Finding Me (42 page)

“I think that’s something we can live with.” Alison smiled as she hung up the phone. They were going to make it through this one step at a time, and they were going to be just fine.

50

K
enmore arrived at the store early, wanting to get a head start on his day. When he pulled up, he was more than a little surprised by what he saw. Kelli stood in the parking lot, measuring tape in hand, drawing out a large rectangular area with chalk.

“And just what do you think you’re doing?”

She grinned up at him. “Marking out where the gas pumps will go. You have room for two for sure. You could do three, but I think it would make it too tight of a squeeze.”

“I told you, the store’s closing in a couple months. I’m not adding gas pumps and deli counters, or anything else.”

“Hear me out before you say no.”

“I’m listening, but I’m not adding anything. Unless, of course, this means you’re staying. If that’s the case, we’ll talk about it.”

She shook her head and looked at the ground. “You have no idea how much I wish I could, but I can’t.”

“Why not? Everyone knows the secret now.”

“Yes, but I’ve made promises back home, and unlike previous
members of my family, I intend to be known as someone who keeps her word, no matter what it costs.”

“Good for you. You’re making the Joseph kind of decision—it’s always best to choose the way you know is right.”

“Thanks, Kenmore. That means a lot to me. And now, I think I’d like to offer you the chance to make a Joseph decision of your own.”

“This I gotta hear.” He folded his arms across his chest. “But just so you know, I hate it when people throw my own words back at me.”

Kelli laughed. “How can we help it? Your words are all just so brilliant.”

“True enough.” He looked at her and waited.

“You know how Beth had that project she was trying to get started before she got put on bed rest? The one that provided a place to live and job training to single mothers? Remember she had that one woman she knew from the thrift store that she liked so much, said was perfectly capable, but couldn’t afford child care while she worked? It got me thinking. What if you hired her here?”

“You talking about the one who tried to steal her car?”

“No. The other one. The one she talked about being so good at displays.”

“I like to do the right thing, but I’m not running a charity ward.”

“And that’s not what I’m suggesting. I’m saying why don’t you hire her—I can stay for the next month and train her since I was supposed to be here until then anyway. She can bring her baby to work with her, just like you took this job so that you could bring Shane. Especially now with the little play area. It could be your way to pay it forward.”

“Then what?”

“Well, you keep the store open, she gets a job, I teach her how
to do what I’ve been doing, and you can cut your hours back or down to none at all. Maybe by then the store will be ready to hire another of Beth’s projects.”

“What about you?”

Kelli shrugged. “I go back to California and open the restaurant, just like I’ve always planned.”

“What about your new family?”

“I’m sure there will be a lot of phone calls, and Skype chats, and visits back and forth. Maybe, just maybe, in a year or so, if the restaurant is up and running, maybe then I’ll be able to leave it and come back here and work at the store again.”

“You’d want to do that?”

She smiled. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”

“But you’re willing to give it up if things don’t work out so well back home?”

“I promised Jones and Denice I would be there for them, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

“I may be treading on a path that is none of my business, but what about Shane?”

“We talked about it last night. We’re going to try the long-distance thing for a while, hoping I will eventually come back here. But if things work out to where I need to stay in California, he told me a real estate agent can find himself a job almost anywhere.” She grinned and blushed a little.

Kenmore peered down at her chalk lines, feeling more hopeful about the future than he had in years. “Where did you say those gas pumps might go again?”

51

3 months later

K
elli, time to take this to the party in the back room.” Denice breezed up to the hostess stand with the large birthday cake balanced on one hand. “Why don’t you do the honors?”

“You got it.” Kelli walked through the packed restaurant, taking care not to bump anyone. So far, Homestead had been a huge success. The critics had given it excellent reviews, the reservations were booked out weeks in advance, and it looked as though the dream of a successful restaurant was actually going to come true.

As soon as she entered the back room, a hush descended on the crowd assembled there, making Kelli very self-conscious as she set the cake on the table. Thankfully, Denice had followed close behind and announced to the room, “Jones has spent all day on this. You’re going to love it. He was determined that this would be the finest cake he’s ever made.” Denice beamed with pride as she looked up at her husband, who had followed them in.

Jones grinned. “Any family of Kelli is a family of mine. I’m so happy to finally get to meet all of you.”

For her birthday, Alison had requested a trip to California for the entire family. She wanted to come and see where Kelli had grown up and gain some understanding of where her husband had been all these years. They had spent the week visiting the places that had been important in Kelli’s life. Max and Valerie and their kids had come, and Beth and Rand. Kelli had gotten to know all of them better. And then Kenmore and Shane had arrived at the end of the week to spend the last couple of days with them.

