Glancing at her wristwatch, Lydia realized it was past noon. She wondered if Alec got a lunch break. Should she try calling him? Deciding to chance it, she picked up the receiver of her desk phone and dialed the cellular number he’d written down on one of the brochures. The adjacent offices around her were silent. The assistant pastor and youth pastor were attending seminars in Raleigh and her father-in-law was still out of town. With the moment’s privacy, Lydia hoped to get to talk to Alec.
His phone rang for the third time and she was tempted to hang up when suddenly it stopped.
“Yeah, Corbett, here.”
She brought her chin back in surprise at the brusque greeting. “Alec?” she said hesitantly.
A pause. “Hang on a sec.” She heard muffled voices and the whir of a drill or electric saw in the background. Then Alec came back on the line. “Sorry about that. I had to tell the guys I was taking a break.”
“Is this a bad time?”
“Nope.”
“Good.” She felt oddly nervous. “I just wanted to tell you I read the information you gave me.”
“And?”
“And, I agree with it. . .them. . .I mean, the courtship idea.”
“Are you okay? You sound upset or something.”
“Yes, I’m fine. I just feel like. . .like I’m an awkward sixteen-year-old again,” Lydia admitted, twirling the phone cord around her index finger.
Alec laughed. “You, too, huh?”
She smiled.
“Well, maybe we can talk some more tonight. It’s a nice day. How ’bout if I try to get off at a reasonable hour and we take the kids for ice cream?”
“I’m sure they’d love that, although I don’t know how much of a discussion we’ll be able to have with Ty along.”
“Guess we’ll have to take our chances.”
As much as Lydia loved her children, she felt a tad disappointed she couldn’t have Alec’s company all to herself. But the fact remained: If he entertained thoughts of marrying her someday, he would have to make a commitment to Tyler and Brooke also. It might be a good thing if he discovered just what he was in for at this early stage of their relationship.
“See you tonight, Lydia.”
“Yes, see you tonight. . . .”
❧
The evening wind felt like a cold slap against Lydia’s face as she sat in the park bleachers and watched Alec and Tyler throwing the football to each other. Having just indulged in a scoop of “Death by Chocolate” ice cream, she felt all the more chilled.
“Yea! Touchdown!” Brooke cheered beside her.
Lydia chuckled. She didn’t think her daughter even knew what a touchdown was, but she seemed to be having a fun time clapping her hands and rooting for Tyler first and then “Mr. Alec.” And Tyler was in his glory. Lydia hadn’t seen her son so happy since last Christmas, when he got that computer from Gerald.
“Yea! Tyler caught the ball!” Brooke jumped up and down, applauding loudly, while Lydia shivered beneath her winter jacket.
At long last, Alec and Tyler walked off the field.
“Nice warm night for a football game, eh, Lydia?” Alec razzed with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
“Very nice,” she replied dryly, attempting to keep her teeth from chattering.
He chuckled as they all walked toward his pickup truck. Reaching it, Alec unlocked the door and Tyler and Brooke climbed into the backseat of the cab. Lydia slid into the passenger seat, glad to be out of the chilling wind.
“That was awesome!” Tyler exclaimed.
“Y’all are a good football player,” Brooke drawled, complimenting her brother. “And I was a good cheerleader. Right, Mama?”
“That’s right.”
Alec opened the driver’s door and seated himself behind the wheel. Turning the key in the ignition, the engine came to life and soon they were on their way home. Once they arrived, Lydia gave in and let the kids watch one of their favorite videos before bedtime.
“And I think I need some hot tea,” she declared, rubbing her frozen hands together.
“I think I need an ice cold cola,” Alec said, opening the fridge. “Mind if I help myself.”
“Sure, go ahead. But all I’ve got in there is apple juice.”
“You’re kidding?” He closed the door, looking disappointed. “I think I’ll go home.”
“Oh, don’t do that,” Lydia said, feigning a pout.
