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

by JoAnn Durgin

  “Your timing is perfect, Lord.” It wasn’t his place to try and figure out why he hadn’t seen the letter before now. His job was to carry on with his life in the here and now and to invest as much of himself in Lauren as he could. That’s what he’d been doing, and that’s what he’d always continue to do.

  I’m thankful you’re at peace, Helena. The kind of peace you never had here.

  He’d never regret loving Helena. She was right about one thing. The best part of their marriage had kissed him good-bye this morning and looked at him with the kind of respect Caleb believed had slipped beyond his grasp.

  Thank you, Jesus. Great is thy faithfulness.

  Another tear slipped down his cheek. “We did well, Helena,” he whispered.

  After sitting for another few minutes, alternately praying and lost in his memories, Caleb rose to his feet. His tears had fallen, his soul had been cleansed. The lingering sadness could finally be replaced with hope and optimism. At last, he had final closure on those years and could move forward.

  And then he knew, as surely as though the Lord whispered her name straight into his heart.

  Caty.

  The reason he hadn’t seen this letter until now was because he’d found the woman who completed him. A woman who loved him and Lauren unconditionally. Caty accepted them as they were, demanding nothing, expecting nothing in return.

  Caleb’s gaze settled on Max. “I know you’re wondering what kind of nutty family you’ve gotten yourself into. We’re not so bad once you get used to us. Thanks for protecting us, buddy. When I get home later, I’ll have a special treat for you.”

  At the word treat, Max sat at attention. Hearing a noise, Caleb walked around the corner, past a row of tall hedges. Oliver worked near the back of the house, humming as he pruned some kind of bush. If it wasn’t a rose bush, Caleb had no clue what it was. He checked his watch. He’d been sitting in the alcove longer than he’d realized.

  Tucking the notecard in his hand, Caleb strolled down the walkway with Max beside him. “Morning again, Oliver.”

  The other man stopped his work and glanced at him over one shoulder, his surprise obvious. “Well, hello there, Mr. Reid. Taking some time off work this morning?”

  Caleb glanced into the distance. “Not on purpose. Something important came up.”

  “Everything all right, sir?”

  He nodded. “It will be. What’s that tune you were humming?”

  “‘Younger Than Springtime’ from South Pacific. Funny thing about that. I was humming that same song when I drove Caty over here the other night. Lovely girl, Miss Lewis. She’s got fire in her. You don’t find a rare combination of beauty and spirit like that often.”

  Caleb nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Oliver continued with his work. “You know, there are lyrics in that song that make a lot of sense.”

  Caleb allowed a small smile. “I’m sure you’ll share them with me.”

  Oliver began to sing. He paused at one point and gave him a pointed glance. “Once you have found her, never let her go.”

  “Nice lyrics,” Caleb said when he finished. “Do you mind if I leave Max out here with you for a while?”

  “Not at all. I’d love his company. I’ve always enjoyed dogs, and I’m sure Lettie won’t put up a fuss. Max has a habit of stretching out in front of the laundry room door.”

  Caleb chuckled. “Oh, and Oliver?”

  He stopped his pruning again. “Yes, sir?”

  “I don’t intend to ever let her go.”

  “Very well. Carry on then. Good to hear it.” With a wide smile, Oliver continued his work.

  Caleb sat in the driveway a couple of minutes later and dialed Cordelia. “I’m leaving the house now. Do me a favor. Find the phone number for Samuel Lewis, Sr. in Houston. It’s probably in Caty’s personnel file. I need to call him as soon as I get to the office.”

  “Right away, sir.”

  The smile in Cordelia’s voice made him smile as he headed downtown.

  Chapter 46

  Sitting at her desk, Caty suppressed her yawn. If she dared to close her door and try and catch a power nap, she’d probably snore. It wouldn’t be advisable to be caught snoozing on the job. She forced herself to sit straighter in the chair.

  “Focus, Caty.” Blinking hard, she stared at her computer. If this was indicative of how the rest of the day would go, she was in serious trouble.

