Texas Weddings 3 & 4

  “Or at least you thought you did.” Shauna shrugged. “I know what that feels like. I thought I wanted someone like Joey. . .”

  “Maybe the words ‘someone like Joey’ are key here,” her mother interjected. “Maybe the problem wasn’t the idea—maybe it was the person.”

  Shauna shrugged then stood to slip on her jacket. “It’s ironic you should say that. I was just thinking the same thing. But it’s all so confusing. How do you know when the right person comes along if you can’t trust what you’re feeling?”

  “Feelings will betray you,” her mother said. “But God won’t.”

  Shauna sighed. “I just feel like I’ve wasted so much time. It’s crazy to think I spent so much time thinking I had Mr. Right, only to figure out he was Mr. Wrong for me.”

  Her mother patted her on the arm. “Happens all the time, honey. But don’t think of it as wasted time. Any time you’ve learned a lesson or two, your time hasn’t been wasted. And I guarantee you, Joey has learned a few lessons from this, as well. His heart might hurt a little now, but imagine how much more it would have hurt years from now if he had actually married someone the Lord never intended for him to marry.”

  “I never thought of it that way.” Shauna stood and ran a brush through her hair. “But let’s don’t talk about marriage, okay? I think I’ve spent way too much time thinking about that lately and not enough time focusing on my work.”

  “True.” Her mother stood alongside her. “But don’t rule out the possibility of God’s intervention in your love life, honey. Sometimes He walks us strategically down one road just to lead us to another.”

  Shauna turned to argue the point, but the twinkle in her mother’s eye diverted her. What is she up to?

  “Have a good day at work, honey. And don’t hurry home on our account. Daddy and I have a Sunday school party tonight.”

  Is she trying to tell me something?

  As Shauna climbed into the car to head off to work, the telephone rang. She recognized Ellen’s voice on the other end.

  “Shauna?”

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  “Just thought you’d like to know we’ve, uh”—Ellen cleared her throat—“run into a small hitch up here.”

  Shauna groaned. Though Mrs. Fritz looked after the early morning crowd, Shauna had certainly heard of their antics on more than one occasion. “What’s happened?”

  “Bobby Radisson brought an apple from home, and Clay took it from him,” Ellen explained.

  “That’s not much of a story.” Shauna smiled and added a teasing comment. “Can’t you come up with something better than that?”

  “Yep. Clay flushed the apple down the toilet.”

  Shauna groaned. “Oh, my.”

  “Oh, my, is right,” Ellen continued. “The toilet backed up, and the entire back section of the building is under about three inches of water.”

  Shauna’s second “oh, my” was a little more exaggerated than the first. “What are we going to do?”

  “Mrs. Fritz has moved the infants into one room and toddlers into another. You’ll be working with the three- and four-year-old teachers today in the lunchroom. Just wanted to let you know in advance so you wouldn’t be startled when you got here.”

  Shauna groaned. “I was hoping for a quiet day.”

  “Around here?” Ellen laughed. “You should know better than that.”

  “I know, I know. But I really need it.”

  “Sounds like you need more than that,” Ellen said. “Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight? Sounds like you could use a friend.”

  “I’d like that.” Shauna couldn’t help but wonder at the Lord’s timing. “And you’re right. I do need a friend right now.”

  “Well, I’m here for you.” Ellen paused. “At least I will be, just as soon as I get this casserole into the oven.”

  “We can talk when I get there,” Shauna said. “And thanks for the warning. I’m just grateful Charity wasn’t involved this time.”

  “She’s getting better, you know. The terrible twos don’t last forever.”

  As Ellen hung up, Shauna pondered her final words. Charity’s antics, however bad, weren’t completely out of character for a two-year-old. And the others certainly had the capability of acting up as well. This morning’s incident should more than settle that issue in her mind.

  And Charity would outgrow this stage. Surely. Shauna found herself praying for the child, asking the Lord to help the little girl overcome the obstacles in her life.

