“Ha!” A pleased expression crossed her face before she turned to the window. “You’ll never see me without makeup. I refuse to leave home without it.”
Their conversation continued as Murray drove to Bruce’s ranch and pulled into his driveway. He stopped beside the two-story farmhouse.
Tonya glanced at her watch. “We’re early. I’d rather wait in Bruce’s living room than out here in the car.” She touched the door handle.
Murray leaned toward her. “Hang on, Tonya. I’ll get your door.”
Tonya raised her eyebrows as she watched him walk around the front of the car. Murray was taking this date seriously. She sighed, asking God to forgive her for being selfish. I’m not going to think about that stupid ticket. She would have a good time tonight—for Aggie’s sake.
She smiled as he held open her door. “Thank you, Murray.”
Together they ascended the steps to the farmhouse and crossed the wide wooden porch. Murray lifted the brass knocker and rapped twice.
Bruce opened the door. “Good evening. Come on in.” He grabbed a bouquet of yellow roses from the end table near the door. The roses were wrapped in clear cellophane.
Tonya smiled at him. “What pretty flowers, and yellow is Aggie’s favorite color.”
Bruce’s handsome face looked a little pale. “To be honest, I’m a bit rusty on dating protocol.” His Scottish burr sounded thicker than usual. “My hope is that Agatha will enjoy the flowers, and the evening.”
“She will.” Tonya’s sister, Callie, always said Bruce MacKinnon reminded her of Clark Gable. Tonya saw a resemblance, although Bruce didn’t have a mustache. But he stood straight and tall with a commanding presence. No wonder Aggie was attracted to him. If he were forty years younger, Tonya might be attracted to the man herself.
They talked together for a few minutes before Bruce looked at his watch. “Are we ready to go?”
Murray cracked his knuckles. “We’re all set, Bruce. Let’s pick up Aggie.”
A cloud of annoyance settled over Tonya, threatening to rain on her good mood. She hated Murray cracking his knuckles, and it brought all his faults to her mind. He was so stubborn about upholding the law, and then there was that strong aftershave he always wore.
They walked to the SUV. Opening the door behind the driver’s seat, Bruce disappeared into the back. Murray and Tonya stopped beside the front passenger door, and she felt Murray place his hand on the small of her back as he leaned over to open it.
His face was close to hers, and she took a deep breath. Hmmm … no strong fragrance.
“Murray, you’re not wearing aftershave.” The words tumbled out of her mouth before she even thought. What a stupid thing to say!
His eyes met hers. “It made you sneeze, so I stopped wearing it—about a month ago.”
“Oh.” She thought back, realizing it was true. “That was thoughtful of you. Thanks.”
He gave a little nod as his eyes held hers. “You’re welcome.” Then he opened the car door and waited while she got in.
Bruce cleared his throat. “I wish Murray had let me drive my car.”
Tonya swiveled to face him. “Don’t be nervous, Bruce. Aggie will talk enough for both of you.”
“True.” He looked out the window as Murray settled behind the steering wheel.
Within ten minutes, they were at Aggie’s doorstep. Tonya watched Bruce knock on her door and then enter the house. She turned to Murray. “I wonder why Bruce is so nervous. He and Aggie talk on the phone all the time. They’re good friends.”
Murray shrugged. “Maybe Bruce doesn’t like change, and he’s afraid their platonic relationship will turn into something more.” He glanced toward the house. “I think he feels—whoa!” His jaw dropped. “Is that Aggie?”
Tonya looked toward the house in time to see Bruce and Aggie descend the porch steps. Aggie was wearing a green dress with a long jacket that had a slimming effect. Her light hair was still styled the way Tonya had fixed it, although Aggie had added a tiara that sparkled when she moved.
Tonya grinned. “Yep, that’s her. She would have to add her own signature in her hairstyle with that tiara.”
“Wow, you were right. She looks like a different person. Good job, Tonya!”
A warm feeling flowed through her at his praise. “Thanks.”
