Spanish Bay (15 page)

“Yes, babe. Even if I have to carry you.”

They continued on, with Chris helping Neil over any major uneven patches in the dirt path, but they reached the hill top after a good forty-five-minute hike. From there, they had a good view across the ranch and the surrounding land, all the way into Lubbock, which lay about fifteen miles away. There was not much of a skyline, but they could see the lights on the Metro, Wells Fargo and Texas Tech towers go on, the red lights on the roofs blinking, warning air traffic in the area of the buildings climbing toward the sky.

The air was warm and the wind had died down at dusk. Neil leaned his cheek against Chris’s.

“I can see how you like it up here. It’s very different from down there. I’m not a big fan of the heat, though.” He chuckled and then gestured with a sweep of the hand. “How far does your ranch extend?”

“From the main highway over there—” Chris pointed ahead, to the main road in the distance “—up to that fork. Can you see that?”

Neil nodded.

“And then back here, behind the hill, it’s another two miles to the Murphy ranch. We have a lot of land, which is necessary if you grow cotton.”

“Cotton?”

“Yeah, cotton is the main crop here, but Dad always dreamed of having livestock, so we also have grazing areas. I’m not sure what Jack plans on doing, and how Jessica’s plans fit into all that, but cotton’s not been a good business for years, and it’s very labor intensive. He might just convert it into grazing land and focus on cattle instead, I don’t know. While I’ve worked this land my whole life—until this past spring—I’m really not a farm boy. I’ve never cared much for all the manual labor, the silence of working alone out here all day. I much prefer the hustle and bustle of Sally’s on a summer’s day, with all the customers to talk to. It’s a lot more stressful, but I feel more in control, not as much a victim of the elements. I mean, all it takes is one bad tornado to pass across the land and your entire year’s work is gone.”

Neil laughed. “And all we need is a good earthquake, and Carmel dives into the ocean for good. Not sure that counts, babe.”

They quieted down for a while and enjoyed the scenery.

“Babe, come and sit with me.” Chris said.

Neil scooted out of his chair and used his hands and what little help he could still muster from his legs, to move over to Chris, sitting on the ground next to him. As he’d told Chris on their first night together, Neil preferred to do things like this on his own, and Chris respected that.

“I can’t wait for the day I walk down the aisle to you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Ms. Taylor and her whole marriage babble has gotten me thinking. I’ll never find someone like you again. Ever. I know you’re the one for me, and if Frank coming into my life doesn’t deter you from being with me, I don’t know what will.”

“Babe, are you saying what I think you’re trying to say?” Neil’s voice began to crack.

“Neil, I know we’ve not been together for long, but I remember the day I met you on the sidewalk outside the café as if it was just a moment ago. I fell in love with you right there, as I helped you up from the concrete. You have been my companion ever since, making my life beautiful, bringing purpose and meaning to it. Because of you, I wake up every morning with a smile on my face, and I fall asleep every night with you in my arms. I am blessed in more ways than you can imagine. Your willingness to forego your studies to help me care for Frank is more than anyone could ever have asked of you. So yes, my love, I am saying what you think I’m saying. Will you do me the greatest honor possible and become my husband?”

As he was saying this, they had continued to look out into the evening, the red-golden light of the sunset lingering in the west, Neil’s head resting against his shoulder. But then Neil began to cry.

“Babe, are you okay? Did I say something wrong? I’m sorry I don’t have a ring or anything, but it wasn’t planned, and I don’t have any money to buy you the ring you deserve—not now anyway.”

Neil put his hand on Chris’s mouth. “Hush. Everything’s fine. I’m just so happy. Right here, right now. You, me, this view. We’re not going to be alone like this very much in the future, you know that, right? Our needs will come second to Frank’s. His development will be our priority, which means therapy, treatments, working hard to make the café provide for us. There won’t be many days off, no vacations, no date nights.

“But you know what? I wouldn’t want it any other way. This isn’t how I thought my life would be, that’s for sure. On the other hand, there was a time when I couldn’t fathom ending up in a wheelchair, and now look at me. I lost all my friends and spent the past four years adjusting to this new life of being a cripple, an outcast, a monster even, to some. Never, ever, did it cross my mind that I’d find love.

