by Chase, Diane
****
Her parents had left for a friend’s lake house for the weekend. She’d put off Dr. Peruggi for a few days and said she’d be in touch Monday. Not having her parents around helped. Her father especially would wonder at her delay in accepting the job, and it was hard to tell if Mother fathomed what it’d mean for her to be gone so long.
As much as she loved them, not being able to share her faith with them created a void, and she really missed the easy conversation with the Golightlys. If she stayed in Houston, she’d at least need to find a church and maybe they’d join her. In the meantime, she prayed and tried to remember what Asher and Mrs. May said, that God draws a man.
Juliette put aside the Bible study lesson on Ruth. Without a clue what to read, she continued working from the Lighthouse Community Church’s booklet. How she missed those folks, too. And Paul. She was afraid to think about him too much, or her heart would collapse from all the grief.
She clucked at Skipper napping in the chair. “Want to go for a walk?”
The dog danced in circles at the bedroom door, and they headed out front where sprinklers soaked her parents’ lush garden and lawn.
They strolled down the buckled sidewalk under the shade of enormous live oaks. The quaint neighborhood had interesting architecture and profuse landscaping. Juliette admired the homes while she coaxed Skipper off the thick lawns. At the end of the block, Mrs. Peterson rounded the corner with her schnauzer.
The two dogs sniffed and danced around each other. Mrs. Peterson laughed. “Remember little Skipper, Rusty? How have you been, Juliette?”
“Pretty good.” Her father mentioned Mrs. Peterson’s heart surgery recently, but she looked fit. “And you?”
The woman smiled slightly and shrugged. “You know Gladys Harris told everyone within a mile your wedding’s canceled. Good for you it if that’s what you wanted.”
“Yeah.” Sweat poured down Juliette’s temples, shade or not. “Thanks.”
“You’ll have to excuse us. We’re getting a little overheated. Come on, Rusty.” She tugged the dog who made a play for Skipper. “These days need to count,” she said walking away. “He’s coming back soon, you know.”
“I know, Mrs. Peterson!”
The woman stopped momentarily and turned back. “You do?”
“I do,” Juliette called out.
“Well, hallelujah!” Shaking her head, she strolled on.
Juliette followed Skipper’s lead past another house and waited while she sniffed a tree. It was close to five. The big, celestial clock of the world ticked away on her life, and maybe Mrs. Peterson meant something different, but Juliette knew in her own life every minute needed to count. The dog tugged toward the same direction they’d been walking, and Juliette pulled her leash.
“Come on, girl.” She turned back toward the house. The traffic wouldn’t be so bad, and she had to know. “Let’s go to Surfside.”
****
Monday evening, Paul sat on the deck with his laptop and studied the entrance requirements for a Bible college in Houston. A lot of the classes could be taken online.
He thought back to his excitement in church yesterday. The pastor at The Hook, Jim Harris, introduced him to the congregation as a ministry candidate.
Heat flooded through him as he remembered the moment. Late in the week, they visited with the associate pastor, Zach Olsen, his pal Casey, and one of the members, Fred Morris about the process he needed to follow. It’d been Zach who recommended the Bible college in Houston, the school he also attended.
It’d be a long haul no matter where he went. Four years. At thirty-four, it seemed late to embark on that kind of venture, but he trusted the Lord. He shut down the computer on the wire mesh table. The website was clear enough about the requirements—an entrance test and application. He could begin provisionally mid-August until those results came in. There were also other institutions or postponing school until January. He’d have to decide all that soon.
As much as he itched to get his education underway, starting later gave him time to fix up the house and save money from Melcher’s or wherever he worked.
As the sun set, a soothing breeze swept across the deck. Voices drifted from the beach below where a family parked their van and set up a canopy. Their kids tossed up snacks to a swarm of seagulls.
Then he was sure he heard a pattering of footsteps, the faintest sound over the laughter and rush of the surf. He looked over and about toppled from his chair. Juliette’s little dog was trotting toward him and jumped straight in his lap.
