Gloria sat watching the conversation, her mouth slightly open as she listened. Then she too stood up. “When my daughter says she’ll do something, she’ll do it. I know that much about her.”
Deke glanced around at each of them as they waited, quietly watching him.
“I’m good with cars. I mean, I like to work on engines. I could be a good mechanic if I had a place to work.”
Office Petrone waved a hand. “I don’t think I’m needed here any more. I’m gonna go question this Howard guy and find out who he really is.”
Sam reached out and shook his hand. “Thanks for backing me up on this.”
Petrone nodded and left.
Suddenly aware she’d been standing in Sam’s arms, Laura moved away. “I think I’d better sit down.”
Sam stood aside while she sank down onto a chair. They gathered around the kitchen table with her and Gloria poured mugs of hot coffee.
Sam put out his hand to Deke. “I’m always willing to give a man a chance that’s willing to take one. If you’re serious about the mechanic’s job, I know a guy who has a garage in Big Bear City about three miles away. He might be willing to give you a shot and see how you do.”
Deke slowly shook Sam’s hand.
Laura shook her head. “You seem to have a lot of connections, Sam”
He shrugged, “Hey, born and raised here, I know half the town.”
Deke shook his head. “It sounds great, but it won’t work. They’ll find me one way or another.”
Sam thought a moment “When’s your boss expecting you back?”
“I told him I’d be back tomorrow for sure.”
“And if you don’t show up?”
“I’d get fired.”
Sam thought a moment. “So they know you would get back if you could?”
“Yeah, my boss knows I need the job.”
Sam rubbed his chin. “I have an idea. Let’s talk about it later.” He looked around at the weary faces and chuckled, “Anyone for pizza?”
While they were waiting for the pizza, Sam took Deke into the mud room where they talked in low voices.
Gloria turned to her daughter. “Laura, I don’t know what to say. I can’t imagine what came over me to even think of such a far fetched thing. Will you forgive me?”
Laura put her arms around her mother and gave her a long hug which Gloria returned with feeling. “Let’s just put it behind us. May the money rest in peace, wherever it is”.
Gloria sighed, “Amen.”
After the pizza had come and they’d eaten their fill, Sam got up. “I’m taking Deke home with me for tonight. We thought it best he not return to the motel. We’ll go pay a visit to my friend at the garage tomorrow morning.”
Deke shook his head. “I can’t believe you’d do this for me after all I’ve done.”
Laura reached out and put a hand on his arm. “I agree with Sam, Deke, everyone needs a chance. I think God has a different plan for your life than you imagine.”
“I don’t think God wants much to do with me. I haven’t been a very good person. He washed His hands of me a long time ago.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Deke.” Sam looked him in the eye. “We’re all on a wrong path until God gets hold of our hearts. It’s all He wants. We can’t give him anything. He already owns it all. You see, Deke, long ago someone thought of you and loved you. He loved you so much that He was willing to lay down His life that you might be free of your past life. He died to give you eternal life. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done in the past. He wants to make your life new.”
“You’re talking about Jesus, aren’t you? One of my foster mothers, the only one I remember kindly, talked to me about Jesus and took me to her church. At twelve I was kind of rebellious. I didn’t want any part of God, but she was the closest thing to a mother I had after my own mother died. I guess I didn’t appreciate her at the time.” His thumb moved slowly against the rim of the coffee mug as he murmured softly, “You don’t want to know about the other homes I lived in.”
Sam leaned forward, “Yes, I’m talking about Jesus. I think He stepped in and saved you from doing something foolish. Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, Deke. Are you willing to let Him have control of your life?”
Deke studied Sam’s earnest face a long moment and then nodded his head. “I’ve made a pretty good mess of my life. I’d like to start over. If God will have me, I’m willing. What do I do?”
Laura prayed silently with all her heart that her mother would not interrupt with any scornful remarks and spoil the moment. Gloria was strangely silent.
Sam continued. “It’s really very simple, Deke, just tell God that you know you’re a sinner, that you’ve lived your life for yourself and not for Him. You ask Him to forgive you and be Lord of your life and promise that from now on, you’ll live for Him and trust him with your future.”
As Sam said the words, Deke repeated them in a low voice, his head bowed. When he had finished, he raised his head slowly and a strange look crossed his face.
“What happened? I feel different. Does it really work like that?”
Laura reached over and gave him a hug. “It does, Deke. Welcome to God’s forever family.”
Gloria observed them all for a moment and then got up quietly and went to her room. Laura started to follow her, but Sam put a hand on her arm. “Wait. She has some thinking of her own to do.”
Dele scratched his head. “Man, this is heavy stuff. I didn’t think God existed. He’s real. I feel Him here.” Deke put his fist to his heart.
Sam looked at his watch.
“We’d better get going, brother. We’ve got a few things to do and I need to get you settled in the spare room.”
“Sam”, she took a step towards him, smiling. “Tomorrow’s our last night before we leave for LA. Would you like to join us for dinner?”
Sam grinned. “I never turn down a home-cooked meal.” As the two men started towards the front door, Sam turned back to Laura and gestured towards Deke. “I may have to bring a roommate.”
