Abide: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series, Book 7)

by JoAnn Durgin

  He smiled. “Great tradition.”

  “It really was,” she agreed. “He waited to retire from flying until Carson could ride with him. It was sort of a rite of passage in the family, one of those things that was bittersweet. We all stood and watched as they flew around the countryside together, knowing it was Dad’s swan song. I know my mother was secretly—or maybe not so secretly—relieved, but giving up that part of his life was quite difficult for Dad.”

  Caleb heard the lingering sadness in her voice. “I’m sure your parents must be proud of Will for carrying on the family love for aviation.”

  “They are. My Grandpa Lewis loved to tinker with airplane engines and obviously my dad picked up on that love for aeronautics. My parents have known each other since Dad’s family moved to Rockbridge when he was a teenager. His sister, Rachel, had been killed in a car accident, and the family needed a fresh start.”

  She appeared slightly embarrassed. “I hope that didn’t sound insensitive.”

  “Not at all,” he assured her. “If anything, I can identify with the need for a fresh start.” He assumed her older sister, Rachel, had been named for her father’s late sister. Namesakes seemed important in the Lewis family.

  “I don’t want to keep you, Caleb. I don’t know why I started that trip down memory lane.”

  He tipped her chin. “I’d like to believe that, subconsciously or not, you understand that I want to hear everything there is to know about you.”

  Caty glanced up at him with that same shy smile that completely captivated him.

  “I’ve got time if you do.” He lowered his voice. “If you’re willing, tell me more about your parents.” He leaned against the back pew, his jacket draped over one shoulder.

  “Even though they’re my parents, I consider their love story one of the most romantic I’ve ever heard. My mom’s six years younger than my father, and most of the citizens in their small town had picked him to marry her older sister, Tess. Even before they started dating, Mom and Dad would meet at Thornton’s Creek and dream about the future. After he came back home from serving in the Air Force, Dad worked in my grandfather’s bank. Mom wanted to go to nursing school.

  “They’d spend hours at the creek together, swimming and sunbathing on the rocks or on the banks of the creek. What I love is that it was actually my mother who had the avid interest in NASA, and it was still in its infancy. Dad said Mom speculated on what it’d be like to one day have a child in the space program.”

  A faraway look came into Caty’s eyes. “They fell in love, and my dad helped my mom win a softball scholarship to the University of Texas. They married in Rockbridge on Christmas Eve one year, and then he moved with her to Austin so she could pursue her dream.”

  “You’re right,” Caleb said. “Their story is romantic, not to mention admirable on the part of your dad. He demonstrated sacrificial love.”

  “My father has always been my hero. My brothers are wonderful, and so are my sisters, but there’s something so special—or should be—between a girl and her daddy.”

  “I hope Lauren will admire me the way you do your father.” Caleb’s jaw tightened. “I doubt she does now, but maybe in the future.”

  Caty clasped his hand. “I’m sure she does. We had our tense moments, but I never doubted for one second that Dad loved me. You’re a great father, Caleb. Never doubt that. When I was shopping with Lauren, all she could talk about was you. You should have heard all the times she mentioned something you’d said or done. She’s proud of you even though she might not always act like it.”

  He swallowed hard, touched by her words. “Thank you.”

  “Going into space is every bit my brother’s dream as it was Mom’s dream all those years ago.” Caty glanced up at him, wonder in her eyes. “Something about that seems so right, you know?”

  “I know.”

  “Will is named after Mom’s father, William Jordan, although he went by Bill. Mom was also the one who first told Dad about TeamWork, too. They did some early missions when they were newlyweds and lived in Austin, and then they took us kids on a number of missions.”

  “So TeamWork also holds a rich history in your family, and Sam caught that vision,” Caleb observed. “What’s your vision, Caty?”

  “Sorry, to interrupt, but I need to give Caty a hug.” A tall, attractive blonde approached with an adorable blonde baby girl nestled in her arms.

  Caty broke into a wide smile. “Rebekah, it’s so great to see you!” She threw her arms around the other woman, and they exchanged a warm hug. “It’s been too long. I’ve missed you.”

