Boardwalk Brides

  “I am?” She paused to think about it. “Yeah, I guess I was. Didn’t even realize it. What was I singing?”

  “ ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain.’ ” Her mother pointed up to the speakers in the ceiling. “It’s been playing for the last couple of minutes, but you’re louder than the music.”

  “No way.”

  “Yep. Just thought it was worth mentioning. Falling for Ryan has brought out your musical gifts. He’s right about that singing valentine thing. You could do it, no problem. We just have to come up with the right songs.”

  “Oh, I don’t think I—”

  “You know, I can hardly wait to see what happens after the two of you get married and start having children. You’ll probably end up in Nashville, cutting an album together.”

  “Mom.” Taffie laughed. “You’re funny. And who said anything about getting married? Ryan and I are just─”

  “Perfect for each other.”

  “Well, but he’s─”

  “An amazing man of God who cares about his faith, his family, and my daughter.”

  “Mom.” Taffie couldn’t hide the smile. “You’re quite a matchmaker.”

  “With your sisters both away in school, who else do I have to match up?” her mother asked. “Besides, this time I’ve hit the nail on the head. Ryan is perfect for you.”

  “Well, I can’t say that for sure yet,” Taffie acknowledged, “but I can say he’s been good for all of us. Those ideas of his were clever, to say the least.”

  “Clever enough that Pop and I are already talking about our trip. I’ve told him to start packing. We leave in three weeks.”

  “Okay, so tell me all about it.” Taffie took a seat at the table, finally ready to hear her parents’ plans in detail.

  “Ooh! Hold on and I’ll get the brochures.” Her mother disappeared into the office, returning a few minutes later with a manila envelope stuffed full to the brim.

  Just then Pop entered from the back room. “Finished that last batch of cherry taffy. Guess I’ll call it quits for the day.” He looked at the brochures and his eyes began to sparkle. “Are you two talking about what I think you’re talking about?”

  “Yep.” Taffie’s mother grinned and gestured for him to sit beside them. “I’m telling Taffie about our trip out west to see the cowboys.”

  “Cowboys?”

  “Well, modern-day cowboys.” Her mother pulled out a brochure for a museum in New Mexico. Ruidoso. It’s one of the towns with several RV parks. And you should see the place we’re going to be staying at when we get to Bryce Canyon.”

  “Bryce Canyon?”

  “Utah,” her father explained. “We’ll stop by the Grand Canyon on the way, but from what we’ve heard, Bryce Canyon is even more breathtaking, especially as the sun is setting.”

  Her mother pulled out another brochure, this one with an exquisite photo on the front. “If a picture paints a thousand words, then what do you have to say about this?”

  “Wow.” Taffie had never even imagined anything so beautiful, and told them so.

  “And then there are the redwoods in northern California, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition Trail in Idaho, Montana, and Washington.” Pop’s voice grew more excited with every word. “And we’re talking about hitting a few Indian reservations along the way.”

  “There’s this place in Washington State that does historic reenactments,” her mother explained. “Doesn’t that sound like fun? Eventually we’ll end up in Texas to visit my brothers and their children. You remember your cousin Bella, right, Taffie?”

  “Of course. Haven’t seen her for years, though.” Taffie leaned back against her seat. “I just have one question.”

  Both parents looked at her at once, echoing, “Yes?”

  “Are you ever coming back?”

  Her mother laughed. “Well, sure. For the wedding. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “Wedding? Is there something I need to know? Has Candy met someone?”

  “No, silly.”

  “Tangie? ’Cause if she has, remember, she’s fickle She might say she’s in love today, but─”

  “Taffie, I’m talking about you and Ryan. Dad and I have been praying and we’re convinced he’s the one for you. So, we’ll be home in plenty of time for the wedding, but we think it would be better if you planned it for next summer sometime. That would be most convenient for us. Oh, and by the way, your cousin Bella is a wedding planner. Maybe we could call on her for help with the ceremony and reception?”

