Rainn yawned as he stretched his feet over the bottom of the sofa. He raised his arms above his head, reaching as far as he could to get the kinks out.
The ringing phone jarred his attempt to loosen stiff muscles. He missed his roomy bed. He could have used some more sleep. With his parents in his home, in his bedroom, the air was so tense even his molars ached.
He contorted his face in a jaw-cracking yawn. “All right, I’m coming,” he said at the third ring.
Mia’s routine was disrupted, and because his mother had given Mia juice before bed, she had wet her pajamas in the middle of the night. It wasn’t just her night clothes that needed to be washed, but all the bedding except the comforter.
“’Lo?” he muttered.
“Mr. Harris, this is Shirley Blevins.”
He came wide awake with attention.
“The aide and I met last night to prepare for second semester. Since Mia is doing so well, we plan to have an aide only for reading comprehension and math. Mainstreaming really is the way to seek normalcy for autistics. She’s just a little behind, so we’ll keep an individual spelling list for her.”
“Sounds great. Let’s tell her just before holiday break. Appreciate it.” He disconnected at the same time he saw his father in the bedroom doorway, and felt again all the stiffness from sleeping on the couch.
“Kinda early for a phone call, isn’t it?” Jay Harris growled as he came into the living room.
Rainn crossed the room to shut Mia’s door. “You could have stayed in a motel.”
“Well, you’re in a fine mood.”
“I’m not the one who always has something critical to say.”
“I can tell you’re itching to say a lot. Let’s have some coffee and get it over with.”
“What I have to say could take a while.” It’s built up for a lifetime.
Rainn tossed his father one of his own lined and hooded jackets. They shrugged into the coats. Then he poured mugs of coffee for his father and himself. As an afterthought, he added two tablespoons of sugar to his own. Though he knew the extra sweetness wouldn’t help the building bitterness.
Even if Geneva thought she didn’t want to be around him, Rainn knew better. This was the third day in a row he hadn’t been to her place to have his day start on the right foot, with not only her coffee, but her presence.
He made no attempt to deny she was ingrained in his soul. He loved her. He needed her. She was meant for him.
And she was meant for Mia, whether the woman admitted it or not. He had taken her frustration in stride and would give her time to sort out her feelings.
They’d have it out. He had to get her to reach deep inside, way past the piddling issue of their ages, and her own life in Frivolities, or whatever other objections she claimed.
But before he faced her, he had to have it out with his father. And he was way past tolerant about what he and Lindsay had put up with from the elder Harris. Mainly, the man had been no father figure. On the other hand, he’d shown up now, so he must want to put forth an effort.
Exiting the kitchen for the back deck, he prayed.
This is hard, Lord. But You know I’ve got years of stuff waiting to pour out. You got angry. I know love is the way to handle relationships. I may say some wrong things here, and You know that I’ve forgiven my dad for how he was with me, because You replaced it all. But I need to get it out now, so I ask that You help this man you chose to be my father get a feel for where I’m coming from.
“All right,” Jay Harris said, foot on the bench, elbow on his leg. “Let’s have it.”
Rainn took the far corner of the deck and fixed his stare on the roof of Mia’s playhouse. Ready or not, time to dive in.
“I’m in it for the long haul with Mia. I plan to be around for every step of her growth. If I mess up, I hope I’ll realize it and ask her forgiveness. What little kid doesn’t think his daddy is the center of the world? All I wanted as a boy was to have you spend time with me, to show me what a father is all about. I remember being a little boy and running to the door when you came home. That is, if I was awake. Seemed like you were always working late.” He couldn’t put into words how conflicted he’d been, trying to be respectful and obedient at the same time.
Rainn’s father tossed his remaining coffee over the rail and straightened to rigid attention. “I provided for you! How can you claim I didn’t give you anything?”
“And I appreciate the financial effort. Without it, I couldn’t have followed my dream to become an artist. But I’m not talking about money here, Dad. How could I measure up to your expectations of me, to be a man according to your way of thinking, when I didn’t know what was expected of me as a teenager, not to mention as a grown man? You never had time for me. Your only son.”
Resignation colored his father’s next words. “Sorry to disappoint. You know I grew up so poor there was no way I’d raise my kids like that. All a man can ever do is his best at any given time. I worked. You went to college without having to work. I traveled when I was done working. End of story.”
“So why are you here, now? Back in Nebraska? When you were here for Lindsay’s service, you thought I could handle things.”
“Your mother got me to see that we messed up years ago, hadn’t been there for Lindsay when she needed us. She wanted to, you know. Your mother wanted to take care of Mia when Lindsay went into rehab.” His father’s shoulders relaxed as he spoke of Rainn’s mother, but he had yet to look Rainn in the eye.
“No, I had no idea.” Rainn’s thoughts raced back and forth across the back yard. “My Heavenly Father replaced the desire to be close to you when you and Mother took off on your travels. I always felt like you turned your back on Lindsay when she got into the drugs. Then later, when Mia was diagnosed, it was like she didn’t seem important enough for you guys to give her the time of day.”
