Chapter 29
29
TO HAVE A GOOD FRIEND, one needed to be a good friend. And since I’d practically ghosted Julia the past month, I’d made sure to keep our beignet date the Friday after she’d called me out at the dog-themed library event. She’d brought me up to speed on her happenings, and I’d filled her in on everything, including Cést Fou’s capture.
Due to Julia and Samuel scoring tickets to a Pelicans’ game, we’d postponed last night’s rendezvous to this morning. And for the sake of ensuring Hayley didn’t overhear us, we’d made a ten-minute drive to the Audubon Riverview Park (a.k.a. the Fly). Up and over the levee we’d gone, dipping down into the space buffering the Mississippi River and Audubon Zoo.
A to-go box that had held steaming beignets now sat empty on our bench. Before us lay the Mighty Mississippi, the edges of its waters lapping the bulkhead only two yards away. Julia had eaten in silence as I’d divulged my chat with Micah’s boss and subsequent convo with him.
She lowered her café au lait, resting it atop her leg. “Do you believe him?”
I gazed at the river, the murky water bobbing and weaving, mirroring my thoughts. “I feel like I’d be a fool if I did. I mean, the evidence seems clear, right?”
“It does. Though I could see why he wanted to hold the events at the café to spend more time with you.” The crease along her forehead smoothed. “It’s sweet.”
“It is.” I finished the last sip of my now tepid coffee and stuck the cup in the cardboard beverage tray. A breeze arose, stealing the scent of chicory and replacing it with damp earth and algae. “But how can I disregard what his boss said about me teaching that class?”
The wind intensified, tossing Julia’s ponytail. She unwrapped it from her neck. “Did you interact with her at that library event? Maybe she’s a scatterbrain. Oh! Or a conniver. She knew you didn’t want to do the classes but hoped to manipulate you into them because she knows you’re dating Micah, and you wouldn’t want to hinder his career. Micah looking good makes her look good to her boss.”
“That’s diabolical.” I brushed my bangs from my eyes.
“People in this world are known to do shady things.”
The echo of a referee whistle sounded, and I turned. On the other side of the road, one of the soccer fields hosted a rugby game, a thin crowd lining both sides. I returned my gaze to the river. “One thing I’m sure of. He was right about me comparing him to Ryan.”
“Give yourself grace. It’s hard not to do that, especially with the way Ryan treated you. How he’s still treating you. It’s a tender area.”
“I know but still.” A tugboat chugged along, maneuvering to the shipyard on the opposite bank.
Julia picked at the cardboard sleeve of her to-go cup. “If you can’t trust Micah, that’s not a solid foundation to build a relationship on.”
“And there’s my struggle.” I bent over, reached for an oyster shell, and chucked it into the water. “I don’t sense that user vibe from him.”
She set her coffee in the drink tray and pulled her phone from the thigh pocket of her running pants. She swiped and tapped at her cell, then held up the device. “Neither do I.”
Unforeseen joy struck me at the picture filling the screen. Micah stared at me, adoration in his eyes. I glanced at Julia and back to the phone. “You’re a sneaky one.” Taking in his sincere features, warmth ballooned in my chest, lifting my heart. Based on our clothes, the candid occurred at the library luau. Before the kiss and chaos had ensued. “He’s been supportive of everything I’ve been doing. Hasn’t complained once about how busy I’ve been. And look at how great he is with Hayley. Plus, caring for his dad.” I texted the pic to my phone and returned Julia’s cell.
She stuck it back in her pocket and reached into the open box between us, pinching a clump of powdered sugar and dropping it in her mouth. “Have y’all even been on a date yet? Just the two of you?”
I winced. “No.”
Her brows rose. “If your heart isn’t in it all the way, it’s not going to end well for either of you. Or Hayley.”
“I know.”
“Before we part ways today, we’re going to pray on it.”
“That’d be nice.”
“Okay.” She straightened, dusting powdered sugar from her fingertips. “Catch me up on the Vieux Carré Café. Are you still on the hunt for a silent partner?”
My stomach twinged, and I pulled in a deep breath that held a hint of waterlogged wood. I studied my wrist on my lap, the spray of freckles on my forearm. “Ever since you gave me that smackdown about ignoring God’s will, it’s given me a different perspective to consider. And coupled with Micah sharing about college and his mom...” I shrugged.
