Crossing Values (13 page)

“That’s not entirely true!” said Thomas.

“Rachel, we loved you,” said Victoria.

“Maybe, but you loved your grief more.” Amber could feel the tears coming but she didn’t care. These people are not going to waltz into my life and play the long lost parents!

Everyone was quiet for a moment. Allie grabbed a box of tissues from the windowsill behind her and offered them to Amber and then Victoria.

“We deserve that,” said Thomas.

“Are you living nearby?” said Andy.

Thomas looked at Andy. “We have an apartment in Portland.” He shifted his focus back to Amber. “We’ve stayed pretty mobile the last eight years, moving occasionally as we could find traces of you.”

“You’ve been following me for eight years?”

“We first moved to Fresno about seven years ago,” said Thomas, “then Sacramento about five years ago. Two years ago we moved to Eugene, and the end of May to Portland.”

“Whenever we found a lead that sounded credible, we followed it,” said Victoria.

“What about Ryan and Keith?” said Amber. “You dragged them around too?” She couldn’t believe how closely they’d followed her path. They’ve been a lot closer to me than I ever thought.

“After you left,” said Thomas, “I realized how much I’d let the family down. I’d lost both my girls, your mom was always sick, and Ryan was starting to get into trouble. I knew I had to make a major change or risk losing everyone. One night, I was walking around the park trying my best not to go to the liquor store. I met a man. He talked to me, really listened to me.” Thomas looked at Victoria, grabbing the hand she offered him. “Turns out he was a deacon at your grandparents’ church.”

Amber jumped out of her seat and turned to the door. This is too much. Now they get to play the church card too!

“Rachel!” said Victoria. “Wait!”

Before she reached the door, Peter was at her side. He held her firmly by the shoulders. “Hear him out.” His voice was quiet, calming. His eyes were steady.

Everything in her wanted to walk away. She closed her eyes. He’s caused me so much pain, God.

Yes. But some that you blame him for, you caused yourself.

She sighed deeply. Breathing for a moment to calm her emotions, she looked at Peter. “Okay.”

She turned and caught Andy’s eye. He had turned in his chair, ready to follow her. She nodded at him but remained standing with her back to Peter.

“Sorry,” said Amber to Thomas. “Please continue.”

He was standing, eyes pleading with her. “Rachel, I know I lost your trust. When I asked Jesus to take control of my life, it was pretty messed up. But He came in and over time helped me fix my marriage and become a better father to the boys. I know it’s asking a lot of you to give me a chance to rebuild our relationship. But that’s all I want.”

“Do you drink?” said Amber.

“No alcohol,” said Thomas.

“Ever?” said Amber.

“I’ve been clean for nine years, eight months.”

Amber sighed again. Now what, God?

Try.

I don’t know if I want to.

Look at Peter. Love is worth the risk. Try.

Amber closed her eyes for a moment and leaned into Peter’s strength. Giving them a chance seemed like a big risk, but Frank had risked a lot on her too. Okay, God.

“There’s a New Year’s Eve party at the house where I live,” said Amber. “It’s their family and a couple close friends. You can show up about six tomorrow night. Andy, can you give them directions?”

“Of course,” said Andy.

Victoria stood, her eyes misty. “Thank you, Rachel.”

Amber turned to leave, then looked back. “I go by Amber now.”

“Okay, Ra-Amber” said Victoria.

Amber walked out the door and felt Peter grab her trembling hand. Her emotions were a jumble and tears flooded her eyes.

“Rose, we’ll be in Andy’s office for a bit,” said Peter.

She followed his lead as the sobs began. She felt herself being guided onto the couch then cradled in Peter’s arms. He held her tight as she cried out her fear, anger, and stress.

: : : : :

“Are you ready to face the world again?” said Peter.

Amber sighed as she looked at the pile of tissues beside her. “I feel like I owe Andy a couple boxes of tissues.”

Peter laughed and pulled her up off the couch. Her eyes rested on the large wet spot on his shoulder. “And you a new shirt! Oh, Peter, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I cherished the moments holding you, and with my coat on, no one will know it’s there but me.”

How did he know I was nervous about anyone seeing that? she wondered.

He helped her into her coat then slipped on his own before opening the door.

“Finally!” said Pops.

“Pops!” said Brittney.

