High Hurdles (50 page)

DJ tried to stay tuned during the service, but she was only partly successful. When the choir sang “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” all she could think of was not being ready for Christmas. Would she have her presents completed in time? Her unfinished term paper was due Tuesday, the last day before vacation.

The pastor’s sermon was on helping those less fortunate. DJ grimaced as she thought about what she’d done to help needy people this Christmas: nothing. When a special offering plate was passed to buy food baskets for poor families, she dug into her pocket and hauled out the ten dollars she had left for her Christmas shopping and dropped it in. Monday she’d have to go back to the bank, but knowing she’d contributed even that much made her feel better.

The light went on in DJ’s head as the pastor went on to relay a story about a boy who gave coupons for lawn-mowing. She could do something like that! The rest of the service flashed by in a nanosecond.

On the way home, she kept thinking. What could she put in coupon booklets for her mom and Gran?

“See you guys later.” DJ waved as Gran and Joe drove off. She trotted into the house, only to hear the vacuum running upstairs. Visions of her messy room made her close her eyes. So much for good intentions.

“Darla Jean Randall, it doesn’t seem to me to be too much to ask that you keep your room reasonably neat. Look at that pigpen.”

“You tell me never to go into your room without an invitation; why did you go into mine?” DJ wished she could snag the words back as soon as she said them.
Why can’t I learn to keep my mouth shut?

“I thought I’d do you a favor and vacuum for you.” Lindy brushed her hair back behind her ears. “But not now. You know how I feel about messes, and they’ll all be here before you know it.”

“I’ll get right to it,” DJ promised through clenched teeth. Why was her mother so upset about company coming? It was just the usual crowd—plus Bradley and Jacquelyn Atwood.
That’s what’s bugging her
. “Would have saved a lot of hassle if you’d have just let me go riding this afternoon.”

“That’s the thanks I get.” Lindy snapped off the vacuum and trundled it to the closet. “You can do the dusting when you get done with your room.”

“As if I don’t have enough to do.” DJ yanked the covers up and jerked the comforter into place on her bed. With the stuff on her desk crammed in the drawer and her clothes in the hamper, the place looked pretty good. Of course, she hadn’t vacuumed, but then . . . “Who cares.” DJ clomped down the stairs to begin her dusting, well aware of how noises like stomping feet irritated her mother.

By the time the Atwoods arrived, the house was immaculate, Lindy wore an indelible white line around her mouth, and DJ’s jaw ached from clenching it. When the doorbell rang, DJ had to force a polite smile on her face before opening the door.

Her father stood there with a huge box wrapped in shiny green paper and a big matching bow. “Merry Christmas, DJ.”

Beside him stood Jacquelyn, her arms filled with a decorated basket filled with all sorts of odd-shaped things. “From me, too.”

“Merry Christmas . . . please come in.”

She eyed her father, half hidden behind his gift. What in the world could be big enough to need a box like that?

Chapter
•
12

“If you show us to your tree, we’ll just put these under it.”

“Uh, we don’t have it up yet. We’re doing that tonight, though this afternoon would have been better.” DJ wished she hadn’t added that last bit. Even to her ears, she sounded like a grinch.

“How are you, DJ?” Jacquelyn asked. “All ready for vacation?”

DJ led them into the family room. “No, I have to finish a term paper first.”
How come they brought presents? We don’t have anything for them. I never even thought of such a thing
. As her thoughts screamed in her head, she politely motioned them to seats and sat down in the wing chair, where she could face them.

“Sorry to be late.” Lindy came down the stairs, her cream silk blouse and matching slacks set off by an emerald braided belt and emerald green earrings. She looked poised and relaxed—nothing like a few minutes before. “Coffee will be ready in a minute. Oh, what lovely gifts! How about if we put them over there for now?” She pointed to a spot by the wall at the end of the sofa.

DJ felt a giggle coming on. Her mother was incredible. DJ fingered her jeans—at least they were clean. And anything went with them, including her T-shirt, which showed a horse and said,
I’d rather be riding
.

“DJ, I brought pictures of our farm, some of the horses, and a few shows. Thought you might enjoy them.” Jacquelyn patted the sofa between the two of them. “I’ll explain who’s who.”

DJ joined them and, with the book spread out on her lap, got a glimpse of a life she’d never even dreamed of. The farm looked like something out of a magazine—all white fences, green pastures along a river bottom, and white buildings shaded by huge oak trees. While Arabs had never been her favorite breed, her father sure owned some beauties.

“That’s Matadorian,” Brad said, pointing to an obviously professionally done photo, “by Matador. Mares come from around the country to be bred by him. He’s been national champion three times, and his get, or his offspring, take trophies wherever they go.” Her father’s pride was evident.

