“Only his chronological age is twelve. His years of street smarts put him in the geriatric category.”
She nodded. “That’s sadly true.”
“Admit it, Carly. You know that putting him to work is a good idea—especially on something he obviously has a talent for. See, I said I’d help you. This is helpful.”
She considered him for a second. “Fine, I’ll talk to him about it, but he has to apologize to Jay first, and make an effort to get along with him. And Jay will have to do the same thing.” She started for the house. “And since you’re so eager to help, you can man this booth while I talk to them both. The cash box is under the counter. Keep a tally of everything you sell. I use the sales results to plan my planting for next spring.”
“Hey,” he objected. “I’ve got to finish fixing the fence. I do have another job, you know.”
“You probably should have thought of that before offering to get involved with a troubled kid who’s smarter than both of us.”
* * *
CARLY PAUSED OUTSIDE Dustin’s door. She wasn’t sure what to say. Her experience with kids, especially middle school–aged boys, was nonexistent. Hoping that the right words would come at the right time, she knocked on the door.
“Yeah, come in,” Dustin responded.
He was sitting at the desk and he quickly flipped over the paper in front of him so she couldn’t see it. That was fine with her. She had no desire to see what he was drawing now.
“What you did to Jay wasn’t very nice, and I think you know that. You need to apologize.”
He glared at her. “Him first. What he did to me wasn’t very nice, either.” He pointed to his fading bruise. “He coulda killed me.”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“Yeah, let him knock you down, then.”
“Dustin, there’s no reason to be rude to me.”
He looked away but didn’t apologize.
Carly took a deep breath then let it out slowly and said, “In spite of your attitude, Luke has come up with a money-making idea for you.”
He looked up, eyes alert. “Yeah, what?”
“Well, that got your attention.” She told him about Luke’s suggestion for creating jack-o’-lanterns. “But first, you have to say sorry to Jay, and he’ll say sorry to you.”
He considered it. “Okay, but I get to keep all the money I earn, right?”
She didn’t even have to think about that one. There was no way she was giving this kid traveling money. “Most of it will go in the bank.”
“What?” He jumped up, ready to argue.
“You might need it someday to help your grandma,” she said, grasping at straws.
Her desperate gamble paid off and he nodded. Dustin sat again and returned to drawing.
Realizing she’d been dismissed, Carly left the room and stood in the hallway. She’d known taking Dustin in would be hard, but she hadn’t known how hard. She thought of all the impossibly difficult challenges she’d faced in the past twelve years. None of them compared to Dustin.
Taking another deep breath, she went back to work.
* * *
“I SHOULD HAVE known better than to turn Lisa and Gemma loose on food and decorations,” Carly murmured. The large barn-wood table had been moved to the middle of the shop and decorated with bright orange placemats, bowls of brilliant maple leaves, platters of food, small sandwiches, crudités and other finger foods. “Especially since Sunshine is back in town for a while, bringing recipes from countries she’s visited all over the world.”
Gemma swept up to look over the offerings on the loaded table. “Did I hear my mom’s name taken in vain?” she asked.
“Not a chance. You know how much I love your mom. But some of the things she brought back with her...” Carly said dubiously. “Do you really think we can get the people of Reston to try yak butter?”
“Yes, I do. We’ll tell them it’s been specially imported as a condiment for the meat pies donated by Margie’s Kitchen—guaranteed to help them slide down and stay down.”
“Hmm, might be a dubious selling point, but we’ll go with what we have,” Lisa said as she walked by with a tray of soft drinks. She needed to find a place where it would be protected from overeager children. Spying a tall industrial shelving unit that Carly had sandblasted, spray-painted red and decorated with replicas of old-fashioned oil-and-gas-themed stickers, she decided it would be the best place for the drinks.
Carly marveled at how her friend could perfectly balance those drinks while wearing high-heeled pumps and a snug skirt. Practice, she decided. Lisa dressed up every day. Gemma, on the other hand, had worn jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers, as Carly had, knowing they would have to move stock and help carry sold items out to customers’ vehicles. Nathan would be along later to help, as well. Carly chuckled to herself. No one would expect a woman dressed like Lisa to haul furniture.
At ten minutes before the grand opening, Carly, her friends, both her employees and even Jay, slightly less sullen today, made a quick turn around the shop.
Janie, one of the employees, said, “If we’re lucky, we can probably sell a bunch of stock today. A big grand opening is like a feeding frenzy. People buy things before they’re really sure they need them because they’re afraid they’ll miss a deal or a one-of-a-kind piece. And everything at Upcycle is one of a kind. I emailed some of Carly’s customers from Dallas. Several said they’d like to come up since it’s a nice Sunday afternoon.”
“Oh, joy,” Carly murmured. “A feeding frenzy.”
“And a Helen Voller called about the Hoosier cabinet.” Janie pointed across the room to the old-fashioned sideboard Carly had chalk-painted in sky blue. “She saw it on the website, bought it and will be here to pick it up this afternoon.”
