Beyond the Storm: Quilts of Love Series (4 page)

“Phone ringing.” There was irritation in Isuzu’s tone.

“Don’t answer it.”

“Okay.” Abigail could hear Isuzu’s heels tap in irritation across the room where she picked up the phone. “Doo Drop-In and Zu-Zu Nail. I help you?”

“Zuzu! I said don’t!” Abby hissed.

“Easy on the hair.” Guadalupe giggled. “My daughter just won concert tickets on the radio, and she’s taking me out next Saturday night. So . . . I’ll need hair.”

Isuzu’s voice took on a distinctive purr. “Oh, yes. I remember you. Yes. Yes, she very sorry and want to speak to you right now. Abby, Mr. Girard on line one.” The light on the phone in her hair cubicle began to flash. She’d kill Isuzu later. Finger aloft, Abigail smiled at Guadalupe. “One moment,” she whispered and winked.

Guadalupe held up both hands. “Take your time. All the time you need.”

Abigail snatched the phone from the cradle, and growled, “Hello?”

“So, I have about an hour this afternoon to sit down with you, show you what the inspector said, and give you some ideas I have for getting around the whole awnings issue.” The fact that she could tell he was grinning only served to agitate her more.

“Where?” she asked, tone clipped.

“Why don’t you meet me at Dan-the-Handyman? There is a little hardware store in front of the lumberyard?”

“I know where it is. What time?”

“I’ll be locking up for Dan Strohacker tonight. He’s got an ultrasound up near the hospital in Southshire with his wife after work tonight, so . . . six?”

“Fine.”

Justin smiled at his phone as he dropped it into the cradle. This town was filled with some pretty interesting women. He wondered what this one looked like.

“Abby? She’s cute. Kinda reminds me of a tall Tinker Bell.”

Justin laughed at Dan Strohacker’s description of Abigail Durham. They were outside in Dan’s lumberyard and had just finished loading Justin’s truck for a job he was starting today. If Justin trusted anybody’s take on another person, it was Dan’s. In the time he’d known him, Dan had never said a bad word about anybody. But he was a great judge of character. What he had to say about people went a long way toward helping you understand exactly who they were.

Dan was a great big teddy bear of a guy. An ex-marine, he was intimidating to look at with his meaty fists, barrel chest, silvery military buzz cut, and salt and pepper goatee, but on the inside? Dan was pudding. Rescue pet commercials on TV would regularly reduce him to tears, and if you were in need, you could always count on Dan to give you not only the shirt off his back but also the rest of the outfit, including his shoes.

“Tinker Bell, huh? You sure you don’t mean pit-bull? She doesn’t bite, does she?”

Dan rested his forearms on Justin’s tailgate and squinted. “Not that I know of. Why?”

Justin dabbed at his temples with his wrist. Man, it was hot. He couldn’t understand how a big guy like Danny could look so cool. Must be the fact that he grew up in this sauna. As he squinted off in the distance behind the lumberyard, the panorama was so flat, Justin thought he could see the earth’s curve in the horizon. Spring wheat crops were just beginning to fuzz the ground and irrigation sprinklers shot water in an arc like the swish, swish, swishing tail of a horse. Cicadas whined in a high-pitched drone the way electricity charged across power lines, and overhead the sky that had been so blue only an hour ago, had taken on a hazy quality.

Turning his attention back to Danny, Justin gave his shoulders a jerk. “We had a little tiff on the phone today. She wasn’t happy about the new awning codes for the food cart. I don’t think I can get her permits in time for the Quilt Fair’s Rawston Taste, and she was bent out of shape. Sounds like the boosters are low on dough.”

“That’s why you donate the labor and I donate the wood, my friend.”

“She didn’t exactly come across as grateful,” Justin grumbled and pulled off his leather gloves and slapped them on his thigh. “What’s her story, anyway?”

“Sorta hard to explain in just a few minutes, but she had it kind of rough, growing up. She was in my youth group at church. Always asked me a lot of the questions a kid would normally ask her dad.” Dan pushed away from the tailgate of the truck, pulled his own gloves off and tucked them into the back waistband of his jeans. “She was raised by a single mom. Karen Durham’s not that much older’n me. Late forties to early fifties. Lives in California now. Abby’s daddy left on her eleventh birthday, which I get the feeling she never got over. He sold TV’s and stereos out there at Dave’s World on Fisher’s Mill Road. Still lives on the other side of town, but as far as I know, Abigail never sees him. Even after all these years, she’s havin’ a hard time forgiving him.”

