For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (66 page)

Libby says:
That is one of the most adorable things I’ve heard in a long time. It needs to go in a scrapbook too. Print this conversation for reference so you don’t have to worry about trying to remember.

Aggie says:
That’s a good idea! Thanks.

Libby says:
Luke scrolled up to reread about your funny stomach again. I think he’s enjoying this.

Aggie says
: Well, this’ll take his mind off the sappiness. William came by today.

Libby says:
Oh, how the face falls.

Aggie says:
*giggles* Anyway, I expected it to be a bit awkward. I haven’t seen him since I told him I wouldn’t marry him, and he didn’t leave in a very good mood.

Libby says
: Luke said that any man, even William, would be upset to find out they couldn’t marry Aggie.

Aggie says:
Mush by proxy. Only Luke…

Libby says:
Good one. He’s red.

Aggie says:
He deserves it. Anyway, he
--
William that is
--
showed up, and I went outside to talk to him. I thought it’d be easier not to have an audience. The minute I saw his face, I knew it was going to be as bad as or worse than I’d expected. It was hard not to get irritated.

Libby says:
I would have had trouble too.

Aggie says:
He just stood there looking all troubled and confused
--
awkward, you know? I mean, he looked at me like I had two heads, and I don’t think he said anything more coherent than
“
I…uh…er…um…
”

Libby says:
That seems extreme.

Aggie says:
I know, right? Then a bug flew by my head, and I swatted at it. I hit my head instead. Um… yeah.

Libby says:
We’re lost over here.

Aggie says:
This morning when I was going down to get the broken glass cleaned up, I stepped on this gaudy glittery hair thing that Kenzie loves. I just picked it up and took it with me, but my hair got in the way while I was working under the bed, so I scooped it out of my face and held it together with that thing.

Libby says:
Oh, no. I bet that looked comical.

Aggie says:
Ya think? I just stood there thinking,
“
I am trying to get William to take me seriously, and I have a green glittery dragonfly perched on top of my messy hair!

Libby says:
Oh, no! LOL. What did you do?

Aggie says:
I tried the silly approach. I struck a modeling pose and asked how he liked the latest fashion among home-schoolers.

Libby says:
Mibs, this is Luke. I want to see you in that hair thing. It sounds quite adorable.

Libby says:
Sorry, Aggie. He took over while I was getting some ice water. Naughty boy. ;)

Aggie says:
Tell him to beware. I will have my revenge.

Libby says:
So how did the rest of the conversation go?

Aggie says:
Actually, I think we understand each other now.
He thinks I’m nuts, of course, but then he always has.

Libby says:
That’s good.
I’d hate to see a good friendship harmed over something, as misguided as it was, that was meant to be a good thing.

Libby says:
I think I need to turn in. I worked hard getting the garden ready for winter today. I’m worn out.

Aggie says:
Goodnight, Libby.

Libby says:
Luke wants to get on, so I’ll leave this open for him.

Aggie says:
Ok. Hi, Luke.

Libby’s Luke says:
There. At least it’s not Mom talking now.

Aggie says:
Very cute.

Libby’s Luke says:
Aw, gee, I didn’t know you cared.

Aggie says:
Goodnight, Luke.

Libby’s Luke says:
Goodnight, Mibs. Dream of lilacs and ranunculus.

Celebrations

Friday, October 10
^th

The house bustled with excitement. The dining room table was loaded with gifts, the island had a large bakery cake as the focal point, and children ran around the backyard searching for hidden prizes. Two small rolling suitcases and an overnight case sat in the little entryway, waiting for them to be whisked away to the Rockland Towers for a night of fun.

Martha Milliken sat on the couch in the living room chatting with Libby Sullivan about the children’s progress in school, the completed house renovations, and the budding romance between Aggie and Luke. Ron, with an ear to the conversation, was charged with protecting the cake from little marauding fingers. Aggie and Luke had disappeared into the basement over an hour earlier and still hadn’t reemerged to join the festivities.

