The Winding Road Home (27 page)

He shut that door, went around to his, and climbed in. “Because my dad owns it.” He started the engine.

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm. I hear the food is excellent.”

“Haven't you been there?”

“Not since I made a total fool of myself by overturning a table and yelling at the wait staff. Lifetime ago.” He flipped on the heater.

“Tanner.” Her tone was thoughtful, almost awestruck. “This sounds like another act of forgiveness.”

He hadn't thought of it that way, but then he didn't have the ability to see things from her upside down, inside out perspective.

“Actually.” He turned to her, his arms crossed on the steering wheel. “I haven't met anyone I wanted to take there. I kept waiting for a quirky redhead to walk into my life. You know, someone I could show off.”

“It's a good thing I dressed up for the occasion.”

“But I made the reservations before you did. Dressed up or not, you are something to show off.”

“Tanner.”

He heard the reservation in her tone and knew he tread on thin ice. If he went with the Galahad speech, she would most likely fling herself from the car and hightail it back into the house.
Adios, bud.

“Anyway, Kilpatrick, your brother was right. You clean up real good.”

She could handle that. With a grin she settled back against the seat. “Thanks.”

He turned on the lights and shifted into drive. Maybe some other time he would tell her exactly how intoxicatingly beautiful she really was.

Late that night Tanner stood at the window in his darkened bedroom. The blinds were open, allowing in dim light cast from a streetlamp. He gazed across the street on the town square at the trees, walkways, and band shell. A handful of teenagers hung out, lounging against their cars. Cal or one of the other deputies would be by soon. They'd chat and eventually leave. He'd watched it happen on a nightly basis since moving in above the pharmacy.

Life was peaceful in Valley Oaks, almost as peaceful as it was at ten thousand feet. He felt a relief when leaving Rockville and a pleasant anticipation to check the store, make sure the kids had locked up properly, and climb the stairs to his quiet apartment.

There had been a competing pleasant anticipation, that of kissing Kate goodnight. He knew it wouldn't happen, but the anticipation had been there to savor.

She insisted he not walk her to the door, but he did anyway. It was true, what she had said. She could at times talk too much; he gave himself permission to ignore some of her wishes…the ones that sounded like orders. She thanked him profusely for the day, and then she was in the house. Not even her semi-customary hug. And dinner had been quite good, their conversation thoroughly captivating.

Wouldn't you know it?
He had finally got the hang of falling for a woman, and the one he chose wasn't the least bit interested in anything beyond friendship.

He thought of their earlier conversation at the mall. Why had he promised “on his knees”? Twice?

A memory tucked deep into the folds of his subconscious wiggled its way to the surface. Grammy Stanton. His mother's grandmother. She had taught him to pray on his knees. Always on his knees. When he was nine, she had died. He prayed on his knees that she would come alive again. He had never gone down on his knees since.

Kate would ask. Kate would hound him.

He lifted his eyes to the stars.
Well, God, I've always known You're there. Just look at that sky.
Between his greatgrandmother and his flying, he never doubted His existence.

But what Kate did today…put her fear in Your hands and then ended up loving it…You're more than just existing out there in the big cosmos. My only gripe is You'll probably insist I forgive my dad. Forgive
and
forget.

Today's attempt hadn't been all that difficult. Of course Kate the cheerleader had drawn his eyes to the children's fun, away from the man who…

Kate would ask.

He went to his bedside and slowly got down on his knees.

“Okay,” he whispered, “I'm here. Jesus. I guess I'm talking to You.”

He paused, not exactly sure what was expected of him. Maybe he should just keep talking. He had certainly done a lot more foolish things than talk to the air. But he knew…he
knew
it wasn't just air.

“I saw You today. Alive and well in Kate. I've never seen anyone so afraid of anything, and she's about the least fearful person I've ever met. She never could have gotten on that plane and then reacted the way she did unless her faith is in something, someone who is real. I guess what I'm asking is…though I have no right to ask for anything…”

He didn't. He was filth. So why was he there pretending otherwise?

Because Kate would ask.

Because the pastor said in the morning sermon that Jesus hung out with prostitutes, thieves, and drunks in order to invite them into His kingdom. He was only waiting for them to RSVP.

“Okay, I'm RSVP-ing. I want to be part of Your family. I want what Kate has. I need You at some inner core of my being. Please come in. Please make me clean and whole?”

By now Tanner's face was buried in the bed covers, his arms stretched out in surrender. The instant the tears came he knew they were why he had put off this meeting. He hated crying. It brought back those wasted years when he cried often. It brought back that last time he had been on his knees, crying for the old woman who had shown him such love.

A warmth came over him, the sort of warmth that satiated… Hot chocolate after a cold day of sledding… Grammy's arms around him, the hint of lavender in her cheek… His parents laughing together at his first-grade acting debut… A three-point buzzer shot at the end of a quarter…

The warmth comforted, and Tanner realized he was smiling. The tears still fell, but he was
smiling.
A lifetime of sorrows and regrets mingled with unspeakable joy, and he knew that he was loved.