“What’d he do, tell her he couldn’t put an awning on her doll house?” Justin smirked.

Danny laughed as he plucked a red plastic flag from a cardboard box and tied it to the end of the longest board sticking out over Justin’s tailgate. “Wish it was that simple. Nah, I know Dave is the first one to admit he made mistakes. He’s been a guest speaker at our men’s Bible study more than once, so it’s pretty common knowledge that he used to be a bit of a player. Ran around on Karen and ended up fathering a child with the kid he hired to clean the stereo shop after school. Was quite a scandal.”

“Ouch. No wonder she’s mad.”

“I know this sounds nuts, but Dave’s a real good guy. He was another one with a rough childhood. Those things can be a generational coil. Old Dave started going to church and cleaned up his act, but Abby doesn’t trust him anymore.”

“Can’t blame her.”

“You ever hear the saying about not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and waiting for the other guy to die?”

Justin smiled and shook his head. “Can’t say that I have.”

“That’s why Abigail can be a tad edgy sometimes. Dave has tried to mend the fence more than once, but she suffered because of him. Now, she wants him to suffer.”

“She’s good at what she does,” Justin said sardonically.

“Maybe, but I don’t think it gives her joy or peace, because she’s regularly in tears after a good sermon on forgiveness, when she manages to show up at church. Give her a chance. She’s been a great friend to Jen over the years. She’s an amazing woman, and the good Lord isn’t done with her yet, I’m sure. Worked her way through beauty college. Built her business all by herself. Even bought the building and at only twenty-eight, that’s an accomplishment. She’s funny and creative and sharp as a whip. But there’s something else. When you meet her, you’ll notice it. She draws people to her. Even complete strangers. She’s a little like a flame that way. And the rest of us? Moths.”

“Just so I don’t end up on the grill of her rig.” Justin climbed in his truck, slammed the door, and left Danny standing in the parking lot laughing.

10:00 a.m.

O
h, thank heavens you’re here!” Abigail rushed to greet Jen Strohacker as she entered the salon.

Jen smiled in confusion as she waddled back to Abigail’s chair for some high and low lights and a good cut. Once the baby came, she’d told Abigail, the Lord only knew when she’d find time to get back. “Is my hair that bad?”

Abigail laughed. “No, no. I just have some stuff going on with the booster club’s food cart, and I need to pick your brain about something.”

“Oh. Sure. Shoot.” Jen grabbed the arms of the chair and, with some awkward maneuvers, lowered herself into the seat.

“Do you know somebody named Justin Girard?”

“Justin? Oh, yeah. He’s probably Danny’s closest friend.”

“Danny? Our Danny?
Your
Danny?”

Jen laughed at the sour expression on Abigail’s face. “You’ve met?”

“The food cart guy? No. And, I’m thinking I don’t want to.”

“Oh, then you’re missing out. He’s a great guy.” Jen was as easy-going as she was beautiful. She owned Tantastic, a tanning shop about a mile away in the strip mall, and they shared a lot of the same clients. Abigail set to work, digging Jen’s hair colors out of her cabinet. “So, he’s not one of those contractors who takes the money but doesn’t finish the job, huh?”

Jen blew a raspberry. “Justin? No. He’s put a lot of work into that thing. And to think, he donated all of his labor—”

Abigail froze. “He . . .
donated
it?”

“You didn’t know that?”

“No!” Her eyes slid closed and she groaned. “I took my permit frustrations out on him.
Ohhh
, I am such a loser.”

Jen grinned. “He’ll forgive you.”

Abigail snorted. “So how come you know this guy so well and I’ve never met him?”

“I’m surprised you don’t know him. He goes to first service at our church.”

Abigail colored. No wonder she hadn’t met him. She never went to first service and rarely went to second. “Oh. So, where’d he come from?”

“Well,
hmm
. He’s originally from the East Coast, but he’s got some family out here. Grandparents, I think. Last Christmas, Danny and I met his mom and dad and they’re really sweet. He’s got . . . uh . . . two brothers, both married with kids. We haven’t known him quite a year yet, but I think he’s become the younger brother that Danny always wanted but never had.”

