“What? What is that supposed to mean, Dr. Montgomery?”
“Like you don’t know. Wherever you go women seem to follow you with their eyes. Don’t even get me started with the young women at your church.”
Amusement flickered in the eyes that met hers.
“Why haven’t you married one of those girls, Randy?” asked Kari seriously.
Randy would have none of that. “Because none of them fell for me, plopping into my life amongst a ravaging rain storm. Besides, who says I’m even ready for marriage. It would take a special woman to marry me.”
“How special?”
“Very special.” His gaze lowered as did his voice. “I have a remarkable job. The person who marries me would have to understand that and want to serve God with me.”
“I’m sure whoever that lucky lady is will be overjoyed to share that responsibility with you.”
“Lucky? Why I’ll drive her to distraction with my audacious behavior and unsightly housekeeping.”
“Ah ‘tis very true. It will take a special woman to take you on. You are quite a chore.”
“Almost like Kate in Taming of the Shrew just in reverse.”
“Exactly.”
A light snow started to flutter down on them in the open rink. It was magical. Kari’s heart beat faster as he took her hands and swung her around in circles. She screamed as they went faster and faster. When he let her go, she slid to the far side of the rink. After turning to see him coming toward her, she took off in the opposite direction. He started after her at a fast pace finally catching her.
Gathering her into his arms, he held her tightly. It felt natural to Kari, like she had always been meant to be there just under his chin. She titled her head up to look at him. He locked eyes with her and then pressed his mouth to hers in a kiss as tender and light as a summer breeze. She never wanted to leave this place but to be here with him always.
Kari felt their bodies separate with his blue eyes meeting her green ones in an expression of pleasure. He took her hand, leading her off the ice. Even though the weather outside was turning bitterly cold, Kari felt a warm glow flow through her. She finally felt the love she’d always wanted.
****
“I thought about taking you for some tea at The Tea Shoppe tonight, but it is turning so cold, I thought you might want to go home.” Eyeing her, affection rose in his heart as he felt her fingers laced between his.
“We can go back to the dorm and I’ll make us some tea there. So many of the girls are gone now that it should be pretty quiet, although, I can’t guarantee it.”
They walked back into Palmer House to an unnatural silence. The girl at the front desk nodded to them as they walked in. Kari led Randy back to the house kitchen and pulled out two mugs.
“If we were upstairs, I could brew you some tea with my hot tea maker, but as we are down here, we will have to use the microwave.”
“It’s the only way I take my tea these days.”
“You mean since Hayley and Mary aren’t around to make it for you?”
“Ouch. I guess it’s true. I was a little spoiled before going off to school and trying to make it on my own.”
“I’m sure it was good for you.”
“Most definitely. I know Mom tried her best with me, but she’s used to having money. I don’t know what she’d do without Mary.”
The microwave suddenly beeped; they both started at the sound. Kari pulled out the mug and sunk a teabag inside while Randy placed another mug in the microwave. When they both stood with teacup in hand, Kari led Randy to the parlor. After she flipped on the light, they sat down on the comfy couch. Together they sipped their tea, talked and laughed until Randy noticed it was midnight.
“I had no idea it was so late,” said Kari.
“Where did the last two hours go?”
Kari walked him to the back door to avoid observation by the girl manning the front desk. They stopped at the door, and Randy stared at her. He knew he wanted to kiss her again and tell her how much he loved her.
“This was fun; we should do it again,” said Kari lightly as she moved her hands behind her back. “Isn’t that what everyone says after a date?”
For a long moment, he just looked back at her. “Uh, yeah, I guess so.” But all I want to say is I love you. A wave of apprehension flickered through his entire body. “Well, I’ve got to go. Good night, Kari.” Before he could say anything more, he was back out into the cold night air.
He stalked back to his car, wondering what was wrong with him. This was the worst ending to the best date he had ever had. He glanced back at the building, trying to decide if he should run back to her. He decided against it. Into his car he slid, and he quickly raced out of the parking lot and out onto the highway.
****
Kari remained at the door after Randy’s inauspicious exit. She wondered what on earth had happened. Everything had been so great, so relaxing, and so perfect. But by the way he left, she was beginning to think she had imagined it all—that he didn’t really care for her after all.
Confused, she wandered slowly up the stairs to her room. She stripped out of her dress and slipped on some soft comfy pajamas. After pulling back the blankets from her bed, she got inside and covered herself up, attempting to contain the tears building beside her eyes. She closed them now and the hot tears slipped quickly down her face. She kept her eyes closed hoping there would be no more. Deep sobs racked her insides and in this frame of mind she eventually stumbled into sleep.
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding
Chapter Twenty
Randy didn’t know what had led him to behave as he did. He’d acted horribly with Kari Saturday night. It was now Monday evening, and he was sitting in his old bedroom waiting for his mother to call him down to decorate the Christmas tree. He felt restless and irritable, but he knew it was all his own doing. Kari had been great. They’d had a wonderful time together. Then when the moment that mattered had come and he could tell her how he felt, he bolted—bolted like a bronco out of the yard.
