Noah’s phone buzzed in his pocket. When he pulled it out and read the text, he felt his heart stop for a moment.
Noah, we brought John home. He’s asking for you. Can you come? Soon?
“It’s my aunt. I’m sorry, but I need to go.”
Tayte’s brow creased. “I understand. Should I just pack up Grandma and try to do the Eppleys’ photos first? I might be able to get them to switch their plans. Our schedule’s so tight.”
Noah called over his shoulder as he ran to his truck. “I’ll call you in thirty minutes.”
Chapter 19
Four men dressed in work clothes were gathered on the porch of the house while a gaggle of children ran across the yard. Noah assumed two were the husbands of Susan and Linda, but the confident stance of the other two immediately identified them as the adult versions of his decade-older, overachieving cousins, Sam and Jared.
Their eyes followed the old farm truck as it came into the yard. Before Noah had it parked, they were off the porch and coming his way. Physician Sam opened the truck door, making Noah easily accessible to the lawyer brother, who reached inside and grabbed Noah’s arm. Noah’s first instinct was to pull back, but Jared’s next move stunned him as his other hand landed on Noah’s shoulder in a warm partial embrace.
“We can’t tell you how grateful we all are for what you’ve done for our parents,” said Jared as he stepped back to let Noah out of the truck. As soon as he exited, Sam wrapped his arm around his cousin.
“Dad kept us in the dark. I had my suspicions about the cancer, but we all hoped we’d have more time. We can’t believe how little there actually is.”
Their eyes glistened, and Noah felt his own eyes burn. He looked at Sam. “Thank you for finding me.”
Sam shrugged it off. “I made a couple of calls. Dad brought your name up more than a few times these past ten years. We never knew exactly what happened between you two until recently, but it ate at him. You’ve given him much needed peace.”
Noah’s heart thundered in his chest. All he wanted was to get to his uncle. “How is he? Your mom’s text said he wanted to see me.”
Sarah came out of the house at that moment, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her joy at seeing him was undimmed by the presence of her own children. She spread her arms and walked to him, wrapping him up in love. “I’ve missed you very much, Noah.” She pulled back and studied him. “How are you and the Keller ladies making out?”
“All right.” He smiled and rolled his eyes. “It’s been an eventful few days.”
“So I’ve heard. Agnes already called me to ask when you’d be back. She tells me you’re sleeping in the barn. I’m sorry you felt the need to move out, but I must admit we have a houseful. We decided to bring the children out now so they could make a few last memories with Grandpa rather than flying them out later just for the funeral.” She dabbed at her eyes.
“How are you holding up?”
“I have my moments. I know it’ll be hard, but we’re going to be all right.” She linked her arm in his and led him into the house.
“Is he . . . okay? Your message sounded urgent.”
“I’m sorry for frightening you. John is most lucid about an hour before his next dose of painkillers. He wanted to have a real conversation with you, so I was trying to time your visit just right.”
That simple courtesy meant more to Noah than she could ever know.
“Hospice set a bed up for him in the family room so he can be near the family. As warm as it is some days, he still loves to watch the fire.” Her voice broke, and Noah felt a catch in his own throat. “Go on in. He’s waiting for you.”
She released his hand and set him off with a final smile. Noah quickly texted Tayte. Go on ahead to the Eppleys’. I’ll be a while.
He slid his phone into his pocket and entered the room. His uncle extended his hand.
“Noah, I’ve missed our talks.” John’s voice was ragged and thready.
Noah steeled himself to hide his concern. “Me too.”
It had been only a few days since he’d last seen his uncle, but he could still detect changes in his coloring and his depleted energy. He took a seat in the chair by the hospital bed, trying not to focus on the tray of medications, the box of medical supplies, and the equipment needed to care for an invalid.
“How did your meeting with the Eppleys go?
“Great. He’s quite a hero.”
“He’s a good man. How are the plans coming for their deck? I’d love to see them.”
