Luke shook his head. He couldn’t think about tomorrow. How would he ever keep the promises he’d made? He sighed and tightened his grip on Mateo’s shoulders. They would figure things out. Somehow.
But tonight was for mourning.
CHAPTER 8
JO PLOPPED CROSS-LEGGED ON THE sofa and opened her laptop. “If I don’t have a reply from that DJ, I am going to forget him and start looking for somebody else.”
“Be nice, Jo. It’s not even June yet.” Phee carried the vase of flowers she’d just arranged over to the fireplace and set it on the mantel, moving some of the other knickknacks on the shelf.
Jo gave a little growl. “When you wake up tomorrow morning, Phylicia Chandler, it will be June and you will be twenty-four days away from becoming Phylicia Mitchell. It’s just ridiculous that he hasn’t gotten back to me yet.”
She scrolled through her inbox, somehow not surprised that MO-DJ was absent from the list of new messages. “Okay. That does it. I’m calling.”
She found the number in her previous calls and dialed. As it had the last time she tried to call a week ago, it went straight to voice mail. But a few seconds in, she realized the greeting message had changed. It was Lukas Blaine’s voice, but this message lacked the chipper friendliness of the one that had played last time she’d called this number.
“Straight to voice mail again,” she told Phee.
“Can you leave a message?”
“Another one, you mean?” She lifted a hand, listening, but only catching the greeting midway. “… apologize if you’ve been unable to get hold of us. We will be away from the office for a few days due to a death in the family. Please be assured we have not canceled any booked events and if you’ve left a message, I will get back to you as soon as possible.”
She hung up, mildly shaken. “It said he’d had a death in the family.”
“Oh no. Did he say who?”
“No. It was just a recording. But don’t worry, he said he’s not canceling any bookings and he’ll get back to us as soon as possible.”
“That’s a relief. But how sad he had a death. I wonder who it was. Do you know anything about him? Is he married? Kids?”
“I don’t think so.” She told her sister about the connection between Lukas and the woman who’d had a breakdown in Trent’s office that night. “I wonder if it was her. I think he referred to her as a friend. At least I didn’t think they were related, but maybe I’m mistaken.”
She should have been relieved at the reassurance they weren’t canceling any bookings. And she was, but she couldn’t get past the “death in the family” phrase. She quickly typed the Castillo woman’s name into a Google search, adding “obituary” after the name.
The obituary section of the Southeast Missourian was the first link to pop up. She skimmed half a dozen obits looking for the name. “Oh. Here it is. Maria Castillo.” She scrolled, skimming the text. “That woman died.”
“Really? Does it say how?”
“Trent said she had cancer. She looked like death warmed over that night at the office.” She wondered if Trent had heard that the woman died. Her boss hadn’t talked about the incident since that night, but then Jo was only an administrative assistant and Trent and Cinda were both sticklers for confidentiality.
“So, how was she related to the DJ?”
“I’m looking …” She scanned the three short paragraphs, feeling bad for being angry that Luke hadn’t returned her call. But there was no mention of Lukas in the obit. “It says she’s survived by a son. Remember that’s what she was ranting about? The son can’t be very old though. She was only twenty-nine.”
“Really? About my age?” Phee looked stricken. “Wow. That’s young.”
“I know. So sad.” Melvin jumped up on the sofa and started the distinctive purr that said he wanted some attention. Jo stroked him from head to tail, blowing the feather-light black-and-white hairs from her hands with each pass.
Phee frowned. “You’re going to vacuum, I assume.”
“Settle down. We don’t have anyone coming until the weekend, right?”
“Yes, but I just vacuumed last night. I wasn’t planning on doing it again before they come.”
“Fine. I’ll vacuum before they get here. Is it just one night?”
“Yes, and then we only have one booking before the wedding.”
“That’s because I blocked off the calendar.”
“That early?” Phee’s brow knit. “That’s a long time to go without any income from the rentals.”
