by Nancy Hopper
“What about your father? Didn’t I hear Deb say he was determined that you complete all four years?”
“Yes, but I don’t think he’ll fuss. I’ll just lose out on the house he promised me for graduation. It doesn’t matter, really. If I know father, he’ll end up giving it to me, anyway.”
Gary frowned. “How well do you get along with him?”
Tasha shrugged. “We get along fine. He pretty much gives me whatever I want, as long as I’ll stay out of his way.”
Gary looked at her intensely for a long moment. “Tasha, what do you think he would say if you didn’t go home at all?”
Tasha’s head snapped up. “I don’t know.” she stammered. “He’d probably bluster a lot, but I don’t think it would affect him too much, really. It would probably depend on the circumstances.”
Gary slipped his arm around her shoulders, and they walked on along the beach. ”So, what do you want to do with the rest of your life? Do you have any special dreams? Ambitions you want to fulfill?”
She turned impulsively to stare at him. “Dreams? The only thing I’ve ever dreamed of, is feeling that I belong somewhere; having a family, someone to love and be loved by. Never having to fear losing them.”
The splashing of waves on the shore filled the silence that followed. Gary reached out and took both of her hands in his.
“I think that’s about to be fulfilled, honey. Perhaps you’d better find a new dream to shoot for.”
Tasha couldn’t look up at Gary again. What could he mean? She stood frozen, wishing there was somewhere to hide. Sensing her withdrawal, Gary pulled her closer. The motion put Tasha’s muscles into action. She panicked, pushed him away, and ran for her life.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gary couldn’t run very far. The painful stitch in his side warned him that his incision sites weren’t well healed enough to tolerate the abuse. Besides, nothing would have stopped Tasha, anyway. By the time he limped up the steps to the house, he was spent, confused and extremely irritated.
Ruth gasped when she saw him, and rushed to help him, but he firmly held her back.
“I’m fine, Ruth. Later,” he growled, cutting off her concerned question. He pushed past her, to the stairs. He knocked impatiently on Tasha’s door, and rattled the knob when no one answered. It was locked.
He knocked again, and then struck the knob in his frustration. It promptly fell off in his hands. He pushed the door open to face Tasha, white as death and pressed up against the opposite wall.
“Gary?” Deb called from the hallway. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Please excuse us.” he answered tersely.
“Gary,” Deb objected insistently.
“Now!” he ordered quietly.
Reluctantly, Deb closed the door behind her with a look of worried apology for Tasha, and made good her retreat.
Gary studied Tasha critically. Her eyes were now brimming with frightened tears. “Tasha,” he said irritably, “why did you run from me? Whatever did I say that was wrong?”
When she didn’t respond, he crossed the room and reached for her arms, only to have her cringe into a tight ball of agony and slip to the floor.
“Tasha, for heaven’s sake. I’m not going to hurt you, honey. Tell me what's wrong.” Tasha wouldn’t answer, but she didn’t pull away when Gary touched her arm tentatively. He cursed inwardly at the trembling he felt beneath his fingers.
“Go away. Please!” she begged in a whisper.
“Damn it, Tasha, I’m not going to go away! Don’t ask me to do that. Tell me what I’ve done, honey.”
He could see the tears begin to spill, and taking a chance, he sat down beside her on the floor. ”Come on, now. Take the risk, and talk to me.”
She cried for a long time. An hour later, Gary was sitting on the bed, with Tasha cuddled up in his lap. Finally, she pulled herself together enough to speak coherently.
“I’m so frightened, Gary.” she admitted shakily.
“Why, Tasha?” he asked gently.
“I ... I don’t know, it’s just ... I feel like I’m in over my head, I don’t know what to do.”
He laughed, not unkindly. “You’re not alone, honey. I have exactly the same feelings.”
“You? You’re so blasted self-assured, it isn’t funny.”
“Not where you’re concerned.” he corrected. “I didn’t know what to do when I offered you my heart, and you ran off like a shot.”
