“It is.”
“The real thing?” Katie perked up.
“I love him with all my heart.”
❧
Brandon sat down in the gazebo in Nathan’s backyard and stretched out his legs. “So when I called this morning, her dad said she was fine.”
“Good.” Nathan threw a battered tennis ball across the lawn for Licorice to fetch. “Jeff got hives once when we ran out of milk and I tried that powdered stuff. Didn’t last long but gave me a real scare.”
Licorice raced back and dropped the ball at Nathan’s feet. Nathan threw it again. “He sure misses Jeff. I do, too.”
Brandon chuckled. “You just put him on the bus after church.”
“But it’s so quiet without him. I’m not sure he’s really ready to go away to camp for a whole week.”
“I’m sure you’ll find stuff to fill the time. You could take Van out for a fancy supper—maybe ask Jim where he took Katie to propose. Della said it was the most romantic place around.”
“Not a bad idea. As long as Vanessa’s having a good day. Her morning sickness comes and goes with no rhyme or reason.”
Thunk. The tennis ball landed between Brandon’s feet. He leaned over, picked it up, and tossed it. “I’ve decided to surprise Della. I’ll take her to the beach at sunrise. She’ll think it’s just for an early morning run. Later that evening, I’ll do the candlelight dinner thing, but—”
“Wait.” Nathan’s smile faded. “Surprise her?”
“Yep.” Brandon felt downright smug. “Ring’s a beaut. Little though. Size five.”
“I didn’t realize you two were that serious.”
“Crazy serious.” Brandon chuckled. “Man, I’m not even embarrassed to admit I’m wildly in love.”
Nathan groaned as he rubbed his forehead. “Have you talked with Della about Jesus?”
“I wanted to, but the hives ruined the evening.” He watched as Nathan’s face went grim. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to pray for Della’s salvation.”
“I already have.”
Nathan sat in silence. Brandon could see how he struggled to frame his words. “Whatever you have to say, spit it out.”
“You asked the cost of salvation.”
“Yeah. And you told me Jesus paid it.”
Nathan nodded. “It’s only by grace that we’re saved. But we also discussed obedience.”
Instead of continuing to play fetch with Lick, Brandon stroked the lab. “I’m the first to admit I don’t always like the rules, but I play by them. So what does this have to do with Della?”
“It means for the two of you to seek God’s blessing on your marriage, you both need to be believers.”
“Hold on.” Brandon bolted to his feet. “My love for her isn’t conditional.”
“Your love isn’t, but biblically, your marriage is.” Nathan rose.
“You show it to me. Prove it. I don’t believe it.”
Nathan got his Bible and leafed toward the back. He scanned a page then passed over the thick leather Bible. “Second Corinthians, chapter six.”
Brandon took the Bible and started reading, “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation.’ ” He looked up triumphantly. “See? Now is the time. Not just for me. For Della, too.”
“Man, I pray you’re right—that she hears the Good News and asks Christ into her heart. But you need to read the rest of the chapter—especially the last part.”
Brandon scowled. He skimmed through the next verses, then hit fourteen and fifteen. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? “What’s Belial?” he asked hoarsely.
“Satan.”
“So if you’re not with God, then you’re with the devil,” Brandon said heavily. He didn’t need any further explanation. There it stared back at him in black and white—it wasn’t just Nathan’s opinion.
“Being married means blending yourself—not just physically and emotionally, but spiritually, too. You haven’t proposed yet. My advice is to pray for Della’s salvation. In the meantime, asking her to marry you would be wrong.”
“God wouldn’t have given me Della, only to take her away.”
Nathan’s eyes shone with pity. “I said the same thing about Evie. She was my first wife. Died of kidney failure.”
“Hey, man, I’m really sorry. But if your point is that God gave you Vanessa and you’re happy, that’s fine—it’s your story.” Brandon’s throat ached with the strain of trying not to shout. “I’m not going to be happy with anyone else. I don’t want anyone else. I love her.”
❧
“I’ve missed you so much!” Della dove off the porch and into Brandon’s arms. His arms closed tightly around her, and his head dipped, but he didn’t kiss her. Della understood. Affection belonged between them, not as a show for others.
“Get her out of here, will you?” Daddy groused. “She’s been moping ever since her hives spoiled that date.”
Brandon set her down.
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt your shoulder?” She reached up to rub the place where a wicked scar sliced from beneath the edge of his tank top.
Brandon grabbed her hand and twined their fingers. “I’m fine.”
Della didn’t say anything more about it. He refused to admit it ever bothered him and hated to be reminded of his injury. “So where are we going?”
“To the Spindles.”
She did a hop-skip beside him. “Is it official? Nathan approved?”
“Yes. Vanessa says it’s a perfect name, too. I’m even having a sign painted.”
Della beamed. “When you started putting all of that fancy gingerbread trim back on, the name just came to me. It sounds elegant. Old fashioned.”
“It’s been a challenge to match some of that woodwork.” Brandon talked about the renovation and a few little things he planned to do in order to complete the project. “Just the finishing touches,” he said. “Then we’re going to have an open house. We’re already getting calls about booking meetings and conferences.”
