by Pat Simmons
“I plan to stay in it.”
Was that his prelude to his proposal?
An hour later, the hot air balloon landed. The experience was so exhilarating, she almost didn’t care that she had been wrong—again—in thinking he was about to pop the question.
***
Rahn was ready and definitely willing to make Miss Shae Carmen into Mrs. Rahn Maxwell, but there were some loose ends that had to be tied first. Shae may have perfected patience, but there was only so much temptation a practicing Christian man could endure with a beautiful woman. One thing was sure: Shae was worth the preparation he was putting into his proposal package.
As they dined at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Rahn watched different emotions play across Shae’s face. “Okay, you’re distracted. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
She pouted, making him imagine the young daughter—or daughters—they might have one day. “I want to get back home to Philly before the fall sweeps rating period kicks in. Nobody can take off in November.” She chuckled. “The joke is, unless you have a scheduled date with death, you’re expected to be on board. I haven’t been home in a while, Stacy’s going to have her baby soon, and I miss my home church. I just miss Philly. I guess I’m in a venting mood.”
Rahn reached across the table and squeezed her hand. He recognized homesickness when he saw it. A quick trip could be to his advantage. “Let’s plan a visit next week on your day off. You haven’t officially taken me ‘home’ yet. Although I’ve met your family—twice—it’s always been on my turf.”
“I’d thought about going on my day off but decided against it, because I would rather spend it with you. But having you along would make a short trip worthwhile. I’d love to show you around.” Shae closed her eyes, as if inhaling the moment, just as she always did whenever she was excited about something.
“I would certainly appreciate a tour of all the things that molded you into the woman who has me wrapped around her finger.”
Shae made a soft grunt, as if she thought he was exaggerating. If only she knew he would do anything to make her happy and would always treat her as his queen.
A week later, the two cleared security at the airport through the preferred customers’ line. Rahn kept his hand possessively around Shae’s. He couldn’t tell if the men staring at them were fans wanting to approach him for an autograph or jealous males gawking at Shae. Just in case it was the latter, he pulled her closer.
When they landed in Philly, Stacy and Ted were waiting for them outside the terminal. Ted shook Rahn’s hand and slapped him on the back as the sisters embraced. He caught a glimpse of Shae rubbing her sister’s abdomen, trying to feel the baby kick. Ted grinned with pride. Rahn looked forward to the day when he and Shae would be the ones expecting. Finally, without success, Shae gave up and looped her arm through Stacy’s. The four of them then made their way to baggage claim.
After Rahn had retrieved their bags, the four of them climbed into Ted’s vehicle. When Rahn mentioned that he would have been happy to rent a car, Ted feigned insult. “Rahn, the last time you were here, you didn’t get a chance to visit Philly. We’re more than the Liberty Bell, just like St. Louis has more than the Arch.” He grinned. “Think of me not only as your driver but also your tour guide.”
Stacy groaned and shook her head. “Here we go. Why Ted studied engineering in college is beyond me. If my husband ever needed extra money, I’m sure he could find a job as a spokesman for the City of Brotherly Love. He could be a career trivia contestant.”
Ted threw his wife a kiss. “Hey, can I help it that we have history? We were the first in the country to have a zoo, public library, and school for woman doctors,” he said, exaggerating his Philadelphia accent. Rahn barely detected it in Shae’s manner of speaking.
“Brecee will tell you that MCP, or the Medical College of Pennsylvania—now part of Drexel University—inspired her to go into the medical field,” Shae said, snuggling against Rahn. “You never know how the things you’re exposed to as a child will influence your future.” He loved the feel of her squeezing his bicep.
“True,” Stacy agreed. “After Brecee finishes her residency in Houston, she’ll be a board-certified pediatrician—the first doctor in our family.” She glanced over her shoulder and gave Shae a high five.
The gesture reminded Rahn of the moment his father had learned that Rahn had been handpicked for the Cardinals’ farm team.
“Me,” Stacy paused, “I always wanted to be a teacher. History was my passion ever since our parents took us to the Johnson House on Germantown Avenue. Harriet Tubman used it as a safe house along the Underground Railroad.”
