Bridge to Fruition

by Laurie Larsen

  “I’m thrilled to be here. And I appreciate Tessa’s recommendation. Her endorsement of my skills in fashion design is flattering.”

  Ms. Morris and Mr. Henderson dived into a series of questions. Jasmine wasn’t sure if they’d intended it or not, but they came across as Good Cop/Bad Cop. However, the roles kept changing. Sometimes she was friendly, he was rough, then they switched roles. They asked a variety of questions that required her to extract knowledge from her internship last summer, or from her college classwork. She didn’t need to wonder if she’d gotten a relevant Fashion Merchandising education at Cornell, because judging from the variety of questions they asked, she had.

  Then they pulled out paper printouts of her photos and grilled her about different photography choices she’d made, how she’d positioned the models, and why she’d designed the clothes the way she’d chosen to. Jasmine kept up, at least she thought she had. She wanted this job very much. She hoped she was presenting that desire. But if they didn’t hire her, she hoped she could accept that decision and not blame herself for poor performance.

  Finally, the questions filtered to a stop. Ms. Morris and Mr. Henderson looked at each other and nodded. “One more question. Why do you want this job? Why Henderson-Cloy?”

  Jasmine took a breath. “I’d be honored to start my career at Henderson-Cloy. You have a reputation for quality and a diverse offering of fashions. Your designers are top in their field, and I would be thrilled to apprentice under any of them. This is exactly what I want. I want to live in New York and build my career in the field that I’ve trained in. I just need a chance to show you what I can do. And I promise I will work hard.”

  A smile popped out and covered Ms. Morris’ face. She tapped on the stack of photos. “We were impressed by your portfolio.” She gazed over at her partner, then back at Jasmine. “I think I can speak for Mr. Henderson when I say we could use someone with your energy and talent. Give us a week to convene and prioritize our candidates.” She stood and held her hand out to Jasmine. They shook. “Best of luck to you.”

  * * *

  Dax sat in silence in the hotel room. He’d run through his thoughts in his mind over and over during the last two hours. He’d come to a decision, and prayed about it. He knew what he had to say, and he had to let the consequences fall as they may. Even if the worst happened, and he lost Jasmine for good.

  She entered the room and tossed her purse on the bed, stepping out of her heeled shoes. Her beauty reached out and grabbed him and his body reacted in a way that made him remember their night of chaste passion. But he couldn’t let their night together impact what he felt was right.

  “Hi,” he said and she jumped. Her face beamed with happiness at the sight of him.

  “Hi,” she breathed and rushed over to him. He rose to his feet and she took his cheeks in her hands and moved in for a kiss. He closed his eyes and absorbed her. She pulled back. “I did it.”

  “You got the job?”

  “Well, no,” she laughed. “I got through the interview. First things first.”

  He smiled and they sat together on the couch. “Congratulations. How did it go?”

  She gave him an animated summary of the questions and her answers, and her impressions of the interviewers and the office. They had even taken her on a tour of the offices and the warehouse. She was enamored with the place. He hoped and prayed she would get this opportunity. She seemed to have done well, at least from his perspective. Of course, what did he know about fashion? But he wanted her to get her heart’s desire, and this certainly seemed to be it.

  When her words ran out, she rested happily into the couch and held his hand. It killed him to have to bring up an unpopular topic, but he knew he must. “Jasmine, there’s something I need to say to you.”

  She looked up through her eyelashes at him.

  “You’re way out of control on this Crystal Blair thing.”

  She took in a breath and pushed it out. “I know. I …”

  “No, let me.” He twisted in his seat to face her. “You said you wouldn’t let it distract you from your job search, but that’s exactly what you did. You were late to your interview, and you had to pull yourself back together so you could interview properly.”

  “I prayed to God for strength in my interview.”

  “Well, it’s good you called on Him for help, but you never should’ve put yourself in this position. You are single-mindedly obsessed on this woman, and it’s unhealthy. You need to let it go.”

  She studied him for a moment. “Or what?”

  “Or you’ll never realize the abundance of life that God has planned for you.”