Bruce opened the back door and Aggie slipped inside. “Good evening, ya’ll!” There was a definite lilt in her voice.
Murray nodded at her. “Aggie, you look fantastic. You should wear your hair like that all the time.”
With a smile she looked down, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. “Aw, thanks, Murray. But I can’t take any credit. Tonya’s the expert on beauty and style.”
“I know.” Murray looked at Tonya and winked. “She looks great, too.”
An unexpected flutter hit Tonya’s stomach. But she didn’t have time to dwell on the implications. Bruce got in, and Aggie started up the conversation as Murray started up the car. Tonya and Aggie did most of the talking while Murray and Bruce did most of the listening. Twice Tonya caught Bruce appraising Aggie with a slight smile on his face. Tonya drew in a satisfied breath.
When Murray turned onto the interstate, Bruce sat forward. “Murray, where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” Murray grinned at Tonya before glancing into the backseat. “I realize we agreed on a restaurant, Bruce, but Tonya and I decided on a better one in Cheyenne.”
Bruce cocked an eyebrow at Tonya. “Well, all right.”
She smiled. “You’ll like it, Bruce.” I hope you don’t mind paying twice as much!
Murray exited the freeway and found the Four Seasons. As they entered the restaurant, the women decided to make a pit stop in the powder room, leaving Murray alone with Bruce in the lobby. With shiny marble floors and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, it looked like they had stepped into a beautiful mansion. A sweeping staircase ascended to the second floor with a balcony overlooking the lobby.
“Sorry about the switch in restaurants, Bruce.” Murray stuck his hands in his pockets, trying for a nonchalant look. “Since it was Tonya’s and my idea, I’ll pick up the tab.”
“No, no.” Bruce glanced around the lobby. “I’m glad we came here. I’ll be more than happy to pay for Agatha and myself.”
The ladies emerged from the restroom, and the waiter showed them to a table for four with a snowy linen tablecloth and good silverware.
Murray pulled out Tonya’s chair and seated her while Bruce did the same for Aggie. This is certainly better than Phoebe’s.
Sitting across the table from Tonya was the highlight of his evening—excellent food with beautiful company. The four of them talked about their mutual friends and families. Bruce told stories about his boyhood in Scotland, and Aggie regaled them with stories from Texas. Tonya even laughingly told them how Murray had chased her with a toad when they were children, although she didn’t mention anything about warts.
Murray hadn’t enjoyed himself so much for months. Not even his birthday at the Brandts’ home could compare with dating Tonya. Could they possibly have a romantic relationship?
Leaving the restaurant a little after nine, they dropped Aggie off at her house. Murray drove Bruce home, and the man couldn’t stop talking about the wonderful evening.
“I’m glad you insisted on that restaurant, Murray.” Bruce sat back, relaxed. “The Four Seasons was an excellent choice.”
“Actually, it was Tonya’s idea.” Murray winked at her. “And don’t you think those two women are worth it?”
“Oh, most definitely. We had such an enjoyable evening.”
Tonya just smiled.
A few minutes later Murray pulled the SUV into Bruce’s driveway, and they bade him good-bye. On the way home, Tonya discussed the date, particularly how much Bruce enjoyed Aggie’s new look.
“I think they’re perfect together, don’t you?”
He grinned. “Yeah, perfect.” Just like us. He reveled
in this side of Tonya, enjoying her enthusiasm in someone else’s success.
They traveled in a comfortable silence for a mile before Tonya spoke up.
“Murray, I have a question to ask you.”
He glanced at her. “What?”
“Could you please cancel my speeding ticket from this morning?” She leaned toward him and fluttered her eyelashes. “I learned my lesson. Honest. From now on, even if I’m late to work, I’ll drive the speed limit.”
With a sigh, he concentrated on his driving. She was so tempting. He wished he could pull her into his arms and kiss her and that she would passionately kiss him back. But he was just fooling himself. Tonya would never kiss him back.
He shrugged. “It’s too late. The ticket’s out of my hands now. But there is one thing you could try.”
