Andrew chuckled. “Speak for yourself.”
“Touché.”
Silence hung between them for several minutes.
“How can I help, Dan?”
“I wish I knew. Pray for me. I need to get through this. Tomorrow will be better.”
“That’s it?”
“You helped a lot coming here. How’d you guess?”
“Just a hunch.”
“Could you have Jennifer call my neighbor and invite her to MOPS?”
“The artist?”
“Yeah.”
“I liked her painting of you on that magazine cover.”
“Is there anyone who hasn’t seen it?”
“It was really good. Maybe we can buy one of her pieces to hang in the office. If they are as good as that one…well, I wouldn’t mind owning something like that.”
“I’ll ask her. She has an agent now. I’m not sure she can sell direct.”
“Check it out. It would be nice to support someone like that.”
“She asks a lot of questions. She’s the only woman I know who’s been willing to challenge me.”
“You like her?”
“Yeah. She’s cute and smart. A great mom.”
“Why do you think God made you her neighbor?”
“So I could share Christ with her.”
“Is that it?”
“No. She’s been an important part of my healing the past few weeks. I think I scared several years off her life when I somersaulted down that bunny hill after breaking my ski. I injured some ribs and couldn’t stop laughing. I swear she wanted to break more of them for me.” Dan couldn’t help but smile at the memory.
“Maybe God has more planned?”
“I don’t see how. You understand how brutal ministry can be to pastors’ wives, and even if she came to Christ—and I think she’s close—she’d need time to grow in her faith before she latched on to a has-been like me.”
“You’re not a has-been.”
“Tell my spirit that.”
“I think I just did. Have your ribs healed enough for you to play racquetball yet?”
“Maybe.”
“Wanna go give it a try?”
Dan thought about it. He let out a deep sigh. “Tempting offer but I’m going to pass today. I need to get started on that message.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Go home to your wife. Kids will be out of school before long…enjoy some alone time with her.”
“You’ll call me if you need me?”
“I won’t.”
“Just know I’m here. No matter the time of day.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Get that message written. I want to see at least an outline on Monday.”
“Yes, sir.” Dan gave a small salute to the dark as Andrew left the dark room.
OK, God. You sent help. Thanks. Now, how about an assist on that message? Dan dragged himself out of the room and back to his office.
Before he dug in, he made a decision. Maybe even if he didn’t have a wife, it didn’t mean he couldn’t do something nice for someone. He called up a local flower shop and had a small bouquet of flowers, not roses, delivered with no note. Maybe he didn’t have the right to tell someone they were loved, but God could.
~*~
Class that morning had been a pain. She walked again. Too proud to ask Dan for help. That was going to get her frostbite. Hopefully, Titus would approve of one of the cars she’d found and she’d have a vehicle soon. She hated borrowing her mom’s car. Her mom had her own life. She got home and tried to warm up in the shower. When her mom arrived at lunchtime, she was ready for the kids.
Sandi stepped inside. “Honey, remember how I told you I found my dad?”
“Yeah. How did that go?”
“Really well. He’d like to meet you and the kids.”
“Why?”
“Because he missed out on knowing all of us as we grew up, and you are his family too.”
Skye shrugged. “You’d need to bring him here.”
“I can do that. Tomorrow?”
“Sure. Why the rush?”
“He needs to get back home. He flies out on Sunday evening.”
“Tomorrow is fine. Do I need to fix a meal?”
“No. That’s too much pressure on all of us. How about just coffee?”
“Sure. What time?” Skye asked.
“Ten?”
“OK.”
“Any Valentine’s Day plans?”
“Nope.”
Sandi’s face fell. “I’m sorry, honey. I hoped, maybe…”
“Maybe what?”
“Well, your neighbor is cute and then there’s that mechanic, what’s his name?” She snapped her finger. “Titus.”
“All just friends. No cupid shooting arrows around here.”
“Someday, sweetheart, a good man is going to recognize the treasure you are and snap you up.”
“That would not be today.”
Sandi leaned over and gave Skye a kiss on the cheek. “Well, I love you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you too.”
Her mom left and Skye got lunch for the kids. The dubious chicken nuggets. Well, it was protein, right?
Once the kids were down for their naps she started to paint.
~*~
A buzz at the outer door shook her from her trance. Well, at least that’s what the experience resembled as time flew away when she was lost in her art. She pressed the intercom. “Who’s there?”
“Delivery for Skye O’Connell.”
Delivery? Curiosity compelled her to buzz him in but caution kept the door locked until she could see exactly what the man carried as he came up the stairs. She let him knock on the door and then opened it.
“Miss O’Connell?”
“Yes.”
“These are for you. Happy Valentine’s Day.” The courier left and she brought the package inside. She opened up the cellophane wrapper and exposed a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Carnations and daisies, baby’s breath and fern-like leaves. She inhaled. These flowers actually had a scent. She looked for a card but found none. Who sent them?
And why?
Did she have a secret admirer? Was she being stalked? Riley never bothered to buy her flowers or gifts, much less a card. This was unusual. She placed the vase at the middle of the kitchen table and shot up a quick prayer that her rambunctious kids wouldn’t tip it over and break it.