She turned to Deke. “You’re welcome too.”
Sam’s eyes were dark with feeling. “Good night, Laura.”
She couldn’t speak. She just nodded to him as he turned and went to meet Deke outside.
When they had gone, Laura went toward the guest room but the door was closed and she heard the murmur of her mother’s voice talking on her cell phone. She turned away and began to clean up the kitchen. She couldn’t begin to process all that had happened that day. Maybe I should write a book.
As she dried the coffee mugs, her mother came out of the guest room.
“I’m sorry. I should have helped. I just had to make a call.”
“Matthew?”
Gloria’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“It just came to my mind. You didn’t want to talk about him before. Why?”
Gloria sighed and sank down in a kitchen chair. “I fell in love with Matthew the moment I laid eyes on him, but like you, he’s a Christian. I believe he loves me too, but I’ve been a positive heathen. I felt angry because he would only kiss me on the cheek, nothing more. I wanted to be with him but somehow I couldn’t be part of him.” She hung her head. “I ridiculed Matthew’s faith, just like I did yours. I thought he would choose me instead of his religion. I didn’t understand. God is what makes his work great. It’s the feeling that’s in every painting. It’s what makes him who he is and why I was drawn to him. I need to tell him, if it’s not too late for us.”
“Mother, let Matthew share his faith with you and what it means to him. Listen with your heart and not your head.”
“I don’t understand what happened with Deke. It boggles my mind but I’m trying to understand, I really am.”
“I’ll pray for you and Matthew with all my heart, that it’s not too late.”
“He’s coming over Sunday night after you take me home.” Gloria’s eyes watered. “I can’t believe that at my a
ge I’m afraid of meeting with a man.”
“Not just any man, Mother.”
In all the excitement, Gloria had not noticed Laura’s ring was gone. Now she took her left hand. “I thought that was the direction things were headed. When I saw the three of you together, it was obvious. I can’t say I’m sorry he’s gone.”
Laura laughed. “You sound like Sam.”
Gloria put her daughter’s hand down and looked at her face intently. “Just don’t rush into anything like I did. Take your time, darling, and be sure, okay?”
“I will, Mom.”
Gloria’s eyes widened. “You’ve never called me that.”
“Maybe it’s about time. I feel like I really have a mom.”
“I’ve been a lousy mother to you, Laura, but believe me, I’m going to do better.”
They hugged and after her mother went to bed, Laura sank to her knees by her own bed and began to pray earnestly for continued strength, for Deke and for her mother and Matthew. When Matthew comes, Lord, let Mother’s heart be softened. Let her make a commitment to you. I know she needs you so much. If Matthew is the right man, let him have the joy of leading her to You.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The women spent Saturday afternoon washing what needed to be washed, putting things away and sorting what was left in the refrigerator. Finally Gloria retired to finish her packing and Laura did the same. Knowing she was coming back made it easier to decide what to leave. She breathed a sigh of relief at the thought that someone else would be coming in to do the cleaning.
Laura made a pot roast and put together her old standby dessert, apple cobbler. Gloria decided to try her hand at tossing a salad. They worked together in the small kitchen like they had been doing it all along.
The men devoured everything on their plates and came back for seconds. By the time she served dessert, they were groaning.
“Sam, you better find a way to hang on to this one. Anyone that can cook like that is a keeper.” Deke rubbed his stomach.
Gloria had been strangely silent and pre-occupied during dinner, perhaps anticipating her meeting with Matthew. Laura hoped it would go well. She’d been doing a lot of praying for them, and for Deke also.
Deke leaned his arms on the table and looked at Laura. “So what are you going to do now that all this is over?”
She glanced at Sam. “I’m going to give notice at my job in San Diego and return to Big Bear when I get my affairs in order. Not sure where I’m going from there, I need some time to think things through.”
Sam chewed on his lip. “I wasn’t going to mention this, it didn’t seem to be appropriate, but if you’re set on giving up your job in San Diego, you might want to know about it.”
“What’s that, Sam?”
They all turned to him and listened.
“The director of the art center is leaving in January. Her husband is getting transferred to the coast. The job is up for grabs. There was an article in the paper about it a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know if it’s still open or not. If you’re interested, you can inquire.”
Laura thought a moment. “Well, I could at least ask about it. I’m sure looking for God’s direction.”
Gloria finally spoke up. “Laura, are you sure you want to give up a good job and take a chance on finding something up in this small town? That doesn’t seem very practical to me.”
“I just need to make a change, Mom. I love it up here and I have some things I want to do to the house. The patio is cracked and needs to be re-done, the house is badly in need of painting, the piano needs tuning. I think there’s enough to keep me busy for a while.”
Gloria shrugged. “Well, darling, it’s your life. I guess you need to make your own decisions.”
Laura marveled. Her mother was usually prone to give advice at the drop of a hat and always had an opinion on what Laura should or should not do. She’d take it as a sign God was indeed working in her mother’s life.
