by Sally John
“How did you meet?”
Chelsea listened with rapt attention as Adele relayed an edited version of the story.
When it ended in Rome, Chelsea hugged her. “Thanks, Mom. This means so much to me, just to know. I should thank Graham too, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I think so.”
And I owe him thanks as well as an apology.
Even as a teen, Graham Logan’s chin would have been firm.
Late Saturday night, Graham sat in his drab furnished apartment, staring at four empty walls. Temporary surroundings never disturbed him all that much. To put up with uncomfortable chairs, a lumpy mattress, and a kitchen with few conveniences was not a hardship. He could tolerate almost anything for three months. On the other hand, being disconnected from Adele for three days was sheer torture.
He had purposely avoided her at the nursing home, determined to give her the space she needed. Should he call and risk further alienating her? Not only was time running out, he feared his chances of winning her over faded with each passing hour. Now that he knew what it was like to kiss her, he longed to commit to a relationship with her. Surely that longing was nothing short of a gift from God.
The whole problem with this assignment was letting his personal feelings get involved. Of course, he knew they were involved going into it. Rand had suspected as much, and it had fueled his determination which, in the end, was what had brought them to Valley Oaks.
Adele was as determined and as stubborn as Rand. She may not make the first move. She may not accept any first move he could make. What was the way to her heart? He assumed it had been Chelsea. That backfired. Roses? A ton of clay delivered to her door? Blueprints for a senior housing complex?
His cell phone rang. The caller ID displayed Adele’s number. He breathed a prayer of thanks.
“Hello?”
“Graham?” It was the younger version of the lilting voice.
“Hi, Chelsea.”
“You recognized my voice! I just called to thank you for finding my dad.”
Whew. She had told her. “You’re welcome.”
“Maybe…maybe you could give me his phone number?”
“Of course.”
“Later. Mom wants to say hi now. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
There were muffled voices, and then hers, clear, the lilting subdued. “Graham? Hi. How are you?”
“Better since the phone rang.” Too strong. “How about yourself?”
“I’m okay. I…I want to apologize. You can say ‘I told you so’ if you want.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Well, you were right. Again. She needed to know. Thank you for forcing me into telling her.”
“I apologize for not asking you first. I overstepped the bounds by taking things into my own hands.”
“My guardian angel.”
“All right. I also apologize for that self-appointment.”
“Accepted.” There was a smile in her voice.
“Did the conversation go all right?”
“Yes. We didn’t even need soup!”
“Pity. I would have come.”
“I know. Graham, I think I’m getting too used to you being here.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“I don’t know yet.”
He closed his eyes. “May I see you tomorrow? I thought a drive up the river would be nice. Dinner.”
“I hate leaving Chelsea. You know how clingy she was the other night? I’m behaving like that. Something feels so tentative about life right now.”
Could she sense his unease, the impending dialogue? Still… “Adele, you’ve been overly anxious about this situation. Perhaps a few hours away is exactly what you need. I don’t think you give yourself much time off, do you?”
She didn’t reply.
“Please, give yourself a break. And me.”
“Give you a break?”
“I’ve missed you. Don’t hang up.”
She didn’t hang up, but neither did she answer.
“Sorry, Adele. I’ll go do my grumbling in private. Why don’t I call you in the morning? You can sleep on it.”
“I haven’t slept in three nights. I’d better not sleep on any more unfinished business. I’ll see you,” she whispered, “tomorrow.”
Kate suspected she had a problem with bravado. She didn’t mean to portray it by accepting challenges willy-nilly. The fact of the matter was her faith had instilled in her the ability to readily accept anything thrown her way. She trusted God would cover for her. It added quite a bit of zing to her life by always saying yes. Nothing to worry about.
Except single-engine four-seater planes.
Bravado had nothing to do with it this time. Zing had nothing to do with it. Clever Tanner had turned what would have been an automatic “no” into a faith issue, leaving her no choice but to face her biggest fear.
God will cover for me. Mantralike, the phrase replayed in her mind as she waited not far from the runway. The bright early afternoon sunshine didn’t penetrate the khaki trench coat, her favorite spring outerwear, a hand-me-down from her father that usually enveloped her in comfort. Not today. From her innermost depths fear rendered her numb. She stood stiff as a board next to Tanner and met his dad’s family while pointedly keeping her back to that thing.
One glance had convinced her that thing was made of popsicle sticks and rubber bands and model glue. It could not have reached her height of 5’2”. And he referred to it as an airplane.
Tanner excused himself now to complete his preflight tasks.
“Kate.” It was Dr. Carlucci. He was a mature version of Tanner, his hair still thick and black, though shorter and not moussed. “Have you ever flown in one of these before?”
She shook her head violently.
“You’ll love it.”
Mm-hmm.
“Just like riding in a car, but you can see the entire countryside. What a gorgeous day for flying.” He turned to the children, repeating something about seat belts.
