The Journey Home

1 Abby spied an empty bistro table tucked into the corner of the coffee shop. She had deliberately avoided the lunchtime rush on the off-chance that Devin pitched a fit when she strapped him into the high chair. Over the last few weeks, he had grown accustomed to sitting on her lap to eat. Abby pushed the high chair against the wall and quickly slid him behind the tray before wiping it down with a wet wipe. Then, to Devin’s delight, his plastic sippy cup and plate appeared. He grinned as she put a few Cheerios on the plate. Abby hoped it would keep him busy while she closed her eyes and soaked in the aromas that beckoned when she and Devin walked in the door. Moments later, she was jolted from a sleep-deprived haze. Devin burst into sobs. He flung his sippy cup through the air, and the top popped off when it hit the floor, where it left a trail of juice. Instinctively, Abby pulled him from the high chair and wrapped him in the safe haven of her arms. The woman from behind the counter stooped to retrieve the cup on her way to the table. “I’d be happy to wash and refill it with apple juice. Maybe you’d like some tea?” She smiled at Abby who was patting the squirming, howling baby on her shoulder. “It’s hard when they can’t tell you what’s wrong, isn’t it?” Abby, close to tears, looked up to see the woman give her an understanding smile. She was holding Devin’s cup in one hand and a full coffee pot in the other. “Oh, thank you. I haven’t gotten the hang of all of this baby stuff yet, and coffee would be wonderful.” Abby was grateful she wasn’t being asked to leave. “Let me take care of the juice first, and I’ll be right back.” She retreated to the kitchen. She returned in minutes with a plate of muffins, taking a moment to observe the girl and her baby. Abby was sure she could tell she was exhausted. The dark circles were a dead giveaway. She set the juice cup on the tray and the muffins on the table, then proceeded to pour steaming coffee into a mug. Smiling, she asked, “I’m sorry, you look very familiar. Have you been in here before?” “Mrs. McKenna, I’m Abigail Stevens. I went to school with Shane and Katelyn,” Abby murmured. “Abby, of course. I’m Cari Davis now; I remarried six months ago,” she beamed. “Do you remember Jake Davis? He lived across our backyard?” Abby nodded. “I married his dad, Ray, on New Year’s Day,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “Is this your baby?” Cari reached out to smooth the soft blond curls on his head. “No, Devin is my sister Kelly and her husband Tim’s son.” Resting her cheek on Devin’s head, her tears fell unchecked from her stormy gray eyes. “Well, he was,” she added sadly. “They died in a car accident and appointed me his guardian.” Cari asked, “May I hold him?” She stretched out her arms. “Soon, I’m going to be a grandmother. Jake and his wife, Sara, are expecting twins.” Tear-free Devin leaped into Cari’s waiting arms. To give Abby some privacy, Cari motioned for her to sit facing into the shop. She seemed to understand that sometimes a good cry helped more than anything else. She sat down in a chair, jostling Devin on her lap, and draped her arm around Abby. The soft sound of hiccups broke the silence. Mortified, she croaked, “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I gave in to my pity party. Usually, I wait until the baby goes to bed. I’ll take the baby monitor into the bathroom and cry in the shower until the hot water tank runs cold.” Ashamed, Abby looked down at her clenched hands in her lap. Gently placing her hand on Abby’s arm, Cari attempted to reassure her. “It’s okay. We all need to let go from time to time, and sometimes you can’t help where or when it happens.” She gave Abby’s arm a pat. “Please, don’t give it another thought. Besides, I got to hold this handsome young man.” she grinned at the baby. “He is very sweet.” Abby lit up. “This is Devin Stevens Martin. Kelly didn’t want her son growing up with a bunch of nicknames, so Tim said they’d better choose a name wisely. When Kelly found out she was having a boy, her in-laws insisted the baby have a proper family name. The Martin’s weren’t happy, but Kelly and Tim held their ground. Frankly, it was one of the only times Kelly didn’t cave into their pressure tactics.” It was a relief to talk about her sister; since the funeral, Abby had felt lost and alone. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t heard about Kelly. Doesn’t your family live outside of Boston? What brought you back to Loudon?” Abby stared out the window. Her voice barely above a whisper, she said, “Loudon’s always been my home. Growing up here was the best. I always thought, someday, when I had kids, I would raise them here. When everything changed for me, the only thought I had was getting away from the city and the sad memories. I wanted to open the back door and see green grass and breathe fresh air. I missed digging in the garden, and a little boy needs a sandbox and swings. I wanted Devin to grow up in the same house where his mother spent her childhood. So, I packed a few boxes, our suitcases, and here we are.” “When will your parents visit? I’m sure they miss you and Devin. Your parents were among the first to be regular customers when I opened the shop. “I’d love to see them.” Choking back fresh tears, she said, “It’s just the two of us. My folks passed away before he was born. We’re both orphans, facing the world together.” Abby swallowed the lump in her throat. “Dad died suddenly; he had a massive heart attack. Before we had time to adjust, Mom was diagnosed with stage four cancer and, a few short months later, she was gone. And now our family has shrunk again.” Abby toyed with a