Her Unlikely Family (12 page)

He sighed as Lisa started to wiggle out of his clutch. Once her feet hit the ground, she pointed down the street. “There's his truck. I'll have him bring me home after the movie.”

“Be there by eleven,” Mike said.

She picked up the plate holding the funnel cake. “The movie may be at nine.”

“Then eleven-thirty.”

“Okay. You two have fun.” She balanced the plate out in front of her as she darted toward the truck that had pulled to the curb and parked illegally at the intersection.

“Saying thank-you could never be enough. But thank you,” he said as he watched Lisa drive off. “You've given me back my niece.”

“I didn't do it. God did.”
Definitely time for a deposit in my thankful box.

He looked up to the darkening evening sky. “Thank you, God.”

“I'm grateful, too, but we have a new problem. She's acting so perky because she's cooked up a plan to play matchmaker for you and me.”

“What?”

“We've got to be careful how we handle this new hope she seems to have about us,” Josie said. “She sees it as the solution to you asking her to come live with you.”

“We'll deal with it like every other obstacle we've encountered. Right now, I'm too relieved to worry.”

He gazed at Josie, fierceness blazing in the midnight-blue. “You've helped me find the Lisa I remember. The Lisa from years ago before my sister started drinking heavily.”

“I can't imagine how hard it was for your family.”

“The problem is, we didn't deal with it at all. We tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away.”

“We all have our skeletons in the closet, Mike.”

He sat on a bench and patted beside him. “Tell me your skeletons, Josie.”

She joined him, close enough that their legs touched. For some reason, she wanted to talk about her world, her family. “My dad played king of the castle. He ruled over the household with an iron—or as he would claim, godly—hand.”

Mike didn't speak, encouraging her to say more. She knew she could trust him with her secrets. He was honorable. Strong. It would be a relief to share what she had never shared with anyone else.

“Like I said the other day, he was gone a lot. When he was in town, he was the model citizen at work and at church—which is what turned me off about going to church when I was young. But at home, he was almost cruel. He was cold. Demanding. My mother scurried around trying to do his bidding.”

“Did he physically abuse you?”

“No. Never. But we still feared him. He claimed he treated us that way out of love. Out of a sense of responsibility. But I think he was on some kind of power trip.”

Michael had seen his share of power-hungry men. They preyed on those who were weaker. It turned Michael's stomach. “I'm sorry you had to grow up in a situation like that. No wonder you ran away.”

“I was just so tired of having to keep my mouth shut. Of having to worry about what I said, who I said it to. You can imagine how hard that was for someone like me who had so much to say.” She laughed, but it sounded as if it was out of the pain he imagined she still dealt with.

“I'm glad you got away,” he said. “So you could learn to be you.”

“That's why I think Lisa needed to get away, mainly from her grandmother. She felt—feels—like she's not able to be herself.”

“What about with me?”

“You've done a good job, Mike. Every day she seems more secure with you.”

“Thank you, Josie. For everything.”

She looked off into the distance and jangled a silver charm bracelet on her left wrist. “I think you're about ready to take her home.”

He'd been contemplating the same thing. But every time he would envision driving up to the boarding school, unloading her baggage, hugging her, then saying, “See you next weekend,” the picture never balanced with what was in his heart. Nothing about the scene ever added up right.

He couldn't imagine what life would be like with Lisa in it every single day. But he knew he couldn't send her back to school. She deserved a family.

She needs me.

There. He'd thought it, and the earth hadn't stopped spinning.

He stood and crammed his hands in his pockets. Determined to speak the words before he could change his mind, he blurted, “I can't send her back to boarding school.”

After taking two seconds to process what he'd just said, Josie grinned and threw her arms around his neck—pretty much the way Lisa had. A split second later, his arms closed around her waist, completing the hug.

“She'll be thrilled,” she said.

“Don't get too carried away.” He set Josie aside. “I'm not ready to tell her yet, because I'm not sure exactly what to do. I'll take this one step at a time.”

She squeezed his arm. “You'll do fine.”

“Well, I'd better. It's my fault, you know. The night of the wreck, I told Patricia she was a horrible mother and Lisa would be better off without her.”

“Oh, Mike.”

“She was crying and probably couldn't see the road.”

“You didn't pour the alcohol down her throat. Let it go,” she said.

He nodded. “You're right.”

He searched up and down both sides of the street, ready to lighten up. It was time to move forward. Time to have some fun. “What next? You still need to show me the town.”

