For Your Love (11 page)

Grinning, he pulled her closer and showed her that and more.

The following morning, Trent drove Rita Lynn back to the airport.

“Sorry again about the drama with Marie yesterday,” she said as they sat in the truck outside the terminal. She hadn't had much to say on the ride there.

“No apologies needed.”

“Did you tell Lily?”

“I did.”

“She's probably furious, what with Marie being her godmother and all.”

“No. Not a bit.”

“You wouldn't lie to me, would you? I didn't come here to cause dissension in your marriage.”

“I know that, and so does she. She's not mad at you in any way, shape, or form.”

Rita seemed quietly grateful.

“We'd like to have you back for Christmas. I know it's last-­minute.”

“I can't. I chair a fund-­raiser in Monterey every year the day after.”

“Then what about after Christmas, and stay until New Year's?”

She looked surprised. “You mean that?”

“No. I'm just kidding. The family and I never want to see you again. Of course I mean it!”

“Lily won't mind?”

“Would you stop worrying about Lily? She was the one who asked me to ask you.”

“She's remarkable.”

Trent had nothing to say to that, but he did smile. “So can you come back? And bring Paul and Val, so we can meet them, too.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Lord, I thought I was done with the waterworks.” She fished around in her purse for a tissue. “Yes, I will come, and I'll see if Paul and Val can come, too.”

“Good.” Trent didn't want her to leave, because the little boy inside who'd missed her all his life was afraid he'd never see her again.

“I've so enjoyed this,” she said.

“I have, too, and we'll be together from now on. Deal?”

“Deal,” she whispered.

“Let's get your bag so you can go inside.”

“I don't want to leave.”

“Honestly, I don't want you to, either. Scared I'll never see you again.”

She placed her hand against his cheek. “I'll be back. Promise.”

He took her bag out of the back and held on to it as they walked to the doors. Inside, she hugged him tightly. He hugged her tighter. “You take care of yourself,” she whispered.

“You, too. Make sure you text me when you land.”

“Will do. Give my regards to Mal, even if he doesn't want them.”

“I will.”

She wiped her tears. “Now go on home, or I'll never stop crying. I'll call and let you know what day we're coming.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Good. Tell Val you tried to behave, but it wasn't your fault.”

“She's not going to believe a word. Bye, son.”

“Bye, Mom.”

Out in the truck, Trent drew his palms down his wet eyes and started the engine. Never in his life had he ever imagined he'd say the word
Mom
. But he had, and it felt good.

When the plane took off, Rita sat in her seat a tremendously happy woman. The memory of seeing her son walking through that kitchen door for the very first time gave her goose bumps. Not only had she regained him, but he'd come bearing gifts like the Magi. She now had a beautiful and gracious daughter-­in-­law and
two
grandsons. Seeing Mal after so many years had been emotional too—­the drama aside. They'd had some great times growing up, and they'd made a child—­a bond they'd carry to their graves. As she basked in the afterglow of the visit, she thought about her parents and chose to stop damning them for what they'd done. Her memories of them no longer had to be twisted by anger and betrayal. She had her son back, the balance in her life had been restored, and she could once again honor them with love. She was truly blessed.

 

I
n the days following Rita's visit, Marie and Genevieve were still at such odds, Gen had Trent take her to the bus station so she could catch the Greyhound to Topeka and stay with her cousin for the weekend. Mal and Clay fell out over Marie's revelation, too. As Genevieve had tried to do, Clay pointed out that the incident happened during high school, but Mal wasn't buying. He started in on Clay about betrayal and loyalty until Clay shot back that had Mal been thinking above the shoulders and not below the waist back then, none of this would be happening. Mal took great umbrage with that truth and stormed off.

Clay, blindsided by the whole thing, drove over to Marie's and yelled at her for telling tales out of school, and because she couldn't defend the indefensible, she slammed the door in his face. Trent did his best to steer clear of all of it. He figured the Real Senior Citizens of Henry Adams would come to their senses . . . eventually.

