Her Unlikely Family (20 page)

Lisa hustled toward the kitchen and out the back door, letting the screen door slam.

Sure enough, his parents would love this Josie. She had it all. All except for the pedigree.

But she'd let Lisa down. It made him hurt to think of how excited Lisa had been that Josie was at an appointment to get her hair dyed green.

“Lisa sure doesn't seem very happy all of a sudden,” his mother said.

“I'm afraid that's my fault.” Josie sat in the chair across from them. “I've surprised her with a new hair color and look. Not a good surprise, obviously.”

“Well, you look lovely, dear. Maybe you can help me convince Lisa to have her hair changed back to her normal color once we get home.”

“I think she's happy like she is.”

“Well, I must say she's improved greatly,” his mother said, awe and maybe a little respect in her voice. “You two have done wonders getting her out of her angry, silent phase.”

“I owe it all to Josie,” Michael said. “I didn't handle Lisa well when I first got here.”

Josie laughed. “All he wanted to do was get back to the bank and to some important dinner meeting. But he seems to have found his calling. To care for Lisa.”

Oh, boy. Just what he needed. For Josie to bring up the bank before he could ease his parents into the subject.

Michael's dad nodded his head. “I see. So you've found your calling, son? And it doesn't involve getting back to work?”

“Actually, sir, I'm trying to make Lisa a priority, and I'm weighing my options as to how I can work it out.”

“Your mother's right, Michael. It's time to come home.”

His mother got up and moved toward the kitchen where Lisa had gone. “Why don't I go talk to her? I'll help her pack her things, and we'll leave tomorrow.”

“Lisa isn't going anywhere.” Michael ushered his mother back to her seat. “She's happy here, and until we feel she's ready to go back to Charleston, I'm staying, too.”

“What about the bank?” his dad asked.

“We need to talk about that.”

“Then let's talk.”

“Here's what I've been thinking.” Michael paced across the floor toward the front door, then back. “I'm thinking of naming Gary COO.”

His mother gasped. “You what?”

“He's perfect for it. And he loves it.”

“But we groomed you for that position. You've done an excellent job. Gary hasn't had time to prove himself yet.”

“Gary will do an excellent job, too,” Michael said.

“What would you do, then?” his father asked.

“A lot of the same things I do now, only Gary would be in charge. I would keep my stock and stay on the board of directors. I would have to cut back to serving on only one or two corporate boards. And I can do a lot of work at home by computer in the afternoons.”

“I don't want you working halfheartedly,” his dad said. “You need to decide whether you're onboard or not.”

Was his dad giving him an ultimatum?

“Of course I'm onboard, sir. I'm just assigning some of my duties to Gary. It's time he was promoted anyway.”

“You can't work in a family-owned business by computer. Personal service has been our hallmark since we opened our doors. How will Heyward Gasque feel if he calls to talk to you and gets some automated menu telling him to contact you by voice mail or e-mail?”

“I don't envision that happening,” he said. “I'll be there during school hours.”

“And what about when old Mrs. LaBorde comes in to withdraw her weekly allowance and has to deal with a teller? She'll be so confused she'll end up in the hospital again.”

“That's what Gary will handle so I can get away any time I need to.”

“Mrs. LaBorde has asked for you for nearly ten years.”

“I haven't worked out all the details yet.”

His mother looked encouraged. “He would be more available when Lisa has school functions for him to attend. And maybe knowing her uncle was more available would encourage her to come home.”

“I'm hoping so, Mother. And I guess I should tell you I want Lisa to live at home with me.”

“She's seems to be doing well. That should be fine,” his dad said.

“That's wonderful, dear. I'm sure she'll come home when you tell her that.”

Josie wasn't so sure she liked the way the discussion was going. The plan didn't seem to include her. She raised her hand as if in school. “But Mike—”

“Josie, I'm thinking about it, okay? It could work. We could live in my house with Lisa. She could go to her school as a day participant. Or even to public school.”

“We? As in you and Lisa—and me?”

He looked embarrassed to have said the all-inclusive word. “Well, sure. Maybe. I've been considering it.”

“Are you talking marriage?” his mother asked, and he thought she might pop the vein in her neck.

“No, Mother. We're just—”

“But you've never talked about me moving to Charleston. How can you toss out that idea right now? What about the diner?”

“The diner?” his mother asked.

“I'm going to buy the diner where I work.”

“And where might that be?”

“Near here. Bud's Diner. I'm a waitress there.”

Mike's mother's eyebrows rose again. “But Michael and Lisa can't possibly remain here permanently.”

The doorbell rang, throwing an unnatural silence over everyone.

Saved by the bell.
The stupid thought rang over and over in her mind as she went to the front door and opened it.

“Oh, Josie, honey. I can't believe it's really you.” She reached for Josie.

Josie leaped back, startled.

A man—her father—stood wide-eyed, staring. “Josephine, you look exactly the same.”

This can't be happening right now.

“Oh my goodness, come here. Let us hug you,” Josie's mother said.

Josie's face scorched with embarrassment at the awkward public reunion.

