A Legacy for Bryan

by Marlene Bierworth

  “Are you ready to face the party crowd and plead our cause?”

  “Plead? No way. I believe in what you do over there. Doctors and nurses give up their valuable earning time to volunteer in Kenya, and the people are so needy and poor. No, Miss Simms, I won’t be begging. I will make them see that it is their civic and moral duty to contribute to this worthy venture.” He laughed and downed his drink. “I’ve supported them for years—it’s about time they returned the favor. And if all else fails, I’ll mention the tax cut benefits.”

  “And do you think that three months of being dry will safeguard you from falling back into your old lifestyle?”

  “Probably not under my own power, but I believe I will be safeguarded by the keeping power of Almighty God who will continue to reveal the folly of my ways and keep me headed down His straight and narrow path.”

  “I love new believers, so brave and willing.”

  Bryan snuggled close to her and whispered, “I happen to love an older believer who is not only my mentor but everything I want or need on this earth.” He bumped her playfully. “I’ll go alone if you’re chicken.”

  “Where thou goest I will follow, sir…gladly.”

  “Good. Then I’ll wire the gang and tell them we’ll be there tomorrow. Tonight, let’s just stay on the yacht and watch the sunset and the show in the night sky.”

  “Agreed. I’m exhausted from all the traveling. I’ll gather up my props to show your friends the work and the people they’ll be investing in.”

  Bryan looked at Jude. “Will you tell the captain and the chef that Miss Simms and I will be staying aboard tonight?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  That night, the couple stared at the spectacle the Creator provided for them in the heavens while stretched out on loungers on the open deck, “I never tire of this view,” Katelyn said.

  “In Africa, the sky seems closer, like you can almost touch the stars,” Bryan said.

  “Suppose it has something to do with the positioning of the continents in the grand scheme of things, of which I do not attempt to understand. Science or geography were never my strong subjects at school.”

  “Yeah. Sometimes education spoils the simple, raw beauty of nature for me when all I need to know is that God created it for my pleasure.” He felt her eyes on him, and he turned his head toward Katelyn. “What’s that look for?”

  “Sometimes I’m blown away when witnessing God’s power coming alive within a newly-plowed heart.”

  “My heart does feel alive, and the new plants sprouting up on the inside of me are of an unfamiliar brand.” He leaned closer. “Not to diminish His divine work in my life, but this pitter-patter that I find hard to control right now has nothing to do with Him and everything to do with you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. There is no separating our lives into compartments. God is the very essence of love. There would be no lasting bond between us without Him in the centre. The two shall become one under the miraculous umbrella of His love. What do you think of that?”

  “I kind of like it,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “Takes the solitary burden off me to do right by you. He’ll lead the way, and I’ll drag you along with us. How does that sound?”

  She laughed. “Sounds like an interesting description for a successful marriage plan, summarized down to the bare bones.”

  “You don’t mince words, do you?” he stated more than asked. “Did I hear that marriage word come from those luscious lips?”

  “I suppose you did,” she said shyly.

  Bryan jumped to a sitting position and fell to his knee in the space between the chairs, scooped her hands into his and kissed them while his eyes held her captive. “May I make it official, Katelyn? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for richer or poorer—the latter, unfortunately, being the case—‘till death do us part?”

  He watched her lips tremble, and tears gather in the corners of her eyes. “I certainly will, Bryan Charter.” She fell into his arms, and they sealed the agreement with a kiss, one that spoke of a love, peace, and harmony that Bryan had not experienced his entire life until meeting her and their Savior.

  When they came up for air, he said, “I suppose it’s not really official until I have a ring. I’ll get it first thing in the morning, so you don’t forget that you’ve just made me the happiest man in the entire world.”

  “I don’t need a ring for that as long as you gaze on me like you’re doing right now for the rest of our lives,” she said before her face broke into a little-girl eagerness that made him want to move mountains for her. “But if you insist on a ring, I won’t argue.”

  “I will put it on time, and hopefully I’ll find a way of paying for it by the wedding.”

  “I can give you a few grand out of the wonderful donation you made to the foundation earlier,” she suggested.

  “Suppose that might work—but only this one time. I won’t have my wife supporting me for the rest of our lives. Surely, I can figure out some way to make a living.”

  “Let’s not worry about that right now,” Katelyn said. “One step at a time.”

  Bryan pulled her into his arms, and they gazed into the heavens as a falling star began its downward spiral. “Look! Hurry and make a wish.”

  They closed their eyes and Bryan wished the joy bursting in his soul would last forever, that it would see him through the good and bad times, that love would reign in his heart and Katelyn would be content by his side forever.

  “Did you make a wish?” he asked when he opened his eyes and saw her staring at him.

  “My wishes have all come true. God and the mission work He called me to do has held first place in my heart for years, but I always wondered if there was a man who would not only love me but love Kenya as much as I, and here you are. What more could I want?”

  “I am here, you can count on it.” He leaned in, and the two became lost in the wonder of love.

  Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

  Chapter 12

  When they flew into Bermuda, a heaviness enveloped Bryan and he panicked. He twirled the engagement ring he’d given Katelyn on her finger and must have pressed too hard because she winced and yanked her hand away.

  “Are you all right, Bryan?”

  He couldn’t speak. Something was strangling him, and his face felt stiff and in fear-mode.

  She leaned over and grabbed him at the shoulder, forcing him to face her. “Bryan, I know you’re not afraid of flying, so tell me; what’s the matter?”

  The grip around his voice box let loose, and he collapsed against the back of his seat, fanning his fingers through his sweat-drenched hair. “It was like someone had me by the throat, choking the life from me. Made me feel the same as the nightmare with the lion and my father.” He shook his head. “It all sounds so ridiculous. This time, I’m wide awake, and it scared me to death.”

  “God does give spiritual gifts to His people. Maybe—"

  “God wouldn’t strangle me.”

  “No, He wouldn’t, but He does work in mysterious ways and I don’t pretend to understand them all. But the fact that you’ve come out of it still breathing suggests He conquered whatever the peril was.”

  “Like he did with the lioness ready to pounce on Jerrod,” Bryan mused. “In this case, I think I’m afraid to face the old crowd. Maybe you were right, and I jumped into this too fast.”

  “His grace is sufficient. Lean on Him, and His light will shine through you,” Katelyn said. “And remember, I will be right by your side the entire time.”

  “Do you promise?”

  “I promise. ‘Where thou goest I shall go,’ remember? We’ll get through this test together, and if your party gang throws stones at us, we’ll wipe the dust from our feet as we leave.”

  “You are so brave,” he said. “I don’t deserve you.”

  “Nonsense. That’s the enemy planting insecurity. He’
s a sore loser, and he’s fighting to win you back over to his side. I believe God allowed the vision as a sign that a great work will be accomplished on this visit, for, ‘Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.’”

  “I have no doubt He is great in you, but—”

  “The moment you bowed your knee He promised to do more than you could even hope to ask for.”

  “This is a tough bunch, Katelyn.”

  “You weren’t so easy, either, Bryan Charter.”

  He grinned and clapped his hands together. “I feel better now, ready to face my past and drag as many out of this cesspool as we can.”

  They booked into rooms at the Chariot Resort and said a prayer that God would go before them before entering the lion’s den downstairs. The music was loud, and they heard the hollering long before they reached the party room. It was only seven o’clock, but Bryan knew the guests at the resort had been tying one on the entire day long. Would they even listen or be coherent enough to hear what they had to say?

  Bryan glanced at Katelyn, who smiled at him from ear to ear, and he took strength from her optimism.

  Once inside the room, Bryan scanned the partiers. His crowd sat off to the right, lifting their glasses in some sort of toast. He took a deep breath, squeezed Katelyn’s hand, and crossed the room.

  When they caught sight of him, a chorus of howls went up that was almost loud enough to drown out the band. His chums shot to their feet and surrounded him within seconds. Had they missed him or the many rounds of free booze he usually provided? He guessed it really didn’t matter and continued to bear their pounding slaps on his back and their fists in his hair while attempting to land as many high-fives as he could. When the greetings subsided, they picked him up in the air and carried him around the room, shouting all kinds of endearing drunken brags.

  When it was over, they returned him to the huge round table, and he saw Katelyn grinning from ear to ear. Bryan hurried to her side and waved her ring finger for all to see. “I want you all to meet Katelyn Simms, who has wondrously agreed to be my wife.”

  “Your wife?” a woman’s voice screeched. “Bryan, it’s me, Camilla, the girl you dumped…for this?” She pointed at Katelyn.

  “She’s the one, Camilla,” Bryan said, beaming at the woman by his side. “I know it to be true like I know my own name.”

  “What about your inheritance?” Camilla asked. “She’s probably just hooking up to swindle your money. You always fell for the leaches, you know.”

  He wanted to say, like you, but held his tongue. No use alienating the bunch before he’d said his peace.

  “I do have some news, and I’d love for you all to hear it, when you’re sober.”

  They all laughed. One character, who was full-blown, higher than a kite, said, “And that would be when?”

  “Tomorrow at eleven. If you have the nerve to join me at our secluded corner of the beach, I will tell you tales of lions and old men, children and miracles, disease and death, and freedom to really live.”

  “I’m all for stories, and I especially like the part about the freedom to live,” one fellow said with a chuckle.

  “I thought you might, Charlie. How goes it on the home front?”

  “Worse than ever. I took my birthright and ran. My old man won’t see me ever again.”

  “Then, I’ll expect you tomorrow, for sure. And bring the rest of these scallywags along.” He waved. “This is my first night here, and I want to show my girl around.”

  He tugged Katelyn’s hand, and she followed him as they made their way from the room.

  Once outside, Katelyn giggled. “Bryan Charter, you are a tease, but I think you sparked their interest.”

  “Yeah, most of them will show up. I wanted them sober when I preach the good news, and then you’ll know that those who stick around for your mission’s spiel will be willing to listen.”

  “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out,” Katelyn said.

