Elusive Mr. Perfect

by Murray, Tamela Hancock

  “And it’s almost that time now.” Nicole tugged on Dean’s arm. “We’d better hurry, Dean. I’d hate to miss the beginning.”

  “I think that’s the only Christmas movie I don’t mind seeing in June.” Joelle smiled warmly until her gaze shot to Nicole. Dean could feel her stewing in fury. Apparently, Joelle could sense her anger, too. “But I think I’ll take a pass this time. I don’t want to impose on your evening.”

  Nicole let out a breath. “Some other time, then—”

  “Nonsense, Joelle. You won’t be imposing,” Dean rushed to argue. “We’d love to have you join us.”

  Joelle’s lips tightened as though she were uncertain, but he could tell even underneath her teal contacts that her eyes were sparkling. “I don’t know—”

  Dean interlocked his elbow with Nicole’s, then stepped forward and did the same with Joelle. “Aw, have pity on a guy. How often do I have the chance to escort a beautiful blond and a gorgeous brunette to a movie at the same time?”

  To his relief, both women tittered at his compliments. Dean smiled to himself. Already he was keeping his resolution not to be alone with Nicole.

  In the theater, Joelle sat on one side of Dean, and Nicole sat on the other. Joelle tried to ignore Nicole’s obvious flirtations. She watched as Dean remained polite but indifferent. She had a feeling her presence wasn’t holding him back from responding with enthusiasm to his date. Joelle couldn’t help but shake her head. If Nicole had any perception about Dean’s personality, she would know he’d never react well to such blatant ploys, at least not for long.

  But who was she to criticize Nicole? Joelle hadn’t been thinking about the movie as they sat together. All she could contemplate were the events of the past months. Why hadn’t she seen the obvious? Why hadn’t she considered Sir Dean as her knight in shining armor all along, instead of foolishly chasing windmills? He was already her best friend. He knew her better than anyone else did. What better basis for a lasting love?

  At that moment, Nicole placed a bold hand on Dean’s. She whispered something in his ear, causing them both to giggle. Despite her brave thoughts from before, Joelle’s heart betrayed her confidence with a fearful lurch. What if she was already too late? Unbidden tears filled her eyes. Joelle placed her fingers on the inside corner of each eye, hoping she could pass off her upset as seasonal allergy symptoms. But as they began to fall in earnest, she realized that excuse would never work. She sniffled.

  Dean’s arm wrapped around her in response. He whispered in her ear, “Happy endings always did make you cry.”

  A nod of the head was all the answer Joelle could muster at the moment. She wasn’t so sure this ending would be a happy one.

  The following Sunday after church, Joelle was surprised when Dean dropped by the house. He hadn’t sat anywhere near her throughout worship or Sunday school. Even though Dean never missed Singles’ Night, he had been absent the previous evening. Phone calls to his house yielded busy signals. Since he had avoided any chance to talk to her for the past two days, Joelle couldn’t help but wonder if he was miffed or maybe confused. At least now she would find out.

  After his assurances to Eleanor that he’d already eaten and didn’t require a slice of pie or a cup of coffee, Dean followed Joelle onto the back porch. The day was mild and sunny, perfect for sitting together on the glider.

  She got right to the point. “Where were you last night? I missed you at the meeting. I tried to call later to be sure you were okay, but the line was busy.”

  “Sorry. I—I just couldn’t make it.”

  “Neither could Nicole.” Joelle’s voice was heavy with meaning. “I feel like it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have horned in on your date Friday night.”

  “It’s not your fault. If anyone needs to be blamed, it’s me.” He placed his hand on hers. “I told Nicole when I took her home that I couldn’t see her again outside of church.”

  Emotions—a mixture of triumph, happiness, and wonder—churned through her. “But I thought she liked you” was all she could manage.

  He looked at his athletic shoes. “I think she did, but the feeling just wasn’t mutual.”

  After witnessing Dean’s lack of enthusiasm toward Nicole at the movie theater, she couldn’t say she was surprised. Curious, but not surprised. “So what happened between you two?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing major, but it’s nothing I want to discuss.”

