Allison O'Brian on Her Own, Volume 2

by Melody Carlson

  “Why don’t you throw another log on the fire in the library, Andrew,” James suggested. Andrew happily obliged. Meanwhile, Grace and Heather were already in the kitchen helping to wash dishes.

  “I’d like to gather everyone together, Allison,” James announced. He glanced over to where Muriel was busily picking up plates and cups in the parlor. “You and George may want to join us, too, Muriel.”

  Muriel nodded with troubled eyes, as if she expected to hear some bad news. Allison wanted to ask him how it had gone, but she figured it would be best to get everyone together like he had asked. When they were all gathered in the library, there was a mixture of expressions on all the faces present.

  Finally James cleared his throat and began. “I want to thank you kids for your efforts here today—it was very sweet of you to want to get Grace and me speaking to each other again. As you all know, this idea of purchasing the airport threw quite a wrench in the works as far as Grace was concerned, and for that I am truly sorry. I never meant to hurt Grace.” He looked across the room to where Grace was sitting with Heather and Winston. Allison couldn’t read Grace’s face, and she wished that they would get on with it. The suspense was killing her.

  “I have made my apologies to Grace, and she has graciously forgiven me.” He smiled warmly. “And I have promised her never to pull a stunt like this again.” James stood up and walked over to Grace. He smiled down upon her and took her hand in his. She rose from the sofa and stood by his side next to the fireplace. At last Grace was smiling.

  Suddenly, Allison grew worried. What if this meant no airport? What if her father had sacrificed the airport in order to keep Grace? She bit her lip and looked at the two of them.

  “And now we have an announcement to make,” James said in an official voice. The room grew silent except for the crackling of the log on the fire. “Grace and I would like to announce our engagement—that is, if there are no objections.”

  James and Grace looked around the room at all the faces. Congratulations were shared all around, and everyone was smiling now—everyone except Allison. James looked at her for a long moment, and Allison forced a smile to her lips. After all, wasn’t this what they had all been working toward? Wasn’t this what everyone wanted? She tried to smile convincingly, but she couldn’t seem to make the smile reach her heart.

  “I’ve got a light supper in the works,” Muriel said. “I wish it were something more festive, but I hope everyone will stay.”

  “We’d love to,” Grace said. “Heather and I will give you a hand in there.”

  “I’ll help, too,” Allison offered.

  “The boys and I can finish picking things up from the party,” James said.

  It was after seven by the time they finally sat down to dinner in the dining room. Everyone was laughing and chatting like one big happy family, but Allison could only play along. Grace seemed so happy, she wasn’t about to rain on her parade. If the dream of the airport was over and lost, then she would just have to let it go. After all, it had been her father’s dream to start with. If he was able to let it go, then so should she.

  Andrew lifted up his glass of milk for a toast. “Here’s to Grace and Mr. O’Brian, and to many years of happiness together.” Everyone else lifted their glasses and agreed.

  “Thanks,” James said with glistening eyes. “A year ago, I never could have dreamed of such happiness. And now—” he paused. “I just hardly know what to say, except that I thank God every day for all of you and I pray that we will be a happy family.”

  “When are you going to get married?” Winston asked. “When are we all going to live together and be one family?”

  “We haven’t set the date yet,” Grace said. “We wanted to discuss that with everyone. We want you all to have a say in the planning and participate in the wedding.”

  “How about next week?” Winston suggested.

  James roared with laughter. “You’re sounding pretty eager. I think next week might be pushing things a bit.” He winked at Grace, and her cheeks grew pink.

  “We’ll need more time than that,” Grace said. “Besides, James will be busy in the next couple weeks getting everything all set up with the airport and—”

  “The airport?” Allison exclaimed. “Do we get to keep the airport?”

  Grace laughed. “Well, your dad and I had a good, long talk, and I realized that it isn’t fair to allow my fears to control everyone’s lives. I have decided to trust God with this whole business of flying. It’s silly for me to be so fearful, but you will all have to help me if I forget, okay?”