He rubbed her head and with his heart racing, slipped her under his arm and ambled to the staircase. Wearing a silvery-gray dress with white flowers and carrying her sandals, Juliette waved about halfway up.
He clutched the dog and smiled, a tear hot in the corner of each eye. He stepped aside to make room for his guest and put the dog down.
She huffed on the last step and held onto the railing. “I hope you don’t mind that we’ve come without an invitation.”
“No, I’m glad to see you.” Paul’s mouth curled in a smile, and he folded his arms across his chest. He stammered for the right words a few seconds before he finally just pointed to the table with four chairs. “Do you want to sit down?”
“Thank you. Interesting, in this complicated world you live on a highway where someone only needs to look for a red truck.” She smiled, looking so beautiful and content, so out of place on the deck that needed a good power washing.
“Yeah, I guess it does get complicated sometimes.” Paul glanced through the sliding glass door. If she gave him some warning, he’d have cleaned up a little bit, a lost cause really with the place in the middle of an update.
Juliette twisted her lips. “I know I’ve been indecisive. I felt it was best to let you know in person…well, to just say…I’m sorry.”
“I understand.” His heart thundered. Then she was interested in him? “Mrs. May said you’re moving to Italy. She called a few days ago when she got your letter.” He sat back and propped his chin with his fist.
“I’ve reconsidered.” She gazed down at the beach, her shoulders rising and falling with deep breaths. “It’s not the right place for me.”
So what was? Surfside Beach? All along, the thought of her stirred such longing in him. Here and now, even as she appeared to make herself available, she seemed so untouchable. His heart held back, scrutinizing the situation and their dissimilarity.
She stood up abruptly. “I can’t stay. We’re imposing on the Golightlys tonight, and I wanted to get back before it gets dark.”
Dusk had already descended. He walked with her to the stairs. She came all this way to stay a few minutes? Without thinking, he clasped her left hand, and when she didn’t pull away, he squeezed it. The Lord touched him in the grip, his power and love surging through him. What a work he’d done at Christmas Bay.
Juliette turned to face him. “That’s the hand, you know.”
He nodded. “I do. I’ve thought about it many times.”
“Really? In what way?” Disbelief sounded in her voice, and her lips quivered.
He studied her brown eyes, saw the tears pooling there, and realized deep in his soul how much she needed him. He tilted his head and brushed her cheek with his fingers. “That God performs miracles of healing when it glorifies his name. But that maybe the greatest miracle of all is his work in the human heart.”
When she looked down, he put his hands on her waist and pulled her close, then all at once, found himself in a strong embrace with the lemony scent of her hair pushed against his nose. He felt her hands move around his shoulders, and her fingers light the back of his neck, her heartbeat against his. He loved her so much, more than he ever imagined possible.
Her dog nudged his calf with her cold nose and licked the tops of his feet. He didn’t dare look but to himself chuckled at the pair of them. He held Juliette back and kissed her forehead. “How long are you in town?”
“Until to
morrow morning.” She fluttered her eyes at the darkening sky. “I better go.”
“Are you free for breakfast? I’m off tomorrow.”
They decided he’d pick her up around nine, and she could leave town directly from the restaurant. He walked her downstairs, hugged her briefly at the car, wanting more than anything to kiss her, but opened the car door. She smiled briefly and backed out of his driveway. He strolled out to the short road and watched her taillights disappear down Bluewater Highway.
****
When she got home Tuesday afternoon, Juliette sent emails to Dr. Neil and Dr. Peruggi thanking them but turning down their offers and one to Dr. Cabot about resuming her research as planned.
Dr. Cabot responded immediately.
Juliette,
So you snapped to your senses. Be in touch with a revised timeline. Avery’s presently in my office and insists on adding his comments.
Kim
Juliette,
Splendid news. Let me know of any future meetings. By the way, my dear, what are you wearing?
