A sweet internal glow pulled a sigh. Life waited in a glorious limbo of unfinished dreams on the verge of completion. So many possibilities, she’d never anticipated a year ago. So many almost-but-not-yet wishes on the brink of coming true.
A year ago, she thought she’d never recover from the tragedy that altered her world, but somehow God made the healing all the sweeter by creating new dreams—better ones—while still allowing her to keep some of the old ones. She touched one of the fallen petals, rubbing the soft silk between her fingers. Oh Lord, You have shown Your faithfulness to me. Your massive love pouring over all my wounds. Help me to trust You with the almost-but-not-yet. Keep me brave in You.
“Hey, hey.” Eisley pushed open the door with Rose in her arms and an entourage of her three kids following behind. “How’s the project writing going?”
Julia turned from her laptop and took a jump-hug from Pete, their resident Spiderman. In fact, he wore the full Spiderman costume this afternoon because today was Saturday—and the rule in her sister’s home was school clothes on school days, church clothes on church day, but dress yourself on Saturdays. “Rose spit up all over Mama,” the five-year-old announced as he drew back from the hug. “She smelled like throw-up.”
Julia cringed and looked up at her sister. “I’m sorry, Eis.”
Eisley laughed and waved away Julia’s concern. “Gracious sakes, Julia, it’s not like I haven’t smelled like throw-up before. It’s practically a perfume brand for the first three years of life.”
Julia turned her head to her right shoulder and took a whiff of her shirt, then cringed. How had she failed to notice that?
“I guess I should try to get a sitter at least once a week now, so I can get used to reentry into the big, wide world of real life.”
Eisley placed Rose into Julia’s arms, and the baby immediately started smacking her rosebud lips. “I don’t think it gets more real than what you’re living right now, sis.” Eisley turned and swept Emily up in her arms. “But Sophie’s off from her school job for the summer. She’d loved to earn some extra money.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“And I bet she’d be happy to watch Rose for you during your night classes in the fall too. She’s saving up for some big European summer vacation or something.” Eisley shook her head. “You know Sophie.”
“Everyone knows Sophie, Eisley.”
Eisley’s palm went to her chest like a pledge. “Truer words.”
Julia swept Eisley’s kids a smile. “Are you guys excited about traveling to England in two weeks?”
Nathan, ever the dutiful eldest, was quick to answer first. “Wes is taking us to see real castles.”
“With dragons in them,” Pete added.
“They don’t have dragons in them, Pete.” Nathan looked up at her as if having such a brother was one of the biggest difficulties of his seven-year-old life. “Wes said they had dragon carvings on them.”
“I see dwagons too,” Emily called out, wiggling down from her mom’s side to join her brothers beside Julia. “Dwagons.” She contorted her toddler face into an expression Julia imagined only Emily thought looked very dragon-ish. “Dwagons scawy.”
“The joys of two older brothers.” Eisley sat down on the couch. “My little princess will fight the dragons and probably the prince too.”
Julia joined her sister on the couch as her nephews tugged the box of toys she kept for their visits from beneath the coffee table and proceeded to pour them onto the floor.
Once Julia was situated and covered for Rose’s feeding, she turned to her sister. “How are you doing with handling all the preparation for traveling and the engagement party?”
Eisley rested her head back against the couch but turned to face Julia. “I can’t wait to see Wes again. And though I’m not the fancy party type, the Harrisons sure know how to make a girl feel like a queen. Just wait until you see their house, Julia. It’s like something from Pride and Prejudice. Pemberley for sure.”
“Still planning a December wedding?”
“If I could have one sooner, I would.” She winked. “But this will work out better for the kids’ break in their school year and maybe abate some of the rumors about why we’re getting married so fast.”
Julia looked up from adjusting her blouse. “What?”
Eisley released a soft chuckle. “Yeah, evidently the only reason movie star Christopher Wesley Harrison would rush into a marriage with Appalachian single mom, Eisley Barrett, is because she’s having his baby.”
