03_A Family To Call Her Own

by Irene Hannon

  Rebecca supposed that someone with a less-sensitive nature would have been able to move on, to overcome the shame and embarrassment. But she’d been born tenderhearted, prone to emotional hurt. And so the incident continued to haunt her, leaving her powerless to overcome the debilitating fear that had deprived her of the rich dimension that love could add to her life.

  Yet somehow, deep in her heart, Rebecca sensed that there was a chance she could find love with the man at her side. The possibility was there, dangling alluringly just out of her grasp, like the golden ring on a carousel. All she had to do was reach for it. Or, in this case, simply offer some encouragement. But she was so afraid of failure! What if she freaked out again? Or worse yet, what if she didn’t, what if she allowed their relationship to develop, only to have Zach reject her in the end as inadequate? How would she ever be able to go on after that?

  Rebecca was torn, her heart pulling her one way, her intellect another. But now was not the time to work out her personal dilemma, she told herself resolutely. It was Easter Sunday and she was here to worship, not agonize over her problem. She would simply put it in the Lord’s hands, ask for guidance and hope that He would show her the way. In the meantime she should be listening to Brad’s sermon. Determinedly she forced herself to focus on her brother’s words.

  “And so I believe that the real message of Easter is one of renewal—of new life, of hope, of trust, of a promise fulfilled.

  “In our society, Christmas has become the biggest holiday of the year. And it is, indeed, a wonderful event to celebrate. But without today, without Easter, Christmas would have no meaning. Because this is the day when the Lord gave us the legacy of everlasting life. And it is this legacy that gives Christianity its meaning.

  “It seems to me that as Christians we can learn much from this day. Certainly it forms the foundation of our beliefs, gives us an incentive to live our lives based on the principles that the Lord taught. And it offers us great hope. Because of Easter, we know that anything is possible with God.

  “I believe that the themes of this day—renewal, rebirth, hope, trust—are beautifully symbolized in nature. Consider the tulip. In the fall, when it is placed in the ground, the withered bulb appears to be dead. It lies dormant through the long, cold winter, wrapped in icy fingers. But in the spring it finds new life as the gentle warmth of the sun patiently coaxes it to grow and blossom into a glorious flower.

  “In many ways I think the story of the tulip bulb is a good analogy not only for Easter but for a heart that longs for love. All of us here today know from personal experience that the heart is a very fragile thing. We know that it can be easily hurt, it can wither away, it can appear to be dead and empty. But I believe that with warmth and patient nurturing, most hearts can bloom again.

  “On this Easter day, as we celebrate the promise of eternal life, let us also celebrate the earthly life given to us by the Lord. Let us resolve not to waste this precious blessing, in all its infinite dimensions. And as we thank God today for the gift of love He gave us through his Son’s death and resurrection, let us celebrate that gift by nurturing the love in our own lives. Let us find the courage to seek love if we do not have it, and the wisdom to cherish it if we do. For despite its inherent risks and heartaches, it is still the greatest gift the Lord can bless us with in this life.

  “Let us pray….”

  As Brad finished his sermon, Rebecca felt her hand being taken in a gentle grasp. She looked up at Zach as he entwined his fingers through hers, and her vision blurred with tears at the tenderness in his eyes and the memory of the pink tulips he’d given her. She didn’t know if Brad had intentionally directed the last part of his sermon to her, but it had certainly hit home, she thought, averting her eyes and blinking rapidly to dispel the tears. And he was right. Love was a gift. And the Lord seemed to be offering her a chance for love with the man now holding her hand. Hadn’t she promised herself on Valentine’s Day that if the right man came along, she would take the risk of pursuing a relationship? Well, the opportunity was being offered. Now it was up to her to take it.

  Rebecca knew that she wasn’t going to be able to overcome her fear overnight. But maybe, if Zach was patient and understanding, they could find a way to work through it together. It was a long shot, she knew. But for the first time in years she allowed a tender seed of hope to sprout and send out a tentative root.

  “Rebecca! Sam! Wait up!”

  Rebecca turned at the familiar voice, smiling as Laura and Nick walked toward them hand in hand.

