With All Josie's Heart, стр. 9

“What I started to say was that we should just break up in a very public way. We should be able to convince everyone we’d simply been overcome with old memories, and we really weren’t in love after all.”

Michael couldn’t have said it better himself. All morning old images had been popping into his mind. And as he looked at Josie now, he couldn’t help but remember the nervous boy who’d kissed her for the first time in this very spot. His palms became clammy just thinking about that awkward moment from long ago. But like she’d said, that was their past. There was nothing between them now. He couldn’t even call them friends. All he knew about her life were the exciting tidbits Sarah Marshall relayed. But there was more to Josie’s life than her mother guessed. The sadness he glimpsed from time to time in her blue eyes betrayed secrets no one knew.

“Yeah, we should have a fight in front of your parents, so there won’t be any doubts in their mind,” he said.

Josie nodded.

“But in the meantime, we have to convince them we’re falling in love. And to do that, I think we have to spend some time together. I don’t think we can just walk into dinner tonight and tell them we’re getting married.”

“So what do you suggest?” Josie’s nose and mouth crinkled with misgivings.

“They need to know we’re together. Every day. Just like this. Nothing formal. Just casual dates,” Michael said with confidence.

“A few hours a day would be enough, don’t you think?” Josie hugged her arms to her chest, as if the thought of spending time with him repulsed her.

“I think so.” Michael continued as if he had her full support and confidence.

“And what matters is that they think we’re together.”

Michael nodded, wondering the direction her mind had taken.

“Let’s say we came here tomorrow or even met at a restaurant. We could spend the time reading or working, so it wouldn’t be as much of an inconvenience to either of us. I know you’re on vacation, but I’m sure you’ll have to take some time this summer to write next year’s school plans.”

The idea appealed to him. “That’s fine with me.”

Josie smiled for the first time that morning, and her beauty amazed him. Her loveliness went far beyond pretty eyes and silky hair. Only a woman with heart would have agreed to his harebrained scheme. Once again, he felt the old frustration and anger rise within him. They should have been married. They should have had children by now. Instead, they were both alone. Though he would always be grateful for her help, he would never forget the little faith she’d had in their love.

Checking his watch, he said, “It’s time to go home.”

As eager to leave the bridge as he was, Josie matched his pace. The morning had convinced Michael of one thing. This would be the longest six weeks of his life.

After the morning on the bridge, Michael regretted inviting himself to dinner. His mischievous mood at breakfast had backfired on himself. He’d been ribbing Josie, trying to get a rise out of her, and all because he’d wanted to keep her off balance. However, the little time they’d spent on the bridge earlier proved that in order to survive this engagement they had to stay at arm’s length.

“Michael, please sit here. And Josie next to him. Let’s see, Gran, why don’t you come around here?”

Sarah Marshall was too busy orchestrating the seating to notice the reluctant steps of her daughter and Michael. When Gran popped up between them, both Josie and Michael smiled.

Sarah frowned.

“If you don’t mind, I would like to sit between my two favorite people and let their youth rub off on me.” Gran grinned as she reached for both Josie’s and Michael’s hands. “Who’s going to say the blessing?”

“Would you, Gran?” Josie encouraged.

“Dear Lord,” the older woman began. “Thank You for this food and this precious time together. May the blessing of love unite us tonight. Amen.”

Though she was used to Gran’s short, direct prayers, Josie also knew a cryptic message often lurked behind her well-chosen words. Let love unite us tonight. Josie let her gaze drift around the wide table. Yes, she thought, attaching her own spin to the prayer as she avoided her grandmother’s probing eyes. In the days to come, let love reunite me in a very special way with my family.

Demanding everyone’s attention, her father launched into a funny story he’d heard at work, and for a short time Josie forgot her secret engagement.

After dinner, they moved into the living room, where Sarah served coffee and Josie’s favorite date cookies. Only when Gran announced her old bones needed to go home, did Josie realize how quickly the evening had passed. Being surrounded by the people she loved comforted her, and she hated for the evening to end. She’d even enjoyed Michael’s presence.

“If you’d let me, Gran, I’d be happy to drive you home,” Michael said.

“I haven’t had a better offer in twenty years.” Gran winked.

As soon as the two had left, Josie felt her parents’ gaze before she even looked at them.

“It’s good to see you and Michael together again.” Her father pulled her mother close to his side.

“I enjoyed the evening, too,” she said, hoping to satisfy her father’s curiosity.

“He looks well,” her mother added. “You’d never know he’d been in an accident.”

“God was watching out for him. He’s still a little stiff, but in another few days, he should be back to normal.” Josie hated to cut the evening short, but she would if her parents insisted on talking about Michael.

“Your mother said you spent the morning with Michael.”

Josie hoped to sound casual. “He needed to stretch his legs, so we went for a walk. It was good to catch up.”

“You know he’s always welcome here,” her father said, though the approval in his eyes suggested much more.

Josie gathered her nerve and seized the moment. “I hope you mean that. You may be seeing a lot of Michael this summer.”

As shock and pleasure crossed her parents’ faces, Josie tried to tell herself she was doing the right thing for the right reason.

When Josie went down for breakfast the next morning, she noticed an extra plate of eggs and salsa.

“I thought Michael might stop by,” her mother explained.

“I’m sorry,” Josie said. “I should have told you our plans aren’t until later today. We’re having lunch together.”

Sarah smiled and all was forgiven.

As soon as breakfast was over, Josie rushed upstairs to call Michael.

“Couldn’t wait to see me, huh?” he teased.

“Can you be serious for once?”

“Maybe you’re the one who needs to lighten up.”

“Nobody is listening to us, Michael. We don’t have to have one of those silly arguments you described yesterday.”

“Okay. I’ll take you to lunch.”

“No, that’s not what I said. We’ll go Dutch, and I want to drive.”

“You’ll borrow your mother’s car?”

“No, I want to drive yours.”

“In your dreams,” he said.

“Don’t you wish,” she teased back. If they could maintain this lighthearted sparring they might have a chance of getting through their charade.

At noon, Michael backed his Jeep Cherokee out of the garage and honked the horn. Josie raced out of the house and directly to the driver’s side. When Michael showed no signs of moving, she tapped on the glass until Michael lowered the window.

“You’re serious about driving?” A weary look darkened his eyes. She nodded. “Been there and done that.”

“I can’t believe you’re still holding a grudge. It’s been ten years since the fender bender.” That accident had been her fault, but if she hadn’t been so enthralled with the good-looking boy seated next to her, she would have seen the parked truck.

“It was more than a fender bender. My car was never the same.” And Michael had never let her drive his car again.

“Fine. Then you can forget lunch.” She crossed her arms over her chest and refused to move.