Works In Progress

By Patricia Schuyler

They've come a long way.

People were amazed at Bryan Chadwick's transformation from rebellious kid to Bible college student with a youth pastor's job waiting for him when he graduated, but Aimee Arlington had learned a few lessons, too.

It had been dislike at first sight for the nine-year-old neighbors. On the day of their wedding Aimee fondly remembers Sunday School disasters, trips to the principal's office, and life changing youth activities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patricia Schuyler
• Release date: Feb 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452482477

Patricia Schuyler

Patricia Schuyler resides in Southern California with her husband of nineteen years, five energetic children, and her crazy cat. She serves in her church in the primary department and in the nursery.

Book preview

WORKS IN PROGRESS

by Patricia Schuyler

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 Patricia Schuyler

Cover by Patricia Schuyler

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Chapter 1

~ * ~

Aimee Arlington got up from the couch and smiled fondly at her parents who’d worked hard the last few weeks trying to make everything perfect for her. Her dad was having trouble keeping his eyes open, but her mom still had the wedding organizer in her lap, ready to do another check of details. Just thinking about tomorrow was nerve wracking, exciting and exhausting, but her mother was in her element.

Well, I’m going to bed. Aimee yawned and stretched.

Good idea, her mother said. Best to start off your day tomorrow with a good night’s rest.

After giving both her parents a hug and a kiss, Aimee strolled up the stairs, gazing at each familiar picture on the wall. The wood-framed photos had been in the same places for years. One or two new ones added a year, and yet, she hadn’t really paid much attention to them. She paused halfway up and touched the large family portrait that they’d taken when she was twelve. Gazing at her image, she was amazed at how young she looked back then. Her brother, Adam, looked sharp in his suit and tie, but she remembered how he’d complained that day about the pimple on his forehead. Ten-year-old Anne, with her extremely long brown hair and mischievous grin, was up in front. And her parents, sitting in the middle, were holding hands.

Aimee wanted that. She was sure she was going to have it. Hugging her arms, she continued up the stairs and wondered if Bryan was having trouble sleeping or if he was thinking about his last night with his family as well. The door to her room stood partially open and not wanting to wake her sister, she got dressed for bed in the dark, climbed the ladder to the top bunk and slipped under her blankets.

*

Aimee turned over to her side, causing the bed to shake with the familiar squeak. She kept her eyes closed, but she’d been awake for quite some time. It was hard for her to believe that this would be the last time she'd ever wake up as a single person.

She could hear familiar noises downstairs. Her mom was moving pots and pans as she prepared breakfast, which was her regular Saturday time-to-wake-up cue. The bed shook below her, and she knew that her little sister was waking.

Anne was two years younger and she was home for the summer from college, too. After their older brother had gotten married, Anne had moved into his room. For the last two nights, they'd had to room together again because Grandma and Grandpa Talbot were in Anne's room. It was kind of like old times and even a little like being back at the college dorms.

You awake yet? Anne asked from below.

Aimee hung over the edge, her long brown hair flowing down like a waterfall. Yep. Been awake most of the night too. She flipped down and sat with her sister.

I slept like a baby, announced Anne while still lying down. But hey, it’s not my wedding. I don't have to walk down the aisle praying that I won't trip in front of all my family and friends. She smiled innocently at Aimee.

You little brat! Aimee couldn’t help but giggle when she threw one of her stuffed animals to the lower bunk.

Since the day her parents brought Anne home, she'd been a pain. They’d struggled at getting along when they were younger, but it had been better when Aimee had gone off to college. When Anne had followed her to Bible College a couple of years later, they didn't see each other often, but when they did, they’d gotten along well. Now two months home together and they were cheerfully getting on each other's nerves again.

Aimee got out of bed, put on her favorite skirt with an old Fairview Christian Academy shirt, and was tying her tennis shoes when Grandma Talbot poked her head into the room to let them know that breakfast would be ready in five minutes. Aimee quickly ran a brush through her hair and pulled it back into a simple ponytail before grabbing her Bible off the dresser. She paused at the door and rolled her eyes at Anne who was still in bed.

