Around the Bend (Sandy Cove Series Book 4) Page 5

  “Who?”

  “Rick Chambers.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “My anthropology professor. Remember? He was the one who was always picking on the Christians in class?”

  “Oh yeah. That jerk. I remember. So did you talk to him?”

  “Actually, he started the conversation. He recognized me before I even saw him. He was really nice. Even bought our coffee.”

  “Really?” Steve asked, sounding skeptical.

  “Yeah. He seemed to be checking out Mom,” she said with a smile.

  “Whoa. That’s a red flag. No way do we want your Mom ever getting involved with someone like him.”

  Michelle nodded. “But, you know what? He told me that my letter really made an impression on him. And he surprised me by asking if my invitation to church was still standing.”

  “You invited him to church?”

  “Yeah. In the letter. You remember, right? I gave him a letter telling him about Dad and how I came to my faith.”

  Steve looked puzzled. “Not really.”

  “Hmmm… I thought for sure I told you.”

  “Maybe I just forgot,” he offered.

  “Yeah. Well anyway, at the end of the letter, I invited him to join us at church anytime.”

  “That was years ago, Michelle. I can’t believe he’d still remember that.”

  “I know. It took me by surprise. He said he kept it and he reads it again from time to time. He also shared with me that when his mom died, he turned away from God and didn’t want his students to have any false hope that their god could fix anything.”

  “Hmmm. Interesting. So what did you say?” he asked.

  “I mostly just listened. And I told him he was welcome to join us at church anytime. Mom suggested next week, since this is weekend is pretty hectic with the birthday and everything.”

  He nodded. “Well good for you, honey. Maybe your letter had more impact than you know.”

  “Or maybe he wants to make a pass at Mom,” she said with a wink.

  “What did you say about me?” Sheila asked, entering the room.

  Michelle glanced over her. “Just telling Steve about how Rick Chambers was checking you out yesterday at the Coffee Stop.”

  “I think you’re imagining things, Mimi,” her mother replied with a blush.

  “I don’t think so Mom.”

  “Well, I could never be interested in a man like him,” Sheila said. “Especially after what you told me about his class.”

  Michelle nodded. “Yeah. He’s a different sort of guy.”

  “So what can I do today to help you get ready for the party?” she asked.

  “Just be here for the kids when Steve goes to get Grandma and Grandpa.”

  “Okay, dear. If you think of anything else, let me know.” She poured a cup of coffee and left them alone in the room.

  “Want me to make you some breakfast before I take off?” Michelle asked Steve.

  “No. I can have cereal.”

  “Okay. I’ll get going then.”

  “Just one more thing, honey,” he said, catching a hold of her arm as she started toward the door.

  “What?”

  “This,” he replied. Leaning over he kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you, Mrs. Baron.”

  She grinned and patted his chest. “You too, Mr. B.” Then she grabbed her list and left.

  Several hours and a car full of bags later, Michelle turned onto Wayburn Road. As she approached their home, she spotted a blue Impala pulling away from the curb and driving off.

  An uneasy feeling settled over her. Who could that be? And why do they keep coming back? Tempted to follow the car, she glanced over and saw her grandfather coming out of the front door. He seemed to be moving more slowly and hesitantly than his normal gait.

  Michelle caught his eye and waved, pulling into the driveway, eager to give him a hug. As she got out of the car and turned to greet him, she noticed the Impala had disappeared.

  “Hey there, Gramps!” she said, walking into his open arms. He looked frail too, almost a little gaunt.

  “Hey, yourself,” he replied with a squeeze. “Can I help you with some of those bags?” he asked as he glanced into the back seat of her car.

  “Sure!” She pulled out several parcels and handed them to him, and together they walked into the house.

  “Mom! Caleb took my iPad,” Madison said the moment they were inside.

  “Did not!” Caleb argued.

  Michelle set down her bags and was about to talk to them when Steve entered the room.

