by LoRee Peery
Watch it. He was already thinking as if Mia was going to stay with him. As though he’d have a family of his own.
He wouldn’t be working on the church windows forever. He was used to going from one job to the next, doing a little of his own art glass in between.
He must be more tired than he realized.
He’d never planned to plant roots before.
He’d never had a little girl to take care of before.
He’d never thought seriously of a future with a woman before, either.
He shook away the overwhelming thoughts.
“We’re here. Home, sweet home.” Rainn hit the power locks, stretched when he stood, then began to unload.
Mia was slow to move, wide-eyed as she tried to take in her surroundings. Then she focused on Geneva while gathering their belongings, and stayed close as they started toward the house.
“I have my own home a few blocks away, but I will come into Uncle Rainn’s house and get you ready for bed. Will that be all right?”
Hands at her sides, Mia began to wipe at her hip bones.
“Hold your hands still, please,” Geneva requested.
Mia obeyed.
“That’s a brave girl.” Geneva touched Mia’s shoulder. “I’ll go in with you.”
Rainn blinked the moisture from his eyes and shot Geneva a wink. His mother had never shown such compassion.
They entered through the back door and moved from the large kitchen, which he announced as though they couldn’t tell what room they were in, into a big open room that had once been two rooms. Rainn tried to see it from Geneva’s point of view. Clothes were picked up, but there was dust. No comfy-cozy woman things around because there was no woman.
The color in the living room came from his art pieces. He had designed different sun catchers, based on a cross centerpiece, suspended in front of each of the three windows. Rainn valued the presence of a visible cross, reminding him that he was never alone. The amber and rose glow caught the last rays of the setting sun and made him feel at peace.
Mia clung to Geneva’s leg, so the two danced a sort of three-legged shuffle.
“All right, then. We came through the kitchen,” he repeated, continuing in his tour-guide voice, “I read and watch TV in here. The bathroom is that direction. Penny sent along your princess nightlight, Mia, so as soon as we find it in your bag we can plug it in the bath so you can find your way.”
“OK, Uncle Rainn.” She yawned in compliance.
“This door goes to the laundry room and I keep it shut because I don’t keep a very tidy laundry room.”
The adults laughed.
Mia smiled and brightened up a little. “Dirty clothes are messy, Uncle Rainn.”
Geneva gave him a thumbs-up, and he mimed wiping his brow. Her shoulders shook with silent laughter.
“We’re all kind of tight in the hallway, now,” Rainn continued in his tour-guide voice. “We need to turn around and head toward the bedrooms.”
Heat shot up his arm when Geneva brushed against him as she turned. He found himself overwhelmingly aware of her, more than when they were coming down from the tree. She must have been warmed by the contact as well, because her scents of lavender and sage filled the small space.
Mia bumped against Rainn’s leg.
“Mia, this bedroom is the closest to the bathroom, so it will be your room for as long as you stay here. Let’s go in and see what you think.”
They entered together, Geneva a step in front.
“I know the bed is comfortable, but the room isn’t very girly. We’ll just have to fix it up, won’t we? I have some coats in the closet that I’ll take right now. Then I’ll go get your bag from the kitchen. You can stay with Geneva.”
He was glad that he talked to himself when going about his daily tasks. Informing Mia of all that was going on came as second nature.
By the time he returned to the bedroom, the ponies were all lined up on the bed.
“I know you’re tired, Mia, because I am tired.” Geneva smoothed her hand over the girl’s curls. “Let’s get you into your pajamas. Next, you can find your toothbrush and use the bathroom.”
“Mia wants the princess pajamas.”
“Got ’em in my hand, big girl,” Geneva answered.
Minutes later, Rainn and Geneva were on either side of the bed. He leaned down and caught the watermelon smell of Mia’s toothpaste.
“I don’t know if you talk to Jesus,” Rainn guided, “but I always do before I go to sleep.”
“Mia talks to Jesus. Jesus is in my heart.”
