Nathan seemed. . . relaxed. Yes, that’s what it was. In all the years she’d known him, she had rarely seen this side of him.
But what she saw, she clearly liked.
***
Nathan sat across the table from his wife and chatted at length with Frankie about her new car. The fellow, who had first come across as a country bumpkin, clearly seemed knowledgeable of the particular make and model, even commenting on the engine size and gas mileage.
“When you’re ready for an oil change, just bring it in to me,” Frankie said with an inviting smile.
“Well, we get free oil changes for the first year,” Nathan explained with a shrug. “So. . .”
Frankie nodded. “I figured. But you have to take it into the dealership for that, right?”
“Right.” Hadn’t thought about that. When could I possibly. . .
“Just bring it to me.” Frankie said. “I’ll take good care of you.”
Nathan nodded. “Sounds good. To be honest, it’s hard to find a mechanic you can trust. . .” he started to say “in the city” but held his tongue and let it rest there.
The conversation shifted to the house and all of the work still undone. Nathan chuckled as Kellie described, with some sense of drama, their first visit to the place. Her eyes grew large as she told everyone at the table about poor Mr. Henderson and his dilapidated home. But those same eyes brimmed over with tears when she reached the part about his cancer treatments. The whole table grew eerily silent.
“We’ll add him to our prayer list,” Julia said. “We have a great prayer chain up at the church.”
“Prayer chain?” Nathan couldn’t help but ask.
His mother-in-law piped in. “When there’s a need in the church, they let Mrs. Dennison know and she makes a call to the next person on the prayer chain. They pray together aloud over the phone and then that person calls the next one on the list. And on it goes.”
“Ah.”
Julia nodded. “We’ve seen so many miracles on our little prayer chain.” She reached to squeeze Kellie’s hand. “And I just know your dad is going to be one of them.”
Kellie gripped his fingers and gave him a smile of contentment. For some time Nathan sat like that—with her hand firmly clasped in his own—tuning out the conversations around him. He wanted to stay focused, wanted to join in more, but something else drew his attentions away at the moment.
Hal O’Keefe. His father-in-law’s good buddy and soon-to-be fishing partner. Nathan had his suspicions about why Hal wanted to spend a little private time with him. The good-natured older fellow had telephoned just a few days prior with news that he’d hoped would stay quiet on Nathan’s end.
The city of Greenvine was in trouble. Financial trouble. And Kenton, for years the city’s dutiful comptroller, remained blissfully unaware in his current condition.
“I just thought you might be willing to give us a little advice,” Hal had said over the phone. “Not trying to get you too involved. But since Kenton’s in the rehab and can’t take care of this personally, the rest of us are clueless. We need someone with your expertise.”
For once, Nathan was glad his father-in-law wasn’t fully aware of the goings-on around him. Knowing Kenton the way he did, he’d want to be back up at the office, fixing things.
But fixing things this time might take some doing.
Nathan pondered the situation a few minutes, trying to decide just how involved he should get. His plate was so full all ready. He didn’t have time to think about taking on much more.
A shockwave of laughter brought him back to the present. Julia’s little girl had strings of spaghetti hanging from her hair. Her tiny bulb of a nose was covered in red sauce and she grinned like a Cheshire cat.
Nathan looked over at Kellie, who laughed so hard her face turned red. She faced him head-on with a cockeyed grin. “Isn’t that the funniest thing you’ve ever seen?”
He answered with the most serious face he could muster. “Nope.”
“It’s not?” Her lips turned down a bit.
“This is.” Nathan reached to pull a string of spaghetti out of her hair and placed it on the table in front of her for all to see.
Kellie gasped and her hands shot up to her hair to search for more. Finally convinced she was pasta-free, she turned back to the group with cheeks ablaze. “Why didn’t someone say something?”
Everyone began to laugh and talk at once. Nathan pushed aside all thoughts of the city’s financial woes and turned his attention, instead, to the beautiful woman at his side.
twelve
Kellie sailed through the following week, shocked at the passage of time. With each new day her father’s condition improved, though ever so slightly. With each new day, she also faced work-related challenges and countless phone calls from her office in Houston. Every few minutes she questioned their decision to be here—in Greenvine. Every few minutes she wondered how—or if—she would ever be able to leave.
On Thursday afternoon after visiting her father, Kellie went by the Civic Center to meet with Julia and the children. All the way there, she praised God for the news. Her father had taken giant leaps forward over the past week. Just this afternoon he had eaten on his own. Held the fork in his hand and taken real bites. He was also starting to speak in clear, coherent sentences. Almost clear, anyway. And he’d taken several steps with the aid of a walker just yesterday, and seemed to be responding to the daily dose of physical therapy.
Kellie could hardly wait to tell Julia. She knew her best friend would praise God alongside her.
She walked in on a bustle of activity and quickly shared her news. As expected, Julia let out a loud, “Praise the Lord,” and lifting a hand in praise toward the sky. Kellie couldn’t help but smile. Clearly, her friend was enthusiastic about more than home improvement. Her love of the Lord was evident in all she said and did.
