Suited For Love

by Coleman, Lynn A.

  “Oh, no, nothing like that. He asked me to marry him.”

  “Congratulations! Wait—are you happy about that?”

  “Yes, but, oh—I don’t know. He’s got great career opportunities here. They love him, and he’s a valuable member of their staff, Mom. I just don’t feel like I can take him away from this. And then there is the co-op. I can’t leave it now. It’s too fragile.”

  “I see. You know, Jess, your father and I had similar problems before we got married. I had a career that took me all over the world. He wanted to stay in Squabbin Bay. In the end, we worked it out. If Krispin is the right man, it will work out.”

  Jess sighed. “I know. We talked about eloping but figured Dad would have my head. Plus, I still would like to get married in the church.”

  Dena let out a nervous chuckle. “Sweetheart, I know the pain of trying to decide. Unfortunately, I can’t answer this question for you. You and Krispin have to work this out.”

  “Yeah, I suppose so. It’s just that I was hoping you could tell me what to do.”

  “I can tell you what not to do. And eloping would fit in there somewhere, only because your father would like to attend and give his blessings on his little girl’s wedding, not to mention the rest of us.” Dena paused. “Jess, I truly understand the agony you’re going through right now. But try to be patient and wait on the Lord.”

  “Mom, here’s the thing. Krispin doesn’t want to wait a long time. He’s more concerned about not sinning. What do you think of the weekend before Thanksgiving?”

  “I understand. Your father and I didn’t wait a long time either. But—”

  “I know, you were older. I had a vision the Sunday morning that Krispin gave his testimony. I saw us getting married in the church.”

  “Honey, I don’t doubt that you love Krispin or that he loves you. I don’t even doubt that the Lord is behind this. What concerns me is the time you haven’t had together to become friends. It’s that friendship that will get you through the ups and downs of life. And marriage is hard work. I love your dad with all my heart, but there are adjustments we both have to go through.”

  “I know what you’re saying is right. I just don’t want to hinder Krispin’s career.”

  “That’s Krispin’s choice, as it is your choice about the co-op. You say it is at a critical time, but the fact of the matter is the co-op can move on without you, if you let it go. I’m not saying it is the right thing to do, I’m just remembering back to my own decision-making process. Letting jobs be done by others rather than myself was a hard thing to allow. You created a good co-op. You could let someone do the daily running of the business and still stay on the board to help oversee the growth of the company, couldn’t you?”

  “Yeah, I suppose I could. But who could do my job?”

  Dena laughed. “I don’t know. I do know one thing: It won’t be your father.”

  Jess joined her stepmom in the humor of that statement. Time was precious to her parents, and she knew it. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “You’re welcome. Please tell me I can tell your father the news.”

  “Nope, I’ll do it. Right now.”

  “Great, ’cause I don’t think I could have kept this a secret.”

  They ended the conversation, and Jess called her father on his cell phone. He didn’t pick up, so she left him a message to call Dena for the news. Then she reached for her purse and headed out of the suite to take in some of the sights of the city.

  ❧

  “Krispin, this is incredible.”

  “I’m pleased, but you and I both know it won’t take long before someone is able to crack it. In my opinion you need to get some of the younger guys working with this right away so they can take it to the next level.”

  “I understand. Krisp, please reconsider and come back to work for us.”

  “I can’t. It’s not a healthy environment for me.”

  “True, you don’t look so hot. Okay, what about this? I keep you on retainer, and you work from wherever you are.”“I’ll think about it. I’m not like you, Gary. I can’t separate my work and my personal life. I get too obsessed with it. I couldn’t do that to Jess. I honestly don’t understand how you manage to have a successful marriage.”

  “That’s because she and I run in very different circles. She has her work; I have mine. You notice we don’t have children. Neither one of us wants to give up the time it would take to raise kids. It works for us.”

