For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (57 page)

“
I don’t know what I’m agreeing to really, but I trust you. If you say you can still be friends with me even if I don’t return your feelings after months or years of whatever it is this is about, then ok.
”

Relief flooded Luke’s heart.
“
That’s an amazing gift, Mibs. Thank you.
”

“
Good. Then you can tell me what I just gave you, because I’m still quite lost.
”

A truck started up in the front yard.
“
Uncle Zeke is leaving. Have you watched him and Aunt Martha?
”

“
Some.
”

“
Then you’ve seen how in love they still are after fifty-some-odd years.
”

Aggie nodded.
“
Yes. It’s adorable.
”

“
What I’m hoping you agreed to was for me to have a chance to have that with you someday.
”

She closed her eyes and sighed.
“
How could I not agree when you put it like that?
”

Luke rose and offered his hand. Just inside the kitchen, he took the cheesecake from her and took it to the fridge. Once she walked into the dining room, he exhaled, relieved. Unaware she could still hear him, he looked heavenward and closed his eyes.
“
Thank you, Lord. Don’t let me fail her.
”

Luke says:
What are you doing up still?

Mibs says:
Your mom ordered me to bed after you left. I laid there until a little while ago and then gave up. I’m under orders not to get up until I’m absolutely rested.

Mibs says:
I think your mom is afraid I’ll have a nervous breakdown after this past week.

Luke says:
It has been intense. I should have waited to talk to you. It didn’t need to be tonight. I’m sorry.

Mibs says:
I’m not. I’m not as fragile as people seem to think.

Luke says:
You’re right. Mom and I have often remarked on how strong you really are. So, what have you been doing? We both know you haven’t been resting.

Mibs says:
Well, actually, I was thinking about you.

Luke says:
That’s a nice thing to hear. Or is it?

Mibs says:
Well, I was wondering about something.

Luke says:
And that is…

Luke says:
You know, it’s unusual for you to be the one having trouble with what you want to say.

Mibs says:
I just wondered if you’d considered that I am a package
d
deal.

Luke says:
Do you mean the children?

Mibs says:
Yes. If you want me, you get eight children too.

Luke says:
We’ll manage. It’s about priorities. We may not be wealthy, but we’ll be fine.

Mibs says:
Financially, Allie left me more than enough. I’m not talking about money. I was thinking more about the months or years that couples have for just them. I can’t give you that. For that matter, I can’t give any man that. Ever. How do you feel about that?

Luke says:
I understand that, Mibs, but I’m not interested in having an experience. I want a wife and not just any wife. I want you. I also want the children, the kitten, the dogs, and the three turtles that
Tavish thinks he’s hidden from us in the back yard. I want it all, and
if the timing was right, I’d do it tomorrow.

Mibs says:
You’re a rare man, Luke Sullivan. Hey, what’s your middle name?

Luke says:
Actually, I have two. Mom wanted to name me after Dad and Dad wanted me named after Uncle Zeke.

Mibs says:
Luke Stephen Ezekiel Sullivan?

Luke says:
Nope. Ezekiel Lucas Stephen Sullivan. Alphabetical. Since Dad was Stephen, and there was already a Zeke, I became Luke.

Mibs says:
Oooh. Lucas. I love Lucas. Someday, maybe I’ll call you Lucas. It can be my version of your mother’s
“
my Luke.
”

Luke says:
Mom does that with all of us. She’s always saying,
“
My Stephen says… My Olivia went…
”

Mibs says:
That sounds like her. I love that.
Which sister is Olivia?

Luke says:
Olivia is the oldest.
She was named for mom.

Mibs says:
I assumed your mom was an Elizabeth.

Luke says:
Mom says her big brother was just a toddler when she was born. They were going to call her Livvy, but he couldn’t say it, so she became Libby.

Mibs says:
I can’t imagine calling her Olivia.

Luke says:
Yeah, she’s too down to earth for a formal name like Olivia.