  “Hey, you two. Knock it off,” he said sternly. Then turning to Caleb, he added, “Your mother’s been running all over town getting stuff for your birthday party. March into your room and get your sister’s iPad right now.”

  Caleb looked up at him out of the corner of his eye, a look of surrender replacing the defiance that had been there moments earlier. “Okay,” he mumbled.

  Madison smiled. “Thanks, Daddy.” She turned and followed Caleb.

  “Yeah. Thanks, ‘Daddy’,” Michelle repeated with a smile of her own.

  “Where would you like these to go?” Grandpa Phil asked as he held out the bags in his hands.

  “Here, I’ll take them,” Steve offered.

  “They can go up to our bedroom for now,” Michelle replied.

  “Okay. I’m on it.” He headed up the stairs, juggling the packages in his arms.

  Turning to her grandfather, Michelle asked, “Where’s Grandma?”

  “In the kitchen with your mom. They’re fixing a pot of tea, I think,” he replied.

  “Let’s go join them,” she suggested.

  “Good idea, pumpkin.” Grandpa Phil wrapped an arm across her shoulder as they left the room.

  Finally, the day was winding down. Michelle and her mother carried serving dishes into the dining room. A pot roast, some mashed potatoes, and green beans filled the air with the fragrance of a hearty meal.

  “Looks delicious,” Steve said. “I’ll go round up the kids.”

  “I wish you two would let me help,” Joan offered.

  Michelle glanced over the table, taking inventory. “You just relax, Grandma.”

  As the family took their seats, Steve turned to Phil. “Would you do the honors?”

  “Be happy to,” he replied. Stretching out his hands, the family followed suit, and as they formed an unbroken circle, he asked a blessing on the meal and the upcoming birthday event.

  “Thanks, Gramps!” Caleb said as they began passing the food around. Phil reached over and ruffled the boy’s hair, and Michelle and Steve looked at each other and grinned.

  The table grew quiet as the family dug into their dinner. Then Joan asked, “So Michelle, did you accomplish all your goals for the day?”

  “I think so.”

  “You seemed a little distracted when you came in from your errands,” Sheila said.

  Michelle turned to her. “Yeah, that reminds me. Remember the Impala you were telling me about?”

  Sheila nodded.

  “I saw it. It was pulling away from the front of the house as I was approaching home.”

  “What Impala?” Steve asked.

  “Mom’s been seeing a blue Impala circling the neighborhood this week.”

  “Could you see the driver?” he asked Sheila.

  “Some young kid. It looked like there was a passenger with him,” she added.

  “Maybe you should report it to the police,” Joan suggested.

  Grandpa reached over and placed his hand over hers in a silent gesture.

  “Do you think it’s someone bad, Mom?” Maddie asked, her expression clouding with concern.

  “I could shoot them with my rocket blaster,” Caleb offered, pretending to be holding his toy and making popping sounds to mimic the shots.

  “It’s nothing for you to worry about, Madison,” Steve said. “Probably just some kids that live in the neighborhood.” Then turning toward Michelle a
nd her mom, he added, “Let me know if you see it again.”

  After dinner, Michelle insisted on doing the dishes herself. “You’ve been a big help, Mom. But you should take a break and visit with Grandma and Grandpa.”

  “I can help you, Mom,” Madison offered, stacking Caleb’s plate with hers and heading into the kitchen.

  “She’s such a sweetheart,” Joan observed.

  “Yep. My little helper,” Michelle agreed with a smile. Stacking the rest of the plates, she noticed her grandfather’s plate still had quite a bit of food remaining.

  “Did you get enough to eat?” she asked him.

  “Yep. Thanks, sweetheart. It was delicious. My stomach’s just been a little off this week.”

  As she picked up Steve’s plate, she asked if anyone wanted coffee.

  “I’ll have a cup,” Steve replied.

  “Not for me,” Grandpa said. Turning to Caleb he added, “I think I’d like to see that rocket blaster of yours.”

  “Cool! Can I be excused, Dad?” Caleb asked.

