by Barbara Gee
I’d been working a lot of twelve-hour days, but I wasn’t going to complain. Not unless it kept going like this indefinitely. The guilt I felt for not seeing through Abigail’s front was nothing compared to what Ian was experiencing, and I was fine with putting in the extra time until he could pull himself together. It seemed like the least I could do.
Jude was the bright spot, of course. We’d managed to see each other almost every evening, except for last Saturday, when he’d had to go out of town again. We’d spent most of Sunday together, though, which made up for missing a day. We’d gone to my church, then to lunch with Hannah and Chase instead of with my gang of ladies—much to Priscilla’s dismay.
To make it up to her, I’d made time to meet her for coffee Monday morning, and we’d had a surprisingly good talk. I’d opened up to her about my struggles with Abigail’s death, and she’d been kind and understanding. She’d also given me some wise advice. She said I couldn’t change what had happened to Abigail, but I might be able to make a difference in someone else’s life because of what I’d learned. She said I needed to focus on the future and stop beating myself up about the past. I promised her I’d get there.
The loose ends of the Abigail case were pretty much tied up now. Andrew had plead guilty as soon as he found out about Abigail’s suicide, and I was glad a trial wouldn’t be necessary. The expectation was that he’d get seven to ten years in jail, possibly more if I testified at his sentencing.
I’d decided not to do that, however, and Jude supported me. Andrew had most definitely committed a crime, but I wasn’t looking for vengeance. My hope was that he’d serve his sentence and still have a chance to turn things around.
I was getting past the situation, thanks to Jude’s steady, calming presence in my life. I woke up every morning with the incredible knowledge that he loved me and ended every day with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of him in my life. And in between waking up and going to sleep, I fell more and more in love with the man. Whether we were relaxing at home, hanging out at the rec center, going out for dinner or ice cream, or working in his yard—it didn’t matter. I enjoyed it all. Being with him was all I needed.
As far as Jude’s injury, you’d never know he’d been hurt. He had resumed his normal life, with the exception of basketball games at the youth center. For the time being he was refereeing the games only, but I knew it wouldn’t be much longer before he was playing again.
***
I put the final touches on my makeup and surveyed the results in the mirror. I’d left my hair loose but I’d flat-ironed it straight in an effort to appear more sophisticated. My eye shadow was smokier than usual and I’d added some subtle liner, since I was going for that polished, evening look. I was a little nervous about meeting the Owens Construction bigwigs, but Chase and Hannah would be there, so that would help it feel less awkward.
I applied loose powder to my nose and forehead to ward off shine, then slipped into my dress. It was black, silky, and floaty, the hem a few inches above my knees. It had a sheer black cut-out panel across the top of the bodice and back, and three-quarter-length sleeves in the same sheer fabric. I added dangly silver earrings, a delicate necklace that followed the scoop of the neckline, and a stack of my favorite bracelets on my left arm. I finished with a pair of strappy, four-inch heels, liking the fact that Jude would still tower over me.
I went back to the mirror one more time to make sure everything had come together. This was the first time I’d really dressed up for Jude, and I wanted to do it right. I hoped he approved of the more elegant version of Ava Milton.
I spritzed on some expensive perfume, a Christmas gift from one of my sisters if I remembered right, and went downstairs to wait. The restaurant was closer to Mountain View than Hidden Creek and I’d offered to drive to Jude’s so we could just leave from there, but he’d insisted on picking me up. Said it was our first fancy date and he wanted to pick up his girl.
Remembering that made me smile. Then again, pretty much everything about Jude Paul Keller made me smile.
I was in the kitchen drinking a glass of ice water when the doorbell rang. Jude no longer waited for me to get the door for him, but he always rang the bell to warn me he was coming in.
