High Hurdles (12 page)

Chapter
•
16

“And just where have you been, young lady?”

“Mom! I thought you were on another trip.” DJ knew those were the wrong words as soon as they left her mouth.

“So that made it okay for you to be out after dark? Wasn’t there something about being grounded?” Her mother stood in the door, fists on hips, ready to do battle. “Why do you have your sleeping bag? And a backpack? Darla Jean Randall, what in the world is going on?”

Gran ducked past her daughter’s arm. “Oh, darlin’, what kind of mess have you gotten into now?”

Joe filled what was left of the open doorway.

DJ wished the earth would just open up and swallow her whole. “Why’d you call in the police?”

“He’s not the police . . .”

“I’m here only because I care, DJ. No other reason.” Joe laid a hand on Gran’s shoulder, much as DJ would gentle a horse.

“Where were you going?” Lindy bit out the words as if each one were too hot to contain.

DJ untied her sleeping bag and held it in front of her. “I was going to camp in Briones.” She watched the blood drain from her mother’s face.

“But there are rattlesnakes up there and . . . and tarantulas.”

“Not to mention ticks. Am I right in assuming you were running away?” Joe joined in the accusations.

DJ nodded.

“Oh, Darla Jean, how could you?” Lindy sagged back against Joe’s broad chest.

DJ squared her shoulders. Might as well get it all over with. “I figured you’d all be better off without me. I was acting like a spoiled brat. I’m sorry.” She raised tear-filled eyes to Gran’s. “I love you, Gran, and I don’t want you to be unhappy.”

Gran spread her arms wide, and DJ dropped her bag to fly into them like a baby bird back to the nest. “How could you ever think we would be better off without you? You’ve been my life. Caring for you gave me a reason to keep on living after Grandpa died. Darlin’, you are my pride and joy.”

“But . . . but now you have Joe.”

“I wish,” the deep voice grumbled.

“There’s plenty of love to go around. Why, we’ll be living right up the road from the Academy, so you can come to our house after school and when your mother is traveling. We plan to have plenty of room for grandkids.”

“Huh?” DJ pulled back to look Gran in the face.

“I made an offer on a place near the Academy yesterday. Looks as though they’ll take it.” Joe drew the women into the house.

“My bike.”

“You can let it lie there for now.” Lindy’s voice had lost its edge. Now she just sounded tired. “Let’s sit down and hash this out.” She reached for her daughter and DJ went into her arms willingly. “You scared me half to death. I should ground you for life.” She sniffed and continued. “Amy didn’t know where you were. Says you haven’t talked to her for days. Bridget said you left earlier this afternoon.”

DJ groaned. “Did you call everybody?”

“Just about. Hilary said she knew you’d been bothered about something lately.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. Please forgive me.”

“Oh, I forgive you, all right, but there are some serious consequences here. You could have gotten lost or murdered or kidnapped or . . .”

“I get the picture. Will a promise to never do something so stupid again help?”

Gran and Joe sat down on the couch, holding hands like two kids. Lindy took Gran’s wing chair, and DJ folded herself down to the floor.

“Now, then. Start from the beginning and tell us what’s been on your mind.”

“Easy, Joe. She isn’t a delinquent, you know.” Gran squeezed his hand and laid her head against his shoulder.

DJ wrapped her hands around her bent legs and did as he asked. By the time she finished, her throat felt as raw as if she’d been running during the hottest time of the day.

“Now it’s your turn, Lindy. Let’s get this out on the table.”

By the time they’d all talked, the grandfather clock bonged eleven times.

DJ’s stomach growled in time with it.

“Oh, you poor child! Didn’t you have any dinner?” Gran started to rise, but Joe stopped her.

“The three of you keep talking. I’ll bring something in for all of us.”

When he left the room, DJ whispered, “Is he always this nice?”

“Of course, DJ, when you give him a chance.” Lindy leaned forward. “Just like you didn’t give any of us a chance to work things out. You panicked. Now you and I’ll be living here together, just the two of us. I think learning to communicate will be rather important, don’t you?” She held up a cautioning hand. “I know, I’m as much at fault as you—more so since I’m the adult. But we
will
make it.”

DJ knew she should say something in response, but words seemed to have vacated her brain. She just nodded.

“I’m glad to see the two of you coming to this agreement. That’s the first step. Now we need to leave the rest of it in God’s hands.” Gran reached out and patted their hands.

DJ scooted over by Gran. “So, when’s the wedding?”

“We haven’t discussed it again . . .”

“As soon as we can arrange it. Two weeks max.” Joe set a plate with ham sandwiches on the table and popped open a bag of tortilla chips.

