by JoAnn Durgin
Marc resisted laughing outright. It was his turn to slap Sam on the shoulder as he moved past him. “Tonight you filled our heads with thoughts of physical love and then sent us all back to our cabins. Thanks a lot. Guess I’ll be going back to my own bed now . . . alone.” The look he shot Sam’s way was brimming with irony.
“A little tension is good for a relationship.”
Marc stared into the distance. “I’ll pretend you didn’t just say that. Of course, it’s all good and well for you, especially since you’ve got Lexa’s twin gazelles which feed among the lilies to go home to tonight. Or however the verse goes.”
Sam’s laughter rang out in the stillness of the night.
“I’m not even sure what that means, but I’m sure it’s all quite good. I just want you to keep in mind that others of us don’t have that to look forward to . . . at least not at the moment.”
“Chapter eight, verse fourteen says, ‘Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.’”
“Enough already with the gazelles.” Holding up one hand, Marc shook his head. “Would I happen to be the stag in that passage?” Even though he realized he was probably taking it way out of context, he couldn’t help but see the humor. After all, even the Lord has a sense of humor.
“That verse refers to separated lovers longing to be reunited and compares it to the Church longing for Christ as its Bridegroom.” Sam tilted his head, surveying him. “Get the picture?”
“It’s pretty clear, yes, and Natalie and I fit the whole separated lovers description. I also remember a verse in there somewhere that talks about your neck being like the tower of David, built with rows of stones. Well, old man, I think one of those stones in your tower has traveled to points north in your brain.” He resumed walking, and Sam fell into step beside him.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re accusing me of having rocks for brains.”
“Never. All I’m suggesting is that it might be better to stick with married couples when you’re doing a devotional from that particular book.” He shot Sam another glance loaded with meaning. “People who have someone to go home to.” He paused for effect. “Get the picture?”
Sam shook his head. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I think I’m helping when it only makes it more difficult for you. My intent was for you to focus on the positive aspects of a union between a man and a woman who are blessed by God. It’s something for the younger, unmarried singles to look to as the ideal in a marriage relationship, and something for married couples to reflect on and maybe gain some new insight.” A slight frown creased his brow and he adjusted his Stetson. “Perhaps you’re right, especially since most of my TeamWork crew isn’t married. Yet.”
“Natalie and I are stuck somewhere in the middle. It’s like we’re in some weird,” Marc said, gesturing with one hand, “relationship limbo.” His smile sobered as the old familiar sadness reared its pesky head.
“Marc, do you even realize how far you’ve come with Natalie since you arrived here in Montana? You two were spitting mad at each other when I picked you up at the airport. She could barely look at you, much less speak to you. Based on her body language alone, it’s a miracle you’ve come as far as you have in such a short time. Tonight, she was practically making love to you with her eyes.” Sam shook his head and snorted. “Don’t even get me started on you, Moony Eyes.”
“Thanks for the recap.”
“Has Natalie forgiven you?”
“She hasn’t said it in so many words. One minute I think she has, and the next, I’m not so sure. It’s all very confusing.”
“She’s probably working her way through all this. In some ways, it might not be the easiest thing being within the confines of the ranch, but you can take heart in the rowdy group of cheerleaders rooting for you from the sidelines.”
“What did you just say?” Marc’s brows raised.
“From what Lexa told me, the other women have pretty much told your wife she needs to forgive you. And,” Sam added, “that she’d best do it soon or you might start looking elsewhere. Which I assured her you’d never do.”
Marc’s mouth downturned. “Why would they think such a thing? I mean, I know I don’t have the best track record, but I trust not everyone in the camp knows that.”
Sam leaned against a fence railing and shook his head. “I think the other women have their suspicions based on what they’ve witnessed happening between the two of you. Remember, your wife’s known Amy, Winnie and Rebekah a few years. Even though Natalie might not remember much about them, they know her. Know how to read her, and love her. They’re rallying around her and desperately want to see you two reunited. You know how women are natural born matchmakers. They did what they could for Lexa and me in San Antonio when we were working through our own relationship issues. They’re good women. None better.”
