“And on-going funding?”
“Shouldn’t be an issue.” He answered honestly “I’ll go over all the details with you when you want but I meant it when I said my monthly trust fund distributions are more than sufficient.”
“You are going to need a huge staff.”
“Somewhat. But what I’d also like to do is teach some of the high schools to mentor to the middle school kids and then the middle school kids mentor to the elementary school kids. And of course, lots of volunteers.”
“And who is going to organize all of this?”
“We are going to hire a managing director but I’d really like it if you joined me on the board of directors.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, absolutely. I need your help!”
“Okay, I’ll do my best.” She answered amazed at his goal “You are amazing!”
“No, I can’t do anything without the Lord’s help. And I feel Him leading me in this, that is why I took this appointment today, I believe this is the building we need.” He said slowing down to pull into the warehouse parking lot. He was describing the acreage and buildings while he parked.
“Hi Nathan”
“Hi Stan. Stan, I’d like you to meet Faith Lindstrom. Faith, this is Stan Keltner.”
“It is nice to meet you Stan” she said extending her hand
“It is my pleasure.” Stan returned her handshake and turned towards the building. He led them in the door and Nathan helped her negotiate around. They toured the building and then asked for a couple of minutes to talk about some things.
“Well?” he asked Faith when Stan left them alone.
“It seems huge.”
“It is. What is your opinion?”
“Nathan, I’m assuming you have prayed about this?”
“Yes, constantly.”
“Then I think you should find out the next steps.”
Nathan hugged her and they went to find Stan. “What’s the next step?” Nathan asked Stan. Stan had some paperwork for Nathan to sign and then the process could begin. After the paperwork was signed Stan excused himself to another appointment. Nathan took Faith back inside the warehouse.
“Faith…” Nathan began “I want you to be heavily involved in this project.”
“How so?” she questioned confused.
“I know this is a big empty ugly warehouse now but I have big goals for this place. But I wanted you here today so that this can be our dream.” Nathan pulled her close. “A romantic spot this is not but I hope you won’t care too much…. Will you honor me by becoming Faith Lindstrom and loving me forever and always and let me love you forever and always?”
“Yes, I would be incredibly honored to be Faith Lindstrom and to love you and be loved by you forever and always. I love you Nathan.” Nathan slid the ring on her finger and leaned over to kiss her.
“When did you get a ring?” Faith said examining it with her hand. “What does it look like?”
“This ring is my grandmother’s ring. My grandfather and grandmother were married for fifty-two years and when her and I spent all that time together she gave it to me to give to the woman I love and wanted to marry. It is a diamond engagement ring. I have something else for you too. Hold out your arm.”
Faith was crying but still held out her arm. Nathan fastened a fine gold linked chain around her wrist. “This bracelet is gold and the rings are linked together. There is a birthstone for your birthday and my birthday. We will add our children’s someday and any other charm that we choose to remember something special.”
“Nathan, I’m completely overwhelmed. I love you.”
“I love you.” He answered
“I have something to tell you.”
“Okay”
“I hope I can do this without crying. That first time you came to my house and brought me ice cream, I told you some concerns about if we got married. Do you remember?”
“Yes, I remember your concerns.”
“Well, I don’t have those concerns anymore. I’m sure things will come along that will take some adjusting too but your love has given me confidence to know that we can get through those things together with prayer.”
“We will have God as the priority in our family and that will help us deal with anything that comes our way. In fact, let’s start now…Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for leading our lives and leading us to this place. Help us to always put you first in our relationship and lives. Please bless our family as it starts and through the changes to come. In Jesus Name Amen.”
“So who are we telling first?” Faith asked “And who is going to marry us since you are the preacher? And when are we getting married?”
“Your family, someone we decide on and I have no idea.”
“What?”
“We will tell your family first, since my parents are on a plane. We will have to decide on who marries us and I have no idea when we are getting married because I doubt that the groom gets much say in that.”
“Should we go to my parent’s house now and tell them?”
“I’m ready for that. Let’s call Leah and see if they can meet us there.”
Nathan and Faith were still walking over the property when they met a teenage boy.
“Hi” he spoke shyly “Are you lost?”
“No” answered Nathan “I’m buying this building.”
“What for?”
“I plan to remodel it into a youth center.”
“Yeah right.” the teenage scoffed “We’ve seen those start up before and then they shut down.”
“Well, I don’t think this one will.” Nathan answered truthfully. “I’m Nathan Lindstrom and who are you?” Nathan held out his hand to shake hands with the teenager.
“Malcolm” he said and shook Nathan’s hand
Faith choked and gasped while Nathan chuckled a little. “Malcolm, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to meet you. This is Faith, my fiancée”
“Hello Malcolm”
“Hi” he said shyly
“Malcolm,” Nathan started “do you live around here?” Nathan pointed in the general direction of the building
“Sure” he answered.
“If I come back tomorrow afternoon, can you meet me here about four?”
