by JoAnn Durgin
“I know you’re right.” Sidney laughed a little. “See? Admitting my little sister might be right. That’s something that would have been completely anathema a few months ago.”
“Here’s one last thing you might want to know.” Caroline dropped her hands to her sides.
“What’s that?”
“I know Mom asked you to watch over Bryce and me, and how she told you that you’d be in charge of the family. That’s true, and I’m not disputing that. But she also asked me to watch over you, Sidney. Mom encouraged me to invite you to the house, spend time with you, make sure you get to know Seth, and Ellie, as well as any other children we might have.”
“She asked you to watch over my heart, in other words,” Sidney said. “I have to give you credit. Based on this talk tonight, you’re on the case. You’re also watching out for Isabella, and I can’t fault you for that. You’re a great sister, and you’re a terrific friend. Loyal almost to a fault.”
“I’m glad we’ve had this discussion.” Caroline kissed his cheek.
“Me too, Caroline.”
Chapter 20
Isabella breathed in deeply of the fresh, crisp evening air. She lifted her face to the stars. The vast expanse of a night sky always made her feel closer to her parents.
“I hope you’re dancing tonight.” Wisps of her hair brushed across her face in the light breeze, making her smile. Maybe it was silly, but Isabella liked to believe it was a kiss from her mother.
Evergreen Park was enchanting with thousands of miniature white lights twinkling in the trees. What a gorgeous evening. They couldn’t have ordered better weather for the Twilight Dance. The temperature hovered in the low 60s, and she’d brought her sweater if she needed it. Liesel had taken it from her and tucked it beneath the stroller. As it was, she wouldn’t have come if Liesel hadn’t practically dragged her out of Caroline and Seth’s house and stuffed her in the back of the minivan with Paul, Jr. and Bella. Liesel could be bossy, but Isabella loved her for it.
When she’d left the house, Caroline and Sidney were still in the study, hashing it out, talking, or whatever they were doing. That situation had been the elephant in the family room, but they’d all tiptoed around the subject with grace. That was the beauty of close friendships—even in their awkwardness, they could still be comfortable with one another.
The scent of roses wafted to her, carried by the breeze.
“You’d better go ask that handsome Sidney from Boston to dance before some of the other girls do.” Barbara came to stand beside her. Thankfully, she’d lowered her voice.
“I don’t have any claims on him,” Isabella said. “Sidney is free to dance with whomever he’d like.” For the past thirty minutes, she’d been all too aware of the glances aimed at Sidney from hopeful females.
“Don’t be so magnanimous, sweetie.” Barbara arched a perfectly manicured brow. “It’s true what they say, you know. All’s fair in love and war. Sometimes we need to fight for our man.”
“Come on, Barbara. Let’s leave Isabella alone.” Darren tugged on his wife’s hand. He gave Isabella a polite nod. “Have fun tonight.”
“Thank you,” Isabella murmured.
In a way, it’s like Sidney was the popular boy in school, and all the girls wanted to be his girlfriend. That made Isabella’s thoughts drift back to her freshman year in high school. She’d never been a popular kid. A little pudgy and a self-professed bookworm, she wasn’t considered attractive. She didn’t wear the trendy clothes, she wore no makeup. A few of the popular girls had pulled her into the bathroom during lunch and promised to make her look pretty so Matt Taylor would ask her to the football homecoming dance. He wasn’t the football captain, but Matt was cute and smart, and Isabella had harbored a crush on him for years.
Why had she ever trusted those girls? They’d pulled out scissors and whacked away on her hair. What she ended up with was a hideous chop job with very short, ugly bangs. The barbs had been biting and cruel. She’d spent the night of the dance holed up in her room crying, and she vowed no one would ever make a fool of Isabella Caccavale again. If only that were true.
Tightening her arms around her, Isabella recalled her mother’s words, imprinted on her heart. “Those kids want to undermine you because they’re jealous of something you have that they don’t, Isabella. You have more intelligence and compassion than anyone I know.”
