Special Delivery

by Judi Lynn

  Her mom stole one of her fries, too. “She hasn’t changed much.”

  Buck laughed. “Nice to know. I’ll steer clear of her.”

  When Buck left, Iris Clinger stopped by, then Grams and Miguel sat and yakked for a while. When Karli finished her sausage sandwich and they started to leave, Mom got a faraway expression on her face, looking thoughtful. “I didn’t believe you when you said how nice people are here, but you’re right.”

  Her mom’s compliment made Karli happy and proud. She’d grown to love Mill Pond and its people. She drove Mom to Main Street and found a place to park.

  “You said people came for the national forest, but why are the shops so busy today?” Mom asked.

  “People are picking up their holiday orders. Come on. I’ll show you.”

  They stepped into Lefty’s Jewelry Shop, and Karli showed her the polymer clay earrings and necklaces that Keagan’s sister made. Mom had a thing about necklaces and bought one that had three painted leaves that fell at the base of her throat. They hit the Kitchen Goods shop next, and Mom bought a homemade white apron that tied around the waist and had a ruffled border of pumpkin pies and turkeys. Karli bought a table runner. Mom got three braided rugs at Cordelia’s, and then they walked into Daphne’s stained-glass shop.

  Karli sighed. She was doomed. The line was so long at the counter, they had plenty of time to roam through each aisle. Plenty of time for her to find a stained-glass lamp that she loved, and a wall clock with deep greens edged against gold and bronze glass. She had to have them. They snagged two loaves of pumpkin bread at Maxwell’s before they decided they’d better quit spending and go home.

  “I didn’t realize how many artists live in Mill Pond.” Mom studied the scenery on the short drive to Axel’s.

  When they reached the farm, Karli popped her trunk and led Mom to the boxes pushed far to the back. Mom reached inside and lifted one of the plates wrapped in paper. When she peeled it back, her jaw dropped. She ran a finger over the snowflake pattern.

  “Keagan’s an artist,” Karli explained.

  “He made these?”

  “He has some work on display at Art’s Grocery. You love throwing dinner parties over the holidays. I thought you’d like these.”

  “They’re beautiful.” Mom’s voice was reverent. Together, they moved the boxes to Mom’s car.

  They were hanging the wall clock in the parlor when Sylvie came downstairs. She stopped in the doorway to see it and laughed. “That’s a lot of work for nothing, but whatever makes you happy.”

  They decided they wanted to stay in for supper, but they didn’t want anything fancy.

  They were cooking together, yakking away, when Kurt came to see what they were doing.

  “Damn, that smells good.”

  Karli nodded toward five plates sitting on the worktable. “Hamburger gravy. It’ll be ready in fifteen minutes. Mom just put the biscuits in the oven.”

  Sylvie and Ida came down, too.

  “You’re welcome to join us if you can be nice for half an hour while we eat.”

  “There are oranges and grapefruit in the refrigerator. Want me to make a fruit salad?” Ida asked.

  “Sounds good.” Ida could be tolerable when nothing was at stake.

  “I can set the dining room table.” Kurt went to the silverware drawer.

  Karli put a hand to her heart, shocked.

  Sylvie got herself a beer and disappeared into the sun-room. Out of all of them, Sylvie was the hardest to work with.

  During supper, Mom told them that Axel could come home on Wednesday.

  “Whew! I was a little worried the doc would pressure him to go into a home,” Ida said.

  “I’m guessing Dad vetoed that.” Mom reached for another biscuit.

  After the meal, Mom shooed her siblings away. “Karli and I will clean up. It won’t take much time.”

  All three of them started upstairs. Karli frowned at Kurt. “You’re not watching TV tonight?”

  “I bought myself a TV for my bedroom.” He glanced sideways at Sylvie and Ida.

  “Out of our money?” Sylvie demanded.

  “Nope, it’s all still in the tea canister.”

  Sylvie narrowed her eyes. “Where’d you get enough for a TV?”

  “I had a little I was trying to hang on to. Figure I won’t need it now.”

