Pepper wanted to crawl into bed and snuggle next to Mick with a book.
But the bed was a narrow hospital one and it sat in their front room and five of their six kids hung around him and he wore that awful plastic thing that made him four times larger than he was and a nurse was arriving soon.
So instead on that Monday afternoon, the day after Easter, she remained seated at the picnic table in her backyard, forcing herself to listen to Kenzie, who sat across from her. After the girl had warmly greeted Mick and spent a few minutes with him and the others, she dumped the news on Pepper: She’d turned Aidan down.
“Pepper, does any of this make sense to you?”
No! “Yes. No. Yes. No.” She sighed. “I’m in more of a dithery state than usual. Does it show?”
“I understand. I’m sorry for the timing with Mick and all—”
“That can’t be helped. I’m sorry for being unavailable. Just give me a minute, okay?”
She nodded, her countless hair shoots neatly bobbing as one.
She shut her eyes. Lord, I love this child like she’s one of my own. We’re all hurting so bad here…
“Pepper.” A minute for Kenzie meant something like the blink of an eye.
She looked at the girl, at that familiar smile playing about her lips, at the upturned nose. “What?”
“You could always try blasting out your opinion with both barrels.”
“There really is an imp inside of you, isn’t there?”
She grinned.
“Okay, Kenzie. I love you like you’re one of my own. I love my grandchild, the one you’re carrying. My son loves you. But if you’re not ready for marriage, you’re not ready.” She pressed her lips together.
“But you think I should be.”
“I wish you would be. That’s a different thing.”
“Getting married at a young age worked for you, but I’d make a horrible wife. I have to get my own act together first. Hopefully in time to be a mother so I can get that act figured out. Aidan says he understands.” Kenzie had talked with him at his apartment before coming to the house. “You know, he’s the one to blame for all this reconciliation nonsense.”
Pepper smiled. The news about Kenzie’s dad welcoming his daughter home floored her…until she remembered that a lot of women had been praying for exactly that to happen.
“If he hadn’t gone to my dad and said those absolutely amazing things, I don’t know what would have happened. Maybe if Mom stuck it out long enough and the Marthas kept boycotting, maybe he would have gotten the message eventually. But it was Aidan who cinched the deal. Dad even said so.”
“Do you love Aidan?”
“He still turns me to mush when he looks at me with those eyes of his or hugs me.” She smiled softly. “And he did that just a while ago. He is such a beautiful person, but I’m so mixed up inside. I can’t drag him into my mess. I don’t know what I feel except afraid he’ll regret us getting married. Or, worse, resent me.” She paused. “And I know I feel safe with my mom and dad. I don’t remember ever feeling that way with them. Of course, we haven’t even been together twenty-four hours yet. Dad and I already went at it again, arguing about some stupid thing this morning. All of a sudden Mom shouted, ‘Hold it!’ Then she pulled us close together and put my finger on Dad’s nose and his on mine.” She tapped her own. “She said when we wanted to fuss at each other, we had to literally push at each other’s buttons. We cracked up. I don’t know what’s going on with those two, but it feels good to me.”
Lord, You are a wonder.
“We’ve talked about maybe I’ll see a counselor. One who professes faith in Christ, naturally, else Dad wouldn’t pay for it. Would that disturb you and Mick?”
“Good heavens, no. The more help and prayer, the better.” She held in another sigh.
“Pepper.” Kenzie lowered her eyes momentarily and then looked at her. “I love you too. Your grandbaby is going to adore you…please don’t cry.”
She wiped at her eyes. “I’m going to miss you and your mom so much. And the baby—”
“Miss us! We’ll still see each other! As soon as Mick’s ready for company, Mom’s coming to meet him. Dad might even tag along. She said to tell you she’s available for coffee and ice cream anytime. But Dad’s not allowed to tag along for that.”
Pepper smiled.
“And the baby, well, shoot. Who’s the baby expert around this place? I’m counting on you to show me the ropes.”
Oh, Lord, let it be so. “I’m going to hold you to that, Kenzie. And I expect you and the little one here for family dinners.”
Kenzie faked a sneeze.
“Hey, get used to it. If I can’t be a pushy mother-in-law, I can still be one pungent Grandma out of Wedlock.”