How Sweet It Is

by Bonnie Blythe

  His gaze flew to his mom. “Is everything all right?”

  Delphine stood and walked over to where he stood. She took his hand. “Everything’s fine.”

  Brad stared at her. She didn’t look fine. He glanced at his mom and dad. Both had smiles on their faces, but he couldn’t help think them somewhat strained. He looked back at Delphine, wanting to kiss her after so long an absence, but refrained in front of his parents.

  Just one more reason to move out soon.

  “Did you miss me?” he whispered.

  She nodded and squeezed his hand. “I was wondering,” she said in a low voice, “if you could give me a ride home. I came over by bus.”

  “I’d love to. But why did you come?” He waggled his brows. “To see me?” Surely she’d be overjoyed when he showed her the check he had tucked in his pocket. Whatever upset she’d experienced, hopefully his surprise would cheer her up.

  I hope, I hope, I hope.

  His dad stood up and smiled. “I must say that while it’s been a pleasure working with you, young lady, it hasn’t been my most lucrative experience.”

  Brad looked aghast at him. “Dad! What in the world are you talking about?”

  “It’s okay,” Delphine said quickly. “I’m ready to go whenever you are, Brad.”

  He stood his ground, determined to get an answer for the way his parents were acting. His dad nodded in Delphine’s direction.

  “I’m talking about the loan, of course.”

  Worse and worse! “What about it?” he croaked.

  “Only that by Delphine’s repayment, I earned only a sliver of interest.” He smiled. “But she’s a sharp business woman and such an attitude will only serve her well in the future. I only wish she’d be reasonable about the rest of the money—”

  “Mr. Larsen, please. Let’s not discuss that anymore.”

  Brad looked down at Delphine. She averted her gaze, gripping his hand tighter.

  Repayment?

  He tugged on her hand. “You’re not still worried about that, are you?” When she bit her lip, Brad stifled a stab of impatience. He dropped her hand and pulled the check out of his pocket, his heart pounding hard.

  “Look, you don’t need to worry any more at all. I’m paying off the loan for you.”

  Eighteen

  Delphine stared at Brad, stunned into silence—sure she’d heard him wrong.

  Mrs. Larsen jumped up from the couch. “What?” She let out a tinkling laugh. “This is amazing!”

  His dad furrowed his brows. “That is amazing. How did you come up with that kind of money, son?”

  She shifted her gaze to Brad, in time to see his face turn red. Her heart thudded dully in her chest.

  He shrugged. “My money market accounts, my checking and savings…”

  “And?” pressed Mr. Larsen. “Since I set the money market account up for you, I know how much you had.”

  “Dad! Okay, so I got a loan against the Jetta for the rest. It’s not a big deal.” He thrust the check at her. “Take it.”

  Delphine stared at the piece of paper. It was almost identical to the one she’d given Mrs. Larsen a short time ago.

  Dear Brad. She couldn’t believe he’d gone to such an effort. But she didn’t deserve it! She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed him hard, vaguely aware of the crumple of paper between them. His familiar feel and smell comforted her in a way that made her desperate not to lose it.

  Brad’s arms slid around her waist. He rested his cheek on her hair. “I just want you to know your worries are over, okay?”

  She tilted her head up and looked into his eyes. The warmth in his gaze sent shivers through her body. Delphine touched the side of his face. “Thank you, Brad. Thank you so much.”

  He grinned and pulled the check out from between them, holding it up for her.

  She lowered her hands to her sides. “But, of course, I can’t take it.”

  The smile evaporated from his face. “What? Why not?”

  She stepped back slightly, wondering at the irritation in his tone. “I don’t need it. There’s no longer any debt.” She motioned toward his parents, suddenly nervous, though she didn’t know why. “I paid your dad back.”

  Brad’s features became wooden. “With what?”

  She swallowed, feeling the tears clog her throat once again. “Insurance money.”

  He darted a look at his father as if for confirmation. Mr. Larsen nodded. Brad’s lips thinned.

  “Take it anyway.”

  “Brad,” she whispered, at a loss to understand his obvious displeasure. “I can’t.”

  “Bradley, dear, I think Delphine must be exhausted and ready to go home.”

  He seemed to consider his options, then sent his mom a tight smile and shoved the check back in his pocket. “Fine. Let’s go.”

  He turned and walked out of the room. Delphine smiled at his parents once more. “Thank you again, for everything.”

  Mrs. Larsen came around from the couch and hugged her. Mr. Larsen shook her hand. Before she broke down again, Delphine turned and went down the hall. The emotional reaction to seeing that debt paid had shaken her in a way she never would’ve imagined.

  Brad waited at the open front door, his features blank. She slipped past him and headed for his car. He appeared beside her, opening the passenger door. She watched him as he walked around the front of the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

  Why is he upset? Shouldn’t he be relieved I’m no longer a financial burden to him and his family?

  After starting the car, he backed out of the driveway and threaded through the neighborhood toward the freeway. His silence unnerved her. She wanted to touch him, to kiss him, but his countenance put her off.

