Covered Bridge Charm (32 page)

“For a guy who claims he doesn’t like adventure, you like to keep me on my toes.”

“How so?”

“Every time I trust you, some new surprise knocks me off my feet. You’re a complicated man.”

“I like the idea of sweeping you off your feet, but I need you to trust me. All those reservations I had before are gone. I want you to know that.”

She nodded and offered a lopsided smile, but Adam could tell she wasn’t convinced.

E
ver since Adam’s pronouncement, Carly had wanted to crawl out of her skin with worry. She trusted him, but she didn’t feel as if she had the nerves to last until he was home safe in her arms. She felt insignificant in comparison to all the enticements that Adam would be encountering. At best she tried to force the issue from her mind.

It was comforting to come home to Aunt Fannie’s charming old house. Its age offered a stability that was missing in Carly’s life after the death of her parents. A stability challenged since Adam had stolen her heart and taken her from one challenge to another.

The house was as embedded into the hillside as her aunt’s influence was on her life. As she approached it now, the thick ground cover on the steep bank hid the house so that only the top portion of the windows and gables were visible from the street below. It gave the air of a place where one could hide away from the world.

As she pushed her bike up the driveway’s steep incline, Aunt Fannie’s quaint garage came into view. Its twenty-four tiny windows brought back memories—washing them was one of her punishments when Auntie had to discipline her. Now they shone dark. But behind them was the relic that Auntie drove whenever she ventured away from her little haven. Carly took a deep breath, drawing in all the peace the home-place afforded.

Cocoa shifted in the wicker bike basket, and Carly laughed. He’d been snorting most of the ride, his way of letting her know he didn’t appreciate sharing his space with the hard container that protected Carly’s pumpkin pie. Parking the bike and juggling the rabbit and the pie, she made her way inside.

The dining-room table was dusted and decluttered, set in magazine style with Auntie’s old china. She now appeared, wiping her hands on her apron. “Take that pie to the kitchen, and I’ll show that old rabbit where I put its Thanksgiving feast.”

“You got Cocoa something special?”

“Just trying to keep the thing out of trouble.” She shook her head.

Smiling, Carly placed the pie on the counter just as she heard her brother’s and Miranda’s voices. Jimmy must have given her a ride. Hurrying to the entryway, she took their coats and welcomed her coworker. Today she would try to see Miranda through her aunt’s eyes. She needed to focus on something positive.

Soon everyone assembled in the kitchen to help with the last-minute flurry of activities. Auntie mashed potatoes and made the gravy. Carly removed a pan of moist stuffing from the oven and replaced it with the rolls. Carving the turkey was traditionally Jimmy’s handiwork. She observed the banter flying back and forth as he and Miranda worked together over the succulent centerpiece. They got along well, Carly mused.

Later when they were enjoying the meal with all its trimmings, Carly sought to engage Miranda. “You missing home?”

“Yes, but they’re probably not missing me too much.” Carly’s heart tripped at the pain that flickered across Miranda’s face. She saw Jimmy pat her hand while Auntie’s jaw tightened. “I did some things I’m not proud of. When the court assigned me community service or jail time, my folks arranged for me to go into V. S.”

Astonished to silence, Carly quickly ascertained this was news only to herself. She fought against the heat creeping up her neck. “I’m sorry,” she sputtered. “But they should be proud of you now. You’re good with the residents.”

Miranda beamed. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

Carly remained on the hot seat when Jimmy remarked, “I thought you’d invite Adam over today. I heard from him the two of you were seeing each other again. I know you guys had a misunderstanding about Indiana. But when he told me he plans to stay, I believed him. He’s crazy about you.”

Miranda’s head whipped from Jimmy to Carly, who could read the other woman’s surprise. Though she wanted to avoid the topic, she was too miserable to carry her misgivings on her own. “I guess we’ll eventually see how it plays out.” Feeling all eyes on her, she stared at her plate. “I did invite him, but he couldn’t come.”

“Why not?” Auntie asked.

