Ready-Made Family (19 page)

The man’s fists clenched. “I don’t need help from the likes of you.”

Upon arriving, they’d discovered the North home’s roof had been ripped off by wind, despite hurricane ties in the trussing. But at least her dad had survived and the rest of the structure stood sound.

It wouldn’t for long with all this rain. After rescuing people trapped by flooding, his teammates and recruits had helped secure things with tarps and industrial plastic, then helped lay new plywood. But it would only be a matter of time until the rain slipped through the seams and ruined everything beyond repair.

They were fighting against time.

And Amelia’s father was fighting against Ben.

Ben wanted to laugh as he looked around at his recruits and his team, pitching in around the property, cleaning up debris. They were a multiethnic group, and Ben was sure it was driving Amelia’s dad beyond crazy to have the entire United Nations helping on his property. Ben fought a grin.

“What? You got nothin’ to say?” the man said.

Hammer down, Ben drove the nail all the way in with one slam. “When I think of a sentence severe enough for you, I’ll say it.”

The man stood and squared off with Ben. “Why don’t you get off this roof before you get pushed off.”

“I’m a man of my word. I said I’m not leaving until it’s repaired.” Calm, Ben stood to get another pack of shingles.

The man clanged his hammer down and followed. “I oughta knock you off right here and now.”

“You knock me off, you better knock me hard enough to knock me out. Because nothing short of a coma is keeping me off this roof.”

“You sleepin’ with my daughter?”

“No, sir. We’re waiting until we get married.”

“You asked her?”

“Nope.”

“Why in tarnation not?”

“Haven’t asked you yet.”

“Well, well. What’s the world coming to.”

Ben started pounding the next layer of shingles in. The wind picked up, lifting one end of the shingle with it. He looked around for something to set on the end of the shingle so he could maintain positioning. Otherwise the roof would leak in the long run. This was taking twice as long due to winds. And storm-raging adversity from Amelia’s dad.

“What, you ain’t gonna defend yourself?”

“Not to you. No point.”

“Just why is that?”

“Because all you wanna do is argue and intimidate me. And it’s not going to work. I don’t know what those people did to you in Nam, but I’m not them. I serve my country same as you did. I’d bleed to death for freedom. And you’re certainly not going to deter me from wanting to marry Amelia and be a dad to Reece. And I won’t stand for you yelling at Amelia.”

“I might not be able to stop you from marrying her. But I can withhold my blessing and make your lives as miserable as a leech-infested rice paddy.” He stormed off the roof.

Ben clenched his jaw against frustration. He’d never met a more stubborn, irrational man. Ben laughed. “I see where Amelia gets her tenacity.”

The man half-turned as he started to climb off the roof.

Ben didn’t miss the half smile the statement evoked that the man tried to bite back.

Progress. Albeit amoebic, Ben would take anything at this point. Ben swiped sweat from his brow and looked around the roof. Still a ton of work to be done. He’d work all night if he had to. He took a swig of water and screwed the cap back on as he surveyed the ground.

Amelia’s mom and dad were talking. Heatedly. Amelia stood back a ways, face stern, arms folded. Hutton approached the man. Ben stood, preparing to defend his brother. But, for once, Amelia’s dad’s face softened as Hutton spoke. Ben knelt back down. “Wish I had my gun.”

Nolan laughed.

“Nail gun. For the roof, Briggs. Not the man.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you, Dillinger. Guy’s a jerk and you’re keeping your cool in the face of ugly prejudice,” Manny said.

Vince had taken Javier, Enrique, and most of the PJ recruits to other houses hit worse in the neighborhood. A handful of them stayed here to help with the North home.

Moments later, the three PJs heard a rhythmic clopping, as a hovercraft came into sight.

“That’s Joel.” Ben stood with his teammates.

Manny’s military phone rang. He answered it. Seconds into the conversation, his dark face paled. He glanced at Ben and walked to the other side of the roof, hidden by the pitch.

Nolan eyed the hovercraft, then Manny. “Something’s up.”

“Yeah.” And Ben didn’t have a good feeling. Not at all.

“Dillinger.” Manny surfaced from the other side of the roof and waved Ben over. The look on his face set Ben on alert.

Nolan moved close when Manny put his hand on Ben’s shoulder. “I’m afraid I have bad news, bud. Your mom called.” Emotion filled Manny’s eyes. “Your dad…” Voice thickened, Manny shook his head.

Ben’s legs went weak. Face in his hands, he sat.

Manny whispered something to Nolan and they both knelt, hands on Ben’s back and shoulders. “I’m sorry, bud. He died very suddenly. Your mom’s on standby for the next flight from Paris.”

Ben surged to his feet. Swallowed against nausea. “But…He can’t be gone. Him and mom, they didn’t get to—”

But they had. For three weeks, thanks to Ben taking Hutton early. Speaking of which…

Ben whirled and paced. “How’m I gonna tell my brother?” Ben sat and picked up a hammer.