I put my glass in the sink and went to meet him, stopping dead in my tracks when I got to the hall and saw him coming toward me. Somehow, in all my own preparation, I’d failed to think about the fact that he’d be dressed up as well, and holyyyyyyy cow, could the man wear a suit! The dark charcoal color looked fabulous with a snow-white shirt, and the bold blue tie matched his eyes. The fit of the suit was perfection, hugging his wide shoulders and long legs just right, and I suspected it had been tailored just for him.
When my eyes finally climbed back to his face, I was gratified to see my own appreciation mirrored in the clear blue of his eyes. His lips curved up as he walked to me, taking my hands and lifting my arms out to the side.
“Look at you.” His eyes passed over me again. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so breathtaking.”
I laughed self-consciously. “I’m glad you approve. I wasn’t exactly sure what to wear.”
“I’d say your instincts were spot-on.” He grinned. “It’s good you waited on the lipstick, though. Because you would’ve had to redo it.”
His mouth came down on mine, and I melted into him. It was fun kissing fancy Jude. He always smelled good, but tonight he was wearing something different. Cologne or after-shave, I wasn’t sure which, but it was musky and manly and I loved it.
I ran my fingertips along his jaw. His almost-beard-length scruff was neatly trimmed, his neck smooth above his pristine white collar.
“We’re going to be late,” I murmured when the kiss finally ended. He was looking at me with half-closed eyes, and the heat in them sent a fine tremor down my spine.
He nodded, gave me one more quick kiss, then tucked my hand in his arm and turned us toward the door.
“If we’re late, it’s your fault. There’s no way I could leave without a kiss. In fact,” he locked my front door and smiled slyly, “you might as well wait a little longer on that lipstick. There are a few stoplights between here and the restaurant, and if we’re lucky we’ll hit them red.”
I had no problem with that plan.
I wished he had a bench seat in his truck so I could scoot over beside him, but we settled for holding hands the whole way. And yes, we were lucky enough to hit two red lights.
I was nervous as we were walking up to the restaurant, and of course Jude sensed it.
“Relax, sweetheart. These are good people, and they’ve been dying to meet you. Plus, JP, Chase, and Hannah will be here, and also Doug. He’s one of the guys who came to visit when I was still staying at your place.”
“I remember him,” I said. “He was really nice.”
“They’re all nice, and their spouses are great, too. We’re a close group, and they’re going to love you. It’ll be a fun evening, I promise.”
And it was. Our group of twenty-five had a room to ourselves at the exclusive restaurant, and an energetic Hannah helped Jude introduce me around. The first people I met were Chase’s parents, Howard and Amy, who owned the company. They were warm and welcoming, and I’ve never met two people more excited about becoming grandparents for the first time.
When we finally sat down to eat, it was no surprise to find the food was delicious. The servers kept bringing things out to us—appetizers, soup, salad, bread baskets, and finally the entrees. I was stuffed to the point that the dessert menu didn’t tempt me at all, but I expected Jude to get something. Instead he leaned over and suggested we leave soon.
“Is that allowed?” I asked, looking around. It didn’t look like the others were going to be leaving any time soon, and even though we’d mingled for more than an hour before being seated and dinner itself had taken another hour and a half, I was afraid they wouldn’t like us cutting out early.
“I told Howard and Amy we probably
wouldn’t stick around too long after we ate. I assume you were at your desk by five again this morning, and I don’t want that to catch up with you if we stay out too late.” He put his arm along the back of my chair and leaned a little closer. “I want you to myself for a little while before you conk out.”
I grinned. “Well, in that case…”
He chuckled and pushed his chair back. Before he could stand, Howard spoke up from where he sat at the head of the table.
“You heading out, Jude? Sure you don’t want any dessert?”
“There’s nowhere to put it,” Jude groaned, rubbing his stomach. Everyone laughed and agreed as Jude stood and held out a hand to me before graciously thanking our hosts.
Howard held up his glass of wine. “And thank you for giving us something to celebrate, Jude. We all appreciate the time you put into getting this project.”
Chase and Hannah also stood up. “We’re going to get going, too,” Chase said. “Hannah’s sleeping for two, you know.”