  “I know. I was in the nursery this morning, but Marta told me you were here.”

  “Kevin was such a big help moving me into the townhome. I told him I couldn’t believe I hadn’t met your twins yet, and they’re already a year old.” Caty smoothed the baby’s soft, straight blonde hair. “This must be your sweet Elizabeth.”

  “Yes. Kevin will be over in just a minute with Jacob.” Stepping back, Rebekah gave Caty an approving onceover. “You look absolutely terrific, my friend. I think I recognize that dress you’re wearing. Moving back to Houston definitely agrees with you. I’m glad your company finally wised up and brought you back home where you belong.”

  Caleb twisted his lips not to laugh.

  “Sorry. Where are my manners?” Caty turned to him. “Rebekah Moore, I’d like you to meet my friend, Caleb Reid.” Her eyes widened as though she realized maybe she shouldn’t have given his full name.

  Hoping to reassure her, Caleb nodded. “It’s very nice to meet you, Rebekah. I’m a…co-worker of Caty’s.” He didn’t offer his hand since Rebekah held Elizabeth and the largest diaper bag he’d ever seen was slung over one shoulder. He sensed Caty’s amusement as he waved at Rebekah’s daughter. The child gave him a shy smile before burying her head against her mother.

  “Great to meet you, Caleb. My husband is the worship leader here. We both think the world of Caty. She must be a great co-worker, and I’m sure she’s an asset to the company.”

  “Oh, she is. I don’t know what I’d do—what we’d do—without her.”

  “What do you do at the company, Caleb?”

  At Rebekah’s question, Caty turned to him with an arched brow, waiting. She was enjoying this.

  “One of my responsibilities is coming up with ideas for promotional items. My latest idea is having some of those spongy stress-reliever things made in the shape of a baseball. They’ll have the corporate name on them, and they can be handed out at the entrance or tossed to the crowd at Astros games.”

  Caty smiled like that was the best idea she’d heard in a long time. “I love that!” He’d come up with it off the top of his head, but even he could admit it wasn’t half-bad.

  “Well, the fly swatter idea was such a hit, I figured why not?” Caleb turned to Rebekah. “Your husband is a talented musician. I enjoyed the service.”

  “Thank you. I hope you can both join us again soon. Caleb, I met your daughter. Lauren’s such a cute girl. I’m guessing she’s about twelve?”

  “Thirteen in November. I’m bracing myself now.”

  Kevin walked up to them with Jacob in his arms, and Rebekah made the introductions.

  Reaching around his sleeping son, Kevin shook his hand. “It’s great to have you with us this morning, Caleb.” Moving beside his wife, he lifted the heavy-looking diaper bag from her shoulder.

  That simple action brought to mind the days when Lauren was a baby. He’d loved kissing her soft, baby powder-scented skin after her bath, giving her a bottle, and then rocking her to sleep. Recalled the times when he’d hold her and dream about the future. He’d made lots of promises to his infant daughter. He’d kept the most important ones.

  “Do you two have lunch plans?” Rebekah’s question broke into his musing. “Marta and Eliot are coming over to the house. Nothing fancy, but Kevin’s going to throw some burgers and hot dogs on the grill. We’d love it if you could join us.”
/>
  “I told Lexa I’d come over today,” Caty told them. “Let’s get together soon, though.”

  When was the last time anyone had invited him to a cookout? “I’m afraid I have a prior commitment,” Caleb told them with sincere regret. “Perhaps another time.”

  “Our door’s always open,” Kevin said. “Stop by anytime.”

  Rebekah gave Caty another quick hug and then gave him a warm smile. “Caleb, it’s great to meet you. I hope we’ll see you again.”

  “Likewise. I’m sure you will.” If he had anything to say about it, they’d see him with Caty. Judging by the look in her eyes, she’d be agreeable. A week ago, he couldn’t fathom wanting to be part of a couple again, but here he was embracing the idea.

  God, you know best. I’m following your lead here.

  “We’ll look forward to it,” Kevin said. When the little boy shifted in his arms, Kevin kissed his dark, curly head. Caleb felt a tug inside at the display of open affection between father and son. He was being more sentimental than usual, but their body language spoke volumes—the way Jacob moved his arms around his daddy’s neck, the way Elizabeth burrowed into Rebekah.

