Paisley's Pattern (14 page)

“I followed my heart to Norfolk, even though I still burned over our break-up. I couldn't come to terms with your rejection, let alone the way you disappeared afterwards. My feelings were still raw. On top of that was the shock of finding a family I never dreamt I'd ever find.”

“You're right. You've had to deal with a lot in a short time.”

“Thanks to being around family and you and everyone here, I'm in the Bible again for peace and strength. I'm replacing my lack of heritage with newfound riches. I've had to admit, the fear of rejection is a big one because my mother prevented me from connecting with my father. I'm facing that fear of feeling worthless.” His eyes clouded as he broke contact and sought the distance beyond the window. Was he less of a man for admitting weakness?

She leaned against his chest.

“A man hates to admit fear. Facing my fears includes the intensity of my feelings for you. You're good and sunshiny and beautiful. I think we're right together.”
But only if you stop running away and face whatever chases you
.

“I've done more soul searching myself. Remember when we talked about commitment? Well, our Jesus gives us commandments. According to Matthew 28:19, we're supposed to be baptized, as in, declare our identity with Christ. So I've talked to the pastor and I'm scheduled for the next baptism.”

“We are on the same page here, my love. God laid the very same thing on my heart—”

Footsteps on the stairs interrupted.

He didn't chance a direct look at her again, but settled for a chaste kiss on her forehead. He grasped her hand, leading her to the activity below that cleared out his father's earthly possessions. Dare he accept this empty home, the rooms where Rob could create his own history? Was he brave enough to remain here and fill the rooms with chapters of his own life? He needed to begin by calling his mother. The chances were pretty slim that she'd still have the same phone number. There was only one way to find out.

 

 

 

 

13

 

She wandered around Aunt Rainbow's home. Now that the tag sale was over, she was too restless to concentrate on reading or diving into the puzzle spread on top of the antique gate-leg table in the sun room. Aunt Rainbow had dared a short drive to the store.

Paisley kept picturing the scene with Rob in the upstairs bedroom of the Waverly house. Where was he right now? What was he doing? He was no doubt back in the shed checking out his final touch-up paint job on the milk truck.

During their moments together the day of the sale, Rob had led her to believe he was ready to get in touch with his mother—the only thing remaining that prevented Paisley from a renewed admission of her love for him.

Would he think Paisley was pushing if she offered to give him moral support? What if Precious no longer lived in Petaluma?

Paisley had way more questions than answers.

A knock at the door made her jump. She swirled to see Rob on the porch.

“Hiya, sweets. Sorry I gave you a scare. I saw you through the window. You can move pretty fast.”

“Not funny, but good morning. What's up?”

“It's a fine day. Sit outside with me?” His smile welcomed and invited.

She took his hand and greeted him with a kiss.

He led her to the iron bench, where she sat close. A jay squawked and a squirrel answered. A horn honked.

Rob jiggled his toes against a potted red geranium. “It's sunny now, but supposed to cloud over this afternoon.”

She slanted him a look. “You didn't walk over here to talk about the weather.”

“Smart lady. I'm working up my courage.”

“Courage for what?”

He pulled out his cell phone and made a face, looking like the little boy he must have once been. “I'm going to call my mother. I'll start with the only number I know in the hopes she still lives where I left her. I'll go to plan
B
if there's no answer.”

A melody of hope wound through Paisley's system. She prayed silently as Rob tapped numbers.

“Hi, Mom.” Silence followed. “Yes, it's really me. How are you?”

Paisley turned away from Rob, unable to meet his gaze for fear she'd tear up and break his train of thought.

“I know. It's been a lifetime. I took a chance you'd have the same number.” He swallowed audibly. “I'm sorry I left the way I did.”

Another pause.

“I've forgiven you for imagined offenses, and I'm ready to see you.” He reached for Paisley's hand and then dropped it to put the cell at his ear closest to her, holding the phone so she could hear his mother's side of the conversation.

