Rocky Mountain Angels (27 page)

Then she had practically dragged him into her car to go to the bar afterward. Not wanting to appear rude, he went along, thinking a beer would help him relax, so he could get back to the designs. What he hadn’t counted on was how much they had in common in musical taste, favorite books, movies... Before he knew it, several hours had gone by, and he felt guilty as hell. It was the last tidbit of information that Sheri let slip that had him paying his tab and marching her to the door.

Joe broke up with Beth.

He’d had a crazy notion that somehow Mari was the reason, and he needed to see her. Her response to his kisses had set his heart at ease but had caused a renewed tension elsewhere.

Eli dropped his towel and stepped into the cold spray.

***

Joe didn’t return home until after dark. There was a light on at Mari’s, so he backed his truck into the driveway right up to the garage to unload his purchases. He was very glad he’d installed a small wood stove in the garage. He had work to do.

Chapter 20

Mari woke with a start and sat up, her book tumbling to the floor. She had crawled into bed to read while waiting for Joe to come home and had obviously fallen asleep. She looked at the clock and was surprised to note that it was morning and only a bit earlier than she usually got up. The first rays of light were coming through her window as she made her way to the bathroom in yesterday’s red flannel shirt and black leggings, and then the kitchen. Running water for tea, she rubbed an eye and yawned.

The dawning light glinted off something in the backyard, and she leaned closer to the window. Mari gasped and turned off the water. Setting the mug down, she scurried to the new back door, flipped the locks and opened it.

The trees were filled with bird feeders.

Bird feeders in all sizes, types, and shapes. Bird feeders painted in all the bright colors she loved. Despite the cold, Mari ambled out in her slippers to marvel at the sight. And then she noticed something. There were Hebrew letters painted in gold on all of them.

One said “forgiveness,” one said “mercy,” one said “provision.” Others said “healing,” “peace,”  “love,” and “protection.” Mari couldn’t believe what Joe had done for her.
All the blessings of God.

She started to shiver, so she had to tear herself away and go back inside. With her teeth chattering, she paced the kitchen with her hands tucked under her arms.
But why? Why would he do so much when a simple “I’m sorry” would suffice?
She stopped and scowled, tears forming.
Darn it, Joe. Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare make me fall in love with you
. She sank into a kitchen chair.

Not when you belong to someone else.

Her phone rang, and she got up to answer it, wondering who would be calling so early.

***

Eli had been up late working on the house designs and hadn’t intended to get up any too early, but something jostled his dreams, and he found himself blinking his eyes open, listening. Ben was talking downstairs to someone... someone female... someone...
Mari.
She sounds upset
. He threw off the covers and leapt from his bed. Pulling on his jeans, he stumbled out into the hall without a shirt. He heard Joe’s door opening as he hit the stairs.

Mari was crying and being consoled by Ben. “Mari,” he called out as he raced down, “what’s wrong?”

Pulling away from Ben, she threw herself into Eli’s open arms, crying hard. He held her tight. “Sh, Mari, tell me what’s the matter. Are you hurt?”

She shook her head against his shoulder. “No, it’s my dad. He’s had a heart attack.”

Joe huffed out a breath beside him, buttoning his shirt, and Eli met his concerned gaze. Their uncle had just suffered a heart attack last summer and hadn’t fared well. “Is he... I mean, did he survive the attack?” Eli asked quietly.

She nodded. “Yes, but mom was crying and, oh, Eli, I should be there.”

“Of course you should. Have you checked the flights yet?” When she shook her head, he spoke to Ben over her shoulder. “Ben, see what you can find today to Oklahoma City.”

Mari pulled back, still shaking her head. “No, I can’t fly. I... I don’t have the money for flying.”

Eli wiped tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. “Honey, we’ll pay for it.” He looked to Joe, who was sitting on the stairs. “Won’t we, Joe?”

Joe nodded. “Absolutely.”

“No, I can’t fly.” Mari’s lip was trembling. “I’m... I’m afraid of flying. Please don’t make me fly.”

Eli couldn’t stand to see her so upset and pulled her against his bare chest. “Sure, okay. No flying. How’s your foot? Can you drive?”

Joe stood. “It’s a long drive to Oklahoma City. She shouldn’t go alone when she’s upset.”

