by Lois Richer
Anger surged up inside. Ben had seen this kind of cruelty in his own school. But he’d never been targeted like this.
“A night that should have been a wonderful memory turned into a nightmare. It took her months to leave the house after the operation. She’d hoped to go away to school but that fell through, too. It’s taken ages for her to come out of her shell. Taking your landscaping job on is the furthest she’s ever gone.”
“But I haven’t done anything like that to Jayne,” he protested.
“Haven’t you? How do you think Jayne’s going to feel when people find out who you are? Her clients are her friends. Don’t you think she’s going to feel stupid and used when they keep asking why she didn’t know who you were? Do you think she’ll trust you if she finds out from someone else who you are?” Emma squeezed his arm, her tone fierce. “I will not allow my granddaughter to be hurt like that again. If you care about her at all, you have to tell her, Ben.”
“I care about her. I think I love her.” He bit his lip, wishing he’d remained silent.
“You only ‘think’ you love her?” Emma laughed. It emerged a harsh sharp sound. “That’s not enough. Not for my Jayne.”
Ben didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to tell her his reason for waiting. Emma would rage at him for daring to believe her beloved granddaughter would want his money. But Ben needed to know that for himself.
“Let me tell you what love is, Ben. Love is strong. It’s patient and kind. It isn’t proud or jealous or envious. Love isn’t selfish. I Corinthians 13 says it best. ‘If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him and always stand your ground in defending him.’” The tiny woman rose. “That’s the kind of love Jayne deserves. The kind of love that doesn’t hide behind secrets and pretend, but comes out strong, the kind that’s there when you need it. The kind of love you can depend on, no matter what.”
She walked toward the front door. Ben followed, stopped when she paused at the entrance.
“My granddaughter has been hurt so many times. Please don’t let it happen again.”
Then Emma was gone in the cab that had brought her.
Ben watched it leave. He remembered the old couple from the tramway. Dependable. Trustworthy. Loyal. Those were the things that made love strong. Money had nothing to do with it.
He’d told Emma he thought he loved Jayne. That wasn’t the truth.
The truth was Ben knew he loved Jayne Rose. Fiercely, protectively. Totally.
Back in his office, Ben glanced at the calendar. Two weeks until Easter. According to Jerry, the mystery of David Bentley’s identity had now been taken up by other tabloid reporters. Ben had to tell Jayne the truth before one of them broke the story.
He’d make it a special occasion, he decided. A night to remember. He’d tell her about David, explain his reasons. Then he’d tell her he loved her.
It was time to trust God completely now.
Ben Cummings loved Jayne Rose. She was the woman God had sent.
Jayne stood at the counter in Rose’s Roses, with the phone to her ear, and listened, hardly daring to believe it was true.
“And because you saw what I did for Ben, you want me to do your landscaping?” she repeated.
The woman’s voice confirmed it.
“I’ll have to see the place first, judge what I can do with the space. I’ll also need some time to decide on whether I can take on another job right away.” The conversation had escalated Jayne’s niggling doubts into full-blown shivers.
They settled on a time to talk again and Jayne hung up, stunned by this answer to prayer. But could she do it?
A hand on her shoulder startled her from her reverie.
“Where were you?” Ben teased, his grin wide. “I’ve called your name three times.”
“Sorry.” She had to share her news. “I’ve been offered a new job, a landscaping job. Cass told a woman about your yard. She liked it and has offered me the job.”
“Hey! I told you to have faith. God sure came through for you. Congratulations.” He hugged her. “This calls for a celebration. Tonight. What time should I pick you up?”
“Oh. I’m not sure Emma can come. She has a meeting.”
“Then you and I’ll go. Seven?”
Bemused, Jayne nodded. Ben kissed her cheek then hurried toward the door, muttering about set builders.
“Oh,” he called, pausing in the doorway. “You’d better make sure there are lots of plants and flowers ordered for the Easter service. The sets they’ve created are massive.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve planned a lovely expandable garden setting.”
“What happens to the flowers after?” he asked.
“They go to different nursing homes and hospitals. What should I wear—for tonight?”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re always beautiful. See you later.” He grinned and was gone.
Sidney was out delivering and Emma hadn’t come in today. So Jayne stood among the fragrant hyacinth and thought about Ben. He was so nice, so generous. She felt safe with him. She could trust Ben with anything. He’d never let her down.
That’s how she felt about God, now, too. Over and over He’d come through for her. She was desperate for income, but the deposit on the new landscape project would tide them over a little longer. She could trust Him. He wouldn’t let her down.
She adjusted her new glasses and started work on an arrangement. Then it hit her. If she trusted God, why wasn’t she willing to have the operation? God had taken care of them this far. He wasn’t going to abandon her now.
Ben would say it was time to put her faith to the test.
Ben was a smart man.
Jayne picked up the phone and dialed.
“Could you tell Dr. Smith I’d like to speak to him about that operation?”
She’d barely hung up the phone when it rang again.
“Jayne?” The Realtor she’d listed Rose’s Roses with sounded excited. “I think I’ve found a buyer for Rose’s Roses. Can we meet with you tonight?”