Amber looked into the faces of Frank, Faye, Pops, Brittney, Micah, Andy, and Allie all sitting or standing around Andy’s front office. “What are you all doing here?”

“Couldn’t wait,” said Pops.

“We saw them leave,” said Faye, “and we didn’t see you come out. We got worried.”

“Impatient,” said Frank.

“And Andy lawyered up on us,” said Brittney. “Wouldn’t tell us a thing.”

Andy just raised his hands in defense.

“So what happened, dear-heart?” said Frank.

Brittney’s phone rang. “Hang on. Oh, it’s Heather. Wait! I’ll put her on speaker.”

Amber just laughed as she looked up at Peter.

“You might want to remember,” he whispered in her ear, “that I come as a package deal.”

She just shook her head. “And what a package it is.”

“What’s that mean?” said Pops.

Amber smiled broadly. “It means that I have never felt so loved. Okay, the quick version is that shortly after I left, Dad found Jesus, got clean, and fixed the family he still had. Now they want a chance to be part of my life.”

“What did you say?” said Faye.

“I invited them to your house tomorrow night. Is that all right?”

“Absolutely!”

“Goodness!” said Amber. “I didn’t think to ask about my brothers. I don’t know if it will just be them, or if Ryan and Keith will be there too.”

“What, like Mom won’t have enough food for them and sixteen others beside?” said Brittney.

“Not if I don’t get home and get to cookin’,” said Faye. “Come on, now. We need to let Andy get back to work. Mrs. Guire’s called three times while we’ve been sitting here!”

As everyone began filing out onto the sidewalk, Amber walked over to Andy and Allie. “Thank you.”

Allie gave her a hug. “You did great. I’m proud to call you my friend.”

Amber smiled. “Thanks.”

Peter reached out and shook Andy’s hand. “Thanks, man.”

“Anytime, Pete. See you tomorrow.”

Chapter 22

“
HEY, MOM!” PETER CAME IN
the door loaded down with bags.

“Peter! What on earth have you got?” said Faye.

He grinned. “Fireworks!”

Faye laughed at him. “In some ways you boys just never grow up. Your dad was hoping you’d think to get some!”

“I got some sparklers for the kids plus some cone fountains we can light in the yard.”

“Go put them on top of the washer or something for later tonight.”

“Okay. Where’s Amber and Sass?”

“Curled up in there with Brittney, Heather, and the kids. Taylor needed a nap but wouldn’t slow down long enough to fall asleep. So all the girls piled up with pillows and blankets and popped in a movie. Last time I walked through, Emma and Heather were down but Taylor was still goin’ strong.”

“I’ll go check on them.”

Peter walked into the living room. The movie was coming to an end, the prince claiming his princess, and everyone was asleep except for Amber and two-year-old Taylor. They were curled up, totally entranced by the movie.

“Did you see that Am-er? Did you see that?”

“I did.”

“I wuv dat moo-vee.” She patted Amber’s cheek. “Do you wuv dat moo-vee?”

“I do, Taylor. How about we go see what Grandma’s doing and let Mommy and Aunt Brittney sleep, okay?”

Taylor dutifully nodded her head and turned to get up. Peter crouched down, putting his finger to his lips to remind her to be quiet when she saw him. Her eyes lit up and she scrambled into his arms.

“Unc Pe-er!”

“How’s my blonde beauty?”

“Her watch Belle wif me.”

“I know. I saw you.”

He looked over at Amber’s sparkling eyes and held out his hand to her. She put her hand in his and they walked together back to the kitchen.

“Taylor Faith,” said Faye. “You are supposed to be sleeping.”

“Mommy sleep.”

Faye laughed. “Yes, Mommy needs the sleep after being up so much last night with your baby sister.”

“I know, Taylor,” said Peter. “How about we get your coat and mittens and we go build a snowman.”

“Yeah!” Taylor threw her little arms up in the air. “I need my mit-ens, Am-er. And my hat!”

Amber giggled at the child. “Come on.” Amber reached for Taylor, who gladly went to her. “You and I will go get our coats on, and we’ll let Uncle Peter find something to be the snowman’s eyes and nose.”

“And my mit-ens too.”

Peter watched Amber carry the child out to the mudroom to get ready for outside, Taylor chattering away. Part of him wanted to be selfish and keep Amber to himself, but watching her with Taylor. . . . First things first, Pete. Have a fun afternoon, help tonight with her parents go smoothly, and then the two gifts.