“Oh, that’s right, I forgot. Danny’s an only child, like me.” Abigail didn’t count the fact that she had an eighteen-year-old half-sister out there, somewhere. They didn’t run in the same circles.

“Mm. And you know what’s weird about that? Both of Dan’s parents were only children. And now, most likely,” she patted her belly, “this guy will be an only child. I’m pretty sure that’s why Danny married me. I come from a big family.”

“That and the fact that you’re a babe,” Abigail teased. It was true. Jen was a tall, willowy beauty. At over forty, she was still turning heads. “You’re the youngest, right?”

“Of eight. Danny was Brett’s—my older brother’s—best friend when we were kids.” Jen’s gaze followed Abigail’s hands as she set up a veritable chemistry lab.

“I think that’s what Danny has always wanted more than anything else, beside his relationship with Jesus and with me. Family. A family of his own.”

Abigail nodded. Danny was renowned for his two passions. Jesus and Jen. He carried his bright red Bible everywhere and knew it frontward and back. And he could tell you the coolest stories and trivia. If he’d been so inclined, Danny was probably the only guy she knew that could carry a Bible into a bar for a meeting of the atheist society and have everyone fascinated and clamoring for more by the end of the evening. Abigail didn’t attend church as often as she should, but when Danny subbed for the regular pastor, she never missed.

“Looks like it won’t be long before he gets that family, huh?” Abigail said, referring to Jen’s advanced pregnancy as she worked.

“Doctor says I’m due in a little over two weeks, but it could be any time.”

“You guys must be excited.”

“Over the moon. You don’t wait so long for something like this without getting a little stupid. You should see the baby’s room, and I’m still not done. In fact, I’m going to go visit your aunt about making a quilt for the crib. I ordered a Noah’s Ark pattern that will take me the rest of my life to make.” She was beaming with excitement over a
quilt
—just like Selma would do. Abigail didn’t get it.

Anyone who knew the Strohackers very well knew that they’d been trying to conceive for at least sixteen of their twenty-year marriage. They’d spent a fortune on fertility and
in vitro
treatments, which had all failed. And then, when they’d given up all hope and Jen was in perimenopause—surprise! That “stomach virus” was going to be a boy. “My sister, Sarah, is an ultrasound tech. She’s working me in after hours tonight for a private ultrasound at her clinic across from the Southshire hospital. Dan can’t wait to get a look at his son.”

“That is so sweet.” Abigail smiled as she began to section out Jen’s hair and twist it up into clips. “He’s gonna be a great dad, huh?”

Jen patted her belly. “He already is.”

“Hey, beautiful, where are you?”

Kaylee sighed and smiled. Just the sound of Chaz’s voice in her phone could turn her knees into jelly. “Hey, sweetie. I’m just popping home for a minute to change some sheets before I head in to work. This afternoon, I’m going to go pick up Mama and Aunt Lydia at the airport. I can’t believe how much there is to do before the wedding.” Kaylee moved a stack of brand new, monogrammed towels off the couch and to the overflowing coffee table so that she could sit down. The dining and living rooms of her apartment were literally stuffed with wedding gifts.

“And it’s only seven days away. Seven more days until heaven.” There was a teasing note in his voice that left Kaylee giggling. The news had spread that they’d both been saving themselves for their wedding night, and it was a bit of a running joke among their friends. And, though there were those that mocked and jeered, most people were impressed— as well they should be. It hadn’t been all that easy at times. “Seven days,” he whispered, “ten hours and twenty-seven minutes. . . .” He was panting and snorting into the phone.

“Stop it,” she giggled. “You’re getting my ear all wet!”

“Hey, now, that’s interesting.” Chaz’s rich laughter rumbled in her ear. They’d always been able to make each other laugh. Sometimes it could get almost painful—this knack they had for cracking each other up. It was a wonderful face-and-bellyache that she hoped they’d share with their children in the future.

“What are you doing today?” she asked.

“I’ll be down at the cleaners pulling a shift for my dad.” Chaz’s father, Ernest E. Edwards, owned the Tripoli Cleaners across from the convenience store in the strip mall about a mile from Old Town. Chaz worked at Tripoli during the day and on his law degree up in Southshire by night. He and Kaylee had just bought a house north of town so that they’d be halfway between both places.

“What time you getting off?”

“I can probably be out of here no later than six-thirty. Seven at the latest. Why?”

“I was just wondering when I should have dinner ready. Mama and Aunt Lydia are looking forward to seeing you.”

