The Price of Trust (25 page)

"That was the only time I remember seeing him cry. I asked him once why he didn't cry at the funeral, and he told me that even though he missed her so much, he was happy for her because all of her pain was gone, and one day, he'd get to see her again. I think that's when heaven became a real place to me. When Dad showed me in the Bible what God had to say about one of his children dying, how the angels rejoice, I was finally at peace, knowing that she was where she had longed to go." She paused, looking tenderly at Joe, wondering if she should stop talking and leave him alone.

"Keep going," he said faintly, keeping his eyes closed.

"After she died, I was afraid to trust God to take care of me. I was afraid that he was going to take everyone I cared about away. So I clung to my dad, not liking to let him out of my sight. Poor Dad." She sighed. "He didn't really have a clue how to raise a daughter, but we sure were close. We did everything together. After Dad got sick and I started dating Ian, I clung to Ian for my security instead of trusting in the Lord. You know, it's a whole lot easier to say that I need to trust in him than to actually do it. I didn't want to be alone, so I thought Ian was the one God wanted me to be with for the rest of my life. But looking back, I can see that all the real trouble started when I depended on a person instead of God."

She stopped, listening to his even breathing, and watched him sleep for a little while, loving him all the more for needing her. She bent down and softly kissed his cheek. She pulled up his covers and turned off his light, leaving him to rest.

"Dinner's ready," Penny said cheerfully as Carly came into the kitchen.

Carly took a deep breath, appreciating the enticing aroma. "Smells wonderful!"

Penny placed the steaming pan on the table. "Have a seat. Tom and Kelly will be here any minute."

"Kelly's here?" Carly asked in surprise. "I didn't hear her come in."

"She came over after she got out of work to check on Todd. Here." Penny handed her a plate piled high with delicious roast and vegetables.

"Hello," Kelly said happily, seating herself next to Carly.

She smiled brightly at her friend. "Hi. I didn't hear you come in."

"You and Joe were talking, so I didn't want to disturb you. Boy, does Todd look rough!" she said, shaking her head. "I didn't know the flu could be that bad. He looks almost green. How's Joe look?" she asked, turning to Carly.

"He looks a little green too." Carly chuckled. "I thought he'd probably be better off sleeping, but he wanted me to talk to him. I was lucky to get out of there to eat!"

"Well, this is odd. I know we had two boys, but there are two girls here instead!" said Tom as he came into the kitchen and sat down. "Glad you both are here. Makes it a little easier on Penny." He winked at her as she sat next to him. "She doesn't have to do as much babysitting."

"Babysitting is right!" Penny laughed. "I always thought men were supposed to be big and strong, but when they get a little case of the flu, they're nothing but big babies."

Tom laughed heartily. "That's right! And if you have helpers, you can spend all your time babysitting me when I catch it!" He took her hand and blessed the food before continuing. "That's our job. We need to be babied every once in a while. Just think when those two boys are out, you can give me all your attention."

"I'll miss them when they're gone." Penny sighed wistfully. "When you two start having kids, be sure to enjoy every minute you've got with them, because they grow up way too fast! There are too many people out there that just don't take the time to enjoy their kids until it's too late. You blink, and wham. They're getting married and moving out."

"Uh oh, I think I hit a sore spot!"

Penny elbowed him in the ribs. "I just meant to enjoy them while you've got them." She smiled weakly, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

"What are you planning on doing tomorrow, Carly?" Tom asked, changing the subject so Penny could regain her self-control.

"I'm planning on coming back out here in the morning to check on Joe and help you both if you need me to," she said helpfully.

"I'm sure we'll find you something to do." Penny winked at her. "Joe will be glad to see you. I'm pretty sure he'll be feeling a lot better in the morning though, so if something comes up and you can't make it, don't worry about it."

"I hope he's feeling better." Carly sighed. "I miss him."

Tom laughed. "What do you mean you miss him? You've been with him almost all afternoon!"

"I know what you mean," Kelly interjected, patting Carly's hand. "It's just not the same without them joking around and fussing like they do. I'll be glad when Todd's up and doing better too."

Penny started clearing away dishes. "You're both welcome to come over tomorrow and see them."

"I'll help," Carly said, getting up.

She smiled warmly at Carly. "No, you go on up and see Joe for a little while. I can handle the clean up tonight."

"Are you sure?" she asked doubtfully. "I don't mind helping."