  With a nod, the sisters started up the steps. Kurt came to snag two more biscuits, then followed them.

  Mom shook her head. “I brought some books to read. Do you have something?”

  “I’m in the middle of an Agatha Christie. I’m set.”

  They finished work in the kitchen, then went to the parlor. Dusty jumped on the bed with Karli and her mom smiled. “That’s one cute cat. It’s going to come as a shock for him when he gets tossed in a barn.”

  Karli grimaced. “I’m taking him with me.”

  Mom laughed. “He looks like a keeper. Glad you found him.”

  While they read, Dusty’s purrs filled the room.

  Chapter 42

  Mom looked at Axel’s room and sighed. “Everything in here should be burned.”

  “I didn’t dare do much when he was here.”

  Her mom smiled. “But he’s not here now, is he?”

  Karli stared. What had gotten into her mom? “What do you have in mind?”

  Her mom grabbed the old, ratty drapes at the windows and gave a quick tug. They ripped apart. “These things are dead. Let’s pitch them.” Without the drapes, the room was almost cold. She yanked the blanket off Axel’s bed and tossed it on the floor. The sheets and rubber-backed pad followed. “This room needs a redo.

  Karli’s heart squeezed in alarm, but Mom was right. She could imagine Axel’s reaction, though, and cringed. Kurt, Ida, and Sylvie stayed out of their way while they stripped everything, cleaned the windows, and swept the indoor/outdoor carpet. Then they drove to the closest Target to buy everything new.

  Once home again, they put the room back together. When they finished, her mom stood back and smiled. “It looks nice.”

  That was the problem. No more faded brown drapes. Instead, Mom had chosen white drapes with sage green leaves and little flowers. Not very manly. Karli was sure Axel would have plenty to say about them. “He’s going to hate these,” she told Mom.

  Mom shrugged. “Then he should have paid for new ones.”

  At least the sheets and comforter were a solid color. Karli had insisted on sage green for those. She was afraid Axel would throw a flowered blanket at her. Mom had gotten her way and bought matching flowered cushions for the two rocking chairs on the porch.

  When they were finished, the room looked and smelled nice. Everything was clean.

  Karli had bought baby back ribs and put them in the oven while they worked. By the time she and Mom showered and changed, the ribs were fall apart tender. She slathered them with barbecue sauce and tested the baked potatoes she’d wrapped in foil. Ready to go. She’d bought a container of three-bean salad, and supper was complete.

  Sylvie looked like she might burst with joy as they ate. “Dad’s never goin’ to forgive you, Donna. You’ve guaranteed that you’ll be written out of the will.”

  “What will?” Mom scrunched her nose in disgust. “Dad’s too lazy to make out a will.”

  Sylvie’s lips pressed together in frustration. “He’ll prob’ly scribble it on a piece of paper and have us sign it. You’re doomed.”

  “Don’t care.” Mom licked her fingers. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had ribs.”

  After supper, Mom stuck around to help Karli make the white bean chili soup for tomorrow.

  “Why cook it tonight?” Ida asked. “You’ll have plenty of time before Axel gets home.”

  “I promised him the soup and chocolate cake,” Karli said.

 
Ida’s eyes narrowed. “You’re trying to win him over again.”

  “Don’t be stupid,” her mom snapped. “He asked her to make them. She didn’t want to.”

  Ida thought a minute. “I’ll make the cake. I love to bake.”

  Karli waved a hand. “Go for it. I stop at the bakery for my desserts.”

  Ida smiled and went to get her laptop. “I have a great recipe. Dad’s going to love it.”

  Sylvie curled her fingers into fists. “What about me? All he does is grump about anythin’ I do for him.”

  Karli went to the cupboard and tossed her two boxes of corn muffin mix. “I happen to know he loves cornbread.”

  They all got busy, and Kurt disappeared. A few minutes later, Axel’s truck pulled out of the driveway. Maybe he was running to get Axel’s favorite beer.

  Later that night, the soup and cake were finished. The kitchen was clean, and Kurt returned with a new laptop.

