Every Storm (30 page)

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Lorri let herself quietly into the house but noticed right away that a light burned in the living room. She was glad to see it was her grandfather. His glasses perched on his nose, he sat with a book and looked up when she came in.

1"Hi," Lorri said, bending to kiss his cheek and then sitting on the closest chair.

"Hi, yourself. How was your evening?"

Lorri smiled, her look dreamy. "It was wonderful. He's so nice, Grandpa."

Dean smiled at her.

Lorri's eyes suddenly darted to him. "He's afraid of you!"

That Dean was not surprised or dismayed by this announcement was immediately clear.

Lorri's mouth opened. "You don't mind, do you?"

Dean was still smiling when he answered. "Tell me something, Lorri. Whose car will Rigg be more careful with, mine or his?"

"Yours."

"That's right. It's not all bad that he remembers there's a man waiting at home for the car to be returned in perfect order."

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"I'm not a car, Grandpa."

"No, but you get my point, don't you?"

"Yes. And you don't need to worry. He was a perfect gentleman."

"Good. I expect nothing less, but he's still a man, and men have areas of temptation, women being the strongest one."

"Why is that?" Lorri asked.

Dean shrugged. "It's the way God made us. We can't have excuses, but it's best to know our own weaknesses."

"When I was on the PT boat," Lorri told him, "I never went into the crew's quarters. But one day I glanced in the door. There were a lot of pinups."

Dean shook his head. "Some men surround themselves with those pictures and then wonder why they can't stay faithful to their wives."

"There was nothing like that in Rigg's cabin."

"That doesn't surprise me. He's different."

Lorri sighed again and Dean watched her. It wasn't hard to imagine how tempting Rigg would find his beautiful granddaughter, and he debated whether or not he should question her about Rigg's conduct. He knew she was not a kid anymore, but that didn't change his responsibility and concern.

"Did you feel safe with Rigg?"

"Yes, very."

"He didn't touch you or say anything improper?"

"No, nothing like that."

Tm glad to hear it."

"I'm going to bed now. Are you coming up?"

"Max is out with Arlene. I'll wait for her"

"Goodnight, Grandpa."

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Lori Wick

"Goodnight, honey."

Not until Lorri left the room did Dean realize he'd forgotten to ask one thing: Did she and the lieutenant have another date on the calendar?

Lorri's birthday is in two weeks. We're going to The Cove for dinner. Can you join us?

Rigg recalled those words from Ruth Archer as he parked his car on the street and headed to the front door on the third of May. He and Lorri had been on another date, and he had even been invited for Sunday dinner--all of which he took as a positive sign about the future.

Rigg rang the doorbell and waited, pleased when Lorri answered.

"Rigg, hi!" she exclaimed, as surprised as she was supposed to be. "Come in."

"Thank you."

"I wish I didn't have to tell you this, but we're not going to be home this evening. We're going to The Cove."

"Yes, I know," Rigg said simply. "Happy birthday," he added, bringing the flowers from behind his back.

"Thank you," Lorri said, stunned at his gesture. Then she caught on. "You're going with us, aren't you?"

"That's the plan."

Lorri laughed. "Let me put these in water."

Lorri wasn't gone from the room five minutes when Max joined him.

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"Hello, Lieutenant," she said, smiling her Lorri smile. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Max. Yourself?"

Max was all ready to answer, but Lorri came back. Unfortunately she was trailed by Muffin, who had taken another captive.

"Muffin!" Max suddenly hissed, and Lorri looked behind her. In the cat's mouth and trailing down the length of her body was a brassiere. Lorri scooped the cat up and shot from the room. Max turned to Rigg, who was doing everything in his power not to laugh.

"We'll be right back," she said, scooting after her sister.

When they returned, Ruth and Dean were already waiting with Rigg, who still looked amused. Max bit her lip to keep from laughing, but Lorri was having none of it. She didn't plan to look at Donovan Riggs ever again.