She wandered back to her painting filled with pastel flowers and a sweet little girl playing in the midst of them. Where had that come from? Was Dan right that the Holy Spirit was speaking to her through her art? Was He using that to draw her to Himself?
Dan hadn’t sugar-coated faith. If anything, the hurts he suffered made his talk of faith more credible. He was right. Life was hard. But what would it be like to walk through it with God by her side?
She agreed she was a sinner. She understood about Jesus’ death and resurrection and that it was a real historical event. She needed what He offered. But was she ready to bend her knee, her will, to God? She understood that some paid lip service to faith but she couldn’t make that leap without being all in.
She walked back to the flowers on the table. Wait. Those flowers. Those colors. She brought the vase over to the painting. How would anyone have known that she was painting similar flowers and colors? It was Valentine’s Day and the standard gift was roses…but there were none in this arrangement and none in her painting. The rest? All there.
She put the vase back on the table and sat down. Had God sent her flowers? How else would these blooms come to her?
God? Why? Why would You even care about me? I don’t understand.
~*~
She heard Dan come in late, his tread heavy on the stairs. She watched him unlock his door and close it quietly behind him. She went across the hall and knocked on his door.
He opened it and dark shadows hinted at his weariness.
“Hey, Skye.”
; “Long day?”
“Hard day.”
“I can imagine. I’m sorry. I wanted to offer you a piece of homemade banana cream pie.” She thrust the plate forward. “Oh, and the kids made you cards.”
Dan grinned and reached for the plate and cards. “Feeling sorry for the lonely bachelor?”
“Maybe it’s just that I understand a little how hard a day like today can be. And I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me and my children and wanted to do something nice in return.”
“I appreciate it. Bananas? So if this is my dinner it’s actually health food, right?”
Skye grinned. “Sure. Have a good night.”
“Thanks, Skye. I appreciate it.”
She gave a little wave and went back to her apartment where the kids watched a movie.
~*~
At bedtime, the kids knelt for prayer again. Quinn prayed, “Jesus, thank You for loving us, and take care of Mommy and Mr. Dan. We love them. Amen.”
Skye fought the tears. It was beginning to dawn one her that maybe she loved Dan too.
~*~
The next morning, she put the coffee on and the kids happily played when her mom arrived with Sandi’s long lost father.
Skye opened the door and her jaw dropped. “It’s you?”
The older man grinned. “I have been praying for you since I met you on that plane. Now I find you’re my granddaughter? I am a blessed man indeed.”
“Come in, Mom and…”
“Rick Neill at your service. And you must be Skye.”
“Yes. And these are my children, Quinn and Meghan.” The kids came up to stand by their mother.
“You have a beautiful family.”
Skye closed the door and motioned to the table. “Won’t you have a seat?”
Sandi pulled out a chair and noticed the flowers. With raised eyebrows she looked at Skye. “Who are those from?”
“There was no card. But they came after I painted this.” Skye went to grab the canvas and brought it to show them.
“You did that?” Rick asked.
“It’s beautiful,” Sandi commented. “But you got the flowers after it was painted?”
“Yeah. Does God send flowers?”
“He might use someone else to send them, but with no note?” Rick asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Any new men in your life?” Rick inquired.
“There’s Dan across the hall. He’s a widower and has been super-nice and there’s a mechanic, Titus, who is helping me find a new car. Neither has expressed any romantic interest in me.”
“Guess it will remain a mystery, but my bets would be on Dan.” Sandi winked at her.
“Why?”
“He seems to be that kind of guy. He was so worried about you when you had your accident and we couldn’t find you. He didn’t hesitate to offer to help with the kids.” Sandi sipped the coffee Skye placed in front of her.
“He’s a nice guy. That’s all.”
“A man who takes care of your kids? He must be in love to do that. Mark my words. And you, my dear granddaughter, are worthy of a man who will treat you well,” Rick said.
“Thanks, um, Rick. Or should I call you Grandpa?”
“I’ll answer to Rick…after not being in your life all this time, ‘Grandpa’ probably should be earned.”
The next hour was spent in getting acquainted, and soon Sandi and Rick were gone. All those years with few men in her life, and now she had a grandfather who seemed like a great guy. He credited it all to God saving him.
The phone rang.
“Hey, Skye?”
“Yeah, Titus, did any of those pan out?”
“Yeah, the second one did. You want me to get it for you?”
“Sure, I guess. I can write a check out, the money has cleared the bank.”
“I’ll stop by for the check and then return with the car and install the seats for you. You’ll have to do the registration on Monday.”
“That’s fine. And thank you.”
“Not a problem. I’ll be there soon.”
Within fifteen minutes, Titus was at her door. Dan came out of his apartment. Titus looked at him. “Ready?”
“Wait. Dan, what are you doing?”
“Well, someone has to drive the car back. It’s a two-person job.” Dan headed down the stairs after Titus and they were gone. Forty-five minutes later, Titus came to give her the keys and the title.
