The Price of Trust (19 page)

"You two can change in the boys' rooms while I keep them occupied down here," Tom said kindly.

"No!" Both Joe and Todd answered simultaneously. Tom and the girls looked at them in surprise.

Todd looked at Joe for help, his eyes wide with panic. "Our rooms aren't clean."

"Clean-shmean. They don't care if your rooms are clean or not. All they want to do is change, right?" He turned a questioning eye to Kelly and Carly.

With smiles too wide to be innocent, they answered, "No, we don't mind.”

Joe bolted up the stairs before anything else could be said. "Just a minute!" He came sauntering back downstairs not a moment later, hands in his pockets.

"That was fast," Tom said, looking at him curiously.

"My room isn't that bad. It's Todd's that's really dirty." He grinned. "Go ahead."

"I gotta see this!" Kelly said, running up the stairs before anyone could stop her. Carly laughed at Todd's horror-stricken face.

"Joe? Where's your room?" she asked politely.

"Upstairs, first door on the right." He smiled, watching her go.

"What was that all about?" Tom asked suspiciously, after they heard Joe's door close.

"What?" they asked innocently, smiling a little too broadly to be convincing.

Tom folded his arms across his chest and leaned his back on the door, watching them expectantly. They looked at each other sheepishly.

"Did you get it?" Todd asked quietly, holding out his hand. Joe nodded and pulled something out of his pocket, handing it to him with a grin.

"Okay. You don't have to tell me," Tom said suddenly, turning to go.

"Wait, Dad!" Todd grabbed his arm, putting something into his hand. "Look."

Carly looked around at Joe's room curiously. It was a nice-sized room, not too dirty, but not clean. An unmade bed stood under the window, an oak night table beside the bed with a small reading lamp on it, a desk with papers scattered all over, an oak dresser, and a mid-sized closet, with the door standing open.

She laid the clothes on the bed and walked toward the desk curiously. Something caught her eye and she pulled a paper out from underneath a large messy pile. It was her name, written over and over again, filling up both sides of the sheet. She smiled sweetly, putting the paper on top of the desk conspicuously.

She pulled the overalls on over her jeans, rolling up the pant legs so she could walk. Next she pulled on the flannel shirt over the overalls and her shirt, rolling up the sleeves so she could use her hands. She giggled, feeling ridiculous.

"Carly?" Kelly’s muffled voice came through the door.

"Come in."

"Is there a mirror in here?" Kelly asked, pushing it open. "Wow, this is a lot cleaner than Todd's room!"

"No mirror." Carly laughed. "How do I look?" She swung around for Kelly to see.

Kelly laughed. "Probably as funny as I look!"

They did look interesting with clothes that were way too big, cuffs rolled up like doughnuts around their ankles and wrists, with tiny feet and hands sticking out. They laughed heartily at each other.

"You ready?" Kelly asked, heading out the door.

"Not yet. I'm going to make Joe's bed for him," Carly said, pulling the sheet and blankets up.

"I should do that for Todd too, but I can't find the bed!" Kelly giggled.

Carly finished tucking and straightening, put the pillows where they should go, and stood up. She took the paper with her name on it and placed it on top of his pillows, where he would be sure to find it.

"I'm ready!" She followed Kelly down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Oh!" Kelly said softly, stopping so suddenly that Carly ran into her. Surprised, Carly looked over her shoulder in time to see Tom giving both Joe and Todd a tremendous bear hug. Seeing the girls in the doorway, he let them go, and walked outside hurriedly, his face flushed.

"Well, how do we look?" Kelly asked, turning around as she walked toward Todd.

Todd cupped his mouth with his hand and poked Joe in the side with his elbow.

"I think a circus has lost their clowns." Kelly put her hands on her hips and frowned.

"You look fantastic," Joe said to Carly as she walked over to him. "In fact, I've never seen my clothes look so good!" He grabbed her and gave her a bear hug. "That's my good morning hug," he said in her ear.

"We better go." She smiled. "The cows are anxious." He let her go reluctantly.

"You can wear this and these." He handed her his work coat, a pair of thick gloves, and a hat. He looked at her tiny feet. "I don't have any boots that will fit you though. It can get pretty cold out there, but you'll warm up in the barn once you get working. If you get cold and can't get warm, let me know." He slipped a coat on, pulled on a hat, tied his boots, and held the door open for her.

