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

by JoAnn Durgin

  “Who knew I had it in me?” They shared a smile. “I want to dance with you in a field of bluebonnets and then take you to this great little barbecue place a couple of miles outside of Brenham,” he said. “A friend of mine from high school moved down here a decade ago and started it up. You won’t find better ribs and corn on the cob.”

  “I’ll be starving by then,” she said. “Now you’ve got my mouth watering and my stomach growling. Not many things I love in life more than great barbecue.”

  “I know.”

  She laughed. “Marta told you?”

  “No. You mentioned it during our conversation on the phone the other night. When you told me that, I knew it was a given I needed to take you there.”

  “I did? Hmm. You listen well. Not that I didn’t already know that.”

  “I listen to what’s important.”

  Caty did a double take on that statement.

  “What? Did I say something wrong?”

  “Not at all. It’s just that my dad said almost the identical thing.”

  “Is it a good thing…or a bad thing that I remind you of your father?”

  “Good thing. No worries.”

  An hour later, Caleb pulled the car to the side of the road. The bluebonnets were in abundance and stretched in every direction as far as Caty could see. “Oh, Caleb! Isn’t this marvelous?” She didn’t wait for him to come around. In her enthusiasm, she pushed it open and stepped outside. Stretching her arms wide, Caty ran into the nearby field, spun in a circle, and raised her face to the sky. And then she felt a sneeze coming on.

  Oh, no. This wouldn’t be good. “A…a…a….” She clamped one hand over her nose, but try as she might, that sneeze was coming on fast and furious. “Achoo!” Her entire body shook with the force of her sneeze. Moving her hands over her face, Caty slowly spread her fingers apart and then dared to peek at Caleb.

  Shaking his head, he leaned against the Porsche. Then he slowly began to clap. “Congratulations. That was the most impressive sneeze I’ve ever heard from a woman.”

  “The most disgusting display, you mean.” She frowned. “I can’t help it. I don’t sneeze pretty.”

  “You’re not allergic to the bluebonnets, are you?”

  “I’ve never been allergic to them before, and for your sake, I certainly hope not. I wouldn’t want to subject you to a big sneeze attack. Now you know my deepest, darkest secret.”

  “If anything, that sneeze makes me adore you even more,” he said, lifting away from the car and walking toward her. Goodness, the man could walk. And talk. Say things that made her melt. “If that’s your biggest, darkest secret, we have nothing to worry about.”

  Catching up to her, Caleb pulled her into his arms.

  She laughed and pushed against his chest. Turning away from him, she ran farther into the field of flowers.

  “We have to stay somewhat close to the car,” he said.

  Glancing around him, Caty noted the passenger door stood open. “Why is that?”

  Pulling his keys out of the pocket of his jeans, he clicked something on the key fob. Country music began to play, a love ballad she recognized.

  “That’s like a magical key fob. It controls all sorts of things, doesn’t it?”

  Caleb bowed low. “May I have the honor of this dance?”

  Touched, Caty bit her lower lip. Now she felt like a shy schoolgirl, and the cutest boy in school had just asked her to dance. She nodded and, without speaking, moved into his arms. They danced through that song and the next one. Caleb moved his warm lips to her cheek and then down to her lips until they were moving in a slow circle, their arms around one another.

  “I love you, Caty.” He’d whispered it in her ear, and her heart jumped when she felt a slight tremble in his touch.

  She pulled back enough to meet his tender gaze. “I love you, too.” She lovingly fingered the cleft in his chin. “And I especially love this cleft in your chin.”

  “Glad it’s good for something,” he said, rubbing his fingers over it in a self-conscious gesture. “I never liked it much.”

  “I’ve never seen a man with a cleft who was anything less than…” Caty stopped. Maybe that wasn’t the best thing to say. “You’re the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever known that has a cleft.”

  He laughed. “Good save.” Pulling a small camera from his pocket, he aimed it in her direction. “Smile for the camera. Tradition and all that. The number one thing to do when you come see the bluebonnets.”

