by Taylor Hart
A car pulled into the driveway.
"Who is that?"
She sighed and stepped back, collecting her bag. “It's my uber. I ordered it on the way back here. Look, it wasn’t an act, Beau. I wanted to see you. I thought maybe with the time that had passed—things might be more between us than a roll in the hay."
This took him off guard. Even though he knew it would never be that.
She let out a soft laugh. “Beau, don’t be so angry with me, please.”
He couldn’t even talk.
She laughed louder, pulling her bag out the door. “You’re in love with her, Beau. You really are in love with that—that—girl.”
Clearly, her ego was bruised.
Marsal dropped the letter on the porch. "Read it. Think it over. I'd take your help no matter how I can get it."
Beau watched the woman get into the car. She brought out so many mixed feelings inside of him. On impulse, he bent and picked up the letter. He ripped the letter open, glancing over a financial sheet. He moved down the steps.
She rolled down the back window. “If you change your mind, Beau, Nigeria opens the first week in January. I haven’t found anybody to have on the ground there. It could be you.” A sad smile washed over her face. “Can I give you some advice?”
This was not what he’d expected from her. “Why not?”
“I’ve watched you the past few days. You’ve changed.” She blinked. “I know it was hard for you. She was my sister. I know what it’s like to miss her."
Beau didn’t say anything.
“I thought by coming here that maybe there was something more to the night we shared, something honorable.”
Beau sucked in a breath. "I'm sorry, Marsal. That night never should have happened and I blame myself."
She nodded. "I get it."
For a moment neither of them said anything. Then, she smiled at him. A real smile. “Go to her, Beau.”
Squeezing his eyes shut, he rocked back on his heels. Marsal’s small concession of kindness surprised him. She had more depth than he thought she was capable of at this point. He exhaled, shaking his head. “It’s not that simple.”
She paused. “Just because I can’t commit to being a Christian doesn’t mean I don't get it. You should have someone that believes as you do." Her voice broke. "My sister believed like you do."
Beau looked into her eyes and his heart started to break. They were so like Valerie’s eyes. The truthfulness of the moment awakened something inside of him.
Marsal continued. “What did that Pastor say in church today? Her voice softened. “I know God lives. I know He loves all of us." She bit her bottom lip for a moment and a tear fell down her face. “Pastor Paul said our sins are forgiven if we accept Jesus.” She lifted her finger and pointed at him. “If you believe that and she believes that, then go to her. Be happy with her. My sister would want that." She laughed. "Maybe that's why I'm here." She sniffed. "Maybe Valerie wanted me to tell you that."
Chills ran through his body, starting on his arms and ending in his heart. There was great irony in this whole situation and now he laughed. He couldn’t help but think that Valerie was working very hard on the other side to show him this truth.
“Thanks, Marsal.” He sighed. Weren’t they all trying to gain forgiveness somehow? “Good luck.”
She started rolling the window up. “If you change your mind, there’s always Nigeria.”
He watched the taxi drive away, feeling baffled. What had just happened?
**
An hour later, Beau parked his truck at a parking lot across the street from Sara's apartment. The streets weren't plowed and it was impossible to park in front of her house.
As he got to the street, he saw them.
Jonathon on his knee.
Chapter 38
A proposal was not what Sara was expecting. Her heart started beating fast and reflexively she pulled her hands over her mouth. “Oh my gosh.”
“Jonathon?” Her voice wavered, and she tried not to look at the ring he held out to her.
He pushed the ring up. “Sara, I’ve loved you since the day I met you. Do you remember that? The blind date? And I had to meet you, because you wouldn’t let me pick you up at your house.” He laughed. “You wanted an escape route, remember?”
Her heart pounded and she forced back tears. “I remember.”
He laughed. “That summer meant everything to me. And the last year you’ve been the girl I’ve wanted to come home to. The girl I’ve daydreamed about when I tried not to.” His eyes teared up. “The girl I’ve loved.” He took a shaky breath. “I know you say we don’t know each other that well, but I think I know you. The emails, the Skype calls. Sometimes I’ll find myself thinking of things you wrote in your emails and then I realize that I’m home and there are no more emails.” He broke off. “It’s like . . . it’s like you’re always a part of me. No matter where I am, no matter what I’m doing. It always comes back to you, what you’re doing, what you’re thinking.” He kissed her hand lightly. “I think it always will.” His brown eyes were lit up, his smile bright.
The memories flew through her mind. Of everything they'd shared together.
“Marry me, Sara.” He stood and took the ring out of the box. He held it in front of her finger. “Marry me because you love me.” The passion and innocence burned straight to her heart.
She clutched her chest with one hand, overwhelmed by the feelings from long ago. The feelings she’d stored in her heart the last year. He could give her everything she wanted. Everything her dad had wanted for her. His words. 'Jonathon is a good, God fearing man.'
Unexpectedly, Beau’s face washed through her mind. She thought of how he'd told her he was together with that woman.
Swallowing hard, she pasted on a smile. A sense of purpose washed through her. The kind of purpose that she knew what she had to do. “Yes.”
“You will?” he asked it with disbelief.
“I will.”