  She frowned, thinking. “Why?”

  “Because this isn’t what He wants for you. This isn’t your battle to fight. This isn’t your treasure to unearth. This is for your mother to decide. You’re trying to have your cake and eat it too.”

  She looked down at her lap. “I’m being selfish.”

  “Yes. At the risk of hurting your mother and her mother. Let it go, baby.”

  “It’s hard for me to let things go.”

  He let out a laugh. “Yeah, I get that. At first I thought you were greedy. You’re so used to things going your way, that you want everything. But what you said about that verse in Matthew made sense to me. God wants us to live in abundance, and we need to have faith enough to reach for it.”

  She nodded. “But not this.”

  “Not this. Give this back to your mother and let her decide what to do with it.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  (Two weeks later …)

  Jasmine couldn’t help but let out a squeal as they drove across the bridge that led from Myrtle Beach to Pawleys Island. Dax reached over from the driver’s seat and squeezed her hand, then raised them both through the open sunroof of the car. Maybe she’d start a savings account for a convertible. How awesome would it be to make her entrance to Pawleys with her and her handsome boyfriend’s hair blowing in the wind.

  They maneuvered the familiar route to The Old Gray Barn. Hank and Leslie were expecting them, but they had no inkling of the good news Jasmine had to share.

  Dax pulled the car underneath the house on stilts and before they could get fully out, Hank and Leslie emerged from the house. Everyone exchanged hugs, handshakes and happy greetings.

  They went to the sunporch facing the ocean, everyone settling into Adirondack rockers. Leslie brought out a tray with a pitcher of iced lemonade and glasses.

  “Oh, Mom! Before we drink that – I have something else we can share.”

  Leslie looked over at her, mid-pour. “Huh?”

  “Hold on just a second!” She winked at Dax, jumped up and dashed out. In her suitcase, she found the carefully wrapped bottle of bubbly she’d bought expressly to make her announcement, along with four plastic champagne glasses. She carried them back to the porch.

  “Dax, will you do the honors?” She handed him the bottle and he started work on removing the cork.

  “Jasmine,” Leslie said slowly. “What are you …?”

  A loud pop made them all jump and Jasmine quickly filled the glasses, handed them out. “We have reason to celebrate. I nailed my interview! Henderson-Cloy just made me a job offer!”

  A wall of congratulatory sound arose and both Leslie and Hank pulled Jasmine into a hug. “Couldn’t be happier for you, darlin’,” said her stepfather. The look on her mom’s face broadcasted her happiness without any words necessary.

  They settled down in their rockers, and talked excitedly. Although the offer was new, Jasmine had made several preliminary plans. The start date was three weeks away. She’d enjoy her last visit to Pawleys. She and Leslie would head back to New York to hunt for an apartment. She’d be ready to start work when they wanted her.

  “We spent most of the interview talking about my photos and models. In fact, if Dax, Emma or Stella ever wanted to do some freelance modeling work, Henderson-Cloy would be interested in signing them!”

 
; “We’ll have to tell the girls,” Leslie said with a smile.

  “They were very nice to me. Very welcoming. That friend of Roxanne’s – you know, Marianne’s actress – Roxanne’s friend Tessa works for Henderson-Cloy and she put in a good word for me. In fact, I believe it was the personal endorsement that made the difference for me. They knew they wanted me from my photos. I get the impression from Tessa that the job was mine to lose.”

  Dax turned his head and gave her a meaningful expression. She ignored him, but unfortunately her eagle-eye mother notice.

  “What?”

  Jasmine sighed. “I guess it’s safe to tell you now, since I did get the offer. But I almost blew it. The morning of the interview, I ended up going over to your mother’s office.”

  She paused, knowing this choice of words would irritate her mother. She wasn’t disappointed. “Jasmine, I wish you would just drop this craziness! How many times do I have to tell you, …?”

  Jasmine laughed and raised her voice to interrupt her mom’s rampage. “I was that close, Mom, and I just wanted to see her. And I did.”

  That shut her up. “You actually saw her?”