  “Mom.” Taffie dropped her head in her palms and began to rant—ala Broadway style—about her mother’s ability to twist the conversation back to marriage. “There’s not going to be a wedding anytime soon, so don’t get your hopes up. He might be the right one for me, but. . .”

  “But what?” Pop reached over to kiss her on the cheek. “If he’s the right one, he’s the right one. You two go together like. . .like marshmallows and almonds in Rocky Road.”

  “Like. . .like mint and chocolate chip,” her mom threw in. “Like peanut butter and chocolate.”

  “Stop, stop! I get it!” Taffie laughed. “I’m going to put on ten pounds, thinking about how perfect Ryan and I are for each other.

  “He would still love you anyway.”

  Love? Who said anything about love?

  Taffie flashed a smile, then got back to closing up the shop, all-the-while humming a happy tune.

  EIGHTEEN

  Ryan paced the hallway of the emergency room. His mother leaned against the wall, exhaustion showing in her red-rimmed eyes. In the two hours since their arrival, his father had been examined by countless doctors. “How long is this going to take?” His patience wore thinner as each minute ticked by.

  His mother’s tears were the only response he got. He reached over and slipped an arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mom. I need to stay calm, I know.”

  “You’re doing fine, son. In fact, I don’t know what I’d do without you boys. I could never make it through this alone.”

  “You won’t have to.”

  “I just feel so. . .guilty.” She dissolved into tears, then finally came up for air with an explanation. “His blood pressure was elevated last night and I insisted on talking about Vic and Mallory. I think I got him worked up.” She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “This would never have happened if I had just rolled over and gone to sleep. I should have known better.”

  “We don’t know that, Mom. And besides, you can’t hide things from Pop. He had to have known things between them were bad again. You can’t slip anything by him.”

  “I know, but─”

  “There are no buts. We just move forward from here,” Ryan said. “We’ll get through this as a family.”

  “You’re just like your pop,” his mother said. “Wanting to make everything right again.”

  Even when I can’t. Even when things are totally out of my control.

  Just then, Vic and Mallory rounded the corner. Together. A sense of relief washed over Ryan right away. Now, if only they could lay their differences aside to walk through this valley without fighting with each other, perhaps they could present a unified front as a family.

  “How is he?” Mallory’s wrinkled brow and tear-stained eyes showed her concern.

  “He’s had another stroke. That’s all we know for sure. Worse than the first one,” Ryan said. He wanted to add much worse, but didn’t, because he wanted to keep his mother’s spirits up. In his gut, however, he feared the worst. Pop had pulled through the first one, but this one was bad.

  “Did he ever come to?” Vic asked.

  Ryan shook his head. “No. They’ve taken him for an MRI and have already drawn blood. Lots of it. And you wouldn’t believe how many doctors they’ve sent in to examine him. It’s been like a revolving door in his room.”

  “What are they thinking?” Vic took a seat, and looked up with concern in his eyes.

  “They’re suspecting a blood clot that blocked the blood
flow to his brain.” Ryan shrugged. “But we don’t know for sure yet. They’re still running tests.”

  “Anyone heard from Luke?” Vic asked.

  “He’s here. He went to get a soda.”

  “Who’s watching Casey?” Ryan’s mother asked.

  “My mom,” Mallory explained as she sat down next to Vic. “And she’ll keep her all night, too, so we’re not in any hurry to leave. We can stay here with you.” She looked up at Vic hesitantly. “At least, I can.”

  “I can, too,” Vic added. He drew near to Mallory and gave her a look that could almost be described as endearing. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “We’re in this. . .together.”

  Taffie curled up in bed with her journal at her side. She tried not to fret over the fact that she’d now left two messages on Ryan’s phone and he hadn’t returned them. On the other hand, it was Wednesday night. Surely he’d spent the evening at church, leading worship. Likely he’d call her in the morning.

  Just then, the phone rang, startling her. She reached for it, her heart racing a mile a minute. Just before answering, she glanced down at the caller ID.

