“You can’t be serious. Uck!”
“This isn’t half bad. Believe me, they get worse.”
She stood rigid, shaking her head back and forth. “I absolutely cannot do this. You can’t really expect me to touch…” she gestured at everything in the room.
“It’s not going to kill you. I’ll tell you what. I’ll clean up the beer this time. You gather the newspaper and empty the garbage cans. You be in charge of stripping and remaking the bed, I’ll deal with the soiled towels.”
Her shoulders dropped. She knew she was beaten. There wasn’t anything else she could do about it, so she gingerly stepped across the room and with a plastic gloved hand picked up the offensive newspapers.
Violet had been raised with a maid who always picked up after her, made her bed and kept her closet full of clean clothes. This was the first time she had ever done anything that resembled cleaning in her life. At first she was fuming. She thought Lee should have been a true gentleman and allowed her to stay in the motel for free, but after thinking it over she realized he could lose his job if he did. Sighing, she stuffed newspaper into garbage cans, tied up the plastic bags and took them out to the utility cart. She came back with clean sheets and began to strip the bed.
After her first attempt, Lee stopped what he was doing and taught her how to make a bed properly. She was rather impressed with the square corners and actually looked forward to trying again in the next wigwam.
When the room was finished, Violet started to leave.
“Can you just check under the bed? Sometimes guests leave things behind.”
Violet got down on her knee and hesitantly lifted the bed skirt. She expected to find more papers or another empty beer can, but all she saw was a book. She reached under the bed and pulled it out.
“It’s just an old Bible.” She held the well-worn book up. “Shall I toss it in the garbage?”
“Toss a Bible in the garbage? I don’t think so. It belongs in the drawer next to the bed.”
Violet gave him a curious stare. She wondered why he seemed so defensive about the book. “Oh…okay.” She slid the drawer open and placed the book inside. “Why does it go in here?”
“All the wigwams have a Bible. Most motels and hotels have Bibles in every room.”
She cocked her head. “Really, why? Now I could understand some fashion or news magazines, but who reads an old Bible?”
Lee ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. “You’d be surprised how many people have found Jesus in motel rooms.”
Violet closed the drawer and stood. She followed Lee from the room, wondering what he meant by “found Jesus.”
~
“Okay, you’re on your own now.” Lee pushed the utility cart to the next wigwam and handed her the keys. If you have any problems I’ll be in the office. Make sure to get those corners on the bed right.”
Violet nodded and watched him walk away. She admired his masculine form and strong muscles. She was surprised to feel a void once he was gone. She’d been enjoying their time together.
Get a hold of yourself, Violet. He’s just a motel employee. It doesn’t matter how good looking he is. He isn’t potential for your future. You need someone rich, like Robert L. Pendegast.
~
Lee was surprised to see her come out of the wigwam and proceed to another without hesitation. He assumed she would’ve given up or come crying for help after a few minutes. He laughed at the memory of the look of horror on her face in the first wigwam.
I’m sorry, Lord. It really was one of the worst I’d ever seen. I just can’t seem to keep from pushing her. She has a lovely side, I’ve seen her kindness in the way she treated the dog. I don’t know why I care, but I do. Help me to be careful and help me to share the message of Salvation with her.
~
Violet finished the last room. She sat on the wicker chair beside the bed and glanced around. It was strange, but she felt a slight thrill in having completed the work, even if her limbs were a bit shaky.
Perhaps I should get a job. Not cleaning motels, but doing something. It does feel good to do something well.
She reached out and slid open the drawer on the stand beside the bed. The Bible was there. It looked almost new. She took it out, set it on her lap and let it fall open. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a verse.
For even when we were with you, We would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Violet was startled by the words. They seemed to speak directly to her. She reread them, irritated by the words command, idleness, busybody and yet, strangely she agreed with the verse.
Surely, this isn’t talking about me. I’m too young to worry about working. Daddy works hard enough to give me everything I want or need.
She closed the book and put it back in the drawer, however, she no longer felt so proud of the job she had done.
Just then the door swung open and Lee stepped in the room. His eyes filled with concern.
“You okay?”
Violet stood and stretched. “Yes. Just taking a rest.”
“I got worried when you didn’t come back to the office. I was afraid I’d find you passed out from overexertion.” He chuckled.
“What would make you think that? Didn’t you believe I could do the job? I’m not helpless, you know. I can work if I need to.” Her voice raised with each syllable until she was almost screaming at him.
Lee held up a hand. “Whoa. I didn’t mean anything by it.” His eyes skimmed the room. “I can see you’ve done a great job.”
“You probably think I’m idle, maybe even a busybody.”
“I never said anything like that.”
“You believe it though, don’t you. Just like that Bible verse said.”
Lee cocked his head and stared at her. “What Bible verse?”