They were halfway to the barn when Carly realized something. "Aren't you going to eat anything for breakfast?" she asked, her voice muffled.

"I had a bowl of cereal before you and Kelly got there. I was washing it down with the milk you caught me drinking." He grinned, holding her hand. "Why?"

"Because you're always fussing at me to eat, and I thought I was going to have the chance to fuss back at you." She laughed, swinging his hand.

Todd, Kelly, and Tom were already in the barn when Joe and Carly opened the door. Joe took off his gloves and led her to a small room in the back where they kept supplies.

"What do you want to learn to do first?" he asked, smiling.

"I'll just follow you around, and you can show me what you do," she said, wondering where they would begin.

"Sounds good to me." He led her to a stall with a huge cow inside. He put some feed in the trough, washed her, and sat down on a stool, explaining what he was doing and why. Carly watched fascinated as a stream of warm milk spurted deftly into the pail by Joe's feet.

"Could I try it?" she asked, pulling off her gloves. Joe laughed, allowing her to sit on the stool. He showed her what to do, holding her hands so she could get the feel first. She squeezed. Nothing.

"What did I do wrong?" Carly asked, disappointed.

"Just relax," he said, taking her hands and showing her what to do again. She relaxed, squirting some milk into the pail. She yelped gleefully; Joe laughed heartily.

"Do you think you've got it?" he asked, standing up.

She beamed up at him. "I think I can handle it."

"We've got three more cows to milk, so I'm going to get started on the others. When you're done, just bring the pail over to me, and I'll show you what to do with it." He started to leave.

Carly looked up anxiously. "Wait! How do I know when I'm done?"

"You'll know," he said cryptically, leaving her alone.

Carly continued milking until she thought her arms couldn't possibly do any more, and the milk came slower and slower until finally there wasn't a stream. Thankfully, she patted the cow, stood up, and arched her back. She grabbed the pail and took it to Joe, who was milking a cow in the next stall. Her heart sank. He had filled up two and a half pails with milk while she had done only one. He looked up and smiled.

"Done already?"

"Already? It took me forever!" She laughed, setting her pail next to the others. "Are you almost done?"

"Almost," he said, winking at her. "What'd you think of milking your first cow?"

She stretched, rolling her head to get the kinks out. "It was really neat, but my arms feel tired."

"You'll get used to it." He grinned, finishing. He stood up, took his pail, and reached over to take hers.

"Nope," she stopped him. "I'm going to help," she said, stubbornly taking her own pail plus another one.

"You're going to be sore," he said playfully, taking the rest. "They're pretty heavy."

"It'll be okay. I wanted to help you, not make you carry all my stuff." She followed him to a small chilly room in the back of the barn. He showed her how to separate the milk from the cream, and where to put the pails when they were finished.

"This is where Mom comes in to make butter and cheese, and where we keep our eggs," he said, putting the pails in a large refrigerator.

"You make your own butter and cheese?" she asked, impressed. "What do you do with it all?"

"Our neighbors buy a lot of it, along with some milk and eggs. It's a good business I suppose. Keeps Mom pretty busy sometimes."

"Where is your mom?" Carly asked wonderingly.

"She doesn't come in here until later. She says it’s too cold early in the morning, but I think she just wants to sleep in." He winked, joking.

"Do you think she'd mind if I asked her to show me how to do all that stuff?" Carly asked, following him around like a devoted puppy.

"I don't think she'd mind. She'd probably like the help!"

He showed her around, both of them doing his chores together, as he explained and showed her how to do things. He found her to be an avid learner and enjoyed her enthusiasm about whatever he showed her. It was obvious to him that she tried to please him in everything she did, and she grew confident as he praised her.

"That's it," he said after all the work was done. "You were a big help, thank you."

"Really?" she asked enthusiastically. "That went by fast!"

"There's always less work to be done in the winter," he answered simply.

"What do you usually do when you're done?" She leaned over one of the horse stalls, trying to get Ashes' attention.

"Well," he hesitated, "mostly we work on the equipment for the farm, or on a car someone has asked us to fix. Sometimes neighbors bring their tractors over for us to work on. Sometimes if I have time, I do a little bit of woodworking."

"Are you working on anything now?" she asked, looking around at him.

