by Amanda Tru
Laughter rang out through the restaurant. Several people glanced their way, curious. One set of eyes attached to a man halfway across the room, however, locked on Reid’s in confused alarm. Wait… aren’t you that guy outside the restaurant that day Mike was late…? The way the man fumbled for his wallet screamed guilt. Maybe she’s right. Where is Officer Crane anyway?
On silent cue, Judith Crane stepped into the dining room, sweeping it with her gaze. The moment she saw him, she started his way, but Reid shifted his attention to the man who’d dropped back into the booth, attention fixed on a half-eaten plate. The officer froze, swept the room for the object of Reid’s interest, and at that moment, chaos erupted.
Chief Varney stood, strode to Crane’s side, and evidently asked just what she was doing there. The man began to mop perspiration from his face, and Mike’s expression shifted from amiable to suspicious. He turned at the sight of Crane and Varney talking, jerked his head back to where the man tried to blend into the background and only made himself even more conspicuous, and then snapped back to Reid and Kelsey.
“Get them out of here, Reid. I can make things even worse for you. I’ve made sure of it. So, fix this unless you want to go back to prison in some serious debt.”
If he hadn’t known her to be reasonably astute about human nature, Reid would have believed Kelsey had dropped a dozen or two IQ points and actually needed enlightenment when she asked, “What’s wrong, Mike? Why would you want Reid to go to prison? I thought the police said those drugs weren’t his. And you just told me he’s a good guy…”
She feigned understanding—or did she? Reid watched the scene play out even more confused than ever. Don’t overdo it, Kelsey. If he is responsible for drugs in this town, he’s not above doing something desperate.
“Police can be wrong. All they need is evidence that proves otherwise, and he’s back in prison.”
“Like what kind of evidence?”
Are you crazy? Stop baiting him! Reid tried to reassure her, in excessively strong tones, that he was certain Mike wouldn’t have to supply evidence like that. “He’s just concerned about me.”
She gazed up at him, incredulity almost masking the anger building. “You’re kidding, right? I distinctly heard a threat in there. But we both know you didn’t put those drugs in your locker. I guess we know who did now, don’t we?” She turned to glare at Mike, and Reid considered dragging her from the room before she could speak again. Kelsey, however, was too quick for him.
She folded her arms over her chest and continued a glare that would have quelled a wiser man. Mike, apparently, didn’t fit into that category. “So, I have to ask again just how you plan to prove he did what we know he didn’t do.”
Behind Mike, a near-silent commotion began. And that’s when Reid suspected that Kelsey’s assiduity had more to do with keeping Mike there and distracted than trying to extricate information. Red-faced and seething, Mike leaned close and dropped his voice to a low growl. “You’ll find that the police use what evidence they find to make arrests. Once he’s arrested, he loses his job, even if the D.A. doesn’t file charges. You guys wouldn’t want that.”
A voice startled all three of them—Officer Crane’s. “I’m sure they wouldn’t, Mr. Lapora. Why don’t you come down to the station and tell us all about this… evidence?”
Mike turned and nodded. “I hate to do it, but when I found a few things, I knew I’d have to say something eventually.” If Reid didn’t know the man had to be half-panicked, he’d have believed every word.
But Kelsey wasn’t done. She pulled her phone forward and passed it to Officer Crane. “You’ll need this. As one party to the conversation, I definitely give consent to the recording.”
Reid stumbled over his words as he tried to remember what exactly Mike had said. But when Kelsey kicked him under the table, he managed to choke out, “And I do, too, of course.”
A voice at the table next to them jerked Reid from his confused stupor. “Did you hear that? Mike’s the one with the drugs. Reid just proved it somehow. I knew he wasn’t guilty.”
What? Is that what we just said? But a second of reflection, a glance at Kelsey’s triumphant face, and Mike shaking with fury told him it was. Then the inexplicable happened. Applause began at that table and spread through the room as people shared what had conspired. While it didn’t completely drown out Mike’s string of foul words, it did muffle them considerably. Kelsey squealed and sank back against her chair. “Whew! I was so afraid that wouldn’t work!”
