Salt Water Taffie (Boardwalk Brides Book 1) (12 page)

“Ryan, you are a wonder,” Mrs. Carini said. “But I have to say I’m absolutely exhausted, just listening to your ideas. My head is spinning.”

“I only wish I could do more.” He took a seat, wishing he could speak his heart. If he had his druthers, he’d quit the appliance repair business altogether and just help people with things like this. He’
d
─

Just then, his cell phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. Ryan glanced down, recognizing his pop’s number at once. He answered to discover another repair job awaited.

With a heavy heart, he turned away from the excitement of untapped dreams. . .and toward his more dismal reality.

SEVENTEEN

After leaving Carini’s, Ryan pointed his work van in the direction of Mama Mia’s Italian restaurant on the south end of town. Pop had mentioned a walk-in refrigerator in need of repair. Not a small job. And from what his father said, a complicated situation, one he couldn’t tackle alone, particularly since he wasn’t feeling well.

As Ryan contemplated what lay ahead, he felt the joy eke out of him, much like air out of a balloon. Working with Taffie and her parents on a plan of action had been exhilarating. But now. . .

Well, now he had to get back to the real world.

He arrived at the restaurant in short order and found his pop in a quieter-than-usual mood as they worked alongside each other. “I missed you this morning,” Ryan said after several minutes of silence from his father’s end. “Feeling better now?”

“Not really.” His pop gazed at him with tired eyes. “It’s times like this I truly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Ryan drew in a deep breath to keep from saying anything he might later regret.

“Had a hard time sleeping last night,” Pop continued. “Just worn out today. And I woke up with a terrible headache, which isn’t helping any.”

“What’s up with that?”

The wrinkles in his father’s brow deepened. “I hate to admit it, but I’ve been worried about Vic and Mallory. Your mom told me they’re talking about separating again.” He rubbed at his brow, then shrugged.

“No way.” At once Ryan’s thoughts shifted to Casey. Poor little thing. Would she ever know the peace of mind that a solid parental relationship would bring?

“I don’t know what’s wrong with that brother of yours,” Pop said with a sigh. “I didn’t raise him to put his own needs above those of his family. Not sure where he came up with the idea that he’s the one that matters most. And why he’s turned his back on his faith.” Here, Ryan’s father’s eyes misted over. “It’s beyond me. Surely he can see that God is the only one who has the answers to these sorts of problems.”

“I know Vic is going to come around. We can’t stop praying.” Ryan did his best to muster up a smile. “And I know you, Pop. You take the same fix-it mentality you use in the appliance business and apply it in other areas of your life. I’m the same way. But in this case, it’s truly between Vic and God. There’s nothing you can do but pray.”

“That’s why I couldn’t sleep last night,” his father explained. “Your mom was a little, well, weepy. I’m surprised you didn’t hear us from your room upstairs. We ended up having quite a prayer meeting.”

“Ah. No, I slept like a log. But I did notice your light was on before I headed up to bed. Sorry you woke up not feeling well, though.”

“Oh well. I’ll sleep better tonight.”

They went back to work, finally locating the source of the problem. “We’re going to have to come back tomorrow to wrap this up,” Ryan said. “I’ll stop by and pick up the parts we need. What time tomorrow morning, Pop?”

“I guess. . .” His father tried to stand, but stumbled. He reached for his right leg, shaking it. “S–strange. Must’ve f–fallen asleep.” Finally aright, he seemed to falter.

“Pop?” Ryan looked his way, alarmed. “You okay?”

“W–what? I. . .I. . .” His dad looked dazed, disoriented. “I’d better s–sit down a m–minute. Stood up too f–fast or something. M–mighty dizzy.”

Ryan’s heart leaped into his throat as he guided his father to a chair. Something was up, for sure, and it was more than a simple case of exhaustion or a headache.

“Pop, I think it’d bette
r─
” He never got to say the words
call 9-1-1
before his father slumped over in the chair. Ryan reached out to grab him before he slid to the floor. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. “Pop? Pop!” When no response came, Ryan called out to the restaurant manager, who appeared in a flash. The fellow took one look and went into a panic. Ryan thrust the cell phone into the man’s hand, stammered, “Call 9-1-1!” then promptly began to pray. “Oh, God. . .please help my father!”

***

Taffie waited till the crowd cleared at the end of the afternoon to pick up her cell phone to call Ryan. She could hardly wait to thank him for his kindness earlier in the day. Oh, and what amazing ideas he’d had! She and her parents had already talked through many of them, coming up with a plan.

She punched in his number and waited in anticipation to hear his voice on the other end of the line. When his voice mail kicked in, she sighed. Oh well. A message was better than nothing.