Jenna, age eight, and Jake, ten, danced around, clearly thrilled at the prospect before them. Marnie, a tall slender woman with long, smooth blonde hair and a young face like Adele’s, ran after little Sidney Jr., their three-year-old.
Kate hadn’t slept well. She probably resembled a zombie. Horrifying visions of flying had filled her dreams…scenes of mountains suddenly appearing, of green hills rushing at her, of spiraling downward—
“Kate!”
“Huh?”
Tanner was in her face. “Ready?”
She shook her head.
He glanced at the others, smiling. “She’s a little nervous.”
His dad said, “I’ll strap the kids in.”
Tanner took her face in his hands and whispered, “Show me, Kate. Show me it’s not all talk. He’s with you, isn’t He?”
She blinked until his face came into focus. “Jesus.” Her lips felt shot with novacaine.
“You’ll come fly with me?”
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…
“Okay.”
He led her to the thing and helped her climb into it. The kids were grinning from their seats.
“Up front, Kate.”
She found her voice. “Maybe Jake wants it. He can—”
“Front seat is yours. It’s a weight thing.”
She sat. And then she squeezed her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. Thy rod and thy staff— She balled her hands into tight fists pressed together on her lap.
She sensed Tanner pulling the safety belt around her, lifting her arms out of the way, clicking it into place.
“Here we go, kids!”
The engine started, drowning out everything but the crash of her heartbeat in her ears.
The sensation of careening came over her. She imagined them hurtling down the runway. Would they never lift off? How could they lift off?
Please, Lord, can You please just make it quick? I don’
t mind coming Home, I really don’t.
A hand touched her shoulder. She peeked at him.
He sat on her left, nearer to her than when they were in his car. He was grinning, his cheeks cupped by a headset. He pointed forward.
Behind his head she saw blue sky.
They were off the ground?
He took hold of her chin and gently nudged her face frontwards.
Her heart leapt and a whimper escaped her throat.
And then a brand-new world burst into existence, imprinting itself on her vision. The resplendence of creation flooded her, spilling over onto her tongue. Her delighted laughter was a hymn of praise to the One whose hand had made it all.
Adele slipped her arm through Graham’s, relishing in his closeness. They sat side by side atop a picnic table, their feet perched on the bench seat. The deserted park was located on a bluff overlooking the river. Sunlight danced on the distant silver gray water. Surrounding brown hills were covered with bare-limbed trees that seemed out of place. Though it was only the first of April, with the record-breaking 70-degree weather it seemed they should be loaded with spring green foliage.
He placed his hand over hers.
Her heart still occasionally did its funny little foxtrot number in her throat. Like now, when his physical presence overwhelmed her… Or when she thought of how quickly they had grown close… Or when she thought of what she didn’t yet know about him…
She had never been in love before. Was that what it was? Or had she just signed up for heartache? How was she supposed to know?
He kissed the top of her head. “A penny for your thoughts.”
“I’m thinking how on earth can a woman reach my age and be so naïve?”
“About what?”
“Come on, Graham. Don’t pretend like I’m not.”
“All right. You are so naïve it’s frightening. I’m surprised some scuzzy creep hasn’t waltzed right into your life and stolen you blind.”
“I don’t have that much to steal.”
“It’s figurative. I meant your emotional well-being.”
“Oh.” She stared out at the river. “Don’t you think I could smell a scuzzy creep?”
“No, I don’t. What amazes me is your ability to trust after the way your family treated you.”
“Ancient history. God has been taking care of me since Chelsea was born. Without a husband or a scuzzy creep around, I had to learn to depend directly on Him.”
“What happens when you cry like you did the other night?”
When she didn’t reply, he gently pressed her hand and waited. She met the piercing blue gaze. “Why do you ask that?”
“I was wondering. It particularly concerned me for some reason.”
“I imagine Jesus holding me.” She blinked.
“And that works?”
“It did…until that day Chelsea skipped school. I couldn’t quite get a handle on my emotions.” It was the first time Graham held her. And then she got a handle on them.
He smiled briefly as if he too remembered. “I cannot imagine dealing with kids.”
“Did you ever want them?”
“No.” A brusque tone underscored the lightning-quick response. He cleared his throat. “How about you? Did you ever want another?”
“Sure. Giving birth, holding that newborn, watching her grow year after year. There is no word to describe it. The benefits obliterate the struggles. But…” She shrugged. “Not by myself again.”
“Maybe if you had others, letting Chelsea go wouldn’t be as tough.”
“Oh, it probably wouldn’t make a difference. For the first time I’m getting a glimpse of what I put my mother through. I’ve been so determined that Chels and I would have a different relationship, I didn’t think I’d notice this part. We do have a different relationship, but I’m sitting here concerned she’s going to grow up today while I’m not at home. I have this irrational fear she’ll run away and get pregnant like I did. Which was why I was so crazy the day she skipped school.”
“Then, dear, you definitely need something else to think about. Don’t go away. I’ll be right back.” He sprang from the picnic table and loped off toward the parking lot.