“He’s a beauty.”

“And smart.” Jacquelyn shook her head. “You don’t have to teach him something more than once. I wish my Hanovarian learned as quickly.” They showed her photos of futurity shows and of dressage events.

“No jumpers?” DJ asked when she closed the book.

“Nope. It’s never been an interest for either of us. That might have to change, though.” His friendly smile made her think he planned to be around a lot. All these years of no one but Gran cheering her on, and now look at all the people on her cheering squad. That would mean butterflies at shows, big time.

“DJ, would you bring the plate of cookies?” Lindy asked as she entered with steaming cups of coffee on a silver tray. A glass of soda took up one corner.

“You don’t drink coffee?” Brad asked DJ.

“She’s only fourteen,” Jacquelyn and Lindy said at the same time. They smiled at each other with a look that said,
Men!

“Sorry, guess I forget. Seems I always drank coffee.”

“You did, but I felt DJ needed to grow up before getting hooked on the stuff.” Lindy set the tray on the coffee table. “DJ, the cookies.”

DJ had been watching the exchange. She hadn’t wanted to drink the bitter stuff yet—it had nothing to do with Lindy saying no. At another look from her mother, she headed for the kitchen, hurrying so she wouldn’t miss anything.

After Brad had finished his coffee, he held the cup between his hands and stared at it a moment. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Oh.” Lindy settled deeper into the wing chair.

“Jackie and I would really love to have DJ come spend a couple of days with us during her Christmas vacation.” He turned to include DJ in his range of vision. “If you want to, that is. I thought maybe you could bring a friend, if you’d like. I’d come pick you up and bring you back. I—
we
would so appreciate the time with you.”

DJ glanced at her mother. Lindy’s mouth wore faint traces of the white line again.

The silence that fell on the room made DJ itch.

“How about if DJ and I discuss this and get back to you?” Lindy crossed her knees and tented her fingers. “We’ll let you know in the next day or so?”

Do I want to visit, or do I want to stay? I won’t go without Amy . . . it would be exciting to see their place.
The thoughts chased each other through DJ’s mind like kittens skidding down a waxed hall.

“One other thing, we are leaving tomorrow to visit Jackie’s family for Christmas, so if we’ve already left, just leave a message on the answering machine. I’ll check in and get back to you right away.”

“Fine.”

DJ could tell Lindy’s answer meant anything but.

They visited a bit more, then Brad patted DJ on the shoulder. “Well, we better be going. If what’s in that box isn’t to your liking, we can always exchange it.” He got to his feet. “Thank you, Lindy, for the coffee and dessert. Hope you have a merry Christmas.”

Jackie stood beside him. “Lindy, I do hope you will be willing to share your daughter with us. We promise to take good care of her. She’s a fine young woman—one you can be proud of.”

DJ felt the heat flame in her face. Why did grown-ups sometimes talk about you as if you weren’t even there? As soon as all the good-byes were said and the door closed, she headed for the kitchen and the phone.

“Who are you calling?” Lindy leaned against the doorjamb.

“Amy, to see if she wants to visit them with me.”

“I haven’t said you were going yet.”

At the tone of her mother’s voice, DJ set the receiver back in the cradle. “Oh.”

“Do you want to go? I thought you’d spend all your time riding, and you do have obligations at the Academy.”

“I guess I want to go, if Amy can go along. Besides, I don’t give lessons during vacation—Bridget knows working students are gone sometimes during holidays. All we have to do is let her know first.” DJ stared at her mother. “You don’t want me to go, do you?”

Lindy sighed and shook her head. “I don’t know. Yes and no.”

The doorbell rang and Robert’s voice could be heard, calming the twins.

“We’ll talk more later. Don’t say anything yet, okay?”

DJ scrunched her face in a questioning look and shrugged. “Guess so. I better get the Bs before they batter the door down.” She flung open the door to be bombarded with two high-power torpedoes. “Hi, guys.”

“DJ, we was missing you! Christmas is almost here. You got any toys?” The two ran their sentences together as usual.

“I missed you, too. But sorry, no toys.”

“How come? Gran has toys.” Each of them had grabbed on to a leg and sat on a shoe, waiting for DJ to try to walk. With grins that split their cheeks, the Double Bs looked up at her with puppy-dog devotion.

DJ gave them their ride into the family room and collapsed on the floor, puffing as if she’d run a mile. “You guys get any bigger, and all rides are off.” She let her arms fall to the sides and her tongue hang out.

One of the boys knelt next to her ribs and stared down into her eyes. “You okay, DJ?”