  “Candy!” She answered with joy leading the way. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Believe it. I finally slowed down long enough to call.”

  “How are things in Tucson? Are you jetting all over the world?”

  “Hardly. But I am inching toward the goal. I’ll have my pilot’s license soon. Then comes the hard part. It’s a tough road to go from private to commercial, but I’m determined.”

  “What are your plans?”

  “After I get my commercial license, I hope to eventually get hired on with Eastway so that I can fly out of Newark. That way I can stay close to home. Being here in Arizona makes me feel like I’m on the other side of the world. And I’m so busy, I can hardly stop long enough to check my e-mail or make a call. I miss my sisters.”

  “Aw. I miss you, too. And you know Tangie. She misses us when she’s not in love with whatever leading man she happens to be starring alongside.”

  Candy laughed. “You’ve hit that nail on the head. But speaking of falling in love. . .”

  “What? Have you met a handsome pilot or something?”

  “Well, a few.” Candy laughed. “But everyone is so focused on the task at hand, there’s little time for romance. But that’s not where I was headed.”

  “What? Something about Tangie I need to know?”

  “No, goofy. Mom tells me you’ve met someone.”

  Aha. The real reason for her call. Taffie groaned. “She’s a snitch. I wanted to tell you, myself.”

  “Tell me about him. All she said was you two were a match made in heaven. Then she mentioned something about how she’s finally going to get to see Pike’s Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park.”

  Taffie sighed. “Yeah. They’re leaving on their extended tour of the western United States in a few weeks if Ryan and I can set this new plan in action for the shop.” She proceeded to tell her sister all of his suggestions. She paused and explained each one in detail, remembering the look on his face as he’d shared his ideas. What progress they’d made in just one day.

  “It all sounds great,” Candy agreed, after hearing the particulars. “But you haven’t told me about him yet. What’s he like? Mom says he’s a keeper, and I know what that means. He’s got a good relationship with the Lord. But that doesn’t tell me anything about what he looks like.”

  “Oh, Candy.” Taffie paused, trying to figure out where to begin. “He’s tall, dark, and handsome.”

  “As in, Hollywood handsome?”

  “Well, yeah, but not Hollywood self-absorbed. He doesn’t even seem to realize how great he is.”

  “But he is?”

  “Oh yes. He’s one of those people that the love of God just shines through. You can see it in his eyes. He’s the real deal. Oh, and get this. He’s the worship leader at his singles group. And he has the most adorable seven-year-old niece. You should see him with her. They’re great together. And his parents. . .” She went off on a tangent about how similar their two families were. Before long, Candy was laughing.

  “Well, you’d better claim him quick, or I’m going to grab him up when I get home.”

  “No you’re not.”

  “Kidding. But seriously. . .what happens next? It’s not like in high school where you could say you were going steady. You’re not wearing his class ring or anything like that.”

  “No, but I feel like a kid when he’s around, that’s for sure.” Taffie couldn’t seem to stop the giggles. “And I sing now.”

  “You do not.”

  “Yeah, I do. Love songs. Worship songs. Mom says I sing all day at the shop, but I don’t really think about it.”

  “Well, you know what the Bible says,” Candy reminded her. “ ‘A cheerful heart is good medicine.’ So, you must have a cheerful heart.”

  “And it’s just what the doctor ordered,” Taffie admitted. “I guess I was ripe for this and just didn’t realize it. I’d put my love life on the back burner to handle things at the shop.” She considered telling her sister just how burdened she’d been with taking over the store, but opted not to. Why put a damper on things now, when she was finally starting to see that light at the end of the proverbial tunnel?

  Candy’s voice interrupted her ponderings. “So, the doctor ordered up a tall, dark, and handsome male to cure the blues, huh?” She laughed. “Looks like I’m due for a trip to the doctor myself. I’ve been mighty lonely out here. All this talk of good-looking guys is making me a little jealous.”

  “Well, come home and see us sometime,” Taffie responded. “Ryan has a single brother.”