Nolan reached for the hammer. “Ben, Joel brought the chopper back for you and Hutton. You need to go be with your mom now. We can finish this roof.”

A group ascended the roof. The sight of his entire team choked him up. Joel, Chance Garrison, Brockton Drake, all armed with nail guns and expressions of sympathy. Vince trailed behind with the recruits.

Amelia’s dad peeked his head over the roof. He approached Ben, who knelt, pounding in nails. “Your superiors told Amelia about your dad. Then she told me.” He dropped to his knees beside Ben. “Sorry for your loss.”

Ben nodded.

“Me saying this doesn’t mean I’m okay with your relationship with Amelia. But you don’t have to stay and fix my roof, son.”

Ben pounded another nail. “I told you I’d stay. And I told you I’m a man of my word.” Plus, he needed a minute to figure out how to break news to Hutton about their dad. Did Hutton even understand the concept of death? How much had his mom told him?

“Dillinger, I can have the pilot fly you and Hutton back. Your mom’s meeting you in Refuge. She’s going to need you to be there. We can finish the roof for you,” Joel said.

“Mom won’t be back in the country for another twelve hours. We can get back in four. That means I have eight hours to get this roof done.” Fighting tears, Ben pressed the nail gun into the edge of the shingle.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

His dad was gone.

Just, gone.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Ben fought a crumbling dam of tears. And lost. They dripped. On his hands. Shingles. Nail gun.

Memories of helping his dad with the roof of the house they’d build together after the first one burned. Drips turned to steady streams. Big splotches spattered the shingles.

And everyone just stood there staring. He wished he could be alone. Hating the tears, he pressed the trigger.

Nothing.

He turned it over and opened the chamber.

Empty, just like his heart right now. Just like his mom’s dreams with his dad. Vanished in a breath that could still be there had his dad gone to the doctor.

He pulled the ring that held the nails.

Dad’s gone.

Gone.

Ben suddenly deplored the word. Hated it with everything in him.

Hope.

Heaven.

He’d see his dad again. So would Hutton. That’s what Ben would say. Focus on the hope.

How?

“Heart attack?” Ben asked Joel, now beside him working.

Joel nodded. “Appeared to be.”

Ben clenched his jaw and jammed another ring of nails into the machine.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Frustration grew when the wind folded back the shingle. Ben fought the urge to slam it down and pressed it down instead.

More tears. Another gust. The shingle flipped up again.

Dropped to his knees beside Ben again, Amelia’s dad moved forward and held it down. “Now look who’s being stubborn.” He scowled. “Maybe you and Amelia’d make a good pair after all.”

Ben wanted to laugh. He’d said it with a scowl.

But at least he’d said it.

“B
en is acting weird today.” Amelia scooted over so Amber and Celia could sit next to her at church. “Granted, his father’s funeral was just two months ago, but still. He’s avoided me all morning.”

Celia smirked and Amber cleared her throat with a cough that didn’t seem real.

Amelia eyed them carefully. Suspicion mounted. “You two are acting strange, as well. You’re all wiggly and stuff.”

Her two friends simply sat straighter and smiled as if they held a secret. Ben stepped out from a side door and onto the church stage with his guitar. Where was the rest of the worship team? And why was Ben looking at her so seriously?

He approached the microphone. “Hi, everyone. Worship will start shortly. But first, I’d like to ask Amelia to come up.”

Her mouth dried and her palms moistened. She looked at Celia and Amber for any clue as to what this was. Celia’s grin and Amber’s sparkling eyes told her it might be what she’d dreamed of since she was little. Arms numb and heart pounding from all the eyes on her, Amelia made her way to the stage.

Ben started strumming a tune she didn’t recognize. All the while, never taking his eyes off of her. Now on stage with him,
Ben motioned her to the stool across from his. He strummed. He smiled. He never removed his eyes. A hush fell over the auditorium. The pastor brought Reece from her classroom to sit in the front row.

Still strumming, Ben put words to his soul-stirring song.

“From the moment I first saw you, I knew it was meant to be. Baby, I can’t fathom life had God not brought you to me. So now I pledge my love forever and I’m asking you to be. My one and only, only one I love, my only love.” Removing the strap, Ben set aside the guitar, and then knelt.

Amelia’s hand flew to her mouth but Ben peeled her fingers from her face and held toward them a heart-shaped diamond. “Amelia, I’ve loved you from day one. I can no longer imagine life without you and Reece. Will you give me the honor of being your husband and a father to your beautiful daughter?”

The stool nearly toppled when Amelia surged from it and threw her arms around Ben’s neck. “Yes! I will be your wife. And I love you, too.” Cheers roared as the congregation stood and applauded. Reece ran onstage. Ben pulled her into a hug. An all-consuming hug Amelia knew meant he pledged his commitment to lead their family lovingly in the ways of God.