Monday evening Kate parked in the nearly empty high school lot and climbed out of the car. Streetlamps were just beginning to flicker on in the twilight. The snow had completely melted away. The parking lot was bone dry, though the ground remained soggy. It gave off a rich, damp, green scent, evidence that beneath the earth unseen new life was being diligently nourished. Already crocuses had popped through, blooming all over the place. She loved the spring.

Yesterday had been a day full of shivers. The fear of flying had blotted them out for a while, but once she opened her eyes and saw that glorious view, they returned with magnified intensity. Magnified because the flying experience itself was enough to thrill. Added to the day-long close proximity of Tanner, she had been surprised she could breathe.

“Kate!”

She recognized his voice now and his distinct easy gait as he approached through the dusky parking lot. He had left a message on her voice mail sometime that morning when she had been unavailable, just to say he was subbing and that he would see her at the school board meeting.

He neared her now, grinning broadly. “Hi.”

“Hi, Tanner.”

“I figured you'd come early to get the best seat in the house.”

“You'd think they could reserve seats for the press so I wouldn't have to do this.”

“Yes, you would think so, wouldn't you?” he teased.

“If I were staying in Valley Oaks, I would do some serious training about press protocol. We are the link to public opinion. Groups like school boards need us, and we need a little special treatment.”

“You're only half joking.” He shook a finger at her.

“What makes you say that?”

“It's in your voice. Rough day?”

She blew out a noisy breath. “I didn't have a chance to remind myself today that this is the best experience I could ever ask for. I do not know how Rusty did it.”

“She would be proud of you.” He leaned beside her against the car. “Nice night.”

“Did you walk?”

“Of course. It's great being able to hike everywhere in town.”

“I keep saying I'm going to, but I'm always in a hurry.”

He chuckled. “No kidding. You're always trying to be in two places at once.”

They stood together in the comfortable quiet of old friends for a few moments. The night's first stars twinkled to life. By now others were arriving. Car doors slammed, people hurried to the building. Time to go.

“I'd better get in there.”

He cleared his throat. “Aren't you going to ask me?”

“Ask you what?”

“You know.”

She studied him from the corner of her eye. Ask him what? If he could feel the shivers running through her? Maybe Helen was picking them up and vibrating behind him.

He let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh, well. Guess it wasn't important. See you inside.” He walked away.

What wasn't important? Was she going to ask him something important? About what? What had they talked about yesterday? What hadn't they talked about? They always talked and talked… A feeling of dread hit her. She was letting him down. What had he expected her to—

“Tanner!” she yelled, running after him. “Tanner!”

He turned around and waited for her to catch up.

She stood before him, breathless at the thought. “Did you?”

He gave her his cocky grin, the one he reserved for teasing. “Did I what?”

“Did you get down on your knees?” Awe pressed her voice down to a whisper.

“Did I say I would?”

Yes. He had said he would. And yes, he kept his word. She nodded. “And?” Still a whisper.

“And I told Jesus I know He's real. I see Him in you. I told Him I wanted Him in me too.”

Kate covered her mouth with her hands. Tears sprang to her eyes and spilled over onto her face.

“I don't know if I got the terminology right—”

She went to him and slid her arms around him. They held each other tightly.
Thank You, Father.

Tanner Carlucci wasn't the only one who kept his word.

The board meeting was grueling. In anticipation of a large crowd, it was held in the high school gym. A good choice. The folding seats on the floor were filled. The bleachers remained shut. Another good choice. Kate suspected the clanking boards would have made noisy seats for the large number of students who had gathered.

She sat near the front, on a side aisle, scribbling furiously on her notepad. It was after ten-thirty, and they were still discussing Joel Kingsley, the principal. The floor was open to the public. At the moment, things were very close to getting out of control.

The lines were clearly drawn. Kingsley supporters far outnumbered his opponents among the parents and students in attendance. Still, those against were as vociferous as the bigger crowd.

Tanner leaned against her arm and whispered, “We may be here all night.”

She wished he wouldn't do that…touch her arm and put his mouth near her ear. It seriously disrupted her train of thought.

At last the president called an end to the discussion and asked for a motion to table the decision to renew the principal's contract until a special meeting next week. There was an immediate motion, a second, a vote in favor. Kate's eyes were on Bruce Waverly, the superintendent. She thought she detected an expression of “that's absurd,” the same one she was trying to suppress.

A recess was called. The majority of the people trailed out through the exits. Kate spotted Joel and Britte, her first choice for a quick interview.

Tanner touched her elbow. “You okay by yourself?”

“Why wouldn't I be?”

“The natives are restless, and I see another scathing editorial mushrooming in your head. I'm going home. Stay out of trouble.”

She rotated her shoulders, trying to relax. “Okay. See you.”

“Bye.” He turned away.

“Tanner!”

“What?”

