Plan

by Lyle, Linda;

  “Not for long, I understand,” she said, eyeing him suspiciously.

  “What do you mean?” Randy asked. She was up to something. He could tell by the look in her eyes.

  “I heard that you’re putting the house up for sale. What’s up with that, big brother?” She crossed her arms and tapped one shoe.

  “I only bought this house as an investment. I finished the remodeling and now I’m going to sell it for a profit. Any other questions?”

  “Why don’t I believe you?” Kathryn asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m not a mind reader.”

  “Neither am I, big brother, but I do know you, and this isn’t like you. You were so excited when you bought this house, talking about a wife and kids and a dog in the backyard. Now, here you are bailing out when it’s just finished. It doesn’t add up.” She looked up at him, a smug expression on her face. “What gives?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Come on. I know there’s something wrong.” She paused for a moment and then asked, “What’s her name?”

  He jumped at her question, and he could tell by the look on her face that he’d been caught. He decided to play dumb.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “That’s the third time you’ve said that.”

  “Well, you ask a silly question, and you get a silly answer, no matter how many times you ask it.” She crossed the room and put a hand on his arm.

  “I know there’s something bothering you, Randy. Please tell me. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what the problem is.” His shoulders slumped at the worried look in her eyes.

  “You couldn’t help anyway, sis, but thanks for the offer.”

  “So, it is a woman. What’s her name?”

  “Rachel.”

  “That’s a pretty name. Who is she?” Kathryn asked.

  “She’s a teacher at the university. She used to be one of my students.” Once he started talking, it was like a flood was released. He told Kathryn all about her, and her jerk of a boyfriend. They settled at the kitchen table and she listened until he had finished.

  “Did you pray about it?” Kathryn was always one to get to the point.

  “Yes.”

  “And…” She waited for him to finish.

  “And He said wait.”

  “Then why are you jumping off the deep end and selling this house?”

  “What do you mean?” Randy asked, his brow wrinkling in confusion.

  “I mean, He told you to wait, not to give up. Maybe she just needs a little time to realize what a jerk her boyfriend is and what a great guy you are.”

  “But they’re engaged,” Randy replied. “They must be in love.”

  “Don’t be so naïve, Randy. Remember Danny.” Danny had been one of Kathryn’s first boyfriends. “He asked me to marry him and I said yes, but it didn’t take me long to figure out that it wouldn’t work. I only said yes because he was the first guy to ask me.”

  “So, you think she might be having second thoughts.”

  “If the guy is as big a jerk as you say, and she’s as smart as you say, then I’m sure she has. You’d be doing her a favor by getting her away from this guy before it’s too late. Besides, you said that she said something about not wanting you to move…seems like a pretty big hint to me.”

  “She has seemed kind of upset lately. Maybe she is having second thoughts about this guy.” He felt his spirits lift at the thought. “What should I do, Kathryn? I can’t just go up and ask her. I have to find out how she feels about the jerk without making a fool of myself.”

  “If you love her enough, isn’t it worth making a fool out of yourself?” Kathryn asked.

  Randy thought about it for a moment. If it meant winning Rachel, he didn’t care what kind of a fool he looked like, but if it meant ruining their friendship forever, then Kathryn could just forget it. She gave a sigh.

  “Okay. Why don’t you ask her friends about their relationship?”

  “I don’t know any of her friends.”

  “Well I suggest that you find out or ask her point-blank.”

  “You always were tough as nails, sis.” He smiled at her and tugged a golden curl.

  “I have another suggestion,” Kathryn said. Randy eyed her carefully.

  “What’s that?”

  “Tell the realtor to take a hike.” Randy smiled.

  After Kathryn left, the realtor arrived. Randy chose a more polite way to tell the realtor that he had changed his mind. He closed the door and leaned on it. For some reason the house didn’t seem quite so empty. He could almost hear little feet on the stairs.