Dr. Owen
Juliette chuckled and closed down the computer. Paul broke the news about going back to school and into the ministry. Wednesday, he wanted to come in and look around the campus.
Her parents were having coffee and reading the paper in the kitchen. She took a deep breath, closed the bedroom door to contain the dog, and headed that way.
“Darling, would you like a turkey sandwich in a bit?” her father asked. “We were just talking about lunch.”
“No, thanks, Daddy. I wanted to tell you about someone. I’d like you to meet him when he comes in town tomorrow.” She sat down at the table and glanced at her parents’ surprised expressions. She reminded them how they talked to Paul the day of the accident, how the friendship developed, and outlined a little about him.
“A fisherman!” her mother said. “Like Captain Ahab?” Interesting that her mother’s brilliance peeked through at times and at others she stared blankly like she didn’t know who Juliette was.
“No, Evelyn, this isn’t Moby-Dick.” Her father cast a disapproving look at Juliette. “A minister won’t make a very good living, darling. You are looking that far ahead, aren’t you?”
“I think Paul needs to do whatever God puts on his heart,” she replied as respectfully as possible.
Her father rolled his eyes, but her mother beamed. “Now, that’s a nice way of looking at things,” she chirped. “Isn’t it, Louis?”
Her father murmured and picked up his paper. “We have a lot invested in this education.”
“But isn’t she a little old to be in school?”
He chuckled softly, and Juliette couldn’t squelch a giggle either. He peered over his glasses. “Darling, you know we’ll be here no matter what you decide.”
That was probably as far as the conversation could go, and she tried to remember she was leaving the matter of her parents’ faith to God.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Summer ended and the fall months flew by with her nose at the computer and the patchy research coming together like a beautiful quilt. When Paul had time off, Juliette visited and stayed with the Golightlys, even though her parents’ house was available most of the time, or he drove to Houston and slept in their guestroom.
By Thanksgiving, a few days together seemed like a dream. Her parents wanted to host lunch for a few friends and neighbors. That morning, before the cooking continued, she and Paul walked Skipper a few blocks to a small park. A chilled wind blustered around them, and gray clouds layered the sky. Bundled in a thick sweater, Juliette snuggled against Paul on a bench while the dog ran around relishing her freedom.
He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “I love you.”
The words warmed her heart, and she leaned up to kiss him. “I love you, too.”
The days apart had been tortuous, and the drive inconvenient. In January, he started Bible college, and it’d be even more untenable.
“Where do you think we’re headed?” She bit the finger of her woolen glove and cringed at the distinctly feminine question when hereto she’d never been in the position to ask.
“Back to the house to peel potatoes?” he asked.
She nudged his side, and he hugged her closer. “How long can we drive back and forth?”
He removed his arm and leaned forward on his elbows. “I don’t know what I can offer you, Juliette.” He shook his head and studied the tawny grass. “For a man, that’s an issue.”
She didn’t get it. “What can I offer you?”
He sat back and folded his closed palms between his knees. “I’d say you have plenty. And—”
“Remember. I own nothing.” Her words turned to vapor and rose in the damp, frigid air. If he needed encouragement to move their relationship ahead, then she had to push through her cowardice and give it to him. “We could live at your house,” she said softly.
“It’s a mess.” He itemized a few incomplete projects, an ongoing disappointment despite his hard work the last few months.
She stroked his back. “It’s not that bad. Anyway, I’ll be too busy to notice and so will you.”
His posture relaxed, and he pulled her into a hug. His whiskery cheeks brushed hers while the faintest scent of lavender wafted from his clean hair. “Are you saying you’d marry me?” he whispered.
If she’d been standing, she’d have passed out. “Yes.”
“Then be my wife.” He tilted her face towards her and brushed her lips with his before they sank into a passionate kiss.
The details came together fast on the walk home. They agreed on a mid-December wedding at The Hook and postponing a honeymoon until possibly next summer.
