A New Day

by Nancy Hopper

  Tim's eyes scrutinized her almost suspiciously. "All right. I'll get some clothes from my room, and we'll do that." He said at last.

  Tasha's cheeks were flaming as they stepped off the elevator, and walked down the hallway to Tim's room. Tim glanced down at her with curiosity a couple of times, but she was still acutely embarrassed, and had her eyes fastened on the carpet.

  He knew he'd do well to keep his mouth shut, for the time being. He unlocked his door, and stood aside to see her in. She sat down in the wing chair, and watched him pensively.

  Tim made quick work of getting his stuff together before she could change her mind. Talk about miracle grace! This invitation was it, and Mr. Rain knew it.

  It was quiet in the elevator, as they went down. Tim just watched her be uncomfortable, and wished he knew what to say. But he was very afraid of saying the wrong thing, so he held his tongue. He'd wait until the Lord gave him the right words, if it took all week.

  When they got outside, he put an arm around her. She looked up at him sharply, and immediately slipped on the ice. He caught her, and had to laugh. He just couldn't help it. He dragged her back to a standing position, and there she was; cuddled up against him, again.

  Tasha heaved a heavy sigh, and looked up at him with chagrin. "You are impossible." She admonished him softly.

  "I know." He admitted, his smile admitting nothing of the kind. "I do the best I can, darlin'. Maybe I should go get the car, and bring it up."

  Tasha's dimples jumped to life as she considered the offer. "No. No, Mr. Rain, I think we're doing just fine." She said emphatically.

  Tim's eyebrows went up as she began their tentative journey across the shiny, slick parking lot. He couldn't for the life of him fathom that remark! He was acutely aware of the risk that one or both of them would end up on the ice, was very high.

  The risk was even higher that if someone slipped, the other would try to catch; and then, they'd be back in each other's arms again. He shook his head in abject fear, as he considered that one.

  “Oh, my.” He thought miserably.

  They actually made it to Tasha's car without further mishap. Tasha unlocked the passenger door, and opened it. As Tim put his bag behind the seat and Tasha turned to go around the car, her feet went out from under her without an instant's warning. Tim reached out and caught her around the waist, just before she hit the ice. She managed to bang the back of her head on the running board of the Bronco, but Tim broke the rest of the impact. He grimaced and knelt down to help her up.

  "Tasha! Are you all right?" he asked worriedly.

  She struggled to her feet, and let her head fall against his chest. "I think so." She mumbled, feeling like an idiot. "I hope you didn't hurt your back, catching me that way."

  "Not a chance." He denied immediately. "Let me see your head." He turned her around, and got the back of her head in the path of brightness from the truck's dome light.

  Carefully, he felt around and found a lump. He pulled the hair away gently, and found an abrasion and a little gash, not bad. But the lump was getting sizable.

  Tim turned her back around, and smiled at her. "What am I gonna do with you? Why wouldn't you let me bring the car up to the door? Now I'm going to have to insist on driving home, too." He chastised her.

  She looked up at him pensively. "It can't be that bad." she scoffed.

  "Probably not, but I'm not about to let you drive, right after a lump on the head. Be reasonable." He chuckled at her.

  "All right, Mr. Rain, you drive." She agreed lightly. She handed him her keys with a look intended to convey that it was a great sacrifice. He steadied her as she climbed up into the Bronco, and shut her door. He had to hold onto the truck; and sucked in his breath as he realized the vehicle had begun to slide slowly on the ice, in response to the shutting of her door. The parking lot was incredibly treacherous, that night.

  Tasha unlocked the driver's door and watched nervously as he hurried precariously around the vehicle and jumped in, frustration on his face. His added weight and the movement of his closing door caused the truck to slide sideways, and pick up a little speed. Thank goodness, the parking lot was nearly empty.

  Tim just steered with one hand, and started the truck with the other. He skillfully brought the vehicle around, and got it moving in the right direction before he eased it into four wheel drive.

  "Man, I can't believe this parking lot. They've gotta do something about it." He snapped. "And you! Was I ever mad at you last night, driving out of here like a bat out of hell."

