Tori was a little out of breath from her sprint down the hill, but excitement buoyed her spirits. She found Bonnie and Carla sitting on the curb near their SUV.
“Climb aboard, girls. We have places to go and people to see.” Tori grinned at their confusion.
“C’mon, c’mon get in. I’ll explain on the way.”
“Oh, Tori, is there any possibility we will be able to stay here?” questioned Bonnie.
“Yep, looks like it.” Tori slipped the Toyota into gear and pulled onto the road behind the Mack. “See that truck?”
“We saw you climb into that truck and drive it away from the edge of the cliff,” cried Carla excitedly, before coughing long and hard.
Bonnie wrung her fragile hands in her lap. “It looked very dangerous, Tori. I don’t know why you always do dangerous things. You’re like those little children playing in the ditch. They didn’t have the sense to get to safety. If it hadn’t been for a tall man in a blue hat, they could have been injured. If that truck had rolled down the hill…I just can’t think about it. You would all have been killed.”
Tori took one small, tanned hand from the wheel and gently patted her sister’s clenched fists. “It’s fine, Bonnie. I'm fine!” she emphasized. “And it really wasn’t a cliff, Carla…just a …a big hill. A pile of dirt, I guess. Anyway, let me tell you the best part. The man who owns the truck offered me a job!”
Carla squealed and then began coughing again.
“You OK, baby?” Tori looked over her shoulder to check on Carla. “We don’t have a lot of your medicine left, and we don’t have the money to get more right now, so try to stay calm.”
“Where are we going, Tori?” Bonnie asked, as they followed a narrow ribbon of road between old three and four-story brick buildings that housed a great variety of shops. The windows overflowed with displays of art, pottery, herbs, books, clothing, and junk or antiques, depending on a person’s viewpoint.
“We’re going to…” Tori darted a quick glance at the card she’d tossed onto the console, “M & M Construction. It was Lance Manning that offered me the job.”
“But, Tori, you don’t do construction work,” exclaimed Carla.
Tori chuckled. “I can operate the equipment. Hopefully, that’s what counts.”
Tori flipped on the right turn signal and followed the ten-wheeler through a pair of large metal gates. She let the big truck put more distance between them so its huge tires wouldn’t throw gravel and accidentally chip her windshield.
Lance Manning had told her to go straight to the office; he’d meet her there after parking the truck, so she veered left into a paved parking area. Pulling in between a blue pickup with the company logo on the door and a bright red cruiser, Tori shoved the Toyota into park, ran the windows down and turned off the engine. She breathed deeply in an effort to calm her rapidly beating heart and force the sudden attack of nervousness away.
Carla’s deep, wracking cough jerked Tori’s gaze from the cream-colored brick building with large windows across the front and the M&M logo burned into a wooden sign over the door.
“Hand me your medicine, and let me give you a dose. Maybe then you can stretch out and rest for a while.” Tori quickly measured the strong cough syrup into a cup. She handed it to Carla, who grimaced at its awful taste but dutifully swallowed the vile stuff.
“I still say it tastes like turpentine,” complained Carla.
Tori leaned over the backseat and fluffed pillows so the little girl could rest. “And I’m sure, being the flaming-sword swallower that you are, you know the taste of really good turpentine.”
This teasing had the desired effect. Carla giggled and snuggled into her nest of pillows.
“I'm new at it, but I'll pray for you, Tori,” said Bonnie.
Tori didn't put much confidence in Bonnie's prayer, but if it made her feel better...fine. Tori gave Bonnie a shaky grin, stepped from the SUV and headed for the office door. Why she wanted this job, she didn't know. Oh, she needed a job to support them, but there was a desperate longing squeezing her heart that said this was more than important. It felt...life-changing? Yeah, what was with that? Tori mentally kicked herself for being too philosophical. A job's a job. Just get on with it, girl.
Sucking in a deep, confidence-building breath, she pulled the door open. The scene that met Tori’s eyes as she stepped into the air-conditioned building crushed her with an unexpected sense of loss. The tentative smile that had curved her lips dropped altogether as she looked toward the tall, blond man, the curly haired tyke snuggled against his chest and the petite brunette standing on tip-toe to receive his kiss.
Idiot! You don’t even know Lance Manning. How can you be disappointed that he is married and has a family. You have no business dreaming dumb, happily-ever-after stuff. Just be happy for the job. Besides, he couldn’t be interested in someone like you anyway, and if he knew your past and all you’re running from, he’d turn and head the other way for sure. You can’t afford to throw away a chance for this job, so grow up and get on with it. You have people for whom you are responsible…Bonnie and Carla need you.
Forcing a smile that didn’t seem to fit comfortably on her face at the moment, Tori surged forward with her right hand stretched out like a jousting lance. “Hi, again. I’m really thankful for the job offer, Mr. Manning. You won’t be sorry you hired me. I'm ready to start any time you say the word.” Tori slipped her hand in and out of his quickly without ever looking at his face. She turned her gaze upon the pretty woman now snuggled against his side. “You must be Mrs. Manning. I’m very pleased to meet you…and this must be your daughter…looks just like your husband with all those blond curls. My Carla could pass for one of yours.” Oh, great, Tori. What are you doing? You’re spewing out words like fluid from a leaking brake line. And telling her your Carla looks like her husband – with the world the way it is, the poor woman is probably thinking you’re getting ready to slap them with a paternity suit. Real intelligent!
