While Skippy raced across the lawn, Lauren watched Jack from her bottom step. She could see him fiddling with ropes on the boat, and he was right. She'd feel safe. It was large, larger that any sailboat she'd ever been on.
After she put Skippy back in the house, she walked to the end of his dock to join him. He glanced up when he heard her approach. It was unseasonably warm this morning, and he wasn't wearing a shirt. Lauren wasn't prepared for her reaction. No one else had ever affected her that way. Why does he have to be so unattainable?
Jack smiled in greeting. "Ready?"
"I suppose."
"You slay me with your enthusiasm. Get in. Did you lock your back door? We'll be gone awhile, and we won't always be able to see it."
"Yes, Jack. Just for you. I knew you'd ask."
He tossed her a life vest. "Put this on."
"I don't need that. I can swim."
"I know you can swim, but if you go into water this cold, you might panic. Put it on just to humor me."
Lauren gave him a withering look, but she put on the vest. It was nice of him not to remind her of the other night when she couldn't even manage to swim in the shallows.
Soon they were skimming across the water.
"Where are we going?" Lauren yelled to be heard.
"Out to the gulf. We'll turn around and come back. I want to go across the bay and walk on the beach. Ok?"
Lauren nodded.
When Jack no longer needed her help, she settled back to watch the scenery go by. The water was calm, without the high winds of the last few days. Other boaters had taken to the water, and they waved from time to time.
She relaxed completely and realized she was enjoying herself. But it was warming up. She glanced over at Jack who was life- jacket and shirt-free with the wind blowing his dark brown bangs.
She slid out of the life-vest and pulled off her shirt, shorts, and deck shoes. After stuffing her clothes inside her beach bag, she laid it inside the cabin door and slipped up behind Jack.
"Do I have to wear this? It's hot. I promise to keep it nearby."
When Jack caught sight of Lauren, he couldn't hide his surprise. His eyes widened, and he stared for several seconds with his mouth open. Lauren grinned at his discomfiture.
"Wow," he commented. "Nice er, suit."
Lauren laughed at the bemused expression on his face and patted him on the shoulder. "I felt the same way when I saw you, professor. Surprise, surprise. Do I have to wear this?" She held up the vest.
"I guess not. You look much better without it. But hang on to it." He smiled at her, the momentary embarrassment gone.
Lauren climbed to the bow but jumped down when Jack yelled. "Be careful or you'll end up in that water you're so afraid of."
She stepped back to Jack. "I may not know how to tack, but I do know how to sit on the bow. Stop treating me like a child, or I'm going to show you just how grown-up I am." She leaned in close to him.
"Maybe I'll just boss you around some more."
"Whoa, professor you're too old to play with the little girls."
"I wish you'd make up your mind. One minute you're a little girl, the next minute you're vamping me with those big green eyes of yours."
"I am woman. See me change my mind." She winked at him then climbed back to the bow.
Jack was surprised at how uncomfortable he'd felt when Lauren revealed her bathing suit. He'd seen hundreds of girls on the beach before, and he couldn't remember ever feeling a reaction this intense.
What was different about Lauren? She wasn't flirting. She hadn't acted in any way seductively, what was the attraction? Perhaps he had traveled all this way for six months just to meet her. There really wasn't that great a gap in their ages. Is this why you brought me here, Lord?
While Jack steered the boat and dealt with the swinging boom, Lauren relaxed on the bow. Once a boat this large was underway, there was very little he needed from her unless the wind changed. She waved at passing boats and even a few homeowners sunbathing on their docks. She also noticed two wave runners racing along the shore. How could they stand the cold water? She had tried jet skis only once, but she had loved the experience. Too bad you had to swim in the bay to ride them.
When they got to the opening of the bay, Lauren jumped down from the bow and returned to help Jack come about. The waves on the open ocean were much higher than the protected bay, and the boat surged up and down a little more than her stomach found comfortable.
He shouted instructions to her at appropriate moments, and she managed to conceal her discomfort until after they returned safely to the bay. Then she sat down and closed her eyes.
"Are you sick, honey?"
Lauren disliked being called by childish pet names, but she felt too sick to address the subject. "Give me a minute…the waves."
"Ok." Jack kept an eye on her until she sat up and looked around. "Would you like a soft drink? Maybe some carbonation would help."
He'd brought a cooler chilled with Lauren's favorite, Dr. Pepper, and he handed the ice-cold can over to her. She rubbed the dripping ice across her forehead before opening the can. After a few sips, she felt much better and stood beside him.
"Thanks...honey." She cooed at him with sugary sweetness.
"I take it you don't enjoy being called honey."
"Not until I really am someone's honey. But it's all right if you forget. I know my age and inexperience just begs you to call me by those pet baby names."
"Actually, your cuteness and my natural affection for you beg me to call you by those demonstrative handles, but I'll resist the temptation." He pointed to the bow of the boat. "How would you like to anchor up by that island and walk around for a while? You'd only have to wade in a short distance, and we can see to the bottom. No sharks, but the water is cold."
"Show me what to do." Lauren put her drink in a cup holder and waited for Jack's instructions.