  “Don’t worry. Brad’s still gabbing,” Sam replied with a grin. “That’s one of the downsides of being the preacher’s wife—you’re always the last to leave.”

  “Are you complaining?” Laura asked with a smile.

  Sam’s face softened. “Hardly. He’s worth waiting for any day.”

  Laura looked up at Nick, her own face softening with love as they exchanged a tender glance. “I know what you mean,” she replied. With an obvious effort she tore her eyes away from Nick’s and turned to Rebecca, reaching out to take her hand. “It’s good to see you, Becka. And this must be Isabel—and Zach,” she said, looking from one to the other.

  “That’s right. Brad, this is Laura and Nick. Isabel, sweetie, these are friends of mine.”

  While the two men shook hands, Laura studied Zach, frowning slightly. “Have we met before?” she asked. “You look very familiar.”

  “Not formally,” he replied with a smile. “But you two were having dinner at Rebecca’s a few weeks ago the same night I was there. I noticed you when Rebecca brought your dessert out.”

  “That’s right!” Laura acknowledged, her frown evaporating as memory returned. “You and Rebecca had coffee together after she talked to us. Remember, Nick?”

  Nick grinned sheepishly. “I have to admit I don’t. I only had eyes for you that night.”

  Laura blushed with pleasure as their eyes touched briefly. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you formally,” she told Zach.

  “The pleasure is mine,” he assured her.

  “You mean you two had dinner together weeks ago?” Sam asked, eyeing Zach and Rebecca with new interest.

  “Not dinner. Coffee,” Rebecca clarified.

  “But dinner would have been better,” Zach interjected with an engaging grin. “Coffee was all I could manage to waylay her for that night, though. And even that was under duress,” he admitted candidly. “But fortunately things have improved since then.” His eyes sought, held and mesmerized hers.

  Rebecca knew that the four adults were watching the two of them with unabashed interest, could sense their rapt attention. She ought to look away, make some flippant remark, carry on the charade that she and Zach were just friends. But she was fighting a losing battle, and she knew it.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear it,” Henry declared. “Rebecca could use some male companionship.”

  “Dad!” Rebecca turned to him, her face horrified.

  “What’s he done now?” Brad asked, his voice laced with tolerant amusement as he came up behind her. But after one look at her crimson face he slipped an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. “Never mind. Don’t tell me. I can guess. I have a feeling it has something to do with Zach. And I take it this is Zach?”

  “Guilty,” Zach replied with a grin.

  Brad held out his hand, and Zach took it promptly, realizing that the other man was assessing him even as he smiled. Zach was also aware of Brad’s arm protectively around his sister’s shoulders. Consciously sent or not, the message was clear: treat my sister with care or you’ll answer to me.

  Zach respected that, admired it even, and he returned Brad’s gaze steadily. “Rebecca’s spoken very highly of you. I’m glad we finally have the chance to meet.”

  “So am I. I try to keep up with the events—and people—in her life. She’s very special to me.”

  “She’s very special to me, too,” Zach replied candidly, his gaze direct and honest.

 
Brad held Zach’s eyes a moment longer, and when he released the other man’s hand there was a satisfied expression on his face.

  “Well, we’re going to take off,” Laura said. “Happy Easter, everyone.”

  She and Nick left to a chorus of best wishes, and then Brad squatted down beside the silent little girl who clung to Rebecca’s hand. “You must be Isabel,” he said quietly with a smile. “I’m Rebecca’s brother.”

  “I know. She told me,” Isabel replied in a small, timid voice.

  “Well, we’re glad you came to visit us, Isabel. What do you think of my new little girl?”

  “She’s pretty,” Isabel stated shyly. “And soft.”

  “Yes, she is,” he agreed. “Maybe later you’d like to hold her.”

  “Could I?” she asked, her eyes growing big.

  “I think we could arrange that. You just remind me if I forget, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “I’d say it’s time to head home,” Sam declared, shifting Emily in her arms. “This little lady is getting hungry.”

  Brad stood up. “We’ll meet you there, okay?” he said to Rebecca and Zach.

