Kaillar smiled, “You will. Pastor Jeremy and his wife teach the class. It’s designed for people who are searching, just like you. Would you like me to call and let him know you’d like to attend?”
Becca nodded her head, “Yes. Uhm…well, uh…would you consider coming with me?”
Kaillar tapped her nose, “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. I’d be honored to come with you. And when you’re ready, it will be my honor to pray with you.”
Becca snuggled back into his arms and sighed, “Thanks for agreeing to do that with me. And thanks for coming with me here. I know you didn’t have to…”
Kaillar nudged her head up again, “That’s where you’re wrong. I did have to come here with you, like I needed my next breath of air. You stole my heart up on that mountain.” He dipped his head and kissed her, drawing the moment out as long as possible.
“So, what shall we do now?” he asked, turning them back to where they’d left their shoes.
“I think maybe I’d like to go watch Kalino surf.”
Kaillar looked at her, “You know you don’t have to do that. Kalino and I discussed it, and he doesn’t want you to do anything that makes things worse.”
Becca nodded her head, “I know. But I think I need to do this.” She glanced up at him, and then wrapped her arm around his, “Besides, I’ll have you there with me.”
Kaillar nodded his head after searching her eyes for a long moment, “I will always be there for you, Becca. I want you to know.”
Becca laid her head against his shoulder, “I know.”
Chapter 18
Two days later, back in Colorado …
“I’m so tired of sitting,” Becca complained as they exited the terminal at the Denver International Airport. They had just flown back from Hawaii and she was more than ready to get home. She took a breath and then shook her head, “It’s cold here.”
“There’s Mason and Gracie,” Kaillar told her, waving to his brother and fiancé as they crossed the lanes of traffic.
Gracie was out of the car and hugging Becca before he knew it, and he watched in amusement as the two women hugged and cried on each other’s shoulders.
Mason rounded the vehicle and opened the trunk, “Is it always going to be like that with them?”
Kaillar nodded his head, “Yep. I think so. We’d better invest in boxes of tissues.”
Mason grinned, and tossed their suitcases into the trunk. “Ladies, I’m glad you all are happy to see one another, but you need to take this little bonding experience into the vehicle.”
The two girls broke apart and slipped into the backseat, talking a mile a minute as they tried to catch up on everything. Mason grinned at Kaillar as he pulled away from the terminal, “I now know why those fancy limos have a sliding glass partition in them.”
Kaillar looked over his shoulder at Becca, and grinned at the happy look on her face. Her mascara was smeared, and Gracie was handing her a mirror so she could try to repair the damage her tears had done. Again.
“I’m just glad we’re home. That’s a long flight.”
“Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s snowing really hard at the tunnel. I don’t know that we’re getting back to Silver Springs tonight. They’ve already got the chain law in effect for big trucks, and are advising all non-essential traffic to make other travel plans.”
Becca slid forward, “We can stay at my place for one night. Gracie can sleep with me, and you and Mason can take the couch and the second bedroom.” She turned back and asked Gracie, “When are the movers coming?”
“Two days from now. They already dropped off some boxes. If we spent the rest of the afternoon, we could probably get most of your stuff packed up.”
Becca turned back to the front with a questioning look directed towards Kaillar. “Will that work?”
Kaillar smiled at her, “That will work just fine. Why don’t we stop and grab some lunch, and then we can get started?”
Mason nodded and headed towards the foothills. Becca lived in a small suburb on the outskirts of Denver, in a two bedroom apartment. She’d been planning to turn the second bedroom into an office and workroom, but now she wasn’t even planning on staying in Denver.
“So, Sarah’s okay with everything?” Becca asked.
Gracie nodded, “She’s so excited that you and your mom are going to take over her place. When is your mom coming?”
Becca smiled at her, “Well, she closes on the resort Friday. Julia, my mom’s longtime friend is going to come with her. I want to be able to focus on my photography and this way, mom won’t have to manage the guests by herself.”
“That’s a great idea. Sarah already has her stuff packed for her move to Vail. She and Stan are flying to Las Vegas next week to get married.”
“That’s quick,” Becca commented, causing both Mason and Kaillar to laugh. “Why is that so funny?”
“Stan and Sarah have been dating, long distance, for almost seven months. With his schedule at the hospital in Vail, and her commitment to the motel and boarding house, they’ve only been able to see each other a few times each month.”
“That’s hard. How do you keep a relationship going long distance like that?” Becca asked.
“You have to truly love the other person. But I agree,” Gracie told her, “That would be the hard way to have a relationship.”
Becca thought for a moment, and then she brightened, “What if we put together a small celebration for when they return from Vegas? We could use the common room at the motel and invite some of Dr. Geske’s friends from Vail.”
“Becca, that’s a great idea,” Mason told her, directing the vehicle into the drive-thru of a popular burger joint.
“I’m sure both Stan and Sarah would appreciate that,” Kaillar told her with a proud smile on his face.
Mason pulled up to the order spot and then asked, “What does everyone want?”
