Summer Solace (14 page)

The morning flew by and Joanna was helping Dan with the new tubes. She inflated them while he attached bottoms to the filled tubes and secured them with straps. Joanna was filling the last tube when she heard a scream and jerked up.

“Joanna Calloway, my God, is that you?” 

Joanna whipped around to see a woman running across the parking lot. Her mouth dropped open as she recognized Dana, an old friend. She dropped the air hose and ran to meet her. The women wrapped their arms around each other, both laughing and talking at the same time. The two danced in place like small puppies.

“This is amazing!” Dana said as they finally managed to separate themselves. “God, girl, you look fantastic!” 

Joanna smiled and managed to finally speak. “I can’t believe it!  I’d never guess you liked camping…what on earth brings you out here?” 

Dana rolled her eyes and then her eyes grew wide. “Joanna – you - have you - do you know that - ” She was surprised to see Joanna smile as she interrupted her.

“That Gabe is here?” Joanna asked, even as she realized that Dana, Gabe’s sister, would be part of Gabe’s family reunion. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of that the moment she knew he was here for a reunion. She shook her head at her ignorance but was smiling when she said, “Yes, Dana. We found each other yesterday.”

Dana couldn’t hear anything in Joanna’s voice to let her know what Gabe’s response had been with the meeting. All she knew was that Gabe had spent the last several years attempting to put the pain of his past behind him. Joanna saw the questions in her friend’s eyes and the guilt of what her family had done rose to the surface again.

“Dana,” she said, her voice quiet but controlled. “I know Gabe thought I had lied to him, that I was married and just playing games. I’m not married and never have been. It was my brother and father that confronted Gabe at the hospital and told him lies. I never saw Gabe again after that night. I thought he had discarded me and he thought I’d lied to him.” 

Dana felt tears fill her eyes. “Oh God, Joanna, that’s awful. How - how is Gabe?”

“I’m perfect.”

They turned at the sound of his voice and looked up to see him walking towards them. Joanna smiled and Gabe had her in his arms within a second. Dana watched in disbelief as Gabe tilted Joanna’s head and gave her a searing kiss. It certainly looked like he was fine. After he released her, Gabe turned to Dana and gave her a hug and a kiss as well.

Dana hugged him hard and then laughed. “Well, this is just fantastic!” she said. “Whoever would have believed that a family reunion brings our Joanna back into the fold?” 

Gabe laughed and Joanna looked around and then back to Dana and Gabe.

“Um, is Scott here too?” Joanna asked, her nerves kicking up a notch. Dana grinned and nodded. She turned and pointed to a large SUV. A man had just emerged carrying a small child. Joanna tone softened, “Oh, Dana! Is she yours?” 

Dana nodded, her face going soft. “Yes, her name is Jessica. She just turned one and still I find it a miracle every day that I am her mother.” 

Joanna watched as the man walked across the lot towards them. The little girl saw Dana and immediately began to reach for her momma. Dana took her daughter from Scott who then turned and looked at his best friend standing with his arms around a woman that had simply disappeared years ago. All Scott needed to see was the look on both of their faces. While Joanna was smiling and obviously happy, there was a gleam of fear in her eyes. Gabe was beaming like a proud Papa. Scott shocked them both by pulling Joanna out of Gabe’s arms and lifting her in the air before spinning her around. Joanna yelped in surprise and then laughed as she realized Gabe’s best friend was telling her everything was all right. Scott set her on her feet and then bent to give her a kiss. Joanna began to giggle when she heard Gabe informing him that a simple peck on the cheek would have sufficed. Scott simply shrugged, not bothering to apologize.

“Welcome home, Joanna,” Scott said and Joanna felt her heart fill. “We’ve missed you.” 

Gabe gave his friend a hug as well before the occupants of the other car began to pile out. Joanna watched as two sets of parents as well as four children emerged. The group walked towards the store, the children urging their parents to hurry. Joanna saw Gabe shaking his head in amusement.

“Geez, and I thought tending to one was hard. How can they handle an entire carload!”   Gabe exclaimed as he watched his family. Joanna blushed as Dana and Scott immediately looked to her. She was attempting to come up with some sort of reply when Amber rescued her with her arrival.

