by Karin Beery
“We’re fine.”
Callie hiccupped.
“And you were right. She’s worth it. You’re on your own for dinner tonight.”
“I don’t want to know anything. Call me later.”
As Ryan hung up, Callie pulled away, furiously wiping at her puffy eyes. “Are you asking me out?”
Finally. He smiled. “Yes.”
“So, you kissed me, told me you love me, and now you want to go out? Aren’t you working backward?”
“Yes, but I’m not letting you off the hook. Why did you kiss me back?” She blinked. Tears pooled in her eyes again. Regret? Ryan’s chest tightened. He’d been so focused on talking to Callie that he hadn’t fully considered the consequences. His head spun as he figured it out. “You were just reacting, right?” He stepped back. “Just happy to see me.”
“No!” She pulled the blanket closer. “No. It’s just … I just …”
He should have known better. Callie had a plan for a reason, and her plan didn’t include him. He had to get her home, drop her off with Jack, then go. He’d played his cards, and he lost. “It’s okay. That was presumptuous of me, I’m sorry. Let’s go.”
“No!”
Ryan sighed. He couldn’t stand this much longer. “Cal—”
“I love you too.”
Callie’s heart tried to bust through her ribs. She’d said it, but he’d said it too. He loved her. After all of these years, Ryan loved her. Ryan stared at her, unmoving, while tears of joy spilled down her face. She tried to explain, but love overwhelmed her, choking off the words as she tried to speak.
“I…” Sniff. “You…” Sob. “I, I…” Ryan’s face contorted. Pull it together! “I do. I really, really do. I love you.”
His arms surrounded her, pulling her into his love. “Then why the tears?” His lips brushed against her ear.
Shivers. “Because nothing worked out. It didn’t. Everything’s gone wrong since I got here, but …” Overwhelming peace enveloped her, and Callie sighed. “God’s plan worked out in spite of me.”
“And that makes you sad?”
“No.” Callie tightened her hold on him, burrowing into Ryan’s strength and soggy warmth. “I just can’t believe it.”
Ryan nuzzled her ear. “So, these are happy tears?”
“Oh, yes. My entire plan failed, but I’m so happy.”
“You don’t mind that Kyle’s not here?” Ryan whispered, brushing a kiss below her ear.
Warm tingles shot down her spine. “Who?”
“Good answer.” His lips tickled her jaw. “Am I just a good substitute?”
Callie tilted her head to give him access to her cheek. His lips followed. Her knees wobbled. If only Ryan knew. “You’re not a substitute. You’re the standard.”
“The standard?” He pulled back, taking his warmth with him.
She nodded. “I think I’ve loved you forever.”
Ryan blinked.
“It was a silly schoolgirl crush, but then you grew up into this amazing man, and I’ve compared every guy I’ve ever known to you. I just never imagined … I mean, you’re Jack’s best friend. You’ve seen my Barbie pajamas.
“And then I lost my job, and Kyle’s dating someone else, my car got towed so I got stuck in a thunderstorm, and now the man I’ve judged every other man by suddenly loves me. It’s just—” Emotion clogged her throat. “I can’t believe how God took this disaster and”—hiccup—“and after this disaster, He gave me the deepest desire of my heart, even though I never had the guts to ask for it.”
More tears mingled with the rain on her cheeks, but Callie never took her eyes off Ryan. He beamed. At least it looked like beaming, but it was hard to see anything through the tears.
“I’m the deepest desire of your heart?”
“Yes.”
His lips took hers, claiming them. The flood stopped, and Callie kissed him back, clinging to her dream. Melting beneath his soft, treasured kisses.
HONK!
They jumped, but neither of them stepped away. She loved him, and he loved her. Callie couldn’t control the joy that blossomed on her face. “You really love me?
Strong hands framed her face. “I really do. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“I’m not.”
“But you could have made a different plan.”
“Yes, but then I wouldn’t have ended up stranded on a beach with no one to talk to except God.”
Ryan cocked an eyebrow. “So, even when your plan fails you still won’t admit you might have been wrong?” He swooped in for another kiss. “I love your optimism.”
“It’s not optimism, it’s the truth. I wouldn’t say that my plan necessarily failed.”
“You just admitted that it did.”
“Not exactly.” She pushed up on her toes, looking Ryan straight in the eyes. “It didn’t work out the way I thought it would, but I came up here to make a change, to commit myself to a man I could love.” Leaning forward, she teased his lips with hers. “I just didn’t realize it would be you.”
Ryan closed the distance for another kiss. “You can make lousy plans anytime, as long as you end up with me.”
