The Valentine Verse: A Contemporary Christian Romance

by JoAnn Durgin

  “You’d hoped to find someone like Vara, but now that you have…”

  “I’m not sure what to do about it,” Thornton finished. “We haven’t known each all that long, but that’s not really an issue for either one of us.”

  “Good.” Sam smiled. “It’s my belief that when it comes to love, time is irrelevant. If we keep our hearts and minds open, love can come at any time. That applies to every relationship in our lives. When a man holds his child for the first time, there’s an immediate bond and a love like none other. Especially for a believer, when we meet the person God has for us—whether we consciously acknowledge it or not—we know. The problem is that a lot of people choose to ignore the nudges from the Holy Spirit, and they try to forge their own way instead of seeking God’s plan or God’s best for them.

  “But especially as we join together with the person God has for us, that love should continue to grow over time. Relationships of any kinds aren’t easy, but when we keep Jesus Christ at the center, it can blossom into something of rare and exquisite beauty. It’s not easy, but God never intended it to be easy. I think you’ll find that the best things in life are the ones worth fighting for and holding onto.”

  Thornton nodded slowly. “I’m already learning those lessons, Sam. I’ve thought about what I can offer Vara. Stability? Check. A nice home. Check. Hopefully children down the road, although we should probably get a puppy first.” He was getting off-track. “Before I left on this trip, Vara called my bluff. She claimed that I’ve used traveling as an excuse in the past. Her theory is that my Happy Wanderer lifestyle, as she calls it, has been my subconscious way of avoiding a romantic relationship.”

  “That’s quite an assessment. Is she right?” Sam took another drink of his smoothie.

  Thornton blinked and stared absently at a young mother with her child at a nearby table. This guy got right to the point, a quality he could appreciate. “In the past, that was true, yes. I didn’t think it was, but now that I’ve been gone a few weeks, I can see that she’s right. It wasn’t anything I purposely thought about, but traveling and only staying in one place for a certain length of time provided a type of security net, I suppose.”

  He scrubbed a hand over his face. “The difference was that I hadn’t met Vara. I had to go home in order to find my home.”

  Sam chuckled. “Trust me, I know how finding the right woman makes all the difference. The woman God intends for you. It sounds like Vara is a wise woman who’s not afraid to speak her mind, but it’s also to your credit that you can admit your shortcomings. Either way, that’s a very important step to communication and compromise. I think you’ll do fine.”

  “Do you have any more advice?”

  Sam considered his question for a moment. “For one thing, I’ve learned that women have a very good handle on these things. My mother, younger sister, and especially my wife have reinforced that in my mind on more occasions than I can count. From what you’ve said, it sounds like you’re making this an either/or situation, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

  “If you and Vara both want this relationship to work long-term, there’s almost always a solution or a compromise. However, it’s not always an obvious one. My advice is to keep praying both independently and together as a couple, seek God’s will, and then listen for His answer. It might not come right away, and it might not be the one you expect, but He’ll let you know.”

  “As long as it doesn’t take Him like 20 years to answer.” Thornton held up one hand. “No lectures about patience being a virtue, please.”

  Sam’s smile lines surfaced. “I’m guilty in that area, too. It might take Him a while, but another piece of advice is not to rush Him. Trust, Thornton. Pray and then trust the Lord to work it out. He holds your best interests at heart, and He’s the master of details.”

  “I know.” Thornton blew out his sigh. “I’ve said that same thing to others, but somehow it’s harder when it’s my own life, you know?”

  “I do, but when we can take the focus off self and focus on God, things have a way of becoming a whole lot clearer.”

  “Wise words. I know one thing,” Thornton said. “I don’t want to die an old man alone with dogs in a house with flying machines suspended from the ceiling.” When Sam’s brows arched, he hastened to explain. “I have replicas of my prototypes and static scale models hanging from the ceiling in the house—helicopters, planes, hot air balloon, a drone, even a rocket.”

  “Is that a fact?” Something sparked in Sam’s eyes. Maybe he was like most men in that his interest was perked by flying machines. After all, most guys were little boys when it came to things like that.