“I bet that wasn’t easy for him, knowing you could’ve taken it the wrong way and gotten angry. It shows he put his concern for you above his own neck.”
“Sort of like what you did with your smackdown talk.”
“It wasn’t a smackdown.”
“I’m pretty sure I saw ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage peeking around the corner, ready to be tag teamed in.”
Smile lines fanned at the borders of her eyes, and she directed her gaze to the water. An enormous black-and-red tanker moved upstream at eye level. “What Micah said, is that how you feel? Duty bound to the plans you and Claire made?”
I nodded against another gust of wind, unsticking the hair caught across my lips. “It’s this weird sensation of wanting to complete the goals we’d set but also dreading when they’re done because then ... it’s over.” A hollow weight slid into my bones, and I hugged my arms to myself. “Everything I’d planned with Claire is finished. I guess that’s why I jumped on the Vieux Carré Café so hard. It was another link to her. To having more things to achieve in that specific space she’d daydreamed about.”
Julia angled toward me, resting her elbow on the back of the bench. “Claire left you with something far better than business goals and her musings of the Vieux Carré Café. She left you with Hayley.”
An ache gripped my heart, and my eyes pricked. “When I’d first gotten the news of Claire and Adrian dying in that accident, I thanked God Hayley hadn’t been with them.” I wiped my nose with the back of my hand. “And not for her sake, but my own.”
A glossy sheen swept Julia’s eyes. “That’s exactly what I’d thought, too, when Mark died. I trusted in God that for whatever reason, it was best for Mark to go home to heaven. And I’d praised the Lord for leaving me the boys.”
Sniffling, I pulled two tissues from my purse, handing her one. Thank You, Lord. For bringing Julia into my life all those years ago, precisely when I needed her. Closing my eyes, I gave in to the peace of the moment. To the breeze swirling, the lapping water, and the cherished friend sitting next to me. A rustle broke in, and I opened my eyes to a white egret landing along the bank nearby.
Julia fiddled with her tissue. “If you’d been the one to die, do you think Claire would’ve deviated from those plans y’all made? It’s a lot of burden for one person to shoulder, especially with raising a child. She may have stretched that timeline or abandoned it altogether.”
“Maybe.” That same thought had occurred repeatedly when exhaustion from running the café and parenting had set in. The egret stalked along the river’s edge, its sharp gaze scanning for prey. I couldn’t help but think of Ryan and how he’d had a similar predatory gleam in his eyes the last time I’d seen him. “I’d just really hate for Ryan’s plans to succeed.”
“What’s it been since he left you high and dry? Eleven years?”
I nodded.
“That’s a long time to hold a grudge.” She folded her Kleenex into a square, and then an even tinier one. “Perhaps Ryan’s return is God’s way of letting you work on your forgiveness of him, so you can move on. Truly move on.”
I scoffed. “How can I forgive him if he’s not sorry?”
Her expression gentled. “You don’t need an apology from someone to forgive them. And believe me, in this case, forgiving Ryan isn’t for him. It’s for you.”
For the next ten days, I wrestled with Julia’s suggestion of forgiveness. Although I hadn’t made peace with the idea of pardoning Ryan, I had come to the conclusion I couldn’t continue the hectic schedule I’d been on. I’d pulled back my efforts. And it was oddly freeing.
It was a Tuesday, and I’d just shown the courtyard for a wedding anniversary, which I’d successfully booked. One bene ficial aspect with all the networking was the increase in catered events, which meant extra income on the horizon. I’d have the new fryer paid off in no time and be in a position to schedule the painters to redo the porch ceilings.
I sat in my prayer nook, the afternoon sun streaming through the oak’s branches, lighting on the pavers that had blessedly remained poop free since Cést Fou’s apprehension. As a result of drastically cutting back on business functions, I’d caught up on work, leaving my nights open for Hayley, intentionally spending time with her. We’d begun watching the old movies Mawmaw had introduced to Claire and me, and on a few occasions, Micah had joined in.