  “Yes, and I spoke to her. Well, sort of. I said her name.”

  Leslie’s mouth opened.

  “But I came to my senses. I wasn’t about to let my fixation on the past ruin my chances for a good future. So I left her there on the streets of New York, jumped in the cab, and raced off to my interview.”

  Leslie was still speechless, but at least she nodded. Jasmine turned toward her and took her hands in her own. “Mom, I’ve decided not to contact … your birth mother. I’m going to leave that to you to decide. It’s your past, not mine. But I did all the legwork for you. I know her name, I know her career, her history, her work address and phone number. And I wrote it all down for you.”

  She dropped her mom’s hands and picked up the big manila envelope she’d brought in and rested on the table. She handed the sealed envelope to her mom. “It’s all there. You decide. Meanwhile, I’m done.” She stepped closer to Dax and sat on his knee. “Because a wise man once told me, what’s past is past. Your past does not define your future. All things are new in Christ Jesus.”

  She looked down at him and he was smiling at her. She kissed him.

  Leslie fingered the thick envelope. She ran her finger over the sealing and then dropped it into her lap. “I think the right thing to do would be to talk to my mom about it. My real mom. The mom who loved me and raised me and made me her own. See if she wants to review these papers together. If she’s comfortable with it, then I probably will be, too.”

  * * *

  Later, Leslie led Jasmine into her bedroom to take a look at some new clothes. Dax and Hank were alone on the sunporch. Dax looked over at him. Hank was the kind of man who loved his family. It was that simple. He worked hard all day with the goal of providing for the ones he loved. He was the kind of man Dax would be lucky to grow closer to.

  “Hank?”

  “Hmmm?” Hank looked over at him and smiled casually.

  “I have something I want to talk to you about.”

  Hank cleared his throat and moved his rocker so he could see Dax a little better. “Sure thing. Shoot.”

  He’d practiced it at least a dozen times in his head. He’d even silently run through it several times in the car with Jasmine right beside him. Now was the time to pull those rehearsed words out. And shoot if he couldn’t remember them.

  “Um.” He looked up at Hank’s eyes, and they crinkled as they relaxed into a calm smile.

  “Tongue tied? I think I might know what this is about.”

  Dax shook his head. He couldn’t possibly know.

  “You’re wondering what will happen to you and Jasmine, now that she’s starting her career in the big city?”

  Well, the man was heading in the right direction, but not exactly. “You’re halfway right. Jasmine’s moving to the big city, true. But I want to end up there, too. Eventually. Not quite yet.” Well, shoot. This wasn’t going well. “I’m sorry. Hold on.” He dug in the pocket of his khaki shorts and pulled out a small velvet box. He flipped it open and showed it to Hank. A small but clear diamond sparkled from its resting spot in the box.

  And Dax decided right then and there that he’d love Hank forever because he got a big, happy smile on his face. And if he looked that happy, then Dax had to bet he’d be supportive. He grappled his courage and went on. “Hank, I love your daughter. Well, your stepdaughter.” He flashed him a smile. “She’s a phenomenal woman. She’s smart and brave and ambitious. I’ve learned so much from her that I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t met her. She’s got a strong faith in God, and I want to be a faithful follower. I think we have a great future ahead of us, and I want to ask for your approval to propose to her tonight.”

  Hank rose, held a hand out for Dax, then pulled him to his feet and into a strong embrace. He patted Dax’s back and when he ended the hug, he had to wipe a few tears from his eyes with his knuckles. “Young man, I couldn’t be happier for you. I give you my approval wholeheartedly. Not that you need it.”

  Dax smiled and shook his hand. “Thank you.”

  “Ahh, but wait. You’re not quite there yet, youngster. You know there are two more parents you need to talk to if you want to get approval from all of us. One of them’s here in this house, but the other one’s about seven hours away.”

  Dax nodded. “I figured I’d start with you. If I needed to adjust my approach, you could give me pointers.”

  Hank laughed. “Nope, put that one on tape and play it back. It was perfect.”

