“Andy,” said Peter. “Thanks for bringing them out.”
“Did I miss anything?” said Andy.
“Just the usual chaos,” said Peter.
“Ah, here she is,” said Faye. Faye put her arm around Amber and brought her forward to see her mom and dad.
Amber looked at a lanky young man standing behind her mom. His brown hair was just slightly darker than hers, and his nose and mouth looked exactly like her dad’s. “Keith?”
“Hey,” said Keith. “Long time, huh?”
Amber stood uncertainly. Part of her longed to hug her brother, but he was so unfamiliar to her. She hadn’t seen him since he was six years old and now this teenager stood before her.
“Yes,” she said. “Very long.”
“Well, everyone come in and make yourselves at home,” said Faye. “Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.”
“What do you need help with, Mom?” said Brittney.
“I’ll come, too,” said Allie.
“Why don’t you come and sit in here,” said Peter to Thomas and Victoria. “I don’t know if Andy told you, but this is my parents’ house.”
“He told us we’d be coming to spend the evening with your family,” said Thomas as he sat on the couch. “Thank you for allowing us to intrude.”
“It’s no intrusion,” said Frank, sitting in the chair to his left. “My wife loves a party. The more people she can get crowded in here, the happier she is.”
Amber crossed in front of the couch and sat on the ottoman in front of the fire, allowing Peter to have the chair behind her. Sassy came and lay at her feet, keeping a watchful eye on the new people, while Andy, Logan, and Heather quietly made their way to the kitchen.
“Amber,” said Victoria, “you look wonderful.”
“Thanks. Living here has been good for me in a lot of ways.”
“I’m thankful for that,” said Victoria.
“She’s helped my wife lots, both here at the house and the office,” said Frank.
“Did I understand Mr. Williams to say you own a logging business?”
“Started it ’bout thirty years ago now,” said Frank. “Hard to believe it’s been that long.”
“Yes,” said Thomas, looking back at Amber. “Time certainly does go by quickly.”
“Is that your dog, sis?” said Keith.
Amber’s “no” and Peter’s “yes” had Thomas and Victoria looking at each other and Frank chuckling.
Amber looked at Peter and giggled. She reached down to rub Sassy’s head. “Well, sort of, I guess. She was Peter’s dog when I first got here. I was afraid of her because of another dog a couple years ago. But she insisted on hanging close to me.”
“She traded allegiances,” said Peter.
“Uncle Peter!” Emma raced into the room and launched herself onto the arm of his chair. “Grandma says come to dinner!”
“Am-er. You sit by me?” Taylor came running in behind Emma, squeezing past her to get to Amber. She patted Amber’s cheeks. “You sit by me, ’kay?”
Amber smiled. “Okay, Taylor.”
“Well, folks,” said Frank as he led the way to the dining room. “It will be a bit tight with all of us in there, but we tried it at Thanksgivin’ and everyone survived.”
: : : : :
Dinner was a lively affair and afterward all the ladies pitched in to help clean up. Peter, Logan, and Andy went out to set up the fireworks while Frank, Pops, Thomas, and Keith got a blaze going in the fire pit on the porch.
“We’re all set up outside, Mom, as soon as you’re ready,” said Peter.
“Okay,” said Faye. “Amber, why don’t you grab the marshmallows for the kids—”
“Grandma! You got marshmallows?” said Emma. She went running to the living room. “Taylor! Grandma got marshmallows!”
Everyone giggled as little Taylor cried, “Yeah!”
“Come on, girls,” said Heather. “Let’s get your boots and coats on.”
“Give me Megan,” said Brittney.
Amber stood beside her mom. “How old are the girls?” said Victoria.
“Emma is four, Taylor two, and Megan is almost eight months,” said Amber.
“They seem very attached to the whole family, including you.”
“Faye likes parties and she loves family. Logan and Heather live on this side of Portland, so it’s only about forty-five minutes to their house. They get to come down a lot.”
“And Brittney is a sister?”
“Yep. She lives in Portland, too, close to Pops, which is Frank’s dad.”
“And Peter lives down here?”
Amber began to lead the way out the French doors. “Yes. He has a house just a short walk away.”
“He seems nice.”
“The whole family is. Honestly, I don’t think I’d be standing here talking to you if it weren’t for them.”