“He paddled me right out in public and Joanna wouldn’t even arrest him!”  The joking way in which Amber spoke of her recent spanking soon had everyone laughing and the five of them headed towards the store. Kim was busy giving directions to the bathrooms and the children were already asking for treats. Joanna squeezed Gabe’s hand and then led Dana to her own office where she could feed her daughter Jessica in privacy.

“She is beautiful, Dana,” Joanna said and Dana nodded.

“I feel blessed every day. Scott is such an incredible father. Jess has already got him wrapped around her little finger.”  Dana paused and then giggled. “Good thing he has another woman who is naughty enough to make sure he can keep up his macho side.”  She looked up and smiled at Joanna glad to see her friend smiling as well. “Motherhood is fantastic, but we swore we would never forget we were a couple first. We both think that’s important.” 

Dana paused then and grinned. “How come my first thought about who Gabe was tending to was you and not Amber?” 

Joanna knew she could say nothing and that her friend would drop the subject. However, the two had been very close years ago and had shared their fears as well as their dreams with each other without sanction. Instead of denying or ignoring the question, Joanna widened her eyes and then pouted.

“Your brother is still no pushover and I think his hands have gotten even tougher!” she exclaimed and made a show of rubbing the seat of her shorts.

Dana grinned, “I knew it!  God, Joanna, I’m so glad you are back.” 

“Me, too,” Joanna admitted. She looked once more at the mother and daughter before leaving to help Kim. As she walked towards the counter, she saw both Gabe and Amber talking comfortably with their family. Joanna stood outside the group and suddenly understood that all these people were Gabe’s family. Every one of them probably had at least some idea of the pain he had gone through when she had disappeared. She slowed her steps wondering if everyone would accept her return as easily as Dana and Scott. Gabe’s head lifted as if sensing her. He smiled and stepped away from his family.

“Hey, Jo. Don’t panic, honey. There are a lot of us, but we won’t bite. Come meet the rest of the group.” 

She blushed but when he held out his hand, she found herself accepting it as he drew her closer.

Amber smiled and gave her a quick hug as well. “I am so glad you two worked this out,” she whispered.

Joanna hugged her back. “Thanks, and I know I owe you one.” 

“Why would you say that?”  Amber asked.

Joanna looked at Gabe who was watching the two of them closely. “Because I know the movie last night was old as dirt and rated ‘G’. It probably bored you and your friends to death,” she said.

Gabe smiled at his sister and recognized the debt he also owed her. He added his thanks.

“Hey, does this mean I get a free pass the next time you think you owe me a spanking?”  Amber asked and then squealed when Gabe grabbed her.

“Not on your life, little sister!” Gabe laughed. “The movie might have been boring but from what I’ve heard, the audience was full of young men and women who were quite entertaining.” 

Amber blushed and squirmed away from his hold. She and her new friends had been joined by several young people for the movie. They had actually had an incredibly fun time laughing at the movie, throwing popcorn at each other and just acting like young kids. “Okay, okay. Geez, do a brother a favor!” Amber said and then giggled. She walked away to find her nieces and nephews, knowing they all adored their Auntie Amber.

Gabe introduced Joanna to Jake and Karen, the parents of Nathan and Emma. Gabe’s next brother, Eric, was there with his wife Shelley and their two kids, Hannah who was eight and Justin who was six.

“Where’s Brian?” Gabe asked, realizing that his youngest brother was missing.

Joanna saw Karen look at Shelley and the two then looked away. Jake shrugged. “He said he’d be in later. Evidently Susie had something come up so they couldn’t just follow us. I’m telling you, our little brother needs to remember who exactly wears the pants in that family. Susie is definitely not getting the message,” Jake informed his older brother.

Gabe shook his head. “They are newlyweds, Jake. I seem to recall it took a while for you and Karen to work out everything. Let’s cut him a break.” For some reason, Joanna felt an undercurrent of something she couldn’t understand. Her suspicions weren’t helped by the look on the two women’s faces. She thought about speaking to Gabe, but before she could, she was joined by Dana who had finished feeding her daughter.

“What’s going on?” Dana asked, seeing their faces.

Joanna shrugged, not feeling it appropriate to speak of things she didn’t understand.

“Nothing, Dana,” Gabe said. “Let’s gather the herd. It’s time to settle in. If you think I’m going to be pitching all those tents, you’ve got another think coming. We need to get that done before we start cooking dinner.” 