Julia froze, allowing the words to sink in, and then paused a little longer. “Wait. Are you serious? That’s crazy.”
“Right? And it’s not like I could even be pregnant with his baby—not that I’m going to share that bit of info on social media—but the big wide world can’t seem to wrap its mind around us. I mean, why would he go for someone like me?” She laughed. “Sometimes I wonder the same thing, but you won’t hear a single complaint from me.”
Julia leaned her head back and closed her eyes, allowing the question to sink deep and lodge near her heart. She’d asked herself that question about Henry, too. Asked God. And over the past few months, she’d grown into an understanding. “Because he’s a very smart man, that’s why. And God knew something in you and in your life matched what his heart needed most of all, so that apart you’re okay, but together you’re remarkable.”
The sound of her nephews and niece playing with the toys filled the silence, but Eisley didn’t respond. Julia opened her eyes and found her sister staring at her. “That was beautiful, Julia. And…something I need to remember.”
“Me too.”
“You? You need to remember that too?”
Julia’s vision blurred with a pool of unexpected tears. “Yeah, because I’m bringing a whole lot into this relationship that most guys aren’t looking for. A tragic backstory, as Sophie says, and an instant family. Henry is…” Julia closed her eyes, and a tear squeezed between her lids. “He’s wonderful. So kind that I sometimes wonder if he’s real. But then he’ll do or say something completely awkward to remind me that he is.” She grinned and another tear escaped. “But over the past few months, as we’ve gotten to know each other through phone calls and text messages, I’ve fallen in love with him even more. Even the awkward parts.”
“I can see how God used his gentleness to help heal your heart.”
Julia nodded and wiped away a tear. “He cares so effortlessly, like he’s been waiting to shower someone with affection for years and I’m the recipient.”
“It’s pretty crazy when it’s so right, isn’t it? Even on those days when it feels all wrong because they live halfway across the world.” Oh yes, Eisley understood better than anyone else in her life. “But when it’s right, there’s a sense that you can rest in that love. You don’t have to pretend or work up the feelings. It’s a friendship. I think that’s why God uses the romantic relationship between a man and a woman as an example of His love for His church. There’s not just a commitment, but a true fellowship between the two, so your heart can rest in that love.”
“That’s exactly it.” Julia laughed. “I’ve been wondering if something was wrong because it seemed so right—so peaceful—with him. Not the struggle to perform or be someone I’m not, but just to rest.” She sighed and laid her head against the couch again. “I am resting in Henry’s love for me. What a wonderful idea.”
“But just because you’re comfortable with him”—Eisley’s voice took a mischievous turn, garnering Julia’s attention— “doesn’t mean you can’t knock him off his feet once in a while.” She paused and scrunched her nose. “I don’t mean literally, though with my clumsy track record I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s in Wes’s future. I mean at the engagement party.”
“What are you plotting?”
Eisley sat up, her eyes twinkling with enough stardust to light the room. “What are you going to wear? It’s a fancy party, so you really can have a princess moment.”
<
br /> Julia shook her head as she pulled a sleepy Rose up on her shoulder to burp. “I don’t want a princess moment, Eisley.”
“Of course you do!” Her eyes rounded, displaying more of their golden hues. “Those gowns from Millie. The silver one or the blue one…or there’s that dark burgundy one with the intricate sleeve designs.”
Warmth filled Julia’s face at the memory of Henry’s response to the blue dress—a wonderful, tingling sort of warmth that spread down her back to where his hands had smoothed against her skin. Oh mercy!
“You’ll look amazing in any of them, Julia,” Eisley continued, her hands moving with more drama as she continued to speak. “I can see it now. You’ll walk in and the whole room will stop to admire you.”
“That sounds terrifying.”
She stood and gestured for Julia to follow. “Let’s go look at those dresses. You’re going to love it. As grown-ups, we rarely have a chance to dress up, so it’s kind of like prom for adults.”