  The sound of the wind whipping through the trees reminded him of the tornado and the Center. What was Rachel’s friend’s name from the Center? Sherry. No. Sarah. No. Susan. That was it! Susan. He hit the banister in triumph. Tomorrow he would talk to Susan.

  twenty-three

  Rachel watched as the work crew threw the damaged shingles onto the growing heap. Just a couple of weeks ago a wrecking ball was stationed right at this spot. Now, a group of men were struggling to repair the damage done by the tornado and by time. It was like watching a resurrection take place, something new out of the old. She was standing on the threshold of a new era in her life. What was she going to do? She released a deep sigh. Maybe she was meant to work in full-time service instead of getting married. In the Bible, Paul said that single people could devote more of their time to the Lord.

  Walking back to her car, Rachel pondered the thought. With a hesitant heart, she looked up beyond the fluffy clouds and made a decision.

  “Lord, I want to do your will, and if that means not getting married, then that’s what I want,” she whispered sincerely.

  She felt the wind against her face, and it was almost as if a hand brushed the fear away. She could feel God’s presence in this place. She belonged here, not at the university. Here she could make a difference in someone’s life. At the university, she was just another teacher, and not a very good one, at that. She hated grading papers and making tests. What she loved was working with these women and children and giving them not just the skills they needed, but the encouragement as well. This was home. Here she would never really be alone.

  She got into her car and headed for her apartment, but something drew her to Emily’s house. “What, Lord? What do you want me to do?” she prayed.

  “Just go.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “I’ll give you the words.”

  “I’m afraid.”

  “I’ll give you strength.”

  “I’ll try, Father.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  She pulled into the Stanford driveway and parked in what was becoming her usual space. This time when the butler answered, he just motioned toward the library and disappeared. Rachel waited with her hand on the doorknob and took a deep breath. She rapped lightly on the paneled door and heard a quiet, “Come in.” Emily was sitting on the couch holding the picture of Tommy in his uniform.

  “I hope I’m not intruding,” Rachel began.

  “No, not at all,” Emily said, trying to regain her composure. The red, puffy eyes told that she had been crying, though her ramrod-straight back dared anyone to argue with her. “What can I do for you?”

  “Actually, I came to ask what I could do for you, Emily.”

  She looked startled. “What do you mean?”

  “I just had a feeling that I should come to see you today, that you needed to talk to someone.”

  “I can’t imagine why you would think that.” She pulled the picture closer to her chest.

  “To tell the truth, Emily, God told me to come here today.”

  “God.” Rachel heard the sarcasm in her voice. “What does God care about me?”

  “He cares very much for you, Emily. He always has.” Rachel saw the bitterness finally boiling toward the surface—it was making Emily’s life miserable. Rachel
prayed for the right words to help.

  “He has a funny way of showing it.” She stood abruptly and faced the fireplace. The grate was empty because of the warm weather, but ashes remained from something recently burned. “As a child, I was faithful to church and Sunday school. I did what was right according to the Bible, even when it wasn’t popular. I prayed and read my Bible every day. What did I get for my trouble? This!”

  Rachel could see it was a faded telegram. Though Rachel couldn’t read it, she knew it must be the notice of Tommy’s death. Emily clutched the telegram tightly in her hand and shook it up into the air.

  “This is what I got in return. If God loved me so much, why did he let my Tommy die? I prayed every night that he would come home safe to me. He wasn’t even in the front lines. Why did this have to happen? Why?”

  “I don’t know why, Emily. Bad things happen every day, but it’s not God’s choice. People make choices that affect other people.”

  “He could have stopped it.”

  “Yes, He has the power to stop it, but in His love for us, He gave us free will.” Rachel crossed the room and laid a hand on Emily’s arm. “I don’t know why Tommy died, but I do know that He let you live. There’s a reason for that, Emily.”

  “Why?” Emily asked. The tears began to stream down her cheeks, and a sob rose from somewhere deep within. “Why? Why am I still alive? What purpose is there for an old spinster like me?”