I'll see you later, Aimee told her before making her way downstairs. Her dad was already at the table, talking with Grandpa. He was a tall man with gray eyes like her own. Her dad was usually relaxed and calm. He smiled when he saw her now, but his eyes were bloodshot and he looked older to her now than he ever had.

Her heart clenched, thinking that she was the cause of him looking so tired. He liked Bryan now and even told him how proud he was of him, but maybe there was a small part of her dad that didn’t want her to marry Bryan. She hoped not. There were other reasons why he could be so tired. Mom had run him ragged with details and costs for the wedding. It had been much easier when Adam had gotten married. They’d just had to fly to Maryland and do what they were told.

She flinched when the sizzling bacon spit, even though she was too far away to get burned. Mom was at the stove dodging the hot fat in her usual odd way. She noticed Aimee and leaving the bacon to itself, she wiped her hands on a dishcloth. Oh good, you're up. Breakfast will be ready soon.

I'm not really hungry. Is it okay if I just get some juice?

Oh sweetie, are you nervous? Her mom smiled and patted her back as Aimee opened the fridge.

Leave the girl alone, May, Grandpa Talbot said, picking up the newspaper and shaking it open.

It was always strange to see someone give her mom a disapproving look. She loved her mom, but she’d always been very strict with all three of her kids. She’d never been bossy with Dad, but he never tried to tell her what to do either. Her mom just smiled at Grandpa, then winked at Aimee before turning back to the stove.

Aimee excused herself and went into the backyard. The sun was shining and it was a normal Mid-June day in Southern California. The porch awning provided shade, but she took her Bible and one of the white plastic chairs out into the sun. She sat down with her back to the wooden fence and flipped through the well-worn pages of the leather bound book.

The smell of chlorine from the iron-gated pool and Jacuzzi came to her with the strong breeze. She glanced up, breathed in deeply, and smiled. She knew that most people didn’t like that smell, but for her it brought back happy memories of times with her family by the pool.

She opened her Bible to the Psalms to begin her devotions, but she looked up when she heard a noise behind her from next door.

Aimee, someone said in a loud whisper.

She got up and leaned her back against the fence. Bryan Chadwick, is that you? she whispered back.

Yeah. I knew you would be out here.

In a normal volume she said, You know we’re not supposed to see each other until the wedding.

Who says?

It's just the way it is.

We're Christians. We don't do superstitions. We can see each other if we want to.

It's just a tradition. Indulge me on this one, okay? She placed her palm on the wood behind her. We'll get to see each other any time we want after tonight.

All right, but technically, we aren’t seeing each other. Your back is to me.

Bryan! Are you looking through the fence?

Not anymore. I'm turning around. He laughed and she felt it when his back hit the wood. I guess this will be our last clandestine meeting at the fence, he said.

They had met that way a few times during their senior year after her dad had decided that it was best if they didn't talk to each other. She’d had mixed emotions about it at the time. As a teen, it was very exciting to get away with something like talking to the guy she liked while never leaving her backyard. On the other hand, she felt terribly guilty for going behind her parent’s back. In the end, she wasn't the one who had put a stop to it. Bryan had stopped her at school one day and told her he didn't feel right about the fence and she’d agreed.

I guess it is our last fence meeting, she said with a small sigh.

One day, when we have our own house, I think I'll build a fence in the middle of the backyard and we can do this again.

We'll see. Aimee grinned as she thought of all the plans Bryan had come up with since they’d been engaged. She couldn’t see even half of them coming to fruition.

As they stood there quietly for a moment with their backs against the fence, a large bird soared across the sky, and she listened to Bryan breathing behind her.

I guess I'll see you later, Bryan finally said.

Well, yeah. You'd better show up.

No cold feet here. How about you?

Nope. I'm just nervous about being in front of all those people. Pausing, she took a moment to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Catch me if I trip?

I give you my word, Bryan told her softly. I have last minute things to do, so I’ll leave you to your devotions.

She fought the urge to turn around and peek through the wooden slats. She stayed where she was until the sliding glass door clicked closed next door, then she sat down and picked up her Bible.

*

She was just closing her Bible when her best friend, Kim Hall, rushed through the French doors and into the backyard. She stood by the door and folded her arms across her chest with a disapproving look.

Late start, huh?

Aimee stood up