  “Oh.” Tight-lipped, Dean was obviously not going to reveal more. She decided the best course was for her to respect his wishes to remain silent, and to confess her own feelings. “About those guys I met through the personal ads—”

  Turning his face toward Joelle, Dean held up his palm as a signal for her to stop talking. “You don’t have to explain anything to me.” He placed his hand back in his lap, a distressed look shadowing his boyish face. “Unless you need to tell me you’ve found someone you’re planning to see a lot more of.”

  “No.” Shaking her head rapidly to emphasize her point, Joelle let out a sigh. “I guess you’re right. It’s probably better if we don’t share each other’s misery. At least not about other dates. Especially since I’ve come to realize. . .” She couldn’t finish, choosing instead to stare at her sandaled feet.

  “Come to realize what?”

  Joelle looked up and saw his hazel eyes opening wide. She swallowed and returned her gaze to her feet. “That no one compares to you,” she said softly. She waited for his response, conscious all the while of her beating heart.

  “I could have told you that.”

  She looked into his face. Discovering a broad grin was no surprise. “Oh, you!” She tapped him playfully on the shoulder. Unwilling to let go of the opportunity to tell him her true feelings, Joelle turned serious. “From the moment I met the first guy, I found myself comparing him to you. It was the same with the others. They always came up short.” She smiled. “But it was really at the theater on Friday night that everything came together.”

  “That night, huh?” Dean looked back at her, gazing into her eyes.

  Suddenly she knew she could look into those eyes forever. She became engrossed in his face, the pointed nose, the fine features that had become so familiar. Joelle found herself looking at his lips, wondering if he might—

  “Joelle, I don’t think we should see each other again.”

  She bolted up in her seat, her torso moving away from him. Her eyes widened so much that her lashes seemed to touch the skin underneath her eyebrow. “Say what?”

  Joelle hoped she’d misunderstood. Surely she hadn’t just spilled out her feelings, only to be rejected! She folded her arms over her chest, each hand clutching the opposite elbow. The motion, she knew, was a subconscious attempt to protect herself. Only it was too late. She’d made herself vulnerable.

  Fool!

  Her voice shook as she uttered the next question. “What do you mean?”

  “Let me finish.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I don’t think we should see each other until your mom’s surprise party.”

  Her fingers tightened their grip. His words were of some comfort, but it felt like a hollow victory. “But that’s two whole weeks from now. What about our rehearsals? We’re supposed to sing our duet soon, aren’t we?” Her voice was shrill.

  He pressed his finger to his rounded lips. “Shh! I know. I already called and arranged to have it postponed until next month. Mandy’s been wanting to sing her solo, anyway.”

  Joelle remained silent.

  “What’s the matter?” He smiled a boyish smile. “Don’t think you can do without me that long?”

  She didn’t know whether to laugh or strangle Dean for his attempt at humor. She resisted both urges. Dean’s usual way of coping with unexpected emotions was to employ wit. Best to respond in kind. Deliberately she arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t think you could do without me for that long.”

  “Maybe I can’t.” His smile turned bittersweet. “But I think this will be good for us�
��not easy for me, but good for us.” Gently, he took her hands from her elbows and guided them into his. Her small hands protected in his larger ones, Joelle felt as though her entire being was secure. “While I was at the retreat, I invested a lot of prayer time in us,” Dean told her. “I think I know what the Lord wants us to do. But now I want to give you time to confer with Him. I’ll keep praying, too.” The longing in his eyes was unmistakable. “If I pray when you’re anywhere in the vicinity, I won’t be able to hear God.”

  Though the enormity of his words didn’t escape her, Joelle couldn’t help but protest. “But can’t we just follow our feelings? I mean, you must be thinking the same thing I am—that we were meant to be together.”

  “True.” He nodded once more. “But I don’t want to pursue a deeper relationship with you based entirely on feelings. Emotions are fickle and can’t always be trusted. If I’d gone with my feelings, I’d have made a major play for you already.” His mouth curved into a sheepish grin.