“So what do you think this is going to be about?” Bobby asked Kiki as they set out Monday evening for the short drive to Tamar's. Bobby parked. The area around the house was filled with vehicles.

“I don't know, but looks like everybody's here. Crystal said it's a welcoming ceremony.”

“The last time we got welcomed, you'd've thought we were the president and the First Lady.”

“But I thought it was nice, and you did, too. Admit it.”

“Okay. It was kinda nice.”

“Then let's go in.”

They entered with the babies, and the sight of them set off a round of applause that they met with smiles. Genevieve, back from Topeka, rushed over to help get the babies out of their carriers. After hoisting one twin in each arm, she walked off to show them around. Bobby and Kiki handed their coats to Marie Jefferson, who was still mad at her housemate. The air was filled with the smells of good food wafting from the kitchen. Tamar, wearing an apron over a beautiful emerald-­green-­and-­black caftan, stood before the blazing fireplace and called out, “Can I have your attention, please?”

Everyone quieted down.

“We're here this evening to officially welcome Bob and Kelly and the twins, the Acosta family, and Gemma and Wyatt as our new neighbors.” Applause sounded in tandem with a chorus of welcomes. “We want to thank Crystal for bringing us Bob and Kelly.”

Crystal got a round of applause. Grinning, she executed a curtsy.

“And we thank Astrid Wiggins for Luis and his family. Secretariat's loss is our gain. She was also the reason Gemma moved here, so we thank Her Horsiness for that, too.”

Laughter filled the room. The Acostas smiled, Luis raised his cup of punch, and Gemma threw kisses.

“We'll have the ceremony after we eat, so for now, just have a good time. Food's almost ready.”

Tamar, Mal, Rocky, Bernadine, and a few others returned to the kitchen, and everyone else went back to talking and visiting.

Bobby and Kiki knew everyone except Dr. Reggie Garland and his wife, Roni. They were pleased to learn the doctor was Henry Adams's resident pediatrician, and equally impressed that Roni was a multi–Grammy Award–winning singer. Neither of them were familiar with her music, but she had a great sense of humor and promised them one of her CDs.

Crystal took them into Tamar's den, where the kids were gathered. The young ones—­Zoey, the daughter of Roni and Reggie; Wyatt, whose grandmother they'd met earlier; and the two Acosta kids—­were playing Angry Birds on the big flat-­screen on the wall. The older ones—­Amari, Brain, Eli, Leah, and Tiffany—­sat at a small table, playing poker, of all things.

“OG and Mr. Bing taught us to play the first winter we were here,” Crystal explained. “They said it would help with our math and concentration. But it was really to teach us humility, because they won all the time.”

Trent's youngest son, Devon, was seated by himself. The kid curled his lip at Bobby as he glanced Devon's way. He'd done basically the same thing when they were first introduced at the town meeting. Having no idea what the little round-­headed boy's problem was, Bobby ignored him and walked over to see who was winning.

“We're only allowed to play for pennies,” Trent's older son, Amari, said, not taking his eyes off the cards being played by the others.

“Which is a good thing,” Eli added, “because Leah is kicking our butts.”

“Again,” Brain groused, tossing down his cards.

The smiling Leah raked in her winnings. “Whose deal?”

Devon looked so put out that Crystal asked, “What's wrong with you, now?”

Zoey said, “He's mad because he wanted to play first and I told him to let Alfonso and Maria play first because they're our special guests.”

Devon sneered. “You're always trying to run stuff. I'm ready to eat and go home. It's always so boring over here.”

Tamar walked in. “You're bored? Come with me. We need help in the kitchen.”

Bobby thought the boy's eyes were going to pop out of his face.

Snickers were heard.

When he didn't immediately comply, Tamar said quietly, “Devon. Let's go.”

He rose sluggishly, looking for all the world like someone on his way to an execution, and followed Tamar out.

