Heart of Clay

by Shanna Hatfield

  A few weeks later, Clay admitted he was in way over his head with the anniversary surprise. He had no idea how Callan did event planning all the time. Deciding on the details and organizing everything was exhausting. He’d made so many phone calls trying to line things up, he felt like the phone had grown attached to his head.

  In a moment of desperation, he asked Jill at the convention center to help. With the anniversary date in the middle of December, it would have to be an indoor event.

  Jill approved of the ideas he shared and said they could use one of the ballrooms for the event. She gave him some good suggestions and promised to keep the secret from Callan. She created a false name to put on the event order for the ballroom, convinced Callan would never suspect the event was a surprise for her.

  Clay couldn’t figure out how to get Callan to the party wearing something she would deem appropriate for renewing their vows.

  Finally surrendering to defeat, he called Laken and asked her to meet him for lunch. He made her promise on her very life that she would keep the secret before he’d tell her what he had planned. Laken got so excited about the news, she could hardly quit squirming in her seat the whole time they ate.

  “Callan has no idea what you’re planning?” Laken asked for the third time. “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure. I’m getting pretty good at covert operations, if I do say so myself.” Clay grinned. “Jill said they can make it sound like it’s an event that Callan needs to be present for, but I can’t figure out how to get her in a dress that she would want to be wearing if she knew what was going on. With a photographer coming, I just want to make sure everything looks perfect for her, right down to her outfit.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll think of something.” Laken thought of a dozen different stories she could concoct to take Callan shopping for a dress.

  When Laken and Clay parted company after lunch, he made her promise one more time not to let the secret slip. “Clay, as hard as it seems to comprehend, I’m capable of keeping my big mouth shut when it’s something this important. My lips are sealed.”

  As the calendar rolled closer to their anniversary, Clay decided he could never have a career as an event planner. Just trying to pull together this celebration for twenty-some people taxed his patience and created levels of stress he’d never imagined.

  He felt an entirely new level of admiration for his wife, knowing she planned huge parties all the time. She made it look so easy when obviously it wasn’t. It was hard work and he had a head start because of Callan’s detailed notes and files.

  The first caterer he called was more than happy to help because of business Callan had referred to them, but Clay had to decide on the menu. He’d found someone to do invitations but then he had to choose from the seemingly thousands available what he wanted them to look like and say. Then there were flowers, a cake, decorations, his tuxedo, a gift for Callan, the photographer, and a disc jockey.

  Jill made up a grand story about an eccentric couple hosting a party at the convention center and told Callan it was part of the contract all the management staff attend the party, at least for a while, and the clients demanded all of the staff dress in white attire. Callan thought the entire thing absurd and was more than a little put out that she’d have to work on her anniversary.

  When she told Clay about the crazy clients and the wardrobe demands, he thought he could have won an acting award. First, he pretended to be irritated that she would have to work. Next, he sympathized over her having to go shopping for a dress and working on their anniversary. He laid it on thick. At the end of the tirade, he offered a thoughtful solution.

  “Since you’ll be all dressed up, why don’t I pick you up when you finish with work and we’ll go out somewhere really nice for dinner. You don’t have to stay late and we’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy the evening. How does that sound?” He attempted to sound innocent and pleading.

  “That would be nice, Clay. I appreciate you being so understanding that I have to be there.” Callan squeezed his hand. “Where would you like eat? I can make a reservation.”

  “Why don’t I surprise you? I’ll take care of everything.” He kissed her cheek and congratulated himself on everything going so well.

  The day of their anniversary finally arrived. By early afternoon, Clay had consumed an entire bottle of liquid antacid and kept a roll of tablets stuffed in his pocket that he continued crunching like candy. Before the celebration started that evening, he thought he might develop an ulcer.

  Laken, Jenna, and Jill provided a wealth of assistance. He knew he’d never make it through without them. He relied on Jill to take care of overseeing many of the details because Callan would be suspicious if he hung out at the convention center all afternoon. Jill created an errand in Portland that she assured Callan only she could handle, getting her out of the office for a few hours. Clay snuck in as soon as Callan left and jumped into the preparations.

  When Callan continued to delay purchasing a dress, he started to panic. Laken and Jenna finally took her shopping a few weekends ago and the dress they found had to be altered. Laken went with Callan to pick it up the previous evening and assured him that morning the dress looked great and Callan reluctantly purchased matching shoes.

  He hoped to get a glimpse of it, but Callan arrived home late so Clay didn’t get a chance to see her model what she’d bought. He hoped the gown made her feel fantastic.