He gave her a strange look before answering. "I've got a little project I'm working on."

"What is it?" she asked after a little pause, her heart fluttering a little.

"I'll show you later today if you want to see it," he said softly, smiling.

She smiled shyly, looking away. "I'd like that."

"You all done?" Todd asked, walking toward them, holding Kelly's hand.

"Yep," Joe said casually. "Are you?"

"Just got done. Kelly's been a big help!" He hugged her. "I don't think I'm going to let her go now. She knows how to run a farm."

Joe chuckled. "After seeing your room this morning, she may decide she doesn't want you!"

"A woman loves to be needed," Todd said. "And I definitely need someone to clean up after me, right, Kelly?"

"I agree that you need someone to clean up after you." She laughed. "I couldn't even find your bed!"

Todd smiled guiltily. "Job security, my dear, just think of it as job security." She smacked him playfully. "Are you two ready to go in? Maybe Mom's got something for us to eat!" He smacked his lips hungrily, rubbing his stomach.

"We're ready," Joe said, taking Carly's hand. "Where's Dad?"

"He went in about half an hour ago. He said we didn't leave anything for him to do." Todd grinned, pulling Kelly toward the door. Joe took Carly's hand, following them.

"That was the best Thanksgiving dinner I've had in a long time!" Carly said later that afternoon, leaning back in her chair contentedly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome and thanks for your help." Penny smiled. "We're glad you could come. Did you do anything special for Thanksgiving with your dad?"

Everyone except Todd was done eating, just relaxing in their chairs talking. Joe leaned back, bringing his chair closer and resting his arm on the back of her chair. He watched her closely, enjoying the flush of her cheeks and the sparkle of her eyes as she talked.

She smiled, glancing at him. "Well, we didn't cook much seeing as how it was just dad and me. Just a turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and biscuits. That was pretty much it. Then we'd spend the day watching a movie or playing a board game. He had only two days off a year, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we sure did enjoy them."

"Who did the cooking?" Todd asked, finally done eating.

"It was Dad at first after Mom died, but I always helped in the kitchen, so I took over the cooking when he thought he could trust me to run the stove and oven." She grinned. "I started doing all the cooking when we moved out to Houston. Dad worked all the time, so I had to learn really fast."

"I thought you didn't know how to cook," Joe said, leaning up to see her face.

"I know how to cook; it's just that lately I've just been cooking macaroni and cheese." She laughed, looking at Kelly.

"You should try some," Kelly said cheerily. "It's the best I've ever tasted, and that's saying a lot. I'm difficult to please when it comes to macaroni and cheese!"

"You cooked for Kelly?" Joe asked, surprised. "I'm jealous. You haven't cooked for me yet."

"Yes, she did," Penny said gaily. "She cooked the sweet potatoes and took care of all the mashed potatoes for me. This was the easiest Thanksgiving I've ever had to cook for! I couldn't have done it without you, Carly." She smiled warmly.

"Oh no, you had it almost finished when we came in."

"Did Kelly cook anything?" Todd asked, a wary look on his handsome face.

Penny laughed good-naturedly. "She watched the pies and set the table."

"I told you I wasn't a good cook." Kelly laughed, looking at Carly. "I try really hard, but I'm just no good at it."

"So when do I get to try some of your famous macaroni and cheese?" Joe asked.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe never. I've had it almost every day for about two years, and I'm getting a little tired of it. Especially after eating your mom's and Sue's good cooking. They've spoiled me!"

"Speaking of Sue, Sam told me that they were going to be gone until after the New Year. What are you going to do while they're gone?" Tom asked lazily, rubbing his stomach.

"I really don't know. I thought I'd wax the floors, straighten the shelves, dust, and just try to keep myself busy. I really hadn't thought too much about it though," she said thoughtfully, picking at her napkin.

"You were such a good help here this morning, you could always come out and help us. I'm sure Joe wouldn't mind," Tom said, watching for her reaction.

She blushed. "I'd be glad to help. I was wondering if Penny could teach me how to make butter and cheese."

"Nothing to it. I'd love to show you. Why don't you come on out while Sue and Sam are gone. We'll find lots for you to do."

"I wouldn't want to be a bother though," Carly said awkwardly, not sure if they really wanted her to come out or were just being nice.

