Flight of Fancie

by Linda Rettstatt

  “My brother and most of your students would have my head on a stick if I said no.”

  “Really?”

  “You made a very big impression in a very short time. My brother took over your class himself in the hopes you’d return to us. I was planning to advertise the position for the fall term if I didn’t hear further from you.”

  She smiled. “I can have my job back?”

  “With my utmost gratitude. Wesley was hounding me to call you, but I didn’t deem that appropriate, given all you were dealing with. So we can count on your return for this coming fall term?”

  “Absolutely. Dr. Archer, you have no idea what this means to me.”

  “You’re a good teacher, if I go by the feedback from your students. And you exhibit family values that reflect my own. You’re very much an asset to our school.”

  “Could I ask just one favor, please? Would you not announce this or mention it to Luke Campbell just yet?”

  “I do need to inform my brother as head of the department. But I’ll ask him to keep it under wraps for now.”

  “Thank you. It’s just that I want to have a chance to talk with Luke first. If you give me a day or two.”

  “Not a problem. I’ll get a contract out to you tomorrow. I’m so very pleased that you called.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Archer.”

  She tried to reach Luke, but her calls at both his cell phone and his office phone went to voicemail. She left messages on both, asking him to return her call. She was a cat on hot coals, pacing her bedroom. Her grandmother had taught her the best way to distract yourself from anxiety. Cook! She headed to the kitchen.

  “What’s going on in here?” her father asked over the clanking of pots and pans.

  “I’m making dinner.”

  “For how many?”

  She looked around at the pots and utensils that covered the stovetop and filled the sink. “I may have gotten a little carried away. I started out with pot roast but once that was in the oven, I also decided to make chicken soup. And I had that on to boil when I found Bitsy’s recipe for her Mississippi Mud cake. We just happened to have all the ingredients.”

  He grinned. “You are so much like your mother and your grandmother. You need to talk or just work it out?”

  “Work. Thanks, Daddy.”

  By the time she’d cleaned the kitchen and set the table for dinner, two more hours had passed. She ran up the stairs to change out of her splattered blouse. She checked her phone—no calls. Where was Luke?

  When she called her family to dinner, they walked into the kitchen and stared. Plates and bowls filled the table and lined the counters.

  “You’ve been really busy,” her mother said. “Trying out all the recipes at once?”

  “I needed something to do.”

  Her mother narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on? Is this about the job interview?”

  “It is and it isn’t. If you just fill your plates and sit, I’ll explain.”

  Her brother trailed in last. “Whoa. You opening a restaurant?”

  “Funny. Sit down. I need to talk to all three of you.” She told them about the interview and about her decision to turn down the Ole Miss job and return to New Hampshire. “Fortunately, my job there is once again available. It’s where I belong.”

  Her father snorted. “This is where you’ll always belong.”

  Her mother reached over and squeezed his hand. “This will always be your home, but you have to follow your heart. What did Luke say?”

  She frowned. “Nothing, yet. I can’t get him on the phone. I’ve been trying all afternoon.”

  “Here we go again,” Tripp mumbled between bites.

  Her mother reached over and smacked his arm. “Be polite.”

  But it was enough to add spark to Fancie’s faltering confidence. What if Luke was shying away, backing off? What if he was no different than Graham? She shook her head to clear the doubts. “I’m sure there’s a good explanation about why he’s not answering my calls.”

  She didn’t ask for the job back because of Luke. Not entirely. She asked because she had begun to make a life for herself in New Hampshire and it had the promise of being a good life. She was teaching something she loved and had found the inspiration there to write. Odd as it seemed, that little town in New Hampshire was her migration point.

  She had cleaned the kitchen and gone to her room to change for the evening when her cell phone rang.

  “Luke.”

  “I’m sorry it took me all day to call back.”

  “Are you having second thoughts about us?” she blurted.

  “What? No. Something came up and I’ve been swamped.”

  “Oh.” She mentally swatted at the doubt that buzzed around her.

  “And I’ve been trying to update my CV for a job search.

  “That’s why I’m calling. You don’t have to do all that.”

  “What do you mean? You don’t want me to move south?”

  “I’m saying you don’t have to. I got my job back in New Hampshire.”

  “Fancie, are you sure? I don’t want you to do this and regret it later.”

  Irritation hummed in her. “Why do people think I can’t make a sound decision for myself? This isn’t about you or about us. It’s about me. What I think is right for me. I’m happy that it will make it easier for us—assuming you still want there to be an us. For your information, I was offered a job here at Ole Miss and turned it down.”

  “Are you sure….?”

  “Luke, don’t go there again. I’m sure and I want you to be happy about this. I’m sure about what I want to do with my career. I’m sure about moving to New Hampshire. What I’m not so sure about right at this minute is what you want.” Was he trying to talk her out of returning to New Hampshire? “I should let you go. This seems like a bad time for this conversation. After all, you’ve been busy.”

  “Fancie….”

  “Goodnight, Luke.” Tears stung as she ended the call. She felt like such a fool. She’d let her heart run over her head. This was exactly what happened with Graham. What was wrong with her judgment when it came to men?

