Route 66 Reunions

by Mildred Colvin

  By the time the house cleared of visitors, Sarah welcomed Harold’s suggestion to leave. He remained silent on the drive home and walked her from the car without touching her. She unlocked her front door and turned to thank him for going with her, but he spoke first.

  “May I come in? I promise I won’t stay long.”

  Sarah nodded, wishing she could say no. All she wanted at the moment was to curl up in bed with her Bible and seek comfort for a broken heart.

  She led the way into the living room and sank to the sofa. Harold stood.

  “Do you want something to drink?” She looked up at him.

  He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”

  After a moment, he moved to sit beside her. “I’ve been patient, Sarah. You’ve had my ring almost three weeks. Each time I mention it, you offer to give it back. I had hoped with time…I guess I knew all along what your answer would be.”

  Sarah hadn’t expected the pang of anxiety she felt with Harold’s words. She counted him a friend, and she didn’t want to lose him, but she didn’t love him. Marrying him wouldn’t fill the emptiness Kevin had left. She’d lost the only man she would ever love, not once but twice. Harold needed to find another mother for Katie. She wouldn’t stand in his way.

  Sarah picked up the ring box and handed it to Harold. “I’m sorry, but I’m not the wife you’re looking for.”

  His fingers closed around the box, and his eyes met hers. “Maybe I’m not the husband you’re looking for.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, and she swiped at them. “No, I’ll never marry.”

  “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

  Sarah shook her head. Her hands twisted together in her lap. “He walked away from me twice.”

  A sob tore from her. Harold’s arm slipped around her shoulders pulling her into a comforting embrace. “Oh Harold, how can I live without him now?”

  “You could still marry me.” He patted her back as if she were Katie.

  She pulled away and stood. A mirthless laugh tore from her throat. “No, that would be wrong for both of us. I know that now. I didn’t mean to string you along. I was afraid of losing your friendship.”

  He stood watching her, searching her eyes. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? Would marriage to me be so bad? Some of the best marriages have been based on friendship.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t. You deserve better than that.”

  She grabbed a tissue from the table and walked to the front door with him following. She stepped out on the porch with him. “Good night, Harold. Please find someone who truly loves you and who you love with all your heart. I’m sorry it couldn’t be me.”

  His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I had hoped. But I guess not. Will you send me off with one last hug? Groucho wants to stay friends with Sadie.”

  Sarah stepped into his embrace and felt nothing except warmth. Why couldn’t she love Harold? A slow-moving car caught her attention and, still in Harold’s arms, she watched it drive by. Was that Kevin? Sarah jerked back.

  “I’m sorry—” Harold started to apologize.

  “No, it’s my fault.” She stared down the street but saw only red taillights. “I’ve got to go in, Harold. Please don’t settle for second best. God has someone for you. I know He does.”

  After Harold drove away, Sarah locked her door and headed upstairs. Had Kevin driven past her house, or was she seeing things? If only she could get Kevin Nichols out of her life and out of her heart for good.

  Chapter 14

  S o much for talking to Sarah. Kevin drove away with a heavy heart, the image of her wrapped in the doctor’s arms a clear picture in his mind. He’d lost her. Maybe if he’d found her sooner, before Jenson stole her heart, he might’ve had a chance.

  At his apartment, he went to the kitchen and started coffee. While it percolated, he pulled his tie off and hung it in his bedroom. Back in the living room he sank into his recliner and lifted his Bible from the lamp table. Maybe while he waited for his coffee, he could erase Sarah from his mind.

  By habit, he turned to the Gospel of John and began to read. After several minutes, he set his Bible aside and went to the kitchen, returning with a cup of coffee and a package of cookies. Again he picked up his Bible, letting it fall open to John 15. He skimmed over the first verses that he had almost memorized and read to the end of the chapter then returned to verse seven. “ ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.’”