“He’s in my heart, too, sweet one.”
“And mine too,” Geneva echoed.
He said a quick prayer of thanks for their journey and leaned down to kiss Mia’s cheek.
He was slow to move while Geneva kissed the other cheek.
Before she slid away, Rainn kissed Geneva.
Right on the mouth. Quick, but he hit the target.
Subdued, her deep, hazel eyes rounded in surprise.
He hadn’t really thought about it, just followed impulse, as though it was the natural thing to do.
A sideways glance assured him that Mia was watching them, but not picking up on undercurrents. That’s one way to avoid curious questions, have an oblivious child looking on.
They chorused another goodnight.
“I need to get going,” Geneva announced without looking at him.
At the front door, he spoke first. “Uh, oh.”
“What?”
“I can’t take you home. I can’t leave Mia.”
“Oh, for goodness sake. My house is a few blocks away. I can walk.”
“Uh-uh. No way. I sure don’t feel right about you walking home. I was taught to take a girl to her front door. Especially after spending the night with her.” He winked.
She blushed and then laughed in response. “Rainn, you are impossible.”
“At least, you think I’m something.”
“Have you spent the night with a lot of girls?” Her voice came out mock serious.
“I refuse to answer.” He grinned at her crestfallen expression. “Then again, the answer is no. Well, only my sister.”
Rainn placed a fingertip under her chin and tilted her head so she had to look at him. “And now, you.”
Geneva’s eyes drifted shut.
He wanted to feel her lovely lips again, to linger there. But now was not the time.
The aroma of his work in the airless, glass and screened front porch surrounded them, since he had closed it up before going for Mia. Most people would think it a dry, unattractive, old smell. He liked to think the aged glass held the exhalations of hundreds of worshipers over the years.
She took a side step and looked around his work space. “Rainn, this is a wonderful place to work. I want to see the room sometime in full sun. I imagine the fresh air and bright light are perfect.”
“Got that right. Maybe I can see into the living room and keep an eye on Mia. We’ll know soon enough how it goes.”
“Remember, I want a tour. These tools look fascinating.”
“I don’t know about fascinating. But I’ll have to be really careful with the electric cords and blades, the cut glass and stuff, to keep Mia safe.”
“You’ll do just fine. You’ll both fall right into a routine.”
Rainn touched her elbow and lifted a questioning brow.
She reached for the outside door. “I’ll get back to you about that dinner date.”
Was she ready? Was he ready?
Mia was enough change in his life. Could he handle a woman as well as a child?
Rainn on My Parade
5
Geneva plopped into her recliner the second she walked through the door. The comfortable leather settled around her like a worn pair of jeans.
And the memory of what happened earlier hit her full force.
Rainn kissed me.
I could take that over chocolate any day of the week.
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br /> She moved the bar to lift the footrest, and leaned back into the chair, stretching to ease aching leg muscles.
“Is that you, Sis?” Lanae called from the back bedroom.
“Yes, dear. I’m back.”
“Praise the Lord. I love you, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“I love you, too, unless I can get you something?”
“Just a new liver. Night.”
Her wittiness evoked a laugh. Geneva was so thankful that the hep C hadn’t controlled Lanae’s mind as well as her body.
Oh, Lord, bind the weakness and strengthen her through sleep.
Between Moselle leaving home after high school and the opening of Frivolities, Geneva felt as though she drifted through life without a purpose. Oh, she had kept busy serving at church, and quilting for missions. But she’d sunk her time and energy into nothing concrete until starting her business with Lanae.
Unbidden, Geneva’s thoughts returned to Rainn.
If she were to get involved with Rainn…Don’t even go there! What in the world am I thinking? He’s too young. And I have a business to run. Her thoughts should be on Frivolities.
Involvement with Rainn meant Mia, even if for a little while. Geneva supposed it impossible for a child with special needs to fit into a place like Frivolities.
Lanae appeared at the door. “I can’t sleep with you so restless out here. Wanna talk?”