With all the force of a tidal wave smashing against the shore, a burst of full-throated laughter crashed over the uncomfortably silent room. Tori recognized the resonant sound but one look at the tight-lipped man facing her made it very clear the continuing peals weren’t coming from his mouth.
“Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a video recording,” choked Lance as he stepped into the office from the back door. He continued to laugh as the others stood with various levels of confusion marking their expressions.
“Unca Yance, 'mere,” cried the little girl with her arms stretched toward the laughing man.
“Yes, Unca Yance, 'mere!” The man holding the blond cherub said. “I believe you have some explaining to do.”
Tori imagined she looked like someone watching a ping pong match as her head bobbled back and forth between the two identical men. She'd met twins before, but never two that looked like carbon copies of one another. How would she ever tell them apart? Oh, dear! She could foresee many embarrassing possibilities in the future...IF she got to keep the job offered by Lance Manning. As it looked right now, the other half of M&M Construction might not be willing to hire her.
Wondering if there was anything she could do to improve her chances for employment, Tori swung her gaze from Lance to his twin. She watched as Lance reached across the desk and caught his niece in midair as she launched herself at him.
“Hey, Princess.” He hugged the chubby girl and nuzzled her neck making her giggle with delight.
Love bound this little family together, making Tori feel excluded. Nothing new. She'd never had the love of parents or extended family. No one attended parents' nights at school, or cheered at sporting events. The streets of San Diego had raised her, with some help from short-term foster homes. She and Bonnie had miraculously managed to stay together, and they were everything to each other. Now, of course, they had Carla as part of their unusual family. For a moment, Tori wondered what it would feel like to be a part of a big, loving family.
A warm chuckle, accompanied by a large hand resting on her shoulder, snatched Tori from her pondering.
“Tori, this is my brother, Logan, his wife, Kate, and this cutie,” he snuggled the toddler, “the boss of the whole Manning bunch...is Shelly. This, everyone, is Victoria...” Lance grinned at her, “Tori Stilman, driver extraordinaire.”
“Hardly,” denied Tori. She shook hands with the adults, then smiled at Shelly. The little girl grinned back, then buried her face in Lance's neck.
“Don't let Shelly fool you. There isn't a shy bone in her body. She's just checking to see if you'll work harder to get accepted,” stated Kate.
Accepted. Not something Tori knew a lot about. Maybe that would change in the future.
Kate peeled her daughter from Lance's chest. “We need to get home. I've got a few groceries in the car that need to be put away.”
“I'll walk you out,” said Logan.
Kate turned at the door. “Tori, welcome to Bisbee. I hope you decide to stay. If you need anything, please call. Lance or Logan can give you our number. I'd be happy to direct you to all the places a newcomer needs to find...church, doctor, dentist, grocery store, beauty shop, etc. Oh, we'd love to have you over for dinner, too.”
“Hey, I thought you had groceries melting in the car,” teased Logan, as he ushered Kate and Shelly out the door.
Tori wanted to bask in the warmth and kindness of Kate's attitude, but unless these people were different from most she'd encountered, it was all an act. She only hoped she'd be here long enough to find out.
She desperately needed this job. Carla needs medicine, Bonnie needs peace and security, and I...need a place to hide.
****
An hour and a half later, Tori pulled the SUV onto a short, gravel driveway, then under a roomy, two-car carport. For a moment, they sat in silence. Then, with a squeal and a cough, Carla bailed out the back door and rushed to the front of the neat, plank-sided house.
Tori and Bonnie followed more slowly, gathering a few things from the car. They found Carla testing an old-fashioned swing attached to the porch roof. White spindles formed the porch railing, and a bright white door and white-trimmed windows contrasted with the baby blue walls.
“Come on, Tori. Open the door.” Carla wheezed then gave in to a coughing spree.
“We'd better get some medicine in you.” Tori put the key in the lock, twisted the knob, then pushed the door open. She was almost afraid to step inside, afraid the interior wouldn't line up with the beautiful exterior – like people who looked good but harbored evil in their hearts. She feared the house would be a disappointment, that it would be just one more shabby hole. Coward that she was, she allowed Bonnie and Carla to enter first.
Her brain felt fuzzy, rather like the one time she'd taken a puff of the neighbor boy's reefer. That one experience convinced her never to do drugs of any kind. She liked to be in control, and a foggy mind led to errors. Not that she hadn't made plenty of mistakes anyway. If Ricky was here, he'd be mad as all get out that she considered him a mistake. Yet in all honesty, he had been the worst decision of her life...so far.
She could hear Bonnie's soft exclamations and Carla's excited squeals. Following the direction of their voices, Tori walked through a small, but comfy living room and into an airy, country-style kitchen.