In the foyer, Juliette whisked off her sweater, overheated. “Should we tell them now?”
Paul shrugged and put his hand to her back. “I think so.”
Her parents were at the table peeling potatoes and wearing matching pilgrim aprons. “Daddy, I told you we’d handle that.”
“There’s plenty left to do,” he said without looking up.
Juliette stayed with Paul in the doorway from the den. “Mother. Daddy. Paul and I have some news. We’ve decided to get married.”
Her father’s brows shot up, and his eyes pinned hers. “Well, goodness. Isn’t that a surprise?”
“What, Louis?”
“Juliette’s getting married, Evelyn. Didn’t you hear her?”
“You are?” Her mother’s face creased in genuine perplexity. “To whom?”
Paul chuckled. “To me, Mrs. Prescott. If that’s okay with you and your husband.”
She beamed and nodded profusely. “Why of course it is. You’re cute.”
****
The few short weeks ahead didn’t allow for a fanciful wedding, nor did she want one. They planned a simple ceremony with a reception in the downstairs great room of The Hook.
The sun beamed in a brilliant cobalt sky on their special day, unseasonably warm with a salty breeze. After staying the night at the Galveston house, her parents sat on the back patio sipping coffee, already dressed for the wedding. Skipper, wearing a glittery tulle tutu, laid on the chaise opposite them. Lexi promised to keep tabs on her, stash her in the great room or wherever during the ceremony, and make sure the little thing made it to the Golightly’s car after the reception.
Juliette rinsed out the coffee pot and watched her father step cautiously across the stones leading back to the house. Her mother wasn’t getting around too well either, her left side weakened after another stroke, but her cognition in some respects had improved. Her cane leaned against the table, and she didn’t get up.
Her father emerged from the laundry room and came to the sink. “Darling.” He put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a brief hug. Not one for displays of emotion, this morning tears rolled down his cheeks when she came to their room, dressed and ready to go in the knee-length dress she made from a favorite pattern, V-neck and sleeveless with a pinched waist
, in a wonderful lace she found online.
“Are you ready to go, Daddy? We should leave soon.” She dried her hands on a dishtowel, draped it over the sink, and glanced out the window. “Is Mother holding up?”
“Yes, yes. Juliette, we have something to give you though Mother prefers I present it alone.” With trembling hands, he pulled an envelope from his suit pocket.
Paul and Juliette scrawled across it in his hurried penmanship. The fat contents unfolded in her hands, and she skimmed the several page document. They deeded the Galveston home to them.
Juliette shook her head in disbelief. “You know I love this place, but are you sure?”
Her father smiled. “Yes, with pleasure.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “You’ll have to visit all the time. And we’ll come to Houston.”
“You must.” He held her back. “We love you, darling. So much.”
Her mother sauntered in. “Louis, why is this dog dressed up? She’s not in the wedding, is she?”
Juliette laughed and dried her eyes with the dishtowel. “No, Ma.”
Her mother frowned at Skipper scratching an ear and groaning beside her. “Where’s this place again?”
Her father took his wife’s arm, and they strolled through the dining room. “In Surfside Beach. You know, Evelyn, past the San Luis Bridge.”
“And just past Christmas Bay,” Juliette whispered. She followed them to the front door and stepped into the glorious outdoors.
****
More than anything Paul longed to stay at Juliette’s side, but when Mrs. May came up and tapped his back, she captured his full attention.
“I need to go, son,” she said, looping his arm.
“But we haven’t eaten yet.” Casey and the guys insisted on barbecuing, and given the nice weather, folks clustered on the patio around the fragrant big pit.
“That arthritis has my back today,” she said, inching along beside him.
He motioned to Juliette who smiled, but before she got away, one of the Bible study friends snared her. He escorted Mrs. May through the great room and out to the parking lot. Her red sedan was parked in a handicap space, and he smiled, noticing she wore a crimson pant suit.