Her Old Kentucky Home Read online

  “Of course, she does. Mom’s probably stressed out by all the changes in my life, compounded by preparing all the food for tomorrow. She’ll want your help cooking or at least being her gofer. Just keep your cool. I’ve never seen her act this way before.”

  Bella stuck out her chin. “I’m game. I can always run to the store if things get tense. But I’m not sure how I can convince her I’m not evil.”

  He kissed her cheek. “She’s being protective of her little boy, I guess. Things will be better in the morning.”

  “We can only hope.” She laid her head on his shoulder for a moment. “Good night, Davie. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Sweet dreams, Beautiful.”

  After Bella closed her door, David headed down the hall toward his own room, then changed his mind and descended the stairs, the banister adorned with pine garland and white lights—Mom’s special touch. His parents didn’t bother with a tree anymore since he and his brothers had left home. Instead, Dad put all his efforts into the light display, and Mom decorated the inside of the house to make it festive for all the guests who would stop by between now and Christmas.

  When he got back downstairs, his mother was washing out the coffeepot and setting it up for the morning. She looked up when he entered the kitchen.

  “You heading to bed soon?” she asked.

  “Soon.” He paused. “About tonight.”

  Her shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry. I know I was out of line, but I love you, Son. I don’t care how old you get; I still don’t want to see you hurt. Who’s to say Isabella won’t run out on you like Catelynn did?”

  “There are no guarantees in life, Mom, but I don’t believe she will.” He crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter. “If you’re so concerned about how Catelynn treated me when she called off our wedding, why are you hinting around about her now, filling her in on what I’m doing?”

  She said nothing for a moment but instead pulled the dishwasher detergent from under the sink and poured some into the dispenser. “Catelynn has changed. She’s matured and grown up. She’s solid and dependable. I know she still loves you and regrets how she treated you.”

  “I’m happy for her. I pray she meets someone special someday.” He settled onto the stool at the breakfast bar. “But that someone isn’t me.”

  His mother shook her head. “Be careful with Isabella. I’m sorry she has had a hard time of it, especially losing both of her parents. You mentioned her job’s in jeopardy, too, but will she even want to move back to Kentucky?”

  “Honestly? I don’t know, but it’s going to be okay. Regardless of what happens with her job, regardless of what happens between us, I’ll be fine.”

  She cast him a doubtful look before turning on the dishwasher.

  Chapter Eight

  Bella bunked in David’s younger brother’s room, the walls still covered with school-spirit banners and trophies from high school and college. Sports memorabilia, including a signed baseball, rested on the top of a bookshelf.

  She felt tired and cranky. She didn’t want to confront David’s mother about her rudeness, because Barbara Moore might be right. What if Bella wasn’t good enough her son? Not that she was inferior, but David deserved someone ready to settle down and start a family. Bella loved her career and the travel. Could she be satisfied in a traditional marriage role, being home for good instead of on the road most of the time? No wonder Mrs. Moore had misgivings about her.

  With a sigh, Bella sank onto the twin bed. She should have stayed at the farm and let David come here alone to spend time with his parents. The ill-fitting diamond slid sideways on her finger. But he had been thoughtful enough to notice her enthusiasm when she saw it in the jeweler’s window.

  Her phone lay on the nightstand where she’d left it after dropping her overnight bag on the bed. She rolled onto her side and picked up her phone. A text from Jo-Jo, asking how things were going with the parents. Another text from a colleague, Jeremy, the director of program development at work.

  Call me. It doesn’t matter how late. Your position is being phased out, but I caught wind of something else I think you’ll be ideal for.

  Something else? But that first part of the text—her position being phased out? She stared at the felt pennant pinned to the ceiling above the bed. The news didn’t surprise her, but it still hit her hard. She’d held out hope the restructure wouldn’t affect her job. But there it was, displayed on her phone.