  “I know Jess would like to have children one day—not right away, but one day. She’s really quite an intelligent businesswoman. She put together—”

  “The co-op, yeah, you told me. And what’s that encryption program you put on her server?”

  “You checked?”

  “Of course. I always check into my competition, and frankly, Jessica Kearns is my competition. However, I can see I won’t win against her. Promise me you’ll seriously consider the idea of going on retainer and working remotely.”

  “We’d have to talk about it further. And I’d limit myself to only a couple projects a year.”

  “You can’t live on that, can you?”

  “It would be tight. However, I’ll probably agree to a certain percentage of the profit from the program sales.”

  Gary shook his head in disbelief. “You’ll do all right. You’re still a wise businessman.”

  “I learned from the best.” Krispin winked. “Gary, I know you think I’ve gotten all holy and stuff, and perhaps you’re right. But trust me, I have more peace now than I’ve ever had in my entire life. And at the same time, I have more issues with no answers or quick resolutions. It’s weird, but Jesus really does help.”

  “If you say so. Look, I don’t mean to brush you off since you started talking religion again, but I do have an appointment in three minutes. Thanks for this. I don’t know how to pay you back for it.”

  Krispin chuckled. “You will. Here’s my bill.” Krispin tossed an invoice over to him.

  Gary’s eyes bulged. “Wow, that’s triple?”

  “All except the percentage of sales for this product. That’s at the same standard I used to earn.”

  “I guess you can only work on two or three projects a year.”

  Krispin smiled. “Thanks, Gary.”

  Gary initialed the invoice and handed it back. “You’re worth it, man. Call me once in a while.”

  “You’ll be getting a wedding invitation.”

  “Louise and I will be there.”

  “Great. God bless.” Krispin walked out of Gary’s office a new man. It wasn’t the same as when he’d left the company all those many months ago. Instead he was standing the victor, knowing he was walking the right path in the right direction—and into the arms of the woman he loved. Life couldn’t get any better than this.

  He pulled out his cell phone and called his parents. The service said they were out of communications range. He left a message, telling them he’d be getting married in November and asking them to return the call as soon as they could.

  Somehow it didn’t surprise him that they weren’t available to hear the news. Father, try to reach my parents. They’re good people, just self-absorbed. Help me deal with them.

  Krispin walked to accounting and waited for them to process the check. Ruthie Martin stood at the printer, waiting for it to be printed. “Mr. Black, I hear you’re getting married.”

  “Yes, Ruthie, I am.”

  “Congratulations. Is it this woman from Maine that everyone’s been talking about?”

  “Yes.”

  Ruthie smiled and retrieved the check. “Wow! I’m sorry, what you’re paid is none of my business.”

  “That’s all right.” Krispin took the proffered check and folded it in half.

  “Will you be coming back to the company? Everyone’s been wondering.”

  “No, I’ll probably do some side jobs and come in for emergencies. But let’s hope there aren’t any more emergencies.”

  “Yeah. Everyone
talked about you being here, but no one really saw all that much of you. You came to work before anyone else, and you left after everyone else.”

  Krispin didn’t want to tell her of the numerous nights he never left. “Good-bye, Ruthie.”

  “Good-bye, Mr. Black.” Ruthie sat back down at her console and began typing. Krispin walked out and looked back at the tall office building they had built five years earlier. Back then he had been a junior-level partner. He knew his programs were the backbone for the early growth of the company, but it would take a team of programmers to bring the company further up the software chain to become the best in the world for encryption.

  A slow smile eased up the corners of his mouth. It no longer mattered to him if he was the best in the world. He was content to be the best man he could be for the Lord and for Jessica. He flipped open his phone and called her. “Hey, where are you? I’m done.”

  The lilt of Jess’s laughter felt like warm honey on a sore throat. “You won’t believe this, but I’m at a bridal shop.”

  “Oh, really? Did you find anything you like?”

  “Uh-huh. I’m standing in front of the mirrors with it on.”