  Acting silly, Caty pranced around as Caleb snapped photos—close-ups and long shots. After she insisted, he handed the camera to her, and she returned the favor. When they finished, he walked to the car and returned the camera to the glove compartment.

  Walking back to where she stood, Caleb leaned down and checked the ground, moving aside some bluebonnets. “I’m checking for fire ants,” he said before she could ask. “So you won’t get…”

  “Ants in my pants?” She laughed as he rolled his eyes.

  “Now who’s being corny?” he said, giving her a quick kiss. “Legend has it you’re not supposed to sit directly on a bluebonnet. No crushing. But you can pick them if you want.”

  “I’d rather leave them here, anyway. Besides, I have my gorgeous yellow roses.”

  Taking her by the hand, Caleb lowered to the ground, tugging her down beside him. “You’re not worried about getting…bluebonnet stain…are you?”

  “Not at all. Although…everything’s better…” She’d started the little sing-song.

  “With bluebonnet on it,” he finished. Groaning, Caleb shook his head. “What have I created? You’re as bad as I am.” He laughed. “Come here.”

  Caty nestled in the curve of his arms, and he sat directly behind her. “I remember hearing some of the Indian folk tales about bluebonnets in Texas history classes,” she said.

  Caleb pressed his lips to her hair and then rested his chin on her shoulder. “Me, too. I remember digging a little further so I could tell Lauren about them. Helena and I used to take her every year to Ennis to see the bluebonnets. We’d take a train ride, and Lauren loved it. We all did. There were stories that the priests gathered the seeds and grew the bluebonnets around the missions, and that practice supported the myth that the padres brought the plant from Spain.”

  “Ah, but that can’t be true since the two predominant types of bluebonnets are found only in Texas and no other location in the world.”

  “You are correct. And your hair smells great.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled as he tightened his hold on her and slightly rocked them.

  “I’ve heard the bluebonnets are as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and Stetson hats,” Caleb said. “The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom is to Japan, the rose is to England, the tulip is to Holland, and…there’s one more I can’t think of.”

  Caty thought for a long moment. “The lily is to France?”

  “I think you’re right. You get the prize. Like I said, you are a wise woman.” Reaching for one of the flowers, Caleb ran his hand over it but didn’t pick it. “Did you know Texas actually has five state flowers and they’re all bluebonnets?”

  “No, I didn’t know that,” Caty said. “We Texans sure do love them, that’s for sure. ‘You may be on the plains or the mountains, or down where the sea breezes blow, but bluebonnets are one of the prime factors that make the state the most beautiful land that we know.’”

  Caleb chuckled. “Where did you hear that? I know that quote didn’t come from Babe Ruth.”

  “It’s from the ballad of our singing governor. And he would be…?” Caty waited, wondering if he’d know the answer.

  “Texas has a reputation for singing governors,” he said. “I’d guess…W. Lee ‘Pappy’ O’Daniel?”

  “Ding ding ding. And now I pass the prize torch on to you,” she said. “You are correct.”

  “The only person ever to defeat Lyndon B. Johnson in an election. Ori
ginally formed a band called the Light Crust Doughboys.”

  “You so made that up!”

  “I so did not,” Caleb insisted. “Look it up, and you’ll see for yourself. After that, he formed his Hillbilly Boys band. He hosted a noontime radio show and became a household name in the mid-1930s. The show extolled the virtues of Pappy’s Hillbilly brand flour, the Ten Commandments, and the Bible.”

  “I suppose you couldn’t make up all that stuff and spout it out with a straight face. Doesn’t get much better than that.” Caty waved her hand. “The Ten Commandments and the Bible part.”

  “Nope, it doesn’t,” Caleb agreed.

  Bending at the waist, she leaned close to one of the bluebonnets and sniffed. “I love the smell of them. Like freshly laundered towels.”

  “Maybe you should suggest a fabric softener scent—Texas Bluebonnet.” Caleb snapped his fingers. “Guaranteed bestselling product. What do you think?”

  “You know, you might be onto something there. Seriously. I’d buy it, and I’m pretty sure a lot of my friends would, too. And people are always intrigued by the whole Texas thing, so it’d sell across the country.”