  “No problem, Grace,” Andrew said. “Does this mean I can start flying lessons with Mac?”

  Grace looked at James with raised brows, then back to Andrew. “Yes, Andrew.” She sighed deeply. “I guess you’re going to give me lots of opportunities to conquer this fear thing.”

  Andrew laughed. “You bet, and in no time we’ll have you up there, too, Grace. You’ll love it!”

  She smiled. “Don’t count on it.”

  “I want to fly, too,” said Winston.

  James winked at him. “Let’s not push Grace too hard just yet, Winston. But don’t you worry, I’m sure your day will come.”

  After dinner Allison found Grace straightening up the parlor.

  “Need any help?” Allison asked.

  “This confetti seems to be everywhere,” Grace said as she swept some off of a chair into her palm. “It was a nice party. Thanks for all your work, Allison.”

  “It was fun, and I’m glad that everything turned out okay for you and Dad.”

  “Are you really?” Grace sat down on the chair and looked into Allison’s face. “I don’t mean to pry, but you didn’t look very pleased earlier this evening in the library when James announced the engagement.”

  Allison smiled. “I guess I was a little surprised at first. Then, to be honest, I was afraid that you were going to put your foot down on the airport deal.”

  Grace laughed lightly. “I wanted to, but when your dad offered to pull out of the purchase, I realized that I couldn’t let him do that. I really want to support him in his dreams, even if it isn’t always easy.”

  “I’m so glad, Grace,” Allison said. “I know how much he wants to make the airport business work. He was so unhappy with the way the shipping business was going.”

  “I know,” said Grace. “When I think of how miserable he was partnering with Hal, I am almost completely resolved about the airport. It’s just that ever since the war—losing my first husband and all—flying has seemed so dangerous to me. You know I’ve never been up in a plane, Allison.”

  Allison grinned. “Oh, you will love it, Grace. I was a little scared my first time—it was last summer with Marsha. But by the time we landed, I loved it.”

  “Allison,” said Grace, “now that we have the flying thing understood, I want to ask if you are comfortable with your dad getting married. You’ve only been back with him a short while, and I know you two are still getting to know each other. I don’t want to come between you. . . .”

  “Grace,” Allison began, “I met you before I really knew my dad—I still thought he was dead then. But right from the start I remember thinking that you were the kind of person I would have picked out for a mom. Though God has taught me how to forgive Marsha and love her no matter what, she will never be a real mom to me. That’s why I’m so happy that you’re going to marry my dad. I have always wanted a family just like this.”

  Tears filled Grace’s eyes, and the two embraced. “I have always wanted a family like this, too,” Grace said. “I’m so happy everything is working out. Just last week, I had given up all hope. I knew I was being stubborn, but I just couldn’t seem to get past it. If you kids hadn’t gotten us together, I don’t know what would have happened.”

  Allison laughed. “We all would have been perfectly miserable.”

  For a belated birthday present, and with Grace’s approval, James took Andrew on his first airplane
flight the following Saturday. Allison went along, too. It was great fun to watch Andrew’s face as he sat in the copilot seat next to her dad. He was ecstatic. He couldn’t wait to begin flying lessons, but at Grace’s recommendation, Andrew had decided to wait until the football season ended.

  After they landed, Allison smugly told Andrew that her first lesson was scheduled for the following weekend. “It’s quite likely that I will have my pilot’s license before you,” she said with a sly grin. The fact that he had referred to her as a kid at the party still stung.

  “I don’t understand how people can learn to fly even before they know how to drive,” Andrew said. “At least I won’t have to worry about you driving on the roads yet.”

  “Don’t be so sure,” she warned. “I’ll turn fifteen soon and get my learner’s permit.”

  “Good grief,” Andrew exclaimed in mock horror. “Neither streets nor skies shall be safe anymore!”

  She socked him.

