Covered Bridge Charm (33 page)

“I spent the day with Gramps. It didn’t take much nudging to get him talking about Martha.”

Carly stepped over Cocoa and perched on the edge of her couch. “Really? What’d he say about them?”

“Said she was his first love. He taught her how to fish, and she taught him about God.”

“She didn’t tell me that. I wonder if she was hoping to convert him.”

“She did actually. Not to her faith. Their beliefs clashed when it came to the military. But God helped him get through the war. When he returned, he looked for her and discovered she’d gotten married.”

“How romantic.”

Jason laughed.

Carly found the deep, pleasant sound hard to associate with the stern face she remembered. “Did you mention the party?”

“No. I’ll let you handle that.”

“All right.”

“I don’t work Saturday. Are you available to meet him then?”

Carly’s mind scanned her options. “Let me think. Adam’s out of town, but my Aunt might be able to drive me to Portland.”

“You don’t have a car?”

“No, I ride a bike.”

“No kidding? So do I.”

Remembering his fancy home, Carly tried to imagine his tall, lanky body on a bike. “You ride for sport?”

“No. To work.”

“Really?” She stretched her legs out on the couch and plumped a pillow. “Where do you work?”

“I do a couple of things, but I was talking about the Homeless Shelter I manage.”

“Seems like we have some things in common.”

“What kind of bike do you ride?”

“A pink beachcomber with a wicker basket.”

He laughed again, and the sound grew on her. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“I do get criticism for my choice, but it’s my one splurge. If I owned a car, I wouldn’t be able to give to the assisted-living facility where I work. Oh, it’s piddling. But it’s the right thing to do. Especially since my family can help with my transportation.”

“I do it just because I love riding.”

“Oh, I do, too. What kind of bike do you have?” She imagined a speed bike with all the bells and whistles.

“An old green clunker. One that’s not so tempting to steal since it’s not a safe area.” In her astonishment that Jason wasn’t the stiff caricature her mind had created, they shared a brief silence.

Then he offered, “Listen, I don’t mind picking you up.”

“I don’t know. It’s out of your way.”

“I’d like to get to know you better. For Gramp’s sake.”

“Jah. All right.”

“Adam’s not going to get jealous and come after me with a ball bat is he?”

She thought about the possibility that he was entertaining his own blind date, and for an instant, she wanted to get even. But she quickly discarded the idea. They needed to trust each other. “No, he understands how much this means to me.”

On Saturday, Carly stared at the blue BMW convertible and wondered how Jason would fit into it. “You don’t want to see what will happen to my hair in this.”

“No worries. I’ll keep the top up.” Jason studied her curiously. “How long is your hair?” Carly cringed, suddenly wondering if she should be getting in the car with a man who was little more than a stranger.

“Sorry. That was out of line. I was just curious if you have to cut it short like nuns or how you get it up in that cap.”

“You always say whatever pops into your mind?” she asked, getting in and fastening her seatbelt.

He started the engine, and they pulled onto the road. “No, but my curiosity does sometimes get me in trouble.”

“I can imagine. But I can also sympathize.”

“Oh?”

“My aunt says trouble follows me like bees to honey.”

He laughed. Laughter that emanated from his wide mouth and extended to his eyes.

“You have a sense of humor. I didn’t sense that the first time we met.”

“Protecting Gramps and his fortune is a job I take seriously.”

“Well nobody’s after his money. I can assure you of that.” She grinned. “Unless you’d like to make a contribution to Sweet Life Assisted Living.”

“And what would Sweet Life do with it?”

“Probably get a new roof and repair”—she faltered—“I don’t know because everything there is old.”

“You must really take an interest in the residents.”

“Of course. I’ve dedicated my life to them.”

“So how does Adam fit into that scenario?”

She shrugged. “He knows me pretty well. It’s just my aunt, my brother, and me. Jimmy goes out of town to work, so he asked his best friend, Adam, to take care of me when he’s gone.”

“So he’s like a brother figure?”

“It started that way. He’s continually getting me out of scrapes. Lately, it’s more.”

“Then you aren’t engaged or anything?”

She felt heat climbing her neck. “No. We’re trying to work through a few obstacles. Why?”

“Just getting to know you.”

She glanced at him but couldn’t read his expression. “Besides your grandpa, what’s your family like?”

“It’s just me, a sister, and Gramps.”

“Is your sister married?”

He flashed perfect teeth. “Yup. I have two little nephews.”

“My brother isn’t married.”

“So tell me about your faith. Your church.”

“We believe like most Protestant faiths when it comes to Jesus, but we have a few differences that set us apart.” His eyes glanced at her head covering. “As you already know, we are peace loving and don’t believe in going to war or taking civil jobs.”

“You think the world would be better without government?”

“No. But we can’t do anything that would require carrying arms or making laws that go against our faith.”

He nodded, glancing back at the road. “All right. What else?”

“We live a plain lifestyle.”

“Do you mind describing what that’s like?”

She tried to compare it to his own lifestyle. “We don’t have televisions, and our cars are plain-looking. We use phones and computers for work but try to refrain from getting involved in technology.”

“Why?”

Remaining patient, she replied, “Though we live in the world, we are not to be of the world.”

“You have a Bible reference for that?”

“Sure. John 17:16: ‘They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.’ And Romans 12:2 says, ‘Be not conformed to this world.’”