  A knock sounded on her door, and Caleb stepped inside. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning to you, too.” Caty’s pulse took a flying leap at the mere sight of him, this man she loved. No man in history had ever looked better in jeans, a button-down oxford shirt, and boots. She’d enjoyed a couple of brief glimpses of him in a suit when he’d gone to important meetings, but this was—hands down—her favorite look.

  In his hand, Caleb held a single, long-stemmed red rose. “For you from Ollie. And me. I removed the thorns.”

  “Thank you.” Rising to her feet, Caty accepted the flower he handed to her. She smiled and touched one of the petals. “It’s beautiful.”

  He slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Sleep well?”

  “I did until I woke up at three,” she said. “After that, I had a hard time getting back to sleep. Forgive me if I yawn at some point during our conversation. It’s not a reflection on you. Any updates?”

  “No. That’s not why I’m here.”

  She twirled the rose. “Care to share?”

  “Can you come with me?”

  “Now? Where?”

  “Yes, and it’s a surprise.”

  “Sounds promising. I love surprises.”

  “I know.” His gorgeous smile surfaced.

  She inhaled the sweet scent of the blossoming rose. “Marta?”

  “Not this time. Just shut down, lock up everything, and come with me, please.”

  “What a romantic sentiment.” Caty laughed when he gave her a look.

  Suma watched, unsmiling, as they passed by the front desk. As soon as they reached the outer lobby, Caleb covered her hand in his. When they entered the elevator, he moved his arm around her waist.

  “Better be good,” she whispered. “The Elevator People might be watching.”

  He chuckled. “I suppose you’re right. They might wonder about their new building tenant if he’s seen smooching one of his employees in the elevator.” Caleb’s gaze locked with hers and he kissed the corner of her mouth. “I’ll take my chances. I’m sure the security guards have nicknames for the building tenants. They’ll call us the Elevator Smoochers.”

  Soon enough, the elevator doors slid open on the ground floor. Keeping hold of her hand, Caleb led her in the direction of the front curb.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” Tugging on his hand, Caty pulled him back. “Not my arch enemy, the curb.”

  He grinned and acted like he was falling off the edge to certain doom. Laughing, he planted himself on the edge. “It hasn’t rained today, and there’s no drainage issue. See? Dry as anything. In other words, there’s no water to splash you from a speeding maniac driving a black Porsche.”

  Pretending to ponder his words, she glanced up at the sky and touched one finger to her cheek. When she looked back at Caleb, she gasped. What was the man doing? He’d dropped down on one knee. Oh, my. Her own knees went weak. Only one reason he’d do that, right?

  As she watched, wide-eyed, Caleb took her left hand in his. “Catherine Grace Lewis, I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you here on this sidewalk. How could I not fall in love with the beautiful girl who had a broken heel on her shoe, tissue hanging from her scraped palm, and a ripped seam? The girl who has the biggest sneeze I’ve ever heard and knows more about baseball than most men? You’ve captured my heart, and my life will be forever changed for the better. I love you, and my daughter loves you. You have become a part of our family, and you complete me as a person, and as a man. Nothing would bless me more than having you walk beside me as
my wife and for you to help me raise Lauren.”

  Moving one hand over her chest, Caty ignored the gathering crowd of spectators.

  “Look, Jane! That young cowboy is proposin’ to his lady love. Isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen?”

  “Get a room already!” an old man muttered as he ambled by them.

  “Mommy! Look! It’s the belly button lady.”

  That comment made Caleb glance over at the little girl. Then he looked back at her with lifted brows.

  Laughing, Caty waved to the child and her mother. “Long story,” she told him.

  “I’m sure. I’m also aging rapidly here.” After she offered her hand, Caleb rose to his feet and then circled his arms around her, tugging her close. “My heart is yours, Catherine. Marry me?”

