Small hands banged on the front door. “Let me in, Bryony!” Cal’s great niece pressed her face against the glass.
“Hell-Oh!” Bryony said. She opened the door. Small arms encircled her legs.
“Helen Marie, let go of her.” Heidi kissed Bryony on the cheek as she entered the shop. “She almost tripped me the other day.”
The four-year-old released Bryony’s legs. Heidi’s arms wrapped around Bryony’s shoulders as she surveyed the interior. “How did you do all of this and still manage to visit us in Cleveland twice a month?”
“I had help,” Bryony said.
The rest of Cal’s family poured in through the door and moved toward the counter, where Todd poured cups of coffee and hot chocolate. Abby stationed herself nearby to distribute the animals. A few great nieces took up residence in a corner to play Southern Ohio Safari. Lillian’s grandchildren joined them. Soon their animal imitations rose in pitch and volume.
“Can my zebra have hot chocolate?” Hell-Oh called out, holding up her stuffed animal.
“You can have as much as you want,” Bryony said.
“You can have two,” Hell-Oh’s mother said. “None for the zebra. They’re allergic to chocolate.” She turned to Bryony. “My daughter knows no limits when it comes to chocolate.”
“We have quiche,” Bryony said. “I made some plain for those who think vegetables and breakfast aren’t compatible.”
Cal’s niece hugged her. “Thanks for inviting us!”
Cal’s father arrived, escorted by Rachel, his private nurse. She and Rudy were dating now.
“I hope there’s a bathroom here,” Cal’s father said.
“There are three,” Bryony said. “Two gender neutral, and one family friendly.”
“I only need one, and I don’t need it yet, but I will.” He embraced Bryony. “Nice to see you, dear. The drive down was hellish on my sacroiliac, but you’re worth it.”
“Thanks for coming.” Bryony kissed his cheek.
Rudy breezed through the door, hugged Bryony, and joined Rachel as she helped Mr. Forster, Sr. to a chair at Mr. Parker’s table. Mr. Parker put down his newspaper and introduced himself to his new table companions.
Three of Heidi’s grandchildren stationed themselves in front of Bryony. “There’s a pool in the hotel, Bryony. Will you come swim with us?” Cody asked.
“We want to see your house,” Melissa said.
“Can we come and stay with you this summer?” Chase asked.
Cal stepped into the shop and put his arm around Bryony’s shoulders. “Back off, dudes and dudettes. Give her a chance to get through today before making plans for the summer.”
One by one the children hugged her around the waist and ran back to the counter for drinks.
“Everything’s free all day?” Cal asked.
“Payback for all the help,” Bryony answered.
Everybody had helped. Rick’s construction crew did the heavy lifting but, with Cal’s help, he hired high school students willing to work weekends in exchange for a decent wage and training in basic carpentry and finishing skills. Rudy used his vacation time to help paint walls and stain woodwork. Gloria, from the diner down the street, organized a crew of friends to help make the curtains and tablecloths with matching aprons. Dewey’s supplied the workers with meals and snacks to keep them moving.
The bell above the door rang again. Chuck and Charity Henderson walked in. Charity held out a ceramic pot with three kinds of plants. “The place looks wonderful, Bryony.”
After Bryony found a place to set the pot, the two women exchanged hugs. When they parted, Bryony turned to Chuck. “You feeling okay?”
“Never better.”
She and Chuck hugged. He looked strong, healthy. When Mitch announced his retirement, he recommended Cal fill his position, but Cal declined, supporting a more deserving educator, and the board voted unanimously to offer the promotion to Chuck.
Chuck pumped Cal’s hand. “The board approved the funding at last night’s meeting.”
“They did?” Cal said. “That’s great!”
Charity had worked with local businesses to tie the work study program to STEAM grants, and a committee of board members, administrators, and teachers were working on a strategic plan to shift to STREAM as soon as they could get buy-in from the teachers.
“Your job’s secure as long as I’m around,” Chuck said. “Will you stay?”
“Did you decide?” Bryony asked Cal. “Did you decide to buy the house?” When the owner decided to sell, he offered Cal first option. Was she ready to hear his answer? She wanted him to stay, but she knew now the depth of his commitment to his family. Whatever he chose, she wanted him to be happy. She steeled herself for disappointment.
“I made my decision a long time ago,” Cal said.
She held her breath.
He looked around, took a breath, said, “Well I was going to do this later, but—” and dropped to one knee.
Todd’s hand flew to his mouth. “Oh my gosh!”
Lillian beamed.
“What’s Uncle Cal doing on the floor?” Hell-Oh asked from the far corner of the shop. “Did he get an animal, too?”
