Texas Weddings 3 & 4

  And the day was far from over. With the machine safely handed off, he must head home through evening traffic, have dinner with his daughter, and then do the one thing he had been terrified to do since Christmas Eve—call Shauna Alexander.

  Kent walked back out to the parking lot, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong. As he approached the car, the horrible moment of revelation came. “My keys.” They weren’t in his pocket. He scrambled to check the other pocket. Nothing.

  He sprinted back to the store, rapping on the door. The frustrated store manager opened it once again, and Kent apologized then began a frantic search for the keys.

  “When was the last time you saw them?” Mr. Conner asked as he joined in the search.

  “Um. . .” Kent thought about that for a minute. “I used them to open the trunk.”

  “And then?”

  “And then I. . .” Kent groaned as he realized what must have happened. “I’ll bet I set them down inside the trunk when I went to pick up the computer. “And then I. . .” I closed the trunk with my elbow. I remember. The keys are locked in the trunk. He slapped himself in the head and leaned against the counter.

  Mr. Conner’s expression softened. “Do you need to use my phone to call someone? I don’t mind.” He gestured toward the phone on the counter near the register.

  “I guess so.” Kent quickly dialed his mother’s number, praying she would answer quickly. Only when the answering machine picked up did he remember she and Andrew had prior plans to go out to dinner with old friends. He needed to pick up Charity from the day care—and quickly.

  “Do you have a phonebook?” he asked. “I need to call a locksmith.”

  “I think I’ve got one in the back. I’ll go check.”

  Kent tried to reason things out in his head as he glanced at his watch. Five fourteen. That meant he had exactly forty-six minutes to get his car open, drive to the day care, and pick up Charity. If everything went well, he could still make it. Of course, nothing today had gone particularly well.

  I should call Mrs. Fritz, just in case. As he reached for the phone, a loud rap on the front door caught his attention. He turned just in time to see Shauna Alexander’s beautiful face staring at him through the glass. With the joy that rose up inside him, Kent had to confess she might very well have been an angel.

  ***

  The hefty PC very nearly slipped through Shauna’s hands as she stared through the glass at Kent Chapman. The shock of finding him here so unexpectedly sent her heart reeling and her hands trembling. She looked again, just to make sure. Yep. It’s him.

  For the last twenty-four hours she had tried to work up the courage to call Kent, tried to pray about her growing feelings. And for two days the Lord had been silent.

  Is this Your answer, Father?

  For a moment, neither of them moved. It was as if they were both frozen in time and space.

  Finally Kent flew into action. He sprinted to the door and pushed it open. “You’re here.” He took the computer out of her arms.

  “You’re here.” Shauna stared in silence at Kent, unable to formulate even one sensible word beyond that opening statement.

  He gave her a wink as he spoke. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

  The smile that lit his face sent her heart soaring. “Doesn’t look like we have anything to do with it.” Lord, this is You. You’ve arranged this, just like you arranged our meeting that very first time.

  “I don’t believe in coincidence.” Kent’s green eyes narrowed as he grew more serious. “I believe there are God-incidents, and this certainly ranks up there with some of the best I’ve been privileged to witness first-hand.”

  “Me, too.” She couldn’t seem to control her smile.

  Bill Conner approached from the back of the store. He looked surprised to see her. “Why. . .hello there. It’s Ms. Alexander, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let me guess.” He stared at her computer then shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t know what to make of the two of you. Are you sure you’re not doing this on purpose?” Just about the time she opened her mouth to deny such a humorous accusation, Mr. Conner turned his attentions to Ken. “I looked everywhere for a phone book but couldn’t find one. You’re welcome to call information.”

  “Thanks, but I think my problem’s just been solved.” Kent nodded in Shauna’s direction, and she had to wonder what he meant. “At least, I hope so. Could you give me a ride up to the day care? I need to pick up Charity.”

  He explained his predicament with the car, and she had to chuckle. “Sounds like my day.” She handed off her computer to a somewhat-frustrated store manager, and they were on their way across the parking lot.

  As they settled into the front seat of her car, Kent blurted out, “I gave you a virus.”

  “What?" She paused to absorb his words. “Are you talking about my computer, or is there something else I should be concerned about?”

  “Your computer.” He stared at her intently, and her cheeks warmed. “I didn’t mean to do it.”

  She put the key in the ignition and turned on the car. “So what happened? Was it just a fluke?”

  “Yes. I meant to give you something else.”

  Now his cheeks reddened, and Shauna had to wonder at the merriment in his eyes. He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket.

  “What in the world?” She watched as he grew more nervous by the minute.

  He pressed the crumpled sheet of paper into her palm, and she slowly unfolded it. “Cryptic message.” She looked up into his eyes, not understanding. “I’m confused.”

  “I was, too.” He flashed a broad smile. “But I’m better now. I printed this up on Christmas Eve. It’s the only copy I have. The original was responsible for destroying your computer.”

  “Wow.” Her eyes widened. “Must be pretty potent. So what is it?”

  “Take a look.”