Marc shoved his gloved hands as far as they’d go in the pockets of his jacket as he leaned back against the railing beside Sam. “It’s comforting to know I’ve got a personal cheerleading contingent. A man could do worse.” He allowed the beginnings of a small grin. “Let’s face it. I need all the support and encouragement I can get.”
“I don’t think I’ve told you how much I admire you for telling Natalie about your past. Even though I encouraged you to do it, it still took guts some men wouldn’t have. You risked a lot. It’s an extreme test of strength and character to admit your past sins, especially knowing it might irretrievably break the marriage.”
“Gee, thanks . . . I think. I’ll never admit it out loud, but sometimes you make a lot of sense, old man.” Marc was starting to lose feeling in his extremities and turned back in the direction of the men’s cabin, rubbing shoulders with Sam. Walking close together trapped the body heat, making it more bearable.
“Are you meeting up with Natalie to say good night?” Sam asked.
“No, she’s tired. I’m sure she’s already gone back to the cabin. Everything combined—the pregnancy, the weather, the work here—she needs her rest.”
“Good man. And, again, for the record, I’m sorry, buddy. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Marc gave into his grin. “Forgiven. Now, go enjoy your sweet nectar. But do me a big favor and enjoy it for me, too.”
Chapter 37
The next day, they all gathered in the main house for a celebration shortly after lunch to welcome Rebekah home from the hospital. It was great to see the color in her cheeks and she seemed no worse for her experience. As they prayed together as a group, Beck thanked the Lord for putting Marc out there in the wilderness and saving her life. Her voice choked with emotion. Afterwards, the women all gathered around her as most of the men quietly departed to their various posts. Catching Natalie’s eye, Marc winked and headed out the door with Eliot and Dean.
Hugging Natalie, Beck wiped away her tears. “You were the first TeamWork volunteer to ever befriend me and welcome me to the group. You showed me around the work camp and made sure I met everyone. I’ll never forget your kindness to me when I was just an 18-year-kid wanting to serve Jesus with no idea what I was doing or how I could even help.” She took her hands, holding them tight. “I’ll pray somehow your memory will be restored, and especially your love for Marc.” She smiled. “Thanks to your husband, I’ll be around for a lot more TeamWork missions, Lord willing.”
As Beck moved across the room to speak with Lexa, Kevin approached. “Excuse me, Natalie, can I speak with you before you leave?” Hands in his pockets, he shuffled his feet on the floor, and looked more nervous than a child ready to face the principal’s wrath for a prank. She’d seen that look enough times. That thought stopped her cold. She remembered.
Natalie struggled to find her voice. She smiled, wanting to put the shy man at ease. “You’ve known me a few years now, Kevin.” She shrugged, giving him a sheepish look. “At least from what I understand. You don’t have to be so formal.”
The tautness around his mouth vis
ibly relaxed, and his smile reached his eyes as they strayed over Natalie’s shoulder. “I’ll see you later, Rebekah.”
Natalie hid her grin and resisted turning to look back at Beck. That first blush of love was so sweet. Tall, dark-haired and lean but muscular, Kevin had boy-next-door, classic good looks. He and Rebekah would make a striking couple, and their personalities would complement one another.
“I’m glad she’s recovering well.”
Kevin nodded. “Other than an occasional numbness in her hands, she’s going to be fine.” His eyes met hers. “Thanks to Marc.”
“Why don’t we go talk in the family room.” Kevin followed as she led the way. Seating herself in the rocking chair, Natalie put one hand on her belly and exhaled a long, slow breath.
“Are you feeling okay?” He moved quickly to her side, his concern for her welfare touching.
“I’m fine. Just getting used to the little butterfly kicks in my belly. They’re coming with more regularity now.” It seemed her body was changing every day, and it both scared and exhilarated her.