This wasn't at all what she'd envisioned when she'd imagined seeing her parents again for the first time in years. What rotten timing. She wanted to cry in her frustration, but hugged them instead.

It was almost like hugging strangers. They had aged so much. They even felt different, a little rounder, softer. And her dad seemed smaller. Not as threatening as she remembered.

Josie stood aside and motioned them in. “Mom and Dad, come in. I'd like you to meet my, uh, good friend. And his parents.”

M
ichael's heart dropped to his feet. Josie's parents?
Oh, Lord, why now? This can't be happening.

The late-afternoon sun streaming in the open door created a glare, so Michael couldn't see them. He went to welcome them, dreading the scene. Here was the abusive, beer-swilling, table-belching father. And the poor, overworked mother.

“Mom, Dad, this is Mike.”

He shaded his eyes as Josie closed the door. When at last he could see them, he stopped dead in his tracks. These weren't the characters of the police drama he'd pictured. “These are your parents?”

“Yes. Ben and Ruby Lee Miller.”

“Ben Miller?” Michael's dad asked from across the too-small room. “Benjamin Thomas Miller of Miller Enterprises?”

Ben looked across the room. “Is that you, Junior?”

Michael was sure the shock on his own face mirrored the look of disbelief on Josie's. “Your dad is Ben Miller?” he said to Josie.

“Yes. Do you know him?”

“I know
of
him. Through Dad.”

“My goodness, it's been years,” said Michael's mother.

The women hugged and the men shook hands.

Michael and Lisa—who had slipped in at some point—stood to the side. Josie's mom hugged her some more. Michael suspected he saw a few tears in Ruby Lee's eyes, eyes that looked just like Josie's except for the tired-looking wrinkles around them.

He still couldn't believe the scene before him.
His
Josie was one of
those
Millers?

“Well, Josephine, you've certainly come up in the world,” her dad said. “Most people would consider snagging a Throckmorton a coup.” He looked proud enough to crow.

Michael's dad smiled, but still appeared to be in shock. “I'd say both our kids have made a surprising match. Imagine, after all these years…”

“Why didn't you tell us who Josie was, dear?” his mother asked him.

He stared at Josie as he answered. “Because she never bothered to tell me.”

“Or me, either,” Lisa said in a pitiful voice from the doorway into the kitchen.

“Lisa, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Mike's niece, the girl I was telling you about. She's been staying with me.”

“You have got to be the biggest liar I know.” Huge tears rolled down Lisa's face. “You went and got your hair done up, dressed up all nice—Miss pearls in the ears—all the time acting like a poor waitress. And you're really one of them. A rich snob, no better than all the girls at my school.”

“It's not like that.”

“How could you lie to me? You, of all people?”

“I never lied. This isn't the real me. It's just…”

What was it besides a huge mistake? Why hadn't she thought?

Lisa laughed, but it caught in her throat in the middle of a sob. “I told Uncle Mike you were out dying your hair green in solidarity with me.” She huffed in a quivery breath. “How stupid did that make me look, huh?”

“Oh, Lisa, I'm sorry. I was just trying to make everything easier for Mike. I should have thought of you, too.”

“I don't want to hear it. I wouldn't believe a word you said anyway.” She turned to Mike. “I'm going to go pack.” Then she ran to her room and slammed the door.

“Josie, dear, I'm sorry if we've come at a bad time.” Her mom looked distressed. “Maybe we should go.”

“No. Stay. We'll just…” She waved her hand around the room in general, totally at a loss.

“Josie, can I speak to you outside, please?”

It was Mike. And he wasn't happy. Of course he wasn't. How else could he feel when she had devastated his niece with her makeover and secret past? “Sure. Out on the deck. The rest of you, well, make yourselves at home.”

How lame was that? She'd made a total disaster of the day and she was trying to play hostess.

As she walked through the kitchen and out the back door, she prayed that God would comfort Lisa.

Lord, why did I try to be someone I'm not, just to impress Mike's parents? It's exactly what I didn't want to do. And I fooled myself into believing it was best for everyone. But I was just trying to take the easy path.

I've been such a fool.

Michael followed Josie outside and leaned over the deck railing. “Would you care to inform me why you never told me about your family?”

“I did tell you about them. I just never named them.”

“You led me to believe they were some kind of country bumpkins, and that your father was abusive.”

“I led you?” She scowled at him. “You know good and well you took one look at me and made up your mind that they were country bumpkins.”

“But you said your dad was a tyrant.”

“He was. Probably still is. That's not a trait exclusive to the poor.”

“You've acted like you don't have a dime to your name.”

“I don't. Just what I've earned and saved.”

He paced across the wooden deck. “I don't get it. You could have called and asked for the money to buy the diner. Yet you've been scraping and saving.” He pointed to her hair. “You wouldn't even use enough of your savings to get your pink hair fixed.”

He plunked into a chair, then stood back up. “I feel like a fool. You had to know what I was thinking, yet you let me go on thinking all the wrong things about you.”

