Rich in Faith (Richness in Faith, Book 3)

by Peterson, Lindi

  “I couldn’t convince him I’m not in love with you because I am.”

  If I thought my burden was heavy a little while ago, I was wrong. How can he be in love with me? “I don’t think you are in love with me. I think you are curious about me, or taken with the fact that Team Twin likes me. But I don’t think you’re in love with me.”

  “You’re the first person who’s made me feel anything since before MaryLeigh died.”

  “And that’s what you’re in love with. That fact.”

  “No. I’m in love with Shelby. The woman who I catch gazing at me when she thinks I’m not looking. The woman whose laugh I can’t wait to hear, so I ditch my job and come home early. The woman who let’s my kids be who they are out of a respect for me and my crazy ways that need to be changed. That’s who I’m in love with.”

  “Court—”

  “Say it, Shelby. Say you love me.”

  I don’t understand this. I don’t understand him. I don’t understand how a heart can melt this fast with an understanding that even if it doesn’t understand much, it can’t refute truth. “I love you.”

  The words are out, in the air for him to hear. For him to process. For him to embrace.

  His lips cover mine and we fall onto the bed like it’s the most natural thing ever. Within seconds we are side by side, kissing, touching. I run my hands down his arms as his hands delicately caress the hair around my face. He leans up on one elbow, his gaze never leaving me.

  “This thing with Jared,” he starts, “will be easier to handle with you by my side.”

  “He already thinks I’m by your side if you know what I mean. He thinks I stole his job.”

  “When we get back we’re going to confront him about the checks. I know that’s the right thing to do. We’ll lay it all out and see what he has to say.”

  “As much as I want justice to prevail, I find it hard to focus on that while lying in a bed with you. I’d rather be kissing you.”

  He leans over, capturing my lips in his. His tongue gently traces my lips, and I find myself not being able to kiss him deeply enough. Like I’m thirsting and he’s the fountain.

  He sits up and grabs the bottom of my shirt. My mind travels back years to that first night with Paul.

  But this is different.

  Very different, I reason as Court starts to push my shirt up.

  He said he loved me.

  So did Paul.

  “No.”

  He quickly lets go. “I’m sorry. I thought…”

  I place my finger on his lips. “I thought I was ready for this, but I’m not.”

  “It’s okay,” he says. He runs his hand through his hair. “I don’t know what I’m thinking. The girls are out there. All this with Jared. I’m not thinking straight, obviously.”

  I’m not sure from where this sense of modesty has come, I just know it’s undeniable. “I’m to blame, too. I shouldn’t have let it go this far. We’ve just said the words ‘I love you.’ Can we explore what those words really mean in our lives before we cross lines that can never be uncrossed?”

  “There will never be any going back with us, Shelby. Only going forward. But I’m willing to wait however long it takes for that to happen.”

  The space is cramped, but he scoots off the bed with ease. He leans over, kissing me thoroughly. “I do love you, Shelby,” he says as he exits the room.

  My face heats thinking about the route we were headed.

  The route that I’ve taken before with men that has led to only one thing.

  Disaster.

  Nothing ever lasting, obviously.

  No, if that’s going to happen with Court, I’m making sure he’s going to be forever.

  And right now, even though we’ve spoken those three words, I’m not convinced forever is in our future.

  There’s still too much he doesn’t know about me.

  MEET

  THE RAIN FROM THE previous night has led to sunny, blue skies this morning. I pour coffee as I watch Team Twin continue to sleep, that hair sprawled across the soft, white leather couch.

  When I came out of the bedroom last night, Court was gone. I figured he would be. Instead of awaking with shame, like I could have, I woke this morning renewed.

  Renewed with faith that Court and I will last forever.

  I know how I feel when I think about him, and the feeling is one of completeness. Like he makes me feel whole, secure in who we are together, because for the first time, who we are together is way more important than who I am apart from him.

  I can honestly say that is a first.

