“I’ll keep you posted,” Sandy promised and exited the office.
Sitting there alone, Bernadine thought about all that was going on. The past seven days had been an emotional roller coaster. Her thoughts moved to Mal, but she set them aside because it only added to her heartache.
Over the next few days, Henry Adams prepared for August First. The horseshoe pits were dug, the foodstuffs began arriving, and Lily took suggestions for the games and other activities people wanted to participate in. To make room for the gathering on Tamar’s land, the tents of the visiting Julys were relocated and set up down near the creek. Tamar was seated on the porch with her brother and Eula watching the move. So far, none of the Julys had been arrested for anything, and she hoped the good behavior held.
“I think I want to add Little Brother of War to our August First wang-dang doodle,” Thad said.
“Why?” Tamar asked.
“To pay tribute to Eula. Back in the day, the chiefs would sometimes ask for a game on their deathbeds.”
Eula, who appeared frailer than she had upon arriving last week, smiled. “That might be fun.”
Tamar mulled over the idea of adding the ball game Americans knew as lacrosse to the day. “Are you going to play against each other or against a Henry Adams team?”
“Against a Henry Adams team, but we’ll put Griffin and some of the other Julys with your people. Last time we played here you all took a pretty good licking.”
It had been a football game held a few days before Trent and Lily’s wedding.
“Have you run this by Trent?” she asked.
“Not yet, wanted to talk to you about it first, seeing as you’re the matriarch.”
“I appreciate the respect.” And she did.
He gave her a slight nod.
Tamar made her decision. “Since Eula likes the idea, I do, too. I’m assuming you have enough sticks?”
“We do. We always travel with extras in case a game breaks out and somebody has left theirs at home.”
“Might be nice for the kids to learn the history behind the game, too,” Tamar said, thinking out loud. “Do you want to do the honors?”
“I’d love to. Be a nice way for me to get to know the ones that weren’t here the last time I visited.”
“Then we’re agreed.”
Eula said, “Thanks, Thad. Never had anything done in my memory before.”
“You need to be honored, Eula. It’s what family’s supposed to do. That old saying about giving you your roses while you’re living is true. You can’t appreciate them if you’ve passed on.” Neither he nor Tamar mentioned that it might be their last chance to make her feel special.
Eula asked, “Tam, have you talked with Julia about the two of us speaking?”
“I have. She said she has to think about it, and will let me know.”
Sadness dimmed Eula’s face and Tamar felt bad for her. A reconciliation between the cousins was warranted, but Julia carried a large helping of the July stubbornness gene.
Thad reached out and patted Eula’s thin hand. “Don’t worry, Eula. You’ll get your talk. Julia will do what’s right.”
“I hope so,” she whispered. “I don’t want to die with this guilt on my soul.”
Tamar shared that hope.
Eula struggled to her feet. “I think I’m going to lie down for a while. Will you wake me in a few hours, Tam?”
“Will do. Do you need any help?”
She shook her head. “I can manage.”
Watching her slowly make her way inside, Tamar wished they’d had their own reconciliation earlier in life so they could have enjoyed the passing years. In the days since her arrival, Tamar learned not only why Eula had been so standoffish growing up, but that her cousin played a mean game of dominos, loved Prince, and, like their nineteenth-century ancestors, still voted Republican.
“How long are the docs giving her?” Thad asked once she’d gone inside.
“Not very.”
“Sad.”
“I know. She said First Tamar sent her here.”
He didn’t seem surprised by that. “You two getting along?”
“We are. I was put out at first, but admitting this wasn’t about me fixed things.”
“Good. So, have you heard anything from my nephew?”
A different type of sadness tugged at her heart. “No and I don’t think we will, at least not until he’s ready.”
“I know he’s not a child anymore, but I worry about him.”
“I do, too. Bernadine shipped the computer to Los Angeles, so hopefully we’ll know something about that at least, soon.”
“We may have outlaws in our family, but I refuse to believe he’s been embezzling.”
“I do too but . . .” She looked out to see the last tent being moved. The land was now a wide-open field again. She turned back to her brother and noted how much he resembled their father, Trenton. “I don’t know what I’ll do if it turns out that he has.”
“You’ll deal with it like you’ve dealt with every other storm in your life. Fearlessly.”
“After someone puts smelling salts under my nose to wake me up.”
He smiled.
She thought back on Mal playing in that same field as a child and the awful years when alcohol ruled his life. “Mal may be many things, but he isn’t a thief.”
“Then hold on to that, Tam, and let it give you strength. The answers will come.”
“Since when did you become so wise?”
“Always have been. You’ve just been too mad at me to appreciate it.”
And once again, the past and her disastrous relationship with Joel Newton rose between them. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth about him?”
“As I told you before, I didn’t know how. I really didn’t. You were so in love and he swore to me he’d gotten divorced, but that’s no excuse for remaining silent. Every time I look out at that field, I remember that day: the bower with all those flowers, the tables filled with people. You may never forgive me, but the hurt on your face when his wife stood up is something I’ll take to the grave.”
