It had been romantic, intimate and sweet. Utterly Owen.
Now that she knew him—saw past the cocky flyboy teasing—she was amazed that she hadn’t fallen in love with him a long time ago. Or maybe she had loved him all along and just didn’t know it.
Whatever the case, tonight he was going out of his way to make her feel like a princess, and she adored him so much that it felt dangerous. For the past two days, which they’d spent resting and recuperating with Isabel and Eli, she’d struggled with the awareness that her life had been completely revolutionized by a collision with Owen Carmichael.
How could she go back to Acuña, settle down at the orphanage and live without him? On the other hand, if he was crazy enough to ask a messed-up woman like her to marry him…
How could she leave her God-given calling to return to the States as a Border Patrol wife?
There seemed to be no easy answer. She was determined to just enjoy this evening with him and figure it out later.
He took her hand as they walked toward the botanical gardens. The air was sweet and heavy with jasmine, mixed with the smell of good food and twined around the slap of water against the banks, music from a mariachi band and laughter from the people around them. She thought of the last time they’d been here, how happy she’d been. But then there’d been a lingering haze of danger and dread.
This time she felt so light and free she could have floated up to the velvet black sky above.
“What are you thinking about?” Owen drew her toward one of the stone bridges arching over the river. They mounted the steps and headed across, swinging hands.
“Just—” unexpectedly her eyes stung and she blinked “—just how happy I am right now. How blessed.”
“I’m the one who’s blessed.” He stopped in the middle of the bridge and kissed her knuckles, his lips lingering warm on her skin.
Her stomach instantly flipped. How was she going to let go of him when the time came?
“I never thought I’d say this, but I don’t want to go back to Acuña. I miss the children, but this has been such a sweet time.”
“Okay, that was more than I asked for,” he muttered, looking up.
Confused, she looked around. “Who are you talking to?”
Instead of answering her question, he laced his fingers through hers. “What if you didn’t have to go back to Acuña?”
Her heart began to thump hard. “I have to go back. They need me.”
“What if—if Nicho and Faye decided to retire and stay as permanent houseparents?”
“That won’t happen.” She backed away. “Owen, do you know something I don’t? Have I been fired?”
“No!” He ruffled his hair, which he’d managed to get back to a color close to his normal streaky blond. “At least I don’t think so. I mean—” He groaned. “This isn’t going at all like I meant for it to. Eli told me to stick to the script.”
“What script?”
“The one where I get down on one knee in the botanical gardens and give you your ring and ask you—” He gulped, his face bright red.
“Owen…we have to talk about this. You can’t just up and drop this on me. I’m a planner. I have a calling from God.”
“Yeah, well, what about my calling? Not the Border Patrol thing. I guess that’s negotiable. But He’s told me beyond a doubt that I’m called to be your husband. I don’t think I’d make a very good missionary.”
“You’d make a great missionary, but that’s not the—” She had to stop because Owen had put his hands on either side of her face and proceeded to kiss her. By the time he stopped, she’d forgotten her point. “Now where was I?” she said stupidly.
“I don’t care. Bernadette, I love you, and I’m pretty sure you love me, too. I would consider it my greatest honor if you’d marry me, and let’s figure out the details of who’s changing jobs and moving later.” He took a breath. “I guess that’s as close to the script as I’m gonna get.”
She started to laugh. “That’s the funniest proposal I’ve ever heard in my life.”
“That’s me, the class clown. So will you?” He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a little black velvet box. “I almost forgot.” He opened the box and took out an elegant topaz ring. “Can I put this on your finger?”
She had trouble seeing his face for the tears in her eyes. “Yes, please. Oh, Owen, I love you so much.” Her hand trembled as the cool gold band slid onto her finger. The topaz stone shone warm in the lamplight of the bridge.
He bent down and kissed her again. “I bought you this when we were here before—when I gave you the earrings.” He touched the spirals dangling against her neck. “It just looked like something you’d like. But I can give you a diamond, too, if you want one.”
She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. “This is the one I want. You’re the one I want.”
