9

The stairs to my room at the inn felt like the ascent to Everest. I kicked my shoes off, dropped my purse and wedding planner on the floor, and went to the much closer couch. I’d pulled a double at the diner to give Tracy a much-needed morning off. My heavy eyelids closed, but my racing mind wouldn’t let me sleep.

Scott is coming home today.

He’d texted me that Phoebe wouldn’t be working at the diner. I’d thought about what Toppy had told me. Scott’s parents had always taken needy folks under their wing. Me, Tracy and Liz, and a host of others who’d passed through. Why should their legacy stop just because I was a smidge jealous of poor Phoebe? She had helped me in the end, after all. I’d gotten used to Melissa’s presence as Scott’s nurse. Tall, thin, accomplished. At least Melissa wasn’t a former Miss Texas, just a former fiancée.

“Fat little kid.” Those hurtful words had been my inner voice nearly all my life. That is, until I took the Washout Express exit, running from my broken down life. Dear, old Exit 477.

Sure, it hurt a bit to find out he’d been engaged and never told me about it. I’d had a rough couple of days. I reached, but my bare neck reminded me I still couldn’t find my necklace. I’d swept the floor, checked my purse, and I’d even gone through the crocheted blankets to see if it had snagged on one of them. I refused to believe I’d lost it. No, it would turn up. It had to. Lord, please help me find it.

My old insecurities had popped up at the knowledge that Scott had been engaged to a beauty like Melissa. Should I laugh or cry at how easily I’d reverted to my old thought patterns? Wasn’t it on this very couch that I’d berated myself silly the morning after Darryl dumped me?

Forgiveness came easily. Newness in Christ defined our relationship. I’d not hold Scott accountable for anything in his past. He’d certainly not held mine up to scrutiny. Besides, I’d nearly lost him. That put things in perspective. My cell buzzed. It might be the hospital. I retrieved my purse and rummaged for my phone.

“Bailey, this is Jim Ballard. Got a minute?” My lawyer and family friend often checked on me.

“Yes, sir, nice to hear from you.” I snuggled deeper under the afghan.

“I heard your young man had a heart attack. How is he?”

“Scott is doing well. In fact, he’s coming home today.” Yes, thank God.

“That’s good news and I’m glad to hear it. I had a heart attack myself, just at his age. Overwork and stress nearly killed me.”

I sat bolt upright. “I didn’t know that, Mr. Ballard. You’ve lived such a long time, so that gives me hope, I mean...” Way to go, Bailey.

Mr. Ballard laughed. “Yes, a very long time.” I heard a muffled chuckle. “I had to learn to pace myself, ask for help. If Scott goes through the same thing I did, you’ll need to have patience with him.”

“You got that right. You wouldn’t believe his attitude right now.” I cringed remembering how touchy Scott could become if work was mentioned.

“Give him time, Bailey. He needs your help, but he doesn’t want to feel helpless. Don’t baby him. I’m sure he needs to adjust his work and stress level, but try not to make him feel incapable. His mind will be playing tricks on him.”

Balance. So that’s it. Help him, but don’t take away his dignity. His words went with what Mom and Dr. Harkin had already advised. “That’s advice I needed today, Mr. Ballard. Thanks so much.” Maybe I’d get a handle on all this after all.

“You’ll have lots of babies and grandbabies. I have an appointment so I need to go. Oh, I forgot to mention the other reason I called. The scholarship is all set up at the college. When you are ready to award it, just call the college business office, and they’ll connect you to the right person. I’m so pleased you decided to do that.”

“Thank you. I know Gran would be happy about it. We’ve decided to give it to Tracy Salas. She works for Scott and is well-deserving. I hope we can get her started this spring semester.” I should have told Tracy by now. So many other things were going on that made that important issue get tabled. But I couldn’t leave Scott out of it.

“Have you decided to rebuild on the Pinewood Manor lot? You’ve still got a quarter of a million in the insurance settlement left after the scholarship.”

“We’re praying about it. It’s been so hectic that we haven’t been able to think about it.” I didn’t want to think about my grandmother’s historical home leveled in ashes. My broken dream of a bed and breakfast there was at least lessened by my upcoming marriage, and the inn I’d get to continue running.

“Well, please call if you or your mother needs any assistance. Bye, now.”

I took a breath to say “bye” but then he spoke again.

“Oh, wait, I almost forgot another reason I called. That’s a byproduct of my old age,” he said with a laugh. “I ran into that woman, Phoebe Waverly, the one who helped you out with that Darryl Graham business.”

“Yes?”

“She saw my ad in the paper for a temporary job. My secretary will be gone for three months to help out her daughter and new grandbaby. She gave you as a reference. What do you think? I have the feeling she really needs the job.”

Mercy. She hadn’t even had her first day at West House Diner. “The only thing I know for sure is that she does need a job. We were about to give her a chance at the diner, but I think she wants something a little more, oh, I don’t know. Maybe classy?” Should I tell him I didn’t offer my name as a reference? Maybe Mr. Ballard’s maturity and his upscale law office would be just what she needed. “She’d dress up the place, and she is good with people. As to her other skills, I’m not really sure.”