Across the room, Lisa cleared her throat loudly and when Carly looked at her, she blew on her hot-pink fingernails and buffed them proudly against her dress.
Carly wrinkled her nose at her friend. “Yeah, yeah, the website was your idea and it’s great.”
“Just so you remember who to thank,” Lisa responded.
Carly turned away, smiling as she surveyed all they’d done. She’d fought the idea of the shop because of her fear of failing, of disappointing someone, or herself, but those fears were unfounded. With this much help, she knew she could handle the frantically busy day and the ones to come.
She walked to the front window and looked out to where Luke and Dustin were setting up a display of the jack-o’-lanterns Dustin had created. He’d even hand-printed a neatly lettered sign promising that his artistic Halloween decorations would last far longer than carved ones. His display would crowd the sidewalk in front of the store, but having him involved in a positive activity would be worth it.
Lisa and Gemma joined her at the window.
“So,” Gemma said, drawing out the word. “Luke is around...”
“A lot,” Lisa added. “What’s up with that?”
“Darned if I know,” Carly answered. “But he’s been helping me with Dustin—which actually has been helpful.”
Looking around furtively to see where Jay was, she told them about yesterday’s craziness. They both laughed and even Carly cracked a smile. “It wasn’t funny at the time.”
“So, Dustin’s new artistic enterprise was Luke’s idea?” Gemma asked.
“That’s right.”
Gemma and Lisa exchanged a look and Lisa said, “Well, that’s fine as long as he’s being useful.” She held a warning finger in the air. “But, if he hurts you again...” Lisa linked arms with her on the right side, as Gemma did on the left.
“I know. I know. He could disappear out in the woods where no one would ever find him.”
“Not that we would ever resort to violence,” Gemma added innocently. “We just wan
t you to know we’ve got your back.”
They all three laughed.
“I can’t believe how talented that kid is,” Lisa said, changing the subject. “And how good he is at marketing.”
Gemma chuckled. “Maybe you should hire him to help you sell houses.”
“There’s an idea. Maybe he can turn your husband’s old family home into a haunted house, see if we can attract the ghoulish crowd.”
Gemma shook her head. “No, all those unhappy old ghosts are gone. You’ll find a buyer. We’re not worried.”
The three of them watched Dustin directing Luke where to place his handiwork so it would get the most exposure. Thank fortune, the theatrics at the gardens had settled down. Dustin had apologized to Jay. The older boy had accepted his apology and said he was sorry, too. Although she knew neither apology was sincere, at least the warring factions had called a truce. She wasn’t sure how long it would hold.
Dustin had been delighted at the idea of decorating pumpkins and earning a commission on the ones that sold. He had set to work right away. She was amazed at how quickly he could look at a photograph and transform a pumpkin into the likeness of an animal. He’d come up with his own renditions of goblins, telling Carly he mostly based them on his mother’s old boyfriends.
She said this out loud to Gemma and Lisa.
“I can’t imagine what that kid has been through,” she added.
“Have you told him yet that his mother wants to give him up, turn him over to the state?” Lisa asked. “I know what it’s like to have a mother who doesn’t want you.”
Carly put her arm around Lisa’s shoulders. “I talked it over with Era, and we’re looking for the right time to tell him.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jay disappear into the back room and hoped he hadn’t heard. She couldn’t worry about it now. It was time to open.
Walking to the front door, she flipped the lock and welcomed her first customers.
As expected, the store was frantically busy all afternoon. Carly even sold the barn-wood table that held the refreshments to Luke’s cousin, Trent Sanderson, and his wife, Mia, who had come in with Tom and Frances. Baby Max eagerly tried to grasp whatever he could reach until Trent hoisted him onto his shoulders and held him in place with a hand on each of his chubby thighs. Mia claimed the table immediately, saying it was perfect for their new house. They would pick it up after closing time.
At some point Dustin had sold all his pumpkins and began taking special orders. She only hoped his enterprise would meet with the approval of Child Services. She also hoped he didn’t sell out her entire stock of pumpkins and there would be some left for the Reston Elementary kindergarteners.
During a momentary lull in the stream of customers and well-wishers, Lisa stopped next to her and grabbed a bottle of water. “I know what you’re happiest about in all this.”
“You do? Enlighten me.”
“You’re happiest that you can go out and find more junk—”
“Well-used and well-loved items,” Carly objected.
Lisa laughed. “Whatever you call it. You’re just happy to find more stuff to rescue and refurbish.”
“Why, you’re absolutely right. And may I remind you that this shop was your idea so I could clear out my stock and make use of an empty shop in town, not to mention attracting visitors and business to Reston.”
“I didn’t know my own strength,” Lisa muttered mournfully. “I’ve created a monster.”
Laughing, Carly turned away and came face-to-face with Robert Sanderson. She hadn’t seen him in twelve years, but she certainly hadn’t forgotten what he looked like—tall, imposing, dark hair going gray and the same caramel-brown eyes that Luke had, though his were more somber and secretive. She’d never had to wonder what Robert was thinking, because he’d made no secret of his disappointment that his son had married her—a nobody, someone who couldn’t possibly give his son any social or business advantage.