  She scanned the words, startled to find a poem, clearly penned by Kent, himself. “Oh, my goodness.” She tried to make sense of the words, tried to imagine that he really meant them in the way she now wanted to take them. Truly, there was no other way to read it. He cared for her and had been afraid to tell her.

  Shauna looked into his eyes and tapped her fingers on her lips. “You wrote this for me?”

  “Yes.” His gaze shifted downward, and she sensed his embarrassment.

  “On Christmas Eve?”

  “Yes.” He leaned a bit closer, and she could feel her pulse in her ears.

  “I. . .I. . .”

  “I’ve wanted to talk to you for days, but I was so scared,” he explained. “The poem was. . .my goofy attempt to get your attention.”

  “No,” she argued, fighting the urge to kiss him right there, on the spot. “It’s not goofy. And you’ve certainly got my attention now.”

  “I wanted to come up with something really amazing to tell you how I feel—how I’ve felt for a while now.” He paused to give her a winsome look. “But remember, I’ve never been very good with putting things on paper.”

  “You did say that.” Shauna couldn’t help but smile. “In this very parking lot, if memory serves me correctly.”

  He nodded. “That’s right. We were here, weren’t we?”

  “It seems a lot of firsts have taken place in this parking lot.” Shauna’s heart overflowed with joy as she looked into his eyes. “The first time we met. The first computer fiasco. The first time we talked about church things. The first time you told me you were a ‘Twenty-first Century Pastor.’ ” She paused for a moment, praying he would read her heart.

  “Ah.”

  “The first time we talked about our personal computer files,” she continued on. “The first time we talked about the weather.”

  “I remember.” Kent stared intently into her eyes and then gently leaned forward as if he had some great secret to tell. “But you missed one,” he whispered.

  “Did I?” She spoke softly as she
felt his breath warm against her cheek.

  “You did.” With the tip of his index finger, he traced her cheek. And then, just as she prayed it would happen, their lips met in the sweetest kiss she had ever known.

  twenty -two

  Three weeks after Christmas, Shauna joined Kent’s family at a local pizza parlor to celebrate Charity’s third birthday. The room came alive with activity as nearly a dozen of her students from the day care filled the place. Their parents joined the fray, making for a chaotic scene, but certainly nothing she hadn’t grown used to in her months at the school.

  In fact, she had to admit, growing to love and understand a room full of two-year-olds had certainly opened her eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. And coincidentally, most of the children seemed to be changing right before her eyes. Many had already outgrown the terrible twos and appeared to be moving into a new phase—one she liked to call the inquisitive threes.

  In particular, she couldn’t help but notice how much Charity had changed over the past few months. Lord, has she changed, or am I the one? Have I softened in my attitude toward her? The idea wouldn’t leave her mind.

  Shauna looked out across the room and tried to keep an eye on all of them at once.

  “You can relax.” Kent gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “No need to play teacher today. You’re not at school. And besides, their parents are all here.”

  “Just habit, I guess.” Shauna shrugged and turned her attentions to Kent. She leaned her head on his shoulder and thanked God for all He had done in her life in such a short time. You knew what You were up to, Father. And I’m so grateful.

  After a quick head count, she and Kent ordered enough pizza to feed an army, then sent the kids off to play. She leaned against him, and he slipped his arm around her shoulder.

  “Having fun?” he asked.

  She nodded, happier that she had been in ages.

  “Looks like our parents are getting along.” She pointed to the table where the two older couples sat chatting like lifelong friends.

  “It’s great, isn’t it?” He ran his fingertips down her arm and reached to plant a soft kiss in her hair. “Our families are coming together.”

  Her heart swelled, and she thought for a moment she might cry. Instead, she forced herself to stay focused on the children. “I’m so glad.” They really were one happy family. And she could see her life like this. Forever. She forced down the lump in her throat as the idea magnified itself.

  She and Kent joined their parents at the table, keeping a close eye on the children from their seats. She marveled at the joy in Kent’s eyes and wondered if she looked as deliriously happy.

  “Hey, you two.” Her mother looked up with a smile. “Have a seat.”

  They sat and visited with their parents. Her father dove into an old story about life in the military, and Kent’s parents listened intently. Kent’s mom shared a little bit about her rocky journey in the years following her husband’s untimely death, and they concluded that the Lord had, indeed, managed to bring joy into a sorrowful situation.

  All the while, the children played. Charity’s squeals of joy could be heard above the others, but at least they were happy squeals. At one point, little Dinah ran over to let them know that Clay was lost. Shauna sprang from her chair and raced to the child’s mother, who had just discovered him hiding in the balls. He dove in again squealing with laughter.

  The pizza arrived, and all of the women worked together to get the children settled down. Charity sat at the head of the table, chattering merrily with her friends as she ate. Shauna took it all in with a smile. She watched Charity from a distance, noting how social she seemed, and how quiet, in comparison to the child she knew just a few short months ago.

  After the pizza, Kent stood and addressed the room. “Let’s all sing.” He started a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday,” and Charity’s cheeks blazed with excitement.

  “Cake, Daddy!” She bounced up and down in her chair. “I eat my princess cake.”