necklace that graced her neck. “After the funeral for Tim and Kelly, I met with the lawyer and Tim’s parents. I was shocked to learn Kelly and Tim had appointed me as Devin’s guardian. Their will was very specific, right down to how their money was to be invested to ensure Devin’s future. The Martin’s were furious. They accused me of manipulating Tim. I tried to reassure them I had no idea about their will and that I would make sure Devin would spend a lot of time with them, but they stormed out of the meeting. I haven’t seen them since. To be honest, with all that has happened over the last eighteen months, I didn’t have the energy to deal with them. So, to make a sad story short, me and the little guy are starting over, in Loudon.” Abby ran her hand over the baby’s head and managed a smile for Cari. Feeling drained, Abby took a sip of her coffee. It was cold by now, but she didn’t notice. She desperately needed a jolt of caffeine to get through the rest of the day. Cari’s heart broke. Abby had suffered so much loss in a short time, and she deserved to cry for weeks. Sixteen years ago, Cari lost her husband Ben to a brain aneurysm, and she had cried for months. If it hadn’t been for her friends and family, she didn’t know how she would have made it through the darkest time of her life. Cari’s concern propelled her brain into overdrive. This young woman was alone, trying to deal with her grief and care for a baby without a support system. “Where are you living?” she asked. “Last week Devin and I moved into our old house on South Main. My parents never sold it as Mom always said this was where they planned to retire. We need to get a few things up-to-date before winter, but for now, we’re comfortable, and it feels good to be home.” “Do you need any help getting things moved in or set up?” “Thank you, Mrs. Davis; we’re fine.” “As much as I love being called Mrs. Davis, Abby, my friends call me Cari.” Her eyes twinkled. “Right now, I could use a friend. Sadly, I’ve lost touch with everyone I grew up with.” Abby wanted to kick herself. She couldn’t believe she had said that out loud; it made her sound pathetic. She remembered that Mr. McKenna had passed away when she was a kid. If Cari could survive losing her husband and having to care for three children, she could certainly handle one little boy. “For the next week or so, we’re going to settle in. Then I need to find a job.” Abby wouldn’t admit she was overwhelmed by the work that had to be done on the house. For now, she had pushed the mental to-do list to the back of her brain. The bell over the door jingled, causing Cari to glance up. Sighing, she held up a finger, indicating she’d be over shortly. “My husband.” “I guessed as much by the way he’s looking at you.” Abby looked at Cari, ready to cry again at the kindness, and then turned her attention to the baby. “Thank you for everything, Cari. Seeing you today confirmed I’ve made the right decision for both of us. Loudon is where we belong now.” Impulsively, Abby threw her arms around Cari, squeezing Devin between them. Caught off guard, Cari hugged her in return. “Why don’t you and Devin come by tomorrow? Katelyn will be here and would love to see you, and we can have a late lunch together.” I promise we won’t throw temper tantrums or sippy cups across the room. I’m happy to hold this little munchkin so you can enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee.” Ray leaned on the counter and waited patiently. Cari passed the baby to the petite brunette and laid a reassuring hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I’d like that. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Abby secured a squirming Devin in his stroller and quickly gathered up the baby gear. She left the shop with a bounce in her step. Cari walked to her husband. Together they watched Abby through the front window as she headed to the south end of the street. “It’s good to see you.” She stretched up and planted a kiss on his lips. “What have you been up to today?” Ray pulled her close. They had been married a mere six months, but it felt like they had always been together. Last year, Ray’s ex-wife shot him. Luckily, she had been there, and with some quick-thinking Ray’s injury hadn’t been life threatening. She didn’t want to think about how different the outcome might have been. However, it was also a blessing in disguise. During his recovery, they discovered they were in love with each other, much to their surprise. It had been a sharp reminder to both of them that life needed to be lived to the fullest. “Who was the girl with the cute baby? She looks familiar, but I can’t place her.” “Abigail Stevens. You remember the family that lived at the end of Main Street? They have that huge white house with the deep red shutters and black front door.” Ray said, “It’s been closed up for quite a few years. I remember the family moved to Boston or someplace back east, but it seems they kept the house. It’s been in their family for generations.” “Yes, she’s the youngest girl. She and our three oldest kids went to school together. The baby is her nephew, Devin. She was appointed his guardian after her sister and her husband died in a car accident. Now, Abby has moved back to Loudon. She wants to raise Devin where his mother grew up.” Ray poured himself a mug and refilled Cari’s coffee. “Is she married?