by Carla Rossi
Preston plopped the blanket back on Lily’s shoulders and took her by the elbow. Again, he seethed, not necessary. I believe you all have done enough, so I’ll thank you to leave my granddaughter alone.
Lily bolted from her grandfather’s side and planted her arms firmly around Marti’s waist. Please , Marti, you have to come with me.
Marti held the shaking girl, her gaze meeting Preston’s and pleading for him to nod his approval. He refused .
Okay, sweetie, Marti began and peeled the girl’s arms from around her. You need to go with your grandfather. He’ll make sure they take good care of you. They’ll give you a woman doctor and she’ll explain everything. Marti tilted Lily’s chin upward. Look at me, Lily, and listen. I’ll be praying for you, and I’ll see you as soon as I can. Do you understand? As soon as I can.
Lily nodded .
Preston took her by the arm again. Let’s go.
Kim kicked the ground as the car drove away. Well, that was a smashing success. I guess we’ll all be sued tomorrow and probably have to give up the youth group once he gets finished riling up all the parents.
Danny pulled his wife into his arms and buried his nose in her crook of her neck. Try not to worry. He’ll cool down. Besides, he said, and lifted his head. It’s Jim he really wants to be rid of. Kinda takes the heat off us.
You’re not funny, Kim scolded. It might actually get ugly for him.
I’m not worried. Jim raked his fingers through his hair. Preston’s bark is worse than his bite. I just hope it goes well for Lily.
Marti laced her fingers with Jim’s. I think it’ll be okay. No matter how he acts, he loves her, and he’ll do what’s best for her in the end.
Danny started down the trail, pulling Kim behind him. We’re going to bed. We need some sleep if we’re going to salvage what’s left of this trip. We’re still having church in the morning before we leave, right?
That’s the plan, Jim answered. I thought we’d do it down by the lake.
Good idea.
Jim turned to Marti and gathered her in his arms. How ya’ doin’?
My entire body is one big aching bruise.
I’ll take you home. I can get there and back before morning. You need to be home in your own bed where you can rest.
Are you crazy? I’m not going anywhere. First of all, I would never let you make that drive tonight, and secondly, I need to finish this weekend with these kids. This was a bad night, but tomorrow’s another day.
Jim held her against him. There was absolutely nothing he didn’t love about this woman. All right then, let’s get you back to your cabin.
Can we do one thing first?
Only anything . Sure.
She looked up at him from under long lashes, wet with tears. She didn’t even have to say it out loud .
Okay, let’s go to the hospital, he agreed. Just be ready for Preston to blow a gasket.
I don’t care what he blows. What’s he gonna do? Run us out of a public emergency room? She laughed out loud. Between his hundred-year-old knees and my injured foot, it’s liable to be quite a race.
Ah...but you’re a track star, Jim said as he helped her into the van. You still have the edge.
Armadillos and opossums scurried along the sides of the dark road as they drove toward the entrance of the camp.
Marti pulled out her cell phone. I needed to come out here anyway and listen to my messages. I was going to do it when Kimmie came out to call about the baby, but I couldn’t get away. Susan Curry promised a daily report about my grandma.
Jim opened the windows and let the cool night breeze flow through the van. The sky is clear tonight.
I can see why people love to camp, she observed as she watched the digital display on her phone for the elusive signal. It’s so beautiful outside late at night. It even smells good out here.
I’m glad you like it. We’ll go tent camping sometime. You would love Big Bend .
Big who?
Big Bend, he laughed. It’s a national park in west Texas. It’s too far away for a weekend trip, but there are other good campgrounds closer. And of course you’ll have to marry me first, because if I can’t have you at my house for dinner alone, I sure can’t take you away for the weekend alone.. .
For a moment, he seriously toyed with the idea of telling her how he felt. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could stand not to .
Got it. Maybe you should stop for just a sec before it disappears.
He tried to stop and pull over without bouncing her around too much in the process. Okay, try it.
Marti listened intently. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped open.
Surely not more bad news... What is it?
It’s a message from my grandmother.
Is she okay?
Marti flipped the phone closed. It’s my parents. They’re arriving tomorrow.
Limited Light
Chapter Ten
Marti turned over in bed and stretched. With her eyes closed tight against the late morning sun, she flexed her foot back and forth between the warm cotton sheets. Still tender.
The soft jingle of her cell phone interrupted her workout .
Hello?
Good morning, beautiful. How do you feel?
She yawned into the phone. Much better. I was just checking everything out.
It’s eleven forty-five. Are you still in bed?
I was up late.
So your parents made it in okay?
Yes, she sighed, and squeezed her feather pillow against her chest. Oh, Jim, I didn’t realize how much I missed them. I mean, they look different, they sound different, they even dress different, but somehow they’re the same. I can’t explain it.
When was the last time you saw them?
My grandfather’s funeral over a year ago.
When can I meet them?
Soon. We stayed up most of the night getting caught up. They were surprised to find me here out of work, living with Grandma, and away on a youth retreat. It took a while to explain. And get this, my dad wanted to take my car for a drive at two in the morning.
