as Matt said it was.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Big house for two people.”

  “I suppose my great-great-grandfather had high hopes of filling it up with children, but progeny was never my family’s strong suit. Working too much was.”

  “It’s not too late to change that, is it?”

  She smiled. “Things don’t look hopeful at the moment. I’m not married and the town of Paradise is about to raze the house. The potential for children sliding down the front banister or playing hide-and-seek in the attic is decreasing each day.”

  “I can see why you want to save the place.” He examined the punched-tin ceiling. “You applied for historic registry?”

  “Yes. But I won’t know for ninety days.”