Paisley was struck with the poignancy of the moment. For Rob to share it with her, to be so open, he had to have put total trust in her.

“There's someone I want you to meet. And you'll never guess where we're calling from.”

“You'll have to tell me, son.”

Paisley gave Rob an encouraging smile, anticipating what came next.

“I'm not in California. I'm in Norfolk, Nebraska, of all places.”

Precious Paisley gasped. “Nuh…Nebraska?”

“That's right. It's a really long story. Any chance you want to fly out and see a big object resurrected from your past?”

“Don't talk in riddles, please. I imagine you are bigger. You're a man. This is all such a shock, plain words are best.”

Paisley imagined Precious must be shaking.

“Gotcha. A picture of you next to a milk truck is what brought me to Norfolk. That, plus the woman I love.”

His mother's inhale and exhale sounded far away.

He raised his brow.

“So you know about Mark Waverly,” Precious said so low, Paisley had to press closer to the phone.

Closer to Rob.

She gave his knee an encouraging squeeze.

“Yes, and it's going to work out just fine. I'd like you to tell me in person why you felt compelled to take off from Norfolk, but that'll have to wait. Can you come see me, please, Mom?”

“How long I've waited to hear those words, my son. I'm in good shape or I could have had heart failure.” She gave a teary laugh. “I'll make arrangements and get back to you. Give me your number, Robin. I can hardly wait to meet this woman of yours. What's her name?”

Rob snorted then laughed. He lost it and almost dropped his cell.

Paisley grabbed for it. “Hi, Precious. You'll find this unbelievable. My name is Paisley. Paisley Robbins. And I look forward to meeting you.”

They laughed as one, ended the call, and Paisley nestled into the place she wanted to be for the rest of her earthly days. Rob's embrace.

 

~*~

 

Oren handed Rob an object wrapped in newspaper comics.

“You're just full of gifts these days. What have we here?”

Oren snuffled and punched Rob in the shoulder, pointing at the package. “Don't stand there and ask. Open it and find out for yourself.”

Rob ripped off the colorful cartooned paper and uncovered an enlarged and framed reprint of the image of Precious and Mark with the milk truck.

“Thank you, bro. It appears we've both been on the same wavelength,” Rob said, roaming over every detail of the picture. “I went to the courthouse in Madison, got some help contacting vital statistics, and began the process of officially changing my name to Rob Waverly.”

“Good. I've already talked to my attorney, who happened to represent Dad as well. It's not a grand amount, but you and I will evenly split the profit from sale of the household goods, and you can stay on the property as long as you like.” Oren's grin deepened the lines in his face. “Best of all, the truck title is ready to be transferred.”

“What?”

“Yes. I wouldn't know what to do with the thing. You've made it shine again. I know a good mechanic to keep it going. Stick around and next summer you can enter it in local parades. Towns have car shows all summer long.”

Moisture pooled in Rob's eyes. His brother's generosity was unforeseen. “I don't know what to say.”

“Say you'll think about living here. Here's a better idea for the property. It can go along with what's inside the shed.”

“You're offering me the house? I'll buy your share.” Rob gave Oren's shoulder a fist bump. “I think I know a banker who can help with the procedure.”

“It's yours if you're serious about staking a claim in my fair state.”

“Why not?” Rob hoped his smile was every bit as wide as Oren's. “I'd say it is way past time I spent my life surrounded by family. As far as the structure goes, the frame is solid, the rooms have character. It's on a sweet street, and the shed is so perfect I won't have to move. I'll find a place for this picture where I'll see it every day.”

“The Lord keeps piling on good news. I'd love to live the rest of my days with my brother nearby.” Oren gave Rob a manly hug. “I'll never again dread entering this house. I'll be greeting my brother and soon, my sister-in-law, if I'm reading you two correctly these days. I have to admit, Nora and I had a good joke about some minister getting all confused trying to wed the two of you with the same names.”

