A Pineville Summer: Pineville, #5

By Anne Fons

Summer – sunshine, farmer's markets, camping, picnics, a few holidays… - add in an engagement or two, and the season is bound to be bustling.  Newly-engaged couple, Stephanie and Joseph, are challenged with the 'perfect' way to tell their families about their upcoming wedding, while engaged-since-Valentine's-Day couple, Julia and Lucas, are heading for the aisle and putting the finishing touches on their big day.  Summers are always anticipated, but things rarely go as planned.  When life interrupts the ideal, how will they move forward, and will summer memories still shine?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anne Fons
• Release date: Jun 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393522539

Book preview

Chapter One

The Morning After

STEPHANIE AWOKE WITH a mind spinning with incredible ‘memories,’ surprising thoughts.  Oh, God, please don’t let it be a dream, she said to herself.  She was pretty sure it wasn’t, but dreams could feel so real, and this sure wasn’t something she thought would happen.

She checked her camera on her cell phone.  The selfies she had taken the previous night were there, as were photos from earlier in the day.  Those parts, therefore, had to be real.  If that was real, the rest had to be, she thought.

However, just to be really sure she wasn’t either going crazy or having a really vivid dream stuck in her head, she sent out a text to Joseph.  She was careful with her words.

Good morning, she wrote.  Just wanted to touch base with you this morning to see how you’re doing.

Joseph texted back almost immediately.  Been staring at the ceiling since four a.m. wondering when it wouldn’t be too early to call my new fiancée.

Stephanie screamed into her pillow.  It wasn’t a dream!  She really was engaged to Joseph Anderson!

I think she’s up now, Stephanie wrote back.

Good.  Hey, question for you, wrote Joseph.  Did you tell Julia, or anyone else, about our engagement?

Not yet, said Stephanie.  I promised you I wouldn’t until we talked about it a little more.  Right?

Yes, but I know how hard it is for you not to tell your best friend - everything.

Stephanie laughed.  True, but when I make a promise, I try to keep it, no matter how hard!

Can I ask you another favor?

Of course.

I haven’t said anything to the kids yet.  They are still at my folks’ house.  I would like to find a time when we could tell them together, wrote Joseph.

Stephanie wrote back, Did you say anything to your parents or Lucas yet?

Nobody except you.  How would you feel about keeping it between us until the Sunday dinner at my parents’ house?

Stephanie thought for a moment before responding to him.  Joseph, if you are having second thoughts about this whole engagement thing, please say so now before everybody in town asks me about something that isn’t going to happen.  I don’t know if I could take that.

No!  I’m on my way to your place.  Throw some clothes on if you are not already dressed.  I’ve got an hour-and-a half until I have to get to work.  That should give us plenty of time to talk about how best to let everybody know.

Stephanie let out a deep breath and decided she probably had somewhere around ten minutes before Joseph was at her door.  She took the quickest shower known to man, brushed her teeth, and threw on the first set of clothes she found.

There was a buzz on her intercom.  Yes? Stephanie asked into the microphone.

It’s me, said Joseph.

Come on in.  She hit the buzzer for the main door to the apartment building.

You know you’re going to make me crazy, right? said Joseph.

Well, hello to you, too, said Stephanie.

Did I, or did I not, ask you to marry me last night? asked Joseph.

I think so, said Stephanie.

"You think so?  No, let me be clear, said Joseph.  I did, and you said ‘yes.’"

Stephanie took a shaky breath.  I’m glad it wasn’t just a dream.

A what? asked Joseph.

A dream, said Stephanie.  When I first woke up, I was concerned I had imagined the whole thing.

Now, you’re sure, right? Joseph asked.

Yes, said Stephanie, but now you have me worried.

Because I asked you not to tell anyone yet, or some other reason? asked Joseph.  Maybe I’m not the one having second thoughts.

Joseph, said Stephanie, I am not having second thoughts unless you are.  I cannot put myself through you breaking up with me again.

Joseph scratched his head.  "Um, just to remind you, I didn’t break up with you in the first place.  That was your suggestion, not mine."

Yeah, pretty stupid of me, huh?

Joseph shook his head from side-to-side.  Maybe, I don’t know.  Maybe it made me think harder.

Stephanie laid her hand on Joseph’s arm.  "Are you sure, Joseph?  Nothing’s been said yet.  We can just pretend it was a spur of the moment impulse."

"You know, I really do think you are a little crazy, said Joseph.  Do you honestly think that proposal came together on impulse?  It took more than a little planning."

Stephanie thought back to the night before and the elaborate way in which Joseph had asked her to marry him.  I guess you’re right about that.  So, you’re sure then, she said.

I’m sure, said Joseph.  Are you?

Absolutely, and it’s good to see nothing’s changed in how we talk to each other.  Sounds just like the past ten months.

Well, Joseph said, we do have to change a few things.  He pulled her to him and gave her a long kiss.

Stephanie pulled back and looked at him.  "Now, that is something I can definitely get used to."

Good, we’re on the same page with that, too.  Now, sit, please, he said.  I’ve got one hour before I have to head back out that door and go to work.

Would you like me to make you some breakfast? asked Stephanie.  I don’t keep anything too fancy in the house, and I know you don’t have a lot of time.  Coffee and eggs?  Maybe some cereal and orange juice?

Cereal, juice, and coffee will be more than enough, he said.

Stephanie went into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee and bring the milk, cereal, and juice to the little table that sat in the combination living room and dining room.

Joseph made a quick call to the diner that his parents owned.  Hi, Mom, he said.  I won’t be there for breakfast this morning.  Please tell the kids I love them, and I will see them tonight.

Is everything ok, Joseph? his mother, Jeannie, asked.