  “Sure. You and Gramps have fun. I’ve got a little work to wrap up, then maybe I’ll join you.”

  “How about you two?” Michelle asked her mother and grandmother.

  “Coffee sounds good to me,” Sheila replied. “Can I help you fix it?”

  “No. The coffeemaker is loaded. I’ll get it started and bring you a cup as soon as it’s ready. How about you, Grandma?”

  “I think I will have a cup, dear. Thanks.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  After Michelle left the room, Sheila turned to her mom. “So how are you and Dad doing?”

  Joan hesitated then said, “I think we’re fine, honey.”

  “What do mean, you think? Is something wrong?” Worries began to flood Sheila’s mind.

  “It’s your father. I’m just a little concerned about him.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  Joan glanced away and shrugged. “He just doesn’t seem himself.”

  “How, Mom?”

  “I know it sounds silly, and I can’t really put my finger on it, but he just seems a little off. Like more tired than normal. A couple of times, I’ve noticed he’s lost his balance, too. And he’s as thin as a rail. I can’t seem to get him to eat much.”

  Now Sheila was really concerned. “Has he complained of any pain?”

  “No. But he definitely isn’t his usual spry self.”

  “Well he is almost 90, Mom. Maybe he’s just slowing down a little,” Sheila added, trying to convince herself as well as her mother. “He might have a bug of some kind that just won’t let go.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Have you talked to him about it?”

  “Yes. He even agreed to go see the doctor,” Joan said. “And you know how he usually is about that.”

  “Yep. Stubborn like John used to be.”

  Joan nodded.

  “So when’s he going?”

  “As soon as we get back to town.” Joan looked into her eyes. “Now don’t you go getting all worried about your father. I’m sure the doctor will probably just tell him to take some vitamins and get more sleep.”

  “Hope so, Mom. But you call me and let me know what they say.” In spite of the words of encouragement, Sheila couldn’t deny the concern on her mother’s face.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Ben opened the door of the family van as Kelly reminded him of Caleb’s gifts in the back. “Pop open the hatch, and I’ll grab them,” she said.

  The younger kids were playfully challenging each other. “Beat you to the bounce house!” Logan said to Liam and Lily, one on each side of him in the third row of seating.

  Luke pulled out the ear buds from his iPod and glanced over at Lucy, who was adjusting a bow in her long wavy hair. “Better get out of here before the stampede,” he said.

  Lucy nodded, grabbed her pink backpack, and followed him out.

  “Wait a second, everyone,” Kelly tried to interject over the boisterous voices from the back seat.

  “Hey! Listen up!” Ben commanded from the open rear door. “Logan, stop. You’re mom’s trying to talk.”

  It quieted down and Kelly said, “OK, I know you guys are excited, but remember your manners in there. It’s not going to be just us at this party. Madison and Caleb’s grandmother and great grandparents will be there, too.”

  “Plus other friends from school,” Logan added with a smile.

  “Right. So don’t go running in there like a bunch of wild Banshees,” Kelly instructed. “And take a minute to greet people before you climb into the bounce house.”

  “Yes, Mom,” a chorus of voices replied resolutely.

  “Luke, you help your dad with the gifts,” Kelly added.

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  Ben looked at him and winked. They retrieved the packages from the back and turned and saluted Kelly.

  “Very funny,” she said, giving Ben a playful glare.

  Glancing over their eager family, he smiled and said, “Let’s go!”

  As they approached the house, the front door flew open and Caleb ran out. “Mom! They’re here!” he called back toward her as he flew out the door.

  Soon everyone was ushered inside. “Look at all those gifts,” Michelle exclaimed. “One would have been plenty,” she added with a smile.

  “They each wanted to pick something out,” Kelly explained.

  “Yeah!” Logan interjected. “Mine’s the best!”

  “No, mine is,” said Liam, pushing Logan from behind.

  “Hey,” Ben reached out and collared Liam. “No pushing. Everyone’s gifts are great.”