Bonnie stood beside a gleaming white stove, her hands resting on the top, and tears running down her cheeks.
Tori quickly stepped to her sister's side and slipped an arm around her shaking shoulders. “What is it, Bonnie. What's wrong? We don't have to stay here.” Tori kept her voice low so as not to upset Carla.
Bonnie gave her a watery smile. “Tori, look at this place. It's wonderful, an answer to prayer. I can actually cook some healthy meals. You and Carla both need fattening up – and not from week-old donuts. I have a purpose. I can finally do my part and take good care of you. I can help make a home where you and Carla can rest after work and school...a...a refuge.”
Tori's heart broke. She had no clue that Bonnie felt useless and without purpose. How selfish she'd been, thinking only of the heavy responsibility SHE was bearing in trying to support the three of them. She never once considered Bonnie's feelings or her need to be needed.
“Wow!” exclaimed Carla, rubbing her hand along a polished wooden dining table. “And look... all the chairs match...how cool.”
Simple things really – a table with matching chairs, a kitchen with a stove that worked, a carport to protect their one asset, a clean place to sleep, and a job.
“Way cool.” Tori choked on the words. Tears, that she would never allow to fall, clogged her throat. She didn't want Bonnie and Carla to see her as anything but strong and capable. She had to be their rock; but, if she didn't get away for a minute to pull herself together, they'd see past her tough, outer shell. They'd spot her weaknesses and her glaring incompetence.
“I'm going to start bringing in stuff from the car while you two finish your tour.” Tori practically ran through the house to the front door.
“Knock, knock.”
Just about to plow through the door, Tori jerked to a halt. Now this was a surprise. Two ladies stood on the porch, with smiles on their faces and their hands full of grocery bags. They didn't look like salesmen or the religious fanatics that canvassed the safer neighborhoods in San Diego, but Tori's voice was cool regardless. People didn't come to your door unless they wanted something.
“Yes?” Tori knew she didn't sound welcoming, but it was more polite than her initial impulse to say “What do you want?” Maybe Bonnie's prayers were helping after all. Maybe she was mellowing, getting nicer. Ha, sure she was. She knew her inner self, and nice wasn't an adjective she would apply to herself.
“Hi. You must be Tori. I'm Esther Manning, Lance's and Logan's mom. This is my friend Bev Davis.”
“Oh, you're our landlady. I'm sorry, but we don't have the rent together yet.”
“No, no, honey. That isn't important.”
Not important? Since when and in what world was not paying one's rent unimportant? Tori wondered if she was having a delayed reaction to the medicines they'd given her in the hospital before sewing her up. Nah! That was three days ago.
“Lance mentioned that you'd just arrived in town today and we wanted to bring over a few basics to tide you over. Didn't want you to have to go to the store tonight, when I'm sure you're tired and wanting to unpack and settle in.”
Tori stood stiff as the door post. She didn't know what to say. Were these people for real?
Bonnie's voice saved her from looking totally stupid. “Tori, I was...Oh, hi. I didn't know we had company already. I'm Bonnie, Tori's sister.”
Tori snapped to attention and introduced their guests, then politely invited them in.
Esther and Bev, as they insisted on being called, didn't stay long. They headed straight to the kitchen, set their bags of food onto the counter, loved on Carla, left an invitation to church on Sunday and a “must attend” invitation to a picnic at the park the next day. The two ladies smiled and hugged Carla, Bonnie and Tori and left as quickly as they'd arrived.
“Whew! That was weird. I've been patted and hugged more today than in all the rest of my life.” Tori wasn't the only one stunned by their whirlwind visitors.
“I once read about some small towns where people did stuff like this. They called themselves the welcome wagon.”
Carla skipped to the kitchen. “Let's see what the wagons left.” (cough)
“Medicine first.”
“Okaaaay.”
Carla swallowed her “turpentine” then happily began pulling items from the bags.
“It's like Christmas in May.”
Tori didn't remember the last time Bonnie and Carla giggled, and to think it was bread, milk, eggs, cereal and homemade cookies that brought about the happy sound. The tightness of tears began to build once again in her chest – and she wasn't a cry baby. She'd learned at the age of five that tears accomplished nothing. They were a sign of weakness.
It must be this town. It was having a strange effect on her. Never had she battled the desire to cry so often in such a short span of time.
“Tori, we can finish this and make some dinner if you want to unload the car.”
“Thanks, Bonnie, that's a good idea.” Would miracles never cease – Bonnie giving orders? Very politely, but orders, nonetheless.
As Tori stepped outside, she glanced at the cheap plastic watch on her wrist. Had it been only a few hours since they'd driven into this small town? Such a short amount of time – and she had a job, a safe and comfortable place for them to live – and if their two visitors were an example of the rest of the community...wow! Could this be for real? She hoped so.
Had she known how her life would change when Lance Manning pulled her from his truck and squeezed the breath out of her, she wouldn't have complained so much. Things were looking up for a change.
Bonnie's newly found faith would say they were being blessed by God. Personally, Tori thought they'd hit a lucky streak. She only hoped their luck would hold out for a long while.