“That’s about to change. We made mistakes.” His father finally turned to meet Rainn’s gaze. A glint of what could be respect shown in his eyes. “Now we want to be decent grandparents to that little girl. And, we need to keep nudging the authorities in Texas to find out what happened when Lindsay died.”
Rainn gulped his coffee, reaching deep within for a calmer tone. He had gone after power and gained some through the rush of being a fireman. But power didn’t have to be pitting strength against flame or accident. Power came from God and could be exhibited in art, or reaching the heart of another.
Could he reach his father? “I’ve learned to trust Jesus. With my pain, my problems, my child’s—and she is mine—autism. I feel blessed that God has provided me with the opportunity to be a father. I see no reason why I shouldn’t pursue adoption to make that title legal.”
Just as well enter the inferno.
“I pray also, that I’ll soon have the opportunity to be a husband. Geneva hasn’t agreed yet. But God will reveal to me through His Word how to be a provider, a protector, an instructor, a leader, a friend. Anything He calls me to, I’ll be able to do by calling on His strength.”
“Huh. That woman knows you’ll get all my money some day. She’s the real reason we’ve come for Mia. And another thing, if I want to be preached to, I can go to church on Sunday.”
The reference to money was so typical of his father, that Rainn figured he’d been dreaming the sight of respect in his father’s eye. But he knew he had to quit, out of respect for the position Jay Harris held as Rainn’s father.
Every ounce of his being itched to erupt and come to Geneva’s defense, but Rainn swallowed the urge to lash out. His father didn’t know him. And he knew very little about Geneva. The man had no idea in the world what a wonderful, talented, unselfish, loving woman Geneva was.
“You’ll not talk that way about Geneva. And, I’m sorry if you think I’m preaching, but I haven’t thought of you as a father role model for quite some time. My Heavenly Father is faithful. As much as it hurts you to hear me say this, God has proven Himself over the years to never let me down. He provides for me, protects me. I belong to Him. And as I need instruction I can turn to His Word for help in being a daddy for Mia.”
Jay Harris stood as inflexible as one of the playhouse posts. “Your mother and I are here to help now. You’re a single man, moving from job to job. We’ll stay put and learn how to take care of our granddaughter. In fact, I’ve got my attorney drawing up legal pursuit as we speak—”
“You had the chance for your say when I was a kid. Now it’s my say.” Rainn was finished trying to reason with an unreasonable man, even if the man was his own father.
Anger flashed in his father’s eyes. “Not yet. Let me finish. You know I’m no good at little-girl things any more than little-boy business, but that child needs a man and woman in her life.”
“She has a man and woman in her life.”
“If you’re talking about that shopkeeper, no way. You need to find someone your own age. If you can’t find one here, move to the city and get involved in a social group of some kind.”
Rainn stiffened his spine. He tossed the last swallow of his coffee over the railing, and spun to face the man who had given him life.
Some people were just plain unreasonable.
“I’ve never expected anything from you, not since I’ve been an adult. But I sure would think that in today’s day and age, you’d be more open-minded.”
Jay Harris cursed.
“This conversation is over. You never tried to guide me or give me advice when I lived in your home. We’re way beyond you starting now.”
Rainn’s father cursed again.
“Guess that sums up your attitude. I expect you and Mom to say goodbye to Mia. You’re not welcome in my home right now.”
“See you in court, Son.”
****
Moselle’s wedding was finally upon them. Geneva had been all prepared to face Rainn at rehearsal dinner the night before, but according to Rainn, Mia had the fit of all fits. She went totally ballistic. Rainn felt he needed to stay with her at home rather than add more potential drama.
With the wedding and the Harris visit, she and Rainn hadn’t spoken personally for most of the week, except for short daily phone conversations, neither bringing up his phone message. They’d been very reserved with one another. Last night Rainn told her why Jay and Adeana Harris had come to town.
“Dad and Mom want custody of Mia.”
“Whaaat?”
“Would you pray about that, please?”
Geneva turned into the alley behind the shop. She went through all the emotions she had the night before. She wanted to fight, spit, claw, or whatever the proverbial she-bear did, when coming to the defense of her young.
I’ll be her mother before those people get their mitts on Mia. Lord, help me pull myself together.
Moselle wanted to get ready for her wedding at the loft above Frivolities. Soon, the loft would be Lanae’s home, rather than Moselle’s. Geneva parked off the alley and shook her head at sight of the decorations. A foil rainbow curved above the sliding door. Twinkle lights and greenery wound up the stairs, around the landing and top railing deck.
Warmth and light created a cozy ambience, defying the fact that the place faced an alley in downtown Platteville, Nebraska. Geneva surveyed the space at ground level and again pictured Rainn’s suggested fountain and seated garden area beyond the back door.
“Hey, Mom. Nervous?”
“I’m not the bride.” Geneva’s thoughts skittered all over the place, but she had become used to that. She really needed to read more about midlife crisis. Disjointed thoughts accompanied her up the stairs.