“That must be pretty awesome. Marc’s talked about how excited he is to be a father.” Kevin dropped onto the sofa by the chair. “He started talking one night about how he thinks the baby is a girl. How he can’t wait to hold her, teach her to throw a baseball, ride a bike, take her to dinner and give her a string of pearls on her sixteenth birthday . . .”
It was surprising Marc shared that much with him, but it was good to hear. Goodness, he probably envisioned dancing with their daughter at her wedding. “He didn’t happen to tell you her name, did he?”
Kevin laughed. “No, but knowing Marc, he probably has one picked out.”
“No doubt.”
“What do the butterfly kicks feel like?” His eyes fell to her stomach before he looked away, his cheeks coloring.
“Sort of like my stomach’s growling, but it’s more of a fluttering instead of a low rumble. Like I’m being tickled from the inside out.” She settled back in the rocker and gave him another smile of encouragement. “But I’m sure that’s not what you wanted to talk about.”
“I overheard a conversation Marc had earlier today. He was talking on his phone.”
Natalie’s eyes widened. “If it was a private conversation . . .” She shifted, suddenly uncomfortable.
“I don’t think I’m betraying any confidences by telling you. Trust me, I think you’ll be glad to know.”
Everyone knew Kevin was the model of discretion. She trusted him. “Okay. You’ve definitely got my attention now.”
“Marc listened for a long time, a big frown on his face. Then he went over to the wall of the cabin and pounded it with his fist. Not real hard, but hard enough. I could tell it was someone from his agency. They must have asked him if he could go back to Boston, but he kept insisting he couldn’t. Apparently, they’ve left him tons of voicemails since he’s been here in Montana.” Kevin sat up straighter, leaning close. “From what I gather, a major client of Marc’s agency—some huge baseball star—is threatening to pull out of a big ad campaign and insists on speaking and meeting with him about it. I could tell by the worried look on his face how much it took out of him to say he couldn’t leave, even if it meant losing that ad campaign. As a matter of fact, Marc said in no uncertain terms that he was here in Montana to reconnect with you and nothing was going to interfere with that purpose. He told them to handle it without him.”
A slow smile tipped the corners of Kevin’s mouth. “After he hung up, he did the strangest thing. He stomped outside the cabin, burrowed a little hole in the snow and buried his phone, all the while quoting scripture verses about patience and dealing with anger. It was pretty funny watching him digging with his hands through the snow—like Elwood burying his dog bone in the ground. Snow was flying fast and furious all over the place.”
Natalie laughed. “Why do you think he did that?”
Kevin shrugged. “My guess is that if he doesn’t have the phone nearby, he can’t worry about what he’ll miss. He’s removing the source of temptation.”
Natalie’s eyes opened wide at that comment.
“Here’s the thing. Marc made a choice. When it came down to choosing between his business and you, he picked you. A lot of men would really struggle with that choice.” He shrugged. “I just thought you should know.”
Natalie’s smile came from the depths of her heart. “Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate your sharing that with me.” If only he knew.
~~**~~
After supper the next evening, Marc watched Natalie as everyone gathered around the fireplace in the main house. They lounged on the sofa, in the chairs or leaned against the brick hearth as they sang together and traded fun stories and testimonials. Sitting between Winnie and Amy, she looked barely older than a teenager, fresh-faced with no makeup. Hair scooped back in a twist at the back of her head, her cheeks glowed with health from being outdoors. He breathed a prayer of thanks she no longer suffered from any morning sickness, and couldn’t keep his eyes away from her. Even though he hoped she’d sit beside him, he knew it would be too much of a distraction.
Sam spoke up. “Why don’t we go around the circle tonight and everyone share what the Lord’s revealing to them since they’ve been here at Milestone Ranch.”