DJ squirmed at the way he butted into the conversation. But she kept her mouth closed—this time.
You’re learning
, she congratulated herself. “Will I have to wear a dress?”

“As one of my bridesmaids, you sure enough will.”

“What?”

“Your mother will be the other.”

“And my son Robert will be the best man. Bobby and Billy thought they should be included, but we vetoed that idea.”

“Sounds as if it’s all planned.” DJ swallowed quick so she wouldn’t get accused of talking with her mouth full. Ham and cheese had never tasted so good. “Oh no!” She leaped to her feet and headed for the garage. “My bike.”

“Serves you right if it’s stolen,” Lindy grumbled.

When DJ returned, she sat at her mother’s knee. “What are you going to add to the list in there to punish me for tonight?” She figured knowing was better than guessing.

“I’m not sure yet. Once I get over wanting to strangle you, I’ll think better.” She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her daughter. “I sure hope you’ve learned a lesson. If you do it again—”

“I won’t.”

“If you do, I’m going to call the police—and I know just where to start.” She hugged DJ hard.

DJ snuggled closer. “What can we do about James?”

“Nothing, I’m afraid. Just be his friend. He needs one right now, that’s for sure. I’m surprised he hasn’t been in more trouble already.”

“Military school, ugh.” DJ shivered. When a yawn caught her, she covered her mouth with one hand. Even so, it traveled around the room.

“I’ll be getting on home. Sure glad we’re not putting out an APB on you, kid. Melanie, you want to walk me to the door?”

DJ picked up the remains of the meal and carried them into the kitchen. She glanced out the window to see Joe and Gran kissing by his car.

“Cute, aren’t they?” Lindy asked from right behind her.

“Guess so.” Tonight
cute
didn’t sound quite so bad. As Gran always said, “If ya can’t lick ’em, join ’em.” Tonight she’d done just that.

Saying her prayers came easy. “Thank you for my room and my bed. Sure beats the rocks in Briones. And for Mom and Gran—and Joe, too. But, God, I’m kind of scared. There are just so many changes happening.” She paused to think. “And help James. Amen.” She didn’t include her nightly request for a horse this time. Not asking was part of her punishment. And in the morning she had to make up with Amy, if Amy was willing.

“God, please help me talk to Amy. Forgive me for the mess I made. I really want to listen to you. Could you maybe speak a little louder, please?”

She overslept and arrived at the Academy late. James was shoveling out stalls.

“Amy is out in the arena.” He leaned on the handle of his shovel.

“How ya doing?” DJ crossed to the other aisle.

“I’ll live.” He went back to his job. “You can ride Gray Bar later if you want.”

“Thanks, but I can’t. I’m grounded from pleasure riding.”

“What?”

“It’s a long story. But thanks for the offer. Later, all right?” At his nod, she turned and trotted out of the barn into the sunlight. She blinked and dodged just in time. Amy’s horse stopped before stepping on her.

“Hey, you don’t have to run me down.” She shaded her eyes with her hand. “Amy, I need to talk to you.”

“So talk.” Amy crossed her arms over the pommel of her saddle.

“I’m sorry I’ve been such a dumbbell.”

“Me too.”

“I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.”

“Is that all you can say?” DJ ran a hand down the horse’s gray neck. It was easier to study the swirls on the hide than to look up at her friend. “You still want to be my friend?”

“Of course. I just figured you wanted out. I never stopped being your friend.” Amy tightened the reins to keep her horse still. “What happened?”

“Can we talk later? I’m way behind. You have no idea how stupid I’ve been.”

“You said it, not me.” She nudged her horse forward and into the shadow of the barn. “Bridget wants to see you,” she called over her shoulder.

“Okay.” DJ started toward the office but turned and trotted down the aisle to see Patches first. At least she’d have him to train and she could jump James’ Arab. That ought to give her time to earn some more money for her own horse.

“Hi, fella, you miss me?” She rubbed the gelding’s swirled white patch. Digging a carrot out of her pocket, she fed him and told him how handsome he was. “Gotta go. I’ll be back to clean your stall in a bit.”

“DJ, your mother called me.” Bridget pointed to the chair beside the desk. “She said you are grounded from riding for a month but can do your regular chores around here. Is that correct?”

DJ stared at a spot above Bridget’s head. “Yeah, but I can still train horses. I’m only grounded from riding for pleasure and classes.”

“I see. Well, you know how I feel about self-discipline.” She waited for a nod from DJ. “I believe we learn best by accepting our mistakes. So, to help you remember yours so you won’t do them again, I have assigned Patches to Hilary for training. Megs will be turned out to pasture for a month. That should give her leg time to heal. Is there anything you would like to say?”