  The phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced at the screen. Luke. She hit ‘ignore.’ A moment later, it buzzed again. He wasn’t going to stop. This time she answered, “Hello.”

  “Fancie please let me explain.”

  “You don’t owe me an explanation. We got all caught up too fast in something that’s not meant to be. I’m still taking my job back. I’ll find another place to live.”

  He let out a breath. “I was at the hospital all night.”

  “The hospital? What happened?”

  “Kate had a skiing accident and surgery to repair a leg fracture.”

  “Oh, Luke. Is she going to be okay?”

  “I think so. Justin was a little shaky, so I kept him company until she was out of surgery. I wasn’t ignoring your calls. And I’m certainly not trying to talk you out of coming up here. As for us—“

  He paused.

  Fancie’s breath caught. Maybe he’d decided she was too paranoid for his liking.

  Luke continued, “Fancie, I love you. I love how smart and beautiful and sexy you are. I love your southern accent, your Grandma’s idioms, and your openness with your emotions. I never have to wonder what you’re thinking or feeling. I don’t care if you’re in Mississippi, New Hampshire, or on another planet. Can you believe that I just love you?”

  Something shifted in her at that moment. “I believe you. And I love you. But there’s something I have to do on my own. I need some time and I need you to trust me.”

  “I do trust you. What’s this about?”

  “It’s not about us, okay? It’s about me. I have to get my life back on track. I don’t want to use you as a crutch or a safety net. I don’t want you to be my solution. I want to be your equal.”

  “I’m confused. I always treat you like an equal.”

  “You do. And I love you for that. I’m the
one who has to see myself as an equal. I lost so much, so much I have to reclaim. I’m not talking years, here. Just a few months.”

  He hesitated. “Okay. Whatever you need? Does this mean our Valentine’s Day plans are off?”

  “Yes, please?”

  “Are you saying you don’t want any contact?”

  “No. Oh, no. I need to hear your voice. I need to know you’re still there.”

  “Good, because I’m not going anywhere.”

  Her eyes misted and a lump formed in her throat. “I hope not. I’m moving into the cottage, taking some time alone. I’m going to write.”

  “That’s a good move. Will you call me?”

  “I will. Probably tomorrow.”

  “Your novel is going to be wonderful. I already know that. You’re a smart woman. You know what you want. One more reason I love you.”

  “Thank you. Luke?”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you, too.”

  ~

  “I’m moving into Grandma Bitsy’s house for a while,” Fancie said.

  “Why?” Her father flashed a look of concern.

  “I’m going to write my book.”

  “What about Luke? I thought things were going well for you two?” he asked.

  “They are. I just need to take some time for me right now. I should have done this sooner, but so much was going on.”

  Her mother nodded. “You’re right. Just when you started to get your life back on track, you had to come home to take care of us. We’re fine now. It’s your time.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way, Mama.”

  Her mother reached for her hand. “I know you didn’t. You’re right, though. You’ve talked about writing that novel for a long time now. You have a wonderful man in your life who will wait for you if he loves you as much as I think he does. You have a job you love that you can return to in the fall. Right now, these next few months are your time.”

  “Thanks, Mama. I knew you’d understand. I know I’m not working, but I have the money Grandma Bitsy left. I want to pay rent for the cottage.”

  Her father shook her head. “Oh, no. You will not pay rent to live in this house or in that one. This is your home. I’m proud of you. That house is yours for as long as you need. We’ll stay out of the way, but be right here if you need us.”

  She got up and rounded the table to hug him. “You’d never be in my way, Daddy. I want to be a writer, not a hermit.”

  ~

  Fancie called her cousins, Mikayla, and Ashley to gather the following evening.

  “Is this a new laptop and printer?” Charity asked.

  “Yep. Welcome to my new office.”

  “You’re working here now?” Chastity asked.

  “That’s why I called you all together. To tell you I’ve moved in here and I’m setting up a work space. I’ll be writing for the next several months.”

  Mikayla flashed a broad smile. “That’s what I like to here. Fancie back and focused.

  “I thought you and Luke were getting closer. I was starting to hear wedding bells,” Ashley said.

  “We talked. He understands and he’s giving me the time and space I need. I’m spending the next four or five months here, writing. I got my job back in New Hampshire for the fall. I’ll move back there before the semester starts.”

  Charity studied her. “Did you call us here to ask what we think or to tell us what you’re doing?”

  “Not that I don’t value your opinions. After all, you four are my personal brain trust. But my decision is already made.”

  Chastity lifted a hand to offer a high five. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

  ~

  Once she’d settled in to a writing routine, the book took off. Fancie sometimes felt as if she had to run to keep up. Words flowed. She and Luke talked every night on the phone. He let her make the call so he wouldn’t interrupt her in mid-thought. By May, she was well on her way to finishing the first draft and she missed Luke intensely.

  “What are you doing for Memorial Day weekend?” she asked.

  “No plans. Kate and Justin invited me to join them for a picnic, but I’d feel like a third wheel.”

  “What if I invited you for a picnic?”

  “If you did, I’d probably accept.”

