by Myra Johnson
By now, Angela stood at Ernie’s shoulder. She tugged on his arm. “Ernie, invite him in. Marley’s right, sometimes you’re entirely too judgmental for someone who calls himself a Christian.”
With a dramatic sigh, Ernie stepped aside and waved Ben through the door. “Ten minutes. I’m starting the countdown now.”
Ben followed Angela to the living room, where Christmas carols played on the stereo. While Ernie turned down the music, Angela took a seat on the sofa across from the chair she offered Ben. Ernie remained standing, arms folded.
Ben got right to the point. “I’m in love with Marley, and I need to convince her I’ll be here for her, no matter what. Yes, it hurt when I found out about her past, but it was more about how I found out, and I’m sorry for my stupid, selfish response.”
Ernie snorted. His wife shot him a chiding glance.
Rubbing perspiring hands on his jeans, Ben quickly described his hopes for staying and working right here in Alpine. “But now I’ve got to make Marley believe it’s possible, and that’s where you come in.”
“What is it you want us to do?” Angela asked.
“I know Marley plans to spend Christmas Day with you, but I’ve also invited her out to the ranch later. Could you please give her a nudge in that direction? I’m planning something special that I hope will show her exactly how I feel about her.”
Lips pursed, Ernie fixed Ben with a knifelike stare. “So help me, Fisher, if you hurt Marley again—”
“Honey...” Angela’s dulcet tone didn’t match the glare in her narrowed eyes. She turned to Ben. “Naturally, we can’t force Marley to go to the ranch if she doesn’t want to, but it might help if you clued us in on what exactly your plan involves.”
Ben closed his eyes briefly and pictured the scene he had in mind. “I still have a few things to figure out. But you might pray for a clear evening and no wind.”
With a quick glance at Ernie, Angela nodded. “All right, then, we’ll do whatever we can to help.”
“Thank you.” Ben stood. “Just one more thing. Please don’t tell her I came to see you. I need this to be a surprise.”
He left the Coutus’ feeling only slightly more hopeful. Angela was right—if Marley decided she didn’t want anything more to do with Ben, there was no way they’d convince her to drive out to the Whitlows’ on Christmas Day.
His faith was really getting a workout lately, stretching and growing him in ways he’d never expected. Now he’d have to trust the Lord about his future with Marley.
He spent the next couple of days putting his surprise together, beginning first thing Monday with a trip to the hardware store. On Monday afternoon, he had a telephone interview with Dean Radcliffe, and by Tuesday he’d been offered the administrative position for the new Alpine branch of Big Bend Assistance Alliance. Salary-wise, it meant a huge step down for Ben, but at this point the money didn’t matter. Now that he had also agreed to work with his uncle managing the ranch, his big-city expenses were a thing of the past.
He might hold on to his Mustang, though, if for no other reason than he knew how much Marley enjoyed riding around in it.
* * *
Christmas week at the studio left Marley searching for anything to keep busy. Janet came over on Tuesday morning to look through the proofs from the family reunion. Afterward, they talked over coffee about how the building renovations were coming along.
“So you think you’ll stay awhile?” Janet asked. “I know you’ve been worried about covering the higher rent.”
“It’s still iffy, but my mother sent me enough to get me through the next couple of months.” Marley stifled a sardonic laugh. After her past came out, Dad’s public display of support was tempered with his private declaration that since neither of them had anything more to hide, Marley was perfectly free to sink or swim on her own. Mom’s hefty check arrived shortly thereafter.
The solution was only a temporary one, though, because Marley had no intention of continuing to rely on Sanderson money. She’d already come up with one possibility for generating more income. After reading Neil Ingram’s article in Sunday’s paper, the school superintendent had come by to see Marley yesterday. He felt she had a lot to offer as a mentor for high-risk kids and wanted to get her involved with a program at the high school. In conjunction with the program, he hoped to get the school board to fund a part-time teaching position for a photography class.