"You wouldn't be a bother," Joe said quickly, grinning widely at her.

"All right. I'd like that." She looked at Joe warmly, not dropping her gaze.

"Well, let's clean up, and we can go in and sit by the fireplace and talk," Penny said, getting up to clear off the table. They all got up to help her, taking the food and dishes to the counter to be cleaned off and washed.

"I'll do the washing," Joe said, pulling Carly's arm.

Penny laughed, knowing what he was up to. "Oh no, I don't want another episode like the last time! I'll wash, Carly can dry, and you can put them away. Todd, would you and Kelly mind clearing off the rest of the table and sweeping the floor?"

"Sure thing, Mom," Todd said for them both.

They cleaned up the kitchen quickly with no messes, only slight attempts from Joe to get Carly's attention. After they were all finished and the kitchen tidy again, they all went into the living room by the fireplace.

"Carly, we have a tradition here for Thanksgiving," Penny began as soon as they were all seated. "After dinner, we always come in here and tell what we're thankful for. Kelly, you did this with us last year, so you know how it goes. Whose turn is it to start first?"

"I went first last year," Joe said quickly, taking Carly's hand in his.

"So, I think it's Dad's turn this year."

"Are you sure?" Tom asked sleepily. "I suppose it is. Okay, let me see. What am I thankful for?" He rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. "I'm thankful for a lot of things. First, my salvation. I praise the Lord every day for saving me. Next, I'm thankful for my beautiful wife, who is also my soul mate. I couldn't live without you." He gave her a kiss. "Then there's my two boys. I'm proud of you both, and I'm thankful that you love the Lord and are willing to serve him. Now, I'm thankful that my turn is over so I can go to sleep!" He laughed as Penny playfully punched him on the arm.

"Don't go to sleep until you hear what we're all thankful for," she admonished. "It's my turn. I'm thankful for my salvation too, of course. And I'm thankful for my wonderful husband and my two fantastic boys, who have grown into fine young men." Todd bowed self-importantly, making everyone laugh. "And now, I'm thankful to have gotten to know two of the most amazing young women God could have brought into our lives." She smiled kindly at Carly and Kelly. "Todd, I do believe it's your turn."

"Okay." He moaned playfully. He sat on the floor in front of Kelly's chair, his back leaning on her knees. "I'm thankful for my Christian parents, who loved me enough to teach me the difference between right and wrong, and who led me to the Lord. I'm thankful that when I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins, he did. I'm thankful for my big brother, who has borne with me through thick and thin, and who has always done everything with me"—he nodded meaningfully at Joe—"and"—he turned toward Kelly—"I would be extremely thankful right now if this beautiful young woman would consent to be my wife." Kelly gasped in astonishment, her hand on her chest.

He knelt on his knees, pulled a velvet pouch out of his pocket, and handed it to her. "Kelly, I love you with all my heart and soul, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Kelly was speechless, tears welling up in her eyes. She picked up the pouch and dropped it, her hands shaking. Todd took the pouch from her and pulled out a diamond ring, taking her left hand in his.

"Will you marry me?" he asked quietly. She nodded immediately, still not able to talk. Todd put the ring on her finger tenderly. She threw her arms around him, laughing and crying at the same time.

Carly glanced over at Tom and Penny, who were both smiling broadly, but teary eyed. Tom pulled Penny close and gave her a tremendous hug, kissing her soundly on the lips. Carly wiped tears from her eyes, overjoyed for her friend.

"Kelly, I think you should probably go next," Joe said quietly, grinning broadly.

Kelly sniffed, wiped her eyes, and said, "I'm thankful for everything!" More tears. "Especially that he finally got around to asking me!" Everyone laughed exultantly. "When did you get this?" she asked, looking at the beautiful ring.

"Remember when we went to Billings to the mall with Joe and Carly?" he said, nodding toward them. "I got sick and had to go to the bathroom? Well, I did go to the bathroom, but I stopped at a little jewelry store first."

Kelly hugged him again. "You sneak!"

"Me? Sneak? Who was it sneaking around the porch this morning, Joe?" he asked with a hearty laugh. "And by the way. You all are witnesses that she said she would marry me, even after she saw my room!" They laughed, congratulating the happy young couple.

"Joe, it's your turn," Todd said, grinning.