  “Whoa. Back up there. The whole Texas thing?”

  “You know,” Caty said, grinning, winking at him over one shoulder. “For one thing, all the manly men we have right here in the Lone Star State. Like the one I’m looking at right now.”

  “You sure know how to flatter a man, don’t you?”

  “I try my best.” She wrinkled her nose. “We got off track there, but it was a fun detour.” She leaned back to kiss his cheek. “I love those paintings of bluebonnets in the Belac lobby. Did you pick those out or did you have a decorator?”

  “No decorator. That’s all my doing. I’ve had them for a few years. I always intended to put them up in the Dallas lobby, but I never did for some unknown reason. Helena loved them, and she was with me when I bought them.”

  Caty averted her gaze. “I understand. They bring back bittersweet memories.”

  “Yes, but like other things in my life, it’s time to bring them out of hiding to face the world, so to speak. Most of the paintings are reproductions by an artist named Julian Onderdonk. He was a San Antonio-born impressionist who studied under William Merritt Chase in New York in the early 1900s. Then he returned to Texas where he produced some of his best work. The most famous of the paintings in the Belac lobby is called A Cloudy Day, Bluebonnets near San Antonio, Texas. The original was painted in 1918.”

  Caty nodded as Caleb described the painting in more detail. “I’m pretty sure I know which painting you mean, but point it out to me next time we’re in the lobby.”

  “Will do,” Caleb said. “The Dallas Museum of Art has several rooms dedicated to Onderdonk’s work. George W. Bush had three of his paintings hanging in the Oval Office at the White House.”

  “See? I’m learning all sorts of things today. Onderdonk,” she said. “That’s quite a name. Try saying that three times in a row. Who knew coming to see the bluebonnets would be such an educational experience? You remind me of Sam. He’s a history nut. Whenever we used to go anywhere as kids, he would spout all these facts, some good to know, but others totally random. Somehow, he always managed to make them fun.”

  Releasing her, Caleb fell back on the ground, half-groaning, half-laughing.

  Caty stared at him. “Are you laughing or groaning? I honestly can’t tell.”

  Stretching out on the ground, Caleb crossed his arms behind his head. “First, I remind you of your dad. Now I remind you of your oldest brother.”

  “Yes, but like I said about Dad, that’s a good thing. They’re both strong, solid, godly men. And so are you. Would you rather I compare you to a man of ill repute?”

  Caleb sat up again. “I have a confession.”

  She lifted her brows. “A good confession or a bad one? If it’s the latter, I’m not sure I want to hear it at the moment. This is too special of an evening.”

  “You decide,” he said. “Here goes. I’m sure you know me well enough to know not much intimidates me. Not many people make me doubt myself. But your dad and your brother? Let’s just say…well, they intimidate me. I want to meet them, of course, but they’re a lot to live up to from what you’ve told me. Don’t even get me started on your astronaut brother. He’s in an entirely different league.”

  “Live up to?” Caty sat cross-legged, facing him. “Why would you even think you need to live up to either one of them? They have their faults, too. We all do.”

  “Not you.” Reaching for her hand, he laced his fingers with hers.

  “Excuse me, do you know me at all?” Incredulous, Caty laughed. “I’m stubborn, a little crazy, feisty at times, I’m not nearly the cook my mother is, I get mad when I can’t get something the way I want it, I get emotional for no reason sometimes, I can be downright snarky in my thought life, I’m not always charitable—”

  “Caty, you are perfect…for me. That’s all I care about.”

  “You know how to flatter a girl, that’s for sure, and I’m thankful you think so highly of me, misguided though you might be. Seriously, Caleb”—she strengthened her hold on his hand—“the two Sams in my family wouldn’t want you to feel intimidated by them. I feel safe in saying they’ll want to get to know you. Tell you one thing. After you meet them, invite them up to see the sports memorabilia in your office. Guaranteed, you’ll be friends for life.”

  “Think they’d like to go to an Astros game with us?”

  She nodded. “Now you’re talking. That sounds like a very good idea.”

