White Chocolate Moments

  It took about two hours to talk it out, but Gage answered the questions of both family members. And he enjoyed it. Any excuse to think or talk about Arcineh suited him fine.

  "Tell me she's not run away again?" Violet said into the phone, not even telling Sam hello.

  "She has not run away."

  "What did she think of her room?"

  "She's not living here. She has an apartment."

  "Oh!" Violet was stopped by this. She thought Arcineh was home with Sam.

  "How often do you see her?"

  "Every Sunday, and during the week too."

  "You saw her today?"

  "Yes. I go get her after church and give her lunch. Sometimes she does her laundry"

  Violet fell silent for half a minute. When she spoke again, her tone was desperate. "I've decided to stay the whole time, Sam, but you've got to hang on to her. Make sure she doesn't run before I get there. My heart can't take it."

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  "I think she'll be here, Vi. Don't worry about it. She would hate it if she spoiled your trip."

  "I think that's why I'm staying. I'd rather be there, but I don't want her to feel bad about my coming home:'

  "You're doing the right thing. Are you having fun?"

  "We saw the Louvre today:' Violet told him, sounding pleased for the first time.

  The two talked about everything she'd seen and done, and how much her friend, Alice, was enjoying the time away. When it was time to get off the phone, she cried as she sent her love to Arcineh, but Sam was able to reassure her, truly believing that Arcineh wasn't going anywhere.

  "Do you have a minute?" Mallory asked of Gage the moment he got to his office Monday morning

  "Sure, come on in:' he invited, surprised to see Victoria with her and Mallory shutting the door behind them.

  "We want to tell you something and ask you something." Taking a seat on the sofa and inviting the women to join him in the sitting area of his office, Gage said, "Shoot:'

  "We want you to know how much we appreciate what you've done for our jobs and how much we like working here now:'

  "You're welcome, and I'm glad you like it. That's important to

  me we do have a question, and we don't want to overstep:' "Go ahead," Gage said, clearly not worried.

  The women looked at each other before Mallory asked, "Did you happen to notice how attractive Arcie Bryant is?"

  Gage stared at them. He looked at these very professional women, who did their job well, searched their expectant eyes, and shouted with laughter.

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  "Well, did you?" Victoria pressed, glad he was taking it so well. "Yes:' he finally admitted. "How could I not?"

  "Well, we just want to say that we got to know her a little bit, and we think she'd be perfect for you:'

  Coming from anyone else, this would have been impertinent, but these women were the soul of caring and discretion.

  "We'll get to work now:' Victoria offered, and all three stood. "Thank you:' Gage said to them. "I assume this will be our little secret?"

  Both women nodded vehemently before slipping out the door and to their desks. Before they went their separate directions, however, they shared a swift conspiratorial smile.

  Gage, it's Arcie.

  Gage, completely ready to head out the door, decided to listen to the voice mail on his cell phone before planning to shut it off for the night.

  It's not going to work tonight, Arcineh's voice went on. I'm sorry to give you such late notice. I hope you can find someone else to go with you. I'll talk to you later.

  Gage no more let the message end before he dialed Arcineh's cell phone. It rang several times before a woman picked up.

  "Arcineh?"

  "No, this is Jalaina."

  "Is Arcineh there?"

  "Yes and no. I take it this is Gage?"

  "Yes:'

  "Well, Arcie is here at my apartment, but she's sound asleep. She's coming down with something:'

  "She's sick?"

  "Yes. Are you still going to the play?"

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  "No, I'd like to see her:'

  "Well, that might be best because I have a prior commitment that I can't cancel. I have to leave in an hour. If you could come and take her back to her apartment or to her grandfather's, that would be great:'

  "Give me the address:' Gage requested and wasted no time finding the place. Not sure what he thought about this cancellation, he knocked and waited.

  "Well, now:' Jalaina said when she opened the door, "Arcie and I never have the same taste in men, but you are good-looking:'

  "Thank you," Gage said, instantly seeing why Arcineh liked the one and only Jalaina. She was warm, beautiful, and real.