“Sixty-five years later, it still hurts.”
“I know, Tammy. I know. That I played a part in it still hurts me, too.”
And for the first time, she believed him. They’d had a similar conversation during his last visit but this time his words and feelings resonated with a clarity that hadn’t touched her before. Maybe he was right. Maybe she’d still been too angry.
His voice sincere, he continued, “Aunt Teresa was the last of the original Julys, and you and I are the only ones left who knew her. That means something, or at least it should.”
“It does.” It made them the last living links to the family’s past and purpose.
“Then can I please spend what time we have left as your brother again?”
Growing up he’d been her friend, protector, and confidante, but for the past sixty years, even though he’d remained in her heart, he’d been her bane. It needed to stop. She nodded with a sincerity of her own. “Yes.”
He closed his eyes in relief and held out his hand. “Pax?”
She took it and squeezed gently. “Pax.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Now, how about you get us a couple of glasses and we drink some home brew to celebrate a new beginning.”
She stood and went inside.
Sheila Payne had graciously volunteered to be Jack and Rocky’s wedding planner, and for the past few days, had been hounding Rocky about the need to meet. After the third pleading text today, Rock called Siz and Crystal into the Dog’s office.
“If I don’t go talk with Sheila Payne about this wedding,” said Rock, “she’s going to hurt me.”
Crystal and Siz exchanged smiles. Rocky knew the idea of Sheila harming anyone was amusing; she was one of the most even-tempered persons in town. However, her threatening to throw up her hands and quit got Rock’s attention. “Siz, you’re in charge of the kitchen. Crys, k
eep an eye on the floor and handle the cash register.” Both had taken on the duties before, so she knew the place would still be standing when she returned.
Crystal said, “We close in another two hours. How about you just go home when you’re done with Mrs. Payne. You’ve been working nonstop since Mal left.”
Crystal was right about the hours she’d been putting in, but Rocky wasn’t sure about taking the advice. She was confident about their ability to steer the ship for a short time but she was co-owner; the place was her responsibility and she took that seriously.
Sensing her hesitation, Siz said, “Go. Handle your business and we’ll see you tomorrow. We can take care of things here and close up.”
“But, I need—”
Crystal cut her off. “Bye, Rock.” She made shooing gestures with her hands.
Rock dropped her head and surrendered. “Okay.”
Swallowing her guilt over not being on-site when the Dog closed later, she shouldered her purse and left to meet with Sheila at the church. It was a short walk, and on the way, she had to admit it felt good to be away from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the diner. Her breathing slowed, heart rate too, she guessed, and even though it was hot as Hades, the heat was a perfect antidote to being stuck in air-conditioning since dawn.
Reaching the church, she pulled open the door and was met by the coolness of the air. She found Sheila in Reverend Paula’s office.
“No Paula?” Rocky asked, taking a seat.
“No. She got a call from Will’s daughter over at the hospice place. I think Vicky’s time is close.”
Rocky was sorry to hear that and hoped her transition was an easy one.
“Thanks for coming,” Sheila said.
“Can’t have you quitting on me. Sorry getting with you took so long.”
“No problem. I know this whole Mal thing has you going. Anything new?”
She shook her head. She’d contacted everyone she knew with a connection to him, from the members of his AA group to some of his old lady loves. No one had heard a word. “So, what do you need from me?”
They spent the better part of an hour talking about guest lists, RSVPs, seating arrangements for the ceremony and for the reception at the Dog, before moving on to what kind of flowers Rocky preferred on the altar, and had she asked Roni to sing. “I talked with her about it before she went on tour.”
“Do you know what you’d like for her to sing?”
“No.”
“Get with her then and let me know.”
Rocky had no idea what constituted wedding music. She wanted to ask Sheila to take care of it, but seeing as how Sheila was handling everything else, asking her to add that to her already long list of duties didn’t seem fair. So, she kept her mouth shut and would rely on Roni’s help to select something appropriate.
Their phones went off simultaneously with alerts for incoming texts, and they laughed at the coincidence. Sheila glanced at her phone’s face. “Is yours a summons from Tamar?”
“Yes. Looks like the whole town has been tagged. Prep for August First.”
Setting the phones aside, they returned to the wedding plans.
Once they were done, Rocky said, “Thanks so much, Sheila. You’re a lifesaver.”
“I love doing this kind of stuff.”
“I’m glad you do, believe me.”
They stood in preparation for leaving. “I’ll see you at Tamar’s.”
Rocky said, “See you there.”
Leaving the church, Rocky was tempted to go back to the diner but, having been told to take the rest of the day off, she bit the bullet, walked back to the parking lot for her truck, and drove home. She still had a few more boxes to take to Jack’s place so the free time gave her the opportunity to take care of that. Once that was done, and Jack came home from class, they could go to Tamar’s.
