Her Unlikely Family (19 page)

Josie's stomach fluttered at his comment. Could he really be saying he wanted her to keep calling? “It's okay. I've actually recently met someone.”

“Oh, Josephine, I'm so happy for you,” her mom said.

“He's a banker, very responsible, kind. And he's guardian for his niece, whose mother died.”

“Oh, my. You'd be an instant mother,” her mother said.

A smile stole across Josie's face as she thought of her potential family. “This is all new and up in the air right now. It might not get to that point.”

“A banker, huh? Tellers don't make much. Could he support you?” her dad asked.

Josie fought the whoop of laughter that just about slipped out. Someday when they met Mike, she'd let Mike straighten them out. “He makes plenty, Dad.”

“I hope you'll let us know if it gets serious,” her mom said.

“I will.” She just hoped she had good news to tell them eventually. “Well, I should get going. I need to make a hair appointment. I'm supposed to meet his parents this evening.” She didn't include the fact that he'd gone out of town on business leaving her to the wolves.

“You'll have to call and let us know how it goes. In the meantime, we'll figure out when we can come up there to see you, won't we Ben?”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

Josie could see it now—her mom heading to Gatlinburg, dragging her dad behind.

It was just as well he was so resistant. She didn't need to deal with a reunion any time soon. Mike's parents would be enough on anyone's plate.

M
ichael got as far as the interstate before Lisa called.

Even though she had said she didn't mind him leaving, he still couldn't shake the memory of the expression on her face—a touch of anger, a touch of fear. He imagined that she might fear he wouldn't come back. Or that he would change his mind and let her down once again.

He could only guess what went on in that teenaged female brain.

“Hey, it's me,” she said.

“What's up?”

“How far are you?”

“Just got on the highway.”

“I see…” Silence.

“What's Uncle Gary doing?”

“Setting up the Monopoly board. We borrowed Josie's.”

Oh, good. He's trying to keep her occupied.
“Sounds fun.”

She sighed. “I guess.” More silence.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I guess. I just—”

“What, pumpkin?”

“Are you really coming back?”

“Yes. I promise.”

“You're sure? I mean, you won't go all Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on me, will you?”

“Excuse me?”

“You know, Dr. Michael, Mr. Mike? Go back to your old self?”

She sounded so pitiful, guilt struck full force. “No, no reversals back to the old Michael for me. You and Josie have cured me.”

“You promise?”

“Yes.”

“You still love me?”

“Of course.”

“And you won't forget about me, even if Mr. Mason's a pain or when you see all the mail piled up?”

“Never.”

“Okay.” She heaved a sigh. “Call me when you get there.”

As they said their goodbyes, he remembered two times in the past year that he had promised her he'd go visit her on the weekend but had failed to keep his promise. Of course he hadn't stood her up. No, he was too organized for that. He'd had his secretary call to cancel.

It was no wonder she was having doubts. He would too if he were in her shoes.

And now was the time when she needed him most. When they were finally forming a relationship.

When she was learning to trust that he'd be there for her from here on out.

What had he been thinking? How could he have left Lisa for Tom Mason—for a business deal?

He dialed her back, and she answered before the end of the first ring.

“Hey, pumpkin. You and Gary set that Monopoly board for three. I'm turning around right now.”

She whooped in his ear as he zoomed off the next exit and headed in the other direction. He left a voice mail for Mason, telling the truth about his niece, and how he couldn't leave her. He apologized and told him Gary would be taking over for him—Mason would have to work with Gary.

Once he'd finished that business, it seemed to take forever before he finally arrived at his rental house.

When he walked in the front door, Gary shook his head and frowned. “So this is it.”

“I couldn't leave Lisa, even if just for a day or two.”

“Couldn't leave Josie, either?”

“This time it was about our niece.”

“And when it's about Josie? I don't see it happening.”

“Josie and I have a lot to figure out. But I'm hoping to make a way for her to eventually come to Charleston.”