“I guess, why?”
“I may need to hire you. Can you give this card to your mom or dad and have them call me tomorrow?” Nathan handed Malcolm a business card
“Sure, my mom can probably call you.”
“What is her name so I’ll know who I am talking to?” Nathan asked
“Mary” Malcolm answered.
“Fabulous.” Nathan answered “If you get tied up tomorrow and can’t come, just call any of those numbers and someone can get me a message if I can’t answer. Deal?”
“Deal” Malcolm answered then turned to walk away.
Nathan watched him walk away and then turned to walk Faith back to the car. Nathan was chuckling hard as they got closer to the car.
“That was incredible Nathan.” Faith laughed also. “I’m simply amazed at God sometimes.”
“Me too. I believe I will be hiring my first employee for this organization.”
“Could be.” Faith agreed “Thank you Lord”
“Amen” Nathan ended
“Will you go back with me tomorrow to meet with him and hopefully one of his parents?”
“Yeah, sure. We need to call Leah.”
Nathan pushed the number for Leah and handed Faith the phone. “Hi Leah. We are going to mom and dad’s, can you meet us there?”
“I guess so.”
“Great, bring Tom with you. We should be there shortly.”
“Okay, we will leave now. Bye.”
“See you.” Faith said as she hung up. Nathan took the phone from her and dialed her parents number then handed the phone back to her “Hi Dad. Are you busy?”
“Just reading the paper.”
“Is it alright if we come to see you?”
“Sure.”
“We will be there shortly.” Faith handed the phone back to Nathan “Do you think they guessed at why we are gathering them all together?”
“Probably” he laughed “Let’s go and get the suspense over with.”
“You’re crazy.”
“It’s too late to back out now. I have your acceptance on tape and it is evidence in a court of law.”
“When I first heard your voice on my business line, I never imagined that this short time later I’d be happily engaged to you.”
“I told you…you impressed me from the first phone call. And when I found out you were a member of the church I had just been called too, I made it my goal to find you.” Nathan kissed her again. “Come on sweetheart, we have some people to surprise.”
Nathan pulled in from the Newham’s house with his fiancée a short time after proposing to her. “Tom’s car is here. What about your brothers?”
“They are probably here too.” Faith answered.
“Okay” Nathan helped her up the stairs at the front of the house.
Faith opened the door and called out “We’re here.”
“We are in the living room sweetie.” Pearl answered back
“Lead the way” Faith directed
“And so it begins…” he laughed
“Oh you.” She laughed with him. Nathan guided her into the living room. “Hi everyone.” Faith said “Who is here?”
“Your sister and brothers, Tom also and us.”
“Good. We have something to tell you.”
“Could this have something to do with the rock that is weighing your hand down?” Leah asked
“Yes, it does. Nathan has proposed and I have accepted.”
“Congratulations!” Nathan and Faith were mobbed with hugs and well wishes. Eventually they sat down so the wedding plans could begin.
“First of all, Jacob you are mighty good at keeping a secret.” Nathan stated “I’m impressed.”
“It was tough. A week is a long time to know something that no one else knows.”
“Why did he know?” asked Faith
“Because I asked his permission to marry you.” answered Nathan.
“You did?”
“Yes, he did. I was very glad to give it. I asked him a couple of questions and received good answers and I gave my permission. Well, blessing is more accurate.”
“Faith?” asked Leah
“Yeah?”
“I told you so.” Leah stated
“What?”
“I told you so.” Leah repeated and Faith blushed and nodded.
“What does that mean?” Pearl asked
“It means I knew they were going to get married after that first dinner we had here with Nathan.”
“That may be sweetie, but you weren’t doing anything about it so I did it for you.” Jacob announced proudly
“I knew it.” Faith exclaimed. “We figured that out just recently.”
“Nathan didn’t do a very good job of hiding his attraction to you during that dinner. So, I encouraged a little.”
“Jacob!” Pearl exclaimed “You are embarrassing Nathan.”
“No, he is right, Pearl.” Nathan stated and then squeezed Faith’s hand. “I did have a hard time hiding my attraction to her. She probably thinks I was just curious to see if she would spill but that wasn’t it.”
“That is what I thought. I knew you watched me that night. But, Dad, how did you know I would take the “bait” so to speak.”
“I knew that once I mentioned that Nathan had a need, you would do your best to see that it was met. It is what you do best.”
“See, I told you.” Nathan commented to Faith as he kissed her.
“This is not pick on Faith day.” She joked “It is my engagement day.”
“Well, actually…” Nathan stated watching Leah try to not show her left hand
“Don’t you dare, Nathan.” Leah exclaimed and Tom laughed
“We didn’t plan it, Leah. It just sort of worked out that way.” Nathan apologized
“No way.” Faith exclaimed “Why didn’t you tell me on the phone?”
