Her Unlikely Family (22 page)

Then he passed an old-timey photo shop. That reminded him of the night he'd first realized Josie had roped him in. For the first time, he'd let himself think about having more in life.

And later when they'd laughed over dinner at Bud's? That was when he'd really dreamed of a future.

Now what did that future look like?

It depended totally on Josie.

 

Josie finished crushing boxes out in the back alley. She tied the bundle with a string, then hauled the umpteenth plastic trash bag into the Dumpster. Good, hard physical labor might at least help her sleep again tonight.

When she'd finished, she dusted off her hands and opened the back door into the kitchen.

And what a sight greeted her. Lisa stood with her arms in suds up to her elbows. Bud stood leaning against the sink, his ankles crossed, a crooked grin on his face.

Josie clutched her chest.
Oh, thank you, Lord Jesus! She's come home.

But how could that be? Had she run away again?

Lisa chattered about something. Josie couldn't hear what. Then Lisa laughed. Bud joined her, his raspy laugh sounding like a rusted door swinging open for the first time in eons.

Josie was too scared to speak.
Will she even want to see me?

Bud spotted her and waved. “There she is. I'll let you two talk.” He headed out of the kitchen, leaving a sense of dread to keep Josie company.

Lisa shook water off her hands, then grabbed a towel to dry them. Never once looking at Josie.

Josie kept her distance. “Lisa, honey, I'm so glad to see you.”

Lisa turned and rushed to Josie. Tears streamed down her face. “I missed you so much.”

“Oh, come here.” They hugged for a minute, Josie fighting her own tears. “Can you forgive me?”

“Of course. I did that ages ago. Realized I probably would have done the same thing for a guy.”

Josie gave her one last squeeze, then stepped back to take a good look. “You look great. Not a thing has changed, except you seem happier.”

“I'm happier than ever.”

Josie believed it. Lisa had an inner light just beaming. God had definitely been at work.
Thank you, Lord.

“So, I take it you didn't run away again.”

“No. Just visiting.”

“Really?” She glanced toward the door to the diner, wondering if Mike had come. Too stubborn to ask, she said, “I hope you'll stick around until I get off work in a little while.”

“I'd love to. I'll help here in the kitchen till then.”

 

Michael walked up to the diner and stopped on the sidewalk in the dark out front. Lisa had sent him a text message a half hour ago, and he'd just gotten the nerve to climb out of his car.

The sign on the door was flipped to Closed, but the lights were still on inside, illuminating Lisa mopping the floor and Josie wiping tables, laughing at something Bud was saying as he squirted liquid across the grill.

Josie and Lisa, and even Bud. Michael's new family, God willing.

If he had never come back, he would have left the best part of himself here in Gatlinburg. Thankfully, the Lord had brought him around.

He tested the door. It was unlocked. He opened it slowly so he wouldn't clang the leather strip of bells.

Music blared on an old radio, static and all. Bud bobbed his head in time to the beat. Lisa danced with the mop, causing his heart to swell as he noticed the same grace his sister had always had. He had another chance with this child. A chance to make the right choices this time. A chance to fulfill his sister's last request.

And Josie, his Josie…She carried a tray of salt and pepper shakers over to the counter and disappeared behind it.

 

Josie sat the tray on a shelf behind the counter. She un-screwed the tops of the salt shakers, removed them, set each one beside its shaker. All lined up just like every other day. A routine so familiar she didn't have to think at all. Which was good, since she felt more like running home and crying for a week. Lisa had come to visit. And Mike hadn't.

As she poured salt from the large container's spout to top off each one, her nose itched.

She rubbed the back of her hand over it. Then sniffed.

She could almost imagine that Mike was in the diner. His aftershave wafting in the air.

But she hadn't noticed it earlier. Not even on Lisa.

She sniffed again. Not Bud. Not her regular clientele.

Definitely Mike.

She popped up from behind the counter, upending the whole tray of open salt shakers.

He stood there smiling. “Oops. Was that my fault?”

“You don't look too repentant.”

“I'm not. I'm too glad to see you.”

He walked around the counter toward her. Correction—he stalked his prey.

She watched the stormy midnight-blue of his eyes the whole way. When he got within touching distance, he reached out and twirled one of her curls around his pointer finger. “I'm glad the curls are back.”

“It's the humidity. There's no use fighting what's natural.”

“No. No use fighting what's natural at all.”

Bud turned down the radio but didn't leave the room.

“I've learned a lot over the last few weeks,” Mike said. “Mainly how much I missed you.”

“Yeah, well, you knew the route here.” She wanted to sound tough, to put him in his place, but instead her knees felt as if they might give out. He looked so good standing there in the diner that she nearly cried.

“I did. But you see, I had a lot to accomplish before coming here. I had to get Gary promoted. To resign from some positions. And to sell my house.”

She grabbed hold of the counter to steady herself. “Sell your house?”

“Yes. I couldn't keep it when Lisa and I relocated to Gatlinburg.”

She looked over at Lisa. “Is he telling the truth?”

“Sure is. I'm enrolled in the school here. And we have this great house we found not too far from yours.”

“You moved here, for good? Why?”

“Because you're our shoe,” Lisa said, then laughed. “I'll explain later.”

Mike touched her shoulder, then took her hand. “Nothing was the same without you. Our family of two was nice, but we'd be a lot happier as a family of three.”

