“Mr. James has arrived,” she called formally from the opposite side of the door. Jennifer thought she noted a bit of humor in Kelly’s manner.
“Sorry, I hurried as fast as I could,” she apologized to Dan, but he waved off her excuse.
“It’s not a problem. Kelly was just telling me about your day.”
He made an impressive sight, standing tall and lean in a black, western style shirt. The aqua trim at the pockets gave him a southwestern look. His long muscular legs were clad in the same black jeans that Jenni had seen earlier, and she was glad he wasn’t a fussy dresser like Brian had been.
Brian! Funny, she hadn’t thought about Brian Givens in days. Now, after all this time, when she did think about him, she was comparing him to Dan – and finding she already preferred what she knew of Dan James. If only he were a Christian.
“Did you hear what I said?” Dan’s voice brought Jenni back to the present.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Jenni felt her cheeks flushing.
“I asked if Ed’s Cantina was all right for dinner.”
“Oh,” Jenni barely murmured the word. “It’s fine.”
❧
Several hours later after a wonderful dinner, Jenni was sorry to see the evening come to an end.
“Dinner was great. Thanks for inviting me.” Jenni had decided to keep the conversation light and impersonal, but Dan seemed intent on learning more about her.
“I’d like to get to know you better. Why don’t we take a walk in the village?” He wasn’t ready yet to lose her company for the evening, and he was searching for a way to prolong their date.
“I’d like that,” Jenni said, realizing that she really would like to walk off the heavy feeling the huge Mexican dinner had left her.
Parking was always difficult this time of year in Estes Park, but soon Dan found a place and pulled in. He was out of the seat and helping Jenni down from the jeep before she could move.
“Allow me,” he said with a grin. He gave her a slight bow from the waist.
“Thank you, kind sir,” Jenni giggled. She was more comfortable with this light conversation. Tonight she had no desire to discuss the intimate details of her life.
Strolling down Elkhorn Avenue, Jenni pointed out some of her favorite places. “I love it here. See, down there is the Fudge Works – they have scrumptious candy. And over there is the Copper Penny – they have a lot of souvenirs and such, but I like the miniatures best,” Jenni continued, her voice animated. “My favorite shop is the Cheshire Cat. I always stop there when we’re in Estes.”
“I know that shop,” Dan offered. “I happen to love cats so I found the shop a long time ago.”
“The woman that owns the shop is wonderful. She’s very friendly and always has the most unusual gifts.” Jenni added with a sigh, “I love Estes.”
“Um, me too,” Dan agreed. “That’s why I’m moving here.”
“Do you already have a house picked out?” Jenni questioned. Suddenly, she wanted to know everything about this man.
“Nope, that’s why I’m at O’Reilly’s. I’m going to start looking tomorrow. Maybe you’d like to help me.”
“Me? Why me?” Jenni’s voice betrayed her in surprise.
“I don’t know. You seem to have a real feel for the town, a love for the area. I thought maybe you could help me find something really special.” Dan looked down at Jenni. He stopped momentarily to study her in the amber glow of the street lights.
Jenni grew uncomfortable under close scrutiny. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all. I guess it’s just the writer in me. I find myself studying everything in detail,” Dan offered.
Jenni tried to hide her disappointment. She’d hoped that he might say something special, something like he was attracted to her.
They proceeded down Elkhorn until Jenni remembered the attractive Fall River walkway. “Have you ever walked down by the river?” she questioned.
“No, I can’t say as I have. But then, usually when I’m here, I spend a great deal of time in Rocky Mountain National Park, or climbing the mountains behind O’Reilly’s,” Dan informed her.
“Well, then, you’re in for a treat,” she said, and without thinking, she reached out her hand and pulled Dan along with her down Moraine Street.
Dan enjoyed the feeling of Jenni’s fingers on his arm, and when she dropped her hand, he linked his arm possessively through hers. “I kind of liked that,” he said with a grin.