After receiving their food, Mason drove them straight to Becca’s apartment. They ate amidst talk about Hawai’i, and Kaillar spent most of his time talking about surfing. “Becca’s friend is really good and I think I’ve convinced him to fly out here after the holidays and try his hand at snowboarding.”
“Kalino is looking forward to it,” Becca told him. “He texted me to find out what kind of arrangements he needs to make for lodging. I told him I’d talk with you and not to worry about it.”
Kaillar nodded, “Yeah. He can room at the lodge, or even down at the motel. Next time you talk to him, remind him that we’ll need his flight schedule so that someone can meet him at the airport.”
“Why don’t I just give you his cell phone number and you and he can work out the details?” Becca asked.
Kaillar chuckled and handed her his phone. “That sounds fine.”
They split up after that, the girls taking the kitchen, and the boys heading towards the hall closet and living room. Their focus was to deconstruct the electronics and pack them correctly into the moving boxes.
Gracie and Becca made short work of the kitchen cabinets, and then they headed for the bathroom and linen closet. As they were working, Gracie asked questions about Becca’s time on the Island, and Becca found herself completely opening up. About everything.
“Kaillar was really supportive through everything.”
“Meaning what?” Gracie asked.
Becca put the towels she was holding in her hands into a box, and then she told Gracie about their walk along the beach. “He spoke to Pastor Jeremy. There’s a class meeting Sunday afternoon he thought might be a good fit for me.”
“Are you nervous?” Gracie asked, remembering how nervous and unsure of herself Gracie had been.
“A bit, but not about meeting new people. I just don’t want to let Kaillar down. Or myself.”
Gracie stopped what she was doing and asked, “How do you think you’re going to let anyone down?”
Becca shrugged, “I don’t
really know. But if this doesn’t work..”
“This? You mean a relationship with God? That’s what you think might not work?”
Becca nodded, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Gracie burst out laughing, “Oh Becca. You don’t have to worry about it not working out when it comes to God. He wants to have a relationship with you so badly. Did you and Kaillar talk about how it all works?”
Becca shook her head, and Gracie repeated the gesture. “Men. Leave them to do one thing right. Come with me and let’s take a small break.” She pulled her back out to the living room, and sat them both down on the couch.
Gracie began to tell her about the price that had already been paid for her. At one point, Mason and Kaillar started to come into the living room, but after seeing the two women sitting on the couch, their heads bent close together, and an open Bible sitting on Gracie’s equipment, they had retreated to the bedrooms to begin packing up the contents of the closets.
“She’s going to be fine,” Mason told his brother. “You know that, right?”
Kaillar nodded his head, “I hope so. I really do.”
Chapter 19
One week later, back in Silver Springs…
Pastor Jeremy walked Becca out of the church, “Becca, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’ve chosen to stay in Silver Springs with us. I’m really looking forward to meeting your mother and her friend as well.”
“Thanks Pastor. And thanks for that in there. I was so nervous, and now I don’t even remember why.” Becca had a broad smile upon her face, and she couldn’t wait to see Kaillar. She looked around and then frowned, “I wonder where my ride is?”
Before Pastor Jeremy could answer her, a truck pulled up and Justin climbed out, “Becca, are you ready to go?”
She nodded, “Where’s Kaillar?”
“He and Mason are on their way down the mountain. Pastor, tomorrow’s the big day.”
“Yes. Are you and your bride ready to get married?”
“Jessica is stressed out. She keeps telling me there is so much to do, but really, all she needs to do is show up. Nothing else matters.”
Becca shook her head at him, “That’s why guys are never put in charge of things like this. Left up to you, she’d probably be getting married in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt.”
Justin shook his head, “No. I amend my statement. I’m dying to see this dress she found.”
Becca sighed, “Me too. Gracie’s dress is pretty cool as well.”
Justin grinned, “So when are you going to be heading into Denver to find the perfect dress?”
Becca blushed, “I don’t know. Your brother and I are taking things slow.”
“What’s to take slow? You love each other, get on with your lives.”
Pastor Jeremy laughed at that, “Justin, you’re not helping our cause at all. I’m sure Kaillar and Becca will move their relationship forward when the time is right.”
*****
That time came the next afternoon. Justin and Jessica’s wedding had been amazing. This close to the holidays, Jessica had gone with pine boughs, holly berries, and poinsettias instead of flowers. All except for her bridal bouquet.
That had been a mixture of pine fronds, little sprigs of red berries, and white calla lilies brought in from a greenhouse in Denver. They had draped beautifully from her hands, and Becca thought she was the most beautiful bride ever.
Her mother and Julia had called an hour earlier to say that they had landed safely in Denver. Her mother had sold everything before leaving Hawaii, and was now going to take a few days to find a new vehicle.
Her father had maintained a substantial life insurance policy, and with the sale of the resort, her mother could well afford to buy herself a new car. The Donnelly Brothers had insisted that she purchase an SUV with four wheel drive. The chances that her mother would ever use that feature seemed unlikely, but then again…this was Colorado, and they did live in the mountains.