DJ clamped her jaw and shook her head. She
couldn’t
say anything.

Chapter
•
17

By the time I can ride again, school will start. I won’t get to show in the Labor Day Horse show.
“What a zero for a summer.”

“Tough break?” Hilary fell in step beside her.

“You don’t know the half of it.” DJ sucked in a deep breath. The rock in her throat made it difficult.

“You’ll get through it. I can feel in my bones that something good is coming for you.” Hilary turned and walked backward. “And my bones never lie.”

Her effort at making DJ smile nearly worked.

By the time she finished her usual work and the extra stalls Bridget had assigned her, DJ longed for a cold soda. But she’d left all her money at home in her box until she could put it back in the bank. The hose would have to do. She ran it until it was cold, drank, and washed off her arms. If only she could go riding, she’d feel better. Right now she understood what jail might feel like.

At least it was old times for her and Amy. They rode their bikes home, promising to talk later.

“Oh, I forgot. I can’t!” DJ wailed. “You’re on my grounded list. Unless we have a pony party, which we do tomorrow.”

“Great.” Amy shook her head. “When you mess up, you really mess up.”

The next morning James wore a face that dug a furrow in the dirt. “They’re not selling my horse.”

“That’s great!” DJ slapped him on the shoulder.

“They’re shipping her back with me to the military school so I can join the equestrian program. I’m sorry, DJ, I was hoping you could train and jump her.”

DJ swallowed the disappointment. Maybe God didn’t think she needed a horse after all. “That’s okay, thanks for the thought.” She kicked a piece of crushed rock off to the side. “You know when you leave?”

“School starts the day after Labor Day, so I’ll miss the show. You said you’d write.”

“I will. I better get to work. Don’t worry, James. Hilary said something good is coming my way.”
And I just wish it would get here
.

The time before the wedding flew by in spite of the strict rules DJ’s mother had laid out for her. Gran painted, cooked, and sewed in a daze. One afternoon she took DJ shopping.

“You need school clothes and a dress. I think a long dress would look lovely on you.”

“A dress?” DJ slumped in the car seat. “I hate dresses, you know that.”

“For
my
wedding, you will wear a dress. And since Joe is in such a rush that I don’t have time to sew one, we’ll do the shop-till-we-drop routine.”

I’m dropping already.
But DJ was learning to keep her mouth shut. After all the trouble she caused Gran, at least she could wear a dress. She didn’t have to like it, though. “No ruffles and lace.”

“All right. No ruffles and lace.” Gran patted DJ’s knee. “But that’ll probably make for a longer shopping trip.”

DJ groaned.

They started at the Sun Valley Mall and ended up at the Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek.

“My feet hurt.” DJ collapsed on a chair in a coffee shop.

“At least your feet are young. What about mine?” Gran propped her elbows on the table. “We’re about out of stores, darlin’. If we don’t find something at Nordstrom’s, we’ll have to go down to Stoneridge Mall or into the city.”

DJ laid her head down on her crossed arms. “We bought enough school clothes. You know I hate shopping, and I hate shopping for a dress even more.” She raised her head enough for a half-hearted grin. “But if I have to shop, going with you is the best. Thanks for my new school clothes.”

But even she bit her tongue when she looked in the mirror a while later. It
was
the perfect dress. The deep aqua made her eyes sparkle and the simple lines disguised her flat chest. She looked grown up.

“Wow.”

“Darla Jean, I knew you would be a beauty someday. I think someday is now.” Gran smoothed a hand over the gauzy fabric.

DJ could see Gran was fighting back tears. “Come on, Gran. It’s just me, horse-crazy DJ.” But even she couldn’t help taking an extra twirl just to feel the cloth swish about her legs. “Bummer.”

“Now what?”

“Now I need new shoes.”

Gran laughed in her tinkly I’m-really-happy voice. “Shoe department, here we come!”

By the day before the wedding, DJ and Amy had given three more pony parties, worked extra hours at the Academy, and tried to keep Gran on track. For the first time in her years of illustrating, she was behind on a deadline.

“Just call ’em and tell ’em you’re getting married. You’ll finish the book later.” DJ sucked in half a can of soda in a single chug.

“I can’t do that.” Gran peered at the half-finished painting. “I’m just not happy with this one.”

“Don’t worry, Gran. Being in love makes everyone looney.”

“How would you know?” She daubed some darker green on one of the trees.

“Television, movies. Sappy looks go with the territory.” DJ hurriedly left the room when her grandmother threatened her with a paintbrush. She returned a bit later with a flat package all wrapped in silvery wedding paper. “Here, I can’t wait till tomorrow.”

Gran sat in her chair and carefully removed the ribbon. “Just rip it.” DJ sat in front of her, legs crossed.