  "Come in:' Jalaina invited.

  Gage stepped into the nice apartment, a move that put him directly into the living room. He spotted Arcineh on the sofa and went that way. He stared down at her flushed, sleeping face, wishing she had just told him what was going on.

  "Do you know why she came here?" Gage asked.

  "She was in a panic. She wanted to go on this date, but she said she felt a little dizzy and odd. I think she has a fever," Jalaina put in. "And then she cried and said her dress would probably be all wrong and wished she could have bought a new one. Then she said you would probably kiss her, and not like the way she kissed, and she just wished she could live with Sam."

  Gage stared at the expectant woman in his presence, realizing she'd repeated the words to him just the way she'd heard them. He looked back to Arcineh and then took a seat on the coffee table. He reached out and touched her warm face. She woke a few minutes later.

  "Oh, Gage," she pushed into a sitting position, her voice raspy. "How was the play? Did you find someone to go with you?"

  "No," he said quietly, reading in her glassy eyes that she was indeed sick. "I got your message and came to take you to Sam's:'

  "Did I leave you a message?" she asked, frowning against her headache and trying to concentrate.

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  Gage decided not to answer this. He turned to Jalaina for a few words, made sure he had Arcineh's phone and purse, and started her toward the door.

  "I don't want to go to dinner, Gage," Arcineh told him. "I have a headache'

  "How about we go see Sam?"

  Arcineh didn't answer, but she was afraid if she saw her grandfather she would burst into tears. She planned to tell Gage that, but once she was settled in his car, she just felt like sleeping.

  Arcineh woke up Saturday morning, her eyes taking in her room, sure she was dreaming. She still had a headache, but that wasn't the main problem. It was her room in every way. Just as she remembered it. Arcineh wanted to get up and look around. She wanted to find Sam and ask him so many questions, but all she could do was fall back to sleep.

  "I haven't said anything to you because Arcie didn't want that, but you needed to know"

  Sam had heard Gage out in silence. The younger man had come over as early as he dared, and he and Sam had just had a long, enlightening talk. Sam knew there was a reason Arcineh had not wanted him in the apartment, but he'd not guessed this.

  "You also must know that it wouldn't hurt my feelings to have her living next door."

  Sam's eyes twinkled over this admission. He would not say anything to Gage or Arcineh, but when he'd met Gage, he thought him

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  perfect for his granddaughter. He didn't know what Arcineh felt, but a relationship between the two of them would not bother him at all.

  "So how do I handle this?" Sam put himself on the younger man's mercy--at this point he might know her better. "Do I tell her you told me and ask her what she wants, or find her key and send someone to clear out the place?"

  Gage laughed. "I've seen Arcie angry, so I probably wouldn't have the guts to use the key, but I don't think I would stop talking until I had her convinced:'

  "Maybe I should go talk to her now:' Sam said lightly. "She's slightly delirious and would probably agree to
anything:'

  Gage took that as his cue to leave. He wanted to check on Arcineh himself, but knew he couldn't do that. He left his neighbor and took himself home, his heart still next door.

  "It's not that simple Arcineh told Sam after he'd pled his case. She was still in bed on Saturday evening but had eaten a little soup. "I'm not willing to be waited on anymore. I like cooking. I like doing my own laundry' Arcineh made a sudden face. "I won't fight anyone for the privilege of cleaning the bathroom, but Violet isn't used to sharing your house in that way. I don't know if it will work:'

  "Violet will do whatever I ask. You know that. And don't forget, she has her own place over the garage. You won't be in her way there. It might take some adjustment here, but she'll do anything to have you back"

  Arcineh thought for a moment. "I'm out of work in about two weeks:'

  "That's good:' Sam surprised her by saying.

  "Why is that?"

  "You've got some things you need to take care of:'

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  "Such as?"

  "Two large storage units that are holding all of your parents' things. They don't fit on this property, but I couldn't get rid of them." "I'd completely forgotten about that:"

  "And at some point we've got to talk about your money. I'm not going to live forever, and then you'll have even more to deal with."

