Covered Bridge Charm (45 page)

“She’s a jewel.” He gave a mischievous grin much like Adam’s. “Jealous?”

“Really?”

“Guess I was a little bit when I heard you were seeing Adam. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with Jenny.”

“Was seeing Adam, while you were trying to lure him to Indiana.”

“Look, we could go on slamming each other, but Jenny left us because she knew I hoped to make amends with you on this trip.”

Carly’s eyebrows shot up. “Let me get this right. So you came to scoop up Adam and hoped to leave everybody on better terms this time? Including your dad?”

“That hurts, Carly. The truth, if you’ll allow yourself to admit it, is that we didn’t love each other enough. That was the real issue.”

It hurt to hear him blurt out the very thing she’d been telling herself for the past three years. She sighed. “I know.”

“But it was cruel of me to allow those rumors to circulate. I’m going to set that matter right while I’m here.” He gave a contrite grin. “If I don’t, Adam will break my neck.”

“I don’t know if it will make a difference for me at this point, but I appreciate it.”

“I’m real sorry about everything.”

“Jah, me too.” She gave him a genuine smile. “Your wife’s lurking around the corner over there. Maybe you should call her back. I’ve got to get to work, anyway.”

“Okay. It’s been good seeing you. You look good on that bike.”

She toed the kickstand and started to walk it past him, then hesitated. “It’s crazy, but I think right this second I just forgave you. And don’t worry about Simon. He’s softened a lot the last couple of months. He’ll be glad to see you.”

“That means a lot.” The silence stretched between them again. “Hey, regarding Adam… May the best man win.”

“Don’t push it,” she replied. But as she walked away, she felt as though the competition was already over. Yet she was wrong in thinking the day couldn’t get any worse. Crusher was waiting for her at the bike rack.

“Will you humor an old man?”

“Of course. How are you doing?”

“Don’t worry about me. Dot left me a long time ago. I had a dream she passed peaceful, reciting that Bible verse she’d memorized.” His voice broke. “And don’t be sad for me, either. I’m moving to Houston to live with my daughter.”

“You are?” Carly felt tears sting her eyes. “I’ll miss you.”

“Before I go, can I give you a little advice?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve been watching you for a long time. You’re good to everybody at Sweet Life but hard on yourself. Quit pouring everything into a bunch of old folks and save some of that affection for Adam. You two are meant to be together. Remember, there’s enough of God’s love to go around.”

She nodded, unwilling to dash his hopes about Adam. “Does he know you’re leaving?”

“Jah.”

“I’ll try to remember your advice,” she replied, clutching him by his suspenders and then hugging him tight.

C
ocoa raced around Auntie’s house while Carly rested her head on the sofa armrest.

“That’s quite a story,” Auntie said, working the rocker. “I’m glad you were able to forgive Dale.”

Jimmy pestered her with his stocking feet, trying to crowd her and usurping more than his share of the couch. “I’m sure Adam didn’t invite Cynthia.”

“At this point, it doesn’t matter. It’s over between us, and they’ve set their trap for him.”

Jimmy poked her with his toe. “It’s not like you to give up so easily.”

She kicked his leg. “Thanks for taking Miranda home.”

“Took her to the airport, too.”

Auntie winked at Carly.

“Don’t give me that look. You know I’m not ready to settle down. But I don’t mind having Miranda’s pretty face around to look at. You two get pretty boring.”

“Pooh!” Auntie said. “Carly that rabbit’s getting ready to scratch the sofa.”

Reaching down and lifting Cocoa, she nestled her face in his plump wrinkles. Speaking to the rabbit, she said, “Should we ask Jimmy for a ride home?”

“Already, what’s the rush? Got any popcorn, Auntie?”

Carly nudged her brother with her toe. “Well scoot over then and quit hogging the couch. I think I’ll take a nap.”

Unfortunately for her, the doorbell chimed.

“Get that,” Jimmy demanded.

“You get it.” When she saw he wasn’t going to budge, she shot him a dirty look, repositioned Cocoa, and shuffled to the door in her stocking feet. “Jason?”

“Jason?” Jimmy echoed, embarrassing her.

“Could we talk?”

“Come in.”

He eyed the porch. “Out here?”

“Sure, let me get my shoes and coat.” She shrugged at her relatives’ inquisitive gazes and quickly rejoined him.

