Practically Married Read online

  Tears rolled down Rachel’s cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault, Rach.” She nodded but didn’t stop crying. He pulled her into a hug, summoning all of his remaining strength for her to absorb. “Thanks for coming over.”

  She nodded, wiping her tears and nose on him. Maybe he should have worn a work shirt instead of his church shirt. The door opened again, followed by more footsteps, voices, and the throaty cry of his only niece.

  Rachel stepped back, squeezing Russ’ hand. “Carrie was right behind me, and I think I saw Liz pulling in too. You go greet everyone. I’ll get the food out.”

  “I don’t have any food.”

  She laughed as she walked into the kitchen.

  Russ moved through the randomly furnished living room. A fire popped in the cobblestone fireplace, throwing soft, warm light onto the mismatched couch, loveseat, and oversized chair. Before he made it to the foyer, his oldest nephew jumped onto the chair, his feet dangling over the arm while he fiddled with his phone. Russ walked toward the front door, but a pile of coats and boots blocked his path.

  Liz looked at him, her young eyes red and tired. “The diaper bag spilled in the car, and I can’t find Kristy’s snacks. Do you have anything she can eat?” She passed off the crying infant to Russ. “I’ll nurse her in a bit, but I need to clean up the mess and see if I can find that tube of rice puffs for her.”

  “How about yogurt?” The one thing he stocked especially for Kristy. That little girl owned his heart like his three sisters never had. He was pretty confident the feeling was mutual. Kristy dropped her bald head onto his shoulder, grabbed the dry half of his collar, and stuffed it into her mouth. He turned back toward the kitchen, but someone grabbed his elbow and steered him around.

  Liz hugged him. “How are you doing?”

  He wrapped his free arm around her. “The house is quiet.”

  “We can take care of that for a few hours.” His youngest sister held him tighter than Rachel had but without the tears. “Thanks for letting us come over.”

  “Like I had a choice.”

  She smacked his chest before walking back outside.

  Russ stepped over the great coat divide, passed the staircase in the foyer, and trekked into the family room. Little boys covered the sectional. Five nephews aged three to twelve climbed over and around each other as a cartoon played on the flat screen. Their dads talked in the corner, one facing the kids while one watched the kitchen. Russ walked by them, nodding as he passed. They offered the same salute.

  As soon as he stepped onto the gray kitchen tiles, Rachel and Carrie stopped talking. Somehow, they’d covered the island countertop with food. They removed lids and foil from pots and pans. Buttery, garlicky aromas floated through the air. Rachel rushed over to steal Kristy, but the baby burrowed into Russ’ neck.

  He smiled at Rachel’s fake hurt expression. “Could you get her something to eat?” he asked.

  She nodded, her eyes still pink and puffy. Their oldest sister, Carrie, walked over and squeezed him and Kristy in a quick, tearless hug. He could always count on her for emotional stability. Carrie was the closest person he had to a brother, besides Tom.

  “How are you doing?” she asked. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? This is my house.”

  “Yes, but you’re a man. We brought our own comfort food.”

  His stomach growled. “What kind of comfort?”

  Carrie grinned. “Mom’s bringing the pie.”

  Russ salivated. Mom’s comfort always came baked between two perfectly flaky crusts. “I hope it’s apple.”

  “She’s probably bringing pumpkin, cherry, blueberry, and apple.”

  “She trained us. You know there’ll be too much food.” Rachel returned with a bowl of banana pieces.

  “I don’t mind at all.” Russ took the bowl and sat at the large oak table with Kristy on his lap. He gave her one piece at a time, the way his sisters had taught him.

  Chatter and laughter filled the old farmhouse, warming it in a way the fireplace never could. Carrie’s husband stepped into the kitchen and snagged some food, taking a moment to wrap his arms around her and kiss her hair. Two boys stormed through the house laughing and yelling. They charged toward the dining room and right into Rachel. Blessed chaos.

  Something warm and wet pressed on Russ’ hand. He looked down at Kristy, eyes closed, head resting on his hand, and drool rolling down onto the table. Her tiny pink shirt stretched and contracted with her rapid baby breaths.