  Arcineh nodded. She knew he was right. It just felt odd to her. She was mature enough these days to admit that extra spending money would be nice, but she was also proud of how hard she'd worked. However, she'd had little time for anything but work in the last four years.

  "I think some time off would be nice she said softly. "I know that's a luxury that many can't afford, but I wouldn't mind having some time with no rent to pay:'

  "No rent?" Sam teased. "What do you think I am, made of money?" For some reason tears filled her eyes.

  "I missed you, Grandpa: Arcineh said. "If you think it will work, I'll come home

  Sam could not contain himself. Tears filled his eyes. He had never wanted to lose her. His anger over her leaving had eventually cooled, and all these years he'd yearned for her presence. Losing her from his life had felt like Trevor and Isabella dying all over again.

  "It's done Sam said when he could speak. "I'll go and gather whatever you need for the next few days. You live here now:'

  Arcineh had not had the strength to get out of bed, but when Sam came close to hug her, she clung to him, never wanting to be separated again.

  "How are you?" Gage asked when he came over on Sunday morning. Sam had gone to church but had let Gage know that the back door was unlocked.

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  "Better:' Arcineh said. "I actually don't remember even arriving here, so I must be feeling better than Friday night. Except:' Arcineh suddenly said, "I completely ruined the evening. Did you do something with the tickets?"

  "No, it's not important."

  Arcineh stared at him, still not feeling herself but glad to see him.

  "Why don't you have a girlfriend, Gage?"

  "That's a long story"

  Arcineh laid her head back against the sofa and waited. "Did you know I moved here only a year ahead of Sam?" Arcineh's head moved against the sofa.

  "When I first became a success, I bought all the trappings, the mansion and Ferrari, but then I learned that those purchases draw a lot of unwanted attention. I could never tell if a woman cared for me or my money."

  "So you moved here?"

  "Yes. I still live in luxury, but with less show. I've taken more time with my sunglasses in the last few years and not tried to think about having a relationship:'

  "Until now?" Arcineh asked, risking embarrassment.

  "Until now:' Gage confirmed.

  "Why me? Or am I just the one who's getting you started again?"

  "Wow, Arcie," Gage had to say. "You are an amazing person, with a very insecure little heart'

  "I don't know about being amazing, but I am insecure Arcineh had to agree. "It doesn't matter that my parents didn't deliberately die. I still felt abandoned. And then, I was not Sam's favorite grandchild. That didn't matter when he wasn't forced to choose between us, but he was suddenly the only parent I had, and he never took my side. He's apologized for all of that, but trust comes hard in those circumstances."

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  "Are you willing to try?" Gage asked. "If you aren't, I'd want to know right now:'

  "I am willing. I want to get to know you. I want to throw my hat

  in the ring, but I might be full of doubts and move rather slowly:' "Slow I can handle, never is too hard. I won't keep hanging around

  if your heart already knows this is never going to happen:' "What exactly?"

  "A relationship with me, and whatever that looks like as time unfolds:'

  Arcineh could not have asked for a more direct answer. Gage was sure of himself, and she respected his putting the cards on the table. And he agreed to move slowly. She would be a fool not to follow her heart at least a little bit. In the next few minutes, and in so many words, Arcineh told him she was more than willing to give this a try.

  "You must be feeling better," Nicky said when he spoke to Arcineh on Tuesday.

  "I do feel better, but I might have to knock off early. I get tired:' "That's not a problem. How many more days here?"

  "I think only about six. Will that work for you?"

  "Yeah, that's good."

  Nicky had gone close and looked at some corner work.

  "This looks good right here. Your work looks as good as mine:' "Why didn't you take this one, Nicky?"

  "Because I'm at the new office building downtown, and that job's going to go on for about a year. This one is too short-term. I've got to make sure we don't mess up in that office:'

  "But you must have a contract," Arcineh began.

