Unexpectedly Home Read online

  Gus and I decided to drive to Melbourne, the next town over, in order to get some supplies at an affordable price. We loaded up on toilet paper, breakfast cereal, light bulbs, and other necessities. On the drive home, we kept exclaiming over what we saw. There were mountains in the distance, cattle and horse ranches, and a sky so blue it didn’t seem like it could be real.

  “I like Wyoming,” Gus declared.

  “Oh, yeah? What do you like about it?”

  He thought for a minute. “I like how big it is.”

  “Nebraska was pretty big,” I challenged.

  “Yeah, but I like Wyoming big better. There are more horses and stuff. Do you think I might get to ride a horse?”

  I raised an eyebrow at that. Gus was not particularly coordinated, and the idea of putting him onto a big horse was not one I liked. This was one of those moments where it was tempting to baby him. But my brother wasn’t a baby. He was a grown man, and I had to share control of his life with him.

  “We’ll have to see if we can find a place,” I promised. “But no wild stunts. I don’t want you to fall off and end up with both your arms in casts.”

  Gus laughed as we pulled into the driveway and parked outside the Gate House.

  “I need your help carrying all this,” I told him as we climbed down. Then I loaded him up with a big package of toilet paper and an equally large one of paper towels. I hefted an armful of bags and headed toward the front door.

  To my surprise, it was unlocked. I pushed it opened and ducked my head inside.

  “Hey!” called a man’s voice from the bathroom. “Don’t be scared! Rosa asked me to come and fix the shower head!”

  “Okay!” I hollered back. I’d taken on more than I probably should have, and I needed to put down my shopping bags.

  So, I went inside and dropped everything on the dining room table. Gus deposited his paper products there, too, and we headed out for the last load.

  I was just shimmying out of my coat when the handyman emerged from down the hall. I don’t know what I’d expected, but I was taken completely by surprise at the sight of this man. He was taller than average and burly, with muscles filling out his vee-neck t-shirt. This t-shirt revealed two forearms covered in full tattoo sleeves. He sported a full beard and mustache, which were both the same chestnut brown as his neatly coiffed hair. He watched me with serious gray eyes, waiting patiently for me to adjust to the idea of his presence.

  Normally, seeing a very large, tattooed man coming out of my bathroom would be an alarming event. However, somehow, I knew that this fellow posed no risk. Maybe it was the fact that we were in a small town rather than a big city. And he knew my aunt, which spoke well of him.

  “I’m Corinne Harrington, and this is my brother, Gus,” I said and stuck out my hand formally.

  “I’m Matt,” he replied. His hand enveloped mine, and then he turned to shake Gus’s hand, too.

  “You’re big,” Gus said bluntly.

  I watched this Matt carefully for signs that he was offended, but his mouth quirked in an amused smile.

  “Is the shower fixed?” I refocused the conversation.

  Matt turned his gray eyes back to me and nodded. “Yep. I also tightened the screws on the shower handle.”

  “Thanks,” I said. Then I waited for him to take the hint and get on his way.

  But Gus had other plans. “Do you like to play Mario Kart?”

  “I do. What system do you have?” Matt replied gamely.

  “I have a PlayStation, but I want an X-Box,” Gus grumbled. Then his face lit up, “Do you want to play?”

  “Gus, I’m sure Matt has other things he needs to be doing,” I hurried to say. I didn’t want my brother’s feelings hurt if his new friend wasn’t interested in hanging out.

  Matt shoved his big hands into his jeans pockets. “I’ve got time for a few rounds.”

  Gus practically danced over to the couch, where he used the remote controls to get them playing in no time. I rolled my eyes and got to work putting everything away.

  In fact, as the two played and egged each other on, I grew more and more irritated. I should have been thrilled that this stranger was being so kind to my brother. But I just wanted him gone. Maybe it was the tattoos or the beard or the fact that he towered over me, but I just didn’t feel comfortable with Matt around.

  I put the last of our purchases away and made myself a cup of tea. From the living room, I heard Matt telling Gus he had to go.