She looked at him in puzzlement. “I didn’t mean to, Gary. I just couldn’t help it.”
“You surprise me, Tasha. I never figured you to be the type of girl to run from romance.”
“This is different.” she insisted tearfully.
“In what way? I didn’t even kiss you, and I know you’ve been kissed before.” he said teasingly.
Tasha snorted. “Every man my father ever introduced me to was a slimy slug in a fancy wrapper. They were all disgusting pigs! Either they had the hots for me, or else they wanted access to Daddy’s money.”
“What about college? Surely you met some men there who weren’t so bad?” he questioned with interest.
“College sucks. Period.” she snapped. “Maybe in twenty years a few of those jerks will grow up, but I haven’t time to waste, waiting for them.”
He roared with laughter he couldn’t suppress. “So which category do I fit into?” he asked with delight. "Fancy slug, or immature jerk?"
“Neither.” Tasha admitted evasively. “I don’t know what to do about you, Gary. That’s what scares me.”
“You don’t trust me at all, do you?” he asked seriously.
“No offense intended, but no. Frankly, I can’t. I can’t afford to trust men.” she said in a lifeless voice.
Gary regarded her kindly, a teasing light in his eyes. “All right, Tasha. How long do I have to prove myself to you? What will it take?”
She shot a puzzled look at him. “What do you mean?”
“How long before you can accept me at face value? What is it you need for me to do, to prove to you that I love you? How long do I need to wait before talking to you about sharing my life, making a home together that will bring us the fulfillment we’ve both always dreamed of? What will convince you, Tasha, that you don’t need to run away the next time I try to open my heart to you?”
She closed her eyes tightly, feeling deep pain at the entreaty in his voice. She’d hurt him. She’d been so unfair. She’d left him on his knees, she could see that now. “I’m so sorry, Gary. I didn’t stop to think. Forgive me.” she asked softly.
He looked at her, and watched the reality begin to sink in. It was taking some time, but there was change going on inside this girl’s head. He waited, and just let it happen. When she had hold of herself again, he smiled kindly at her.
“Tasha,” he said tentatively, “I’ll give you all the time you need. But I want you to know that you’re the only woman for me. I love you, and I won’t take no for an answer. I can’t. It would make it a lot easier for me to wait, if you’d tell me you love me too, and that you could be happy married to a very small time minister.”
She seemed to stop breathing. “You’re asking ... me?” she asked in disbelief.
He lifted her chin, and made her look into his serious eyes. “I’m asking.” he assured her. The tenderness in his eyes cut her to the heart.
She couldn’t believe this was happening. She closed her lips together to keep her emotions in. “Then, I accept.” she said, a part of her still fearful that it was some kind of awful joke at her expense. But, Gary wouldn’t do that to anybody. He was different. He meant it, or he wouldn’t have said it.
He looked at her, wonder and triumph in his sparkling eyes. He released the tension he’d been feeling in a long, heavy sigh. He smiled at her, bathing her in the warmth of his love.
“Tasha.” he said gladly, “I’ll try to be worthy.” He blinked back tears, and pulled her against his chest.
She put her arms around him slow
ly, in amazement. Him, try to be worthy? She began to realize the precious gift she held in her hands. Gary was giving her his heart. She could feel it.
“I am the one who will have to try very hard to be worthy, of you.” she objected softly.
He kissed her. “Just love me, Tasha. That’s all I require from you. Love me, keep me, and be faithful.”
Tears filled her eyes at his sweet humility. “I will.” she promised. She mustered her courage, and kissed him with all the passion she felt for him. It was devastating to them both. Just promising themselves had changed their relationship. It was dizzying.
“It’s going to be a long wait.” Gary predicted.
“Why do you say that, Gary? I don’t want a long engagement!” she objected.
He chuckled. “Neither do I. No matter how long it is, though, it’s going to seem interminable.” he said, his eyes admiring her with deep passion. “But it’ll help if you’ll set a date.”
She blushed. “Really, Gary?” she asked adoringly.