She hated to cancel dinner, but maybe selling was God telling her to trust Him and take another step. Besides, she had a hunch Ben would make another date soon.
Imagine her, Jayne Rose, going on a date.
The embers inside glowed a little warmer. She hugged herself and relished the rush of joy that always spurted up inside whenever she thought about Ben.
“Thank You for sending him, God.”
Chapter Nine
“So you’re not going to take the offer to buy Rose’s Roses?” Two days later Ben had coaxed Jayne to share lunch with him after church because he knew Emma would be enjoying a meal with friends.
Though Jayne and he had finished eating, they remained seated in the outdoor café, enjoying the light breezes.
“No, I’m not.”
“Why not? It would free you to concentrate on landscaping.” Ben loved the way her face lit up and gave her that translucent inner glow. Everyone should feel so happy about their jobs, he thought, wondering if it was egotistical to think he might have something to do with this new verve and vitality she radiated.
“I don’t have enough landscaping experience or jobs to make it my whole focus right now,” Jayne explained. She savored the last spoonful of her lime sherbet. “But more importantly, Emma still wants to work at the shop. Not as many hours and only a bit till she’s fully recovered, but her being there would be a real help for me while I expand.”
“Expand? But I thought you didn’t have the money.”
“I didn’t. But—” Jayne nudged her glasses an inch higher, her smile widening “—I cashed in the life insurance policy Granny Em bought after my parents died. If I don’t do too much at once, that money should keep things stable for a while.”
“Very clever,” he applauded. His heart almost sang at the answer to his prayer. Now he knew that Jayne wasn’t looking for the easy solution to her probl
ems.
Jayne could have sold out and used the money to plow ahead with her dream, but she put her grandmother first. And she’d found the resourcefulness to ensure their business future. This was not a woman looking for easy money. She valued people.
More than ever Ben was certain Jayne was the woman for him.
“Jayne, I need to tell you something—”
“I have another surprise—”
The looked at each other and laughed.
“You first,” Ben said gallantly.
“My surprise is…” She paused, with a smile. “I’ve decided to have the surgery. It’s the day after tomorrow.”
“Really?” Another answered prayer.
“It’s all thanks to you,” Jayne told him, her face alive and happy. “You helped me face my fears. You taught me to trust God and push ahead. You helped me see that my past doesn’t determine my future. So thank you, Ben.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did. You’re the first person I’ve trusted in a long time. That’s a very big something. And I’m grateful.” She smiled at him. “What were you going to say?”
He couldn’t tell her the truth now. Not when she needed to focus on her operation. But he could tell her right afterward. He could arrange a special meal with candles and flowers. He’d make sure they had privacy and then he’d tell her who he was and that he loved her.
“Ben? What were you going to say?”
“Never mind.” He grinned. “I’ll tell you later. Are you ready to take a look at those sets for the Easter service?”
“Sure.”
She rose, but before they could leave a young man approached. Ben took Jayne’s arm to steer her aside, but the man was persistent.
“Excuse me. Are you—?”
“This is Jayne and I’m Ben. Ben Cummings. Do we know you?”
“Ben?” The man frowned.
“That’s me.” Ben waited a fraction of a moment then shrugged. “Well, excuse us. We have to go.”
“Ben Cummings?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh.” The man remained in place, staring at him.
“Let’s go, Ben.” Jayne curled her arm into his and they walked away. “How many times is this going to happen, do you suppose? It’s weird.”
Ben said nothing. He and Jayne spent the afternoon with the committee, hammering out the last details for the Easter service to be held in two weeks.
“Will your eyes be healed enough by then?” he asked during a coffee break.
“The doctor says I only need to stay overnight in the hospital after the surgery. No heavy lifting afterward and sunglasses outside. Otherwise, life as usual.”
They made a very quick trip to Cass’s to see the cross she was making for Easter. After the service it would be permanently installed outside the church. Later they stopped by the condo. Emma was asleep and a friend was making dinner, so Ben invited Jayne for a swim in his pool. She fit at his house. She belonged there. And he wondered how long it would be before she agreed to marry him. He was going to court her like a queen. Because she was. His queen.
Jayne was every bit as good a swimmer as Ben, her knee no problem in the buoyant water. Her laughter rang through the kitchen as she helped him prepare a barbecue feast. And later, when they sat on the pool deck, under the stars, talking about her operation, shoulders rubbing, it seemed perfectly normal for Ben to cradle her hand in his.
“I have to go home,” Jayne murmured finally. “I have so much to do tomorrow.”
“Okay.” He drew her to her feet, wrapped his arms around her and held her close enough that he could whisper in her ear. “You’re a strong, beautiful woman, Jayne Rose. You’re going to come through that operation with flying colors.”
“God willing,” she agreed. Her hands rested on his shoulders.
“I know He is.” Ben rested his chin on her head and recited, ‘“O God, my Strength! I will sing your praises, for you are my place of safety. My God is changeless in his love for me.”’
“Another Psalm.” Jayne tipped her head back and smiled. “You really admire David’s songs, don’t you?”
“He is my Biblical hero,” Ben said. “I strive to be as secure in my faith as he was.”
“I’m going to, too.”