  She looked at him, and smiled sweetly. "You'd better watch the road and forget about nagging me, Timothy. It's pretty slick tonight."

  "Yeah, well. You get your seat belt on, and don't give it another thought. We get our share of ice in Jackson." He grumbled, strapping into on his seat belt.

  Tasha had to admit that he knew how to handle a truck on glare ice, very well. He got her home safely; and even though they slipped a few times, it didn't ruffle Timothy in the least. He always regained control of the vehicle with ease.

  He held her arm as they went up the stairs from the garage, and opened the door for her. Lucinda was waiting in the kitchen, a smile of delight on her face when she saw Tim.

  "Hey, Lucy. How are you tonight, honey? Get an ice bag for me, will you? Miss Tasha took a fall on the ice."

  After Lucinda had the expected fit and got the ice bag, Tim filled it with crushed ice from the refrigerator door. Then, he grabbed Tasha by the hand and led her into the great room, by the fire. He sat on the couch, pulled her down beside him, covered her with the afghan from the back of the couch, and put her head in his lap, directly onto the ice bag.

  "Timothy, this is not necessary." She objected, looking up to find Lucinda hovering worriedly. The feel of his hard, muscled thighs beneath her was making her wild, as was the warm, casual weight of his arm across her tummy.

  "Never you mind. Nobody asked you." He replied.

  Tasha sighed. "You're such a take charge kind of guy, Mr. Rain. Whatever would I do without you? Lucinda, please find out what Mr. Rain wants to eat, and cook it for him." She snapped irritably.

  "Oh, yes." Lucinda answered immediately.

  "How about an omelet?" he asked with a disarming smile.

  "Absolutely." Lucinda agreed. "Miss Tasha?"

  "No, nothing. And don't forget hot water for tea." She added, knowing Timothy would want some.

  He grinned down at her, and chuckled. "What am I going to do with you?"

  "You have absolutely no obligation to do anything with me." She corrected him primly.

  "Now, that's where you're wrong. You know it was you I was talking to tonight, don't you? I even heard the lip you were giving me, in reply."

  She looked up at him with sheer dismay in her eyes. She tried to get up; but he just laid a heavy forearm over her collarbone and gave her a warning look, and a shake of his head.

  "I don't think so, darlin'." He denied softly. "You'd better start behaving yourself, or I may have to give you a spanking."

  "That'll be the day." She snorted.

  "One thing you need to understand, young lady, is that a challenge is a very difficult thing for this old cowboy to resist. Be it a kiss or a spanking, I'm very likely to deliver." He warned her quietly.

  Tasha just looked up at him in the firelight, and saw that glow in his eyes. He was enjoying himself immensely, at her expense.

  "You keep it up and you might get both." he threatened.

  "You're despicable." She whispered. Her head was pounding.

  "So I've been told." He yawned. "Now, you relax and get the head to stop pounding. Then, we'll see what happens from there. I can’t be spanking or kissing a woman with a lump on her head."

  She looked up at him and felt that he must know every thought she had.

  "No. Just a few of them." He answered her with a chuckle. "I wish I could decipher a whole lot more of them. You make about as much sense as a confused coyote trying to cross a fr
eeway."

  For some reason, the vision his description created hit Tasha's funny bone. She abruptly snorted with laughter, and continued until she was sure her nostrils were quivering like a rabbit's. Thankfully, he was laughing, too. At her, no doubt.

  Lucinda came in and brought a glass of water and some aspirin. When she was gone again, Tim allowed Tasha to sit up part way and take the pills. But she noticed that her back was pressed firmly against his torso, and his strong arm around her waist held her there.

  "What do you think I'm going to do, run away?" she snapped. "Where would I go?"

  "Just about anywhere I'm not." He laughed against her ear. "You know it, and don't you think I don't." He pushed her back down again, and just looked at her. "Why are you running so hard, Tasha? What is it that scares you so bad?"

  "Nothing, Tim, I just ... don't want ... religion."

  "I don't either, Tasha. I want Jesus. I want to see the Holy Spirit move, and accomplish everything He wants done through me. That's not religion. It's not the traditions that men have set up, that you and I grew up knowing."