“Plan on seven. What time are they landing?”

“I have to be in Southshire by three-thirty. Their plane is landing at just after four, and I don’t want to keep them waiting, in case they’re early. They’re going to help me get a jump on thank-you notes and reception favors. When Daddy comes in on Friday, he’s gonna rent a truck and help us move everything over to the house.”

“Sounds good. Don’t wanna take ’em line dancing, huh?” he teased.

She groaned. “Pul-eeze. I was always facing the wrong direction and smacking into somebody.”

“I like the way you line dance, baby. You can smack into me anytime.”

“Get to work, silly boy.” It felt as if her grin could just swallow her face whole.

“You want me to pick up some sushi next door at the Sakura Garden, since you’ll be on the road with your mama? I can bring it over to your place for dinner tonight.”

Was he the most thoughtful man on earth, or what? “Oh, that’s a good idea. Mama loves sushi. It’s a date. I love you, Chaz.”

“And, I love you, Kaylee Johnson, soon to be Kaylee Edwards.”

Justin backed his tailgate up against the loading dock at the rear entrance to The Pump. The owner had contracted for a sauna in the men’s locker room. Though he’d never say it, Justin wondered why the men didn’t just go outside and sit if they wanted to sweat. Seemed like a waste of money to build a special room for it. Sweat for free, right outside. Whatever. Jobs like these paid his grocery bill, so he wasn’t going to complain.

The backdoor swung open and Justin glanced up and grinned. Well, if it wasn’t the half-naked arresting officer from Low Places last night. “Hey, Bob Ray! I hardly recognize you without your badge.”

“Shut up.” Bob Ray laughed and leapt off the dock and into the truck’s bed to give him a hand unloading bundles of cedar and stacks of 2x4’s. Justin didn’t know Bob Ray as much more than a workout buddy. He seemed to be a likable enough kid. A little on the cocky side. The guy who owned The Pump trusted him to handle a lot of the managerial stuff, so he must have a reasonable work ethic.

“So, you have to go to the police academy to learn those moves?”

“Learned everything I know from Rawston’s finest,” Bob Ray joshed as he hefted a load of cedar up to the dock. Justin chuckled and handed another bundle to Bob Ray. Together they began to slide stacks up onto the dock.

“Heather know you moonlight as a gigolo?”

“What mama don’t know, don’t hurt her.”

Justin didn’t let Bob Ray see him wince. He’d heard that the kid had to marry his girlfriend when they were still in high school. And he didn’t doubt that Bob Ray’s days of sowing his wild oats weren’t over yet. If there was one thing Justin was eternally grateful to his folks for, it was that they demanded that he and his brothers treat women with respect. He didn’t envy Bob Ray’s being caught in a teenage marriage, but just because he’d had to man up at a young age was no excuse to go AWOL on his wife.

He wondered what Danny would say to Bob Ray in a situation like this. Justin wished he had his friend’s knack for always having just the right advice or Bible story or something perfect to illustrate the direction somebody oughta be headed. If Justin tried to quote some Scripture to the kid, he’d come off sounding like a phony. Most likely because, though he believed what Danny would say to Bob Ray, Justin didn’t exactly model it the way Danny did. Someday, Justin hoped to be more like Danny. Especially for times just like these.

He grabbed a stack of 2x4’s and shoved them onto the dock. In spite of feeling inadequate, Justin felt a strong urge to pursue the subject. “Gotta be tempting, being around those beautiful women all night, every night. A lot of ’em seemed to like you.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t ask to be a married man at only eighteen, so she’s just going to have to deal.”

“That how old you were when you two got married?” Justin continued stacking 2x4’s while Bob Ray pulled bundles of cedar out of the truck’s bed.

“I was almost nineteen. Heather was seventeen, almost eighteen.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, ouch. I go from fullback to fatherhood in less than a year. And now? I live in a single-wide trailer and have to work two jobs to keep her and the kid in Cheerios.”

Justin worked for a while, thinking. “Life’s weird, huh? Dan Strohacker, you know him?” Justin stood and rested for a second.

“Oh, yeah. He’s . . . he’s . . .” Bob Ray dragged a hand over his face. “He’s a real good man.” There was a flicker of something on the kid’s face at the mention of Dan’s name that Justin couldn’t pinpoint. Respect? Probably. And something else. Guilt?