A couple came out next to dance around to "Toot Sweets," and then the women were all back to do "The Roses of Success:' There was no car to work around, and they did more dancing than in the movie, but all was a success.
Gage stood with Sam as the crowd cleared, and when Arcineh spotted them, she came over slowly.
"Hi:' she said, looking a little shy.
"That was fun," Sam said. "You look better than ever:' Arcineh made a face. "I can tell I'm not 16 anymore
"I'm thankful for that:' Sam teased her.
It took a little longer for Arcineh to look at Gage. He'd never taken his eyes from her.
"Hi:' she finally greeted him, feeling shy all over again. "Hi. That was well done
"Thank you. I didn't know you were coming."
"I didn't either since someone didn't invite me:'
"Didn't I?" Arcineh tried, but Gage wasn't falling for it.
"There will be a penalty for this:' he said. "You can take me to dinner tonight, and I get to pick the restaurant:'
Arcineh managed to look longsuffering when in her heart she
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was delighted. They had not had five minutes alone since Tuesday, and it felt as though they'd lived a lifetime.
"Did you start in Genesis yet?" Gage asked when they had taken seats in the small diner, one of Gage's favorite spots.
"Yes, but I didn't get very far. I kept having to write down questions:'
"Like what?"
"Like 'in the beginning: What beginning? Where does time begin in that verse?"
"That's a good one. My question is about the days. Were they longer than 24 hours at that time?"
"Oh, that's good too:'
For a moment they just stared at each other. It felt as though they'd been saved in the nick of time, as though a building or room had been ready to crumble beneath them and they'd been snatched to safety just in time.
"I can't believe all the places God is," Arcineh said quietly. "I just never knew He was all around me:'
"It's huge, isn't it?"
"I talked to my cousin today. Well, I guess I cried to her. Neither one of us could manage many words:'
"A part of me wants to talk to Luke and Erika' Gage said, "but I feel like I need to know more:'
"Do Erika and Luke go to church somewhere?"
"No. They're like I was, having gone to church as children and thinking that belief in God is all you need:'
Arcineh sighed. "I have to talk to Jalaina. Even before I understood, I knew that her belief was different from Sam's. At some point, I want to tell her what's happened:'
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"What does she believe?"
"I don't know exactly, except that it's not very personal."
Their orders were taken in the next few minutes, but the conversation never lagged.
"Are you thinking much about the trial?" Arcineh asked. "Worrying is a better word. It's so hard to have it completely out of my hands:'
"But it's not in the judge's hand, either' Arcineh pointed out. "That's true. Keep reminding me of that:'
They ended up sharing a meal so they would both have room for the fabulous pies under the bakery glass. Arcineh got the key lime pie, but Gage went for chocolate cream. They shared bites and talked until almost ten. Even at that, it didn't feel like long enough.
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Chapter Twenty-Three
"Thanks for coming, Sam:" Gage welcomed that man to his office on Sunday afternoon. "Stan called. They want to settle out of court:' "When did this come up?"
"I got a phone call as soon as we got home from church. Their lawyers just left. My team is waiting in the conference room for me. I wanted to talk to you."
"What brought this on?"
"My lawyers told them about Arcie's testimony"
"What are you thinking right now?"
"That I want my life back. This whole thing has eaten me alive, first the original deal and then finding out they lied and going through all this litigation. I want to study my Bible and really know it. I want to run my business the way it's meant to be run--no lawyers, no trials. I want to see Arcineh more' Gage gave a short laugh. "I want to court and marry the girl."
"And what do you hope I'll tell you?"
Gage sighed. "I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing as a believer:'
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"Are you satisfied with their terms?"
"Yes. They won't admit that they were wrong, but they're willing to repay the money and cover my fees. The old Gage would have demanded an admission of guilt, but now I know they'll answer to God, and it's not my problem:'
"I would settle," Sam told him. "Like you said, they are in God's hands and you can have your life back:'
"Thanks, Sam," the younger man said. "And I'm sorry about calling you down here like this:'
"No problem. Shall I let you tell Arcie?"
"No, feel free. Tell her if I can get out of here at a decent time, I'll go to church with you tonight:'
Sam went on his way but knew what would happen. Gage was tied up with the lawyers for hours, and they did not hear from him again that day.
"It's amazing news," Arcineh said into the phone. Gage had called
her on his way out the door to work on Monday morning.
"It is. I can't tell you how relieved I am. The only downside is how
busy the next few days will be, possibly the whole week:' "Will you make it to Sam's party Friday night?"
"Yes, and my lawyers know I want this wrapped up ASAP:' "Good:'
"I miss seeing you."
"I miss you too:'
"Are you headed to work at the storage units today?"
"For a while, I think, but with the family coming this weekend, I don't want to be an emotional wreck, and that's easy to do with my Aunt Tiffany"
"I remember what she was like. Very interesting:'
His tone made Arcineh laugh, a sound Gage loved to hear. They
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didn't stay on much longer as Gage was getting into traffic, but both looked forward to their next meeting.