“I don’t care. We’re doing okay money-wise, and we have too much to do to get you married off. Have you guys decided where you’re going to live yet?”
Phee’s smile was enigmatic. “I was going to talk to you about that. But let’s wait for Britt. I don’t want to have to explain everything twice.”
“Can you at least give me a hint?”
“No. Britt should be home any time.”
“Where is she anyway?”
“Book club.”
“Oh, that’s right. It’s Wednesday night.” She closed the lid on her laptop. “So, how are the rest of the wedding plans coming?”
Phee shrugged. “Good, I think. There’s not that much to do.” She lifted her left hand and turned her wrist to and fro, admiring the dainty diamond engagement ring she’d gotten for her birthday two weeks ago.
“Not that much to do?”
“Well, it’ll be crazy the week before the wedding. Baking cakes and getting everything ready to haul up to the clearing. But it’s not like there’s a lot we can do until then.”
“You could clean up the clearing so people can get up there.”
“Don’t worry, Jo. We’ve got it all under control. Quinn has a crew coming up this weekend to take care of that. And they won’t even let us pay them. They’re saying it’s their wedding gift to us.”
Jo felt a measure of relief at that news. “Remember, Dad suggested we use Mom’s memorial money to fix up the clearing. I think it’s a great idea, especially since Britt and I might want to get married there too.”
Dad had bent over backward to prove to Phee that he loved her equally whether she was his biological daughter or not. It made Joanna love and admire her father more deeply than ever, even if it made her just a bit jealous of the special attention Dad had showered on Phee since the discovery that he might not be her birth father.
Phee frowned. “That’s really sweet of Dad to suggest that. But cleanup is the tip of the iceberg. We’ll need lights and seating—and probably some work on the stairs. Aren’t you a little afraid people will think it’s kind of selfish to use the money to set up the venue? I mean, it might look like we’re just using it to fund our own weddings. Or my wedding.”
“I can’t imagine anyone would dream you could have a selfish bone in your body, Phee. And that money was given freely to remember Mom however we see fit. No one is going to judge how we choose to spend it. I think Mom would have loved that it went toward our weddings. Besides, who knows, we may end up with an actual wedding venue in that clearing and it would benefit a lot more young brides.”
“I thought about that, but wow … that would be a lot of work, Jo. We’ll see what Britt thinks. I guess I’d feel better if you were both engaged, too, and we could tell people we’re all getting married there.”
“Well, don’t hold your breath waiting on me.” Jo scoffed. “And it’s nobody’s business, Phee. Don’t even worry about what people will think.”
Phee shrugged. “I suppose you’re right. But it’s easier said than done.”
The sound of tires on gravel made them both turn toward the front door.
“That’ll be Britt.” Jo was curious about Phee’s news and glad her sister hadn’t been late getting home.
Britt blew in, her face flushed. “You guys should be glad I’m not in jail.”
“What are you talking about?” Jo went to take the bags of groceries from her drama queen sister.
; “I came this close to killing a couple people at book club tonight.”
“Britt! You did not.” Jo used her mother-hen tone but couldn’t help laughing. She didn’t know why Britt stayed in her book club when it got her so riled up every time they gathered.
“Some of those people are so dense! They wouldn’t know irony if it hit them over the head.” Britt tossed her purse on the kitchen table and came back to join Jo on the sofa. She looked from Jo to Phee and frowned. “So, what’s up? You two look like something’s going on.”
“I’m just waiting for the big reveal.”
“Reveal?” Britt looked between them.
“Phee’s going to tell us about her and Quinn’s plans.”
Phee moved to the easy chair by the fireplace. “I guess I’m not really telling you, I’m asking you.”
“Us?”
“Quinn and I have been talking and we’d like to build a house on the other side of the cabins.”
Britt’s eyes went big and her mouth hung open.
Jo laughed because she knew her own expression must look the same. “Seriously? Oh, Phee! That would be so awesome!”