  And I can honestly say I’ve been thinking about my faith. That service last Sunday spoke to my heart, then Court’s confession of love last night fueled the notion that we aren’t alone in this world.

  Who but God could have orchestrated my life in this manner? Here I am, in love with a man that is the exact type of man I vowed to stay away from. Court has captured my heart, and I think it’s because God captured it first.

  For the first time I’m excited for a man to meet my parents. Of course, Court doesn’t know he’s going to meet them, and there’s a conversation Court and I need to have first, but I’m filled with a calm, peaceful, yet excited feeling that doesn’t make sense.

  When Court shows up twenty minutes later, he bursts through the door with a vase of beautiful red roses and a box of donuts.

  He kisses me quickly, something I’m sure he takes advantage of because the girls are still asleep. “Presents for my girls. Flowers for you, donuts for Team Twin.”

  I like how he uses the name I made up for them. “Are we allowed to share?” I ask, surprised at how glad I am that he’s here. I haven’t experienced this feeling before. And I’m thrilled with it.

  “Of course you can.” He sets the donuts and the flowers on the counter. “I think I’m going to wake them up. We need to get going. Besides, I don’t trust myself around the woman I’m in love with. She might corrupt me.”

  “Ha.” I push him away from me. “It’s the other way around. But before you wake them up, I have something I need to talk to you about.”

  “Uh, oh.” He slides into the breakfast booth. “This sounds serious.”

  I slide in across from him. “It’s serious, but not in the way you are thinking. It’s more of a serious step.”

  He reaches across the table and holds my hand. “I’m curious.”

  “My parents are here at the race track—”

  “Your parents? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Where are they?”

  I swallow, knowing an explanation, a long one is forthcoming. “I’m not sure where they are staying. I haven’t told them I’m here.”

  His expression says perplexed. “Why not?”

  “It’s a complicated hot mess, but the bottom line is my family are just plain people. My dad is the biggest race fan around, and your dad is the hero of all heroes in their house.”

  “That’s cool. My dad has a lot of fans.”

  “Until last night I didn’t want to introduce you to them.”

  “Why not?”

  Here it is. Time to lay it all out. Might as well find out now if he’s the one. I can’t explain how bold I feel as I’m about to reveal my past. I want to tell this man all about who I am.

  Who I really am. Not who he thinks I am. He needs to know, and I need to know now if it will change things.

  I take a deep breath, and I’m calmer than I ever thought I’d be at this stage of a relationship with someone like Court. “Because. We are so different, Court. You and me. My family, your family. I grew up in a trailer park, kids made fun of me in school, we never went without but we never had a lot.”

  He stares at me like he’s waiting for me to go on. When I don’t he half smiles. “Is that all you’ve got? Where you grew up doesn’t change how I feel about you. And if we go to one of your class reunions, I’ll call out the kids who made fun of you. How’s that.”

  Closing my eyes momentarily,
I shake my head. When I look at Court again, I see the love in his eyes. I pray he’s telling the truth. “Court. I’ve been trying my whole life to be something. Anything. The story I told that day to Team Twin? It was a true story. That little girl was me.”

  “Shelby, I love that the little girl was you. How you grew up has made you an amazing woman. You have so much compassion. So much love.”

  I straighten my shoulders. “What if I told you I don’t really even like wine?”

  He kisses the back of my hand. “I’d say you were an awfully good pretender.”

  My heart jolts, my eyes tear. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I’ve been pretending my whole life. My whole life.” I wiggle my hand out of his and start to stand.

  “Then it’s time to stop.” His voice is as loud as it can be in the RV with the girls still asleep on the couch. “My heart knows the real Shelby Madison, the woman I’ve fallen in love with. Now I think it’s time to meet your parents.”

  I love this moment. I love how I believe in Courts words. They’ve grounded me, not made me wary or worried. “You have no idea what you are saying. My dad is going to have a fan moment. That is after he yells at me for not telling him who I’ve been working for.”