Rob accepted the joke in stride, glad he could finally see the humor. However, he was thankful there would never again be confusion over their names. “A brother's love is a commodity I'm so blessed with. Your love is beyond words.” The tears gathered in the corner of his eyes were every bit as masculine as those Oren shed.

Oren stepped back and extended his hand for a solid shake. “Let's forget about money changing hands. I'm solvent. We'll go to my lawyer and see that the place is yours. We'll work out all the legalities. The way I see it, there's plenty of room in the yard for a certain lady to plant flowers and herbs.”

“Now don't go getting ahead of things here. She still needs to convince me she won't leave Nebraska. The whim to mosey on down the line may still strike her fancy.” But he said it with a grin, fairly confident he could convince the lady to stay. After waiting for Paisley to make up her mind, he had the sensation things were happening faster than he could keep up. “What do you think of the idea of putting proceeds of the contents sale into a college account for Sara?”

“Sounds like the perfect thing to do. Now, I need to get to work. By the way—” Oren reached into his pocket. “—here's the check for Paisley. You'll see her sooner than I will. Rainbow said she wanted none of the profit because Paisley did all the work.”

“I'll gladly get it to her. And the check is a perfect excuse for me to get on with what happens next between the flower lady and me.”

 

 

 

 

14

 

A week passed.

Paisley and Aunt Rainbow worked together on the next tagging project. The house was another stately two-story frame complete with attic and basement. In a lot of ways, it reminded her of the Waverly house where Rob now lived. The whole tagging project and the way this house was laid out gave Paisley ideas on what she'd like to see around a home of her own.

Rob had come to Aunt Rainbow's every evening, recapping conversations with his mother. Precious was retired. She declared she never changed jobs or moved in the hope Rob would someday contact her. Every time they talked, Precious commented on how God had worked to orchestrate the whole thing.

Paisley agreed. She hoped for ongoing patience, and prayed a lot. Would Rob ask about a future together?

Late Saturday morning found Paisley on Aunt Rainbow's iron bench because it was stuffy in the house. It had rained five out of the past seven days, which created moisture in the air that Aunt Rainbow claimed was more like spring than fall. The air was so moist it tasted heavy rather than outdoorsy fresh. Leaves were turning and a few had dropped off the trees.

At the sound of an unfamiliar engine, she looked up the street to see the shining restored milk truck approach. The white and fresh turquoise paint brightened the day. Rob waved and pulled into the drive. She stood at the same time he reached for the bar handle that opened the right side door.

“I'd offer you a ride, pretty lady, but I'm occupying the only seat.”

“It's gorgeous, Rob. Did you even paint the rims?”

“I did. Turned out pretty good, don't you think?”

“You've got a showpiece on your hands, all right. I've never been to a car show. What's the latest news from your mom?”

“She'll be here in ten days.”

“What does she think about changing your name to Waverly?”

“We talked about it. Mom said it's meant to be. I referred her to Isaiah 62:2 and Revelation 2:17. She regrets that my name had such a bad influence on my thinking. And rejoices I will have a new one someday soon, both here and in heaven.”

She couldn't help but tease him. “So you listened to your mama and not to me?”

“Let's not talk about Mom for a bit. I came over to talk about you and me.”

Finally.

Could a person explode from built-up shivers and tingles? “Can we walk? That single truck seat doesn't look any more comfortable than the iron I was sitting on.”

“Your wish is my command.” He bounded out and closed the door. He grasped her hand and set them swinging in time with their steps.

She took a bracing breath and dove in. “We've been tagging in a great upscale house in the northwest part of town. Even more than the longing I felt going through Mark's place, your home now, I'm convinced I want a home of my own. Those years I ran from place to place, it was stability I searched for, but I never gave it a chance to grow. Now my heart wants to give a lifetime of years—for you and any children the Lord may bless us with. I'm so much richer for taking a risk on your love. That is, if you still want my love in return.”