  Then, Shauna’s prayers shifted. She began to pray for Kent Chapman—slowly at first, then with a passion borne from a heart now free to express itself. As the words flowed, the Lord filled her with a sense of overwhelming peace.

  Shauna prayed for Kent’s broken heart. She prayed for his relationship with Charity. She prayed for his job at the church and the many challenges he faced daily. She thanked the Lord for saving him from the choices he made as a teen.

  And she prayed he would find himself as open to a new relationship. . .as she now found herself.

  ***

  Kent picked up the telephone and entered Shauna’s number. What he would say when she answered, he had no idea. One thing was clear, he had to stop her from making a mistake with Joey—had to keep her from spending even one more day with the wrong man.

  Just before the phone began to ring, he snapped his phone shut. “It’s not my place. I have no right telling her something like that. She’ll think I’m crazy. It’s not like we’re. . .” a couple.

  His heart ached as the truth emerged. He didn’t want Shauna to make the mistake of a lifetime, but what could he do? Should I tell her how I feel? How do I feel?

  He took a few moments to analyze his heart. After all he had been through, why would the Lord send such new, exciting feelings to sweep over him? In fact, they were so new, so fresh, that they frightened him. And yet, he could not deny the truth—he didn’t want Shauna to connect herself with any man, except himself. If she settled on anything less, it might very well break his heart.

  “Lord, if this is really of You, then I ask for the impossible. I ask for You to protect her from the wrong relationship and lead her into the right one. And show me what to do, Father. . .and what not to do.”

  seventeen

  “Charity?” Shauna looked at the youngster curiously.

  Unusually quiet, the little girl sat in the corner, staring at a puzzle, but not touching it. Instead, she rubbed at her arms, brow wrinkled, and lips curled into a pout.

  “Charity, are you okay?” Shauna knelt down next to her, wondering at the red-rimmed watery eyes.

  “I want my daddy.”

  “Oh, honey. . .” Shauna ran her hand through Charity’s curls, “Are you missing your daddy?”

  Charity nodded then rubbed at her arms again. “Go home.” A lone tear trickled down the youngster’s cheek.

  “It’s not even lunch time,” Shauna explained. “But I’m sure we’ll have a fun day together. Why don’t you play with your puzzle like the other boys and girls?” She began to fit a couple of the pieces together, but Charity shoved them aside and began to cry with full-fledged tears.

  “I want my daddy.” The little one now clawed at her arms and curiosity got the better of Shauna.

  “Can I see your arms?” She rolled up Charity’s sleeves and gasped as her gaze fell on several tiny sores. “What in the world. . .?”

  “Arms hurt.” Charity scratched at the spots.

  Shauna quickly pulled down Charity’s sleeves then placed a palm on the child’s forehead, suspicions mounting. She’s burning up. Shauna reached for the walkie-talkie and signaled the front office with great concern.

  “Mrs. Fritz?”

  The director’s voice crackled a bit over the receiver. “Yes, Shauna?”

  “Charity isn’t feeling well. I’ve got my suspicions, but I’d feel better if you took a look at her.”

  “Oh, dear.” The older woman’s voice reflected
her concern. “I’ll do that, but I’ll go ahead and telephone her grandmother. Give me just a couple of minutes, and I’ll come down to your room and pick her up.”

  “Thanks.”

  Shauna settled the other children down for a nap then scooped Charity into her arms. The little girl nuzzled against her shoulder.

  “Mrs. Fritz is calling your grandma, honey. She’s going to come and take you home.” Even as she spoke the words, Shauna thought about Kent and wished she could call him herself to let him know. Maybe during her break she would do just that. Her heart quickened as she reflected on his situation. Single parents sure had their work cut out for them. She had to give him a lot of credit. You should tell him that. Encourage him. Let him know what a good job he’s doing.

  “I go home?” Charity rubbed at her arms, and Shauna tried to distract her.

