Love Refound
by: E Walk
(© 2008 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 11

 The Reunions

When I got up on Thursday morning, Spring was already downstairs, which was unusual, because Spring could never be called a morning person.  When I got to the kitchen, she ordered, “Autumn, go take care of the horses while I clean the oven and the refrigerator.”

I held up my hand, “Spring, settle down.  Adrian isn’t going to be sleeping in the refrigerator or the oven.  Why are we cleaning them?”
 

She was serious, “Autumn, I want to make sure that he doesn’t think I won’t be a good housewife and mother.”

I was having a very difficult time trying to keep from laughing. “Look, Spring, I’ll cut you a deal.  You clean the rest of the house and I’ll take care of the kitchen.  That way if Adrian should happen to see something in the kitchen that he doesn’t like, you can always tell him that the kitchen is my responsibility.  Now let’s go take care of the horses, so I can get ready for school. I have an early staffing again.”

When I got home, Spring was already home and I was beginning to think that I was losing my mind.  It was only 4:30 and she usually didn’t get home until after 5:00 because of track practice.  When I walked in, she started, “Autumn, we need to get some decent food in the house.  What is Adrian going to think if we feed him frozen meals like we mostly eat?”

I had just about had it, “Spring, listen to me.  Adrian knows that we both work, and that we have horses that we need to take care of.  I’m sure that he won’t be too upset if everything is not as it was when he was growing up.  I don’t know Adrian all that well, but he seems to be a rather accepting individual.  I’m sure that after almost a year and half in Iraq, he will think that we are living rather opulently.  Now would you just relax?”

Spring started again, “But Autumn, we need to make sure that he is treated as a hero because he was fighting to defend our country’s honor.”

Spring and I had this discussion before, “Spring, we have no business being in Iraq.  The troops who are over there are not fighting for our country’s honor.  They are fighting to save our outgoing president from having to admit that he had some bad advice from his advisors.  Now relax, and be thankful that Adrian made it back safely.  Hopefully,  he won’t have to return to Iraq after his TDY.”

There was a definite chill in the air flowing between Spring and me as we took care of the horses.  She didn’t even take time to eat and started to clean.  I was just finishing my frozen dinner when the phone rang.  I wasn’t expecting a call, so I let Spring answer it.

She stuck her head into the kitchen where I was eating, “Autumn, why didn’t you answer the stupid phone.  I’ll never get this house cleaned if you insist on making me your slave.”

I must have really upset Spring because she was very even tempered most of the time.  I was beginning to wonder if something was happening that I didn’t know about.  I picked up the receiver in the kitchen.  “This is Autumn Summers, how can I help you?”

A voice came on, “Autumn, honey, your Dad and I would like to come visit you this weekend.   Austin called and said that your fiancé was going to be there, and we thought it would be nice if we meet him.  Please make reservations for us at a nice motel or hotel.”

“Mom, I’m surprised that you and Dad have decided to come to visit this weekend, since you haven’t been here since we first moved in.  I’ll make reservations for you.  Why don’t you stop by the farm, and I’ll make sure that you get to where you need to be.  What time will you be arriving?”

Mother answered, “We’re planning to leave Savannah about one o’clock so we should be there about 5:00, if that is okay with you.”

What was I to say, “Mom, I’ll make sure I’m home by then.  Spring is going to Atlanta to pick up her fiancé tomorrow and we don’t know what time they’ll get back.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I had just hung up and the phone rang again.  I figured it couldn’t be for me, so I let it ring.  Spring yelled, “Autumn, would you please answer the phone so I can finish cleaning.  Doug would like to talk to you.”

I picked up the phone again. “Hi Doug, I didn’t expect you to call tonight.”

Doug apologized, “Autumn, I’m sorry, but I was wondering what we might get Trevor for his birthday present.  I was thinking of something funny like a winner’s trophy filled with packages balloons or something.  What do you think?”

I started to laugh, “As long as they don’t say Trojan or Magnum, I have no problem with that.  In fact, he would probably get a charge out of that.  I hope you’re sitting down.  My parents just called and are going to be coming in tomorrow also.  I’ve got to figure out where they can stay.  I guess I could always sleep on the sofa and they could stay in my room.”

Doug was silent for a short time, “Autumn, why don’t you call Trevor, and ask if I can bunk with him and Jeff since I’m going to pick Jeff up as we promised?  That way our parents can get to know each other at Uncle Howie’s house.  I guess Austin has told your parents that we have something going?”

I was at a loss for words, “Doug, I haven’t a clue what is happening anymore.  I have to go finish cleaning the kitchen before Spring lays an egg.  She wants everything to be perfect for when Adrian arrives.  I’ll call Trev and see what kind of accommodations he might be able to arrange for you.  He may decide that you will need to sleep in the stables.  I’ll see you when you and your parents show up.”

I called Fairacres and Trent answered the phone.

“Trent, this is Autumn.  I have another favor to ask.”

Trent started to laugh, “I know what you want.  You want me to make sure that Trevor break's a leg or something so he can’t win the competition on Saturday.”