  Maybe she should think about moving to the farm for a while after New Year’s, but how would she, or even could she, survive there? She needed to think rationally. It wasn't as if Kentucky was a third-world country. But she was used to keeping her suitcase ready and collecting new stamps on her passport. A new hotel, another culture to visit. God had made a big world, and she loved getting to see much of it.

  She called Jeremy’s number. He answered on the second ring.

  “Good, I’m glad you took my message seriously and called right away.”

  “Of course. Tell me what you’ve heard.”

  “The London group can’t stop talking about the great job you did a few weeks ago. Their head of program development resigned. Family issues. We talked about the restructuring here and your current position. Send me an updated résumé so I can refresh their memory about you, and the job’s as good as yours.”

  Bella sat up. “With the London group? As in me working in London full time?”

  “Well, you wouldn't live in Paris.”

  She laughed at that. “I suppose not. Salary package?”

  “Whatever you’re making now, plus ten percent more. Stock options, vehicle allowance, housing stipend. And you wouldn’t have to travel as much.”

  “London is expensive.” She hesitated. “I’ll need to consider it carefully.”

  “I thought that’s what you’d say. Don’t consider it carefully for too long though, Tucker. New Year’s is coming, and you’ll be out of a job unless you apply for the transfer.”

  “Thanks for letting me know, Jeremy. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

  “You’re welcome. Happy holidays. See you after the first of the year.”

  After they ended their call, Bella stared at her cell. London—half a world away. During her most recent trip there, she’d reveled in the British countryside, the Brits’ manner of speaking, and especially the dry humor of her colleagues abroad. But move there? Not as much travel. That might be a negative.

  Then she studied the engagement ring on her finger. What should she do?

  The idea of moving an ocean away from her family tugged at her heart. With Jo-Jo and Jed likely heading to the altar, that would mean babies in the future. She loved talking to her nephew Timothy via Skype, and she could still do that, but she’d missed so much of his childhood already. Yet Amy and Tim lived in New Orleans, even farther away from Chicago than Bluegrass Crossing.

  Then there was David—his sweet warmth and strength. She couldn’t hug him, or spend quality time with him on an Internet connection. How often would they even see each other? But what else could she do if she walked away from this job of a lifetime?

  What else could Tuck have done if he’d separated from the Marines that he loved so much and stayed home to raise his family? Would he have been happy or miserable? She laid back and stared at the ceiling again. The memory of an old argument between her parents returned unbidden.

  “I’m tired of this, Tuck,” her mother had shouted. “I can’t do it anymore. If you leave this time, that’s it for us. I want a husband I see more than once a year.”

  “There’s another choice, and you know it,” he yelled back. “You and the girls can follow me to Germany.”

  “I told you I won’t drag our daughters halfway around the world while you play soldier.”

  “Then stay here without me.” His angry voice had scared Bella. “I’m a Marine and always will be. When you figure out what’s more important to you—this horse farm or me—let me know.”


  After Bella heard her dad slam out the front door, Jo-Jo crawled into her bed, and they cried themselves to sleep. The next morning, her father had said good-bye, and she never saw him again.

  Now she wished she had brought the letters Jo-Jo had pushed into her hands before she and David headed to Louisville. But she’d set them on the hallway table in the entryway and walked out without them. Part of her didn’t want to know what Tuck had written. Had her dad apologized? Begged her mother to move to Germany?

  “Dear Lord,” Bella whispered, “help me know what to do. From the time I was a kid, I knew I wanted to travel. What I do helps make people’s jobs easier. I’ve always loved solving business problems. How can I do that in Kentucky? It wouldn’t be the same. If I say no to the London offer, I’ll need to find another job. And please, help me to decide whether I should say yes or no to David.”

  The entire block showed up for the annual “Lights-On Celebration” given by the Moores. David felt almost the same sense of anticipation he had when he was a little boy, waiting for his father’s yearly light display. They expected at least fifty neighbors from this block and beyond to stop by and see the lights.

