Bring Me Flowers (Garden of Love 5)

by Melanie Wilber

  “She would love that,” she said. “You may need to come up with a better bargaining chip Mr.--Jacob.”

  He smiled. “Pick you up at six?”

  Kendra’s horn beeped and they both turned to see her pulling away. Her sister’s words from a few hours ago came flooding back. Get out there and take a risk.

  Jacob looked back, and she met his gaze. He appeared sincere but nervous.

  “Six is fine,” she replied.

  “Do you like seafood?”

  “Yes.”

  “We better make it five-thirty then.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Do you know where I live?”

  “Yes. I’ve driven by a few times,” he said, rising to his full height and giving her a sheepish grin. “I chickened out those times too.”

  ***

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this, Ken,” Kristin said two hours later, pulling on her third dress. “There’s still time for me to call and cancel. I’m sure he hasn’t left yet.”

  “You will do no such thing,” her sister said from inside the walk-in closet. “How do you like that one?”

  “I like it fine,” she replied, gazing at herself in the full-length mirror. “But I wear this to work all the time.”

  “I told you we should have gone shopping,” Kendra said.

  Beginning to wish she had listened to Kendra’s suggestion earlier when she had called to tell her about her date with Jacob, Kristin’s nervous stomach lurched again. I’m not ready for this! I don’t have anything to wear. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into. And most of all I’m not over Brandon. Jacob doesn’t stand a chance!

  “How about this?” Kendra said, stepping from the closet holding a rayon dress Kristin hadn’t worn for years.

  “I wore that in college,” she said. “I don’t even know why I still have it. I’m not nineteen anymore.”

  “Come on, try it on,” Kendra coaxed. “I have to see it on you to decide.”

  “Decide? You? I’m the one going out. Can’t I pick my own clothes?”

  “Nope. Little sister prerogative. Section eleven of the sister-code-book. Come on, let’s take a look.”

  Kristin sighed, stepped out of the dress she had on, and held up her arms as Kendra slipped the powder-blue one over her head. Pulling it into place, she did up the front buttons and lifted her eyes to her reflection.

  “Oh, yes,” Kendra said, raising one eyebrow and walking in a circle around her. “This has potential. I bet the fine principal has never seen you in this.”

  “I should think not,” she said, attempting to pull the flared skirt closer to her knees. “I’d be fired on the spot if I wore this to school.”

  “You’re not going to school tonight. You’re going out for a Valentine’s Day dinner.”

  “Kendra. I’m not wearing this,” she said, starting to undo the top button.

  “Come on, Kris,” she said, stepping behind her and tying the belt behind her narrow waist. “It’s perfect. Feminine, yet a little daring. Just what you need for your first date in a year. I promise you, he will love it.”

  Gazing at herself once again, she pulled her shoulders back and turned to the side. It did look good on her, fitting her nicely through the torso and draping two-thirds of the way down her thighs. She had always thought she had nice legs and the pale blue color matched her eyes.

  “Come on, you know you want to,” Kendra said. “I’ll iron it for you while you fix your hair.”

  Removing the dress before she had a chance to change her mind, she handed it to Kendra who sported a triumphant smile.

  “Make sure to put on that sweet perfume that smells great on you.”

  Kristin started to turn away, but a nagging thought returned. “Kendra?” she said.

  “Yeah?”

  “After you and Trevor broke up, did you compare all of your dates to him?”

  “Yes,” she replied, plugging in the iron and flipping her curly hair over her shoulder. Turning back around, she walked to the bed and sat down. Kristin could see the mention of her sister’s high school sweetheart had brought back a flood of emotions.

  “For how long?”

  “I still do,” Kendra said.

  “You do?”

  “Yep.”

  “I do the same thing with Brandon,” she admitted. “Do you think that’s okay?”

  “I’m not sure,” Kendra said. “All I know is I can’t help it. Trevor will always hold a special place in my heart.”

  “Then how are we supposed to move on?”

  Kendra sighed and laid back on the bed. “I used to try to not do it. I even went out with guys that I knew were nothing like him so I wouldn’t. But then one night after a bad date I realized that the reason I always compare everyone to him is because he had all the qualities I’m looking for. He may not have been the one for me, but someone with similar character traits is.”

  “So, you think that’s okay?”

  “Yes, as long as I’m not looking for someone who has to be just like Trevor. He might look different or have different hobbies and interests. He might come from a different background or have a totally different personality, but I think whoever God has for me will have many of the same qualities as Trevor--not that easy to find these days. One of the things I liked most about Trevor was the way he always listened to me. Most guys are not good listeners, and I can always tell that right away.”

  “That makes sense,” she said. “When did you get so smart?”

  Kendra sighed. “I take after my big sis,” she said with a smile. “You know--Kari.”