  All the details fell into place without any major disasters, so Clay left overseeing duties in Jill’s capable hands and went home to change. In record time, he took a shower and shaved, dressed in his tuxedo, picked up Callan’s gift, and returned to the convention center by five-thirty. Spying Callan’s car in the back parking lot, he cautiously snuck inside the back door and went straight to the ballroom.

  Family and friends already started to gather for the small celebration. He invited the people who meant the most to them. Although he wanted to include Audrey and Emma, that would have involved Melanie, Ted, Bob and Donna, so he opted to leave them out. Laken thought it for the best and hired a babysitter for her two kids for the evening.

  Those gathered were the adults they both cherished. As Clay looked around the room, he took a deep breath, along with another antacid tablet and hoped for the best.

  Jill had her hands full trying to keep Callan out of the room. Clay watched as Jill rushed into the room at a quarter to six and hurried his direction.

  “She’s finally getting dressed.” Jill looked flustered. “Despite her annoyance that she has to be here this evening, Callan wants to keep checking on the details. I’ve never had to work so hard to keep someone out of the ballroom.”

  Clay chuckled and gave Jill a quick hug. “I couldn’t have made this work without you. I really appreciate all your help with this.”

  “No problem, Clay. You know I’d do anything for Callan and this was a lot of fun. Now, if we can just keep her out of here for a few more minutes, she’s going to be so surprised.” Jill watched her husband, John, step inside the room and hurried to his side.

  Jenna and Laken both gave Clay a thumbs-up as he straightened his bowtie and walked out the ballroom door and down the hall to Callan’s office.

  Clay knocked on the door. He heard rustling sounds inside then Callan was there, opening the door.

  Callan blinked at him in surprise. “What are you doing here, Clay? I’m not supposed to meet you until eight,” she asked, studying him from his neatly combed hair to the tips of his polished black cowboy boots. Dressed in a tuxedo, he looked so handsome he took her breath away.

  Clay was utterly speechless as he gazed at his beloved, beautiful wife. He took a deep breath and inhaled Callan’s now familiar scent that both calmed and excited him.

  The white mermaid style gown she wore looked like it had been designed with her in mind. Springy ringlets escaped from the loose bun at the back of her head and a tinge of pink rode her cheeks.

  He t
ook a step forward and clasped her hand in his before giving her a warm kiss on the cheek. Glancing into her searching eyes, he squeezed her hand and found his voice.

  “Callan, fourteen years ago, I didn’t do a very good job of proposing to you. I was so afraid you would say no, I couldn’t bear to ask the question. So today I wanted to ask you…” Clay stopped, cleared his throat then carefully went down on one knee. “Will you marry me again, Laney? Please?” Clay smiled up at Callan, his eyes filled with love.

  Callan gazed into his face, a face as familiar to her as her own. She’d do anything for this wonderful man who saved her from herself more than once, who gave himself to her completely. Blindly squeezing his hand and giving it a tug, she nodded her head as her eyes misted with tears. As he stood and hugged her, she whispered in his ear. “Of course I’d marry you again. I love you so much.”

  Clay stood back and gave her a dimpled smile. He pulled a long, thin jeweler’s box from his pocket and handed it to her. When she opened the lid, she caught her breath at the sight of a beautiful string of pearls, just like she’d always wanted but never dreamed of having.

  She handed them to Clay and turned around. “Put them on for me?”

  Clay did as she asked, dropping a kiss on her neck when he had the clasp fastened. The pearls looked like they were created to nestle along Callan’s neck, especially in that particular dress.

  “Mrs. Matthews, if you’d just come along with me…” Clay held out his arm and escorted her to the ballroom. Callan gasped when they stepped inside.

  Transformed into a summer garden, a small gazebo sat in the far corner of the room, draped in white lights with a profusion of flowers around it. Chairs draped in white and tied with pale pink organza bows flanked the front of the gazebo. A divider of greenery separated the ceremony area from the rest of the room. A buffet lined the back wall. Tables covered in white linen with pink floral centerpieces filled up part of the space. A dance floor and a riser for the disc jockey rounded out the reception area.

  Pink, white, and pale yellow flowers spilled out of baskets, stood in vases, and filled beautiful white urns anywhere there was space to hold them. Twinkling white lights sparkled from the greenery and even from organza garlands draped across the ceiling. White candles nestled in and around the flowers and buffet, adding a warm glow.

  Callan couldn’t think when she’d seen anything lovelier.

  Thrilled with the look of joy and wonder on Callan’s face, Clay hoped the next part of his plan would make her even happier.

  “Will you marry me, again, Callan, right now?” he asked, taking her hand in his and walking further into the room.