I started to chuckle, “Trent, that’s not a bad idea, but that’s not why I called.  I think there’s a conspiracy taking place to see how much more excitement my poor system can take.  First Doug’s parents called to say they were coming this weekend and tonight my parents called and announced that they would be arriving tomorrow afternoon.  I need to find someplace for them to stay.”

Trent interrupted, “Why don’t you have them stay here?  Let me check with Mother.”

“Trent, wait.  That’s not what I called for.  Doug suggested that my parents stay at Mr. Willingham’s in the room he was going to use and that he could bunk with either you or Trevor.  He is also bringing Jefferson Davis Longwell with him ”

“Miss Autumn, he can certainly bunk with one of us.  I have a queen sized bed and Trevor has bunk beds.  Let me check with Trev and see what he wants to do.  Here, you can tell him what’s happening.”

Trevor took over, “Hey Miss Autumn, what can we do for you tonight?  You have some more guests that you want to take care of or something?”

“Trev, were you listening while I was talking to Trent?”

“Nope, I just came in from practicing with the Knight.”

When I told Trevor what was happening, he started to snicker, “Tell you what we’re going to do.  We’ll have Mr. Christiansen sleep in my top bunk.  That way Jeff and I can tie him to the bed so he can’t beat me on Saturday.  Tell him that we don’t want him to wet the bed either, because we would hate to be hit by dripping water in the middle of the night.”

I was having a difficult time trying to talk because I was laughing so hard, “Trevor, don’t you think maybe you should check with your Mother to make sure that she doesn’t have a problem with that.”

“Nope, Mother is sitting here nodding her head that it is okay.  Trent told her what’s up.  See you tomorrow.”

After I hung up, I went to find Spring.  She was sitting on the sofa making a list.  I sat down beside her and told her the latest news about my parents coming and where everyone was going to be staying.  When I told her what Trevor said he was going to do to Doug, she finally started to laugh.

“Autumn, I’m sorry I’m so uptight.  I am concerned about why Adrian is back in the states early.  I keep thinking he might have been wounded, or that perhaps he’s going to tell me that he doesn’t love me anymore and doesn’t want to get married.  Heck, I’ve never even met his parents.  They live in Virginia somewhere.”

“Think about what’s happening to you, You’ve known Doug for less than two weeks, and you’re already going to meet his parents.  Even your parents are coming to inspect Doug.  Can you understand why I’m a little uptight?”

I was at a loss as to how to respond, but decided that I needed to be positive, “Spring, look at this way.  I don’t think Adrian would be coming here if he didn’t love you and want to marry you.  If he wanted to tell you to buzz off, he would have done it in a letter or told you on the phone.  As far as never having met his parents, there is probably a reason.”

“Now let’s go to bed.  Things will look brighter in the morning.”

I had some work that I took to my room but I must have fallen asleep before I finished it, because the next morning, it was scattered on the bedroom floor.”

When I got to the stable, Spring was already there taking care of the horses.  When I went to go to get ready for school, I looked at Spring, “I guess I’ll see you tonight when the fireworks start.  I’ll try to get home early. 

It was a typical Friday and people expected me to be in three or four places at the same time.  How much more blood do these people want from me?  Finally at four o’clock, I'd had enough so I threw everything in my briefcase and went home.  When I got there no one was there, so either Spring and Adrian weren’t back yet, or they had gone on some errands.  I went to change clothes so I could take care of the horses before anyone arrived.  I was just about to go out the door when my parents arrived.  I went to greet them and invited them in. 

They followed me into the kitchen and I was about to give them some iced tea.  We hadn’t even had a chance to sit down before Adrian and Spring arrived.  My parents had met Adrian and of course Spring several times.  So they were hugging each other when the front doorbell rang.

I figured it had to be Doug and his parents and Jeff because Austin and Derek would probably have walked in.  Doug hugged me and introduced me to his parents  They hugged me and it was very obvious that both of them were giving me the once over.  Jeff  hugged me, “Nice to be seeing you again, Mademoiselle Autumn.”

I returned Jeff’s hug, “I’m so glad that you were able join us Mistah Longwell.  Master Trevor haveth big plans for you this weekend.  You had better be on your best behavior, or you will find yourselves in jail before you leave on Sunday.”

“Yeh right.  Me and Trevor will have our hands full just making sure that you and Uncle Doug behave yourselves.”

I motioned for the visitors to follow me, “My parents are in the kitchen having some iced tea.  I’ll introduce them and my partner and her fiancé to you.”

Jeff asked, “As in what kind of partnership is that?  Does Uncle Doug know about  it?”

Doug responded, “Yes, I know about it.  Spring and Autumn own this horse farm together.”

Jeff rubbed the back of his right hand across his forehead and let out a big “Psheeww!”

When we entered the kitchen, I started to make the introductions, “Everyone, I'd like to introduce…”

I was interrupted by Doug, “So you’re the mysterious Adrian who’s back in town.  How in the world are you?  I haven't seen you much since you left for West Point.  We haven’t been home at the same time for a long time.”

