“Hey, Lindsey. How was your trip?” her boss asked when she walked in the door.
Lindsey smiled. “It was good, Stan. How did everything go here?” Lindsey surprised herself during her trip. She hadn’t thought about work more than once, and that was only to explain to Steve what she did for a living.
“Fine. Michelle took your route and things went smooth. I didn’t have any complaints, so that made me happy.”
”I knew they’d like her,” Lindsey said as she placed her briefcase on her desk. “Anything else I should know, before … ?” She waved her hand across her desk.
“No. It’s good to have you back, though. I can relax more knowing that you’ll handle things.”
Lindsey appreciated the compliments. She started to relax too knowing that someone felt she was right where she needed to be, even though she was having doubts.
The day progressed quickly. It was lunch time before she knew it and Marie was calling.
“Hey, Marie. What’s going on?”
“Just checking on you today. Are you doing OK?”
“The morning flew by. I’m thankful to have work to focus on today. I hope the rest of this week goes by just as fast.”
“Pete and I are meeting for dinner at Luke’s around seven. We’d like you to join us. If you’re feeling up to it.”
Lindsey’s initial reaction was to decline, but she heard the excitement in Marie’s voice, so she agreed. It also gave her something to look forward to tonight, other than another pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream.
She checked in with her regular clients, scheduled appointments for the rest of the week, and was able to leave early.
“Hey Stan,” she called to him as she walked past his office. “I’m heading out for the day. I’ll get on the road tomorrow and check in with you in the afternoon.”
“Sounds good, Lindsey. Have a nice dinner tonight.” He smiled.
Steve’s flight left on time, but not soon enough for him to get to Lindsey. Even though Don’s betrayal was going to take time to heal, he felt lighter now. He said a prayer for protection, and then watched the in-flight movie to pass the time.
He watched as the Detroit city skyline came into view. He didn’t expect the Detroit River to be as large as it was, and from what he could see from the air, the city had many architecturally beautiful buildings.
After he exited the plane, Steve found his way to the bottom of the airport and quickly located a taxi. He told the driver Lindsey’s address and asked how long of a ride it would be.
“Only twenty minutes, sir.”
“Can you make it any quicker?” Steve handed the driver a twenty dollar bill.
“I’ll do what I can sir. The traffic’s light today, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Thank you,” Steve said, and tried to relax. It can’t be too late, he thought to himself. It can’t.
Lindsey took her time on the way home. She had a few hours to waste before meeting up with Marie, and she didn’t want to just sit at home alone. She stopped at the bookstore and picked up the latest novel by Janet Evanovich, rationalizing that any attempt to distract herself at this point was good for her.
She stopped at the video store too and rented Cool Runnings, the story about a Jamaican bobsled team. She wasn’t that interested in bobsledding, but she enjoyed the fact that the movie took place in Calgary. Her desire to return there was growing every day, so she thought she could quench it a little by watching the movie.
After stopping by the post office and the bank, she drove at a leisurely pace and finally made it home by five o’clock. That would give her a little time to watch the movie before she’d have to leave for dinner.
Or so she thought.
Steve was sitting on her front porch.
Twenty-Five
HOW DID HE find me? She thought. The tour company: they had all of her information. He only had to have access to any on-line map and he could find her easily.
“What are you doing here?” she asked him from the walkway.
Lindsey was dressed in an orange sundress with slipon tan sandals. He thought she resembled him when he wore his work uniform.
“I’m here to ask you to marry me.”
Lindsey’s anger came across in her flat tone of voice. It held none of the passion and excitement that Steve had gotten used to hearing. “Why would I do that? Aren’t you already getting married to someone else?”
Steve walked down the porch steps toward her. He reached out to touch her hands, but she pulled back. “I know how hurt you are, but Lindsey, none of it was true. Don made everything up just to break us apart. I’m not in love with his sister. She’s only seventeen, for goodness sake!”
Lindsey heard his excuses, but wasn’t ready to believe him yet. “Why didn’t you call me then, after I left?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
Steve shook his head. “Don told me lies too. He told me you slept with him.”
Lindsey gasped. “That’s ridiculous. Why would you believe something like that? You know who I am!” Her face reddened, and the color began to spread down her neck and chest.
“I know I do, honey, but I was hurt and confused too and didn’t know what to believe. You left without any word and it made sense that the only reason you would, is if you didn’t really have feelings for me, and that you had just been looking for a vacation romance.”
Lindsey was quiet while she thought about this. “I guess that makes sense,” she admitted.
Steve felt confident that he was getting through to her. “I’ve spent the last week trying to get over you and move forward, but I can’t. I’ve never met anyone like you, and I don’t want to be without you for another minute.”
Lindsey understood his urgency. “I am happy to see you. But I still don’t know what to believe, Steve. Can you give me some time to sort through this?”
“Call me anytime, but please call me soon. I’ll wait as long as it takes.” He handed her the business card with the number for the hotel where he was staying.
Lindsey watched him walk away. His shoulders sagged underneath the light blue t-shirt he had on.