At the time, she’d felt stupidly guilty about her modest upbringing, but now she had to wonder what century he came from.
Her heart plummeted into her stomach and she knew her welcoming smile was shaky as she said, “Hello, Robert. Welcome to Upcycle.”
“Carly,” he said with a nod. He began strolling around.
She immediately felt Gemma and Lisa at her back, but the one she saw was Luke. He came in the door, his gaze seeking her out, his smile brightening and then fading when he spotted his father.
He hurried to Robert’s side. “Dad. What are you doing here?”
Robert raised his eyebrows. “Shopping.”
“Whatever for?”
Carly knew he was trying and failing to imagine any of her cast-off, upgraded and brightly painted stock in his father’s deliberately neutral house.
“This right here,” he said, putting his hand on the bright red shelving unit. “It’s available, right?”
“Yes, sir,” Carly answered.
“Don’t say ‘sir,’” Lisa hissed under her breath. “That implies respect.”
Carly elbowed her.
Robert took out his wallet. “Okay if we transport it in your truck, son?”
“Where are we taking it?”
“Dr. Wayne’s workroom.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Not at all. She needs a shelf for her equipment. This will work.”
Robert looked up with that expression Carly remembered all too well, as if he expected his wishes to be instantly granted. She looked at Luke, expecting to see the response he’d always shown his father, exasperated compliance.
This time, he surprised her by giving his dad a narrow-eyed look and saying, “Dad, can I talk to you outside for a moment?”
Although he looked taken aback, Robert said, “Certainly,” as he handed his credit card to Carly.
Luke jerked the door open and waved his father out. They stepped away from the entrance.
“Wow,” Gemma murmured. “I’d love to hear what they’re saying.”
“Darn,” Lisa said, moving closer to the window and craning her neck to see where the two men had gone. “Why didn’t I ever learn to read lips?”
Carly looked down at the card.
“‘Robert L. Sanderson,’” Gemma read. “What does the L stand for?”
“Lucifer?” Lisa suggested.
The three of them snickered, but Carly grew solemn. “It stands for Luke.”
She slipped the card into her pocket. She wouldn’t run it until she understood what was going on between Luke and his father. Not that she had ever understood. She glanced out to see Dustin busily working on his pumpkins, then turned to talk to her customers.
* * *
“DAD, IS THIS your latest attempt to weasel your way into controlling my project?”
“Weasel! That’s some way to talk to your father.” Robert’s face stiffened with rage.
“I’m not talking to my father right now. I’m talking to a man who won’t trust me to do a job I’m qualified to do.” It wasn’t the first time this had happened, but for some reason, it was the most infuriating. He’d known his dad couldn’t leave this alone, but he’d expected pestering phone calls, demands for reports, not an in-person visit.
“I’m keeping an eye on my investment.”
“It looks like you were buying a shelving unit for Shelby so you’ll have a reason to visit the site again.”
“I stopped by the site to say hello. She said she needs shelves and I know she’s not the kind of person who wants her equipment scattered all over the floor.”
“If she needs shelves, I’ll buy them. You promised me another six months before you’d start poking your nose in, and yet, here you are.”
“I’m not planning to lose any money on this.” Ro
bert glanced away.
“You haven’t actually put any money into it, Dad, and you know that. Besides, you know I’ll do everything I can to make sure this project succeeds.” Luke held his ground. “What’s this really about?”
Robert swept aside the sides of his jacket and stood with his hands on his hips. “I didn’t think you’d be fool enough to take up with her again.”
“Take up with... You mean Carly?” Luke jerked his thumb back toward the entrance to Upcycle. “I should be so lucky.”
“What?” To Luke’s astonishment, his father’s face actually paled. “What do you mean, Luke?”
“After what happened between us, the way I hurt her, let you hurt her, Carly wouldn’t have me if I came dipped in solid gold.” It made his gut clench to say it out loud, but he knew it was true.
His dad opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. Luke took a perverse pleasure in seeing his father at a loss for words. “But...but that was twelve years ago. She...she would have forgotten.”
“No, Dad. That’s not the kind of thing she would forget. If I’m lucky, someday, maybe, she might forgive me, but she’ll never forget. And I know exactly how long it’s been. I’ve lived every day of it.”
“The more you’re around her, the more you’ll want to be around her. It’s a slippery slope.”
“She needs my help, Dad, and, after all this time, I’m glad I can help her.”
“You’ll get caught up in her life, in her business—”
“I already am.”
“Tom says you’re helping her with that kid she’s taken in.” Robert made a gesture that encompassed the area. “I know you’re helping with all of this because you feel guilty.”
“Yes, I do, and you should, too.”
When Robert didn’t respond, Luke said, “I’ll buy the shelves for Shelby. Wait here. I’ll get your credit card from Carly. I’m sure she didn’t run it. I doubt that she wants your money. She probably doesn’t want mine, either.”
He hurried inside and asked for Robert’s card, which Carly handed over without a word but with a sympathetic smile.
The Husband She Can't Forget Page 14