A sharp rap on the door interrupted them. When her mother rose, Sharee put her hand out. “Mom, wait. Make sure you know who it is before you open the door.”
“I think I know how to answer a door.” She looked through the peephole, flipped the lock, and pulled it open.
John gave them both a smile as he came in. He set down a bag on the entry table, along with some tools he carried.
His eyes met Sharee’s. “I got your message. You okay?” When she nodded, he went on. “I’ve got to run China home, but I wanted to come here first. Put this on. I’m sorry to hold dinner up. Better yet, you two eat without me. I’ll be back after I drop China off.” He pulled some articles out of the shopping bag.
“Where is she?” Mrs. Jones queried.
“Mother.”
“Well, he’s not getting off that easy.”
John raised an eyebrow at Sharee then turned back to the door, using a ruler and pencil to mark something off.
“Young man, I see you finally asked my daughter to marry you in an appropriate way.”
He turned back to her, the grin in place. “I did. I’m glad to tell you that she accepted…again.”
“Yes, so she said. However, a wedding in three months is…very rushed…almost embarrassingly so.”
He turned back to the door, lifting some pieces of hardware he had brought with him. “How so?”
“Well...well...” She stumbled over the word. “Well, it is.”
“We could live together like a lot of people these days and then get married next year.”
He glanced over his shoulder. Mrs. Jones opened her mouth but nothing came out.
Her eyes narrowed. “If you were so carefree in your relationships, you wouldn’t be rushing into a marriage.”
He continued to install the new lock. “You’ve got me there.”
“Ha! I knew it. Well, there’s one good thing to say for you, anyway.”
“Mom!”
“So where’s China?”
“In the car, Mrs. Jones. She said she thought it better if she just waited there.” He glanced at Sharee, then back at the door, picking up a screwdriver. “Would you like to go down and talk with her, Mrs. Jones?”
“I don’t think so.”
“She’s been feeding my dog while I was at the hospital.”
“Humph.”
“Mother, please.” Sharee laid her head back against the chair. Had she filled the prescription for her pain meds? No. She’d forgotten everything after John had given her the ring. She raised her hand and glanced at it again. It would be her pain med for tonight. Her mother sat down on the couch, and they watched John finish with the lock.
“Sharee, walk me out?” John asked.
“No, no,” Mrs. Jones said. “I’m going to run my bath. We’ll eat when you get back.” She got up, came to where John was standing and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, John.” Then she laughed at his expression and went out.
He stood shaking his head as Sharee came over. “She really does like you, you know. That’s why she gives you such a hard time.”
“She does that.” His eyes focused on hers. “Are you okay? You’re awfully quiet.”
“It threw me, I guess. The phone call. They asked if I was home from the hospital. The Caller ID didn’t show who it was. It just said RING...R…I…N…G.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I don’t like you driving around either. It seemed safer, somehow, in the hospital. Be careful driving…China…home.”
He took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her ring. “You have nothing to worry about there. Did she say something to upset you?”
“No, it’s not what she said, it’s…” She grimaced. “It’s all right. It doesn’t matter.”
“All right.” He hugged her, collected his tools.
“Be careful getting into the car.”
His head came up; they looked at each other. “Yes. Lock the door.”
She did as he said and went to the window, praying. John climbed into his truck and eased out of the parking lot onto the road.
China turned in her seat and waved.
***
Sharee set her Bible down on the end table, leaned her head back against the couch, and listened to the silence. John had taken her mom halfway to Ocala to meet her dad. As much as she loved them, being alone had its advantages. She wondered how she’d do once she and John were married. She’d lived alone over eight years.
Well, Lord, this is what I’ve prayed for. Help me to be all that John wants and needs, and help us not to drive each other crazy. Amusement rose inside her. You see how over-protective he is. He bought new locks.
She sighed at being housebound for a week or two. Rising, she walked to her front window. It overlooked a large stand of trees right in the center of the parking lot. Two squirrels chased each other around the trunk of one pine tree as she watched. Through the years, the squirrels and birds and occasional rabbits had entertained her. But for ten days?
John had installed a motion light above her apartment door after returning from dropping China off. Hmm. Was the girl playing at something or serious? Or was she just jealous? Lord, don’t let me see things that are not there.
She whirled and headed to the kitchen. Get your mind off it, Sharee. Better clean up before John or Lynn arrive. Lynn’s text earlier stated that she had a number of home cooked meals from the ladies at church to drop off today. And John would be here soon, with her prescription and groceries from the market. She put glasses and silverware into the dishwasher. This morning’s breakfast and lunch had not left much of a mess, and the texts between she and Lynn had flown in-between the meals.
Lynn wanted to discuss details about the wedding. Planning a wedding in this short time would stretch them all—and Lynn had volunteered her services as wedding planner.
Leaning to put a small pan into the washer, she remembered to bend over with one leg lifted straight behind her. Like a golfer, the nurse had said. Sharee tried it and noticed the pull in her back lessened immediately.