“And if I don’t get enough of it, Chase is the one who pays,” Hannah teased.
It should have been awkward leaving a full table, but everyone was all smiles as we said our goodbyes, and I relaxed once I realized no one was offended at our early departure.
We walked out with Chase and Hannah, and when we got to the parking lot, Chase asked Jude if he’d remembered some kind of tool he wanted to borrow for a project he was tackling tomorrow.
“Shoot,” Jude said, exasperated. “I had it sitting by the front door, but I walked right past it.”
Chase grimaced. “Ah man, I was hoping to get an early start in the morning.”
“Totally my fault,” Jude said. “I’ll run and get it. We’re only ten minutes from my place, and I’m taking Ava home anyway. I’ll bring it over and put it on your back deck so I don’t get Lulu riled up.”
“Appreciate it, buddy,” Chase said, clapping his friend on the shoulder as they split off to go to their car. “Don’t want to waste daylight.”
We’d reached Jude’s truck and he gave me an apologetic look as he opened the door. “Sorry for the extra drive time, but I did promise him I’d bring it tonight.”
I smiled. “No problem. As long as I’m with you, I don’t care what we’re doing. Driving is fine.”
He kissed me softly. “See, this is why I love you. One of the reasons, at least. You’re so good at going with the flow.”
“It helps that you’re fun to flow with,” I replied.
He wrapped his arms around me and brought me close. “I was proud to have you with me tonight, babe. Getting this project was a big deal, and being able to celebrate it with you made it that much better.”
I looked up into his glittering eyes and sighed happily. “Nowhere else I’d want to be,” I whispered.
***
Not quite an hour later we pulled into my drive, the tool Chase needed stowed in the back of the truck. Jude left it there, saying he’d deliver it when he was ready to leave.
“Okay if I change into something more comfortable?” I asked as I unlocked the front door. He’d already loosened his tie, and I figured the jacket would come off once we got inside.
He waggled his brows. “Depends what that something is.”
I laughed. “I was thinking yoga pants and a T-shirt.”
“If you must,” he said on a dramatic sigh. “But let’s get a pot of coffee going first.”
I ground the beans while he filled the carafe with water. Before I could hit the switch to start it brewing, a familiar scratching sounded at the back door.
“Ahhh, it’s little Lulu!” I said, delighted. “She hasn’t been over to see me in a long time.”
“Better go see what she wants,” Jude said, pouring the water from the carafe into the vat.
I hurried to the door and the little black dog shot inside, scurrying around the kitchen, slipping and sliding as she went.
“My goodness, Lulu,” I said, laughing. “You’re all wound up and I don’t even have brownies baking.”
I took off my heels and knelt down, clapping for her to come to me. She finished sniffing along a section of floor, then snorted and bounded across the room toward me.
“Hey, girl. I’ve missed you. How’s my doggie, huh?” I scratched her ears, then noticed she had a piece of folded paper stuck in her collar. “What’s this, Lulu? Did Hannah send me a note? You mean she’s not in bed yet?”
I grinned up at Jude as I slipped the paper out and unfolded it.
“It says come outside.” I frowned. “Why didn’t she just text me?”
He shrugged, and something in his expression gave me pause.
“Do you know what she wants?” I asked, watching him closely.
“Just go out and see,” he hedged.
I stood and padded to the door, not bothering to put my shoes back on. I opened the back door and stepped out..…into darkness.
“Oh man, my new light isn’t working,” I said, looking over my shoulder at Jude.
He slipped past me, bent over and fiddled with something—and in that instant, my plain old deck became a scene from a movie. I couldn’t hold back a gasp, but that was the only sound I made as I took it all in.
Potted trees wound with white twinkle lights formed a semicircle behind a beautiful new patio set—a small, low table surrounded on three sides by two chairs and a sofa with plush cushions. Big and little pots of brilliantly blooming flowers were scattered across the deck, and more twinkle lights were wound through the railing.
