Lone Star Blessings

“Just think about it, Dad. If you want to keep the living room like it is, we’ll move the furniture around and make it work.”

The doorbell rang and Kate rose. “That’s probably Seth.”

Kate was delighted to see that it was Seth and he’d brought Emma and Toby along.

Seth held up a television. “Emma thought Marvin might be getting bored. This set isn’t too big, but it has a built-in DVD player.”

“He’ll love it.” She closed the door. “He’s pretty antsy.”

Emma gave a mock shudder. “Drives me nuts when I’m stuck in bed.”

Kate gestured for them to follow her toward Marvin’s bedroom.

Emma rested one hand on her son’s shoulders. “Toby’s a ruthless Monopoly player. Think your dad would like a game?”

“He loves games—any kind. Thanks, Toby.”

The boy shrugged, embarrassed to be the center of attention. “I don’t like being sick, either.”

“Hey, Marvin,” Seth greeted the older man.

“Seth, good to see you!” Marvin sat up a bit straighter, pleased by the company. “And Emma! You look prettier every time I see you.”

She blushed, looking almost too young to be a wife and mother.

“Hey, Toby. Whatcha got there?” Marvin asked.

“Monopoly.” Toby held up the Texas edition. “Mom thought you’d like it.”

“She’s right.” Marvin rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

“We left the twins with a sitter,” Emma told Kate. “You know they get into everything they see.”

“Especially my stuff,” Toby added, as he laid out the game on the hospital-style bed table that Kate had rented. “But they’re okay.” Big brother pride crept through, making them all smile.

Seth placed the television on one end of the dresser. “I’ll run a line for cable,” he mused. “Won’t take a minute. The connection must be close, since the TV in the living room has a satellite converter.”

Kate was overwhelmed by the generosity of her father’s friends. “You all are great.”

Emma waved away the words. “I feel bad that I haven’t been over much since Marvin came home. During the week, it’s harder to get a sitter—and trust me, Everitt and Logan aren’t a good combo with anything that’s not totally indestructible.”

Marvin looked up from the game pieces. “I’m not fragile, you know.”

“Of course not. But the twins are like little tanks. Toby had a science project he’d been working on for weeks. They totaled it in about three minutes. By the time I figured out they’d learned how to get around the baby gate, his project was history.”

“That must have been tough,” Marvin sympathized.

“They didn’t know better,” Toby excused them, as he counted out the Monopoly money.

Kate met Emma’s proud, touched gaze. “That’s quite a boy you have there.”

“That’s for sure,” Emma agreed, her turquoise eyes suspiciously moist. “He’s a gift from the Lord.”

Emma had confided that Toby had been abandoned by his family and it was the boy’s faith in Seth that had broken down her husband’s defenses, allowing him to include Toby and Emma in his heart.

Seth pressed his wife’s shoulder affectionately, then headed outside.

Emma regained her composure. “I didn’t bring over any food, because I figured you’d be deluged with it. Thought I’d wait till next week. Would Saturday be okay? I’d like to bring you something for Sunday dinner.”

“That’s not necessary,” Kate protested.

“Sure isn’t,” Marvin chimed in. “Next week’s the first Sunday of the month, potluck lunch after church services. We can stay, eat there.”

Surprised, Kate stared at her father. “You don’t think you’re going to church that soon?”

He picked the dog for his Monopoly piece and plunked it on the game board. “Don’t see why not.”

Kate had her hands full with him at home. How could she take him to church? “For starters, you don’t have your specialized wheelchair yet.”

“The therapist said I’d have it by Monday,” Marvin replied. He slanted a glance at Emma. “Say, have you found anyone to teach the girls’ Sunday school class? What are they, about ten?”

“Twelve, actually. Preteens. And, no.” Emma shook back her blond hair. “Jennifer Laroy was great with them, but now that she’s moved, well…It’s always hardest to get teachers for the teenagers. Got to have someone with energy.”

“Kate’s got a ton of energy,” Marvin mused. “Do her good to have someone to talk to besides me.”

Gaping at her father, Kate tried to fashion a courteous rebuttal.

“Would you really be interested?” Emma’s voice bloomed with enthusiasm. “The girls would be thrilled. They’re all fascinated with city life, since they’ve only lived in Rosewood.”