“Because I was still amazed.” Leah answered “But yes, I have an engagement ring too.” Leah showed her hand and was then mobbed with hugs too.
“This has been quite a week.” Jacob announced proudly
“You were good at keeping secrets.” Tom agreed
“Yes, I am. Between you two, I got lots of free lunches this week.”
“People at church are going to think we do everything together. They will assume we are going to get married on the same day.” stated Faith.
“No, that won’t happen. I want Nathan to marry us.”
“I’d be honored too.”
“We have two weddings to plan.” Pearl announced “I’m calling for help. Someone bring me the phone.”
“Mom, relax.” Faith said quietly “It will actually be easier, same florist, same caterer, two different days.”
“That’s my Faith” Nathan announced proudly “Organized”
“Oh you.” Faith elbowed him gently
Nathan’s phone rang and he checked the display and handed it to Faith. “Just answer, Hi dad.”
“Hi Dad” she announced happily
“Congratulations sweetie and welcome to the Lindstrom family.” Marcus said “Tell Nathan, congratulations too. I can’t talk to him right now, they are calling my name. I love you.”
“Bye” she said handing the phone back to Nathan. “He had to go give his speech but he said Congratulations. I take it that they knew?” asked Faith
“Yep, I told them after church as we said our goodbyes.”
“Nathan?” Pearl asked “Do we need to work with your father’s staff to plan your wedding?”
“Probably to some degree, yes. And it will be easier to find a date if you work with Mom and his staff. He will clear his schedule for the most part, but there are some things he can’t change.”
“I’ll talk to them Mom, we will figure out some dates.” Faith said confidently
“I can’t wait to go dress shopping with both of you. When do you want to go?” Pearl asked excitedly
“I’m not going shopping until this cast comes off which isn’t until late next week.” Faith stated “Then I’ll be thrilled to go.”
“Do I get to go too?” Nathan joked
“NO!” Pearl, Faith and Leah answered at the same time
“I was just kidding.” Nathan replied squeezing Faith’s hand “I know the time honored tradition of the groom can’t see the wedding dress. I have officiated at a few ceremonies.”
“You are in big trouble.” Jacob laughed at Nathan
“I know, but it was great fun to see their reaction.” Nathan laughed “Anyway, I need to head to a meeting, are you ready to head home?” Once again, the couple was embraced by her family as they headed out the door as a newly engaged couple.
Chapter 12
“Nathan Lindstrom” he said as his phone rang Monday morning while he was at the church working.
“My name is Mary and my son Malcolm gave me this number to call.”
“Hello, I’m so glad you could call me.”
“What is this about?”
Nathan began to explain about who he was and the youth center he was going to open at the warehouse. He explained about how he’d met Malcolm the day before and what his plans were for Malcolm if his parents were amenable. Faith and Nathan had agreed on some tasks they would like him to perform even before the center would be open.
Malcolm’s mom agreed to come with Malcolm to the warehouse today and meet with Nathan and Faith. “I’m so thrilled, I can use all the help I can get.”
“Malcolm is a good kid. I know I’m his mother and I am biased but he is trying to stay away from the wrong crowd and do good in school.”
“I got that impression myself. We will see you later today.”
“Thank you Mr. Lindstrom.”
“Call me Nathan, and you are welcome.”
Faith was working at home Monday morning when her phone rang.
“Hello”
“Hello, this is Jessica Lindstrom”
“Hi, this is Faith”
“Honey, I’m so excited for you and Nathan.”
“I’m more than excited myself. I’m glad you called, we need to talk about dates.”
“Yes, and that is why I called.” Jessica agreed. Faith gave her the list of possible dates they had discussed last night and Jessica said she would talk to her husband’s staff and narrow it down for them. Faith and Jessica discussed a few more things then said their goodbyes.
Faith’s phone rang almost immediately after disconnecting from Nathan’s mother.
“Hello”
“Hello fiancée”
“Hello fiancée. I just talked to your mother.”
“And I just talked to Malcolm’s mother, she is coming at four today with Malcolm.”
“Great”
“I’ll pick you up no later than three if I can wait that long.”
“Wait that long for what?” Faith asked confused
“Too see my future bride.” Nathan responded lovingly
“Ohhh” she cried “You are going to make me cry.”
“Nope.”
“Nathan, something hit me this morning. Where are we going to live?”
“Is that something we need to decide now?”
“Right this second, no. But soon. I need a place that has specific requirements.”
“Okay, how about this….we can have dinner or a picnic at my house with your family. They can look it over and see if it will work.”
“That would be great. I’ll check with my family but does a barbeque on Saturday work for you?”
“Fabulous. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”
“Bye Nathan. I love you.”
Nathan arrived at Faith’s house at two. He went around to speak to Leah then let himself into the house. “Faith” he called from the top of the stairs.
“I’ll be right up.” She answered. Nathan heard her clomping up the stairs with her bulky cast.
Faith Unseen Page 17