Jenni felt her heart beat faster and her breath catch in her throat. She said nothing, but catching sideways glimpses of Dan, she could see that he was smiling a self-contented smile.
Although other people were on the walkway, Jenni suddenly felt as if she and Dan were alone. Maybe the riverwalk hadn’t been a good idea. She was, after all, still nursing a broken heart. One couldn’t just throw away two years of marriage plans and dive into another relationship overnight. Or could one?
Dan seemed to sense her uneasiness. “Is something wrong?” he questioned, leaning down to whisper in her ear.
His warm breath against her neck made Jenni jump back. Seeing the startled look on Dan’s face, Jenni turned away from him and faced the river. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I guess I’m a little jumpy tonight.”
Dan put his hands on Jenni’s shoulders. She could feel the warmth of each finger as he gently massaged her tired muscles. “Too much fireplace cleaning,” he said lightheartedly, and Jenni had to laugh.
Turning to face him, her laugh fell silent. They were standing only inches apart, and Jenni’s feelings of apprehension quickly returned. What was it about this man that seemed to set her very soul on fire?
“Jenni, I –” Dan began, but Jennifer feared his words.
“We really ought to move on,” she interrupted and began walking away.
Daniel stood fixed to the spot for a moment longer, a puzzled expression on his face. He ran a hand through his straight blond hair, then followed after Jenni. “Slow down. I want to enjoy this walk, not run a marathon,” he said, coming along-side Jenni. He was careful not to touch her and left plenty of distance between them.
“I’m sorry,” Jenni apologized and said nothing more.
Noticing her silence, Dan decided to move the conversation to a neutral subject. “So you like my work,” he said casually and then felt like kicking himself. He hoped Jenni wouldn’t think he was fishing for compliments.
“Oh, yes,” Jenni said with renewed enthusiasm. She was relieved to find a subject they could discuss without stirring uncomfortable feelings inside her. “I really do. I’ve read every book that you’ve written.”
“Well, not quite,” Dan said with a mischievous grin. “I have a new one coming out this winter.”
“Really? That’s great! I’ll look forward to reading it. What’s it called?”
“Ah, well, it, ah. . .,” his words faded into silence. “The title hasn’t been decided,” he finally announced. “Red tape and such, you know.”
“Oh.” Jenni shrugged her shoulders. “It’s okay. I understand how red tape and bureaucracy works. My father is in the Kansas House of Representatives.”
Dan perked up again. He was glad to have the conversation take yet another turn toward Jenni. “Tell me about him,” he insisted.
“Well, he’s really good at what he does. He listens to his constituents and cares about what they have to say. He’s always getting blasted by the media for his moralistic stand, but it only seems to make him more appealing to the people. They trust him, and let me tell you, he worked very hard for that privilege,” Jenni said with pride.
“I can well imagine. Public trust doesn’t come easy these days,” Dan replied with a hint of something underlying his tone.
“You sound as if you know all about it,” Jenni said, hoping that Dan would expand on his view of the matter.
“As a public figure, of sorts, I guess I do. People always expect certain things out of their heroes, if you c
an call both your father and me that. I just see what I do as a job. A job I love, true. But nonetheless, writing is simply the art and profession I’ve chosen to make a career out of,” Dan answered thoughtfully. “Sometimes you don’t measure up to what people think you ought to be. There are always those you disappoint, if for no other reason than the face you’re human.”
“You sound a lot like my father,” Jenni mused. “I think he’d like you.”
Dan laughed at this but said nothing for a time. They strolled among the tourists and townspeople until the end of the riverwalk was in sight. “Should we cross to the other side for the return trip?” Dan questioned.
“Why not?” Jenni said with a smile.
Dan could no longer stand the distance between them. When they got to the top of the bridge, he reached out and stopped Jenni. “Make a wish?” he asked offering her a dime.
Jenni laughed. “It’s been a long time since I did that.” She took the offered dime and thought for a moment. After closing her eyes, she hurled the dime into the rippling waters beneath them. For several minutes she continued to stand, watching the icy mountain river as it plunged over rocks and falls along its way toward Lake Estes.
