Covered Bridge Charm (42 page)

She took a seat beside Aunt Fannie and Miranda—the latter stuck out with her short skirt and bare head. But funerals were open to all so it was not an issue. While the wind shook the single-paned windows, a male song leader opened the service with a hymn. One of the ministers gave the eulogy, and a sextet presented two a cappella songs that were followed by a sermon.

Regardless of the harsh weather, she’d never been so glad to leave the sanctuary. Outside they hugged their coats and scarves tight as they trudged to the neighboring cemetery.

Miranda shouted over the howling wind. “Poor Crusher.”

Carly nodded, remaining silent from her inner suffering.

“I’m thankful we have something good to look forward to, the editor that’s coming tomorrow.”

“It was good of Jason to change the appointment,” Carly agreed.

“I’m on pins and needles,” Aunt Fannie admitted. “Like a girl waiting for her date.”

Smiling, Carly said, “And not just any date, but the one that’s
the one
.” Her heart felt a moment of peace, thinking of all the good things that had happened recently. Like the verse the minister had used from the familiar Twenty-third Psalm:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
She could see God’s handiwork all around her.

So many of her prayers were being answered—many brought about by her new Irish friends. That’s why facing Jason later would be so difficult.

She found herself moving into a line again as only two at a time could fit on the path that had been shoveled into the large snow banks edging the parking lot. The graveside service was short on two accounts, the cold and the fact that the ground was frozen. Normally, they waited while some of their men shoveled dirt onto the lowered coffin, but because of the weather, Crusher had opted to let the funeral home handle everything.

After the service, Adam located Carly. “You all right?”

“Jah, except I look like a scarecrow and feel like a popsicle.”

He laughed. “You look beautiful, and I’ll see what we can do to get you warm.” Draping his arm across her shoulders, he sheltered her as they made their way to his truck. Inside he tucked a blanket around her.

On the ride home, he envisioned just how else he’d warm her. Comfort her. After Crusher’s dinner, he’d come and start a fire in her fireplace. He’d bring his popcorn popper and cuddle on the couch. Then he’d ask her if he could take her on a surprise excursion Sunday afternoon. He intended to take her to the bridge and propose. His gut now squirmed with anxiety and anticipation.

“Can I drop by later? I’ll start a fire and bring popcorn.”

She looked at him with disappointment in her eyes. “Oh, not tonight. I need to deal with some things.”

He took her hand. “Sure you couldn’t use the company? I know I could. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“I’m sorry. Another time.”

“Tomorrow? I was hoping to take you someplace special.”

He saw the longing in her gaze, but also discouragement. “I’ve got church and then that editor’s meeting at Aunt Fannie’s. We changed it to Sunday because of the funeral.”

“I wondered about that.” If they were going to announce their engagement at Christmas, he had to propose this weekend. “After that? I really want to see you.”

She smiled with relief. “Jah, that sounds good.”

“So don’t wash your hair or anything. Count on seeing me. Actually, if you want to wash it, that’s fine by me. I’ll even brush it for you.”

“You’ll do nothing of the kind, Adam Lapp.”

He shrugged and grinned. “Just trying to be helpful.”

She giggled and seemed to relax. He was disappointed he had to wait until the next day to see her, but it would give him time to break the news to Dad. He was thinking about what he’d say when her cottage came into view. Carly instantly stiffened, her face agitated.

Then he saw the reason. He pulled in behind Jason’s car and put the gear in P
ARK
. “Did you know he’d be here?”

She nodded.

Anger rose in him like a beast, narrowing his vision. “I can’t believe I missed part of Crusher’s dinner to bring you home to meet him. I’m a fool. You told me you weren’t up to seeing me tonight.” He waited for some kind of assurance that their relationship wasn’t falling apart and miles from the road to commitment and marriage.

She placed her hand on his. “I said I had to deal with some things.”

He jerked his hand away. “A carefully worded lie. You know what? I’m done here. Just go. Have your fling.”

She turned to fully face him. “Now, Adam. Let me explain. I’m only going to dinner with him so that—”

“I know. So you can drool your thanks all over the little rich boy who’s making all your dreams come true. Jason told me you hadn’t even told him about us. He said it was your choice. Looks like you’ve already chosen.”

“But I choose you.”

“Only. I’m not willing to share. So go.”

“Adam. You’re being unreasonable. Whatever happened to trusting each other? Does that only work one way?”

The beast inside was uncontrollable, and he didn’t know what he would do next if he didn’t leave. Give Irish another black eye? He ground out the words, “Just. Get. Out… of my truck.”

Her eyes widened, shimmering with tears. “Fine!” She threw the blanket at him and climbed out of the truck, slamming the door. He watched her march toward Jason’s car, and the only victory he felt was when her covering blew off her head and sailed across the lawn. She ran after it, her hair losing its pins and blowing wild.

Jason jumped out of his car to help her. Jealousy raged. Biting his lip, Adam looked away. Yanked the truck in reverse. Bitter and hurt, he resolved,
Let her new godsend pick up the pieces from now on. See how that goes.
He needed to calm down so that he could fulfill his obligation to Crusher. At least he was a man of his word.

A
lthough Adam’s jealousy was deeply embedded, his anger dissolved almost as soon as he’d joined the gathering for Dot’s funeral dinner where he was able to focus on Crusher’s needs. But as soon as he was able, he left. His route took him past Jimmy’s place, and he noticed his friend’s truck parked outside his apartment. Missing Jimmy and thinking he was the perfect guy to give him some advice, he pulled into his drive.

