Sister's Choice (6 page)

“Lucky?”

“Alison’s idea. And apparently the fawn
was
lucky. I get the feeling Grace lost a lot of sleep until she was able to get her stabilized.”

The kitchen had room for both of them, but just barely. Jamie rummaged through a plastic bag and handed Kendra a carton of perfectly ripe berries, then another. “Aren’t these gorgeous? Roadside stand. I got enough for tomorrow’s cereal, too, though I’ll probably be down there every day to see what else they have.”

“I’m glad the girls like the playhouse. I’m actually surprised Cash took it on. Rosslyn and Rosslyn’s in demand all over the area. But he seemed to want to do this himself. Very enthused, our Cash.”

Jamie stopped rummaging and looked at her sister. “Okay, what are you implying?”

“Me?”

“You can’t just leave it there.”

“I’m sure he simply likes the girls.”

“Of course you’re right.”

“And maybe he thinks their mother is worth a trip or two.”

“Oh, sure. I’m such a catch, or will be in a couple of months, or a couple more after that, or a couple after that.” She put her hand on her tummy, then pretended it was growing.

“You’re saying that after everything you’ve been through the past months, you would do this again?”

For a moment Jamie wasn’t sure what Kendra meant; then the smile that had started to bloom died, and she felt a quick burst of anger. Real anger this time. She put her hand on her sister’s arm and lowered her voice. “I’ve told you and told you, getting pregnant is my most outstanding talent. I’ll be completely amazed if the first try didn’t take. I’ll be properly humbled if we have to go to three or four.”

“You’ll do that?”

“I told you I was in this for the long haul. That’s what I meant. And you know, you and Isaac already did your part and made that possible.”

Kendra seemed to be feeling her way. “I know it hasn’t been fun so far.”

Jamie kept her voice level. “Did I miss something? I’m not doing this for the fun of it, am I?”

“But I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to keep on and on.”

“That’s good.”

Kendra must have heard the change in Jamie’s voice. “I guess I’m just trying to give you an out if you need one.”

“And I guess I appreciate that. But honestly? Being the big girl I am, I more or less know I have an out if I have to take one.”

“I’m sorry.”

Jamie sighed and closed her eyes. As hard as it was, she tried to put herself in Kendra’s place. She tried to imagine being the mother who waited and watched and hoped, not the mother who was bringing the baby into being. She tried to put herself into her sister’s shoes, a mother for whom control of her child’s fate was an illusion. Because when things came right down to it, Kendra was right to worry. Right now Jamie was the one with all the power.

Ninety-nine percent hormones. One percent well-deserved frustration.

She opened her eyes. “Did it blow up, or are we safe?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The first landmine in a minefield nine months long. Did we manage to avoid it, or did we step right on it?”

Kendra was silent a moment, then she shrugged, but her eyes looked suspiciously moist. “We got close, but I think we’re still intact.”

Jamie went back to the contents of her plastic bag. “Plan for some injuries. You don’t trust me yet, not completely.”

“I’m asking you to carry my baby, Jamie. That sounds like trust to me.”

“I think what it is…” Jamie faced her again. “I think that’s you
wanting
to trust me. Making the effort. But you know, I don’t think you’re going to feel it right here—” she touched Kendra’s chest with her fingertip “—until I place a baby in your arms. And I understand that. I really do. I understand your general trust issues and your specific issues with me and everything in between. I’m personally responsible for the latter and own up to it willingly. But we’re walking along this road together now, so you have to let go of whatever you can and just keep your eyes open.”

“And what about you?”

“Me? I’ve been psychoanalyzed and confronted and supported until not an atom inside me hasn’t been thoroughly explored. I know why I’m doing this and what I can expect to feel along the way.”

“Why
are
you doing it?” Kendra paused, but only for the briefest moment. “Before you go on, I know you’re doing it for me, Jamie. I do know that. I know you love me. I believe that’s the biggest part of it, I really do. But is there more?”

Jamie didn’t hesitate. “Of course there is.”

“Can you tell me?”

“Would it help? Would you stop worrying about everything if I told you in excruciating detail?”

Kendra considered. “I guess I don’t really know.”

“You know I love you. You know I want to give you something wonderful. Let’s just say that the other piece of this is that I want to do something good, just because I can.”