  Delphine clutched her hands in her lap and stared out her window, not seeing the passing surroundings. Why did everything have to be so complicated? She’d hoped the repayment would end once and for all the weirdness about money between them. They should be in each other’s arms right now, unhindered by what had plagued their relationship in the past. Instead, the few inches separating them in the car might as well have been miles.

  Lord, I don’t understand what I’m missing here. Please help me to understand Brad. Have I done something wrong?

  She was stunned when she focused her eyes and realized he was parking in front of her apartment building. Feeling confused, she staggered slightly as she climbed from the passenger seat of the car. The bright light blinded her for a moment, until it was eclipsed by Brad’s form.

  “You should’ve at least let me get your door, Delphine.”

  As she shifted away from the sunlight, she saw his grim expression. Anxiety warred with exasperation, but she decided to keep her mouth shut, at least until they entered her apartment.

  Inside the dim living room, Delphine shivered, whether from the stale air, or his attitude, she didn’t know. When she shut the door behind him, she could hold back no longer. Dropping her purse onto the floor, she turned to him. Despite her worry about his demeanor, she needed reassurance of his affection. Standing on tiptoe, she touched her lips against his.

  Brads arms encircled her like iron bands, his kisses the most fervent yet, dissolving her doubts in a swirl of sweet yearning. She reveled in his embrace. His touch soothed the frayed edges of her emotion in ways she never dreamed possible. She lifted her lips a whisper away.

  “I love you so much, Brad.”

  Brad raised his head, his blue eyes almost black in the shadowed room. “Do you?”

  Delphine flinched at his tone. She lowered her arms. “What do you mean?”

  “You won’t take my money.”

  She took a deep breath, hoping to find the right words. “I appreciate the gesture, I really do, but like I said, it’s just not necessary.”

  His closed expression remained inscrutable. “I want you to have it.”

  Delphine sensed she was treading on fragile ground, but was unsure how to proceed. “I don’t underst
and what you mean.”

  He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “I just want you to have the money. It’s that simple.”

  She lowered her gaze. Why do I keep saying the wrong thing? “It would just be another loan to repay, and—”

  “It’s a gift, Delphine! Not a loan!” Brad pulled the check from his pocket and pressed it into her hand. “And I expect you to cash it, not let it rot at the bottom of some drawer.”

  He drained all of his accounts and went into debt? For me? She stared at the piece of paper, amazed at what it represented, but it remained that she couldn’t cash it—especially when there was no longer a reason.

  Delphine stared at his scrawled signature on the check. “Thank you, but you understand there’s no need.”

  “That doesn’t matter.”

  “What would I do with it?” she asked in a low voice.

  He raked his hand through his hair. “I don’t know! Put it into your business…or blow it on a fun European vacation. Do anything you want!”

  “Brad, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Just the fact that you did it is wonderful. That’s enough for me.”

  He shook his head. “It’s not enough. If you don’t accept it, it’s meaningless.”

  Delphine licked her lips, watching the emotions flit across his face. “You’re asking too much,” she whispered. “I don’t deserve it.”

  His face turned red. “Why can’t you just take what’s offered and stop being so stubborn!”

  Her cheeks flooded with heat. “I’m not being stubborn, Brad, I’m being reasonable. You don’t have to bankrupt yourself for me, okay?”

  “Just cash the check, Delphine.”

  He suddenly turned, trudged out the door, and yanked it shut behind him. Delphine heard the sound of his footsteps as he descended the stairs.

  She stared at the check, depressed instead of elated. How was she supposed to know he wanted to give it to her? She still didn’t understand why he would.

  But whatever the reason, he didn’t have to be such a grouch about it—it had been a hard enough day. Delphine picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it at the door.

  ****

  Brad drove home with a scowl on his face. What an obstinate woman! He latched onto his anger, preferring it to the hurt that lurked in his heart at Delphine’s rejection.

  “I went to a lot of trouble coming up with that money,” he told the windshield. “The least she could do is accept it.”

  He gripped the steering wheel. “Why does she have to resist all the time. Why can’t she just cooperate? What am I going to do with her?”

  Brad thought of her stubborn pride, her temper, her generosity with hugs and kisses, her alchemy in the kitchen, of the time she slapped him—all flashing eyes and outraged propriety…

  He took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’ll just have to marry her.”

  A grin spread across his features as he thought of spending the rest of his life with Delphine, of children with chocolate smudged faces—all working in the shop together. Would they have brown eyes or blue? Maybe I could teach them to surf.

  Then his smile faded.

  What if she says no? What if she rejects not just the money, but me?

  Brad eased a slow sigh through his teeth as several scenarios sifted through his brain. What if I stood at the water’s edge and decided I was too afraid to catch the wave? I might end up with a sand facial if I didn’t try, but I’d also never have a chance to win, and I’d miss the exhilarating ride.

  He firmed his lips and narrowed his eyes. Do or die, I’m going to propose. So there!

  Brad pulled into his driveway and turned off the engine, wondering when to ask Delphine. She was distracted with the grand opening—and he wanted her full attention.

  And I need a ring. He frowned. My credit limit is maxed, I’m technically unemployed until I receive my first paycheck, and I definitely don’t want to wait several months to save the money.