“My father was my role model. He played baseball, so I wanted to play baseball.” Rahn nudged Shae and kissed the top of her head. “Okay, babe, your turn. What made you want to get paid to be nosy?”
Ted hooted, and Stacy playfully swatted his shoulder.
“Humph.” She jutted out her chin in feigned insult. “The news business is a profession that keeps people informed. My inspiration came from KDKA, one of the oldest commercially licensed stations in the country. And while it isn’t located in Philly, it’s still in my home state, since it’s in Pittsburgh.”
“A teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, and a reporter…your parents did something right,” Rahn said.
“Our parents sacrificed so much to ensure a prosperous future for us, including sending us to the Germantown Friends School. It was prestigious then, and it still is,” Shae explained.
Ted was able to get a few words in, pointing to landmarks and explaining their history as the foursome entered West Mt. Airy. “Now this is Gorgas Park. It’s known for its summer concerts and its farmers’ market, and a lot of people have their wedding photos taken here.”
Was Ted fishing for information? The man couldn’t force Rahn’s hand, so he said nothing as Ted turned onto a nearby street bearing the same name.
W. Gorgas Lane was a clean tree-lined block. The cottage-style homes seemed almost identical, with white tuck-pointing between faded chunks of stone of various sizes, yet each home had its own personality with its unique placement of bay windows and side patios. Some were one-and-a-half stories; others were twos. Rahn smiled at the white picket fences that sectioned off the properties. It reminded him of the backdrop of some 1950s sitcom.
When Ted parked, Shae was out of her seatbelt within seconds and practically deserted Rahn as she hurried through the gate and up the short pathway to the porch. Annette Carmen stood in the doorway with open arms. The women hugged once and then twice before her mother turned her attention to him. Rahn had lagged behind, taking in the feel of the neighborhood.
“Rahn.” She welcomed him with a tight embrace, and he kissed her cheek.
From the moment Rahn crossed the threshold, he was entertained by the Carmen sisters’ baby pictures and tales of many of Shae’s mishaps, to her embarrassment. Before long, they were summoned to the table for a light lunch. Rahn noted that the kitchen had been updated with the latest appliances, while the living room and sun porch retained the feel of old memories that never faded.
After the meal, the ladies went to visit a few family friends who wanted to see Shae while she was in town. Ted snacked on sandwiches as if they hadn’t eaten lunch less than half an hour ago. Shae’s brother-in-law had a comical streak in him without having to try.
Ted finished off another slice of German chocolate cake, then cleared his throat. “You know, man, you got my respect after you put yourself out there about the doping…”
Rahn hid his cringe. He didn’t like that term, but it was what it was.
“I don’t know if I would have confessed like you did when you could’ve kept quiet.”
“Don’t think I didn’t consider that.” Rahn didn’t want the accolades. “That’s why Shae broke off our relationship. Man, I missed her.” He shook his head at the memory of watching her walk away that night. Rahn never wanted to experience that loss again—ever. “B
ut it was all God,” he went on. “He told me to trust Him. I was relieved to come clean. I don’t think there would have been a chance for Shae and me if I hadn’t.”
“How serious are things between you and my girl?” Ted spoke as if he was the patriarch of the family.
“Very serious,” Rahn affirmed. “Speaking with Mrs. Carmen about our status is on my to-do list.”
Ted bobbed his head. He seemed thoughtful. “I can get rid of the Carmen sisters while you do that.”
“How?”
“Shopping with my MasterCard.”
Rahn laughed, and they bumped fists. Ted would make a fine brother-in-law.
38
Rahn was convinced that Annette Carmen had multiple personalities. She was not the sweet lady full of smiles who had greeted him at the door the day before, or the other times they met. The woman sitting stoically in the plush suede rocker seemed downright intimidating. She had yet to crack a smile.
Clearing his throat, Rahn began the “proposal” protocol. “Mrs. Carmen, I love your daughter.” Those words would make any mother smile, right? Apparently not. Shae’s mother merely watched as he stuttered, squirmed, and cleared his throat countless times, struggling to get through his spiel.