"I've noticed, but you go on. You've done enough for one day," she said, taking the dishes out of Carly's hands.

"Thanks," she said gratefully, dashing up the stairs to Joe's room. She poked her head quietly around his door, checking to see if he was awake. He hadn't moved since she'd left for dinner. She sat down at his desk and rested her head on her arms, watching him sleep for a few minutes.

"Carly," Kelly whispered loudly, shaking her shoulder.

She woke with a start. "Was I sleeping?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes and trying to focus on the clock.

"You were snoring." Kelly giggled. "I could hear you all the way in Todd's room."

"What time is it?"

Kelly smiled. "It's eleven. I'm getting ready to leave, so I just came in to say good-bye."

"Eleven?" Carly said, surprised. "I better leave too, or they're going to think that I moved in." She stood up, stretched, and kissed Joe's cheek. "Do you mind if I follow you into town? I got kind of tired sitting here."

Kelly grinned as she got her coat. "Sounds great. I'll keep an eye on you to make sure you're not driving erratically!"

"Are you leaving already?" Tom asked as they walked into the living room.

Kelly gave Penny a good-bye hug. "Yes, we're going to get on home before it gets late. Thanks for dinner."

"You leaving too?" Penny asked Carly as she shrugged on her coat.

She laughed. "I figured I better or you were going to think I moved in here!"

"By the way," Tom asked as he and Penny walked them to the door. "Who was that snoring upstairs?"

Carly gave him and innocent look. "Snoring? I didn't hear any snoring. Penny, I think you need to have his hearing checked."

"There's not a thing wrong with my hearing!" Tom said, grinning.

"You know, I've thought his hearing must be going. He says I snore too. I've tried and tried to tell him that ladies don't snore, but he doesn't believe me." Penny shrugged helplessly as Tom grabbed her to him in a bear hug. "You two be careful driving home, you hear?"

"We will," they said over their shoulders as they hurried out the door into the icy night.

Carly was miserable the next morning. She pulled the blankets around her tightly, trying to warm up, while every muscle protested loudly with even the smallest movement. She pulled her knees up closer to her chin and started rocking herself slightly. The pain in her stomach was almost unbearable.

"Oh," she groaned miserably as she looked at the clock. She shut her eyes tightly and concentrated on feeling better. Finally, she gave up. There was no way she was going to make it out to Joe's house that day. She had the flu. She knew she should probably call and let Penny and Tom know that she wasn't going to be able to make it, but the mere thought of getting out of bed and walking somewhere other than her bathroom was too overwhelming. The pain in her stomach worsened.

"Oh," she moaned again, clutching her stomach in misery. She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, reaching the toilet just in time. When she was finished, she sat shaking on the cold floor, unable to stand up. She lay her feverish forehead against the cool porcelain sink pedestal, tears streaming down her face, wishing she had someone to take care of her.

She sat for a moment longer, waiting to make sure the worst was over, washed her face, clumsily brushed her teeth, and wobbled back to her bed on legs that felt like rubber. She fell into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin, anxious for the day to be over.

"I thought Carly was supposed to be here this morning," Penny said as she and Tom sat at the breakfast table, sipping their coffee and preparing to start the day.

"Maybe she's sick."

"I hope not. Who's going to take care of her?" Penny asked with concern. "I wish I had a key. Maybe I should call," she said, going toward the phone.

"Call who?" Joe asked faintly as he walked into the kitchen.

"Joe! What are you doing up?" Penny asked, holding the phone in mid-air.

He sank slowly into a chair. "I'm getting ready to help with the chores."

"Are you feeling better already?" Tom asked with a doubtful glance.

"I'm feeling better," he said a little shakily. "I'm a little weak, but I'm good to go. Really."

"I don't think so," Penny said, hanging the phone back up to take care of the situation at hand. "I think you should take at least another day to rest. What do you think?" she asked, looking at Tom for his approval.

He finished his coffee and stood to his feet. "I think it's really up to Joe."

"I'll help as much as I can today, and if I start to feel worse, I'll stop and rest, okay?" he said soothingly. "I'm doing pretty good actually. Todd's still up in his room moaning."

"Maybe Carly's just late," Tom said, putting his arms around Penny and giving her a kiss. "She'll be all right."

"I hope so," she murmured, kissing him back.

"Where's Carly?" Joe asked as he, Tom, and Penny took care of the chores together. "I thought she was here yesterday, but I was so out of it, I can't really be sure."