Just like old times, Jeremy and Tiffany were coming to town to celebrate Sam's birthday. Austin and Lexa were also coming and bringing their little boy. Quinn and Megan would be staying as well. Arcineh didn't think she would be too tense, but the closer it got, the more anxious she became.
She went to dance class on Thursday night, her head in the clouds, so that even when she got home, showered, and changed, and found Gage watching television with Sam, she looked right through him when she sat down in the room.
"How did it go?" Sam asked.
"Fine," Arcineh said and then remembered Gage. "How is it going with the lawyers?"
"We're done. We finished today. I'm even thinking of taking tomorrow off"
"I think that's a good idea: Sam put in. "It's been a long run for you."
Arcineh watched the men as they talked, but her mind had wandered again. Not until Violet needed Sam to do something in the kitchen did Arcineh come back to earth.
"Come here Gage patted the sofa cushion next to him, and Arcineh went that way. "Closer," Gage invited, and Arcineh smiled and sat right next to him.
"You're distracted:' Gage said.
"Am I? I'm sorry:' Arcineh apologized, curling her legs under her so she could put her shoulder into the sofa back and face him. "Tell me all about how it was settled:'
Gage gave her the details that the lawyers had covered. "I was
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given an encouraging word by Stan just before we finished. He said he'd never known someone who grew calmer as things progressed instead of less. I know it was God working in my heart."
"That is encouraging. And you did stay calm. I noticed it several times:'
Gage had shifted so he could look into her eyes. With one hand, he took her hand in his. With the other, he brushed down her cheek and chin.
"Why are you distracted?"
"I think because my aunt is coming. She has a profound
effect on me, and I haven't seen Austin yet. He's Quinn's brother. We don't have a great history. It's not as bad as Quinn's and mine, but pretty bad:'
"When do they come?"
"Tomorrow for the party, and then they leave on Sunday. Sam's
other house was bigger. There aren't as many places to hide here:' "You could come next door:' Gage invited, and Arcineh smiled. "We both know that would be a huge mistake:'
Gage studied her a moment before saying, "One of these days, Arcineh Bryant, I am going to kiss you for real:'
"Promises, promises:' she teased, and Gage's eyes narrowed a little.
"Only Sam arriving back here any moment is keeping it from happening right now:'
Arcineh didn't laugh or smile about that. She wanted to kiss him as well, and for a moment the tension and attraction between them grew.
They talked a little more, Gage still touching her face, but Sam returned just a few minutes later. They continued to watch television and each other, but the subject of kissing did not come up again.
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"How do you handle your heart with Tiffany and Jeremy?" Arcineh asked Sam on Friday morning.
"I wondered how you were doing with that:' Sam said, having just prayed about it. "I remember one very important thing: They're 'died for.' I ask God to save and forgive them and work to trust Him concerning their lives:'
"Have there been opportunities to share?"
"Only once with Jeremy. He asked me about my church, but I could tell that he thought I was only growing generous in my old age to get into heaven:'
Arcineh laughed a little. His description was funny, and she needed a laugh. But after breakfast she headed back to her room to read her Bible. She didn't get very far before she began to pray, asking God for the very thing her grandfather had mentioned--to remind her that her family was "died for."
"Hi," Arcineh said, suddenly showing up in Gage's garage midmorning.
"Hi. What are you up to?"
"Oh, just getting out of the house. I was going to ask you to go for a walk when I saw your door up."
Gage stopped and smiled at her, but Arcineh didn't notice. She was too busy looking around, and then at the bike Gage was working
on.
"I didn't know you were big into cycling."
"Every chance I get. You?"
Arcineh smiled and slowly shook her head no.
"I would probably kill myself."
"I don't think so. We'll have to go as soon as the weather warms a bit more."
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Arcineh didn't argue. She wanted to be with Gage no matter what. However, a small part of her mind did wonder how it would work. She hadn't ridden a bike since she was a child. She didn't even own a bike, but maybe she could ride one of Gage's.
"When does the family arrive?" he asked.
"Probably in a few hours:'
"Have you had to work to keep busy?"
"A little. I've been memorizing the books of the New Testament, and that's pretty time-consuming."
"I think I had to do that in Sunday school, maybe in the fifth grade:'
"If you were learning about God and the Bible as a child, why didn't you believe in Christ then?"
"We were told we were all good people. I have no memory of ever hearing that God's Son died for me personally and wanted some type of relationship with me, or that He's holy and my sin would separate me from Him forever. I thought I was a good person. My dad thought he was a good person, and so does my sister, so I'm not the only one who missed the truth."
"I've been under the false impression for a long time that a church is a church: Arcineh said.
"It can't be true. The church I grew up in is nothing like our church now."
"We meet with Pastor Simon this week, don't we?"
"For our questions, yes. Is Sam going with us?"
"As far as I know. It might depend on when the family leaves." Gage was about to say something else when he watched a large Lexus pull into Sam's driveway.
"I think your family is here Gage told Arcineh, who looked out and saw her Uncle Jeremy emerge from behind the wheel.
"I'd better go:' Arcineh said, her face becoming all at once guarded.