“Really. How about August twelfth?”
She looked at him in amazement. ”August twelfth. You had the date picked out before you ever approached me, did you?”
He had the grace to look sheepish. “I was hoping.” he admitted.
She laughed at him gleefully. “Then, I won’t disappoint you.” she said softly. “If I have to wait that long.”
He shrugged. “Our guests would probably appreciate a little lead time.” he suggested.
She acknowledged it grudgingly.
They managed to evade Ruth and Debora’s many questions the following day. Gary was thinking about waiting until Sunday to announce their engagement, so that he could tell everyone in the church at once. Tasha reluctantly agreed because that was the way Gary wanted it, but she felt like shouting it from the mountain tops. She was not accustomed to keeping secrets. One this fantastic seemed impossible to hold inside.
At last, Gary conceded to tell everyone Wednesday evening, instead.
Debora took Tasha out to lunch Tuesday afternoon and grilled her mercilessly. “What happened between you and Gary? I thought you hated one another! And the other night, I wasn’t sure I should leave you alone. I’ve never seen Gary so upset, or you either. What were you fighting about? Tasha, give, now. You’ve got to tell me!”
Tasha just grinned, and winked at her. “Gary and I have to work things out on our own. We just agreed it’s time we learned to get along.”
“You mean ... the war is over? You like him?”
Tasha shrugged, looking very coy. “He’s all right.” she conceded.
Deb gasped her bewilderment and frustration. She wasn’t easily put off.
Tasha made Deb go shopping with her after lunch. She insisted she needed something “subdued and traditional” for Wednesday night.
“What’s so special about tomorrow night?” Deb asked suspiciously.
“Church, of course.” Tasha answered innocently. “And then, the beach party. Oh, I should buy something nice for that, too.”
“Last Sunday, we practically had to drag you!” Deb grumbled, her eyebrows drawn over her eyes in a stormy line.
Tasha just gave her a dazzling smile, and began looking for clothes. She found a linen tweed skirt and jacket in a rich, plum color with red threads. She bought a light, ruffled white blouse to wear underneath, and a pair of lovely, delicate white shoes.
Then, she stopped at the cosmetic counter to pick up just the right shades of blush, shadow and lipstick. She found a maillot and cover up that would fit right in with her color scheme for the evening, and went home very satisfied with the day’s purchases.
Deb and Ruth’s suspicions were fully aroused by Wednesday evening. They could not fathom what was happening between Gary and Tasha. Only Uncle Nolan, home for a short stay from New York, found nothing unusual.
“Gary’s just being nice. Why are you upset? You were praying he could make some headway with the girl. Be glad!” he growled. “Now quit speculating and grumbling, both of you, or you’ll have them at each other’s throats again.”
Gary and Tasha followed the rest of the family to church Wednesday night, in the Corvette. Gary parked away from the crowd, and turned to Tasha with an apologetic entreaty in his eyes.
“Honey, I just got a call from Greg. Twenty of the youth and all the musicians were delayed in Portland. The bus broke down. Please understand; I want it to be special when we announce our engagement to the church family. Will you wait until Sunday? So many will still be gone, tonight.”
Tasha sighed. “Well, what’s four days? But Deb is being very difficult. You may have to handle her, long before then.”
Gary smiled and kissed her tenderly. “You’re a doll. I’ll take care of my cousin.” he assured her.
Tasha smiled back, a promise of paradise in her smoky eyes. Gary opened her door, and helped her out.
“You’d better smother that look, lady, or we won’t have anything to announce.” he laughed. “Much as I hate to see it go.”
Tasha tried, but it was nearly impossible, with Gary’s arm around her back, for her not to look at him with sheer adoration as they walked toward the church.
It was a long service for Tasha, even though she found herself able to somewhat enter into things as never before. But Gary was especially filled with fire and had the people on their feet several times, and some were on their knees.
Tasha didn’t know if it was Gary’s inspiration, or the Holy Spirit’s, but she kept being drawn in more and more, in subtle ways. Deb sensed it, and kept a loving arm around her. She could feel the glow of Deb’s love invading her. It was amazing.
