Hometown Promise

by Merrillee Whren

  “I think that would be best,” Barbara replied.

  “If he’s awake, I’ll come back and get you.” Lukas pulled his BlackBerry from his pocket and glanced at it. “How long before you have to leave for your dinner engagement?”

  Ray looked at his watch. “We have about an hour.”

  “Good.” Lukas started down the hall. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Lukas wondered what Juliane and her parents would talk about while he was gone. Would they talk about him? Quit thinking about yourself. Stopping for a moment, he took a deep breath. He was tying himself in knots for no good reason. Lord, help me to put this all in Your hands. I’m not doing so well on my own.

  As Lukas arrived at his grandfather’s room, a nurse was leaving. She smiled. “I just checked on your grandfather. He’s doing great. In a little while, we’ll get him up for a walk.”

  “So he’s awake?”

  “He is.” The nurse bustled away, chart in hand.

  Lukas stuck his head around the door frame. “Hi, Grandpa. You have visitors. Do you feel like entertaining company?”

  The older man nodded. “I could use some new scenery. All I see is you and those nurses.”

  Chuckling, Lukas hurried back down the hallway toward the waiting area. Juliane smiled as he approached, and his heart seemed to jump around like the lines on his grandfather’s heart monitor. Trying to tamp down the reaction, he took a calming breath. She shouldn’t make him feel this way. Who was he trying to kid? She’d had his attention from the moment he’d seen her at choir practice. She had his emotions jumping through hoops.

  He forced himself to look at her father, who stood as Lukas motioned for them to come. “He’s awake and ready for visitors.”

  “I’m so glad we get to see him before we have to go.” Juliane hurried up beside Lukas and plucked a package from her purse. “I brought him a little gift.”

  “You’re going to spoil him.”

  “He deserves spoiling.”

  “I don’t know about that. He’s already hard to deal with without you spoiling him.” Lukas laughed.

  When Juliane and her parents entered the room, his grandfather smiled. Juliane went over to the bed and took one of his gnarled hands in hers. “You are looking wonderful.”

  “You are so sweet to an old man.” Ferd beamed.

  Lukas took in the way Juliane grasped his grandfather’s hand and wished he were in his grandfather’s place. Lukas shook the image away. He had to quit thinking about Juliane in the context of romance. How many times had he thought that since Juliane and her parents had arrived? Too many.

  Then he remembered the other night and how his grandfather had made the pronouncement about Juliane making Lukas a good wife. Oh, great. He hoped his grandfather wouldn’t start his matchmaking again, especially in front of her parents.

  Juliane quickly introduced her father to Ferd, then produced the little package she’d shown Lukas. “Here’s a little something to occupy your time.”

  “Thank you. You didn’t have to bring me a gift.”

  “I know, but I wanted to.” Juliane’s eyes lit up with pleasure. She clearly enjoyed giving. “Go ahead. Open it.”

  Ferd tore into the paper, revealing a crossword puzzle book. “How did you know I liked to do crossword puzzles?”

  “I saw one sitting on the table next to the recliner in your living room the other night.”

  “You are a brilliant young woman.” Ferd winked at her.

  Lukas had to admit he was losing the battle to keep himself neutral when it came to Juliane Keller. He let that thought roll around in his brain while he listened to Juliane, her parents and his grandfather engaged in a lively conversation. He said a prayer of thanks that folks like the Kellers cared enough to come and visit. He thanked God for another day of sobriety that let him be there for his grandfather and enjoy the company of friends.

  Eventually Lukas joined the conversation. Despite the worry over his attraction to Juliane, he liked the Kellers and hoped they would find more occasions to visit. They were already helping him feel a bond with their community. In such a short time, Kellerville was feeling like home.

  “Well, it’s time for us to get going. We have to meet these people for dinner.” Ray extended his hand to Ferd. “You take care of yourself and get better soon.”

  Ferd shook Ray’s hand. “I will. That grandson of mine won’t give me any other choice. He’s got his nose in everything I do.”