  “I’d like to come back and play again sometime soon, if that’s okay,” he said.

  “Yeah! It’s okay!” Gus trilled.

  Matt came in search of me. “Would you mind if I came back to hang out with your brother?”

  I didn’t know what to say. So, I dunked my tea bag up and down and tried to find the right words. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  Matt leaned against the door frame. “I can understand why you’d question my motives. Did I mention that my sister is Rosemarie Donovan? Our family owns the ranch where you’re going to start working.”

  My stomach sank. I’d been rude to the son of my new employers. Way to go, Corinne!

  3

  In the hopes that I hadn’t shot myself in the foot with my standoffish behavior, I gently changed tack. “Rosemarie said that she co-owns the dance studio in town and doesn’t work at the ranch anymore. Where do you work?”

  “I own the local coffee shop, Birch Springs Beanery,” he explained. “You should come by sometime.”

  I lifted my cup slightly. “I’m more of a tea drinker.”

  Matt shook his head. “That’s too bad. You are missing out.”

  I shrugged, not knowing what to say that wouldn’t insult his company and what was probably his life’s work. Coffee was gross, and I far preferred herbal tea. I didn’t want to come out and say it, though, and it seemed that we’d run out of things to say.

  “Well, I’ll get going. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” Matt retrieved a toolbox and a worn canvas satchel before calling a good-bye to Gus and walking out the door.

  Once he was out of sight, I scurried over and peeked out the narrow window next to the front door. I watched Matt toss his things into the backseat of a well-worn SUV which was parked on the other side of the driveway. No wonder I hadn’t noticed it, I thought ruefully.

  I should have been able to enjoy the rest of my day. After I finished my tea, I got down to the business of putting up finishing touches. I hung pictures, spread rugs, and made Gate House our home. Like my aunt, I had a love of pretty things and took the business of decorating very seriously. But this time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my awkward meeting with Matt would come back to haunt me later.

  And so, the next morning, Gus and I bundled up and drove into little Birch Springs, where we easily found Birch Springs Beanery on Main Street. Emily, who was a co-owner with him, had informed me after a little discreet prodding that Matt would be working this morning.

  Delicious smells enveloped us as we stepped into the Beanery. My ever-critical eye analyzed the interior of the building. It was long and old. The hardwood floors were original and bore years’ worth of scuffs and scratches, though they gleamed. The walls were a calming blue and bore tasteful black-and-white artwork.

  Behind the wooden counter stood a teenage girl sporting an apron and taking orders. Matt was manning the machines, and between the two of them, the sizable line moved quickly. I took a minute to read the menu posted on the wall behind the counter.

  “What do you want to drink?” I asked Gus.

  He frowned and read the menu, the tip of his tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth as it always did when he concentrated. “I want a hot chocolate,” he finally declared.

  I stepped up to the teenage girl and ordered a chai tea and a hot chocolate. Her name tag informed me that her name was Sophie.

  “Do you want whipped cream on your hot chocolate?” Sophie asked Gus.

  “Of course!” he
answered enthusiastically.

  To her credit, Sophie grinned at him and punched the order into the register. She told me the total, and I handed over my debit card.

  Just then, Matt looked over and said, “That’s on the house, Sophie.”

  “Sure thing,” she chirped and clicked some more buttons.

  We stepped over to the side, out of the way of the pair of middle-aged women behind us, and Gus leaned on the counter, watching Matt’s every move with great interest.

  My face was red and I quietly admonished Matt. “That wasn’t necessary.”

  He glanced up and considered me for a moment. Then he looked over at the line, or lack thereof by now, and said to Sophie, “I’m going to talk to Corinne and Gus for awhile, Sophie. Are you okay taking over?”

  She turned and actually rolled her eyes at her boss. “Silly question.”

  Matt handed over our finished drinks before giving Sophie’s shoulder a fond squeeze. Then he came around the counter with a steaming mug of his own. “Mind if I join you?”

  For reasons I didn’t want to examine too closely, I became tongue-tied when Matt came near. He was so tall and muscular and scruffy. I didn’t like scruffy, so why did his beard and tattoos pique my curiosity?