  She sighed. "I know. I just don't want to have to do it all again." She mumbled. Her head hurt too bad for her to watch her words. “You just don’t understand. And there’s too much I’d have to explain.”

  Tim just looked at her with puzzled compassion. She was hurting inside. Her heart had been broken. He could see the depth of the shattering she'd experienced. He could feel such terrible loss. It almost moved him to tears, the feeling was so acute; but he held himself in check. He didn't know enough, yet.

  He sighed, and answered her in a soft, husky voice. "Well, honey. Listen to me, now. We're going to spend a lot of time together this week, and we're going to be real close friends by the time it's over. That isn't going to hurt you one bit. And we'll just see what happens, all right?"

  She gave him a look that made him feel very undesirable. "There is no telling you 'no', Timothy. You don't understand the meaning of the word." She accused.

  He chuckled. "Well; maybe you'll be glad of it in the end." He predicted.

  Lucinda came in with his omelet and he shook his head, smelling onions and mushrooms sauteed in butter, and bacon too. Hashbrowns perfectly done and eggs just the way he liked them finished out a plate that made Tim drool. "Lucy, you're spoiling me real bad." He complained. "What am I going to do, when I have to go back to Wyoming?"

  She patted his shoulder, and chuckled on her way out. "You just come back again, and visit." She predicted warmly.

  Tim made short work of the omelet and started on his tea.

  "Any chance you'll let me sit up now?" Tasha asked tartly.

  Tim looked down at her appraisingly. "Maybe, if you promise to stay right here, it would be permissible." He decided.

  "Generous of you." She grumbled, struggling up to a sitting position. Tim's arm curled around her, and drew her close to his side.

  "You're kind of groggy, Honey, I can't help being a little worried about you." He objected.

  Tasha felt warm peace fill her as he kissed the top of her head. She put a slim, warm hand on his ribs and snuggled against him. "You're very comfortable." She complimented.

  "Thanks." He chuckled dubiously.

  "Tim, you're an awesome musician." She yawned. "I am just amazed. Why don't you do something with it?"

  He looked down at her with clear affection. "Someday maybe. I've been working on a CD." He said lightly.

  "You've got mega talent, and you don't really even care, do you?"

  "Naw. Not really." He admitted. "I've got lots of things to do, I don't have to be a rock star, too."

  She laughed at him.

  Tim finished his tea, and moved her aside so that he could stand up. "I guess you're going to be all right, most probably." He predicted. "You're not having any trouble arguing with me. So, why don't we get you upstairs to bed?"

  "Sounds good to me." She admitted with a yawn. He pulled her up gently, and put a light arm over her shoulder as they walked to the stairs.

  "Stubborn woman, you don't like having anybody help you, do you?" he accused as they slowly went up the stairs.

  "No. Especially big, strong, macho guys like you." She jabbed.

  "That does it." He said tersely. Strong arms wrapped around Tasha's shoulders and knees, and she found herself against Timothy's strong chest, her head on his shoulder. He was carrying her up the stairs. When she made a noise of protest, he just shook his head, and gave her a naughty look.

  "Oh, for Pete's sake." She grumbled.

  "You had it coming." He scolded her soundly. "Don't let me hear any whining, now. You were flat begging for it."

  She laughed and almost cried. She didn't want this man to carry her to bed. She didn't want to be in his arms, didn't want to have to deal with him, at all.

  "Tough. I'm here." He answered her tersely. "Which room is yours, Sunshine?"

  "Second on the left." She grumbled.

  Tim pushed the door open, and laid her gently on the bed. He leaned over her, with his arms pinning her helplessly between them. Although the room was dark but for the light from the hallway, she could see the fire in his eyes, burning down at her.

  “You got any last minute cheek you want to deliver before I leave?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

  "Sure. You're a heavy-handed, bulldozing, egotistical know-it-all." She said, throwing the words out as a teasing gauntlet.

  "Well, you're a stubborn, bull-headed, opinionated, strong-willed, independent, insulting cuss of a woman." He threw back at her.