“They’re in the truck.” He ran for the plans, and when he returned, he found Sam and Jared helping their father into his favorite chair. Uncle John put his glasses on and reached his hand out to see Noah’s design.
“The Eppleys’ favorite place is the grotto at City Park in Hagerstown, so I decided to design the deck around it, but I got overly ambitious.” He began pointing out the features. “I planned to build it in three sections connected by arched bridges.”
Sam whistled long and low. “Do you know what you could get for something like this in Boston?”
“Or in San Francisco?” added Jared.
John removed his glasses and folded them. Concern showed on his face. “It’s beautiful, Noah, but you’re right. It’ll require more money and manpower than anyone bargained for.”
“I figure the materials alone will cost three times what the Chamber of Commerce budgeted.” Noah pursed his lips, nearly bursting with expectation. “But I want to build it, even if I have to hire workers and underwrite the costs myself. Is that completely crazy?”
Uncle John laid his hand on Noah’s. “Only to someone who doesn’t know you.”
He moved the conversation along when he felt his cheeks flush. “And I’ll need tools.”
John smiled at his nephew. “The boys have agreed to move the Shopsmith and the other power tools over to Agnes’s so you’ll have convenient access, but you may have another problem. Ely almost declined the prize as is. I don’t think he’ll accept your charity.”
“I thought I’d present it as an advertising opportunity for my new business. All I want in return is the chance to take photos for my portfolio.”
“That might work.” The words were interrupted by a brief coughing spasm. Sam and Jared drew close, their worry evident, but their father waved them back, and when he was settled again he asked, “Would you boys mind leaving Noah and me alone for a minute?”
As they withdrew, John settled back into his chair, exhausted and weak. “I’m proud of you Noah. You saw how impressed the boys were with your design, and they travel in some pretty ritzy circles. You’re giving a great gift to a family that wouldn’t get to enjoy such a thing otherwise.”
“I’ve never met a family like theirs. Ely the war hero says his wife is the real heroine. Then there’s the teenage son, who is happy to be his father’s hands, and that beautiful little girl with the crippled legs. They’ve all dealt with hard things, but they’re some of the happiest people I’ve ever met.”
“I knew you’d like them. Margot fell apart when she first heard the news about Ely, but before she reached the hospital in Germany, she had a plan for the business back home. Then they had to face another hurdle. Ely couldn’t father children. Once again, Margot accepted their lot and helped Ely see new possibilities. A good woman can do that for a man.”
“You seem to know the Eppleys pretty well.”
“Well, like you said, who could forget a newspaper story about a family like theirs?”
“So both the children are adopted. I assumed Micah was, but I didn’t know about Jenna.”
“From what I understand, there had been no effort to treat her legs. She could barely walk when the Eppleys got her. Surgeries and therapy have nearly bankrupted the family. You’ve been saving your money for something special. The Eppleys’ deck seems like a perfect use.”
Noah nodded in agreement. “Thanks for recommending me.”
John laid his hand on Noah’s k
nee. “Always remember what the boys said about your design. You’ve got a gift. I didn’t give you that. You know who did. Use it well.”
Being upright began to take its toll on John. He shifted in his seat. “I’m so grateful for the time we’ve shared together. I wanted to do so much for you, but it was you who saved me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes it is. You had good reason not to trust people. Especially me. Even so, you lowered your guard enough to let me back in. That took courage or humility, or just plain goodness. You taught me a valuable lesson. One that has made these last weeks sweet. I let go of my pride and mended the rough spots in my relationships with my family. I had to be humble enough to ask them to forgive me. I can’t tell you how things have changed between us. And the closeness Sarah and I have shared these past weeks has brought us both such peace. I thank you for that, Noah.”
Noah felt unworthy to meet his uncle’s eyes.
“It seems I’m always asking you for a favor. Can I ask you for one more?”
Again, Noah’s voice nearly failed him, as he uttered, “You can ask me for anything.”
“I want to leave my family with good memories. Especially the grandchildren. Can we make Saturday the Fourth of July?”