  “Yes, I will marry you, Caleb,” she breathed. “I love you, too.” He lowered his lips to hers, and Caty was blissfully, gloriously lost in the moment as she melted into him. The late morning was beautiful, sunny, overflowing with God’s grace.

  “Is this really happening?” she whispered when they finally ended the kiss.

  Caleb leaned his forehead on hers. “It’s really happening. The field of bluebonnets would have been better, but I’m afraid my timing isn’t always the best. Might as well get used to it now.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t need sunsets and fields of bluebonnets. This is the place where we first met, so it’s the best place. In my heart, I feel as though I’ve known you forever.” Stroking one finger over the cleft in his chin, she kissed him. “Those things are wonderful, but as long as you’re with me, I have all I’ll ever need.”

  “After spending time with Lauren last night, praying together…that felt like family,” he said. “You feel like family. I want you there in the morning when I stand in front of the kitchen window and thank God for a new day. I want you curled beside me on the couch, watching movies or reading together in the evening. I want to cook with you, do dishes with you. Play in the pool and relax in the Jacuzzi with you.”

  Leaning his cheek against hers, he whispered in her ear. “I don’t want to drive you home and leave you on your sofa, covered with an afghan. I want you in our home, in my arms when I go to sleep each night, and when I wake up each morning.” Tightening his hold on her, Caleb’s smile found its way into Caty’s soul.

  “I knew I loved you when you sent me Scrappy. You are a man of surprises, but the very best kind. That’s a very promising quality, you know.”

  He chuckled. “I intend to give you much better gifts from here on out.”

  “They showed ingenuity and creativity. Besides, I don’t need things.”

  “I know, but I can do it, so humor me, please.” His smile sobered somewhat. “I can’t put my life on hold for something that may never transpire. But, even it does, we can face it better together than I ever could on my own. Before I left the house today, something Oliver said gave me the idea to propose this morning. I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. Well, it was the second thing. Lettie found a note written by Helena a month before she died. It was addressed to me, and it was a very personal note where she expressed thoughts I wish she could have shared with me before she died.”

  Compassion flowed through her for this man. “Are you okay?”

  “I am now. At first, I wondered why no one had ever found the note before, but then I realized—like everything else—it was all in God’s perfect timing.”

  “I’m sorry, Caleb.”

  “Don’t be. The note was bittersweet, but it gave me final closure. I didn’t have the opportunity to tell Lauren I planned to propose, but I’m pretty sure she’ll be ecstatic with this news.”

  “I believe she will.” Caty’s eyes filled. “And what was it that Ollie said this morning?”

  “Actually, it was something he sang.”

  She laughed. Dear Oliver. “Yes, I know about your singing driver.”

  “I asked him what he was singing, and he told me it was a song from South Pacific. Something about holding her and never letting her go. You’ve already gained a huge fan in Oliver. I also called your father and asked his permission to marry you.”

  “You did? How’d that go?”

  “I introduced myself and then basically said, ‘Sir, I’m Abernathy Caleb Reid. I love your daughter and, if she’ll have me, I want to marry her.’ He was understandably surprised, but apparently you must have talked with him about me.”

  She smiled. “I did, as a matter of fact.”

  “Your mother joined our conversation, and the three of us shared a great conversation. The most important thing to know is that they trust your judgment, and they gave us their blessing.”

  Mom must be going crazy about now, and Dad might be trying to keep her calm. She’d need to call them soon.

  “Thank you for being sensitive enough to call my dad, Caleb. I’ll need to meet your mother.”

  “We’ll take care of that soon,” he said. “Which brings me to the second part of my surprise. If we hurry, we can still make the appointment I set up with a ring designer. Then I’ll take you to lunch.”

  “And then you expect me to go back and work?” She laughed. “I might need to take the rest of the day off. Something I rarely do, I hope you know.”

  “I do know.” He winked. “In addition to everything else, you’re also one of my most loyal employees.” He glanced at her feet. “Do you mind walking four blocks to the jeweler or do you want me to go get the car?”

  Caty gave him her hand. “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s walk.”