  A rush of emotions hit Krispin all at once. He could picture her standing in front of three mirrors dressed in white. “Jess, I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Krispin. The saleswoman is here. I’ll call you in a couple minutes.”

  “Sure. I’m heading to the hotel suite.”

  “Let’s meet for lunch.”

  “Okay. Go to Richard’s Bistro—it’s on Lowell Street—say in thirty minutes?”

  “Make it forty-five.”

  Krispin chuckled. “No problem. See you there.” He drove down to Lowell Street and parked outside a jewelry store. Glancing at his watch, he made a quick detour inside. Finding mostly secondhand jewelry, he decided to look but not purchase. The thought of giving Jess a “used” engagement ring didn’t set well. It would be one thing if it were a family heirloom, but this would never do.

  “Can I help you, sir?”

  “I was looking for an engagement ring, but I’m looking for something new.”

  “I understand. We have a fine variety of rings. What some of my customers have done is purchase the ring here and have the stones reset in a new setting.”

  “Hmm.” Krispin scanned the glass counter. “Why is this diamond almost yellow?”

  “That’s a rare type of diamond. Be warned of the imitations out there…stones that have been chemically altered.”

  “How can you tell the difference?”

  “You can’t, but an honest jeweler can. There are also pink diamonds.”

  “May I see the yellow diamond ring?”

  “Sure.” The gentleman took a key ring from his pocket and opened the cabinet. A small, white price tag dangled from the ring. Krispin glanced at it, then refocused his gaze. “Is that the correct price?”

  “Yes. It’s actually a steal. Brand-new can run from five to forty thousand for that carat. The clarity of the stones accounts for the higher figure.”

  Krispin handed the diamond back. The idea of a beautiful ring for a beautiful woman thrilled him. The idea of her fishing with a ring of such great value seemed foolish. “What do regular diamonds go for?” Krispin could feel the sweat beading on his forehead. Marriage was going to cost him big-time.

  ❧

  Jess sat down beside Krispin at the restaurant. It had taken her the full forty-five minutes to dress and worm her way out of the store. The saleswoman unsuccessfully tried to convince her that seven thousand dollars was appropriate for a woman like her to spend on a wedding gown. Not!

  “What’s the matter?” Krispin asked as she settled into the chair.

  “Nothing.”

  “Did you like the dress?”

  Jess sighed. “Yes, but there’s no way I’m going to spend seven thousand on a dress. I’d rather save it for something more important.”

  “Seven isn’t too bad. You should have seen a price tag I saw earlier. Did you know that yellow diamonds could cost forty thousand?”

  “Please tell me you didn’t spend that! Did you?”

  “No. I’m far more practical than that. It was a pretty ring, but not that pretty.”

  “Phew.”

  Krispin reached over and held her hand. “Jess, let’s pray.”

  Jess nodded. And Krispin began. “Father, guide us in the decisions we’re going to be making over the next few days. Help us to make the right choices. I want to give Jess the kind of wedding she has dreamed of, but help us be practical in choosing what, when, and how much.”

  “Father,” Jess added, “please help us to be in agreement with one another and not to be sidetracked by what others think or believe is acceptable for a marriage ceremony. Amen.”

  “Amen.” Krispin’s rich baritone voice spiraled down to the depths of her being. She could feel herself calming.

  “So what is the normal price for a wedding gown?” he asked. “I already have a tux, so that isn’t a problem.”

  “You own your own tux?”

  “Yeah, it seemed practical at the time. I had several events where I needed to rent one, so I simply purchased it. Anyway, what kind of a dress do you want?”

  “I loved the one I had on. It had all sorts of fancy beading and just sparkled wonderfully in the lights. I could see myself in it. But then again, it seemed too, oh, I don’t know, rich for my taste. I’m basically a jeans and sweater type of gal. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice clothes, and I love the feel of fine silk against my skin but—”

  Krispin held up his hand. “I understand. One of the reasons I didn’t buy the ring was that I just couldn’t picture the ring on your finger while your hand was diving into that chum bucket.”

