For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (19 page)

Mibs says:
I didn’t like how the whole evening made me feel, so I just dumped my frustrations on him. I wasn’t ugly, but it was rude.

Luke says:
It sounds like an apology might be in order.

Mibs says:
I’m making a hobby of it or something.

Luke says:
That’s one of the best things about you. You’re not afraid to admit when you’re wrong.

Mibs says:
That’s actually why I dinged…

Luke says:
So, you need me there early tomorrow?

Mibs says:
If you can.

Luke says:
Sure, but where’s Tina?

Mibs says:
She left tonight for Yorktown. Her father really does have a dinner planned for her.

Luke says:
I can’t believe she left before you got home. I would have expected her to give a grilling that’d make William proud
--
if it wasn’t his date she was interrogating you about.

Mibs says:
I expect to get a call while I’m at Espresso Yourself begging for details.

Luke says:
What time do you need me there?

Mibs says:
Well, I told William’s voice mail that I’d meet him at Espresso at eight, so…

Luke says:
I’ll be there at a quarter ‘til.

Mibs says:
Thanks.

Mibs says:
Luke, I have this awful feeling. I know feelings are not always reality but…

Luke says:
No, but sometimes feelings are that prompting we get when the Holy Spirit reminds us of something we’ve learned. What does the feeling tell you?

Mibs says:
Well, it seems to me like William is TRYING to be
“
interested
”
in me. Like it is some kind of duty he has to perform or something. I mean, if that was what God wanted for our lives, wouldn’t it happen naturally without having to work so hard?

Luke says:
Well, you’d think so, wouldn’t you? He’s a good man; you shouldn’t carelessly toss aside a good man who loves the Lord.

Mibs says:
Ugh. I was so sure, but you’re going to put doubts in my mind, aren’t you?

Luke says:
Well, I was also going to say that just because he’s a good man doesn’t mean he’s the right one for you.

Mibs says:
*sigh* Honestly, Luke, I am still struggling to learn the basics of housekeeping, parenting, and all the joys and trials that come with those. I don’t think I have time for this.

Mibs says:
Maybe that should tell me something. I mean, if William was
“
the one,
”
don’t you think I’d think differently? Don’t you think I’d be willing to make time for the right guy?

Luke says:
Maybe. It may be that you won’t be looking when he comes. He may have to work a little to show you what could be there, and that’s ok. Any guy who really cares about building a life with you won’t mind that challenge.

Mibs says:
Can I ask you something?

Luke says:
Of course.

Mibs says:
Is it even right to think about this stuff? Don’t I have enough to do without spreading myself that much thinner?

Luke says:
The right man will understand what he’s getting into, Mibs. He’s not going to mind sharing you with the children.

Mibs says:
It just seems wrong to take more time away from the kids

Mibs says:
Well, actually, since I’m not dating anymore, the only way I can see me getting married is if someone arranges it for me, so I think I’m probably worrying about nothing.

Luke says:
Most worries are.

Mibs says:
Are what?

Luke says:
About nothing. It’s late. I need to do a few things next door before I mosey on over there, so I think I’ll have to sign off now.

Mibs says:
Thanks for the chat, Luke. I feel a little better now.

Luke says:
Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.

Mibs says:
Thanks again. I really appreciate it. Goodnight.

Luke says:
Good night, Mibs.

Sugar & Spice

Monday, August 11
^th

Aggie’s hands fidgeted as she tried to find the right words to explain to William why the date that he saw nothing wrong with was so disappointing to her. She didn’t want to hurt him; he’d been so considerate, but she needed to ensure that he took her decision seriously. At last, William’s hand closed over hers.
“
What’s wrong, Aggie? What did I do wrong? I tried
--”

“
I know you did, William. I know, and I’m sorry, but that’s actually the problem.
”
She returned the gentle squeeze he gave her and tried to smile.
“
I don’t want to have to ‘try’ at any relationship. I don’t want that artificiality. It’s not me.
”

“
Every relationship takes work, Aggie. There’s no such thing as a perfect couple who never had to work things through.
”

Her eyes closed as she prayed again for the ability to explain herself without being any ruder than she’d already been.
“
William, I understand that. What I am not so keen on is having to start a relationship with so much work. Can’t we just keep being the friends I know we are, and if we change and become more to each other than we are now, that’s ok?
”
She waited for him to meet her gaze.
“
Can you honestly say that your heart will break if we don’t go out to dinner every other week?
”

“
Well no, but
--”

“
Then what’s the problem? You can come over, or we can take the kids to the park, we can talk, laugh, play games… all the stuff we do now, but there’s no pressure to make it into some big romantic thing.
”
She swallowed.
“
If I really thought you were falling for me in some way, I wouldn’t be saying this. I’d be reexamining my own heart. I’d be more willing to see if I could learn to care for you in a more intimate way…
”
Her voice trailed off as she tried to find a non-insulting way to tell a man she wasn’t salivating to have more time alone with him.
“
Since neither of us is there yet, why do we have to work to get there? It’s a lot of pressure, William
--
for both of us.
”

“
Yeah. That’s true.
”
He seemed lost in thought for a while.
“
I guess, I just assumed that if you’re friends with a woman, a mother in particular, you need to be willing to commit to that no matter where it goes.
”

Aggie’s smile crinkled the corners of her eyes in that delightful way that gave her added attractiveness.
“
It means so much to me that you said that. I really appreciate that you were willing to invest
all
of yourself to be my friend
--
that you
are
willing to do it still.
”
Her eyes twinkled as she added,
“
Let’s make a deal. If either of us changes how we feel about the other, we’ll just say so. No awkwardness, or as little as we can manage, no expectations, just open honesty so the other can know what to expect.
”

“
That I can get into.
”
His hand gave hers one last squeeze before he stood and gathered their trash. He accompanied her out the door and to her van. Before William opened the door, he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand in a way that sent waves of dread over her.
“
I wish my little sister was like you.
”

“
What do you mean?
”

“
You’re understanding; you’ll talk out a problem. You give people second chances.
”
He knew that several store merchants had their eyes on the scene before them, all speculating about the deeply romantic moment they thought they saw, but for once in William’s highly regulated life, he didn’t care.
“
Is it silly to say I hope I fall in love with you or someone like you?
”

“
No, I think that’s flattering. I could say the same thing about you
--
most of the time.
”

His laughter rang out sending more glances their way. He shut the door behind her and leaned his arms on the window as it lowered.
“
Tell Sullivan I said to get your room done. You look tired, Aggie. You need your own space.
”

“
He’s probably working on it now.
”

William shook his head.
“
We both know that he’s goofing off with the kids. He’d never leave them alone without someone watching them.
”

He was right, and she knew it.
“
Yep. I’d better get home so we can get it done.
”

“
Let Luke do it, Aggie. Your ankle is still on the stiff side. Don’t risk it.
”

Tuesday, August 12
^th

A door slammed, waking Aggie from her impromptu catnap on the sofa. She bolted upright, and
glanced around her, blinking.
“
Um, w
ha
--”
The room was empty. Shouts filtered downstairs, but she still wasn’t certain who was shouting or why. Dragging herself off the couch, Aggie glanced around the room, wondering where Ian was. This wasn’t good.