All That's Unforeseen: Sunnydale Days, #5

By Constance Phillips

Sunnydale Days, Book 5

Hearts, horses, and healing

Knowing how the story ends doesn’t mean there aren’t wonderful surprises along the way.

***

When her son was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy Marilynn Morgan knew how the story was going to end. What she didn’t know was what life would bring her along the way. She didn’t anticipate her husband leaving her or getting remarried a few years later. She didn’t realize how lonely her life would become, and she certainly didn’t expect to feel the way she did when her ex-husband’s best friend, Eli Briggs, showed up to fix Joss’s lift.

Back in high school, Eli fell head over heels for Marilynn, but when she started chasing his best friend he buried his feelings. Over the years, he silently stood by his friends through the good times and the bad. Now, three years have passed since Dan walked out, and Marilynn’s late night call has him back in Marilynn and Joss’s life—and is giving him a chance to rewrite a future he thought he knew.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Constance Phillips
• Release date: Jan 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781944363086

Book preview

DEDICATION

To Tim Sherman of Signature Harley Davidson

Thank you for being a source of information and inspiration

All That’s Unforeseen

Knowing how the story ends doesn’t mean there aren’t wonderful surprises along the way.

***

When her son was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy Marilynn Morgan knew how the story was going to end. What she didn’t know was what life would bring her along the way. She didn’t anticipate her husband leaving her or getting remarried a few years later. She didn’t realize how lonely her life would become, and she certainly didn’t expect to feel the way she did when her ex-husband’s best friend, Eli Briggs, showed up to fix Joss’s lift.

Back in high school, Eli fell head over heels for Marilynn, but when she started chasing his best friend he buried his feelings. Over the years, he silently stood by his friends through the good times and the bad. Now, three years have passed since Dan walked out, and Marilynn’s late night call has him back in Marilynn and Joss’s life—and is giving him a chance to rewrite a future he thought he knew.

Chapter One

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Eli Briggs.

Marilynn couldn’t have heard right. Of all the guys in town, Trevor had to suggest him. Is that all you got?

There’s always Dan.

She didn’t miss the well-deserved sarcasm in the voice of her son’s physical therapist. She and Joss were part of her ex-husband’s long forgotten past. He’d proven it more than once. I told him the lift was acting up two months ago. First, he promised to buy a new one after he got back from his honeymoon. Then, he said he’d take care of it as soon as he got caught up at work. Now, the damn thing won’t even engage. I can’t get Joss from the wheelchair to his bed on my own.

I’m sorry. I’m in Chicago. You know if I was home, I’d be right over.

Marilynn recognized the tone in Trevor’s voice. She’d heard the sound of helplessness more than once and instantly regretted unloading her anger at Dan. Trevor had no reason to feel guilty about her situation. He and his wife had gone out of their way to help her since he became part of Joss’s medical team. I didn’t mean to lash out.

You can call Eli. He’s been selling and repairing therapy and medical equipment through Mid-Michigan Healthcare for six months. He’ll have that lift working in no time. I promise. Let me get off the phone, and I’ll text you his number.

After his family lost the farm, Eli started working at MacNeil Auto—and living in the small apartment over the large brick building sitting on the curve of the main road heading south of town. She’d wondered what he’d been up to since the repair shop closed earlier this year. Somehow, this new job seemed both logical and unlikely all at the same time.

Eli was an expert mechanic, but what had he done in his past to qualify him for any kind of a sales job?

The air deflated from her lungs. I know his number.

You do?

She paused and rapped her knuckles against the kitchen wall behind her. The situation with Eli might seem easy to explain on the surface, but like a rich, sweet dessert, there were nuances and layers to the relationship.

I’ve known him since grade school. And—for as long as she could remember—he’d been someone she could count on.

After the divorce, Dan got custody of their best friend. At least, that’s how it felt. Whenever she ran into him around town—frequently, given the size of Caseville—Eli kept their conversations quick and stilted. She wasn’t sure how receptive he would be to a call for help.

Then I don’t have to tell you he’s a good guy. Problem solved.

No. Problem just beginning. Dan would accuse her of playing the damsel in distress or pitting his best friend against him if he ever found out she asked Eli for help.

But, why should she care what Dan thought?

He’d stopped worrying about her and Joss three years ago when he packed his bags and left in the middle of the night.

Joss’s disease may be dissolving his muscles, but he weighed more than a hundred pounds these days. If she tried to lift him, she’d likely hurt herself or, worse, drop her son.

That couldn’t happen. Wouldn’t.

If Dan couldn’t be available to help, she’d take care of things in the best way she could, even if that meant turning to Eli. To get more input in the way she handled things, maybe Dan should have made himself more available. Not made things so difficult when she tried to co-parent.

I’ll give him a call.