  This time, Sylvie’s hands went to her hips. She went to the tea canister and counted the money inside it. All there. Then she stretched out her hand and said, “Show me your billfold.”

  “No.” Kurt reached a hand to put over his back jeans pocket, but Ida beat him to it. She flipped the wallet open, pulled out a blue plastic card, and glared. “Dad had a credit card.”

  Kurt’s face mottled with color. “I got here before either of you two showed up. I deserve more.”

  Sylvie leaned closer, and Karli worried she’d slap him, but instead, she hissed, “You’ve had your extra. Now give me the card.”

  “No.” Mom’s voice intervened. She went to a drawer, took out a pair of scissors, and held out her hand for the card.

  Ida sighed, but handed it to her.

  Mom cut it up. “There. That’s done.”

  Kurt watched the pieces fall into the trash can, a forlorn look on his face.

  “Well, might as well go to bed.” Sylvie started up the steps and the others trailed behind.

  Mom shook her head. “They haven’t changed.”

  “You have.” Karli gave her a quick hug. “You’re stronger now.”

  Mom smiled, and while Karli fed Dusty, she went around the house, turning out lights. Once in their room, they sagged onto their mattresses and Mom laughed.

  “We’re the only ones without our own TVs,” she said.

  “I feel deprived.” But Karli picked up her book, and Mom opened her laptop. They’d survive.

  Chapter 43

  After Keagan got off work on Wednesday, he brought Axel home. The women had obviously been cooking all day, getting things ready for Thanksgiving. Two pumpkin pies sat, cooling, on the wooden worktable. Karli was stuffing a turkey with quartered onions and oranges. Karli’s mom was finishing a seven-layer salad. When Keagan wheeled Axel into the back room, his voice boomed, “What the hell happened in here?”

  Sylvie’s face crinkled in delight. She ran into the room. “Donna did it! She and Karli cleaned everything.”

  Donna and Karli came to stand in the doorway. Karli dried her hands on a kitchen towel and looked nervous.

  Axel scowled at Donna. “This was your doing. What were you thinking?”

  Donna raised her fingers. “First, this room smelled. No, it stank. I don’t know how anyone could sit in here. Second, when was the last you cleaned it? The drapes fell apart when I was going to wash them. I’m surprised you could see out the windows. Third, if you’re happy lying in urine, you need help. Fourth . . .”

  Axel threw up his hands. “Never mind!”

  Donna went on. “We put a new mattress topper on your bed that should make it more comfortable, and we bought new waterproof pads.”

  Keagan helped Axel onto his bed, and the old man blinked, surprised.

  Donna smiled. “Better?”

  Axel breathed in the clean scent. “It’s a good thing you didn’t put some silly, flowered blanket on my bed.”

  “That’s what Karli said, so we kept it plain.”

  He leaned back against fluffy, new pillows. “This isn’t bad.”

  Donna shook her head. “Glad you’re home. We’ve been cooking all day. Karli made your soup, Ida made a chocolate cake, and Sylvie made cornbread.”

  His eyes lit up. He looked at Keagan. “You staying for supper, boy?”

  Keagan nodded. “Might as well.” He looked at Karli. “Can you still make it to my family’s for Thanksgiving?”

  “She sure can.” When Karli opened her mouth to protest, her mom shook her head. “We’ll fix Dad a feast. The big stuff’s already done. Karli’s cooked enough.” She looked at her daughter. “Get out of here tomorrow.”

  Karli smiled, and happiness flowed through Keagan. He’d been worried that things were so busy and muddled, he wouldn’t get to see much of her before she left.

  Karli nodded to Keagan. “Wheel the old coot into the dining room. Supper’s ready.”

  She carried her Dutch oven to the table. Sylvie brought her cornbread, and Ida brought her cake. Keagan couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a three-layered chocolate cake.

  Axel let out a contented sigh. “If this was my last meal, I’d die happy.”

  Karli cringed. “Don’t say that. You’ve got to stick around for Thanksgiving.”

  “Oh, I plan to. I love me a turkey, and Mom always made pumpkin pies.”

