The House on Sugar Plum Lane (23 page)

“I'd like that,” Amy said, reaching out and placing her hand over the top of Barbara's. “I'd like it a lot.”

Barbara's heart swelled to the point of breaking, and tears of joy welled in her eyes. She had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but for the first time in years, the future looked bright and promising.

Barbara stayed with Amy until late that evening, talking, sharing, and getting to know her better. It was nearly ten when she decided to leave, and as Amy began to walk her to the door, they stopped near the sofa, where Callie had fallen asleep with Patches curled up beside her.

“Look at her,” Barbara said. “She's precious, Amy.”

“Thank you. I've always felt blessed, but I hadn't realized just how much or why that might be.” Amy made a quick scan of the room in which Ellie had often sat and read her Bible, where she'd prayed for all of them time and again.

She supposed, in a way, she really should thank Ellie for that. God had certainly answered her prayers.

“You know,” Barbara said, as she reached the front door. “I'm going to hire round-the-clock care and bring my mother home to live with me. I'd worried about how Joseph would handle the inconvenience, but I don't care anymore. He left after I confessed to the affair, and to tell you the truth, I'm not eager to have him come back. We never fought, but things were always tense. My life might be more peaceful without him there.”

Barbara had mentioned that her marriage was strained, yet when she smiled at Amy, it was clear that she was happy with her decision, maybe even freed by it.

For the first time since Amy had met her grandmother, she began to see traces of her mom in the woman: a light in Barbara's eyes, the shape of her smile. Funny how she'd missed it at first.

“If you're free, will you and Callie have lunch with me on Sunday?” Barbara asked.

“Yes, I'd like that. Thanks.”

After writing down her address, Barbara waited as Amy went to the sofa and carefully lifted the sleeping child into her arms.

Yet in spite of Amy's best efforts, Callie awoke and scrunched her eyes. “Where are we going, Mommy?”

“Home, baby.”

“But what about Patches? Can she go with us?”

Amy looked at the cat, which had jumped to the floor and now peered up at her with soft brown eyes.

If it hadn't been a stray with street smarts, she might have considered taking it home with them, but what would they do with a cat?

“Patches lives outdoors, honey.”

“But only because Ellie can't take care of her anymore. She needs a family, Mommy.”

“But we already have a dog.”

“Cookie won't care. He likes cats. They just don't like him very much. But I'll tell him that Patches is nice.”

Amy needed both a dog and a cat like she needed a hole in the head, but how could she tell her daughter no?

“Please,”
Callie pleaded again.

Amy relented, but not just because of her daughter's pleas. The poor stray did need a loving home. And she suspected that Ellie would have been pleased to know that it had found one with Callie.

“Okay, but I hope I'm not sorry for this later.”

“Are you taking the cat home now?” Barbara asked.

“Maybe it would be best if she stayed in familiar surroundings for tonight. I'll pick up some supplies at the pet store tomorrow morning, then come back for her.”

After making a bed for the cat in the bathroom and providing her with food and water, Amy locked the house, said good-bye to Barbara, and secured Callie in the backseat. Then she drove to Del Mar.

The next morning, she sat in the kitchen nook at the townhome, having her first cup of coffee and waiting for Callie to wake up so they could return for Patches. She'd let Cookie out in the small backyard to go potty and hoped Patches wasn't making a mess of that bathroom. Maybe she ought to wake Callie up and tell her it was time to go.

She'd just gotten to her feet when a car drove up and parked out front. Curious, she peered out the window and saw that Brandon had stopped by.

Her heart slipped into overdrive, and she lifted her hand, fingered her wet, stringy hair, which she'd washed earlier, and glanced at the worn robe she wore. If she'd known he was coming, she would have gotten dressed, would have dried her hair.

A little more uneasy with her appearance than she should have been, she met him at the door, opening it before he had a chance to knock.

“Hey,” he said with a sheepish smile.

It wasn't often that she saw him dressed so casually—what was with the khaki cargo shorts and a surf T-shirt on a week-day morning? Yet he looked good and more relaxed than he had in ages.

