Really?
“Well then, we have something in common. I’m feeling like an imposter as well.”
She shakes her head and strands of escaping glorious red hair move elegantly. Perfect for SunKissed! “You? An imposter? No way.”
If she only knew. “I really do.”
“In what way?”
The thought that God might have actually orchestrated this meeting with this segue into my request flits through my mind. I don’t let it stick long enough to have any merit. Along with the crazy thought, Stephen’s face comes into view, but his image vanishes when I release the notion. “Funny you should ask. I have a favor of sorts to ask of you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. And I know you are going to wonder at my sanity with your wedding coming up and your timeline of returning to Peru.”
“My curiosity is definitely piqued now.”
I take a couple of deep breaths hoping Ann doesn’t notice I’m taking a couple of deep breaths. “Okay. I’ve designed a line of clothing. Stephen’s sister Katherine was supposed to model them here for me, but her boyfriend surprised her with a Christmas Mediterranean cruise, so she sent her apologies.”
“Okay.”
She has a confused expression and I don’t blame her. She has no idea where I’m going with this. “So, when I saw you yesterday, it hit me. Totally. Like a lightning bolt.”
“What hit you?”
“You would be the perfect model for my line.”
Her hand covers her heart and she leans back, while her other hand barely keeps her notebook on her lap. “I’m an accountant. Or I used to be. Now I’m a missionary. Not a model.”
“Hear me out, please? I’m calling my line SunKissed! It’s fun, breezy, beachy, sunny. The clothes look like they were made for you.”
She sets her notebook on the bench and stands. “You are one of the most beautiful models in the world. I can’t imagine trying to model anything at anytime, let alone in front of you.”
Ann is genuine. I don’t think she’s trying to play this off like some might. Trying to be coy but secretly, in their minds, they are already in the clothes thinking they look way better in them than I do.
No, Ann has an honest hesitancy.
Which is going to be hard to break through. “I know my timing is bad with your wedding. I’m sorry.”
“I have a sister. Half sister, actually, Anastasia. She’s much more beautiful than I am, and she’s poised and well, perfect for taking photos.”
Ann doesn’t get it. “I can appreciate your uncertainty about this. I really can. But, it’s hard to explain. Sometimes there’s a certain look that captures someone’s attention. And your look has captured my attention.”
She starts to speak, but I hold up my hand, stopping her. “It’s like this. You know how sometimes you don’t know what you are looking for, then it hits you like a ton of bricks, and you realize it’s all coming together. That’s how it happens.”
So I know I’m bold in life. But bold and pouring out your feelings are two different things, and I really haven’t ever poured out my heart like this to someone who is virtually a total stranger.
Ann’s expression is probably why people don’t pour their hearts out to strangers. She looks like I’ve totally bewildered her.
I guess her face mirrors my heart. Because I’m bewildered as well at the turn I seem to be taking.
This change has to do with Stephen. I know this, yet I don’t want to dwell on it. I don’t want to dwell on how he makes me see things differently than I’ve ever seen them before.
Now if I can only make Ann see things differently than she’s seeing them. “How about this,” I say. “If you have a few minutes today, why don’t you come over and look at the clothes. That’s all I’m asking right now. That you simply consider what I’ve asked.”
My words are spoken slowly and carefully, a total contradiction to my internal desperation of wanting to cry out, “You have to yes, you have to.”
She taps her foot, her gaze once again focused everywhere but toward me. Her arms are crossed, her lips drawn into a thin line. Noncommittal personified.
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to look at the clothes. But that really isn’t me considering doing what you’ve asked. That’s me being curious as to what you’ve designed. From a fan aspect.”
She can call it whatever she wants. I call it victory.
A small victory, but victory nonetheless.
“I’M GOING TO HAVE to be ready to snap photos at any time,” I tell Stephen as we walk around the patio. I have a notepad in hand, jotting down places for certain shots. “If Ann says yes, I’m going to have to jump on that yes, right then. You know?”
“I’m not sure how this is going to work. From what you’ve told me about your conversation, she doesn’t seem to be very willing.”
Ignoring his remark because I don’t want to think about it, I turn toward him. “What do you think about this spot? We can move that sunflower over under the pergola, put that potted palm here. With the worn wood planter, this is a remarkable mixture of textures and color.”
He nods. “You’re going to need to shoot the photos in the morning. Your light will be perfect then.”
“My light. Like I own it. I have a feeling I’m going to have to work with what light I get.” And his camera if I don’t find a photographer, but I don’t tell him that right now.
“You’re going to have to own something if you want this to work. An unwilling model and wrong light would be a disastrous combination.”
“Just like a scar and a modeling career, right? Pretty disastrous.”
“Cheetah, what man plans for harm, God uses for good.”
“Is that from the Bible? Or you.”
I see the flash of disappointment in Stephen’s eyes. I didn’t mean my comment to come across as snarky, but it did. Maybe it was my tone. I tried to keep it light. I really like his God moments with me, but sometimes they don’t set very well.
And this is one of those times. Once again, it appears that he’s making light of my situation.
He can’t begin to comprehend.
And I’m tired of trying to explain it to him.