"Are you going to spend the entire evening avoiding my eyes?" Rigg said to her profile. The reservations at the restaurant had been overlooked somehow, and they were having to wait a few moments for a table.

"I'm so embarrassed," Lorri admitted, still not looking at him.

"Don't you think it was a little funny?"

"I would have thought it very funny if you hadn't been standing in my living room."

Lorri felt the bench shake as silent laughter overcame him, the laughter he had wanted to release as soon as she'd spotted the cat.

"Ihope," Lorri told him, trying to sound angry, "that if I ever meet your family, they tell me something that turns
your
face red."

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"Speaking of
which?
Rigg replied, trying not to laugh anymore, "I'm headed home in two weeks. Would you like to go with me?"

"Home as in Santa Rosa?"

"That's right."

Lorri worried her lip. "You can't get there and back in one day, can you?"

"No, we would stay with my parents, who have plenty of room."

Lorri only nodded.

"Is there a problem?"

"Not exactly. It's just that I haven't been away from Mother since I arrived home. There's been no reason."

"Until now" Rigg said, not catching how serious the suggestion was for Lorri. "I've written about you to m'y folks, and they would like to meet you."

"What did you write exactly?"

"That I'm seeing someone."

"I would like to meet your parents," Lorri said, not having fully worked out her thoughts.

"So do I take that as a yes?"

The face she turned to him bothered his heart. Her eyes, suddenly huge and vulnerable, reminded him of her condition on the island.

"Why don't I check with you later," Rigg suggested.

"I don't know if I can," Lorri said, panic overtaking her without warning.

"It's all right," Rigg said reassuringly, never dreaming his invitation would be this upsetting. "We'll talk about it another time."

"I'm sorry" Lorri began, but Rigg only shook his head.

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

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"Lorn?" her mother said when she saw her daughter's face. She glanced at Rigg, who looked apologetic. "What's the matter?" Ruth asked.

"Nothing," Lorri told her. "I just panicked over something. It was silly of me."

Ruth didn't want to, but she let it drop. Max and Dean had returned from seeing to the reservations, and they were soon seated at their table. As soon as they ordered, however, Lorri excused herself. Ruth waited only that long to check with Rigg.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"I asked her to come home to Santa Rosa with me in two weeks to meet my folks. She said she hasn't been away from you since she got home." Rigg looked as helpless as he felt. "I didn't realize it would upset her. I'm sorry."

Ruth looked to Dean, all sorts of questions in her eyes.

"It's all right," Dean said to everyone. He knew something had gone on in his absence. "We're still in new territory here. Lorri does very well, but she's still the same person who had a terrible ordeal less than a year ago. It's impossible to know how everything's going to work out."

There was no further conversation on the matter until Lorri came back. All eyes on the table watched her, and she knew what the conversation had been. She turned to Rigg.

"Did you tell them how silly I was?"

"Nothing like that. Your mother just checked with me, and I explained."

Lord's eyes went to Ruth.

"I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

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Lori Wick

Lorri did her best to do just that. And in truth, the evening was not spoiled. Not until she climbed into bed did she remember Rigg asking her to go home with him. She sighed when she thought about how she had behaved. She doubted if he would ever ask again.

Rigg was at the Archers' front door as soon as he dared Saturday morning. People were up and dressed but moving slowly. He asked to talk to Lorri, and they went into the living room.

"Bring your whole family," he began. "Come to Santa Rosa with me and bring your grandfather, mother, and sister."

Lorri was unbelievably touched. "You would do that? Invite everyone just So I would go?"

"I want you to meet my family. It's a bonus if your family can meet them too."

Lorri sat for a moment.

"I'll be nervous. I'll make a fool of myself and embarrass you."

"That's not going to happen."

"Why are you never nervous?"

"Who told you I was never nervous?"

"I can see it," Lorri explained, thinking it so obvious. "You're always in charge and composed."

Rigg shook his head, his eyes going heavenward.

"Okay, let's take this apart piece by piece. I'm so calm and in charge that I have to have my niece along in order to come and see you. Then I try a new church and find you there. Do I come up and speak to you? No. I keep coming because I enjoy the church and can see you, but come up and talk to you? Never."

