by JoAnn Durgin
“Kevin left this morning.”
Rebekah snapped her attention back to Nancy. “Left? For where?”
“Why, Houston, of course.”
Did he go to visit Sam and Lexa? After all, it seemed the thing to do these days. “I hadn’t heard. Thanks.” She started to walk away but then turned back. “Will he be back anytime soon?” Why didn’t he tell me?
“I’m not really sure, sweetie. Opening a new location can take some time so I imagine he’s going to be there for quite a while. At least eight months or more, maybe even a year.”
Her heart sank. A year? “Thank you. I appreciate the information.” Her head reeled, her pulse pounded. Turning away from the counter, Rebekah clutched her stomach and hoped she wouldn’t be sick in public. Walking outside with slow steps, not paying attention, she was almost plowed down by Tommy on his way back inside. He looked like a lumberjack in his denim overalls and plaid work shirt rolled at the elbows, and his arms were piled high with lumber as he turned the corner. Seeing her at the last second, he swerved to avoid hitting her. In her surprise, she lost her balance and—with a startled cry—found herself sprawled on the ground a moment later.
“I’m so sorry, miss,” Tommy said, dropping the boards on the ground and reaching out to touch her arm. His eyes widened in recognition as they fell on her. “Why, Rebekah, honey, I didn’t know that was you. Are you okay?”
She shook her head, dazed. “I’m not really sure how to answer that question right now.”
“You don’t look so good, a little green around the gills. Here,” he said, putting one big hand under her arm and helping her to her feet, “you come inside to the office and let me get you a cup of water. Need an aspirin?”
“No. I’ll be fine. I’ll take the water and some answers, if you don’t mind.”
“Answers? Well, sure thing. I’ll do what I can.” Tommy steered her by the elbow and into his office at the back.
“Mommy, look, it’s Tommy! You know, the one on TV!” squealed a little girl. He’d become a popular local celebrity as Moore Lumber’s spokesman with a string of thirty-second television commercial spots perfectly suited to his fun-loving, outgoing personality.
He lit up like a Christmas tree. If possible, that chest puffed out even more as he waved and gave the child and her mother a huge smile. “Go see Nancy at the desk and she’ll give you a special surprise,” he called to the girl. Coming into the office behind Rebekah, he closed the door. “The price of fame, what can I say?” He shrugged and gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry about that.”
“No, you’re not.” She managed a small smile. “I think you’ve found your true calling.”
Tommy laughed under his breath. “I’m pretty shameless. If it brings in customers, I’m all for it. You should hear some of the ideas I’m planning for future commercials. Kevin thinks—” He stopped. “That’s not why you’re here. Tell me what’s up.” Crossing over to the water cooler in the corner, he gestured for her to sit in one of the chairs in front of the messy desk piled high with papers and littered with empty coffee cups. Pouring her a cup of ice cold water, he handed it to her. He watched as she drank all of it before handing the cup back to him with a grateful smile.
“Thanks. Nancy told me Kevin’s gone. He’s in Houston?” She tried not to crumple but wasn’t doing a very good job of it as her bottom lip trembled.
“Yeah. Left this morning.” Leaning his elbows on the desk, his eyes softened. “I take it he didn’t tell you, huh?” Tommy rubbed his hand over his face and leaned his chin on his fist.
Rebekah shook her head. “He’s been a little frustrated with me. Last night we had the best date in the history of the world. Oh, this is all my fault.” That one came out a near-wail. She was past the point of being embarrassed. “I’m so stupid and I waited too long. I should have told him.” Her head fell into her hands and the tears started flowing. She tried to stop them, but they streamed freely down her cheeks. Even her nose was running now. Any minute, she’d be wringing her hands. What a mess.
“Aw man, not the tears,” he muttered, running into the bathroom off the side of the office. Coming back, he shoved a wad of paper towels in her hands. “Sorry. I’m not too good with crying women. Ask my wife. She wants to send me to sensitivity training.”