“Aren't you working today?” she asked.

“No. I called one of the senior partners at home last night and told him I was taking some time off, starting immediately.”

That was certainly out of character, and she wondered what had provoked him to do something like that.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?” she asked. “It's fresh.”

“Sounds good.”

She led him to the kitchen, and moments later, they were seated across the table from each other, drinking her favorite Starbucks blend out of white mugs. For some reason, it felt good. Right.

“So why are you taking time off?” she asked.

“For a lot of reasons. First of all, you said that I had my priorities confused, and I decided you were right. Secondly, I talked to my dad last night. His health isn't good, and I'd like to spend some time with him.”

“Your dad?” Amy, who'd lifted her mug to her mouth, held it in mid-motion. Brandon hadn't talked much about his father, other than to say he was a loser, that they hadn't been close. “How'd you find him?”

“It's a long story, but I'm glad that I went to see him. He's not the same person he used to be.” Brandon took a sip of coffee. “I'm not sure how much time he has left, and I'd like to take Callie to visit him.”

“Is that why you're here?”

“Primarily.”

She studied the man she no longer seemed to know, noting the changes in his demeanor, his appearance.

“What's the matter?” he asked, apparently picking up on her curiosity.

“Nothing. It's just a little surprising. That's all.”

“I've had a lot of time to think the past couple of days, Amy. I've done some soul searching, and like my dad, I'm making some changes in my life, too.”

Had he decided to start dating?

Her stomach stirred, and she set her coffee aside. The idea that Brandon might be seeing someone didn't sit very well with her.

“If you're dead set on this divorce,” he said, “then I'll let you go, even though I don't want to. But either way, things are going to be a lot different from here on out.”

Dead set?
It made her sound so headstrong, so stubborn…so much like Barbara and Ellie.

“What kind of changes are you making?” she asked.

“If you don't have any objections, I'm going to put the house in La Jolla on the market.”

He
loved
that house. It represented all he'd achieved in life. “I don't mind, but…?”

“I don't need it, Amy. If you don't take me back, along with my promise to put our family first—and it appears that you're not going to do that—then I don't want to live in that big house alone. I'll buy something closer to you and Callie. I plan to be a major part of her life and will do whatever it takes to be there for her.”

“Brandon, I don't know what to say.”

“I guess I'm not asking you to say anything. I love you. And I love Callie. Nothing will change that.
Ever.
”

Her heart, once hardened toward him and their marriage, was thawing fast, and she wanted to believe him. Could she trust him to put their family first?

She searched his gaze, saw the love that burned from within, felt the spark she hadn't felt in a long, long time.

The man she'd fallen in love with was seated across from her, baring his heart and soul. And in that instant, she knew that she couldn't just throw it all away. Not after all she'd learned from Ellie.

“I love you, too, Brandon. And I haven't been a perfect wife. For one thing, I should have been more supportive and understanding. So if we're going to make changes, it'll be in Callie's best interests if we make them together, as a family.”

He reached for her hand, and as their gazes locked, she realized that Ellie had been right, that children, either born from the womb or chosen by the heart's design, deserved to grow up in happy homes with parents who loved them.

And in their case, with God's help and a little counseling, she and Brandon would create the home and family they all deserved.

 

Two weeks after Captain was laid to rest, a celebration of life was held at Parkside Community Church, just as the elderly man had requested—without fanfare or tears.

The church had been packed since, over the years, Captain had accrued many friends, including Chuck Masterson, who came with Brandon and Amy and Callie.

When the tribute was over, everyone crossed the street to Mulberry Park, where they released a colorful assortment of helium balloons—reds, yellows, greens, and blues.

The string of one of the yellow balloons had gotten stuck in the branches of the big mulberry tree that grew in the middle of the park. When Callie noticed it, she'd asked her daddy to get it down for her, but he'd said, “I'm sorry, Cal. It's too high for me to reach.”

