Twice the Trouble (23 page)

“Why are you even here?” Cheryl yelled. “You don’t belong here. Go back to your dirty little farm and leave my son alone.”

A scuffle broke out outside the door. A moment later, David Benson entered with each of the twins in a tight grip. “I found these two hoodlums eavesdropping in the hallway. Can anyone here identify these perpetrators?”

“I’ll take custody, Dad,” Alex quipped. “Let them go so they can come give their old man a hug.”

As the twins raced toward his bed, David stood dumbfounded. “I’ll…be…damned,” he muttered.

“Somebody will be more than damned if they keep giving my mom a hard time.” Jerrod glared at the strange woman beside the bed.

“Slow down little man,” Alex chuckled. “I know you’re just defending your mom, but then I’d have to defend my mom. And that would be a hard thing to do right now. Besides that, I’m sorry to say, she’s your grandmother.”

Jenna crawled onto the bed to cuddle under Alex’s right arm. “I think all these mean people should go away and leave us alone.”

“Well!” Cheryl huffed. “I can see these children weren’t taught respect for their elders.”

“Hold it right there, girl,” Clarence blustered from the doorway. “These kids are the best in town. Lacey’s done an excellent job raising them with no help from anyone-and that’s our fault. It’s about time they brought their family together.”

Nurse Linda rushed in next, flustered and pink cheeked. “We can’t have this many visitors in one room. Some of you will have to go to the waiting room. The shouting is making the other patients nervous.”

David Benson took his wife by the hand. “Come on Cheryl. I need a cup of coffee, and maybe a valium.”

“Better make that an order for two,” Jerrod sneered. “The old lady needs to settle down.”

Alex nudged him.

“Come with me, Lacey,” Clarence said. “These kids have been driving me up a wall. Let
him
handle them for a few minutes. That should prove what the man’s made of.”

The door latch clicked, closing the twins in with their father.

“I’m so sorry.” Jenna began to cry.

Jerrod shuffled his feet by the bed. “We really screwed things up, didn’t we?”

“Yeah,” Alex answered. “You know, your mom was right. I do love you. I always will, no matter what. I’m proud to have two kids as great as you. However, if you ever lie and try to manipulate me or your mother again, I’ll kick your butts up between your shoulders.”

Chapter Thirty

Alex was released from the hospital the next day. Since the downstairs area of his house was used as office space for East Coast L.D., Lacey decided he should move in with her until he could get around better. It was impossible for him to climb stairs with one crutch and a broken arm. She made space in her living room for a rollaway bed.

For the first week, he felt helpless and confined, but he used the time to learn more about his children. They’d all had long talks and perused old photo albums for hours. He’d been spoiled with good home cooking and constant attention. Still, he pushed himself through an exercise routine every day.

Lacey suspected his exercise had as much to do with sexual frustration as it did regaining his strength. Their new relationship was woefully limited.

Being a resourceful woman, Lacey waited until the church bus left that Sunday. Then, she gave Alex a close and personal lesson on riding western style.

By the second week, he’d traded his crutch for a cane and the cast on his arm was just a normal cast. He’d started working at the office again and was finally able to hobble up the stairs at night.

They only had one more problem to overcome. He still couldn’t drive and Lacey’s truck was hard for him to get in and out of. Donna began picking him up at 8:00 a.m. and bringing him home at 5:30 every day.

On Friday afternoon of the second week, Lacey was surprised by a visit from Cheryl Benson.

“May I come inside?” the older woman asked.

Lacey wished she could say no, but she was Alex’s mother and her own mother’s best friend. She’d known her all her life.

“Alex is at work.” Lacey held the screen door open and stepped aside.

“Do you think that’s wise?” Cheryl asked as she passed. “No. Forget I said that. Alex will do as he pleases.” She made a quick scan of the living room, and then added, “You have a charming home.”

“No, I don’t. Everything is old and worn out, but it’s ours. We’ve worked hard for it and we love it. Would you like to come into the kitchen? I have a pitcher of cold tea in the fridge and I’m in the middle of making supper.”

Cheryl sat at the table while Lacey poured them each a cup of coffee. “Whatever you’re making smells wonderful. I’m not much of a cook. Never was.”

“What brings you back to Indian Lakes, Ms. Benson?” Lacey asked. “We weren’t expecting you again so soon.”

“I want to see my grandchildren.”

