Muffins & Moonbeams Page 14

  The house was dark. All the blinds were still closed. Malachi thought back to the times he’d visited on the porch with Amos and couldn’t remember if that was usual. It didn’t seem like it. Not for a man who could rhapsodize about the sunshine like Amos could.

  There was no one in the kitchen. Or the living room. Malachi swallowed, but it did nothing for the desert in his mouth. He turned on the hallway light and looked down toward the bedrooms. Everything was neat, it didn’t look like Amos had fallen or anything like that. He strode down the hall, peeking in the first door and continuing on when that room, too, was empty.

  The door to the second bedroom was open. The lamp on the nightstand was on and Amos was tucked neatly in bed, his eyes closed. He looked small and frail. The importance of Amos’ friendship slammed into him and tears blurred Malachi’s eyes as he crossed the room. With a shaking hand, he reached out and gently shook his friend’s shoulder. Amos’ eyes fluttered open but they didn’t latch on to Malachi’s. Something was clearly wrong.

  No. He couldn’t die. Malachi sank to his knees and dropped his head to the side of the bed. Tears slipped down his cheeks. What was he supposed to do? He swallowed the lump in his throat and knuckled away his tears. For now...he needed help. He stood and, after one last look at his friend, hurried from the room.

  He jogged across the street and rapped on Ursula’s door.

  She opened it a crack. “It’s not a good time. I have a headache and—”

  “Please. I need help.” Malachi signed without speaking, his voice frozen in his throat. “It’s Amos.”

  Confusion registered on Ursula’s face, mixed with a trace of irritation. “Who’s Amos?”

  “Your neighbor?” Malachi pointed.

  “Mr. Greenway?”

  Malachi nodded. “He’s really sick. Can you call an ambulance?”

  Ursula didn’t move for the space of several heartbeats then pushed the door open wider. “Come in. I’ll grab my phone.”

  While Ursula punched in 9-1-1, Malachi signed a short version of what happened. She nodded and relayed a summary to the operator.

  Malachi sank onto the couch and buried his face in his hands.

  The cushion next to him gave way as Ursula sat. She laid her hand on his leg and rubbed.

  When he looked up, she nodded out the window. “They asked us to meet them at the door. Are you—can you?”

  He nodded and started to stand. Malachi looked over at Ursula and warmth pushed through the cold inside him. It was as if everything had been blurry and now, suddenly, had snapped into focus. “I love you.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched up, her eyes lighting. She touched her lips to his, just the barest brush, but it was enough. “Here they are. Come on.”

  20

  Ursula held Malachi’s hand as he spoke to the policewoman on the sidewalk, explaining once again what had transpired, but her thoughts were jumbled. He loved her. She squeezed his hand. Was this love? It wasn’t like in the movies. But then, what in life was?

  The EMTs carried the stretcher down from the porch then rolled it to the ambulance. Malachi stiffened, his breath catching.

  “Do you know who we should contact?” The officer, who’d introduced herself as Gloria, slipped a pen out of her shirt pocket.

  “Not really. His wife already passed. But he said he texted his kids and grandkids...so I guess try his phone. I’m glad it’s you who responded. I needed a friendly face.”

  Gloria put the pen back in her pocket and smiled. “We’ll figure it out. It’s good you went in. Cases like this, sometimes people go for awhile without anyone noticing. Since you found him, we can get him help and hopefully he’ll be on his way to recovery soon.”

  “I don’t think that would’ve happened to Amos. He has friends at his church who stop by. And his kids, like I said. And me.” Malachi’s eyes filled again and he turned his head away.

  “Which church?”

  Ursula bit her lip. Malachi wasn’t watching, so he wouldn’t have seen the woman ask her question. “I think he goes to Arcadia Valley Community. But I’m not positive.”

  “You’re the neighbor?”

  Ursula nodded.

  “When was the last time you remember seeing him?”