The unspoken meaning felt like a kick in Noah’s chest. He swallowed hard before choking out his reply. “Of course we can.”
“Do you think you can handle the fireworks?”
Noah blinked back tears and nodded. “I’ll figure it out.”
“I know you will.” John grew thoughtful. “Just don’t fire the Juggernaut, okay? No finales.”
* * *
Four days. I have four days.
Sweat slicked Noah’s hands making it difficult to grip the truck’s steering wheel as he backed out of the drive. He stopped the truck at the end of the lane and wiped his palms on the front of his jeans. His head fell against the steering wheel as he processed the finality of his uncle’s request. Stress became jumbled up in his grief as he mentally revamped the exacting schedule he and Tayte had laid out. It now needed to include a fireworks show and a Saturday picnic, all under the specter of John’s looming death.
Noah took a deep breath. He reworked the building schedule as he drove to the Eppleys’. Once the plan was approved, he’d have to order the materials, and now he’d need helpers and equipment more than ever. He began to second-guess himself. What if he wasn’t good enough to build this? What if his design was based on self-aggrandizement? He felt his heart thundering under his shirt. He didn’t care about the money. He didn’t want to fail. He could not bear to fail.
The sight of Tayte’s car in the Eppleys’ driveway calmed him. He saw Agnes on her hands and knees in the flowerbed in the backyard with Micah and Jenna flanking her on either side. As Noah’s truck pulled in, she rose to a stand and waved.
“Allo, Noah!” Agnes called out. “How are John and Sarah?” Again, the accent was thick with consonants that flowed into the vowels like honey on bread.
Noah smiled. “All their family is home now. They’ve invited us to a picnic next Saturday.”
“Merveilleux!” She clapped her hands and said something to Jenna that began with “Mademoiselle Jenna” and had Noah’s name tucked in there somewhere.
“We’re speaking French today?”
“Oui! Mademoiselle Jenna and Monsieur Micah want to learn French, and I am going to be their tutor! Tayte arranged everything! Is that not très magnifique?”
Tayte waved to Noah from the front door, excitement evident on her face. His eyes fixed on her as he said, “That’s very magnifique,” to Agnes before walking Tayte’s way.
“Did Grandma tell you the news?” asked Tayte as he neared.
He was still stunned by the brilliance and kindness of the plan. “Yes. Uncle John asked a favor of me, and I was a wreck heading over here, wondering how we could really pull everything off while watching Agnes. And you solved it.” He threw his head back and blew out a rush of air. “I think I can breathe again.” On an impulse, he picked her up and twirled her. “Thank you!”
When he set her back down, she looked up at him in surprise. “You’re welcome. It is brilliant isn’t it? We can bring her here with us so we don’t need to divide our time so carefully.”
“What about when the kids are in school?”
Tayte’s smile indicated another secret in the wings. “Grandma wants to be the Eppleys’ landscaper.”
Noah chuckled, “Do you remember what her flower beds look like?”
“I know. I know. But I think that’s because they’re already overgrown. She’s brilliant when she has a clean canvas. Come. See what she’s done today.”
As they walked to the backyard, Tayte kept talking. “I’m starting to get it, Noah. I’m beginning to understand my grandmother. She wants order. She actually loves it, but once things get out of control, she feels overwhelmed, and she becomes depressed, which makes her less capable, which makes her more depressed and angry. That’s her defense mechanism—anger. It’s like everything that overwhelms her comes out as anger—her fears, her loneliness, her depression. You already understood that, but I get it now.”
“How did you come to this revelation?”
“We talked.” She jiggled her head and admitted, “Well, first we fought. I tried to strip her bedding before we left the house, and she started yelling at me. She said I was judging her. She wouldn’t even get in the car, so instead of storming off, we sat in the big swing and talked. I remembered some techniques from my brief stint at therapy. I really listened, and I asked questions, and she began opening up to me.”