Gary talked about the bounty of the Lord, and the many ways He longed to bless His people. He encouraged each man and woman to find the ways to enter into God’s plan and purpose, to find ways to worship Him and come into a closer relationship with Him.
Tasha watched the radiance emanate from his uplifted face, saw the muscles of his tanned arms clench. She saw the rivulet of sweat through his white knit sport shirt, and felt awe come stealing over her at the transformation taking place.
This man before her was not her steady Gary; he was afire with a passion she could only understand in the most limited way. His mind moved so rapidly, with such utter clarity and truth, that she was amazed. She wondered if he was even aware of all that he was saying. She saw Jesus revealed in him.
Even recognizing this, she felt a new admiration for the man she loved, as he spoke. He was a man of God. A new reverence and fear of God filled her as she began to understand the call on Gary’s life; the gravity of what she was entering into.
She thought with great shame and humiliation of the way she had planned to woo him away from this. She could see now how wrong that would be.
As the service was drawing to a close, he looked at her with deep affection, and let the corners of his mouth turn up. “I especially am grateful for the incredible blessings the Lord has brought to me this week.” he said in a husky voice. “He always turns my sorrow into joy.”
Tasha blinked back tears, and smiled at him. It was lovely, lovely to see the warmth in his eyes, for her alone.
Deb felt the need to pray for Tasha after the service. She asked her hesitantly, of course, not knowing all that had happened Sunday night in the church study. “Can I ... would you let me pray for you, Tash?” she asked gently.
Tasha looked at her with round, soft eyes. “Okay.” she agreed without any rancor. Deb took a step back, a rush of surprised joy going through her. To her, this was a miracle!
She took her friend’s hands, and immediately began to weep for the joy of being able to pray openly for this lovely young woman. She felt such a longing for her soul!
It quickly became apparent to her that Tasha was beyond where Deb had imagined, in her wildest dreams. She had to catch up and pray for Tasha where she truly was – saved and learning to stand on her own two feet.
Others came to join, and among them was
Gary. Many of the believers that were there noticed the tender affection in his eyes, looking at the two girls. But he just stood back and watched, joy evident in his face. Then, the Holy Spirit came to touch them both.
His Presence fell on the girls and those around them with tangible, wonderful expression. They fell together in an embrace, and those around them began to pray.
No one knows exactly what work the Lord did in that gathering, but it was apparent that there had been one. His tender touch showed clearly in the eyes of both girls.
Gary moved closer, understanding what the Lord was saying, and spoke softly over them both, a hand on each shoulder. “Holy Spirit, bring your healing to this relationship. Father, all the childhood jealousies and wounds. These two will be sisters in every way before Your face. Bring divine healing, in Jesus’ name.”
The girls were both crying. The healing came. Both of them remembered the times they’d fought over this or that, or times they’d said hurtful things to one another, been jealous over this or that boy. They held one another and cried, then they began to laugh together, feeling a new, clean bond of love growing between them.
Gary shook his head, smiling to himself. It was good. He pulled each of the girls under an arm when they were finished, and gently pushed them toward the door. “Let’s get to the beach.” he suggested.
They were meeting on the beach below Gary’s house, so that the girls and anyone else who planned to swim found it convenient to change clothes. Tasha and Deb pulled a whistle from Uncle Nolan, and even from a couple of other teasers.
Tasha turned to look at the water, and saw Gary silhouetted against the gold of the setting sun. He motioned her to join him in the thigh-deep water. She took off her wrap, and waded out to join him.
Suddenly, everyone seemed hushed; all eyes were on them. Gary smiled down at her, and looked at the assembly on the beach. “Tash, I feel like we’re supposed to baptize you. What do you think, honey?” he asked.
She looked at him with calm acceptance. “Okay.” she agreed.
He looked worried. “I haven’t given you any preparation for this, love. I just feel the Lord saying to go ahead anyway.”