Once they were gone, chuckling filled the room and Zoey drawled, “Dumbass.”

The kids laughed.

Hearing a baby crying—­Bobby Jr., to be specific—­a smiling Bobby, Kiki, and Crystal exited, too.

Genevieve looked flustered. “I'm sorry. One minute he was fine, and the next . . .”

Kiki took him, and he pressed himself firmly against her. The wails diminished to whimpers. She gently rubbed his back. “You are such a mama's boy, aren't you? It's okay. GG Gen just wanted you to say hello to everyone.”

Tiara seemed content in Genevieve's arms, but was handed off to Bobby anyway. “I don't want her getting upset too.”

Genevieve leaned close to Bobby Jr. “I'm sorry, sweetie pie,” she said, and he began wailing again. “Okay, Baby Bob. I won't talk to you or even look at you for the rest of the night. I promise.”

From behind them, Sheila Payne asked, “Genevieve, are you pinching those babies?”

Genevieve grinned. “Hush.”

Sheila leaned close to Baby Bob and said softly, “Ms. Genevieve is really nice. You're going to love her just like we do one day.” His crying started again.

“But apparently not today,” Gen said, smiling. “I'll see you all later.”

“He's just tired,” Kiki said. “Hard work being a baby boy, isn't it, sweetheart?”

Sheila said, “If you need some quiet, I'm sure Tamar won't mind you slipping into her bedroom. Shall I ask her?”

“Would you? Before we all need earplugs.”

­People were turning toward the sound of the wails. Even though everyone looked sympathetic, Kiki said, “Lord, I'm so embarrassed.”

“Don't be. Everyone knows this is what babies do—­and those that don't? Now they do. Be right back.”

When Sheila returned, Crystal grabbed the diaper bag and they went into Tamar's big, old-­fashioned bedroom.

“Tamar said those cribs are here for them, if you want to lay the twins down,” Sheila said.

Bobby and Kiki both stared. Two antique cribs stood side by side.

Tamar walked in. “That one was Trent's, and the other one Mal's. Dug them out and cleaned them up when Crystal got back from Dallas. Thought they might come in handy when you moved here.”

Kiki shook head. “You all are amazing.”

Bobby met Tamar's dark eyes. The ­people of Henry Adams were so generous, he had no words. “Thanks.”

“You're welcome.”

Kiki extracted two bottles from the bag and laid the babies down in the cribs. After the first few sucks, they both fell asleep. Easing the nipples from their mouths, she covered them with the beautiful soft baby quilts in the cribs, and every­one tiptoed out.

Trent saw his dad sitting off by himself in a chair in a corner of the room. He'd noticed Bernadine with Mal earlier, and the two seemed to be having a quiet but serious conversation. “You okay?”

“No. Just stupid.”

“Ah. You want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“Okay, then how about I hang with you for a minute? Maybe the stupid will go away.”

Mal smiled a bit. “You're a better son than I deserve.”

“I'd heard that.”

Mal raised his eyes. “I finally find the one woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, and how do I prove it?”

“By being party to a semi-­brawl over a woman you haven't seen in forty-­plus years?”

“Bingo. And of course she heard about the whole thing.”

“Who hasn't? I thought I was watching a reality show.”

Mal sighed. “What a mess. Clay's mad at me. Gen's mad at Marie. How was I supposed to know Marie had a thing for me? She's like my sister—­has been my whole life. But evidently everybody else knew.”

Since Trent had nothing to say, he waited.

“So I tried to explain to Bernadine about a man's pride and Clay being my best friend, and how I couldn't believe he'd done such a thing. And you know what she said?”

Trent figured he did, but wanted to have it verified. “What?”

“ ‘It was forty-­five years ago. Grow the hell up.' ”

Bingo!
“Sounds like pretty good advice.”

“Yeah, well. Anyway, now she's mad at me, too.”