  “It’s fact,” Thornton said.

  “Are you an independent contractor or do you work for one employer?”

  “Independent. I used to work for Lockheed Martin.”

  “Aeronautics degree?”

  “Mechanical engineering. University of Michigan, both graduate and undergraduate.”

  Sam appeared deep in thought. If it were possible to see the wheels in a man’s mind turning, Sam’s were churning full-speed ahead. “So, is it a mandatory stipulation from your clients that you stay away from home the entire time you’re making the prototypes?”

  “At the beginning of a project, it is, since it’s easier to be on-site to ask questions or meet with the masterminds and designers.”

  “And that’s not something that could be accomplished via teleconference, a Skype session or any other form of communication?”

  Thornton frowned. “You make a valid point, but up until this point, it’s been the wishes of my client that I be on-site either because of the confidential nature of the project or for immediate access.”

  “I see. Your work sounds fascinating, Thornton. Well, I need to let you go, and I’m off to buy some yellow roses.”

  Pushing back the chair and rising to his feet, Sam repositioned the Stetson and ran his finger around the front brim. He gathered his cup as well as Thornton’s sandwich wrapper and tossed them with dead aim into the closest trash can.

  Thornton unfolded from his chair. “I want to be like you when I grow up.” He felt like a child compared to this giant of a man, not only in terms of physical stature. “What store do you shop at to get your brand of wisdom? And all that height?”

  That made Sam laugh again. “It’s genetics for the height. As far as wisdom, hold fast to God’s word in the Scriptures and keep an open ear, mind, and heart. A lot of people never stop long enough to listen. Or, if they do, they don’t want to hear much less do what they know God is telling them. But for those who do listen, the rewards can be great, my friend. It was an honor to meet you, Thornton. My best to you and Vara.”

  Putting one hand on Thornton’s shoulder, Sam bowed his head. “Lord, watch over Thornton and Vara as they look to you for direction and the future of their relationship. I ask that you bless their lives and give them your grace and wisdom to make wise decisions. Thank you for the opportunity to make new friends in your perfect timing. I ask these things in the matchless name of your son, Jesus. Amen.”

  “Amen.” Thornton cleared the emotion clogging his throat, touched by this man who’d taken the time to openly pray with him in the busy Houston airport. “Thank you, Sam. I sincerely appreciate your time and the words of wisdom. I won’t ever forget it.”

  “That’s what I’m here for. I’ll be praying for you, Thornton. Drop me a line sometime.” Sam tipped his hat. “Until we meet again.”

  Thornton stood, transfixed, watching until the other man was out of view. What an awesome guy. He didn’t even know Sam’s last name, but he knew if the Lord wanted him to meet up with Sam again, He’d handle the arrangements. Houston must have been Sam’s destination since everything about him indicated he was a native Texan. Yet Sam had taken the time to sit and share time with him when he had a wife waiting at home for him.

  As he prepared to leave, Thornton spied a hardback book on the table. Where had that come from
? He returned his briefcase to the floor and picked up the book. Seven Rules of Marriage: A Husband’s Guide to Loving Your Spouse. His eyes widened as he read the blurb on the front. An invaluable resource for men in leading godly lives before and after you say I do. The endorsement was from Joshua Grant. Whoa. Mr. Grant was an important bigwig here in Texas. Seemed his new friend, Sam, had friends in high places and was no doubt well-known in his own right.

  Thornton noted it was the seventh printing of the book since its original publication in May 2003. Thumbing through the book, he caught sight of something written in the front.

  For Thornton—

  Carry on, my friend.

  Until His Nets Are Full,

  Sam

  ~Matthew 5:16

  When had Sam taken the time to sign the book to him? Was he some kind of angel sent specifically to give him godly counsel in the Houston airport? No, but Thornton didn’t doubt for one second that God had orchestrated their meeting.

  Flipping the book over, Thornton chuckled when he glimpsed his new friend’s photo on the back cover. The short author bio gave him more insight—wife, Lexa, several children, and yes, he lived in Houston and served as the Domestic Missions Director for a worldwide Christian volunteer organization called TeamWork Missions. When he thumbed through the book, a card in the middle fell out. Sam’s business card for TeamWork Missions.