“I’ll go first,” Kevin said. “God’s teaching me to open my eyes to the beauty all around us in His creation.” He purposely avoided looking Beck’s way, but no way was he referring only to the grandeur of the Montana environment. Everyone in the room knew it. Hopefully, Beck would catch on soon enough and put the poor kid out of his misery. Since falling in the creek, she’d awakened to Kevin’s special attention. From the looks of it, she wasn’t exactly resistant to his charms, but no one knew if she’d made any decisions regarding her British beau back home. They were young, and had plenty of time. It was doubtful Beck would ever find a man more devoted to her than Kevin.
Marc shifted his position, catching Natalie’s eye and winking. She blushed and gave into a grin. If he was really blessed, tonight might be a turning point. He startled. Why was everyone staring at him? “My turn?” Soft chuckles rippled around the group. Like Kevin avoiding Beck, he now avoided glancing Natalie’s way. They’d all get the point, anyway.
“The Lord’s teaching me about grace . . . and patience.” They all laughed, none louder than Sam. He shot him a wry grin. Zoning out for a couple of minutes, Marc broke out of his musings with a start when he noticed the circle had moved around to Natalie. She was the last one to share.
“And what is God teaching you, Natalie?” Lexa said. If it was possible, every person gathered in the circle strained forward to hear the answer.
Natalie looked across the circle, directly at him, and smiled. “God’s teaching me the power of forgiveness.”
Winnie let out a delighted gasp before clamping a quick hand over her mouth and darting a wide-eyed, embarrassed glance his way. “Sorry,” she mouthed. Amy was beside herself and gave him a huge grin. Marc chuckled under his breath. You’d think the TeamWork volunteers were at a tennis match, watching the volleying back and forth. It was rather comical, and Sam and Lexa’s amused grins did not escape him.
After a short closing prayer, Sam rose to his feet and closed his Bible with a definitive snap. “Well, I think that about does it for tonight. Thanks everyone. Good night, sleep well. See you in the morning.” Marc laughed under his breath as Sam stifled a fake yawn.
It was amazing how quickly the room cleared. Sam and Lexa excused themselves and wasted no time in retreating to their quarters at the back of the house. Within three minutes, only he and Natalie sat together in front of the fireplace.
“You sure know how to clear a room,” he said, “but you’re still too far away.” He patted the spot on the floor next to him, giving her his best come-hither look. He didn’t trust himself not to kiss the living daylights out of her. It was becoming increasingly difficult to resist. Arms resting on raised knees, he watched as she mo
ved over, close enough, but with about two inches between them. Still too far away. She was in a receptive, playful mood. “More,” he said, his voice low. Returning his smile, she moved ever-so-slightly. “More.” Again, she moved another fraction of an inch. “More.” She smiled but didn’t budge. Leaning over, he whispered, “More. Please.”
With a sexy, throaty laugh he hadn’t heard in way too long, Natalie pushed his knees down to the floor. His hands fell to his sides, his blood throbbing in every pore. This night was getting more promising by the moment. “More,” she murmured, scooting over onto his lap. Facing him, she cupped his face between her hands.
“The most,” he whispered back. How he loved flirting with her. He repositioned her a bit. Squeezing the plastic clip securing her hair, he watched as that silky, luxurious waterfall fell about her shoulders, framing her face. “Natalie.” It sounded as reverent as his most heartfelt prayer. In a way, it was a prayer. A prayer of thanks for the gift of his wife.
She placed one hand on his shoulder and then repeated with the other, her movements slow and methodical. A secretive smile upturned those tempting lips. She leaned closer, stopping when her lips were only about an inch away. Marc memorized them, loving their fullness and softness. “Marc.” The sound of his name never sounded so sweet as when she breathed it against his lips. Natalie kissed him for all she was worth, and then kissed him again.
Loving every second, he wished it would never end. By the time they came up for air, it was getting really late, and his wife’s chin was a bit raw from his rough stubble. “Sorry.” He scratched his beard with a cockeyed smile before smoothing his thumb over her tender skin. “If I’d known the pleasure this night would bring, I would have been better prepared.”
“It’s my badge of honor, and definitely worth it. Besides, I kind of like it.” She traced his lips in the most tantalizing way he could imagine.
