by J. B. Hawker
Scott turned to leave and the policeman stopped him.
“Hey, I almost forgot… a big ‘thank you’ to you and your girlfriend. Without you and that list we wouldn’t have any of these guys and those poor little girls and boys would be shipped off to lives of absolute hell. You did a great job today. Thanks.”
Scott smiled and nodded then stepped outside to call Rosamund.
He hated to let her know that her prediction of trouble today had been right, but if he didn’t call she would worry when he didn’t come home.
Chapter Thirty-One
Guide me in your truth and teach me – Psalm 25:5
Driving home from the hospital, Bunny and Scott were subdued after the emotions of the previous day. Bunny rested her head on the seat and watched the scenery sail by, thinking about nothing, just letting the images come and go in her mind without engaging any of them.
“You know, that policeman I talked to yesterday called you my girlfriend,” Scott ventured.
“Oh?”
“And was he correct, Bunny?”
Bunny was silent, continuing to gaze out the window.
“Don’t ignore me, please.”
“I’m not ignoring you, Scott. I’m trying to formulate an honest answer. This isn’t really the best time to discuss anything, though. I’m still a bit woozy from my concussion.”
“Alright. Fair enough. I won’t press for an answer, right now. But when you are feeling a bit more like yourself I’m going to ask you again and I want an answer. Deal?”
“Deal. And thank you. You know, Scott, you are probably the most understanding man I’ve ever known.”
“Oh, for the love of…! Bunny Elder, you exasperate me, sometimes,” Naidenne sputtered as she sat on a bench on Bunny’s patio that afternoon.
Lying beside her on the chaise, Bunny looked chagrined as she replied, “I know, but I just couldn’t think what to say to him. Scott has saved my life more than once, and I’m so grateful. I respect and admire him. He’s funny and kind and a wonderful friend…but I don’t love him, not romantically. I should, but I just don’t.”
“Well, I’ve never laid eyes on this Max of yours, but he’d better be something pretty special to be a more desirable man than Scott. If Scott wanted me to be his girlfriend he wouldn’t have to ask twice.”
“Really, Naidenne? Are you smitten? Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“Well, it was obvious he was taken with you, so what was the point? I don’t suppose he’s ever even really looked at me. I’ll bet if I ran into him on the street he wouldn’t recall where he’d met me before.”
“That’s not true! But if it was, it would be because you have never done anything to make yourself noticeable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Now, don’t take this the wrong way, please, but for one thing, you always wear that drab uniform.”
“I don’t wear a uniform. I’m a business woman, not a Marine.”
“You wear the business woman’s uniform of a dark suit and white shirt. How many of those navy, black and dark gray suits do you have, anyway?”
“Uh, two of each color, actually; and a couple of spare skirts to match, in case I can’t get to the cleaners.”
“And how many white and off-white shirts?”
“Okay, I get your point about the uniform, but I think it makes me look professional.”
“Professional, yes; available, no. Why don’t you ever wear your gorgeous curly hair down on your shoulders? It’s always twisted up on your head and skewered with a couple of pencils…that’s not a come-hither look, you know. A man would be afraid of being stabbed if he got too close.”
Naidenne chuckled, “So, what do you suggest? Shall I get all dolled up and throw myself at Scott’s head?”
Bunny paused a moment before replying, then smiled and asked, “Are you coming to church tomorrow?”
“I guess I could. Why?”
“I want you to wear something bright and feminine. If you don’t have anything like that in your closet, then splurge and buy it. Wear your hair down and let those natural curls I envy so much bounce. And whenever Scott looks in your direction hit him with your 100 megawatt smile. He’ll notice you, for sure.”
“And what if he does?”
“You can take it from there. Now that you aren’t dwelling on past horrors you should be able to let go and just be yourself. He can’t help being drawn to you. You are a terrific person; bright and funny and kind…why, you two are a perfect match. I don’t know why I never saw it before…you are even almost the same height!”
“Oh, we are not. Scott’s nearly half a foot taller than my five feet eleven inches.”
“Okay, but you are each way taller than me, so how am I to judge? Anyway, you are both up there in the tree tops and you will make a darling couple!”
“Bunny, you are a silly little matchmaker and I love you to pieces. You know what? I’m going to do it. I’m going to go to Tillamook right now and buy that bright and feminine outfit and get my hair done and let the chips fall where they may. If this turns out to be a total disaster, though, remember, it will be on your head!”
The two friends hugged and Naidenne bounded out to take the Tillamook mall by storm.
Bunny leaned back on the chaise with a satisfied grin…now if Scott will only cooperate…
“I’m glad you asked me to come over this evening, Bunny,” Scott remarked as he sat at the breakfast bar while Bunny poured them each a glass of lemonade.
“I didn’t like to bother you on a Saturday night. I know you have to prepare yourself for Sunday’s service, but I want to clear things up before beginning the new week.”
Taking his glass to the loveseat, he sat down and said, “That sounds a bit ominous.”
“Not at all, only I don’t quite know how to begin without sounding hackneyed.”