“There you go, little lady. It’s purring like a kitten and has a full tank of gas. I’ve checked the battery and it’s good. Tires are relatively new as well. She’s all yours.”
“Wow. Thank you. Where’s Dan?”
“He stepped into his apartment. Glad we could help you though. Stay safe and warm out there, OK?”
“Yeah, you too, Titus. Thanks.”
The mechanic gave a quick wave to the kids and headed down the stairs.
Skye looked across at the closed door. Dan. He’d helped her, again. She looked at the keys in her hand and went downstairs to the front of the building where the parking lot was. She looked outside at her new car. A car she’d never driven. Was she insane to trust these two men with her money and in making that choice for her?
She’d chosen the last car though, and it had been a lemon from the get-go. Riley was useless in knowing anything about cars other than what hubcaps might be worth more. She frowned. The guy wasn’t stupid. She’d seen such potential in him when they first hooked up. Now she was embarrassed to admit that she’d had such low morals. How would she ever talk to her daughter and keep her from making her own mistakes? Or talk to her son and keep him from following his father’s example?
She returned to the apartment and tossed the keys in her bag before putting the kids down for their nap. Too many questions with no easy answers.
~*~
It was his first Sunday back on staff. He was up for announcements, but other than that his job was to connect with people and handle any issues congregants had. Mary Beth came up to him during a quiet moment.
“Dan, wanted to let you know that things went well between Amy and Skye.”
“No catfight?”
Mary Beth grinned. “No. Skye was perceptive though. She challenged Amy that the person Amy really needs to apologize to is you.”
Dan frowned. “Really?”
“Yup. We’ll get something set up soon. OK? I’ll be in on the meeting to protect your virtue.”
Dan chuckled. “Good. Can you come with me Thursday night? It will be my first time back at the adult ministries group.”
“Safety in numbers, Dan. You’ll be fine.” She took off to go meet someone who was walking in the door.
He spied Skye coming in with the kids and Quinn and Meghan escaped her grasp and ran to give him hugs.
“Hey, kiddos. How are you today?”
“Great!” Meghan answered as he picked her up.
Skye walked toward him and he had a momentary wish that she was doing so as his wife. The smile she gave him wrinkled the corners of her eyes behind her black glasses. “Hi, Dan. I see you found my kids.”
“Or they found me.” He tried to hand off Meghan who was now in his arms, but she refused to budge. “How’s the car?”
“It’s great. So much better than my old one. Thanks for helping with that.”
“Not a problem.” Meghan was tickling his neck. “Should I help you get them to their classroom?”
“Sure, if you don’t have other work to do.”
“I’m good. I have a few minutes until the service starts. I need to be in there by then.” They walked side by side down the hallway to the children’s ministry and in spite of her reluctance, Meghan finally agreed to go into her room. Quinn gave him a high five before he sauntered into his class.
“Thanks for the help. They can be a bit squirrelly.” Skye looked at him and stepped a few inches further away. “I’d better go find a seat.”
“Yeah. Me too.” He watched her walk away. Wit
h a sigh, he headed off to his own seat close to the front of the stage so he’d be ready to do his part.
~*~
After the service, he bounced from person to person who wanted his attention. He spied Skye leaving with the kids, but they hadn’t seen him this time so he avoided having to explain why those two little people latched on to him.
Not that he minded though. He loved those kids.
He hung around through second service, but spent it in his office working on next week’s message. He finally had an outline fleshed out and e-mailed to Andrew. They’d talk more about it tomorrow. He put two commentaries in a briefcase to take home to look at…after he took a nap.
EIGHTEEN
This love is silent.
T. S. Eliot
Thursday morning found Dan at the gym in the racquetball court with Andrew.
“You’re going down!” Andrew whacked the ball and it bounced off two walls and headed straight for Dan.
Whack. The racquet met the ball. “You keep saying that but you’d be so wrong.”
The ball bounced off the racket as Andrew returned it. The game went on for another thirty minutes until both men were sweaty and tired. They finally packed up their stuff and headed out of the court.
“That was a great game. Thanks for coming with me to play.” Dan wiped the sweat off his forehead as Andrew zipped up his equipment bag.
“It was fun. We should do this more often.”
“I agree. All work and no play was making Dan a very dull man.” Dan opened his water bottle to down the contents. “Ahh. That hit the spot.”
“How’s it been being back at work?”
“Good. It’s going home that gets hard.”
“I know we discussed it, but your message outline for Sunday is solid. Feeling ready to deliver it?”
“Thanks. It feels like forever since I’ve preached. I’m a little more nervous this time around.”
“Why?” Andrew asked
Dan plopped on the bench. “I keep seeing my neighbor in my mind and wondering, will she understand this? Will this make sense? Will it compel her to come to Jesus?”
“You do realize that’s God’s job, right? Not yours?”
“Yeah, I do, but I don’t want to be a stumbling block either.”
“Preach the truth and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.” Andrew threw on his coat. “I’m heading home for my shower and to have lunch with Jennifer and the kids before heading back to the office.”
Bratwurst and Bridges Page 17