Was this really happening? Did she deserve such joy?

“I think God led us to you in the beginning,” he said. “I hope you can forgive me for leaving.”

The man had moved for her. Surely that proved he was sincere.
Lord, thank you.
“Yes, I forgive you. But are you sure this time?”

“Very sure.”

He moved closer, hovered a breath away. She could hardly think with him like that. “What about your job?”

“It's all arranged. I'll be working from Gatlinburg.”

“So this is all for real?”

He nodded. “Trust me, Josie? Me, with God's help, that is?”

She tried to remain firm when every muscle fiber had turned to spaghetti noodles. “Why should I?”

“Because I'm sorry for letting you down. And as far as is in my power, I won't ever do it again.”

“And…?”

“And because I miss your colorful hair.”

“It's pretty bland now.”

“Because I miss your curly hair.”

“And…?”

“And because I miss your joy in life, your bluntness, your smile….”

He was practically supporting her total weight. And he couldn't get any closer without touching his lips to hers. Still, she wanted to make sure he paid his penance. “And…?”

“And I may need you to hire me here if telecommuting doesn't work out.”

“I could do that.”

He ever so slowly leaned toward her, preparing to touch his lips to hers. “I love you, Josie. You can count on me.”

“Are you ever going to kiss me, Mike?”

He seemed more than happy to oblige.

Finally, after so many moments of wanting him to kiss her, his lips touched hers. She melted into him, deepening the kiss, pouring out all the hurts she'd had while he'd been gone, all the emptiness and heartache. In its place, she let his love fill the achy, needy part inside her. She was finally home.

“What about me?” Lisa asked. “Like, where do I fit in this picture?”

He smiled in the middle of the kiss, breaking contact at the corners. “Why don't you give us a minute, here?”

She giggled. “Hey, I'm cool with that.”

Bud banged on the grill with his spatula, louder than necessary. “I guess this means I don't have to kill you, Throckmorton.”

“No, sir. I have honorable intentions.”

“I 'spect you better tell me what they are right now, or I'll have to stop all that kissin'.”

“That depends on Josie.”

She grinned because she knew it was her move.

She gazed into his eyes, into his soul, to see the man she had grown to love. She knew about his strong sense of loyalty, and knew without a doubt that his loyalty, from here on out, would lie with her. And with Lisa.

Tears stung her nose. “I love him, too, Bud.”

Mike's breath whooshed out. “Thank you, God.”

“It's about time,” Bud said. “I've had enough of her moping around here. It's hard on business.”

Josie couldn't wipe the grin off her face as she and Mike stared into each other's eyes, holding hands. She couldn't imagine her life getting much better.

A soft hand closed over hers and Mike's. “So, are we going to be a real family?” Lisa looked from her to Mike, then back.

Josie thought her heart might burst to overflowing. “We already are, Lisa. We already are.”

H
elium-filled balloons floated around the diner. A huge Congratulations banner hung outside on the front window. Mike was so proud of Josie that he wanted to shout it out loud.

Instead, he approached her and whispered in her ear. “Miss Josie Miller, owner and proprietor.” Then he kissed the new owner of Bud's Diner. “Have I told you how proud I am?”

“Yes, about a dozen times. And I still can't believe it's really happened.”

“I can. You've worked hard and deserve it.”

“And to think, I did it without taking a penny from you or my parents.”

“Speaking of which…” He nodded in the direction of both sets of parents. “Should we tell them about our plans?”

“Yes, but let's tell Lisa and Bud first.”

They found Lisa at the grill watching Bud fry a hamburger. He carefully explained when to press and when to flip. Mike couldn't thank God enough for bringing all of them together. He was truly blessed.

“Hey, you two,” he said. “We've got some news.”

Lisa and Bud looked up from their cooking. “We already know,” Lisa said. “We figured it out last night.”

“Figured out what?” Josie asked.

“That you two are going to get married,” she said.

Bud mashed a sizzling burger. “We're more observant than you think.”

“And how did you figure this out, Mr. and Miss Smarty-pants?”

“You wouldn't get a sign made that says Josie Miller, Owner,” Lisa said with a smirk on her face. “So I assumed you were waiting to get one made that says Josie Throckmorton, Owner.”

“Pretty good reasoning,” Mike said. “Maybe you have the mind of a banker, after all.”

Lisa snorted. “No, thanks.”

Bud crossed his arms. “So when's the big day?”

“What big day?” Mike's mom asked, butting into the conversation. Before they knew it, everyone had gathered around.

Mike stared into the chocolate-brown eyes of his future bride. He ran his hands through her soft hair, trying to tame the wild mess. It was hopeless. And he loved every single renegade curl.

“In exactly one hour, you're all invited to attend our wedding at the little chapel up the road.”

The crowd cheered. All the noise faded into the background as he kissed the future Mrs. Josie M. Throckmorton.

“My crazy family will finally be official,” Lisa said. “And it's about time.”

“Yeah, Mike, it's about time.” Josie laughed, all her love shining in her expression.

“Hey, I've been asking you for weeks. Don't be telling me ‘about time,' you stubborn woman.”

“I did say yes, didn't I?” She winked at him, then said, “Come here, Lisa.” She kept one arm wrapped around his waist as she pulled Lisa into their embrace.

The three of them hugged, and Mike knew he'd never had a more perfect moment.