Jonathon slipped the ring onto her finger and then swung her into a circle.
She laughed. And felt a tear press down her cheek. She swept it away and tried to get caught up in the moment.
“Wahoo!” Jonathon twirled her again and then put her down. “I’ll make you so happy, Sara. I promise.”
She couldn’t describe why her insides seemed to start shaking, but she was freezing. Her lower lip started to shake. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a movement, almost a shadow. She turned, seeing the back of a black leather jacket walking away from her street.
He kissed her again, the warmth of his lips lingered over hers. “I’ve got to get on the road. But—I’ll call you.” He squeezed her tightly to him.
"Okay."
Jonathon drove off and she didn't want to, but she turned to see if the leather jacket was still there.
She couldn't see him.
Sara went to the baptism and put on a very excited front for Rob.
Rob came over to her at the end and grabbed her into a hug. “I owe it all to you, you know.” His hair was still wet, and his whole face seemed to glow.
"No. It was all God."
Linda rushed to his side. “You did it, Rob. You are so amazing!” And he was. She hugged him.
He hugged her back and looked so happy. She walked away from them, feeling purposeless. She touched the finger she'd just taken the ring off. She had placed it in her jewelry box at the apartment. The jewelry box her father had given her when she’d turned six. She hadn’t even told Genova.
It didn’t feel real yet. And she wasn’t ready to share the secret with everyone at Intervarsity. She figured she’d already given everyone enough to talk about earlier in the day.
Chapter 39
Three Weeks Later
Her car overflowed with assorted luggage and gifts to take home for Christmas break. She parked next to the Ivinson Home and took care to watch her step with all the ice on the curbing and sidewalk. She held two Christmas bags�
�one for Martha and one for Larry.
Larry had made a remarkable recovery. Although he wasn’t back to his Saturday practices, he looked happier than Sara had ever remembered seeing him.
And Martha seemed to be ten years younger. Last week, when Sara had visited them, Martha was back to dressing up with full make-up and bright red lipstick. Her natural love for life was even magnified with their wedding plans in motion. She talked nonstop about a spring wedding and the flowers that would be blooming in the garden at the church downtown. Sara reflected on the fact that it didn’t matter what age a person was, there was always room for more love.
Sara moved straight for Martha's apartment. She'd asked her to have lunch before hitting the road for Kalispell.
Last week, when she’d told Martha and Larry about her engagement to Jonathon, neither of them had looked surprised. She wondered what Beau had told them but couldn't bear to ask.
Plus, she was engaged now, why should she even care about Beau?
When she’d given her final presentation and gone over her business plan, Beau had simply smiled and nodded to her, as if he didn't know her. “Thank you, Ms. Fairbanks, it looks like a great idea.”
Both of them had ignored each other since that day in the church parking lot.
Also, the day of her engagement. Every time she did see him, anger would surge. The man was just … cocky. Plus, she wondered when he and the woman would make it official or … she hated wondering anything.
She wanted to put this last semester behind her. And she wanted to see her brothers and Tim’s new little baby she hadn’t gotten a chance to play with yet. She also hated to admit that she wanted to get away from Genova.
When Sara had told her about her engagement to Jonathon, she'd acted . . . disappointed then tried to be extra cheerful and excited for her. Sara had ignored all the hurtful feelings and gone on as normal. They’d talked about their weddings and how fun it would be to be newly married together. Sara would be going to Loveland, Colorado for Genova’s wedding in two weeks. They were getting married in Denver, in a church by Genova's home.
There were times when Genova remained silent and Sara knew what she was thinking . . . that things weren’t done with Beau.
But they were. They were.
And she and Jonathon had picked a wedding date of March 5th.
She knocked on Martha's door and slipped her Christmas smile into place.
The door flew open and Martha pulled her into her arms. A light cinnamon fragrance filled the air and Sara saw the whole apartment was decorated in lively Christmas décor.
Sara grinned and pulled away from Martha. “It looks lovely.”
Martha had on a simple, white dress, with a red, necklace that matched her ring. "What about me?"
"You look amazing!" She laughed.
Martha did her mock model pose. "Well, I thought I should do it up right on my wedding day.”
Sara gasped. "Wedding day?"
Martha took her hand and pulled her into the apartment. "It was Larry’s idea.”
This was not making sense at all. “What?”
“He called Pastor Paul two days ago and asked if he would marry us here at the home.” She rushed on with excitement. “We just decided we didn’t have time to wait until spring.” She laughed. “Neither of us are getting any younger and we want to be together, not shuffling between apartments.” She winked at Sara playfully.
Sara relaxed. “Why didn’t you call me? I would have helped."
Martha kept her hand and then moved out of the apartment with her. "This way. We didn’t want a big, showy affair. We just wanted the people most important to us.” She laughed. “We didn’t even call our kids—they never visit anyway. We hired a caterer and the staff put up some decorations." Martha paused next to the cafeteria, where they usually did their dance lessons.
Sara laughed. "This is awesome."
"Come on, now. We don’t want to be late. You’re the last one to arrive. Everyone is waiting.”
Butterflies hammered into her stomach and she heard the wedding march start in the cafeteria. “This is so great, Martha. I am so happy for you guys.”