“You’re raising two wonderful daughters. I hope you realize how much that counts.”

“I am doing a bang-up job of it, don’t you think?” Jamie handed her sister a cutting board. “Here you go. When you’re done with those, let’s take some tea out on the porch and admire the view. We have nine months to hash this out. Let’s not do it in one fell swoop. What else will we have to talk about in the months ahead?”

Kendra took the cutting board, but she set it on the counter and pulled Jamie close for a quick hug.

T
wo years ago, when Leah Spurlock’s old dogtrot cabin still stood, Kendra Taylor had planned to build on to the structure that already existed. Leah had moved to Toms Brook and the old cabin during the Depression, and sometime soon afterward another cabin had been built beside the first one, connected by one roof and common porches. The space between them had been narrow enough to act as a wind tunnel, sucking breezes from the river and serving as a place for the household pets to sleep, hence the name.

At first Cash, like his father, had wondered about trying to incorporate this particular piece of the past into the future. Both Rosslyns believed in historical preservation and deeply appreciated the importance of restoring Virginia’s heritage. The Valley wasn’t the same place Cash had roamed as a boy. Farms were being sold and divided, agriculture was slowly giving way to tourism and the suburbs and strip malls of Northern Virginia were encroaching. He was committed—as much as he could commit to anything—to keeping the past alive between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghenies.

The Spurlock cabin hadn’t been worth a lot, either historically or structurally. Luckily there was nothing like sentiment to jump-start a project. Kendra had felt an attachment to the cabin and her husband’s past, and with some creative design ideas from her kid sister, Cash’s enthusiasm, along with his father’s, had grown. They’d found an old barn and dismantled the logs to use in the addition. A foundation was dug, a skeletal structure begun. Then a fire destroyed almost everything except the logs, which were stacked at a safe distance.

Now, with nothing left to anchor the new house to the past, Jamie, clearly a promising architecture student, had taken on the task of drawing up plans that looked toward the future. But her efforts had turned up something unexpected. Last week, when he’d stopped by to work on the playhouse, she’d told him that, after questioning Kendra and Isaac at length and showing them plans and designs, rough sketches and sophisticated renderings, in the end, the concept they were most excited about used the same dogtrot design as Isaac’s grandmother’s cabin.

“Some ideas just take root,” Jamie’d said, as she showed him what she’d done. “This one will not be shaken loose. I think we have to go with it.”

And she had been so darned cute when she said it, so absorbed and serious, that right there on the spot he probably would have agreed to build the Taylors an igloo and chop the ice blocks from a glacier himself.

Tonight his father was going to look over the finished product and give his opinion. They were on the way to Jamie’s right now, with Manning much too quiet beside him.

“I think you’ll agree Jamie Dunkirk’s got talent,” Cash said, to break the silence. “A covered porch connects the two wings. The porch’ll have a stone fireplace for warmth on cool nights and expansive square footage for entertaining. The second story covers the whole length of the house and makes use of window walls to bring home the views. The barn logs will find use as beams and posts in conjunction with stone.”

“Well, talent’s all well and good, but I’m not agreeing to anything until an experienced architect critiques and finalizes her ideas.”

Cash hoped that Brady, the architect who sometimes worked with Rosslyn and Rosslyn, would let Jamie draft the blueprints and simply review them when she was finished. Still, even if he didn’t, Jamie could certainly claim the design in her portfolio.

“I don’t think there’ll be much of a problem,” he said. “I made a few suggestions, but she’s got a great eye. And she’s well on her way toward her master’s degree and licensing.”

“I’m not sure why I had to come tonight,” Manning said. “You know I trust your judgment. If you and Brady say the plans will work, they’ll work.”

They had been over this before, but as he turned onto Fitch Crossing Road, Cash tried again.

“It’s Rosslyn and
Rosslyn
, and the Taylors will expect you to at least make a brief appearance. Besides, Mrs. Taylor trusted you with the last house. She’ll feel more comfortable if you give this one your stamp of approval.”

“Really? I’ve been wondering if you just want me involved because you’re not planning to see the project through to completion on your own. Maybe you’re thinking about taking those horses of yours and hightailing it back to Kentucky, and you want me up to speed.”

