“Capt–um, Gareth, or should I call you Mr. Van den Hout?” Chelle grinned at him.
“No. Gareth is fine. I hope we can be friends.”
“You told the doctor that you were. I assumed you meant Mother’s friend. Do you want to be mine, too?”
Well, she didn’t mince words, did she? “I’d like that.”
She stood up and went to the window to open the blinds. “No wonder Mother likes you so much.” She turned around and leaned against the windowsill.
“Do you mind?” Gareth hadn’t been ready for this conversation, but maybe now was as good a time as any.
“I did at first, and you know it.”
Silhouetted against the slats of bright sunlight streaming through the window, her expression was hidden from him. Gareth cleared his throat. “But I told you I choose to forget, remember?” Was this a test?
“Yes, you did. That just shows how nice you really are. And I like the changes I see in Mother. She acted like an old woman this past year, and I know why. I felt some of that, too. I miss Daddy. I’ll never stop missing him.”
Gareth stood up and put his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “You shouldn’t. . .but it will grow less painful over time.”
A nurse stuck her head in the doorway. “Mrs. Halloran will be here in about fifteen minutes.”
“Thank you.” Gareth and Chelle answered in unison; then they smiled at each other.
When the door closed behind the nurse, Chelle stood up straight. “Has Mother told you what happened to me in Mexico?”
“Yes.” He rubbed a finger across his forehead. “You do know we talk on the phone almost every day.”
Chelle nodded.
“What do you think about that?”
“Gareth, what are your intentions toward my mother? I don’t want her to be hurt.” Chelle sounded stern.
Once again, the teenager surprised Gareth. “What if I told you I want to marry her?”
“Do you?”
“Would it be all right with you if I did?”
“I know there would be lots of things you have to work out for it to happen, but if you can do that, then I’m for it.” She turned earnest eyes toward him. “Does that surprise you?”
“Yes, I thought it would take longer to convince you.” Gareth smiled.
“A man who would drop his job, a very important job, and come to see about my mother must love her very much.” Chelle held up one finger, then a second. “A man who cares about her teenage daughter, even though she has been bratty around him, is a good man.” A third finger went up. “Mother told me that you are a Christian, and not just in name only. Those are three things in your favor. You aren’t going to want her or me to forget my father, are you?”
“Of course not!” Gareth’s exclamation bounced off the walls of the small room, so he modulated his tone. “And I won’t forget my first wife either. The love I feel for your mother is different, but equally as strong, and because of her, I love you, too, Chelle.”
Tears glistened on her eyelashes, and she moved closer to him and slipped her arms around his waist. He hugged her back. “I won’t take your father’s place, Chelle. I want my own place in your life.”
When Chelle pulled back, he reached for the box of tissues and handed her one. Another minute like the last one, and he’d need a tissue, too. He leaned his head back and squinted his eyes, trying to contain the tears that threatened to fall.
❧
When Charlotte opened her eyes in the hospital room, Chelle stood at her bedside. “Mom, you’re finally awake.”
“How long have I been out?” Her head itched, but when she reached to scratch it, her hand encountered a bandage. “And what’s this?”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have a terrible headache when your medication wears off.”
She would know that voice anywhere, but she hadn’t expected to hear it here in Bedford. She could remember snatches of things—being on the stepladder, the wail of a siren, pain while the doctor examined her, then nothing until now. When had Gareth come into the picture?
“Mom, Gareth got a substitute and had a helicopter bring him to the hospital. He waited with me.” Chelle was smiling, so she didn’t seem to be upset about it.
Charlotte looked beyond her daughter to the tall man standing behind her. “Hi. I’m glad you came.” She turned her attention back toward Chelle. “Didn’t you call Linda or someone else to wait with you?”
“I wanted to see how bad you were hurt first.”