Callie started to protest, but Ryan smothered her words again. Nothing had ever felt so wonderful, so right. As he held her, cherished her, Callie’s heart swelled with love for him, but also for the God who let her fail in her plan to help her recognize his.
Ryan was right. Callie didn’t care if another plan ever worked out as long as they all ended like this.
Callie leaned against the fence and watched a bride glide down the park steps, her hand on a temporary handrail Jack had installed at the lighthouse’s public beach. A few dozen guests shifted on white plastic folding chairs. The bay breeze cooled the intense August heat but couldn’t help with the humidity. The bride didn’t seem to notice the weather. She glowed, smiling at her groom as her sundress danced around her ankles.
“What’s so exciting?”
Ryan’s voice warmed Callie’s cheeks while excited chills ran down her spine. She peeked over her shoulder to watch him walk across the yard. Casual. Handsome.
Hers.
He walked up beside her, slipping an arm around her waist. “I missed you this week.” A kiss landed on her cheek.
“I missed you too. You were busy.”
“But now the conference is over, so I can focus on more enjoyable things.” Another kiss. Tingles. “Who are we spying on?”
“We’re not spying. If you decide to get married on a public beach, you better be prepared for some uninvited guests. Besides, I wanted to see how this turned out. I’ve been to a lot of weddings this summer.
“After playing at Rachel’s sister’s wedding, I realized I know a ton of people in the industry. This bride called Jack in panic about the chairs, and I knew some people. Jack was so happy to let me handle the call that he’s letting me help with two more weddings here this month.”
“Does that pay well?”
Callie laughed. “They tipped him fifty bucks. He gave it to me.”
“Not bad. If you could plan ten weddings a week, it’d be a good part-time job. Speaking of which,” Ryan turned toward her, guiding her into his arms. “What did you find out about your job?”
Sadness settled in Callie’s chest. “Jan’s taking it.” A flicker of panic tickled her conscience, but she reminded herself of God’s provisions. “I’ve haven’t had any luck finding another job in Michigan, so I’m going to stay with Jack, at least through Christmas.”
Ryan’s face split into the biggest smile she’d ever seen. “That’s awful.”
“Yeah, I thought you might feel that way.” Despite the uncertainty of being unemployed, her knees melted at the look in Ryan’s eyes.
“What’s the plan now?”
Pe
ace flowed through Callie’s veins. “I don’t know. I picked up another piano gig because of Rachel’s wedding, and I’ve gotten a couple of calls about lessons. I can give lessons and substitute teach until I know the next step.”
“I love hearing you talk like that.” As if to prove it, Ryan leaned down and kissed her. Her heart jumped just like it had the first time.
When he pulled away, Callie followed, trapping his lips again. In his arms with his lips covering hers, the heat and the humidity—even the tourists—didn’t bother her. Maybe it was the wedding behind them. Maybe it was the thought of four more months in Traverse City. Maybe it was just Ryan, but Callie leaned closer, happy to absorb all of the love and warmth he offered.
Laughter.
She leaned back and looked at the wedding. The minister continued to talk as the guests and wedding party chuckled. Love and laughter. Everything Callie wanted. Ryan tickled her side. Everything she already had. She grabbed his hand. “Let’s get you out of this sun. I’m roasting. You must be dying in those clothes.”
“Anything for you.” His fingers laced with hers as he pulled her under the tree beside the hammock. He didn’t release her, and she didn’t complain. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Shoot.”
“Not now. How about having dinner with me tonight?”
Callie stepped back and looked at him. Those clear blue eyes twinkled. She narrowed her gaze. “What’s going on?”
“Have dinner with me and I’ll tell you.”
His left hand moved up her arm, but Callie shook free of his distracting touch. “If I’ve learned anything this summer, it’s to trust God, but a close second is to not put off those things that need to be said.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “We can talk about it now.”
Ryan cocked his head. His eyebrows arched. “You really want to do this?”
“Yes.” She nodded for emphasis. “With my luck, I’ll slip on a banana peel and end up in the emergency room instead of at the restaurant. Out with it.”
“Okay.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I have an idea about where you can go next year.”
“To teach?” Not exactly what she’d been expecting, but potentially helpful.
“No, not to teach. I have an idea about where you could live.”
Callie dropped her arms. “That’s it?” Apparently, some things could wait to be said. She tried not to look too disappointed, but the spark left Ryan’s eyes. She wasn’t hiding her feelings very well.
Ryan scrubbed a hand across his face. “This isn’t exactly how I’d planned this.”
“Sometimes planning doesn’t always work out, you know. Things happen, and—”
“Hi, Callie!”