  Callan took note of their closest family and friends sitting in the chairs around the gazebo. “You did all this for me?” Callan looked at Clay, working to comprehend the precious gift he offered. “You did this?”

  “Yes, I did, with help from some friends.” He nodded toward Jill, Laken, and Jenna as they hurried toward them with smiles on their faces.

  As the girls approached, Laken took the lead and gave Callan a big hug. “Are you going to keep this wonderful husband of yours waiting or are you going to get up there and renew your vows?” Laken asked with a laugh.

  “I just can’t believe you all did this for me.” Callan tried to keep her tears in check, overwhelmed by the work everyone went to on her behalf. “It’s so beautiful.”

  “Of course we did it for you, but Clay did most of the work. We just helped out a bit here and there,” Jenna said, patting Clay on his arm. “This cowboy seems to be wild about you, for some reason.”

  “Honestly, Callan, I couldn’t have done it without them. You kept Jill and me hopping today.” Clay grinned and shook his head.

  “We didn’t know what to do until I figured out a way to get you out of here for a while this afternoon.” Jill gave Callan a hug. “I’m so glad you’re surprised.”

  Laken slipped a delicate pink rose corsage on Callan’s wrist while Jenna pinned a boutonniere on Clay’s lapel.

  Callan smiled and nodded her head. She found it impossible to speak as she walked toward the gazebo with Clay. The girls returned to their seats next to their own husbands. One of their friends from church, a wedding officiant, waited in the gazebo, ready to preside over the renewal of their vows.

  The couple walked up the steps of the gazebo and stood inside.

  Callan experienced a flood of emotions – love, joy, excitement, wonder, happiness. To think Clay did this for her, especially after all they’d been through in this past year. It was too much to take in all at once.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the marriage of Clay and Callan. They joined their lives and hearts fourteen years ago today and have chosen to renew their vows before their Heavenly Father and the family and friends assembled here. They composed their own vows to share with us, so Clay, please proceed,” the officiant said.

  Callan started to go into panic mode. What vows? She hadn’t written anything. If she’d known she’d be standing in front of twenty people professing her undying love for Clay, she sure as anything would have written something worthy to be shared. She was not good at winging speeches. Frantic, she glanced at Clay. He smiled with a knowing look on his face.

  After inhaling a fortifying breath, Clay began the speech he’d practiced a hundred times that day.

  “Callan, I know I’ve caught you off guard and you’re probably, right now, trying to think of what you’re going to say when it’s your turn.” Clay ginned at her and held both her hands in his.

  “I don’t want you to worry about that. I want you to focus on this - the day you walked into my life you changed everything. I knew from the very first time I saw you that I would never be happy unless I was with you. It was true then and it’s still true today. You complete me. You fill me up with your goodness, your laughter, your warmth, your passion, and your love. In the last year, we’ve made it through some of the worst experiences I hope we ever have to face. But know this, Laney, I have riches beyond measure because of you, because of your love. I promise to spend all our years together celebrating and rejoicing in this wonderful love we share.”

  Callan forgot there was anyone else in the room. She couldn’t think of anything except the remarkable words her adoring husband had just shared from his heart. She didn’t know how she could speak, with her heart in her throat and tears blinding her vision. Shutting her eyes for a moment to regain her composure, she took a deep breath then smiled at Clay. She hoped he knew how much she appreciated not only this evening, but also everything he had done for her over the years.

  “Clay, I don’t know what to say except that I love you…with every beat of my heart and every breath that I take. All I have to do is see you, hear your voice, and I still catch my breath in wonder that I am the girl you choose to love. Thank you for caring for me, for believing in me, for bringing me joy and laughter, but most of all, for loving me. I promise to spend every day of the rest of my life making sure you know how much you are cherished, needed, wanted, and loved.”

  After sealing their vow with a gentle kiss, Clay wiped the tears from Callan’s cheeks. They turned to the officiant who smiled broadly.

  “I’m honored to present Mr. and Mrs. Clay Matthews. Congratulations on your renewed vows and renewed commitment to love, honor, and cherish each other as long as you both shall live.”

  Everyone stood clapping while Callan and Clay walked down the steps of the gazebo and into the welcoming arms of their friends and family. Most of the women were still dabbing at their own tears while the men exchanged hearty handshakes and backslaps.

  “Come join us for dinner, folks, and some fun,” Clay said, holding Callan’s hand and leading her toward the buffet. After everyone had eaten his or her fill, the disc jockey, whom Callan knew well from her event planning business, stood and said a few welcoming words.