Her mother’s voice had been quiet and kind as she’d smoothed those hideous bangs to one side and sweetly kissed her forehead. “Because of your sensitive nature, you’ll unfortunately suffer fools. You’ll feel their attempts to belittle you more than others, but you can’t allow anyone to glimpse your pain. Rise above it, and go about your life. Lean on Jesus to give you the strength you need. He’ll always uphold you when others try to tear you down.”
She’d never forgotten her mother’s words although she’d stepped outside of the Lord’s will for a time. The main thing was that she’d found her way home again.
“I miss you, Mom and Dad,” she whispered. “Love you.”
“Isabella, can you help me?” Clyde’s wife, Ginny, sidled over to her. “My honey pie got me this beautiful orchid corsage, but I guess I didn’t get it pinned on very well. It keeps flopping around.” She demonstrated with a frustrated sigh.
“Let’s see if we can’t pin it more securely. Hold still for me,” Isabella said, grateful for the distraction. “This dim lighting doesn’t help.” The woman seemed to be holding her breath as Isabella worked. “Okay, there you go. See what you think.”
Ginny gave the lovely flower a slight tug to test it. “I’m sure it’s fine. You are a love. Have fun, honey, and we’ll see you later!” Clyde nodded to Isabella as he walked toward his bride.
Isabella sensed Sidney watching her from across the park. When their gazes locked, he nodded and mouthed Hi from where he was engaged in conversation with a number of the men.
Joel approached with an unfamiliar blonde woman by his side. Ah, yes, this must be Cathy Nelson. He handed her a cup. “I brought you some Twilight Punch.”
“Thank you.” She appreciated his thoughtful gesture. After Joel made the introductions, it became quickly apparent Cathy was assessing whether or not she posed a potential threat for her new boyfriend’s affections. If it wouldn’t be socially inappropriate, Isabella would assure Cathy she had no reason to worry. She had no designs on Joel other than to hit him up for a small business loan if Mahoney’s faltered financially.
From their seats in the gazebo, the band struck the first few notes and then began playing an upbeat Big Band tune. Thankfully, that was the impetus for Joel to excuse them from what had become an increasingly awkward conversation.
Standing to one side, Isabella watched as several couples made their way to the dance floor in front of the gazebo. The sight of the older couples, especially—some married more than fifty years—swaying together to the music, touched her heart. Wrapped in the arms of their respective partners, they exchanged sweet nothings and stole kisses.
That was what love should look like.
This was what life should be.
Liesel and Paul watched from a nearby park bench. Paul, Jr. was cradled in his mother’s arms while Bella played with her friend Katie. Caroline and Seth arrived a few minutes later with baby Ellie in the most upscale baby carriage she’d ever seen.
High-pitched, feminine laughter rang out in the night. Isabella recognized that distinctive laugh, part girlish giggle, part sultry seductress. A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Kayley Harris, the prettiest single girl in Evergreen. Model thin, statuesque, striking features, long auburn hair. At twenty-six, she’d dated most of the eligible guys in the county, but none of them had reportedly measured up to her standards. Heaven only knew what that meant.
When Kayley laughed again, Isabella’s gaze zeroed in on her. She wore a mid-thigh dress, ridiculously high heels, and a plunging neckline that left precious little to the imagination. Isabella could only hope
the girl didn’t bend over or she might spill out the front of that dress or show too much…oh, never mind. Not worth stewing over.
Really, though, how could she be critical of the way Kayley dressed? Could others see the sins of her past hidden beneath her smiling exterior and ultra-feminine dress? The townspeople thought she was sweet Isabella something-or-other. Guess again.
In her college days, she’d worn clothing every bit as short, clingy, and revealing as Kayley’s. Her Tristan days. Reeling from the death of her parents, she’d bought into the misconception that dressing provocatively imparted the image of a strong, confident, successful woman. She’d been misguided in her own clothing choices, so she had absolutely no business faulting anyone else.
