“I see.” Joann’s tone turned serious when Elizabeth caved and told her about her plans with Kavan. But she hardly fooled Elizabeth, who could hear the smile in the woman’s reply.
“I don’t even know why I’m doing this,” Elizabeth muttered under her breath, getting up to file a stack of invoices. The idea of canceling appealed to her. Hadn’t she always promised herself she’d avoid romantic entanglements until the end of grad school, maybe longer?
She regretted the agreement with her parents to live and work in White Birch. She felt as if she were losing momentum on the education front. All would be lost if she let her heart fall in love.
She picked up several invoices and slipped them into a folder and shut the file drawer. Back at her desk, she found the phone book in a cubicle on the credenza and looked up Kavan’s number. She dialed and listened as his answering machine picked up.
“Hi, Kavan, it’s me, Elizabeth.” She paused to steady her voice. “I, um, well, I can’t make it tonight. I’m really sorry. I appreciate you asking and all. See you around.”
She hung up.
Some things in life are not to be celebrated.
❧
After resting in God’s peace, Kavan left the covered bridge and headed up I-89 toward the White Mountains and the old White Birch fire tower. Parking at the base of the fire tower, he left his truck and headed over to the tower steps. Carefully he eased his steps around the old rotting boards, placing his feet firmly on the bright clean pine steps.
He examined the tower structure, climbing slowly, leaning heavily on the cane. A lot of work remained to be done. Kavan knew there was no way for this refurbishment project to be overbudget.
At the top of the tower, he pulled out the binoculars and scanned the area.
The panoramic view before him deepened his sense of peace. Nevertheless, something about the ordeal with Travis bugged him. “I don’t know how to fix this, Father. I need Your wisdom.” He continued to release his concerned thoughts to the Lord. After a few minutes, Kavan understood the need to surrender his reputation to the Lord, trusting Him to guard it.
A warm breeze whistled through the broken boards of the fire tower roof. Kavan faced the wind and sighed with contentment. He thought of Elizabeth and reached for his cell phone, dialing the main number for Lambert’s Furniture.
“Elizabeth Lambert, please,” he spoke to the receptionist.
When she answered, his heart thumped.
“Elizabeth, it’s Kavan.”
❧
Sinking into her chair, Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Hi.”
“Pepperoni or cheese?”
“Where are you?”
“Up at the old fire tower.”
“I see.”
“So, what kind of pizza do you like? Pepperoni, cheese, veggie. . . ?”
Absently, she reached for a pencil and doodled on the edge of a piece of paper. “Cheese, I guess.”
“Sounds good. Six-thirty?”
She swallowed. “Six-thirty.”
Why didn’t I just tell him? Now I’ll have to explain my message. A knot tied Elizabeth’s stomach. She was giving this whole event entirely too much mental and emotional energy.
❧
Getting ready that evening, Elizabeth heard her grandma fussing around in the hallway, singing the same tune over and over.
“It’s no big deal, Grandma. Just pizza,” she called.
Grandma peered around the door frame. “Did you say something?”
Elizabeth’s laugh filled the room. “I know you’re hanging around in the hall, waiting for me to come out.”
The older woman stepped into the room, her face lit with a smile. “You look very nice.”
“Thank you.”
“Can I give you some advice?”
Elizabeth pursed her lips and tipped her head to one side. “And if I say no, will that stop you?” She couldn’t keep her serious expression and smiled.
“Doubtful.” Grandma pulled out the desk chair and sat down. “Have fun, Bethy.”
Elizabeth reached for a pair of small, blue diamond earrings. “I just wish everyone wouldn’t make such a big deal about this.”
“Everyone?”
“Everyone,” Elizabeth repeated. “You, Grandpa, Jeff. . . Even Will knows.”
“I mentioned it to him. Sorry.” Grandma got up and stood behind Elizabeth, brushing her hair from her shoulder. “You’ve been so intent in your studies. It’s okay to let go a little and see how the other half lives.”
