For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (14 page)

Martha says:
I knew Allie made a good decision. We’re praying for you still. See you soon.

Mibs & Co.

Saturday, August 9
^th

Aggie tossed her book, scaring the kitten and making it yowl as if attacked. She tried to feel sufficiently guilty, but instead she just felt further irritated. Her foot was fine. In her opinion, she didn’t even need the crutches anymore, but Tina, Luke, and Libby had all demanded that she keep it up for the morning. After sitting and sewing all day, her ankle had ached, and as a result, s
he’d spent a restless night. So
she’d been resting on the couch all morning, and was bored to tears
--
literal ones.

With Tina gone, Vannie and Libby sewed in the library while Luke and the boys added the trim to her new closet and painted it. Ellie, Laird, and Tavish took turns reporting on the activities of Kenzie, Cari, and Lorna while Ian slept. On a trip to rinse brushes, Luke noticed how fidgety Aggie was, and said,
“
Do you feel like taking a drive? I saw some bookcases on sale in Brunswick and thought you might want to see if they’ll work for that west wall.
”

“
Oh! That’s a great idea. I’ll be right out. I need to change.
”

“
Agg
ie, you’re
--”
he rolled his eyes,
“
…a
aa
nd she’s gone.
”

Minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom wearing a fresh and fun skirt, matching top, and with her hair down from its customary ponytail. Even Luke had to admit the transformation was a pleasant one. He needed to get the work on the house completed enough that Aggie no longer felt the need to help. Though he hadn’t
previously
noticed, her entire demeanor changed with a fresh set of clothing. She’d overworked herself in the past months. It was time to do what he could to put a stop to that. She had enough work in being a mother without adding a fulltime job as house renovator. Even as he thought it, Luke realized he was mentally doing the thing that drove Aggie crazy most
--
making decisions for her.

Libby nodded approvingly at Aggie’s change of clothes.
“
Get my Luke to keep you out until after lunch. We’ll be fine here. You should try that Italian place in Brunswick, look at the bookcases, and you should try to find new cushions for that wicker. It’s still just as hideous as ever, and I’m afraid your house will revolt if you don’t do something fast.
”

As he helped her into his truck, Luke asked where she wanted to go first.
“
Let’s look for cushions first. If my ankle gets sore, I can always just have you decide on the bookcases for me. I’m going to be picky about the cushions.
”

The first three stores were a bust, but at a home goods store, stuffed in a clearance bin in the back corner of the outdoor living department, were the exact cushions she’d dreamed of owning. Bold crimson and white cabana stripes had black pinstripes to combat the candy cane thoughts that tend to accompany stripes of red and white.
“
I can’t believe we found them! Hey, can you reach those red throw pillows? I’d like um…
”
She thought carefully for a few seconds and then shrugged.
“
Two is probably fine.
”

“
Mom always suggests two for each couch or loveseat and one for each chair. You need six, don’t you?
”

“
They’re five dollars a
piece. Can I really justify thirty dollars for something so unessential? I won’t even be using them in the house! It’s just for outdoors.
”

Unwilling to push for something that wasn’t essential or any of his business, Luke pulled two from the shelves above them. He started to bop her with it, and then pulled back in mock horror.
“
I forgot; no more pillow fights for you!
”

“
I fully intend,
”
she insisted as she pulled the sizes she needed from the shelves, trying desperately not to lose control of her crutches,
“
to be a successful pillow fighter again
--
just as soon as my ankle is fully healed that is.
”

Even as she spoke, Aggie rubbed her ankle against her calf. It protested against so much use.
“
Come on, Mibs. Let me get what you need. If you go home exhausted and in pain, Mom will thrash me, Tina will drive back from Yorktown, and I’m afraid to think of what she’ll do!
”

“
Oooh, he’s skeered of Tiinnaaa…
”

“
Absolutely.
”

“
Smart man.
”
Aggie sighed, and pointed to the pieces she needed to replace the hideous ones that now ensured her porch was a nightmare of wicker proportions.