A strong breeze made her shiver.
You are forgiven. Lay your fears, your worries, your insecurities, at the foot of the cross.
The dark, ugly stains of her past were gone, erased by the loving Father, cleansed by the shed blood of her Savior. Isabella knew that, but at the end of the day, the doubts and insecurities clung to her like prickly burs on a cashmere sweater. Would they never release their possessive hold on her?
“Everything okay?” Caroline laid a gentle hand on her arm. “I’m sorry that I interrupted you and Sidney back at the house. I hope you’re not upset with me.”
Isabella dipped her head. No one else milled about in the immediate vicinity.
“I’m not upset.” She drew in a quick breath. “The park, the lights in the trees, the dancing…romance is all around me. I don’t want to leave, but at the same time, I’m thinking I should listen to that inner voice urging me to go home.”
“For what it’s worth, I hope you stay,” Caroline said. “And not just so you can watch the kids so we can dance.”
“Of course, I’ll do that. You know you don’t have to ask. Besides, how could I be mad at you when you gifted me with this?” Isabella lifted the beautiful necklace around her neck. “This is precious to me, and I can’t thank you enough.”
“Tell you a secret. I thought of you when I designed it, and I knew all along that you were the one I wanted to have it.”
They watched the dancers for a few minutes, making observations and talking quietly together. “Caroline,” Isabella said finally, “I’m not questioning God’s will, but I’m trying to understand why He’s brought Sidney into my life. He’s the first man I’ve met since my breakup with Tristan who makes me feel again. Who makes me want to feel again. I hope that doesn’t sound weird. If that makes you uncomfortable, please tell me now. He is your brother, after all.”
“Not at all. Go on,” Caroline encouraged.
“I met your brother on Wednesday afternoon. And here it is, Saturday evening, and I’m already dreading the idea of Sidney leaving town.”
Caroline’s smile, as always, was kind. “Tell me what makes Sidney different from the other men you’ve met since moving here.”
“He’s like this tidal wave that rolled into town, but it’s not like I’m being swallowed by it. I’m not drowning. Actually, I’m…coming alive again, as strange as that might sound.”
“You’re being very poetic tonight.”
Isabella lifted her shoulders. “I don’t know why I’m thinking these things. Sidney challenges me, and he’s fun. We’ve shared some good talks. But ever since I met him, I wake up every morning wondering, ‘Will I see Sidney today?’ Then the truth slams into my mind that he doesn’t share my faith in the Lord, and his life is in Boston. For all I know, he’s out there being charmed by Kayley as we speak.”
Isabella’s gaze traveled across the park, but there was no sign of Sidney. “How can I possibly compete with a woman like that?”
“Simple answer? You don’t,” Caroline said. “Isabella, I think what happened in Hartford made you feel somehow less than worthy of God’s love, much less a man’s love. There’s not a single person alive who doesn’t have regrets or something in their past that makes them feel ashamed. But look at all you’ve accomplished since you’ve come to Evergreen. You’ve taken over Clara’s store, made improvements, and increased the revenue. Your background in marketing shows in that new sign on the outskirts of town, the store’s website, and in the way you’ve run successful store promotions and advertising campaigns.”
“I had to use my degree in some way.” Isabella appreciated Caroline’s compliments more than her friend could know.
“More importantly, you’ve got Hattie Nelson interested in life again after she lost Henry, and even Millicent takes more time with her appearance. Those are very good things.”
“I can’t take credit for Hattie and Millicent. Those are the benefits of goat’s milk soap, a little blush, and lipstick.”
“It is you, my friend,” Caroline insisted, smiling. “No amount of money can buy the self-confidence you’ve given those two women. You make people want to be around you. You’re smart, you’re funny, you’re optimistic, and—as much as anything—you make them feel good about themselves. That’s a special quality not many people have, but you do.”