  “I’m pretty sure I saw him out on the porch this morning. He likes to sit out and watch the neighborhood. He wasn’t there when I went out this afternoon though, around two?”

  “Thanks.” The policewoman touched Malachi’s arm. “Hang in there, Malachi.”

  He nodded. “Thanks, Gloria.”

  She nodded and returned to her cruiser.

  Malachi’s shoulders hunched.

  Ursula slipped her arm around his waist and waited until he met her gaze. “Come on. Let me fix you some supper.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Just some soup. It’ll warm you up. If you need more after that, I make a mean grilled cheese. I have this bread from a local bakery, maybe you’ve heard of them, A Slice of Heaven?”

  The corners of Malachi’s lips tipped up.

  Her heart lifted. That was better. “It makes amazing sandwiches.”

  “I was going to surprise you after I talked to Amos.”

  She chuckled. “You still surprised me.”

  “I bet. You said it wasn’t a good time. I can go. I know how to make soup.”

  “Please don’t. I’d like you to stay. I’ve been thinking about you all day.” That was a bit of an understatement when she considered how her thoughts had veered at the wedding dress shop. But the main idea was the same.

  “Okay.”

  She pushed him toward the couch. “You sit. I’ll make the food.”

  He nodded.

  Chewing her lip, Ursula went to the kitchen. She dropped a scoop of kibble into Triton’s bowl and reached for her phone. She’d text Ruth and let her know what happened. If he was her brother, she’d want to know. She made it clear that Malachi was okay. Then she went to the freezer and pulled out a glass jar. She’d made a big batch of chicken noodle soup in the spring and had stored most of it for the winter. This seemed like the perfect time to break some out. She took off the lid and put it in the microwave for just long enough to loosen the contents enough that she could scoop it out into a pan. Soup always reheated better on the stove.

  Maybe after they ate, they could go down to the hospital and check on Mr. Greenway. That might help Malachi feel better. How late were visiting hours? She opened a browser on her phone and looked up the information. Hmm. They might not make it. But they could at least call and find out if Malachi could visit tomorrow.

  The soup began to bubble. Ursula stirred it and dipped her finger in. Not quite hot all the way through, but getting there. She peeked into the living room. Malachi was on the couch, his head back, eyes closed. She’d never seen him look so exhausted. But he was still handsome. She smiled and, after turning the heat down, tiptoed into the living room. Half way across the floor she stopped and laughed. She didn’t have to sneak. He wasn’t going to hear her. She finished crossing to him and gently lowered herself into his lap.

  Ursula laid her head on his shoulder. His arms came around her, holding her in place. Even as she relaxed into his embrace, every nerve ending was on fire. It was wonderful. And right.

  He loved her.

  She raised her head and met his gaze but the words lodged in her throat. Could she trust him enough to say them? Could she trust herself?

  He smiled then, for a moment, before bringing his lips to hers.

  * * *

  Ursula waved to Malachi as he drove off. The sun had set and the evening air had cooled to the point that she rubbed her arms before closing the door. Her cell phone rang. She snagged it and accepted the call. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hi, baby. How was your shopping trip with your new friend?”

  Ursula chuckled. Leave it to her mother to latch onto not only the fact that she’d voluntarily gone shopping but that she’d managed to make a female fr
iend as well. “It was good. Ruth found a dress, so I guess you could say it was a success.”

  “That was fast. Oh, honey, you didn’t talk her into settling for something just because you hate shopping, did you? It’s her wedding. She needs to feel like a princess. Maybe you should’ve made her wait until her own mother could go. Or a sister?”

  “Nice to see you have confidence in me. As it happens, I did not make her settle. I even suggested she go ahead and try on another dress after she was ready to stop. She ended up going with her original pick, but at least this way, she knows for sure it’s the right one. And she has brothers. No sisters that I know of.” Ursula dropped onto the couch. She turned her face into the cushion and breathed in. There was a tiny lingering hint of Malachi’s scent. She hadn’t wanted him to go. But it was good he did. “Then Malachi came over for dinner.”