“Bernadette.” He stroked her back gently with one hand, cupping her head against his shoulder with the other. “You’ve been through a lot, and I want you to know I’ll be patient with the physical side of our relationship. I can wait until you’re ready—”
She stopped him with her lips. “I love you,” she whispered. “We’ll work it out.”
EPILOGUE
On the first Saturday in June, the San Antonio Riverwalk Marriage Island was decorated with sheer drapes of white tulle, white-slatted latticework and pots of peace lily, philodendron and bougainvillea. White-painted wooden folding chairs were lined up in rows with military precision—the groom’s brother and sister-in-law having been in charge of organizing the ceremony—and heavy white candles in hurricane lamps to protect them from the warm river breeze marched down either side of the aisle.
Owen stood at the front of the little platform in his stiff uncomfortable tux, about to spontaneously combust from impatience. When was she going to show up and get this show on the road?
He looked out at the congregation gathered to watch him and Bernadette promise themselves before God to one another. Jack and Meg had come down from Washington, Meg looking cute and motherly with her little bulge poking out in front. Isabel sat in the front row with his mother. Both of them were dabbing at their eyes with tissues. Danilo had already wandered up the aisle, swinging the fake ring pillow by one corner. Good thing Eli, standing next to Owen as best man, had the real one in his pocket.
Suddenly, the music swelled. Mercedes, wearing a lacy white dress and a white hair ribbon, skipped down the aisle with a basket. Beaming like a little ray of sunshine, she tossed handfuls of pink rose petals onto the carpet as she went.
Then he saw her. Bernadette, on the arm of her former pastor from Fort Worth, Ramón Santos, stood at the end of the aisle, looking like a fairy-tale princess. He swallowed aching emotion. She was in white, from misty veil to dainty slippers—God’s pure gift to him, Owen.
She came toward him eagerly, joy lighting her dark-flower face. Stocky Ramón almost had to run to keep up. At the end of the aisle, she looked up at Owen, so open and trusting and loving that he wanted to cry.
“Thank You, Lord,” he said aloud as he took her hand.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why is Benny so careful about appearances? How does this affect her relationship with Owen? Why do you think she “secretly feared him?” What is it about Benny that intimidates Owen?
At first Benny is reluctant to tell Owen exactly why she has to go to Memphis. Do you think her self-protective evasion is justified? Why or why not? Think of some times you have concealed truths about your background from friends and/or people you love. What were your reasons for doing so?
Talk about different possible motivations—both negative and positive—for sharing one’s past failures. Could doing so help a person who is going through difficulties of his or her own? Who are some biblical characters whose former sinful lifestyles are detailed in Scripture? What, if anything, does the Bible say about discretion in giving testimony?
At what point
in the story do you think Benny begins to work through the painful and humiliating details of her past? How does Owen help her to do so?
How realistic do you find Owen’s reaction to Benny’s revelations about her past? Talk about his process of moving from shock, distaste and anger to compassion. What does the Bible say about our response to a confession of sin?
Sometimes Christians who have known the Lord for a long time become hardened to God’s miraculous power to change lives. Is it possible to maintain a walk with Christ, even after terrible addictions and moral failures? Spend a few minutes discussing examples of changed lives that you may have witnessed.
Do you think Benny is justified in her rage and hatred of Judge Grenville? If you’d been in her shoes, what would you have said to him on the phone when the FBI made her call him? Is it possible to forgive someone who has offended you that grievously? What does the Bible say about confronting those who have wronged us?
Benny isn’t the only character in the story who has undergone a dramatic transformation. What do you think about the reformation of her former madam, Ladonna Roker? Do you find their relationship realistic? Why or why not?
What part does Owen’s relationship with his family play in his outlook on life? How does it affect his ability to emotionally connect with Benny?
What challenges do you think a couple with the disparate backgrounds Benny and Owen have had will face after they marry? If you were their premarital counselor, what suggestions would you give?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4919-0
ON WINGS OF DELIVERANCE
Copyright © 2006 by Elizabeth White
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*The Texas Gatekeepers
*The Texas Gatekeepers
*The Texas Gatekeepers
On Wings of Deliverance Page 20