“She wasn’t,” Marc replied dryly. “She was making a different type of proposal.”
Ryan looked blank for a moment and then his face turned fire-engine red. “I didn’t think she was that type of a girl.”
“I didn’t think so either.”
Silence fell. Marc shifted uncomfortably.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened,” Ryan said quietly.
“I know, but you’re my accountability partner.” Marc took a deep breath and plunged in. “I thought it was safe to kiss Molly, but I was wrong. One moment we were kissing on her porch, and the next, she was dragging me inside. When I realized what was happening, I told her that regardless of my reputation, I wasn’t sleeping with any woman unless I was married to her.”
“What’d she say?”
“She didn’t say anything, she just laughed at me.”
Ryan grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
“I deserved her skepticism. My past isn’t spotless, and it keeps rising up to haunt me.”
“Give it time. You’ve only been walking the straight-and-narrow for a few months.”
Marc sighed. “And every day’s been a challenge. You don’t know how close I came to giving in to her.”
“She kept pressuring you?”
He nodded. “She whispered that a woman you could touch was far more fun than a God you couldn’t see. When I backed away, I tripped over a chair and fell flat. By the time I’d gotten to my feet, she had her blouse off.”
Ryan blinked. “Talk about temptation.”
“You aren’t joking. Getting out of that house without sleeping with her was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Marc swallowed. “When I was living apart from Christ, I used to pride myself that I wasn’t living in a way that’d become addictive. I avoided too much alcohol and refused party drugs, but I never imagined that a woman’s touch could be as addicting as any chemical.” Marc cracked his knuckles. “I wanted Molly. I wanted her badly.”
“What stopped you?” Ryan asked quietly.
“When she slid off her skirt, I had a vision of myself spitting in Christ’s face. I knew if I slept with her I’d be shaking my fist at God. I just couldn’t do it.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“I’d be prouder of myself if I hadn’t been so close to caving in.”
“You got outta there,” Ryan said, thumping his shoulder. “That’s what counts.”
“I did get out, but not gracefully. When she started unbuttoning my shirt, I ran for the door. I knew if she kept touching me, I was gonna be sunk. I felt like an idiot running away like that, but I didn’t dare stick around.”
“Don’t feel foolish. You did exactly what Paul advised in 1 Corinthians 6:18. Although flee fornication was probably meant to be taken figuratively, a literal interpretation works too.”
“I literally fled all right. Oh, how I fled!”
“How’d she take it?”
“She threw a flowerpot at my head, does that give you any clue?”
Seeing the way Ryan was staring at his black eye, Marc chuckled. “Molly isn’t the one who gave me this—not that she didn’t want to.”
* * *
As Gil smiled at William, Sue said to her, “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
“Don’t try,” Gil ruefully replied. “I did so many things wrong that I’m convinced God stepped in and straightened them out. I thought Danny would be in the clear when we threw away the kitchen butcher knife. When I saw Rick’s butcher knife, I felt so stupid that I wanted to beat myself up. Unfortunately, Rick beat me to it.”
Seeing William shudder and turn pale, Gil squeezed his hand. “So, did we get him?”
“Not yet,” William replied. “But Nathan says the police are closing the net. Rick’s been leaving quite a trail. He ransacked Danny’s school, then Sam’s house, then Nathan’s.”
“Not Sue’s?” As William hesitated, Gil’s eyes narrowed. “What aren’t you telling me?”
William sighed. “I didn’t want to tell you yet, but Rick burned down Sue’s house.”
Gil gave a dismayed gasp.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Sue said quickly. “I brought my most precious possessions with me. Nothing was destroyed that can’t be replaced.”
“I don’t care a bit about the house,” Danny said, leaning against her pillow. “Mom and I are gonna live with Mr. Jacobson. He called the night of the fire to invite us. Mom says we’ll only stay until we get our feet under us, but I hope we live there forever. I like Sam’s family.”
As Gil smiled and started to reply, Twinkles came bustling into the room. “That’s enough talking for now. Gil needs another nap.”