“Speaking of feeling like a fool…Apparently, I've been delusional in thinking you and Lisa and I had some wild chance at forming a family—here in Gatlinburg.”

“I can work out a schedule that fits Lisa's needs, but I would have to be there, in Charleston, for the bank.”

“But we need you.
I
need you.” It was the scariest admission she'd ever made. But she had to do it. She refused to act as if she didn't have serious feelings for him.

No more holding back. No more misunderstandings.

Her heart pounded as he seemed to consider what she'd said.

Michael was surprised at her honesty. Yet not really. She had always spoken her mind. He took hold of her hand. “Then come with me. We can buy you a diner there.”

She recoiled as if he'd slapped her. “You just don't get it, do you? Bud is counting on me. He's sent away other buyers and has waited for me.”

“Then invite him to move with you. Hey, we can even open you a jewelry boutique.”

“The diner belonged to his dad, Mike. I can't do that to him.” She stood and began to pace. “I don't get why you're pushing on this. You said you don't enjoy your work at the bank.”

“I'm excited about this new plan to put Gary in charge.”

“But do you feel called to be there?”

“I still don't have a real sense of direction. But they're my family, Josie. And the bank is my life. I can't totally walk away.”

“And neither can I.”

Michael had feared it might come down to this. An impasse. Because of duty. But he had been so hopeful she was The One that he'd thought they could work out the logistics.

He couldn't imagine leaving her here in her little diner. It hurt too bad to consider it.

“So, there's no ‘us,' huh?” she asked.

“I want there to be.”

“Yeah, me, too. I guess sometimes, instead of what we want at the moment, we have to choose our dreams and the path our life is on already.”

Josie wanted to cry, and to stomp her foot, but she couldn't manage either one. She couldn't force him to love her enough to give up his home and family. And why would he want to when she wasn't willing to give up her own dreams and aspirations?

“I guess we'll have to talk to Lisa.” She absolutely did
not
want to do that, especially when everything inside her ached, felt raw.

She and Michael were going to break Lisa's heart.

“I'll find her and talk to her,” he said. “I'm afraid she's too angry with you right now.”

“At least you're going to let Lisa live with you. I hope you'll let her go to public school.”

“I will if you think it's best.”

“For her, yes. At least I'll have the consolation of knowing I've accomplished what I set out to do.”

“Thank you, Josie.” He held his hand out to shake. The gesture cut her to the quick.

She shook his hand, then stifled a sob. She turned and walked back into the kitchen. She gathered herself—a feat that would impress her mother—and walked, smiling, into the living room. “Sorry to be gone so long. Are you enjoying your reunion?” she asked the parents.

“Oh, we are, dear. It's been a wonderful day,” her mom said. “We've just been telling them how today has been a reunion with you, as well.”

Great.
Another reason for Mrs. Throckmorton to hate her. Of course, that wouldn't matter anymore.

“We're so tickled that you and Michael have feelings for each other,” her never-to-be mother-in-law said.

“Yessiree, Josephine, you've made your old dad proud.” He nearly beamed.

Of course, the one time she'd made her dad proud had only lasted about ten minutes.

It was time to tell them that
feelings
weren't enough.

 

Michael stared out into Josie's backyard. He would miss the green of her trees, the cool crisp air, the mountains nearby.

No time to be sentimental. He had a job to do. Unpleasant, but necessary, nonetheless.

He walked toward the kitchen, but found Lisa already standing there just inside the screen door. “Oh. I was coming to find you.”

She opened the door and stepped outside. “I figured you would soon. I heard.”

“What do you mean, you heard?”

“I was in my room and heard Josie telling the parents that the two of you won't be a couple. That your lives are too set for either of you to move.” She couldn't look him in the eye. “I'm sorry. I know you really liked her.”

He let his head drop and sighed. Nothing about the day had gone right. “Yeah. But sometimes feelings aren't enough. Love, even, isn't enough.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, let's talk about how this affects you.”

They sat side by side on the steps leading from the deck to the yard. The supposed stray cat inched toward them and began to wind its way around Lisa's legs, purring almost as loudly as a car engine rattling down the street out front.

After waiting while the car engine faded away, he said, “I'm sorry you had to hear the news that way.”

“Yeah, well, life stinks sometimes. Today is one of those days.”

His thoughts exactly. “I know.”

“I guess I'm ready to go back to school. I'll be good this time, I promise.”

He couldn't blame Lisa's insecurity on Josie. He was the one who had let his niece down over and over. Well, no more. “I want to ask you a favor.”

She shrugged. “Okay.”

It was amazing to him how simply she agreed. No strings attached. No maybes. Just “okay,” as if he hadn't recently dashed the dreams and prayers she'd shared.

“It's time for me to go back to Charleston,” he said. “I'd be honored if you'd come live with me.”

She sat up straighter. “Live with you—at your house?”

“Yes. You can fix up your very own room.”

“For good? Not just temporarily?”

“For good. Like a real family.” He smoothed his hand over her spiky hair. “You can go to public school if you'd prefer. I promise you can be yourself.”

She smiled, tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Uncle Mike.”