A Good Measure, page 25
“It’s mild. I’m fine,” Ames assured her. “Besides, we’re going to a wedding this weekend so I’m not gonna miss out on all the fun!”
Just then, Payton noticed that the sink was full of sunflowers. “Oh, my goodness! Look at all those—they’re gorgeous!”
“Thanks! I told you I had a bumper crop!”
“You weren’t kidding. They’re gonna look so pretty on the tables.”
Ames nodded and then eyed the bottle. “Do we need a corkscrew?”
“No, it’s twist-off,” Payton said, opening it and pouring two glasses. “Cheers!” she said, holding up her glass. “Here’s to a fun weekend!”
Ames clinked her glass. “Cheers!” she said, taking a sip.
“So what did you end up getting them?”
“Oh, I got my usual—Woodstock wind chimes.”
“Those are always nice,” Payton said, nodding approvingly.
“What did you get?”
Payton smiled. “You’re gonna laugh.”
“Why?” she asked, already laughing.
“I got them both smoothie makers like the one I gave you.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea! I love mine.”
“Now that you finally use it!” Payton teased.
“Have you decided what you’re wearing?”
“Noo . . .” Payton said, raising her eyebrows. “I can’t remember the last time I wore a dress, so I think I’m just gonna wear a pantsuit—maybe that beige one.”
“I was thinking the same thing!” Ames said. “Libby said it’s not really formal, although she bought a new dress.”
“Well, she’s the mother of the grooms, plural! And you look cute no matter what you wear.”
“You think so?” Ames asked, feeling her cheeks flame.
“I do,” Payton said, briefly searching her friend’s eyes. “Even cuter with that shiner!” She started to lift the vases out of the boxes and set them in rows on the table. “I think we should tie the ribbons on first,” she said, pulling out a pile of blue gingham ribbons.
“Okay,” Ames said, clearing her throat and sitting across from her with her wine. They began tying the ribbons around the vases. “So Quinn is getting in around ten thirty.”
“Are you pickin’ them up?”
“I am.”
“Do you want me to drop these off?”
“I thought we could do it tonight when they’re done—it’s not supposed to be hot so they’ll stay fresh. Besides, I already asked Libby and she said they have the tables all set up and we can just put them on them.”
Payton nodded and took a sip of her wine. “Sooo . . . what do we know about this new fella?”
Ames sipped her wine. “I peppered Quinn with questions and tried to find out as much as I could! So, in a nutshell, she said his name is Ezra Hamilton, he’s twenty-nine, and he has a golden retriever named Esther. He’s originally from Tennessee—which is so crazy . . . or serendipitous, but he’s lived in San Francisco since college—not sure where he went. She said he comes into the restaurant pretty often, sometimes with friends, but sometimes by himself, and one night recently, when he was there by himself, she wanted to ask him something about his business, and they ended up talking about hiking, and the next thing she knew, he’d asked her if she wanted to go hiking with him, and she said yes, and he brought Esther—who she said is beautiful, and they had such a good time, she decided to ask him if he wanted to go to a wedding in Tennessee, and he said yes!”
“Wow! You got a lot of information!” Payton said, laughing. “She must really like him if she wants you to meet him.”
“She must,” Ames agreed, setting a vase on the table and taking a sip of her wine. “I hope he’s a good guy. I’ve been praying for her to meet someone who likes the outdoors and dogs and kids—like she does. I’ve been pretty specific in my prayers,” she said, “and I don’t know if he likes kids, but he likes dogs and hiking, so we’re two out of three so far!”
“You’re funny,” Payton said, smiling, “but I believe prayer works . . . and you can’t be too specific. God loves details.”
Ames nodded. “I also want her to find someone who’s gonna love her with all his heart, you know? Someone who puts her first and wants her to be happy.” She smiled sadly. “I never had that with Frank. The only good thing that came from our marriage was Quinn—and although I wouldn’t trade her for anything, I sometimes wonder if I settled because I was worried no one else would come along.”