  Russ hadn’t wanted his family over. He’d thought he needed time to process, to let reality sink in, but having them there was what he really needed. He would never understand how his sisters realized that about him, but he liked it. Maybe not the drool, but everything else he liked.

  Another whoosh of air caught his attention. Russ leaned back, trying to see through the living room and its walls to the front door. A puffy purple sleeve swung into the foyer. Mom.

  She and Liz marched toward him balancing pie plates on their hands. If they ever showed up wearing the same outfit, it would be like watching past and present versions of the same woman. Carrie met them midway, taking all three pies to the kitchen.

  Russ’ mom stepped behind his chair and wrapped her arms around him. “You are a wonderful man, Edgar James Russell. I’m so proud to have you as a son.”

  Her words strangled his heart. He forced down tears and nodded. “Thanks, Mom. How’re Aunt Rita and Uncle Bill?”

  She walked around the table and sat across from him. “They’re doing okay. The girls came home this week, so at least the family’s together. They asked about you. You were closer to Tommy than either of his sisters, and they wanted to make sure you’re okay. I can’t imagine losing a son, especially this close to the holidays.”

  Liz set a plate of food in front of Russ before scooping up Kristy. “Thanks. Do you want anything, Mom?”

  “No, I’m fine.”

  Liz took an empty plate from the island and set it in front of their mom. “Just in case.”

  Russ watched his family roam around. They didn’t ask anything of him, didn’t make him talk. It wouldn’t last long. Rachel would eventually come up with her thousand questions, but for now she respected his space. He ignored his plate and simply enjoyed watching them. His little sisters, all grown up. Wives and mothers. Three great men who loved them, wrangling kids in the other room. All of them giving him the support he needed. Until they left. Then he’d be alone again. He’d never envied his sisters’ marriages until then.

  He didn’t have time to worry about that, though. The farm needed constant attention, and Russ would have to work for two people next year. Starting his own family would have to wait awhile. None of the women in the kitchen would like that, but he couldn’t control everything.

  Besides, he had two more years before he hit forty. Plenty of time. Two years to find a woman more interested in a marriage than a wedding, someone committed to as-long-as-they-both-shall-live, not simply as-long-as-the-romance-stays-alive. Maybe two years wouldn’t be long enough, but right now he only wanted to—needed to—appreciate his family. Nothing else mattered.

  Chad sauntered into the kitchen, his large frame dwarfing the women as he passed. He pulled out the chair beside Russ and dropped onto the seat. “We need to talk about the farm.”

  CHAPTER 2

  The sharp edge of reality sliced through Russ’ heart. “I haven’t thought much about it yet. Can this wait?”

  “Probably, but I thought you should know the township called.”

  Great. Pressure from small-town government weighed on Russ like a sack of fertilizer. “Now what? Do we owe them money? Did I forget to fill out some paperwork?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. First, they offered their condolences. Then, they mentioned a new program at the college that preserves historical agriculture or something like that.”

  “I don’t even know what that me
ans.”

  “I don’t either, but Wayne Dunville—”

  Russ groaned.

  “—said they’re trying to preserve farmland in the township, and somehow our farm can help.”

  “Our land is preserved. We’re farming it.”

  “All I know is the college approached the township, and they’re putting together a program where the history and science departments work with local farmers. I think students actually work the farm.”

  “He wants kids running my farm? That man is crazy.”

  Chad shrugged. “I don’t have all the details, but Wayne has them. Think about it. Free labor.”

  Laborers he didn’t need. Russ needed someone in the office with management skills. “I don’t know.”

  “At least call them back. We’ve got plenty of help in the orchard, but that still leaves you and me with a lot of paperwork.”

  Work that Tom had done with ease, but the mere thought of desk work made Russ’ head ache. He and Tom could have worked the orchards with their eyes closed and hands tied. They grew up walking the fields with their dads, the dew wetting their pant legs while the rising sun blinded them through the branches. They’d enjoyed more than a few mornings among the cherry trees, Dad and Uncle Bill sipping coffee while Tom and Russ ate fresh-picked fruit. The farm had practically raised them.