She knew he was trying to lighten the mood and make her smile, but she was already too far gone. “I’m so. . .so. . .sooo. . .” She gulped. “So sorry.” Unable to stop, she cried as her heart broke. “Kevin can’t leave. He just can’t!” She buried her face in her hands, trying to stifle her sobs. She knew she was causing a scene now. “This is such a mess, and it’s all my fault.”
Tommy flew to the office window and jerked the cord to lower the blinds—but not all the way down—before moving back to stand beside her. “Honey, listen to me.” He put his big hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
“The business is doing so well that we’re expanding into Texas. Being single—at least for now,” he added, probably for her benefit, “Kevin’s the logical choice to scout out locations and get everything all set up, meet with the contractors, laborers, stuff like that. Besides,” he said with a grin, “he’s the smart one of us brothers. Dad needs to stick around to take care of Mom, and it’s pretty obvious my little brother’s the one who’s going to take over the business and run the whole show eventually. It’s not forever. He’ll be back.”
Getting control of her emotions, Rebekah squared her shoulders, dabbed at her eyes and looked up into his kind eyes.
“What’s this really all about?” He pulled over a chair and sat down beside her. “Talk to Tommy. I’m all ears.”
She dabbed at her eyes again. “Did Kevin say anything to you about Adam?”
“Nah. He never said anything about any Adam. What’s his last name?”
“Martin.” She sniffled again and blew her nose.
He scratched his head and pushed a strand of dark hair away from his forehead. “I know someone with that name paid us a whole lot of money for some fancy gazebo.”
“That’s now sitting in my backyard,” Rebekah said, shaking her head. “Adam ordered the gazebo?”
“Well, his American Express paid the deposit, but I saw Kevin refunded the guy’s money a few days ago.” His brows knit together. “You say it’s in your backyard?”
She nodded. “Did someone here in the warehouse put it together?”
Tommy chuckled. “Now it’s starting to make more sense. My little brother supervised that project all by his lonesome. Normally, some of the employees put those things together, but this one was all Kevin’s baby. He insisted on doing all the work himself, and designed it, cut the wood and everything. He put in a lot of hours finishing it up, working late into the night and even coming in on Sunday afternoon, which is something he’s never done before. You know Kevin,” he said, “he always sticks to the rule about keeping the Sabbath holy. But that Martin fellow insisted it be done within a certain time, so he had to scramble.”
Judging by the timing of the delivery of the gazebo, Adam probably intended to propose to her in it. But then she cut him loose. Why didn’t Adam just cancel the order after I broke up with him? Maybe he did, and that’s why Kevin refunded his money then decided he wanted to follow through with it. Kevin wasn’t a man to abandon a project once he’d started. Rebekah sat up straighter in her chair. “Tommy, do you know if Kevin’s already left for Houston?”
He glanced at his watch. “I’m not sure. He was scheduled to drive there sometime this morning, but I think he got a later start than planned.” He shot her a grin. “Said he was out really late—or early—this morning.” He reached for the phone on the desk. “Tell you what. How about we call him and find out? If he knows you’re here and upset, he’ll turn right around and come back here pronto.”
“No!” Rebekah said. She lowered her voice. “I wouldn’t want him to do that. Don’t call him, but can you do me a really big favor?”
“Anything for yo
u, honey.” When he looked at her, those blue eyes sparkled. She’d never noticed before how much they resembled Kevin’s.
“Please don’t tell him I was here. And mention it to Nancy, too. I’ll talk with Kevin, but I need to do it my own way. I hope you understand.”
Tommy chuckled. “Sure sounds to me like love’s involved.” He tilted his head. “Just what are you planning, pretty lady?”
“I’m not sure yet. I think a trip to Houston might be involved. Do you have any idea where he’s staying?” As soon as the question was out, Rebekah knew the answer.
“He’s staying with Sam and Lexa Lewis, at least for now.”
“Of course.” She wouldn’t expect anything else. She smiled a little as they both rose to their feet. “Okay, then, mum’s the word. Thanks for being here.”