  They dug into their food, and supper was a success. Karli had made sure of that. What didn’t Keagan like about her? Oh, yeah, the small matter of her moving away. That was a real downer.

  Chapter 44

  Karli and her mom got up early on Thanksgiving morning to put the turkey in the oven. Gray skies glowered outside, and tree branches whipped in the wind. The heat from the oven spread warmth that made its way to Axel’s porch. They heard him give a small sigh and settle deeper into his pillows.

  Ida came down, wrapped in her robe, to start cooking. Sylvie came, wearing a sweatshirt and a blanket wrapped around her waist. They meant to fill the dining room table for Axel. A feast. Karli played sous chef for anyone who needed her, since she was leaving to go to Keagan’s.

  When they heard Axel stirring in the back room, Karli took him a few slices of pumpkin bread.

  She glanced at her mom. “You’re going to be okay, aren’t you? I feel bad leaving you with your family.”

  “We’ll be fine today. We’ve called truce, and everyone’s ready for a good meal.”

  Everyone did seem more jovial than usual, so when Keagan came and Karli ran to his SUV, she put her worries behind her to have fun. Keagan patted his stomach. “I didn’t eat anything for breakfast to make room for gluttony.”

  He turned into his parents’ driveway and parked near the front door. When he stepped in the house, Jenna and Jack attacked him. He smiled at Karli. “An uncle has to prove his worth.”

  Keagan’s mom came to claim Karli. “Those kids are so wound up, Keagan’s going to have his hands full. Come on out to the kitchen and have a glass of wine with Marcia and me.”

  Karli had brought wine and flowers. “Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. Monroe.”

  “None of that!” His mom tossed her hands. “You can call me Joyce. Someday . . .” She let it drop.

  As they walked through the living room, Keagan’s dad and Stuart looked up. “Hey, Karli!”

  His mom took her hand and tugged her into the kitchen and offered her a glass of wine. “So, are you going to stay in Mill Pond a little longer to help Axel grow stronger?”

  Marcia was putting the finishing touches on the turkey. “Mom, you couldn’t be less subtle.”

  Joyce grimaced. “My son really likes you. I can tell. How do you feel about him?”

  Marcia stared, but Karli didn’t mind answering. “He’s the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. I signed a contract in Indy, though. It starts the second week of December.”


  Joyce made a face. “Indy’s not that far from here.”

  “Leave her alone, Mom. That’s between her and Keagan.” Marcia stuck two hot pads in front of her. “Grab a plate.”

  They each carried a dish to the table. The guys turned off the TV and Keagan led the kids into the dining room. They stood while Keagan’s dad said the prayer, then they took their seats. Conversation flowed while they ate, and Karli found it easy to join in. She helped clear the table before dessert, and pressed a hand to her stomach. “I’m stuffed.”

  “You don’t want to miss Mom’s pumpkin roll,” Keagan bragged.

  His mom went to sit in the living room with his dad. “Let’s take a little break first. Why don’t you take her to the barn and show her the chickens? Let her work off a few calories and find a little space for dessert.”

  “I can do that.” They bundled up, and Keagan took her hand to lead her past the garage to the back of the yard where the red barn sat. “Mom has a thing about specialty chickens,” he told Karli. “She likes having different-sized eggs.”

  “Is that why some of the deviled eggs were big and some small?” Karli asked.

  “Yeah, she gets a kick out of that.” He cracked the big double doors and led her inside, then closed them against the wind. Leading her to a pen built on the side of the building, he gestured to a wide variety of chickens. Some gleamed a bright white and stood tall. Others had rusty-colored feathers, and a different breed’s white feathers were laced with black. She gaped at a few with ruffled feet and a couple more with ruffled heads. There were all sizes from big to tiny.

  “They can leave the barn and go into a large, fenced-in area outside to scratch in the dirt and grass. Mom throws them scraps, too,” Keagan explained. “We close the door at night so no raccoons and foxes can get in, and they have plenty of perches to fly up to if they need them.”

  Karli had never thought about chicken safety before, but these hens looked happy to her. She motioned toward two big machines hunched in the barn’s center. “Those things are huge.”