  Andrew smiled sheepishly. “Actually, I think it’s great that you’re such an adventuresome girl. I know lots of girls who are afraid to drive, and I doubt that there are many girls or even boys your age who want to know how to fly.”

  “Mac said that he knew a girl in Canada who took up flying when she was only thirteen.”

  “Jeepers! You wouldn’t think that would even be legal.”

  “And did you know,” Allison continued informatively, “that there were quite a few women pilots in the last war—not combat, of course, but they were pretty important just the same.”

  “Okay, I’m impressed. And I have no doubts that you will wind up being the next Amelia Earhart. I can just see your face on the newsreels now.”

  Allison smiled. “I’m glad you see my point.”

  “Are you working here today, Andrew?” James asked as he and Allison were almost ready to leave.

  “Yes, sir. And it sounds like by next week I’ll be working for you.”

  James grinned. “That’s right. We sign papers next Wednesday, which is the day before Thanksgiving. In fact, I was supposed to tell Grace that Muriel is expecting everyone for a big celebration dinner on Thursday. I’ll have to tell her tonight. We have a dinner date this evening to celebrate our engagement.”

  “Have you set the wedding date yet?” Allison asked.

  “Not yet. But I think we’re going to discuss it tonight.” James glanced at Andrew. “Do you have any thoughts on the subject, son? I know that this is your last year in high school. You might not like a wedding to spoil your senior year.”

  “No, I’m not worried about that, Mr. O’Brian—”

  “You know, I think it’s time you started calling me James.”

  Andrew grinned. “All right, James. And as far as the wedding date, I don’t have any concerns. Whenever you and Grace think is best.”

  “I thought you might enjoy having my old room after the wedding,” James said warmly. “It’s in that turret on the very top of the house. I always liked it.”

  Andrew beamed. “That would be just swell, Mr.—I mean, James.”

  He clapped Andrew on the shoulder. “Well, we better let you get back to your work. I know Mac is relieved to have good help for a change. Tell him that I’ll be by on Monday morning to sort some business things out with him.”

  “You bet,” Andrew said as he picked up the hose and began to wash the small two-seater plane. “See you, Allison,” he called.

  “How about you, Allison?” James asked as they drove from the airport.

  “How about what?” Allison asked.

  “Any thoughts about the wedding date?”

  “Not really. I don’t know how long it takes to plan a wedding.”

  “Well, we don’t really want a big wedding. We’ll have the ceremony in the church with family and close friends. Grace thought it would be fun if you and Heather could be her bridesmaids. In fact, she asked me to mention that she would like to take you and Heather to Portland this Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, to look at dresses.”

  “That sounds great.” Allison paused a moment before asking, “When do you want to get married, Dad?”

  “I know that Grace is having a hard time making ends meet, and for her sake I was thinking perhaps sooner might be better.”

  “What about for your sake?”

  “Sooner is fine with me, too. I’m just not so sure about you, Allison. It’s been such a short time since you’ve come to live out here, I don’t want things to move too fast for you.”

  “Grace seemed concerned about that, too, but I’m fine with everything, Dad. I really am. I love Grace, and I think we will make a fantastic family. We practically are one already. And just think, when Heather moves in I won’t have to call her to talk to her.”

  James laughed. “It’ll sure be nice to see that big old house finally full. I told Grace that everyone can have their own room if they want, and she seemed to think that Winston and Andrew would appreciate that. Right now those boys are packed like sardines into a room not much bigger than a closet.”

  “I think this is exciting, Dad, and I happen to like excitement.”

  “Well, then, you’ve come to the right place!”

  On Thanksgiving morning Allison awoke to all kinds of good smells. Muriel had been busily baking pies and treats for the last two days. Allison tried to remember other Thanksgivings, but she knew that none could compare to this. Thanksgiving at the Madisons’ was always cold and formal, the house crawling with strangers who seemed to walk around with their noses in the air. Today promised to be a fun and joyous celebration—her first holiday with her new family, a day to be remembered.