Kaillar came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, nuzzling her ear, “You look beautiful this afternoon.”
Becca glanced up at him and smiled, “Thank you kind sir. This dress is amazing.”
Kaillar spun her around and perused her from the top of her strawberry blonde hair that had been expertly braided and wound around her head to the tips of her ivory boots. Becca was wearing the bridal dress the girls had picked out for her, and they couldn’t have done a better job. It was a deep emerald green, almost matching her own pale eyes, and causing them to shine brightly. A soft velvet fabric that clung to her curves, and yet was loose enough to be comfortable.
They’d chosen a long gown, with a high low hemline, letting her ivory boots peek out from the front, and the material of the skirt slightly dragging behind when she stood still. “Beautiful,” Kaillar told her once more before taking her hand and leading her out the back door of the church.
“Where are we going?”
“I want to show you something.” He pulled her behind him, snagging two jackets off the rack on his way.
“Kaillar! Those aren’t ours.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s too cold to stay outside for long, and we’ll put them back. Slip this on.” He handed her the smaller of the two jackets, and she dutifully slipped her arms into it.
He took her hand again, and pushed through the glass doors. It was dark outside, the back of the church having outdoors lights, but they had not been turned on. He continued pulling her along the shoveled sidewalk, almost two feet of snow rising on either side.
Becca shivered a bit, but the stillness of the night begged her not to utter a word of protest. She followed along, feeling a sense of excitement in the air, but not knowing why.
Kaillar finally stopped in the middle of a small courtyard and turned to face her. “Look up,” he encouraged her.
Becca slowly tipped her head back and then gasped in awe. The sky was alight with stars! She let her eyes track the night sky, the absence of artificial light and clouds letting the entire Milky Way appear for her to appreciate.
“Wow!” she whispered reverently. “That’s the most beautiful thing…”
“No. You are the most beautiful thing. Becca?”
She took one more look, and then tipped her head down to see Kaillar down on one knee with a small velvet box held out to her. She covered her mouth with her hands, searching his eyes for answers.
Kaillar watched her eyes fill with what he hoped were happy tears, and hurried to get his words out before she started crying. That was something he was slowly getting used to, but barely. He hated seeing her cry, and it didn’t matter if they were happy tears or not.
“Becca Edwards, those stars above don’t hold a candle to how you light up my life. I know we need time to grow as a couple, but I can’t go another minute without knowing that you’re going to be mine. One day.”
“Would you do me the extraordinary honor of agreeing to be my bride? To live here in this mountain town with me? To support me as I support you? To raise a family with me here?”
The tears won out and spilled from her eyes even as she nodded her head and whispered, “Yes. I love you too.”
Kaillar surged to his feet and swept her up in his arms, kissing her to celebrate their newfound commitment. “Thank you. My number one goal in life is going to make you so happy, you run out of tears.” He removed the ring from the box, and slipped it on her finger.
Becca smiled at him and then kissed him again, “Kai, you are the most amazing man I’ve ever met. I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.”
Kaillar hugged her close, “As do I.” He closed his eyes and then softly started to pray. For the healing that Becca was experiencing. For restoring her relationship with her mother, and for coming home to God. For bringing the perfect woman into his life, and providing him with just the right answers at the right time.
Becca started shivering, and he hustl
ed them both back inside, returning the borrowed jackets, and then taking her hand and leading her back inside the reception. She was glowing with happiness, and he wasn’t surprised at all when both Gracie and Jessica crossed the room and wrapped her in a hug.
He took the box of tissues Mason produced, and handed them to the women. The tears were already flowing. “I’m telling you, we need to invest in a company that makes tissues. Can you imagine what they’re going to be like when kids start arriving?”
Mason grinned, “Beautiful. And crying.”
Kaillar chuckled, and then retrieved his new fiancé from the small circle of women, “Sorry girls, but she’s mine. Jessica, go cry on your husband. Mason, you and Gracie will be getting married in another week and a half.”
Mason smiled, watching as Justin joined them. “Lose something, brother?”
Justin smiled and pulled Jessica into his arms, “No. I knew she was just over here getting rid of any extra tears she might have stored up. You girls need to figure out another way to express your emotions. Every time we see tears falling from your beautiful eyes, it breaks our heart.”
“These were happy tears,” Becca told him softly, liking the feel of having Kaillar’s arms wrapped around her waist.
He bent his head to whisper next to her ear, “Doesn’t matter, sugar. It still breaks our hearts.”
Becca glanced up at him and promised, “I’ll try not to cry as much.”
He smiled, “Go ahead and cry. Then I have an excuse to offer you the comfort of my arms.”
Becca grinned and realized his brothers were taking advantage of the situation as well. She looked at the other two couples, and couldn’t believe how much her life had changed in such a short amount of time. Three weeks earlier, she’d been looking at living alone in Denver, no firm job prospect in mind, and both of her friends moving to other cities.
Kaillar (Three Brothers Lodge #3) Page 9