  “Yes. Soon.”

  “You come with me, teacher?”

  Shauna’s tried to hide her surprise. Did she really just say that? “I can’t go with you, honey. I have to stay here and work.”

  Charity nuzzled a little closer. “I love you, teacher.”

  Shauna’s heart swelled, and she embraced the toddler with a newfound joy. “I love you, too, honey.”

  Mrs. Fritz entered the room, a look of concern on her face. “How’s our girl?”

  “She’s burning up.” Shauna mouthed the words.

  “I called her grandmother, but she’s out of town on business. I tried her father, but he’s out of the office. I’m trying to track down his cell number.”

  “I have it.” Shauna shifted Charity’s weight and reached for her cell phone.

  “You do?” Mrs. Fritz’s eyes reflected her curiosity.

  Shauna took just a couple of moments to quietly explain her relationship with Kent Chapman—how they met, the things they had in common, and the things that divided them. She spoke in hushed tones so that she wouldn’t wake Charity, who now dozed in her arms. Ultimately, Shauna had to confess, she found herself drawn to this man, though it defied all logic.

  When she finished, Mrs. Fritz smiled. “Oh, Shauna,” she said. “It must be wonderful to be young—to see your future with such clearly defined borders. Everything is so black and white.”

  “I thought it was. Now I’m not so sure.”

  “I have the benefit of many years behind me,” Mrs. Fritz said. “And I can tell you, things don’t always turn out like we think they’re going to. No matter how carefully we lay out our plans, the Lord’s plans for our lives are grander still. Sometimes, they’re so far beyond our comprehension that we can’t see them, even when they confront us at every turn.”

  “I know what you mean.” Shauna held Charity a little closer and stroked her hair. “Sometimes we miss what’s right in front of us.” Isn’t that what Kent said that evening at the coffee shop? Didn’t he say that people spend more time connecting with people they can’t even see and ignore the ones they’re with? Didn’t he say that we should take advantage of the small moments and really connect with people?

  Mrs. Fritz’s face widened into a broad smile. “Well, if I use my imagination, I can see some things quite clearly. For instance, I can see you happily married to a man like Kent Chapman, with a beautiful little girl like Charity to raise together. I can see your plans completely messed up, replaced with new and better plans. I can see all of that.”

  Shauna felt her cheeks flush. “I’m not sure what the Lord wants,” she whispered. “I really am not. I thought I had my life so carefully planned out—down to the last detail. But God apparently has other ideas. He’s leading me in different directions. That’s not easy for someone like me—someone who likes to have all their ducks in a row.”

  Mrs. Fritz chuckled. “I know you want to lead a well-planned, ordered life, honey. But how exciting to think the Lord trusts you enough to knock a few of those ducks out of the row. Makes for a great adventure.”

  “I just hope I’m up for it.” Shauna sighed. “I thought I knew so much, and it turns out I’m clueless.”

  “Which means you’re in a wonderful place of submission to the Lord. Don’t you see? When we take our hands off of things, He’s free to move. Maybe God has been waiting for you to admit that you’re clueless so that He can clue you in.”

  Shauna smiled. “That’s a funny way to look at it, but I’d be willing to bet you’re right.”

  “Could be. Time will tell.” Mrs. Fritz winked at her then moved in the direction of the door. “I could stand here and talk all day,” she said, “But I’d better get back to the office and call Charity’s Daddy.”

  “I go home?” Charity awoke with a start.

  “Yes, honey.” Shauna stroked the little girl’s hair. “You’re going home.”

  ***

  Kent walked through the sanctuary, taking in the Christmas decorations.

  “What do you think, Pastor Kent?” Delia Vasquez, one of the church’s older parishioners, asked. “Did we do a nice enough job?”

  He didn’t answer for a moment, overwhelmed at the transformation. “I don’t know how you did it,” he said finally. “You ladies have outdone yourselves this year, Delia. Honestly. I don’t know when I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful.”

