Beyond the Picket Fence: And Other Short Stories

by Lori Wick

  Maybe it was because he'd never met a woman like Casey Sheridan, one who had endured such pain but still chose to serve God. She was warm and fun and so pretty that Hunter just wanted to stare at her. She was also so gifted at the piano that Hunter could have listened to her play for hours. So why was he holding back.

  Morgan thought Hunter was just out of practice and told him so, but when Hunter tried going without his wedding ring, even for a few hours, his hand felt naked.

  "Maybe I need to give it more time," he said softly to himself in the dark. "I'd like to move on. I'd like to love again; I just don't know if I can. If I had been the

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  BE CAREFUL WITH MY HEART

  one todie,I would have wanted Gail to find someone new to share her life."

  Hunter stopped speaking out loud but continued to bare his heart to the Lord. He asked God to help him move wisely where Casey was concerned, but at the same time he wondered why he didn't just go ahead and let his guard down with her. He already knew that she was a wonderful person, and without ever having really experienced it, he somehow knew that she would always deal with him compassionately.

  Hunter would not have been quite so content with his plan if he'd understood how vulnerable Casey was to his status as a widower or the sensitive way he walked her to the cabin and stayed outside to talk.

  "Okaynow,"Marcus spoke into the small public address system as the kids were finishing up with breakfast. The fifth- and sixth-grade campers were having the time of their lives, and it took a moment to get their attention.

  "This being the last day of camp, I told you we would have some special surprises. If you think the Rileys have performed for you on these other evenings, wait until you hear their last concert tonight."

  Marcus was given no chance to go on, since the room erupted with cheers. He spoke again as they quieted.

  "But we've got a lot of great things to do before then. Right now it's time for the staff hunt." Again the room shook with cheers. "As you finish with breakfast,

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  the counselors will hide. Finding them means points for your team.

  "Don't forget now, some will be in pairs and worth extra points, and of course, the team that finds our speaker, Pastor Chris Bauer, gets 1000 points." Marcus continued to speak, even though mayhem met this announcement. "Go ahead now, staff, and head outside. Hide well. You know the places that are off limits."

  Casey said goodbye to her adorable crew of girls-- one or two even needed to hug her--and made for the door. Brad was there holding it for her, and Morgan was waiting directly outside. She was paired with him for extra points.

  "You're going to hide with Hunt instead of me," he informed her the minute he saw her.

  "I am? Why the change." Casey didn't mind; in fact she was pleased, but Morgan had an odd look on his face.

  "I'm always paired off, and I want to hide alone." Casey's look was clearly skeptical. "Go on now," Morgan commanded, lowering his voice since Hunter was just coming from the dining hall.

  "Okay," Hunter said as he stopped beside Casey, his eyes on a small square of paper in his hand. "I guess you and I are together."

  Casey glanced down at the slip and noticed that the handwriting was different from the original paper she'd seen, the one telling her she was paired with Morgan.

  Casey sent a glance toward the youngest Riley, but he only grinned at her. Obviously finding himself very clever, he ran down the steps of the dining room deck.

  35

  Casey was tempted to shake her head. Between Morgan and Hunter, she felt as though she'd been going in circles all week.

  "We'd better get started," Hunter broke into her

  thoughts, and Casey followed him down the steps. "So where do you think?" he asked. "The archery range," Casey suggested. "No. Brad and Chris always hide there." "In back of the kitchen?"

  No,

  "We could climb a tree."

  "Last time I did that I got sap all over my pants." Casey came to a stop on the trail.

  "What's the matter?" Hunter looked at her in surprise.

  "You must have someplace in mind, Hunter, since all of my suggestions are wrong." Casey's stance, hands on her waist, head tilted to one side, told of her exasperation.

  Hunter grinned at her in a way that was becoming familiar but was no less appealing. He'd been like a different person since they'd talked, touching her from time to time and making no effort, if ever he had, to keep his eyes from her face. The smiles he gave her were very warm, and twice he'd asked her questions about how she'd coped with certain aspects of Nathan's death.