  Kent’s mother pulled a beautiful cake out of the box, and all of the children hollered with delight.

  “Pretty, pretty!” Abigail squealed.

  Bobby reached out to stick his fingers in the frosting, but his mother quickly pulled his hand away. Pieces of cake were cut and handed out, and Shauna chuckled as she watched the children dive into the frosting, most ignoring the cake altogether. She leaned back in her chair and smiled as the scene continued to unfold. With her parents, her students, and the man she loved all together in one room, she truly felt she could face the new year with renewed hope and excitement.

  ***

  Kent stood and surveyed the group, his heart full of joy. Has many years has it been since I’ve felt like this, Lord? How many? Truly God had restored his heart and his hope for a future—a really good thing, considering all the work that lay ahead in raising his daughter.

  But at least, Lord willing, he wouldn’t have to do it alone. Kent glanced down at Shauna. Her face, almost as cherub-like and innocent as the children’s, shone like a star in this sky—a star in his sky, anyway. He didn’t know if he could put into words the feelings that swept across his heart as he watched her now, though he had gotten a little better at putting words on paper in the past few weeks. With his new full-time position as pastor at Grace Community Church, there would be many more sermons in the future, many more times to share his heart.

  Your blessings are without end, Father. How can I begin to thank You? You are truly a God of new beginnings.

  His heart pounded in anticipation as he remembered the task ahead. If he ever needed the Lord’s help, this would be the time.

  “Now comes the fun part.” Kent leaned down to whisper in Shauna’s ear. He turned his attention to the group and announced, “It’s time for presents!”

  The squealing began in earnest now. Parents held their children tightly, trying to bring a sense of order.

  “My birthday!” Danny hollered. “My birthday.”

  His mother shushed him right away.

  Charity clapped her hands in excitement. “My birthday. I three years old!” She held up three chubby fingers with dedicated zeal.

  Yes, you are three years old, and I can hardly believe it. It seems just yesterday you were born; just yesterday you took your first little steps. And now. . .

  Kent shook his head in disbelief as he stared at the little girl in front of him. No longer a baby, she had truly grown into a lovely child. Her blond curls had grown quite long, and her eyes sparkled with joy as she reached for her first present.

  Kent tried to keep his wits about him. Don’t forget what you’re doing.

  One-by-one, the presents were opened. Charity squealed with glee as she opened a box with a princess crown and slippers inside. “I a princess!”

  “Yes you are, honey.” Kent’s mother gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You’re our little princess.”

  The children squealed as she opened the next gift, a sand art kit. Then came a beautiful dress from Shauna’s parents and multiple other toys from the children at the day care. Finally, Shauna slipped a carefully wrapped box in his daughter’s direction. He had to wonder what she might have selected; such secrecy had surrounded its choosing.

  Charity’s jaw lowered in amazement as she discovered the beautiful pink ballet outfit inside the box.

  “Miss Shauna, I love you!” She held up the pink leotard and package of tights, then grabbed the tiny pink ballet shoes and clutched them to her chest. “I dance! I dance!”

  “How did you know?” Kent leaned down to whisper in Shauna’s ear.

  “I’ve been paying attention.” Shauna smiled. “But that’s not all. I have one more surprise.” She reached to pull a gift bag out from under the table. Charity yanked the tissue paper out and hollered out as she lifted out the pink tutu. “Pretty!”

  Shauna stood and approached Charity. “I know you want to dance, honey,” she said. “And I thought you might like this. Maybe one
day soon you can dance for us.”

  “I dance now!” Charity jumped from her seat, and it took all of Kent’s wisdom to get her seated once again. His heart nearly burst as he looked at Shauna—his Shauna. This move on her part was the icing on the cake, no pun intended. In some ways, it sealed the deal.

  “I have one more present,” he announced to the group. “But it’s for someone else at the table.”

  The children all began to scream at once. “Me! Me! I want present!”

  Kent shook his head and pulled the little box from his pocket. For nearly two hours he had guarded it with great care. Now, finally, he could release it to its rightful owner. He turned to face Shauna, who looked a bit perplexed.

  “I have a present for Miss Shauna.” He spoke pointedly for the benefit of the children. “But I have to ask her a question first.”

  As he dropped to one knee, Kent’s pulse sang in his ears.

  Shauna’s face reddened immediately, and her hands covered her mouth as the truth registered. “Kent?”

  “Shauna. . .” His voice trembled then steadied. “I want to start by telling you what an amazing gift you have been to me and Charity these past few months. We’ve both fallen in love with you.”

  At this, a couple of the children giggled. Clay slapped himself in the head and groaned.

  Shauna’s smiled widened, and Kent forced himself to stay focused. “I would be so honored”—he swallowed hard—“if you would make me the happiest an in the earth by becoming my wife. Will you marry me, Shauna?”

  His gaze locked into hers, and his pulse raced so quickly, Kent thought for a moment he might pass out. She nodded, slowly at first, then with zeal. Tears rushed down her cheeks, and her hand shook in his as he slipped the ring on her finger. All around the table, people began to clap. Shauna sprang to her feet and threw her arms around his neck, locking him in an embrace.