  This year there was an addition of tens of thousands of LED lights programmed to play in conjunction to the rhythm of the music. Tonight, visitors would enjoy trays of appetizers, snacks, and cookies thanks to Bella and his mother. When Mom developed a migraine midafternoon, Bella took over the rest of the food preparation.

  “I can’t promise everything I fixed is as good as your mother’s,” Bella said as she stood by David’s side.

  He stamped his feet in the cold and hugged her with one arm. “I’m sure it’s all tasty.”

  “Ha. But thank you. I couldn’t bear to see your celebration be anything less than spectacular. I know how it is when a plan goes sideways and there seems to be nothing you can do.” Bella’s breath made cloudy puffs in the frigid air.

  When she slipped her arms around his waist, leaning against him, he kissed the top of her head.

  “You’re amazing, you know that? I know Mom hasn’t been easy to deal with.”

  “She loves you and doesn’t want to see you hurt again. I get that. I’d probably be the same way.” Bella smiled at him. He flashed her a wry grin. “I don’t think this will be the last time you two don’t see eye-to-eye. You’re sort of like her.”

  “Thank you . . . I think?” She hugged him tighter.

  He meant every word. After the disaster last evening, the atmosphere between his mother and Bella had warmed slightly at breakfast, although they really didn’t say much to each other at the table. He hoped the rest of the morning had gone smoother.

  How best to introduce inquisitive neighbors to Bella? He did it simply as, “This is Isabella.” The rest sorted itself out and no one asked any questions if they noticed her ring.

  He wanted her to be his bride, wholeheartedly. He reaffirmed within himself that he wouldn’t ask her again, but would let her give him her answer, whether that be yes or no, in due time. After his morning prayer times, he felt convinced God would have him remind Bella of his love for her, and God’s as well. They were both unconditional. Well, he hoped his was unconditional. He did his best.

  Would he still love Isabella Tucker if she declined his proposal? Tonight he gazed down into her sparkling eyes and knew he would. Her refusal would wound him deeply as would her decision not to follow him to Kentucky. But with God’s help, he would survive. He hugged her tighter.

  They stood off to the side of the yard where they could see the faces of the crowd, lit by the street light on the corner. The rest of the yard remained dark.

  “All right, folks, it’s time,” David’s father called out above the chatter of the group gathered by the front curb. “The display is bigger and better than ever. Let’s count down from three. Three—two—one!”

  Dad flipped the switch, and the yard came to life with colorful lights—the roof, windows, and doors; the trees and bushes clustered in the front yard; Santa and reindeer on the lawn; and lighted archways lining the front walk. They’d put in a good eight hours yesterday and nearly ten today.

  Bella gasped. “Oh, it’s beautiful. I had no idea it would look like this. You did a great job.”

  His dad trotted indoors and soon the first strains of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra blared from a small speaker. When the lights began to flash in time to the music, the neighbors applauded.

  David had to applaud, too. Dad had pulled it off again. “We did it. It actually worked.” He smiled down at her.

  Bella nodded. “I never doubted it would.” She glanced toward the front door. “There’s your mom. I’ll help her with the snack trays.” With that, she headed into the house.

  During Bella’s days in Kentucky, her laugh had come more easily, her smile more frequently. David prayed she’d see this place was doing her plenty of good, that slowing down didn’t mean stopping her life, and that her wardrobe needed a closet rather than a suitcase.

  He’d loved his days in Chicago. The city had a pulse and an appeal unique to it. But home? There was no other place like it. He tried to get around the cliché, but he couldn’t. Nothing could compare to seeing his father’s pride at his yard display, nor his mother passing out lovingly prepared snacks to her neighbors. Nor Bella, finding her place among them and rediscovering her place with her own family.

  Lord, please, somehow let this work. If Bella needs convincing to marry me though, I don’t want her to stay if one day she’d resent her decision.

  As the evening progressed, he introduced her to the newer neighbors on the block. Old man Webster brought queso dip for the party with his Chihuahua prancing beside him on a red-and-green leash. He approached David and Isabella, his left hand holding a Caprese bite and his right hand holding the leash and a cup of steaming cider.