William squeezed Gil’s hand and followed the others out of the room.
Twinkles pulled down the shades and murmured, “Go to sleep, dear. Everything’s fine. Everyone’s safe. You have nothing to worry about.”
Deciding that the advice sounded perfect, Gil yawned and closed her eyes.
* * *
“So it’s over between you and Molly?” Ryan asked, as they cut across the grass.
Marc grimaced. “For me it is…for her, not so much. I told her we’re through, but she showed up at my door to renew her offer. When she kept insisting it wouldn’t matter if we slept together, I told her that according to Hebrews 10:26-29 there’s a big difference between an accidental slipup and a willful sin.” Marc started to blush. “I hoped she’d get the point, but she just grabbed my rear and said sex isn’t sinful—it’s natural.”
Ryan gave a bark of laughter. “How do you like being on this side of the fence?”
“The irony isn’t lost on me,” Marc replied, tugging his collar. “When I told her sex belongs within the bonds of marriage, she called me a stuffed shirt.”
Ryan’s lips twitched. “Seems to me that when we had the same talk, you called me a prudish holy roller who didn’t know how to have fun.”
“I remember. I also remember how close you came to getting my coffee tossed in your face.” Marc cracked his knuckles and sighed. “Molly says anyone with a reputation like mine won’t reject her forever...I’m starting to wonder if she’s right.”
“She isn’t,” Ryan said firmly. “You’re stronger than you—”
Marc’s cell phone rang. As Marc took it out of his pocket and looked at the number, he winced. “It’s her again. She keeps calling.”
“Don’t pick up. You can’t say anything you haven’t already said.”
As the phone rang again, Marc asked, “Shouldn’t I try to convince her to live for God? You didn’t give up on me when I had questions.”
“That’s because you weren’t trying to sleep with me,” Ryan replied. “We’ll ask Kailee to invite her to church. You need to stay away. Remember Delilah and Potiphar’s wife. Sometimes, the best way to handle a woman like Molly is to sever all ties before she destroys you.”
Letting the call go to voicemail, Marc gave Ryan a shaky grin. “You’re probably right. It just makes me feel like a coward to keep running from her.”
“It’s not cowardly, it’s self-preservation.”
Silence fell.
“Actually,” Marc said uncomfortably, “Molly’s the reason I wanted to go to a movie with you tonight. I know she’ll be waiting at my apartment when I get home.” His voice lowered self-consciously. “And it’s getting harder to refuse her. I had a dream about her last night.” Marc’s voice cracked. “It’s been torture, and what makes it worse is I know I’m being an idiot. She isn’t hurt that I won’t sleep with her—she’s peeved. She’s not interested in a relationship anymore. She just wants me to break my purity vow. If I sleep with her, I’m gonna be a sinner and a fool.”
“Well, you’re not going to be available to her,” Ryan said firmly. “I’m cancelling on Kailee, and we’re going to that movie. Afterwards, you’re coming to my place. In fact, you’re temporarily moving in with me. My kitchen needs remodeling, and there’s nothing like
cold showers and hard work. By the time we’ve finish installing my kitchen cupboards, Molly will have moved on to someone else.”
“And if she hasn’t?” Marc asked as they reached the parking lot.
“Then how would you feel about participating in an Adam’s family reunion in California?”
Marc grinned. “Will Gomez and Morticia be there?”
“Sure. Cousin It and Pugsley too.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
“Don’t mention it,” Ryan said, pulling out his car keys. “You’d do the same for me. None of us are above temptation, especially that kind.”
Marc’s phone rang.
“Give it here,” Ryan said, taking Marc’s cell and turning it off. “You can use my phone for the next several days, and I’ll use yours.”
* * *
Feeling a bristle brush on her face, Gil awoke to find William kissing her forehead. She felt like swatting his scratchy beard away, but she liked William enough to let it stay. Besides, his lips were warm and tender, and he was murmuring lovely things in her ear. She began to smile and then giggle.