Payton smiled and searched her friend’s eyes. “I know just what you mean.”
49
IT WAS DUSK WHEN PAYTON AND AMES TURNED ONTO TENNYSON ROAD WITH the centerpieces. They’d snugly tucked them between towels in the back of the truck—which they’d doubly lined with a moving blanket. Payton drove slowly down the quiet dirt road, avoiding potholes and ruts, the beams of her headlights bumping up and down.
“Someone’s walking,” Ames said, pointing, “with a dog.”
“I see them,” Payton replied.
“Oh, I think it’s Chase!” Ames said. They pulled up next to him. “How are you, young man?”
Chase turned to see who was talking and a slow smile crossed his face. “Mrs. Finley!” he said, and then he looked over to see who was driving. “And Mrs. Childs! I’m fine. How are you?”
“Able to sit up and take nourishment,” Payton said.
Chase laughed. “That’s good.” And then he eyed Ames. “Oh, no! What did you do?”
Ames reached up and touched her still-tender cheek. “You should see the other guy!”
Payton shook her head. “She tried to catch a softball with her face and it didn’t go well.”
“Ouch!” Chase said, cringing sympathetically.
Ames nodded. “I have a concussion, too.”
“Well, remember to use your glove next time,” he kidded her.
Ames laughed. “I’ll try.”
“Are you guys coming tomorrow?”
“Absolutely!” Ames said. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
“We brought over the centerpieces,” Payton said, gesturing to the back of the truck.
Chase looked. “Wow! Those look great. Do you need help?”
“We never turn down help,” Ames said.
“Well, sometimes we do,” Payton interjected.
Chase laughed and then eyed Ames. “Is Quinn coming?”
She nodded. “I’m picking them up tomorrow morning.”
“Good! I’m so glad she’s bringing someone—I can’t wait to meet him.”
“You and me both!” Ames said.
He looked over at Payton. “Is Cash stressed about being the DJ?”
Payton chuckled. “He’s thrilled, but he’s probably a little stressed, too.”
“Well, he shouldn’t be—we’re all family and I’m sure he’s gonna do great.”
Payton nodded. “I’ll tell him you said that.”
Ames looked down at the little white dog sitting on Chase’s foot. “Who’s that cutie?”
Chase scooped Marmalade up and held her so Ames could pet her. “This is Marmalade.”
“Oh, my, she’s so sweet,” Ames said as Marmalade licked her hand. “Is she yours?”
Chase shook his head. “I wish she could be, but Liam seems to be allergic to dogs. She even had to ride over from Savannah with Gage and Maeve because Liam’s eyes were itching and watering so much.”
“Where’d you get her?” Payton asked.
“She belonged to a friend of mine. He passed away unexpectedly, and the dog warden was going to take her to the pound.”
“Oh, no, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Ames said as Payton nodded in agreement.
“Thanks,” he said. “Anyway, there was no way I was letting her go to the pound, so here she is. I wish we could keep her. She’s been through a lot, and she was very attached to my friend—they were homeless together, and I’m sure she can’t figure out what has happened to him. I don’t even know if she had ever even ridden in a car before last night, so everything is new and she’s a little shy and traumatized.” He nuzzled her head against his cheek. “You guys know of anyone who wants a dog?” he asked.
Ames shook her head. “I have Ned and he’s really enough for me.” She looked over at Payton, who shook her head, too . . . even though she could see the lightbulb popping on in her friend’s brain, but Payton gave her a warning look: Don’t even!
“Well, let me know if you think of anyone.”
“We will,” Ames replied.
“I’ll be right up to help you unload.”
“Okay,” Ames said, and as Payton turned and pulled up the driveway, Ames looked over. “Why not?”
“Because.”
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you that because is not a reason?”
“Let’s not ruin what has been a fun evening.”
Ames sighed and didn’t say anything more, but a few moments later, when Chase came in with Marmalade, she nosed right over to Payton—who was setting a centerpiece on a table.