  “Good to see you again, young man.” Webster’s voice held the same gravelly tone it always had. “I’d shake your hand, but both of mine are full right now.”

  “Good to see you, too, Mr. Webster.” He turned to Bella. “I’d like to introduce you to Isabella Tucker. She’s visiting her family over in Bluegrass Crossing.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Webster inclined his head in a courtly gesture.

  “Nice to meet you.” Bella flashed her wide smile at him.

  “You here for long? Are you spoken for? If not, I’d like to take you out for supper one night.” The old man’s eyes twinkled.

  “I am spoken for, Mr. Webster, but thank you for the invitation.”

  “You’re most welcome.” Webster shook his head. “I had to ask, you know. David, my boy, don’t let this one get away.”

  With that, he trudged off toward David’s mother, who held a tray of chicken wings.

  David didn’t respond to Webster’s comment. Instead, he faced Bella. “Thank you for helping Mom. She’s completely in her Christmas element right now.”

  She nodded. “This is a lovely tradition for your neighborhood.” Her voice sounded wistful.

  David wanted to tell her she was already revisiting her family’s traditions and maybe was on the way to making some new ones, but he didn’t.

  Chapter Nine

  So, how did it go with David’s family?” Jo-Jo flopped onto her pillow and stared across the bedroom at Bella. “I know what happened the first night—horrific—but how was everything else after that?”

  “Better, a lot better.” Bella bit her bottom lip.

  “But?”

  “But I heard from the office. The company is phasing out my job for sure.”

  “Oh, no.” Jo-Jo sat up. “I’m sorry, Bell. What will you do?”

  “Here’s the deal—there’s a position for me in London if I want it. Better pay, less travel.”

  “Less travel? But you’d be thousands of miles away.”

  “I know.” Bella frowned. “It’s a great opportunity though.”

  “Did you tell David?”

&nbs
p; She shook her head. “No. He was busy all day yesterday, setting up the lights, and I helped his mother. Then, there was the party . . .” It sounded like a flimsy excuse, which it was.

  “You didn’t tell him on the ride home today?”

  “No. I still don’t know what to do.”

  “Have you prayed about it?”

  “Yes, but I don’t feel like there’s a clear answer.” Bella sighed, drawing her knees up to her chin. “I love what I do. Like I said, this is a great opportunity. Lots of Americans live and work overseas. I’m still young. I’m not married, and I don’t have any children.”

  “But you have a ring on your finger and a decision to make.”

  Bella lifted her hand and looked at the diamond. “He’s so good to me.”

  “And here comes another but.” Jo-Jo swung her legs over the side of the bed.

  “You know me too well.” Bella stood and paced the yellow-and-white room. “But I don’t know if I can stay here, because here is where I’ll end up if David moves back to Kentucky. My place will be with him. I’m afraid, Jo-Jo. I’m afraid our love won’t be enough. I saw Mom’s journals. She loved Tuck, but it wasn’t enough to keep them together. What if David’s love, as amazing as it is, won’t be enough for me? I’m afraid I’ll end up like Dad, dying alone with a pile of regrets because of decisions I made. He always said I was his Tough Cookie—made from the same dough he was.”

  Jo-Jo rolled her eyes. “That was a metaphor, silly. You’re you. Sure, you were bitten with the travel bug like him. But you’ve seen the consequences of our father’s decisions and have learned from them. Anyway, even if he and Mom had stayed together, we’d be right where we are right now: deciding what to do with an old horse farm in serious need of help.”

  “Maybe we all would have stayed closer to home if Tuck had stayed here, and things wouldn’t have fallen apart like they did. . . . our family wouldn’t have fallen apart.” She paused at the window that looked out on the stable.

  “All those maybes don’t change things now.” Jo-Jo joined her. “We might have spread far and wide from the farm, but you and I are here together now. Tuck would approve. Speaking of which, did you take the time to read those letters yet?”