  “Why don’t you take your friends out back?” Michelle suggested to Caleb. She turned to Kelly and Ben, adding, “We’ve pretty much set up the entire party outside since the weather’s so good.”

  As the group headed out back, the doorbell rang with more guests arriving. This time it was some of Caleb’s friends from soccer. “Come on in, guys,” Michelle said. “Everyone’s out back.”

  “What time would you like me to pick them up?” asked the chauffeuring dad.

  “Around 6:00,” Michelle replied. As he turned and left, she grabbed Caleb’s new red baseball cap off the floor and went to join the festivities. Always has to be red for Caleb, she thought with a smile. Red shirts, red caps, red high-top tennis shoes.

  Most of the kids were in the bounce house jumping, throwing balls, and playing loudly together. Caleb declared himself king of the castle and began ordering his subjects around. Michelle glanced at Steve, and they both grinned. Yep, that kid’s a born leader, Michelle thought to herself.

  Madison and Luke were sitting backwards on the bench of the picnic table, leaning against the table’s edge and listening to a song on Luke’s iPod, each wearing one of the ear buds.

  “They look cozy,” Michelle said to Ben and Kelly.

  “Yeah. I’m keeping an eye on them,” Ben replied. “I think I liked it better when they were just two preschoolers running around our house playing super heroes.”

  “You don’t think they’re actually becoming interested in each other, do you?” Steve asked. “I mean, they’ve been friends forever.”

  “I don’t know, Steve,” Kelly interjected. “They just act so different around each other these days. First, they were pals, then they went through that awkward stage where they pretty much avoided each other, and now they seem inseparable when they’re together.”

  “Wouldn’t it be a kick if they actually dated some day?” Sheila observed from the sidelines.

  “Don’t even go there, Mom,” Steve said to his mother-in-law. “Madison’s got a lot of years before there’ll be any dating in the picture for her.”

  Michelle, who was sitting beside him on the loveseat, reached over and squeezed his knee. “It’ll be here before you know it.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said with a sad smile.

  “Well, I think they’re very cute together,” Sheil
a added before she walked away to get more punch.

  Michelle was just about to suggest that Steve call in the pizza order, when the doorbell rang. “I wonder who that could be?” she said as she headed back inside to answer it.

  When she pulled open the door, a familiar face stopped her in her tracks.

  “Amber…” she said, feeling the blood draining from her face. What a time for Caleb’s birth mother to show up.

  “Mrs. B,” were the first words out of Amber’s mouth—the name she’d called Michelle when she was a student in her class.

  Instinctively, the mother within Michelle took over. Opening her arms, she pulled Amber into them. It was then that she noticed the blue Impala at the curb, and a young man in the driver’s seat. Pulling back, she held Amber at arms’ distance. “Let me look at you—you look good. Is everything okay? Who are you with?”

  “I’m with my boyfriend, Chad,” she said, gesturing with her head toward the car. “Is this a bad time? Because we can come back later.”

  “Well, it’s kind of crazy around here today. It’s Caleb’s birthday party.” Michelle let her hands drop to her sides, noticing Amber smile when she’d mentioned their son. “Are you here to see him?”

  “Yeah. Well I wanted to see both of you. But yeah. Mostly Caleb. I think about him all the time.”

  Michelle nodded. Her heart was still pounding, but she tried to project a calm appearance. “How long have you been in town?”

  “Just about a week. I tried to call you at school, but I kept chickening out. And we drove by here a bunch of times, but I couldn’t get up the nerve to come to the door.” Amber clutched her locked hands to her chest looking very vulnerable.

  So that’s what those phone calls were about, Michelle thought. Her mind was spinning with thoughts and questions. Did Amber want Caleb back? Would she tell him who she was? How would he react if she did?

  “Are you mad at me for coming?” Amber asked, interrupting her thoughts.

  Forcing herself back to the moment, Michelle replied, “Mad? No, of course not. I’m just surprised and a little concerned.” She paused and then added, “Caleb doesn’t know about you, Amber. He knows he’s adopted, but that’s all.”