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so; she said it was just the two of them.” “That’s got to be hard, to change your life overnight and become a parent while dealing with the shock of losing your sister. How do you think she’s doing?” Ray asked. Cari frowned and drank some coffee. “Sadly, I think it’s much harder than she expected. From what I can gather, her sister’s in-laws have been giving her a rough time. On top of everything, Abby’s parents passed away. Oh, Ray, it breaks my heart that she doesn’t have anyone to lean on.” Ray tapped his finger on her forehead. “I see your wheels turning, and I get the feeling we’re about to jump in before we’re asked for help.” “Everybody needs friends. How many times over the years did you jump in and help me before I asked?” Cari cupped Ray’s cheek in her hand. “I remember there were days I was so overwhelmed I didn’t know what to do first, and then you would show up to lend a hand or just a little friendly adult conversation.” “Honey, of course we’ll help Abby. That house has been closed up for quite a few years. I wonder if all the mechanical systems are working smoothly,” Ray mused. He then pulled out a small notepad from his shirt pocket. Methodically, he started writing down items. Heating and hot water system were at the top of the list. “She doesn’t need heat now, but it should be cleaned this summer.” Cari watched his list grow. She couldn’t have married a nicer man, ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. She pulled him close to place a tender kiss on his mouth. “What’s that for?” Ray asked. “You are the best man I know, and I love you,” Cari spoke softly. “The smartest thing I’ve done in the last fifteen years was fall in love with you. If one of our girls was on her own, I hope someone like you would be there ready to help.” Ray kissed the top of her head. “Dear, I just follow your lead. You must have a plan.” “Kate will find out what Abby’s plans are for the old house. Then the McKenna-Davis clan could pitch in to make sure she and Devin were comfortable and, most importantly, safe.” A customer walked in, interrupting Cari. “Take care of business; I’m going to rally the clan and tell them we’ve got a new project.” Ray moved from the counter and pulled out his cell phone. She watched as he sent a text. He gave her a thumbs-up. Ray waited until Cari was free, then asked, “Ah, hon, the kids want to come for dinner tonight. Do we have anything we can throw together?” She thrived on impromptu family gatherings. “Sure, as long as you don’t mind stopping at the store. Kate took the afternoon off, and I have to get a few things done before I close.” Cari did the math in her head. “I think there’ll be eight for dinner if Ellie doesn’t bring a new guy with her.” She returned to what she was doing, thoughts drifting to her youngest child, Ellie. She wondered how long it would take before Ellie was interested in a relationship. She had a lot of male friends and was always bringing someone home for dinner, but so far, that was all it was. Then her thoughts shifted to Shane, who would be flying solo, as usual. She worried about him the most. He dated lots of girls but kept everything casual. Shane reassured his mother that, when the time was right, he would find the right girl; he wasn’t going to settle for second best. Ray interrupted Cari’s train of thought. “I just sent the kids a text saying dinner would be at seven. So, now I’m at your service. Just give me a list, and I’m off.” Cari jotted down a short note and handed it to Ray. Dinner would be a chicken and vegetable stir-fry with noodles and salad. He nodded with approval. “Oh, and pick up some crusty bread too and maybe berries and heavy cream,” Cari added. “What, no biscuits?” Ray said in jest and put on a pouty face. “I know, what are berries without biscuits?” Cari snapped her towel at him. “Off with you…” Ray leaned on the counter, added bread to the list, and then tucked it into his pocket. He was anxious to drive by the old Stevens place and see how it was holding up. He could tell a lot from just looking at the outside of the structure. Tonight, he’d fill the kids in on what he thought would need to be done and, if he could see any structural damage, they could address that, too. “I’ll see you at home.” Ray wanted to swing by Blake’s Farmers Market to get the berries and vegetables and to buy some flowers to surprise his bride. “You know, if you could hang around a little longer and watch the front, I could make biscuits.” Ray waved her to the back. “What I won’t do for your biscuits, woman.” He turned his attention to the pint-sized girl with a long brown ponytail who had entered the shop while holding tight to an older girl’s hand. Ray leaned over the counter. “Good afternoon, young lady. Do you see something you’d like?” Ray pointed out various cookies in the case. He effortlessly handled other customers who came and went. He was comfortable swinging a hammer or selling coffee—completely at ease in their new blended lives. It had been almost one year since a tree had fallen on Cari’s house and demolished part of her home. Ray and their sons, Shane, Don, and Jake, worked to rebuild the sunroom, finishing right before Christmas. Cari and Ray had fallen in love and were married at the start of the new year. Now the newlyweds were redecorating her house to reflect their combined tastes. Ray’s son Jake and Shane had been joined at the hip since childhood. Sara, Jake’s wife, was a sweetheart. Cari didn’t think of the kids as his and hers, but as theirs. Occasionally, it still surprised her that at this stage of her life she had been blessed with two more children and soon two grandchildren. Cari’s thoughts drifted back to Abby and the little boy who had been thrust together by fate. Someday, Abby would see this as a blessing. But for today and the foreseeable future, Cari and her family would do what they could to help her. Cari slid the biscuits into the oven and firmly closed the door. Tonight, would be a good start.