Ironically, Brent had called to apologize the day after David Sutton’s arrest and offered her another job. Renee snickered at the thought and pumped her legs harder. Rounding the corner by the bay, she looked over the tranquil blue water. She slowed down and worked her way over to the water’s edge. Stretching out her muscles, her heart rate slowed. “Father, I don’t know what to do. Aaron’s family has this huge feast planned for the day. I’m supposed to be there. . . .” She turned her wrist and groaned. “A half hour ago. Do I belong there? Should I be there? Am I putting their family at risk? Aaron’s had so many losses, especially Hannah being taken away. I just don’t want to cause any more trouble for him.”
She tossed a stone into the water. “I know, I know, life is filled with heartache and pain but. . .” She picked up another stone and bounced it up and down in her palm. Actually, she noticed, it wasn’t a stone but a piece of coral, rough and hard, with delicate pieces of thinner membranes inside. She examined it more closely. To think it was an animal seemed odd. An animal as hard as a rock.
“Life from a rock,” she mumbled. Then verses in both the Old and New Testaments came to mind, telling the story of the Israelites being led through the desert for forty years and how a stone produced the life-giving water for the people to drink. She realized how the apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians about this story and pointed out that Jesus is our spiritual rock.
Again she examined the intricate layers of the coral. Every step of her and Aaron’s relationship had been bathed in prayer. She smiled and rose to toss the coral into the water. She stopped midway and held it in her palm. This little hunk of coral would be her reminder to look to the Lord—not herself, not her past—and to keep her eyes focused on the spiritual rock, Jesus Christ.
“Renee,” Aaron called as he ran toward her.
“Aaron, what are you doing here?”
“Looking for you, Sweetheart. It’s not like you to be late. In fact, you’re always early.”
She smiled. “Perhaps I’ve adapted to Miami time.”
Aaron chuckled. “Never. Your Yankee roots go too deep.” He looked at her tenderly. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, but we did see each other yesterday.”
“Yeah, but that was hours ago. Seriously, I was afraid something had happened to you.”
“I’m fine. I should have called. I haven’t gotten into the habit of running with my cell phone.”
“I’ll forgive you this time.” He kissed her tenderly on the lips.
She wrapped her arms around him. “Where’s Adam?”
“At the house. I was also afraid you wouldn’t come today, knowing how full the house would be. Mother is quite disappointed. She was planning on having you help her in the kitchen.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t fret about it. Mother will get over it. I think she just wants to share with you the traditional Cuban Christmas Eve celebrations.”
“I am looking forward to it. Although seeing that entire pig roasted. . .” She shook away the thought.
Aaron roared. “You’ll get used to it. We do it every Christmas Eve.”
“Every year?”
“Uh-huh.” He held her close, and they walked back toward her apartment. Was he thinking permanently? she wondered.
Nineteen
Aaron looked over the crowd of familiar faces. The house bulged with family. Renee had passed several family members’ close inspections. His sister, Marie, sat in a corner talking with Tia Ana. Marie looked good, healthy even. She and the children would be moving in with his parents. Her deepest hurt came in learning that Manuel had been hired by David Sutton to steal the office equipment. Currently Manuel sat in jail awaiting his trial. Aaron knew he’d press charges, not because Manuel stole from him, but because once Manuel was in prison, he’d be out of Marie’s life for a little while. He prayed it would be enough time for her to grow secure in herself and in God.
Aaron rubbed the back of his neck.
He felt Renee’s gentle touch as she started to massage his neck and shoulders. “Aaron,” she whispered.
“Hmm,” he moaned in silent pleasure.
“Why do you always rub the back of your neck?” Her breath tickled his senses. Lord, I want to ask her to marry me now. He glanced at his watch. Seven more hours. He sighed.
“When I was a kid, I fell and broke my neck. The doctors fused a couple vertebrae together, and as you can see, I healed nicely. However, as the day wears on or the tension increases, I feel it.”
“You broke your neck? And lived?” she blurted out.
Everyone stared in their direction, then started to chuckle, going back to their own conversations.
“Yup. If you look carefully, you can see a thin line from the incision. He could feel her fingertips work through his hair. Please, let her say yes, Lord, he pleaded.
“I can’t believe this. Why didn’t you tell me before?” she asked.