“This is not a cliché—she really does bring out the best in me. I care about her happiness, spiritual and physical. I’ll take care of her until my last breath. I’ll be a faithful and prayerful husband…”
Feel free to stop me anytime. He tried to send her a telepathic message. Rahn had never prayed so much in his life. “I would like your blessing to marry Shae.” He held his breath.
Lifting an eyebrow, Annette folded her arms. “You had my blessing the day I met you after the baseball game.”
What? Rahn exhaled. “Then why did you let me suffer through this?” He wiped some perspiration from his forehead.
“I like to see you sweat.” She laughed at his discomfort, then leaned forward with a serious expression on her face. “Storms will come in between the sunshine, but no matter what, you still have to cover her. That’s called protecting her heart.”
“If this is about the steroids—”
Annette Carmen held up her hand. “It’s not. It’s about temptation in heels and a size thirty-eight cup and synthetic hair.”
Rahn wanted to laugh at her choice of words, but he doubted she would see the humor, judging from her no-nonsense stare, so he responded like his mother had taught him to as a child: “Yes, ma’am.”
She nodded, and her smile returned. “Then you may proceed with Shae.” Then she switched gears before his eyes again. “And if I hear about you doing something as stupid as using drugs, I’ll join forces with your mother and give you a spanking that you’ll never forget.” She stood. “Let’s get us a snack from the kitchen. What do you say?”
The Lord knew Rahn had worked up an appetite. Exhaling, he got to his feet and followed her.
***
“If you weren’t here, Shae, I wouldn’t be able to splurge like this. My husband is showing off,” Stacy said giddily as she stuffed Ted’s credit card back in her wallet after purchasing three maternity outfits at Nordstrom. “He thinks what I wore at three months will still fit at five and seven months.”
Shae exchanged a bemused glance with Shari. It was a known fact that Stacy didn’t need a reason to shop. The King of Prussia Mall was a shopaholic’s paradise with about four hundred stores to feed the addiction. Stacy was a bargain hunter, unless there was something she really wanted—like designer maternity outfits. She always dressed meticulously. Right now she wore a pair of fashionable, low-heeled pumps and a two-piece pearl-gray skirt and blouse set that could easily be worn after the baby arrived. She had begun to wear her long hair swept up and twisted into a bun on top of her head, a style that gave her a youthful look.
“I want to get Rahn some cologne before I’m bogged down with shopping bags,” Shae told her sisters.
“Let’s go to Bloomingdale’s,” Stacy suggested.
As they passed Kay Jewelers, Shae’s heart pounded. They paused at the window display and admired one diamond piece after another. Stacy absentmindedly said, “I thought both of you would be engaged by now.”
“Me, too,” Shae admitted with a sigh. It hadn’t been quite a month yet since Rahn’s declaration. The weekly anticipation was making her wish he hadn’t said anything.
“That won’t be happening with me.” Shari didn’t crack a smile.
Now Shae exchanged a confused look with her oldest sister. “Huh?” the two said in unison.
“Something tells me this discussion is going to drain my energy,” Stacy said. “I’d better feed my baby first.” She rubbed her stomach.
Turning around, Shae led the way toward Café Court. As she eyed the beautiful water fountain from the upper level, she wondered what had happened between her sister and Garrett. Claiming a vacant table, the three set down their purchases and settled into their chairs. Stacy and Shae looked at Shari, waiting for her to explain her earlier statement.
Shari’s carefree demeanor was definitely gone as she blurted out her bombshell: “Garrett and I broke up.”
Shae’s mouth dropped open, but no words came out. Shari had been Shae’s Cinderella story since she’d met Garrett. This was not the ending she’d expected.
“When did this happen? Weren’t you two together just last night, or the night before, and you were fine?” Stacy quizzed, crossing her arms. “Clearly, I missed something. Sis, every couple has disagreements.”
“Clearly, I know about that one,” Shae mumbled, looking away.
“That hasn’t stopped since Ted and I got married,” Stacy added. “I’m sure you two will kiss and make up.”