Mibs says:
You sound like you value and admire
“
down to earth.
”

Luke says:
Well, I think the more accurate way of putting it would be that most of the people I admire happen to be down to earth.

Mibs says:
That’s beautiful, Luke. *wonders if she’s considered down to earth*

Luke says:
I’d say you are… you’re definitely among the people I admire.

Luke says:
Now, it’s your turn. Aggie isn’t your full name, right? It’s short for something. What?

Mibs says:
If you haven’t seen my full name, that’s not my problem. I’m not sharing.

Luke says:
What about a middle name?

Mibs says:
Yep. Aggie Grace Milliken

Luke says.
Grace. That fits you. I just might consider switching out
Mibs for Gracie.

Mibs says:
As in
“
goodnight, Gracie?
”
You wouldn’t dare.

Luke says:
If you call me Lucas, I think it’s fair. Besides, I don’t even know your real name. It’s more than fair. I wonder if Tina or your parents can be bribed.

Mibs says:
Won’t work, Luke. No one will reveal my name. Everyone lives in terror of my wrath. Even Mom feels guilty for naming me.

Luke says:
Now you really have me curious.

Mibs says:
Good. I succeeded.

Luke says:
Will you do something for me?

Mibs says:
Depends on what it is.

Luke says:
Will you try to sleep?

Mibs says:
I’ll try. Thanks, Luke.

Luke says:
Night, Mibs.

Mibs says:
Not Gracie?

Luke says:
Not this time.

Mibs says:
Night, Luke.

School Days

Monday, September 29
^th

After weeks of almost twenty-four-hour help, the first day of Aggie’s home-schooling adventure was a solo flight
--
a Murphy day if ever there was one. The children protested when she entered each room at seven o’clock calling for them to
“
rise and shine.
”

“
Aunt Aggie!
”
Laird’s protest earned him a look that no child would mistake.

“
Get up and get dressed. Breakfast is in twenty-minutes.
”

Groans answered her, but Aggie hoisted Ian from his crib, grabbed clothes and a diaper, and carried him downstairs to the dryer. The baby loved getting dressed on the warm tumbling appliance. She shooed him into the bathroom, set him on the counter, and rinsed a washcloth with one hand while the other kept the wiggling boy from taking a dive onto the floor.

The difference in her appearance was marked. The spots were fading from her face, her hair was neat, clothes bright and fresh, and she looked rested for the first time in weeks.
“
Ian, I think we’re turning a corner today. I even have a few new toys for you to play with while the others get started on their assignments.
”

In the kitchen, she strapped the baby into his highchair, scooped oatmeal from the pan, dumped fresh blueberries on top, mashed them with the spoon, and sprinkled a little cinnamon and sugar over the top.
“
Ok, let’s see how much you can finish before everyone gets down here.
”

As she fed him bites, making the silly mouth opening movements mothers always do, Aggie glanced around at her handiwork. Breakfast was ready and had been since seven o’clock. Small glasses of milk were placed at each child’s plate, along with spoons and napkins. It was perfect. If the entire day went as smoothly as it began, home-schooling would be a breeze.

There was still no sign of the children even after Ian finished his breakfast and Aggie cleaned his hands and face. The upstairs was suspiciously quiet except for the occasional squeals of Cari and Lorna who clearly were not getting dressed. After swiping the wash cloth over the highchair tray, Aggie unbuckled the tot from his chair and carried him back upstairs. What she found nearly made her see red.

Vannie was curled up in bed reading a book, as was Tavish. Laird faced the wall, snoring again, and Ellie and Kenzie still sat in their beds blinking as if trying to remember if they were awake or asleep. Lorna and Cari bickered over what to wear, each insisting on matching the other but with differing outfits. Aggie glanced at her watch. Nearly seven-thirty and no one was up and ready. School would never start on time.

“
I said to get up and get dressed. No one is dressed.
”
She popped her head in Vannie’s room.
“
I’m very disappointed in you. Since when do you ignore me?
”