  Chad didn’t share those memories, though. His farming career revolved around Rachel. Russ lived for weather roulette, planning one day at a time and praying for a good harvest. He loved the anticipation of spring, when he could dig his fingers into the ground and examine the roots and plants.

  Russ loved farming. Chad loved Rachel. Not quite as motivating. Russ couldn’t imagine working a job he didn’t love for the sake of a woman. He wasn’t sure if that made him or Chad crazy.

  Rachel sat down next to Chad. “What’re you two talking about?”

  “Nothing,” Russ said.

  Chad looked at her. “The farm.”

  Her mouth dropped open, and she stared at Chad like he’d suggested slugs for dinner.

  Russ laughed. “Seriously? You don’t know my sister well enough yet to keep your mouth shut?”

  Rachel shook her head. “Do you really need to talk about the farm now? Mom’s here. The kids are in the other room. There has to be a better time to discuss this.”

  Chad deflated as she chattered on.

  Russ shoveled food into his mouth to hide his smile. At least some things hadn’t changed. A little more consistency and life would be back to normal in no time.

  *******

  Alone in the Traverse City airport. No help. No luggage. No fiancé.

  Ashley stood next to the luggage carousel, watching a pea-green duffle bag slide past for the fourth time. Apparently, no one wanted the ugly beast. Maybe that person had run off with her suitcase since no one could seem to find it. Half of the fifty seats on that plane had been empty. How could the airline lose her luggage?

  She glanced around the airport. A few people walked about, most wearing name tags and logoed polo shirts. None of them appeared to work for her airline, though, and there was no sign of the young employee she’d spoken to earlier. The one person she knew in town wasn’t answering his phone.

  Great. She didn’t have a car, but then, she didn’t have directions either. As much as she wanted to hear a familiar voice, she couldn’t call Rose or John. They didn’t need another reason to worry.

  She sighed. Time to call Tom again, not that she was hopeful.

  Ashley pulled out her phone, then pressed speed dial four. He had to be back from his vacation. He’d told her he’d be at the airport.

  “Huwo. Biwings.”

  Finally! “Hi, this is Ashley. Is Tom there?”

  “I Phin. Unca Tom gone.”

  Maybe he was on his way to pick her up. “Is there an adult there I can talk to?”

  “I at his house. We watching a movie.”

  Music blared in the background, mixed with people talking. Was that a baby crying? He must be with his family. Tom had told her all about his cousins and their kids. She couldn’t wait to meet them. Hearing them hanging out and having fun quickened her pulse. They must be expecting her.

  “Phin, did your Uncle Tom go to the airport?”

  “Pwanes! And hewicoptehs. I wike hewicoptehs.”

  “Me too, but I’m sort of stuck here. Is there an adult nearby? Can I talk to your mommy?”

  “Mommy cwying.”

  “How about your daddy then? Is your daddy there?”

  “Phin, gimme that.”

  “No!”

  “Hey!” Thump. Shuffle. “No!” BEEP!

  Silence.

  “Phin. Phin! Can you get an adult for me? Phin?”

  Silence.

  She stared at her phone, willing it to ring. They had to wonder who Phin was talking to, especially on Tom’s phone … but if Tom was on his way to pick her up, why would a little boy have his phone?

  “Excuse me, ma’am?” The long-lost airline employee approached her. “We found your suitcase. It missed the plane in Detroit and will be on the next flight here.”

  “Perfect. When will that be?”

  “Tomorrow morning at nine.”

  “The world hates me.” Ashley dropped onto the edge of the carousel, her strength and hope missing with her suitcase, and Tom. The attendant shuffled from foot to foot. No need for him to be uncomfortable too. “I guess I’ll have to come back tomorrow,” she said.

  “Yes, we’ll have it then.”

  “Thanks.”

  The young man nodded, then dashed away. Ashley sat next to the ugly green bag, empathetic to its plight. This was not working out. What would her mother think? She unzipped her large red shoulder bag and dug out her mom’s journal.