“
Here come the troops. I think they’ve found the last prize! Where are Aggie and Luke, anyway?
”
Ron sounded impatient.
“
The dinner reservations are for six-thirty!
”
The man hurried outside to stop the invasion from entering the kitchen.

“
They’ll be up when they’re ready. Be patient, Ronnie!
”
Martha rolled her eyes at Libby.
“
He’s a typical man. Needs to keep the ball rolling.
”

Libby stood and moved toward the door.
“
Zeke and Martha are here. This’ll be interesting having two Martha’s in the house.
”

Aggie and Luke arrived upstairs looking very pleased with themselves and carrying a beautifully wrapped package. Martha frowned.
“
I know you didn’t wrap that, Aggie.
”

“
Nope. I had Vannie wrap the box and lid separately so it was all ready to go the minute we needed it.
”

“
Making her wrap her own birthday gift box. How cruel!
”

Zeke’s voice boomed as he entered the room.
“
That girl couldn’t be cruel if she tried. She’s just extending the anticipation.
”

“
That girl could hang puppies from airplane propellers and you’d find a reason that it was a blessing for the pups,
”
Martha Sullivan teased.
“
Zeke is just a bit too fond of Aggie.
”

Aggie handed Luke the box and gestured for him to add it to the table while she hugged her favorite farmer.
“
I love him too.
”

“
I’d be jealous if he wasn’t already married.
”
Luke sounded wounded, but the grin on his face proved he was teasing.

“
And if I was fifty years younger and didn’t already have the love of my life, I’d give you a run for your money, son.
”

Shaking her head, Aggie rolled her eyes.
“
You’re both silly.
”
A glance out the window brought a new smile to her face
--
one that Luke visibly did not like.
“
William is here!
”
She hurried outside to greet him, leaving a room of bemused spectators in her wake. Luke went to call the children back in so that Vannie could open her presents, ignoring the sympathetic glances from everyone else.

William greeted each of the other guests cordially, but with the natural reserve that characterized the officer. Luke nodded as he returned with Ian in one arm and Lorna in the other.
“
Hey, William. Can I get you something to drink?
”

The awkwardness that had tried to develop dissipated with a simple offer of refreshment. The room erupted in spontaneous conversation as Aggie led Vannie to the dining room table.
“
You can open your gifts here, or on the floor in the living room.
”

“
I’ll take them in so Grandma Millie doesn’t have to get up.
”

For quite a while, Vannie opened gift after gift, many sent by Geraldine Stuart. The girl seemed pleased with everything but also a bit overwhelmed. The last gift made her smile.
“
I’ve never wrapped my own present before, and I still don’t know what it is!
”
She lifted the lid of the box and flushed.
“
Oh, Aunt Aggie!
”

“
Well, show us what has you in a dither!
”
Zeke’s excitement was infectious.

“
I don’t deserve it! Not after
--”

“
I think I know what you’re ready to have and what you aren’t.
”

Vannie shoved the laptop into her brother’s hands and scrambled across her siblings, flinging herself into Aggie’s arms.
“
I felt so bad. I was sure you couldn’t trust me anymore! Thank you!
”

“
Luke set it up…
”

The girl dodged a few more feet and wrapped her arms around the man she expected to call Uncle before another year passed.
“
Luke, you’re the best. Thanks.
”

“
Let’s eat cake. The girls need to get on the road!
”
Ron was back in schedule mode.

Aggie lit the candles, waited for Vannie to blow them out, and then cut a generous piece of cake, sliding it into a plastic container.
“
Ok, we have our cake, the gifts are unwrapped, so I guess it’s time to go. Laird and Tavish,
”
Aggie waited for the boys to meet her gaze.
“
Please take all the gifts up to Vannie’s room and put them on her bed. Lock the door behind you. We’ll be home tomorrow night.
”