  Luckily, I was rescued by my brother, who eagerly declared, “Yeah!”

  I followed the two guys to a private table near one of the windows. Before sitting, I took off my coat and put it neatly on the back of my chair. I’d spent a fair bit of time and effort on my hair, makeup, and outfit. Did Matt notice the big, loose, dark curls spilling over my shoulders? My large brown eyes, which were cleverly enhanced by my eyeshadow and liner? Did he appreciate that my dark teal tunic sweater set off my skin well? Or was his attention taken up with the size of my legs in my skinny jeans, the bulge around my waist that I tried to keep hidden, or my thick arms?

  “Thanks for our drinks,” I said again, my voice a bit too formal. I’d made enough errors yesterday. I didn’t need to add more gaffs to my tally.

  Matt leaned back comfortably, a twinkle in his clear gray eyes. “Actually, I’m hoping that I can get you two to listen to a proposition I have.”

  I glanced at my brother. He was cheerfully scooping the whipped cream from the top of his cup with a spoon and seemed very open to anything Matt might suggest. In fact, I was beginning to suspect that if this new acquaintance suggested jumping off a bridge, Gus might heartily follow along.

  “What’s on your mind?” I asked and tried to sound like I was willing to hear him out.

  “After I left your place yesterday, I started thinking that we could really use some extra help around here.” Matt gestured around the room. “We often are too busy to keep things tidy, or we just forget to do certain jobs. It would be a big help to have someone working here who focused on those things.”

  I blew on my chai tea and frowned. Matt knew I already had a job at the ranch. Did he think I needed more work? Was he suggesting I work evenings and weekends for him?

  I was, therefore, completely taken aback when he turned to Gus and asked, “What do you think, Gus? Would you be interested in working here?”

  Gus, of course, looked as if he’d been offered a chance to go to Disneyland. “Yeah! I want to work here!”

  But reasons why this wouldn’t work were already cramming themselves into my brain. I put my cup down and shook my head, trying to pick the reason that would best explain to Matt why this was a terrible idea.

  Before I could even speak, Matt leaned forward and put a quelling hand on mine. “Let me go get Emily. She can give Gus a tour while you and I talk about it.”

  He heaved himself to his feet and lumbered off. I couldn’t believe how heavy-handed he was being about this! Surely he wasn’t going to steamroll me into letting my brother work at the coffee shop.

  Gus was beaming. He was sitting up straighter than before and looking around the shop with great pride. I groaned inwardly. I could have cheerfully clobbered Matt. He’d offered Gus a job he couldn’t accept, and I was the one who was going to have to be the bad guy.

  “Hi, Gus! Hi, Corinne,” called Emily as she approached our table from the back. “Matt told me that he talked to you about our idea. What do you think?” She looked between us, then correctly read Gus’s enthusiasm and my reluctance. The smile slipped from her face and she shot a worried look at Matt. “Well, I’ll take Gus back and show him around while the two of you talk. Bring your drink with you, Gus.”

  I watched as my brother carefully carried his hot mug with him as he followed Emily, who was already telling him about the shop. I turned to Matt, who had retaken his seat, and opened my mouth to put my case as nicely as possible.

  “I appreciate you considering employing Gus, but I’m afraid it’s a not good idea,” I said mildly.

  Matt leaned his elbows on the table and sipped unhurriedly from his cup. “Why not?” he finally asked.

  Don’t lose your temper, I reminded myself, knowing I was employed by his family. “We’ve tried to get him a job before, and it didn’t end well,” I explained. When Matt just looked at me quietly, his expression open and clearly listening, I went on. “He was a part of a program that found jobs for special-needs adults. Other people in the program were very successful, but my brother never found anything that was a good fit.”

  I looked down at my cup and let anger and frustration wash over me as I remembered the experience.

  “What happened?” Matt asked quietly.