He winked. “Okay, guess I’ll come back after I grab a soft drink.”
She chuckled lightly at Alec’s retreating form and, in his absence, she set the kettle to boiling and steeped her tea. Pulling on a cozy sweater, she sat down at the kitchen table, listening to Tyler and Brooke giggling in the den. Minutes later, Alec walked through the back door.
“You know, your boy is starving for some male companionship,” he announced, taking a seat opposite from Lydia’s at the table. “I don’t mean that as an insult. I know you’re doing the best you can.”
“But you’re right. Ty needs a good male friend. He used to have Matt next door until the Smiths moved to Tennessee.”
“Yeah, he told me about that.” Alec took a few swallows from his can of cola. “He said something ‘bad’ happened.”
“It did. And it involves my father-in-law and the extortion charges he’s facing.”
“Uh-oh.” Alec twirled his pop can between his hands, studying it thoughtfully. “How are you coping with all of that?” he finally asked, bringing his gaze back to hers. “It’s got to be stressful.”
“It is and I’m a baffled mess,” she admitted. “Sherry Smith was my very best friend and, even though Gerald wouldn’t like it if he knew, I’ve had contact with her. We spoke on Sunday night. Hearing her version of why she and her husband left the church and ultimately North Carolina answered many of my questions. But it also raised some more.” Lydia shook her head sadly. “I don’t want to think badly of my father-in-law. He’s been good to me and the children.”
“Does he ever do anything special with Tyler? Man-to-man stuff, like taking him to a basketball game?”
Lydia shook her head. “He’s too busy.”
“Well, would you mind if I spent a little extra time with him? He can tag along with me when I shoot hoops with some of the guys from church. We try to get together a couple of times a month.”
“Courting my son, too, are you?” Lydia teased.
Alec gave her a furtive glance. “Courting trouble’s more like it.”
“Who me?” she asked, batting her lashes innocently.
He smirked in reply and took another drink. “Speaking of trouble, I can foresee some obstacles ahead of us.” His tone took on a serious note. “And your father-in-law is one of them.”
“I talked to him on Sunday night, too, and I told him we went out the night before. . .well, actually he’d heard about it from someone at church.” Lydia lifted the corners of her mouth in a slight grin. “News travels fast among SPCC’s congregation.”
“I guess. So did the good pastor blow a gasket?” Alec chuckled. “I mean, I am a Northerner, you know, and he was very quick to point that out when we were introduced.”
“He’s willing to give you a chance,” Lydia said, praying it was so.
“And what if he doesn’t approve?” he asked, wearing a hardened expression. “Then it’s off between you and me regardless of what we might feel the Lord is doing?” Alec pushed.
When Lydia hesitated, he scooted his chair back and stood. “Look, I think you need to get that matter settled first. Who are you listening to? God or your father-in-law?”
“God, of course,” she replied, standing as well.
He gave her a skeptical look.
“Please, be patient with me,” she whispered.
“I don’t want to get hurt again,” Alec said candidly. “So if you’re going to change your mind, do it now.”
“I’m not changing my mind. But at the same time, we need to stay open to the Lord’s leading. What if He
closes the door on this relationship?”
“If He does, it won’t be for a political reason.”
“I agree.” She gazed at Alec, silently pleading with him for understanding.
“Obstacle number two,” he touted in spite of her efforts. “Money. I’m a lowly carpenter, Lydia, and don’t exactly make a fortune. Judging by this house and your lifestyle, you’re accustomed to wealth.”
“I didn’t grow up with it. Mama wanted to save the insurance money Daddy left her for my college education and her retirement. I worked a part-time job all through high school while Mama cleaned houses for a living. We lived in a one-bedroom apartment and. . .we were very happy. As for my present situation, I know Michael left me some money, but my father-in-law is my agent. He takes care of everything. I get a monthly allotment, but I suspect the church is supporting me for the most part.”
