She answered on the first ring. ”Hey, I thought you weren’t going to call,” her husky melodious voice still had the power to quicken his old heart.
“Not a chance,” he settled back against the pillow, a smile on his face.
”I spoke to our daughter today,” she told him tentatively.
“I know,” he answered. “I am glad you finally did, I told you she would not reject you.”
“I messed up so bad. I feel so ashamed and now I have to stay in the background while our daughter is having the biggest day of her life.” She murmured sadly.
“So come home,” he told her. He had been telling her that for some time now; but she had always found some excuses. “I am sure she would be happy to see you Caro,”
“I keep thinking about what those church folks will say when they see me,” she laughed shakily. She had told him that she lived on her own now in some tiny apartment and was working at an old people’s home.
“Why do you care so much about what people say?” he asked her impatiently. “They will talk for a little bit and then they will find other subjects to move on to. I think you owe your daughter something Caro. Maybe this can be a way of paying her back somewhat.” He had been telling her the same thing every week and he hoped this time she would listen. He also had a selfish reason, God forgive him, he thought grimly but he wanted to see her; even just for a little bit.
“I’ll think about it,” she promised him and he felt his heart quickened. She had never said that before; so now there was hope.
“So how have you been?” he asked her in concern. The last time they spoke she had not been doing so well, she had been recovering from a particularly nasty bout of the flu.
“I am recovering slowly, thanks,” she said gratefully. She had always wondered how he could still love her when she had messed up so bad; but she realized that she had left what was a rare love to go and search for something that was common; something that fizzle out at the first sign of a conflict. She wished she could go back but pride and shame held her back.
“Have you been drinking a lot of liquid?” he asked her anxiously and Caroline smiled. It felt so good for a change to have someone looking out for her. Why did she feel she had to leave that? What kind of a fool was she that she had left something so wonderful to look for God knew what?
“Yes, doctor,” she teased. Then she changed the subject and she told him about an old lady she was looking after at the home. The one who had not one relative coming to look for her and how she had been spending a lot of time with her.
They talked way into the night and Deacon felt the tenderness enveloping him as he listed to her. He loved her and that was never going to stop.
Chapter 9
Sara came down to the kitchen the next morning to find her father sitting at the breakfast table eating cereal and a glass of orange juice beside him. There was an official looking document on her side of the table. She had decided she was going in to work today no matter what her father said. Her wedding was this weekend and no matter what her father said she needed to get some things done.
“What’s this?” she asked him, puzzled as she poured herself some orange juice.
“Why don’t you open it and see?” Her father said mysteriously, putting down the paper he had been perusing.
She did and what she saw made her eyes widen in shock. “Dad?” She looked from the paper to him.
“It’s your wedding present,” he told her with a smile.
“Dad, are you sure?” Sara asked him huskily.
“Absolutely,” he told her cheerfully, standing and coming over to give her a hug. “I need to relax and do nothing for a while. It’s time for me to step down and let you run things. I will be there until after your wedding and if you’re planning on going on any honeymoon.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Are you sick?” her tone was one of alarm. She looked up at him, her brow creased in concern.
“I am as fit as a fiddly dear girl,” he gave her a quick squeeze before letting go. “Accept it for what it is, honey; a gift.”
“Oh Dad,” she breathed; going over and hugging him from behind. “I have so many things I want to do. A reading corner in the back, and a homework center –“
“Whoa there, slow down girl,” her father laughed affectionately. “For now you need to concentrate on your upcoming wedding,”
“Thanks Dad, I love you so much.” She told him, putting a gentle hand on his rough cheek.
“I didn’t ask you if that was what you wanted to do,” there was concern on his lined face.
“It’s what I want to do Dad, don’t worry, I am not going anywhere,” she told him astutely.
“I know honey, I know.” He kissed her cheek softly. “Okay let’s get out of here, for now I am still your boss.”
Sara laughed and quickly downed her juice and they left together.
*****
She showed David the deed that night. She had started moving some things over to the house that was going to be theirs and had decided to leave the heavy stuff for the night before the wedding. He had cooked her dinner and even though he had been busy digging up dirt to do some replanting and transplanting he had told her to relax while he cooked dinner. They had showered together and had spent so much time in the bathroom that their skin had turned wrinkled by the time they had got out. It was four days to the wedding and Sara could not wait.
They were sitting outside on the porch swing eating chocolate chip ice-cream; the sun was still high in the sky even though it was almost seven o’clock. David had pulled her back against him, intermittently feeding her from his bowl.
“So how do you feel about being the owner of a thriving business?” he asked her softly.
She leaned back her head to stare at him. He was so earthy and good-looking that she got weak just looking at him “I feel like a business woman,” she told him loftily with a smile.
He bent his head and kissed her mouth; cold by the ice-cream. “So I suppose I won’t be expecting suppers in the evenings because my wife will be busy running a business?” he growled mockingly.