“Why not just blurt it out, Bunny. I think I can see what’s coming without any handwriting on the wall.”
“Scott,” she began nervously, “I am so flattered, honored really, that you are fond of me and want to pursue a relationship, but I think it may just be a case of me being on the scene when your grief ran its course. Everyone mourns at their own pace and at just the moment when your heart had healed enough for you to begin to want someone new in your life, I plopped down in the parsonage with all my problems and needs and your protective instincts kicked in.”
“But, that’s not how it was…”
“I do love you, Scott, as the wonderful pastor and friend that you are. Thank you so much for everything.”
Scott sat looking at his drink for a moment, then stood and handed Bunny the glass.
“Thank you for your honesty…and for the lemonade. I guess I’d better be going. See you in church.”
Bunny had mixed emotions as she locked up after he left. She was sorry to have temporarily hurt Scott’s feelings, but relieved that her decision had finally been made.
When the choir took their seats after singing the introit, Bunny saw Naidenne slip into a pew near the back of the sanctuary. Seeing the flower-sprigged summer dress Naidenne wore with a new shorter hairstyle that took advantage of her mop of natural curls, Bunny was elated. The results of her meddling were better than she could have hoped.
She wondered if Scott would even recognize this lovely new Naidenne.
After the service Bunny lingered to chat with friends. She was surprised when Rosamund sought her out with a big smile on her face.
“Who is that striking woman talking with Scott? I haven’t seen her here before, have I?”
“You have, actually. She’s been here a couple of times. She’s my friend Naidenne. Don’t you remember? She was at my dinner party the other night.”
“For Heaven’s sake, so she is! But she didn’t look like that when I saw her before.”
“You’ve only seen her in her business clothes before, I suppose. It is quite a contrast.”
“I didn’t actually c
ome over to speak to you about her, Bunny. What I wanted was to, well, umm…oh shoot! I want to apologize to you.”
“Whatever for?”
“You know what for, don't go all wide-eyed innocent. I’ve been perfectly beastly to you from the day you turned up on our doorstep.”
“I guess I could tell you weren’t always too happy with me. But I could hardly blame you. I was like the Man Who Came to Dinner. I just never knew when to leave.”
“That was not your fault. Scott invited you to stay as long as necessary and I agreed. It was churlish of me to snipe at you like I did.”
“Thank you for that, Rosamund. Now, let’s just forget all about it.”
“Thank you!” Rosamund was giving Bunny an awkward hug when Scott interrupted them.
“What’s this all about, you two?”
“Can’t I give my friend a hug without you making a big deal out of it?” Rosamund asked.
Scott was speechless for a moment, giving Naidenne an opportunity to speak.
“Do you two want to come to the Crab Shack for lunch? Some of us are going over there, now.”
“Some of you?” Bunny asked Naidenne, softly.
“Oh, Scott. I made a meat loaf for lunch!” Rosamund complained. “And I want to watch the gymnastics special. It starts soon.”
“Save the meatloaf for dinner, if you want, or just go on home and have a sandwich in front of the TV. I feel like going out for something different today.” Scott smiled at Naidenne as he said that last bit.
“I have to beg off, too, I’m afraid. I’ve gotten way behind on this month’s column and it is due next week. You and the others have fun,” Bunny remarked with an ill-suppressed smirk.
Walking home, she risked a virtual Charlie horse from mentally patting herself on the back. She could tell from that brief encounter with Scott and Naidenne that she had been right about them. It was only a matter of time before they were an official item.
She did feel a slight bruise to her ego to see how quickly Scott had gotten over her rejection, but her strongest feeling was joy for her two friends.
Her good mood lasted all afternoon. When she had sent off her magazine article she was inspired by thoughts of Naidenne and Scott to pull up her romance novel and add a few pages, tweaking the characters to more closely resemble her friends.
That evening Bunny was sitting on the balcony outside her bedroom watching the sunset, sipping lemon-ginger tea and musing about her life.
Although satisfied with the resolution to the situation with Scott, she had begun to feel a niggling doubt about Max.
She had not heard from him in several days. It just occurred to her that when she emailed to tell him about the episode at the port she had received no response. She’d been so wrapped up in the Scott and Naidenne story that it only now came into her mind.
What if, instead of being torn between two lovers, she was now without any suitors, at all? Feast or famine; that was the story of her life.
Chapter Thirty-Two
…the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth – Malachi 2:14
Monday lunchtime found Bunny and Naidenne at their favorite table at the Boatworks coffee shop where Naidenne was filling her friend in on the previous day’s lunch date with Scott.
She had apparently made several purchases on her Saturday shopping trip because today, even though it was a work day, Naidenne wore a floral apricot blouse and a rust-colored skirt in place of her usual drab business outfit. Her brown eyes sparkled and her cheeks had a rosy glow, whether from a rare application of cosmetics or love, it was impossible to tell.