Martha laughed. “I’m excited too.” She took Sara's hand and squeezed it. “Will you be my maid of honor?”
Tears burst into her eyes. She blinked and nodded. "Of course."
Martha squeezed her hand again and laughed. “Here we go.”
They entered the cafeteria and Martha walked down a red carpet toward Larry.
An older gentleman Sara didn't recognize sat at a piano. Three rows of chairs with a walkway in the middle were arranged. Guests were seated. Most of the residents from the home were there, all done up with smiles on their faces. Larry sat in a wheelchair at the end of the carpet. His mustache was perfectly combed and Sara loved seeing how it curled a little at the edges.
Larry winked at her.
Martha pushed her forward. "The bride goes last, sweetie."
Sara couldn't stop the happiness that filled her. She winked back at Larry.
But as she got closer to Larry.
She saw him.
Her eyes locked with his and she felt like she couldn’t breathe for a second. And looking away wasn't an option.
Of course he would be here. For a second she'd almost forgotten about him.
His blue eyes burned back at her. The force of them scorching into the deepest part of her. Like the blocked rays of sunlight after a bleak month of winter.
He wore black pants and a simple button down white shirt with a red tie and dress jacket. And, as always, his boots.
His lip twitched into a half-smile. The smile he used to give her when he was referring to a secret they shared.
She stumbled, but she didn't fall. She quickly took her place across from Larry next to the podium and didn't look back.
Pastor Paul nodded to her and then smiled at Martha as she took her place by Larry. She actually sat in a chair.
Sara couldn't stop the pounding of her heart. Beau was looking at her. She could feel it.
The music stopped and Martha slipped her hand into Larry's.
Sara tried to focus on Martha and Larry, not on Beau.
After the, not surprising, rather long-winded ceremony from Pastor Paul, Sara hugged the bride and groom.
Pastor Paul waved her to him and lowered his voice as those around them congratulated Martha and Larry. He peered down at her hand. “My dear, I heard you were engaged." He spoke in his soft tone.
She looked around and Beau was gone. Sara knew the Pastor would know. He took pride in keeping tabs on the Christian singles. "Yep."
He put his arm around her shoulders. "Pretty ring."
"You're invited, of course."
"I hope so." Pastor Paul grinned at her. “Though it will be sad Beau won’t be around to attend the event."
Sara felt herself turning red. Of course he wouldn't be invited.
Pastor Paul frowned. “Did I upset you, Sara? That wasn’t my intent.”
Sara waved the air too quickly. “No. I’m fine.” She tried her best to smile. “I have to go."
“Just remember, Sara. Beau is a good man. Be safe on the road. And remember, sometimes the path that looks like the clear path, is the one that can put you in the gravest danger.” He cleared his throat and turned away from her, greeting another guest.
She didn't move. Why would he say that to her? She had half a mind to tell him that he should ask Beau about his new girlfriend. The room felt hot to her and she scanned the crowd for Martha and Larry. She had to leave.
They were seated at a long table. Servers were putting plates in front of them. Guests were lined up in front of the table to talk to them.
Sara quickly went behind them and put her hands on both of their shoulders. “Congratulations you guys.” She squeezed their shoulders, hugging them to her.
“Have some food,” Larry said, gesturing to the table. “It cost us enough for an army.”
Martha sigh
ed. “His manners.”
Sara smiled and scanned the room for Beau. "No. I think I’m going to get on the road.”
“Okay.” Martha gently touched her cheek. She whispered, “You are so lovely, dear.”
She squeezed her hand, again. “Thanks, Martha.”
Sara pulled her coat closer as she walked outside, taking care to pick the right spots on the sidewalk to get to her car without slipping.
“Sara.”
Chapter 40
Sara jerked back and felt her feet slip beneath her.
Immediately Beau was beside her. His strong arms lifted her. “Are you all right?”
She pulled away from him. "I'm fine."
“I didn’t mean to make you fall.” His words were strained and the wrinkle between his eyes bent into a frown. “I’m sorry.”
Sara inspected his face and then turned for her car. “I’m going home.”
“I . . .” His voice faltered.
Sara flung her head back around to him. “Where are you going?”
He paused. “What do you mean?”
“Pastor Paul said you won’t be teaching next semester. Where are you going?”
Beau hesitated for a second. “Africa.”
This was a surprise. Why would he go to Africa after everything with his wife there? Then it dawned on her. “Is she going with you?”
Beau shrugged. “She’ll be in charge of the project.”
He looked like he wanted to say something more, but she didn’t give him a chance.
Perfect. Annoyance filled her. “Well, we all have to pick our road."
It was the day after Christmas and Sara was exhausted. Working to put away most of the decorations and deep cleaning the house was quite a chore. But she was leaving for Denver in two days to attend Genova’s wedding and then going directly to Laramie to work. There was no way she was going to leave the mess for her brothers to clean up.
Jonathon, who’d been holding a game controller in his hand for most of the day, called out to her. “You wanna play? I'm starting a new MBA all-star game. I'll let you be Kobe Bryant.” He didn’t even avert his eyes from the game.