“Well, I…I have to be here to take care of my father—”

“Nope. Soon as I have that wheelchair, I’m going to church.” His no-nonsense tone of voice was one she remembered from earlier years.

“We’ll have to clear it with your doctor…” Kate tried to imagine the logistics of getting him out so soon.

“The church has a van that’s equipped with a lift,” Emma informed them. “We use it for the school as well.”

“The church is only three blocks away,” Marvin interrupted. “What do you say, Kate? We can walk that far.”

Roll, you mean.

He looked too hopeful to refuse. “I suppose.”

Emma clapped her hands together. “Wonderful! I’ll send the materials for the lesson over with Seth, so you can have plenty of time to get ready. I’m so pleased!”

She hadn’t meant that she agreed to teach. Kate looked at Emma, then at her father. Their faces were beaming. His was the brightest it had been since his fall.

Fait accompli. She hadn’t attended church in at least five years, and she’d just signed up to teach Sunday school. Sunday school!

Tucker filled a bowl with some of the oatmeal Alyssa had insisted on making for him. Since it was Sunday, he decided he could forego his routine of only black coffee.

These days, he rarely awoke with an appetite. As a kid, he loved Sunday breakfasts. His mother always made something special—French toast or waffles. And Shelley had done much the same.

Alyssa hadn’t forgotten about her expanded shopping list. They’d resupplied the pantry and filled the refrigerator. He still didn’t want his daughter doing so much, but his workdays hadn’t shortened yet.

“Dad?” Alyssa bounced into the kitchen.

“I’m eating the oatmeal.”

“Good.” She stubbed the toes of her shoes against the wooden floor, first one foot, then the other. “Um…I was wondering if you’d go to church with me.”

He pulled his eyebrows together, his forehead wrinkling. “You know I don’t go to church anymore.” Not since Shelley died.

She fiddled with the top rung on one of the chairs. “But today’s special. I’m getting a new Sunday school teacher.”

Tucker released the spoon, allowing it to slide into the warm cereal. “Lissy, I want you to be happy, but…” All the unanswered prayers he’d said for Shelley floated before him, reminding him of the bitter result.

She swallowed, her face downcast. “I just thought, you know, how we have a picnic lunch after…and…it’s families…”

Tucker’s clenched jaw twitched. “You can sit with your friends.”

Alyssa shrugged halfheartedly. “Yeah. I guess.”

He’d never intended to deny her anything. She was the most important thing in his life. But the betrayal he felt was so deep, still so raw…. Initially, he’d wanted to forbid her from attending church. But he could picture Shelley’s disappointed face, and he hadn’t been able to take that final, irreversible step. “Come here, Pop-tart.”

Her feet dragged as she walked around the table toward him.

He hugged her, wishing it could be different, wishing everything hadn’t gone so terribly wrong. “I love you, Lissy.”

Hugging back, she sniffled. “Me, too.”

“Tell you what. I’ll walk with you to church, or drive if you want.”

“Walk,” she decided, still looking unhappy, tearing at his heart.

He shoved the uneaten oatmeal aside. “How ’bout if I come back when church is out, share the picnic with you?”

Her face transformed in an instant, and she grabbed his neck in a fierce hug. “Thanks, Dad.”

His heart constricted as he hugged her back. “Okay, scoot. We have to get ready.” Even though he didn’t intend to enter the church building, his years of being a member mandated he dress appropriately.

It didn’t take him long to change into a suit. Straightening his tie, he stared hard in the mirror, his voice barely audible. “Just so you know, Lord, this is for Lissy, not me.”

The clatter of Alyssa’s shoes on the wood floor made him spin around and walk back into the kitchen. “You ready?”

“Yeah.” She grabbed her bible from the counter. “When Grandma called, she said they’re going to California on vacation, but she’ll call you before they leave.” Shelley’s parents lived in Dallas, but they kept in touch by phone and regular visits, and the Sunday morning phone call had become a ritual.

“Grandpa got his way, huh?” He smiled as the screen door banged closed behind them. “A fishing trip?”

“Grandma didn’t seem to mind.” Alyssa hopped down the front steps.

Their neighborhood was one of the oldest in Rosewood, and Main Street was barely six blocks over. Since Rosewood had been settled in the nineteenth century, many of the houses were Victorian. Not being a planned community, small houses often flanked larger, more ornate ones. The oak and elm trees were old, tall and broad, lining the streets and sidewalks. As they walked the few blocks toward church, the scent of late-blooming roses infused the air. Most of the century-old bushes should have been long dormant, but the mild Hill Country weather allowed a long season.