Violet’s hand shook as she pointed toward the drawer where the Bible was. “The one about if you don’t work, you shouldn’t eat. You shouldn’t be idle or a busybody.”
Lee seemed to understand what she was talking about and nodded. “Violet, have you ever read any of the Bible, except for that verse?”
“No, not since I was a little girl at Sunday school. But if the whole thing is like that one verse, I’m not sure I’d want to read it. It’s awful bossy.” She stomped her foot slightly.
Lee couldn’t hold back his mirth. He burst out laughing.
Violet grit her teeth and rushed from the room.
Lee’s shoulder’s dropped and his eyes lifted. I’m sorry, Lord. I’m not doing a very good job of showing her the way.
Chapter 5
Lee pounded on the wigwam door. “Hey, Violet. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Please let me talk to you.”
He could hear her muffled answer of, “Go Away.”
“Okay, I will for now. But I want to talk to you about that Bible verse more. I shouldn’t have laughed at you. I’ll take you over to Joe and Aggie’s for dinner in an hour. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
For a second he thought she would refuse, but he finally heard, “All right. I’m going to take a shower.”
He wasn’t sure why the heaviness on his heart lifted, but he turned away from the wigwam with a smile on his face. He glanced down at his clothes and decided he better take a shower too.
~
Violet sat up and wiped the tears off her cheeks. She felt foolish for crying over something as insignificant as a motel employee laughing at her. But, it was the fact that she didn’t understand the Bible verse which had made him laugh. That made her angry.
She was a highly educated girl. An honor student. She could go to any college she wanted, if she wanted. Just because she’d never read that Bible verse before didn’t mean she was stupid. She was surprised by it a
nd hadn’t had time to think it through. Later tonight, she would find it again, and study it a bit more. Then she would understand it completely.
She pulled open the drawer next to her bed and lifted the Bible from it.
If only I could remember where it was. She set the book on the bed.
Violet stood up and turned quickly. The movement caused the book to fall off the edge of the bed. It landed on the floor, open.
Violet bent to retrieve the book and was amazed to find her eyes immediately drawn to the page. It was the same page she had read earlier.
For even when we were with you, We would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Violet walked to the desk, took a piece of note paper, stuck it into the Bible and closed the book. At least now she would be able to find the verse later, to study it.
As she stood in the shower, allowing hot water to ease her sore muscles, she found herself thinking about how amazing it was that the Bible had fallen open to the exact verse.
Perhaps all Bibles open to the same place if they are dropped. She decided she would try out her theory tomorrow while cleaning rooms.
~
Violet was standing outside the wigwam door when Lee came to get her. She gave him a weak smile.
“Feeling better?”
She nodded.
Lee lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a light but gallant kiss on the back of it. “Umm, I hope you don’t mind me driving again.”
A trill of laughter escaped her lips. “You can sure play the part of a true gentleman, but it just doesn’t work when you don’t have your own vehicle to drive her off into the sunset with.”
“Don’t I know it. Only the rich guys get the girls. Isn’t that the way it is? A rich girl would never look at me if I don’t have a fancy car.”
Violet could see he wasn’t joking. The look on his face was rather stoic.
“I guess it is true, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s the right thing.”
Lee lifted his eyes in surprise. “You mean, you won’t be ashamed to be seen with just a plain old blue collar working man?”
Not when he’s as good looking as you. Violet didn’t speak the words out loud.
Lee turned and gave her his arm. She wrapped her perfectly manicured fingers around his strong muscle and they walked to the car together. Lee played the part of the gentleman perfectly, opening the door, helping her in, closing the door.
When he was in the car and had started the engine, he turned to face her. “How did I do?”
Violet’s face turned pink, this time she felt ashamed of how she’d originally thought of him. “I’m beginning to think there’s more gentleman in you than motel clerk.”
Lee threw his head back and laughed. “Let’s go find out if there’s a bit of Mexican in us both. Joe and Aggie’s serves the real deal.”
Violet chewed her lower lip as they drove through town, wondering what the real deal meant. She had never stepped foot in a Mexican restaurant in her life, but she wasn’t about to admit it to Lee.
~
Violet stood outside the door of the Mexican cafe, a wild look in her eyes. She wanted to turn and run. Nothing in her life could have prepared her for this. It was housed in a fairly old building, partly brick and the rest a dull flat pink. Above the door were paintings of a Mexican woman and a Mexican man.
Lee had parked the car then joined her. “You ready to get the best Navajo fry bread topped with beans, shredded chicken, green chili sauce, lettuce, tomato, and cheese in the world?”
She swallowed. Her stomach turned at the thought.
Lee pushed the door open and they stepped into the small cafe. The walls were covered with wood paneling and there were several brown booths throughout the place. They found a seat and Violet searched the menu.
She leaned forward and quietly whispered, “Is it okay if I order the hamburger?”