On Father’s Day, after church, we’d had lunch at Micah’s house, meeting his sister and her husband and two teens. It’d been an easy gathering, getting to know everyone, seeing Micah with his family. That layer of vulnerability that had coated my heart steadily thinned. My run-in with his boss still weighed on him, and he’d mentioned searching for a different position, but I’d reassured him it was fine. All the little and big things he’d done for me and Hayley, and also reflecting on the boy I’d grown up with, led me to believe Micah Guidry was trustworthy.
I braided my fingers over my skirt. Lord, I don’t understand everything that’s happened in my life, and I don’t just mean the past few months. But I trust You. Please help me be wise in all areas. Hayley, Micah, the café. Ryan came to mind, and a shard of resentfulness surged. My hands slid, curling around the edge of the bench. I know I should pray for him, but it’s hard. Rolling my shoulders, I squeezed my eyelids together, wrestling with what I wanted versus what was truly right. I don’t know if I can forgive him, or how, but I think I’m willing to try. Posture hunching, I stared at an acorn lying sideways next to my heels. And, God, if You see fit, it’d be great if You kept Ryan from getting his cheating hands on the Vieux Carré Café. Amen. I tipped my head back, wrinkling my nose in apology, thankful God loved me in spite of myself.
The Magnum P. I. theme song rang from my phone, signaling it was Micah. I smiled as I answered. “Hey.”
“Are you in the middle of anything?” His tone exuded unease.
“What’s wrong?”
“My dad called. He knocked his walker out of reach and can’t get up from the sofa.”
“I’m on my way.” I darted across the courtyard and up the steps into the café, heading for my office.
“I hate to ask.” The struggle in his voice was clear. “But I’m about to go into a meeting, and can’t get a hold of Renee.”
I grabbed my purse and rushed back out. “I’m leaving the café now.”
I’d found the hide-a-key rock where Micah had told me he’d left it and let myself in the side door, depositing myself into the kitchen. “Hello! It’s me, Kate!” I infused chipperness into my tone, masking my worry. “Micah asked me to drop in.” Hopefully Mr. Gary didn’t like to lounge on the sofa in tighty-whities.
“I’m in here.” His voice came from an open pocket door to the right. When I’d been here on Father’s Day, this door had remained closed.
I quickly made my way down a short, wide hallway. The sound of a television intensified as I entered a large space styled as a bedroom and small den. And there Mr. Gary sat on a loveseat. Blessedly, fully clothed. His walker lay askew on the floor. “Hi, Mr. Gary!” Taking in the easy situation before me, my smile turned authentic.
“I’m sorry you had to come.” His cheeks mottled red, and he pointed a remote at the TV, switching it off.
“I’m not.” I moved closer, dropping my purse on the couch and setting his walker upright. “This is a wonderful change of scenery since I’ve been stuck at work all day.”
“Micah told me not to sit here when I was alone, that the cushions were too soft and would be hard to get up from, but...”
“But you’re a wee bit stubborn?” I winked.
A rueful smile tipped his lips. “I am. And look where it’s gotten me. Next time I’ll stick to that.” He inclined his chin to a nearby wooden chair abutting a sturdy end table.
I stood in front of him, planting my feet and offering my forearms, like I had so many times with Mawmaw. He latched on, and I carefully helped him stand. Once he was stable, I reached for the walker.
He gripped it with both hands. “I think you’ve done this before.”
“I have.”
“I’m glad my son’s dating a woman with experience.”
I chuckled. “Please don’t go telling your friends that.”
He gave a hearty laugh, his eyes twinkling. “Now that I’m upright, I’m heading to the can.” With a firm grip on his walker, he steadily shuffled toward an opening set in the back wall next to his bed. No doubt an ADA bathroom.
On the drive over, I’d asked Micah about bathroom assistance, and he’d said his dad managed fine on his own since he’d graduated out of his wheelchair again. Not wanting to be a lurker, I retrieved my purse and retreated to the kitchen, keeping alert for any crashes or calls for help. With every moment of silence that passed, the tension that had wound through me the past five minutes released. In all of the hustling over here, I hadn’t had time to think about those darker days with Mawmaw. I’d been solely focused on getting to Mr. Gary. That old fear hadn’t had a chance to take hold of me. And it wasn’t hooking its claws in me now. Thank You, God.