“Gil,” William murmured tenderly, “are you awake?”
“Awake enough to realize you should’ve been a poet rather than a professor,” she said with heightened color.
William ran a gentle finger down her cheek. “You inspire me.”
“Really?” she said, looking up anxiously. “Are you sure? Am I an ugly fright now?”
“You’re just as lovely as ever, you vain little peacock.”
“What about my nose?” she asked. “Did you go to bat for me? Did they fix it?”
“We’ve entered you in the next beauty pageant.”
“Good,” Gil sighed, snuggling down on her pillow. “It’d be a shame if years of using green goo went to waste.”
“What about the purple goo?” William asked with a laugh.
“How’d you know about that?”
“I also know about the blue gunk you smear on your eyebrows,” he said with a twinkle.
Gil thought about tossing her pillow at him but decided it’d take too much energy.
William’s smile turned serious. “Honestly, how are you? Are you okay?”
Squeezing his hand, she answered truthfully, “I’m sore as the blazes, but I’m feeling stronger.”
“What can I do to make it better?” he asked, gently stroking her hair.
“I’m starving,” she replied. “I could eat the hide off an elephant without using salt or pepper.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” William chuckled. “I have a TEMCO bar right here.”
Making a face, Gil pushed his hand away. “You awful man! No kitty-litter bars. I want Sue’s pancakes. The smell of them drove me crazy at Danny’s house.”
“How about lime gelatin and a side of broth instead?”
“Just try it, mister! Poppa’s cleared me for solid food, and I want pancakes!”
“Okay.” William laughed. “Pancakes it is. Anything else?”
“Don’t stint on the syrup. I want ’em drowning in maple syrup. And butter. Lots of butter. And peanut butter. And powdered sugar. And a big glass of ice-cold milk. And that cupcake Danny’s been saving for me.”
“Anything else?” he asked, bending down and kissing her forehead.
“Yes! For pity sake, shave off that horrible beard!”
* * *
Later that night, as he and Marc stood in line at the movie theater, Ryan shuffle-stepped forward and asked, “What job did the director assign you?”
Marc groaned. “I’ve been stuck in the archives with Crystal. I don’t know which is worse—the assignment or the company of the campus klutz.”
Ryan’s lips tightened. “You shouldn’t make fun of her.”
“Why not? She brings it on herself.”
“That doesn’t matter. Gossiping about someone’s shortcomings is just as sinful as sleeping around.”
“For Pete’s sake,” Marc grumbled, “just look at my eye! Crystal dropped a box on my face. I’ve never met a more awkward, frumpy—”
“You’re being cruel,” Ryan said harshly, “and I don’t appreciate it.”
“And I don’t appreciate having a busted face! She’s a menace! She’s—”
“I don’t want to hear it! God doesn’t make a distinction between sins. If you’re gonna commit yourself to Him, you need to watch your mouth as much as your zipper.”
Marc rolled his eyes. “You sound like you’re in love with her.”
The muscle in Ryan’s jaw worked overtime.
Marc gasped. “Are you?”
Ignoring him, Ryan pushed some bills across the counter. As he accepted his ticket and moved aside, Marc said reproachfully, “I told you about Molly.”
“Look, it wouldn’t matter if I was in love with Cris. She doesn’t see me that way. Drop it, will you? I don’t want to talk about it. And definitely not with you!”
Marc purchased his ticket in silence and then said dryly, “I can see why you avoid the topic. Crystal’s about as alluring as a hairball. You’d be nuts to be attracted to her.”
Ryan ground his teeth. “You’re blind as Samuel, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If it’d been up to him, Samuel would’ve anointed David’s brother, Eliab, as king. But God told Samuel it’s more important to look at someone’s heart rather than their appearance.” Handing his ticket to the usher, Ryan said gruffly, “And for your information, Crystal has a beautiful heart.”
“As opposed to a beautiful face?”
“Her face is beautiful too—if you look at it.”