  Chuckling, Barbara gave Ferd’s arm a pat. “He’s taken good care of you. So listen to him.”

  “He has to. He can’t get rid of me.” Lukas shook hands with Ray. “Thanks so much for stopping by.”

  “Let us know when you’re back in Kellerville.” Juliane leaned over and gave Ferd a kiss on the forehead. “Be good.”

  “All this advice and a kiss from a pretty girl, too.” Ferd beamed.

  Lukas tried not to think of kissing Juliane himself. He had to wipe that thought out of his brain before it had time to settle. He was headed for dangerous territory—territory he hadn’t explored in a long, long time. He was pretty sure he wasn’t ready for any such adventure. But as he watched them leave, one question dominated his thoughts. When would he see Juliane again?

  The scent of pine cleaner did nothing to cover the medicinal smell associated with illness as Juliane entered the nursing home. Walking the hallway lined with residents in wheelchairs—some lucid, some not—she couldn’t help thinking about Ferd’s distaste for being here. He had made that quite clear when she’d visited him after work the past two days. She could imagine that Ferd gave Lukas an earful every time he came to visit.

  Today she’d taken off work a little early so she could fit her visit in before she went to choir practice. She’d been gearing herself up all day for the upcoming encounter with Lukas. She’d prayed about it, but sometimes she felt as though her prayers never reached beyond her mind. Why was God feeling so far away these days?

  Both Monday and Tuesday evenings she’d met Lukas as she was leaving and he was coming to the nursing home. And even though she’d spent hours having a lengthy conversation with him while they were at the hospital, somehow the impending interaction was on a whole different level—one for which she wasn’t prepared.

  The thought of another extended encounter with him had her trying to decipher her mixed-up feelings. She’d managed to spend a couple of minutes making small talk with him the past two nights before they’d gone their separate ways, but she wasn’t sure how she would cope with the two-hour choir practice.

  The thought of singing with him had her emotions as jumbled as the letters in the new word search book she’d bought for Ferd. The kindness that Lukas showed to his grandfather drew her in, but she was still uncertain about him. What did he want from her? Forgiveness? Friendship? More? What was she willing to offer? Could she ever reconcile these conflicting thoughts?

  Deciding would be much easier if he wasn’t so heart-stopping gorgeous.

  Deep in thought, she plowed into Ferd’s room, then did a double take when she realized Lukas sat in the chair next to his grandfather’s bed. Ferd occupied the other chair in his half of the semiprivate room. Her heart nearly stopped and then started racing as she stared at Lucas’s handsome, smiling face.

  He stood. “Hi, there.”

  What are you doing here? The words almost tumbled out of her mouth, but she managed to regain her senses before she spoke. “Hi. I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “I left work a little early because I wanted to make sure I had time to visit Grandpa before choir practice.” Lukas motioned to the chair where he’d been sitting. “You can have my seat. I’ll sit here on the bed.”

  “Thanks.” Juliane went over and gave Ferd a hug. “You are looking better every day.”

  “Not because of the food they’re serving.” Ferd waved a hand toward his half-eaten meal. “Gelatin again. I wonder what flavor I’ll get tomorrow.”

  Juliane
chuckled. “It can’t be that bad.”

  “Well, maybe not, but I’m ready to get out of here.” Ferd nodded toward Lukas. “Tell that grandson of mine.”

  Juliane glanced at Lukas. He appeared unmoved by his grandfather’s plea. “I don’t think Lukas has much say in the matter, do you?”

  Lukas grinned. “Not really. I’m taking my cue from the therapists and the docs.”

  His grin made her legs feel like the gelatin on Ferd’s dinner tray. She immediately sat in the nearby chair to get off her wobbly legs. This was crazy. Why was she reacting this way now? She’d been so determined not to fall for him. There was only one conclusion. She’d spent far too much time thinking about Lukas today.

  “I brought you another book. This one’s a word search.” Juliane handed it to Ferd.