  Jess laughed. “I wear gloves.”

  “I know, but still, it wasn’t the kind of jewelry you would wear on the job. Personally, I’m looking for a simple gold band that tells the world I’m married, and that’s it. I’m not interested in impressing anyone. I do want to get you an engagement ring, but I want to be practical about it. What would you feel comfortable wearing every day?”

  “Probably just a solitaire…nothing huge, just a simple-cut ring.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I was picturing, too. Good, we have similar tastes.”

  Jess squeezed his hand. “I told Mom. I couldn’t reach Dad.”

  “I called my parents, as well, but could only leave word on their answering service.”

  “Krispin, I’ve been thinking. Are we making the right decision? I mean…” What do I mean? “I can see us getting married one day, and I understand your desire to marry quickly, but…”

  “You need more time?” He rubbed the top of her hand with the ball of his thumb.

  “Yes…no…maybe…I don’t know. All I do know is that it isn’t right for you not to work in the place where you shine. As for me, I’m hesitant to leave Squabbin Bay, not because of the area, but because of the co-op.”

  “Jess, I have no intention of moving back into the rat race that I was once in to help develop this company. I can, and probably will, develop more software for them. However, I’ve got to learn how to stop working.” He leaned in closer. “Here’s the thing. I’m obsessive when it comes to developing new programs. I don’t break away as often as I should. I couldn’t do that to you.”

  “So what are you saying?”

  Krispin closed the few inches between them and kissed Jess’s forehead.

  “May I take your order now?” the waiter interrupted.

  Jess pulled away. She’d been so focused she’d forgotten their surroundings. Krispin ordered a cold steak salad for both of them. After the waiter left, he said, “I’m saying I don’t have to work for anyone except myself. I can develop the software and sell it to Gary. He’ll package and sell the programs. I don’t want the headache of business. I simply want to be creative and write the programs.”

  Jess smiled. “Mom suggested I should st
art letting other people work for the co-op.”

  “Is that what you want to do?”

  “No. I like working. I like planning and moving the co-op forward.”

  Krispin laughed. “The very things I really don’t like in the business world.”

  “Yeah, I guess we’re opposites there.”

  “Look, Jess, I’ll wait as long as you want to get married. I love you, and I can’t believe God is allowing me to find a wife. I simply am not worthy of it. You deserve better.”

  She laid a finger to his soft, warm lips. “Shh, we’ve been over this. You’re suited for love just as much as everyone else. I love you, Krispin, and I love the man you have become.”

  “I’m glad I’m not the man you first met. But, Jess, there are parts of me that are still that man. I’m not perfect. I’ve changed but—”

  “You’re perfect for me,” Jess finished his statement.

  “You know how to tickle my ears. So are we still on for the Saturday before Thanksgiving?”

  “Yes. Where do you want to go for our honeymoon?”

  “Hmm, I haven’t thought that far. Where do you want to go?”

  “I love camping, kayaking, and all those outdoor things, but I’d really love to go to Italy—to Venice. I’ve never been there, and a city on water intrigues me.”

  “Venice it is. Do you have a passport?”

  “Yeah, Mom insisted on it, saying she’d like for all of us to travel together sometime.”

  Krispin sat back. The waiter approached and placed their steak salads down in front of them, then disappeared. He picked up his fork, then laid it back on the table. “Let’s pray.”

  Jess slipped her fingers into the palm of his hand. She loved the feel of his touch. She could see herself getting old and gray and still cherishing holding this man’s hand. The Lord had answered her prayer and brought the perfect man into her life. A man with an unworthy past but standing on the promises of God, washed in the blood, and fearfully and wonderfully made to be her life partner. Thank You, Jesus.

  Epilogue

  Jess slipped her hand into Krispin’s, then turned to her father. He lifted the veil and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, sweetheart.”