“You still here?” Mr. Gary called out.
“Yes, sir.” I pushed off the doorjamb and moved farther into the modest kitchen. The entrance to the dining and living room lay on the other side. I peeked through. If I only had two words to describe the space, I’d go with rustic charm. Pine floors and the identical planks on the tall ceilings. On one side, a moss-green sofa set sat before a simple entertainment center. Across from where I stood lay a farmhouse dining table, an exposed brick fireplace, and French doors leading to a deck.
My gaze slid to the fireplace mantel and the line of books stretching the surface. C. S. Lewis, Tolkien. Bright orange caught my attention, my lips parting. A Nerf dart. The one I’d shot Micah with? I hadn’t noticed it when we’d been here two days ago. Those last dregs of worry floated away.
Mr. Gary’s shuffle-thump neared with his approach, and he reached the space faster than I’d expected. A smile graced his face. “Thanks again for coming, but you don’t need to stay.”
I glanced around, genuinely not ready to leave and struck by the fact that it felt right being here. A stark contrast to what I felt at all of those networking events. “Um, I thought I’d hang out, if that’s all right. Hayley’s at her friend’s house, so ... would you like some coffee? I’m not much of a cook, but coffee I can handle.”
“How about coffee and a game of poker?” He motioned to the breakfast nook, and the deck of cards on the table.
I smiled. “It’s a deal. Though I should warn you, my grandma taught me how to play.” I raised my brows with an air of haughtiness. “Penny ante.”
His eyes lit. “My kind of lady. I wanted to play on Father’s Day, but Micah and Renee wouldn’t let me.”
“Are they any good?”
“Terrible.” He moved toward a chair and eased onto it, using his walker. “How about we play for something interesting?”
“Like?” Even I heard the leeriness in my voice. Had I unwittingly walked into a gambling trap?
“If I win, you owe me an order of beignets once a week for a month.”
I puffed a laugh. “Okay.”
He smiled, cutting the deck of cards. “If you win, you get my BBQ pit.”
My stomach mini heaved. For several reasons. The greatest of which was the eyesore outdoor grills were. “Oh no, I couldn’t.”
“Sure you could. I play for stuff like this all the time. I lost my old record player to my grandson.” He shrugged. “One of the speakers is busted, but I’m certain he can fix it.” He shuffled the cards. “Before that, I lost my big screen TV to my daughter. Of course, it had started randomly turning on and off on its own, but it still worked.”
My lips pursed. What ailed his BBQ pit? Missing grills? No hood? I held up my hand. “I can’t. Beignets for a BBQ pit isn’t a fair trade.”
“I think it’s fair.”
And I think you’re trying to offload useless items from your house . “I don’t cook.”
“Perfect! Grilling isn’t cooking.” He pointed behind me. “Coffee’s in there.”
With a smothered sigh, I turned to where he’d indicated and opened a drawer, grabbing a bag of grounds. My gaze caught on what lay on the counter before me. A sheet of paper dotted with crumbs and a coffee ring stain, heralding the Jefferson Parish Library logo. I fumbled the bag. Micah worked for Orleans parish. Jefferson was our sister parish to the west. Smaller, but still a part of the greater New Orleans region. The header on the page read, Job Description: Programming Specialist Librarian. A lump of shame plopped into my stomach and sank-sank-sank.
“Find it okay?” Mr. Gary asked.
“Yes, sir.” Oh, I’d found something all right.
For the next hour and a half, I’d slipped off my heels and sat in the kitchen with Mr. Gary, drinking coffee, trying to lose at poker, and trying not to think about that paper on the counter. A plethora of scenarios ran through my mind. Had Micah told his boss I wasn’t on board with teaching those classes, and she’d given him the boot? Or had he and Mr. Gary planned an elaborate scheme for me to come here today, find that job description, and think better of Micah’s intentions? I glanced at Mr. Gary. I didn’t think he had it in him to be a true schemer, especially with the unclever way he tried to unload his BBQ. And honestly, I sensed to my core Micah wasn’t a schemer either.
The side door creaked open, and Micah appeared. He wore dress slacks, a button-down with a tie, and he held a matching jacket. A complete suit. Despite how devastatingly handsome he looked, that lump in my stomach sank deeper. He’d either been to a funeral or a job interview. And I knew the answer.