  "Come on." He suddenly took her hand and began to run. "I know just the place."

  Two minutes later Hunter was leading them inside the tool shed, more of a lean-to actually.

  "Isn't this offlimits."

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  "Nope. It would be if it had a door. I was only hoping that Morgan hadn't beaten us to it."

  Casey fell quiet. It was somewhat shadowy in this small building that smelled of oily rags and grass, and suddenly the atmosphere was rather close. Hunter must have felt it as well, because Casey looked up to find his eyes on her.

  "I want to kiss you," he said in little more than a whisper.

  Casey swallowed hard. "I think you're suddenly feeling things you haven't felt in a long time, Hunter, and I must admit to you that I've enjoyed our getting to know each other. But please," Casey's voice was tender, "be a little careful with my heart."

  "Oh, Casey," Hunter's voice dropped unbelievably low. "I'm sorry if I've been totally insensitive to your feelings."

  "You haven't," she said and then added very can didly, "but I've been alone for a long time, and I just wanted you to know that I'm not totally immune to

  yOU."

  Hunter smiled, and Casey had the impression that her words pleased him no end. Their eyes held until the shouts of children in the distance broke the mood. Casey turned from Hunter and took a seat on an upturned, five-gallon paint bucket. They didn't talk anymore, but each one was very aware of the other's presence.

  "Thank you, Morgan," Casey said with a smile as Morgan hefted her basket of laundry from the car

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  they'd borrowed to go into town. It was the weekend between the junior high and high school camps, and Casey and Morgan had just gone to wash clothes.

  He'd driven the car as close as possible to the cabin, so it was an easy walk. When they arrived, Casey held the door to her cabin open so Morgan could take the basket inside. With that, Casey commented, "If you didn't have a girl waiting at home for you, Morgan, I'd marry you myself."

  Morgan grinned like a boy. "You could always marry my brother."

  Casey looked shocked. " What would Chris say?"

  "You know very well that I'm not talking about Brad."

  Casey only smiled and shook her head in feigned despair. "You've got to stop pushing Hunter and me together."

  "But you would make him a wonderful wife," he told her seriously.

  "Listen to yourself, Morgan. Your brother is a big boy, and I'm no kid myself. We can handle this on our

  own."

  "I know he cares for you," Morgan went on as if he hadn't heard her. "I'm just afraid he'sgoingto move too slowly and let you get away."

  Casey didn't respond. She was afraid also but for an entirely different reason. Last weekend, when the fifth- and sixth-grade campers had gone home, she and Hunter had gone for a long walk in the woods. It had been a beautiful day, and they had even packed a lunch and taken a blanket so they could picnic under the trees. The day had seemed perfect: The food, their

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  conversation, and the general spirit of their time together proved wonderful. It seemed even more perfect when Hunter had taken her into his arms and kissed her.

  In the days that followed he'd been extremely attentive whenever they were alone and it was appropriate to be so. He'd even asked Casey out on a date for the next Saturday night, the Saturday
that was today, but Casey's fears were not that he was moving too fast. They came from the fact that she could almost feel Gail between them. If Hunter showed up tonight still wearing his wedding band, Casey wasn't sure what she would do.

  He'd held her hand numerous times, put his arm around her, and kissed her in the woods. It was becoming obvious that he no longer felt married, but if this was the case, why was he still wearing his wedding ring. Only Hunter knew.

  "I think I've lost you," Morgan commented.

  Casey smiled. "I have a date with Hunter tonight, Morgan, and I'm looking forward to going, but I mean it when I tell you that you've got to let us handle this

  on our own."

  Morgan sighed. "All right, but if he lets you get

  away--"

  "Even if he does," Casey cut him off, "it's still Hunter's business."

  Morgan stared at her, clearly dissatisfied with the way his hands were tied, but Casey's serious expression told him he had better let the matter drop.