Tucker and Alyssa weren’t the only ones walking to church. Most of their neighbors chose to leave their cars home on clear Sundays. They’d covered one block when Alyssa tugged on his sleeve. “Look, Dad.”

Some woman was trying to back over the stone curb with a man in a wheelchair. He had only a rear view of them, but he could see they were having trouble. Tucker hastened his gait. “Whoa! Let me give you a hand.”

The woman muttered something that he couldn’t quite make out. When he reached them, she turned her head. It was her.

“I’ll ease the chair over the curb, if you’ll watch the leg rests,” Tucker offered.

“Thank you.” Kate gritted the words out through clenched teeth as she tugged on the handles again, making no progress. “It seems stuck.”

She was as cordial as he remembered. Having seen her at the hospital, he assumed she must be some sort of health worker—which made sense, seeing her now.

Once the chair cleared the curb, Tucker turned it toward the church. “I’m guessing you’re headed this way.”

“Thanks.” The older man sounded greatly relieved. “I’m Marvin Lambert.”

“Tucker Grey.” He extended his hand, surprised by the strong shake from the older man. “And, this is my daughter, Alyssa. I don’t think I’ve met you.”

Alyssa waved at them both.

“I retired here about a year and a half ago.” Marvin gestured to the chair. “And, I’m not getting out as much these days.” He pointed to the woman. “This is my daughter, Kate.”

The name clicked and he made the connection. Nodding to her, Tucker grasped the handles of the chair. “I recommend you stay on the street side instead of the sidewalk, sir.”

“Marvin.”

“Agreed.” Tucker ignored Kate’s startled expression as he took charge of the wheelchair. “We don’t have those updated sidewalks where the curb slopes down at the end of each block. But the street’s safe enough. The kids ride their bikes on this one all the time.”

Kate looked anxious. “I didn’t think about the curbs when we started this adventure.”

“At the church you can roll right up the driveway,” Alyssa added helpfully, falling into step beside Kate.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Kate adjusted her purse strap. “I should have allowed more time to get there. You ought to go on ahead of us, we’ll slow you down.”

Tucker didn’t release the handles. He liked watching the woman fidget. He could tell by the look of her that she didn’t give up control easily. Normally, that was a trait he admired. But she’d been prickly since she’d wheeled into town.

Though his stride was brisk, Kate kept up with him. “Really. I can take over now.”

She was as pretty as he remembered, especially with the stubborn set of her chin. “No problem. We’re going the same way.”

Kate muttered something beneath her breath.

Tucker smiled. The morning was looking up. With Kate on one side, Alyssa next to her, they walked down the street, three abreast. “So, didn’t want to try driving again in town?”

Gritting her teeth, Kate glanced at the girl. “It’s only a few blocks. Not much point in taking the car.”

They passed an older couple strolling slowly down the sidewalk. Tucker bent forward. “Marvin, I bet you like getting out in the air.”

“Yep.”

Tucker glanced at Kate. She refrained from commenting, but her chin jutted out a fraction farther. So he probed a bit more. “You from the city?”

Pursing her lips, she definitely looked irked. “Any particular one? Texas alone has three of the biggest in the country.”

So her temper was still touchy. Matched the deep blaze of her hair. He couldn’t help thinking, if she looked this good angry, she must really be something when she smiled.

Once they arrived at the church, Marvin was surrounded by welcoming members. Many of their faces were familiar to Kate—people who had visited Marvin at the hospital or at home. A man offered to take over the reins, and wheeled Marvin toward the Sunday school building. Her father waved jauntily, clearly happy to be back among friends. As he rolled away, Kate turned to speak with Tucker. Realizing she’d acted grouchy, she intended to thank him for his help…but couldn’t see him anywhere. Even his daughter had disappeared.

Feeling ridiculously bereft, Kate wondered where her class was held. She was usually pretty organized, but she hadn’t thought to ask Emma. The Community Church was a good-size set of buildings. The lovely old chapel stretched upward toward equally aged trees, the sunlight reflecting off the tall, multicolored stained glass panes. She guessed the second structure was the Sunday school building, plenty large enough for her to wander in for a while without finding her class.

