Muffins & Moonbeams

by Maddrey, Elizabeth

  Willing. She was willing, wasn’t she? “I’m not unwilling...I’m just not sure how.”

  Someone hollered for Ruth and she stood. “You just make a choice. It’s both that simple and that difficult. I think that’s Corban—you can sit here a while if you want.”

  Ursula nodded and watched the water trickle over rocks as Ruth scurried off. Back to a choice. Was it one she’d already made but wasn’t willing to admit? She spent her time focusing on when she would see him again whenever they were apart. And when they were together, she never wanted it to end. It was easy to picture a life with him. Maybe it wasn’t as mysterious as she was making it.

  She looked over when Malachi sat beside her.

  He smiled and brushed his fingers across her cheek. “Ruth said you might still be here. There’s ice cream. You want to go get some?”

  Ursula leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

  When she eased back, he wiggled his eyebrows. “I should tell you about ice cream more often.”

  She chuckled. “I do love ice cream. But I love you more.”

  A slow grin spread across his face, and his eyes lit up. Malachi drew her closer and gently brought their lips together again. Maybe the ice cream could wait.

  * * *

  How was it already nearing the end of September? The past two weeks had flown by with website work that continued to pour in thanks to Malachi’s CSB groups. She and Mal spent nearly every evening together as well. He’d gotten in the habit of swinging by with a box of two muffins on his way home from the bakery and staying for supper. Sometimes he’d bring his laptop and they’d sit together on the couch and play Orion’s Quest. It was a subtly different dynamic having him right beside her and also online. But the change was a good one. Most evenings they ended with a walk in the moonlight. Now she understood a little more why her parents took their after-dinner strolls.

  Tonight, rather than their usual Friday night game extravaganza, Malachi had made reservations at L’Aubergine. She’d never been. It didn’t seem like the place you went by yourself. Not that Ursula was the kind of person who’d sit in a restaurant alone anyway. Before Malachi, she was the take-out queen. Ordering to go and sitting at home with Triton was better than sitting at a table and imagining everyone laughing at her because she was dining solo. Except...the thought of dining out alone wasn’t quite so bizarre now. She scoffed. Now that it was unlikely to be an issue.

  Ursula took a dress out of her closet and held it up in front of her. It was the nicest piece of clothing she owned, and she blessed her mother for insisting she buy it last Christmas when she’d been home. Navy blue with white piping on the three-quarter sleeves and around the scooped neck, the dress had an asymmetrical peplum that added just the right touch of interest at the waist. It wasn’t vintage, but she could see the influences. And it looked great. Definitely L’Aubergine worthy.

  “What do you think, Triton?” She spun, showing off the dress to the cat who lounged on her bed. He licked his paw and groomed his ears. Well. No accounting for feline taste. “Do you think he’ll propose?”

  Triton flicked an ear and turned to bathing his rear legs. Ursula chuckled and scrubbed his head. She and Malachi had talked more and more about marriage when they got together, the conversations shifting from generic thoughts to specific pictures of what a life built by the two of them would be. She shivered. When Malachi mentioned going to the fanciest place in town...well, what else could it be? She wasn’t getting her hopes up—at least she was trying not to.

  The knock on the door jolted her out of her thoughts. She gave Triton a final rub as she slid her feet into the heeled sandals that she’d bought the same day as the dress and hurried to the door. Malachi wore a suit. She had to stop and swallow as her heart took off like someone had fired the starting pistol at a race. “Wow.”

  He ran a hand down his tie and smiled, his eyes glinting appreciatively. “I could say the same. You’re beautiful. And I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to plan a fancy date. Ready?”

  Ursula nodded. She pulled the door closed behind her and checked that it was locked then stopped and slipped her arm through his. Her gaze landed on the For Sale sign in Mr. Greenway’s lawn and she sighed. She touched Malachi’s arm and pointed across the street. “Did you see that?”