"She sat by your side almost all day after she helped us around the farm. We didn't think we were going to get her to eat without you, but we managed," Tom said heartily, slapping him on the back.

Penny grinned broadly at him. "She's a good girl. I'm glad that you two met."

"I know. I can't even think of why I was ever interested in Amy now," he said, shaking his head in bewilderment. "I hope she's okay."

"Maybe you should go give her a call," Tom said, noticing his worried expression.

"I think I will," he said gratefully, setting down the brimming milk pails he was carrying. "I'll be right back," he said, jogging up to the house. He was back in just a few minutes, his expression glum.

"I take it she didn't answer," Penny asked kindly.

"No," he answered miserably, going about his work with much less vigor than usual.

"She'll be okay, son," Tom said, trying to make him feel better. "She knows how to take care of herself. She's had to for a few years now."

"I know, I just don't like her being by herself all the time. I'm afraid for her. I wish that house was done so we could get married. Then I wouldn't have so much to worry about."

"Are you worried about that Ian guy?" Penny asked, concerned.

"Do you think he'll come all the way out here?"

"I hope he doesn't," Joe said anxiously. "I don't know what would happen if he did."

"Well, whatever did happen, we'd be right there with you," Tom said confidently. "I'll take you into town later on to check on her, if you want."

"I'd appreciate it," Joe said thankfully, glad he had such understanding parents.

Carly tossed and turned, trying to get as comfortable as possible. Between her frequent bathroom trips and her bed sheets getting all tangled up, she hadn't been able to get to sleep. The phone rang downstairs. Moaning, she pulled the blankets up over her head, trying to drown out the offending noise. Whoever it was didn't give up easily, the reverberations going around and around in her head. Resolutely, Carly flung the blankets off and slowly made her way downstairs to the offending instrument. Restraining an urge to throw it across the room, she picked up the receiver.

"Hello?" she whispered feverishly, trying to keep her voice steady.

Dial tone.

Unsteadily, she punched in Joe's home number and waited for someone to answer.

Penny answered after a few rings. "Hello?"

"Hi, Penny," Carly said shakily, her stomach doing a flip-flop.

"Carly! How are you? We were worried about you when you didn't show up this morning!"

"I'm sorry, I was going to call earlier, but I couldn't make it. I had a pretty hard time making it to the bathroom," she said, holding her head up with her hand.

"You've got the flu," Penny said matter-of-factly. "I knew it when you didn't make it this morning. Oh, honey, do you need anything?" she asked kindly.

"No, I'll be fine," she said quickly, not wanting to put Penny out. "The phone was ringing, so I thought it might be Joe."

"No, Joe and Tom are gone. I thought they were coming into town to check on you. Are you sure you don't need me to come help you?" Penny asked, concerned.

"I'll be all right. I'm going to let you go now. I've got a date with the bathroom," Carly said miserably, clutching her stomach.

"Good-bye! Hurry!" Penny said quickly so Carly could leave. Slamming the phone down, Carly rushed as fast as she could to the bathroom at the back of the store. She wasn't a minute too soon.

She was shuffling out of the bathroom when she heard a knock on the door. Cautiously, she peered around the corner to see who it was.

Joe. Her knees buckling and wobbly, she walked as quickly as she could to unlock the door and let him in.

"Carly!" he said anxiously, peering at her face. "You look terrible! Here, let me help you up to your apartment." He gently took her arm and led her upstairs and into her bed. He tucked her in and took a look around.

"This is the first time I've ever been up here," he said quietly, trying not to disturb her. "It is pretty small, but I think I could handle it for a little while," he said, grinning.

Carly moaned, drawing her legs up to her chin to get more comfortable. "Yeah right. There's no way you could handle this," she said quietly, closing her eyes. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too," he said, sitting next to the bed, brushing her hair away from her face. "We kind of figured you were sick when you didn't show up this morning, so Dad brought me into town. Dad! I forgot he was waiting! I'll be right back," he said, jumping up and hurrying downstairs to let his dad know she was all right. He was back up in a few minutes, breathing hard as if he had run all the way.

"He's going to do some things in town for a little while, then he's going to come back by and pick me up, so I don't know how long I'll be here," he said, pulling up a chair and sitting beside the bed.

"Thanks," Carly said quietly, rocking slightly on her side to ease her pain. "How are you feeling?"

