Promises of Tomorrow Read online

  She also realized that it would mean she’d officially be a part of the Eight—something she had wanted so badly when they were all much younger.

  Nate looked like he was about to disagree, then gazed at her a long moment. “You know what? You’re right. Let’s take this back to everyone and talk about it tonight.”

  “You mean it?”

  He pressed a kiss to her brow. “I mean it, Kendra. All we can do is try, right?”

  Smiling up at him, she nodded. That was right. All they could do was offer it as a suggestion. If no one else wanted to buy the cabin, she wasn’t going to be upset.

  But if they did… well, wouldn’t that be something?

  Beth and Tricia joined them, each holding a suitcase.

  “I looked in every room and am positive I got everything,” Beth announced. “I’m ready to get out of here.”

  “Me too,” Tricia said. She grimaced. “I think I walked right into at least three spiderwebs.”

  “What do you think, Kendra?” Nate asked. “Are you ready to leave?”

  “I suppose.” She wanted to make more plans, but Nate was right. They needed to do some thinking first.

  Tricia looked from one to the other. “Wait, did I miss something? Kendra, you look almost sad that we’re leaving.”

  “I’m not sad. It was just a silly conversation,” Kendra replied. Turning to Beth, she said, “Let’s hope your car starts and we can get out of here.”

  “I’m not worried about my car working, but I am a little worried about us finding our way back,” Beth said as she led the way out. “It’s really too bad we can’t use your strips of white fabric, Nate. That would’ve been great.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Nate joked. “Here’s hoping it doesn’t take us twice as long to find our way to Kendra’s turkey.”

  “Pit and Pat hadn’t liked being stuck in a sack, and they were scared and hungry. For some strange reason, they completely ignored the carrot that Will had placed in the bag for them.”

  The drive back to the cabin had been surprisingly easy. Beth wasn’t sure if the reason was because it was daylight and she had a better idea of where she was, or if it was due to Kendra’s and Nate’s navigation skills. Likely, it was a combination. Everything was easier with friends.

  That was exactly how she thought of them now. No longer were they just nice people who had gone out of their way to help someone in need; they were her friends. They were easy to get along with and had shared more about themselves than some of the girls she’d known for years. They had gone from being strangers to friends in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months, and for that, she was grateful.

  When Beth parked her car in front of the cabin, everyone ran outside to greet them. It had been so cute, like they’d been gone for days instead of just two hours. When E.A., Katie, and the others started peppering Kendra, Nate, and Tricia with questions, Beth tried to slink off to the side so she wouldn’t be intruding on their conversation.

  But E.A. put a stop to that. She asked Beth all kinds of questions about her car and their trip. All of them were very amused about Nate using his undershirt to mark their way too.

  “We should all go out and see if we can find our way there,” Logan said as they walked inside. “We could make a game of it. You know, the person who spies the most white markers gets to shower first or something.”

  “This might sound crazy, but it sounds like fun,” Marie said. Stretching her long legs a bit, she added, “I’d love the exercise too.”

  “There’s also another reason that I’d like everyone to go see that cabin,” Kendra said as she held out a real estate flyer. “Look at this.”

  Marie frowned. “Are you thinking of buying that place, Kendra?”

  “Kind of.”

  “You aren’t serious, are you?” Beth asked. “The cabin is infested with spiders.”

  E.A. visibly shuddered. “Spiders and who knows what else!”

  “Oh, it wasn’t that bad. Plus, we all know that exterminators can come,” Kendra said. “They’ll take care of the bugs.”

  Beth didn’t want to be the voice of doom, but she thought Kendra was making that shack seem a whole lot better than it really was. She wouldn’t be surprised if there was a mouse or two living under the floorboards. “I hate to say it, but there was more wrong with that cabin than just some unwanted spiders. It needs a lot of work. It’s practically unlivable.”

  “You’re right. It is unlivable… as it is,” Kendra said.

  Katie frowned at her. “Um, what other way is there?”

  “Well…”

  “Uh-oh,” John said. “Whatever you are concocting in that head of yours already sounds expensive.”

  “Listen, hear me out. I had an idea.”

  “Which is?” John asked.

  “We should buy it and fix it up.”

  “ ‘We’?” Logan raised his eyebrows.

  As everyone started talking even faster, Beth perched on the arm of the couch and listened to the questions and comments flying furiously across the room.

  “And then do what?” Harley asked. “Make a little bit of money?”

  “Nee,” Kendra replied. “I think we should keep it.”

  “You want to own that place?” Tricia asked.

  “It could be fun,” Kendra protested. “We could each have a week just for ourselves.”

  “What about the other weeks?” Will asked. “There’s fifty-two of them to worry about, you know.”

  Kendra’s cheeks turned pink. “Well, we could also let our family and friends rent it. That would help pay for its upkeep. And then, how about we consider returning to stay all together one time a year?”

  Katie looked at her husband. “What do you think, Harley? I kind of think it might be nice to have a place for all of us to use.”