  “I knew it was coming. I’ve been trying to visit Amos every few days. He’s settling in, I guess. His daughter saw that he got moved over and then went home. I think she was only in town a week. He’s feeling abandoned worse than when Alma died.”

  “That’s terrible. Do you think he’d mind if I visited?”

  Malachi shook his head and pulled open the car door. “He’d love it.”

  Ursula reached for the seatbelt as Malachi shut the door and circled the car. Would he? She’d never really spoken to the man. They’d exchanged waves. That was it. All her best intentions to visit him in the hospital had never come about—she’d meant to ask to go along with Malachi so he could introduce her. “Maybe I could go with you the next time you go?”

  “Sure. Do you like puzzles?”

  “What kind?”

  “The kind you put together on a table. What other kind are there?”

  She grinned. So many kinds—word puzzles, number puzzles—heck, Sudoku was basically a puzzle, wasn’t it? “Sure, they’re okay. Why?”

  “Amos spends a good bit of time working on puzzles with a few of the other residents in the Frank Sinatra pod over at the village. He always invites me to join them.” Malachi started the car and backed out of her driveway.

  Ursula looked out the window. It wasn’t far to the restaurant—not much was far when you were talking about a town the size of Arcadia Valley—but her feet, at least, were grateful they’d driven. Her shoes were already pinching.

  At the restaurant, they were seated in the front room, near the large picture window that looked out over the sleepy town. There were several other diners—even one woman eating alone. Ursula shook her head. That woman had more self-confidence than she’d probably ever manage to drum up. Good for her.

  The menu, in its thick leather cover, set her mouth watering. So many options. She’d have to make a point of coming back and trying something new—her gaze darted to Malachi as he pored over the offerings—he’d be up for that, wouldn’t he? She made up her mind and closed the folder. Malachi did the same.

  “What did you decide on?”

  “The oregano chicken. You?” It briefly registered that he signed more than spoke these days. Ursula responded in kind. She enjoyed signing—it was like they had their own private language. She’d always been fascinated by couples who spoke something other than English to one another and wondered what it would be like to have that level of privacy. Now she had that, too. It was fun.

  “I thought the porchetta sounded good.”

  Ursula frowned and reached for her menu. She hadn’t seen that.

  He reached across the table and tapped the specials. Ah. She wrinkled her nose. “You like Brussels sprouts?”

  He grinned. “Sure. Don’t you?”

  “Yuk. No.” She set the menu aside. “I’ll stick with the chicken and the very sensible potatoes that come with it.”

  He laughed and reached across the table for her hand.

  * * *

  Malachi offered her his hand as she got out of the car. Moonlight streamed down from the clear skies above. Dinner had been wonderful. They’d lingered over their meal and shared a dessert...and no proposal had been forthcoming. Ursula fought to keep her spirits up. She’d built up some ridiculous expectation—well, maybe not ridiculous. After all, they’d been talking about it more and more. It wasn’t unreasonable to think that a fancy dinner out...she fought a sigh. Malachi was probably too traditional to propose so soon. They’d only really known each other since July. Even though they’d been friends online for more than two years. Maybe he didn’t count that time?

  She smiled and squeezed his fingers. “I had a lovely time.”<
br />
  “Me too. But then, I always do when I’m with you.”

  Ursula dug in her purse for her key.

  Malachi lifted her chin and held her gaze. “I love you.”

  Her breath caught. Was this it? “I love you.”

  He kissed her then took the key from her limp fingers and unlocked the door for her with a twinkle in his eye. “Good night.”

  “Yeah. Good night.” She blinked back tears and managed a tight smile before hurrying inside and closing the door. She turned the lock and headed toward her bedroom. A quick glance over her shoulder showed Malachi leaving the porch with his hands in his pockets. She hurried to her room and let the tears fall.

  Triton crawled up her arm and butted her cheek with his head. The hot ball lodged in her chest wouldn’t ease. Ursula gathered the cat in her arms and sobbed.