I just stood there, blinking and speechless. Jude walked over to the table and I realized he was lighting candles set in deep, colorful glass holders to protect the flames from the light breeze.
“What is all this?” I breathed, thinking this was an awfully elaborate way to present me with new patio furniture. And then I saw what else was on the table. Two open Battleship cases, and between them, a square pan of brownies dusted with powdered sugar and two glasses of milk.
I started trembling. Those props….Lulu….the romantic lights and candles….Jude standing there in a suit looking so unbelievably, heart-stoppingly handsome….my heart was racing and I started feeling a little lightheaded. Was this really happening?
“I’ve been composing speeches in my mind for over a week,” he said, his low voice stirring my senses. “I didn’t realize how hard it would be to put everything I feel into words.”
His words washed over me, confirming what I’d suspected, and I couldn’t take my eyes from his. I was vaguely aware of Lulu rustling around the deck, but Jude had all my attention.
“Finally I realized that no matter which words I chose—fancy, plain, or in between—every speech came down to the same thing.” He spread his hands, then let them fall against his thighs. “You’re the one, Ava. I’ve been waiting for you, praying for you, and now you’re here.” He gave a slow smile. “I always wondered how I’d know. I mean, finding the one seems so daunting. It’s easy to make mistakes. But God made sure I wouldn’t miss the signs. He used a crazy wiener dog, my favorite childhood game, and a pan of brownies. How could I not fall for that girl?”
I let out a shaky breath. I wanted to go to him, but I didn’t trust my legs to get me there.
He went on. “When I went home that night, I knew I was no longer looking for the right woman. I’d found her, and from that moment I started counting down the days until I could make her mine. Until I could make you mine.”
His smile dimmed slightly and I knew what was coming. “I was pretty sure you felt the same way about me, and I thought it was going to be smooth sailing. So when you pushed me away, I started to question everything. My own judgment, and also my ability to listen and discern God’s message for me. I spent those weeks wondering what I was supposed to learn from such a painful experience.”
I mouthed I’m sorry as I blinked back tears.
His eyes were warm as he shook his head, not wanting an apology. “And then you showed up at my place and explai
ned everything, and I realized I’d learned one more thing about you. You’re the kind of person who puts the happiness of those you love above your own.” He raised a brow. “That’s not to say I wasn’t hurt and angry, but I also admired your loyalty to your friend. I fell even harder for you that night, and I’ve never been so glad I’m not my brother.”
“I’m so glad, too,” I managed to say, taking a step toward him.
He was silent for a moment, and I waited, my heart rate picking up.
“A lot of people might think it’s too soon for this night, but I know better,” he said quietly. “I know how I feel, and I believe it’s the same for you. Every day I wait to do this is a day we waste time by being apart. It’s another day where we have to say goodbye at the end of it. I’m tired of that, Ava. I want you with me every possible minute.”
He held out a hand and I went to him without hesitating, grabbing his fingers like my life depended on it. It was happening. This was my dream, and it was coming true. My heart was still pounding but I wasn’t lightheaded anymore. Not now that I was touching Jude.
“I want to be done with the goodbyes. Done wasting time.”
He reached back, behind a Battleship board, and brought out a box. The box. I swallowed hard, and then he was going down on a knee and I pressed a hand to my chest. My heart was so full. So chock-full of love and happiness, I didn’t know how it could hold it all without bursting.
“I love you, Jude,” I whispered, because I couldn’t hold it in a second longer.
He grinned and pressed the back of my hand to his lips. “I love you. With all my heart. For the rest of my life. Marry me, Ava. Marry me, and let me show you.”
I dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around his neck, looking into his eyes so he could see everything I felt.
“That evening changed my life too, you know. That’s when I started dreaming about this night.” I smiled. “Thank you for not making me wait any longer. Of course I’ll marry you, Jude. I can’t wait to marry you.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and stood, lifting me up with him, against him, my feet up off the deck floor. And then he said the same things all over again, only this time with a kiss instead of words.