“Think he’ll show?” Celia asked Amelia and Ben, seated around the reception table with their friends. Ben’s mom, Amber, Celia, Miss Evie, Glorietta and Amelia’s mom had decorated Refuge Community Center for her and Ben’s engagement party, two months after Ben’s dad’s funeral.

Ben clasped Amelia’s hand. “He was sent an invitation.”

“Two invitations,” Amelia’s mom said.

“Three,” Miss Harker added.

“Four.” Miss Evie patted her hair.

“Five.” Gus slid into a chair beside Evie.

Amelia eyed the empty doorway, then the wall clock. Ten minutes after the hour her engagement party was to have
started. “Doesn’t look like it. If he intends to be somewhere, Dad usually isn’t late.”

“Not unless I had to make a special stop for a special girl.”

Amelia whirled. So did Ben.

Her dad approached with Manny. “Found him headed to the wrong building.”

Amelia’s dad extended the vase of flowers to Reece and motioned her close. He whispered something in her ear and then plucked a burgundy rose from the middle of the bouquet. He passed it to Reece, who covered her mouth and giggled before walking over to Amelia.

Hand outstretched, Reece presented the rose. “This is from me because you’re a-a—” She dashed back to her grandpa and whispered, “What was I s’posed to say again?”

He whispered something in her ear and Reece raced back to Amelia. “Because you’re a one of a kind mama and you’ve bloomed into something beautiful over the years.”

“And I don’t just mean on the outside.” Her father stepped forward and extended the other eleven flowers. “Be right back.”

He went out the side door, taking Nolan Briggs with him as he went. They started carting in boxes. All filled with flowers.

Amelia lost count when she got close to a thousand.

Her dad stood in front of her and knelt to one knee. “I know I don’t deserve it. But I’m asking if you’ll consider being my daughter again.”

“I’ve never seen a dad propose to a kid,” Bradley said.

“I’m proposing a change. I want a chance to be the kind of dad you always deserved, Amelia. You’re a good mom. And I know you’ll be a good wife. So, will you give me the honor of letting me walk you down that aisle?”

Flowers in both hands, she knelt and hugged her father for the first time in years. “Yes. I forgive you.” She leaned back and laughed. “But I have a few questions.”

“You always did.” He chuckled.

“Why so many flowers?”

He winked at Ben. “I have it on good faith from a man I’ve come to respect that you like burgundy roses. These are to make up for all the times I should have known that and didn’t. Besides, I can’t let him steal your whole heart. I’m hoping there’s still room left for me.”

She hugged him again. “What changed your mind?”

“Not my mind. My heart. Ben did. And—” he pointed to Hutton “—that feller right over there. The day you boys trespassed on my property to fix my roof without permission.” He chuckled. “For which I’m now grateful. And Hutton had a talk with me.”

“Hutton? What did he say?” Ben asked.

“Right after I threatened to toss you off the roof, he told me he thought I was mean. He asked me why I had pictures of Jesus up on my walls when I didn’t love like Him.” He laughed. “He went on to tell me that he didn’t know how I could tell everybody I was a Christian because he’d looked and looked and looked all day and couldn’t see Jesus living anywhere in my heart.”

Hutton grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

“I also snuck into the funeral. You all didn’t see me because I came late, left early and got the heck out of dodge. I didn’t want to bring more pain on the family. But when I saw Hutton pat his daddy’s cold hand and tell him he’d be happy to know that him and Ben were best friends now, just like his dad always said would happen, something broke in me.” He swallowed.

Ben swallowed, too. Amelia grasped his hand.

Amelia’s dad cleared his throat. “I realized I wasn’t promised another breath. That I was ugly on the inside and it don’t matter what a person looks like outwardly. I grew ashamed of myself and of the prejudices I’d held, and asked God to help me let it go. I also wanted to save my marriage.”

Amelia’s mom stood by him and put her hand to his back.

Amelia’s dad looked at Ben. “Don’t know how this woman put up with the likes of me for so many years. All I ask is that you make things better for my daughter and Reece than I did for my wife and Amelia. You give me your word on that, and we’re good.”

“On my honor, sir. I will.”

“I know you will. I believe it. I also believe you need to know I’d be honored to be your father-in-law.”

Hutton tapped Amelia’s dad on the shoulder. “Um, would you be my father-in-law too? Because I don’t have a dad anymore. He went to heaven.”

The man’s eyes filled with tears and he hugged Hutton. “Buddy, you can call me whatever you want. Just as long as you call me when you need someone to talk to about missing your daddy.”

They went off and talked. Ben faced Amelia and grasped her hands. Warmth filled her heart and hope wasn’t far behind it.

“Let’s pray, Mommy. Together!”

“I don’t know what to say,” Amelia whispered. “Other than to thank You, God for giving me a newly made family by changing Dad’s heart, and for leading me to Refuge.” She closed her eyes and squeezed Ben’s hand.

Taking Reece’s hand and keeping Amelia’s in his other, Ben nodded to Hutton, bowed his head and squeezed back. “And for giving me such a smart brother and this ready-made family.”