“And the chance to take care of all four kids this summer made us realize that we really could do this,” Eric said. “We’d earn enough to pay for a married students apartment on campus, plus tuition, fees, and books. We wouldn’t have to ask our parents for money.”
“So what do you think, Kelly?” Cassie asked, looking at her. “You’re the analytical CPA around here. Have we missed anything?”
Kelly realized from their expressions that both Cassie and Eric were seriously asking her advice on this important decision. “To be honest, I’m impressed with how logically you both have approached this life-changing decision, and believe me, this decision is that important, and because of that, I think it would be a good idea if Steve could join this discussion.”
Both Cassie and Eric straightened. “That would be great,” Eric said. “But wouldn’t he be working on a job site now?”
“Actually, Steve is doing errands around town today, like you were.” She pulled out her cell phone and punched in Steve’s cell number. “So I’m hoping he’s just about finished.”
Steve answered on the second ring. “Hey there. What’s up?”
“I’m sitting here in the café garden with Cassie and Eric, and we’re having a serious discussion. They’re thinking about getting married, and they’re wanting advice.”
“Whoa . . . that is a serious discussion.”
“Yeah, I told them it’s a life-changing decision, and I think it would be a good idea if you joined this conversation. That way there will be two opinions that are not from their parents or grandparents.”
Steve paused for a second. “That’s a good idea. I’ll come over now. I finished everything on my to-do list a few minutes ago. Good timing.”
“Thanks, Steve,” Kelly said.
“Yeah, thanks, Steve,” both Cassie and Eric chorused together.
Kelly laughed. “Did you get that?” she asked Steve.
“Oh yeah. I’ll be over in a few minutes.”
Six
Steve leaned back into the black wrought-iron chair beside Kelly at the patio table and sipped from his take-out coffee cup. Cassie and Eric sat across the table. Kelly watched Steve carefully. He was pondering, she could tell, and with good reason. Both Cassie and Eric had given Kelly and Steve a serious decision to consider.
“Okay, let me see if I’ve got this straight. You two want to get married sometime this summer. You’ve calculated how much money you’ll both earn from taking care of all four kids for the summer, and you’ve figured that you’ll not only earn enough money for your college tuition and fees for the next year, but you’ll also have enough money to pay for one of those married students apartments. Did I get it right?”
Both Cassie and Eric nodded. “You sure did,” Eric added.
“And we’ve already drawn up a schedule,” Cassie said. “We’ll earn enough by the middle of July to sign up for one of the married students apartments.”
“Then the rest of the summer, we’ll be earning for our college tuition and fees,” Eric said.
“Wow,” Kelly said, clearly surprised by their schedule. “The middle of July is only eight weeks away. So if you two want to snag one of those married students apartments, that means, well . . .”
“That means you’ll have to get married before that,” Steve interjected with a crooked grin. “The apartment management company will want to see the marriage certificate. I remember friends moving into those apartments years ago. Those companies want proof the students are married.”
Cassie and Eric nodded again. “Yes, we know,” Cassie answered. “We already checked with them.”
Kelly and Steve exchanged a slightly bemused glance. “That doesn’t give much time to plan a wedding for you two,” she observed.
This time, Cassie and Eric exchanged a glance. Their amusement was apparent. “Believe us when we say we’ve both had enough weddings already,” Eric said with a little laugh.
“Oh yeah.” Cassie nodded with a knowing grin. “We’ve had Megan and Marty’s super big wedding at Jayleen’s ranch.”
“Then Jennifer and Pete’s smaller wedding in Mimi’s backyard,” Eric offered.
“And then we had your wedding right before Jack was born. A perfect size. Just family and friends,” Cassie added.
“Sounds like you two want a simple family-style celebration,” Kelly said, then glanced to Steve again.
“I think that can be arranged,” Steve said. “But you two have left out one really important detail.”
“What’s that?” Eric said, looking puzzled.