“Scott called this morning with the best news, Bunny! You know those poor women and children he rescued from that container? Well, there was a call from the Immigration agent last night. It seems some of them might qualify to stay here, if they have sponsors. Scott is such a caring man that he is making a presentation to the Ministerial Association today, right now, probably, to see which churches are willing to participate. He polled the Deacons at our church after the call last night and most of them were enthusiastic.”
“I’m surprised that there were any dissenters. This congregation is very mission-minded.”
“Apparently Scott wasn't surprised. He said he’d expected resistance from ‘that quarter’ but he thought they would come around, too, eventually.”
“I hope Khu Khu and Htoo, the girls I met at the port, are among those who might be sponsored. They seemed so sweet and it would be perfect if our church adopted them, since Scott was instrumental in their rescue.”
“He’s told me all about it and I’m so impressed with his strength and bravery. He’s too modest and humble to say so, of course, but I think he should get a medal, or something.”
“Oh, I agree,” Bunny replied. She was amused to see her friend gushing over Scott’s attributes.
Bunny had errands to do after lunch. She was on her way home, smiling at the thought of Naidenne acting like a teenager with her first crush. Bunny hoped this was the beginning of many years of happiness for the couple.
In contrast to her friends’ blossoming relationship, Bunny still hadn’t heard anything from Max.
She was tempted to call him, but hesitated. He had drifted away without explanation before, with no word for months at a time.
She was determined not to pursue him, this time.
There were plenty of fish in the sea, after all…if what she really wanted was fish.
She began imagining a Mr. Limpet character coming to her door with flowers and candy, all ready to woo her. She was amusing herself by elaborating on this fanciful vision, adding slimy scales and fishy smell when, about a block from home, she noticed there was a real man standing at her door.
She was instantly alarmed. She knew the man who shot at her at the port was still alive. Could he have escaped and come to finish what he’d started? Should she run or call for help? Indecision kept her moving forward along the sidewalk.
As she got closer, the man turned and she recognized him. The contrast between her fantasies and the reality took her breath away for just a moment, and then she began to run.
Max came to meet her, caught her up and swung her around in a ferocious hug.
“Are you okay?” he asked urgently while holding her away to look her over, and then pulling her back into his arms.
“Where have you been? Why didn’t you answer my emails?” Bunny’s words muffled against his chest.
“I’ve been out of the country. I just got back online last night. Let’s go inside and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Once inside the house Max kissed Bunny soundly before looking around.
“This is a nice little place you’ve got yourself, Hon. Did you do all the decorating?”
“Yes. Well, I had to on my budget, but it was fun and I think it turned out pretty well.”
“Are you going to show me the rest of the place?”
“This is about all there is. You can see the patio through those glass doors.”
“What’s up these stairs here?”
“Let’s sit down and talk. Then I promise to let you wander around to your heart’s content. Can I get you a drink or something to eat?”
“I could use a beer, but I don’t suppose there is such a thing in your little bunny hutch.”
“Well, no, but I have some chilled white wine, if you’d like.”
“If this was Texas, I’d have to turn down such a girly drink, but since we’re in granola land I’ll take it,” he teased.
Bunny poured them each a glass of wine and perched on the ottoman while Max sat on the loveseat, trapping her legs between his knees.
He leaned over and kissed Bunny again before settling back with his drink and beginning to tell of his recent adventures.
“I want to hear all about your latest escapades with that preacher of yours, but now that I see you are okay, I guess I should make my excuses for not being in touch for a while, first.”
“Our biggest client in South America was making noises about switching to one of our competitors and I had to go to Brazil to hold his hand. He insisted that we meet at his ranch out in the middle of the jungle. We took a helicopter in and there was no Internet or cell phone service. What kind of man does business that way? He says he doesn’t like to be interrupted. Anyways, it all worked out and he’s sticking with us, at least for now.”
“He must be quite a big deal for you to go to all that trouble.”
“Oh, he is. And he knows it. I was pretty pleased with myself when I got back home, until I read that email of yours about what you’ve been up to. I just turned right around and went back to the airport and got a flight to Portland.”
“That’s really sweet of you. I’m so happy you are here, but I’m sorry I worried you. As you can see, I wasn’t badly hurt. I was pretty shaken up, though, I’ll admit. I don’t think I will ever get used to people trying to kill me, no matter how often it happens.”
“That’s not really the sort of thing one gets used to. Maybe from now on you should try to steer clear of folks who want to take pot shots at you.”
“It wasn’t my fault! All I did was picked up a silly little chest on the beach and the whole world turned upside down.”
“What were you doing poking into shipping containers at the Port of Tacoma, anyway? You said they were smuggling in sex slaves?”
Bunny filled Max in on the whole story while they sipped their wine. When the glasses were empty Max excused himself to go upstairs.
Coming back down he said, “Cozy bedroom you’ve got up there. Bed looks comfy, too.”
“Thanks, it is. I got a pricy new mattress and it is worth every penny. You must be hungry. Most airlines don’t even pass out peanuts on their flights, anymore. Or did you stop for a bite on the drive down from Portland?”
“No. I wanted to get here right away. Now that you mention it, dinner sounds great. Do you have any good TexMex restaurants around here?”