“And look at us now. Here we are. Frank certainly wasn’t planned, but I welcome him, because I know that we will be just fine, as long as you and I are together.”

“Is that a yes?”

Neil used all his might to push Chris onto his back and then slid on top of him, kissing him. “Yes, silly, of course it’s a yes. I love you so much, Chris Miller. You have no idea.”

“Neil, you’re crushing me,” laughed Chris. “I think I have a pretty good idea…”

THERE HAD BEEN much debate in the Horner house about the marriage and the wedding. Sarah felt it was too soon, too hastened; Joe suggested they do it the next summer and make it a big affair, always the romantic. But the boys stood their ground and were backed by Neil’s grandma, Sue—the last living hippy in Carmel, as always with a joint in her hand—as the Horner family gathered in her house for Thanksgiving.

A lot had happened since their return from Texas. Chris had secured a grant from the city of Carmel to build the elevator to the apartment for Frank and Neil. Jack was working the ranch as if he already owned it, and Jessica was busy with her plans and getting good grades in her senior class. Nobody had heard a word from Alexandra, and they doubted they would until the assessment of the farm’s value was completed. Andrew Junior and Chris had begun to email each other, and Chris kept Junior appraised on progress, making sure that he was aware of all the developments.
Just let me know if you need cash to buy out Alex. It’s yours for the taking, any time
, Junior had written in a recent email, making Chris grateful and proud of his older brother.

Frank had settled in nicely. With Joe’s help, they had converted the guest room into a room for Frank, with a proper bed with good support for his frail skeleton, and he’d been enrolled in a specialist facility for children with cerebral palsy. The doctors and the teachers were positive about Frank’s future. While he was at least four years behind other kids in terms of his development, they were confident he would catch up. The good news was that his condition wasn’t as bad as it seemed, and with proper training and treatment he might even walk one day, albeit with crutches or an exoskeleton. Frank’s doctors were very optimistic; he was highly intelligent, and if they could help him train his vocal cords, he’d quickly learn to talk, as he already understood every word spoken to him. Chris still got misty eyed just thinking about that meeting at the doctor’s office, when the great news had been shared with him.

Carmel was a small town, and news of Frank’s arrival had spread like wildfire, with the entire town rallying around Chris and Neil. A collection fund was quickly started, to help pay for the renovation of the apartment and to top up the city grant; customers came pouring into the café, bringing with them more business than Sally’s had ever seen after the summer. Indeed, it were as if the tourists were still in town, given how busy Sally’s was. Business was great, even though Chris and Neil were completely exhausted after work and fell asleep in each other’s arm’s watching TV. But they were happy.

As tradition bid, the entire Horner clan had gathered at Grandma Sue’s house for Thanksgiving, with mock turkey and lots of veggies.

“Don’t be such a prude Sarah, I was barely seventeen when I married your dad, and I never regretted it, even though I can’t remember it. If the boys want to get married on Christmas Eve, let them. It’s their prerogative. I think it’s quite romantic.” Grandma Sue laughed. “I must’ve been high as a horse that day… But you turned out all right. And anyway, how old were you when you had Neil?”

Sarah scowled at her mother. “That’s not the point, Mother, and you know it.”

“Then what is, dear? You keep fighting this, even though I know you think they are perfect for each other.”

Sarah broke out in tears. “I know, Mom. I’m just scared to lose my baby. Ever since he ended up in that chair, I’ve been so afraid of something bad happening to him, and look at him now. All grown up, responsible, and a father. It’s all happened so quickly.”

Sue got up and walked over to her daughter to hug her. “I know, baby. I know. But look at the two of us. You’re my only child, and you still come over here for dinner once a week. The harder you hold on to them, the more they’ll pull away. After all, I tried to let go, but you stayed. Maybe that’s the ticket?”

Sarah laughed a little and dried the tears from her eyes. “When did you become so wise?”

“Me? Never! That’s just the pot talking. Now sit down and eat your food. Seconds anyone?”