“Pictures. To mark this momentous night.”

“Sure. Where to?”

She guided him to a studio that took old-timey photos. They went their separate ways to pick out costumes. Michael couldn't resist dressing as the Wild West version of a banker. As he headed out of the dressing room, he was half-afraid that Josie would show up in one of the skimpy saloon-girl costumes.

But Josie…Well, she looked outrageously cute in a bandit outfit with her hair tucked under a cowboy hat, twirling a toy gun around her pointer finger. Chaps fit perfectly with her jeans. She even had on a pair of boots that were about two sizes too big.

Something in his chest twisted around, then settled, as if finding its place for the first time ever. He had to force words past the tightening in his throat. “You look perfect, Josie.”

She pointed and laughed at his choice of wardrobe. “I knew it.”

The photographer posed them in front of an open safe, then stuffed a bag of coins into Michael's hand.

Josie pointed her gun at him as she fought to look serious. “Stick 'em up.”

He raised his bag of “gold,” along with his other hand, in surrender.

The camera clicked and flashed. But he didn't bat an eye. As he stared at Josie, he realized he would never need to see the photograph. He knew exactly what it would reveal.

It would reveal the look of utter fear on his face as he surrendered more than gold to Miss Josie Miller.

A
fter their photo session, Josie said, “Do you mind if we go check on Bud? He's working by himself tonight.” She held up the bag of photos. “I'll show him our pictures.”

Michael motioned her ahead of him. “I don't mind at all.”

After a brisk walk back to his motel, they got in his car and drove to the diner. As they entered, Josie waved at Bud. “How's business tonight?”

“Dead.”

“Good. Take a break, and I'll make you a burger.” She smiled at Michael. “How 'bout it? Bud's teaching me to make the best burger in town.”

“If you say so, then maybe I will.”

“You look doubtful. Trust me, Mike. You'll love it.”

A smile raised the corners of his mouth. “I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”

“Of what?”

“Trusting you.”

She leaned against the counter. “I'll try my best not to fail you.”

Considering he'd just admitted to himself that he had feelings for Josie, that was a tall order. “I'm counting on it.”

“Here, Bud,” she called across to the grill. She waved the bag. “Come see the pics we had made.”

Josie handed the bag to Bud, who carefully laid it on the counter so he could wash his hands before handling the photos. Without any hesitation, Josie tossed three hamburger patties on the grill. As Bud examined the pictures, he directed her when to flip and when to press. It was like watching a father teach his child, preparing for passing down the family business—which pretty much seemed to be what was happening.

While Josie intently pressed grease out of the patties, Bud directed his attention to Michael. He stared once again at the old-fashioned photo, then glared at Michael.

Bud leaned over the counter, closer to him. “All I've got to say is don't hurt her. Or you'll have me to tangle with.”

“I have no idea what you're talking about.”

He gestured toward Josie. “I'm not blind. And you're not stupid.”

Michael did the only thing he could think to do at the moment. He nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Bud nodded back. As he eased away, a hand massaging his lower back, he said something that sounded like “She deserves better than you.” Then he hollered. “Take 'em off now, Josie. What're ya trying to do, burn 'em up?”

As grouchy as he sounded, Josie grinned at him and came over to pat his cheek. “I'm learning. They get better each time.”

Bud gently put the photos back in the bag. As he did so, Michael noticed he took a moment to gaze at the image and almost smile.

Michael knew Bud wasn't admiring
him
. It spoke volumes about the relationship Bud and Josie had, one that Michael hadn't realized until that moment.

So, Josie had found a substitute father, one who was gruff but who truly cared—unlike her own jerk dad. Good for her.
Thank You, Lord, that You provided for Josie.

Josie gathered the food and shooed Bud away when he tried to carry a plate. “I'll get it. You sit down, and we'll join you.”

And thank You for providing for Bud, as well.

“Naw.” Bud took the plate from her. “I'll just eat a quick bite in the kitchen if you'll cover out here for me.”

“Take your time,” she said as the kitchen door flapped closed behind him.

She picked up the spatula and somehow twirled it through her fingers. “I've got more of the town to show you. But first, you need food. Come try the most mouth-watering bite of beef you'll ever taste.”

He didn't doubt for a minute that eating a burger lovingly cooked by kind, big-hearted Josie guaranteed the burger would taste better than the finest steak anywhere.