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Lorri's mouth had started to curl into a smile. She had not seen him like this before. He was exasperated and seemed desperate for her to believe him.

"You would dare laugh at my pain?" he asked, bringing a full smile to Lorri's lips.

Rigg watched her, not wanting to push but anxious to know what she thought of the idea.

"Lorraine," he finally said. "What do you think?"

"I think I should check with my family."

"Okay," Rigg agreed, but Lorri sat there. Rigg stared at her, trying not to laugh.

"Oh!" she suddenly started. "I could do that right now."

Rigg remained seated, and Lorri shot to her feet and found her family in the kitchen. Only five minutes passed before Rigg was joined by the whole gang.

"I have to be at the base that weekend," Dean launched right in. "But I think Ruth and the girls should go."

"All right." Rigg was ready to agree to anything.

"Will your mother welcome a whole houseful of people, Rigg?" Ruth asked on the practical side.

"As a matter of fact, she'll be fine."

"We don't want to put anyone out of his room," Ruth began to object, but Rigg brushed it aside.

The five of them spoke about the trip for a few more minutes and the time they would leave, but not long after, Lorri and Rigg were alone in the living room again.

"I might need to warn you about my brother," Rigg began. "He's still in high school."

"Is that a problem?"

"Not for me, but it might be for Max."

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Lorri looked confused.

"There's no way she's going to go unnoticed, Lorraine."

Lorri smiled, liking the fact that her sister was so lovely.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is" Rigg had to agree. "But then I've noticed that beauty runs in your family."

"That was a nice thing to say."

"It's no effort to be nice to you," Rigg told her, still watching her face and seeing a small blush cover her cheeks.

"I'll still be nervous " Lorri felt it only fair to tell him.

"That's all right. I'm nervous every time I stand at your front door."

Lorri was still amazed by this. He hid it so well. Having ideas and giving orders just seemed to come so easily

Rigg said he had things to do, and Lorri did as well, but she gave him coffee, and they talked for two hours at the kitchen table. When Rigg finally took his leave, Lorri couldn't remember a thing she had on her list.

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Rigg's car was comfortable. Lorri had given her mother the front seat, and she and Max had taken over in the back.

"Where are the cookies?" Max asked almost as soon as they hit the road, bringing a laugh from her mother.

"Max, we just started."

"I'm hungry. Am I the only one?"

The rearview mirror was set in such a way that Rigg could see Lorri's eyes. He glanced up and caught her gaze, and Lorri smiled at him.

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"Okay," Max said, disgusted with the lot. "I can see that this is not going to be the least bit fair. Raine and Rigg are going to make eyes at each other the whole time, and Mother isn't going to feed me!"

Everyone in the car laughed until Lorri made a suggestion.

"Why don't you ask Rigg to tell you a little more about Mitch."

Max didn't mention cookies for the next two hours.

Max had skipped her afternoon classes, but the late departure still made for a late arrival in Santa Rosa. Nevertheless, Rigg's family was waiting: his father, Del Riggs, his mother, Virginia, and his brother, Mitch.

Rigg hugged his parents before starting the introductions. From there Virginia took over.

"Come in and have something to eat,'' she invited graciously. "I won't even ask you to sit because that's what you've been doing for hours."

"Can we help with something?" Ruth offered.

"No, I have it all ready. Just come to the table and fill your plate/'

They were tired, but it felt good to no longer be moving, and Lorri wasn't as nervous as she expected. Rigg, however, had been right: His brother had not taken his eyes from Max.

"Will he stare like that all weekend?" Lorri asked quietly when he came close.

"He might."

Lorri looked tolerant. "I find it hard to believe that you don't have pretty girls in Santa Rosa."

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"Not that look like you two," he said, adding a wink.

It was happening again. He was looking at her, and she was having a hard time looking away.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, needing to be rescued as much as she.

"Maybe a little."