Laura sat with Sam in his truck. They’d taken a drive around the lake and now watched the moon rise over the water. When they’d finished dinner they left Deke watching an old movie on video with her mother.
“You have to return to San Diego tomorrow?”
“Yes, Sam, if nothing more than to set my affairs in order and give my notice at the college. I have to give my landlord thirty days notice too.”
“How soon will you come back?”
“It’s not in the middle of summer camps, but I may need to stay until they hire a replacement.”
“Then I’ll pray they find someone very soon.”
They sat silently, enjoying one another’s company and the wonder of the feelings that they’d discovered. He reached for her hand and held it, rubbing his thumb on the top of her hand.
He turned to her, concern on his face and started to speak. She put a hand softly on his lips. “This is nice, right here, Sam. I’m not ready to think past this and neither are you. Let’s just leave it at that, okay?”
He seemed relieved and sat back. “Do you mind if I call you?”
“I’d like that. Let me know how things are with Deke.”
He grinned. “and me?”
She blushed in the darkness. “Tell me how you are too, Sam.”
“There is something very special between us, Laura. I feel God’s love working here, but we must both pray that we’re in His will for our lives.”
“I’ve been praying for that.”
She left her hand in his and they sat, shoulders touching in the darkness.
“Sam,”
“Hmm?”
“You said you could help Deke. How are you going to do that?”
“I think it’s best if I don’t tell you that. You’ll know soon enough. Just promise me you won’t believe everything you hear until you know the facts.”
“That sounds very mysterious.”
He chuckled. “Maybe, but we think it will work.”
She started to speak and this time he put a finger on her lips. “No more questions about that, okay?”
She nodded. After a time of silence, she gathered her courage. “Sam, would you tell me about Marcy? What made her so special to you? Can you talk about her?”
He looked out the window and was silent so long she thought she’d angered him by asking. Finally, he sighed, not in exasperation, but more like relinquishment. “Yes, I can tell you about her. I think you two would have liked each other.”
They talked a long time and finally Sam drove her home. When he walked her to the door she wondered if he was going to kiss her. His eyes were dark with feeling, but he only brushed her cheek with his finger.
“I want too much, Laura. It’s been a long time since I felt this way about a woman, but I want to treat you with the respect you deserve. If we’re in God’s will, He’ll work things out for us.”
“Thank you, Sam. I appreciate that more than you know. My emotions are a little raw right now.”
He gave her a tender smile and they went into the living room. Gloria had evidently gone to bed and Deke was sprawled against the pillows, snoring softly.
Laura grinned. “I think we were gone a little too long.”
Sam reached out and shook Deke’s shoulder causing Deke to spring from the couch like he’d been bitten.
“Man, you scared the wits out of me. What time is it, anyway?”
“Time to go home. Laura and I just had a lot of talking to do.”
“Yeah?” Deke took a tough guy stance. I don’t need to start protecting my cousin, do I?”
Sam put up both hands protectively, “No sir, her honor is still intact.”
She gave Sam a push. “Out of here, both of you, I need my beauty sleep.”
As Sam and Deke headed for the door, Sam appeared reluctant to leave.
“Stay in touch, okay ?”
When he turned the full power of those blue eyes on her, she couldn’t think. She just nodded. After they’d gone, she peeked in on her mother, but Gloria was fas
t asleep with her eye shades on.
Later, lying in bed, she thought of all the people who had been involved in the search for the money. She would never know what John Howard would have done had they found the money in the safe, and she thanked God it wasn’t there If he was who Sam said he was would he have shot them? She shuddered and put the thought out of her mind. The question still hung in the air about the money. Where had her aunt hidden it, and why? As she settled down for the night, somehow it didn’t matter anymore.
“May the money rest in peace,” she murmured and gave herself to sleep.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Back at her apartment, Laura couldn’t believe she’d only been gone two weeks. It seemed like two years. She put her clothes away, pushed her suitcase under the bed and picked up the phone to call Beth and let her know she was home. They talked for an hour and agreed to meet for dinner after work the next day at Mimi’s. She went to the landlord’s apartment and gave him her 30 day notice.
Her apartment had been her haven at the end of the day. The sliding glass doors opened onto a small balcony facing a tree-lined street. An old residential neighborhood, where she enjoyed seeing people walking by leading dogs or pushing strollers. Looking around at the curio cabinet and the knick knacks that she’d collected at various garage and estate sales on lazy Saturdays during the school year, they seemed impersonal somehow. Pretty things collected on impulse to fill shelves. She resolved to have a sale of some kind before she moved. She fixed a cup of peach tea in her small kitchen and settled in her rocking chair by the window. As the shadows fell, that still small voice spoke to her heart and she began to have a sense of priority. She felt right about the move to Big Bear and relinquished any anxiety into the Lord’s hands. She sat in the gathering dusk a long time. Tomorrow would be the beginning of many changes.
The next morning she walked into her boss’s office and turned in her letter of resignation.
Jack Anderson’s eyes widened. “You’re leaving us, Laura? Is it another job somewhere?”
“No, not really, Jack. My aunt left me her house in Big Bear and an income and I just felt I needed a change.”
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