“You mean you don’t know how much your husband left you?”
“I should, shouldn’t I? But I’m afraid I was so distraught at the reading of Michael’s will, that I don’t recall the exact figures. And since Gerald so kindly agreed to take care of it all. . . .”
Alec shook his blond head. “This bothers me.”
“Why?”
“Because your father-in-law could decide to pull your support if he doesn’t approve and we continue to see each other.” He tipped his head slightly. “Are you prepared for that, Lydia? What if you lose your financial security because of me?”
“That won’t happen.”
“Oh? Why won’t it?”
“You’re forgetting something. My children. Gerald would never allow them—or me—to suffer financial hardship if he could help it.”
“Well, I’ve got news for you. You might suffer financial hardship with me—and I will not have anyone else supporting my family. I’ll be the one to take care of my wife and kids.” He paused, considering her earnestly. “You may have to choose between living in luxury in this grand house or living with me. And you might as well decide now and save us both a lot of grief.”
“Can’t I let God decide?” She smiled. “Actually, it’s already been determined; all I have to do is let the Lord lead the way.”
“Being less than wealthy doesn’t scare you?”
“Not in the least.”
“I’m warning you, Lydia, I won’t ever accept financial help from your father-in-law or anyone else—not while I’m an able-bodied man and I can work.”
She walked toward him. “I think you’re wonderful.”
“I think I’m crazy. You’re out of my league, Lydia Rose Boswick.”
“No, I am not ‘out of your league,’ and don’t you ever say that again. You’re a child of God and there are not leagues among Christians.”
“You haven’t been paying attention to your father-in-law’s sermons, have you?” Alec asked facetiously before chuckling.
Lydia smiled, watching him and thinking his eyes fairly danced when he laughed like that. “I’m falling in love with you,” she murmured helplessly.
“Yeah, well, I think I passed that point. So now you know just what kind of fool you’re dealing with.” He smirked. “And on that note, I’d better say good night.”
She watched him go in a mixture of disappointment and admiration. The kitchen had a lonely atmosphere about it after Alec left. Lydia stood there, staring at the closed back door. From the den, she could hear silly music playing on the video, but since Tyler and Brooke weren’t laughing as usual, she guessed they’d fallen asleep.
On a long sigh, Lydia made her way into the den, thinking she’d met some kind of hero when Alec Corbett moved in next door.
Fourteen
The rain fell in sheets as Alec stood in the doorway of Berean Baptist Church with his friend Larry after the midweek worship service.
“Okay, lemme get this straight,” Larry said. “She loves you. You love her. . . .” He tipped his head. “What are you waiting for, stupid? Do you know how hard it is to find somebody to love in this world—somebody who loves you back?”
“Yeah, I know,” Alec countered, “but I’d like to get to know her before I pop the question.”
“You’ve got the rest of your lives to get to know each other.” Larry seemed momentarily thoughtful—almost remorsefully so. “I entertained ideas of asking Lydia out, after that first night we were in her house for the Bible study.”
Alec cut him a furtive glance. “Think again, buddy.”
“Oh, I know. She’s yours. But, to be honest, the fact that Lydia is a Boswick turned me off from the get-go. You I’d go up against ’cause you’d fight fair. But Gerald Boswick? Forget it.”
“The guy’s that bad, eh?”
Larry nodded and pulled his jacket collar closer around his neck. “His Holiness has a lot of clout around here. Knows people in high places. If he doesn’t like you, he’ll make your life miserable.”
“Do you know that firsthand?”