“Hey, Ryan. Just wanted to say thanks for all of your suggestions today. You’ve definitely put the rainbow back up in the cloudy sky for my parents. And I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am. And how hopeful. I, um. . .I’m so happy God brought you into our lives.” She glanced at the clock, then continued. “Listen, I’m going to be in class after I leave here, but I’ll be done around nine. Give me a call tonight, if you can. When McKinley shows back up with his client I want to be fully prepared to explain our plan of action. In fact, I’d feel better if you were here with us when they came. If you don’t mind, I mean.”

She paused a moment, wondering if there was enough recording time left to sneak in a final phrase or two. “Have I told you how much I appreciate you? I. . .I think you’re great. And I—” A beep suddenly ended the call and she hung up, feeling like a giddy schoolgirl as she thought through what she might’ve said:
I think you’re the best thing since Rocky Road. I think you put the dream in Dreamsicle. I think I could write a song right here and now, and dance around the room, making up my own choreography as I go along.

After a deep, heartfelt sigh, she went back to work. A few minutes later, as she closed up the shop, her mother approached. “You’re singing again.”

“I am?” She paused to think about it. “Yeah, I guess I was. Didn’t even realize it. What was I singing?”

“ ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain.’ ” Her mother pointed up to the speakers in the ceiling. “It’s been playing for the last couple of minutes, but you’re louder than the music.”

“No way.”

“Yep. Just thought it was worth mentioning. Falling for Ryan has brought out your musical gifts. He’s right about that singing valentine thing. You could do it, no problem. We just have to come up with the right songs.”

“Oh, I don’t think I—”

“You know, I can hardly wait to see what happens after the two of you get married and start having children. You’ll probably end up in Nashville, cutting an album together.”

“Mom.” Taffie laughed. “You’re funny. And who said anything about getting married? Ryan and I are jus
t─
”

“Perfect for each other.”

“Well, but he’
s─
”

“An amazing man of God who cares about his faith, his family, and my daughter.”

“Mom.” Taffie couldn’t hide the smile. “You’re quite a matchmaker.”

“With your sisters both away in school, who else do I have to match up?” her mother asked. “Besides, this time I’ve hit the nail on the head. Ryan is perfect for you.”

“Well, I can’t say that for sure yet,” Taffie acknowledged, “but I can say he’s been good for all of us. Those ideas of his were clever, to say the least.”

“Clever enough that Pop and I are already talking about our trip. I’ve told him to start packing. We leave in three weeks.”

“Okay, so tell me all about it.” Taffie took a seat at the table, finally ready to hear her parents’ plans in detail.

“Ooh! Hold on and I’ll get the brochures.” Her mother disappeared into the office, returning a few minutes later with a manila envelope stuffed full to the brim.

Just then Pop entered from the back room. “Finished that last batch of cherry taffy. Guess I’ll call it quits for the day.” He looked at the brochures and his eyes began to sparkle. “Are you two talking about what I think you’re talking about?”

“Yep.” Taffie’s mother grinned and gestured for him to sit beside them. “I’m telling Taffie about our trip out west to see the cowboys.”

“Cowboys?”

“Well, modern-day cowboys.” Her mother pulled out a brochure for a museum in New Mexico. Ruidoso. It’s one of the towns with several RV parks. And you should see the place we’re going to be staying at when we get to Bryce Canyon.”

“Bryce Canyon?”

“Utah,” her father explained. “We’ll stop by the Grand Canyon on the way, but from what we’ve heard, Bryce Canyon is even more breathtaking, especially as the sun is setting.”

Her mother pulled out another brochure, this one with an exquisite photo on the front. “If a picture paints a thousand words, then what do you have to say about this?”

“Wow.” Taffie had never even imagined anything so beautiful, and told them so.

“And then there are the redwoods in northern California, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition Trail in Idaho, Montana, and Washington.” Pop’s voice grew more excited with every word. “And we’re talking about hitting a few Indian reservations along the way.”

“There’s this place in Washington State that does historic reenactments,” her mother explained. “Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

“Um, sure.” Taffie leaned back against her seat. “I just have one question.”

Both parents looked at her at once, echoing, “Yes?”

“Are you ever coming back?”

Her mother laughed. “Well, sure. For the wedding. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Wedding? Is there something I need to know? Has Candy met someone?”

“No, silly.”

“Tangie? ’Cause if she has, remember, she’s fickle She might say she’s in love today, bu
t─
”

“Taffie, I’m talking about you and Ryan. Dad and I have been praying and we’re convinced he’s the one for you. So, we’ll be home in plenty of time for the wedding, but we think it would be better if you planned it for next summer sometime. That would be most convenient for us.”

