A Love Worth Keeping

By Jacqueline Jordan

The solution to Kathryn's dilemma was not what she expected. Was it even legal? Richard, desperate to save his company, proposed. Business he called it. Insane , she called it! They were strangers. And yet, if she was foolish enough to accept, it would change their lives forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacqueline Jordan
• Release date: Mar 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463873434

Jacqueline Jordan

Jacqueline Jordan Lives in B. C. in the heart of the Shuswap with her husband Jim. They have one son. From farming to fostering to construction, life has been busy. Writing has been her dream and ambition since childhood. Now she shares her personal faith through inspirational stories.

Book preview

A Love

Worth Keeping

Sub-title: RV RENTAL

By

Jacqueline Jordan

Published by Jacqueline Jordan at Smashwords

Copyright 2019 Jacqueline Jordan

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons,

living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental

What a man desires is unfailing love; such

loyalty is difficult to find." Proverbs 19:22a

Chapter One

Kathryn snapped awake as the mattress moved beneath her! Was it an earthquake? With a sigh she remembered they were in a rented motorhome in Vancouver. It didn’t take much to make the unit sway. Even a four-year old could manage it. Ryan probably went to the bathroom, she reasoned as her eyes closed.

The coach moved again. Puzzled, she squinted across the queen-size bed. Her nephew was still sleeping. So if he wasn’t rocking the motorhome, and she wasn’t, what was?

This time the jarring accompanied by metallic sounds sent her scrambling out of bed. Whatever it was, it wasn’t going to ruin her sweetie’s sleep-in, if she could help it! In ill humor she headed outside.

Nothing seemed amiss as she stomped the full length of the unit, but at the far end she came to an abrupt halt. A strange man was hooking up a tow vehicle to their RV!

What are you doing!

The man jerked upright in surprise. The hitch pin and tow arm slid out of his grasp and down his pant leg before clattering to the ground. In dismay, Kathryn eyed the greasy smear on his grey dress slacks.

What’s it to you? Annoyance sharpened his tone.

Alarmed, the girl pushed a lock of sun-kissed brown sugar hair out of her eyes... eyes nearly the same shade as the denim jacket she was trying to snap together. However, having started the fasteners in the wrong place, the jacket hung askew over what seemed to be lace-trimmed sleepwear. His gaze zipped down the length of nicely tanned legs and stopped at a pair of cross-eyed fuzzy pink bunny slippers that almost made him smile.

In answer to your question, he began , striving for patience. Although I can’t imagine how it’s any of your business, I’m taking the motorhome. She turned whiter than the baby doll pajamas peeking out from under her jacket.

You can’t! she gasped.

Why not? I own it!

You? I don’t understand. We rented from Mrs. Lloyd. With a helpless gesture toward the house, her hand came to rest at the base of her throat.

We? His voice deepened, along with the groove between thick brows over darkening eyes.

Ryan and I. And please keep your voice down. He’s sleeping.

Its time he was up, Richard scowled, heading toward the coach door. The girl zipped around to block the entry as if she had a right to. What a nerve!

I guess you can come in. If it really is yours, she allowed, dubiously, after a long moment. But please be quiet.

Her soft voice and baby blues pleaded to no avail. The only thing he was concerned about was the man in his bed. He had no business being there! Furthermore, his aunt had no right renting his rig… if she actually had. He only had Baby Doll’s word on that!

Near the rear of the coach, he paused in the narrow passageway as a little boy roused from sleep. Dark blond hair awry, the kid pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. His bottom lip quivered.

Bad dream? Baby Doll asked. She inched sideways past the stranger and climbed nimbly across the expanse of mattress to cuddle the kid.

Narrow boy shoulders hunched and pressed against her, his fair head nodding.

I’m wet, he whispered.

That’s all right, sweetie. You’ll soon be five and then you won’t have accidents anymore. Tenderly she brushed his hair back and kissed his damp cheek.

Aren’t you mad? Tears filled his blue-gray eyes as he looked up.

Course not, Ryan. Everyone has accidents of some sort.

Grown-ups don’t, he sniffled.

Sure they do. Only theirs aren’t so easy to fix. We can’t just put them through the washer and dryer and start over. She looked over his head at the man invading their privacy. There’s a vinyl mattress protector on and I’ve already promised to replace anything we damage.

You have an hour, he stated, satisfied with his leniency. Then I’m leaving.

She blanched as white as the sheets, making him feel like a heel. But doggonnit! The coach was his, not hers! On top of that she looked like a high school student, and the kid was four years old! What kind of girl was she?

How old are you? His question shot out with obvious disapproval.

Old enough! Then she turned to the boy, all soft and loving.

Ryan, sweetie, go to the bathroom. I’ll be there in a few minutes to help you with the shower. Okay?