“He went to Indiana because Dale broke his leg and wants Adam to finish a job for him. He’s going to be in Nappanee for four days.” She raised her gaze to her brother’s disbelieving expression. “He asked me to trust him. Said it had nothing to do with moving out there. He just needed to help Dale.”

Auntie’s fork clattered against her plate. “I don’t like it.”

Jimmy shook his head. “No, wait. If he asked us to trust him, then that’s what we should do. If he betrays you, Sis, then he’s betraying our friendship, too. And after I catch up to him, he’ll wish he hadn’t. But honestly, I don’t think he’ll do that.”

“Sometimes things aren’t as they appear,” Miranda said. “I don’t know the details here, but I know I got blamed for a lot that I didn’t do. Adam seems like a great catch.”

Carly laughed. “Uh, obviously. You were after him yourself.”

“I’m sorry about that. I honestly didn’t think you were interested.”

“I know.”

Miranda batted her eyes at Jimmy. “Anyway, that was before I met your brother.”

Auntie’s anger had dissipated, and now she beamed. “Dessert now or later?”

Jimmy grinned. “How about both?”

The afternoon was ideal, and Carly couldn’t tell if Jimmy was interested in Miranda or if he was just appeasing Aunt Fannie. But they sure seemed cozy when they started the wood fireplace and cracked hazelnuts. As she watched them, she tried to view Miranda with more acceptance. The girl could use a friendly, steady influence in her life.

With Cocoa curled beside her, it would have been the perfect afternoon if not for the occasional wild thought that struck Carly at random:
Is Adam having dinner with Dale’s family and that other woman? Is he having second thoughts about his promise to me?

Adam hit the ground working. After his plane landed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dale and Jenny picked him up and drove seventy miles to their home, where Adam put on his tool belt and hopped in Dale’s truck. He’d work all night if need be to get the job done. Nobody would understand if he needed to stay in Indiana longer than the four days he’d scheduled.

“Makes me feel like an invalid, not being able to drive,” Dale complained as he gave him directions to his woodworking shop.

Adam glanced at his cousin. He hadn’t changed much since he’d last seen him. A little heavier, and his hairline was receding. Other than that, they could be taken for brothers. “How long until the cast comes off?”

“The doc said I might get a walking cast in three or four weeks.”

Grimacing, Adam replied, “Let’s hope for three.”

When they arrived at the shop, Dale hobbled on his crutches to a side door and handed Adam the keys. What Adam saw inside made his mouth drool. In the center of the room was a table saw on a large wheeled workbench. As his gaze meandered, he saw other saws, tools, and lumber racks. The walls were fixed to hold clamps and various tools, all organized impeccably. “This is amazing.”

“It’s my life. I love it.” Dale lowered himself to a stool. “Say the word, and it’s yours to share.”

Adam inhaled the pleasant sawdust smell. “It’s real nice. But you know I’m just here to help.”

Dale shrugged. “Had to give it a try.”

They worked until 1:00 a.m. that night. When they returned to the house, they snacked on leftover turkey before retiring. On Friday, they rose at 5:00 a.m. and grabbed lunches that Jenny had prepared and headed back to the shop. The project was a large entertainment center that would be installed in sections. Thankfully, under the circumstances, they were only doing the woodworking. The homeowner wanted her painter to do the finishing. They were done by 5:00 p.m., scheduling the installation for Saturday.

Jenny had dinner waiting for them when Adam got out of the shower. She laid a hand on her pregnant belly and swept the other through the air, “I suppose Dale hobbled around after you with a broom and dustpan?”

“No, but he did put the tools away as I finished with them.”

“Mm-hm. Not too much of a perfectionist. It’s good for you to work with him before you think about moving here. He’s just a tad organized.”

“She complains because I enjoy using a shop vac.”

She laughed. “And I’d like to see you manipulate that with your crutches.”

“The vac system is pretty amazing,” Adam remarked. “At Sweet Life, it’s all done the old-fashioned way. His shop is definitely first class.”