  Allison helped Muriel get things ready for the big dinner. She carefully set the table in the dining room and then scavenged in the garden for something to make a bouquet for the foyer and the dining room table. She finally found some gold and orange chrysanthemums, which she combined with ivy and some ornamental berries to create several very striking arrangements.

  “Just like your grandmother, you are, Allison,” said Muriel as she admired Allison’s creativity. “She had a knack for finding beauty in anything.”

  “Thanks, Muriel. Say, I haven’t seen Dad all morning. Do you know what he’s up to?”

  Muriel grinned. “He’s working on something down in the basement.”

  “Great, I’ll go down and see,” Allison said.

  “No, dear, I think you should stay up here and help me,” said Muriel with a wink. “James said that he is working on something that’s meant to be a surprise, and I’m not supposed to let you go down there.”

  Allison nodded. “I see. In that case, I won’t bother him. But now you’ve got me dying of curiosity.”

  “Well, why don’t you put your energy into some whipping cream for the pumpkin pies,” suggested Muriel.

  After the cream was whipped and Muriel seemed to have everything under control, Allison went upstairs to dress. She pulled out a brown velvet dress that Marsha had sent with the other things in the trunk. Allison hadn’t cared much for the dress when she had first seen it. It had been adorned with a big fur collar and cuffs that actually looked like leopard skin, and it had given Allison the creeps. Grace suggested that the fur be removed, and once Muriel had performed this task and carefully steamed it, the dress looked entirely different.

  Allison slipped it on and zipped up the side. It was lined with satin and had long, slender sleeves, a smooth, fitted bodice, and a long, full skirt that swished nicely just above her ankles. She decided to wear Grandmother Mercury’s pearls again, since this was a special day. She looked in the mirror as she brushed her hair and thought that the dress made her look very mature. She wondered if Andrew would think so, then chided herself for even thinking such a thing. She was just a kid to him.

  Suddenly, a new thought hit her like a slap in the face. Andrew would actually be living in this very house someday—under the same roof! She would have to treat him as her brother. How could she possibly do that? S
he couldn’t think of Andrew as a brother.

  She laid down her brush and stared into the mirror in horror. What did this mean? She longed for someone to discuss this with, but who was there? Not Heather. Definitely not Grace. Her own father was too involved in all this for her to approach him. She certainly couldn’t tell anyone at school. For a moment she considered Marsha, but then what if Marsha thought that it was unacceptable for her to live under the same roof as a boy she cared so deeply for? Allison sat down on her bed and felt almost sick with worry.

  “Ah, there you are,” Muriel said as she peeked into Allison’s slightly open door. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  “It’s okay,” Allison said glumly.

  “Are you feeling all right, dear? You look pale.”

  Allison looked up at Muriel. “Can I talk to you?”

  “Of course. I think everything in the kitchen is under control. What’s troubling my girl?”

  “Have a seat, Muriel.” Allison closed the door and sat down on the bed again, smoothing out the velvety skirt with her hands.

  “The dress looks lovely on you, dear,” said Muriel kindly.

  “Thanks. You did a great job with it, Muriel.”

  “Tell old Muriel what’s bothering you.”

  Allison smiled weakly. “It sounds rather silly, but I don’t know who else to talk to. It’s sort of embarrassing. You see, I know it won’t be long until Dad and Grace are married, and naturally I know they will all come here to live, which is great. We’ll all be one big, happy family. I’ll even have a new sister and two new brothers. But one of the brothers, well, I’ve just never thought of him like a brother, and it makes me feel a little—”

  “Uneasy?” Muriel suggested.

  Allison nodded.

  “That’s quite understandable, dear. But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. I think we’re all aware that you are quite fond of Andrew. While some of us may think it’s just puppy love, we all know that only time will tell. There’s no reason that Grace and James’ getting married should change anything between you and Andrew. We all know that he’s not really your brother.”