“You need to have a ‘No Red Punch’ policy. Red punch stains carpeting and floors.”
“Good idea.” He flashed a smile at her. “Anything else?”
“Not that I can think of offhand.” They rounded a corner, and she caught her breath. “Oh, Brandon! The landscaping is done!”
“Like it?”
“I love it! That little arbor off to the side looks inviting, and the fountain! Oh, look at it!”
He chortled. “If I never see another fountain again, it’ll be too soon. I must have looked at five hundred of them to find the one that looked okay.”
“Well, you found just the right one.” She hopped out of the jeep and stuck her hand into the cool water. “Take a picture of this view and have postcards made.”
“I already took a picture for the website. Come look inside.” He chafed her wet hand to dry it off. “I wanted to put in cobblestones, but they’re too dangerous. Someone would twist an ankle and sue.”
He opened the door.
“Oooh, Brandon!” Della crossed the threshold and stepped into the center of the entryway. Slowly turning to take in the whole view, she didn’t even want to blink. “It’s incredible!”
“Vanessa and her mom met with an interior decorator. I gave them a basic list of essentials. What do you think of the furniture?”
“Ellen always has impeccable taste. It’s elegant, but inviting. Some of the styles from that period were stuffy, but this—it just oozes ‘Welcome!’ ”
They went from room to room and finally ended up back at the entry. Brandon led her over to a window seat
. During the tour, Della kept sensing something was up. She didn’t want to rush him. By the time she sat down, she could hardly stay put. Suddenly, his behavior made sense. She couldn’t have asked for a more romantic place to receive a proposal.
Smiling up at him, she patted the cushion beside herself.
Brandon sat then stood back up again. Della didn’t want to spoil the moment by laughing at him. It had to be nerve-racking for a man to summon the courage to ask a woman to marry him.
Not that he had any reason to worry that she’d refuse.
“Babe, I brought you here because I came to the most important decision of my life in this room. I hope you will, too.”
His eyes went the color of buffed pewter, and he gently cupped her hand in his.
Her heart filled to overflowing.
Fourteen
Give my heart to Jesus?” she echoed his words in disbelief.
Brandon nodded. “Yes. I used to think being good was enough. It’s not. I can’t do it on my own merits. Christ died for me. Accepting that fact is the only way I’ll ever make it to heaven.”
Della snatched her hand from his.
Brandon’s heart twisted. He could see the confusion in her eyes. “Let me explain.” He crouched on the floor in front of her. “God loves you.”
“Well, since He does, then He won’t damn me to hell.”
“No, Babe. It doesn’t work that way.”
She drew back from him. “Brandon, if you’re happy with doing the whole church-and-Jesus thing, that’s fine by me. You’ve never asked me to compromise on things that matter most to me. I won’t ask that of you, either.”
Lord, this isn’t going how I wanted it to.
“I’ll even go to church with you sometimes. You already know that.”
“It’s not just a behavior. It’s a change inside,” he tried to explain.
“I’ll love you, no matter how you change.” Hurt shone in her eyes. “Why do I have to change just to suit you?”
“It’s not just to suit me. I love you, no matter what.”
Her chin lifted. “Then I don’t see what the fuss is about.”
“I love you with my heart. I love God with my soul.”
Her brows puckered. “It’s not some kind of competition.”
He shook his head sadly. “No, it’s not. Listen, I’m not trying to be pushy. I wanted to share something precious with you because I love you.”
“Well, you shared it. I’m happy for you.” Her smile looked forced. “So what else did you want to do today?”
He’d hoped she’d see the truth and respond, but how many times had he heard the salvation message and not taken action? Being forceful would only push her away. She’d closed the subject, and he’d play along for now. There would be plenty of chances for him to witness to her. Brandon twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “What would you like to do?”
She thought for a moment. “Why don’t we go to Balboa Park and wander around the museums?”
“Only if you promise we won’t get lost in the Aerospace Museum.” He tugged on that tress. “Last time, I never got to the Timken.”
Della laughed. “How was I to know you liked fine art more than a bunch of military artifacts? I was trying to make sure you enjoyed yourself.”
“Babe, I could lead you through that place blindfolded. I spent almost every weekend of my early teens there. The day we went there, I was far more interested in the woman by my side than anything on display.”
“And when we get into the Timken, will you still feel that way?” She batted her lashes.
“Hmmm,” Brandon teased. “I don’t know. That place is small, but the pieces they have on display are incredible. You, on the other hand. . .”
“Brandon!”
He grinned. “Gotcha!” He winked. “In my eyes, you are God’s greatest work of art.”
❧
Signing her name with a flourish, Della accepted the shipment. From the label, she knew exactly what it contained: her dress! Of all times for it to arrive, why now? She had a nitpicky mother of the flower girl who didn’t like the dress the bride had chosen for the little girl to wear. It took every shred of Della’s diplomacy to deal with the woman and her whiny daughter even before the interruption of the shipment’s delivery. Now, all she really wanted to do was shoo them out, flip over the Out for Lunch sign, and relish the sight of her very own wedding gown.