Eli’s mind was racing. He had the designs to finish. How could he drive her and still get them done on time? He looked down at her red, puffy eyes. “I’ll have to call Rolley about the designs—see if I can get an extension.”

Mari’s brows came together. “No, you can’t. This is your big foray into house design. I won’t let you blow it because of me. I’ll just drive myself.”

Ben stepped forward. “Mari, you’re heater’s shot. I ordered parts, but they won’t be here until Friday at the earliest.” He scratched his head. “I’d be glad to drive you in my car, though. Joe, do you think it’s up to a trip like that?”

“Did you get new tires like I told you to?”

Ben looked sheepish. “No, I haven’t gotten around to it. Eli, could I drive your car?”

Eli wanted Ben to drive his sports car about as much as he’d like a root canal, but at the moment, he wasn’t getting any other bright ideas. “I guess, but you have to promise me—”

“I’ll drive her.”

Everyone looked to Joe.

“I was planning on going to Oklahoma City in the next week or two anyway about the synagogue. I’ll just do it now.”

Eli didn’t like it. He hadn’t seen any signs that Joe had an interest in Mari, but the fact that he just broke up with Beth made him wary. “I think I should just call Rolley.” He looked to Mari. “He’ll understand.”

“No, Eli, I think Joe’s right. Riding with him is the least disruptive to all of your lives.” She pulled away from Eli and walked to Joe. “How soon can we go?”

“I just need to throw a few things in a bag and take a quick shower.”

“Me, too.”

Joe turned to head upstairs. “Just come back over when you’re ready.”

Mari nodded and hurried out, leaving Eli and Ben standing in the entry. Ben clapped Eli on the shoulder then turned toward the kitchen. Eli stood staring at the door. He tried to come up with another plan—one that didn’t involve Joe spending days with Mari—but no matter how he tried, he couldn’t argue with Joe’s logic.

Eli jogged up the stairs to his room and grabbed a t-shirt out of his drawer. Slipping it on, he returned to the living room and sat. He didn’t want to risk going back to bed, falling asleep, and miss saying goodbye.

***

Mari and Joe were heading south out of town when Mari let out a big breath. Joe looked her way, and a corner of his mouth twitched up. “Did you finally decide to breathe?”

She took in another big breath and let it out. “I guess so. I didn’t realize I’d practically stopped.” She bent her head and put her mittened hands to her face. “I wish I had some eye drops.”

“We can stop and get you some on the way.” Her eyes were pretty red. He pushed the pillow between them on the seat toward her. “Why don’t you try and take a nap. That will help.”

She took it and clutched it to her chest. “I actually fell asleep while reading pretty early in the evening and didn’t wake up all night, so I doubt I could sleep yet.”

“You were gone part of the day yesterday. Did you wear yourself out?”

“Yeah, I guess so. I went to the art museum and a movie. Just needed to get out of the house.”

He nodded in understanding then shifted in his seat. He had something important to say. “Mari, about Sunday night...”

“Joe, I saw the lamp post last night and all the feeders this morning.” She laid the pillow aside and reached over to touch his shoulder. “Those feeders had me crying before I even got the call from mom.”

He looked at her, concerned. “It wasn’t my intention to make you cry. I—”

“Joe,” she gave his shoulder a squeeze. “They were beautiful and... and meaningful, and I... well, I was really touched. You, sir, are most definitely forgiven.” She pulled her mitten-clad hand back and slid both hands up and down her thighs. Joe didn’t know if she was cold or nervous. “Now I’m wondering if you can forgive me.”

Nervous
.

Joe reached over and took her hand. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

She gripped his, and Joe sensed impending tears. “Mari, don’t cry anymore. I made a much bigger deal out of what Ben said than I should have, and I realized later that you must have gotten your opinions of me from he and Eli. I plan to have a little chat with them both very soon.”

Mari continued to look at her lap. “I never thought Ben would tell you I said that, and anyway, I should never have said it. You have been nothing but kind to me.” She suddenly looked his way, wide-eyed. “Except when you left me to flounder in that snowdrift. That seemed pretty rude, but that was payback for what I said, wasn’t it?”

Joe winced. “I’m sorry, Mari. That was really petty of me.” He squeezed her hand. “If it’s any consolation, I had to grip the steering wheel to keep from running to your aid.”