Marley could easily see how photography could be a way to reach kids on the edge, but until now, she’d never considered herself mentor material, partly because she hadn’t been free to be open about her own mistakes.
She didn’t say any more to Janet about her talk with the superintendent, but as soon as Janet returned next door to her antique shop, Marley decided to telephone Healy and Valerie Ferguson back in her hometown of Aileen.
“Do it,” Healy said. “I know your outreach ministry means a lot to you, and you’re doing good work there. But when you see troubled teens finding their way back from disastrous choices, you know you’ve made a lasting difference.”
Valerie, listening on speakerphone, heartily agreed. Her tone grew teary as she said, “Do you know how proud we are of you, Marley Sanders?”
The use of her chosen name was like a blessing, an assurance that this new life she’d been given was truly God’s gift. Like Jacob became Israel. Like Saul became Paul. Marley reached for a tissue to dry her own eyes. “I thank God every day for sending both of you into my life.”
After a pause, Valerie said, “Honey, is there something else?”
Leave it to Valerie, who always could read between the lines. “I’m falling in love with someone, but I’m scared it’ll never work between us.”
Healy’s breathy chuckle sounded through the phone line. “I know that feeling. And I also know God can work anything out, if it’s meant to be.”
“Trust your heart,” Valerie said. “We’ll be praying for you.”
Ending the call, Marley said a prayer of her own for God’s direction, because where Ben was concerned, she didn’t feel at all confident in the direction of her own heart.
Chapter Sixteen
On Christmas Day afternoon, Marley propped her feet up on the Coutus’ coffee table and groaned. She really shouldn’t have eaten a third slice of Ernie’s mother’s pumpkin cheesecake. A sugar high definitely wasn’t conducive to clear thinking, and she still hadn’t decided whether to accept Ben’s invitation to drive out to the Whitlow ranch later. Strangely, Ernie and Angela kept dropping not-so-subtle hints that Marley should think about paying a call on the Whitlows. Did they even know Ben had returned to Alpine?
As Ben’s image filled her thoughts, the last serving of cheesecake sat even heavier. When Ernie’s dad came through with the coffeepot, she waved him away. Maybe she should just go home to her apartment. She’d promised her mother a long phone call later, and with the whole Marsha/Marley news beginning to settle down, she’d begun to have hope of developing a better relationship with her parents. Dad might never be the father she needed him to be, but then it wasn’t up to Marley to fix him. All she could do was keep praying.
A sad smile crept across her lips as she imagined family Christmases again, she and her siblings and their spouses and kids gathered for the holidays with their parents. Seemed like forever ago since the last time they were all together.
Before her thoughts grew any more maudlin, Marley decided to take her leave. Finding Angela in the kitchen, she thanked her for a wonderful day.
“Oh, so you’re heading out to the Whitlows’ now?”
She frowned. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
Angela seized Marley’s hand and practically dragged her into the walk-in pantry. “Okay, I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but I’m going to anyway. Marley, you need to go see the Whitlows.�
�
Cleary, something was up. Marley’s gaze sharpened. “You’ve been bugging me about this all day. What do you know that I don’t?”
Arms crossed, Angela glared right back. “I know that if you don’t go, you’ll regret it the rest of your life.” Her look turned pleading. “Ben loves you, Marley. Don’t give up on him too soon.”
Angela and Ernie taking up Ben’s cause? Marley couldn’t believe it. “Has he talked to you?”
“Does it matter? Just go.” Gripping Marley by the shoulders, Angela steered her to the entryway closet and helped her on with her jacket. Practically shoving her out the front door, she called, “And don’t forget to call me later and tell me all about it!”
* * *
Ben stared out the front window. To the southwest, a pale winter sun crept lower, soon to be swallowed by the distant mountains. “She’s not coming.”
“Don’t give up yet.” Aunt Jane slid one arm around his waist and pressed her cheek against his shoulder. “You wanted it nearly dark for your surprise.”
