Unintentionally Yours

by Terry Fowler

  Leah lay down on her stomach and coaxed the cat out. She rolled over and sat up, cuddling Lady to her chest. “Hey, girl, are you lonely?” The Siamese rumbled and purred beneath her hands.

  “Guess what, Lady? That guy, Josiah, who came over with me last night. He asked me out and I said yes. He’s a really nice person.”

  They sat together for a while before she stood and went to take care of the litter box. Afterward, she filled Lady’s water and food bowls.

  The sight of Champ’s empty bowls and leash drove her to the garage in search of a box. Leah cleaned his bowls and packed them away. Then she moved through the house in search of his other items and cried at the sight of a well-used chew toy. She couldn’t help but remember when he was a puppy and her mother despaired of him chewing up everything in their house.

  Leah sniffed and dumped the toy in the trash, doubting her mom would want to hold on to it for even the most sentimental of reasons. She carried the box and Champ’s bed into the garage. After securing and marking the box, she placed it out of sight on the back garage shelving unit.

  Back inside, she washed up in the half bath and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. She paused to give Lady one last pat before heading home.

  The mailbox caught her eye on the way out and she stopped to remove the day’s mail. She’d been so intent on checking on Lady that she’d forgotten. No packages today. She went back inside and glanced through the pile before laying it on her mother’s desktop.

  In an almost natural progression, her thoughts shifted from the mail to Josiah. She wondered what he was doing right now. Was he out with a client? Or thinking how stupid he’d been for asking her out? Maybe even regretting his rash action? She hoped not. Leah liked Josiah. As she’d told Lady, he was a nice guy.

  It had been a while since her last date and though she had no idea what he planned, she looked forward to Friday night. Most often her dates were dinner and a movie or sitting around on someone’s patio or in their living room listening to her date talk with his friends and feeling left out.

  Knowing Josiah and Cecily made this date seem more personal. She had bonded with the Byrds and wanted to hear Josiah tell her about himself. She wanted to know him and even the thought of meeting his friends seemed an exciting prospect.

  Last night, before she’d cried herself to sleep, her grief over Champ turned to her own inadequacies and her growing frustrations at where her life was headed. At a loss to understand this sudden need to accomplish something major with her life, Leah prayed and asked God to bless her, to guide her along the path He had for her and to give her the desires of her heart. She wanted to be loved and give love. Those were her most urgent needs.

  * * *

  That night she sat in the sanctuary with her friends and listened to Pastor Paul’s midweek message. She’d been surprised when the church officials chose this young man to lead their church, but after hearing him preach she knew why. Every message seemed as if God intended them for her. Tonight’s topic was “turmoil” and she could definitely relate.

  As they walked out to their cars, Leah glanced at her friend. “What was that scripture Pastor Paul used tonight?”

  Susan pulled the note she’d written from her Bible. “Job 3:25 and 26. ‘I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.’”

  Leah had known Susan all her life. They had been in the same Sunday school classes growing up, attended the same school and then after graduation Susan chose to get married while Leah went to college.

  “You ever feel like that?”

  “Who hasn’t?”

  Leah nodded. “Thank God I don’t have Job’s problems, but I have the turmoil. You want to go for ice cream and talk more?”

  Susan said yes. “Let me tell Eddie and you can drop me off at home later.”

  They climbed into Leah’s SUV. “Fast food cone or Dairy Queen?”

  “Let’s splurge. I haven’t been to the Dairy Queen in forever.”

  The small building that housed the ice cream shop was surrounded by cars. Leah found a place to park and they took their place in line, waiting to give their order. A few minutes later, they took their cups of ice cream with extras and returned to the car where they sat eating and talking.

  Voices and a hint of a breeze floated in through the open car window. It was a humid, late June evening and Leah knew the flashes of lightning in the distance meant a storm before morning.

  “I have a date Friday night.”

  Susan’s spoon paused in midair. “Really? With who? What does he do? Where did you meet him?”

  “Whoa, girl. Josiah Byrd. He’s in commercial real estate.” Leah considered Josiah’s need for secrecy before answering the last question. “He stopped by Mom and Dad’s a couple of weeks ago. I gave him my business card and his mom hired me.”

  “Sweeeet.” Susan’s extended version of the word made Leah laugh. “Work and a man, too. Great combination. Where’s he taking you?”

  “I don’t know. He’s making the plans. I’m looking forward to our date. He’s a nice guy and not bad on the eyes, either.”

  “Maybe he’s the one. I’m praying for you. Sorry about Champ. You should have called me.”

  “Josiah drove me home. We were having dinner at his mom’s house.”

  Susan frowned. “I thought this was your first date?”

  “It is. He surprised his mom with takeout and she had other plans so he invited me to eat with him. Then the vet called and I got upset and he wouldn’t let me drive myself home.”

  “Sounds like a keeper.”

  Leah spooned ice cream into her mouth. After swallowing, she plunged off the deep end. “He called to check on me the next morning and asked me out. You don’t think it’s a pity date, do you?”