  23

  Malachi strolled into the common area of Retro Village’s Frank Sinatra pod. Amos sat in his usual spot at one of the tables working a puzzle. Another puzzle, partially completed, took up a nearby table. He pulled out a chair and sat before pointing to the other puzzle and signing, “Why aren’t you working on that one?”

  “That’s Clarence’s. He’s nice enough, but I try not to work on it when he’s not around to help. They’ve got a million of these things.” Amos shrugged.

  Malachi pursed his lips. It was obvious his friend still hadn’t really adjusted to being here. How long would it take? Or, when you were more than ninety years old, did you just not have to adjust if you didn’t want to? “Feel like a walk?”

  “Might as well. At least keep the nurses off my case. They nag all day long about how I have to practice if I’m going to regain my strength. But what’s the point? I’m stuck here now, aren’t I? It’s not like if I get back on my feet all the way they’ll let me go home. Don’t got a home to go back to anyway, now.” Amos frowned, but he wobbled to his feet and reached for the walker that stood nearby.

  “I’m sorry, Amos.” Malachi stood and watched the old man wrestle with the walker before shuffling forward a step. “There’s a garden out this way. Want to look around?”

  Amos nodded and pointed his walker toward the hall. It wasn’t far, but it still broke Malachi’s heart to see his friend looking his age. He’d been so vibrant and full of life before the stroke and now...he’d given up.

  Out in the garden, a few more residents were taking advantage of the warm, sunlit Saturday. They were nearing the end of September, which meant the days like this were going to disappear. Fall, and then winter, were on their way. Corban had talked a lot about the final vegetable harvest and putting in the winter wheat this past week. In D.C., Malachi had only noticed the seasons from a “what to wear” standpoint. Living in Arcadia Valley he’d started to tune in to some of the rhythm of a life lived closer to the land. It was...interesting.

  They made a circuit of the short path before Amos angled toward a bench that sat in the sunshine. He sat and gave his walker an annoyed look. “Can’t talk when I’m walking now. Need my hands for both. And I know I sound like a peevish old man. Can’t seem to stop myself.”

  Malachi grinned. “You have good reason. Change is hard, no matter the age. I’ve been praying for you—I’ll keep doing it. I have to believe it’ll get easier. And you’re making some friends, right?”

  “I guess. I miss my house. All my memories of Alma were there. Now they’re stuck in my head and some days that makes them harder to reach.” Amos made a frustrated gesture. “Never mind me. How are you? How’s your girl?”

  “I took her to L’Aubergine last night. That was a good call. She seemed to enjoy getting dressed up, though I could’ve done without having to wear a tie.”

  Amos shook his head. “It’s good for you. I used to wear a tie every Sunday—sign of respect. Young people these days don’t get it. Food was good?”

  “Very. But...she got quiet, withdrawn at the end. And I got the feeling she was upset about something. And I have no idea what.”

  “Women.” Amos winked. “Take me through the evening and maybe this old man can come up with an idea.”

  Malachi did. Walking through the night didn’t help him any more than the million times he’d done it during his sleepless night. Maybe Amos’ outside eyes would see something obvious.

  “Hmm.” Amos drummed his fingers on his knee. “You’ve been talking about marriage, you said?”

  Malachi nodded.

  The old man grinned. His shoulders began to shake, then bent forward like he was coughing.

  “Are you okay?” Malachi searched the area for a nurse. Should he leave and get help?

  Amos waved his hands in front of his face and wiped his eyes. “Laughing, boy. Just laughing. I think I know the problem.”

  “And it’s funny?”

  “When you’re as old as I am it is.” Amos patted Malachi’s knee. “You ever taken her somewhere fancy before?”

  Malachi shook his head. “We stay in a lot and talk, or play our computer game. We go for walks. That kind of thing. Why?”

  “I suspect she thought you were planning to propose. Bit of a letdown when you didn’t, don’t you think?”

  “Oh.” Malachi closed his eyes and called up the couple of times Ursula had braced herself throughout the evening. He was an idiot. “You might just be right. Now what do I do?”