“It won’t be much of a surprise without the guest of honor.” With a resigned groan, Ben stepped away from the window. “I’ll tell Uncle Steve we can unsaddle—”
“Wait, is that a car?” Aunt Jane squinted and leaned closer to the glass.
Ben was afraid to look. Afraid to be disappointed.
“It is. Ben, it’s Marley!” His aunt bounced on her toes like an excited six-year-old.
Ben yanked her sideways. “Don’t let her see us.”
“Oh, pshaw. Afraid she’ll think you’ve been wearing a trench in my floor from all your pacing?”
And he probably had. “I just don’t want to look too anxious and make her even more uncomfortable.”
“Mmm-hmm.” With a smug smile, Aunt Jane edged toward the kitchen. “I’ll just let Steve know to be ready.”
Mouth dry, stomach in knots, Ben peeked around the curtain as Marley’s Honda pulled up in the circle drive. Feet planted firmly in place, he took several steadying breaths to keep from racing to the door before she had a chance to make it up the porch steps.
After she rang the bell, he sent up one more quick prayer before inviting her in. “You made it.”
“Yeah.” Marley entered hesitantly. She glanced around the room as if expecting monsters to pop out from behind the furniture.
Aunt Jane bustled in from the kitchen. “Marley, how wonderful to see you!” She wrapped Marley in a warm hug. “Merry Christmas, honey! Here, let me take your coat—”
Behind Marley, Ben made a slicing motion across his throat.
The whites of Aunt Jane’s eyes flashed. She stepped back. “On second thought, keep your coat on. You and Ben should go take a walk and watch the evening stars come out. Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful night.”
“That’s okay.” Marley shot Ben an uneasy glance. “I just wanted to come out and wish you and Steve a merry Christmas. I can’t stay long.”
“Well, you have time for a walk.” Aunt Jane draped an arm around Marley’s shoulders and aimed her toward the kitchen. “Anyway, Steve’s out...doing something, and won’t be in right away.”
Ben appreciated his aunt’s help, but her enthusiasm was a wee bit over the top. If she didn’t take it down a notch, she’d raise Marley’s suspicions even higher than they probably already were.
He’d conveniently left his own jacket on a kitchen chair and grabbed it on their way through. On the back porch, he paused and took Marley’s hand. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would.”
“I almost didn’t.” She pointedly withdrew her hand and tucked it into her pocket. “What exactly is going on here, Ben? Ernie and Angela were acting weird all day, and now your aunt is skipping around like the cat who ate the canary. After the complicated week I’ve had, I don’t think I can handle any more surprises.”
Ben ducked his head and grinned shyly. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
* * *
Disappointment wasn’t what Marley feared most. What really scared her was the rebellious pounding of her own pulse just being this close to Ben again. All right, she’d go along for this sunset walk Jane Whitlow insisted they take. Deep-breathing the chilly night air might be exactly what she needed to kick-start the willpower required to hold her heart in check.
But why were they strolling toward the barn? Better question, why were Dancer and Skeeter saddled, bridled and clipped to the cross ties? The gentle gray lifted his sleepy head and nickered as Marley neared.
Scratching Dancer’s nose, Marley shot Ben an accusing stare. “This is no coincidence, is it?”
He grinned back, taking in her jeans and sneakers. “I’m just glad you didn’t show up in a dress and heels, or I’d have had to spill eggnog on you so you’d have to borrow riding clothes from Aunt Jane.”
“Dress and heels—me?” She’d laugh if this weren’t such an impossible situation. Instead, she sucked in her cheeks in an indignant frown. “Mighty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
The smile left his face. “Not in the least.”
She studied him for several long moments, then tore her gaze away and began unclipping Dancer from the cross ties. She hoped Ben couldn’t see her hands shaking. “Obviously, you planned for us to go riding. So let’s get it over with.”
Without a word, Ben boosted her into the saddle. While she settled her feet in the stirrups—conveniently adjusted to her correct length, she couldn’t help noticing—Ben unclipped Skeeter and swung himself up with the grace of a seasoned cowboy.