They arrived at a bed of rich soil surrounded by rocks. Five meager clumps of wilted, daffodils were arranged inside the stone ring. It was not beautiful. Noah looked at Tayte and tried to stifle an erupting chuckle. “Uh, these flowers are wilted.”
“Oh, ye of little faith.” She called to Agnes. “Grandma, explain to Martha Stewart here why you planted dying daffodils.”
Agnes hurried over and beamed at her work. “We are transplanting the bulbs, Noah. They were crowded out, but there is life beneath those spent flowers. They just need patience and time, and room to grow. We dug these five huge root balls from an overgrown bed, and in a few weeks, after the leaves have given their strength to the bulbs, we will chop off the tops. Next spring, a beautiful bed of daffodils will grow here. New annuals will fill the empty spaces, and I will bring some starter plants from my yard. The children and I will fill this yard with beauty.”
Noah nodded and tipped his baseball cap to Tayte. “We still have the farm to tend.”
“Okay, teach me. It’ll go faster if we all pitch in together, won’t it?”
“Yes, it will.” The walls were coming down again. “Did you take your photos?”
“No. There wasn’t time, which we’ll now have enough of, so we played today. But I told the Eppleys about your amazing design, and they’re excited to see it.”
“You told them my design was amazing?”
She blushed and quickly regrouped. “I call it like I see it.”
His uncle’s words about how a good woman could help a man see the possibilities ran through Noah’s head. After years alone, it was good to have a cheerleader and a partner.
“We make a good team,” Tayte said with a coquettish wink.
“Yes, we do.” Noah reached down and rubbed the tip of Tayte’s chin. Their eyes locked, and he stepped a little closer. “You’ve got a little smudge here.”
Tayte rolled her eyes. “Oh. I thought that was your smooth move.”
He blushed and laughed. “It was obviously not very smooth.”
“Would you like to have a late supper with me tonight? Grandma turns in early. I could pick up a quiche at the bakery on the way home. Maybe we could watch a movie.”
He noticed how soft and warm her smile was. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
“Good,” she said with a quick turn and an exit as Jenna and Agnes
ambled over.
Jenna’s eyes were nearly as wide as her grin. “Are you two having a date?”
“Shhh . . .” Agnes cautioned the child with a smile. “That is their secret.”
Noah playfully tugged Jenna’s ponytail. “Apparently not, if you two girls know about it.”
Jenna giggled and ran awkwardly after Tayte. Noah remembered his own crippled gait and ached as he watched her labor along. “She’s a sweet girl.”
“Yes, she is. Her eyes are soft and kind. Like yours.”
Noah laid his arm across Agnes’s shoulder. “Soft and kind, eh? Isn’t that how you describe Café au Lait’s eyes? Are you saying I look like your cow?”
Agnes poked him in the side and curled up with laughter as Noah led her back to the gardening group. He almost wished he could join in their fun. Family and fatherhood were topics he hadn’t even considered since Esther. Such normalcies were for other people. Impossibilities for a person barely able to keep their own world together. But the Eppleys made him reconsider that position. He was only twenty-eight. Perhaps it would still happen for him.
Margot met him at the sliding back door with a cup. “Fresh-squeezed lemonade?”
Such kindness still disarmed him. “Thank you. You read my mind. Sorry I’m late.”
“We’re so sorry to hear about your uncle. He’s a nice man.”
“Thanks.” Noah reconsidered the comment and cocked his head. “You know my uncle?”
“We only met once,” replied Ely as he wheeled near the table. “He was with the Chamber of Commerce committee when they came to tell us about the prize package.”
Noah assumed his uncle’s medication had muddled his recall and made him think he had only read about the family. He moved on. “Can I spread the plans out here on the table?”
“We can’t wait,” said Margot, who squealed as the scroll unrolled. “Oh, Ely, look! There are three sections. Look at the fountain! And what’s this? A stream and a fire pit! Ely, we’ll be able to have cookouts and fires in the evening. Won’t the kids love that?”
A SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE BOXED SET Page 20