“Perhaps celebrate?” Elizabeth asked, using Will’s word. She turned and faced Grandma. She was so beautiful with her carefully combed silver hair and steady blue gaze.
“Yes, celebrate.”
“I’ll try not to be too stoical and serious,” Elizabeth consented with a smile.
“That’s my girl,” Grandma said with a hug.
Elizabeth glanced at the clock. She had a few minutes before Kavan would arrive. She checked her E-mail. A half dozen junk E-mails, which she deleted, a couple science E-newsletters, and one personal note from a friend filled her inbox.
Elizabeth, good news! I’ve decided on Ohio State’s nuke engineering program. Have you heard yet? Let me know. It would be great if we ended up in the same program.
Hope you’re having fun in New Hampshire.
Jenna
Despair sank into the pit of Elizabeth’s stomach like a lead weight. No, she hadn’t heard from any schools. Surely, she should have heard something by now. What was it Jenna wrote? Elizabeth reread the E-mail.
I’ve decided on Ohio State’s nuke engineering program.
“She must have had several schools to choose from,” Elizabeth whispered. “But not one school has contacted me.”
Slipping on a pair of black, low-heeled ankle boots, she mentally reviewed the application process, sure she’d met every requirement. She’d carefully prepared for grad school submissions, not wanting to get rejected due to a technicality.
“Beth, what are you doing?” Grandma’s voice startled Elizabeth. “Kavan is waiting.”
Consumed in thought and fighting worry, Elizabeth missed the tenor sound of the doorbell ringing.
Elizabeth buried her head in her hands. “I can’t go!”
Six
Kavan stood in the Lamberts’ sunny living room, angled to one side, propped up by his cane.
Grandpa Matt made small talk and asked about his knee.
“It’s a little sore, but healing nicely. Cane works well.”
“That’s wonderful.” Matt Lambert leaned back in his chair.
Elizabeth seemed to be taking a long time to come down, and he wondered if she’d changed her mind.
“Hi, Kavan. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
He turned at the sound of her voice, unable to suppress his smile. Dressed in a faded pair of jeans and a pullover, he thought she looked perfect.
“No problem.” He hobbled over to her and whispered, “You look absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she whispered back. “Night, Grandpa. Night, Grandma.”
“Good night, folks.” Kavan waved back as he opened the door.
On the drive to Giuseppe’s Pizza, he attempted to start a conversation with Elizabeth, but all his topics fell flat. He could see worry in her blue eyes. The couple remained silent for the rest of the drive and to the front door of the restaurant.
“Table for two,” he told the hostess who greeted them.
Once they were seated and their drink order was taken, he studied Elizabeth’s face for a second, then took the plunge. “What’s bothering you, Elizabeth?”
She sat up a little straighter and her brow furrowed. A slight smile molded her lips. “Didn’t know I was wearing my heart on my sleeve.”
Kavan laughed. “It’s right out there, about to fall off.” He motioned to her arm.
The waitress set two tall glasses of fizzing soda before them. “What’ll you have?” She glanced between Kavan a
nd Elizabeth.
“I think we need a few more minutes,” Kavan said after making eye contact with Elizabeth. He felt certain she had not considered what she wanted to eat.
“I’m sorry, Kavan. I. . .uh—”
“Hey, Elizabeth,” Kavan interrupted, “let’s order, then we can talk about it over pizza.”
The way she smiled made his insides shiver. They agreed to order a large supreme pizza with no olives. The waitress chewed a big wad of gum and blew a giant bubble before asking, “Is that all?”
As she walked away, cracking her gum, Kavan and Elizabeth shared a laugh. “I’ll be sure to leave her a big tip.” Kavan sipped his soda.
“Do that. I needed a good laugh.” Elizabeth swirled her straw in her glass.
“What’s on your mind, Lambert?” Kavan settled back, prepared to listen.
“I read an E-mail from a friend just before you came to pick me up. She’s already decided on a grad program, and I have yet to hear from any of the five schools I applied to.”