  Rising to his feet, Caleb held out his hand to her. “Dance with me in the sunset?” The beautiful deep blue sky was a collage of yellow, bright orange, and pink streaks, a glorious representation of God’s masterful artwork.

  Her hand in his, Caty rose to stand beside Caleb. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

  Chapter 43

  “You’re right. This is some of the best barbecue I’ve ever tasted.” Caty beamed at Caleb from behind the rib smothered in honey barbecue sauce she held in both hands. She was adorably messy. For the last five minutes, he’d wondered if he could get away with kissing away the sauce smudged on her left cheek.

  “You have to learn to trust me when I say things like that.” Caleb ate another row of his sweet, grilled corn on the cob. He made a conscious effort not to smack his lips. Good stuff.

  “Oh, it’s not that I don’t trust you. I just needed to experience it for myself,” she said. “It’s like going to the Grand Canyon, for instance. Pretend you’ve never been.” She hesitated. “Have you?”

  “Yes, but I’ll pretend that I haven’t.”

  “Okay, then. If you hadn’t, I could tell you what a phenomenal view it is from the top. But until you go and actually see it for yourself—in person—to fully understand the incredible beauty of God’s handiwork there, you can’t possibly have the same appreciation for it.” She took another bite of her meat.

  Caleb shook his head, unable to contain his smile.

  She lowered the rib. “What now? Did I say something wrong?”

  “Not at all. I’m just admiring you and thinking what a creative imagination you have for an accountant.”

  She wiped her mouth. “Are you saying accountants are boring?”

  “Are we back at that again? You have to stop putting words in my mouth.”

  Caty broke apart her square of cornbread and held out a chunk to him. “Peace offering?”

  He took it from her. “You are so going to get kissed on your doorstep tonight.”

  “Well, I certainly hope so. I was counting on it.” With a cute smile, Caty dug into her coleslaw.

  “You two lovebirds enjoyin’ your dinner?”

  At the sound of the man’s voice, Caleb rose to his feet. “Brian Harman, how are you, buddy?”

  “Doin’ great, thanks.” The heavyset, jovial man gave Caleb a bright smile. “Business is good, especially durin’ bluebo
nnet season.”

  “That’s why we’re here. Brian, I’d like to introduce you to Caty Lewis.”

  The other man nodded. “Don’t worry about shakin’ hands, darlin’. I can tell you’ve been enjoyin’ my food. That’s all the nice to meet you I need.”

  “It’s been absolutely delicious,” Caty told him. “One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. Please don’t tell my mother I said that if you ever meet her.”

  Brian laughed good-naturedly before turning back to Caleb. “How’s the oil business treatin’ you? I heard about the ban on tobacco products in your stores.”

  “I can’t complain, and it sounds like you’re up-to-speed on the latest Belac information.”

  The other man slapped him on the shoulder. “You didn’t get to be a zillionaire by makin’ bad decisions. I think you’ll be fine. If you lose money, knowin’ you, you’ll figure out somethin’ else to make up the deficit.”

  “I appreciate that, Brian.”

  Brian glanced back over at Caty. “I think you need to put a ring on this young lady’s finger. Glad to see you happy again, buddy. You deserve it.”

  “We haven’t known each other all that long,” Caty said, appearing awkward. A pretty pink flush spread across her cheeks.

  “Caty’s worked for me for five years.” Caleb locked gazes with Caty. “In some ways, I feel like I’ve known her much longer.”

  Tucking long strands of her dark hair behind one ear, Caty gave him an enchanting, sweet smile.

  “Take it from me,” Brian said. “When you know it’s right, go for it. You know how fragile life can be, and so do I. Not that you asked for my advice, but I’m goin’ to give it to you, anyway.”

  Brian rested one hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “Don’t wait for life to come to you. Things happen—some good, some bad—but you’ve got to rise to the challenges. Learn what you can from them, strip away the bad, and focus on the good. God gave each of us a purpose in life, and it’s up to us to take the equipment He gives us to work with and try to figure out what He wants us to do. You’re doin’ a good job of it, my friend. Keep it up.”