by Amanda Tru
He could swear the dog smiled when he took that frisbee out of the air. Noah clapped his hands. “Do it again! Do it again!”
Leif carried the frisbee over, swaggering in pride at catching it, then plopped himself at Noah’s feet and started chewing on the hard plastic. “No, Leif!” Noah said, reaching down. “Drop it.”
Leif ignored him and settled more comfortably. Noah closed his eyes and opened them with a “Eureka!” look on his face. “Leave it!” He said forcefully.
Leif immediately quit chewing and hopped up, tail wagging, frisbee at Jeff’s feet. He filed away the correct words to use, then gently tossed the frisbee again. And again. And again.
“I think you can do it this time,” he said, handing Noah the disc.
Noah looked at it with fear. “Uh, no. Thanks, though.”
“You don’t want to learn how to do it?”
“No, silly. I wanted Leif to learn how to do it.” He rushed to his dog and slid onto the grass beside her. “Good boy, Leif. Who’s a good boy?”
Gloria walked around the house. “Eight o’clock, little man. Shower time.”
He hopped up. “Come on, Leif!”
Jeff laughed and picked up the frisbee. “Does he shower with the dog?”
“He did once. The mess took so long to clean up that I don’t think he’ll ever do it again.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I better get home. I really enjoyed today.”
She slipped her hands behind her back and smiled up at him. “Me, too. Thanks for letting me make the plans.”
He walked closer, cupped her cheek, and gave her a soft, brief kiss. “I like being part of your plans.”
Laughing, she slapped at his arm and walked him to his car.
Thanksgiving
For the third day in a row, rain pummeled the earth, making everything muddy and cold. Gloria had battled the weather to finish her Thanksgiving shopping. She battled the weather while tending to a sick horse at the Coleman farm. She battled the weather and the traffic while running last-minute errands before a five-day holiday, and Thanksgiving morning, she woke up determined not to have to leave the house for any reason.
She snuggled deeper into her blankets, her throat scratchy, her chest aching, and dozed in and out of a dream where she and Jeff ran hand-in-hand through warm surf on some nameless beach. The knock on her door pulled her out of her warm escape and back into rainy Kentucky. Why was her bedroom so cold?
“Yes?” She croaked out, then started coughing.
“Mom! Mom! The parade is on the TV!” Noah bounded into her room wearing a T-shirt with a ninja turkey on the front of it. “Come on!”
Gloria had a sudden realization. “Mom is sick. Go see grandpa.”
Immediately, the back of Noah’s cool hand pressed against her forehead. If she felt better, she would have appreciated how well he parroted her. “Hot,” he confirmed. “You were in the rain without your coat, remember?”
“I definitely remember.” She pushed herself into a sitting position and grabbed the glass of water by her bed. She winced slightly as she swallowed, but the cool water felt incredibly refreshing. When she spoke again, she sounded less frog-like. “Tell Grandpa I’m not feeling well.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He bounded out of her room with the same enthusiasm as he showed when he bounded in.
While he was gone, she sent Jeff a text.
Hey. Woke up with that crud you had last week. Have to cancel today. Hopefully we can still do dinner with your family Saturday.
Her dad appeared in her doorway. “You want a toddy?”
“Yeah. Tea, lemon, honey.”
He raised both eyebrows. “Shot of Bourbon in it.” It wasn’t really a question.
“Probably.”
“Okay. Be right back. Anything else?”
“Nah. I texted Jeff and canceled today. I made pie yesterday. You can probably get away with just doing turkey and potatoes as long as Noah gets his pie.”
He walked in and squeezed her foot through the blankets. “I can handle cooking dinner for my grandson. You get well.”
Ten minutes later, he brought her a steaming mug. She took a small sip and sighed in relief as the hot liquid soothed her aching throat. After she finished it, she snuggled back under the covers. Instead of falling asleep, she pulled out her new library book and dug into the sweeping saga of a Kentucky moonshining family during the Prohibition years. She so rarely felt sick enough to stay in bed all day. If that was what she was going to do, she’d enjoy it as much as possible.