  “Hmm. Don’t think I want to be fixed up on any blind dates, thank you very much. But I will be there for the wedding. I understand we’re wearing pink.”

  “Wait, wedding? Pink?” Taffie sat straight up, puzzled. “What are you talking about?”

  “Mom said Ryan’s niece called her on the night you two went on your first date and told her she wants to wear pink at the wedding.”

  “Good grief. Are you serious? Casey actually called the shop?”

  “Yep. Told Mom she’s got her heart set on cotton-candy pink. And something about a tiara. I understand she was even specific about the length of her gown. So, keep all of that in mind as you make your plans.”

  “Plans? What plans?” Right now, I can’t even get Ryan to answer my calls, so don’t jump the gun with this whole wedding thing.

  “Oh, I’ve got to go. Got a call coming in. But take care of yourself, sis. And take care of Mom and Dad before they gallop off to meet the cowboys. Give them my love.”

  With that, Candy was gone. Back to her fast-paced world of flying hither, thither, and yon.

  And Taffie. . .well, as she rolled over in the bed, she pondered the many things Candy had shared. Had Casey really called the shop and insisted on pink? If so, why hadn’t Mom said anything? And did everyone think they were a match made in heaven. . .after just one date?

  Did she?

  A dozen thoughts rolled around in Taffie’s mind at once. . . .

  Cotton candy pink dresses.

  Singing valentines.

  Saltwater taffy.

  Specially designed Easter Eggs.

  Bryce Canyon under a setting sun.

  A sweet as sugar kiss from a handsome appliance repairman.

  Hmm. All such lovely thoughts. With a love song consuming her heart, Taffie finally drifted off to sleep.

  NINETEEN

  Ryan walked the hallway outside his father’s hospital room, and prayed. In the days since his father’s stroke, the news had gone from bad to worse.

  “It’s going to be months before your father is himself again,” the doctor had warned. “Your family needs to gear up for a lengthy recovery.”

  Lengthy recovery. Even now, as he paced, Ryan couldn’t imagine what they would do. Already, he was behind on repairs. With Luke?
??s help, he could probably get caught up, but who would stay at the hospital with Mom? Vic and Mallory had been great, coming and going as much as possible, but with both of them working—and with Casey to tend to—they wouldn’t be able to make sure Mom’s needs were met, at least not full time.

  Ryan continued to walk back and forth as he mentally replayed every instant of that awful day at the Italian restaurant. I should have seen the signs. Should have acted quicker once I realized what was happening. Instead, I. . .

  He shook his head, then gave himself a mental scolding. I should’ve told Pop to rest. To go home. To let me take charge. Instead, he’d been so busy thinking about his love life, so overwhelmed with excitement about the Carini’s new business plan, that he’d completely overlooked his father’s physical issue. And now that issue would have life-altering effects. Ryan forced back the tears as he contemplated the severity of the doctor’s words: “When the stroke occurred, blood flow to the brain was interrupted. Brain damage took place during that critical time period.”

  Brain damage. Just the words sent him reeling. Business issues aside. . .would Pop ever be the same? Would he laugh with them and be able to share in family get-togethers? Could he play with Casey and any grandchildren yet to come? Would he be able to get around the house? Make it up and down stairs?

  “Son? Are you all right?” Ryan turned as he heard his mother’s loving voice. He noticed Dr. Loring standing next to her.

  “Oh, I’m. . .I’m just thinking.”

  “I was hoping to have a few words with you both,” Dr. Loring explained. “There’s a room just down the hall where we can talk.”

  Ryan nodded, then followed in silence behind his mom and the doctor. They’d already had two or three of these conferences with various doctors. Had something else happened?

  As they settled into chairs in the tiny conference room, the doctor began to speak. “Your father will have a long haul. The paralysis on his right side could last for weeks. Or months, even. His ability to speak has been affected, as you’ve noticed. The muscles in his tongue and palate are weakened, but a speech therapist will help with that.”