  "That says they can cancel. It's too valuable a job for me to be across town all the time:'

  "How's Libby?" Arcineh asked, changing the subject.

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  "Sick to her stomach all the time, but just glad to be pregnant'

  "Grandma is over the moon, you know." Arcineh had talked to her recently. "She can't believe she'll have two great-grandbabies in one year."

  "Marco even said he would babysit, as long as his friends didn't find out."

  The two shared a laugh over this before Arcineh went back to work. She was ready to be finished with this job. It was hard when she was tired. Not that she was looking forward to a walk in the park. It was time to go through her past and do some letting go.

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  Chapter Twenty

  "You're going out?" Arcineh asked Sam on Thursday night. She had made dinner, and he'd come to the table in clothing that indicated as much.

  "Yes. Each week I have Bible study at Pastor Simon's. This week it's tonight. Do you feel up to coming?"

  "It's at his house?" Arcineh sounded as doubtful as she felt. "Yes: Sam answered, simply waiting.

  "I was thinking I might come along on Sunday. That's in a church, right?"

  'Yes, and you're welcome'

  "I think I'll do the

  "Okay. I'll be home in a few hours'

  'All right. If I'm not here, I'm probably at Gage's:'

  "I'll call you when I get in."

  They finished dinner, and then Arcineh started the dishes. Sam was not gone five minutes when she wished she'd gone with him. She didn't want to be in a house full of religious people, but being near him was so important right now. Arcineh finished with the kitchen

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  And then literally sat by the phone, hoping Gage would be home early enough to invite her over.

  "Do you believe in God?" Arcineh asked Gage. He had put a movie in the DVD player, but Arcineh was still thinking about Sam. "I do believe in God. Do you?"

  "I don't know. I mean, I never did, but now I'm starting to wonder:"

  "What made you wonder?"

  "How changed Sam is. Something had to have done that, and he gives
all the credit to God. I don't want to believe it, but I don't know what else to do:'

  "Why don't you want to believe it?"

  "Because if God is up there, why did my parents die? And why didn't He do something with my grandfather before I had to spend years away from home?"

  "Those are good questions:'

  "Why do you believe in God?"

  "I just always have. My father took my sister and me to church, and I've always believed He was in charge of everything, even when my mother left us. Sam has the most personal belief in God I've ever seen--I don't think I can go that far--but that doesn't mean I don't think God is there. All of this had to come from somewhere, and I think the billions-of-years theory is ridiculous:'

  Arcineh had to think about that. The movie played, but she looked right through it. Gage looked at her.

  "Why don't I just turn this off?"

  "What's that?" Arcineh asked, not having a clue what he said. Gage smiled and hit the off button.

  "I'm sorry: she laughed a little. "I don't think I was paying attention:'

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  "I know you weren't"

  "You're not supposed to be watching me. There was a movie on."

  "Yes, but the actresses in this just aren't as beautiful as you are:' "Now that was flirting:'

  "It was, wasn't it?"

  They smiled at each other, and Arcineh was suddenly glad they had not shared the sofa. Gage on the other hand, was ready to invite her over.

  "Sam will be calling soon:' Arcineh said after reading his mind. "My loss:' Gage replied.

  Both knew they were on thin ice. The attraction was far too strong. Without further words, Gage put the movie back on, and both pretended to be interested in the story.

  (=SO

  "Will you consider the greatness of God with me?" Pastor Simon Orr asked the congregation Sunday morning. "Listen as I read Psalm 145:3: 'Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable: Unsearchable. This is God speaking to us here, and He's using the word `unsearchable' to describe His greatness. There is no such thing as `unsearchable' in His world; there is no part of Him that does not know all there is to know; but we do not, and will not, have the same insight into this great God of ours.

  "That's not to say that God cannot be known. I see faces all over this room who know Him personally, but none of us will ever stop searching to know and grasp His greatness, not even in eternity. We'll be changed in eternity--so much will be clear--but the infiniteness of God's greatness will always be something we'll yearn to search out:'