  He scratched his chin before speaking in his usual thoughtful manner. “There’s a lot of weeks in a year, that is true. And all of us have a number of siblings and extended family members. I bet Kyle and his wife, Gabby, would be real happy to stay in the cabin for a spell. I know he’d help us do repairs if he could use it.”

  “Of course he could use it,” Nate said. “He’s part of the family.”

  John laughed. “Honestly, if we asked all our families to help with the cabin in some way, we’d have no trouble using it year-round. My family alone could take care of a whole month.”

  Feeling a little wistful, Beth smiled at the group. They were now all talking over one another, playfully calling out weeks they wanted and volunteering skills they had. It was adorable.

  And, if she was honest, kind of heartbreaking too. Tomorrow she would drive home and probably never see any of them again. Everything that they’d talked about and all the plans would still go on, but without her.

  All she would be to them was a memory.

  Katie grinned after volunteering her expertise in booking guests and arranging reservations online. “I think this might actually happen,” she declared, looking like she’d just won a big prize. “I’m so glad you found it, Kendra.”

  “Nee, I only thought of the idea.” Kendra looked at Beth. “Beth, here, is the person who found the cabin. If not for her, we wouldn’t even be talking about such a thing.”

  “You’re exactly right,” John said. “Beth, what do you think? Are you in?”

  The whole gang was looking in her direction. Feeling incredibly awkward, she tried to focus on his question. Was she in? In what? Boy, had she really zoned out for so long that she had no idea what he was asking?

  “I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand,” she said at last. “Am I in for what?”

  “To take a week,” Kendra said.

  “And to join us one week a year,” Nate added. “That is, if you want to see us again.”

  “You’d want me to come?”

  Marie walked over and rubbed her back. “Of course. We want you to be our friend, Beth. I promise, all of us want that.”
/>   “Really?”

  “We took a secret vote last night when you were asleep,” Will joked. “It was a tough decision, but in the end we decided you’re someone we want to know.”

  She grinned. “Gee, thanks. In that case, I’m in.” And with that acceptance came a feeling of hope and warmth that she hadn’t felt for far too long. Like a good friend, she’d welcomed it with open arms.

  “Those tiny guinea pigs charged out of the sack, kind of leapt at Andy, then darted across the room. I hadn’t realized they could run so fast. Or could hide so well… in a Christmas tree.”

  It was their last night together. Not just for the getaway, but also for the next couple of weeks, at the very least.

  When they got home tomorrow, Marie knew everything was going to rush into high gear. She and John would start making final plans for their own families’ Christmas celebrations. John’s parents were hosting a late lunch on Christmas and everyone—even Marie’s parents—would bring a dish. Afterward they’d all exchange presents. Marie and John had already purchased special gifts for each other and their parents, but now, with their big announcement, she wanted to do something more.

  Lying on her side of the bed while she waited for John to get out of the shower, Marie tried to think of all the cute ideas she’d seen on Pinterest, but none of those sounded right.

  Maybe she could run to the big supercenter nearby and get some baby bibs or something?

  “Are you going to take a nap?” John asked when he entered the room.

  “No, I was just trying to think of a way to tell our families about the baby.”

  His expression warmed as he sat down next to her. “We canna just tell them and be done with it?”

  “No. I want it to be memorable.”

  His voice softened as he kissed her temple. “Marie, it will be memorable no matter what.”

  “I want a keepsake or something.” Looking up, she smiled at him. “My mother would love that. You know she would.”

  “I know if we get her something, we’re gonna have to get my mother something as well.”

  She sat up abruptly. “I’ve got it. How about you draw something?”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Like what? A babe?”

  “No, silly. Like ‘grandparents to be’ or something like that. Could you do that?”

  “I’ll do whatever you want, Marie.”

  She knew he meant it too. “You really are the best husband.”

  “If I am, it’s because I love you.” His lips twitched. “When should we tell the news to all our friends?”

  They thought about the logistics for a moment. “The right thing would be to wait until after Christmas. But I don’t think we have plans to see everyone for a while.”

  “Even I know we shouldn’t tell some people weeks before the others.”

  “Is it bad if we tell them before our families?”

  “I don’t think so… unless you think I need to draw everyone some pretty picture for tonight.”

  “You really think it’s okay?”

  “I think we can do whatever we want, Marie. Our friends will keep the secret… and I also think that even if they’re a little hurt that they weren’t informed right away, they’ll get over it.”

  He was right. There wasn’t one right way to do it. “Let’s tell them tonight after we eat.”

  Pulling her into his arms, John murmured, “That gives us plenty of time, then.”

  “For what?”

  “For this, Marie,” he murmured just before he kissed her.

  * * *

  Marie had fallen asleep cuddling next to John and had only woken up when she’d heard everyone talking in the main room. After brushing her hair and splashing water on her face, Marie joined them all at last.

  The moment she walked in, John looked her way. She smiled at him before walking over to all the women in the kitchen. Everyone was helping with the final preparations for their big turkey dinner.

  “We’re so glad you could join us at last,” Katie teased.

  Marie felt her cheeks heat. “Everyone, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened. One minute I was talking to John and the next I fell asleep.”