"That one is going to be hard to beat, little brother," Joe said, smiling happily. "Let me see. I'm thankful that Jesus saved me as well and gave me two of the best parents a kid could possibly have. I love you, Mom and Dad. Don't faint. I know I don't say it enough, but I really do love you both, and I appreciate all you've done for me.” He paused and cleared his throat.

“I'm tremendously thankful that God didn't allow me to marry Amy, which would have been the biggest mistake of my life. I'm thankful that he brought Carly into my life, and I don't intend to let her get away from me." He squeezed her hand tightly. She smiled gently and rubbed his hand with her fingers. Todd looked at him a little perplexed but didn't say anything.

"It's your turn, Carly," Tom said kindly.

"I've got so much to be thankful for, I don't know where to start," she said softly, feeling a little out of place. "I'm thankful that for the first time in quite a few years, I've been able to have a real Thanksgiving dinner with people that I care deeply for. I'm thankful for my salvation, just like all of you, and I'm thankful that God has taken care of my every need, and led me to this little town, where I could meet you all. He's given me some of the best friends I could ever wish for, which I haven't had since my dad died, and"—she paused, taking a deep breath—"I'm very thankful for you letting me milk your cow!" They all laughed heartily.

"Anyone want to watch a movie?" Todd asked, wanting a reason to cuddle with Kelly when they were done.

"Sure!" Tom and Penny said merrily. "Joe, Carly, what do you want to watch?"

"Well, I thought Carly and I would exercise some of the horses for a little bit if she wants to." Joe gave her a hopeful look.

"Why not just let them out in the pasture for a little while," Penny said helpfully. Tom cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. "Besides—"

Tom squeezed her hand, smiling. "Let them go, dear. They'll be back soon."

"Oh." She looked at him, confused. "Okay, have fun."

"I want to show Carly the project I've been working on before it gets dark," Joe said gently, hoping to ease his mom's bewilderment. "We'll be back." He led Carly out by the hand.

"Project?" Penny asked after they left. "What project?"

Todd and Tom smiled knowingly at her, Tom squeezing her to him.

"Oh! That project!" She smiled, relaxing considerably.

Joe and Carly rode in comfortable silence for a little while, listening to the snow crunching under the horse's hooves.

"I want to show you this place first," he said, leading her up an old, overgrown driveway she'd never noticed before.

"What a neat place!" she exclaimed as they came to an old but well kept, two-story farmhouse in the middle of a pine clearing.

"This is Todd and Kelly's place," Joe said confidentially, reining in his horse so she could look around.

"Todd's?" Carly asked, looking at him questioningly.

"It used to be my grandparents' house. When Grandpa died, he left it to my dad along with all the property he owned. When Todd turned twenty-one, Dad split all the property he had three ways, giving one piece to Todd, and one to me, letting us choose which we wanted," he explained, walking his horse around the place. Carly followed. "Dad, of course, kept the place he's got now, Todd really wanted this one, because of Kelly I assume, and I took the piece of property on the other side of Mom and Dad's."

"Oh," Carly said thoughtfully, admiring the beautiful old place. "It's in pretty good shape."

"We've kept it up pretty well, and we've remodeled a few things inside that Todd wanted done. All it needs now is a good painting, and it's ready to live in."

She could just imagine how it would look after Todd and Kelly were married. The picket fence painted white to match the house, flowers blooming profusely in the flowerbeds along the front, two rocking chairs looking inviting on the front porch. She sighed, happy for Kelly and Todd, but feeling a little out of place herself.

"You're awfully quiet," Joe said softly, turning to go. He looked at her compassionately, walking next to her back to the road.

"I was just imagining what it's going to look like when they're living here," she said sadly. "I'm happy for them, but it's kind of bittersweet, you know?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, going back the way they had come. They had passed his parents house before she continued.

"Things just won't be the same," she said sadly. "They'll be married, and Kelly and I won't be able to visit like we do now, nothing against Todd, of course," she added quickly with a quick smile.

"And you feel a little alone," he said, understanding what she was feeling. She nodded slightly. "When he asked her to marry him today, it brought back all kinds of memories of Amy and me. And," he said slowly, "I suppose it did the same for you with Ian."

"Yes," she said quietly, looking ahead of her. "Do you miss Amy?" She couldn't help asking, her curiosity burning.