“Sure thing. You know I’m always here for you.” Tommy grinned and winked. “Go get him, Tiger.”
Raising her chin and squaring her shoulders, Rebekah took her leave. “I’ll do my best.”
Chapter 43
That Same Afternoon
“Josh, where are you?” Rebekah asked.
“In my office, of course.” His tone sounded amused. “Where in the world is Rebekah Grant?”
“In my car headed from Moore Lumber back to my house, which now has a gazebo in the backyard, believe it or not. Interesting story, but I’ll tell you later. I have a question. If you could be anywhere else in the world right now, where would it be?”
“Houston.” No hesitation. “Why? Where would you want to be, Beck?”
“Same. How soon can you be ready?”
“Are we driving or flying? How soon are we talking here?”
“Well, I think a roadtrip might be in order to plan our respective strategies.” Good thing school was out for the summer. Closing her eyes, Rebekah lifted a silent prayer. She’d been praying for answers and things were finally falling into place. The Almighty must be quite amused watching their antics. No doubt about it, He had a sense of humor.
“And what might those strategies involve?”
“Well,” she told him slowly, savoring each word, “it’s time to finalize the biggest merger and acquisition of your life.” Knowing Josh, he’d probably had a bag packed for weeks.
“And you?”
“I have to go get my lumber man and tell him that I love him.”
~~**~~
Two hours later, Josh jumped out of his BMW and hurried up the front walkway. Remembering the gazebo, he walked around to the side of the house and laughed. There it was, all white and brand-spanking new and, sure enough, had hearts carved into the top, just like Kevin said. “What do you know?” Turning toward the side door to the kitchen, he spied Beck’s elderly neighbor. She stood by the side of her house, watering her plants.
“Hi, Mrs. Michelson!” He waved and graced her with his best smile.
“Josh,” she acknowledged with a nod. “Nice gazebo.”
“Yes, isn’t it?” He caught her rare smile as he headed into the kitchen. He was too jazzed about the upcoming trip to get after Beck for leaving her door unlocked. “Beck? I’m here. Your door was unlocked.” He figured she didn’t hear that one.
Not hearing an answer, he walked into the living room. “Beck?” he called up the stairs. He heard her muffled voice and bounded up the stairs, two at a time. He found her sitting on the end of her bed. He wasn’t sure if she was crying or praying so he dropped onto the bed beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him and grabbed his hand.
“I was just asking the Lord’s blessing on our little roadtrip-to-end-all-road-trips and asking Him for the right thing to say to Kevin.” She gave him a little smile and her lip trembled.
He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sure He’ll give you the right words. Are you packed?”
She nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be. I assume you want to drive?”
“Don’t I usually?” Standing, he smoothed his hands on his jeans. “Ready to go?”
“Sit back down first. Calm down, stop pacing, and let’s pray together.”
“You’re right. Just pray I don’t break any speed limits between here and Houston. The closer we get, the faster I’ll want to go. Fair warning. Maybe you should take over at that point.” Bowing their heads, holding hands, they prayed for the Lord’s will to be done and asked His blessing and safety on the trip.
“Kevin’s been so patient with me while I was acting like an indecisive twit. It’s my turn now. I should have told him I loved him the other night when I had the chance.”
“I’m not refuting anything you’ve just said,” he told her as he loaded their bags into his car. “Now, time to tell me about this big date of yours.” It was great hearing it from her perspective. Kevin had done him proud.
~~**~~
A couple of hours later, after stopping for a light supper, Rebekah looked over at her brother. “Did you call Sam and Lexa before we left the house?”
“No. Call it an unfortunate oversight,” Josh said. “I take it you didn’t either?”
“No. Since it’s getting late, as much as I hate to admit it, why don’t we find a place to stay? Then we’ll call Lexa and Sam and can start out fresh again in the morning.”
“As much as I hate to wait another minute, and I do have a spare key to their house, you’re right.” He gestured to the glove compartment. “I think there’s a travel book in there if you want to pick out a place to stay.”