  He closed the Bible and set it aside. How he wished he could believe that. If simply asking would bring Sarah to him, he would at least try. He finished his coffee, took the cookies back to the kitchen, and went to bed.

  Kevin woke the next morning with the sheets twisted around his legs. He nicked his chin when he shaved, and he dripped milk from his cereal on his shirt. Could the day get any worse?

  Mr. Parker stopped him before he reached his office. “Nichols, when you get a minute, come see me.”

  “Sure.” Kevin nodded toward his office door. “Let me get settled, and I’ll be right there.”

  His boss waved his hand as if brushing him aside. “No hurry. Just whenever is fine.”

  “Okay.”

  Kevin entered his office. He left the door open. “Good morning, Valerie. What are you up to now?”

  She leaned back in his chair with her feet, crossed at the ankle, resting on his desk. He skimmed past the fair amount of smooth leg her dress didn’t cover and met her gaze. She frequently dressed in vibrant colors. Today’s choice of red set off her olive skin tones and dark hair to perfection. A welcoming smile and sparkling blue eyes completed the picture. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  “I see.” He leaned against the desk. “Is there a reason?”

  Her feet hit the floor and she stood, coming around to stand beside him. “Of course, Kevin. I always have a reason for what I do.”

  He crossed his arms and faced her. “So that means you want something from me.”

  Her lower lip stuck out in a pretty pout. “You’re being mean when I only want to invite you to church.”

  “Okay.” Why not? He wouldn’t be going with Sarah anymore.

  “Okay, what?” Her pout gave way to puzzlement. “Okay to invite you, or okay you’ll go with me?”

  He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Where and when?”

  The squeal took him by surprise but gave warning before she launched herself into his arms. He chuckled. “Valerie, is this the way to behave in a public place of business?”

  He didn’t expect her quick kiss on his lips, but she pulled back just as quick and twirled around, her skirt billowing out like a little girl’s. He laughed with her, glad for the distraction from his self-pity. He circled his desk and sat down. “Why don’t you run along now? I need to check on some things before I talk to your father.”

  She smiled and grabbed a pen and paper from his desk, then wrote something before handing it to him. “This is the church’s address and the time. Don’t you dare be late. I’ll wait for you in front.”

  He glanced at the address and nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  She swirled away and stopped a moment by the door. “We always go out to eat after church. See ya.”

  Twenty minutes later, Kevin knocked at John Parker’s office before entering. His boss greeted him with a smile and a firm handshake. “Sit down. I won’t take but a minute of your time. How are things going?”

  “Fine.” Kevin wasn’t sure what else to say. His personal life had died a premature death, but Mr. Parker wouldn’t be interested.

  “Good.” They talked shop for a while, until Mr. Parker leaned forward. “I’ve been watching you, Kevin. You take the initiative and get things done. I don’t worry when you’re out in the field, because I know we’ll have a satisfied client when you come home. I like that. Valerie has nothing but good to say about you. I appreciate you taking her to the open house for that girls’ home last n
ight. Sorry the wife and I couldn’t make it. She filled us in though. From what she said, they got a nice place. My little girl may be a bit dingy sometimes, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders. She knows quality when she sees it, and I’m not talking about the house. I mean her escort.”

  “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.” Did the man know his daughter was pushing past professional limits? The kiss she’d given him was about as chaste as any he’d ever experienced, but he didn’t think Valerie intended to stop there. What would her father think then?

  “So can we expect to see you Sunday?”

  He’d obviously missed part of the conversation, but he caught the gist of it. He nodded. “Yes, I told Valerie I’d come.”

  “Good.” Mr. Parker rose, signaling their time had ended. He extended his hand, which Kevin took for a quick shake. “Plan to eat with us at the club after.”

  “Thanks, I will.”

  Kevin went back to work, wondering at the turn his life seemed to be taking.