“How did Gareth find out?” His blue eyes studied her just as intently as she was studying him. He must have run his fingers through his hair because it looked rumpled, like a boy who didn’t like to use a comb or brush, but nothing else about him looked like a boy. He was all man—tall, strong, and handsome—as he stared back at her with a loving expression in his eyes.
“He called right after I found you.” Chelle smiled at him over her shoulder. “He stayed on the line while I called 9-1-1 on my cell.”
“Chelle told me everything the paramedics said. . . . I just couldn’t stay on the ship and worry about you. I had to come see for myself.”
Charlotte started to turn her head, but a hot blade of pain made her stop.
“Do you need some more medication?” Gareth moved toward the door. “I’ll get a nurse for you.”
“We can ring for one right here.” She held up the cord with the button on the end.
“Of course you can.” He moved closer to the bed, shaking his head as he came. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Charlotte pushed the button and told the nurse what she needed. “Who’s running the ship, Homer?”
“No.” Gareth leaned toward her and took her hand. Chelle pushed the straight chair over for him to sit on. “He’ll soon be a captain, but not yet. We do have substitutes when we need one. Captain Hodges lives in Houston. He came right away, and his friend brought me up here in his helicopter.”
She could hardly believe how much trouble he went to. And Chelle didn’t seem to resent his presence. Even though Chelle had changed a lot since the mission trip, Charlotte had wondered how she would react when she found out about what had happened with Gareth. “It helps to have friends in high places. Will you rejoin the cruise during the trip?”
“No, I’m staying here until you’re better. Captain Hodges told me to take as long as I needed.” He squeezed her hand. “I have to make sure you’re completely okay before I go.”
Chelle cleared her throat. “I think I’ll go get something to drink. Gareth, do you want something?”
The look that passed between the man she loved and her daughter caused a catch in Charlotte’s throat and warmed her heart.
“I’d like a tall glass of iced tea.” Gareth laughed and pulled a bill from his wallet. “I can see why all you Texans drink yours iced instead of hot. The heat here is ferocious.”
Chelle snagged the money and giggled as she went out the door, almost colliding with the nurse bringing Charlotte’s medicine.
“This might make you sleepy.” After injecting the pain medicine through her IV, the nurse picked up Charlotte’s arm and counted her pulse. “I’ll have to check on you often.”
The woman left, and Gareth pulled the chair back beside the bed. Before he sat down, he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
“I think you overshot, didn’t you?”
Gareth laughed. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“I believe a kiss is just what the doctor ordered.”
When he complied, she almost forgot the pain that pounded in her head.
❧
Charlotte enjoyed having Gareth close by. He’d rented a room at a hotel on Airport Freeway, but he hadn’t used it much, since he spent so much of his time with her and Chelle. After chauffeuring her to have the stitches out this morning, he told her he wanted to take her out for dinner tonight and she should dress up for it. Then he left, telling her he wouldn’t be back
until time to pick her up for dinner. It was the first day this week he was gone so long.
Charlotte had finally convinced Chelle to go to work as scheduled. They really needed her on a Saturday. With no one else at home, Charlotte called the beauty salon and was able to get a last-minute appointment for a manicure. She also wanted to ask her beautician’s opinion on how to clean her hair without disturbing the wound.
After she arrived at home, she went into the bedroom and studied the upswept style. Jennifer had used some substance that cleaned the hair without hurting her scalp. When she found out Charlotte had a date with an important man tonight, she insisted on putting Charlotte’s hair up before doing the spa manicure. The nail polish she used was a brighter color than Charlotte usually wore, but Jennifer talked her into it.
I don’t look bad for an older woman. Charlotte giggled at her thought. What was she going to wear? He said dress up, but how much? Everything in her closet looked old to her. She hadn’t bought anything new—except a few things before the first cruise and that one sundress—since Philip died, so she went to the back of the closet and looked through the things she had stored there. One of the dresses she’d always loved caught her eye. It had always made her feel feminine. The timeless chiffon with a full, sweeping skirt and draped neckline fit at the waist, emphasizing it. Impressionistic flowers splashed across the white background in varying shades of pinks, lavenders, and reds. One of them was the exact shade as the nail polish. She brought the dress out and hung it on the closet door. What should she wear with it? The amethyst jewelry Gareth gave her would look wonderful.