“Dale misses you,” she said. “I’m sorry it took an injury to get you here, but I’m glad we can spend time with you.”

“Me, too.” And he meant it. Jenny was not only pretty, but she was upbeat and knew just how to handle Dale. He could imagine himself living here if only he didn’t already have a good life in Oregon. And while he enjoyed woodworking, he couldn’t say he liked it more than tree farming. They were both in his blood.

Just then the doorbell rang, and Jenny jumped up. “I’ll get it.”

“No kidding,” Dale teased beneath his breath.

Adam chuckled.

When feminine voices filtered into the kitchen, Dale groaned. “Sounds like her friend. I guess Jenny hasn’t given up on her matchmaking scheme. She thinks it’s the best way to convince you to stay.”

Adam’s heart sank, and his high opinion of Jenny dropped a notch. But he was taken back when a strikingly stunning woman followed her into the kitchen. Cynthia Clark’s hair was smooth ebony, like Miranda’s only longer and shinier, and pulled back in a ponytail. While she wasn’t Conservative Mennonite, she was dressed modestly in jeans and a T-shirt. She smiled. “I was invited for pie. Am I too late?”

“Of course not,” Jenny replied, moving awkwardly, with her big belly, to bring her a slice. While she was up, she refilled all their coffee mugs.

“So how’s my entertainment center coming?” Cynthia asked.

Adam’s mouth went slack, and he jerked his gaze to Dale, who wore a sheepish smile. “Installation’s still on for tomorrow.”

Instantly Adam’s mind was filled with possible scenarios of what tomorrow held for him. As the evening wore on, he realized that Cynthia was naive about the matchmaking. She couldn’t help it if she was a feast to the eyes and her voice was sweet to the ears. But it miffed him that Dale would go so far as to pull this trick on him. Obviously, the woman was good enough friends with them that this job hadn’t needed to be fulfilled, like Dale had claimed.

Adam pushed up from the table. “Dinner was great. The pie, too. But I’m still having jet lag and think I’ll retire. See you all tomorrow.”

In the hall, he heard Dale’s crutches clunking behind him. “Wait up.”

Adam stepped into the guestroom and Dale closed the door behind them.

“It was Jenny’s idea. But before you grumble, let me tell you that it really was necessary to finish her job. She has company coming for Christmas. And the income will be handy since I can’t work for a while. If we hadn’t finished her job, it would’ve stalled her remodel and her painter.”

Adam nodded. “I’m dating Carly.”

Dale’s eyes narrowed. “So is she going to come between us?”

“I hope not. You seem happy with Jenny.”

“I am.” Dale hesitated, looked down at his crutches, and back up again. “You know those rumors about Carly weren’t true.”

Adam had known, yet it felt good to hear it from Dale. “You want to tell me what happened?”

“I was hurt. Saying I couldn’t believe she’d dump me after everything between us. One of my friends took it to mean we’d been intimate, and I never set him straight. I should have. I’ve regretted it since.”

Adam shook his head, appalled. “How could you? It’s followed her, you know.”

“I’ve a lot of regrets. Not just about her, but about Dad, too.”

“It’s not too late to make things right.”

“Maybe, I don’t know.”

“I can’t force you to make amends with Simon. Though I know he’s lonely and ready. But I probably will ask you to apologize to Carly at some point.”

Dale sighed. “If the time is right. Sleep good, Cuz.”

Once Dale was gone, Adam sank onto the edge of his bed. He was glad they’d talked about Carly. It made the trip worthwhile. But he knew Dale wasn’t convinced he’d turned down his offer. He thought about the stunning brunette in the kitchen. He supposed tomorrow they’d tour the house they’d picked out for him, too. If he still needed to get away from Sweet Home, the enticements his cousin offered might be too great for him to resist.

O
n Thanksgiving evening, Carly was refrigerating leftovers Auntie had sent home with her when the phone rang. Her heart sped, but it wasn’t Adam.

“Hi. Jason Irish here.”

An image formed of a serious, broad-shouldered blond sitting in an expensive condo.