debut Tuesday Nov22ndIs falling in love only for the young?
Never married, Mavis, a retired college librarian, has made a new life for herself near her “adopted” niece Ellie. Over a year ago, John lost his wife, who was Mavis's best friend for nearly forty years. He has spent the months traveling with his trailer, trying to figure out this new life. But when his only daughter Ellie faces complications with a difficult pregnancy, he’s pulled back to her hometown.
Helping Ellie brings Mavis and John close once again, and new feelings and attractions spark. Maybe falling in love isn’t just for the young, but is it right? Or is it a betrayal of his wife or her best friend? By a Carol Award-winning author, this emotional, small town, family drama will touch your heart. And an adventurous little puppy will make you smile.
Chapter One
The day after Thanksgiving, November 25
Why has he come back one last time? We already said goodbye. Crumpled red, yellow, bronze, and maroon leaves swirled into the air and finally onto the quiet residential street. The dry leaves rustled, a welcome distraction for Mavis. She stood on the front porch steps of the Craftsman bungalow she’d bought and updated after retiring from the university.
In jeans, faded hoodie sweatshirt, and well-worn ball cap, Dex stood below her, looking up. He was talking about his road trip to California and his plans to meet up with some old army buddies out there.
Since she’d heard it all before, she studied the man she’d casually dated upon moving to Hope, a small Northwoods town, three years ago. She and Dex were among a handful of people of color who lived in Hope and saw each other often. She’d enjoyed his company. But, of course, she’d made a mistake. Again. Her heart had begun to feel what it shouldn’t have.
“You don’t think you’d like to come out for a visit when I get settled?” he asked once again. Was he saying it to salve his conscience, or would he miss her too? She didn’t have a clue. She hoped he’d leave now, the chill on the wind making her shiver. She felt hot, irritated, and worse, telling tears were welling up inside her. I will not cry in front of him. I will not. “No, Dex. California is already too crowded, and I’ve come to love the Northwoods.”
“Even the winters?” he quizzed, pulling the lace of his hoodie tighter around his ears.
“Better than wildfires and earthquakes,” she quipped with her standard answer. She sucked in air, willing away the tears that were refusing to be denied. From inside she heard the phone ring. Thank you, Jesus. “Gotta go, Dex. Drive safe.” As he wished her goodbye at last, she waved over her head. The screen door slapped behind her as she hurried into the warmth of her home.
She ran to her cell where she’d left it on her desk. After glancing at the name, she said with sincere gratitude, “Hi, Kerry Ann.”
“Mavis! You sound like you ran to the phone!”
In spite of the tears which were now sliding down Mavis’s cheeks, she grinned. She loved Kerry Ann, who was mother-in-law to Ellie, Mavis’s honorary niece. Kerry Ann was family and a cheerful farmer’s wife who’d become a good friend. Mavis swallowed, trying to clear her emotion-clogged throat, and asked, “What’s up?”
“What isn’t?” Kerry Ann sassed back. “I talked to Ellie’s girls here last night, and they asked me if I would ask you if you’re up for a sleepover.”
Mavis wiped her tears with her fingertips. Yet tears continued to flow. She knew why Kerry Ann was helping out with Ellie and Pete’s blended family. Ellie was expecting their first baby the day after New Year’s. In spite of this, three months ago Ellie had gone ahead and agreed to oversee the latest Habitat for Humanity build in town. Mavis had tried to reason with her, but the young didn’t seem to recognize that everyone had limits. Mavis turned her mind to the topic at hand. “A sleepover?”
“Yes. They told me that you’d promised one, but they didn’t want to remind you directly.”
Mavis again sucked in air, a trick that usually staunched tears. It did help…some. “When?”
“How about tonight?”
“Let me think.” Mavis walked to the kitchen and glanced at the calendar posted on her fridge. Just thinking of Ellie’s precious daughters soothed her ragged emotions. It was early, giving her plenty of time to prepare for the girls. “Okay, I’ll call and invite them. I have something I think they’ll enjoy doing tonight, and we can have a lazy late-morning breakfast tomorrow.”
“That sounds like it fills the bill. Mavis, are you suffering from hay fever again?”
“Could be,” Mavis replied, unhappy that her thick throat from tears had nearly given her away.
“I hear Dex is leaving today,” Kerry Ann said in a noncommittal tone.
Mavis centered herself. Kerry Ann was offering to listen and comfort her. But I don’t want to admit it, not even to Kerry Ann. I don’t want to admit it to myself. “I think he’s doing what he wants,” she said, which was the truth. The unexpected truth.
“Well, then.” Kerry Ann paused. “I need to get busy. The fall rains had made the harvest go on longer than usual. Got to get out and drive the grain truck.”
“You’re a good wife,” Mavis said. They exchanged goodbyes, and the call ended.
Mavis walked to the kitchen sink and gazed out the window at her backyard and its garden, now past the end of harvest—all dry brown leaves. No snow yet. But it would come soon.
Time to be honest with herself and get it over with. She bowed her head and let the hurt of loss, a heavy tightness, roll through her. No more catching a quick meal together or sitting beside each other among the young families that they had been part of and laughing at the antics of the little ones.
She thought back over her “love life.” Her first love entered the military and died in service of his country. Her second serious attachment was a fellow professor who seemed serious about her—until he was offered a guest professorship in England. They had kept in touch till it was clear he was not returning to Wisconsin. And now Dex. “Why did I let myself get used to having him around?” she asked in a low voice to the empty room. Memories, images of the three men she’d cared for, played through her mind, then she snipped them off. “Three strikes and you’re out, girl.”
She turned around and went back to her office. She had emails to answer and some online shopping to do and a sleepover to plan for two special girls, Ellie’s daughters—one adopted and one gained by marriage. Before Ellie’s mother had died over a year ago, she had worn the title of great-aunt, but now she felt more like the grandma. A smile welled up from within. Thank God for Ellie. She wasn’t alone. She had family. And with that she’d be content.
One last tear betrayed her. She swept it aside with the back of her hand, sat down, and opened her laptop with a decisive snap. She saw that she had an email from John. Where was he now?
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