Moselle greeted her with a tranquil hug, green eyes sparkling with joy.
Geneva’s hand didn’t shake at all when she sat and brushed on lavender eye shadow, remembering the last time she’d done her makeup. When Jay and Adeana Harris were in town for Lindsay’s memorial service, Geneva had been just as anxious.
The eye shadow applicator she’d picked up then was so old that it crumbled. She’d laughed later at her attempt to gussy up for Rainn’s parents. No need. She was there for Rainn and Mia, not to make herself look any better, or younger, in their estimation.
Moselle came up from behind and kissed Geneva’s cheek. “You’re gorgeous, Mom.”
“I’m not so sure. Why did you choose such flamboyant colors for me? Deep purple and vibrant reddish-orange?”
“It’s so you, Mom. No other dress would do once I saw this one.”
“But Karin’s pale gold and olive is so much more subtle.”
“Too late to go shopping.” Moselle took a step back and gave Geneva the onceover.
Geneva turned back to face the mirror and saw a huge glop of mascara on her nose. This time her hand did shake as she finished the makeup business.
“Tump-ta-da-duh.” Moselle’s maid of honor, Karin Stevens, from the Purple Palace Beauty Spa, followed her triumphant salute by standing back and giving all the women a critical eye. Her gaze passed over every hair, and must have found them to her satisfaction. “Don’t mind if I say so myself. We all look splendiferous.”
She flared her skirt in a pirouette, hands weaving through the air. She landed before Moselle, brought both hands to her lips and kissed her fingertips like some Italian chef, letting the kiss float on the air in Moselle’s direction.
Geneva started to choke up, so proud she could cry.
“Before we traipse out of here, Mom Carson, do you have any sage words of advice for our Moselle?”
Geneva turned her back, shook off the Harris family in order to focus on Moselle and her wedding day. Pivoting to face forward once more, Geneva cleared her throat. “My heart is so full.” She took a deep breath, fought the gathering moisture, and gazed at her beautiful daughter. Geneva reached for Moselle’s hands.
“This morning I awakened with a new clarity. And I thank God. He chose to love us, to create us to love Him and live with Him through eternity. So we in turn can choose to love Him back, and to live life to its fullest. I believe eternity begins here on earth.” Geneva paused. Her heart, her cup, surely overflowed.
“Beautiful words of life, Mom. Thank you.”
“My last advice is for you to begin that eternity with Eric. And not to take anything from your shining day, but I plan to tell Rainn that I choose him.”
So much for putting that particular Harris out of my mind.
Lanae let out a whoop to rival any bareback ridin’ cowboy.
Mist pooled in eyes. Smiles beamed back and forth.
Moselle motioned for all to gather close. “We can’t leave yet. Let’s clasp hands, and Aunt Lanae, would you please pray?”
A sense of peace flowed through Geneva as she listened to her sister’s firm voice. It was one of those spiritual moments that lifted her away from the here and now and placed her on a heavenly plane.
Following the prayer, the women were ready. Ready to leave the loft for the church, embarking on new journeys for the Frivolities women.
Moselle, to begin her life with Eric.
Lanae, who looked almost as good as new today, only fifteen pounds lighter than before the hepatitis C treatments. She would soon have that final liver test, and then she’d be moving in to the loft.
Geneva turned away, swallowing her emotions and remembering how scared she’d been the day Lanae slept thirty-six hours. When Geneva called the doctor, he’d sounded optimistic when he told her Lanae should sleep as much as needed because it helped her heal.
And what about Geneva’s future? Was she ready to provide whatever Rainn and Mia needed?
Rather, who God wanted Geneva to be.
She gave Lanae a squeeze, and turned toward the inside door. “Let’s walk through Frivolities rather than down the outside stairs.”
She nodded and hugged Geneva back. “This is Moselle’s day, and it’s going to be grand.”
Geneva halted a couple steps from the floor. She surveyed the confusion of Frivolities, and couldn’t help her sense of satisfaction with the ordered chaos that had consumed her current stage of life.
“Even at my age, I’ve discovered I’m teachable,” Geneva said. “My life has been so filled with the stuff of Frivolities, and before that all the doings at church. Add the quilting. I had no idea anything was missing from my life.”
The sisters took the final steps into their shop.
“Until Rainn,” they said together.
Geneva thought Lanae looked ethereal when she searched her eyes, so like Geneva’s own, except deeper-set from the illness and resulting weight loss. Yet, a new wisdom and strength shone through. And they sparkled.
At the flick of a wrong switch, Moselle’s radio speakers jumped into the silence. A male country vocalist wailed down the stairwell about getting a brand new girlfriend after he was dumped.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
Lanae and Geneva made faces at each other. Lanae fumbled to get the light switches right.
Geneva was all prepared to turn her daughter over to a man who had grown to be like a son. And turn her future over to God, the whole of her remaining days.
It would take some major courage to show the town she and Rainn were meant to fill those days side by side.