  Thornton tucked the card in his coat pocket.

  “That’s a great book,” a man sitting nearby called to him. “Pay attention to those rules and you can’t go wrong, man.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.” Thornton smiled as he headed toward the gate. He’d been given a special gift. He’d use his time wisely on the almost three-hour flight home. He couldn’t wait to read about Sam’s seven rules. He might learn something.

  Thornton’s phone rang as he waited in line to board his flight. He checked the display. Vara. He connected the call. “How’s my most beautiful girl in the world?”

  “Waiting in Minneapolis for the love of her life. Come home to me, Mr. Fielding.”

  “As soon as I’m able, sweetheart.” Noting the guy standing next to him in line was listening in on the conversation—kind of hard not to do, really—Thornton turned aside and lowered his voice. “How are things?”

  “Well, they’re fine, but that’s one reason I’m calling.”

  “Is something wrong?” Vara didn’t sound alarmed.

  “Charlotte and Rosalinda came to the hospital today for a follow-up visit.”

  “Ah, fun! How was it?”

  “She’s doing great, Thornton. Charlotte’s almost recovered her full speech capabilities. I think you’re going to notice a big change in her.”

  “I know when I’ve talked with her on the phone lately, she sounds almost…I hate to say back to normal, but that’s pretty much the best way to describe it.”

  Vara laughed quietly.

  “Listen, I need to be getting onboard in a few seconds. Is there anything else right now?”

  “One thing,” she said. “It seems Charlotte and Rosalinda have a little trip planned. They want you to go somewhere with them, and they’ve also invited me.”

  “I’m game.” He had a few weeks before his next assignment. “Where are we going?”

  “Well, Thornton, we’re going to Bonaire!”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  One Week Later—Early April

  Kralendijk, Capital City of Bonaire

  Rosalinda stopped walking and moved her hands over her mouth. Eyes wide, hardly blinking, she stared at a tall, handsome older gentleman who walked toward them, hand-in-hand with a young girl who looked about five. He strolled on the sidewalk closest to the water, and she skipped beside him. In his khaki shorts and tropical shirt, and the child in a pretty light pink sundress—laughing and talking together—they presented a lovely image.

  “Rosalinda? What is it?” Vara watched her closely, praying she wasn’t having a heart attack. “Please tell me what’s happening.”

  Drawing in a deep breath, Rosalinda moved one hand over her heart. “Bast?”

  Bast? What? Vara glanced at the man and then back at Rosalinda. Bast…Bast… She rolled it over on her tongue, her mind spinning. Bastiaan? Rosalinda’s first love? That Bastiaan? Of course, it had to be him! This was Bonaire. More importantly, this was God’s world, so what other Bastiaan would it be?

  Vara glanced at the man. Although Rosalinda hadn’t seen him in a half-century or thereabouts, she’d recognized him. Even now, this man certainly fit her description of tall, handsome, strong. Judging by his appearance, he’d done well for himself. He was happy and content with his life.

  Still engrossed in his conversation with the little girl, he didn’t glance their way as he moved past them. Vara silently willed Rosalinda to say something, do anything, to capture Bastiaan’s attention.

  Come on, Rosalinda.

  The man passed by them. Vara needed to do something or this moment would be gone.

  Make it your place to say something. Sometimes convention and being proper didn’t matter. No time like the present.

  “Bastiaan?”

  Rosalinda grabbed her arm, her nails digging into her arm. “Miss Vara—”

  “This is God’s grace, Rosalinda,” she said. Her heart was pounding with excitement so she couldn’t begin to imagine what the other woman must be experiencing. “I’m going to make sure you take this opportunity. If you don’t, you’ll regret it. Carpe diem, seize the day and all that!”

  “He is alive, and he’s had a good life. That’s all I need to know.”

  “Well, call me a nosy meddler, but I’m going to say something. I don’t want to go back to Minnesota and sit and watch while you suffer from the what could have been syndrome. Come with me, young lady.” Taking her by the hand, Vara walked with Rosalinda to where Bastiaan waited.