“How do you feel about a bed and breakfast?” she asked a short time later. “We just passed a billboard that advertised one called The Ellis Inn about an hour away. I love bed and breakfasts. It’s in a little town called Wellspring.” She opened the map and found it, frowning. “It might be a little off the beaten track but not too far.”
“That’s fine. Whatever you want.” Josh sounded distracted and looked even more so.
“Did you have trouble getting away from the firm?”
“Not really. I’m missing a couple of mergers, but one of the other associates can handle them. I brought what I could with me and have my laptop. There’s no reason I can’t put in a little work time tonight and the next few days, even though my heart won’t be in it.” He darted a glance her way. “I have the feeling my days at the firm are numbered.”
“Really? Are you okay with that? I know how important the firm is to you.”
“It’s not so much the firm that’s important,” he said. “I love practicing law, but the last couple of months have shown me how much more there is to life than work all the time. I’ve been praying for the Lord to show me where He wants me.” His fingers tapped the steering wheel. “And I don’t think it’s at the firm in Baton Rouge.”
Rebekah watched him closely. “Something tells me you already have an idea in mind.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
He shook his head. “Believe it or not, for once I don’t have a set plan. This isn’t about me anymore. I have Winnie and Chloe to consider now, and they’re what’s most important. When I find out what’s happening, trust me, you’ll be the first to know.”
“That’s flattering.”
“After my other two girls, of course.”
She laughed. “That’s a given and the way it should be. Take the next exit for the bed and breakfast.”
~~**~~
The next morning, Sam stood in the doorway of their home as Josh pulled into the driveway. The only thing brighter than the sun was the smile on their TeamWork leader’s face.
Looking over at her, Josh squeezed her hand. “Ready?”
“As much as I’ll ever be. Let’s go.” Rebekah started up the front walkway as Josh pulled their overnight cases from the car.
“You two certainly look like you’re on a mission.” Sam wrapped her in his arms before taking their bags and leading them into the spacious house.
“You could say that,” Josh said, closing
the front door behind them. “Thanks for putting up with me again. My little sister, too.” He gave her a wink.
“Always good to see you,” Sam told them. “Let’s go in the kitchen.” He waved his hand for her to lead the way.
Rebekah loved the wide-open floor plan and the welcoming touches everywhere. It was so warm and inviting. She glanced at the row of family photographs on the wall by the stairs and marveled all over again how much Sam’s younger brother, Will, looked like their host. She caught a glimpse of the photograph of Lexa’s mom and dad and knew how precious that was for her dear friend since both were now gone. Pushing the swinging door, she smiled as she heard Lexa singing, cradling Joseph.
Looking up, Lexa stopped singing and gave them a bright smile. “Good morning!” She looked a little tired but prettier than ever in jeans and a pink cotton blouse, her long hair braided as usual.
Rebekah hurried across the room and gave her a hug before dropping a quick kiss on the baby’s rosy cheek. “Oh, I think he’s grown even since we saw him.” She shot a grin in Sam’s direction where he talked with Josh. “He’s growing into more of a miniature version of Sam every day,” she said, loud enough for both men to hear before returning her attention to Joe.
“Yeah, scary, isn’t it?”
That statement came from her wayward brother. She caught the look of wry amusement Sam exchanged with Josh.
“If you line up Sam’s baby pictures next to Joseph’s, you’d think it was the same child. One of God’s miracles,” Lexa said, kissing her son.
“Seems there’s plenty of those to go around,” Rebekah said. “Miracles, that is. Oh, he’s the most handsome little guy I’ve ever seen May I hold him?”
Lexa smiled and lowered Joseph into her waiting arms.
Looking at the precious child, Rebekah lifted a silent prayer that, if it was in God’s will, she’d have several little miracles of her own with her lumber man. Kevin might be upstairs right now. Her heart pounded at the thought. She ducked her head, knowing her face was flushed, and kissed his cheek. So warm and soft. He squirmed a little and opened his eyes, blinking a few times and reaching toward her. When she put her hand near his, Joe curled his chubby fingers around hers and let out a belly laugh.