  He couldn’t help but notice her cheeks flush as she responded. “Thank you.” She pointed to the back of the stage. “I particularly like the white lights against all of the greenery. Very classy.”

  “Very. And the Christmas tree looks better than ever. Did you make all of those bows yourself?”

  She nodded. “Every last one.”

  “I’m sure the whole thing will be perfect for the Christmas program.” He touched her shoulder gently. “I can’t thank you enough. You work harder than most anyone I know.”

  She shrugged. “I figure it’s just another way to tithe. I’m on social security, you know—so my financial giving is limited. But I can sure enough give of my time.” Her face lit up in a broad smile.

  “I wish everyone felt that way.”

  He looked around the room once more and couldn’t help but think about Shauna. He hadn’t seen her since Thanksgiving week, but could almost picture her face as she looked around the sanctuary. “Not very twenty-first century,” she might say. “Looks pretty traditional to me.”

  “Wait till you see our 3-D tree on the big screen,” he might joke. “It’s superimposed, but looks just like the real thing—only without all the work.”

  “Pastor?” Delia nudged him. “Thinking about Christmas?”

  “I guess you could say that.” He turned to face her. “I’m excited about all of the activities, especially the candlelight service.”

  “I’m so happy to hear your sister will be joining us this year.”

  “Jessica and her husband Colin are driving in from Dallas to be here,” Kent added. “Should be arriving any day now. I haven’t seen her in months.” I wonder what Jessica would think about Shauna? Would she like her?

  “Jessica has the voice of an angel,” Delia said. “I still remember how beautifully she sang ‘O Holy Night’ all those years. That girl is so gifted.”

  “Her husband is very good, too,” Kent added. “He directs some of the larger performances at the Dallas Metropolitan Opera. God sure knew what He was doing when He paired those two up. You should hear them sing together. They’re a perfect match—in every way. In fact, they’re so much alike, it’s remarkable.”

  “Funny how God works,” Delia said with a goofy grin. “Bringing two people together like that. He did just the opposite in my case.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My husband and I were as different as night and day. If I said a thing was black, he’d argue it was white. If I wanted to live in the city, he’d rather settle in the country. Seems like every time we turned around, we had to compromise. But that’s what love is all about. I’m not sure I’d enjoy living with someone who agreed with me on every little thing. Might make for a pretty boring life.”

/>   Kent chuckled. “I understand. A little disagreement can be healthy, I suppose.” His cell phone rang out, and he excused himself to answer it. “Hello?”

  “Mr. Chapman?”

  “Yes?”

  “This is Mrs. Fritz up at the day care.”

  She sounded worried. Something must have happened to Charity. Kent’s heart began to race as he asked, “Is everything okay?”

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you this over the phone, Mr. Chapman, but it looks like Charity has the chicken pox.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Oh, I’m sure all right. She’s covered in spots. I’m surprised you didn’t notice them yourself.”

  Shame washed over Kent immediately. “To be honest, I did notice a few spots, but they looked like bites of some sort. We spent Saturday afternoon outside at the park, so I just figured. . .”

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to come and pick her up,” Mrs. Fritz explained. “Chicken pox is highly contagious. We don’t want to run the risk of infecting the other children.”

  “Of course.” He glanced at his watch, trying to figure out how—and when—he could get away to pick her up. “I have a luncheon with twenty local pastors at noon,” he explained, “and three private counseling sessions this afternoon. Maybe I could call my mother and. . .”

  “I spoke to your mother just a few minutes ago. She’s at some sort of a book festival in Austin.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” He bit his lip, trying to think of a solution. “Maybe I could come around one thirty. . .”

  “I really think it would be best if you could come sooner,” she argued. “Charity is miserable. She’s been scratching all morning. She’s here in my office with me, but really wants to go home with her daddy.”

  “Okay.” He looked at his watch again. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  “Thank you. I know Charity will be happy to see you.”