“What did you wish for?” Dan questioned.
She turned and looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then grinned. “You know better than to ask.”
Before either one realized what was happening, Dan stepped forward and took Jenni in his arms. As his lips lowered to hers, Jenni felt a strange surge of anxiety. What if Daniel felt the same way about Christianity that Brian had? Daniel had revealed very little about himself, and Jenni began to dread being alone with this handsome stranger. She couldn’t let herself make the same mistake she had with Bryan.
Jenni pushed away and turned to the bridge rail. “I’m sorry. I can’t. Not yet.”
Daniel’s hands were on her shoulders, slowly turning her back around to face him. Jenni began to tremble and lowered her face.
“Jenni,” Daniel whispered her name as he lifted her face to meet his gaze. “Who hurt you?”
Jenni sighed and relaxed a bit. “A boy back home. Actually a man, back home. A very cold-hearted man, who hates my religious views and prudish attitude.” Jenni found herself spilling the entire story to Daniel.
“Sounds like the makings of a good novel,” Dan said, trying to sound light-hearted.
“It wasn’t the makings of anything good. That was the problem.” Jennifer’s voice cracked slightly, and she turned away from Dan once again. She could feel tears forming in her eyes, and she refused to let him see her cry.
“It’ll be okay, Jennifer.” Daniel spoke her name with such tenderness that she felt strengthened.
“I know,” she agreed and turned to resume their walk. “If I couldn’t count on that, I’d be hurting even more than I do.”
As they walked back to the jeep, Jenni decided she had to face facts head on. “Dan, she began. “I have to ask you a question.”
“Go on,” he said, suddenly very serious. “What do you want to know?”
“After everything I’ve told you tonight, I mean my past relationship with Brian and such, I feel like I need to understand some things.”
“I’m not sure what you’re getting at,” Daniel said uncomfortably.
“I’d like to know how you feel about God,” Jenni stated bluntly.
“God? Is that what this is about?” Daniel tried to laugh, but his voice sounded stilted.
“Yes.” Jenni paused beside Dan’s red jeep. “I need to know.”
“I see.” Dan seemed to be considering the situation for a moment. He helped Jenni into the jeep and walked around to get behind the wheel. “I’m not sure I can answer that question. At least not the way you want me to.”
“I just want the truth. Do you believe in God? Are you a Christian? Do you read the Bible and pray?” Jenni knew she was pushing too hard, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. After all, if he were a Christian, surely she would have been able to tell from the books he had written.
“Sure,” he said at last. “I believe in God. I don’t think you can come to a place like this and not believe in God.” Dan started the engine and headed down the road.
Jennie kept waiting for him to say something else, and when he didn’t, she felt compelled to press him for more. “That doesn’t really answer my question,” she said softly.
“No,” Daniel said through clenched teeth. “I suppose it doesn’t.”
FOUR
Dressing for bed, Jenni couldn’t help but remember the cool dismissal she’d received from Dan when they’d returned to O’Reilly’s. He’d been kind and polite, but nothing else. No tenderness, no request for another date, nothing. He’d not even brought up his request for her to help him house hunt.
“Lord,” Jennifer found herself breathing a silent prayer. “Show me what to do. I just can’t go through another tug-of-war relationship over my love of You. I guess I’d rather be alone.”
Jenni thought about her words for a moment. Did she really mean that? Would she rather remain single than have to diminish or even end her relationship with God?
“Yes,” she said aloud. “Yes, Lord, I do mean it.” Somehow, just coming to that realization gave Jenni a great amount of peace.
❧
The next day dawned bright and clear, with Jenni’s alarm clearly sounding at six a.m. The office would technically be closed until eight, but Jenni was quickly learning that she needed to be up and ready well before that time.
Kelly pulled into her parking place at exactly eight. Jenni had asked the petite blond to join her for breakfast. Jenni had something on her mind she wanted to discuss.