  “Sounds good,” Zach replied.

  As they made their way to Zach’s car, he turned to Rebecca with a smile. “You have a nice family.”

  She smiled ruefully. “Thanks. I love them all dearly. But they can be a little too outspoken at times. Except Brad, of course. He’s very diplomatic.”

  “And very protective.”

  She looked at him curiously. “What do you mean?”

  He shrugged. “He obviously cares about you very much. And he was clearly concerned about my…intentions.”

  She stared at him curiously as he opened the back door and leaned in to buckle Isabel into her seat belt.

  “How in the world could you pick that up from such a brief conversation?” she asked when he emerged.

  He straightened up and grinned as he shut Isabel’s door and opened Rebecca’s. “It must be a man thing. But the message was clear, trust me.”

  As Rebecca slipped into her seat, she frowned thoughtfully. She wasn’t sure how Zach had picked up so much when only a dozen words had been exchanged, but she wasn’t going to argue with him. Brad was protective. He knew her feelings were easily bruised and always did everything in his power to make sure she wasn’t hurt. So of course he would be concerned about a man who suddenly appeared out of the fog, admittedly for a brief stay, and who could disappear just as quickly. Because a man like that could easily leave a broken heart in his wake. Her heart. Given the circumstances, it was natural that Brad wondered about Zach’s intentions.

  As a matter of fact, so did Rebecca.

  “Happy birthday!” Sam, Henry and Nick chorused as Sam entered the dining room with a decorated cake topped with flickering candles.

  “Is it your birthday?” Isabel asked, turning to Rebecca in surprise.

  “No, honey. My birthday was a month ago,” she explained, frowning in confusion at the three grinning faces. “What’s this all about?”

  “Well, you didn’t think we’d forget to celebrate your birthday, did you?” Sam asked. “Okay, so it’s a little late. Blame it on the little gal now sleeping soundly down the hall.”

  Rebecca shook her head and smiled. “You guys are too much. I’m going to be spoiled after this year, with two birthday celebrations!”

  “Two?” Sam repeated, raising her eyebrows questioningly.

  Rebecca didn’t even try to sidestep the question. She’d given up the “just friends” pretense hours ago. “Zach took me out for a dinner a couple of days after my birthday,” she explained.

  “Good for him,” Sam asserted promptly. “The fun factor in your life could use a boost. You need to work on that with her, Zach,” Sam declared as she deposited the cake in front of Rebecca.

  “I try, but she’s a pretty hard sell,” he admitted.

  “Be persistent,” Henry advised firmly. “Persistence pays.”

  “I’ll remember that,” Zach replied with a chuckle.

  “Will you all stop?” Rebecca protested, her face flaming. “I make time for fun!”

  “When?” Henry countered.

  “Dad.” Brad’s quietly authoritative voice put an end to the inquisition. “Go ahead, Rebecca, make a wish and blow out the candles,” he suggested, turning to her with an understanding smile.

  She sent him a grateful look before complying and was rewarded with a round of applause as the last candle was extinguished.

  “What did you wish for?” Isabel asked.

  “It won’t come true if I tell, sweetie,” Rebecca replied with a smile.

  “Oh.” Isabel’s face fell. “Well, was I in it?” she asked hopefully.

  “In a way,” Rebecca hedged.

  “Was Uncle Zach?”

  Again Brad came to the rescue. “Isabel, how would you like a piece of cake with a big rose on it?” he asked, earning Rebecca’s gratitude once more.

  Her attention effectively diverted, she nodded her head eagerly, supervising as Sam cut a generous piece with a huge rose in the middle.

  When the last bite of cake was consumed a few minutes later, Sam leaned back and groaned. “I’ll never lose the rest of the weight I put on with Emily if I keep this up,” she lamented good-naturedly.

  “You look exactly the same to me as you did before,” Rebecca insisted.

  “Thanks. But I’ve still got five pounds to go,” Sam admitted ruefully.

  “Speaking of new babies…have you ever seen a real baby bunny up close, Isabel?” Henry asked.

  “No.”

  “Would you like to?”