“What’s that?” She leaned a little closer.
He glanced at her beautiful face, so close to his. “You could go to court and plead not guilty.”
“Really?” A look of hope filled her eyes.
“But then, since you’re guilty, I’d have to go and testify against you, and they would take my word over yours.”
“Murray!” Folding her arms, she slumped back in her seat. “I thought we were friends. Why do you have to be so hard-hearted?”
“I’m upholding the law, Tonya. Just because you’re my friend doesn’t mean I’ll let you off the hook when you break the law.”
“I bet you would ticket your own mother.”
Murray chuckled. “Yep—haul her to jail if I had to, but I can’t imagine my mom breaking the speed limit. Her personality is different than yours, and I’ve discovered that people drive according to their personality.”
“I suppose that’s true.” She sat up a little straighter. “Did you know that people play the piano according to their personalities?”
He grinned. “I’ve noticed that about you, too.”
She raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You drive a car the same way you play the piano.” Murray turned right on Antelope Road. “Just from listening to your piano playing, I can tell what kind of personality you have.”
“So what kind is it?”
Self-confident. Aggressive. Proud. But he couldn’t say that. “Uh, let’s look at it this way. Right now I’m driving sixty-five miles per hour, which is the speed limit on this road.” He glanced at her. “Do you think we’re going too slow?”
She shrugged. “Not really.”
“No, this is the correct speed you should drive on Antelope Road, just as you should play the piano at the correct speed on a hymn, such as ‘Victory in Jesus.’ ”
Her eyes widened. “You were dragging that hymn, Murray. It sounded like the congregation was at a funeral.”
“A funeral?” He felt his ire rise. “You were racing the tempo. The people couldn’t even spit the words out.”
“That’s not true!” Tonya’s voice rose a notch. “No one sang fast enough to have a problem with the words. The tempo on that hymn should be allegro, but half the congregation didn’t know whether to follow you or me.”
“Wasn’t I the song leader?” Anger simmered as he thumped his chest. “You were supposed to follow me, not vice versa. If you had followed my leading, everything would have been fine.”
“You were singing way too slow.”
“That doesn’t matter!” He glared at her before looking back at the road. “I was the song director—the person the congregation was supposed to follow. Why can’t you understand that?”
“Wayne Holland never leads the hymns that slow.” Folding her arms tightly, she turned toward the passenger window.
Murray glanced at her stiff back. Like air releasing from a balloon, his temper went flat. This argument was causing their relationship to race toward nonexistent. “All right, never mind.”
A thick silence pervaded the car as he drove down the Brandts’ driveway. As soon as he stopped, Tonya opened the passenger door.
“Thanks for the dinner.” She didn’t smile, and she didn’t look at him. Instead she slammed the door and walked to the house.
Murray watched her disappear inside before releasing a long breath, which turned into a prayer. Lord, why can’t we get along?
Tonya closed the front door gently, hoping no one would hear her. She was in no mood to discuss her date with Murray. From the noise emanating from the den, Mom and Dad must be watching TV. Fortunately it would cover up any sounds she might make.
As she trudged up the stairs, her heart seemed to get heavier with each step. What a horrible end to the evening! She entered her bedroom and glanced at her computer. Poe. That’s who she wanted to pour out her heart to. But she’d have to wait until eleven o’clock, their agreed-on time, since she had told him she would be out tonight. If only she could call him, or better yet, talk face-to-face.
With a sigh, she dropped into the desk chair. Her Bible sat next to the computer, and her conscience hit her. She hadn’t read God’s Word for two days.
No wonder I’m a mess.
Glancing at the clock, she calculated forty-five minutes before Poe would get on his computer. She would read until then. Last week she had discovered that Poe was a Christian, which made her feel two hundred percent better about their relationship. And from some of the things they had discussed, she could tell he had an intimate relationship with the Lord. Poe would give her good advice about Murray.
Opening the Bible at the marker in First Samuel chapter sixteen, she read the story of Samuel seeking a new king among Jesse’s sons. The words soon spoke to her.