After bringing in the last box, she set it down in the living room and took in the wealth of the rest of the stacked boxes, plastic totes, and suitcases holding her possessions. It was official. She was embarking on a new life. Admittedly, it was still somewhat scary but the small fear was dwarfed by the comforting knowledge of who she’d be sharing her new life with.
Hearing footsteps she looked up to see Eli coming down the stairs. “Hey, Rock.”
“Hey you.”
“That the last of your stuff?” he asked, indicating the box at her feet.
“Yes. The trailer is now almost as bare as Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard.”
“Who?”
She laughed and waved him off. “Never mind. Are you packed?”
“I am.” His classes started next week, so he’d be flying out to California in the morning.
“I’ll miss you.”
“Miss you, too.”
“Thanks for being such a rock at the Dog this year.”
“Thanks for helping me grow up.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Didn’t like you at all when we first met, though.”
“You weren’t very charming back then.”
“I know. That first day when you started calling me Oscar the Grouch, I didn’t know what I hated more, you or the nickname.” He added, “No offense.”
“None taken. I was hard on you.”
“You and everybody else here.”
“That’s how we roll.”
“Lucky for me.”
Rocky loved this new matured version of the angry, heartbroken teen brat he’d been back then.
“Do you know when I changed how I felt about you?”
“No, when?”
“The night Dad wrecked his car and you went to pick him up from the ER in Hays.”
Rocky remembered that night as the beginning of her relationship with his father. Thinking back, she realized she was already half in love with him but was too scared to acknowledge her feelings.
Eli continued, “I figured he must have been special to you if you were willing to drive all that way in the middle of the night. It kind of made me rethink who you were.”
“I’m glad, and he is special. Not many men would be willing to take on a woman like myself, but he didn’t seem to be bothered by it.”
“I’m glad you two are getting married.”
“Why?”
“Because I can stop worrying about him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Now that I’ve grown up a little, I realize just how sad he was after my mom died. He probably didn’t get the chance to grieve like maybe he was supposed to because he had to deal with me and all the stupid crap I was doing. He wasn’t happy. You made him smile again, Rock, and you’ll always have my thanks for that.”
Rocky’s heart swelled with emotion. She’d been so focused on the many ways Jack had saved her, she hadn’t given much thought to the idea of her having saved him. “Come here.”
He gave her the side-eye for a moment but complied.
“Now, bend down,” she said softly. When he did, she placed a kiss on his forehead. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For wanting your dad to be happy.”
“He deserves it.”
“I think so, too.”
Flashing her a grin that was a younger version of his dad’s, he said, “Now that we’ve had our mushy moment, how about you tell me which boxes you want upstairs.”
Working together they managed to clear out most of the living room. When they were done, Eli left to go and wait for Crystal to get off work so they could hang out.
A short while later, Rocky was in the kitchen making space in the cabinets for all her pots and pans when she heard Jack come in and say, “Whoa! I have my living room back.”
She called out, “Do you like?”
“I like very much.”
He entered the kitchen. “Hello, lovely lady, are you my new French maid?”
She chuckled.
He came up behind her, linked his arms loosely around her waist, and placed a soft kiss on her neck. ?
??I think I’ll buy you one of those skimpy little maid outfits so we can act out a novel I’m going to write.”
Laughing, she asked, “What’s the title?”
“The Professor and the French Maid, of course.”
“Right. Now that the living room’s clear you’re going to be so focused on building that monster telescope, I could walk around in my birthday suit and you’d never even look up.”
“I dare you.”
She turned in the circle of his arms and faced him. “You need a keeper.”
“That’s why I have you.”
She studied him and hoped they’d have this much fun until death did them part. “Would it be okay if I bought Eli a truck?”
His brow furrowed. “Why?”
“Because he’s as special and as dear to me as his dad.”
“My Eli? Oscar the Grouch? The kid who’s eating me out of house and home?”
She playfully hit him on the arm. “Stop that, but yes, your Eli. Our Eli.”
Jack shrugged. “I guess, but he’s going to want to take it to California and I’m not comfortable with him driving across country.”
“How about I find him one online? Trent’s mom Rita Lynn and her husband Paul can go with him to pick it up.” Eli would be staying with them while attending school in California.
“That would work. So, what do I get for agreeing to Eli’s boon?”
“Boon? Who talks like that?”
“Quit hating on my vocabulary and tell me, woman.”
She answered coyly, “I could find a French maid outfit online. That a nice enough boon?”
His responding grin ignited one of her own.
Down the street, Lucas and Wyatt were on kitchen cleanup. Wyatt washed the dinner dishes while Lucas dried. As they worked, they talked about the invitation everyone had received from Tamar.
“Why does she want everyone to come to her house?” Lucas asked, drying a plate. He thought about the plate he’d dropped back in Cincinnati and the punishment he’d received from Evil Aunt Wanda, but put it out of his mind.
“Not sure. Gram just said we were going. Could be something fun. Could be work.” He placed the casserole dish he’d washed and rinsed into the dish drain. “I’m hoping Zoey is there, though.”