  “Really?” Joelle wondered. Dean had always been the gentleman, never even hinting he’d like to be more than friends.

  “Really. I know I’ve hidden my feelings well all this time.”

  “Why?” she asked. “What stopped you from telling me how you feel?”

  “The day you accepted the altar call, it was like a part of me was there with you. I thought it would be unfair to make my feelings about you known then. You were at a high point in your life, having accepted Christ, really and truly accepted His saving grace. You didn’t need those complications.”

  “Says who? If you’d let me decide that for myself, you’d have saved me the trouble of going through a lot of bad dates,” she pointed out only half-jokingly.

  “Maybe so, but have you considered that it could have been the Lord’s plan for you to meet those other guys? Now if He wants us to be together, you could really appreciate me.” Dean flashed her a charming smile, letting her know his observation wasn’t motivated by bloated ego. “And maybe I needed to spend some time with Nicole as part of the process of confirming my feelings.”

  “Makes sense,” she agreed. “But since we’ve both gone through this process, we should be all set.”

  “Not yet. Not until we both know the Lord’s answer for certain.” Breaking his earnest expression, Dean grinned. “Besides, if I’m going to ruin a perfectly good friendship, I want to be sure I’m exchanging it for something even better.”

  Two weeks later, Joelle was nervous as she and her mother walked up to the front porch of the Jamison home. Joelle was grateful her dad had chosen her to provide distraction so her mom wouldn’t be tipped off about the surprise party. Joelle was so excited that the thought of preparing to greet a houseful of party guests was more than she could handle. She was glad her visiting sisters-in-law were up for the job.

  Dean had made himself scarce for fourteen days. As he asked, she’d been in prayer about their relationship. Each time she prayed, she was assured that her feelings about Dean were right. She thanked the Lord for the ability to acknowledge them. Then, selfishly, she prayed Dean would decide to court her. Today she would know if her prayers, both selfish and unselfish, would be answered.

  In the meantime, she couldn’t wait to see the look on her mom’s face when she saw that all four of her sons and their families had come to the celebration—two only a few minutes by car, and two by plane. They could all be thankful Mom had given up her last year of high school to marry and start her family. For the first time in her young life, Joelle understood how her mom could feel a love so powerful that she gave up her education.

  “That was fun, Joelle,” Mom said as she stepped onto the porch. “We should go out for coffee more often.”

  “I’d like that,” Joelle answered loudly enough for those inside to hear. She didn’t want to take a chance the partygoers inside would miss her mom’s entrance.

  “Good. I don’t need a hearing aid, you know.” The older woman chuckled as she unlocked the front door. She stepped into the living room.

  A chorus of voices rang out. “SURPRISE!”

  “Sur-pize, Gam!” two-year-old Todd added belatedly.

  Good-humored laughter flooded the house. Todd clapped his hands, congratulating himself that his greeting had been so well received.

  Eleanor was speechless. The look of amazement mixed with pleasure on her mother’s face was one Joelle would never forget. Flashes from several cameras blinked brightly as Eleanor gawked at the room full of family and friends, surrounded by lots of streamers and balloons. Dad had even made a banner on the computer. It read “Congratulations to Our Graduate.”

  Dad stepped forward and gave his wife a big bear hug. “Congratulations, Honey. After all these years, you did it!”

  She nodded, and tears suddenly began to flow down her cheeks. The crowd murmured their approval and broke out into applause. Joelle knew this was one of the happiest days of her mother’s life.

  After she gave her mother a hug and endured a loving lecture about her part in the charade, Joelle turned and faced Dean. Eyes alight, he nodded to her before greeting the guest of honor. Joelle felt her own face brighten upon seeing him again. She wished she could take his hand and get away from everyone at that moment, but etiquette demanded otherwise. Joelle wished Dean hadn’t chosen the day of the party to see her again. Disinclined to look too eager, Joelle made the rounds among the other guests and caught up with her four brothers and gave their wives and their children a round of hugs before she allowed herself anywhere near Dean.