Jimmy was surprised to see him and invited him inside. Things hadn’t changed much at the bachelor pad. He walked up to Jimmy’s desk and looked at a wall map. “Got a bunch more pins in there since I was last here.”

“Jah. Went the southern route last week as far as Birmingham. Can I get you a pop?”

“Sure.” Adam slouched into an arm chair and waited for Jimmy to bring his drink. “Thanks.”

“Where you been all dressed up?”

“Dot’s funeral. I got to be friends with Crusher, working at Sweet Life.”

“Oh. Guess I was out of the loop on that.”

“Talked to Carly lately?

Jimmy shook his head. “Nope. I was thinking about going over tonight.”

“Don’t bother. She won’t be there. She’s on a date.”

Jimmy tilted his head. “With you?”

“Nope. Her new benefactor. Jason Irish.”

Looking concerned, Jimmy asked, “Who? Look, I’m really out of the loop. What’s going on?”

Adam filled him in on everything he knew about Irish, watching Jimmy react with suspicion. “Guess I’ll drop by tomorrow while they’re having their meeting and see for myself what’s going on with this guy.”

“That’d be good. I can’t do this anymore, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Watch out for her while you’re gone. I’m done. She’s driving me crazy.”

Jimmy’s brows furrowed. “You going to Indiana?”

“No!” Adam stood. Ran his hands through his hair. “Why does everyone keep assuming that?”

Throwing up his hands, Jimmy worked to calm him. “Easy, now.”

Adam plopped back down on the chair. “Dale’s having surgery, and I might have to help out after Christmas. Nothing definite yet, but I’m not moving there. Dad’s been great lately. I’m happy here.”

“Jah. You sound real happy.”

“I would be if your sister didn’t drive me crazy.”

“You mad at her or that Irish fella?”

“Both.”

“Sounds like you’re jealous.”

“Well, jah.”

“Thought you loved her.”

“I do.”

“Then why aren’t you fighting for her?”

Adam grinned. “You didn’t see the shiner I gave him.”

Jimmy burst into laughter. “I wish I could’ve seen the king of easy-going get riled. I was always the one with the temper. You’re supposed to be the one keeping us out of trouble.”

Discouragement pressed Adam’s shoulders. “She didn’t even tell Jason we were dating. This guy connects with her in ways I can’t. They both work in social services. They both ride bikes to work. He’s funding renovations at Sweet Life. He can make her dreams come true.”

Jimmy shook his head. “You need to get a grip. He’s not Mennonite, and Carly won’t compromise. Don’t let your feelings get in the way of reality.”

“You had to be there.”

“So I’ll go scope him out and give you my take on the situation.”

“Thanks.” Adam relaxed. “Got any plans for tonight?”

“Nope. You can stick around if you want. We can order pizza later.”

“Great.” He figured it’d help him keep his mind off Carly’s dinner date—off Jason seeing her hair that way. “Hey, are you dating Miranda?”

Jimmy laughed. “Not anymore. But Aunt Fannie’s adopted her so we’re friends. She plans to stay after her V. S. term is over.”

“You think a guy can be just friends with a woman? It didn’t work that good for me.”

Shrugging, Jimmy replied, “Keep the faith. I’m pretty sure you and Carly are meant to be together.”

“I’ll never speak to him again,” Carly vowed as she chased her prayer cap across the frozen lawn. His squealing tires humiliated her. He’d tossed her out of his truck! Still in disbelief, she halted and turned to watch his black tailgate disappear at the end of Hawthorne. Not only had he rejected her, he’d broken up with her. And yelled at her!

“I’m done here. Go have your little fling. Just get out of my truck.”
Her pain intensified. She’d never dreamed it would end this way. She’d waited patiently while he dallied with the Indiana woman. After all that, he’d broken up with her for no good reason. If he’d only let her explain. What a temper. Worse than their last argument. She had no idea he could be such a pigheaded…

“This what you’re after?” Jason grinned, waving her prayer cap.

She gave him a sheepish smile, embarrassed he’d witnessed the incident. “Jah, it got away from me.” Her hair flew wild around her face so she couldn’t see, much less think. “Let’s go inside. I’ve been frozen all day.” She fiddled with her key.

“Let me.”

Inside, she told him to make himself at home while she repaired her appearance. In her bathroom, she leaned against the closed door for support. She could hear his low voice, probably talking to Cocoa. She slid down against the door to the floor and placed her head in her hands. She’d had a lot of rough days, but this contended for worst ever.

Adam’s furious face filled her vision. What had happened to the easygoing man she’d grown to love and trust? If today was a preview of their future, she was fortunate it was over between them. For the second time that day, memories of her dad’s angry outbursts flooded over her. Men!

And Jason was no saint, either! Her anger expanded to include him. If he hadn’t come early, she could have spared Adam the pain. She’d only accepted Jason’s dinner invitation to talk about his misguided idea of pursuing her. Because she loved Adam. But what would she tell Jason now that he’d witnessed Adam’s temper tantrum? It would make her look and feel like a fool.

Groaning for what still awaited, she pulled herself up off the floor. The mirror didn’t lie. Definitely contender for worst day ever, if not worst hair. This would take starting from scratch. But then it was Jason’s own fault if she kept him waiting. He’d arrived early. He was to blame for the entire episode.

When she finally emerged, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee met her in the hall. It was hard to remain angry at Jason when she saw him sipping coffee and scratching the chocolate-and-white lop-eared puddle stretched out on his lap. After all, Cocoa was a good judge of character. The fact that he wasn’t in hiding mode warmed her heart.