Good. I’m driving home tomorrow and have regular office hours the day after. Will I see Joss for his appointment?

We’ll be there. Marilynn pushed the button on her cell phone, disconnecting the call, and retraced her steps from the kitchen to the living room. Leaning against the back of the old, worn recliner, she focused on her son.

A year and a half ago he still had enough strength to help her move him from wheelchair to couch or bed, but his muscular dystrophy had progressed to the point he had very little dexterity. He could get to his feet—with a great deal of assistance—but the hospital bed in his room was too high for him to manage—even with her help.

At thirteen, he’d grown too big for her to lift him on her own.

Thankfully, Joss focused on the television instead of his long past bedtime. It was easier to let him believe staying up to watch the whole football game was a treat. Once he learned the lift broke—again—anger would darken his beautiful smile.

As if he could sense her, Joss turned from the TV. There’s only ten minutes left, Mom. Please, let me watch the rest?

Well...since you asked so nicely. She punctuated the permission with a wide, painted on smile. When he turned back to the TV, Marilynn covered her mouth with her hand and eyed the one shining light in her life.

Time to put off the inevitable phone call, but what if Eli acted like Dan did when she asked for help or made her beg? It would cost her the last bit of pride she had left.

She steeled herself, remembering this request was for Joss. Eli wouldn’t hesitate to help him.

A push of the button lit up her phone screen, and she hit the contacts icon. Scrolling down, she let her finger hover over Eli’s name. The notation beneath—last call thirty months ago—made her heart hurt. Had it really been that long? They used to speak daily.

Her despair morphed to something harder. Bitterness filled her mouth. Dan took so much when he left. Did he really need Eli too?

Activating the call and lifting the phone to her ear, she walked back to the kitchen, out of Joss’s earshot, in case Eli refused.

On the third ring, his deep voice came across the line, tickling her ear and sending a chill down her neck as if he’d brushed his hand against her flesh. Yeah.

The low timber caused a tingle that was familiar, yet long absent in her life. She’d always found him to be good looking and fun, but, while married, she’d been one hundred percent committed and loyal to Dan. Her eyes never strayed back then, but now she’d been alone for three years. Eli? It’s Marilynn...Morgan.

What’s up? His voice raised a notch. Any attempt to hide his shock failed.

Uhm... She clenched her teeth. I can do this! Trevor Collins told me to call you. Joss’s lift is broken. I need to get him to bed—

I’ll be right over.

Silence. He’d abruptly ended the call.

Another deep breath and the stress rolled from her shoulders. That simple, huh? She called. He answered. No arguing like Dan always did.

It reminded her of the time shortly after she and Dan had bought the house. A pipe under the kitchen sink ruptured at ten o’clock at night. Most people would call a plumber, but he’d called Eli.

And he came without question or complaint. All he asked in return for the favor was a cold beer.

She twisted to the refrigerator and opened the door.

Three bottles of brew—Eli’s favorite, by chance—sat in the back, left over from the Labor Day barbecue a few weeks ago. She resisted the urge to take one for herself and grabbed a can of cola instead before going into the living room. The stress of the day and the broken lift had pushed her to the brink. Adding alcohol might lower her inhibitions—or worse, her natural filter. She might complain about her ex. A report Eli would likely take back to his best friend.

No. Best to keep a level and clear head until after Eli helped her.

Who’s ahead?

Joss only glanced at her, before returning his stare to the television. It’s tied with five minutes left on the clock. Pittsburgh is on the thirty-yard line, third down. I bet they go for the field goal.

She ruffled his hair and dropped down into the worn chair next to his. The stuffing of the seat had flattened, and she could feel the support board press into her flesh. She flicked the hole in the fabric of the armrest with her fingernail. We like Pittsburgh, right?

Against Kansas City we do. Look, Mom, I’m right. They’re going for the field goal.

Marilynn rolled her shoulders and tried to focus on the television. Maybe you should coach these guys.

When the smile evaporated from his face, she realized she’d misspoken. Maybe even reminded him of his mortality. Joss knew he’d likely not live into his mid-twenties. Most of the time he accepted his fate better than the adults in his life. Then, at moments like this, the future loomed menacingly.

Seconds later, normal returned. The smile brightened his face again. Yes! Three points.

The clock just above the television reminded Marilynn of the late hour. His bedtime usually fell somewhere around half-time. The consequences of watching the whole game: he’d be a bear in the morning and exhausted at school. Unlike kids who didn’t have muscular dystrophy, he wouldn’t recover from the late night by taking a nap the next day or going to bed early. Nights like this became the first push of a downward spiral, often taking days or a maybe a week to recover from.

They were only a few weeks into the new school year, and he was already struggling with the physical stress. She feared tonight would only make things worse, but seeing him so cheerful caused her to question the wisdom.