Cash felt a prick of irritation. “I want you involved because, I re
peat
, the name on the side of this pickup is Rosslyn and Rosslyn.”

“Just remember that yourself.”

“Are you wearing down, old man? Is that what this is about? All you have to do is say something if you’re just getting too tired and cranky to keep up.” Cash was careful not to smile.

“I can still run circles around any codger my age. I’m up and down ladders as often as you are.”

“Then why drag your feet on the Taylor project? In case you don’t remember, these folks want quality work. Nobody’s asking us to cut corners. We can do some of our best detailing, make it a showplace.”

“I put some fine work into the last one, too, and before we could see any results the whole place burned down because one of
our
men brought a careless buddy of his onto the property.”

Cash heard a deep and unwelcome chagrin in his father’s voice. The old cabin had burned when a troubled young man Manning had hired to work on the cabin had taken a buddy and gone back after hours and, worse, after too much liquor. A cigarette butt, a pile of debris and poof, Leah Spurlock’s history had gone up in flames.

“I think if the Taylors held that against us, they would have hired somebody else to build this house,” Cash said.

“I used to visit that cabin as a young man, you know. Rachel Spurlock, Leah’s daughter, was a friend of mine.”

Cash knew the basics. Rachel Spurlock was Isaac’s mother. She and Manning had grown up together, but after high school, Rachel had left Toms Brook, never to return. Sometime in her thirties, she had given birth to her only child out of wedlock, then died in a tragic accident. By then, she had already given Isaac up for adoption.

Isaac had known nothing of his roots until the attorney in charge of his grandmother’s estate presented him with the deed to the cabin and a quilt Leah had left him in her will. Isaac hadn’t been interested in finding out about the family who had abandoned him at birth, but Kendra hadn’t been able to let it go. The whole story of Leah and her husband, Jesse, had unfolded after a great deal of digging. Rachel’s story was still something of a mystery to Cash, but at least Rachel Spurlock’s youth lived on in his father’s memories.

“Does being out here stir up the past?” Cash asked. “Is that the problem?”

“Why would it be?”

“You’d have to answer that.”

“I just lost heart after the cabin burned. That’s the sum total.”

“You’re not responsible, and they don’t hold you responsible. They want you involved, and that’s as clear a message as any I’ve ever heard.”

Manning leaned back in his seat. “Let’s just get it over with. But don’t forget, I’m entrusting this one to you. We’re going to be spread pretty thin in the next months. We’re going to have to split up our responsibilities. That’s the point of having two Rosslyns in the company.”

Cash issued his usual warning. “Don’t go taking on too many projects without my consent. I haven’t made any promises about how long I intend to stay at this. You know that.”

“Yeah, I know that and more. You’re giving me ulcers. You and that grandmother of yours. I don’t know why things always have to be in upheaval with you two.”

“Granny Grace always says, the rougher the river, the better the fishing.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t recall your grandmother ever spent a lot of time on the banks of the North Fork with a fly rod in her hand.”

“No, from what I’ve been told she was pretty well busy in that orchard everybody’s so anxious to get rid of, making a go of it and holding her family together.”

“Don’t start with that. Don’t we have enough going on tonight?”

Cash knew the subject of his grandmother and Cashel Orchard was a sore one right now. He slowed just before the drive that led to the new cabin and changed the subject. “Jamie Dunkirk’s not only got talent, she’s got two of the cutest little girls you’ve ever seen in your life.”

“So I suppose that means there’s nothing going on between the two of you.”

“Why, because she has kids?”

“No, because she sounds like a responsible human being capable of taking care of herself and her daughters.”

Cash laughed. “I’m just footloose and fancy free. You know what I always say…”

“Yeah, you go by Cash because then you won’t have to take credit for anything.”

Cash turned into the drive and slowed to a crawl. “But tonight I’ll take credit for getting you out here, old man.”

Manning gathered up a couple of file folders and tucked them under his arm. “Let’s get this over with. Then I want you to take full credit for this job. I have enough on my plate. I want as little to do with it as possible.”

With dinner a pleasant memory, the kitchen cleaned courtesy of Isaac and Kendra, and the girls playing with newly unpacked toys in the bedroom, Jamie served her sister and brother-in-law coffee. Manning and Cash were expected any minute, so she had brewed a full pot. She didn’t pour herself any; instead she made a cup of apple tea with a little honey and pretended it was just as good.