  “They don’t know you’ve been working for me?”

  I laugh. “No. Are you kidding? They would have been on your front door faster than you can say race fan. And, this is my dad’s first race. My mom scrimped and saved to bring him here. Court, this will make his life.”

  “I love how excited you are talking about it. I can tell they mean a lot to you.”

  “They do. Something else I didn’t know until last night. But your ‘I love you’ changed everything.”

  “What’re your mom and dad’s names? I’ll call right now and get two passes to our suite. They will enjoy the view.”

  “Herman and Penny Madison. And my dad will enjoy the view if he doesn’t pass out from the excitement.”

  “He’ll be fine. Call them. I’ll call who I need to, then you can walk over to the gate to meet them. The girls and I will wait here.”

  After a brief conversation that totally confuses my parents, I walk to the gate that I entered through yesterday.

  Yesterday.

  It feels like a lifetime ago.

  Jared and Stace are gone. I have no idea where Court and Jared’s friendship is going at this point.

  Court said he loved me.

  And now he’s meeting my parents.

  I feel good about this meeting. No trepidation like when I introduced them to Dale. No, I feel like this is going to be a whole new experience.

  Some guy with a Treyhune Motorsports shirt had brought me the passes, so when I spot Mom and Dad and wave, the passes are visible. Now Dad really looks confused. They produce all the proper documentation that allows them through the gate and into my arms for a hug.

  “Shelby Ray Madison. What have you gone and done? I hope you didn’t spend a lot of money for these passes. We don’t want you spending your hard-earned money on us.”

  I hug my mom while answering my dad. “I haven’t spent a dime. But we do need to have a quick talk.”

  “Okay,” my dad says. “Talk.”

  “Well, you know I’ve been working in Florida. And you know I’m a nanny. What you don’t know is who I’m a nanny for. I know you know the name. Court Treyhune.”

  My dad’s expression is priceless and I want to take a picture, but I don’t think it would be a good idea. I can’t imagine the look on his face if I were to tell him Court loves me.

  I’m not going there. One heart attack moment at a time. That one can wait.

  Besides, I don’t want to share that with anyone yet. I want to keep those words all to myself, close to my heart for as long as I can.

  “You are babysitting Court Treyhune’s children?”

  I laugh at the disbelief in my dad’s tone. And at the how he makes the situation real by using the word babysitting. “I’m their nanny. Twin girls—”

  “Bristol and Darling,” my dad interrupts.

  I momentarily forgot my dad knows all things Treyhune. “Yes, that’s right. So now, if you follow me, we are going to the RV. Court and his girls are there waiting for us.”

  “We’re going to meet Court Treyhune?”

  “You are. And he’s excited to meet you.” I say the words with confidence. I know they are true. Mama’s wary expression and lack of words doesn’t escape my notice.

  We walk the short distance to the RV with me having to nudge my dad along every now and then. Apparently he’s star struck every other step. I don’t know who is who, so star struck I’m not.

  “Shelby, this is amazing. Did you see that? Hank Favor just walked by. I could have reached out and touched him. Hank Favor!”

  I don’t know Hank except through my dad. If my relationship with Court goes like my heart says it’s going, my dad will have the opportunity to see and possibly meet any race personality that he wants.

  Maybe they’ll all come to our wedding.

  Wedding?

  Shivers run up my arm at the direction my thoughts just went. I don’t want to move too far ahead, but being in love is a good first step to eventually getting married.

  We arrive at the RV. I stop outside the door. “Dad. Are you okay?”

  His eyes look glazed over like he’s had a few drinks. But I know he’s high on this atmosphere. He’s loved and admired this world for all these years, and now he’s actually living in the middle of it.

  And he’s about to meet his favorite driver’s son.

  Who loves his daughter.

  I let that thought settle on me before I open the door.

  “I’m good,” Dad says.

  “All right. Let’s go in.” I open the door, the cool air hitting me along with the scent of the flowers Court brought me this morning.