  Lauren used to do those things with him, too. What could he expect? Part of growing up was becoming independent from your parents.

  Lord, I’d like to have another child one day. Wow. That thought stunned him, something else Caleb hadn’t thought of in years. He’d begun to think it was too late for him to start again. His gaze strayed to Caty again as they rejoined Lauren and said their good-byes. Caleb made a point of thanking Pastor Baldwin for his convicting message.

  He walked beside Caty to her car a few minutes later while Lauren ran ahead in the parking lot. “I hope that wasn’t a colossal mistake handing her my car keys.”

  “I don’t think she’ll try anything.”

  “I didn’t think she’d smoke, either, but that didn’t work out so well.”

  “Caleb, I might be overstepping my bounds, but like I mentioned the other day, I’m pretty sure Lauren was testing you. She wanted to see if you’d come to the school and get her, and you did.” She touched his arm. “That was important to her.”

  “If nothing else, the experience taught me that I need to spend more time with her. I can’t have her resorting to drastic measures to get my attention.” Caleb slanted a glance her way, thankful for the cover of his sunglasses, allowing him to openly admire Caty without being rude. He liked looking at her—long legs that looked even longer in heels, gorgeous feminine curves, dark hair falling in soft layers framing her face and flirting about her shoulders.

  Lauren’s squeal caught his attention. Alarm shot through him as he turned his head, following the sound.

  “She’s fine.” The calm in Caty’s voice soothed him. “She’s discovered Eliot’s mode of transportation.” She nodded across the parking lot to where Lauren climbed into a white Hummer. “That should keep her occupied for a few more minutes.”

  He chuckled. “My SUV can’t compare to that tank.”

  “The SUV?” Caty glanced around the parking lot. “How many cars do you have, Mr. Reid?”

  “A few. They’re one of the few things I collect.” He angled his head a couple of rows over. “The white Toyota FJ Cruiser over there is mine.”

  “Well, that doesn’t exactly help.”

  “The one that sort of looks like a jeep. Short of strapping him to the hood, a dog might not fit in the Porsche. Guaranteed, I’d be the ASPCA’s man of the year—not—if I did that.”

  Caty laughed. “No doubt. The Lewis family has a weird obsession with Volvos. Dad had one of the first ones back in the early 60s. We all drive them except for Will. He’s a Mercedes man.”

  As they reached her car, Caty opened her door and tossed her purse on the passenger seat. After closing the door, she leaned back against the car, hands behind her back. “You asked me about my vision. That’s difficult to answer since you’re my boss.”

  Caleb planted one hand on the roof of her car, pinning her. Leaning close, he whispered against her cheek, “I think we’ve effectively broken down the walls of an employer-employee relationship between us, don’t you?”

  She could have no idea how difficult it was to be this close and resist her. However, kissing Caty in the parking lot of the church wouldn’t be appropriate.

  “If you’re asking me where I hope to be in ten years, I could say that I want to be the CFO of Belac, Inc.”

  A grin lifted his lips. “Now there’s an intriguing theory.”

  “But I won’t say that because it’s not what I want.”

  Caleb withdrew his hand from the top of her car. “Let me guess. You want to be the CEO.”

  She lifted her chin. “Nothing could be further from the truth. The man who holds that job now does a great job, and he’s not going anywhere for a very long time.”

  “Oh? I thought he might buy a yacht and disappear on a journey around the world. From what I know, he seems like the oddball, reclusive type.”

  “No.” Caty shook her head slowly. “I doubt that will ever happen.”

  “Why not?”

  “Odd or not,” she said, “there are people who depend on him. People who care for him, and people who wouldn’t want him to leave.”

  Taking her hand, Caleb pressed a gentle kiss to her palm. “Can you see yourself hanging around this weirdo long enough to get to know him better and find out if he’s as odd as everyone says?”

  Caty’s smile emerged. “That’s one way of putting it, and I’m sure that can be arranged.” The wind tossed her dark hair across her cheeks, and he tucked the long strands behind one ear.