“Somewhat. I know a guy who dared to stand up to Pastor Boswick with regards to Boswick wanting to erect that nice big church building he’s got. This happened, oh. . .five years ago or so. There was a dispute between the pastor and SPCC’s neighbors who didn’t want a huge church on their corner and the crowd it would bring. Bill headed up the City Counsel and he sided with the townsfolk. Suddenly, his dog was found shot to death, and threatening phone calls were made to his wife during the day when Bill wasn’t around. When he still refused to back down, Pastor Boswick allegedly called up one of his buddies over in Charlotte and, would you believe, Bill lost his job within a matter of hours? Next, there were a couple of mysterious fires at the homes of the neighboring opponents and so the others quickly shut their mouths. Of course, no one can actually prove it was Gerald Boswick’s doing, although the fire marshal at that time was a member of SPCC.”
“Wow.” It was all Alec could think to say. And he had to admit, part of him felt leery about courting Lydia because of what he heard about her father-in-law. Except, the alternative didn’t suit him either. Besides, God was bigger than Gerald Boswick, he reasoned.
“I have to admit,” Larry added, “I still feel bad about getting rejected for membership at SPCC, but not because it was a good church and I wanted to sit under the teaching there. I’d been seeing a lovely, sweet lady named Maria. I sensed she might be the one for me. But when she got accepted into the fold and we no longer were ‘equally yoked,’ according to what Maria had been told, she broke things off with me. That was what really hurt. Worse, I see her around town sometimes. We had a special thing going, but now she won’t even say hello to me.”
“That’s a bummer, all right.” Alec pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Unequally yoked, huh? But that passage of Scripture warns believers not to join together with nonbelievers. It’s not pegging Christians against each other.”
“I know, but that’s what they teach over there. If you aren’t a member of SPCC, then you’re not going to heaven—and those deacons, Pastor Boswick’s own henchmen, are the ones deciding who’s saved and who isn’t.”
“That’s crazy.”
“No kidding.”
Alec took a moment to digest the information. “I don’t think Lydia subscribes to that philosophy.”
“Doesn’t sound like it. Makes you wonder, though, how did she, Pastor Boswick’s daughter-in-law, make it to this point unscathed?”
“I think a lot of it had to do with her husband. Sounds like he was a pretty balanced guy. In fact, I spoke with our pastor and he said he had a lot of respect for Michael Boswick. Told me he was a ‘good man.’ ”
“What did Mark say about Pastor Boswick? If you don’t mind me asking.” Larry grinned expectantly.
Alec smirked. “He said the guy scares him as much as the Ku Klux Klan.”
“Whew! Well, buddy, I wish you a lot of luck,” Larry said, clapping him on the back.
“Forget the luck,” Alec retorted, “I need your prayers.”
His friend sobered. “You got ’
em, man.”
❧
Gerald Boswick’s office was never one Lydia enjoyed being inside. Oh, it had a pleasant enough decor from the warm blue-and-white scrolled wallpaper to the dark blue carpet covering the floor. The furniture was fashioned after a colonial style and offered adequate comfort. It wasn’t the room, itself, Lydia minded. It was the ever-present sad memories that seemed to linger within its perimeters. How many times had she sat in this exact spot on the settee and wept over losing Michael, the situation with the Smiths, her mother. . .and now Alec.
“Lydia, I forbid you to see that man!” Gerald said, causing her to wish he hadn’t come back from his mountain retreat.
“But you don’t understand. I love him.”
“That’s ridiculous. He came to town three short weeks ago. You can’t fall in love with someone in three weeks.”
Lydia shrugged. “It happened.”
With a derisive snort, he walked around his wide desk and sat on its edge. “What do you know of his background, his past? What kind of family does he come from?”
“I know he’s got two older sisters,” Lydia began, hating how insipid she sounded. “I know his parents divorced when Alec was young.”
“A broken family?” An expression of disdain marred his features.
Lydia swallowed hard. “Many of today’s godliest men have come from troubled homes, Gerald. You know that as well as I.”
“But it’s not been without consequence. Now, what else do you know about this neighbor of yours?”
“I know Alec became a born-again Christian at the age of thirty—he’s thirty-five now.”
Gerald folded his arms, hardly impressed. “Is that it?”
Southern Sympathies Page 11