  “You are too good to me—unlike my grandson.”

  Juliane patted Ferd’s hand. “Lukas has been very good to you. You should appreciate him.”

  “I’ll appreciate him when he springs me from this place.”

  “Thanks.” Lukas smiled at her.

  “You’re welcome,” Juliane said with a sense of satisfaction warming her. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all. “Has the doctor indicated when Ferd can go home?”

  Ferd was about to open his mouth, but Lukas glared his grandfather into silence. “Maybe Friday.”

  “That’s sooner than you expected, right?”

  “Yes, but still not soon enough for me.” Ferd tapped himself on the chest.

  “Grandpa, just be satisfied it’ll probably be Friday.” Lukas sighed. “I’ve scheduled an appointment for you to see about hearing aids, too.”

  “Another annoyance.” Ferd frowned.

  Rolling his eyes, Lukas stood. “Let’s take a walk and get a little exercise.”

  “That sounds like an excellent idea. I could use the exercise myself.” Juliane hopped up from her chair and hoped Ferd wouldn’t give Lukas any more grief. Maybe it was the grandson-grandfather relationship that caused Ferd to be so uncooperative. He was never grouchy and uncooperative at the senior center. Or maybe his attitude was the result of his health problems.

  Ferd pushed himself up from his chair. “If it means getting out of this place sooner, I’m all for it.”

  Ferd led the way while Juliane and Lukas strolled behind him through the halls of the nursing home. Ferd used his cane, but he was moving right along without any trouble. Lukas hung back with Juliane as Ferd continued to forge ahead, stopping occasionally to visit with one of the other residents or one of the nurses. He laughed and talked, and Juliane saw the man she knew from the senior center emerge from behind the cantankerous facade he displayed whenever he was conversing with Lukas.

  “Now that’s the Ferd I know,” Juliane whispered to Lukas as they observed at a distance.

  “Yeah, I seem to bring out the worst in him.” Lukas laughed halfheartedly. “At least lately.”

  “I’m sure things will get better once he leaves here.”

  “I hope so.”

  While Juliane walked beside Lukas through the nursing home, she realized her discomfort with being around him had subsided. She wasn’t completely comfortable, but her attitude was a whole lot better. She was on his side as he dealt with his grandfather. God was answering her prayers in His own time. He was making her see that she’d been praying but trying to take care of her problems on her own rather than relying on Him to take care of them.

  After they’d traversed every hallway in the nursing home, they returned to Ferd’s room. Just as he settled on his chair, two white-haired women appeared at the door. Juliane recognized them from the senior center.

  Ferd immediately stood again, a wide smile on his face. “Dot, Evelyn, it is so nice of you to visit me. I’m glad to see you.”

  “We were just stopping by to say hello, but we see you already have company.” Dot, the shorter of the two women, started to retreat.

  Lukas stepped aside and motioned for them to come in. “That’s okay. There’s plenty of room in here. Besides, Juliane and I have been here a while, and we have to get to choir practice. So this is a good time for us to leave and let you visit with one another.”

  The two women proceeded into the room, and Juliane introduced them to Lukas. Then Juliane and Lukas bade goodbye to Ferd and stepped into the hallway.

  As Juliane bustled toward the exit, Lukas fell into step beside her. “Are you always in such a hurry?”

  She glanced over at him. “I just walk fast.”

  “You managed to keep a slower pace when we walked with Grandpa tonight.”

  “Well, that was different.” Juliane narrowed her gaze as she felt a little of her old irritation return. She quickly tamped it down. Lukas didn’t need her prickliness on top of Ferd’s.

  He grinned at her. “I was only kidding.”

  “I’m sorry—”

  “You’re forgiven,” he interrupted. “I’m starved. How about getting something to eat?”

  Chapter Six

  Juliane’s first reaction was to decline, but his invitation was another test of her resolve to deal with Lukas and all of her conflicting emotions about him. “Okay, but it has to be somewhere fast.”

  “Fast food?”

  “No, just fast service.”