She knew in her heart that Steve was the man for her. After everything that had happened in only four days together, she felt as if they had spent a lifetime getting to know each other.
It made sense after she had learned about their grandparents. Perhaps God was giving this great love a second chance between the two of them.
She got back in her car and left.
“What a surprise!” Helen exclaimed when Lindsey knocked on her door. “What are you doing here?”
“Can I come in for a minute?”
Helen stood back to allow her in. “Is something wrong?”
Lindsey made herself comfortable on the flowered couch.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Helen’s hands trembled a bit. She swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat. “How did you find out?”
“I fell in love with his grandson.”
Helen gasped. “Oh no. That couldn’t be true … How did you … ? Where did you … ?” She placed her head in her hands.
Lindsey had been prepared for Helen’s reaction. “It doesn’t matter. You should have told me. She should have told me. This was too important to have been left unsaid. How could she do that?”
It took Helen a minute to regain her composure. When she did, she removed her head from her hands and took Lindsey’s hands into her own. “It was her secret, Lindsey. It was her life. We don’t have to share all of our secrets. Sometimes when you tell another, it takes a part of it away from you. Haven’t you ever had that happen?”
Lindsey nodded in agreement. “But, I still don’t understand why she did it?”
“Adele fell in love, but the timing was wrong. She trusted that if God wanted her to be with this man, He would move those mountains and rivers between them and bring them back together. Since that didn’t happen, she trusted that she had made the right decision i
n living out her life here.”
Lindsey shook her head and removed her hands from Helen’s. “I think God asks us to help at times. I know He’ll put roadblocks up when we need them if we’re heading in the wrong direction, but it doesn’t even seem like she tried!”
“Your grandmother was a strong woman, Lindsey. She had her share of tough times and she made sacrifices for others. She was no martyr by any means, but she always did what she thought was best for the family. You all were the most important things to her in this world.”
Lindsey was suddenly crying. “But, she missed out on true love,” she whimpered.
Helen smiled. “Maybe your version of what love is, honey. She had already had the marriage, children, and family life that you’re seeking. She didn’t need the day-to-day romance that you find necessary at your age. What she found in Steve was complete acceptance and support. She didn’t miss out on true love. She just had it in a different way.”
Lindsey hadn’t taken the time to consider that. At her young age, being in love and being in the presence of that special someone was important to her, but perhaps there were different stages of love.
“I think I understand,” she said quietly.
“I hope so. Adele wouldn’t want you to feel sorry for her choices. She was very happy with her life.”
“I know she was. I think part of me feels disappointed that she didn’t trust me with this.”
“It wasn’t that, honey. She didn’t want to lose any of the energy, and uniqueness of her long distance love affair. By keeping it secret, she was able to contain all of the intricacies and specialness of it.”
Helen noticed that Lindsey was trying to get a hold of herself. “What about his grandson?” she asked. “Do you want to tell me about him?”
Lindsey’s tears began to dry. “His name’s Steve too. He is perfect for me, Helen. A true gentleman, and so smart. He’s not only intelligent, he has a way of truly knowing his soul and what is best for it.”
“How does he feel about you?”
“He loves me. Can you believe it?”
Helen smiled. “What isn’t there to love about you, honey? You’re an amazing woman.”
“I guess because it’s taken me so long to find someone, I doubt I can be a good partner,” she admitted.
“See yourself in his eyes. See yourself as we see you. Beautiful, charming, witty, and a child of God. That will take you very far.”
“Thank you,” Lindsey whispered.
“So, what are the two of you going to do?”
She was quiet for a minute. “I don’t know yet. We both have our lives established and I can’t see him leaving Canada. He just fits there.”
“What about you?” Helen said quietly. “Do you fit?”
Lindsey smiled. “I think I do,” she admitted.
Helen stood up. “Then don’t waste another minute here with me, child. Go to him. Tell him that you want to be there for him.”
“It’s not that easy. What about Mother?”
“Oh, pff.” Helen waved her hand in the air. “Don’t you worry about her. When she sees how your face lights up when you talk about him, she’ll understand. It was the same for her and your father all those years ago.”
“She’ll hate me for moving so far away. Especially when I have children.”
“I think your mother will surprise you, Lindsey. I know how important grandchildren are and with you being her only one, I think you can expect to have her around.”
Lindsey stood up with much greater confidence than before she got to Helen’s. Helen gave her a hug and sent her on her way.
After she watched Lindsey drive out of the driveway, Helen went into the closet in her bedroom and pulled out the small wooden jewelry box that was hidden deep behind the shoes. She opened it with a smile and said to the empty room, “I think it’s time.”
Twenty-Six
LINDSEY DIDN’T KNOW if she should go to Steve, or address her mother first. She thought she might as well get the family confrontation out of the way, so she headed towards her parent’s house.
As she was driving down Main Street, Pete waved to her from oncoming traffic. He turned around and weaved in behind her, flashing his lights. Once she found an open area, she pulled over and stepped out of her car.