  Instantly, the urge to wrap myself in a protective cocoon and keep him at arms’ length sprang up. I looked up, ready to demur, but saw such genuine concern in Matt’s eyes that I paused. I hardly knew this man. I should keep our private business private, shouldn’t I? But I remembered Rosa’s words. I had no reason to believe that Matt was anything but kind.

  I sipped my tea and made myself relax. “He had a really awful boss,” I admitted finally. “I don’t know how the program leaders missed it, but she was terrible. She got upset with every little thing he did wrong and said mean things about him to other people in Gus’s hearing.” Tears pricked at my eyes. “He ended up calling me in the middle of the day from the bathroom. He’d knocked something over, and this lady had berated him in front of several customers, who laughed at him. When I got there, Gus was sitting on the bathroom floor crying.”

  Matt was shaking his head, disgusted. “We live in such a broken world,” he said.

  My eyes widened. That wasn’t what I’d expected him to say, but he was right. “I’ve had a hard time forgiving her,” I confessed quietly, hardly believing the words were coming from my mouth.

  “Justice belongs to God, Corinne. Either that woman will come to Christ and her sins will be forgiven, or she’ll pay for them in eternity.” He said it with such certainty that I could only stare.

  I wasn’t used to big, burly, tattooed, bearded men who talked so plainly about Jesus. In fact, the only man I’d heard talking about God lately was our pastor. Yet, here was Matt, working this biblical wisdom into our everyday conversation. It was disconcerting.

  “I can’t promise you that things would be perfect if he worked here,” Matt went on. “But Emily and I both agree that we’d love to have Gus working for us. He’s a really great guy.”

  I pursed my lips, amazed that I was actually considering it. “There are some things you need to know,” I said slowly. “Gus gets really anxious sometimes and just shuts down. He’s very smart, but it takes him time to learn new routines. He would need a lot of patience from everyone, even customers. And he can be clumsy at times. It’s possible he might break something or knock things over.” I rubbed my upper lip, then caught myself and forced my hand down. “I just don’t know.”

  Matt looked down at his cup, listening intently. “Take time to think about it. The offer stands, Corinne. Maybe after you’re settled in, you’ll decide to give it a try.”

  “I’ve arranged for him to go over to the house of a local retired teacher who’s goin
g to watch him. I don’t want to cancel that before we’ve even started,” I explained apologetically.

  “No problem. Keep it in mind, and we’ll see what happens. I’ll explain to Gus. Maybe he could work for a few hours on Saturday mornings, just to start seeing if he’d like the job.”

  I nodded, relieved. It was a good solution. We finished our drinks and I marveled at how sensitive and thoughtful Matt had been. For such a big, rough-looking man, he was turning out to be awfully sweet.

  4

  When Rosemarie and Mae had invited us to come to church with them, I’d been touched and accepted. They’d assured me that the congregation was casual and Gus didn’t need to dress up. They had the good sense not to advise me on what to wear. I’d like to think that this was due to the fact that every time they’d seen me, I was perfectly dressed and coiffed with full makeup. But it was likely that they knew I was Rosa’s niece, and therefore inherently endowed with good fashion sense.

  The two girls picked us up at Gate House that morning. Gus had been thrilled when I told him he could wear jeans and a nice polo rather than dress pants. I swear, men must be allergic to dressing up. Gus always acted as though I was proposing we chop off his feet at the ankles whenever he had to wear dress pants.

  I’d chosen a pair of ponte knit leggings with knee-high boots and a silk tunic under a long cardigan. It was casual, yet nicer than just jeans, and the cardigan would ensure I wouldn’t freeze should the church be cool. I also had on my nice wool coat, though Gus was wearing his one and only winter coat. It was an unfortunate Kansas City Chiefs bomber jacket he’d gotten for Christmas three years back from one of our older brothers. Gus loved it and couldn’t be parted from it.

  “We really love Mosaic Fellowship, even if it is all the way out in Barry’s Corner,” Mae informed me from the driver’s seat.

  I nodded and tried to look interested while clutching my seat and praying we didn’t die. Mae, I was quickly learning, drove as though she was in a video game. The little redhead seemed to have a surprising need for speed.