“I hope you know what you're getting into.” Gary stuffed his belongings into his designer bag. “You have a date with Josie, Lisa and our parents today. Meet at Josie's at five o'clock. Dinner out later.”

“Thanks, Gar. I left Mason a message. Told him you're in charge. We'll see what he decides.”

“This is a mistake.”

“I couldn't walk away and leave Lisa.”

“Dad's not going to be happy.”

“We all—Mother and Dad included—are going to have to make adjustments.”

“Adjustments for Lisa are one thing. Adjustments for Josie are entirely different.”

“It'll all work out.”

Gary shook Michael's hand—no hug this time. “Let's hope.”

“Let's hope…and pray,” Michael said to himself as Gary drove away.

 

Michael sat across from Lisa at the card table he'd set up in his dining room. She tossed the dice in her hands. “Is Josie coming over to play Monopoly with us?”

“Can't. She has a hair appointment.”

“Oh! Maybe she's gonna do it.”

“Do what?”

“Get her hair dyed green.”

“What?”

“Way back when I talked about dreading seeing Grandmother and Grandfather again because of my hair, she said she ought to color hers in solidarity with me.”

He stood and paced the wooden floor of the tiny room. “You don't think she would really do that, would she?” He could envision his mother fainting dead away.

Lisa laughed—more like a whoop. “If she does, she's my hero.”

Of course, Josie would. It was
exactly
what she would do.

And he would love her for it. But she couldn't have picked a worse time.

“I can't wait for Grandmother and Grandfather to get here.” Lisa couldn't stop laughing as she rolled the dice and moved her game piece. “This is going to be so cool.”

 

Michael's parents pulled in the driveway at precisely five o'clock. Normally that would have impressed him. Today, it frustrated him.

Especially with Josie's car still gone and Lisa hiding out at Josie's house.

Michael met his parents at his front door.

“Darling, it's so good to see you.” His mother gave him a cheek-to-cheek air kiss to save her lipstick.

“Son.” His dad offered a handshake. “Cute little place you've got here.”

“It's rather bare, but it's worked fine for what I need.”

“Where's Lisa?” his mother asked.

“She's waiting over at Josie's house.”

“Why can't she just come on home with you? She's getting behind in her classes.” His mother clutched her purse to her as if she might be robbed.

“Come on. Let's go across the street, and you can see Lisa, then meet Josie when she gets home.”

His dad held out his arm for his wife. “Gary tells me you care for this Josie.”

He stifled his irritation with Gary. “Yes, sir. I know you'll like her.”

His mother picked her way carefully across the street, making sure not to trip on bits of grass that were trying to peek through cracks in the pavement. “Does Josie live there? In that pinkish house?”

“Yes, she does. She's been here a couple of years. Just to warn you, it's not decorated like yours, but it's comfortable, and Lisa loves it here. Josie has taken good care of your granddaughter. You should be thankful.”

His mother raised her perfectly drawn eyebrows at his speech. “Of course we are, dear.”

He climbed Josie's front steps and knocked. But his parents remained on the walk below, his mother's arm hooked through his dad's as if they were being presented at the prom.

No one answered. Great. Lisa really was going to stay concealed until Josie arrived. He smiled at his parents, then took out his key and opened the door. “Come on in. Lisa probably couldn't hear us knock.”

His parents followed him in, his dad frowning at the key as if the fact Michael had one meant something inappropriate.

Michael had to give them credit. They were very discreet as they checked out Josie's interior.

“Have a seat,” he said. “I'll find her.” He hollered toward the bedrooms, “Lisa, we're here.”

Lisa squealed. “I'll be out in a minute.”

“Should we go back to my house?” he called, wishing they could avoid this whole scene.

“No. Josie called to say she's on her way.”

He sighed in relief as he sat in the chair. At least Josie hadn't backed out on them. Of course, if she showed up with green hair, he might wish she had.