That was the end of that discussion, and the family agreed on a small intimate ceremony at Sally’s on Christmas Eve, as part of the café’s annual Christmas celebration with their regular customers and staff. They invited their family, even though they knew that Alexandra wouldn’t come, and Jack and Jessica couldn’t leave the ranch alone. They were getting by okay financially, but they couldn’t afford to hire help to look after the livestock for days at a time. As for Junior—he was still stuck somewhere in the South China Sea, doing whatever it was the navy was busy doing there.

Chris knew his family would be there in thought, and he was already a part of Neil’s family, which was all that mattered. The weeks passed quickly, and by the time Christmas Eve arrived, everyone was ready for the wedding, but most of the work had been in organizing the Christmas Party at Sally’s. Special cakes and cookies had been ordered for the holiday season, and they were a huge success, as were the new holiday-inspired drinks.

Chris had built a small mobile ramp behind the counter, to allow Neil to work the cash register when Chris had to run errands or pick Frank up from school. They were, of course, lucky that the school where Frank was enrolled had great extracurricular activities, allowing them to go and drop him off before the café opened and collect him late in the afternoon. But still, at five, the café was in peak hours, and Chris had to get Frank and look after him, feed him and eventually get him ready for bed. Frank seemed to thrive in Carmel, and it wasn’t long after he’d begun school, that the first word had come across his lips. “Chris.”

Christmas Eve, Grandma Sue was coming over to look after Frank while the boys and Phil worked the café, and Sarah and Joe got everything ready for the ceremony. Neil had slaughtered his savings account to buy two simple but beautiful golden wedding bands, which he’d had inscribed with three dates—their first meeting, their engagement day, and finally, their wedding day—and the name of the other. There was no space for the year, but they didn’t care. To them, that short period between May and December had been incredible, and they knew it was only the beginning of something wonderful.

Sitting at the breakfast table, Chris was just pouring himself a second cup of tea, when Frank suddenly said, “Thank you, Chris. I love you.” Chris shot a look at Frank, then at Neil, not believing his ears at first.

“I love you, too, little brother. We are so happy to have you here. Are you ready for today?”

Frank nodded, spooning after some fruit on his table. Sue walked into the apartment and greeted the boys.

“Ooh, get me some of that tea, will you? How are my favorite boys doing today?” She walked around the table and kissed each of them in turn.

“Good morning, Grandma. We’re good. Thanks,” Neil said and then to Chris. “Listen, babe, I need to go out for a bit. But I’ll be back in good time for opening, okay?”

Chris smiled, sensing a surprise. “Sure, babe, no worries. I’ll be here.”

Since their return from Texas, Neil had spent almost every day at his old rehab clinic, working on his surprise. He had made a difficult decision to forego college for now. His parents had been furious but realized the need for the boys to focus on their business and their family first. He was taking two distance classes, but failed one miserably because he simply didn’t have the time to focus, but this project, he wouldn’t fail.

From the moment Chris had proposed to him, Neil had promised himself that it would be he, not Chris, who would walk down the aisle to their wedding, come what may, and today was the day. He’d never actually made it all the way to twenty feet; that was how far it was from the front door of the café to the counter. He’d always fallen a few feet short of this goal, but he got closer, and closer, every day. He was in a lot of pain, and he knew he would not get better from the exercise in the long run, but he was determined to show Chris that he was capable of great things, because of his love for him.

He’d gotten a special set of crutches, which were attached to his arms and gave a little more support than the normal off-the-rack variety. Neil heaved himself out of the chair and allowed his physical therapist to attach the crutches.

“Okay, Neil, here goes nothing. I’ll move over to the other side of the room. I’ll be Chris, waiting, you need to do this today, so failure is not an option! Or as Yoda would’ve said,
do or do not. There is no try…
”

Neil wasn’t sure he saw the humor in that statement, although he knew that Mike was totally right. “Okay, here I come.”

And he took the first careful step. It felt so odd and wobbly. He had no idea if his legs would carry him, and pain shot up his spine into his head. He remembered how to walk, in his mind, but somehow his muscles had forgotten.