  “Is there someplace in town where we can get a quick meal without going to a fast-food restaurant?” he asked.

  “Yeah, follow me.” Juliane headed for her car.

  Minutes later, Lukas joined her as they approached a café on Main Street, not far from the church. “One of my dad’s cousins runs this place.”

  They slid into the booth with dark faux-leather seats, and the waitress immediately appeared and handed them menus. Lukas looked his over, then glanced up. “What do you recommend?”

  “I always get the chicken fingers basket.”

  “Okay. I’ll go with your recommendation.” He closed his menu as the waitress returned to take their order.

  “I hope I didn’t steer you wrong,” Juliane said after the waitress left.

  “I’m sure you didn’t, but in case you did, you have an in with the management.” Lukas chuckled. “Does your family own everything in town?”

  “No, only half of it.” Juliane laughed, then shook her head. “I’m only kidding. My family owns a lot of the older businesses in town because they’ve been passed down through the generations, but things have changed in the past ten years.”

  “How so?”

  “More people moving in from the city. We’ve really become a bedroom community for Cincinnati.” Juliane took the napkin off the flatware. “New businesses have sprung up all over town. The plant you run is new.”

  “So how do the folks around here feel about all the changes?”

  “Some think they’re good. Some think they’re bad. That’s the way it is with any change.” Juliane thought of the change Lukas’s presence had brought to her own thinking. “You have to adjust.”

  “And how have you adjusted?”

  “You mean me personally?” What was he getting at? Did he realize how she was struggling since he’d arrived in town?

  “You personally and your store.”

  “We had to make a number of changes when the big discount store opened on the outskirts of town.” Juliane picked up her fork as the waitress brought their order.

  “That was quick.”

  “I told you the service is fast.”

  “Would you like me to give thanks?”

  “Sure.” Bowing her head, Juliane put down her fork, embarrassed that she hadn’t considered praying.

  For a few minutes after the prayer, they ate in silence. Juliane’s mind wrapped around one thing for sure. Being with Lukas was getting her more in touch with God. In her wildest imagination, she never would have believed Lukas could be the one to help with her spiritual life.

  Lukas took a big gulp of his drink, then eyed her. “Tell me about the changes you’ve made in order to compete
with the discount store.”

  Juliane reflected for a moment. Leave it to Lukas to ask something that brought into focus all the problems she had with her father. “Most of the changes had to do with the kind of merchandise stocked. I had a terrible time trying to convince my dad that we couldn’t compete with the discount store with the lines we were carrying.”

  “Is your dad as stubborn as my grandfather?”

  Juliane nodded. “Actually, a lot of times I made the changes without consulting him. When the changes did well, he didn’t complain.”

  “I can see you doing that.” Lukas laughed.

  “And what is that supposed to mean?”

  “You are determined, and when you want something, nothing is going to stand in your way. I can tell that by the way you walk.”

  “You judge people by the way they walk?”

  “Sometimes. Body language can tell you a lot about people.”

  “Speaking of body language, did you notice the way your grandfather’s eyes lit up when he looked at Dot tonight?”

  “No. Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. You mean Mr. Body Language Expert missed a clue?”

  Lukas shrugged. “I guess, if you’re right. I don’t see Grandpa having a romantic interest in any woman. He’s been a widower for nearly forty years, and as far as I know, he’s never even taken a woman out on a date.”

  “Maybe he just never met the right woman before.”

  “No.” Lukas vehemently shook his head as he finished off his chicken fingers. “He told everyone time and time again that no one could replace his Anna. My grandmother died before I was born, before the escape from East Germany. Breast cancer—just like my mother. Good thing I didn’t have a sister.”

  Sorrow and pain radiated from Lukas’s words. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose her mother even now, much less as a teenager. For an instant Juliane was tempted to reach across the table and cover his hand with hers. But she held her hands tightly in her lap. She couldn’t let herself be drawn into his life any more than she already had. “I’m so sorry about your grandmother and your mother.”