“Did you… plan this?”
She cocked her head and gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Well, when I saw you coming, I figured we’d have to try. And we did it! You’re not just cleared. You’re cleared.” A wink followed. “And you’re welcome. Whew! That was fun!”
Under streetlights and Christmas lights, the snow blanketing Fairbury glistened, despite the intermittent moonlight that worked to plunge the town into darkness. Cars lined the streets hours before the fundraising pageant began. And in the “closet” of The Prayer Room, four women sat in a row, holding hands and praying that this time the funds would be enough to pay off the diabetic alert dog that a local boy so desperately needed.
Kelsey sat near the door, her fingers picking out a tune she couldn’t have identified and trying to pray. A peppermint candle burned in the center of an evergreen wreath on the table by the front door, infusing the room with a faint scent of Christmas. Long sweater sleeves slipped over her hands, but still she fumbled. Her jean skirt and funky leggings—a frivolous purchase she’d just had to have when Reid had asked about a dinner before their date before the pageant.
All hope of sincere, prayerful thoughts abandoned at the memory, Kelsey set her guitar on the chair beside her and pulled out her phone. Reid’s message popped up the moment she tapped his name. Mom gave me a gift card to Rosita’s and 20 questions for us to go over. It’s her thanks for introducing her to your uncle. Will you go?
A glance at the phone clock said he’d be there any minute. And then it buzzed. Uncle Mel. Kelsey snatched up her coat and slipped out the door. “Hey, Uncle Mel!”
“How would you feel if I started dating again?”
“Considering you’ve gone out with her twice, why ask now? You’re already doing it.”
“Kelsey…” Despite his attempt to sound stern and foreboding, she heard the grin in his tone. “I know, I know. But…”
“Yeah. We saw it that night. You guys hit it off faster than we did.”
A cough—a snort. “Um, almost everyone has hit it off faster than you two—except that librarian in your town. Didn’t she wait ten years for her guy?”
Nice subject avoidance, but it won’t work. “Ruth. Yeah.” Kelsey cleared her throat. “But seriously, I wish you could have seen what we saw.”
“I hear a but coming. If it’s the one I’ve got poking at me, I get it. I do. Already called Gerry. Made him promise to exercise church discipline if I get engaged to someone who isn’t a Christian.”
Her heart sank as she listened, but Kelsey chose truth over ease. “You’re asking for a broken heart. What would you tell me in the same situation?” Before he could answer, she sighed. “Never mind. You know what? You have the Holy Spirit and the Bible to direct you. You don’t need a niece who was just cheering the idea a couple of days ago trying to take over His job.”
“What’s wrong, Kelsey? This isn’t just about what’s right.”
Her heart constricted into a ball that jumped up to her throat and choked her. “Just don’t break your heart. Please. I can’t stand it. Selfish, sure. But I can’t.”
“Will do. I love you, sweetheart. I’m also scary happy for you. Pat and I were talking about it last night. She was saying how she’d been afraid Reid might get tired of working so hard and having to give most of his money away again, but now that he has you, she thinks he’ll stick to things.”
“What!” Frustration hit her at the same time her body demanded warmth. Her teeth
chattered as she tucked herself as close to the door as possible. “But he’s—”
“I know. I told her. I said, ‘Kelsey’s a good influence, sure. She can affect his heart, definitely. But she can’t regenerate it. Jesus did, though. That’s where Reid’s true change comes from.’”
This time, the shivers up and down her spine weren’t caused by freezing temperatures and a sky spitting random snowflakes all over the town. “Wow. Total goosebumps. What’d she say?”
His voice shifted to the tone he used when most moved. “Oh, Kels… she said, ‘I’ve been afraid to hope for that—that this Jesus stuff is real. I want it to be, but….’”
“No wonder you’re willing to risk it. I get it, Uncle Mel. I do. Just be careful until you know. Please.”
“Will do—”
Her squeal cut off whatever else he might have said. “What—?” Reid stood there, two flowers in hand. “Gotta go, Uncle Mel. Reid’s here.”