“No, I’m dying, can’t you tell?” She let out a resounding groan.

The little one lay his head on her chest and an arm across her ribs. “Don’t die, DJ. I likes you.” The other one followed suit from the other side. “You our sister.”

DJ wrapped her arms around both boys. “You two are the best brothers I ever had.” She hugged them, then her hand crept into tickle position. Two jabs and they were writhing around, giggles exploding like firecrackers.

“I can tell you found DJ.” Robert stood above the squirming pile and caught DJ’s eye. “You need a break?”

“DJ likes us.” More giggles and guffaws.

“I can tell.” He turned at the sound of the doorbell. “Any time you’ve had enough, DJ, you let them know.”

When the boys heard Grandpa Joe, they bailed off DJ and headed for the door.

Robert gave DJ a hand and pulled her to her feet. “I hear you received a very special award at the party.”

DJ groaned. “Does the whole world have to know about my getting Queen of the Dumped?”

Robert ruffled her hair. “Nope, just family.” He dropped an arm over her shoulders. “Sorry we couldn’t be there. Next year you can bet I’ll check everyone’s calendar before I schedule the company party.”

DJ moved just a bit closer, and he tightened his arm. His hug felt good—nearly as good as one from GJ. She looked up in time to catch a sheen on Robert’s eye.

“I’ve never had a daughter before, and now I’m about to have one who’s nearly full grown. You’ve got a special place in my heart, kiddo, and don’t you forget it.” He hugged her again.

“Should I bring down the boxes of decorations?” Joe asked, lifting each twin-clad foot with difficulty.

“I’ll help.” Robert grabbed Bobby and Billy, tucked a boy under each arm, and crossed to dump them giggling on the sofa. “You two get out a book and read. Or go help Lindy set the table.”

“Are we putting the tree in the living room where it’s always been?” Gran asked after dropping her parcels in the kitchen.

“Where else?” DJ looked at her as though she’d wrapped her mind in one of the boxes.

“Well, it would look good in the corner of the family room where my painting mess used to be.” She looked over at DJ when she didn’t answer. “What is it, darlin’?”

“I miss your painting things, and I never thought they were a mess. This room just hasn’t looked right since you left.”

“Mel, you going to help us find things, or you just want us bulling around up there?” Joe called from the top of the stairs.

“I’m coming.” Gran hurried after the two men. “Can’t have you rearranging the attic on such short notice, or we’ll never find anything again.”

DJ rubbed a sore spot on her chin with one finger. Oh, sure, a new zit. She studied the corner. The tree really would look nice there. “Come on, guys, you can help me to move stuff.” Together, they lugged the magazine rack to the living room, temporarily moved the plants to the dining room until they could find a better place, and shoved a chair over to the other wall.

“What are you doing?” Lindy asked.

“Putting the tree here.” DJ laid a hand on the curly head beside her.

“But I already arranged the living room.” Lindy rubbed the inside of her cheek with her tongue. “Hmmm . . . you know, the tree would work really well in here.” She stopped DJ and pointed to a spot on the floor.

“Oh no.” DJ slapped her head with her hands. “A dust bunny.”

“Bunny, where’s a bunny? I don’t see no bunny.” The boys hit the corner running.

Lindy threw an arm over DJ’s shoulders. “Shall we tell them?”

DJ shook her head. “Nope, keep ’em looking. Besides, one of their knees picked up the dust bunny, so now we won’t have to haul out the vacuum.” Thoughts of the earlier fracas flitted through her mind.

“Whose present?” The boys had found the big box left by Brad.

“Mine.”

“What is it?”

“How should I know? It’s a Christmas present, sillies.”

“Open it and find out.”

“Not on your life, guys.” Lindy swooped down and snagged the twins by the bands of their pants. “We don’t open presents until Christmas morning. Come on into the kitchen, I think I hear a cookie calling you.”

“One calling DJ, too?” They grabbed her hands and all trooped out to the kitchen.

By the time they had the tree decorated, dinner eaten, and the house put back together, DJ felt like she’d been run through a cement mixer. Life wasn’t easy with a twin Velcroed to each hip. When they all trooped out the door, DJ headed upstairs to work on her term paper. This promised to be a long night. And she hadn’t even gotten to call Amy yet.

Sometime later, on returning from the bathroom, she heard her mother talking on the phone. In spite of all the years of both Gran and her mother cautioning against the evils of eavesdropping, DJ paused outside the door.

From the conversation, she knew Robert was on the other end.

“I know that, but what if he petitions for custody? You know that could happen.”

DJ’s heart hit her hip bones.