  Is there something I can sell to raise the cash?

  Brad scrambled from the car and went in through the house to the garage. He walked over to the shelves in the corner and saw the stacked surfboards he’d used through the years. He reached out and ran his hands along the edges, mentally going over each one. Nuuhiwa, Hot Buttered, Pulse, noserider trifin, Agua, BZ. They were in great condition—he’d cared for them meticulously.

  If I sell them all I just might have enough to finance a decent engagement ring.

  Memories crowded into his mind of all the adventures—and misadventures—he’d had over the years surfing. While he wouldn’t mind going out again once in a while, the actual craze seemed to have left him.

  Maybe it had to do with finding something infinitely more appealing. An image arose of Delphine’s exotic dark eyes and pretty pink lips, and he remembered his first time tasting those lips.

  “Well, boys, it’s been fun.” He smiled wistfully. “But I’ve caught a wave that lasts forever and that calls for a different angle. Besides, I need the money.”

  Nineteen

  Delphine entered the church front doorway alone. She wished Brad was with her, but hadn’t had the nerve to call him—not after the way he left her apartment so angry. A vague sense of shame clung to her, and she didn’t know why.

  What did I do wrong? What am I missing?

  Hours of speculation had not brought her any closer to a realization, and all she really wanted anyway was just to have him by her side. I miss him, even if he is unreasonable!

  Delphine smiled and shook hands with the pastor as she entered the sanctuary. She settled on a chair near the back, nodding and smiling to a few now-familiar faces. The worship team assembled on the stage and the guitarist strummed a quiet tune as other congregates found their seats.

  She tried to get herself in a frame of mind for worship, but felt weary in mind and body. The last few days had been an emotional roller coaster, coupled with the pressures of opening her shop on schedule. Seeing Stephan and Minnie engage in lighthearted flirtation with each other left her feeling melancholy.

  She tried to remember if she and Brad ever had such a carefree time. It seemed all their time together had been bogged down by money issues in one way or another.

  The music swelled. Delphine shelved her angst as best she could and closed her eyes. She sang along to familiar choruses, enjoying the tempo—and again wishing Brad was with her.

  The worship team segued into a slower pace, beginning a hymn she hadn’t heard before. She concentrated on the words.

  Come—and He saves us once for all.

  Taking away my burden, Setting my spirit free,

  For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

  Delphine experienced a melancholy pang. Will I ever feel really free? What would it be like not to have tons of regrets, to not have to worry about every tiny detail about things I probably can’t control anyway? She rolled her eyes, impatient with the downward progression of her thoughts.

  Pastor Greg stood at the podium and opened his Bible. He read from the book of Ephesians. Delphine enjoyed the mellow sound of his voice. She looked toward the front of the seating area and saw his wife. They were such nice people. She wondered how they came to pastor a church in a storefront on a city block. She’d never been to one before and was used to the large stone edifice where her parents had occasionally attended.

  Delphine remembered when she’d first come, how the Lord had met her in an unexpected way through the pastor and his wife. She glanced around at the families, wondering what circumstances had brought each of them into such a non-traditional setting.

  Since it was a non-traditional venue did that mean they had non-traditional problems? She smiled to herself. Nothing new about problems—relationships, family, money…same-old, same-old.

  Delphine looked down at her Bible, reminding herself to pay attention to the reading. Her finger scanned the page as she searched for the verse the pastor referred to. When she locat
ed the right passage, she followed along as he read.

  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

  He read on, but her attention halted on those words. She read it again. Her heart pounded loud in her ears. It is the gift of God—not by works.

  It is a gift.

  She suddenly thought of her work to control her circumstances by just trying harder. Had she been successful? Her dad was gone, her mom had moved away. Her money problems seemed solved…for the moment, but the cost was beyond bearing.

  And there had been plenty of difficulties in her relationship with Brad.

  Through all her efforts, a sense of disgrace clung to her, along with the knowledge that no matter how hard she tried, it would never be enough. Even her past efforts to serve God had for the most part failed. Maybe that was why she couldn’t take Brad’s money. She didn’t deserve it after all he’d done for her.

  Delphine’s gaze fell to the verse again. It is a gift. A gift of God so no one could boast. Why? So a person must know it wasn’t his own efforts that achieved it for him?

  Tears filled her eyes. Is that what I’ve done to you, God? Refused your grace, striving in my own strength?

  She pressed her hands against her hot cheeks as realization seeped in. I’ve been struggling in my own power, however puny, ignoring the grace freely given by the Lord. I’ve been guilty of trying to earn my way to into Your favor.

  A tear splashed on the thin paper of her Bible page, boding more to come. How stupid I’ve been. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed for forgiveness, prayed for an open heart to accept the abundance of grace God offered.

  Delphine soaked up the ministering of God for the remainder of the service, determined to stop wrestling and start resting in the Lord and what He’d done for her.

  And on her way home, she deposited Brad’s check.

  ****

  Brad tucked the small velvet box into the top dresser drawer, wondering if Delphine would ever give him a chance to employ it.