“Jayne, about earlier. I wanted to tell you—”
She placed a finger across his lips.
“Could it wait, Ben? Please? I really need to get home.”
“Sure. No problem.” He could wait to tell her about David Bentley. But as he studied her beautiful face in the moonlight, Ben wasn’t quite ready to let Jayne leave his embrace. Instead he bent his head and placed his lips against hers.
After a tiny gasp, Jayne returned his kiss, her hands tightening around his neck, drawing him closer.
This was the right woman. Ben knew it as certainly as he knew his name.
“This is lovely,” she whispered. “But I really do have to go.”
“Yes, you do,” he agreed, releasing her. He would say nothing about what was in his heart until he could tell her the whole truth. “May I be there while you’re having surgery?”
“I’d be disappointed if you weren’t,” she said shyly.
So Ben drove her home, walked her to her door and thoroughly kissed her good-night.
“Sleep well.”
But as he returned to his home through the sparkling lights of the desert at night, Ben knew time was running short for him. That man this afternoon had emphasized the fact that Ben’s cover could be blown at any time. And when he pressed the answering machine button, Jerry reinforced that with a phone message.
“They’re getting close, Ben. Don’t be surprised if someone shows up and sandbags you when you least expect it. I don’t know how, but your information is getting out. Be careful.”
Ben didn’t sleep that night. He kept seeing Jayne’s face, glowing in the sunlight when she told him she trusted him.
“Don’t let anyone spoil that,” he prayed as dark turned to dawn.
One more day. And then she’d know the truth.
“Ready?” Ben asked, holding Jayne’s hand tightly as the staff waited to wheel her away.
“Yes.” But her big beautiful eyes, now bare of the thick lenses, held shadows. “Pray, will you, Ben?”
“Nonstop,” he assured her.
“I have a verse for you,” she said, her smile tremulous. ‘“O God, my heart is quiet and confident.’ I like David’s faith.”
“Me, too.” He bent and kissed her.
“We have to go now,” the nurse said.
Ben nodded, gave Jayne’s hand one last squeeze and stepped back. The nurses whisked her away. Ben dialed Emma.
“She’s just gone in.”
“I’m praying,” Emma said. “Did you tell her yet?”
“Tonight. I’m having a meal catered. I’ve got Sidney bringing flowers.” He had to share his happiness. “I’m going to tell her something else, too,” he murmured.
“I’m glad.”
They said goodbye. Ben went to the chapel to ask for some heavenly help. This was going to be the most important night of his life.
The bandages made it impossible to know who was coming and going from her room, so Jayne called out each time she heard a footstep. But the answer was never the one she wanted to hear.
Where was Ben?
The grogginess had dissipated quickly. She felt good, pain-free and hopeful. A nurse dialed the phone so Jayne could talk to her grandmother.
“I’m back, Granny. The doctor said everything went well.”
“I knew it would, dear. I’ve been praying.”
“Thank you.” Jayne bit her bottom lip, debating. “Granny, do you know where Ben is?”
“He was there. He phoned to tell me when you went in for surgery.” Emma’s beloved voice sounded troubled. “I can’t imagine he’d have left.”
“No.” But Jayne’s doubt would not be quashed despite the inner voice that c
heered Have some faith.
“I’m sure he’ll turn up soon,” Emma murmured.
“Yes.” Jayne forced a laugh. “Somebody’s probably waylaid him again, thinking he’s someone else.”
Emma’s silence bothered her, but Jayne decided her grandmother must be tired. Promising to call later, she said goodbye and hung up. She dozed off, dreaming of Ben, and woke to warm lips pressed against her temple.
“Hey,” he said softly. “How are you?”
“Fine.” She held up a hand, relieved when his fingers threaded through hers. “I wondered where you were.”
“It’s embarrassing,” he said, humor lacing his voice. “I fell asleep while I was praying in the chapel. I didn’t get much rest last night.”
“Didn’t take your own advice, huh?” She grinned. “To trust in God, I mean.”
“You’re right.” He brushed her hair away from her face, touched her cheek. “Jayne, I have something special planned for this evening. I know you’ll still have your bandages on, but the doctor said you’ll be able to get up.”
“Of course I will. I feel fine. Just dopey.”
“Well, you rest this afternoon and tonight I’ll share my surprise.” His voice dropped. “I need to tell you something. Two somethings.”
A fizzle of delight worked its way through her body. Maybe he was going to tell her he loved her. Because Jayne knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she loved Ben. She’d known for sure when she was lying on the stretcher, on her way to surgery, and he kissed her. It hadn’t happened with fireworks, the way she’d expected. It was simply a sweet quiet knowledge that filled her soul.
Ben was the one.
“You’re tired,” he whispered. “Sleep, Jayne. We’ll talk later.” His lips brushed hers and then, with a whoosh of air, she knew he was gone.
To arrange his surprise.
“Thank You, God,” she breathed.
She did sleep a little, dozing off and on. Sidney stopped by with some flowers and a huge vase which she said Ben had sent. Jayne knew by the touch and scent that they were roses.
“Red,” Sidney confirmed. “Long stems. A dozen. I’ve put them right beside you so you can enjoy their fragrance.”