"Come into the kitchen and get something."

They found Virginia in the kitchen.

"How are you, Lorraine? That trip can be so long."

"I'm doing pretty well. It's very kind of you to have us, Mrs.

Riggs"

"Everyone calls me Virginia, and I hope you will too."

Lorri smiled at her, wanting them to be friends.

"Go ahead and eat."

"She'll try to feed you all weekend," Rigg teased his mother. "She isn't happy unless we're eating."

"Go on, Donovan. Don't you listen to him, Lorraine."

In the living room, Max and Ruth were getting to know Mr. Riggs.

"Donovan tells us your father-in-law is an admiral."

"Yes," Ruth answered. "Soon to be retired. He had duties at the base this weekend, or he would have joined us."

"We'll have to meet him another time. Tell me, Max, what subjects do you like in school?"

"Art and math."

Virginia came in at that point with coffee, and Ruth was glad to have it. The women took no time in hitting it off, and Mitch wasted not a second in capturing Max's attention. Lorri and Rigg were still in the kitchen, and Del was left somewhat on his own, something that didn't bother him in the least. He was very happy

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to sit and listen to the people he was sure would soon be a part of the family.

"Horses?" Lorri asked on Saturday morning, looking at the animals they were approaching in the paddock, deep in the backyard. "Your family has horses?"

"Why so surprised?"

Lorri looked at him.

"I just never imagined you on a horse. PT boats don't really lend themselves to that pastoral theme."

Rigg smiled but still offered, "How about a ride?"

Lorri stopped in her tracks. "I think your mother wanted to show me some pictures in the photo album."

Rigg laughed but didn't let her get away. He took her hand and led her to the railings. Clicks made somewhere in his mouth brought two horses running. Lorri almost did some running herself, but Rigg's arm gently brought her back.

"They're very tame, and I would never let you be hurt."

"They're huge!" she said, staying still only because his arm was keeping her in place.

"Hey, girl," Rigg said to the mare that came right to him. Rigg brought sugar from the pocket of his shirt, and Lorri watched in amazement as the horses enthusiastically went for it.

They stood for a little while at the fence, the horses eventually seeing that Rigg was out of sugar and going on their way.

"Was that Max?" Lorri turned and suddenly noticed her sister; she was headed into another building.

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"I think Mitch is showing her the car he's working on. Do you want to see it?"

"Sure."

They walked that way, and without permission Rigg took her hand again. Lorri didn't mind. Larger than her own, his hand was warm, his hold undemanding.

"Okay," Mitch was saying to Max, the car not part of the conversation at all. "Here's Donovan and Lorraine. I'll bet your sister is going horseback riding."

"Uh, Mitch," Rigg tried to cut in.

"Go ahead, Lorraine," Mitch didn't hear a thing. "Tell Max that you're not afraid to get on a horse."

Lorri could only stare at him, her mouth opening in surprise. It took a moment for Mitch to realize she wasn't speaking arid to see that his brother was calmly shaking his head no.

"You can't be serious!" Mitch said, thinking he had it all wrapped up.

That Max thought this hysterical was only too obvious. She covered her mouth and turned around, but her amusement was all too clear.

"Come on," Rigg invited. "Something tells me Mom will have breakfast ready. We'd better head to the house."

Mitch's eyes, so like Rigg's, told Max she was not forgiven. Max tried to look repentant but couldn't quite manage it. Lorri eventually joined her, and they laughed all the way back to the house.

"More toast, Mrs. Archer?" Virginia offered. "Thank you," Ruth said, taking one from the plate. "Your home is wonderful. It's so warm and inviting."

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Virginia looked around as though seeing it for the first time. "It's not new, but it has that homey feel."

Ruth looked around as well, but Virginia had something to say to Ruth, something personal.

"Donovan told us about your daughter. I'm so sorry to hear that, Mrs. Archer."

"I hope you'll call me Ruth, and thank you." She sighed a little. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to the idea."

"How long has it been?"