“Then I owe them a great deal.”
“Can I interest you ladies in a sparkler?” said Andy.
“Sure,” said Victoria. “Thank you.”
Amber took one and both ladies held them out as Andy lit the ends. Suddenly Peter was in front of her holding Taylor.
“Come wats fir-works, Am-er.”
Amber smiled at her. “I don’t have my coat, Taylor. I’ll get cold away from the fire.”
“No, you won’t. I keep you warm,” said Taylor.
Peter grinned down at her. “You take Taylor and I’ll get your coat. Would you like yours, Mrs. Griffin?”
“Yes, thank you, Peter.”
Amber grabbed Taylor and walked to the railing so they could see the fireworks. Peter came back with coats and held Taylor so Amber could put hers on.
With the family lined up at the railing, Logan and Keith started lighting the fountains. It was very surreal to Amber. Emma squealed in delight while Taylor peeked out from Peter’s neck. A scene so familiar, yet so different. She looked at her parents, her mom leaning into her dad as they watched the flickering lights. They seemed at peace with the horror of that night so long ago. Strangely, the tightness that always came to her chest at New Year’s Eve was missing.
Peter looked at her. “You okay?”
She smiled back at him. “I am.”
He turned to Andy beside him. “Taylor, go to Andy for a minute.”
The little girl traded arms and Peter turned to look fully at Amber. “I know this night has a lot of bad memories for you, but I’d like this to be the first of many good ones.”
“It is. I—” Amber stopped abruptly as she realized Peter was holding out an open ring box to her. A beautiful diamond solitaire sparkled in the moonlight.
“I meant it when I told you that I would not rush you down the aisle,” said Peter. “You may pick whatever date you like. But I want the world to know you are mine. Amber, will you marry me?”
Tears overflowed and Peter gently wiped some away. Amber giggled. “I think I’ve cried more in the last few weeks then I have in years.”
“Does that mean yes?” said Pops.
“Hush and let them have their moment,” said Faye.
Amber laughed.
“Don’t know if I should remind you that the circus behind me is part of the deal,” said Peter.
“I love the deal,” said Amber. “And I love you. Yes, I will marry you.”
Peter took the ring from its case and slipped it on her finger. “In our family, the ring traditionally comes with a second gift.”
Frank walked over with a package and handed it to Peter. “Thanks, Dad.” He handed it carefully to Amber. “With my heart.”
She unwrapped the gift and found a blue leather-bound Bible. On the front cover was stamped “To My Beloved RAY.”
“It says ‘To My Beloved,’” said Peter, “because it’s from both God and me to you, and you are most certainly our beloved. But when we get married, my precious one, your initials will change to R-A-Y. You are not only my beloved, you are my ray from Heaven.”
“Oh, Peter,” said Amber. “I just don’t know what to say.” She held the Bible to her chest. I don’t remember receiving a more precious gift.
Taylor tapped Peter on the shoulder. “Unc Pe-er?”
He turned to look at her, “Yes, Taylor?”
“Does it mean Am-er family now?”
Peter smiled at Amber and reached for her hand. “Yes, Taylor. Amber’s family now.”
“Yeah!” said Taylor, her little arms stretched high.
As everyone giggled, Pops spoke up. “Good. Now we can do a proper dish throwing!”
Peter groaned as Amber laughed. “Come on, grumpy. I’ve never been part of a dish throwing before.”
Chapter 24
PETER GROANED MORE WHEN BRITTNEY
pulled up in front of his house in her Chevy Equinox and revealed several boxes of dishes in the trunk. “What did you do?”
“Wasn’t me!” said Brittney. “But as I helped Pops load them up he mentioned cleaning out a couple of thrift stores.”
“Pops!”
“What? Didn’t know you’s gonna ask this fine young lady to marry you tonight,” said Pops as he put his arm around Amber. “Figured you needed all the well-wishin’ you could get!”
Peter tried his best to not think about the dings he was certain he’d find on and around his front door as everyone joined in the festivities. Even Amber’s parents tossed a dish or two at the threshold.
As the last dish was finally tossed, Frank came up to his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t think about the marks in the wood, son. They’re just markers on the journey.”
“And we didn’t break any windows!” said Logan.
Peter laughed. “I appreciate that!”