She lifted her head as a rap sounded on the door. A key turned the lock, and John entered. She’d given him the key when he left. He had bags in both hands and shoved the door closed with his good foot. She leaned to put another dish in the dishwasher.
“You should use the bolts, babe, even when you expect me back.” He hefted the bags and headed her way. “I managed to get you a ripe… What are you doing?”
Sharee straightened. “Just loading a few things. I’m being careful.”
The bags dropped with a “thunk” onto the table, “Go sit down.”
“I’m being careful.”
“You call it careful when you’re doing exactly what the doctor told you not to?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “The nurse told me how to bend over if I had to pick up anything.”
He frowned. “If you had to pick up something. Go sit down. And don’t roll your eyes at me.”
She backed a little at his tone.
He pointed to the couch in the living area. “Sit. I’ll do this.”
She inched away, towards the couch, and lowered herself in slow motion. He began to load the dirty dishes, moving much faster than she had. As the dishes clunked together, though, she cringed. Would there be any without chips?
“Well, this bodes well for the marriage.”
He swung round towards her. “What?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. He was across the room in a half second.
“Girl.” The tone was a threat. She laughed again, and he reached for her.
“Remember my back!” She scooted away.
“You obviously didn’t remember it.” He straightened but slanted a menacing look at her before returning to the kitchen. In another minute, when he finished with the dishes, he folded his arms across his chest. An arrogant smile spread across his face. “The twenty-first century male. We do it all.”
She rolled her eyes onc
e more, and he narrowed his.
“If I come in here again and find you loading dishes or vacuuming or whatever, I’ll revert to caveman mentality. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“You’ve only been home a day. Do you think you could try to do what the doctor ordered?”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll be good, but it’s going drive me crazy.”
“Patience, Babe, is a virtue.”
She threw a decorative pillow at him. He ducked, and it hit the wall with a thud.
Tap, tap, tap.
Both heads shot around.
“I’ll check it.” John went over, glanced through the keyhole, and sent her a sardonic look. When he opened the door, Lynn eased across the threshold, eyes wide, a large shopping bag in her hand. “Did I hear something hit the wall?” she asked.
John waved his hand at Sharee. “Ask your friend.”
Lynn glanced her way, but Sharee just shrugged. Lynn inspected the pillow on the floor, and gave John an inquiring look.
He raised his hands in a “Don’t ask me” gesture. “I’ve got lots of work to catch up on. Pedro has been pitching in for me while I’ve been at the hospital, so I’m heading back to church.”
“Pedro was helping you?” Sharee asked. “You didn’t tell me. How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing well. Very handy, as you know. As long as…” he glanced at Lynn and stopped.
“I know all about it. As long as he’s sober.”
John nodded. “I didn’t feel it was my place to say anything if you didn’t know.”
“I knew. Sharee’s been picking up homeless people for quite a while, and somehow manages to twist someone’s arm to find them food or a job or something.”
“Lynn.” Sharee interrupted, her voice a warning.
Too late. John was already eyeing her in that half-concerned, half-angry way he had. “I know.”
It took all her will power not to laugh, because the struggle he had not to say more was written on his face. He’d expressed his objections to her picking up hitchhikers a number of times. Silence filled the room, and with what appeared extreme effort, he turned to Lynn.
“There are some bags on the table.” His tone did not quite hide his frustration. “I would appreciate it if you put away the things that are in them. Sharee is not supposed to do anything besides resting on the couch. Do you think you can handle that?”
“Yes, Sir, I can.” She gave him a little salute.
“Good.” He ignored her mocking tone and moved to the couch to plant a kiss on Sharee’s head. The door closed after him, leaving them smirking at each other.
“Tell me what you did.” Lynn moved over to the couch.
“I think I hit a male hormone without knowing it. I was putting dishes into the dishwasher.”
“And you weren’t supposed to? Well, that’s that protective thing they have. And by the look on your face, you don’t mind too much.”
“I don’t—most of the time. It’s rather endearing.” Sharee held up her hand to Lynn. “What do you think? Better than the picture I sent you?”
Lynn grabbed her hand. “It’s gorgeous! Different and sophisticated.”
“And you still want to be the wedding planner?”
“You know I do.”
“This might challenge an eight year friendship.”
“We’ll have a great time. When I called you at the hospital…”
“I think I’d had too much medication when I agreed to this.”
“I am the best organizer and decorator you know.”
“Best rumor monger, you mean.”
Lynn feigned hurt, “I only deal in truth. Besides, this is the best rumor going. You and John are engaged!”
Sharee laughed and sat back in her chair. “Did you bring a book to write in? John and I have a few ideas of our own. And mother does, too.
“Your mother, too?”
“Be nice. Mom has a high opinion of you. Although, I’m not sure why…”
“Hey, that week I spent with you last year turned out great. Your parents love me.”
“Yea, they do.” She hesitated. “I haven’t met John’s parents yet.”
“They’ll love you, too.”