“Lindsey, you’re back!” Pete shouted out of his open window as he brought his car to a stop behind hers.
“It’s so good to see you,” Lindsey said, as he ran to her and gave her a hug.
“How was your trip? I’ve been thinking about you” he asked as he released her, keeping his hands on her shoulders.
Lindsey took a deep breath. “It was really good. I learned so much about life, love, my Nana, and the ways God works.”
Pete raised his eyebrows. “That sounds like some trip?” he teased. “Did you save any energy left for us?”
Lindsey didn’t want to waste another minute living without Steve and she knew that the sooner she told those that she loved, the sooner she would be free to be with him. “I met someone,” she admitted. She put one hand to her cross, and tucked a stray hair behind her ear with her free hand.
“On your trip? What kind of someone?” he asked cautiously.
“I fell in love, Pete.”
“That’s incredible!” he cried. “Who is he?”
“His name’s Steve. He was one of the guides on our trip. I can’t explain it all to you now, but you know me. I wouldn’t jump into this feet first without testing the water. He’s a good, Christian man and I know he will treat me right.”
“Does this mean you’ll be leaving us?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I think so.” She closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I know I’ll miss you terribly, but I do believe this is the best thing for me.”
Pete didn’t need to spend more time with her to know that Lindsey had changed over the past few days. She seemed content, and he also knew she would never make a decision without consulting God first. “I’m so happy for you,” he said, and took her into a hug. “I will miss you too, but I can see that this is what you need.”
Lindsey rested a moment in his strong arms. Then she pulled back and said, “Thanks, Pete. Listen, I have to get to my mother’s. I haven’t had a chance to talk with her and Dad yet, so can we skip dinner tonight and talk in a couple of days? I’d really like to spend time with you and hear how your dating is going.”
“That’d be great, Lin. I’m heading over to your parents to pick up Marie. I’ll try and get her out of there quickly so you can have time with your parents, but give me a call tomorrow and we’ll work it out.”
What was Marie doing at her parents? she wondered. No time to find out. “Thanks!” she shouted as she settled back into her car. Lindsey felt less nervous now. It seemed that every time she told her story it got easier. She only hoped her parents would respond with the same courtesy that Pete had.
She took the long way to her parent’s house with Pete close behind her, and tried to come up with a gentle way to explain to them what had happened.
When she got there, she saw Marie’s car in the driveway. She walked up to the front porch and pressed the doorbell waiting for the inevitable.
Marie opened the door. “What are you doing here? We’re meeting at the restaurant.”
“I think I should ask you the same thing. What’s going on?”
“Your mother called to ask me about her new talent for sculpting. She wanted a second opinion on the colors to use, so she called me over.”
Marie’s work as an interior designer suited her well. She had a knack for placing colors together and had created many beautiful rooms in the past.
“Oh. Pete’s here too!” Marie said as she pointed to the driveway.
Pete pulled his car into the driveway behind Lindsey’s. He walked up to the porch and kissed Marie on the cheek. Even from that small gesture, Lindsey could tell he and Marie were serious about each other.
“Hello ladies,” Pete said. �
�What are we waiting for?” He motioned toward the open door. He had decided on the way that it would probably be better for Lindsey if he and Marie stayed, instead.
“Lord be with me,” Lindsey said under her breath.
“Hey Lindsey,” her dad said to her as he walked up and gave her a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk to you and Mom about something. Do you have a minute?”
“Always for you, sugar.” He playfully called her the nickname he’d used most of her life. “Your mother’s in the garage. Let me go get her. You three make yourselves comfortable.”
Lindsey, Pete, and Marie went into the living room. The two lovebirds took a seat on the brown loveseat, which left Lindsey alone on the matching couch. She knew she’d feel as if she were on trial when her parents sat across from her in the flower-patterned high backs, .
“Just a minute, honey. I’ll be right there,” her mother shouted from the kitchen.
Lindsey looked around the green living room. The rust colored fireplace really stood out against the deep green walls, and the neutral tan colored furniture made it easy for those visiting to concentrate on each other and not be distracted by overwhelming patterns.
Marie had helped Anne decorate this room, as well as a few others in the house. Lindsey’s parents enjoyed doing the work themselves, but Marie was wonderful for providing little tips.
Her mother dashed in carrying a blue and white checkered kitchen towel and drying off her hands. “What are you doing here, honey?” Her voice was tight and concerned as she crossed the room to hug Lindsey.
“Mom?”
“Are you okay? You’re not here to tell me you have some horrible disease are you?” her voice was shaky. “This trip wasn’t your last big holiday or something, was it?” Her mother put her hands up to her face.
“Mom?” Lindsey said a little louder.
“Oh, Hugh!” Her mother was about to flip out. “What will we do?” She plopped down hard on the chair. “We’ll get her the best care possible! You can move back in with us, we’ll set up a nice room for you and we’ll get you whatever you need.”
Lindsey sat down too. Her mother was talking so fast, she couldn’t get a word in. “Mom!” she shouted. “Please calm down. I’m not dying. I’m not even sick.”
Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) Page 15