He brushed off Auntie’s porch swing, and she joined him.

“Auntie’s still talking about Tom and her contract.”

“I’m glad it turned out well for her.” He took her hand. “I have something I need to tell you.”

Growing worried, Carly asked, “Is Gramps all right?”

“He’s fine. But I’m going out of town for Christmas.” He hesitated, searching her eyes.

“All right,” she replied, growing increasingly concerned over his fretful behavior.

“Karen called. She invited me.”

“Oh,” she gasped. “That’s great. Really, I’m happy for you.”

He massaged her hand. “Friends?”

She drew her hand away. “Absolutely. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you the next time you bring Gramps to bingo.”

“Thanks for understanding. I hope things work out for you and Adam, too.”

Carly stood. “It was kind of you to drive all the way out here. Tell Gramps hi for me.”

He stood, watching her with concern.

She gave a small wave and went inside. She smiled at Jimmy and forced a cheerful, “I smell popcorn.”

“What did he want?”

She gave a small wave. “Nothing important.” Starting toward the kitchen, she halted at the sound of the doorbell again. With exasperation, she turned to see what else Jason wanted. But when she opened it, she stared dumfounded.

Adam thrust flowers in her face. “Peace offering?”

Surprising herself, she slammed the door. “Men!” she spat at Jimmy and stomped to the kitchen. But she heard her brother let Adam in and afterward some male murmurings. Then it grew quiet.

She jumped at Adam’s voice. “Something smells good in here. Carly knows I love popcorn.”

“I could care less what you love.”

“Carly!” Auntie chided, then gave her an arched look. “Finish up in here?” she asked and left them alone.

Carly snatched the flowers out of his hand and started rummaging through Fannie’s cupboards for a vase. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here.”

“I have a knack for being at the right place at the right time.”

He’d surely seen Jason leaving. “You rub me like a burr. Did you know that? It’s my private nickname for you. Burr.”

“Wow. That’s harsh. Does it mean anything to you that you’re driving me mad with jealousy?”

She ran water into the vase and stuffed the flowers into it. “I get the mad part. I saw Jason’s eye. How often does your angry side surface?”

“Hardly ever. Ask any of my sisters.”

“If I cared, I would. You also need to learn a few things about communication. It really hurt me when you wouldn’t listen. That you threw me out of your truck. Flowers don’t make that right.”

“But I know what will.”

“Oh, jah?”

“Come with me. I’ll show you.”

“You don’t get it. I’m not going anywhere with you. Right now you’re on my blacklist.”

He tried to touch her dimple, but she slapped his hand away.

“Listen. If it was any other time of the year, I’d let you take all the time you needed to forgive me. But Christmas is only a few days away, and I don’t want to spoil it for us.”

“Sorry, Adam.” She used the words that had been tumbling in her mind ever since his rejection. Ever since she’d seen him with Cynthia. “It’s over. Just go.”

“Well I tried to handle this the easy way. But you asked for it.”

Before she knew what had happened, he’d swept her up into his arms and was carrying her through the house. She tried to wiggle out of his hold, but he’d clamped her tight. “Let me go! Are you insane?” As he strode through the living room, she cried. “Jimmy!”

But her brother hopped up and opened the door for Adam.

“Wait!” Auntie shouted, then ran toward them with Carly’s coat.

Carly twisted. “Aren’t you going to help me?”

“Sure, honey. I’ll watch that old rabbit.” Then she shooed Adam out and shut the door.

On the porch, Carly spewed, “You drive me crazy.”

“Ditto.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“Us. Taking us someplace special.” When he got to the truck, he didn’t release her. “How many times have I either helped you with your projects or come to your rescue?”

“A few, but—”

“I know you’re mad, but you owe me at least one last favor. Can you agree that you owe me one favor?”

“Maybe.”

“So will you please promise to stay in the truck and hear me out?”

She rolled her gaze upward. He made a good point, and her rebellious heart really wanted to give him a chance. “Jah, I suppose.”

“Good, because I won’t let you get away, even if you try.”

He placed her inside, helped her into her coat, and fastened her seatbelt. Then giving her an impish grin, he ran around to the driver’s side and started the truck, wasting no time in putting it in gear.
Probably thinks if the truck’s moving, I won’t get out.
But by now she was far too curious and a tad entertained. Yet there was no need to let him know that. “I’m still mad at you. I can’t believe you ambushed Jason in the parking lot.”