  Two days later, he entered church with a beautiful woman on his arm, but she wasn’t Sarah, and the church wasn’t Sarah’s. He sat through the sermon, remembering the vivid word pictures Sarah’s pastor used to bring God’s Word to life. He looked down at his open Bible while the minister’s voice droned on. He turned to the now familiar Gospel of John and let the thoughts of the fourteenth chapter lift him to a higher plane. How he would love the assurance of a place in heaven. Jesus told His disciples He would go away and prepare a place for them. A place to belong sounded pretty good to Kevin. At the moment he wasn’t sure where he belonged.

  Not with Sarah obviously. She’d told him to get lost when they were kids. She said she never wanted to see him again. Did she still feel that way? If so, she’d put on a good act, but for what purpose? Why had she led him on only to dump him for another man? To hurt him? His shoulders slumped with the heavy weight of his heart as he stood with the Parkers for the closing prayer.

  The country club’s dining room buzzed with activity, and Valerie kept a firm hold on Kevin’s arm. She bestowed a sweet smile on him when he held her chair and sat at her side. Her parents sat across from them. While they ate, the hum of conversations and soft music over the speakers created background for a perfect meal of baked veal, fluffy mashed potatoes, and asparagus.

  Mr. Parker mentioned his business with pride. “I started out as a CPA working for someone else. Decided I wanted my own business. The wife and I were newlyweds then, and I took a gamble. Everyone said I’d lose my shirt, but instead I latched on to a whole new wardrobe.” He laughed at his joke.

  Kevin smiled with him. “You’ve done very well for yourself. That’s something to be proud of.”

  His boss nodded. “True, but I’m getting older now and don’t figure I have the energy of a young man.” He jabbed his fork toward Kevin. “It takes a lot of stamina to build and grow. That’s for young men.”

  “Daddy, why don’t you and Kevin continue this conversation at the office?” Valerie scooted her chair back. “I want to show Kevin around the grounds.”

  Kevin stood to help her with her chair. She smiled at him. “I don’t mean to rush you, but Daddy can go on and on when he gets started.”

  Before Kevin could respond, Mr. Parker waved them away. “No, that’s fine. You two take a walk. Mom and I may do the same a little later. I’ll see you in the morning, Kevin. Stop by the office sometime during the day. I need to discuss something with you.”

  Kevin nodded. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow. If you don’t mind, I’ll see Valerie home after our walk.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Parker both smiled and nodded. “Take your time. Show him the pool, Val. Maybe he likes tennis or golf.”

  “Tennis might be fun. Too bad we aren’t dressed to play.” Just hearing the word golf brought back memories of Sarah at the miniature golf course. Memories that he shoved to the back of his mind now so he could continue to smile and appear interested in the walk Valerie wanted.

  “We’ll come back later when we are.” Valerie smiled up at him, and he had to think for a moment what she meant.

  “Oh yes, to play tennis. Do you have rackets, or should I stock up on a couple along with some balls?” He led her away from the table toward the door.

  Her laughter sounded pure and real. “Daddy’s been a member of the club all my life, so we have plenty of equipment. Don’t waste your money. I love to play. Why don’t we bring a change of clothes next Sunday, and we’ll bat balls around for a while? No pressure. Just see how we do.”

  “No showing me up, huh?” He smiled at her. “Okay, I’m game if you promise to go easy on me.”

  “I do.” Her blue eyes twinkled with an emotion he didn’t want to decipher.

  Late Monday afternoon Kevin tapped on Mr. Parker’s door. He’d been busy all day and had only a few minutes ago remembered his promise to stop by the boss’s office. Valerie must’ve been busy, too. He’d seen her once and scarcely had time to return her smile before she hurried off.

  “Come on in.” Mr. Parker’s gruff voice called out.

  Kevin stepped inside.

  “I’ve been expecting you.” His boss motioned to the chair facing his desk. “Have a seat. I want to know what you thought of church. Our minister knows the Bible inside out, doesn’t he?”