“So when do we get to see inside?” said Faye.
“How about now, Mom?”
Peter led the way up the front steps, unlocking the door and flipping on lights. He welcomed everyone in but focused on Amber as she wandered around, taking in the details of what would one day be her home too. He joined her, Faye, and Victoria at the kitchen opening.
“Well?” he said.
“Peter. It’s beautiful,” said Faye.
“You did all this?” said Amber.
“Most of it,” said Peter. “Logan and Andy helped a lot and I had professionals come in to install a couple of things.”
“You’re very good, Peter,” said Victoria. “This is a beautiful home.”
Peter held out his hand to Amber. “I want to show you something.”
He led her up the circular staircase placed strategically to separate the living and dining areas and into a loft over the dining room and kitchen. An open railing allowed her to see the living room below and out the large windows situated on the upper half of the front wall. Two skylights, one on each side of the roof, would allow in more sunlight during the day.
“I thought you could use this as a studio,” said Peter.
She looked at him. “A studio?”
“Yeah, for your drawing. Or as an office if you decide to head back to school.”
“You designed all this for me?”
Peter walked the two steps to her side and took both her hands in his. “I originally started this house for my family. But late last summer I was frustrated. I watched Logan and Heather with the girls and felt like my dream would never come. Then you walked into our lives. Shortly after you arrived, I began to hope. And as I learned more about you, I modified the plans.”
“What do you mean?”
“You helped in little things. Like when I saw every shirt you looked at while Christmas shopping was blue, I purchased blue paint for the walls.”
“And the large walk-in closet in the master bedroom?”
“I know how Mom shops for Britt.”
She took a step closer to him. “And the two bedrooms on the other side?”
“That goes back to my dreams for a family. Sound okay to you?”
“Oh, yes. Peter, I don’t know that I could have imagined a better home. I love it.”
They walked back downstairs and joined the rest of the family. Emma lay sleeping on the couch, and Taylor was quickly fading in Logan’s arms.
“Nice job, Peter,” said Allie.
“Very impressive,” said Thomas.
“Still needs a woman’s touch,” said Frank.
“Here, here,” said Pops.
“You two shush,” said Faye. “He’s working on that just fine.”
Amber walked over to the front window and looked out at the starlit night. “Can we add one thing?”
“What are you missing, my Ray?” said Peter.
She turned and smiled at him, then looked at Faye. “I’d like to plant a maple tree out front.”
: : : : :
The hour was late as everyone walked back from Peter’s house. Logan gathered the girls’ toys and began loading them into their vehicle while Heather got the sleepy trio ready to travel. Brittney only stopped long enough to grab Pops’s coffee mug before she headed toward Portland.
“Can you folks find the road north okay?” said Andy.
“Yes, I think so,” said Thomas. “Thank you for meeting us in town and bringing us out here.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I’m glad you came, . . . Mom,” said Amber. She stepped forward and gave her mom a hug. Victoria seemed uncertain what to do at first then wrapped her daughter in her arms. As Amber stepped back, Victoria raised one hand to gently touch her cheek.
“You too, Dad.”
Peter watched as Victoria’s eyes misted watching her husband hold their daughter. They’ve got a real chance, Father. Thank You.
“If you don’t think he’d mind,” said Amber, “I’d appreciate the chance to thank Matthew for all the work he did.”
“I think he’d like that, don’t you, Thomas?” said Victoria.
“I’m sure he would,” said Thomas.
“I still have his card here,” said Andy. He pulled out his wallet and shuffled through until he found the right one. “Here . . . well, that’s strange.”
“What?” said Peter.
“Last week this card . . .” Andy stopped.
“Andy?” said Peter. “Last week, what?”
Andy looked at Peter. “His card is how I tracked down the agency. And it’s how I called him Tuesday morning.”
“What’s the problem, Andy?” said Faye.
He turned the card around so everyone could see. The golden words on the card sat in stark contrast to the brilliant white background. No agency name or phone number appeared on the card. It simply said, Matthew, Hebrews 13:1–2.
“I knew it!” said Faye as she looked at Frank.
“Knew what, Mom?” said Peter.
“Grab a Bible and look up his reference, son,” said Frank.
Amber picked up her new Bible and handed it to Peter. He flipped back to Hebrews and began to read. “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”