Phoebe still hadn’t come back to pick up her purse. Since she’d be working for Mr. Ballard, I decided to just drop her purse off at his office. I’d been tempted to read that letter from Darryl, so getting it out of the house was a plus. Maybe there had been more to their relationship than his just using her.

“Well, I think I’ll give her a try. It’s temporary, and she seems to need the job. An inkling in my spirit, if you will.”

“I totally understand. We were going on that same inkling. Hope it works out for you. Thanks again for the advice regarding Scott.”

Mr. Ballard chuckled as he ended the call. He’d mentioned babies and grandchildren, giving me something nice to think about. Warmth rushed up my cheeks at the thought of becoming a mother. Scott and I hadn’t settled the when and how many on that subject. Or maybe it was just me.

“The more the merrier, and the sooner the better.” Scott laughed every time he said that, but I thought he meant it.

Dr. Harkin approved Scott to go on with the wedding, as long as he cut down on his workload and adhered to his medicine and diet plan. Privately he’d warned me about Scott’s mood swings. Things would get back to normal, or rather, a new normal, with time.

I’d make sure things ran smoothly at his businesses.

I let my head sink into the throw pillow. I prayed over all these things. Images of recent events flickered through my mind like a silent movie. The first tree-canopied drive down Exit 477 segued to Peeps shaking his cane at me the first time we’d met. My mind’s eye played Scott running into the Pinewood Manor inferno risking his life to save my precious letter box. The wedding. My plans formed before my mind as I nearly dozed.

A knock at the door startled me.

“Bailey, can I come in?” Tracy used her key to open the door and stuck her nose in.

I don’t know what I’d have done without her help these last few weeks. I’d planned a surprise party to award her scholarship. Anticipation of getting that rolling energized me. “Yes, of course. I’m glad you came by. We haven’t had a chance to really visit since, well, you know.” I rose from the couch and patted the seat.

She plopped down. “You know, I feel kind of bad about something.”

“Oh? What’s up?” What could this great young lady have to confess?

“I feel bad about how ugly I acted about Toppy hiring Phoebe. I guess I kind of took up an offense for you. I remembered later that she helped you out. She did look kind of desperate.” She crossed her arms and leaned into my shoulder.

“I reacted the same way. But I think West House is famous for taking in strays. Scott tried to shut the situation down, probably for my sake, but it’s a moot point now. She got a job in town.”

“She did? Well, that’s that, then. Hope it works out. We dodged a bullet. Whew!” She sat up and slapped her knees then deflated with a sigh.

“What is it now?”

“I’m just heartless, I guess.”

“You? Not at all. I understand. I think we should pray for her though. She seems kind of lost.”

“Good idea. That will make me feel better. I mean that will make her feel better. Oh, shoot. I don’t know what I mean.” She shook her head.

“It’s OK. Hard to know what to think these days.”

“How’s Scott?”

“Well, physically improving by all accounts, but I think he’s struggling mentally. Maybe even spiritually.” I’d only scratched the surface of understanding.

“We’re all praying for him.” She gave me a hug. Sweet, wise girl. She was nearly ten years my junior but so responsible. “What do you have here?” She picked up my crochet bag from the coffee table.

“Oh, it’s a wedding gift for Scott. He loves that I’ve learned to crochet, thanks to you and all the inspiration his mother left here. I’m making a lap afghan for him. I imagine cozy evenings snuggled together under it.” I pulled it out and worked on the half-finished project.

Tracy ran her hands across the completed section. “Soft. Why aquamarine? Looks just like the Washout Express building.”

I laughed. “Exactly. I hope Scott recognizes that. It kind of represents my journey since I wandered this way.”

“There’s no wandering to it. God intended for you to take that exit. We’re all the better for it.” She propped her feet up on the coffee table and watched me crochet.

“Do you have guests this weekend?” She closed her eyes and leaned back.

“No, things sort of leveled off when school started. But I’m booked solid between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Mom and the girls have promised to help since I’ll be getting married, and then away on my honeymoon.”

“I’ll help all I can. Since your gal pals, Mandy and Macy, are sweet on Scott’s boys, I can count on them to help me. They are here all the time. And speaking of being sweet on someone, where’s the honeymoon going to be?”

“Would you believe we haven’t decided yet? I’ve always wanted to see Carlsbad Caverns, and Scott’s always wanted to ski in Colorado. I don’t know how well he’ll feel for either trip.” I let the afghan fall into my lap.

“You know how to ski?” Tracy raised her head and pulled the completed part of the afghan across her knees.

“No, but I imagine hot chocolate, fireplaces, and beautiful romantic scenery.”

“Now that sounds nice. I vote for that.”

I smirked and giggled at her. “OK, I’ll let Scott know you’ve made up our minds.”

“Maybe I should come along.” She nudged my shin with her foot.

“Uh, No. Thank. You.” I shook my finger at my young friend.