  “John was adamant about you needing your rest,” E.A. said. “We all understood.”

  “I can’t believe I slept so long. He should have woken me up.”

  “He seemed to think it was a really good thing. Just like you only wanting crackers this morning made perfect sense,” Katie said.

  Marie gulped. “I guess that sounded a little odd?”

  “Maybe. Actually, we weren’t exactly sure what to think.” Smiling at the other women, Katie murmured, “Since you fell asleep first last night, your exhaustion was a mystery, really.”

  “Or, perhaps, not a big mystery at all,” E.A. said. She was smiling too.

  Noticing the women giving one another knowing looks again, Marie felt more than a little awkward. Why, even Beth looked like she was holding back a comment. Marie felt like she should share the news about the baby, but she didn’t want to do it without John.

  Deciding to simply move on, Marie walked over to Kendra’s side. “It certainly smells like Thanksgiving in here.”

  “That’s because our turkey is almost done.”

  “I’m still amazed that big bird fit in that little oven.”

  “Once we wiped down the inside, it started up just fine,” Beth said. “And Kendra here went outside and pulled out a huge container of stuffing from the cooler.”

  Marie noticed that there was an array of dishes spread out on the countertop. Green bean casserole, smashed sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese. “Everyone brought so much. I feel terrible that I didn’t contribute more.”

  “We’re glad you didn’t,” Tricia said. “Really.”

  Kendra was carefully spooning some drippings into a metal saucepan. “Tricia is telling the truth,” she said as she got to her feet and closed the oven door.

  “But still…”

  “I made the sweet potatoes before we arrived,” E.A. said.

  “Beth and I made the macaroni and cheese and casserole about an hour ago,” Katie said. “Beth, you are a gut cook.”

  “Thank you,” Beth replied. “I can’t make a lot of things, but I’m good at following directions.”

  Becoming even more confused, Marie said, “Was I supposed to bring a dish?”

  “Nee,” Kendra said quickly.

  “Really?” She knew she wasn’t a good cook, but she wasn’t that bad. “Come on. Remember how I made that squash casserole the last time we got together?”

  “I don’t think any of us could ever forget it, Marie,” Tricia said as she walked into the kitchen.

  Trish was sweet, and Marie feared, absolutely honest. “It was that bad?”

  “Logan fed his portion to Kendra’s dog, Blue,” Tricia said. “I’m sorry, Marie.”

  “Did Blue eat everyone else’s too?”

  “I never got any,” E.A. said. “Sorry, but I knew better.”

  “Fine. What can I do to help you?”

  “Not a thing. Why don’t you go rest and put your feet up?”

  “There’s no need. My feet are fine.”

  “Are you sure, Marie?” Tricia asked. “They’re not swollen or anything?”

  Tired of dancing around the subject, she blurted, “One of you, please tell me the truth. Did John tell you our news?”

  “Nee. We’ve been waiting for you to tell us.”

  “Fine! I’m pregnant.” And yes, she did sound a little grumpy about it.

  All the women hugged her and started laughing.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Marie is going to have a baby!” Tricia called out.

  All the men started laughing too.

  “John, did you let the cat out of the bag?”

  “Nope. But I’m afraid the nap was a good sign, Marie,” he said as he walked to her side.

  “When is the big day? When are you due?” Katie aske
d.

  “I’m not sure. I only just took the home test.” Doing a little bit of mental math, she said, “Maybe in August or so?”

  “August is a fine time to have a baby,” Kendra said with a smile.

  “How do you know? You aren’t expecting too, are you?”

  Kendra hugged her again before gazing at her with a soft smile. “Oh, Marie. Haven’t you heard? Any time is a grand time to have a baby. It’s common knowledge.”

  Marie smiled. “I’m excited. I haven’t told my parents yet, though. We’re going to give them the news on Christmas morning.”

  “It will be a lovely present. The best gift ever.”

  “It was very exciting. We all jumped up and tried to capture the little things. Well, all of us except for Stephanie. All she did was pick up her gift bag, stand on our couch, and announce that she wanted to leave. But Andy shook his head. He said there was no way he was leaving before we located Pit and Pat.”

  “You still look a little squeamish, Marie,” E.A. said. “Are you sure you don’t want me to do the driving this morning?”

  “What a sight that would be! An Amish woman driving a black Escalade down the highway.”

  E.A. grinned. “It would be quite the sight, but that wouldn’t matter to me. If it would help you, I would do it.”

  “You’d probably get a talking-to from your bishop.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. I have a feeling he might agree that there is a time and a place for everything. I mean, just because I joined the church doesn’t mean I lost my wits. I haven’t forgotten how to drive.”

  “Thank you for the offer, but I’m all right. Those soda crackers really helped. Honestly, I think I’m in a bit of a funk about us having to leave. I wish we could all stay here a little bit longer.” Looking around the cabin, Marie realized that it now just looked worn and dated—not grubby. She was going to miss it.

  Boy, they’d had a good three days here. She’d gotten to spend lots of time with John and all of their best friends. She felt like they’d reconnected again after all the turmoil and changes in their lives.