Mari actually laughed at that. “That’s what made your feathers fly off! Angels were created to help, Joe.” He gave her a quizzical look, but she just smiled, making his heart do a somersault. He wished she didn’t have on mittens, so he could feel her skin. He pulled his attention back to the road, but Mari went on. “When you rebel against your purpose, it hurts.” She leaned forward, trying to catch his eye. “I’m thinking you didn’t really recover until you warmed up my hand at Shabbas.”

Joe smiled at her insight. He didn’t completely understand her reference to feathers and angels, but she was right about that. Helping her had warmed up his frosty heart.
Is that my purpose?
He suddenly remembered another purchase he’d made for her. “Reach under the seat. I bought something for you.”

Mari looked at him with eyebrows raised. “Something else?”

Joe felt heat rising in his face. “This is very utilitarian, I promise. Nothing artistic.”

She released his hand to reach under the seat then pulled out a box marked “Hot Hands.” She looked at him questioningly before opening it.

“I just happened across these when I was shopping for the bird feeders. Seemed like the perfect thing for you. They are little packets that you shake, and it causes some kind of chemical reaction. It stays warm for most of the day. You can keep them in your pockets and warm up your hands when you need to.”

She sat there staring at the box, and Joe wondered if she were going to cry again. I 
guess it’s just an emotional day.
Joe turned his focus wholly back to the road to give her some space to compose herself.

Finally, she spoke. “That was very thoughtful. Thank you.”

Joe didn’t know if his gift would have been received with such emotion on another day, but he couldn’t deny how good it felt to help her, to do things for her.
If this is my purpose, then God Almighty, lead me in it.

***

Mari used the long miles to think and pray, and she used her word processor on her laptop to try to unravel her conflicting thoughts and feelings. She had never felt so torn and frazzled. Her daddy lay in intensive care, still a good 550 miles away; Eli, whose kisses and caresses were like a golden ray of sunshine on her skin, was back in the Springs; and here she was on a road trip with Dazzling Joe, who made her heart sing, but was off limits.

She had nearly had a heart attack, herself, when he had taken her hand, and she felt so guilty wishing he’d do it again. She pondered all the thoughtful things he had done for her in just the short time they’d known each other and couldn’t help feeling envious of Beth.
Eli decorated my house, but that was almost as much for him as it was for me. Joe’s gifts are always for me, and me alone
.

With her fingers poised over the keyboard, she stole a peek at him out from under her lashes. An errant wisp of blond hair had separated from the rest and lay on his forehead, giving him a bad boy look. She started to type:

Falling, falling.

A spell, an incantation takes me under.

Makes me weak. Leaves me aching.

Herald of light, your glory will be my demise.

Mari closed her eyes.
What would I do if Joe weren’t engaged?
She knew the answer down deep but wouldn’t allow herself to even think it.
He considers you a sister. Don’t forget that
.

She knew the days were long past when she could think of him as a brother.

***

Joe had listened to Mari’s typing fingers for miles, and though he tried to suppress it, his curiosity was about to burst out of him in a geyser. Finally, he could no longer contain it. “You’re typing so fast you’re going to sprain something.”

She closed her laptop. “I’m sorry, I’m being rude.”

Joe scolded himself for interrupting her. “No, not at all. I was just... well, to be honest, I was curious about what you were writing with such speed and ferocity, but it’s none of my business. Sorry, I’m getting to be as snoopy as my brothers.”

“No, it’s okay. I just write everyday—you know, a journal—and I have a lot of things to get down today.”

Joe nodded. “I’ve started a journal several times but never had the discipline to keep it up. I’ve written about five entries in the last three years. Is that all you write? A journal? Do you write anything else—poetry, stories, essays?”

Mari seemed reluctant to answer. She licked her lips and hooked a curl behind her ear. “Yes.”

Joe glanced her way, trying to read the reason for her reticence to admit that. “Why does that seem to embarrass you?”

She looked out the side window. “Because I’m not all that good, and as soon as people know you do a bit of writing, they want to read something” —she paused only long enough to take a quick breath then sped on— “and I never let anyone read my stuff, and then they get offended, and everything just gets weird.” She looked back to him. “And I don’t want things to get weird between us.”