  Kevin nodded. “Yes, he seems quite knowledgeable.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. The man seemed to have an extensive knowledge of the history of Egypt and ancient Rome including the customs of the time. So what if he hadn’t felt as if anything in the sermon applied to his life? A man would have to be egotistical to think every sermon he heard was preached for him alone. Maybe next week’s sermon would be different.

  “So are you planning to attend this coming Sunday?” Mr. Parker watched him as if his answer mattered.

  “I promised Valerie I would.”

  A wide smile broke over the other man’s face. “Great. We’ll count on it then. That brings us to the reason for this meeting.”

  Until that point, Kevin hadn’t thought much about his summons. Over the years he’d worked for Parker, he’d sat before him many times discussing one problem after another. Instinctively he knew this time was different. Not only from the gleam in his eyes but also by bringing church into the equation, Parker had more than business on his mind. As he talked, Kevin’s suspicion grew.

  “Parker Enterprises has grown beyond the scope of my original vision. I first expected a small office of accountants servicing the Windy City. We’ve gone beyond that, as your trips into Michigan and Indiana prove. We’re right up there with commercial real estate, and our financial services are some of the best. There’s still room for growth, but we’ve done well for ourselves.”

  He shifted in his chair. “I’ve had my eye on you, Kevin, since you joined our firm. You’re a bright, energetic young man. Valerie thinks highly of you. I’d be proud to welcome you into the family, and I want you to know a partnership is yours if that happens….”

  Kevin heard the rumble of Mr. Parker’s words after that, but he didn’t try to listen. He’d heard all he needed to. Had Valerie put her dad up to this? She was spoiled enough to get away with such an underhanded trick, but why would she? She had her choice of men. She’d turned down two marriage offers he knew of. Why him? And why not? Sarah didn’t want him. He wasn’t getting any younger, and he’d like to have a family of his own someday. He liked Valerie and enjoyed her company. What more could a guy expect? Maybe he’d go along with her game and see where it took him. He didn’t have to make a commitment right now.

  Sarah spoke into her phone at work. “Darlene, hello.”

  She winced, knowing she’d neglected Marilee’s Home since the night of the open house. The night Kevin paraded his girlfriend in front of her. No, that wasn’t fair. He probably thought she was engaged to Harold. He had every right to be with whomever he wanted. He could marry her for all she cared. Tears welled in her eyes, and she brushed them away
with more force than necessary.

  “How have you been?” Darlene’s compassionate voice came over the phone, and Sarah straightened, bringing her thoughts back to her friend.

  “Busy. You know how it is. Seems like there’s always something to do.” She picked up a pen and began doodling on a pad of paper.

  “Oh, that’s the truth, but what’s it been? Two, three weeks? The girls have been asking about you. They want to show you what they’ve done to their rooms.” Darlene laughed. “It’s amazing how each room reflects the personality of the girl. I think this house is more home to these girls than the one we wanted to keep. How wrong a person can be.”

  “Yes, that’s true.” She should have fought to keep Kevin, but she let him go twice. Now it was too late. It had been three weeks ago tonight since she saw him, but he’d stayed on her mind every second of that time. Twice she’d started to call him to explain, then couldn’t. Not with that dark-haired woman’s beautiful face standing between them. She’d been so wrong, and she lost him. He’d found someone else.

  “So when do you think you’ll have time for us?” Darlene asked.

  “How would tomorrow night work?” She really did want to see the girls.

  “Fine. Plan to stay for dinner. What’s your favorite?”

  Sarah stared in horror at her subconscious doodling. From every angle, Kevin Nichols’s name in hearts taunted her. She threw the pen across her office to land in the soft carpeting. “My favorite? Have you had hamburgers and homemade fries lately?”

  “Nope, but we can tomorrow.” Sarah heard paper rustling. “I’ll make a note for Grace. The girls will love it.”

  After Darlene hung up, Sarah retrieved her pen and tore the paper with Kevin’s name to shreds before throwing it away. Forcing her mind back to work, she shut everything else out.