Kellie looked down at the room full of exuberant youngsters. They sat at a table loaded with craft items. Colorful beads, sequins and feathers filled the center of the table.
“We’re making drama masks,” Julia explained as she placed a bright red and purple sequined mask in front of her face. The lips curled up in a smile. “This one’s comedy.” She spoke in a happy voice. She replaced it with a black and gold one with lips turned down. “This one’s tragedy.” She spoke in a somber voice.
Kellie clasped her hands together, ready to join the fun. “Cool. Sounds like a blast. Can I make one?”
“Of course!” Julia’s shoved several supplies her way and gestured to a seat.
Kellie sat down and joined the fun. The children laughed at length as the project consumed them. On more than one occasion, Kellie sprang to rescue some little one from near-disaster. She couldn’t help but get absorbed in their stories as she worked alongside them.
“You’ve worked with kids before,” Julia observed.
“Um. . . not really.”
Julia’s face reflected her surprise. “Well, you’re a natural at it.”
Kellie pondered her friend’s words. She’s never really considered herself a natural at anything except numbers.
Wow. I hope that’s not my legacy. Won’t look very good on my tombstone. “She was great with numbers.”
Kellie pushed aside the nagging thought and tried to stay focused. As the children busied themselves, Julia whispered a few quiet words on a subject that startled her a bit.
“I guess you’ve heard. . .”
“About?” Kellie looked over at her friend, puzzled.
Julia looked around to make sure they weren’t being overheard. “The trouble.”
“Trouble?” Kellie immediately thought of the church and her heart quickened. “No, I haven’t heard anything. What’s happened?”
Julia pursed her lips. “We just found out a couple of days ago. Frankie’s dad is mayor now, did you know?”
Kellie’s mouth flew open. “I’ve been so focused on everything else, I didn’t make the connection. I??
?m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be.” Julia shrugged. “It’s just that we hear a lot of what’s going on with the city before some of the others.”
“The trouble has to do with Greenvine?” Kellie set her mask down on the table so she could concentrate.
“Yes.” Julia drew in a deep breath. “It’s something pretty big, too. I don’t really understand all the technical lingo. Something about arbitraged. . .” She bit her lip, clearly trying to remember the rest.
“Arbitraged bonds?” Kellie asked.
Julia shrugged. “I think that’s right. Sometime about a bad investment.”
Kellie’s heart felt as if it would hit the floor. “Or a bad investor,” she was quick to add. “Someone scammed the city leaders?”
“Pretty much.”
Julia turned her attention to one of the little girls who needed help and Kellie pondered her friend’s words.
“Daddy.” She whispered the word, suddenly aware of the truth. Her father had apparently put his trust—and ultimately the city’s trust—into the hands of someone who’d proven him wrong. And he didn’t even know it.
Kellie quickly put together a plan in her mind. She would find out all of the who’s, what’s, when’s, etc. and would get to work. But she would need help. She would need. . .
Nathan.
She would need Nathan. Where her knowledge ended, his began. Together, they could work as a team to help Greenvine reclaim what it had lost. Together, they could. . .
She stopped herself in the very middle of the thought. I can’t do that to him. He’s overwhelmed with work already. He’s hardly got time enough for. . .
She struggled with the next thought. He hadn’t had much time for her lately, but she certainly couldn’t blame him for that. Not with the house in such a state of disrepair and the drive back and forth to Houston.
And something else seemed to be missing from his life, as well. His passion for God seemed to be. . .what was the word? Waning. She didn’t see him reading his Bible much these days and it had been ages since they’d had one of their famous “let’s talk about how we’re doing spiritually” conversations. He always initiated those.
But not now. Now he was just too busy. So how could she ask more of him?
Kellie squirmed in her chair, thinking. In her heart, she ached for Nathan. She missed him, maybe more than she had ever missed him back in Houston. This was a different kind of missing, the kind that created a tight grip around her heart and wouldn’t let go.
Lord, I have to give this situation over to You. I don’t know what else to do with it.
She and Nathan would get through this season, she felt sure. She loved him with a passion that seemed to exceed any fears or frustrations. Yes, her love had changed over the years. This was a different, more committed kind of love—of the “in it for the long haul” variety.
Her relationship with Nathan was key.
On the other hand, she loved Geenvine and wanted to do what she could to help. She would try, at any rate. She would make her father proud. And when he was back on his feet, he would get back to work, doing what he loved best. Somehow, she would manage to do it all.
“Earth to Kellie.”
She looked up into Julia’s laughing eyes. “Hey.”
“Hey to you, too.” Her friend reached to pat her on the back. “Thought we’d lost you there for a minute.”
“No, I’m still here.” Even as she spoke the words, Kellie understood their depth. She was still here—in Greenvine.
And here, she wanted to stay.
***
Nathan sat at lunch with his boss in a crowded downtown restaurant. All around him people hollered out conversations to one another above the din of clinking silverware. Busboys loaded their trays and waiters took orders. The whole place was abuzz with activity and he loved every bit of it.
Mr. Abernathy looked him in the eye. “Nathan, I’ve wanted to talk with you awhile now. I’m really proud of the work you’ve accomplished at Seifert and Collins.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Nathan took a sip of tea and tried to relax. Something about these one-on-one meetings with his boss still made him a little nervous.
