For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (63 page)

“
Luke says they’re taking advantage of me because I’m not confident.
”

After a few seconds thought, Tina nodded.
“
That makes sense.
”

“
We’re going to try having higher expectations next week and see how it goes.
”

“
‘We,’ huh? Interesting.
”
At Aggie’s blush, Tina grinned.
“
He’s getting to you, isn’t he?
”

“
He’s a good man, Tina. I don’t want to hurt him, but I don’t know how to do this.
”

“
Let it happen. That’s how. You’re going to sabotage it with your over-analytical tendencies. Just let him…
”
Tina searched for the word she needed.
“
I don’t know, woo you. Ugh, that sounds stupid.
”

“
Yeah, but I know what you mean. He claims he’s going to ‘romance me,’ whatever that means, but I don’t think he knows any more about it than I do.
”

“
That’ll keep things interesting.
”
Her friend carried their bowls into the kitchen and returned with cups of piping hot coffee.
“
Ok, so tell me something, Aggie.
”

“
Hmm?
”
Aggie sipped her coffee, burning her tongue slightly.

“
If you had to decide today if you were going to marry Luke, what would you decide?
”

Immediately, Aggie shook her head.
“
Oh, Tina. I couldn’t do it. I have a lot of respect for him, I am fond of him, and I might even love him in my own way, but I don’t really think it’d be right to marry him when I don’t know how I really feel.
”

“
Do you think he knows that?
”

“
He knows I’m not ready, yes.
”

“
No, Ags. Do you think he knows that you might have some affection for him?
”

With a slight shake of her head, Aggie sighed.
“
I don’t think so.
”
Tina’s disapproving face elicited a protest.
“
I can’t just say, ‘Oh, and I thought you should know, I do have some kind of feelings for you, but I don’t’ know what they are. Just thought you oughtta know.’
”

“
Can’t you find a way to show him instead of tell him?
”
At Aggie’s stunned expression, Tina shook her head.
“
Not like that. I’m not talking about throwing yourself at him. I just meant that there had to be some way
--
compliment him or seek him out in some way so he notices you are making an effort.
”

“
I suppose. I don’t know, Tina, this is all so crazy.
”

“
See, if you had accepted William’s proposal, this would be a moot point. You’d probably be married by now.
”

Aggie shuddered visibly.
“
Oh, Tina. Wouldn’t that be awful?
”

“
Maybe for you. Not every woman is going to see him as repugnant as you do.
”

“
I don’t think he’s repugnant. I just think he’s all wrong for me and that gives me the willies. He’s a good man
--
handsome if you ask Vannie. She was quite disappointed that I didn’t accept the man in uniform. I think she considers Luke a poor gal’s William.
”

“
Well,
”
Tina began with an enigmatic smile that became clear as she spoke,
“
not every woman is as immune to him as you seem to be.
”

“
You can have him.
”

Tina shrugged.
“
I think we have to let him decide that, and I’m not so sure he’ll agree.
”
The young woman stood, grabbed her duffel bag and backpack, and started toward the guest room.
“
I know it was crazy to come down like this, but I kind of missed your crew.
”

“
G’night, Tina.
”

“
Goodnight, Aggie. We’ll figure out your love life tomorrow.
”

As Aggie climbed the stairs to her room, she replayed Tina’s words in her mind. Her friend’s lightheartedness was exactly the medicine her analytical heart needed, but the seriousness of the situation also tugged at her conscience. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and coated her hands and feet in lotion as she considered the changes in her life.