  “Don’t be silly. The guy likes what he sees.”

  She ate another bite and groaned when the cold headache struck.

  “Touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth.”

  Once she was back in control, Leah said, “You’re so good for my self-esteem. Susan, will you pray for me?”

  “You know I will. Tell me what’s wrong?”

  Leah heard the concern in Susan’s voice. “I’m feeling so frustrated about where I am in life.”

  Her friend lifted one shoulder. “Depression over our life path isn’t abnormal.”

  “Yeah, but I’m feeling pretty defeated right now.”

  “Why? You’re working and you have a date.”

  “I haven’t accomplished much with my life. I spoke with Mom and Dad today. They’re so in love and having the time of their lives. I hated having to tell them about Champ.”

  “Is it grief, Leah? I mean... Well, Champ’s been around for a long time.”

  She dropped the spoon back in the container. “That might be some of it but I’ve had this feeling for a while now. I can’t help but think about where I should be at my age. Most women at least have a significant other if they aren’t married. Some are even working on second husbands.”

  Susan looked surprised. “I’m sure that’s not what you want.”

  Leah shook her head. “No way. I want one man who loves me in the same way I love him. One who believes in lifetime commitment.”

  “Sounds like you’re having an early crisis. Lots of people hit a wall around thirty. It’s been on my mind too. You know how much Eddie and I want a baby. Think it over. You know what you want. What’s stopping you from having it?”

  “It’s more than that, Susan. Sometimes I feel my life has been too easy. I’ve been blessed with wonderful parents, a beautiful home and good education and here I am struggling to keep a floundering business going and not using the education my parents paid for.”

  “Is business that bad?”

  Leah shrugged. “God
provides. Every time I’m sure it’s my last job, something comes through. But I’m tired of living on the edge. I want security. I don’t want to be that adult child who goes running home to her parents when her life falls apart.”

  “How long have you been doing this now?”

  “Three years. And I still work part-time at the clinic to supplement my income.”

  “Are you trying to find yourself?”

  Leah hooted. “No. I consider myself pretty much found but I do feel I’m in limbo.”

  “Have you written down your plans? I read that people who do that are often successful.”

  “That’s a thought.”

  “I think you’re beating yourself up for no reason. The economy is pretty tough right now. Just having enough work to pay expenses is good.”

  “That’s all I’m doing. No savings. No retirement. If something happens, I’d have to ask my parents for help. Sad for someone my age, don’t you think?”

  “Be thankful you have parents who can help you. Eddie and I are scraping along, living from check to check. Every time we get a little bit ahead, the car tears up or something happens to the house. I think it’s a conspiracy. Our possessions check our bank balance or something.”

  Leah chuckled. “The missing socks and clothes hangers probably tell them.” Thankfully her car was newer and the condo hadn’t required a great deal of repair.

  “You asked for prayer, but I’ll give you my opinion first. If you aren’t happy with your life as it is, change it. You’re the only one who can. Think about what you really want and go after your goals. Same thing with being in love—find someone and make it happen.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “It is when you meet the right person. You know when the guy is right for you. I felt that way with Eddie.”

  Leah thought about her mother. Evidently her father hadn’t been her first choice if she’d thought she would marry Joseph Byrd. Had she known Joseph was the one?

  “You’re right. If I want change, I have to adjust my way of thinking. I can’t go through life hanging on to the idea that one day Mr. Right will drop into my lap and I’ll become a stay-at-home wife and mother.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “I think so. But I’m so confused.”

  “Let’s pray for clarity.” Susan reached over and took Leah’s hand and sent up a prayer that Leah would have a clear mind as she planned for her future and that God would send the man He intended into her life.

  “You’re a smart woman.”

  Susan grinned. “Yeah, attribute it to my school of hard knocks degree. You’d better take me home. I told Eddie I’d be there in an hour or so.”

  Leah hopped out and tossed their trash and then drove her friend home. She parked in front of Susan’s house. “See you Sunday. Thanks for the advice.”

  “Thanks for the ice cream. And stop worrying. Life has a way of dropping wonderful things on us when we least expect it.”

  Chapter 8

  Since Josiah hadn’t told her where they were going, Leah dressed in a knee-length jean skirt, a royal blue sleeveless top and sandals. She pulled her hair back and clipped it at the base of her neck. It had been hot when she arrived home an hour earlier and thanks to a sudden heat wave it didn’t appear the evening would be much cooler.

  When she opened the door to Josiah, he wore khaki shorts with a green golf shirt with a Byrd company logo and Top-Siders. Leah had never seen him dressed this casually. “Come in. You look comfortable.”

  “Better than those stuffed turkey images?”

  Leah blushed. “You aren’t going to forget that, are you?”

  He pretended hurt. “You laughed at me.”

  “Not at you. I couldn’t help the image that floated through my head with that comment.”

  “Okay, you’re forgiven.” He glanced around her condo. “Nice place. I like the brick walls. They give the place character.”