Smiling, Gran shook her head. “It’s not every day one gets to open wedding gifts. I’m going to enjoy every minute.” At last the paper fell away and she held the framed picture in her hands.

“I didn’t know what to get you.”

“This couldn’t be more perfect.” The jumping horse and rider was DJ’s best picture ever. She’d colored it with pastels. Even all the shading had come out right.

“I’ll hang this in a place of honor.” Gran held the frame up to catch the morning light. “You chose a perfect mat and frame to set it off. Darlin’, you have a real flair for this.”

“They helped me over at Frame City.” The seventy-five dollars it had cost had sure hurt her bank account. But she’d wanted it to be perfect.

Gran set the picture aside and placed both hands on DJ’s cheeks. “Nothing you could give me could mean more. I know Joe will agree with me. Thank you.” She brushed away the tears that threatened to spill over. “My, I sure have turned into a waterworks lately. I better get back to my own pictures.”

But Gran had her paintings finished, boxed, and ready to ship by the next morning. Her suitcases were mostly packed when DJ came yawning down the stairs.

“Did you sleep at all, Mother?” Lindy folded one more garment into the waiting luggage before zipping them all shut.

“Thank you, my dear.” Gran yawned. “I never would have made it without your help.”

“This is just terrific—the bride is so tired she’s collapsing before the wedding.” Lindy looked around the room in case she was forgetting something. “Darla Jean, you need to get a move on. I’ll do your hair if you like.”

“My hair? I thought I’d wear it in a snood, like I do for the shows.” DJ backed away.

“Some curls would be nice, you know. We could pull it back on the sides and leave it in curls down the back.” Lindy’s hands described the style. “We bought you flowers to wear, too.”

DJ groaned. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Speaking of sick, Mrs. Yamamoto called. Amy broke out this morning, so she won’t be at the wedding. And no, you can’t go over there. We don’t have time.”

DJ felt her face. What if she broke out in the chicken pox today, too? Then she could stay home. She shook her head. No, she didn’t want to miss the circus.

But it wasn’t a circus. She led the way down the aisle at their brick-walled church. Straight ahead, over the altar, Jesus cuddled a group of children in a stained-glass window that glowed in the sunlight. Lindy followed with Gran on her arm.

DJ looked up to Joe in time to see two tears glisten on his cheeks. Gran took his arm and smiled up at him. As they stood in the golden light from the window, it shone like a special blessing.

“Dearly beloved,” the minister began. “We are gathered here in the sight of God and this company . . .”

DJ fought a lump in her throat. This wouldn’t be happening if God didn’t want it to. Gran had prayed for all of them. DJ added her own request.
God, please make Gran happier than she’s ever been. I love her so much
. Crying at weddings was silly—wasn’t it?

Gran said her vows in her soft southern accent, all the love of creation shining in her eyes.

DJ heard her mother sniff. She didn’t dare look at her.
I am not going to cry
.

“You may kiss the bride.” The minister’s words brought an end to the ceremony. “I am proud to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Joe Crowder.” Gran and Joe turned to face the congregation and everyone clapped.

They really did look nice together, Joe so tall and silvery, Gran so small and golden. DJ sniffed in sync with her mother. The music burst forth in applause as Gran and Joe started back down the aisle, shaking hands with friends and relatives as they went. Lindy took the arm of Robert, Joe’s oldest son, and smiled up at him through her tears. DJ took the younger son’s arm.

“You look like a million dollars, DJ,” Andy whispered as they left the sanctuary.

“Thanks to Gran.” DJ stood straighter and smiled up at him. Did this make him her uncle? They followed the newlyweds down the aisle and out the door.

The reception was being held in the fellowship room, one building over.

“DJ, we was quiet, wasn’t we?” The twins each grabbed a handful of her dress. “Daddy said if we be good, you could take us for a ride on Bandit someday.”

DJ stooped over and gave each of them a hug. “I surely will.” Funny how she needed to hug someone, as if there was so much love sloshing around inside her it might run out. Is this what weddings did for people?

“Today?” Bobby—or was it Billy—asked hopefully.

“Sorry, not today, but soon.” She looked from one beaming face to the other. “How am I gonna tell you two apart? I know, you . . .” She pointed to the one on her right.

“Bobby.” He supplied her with a name.

“You have a freckle on the end of your nose.”

“Are you sure it’s not frosting?” Their father appeared at her side. “The newlyweds are looking for you.” He pointed across the room. “Over there.”

“Thanks.” DJ made her way through the crowd to where Gran and Joe were accepting best wishes, along with bunches of hugs and laughter. Just standing by them made DJ feel bubbly.