“We thought we could let the new house be one of the main Airbnb offerings for The Cottages on Poplar Brook Road. We’d be able to charge a lot more for it since it’ll be new, and it will have a waterfront view too.” Phee winced. “Well, at least until the next drought. Anyway, Quinn and I can stay in one of the cottages any time our house is booked.”
Jo eyed Phee, trying to gauge whether she was really okay with that. Her perky nod said she was wholly in agreement.
But then, Jo suspected her sister would live in a tent pitched in the lane as long as Quinn was there.
“That would be totally amazing, Phee!” Britt bounced on her heels, her hair bobbing.
“Perfect!” Jo said. “I was already hating the thought of you leaving us. But what about Quinn’s house?”
“We’ll live there while our house is being built out here. I’ll help him get everything finished in his house and get it ready to list, and then we’ll move out here. That way you guys can each have your own place and we’ll always have one place free to rent.”
“This is just perfect, Phee!” Britt beamed.
“Well, you know how much Quinn loves this property. I was hoping you guys would be willing to let us stay here.”
“Are you kidding? I couldn’t be happier.” Her burden lifted. She hadn’t realized how much she was going to miss having her sister on the property. “I figured you guys would just live in his house.”
“I would have been okay with that. I really would have. But since Quinn started out building it with an old girlfriend in mind, he wanted us to have something that was just for us.”
“How sweet. He’s a keeper, that guy.” Jo sighed and those troublesome twinges of jealousy came again. Your turn will come, Joanna Chandler. Maybe if she told herself that often enough, it would eventually take. She only hoped she could find someone half as thoughtful and kind as her sister’s fiancé.
Phee wrapped her arms around herself and echoed Jo’s sigh. “He is such a keeper. And I’m so glad you guys are okay with us building here. I can’t wait to tell Quinn.”
“Phee …” Britt beamed. “Was there ever any doubt?”
Phylicia looked sheepish. “I was pretty sure you guys would be happy about it. But the looks on your faces said more than any words ever could.”
“I’m so excited!” Britt clapped her hands. “That means we’ll get to live next door to any little Mitchells that might come along.”
“Well, Lord willing, we won’t make you wait too long. We’re not exactly spring chickens.”
“Oh, cut it out, sis,” Jo huffed. “Thirty isn’t exactly ready-for-the-nursing-homeeither.”
“Well, I’m not, but Quinn is getting up there in years.” Phee giggled, but quickly turned serious. “I’m so happy it scares me, you guys.”
“Scares you? Why?” Jo went to sit on the edge of her sister’s chair. “Is everything okay?”
Tears welled in Phee’s eyes. “Everything is amazing. More amazing than I could have ever dreamed just a few months ago. I miss Mom. I wish she could be here to share this time, of course, but I’ve started to feel a real peace about … everything that happened.”
Britt nodded and Jo knew what they meant. This wasn’t the life they would have asked for … losing their mother at such a young age, Dad moving away and not being as big a part of their lives as he had been. But God was good, and He had provided this beautiful spot for them to live. They’d become closer than ever since Mom’s death, and now, with Quinn and Phee moving out here to the property, they’d get to stay together—at least until the next one of them got engaged.
Jo’s heart overflowed. But even as it did, she couldn’t help thinking of Lukas—and that desperate woman who’d died so young, leaving behind a motherless child. She still wondered what Luke’s connection was to them—but it must be significant if he’d taken time off from work on their account. Jo wasn’t sure why those people—practically strangers—had captured her heart so, but she whispered a prayer for the families involved, that God would see them through this tragic season, even as He had seen her family through.
CHAPTER 9
June
JO STARED AT THE PAGE on the wall calendar behind her desk and panic rose in her throat. June. Already. The month her sister was getting married. Twenty-four days from now to be exact. Phee seemed calm as the proverbial cucumber, which was wonderful. For Phee! Jo sucked in a deep, calming breath—that didn’t quite work. Why had she agreed to be her sister’s unofficial wedding planner? The thought of letting something important fall through the cracks almost paralyzed her.