I can understand that, Jim said and laughed. I guess there aren’t many red BMWs in the wilds of Central America .
Guess not. Have you been by Lily’s?
Yep. She’s okay. She wants to talk to you.
Great. I’ll call her in a little bit. What’s the latest?
I think everything’s going to blow over. She’s just embarrassed.
Marti yawned in agreement and burrowed back under the covers.
So anyway, Jim continued, when can I see you and meet your parents?
Soon.
I need a specific time. I can’t go much longer without seeing you. I’m suffering serious withdrawal symptoms even as we speak.
Oh, please, Marti snorted. I’m sure you were really missing me when you were throwin’ back the home fries this morning at Bertie’s.
I was.
Have you forgotten we have a big meeting this Thursday?
No.
Well, I’ve still got a lot of things to do to get ready for that, and you are having dinner with Christopher Bonaventure before the meeting, so don’t forget to check out his website and bring yourself up to date.
What’s the name of his company again?
It’s Foundations of Faith Consulting Group , she said and giggled. Get it? Like actual building foundations and spiritual ones.
No response .
I guess I’m the only one that finds that duality amusing.
Are you coming to dinner with us?
No, I don’t need to. We’ve been e-mailing a lot. He needs to meet you and get your input before he speaks at the meeting.
So when will I see you?
Marti smiled and stretched again. Why don’t you plan on coming over after the meeting Thursday?
That’s three days away.
But it’s a good time. We’ll have a lot to talk about after the meeting. Bring pies from Bertie’s. That’
ll make my dad happy. Bring coconut cream for him and chocolate for me.
Won’t your grandma kill me for bringing someone else’s pie into the house?
Only if it were a fruit pie. She has come to acknowledge Bertie’s cream pies are acceptable.
That’s three days away, he repeated sadly. And I really need to talk to you.
Really? About what?
Uh...nothing. Everything. Never mind. I know you need time with your parents. We’ll settle everything after the meeting Thursday.
There was a soft tap on the door. I have to go. Someone’s at my door. Marti let the phone drop as her mother came into the room with a tray. What’s all this?
Breakfast in bed. Your dad went back downstairs to get the chocolate milk. We forgot it.
Marti grinned. Typical. They were always forgetting something. One time they forgot her at Kindergarten. It was a wonder they found their way out of the jungle .
I brought scrambled eggs and toast with apple butter.
But then again...only her mother would remember how important apple butter was on toast. I could’ve come downstairs.
We know. But you’ve been taking care of everything around here. We want you to take a break. Catherine Randolph stretched out across the foot of the bed and propped her head up on her elbow. So who was on the phone?
Marti sat up cross-legged and arranged the tray in her lap. That was Jim, uh, Pastor James. We were discussing our meeting on Thursday.
The meeting...okay, whatever you say.
It was the meeting, Marti insisted. It’s a big deal for him. He’s introducing the idea of a building campaign to a committee he formed to explore the possibilities.
Her mother ran her fingers through her short salt and pepper hair. I know that’s what you keep sayin’, Angel Breath, but did you really think you could hide those stars in your eyes?
Angel Breath, Marti repeated and laughed. I haven’t heard that one in years. She took a bite of toast. Anyway, I don’t know what to say yet about Jim. I don’t know what’s going to happen. And she didn’t. She didn’t even know how they happened. But they had, and she’d kept her feelings for him buried deep in her heart like a sweet and tender secret. She guarded it as a treasure, an unopened gift, and waited to see what wonderful promise might come of it .
He’s coming over Thursday after the meeting. He wants to meet you. I’d appreciate it if you’d behave yourselves.
Why wouldn’t we behave ourselves, Sugar Puss? Her father stood in the door with a frosted glass of chocolate milk .
Marti put her fork down and patted the bed for him to join them. Angel Breath? Sugar Puss? Who are you freaky people, and what have you done with my boring parents?
Aw, c’mon, Precious Cargo, her father teased. We’ve always had pet names for you.
All right, that’s enough. If you don’t stop, I’ll kick you both out of my bed.
Her mother dissolved into laughter, her silver-gray eyes twinkling. Oh, how we’ve missed you, Marti.
What’s going on with your hair, anyway?
Her mother smoothed a hand across her head. What do you mean?
Not you, Mom. Yours looks great. Short, chic, and stylish. But Dad . She turned and lifted a piece of his fine blond hair. I think we need to take you to Kimmie’s and use the emergency entrance.
Her father hitched his chin up a notch and looked down his nose at her. There is nothing wrong with my hair.
Most men your age are losing their hair. Yours seems to be multiplying. It’s long enough to put in a ponytail.
Not quite, but I’ve tried.
Marti burst out laughing. It’s so unlike you. You used to have a coronary if it so much as grazed your collar.
I think he’s rebelling against years of a military cut, her mother suggested.
That’ll do it, Marti agreed .
Her father sat back against the headboard and stretched his long legs out in front of him. Now, he said, lacing his fingers across his stomach. Let’s pick up where we left off last night.
Wait a minute, Marti interrupted, where’s Grandma Rose?