He scanned his father from head to toe and moved to me, his assessing gaze remaining on my face. He placed his keys and a black folder on the counter, and cleared his throat. “How’s it going?”
“Your girl here’s a card sharp.” Mr. Gary laid his cards facedown on the table beside his dwindling poker chips. “How’d your meeting go?”
I fidgeted with the top button on my short-sleeved cardigan set. Meeting or job interview?
“Good, I think.” Micah hung his coat on a peg next to the door.
My attention dwindled to the pair of kings in my hand I needed to discard. Good as in he’d be starting all over again with a new library system? That the relationships he’d begun with his patrons would end? That he’d be leaving Hayley’s be loved branch? Taking a position that put more miles between him and the parent he cared for?
Mr. Gary reached for his walker.
I fought the instinct to help. The last time he’d gotten up, and I’d offered my arm, he’d patted it and told me he was fine. I gathered our cards, setting them atop the deck.
“I’m going to watch the news.” Mr. Gary eased to his feet, his attention on me. “If I don’t see you before you go, thanks again.”
“Any time.”
And with that he shuffle-clomped away, pausing to shut the pocket door behind him.
Micah set his hip against the counter, studying me again. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
He scratched his chin, his brows lifting.
“Truly.” I widened my eyes for emphasis. “I think because it all happened so fast, and ... it’s hard to explain. It was just a strangely nice experience.” I picked up the mugs from the table and brought them to the sink. “I’m glad you called.”
His expression eased, his arms loosening at his sides. “Then I am too.”
I turned on the faucet, filled the cups with water, and shut the tap off. “How’d your job interview go?”
His mouth pulled to one side in adorable awkwardness. “Suit gave it away, huh?”
“And the job description you left.” I motioned to it.
He followed my line of vision, wincing. “I was waiting to see how the first interview went to tell you. That was today.”
“You don’t have to get another job.”
His gaze held on to mine, and his throat bobbed. “I don’t know how else to make it clear I didn’t use you.”
My heart swelled. Here stood a good, good man. A selfless man. And I’d been a fool to think otherwise. To even consider comparing him to Ryan. Two steps in my bare feet, and I wrapped him in a hug, pressing the side of my face to his chest. “You don’t need to do anything. I’m sorry I didn’t fully believe you before. And I’m sorry I let my past get in the way.”
His arms enveloped me. Strong and secure. And forgiving. “It’s okay.” He nuzzled my hair, placing a kiss to my temple.
I closed my eyes, breathing in a trace of his aftershave and savoring what felt like a new beginning. Thank You, Lord, for this sweet gift. That I didn’t ruin it. Basking in the comfort of his embrace, I could only think of how Micah’s life could’ve taken a drastic turn if not for his firm faith. The loss of his mother at a young age had irrefutably shaped him. He’d chosen not to be angry with God but to help others like he’d been helped. And the loss of his marriage and his inability to conceive. He could have turned bitter. Shaken his fist at the Lord. But he’d leaned into God. And God had seen him through. Gratefulness expanded within my chest, pressing against my ribs. I slid my hands between us and smoothed my palm down his tie. “It’s smart to see what else is out there, in case Mrs. Gail returns or Regina changes her mind.”
“Gail’s not coming back. She officially resigned yesterday.”
I lifted my head. “So her job is yours?”
He gave a restrained nod.
A relieved puff of air flew past my lips. “Then take it! Unless you’d rather work in Regina’s office.”
A crease deepened along his forehead. “I don’t want any doubts between us.”
“I promise you”—I lightly tugged his tie—“there aren’t.”
An easy smile stretched his face, the skin at the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Then I’ll stay where I am. I like it there. A lot. And it’s close to home.”
I pulled in a long, almost-victorious breath and released it. “Today was a good day.”
A soft chuckle vibrated through him. “You having to come rescue my dad equals a good day?”
“Knowing I can. And knowing you’ll ask me when you need help. And also realizing, with all of my heart, I trust you.”
His expression softened, and he traced a fingertip along my cheek. “Then today was a very good day.” His voice held a rough scrape of emotion.
And in that moment, my heart became his.