  Kristin tossed a pair of pantyhose at her and went to the bathroom to finish getting ready. As she applied some light make-up, she tried to think of what had drawn her to Brandon: Gentleness, a heart for God, generosity, and someone who took care of her. Wanting another Brandon would not allow her to give anyone a chance, but realizing she could look for someone with similar qualities might help her open her heart once again.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Jacob arrived at five-thirty sharp. Kendra had left a few minutes before, speeding away in her car with a smile and a wave. After pacing for two minutes in front of her mirror, Kristin felt certain this was a huge mistake: The dress, dinner with her boss, and the squirt of perfume she had sprayed on her neck that now seemed to be making her sneeze.

  When she heard the doorbell ring, she decided to tell Jacob she had changed her mind. Walking with determined steps, she swung the door open, feeling prepared to apologize and send him on his way.

  The cool evening air met her bare legs. He stared at her for several seconds, not saying anything. The look on his face left her tongue-tied.

  “Hi,” she said, breaking the silence. She had feared he would arrive dressed as casually as he had been at the flower shop and she would feel overdressed, but seeing his black slacks, blue dress-shirt, and thin tie made her relax a bit.

  “You look great,” he said with a crooked smile. Even in the dim light she could see him blushing.

  Kristin felt her own cheeks warm at his reaction. “Thank you,” she said, feeling very beautiful in that moment.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  Kristin wanted to tell him she had changed her mind, but something about the way he was looking at her kept her from doing so.

  “Yeah, sure,” she said, stepping away to grab her winter coat and purse before joining him on the porch. Closing the door behind her, she followed him to his car.

  He opened the passenger door for her and waited for her to lower herself into the front seat of the sedan. “Thank you,” she said, taking in the new-car smell. The leather seats were comfortable and soft. She tugged her dress into place, attempting to cover as much of her thighs as possible with the limited amount of fabric. He closed the door and within moments slipped into the seat beside her.

  He started the quiet engine. The sound of soft jazz music surrounded them, and he backed the car out of the driveway onto the street. Sitting b
eside him, she had the same feeling she always did after a roller coaster began its first long climb. Wait! Stop! I changed my mind. I don’t want to do this!

  “My mom liked the flowers,” he said, interrupting her thoughts of sheer panic. “I just realized I should have brought you some. Forgive me. I tend to be a romance klutz.”

  “Most flowers make me sneeze.”

  “I’ll have to remember that. What else should I know about you?”

  “I like your choice of music,” she said. “Are you a big jazz fan?”

  “Yes. I play the sax, piano, and drums.”

  “You do?”

  “I’ve been playing the piano since the third grade, picked up the saxophone in junior high, and learned the drums in high school.”

  “Do you still play?”

  “I’m part of the worship band at my church. I play the piano and sax most of the time and fill in on drums when the youth pastor is gone.”

  “What church do you go to?”

  “Springfield Community.”

  Learning Jacob attended church, she felt a little better about tonight. Her concerns that he would not keep his word about their date having no-strings-attached lessened significantly. On the other hand it also eliminated one potential excuse for not agreeing to go out with him a second time. Jacob being a Christian came as no surprise to her. He had made his views quite clear on subjects such as abstinence education and allowing religious groups to hold meetings on campus without hassling them in any way. And he always treated the staff and students with the utmost respect and concern.

  Glancing around, Kristin realized Jacob had taken the highway leading west out of town instead the direction she would expect, and she wondered where he was taking her.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I know this great seafood restaurant in Yachats,” he said.

  “Yachats? As in the Oregon Coast?”

  “That’s the one,” he replied with a smile. “I know it’s a bit of a drive, so I brought some fruit and cookies if you’re hungry now. They’re in a plastic sack back there.”

  She glanced over her shoulder and saw the grocery bag sitting on the back seat. Looking back to Jacob, she felt a smile form on her lips. “Someplace local would be fine, Jacob. You don’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I do. I have one chance here, and I plan to make the most of it. This guarantees me at least four hours with you.”

  Supposing she couldn’t talk him out of this--and finding herself not wanting to, she reached for the bag of food. “Do you want something?” she asked.

  “I’ll take an apple.”

  She handed him one and took a banana for herself along with a small pack of chocolate chip cookies.

  “There’s some lemonade under your seat,” he said. “I’ll take one of those too.”

  Reaching for the cold bottles, she shook her head. “I don’t believe your excuse about the flowers. I’m seeing no evidence of someone who is romantically challenged.”

  “It comes and goes.”

  She laughed and relaxed a bit more. The snack satisfied her rumbling stomach, and their continued conversation eased her nerves. The time passed quickly as they drove toward the coast, and she learned quite a bit about her boss, and date, for the evening.

  Jacob had grown up in the Eugene area, had an older sister, enjoyed camping and hiking (two of her favorite activities also), and had been a high school basketball star for an arch-rival school.

  “How old are you?” she asked.

  “I’ll be twenty-seven next month.”

  “I played in the pep band for all the home games. You would have been a year ahead of me. I probably watched you play. Isn’t that weird to think about?”

  “Actually, we would have been in the same grade,” he said. “I was held back one year. What instrument do you play?”

  “Don’t laugh,” she warned.

  He began to smirk. “Which one?”

  “The tuba.”

  He lost it.

  “I told you not to laugh,” she said.