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  Hours later, Casey, dressed in the nicest outfit she'd brought on tour, sat across the table from Hunter. They were in Santa Barbara's finest restaurant, and Hunter was making her feel like she was the most wonderful woman he'd ever met. If this was his attitude, the feelings were more than mutual for Casey. Even the sight of the ring on his hand couldn't completely dampen the pleasure she felt at being with Hunter Riley.

  "How is your entree?" Hunter asked solicitously. "Wonderful. How about yours.'' "Excellent."

  They ate for a moment in silence, and then Hunter broached a question he hadn't been able to get off his mind.

  "I want to ask you a question, Casey, but I'm afraid

  the subject might be upsetting to you."

  "I'll be honest," she told him.

  "It's about your daughter, Alison."

  Casey smiled. "I appreciate your sensitivity,

  Hunter, but I never mind talking about her."

  "How old would she be now?"

  "About Linda's age, but in my mind she'll always be a baby." Casey smiled with remembrance. "She was such a happy child, so full of life. She was very active. Some days I fell into bed exhausted, but we didn't clash wills very often. She was very obedient most of the time. I think Alison would have been a people- pleaser.

  "After the fire I thought I might be expecting again. I really struggled with God's will when I wasn't. I felt it

  40 would have been so right to have Nathan's child and Alison's little brother or sister, but I no longer feel that way. God's perfect plan is to have two parents. I know that many men and women do it on their own, but I'm thankful now that I'm not trying to raise a child by myself."

  "I know it's a lot of work," Hunter told her. "My mother raised the four of us by herself."

  Casey nodded. Janelle had told her, but she remained quiet.

  "My father died when Morgan was four. My mother didn't remarry until just a few years ago, and of course by then we were all grown and out of the house."

  "She must be a wonderful woman."

  "I think so," Hunter told her honestly. "I'd like you to meet her sometime."

  Casey had taken a bite of food and did not reply. She really didn't enjoy the mystery of a situation like this. She found herself fighting the impulse to read things into Hunter's comments, such as the one about meeting his mother. A double meaning had definitely come to mind. Had he meant more than just a casual statement. Once again, only Hunter knew.

  "Hunter." Casey called his name and waited until he looked at her. "How did your wife die?"

  "Cancer. If I had known then what I know now, she would probably still be alive, but we took the doctor's word about waiting, and by the time the signs were really evident, it was all through her."

  "You sound as though you have regrets."

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  "Not exactly. I know God's will is perfect, and we did our best, but sometimes it's hard to handle 'human

  error.' Do you know what I mean."

  "I think I do."

  The meal ended in a companionable way, but as they drove back to camp, Casey felt a mix of emotions. It seemed they had so little time to get to know each other, and Casey honestly wanted to know this man. Some of her emotions must have shown on her face because Hunter said goodnight in a very quiet way and did not walk her all the way to her cabin. Casey had the impression that he wanted to but was thankful he held off.

  She went to bed that night hoping that at the end of high school camp, when the family took a well- earned week of vacation, she and Hunter would finally have some quality time. However, this was not to be. Halfway through the week, Brad announced that the family had taken a vote. They were all so tired of being on the road that, to a person, they had elected to head straight home.

  As much as Casey dreaded leaving this family, she smiled at the sight of her car. There had been communication with the family at home, and Dan Green had seen to it that Casey's car was waiting for her in the designated spot.

  Every one of the Rileys, save for Janelle and Dan, lived in Stockton. Dan, along with a friend, had left Casey's car in the church parking lot in Stockton so that Casey could drive home to Sacramento whenever

  42the tour bus arrived. Her gear was unloaded rather solemnly, but when she and Chris finally stood

  together, they both grinned like children. "It's been fun," Casey said. "It has indeed," Chris agreed.

  They hugged, and everyone gathered then to say goodbye and thank her for everything. Casey was equally grateful to them for the wonderful weeks they'd shared with her.