Samuel looked at Eliab, the tall and handsome eldest son, and figured this was God’s anointed. But the Lord told Samuel not to look on the man’s countenance or his height because He had refused him. The Lord didn’t see Eliab the way Samuel saw him. “For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Tonya sat back. The outward appearance. To her that was the most important thing. Didn’t she want a tall, handsome man to marry? But she had dated all the handsome men she knew, and they only cared about her beautiful face and good figure, not her heart. The only man who cared about her heart was Poe.
And Murray.
Tonya frowned. Murray? But she had to acknowledge it was true.
She thought back over the past few hours. Bruce was right—it was an enjoyable evening. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was perfect, and Tonya had enjoyed sitting across the table from Murray. He was a good conversationalist and seemed genuinely interested in her as a person. He never stared at her or made snide comments, as some of her past dates had done. Instead he was a gentleman in the best sense of the word.
She bowed her head. Lord, please forgive me for only looking at the outward appearance. How could she condemn those who were less than beautiful, as if it were their fault? God had created Murray’s close-set eyes and long nose, but she hadn’t thought about his looks one time while they were eating.
And what about Poe? Despite everyone’s predictions about a predator who wanted to meet her in a dark alley, Poe didn’t want to meet her at all. Since they had begun instant messaging, she had invited him over for dinner three times, but he turned her down every time.
There had to be a reason.
With a sigh, she removed the sapphire necklace and gazed at it. She was falling in love with Poetry Lover Guy—a man who knew her heart better than anyone else. A man who loved the Lord and who cared about her. And she cared about him, no matter who he was.
If only she knew.
Chapter 15
At the wedding rehearsal on Friday night, the pastor at the Douglas church looked up from his little black notebook to Molly and Jonathan. “Who has the ring?”
Standing on the far left side of the church platform, Tonya gave a silent sigh, wishing she were the bride instead of a bridesmaid. She fingered her sapphire necklace.
Callie and Melissa stood beside her,
and all three faced Molly and Jonathan. The sisters had decided to wear floor-length skirts to practice for their bridesmaid dresses tomorrow. Tonya glanced down at the creamy-yellow dress she wore. She loved the way the silky fabric swirled around her legs when she walked. Tomorrow the bridesmaids would wear the fuchsia dresses she and Mom had sewn, with pearl necklaces Molly had given them.
Derek, Ryan, and Murray comprised the groomsmen. Murray stood on the far right and wore the elevator shoes. He was three inches taller than usual, but still, he only came up to Ryan’s chin.
Tonya hadn’t seen Murray since their “disastrous date” on Tuesday night. That’s what she called it, even though the only disastrous part was at the end. When she had poured out her heart to Poe about Murray’s law-abiding stubbornness, Poe sympathized and then sided with Murray. In his opinion if she broke the speed limit, she should accept her punishment and pay the fine instead of complaining about it. That was the gist of his thoughts, but he wrote each sentence in a sweet way. Before they parted, Poe softened the entire conversation by saying, “I wish we could talk all night and then watch the sun come over the horizon together.”
It was so romantic that she immediately forgave him for siding with Murray.
Tonya dragged her attention back to the rehearsal.
The pastor closed his notebook. “Then I’ll say, ‘You may kiss the bride.’ ” He grinned at Jon. “I suppose you could practice that right now.”
Jon shyly pecked Molly on the cheek. Callie looked at Tonya and giggled.
“Okay. Now you need to turn toward the audience.” The pastor waited while Molly and Jon complied. He raised his voice. “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hunt.”
The opening chords of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” burst from the organ. Tonya watched Molly and Jonathan leave the platform, followed by Derek and Melissa, and then Callie and Ryan.
Murray smiled as he moved toward her and held out his elbow. Averting her eyes, she crossed to the middle of the platform. He wore a short-sleeve shirt, and she linked her hand through his arm, feeling the strength of his muscle. Together they descended the steps and joined the others. It felt strange to walk beside a taller Murray.
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