Karen gave a fake groan. “Cook dinner?  Geez, I thought this was going to be a much needed vacation. Now I have to slave over an open fire?  What on earth was I agreeing to?”  Her husband laughed and shocked Joanna by placing a quick swat against the seat of Karen’s shorts.

Jake grinned and said, “You were simply agreeing to behave and have a good time, my dear. It will be great honey. Just think, fresh air, the sound of the river and singing of the birds, a campfire to gather around, great food. What more could you possibly want?” 

Karen laughed, rubbing the seat of her shorts. She sighed, “Hm, let me think. How about indoor plumbing, a five star restaurant, a spa, oh, and as long as my dear husband is allowing me to fantasize, how about a full-time babysitter?” 

Still grinning, her husband tugged her into his chest for a kiss. When he released her, Karen made a big show of fanning herself. “Well, perhaps this trip won’t be so horrid after all.” 

Jake smiled and puffed out his chest. Gabe and the others groaned in mock disgust.

Karen ignored them, reaching up to caress her husband’s cheek. “Don’t pay any attention to them. Just keep kissing me to remind me exactly why I agreed to spend a week without air conditioning, television, nail salons, dishwashers, clothes….” Jake laughed and silenced her with another kiss.

Dana smiled, and after handing Jessica to Scott, she called the other four children to help her. “How about helping me pick out marshmallows for the S’mores?” 

The promise of a messy, sweet treat did the trick and the children were soon working together to find packages of marshmallows, boxes of graham crackers and, of course, slabs of chocolate. When they returned to make the last purchase, Dana asked where the campsites were. Joanna explained that Gabe had chosen sites at the top of the campground, well away from the general area.

Dana groaned, “Great, put us out of sight of even a slice of civilization, not to mention even further away from the chocolate!”  She took the basket that the children had hauled back and then quickly added several candy bars. Scott shook his head though he smiled broadly.

“Sweetheart, the mountain is really only a hill,” Scott said. “I promise to bring you all the chocolate you desire. If you buy all that today, it will only melt.”  Dana looked doubtful but put all but a bag of M&Ms back onto the shelves.

She pointed her finger at her husband and warned, “I’m holding you to that promise, Scott. You know I need the extra calories while I feed your daughter.” 

Karen rolled her eyes and pulled Dana away from the counter and the racks of snacks. “Give it a rest, Dana. If you continue eating like a linebacker, your butt is going to be huge!”

Dana shrugged as she ripped open the candy and tossed several pieces into her mouth. She chewed and then sighed dramatically before breaking into giggles.

“Remember, Karen, a well-padded posterior is not a bad asset in this family.” Dana grinned and raised her eyebrows.

Karen had to laugh as well and grabbed the bag from Dana’s hand, pouring some of the candies into her palm and then offering some to Shelley. The three women laughed. Dana rescued the bag and then smiled. She offered the candy to Joanna, who blushed but then realized it was an offer to show acceptance into the group. She held out her hand and was soon munching on M&Ms as well. Dana popped the last of the candies into her mouth before crumbling the bag.

“Well said, Dana, very well said,” Karen conceded. “Joanna, you’d better make sure your stock of M&Ms is huge. I have a feeling we are all going to need them living together for an entire week!” 

The men laughed and Scott paid for the basket of S’mores ingredients and gathered up the children. The group began to disperse with Gabe handing out instructions on where to park the cars and how far they’d have to hike it in. He was the last to leave. He bent down and gave Joanna a quick kiss.

“When can you get away?  I can’t promise a five star rating but can promise you’ll enjoy yourself.”  He saw her hesitate and said more softly even as he brushed his lips against hers, “Don’t make me wait long.”  His hand slipped down to rest upon her bottom.

She gasped as he pulled her closer to him, her need for him as great as his for her.

“Six, okay?”

Somehow Joanna managed to answer. “I’ll come up after Dan takes over. I’ll try to make it by six, but go ahead and eat if I’m a little late. No reason for the kids to go hungry.”  

He nodded, kissed her once more and then loped down the steps and back into the woods. Joanna leaned back against the counter and tried to wrap her mind around all that had just happened. It had been a chaotic half–hour but a very satisfying one.