Before he noticed her watching him, she drew a quick breath and faced forward. Ben took the lead on the Palomino, and Marley noticed they followed the same route they’d used for the trail ride. As the sky turned from orange to deep purple and the first stars popped out overhead, a nervous tingle crept up her spine. “Is it safe to be out riding this late? What about snakes or wild animals or—”
“Don’t worry, Marley. We’ll stay on the trail, and we won’t go far.” Ben’s back swayed in a loose rhythm with Skeeter’s motion. “Anyway, I’ve got flashlights in the saddlebags if we need them.”
“Of course you do,” Marley muttered under her breath. She gripped the pommel a little tighter.
Shortly after they passed through the first gate, Marley spotted Steve Whitlow riding toward them on a stocky horse that looked almost black in the waning light. He called a greeting. “Nice night for a ride. Y’all have fun.”
Interesting. Steve didn’t stop, and neither he nor Ben mentioned a word about whatever the “something” was that Jane said he’d gone out to take care of.
Yes, this was definitely a setup. If Marley weren’t so curious now to find out exactly what this scheme of theirs involved, she’d turn around right now and go home.
To your lonely, empty apartment? Even her skittishness over a cross-country horseback ride in the dark with the man who could turn her dreams to dust wasn’t enough to make that choice appealing.
It’s Christmas, Marley. Have a little faith.
When Ben glanced back at her from several yards ahead, she realized she’d reined Dancer almost to a crawl. Or maybe the horse had sensed her uncertainty and slowed to allow her time to collect her courage. Either way, this indecision couldn’t last, because her aching heart couldn’t take the strain. She had two choices: end things with Ben once and for all, or give their love a chance.
No, she really needed to give God a chance, to let Him show her what He could do with two hearts entwined with His.
Two hearts...she must be seeing things, because they’d just reached the ridge where Jane and Steve had brought her to see the wildflowers last fall. A shimmer of light rose up from where the land fell away beyond the ridge. As Dancer moved closer and Marley peered into the rolling valley below, she glimpsed dozens of lu
minarias, their golden glow outlining the shape of intertwined hearts.
She let go of the pommel and covered her mouth to stifle a gasp. “Oh, Ben...”
In a tiny, timid voice, he murmured, “Surprise!”
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t even swallow over the lump in her throat. She hardly noticed when Ben climbed down from Skeeter and then helped Marley to the ground. Her teary gaze riveted to the scene in the valley below, she nestled deep into Ben’s embrace.
His lips grazed her temple. “Please tell me those are happy tears.”
She nodded, searching his face and seeing the love in his eyes. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“I would do anything for you, Marley. Don’t you get it? I’m crazy in love with you.”
The same old doubts threatened to strangle the hope she felt. “But your career. What happens to us if—”
He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “Are you ready to trust what we have and leave the future in God’s hands?”
The right answer was yes, but Marley couldn’t dredge up the courage to speak it. What if God said no to this dream? What if He took Ben a thousand miles away and—
“Marley.” Ben’s tone grew insistent. Gently, he swiveled her to face him straight on, his arms locked firmly around her waist. “If I can learn to stop co-opting God’s plan for my life—for our lives—and trust Him to work things out, can’t you?”
This time, the answer came easily. “Yes.”
“Then believe this. I love you, and I’m never leaving you again.” Releasing her, he eased a step away and reached for something inside his jacket pocket. “And just to prove it...”
She froze. “Ben, what are you doing?”
“Now, don’t panic.” He grinned his adorable boyish grin. “This isn’t a ring—yet—but it’ll have to serve as my pledge until we get that little detail taken care of.” His hand reappeared with a folded sheet of white paper. “This is an email I got a couple of days ago. Take a look.”
The quickly fading amber streaks from the setting sun offered barely enough light to read the message, but Marley quickly got the gist of it. Dean Radcliffe of Big Bend Assistance Alliance had offered Ben the administrative position for the new Alpine branch.