  As the party progressed, Joelle kept looking for an opening so she and Dean could talk. Over and over, she could see no hope for any privacy. Giving up, she decided to wait until the party wound down and only her family remained. Since she was occupied by the duties expected of her as daughter of the house, Joelle managed to keep her mind off her nervousness as the hours passed. She could only hope Dean’s prayers had confirmed his earlier feelings.

  By the time the party was over, night had fallen and Joelle was in the kitchen, putting up the last bit of leftover cake, when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. “Did you miss me?” Dean’s whispered voice flowed into her ear.

  His warm breath sent a shiver down her spine. “Why don’t you come with me and find out?” She sealed the cake box, then led him outdoors to the empty floral-patterned glider on the back porch. Her heart was beating rapidly as Dean sat close beside her.

  “Don’t tell your mom this, but I didn’t think the party would ever end.”

  “Me, either.” She giggled. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

  “I hope so. You’ve been avoiding me all day.”

  “I wouldn’t have if I thought there was a shred of hope we could have some privacy. I couldn’t run away from the party.”

  “You’ve got a point.” He took her hands in his. He held them firmly but not too tightly. “So did you pray?”

  “Yes. I prayed every day. How about you?”

  “The same. And I got the same answer. I know this is what the Lord wants for my life, and the time is right.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “But if you got a different answer, I’ll wait.”

  “No, I’m certain. I don’t want to wait.”

  “Neither do I.” Leaning closer, he wrapped her in his embrace. When his lips touched hers, she knew she was where she belonged.

  Epilogue

  Months later

  Joelle and her father watched as her matron of honor, Susan, walked down the aisle. Her rust-colored chiffon dress looked good with her flowing blond hair. Autumn flowers filled the sanctuary of the small country church.

  Joelle had awakened that morning to blue skies that suggested a summer day, yet brisk mountain air revealed that October had arrived.

  Joelle remembered returning from her hair appointment around lunchtime. The familiar smell of her neighbor burning leaves filled the air. Happily, she hummed a few lines of “Beauty for Ashes.” Ever since she and Dean sang the song together in c
hurch, everyone they knew associated the tune with them.

  The bride searched the side of the altar and spotted auburn-haired Mandy. She had sung the song beautifully as part of the ceremony. Joelle resisted the urge to hum it once more.

  Aware that in just a moment all eyes would be upon her, Joelle self-consciously smoothed her dress by extending the fingers of the hand that held her tiny white baby Bible. In the other hand, she held a bouquet of white roses that complemented her lace-covered white silk gown. Joelle had chosen long sleeves with a mandarin-style collar, a full, flowing skirt, and modest train. Her veil was simple and added no height.

  “You’ve never looked more beautiful, Joelle,” Dad said.

  She looked into his eyes. “I’ve never felt more beautiful.” Joelle meant it. Over the past months, she had grown in her relationships—with Dean, with the friends they shared, and with their families. Most importantly, the time had given them a chance to grow together in their faith. For the first time in her life, Joelle felt worthy to walk down the church aisle to meet her groom. Once joined, together they would walk side by side in love, in faith, in life.

  The wait had been long but well worth every minute.

  She took the last seconds before Susan took her place beside the other bridesmaids to say a silent prayer. Lord, please walk with Dean and me as we marry today, and for the rest of our lives. We pray that as we marry in Your will that we will please You in every aspect of our marriage. In Your Son Jesus’ name, amen.

  Her stomach leapt with anticipation at the first strains of the Bridal March. On cue, all two hundred wedding guests stood, turning their heads to see her veiled form. Dean waited at the altar, a look of anticipation covering his face. The elusive Mr. Perfect was no longer out of reach. After this day, he would be hers.

  Forever.

  About the Author

  Tamela Hancock Murray is a Virginia native who is blessed with a wonderful husband and two daughters. She enjoys writing both contemporary and historical Christian romances. She and her husband teach Sunday school and vacation Bible school together. She is also privileged to be involved in her daughters’ many activities. Tamela’s hobbies are exercise and needle crafts. She is working on improving her crochet work and would like to learn to knit.