  Chapter 47

  Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  “Caleb, I’d like you to meet my parents, Sam and Sarah Lewis.”

  Feeling uncharacteristically nervous, Caleb stepped forward and offered his hand to Sam Sr. and then kissed Sarah’s cheek. “It’s an honor to meet you.” He turned to Lauren. “I’d like you to meet my daughter, Lauren.”

  “Lauren, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to meet you and your dad,” Sarah said. “We’ve heard so much about you both from Caty.”

  When Caleb squeezed Lauren’s hand, she squeezed back.

  As they waited in the lobby for the rest of the family, Sam and Sarah asked questions about Belac and then asked Lauren about Greenbriar-Browne. Caleb prayed she wouldn’t say anything inappropriate, and they’d had a talk before leaving to pick up Caty earlier in the evening.

  Lauren understood how important this evening was for all of them, and she’d promised to be on her best behavior. No reason to believe otherwise. Max was a good leverage point, he’d learned. If she misbehaved or said anything untoward, she’d lose privileges, and the dog wouldn’t be allowed to stay in her room overnight.

  With a sweet smile, Caty watched them interacting with Sam and Sarah. Her parents were an attractive couple, tall, well-spoken, and distinguished. With her hair and eye color, Caty took more after her father, but she had her mother’s smile, sense of humor, and ready wit.

  A former military man, Sam’s dark hair was peppered with silver strands. Caty’s father struck him as being a quiet man, certainly not as outgoing as his wife. When he did speak, he chose his words well. Caleb noted he wore a hearing aid and recalled Caty telling him about the inner ear disorder that had grounded him as a pilot back in the early 60s.

  “Today is not only our Sam’s birthday, but it’s also the anniversary of the day when my Sam returned home to Rockbridge after serving overseas in the Air Force,” Sarah told them. She winked at Lauren. “Back in the Stone Ages.”

  Lauren giggled. A real giggle. That alone was refreshing. “How long have you been married?”

  Sarah slipped her hand into her husband’s. “We married on Christmas Eve in 1962.”

  “That’s like…” Caleb held his breath as Lauren did the calculation and prayed she wouldn’t say anything offensive. “Forty-five years!”

  Sam moved his arm around his wife. “I married the feisty, beautiful girl who couldn’t wait to leave
Rockbridge and become a nurse. She stole my heart then, and she reminds me every day why I married her. She worked in the local diner, championed the cause of its citizens, and loved To Kill A Mockingbird.” He kissed Sarah’s forehead. “She told me I reminded her of Atticus Finch.”

  “Still my all-time fictional hero.”

  “I love that book!” Clearly pleased by Lauren’s enthusiasm, Sarah launched into a discussion with his daughter about the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, telling them her husband had given her a signed first edition of the novel as a wedding gift.

  “Cool,” Lauren said. “Do you still have it?”

  Sam grinned and high-fived her. “Would you like to see it sometime?”

  Lauren moved her hand to her hip and gave him a saucy grin. “You know it.” Any lingering doubts in Caleb’s mind vanished. They were getting along famously. Better than he could have hoped.

  “Should we wait for everyone else to get here?” Caty asked her mom after a server came to ask if they’d like to be seated.

  “I’m sure they won’t mind if we go ahead,” Sarah said. She offered her hand to Lauren. “Shall we lead the way?”

  Caleb leaned close as he walked with Caty to their table. “No wonder you turned out so great. Your parents are the best. Is this party a surprise for Sam?” He double-checked the inner pocket of his jacket to make sure he had the envelope with Sam’s birthday gift.

  “No. The big surprise bash for Sam was last year on his fortieth.”

  Shortly after taking their seats at a table, hearing a commotion, Caleb looked up to see a tall, dark-haired man with a petite, blonde woman approaching the table. No doubt about it, this had to be the birthday boy. He recognized him from the book he’d borrowed from Caty. The younger Sam’s resemblance to his father was also remarkably strong. Three children bounced around them.