“Seriously, though, you guys have stuff happen to you all the time.” She put her arm around me.

“I know, right? But it’s more good than bad. I can feel it in my bones.”

“Prayer can do it, and we both know it can. Thanks for the morning off. I better head to the diner.”

I nodded, busy counting stitches.

She reached into the bag and pulled out a skein. “Soft Royal,” she read from the wrapping. “What a pretty purple.” She looked deep in thought for a moment and then realization brightened her face.

“And I suppose there will be exactly three rows of this soft, royal purple?” A tear pooled in the corner of her eyes.

“Yes, exactly three.” I smiled and choked back my own tears.

I took a breath to speak and Tracy recited with me, “Queen o’ Sheba, Queen o’ Sheba, Queen o’ Sheba.”

~*~

The solace of the tree-canopied stretch of road bolstered me like medicine. I turned up the heat in Toppy’s SUV.

“It’s been great having Bailey’s roommates take over the cooking so I could be up at the hospital with you.” Toppy pulled up to the diner. “But I’m ready to get back to work.”

“Mandy and Macy are great, aren’t they? And with Greg and Todd running across the street all the time, it must be pretty mushy around here.” I pushed open the car door and stood.

“Lot of that going on around here,” he said. Was that a blush splashing across his cheek?

“I’d say you know more about that than anyone.” I grinned at my uncle, who pretended to ignore me. His ever reddening cheeks said otherwise.

“I guess you taught them everything you know.” I changed the subject.

“Not much to teach about cooking hamburgers; although,” he stopped and lifted an eyebrow at me, “you’ll find a few new items on the menu in honor of your new healthy lifestyle.”

“Like what?” They hadn’t asked me before making changes in my own place of business? Well, I’m back.

“There’s a green salad on the menu, and hold on to your hat, a veggie burger.” My uncle avoided my eyes as he reached in the back for my suitcase.

“Oh, yeah, like that’s gonna go over with the truckers. And we already had a green salad on the menu.” They really took advantage of my absence to wreck the place.

“A little bowl of iceberg lettuce is not a healthy, green salad. The truck drivers don’t order the veggie burger, but people are coming from town just for that. The girls have taken to serving turkey as well.”

Whatever. At least I was home. I could deal with the diner later. I needed to find Bailey first.

Tracy came running out the door. “Scott!” She threw her arms around me and play socked me on the shoulder. “It’s about time you got home.”

Liz came out right behind her. “Scott, how wonderful to see you. We’ve missed you.”

“I appreciate it, but I saw both of you rather often during visiting hours.” My cheeks warmed at all the kissing and hugs.

“It’s just not the same around here without you. You’re the heart of this place.” Liz took my hand and led me to the door.

Her comment caused emotion to well up. If they only knew how much that meant to me. But Bailey was the one who got the heart of the place beating again. Backbone. That was my role in all this. At least it used to be.

Liz reached for the door handle, but I stopped her.

“Since when do you open doors for me?” I dropped her hand and immediately regretted the irritation in my voice.

“Sorry, just feeling motherly, that’s all.” She stepped back and let me open the door for her. She entered, followed by Liz and finally Toppy, who gave me a frosty look as he passed. He headed upstairs with my suitcase.

Mandy and Macy hustled out the kitchen door to greet me.

“I don’t know what we would have done without you ladies. Thanks so much for helping out.” And thanks for putting veggie burgers on the menu-not. Ought to be a law.

“No problem at all; we’ve loved every minute.” Mandy craned her neck to look at the washout across the street.

It’s a wonder anything got done with all the romance in the air. I needed to go see my beloved. I worried a little that she’d visited me so infrequently the last few days of my hospital stay. I certainly deserved it, ‘cause I’d acted like a horse’s behind. She claimed to forgive me, but I couldn’t quite decide how she really felt.

Everyone dispersed to continue with their work, leaving me at a table with a glass of tea, no sugar. I downed it. Yuck. What was the point of living in Texas if you couldn’t drink sweet tea?

I retrieved my truck keys and took off. I found Bailey sleeping so hard that she didn’t wake as I opened the door. So beautiful. The sight of her snuggled under an afghan that my Mom made touched me. Dad loved Bailey, and Mom would have too. The depth of that incredible loss tightened my throat. Yes, I had to acknowledge what I’d been given. “Beloved.” I hadn’t meant to wake her, but she opened her eyes and smiled.

She sat and held out one end of the afghan. She didn’t need to ask me twice. I rushed to her side. I slipped my arm around her and pulled her close. Her hair brushed my cheek like silken ribbons. I kissed her. “Bailey, I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?” There was no use trying to explain what I couldn’t understand. I ventured another kiss, relieved that she responded. I gave her the autumn spray bouquet.

Her eyes lit up like Christmas. She set the flowers on the coffee table and then put her hands on my face and pulled our foreheads together. “No need to say anything, my love. I didn’t lose you. That’s all that matters.”

I rested in her gentle embrace.

Forgiveness and peace glowed from her brimming eyes.

She still loves me.