  She looked around the room as her heart overflowed with love, grateful f
or those who joined them for the beautiful celebration. For Callan, it was a wonderful way to commemorate how far she and Clay had come since their last anniversary.

  As the music began, Callan observed their friends dancing before her dad asked her to join him in “cuttin’ a rug” as he phrased it. She danced with her brother, Uncle Ralph, Jake and most of the men there, except Clay. Callan knew between his dislike of dancing and his still-recovering leg, he’d stay on the sidelines. He looked happy from his seat at the table, watching everyone move around the dance floor.

  Callan poured herself another cup of punch and sat next to Clay as the party wound down. She couldn’t think of words to thank Clay for creating the memory of this very special day. As their gazes connected, he smiled a warm smile and gave her a wink.

  Slowly standing from his seat beside her, he grasped her hand as the DJ announced the final song. When it began to play Clay leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Dance this one with me.”

  Aware of how much he hated to dance as well as how hard it was with his leg, Callan knew this was a huge gesture on his part. The DJ played her favorite love song, Even Then, by John Michael Montgomery. Clay couldn’t have picked a more perfect song to end the evening.

  As they danced to the romantic song, Callan held her tears at bay by looking into her husband’s face and watching the mirror of her emotions in his eyes. How she cherished this wonderful, amazing man. He was a blessed gift that she would never again take for granted.

  She couldn’t imagine loving Clay more than she did at that moment in time, but she knew somehow she would love him even more tomorrow.

  Epilogue

  Callan struggled to fall asleep, listening to the sounds Clay made as he obliterated the peaceful quiet of the night with his nocturnal serenade.

  Somewhere between a snore and a whistle, she wondered if he knew what a racket he made.

  With a long, contented sigh, she turned to look at him. A tiny sliver of moonbeam snuck through the parted drapes to caress the hollow of his cheek, giving her the ability to see he looked peaceful.

  She rose on one elbow and listened to him breathe in and out, smiled at the way his hair stuck out at odds with the scar on the side of his head. Resisting the urge to smooth it down, she grinned as she thought about his morning battles to get his hair to submit to some semblance of order around the hoof-shaped scar.

  After a few more minutes of watching him sleep, she quietly rose from the bed, pulled on her chenille robe, then wandered through the darkened house to stand at the kitchen window. She moved aside the ruffled chintz curtain and stared out at the backyard, watching the moonlight wash the bare lawn in shades of silver and gray.

  She loved this winter, loved the cold that made cuddling by the fire such a necessity, loved everything about this season. Ironically, it seemed fitting that the wonder of the season nearly matched the sense of light and joy she felt in her spirit.

  Briskly rubbing her hands on her arms to ward off the chill, she let her thoughts tumble.

  How blessed I am. In this house, in this life, in this loving marriage.

  She knew not many couples could say they were more in love after fourteen years of marriage than they had ever before been.

  Callan couldn’t believe they just celebrated their anniversary. It had been quite a year for them both.

  After almost losing Clay twice, once by her own stubbornness, and once from his accident, she knew she would never take another day with him for granted. Each day was too precious to waste on regrets.

  Clay suddenly slid his arms around her, pulling her close against his bare chest and startled her. When he started to nuzzle her ear, she smiled.

  “What are you doing up, Laney? Why aren’t you sleeping?” Clay mumbled in a husky tone with his breath warm against her ear.

  She wrapped his hands tighter around her waist and settled into his arms. “I was too happy to sleep,” she said on a soft sigh.

  Clay chuckled, kissing her cheek. “Too happy to sleep? Did you like your anniversary surprise that much?”

  Quickly turning in his arms so she could see his face in the muted darkness, she smiled at him. “It was the most wonderful, romantic, beautiful thing anyone could imagine, Brick. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it meant to me.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. It meant a lot to me, too.” Clay wrapped her in his arms and held her close to his heart. When she shivered, he rubbed his hands along her back. “Come back to bed before we both freeze.”

  “But Clay…” Callan leaned back so she could better see his face. “I just want…” her breath caught as her throat tightened with tears. “I want you to know how much I love you - will always love you. I’m grateful every day for the gift of you and I plan to spend the rest of our lives making sure you don’t forget it.”

  “Callan...” Clay moved his hands to her cheeks where his thumbs wiped away her tears. “I plan to spend the next fifty years or so showing you how much I love and cherish you.” After kissing a trail down her cheek, where the tears had been, he whispered in her ear. “How about if I start right now?”

  Callan responded with a hungry kiss, placing her hand on his chest. She knew without a doubt what resided in the heart of Clay – unconditional never-ending love.