  It’s also very quiet. Very quiet for Team Twin being awake and hyped-up on sugar if they’ve eaten those donuts. The scent of the flowers turns sickly sweet, turning my stomach.

  Did they leave?

  Is there a note telling me they’re gone?

  It’s not like there’s many places to hide here in this RV.

  My mom steps into the RV right behind me. My dad is almost all the way up the stairs when Team Twin run out from one of the rooms in the back. “Shelby!”

  They run to me and hug me. “We wanted to surprise you. We saved you a donut. Dad told us we didn’t have to, that you would understand if we ate them all, but we wanted you to have one. It’s right here.”

  They point to a plate that is sitting on the counter. The plate is covered with a paper towel.

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. You know how much I love donuts. Girls, these are my parents. Mr. and Mrs. Madison.”

  “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Madison,” Team Twin says.

  “Hello, girls.” Mama speaks while my dad nods. I think he’s still in shock.

  “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Madison.”

  I swear I have to keep my dad from falling backward when Court speaks.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Court continues, offering his hand. “Your daughter has been amazing with my girls. We’re lucky to have her, aren’t we?”

  He looks at Bristol and Darling who nod.

  Mama shakes his hand. “Very nice to meet you. I’m glad Shelby has fit into your lives so well. She is a sweet girl.”

  When my dad shakes Court’s hand, Court places his other hand over the handshake. “Great to meet you, Mr. Madison. Shelby has spoken highly of you.”

  Yes, those are tears in my dad’s eyes.

  Honestly. I wouldn’t lie about a thing like this.

  “It’s an honor to meet you. An honor.”

  Wow. My dad’s voice holds emotion I haven’t heard since my college graduation ceremony when he told me how proud he was of me.

  There’s a warmth in this RV that stems from our hearts.

  I take note that after all the introductions,
when all has settled, I’m standing right next to Court.

  Where I know I should be standing.

  SUNDAY AFTERNOON, back in Hampton Cove, I unpack my suitcase, my eyes tearing up every time I think of my dad and the weekend he experienced. He couldn’t say thank you enough, and I finally had to tell him he didn’t need to say it again. That Court and I both knew he was thankful.

  Everybody we met was nice and cordial. And we met a lot of people. I will never keep the names straight. Court stayed with us as much as possible, but most of the weekend was spent with my parents and Team Twin.

  Team Twin no longer call my mama and dad Mr. and Mrs. Madison. Nope, now they are Ms. Maddy and Mr. Herms. My dad blushed at the shortening of his name by the girls.

  But now we’re back to reality. Back to trying to figure out the Jared situation. I know it was good for Court to have something else to occupy his mind for a couple of days. Betrayal runs deep and when it’s your best friend, it’s especially hard to take.

  I’ve already arranged for Bristol and Darling to go next door tomorrow to hang out with Phoebe while Court and I go to his office and talk to Jared.

  Long after the girls are in bed and the clock tells us it’s now another day, Court and I sit at the edge of the pool, our feet dangling in the warm water, preparing for the morning and the revelation it will bring.

  We’ve spent hours talking the situation to death, and there’s not much more that can be said until we hear Jared’s explanation.

  But I don’t feel tired or like going in right now. The night beckons us to linger.

  “It means a lot to me that you accepted my parents the way you did. We all felt at home and welcomed by everyone. And my dad, I think he’s at home probably ready to faint by now. Can you say fan overload?”

  He laughs. “Your parents were great. They were gracious and nice to everyone. They seemed to fit right in.”

  Fit right in. Words I’d never thought I’d hear from someone like Court Treyhune regarding me and my family. I never fit in Paul’s world or Dale’s world, but Court has embraced me knowing full well who I am and where I come from.

  This love with Court is different from the other times I thought I was in love. I’m not anxious about things. Worried about our families meshing or not. No, I’m relaxed and calm when it comes to Court.