If Monday Night Football made him this happy, maybe it should take precedence over school.

The loud roar of a motorcycle motor cut through the quiet neighborhood and brought her to her feet. When Eli said he’d be right over, he spoke the truth. He only lived a handful of blocks away but still had wasted no time.

Is that Dad?

The other person in their lives who drove a big, noisy bike. Marilynn wouldn’t have made that mistake though. Dan and Eli’s bike—though similar in a lot of ways—had different sounds all together. Eli’s was deeper and fuller. The vibrations always hit her square in the stomach, making it flutter.

The undeniable hope in her son’s voice gave her yet another reason to be angry with Dan, though, and she silently cursed her ex-husband for breaking Joss’s heart.

Again.

No. It’s Eli.

Really? Joss turned his attention from the TV and pushed the lever on his wheelchair handle, following his mother to the screen door leading to the front porch.

Your lift is acting up again, and he’s going to try to fix it.

I can’t believe he’s here!

The sound of the chair’s motor hummed closer, and Marilynn hopped sideways, fearing he would bump right into her in his excitement.

Marilynn flipped on the outside light and stepped onto the wooden deck, wrapping her arms around herself to fend off the late September chill. Eli turned the engine off, and the sound of crickets could be heard again.

I can’t thank you enough.

I’m glad to help. Eli pulled the matte black helmet off and hung it from the handlebar of the bike before running fingers through his hair. He then retrieved a once-red toolbox from his saddle bag and turned toward the house. Now, rust covered more surface than paint. She and Dan had bought him the toolbox for Christmas, the same year he and her ex-husband bought their Harleys. The same year she and Dan became engaged. Seeing the degradation was yet another reminder of passing time and the deteriorating relationships.

Sidestepping the wheelchair ramp, Eli took the four steps to the house in two.

He wore jeans with holes at the knee and an old T-shirt. For some, it might be a fashion statement, but Marilynn knew he wore his relaxation uniform. He’d most likely been watching the football game, same as Josh.

Eli paused in front of her and pushed his shoulder-length, brown hair off his face, giving Marilynn a good look at his hazel eyes, leaving her wonder when he last had a haircut. Before Dan left, he used to visit her every six weeks in the salon for a trim, always keeping his hair short and neat. Those visits stopped after Dan left too, and more than two years had passed since she’d left the salon to work at Wren, Rhonda Collins’s clothing boutique.

No matter the reason he’d forgone the haircuts, Marilynn liked the end result.

Pausing in front of her, he slid a hand into his front pocket. I’m glad Trevor told you to call me.

Before she could respond, Joss spoke from behind the screen. Hi, Uncle Eli!

Eli abruptly turned toward the door and walked by Marilynn. He let himself into the house as if nothing had changed. As if it were any other day. Hey, buddy! How you been?

Joss maneuvered the wheelchair back giving him room. Good. You’re bike sounds great! Did you get new pipes?

Sure did. You can tell, huh?

Of course I can. It sounds phenomenal. The windows were shaking when you pulled into the driveway.

No way!

Sure. Tell him, Mom.

Eli gave her a sideways glance, and she couldn’t help but smile. We heard you from more than a block away.

Awesome.

Mom said you’re going to fix my lift.

I sure am. Eli flipped his attention to the TV. Damn. Pittsburgh scored.

What do you mean by damn?

Joss! Marilynn corrected. Please don’t cuss.

Eli grimaced. Sorry. My fault.

Joss ignored his mother’s scolding and Eli’s apology and focused on the earlier question. Eli’s favorite football team. You’re not for Kansas City, are you?

Not technically, but I have one of their defenseman on my fantasy team.

Which one?

Jones. Eli pulled a smart phone out of his pocket and punched at the screen. After a few seconds, he frowned and returned the phone to his back pocket. That field goal cost me.

That’s your own fault. Why did you draft such a loser?

Eli laughed and dropped the toolbox next to the chair. He looked a lot better on paper. He sure hasn’t performed as promised. He looked up to Marilynn. Do you mind if we finish watching the game? There’s only a couple of minutes left on the clock.

Mind? The logical mom side of her brain wanted Joss in bed a long time ago, but the human side—the side that had seen way too much pain in the last few years and loved seeing her son smile—wanted Joss to have these few moments with someone he’d missed.

Whom was she kidding? Having Eli and Joss hanging out and talking motorcycles and football was the slice of her old life she’d been longing for.

A particular Saturday afternoon a half dozen years ago flashed through her mind. Dan and Eli had been watching football all afternoon while flipping through motorcycle magazines. Dan itched to customize his bike in some way, shape, or form, and Eli was trying to help him come up with the perfect modification.

Joss—who always wanted to be in the middle of the conversation—had tried to edge up on the couch between them to offer his own advice.