Julia groaned as she stood, careful to keep Rose comfortable and asleep. “I hated prom.”
“But Henry will be there, Julia.” Eisley tossed a look over her shoulder as she walked into Julia’s room. “And you’ll want to look lovely for him, I know.”
“You’re going to keep using him as an incentive, aren’t you?”
“I can dig deep for motivation if I need to.”
“Did you mean to say manipulation?” Julia murmured with a grin as she entered Rose’s room to place her in her crib.
“I heard that.”
∞ ∞ ∞
If Julia could navigate an airport with a three-month-old, carry-on, and suitcase while bringing up the end of Eisley’s entourage, after two hours of sleep and only one cup of coffee, she could do just about anything. She’d never been up and down so many escalators in her life. Thankfully, Rose traveled like a little dream. She nestled close within her sling, her eyes staring up at the passing lights and watching Julia as if to make certain her world was still okay.
“It’s all right, little one. It’s just a busy place.”
Her daughter showered Julia with a toothless grin followed by a sweet gurgly noise.
“I know someone who is going to be so excited to see you.” She cooed down at Rose, the nervousness she’d quelled while collecting her bags and keeping up with Eisley returning with full force. Why was she nervous? It was Henry. Her Henry. She talked to him every day. Sometimes twice.
“Did you see the clouds out the window, Aunt Julia?” Pete bounced just ahead of her with Nathan in front of him, and Eisley led the way with Emily in tow.
“I did. Pretty amazing.”
“Yep.” He gave an emphatic nod. “We were super high.”
“Like Superman instead of Spiderman today, huh?”
He stopped and looked up at her, his auburn brows colliding. “Spiderman can’t fly, Aunt Julia. He shoots webs like this.” He demonstrated the proper imaginary way to shoot webs. “Then he swings from one building to another building and then he does this…” Pete dropped the rolling bag he was supposed to be pulling and crouched on the ground as if he’d landed liked Spiderman.
Julia chuckled as a few onlookers enjoyed Pete’s expressiveness so early in the morning. Others didn’t quite appreciate the energy level. “Spiderman is pretty cool.”
He took a few more steps and stopped again. “Spiderman saved a train filled with a million people, like on the train we just rode.”
“Well, I think we rode more of a subway, but Spiderman could totally save one of those too.” Julia noted the increasing gap between Eisley and herself and maneuvered her bags so she could get down to her nephew’s level. “Pete, I love chatting with you about Spiderman, but you’d better catch up with Nathan before your mama threatens to take away your web blaster again.”
The boy’s blue eyes popped wide at that possibility. He ran with quick steps, dodging between suitcases and around passenger carts to close the gap between himself and his brother just as Eisley turned to check that the boys were following before she stepped out of the baggage claim area.
Julia pushed loose pieces of hair from her face with her one free hand and chuckled at Pete’s antics. She’d imagined seeing Henry again many times. Usually, the daydream involved her wearing a cute outfit that cinched at her newly defined waist, some cute heels to highlight her legs, and her hair flowing around her like some slo-mo runway performance.
After a quick change in the bathroom post baby diaper lap disaster, Julia’s cute outfit looked more like her Saturday morning leggings and relaxed-fit shirt, and rather than soft curls gracing her shoulders, she’d secured her hair in a braid to prevent Rose from pulling it for the fiftieth time.
Real life 101.
Oh well, she’d make it up tomorrow night at the engagement party. Her lips slipped into a hidden smile. Maybe a princess moment for her prince wasn’t so bad.
Their little Jenkins posse moved with a crowd of other passengers into a large lobby area with people waiting in every direction. Glass walls three stories high covered one side of the massive room.
“There’s Wes,” Nathan called, rushing forward through the crowd with Pete closing in behind.
Julia turned in his direction, increasing her pace, and found Henry standing next to his friend. In the flesh. Green polo. Jeans. His gaze fastening on hers and drowning out everyone else. She stumbled a little, and he jerked forward as if he could possible catch her at this distance. Oh my goodness, she loved that man.