“You’ve got to tell your parents, Eric, and Cassie, you have to tell Jennifer and Pete.”
“And you need to tell them soon if you want to continue with this schedule you’ve drawn up,” Kelly added. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait till the end of the summer to move in together?”
Cassie and Eric exchanged a longer look this time, then they both grinned.
“We could,” Cassie ventured. “But . . . it’s getting harder and harder to wait.”
“To take it . . . uh, our relationship to the next level. You know . . .” Eric finished.
Suddenly, Kelly felt very dense. Of course she knew what Cassie and Eric were talking about. “Ohhhhhhhh yeah . . . got it.”
“Understand completely,” Steve said with a crooked grin. “Been there.”
Cassie and Eric visibly relaxed. “Neither of us wants to disappoint our parents or grandparents, aunts and uncles, everybody,” Eric said.
“Heck no,” Cassie added with a nod.
“Especially if Cassie got pregnant,” Eric added.
“I don’t think I could stand to see the look of disappointment on Uncle Pete’s face.”
“And Grandpa Curt would hit me upside the head so hard, I wouldn’t remember my name,” Eric said, eyes wide.
Kelly and Steve laughed out loud at that.
“Okay, then. You two write up this schedule of yours on paper so it looks more impressive,” Kelly said. “And be prepared to go over all the details, and be prepared to handle any understandable parental misgivings.”
“Good advice,” Steve added. “And I can think of a couple of objections right off. Eric, what if your parents are really depending on your help around the ranch? I doubt your younger brother is able to replace you at that level. He’s not as old, and he’s still smaller than you are. Will you be letting your parents down?”
“I already thought about that,” Eric replied. “I figure I can go over to the ranch and work a couple of hours every weekday after taking care of the kids. Then I can still work for Grandpa Curt on the weekends.”
“And I’ll be working at the café on the weekends to help out Uncle Pete and Jennifer,” said Cassie. “I don’t want to abandon them totally. They need extra weekend help.”
“There’s something else that needs to go into your schedule,” Steve added. “You’re going to need time for study. You’re both juniors this fall, and your courses will be harder and require more work.”
Eric and Cassie exchanged a look. “We’ve thought about that. We’ll probably have to schedule all day Sunday for studying. That’s the only time we’ll have left,” Eric said.
Kelly laughed softly. “Wow, you two will both be working seven days a week.”
Both Cassie and Eric grinned. “We’re used to it,” Eric said. “We wouldn’t know what to do with a day off.”
“You’d sleep,” Steve joked. “Take my word for it.”
“Well, you’re going to want to take a little break every now and then. The earth won’t stop spinning. Just think about it,” Kelly suggested.
“Okay, we promise,” Cassie said, holding up her hand.
“Meanwhile, all your adopted and real aunts and uncles will get busy taking care of the wedding details. I’m sure Jennifer will want to t
ake you shopping for a pretty wedding dress—”
“No need.” Cassie gave a dismissive wave of the hand. “I’ve got three pretty dresses from those other three weddings.”
“Well, we’ll take a look at them,” Kelly advised with a smile. “After all, you’ve grown up a lot since our wedding four years ago. You may not like what’s hanging in your closet.”
Cassie cocked her head to the side, clearly considering Kelly’s suggestion. “That’s a good point. Okay, Kelly, Jennifer and I will take a look through my closet.”
“After you and Eric have alerted everyone, okay?” Steve reminded them with a laugh. “Don’t get the cart before the horse as Jayleen would say.”
At that, everyone started to laugh. That was definitely a Jayleen saying.
“And I want to add my congratulations as well,” Kelly added. “You two have thought through all of the details of this important decision and the potential roadblocks. Good job, guys.”
“I’ll second that for sure,” Steve said, raising his coffee mug high.
* * *
• • •
“Kelly, I still can’t believe it,” Mimi said as she stood in the central yarn room of Lambspun. She was clutching two oblong skeins of azure blue baby alpaca yarn to her breast. “Our little girl is getting married.”