Thankfully, work hadn’t been as busy as usual, and Trent had given her permission to work on wedding tasks in her downtime. It was past noon and she still hadn’t heard back from Luke about DJing the wedding. Quinn said he hadn’t been contacted either, not since he’d first talked to Luke about the electric.
Luke’s voice mail message had given her confidence that he intended to fulfill his commitments despite the death in the family. She hesitated to call him too soon given his circumstances, but she couldn’t wait long. She had questions that needed answering before she could move forward with her plans. Not to mention if he did bail on them, they would need time to make other arrangements.
She checked Trent’s appointment calendar and saw she had a few minutes before his next client arrived. She slipped off her headset, grabbed her phone, and pulled up the phone number for MO-DJ.
She didn’t even have time to be nervous. He answered on the second ring. “Joanna. I am so sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. I truly was planning to give you a call this afternoon.”
“No problem. I just had a few minutes and thought I’d call while I was thinking of it. And I know the past few days must have been busy—and hard—for you. I was so sorry to hear about Maria … Mrs. Castillo’s death.”
His sigh filled a momentary silence. “Thank you. It’s been … very difficult.”
Now it was her turn and as the silence stretched, she reached for what to say next, wondering if she dared ask the question foremost on her mind. “Forgive me if I’m prying, but I didn’t realize she was related. Or … maybe I misunderstood?”
“No … Maria wasn’t related exactly. Her son is my Little—in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.”
“I see.” Jo nodded to herself, the picture beginning to make more sense. “And again, I’m so sorry. How old is her son?”
“Mateo is twelve. She was the only close relative he had. She was only twenty-nine. A year younger than I am.” His voice faded as if he were talking to himself.
“Oh, that’s so tragic. My oldest sister is the same age as you. What … what will happen with him?” If he went into foster care, that might affect whether Luke got to see the boy or not.
“We don’t know yet. For now … he’s staying with me
.”
“Really?” She hadn’t meant to sound so … incredulous. But she was. That a thirty-year-old single guy would take on the care of an almost-teenager when their only connection was a program like Big Brothers? That was rare. And it made her wonder again what Luke’s relationship with Maria Castillo had been.
“There weren’t many options. Now, about your sister’s wedding …”
“Yes, of course.” Jo felt rebuked, and deservedly so, but she sensed it would only make things worse if she apologized. “Are you still going to be able to DJ the reception?”
“I’m definitely planning on it. Unless you’ve decided to go with someone else.”
“Oh no. We’re counting on you, if you can still do it.”
“Great. What I’d like to do is meet you at the venue someday next week for a walk-through. Just so I can see where you want me to set up, double-check that the electrical meets our needs, and go over the music the bride has selected. If the bride and groom can be there, that’s preferable.”
“I’ll talk to them and get back to you about a time that works for all of us. What is your schedule like? Can you do after-work hours?”
He gave a little laugh. “Sadly, after-work hours is all I can do. I still have to keep a day job to support my DJ habit.”
“That should work great for us then. Do you have something maybe next Thursday or Friday? A week from today?”
A pause. She pictured him leafing through a calendar smudged with coffee rings and potato-chip grease.
“Looks like either of those dates would work. Why don’t you just text me at this number once you’ve talked to the couple, and I’ll get you on my calendar for the walk-through.”
“Perfect. Is … is there an extra charge for that? The walk-through?”
“Oh no … it’s all included in the package you selected.”
“That’s great. Thanks so much. I’ll text you when I have a date.”
“I’ll watch for it. Um …” He paused. “Would you mind if I bring Mateo—Maria’s son—with me to the walk-through? He’s old enough to stay home for a short time, but I haven’t wanted to leave him alone so soon after his mother’s death.”
Chasing Dreams Page 6