  Rachel could see the pain and loneliness in her eyes. She put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “That’s between you and God, Emily. But, I know if we pray about it, God will answer.”

  “How can you be sure?” Emily asked hesitantly.

  “Because He is faithful, Emily, even when we aren’t. Whenever I ask, He always answers. Not always in the way that I want Him to, but He always answers.” Rachel took Emily’s hands in hers. “Let’s pray. You tell God all your pain and fears, and ask Him for His help.”

  Emily nodded her head, too broken to answer. They bowed their heads and prayed. A little while later, Rachel left a more peaceful Emily alone with her God.

  Rachel’s step was lighter than it had been in months. She skipped her way up the sidewalk and into the apartment. Finals started tomorrow and then school would be out for the summer, but she would be out for good. Somewhere between the Center and Emily’s, Rachel had decided to quit her job at the university. The time she had spent with Emily just confirmed her suspicions that she was meant to work at the Center full time. She wasn’t sure what that would mean financially, but God would take care of the details. This was His plan, not hers.

  ❧

  Randy found Susan totally by accident. He walked into The Magnolia so lost in thought that he almost ran over her.

  “Excuse me,” he muttered, moving past her toward his table.

  “Hey, aren’t you Randy Harris? From the English department?”

  “Yes. Do I know you?” Randy asked.

  “Not exactly. My name’s Susan Peterson. I’m a friend of Rachel Grant’s. Do you happen to know where I can find Rachel?” Susan asked.

  “I know she’s already left for the day. Is there a problem?”

  “No. I just thought she might like to have a cup of tea with me.” She looked disappointed, even concerned.

  “I was just about to have a cup myself. Would you like to join me?” Randy offered her his arm. She took it as they walked to his favorite spot. The spot he’d first sat at with Rachel. He took a deep breath and then plunged in.

  “I’m afraid I’ve asked you to tea with a hidden agenda. I need to ask you something which you may tell me is none of my business.” Randy stopped to clear his throat. He was starting to ramble. He could tell by her bemused expression. “I mean, that is to say…”

  “Spit it out, Dr. Harris.”

  “Is Rachel really in love with Kyle?” he blurted out. Susan’s mouth dropped open. “Never mind. It’s really none of my business.” He started to stand up and make a hasty exit, but she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back into his chair with a thud.

  “Are you in love with Rachel?” When he refused to answer, he could tell she knew the truth. “You are. This is great!” She clapped her hands in delight.

  “What do you mean great? It’s a mess.” She looked puzzled.

  “What are you talking about? It’s perfect.”

  “How can it be perfect when she’s engaged to Kyle?” he asked.

  “Engaged to Kyle? Where did you hear that?” Susan looked stunned.

  “From Kyle.”

  “When did he tell you that?” Susan asked.

  “The week after the tornado. He came by looking for her and said they were engaged.”

  “They were never engaged. She dumped him like a hot potato weeks ago,” Susan cried. “The jerk. I can’t believe he said that.”

  Randy stared at her for several moments. “You mean they only dated a few times?”

  “Yes. She found out what a real jerk he was and told him off.” Susan sat up straight in her chair. “Is that why you suddenly decided to move south?” Randy nodded.

  “I’m not going anymore, though. The project was cancelled. I got the news yesterday.”

  “That’s great.” Susan grasped his arm. “Not because you didn’t get the promotion, but great that you’re staying.”

  “I understand, but now what do I do?” Randy patted her arm.

  “You go talk to her.”

  “Easier said than done.” They finished their tea, punctuated by playful slaps from Susan. She was chattering happily about the good news, but he wasn’t listening too closely.

  He left Susan at the door of The Magnolia and headed for home. He needed time to think this through. He didn’t want to make any more stupid mistakes. Once inside the house, he went to his special place, a window seat that overlooked the backyard. He bowed his head and quieted his heart.