“
Ok, so now that we’ve settled these, what do you think about lunch?
”
Luke wheeled the cart to his truck, settling Aggie in her seat before he leaned his own side forward and stuffed the pillows behind the seats.

“
Sounds delicious.
”

“
So you know where you want to go?
”

“
It’s food. I’m starving, ergo, it’s delicious.
”

“
You’re easy to please,
”
Luke teased as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto one of Brunswick’s main streets.
“
Mom suggested Italian…
”

“
Oh, pasta. Lovely properly cooked pasta that doesn’t stick together in a clump or require a knife! I think it’s a brilliant idea.
”

The heat was oppressive. Twice, Aggie reached up to pull her hair into a bun, but had nothing to hold it in place. Not for the first time, she seriously considered having it cut off in a chin-length bob.
“
How do you think my hair would look if it was short
--
say maybe around my chin?
”

Luke, in one of his customary silences, turned onto another street and then pulled into one of the parking spaces in front of a small restaurant. With the truck still running, he hung his left arm over the steering wheel, and pushed himself into the corner of the truck to get a better look at her.
“
Well, it’d probably look very nice.
”

“
You don’t
sound
like you think it
would look
very nice.
”

“
You asked how I thought it’d look,
”
he protested, turning off the vehicle and opening his door.
“
I gave you my honest opinion. I think it’d probably look very nice.
”
He shut the door and took his time walking around the truck bed to help Aggie. She was already struggling to stand up without putting weight on her ankle.

“
You may mean that, but something about the idea is distasteful to you. I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice.
”

Seconds passed into minutes. He walked her to the door, opened it for her, and waited until they were seated and their drink order taken before Luke said,
“
I just think you look nice as you are.
”

“
I keep thinking
about
how cool shorter hair would be
--”

“
We don’t live in the desert, Aggie. It gets cold too, you know.
”

“
I know. I also thought about how convenient it’d be. Wash and go. No snarls, tangles, or braiding it to avoid snarls and tangles.
”

“
It sounds like,
”
he said with an obvious attempt at agreeability,
“
you’d be very pleased with it.
”
Then as if making a significant concession, he added,
“
And, if you don’t like it, you can always let it grow again.
”

“
True. I might do it. Well, if I ever find time to make an appointment I think I can actually keep.
”
She fingered the ends thoughtfully.
“
How hard do you think it’d be to cut it myself?
”

Before Luke could answer, the waiter brought their drinks and asked if they’d like to order. Once Luke gave their orders, Aggie requested a chair.
“
I really need to elevate my foot. It’s fine, but I want to keep it that way.
”

As they sat waiting for their food, Luke asked Aggie to plan her basement. On napkins, she drew out the things she thought she’d want or need, including a storage room with shelving.
“
I thought if I started with things organized, I might be able to keep them organized.
”

“
What about the swings and slide and such? Does it matter which section we use for them, or do you really want them that close to the stairs?
”

“
I just thought that if their things were the first thing they saw, I’d be able to keep them from roaming the rest of the space and getting into things they shouldn’t.
”
Aggie’s eyes sought his, looking for answers.
“
Why do you ask?
”

“
Well, I assumed there’d be a slew of toys strewn all over the bottom of the stairs, people getting hit by the swings or children careening down the slide. It seemed a little dangerous.
”

“
So what would you do?
”

Luke flipped over the napkin and started sketching again. The improvement in layout was evident almost immediately. With the new plans, the stairs opened into the family room, which flowed naturally into the indoor play area. Her storage area would hold out of season clothing, toys, decorations, and keepsakes. There was even a place to store bicycles out of season. Luke thought of everything.

The food, much more delicious than either had expected, distracted them from the house plans. They didn’t talk; instead, they enjoyed their meals
--
lost in their thoughts. Aggie had realized as Luke sketched plans for the basement that once he was done, there’d be no reason for him to come again. Sure, he was a friend now and would spend time with them on occasion, but the easy camaraderie would be gone. That saddened her. She was just about to mention it, when a goofy grin spread across Luke’s face.