She’s okay, her mother answered. She’s getting ready to go out. We’re going to take her to run some errands while you stay here and rest up and take care of whatever you need to.
Ahem... her father continued. Last night, you told us about some of the rough stuff you’ve been through lately--the stroke, your problems in Houston. Now we want to know about the good stuff--the work you’re doing at the church, the job search, your new boyfriend...all that.
Marti stabbed her eggs with the fork. They didn’t know the half of the rough stuff. She’d skimmed across the top of the Philip story for obvious reasons, and barely scratched the surface of the stroke story to save them some heartache. No one but she and Grandma Rose would ever know the true horror of those two events .
Well, as far as the job situation, I have one in Dallas when I want it. At church, I’ve been helping Pastor James get his building program off the ground, and I’ve been helping with the youth. As for the boyfriend, like I told Mom, I don’t know anything yet.
I’m not buyin’ that, Pookie Bear, her father said. To hear your grandma tell it, I need to be practicing a walk down the aisle.
Oh, Daddy, stop.
Her mother came from the foot of the bed to sit by her side. She snuggled in next to Marti and gathered a tousled mass of curls behind her head. Leave her alone, Will. She gazed at Marti with a knowing smile, as if she knew and understood the precious secret. If it happens, you’ll be informed of when to get a haircut and start practicing.
Marti downed the last of her chocolate milk .
Thanks, Mom .
Limited Light
Chapter Eleven
Chris! Marti made her way across the church conference room to greet her college friend. Are you ready?
He met her with a warm embrace. You look great. And yes, I’m ready. I met with the pastor, we went over some things. I think I have a pretty good idea of what you all are trying to do here.
Marti lifted her laptop to the presentation table. I have a projection system set up here, so we can take turns. Nothing has changed since our last e-mail, so I guess we’re ready. I’ll be back in a minute and we can start.
Marti grabbed a lipstick from her purse and headed for the ladies room. As she rounded the corner, two arms reached out from a darkened Sunday School classroom and grabbed her .
She squealed with laughter as she found herself dragged into the room. Are you crazy? Everyone is sitting out there waiting on us.
Don’t care, Jim answered. I haven’t seen you for three days, and if I don’t kiss you right now, I’ll die.
Marti burst out laughing, and then quickly quieted herself. Do you know how ridiculous you sound? You’re the pastor of this church and this is your meeting. Get serious.
You look really nice, by the way.
Marti looked down at her sleek ivory pantsuit. Thanks. I had a black suit on, but I thought that would be a little severe, so I changed. Good thing. Chris has his dark suit on. We would have looked like the Blues Brothers—
Stop talking and kiss me so I’ll survive.
She did .
I’m getting out of here. Marti poked her head out the door and looked both ways down the hall before stepping out. Are you ready? she asked over her shoulder .
He nodded .
I’ll do my part, she added. Chris will do his. Everyone is going to be real excited.
Marti slipped back into the room as Jim headed for the podium. Kimmie and Danny got her attention from the opposite corner and gave her the thumbs up signal. Charles, who was there as an active member of the board, nodded and smiled. Representatives from all church departments and committees waited with childlike exuberance as Jim opened with prayer and explained why they were there.
Marti took several deep breaths, counted the number of floor tiles around her seat--and prayed. It was the only way she got through these things. It wasn’t t
hat she didn’t know what to say when it came to business, just that she had to fight monumental stage fright and an attack of shyness when she had to say it .
She glanced around the room. An air of anticipation and expectancy hovered over the crowd, as though they had come to watch a parade. Jim was right. The new building was an idea whose time had come, and he did have support here--except for Preston Woodruff, who sat along the back wall with his arms crossed in protest .
Deep in thought, Marti missed the first half of her own introduction. That was probably good. Less time to get more nervous .
She approached the front amidst applause and started a stack of folders around the room. Thank you, she said, and opened the first slide of her Power Point presentation. My part this evening will be brief. The person you really want to hear from is Chris Bonaventure from Foundations of Faith Consulting Group . My only job is to explain how the church can increase its current financial situation through planning and investment opportunities, thereby enabling the congregation to go forward with building plans. She paused to allow them time to open their folders. The church treasurer and accountant have provided me with an overview of the church’s financial situation.
She made her way through the first three slides of basic facts and figures and hit her stride. Eager faces peered back at her, taking all the information in. I need to say here, she started as she moved to the next slide and pointed to a large number at the bottom, that regardless of the substantial sum of money in this existing building fund account, any building campaign will have to include massive fundraising efforts. She took a drink of water. And I don’t mind if you have questions along the way, she said, and recapped the bottle. I just want to keep things brief so Chris has all the time he needs.
I have a question.
Marti’s gaze drifted to the back of the room. Preston Woodruff .
A feeling of dread came over her. If anyone could kill this positive moment, Preston could .
Go ahead, she answered. If I don’t have the answer, I’m sure Chris does.
Preston flipped his folder closed and tossed it under his chair. What are your qualifications to discuss the church’s financial situation, Miss Randolph? Are you an accountant?