“You better believe it,” she told him a mock serious expression on her face.
“In four days you will be my wife and I just can’t wrap my head around it,” he took the empty bowl from her and placed it along with his on the table next to the porch. “I keep asking myself if this is really happening and sometimes I wake up in a panic thinking that you are gone again.”
Sara twisted around in his arms, her eyes troubled. “David do you believe I love you absolutely?” she asked him anxiously. “I am here with you because I want to be and nothing else. I love you so much that I can’t breathe when you’re near and I cannot sleep when you are not with me. I am not going anywhere please get that through your head.”
“Sara,” he touched her face gently. “I love you too and I am trying to get used to that.” He laughed ruefully. “I have you right here in my arms and I cannot get over it. You’re beautiful Sara, so much so that you take my breath away and ironically, because you don’t realize how beautiful you are it makes you so much more appealing.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” she said impishly, gripping his face between her hands and kissing his lips. “Want to know what I think about you? I think you’re the most handsome, most wonderful man I have ever met and aside from my father, you’re on the top of my list, no one comes close and I am so honored to be with you and I can’t wait to be your wife.”
He kissed her hungrily and Sara felt the tears on his cheeks. She reached up a hand and touched it tenderly; this strong beautiful man was not afraid to show weakness in front of her. He was her man and she loved him so much that it hurts.
He picked her up and carried her gently to the bedroom and showed her how much he really loved her.
*****
They had the rehearsal dinner at David’s parents’ home. Sally had offered to do the dinner because she wanted to play her pa
rt in their wedding. It was Thursday night at eight p.m. and apart from her and her father, Pastor Phillips, Callie and her husband Paul was going to be there as well as David’s best man; Bradford Miller.
She was spending the night at David’s house after so she had dressed from there and they had left together. He had told her it was her home too and she was to feel free to redecorate; except his study; he liked it just the way it was.
The dinner was going well. Sally had outdone herself in the catering; offering several dishes and a large strawberry and vanilla cake with their names on it. “I didn’t get to throw you an engagement party so consider this as being one.” She told them with a smile.
“I want to make a toast,” she continued, standing and lifting her glass that was halfway full of the red wine she had provided. “David and Sara’s love affair spanned a number of years. Their love has overcome so many obstacles and has only grown stronger and I am so happy for them. I am not losing my son, I am gaining a beautiful daughter and I want to offer my sincerest blessings and to let them know that our prayers,” she glanced at her husband, “Will always be with them. To the happy couple; cheers.” She lifted her glass in toast and the others followed suit.
There were choruses of cheers all around. A number of toasts followed including her father who said that he always knew they were going to end up together; a love like that could never be over. Sara stared at him for a moment as he sat back down, her expression thoughtful.
Sally took her arms as they were mingling in the living room and took her into the kitchen. “I need help with the dessert, I know it’s your night but I want to say something to you.”
Sara felt a little apprehensive. The relationship between her and Sally was still a little tenuous.
“Oh my dear,” Sally laughed as she took out the cake knife. “Don’t look like that, I have no hang ups where you’re concerned. I actually like you and David would have my head if I say one bad thing against you. No,” she pointed to the cake plates on the counter, “I just want to say I am sorry for attacking you in the store that day. I was wrong and it was me playing interfering mama. I am glad you are in David’s life and I can see he would never be happy with anyone else but you.”
“Thanks Sally,” Sara said grateful. “I hurt him so much before because I was so foolish and I won’t ever do that again. I love him so much.”
“I know dear,” Sally said softly; placing the slices of cake on the plates.
“Is this a private party or can anyone join in?” David’s voice was casual but his eyes searching as he came up behind Sara and pulled her back into his arms.
“Darling, Sara and I were just talking mother to daughter,” Sally told him with a quick smile.
“Yes we were,” Sara angled her head to look up at him and was rewarded with a quick kiss.
“Nothing to worry about, Sara and I are going to get along like a house on fire,” Sally came over and hugged them both. “Very soon we will be talking grandchildren.” With a merry laugh she went back into the living room; leaving David staring down at Sara with amusement.
“Any thoughts?” he asked her teasingly.
“None whatsoever,” she told him firmly.
That night when they went home and were lying in each other’s arms after they had made love, Sara brought it up. “I wish she would come back to him,” she said musingly; trailing a hand over his chest, fiddling with his chest hair. They were both naked; neither of them bothering to put on clothes.
“Who are we talking about?” David asked lazily, running his hand down her back.
“My Mom and Dad,” Sara told him, shivering as his touch sent off shivers down her spine.
“Ah,” David said with a smile. “What brought that on?”
“I have been doing a lot of thinking David and the comment he made tonight about love like that never ending, I think he was referring to their love or rather his love for her.” She raised her head to look down at him.
“So you want to play matchmaker?” he queried with a raised brow.
