Holly's Heart Collection One (30 page)

Carrie was still in the process of organizing her room when I knocked on her door. “Who is it?” she asked.

“Your fairy godmother, who else?”

“I don’t want any wishes today,” she said.

I laughed at her wit, waiting in the hall for an invitation to enter. “Well?”

“Well what?”

“May I please come in?” I asked.

“What’s the magic word?”

“Aw, come on, Carrie, this is silly.”

“The
magic
word,” she insisted.

“How should I know? It changes every week.”

“Exactly.”

Hmm, now what could be on her mind?

“What about Zachary? Is that the magic word?” I asked.

“Nope.”

“Summer vacation?”

“That’s
two
words.”

Exasperating little sister I have. “Ice cream?”

“You’re not even close,” her voice chimed through the door.

“I give up, then,” I said.

“Holly, don’t be mad.” She opened the door. “
California.
The magic word’s California, and you’re going there all by yourself.”

I sat on her bed. “That’s not funny, Carrie. Don’t you know how badly I wanted to go and you’re—”

“I’m telling the truth. Mommy’s on the phone with Daddy right now,” she said, her eyes wide.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or dance for joy. So I did two out of three. “Give me your hands,” I shouted, reaching for Carrie and swinging her around.

“What’s going on in there?” Mom called from her room.

“Celebration.” Oops, I let Carrie’s revelation slip out.

“I couldn’t help it, Mommy,” Carrie said when Mom peeked around the corner. “I told Holly her good news.”

Mom stepped back into the hallway, her eyes squinting. “You’re happy, right?” she said to me.

I hugged her hard. “Oh, thank you, thank you, Mom. I love you so much,” I cried.

After hugs and kisses all around, Mom sat in Carrie’s bedroom. “Before you and I go off in different directions, Holly-Heart, let’s talk. I’ll be leaving for Denver tonight. Here’s my friend’s phone number in case you need to call me and can’t through on my cell. Feel free to use it anytime and for any reason at all.” She gave an index card to me. “Zachary has already begun treatment for septicemia.”

“Sounds awful. What is it?” I asked.

“His immune system is so weak his body has trouble throwing off germs that cause minor sicknesses in healthy people, like colds and sore throats. It’s a very serious thing for him to get a bug like this on top of trying to fight cancer.”

“Does Zach know what’s happening to him?”

“His father has explained enough to satisfy him without scaring him.”

I pulled on my hair, twisting it around my finger. “Carrie says he’s going to surprise everyone and live.”

She smiled weakly. “I hope he continues to keep a positive attitude. That’s very important.”

“Mom?” I slid over beside her. “Do
you
think he’ll make it?”

“I’m praying he will.”

“Me too,” I said, still wishing I’d known about Zach from the start.

“I have some last-minute packing to do,” Mom said, getting up and heading back to her room.

I tucked my T-shirt into my jeans. Turning sideways, I stared at Carrie’s mirror. Andie was right, I was beginning to develop a little. Had anyone else noticed?

I sneaked over to Mom’s room. Coming up behind her, I gave her a bear hug. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I was wrong about you, Mom. And selfish, too.”

She turned around. “I love you, Holly-Heart. I’m sorry, too. This has been a difficult time for all of us.”

I put my arm around her. “I resented Mr. Tate for taking you away from us. Then when you said Zach was the one taking up so much of your time, I understood better.”

“I’m glad you do, honey.” She stroked my hair.

Grandma and Carrie were standing in the doorway. Grandma’s eyes shone with tears as she pulled Carrie close.

Mom closed her suitcase. “Well, dear ones, this is good-bye for a couple of weeks. I know you’ll have a good time here with Grandma, Carrie. And, Holly, I hope you get to know your father better. Be sweet, okay?”

“I’ll be just fine, you’ll see,” I said. “Thanks for letting me go, Mom. You won’t be sorry.”

The three of us followed her downstairs to the garage, watching as she got into the car and backed down the driveway.

I whispered, “I really love you, Mom,” as she drove away.

It felt good knowing my mother trusted me with the visit to Daddy. If
she
thought I was grown-up enough, surely Danny would realize how mature I was, too. Now, if he would just stop trying to run my life.

SECRET SUMMER DREAMS

Chapter 15

At church on Sunday, I told Andie and Danny my good news. “I’m leaving for California tomorrow.”

Andie tossed her head back. “Go ahead, just leave me here alone. See if I care.”

“I’ll be back in two weeks, Andie. It’s
not
the end of the world.”

She pouted. “Maybe not for you.”

I noticed that Danny’s eyes had lost their twinkle. He didn’t say anything, just stood there silently. When my grandmother called to me, I turned to go, leaving Andie and Danny standing there in the church foyer. Both of them looked rather forlorn.

That evening Daddy called one last time to make sure everything was set. “We’re all excited about your visit,” he said. “Tyler is helping Saundra get your room ready at the moment.”

“I can’t wait to see you again,” I said.

“We’ll have a great time together, Holly. I’m looking forward to your visit.”

For the third night in a row, I had a lousy time falling asleep. But I wasn’t worried about being sleep deprived.
No problem,
I thought.
I’ll get caught up on my rest sunbathing on Daddy’s beach.