“Kiss him while you’re outside. It’s safer.”
Kelsey agreed, but confusion stopped her sign off. “Wait. How’d you know I was outside?”
“Your teeth—the ones that cost me a fortune, by the way—probably have jagged chips from the way you’ve been chattering. So, kiss him, get inside, and get warm. Just keep it appropriate.”
She couldn’t resist. “You, too, Uncle Mel. Bye.”
Without a word, Reid pulled her inside, took her phone from her, and began rubbing her free hand. “You’re half-frozen.”
In just above a whisper, Kelsey tried to explain. “The quartet is in there, praying. So, I went outside, and then Uncle Mel asked what I thought of him dating your mom, and….”
“Isn’t it great? She might finally listen now.”
“He thinks she will…”
Reid stopped mid-sentence about how she’d never dated much because she didn’t trust men with him. “What’s wrong? You don’t think Mom’s right for him?”
The room swam around her until she leaned her forehead against his shoulder and sighed. “I know just the other day I was so excited about the idea, but my head knows what my heart didn’t want to consider. Anyone who doesn’t belong to Jesus isn’t right for any Christian.”
He stiffened for a moment, and dread smothered her until breathing became impossible. But when he spoke, her knees buckled with relief. As he said, “Mrs. Oberton said something about that, too. I just thought it was her. I didn’t know it was in the Bible. I missed that,” he grabbed for her, holding her close. “I could get used to this.”
“Me, too.”
Emotions swirled, danced, twirled. Grand jetés of hope leaped between their hearts until a sneeze in the prayer closet sent them jerking apart again. Reid nodded at the flowers in her hand. “That daisy? That one’s from me this time.” He winked as he added, “I got tired of bringing you another guy’s flowers. And…” Reid’s throat bobbed as he wrestled with emotions she only hoped she understood. “Don’t forget that there’s no ‘not’ in those daisies. He loves you.”
Kelsey’s heart raced when Reid continued to gaze down at her. A moment later, he added, “And so do I.”
Fairbury bustled in anticipation of the pageant, leaving Reid and Kelsey seated smack dab in the middle of Rosita’s. All around them people chatted, scolded children, and inhaled the spicy goodness of Rosita’s carnitas, enchiladas, and chips with pico de gallo. “It’s not as good as Mama Vega’s in Rockland, but almost.”
Kelsey giggled and shushed him. “Even hinting that anyone could be better than Rosita is asking for a lynching around here.”
Their eyes met and held until the intensity became too much. Reid saw her glance down at her plate just half a second before he would have. He cleared his throat and fumbled in his jacket pocket. “So, Mom’s been reading everything out there on dating the past two weeks. I thought it was to make sure I didn’t blow things with you, but now…”
A blush—so faint it took a pretty face and made it lovelier rather than giving her the appearance of a sun-kissed lobster—appeared on her cheeks. “Uncle Mel is… oh, I don’t know. Maybe the word is smitten. It’s kind of old-fashioned, but I don’t know what else to call it. I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Yeah. Mom, too.” He unfolded the paper. “I could tear it into twenty pieces, and we could draw blind, but I thought maybe we’d just take turns answering the next?”
She eyed him. Concern… amusement… Reid couldn’t tell which dominated the expression on her face. “You don’t want to do this, do you?”
Reid shoved his mostly finished plate aside and gripped the paper. “I don’t want to make you feel awkward. I agreed before I read the questions. They’re kind of personal.”
In one unexpected movement, she snatched the paper from him and began reading. One eyebrow rose. The other followed. Over the top of the paper, she regarded him once more. “You don’t want me to feel awkward, or you think you are going to feel awkward?”
“Both?”
She scanned the list, hesitated, started to hand it back, and then began reading. “So, I’m supposed to ask you this question, right?”
“Okay. That works.”
Kelsey eyed her chips, his face, and the chips again. Picking up one she tossed it at him and read aloud. “What are you looking for most in a relationship?”
Ugh. Forgot that one. Why does it feel like some weird interview? Reid’s thoughts consumed him as he tried to explain without complicating things.