“Hmm. I hope. He doesn’t say much about his parents. But…”
“What?”
“John is still in touch with Janice’s parents. His in-laws, ex-in-laws. He calls them almost every week. He said at first, after Janice died, that it just seemed right; and he’s kept it up all this time. Only now, of course, he has to do something to sever that tie. I don’t think it’s going to be easy for any of them.”
“Do they know about you?”
“Yeah. When he told them about his trip to Indonesia last January, He told them about me, about us. He even told them he was going to ask me to marry him when he got back.” She looked at Lynn.
“You’re kidding. Before he actually asked you?”
Sharee made herself smile. “Yeah, but he said he wanted to give them time to get used to the idea while he was gone.”
“Wow. How did it go?”
“I don’t know. You know what they said? They want to meet me.”
Lynn’s eyes widened. “They want to meet you? You’re kidding.”
“No. Janice was their only daughter, but they have a son. When she died, I think they kind of took John on as another son.”
“But still…meeting the woman he’s now going to marry.” Lynn shook her head. “Does the fact that John was married before bother you?”
“You mean, because she was obviously wonderful, and they seemed to have had a great marriage?” She had tried to make it funny, but her own voice trailed off. Did it bother her? More perhaps than she wanted to admit. “What if I don’t measure up?”
Lynn went to her and hugged her. “You don’t have to worry about that. John loves you. I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“I am having a hard time with the thought of meeting Janice’s parents. I think it threw John, too; but what could he say? It will be awkward. I feel so sorry for them. To lose your daughter that way.”
“Well, maybe they’ll realize how crazy it is and change their minds.”
“I hope so. Does that sound terrible? I guess it is, but I don’t know how meeting me could cause them anything but pain.”
***
Wednesday evening, Sharee slipped her hand into John’s as they mounted the church steps together. She had insisted on coming, countering all his objections.
“I know what the doctor said, but I’m going crazy. I need to get out. I need church. You’re working. You have no idea how bored I’m getting. I called work today and told them to send someone over with my laptop and some paper work. Anything!”
“Your idea of rest and the doctor’s are miles apart. You realize that, don’t you?”
“And I’ve been making my own decisions for years now.”
“Um huh. That streak of independence could get you in trouble one day, you know.”
“John.”
“All right. I won’t argue any more. Come to church and suffer through the night; but I’ll need to pick you up a half hour early. Don asked me to speak to the youth tonight.”
“Don asked you? Really?” Her voice rose. Quiet came from the other end of the line. “John?”
“Don’t take this wrong, babe; but I was not planning on you being there tonight. I think it would hamper me if you were there.”
“Hamper you?” Her heart stilled. He didn’t want her there?
“Yes.” He drew the word out. “Look, the talk I’m doing with the teens… It’s probably better if I do this without you.”
“But I’d like to hear what you’re going to say.”
“I’m flattered, you know that; but can you do it another time?” When she didn’t answer, he said, “Sharee?”
Cold moved from her chest downward. He didn’t want her there. “But I…” She swallowed. Don’t act thirteen. Go with it. “I…all rig
ht.”
“Good. I’ll honk when I get there. Or would it be better for your back to take your car?”
“No, the truck’s fine.”
When she climbed into his Dodge Ram later, he reached over and drew her to him. “Is this going to cause a problem?”
“No.”
“‘No’ ” he repeated, mocking her voice. “Can I do something to change that tone?” He lifted her chin, brushing her mouth with his.
“But John…” She stopped and swallowed the distress, and reached up to touch his mouth. “If you don’t want me…”
“You know I want you.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “But I appreciate your understanding about this.”
“All right.” Perhaps he’d tell her about it later.
He shifted away from her and pulled the truck onto the road. “I’m counting the days until we get married.”
“Me, too.”
“Well, choose a date, my love. Any date is fine with me as long as it’s soon.”
Once parked at the church, he circled her hand with his and led the way up the church steps. “I’ve got to go to the youth hall and make sure about the podium and microphone. Also, I need to talk with Don and his wife before the teens get here.” He dropped her hand. “See you after church.”
The disappointment raced back, but she fought it. “Okay. All right. I’ll go for a walk and see how my back feels.”
She went back down the steps and headed for the walkway that skirted the premises. Every once in a while, she felt a pull in her back; but overall, it seemed better. She’d let John know so he wouldn’t worry. She rounded the far side of the fellowship hall and halted.
Ted Hogan stood in her way, giving the odd impression that he’d waited for her. He crossed his arms and remained in her path. “I heard you were involved in a little run-in, Sharee.” His voice mocked her.
“Yes.”
“You spent some time in the hospital?”
“Yes.” And why did he care? She took another step forward, but he didn’t move.
“Well, those things happen to people who don’t mind their own business.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Are you saying you had something to do with it?”
He laughed and stepped forward. “Oh, no, I never said that, but you might be safer if you keep your opinions to yourself from now on. Like telling Marci she needed to stay away from me.”
As Long As You Both Shall Live: A Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 2) Page 10