  “I’m sorry,” he replied, trying to keep a straight face. He succeeded better than she did.

  “Are you serious?”

  “No,” she said. “I played the flute like a bazillion other girls.”

  He smiled at her. “Beautiful, smart, and a sense of humor? You’re not making this easy on me, Miss Swan.”

  Her heart warmed at his compliments. “What am I not making easy?”

  “Me keeping my promise about only one date.”

  A slight smile formed on her face, but she didn’t reply.

  “Where do you go to church?” he asked.

  “Eugene Bible Fellowship. My dad is the pastor there. We’ve gone there since I was six.”

  “A preacher’s kid, huh?”

  “One of five,” she said. “Three sisters and one brother. We’ve given my dad a few gray hairs over the years and everything else fell out.”

  He laughed. “That must be great to be in a Christian family.”

  “You’re not?”

  “We never went to church. I met Jesus at a summer camp one year that I went to with my friend. I didn’t think about it much though until I was in high school and I started going to a youth group with one of my basketball teammates. That’s when God became a serious part of my life, and I can’t imagine having to live without Him as an adult. My mom comes to church with me now, and she’s a believer too, but my dad still won’t go. But I’m praying for him and my sister. Maybe someday they’ll understand the peace and joy I talk about and will want it for themselves.”

  Okay Jacob. Now you’re not making this easy on me; You’re not just a churchgoer, but you see God as a vital part of your life? And you’re concerned for your family members that don’t know God? Do you have any idea how my attraction for you just doubled?

  Beginning to feel a little warm, she removed her seat-belt momentarily and took off her coat. Jacob smiled at her, and she remembered her attire. She didn’t usually wear anything remotely sexy to work. She had no reason to and didn’t have much to flaunt anyway. Until Kendra made her try this dress on tonight, she’d forgotten how flattering it was to her. And Jacob apparently agreed. Replacing her seat-belt, she tried to appear much more confident than she felt and oblivious to the effect she knew the dress had on him.

  “I have a confession to make,” he said in a soft voice--a tone different than he had used in her presence thus far. It sent a shiver through her.

  “What’s that?” she asked, hearing her own voice take on a softer quality.

  “I’ve been wanting to ask you out since the first time I laid eyes on you. I thought you were--well, if you’ll pardon the expression, a hottie?”

  Knowing she must be dreaming, Kristin could only stare back at him. Men did not say things like that to her, at least none that she had ever been out with, including Brandon. You’re really sweet, or You’re such a caring person, were the kind of complements she received. You’re a hottie?--Never!

  “You don’t remember, do you?” he said with an amused expression.

  “Remember what?”

  “The first time we met.”

  “In August?“

  “Before that.”

  Before that? Her mind began racing but came up empty.

  “George Fox College, senior year, spring semester?”

  “You went to George Fox?”

  “Only for one class,” he said. “I needed one to graduate that Pacific wasn’t offering until the following year, so a special arrangement was made for me to take it at George Fox.”

  “And you remembered me? That was four years ago.”

  “Oh, yes. I remember,” he said. “Especially the times you wore that dress. I almost had a heart attack having to sit beside you for an hour and not let my eyes wander too much.”

  Too stunned to reply, Kristin felt her eyes widen. Seeing him smile, she knew this evening would reveal a whole new side of Mr. Young.

>   “I’m sorry,” he responded to her silence. “I shouldn’t have said that. That had sexual harassment written all over it. I apologize.”

  Normally she would have agreed, but since they were on a date, not at school, she hadn’t taken it that way. “It’s all right. I’m the one wearing the dress.”

  “I only meant that I find you very attractive, Kristin.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “I’m flattered, really.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, this night is way overdue.”

  “I thought I recognized you from somewhere,” she said. “But I could never think of where. Why haven’t you said anything before?”

  “When it comes to women, I tend to be a bit on the shy side, especially back then,” he admitted. “I never even talked to you in class, except one time I asked to borrow a pen from you, even though I had one in my bag.”

  Kristin couldn’t keep the corners of her mouth from turning up. “I wish you would have,” she said, feeling more bold than usual.

  “Me too,” he said. “I regretted it when the semester ended, supposing I’d never see you again. And then when I saw you at that first meeting before school started, I couldn’t believe it and could barely put two coherent sentences together with you sitting right there in the front row.”

  Kristin told herself to not get her hopes up. He found her attractive; A nice compliment, but hardly the basis for a relationship. He had admired her from afar, and she had only seen him as her boss until tonight.

  “And even though I’m a little more bold now than I was back then,” he continued, “I knew showing any interest in you would be a tricky matter. I’ve been praying that God would provide the right opportunity, and I felt like seeing you at the flower shop was His answer. Do you think that’s presumptuous of me?”

  “No,” she replied, liking how he brought God back into the picture again. “That sounds like the God I know.”

  He smiled and reached for her hand. His warm fingers folded gently over her own, and she knew that no matter what happened at the end of tonight, she would never look at Jacob the same way again. In thirty minutes flat he had gotten into a part of her heart only two other guys had ever been able to do. One she had dated in college for about a year; and Brandon.