Excitement roiled inside her as she slipped into the fragrantly scented bubbles in the bathtub. A leisurely bath felt decadent in her usually harried schedule.
I wonder where we’re going. I might be dressing up too much. Somehow, she didn’t care.
❧
When Gareth rang the doorbell, Charlotte answered the door. A swirl of soft fabric clouded around her, setting off her spectacular coloring. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her senseless.
“You look ravishing, Charlotte.” He cleared his throat, hoping to get the huskiness out of his voice. It wouldn’t do for her to guess what he had in mind. If he was too emotional, she might.
She peered past his shoulders and her eyes widened. “Is that a limousine?” Her gaze darted to collide with his.
He smiled. “I can’t very well pay attention to you if I’m trying to follow directions to the restaurant, can I?”
She reached up and pressed a kiss to his cheek, then took a tissue from her tiny gold purse and wiped the lipstick off his face.
“Don’t you want anyone to see it?” He laughed.
A blush crept up her cheeks. “I don’t want you to be embarrassed.”
“Then you had better bring your lipstick and more of those tissues with you.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively before he crooked his elbow toward her.
She pulled the door closed behind her, and they went to the waiting car. The driver stood beside the open back door of the gleaming white sedan.
As they headed toward Dallas, Gareth was glad he wasn’t driving. The freeways were busy, and he’d meant what he said to Charlotte. He pulled her closer under his arm and, with the fingers of his other hand traced the shape of her chin before turning her face up toward his. After his lips descended to hers, he savored every nuance of the kiss. Not as passionate as the first one on the ship, it packed a powerful punch of its own. He thought maybe they shouldn’t indulge in too many of these yet.
When their lips parted, she pulled out another white paper square and dabbed it over his mouth. Then she reapplied her lipstick. Maybe she felt the same way he did since she wasn’t waiting to do the repairs. He would honor her implied wishes. The night was still young.
Charlotte looked out at the buildings they were passing. He did, too. Many of the windows were lighted, and the structures were silhouetted against the twilit sky. He usually didn’t like spending time in large cities, but everything looked beautiful to him tonight. Not all the rosy glow came from the setting sun.
The driver really knew what he was doing. He carefully made his way through the traffic to their exit near downtown Dallas.
“Where are we going, Gareth?”
“If I’m right, we’re almost there.” He evaded her question.
The driver stopped at the base of Reunion Tower adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. He got out of the car and opened the back door. Gareth emerged and offered his hand to Charlotte.
“Are we eating here at the hotel?” Charlotte’s gaze swept the glass doors and shiny accents as she alighted from the vehicle. “I’ve never been inside.”
Gareth nodded to the driver. He’d made his arrangements before they arrived at Charlotte’s house. The man would park the limo close by and wait in the hotel restaurant for a call from Gareth.
“We can go in there if you want to, Charlotte, but I made reservations at Antares.”
She gaze followed the length of the tower to the giant lighted ball at the top. “Up there?”
“If that’s okay with you.” He whispered against her hair, stopping long enough to inhale the soft scent, somehow different today, but nevertheless intoxicating.
She clapped her hands like an excited child. “I’ve always wanted to go there, but I never have.”
Chelle was right. Her parents hadn’t ever been there together. Good. The teenager hadn’t been completely sure when she suggested the restaurant.
They were seated at a table by the windows as he requested. They watched the skyline of Dallas creep by while they ordered and ate a delicious gourmet meal. The pace of the revolving floor was so slow that patrons didn’t really feel the motion, but the view gradually changed. Brightly lit, Dallas at night spread like a multicolored tapestry before them. As soon as they finished their cherries jubilee, the waiter removed the dishes and disappeared into the shadows. When Gareth made the reservation, he had requested privacy. He was glad the waiter complied.