He turned and took her into his arms. “Because it never came up. It happened years ago. I don’t even think about it. Although having the Jacuzzi has been a blessing.” Wanting to turn the conversation from himself, he asked, “So what do you think of the Cuban way of celebrating?”
“Who’s celebrating? We’re all working.” She chuckled.
“True, but tonight comes the feast. Then at midnight we exchange the presents. And of course, by then it will be Christmas Day.”
“The pig smells heavenly. I can’t believe you build that pit every year.”
“Takes up too much of the yard to leave it up year round.”
“I’m enjoying myself. It’s fascinating. I don’t understand most of what people are saying, but there are enough of you who speak English.”
“Actually most of us speak English but, as you’ve noticed, Spanish is a language that shows great expression. It’s just natural to speak both.” He winked.
“I’m learning.”
“Good. You’ll do well.”
“Daddy.” Adam came running up.
“Hey, Buddy, what’s up?”
Adam glanced at Renee, then whispered into Aaron’s ear, “Did you ask her yet?”
“No,” Aaron whispered back. The disappointment on the child’s face was obvious. “It will be midnight soon.” Adam wiggled out of his embrace and marched over to Renee. Aaron went to stop the child but remembered Renee and the boy had a secret too. Lord, don’t let him spill the beans.
Adam whispered into Renee’s ear. Aaron tried to hear their conversation. Lord, please, he prayed again.
Renee giggled. Aaron eased out a pent-up breath.
“Daddy, I’m taking Renee out to see the pig.”
“Okay, Buddy.” Adam led Renee by the hand out the patio door to the backyard. Children splashed in the pool. Others sat around in the various chairs talking with each other. Soon he’d have a full family again. If she’d accept him.
❧
The succulent smell of roast pork made Renee’s stomach gurgle. She shouldn’t be hungry. She’d been eating all day—Cuban pastries, croquettes, nuts, cookies. Then there was the taste-testing of everything from the black beans and rice to the plantains. “See, Renee, Grandpa and Uncle Jorge can turn the pig by picking up here and flipping it,” Adam informed her. Excitement oozed from the small boy’s pores.
She had to admit the technique was quite ingenious. They used regular chain link fence to wedge the split pig, then put poles on both sides for support and easy handling. They said it would take seven hours to cook this pig, which weighed around eighty pounds. The pit was actually above ground and made of concrete blocks that they could easily take down and store for the next time.
Adam soon found one of his cousins to run with. As warm as the family had been to her, Renee still felt out of place. She helped in the kitchen by doing everything that was asked, but she wasn’t much use except for chopping and assembling pieces into pots. Not to mention Aaron’s kitchen was tiny—a typical Florida kitche
n with cupboards on both sides and a narrow walkway between them. For a small family it was sufficient. For this mob. . . Well, it was best not to speak her thoughts. They all worked well with each other.
Renee wandered back into the living room where Aaron sat beside an older woman with a regal posture. She had bone structure similar to Aaron’s father, Charles. Aaron’s grandmother, Renee recognized from pictures she’d seen earlier. Aaron’s glance caught hers, and he gestured for her to come over. He stood up. “Grandmother, this is Renee. Renee, this is my grandmother, Harriet Chapin.”
“How do you do, Dear. It’s so nice to meet you. Aaron’s been telling me so much about you.”
“It’s nice meeting you too.”
She patted the seat next to her. “Please, sit down and visit with me.”
Renee sat down, pulling her skirt past her knees.
“Excuse me, ladies, I’m being paged.” Aaron squeezed Renee’s hand and left.
Harriet Chapin had royal blue eyes and silver gray hair, finely placed into a bun adorned with sparkling red stones. These same stones made up her earrings and necklace.
“That’s a beautiful stone,” Renee said. “What is it?”
“Red jasper. My late husband, Quinton, God rest his soul, gave them to me years ago for Christmas. He purchased them on a business trip to Africa. They aren’t expensive, but I love the red. I’ve worn them every year for Christmas.” She leaned closer. “And whenever Quinton and I had a special anniversary to celebrate.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Harriet leaned a little closer still and took a quick scan of the room. “Adam told me about your surprise gift for Aaron.”
“Oh?” Just how many people has Adam told? she wondered. She couldn’t blame the poor boy. He’d been carrying the secret for weeks. Of course, Charles and Gladys Chapin also knew.