  She laughed. “Luke, I miss you so much. Can you fly down here? Or I could come up there.”

  “I’ll come to you. It would nice to see your folks anyway.”

  She practically jumped up and down with happiness. “When will you come?”

  Now he laughed. “I have to check flights first. I’ll see if I can get a Thursday night flight so we have the whole weekend. I can’t wait to see you, Fancie.”

  ~

  Fancie paced nervously in the waiting area at the airport. Finally she saw Luke striding toward her, a broad smile stretched across his face. She walked into his open arms and he lifted her off her feet. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “And I’ve missed you,” he said. Setting her down again, he bent his head and kissed her.

  Fancie felt the kiss all the way to her toes. “I’ve missed that, too.”

  “I have three whole days to make it up to you. Are you sure I shouldn’t have booked a hotel room?”

  “Very sure. I’ve given myself a break from the book for the weekend. I need new inspiration.” She clutched his hand and headed for the sliding glass doors. “We have the cottage all to ourselves.” She stopped abruptly. “Um—you might hear some rumors around town, but just ignore them.”

  “Rumors about what?”

  “About us.”

  He lifted one eyebrow. “We’re the topic of gossip? How can that be? I haven’t seen you in over three months.”

  “I may have given someone the wrong impression in an impulsive moment and word spread.” She explained about Marianne Babbitt.

  “Maybe we’ll run into her and we can give her something to really talk about.” He bent her backwards and kissed her deeply.

  Fancie came up laughing. “That would keep the town talking for a while. I hope you don’t mind, but Mama asked us to dinner with her and Daddy. Maybe Tripp—we never know for sure. I didn’t tell you. He’s going to enroll in art school.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yeah, a stipulation of Bitsy’s Will. He’s upset he can’t use his money for anything but school.”

  Luke shook his head. “You’re grandmother covered all the bases. I’ll bet your parents are happy about that.”

  “They are, and they’re also looking forward to seeing you again, too.”

  “It’ll be good to see them. I have a question for your dad anyway.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, a guy thing. Let’s go. I’m starving.”

  Her mother was back on her feet enough to prepare most of the meal. Her father helped with the rest. “Mama, that pot roast was heavenly.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Hollensby,” Luke said. “Delicious.”

  “Thank you. It feels good to be back in my kitchen in full force. And, Luke, please call me Alicia.”

  Luke stood and picked up empty plates.

  “What are you doing?” James asked.

  “I’ll clear the dishes. I’m sure Fancie will give me a hand.”

  “You’ll do no such thing,” Alicia said. “You’re a guest in our home. Fancie, you can give me a hand. You gentlemen sit and visit.”

  Tripp stood. “Gentlemen? That excludes me. I’m going out for a while. Thanks for dinner, Mama.”

  “Where are you going?” James asked.

  “Just out to meet a few friends. Good to see you, Luke.”

  James shook his head. “That boy’s gonna be the death of me.”

  Alicia picked up James’s plate. “That boy is a man and will make his own decisions. You and Luke go on into the living room. We’ll bring in coffee and dessert in just a minute.”

  Fancie made quick work of clearing the table and rinsing the dishes to place in the dishwa
sher.

  Her mother grinned at her. “Someone set you on fire?”

  “Pardon?”

  “You seem to be in a hurry to get this all done.”

  “No. I….”

  “You and Luke go on any time you want. I’m sure the two of you have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Fancie smiled back. “Thanks, Mama. I think we can stay through coffee.”

  When everyone had finished dessert, Luke cleared his throat and stood. “I was talking with James while you were both in the kitchen. I had an important question for him. And now….” He turned to Fancie. “Now I have an important question for you.”

  Fancie’s heart nearly stopped when he reached into his pocket, removed a small velvet box and dropped to one knee in front of her. “Luke?”

  “Fancie, I know we’re still getting to know one another. I’m a patient man, but I guess I need a little security. So, Francine Marie Hollensby, I’m asking if you will become my wife. Some day in the not too distant future. But for now, will you accept this ring with the promise to marry me?”

  He opened the box to reveal a modest, elegantly cut vintage white gold filigree ring with a European cut diamond.

  “Oh, Luke. It’s so beautiful.”

  “It was my grandmother’s engagement ring. She passed it on to me. I had it sized.” He looked up at her. “I kind of need an answer?”

  She laughed and stretched out her left hand. “Yes. Oh, yes.”

  He slid the ring onto her finger. “I made a drawing from your ring the last time I was here and gave it the jeweler to use as a sizing guide. Turns out you and my grandmother wore almost the same size. Very little adjustment required.”

  “This was your grandmother’s ring?”

  “Yes. She gave it to me with orders to find the right woman to wear it. I think I have.” He held her hand and kissed it.

  Her mother stifled a sob.

  Fancie pulled Luke to his feet and gave him a proper kiss. “I love the ring. And I love you.”

  James slapped Luke on the shoulder. “I like a young man with old fashioned values. Welcome to the Hollensby family.”

  “Thank you.” Luke turned and shook his hand, then kissed Alicia on the cheek.

  Her mother feigned a yawn. “It’s getting late. James and I need our rest, so you two need to run along.”