  Leslie and Jasmine returned at that moment. Dax scurried to get the box back in his pocket. Hank looked over at Dax, winked at him and stepped over to Jasmine. “Hey, can I convince my favorite stepdaughter to take a walk with me on the beach?”

  Jasmine wrapped her arm through his. “Of course!”

  Leslie turned and headed for the door. “A walk is a great idea, sweetie.” She was using her big toe to flip off her sandals when Hank looked over her head and gave Dax an exaggerated eyebrow gesture.

  “Actually!” Dax blurted, and both Jasmine and Leslie looked over at him, alarmed. “Leslie, could I get some advice from you? In the kitchen.”

  Jasmine frowned but Leslie went along with him without question.

  * * *

  Late that night, Hank and Leslie had retired and Dax and Jasmine were relaxing in front of the TV in the great room. It had been a happy family day, everyone congratulating her on her new job. Her heart swarmed with excitement for the upcoming adventure. She would be living in New York, working in the fashion industry, designing fashions for Broadway clients. One perk of the job was free tickets to the plays they outfitted. She couldn’t wait. And the fact that Dax would only be a few-hour drive away, instead of a seven-hour drive away, was icing on the cake.

  She stretched the kinked muscles out of her spine and glanced over at Dax. He was messing with his phone. “What are you doing?”

  He looked up at her and stuffed the phone in his pocket. “Nothing.”

  She shrugged and picked up the remote control. “Anything you interested in watching?”

  “No.” He stood. “In fact, let’s go out. Let’s stretch our legs and listen to the ocean waves.”

  “Sure.” She grinned. She adored the fact that in two short visits, he’d fallen in love with the beach just as deeply as she had over her entire life. Just another thing to love about the man.

  They walked to the sunporch, then out the back door. Down the stairs and onto the sand. “Oooh, the sand gets so cold after the sun goes down.”

  He stepped closer and put an arm around her. “I’ll keep you warm,” he said with a laugh. Then, “Do you want to go get a sweatshirt?”

  “Nah, I’m fine.”

  They headed toward the water’s edge, then walked to their left, letting the waves run over their toes and up to their ankles. His arm around her kept the chill of the air a
way, and she wrapped hers around his waist.

  A little distance down, he said, “Okay, let’s stop here.” She faced him and they made a little isolated circle from the wind consisting of just themselves. “I love you, Jasmine.”

  “I love you, too. And I love being able to tell you I love you, because I know you love me, too.” They laughed and shared a warm kiss.

  Dax pulled her a little tighter. “Jasmine, you are the woman I have been looking for my entire life. I believe that you and I were placed here in this time, and this place, specifically for each other. I like to picture God looking down from heaven, smiling because we’ve found each other.”

  Jasmine smiled. “I love that image.”

  “Before I met you I was fearful about love. I was always afraid that I wasn’t good enough, that even if I was lucky enough to find a good woman, that I wouldn’t live up to her level. You helped me get past that. You and I come from about as different pasts as two people can. But being with you has made me a better man. You’ve made me more confident in myself, in my abilities, in my future.”

  She touched his cheek. “You’ve made me a better woman, Dax. I always just breezed through life, never really thinking about consequences. I always tried to be a good person, but I never really scratched too far beneath the surface. You’ve helped me grow up. You’ve helped me see what kind of person I should strive to be. You’ve helped me grow a stronger faith. You’ve helped me pull God more into my daily decisions and life.”

  “Where I’m weak, you’re strong,” he said.

  “And vice versa.”

  “So, being confident in the couple that we are, and the love that we have, I have taken a step toward our future. Our future, Jasmine, you and me.”

  Jasmine froze, her eyes flying to his. But it was so dark out here on the beach that she could barely make out the lovely cocoa-brown eyes that she loved so much. He must’ve read her mind because he held up a finger, said, “Just a moment,” and pulled his phone out again. With one swipe he activated some soft music from his iTunes library. And with another swipe, he turned on his flashlight. His beautiful face was bathed in a bright light while Billy Joel sang Just the Way You Are. He handed her the phone. “Could you hold this?”