Adele noted what she had seen before. He moved with the agility of an athlete. There was a subtle physical strength about him that greatly enhanced the sense of safety she always felt emanating from him. She had no doubt that if she were threatened by someone with a weapon, Graham would know just what to do.
Just like he knew what to do when they were worried about Tanner.
Just like he knew what to do about Greg Findley.
Adele hesitated as she connected the pieces of the Graham Logan puzzle. Another naïve reaction? Or self-preservation? If she saw him clearly, would he resemble the man she loved?
Of course he would. A leopard couldn’t change his spots. Graham would still be kind and gentle, attuned to her. And the best-looking guy she had ever seen.
Still, the missing pieces begged for attention.
Rand Jennings was more than likely from Baltimore, her hometown, not Chicago.
Graham never talked about his work, but he talked of a wide variety of other personal experiences. He had obviously lived in more places than Chicago.
He had sources high in government.
He was overly alert, though he downplayed his physical and mental prowess. The details he noticed, the way his eyes took in the surroundings, his instant memorization of Kate’s number, his intimate knowledge of Rockville…
“Adele.” He was standing in front of her, smiling. “You’re not looking at the river. Lost in thought again?”
“Mm-hmm. But not about Chelsea.”
He cocked his head to one side, studying her. “Do I want to know about what?”
“Oh, just you. What are you holding behind your back?”
“What about me?” he teased.
“You don’t want to know!”
“Was it good stuff?”
“Well,” she drawled out the syllable, “some of it was.”
“Not most of it?”
“No.”
He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll have to try harder.”
“Yes, you will.”
“I have something here that might help.”
She caught a glimpse over his shoulder of a long rolled sheet of paper. “What is it?”
“Let me preface it by saying I found an investor for you.”
Stunned at this statement, she felt her smile fade.
He swung a leg over the bench seat and straddled it, watching her intently. “Your dream has merit, Adele. I knew someone who would agree.” He unrolled the large tube of papers. “He’s a seasoned businessman, wealthy, not accustomed to waiting. These are—”
She gasped, struck with the realization that she was looking at blueprints.
“Plans for your complex. If they’re not what you have in mind—”
“Graham!” she whispered, quickly deciphering floor plans of an apartment building. “How…? What…? This is incomprehensible!”
“I’m sorry. Let me explain—”
“Not the diagrams! Oh my goodness! There’s the coffee shop! And an enclosed walkway connecting it to the theater!”
“Here, underneath.” He rearranged the papers. “This shows the individual units.”
“Oh my!”
“And here.” More shuffling. “That acreage south of town. See the entrance is here, and another here.”
She gasped again.
“Did you picture it this way? It can be changed.”
“Oh, Graham!” She put a hand to her mouth. “Who…?”
“Anonymous.”
She needed to stop gasping. Lowering her hand, she took a deep breath and tried to think rationally. “You said an investor. One person?”
He nodded. “As I said, he’s seasoned, he’s familiar with such investments. And, he’s wealthy.”
“How…how does something like this work?�
�
“Simple contract. Your attorney is drawing up the papers now. We have an appointment with her on Tuesday. She’ll come out to Fox Meadow so you won’t have to—”
“You know who my attorney is?”
“I figured someone at the nursing home would know. I asked Gracie.”
A faint warning bell dinged in the back of her mind. He knew more about her than the name of her lawyer. She ignored the thought. “Good heavens! I feel like I just won the lottery. It’s unbelievable. Is it unbelievable? I mean, is it too good to be true?”
“No. It’s a straight business transaction.”
“I’m not familiar with business transactions.”
“Do you trust your attorney?”
“Yes.” Laura was a friend of Naomi’s. Adele had known her for years.
“She’ll explain everything to you. I don’t have to be present. I won’t interfere with your meeting. Bottom line, you make all the decisions. If the investment falls flat, it’s not your fault. You don’t have to repay a dime.”
“How can Mr. Anonymous sign a contract with me?”
Graham blinked as if surprised at her question. “I have power of attorney. I can sign his name to legal documents.”
“You can sign his checks?”
He smiled. “Naturally. You’ll have to receive one, won’t you?”
Rand Jennings. “Will he identify himself someday?”
“He may.”
Why? Why would a complete stranger on his deathbed put up—“How much are we talking?” Goodness, the man had already paid for these plans before her.
“Four point two million.”
Her eyes grew wide. Incomprehensible!
“That includes the land. There’s more if it’s needed, but we anticipate residents prebuying units, which will offset expenses. See here.” He pulled out one of the bottom sheets. “The first ten could be ready for occupancy by fall. People could move into them while the rest are under construction.”
“Can you tell me…” Concern tightened her throat. “Can you tell me why?”
“Dear Adele.” He rolled up the blueprints, set them aside, and hopped back onto the tabletop beside her. “Think of it as a gift, like grace from your heavenly Father. Did you understand that in the beginning?”