“Reid? If you don’t want—”
He broke in while he still had the chance to prevent further awkwardness. “It’s not me, it’s you.” So much for no more awkward. Reid tried again even as Kelsey stifled a snicker. “Okay, so that didn’t work.” He reached for her hand and squeezed. “I just don’t want you to feel pressured or rushed by this kind of thing.”
“Answer the dumb question.”
“The problem is that I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I just found you. And then all I cared about was making you smile when you’d had a bad day or just being with you.”
“That’s not the question, sweet as it is.” Kelsey withdrew her hand, folded her hands over her chest, and let the paper crinkle in the process. “Today, right now. What are you looking for in this relationship?”
“You.” Reid shrugged at her indignant huff and added, “It’s the truth. I want to be able to spend time with you. I want to serve the Lord… with you.”
At that, she handed over the paper and grinned. “I can handle that just fine.”
Reid skimmed the next question, reread it, and managed to hide the beatific smile that tried to form. She had to have read it and still chose to go first. “What makes you think we have a chance for a future together?”
She answered the question without even a second of thought. “You love the Lord. Anyone can see it.” Her gaze dropped to her lap.” And you’re forgiving. I mean, I knew you weren’t going to go back to dealing drugs, and I still freaked out on that as part of your past. It still freaks me out, but you just forgive and deal with it. If that isn’t proof of a guy a girl should never let go of, I don’t know what is.”
“Anger is scary. Trust me, I know.”
But Kelsey dropped the paper and gripped the table edges. “I wasn’t angry, Reid. I was scared—terrified, really. I’d fallen for a guy who could have been Kenny’s dealer. Then I found myself wishing you had been. Maybe he’d still be alive.”
“I thought the Lord was in control of that one.” When she didn’t reply, he nudged the paper. “Go ahead. I dare you.”
She asked if he thought opposites made difficult relationships. He asked how important family’s approval affected a relationship. Back. Forth. The restaurant slowly emptied around them as time raced forward to the opening of the play. But, as the staff cleaned around them, they finally reached the last two questions. Kelsey read hers and flushed—dark, mottled, redness splattered across her face. “Um… well, um…”
Reid took the p
aper, read it, laughed, and winked. “I got this one. Totally have it. So, have you ever seriously considered marriage?”
“No.” The single word hung between them. Reid waited for her to add… something to it. She didn’t. She just waited. Only when he handed over the list of questions did he think he heard her murmur, “Not until I met you.”
Their server paused by the table and informed them that the play would be starting in fifteen minutes. “We’re encouraging everyone to go. You can get tickets at the door, and it’s for a good cause, so…”
Reid pulled out his wallet, dropped a tip on the table, and waved the tickets he had at the same time. “We’d better hurry. You can ask me the last one on the way.” A smile turned into a grin as he saw her read it, nod, and pocket the list. Walking while I answer that—genius.
The air bit into them with icicle teeth. Reid took her hand and led her away from Rosita’s. Wind blasted, shoved, pushed them down the street toward the USO building. Cars streamed into the parking lot, out again, and parked up and down the street. Still, Kelsey didn’t ask. Not until they reached the corner did Kelsey finally speak.
“Well, there’s one more question before we can say we’re done. Is there anything about me that you would change if you could?”
A snowflake fell—a real, beautiful, perfectly-timed snowflake. And beneath the decorative lights overhead and the falling flakes, Reid gathered the rest of his courage, held it close, and took her other hand in his. “Just one.”
As he’d hoped, her face fell. For just a moment, he wished it were late summer in a field of sunflowers or spring surrounded by daisies instead of shivering in the cold wind and mantled with falling snowflakes. But one hand cupped her face—the other. The kiss he hadn’t exactly planned but neither did he regret it. The better part of a minute raced past, but Reid allowed themselves the luxury of savoring what he hoped would become a treasured memory.
“Um, what was the question again?”
“What you’d change about me.” Kelsey licked her lip before chewing on the corner. “You said there was just one thing. What is it?”