They anchored out from the sand bar and grabbed their shirts before wading to shore.
"How big is this island?" Jack looked from one end to the other.
"We can walk all the way around if you like."
For the next couple of hours, they picked up hermit crabs, sand dollars, and compared odd shapes of driftwood. They even chased the occasional sea gull.
Lauren was comfortable with Jack. There were no awkward silent moments, and when she did talk, he actually listened. For the first time, she felt his equal and neither harped on the difference in their ages or other sensitive issues.
When they reached the final turn of the island, Jack offered to race. She looked at him as if he was crazy. "Are you nuts? I've seen you jog down the beach. You run. I'm walking."
He laughed and took off. Lauren followed slowly, wading calf high in the clear water. If it hadn't been for the heat of the sun, she could never withstand the freezing water.
After they waded back to the boat, Lauren looked around for the picnic hamper. "I'm getting hungry. Want to have that picnic?"
"Sure, sweetie-pie."
"Ok, honey-bunny."
Lauren dragged out the sandwiches she had made. "Ham and cheese or tuna?"
"I like both. Toss me one."
They munched for a few minutes, watching the water and the other boats. When Jack spoke, he caught Lauren by surprise. "Are you ever going to tell me about it?"
"About what?"
"Your parents. What happened?"
She stopped eating and stared at him with the most wounded eyes he had ever seen. He got the sickening feeling he had just done something horribly wrong. He sat very still, his entire countenance focused on her. When she looked away, he felt he'd lost a battle.
"Car crash."
"I'm sorry."
"There was nothing anyone could do."
"Were you there?"
"Yes."
"Did they die instantly?"
He hated asking the questions, but she looked like she wanted to get it out and didn't know how.
"Dad did. Mom
lingered. The paramedics didn't make it in time, but I don't think it would have made any difference. When she saw Dad was gone…she was ready."
"Did you get to talk to her?"
A tear slid down Lauren's face. "I begged her not to leave me, but she said, 'Don't worry. Trust God, He'll take care of you.' Then she was gone."
"Has He?" Jack needed very much to hear how she felt about that.
"I don't know."
She gulped down a sob, and Jack was beside her in an instant. He wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, Lauren, I'm so sorry."
Her head was cradled against his chest, and his arm smoothed her back. "I wish there was something I could do to show you how much God is taking care of you. But it's one of those things you have to believe."
Lauren pulled away. "Jack, I'm not a Christian."
He winced.
God, how could you let me get this far? Wasn't I listening to You? What do you want?
It took mere seconds for the thoughts to tumble through his mind, but Lauren had seen his reaction. She withdrew even more.
"I understand if you want to go back now." She wouldn't even look at him.
Jack was at a loss. What did he do? Walking away from someone just because she wasn't a Christian was deplorable, but he was far more interested in her than he should be.
Love my lamb.
But, Lord, how will she understand…
Just love my lamb.
Jack put his hand over Lauren's. "I can't say I'm not disappointed. God's love is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I know if you gave Him a chance, He could take away your pain."
"Can He bring back my parents?" She snapped at him.
"I don't think…"
"Then He can't take away my pain. I watched them die. He did nothing."
"I don't have the answers for why that happened. You said your mother died at peace. She wasn't afraid. Maybe you needed to see her faith." Jack waited a moment. "God says in the Bible we'll never have all the answers. He could tell us, but He wants us to choose to trust Him. He does say He'll never let us go through anything too great for us to handle. He's taking care of you even though you don't see it. You're not going to fall apart."
Lauren closed her eyes and another tear trailed down her cheek. Jack reached up and wiped it away then sat beside her, holding her hand and watching the surf.
Lauren leaned her head on his shoulder again, and they sat for a long time. He thought she'd fallen asleep until she whispered. "I thought you'd never want to talk to me again. Because I didn't tell you."
He felt a pang of guilt. His first thought had been to protect himself by getting away from her. "That's not what God would have me to do. You're important."
Oh God, this girl could break my heart, but if she could find You, I know that's worth it all.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Thank you for telling me. Now I know how to pray for you."
"You pray for me?" Lauren reared back.
"All the time."
"Why?"
"Because you're part of my life now."
"I don't understand you."
"I don't understand a lot of things. Just be my friend, Lauren."
"I can do that. I don't know how this will sound, but since the accident…I haven't really felt alive until I met you."
"That sounds like a normal response to grief. I hope you've seen God's love for you in me."
"You're certainly different."
"If you've noticed that...it's a start."
The return voyage was swift, and they were soon docked at Jack's pier. "I want to wash off the boat. Do you want to shower?"
"There's really no hurry. Tell me what to do, and I'll help you." Lauren spent the next few minutes learning how to clean and close up the boat under Jack's expert tutelage. When they were finished, he gave her a hands-up to the dock, and they strolled down the pier.
She flicked a glance at him. He had put on a shirt but not buttoned it up. He still looked rugged and appealing. It was amazing how kinked up his wavy hair got in the salt spray. She could just imagine what she looked like, loose hair flying free from the braid she'd made.
"What are we going to do for the rest of the day?" he asked.
"Aren't you sick of me yet?"