The boy nodded and scrambled down. Richard moved back, opening the bathroom door as the little guy sidled past the end of the bed, wide-eyed with fear. Richard thought he was as normal looking as the next guy, so why was the kid so scared of him?

And you, she stormed, pinning him with forget-me-not eyes. Outside!

What the heck? Was she throwing him out of his own motorhome? The morning that had started out so sunny and bright, was sliding downhill fast. As he stepped out, he turned. The girl stood on the bottom step, practically in his face and as sweet as a summer bouquet. He shifted back putting distance between them.

She must be a lousy mother. And where was the boy’s father? Then he noticed her ringless fingers… no band, no commitment. No wonder the child needed a firmer hand.

Shouldn’t he be past accidents?

Just hold it right there, Mister Perfect! she whispered, heatedly defending her ward. You don’t know the first thing about that little boy. She glanced toward the back and lowered her voice to a hiss.

And I don’t have time to explain it to you even if I wanted to, which I don’t. Nor do I have time to sort out this rental problem because we’re leaving right after breakfast.

She looked past him at an elegant woman climbing out of a BMW. Everything about the lady exemplified high class, poise and amazing gracefulness. In fact she had everything Kathryn, in her babydolls, jean jacket and infantile bunny slippers, lacked. Embarrassment tinged the girl’s cheeks.

Typical! she muttered with an envious glance at the lady. However if you and Miss Fancy can’t wait then you’ll just have to dump our stuff on the ground, she told the man, saucily. Right now, I have a little boy that needs taking care of. Have a nice day! And with that she shut the door in the man’s face.

Richard stared at the metal edifice, gaping in disbelief. The RV that had conjured up visions of new horizons, was no longer the dream chaser he’d purchased. It had been taken over by aliens! Well, at least one of them was alien. He hadn’t been around children much. And the other occupant of his coach stirred reactions he had no business feeling toward a lady of questionable ethics. Bible verses pricked his conscience reminding him of what a Christian man’s attitude should be. He growled in frustration.

When he turned, the fashionable lady behind him simply raised a manicured brow before heading toward the house.

Aunt Peggy, who are those people and why are they in my motorhome? he demanded as he stormed through the cottage door and into the kitchen.

Hello, dear. Peggy Lloyd smiled with a total lack of concern. You weren’t using it, so I rented it. At any rate, it’s only temporary.

How temporary?

It’s complicated. Her sister is in hospital, and awful sick. It’s pretty serious. Didn’t she tell you?

No.

Oh. Well you should’ve asked, Richard, Peggy scolded, glancing at the clock as she finished setting the table for brunch. Only now you’ll have to wait until she gets back. And she’ll sure need to hustle if she hopes to get to the hospital in time.

In time for what? It’s morning. Visiting hours are in the afternoon.

I really can’t explain, dear. It’s not my place to say.

What about the motorhome, Aunt Peggy?

What about it?

Susan and I wanted to try it out and see how it might work for Bill.

Don’t be silly! You can’t. Not now, at any rate. The girl has nowhere else to go.

She could move in with you, he suggested. It was the obvious and practical solution. Why hadn’t she thought of it herself? His aunt had always been hospitable.

Oh no, that wouldn’t do. Come to think of it, we did talk about it at first, but she was right. It’s better this way. Her eyes were sad as she looked through the window toward the motorhome.

He cries at night, you know. Breaks my heart. And I wouldn’t get much sleep if they stayed in the house. Poor little guy, she sighed. I ought to close my window but it gets so stuffy. She’s up at all hours with him. Some nights, they sit in a lawn chair and I hear her talking to him, pointing out the stars or humming till he falls asleep.

So? What does that have to do with me? I told her she had an hour to vacate, he informed his aunt with satisfaction. Considering the circumstances, it was a generous offer. They were occupying his unit illegally.

Oh, Richard! Really! That’s very poor of you, I must say! Peggy admonished as she took her place at the table. Sit down so we can eat. Susan, will you say grace? There’s no point asking Richard. God won’t hear him with an attitude like that.

Well, what did you expect me to do? he asked doggedly, pulling out a chair to join them.

The least I expect is for you get your facts straight before you consider throwing those poor children out in the street. Disappointment clouded her eyes. And I don’t want to hear any more about it until after we’ve eaten. Susan, if you’re ready?

Peggy smiled as grace came to a close. That was very nice, dear. Now, tell me how work is going, Susan. Is the new office situation more to your liking?

Susan was such a pretty girl, and always so ladylike and considerate of others. But for the life of her, Peggy couldn’t figure out what was wrong with Richard. Her nephew wasn’t at all his usual self, this morning. Halfway through the light meal an explosion erupted outside.