Kelly set her coffee mug on the edge of a shelf that was stacked with several round, fat balls of cotton yarn, all bright primary colors. Brilliant summer colors. Happy colors, Kelly thought.
She reached over and gave Mimi a one-armed hug. “I know, Mimi. It seems like it was only yesterday when Pete drove down to Denver after his grandfather’s funeral and brought young Cassie back with him to stay.”
“At least we all know and love Eric,” Mimi added. “Burt is delighted. He clapped his hands and gave a shout when Jennifer told us the news.”
“I agree totally. Eric has been a part of the Lambspun and friends family ever since he and Cassie worked at Jayleen’s alpaca stalls at the Estes Park Wool Market years ago.”
Mimi’s bright blue eyes glistened. “Oh my, you’re right. That was years ago. They were both turning twelve years old and going into the seventh grade in junior high school. My oh my.”
Kelly gave Mimi’s arm a “Mimi pat” for reassurance. She sensed Mimi was on the verge of tears. Tears of happiness, but tears nonetheless. “I know you and Burt are as proud as I am of how well Cassie and Eric turned out. Personally, I think all of us who cared about them had a small hand in their upbringing.”
“Bless your heart for saying that, Kelly,” Mimi said. “I think so, too. I remember all those conversations you and Steve, Megan and Marty, Lisa and Greg, and Jennifer and Pete had with both those youngsters over the years. All of you sitting on the bleachers, watching Eric play one day and Cassie the next.”
Kelly laughed softly, recalling all those memories. Mimi was right. Both Eric and Cassie asked Kelly and friends all sorts of questions as they sat watching different ball games. Relaxed times like that allowed young teenagers a chance to toss out questions they might not ask their parents. Kelly and the Gang had proved to be a “safe” zone for teenage inquiries.
“Those are great memories, Mimi, and a reminder of how fast time flies by.”
The sound of quick footsteps approaching from the Loom Room interrupted their stroll down memory lane. Rosa paused in the doorway between the two rooms. “Mimi, that vendor from Sacramento is on the phone, asking about our latest shipment of yak down fiber. Do you want to take the call?”
“Goodness, yes. I’ve been trying to catch her for a couple of days,” Mimi said, her attention quickly shifting into business mode. “I’ll talk to you later, Kelly. Make yourself comfortable.” With that, Mimi sped from the room.
Kelly retrieved her mug and headed for the corridor leading to Pete’s Café. She spotted waitress Julie as she rounded the corner into the café’s alcove.
“Hey, Julie. How’s aunt of the bride Jennifer holding up?” Kelly asked in a teasing voice.
Julie laughed as she cleared dishes from one of the café tables. “Pretty good, I think. The rest of us are having trouble adjusting to the news. It’s hard to believe the years have sped by so fast.”
“That’s for sure.” Kelly chose her favorite small table in the back of the café alcove and set her briefcase bag on it. “I was just reminiscing with Mimi about how it seems like yesterday that Pete brought Cassie back from Denver after her grandfather Ben’s death.”
Julie glanced to the side. “Goodness, Kelly. That does seem like yesterday.”
Kelly settled into a chair beside the small table. “How’re you feeling, Julie? Have you had any morning sickness or anything?”
“Nope, not really,” Julie said, shifting the tray onto her shoulder. “I felt kind of queasy a couple of mornings, but it went away quickly. Then I had a cup of hot tea and everything felt fine.”
“That sounds pretty normal to me,” Kelly said with a smile. “I had some of those queasy feelings, but they didn’t stay long. So I was lucky. Poor Lisa had a terrible time, if you remember.”
“Oh yes,” Julie said as she turned toward the grill counter. “I remember her saying that.”
“And drinking lots and lots of hot tea,” Jennifer said as she approached. Julie laughed as she walked away, dish-laden tray on her shoulder.
“Hey, Jen,” Kelly greeted. “How’s the aunt of the bride-to-be today?”
