Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance) (78 page)

The long conversation that Tina and Ellene had enjoyed turned into an even longer one with William. Tina discovered, contrary to Aggie
’
s description, that William was a charming and fascinating conversationalist. They hit it off quite well, but Tina also saw that William seemed to keep a protective eye over Aggie. All of these things whirled in her mind as she talked with Aggie.
“
So, which of the two men would you see yourself with, oh, say in ten years?
”

Tina
’
s directness and lack of hesitation was refreshing for Aggie after weeks of Luke
’
s slow and deliberate words.
“
Tina, when did you become such a matchmaker? I picture myself as good friends with both of them for years to come! What did you think of them?
”

Tina was thoughtful.
“
Well, William is by far the handsomest, but there is a certain charm about Luke, isn
’
t there?
”

Aggie laughed.
“
Today Luke caught me being downright goofy a couple of times. I was so embarrassed.
”

“
I can see that they both look out for you, but Luke is much more subtle, and as a result, it seems more
--
something.
”

“
Mrs. Sullivan says it
’
s because he grew up protecting his sisters. Anyway, she says he always finds someone to help in some way.
”
That conversation with Libby had meant a lot to Aggie. Changing the subject, she asked,
“
Did you see the cabinets he built me? I am in love with them.
”

Tina laughed.
“
Wouldn
’
t Allie flip? I remember the way she reacted to your idea for her bridesmaid dresses!
”

Laughing, Aggie thought of something else and changed the subject again.
“
Do you think that the kids are adjusting ok?
”

It was well past eleven o
’
clock when Tina finally dragged herself into the library and curled up on the air mattress Aggie provided. Accustomed to those few minutes of silence after the end of a long day, Aggie powered up her laptop once she
’
d climbed into bed and went to check her email. To her surprise, Mrs. Landry was added to her messenger contact list.

Aggie says:
Iris!!! Hello!

Landry
’
s Lady says:
I
’
m excited to see you. You gave me your name, but I never remembered to add you. How are you doing in that bi
g
old house?

Aggie says:
I love it. We
’
ve just finished the kitchen. In a week o
r
three, we
’
ll be done with the rest and my little haven will be complete.

Landry
’
s Lady says:
Haven. I like that. With all of the turmoil your family has been through, you need one don
’
t you?

Aggie says:
And how. I
’
ve met a woman I think you
’
d like. She lives fairly close to you, I think. I
’
d like to introduce you.

Landry
’
s Lady says:
What is her name?

Aggie says:
Libby Sullivan. Do you know her?

Landry
’
s Lady says:
No, but anyone you want to introduce me to, I
’
d be happy to meet. Can we all go to lunch soon? Mark was hired back on at work again.

Aggie says:
Oh, I am so glad! May I bring my friend Tina? Do you remember the one who insisted that I hire someone? If it weren
’
t for her, I wouldn
’
t have met you!

Landry
’
s Lady says:
Please do! I heard all about her from Vannie.

Aggie says:
You did?

Landry
’
s Lady says:
Yes. She
’
s small and pretty and filthy rich. That about sums up Vannie
’
s perceptions!

Aggie says:
She forgot to mention pushy and too smart for her own good. Oh yes, and she
’
s also my best friend!

Landry
’
s Lady says:
That sounds like the best kind of best friend to have.

Aggie says:
So, when are you going to come see my house? Why don
’
t you bring Jonathan out, and you can help Tina and I go through the furniture up in the attic and set up the rest of the house! I
’
d be happy to pay you.

Landry
’
s Lady says:
And I
’
d be happy to do it just because I am your friend. How about Wednesday? I have a Bible study early, but we can drive over right afterwards if you
’
d like.

Aggie says:
Oh, that would be wonderful! I
’
ll fix us lunch and we can dream this house into perfection.

Landry
’
s Lady says:
Or at least into Aggie
’
s haven.

Aggie says:
Isn
’
t that a wonderful thought. It
’
s really becoming that, too. I feel peaceful and at home, even when things are going wrong and everything is
“
sixes and sevens.
”

Landry
’
s Lady says:
God has blessed you beyond measure.
Eight children, a beautiful home, the ability to stay home with thos
e
children and serve them. You are becoming a veritable Proverbs 31 woman!

Aggie says:
Except that she sewed, had a business, and a husband!

Landry
’
s Lady says:
One thing at a time dear. Those will come, you
’
ll see!

Aggie says:
I never pictured myself married… even as a little girl
--
not that I was against it or anything. Maybe it
’
s because God knew I was going to be so busy with these children that I wouldn
’
t have time for being a wife too.

Landry
’
s Lady says:
That is possible, but don
’
t count on it.

Aggie says:
You think that I
’
m out there on this one?

Landry
’
s Lady says:
No… it
’
s possible that you
’
re called to singleness. I just think that marriage is the rule, rather than the exception.

Aggie says:
Well, that is true, but then I
’
m already an exception. There aren
’
t many twenty-two year old mothers of eight.

Landry
’
s Lady says:
Oh my, Jonathan has a finger gushing blood and Mark can
’
t get it to stop. I have to go. Bye.

Aggie says:
Bye… Praying.

Oddly Enough

Wednesday, July 24
^th

“
Aggie… where do you want these clothes? They
’
re all over the couch!
”
Tina sounded almost as exasperated as she looked. Aggie danced down the stairs. The sight of all the day
’
s laundry still piled on the couch touched a sore spot. Tina watched as she walked over to the kitchen and splashed water in her face.

“
Front and center,
”
Aggie
’
s voice was loud and clear. The children came from all directions and in all states of dress and undress. Aggie rolled her eyes and took a deep breath.

“
What do I see on that couch? Anyone?
”

Kenzie piped up with the obvious.
“
Clothes!
”

Aggie looked pointedly at the older four children and raised the question again with her eyes. The younger children seemed clueless, but the older children had the grace to look ashamed. Eventually, Vannie spoke up.
“
I
’
m sorry, Aunt Aggie.
”

Tina listened and then turned to Aggie.
“
May I?
”

Aggie nodded and picked up Ian.
“
Break a leg.
”