Stacey’s voice cheered up the atmosphere. Callie peeked around the tree, waving at Stacey as she bounced across the lawn. Jack trudged along beside her. Interesting.
Stacey rushed up to them. “Are we interrupting?”
Callie shook her head. “Not really.”
“Yes.” Ryan gave her a squeeze.
She elbowed him in the ribs. “Don’t be rude. Jack, weren’t you going to town today?”
“I went.”
“Then he called me.” Stacey beamed.
Ridiculous. Stacey was more excited about a call from Jack than Callie would be about a winning lottery ticket. When Stacey looked up at Jack, he smiled at her. Not just a friendly smile. Jack looked … smitten. Eew.
“Are you two …” Callie waved a finger between them.
“Going out to dinner? Yes.” Stacey practically floated off the lawn.
Double eew. Callie summoned enough excitement to push up a smile. She could be happy for Jack, but poor Stacey. She had to eat dinner with him. “You know, Ryan and I were just planning our own date. Maybe we could double?”
“No.” Jack and Ryan answered together.
“What is wrong with you?” Callie looked up at the strange, rude man beside her. “It’s just dinner.”
“Yes, but we have plans.”
“We can change them. Come on.” She turned on the charm, giving him her sweetest smile. “You’ve finally won me over to your side. Let’s change plans.”
Ryan sighed. “We need to have that talk.”
“You two talk, I need to change.” Jack grabbed Stacey’s hand and pulled her toward the house.
So weird.
Ryan leaned into her sightline. “Callie?”
She pushed him out of the way, her eyes fixed on the happy couple. “It’s like seeing something out of Ripley’s Believe It or Not.” No wonder Jack never wanted to hear about her issues with men. Seeing your sibling with a significant other did strange things to your insides. Callie couldn’t quite figure out the simultaneous urges to protect and vomit.
“Calista.” Ryan whispered in her ear. “Focus.”
Tingly. “Okay.” She looked back into his handsome face.
“How long do you need to get ready for dinner?”
“I just need to change.”
“Great.” Ryan dropped a kiss on her cheek.
“I can change right after we have that talk.”
His hands dropped to his sides.
“I’m serious.” Callie stepped back. “No more waiting for the perfect moment. What is it?”
Hands on his hips, Ryan shook his head, but smiled. “Fine. We’ll do it your new way and forget the plan. Will you marry me?”
“What?” She must have heatstroke. She was hallucinating, hearing things.
Ryan stepped toward her, smiling. He grabbed her left hand, raised it to his lips. Electricity shot through her arm. He opened a small white box. Where had that come from?
“Calista Marie Stevens, I love you, and I very much want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
A perfect, round solitaire in the hands of her perfect, wonderful man. The diamond sparkled, even in the shade. She should say something. “You want to marry me?”
“Yes, I do.”
Not the plan. She picked up the box, inspecting the ring from every angle. So not the plan.
“Cal?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Do you want to keep it?”
Forever. Especially because Ryan came with the ring.
People cheered. They really cheered. No, wait. Callie looked over her shoulder as the groom kissed the bride. The audience applauded, encouraging the groom, who dipped his new wife. How appropriate.
Callie couldn’t stop her smile. When she looked at Ryan, his ocean- blue eyes captured hers. Pushing up on her tiptoes, she leaned into him, pressing her lips to his. “I never thought anything like this could happen without a plan,” she whispered against his lips. “I’m so glad I was wrong.”
“I love you.”
Heat and shivers and butterflies, all while Callie pushed back the tears. “I love you too.”
“So you’ll marry me?”
“Yes, yes, y—”
Ryan cut off her words, kissing her again and again.
No job, no home, but perfect. Callie smiled against Ryan’s mouth.
He leaned back just far enough to look into her eyes. “You’re happy?”
“Absolutely. And now I get to plan my wedding.”
—The Beginning—
Karin Beery grew up along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the product of a rural community. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Hillsdale College before getting a “real” job in the hospitality industry.
Though she’d been writing stories since high school, not until her husband’s cancer diagnosis did she turn her hobby into something more. Eleven years, more than five hundred fifty articles, and four manuscripts later, she received her first book publishing contract.
Today, Karin is a fulltime writer and editor. She
is active with the Christian Editor Network, serving as the Christian Editor Connection Coordinator, and teaching several classes through the PEN Institute. She also teaches writing and editing classes at local and national conferences. She works from Northern Michigan where she lives with her two cats, two dogs, and amazing husband—who is cancer-free! She loves to talk about books and writing, so please don’t hesitate to say hi!