Making up had been the best part of Shae and Rahn’s relationship, just as Shari had predicted when the two of them had been trying to patch things up. Since the steroid scandal, they had communicated more than ever in order to ward off any possible misunderstandings.
“I can’t and won’t talk to him. How could I have been so wrong about a person?” Shari looked like she was about to cry.
Shae stood, scooted around the small table, and was at Shari’s side within a couple of blinks. Stacy leaned over and wrapped her arm around Shari’s shoulder.
“Should I ask what he did?” Stacy asked cautiously.
A tear fell as Shari shook her head. “Worse than what Rahn put Shae through.”
“Uh-oh.” Lord, please don’t let it be that serious, Shae prayed. “It sounds like we may be here awhile. I’m going to grab us something to eat.”
Stacy nodded. “Good idea.”
Getting up, Shae scanned the food court. There was a crowd at every station. She joined the long line at a sub sandwich shop. As Shae inched closer to the clerk, she couldn’t help but wonder if all four sisters would ever be in sync when it came to love. What had Garrett done?
Finally, Shae made it back to their table, balancing a tray of food. At least Shari wasn’t crying. She wasn’t smiling, either, but she had regained her composure.
“Is everything okay?” Shae retook her chair and divvied up the sandwiches as she looked from one sister to the other.
“It’s something Shari needs to pray about.” Stacy eyed Shari with her eyebrows raised in a look that said, You had better comply.
Shari shrugged, seemingly unsure. As an attorney, she was big on confidentiality, so if she’d said anything to Stacy, it must have been big.
Stacy bowed her head to say grace, and Shae and Shari followed suit. “Amen,” they said in chorus.
After taking a bite of her sub, Stacy focused on Shae. “So, what’s going on with you and Mr. Maxwell?”
“I’m in a holding pattern.” Shae nibbled on her turkey club sandwich, then swallowed. Her family already knew what Rahn had said to her at the awards banquet. “It’s driving me crazy, trying to figure out when he’s going to ask me. Now I’m wondering if I made him change his mind.”
“He’s here,
isn’t he? Humph. I doubt if Rahn’s changed his mind. Every man should take a basic course on how to go about surprising a lady. You never give a heads-up.” Stacy rubbed her stomach. “If we’re revisiting this conversation one year from now, then you should be worried. It’s been only a month since he said something, so give him a few more days.” She grinned.
“A year? Please.” Shae sipped her water. “Rahn doesn’t want me to have to go John Legend on him.”
“What?” Stacy asked, frowning in confusion.
“John Legend’s fiancée threatened him that he had until the end of the year to marry her, or she was leaving him.” Shae sighed. “I’m just trying to get engaged.”
“Whoa!” Stacy cringed.
“What?” Shae panicked at her sister’s tortured face.
“Your niece…or nephew…kicked me. Now she’s moving.” Stacy took Shae’s hand and placed it on her stomach.
The feel of the baby’s movements wowed Shae. What a miracle. She looked at the blissful expression on her sister’s face.
“Did it work?” Shari asked.
“Huh?” Shae was irked by her other sister’s interruption. “What?”
“John Legend’s fiancée. What happened?”
“Let’s just say John Legend was caught cheating a few months later.” Shae shivered.
“Humph.” Stacy shook her head. “Never give a man an ultimatum. Although I did hear the singer and his supermodel girlfriend tied the knot.”
***
Rahn was one step closer to proposing. It was time to return to St. Louis so that Shae could anchor the newscast that evening. Before leaving Philadelphia, Rahn accompanied Shae to a service at her home church, Jesus Is The Way. With their hands linked, she introduced him to her longtime circle of friends as someone special in her life.
Pastor Ellis acknowledged Rahn among the visitors that day, telling everyone that he was a Gold Glove outfielder with the St. Louis Cardinals. “He is a guest of Sister Shae Carmen.” The congregation applauded heartily, and Rahn thanked God for His grace that allowed others to accept him despite his mistakes. “Sister Shae, will you come sing a song to the glory of God?” the pastor asked.