About an hour later, someone else knocked on her door. “Come in,” she said, anticipating Noah. But sat up sharply when she saw Jeff. “What in the world?”
He wore a pair of jeans and a red sweatshirt with a cardinal emblazoned on the front. He clearly hadn’t shaved this morning.
“Hey there.” He didn’t walk further into the room but rather stood just at the entrance observing her with what she assumed was his clinical face.
“Jeff, hi.” She pushed her hair out of her face and adjusted her glasses. “What are you doing here?”
He smiled and came all the way into the room. She glanced around, noting the full laundry basket that would call her name Saturday morning, the stack of books at the foot of the bookshelf because she’d run out of room on the shelf, and the shoes she’d tossed near the closet that never made it quite inside. Thinking of how organized and neat Jeff kept his house made her cringe at the lived-in look she maintained in the room that she’d had since her freshman year of high school.
“I’m here to make sure you’re okay, and that you don’t need anything.” Before she could say yay or nay, he sat on the edge of her bed and pressed the back of his cool hand against her forehead. She realized how his actions imitated Noah’s from earlier that morning. After a moment, he cupped her face with his hands and looked into her eyes, then ran his fingertips down and pressed against her glands under her jawbone. From his back pocket, he took out a penlight. “Say, ‘Ah,’” he instructed.
Deciding it would take energy she didn’t have to argue with him about this unsolicited medical exam, she opened her mouth and did as he instructed.
He turned the light off and took one of her hands in both of his. “You’ll live. What’s in the cup?”
Not knowing how he felt about home remedies—or alcohol for that matter—she hesitantly said, “Green tea, raw honey, a quarter of a lemon, and a, uh, shot of bourbon.”
He nodded. “Good. The tea has antioxidants. The lemon is giving you a nice dose of natural vitamin C. The honey will help your throat, ease your cough. The bourbon should keep you relaxed. Just, you know, don’t overdo it or you’ll be sad.”
She smiled, knowing he teased her. “Thanks.”
“I’m going to be here. Your dad texted and said dinner was still on. So, if you need me or just want me to hang out, let me know.”
Squeezing his hand, she said, “I really like you. Like, a lot. And I love spending time with you. But, honestly, right now, I just want to veg and read. Alone.”
He put his forehead against hers. For a long time, he just stared into her eyes, then he said, “I’m totally cool with that, and I understand.” He pressed his lips against her forehead before he straightened and stood. “I’m making you some broth from one of the turkey wings. I’ll bring you a mug when it’s ready. Anything special I need to know about Noah’s pie?”
“Yeah. Let him do the canned whipped cream. You’ll flinch at the quantity, but just let him have at it.”
With a wink, he said, “Got it. The canned whipped cream is actually real cream. Good protein.” Then he left.
Gloria snuggled back down under the covers, a grin on her face she couldn’t make go away. She found herself falling more and more for Jeff every moment they spent together. Not only did he love Jesus, not only was he charming, intelligent, and just plain jaw-dropping handsome, he really seemed to care for Noah. How could it get any better?
Around
two, she started to feel human again. She grabbed a pair of yoga pants and a neon orange sweatshirt with her veterinary clinic’s logo on it, then went into her adjoining bathroom. Taking a shower, the hot water felt amazing on her face and the back of her neck. By the time she got out of the shower and brushed her teeth, she felt almost human.
In the hall, she could smell the roasted turkey, and her stomach started growling. When she went into the living room, she found her dad on the couch grading a lap full of papers. Noah sat next to him, the first football game of the day playing quietly on the television. “How was the parade?” She asked Noah.
“It was the best year ever. I recognized all of the floats. And there were dancers! And, the best part, one of the high school bands was from Richmond, Kentucky! Isn’t that awesome?”