Climbing beneath the covers, she snapped off the lamp. Once comfortable on her pillow, Aggie’s heart reached out to the Lord in prayer.
“
Lord, I think I am ready for this. I’m a little excited about it, and I’m looking forward to seeing what it means in all of our lives, but Lord, please don’t let me make a mistake. It’ll hurt both of us and the children. I need to know that this is Your will for our lives. Help me make the right decisions so that I never ever regret it.
”

Saturday, October 4
^th

The bed shook as if an earthquake rocked the house. Aggie, groggy from sleep, pried her eyes open and saw Vannie and Kenzie bouncing on her bed as they tried to rouse her from sleep. Kenzie’s voice pierced her eardrums as she screeched,
“
Wake up! Luke sent a really weird bouquet of flowers in a funny vase. There’s a note and everything! Wake up!
”

With her fists working the sleep from her eyes, Aggie tried to focus on the shifting blurs on her bed.
“
Can you go get it?
”
She hoped the few seconds of silence would help her wake up less painfully.

The girls flew from the room, their nightgowns billowing from behind like dresses in a period movie. Whoever spoke of the pitter-patter of children’s feet had never experienced life in Aggie’s house. With footfalls loud enough to wake the dead, or at least Tina, the girls thundered downstairs and then back up again, carrying the flowers as carefully as swiftly moving feet can
--
Ellie now following close behind them.

Vannie’s sigh was comical in its predictability.
“
Isn’t it pretty! It’s so unusual. There’s a little present, too
--
Kenzie, where is the present?
”

Kenzie handed over a small book-like parcel tied in jute. The juxtaposition of the rough twine and satiny paper was lovely. Aggie wondered if Luke had excellent packaging taste or if Libby had helped him. Vannie’s excited voice broke through her thoughts again.
“
What do you think is in the package?
”

“
Why don’t you open it for me and see?
”
Aggie, her face buried in the bowl of flowers, was too distracted by the heady scents to realized that later she might be disappointed not to have opened it by herself.

Kenzie pulled the envelope from the floral pick in the bowl.
“
Can I read the note?
”

“
Sure.
”
She hardly heard the question, being occupied with fingering the petals of a jonquil.

“
Aunt Aggie,
”
Kenzie’s voice sounded as confused as her face looked,
“
why did Luke send a note that says, ‘I hope
that
you can de
--
de
--”

Vannie peeked at the note.
“
Decipher.
”

“
Decipher all I want to say?’
”
Kenzie flipped the card over to see if the back held an explanation.

Thus far, aside from her brief confidence in Vannie, Aggie had hoped to keep Luke’s feelings and intentions private, but she now realized it wasn’t possible. Things would be too complicated if she didn’t just explain now.
“
Well, it’s kind of a long story, but a couple of weeks ago when William was here, he told me he wanted me to marry him
--”

Before she could continue, Kenzie bounced excitedly on the bed and squealed with delight.
“
Oh, Aunt
Aggie
! How exciting! Can we come?
”

“
I told him no, Kenzie,
”
Aggie confessed, almost feeling as if she’d squashed the little girl’s hopes deliberately.

Kenzie’s face fell, but Ellie looked curiously at her.
“
Then why did Luke send you flowers?
”

Aggie settled back against the headboard, stacking pillows behind her back for comfort, and crossed her legs yoga-style.
“
Before I told William no, I asked Luke what he thought. He’s a good friend, and I value his opinion.
”
Aggie’s eyes met each girl’s before she continued.
“
Luke told me that if I don’t love William, and I don’t, then I shouldn’t marry him. Then he told me that he…
”
She grabbed her water glass and took a sip, trying to find a way to share the story without being careless with Luke’s words.

“
Aunt Aggie has
two
men who want to marry her! Isn’t it exciting!
”
Vannie’s eyes sparkled and her face glowed at the thought.

“
Ok, girls I want you to listen to me for a minute. I know it all sounds very exciting and romantic, but things aren’t always as they seem. Yes, William told me he wants to get married, but he doesn’t. He wants to help me, and this was how he thought he could do that best. It was very noble of him, but it was wrong. I cannot agree to marry someone who doesn’t want to marry me for
me
. Does that make sense?
”

Three heads nodded, but Kenzie’s face pouted.
“
But I love Mr. Markenson. He could be like a daddy.
”