“I’m obsessing,” Geneva admitted. “Come on and sit with me, if you want.”
“No good obsessing about the future. Or what we cannot change,” Lanae smoothed a cover over her legs. “God knows what’s ahead. Look at the way He’s carried me through the days of my life, with the illness and the Interferon treatments.”
“You’re right, Sis.” Geneva couldn’t imagine giving herself shots and being as sick as she had seen Lanae. “He’ll continue to do so. I’m just trying to figure out if Rainn is part of God’s plan for me. It feels odd to be romanced after so many years of living without a man.”
“Rainn is romancing you?”
“I think so. He kissed me.” Her senses trembled at the memory. “I’m wondering if I’d have time to spend with Rainn, with Frivolities and all. And that would mean more time with Mia.”
“I’m wondering if you’re taking it for granted that something serious has happened to Rainn’s sister. But let’s back up. What’s wrong with a kiss?”
Geneva’s breath caught. Bret again. That old bitterness hit out of the blue.
“Absolutely nothing. But I remember marriage to Bret. He failed in the area of romance. He never made me feel cherished or beautiful or needed as his helpmeet. He only saw me as someone to clean and cook for him.”
“I was blessed. Keith didn’t see me that way.”
“Bret viewed me more as a servant, as though I were created to meet all his needs.” And my needs hadn’t mattered.
“I’ll bet that’s why you got involved in church activities. If you thought serving was all you were good for.”
“I knew better, of course.” Geneva slammed the footrest back into the recliner. “Enough already. I’m obsessing again.”
She refused to give future consideration to her past life with Bret. Not any more this night. “It does no good to go back there. I need to stick to my guns and live in the here and now.”
“You know my motto since my treatment began, to live like I was dying. I love that song made popular by one of Moselle’s favorite country singers.”
Could Geneva do that with Rainn? Live as though time was running out? Let the town see her spending time with a younger man?
She shuddered at the idea of running into Kate Rawlins. The town gossip would have a field day with that one. She would consider it her prime mission to spread the “cougar” rumor to kingdom come. Now, just whom was she kidding? It would be one dinner date. Would they do more than have a dinner together so he could show his appreciation?
“He asked me out on a date.”
“You go, girl. When are you going?”
Geneva stood and headed for her room, Lanae close behind. “I haven’t really agreed to go. For now, bed is calling and I’ll face that decision tomorrow.”
****
It was still dark the next morning when Geneva heard Lanae shuffle into the kitchen for her meds. Sleep had been restless throughout the night, Geneva’s body tense after the long road trip. She woke as she had fallen asleep, with her mind swirling around the idea that such a fine, young man as Rainn Harris could be interested enough to kiss her.
She sobered immediately. Her eyes popped open. What if Mia blurted out the kiss when she met Moselle? Geneva could hear her, as clear as the wind chimes outside her window: “Uncle Rainn kissed Geneva Elaine Carson when they tucked me in.” What would Moselle think about her mother kissing Eric’s friend? What would Eric think?
That news would have the whole of Today’s Café in downtown Platteville buzzing with shock.
A short time later, Geneva unlocked the storeroom door off the alley, and the ambiance of Frivolities welcomed her. She dropped her bag and purse onto the thick, wood counter to reset the alarm that Eric insisted they have installed.
When Moselle returned to Platteville from Kansas City, she had used this storage area for her work space. Now the work space appeared bare without glue gun, beads, jewelry, broken pottery pieces and all the unique gizmos Moselle used for her art.
Eric’s idea for Moselle to live in the loft above the shop was a smart one. While working on the renovation, their love blossomed anew, and now they were about to get married.
Geneva shot the space one more look. What to do first?
Moselle skipped down the stairs from her loft. “Hey, Mom, I’m anxious to hear all about your trip and how it all went with Mia.”
“No problems. Once you get used to her, she is a darling child. Reminds me of you.”
“I was a problem?” Moselle’s comical expression turned into exaggerated innocence.