Everything’s good, Mom, he said.  I have a couple of things that came up this morning, though.  I’ll be there around five.

By the time Stephanie finished putting the breakfast items out, Joseph had hung up and was walking to the table.

Mom and Dad know I won’t be at the diner until after work, he said.

Stephanie poured herself a glass of juice while she waited for the coffee to finish brewing.

Tell me why you asked me to wait almost a week without telling anyone about our engagement, she said.

Well, first of all, as I mentioned, I haven’t told the kids, and I want to do that before the gossip starts hitting Main Street.

I can understand that, said Stephanie.  However, why wait that long to tell them?  You know Emmie will be happy, and I think Charlie will be, too.  At least, I hope they will.

Steph, those kids adore you.  You know that, said Joseph.

Stephanie nodded her head.  I think we all love each other very much, and for that, I am extremely grateful.  I’ve heard one too many horror stories about family members not liking the ‘new person.’  So, the question remains, why do you want to wait that long if you are not doubting your decision?

You are a kindergarten teacher, said Joseph.  As my dear daughter Emmie’s teacher from last year, do you honestly think she will be able to keep this to herself once she knows?

Stephanie laughed a little.  Definitely not.

Agreed, said Joseph.  I really don’t want my mom and dad to hear it from the kids, although my mom will be thrilled to hear this no matter how she finds out.  Yet, I feel telling her myself is a sign of respect from me.

I guess I understand that, too, said Stephanie.  However, why can’t I tell Julia?  She’s my best friend, and if I ask her, she certainly would not say anything to anyone.

Anyone except my brother, Lucas.

Maybe, said Stephanie, but if I specifically ask her not to say anything to him, she won’t.

Possibly not, said Joseph, but you would be putting her into kind of an uncomfortable situation should Lucas ask her anything about us at all.

Hmmm, Stephanie said, I guess so.  So, why can’t we tell your family before Sunday?

Sunday’s a natural, Steph, said Joseph.  We always get together for dinner at their house anyway.  The usual group will be there.  I can call the rest of the family later Sunday night or Monday.

The beep on the coffee maker signaled.

Ah, said Stephanie, coffee’s ready.  I’ll be right back.

Joseph continued to eat his breakfast while Stephanie brought two large mugs into the room.

Here you go, she said.

So, are you ok with waiting until then?

Not really, but I will.

Thank you, said Joseph.

There’s an exception, though.

What’s that? asked Joseph.

Should Julia come right out and ask me, and I doubt she will, I won’t lie to her.  What I will do, however, is to dodge whatever questions I can.  As for your family, I will defer all questions to you – at least until Sunday night.  Deal?

Deal.

What about us in the meantime?  Will I see you before Sunday? asked Stephanie.

There’s no way I am waiting five days until I see you again.  Can we do a movie and popcorn with the kids tonight at my place?  Maybe we can grab a night out later in the week for just the two of us.

Who are you going to get to babysit if we do that?  Your mom, your sister, or my best friend??  In any of those cases, someone will figure something is up.

Oh, yeah.  Those five days are going to get long, Joseph said.

Let’s do the movie night on Thursday or Friday.  That way, it can break up the week a little more, said Stephanie.

Ok, said Joseph.  Wait, I have a better idea.

Yes?

How about tonight with the kids, and then Friday night, you come over after I get them in bed?  Would that be all right with you?

Yes.  However, this ‘hiding it’ stuff ends Sunday night by the end of dinner.  Agreed?

I definitely agree, said Joseph.

As he headed for the door to leave, Stephanie gave her fiancé an equally long kiss goodbye.

A loooong five days, said Joseph.

AFTER JOSEPH LEFT TO go to work, Stephanie checked her cell phone.  There was one text out there from Julia asking if she wanted to get together at all during the week, and a voice message from her mom saying she had a nice holiday and asking her to call her back.

Mom! Stephanie said.  Oh, boy.

She sent off a quick text message to Joseph.  I know we talked about not saying anything until the Sunday dinner, but when am I (or are WE) going to tell my family?  My mom just called and wants me to call her back about my holiday.  I don’t know if I can hold back on news like this with my own mother, but I also won’t go against my promise to you.  Sorry to bother you when I know you are on your way to work, but in our discussions last night and this morning, we didn’t cover this particular topic.

It seemed like an eternity before Joseph responded, but it was actually about twenty minutes.  I am so sorry, Steph.  That was really selfish on my part.  I didn’t even think of it, which probably makes me a bad fiancé.

How do you think I feel as a DAUGHTER right now?

Lousy? asked Joseph.

Absolutely, said Stephanie.

If you want to tell her, please do, said Joseph.  I’d never stop you from telling your parents.  I only want to make sure my family doesn’t find out second-hand.  However, if you want to do this together as a couple, then we could either drive to your folks on Saturday, or -—you could invite them to my folks’ house for dinner on Sunday.

Stephanie thought for a half-second.  You are so smart!  I will see if they can come up here this weekend.  If not, I will take a drive into Milwaukee tomorrow and come back here Friday before supper.  Fair?

Fair.  Let me know, please.

Stephanie had a second cup of coffee before she called her mom.  She took several deep breaths to calm her nerves before she dialed the phone.

Hello, said the familiar voice.

Hi, Mom, said Stephanie.  How were things this weekend?

Oh, it was so nice, said her mom.  Most of the family was there, and since it was so warm, we were able to take the boat out.  You know how your uncle loves getting that pontoon out on the water.

Did Aunt Eileen make her delicious potato salad? asked Stephanie.

Of course, said her mother.

Stephanie kept her mom talking about the Milwaukee-area version of their family holiday for as long as she could.  They exhausted stories about swimming, fishing, the cousins, and every other person she