She shrugged one slim shoulder. “Everybody deserves a second chance, he said that to me and so did you.”
“You’re right,” he nodded. “But sometimes you have to let people deal with that sort of thing for themselves baby; even if they are your parents.”
“I guess you’re right,” Sara sighed, resting her head back on his chest. “It’s just that I hate that he’s going to be alone when I am living here with you, I kind of wished he had someone there with him.”
“You father will manage and who knows what the future holds?” David reassured her. “You say they talk all the time, don’t you?” Sara nodded. “Things have a way of coming full circle. You came back to me didn’t you?” he asked her softly.
She shook her head yes. “Would you have taken me back if I was pregnant with another man’s child?” she asked him quietly.
“I would have loved you if you had ten children,” he told her wryly. “I love you unconditionally Sara and you have to realize that it’s not based on what you did or did not do. I love you and that’s it. Full stop. Period.”
“Dad said the same thing about Mom,” she murmured. “Oh David!” she cried, sliding on top of him. “I am so blessed.”
*****
“This is the last load,” Brad came in, his arms filled with flowers of all different colors; white roses, gardenias and bluebells predominant. David was busy filling orders for several customers so Brad had offered his services as delivery person. “Anything else?”
“Not right now Brad,” Sally told him, her eyes sweeping the huge auditorium. The blue and white balloons were already up all over the room and Callie was busy decorating the podium where the head table was going to be. They had told Sara to go home and soak in a long hot bath as tomorrow was going to a big day for her but she had refused. She had told them if she went home she was just going to go stir crazy and some stupid tradition dictates that she could not see David.
“You cannot fight tradition girl,” Callie warned her. They had been there since nine in the morning and had sent out to get pizza at one and they were still at it. Several church sisters were there as well and the work was going very well. Sara was barely allowed to do anything; which was very frustrating.
With a resigned sigh she decided to go to the store and spend some time with her dad; she was still so concerned about him being at home by himself.
“Okay, you win,” She called out to them as she took up her huge pocket book and slung it over her shoulder. “I am leaving.”
“No going to see David,” Callie called out as she headed for the doorway. Sara made a face at her and went to her car.
*****
“My dear what on earth are you doing here?” her father looked up as the doorbell tinkled. There were a few people milling around and he was standing by the non-fiction section looking at some titles.
“Not even my own father wants me around?” Sara asked in exasperation, going to the office to put down her pocket book.
“I always want to see you,” he told her as soon as she came back out. “But today you’re supposed to be resting and pampering yourself for tomorrow.” He returned her hug.
“Sally, Callie and the others won’t allow me to lift a finger,” she complained and David is busy getting off orders before tomorrow.”
“You’re not supposed to,” he smiled and waved at a woman as she left the store and came and sat beside Sara.
“I guess I am just feeling a little useless,” she told him ruefully.
“Tomorrow will be here before you know it,” he reassured her.
“I know,” she smiled. “Dad what was it like when you and Mom got married?”
Her father looked at her for a moment and then holding up a hand, he went to serve a customer. He came back a few minutes later and by then the store was empty. He was planning to close earlier than usual to go home and get some rest before tomorrow and he had told his customers that he wou
ld be closed tomorrow.
He sat down beside her and folded his hands together, his expression far away. “She had me running around in circles,” he said with a slight smile. “I met her when I was working at the fast food restaurant in town. She came in with a couple of friends and she stood out from among them; even though they were strikingly beautiful girls; Caroline stood out from among them. She radiated beauty and confidence but was very down to earth and approachable.” He paused as if going back in time. “You’re so much like her that it’s uncanny,” he added, turning to look at her. “I was nervous and never got up the courage to talk to her until the fourth time she came in and that time she was alone.”
“Did she shut you down?” Sara asked fascinated.
Deacon Williams laughed softly. “What a way to put it,” he said. “But no she did not and we talked and I asked her out. She did not quite say yes and she did not quite say no; she just said maybe and I kept asking and she kept coming, until she finally said yes and I took her to the movies. The first time I tried to kiss her, she slapped my face and refused to see me for a week.” He laughed and Sara laughed with him.
“We went out for a year before I asked her to marry me, I didn’t feel I was worthy enough to be her husband and I was shocked when she said yes and I was over the moon. I almost killed myself trying to acquire enough money to keep her in style and to give her a wedding I thought she deserved. I always thought she was marrying beneath her and I wanted to make up for that.”
“Dad,” Sara whispered reaching for his hands. “How could you think that?”
“I was an idiot in love and I believed it so much that I had her believing it too.” He told her sadly. “And from the beginning the relationship was unbalanced. I kept trying too hard and I guess I smothered her; I just felt I had to prove myself worthy of her.”
“Oh Dad, you are one of the most beautiful and generous men I know and I am sure Mom thinks that as well; you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”
Marrying My Childhood Sweetheart: A BWWM Christian Romance Page 9