“Sure.”
When the waitress came to the table, Lee ordered the Navajo fry bread and Violet, in a rather subdued voice, ordered the hamburger. The dark skinned girl gave her a hard stare.
“You don’t like Mexican food?”
Violet felt herself draw up haughtily. “I prefer to eat a hamburger today.” Her voice was frigid.
The girl turned and stomped away.
“Well, I never. She was so rude. I didn’t think ordering a hamburger, when it’s on the menu was insulting, but she took it that way.”
Lee reached over and patted her hand gently. “Calm down. She’s not mad about what you ordered.”
Violet gave him a quizzical look. “Then what’s wrong with her?”
“She’s upset to see me here, with you. I’ve been coming here for lunch for a while. She’s very friendly and I think she was hoping I was going to ask her out on a date.”
Everything was clear now. Violet covered a small giggle. “It wasn’t very nice of you to bring me here then. You’ve probably crushed her dreams.”
“You think I’m good enough for her? Me, a lowly motel clerk?”
“Stop talking that way,” Violet stammered. “I know I came off rude, saying that to you, but now that I’ve gotten to know you better I don’t feel the same way.”
Lee reached across the table and touched her cheek. He was surprised when she didn’t recoil. “You’re a beautiful young woman, Violet. But true beauty comes from the inside. God wants us each to have a lovely soul.”
~
Violet was amazed at the tingle of pleasure that ran down her cheek when Lee touched her.
“God wants us to be beautiful inside? What does that mean?”
“His Word, the Bible tells us that what comes out of our mouth is what’s in our heart. So if you say unkind things, it means you have an unkind spirit.”
“But I apologized.” She lowered her eyes.
“That’s a start, but what do you really think? You know me a bit better now, you say I act like a gentleman and you aren’t ashamed to be seen with me, here in Holbrook. But what about in California? Would you feel the same way?”
Violet was speechless. She tried to picture herself introducing Lee to her friends. It would be embarrassing. They would tease her about his clothes, his job. They would never take time to get to know him.
Lee shrugged his shoulders.
“I’d like to be different. I’d like to have a kind heart.” Her voice was soft and low. A small tear trickled out of the corner of her eye.
“Then let me introduce you to God. He is the only one who can change your heart.”
Violet nodded eagerly, but Lee didn’t say anymore. The waitress came back to the table carrying a large tray. She set the plates on the table. Violet stared at her hamburger, glanced at Lee’s plate and said, “I think I’d like to try the real deal.”
~
After the meal Lee suggested they take a drive. Violet agreed. She had enjoyed the meal, once she tasted the real deal and ordered one for herself, all the while listening to Lee explain more about how she could get to know God. Now, she dreaded the idea of going back to the Wigwam Motel. She still had so many questions.
Lee turned the car away from town and just drove. The Arizona scenery was lovely, especially as the sun was setting. Violet had been so busy driving the last few days, she hadn’t noticed any of the beauty around her.
“So, you are telling me, all I have to do is ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins and He will. What about punishment? What about making up for things I’ve done? I haven’t always been a very nice person.”
Lee slipped his hand across the seat, took hers in his and gave a very gentle squeeze. “That’s the wonder of it all. Jesus died on the cross in place of us having to suffer any punishment. He made up for everything. However, if there are specific thi
ngs you feel you need to make amends for, or people you have offended and you want to set things right, God will be with you and encourage you. He’ll let you know what to do.”
She rested her head back on the seat and noticed several stars beginning to show and felt the air beginning to cool.
If only it were all true. That Jesus could wipe away all the bad things I’ve done. I’ve been mean to so many people and rude.
“Can I think about it tonight? I mean, if I don’t ask Him for forgiveness right away, will I lose the chance?”
Lee shook his head slowly. “No, but no one can predict the future. We could have an accident right now and we could both die. I believe I would go to Heaven, but because you have never asked Jesus to forgive you and given your life to Him, according to the Bible, you would go to Hell.”
Violet pulled her sweater close around her and shivered slightly. “I’m getting cold, do you mind taking me back to the motel?”
“Sure.” Lee slowed and pulled to the edge of the road and then turned the car around and started off once again.
Violet sat with her eyes closed, her thoughts tumbling around. The only thing she said the rest of the way back to the motel was, “Please drive very carefully. I’m not ready to die.”
Later that night, as she settled into the full size bed with the wicker headboard, Violet glanced around the room and realized she didn’t feel the same loathing she had earlier. There was something special about the snug little room.
An image of her best friend, Gloria, flashed through her mind. She saw the room from Gloria’s eyes, she could almost imagine the disgust and horror Gloria would displayed if she were forced to stay in the Wigwam Motel.
Enchanted Encounter (Get Your Kiss On Route 66 #3) Page 3