"Just a minute Gage said, wiping his hands on a clean rag and
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catching her before she could get away. Without hesitation he put his arms around her.
"It's okay:' he said, holding her close, Arcineh's arms hugging him
right back. "I'll come over in a bit and see if you need rescuing:' "What will you do?" Arcineh put her head back to ask him. Gage could not resist. He kissed her, ever so softly, and then a
bit longer.
Arcineh could barely open her eyes to look at him again. "That works:' she said.
Gage couldn't stop his smile, or the temptation. He kissed her a third time, forcing himself to hold back so she could be on her way.
Arcineh didn't even remember to say goodbye. She floated all the way home.
Oh, Father, please help me, Arcineh prayed not an hour after Tiffany and the family arrived. I don't know what to do with my aunt. She's so sharp with Quinn and so ready to advise me. I want to run away, and I know I can't.
"You all right?" Violet asked from behind Arcineh where she stood at the kitchen sink.
"I'm getting there:'
Violet came close. "Do you pray at times like this?"
Arcineh turned to look at her. "What made you ask that?"
"I was talking to Sam after you got back, and he said you'd made
a big decision and would probably tell me about it sometime"
"I want to tell you, but part of me doesn't have the words. I thought
I would understand a little more before I tried:'
"Try anyway," Violet said. "Start by telling me why you thought you needed this. You've always been a good girl:'
"It started when I knew that Sam had something I didn't have, and
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I wanted so much to be with him. After that I began to see myself as God sees me:'
"When did you start to believe God was there?"
"When Sam was so changed. It came fast. I almost didn't have time to work it out, but something had gone on in his heart, and when he explained it to me, it was clear that God had been there all along:'
Violet looked thoughtful.
"What have you thought about his change?" Arcineh asked.
Violet answered in a voice filled with wonder. "Sam has always been good to me, but a hard man. He liked his way, and even when I had vacation time, he expected me to leave things just so, so he was cared for. I never resented it--it was my job--but then he changed. I began to get days off every week, and when we moved here, he built my apartment over the garage, just the way I wanted it, every detail like I dreamed of.
"And then he gave me six weeks in Europe. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He planned it, and booked it, and even paid for Alice to join me. For a while I thought he was feeling his age and trying to get into heaven, but I don't think that's it. I think this change in him is real.
"And now you. You were always a little sweetheart, but there's been a peace about you in the last few weeks. I don't know what you went through while you were gone, but you've come to some type of peace about your life. I didn't see you get tense until your aunt showed up:'
"I love my aunt:' Arcineh said, "but I don't know how to respond to her. Things that used to be important to me are still important to her. I somehow thought she would have grown out of that!'
"So you pray for her?"
"Yes, I do:'
"And for me?"
Arcineh didn't answer until she put an arm around the older woman's shoulders.
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"I don't understand all of this, Vi, but God has worked a miracle in my heart. I'm not alone anymore. Why would I want any less for you, the woman who's been my mother and loves me no matter what?"
"You're going to have me bawling:" Violet moved away and beg
an to chop carrots.
"But you don't mind, do you?" Arcineh stuck around long enough to ask.
"No, I don't! Now get out of here. I have work to do."
If Arcineh had wanted something to get her mind off Tiffany, God had certainly provided.
Austin had done some growing up, as had Lexa. Their little boy was adorable, and although rather busy, a lot of fun to watch and play with. Arcineh snatched Megan as soon as Quinn arrived, and when Gage showed up he found her settled on the sofa, the baby cuddled close in her arms.
"She's changed a lot," he said, staring at the tiny face.
"She's so sweet:' Arcineh cooed, and got a smile in return.
"She's taken with you:' Gage said softly, "but then that's easy to understand:'
Arcineh smiled into his eyes, loving it when he said things like that.
Quinn, sitting across the room, was about to go and check on her daughter when she noticed the interchange. She thought that if those two didn't get married, it would be a shock Arcineh had looked tense from time to time, but she hadn't stopped smiling since Gage had walked in the door.
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It was with no small amount of emotion that Sam hung his birthday gift from Arcineh. He didn't know when she had time to have it done, but she'd given him a studio portrait of herself. And now today, eleven years to the day since her parents had died, Sam got ready to hang it next to the picture of the three of them, the one they'd given him for his sixtieth birthday.
Sam stood for a long time and stared into his son's face. Did a father ever get over losing a child? He was sure not. And Isabella. She had not had much family, just some distant cousins. Sam still grieved her as well. They had been close. She had been sweet like Arcineh and had made his son the happiest of men.
Sam turned away, knowing that he could do nothing now. His regret was a waste of time. There were still Tiffany, Jeremy, and the next generations.
"Our earth is about 6000 years old:' Pastor Simon said, answering Arcineh's question on Sunday evening. "Time as we know it began in Genesis 1:1. When Genesis speaks of six days of creation:' he continued, turning to Gage now, "God means just that, six 24-hour days."
Simon answered the rest of their questions, taking all the time they needed. At last the two of them sat back, delighted with what they learned.
"How did it go with the family?" Simon asked Sam before the three of them could leave.