“Thank you,” Isabella said. “I can’t tell you how much your encouragement means.”
Caroline breathed in and released it slowly. “Sidney’s still hurting after Mom’s death. He spent a lot of time with her right before she died. He told me tonight that she’d shared more about her faith with him, including her hope that he’d come to know the Lord. That impacted him. I’ve given him Seth’s grandfather’s Bible, the same Bible that Seth gave to me when I first visited Evergreen. That Bible, and Seth’s friendship, changed my life. God knew, as He always does. The verse that gives me comfort, the one I go back to over and over again, is Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that God causes all things to work together for good—’”
“‘To those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.’” Isabella smiled. “Thanks for the reminder. That’s an appropriate verse.”
“As forceful as he can be, you’re right. Sidney can be like a tidal wave,” Caroline said. “In the last few years, he’s changed. Believe it or not, he’s not nearly as strong as he used to be. He’s always been formidable, but he’s softened. He’s changed even since he’s been here in Maine. Things are beginning to fall into place for him, Isabella. I truly believe that. For now, I think it’s best to be gentle with him. If we push too hard, he’ll probably run away. But if we model our faith quietly, and love him, that’s the best way we can reach him.”
“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love,” Isabella murmured.
Chapter 21
“Mr. Prescott?” An older black gentleman offered his hand. “Toby Daniels. It’s nice to make your acquaintance. I’ve heard a lot about you, young man.”
“That might be a dangerous thing.” Sidney shook Toby’s hand and returned his smile. “I understand you’re a great landscape painter, Mr. Daniels. Not only that, but you’re also the man who works his special brand of magic with my sister’s jewelry designs.”
Toby shook his head. “Call me Toby. Your sister has a God-given talent. Isabella’s a mighty fine painter in her own right. I understand you have your talents, too.”
“I try my best,” Sidney said. He wasn’t sure if Toby meant in a courtroom, so that was the most politically correct response. Considering he didn’t spend his time doing much of anything but practicing law, that was likely his intended meaning. “Are you planning to take your wife for a spin on the dance floor tonight?”
“In a bit. Thelma’s talking with the pastor’s wife at the moment. Do you have any special plans while you’re visiting?”
Sidney took a drink of his punch before answering. “Spending time with my family.” His voice caught. My family. What a great thing to be able to say. He was getting soft again. Clearing his throat, he continued. “Speaking of the pastor, I was speaking with Isabella the other day and she mentioned a beautification team at the church. Do you happen to attend the same church?”
“I do, as a matter
of fact. Evergreen Community Church.”
“Do you know of any projects that could use my help? I’m game if you’re willing to take on an untrained worker.”
Toby chuckled. “If you’re offering, I’m sure we could find something to keep you busy. I’ve heard you big city lawyers can cause trouble if you’re not kept busy.”
“I suppose that depends on who you’re talking to.” Sidney raised his cup in a toast.
“Let me see what I can find out in terms of any projects,” Toby said. “Should I call Caroline to get a message to you or would you prefer I call you directly?”
“I see Isabella every day. Why don’t you tell her? She’ll let me know.”
“She’s a sweet gal.”
“Yes, she is.”
“Smart, too,” Toby observed. “And so are you. I can see straight through that plan, son.” Was that a twinkle in the older man’s eye?
“I beg your pardon?”
“You don’t need a convenient excuse to check in with Isabella every day. That young lady appreciates a straightforward approach.”
Sidney chuckled. “You caught me. Isabella’s also worked in the corporate world. We understand each other.”
Toby’s smile faded. “That corporate world nearly destroyed her. Thank the Lord her Aunt Clara had the vision to sell the store to Isabella. The timing was providential.”
Vision? So many things in that statement aroused Sidney’s curiosity. He wasn’t quite sure where to begin. “Providential?”
The older man nodded. “She doesn’t suffer fools.” Did Toby’s words hold a thinly veiled warning?