  She laughed incredulously and stared up at him. "Of all the nerve!”

  "You ain't seen nothin' yet, darlin'." He warned her softly. She had no doubt that he meant it. "You get some sleep and see if that doesn't sweeten your disposition a little bit." He ordered with a grin.

  She gaped at him as he kissed her forehead, and dropped the ice bag beside her head. "You just yell if you need anything, or if you don't feel right." He instructed with a wink. Then, he was gone.

  A persistent knock on her door awakened Tasha. "Hey. It's seven o'clock." a male voice intruded.

  Tasha groaned, and covered her eyes with a hand. It couldn't be him! "Go away." She grumbled without thinking.

  "If you're gonna talk to me like that, I'll come in, sister." He threatened.

  Tasha came awake with a start. "Wait! Good morning!" she gasped.

  Tim's chuckle floated in from the hallway. “How's the head?"

  "Timothy Rain, you cannot come in here!" she objected hotly. She was acutely embarrassed. “I’m not decently dressed.”

  "I don't plan to. Are you still up to skiing? Or would you rather spend the day here, with me?" he asked. He knew she'd probably rather wrestle a snake.

  "I'll get up and get dressed, and then we'll see." She hissed.

  "All right." He agreed sweetly.

  She balled her fists, and growled in frustration. She got out of bed and discovered that she was actually, perfectly fine. Her head was locally tender, but the lump was already reducing. She looked outside at a clear blue sky, and decided she would much rather ski with Tim Rain than have him underfoot at home all day.

  She got dressed and went downstairs, to find him sprawled comfortably on the couch, with a cup of tea. He looked very much at home with his feet up.

  She sat beside him, and he gave her a lazy smile. "Feeling all right?" he asked gently.

  "Yes. I'm fine, actually. You're a very good doctor."

  "I work for the best." He informed her pointedly. "Do you want to ski today, or take it easy?"

  "Actually, I think I'd like to ski, if you're up to it. It's a wonderful day." She offered.

  "I'm up for it. I slept in yesterday." He agreed. "Tell me, Tasha. Why are you being so doggone nice to me? You really don't even like me." He asked, a lazy interest in his eyes.

  Tasha's lips curved into a half-smile as she looked at him teasingly. "I don't know. It's not that I don't like you, Mr. Rain, you're ver
y good company. It's just that ... I don't pick up strangers and let them into my life. You're certainly the only male to ever hold that distinction."

  He laughed, low in his throat. "And I will remain so." He prophesied. He looked at her with embers burning in the depths of his eyes. "You know that there's a reason, don't you?"

  Tasha tensed, and hugged her knees to herself. "Is there, now? Let's hear it then, and get it over with." She suggested dryly.

  He shook his head. "It's not going to be that easy, and I'm not taking any fighting bait this morning. I'm not going to try to minister one blessed thing to you until I know what I'm doing. But I'm going to finish the job before I leave this city." He said, his eyes glittering. "I'm certain now, Tasha, that it's very important."

  "Why?" she demanded icily.

  "I don't know. I'm just telling you, it's too important to play with. You've led me a merry chase, lady, but please come to the conference, and please continue to let me stick around until I know what the Lord is trying to do. Don't keep running away." He urged her, with deep concern in his eyes.

  As they sat there face to face, something happened. Something changed. Everything changed. The Holy Spirit came in the twinkling of an eye, and touched them both. Tim saw Tasha's deep beauty and purity of spirit, worked in her by God; also, her fear, and her great tenderness. He saw the misery in her eyes.

  Tasha saw Tim's beauty and his strength; his weariness, his loneliness, his dedication. She became aware of a measure of his power and authority in the Lord. Somehow, as his power and authority were revealed to her, she became deeply sensitive to him.

  Something within her soul responded; she had to respect him, for she recognized exactly what it was he possessed, and why it was given to a man. It only came through sacrifice and humility; selfless service and prayer.

  Opening up to this man on a deeper level wasn't something that she desired, by any means; but there was no way to back out after it had happened. She sensed that she would always be vulnerable to Timothy Rain as a human being, in her spirit; she had no choice. A bonding had just taken place between them.