“Don’t you need to get Phoebe from school?” I ask, hoping he’ll leave.
“That was from the Bible and I don’t need to leave for another hour. You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”
So I’m transparent as well as snarky. “Can’t say I didn’t try.”
“Why don’t you take some pictures at the beach? It’s not far from here. About a ten-minute drive.” He crosses his arms in a relaxed way.
I like the way parts of his brown hair glimmer golden in the sun. Natural highlights for a natural guy.
“That was part of the plan. Until I saw your backyard. It’s different and has a lot of interesting aspects. A lot of summer line photos are taken at the beach. I’m thinking I want to do something different.”
“Nothing wrong with wanting to be different. Make sure you’re relevant.”
“How could I not be relevant?”
“You can lose focus. It does happen.”
My confusion must show because he continues. “All I’m saying is in trying to be different, don’t lose sight of what you’re trying to accomplish.”
His determination makes me wonder if the king’s daughter, Arabella, caused Stephen to lose focus while he was in Zaunesia.
His accomplishment?
Getting kicked out.
The sound of the doorbell ringing echoes outside.
“I’ll get it,” Stephen says.
“I’m right behind you. It might be Ann.”
My hope escalates as I see Ann’s red hair as Stephen opens the door.
“Hi, Ann.” He steps back so she can come in.
“Hello.” Her voice sounds timid. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all.” I try not to sound eager.
Stephen starts for the keeping room off the
kitchen, and Ann and I follow. The couch looks bare without Phoebe sitting there.
“I like your Christmas tree,” Ann says. “We put our tree up last night but won’t decorate it until tonight. Brett was going to put up some lights outside, but we waited too long and now, with us leaving, it really doesn’t make sense.”
Stephen nods. “Nobody ever comes down this far anyway.”
“I’ve only been here since April, but you’re right. Being on the cul-de-sac is nice and quiet. I haven’t even met the people on the other side of you,” Ann says.
“I haven’t either. But Roger, being the pastor that he is, went over when they moved in a couple of years ago. Kind of a tragic story. Nice family. Apparently the guy used to be big in racing and he now owns several car dealerships here in the area. He and his wife had twin girls, but his wife was sick, and I guess she died not too long after they moved in.”
“Oh, that is sad,” I say. “How old are the girls?”
“I’m not sure. Roger will know. He’s been over a couple of times, asking them to come to church, but they haven’t come.”
Stephen’s story sweeps my focus away from the reason for Ann’s visit. As I settle back into that mind frame, my mind starts to race at what her answer could be.
But she did promise to look at the clothes.
“I’ll tell Brett and we’ll be praying,” Ann says. “You never know what it is that will trigger someone’s desire to go to church. Or maybe they already have a church home.”
“As of Roger’s last visit, and I’m not sure how long ago that was, they were still looking,” Stephen says.
Ann smiles. “Well, as one who didn’t have one for a long time, and now has two, one here and one in Peru, I’m here to say it’s changed my life.”
And now I have God insights from Ann. Great. But I will not comment like I do with Stephen. I would like to change the subject, but it seems rather rude.
“Amen, sister.” He gives her a high five, and I shake my head. Certainly an hour has gone by and Phoebe needs to be picked up from school.
I glance down at my phone. Nope. Only thirty minutes.
Patience isn’t something I like. But I’m going to practice it now and smile through it.
“Well.” Ann looks at me. “I came over to look at the clothes.”
“Great.” I’m disappointed she didn’t say she was going to do the shoot, but then again, she didn’t say she wasn’t. “I’ll bring them out here.”
“Okay.”
It’s all I can do not to skip down the hall. If she had said she was on board, I would be skipping.
But that seems premature right now.
I start to cross my fingers but find myself saying a quick prayer instead.
All that talk of church has my brain thinking differently.
But I guess it can’t hurt, although I’m not sure how much interest God has in my selfish prayer.
BREAK
IT’S MUCH EASIER TO pull the suitcase out to the keeping room than carry all the clothes, so the sound of the wheels covering the tiles announces my entrance.
Stephen and Ann watch as I lay out my collection on the couch. Not a very good way to present it, but I’m not sure what else to do.
“Oh, is that a wedding dress?” Ann picks up the dress.
“It is. A beachy-type wedding dress.”
“This is beautiful. So fun.” She holds the dress in front of her.
“Thanks.” I wonder if the fun look of the wedding dress will persuade her, seeing as how I’m not doing a very good job of it.
“Ladies, I need to go and retrieve Phoebe from school.”
Once again the feel of his hand on my back surprises me until I remember that Ann thinks Stephen and I are engaged. Somehow, I keep forgetting that part, but Stephen doesn’t seem to forget.
As I turn to face him to say goodbye, my words are cut short by his lips as they press against mine. A chaste kiss as judged by anyone looking on, but anything but chaste as my body sizzles while his lips sweetly devour mine.
And yes, his simple kiss devours everything inside me.
All I thought I knew about kissing has now been replaced by a new standard that I doubt I’ll ever experience again.
A sad thought.
And then there’s Ann.
And the thought that she may save my hide.