“Oh Lord,” Jennifer said, rolling her eyes. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that term.”
“That’s completely understandable. You and Pete are younger than most couples whose kids are getting married nowadays. Most of those couples are at least ten years older than you two.”
“You know, you’re right,” Jennifer said as she settled into a chair across the table from Kelly. “That’s the reason it feels so strange. When you and I were growing up, back in elementary school years ago, young couples were getting married in their mid to late twenties. After they’d gone to college and gotten jobs.”
“Now, most young couples are waiting until they’re in their mid or late thirties to marry. Like Steve and I did.”
“That’s a big difference,” Jennifer mused, glancing into the back of the now empty café.
“It also means they’re having children later. In their thirties rather than their twenties. An entire decade later. Like Steve and I did, and Megan and Marty, Lisa and Greg.”
Jennifer grinned at Kelly. “I’ll make sure to tell Pete that we’re actually young parents. It’ll make him laugh.”
“Well, you are. You and Pete have done an outstanding job of raising Cassie. She’s a smart, capable, and confident young woman.”
“That’s sweet of you to say, Kelly,” Jennifer said, looking down at the table where she was brushing off invisible crumbs.
“Nothing sweet about it,” Kelly teased. “It’s simply the truth. I was telling Mimi earlier today that I believed all of us should be proud of the way Cassie and Eric have turned out, and Mimi agreed and reminded me of the many conversations we had over the years at the ball field, while we sat on the bleachers watching either Cassie or Eric play. She said she remembers the kids asking us all sorts of questions, and that brought back memories for sure.”
“Okay, I’m getting misty here, so we’d better change the subject,” Jennifer said, waving her hand in front of her face.
Kelly laughed softly and accommodated her friend. “Julie looks good, and healthy, too. She said she hasn’t really had any morning sickness, so she may luck out like Megan and I did.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Julie’s doing really well. Both Pete and I think so. Now, if only Andy’s former girlfriend will just stop causing trouble, Julie and Andy can move along.”
Kelly screwed up her face. “Is she still causing trouble? I can’t believe it. What is wron
g with that woman? Andy is in love with Julie, and they’re going to have a baby. What’s that old girlfriend doing now?”
“Julie told me that Andy said she got really, really mad when he told her he and Julie were getting married. She started screaming at him that he was supposed to marry her and on and on. Andy told Julie it really shook him. He’d never seen her like that before.”
“Wow. That old girlfriend sounds unhinged. It’s a good thing he’s getting away from her.”
Julie walked up to the back table then, ever-present pot of coffee in her hand. “Kelly, do you want a refill, or is it finally time to switch to iced coffee?” she asked with a bright smile.
“Oh, let’s wait until this afternoon when it’s hotter before we switch to the cold stuff,” Kelly joked as she unscrewed the top of her travel mug and handed it to Julie.
Seven
Jennifer scooted back the wooden table chair and stood up. “Why don’t you take a short break, Julie? Kelly and I have already caught up on the news. Not much happening around here anyway.”
“Are you sure?” Julie asked, glancing around the café.
“Absolutely,” Jennifer said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “We’re only half full anyway. Lunch customers won’t come in for another hour or so. Talk to you later, Kelly.” She turned and headed toward the main café.
“Take a moment and relax, Julie,” Kelly said, gesturing toward the chair across from her. “In your line of work, you don’t know when the next rest break will come.”
“Okay, Kelly,” Julie said with a smile as she set the coffeepot down and settled into the chair. “And . . . I have to admit, it does feel good to sit down.”
“See? We need to give our bodies some additional rest times when we’re expecting, and for those of us who aren’t used to resting, like you and me”—Kelly gestured to Julie and herself—“we like to go, go, go, all the time.”
Julie gave a little laugh as she settled back into her chair. “How’d you learn to slow down, Kelly? You’re always on the go.”
Dyeing Up Loose Ends Page 8