“But I’m getting better because I let him leave peacefully a moment ago.”

“Humph!”

“You told me I didn’t know how to communicate. But I’m going to try to explain. Normally I’m pretty laid back, but Uncle Simon pointed out that I was letting Dad run my life. I guess because it was a pretty good life, I hadn’t let it bother me much. About that time Dale made his offer, and I was trying to figure out what I should do. But the real straw that broke the camel’s back was when Dad and Si both started telling me how to handle my love life.”

He looked at her so that she understood he was referring to them. “After you told me I was passive-aggressive, I knew I had to confront both of them. Honestly, they can be so childish at times. Anyway, they both backed down when they saw me taking control of my own life. Confrontation is not always a bad thing.”

Carly had to acknowledge it was something she did all the time, and she admired him for the way he’d taken charge. “But fighting?”

The truck suddenly hit an icy patch and started to slide toward a snowy ditch. She clasped the armrest and was thankful when Adam brought it back under control. She saw they were on Route 20 headed north toward the country.

“Sorry about that.”

She relaxed her grip on the armrest. “It just doesn’t seem like you to clobber somebody.”

“I know you have issues with your dad’s anger, but you know I’m not like that. The man I dealt with is not the same one you know. Irish provoked it. But I regret my actions. Just so you know, it takes a lot to make me angry.”

She knew it was true. Adam’s anger wasn’t easily tripped like her father’s had been. If she was honest with herself, she shouldn’t even be comparing them.

“Still, I won’t let anyone take my girl. I know I hurt you when I asked you to get out of the truck. But I needed to leave before I did something dumb again. I needed space.”

“Your girl?” She asked sarcastically although she felt tingly with delight. “What about Cynthia?”

Surprise lit his eyes. “She’s nothing to me. You stole my heart that first night you kissed me. And I plan to steal yours back in a few minutes.”

“Throwing the kiss in my face again.”

“You bet.” He winked.

“What exactly did your dad and uncle say about me?”

“It’s probably better if you don’t know.”

“I need to know.”

Adam studied her, and she matched his gaze with pleading eyes. “At the time Uncle Si was aggravated at you, and he wanted me to date you because he thought I’d keep you happy and occupied.”

“That’s awful.” She didn’t put it past Si, though. Following Adam’s earlier remarks to its logical conclusion, she asked, “So your dad doesn’t want us together? I knew he didn’t like me.”

“Keep in mind how controlling he is. Mom’s easygoing like me. He thinks you’re too much of a handful for me.”

“Is that so?” She arched a brow. “He’s obviously underestimated you. You’re a stubborn man.”

“And underestimated you.”

She smiled.

“Once he gets to know you, he’s going to adore you. You’re so irresistible.”

He was doing a pretty good job communicating now, saying all the things that made it easy to forgive him. “We’re going to the bridge, aren’t we?”

He ignored her question. “It seemed like everybody had an opinion about us. Jimmy didn’t help matters when he threatened me.”

He’d obviously changed his mind, the way he’d opened the door for Adam to sweep her away. “We had a rough start.”

“So let’s start over.”

“Jah, I’d like that.”

When they got to the Larwood bridge, he gave her a mischievous grin. “I kinda liked holding you in my arms. Want me to carry you over the walking bridge?”

“No, I do not.”

“Your loss.”

And she knew it was, but she wasn’t ready to throw all propriety to the wind. He helped her out of the truck, and memories flooded over her. How they’d snuck onto the bridge and how he’d rummaged through the lumber. How he’d come back for that piece and fashioned it into something lovely for Martha. He might not be much of a communicator, but his romantic bent would make up for it.

“Careful, it might be slick.”

She paused at the center of the footbridge and looked down at the river. “It sounds different from the last time we were here. More of a creaking than a roar.”

“That’s because it’s partly frozen. We’re going to have to come back in the spring when we can enjoy this without freezing off our toes.”

She nodded, wondering why he had brought them. Larwood bridge was still under construction, but even through its snowy blanket, she could see progress. “Martha hung that carving of her initials on the wall in her apartment. Have I thanked you for that?”