“Kate!”

Recognizing Emma’s voice, she turned to see the entire McAllister clan, including the infamous twins, who were as adorable as she’d imagined.

“I just realized I didn’t tell you where your classroom is,” Emma began. “We have a short general meeting in the gym before we break into individual classes.” She turned to her husband. “Honey, can you take Logan and Everitt to the nursery so I can show Kate around?”

“Sure.” Seth glanced at their older son. “As long as I get Toby to help.”

As the guys left, Kate grinned at the image of this strapping man having difficulty wrangling two-year-olds.

“Thanks for steering me in the right direction, Emma. I haven’t told you—but it’s, um…been a while since I’ve been to church. One more reason I’m nervous about teaching this class.”

“The Lord will be with you.” Emma’s expression was encouraging. “Trust me, there won’t be any awkward silences. Twelve-year-old girls never run out of things to talk about.”

“Good.” Kate clasped the teacher’s edition of the Sunday school lesson book. “I studied the materials, and at one time I was a regular at Sunday school, but I’ve never been a teacher.”

“That’s okay. Just be yourself and the girls will love you.”

“The last time I had anything to do with preteens, I was twelve myself.”

Emma laughed. “You are a good sport. Your dad and I kind of bulldozed you into teaching.”

“Agreed,” she replied with a wry smile, “but seeing Dad so happy…well, I’m grateful you and the other members are such good friends to him.”

“Marvin’s great. I’ve always thought he ought to have a passel of grandkids.”

Kate grimaced, remembering the abrupt end of her engagement. “Afraid that’s not going to happen. At least not in the foreseeable future.”

“I didn’t mean to pry—”

“You didn’t.” Kate cleared her throat, remembering how Emma had confided in her, trusting her, treating her as a friend, not an acquaintance. “My fiancé couldn’t cope with me coming here to help out Dad. So…”

Emma linked her elbow with Kate’s. “I’m sorry. Maybe he’ll come around.”

Kate shook her head. “Family’s not important to him—something I was way too late noticing. And it is to me—important, I mean.”

“Marvin’s always talked about you,” Emma confided. “He’s so proud of you.”

“You know I don’t have any siblings, so Dad and I have always been close…I don’t want that to ever change.”

“In my book, you made the right decision. And, honestly, I try not to put my nose in anyone’s business, but maybe Marvin’s break was a lucky one for you. It’s not always easy to learn what a person’s all about before you marry.”

“But you and Seth…”

Emma grinned. “I’m the luckiest woman on the planet. Our marriage gets better every day. Just when I think it couldn’t possibly improve even a fraction, it does.”

“Like I’ve said before, you guys are a living Norman Rockwell portrait.”

“I believe you’re a true romantic, Kate Lambert. I keep hearing we’re a dying breed.”

“Probably for good reason. Talk about embarrassing, I planned to marry the man and never even thought to ask about family.”

Emma squeezed her arm. “When we love someone, we excuse a lot of things we wouldn’t otherwise.”

“How’d you get to be so wise?”

A shadow flickered in Emma’s eyes. “Not wise, observant.”

“Oh, Emma!” Kate was stricken. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up—”

“It’s okay. Really. They’re always in my heart, too. I’ve been so blessed. Not everyone gets a second chance…a second family.”

Incredibly grateful that Emma was her first friend in Rosewood, Kate stayed by her side as they arrived at the general assembly. The opening prayer, announcements and one hymn passed too quickly.

Emma walked with her to the girls’ classroom, then gave her a discreet thumbs up. Even more nervous, Kate gingerly stepped inside and took a chair. She watched the girls enter, bidding them hello. They all looked curious. Rosewood was a small town—one where almost everyone knew each other. And she stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb.

Some of her uneasiness disappeared as she recognized the sheriff’s daughter. When all the chairs were filled, Kate addressed the small group. “Hi. My name’s Kate Lambert. I’m going to be in Rosewood for a while, taking care of my father. And I’ll be teaching your class for however long that is.”

The girls stared at her. Silence.

“Um, why don’t you tell me something about yourselves?” Kate smiled at the curious faces. “Let’s start with Alyssa.”

Each of the girls gave her a few basic facts. They were all in the same grade and had known each other since nursery school days.