“There’s just one thing. . .” the older man looked at him intently.
“Sir?”
“Well,” Mr. Abernathy stared him down as he spoke, “you haven’t exactly been yourself lately. You’re pretty distracted, to be honest.”
“Ah.” Nathan should’ve been prepared for those words, but wasn’t. “I, um. . .” No point in arguing the point, especially when it was true.
The older man gave him a sympathetic look. “I know you’ve been through a lot in recent weeks. And I know you’re torn between two places right now.”
“Yes Sir. But I’ve tried really hard not to let that interfere with my work.”
“It’s not your work that’s suffering, necessarily,” Mr. Abernathy explained. “I’m more concerned about your health.”
“My health?”
A looked of genuine concerned fill his boss’s eyes. “You look worn out most of the time, and that really concerns me. Are you getting enough sleep?”
Nathan sighed. “I’m trying. It’s just an adjustment. And the drive. . .” In truth, the drive was really wearing on him. What had begun as a great opportunity to spend more time in prayer had turned into a daily battle with his own internal thoughts. Many times he had all but pressed God out of the conversation altogether. Without meaning to, of course.
“Have you given any thought to staying at your condominium a few nights during the week?” Mr. Abernathy’s words brought Nathan back from his ponderings.
“Yes. In fact, I plan to stay in town tonight. I’ve got too much on my plate to drive home.”
“Home?” The word sounded more like an accusation.
Why did I say ‘home?’ I didn’t mean ‘home.’ I meant ‘Greenvine.’
“Well, Greenvine is more of a home away from home.” Nathan braved a smile, hoping to bring assurance. “It’s certainly not the kind of home I’ve got planned for myself and my family.”
“Of course not.” Mr. Abernathy’s eyes narrowed. “I know better than that. You fit right in here in the city. Always have.”
Nathan thought about those words as they finished their lunch. He’d been born and raised in Houston, and had never planned to leave. His parents were here. His job was here.
His home was here.
thirteen
The following Sunday morning Nathan had a hard time waking up. He’d spent the better part of the night tossing and turning. He couldn’t seem to still his mind. Problems at work, coupled with his concerns over Hal’s revelations during their fishing trip, kept his mind occupied
He glanced at the clock several times during the night: 2:15, 4:36, 5:44. Surely he must have rested somewhere between those times, but he sure didn’t feel like it when the alarm went off at 7:00. And then, there was that ever-present aggravation of birds shrieking outside his window. There weren’t enough pillows in the world to drown out that nuisance.
Kellie rolled out of bed with her usual ease. She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth. He would join her in a minute. Right now, he had more important things to take care of.
At 7:20, Kellie eased him back away with her gentle words, “Getting up, sleepyhead? I’ve already had my shower.” She leaned down to kiss him on the forehead.
“Uh huh.” His head felt heavy against the pillow. For some reason he just couldn’t seem to budge. Just a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.
She awoke him again at 7:55, a look of concern on her face. “Are you sick, Nathan?” This time she didn’t sound quite as gentle.
He tried to focus on her words, but couldn’t keep his eyes open long enough. “I. . . I’m fine.”
She stared at him with a degree of concern registering in her eyes. “You never sleep this late. I’ve already got my makeup on and breakfast is getting col
d.”
“Okay.” He sat up slowly then leaned back against the headboard. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
She gave him an encouraging nod. “I’m sure you’ll be fine after your shower.”
Kellie padded off into the kitchen and Nathan allowed the weight of his eyelids to pull them down, down, down once more.
It seemed like just a second more and Kellie shouted in his ear. “Nathan, what’s going on?” He wiped the drool from the edge of his lip and shot a glance at the clock. 8:37. She stood before him, fully dressed, purse slung over her shoulder, Bible in her hand. Clearly ready to leave. And clearly in a bad frame of mind.
“I, I’m coming.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stretched. But how could he leave when his head felt heavier than a bucket of lead?
“I don’t see the point.” She pursed her lips and crossed her arms at her chest.
Nathan groaned. “Are you mad at me?”
“Not mad.” Her eyes reflected a strange sadness. “I know you’re tired.”
“It’s not just that,” he tried to explain. “I couldn’t sleep at all last night. There’s just too much going on in my head. And speaking of which. . .” he rubbed his aching head, willing the dull ache to go away. “My head is killing me.”
Kellie’s expression softened and she let her arms fall to her side. “I’m sorry, Baby. Do you need some Ibuprofen?”
He nodded and she went to the medicine cabinet in search of the pills. When she returned to his bedside with a glass of water in one hand and medicine in the other, he offered up a smile. “Thanks for taking care of me.”
“Wish I could do more.” She glanced at her watch. “But I need to go. It’s getting late and I don’t want to miss Sunday school. I’m supposed to be reporting on my dad’s condition. He’s doing so much better, and I can’t wait to tell them.”
“I know, Kellie.” Nathan stood to give her a kiss. “And I’m sorry I’m going to miss it. I wish I could be there.”