“Mom.” Taffie dropped her head in her palms and began to rant—ala Broadway style—about her mother’s ability to twist the conversation back to marriage. “There’s not going to be a wedding anytime soon, so don’t get your hopes up. He might be the right one for me, but. . .”

“But what?” Pop reached over to kiss her on the cheek. “If he’s the right one, he’s the right one. You two go together like. . .like marshmallows and almonds in Rocky Road.”

“Like. . .like mint and chocolate chip,” her mom threw in. “Like peanut butter and chocolate.”

“Stop, stop!  I get it!” Taffie laughed. “I’m going to put on ten pounds, thinking about how perfect Ryan and I are for each other.

“He would still love you anyway,”

Love? Who said anything about love?

Taffie flashed a smile, then got back to closing up the shop, humming a happy tune.

EIGHTEEN

Ryan paced the hallway of the emergency room. His mother leaned against the wall, exhaustion showing in her red-rimmed eyes. In the two hours since their arrival, his father had been examined by countless doctors. “How long is this going to take?” His patience wore thinner as each minute ticked by.

His mother’s tears were the only response he got. He reached over and slipped an arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mom. I need to stay calm, I know.”

“You’re doing fine, son. In fact, I don’t know what I’d do without you boys. I could never make it through this alone.”

“You won’t have to.”

“I just feel so. . .guilty.” She dissolved into tears, then finally came up for air with an explanation. “His blood pressure was elevated last night and I insisted on talking about Vic and Mallory. I think I got him worked up.” She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “This would never have happened if I had just rolled over and gone to sleep. I should have known better.”

“We don’t know that, Mom. And besides, you can’t hide things from Pop. He had to have known things between them were bad again. You can’t slip anything by him.”

“I know, bu
t─
”

“There are no buts. We just move forward from here,” Ryan said. “We’ll get through this as a family.”

“You’re just like your pop,” his mother said. “Wanting to make everything right again.”

Even when I can’t. Even when things are totally out of my control.

Just then, Vic and Mallory rounded the corner. Together. A sense of relief washed over Ryan right away. Now, if only they could lay their differences aside to walk through this valley without fighting with each other, perhaps they could present a unified front as a family.

“How is he?” Mallory’s wrinkled brow and tear-stained eyes showed her concern.

“He’s had another stroke. That’s all we know for sure. Worse than the first one,” Ryan said. He wanted to add
much worse
, but didn’t, because he wanted to keep his mother’s spirits up. In his gut, however, he feared the worst. Pop had pulled through the first one, but this one was bad.

“Did he ever come to?” Vic asked.

Ryan shook his head. “No. They’ve taken him for an MRI and have already drawn blood. Lots of it. And you wouldn’t believe how many doctors they’ve sent in to examine him. It’s been like a revolving door in his room.”

“What are they thinking?” Vic took a seat, and looked up with concern in his eyes.

“They’re suspecting a blood clot that blocked the blood flow to his brain.” Ryan shrugged. “But we don’t know for sure yet. They’re still running tests.”

“Anyone heard from Luke?” Vic asked.

“He’s here. He went to get a soda.”

“Who’s watching Casey?” Ryan’s mother asked.

“My mom,” Mallory explained as she sat down next to Vic. “And she’ll keep her all night, too, so we’re not in any hurry to leave. We can stay here with you.” She looked up at Vic hesitantly. “At least, I can.”

“I can, too,” Vic added. He drew near to Mallory and gave her a look that could almost be described as endearing. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “We’re in this. . .together.”

***

Taffie curled up in bed with her journal at her side. She tried not to fret over the fact that she’d now left two messages on Ryan’s phone and he hadn’t returned them. On the other hand, it was Wednesday night. Surely he’d spent the evening at church, leading worship. Likely he’d call her in the morning.

Just then, the phone rang, startling her. She reached for it, her heart racing a mile a minute. Just before answering, she glanced down at the caller ID.

“Candy!” She answered with joy leading the way. “I can’t believe it.”

“Believe it. I finally slowed down long enough to call.”

“How are things in Tucson? Are you jetting all over the world?”

“Hardly. But I am inching toward the goal. I’ll have my pilot’s license soon. Then comes the hard part. It’s a tough road to go from private to commercial, but I’m determined.”

“What are your plans?”

“After I get my commercial license, I hope to eventually get hired on with Eastway so that I can fly out of Newark. That way I can stay close to home. Being here in Arizona makes me feel like I’m on the other side of the world. And I’m so busy, I can hardly stop long enough to check my e-mail or make a call. I miss my sisters.”

“Aw. I miss you, too. And you know Tangie. She misses us when she’s not in love with whatever leading man she happens to be starring alongside.”

Candy laughed. “You’ve hit that nail on the head. But speaking of falling in love. . .”