  Lord, what should I do?

  “Go to her.”

  What do I say?

  “Tell her the truth.”

  What if she doesn’t want me?

  He prayed for a few more moments, but he knew what he had to do. He had to find out for himself. He had to be willing to take the risk of rejection. Randy prayed for guidance, for the right words, as he never had before. At last a gentle peace flooded his soul. He looked out the window. The sun was beginning to set, and tomorrow was a new day.

  twenty-four

  The rest of the week went by in a blur of finals and grading, but on Friday morning Rachel turned in her grades and her resignation. She was in her classroom, sorting through what belonged to the university and what belonged to her when Randy stopped by.

  “What’s going on? Spring cleaning?” Randy asked, eyebrows raised. She was going to miss that expression. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

  “More like cleaning out. I just turned in my resignation.” Rachel could see the shock in his eyes.

  “Why?” He looked puzzled, even hurt. She couldn’t imagine why. He would be leaving soon as well.

  “I’m the new director of the community center, remember? It’s going to be a full-time job. Emily and I have a lot of plans for the place.”

  “Emily? You mean Ms. Stanford?” He really looked confused now.

  “Yes. We’ve become good friends over the last week or so. Sort of kindred spirits. Besides, I really prefer the work at the Center to teaching at the university. There’s a lot more freedom there.”

  “Oh.” He seemed to be struggling to say something.

  “Was there something you wanted?” Rachel questioned.

  “Yes. Oh yeah.” Randy stuttered. “I wanted you to come to my house for dinner tonight. I finally finished remodeling the house and I wanted you to see it.”

  “Oh, I’d love to see it.” Rachel tried to control her enthusiasm. He probably just wanted to show the house to someone. That’s all. “What time?”

  “About six o’clock?”

  “Sounds f
ine to me. I’ll see you then.”

  Randy nodded and gave a little wave as he rounded the corner. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Steady, girl. He has a job down south, and you have a job at the Center. It could never work out. Just calm down. With a sigh, she threw herself into cleaning.

  By five-thirty she had convinced herself not to expect anything special tonight. But she couldn’t help trying to look her best. Her room looked like the day after a tornado. She had been through every outfit she owned, twice. She settled on a navy pantsuit, not too dressy, but not too casual either. People said the color set off her eyes and hair. With one last look in the mirror, she tucked a stray hair into the French twist and grabbed her car keys. She arrived at Randy’s house at a quarter to six. Better early than late. She rang the doorbell and heard a clatter in the background. It was several minutes before Randy appeared. His hair was still damp from the shower.

  “You’re early,” he gasped.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Fine, fine.” He had a distracted air about him.

  “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

  “Hmm. No. I can’t.”

  “What?” Rachel asked. What was going on here?

  “You can’t come in until six o’clock.” Randy’s tall frame filled the doorway so that she couldn’t see around him. He was not going to budge.

  “Then what do you expect me to do?” Rachel asked, hands on hips. “Sit on the porch?”

  “Yes. That’s a wonderful idea.” He smiled and shut the door. She heard the deadbolt click into place. She stared at the door for several minutes, but he didn’t return to let her in. She looked around and spied a swing at the corner of the porch. It hadn’t been there the last time she was here. She tested it before she sat down. The faint squeaking soothed her ragged nerves until she relaxed against the swing, reveling in the gentle breeze. At six o’clock on the dot, Randy reappeared at the door.

  “Hi, Rachel, glad you could come. Why don’t you come in and sit down?” He was pretending as though nothing had happened before. She didn’t know what he was up to, but two could play this game.

  “I’d love to. Thanks for inviting me.”

  She followed him into the parlor, but couldn’t get past the threshold. Not only had he finished the wallpapering, he had also decorated the room in a rich wine. Beautiful drapes with real lace sheers graced the double window. The Queen Anne couches were covered in the same material with matching wing chairs scattered in clusters around the room.