"I hadn't really thought about it. Are you tired of me?"
"No, this is one of the best days I've had. Relaxing, no pressure. I don't have to worry about impressing the guy. This day could last forever." Then Lauren sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"Tomorrow has to come. I'm sure you'll meet some nice, Christian women at that church."
"No one will even notice me."
"Hah! You'll be a novelty."
"That won't change things for us. I don't want a romantic relationship. I'm leaving in five months."
"Don't look so serious. I was being silly. I want you to meet nice women."
"Why? I've got you."
"You need to meet some people more like you."
"I'm surprised at how much we have in common. I'm certainly never bored when I'm with you." His brow creased as he gazed at her uncertainly. "Are you?"
"Of course not."
"All right, I'm going to go take a shower. Do you want to watch a movie tonight?"
"Yes, I'll go shower and wash my hair. It takes forever to dry. I'll even let you pick any movie you want, but I don't want to stay up late. You've got church tomorrow."
"Would you like to ride together, and what time do we need to leave?"
"You still want me?"
"Of course."
"We need to leave at nine."
"Fine. Should I call before I come over tonight?"
"No, I'll call you when I'm ready. Then you can come in whenever you want."
Jack watched Lauren turn and walk up the beach to her house. She was becoming more relaxed in his company. We've weathered the storm for a little while longer. But she's going to break, isn't she, Lord? Is that why you brought Lauren into my life?
Chapter 4
Sunday morning Lauren woke early before the alarm had a chance to go off. She had selected clothes the night before so she wouldn't have to think about what to wear, a black satin dress with red and gold accents in a Chinese style that hit halfway down her calves. The slim fit showed off her figure.
After scrubbing her face, she put on make-up then coiled her hair on top of her head, utilizing two black enameled chopsticks to secure it. When all was finished, she stepped back from the mirror to appraise her efforts. Satisfied, she sat on the couch to wait.
What am I doing? Why am I going to church with this man? I haven't been back since my parents died.
When the phone rang, it startled her. "Hello?"
"Morning sunshine. Are you ready?"
Jack, and he seemed in a better mood than last night. She stared at the phone for a moment but didn't answer.
His voice came to her again. "You're not trying to back out on me, are you?"
"No, I'm ready."
"Be right there."
Jack had struggled most of the night with trying to determine the best course of action with Lauren. He didn't want to start something in a romance that he couldn't finish, but he didn't want to miss out on something God had set up for him. After praying, he realized God would give him the answers as he needed them.
When he woke the next morning, he recognized he was making it more difficult than it needed to be. God reminded him again, when you keep your focus on your relationship with the Lord, every other relationship lines up.
Lauren opened the door, and he was once again taken aback. "Lauren, you look…beyond beautiful, gorgeous even. I'll have to fight off every male in the building."
"You look pretty nice yourself."
She sneaked a peek at him as he walked around the car. Actually, he was gorgeous in black slacks and a matching black blazer with a white dress shirt, but no tie. She wiggled in her seat. The car wasn't bad either.
"I'
ve never been in a Viper before. Would you like to tell me, professor, why a philosophy teacher has a Viper, why a missionary to Central America has a Viper?"
"You think it's too ostentatious for a servant of God?"
"Something like that."
"I didn't buy it, if that will make you feel any better. It was given to me. But I do believe Christians are blessed and that God wants to bless us with the best. But only if our focus is on Him and not on what the world has to offer. I promise you I don't love this car more than I love the Lord. And I could give it up in a heartbeat if He wanted me to."
"I believe you." Lauren ran her hands over the black leather upholstery. "Somebody gave you this car? It looks brand new."
"It is. I helped my grandfather out with his business a while back, and this was how he repaid me. You know, I've been meaning to ask you. How did you finish high school so young? You must be incredibly bright."
"I don't know about that. I was bored so I just finished everything." Lauren didn't like talking about herself and looked out the window.
"But, how?"
"I went to a private school. You don't have teachers, just helpers that oversee a room full of students. Every subject is taught out of workbooks and basically you teach yourself by reading and working the books. I got tired of sitting there so I finished all the workbooks, and here I am."
"No matter what you say, that means you've got a remarkable brain! I'm impressed at your dedication. I could see your attention to detail in that report you wrote. You like research, don't you?"
"I like to read. When we went to visit my grandparents, I would get bored and read the encyclopedias. I like to know things."
"And yet you don't act like you know a lot of things. I mean you're not pompous and boring, like a know-it-all."
"Don't be silly, Jack. I don't know it all...but close." She grinned at him.
"I'll remember that."
They were greeted at the door of the church then they found seats about halfway down.
A few people noticed Lauren and came over to say they had missed her.
Jack noticed she always introduced him as a neighbor and new instructor at the college. Like that made it all right for them to be together.
When the song service started, he wanted to enter into the worship as if nothing else existed in the world, but he didn't want Lauren to feel abandoned or alone. Occasionally, he glanced at her to see how she responded to the music. The songs were more about worshipping God than about the choir sounding pretty. Lauren barely moved her lips the whole time, so he wasn't sure how things were going. He kept praying.
Wind on the Sand (The Winds of God) Page 5