“What? Have you met a handsome pilot or something?”

“Well, a few.” Candy laughed. “But everyone is so focused on the task at hand, there’s little time for romance. But that’s not where I was headed.”

“What? Something about Tangie I need to know?”

“No, goofy. Mom tells me
you’ve
met someone.”

Aha. The real reason for her call. Taffie groaned. “She’s a snitch. I wanted to tell you, myself.”

“Tell me about him. All she said was you two were a match made in heaven. Then she mentioned something about how she’s finally going to get to see Pike’s Peak and Rocky Mountain National Park.”

Taffie sighed. “Yeah. They’re leaving on their extended tour of the western United States in a few weeks if Ryan and I can set this new plan in action for the shop.” She proceeded to tell her sister all of his suggestions. She paused and explained each one in detail, remembering the look on his face as he’d shared his ideas. What progress they’d made in just one day.

“It all sounds great,” Candy agreed, after hearing the particulars. “But you haven’t told me about
him
yet. What’s he like? Mom says he’s a keeper, and I know what that means. He’s got a good relationship with the Lord. But that doesn’t tell me anything about what he looks like.”

“Oh, Candy.” Taffie paused, trying to figure out where to begin. “He’s tall, dark, and handsome.”

“As in, Hollywood handsome?”

“Well, yeah, but not Hollywood self-absorbed. He doesn’t even seem to realize how great he is.”

“But he is?”

“Oh yes. He’s one of those people that the love of God just shines through. You can see it in his eyes. He’s the real deal. Oh, and get this. He’s the worship leader at his singles group. And he has the most adorable seven-year-old niece. You should see him with her. They’re great together. And his parents. . .” She went off on a tangent about how similar their two families were. Before long, Candy was laughing.

“Well, you’d better claim him quick, or I’m going to grab him up when I get home.”

“No you’re not.”

“Kidding. But seriously. . .what happens next? It’s not like in high school where you could say you were going steady. You’re not wearing his class ring or anything like that.”

“No, but I feel like a kid when he’s around, that’s for sure.” Taffie couldn’t seem to stop the giggles. “And I sing now.”

“You do not.”

“Yeah, I do. Love songs. Worship songs. Mom says I sing all day at the shop, but I don’t really think about it.”

“Well, you know what the Bible says,” Candy reminded her. “ ‘A cheerful heart is good medicine.’ So, you must have a cheerful heart.”

“And it’s just what the doctor ordered,” Taffie admitted. “I guess I was ripe for this and just didn’t realize it. I’d put my love life on the back burner to handle things at the shop.” She considered telling her sister just how burdened she’d been with taking over the store, but opted not to. Why put a damper on things now, when she was finally starting to see that light at the end of the proverbial tunnel?

Candy’s voice interrupted her ponderings. “So, the doctor ordered up a tall, dark, and handsome male to cure the blues, huh?” She laughed. “Looks like I’m due for a trip to the doctor myself. I’ve been mighty lonely out here. All this talk of good-looking guys is making me a little jealous.”

“Well, come home and see us sometime,” Taffie responded. “Ryan has a single brother.”

“Hmm. Don’t think I want to be fixed up on any blind dates, thank you very much. But I will be there for the wedding. I understand we’re wearing pink.”

“Wait, wedding? Pink?” Taffie sat straight up, puzzled. “What are you talking about?”

“Mom said Ryan’s niece called her on the night you two went on your first date and told her she wants to wear pink at the wedding.”

“Good grief. Are you serious? Casey actually called the shop?”

“Yep. Told Mom she’s got her heart set on cotton-candy pink. And something about a tiara. I understand she was even specific about the length of her gown. So, keep all of that in mind as you make your plans.”

“Plans? What plans?”
Right now, I can’t even get Ryan to answer my calls, so don’t jump the gun with this whole wedding thing.

“Oh, I’ve got to go. Got a call coming in. But take care of yourself, sis. And take care of Mom and Dad before they gallop off to meet the cowboys. Give them my love.”

With that, Candy was gone. Back to her fast-paced world of flying hither, thither, and yon.

And Taffie. . .well, as she rolled over in the bed, she pondered the many things Candy had shared. Had Casey really called the shop and insisted on pink? If so, why hadn’t Mom said anything? And did everyone think they were a match made in heaven. . .after just one date?

Did she?

A dozen thoughts rolled around in Taffie’s mind at once. . . .

Cotton candy pink dresses.

Singing valentines.

Saltwater taffy.

Specially designed Easter Eggs.

Bryce Canyon under a setting sun.

A sweet as sugar kiss from a handsome appliance repairman.

Hmm.
All such lovely thoughts. With a love song consuming her heart, Taffie finally drifted off to sleep.