She perched on the edge of the couch and hugged him tightly. “It is so awesome. You’ll have to send a note and tell them you saw them.”
He hopped up. “That’s a great idea! Way better than football.” As he rushed out of the room, he tossed over his shoulder, “Sorry, Grandpa.”
Her dad laughed. “Feeling better?”
“I am. Not perfect, but way better.”
“Good.” He gestured toward the kitchen. “Jeff’s peeling potatoes. Turkey just came out of the oven and is resting.”
“Thanks.”
The smell only got better as she made her way into the kitchen. Jeff stood at the sink, rinsing potatoes under a slow stream of water. “Hey,” she said.
Jeff looked over at her. “Hey, yourself.” He turned the water off and dried his hands, walking toward her. When he reached her, he pressed his wrist against her forehead. “Fever free.”
“Yeah. I feel good.”
He brushed his lips over her cheek, then gestured toward the stove with his thumb. “It’s all going. Your dad and I have been tag-teaming. I have a pot of soup on the stove for you if you’re not up to a full meal.”
Her stomach growled in response. “I think I need to eat something right now, and I’ll see how I feel at mealtime.”
Soon, she sat at the kitchen table, sipping on turkey broth and chatting with Jeff about the shopping she wanted to do tomorrow. “I hope I feel up to it.”
He turned the heat down on the boiling potatoes and sat across from her. “Why don’t you go to Louisville tomorrow? You could spend the night in a hotel then meet me to have dinner with my parents Saturday.”
A little giddy excitement fluttered in her chest at the thought of that kind of adventure. “I always go with Tanya. We haven’t missed a Black Friday shopping excursion since we were fifteen.”
“Make it a fun girl’s weekend.”
Should she? “I’ll have to check with dad.”
“Of course.” He stood and went back to the stove. “I can’t imagine him having an issue.”
Making up her mind, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and shot Tanya a text. Within a minute, she replied with a resounding, “Heck yeah!”
Smiling, Gloria went into the living room. “Hey dad, would you mind if…”
He cut her off. “If I watch Noah while you go to Louisville to go shopping tomorrow? Of course not.”
Chuckling, she went back into the kitchen. “Sounds like the plan was already made.”
Jeff winked at her. “Oh, we were just tossing suggestions around.”
She walked up to him and hugged him from behind, laying her cheek against his back. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He put one hand over both of hers. “You’re welcome. Enjoy yourself.”
Tanya collapsed into the booth. Gloria took a little more time to get her bags settled before she sat across from her. “This has been so much fun.”
Her best friend’s eyes filled with joy. “And exactly what we needed.”
“Yes.” She looked up and made eye contact with a harried waitress. “And now I’m starving. Who knew we could get so much done in 24 short hours?” Tanya narrowed her eyes as Gloria coughed into her elbow. “How are you feeling?”
As she was about to answer, the waitress appeared. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll take a chicken salad sandwich and chips.”
“Drink?”
“Hot tea.”
Gloria handed over her menu while Tanya ordered and took her list out of her pocket. She’d made a major dent in her remaining Christmas gifts today. She just had to get one more thing for her dad, and then she could almost call herself done.
When the waitress left, she looked at Tanya again and answered her question. “I am feeling so much better than Thursday morning.”
“You up to the big family dinner tonight?”
Nervous butterflies danced in her stomach. “I think it’s just Jeff and his parents.”
“Nevertheless.” She looked at her watch. “What time is Jeff picking you up?”
“Four-thirty.” She looked back at her list. “Thanks for agreeing to keep the hotel room today. This lets me have a place to get ready.”
“Of course.” Tanya sat back and crossed her arms. “So, Jeff. Spill.”
Those nervous butterflies turned into sparks of excitement. She couldn’t help but grin at her best friend. “I am seriously falling for this guy.”
“I see that.” Her grin matched her friends. “Why?”