  “Depends, I guess, on whether you’re ready to take that leap.”

  Was he? They’d only known each other since July. Well...that wasn’t completely true. He’d been in love with her for nearly two years before they ever met in person. Before he knew her name. But she hadn’t felt that way about him. She’d considered him her online friend, sure, but that was the end of it. Loving him was a recent development. Wouldn’t he be pushing her if he bought her a ring now? “Ultimately. It just seemed too soon.”

  “Son. If she’s disappointed that you didn’t ask, she’s going to say yes when you do.”

  * * *

  Malachi parked the car at the curb in front of Amos’ house and looked across the street at Ursula’s. Lights glowed from the windows and he could just make out the shadow of Triton in his usual spot. She was expecting him. He’d called and asked if he could bring dinner over after he badgered Jonah into putting together something special just for them. It hadn’t taken as much persuasion as he’d figured it would. Neither had talking Ruth into a quick trip to Facets, the local jewelry store. In fact, his sister had practically bounced the whole way there. But she’d been more helpful than he’d imagined, and not only because the clerk had been a mumbler. He never would’ve been able to read the man’s lips well enough to make sure he knew exactly what he was getting.

  Ruth had dragged Ursula out in the afternoon, as well, going down to Twin Falls to look at the shoes. No one was more surprised than he was when she actually bought them. But it had given him a window when he’d known Ursula wouldn’t be online so he could contact her dad. That had been...awkward. There was no other word for it. But he couldn’t ask her to marry him without at least trying to talk to her parents first. And, after having said yes, Ursula’s dad also mentioned that this was the first time his wife had been willing to sit with him while he was logged into the game. So there was that.

  And he was stalling. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door, then grabbed the insulated carrier from the back seat. They’d eat first and then...he wanted to ask her out on her tiny little deck, with the moonlight shining in her eyes.

  She opened the door before he could knock and smiled. It didn’t quite reach her eyes though. “I wondered if you were going to come in, or if you were just going to sit in your car and watch the house.”

  “Sorry.” He lifted the bag of food. “Hungry?”

  “Sure.”

  Malachi followed her into the kitchen. She was upset with him. And...sad. He set the food down and crossed to where she was lifting plates down from the cupboard and took her into his arms.

  Ursula relaxed against hi
m, her head dropping to his shoulder.

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead and took the plates. “Jonah cooked one of the specials from the restaurant he used to work at for us. I haven’t had it before, but it smells great.”

  “That was nice of him. What can I do to help?”

  “Just sit. It’s all ready.” Malachi reached in the bag and took out containers, transferring the contents to their plates. He set one in front of Ursula and the other at his spot.

  “It smells good. What is it?” Ursula leaned closer and inhaled.

  “Chicken scaloppini with angel hair and asparagus. And extra capers, because he knows I love them. You can pick them off if you want to.” Malachi pushed a little basket of bread into the center of the table. “And garlic bread. He said you can’t do without that.”

  This time her smile was genuine. “It’s hard to say no to, that’s for sure.”

  Malachi reached for her hand and held it until she met his gaze. “I love you, Ursula.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Hmm. She still seemed upset. Maybe he should have asked first...but he really wanted to wait until the sun had set. He said a quick blessing over their meal and they dug in.

  Ursula talked about her shoe-shopping trip with Ruth. His sister had tried on nine different pairs of wedding shoes—and honestly, who knew there were such things as wedding shoes?

  “Why can’t you just wear regular white shoes?”

  Ursula laughed. “This was my question. But apparently even her feet need to sparkle when she marries Corban. They’re lovely shoes, I’ll give her that. Still. Whatever makes her happy, I guess.”

  “I think that’s Corban. The rest is just icing.” Malachi scraped the last bite up from his plate. He was excessively aware of the ring box in his pocket. Would she like it? Maybe it was time to find out. “Let’s go out on the deck.”