Monday morning, I got up extra early to shower and fix my hair. Just as I fluffed my hair for the final time, the phone rang.

It was Andie. I figured she’d call and apologize. Sooner or later.

“I hope you come back with a good tan,” she said.

“Thanks. You’re a true friend.”

“Hey, guess what? You’ll be back in plenty of time to go rafting with us,” she said.

“Really?”

“Yep, Dad changed his vacation days just so you could come along with us,” she said. “Isn’t that cool?”

“It’s fabulous. Tell him thanks.”

She paused. “I’ll really miss you, Holly.”

“I’ll write. I promise.”

“Call me if you meet anyone fun, okay?” she said, laughing.

“I’ll see you soon,” I said. Then we hung up.

After a big breakfast of fruit, eggs, and homemade waffles, Grandma and Carrie helped me haul my luggage out to the car. I squirmed excitedly all the way to the airport. “Turn here,” I told Grandma, pointing to the sign for arrivals.

“I’ll drop you off here,” she said, pulling up in front of our mini-airport. Quickly, she got out and opened the trunk while Carrie waited in the car. “Put your luggage on a cart, then get in line at the ticket counter while I park the car,” she said. “Carrie and I will meet you there.”

I hopped out and began to load my things onto a nearby cart, then wheeled it inside. For a small airport, the terminal was buzzing with people. I wondered where everyone else was headed this Memorial Day. California was
my
destination. I wanted to dance with delight all the way to the ticket counter.

“Holly,” someone called to me out of the crowd.

Turning, I looked over my pile of luggage and spied Danny waving at me.

I was so surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?” I said.

“Thought I’d say good-bye. And…give you this.” He offered me a square envelope.

“What is it?”

“Wait to open it on the plane,” he said shyly.

I blushed. “Okay.”

My heart did two-and-a-half flip-flops as I slipped the envelope into my overnight case. Danny helped push my luggage to the ticket counter. There, I filled out the address labels for each of my bags. Then we stood in awkward silence as the line inched forward.

“Traveling together?” the attendant asked when we arrived at the ticket counter.

Danny began to search for his “ticket,” pulling the pocket linings out of his jeans. “Guess you’ll have to go on without me, Miss Meredith,” he said playfully.

I hammed it up. “Bummer. What a summer.” I handed my ticket to the agent, who seemed concerned about Danny’s lost ticket.

“Never mind, sir,” Danny said. “I’ll catch up with her later.”

Danny helped me check the luggage. All but one piece—my overnight case. “I’ll carry this on, thanks.”

Danny glanced at my ticket. “Wow, you’ll be in Denver at your connecting flight before I even reach home on my bike.”

I stopped and looked at him. “You rode all the way out here on your bike?”

He nodded. “It was nothing, really.”

“Thanks for coming,” I said, still amazed.

“Good-bye, Holly.” He turned to go before I could say more.

Good-bye, and thanks…

Grandma and Carrie returned just as he disappeared through the automatic doors. “I’m all set,” I said. “I’ve got to head to gate four.”

We walked toward the security checkpoint.

“Do you have something to read while you’re on the plane?” Grandma asked.

I tapped the top of my overnight case. “In here.”

Carrie asked, “Like what?”

“Something,” I said secretively.

“Let me see,” Carrie said, reaching for it.

“Not in your wildest dreams,” I said, laughing.

“Holly, please?”

“Nope.”

“I’ll find your journal and read it while you’re gone,” she threatened.

“Do I look dumb enough to leave my secrets behind?”

“Aw, phooey,” she whined. “You’re taking all your journals with you?”

“No kidding. I’m smarter than you think.”

“Well, you’d better get into line.” Grandma motioned toward the metal detectors. “If you need help or get lost when you change planes in Denver, just ask a ticket agent,” she advised. “Or check the monitors.”

“I will, Grandma. Don’t worry.” I gave her a quick kiss. “Thanks for bringing me to the airport.”

“Hurry home,” Carrie said, standing on tiptoes to kiss me. “Don’t talk to strangers.”

“Okay…bye.” I waved to them as I stepped into the short line. I was fabulously excited. And I couldn’t wait to see what Danny had given me.

The minute I was settled in my seat on the plane, I reached for my overnight case. There was Danny’s envelope. Carefully, I opened it.

I couldn’t believe what I saw. A picture of me with a ghastly look on my face, my worst photograph ever.

Then I remembered. Looking closely, I saw the giant green June bug sitting in my hair. How long ago that seemed. Zillions of summer plans and dreams ago. And now some of the best ones were coming true.

Here I was on my way to visit my dad, and who but Danny Myers had come to see me off at the airport!

There was a note attached to the photo.

Dear Holly:

Jared willingly handed over this picture to me. It’s for your eyes only. Now that it’s in your possession, no one can blackmail you, can they?

I smiled and continued reading.

I can’t believe I said what I did to you last Saturday at Copper Mountain. Yesterday too. I didn’t mean it. What I really meant to say was I’ll miss you, Holly, if you leave.

Always,

Danny

The small plane revved up its engines and began to back away from the terminal. Slowly, we taxied out. In a few minutes the plane sped down the long runway.

California, here I come!

I clasped Danny’s note to my heart as the nose of the plane rose for lift-off.