“Well, things like this weekend. Totally his idea. He cleared it with dad before suggesting it to me. The way he is with Noah. The way he interacts with my dad on this level of mutual respect. The way he kissed my forehead when I was sick.” She propped her chin in her hands and smiled a dreamy smile. “And he’s hot.”
Tanya laughed. “Yeah. Hot doctor. It’s like a dream come true.”
“You hush.” She sat back as the waitress brought their teas. “I really think we have something. I already can’t wait to see him tonight, and I saw him yesterday morning.” She squeezed lemon into her tea and took a careful sip. Then she sat back and pulled her braid forward, playing with the ends of it. “I am pretty sure I’m falling in love with him.”
“Whoa.” Tanya finished unwrapping her straw and plopped it into her diet soda. “You’re just now realizing that?”
Laughing, Gloria said, “Well, it’s been a busy season.” She added some honey to the tea. “Yeah. I’m sure of it. I don’t know if I’m sure he’s ready to hear it, but I know I feel it.”
“Why not?”
With a shrug, she tried to form the words. “Because I don’t know what life with him looks like in the snow. Is he going to sink into a depression with a snowstorm? This is his first winter since they died that he’s on the other side of the mourning process, trying to reinvent himself, discovering who he is while not being married or a father. What do you think?”
Tanya pursed her lips and sat silent for several moments. Finally, she said, “I think you need to talk to him about it so he knows he’s free to mourn.”
“Good idea.”
They ate their lunch in the busy restaurant tucked into a corner of the mall. After paying the bills, they gathered their bags and walked across the parking lot to their hotel.
It took Gloria a few minutes to organize her bags and find the outfit she’d chosen to wear tonight. She’d picked out a dark navy long-sleeved dress that fell to just below mid-thigh, a pair of knee-high gray boots, and a pair of gray and blue knitted socks that came up over her knee. Once she changed, she sat and let Tanya do her hair.
She twisted and braided and looped the straight black tresses into an intricate design that gathered with a blue ribbon just under her right ear. “All right,” she said, putting away her curling iron. “I think that will do you.”
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. “And none too soon,” Gloria said, grabbing her gray shawl. “See you later. Enjoy your evening.”
“You too, friend.”
Gloria rushed to the door and opened it. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Jeff. He wore a rust-colored sweater, a sport coat, and dark gray slacks. “
Hey,” she said, shutting the door behind her.
He stepped forward and slipped his hand around to the back of her head, holding her still while he kissed her. She found herself gripping the front of his jacket as her legs started to get a little wobbly. When he lifted his head, he said, “Hey yourself. Glad you’re feeling better.”
“Me, too.”
During the drive to his parents’ house, they talked about the shopping she’d managed for the last two days. “This was incredible,” she said, smiling at him in the afternoon light. “I needed it so much.”
“Good. I’m glad.” He glanced over at her. “What did you get me?”
“You assume I got you anything?”
“I got you something. How do I know we didn’t get each other the same thing? I think you should tell me.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “Not a chance.”
He turned down a tree-lined road full of huge brick homes with large front windows and manicured lawns. Three turns into the neighborhood, they pulled into the driveway of a home with an American flag hanging next to the double front doors.
“Not exactly my dad’s little country home,” she remarked.
He looked up at it. “I grew up here. I don’t see it the way others do. But it was a happy home, so I like coming back.”
They walked up the path to the front door. Beveled glass panes obscured the interior. Instead of ringing the doorbell, Jeff opened the door, and they walked in.
In the hall, a thin table holding a large vase of fall flowers sat directly under a gilded mirror. To their right was a formal living room that looked like it had stepped out of the pages of a Victorian novel. Jeff led the way across the gleaming hardwood floors through the house, past the sweeping stairway, through another sitting room decorated with leather furniture sitting on oriental rugs colored in reds and golds, and into the kitchen.
Gloria recognized Wilma at the sink. The tall man at the stove gave her foresight to imagine Jeff in twenty years. “Hi,” Jeff said, announcing their arrival. Gloria felt incredibly short and rather stumpy among these people.