“Be back soon, Cheetah.” Stephen’s voice is a whisper as his hand lingers on my back for several moments.
His touch leaves me, and I watch him walk to the front door. As the door clicks shut at his exit, I sigh.
“You two are perfect for each other.” Ann is still holding the dress, but her focus has shifted to Stephen and me.
I’m mortified at being caught in my Stephen daydream. For the first time I feel bad deceiving her. Deceiving everyone, really. An unfamiliar urge to blurt the truth comes over me, but I stop myself. It really doesn’t affect her. Not like Gary or Roger.
And isn’t Stephen supposed to be breaking up with me soon?
I’ll let this lie run its course. And remember never to put myself in this position again. “Thanks. What do you think about the line? Want to try anything on?”
Ann lays the wedding dress across the back of the couch before slinging the beach bag over her shoulder. “This is so cute.”
“It’s designed to be able to hold the clothes. You know, kind of hang at the beach, then go out at night. SunKissed! is a line that encompasses all aspects of a day in the sun as well as a night of fun. Even a wedding.”
“I see you mix and match everything.” She’s now looking at the other items, picking them up one by one.
“Yes. That’s the idea.” I ignore the hum of excitement that is racing through me.
“I really like the wedding dress. It’s amazing.” Her hand runs over the dress softly.
I smile. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“You have a talent for this. All the clothes are beautiful. I have no idea why you would want me to model them.”
“They look like they were made for you, that’s why. You’re beautiful and you embody the line. Women like you were my inspiration in designing the clothing.”
Ann shakes her head. “I’m not beautiful. There is nothing extraordinary about my look. I need to introduce you to Anastasia, my half sister. She’s your model.”
I can’t believe she doesn’t see how beautiful she is. “I’m sure your sister is as gorgeous as you say, but I had a particular look in my mind, and you are the look. Please say yes.”
“Are you into bartering?” Her coy expression peaks my interest.
“Bartering?”
“Yes. I might be willing to model the clothes in exchange for something.”
Ann is feistier than I thought. “Okay. What could I possibly have that you want?”
“Can I wear the wedding dress in my wedding?”
“SHE WANTS TO WEAR your dress in her wedding?” Stephen leans against the kitchen counter and looks as mystified as I did when she bartered with me.
“Can you believe it? I’m so psyched.”
“Her wedding is in four days. I know I’m a guy, but didn’t she already have a wedding dress?”
“She did. But she didn’t really like it.” I sing-song my answer because I’m feeling rather happy right now. “She said she’d been looking for months, and nothing struck her. But, she loved my dress right away and she said my design was ethereal.”
“Nice,” Stephen says.
“Now, all I need is the photographer. I have a call into a guy who one of my friend’s brothers knows.”
A quickening sensation runs through my body at Stephen’s put-out-looking expression.
“And what do you know about this guy?” His voice reveals how put out he is.
Knowing he’s put out delights me. “Nothing. Scary, huh? But apparently he lives within thirty minutes of here and has had some pics bought by magazines. It’s amazing what social media can produce in an afternoon,
isn’t it?”
“What’s his name?” Stephen frowns.
“Oh, Mike something. I’ll have to look it up and tell you. Maybe you’ve heard of him.”
Stephen’s frown doesn’t disappear. “I doubt it.”
Phoebe is sitting at the island eating a snack. She takes a drink of her milk, and I laugh at her cute milk mustache. I walk over and wipe it away with a napkin. “You’re looking like Santa with that white mustache.”
She giggles. “I don’t think Santa looks like a little girl.”
“Me either,” I reply.
“Can we go sing Christmas carols Saturday night?”
I look at Stephen who shrugs his shoulders and gives me his I-have-no-idea-what-she’stalking-about looks.
“Where would we go to sing Christmas carols?” I ask, barely able to keep my mind off how Ann is going to look in SunKissed! and Stephen’s reaction at me contacting another photographer.
“A girl in my class invited me to her house for a caroling party. I really want to go.”
Memories of the first day I met Phoebe and her sad expression as she told me she didn’t have any friends run through my mind. Maybe she has one.
“Who is the girl?” I ask.
“Raney Lee. Everybody likes her. She only invited a couple of girls.”
I catch on that this is a big deal for her. Somehow I don’t think she’s had a lot of invitations in the past. “I’m sure Stephen can take you.”
His look is one of shock. “I’m sure Jenny and I will be happy to escort you caroling.”
Raising his eyebrows, he nods.
“Yay! I’ll tell her tomorrow.”
“Okay. Find out where she lives, too.”
“There’s an invitation in my backpack. I’ll get it.”
She finishes the last of her Goldfish and scoots off the chair. Moments later a holiday invitation is sitting on the counter. A palm-tree snowman with musical notes floating across the top indicate it is a specially made invitation.
“That’s a cute invite.” I tap her on the top of the head with the invitation in a playful gesture. “And you said you didn’t have any friends.”
“Raney isn’t really my friend. I’m not sure why she invited me.” Her voice dips a little before picking back up. “But she said we’re going to be caroling and roasting marshmallows.”
Rich in Hope (Richness in Faith Trilogy Book 2) Page 12