  He eyed Rosalinda with open curiosity as they moved closer. “Bon dia.” When they reached him, his deep brown eyes widened with wonder. “Rose? Is it truly you?”

  Rosalinda nodded. “Yes, Bastiaan. It is me.” A tear spilled down her cheek quickly followed by another. “It’s been a long time, my friend.”

  “Indeed it has.” His smile was brilliant in contrast to his dark skin. “Oh, my Rose. Dushi.” His gaze moved over her face as though drinking in and memorizing every feature. “You are more beautiful today than I remembered.” After cradling her cheeks between his large hands, he wrapped her in his arms. “It is you. The heart knows.”

  Wiping away a tear, Rosalinda smiled. “You are as sweet now as you were all those years ago. Thank you for making an old woman feel young again.”

  “You are not old,” he said. “You will forever be young to me. In here.” Pulling back, he thumped his hand over his chest.

  “Bastiaan, this is my friend, Vara Alexandris. We both work for a woman who lives in a small town called Cherish outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.”

  His chuckle was deep. “That is a very cold place. Cherish sounds like a lovely place.”

  “Indeed, and it has been my home now for many years.”

  He took Vara’s hand in his. “It is my honor to meet you, Miss Vara.”

  “Danki,” she replied and then smiled at the child. “It’s wonderful to meet you, as well. Is this your granddaughter?”

  “Yes.” Pride filled Bastiaan’s voice as he ruffled the girl’s glossy curls. “This is Mila. She is five today.”

  “Kon ta bai and Happy birthday, Mila!” The child gave her a shy smile and looked up at her grandfather.

  “I heard you’d married,” Bastiaan said to Rosalinda. “I hope you’ve had a good life. I’ve thought of you often.”

  “Roald died early in a boating accident here on the island,” Rosalinda said. “I asked about you, but no one ever knew where you’d gone or what had become of you. I hope you found a wonderful wife to make you happy.”

  His smile faded. “I’ve been in Aruba. There was more work to
be found there. My wife died five years ago, and I retired although I now do some work for a Christian radio company here on the island.” His gaze fell upon Mila. “I returned here to Bonaire to be with my three children. My little Mila here is the youngest grandchild of eight…and counting.”

  “I am sorry for your loss, Bastiaan, but it would appear the Lord has also filled your life with abundant blessings.”

  “Thank you. God is good, and my life is full.”

  Another tear slipped down Rosalinda’s cheek. Reaching for her, Bastiaan gently brushed his thumb over her cheek. “How long will you be on the island?”

  “We are scheduled to be here for a few more days.”

  He nodded. “Perhaps you would like to join me for dinner this evening?”

  “I’m not sure. I am the primary caregiver for my friend.” Rosalinda darted a quick glance at Vara, hope shining in her eyes.

  “Thornton and I will be with Charlotte,” Vara said. “Go talk with Bastiaan and Mila. Catch up with one another. Thornton’s waiting on me. The man has turned into a snorkeling maniac. We’ll take Charlotte with us. She can watch his antics. They’re guaranteed to make her laugh.”

  Rosalinda smiled through more happy tears. “You are very kind, Miss Vara.”

  With a parting wave, Vara turned and walked alongside the shoreline. In the near distance, a cruise ship approached the dock. More visitors would soon discover this lovely little island that had so quickly captured a place in her heart.

  Vara paused on the sidewalk behind a group of small children watching blue fish darting and frolicking about in the water. Was she ever that young and carefree? One of the little boys tugged on her arm and pointed to another fish and said something in the Papiamentu language she couldn’t understand. Enjoying and sharing his enthusiasm in one of God’s creatures, she smiled.

  Thank you, Lord, for how you work in our lives to accomplish your will. There is no such thing as coincidence, no such thing as chance or happenstance. Who but you could have known Rosalinda would see Bastiaan again after all these years? No matter what might or might not happen after today, I know that—for now—you’ve brought them together to carry out your plans.