“Hello, there, missy,” she said, smiling and reaching down to pet her. She looked up and saw Ames watching. “What?” she asked. “My heart isn’t made of stone, you know.”
“I know it’s not,” Ames said. She turned to Chase—who had just come in with two more centerpieces. “Did you have your rehearsal tonight?”
“We did,” Chase said, nodding. “Mom made a wonderful dinner and I think there are still a few people inside.” He looked toward the house and saw Reverend Dave Peters—the minister who would be officiating the ceremony the next day, and his wife, Susan, coming down the porch steps. A moment later they appeared in the doorway and surveyed the scene. “Wow!” Susan said, admiring the centerpieces. “Did you two make these?”
“We did,” Ames said, stopping to give them both hugs.
“Are they from your garden?”
Ames nodded.
“They are beautiful!”
Dave nodded in agreement and then eyed Ames’s cheek. “Your eye is looking better.”
“Thanks,” Ames said, “and thank you for taking such good care of me on the way to the hospital.”
“Just doing my job—my other job . . .” he added, smiling. “Did you end up having a concussion?”
“A mild one. Not enough to slow me down.”
“Well, you should take it easy.”
“I am,” she assured him.
Payton walked over. “You are, except when you’re not,” she said, hugging the minister and his wife, too. “I told you Cash would walk Ned, but you insist on doing it yourself.”
“I’m fine,” Ames insisted. “Walking is good for you.”
Chase put the last two centerpieces on tables and walked over to join them with Marmalade still glued to his leg.
“Your mom makes the best lasagna, Chase,” Susan said. “I just want to take a tray home.”
Chase laughed. “She’d probably give you one. It’s the least she can do after you made all those yummy lemon meringue pies, which are our favorite!”
Susan waved her hand. “That was nothing. I make them all the time.”
“Not to mention all the cookie favors,” Liam said, coming up behind them.
Susan nodded. “You’re most welcome. I had fun making them.” She knelt down to pet Marmalade again. “I wish we could take you home, honey, but we already have two pups.” Marmalade wiggled her whole hind end and licked Susan’s hand. “Oh, my goodness, you’re so sweet!”
Dave watched his wife becoming more enamored by the little white dog and chuckled. “All right, we better get going before we do take her home.”
Chase laughed. “I’m sure she’ll still be here tomorrow.”
Dave shook his head and began gently steering his wife toward their car. “Don’t tempt her.”
Chase laughed and turned to Ames and Payton. “You’ve met Liam before, haven’t you?”
“Oh, yes,” Ames said, looking over at Payton for confirmation.
She nodded. “We met him at your dad’s funeral.”
“I thought so,” Chase replied, and Ames and Payton both gave Liam a hug. “Mrs. Finley is Quinn’s mom, and Mrs. Childs is Cash’s mom,” Chase explained, and Liam nodded.
Ames suddenly felt self-conscious about her cheek. “Don’t mind me,” she said.
Liam smiled. “It looks like it hurt.”
“It did,” she admitted, “but it’s a lot better.”
Payton nudged her and grinned. “Thank goodness you’re still cute!”
“Oh, you!” Ames said, her cheeks becoming rosier than they already were.
“Well, we better get going,” Payton said. “We both have to be up early—you to pick up Quinn, and me for my half day at the shop.”
“You’re only opening for half a day?” Ames asked, raising her eyebrows.
Payton nodded. “What did you think I was doing?”
“I guess I hadn’t thought about it.”
Payton turned to Chase and Liam. “We will see you tomorrow!”
“Okay!” Chase said as Liam smiled. “Thank you very much for the beautiful centerpieces.”
“You’re very welcome,” Ames said as Payton nodded.
“G’night,” Payton said.
“Night,” Chase replied. “Be careful driving home.”
“We will.”
Chase and Liam watched the two older women walk toward their truck, and then noticed a quick intimate moment when their hands brushed together and they briefly intertwined pinkies. The two women separated, climbed in, and waved, and Chase and Liam waved back, and then they looked at each other with raised eyebrows. “No way!” Chase said.