Her annoyance with her sister had evaporated. They’d had a wonderful meal, pleasant conversation, a chance to be a family. And along the way there had been a revelation, too, that she was keeping to herself for the moment. If her brighter mood was caused by hormones, she hoped they remained for a while in exactly this proportion.

“You’re looking forward to getting Manning’s opinion, aren’t you?” Kendra said.

“Cash likes the plans. I hope his dad will, too.”

“I’m almost surprised Manning’s making the trip,” Kendra said, accepting her coffee. “Every time I’ve tried to pin him down, he’s been evasive.”

Jamie gave Isaac his cup, then settled on the largest sofa beside her sister. “I haven’t met him yet. But he’s probably old enough to retire if he wants to. Could be he just wants to turn more of the business over to Cash.”

“Two years ago, Cash sounded like he wasn’t committed to staying around here forever. Or even very long. To tell the truth, I’m kind of surprised he’s still here. I don’t think construction is his only love.”

“What would be?”

“I seem to remember him mentioning he was involved in the Kentucky racing scene before he came back to Toms Brook.”

Although this was news, Jamie could imagine Cash in the adrenaline-fueled world of horse racing. At the same time, she believed that his interest in historical preservation and quality construction was a genuine part of him, as well.

“He’s a multifaceted guy,” she said. “The most interesting kind. And it’s all going to turn out just fine.”

“You’ve been awfully positive since dinner ended,” Kendra said. “Are you our official optimist?”

“If you’ll listen to me.”

The crunch of gravel signaled the Rosslyns’ arrival. Jamie leaped up to answer the door. Beyond the porch, fireflies dotted the twilight. Darkness had brought cooler air and the sweet smell of the last wild roses and honeysuckle. She savored a deep breath.

Cash sprang down from the driver’s side of a Rosslyn and Rosslyn pickup, and the passenger door opened. An older man stepped down. Not awkwardly, but not with the same ease as his son. Jamie saw that he was broad shouldered and tall, and in his prime had probably been formidable in fistfights or on a football field.

Cash waited for his father, and they walked up the path together. Cash raised his hand in salute, then introduced his dad.

Jamie held out her hand, and they shook. Up close, Manning’s age was more apparent. She guessed he was in his early to mid-seventies. He was nearly bald on top and made no attempt to comb over the gray strands that were left. She liked his dark eyes, which warmed when he smiled a greeting. She saw no resemblance to his son.

“It was nice of you both to come out in the evening like this,” she said.

Manning gave a short nod. “Sometimes that’s the only way we can find time to talk to our customers.”

“Kendra and Isaac are going back early in the morning, so this is one of those opportunities.” Jamie stepped back to usher them in.

Cash lingered a moment. “Granny Grace says to come ahead tomorrow.”

“Lucky’s improving?”

“If she made it this far, I think she’ll pull through.”

“The girls can’t wait to see her.”

“If you come by nine, they can feed her. I brought directions. The house won’t be hard to find.”

“Will you be there?”

He grinned. “What makes you think I live there?”

“You live somewhere else?”

“No, I live on orchard property, but I’ll probably be gone tomorrow. I’ll show you where another time.”

Jamie was aware that the others were waiting for them. Manning had seated himself across from Kendra on a straight-back chair. He motioned for Cash to join them, as if he was in a hurry to get started.

“He’s had a long day,” Cash said. “We’d better get moving.”

At the end of an hour, they had all agreed on a final plan to send to Rosslyn and Rosslyn’s architect. Even Manning, who impressed Jamie as a man who said little unless he had something big to say, told her the house was going to be magnificent.

“Cash said you were talented,” he said, rolling up the plans. “This cabin’s one thing. Nice and simple. Well thought out. But these plans are a different universe. Brady’s going to be impressed. Probably unhappy, too, that he won’t need to do much of anything to earn his keep. I want you to get together with him after he’s had a chance to look, if you will. To answer any questions.”

Jamie felt like she had the day the trustees of her father’s estate had handed over her trust fund. Better, in fact, since she’d won this by hard work, not the genetic lottery. “I really appreciate hearing that from somebody who should know. Someone besides my professors.”