“Well, I’m here, but that’s about all I can say,” Kelly said as she joined Jenni at the small breakfast bar. “I’m so frustrated, I could scream.”
“What’s the matter, Kelly?” Jenni asked, holding up a pot of coffee at the same time. “Want some?”
Kelly went to the cart that held Styrofoam cups for the guests and brought one back to the table. “My roommate is moving back to her parents’ house. Now I’ve got to find someone else to help share the rent. I absolutely hate looking for new roommates, especially in light of the fact I’m only going to be here another eight months.”
“Another eight months?” Jenni questioned.
“Yeah,” Kelly answered, deep in thought. “I’m transferring to another resort next year. It’s a promotion.”
“What will you be doing?” Jenni poured the coffee while she waited for Kelly’s reply.
“I’m going to manage another resort owned by the Walkers. It’s in Dillon which is a lot closer to my family. They live in Leadville.”
“Well, that fits right in with my plans,” Jenni announced, taking a seat opposite Kelly. “I think it might also resolve your roommate problem.”
“What did you have in mind?” Kelly questioned.
“First let’s pray, then we’ll talk,” Jenni answered. She offered a brief prayer of thanks before turning to Kelly. “I’d like you to move in here and help me manage the resort. I’ve already mentioned it to Aunt Pam and she thought it would be great. I explained to her that I needed a backup.”
“So you could date the handsome Daniel James?”
Jenni frowned slightly at the memory of the previous night. “Well, at least so I can get away from time to time,” she answered thoughtfully and continued explaining before Kelly could question her further. “This cabin has two bedrooms anyway and it would also be a security measure. Then of course there’s the new cleaning staff. I’ll need to have you in charge of them and it just seems smart to have the management located here, under one roof, so to speak.”
Kelly wasn’t listening to the explanation with any interest. Her eyes were scrutinizing the dark circles under Jenni’s eyes. “So what happened with you and Dan?”
Jenni sat back in her chair with a sigh. “Is it that obvious?”
“Well,” Kelly began, lea
ning forward on her elbows. “I fully expected to come in here this morning and find you all sunshine and smiles. Instead, you look like you haven’t slept a wink and the tone of your voice makes it clear that something is bothering you.”
“Oh,” Jenni said blankly. “I wish I could understand it enough to explain it all to you. We really did have a nice time. In fact, I think Dan was very interested in seeing me again, but. . .”
“But what?” Kelly interjected.
“But, I started asking him how he felt about God and he didn’t want to talk about it,” Jenni answered.
“Boy, you just jump right in, don’t you?” Kelly said with a laugh. “I don’t think I would’ve had the nerve to start asking a man about his religion on the first date. You didn’t by any chance discuss politics too?”
Jenni had to laugh then. “As a matter of fact –”
“Oh, brother,” Kelly said and rolled her eyes. “You didn’t!”
“It’s not as bad as you think. My father is a Kansas legislator. We just talked about him.”
“Whew, what a relief. So what happened next?” Kelly continued the interrogation.
“Nothing and that’s the problem. He barely spoke two words after making it clear that he didn’t want to discuss his view of God. I doubt he’ll ever talk to me again, much less ask me out.”
“Why not just accept his friendship and see where it leads. Dan James is going to be here for a while and you’ll no doubt run into each other. Don’t let yourself get so serious about the man; just be his friend.”
“You know, you’re right,” Jenni said, and for the first time since she’d offended Dan, she felt the burden lifted from her shoulders. “I’m way too serious about this. It comes from spending too many years as a fiancée. I think I’ve forgotten how to just be friends.”
The bells on the office door rang, indicating that someone was entering. Jenni gave Kelly’s shoulder a squeeze as she headed to the office. “Thanks, you’ve helped me a lot.” Jenni had nearly gotten to the office when she said over her shoulder, “Think about my offer, okay?”
If Given a Choice Page 3