He grinned. "A lot better than you by the looks of it."

"You know, if we ever get married, you don't have to share your illnesses."

"If? What do you mean 'if we get married'?" Joe asked, his eyes wide. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" He glared at her.

"Yes," Carly said, smiling faintly.

"You're lucky you're sick, or I'd get you back for that one," he said saucily.

"Oh really? And what do you think you'd do to me?" she asked faintly, squeezing her eyes shut.

"I'd kidnap you and take you to the pastor's house and get married right away." He laughed. Carly moaned. "Can I get you something?" He asked anxiously, ready to do whatever was helpful.

"I think…never mind," Carly said hastily, jumping up and running to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Carly," Joe said through the closed door, trying to ignore the sounds coming from inside. "How can I help you if you shut the door? Come on, let me in. I can handle it."

"No way," Carly said weakly. "You're not supposed to see me like this until after we're married."

"Okay, I'll shut my eyes then. Come on, let me in," he coaxed, leaning on the door.

"Nope. You'll have to wait," she said, flushing the toilet.

"Are you okay?" he asked, listening for her to be finished. "Carly?"

She sat on the floor for a moment, too miserable and weak to move.

"Are you all right?" Joe asked, wiggling the doorknob impatiently. "Can I come in?"

"Yes." She sniffled, wiping her face with a cool washcloth. She leaned her head against the wall.

"Come on," Joe said, taking her arm and supporting her back to her bed. He helped her lie down, tucking the blankets in around her.

"Thank you," she said softly, trying to smile at him. He sat down next to her, smoothing her hair away from her face. "What are you going to do now?" she asked, curious to see how he would handle the tiny space. He fidgeted a moment before answering.

"Well." He hesitated. "I thought I'd just sit with you until Dad came back for me. Unless you needed me to stay with you longer." He looked around, stood up and went to the window, peered outside, shuffled back to his seat and sat down. "Honestly, I really don't know what to do now that I'm here." He grinned sheepishly. "What did you do while you were sitting with me?"

"I fell asleep." She smiled thinly, enjoying his discomfort. "Admit it. This place would drive you batty in fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes?" he asked in mock indignation. "At least give me the benefit of the doubt. Make it twenty." He grinned and took her hand in his. "But if I could marry you right now, I'd make myself endure this place." He rubbed her fingers tenderly. "Why don't you go ahead and go to sleep. I'll wake you up when Dad gets back."

"And miss seeing you so uncomfortable? No way, buddy. I'm enjoying this."

He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. "You're rotten, you know that?"

"Hey, I'm good at it; what can I say? Are you hungry? You'll find some fruit in the kitchen if you want any. Just help yourself."

"I am getting a little hungry. Do you think you could tell me the way? This place is so huge I might get lost," he said as he walked to the kitchen and helped himself to an apple. "I'd ask if you wanted anything, but I'd be afraid that I'd have to clean it all back up!"

"Ha ha." Carly groaned, trying to glare at him. "What are you going to do today?"

"I think Dad and I were going over to the city to pick up some things for the house, but he might have changed his mind. It's pretty cold out today, so I don't know if he'd want to help me work on it. If we go, is there anything that you might need me to pick up for you?" he asked as he walked over to the window to check for Tom.

"Can't think of anything."

He sat back down next to her, petting her forehead. "I guess Kelly's pretty sick too," he said, trying to take her mind off her stomach. "Mom called her this morning, and her aunt told her about it. Is that the phone?" he asked, surprised. He stood up to go answer it.

"Don't answer it, Joe. The only phone calls I've been getting have been from Ian, and I have no desire to talk to him."

He stopped at the door to look at her. "Maybe I should answer it then," he said heatedly, opening the door and taking the steps two at a time.

Carly struggled to get out of bed to follow him, praying he wouldn't make things worse than what they already were.

"Who is this?" she heard him ask as she came to the bottom of the stairs. "Ian, she doesn't want to talk to you, so just let her alone."

Silence.

Carly stood next to him now, watching his face anxiously. "Oh really? Well, I don't think that's going to happen. Thanks for calling." He hung up quickly, his face red with anger.

"Well?" Carly asked nervously. "What did he have to say?" He stared at her blankly as if he didn't see her. "Joe?" She shook his arm.

"What?" he asked, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. "What are you doing out of bed?" He took her arm as if to help her back upstairs, but she shook it off.