But that wasn’t professional. She tamped down her wishes, bumped the box toward the back of the shop, and returned to her customers.
“Let’s have Audrey try on the dress,” she said brightly. “It’s one of those styles that always looks so much cuter on.”
“But it’s pink,” her mother repeated for the third time as she smoothed her hand down her daughter’s copper-red hair.
“Yes, and it’s very feminine.” Della tried to turn what had been intended as a flaw into a selling point.
“I want my daughter to wear white.”
“You mentioned that on the phone,” Della said in her most diplomatic tone. “But the bride insists on all of the party wearing pink.”
“I like pink, Mommy,” Audrey whined.
“Well, then, this is just right!” Snagging the dress from the hook, Della slipped between mother and child and nudged her into a dressing room. “You’re a big girl, Audrey. Why don’t you put this on, and we’ll have Mommy keep her eyes closed when you come out. I’ll zip you up and stand you on that platform over by the big mirror, just like the brides do when they model their gowns.”
“Yeah!” Audrey couldn’t shut the door fast enough.
Looking thoroughly disgruntled, her mother muttered, “Pink,” and headed for the rack of children’s-sized formalwear.
Usually, brides came in and were part of this event. In this case, the bride intentionally skipped being present for the fitting. She’d confessed to Della that the little girl was sweet as could be, but nothing ever pleased the mother.
No novice to such circumstance, Della knew how best to handle things. She had suggested the bride give the mother some nominal choices regarding the accessories. “Anything,” the bride had begged, “just get Audrey in the dress!”
Della approached the mother. “It’ll take Audrey a little time.”
“She’s only seven. I don’t know why you think she can get into that dress by herself.”
“I’m sure it’ll be difficult.” Della nodded agreement and cast a glance over her shoulder then lowered her voice conspiratorially. “That’s why I have her try here. It’ll make her glad to have your help on the Big Day.”
“Oh. Yes. Good.”
A little soprano called out, “I can’t do up the zipper thing. Mommy, don’t look!”
Della winked at the mother, who suddenly became an ally.
“I’ll wait over here, honey.”
“Actually,” Della paused then pointed toward a display case—the one she and Brandon met at. “The bride left it to your discretion whether Audrey wears gloves. I have both lace and cotton ones, if you think she should wear them. Why don’t you take a quick peek?”
Della zipped up Audrey’s dress, led her to the platform, and smiled as the little girl squealed in delight at her reflection. “Let’s make sure everything is just right before—”
“Oh, Audrey!”
“Aren’t I pretty, Mommy?”
Della held her breath.
“Honey, you are beautiful. Just look at you!” Her mother drew closer.
By the time they left, Audrey’s mother couldn’t stop gushing. “I love pink. People always told me redheads couldn’t wear it, so I didn’t buy any for Audrey. I can’t believe how silly I was. The truth was right in front of me, and I never saw it!”
As soon as she shut and locked the door, Della flipped over the sign and dashed toward the box. She’d no more than picked it up when someone started banging on the door. Letting out a resigned sigh, she set down the box and turned around.
&nb
sp; “Della!” Vanessa stood there, rapping on the glass like a demented woodpecker.
“I’m coming.”
“No!” Vanessa shouted through the glass. “Hurry! Go shut off the electrical main!”
Since their shops adjoined, they shared the same box. It took a lot to rattle Vanessa, so Della reacted at once. She ran through the shop, out the back, and over to the fuse box. Once she shut down the power, she dashed back to Vanessa.
“What—”
“Oh, you’ll never believe it,” Vanessa used her fingers to squeegee water out of her hair.
“It’s you. Of course I’d believe it.”
“I’d just finished grooming Mrs. Rosetti’s terrier. She’s such a dear. So is her dog. Anyway, I went into the back to rinse out the tub, and the faucet broke.”
“So. . .” Della ventured slowly, “you want me to call a plumber?”
“No, I’ll have Nathan come fix it. I need you to call your dad. When the faucet broke, I had it on full blast. The shower massage thing turned into a bullwhip. It jerked out of my hands.”
“You’re okay? You didn’t slip?”
“I’m fine.”
Envisioning the five-foot-long fiberglass hose still wreak-ing havoc, Della headed back through the shop. “I’ll turn off the water main, too. What about Mrs. Rosetti’s dog?”
“She took him home before it happened,” Vanessa called. “Hey, you don’t have any towels in your back room, do you?”
All the years of listening to her brothers and father didn’t help. They’d never let her come close when they were working. Brandon, on the other hand, had commented on the shared utilities one night when they’d left the shop. Because of him, Della knew where the shut offs were.
She snagged a cordless phone and a linen tablecloth as she headed back to Vanessa. Once she’d wrapped Van in the tablecloth, Della froze. “I didn’t think—are you sure you’re okay? Van, with all of the wiring you have for the radiant heaters, you could have electrocuted yourself!”
“I’m fine. Really. Your dad insisted on the rubber floor mats. They probably saved my life. I jumped out of there and came running for help.” She let out a weak laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever prayed so hard, so fast!”
Love Worth Finding Page 9