  He helped Caty inside the car before closing her door. “Don’t forget Oliver will pick you up on Tuesday evening. Lauren will be joining us for dinner, and then she’s graciously volunteered to make herself scarce.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” Caty started the car. “If I don’t see you in the office until then, I’ll see you on Tuesday night. Let me know if I can bring anything.”

  “Just yourself.”

  “What’s the dress code?”

  “Wear anything you’d like. Casual’s fine. Have a great rest of the day, Catherine.”

  “Bye, Caleb.” She waved, and he watched until she turned out of the parking lot and out of view.

  Lauren bounced over to him as he returned to the SUV. “That was fun. You wanted to kiss Caty. I could tell. So could Marta and Eliot and the worship leader dude and his wife.”

  “You know what, Lauren? I care a lot about Caty, and life’s too short to worry about what other people think. I might do or say some things that others won’t like, but that’s their problem.”

  “Yeah? That’s kinda cool, but they seem all for a relationship between the two of you. I like this new fearless attitude thing, Dad. It seems to be working for you.”

  Caleb chuckled. “You think so? I have to admit, so far it’s working pretty well.”

  Lauren wiggled in her seat as she removed her lightweight sweater. She had on a yellow top and matching skirt, the first feminine outfit he’d seen on her in as long as he could remember.

  “New dress?” Repositioning his sunglasses, Caleb headed out of the church lot and toward the highway that would take them out of Houston. Today was definitely a day for new beginnings. Fittingly, the sun was shining, and its warmth was encouraging for his soul.

  “Uh huh.” Lauren sounded pleased. “I got it on the shopping trip with Caty.”

  Score another one for Team Caty. “It’s very pretty. For a color you don’t really like, it looks nice on you. Good choice.”

  “There’s a difference between wearing yellow and painting my walls this color, you know.” Lauren twisted in her seat to face him and leaned against the passenger door. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

  “First to lunch, and then I have a surprise for you. Sit up in your seat and don’t lean on the door, please.”

  “I like surprises.�
�� Caleb didn’t need to look at her to see Lauren’s smile.

  Spying a number of restaurants advertised for the exit a quarter mile away, Caleb accelerated from the fast lane to the far right lane in seven seconds flat. Lauren whooped it up from the passenger seat. The SUV didn’t have the same pick-up as the Porsche, but she loved it when he gave any of his cars a burst of speed. He did, too, but he hoped a cop wasn’t nearby.

  His daughter had no clue she’d have a new friend by the end of the day. No question in his mind they’d be going home with a Bullmastiff later this afternoon.

  As great as the day had been so far, he wasn’t about to allow the reminder of why he needed a guard dog to spoil his new positive outlook.

  Bring it on, Lord. I’m ready.

  Chapter 31

  “Mommy! Aunt Caty’s here!” Sam and Lexa’s oldest child, Joseph, swung the front door open as Caty approached the house.

  “You’re quite the door greeter, partner. Thank you.” Stepping inside, Caty closed the door behind her. Her gaze dropped to her five-year-old nephew’s feet. “New boots?”

  “Yep. Just like Dad’s.” He pulled up his shoulders and gave her a smile destined to break hearts when he was older. Already a clone of his father, Joe was uncommonly tall for his age, with the same dark, wavy hair, intelligent blue eyes, and ready smile. “They’ll call me Commander Cowboy one day.”

  “I’m sure they will.” Caty started to ruffle his hair then decided against it. Joe might not appreciate the gesture so much anymore.

  After grabbing his toy spaceship, Joe zoomed around the living room, making swooping noises and saying things in his “Mission Control” voice.

  “What do you have there, Joe?”

  He stopped in front of her and held up his toy. “It’s Pursuit, Uncle Will’s space shuttle.” He continued zipping about the room.

  Caty’s eyes widened as Lexa pushed through the swinging door from the kitchen. Slender as ever in a pale pink cotton dress, Lexa’s hair was loose around her shoulders instead of in its usual long braid. Fresh-faced as always, she looked more like a college-aged girl than a woman in her mid-thirties with three small children.