  “Inspire me, Mom.” Ashley flipped open the spiral-bound book. She wouldn’t find anything new, but maybe one of the entries would help her figure out what to do. She went to the middle of the journal.

  January 15 –

  It snowed today! Not a dusting, either. Five inches of snow last night. Needless to say, school is closed. I snuck in and shut off your alarm this morning. I thought you’d enjoy sleeping in. Instead, you woke up in a panic at 9 a.m., certain you’d lose credit for missing your science lab …

  Ashley had memorized the rest of the entry. She’d layered on clothes and walked into town to catch a matinee at the movie theater, the only customer there. The manager gave her free popcorn for braving the storm. A fun story, but not very helpful. She flipped back to the first half of the book.

  August 26 –

  I can’t believe you’re starting middle school tomorrow. I’m trying to decide if I should be sad or excited, so I’m switching between the two. You grew four inches this summer and don’t fit into any of your old school clothes. We went shopping yesterday, and your saving skills amaze me. I gave you $100 and told you to spend it however you wanted. You went from store to store, checking prices and substituting clothes. Your Aunt Rose …

  … would be proud Yeah, Ashley knew how that one ended too. As much as she loved connecting with her mom’s words, nothing in the journal was going to tell her what to do when abandoned by a fiancé and stranded at the airport in a strange city. Without clean underwear.

  Ashley closed the journal, looking around the cavernous terminal. A lighted billboard caught her attention—FREE SHUTTLE! Those big, brilliant words beckoned her. She’d get a room for the night, in case Tom didn’t show up. Tomorrow she’d pick up her suitcase, rent a car, go find her fiancé, and figure out what was going on.

  She pulled out her phone and dialed one more time.

  This is Tom, please leave a message.

  “Hi, Tom, it’s Ashley again. I’m not sure what happened, but it’s almost eight o’clock, and I’m still at the airport. I’m going to get a room at the Bay Resort for the night. If I haven’t heard from you by morning, I’ll rent a car and come find you. I’ll be honest, this probably isn’t the best
way for us to meet. I hope everything’s okay. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow. Please call me when you get this message.”

  She ended the call and sighed. Part of her hoped everything was okay, but another, smaller part hoped he’d broken a leg and was stuck in a hospital that didn’t allow cell phones. Ashley didn’t want to believe that she’d promised to marry a man who could forget about her for a week. Either way, they needed to have a serious talk.

  CHAPTER 3

  Ashley wrapped her hands around the white coffee mug. The hot ceramic warmed her chilled fingers. If only it would warm her heart. She could forgive Tom for the missed phone calls, possibly even for forgetting to pick her up, but she’d been in Boyne Heights for two hours and still couldn’t find him. Her patience had walked out with the last diner patron.

  The waitress returned and refilled mug. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything? At least let me get you a piece of pie.”

  Ashley smiled at the kind woman. Her name tag said Pearl. Judging by the salt-and-pepper hair and creases around her mouth, Ashley guessed she was her mother’s age, probably had kids of her own. Maybe grandkids. Taking care of people most likely came second nature to Pearl. “Thank you, but I’m fine,” Ashley said. “I won’t be here much longer, I promise.”

  “Take as long as you need. You look a little worried is all. Are you waiting for someone?”

  “How could you tell?”

  Pearl’s laughter rolled through the dining room. “Most strangers pass through. I make a decent cup of coffee, but no one’s ever stayed two hours to enjoy it.”

  “I’m waiting for my friend. He’ll be along soon. I hope.” Maybe. Ashley offered another smile, but the waitress didn’t smile back.

  “I’ve lived here my whole life and know pretty much everyone. Tell me who you’re waiting for, and I can probably find him for you.”

  “I’d appreciate the help. I was supposed to meet Tom—”

  “Tom Russell?” The waitress frowned.

  “You know him?” Sweet relief! “Thank goodness. I don’t have his home address, only his cell number, but he’s not answering. Could you tell me where I can find him?”