  Those walls and the high ceilings had convinced Leah to buy the condo. It was located in a renovated historic downtown building. The spacious floor plan offered plenty of storage and an updated kitchen with new appliances and granite. Her parents had liked the security entrance. Leah loved that she could walk to a number of shops and restaurants downtown whenever she wanted.

  “I’d give you a tour but you’ve pretty much seen all there is except for the bathroom and bedroom.”

  “I’m impressed. My condo is rather plain compared to yours.”

  Leah doubted that. His taste was too good to ever live in a bland condo. And his mother surely wouldn’t allow him to live in a dump. “I’m sure it’s beautiful. Cecily said you’d taken pieces from the house. She has beautiful taste.”

  With her comment, Josiah backpedaled. “On second thought, don’t tell my mom I said that. She decorated the place and while it’s not exactly my taste, she did a great job.”

  She met his smile with one of her own. Leah pretended to zip her lip. “We’ll just keep that our little secret.”

  “Thanks. I thought we’d have dinner at the LongHorn Steakhouse and then check out the Music on the Town concert on the Mayfaire event field. It starts at six but I thought we would let it cool down a bit first.”

  His plans impressed Leah. She hated those dates where they volleyed back and forth over what to do. “Sounds good. Would you like something to drink before we go?”

  “I’ll wait until we get to the restaurant.”

  He escorted her out to a black Mercedes very like the one his mother drove, his hand hovering near her lower back. “Where’s the truck?”

  “At home. This was Dad’s car. Mom keeps saying I should keep something of his but I already had this. I’m using it as a company car.”

  Josiah opened the door and Leah slipped inside. She ran a hand over the beautiful leather upholstery, admiring his luxury ride. A definite step up from her small SUV. He went around and climbed in behind the wheel. He glanced at her. “You and Mom have a good day?”

  “Emotional. She got into another box of memorabilia that left her teary-eyed.”

  He scowled. “I hate this. She’s making herself miserable.”

  Leah recognized the same protective tendencies in Josiah that she saw in her father. “She tells me they’re happy tears. Actually, reminiscing might help with her grief. She was excited about our date.”

  He pulled up to the stop sign and waited for oncoming traffic before turning. Josiah glanced at her. “Do you mind that I told her?”

  Leah shook her head. “I started to mention it but then questioned whether you’d want her to know.”

  “I don’t keep a lot of secrets from Mom. I asked if she wanted to come along when I borrowed the lawn chairs.”

  Her heart plummeted to her stomach. So much for any hopes that something wonderful might be in the offing.

  “That would have been fine. I like Cecily.”

  He chuckled. “I know you do. She likes you, too. But there’s no way she would intrude on my love life. Particularly when she likes the girl involved.”

  Love life? Leah felt her skin redden a little. She’d been hopeful but had not advanced to thoughts of a love life just yet.

  “Everything okay with Champ’s arrangements?”

  A fresh surge of sadness and despair washed over her. “Daddy sent an email to the vet. I feel bad that he had to handle it while on vacation.”

  “You shouldn’t. I’m sure he felt it was his responsibility.” He turned off Market onto Eastwood Road. “So, Leah Wright, tell me something about you I don’t know.”

  She reclined into the comfortable leather seat. “You pretty much know everything there is to know.”

  He looked doubtful. “What’s your favorite color?”

  Certain he expected
her to name some girly color, Leah said, “Depends on my mood. I’m a chameleon.”

  “A chameleon, huh?” He grinned. “Hate to tell you but that blue is too pretty for you to blend into the scenery.”

  “Just wait.”

  He laughed heartily. “Not even you can pull that one off. So you have lots of favorite colors?”

  She turned toward him in her seat. “I do. What about you?”

  “Blue is good. Lighter shades, like the Carolina blue sky.”

  “That’s the Tarheel in you coming out. Why do so many men like blue?”

  “You mean like little girls and pink? It is our birth indicator color. Maybe we think it’s easier to hang on to the idea for life once it’s introduced to us.”

  Leah found herself entranced by his low-pitched voice. “That’s the problem with learning your baby’s sex in advance. No sunny yellow or pastel green nurseries. Would you have a different favorite color if you’d been introduced to other colors?”

  “I doubt Mom knew whether she was having a boy or girl,” he said. “You wouldn’t want to know the sex of your baby?”

  “It’s very practical,” she began. “But I like the idea of a surprise.”

  He nodded. “Me, too.”

  “I know my mom would probably have to know. She’s very into details when it comes to entertaining. She loves those baby announcement parties where they slice the cake to show the sex of the baby.”

  Thinking it was too early in their relationship for so much information on babies, Leah asked him another question and by the time Josiah parked at the restaurant they knew each other’s birth dates, the last books they’d read and where they went to church.

  He escorted her into the Western-themed restaurant where they found they had beaten the Friday-night crowd. Probably the place would be filled by the time they finished their meal. They were escorted to a booth and left with their menus.

  They soon had their drink orders placed and a loaf of warm bread. Josiah offered her the basket and then pulled off a slice for himself. He spread butter lavishly and took a bite.