  “Not really. I’m making it all up as I go—or as we’d say in the new lingo, as the Spirit leads.”

  “So, I have you all to myself tonight?” Katelyn asked.

  “You certainly do. And I know the perfect little non-alcoholic drink the bar serves, complete with a cute umbrella.”

  He guessed her question before she asked. “My father and his religious wife showed up here one day to talk some sense into their wayward child, and she ordered it.”

  “Let’s do it, then. I’d also enjoy a nice walk on the white sand.”

  “Sorry, but Bermuda’s shoreline is a gentle pink hue, like coral. It’s created by tiny broken seashells mixed with soft white sand. The spectacle is rather colorful and breathtaking; all the delicate shades complemented by turquoise waves and rugged boulders.”

  “Sounds romantic the way you describe it.”

  “I wouldn’t take my girl anywhere else on a night like tonight.” He took her hand. The two walked the shore and sat on the damp evening sand to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Life was perfect, and Bryan would do nothing to jeopardize it.

  The next morning, Bryan and Katelyn met at the resort’s diner for the breakfast meal, which was a smorgasbord of everything a guest could ever want and more.

  When they’d settled in their seats, she said, “I prayed for you after you left me at my door last night, wondering if old desires would pull you downstairs to join your friends.”

  “God sustained me with words from His Holy Book.” He laughed when he saw her worried expression. Bryan took her hand in his and said, “Not once did I yearn for the old life or the ‘friends’ that seem alien to me. They all use each other for personal gain. The strong survive, and the rest grovel as little puppies for crumbs the alpha-dog offers. They’re all hiding from reality, thinking they’ve got life figured out, and the rest of us peons are the ones floundering in the dark.”

  “Is that the way you saw the human race when you walked in their shoes?” Katelyn asked.

  “I was one of the strong ones, although you’d never guess it now.” He chuckled.

  “Yes, I would, and because of it, God could reveal your weakness.”

  “Mm. Think I’ll have to mull that one over a spell.”

  “You possess a strength of character that makes you a leader, Bryan Charter, and God will use it for His glory. You watch and see.”

  Just before noon, the group gathered in Bryan’s designated spot. He silenced them with what he recognized as a strength to which they would listen, the old power mixed with the new was the force allowing him to keep their attention as he told his tales of the last three months.

  “And now, I stand before you a pauper with eternal treasures so full I can’t contain it. Joy fills my heart, and He has given me the greatest gift of all; a woman to love. Now that you’ve heard the touristy version of my adventures, I want you to give Katelyn your undivided attention as she tells you about the mission foundation she heads up, and how you can be a part of changing someone’s life.” He bowed in Katelyn’s direction and swept the air with his hand. “You have the floor, my dear.”

  For the next ten minutes, she delivered an abbreviation of her notes, addressing the spellbound crowd in a casual manner, adding stories that touched her listeners with humor, sadness, death, and life. Every moment she spoke, offered another attack to his senses. She was brilliant, and his heart near exploded with pride. To think she’d chosen to spend her life with him still amazed him.

  When they left the beach, it was with empty hands and no responses—either positive or negative. He stared far-off to the horizon while musing over the crowd’s lack of response and squeezed her hand. “And now, we wait to see the results from God’s mighty hand at work today.”

  In the diner, three people causally slapped a total of three checks down on the table while continuing to stroll on their merry way. Bryan peeked at the numbers and grinned. “The fund is growing.”

  As they sipped on their coffees, Charlie, the mouthy prodigal
son, slid in beside Bryan. “Got some questions for you two.”

  And that’s how seeds were planted amongst his old acquaintances, the name of Jesus was exalted to the lost, and the Simms Foundation bank account grew. Over the next two days, many came, either pacifying their consciences with a donation for tax purposes, or with questions about the Good News that had been shared.

  The enemy comes in sheep’s clothing.

  Chapter 13

  At the end of the week, Bryan and Katelyn left Bermuda in high spirits and flew directly to South Carolina where they began preparations for their wedding. It would be a small event, held at her home, the only location she’d ever dreamed of repeating her vows with the man she loved.

  Her parents were ecstatic and gave Bryan a grand welcome into their family. Of course, they’d heard of his family name, but little was said about wealth and prestige within the walls of Simms Manor. They mixed with the elite crowd in business or while gathering with old friends, but they equally entertained people from the church who hosted some of their fun times. Katelyn was proud of the way they’d balanced their lives to include people from all walks of life. The Lord had blessed her family, and on that day, with Bryan at her side, the world seemed a perfect place.

  After dinner, the couple walked hand and hand to the beach. “Nice property your folks have here.”

  He seemed a bit distant, so she called him on it. “Having second thoughts?”

  “About us? Never. But I wonder what your parents would say if they knew you were marrying an ex-playboy with no money.”

  “They know about you,” she said. “We don’t keep secrets here.”

  “And they haven’t talked you out of it yet?”

  “They never tried. We also support one another here. In fact, they remarked that I was as bubbly as I’d been on my first Christmas morning, jumping up and down when I saw the tree trimmed and the bright lights.”