She smiled. “Thanks for telling me.”

“Thanks for asking.” He returned her smile.

“Do you mind if I share your news?”

His smile faded. “Who would want to know?”

“Adele. Your friends at church.”

Those dark lashes hid his eyes.

“The idea takes some getting used to. Forget I asked.”

“Well, wait a minute.” He put his hands on his hips and glanced around the gym, evidently pondering the thought. His shoulders rose as he inhaled. “I guess if everyone knows I'm friends with a quirky redhead, my reputation is already shot. It doesn't matter if they know I talk to Jesus now too.” He let out his breath.

“You are so into appearances, Carlucci.”

He grinned. “Why don't you put an announcement in the
Times?”

She laughed as he walked away.

Kate then made a beeline for Joel and Britte exiting through a side door. She caught up with them in the hallway and fell into step alongside.

“Hi. Mind if I ask a few questions?”

Britte's face was flushed, her mouth a taut line, her deepset eyes flicking daggers. Joel's demeanor was his usual one of disciplined control. Even on bended knee the guy had defined military.

Britte said, “I'm livid.”

Joel added, “Off the record. Let's go find a quiet corner. How about my office?”

That suited Kate. Two minutes later they were behind closed doors.

“Joel!” Britte exploded.

He pulled her into his arms and smiled at Kate. “Off the record.”

“But the headline would be so great: Principal Hugs Livid Woman Behind Closed Doors on School Property.”

He chuckled. “Thanks for joining us. We've sworn off closed doors for the duration. A third party changes the rules. Do you mind if I kiss my livid woman?”

“On the record?” She shrugged the camera from her shoulder.

Britte pushed herself away from a laughing Joel. “Will you two stop?”

He pushed aside some papers and sat on the desktop. “A little comic relief was in order after that ridiculous show in there. ‘Ridiculous show' is off the record, by the way.”

“What else is your reaction to the board's nondecision? On the record.”

“Everyone had their say. It's a wise decision to sleep on it. A few more days isn't going to matter.”

Britte paced the small area. “Except if we have to find new jobs, we should be getting started. Yesterday.”

“Off the record,” Joel said.

“On the record.”

“Off.”

“On.”

Joel turned to Kate. “Britte is a Valley Oaks native. The town knows what she's like. If she doesn't speak her mind, people will think something's seriously wrong with her.”

“Britte,” Kate said, “is it true you'll quit if Joel's not rehired?”

“My letter of resignation is already written.”

Joel held up a finger. “Off the record.”

“On.”

“Britte, you can't blackmail the board.”

“I'm not irreplaceable!”

Kate didn't want to go there. “Joel, what does the board president have against you?”

The couple exchanged a glance. Kate twisted the crick out of her neck. Britte was tall. Joel was tall. Tanner was tall. She had to start hanging out with shorter people.

Joel said, “Why do you ask that?”

“Just a shot in the dark.” The board president could have kept better control, he could have wrapped things up by now.

Britte stopped her pacing and placed a hand on Joel's shoulder. She turned to Kate. “Last fall Harrison's son was stopped in Rockville for speeding. He and his buddies had open beer in his car. Mandatory suspension. His football season ended that night. He was starting quarterback, a junior. They were well on their way to making it to the playoffs, some say state tournament. Several people contacted Joel, suggesting the whole incident be pushed under the rug.” Her brows went up.

There was no reason for her to say another word. Joel Kingsley would not bow to that kind of pressure. The kid's dad and others would resent him to no end. Kate asked, “How is the boy doing now?”

Joel smiled. “Mick's doing great. I made him spend some of his suspension in here right beside me. Now he's like my shadow. The kid would probably do anything for me. And he's making good grades.”

“Mick? The one Tanner hired at the video store?”

“Yeah. Mick's pretty proud of that job. He landed it without his dad pulling strings, which is a first.”

“He's a great kid from what I've seen.” Kate tried not to grin. She had her editorial piece. Mick Harrison with his fall from grace worshiped the ground Joel walk on. Who better to extol the man's virtues and personalize his impact on the community?

She lifted her pen from the pad. “So, gang, what do we have here that's
on
the record?”

Britte said, “The math teacher is livid.”

Joel slung an arm around her shoulders. “But she's in love with the principal. Who thinks the decision to wait is a smart one. Who's not worried because it's all in God's hands.”

“Speaking of God's hands.” Now Kate let the grin expand. She knew they were believers. She knew Tanner had worked with Britte for a couple of years. “Tanner is a Christian.”

Britte's eyes widened. “Tanner? Our cool Coach Carlucci with the duck feathers who pretends everything rolls off his back? Woo-hoo!”

“Amen,” Joel added softly.

Kate said, “Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?”

Britte nodded. “Yes it does. Tonight is pretty silly in comparison.”

As they headed out the door, Joel smoothed the back of Britte's jacket with sweeping motions. “Speaking of feathers, yours are a bit ruffled, my dear.”