“I know what a handful Lisa's been. Josie must be a patient woman,” his dad said.

“Josie's been great, Dad. She's been a mediator for us. Without her help, I have a feeling Lisa would have run away again.”

“Then that's definitely a mark in her favor,” his mother said.

She would need all the marks she could get.

Without warning, Lisa came bounding into the room, green hair spiked around the bandage. “Here I am!”

Why hadn't she waited for Josie?

“Oh, Lisa, what have you done to your beautiful hair?” his mother said as she stood to hug and kiss her. “Oh, never mind. I've missed you so. Are you feeling okay?”

“I've missed both of you. And, yes, I'm fine.” She hugged her grandfather.

“Of all colors. Why green?” his mom said, unable to let the topic drop.

“Oh, I'm sure you'd be surprised how many other people color theirs green.” She turned to look at Michael, then winked.

She was enjoying this entirely too much.

“Well, maybe I can take you to my colorist as soon as we get home.”

“Thanks, Grandmother, but I'm happy with it right now. How about some hors d'oeuvres, everybody? I made some while Josie was out.”

Impressed, he said, “That would be great. Thanks, Lisa.”

She practically skipped to the kitchen, humming along the way.

“I'm impressed, Michael,” his dad said. “She's like a new child.”

“Yes. And we'll want to thank Josie,” his mother said. “Is there something we can get for her to show our appreciation?”

He almost laughed. “Oh, no. Please don't. I've tried, and she won't hear of it.”

Lisa came back in the room carrying a tray with several cheeses and rolled up ham. “Here you go.”

A car door slammed out front.

“Oh, there she is!” Lisa ran her hands through her hair, then grinned at him.

A moment later, the front door opened. There stood a complete strang—

He nearly swallowed his tongue. “Josie?”

She walked straight toward his parents, smiling and held out her hand to shake with his father, then his mother. “Hi, I'm Josie Miller.”

Michael remembered his manners and introduced them.

He could hardly pull his attention from Josie. But he knew he had to check on Lisa.

Lisa tried to smile, but she couldn't seem to quit staring at Josie. And glaring. “Hi, Josie. Wow. You look different.”

In an awkward gesture, Josie glanced at his parents, then spun around. “Whadaya think? New hairdo.”

“I'll say,” Lisa said. And she wasn't happy.

Michael wasn't so sure he was happy, either.

He took her by the shoulders and looked her square in the eye. Really hard. Just to make sure it was her.

“Mike, say something.”

He blinked. “Wow.” Standing before him was a beautiful woman with golden-brown hair, cut in a sleek shoulder-length style that had miraculously smoothed the curl out. She wore an expensive-looking, teal-colored linen suit and stockings. High-heeled shoes, too. No orthopedic, squeaky-soled clunkers here.

“Mike? You call him Mike?” his dad asked.

“Yes. Don't you think it fits his new image better?”

His dad smiled. “New image?”

“Tell them, Lisa,” Josie said.

“We've been working on him to loosen up,” Lisa said to her grandparents. “And Uncle Mike's gotten pretty cool.” She sent Josie an angry glare. “But it looks like someone else has been finding a new image, too. One that Grandmother would love.”

“Pardon me?” his mother said.

Lisa examined her fingernails. “I told her to dress up to impress you. That's all.”

Josie walked toward Lisa. Nothing jingled. Not a ring or bracelet anywhere. She wore only a classy string of pearls around her neck and pearl studs in her ears. They looked almost real.

Lisa was right. His mother would approve of this version of Josie.

“Lisa, honey, are you okay?” Josie asked.

“I hope you didn't spend all your savings.”

Josie smiled, but barely. She looked worried. “No. The dress and stuff, it's all…used.”

“So that's why you're late? You've been hitting the flea markets this morning?”

“It's actually mine. From a long time ago.”

“Yeah, well, I've got to go feed the cat.”