  “Do you have one?” she asked, enthralled.

  “No. But I know where there’s a nest, and if we’re real careful, I don’t think the momma rabbit will mind if we take a quick look.”

  “Can I, Uncle Zach?” Isabel asked eagerly.

  “I don’t see why not.”

  Isabel scrambled to her feet, and Henry stood up and reached for her hand.

  “Some fresh air sounds like a good idea,” Sam remarked as she also rose. “Why don’t you two take a little stroll to the park down at the corner while Brad and I clean up?” she suggested.

  “We can’t leave you to deal with this mess!” Rebecca protested. “I’ll help.”

  She started to rise, but Brad placed a hand on her shoulder. “Go ahead, Becka. You deal with kitchen work every day. We can manage here. I know we’re all fascinating company, but I’m sure Zach won’t object to spending part of the day just with you.” He looked at the other man and smiled.

  “You’re right,” Zach replied, relieved by the approval he saw in the other man’s eyes. Apparently Rebecca’s brother had decided that Zach could be trusted with his sister.

  “But it doesn’t seem right,” she protested once more.

  “Rebecca, for heaven’s sake, just go!” Sam insisted. “You’re our guest today. Plus, it’s a belated birthday celebration. So you are not going to do dishes. Period. End of discussion. That’s final.” She paused and looked at Brad. “Should I be a little more forceful, do you think?” she asked innocently, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

  He chuckled. “I think you made your point. Go ahead, you two. We’ll still be here when you get back. And Henry will keep Isabel entertained.”

  Rebecca looked at Zach. They’d had almost no time alone together since Isabel’s arrival, and this opportunity might not come again soon. If she was going to let this relationship progress, now was as good a time as any to start. Besides, things couldn’t get that…involved…in a public park in broad daylight. Or could they? she wondered in sudden alarm, noting the eager, ardent light in Zach’s eyes.

  “What do you say, Rebecca?” he asked, the casual tone of his voice at odds with the intensity of his gaze.

  With sudden determination she stood up. “It sounds like a good idea to me,” she agreed, her voice slightly breathless. She turned to look at Brad, whose express
ion was thoughtful, and Sam, who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “We won’t be gone long.”

  “Don’t hurry on our account,” Sam declared. “You two just have fun.”

  “We will,” Zach promised, smiling down at Rebecca as she joined him in the doorway.

  She forced herself to smile back, but as her nerve endings started to tingle, an unsettling question suddenly came to mind. How, exactly, did Zach define fun? she wondered nervously.

  Chapter Ten

  Zach would have reached for Rebecca’s hand immediately when they left the house—except that she hid hers in the deep pockets of her full skirt. He knew she was nervous, knew she was probably thinking about the last time they were alone together, and he was determined to put her at ease. He’d just let her take the lead, give her the time she needed to get comfortable.

  “I had a note from Josef this morning,” he told her conversationally as they strolled along.

  “How is everything?” she asked, turning to him with a worried frown.

  “No better, unfortunately. Maybe worse. He’s not a complainer, so it’s hard to tell. But one thing is clear. He misses Isabel desperately.”

  “I’m not surprised.” She sighed and looked up at the canopy of flowering trees above her, the peaceful stillness broken only by the call of the birds. “It’s hard to believe on a day like this that somewhere in the world a country is torn apart with strife and terror,” she said softly, her voice troubled.

  “Isabel’s only been here a short time, but already I’m dreading the day we have to send her back to that environment.”

  “I know what you mean,” he admitted.

  “Does she talk about her home very much when she’s with you?” Rebecca asked.

  “Only casually. Usually at night, when she’s going to bed. How about with you?”

  Rebecca nodded slowly, her face thoughtful. “She tells me quite a bit. Enough to give me a pretty clear picture of her everyday life. I know her family didn’t have much in a material sense, but it seems they made up for it with love. And she obviously misses her parents. I try to keep her busy at the restaurant, giving her little jobs to do or books to read or puzzles to work on, hoping that will keep her from dwelling on her homesickness. It seems to work most of the time. Actually, I’m amazed at how smoothly she’s adapted to such a different environment.”