“Aunt Julia, Henry’s here too!” Pete shouted for the whole world to hear. Henry’s grin broadened at the boy’s enthusiasm, a laugh dancing to life in his eyes.
“Yes he is, Pete.”
Eisley’s crew nearly attacked Wes, whose laugh rang out through the open room.
Henry stepped forward, his palm against her waist, mouth against her ear. “It’s very good to see you. Very good.”
He pressed a kiss to her cheek, his gaze promising more once they had some privacy. The part of her hear that had felt out of place for three months suddenly filled with vanilla and Henry. His hand on her back. His breath against her cheek. Heavens! Two things video chat couldn’t provide: touch and smell.
She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his. Yep, she belonged right here. “You too.”
He stepped back to look at her again then cleared his throat and diverted his attention to Rose. “And you, duck.” He pressed a kiss to her head. She blinked up at him and rewarded him with another toothless grin.
His palm slammed against his chest. “It’s even better in person.” He looked back at Rose who grabbed his finger with gusto. “Aren’t you a beauty?” Once he’d regained his finger and wiped the baby drool from it with an ever-ready cloth Julia kept in her diaper bag, he moved his gaze to hers. “My two beauties,” he whispered for her ears only.
“Good to have everyone here,” Wes announced, taking Eisley’s bags from her as Henry followed suit with Julia. “Henry, do you have your people?”
He swept Julia and Rose a tender look. “I do.”
“Then let’s get on to my parents’ house because they are over the moon to meet everyone.”
As they moved forward, Rose began to squirm and whimper.
“I think she wants to get out and see what’s going on.” Julia maneuvered the sling and drew Rose up into her arms.
“She’s gotten so big.”
He looked completely gobsmacked, as he’d say, while Julia managed to get the squirming little bundle up on her shoulder. “I have an idea.” She stepped up to him and pressed Rose into his arms. “I think you should carry this bundle for a little while.”
“But your bags…” His objection held little conviction as he fit Rose snuggly between his shoulder and chin.
Julia nearly melted at the sight. Her daughter had great taste. Snuggles with Henry Wright sounded absolutely marvelous.
“My bags have wheels. If you desperately want to be chivalrous, I’ll l
et you load them into the back of your car, but for now, I think you’ll benefit more from snuggles than suitcases.”
They walked on at a slower pace as Henry kept looking down at Rose and then grinning over at Julia.
“I love how normal it feels to see you.” She shook her head. “Well, I mean, it’s much nicer in person, but we can just pick up from the conversation we had last night. Like we just saw each other.”
“We did. Through video-chats.”
“True.” She leaned closer to him. “But I’ll take in-person Henry over video-chat Henry any day.”
His smile quirked and his gaze dropped to her lips as if he might sneak a taste. Her grin must have enlarged to Disney-sized proportions, because he proceeded to do just that. A quick one, but enough to let her know he was as happy as she was that a screen no longer separated them.
They exchanged a few bits of light information until they made it to his car, where Henry buckled Rose into a borrowed car seat from his brother Matthew. As soon as he took his place on the driver’s side of the vehicle and closed out the noise from around them, he sat back and looked over at her. Neither spoke. They just stared at each other in silence. Rose made unhappy noises from the back seat, protesting another captivity.
And then a boyish grin unfurled on Henry’s face—a look like Christmas and birthdays and so many other wonderful things in between. “You’re really here.” He took her face in his hands, placed a gentle kiss against her lips, and stared into her eyes. “Yes, you are.”
“I am.”
He brought his lips to hers again, a little longer, and pulled back, his gaze roaming her face, his thumb brushing a soft flutter against her cheek. Three months of separation dissipated into nothing, like a foggy dream, and everything settled into clarity. He sighed and started the car, his boyish grin returning as he shifted the car into gear. “Yes, you are.”
Chapter Thirty
When You Look at Me (A Pleasant Gap Romance Book 2) Page 30