  “Oh?” Her mother had always been able to ask a number of questions with just one word.

  Ursula filled her mom in on the events of the evening. “I called the hospital after we ate. He’s been admitted and Malachi should be able to visit him tomorrow. They didn’t say anything about what happened, but that’s to be expected. Still, it’s good Malachi decided to stop by and take him muffins.”

  “You said his name’s Amos? I’ll get him added to the prayer chain. It was nice of you to make him some dinner. It must’ve been a shock.”

  “I had a little shock myself.”

  “Of course you did. I’m sorry. He’s your neighbor, after all.”

  “Not that, although yes.” Ursula took a deep breath. Telling her mother was a big step. But why would she wait? It was the first time she’d ever felt this way. The first time anyone had felt this way about her. “Malachi told me he loves me.”

  “Oh, honey.” Her mother sniffled. “I’m so glad. When you came home...I was worried about you. More worried after you left. But this young man...you love him?”

  “I...how do you know? How did you know you loved Dad?”

  “Hmm. I reached a point when I couldn’t imagine my life without him. When even my worst day with him was better than the best day if he was missing. Beyond that? I chose it. I chose to love him. I still do, every day. Sometimes I think the world gives us this message that love is some mysterious vapor that you breathe in and catch like a virus, when what it really is, when you boil it all down, is a decision. Everything you’ve told me about Malachi says that he’s a kind, smart, handsome man who loves Jesus. He’s committed to his family and he’s a hard worker. I couldn’t ask for any better qualifications in a man for my daughter to love. Which brings us back to my original question. Do you love him?”

  Did she? Was it really as simple as choosing? They had chemistry. And friendship. And the days when she saw or talked to him were so much better than the days without. “Maybe I do.”

  “Then maybe I’m happy for you.”

  Ursula chuckled.

  “Bring him with you when you come for Thanksgiving.”

  Ursula laughed. She didn’t even know if she was going home in November yet. Her unplanned trip had made a big dent in her travel fund. Sure, business was good, but that just meant she had enough to live on, not that she had enough to jet around the country all the time. “We’ll see what I can do. I love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too. Keep me posted, okay?”

  “Of course.”

  Ursula ended the call and hugged herself. In love with Malachi. He was her best friend—well, his online persona was. And now that she’d gotten to know him in person, even with their fight, that still held. She was more comfortable talking to Malachi than she’d ever been with anyone else. A choice. All things considered, it would be an easy one to make. Triton jumped up next to her and butted her arm with his head. She chuckled and rubbed him from his head to the tip of his tail. “I know, I know. Time for your treat, greedy boy.”

  21

  Malachi wrinkled his nose against the antiseptic smell of the hospital and glanced down at the paper holding Amos’ room number. He carried a small green potted plant in his left arm along with a paper sack. Mrs. Akers, at Blossoms by the Akers, had assured him it was a good gift for someone in the hospital. It wasn’t girly. That had been his primary concern. No man wanted flowers. A plant though, that could be manly. Or was Amos too old to care about manly? Maybe he liked flowers. It was too late now. He was getting a plant.

  Malachi swallowed. There it was. He poked his head in the door. Amos sat watching the television with the captions on. He smiled when he saw Malachi and waved him in.

  “I brought you a plant.” Malachi set the pot on the table by Amos’ bed and looked at his friend. “How are you?”

  “That’s a beautiful hosta. Thanks. I’m okay. Had a stroke, they’re telling me. Also saying I owe you my life. So thank you. I’m grateful you stopped by.”

  Malachi nodded, noticing now the droop in the left side of the older man’s face and the difficulty he had signing with both hands. “I don’t want to tire you out, but I wanted to see you. Make sure you’re okay.”