“You all have been just amazing and welcoming,” Alison said. “I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be. What a fabulous restaurant you have here, too. We’re going to miss the food when we go home tomorrow.”

“I wish you didn’t have to go home so soon.” Denice frowned. “It’s been nice getting to know you guys over the past week—even if it was under what can only be described as really weird circumstances.”

“That’s for sure,” Alison replied. “I hope we’ll see the two of you in Tennessee someday soon.”

“I’d almost guarantee it.” As Denice and Jones became able, they were planning to hire a floor manager, then gradually buy out Kelli’s share in the restaurant. She would use that money to buy into Moore’s More Store.

“As busy as this place is, I’m thinking we’re going to need us a vacation. Tennessee is my number one destination from here on out.” Denice couldn’t seem to stop smiling. Neither could Jones.

“Okay, everybody gather round. Kelli is going to light the candles and then she has a surprise for Mom.” Beth waved everyone over into a little huddle by the cake.

Kelli’s hands were shaking as she attempted to light the candles.
Finally, Shane took the lighter out of her hand and said, “I’ll handle this part.”

“Thanks,” Kelli whispered. She took a deep breath, looked at the assembled group, and began to sing “Happy Birthday” to her mother. When she finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

“That was amazing.” Beth jumped up and squealed. “Your very first solo, and you were amazing.”

Alison hugged Kelli tight, tears gleaming in her eyes. She leaned forward and blew out the candles in a single breath.

Beth nodded her approval. “Good job, Mom. Did you make a wish?”

Alison glanced around the room, then looped her arm around Kelli’s shoulders and held her close to her side. “Didn’t need to. It already came true.”

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah 58:12

Acknowledgments

H
eavenly Father—For your great love in all circumstances.

Lee Cushman—For being the amazing husband, father, and man of honor that you are. The whole family is blessed because of you.

Melanie and Caroline—For being the best kids in the entire world. You both inspire me to be a better person.

Ora Parrish—The embodiment of selfless love.

Kelli and Kyle—For answering my food/restaurant questions, naming Homestead and giving it direction, and being such fun members of the family (not to mention the yummy soups!).

Carl, Alisa, Katy, and Lisa—You are my rocks. I’d be lost without your love and support.

Kristyn, Judy, Brenna, Denice, Kathleen, Gary, Carolyn, and Lori—Great friends and supporters.

Dave Long—It is such an amazing privilege to work with you.

Charlene Patterson—For your willingness to take on this story and make everything better.

Carrie Padgett—Not only a writing friend, but a true friend.

Kelli Standish—For always cheering me on and for showing all of us it’s possible to keep moving forward in spite of terrible pain.

For every single insurance agent/representative I have pestered with questions about how this story might play out, especially Nathan Thomas, Julia Tipolt, and Gayle Carroll.

Questions for Conversation

1. Has there ever been a person in your life whom you trusted with your entire being but then you later found out that your trust was not deserved? How has it affected your current relationships or your ability to trust?
   
2. In this story, Kelli’s father began to search for “truth” that justified his choice, rather than making hard decisions because of what he knew to be true. Because of this, Kelli was raised with what might be called a “religion of convenience.” In what ways do you see people doing that today? Have you ever tried to use the Bible to justify something you suspected might be wrong?
   
3. Denice comes from a very broken background. She has managed to cope for the most part through self-applied psychotherapy, yet Kelli notices that her real family in Tennessee has a different kind of peace. Do you think this is true to life? Have you ever met a person of faith who exhibited characteristics you envied?
   
4. Kelli’s story is based on a hybrid of two true stories. Can you imagine a situation where “disappearing” is a better choice than the alternative? Do you know of any real stories involving someone who completely changed their life situation?
   
5. Kelli left Beth in her time of greatest need because Kelli’s own pain had become so great. Have you ever had to walk away from someone else because your own pain made it impossible for you to stay and help? Have you ever been the one left behind?
   
6. What kind of future do you envision for Kelli, Beth, and Alison? And for Kelli and Shane? Do you think Kelli will return to Shoal Creek? Do you think she’ll remain close with her real family?
   

Kathryn
Cushman
is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of seven previous novels, including
Leaving Yesterday
and
A Promise to Remember,
which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women’s Fiction. Katie and her family live in Santa Barbara, California. Learn more at
www.kathryncushman.com
.