What must Kari think of me? Here I’m supposed to be a man of God working to serve you, Lord, and I treated her abominably. The thought shot through him that she might never want to see him again after the stunt he pulled on her. He could still see the disoriented look on her face when he shut the door and left.
“Hey brother,” called Alice from the doorway. “You can’t waste away the night thinking about Kari.” She gave him one of her humorous grins.
Unfortunately, Randy was in no mood. He turned and looked at her with annoyance. “Does Mother need me to do…something? I need something to do.”
“What’s wrong with you, Randy? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this distracted. Didn’t your date with Kari go off well?”
“It went great; Kari was great.” He tried to maintain an easygoing expression, but irritability had slipped into his tone and he knew it.
Alice walked in the room and reclined on his bed. “Okay, now when are you going to tell me the truth,” she asked, her eyes sharply assessed his face.
Randy lay back on the bed next to her and took in a deep breath. “The date really did go well. We had a lot of fun together.”
“Did you kiss her?” she whispered in his ear.
“Alice!” he answered with surprise.
“You did. I can see it in your eyes…You love her!” Alice realized, as she sat up. “So, what happened? Don’t tell me she doesn’t care for you? I’ll never believe it.”
Randy sat up, too. “You sure know how to jump to conclusions.”
His sister flashed him a knowing smile.
“Okay, you’re right,” he finally admitted. “I did kiss her, and I…I do love her. But when it came down to it the other night, I panicked and fled like a coward. She must hate me now.”
“Randy, if she really is the one for you then she won’t hate you. She’s probab
ly just confused and possibly mortified. You better let me take over from here on out.”
“Thanks, Alice, but I can handle this. Actually, there is something you can help me with.”
****
As Kari packed her bag, she wasn’t sure if she really wanted to spend Christmas with Emily and John. They were going to be all cute and happy and she already felt alone and depressed. She almost wished she could just stay here by herself and celebrate Christmas alone, but then she knew she’d just cry again. No, it was best if she was around people, happy people. She needed to focus back on the reason for the season—Christ’s birth.
When the phone rang, she picked it up expecting to hear Emily’s cheerful voice. “Hello? Uh, hi Alice. How are you?”
“I’m great; how are you?”
“I’m okay.” She sat down on her bed, unsure of the reason for the phone call.
“So, do you have plans for Christmas?”
“I was invited to my cousin Emily’s.”
“Well, do you think there is any way you can get out of it and spend the holiday with us?”
“I…I suppose so, but I wouldn’t want to impose on your family.”
“You wouldn’t be. We really want you here.”
“Really, Alice? I don’t even know if Randy would want me there.”
“Are you kidding?” Alice lowered her voice as she continued. “Listen, he would be so angry if he knew I told you; but he’s the reason I’m calling. I mean Mom and Dad really want you here, but he especially wants you to spend Christmas with us.”
“Well, all right. I’ll come. I guess I could take the train tomorrow morning and be there by afternoon.”
“Excellent. We’ll see you then.”
“See you.”
Kari hung up the phone with her heart racing and wondering what she had done and if she was about to suffer more hurt and humiliation.
****
Kari disembarked from her train at five p.m. at the Sackets Harbor depot. She had intended to walk outside to look for a taxi but she saw a familiar face.
“Does the lady need a lift?”
“Does the gentleman intend on giving the lady a lift?”
“Indubitably.”
Kari smiled at Randy with reserve not quite sure of what to expect from him. He took her bag and walked her to his parent’s car. On the ride back to the Steele home, they talked about random topics and never even approached the subject of their date or his behavior.
She entered the Steele vestibule to behold it decorated to the hilt. If she thought the house was beautiful before, now she though it was magical. Someone had even climbed up to the cathedral ceiling and draped yards and yards of Christmas garland. Philip and Amanda greeted her with smiles and hugs. Alice was, of course, as lovable as ever. They led her into the living room, and she gaped at their eight-foot Christmas tree decorated not with the perfect store bought ornaments she was expecting but homemade ones from over the years, as well as, other sentimental decorations.
She touched a picture frame ornament containing the picture of a ten year-old boy with familiar, stunning steel blue eyes. Kari glanced back at Randy. “This is you, I assume.”
“The one and only. See I was cute then, too.”
The clock in the hallway announced it was six o’clock. “Oh it’s time for Christmas Eve supper,” said Amanda Steel. “But first I want Randy to put up the Christmas star.” She glanced at her husband and said, “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.” Philip Steele stood beside his wife and placed his arm around her shoulders as they watched Randy put up the star. Kari eyed Philip and Amanda with a tingle of envy. She missed the days when her parents were alive and she could watch them together like this. Everybody including Kari clapped when Randy placed the star on the top of the tree and then Alice led the caravan into the dining room.
After dinner, they returned to the living room and sat around the tree. Randy led them in one Christmas carol after another. Afterward, he pulled out a small New Testament from his back pocket.