  They didn't, however, linger overly long. They were all within minutes of home, but Casey had some miles to go. They let her go after just a few moments, with a promise from Morgan that she would get an invitation to the wedding and more promises from the others to visit when they came to see Dan and Janelle.

  Casey picked up her small case, and no one moved to help or follow when Hunter threw Casey's bag over his shoulder and walked her to her car. Casey didn't look at Hunter as she opened the trunk to stow her gear or when she opened the driver's door, started the car without getting in, and put the air conditioning on full blast.

  She let the door close softly and stepped slightly away from the hot metal of the door. The move put her almost directly in front of Hunter. He was literally on the verge of opening his mouth to tell her he would call, but Casey suddenly reached for his left hand.

  Hunter stared downward, first at Casey's blonde, shiny head, and then as she fingered his ring. She didn't look at him or speak but turned the ring gently around his finger, her eyes on the movement. After a minute she looked up and said, "I hope you take care of yourself,

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  BE CAREFUL WITH MY HEART

  Hunter, and if you ever decide to take this ring off, give me a call."

  Hunter was utterly speechless when she dropped his hand.

  "Goodbye, Hunter."

  All words deserted him as be watched Casey climb into her car and drive away with a small wave of her hand. He stood still for long minutes and finally lifted his left hand and stared at it as though it belonged to someone else. He thought then as he had many times, he'd never before met a woman like Casey Sheridan.

  Janelle.

  "Great."

  "How are you feeling?" Casey whispered to

  "Oh, that's super." Casey's eyes shone. "I have to play for Loni, so I'm going to move down front, but I'll come over tonight and see you after church. Tell Dan to have popcorn ready."

  I'll do it. Are you going to the Hendersons' for lunch?"

  Casey had time only to nod before she needed to move to her seat. She was settled before the announcements were made, and she never missed a beat when it was time to play, but her mind was elsewhere.

  It had been six weeks since she'd seen Hunter, and he hadn't been in contact in any way. Not even when he'd spoken with Janelle did he pass on a word of greeting. Casey was not sorry for what she had said to him, but it was b
ecoming painfully evident that he was not ready to remove that ring.

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  It was with great effort that Casey managed to pull her mind from Hunter and heed the sermon, but she was very glad that she did, since the pastor spoke on obedience to Christ, no matter what. Casey needed to hear those words right then. She was losing her joy over the whole ordeal with Hunter.

  Pastor Meyer reminded them, "All of life's circumstances must be viewed through Christ, or we are going to spend our lives on an emotional roller coaster. Believing that God cares for us only when all is comfortable in our world makes for a shaky foundation, my friend. God's Word has to be our base. When it is, nothing, and I mean positively nothing, can cause the ground beneath us to shift."

  It was just what Casey needed to hear. The summer had ended on a low note, and even going back to work had not been as joyful as it had other years. She now saw so plainly that her actions were telling God that He had let her down. Casey prayed right then with her new knowledge. She confessed her absorption with herself and surrendered her life and future to God.

  Peace surrounded her for the first time in far too long. She was feeling nearly jubilant when church ended and Corrie Henderson approached her about lunch. Casey taught with Corrie's mom, Betty, and ate Sunday dinner with them most weeks, but since Corrie

  was a worrywart, she always checked with Casey. "Are you coming over, Casey."

  Casey smiled at her and started to answer when she looked over the eight-year-old's head and spotted Hunter. He was across the near-empty foyer, and Casey couldn't think or move. She stared at him in

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  something akin to confusion until he very deliberately reached up and scratched his chin with his bare left hand.

  "Casey."

  "Oh! Corrie," she stumbled and thought fast. "You know, something has come up, and I won't be able to come today. Can you tell your mom?"

  "Are you all right?" the little girl wanted to know.

  "Yes," Casey answered with a beaming smile. "I'm just fine. Tell your mom I'll call her later."

  Corrie was relieved when she saw that smile, and not having noticed Hunter, went off without a care. Casey then approached Hunter quite slowly and stopped.