“Miss Laroy let us have a slumber party at her house,” Sasha announced.

“And we had our own booth at Harvest Festival,” Amber chimed in.

“Well…” Kate took a deep breath, hoping she looked composed. “Why don’t we wait a bit to discuss activities?” She held up her Sunday school book. “Did everyone read this week’s lesson?”

Various answers tumbled out.

Kate regained most of her footing as the lesson progressed. She wouldn’t compare Sunday school to riding a bike, but everything was coming back to her. Still, she was relieved when the first bell rang, indicating time to finish up. Since Alyssa had remained interested and upbeat, Kate asked her to say the closing prayer.

Bending her head, she listened to the girl’s words. They were about what she expected until almost the end.

“…and bless the ones we love and please make them love You.”

They all chimed in when Alyssa said amen. Opening her eyes, Kate studied the girl, watching as Alyssa unclenched her hands. And wondered what was troubling her so.

Chapter Three

Tucker leaned against the broad trunk of a live oak tree on the north lawn of the church, the heel of one boot braced on the rough bark. He’d had to dust his dress boots, since he hadn’t worn them in a while. It seemed strange to stand in front of the church, a place he’d practically grown up in. When he was a kid, unless blood or loss of limb was imminent, his family was in church every week. His mother used to say that if she missed church, the whole week was off because it didn’t have a beginning.

When he was eighteen, his parents were killed in a car wreck. The pastor had helped Tucker and his older sister through the loss. Karen had married and moved out of state not long afterwards. Although losing his parents had torn him up, Tucker had reconciled the loss by knowing that his parents were together forever, that neither would have been happy without the other.

Then he met Shelley and was certain that his theory was right. They were married in the chapel, and when Alyssa came along, they’d had her blessed in the same spot. And now it was the one place he couldn’t bear to enter.

As he watched, the tall, wide sanctuary doors pushed open, and people spilled out onto the front steps. Strands of conversation and laughter floated in the air like early spring butterflies. He could make out snatches of words; others were muffled by the footsteps of children who rushed out, anxious to be in the fresh air, ready to begin the picnic.

The first Sunday of the month potluck had been a tradition since he was a boy. On the rare occasions when bad weather clouded the skies, and during the winter months, they met in the Sunday school building. But his mother always said the Lord smiled on Sundays, that’s why it was usually sunny.

Alyssa sprinted toward him, her face one huge smile. “You came!”

Tucker’s gut clenched. Had he been that neglectful? He draped a hand over her shoulders. “Couldn’t keep me away.” His full attention on his daughter, he didn’t notice the approach of several surprised, pleased-looking members.

“Tuck, I thought it was you!” Grinning, Michael Carlson pumped his hand, then clapped the other on Tucker’s shoulder. “It’s been too long.”

Before Tucker could respond, several of the other people zoomed in, all talking at once. He must have shaken two dozen hands within mere minutes.

“So glad to see you!” Emma McAllister hugged him, then drew back with a big smile.

“We’ve missed you,” Matt Whitaker added.

Assorted versions of the same sentiment echoed as people crowded around. Although Tucker had known many of them since he was a kid, he didn’t feel a sense of homecoming. Instead, he felt the distance he’d created since Shelley’s death. He managed to say most of the right words, respond to all the greetings. However, the tie he was no longer accustomed to wearing seemed to tighten.

He glanced at Alyssa, and her expression was one of pure pleasure. Knowing he couldn’t disappoint her, he allowed himself to be swept along as the members strolled toward the back lawn, where round tables and folding chairs had been set up. Some people opted to bring quilts and sit on the lawn, but Tucker had been so caught up in the trauma of coming to the church, he hadn’t thought to bring a blanket or a dish to share. Long, rectangular tables, draped with plain white tablecloths, were filled with casseroles, salads, cakes, fried chicken—just about everything.

Families clustered together. Tucker swallowed, remembering when he was a kid and his parents would bring a quilt, so they could sit beneath the spreading limbs of the tallest oak tree.

Alyssa tugged on his hand. “Miss Emma said it’s okay we didn’t bring anything, ’cause there’s always too much anyway.”

True. He’d never yet been to a potluck that ran short of food. He wasn’t particularly hungry, wishing only that the picnic would end quickly so he could go home. But he walked behind Alyssa, scooping food onto his paper plate, then filling a glass of punch.