“They’re working right now. I imagine they’ll be in within the hour.”

“They work?” Cheryl appeared shocked. “What kind of work could such small children do? They’re so young.”

“Ms. Benson, this is a working farm. It’s the way we make our living. The twins grew up working the fields and tending the livestock. We’ve never had anyone to count on but each other.” Lacey returned to the stove to stir a pot of greens and check the cornbread in the oven. “It would be my guess that Jenna is collecting honey from the bees about now, and Jerrod is grooming the horses that I used today in my riding lessons.”

“Jenna and Jerrod, those are nice names. I wish I’d asked what they were when we met them in the hospital.” Cheryl stared down into her cup. “I want to get to know them. I’d like them to come to Miami for a visit, before school starts.”

“Ms. Benson, I’m not sure that’s a good idea right now.”

“Alex can fly then down and back in a weekend. If it’s a matter of getting the work done here, I’m sure he can hire someone.”

“That’s not the problem. The kids aren’t slaves, they work here because this farm belongs to them as much as me. They care about it. I’m just not sure how they’d feel about going to visit you so soon. We’re very protective of each other. You said things about me I wish they hadn’t heard.”

“I feel terrible about that.” Cheryl reached into her purse for a tissue to dab her eyes. “I regret the things I said.”

“Help me understand.” Lacey sat across the table from her. “You were my mother’s best friend. You shared secrets and laughed like young girls together. You attended all my birthday parties. After Mom died, you treated me like trash. What did I do?”

Cheryl sniffed and wiped at her nose. “Your mother was the only friend I had. I came from a poor family. I wanted to be popular in school, but the
hip
kids wouldn’t accept me. Your mother’s family was poor too, but she didn’t seem to mind. She was my opposite. I was bitter and she was sweet. I made a fool of myself one day, trying to get a boy’s attention. Everyone laughed except Lily. She taught me that one genuine friend was worth far more than a hundred cheerleaders and football players. I truly loved her.

Still, I didn’t want my children to grow up poor. I married well and planned for my sons to have a good future. Travis was already in college when Lily died. I was grieving for her when you and Alex started seeing each other. I felt like you were taking him away from me. I couldn’t stand another loss. I wanted to get away from this town as fast as possible and take him with me. When Alex gave up his scholarship, I thought his future was over. I thought he’d end up being a poor laborer like my father. I blamed you.”

Then you showed up pregnant, I didn’t think the baby could possibly be Alex’s. You seemed too far along. I didn’t know you were having twins. But I knew Alex loved you enough to stand by you. I knew he’d give up everything for you. I was determined not to let that happen. I slipped right back into being that bitter little schoolgirl. After Alex got hurt, it strengthened my determination to protect him.” Cheryl took a deep breath before she added, “I thought I’d finally gotten over all that, until Alex told me he’d moved back here and your name came up. I guess I wasn’t as good a friend to your mother as she was to me. She would have done better by a child of mine. I’ve thought about that a lot over the last two weeks.”

The screen door slammed. When they turned, they found the twins holding each handle of a large basket filled with jars of honey. Jenna reached into the basket and removed one of the jars. She held it out.

“Would you like to buy a jar of honey, Ms. Benson?”

Lacey was apprehensive about her children’s behavior. Their first meeting with Ms. Benson had been a disaster, but Alex had interceded. She wished Alex was here now.

Jenna’s expression was open and pleading. Not for a sale of a jar of honey, but for acceptance. Jerrod, on the other hand looked surly.

“I’d love to buy a jar,” Ms. Benson said. “You know, your Uncle Travis’s little girls call me Nana.”

“Nana,” Jerrod sneered. “Look lady, we can call you Grandma, but Nana is out of the question. If you don’t like it, we’re right back to Ms. Benson. Your choice.”

“Grandma it is then,” Cheryl smiled. “How much do I owe you for the honey?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” Jenna looked at Lacey.

“Five bucks even,” Jerrod piped in.

“That sounds fair to me.” Cheryl pulled her wallet from her purse and produced a ten-dollar bill. “Do you have change?”

“Nope,” Jerrod said. “I guess you’ll have to take two jars.” He snatched the bill from Cheryl’s fingers and reached for a second jar of honey.

“Jerrod!” Lacey exclaimed.

“That’s the way I do business on the road, Mom.”