"That's a complicated question. Josie actually died on June 1 of last year, but we didn't know there was a problem until a few days later. The telegram telling me that Josie was gone and Lorri was alive arrived on August 2. Up until that moment, I chose to believe that both my daughters would come home to me."

"We never think it's going to happen to us, do we?" Virginia asked. "My mother suddenly dropped dead in her kitchen one day. My father died 48 hours later. I walked around in a fog for more than a year."

"How painful for you."

"It was. At the time I didn't know how I was going to keep on, but God is always bigger than the pain."

"That's certainly true," Ruth agreed, just as they heard the door. Rigg, Lorri, Mitch, and Max came in, smelling like the out-of-doors and looking for food, Del arrived also, and the feast began.

"That's a sweet girl you've got there, Donovan," his father said to him late Saturday night. "You'd better keep her." "I'm working on it."

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"How is she doing, Donovan? I mean, really?" This came from his mother.

"She's doing well, but the loss is huge. She wasn't willing to leave home this weekend, to be separated from her mother. I thought I would have to drop the entire suggestion until I realized they could all come."

"And she was fine with that?"

"Yes. At first I thought Mrs. Archer might be struggling with her being away, but it's Lorraine who can't do the leaving right now."

"Did she say why?"

"Not specifically, but she told me she was utterly desperate to see her mother while on the island. It meant more to her than eating. I wonder if it's just too soon."

Rigg was enjoying this chance to visit alone with his folks, but he had to drive back to southern California the next day after lunch and knew he'd better get some rest.

"I'm for bed," he said, kissing his mother and hugging Del.

Del and Virginia were tired as well, but they continued to talk long after Rigg was asleep.

"I liked your family," Lorri told Rigg on the way home. It was late, and even though they were almost home, Ruth and Max dozed in the backseat.

"They liked you too."

"Did they? I'm glad."

"You sound like you doubted."

"No, not really. I'm just pleased."

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"What did you think of Santa Rosa?"

"It's a beautiful town. It must have been fun growing up there."

"It was," Rigg told her just as she yawned.

Conversation drifted off. The car pulled up at the Archer home some 20 minutes later. The family thanked Rigg and let Dean carry their bags inside. They had much to tell him, but it would have to wait until morning.

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Dean did not rush off on Monday morning. Max told him all about her weekend, how much fun she had with Mitch Riggs, and how nice the Riggs family turned out to be. After Max left, Dean stayed to talk with Ruth and Lorri.

"Did Rigg seem more relaxed to you this weekend than he usually is?" Lorri asked once they'd given Dean a run-down and were settled in with coffee and toast.

"I think he was," Ruth replied, having also noticed it. "It must be because he was in his own home. That's bound to have an effect."

Lorri nodded thoughtfully, but before too long she turned, a rather serious frown directed at Dean.

"Lorri, why are you frowning at your grandfather?"

"He knows why."

Dean's head went back when he laughed.

"It's not funny, Grandpa. You scare the man to death!"

"I'm not trying to scare him, Lorri, honestly."

Lorri was still frowning, and try as he might, Dean could not stop laughing.

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"Will someone tell me what's going on?" Ruth requested.

Lorri told her mother about the way Rigg feared Dean. Ruth looked surprised.

"He never indicates that he's afraid," Ruth argued,

"I couldn't tell before he said something to me, but now I notice the way he'll slip and call me Miss Archer," Lorri sent another frown. "It's because Grandpa scares him."

Lorri's ire was amusing. Ruth could finally see why Dean wanted to laugh.

"What do you want me to do?" Dean asked, laughter still lurking.

"I don't know." Lorri sounded aggrieved, and even Ruth's hand came to her mouth.

"What's funny?" Lorri asked, not very angry at all.

"I don't know if I can explain it. It's not like you to be so protective, so it's a little humorous."

Lorri sighed, not sure she found it so amusing.

"I am protective of Rigg. I just realized that."

"Then he's a very blessed man," her grandfather said, all humor gone.

"You don't disapprove, do you, Grandpa?"