Harriet whispered confidentially, “I think a family album’s perfect. I haven’t seen it yet, but I know my grandson will love the gift.”
Renee’s love and respect for this woman grew. She understood Aaron.
“After Christmas you must pay me a visit. I have some more pictures for you to put in the album. I went through our old photo albums and even contacted my sister-in-law to see if she had some photographs. We have Chapin pictures going five generations back. I know it’s a gift for Aaron and one day for Adam, but the entire family is going to want a copy of it.”
Renee smiled. “It’s funny you should say that. I’ve been thinking of putting it all on the computer.”
“That would be wonderful! Of course, us old folks wouldn’t mind a paper copy.” Harriet sat straight up in her chair. “But we’ll have plenty of time to get a copy.”
“The pig is done! The pig is done!” Adam cried out from the backyard.
Harriet slowly stood up. “This is part of the tradition. All gather in the backyard and watch them take the pig off the pit.” Renee followed Harriet.
Aaron came up from behind, grabbed her wrist, and pressed her forefinger to his lips. She turned and followed while the others went toward the backyard.
“Renee, I only have a couple minutes. It doesn’t take long for the family to come back into the house after the pig is removed from the pit.”
“What’s the matter, Aaron?” She rubbed the top of his hand with the ball of her thumb.
“Nothing’s the matter. I just wanted to have a little private time with you.”
She grinned. “I like your grandmother.”
“She’s a sweetheart. But seriously, Renee, I need to speak with you.”
She stiffened. “All right.”
“No, no, nothing bad. Oh, goodness. . .” He fumbled for the small box he’d placed in his front pocket. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. He bent down on one knee.
She gasped, placing her hands over her mouth.
“Renee, I love you, and I prepared a wonderfully romantic speech, but for now I just need to know, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her eyes glistened from unshed tears.
“I was going to ask you at misa del gallo, but I couldn’t wait until midnight. And I figured you might not like to be embarrassed in front of my entire family. Please, Renee, I’ve never felt more certain of God’s choice in my life. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she burst out.
He stood up and handed the small package to her. “Open it.”
Her hands shook as she tore off the wrapping. She paused, holding the blue velvet case in her fingers, then carefully opened the lid. “Oh my. Aaron, it’s beautiful.”
“I guessed at your size. The jeweler says he can resize it if we need him to. May I?”
She held out her left hand for him. He kissed her ring finger, then carefully slid the ring onto it. Rainbows of color sparkled from the polished diamond.
“It’s three bands of gold,” Aaron explained. “One band for you and one band for me—both of those are the yellow bands. The third is white gold, and that represents the Holy Spirit. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 the Bible states, ‘Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.’
“With all that we’ve been through over the past couple months,” he continued, “I felt this Scripture really applied to us. What do you think?”
Renee found her voice. “I think I love you. I can’t believe this. I’ve wanted it, prayed for it, but I was afraid to believe it was possible.”
“Renee, I love you. I want you to be my wife, my helpmate, my friend, and the mother to our children. All of them.”
“I want that too. I love you.”
“Then kiss me and seal this deal,” he crooned.
She leaped into his arms and kissed him soundly on the lips. “Have mercy,” he moaned and recaptured her lips once again.
A round of cheers and whistles came from behind them. Slowly they pulled apart, but he held her close.
“Daaad!” Adam dragged out his name. “The pig is done. Didn’t you hear me?”
“Yes, Son.” Renee and Aaron joined the rest of the family and roared with laughter. “Merry Christmas, Renee. Welcome to my family.”
“Merry Christmas, Aaron. I’ll enjoy getting to know every one of them.”
About the Author
LYNN A. COLEMAN was raised on Martha’s Vineyard and now calls Miami, Florida, home. She has three grown children and seven grandchildren. She is a minister’s wife who writes to the Lord’s glory through the various means of articles, short stories, and a Web site. She also hosts an inspirational romance writing workshop on the Internet and serves as advisor of the American Christian Romance Writers organization. Visit her Web page at: www.lynncoleman.com.
Dedication
To my granddaughter, Leanna Marie, who was going through the “why” stage when I was writing this story. I love you and pray God’s continued blessing on you.
A note from the author:
I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing:
Lynn A. Coleman
Author Relations
PO Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
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