Richard jumped up from the table. What is that gosh awful racket!

Oh that, his aunt smiled, unperturbed. That’s just Ladybug.

He peered out the window. You mean that little black and red blob that’s chugging out of the driveway?

Yes, dear, his aunt returned, sweetly.

It has a name on the side and it’s painted like a bug, he noted, disparagingly.

I think it’s cute. It belongs to their business, you know, Peggy told him, proudly.

That woman’s and the boy’s?

Don’t be silly! He’s only a child. She’s in partnership with her sisters in Calgary. She had to bring the Ladybug because her own car was being repaired. The poor girl had an accident, you know.

So she’s not from here. But why would she drive so far in such a questionable vehicle?

Really Richard, weren’t you paying attention, at all? Her sister is ill. Well actually, she’s her adopted sister. Now sit down and finish your meal.

It doesn’t sound like it’ll even make it downtown, he muttered, and uncharitably swiped the last lettuce wrap. Susan’s disappointment was ignored.

That dish was excellent, Susan complimented Peggy. Where on earth did you find a recipe with a combination like avocado and asparagus rolled in lettuce leaves?

Online, dear. Can’t remember what I was looking for when I stumbled across this. It’s a marvelous thing, the Internet, she beamed, pleased with her success.

Susan’s smile was wide. Peggy’s skills classified her as computer illiterate. It was a wonder the woman found anything on-line and yet amazingly, every now and then Peggy struck it rich. Today’s recipe was a definite treasure.

I’ll write down the instructions before I go, Peggy. And then I’m off and running, seeing as the outing is on hold for a bit. Though actually I don’t mind. There’s never a lack of things to catch up on.

Quickly she jotted down the recipe, then affectionately put an arm around Richard. Thanks for thinking of us, though. It would’ve been fun trying out your new coach.

Yes, it would’ve, Richard agreed with a heavy sigh, feeling disgruntled and at a loss. Maybe I’ll stay and give Aunt Peggy a hand with the dishes, he decided.

Very chivalrous of you, Richard, Susan praised. Or were you hoping to have another peek at your tenant?

Hardly, and she’s not my anything. He polished off the last morsel with relish. I thought you were leaving.

Susan laughed as she kissed Peggy’s cheek and waved a final goodbye. Thanks again, Peggy.

With the newspaper open to the sports page, Richard was comfortably settled in his late uncle’s easy chair when he heard the Ladybug return. For that matter the whole neighbourhood heard it, he scowled, and long before it turned into his aunt’s drive! It sounded like a gang of unruly bikers converging on the house! After a few moments of blessed silence, there was a light tapping at the door.

Peggy?

Come on in, Kathryn, his aunt called. I’ll be there in two shakes!

From the living room, Richard heard the door close and soft-spoken words. Baby Doll was back and the kid was with her by the sound of it.

Hello, Ryan. Are you hungry? I made something special, today.

That was his aunt. Was she in the habit of feeding them, as well? It was just like her to take in strays. He’d been one, once. He heard the fridge door close and the table being set.

Did you get there in time, Kathryn?

Yes, but he never came. I called his office and they said he couldn’t possibly manage it for another week or more. I’m not sure we have that long.

The girl’s voice was strained with emotion that tugged at his heart, but Richard steeled himself. She might be laying it on thick for his aunt for some devious purpose.

I’m sorry, dear. I wish I knew someone who could help. All I can offer is the yellow pages. You might find a lawyer listed there who’s willing to go to the hospital.

Thanks, Peggy. I’ll borrow the phone book and have a look. I won’t need it long.

Keep it as long as you like, dear. Could you and Ryan manage a bite to eat? Growing boys take a lot of nourishment, you know. My nephew used to eat so much, I’d accuse him of having hollow legs, she chuckled and the child giggled, too, as if the word picture was funny.

In the living room Richard smiled behind the newspaper, remembering the times his aunt had playfully scolded and teased him as a child into eating more to fill his empty spaces. He’d been so thin, and so scared of strangers, especially men… a lot like the kid in the other room, now that he thought about it. That was curious.

It had been the beginning of good days when Richard came to live with Aunt Peggy and Uncle Ralph. That’s when his life really began. Anything before that was best left buried. And he’d spent most of his life trying to do just that.

His aunt was a loving woman and a good mother to him. And she was no one’s fool. So perhaps the tenants deserved the benefit of the doubt. Aunt Peg would expect at least that much from the boy she raised. So would Uncle Ralph. An apology to Baby Doll might even be in order, as much as Richard balked at the idea.

He waited until it sounded like they were finished eating, then strolled as far as the archway to lean against it casually.

Sitting at the table, and dressed in flip-flops, long denim shorts and a mauve sparkle top, the girl met