Liam nodded. “Way . . .”
50
THE SUN HADN’T EVEN PEEKED OVER THE HORIZON WHEN LIBBY QUIETLY PUSHED open the screen door. She heard a soft meow and looked over to see Goodness curled up in her favorite chair. “Well, good morning to you, too, missy,” she said softly, stroking the cat’s soft chin and ears. The little cat responded by pushing her head up into Libby’s palm and purring loudly, but a moment later, two hummingbirds zipped past Libby’s head, and the cat sat up attentively and watched as they sipped from the feeder. “No hunting,” Libby admonished as she headed down the steps.
She walked down the driveway and looked out across the misty field at the milking barn where the cows were mooing impatiently. She glanced at her watch, wondering where her boys were, but she didn’t have to wonder long because, by the time she reached the road, Matt was turning in. “You’re up early,” he said, stopping beside her.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she said.
“Wedding day jitters?”
“I don’t know about that,” she said. “I just keep thinking about the details—I want it to be perfect.”
“I’m sure it will be.”
“I’m sure it will be, too.”
“Where’s Ellie? She’s not walking with you?”
“She’s sound asleep. She and Harper were chattering late into the night. They’re both so excited, I’m surprised they ever fell asleep.”
Matt chuckled. “I knew they’d hit it off.” He sighed. “Well, I’m sure the ladies are waiting.”
“They are—I heard them mooing.”
He smiled. “Have a good walk.”
“Thanks,” she said, leaning down to pull out a dandelion.
He turned into the driveway, and just as he rounded the bend, Eli and Grayson arrived too. They chatted with Libby for a minute, and then headed up to help their brother with the morning chores—it was going to be a busy day for all of them.
Libby watched Eli’s truck disappear and smiled—she was thankful to have all her boys home—it didn’t happen very often anymore and it made her heart full. She continued to walk, the sun filtering through the trees, dappling the road and the old stone wall with blotches of light. She listened to the morning symphony of songbirds and then heard the unmistakable singing and chirring deep in the woods of a wood thrush. The bell-like song of the elusive bird always reminded her of Dutch, and she decided it was appropriate for her dad to make his presence known on this special day . . . or, as he would call it, this day of days! Her hand brushed the daylilies as she tried to spy the little speckled-breast, but per usual, the bird—whose song was so magical and clear—eluded her. In all of her sixty-five years, she’d never seen a wood thrush, but Dutch had. One time, when she was little, they’d sat together in the woods all afternoon, waiting because he wanted her to see one, but they never did.
Libby smiled wistfully, remembering that day, and then her mind, of its own accord, drifted back further to a story—a fable of sorts—that he’d told her that day—a story she’d all but forgotten . . . until now.
They’d sat side by side, listening and watching, and then Dutch—with an impish smile—had whispered, “Did you know birds didn’t always have wings?”
At nine years old, she’d frowned skeptically. “Yes, they have.”
He’d shaken his head. “Nope. God made them without wings at first. It wasn’t until later that he made their wings, and he didn’t call them wings. He called them burdens and he laid them in front of them and told them to pick them up and carry them. The birds were beautiful—they had lovely feathers and pretty voices, and they didn’t want to carry burdens, but eventually they obeyed and picked them up and put them on their shoulders to carry. At first, these burdens were cumbersome and heavy, but they didn’t give up and continued to carry them, even folding them over their hearts, and then, as time went by, don’t you know those burdens they’d been carrying attached to their bodies—they became a part of them!”
“No!” Libby said, wide-eyed.
Dutch nodded. “Indeed, and it didn’t take long for the birds to figure out how to use them, either. Before they knew it, they were being lifted high up into the air by them. Their burdens had become wings!”
“Wow!” Libby had whispered.
Dutch nodded. “Same thing goes for us hapless humans. God gives us problems and heavy loads to carry, but if we’re willing to carry them in our hearts and soldier on, those burdens will lift us up, just like wings, and bring us closer to God. Our burdens will become our blessings.”