Adrian hugged Doug.  He turned to Doug’s parents, “Hi Mom Christiansen and Dad Christiansen.”

He hugged them and said, “Let me introduce my fiancée, Spring Winters.  The good looking couple sitting at the table are Autumn’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Summers.  These are Doug’s parents Maria and Thomas Christiansen.”

Dad stood, “Maria, I believe we’ve met before.  If I’m not mistaken, we lived next door for a period before my family moved to Savannah.  In fact you and I went to several dances together when we didn’t have dates.”

Mrs. Christiansen had a funny look on her face, “So, you have to be Scott Summers.”

Dad laughed, “Guilty, and this is my lovely wife Rachel Summers.”

Doug said, “My man servant is Jefferson Davis Longwell.”

Jeff waved, “Is everyone here related to someone other than me?  I’m beginning to feel like an outsider.”

I motioned for Jeff to help me get some drinks.  As we were delivering them, Doug’s Mother was speaking, “Adrian, I talked to your Mother on Monday and she didn’t say anything about you coming home.  I’m surprised, because she usually tells me everything.”

Adrian shook his head, “I didn’t know I was coming to the states until just before I left to come back.  Even Spring didn’t know until I got here.  I’ve tried to call my parents but I haven’t been able to get an answer.  They must not be home.”

Mrs. Christiansen nodded, “Your Mother told me that they were going to go spend the week in Atlanta because she wanted to do some shopping and look for a wedding dress to wear to your wedding.   Your Dad wanted to go see some Braves games and they had tickets to some shows.  They were planning to be there for a week.  They are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  Call your Mother on her cell phone.  If she’s not in a public place, she’ll answer it.  If she doesn’t answer, leave her a message and tell her where you are.”

Adrian shrugged, “I have no idea what her cell phone number is.”

Mrs. Christiansen pulled out her cell phone number, pushed a button and handed the phone to Adrian.  We could hear Adrian’s part  of the conversation, “Hi Mom … Yep, I’m here in Georgia at Spring and Autumn’s ranch. … The Christiansens are here checking to see if Autumn would be a good filly for Dougie. … Why don’t you come on down?  Spring, Autumn and Doug are entered in a riding completion in the morning. … I'm sure we can find someplace for you to hang your long johns. … Let me put Doug on and he can give you directions on how to get here.”

Doug took the phone and went into the dining room so he could give them directions.  When he came out, he announced, The Pearsons will be here in about an hour and a half.  Mr. and Mrs. Summers, you have reservations at the Willingham spread.  Why don’t I deliver you and then I’ll take young Mr. Longwell to where we will be spending the night.  We need to find a place for Adrian’s parents to hang their hats.”

Adrian suggested, “I’ll sleep on the sofa bed in the family room and they can have the room where I was to stay.  Anyplace is going to seem like a palace to me after sleeping in a tent for over a year.  Besides there is a shower in the basement.”

Everyone had departed so I finally went to take care of the horses.  I was thinking, ‘I must have presented a fine figure to the Christiansens dressed in my jeans and boots.  They probably are thinking that I’m a total hick.’

I was almost finished in the stables when Adrian came to talk to me, “Autumn, Doug just called and said we were to meet everyone at the country club for dinner at seven.  My parents are at Mr. Willingham’s place and should be here in about ten minutes.  Come give Spring a sedative.  She’s so concerned that she won’t make a good impression on my parents.”

I started to laugh, “Yeah, what kind of impression must I have made on Doug’s parents.  Here I am wearing jeans and boots when I met them.”

“Autumn, if you knew the Christiansens well, you would realize that those are the types of clothes that they will be seen in most often.  They must be trying to impress you to make sure you don’t get away from their beloved Doug.  They are wonderful people.”

We were walking toward the house when Doug pulled up with a another car following him.  Trevor and Jeff jumped out of Doug’s car and ran toward me.  They were both carrying liquor bottles with a clear liquid, Trevor yelled, “The Quack Vet said that General Beauregard and Cracker Jack needed a lot of shots before they could compete tomorrow.  He asked us to make sure they got them.”

I looked at Doug, “I think we’re in big trouble.”

I went to meet the new arrival, “Hi, I’m Autumn Summers.  I take it that you are Mr. and Mrs. Pearson.”

Mrs. Pearson nodded, “I’m Angie Pearson and this is my husband Elliott.  Thanks for asking us to stay with you and Spring.”

I looked at Adrian, “Why don’t you introduce your parents to Spring and get them settled while Doug and I go check and see what the two teenagers are up to?”

As we were walking to the stable, Doug put his arm around me and whispered, “I have to tell you, Autumn, my Mom and your Mother are already planning a wedding for us.”

I looked at Doug, “I think we need to stop the world because it is going too fast.”

To be continued... 
 

Feedback always welcome:      

 Editor's Notes: I like the way this is going so far. It looks like things are falling in place quite nicely, doesn't it?  It looks like everyone is meeting everyone else. I hope the next chapter comes along soon.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 02/06/09