“It’s really important to you, isn’t it?”
Elizabeth nodded, and her chin jutted out in determination. “Very. It’s what I’ve planned to do since I was a teenager. The nuclear engineering field is wide open right now, especially for women.”
“A lot of money in engineering.”
Elizabeth agreed. “Most of my friends are satisfied with their bachelor’s and are not going for their master’s. I, however, refuse to go the traditional route because some biological clock tells me it’s time for marriage and kids. I’m not falling for that old routine.”
Kavan didn’t miss the edge in her voice, her unspoken resolution to go against the grain. He idly fiddled with his fork and said, “Sounds like you have your life planned out.”
Elizabeth gazed out of the window by their booth, a grin accenting her pretty face. “My dad used to tell me I could do anything I set my mind to. He helped me set goals. So far, I’ve achieved them all.”
No goals for marriage and family, Kavan noted. He repositioned himself in the seat, poised to ask her about her future family plans when the waitress returned to refill their drinks. She plopped a basket of garlic knots onto the table. “Your pizza will be out in a few minutes.”
Elizabeth reached for a knot and placed it on her plate. “Obtaining my master’s degree is my next major achievement.” She looked up at him. “Can’t ruin my perfect record.”
“No, I guess not.” Kavan reached for a garlic knot. Funny how the thing he admired most about Elizabeth was the very thing that would keep them apart. “I remember waiting to find out about grad school—”
“You went to grad school?” Elizabeth’s eyes were wide with surprise.
“Uh-huh. University of Maine.”
“I didn’t know one could get an advanced degree in your field.”
Kavan looked at her, astounded. “Well, forestry is—”
Her soft laugh interrupted him. “I’m just kidding, Kavan.”
He laughed. “You had me there for a minute.” He took another swig of his soda.
“I should warn you about my weird sense of humor.”
The waitress returned with a large pizza pie. “Here ya go.” She set down two white plates and slipped a large slice on each one.
Kavan thanked her and returned his attention to Elizabeth. “I actually got my master’s degree in math.” He bit into his slice of pizza.
Across the table, Elizabeth gaped at him. “Really?”
Kavan reached for his napkin and wiped his mouth. “I like math and actually thought teaching would be a good backup career.”
“Name your favorite math course.” Elizabeth propped one elbow on the table and reached for her pizza slice.
“Diffy Q.”
Elizabeth made a face. “Differential equations? No way! I hated Diffy Q. Give me advanced dynamics or any physics course over Diffy Q or calc three.”
“Advanced dynamics! Are you kidding me?” Kavan countered. “I attempted some of those courses as an undergrad and realized life was just too short.”
Like alto chimes, Elizabeth’s laugh filled the air. “I love anything to do with physics, figuring out how things work and why. I actually love robotics. The math, for me, is a means to an end.”
Kavan responded, arguing the beauties of mathematics and with almost no effort, their conversation took flight, gliding gently on the wind of words.
❧
Elizabeth picked up a third big slice of pizza. “Giuseppe’s has the best pie.”
Kavan agreed. “I loved coming here as a kid.”
“You did?” Elizabeth regarded him. The news of his mathematics master’s degree put him in a new light. She didn’t deny it—she was impressed. With little effort, she found she liked him and appreciated his comfortable company. “What’s your favorite childhood memory?”
Kavan paused. The glimmer in his eyes seemed to dim. “Probably coming here. Or winter Sundays at your grandparents’ house.”
“I see.”
Clearing his throat, Kavan confessed, “I came along a little later in life than my parents anticipated.”
Elizabeth leaned over her plate, poised for another bite of pizza. “Is that a bad thing?” She pulled a melted strand of cheese from her chin.
Kavan hesitated before answering. “Not necessarily.” He took a long, slow sip of soda.
“Listen, Kavan, you don’t have to talk about it if it’s too personal.”
