For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (81 page)

Aggie says:
I suppose. Whatever, I just want to enjoy this.

Tina says:
You’re not feeling pressured are you?

Aggie says:
By Luke? Are you kidding? I have a feeling I’ll be tapping my toes by the time he decides to… whatever.

Tina says:
It’s called proposing. Technically he’s already done it. He’s really just waiting for a yes signal so he can make it official.

Aggie says:
I guess.

Tina says:
You don’t sound like yourself.

Aggie says:
He thinks I’m doing too much.

Tina says:
I already said that.

Aggie says:
He thinks the kids need time to
“
explore their own interests.
”

Tina says:
I said that too.

Aggie says:
And the art teacher says that Ellie needs formal instruction.

Tina says:
Didn’t Iris say not yet?

Aggie says:
What does Tina say?

Tina says:
I think you should keep her supplied with books, different media, and inspiration. She has a lifetime to develop her talent more formally, but she needs the opportunity to keep growing on her own too.

Aggie says:
What about the others? Do they have talents we’re not exploring? Should I keep fabric around for Vannie? Let her play around with instruments in a music store? Sign her up for volleyball or basketball?

Tina says:
Or just listen to her and see if she expresses an interest instead of trying to add more to your already cracking plate?

Aggie says:
I think I need to go to bed. I’m worn out again.

Tina says:
I can come back…

Aggie says:
Enjoy your time with your dad. I’ll be fine. Luke won’t let me crash and burn. He is still angling for a wife.

Tina says:
Preferably one with some spunk left.

Aggie says:
Have I admitted how happy I think I’m going to be?

Tina says:
Going to be? You’re already over the moon. Go to sleep.

Aggie says:
Nighters

Tina says:
*poofs*

Tossing Cookies

Wednesday, October 29
^th

“
No never alo-ooh-oooh-ne, no, never alone. He promised never to lea-ea-ve me, never to leave me alone
.
”

William heard Aggie’s song as he climbed the steps and shook his head. Now the girl was singing sappy country songs. Great. He should have known Aggie would get all girly over a guy. A slight pang hit his heart at the same time
that a
great wave of relief washed over him.

“
The world’s fierce winds are blo
--
oo
--
oowing, temptation shaa-arp and keen. I have a peace in kno-oo-owing my Savior sta-ands between…
”

A hymn. He should have known
--
again.
“
Aggie?
”

Her arm waved at him from the library.
“
In here.
”

Glancing around at the empty house, William strolled into the library with the unconscious swagger his gun belt created.
“
Hey, where is everyone?
”

“
I didn’t get all the kids’ work graded today. They always have so much more on Wednesdays now, so Tina took them to their classes for me.
”

“
Couldn’t she have graded them? I’d think you’d want to get out of the house now and then.
”

Aggie shook her head in amused disbelief.
“
Are you kidding? I’m never home. Haven’t you noticed that the 9-1-1 calls have ceased? We’re never here for Ian to commandeer the phone. That kid is going to think his car seat is an appendage to his backside.
”

“
And you thought that school was such a bad idea?
”

“
William! They’re ‘schooling,’ just not at the local elementary school. You act like they aren’t being educated at all!
”

He leaned his hands on the desk and locked eyes with her.
“
How do I know they are?
”

“
Why is it any of your business?
”

Had William not been so certain of his superior opinion, he’d have heard the steel in her voice.
“
Didja ever notice the badge?
”
His attempt at a joke failed miserably.

“
How could I not? You slap me upside the head with it every chance you get! Are you here on official business? Am I being charged with a crime?
”

“
Of course, not! What kind of question is that?
”

“
Then I think you should just leave.
”

Stunned, William started to protest, and then shook his head and stormed out of the room. At the door, Mrs. Dyke shoved a plate of cookies into his hand and pushed him back into the house.
“
Get in there, boy.
”

“
Mrs
.
--”

“
You heard me. Move.
”
The fierce look on the elderly woman’s face would have frightened anyone.

In the library, Aggie looked up, ready to forcibly remove him to keep her sanity and saw Mrs. Dyke.
“
Hello!
”
She gave William a pointed look.
“
Thank you for helping Mrs. Dyke. I won’t keep you.
”

“
Yes you will. I heard the boy. He was rude and imperious
--
as usual.
”

“
Wha
--”

“
Stuff it, William.
”
The women, younger and elder, spoke in unison and then giggled.

“
What did I do! I don’t get it.
”

“
William, son, remember the hand signal issue? From what I heard, this is that times ten.
”
Mrs. Dyke took the cookies from William and handed them to Aggie.
“
Have a cookie. They’re sweeter than his disposition anyway.
”

“
You can’t do it all, Aggie. I know you think you’re super
--”
A cookie sailed across the room and at William’s head before even she knew she’d done it.

“
That was mature,
”
he remarked as he picked up the cookie. Another one whizzed its way across the room and hit him in the chest.

“
Bull’s-eye
.
”

“
Aggie! Grow up
--”
He couldn’t finish his indignant protest before Mrs. Dyke lobbed one at him too.
“
What is this?
”

Unlike Luke, who would have returned fire, William stood there, disapproval lined in every feature, while Aggie and Mrs. Dyke pelted him with every single cookie on the plate, gasping in laughter by the time the last ones left their fingers.
“
Do you feel better now?
”

“
Actually, I do. I need to hurry and pick them up before the ten minute rule ends,
”
she joked as she grabbed the plate and started to clean up the cookie mess.

“
Ten second rule.
”

“
Do you
have
to do that? Do you
always
have to do that? I can’t believe you.
”
Shoving the plate into his hands, Aggie stormed upstairs, slamming her door behind her.

“
I think this is too much for her. Did see that? And what was with you throwing too?
”

Winnie Dyke pointed to the floor.
“
Pick them up, William. You were so out of line it isn’t funny. I can’t believe I got you a date with her.
”

“
I
--”

“
That young woman,
”
the furious neighbor began,
“
is doing the job of three women, alone, without the support of a loving husband, and better than most people ever do including myself and your mother.
”

“
That was low.
”

“
It was true. You like to preach about truth; well, here’s a truth for you. Your words just stripped her of her self-respect. You don’t know it all, William. Your pride was always your weakest point, and now you’ve used
it
to beat a woman emotionally. You’re no better than your mother.
”

His arrogance fizzled as he stared dumbstruck at the woman before him. Pain filled his eyes as he choked,
“
Mama Dyke
--”

“
You know I love you, William. I’ve loved you since you were old enough to toddle across the street. I’ve spoiled you out of compassion for all you’ve been through, but I can’t let you hurt that woman. It’s hurting you too. You’re going to hate yourself when you can see what you’ve done.
”
On tiptoe, Mrs. Dyke gave
“
her boy
”
a kiss on the cheek, caressed it
just
as she had when he’d come to her broken over the latest attack from his mother, and shuffled back out of the house and home again.