Certainly Sensible (31 page)

“Who works while they’re on a honeymoon?” Richard joked.

Caroline lifted an eyebrow at his attempt at humor. “I don’t know…”

“I want to take this trip with you, Caroline. Come on, quit thinking honeymoon and start thinking vacation!”

Caroline’s hands felt clammy as she contemplated Richard’s offer. “I haven’t been on a vacation since, well, since before my parents got divorced. But who’ll run things at the office?”

Richard gently pulled her into an embrace. “For once, Caroline, let’s be spontaneous instead of practical. I want some time off, and I want it with you.”

“But…”

“No buts. It’ll all be here when we get back. If anyone needs to reach us, that’s why we have cell phones and email.” Richard had stepped back, taken both her hands and looked into her eyes. “Please say you’ll come with me.”

Caroline couldn’t refuse Richard anything. She glanced at the clock again. She needed to quit daydreaming and start packing her suitcase. They had to be at the airport by six this evening to check in for their eight p.m. flight. Despite being physically tired from lifting and moving boxes all day, she bounced off the new sofa and into her cluttered bedroom with an exuberance she had rarely ever felt.

****

The flight board said the plane to Los Angeles was on time, so Caroline sank into a chair in the airport waiting area near Gate Five, Intercontinental Airways, and placed her carry-on bag beside her on the floor. They had a few minutes to wait before the official boarding call, and Caroline wanted to savor all that had happened to her in just one, amazing weekend.
I’d pinch myself, but I know I’m not dreaming. It’s real!

Richard sat down beside her and took her hand in his. A tingle went up her spine as she squeezed his hand in return. “I can’t believe we’re really here.”

“I can’t believe how much time we wasted getting here.” Richard smiled. “I mean, finding our way to each other.” He gazed into her eyes for a long time. “What’s the first thing you want to do when we get to Maui?”

She laughed softly. “Walk barefoot on the beach!”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. In a perfect world, it’ll be sunset and the most romantic walk we’ll ever take.”

“I’d be happy just walking along the Canal in Indianapolis with you again,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“We’ve got lots of time,” Richard replied, “and we’ll do that, too. We’ve got the rest of our lives to take romantic walks together.”

Caroline closed her eyes, their hands still clasped. This was better than anything she ever imagined. She noticed an elderly couple sitting across from them, smiling at the two of them as if remembering young love.

Caroline’s stomach leaped, and this time the butterflies were excitement for what the future held for the two of them.

****

Susan closed the front door, collapsed onto the sofa, and allowed herself to relax in front of the TV. Just as she was dozing off, her phone rang. She picked it up, smiling when she recognized the caller ID.

“You just left, Patrick.”

“Quite a weekend, wasn’t it?” He chuckled.

Susan grabbed the remote and clicked off the TV. “It’s been quite a summer. But now that the girls are settled, I feel like I can finally relax.”

“I know it’s late on a school night, and I won’t keep you, but I was wondering about next weekend,” Patrick said.

“Wondering what?”

“Well, we’ve been seeing each other for a while now, but we haven’t had much time alone. How about driving down to Madison, Indiana, and doing some sightseeing? I hear it’s a quaint, historic town, and I know of a great bed and breakfast.” He chuckled. “Okay, I Googled it.”

Susan smiled, realizing she was ready for this next step in their relationship. “I’d love it. Next to literature, history’s my passion.”

“Great. I’ll pick you up after school on Friday.”

Susan smiled as she hung up. Looking back over the summer, she thought about all the changes she’d gone through, finally coming of age as an independent woman. She had gotten a job on her own and was good at it, bought a home of her own, be it ever so humble, and was managing her life with confidence. Her three daughters were happy, each reaching a new level of maturity as they carved out exciting lives for themselves. And best of all, she had a deepening relationship with Patrick. The future was looking pretty bright for the Benedict women.

Honey nuzzled Susan’s legs, so she reached down and scratched the dog behind her ears. Susan turned off the lights in the living room as Honey pranced happily at her side. She looked into Megan’s room and found her asleep with her ear-buds in, clutching her iPod. Susan quietly turned off her daughter’s bedside lamp, and then went to her own bedroom and shut the door. Sleep would come easily tonight.

****

Caroline’s phone buzzed with an email.

“If that’s business,” Richard said, “don’t open it.”

“But you said…”

Richard pulled Caroline in close and kissed her forehead. “I know what I said, but we’re on the most beautiful beach in paradise at sunset, so work can wait.”

Caroline stole a peek at her cell. She shook her head. “It’s Allie.” She looked up at Richard as they walked along, their toes sinking into the soft sand. “Do you mind?”

Richard squeezed her hand and shook his head, so Caroline opened Allie’s message.

Caroline—

Hope you’re having fun on your, uh, vacation! I’m sure by now that Sharlene has told Richard how furious she is with him. She’s so mad that she’s done nothing but shop. I’ll bet she’s maxed out all Dad’s credit cards by now! And Dad called me to say I can now use the piano any time I want. Finally! He’s standing up to Sharlene!

Next weekend Megan’s staying here with Honey and me while Mom and Patrick go out of town. Dad said something about taking Megan out to dinner, so I told Megs to make reservations at the Skybridge Club so he couldn’t cancel at the last minute without paying a penalty. Megan’s going to a Rosslyn High School pep rally with some new friends later this week.:)

Tomorrow I start classes at Bradley University. Commute time: 5 minutes, instead of 3 hours. (Nathan’s seriously mad at me because I didn’t give him a heads up, but he’s found a ride up to Chicago with someone else. A female someone!) Car, I’ve come to appreciate Brandon Phillips a lot, and I never would’ve gotten to know him if Mark hadn’t dumped me. (You’re welcome, Misty!) I’m looking forward to both my music and academic classes and to spending more time with Brandon. He’s meeting me for lunch tomorrow at the student union! And yes, you do detect a hint of romance. :)

I look forward to hearing all about your Hawaiian vacation. I saw the pics you posted on Facebook. You two are so cute, and Richard’s a lucky guy.

I’m more excited about the next few months than I’ve been about anything in the last three years. Happy endings just make sense!

Allie

Caroline hit reply.

I agree. From your reformed sensible sister,

Caroline

A word from the author…

I am a former high school English teacher and author of
Confessions of a Teenage Psychic
(TWRP 2010) which was a 2011 Epic Ebook Contest finalist. My just-released YA novel
Genius Summer
was a finalist in the 2013 San Francisco Writers Contest and received high marks in the 2013 Pacific Northwest Writers Contest.

I live in Carmel, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis.

Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.