“Well, we couldn’t go to church tonight since Dad wasn’t quite feeling up to it, but I still want to read the Christmas story out loud while we’re all together.
Kari eyed him attentively as he started to read from the book of Luke. “ ‘In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world…’ ” Randy read. His deep, smooth voice held everyone’s attention. He really was wonderful. She looked at his humorous mouth and how a lock of dark wavy hair fell on his forehead. She wanted to touch that lock and move it back into place just so he’d have to look at her with his amazing eyes. She loved those eyes. It wasn’t just that they were beautiful. It was more than that. They reflected the warmth and understanding she had come to know and love about him. She couldn’t imagine not seeing those eyes each and every day.
“ ‘Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ "
Randy lifted his eyes from the page and settled his gaze on Kari as he smiled at her. He returned to the Bible again. Kari looked on, trying her best to contain the excitement traveling all the way down to her toes. It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time to be here and not know what was going on in Randy’s head.
“ ‘The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.’ ” Randy finished the reading and looked around the room. “I’d like to pray now. Dear Heavenly Father, …”
A few moments later, everyone looked up. Amanda Steele was the first to speak. “That was beautiful, son. I’m so glad you’re here.” A couple tears streamed down her face.
Randy stood from where he sat on the floor by the coffee table and made his way over to his mother. Kneeling beside her, he said, “I’m glad I’m here too, Mom.” He hugged her and his mother let out a muffled sob. When they came apart, she looked at everyone. “I’m sorry. This is a happy time. I really am happy. Well, I will just see if Mary has finished those Christmas cookies. Does everyone want a cookie?” She wiped the moisture around her eyes.
“Sounds great, Mom,” said Alice. “I think I’ll join you so I can have the first one out of the oven. I love Mary’s cookies.”
“I think I’ll stay here and read the paper, dear,” Philip said to his wife.
After the departure of Alice and Amanda from the living room, Randy moved toward Kari. “So, how are you doing? Having a good time?”
“Fine,” she said, filling with uneasiness and hoping her face didn’t reveal how unsure she felt.
“Hey, I’ve had an idea.”
“Just the one?” she quipped with a small smile that just seemed to escape her. Her humor always seemed to pop up at the most tense moments in her life.
“Ah ha, it’s good to see you smile again. No really. I was thinking about going for a walk. It hasn’t snowed in a couple days; so, it shouldn’t be too bad outside. I know how you like the cold weather. How about it?”
Kari wasn’t sure what he wanted. He’d been so strange since they parted last. Then again, she wondered if he might explain himself. She knew she had to give him that chance.
“All right, I’ll get my coat.”
“Great, I’ll meet you by the front door.”
****
Randy nervously collected his coat from the hall closet and prayed quietly that he would deal with Kari in the right way and that the Lord would guide his words and actions.
They stepped out the front door and strolled toward the frozen pond located in the center of the housing development. “As a kid, I loved going to the pond. In the summer time, my friends and I used to jump in and have a great time. Then there were times as a teen that I just ran over here to get away from my parents or just to be alone.”
They approached the pond and started around the circumference. “It’s very beautiful here
, Randy, especially with the little bit of snow and icicles hanging off the edges.”
“I thought you’d enjoy it.”
Randy took her hand as they walked along. Kari’s ungloved hand felt cold in his. “You should have brought gloves. You’re hands are freezing.”
Kari only smiled and nodded.
“You want me to go back and get some?”
“No, I’m fine.”
His heart thrilled to feel her near him again. The last couple days had been agony for him. He had wanted so desperately to see her and tell her what an idiot he’d been and then confide in her all that had been on his heart. Tonight he hoped to rectify the situation and to surprise her as well.
They walked a few moments more in silence, hand in hand circling the pond until Randy decided to speak. “I know I left a bit abruptly on Saturday,” Randy admitted, looking out at the pond. Kari remained silent as if waiting for him to finish. “I was so stupid.” He looked at her now. “I wanted to tell you something.” He stopped walking and turned her so that she faced him. Her eyes were large oval pools of green looking at him, wanting to know what he had to say.
“Oh, Kari, I’ve practiced this so many times and now I’m tongue tied again.”
“What is it, Randy? What do you want to say? I’m not going to judge you as you’ve told me before. We’re…friends, right?”
“Well, that’s what I wanted to tell you. I don’t want to be friends with you anymore.”
“You don’t?” An indication of hurt flicked in her eyes.
“No, I can’t handle that any longer.”
He placed his hands around her waist and pulled her towards him. She instinctively threw her arms around his neck. He nuzzled his face in her hair and whispered. “I love you. I think I always have.”
“Oh, Randy,” cried Kari. “I love you too.” She raised her face, looking into his eyes, and he lowered his head to meet her lips. The kiss sent wonderful passionate shocks through Randy. The first two times he’d kissed her had been wonderful accidents. This time he knew he was going to kiss her and therefore every fiber of his being joined in to form this kiss.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding Page 16