 

After Michael finished what he said was the best hamburger he'd ever tasted, Josie rested her chin in her hands and studied him as he wiped his mouth on a napkin and took a swig of ice water, draining the glass.

“I had big plans for tonight. Lesson Number Three,” she said.

“I'm up for it, now that I've had sustenance.”

“It was to teach you to have fun.” She smiled at him. “With Lisa.”

“Oh. Well, I'm sure you're just as fun as she would be.”

“I think the photo session was plenty of fun for the evening. How about we stay here and talk?”

“Sure.” He settled back in the booth.

Bud joked with a customer who'd come in to place a to-go order. Other than that, the diner was empty, no chatter, just the hum of the coolers and ice machine in the distance. “I love it here,” she said. “The sounds, the smells, the wild activity during peak times, the lulls like now.”

“And one day it'll all be yours.”

“Yep. Bud's been letting me take over his duties gradually. The ordering, paperwork, financial aspects.”

“Like apprenticing.”

“Yes, very much so. By the time I'm ready to get the loan, I should be ready to take over the business.”

“So do you think owning this business is God's plan for your life?”

She thought of the many opportunities she'd had in her life, all of which would have earned a good living, would have honored God, but that she had let slip by. “I'm not so sure God's plan was for me to run away and live all the places I've lived. But I do think he's wanted me to bloom where I'm planted, so to speak. I think He approves of what I'm doing with my life now. It may not be His original plan, but I feel like He's using me here, in my church, in my work.”

“I guess God uses me in my church work as well, but nothing like what you've been doing by helping runaways.”

“I bet you do more than you let on. Lisa mentioned donations to her school. Do you make other donations?”

“Uh, yeah, I give a little here and there—local missions, foreign missions, that type of thing. I help when I can since I've been so blessed.” His cheeks reddened. Either in embarrassment or modesty. She would guess the latter.

“My guess is you help a lot.”

“Like I said, I've been blessed.”

“See, we all play our part.”

“But your help is hands-on.”

“We all have our gifts. Of course, I'm sure my church could use two more capable hands.” She grinned at him, hoping he would think she was teasing. But she was only halfway teasing. She would love for him to stay and to get involved.

With the church. With her ministry to teens.

Who was she kidding? She would love for him to stay and get involved with
her,
too.

“Maybe I'll look for more opportunities to help, hands-on.”

Her heart pounded. Could he mean in Gatlinburg? “Great idea, Mike.”

Bud clanged around some pots and pans, then started scraping the grill, cleaning it. “I think he's hinting that he wants us to leave,” she whispered. “Time to start closing.”

“Let's offer to help,” he whispered back.

“Hands-on ministry?”

He covered her hand with his, and it was warm. So warm. “Yes, hands-on.” His smile said he knew exactly what his touch meant.

Bud dropped something metal, making a huge racket, but he wasn't looking at the mess on the floor when she jerked her hand back and glanced in his direction. No, he was glaring at her. Well, actually, glaring at Mike.

“How about we help you there, Bud?” Mike asked as he scooted out of the booth.

“No. You take Josie on home in case Lisa comes in early.”

“It won't take long if you let us pitch in,” Josie said.

“Naw. You two go on.”

 

After they left the diner, Josie accepted Mike's offer to follow her home. He walked her to the porch, then loosely took hold of her hands. He looked like a puppy dog waiting expectantly for a treat. Anyone who thought of her as a treat…Well, she had to like him. How could she not? He was so earnest, so dedicated to Lisa. And there he stood, looking as if he wanted to kiss her.

There was no way around the fact that she was starting to care for the guy. She had been since…Most likely since he'd tried to bear hug his niece that day while playing mini-golf.

Definitely since he'd talked to the woman at the boutique about buying her jewelry.

This guy could do serious damage to my heart.
Especially since he and Lisa would leave soon. Their hug said they were ready to make their own way.

Do I want this badly enough, need this badly enough to risk it?
Maybe Lisa's plan wasn't so crazy after all. At least temporarily.

“I had a really good time tonight,” he said. “Thanks for showing me the town. And for the burger.”

“I had fun, too. So I guess you aced Lesson Number Three.” There was that look again. Was he going to kiss her? Did she even want him to? She wasn't certain she was ready.

“Lisa would be proud of me.”

“Yeah. Who would have imagined it? Michael Throckmorton, Fun Guy.”

He gave her hands a squeeze, then whispered, “It's Mike. I can be Mike when I'm with you.”