“Thanks for explaining it. So your people wouldn’t approve of my car?”

She smiled. “No, not really.”

“But you have a pink bike?”

“Jah. And a bright yellow cottage.”

“You a rebel?”

“No.” She considered his remark. “Maybe a bit. I just don’t see why we can’t enjoy beautiful colors.”

“I agree wholeheartedly.” He smiled. “You think Gramps and Martha had talks like this?”

Carly grinned, “I suppose they did.”

“It’s sad, isn’t it?”

Carly nodded.

“But romantic.”

“I was hoping they could at least enjoy a friendship. I imagined your grandpa coming to play bingo with Martha.” She shook her head. “I had no idea they would live this far apart.”

“It’s not so far. We’re already on the outskirts of the city.”

Although the streets were filled with lovely estates, Carly gawked as Jason turned into a long winding drive that led to a white, multiple-gabled mansion. Jason pointed past pristine lawns to a smaller house. “That’s where Betty, Bree, and Paul live. Betty’s Grandpa’s caregiver. Bree, the daughter, manages the inside housekeeping, and Paul takes care of the outside property. We’re fortunate to have them.”

“I’m embarrassed now, thinking your grandpa would enjoy playing bingo at Sweet Life.”

“Nonsense. Don’t make any judgments until you meet him.”

He led her in a side door, down a long hall with gleaming wood and plush rugs, and into a room where light flooded from a bank of bay windows. “Hey, Gramps. Thought I’d find you in here.”

“Trying to soak up some sunshine.” James was an older version of Jason. Upon seeing Carly, he struggled to rise from his chair.

Quickly, she crossed the room. “Please, don’t get up on my account.”

His bottom plunked back onto his chair. “Just give me another try.”

She steadied his arm as he rose and leaned on his cane. “See, I can still stand when I see a pretty girl.” He glanced at Jason questioningly.

Jason stepped forward. “Gramps, this is my friend Carly Blosser. She works at an assisted-living facility.”

“Heh?”

Jason raised his voice, “Assisted-living facility.”

With that, he plopped back in the chair. “Don’t even think about it.”

She laughed while Jason explained in a loud voice, “I’m not. Now don’t be rude.”

James shrugged. “My apologies. So are you a long-lost daughter or something?”

“Gramps!”

Carly raised her voice. “Hardly at my age.” She poked her finger at his arm. “Now quit sassing me, and I’ll tell you a story you might find interesting.”

He caught her finger. “You have my interest, little lady.”

Pulling free, Carly crouched beside him and spoke close to his ear. “An old friend of yours lives at the facility where I work. Her name is Martha.”

His eyes widened. “When I saw you, I had to think of her. She dressed like you.” Then he motioned with his hand, “Get up. Get up. Jason, bring her a chair. And get me my hearing aids, too.”

After they were both settled, she explained how she’d been reading a news report about a covered-bridge festival when Martha told her about that summer. James’s eyes took on a faraway gaze that touched Carly’s heart. “She’s a widow now.”

“Did she have a happy life?”

“Jah. She married a good man and has children and grandchildren. She loved John, but I can tell she never forgot about you, wished things could have been different.”

“I knew John was after her. Figured he’d marry her while I was away. Of course we had no commitments. She wouldn’t leave her faith for me. I came from a military family, and she couldn’t abide that.”

“I’m sorry. Would you like to be her friend now?”

He dipped his head, and at first Carly thought he’d fallen asleep. She glanced at Jason, who shook his head. So she waited. Finally he raised his head. “The Lord is my Shepherd now. It’s always best to consult Him before making decisions. Yes, I’d like to see her again.”

“Sweet Life is run-down compared to your home.”

“She looks dumpy, eh?”

“No, no,” Carly exclaimed. “The assisted-living facility.”

He shook his head. “That’s not important. I know Jason and I are spoiled, but we’re not snooty.”

“Good! Martha’s daughter is planning a surprise birthday party for her. Would you like to come?”

“I won’t give her a heart attack, will I?”

“No. Her heart’s strong. She suffers from asthma, though.”

“I remember. Poor thing. Jason. Find out what kind of gift she’d like.”

After a gentle tap, a pleasant woman entered the room. “Time for your meds, Gramps.”

They took their leave then, and Carly couldn’t contain her excitement. She squeezed Jason’s arm. “Thank you so much. I’m thrilled. I can’t even express how I feel.”

Laughing, he gave her a one-armed hug. Releasing her, he said, “You’re really good with the elderly. Thanks for giving Gramps something to anticipate.”

“You’re welcome.” She couldn’t wait to tell Adam. He’d promised to call. Maybe tonight?

T
he anticipated phone call didn’t come until Sunday afternoon when Adam should’ve been sitting on a plane to return home.

“I miss you,” he said.

“Miss you, too. But I thought you should be in the air about now.”

“I changed my flight.”

Carly’s stomach clenched. “What’s going on?”

“I got the job finished, but Dale had forgotten about a lumber order that would arrive on Monday. It needs to be stacked in his shop. He’s got a small forklift, but it still takes hands on to get the job done. By staying a couple extra days, I can get him all caught up and feel better about leaving him, helpless as he is.”

Carly paced and stared out her kitchen window. “You’re a good friend, but isn’t there someone at his church who can help him?”

“That’s another thing. They fell out of the habit of attending church. I think he needs encouragement in that direction. I’m hoping for an opportunity to talk more about it.”