“Of course not. Mia’s not a problem, either. You’re both specially designed just the way God wants you to be.”
Speaking of designs, Geneva surveyed the room. A stack of shadow boxes rested on the edge of the rough counter, waiting to morph into Frivolities Memory Boxes. She couldn’t be more proud of Moselle for coming up with the idea. A creation that reflected the three of them, Moselle began with quilted scrap pieces or designed blocks Geneva had sewn, worked in glued-on embellishments, using whatever beads or doodads, to coin Rainn’s term, which caught her fancy. She topped off the box with Lanae’s crocheted rosettes or embroidery.
I can’t believe how I’ve dilly-dallied. The coffee should have been started a half hour ago. Geneva stuffed her purse in the office desk drawer and scurried to her pride and joy. Smoothing a hand over the shiny chrome of the espresso machine, Geneva began the coffeemaking process that initiated her daily business routine.
As though the aroma had drawn him, Rainn’s perpetual slight smile greeted Geneva from the other side of the window glass.
“Oh my.” The sight of him kicked Geneva’s heart up a beat. Her hand trembled at her side, causing the silver charms on her bracelet to shake. No doubt about it, I’m in trouble here.
Geneva stood rooted in place, and wondered if she’d make any sense when she opened her mouth.
The door opened.
“Hi. You must be Mia. I’m Moselle.”
Mia focused on Geneva’s face, but answered Moselle. “I am Mia Grace Harris. Moselle is Geneva Elaine Carson’s daughter.”
Rainn stepped through and thumped the bell on the door as it closed behind him.
“Do it again, please, Uncle Rainn.”
“Look at Moselle’s eyes, and I will.”
Mia scooted a glance toward Moselle, but hugged Geneva’s legs.
“Your coffee smells great, as always,” Rainn said, zeroing in on Geneva as he jangled the bell again for Mia’s benefit.
Geneva felt as though he had jangled her
bell.
Can he see my pulse thumping at the base of my throat?
“I dropped your travel bag at the house. Lanae said she’s not sure she’ll make it in. Since Mia’s been up for what seems like hours, I thought I’d bring her down to introduce her to the place.”
“And for your complimentary cup as well,” Geneva teased, nodding toward her coffeemaker.
His thick, silverish hair looked a little long, as though it had grown overnight. Geneva found herself short of breath again, and wanted to know the texture of his hair, to smooth her fingers through the strands.
A clattering and rattling along with a high moan pulled her attention from him.
“I only wanted to keep her from stumbling,” Moselle raised her voice above Mia’s high-pitched keening.
Mia’s right hand was caught in a decorative wire rack in the shape of a pig that Geneva had filled with rolled-up checkered placemats. Farm-themed kitchen items flew everywhere around Mia.
“Rainn, I just touched her arm.” Alarm sounded in Moselle’s voice.
Geneva crouched down to look Mia in the eye. “Sweetheart, you’ve done nothing wrong. And nothing here will hurt you. There’s just too much stuff for you to have much room to move.”
Mia looked at Geneva and tried to rub both arms against her sides, but the right one remained entangled in the rack.
No more wire rack contraptions, no matter how clever, Geneva decided.
Another complication flashed through Geneva’s thoughts. Involvement with Rainn, and Mia, meant she’d have to child-proof Frivolities.
“Moselle, you didn’t do anything wrong. I wondered if the place would overwhelm her,” Rainn said.
Geneva shot him a smile of gratitude as she and Moselle worked at untangling Mia.
“Probably best if we use the alley door from now on.” Rainn tipped his head in the direction behind the show room.
They got things put back in place, but Geneva’s heart thumped and her ears rang with the echoes of Mia’s distress.
“What is your favorite color?” Geneva asked.
“Mia’s favorite color is purple.” She rubbed her sides, and her fingers twitched.
“That’s great! Mine, too. Find the pretty purple colors in my skirt, grab hold, and follow me.”