  “Don’t go. It’s horrible here. My daughter is on the way out, but she won’t be here until tomorrow morning. And the sign language interpreter at the hospital is only around when the doctor makes his rounds, though they said they’d bring her whenever I wanted her. I don’t want to be a bother. So the rest of the time, it’s just me and the TV. I want to go home.”

  Malachi pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat. “I’m sorry. I can stay. I should have come in the ambulance with you last night.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m not even sure they would have let you. You’re not kin. But if you can stay for a while now, I won’t say no.” Amos offered a weak, one-sided smile that left him looking like the old man he was.

  “Of course. Just let me tell my brothers not to expect me back.” Malachi pulled out his phone and texted Micah. They’d understand. Jonah had already suggested he take the rest of the day off. “There. One good thing did come of this.”

  “Yeah? What’s that? I could use a silver lining.”

  “I told Ursula I love her. Seeing you that way...it all sort of came together. I want what you and Alma had. And I want it with Ursula.”

  Amos nodded. “Let an old man give you one more piece of advice?”

  “Of course.”

  “Don’t waste a lot of time waiting for it to be perfect. Pray about it, yes. But when you know for sure, ask her to marry you. And then get married and start a family. Kids today seem to think they need a year or five in between each of those steps, and before you know it, you’re married, sure, but you’re pushing forty and just starting to think about a family. Don’t do that to yourself.” Amos’ hands dropped to the bed, his left arm and hand quivering.

  Malachi nodded. Marriage. The thought didn’t scare him like it had yesterday. What had that panic been about? Was it simply because he’d been taken by surprise? She’d tended him last night, making soup, snuggling with him on the sofa. It had killed him to leave. He wanted that every night. He wanted to have a chance to tend her when she needed it.

  “She didn’t return the sentiment. But she didn’t run screaming, either. So I guess we’ll see what happens. Believe me, there’ll be a lot of prayer. Anyway, I brought you a muffin, hungry?” He reached for the paper sack he’d dropped at Amos’ feet.

  “Oh yeah.”

  * * *

  “How long will Mr. Greenway be in the hospital?” Ursula slipped her hand into Malachi’s.

  He wove his fingers through hers and gave them a light squeeze. “Three to six days, depending. I think his daughter said they were leaning toward four. So two more after today? But she—the daughter—wants him to move to Retro Village. He doesn’t want to give up the house.”

  Ursula winced. “That’s...hard. She didn’t offer for him to go live with her?”

  “Don’t know. Maybe she did, but I can’t see Amos giving up on Arcadia Valley. He’s lived here almost his whole life. In that house.
If he doesn’t want to leave the house, why would he willingly leave the town?”

  “To live with people who love him and want to help, maybe?”

  Malachi smiled. That was a point. Not one Amos was likely open to hearing though. The stroke had caused only minimal damage, which was a blessing. The doctors figured that Malachi had showed up fairly soon afterward, so the brain damage had been limited. But Amos still had a long road ahead of him. Right now, he could sign—basically—with both hands, but his left leg was useless. And if he couldn’t get around on his own, then the retirement center where nurses were available at all hours was the best choice. Well, second best. Going home with his daughter would be best, but... “He’s pretty stubborn. I tried to stay out of it, which his daughter appreciated, though it made Amos angry.”

  “Stuck in the middle. Poor Mal.” Ursula bumped his hip with hers as they walked through Founders Park.

  “Why do I get the feeling that wasn’t sincere?” He smiled. Maybe he didn’t get sarcasm, but he was pretty sure that’s what that had been.

  “I’m serious. Mostly.” She grinned and leaned up until their lips met.

  Malachi stopped and pulled her into his arms. Maybe she’d intended it to be a light kiss, but that didn’t mean he had to leave it that way.

  She eased back. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling. She opened her mouth and then closed it.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Let’s walk. I need to get back to work. I have two new clients—both CSBs. Do I have you to thank for that?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve joined a few online groups for them and might have mentioned how great our site is. It does everything we need and, other than that one hiccup where you fired us as your clients, you’re easy to work with.”