“And good business it is,” Cheryl agreed. “If the buyer doesn’t like it, they can go to town and pay more for the processed kind. These jars even have a piece of the comb inside. You don’t get that at a grocery store.”

“I could make you a good deal on some strawberry preserves,” Jerrod offered.

“Those are Granddad’s strawberries,” Jenna cried.

“He’ll live. A man his age shouldn’t eat so many sweets anyway.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have enough room in my suitcase, and I have to fly home tomorrow.” Cheryl laughed. “But you do drive a hard bargain, Jerrod Benson.”

“My name is Carlyle, ma’am.” Jerrod was suddenly serious. “Jerrod Alexander Carlyle.”

Cheryl looked stricken. Lacey could see she didn’t know how to respond.

“You kids go upstairs and wash for supper,” Lacey said. “When you get back you can set the table for five. I hope your grandmother will stay and eat with us.”

“Make that six,” Alex said from the doorway. “I ran into your grandfather in town this afternoon and asked him to bring me home. I’d like him to stay for supper as well. That way I can talk to all of you at one time. There are some changes I’m thinking of making.”

“I don’t want to stay for supper,” Clarence declared. “I thawed out a ham steak for my supper tonight.”

“It’ll keep until tomorrow,” Alex said.

“Tomorrow is pan fried steak night.”

“For God’s sake, Clarence, put some variety in your life.”

Alex prodded the old man back through the living room and onto the porch. “I’m offering you a free meal made by the best cook in town, you old buzzard. Be gracious enough to accept.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure they were alone. “I don’t want to face the dragon alone. I figure, with her on one side of me and Jerrod on the other, I wouldn’t stand a chance with a broken arm.”

“Ha!” Clarence chuckled. “Maybe I will stay for the show.”

“So, why do you think your mother’s here? She didn’t come up from Miami just to buy honey.”

Alex had been so concerned about his mother and Lacey being in the same room, he hadn’t stopped to wonder why she had come. He hadn’t noticed any screaming or bloodshed. That was a good sign.

Conversation around the supper table was led by the twins, as usual. They loved to talk about the farm. To Alex’s relief, his mother asked a few good questions and was properly impressed. The only times he had to send Jerrod a kick under the table was when he’d get too detailed about some aspects of tending livestock. There are things city people are better off not knowing and would definitely rather not hear while they eat.

He had no assistance in monitoring the conversation. Lacey seemed to be in a state between shock and raw nerves. Clarence simply chuckled at Jerrod’s inappropriate monologue. Thank God for Jenna and her curiosity about Miami and the Benson family.

When everyone had about finished their dessert, Alex cleared his throat to get their attention. “I’m glad you’re all here. I wanted to talk to you about some changes I’m planning to make.”

“If you’re thinking of putting alpacas on the farm,” Jerrod said, “let me stop you now. I hate those things…nasty.”

Alex lifted a brow. “No alpacas, I hear you. However, that’s not what I was thinking about. I ordered a new car today. I feel that I’m capable of driving myself now.”

“What did you get?” Jerrod nearly jumped from his chair with the enthusiasm that all boys share regarding cars.

Alex raised his hand. “We’ll talk about that later. There are other, more important things to discuss right now. I wanted to tell you that I’ve decided to move away from the office. Donna and her son are going to take over the apartment. It would be more convenient and save them a lot of money. Some help getting them settled would be a nice gesture. They could use more friends.”

Lacey looked up at him with her chin tilted up, but her eyes were glassy. Clarence cleared his throat loudly. The twins’ faces were frozen in an expression of disappointment and sorrow. Cheryl smoothed the napkin on her lap to avoid everyone’s gaze.

“Where are you planning to move to, son?” she asked in a quiet tone.

“That depends.” Alex stood and walked around the table to Lacey. “Can I speak to you alone for a moment?”

After guiding Lacey to a chair in the living room, Alex knelt before her on one knee. He’d been practicing and preparing for this since leaving the hospital. “Lacey. I want to stay here on the farm.”

When she started to shake her head, Alex added, “Just hear me out, before you say no. I know we’ve both had a hard time and trust isn’t easy for either of us. If you think about it, though, we never intended to hurt each other. I want to put all that behind us. I want us to both forgive the people who pulled us apart, for the kids’ sake. They need more than us. They deserve a whole family. I think my mom and your granddad have learned their lesson. If they haven’t, they’ll find the four of us a force to be reckoned with. But that only works if we stick together.”