Gareth picked up the crystal goblet of sparkling grape juice and tipped it slightly toward Charlotte. “A toast to our love.”
When she gently tapped her glass against his, a musical ping sounded between them. “To our love.” She took a sip and set the glass down.
He slipped his hand into the pocket of the suit he bought yesterday. Earlier in the week, Chelle had shown him where they sold tall men’s clothes. First he took out the letter she wrote to her mother.
“Charlotte, will you marry me?”
Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. “I know Chelle accepts you into our lives, but I’d have to ask her before I can give you an answer.”
He placed the letter on the table between them. “I knew you’d say that. She wrote this to you.”
Charlotte picked it up and opened the envelope, scanning the message quickly before she looked up. “She knows you’re doing this tonight?”
“She helped me plan it.” Gareth chuckled. “That girl has a lot of ideas.”
“Yes, she does, and she’s a real romantic.” Charlotte’s eyes twinkled. “Since we have Chelle’s blessing, I happily accept.”
“Do you want me to get down on one knee to ask you again?” He felt a wrinkle between his eyes. How he hoped Chelle was wrong on this one.
Charlotte glanced at the other diners spread across the dimly lit room then smiled at him. “Was that Chelle’s idea, or yours?”
“Hers, but I’m willing.” He took Charlotte’s hand and lifted it to his lips.
“Sitting here near me is just fine. I don’t want to make a spectacle of ourselves.” She whispered conspiratorially.
Gareth reached into the other pocket and brought out a tiny velvet box. He opened it to make sure everything was all right. He wasn’t sure why he did that. The ring was in it when he placed it in his pocket. Why wouldn’t it be there now?
“Do you want me to put this on your finger?”
“I’d like t
hat.” She lifted her left hand toward him. Love glowed in Charlotte’s eyes, warming his heart and making him want to loosen his tie and let some cool air in.
When the ring slid on, Gareth thanked Chelle silently. Every detail, except that kneeling one, was perfect. Soon they would be in the limo, and he would seal this commitment with an unforgettable kiss, more powerful than their first one had been.
Epilogue
Two Months Later
For the third time this year, Charlotte Halloran flew into Houston to go on a cruise. But this trip was something she never would have imagined in her wildest dreams. Her wedding would take place on the voyage, and an excited, fun-loving entourage of friends and family deplaned with her.
After making their way through the sprawling airport to the luggage claim area, they spread out around the lane designated for their flight number. The happy chatter going on around Charlotte made her feel loved and at peace. Chelle gave her mother a hug, then hurried over to talk to her cousin. Charlotte could hardly believe that Gareth had made arrangements for over fifty people from Texas to go on the cruise and attend the wedding. Even Charlotte’s pastor would perform the ceremony. His wife was almost as elated as Charlotte to be on this trip. Hank and Margie said they would consider it a second honeymoon.
Before he left Bedford the weekend he asked her to marry him, Gareth made arrangements with Pastor Hank to do his premarital counseling on several phone calls using the speakerphone in Pastor’s office. Charlotte enjoyed taking part in the long conversations. The two men quickly became good friends, which didn’t surprise Charlotte, since she loved both of them.
The first of the luggage bounced down from the conveyor belt. She would have to pay attention, because she didn’t want to miss hers the first time they came around and have to wait for them to make the long trip back.
“Charlotte.”
When she heard Gareth’s voice, she whirled toward the sound. He stood so close she was surprised she hadn’t felt him arrive. His arms slid around her and pulled her close. Without a moment’s hesitation, she threw her arms around his neck and leaned into his embrace. A sparkle in his eyes accompanied the questioning hesitation. She pulled his head down and kissed him. She didn’t care that they were in the middle of a busy airport with lots of people to witness their love. The last two months apart had been hard. Although she talked to him, usually more than once a day, she missed his touch.
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