“Then how about you take her advice and apologize? Rita Lynn's coming back after Christmas, and she'll be here until New Year's.”

Mal hung his head. “Lord.”

“So you need to get this cleared up between you and Bernadine before then. Or do you still have a thing for Rita Lynn?”

“Of course not.”

“Maybe you should start acting like it.”

“I hate it when you're wise.”

“Rita says it comes from Tamar, because I definitely didn't get it from my parents.”

Mal laughed. “Good-­bye.”

“Love you, too.”

A short while later, upon seeing his youngest laying down silverware at all the place settings around the large dining room table, Trent wondered what he'd done to deserve such a dubious honor. A few years ago, Devon would've happily volunteered for such a detail, but the pout ruling his face now told all. Trent walked over and asked easily, “So what did you do?”

Lily walked in, carrying a huge bowl of mashed potatoes. “Tell the truth, Devon.” She set the bowl down in the center of the table, gave their son the universal mama glare, and left the room.

“Well?” Trent asked, and watched Devon debate with himself whether to tell the truth or not. In the end he confessed, “I said I was bored, and Tamar heard me.”

“I see.”

Tamar came in and set the ham down near the bowl of potatoes. “Devon, get the plates out of the sideboard.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Having been in his shoes plenty of times growing up, Trent knew how he felt, and the urge to help was strong. Apparently Tamar could still read his mind because she said to Trent, “Don't even think about helping him.”

And like Devon, he echoed, “Yes, ma'am.”

Heading for the exit, Trent patted his son on the back, “Sorry, kiddo.”

“It's okay, Dad.”

Devon was opening the sideboard when Trent left the dining room.

After a dinner that left them all stuffed, they gathered in the living room for the ceremony. Bobby had no idea what was about to happen, but after checking on the still-­sleeping twins, he and Kiki stood side by side and waited patiently while everyone formed a circle. Devon was passing out white candles. As he handed one to Bobby, he turned up his nose. Bobby ignored the slight, but Amari snapped, “Devon, I'm telling Dad. Quit it!”

Devon rolled his eyes and resumed his task.

“Sorry, man,” Amari said. “He's an idiot.”

“No problem,” Bobby replied, but he was glad to hear that Amari agreed with his own opinion of the bratty little round-­headed boy.

The lights were dimmed, leaving the blaze in the fireplace to illuminate the room. Tamar, her apron off and her wrists adorned with silver bracelets, lit her candle. “Would the original Henry Adams family step forward and light their candles from mine?”

Malachi, Clay, Marie, Bing, Genevieve, and Rocky stepped up, along with Lily and Trent.

“Now, Bernadine.”

Following her were all the adoptive parents and their children.

The parents lit their candles from Bernadine's and passed the small flames on to their kids. Glancing Kiki's way, Bobby saw her watching intently as Bernadine and the adoptive families carried their lit candles back to the circle.

Tamar said, “Many years ago, our ancestors came to Kansas and founded this town with a lot of hard work, perseverance, and dreams. Now we open our hearts to new dreamers.
Jack and Eli.”

They stepped forward.

“Jack, you never received a formal welcome. All Henry Adams teachers are descendants of Cara Lee Jefferson, so light yours from Marie's.”

Jack did so, and offered his flame to Eli. Once both were lit, they stepped back. Next came Gemma, crying silently, and her grandson Wyatt. They lit their candles from Bernadine's. Then came the Acostas.

“Luis and Anna, we welcome you and your family. We look forward to adding your rich history, culture, and traditions to our own.” As the Acostas lit their candles from Bernadine's, unfettered tears streamed down Anna Ruiz's cheeks. Luis, looking moved, put an arm around her shoulder and eased her close. He then hugged his kids, and for the first time since their arrival, Alfonso smiled.

Bobby had never seen anything like this before. He was very moved.

“Last but not least, Bobby and Kelly. Crystal is your sponsor. Let her light be the light that brings you into the circle.”