He played with his fork again, tapping it on the table. “I don’t mind, really. Most people in town know about my parents. They are good people, but they liked to travel.”
“They didn’t take you with them?”
“No. Every woman in town over the age of sixteen baby-sat me at one time or another.” Kavan made a comical face, causing Elizabeth to chuckle.
“That’s amazing.”
“Your grandparents’ place was my favorite. They always made me feel like a part of the family.”
“That’s how you and Jeff became friends?”
“Yep.”
“In the course of things, he saved your life?”
Kavan jabbed his straw into the melting ice of his empty glass, a sly grin spreading across his face. “I’m not sure I remember all the details.”
“Ah, don’t keep me in suspense.” Elizabeth moaned, tipping her head to one side. “Don’t you know curiosity killed that cat? Think what it will do to an inquisitive electrical engineer like me.”
A laugh rumbled from the ranger. “I’m telling you, I can’t remember.”
“Oh, sure.” She put on her best pout.
“Tell you what, give me a few days, and I’ll see if I can remember.”
“Deal.”
Silence dropped over them like a thin veil. Elizabeth relaxed and thought the lull necessary. Like exhaling after holding her breath.
“Didn’t I hear you had a brother?” she said absently.
Kavan nodded. “He’s twelve years older than I.”
“So, you were like an only child.”
Kavan nodded. “Only and lonely.”
The inflection in his voice moved Elizabeth. It resonated with a sad, yet resolute tone. Obvious to her, Kavan did not crave sympathy. It seemed he’d come to terms with the condition of his childhood.
“Where are your parents now?”
“Europe. Paris in spring is my mother’s favorite. They’ll return to the States sometime this summer. They go to Florida a lot.” He smiled.
To herself, Elizabeth resolved to appreciate her family more. She’d spent most of her teen years running here and there, desperate to grow up, hungry for independence.
“What about your family?” Kavan’s rich voice interrupted her thoughts.
She grinned. “I was just thinking of them and how I didn’t appreciate them enough.”
“I see. Take it from me, appreciate them.”
Resting her folded arms on the table, Elizabeth looked Kavan in the eyes and confes
sed, “White Birch is a difficult place for me. There’s a Lambert, or so it seems, under every rock, around every corner.”
Kavan laughed outright.
Elizabeth slapped her hand lightly on the table. “It’s not funny.”
He chided her. “Oh, come on. It is funny. You can’t seriously be offended at your caring, giving family.”
“They’re meddlers, getting in everyone’s business.”
“Like Jeff trying to help you with your car.”
“Exactly.” She pointed her finger at him.
He raised his hands in surrender. “All I can say is, learn to love it. There’s no greater feeling in the world than family.”
The waitress returned, still snapping her gum. “Refill on your drinks?”
“Please,” Kavan answered for both of them. He leaned toward Elizabeth, cocked his head to one side, and raised his right eyebrow. “Dessert? They make a great torte.”
Before Elizabeth could answer, the waitress said, “I’ll bring a dessert menu.” Popping her gum, she turned away.
The two laughed again. “Really, Kavan, big tip for her. She’s hilarious.”
He grew serious. “I’m having a good time.”
Elizabeth stared at her empty plate, somewhat unnerved by his forthright confession. “This place is a great,” she said after a moment, forcing herself to look up and into his eyes.
The waitress returned, and they ordered dessert: one chocolate torte with two forks. After that, the conversation drifted back to family matters. Kavan took another stab at trying to get her to see the value of a close family. She understood, but argued that too much closeness can turn into interference.
“I guess we have to agree to disagree,” he finally said, shoving the dessert plate toward Elizabeth. “You have the last bite.”
“It’s a matter of perspective, Kavan,” Elizabeth started, spearing the last morsel of torte. “You want what you never had: a close family. I want to be on my own, living my own life. Grad school is the last key to unlocking that door.”
“Can’t argue with you there, Elizabeth. But I don’t think God meant us to do it all on our own. Independence can be a dangerous thing.”
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