“What are you thinking, son?” said Frank, walking into the kitchen.

“Huh? Oh, nothing, Dad.”

“Yeah, nothing,” said Faye. “He’s thinking about a beautiful brunette carrying a cute little blonde. That’s all.”

“Hmmm,” said Frank. “Uh huh.”

“What?” Peter tried to feign innocence but knew he failed miserably. Covering up his smile, he said, “You got any long carrots, Mom? What about something that can be eyes?”

: : : : :

After building a snowman, Taylor finally started giving into sleep in the middle of her snow angel. Peter carried her inside and held her while Amber took off her snow boots, coat, and mittens.

“Am-er hold me?”

“Just a minute sweetheart.” Amber kicked off her boots and tossed her coat onto a hook then gently took Taylor from Peter. They were just walking into the kitchen as Heather came in from the living room.

“She’s just falling asleep,” said Peter.

“Thank you for letting me nap,” said Heather. She took the sleeping child and headed off to lay her down.

“You two want some hot chocolate?” said Faye.

“That sounds wonderful,” said Amber.

“You got any coffee?” said Peter.

“I just started a new pot. Should be ready in two or three minutes. Here you go, Amber.”

“Thank you. So what happens at a New Year’s celebration around here?”

“Well, with Pops, we have to make sure we follow some of the Danish traditions,” said Faye. “We’ve modified them some but one he insists on is having boiled cod for dinner. The marzipan ring cake you helped me make last night is also a requirement. Peter brought some fireworks for when it gets dark, and this year, we get to throw dishes!”

Peter groaned.

“Throw dishes?” said Amber.

“Mom.”

“Peter Flemming. You’re whining.”

“Throw dishes?” said Amber.

“You’ve known since you started that house what Pops wanted to do once you moved in,” said Faye.

“Ugh,” said Peter.

Amber pulled on Peter’s sleeve. “Throw dishes?”

“It’s another one of Pops’s Danish traditions,” said Peter.

“In Denmark,” said Faye, “friends come by and throw old dishes at your doorstep to wish you many friends and good relationships. As Pops’s family began to Americanize here, they changed the tradition so that it is only done when a family member moves into a new home.”

“I’ll be picking up broken glass for weeks,” said Peter.

“Yes, you will,” said Faye.

Amber giggled.

“Are we laughing at Peter’s expense?” said Brittney.

“I thought you were sleeping,” said Peter.

“Oh, that means we are,” said Brittney, walking over to wrap her arm around Faye. “Tell me all!”

“We’re breaking dishes tonight at Peter’s house,” said Amber.

“Oh! That’s right,” said Brittney. “Yeah! Someone else’s turn to clean up broken pottery!”

“Not funny, Britt,” said Peter, as everyone in the kitchen laughed.

: : : : :

Peter looked at the clock. 5:45. Where’s Amber?

“I need to get up, munchkin.” He kissed the top of Emma’s head and handed her off to Logan. He walked into the kitchen. “Mom, where’s Amber?”

“I think she just walked outside.”

Peter grabbed his shoes and walked onto the back deck. Amber was standing at the railing. “You okay?”

She smiled at him. “Yeah. Just getting a little antsy. How will I know they are being genuine and not just play acting for me?”

“Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. And you don’t have to figure this out all by yourself. Everyone here is willing to pray with you and seek the truth. And if you haven’t noticed, they don’t tend to be quiet about their feelings.”

Amber smiled. “That’s true.”

“Plus,” said Peter, “can you imagine being your parents, walking into that house full of people?”

“It’s as bad as Thanksgiving in there!”

“Almost.” Peter smiled at her. “A large part of me believes they are genuine. I think God just might be working to bring your family back together.”

Amber sighed. “Maybe.” She turned to look at all the activity on the other side of the French doors. “Just tell me something.”

“Anything.”

“Do parties around here slow down after the New Year?”

Peter laughed. “Not a chance. There’s Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, National Pancake Day. . . .”

Amber giggled. “Okay, okay. I get it.”

Brittney opened one of the doors. “They’re here.”

Peter looked at Amber. “Ready?”

“I think so. I think I’m ready to give them an honest chance.”

“I knew you could.”

Chapter 23

PETER AND AMBER TOSSED THEIR
shoes into the mudroom and walked into the living room. Logan was gathering coats from everyone while Faye was taking care of introductions.