“But, Daddy,” Callie said. “It won't go to Heaven with the other ones.”

Brandon appeared stumped, and at that point, Chuck stepped in to distract the child. “Hey, Callie. Why don't you take me to the playground and show me around? It's been a long time since I've had a chance to play.”

A grin splashed on the little girl's face, the lone balloon soon forgotten. “Okay, Grandpa. Do you want to play on the swings with me?”

“That sounds like fun.” Chuck took Callie by the hand, then winked at Amy. “We'll be back when it's time to eat.”

Earlier in the week, Maria had suggested the two families pack a picnic lunch so the kids could play after the memorial, and Amy had agreed.

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the park with family and friends?

Now, as she and Brandon held hands while seated on a bench overlooking the playground, Amy counted her many blessings, including Chuck, who was grinning ear to ear as he pushed his granddaughter in the swing.

He'd been released from the hospital early last week, and even though blood tests confirmed that he and Brandon were related, they hadn't been a match for a bone marrow transplant.

Brandon had been disappointed, but Chuck had brushed it off with a smile. “Being accepted as a part of your family is more than I'd hoped for. So I'm feeling pretty confident that they'll find a donor through the bone marrow registry. And if they don't? I'm convinced that things will work out the way they're supposed to.”

So they'd all decided to take one day at a time—together.

“Hey, Grandpa Chuck!” Callie called as she swung high, her pigtails flying behind her. “Want to watch me go on the slide now?”

“You bet, sweetheart.” Chuck slowed her to a stop, then waited for her to hop off the swing and dash across the sand to the slide.

“Your dad's really good with her,” Amy said.

“Yes, he is. He meant what he said about wanting to enjoy every moment he has with his family.”

Amy gave his hand a squeeze. “Who would have guessed just a month ago that we'd all be here right now?”

Brandon tossed her a grin. “Not me, that's for sure. But I'm glad we are.”

True to his word, Brandon had placed the La Jolla house on the market and then moved back into the townhome with her and Callie. It was small, but so much cozier, even if Patches and Cookie didn't always appreciate each other's differences.

And speaking of differences, Amy couldn't believe the changes in her husband, in their marriage, and, more importantly, in herself.

Brandon had gone back to the office this week, and so far so good. He'd called her on Thursday, saying he'd be late. But instead of chuffing or clucking her tongue, Amy had told him she loved him and that she'd keep his dinner warm.

What a difference a new attitude made. When he'd gotten home, he'd treated her to a quiet, romantic evening.

A slow smile stretched across her lips. If they had many more nights like that, Callie just might get a baby brother or sister.

They'd need a bigger house, though. And just the right place came to mind: a certain old Victorian on Sugar Plum Lane. She and Brandon had discussed making an offer, and something told her that nothing would please Ellie more.

As Amy and Brandon continued to bask in the sunshine, in the happy voices of children at play, Eddie approached their bench. It was heartwarming to see how he'd taken to Maria, as well as her kids.

“Hey, Brandon,” he called out. “Are you up for a little catch? Danny and I have an extra mitt.”

“Sure.” Brandon got to his feet and brushed a kiss on Amy's brow. “Call us when you ladies are ready to eat.”

“It won't be long.” Amy glanced toward the restrooms, where Maria had taken Sara and Wally to clean up just a few minutes ago.

No sign of them yet.

She returned her focus to the playground, spotting Callie seated at the top of the slide.

“Watch this,” the little girl told her grandpa.

The elderly man beamed. “I'm right here, sweetie.”

“Amy?” a woman called out.

When she turned and saw Barbara striding toward her, she smiled and waved. They'd missed seeing her at Captain's memorial, which she'd planned to attend. But she might have decided to stick around the house, since Joey had come home from the hospital last week.

Somehow, without a medical explanation, his blood sugar levels had righted themselves, and the doctors had been able to schedule the bypass surgery he'd needed.

As Barbara drew closer, Amy noticed her red-rimmed eyes and feared the worst. So she stood and closed the gap between them.