“If you like her so much, why don’t you ask her out?” Marc asked.
“Don’t you think I’ve tried?” Ryan replied explosively.
“She turned you down?”
“She was clueless that I even asked.”
“But what if you’d—”
“Forget it,” Ryan grumbled. “Whatever you’re suggesting, it wouldn’t work.”
“How can you tell? Maybe if—”
“Look, I’ve prayed about a relationship with Crystal, and I’ve received an answer. Cris isn’t the woman God wants for me, but the man who wins her will be blessed indeed. She’s a fascinating woman. You shouldn’t make fun of her, you’d be lucky to have her as a friend.”
“I don’t think that’s an option,” Marc said. “After the box incident, I told her to keep away and now she won’t talk to me.”
Ryan gave a sharp laugh. “I’ll bet that’s a new experience for you.”
Marc narrowed his eyes. “I’m not worried. She’ll come around eventually.”
Ryan shook his head. “Once Cris makes up her mind, she sticks to it. It’s all or nothing with her. If she’s determined to ignore you, you haven’t got a shot.”
“Wanna make a bet?” Marc asked as they found their seats.
“It’s no fun to gamble when there’s no risk involved. If Crystal’s determined to cut you out of her life—you’re out.”
“And you’re in?”
“I haven’t a shot with her either, and I know it.” As the lights began to dim, Ryan turned to Marc and said grimly, “For the good of our friendship drop it, okay?”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Before breakfast the following day, Sam and Sue took cups of coffee and went outside to watch the sunrise. As they settled into the garden glider, Sam wrapped his arm around Sue’s shoulders, being careful of her bruises. They slowly glided back and forth, sipping coffee and watching the clouds turning from red to gold as the rosy morning light kissed the treetops.
“Sue,” Sam said gently as she snuggled back against him, “please tell me about Bill.”
“What do you want to know?” she asked quietly.
“Whatever you’re willing to share.”
Sue took a sip of coffee. “Bill was my first love. We were high school sweethearts, and we got married right after graduation. Billy was a foster
kid. He never had a real home life, so he wanted to make the best home he could with me—and he did.”
“You were happy?”
“Very.” Sue took another sip of coffee. “Bill worked at the plant outside of town while I made our little house as cozy as possible. We didn’t have much money, so I did my decorating with glue and a sewing needle.” She laughed. “Our end tables were wooden crates covered with material. Billy thought they were lovely. Every month, we’d save up and buy something for the house. He’d get more excited over buying a spatula than most men would get over buying a sports car. Billy thought it was a grand adventure to set up housekeeping…”
As her voice trailed away, Sam prompted gently, “Go on.”
“Our main outings were to church and choir practice.” She turned and smiled at him. “I can’t sing—I was just a warm body to fill the choir loft—but Billy had a marvelous voice. He led the Sunday worship service. I was awfully proud of him.”
“He sounds like a wonderful man.”
“He was. When Danny came, Billy was over the moon. He read every book on parenting he could get his hands on. I think he got more mileage out of my pregnancy than I did. He actually swore he got food cravings. In the middle of the night, I’d wake up and catch him feasting on peanut butter and pickled beet sandwiches. I can still see him eating by the light of the nightlight—his hair all tousled and his eyes twinkling when he caught me watching from the bedroom doorway. He’d motion for me to join him, and I’d sit on his lap and snuggle down against him. As he munched away, I’d listen to his heartbeat and the sound of the kitchen clock ticking away. I’ve never felt safer than I did wrapped in his arms.”
“It sounds as if your house was full of love.”
“It was, and we couldn’t wait until Danny was born to add to that love.” Her smile faded. “My pregnancy went well, but there were complications with the delivery. Although Danny was fine, my doctor told me I’d never have another baby.”
Sam’s heart lurched. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Sue was silent for a moment. “I had to keep down for a while, so Bill took care of the baby. He loved doing it. He didn’t even mind changing diapers. I was just starting to hobble around when my mother got sick. She moved in with us and died two months later.”
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