by Paula Mowery
But Kenzie wasn’t in Colorado.
~*~
When Kenzie returned to the hospital, her father’s physician met her in the hallway outside the hospital room. “I’m glad we’re running into each other. I gave the OK for your father to go home. But he still fatigues easily. No work.” The doctor gazed directly into Kenzie’s eyes and shook his head. “I think he’ll relax better at home.” He gestured toward the room. “They have papers explaining about diet and activity.”
“Thank you.”
He grinned. “I’ve known Mr. Murrah for a long time. You may need to sit on him or tie him down to get him to rest and recuperate. Good luck.” The doctor whirled around and sauntered off down the hall.
Kenzie chuckled. Tie Dad down? I’ll need a lot more than luck. More like a miracle. As quickly as she found the humor in the doctor’s words, her heart sank. No work for Dad meant she wouldn’t be going back to Tennessee anytime soon.
Two hours later, she sat in the Murrah family room with her father settled in his favorite recliner. Tomorrow was Sunday, and Kenzie had made her mind up to go to church for much-needed worship time. “I think I’ll turn in. I want to make it to early service in the morning.” She stood and stretched.
“I figured we’d stay here with your father.” Mother glared at her over a novel.
“I won’t be gone long. I need to go.” Kenzie turned her attention to her father. “Night, Daddy.” She darted up the stairs before her mother could protest again.
Closing the door behind her, she slid under the bed covers and set the alarm on her phone. Sleep came fairly easily.
She woke ten minutes before the alarm sounded. After showering and dressing, she descended the stairs. The house was quiet.
She drove the short distance to the church and waited to enter until the worship service began. Then she slid into the back row. The sermon kept her in rapt attention. When the congregation stood for the invitation, Kenzie escaped to her car. Not ready to return to her parent’s house, the car seemed to steer itself, ending at the cemetery.
She snagged her Bible and was drawn to Nana’s grave. Still, she contemplated the pastor’s message from this morning about following God’s will. What was God’s plan for her life? Living and working in Tennessee seemed right. Now here she was back with her parents, not knowing when her father would be well enough to return to work and free her to return to her new home. And Trevor.
She stared at Nana Nita’s gravestone. “Oh, Nana, I wish you were still here.” Glimpsing the Bible in her hands, she flipped to the next passage. The verses from Proverbs 3 jumped from the page directly to her spirit.
She read Nana’s words. These verses in Proverbs 3 remind us not to base decisions on our feelings or opinions. Depend on God. He will lead you in the right way.
As always, the words spoke directly to her circumstances.
~*~
Trevor’s focus was off with the promotion decision looming over his head. He was on his way to Pastor Stan’s office for some wise counsel. As soon as he spilled out all of the details of his dilemma, he inhaled and let it out. “So, that’s where I’m at, Pastor.”
The pastor held his gaze. “Trevor, I’ve found that Satan is more crafty and devious when he tempts us with things that look like God’s will.”
“Accepting the job seems to be the choice that holds fewer problems than staying here.”
“The absence of problems or conflict doesn’t equal God’s will.” Pastor Stan smiled.
“I never really considered that.”
The pastor leaned forward. “I’ll pray God makes your path clear to you. But you need to depend on Him, not your own understanding.”
As he drove home, he replayed the pastor’s words. He’d made a big mess when he followed his own will. This time he couldn’t let anything but God’s Word influence his decision.
Trevor parked in his recliner with a glass of iced tea and picked up his cell for his nightly call to Kenzie. The weeks dragged by with her absence, even though the end of June was nearing. He had managed to put Kent off for several weeks, but a decision had to be clear soon. Maybe it was time to discuss this with Kenzie.
“Trevor? Hey, how are you?” Her voice cooed.
“I’m OK, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“Things on my mind.”
“I can relate. I’ve got to tell you about Nana’s latest verse and advice.”
Trevor swirled the ice cubes in his drink. He’d let her talk first. “All right, shoot.”
“The verses were from Proverbs about God directing your path if you trust Him and not your own understanding.”
Trevor bolted straight up from his chair, nearly spilling his drink in the process. His shoulders softened from their tension. He eased back into his chair and kicked up the footrest. No need to explain to Kenzie about the job offer. Clearly, he would turn it down. “I needed that. Thanks. So, what about coming home? I miss you.”
“I miss you too. I’m waiting for that path to be made clear.”
“I understand.”
She had no idea just how well he understood.
13
As the month slipped into July, Kenzie fretted about arriving back in time to prepare for her new school year. Tennessee schools began in early August. But her father still suffered extreme fatigue and windedness while accomplishing simple chores. Her mother couldn’t handle the chiropractic office alone. But she had to follow the Bible and Nana’s advice to trust in the Lord to direct her.
Curious what passage would follow, she flipped open the Bible and read from Ecclesiastes about there being a time for everything. Nana’s words echoed the scripture, reiterating that God sets seasons for all tasks. Kenzie was unsure of the application this passage had for her life but stayed poised to discover its meaning.
She skipped down the stairs. Today was Saturday, and the office was closed. Her father perched on a stool at the kitchen bar. His eyes brightened when their gazes met. “I’m glad you’re up. I need to talk to you and your mother.”
Her mother wheeled around from the oven to face him. “Oh?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Let’s sit at the table. I’ll tell you while we eat our cinnamon rolls.” Father hopped off the stool and plopped into a dining chair.
Kenzie poured three glasses of milk and joined him. After her mother placed the breakfast on the table and took a seat, her father jumped right to the point.
“I’ve made a decision. I’m going to retire and sell the chiropractic practice.”
Mother gasped. “What? You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Nope, I wouldn’t joke about that. I believe that a near-death experience causes you to think about a lot of things, like what really matters.”
“Dear, you’re acting on your emotions.” Her mother’s voice singsonged.
He shook his head. “It has nothing to do with emotions. God has used this heart attack and Kenzie to teach me a few things.”
Kenzie bolted up straight on her chair.
“I’m in a different season in my life.” He smiled at Kenzie.
“A time for everything,” she muttered.
Mother crossed her arms. “Well, if this is what you want.”
“No, I believe this is what God wants.” He glanced at his wife and returned his gaze to Kenzie. “In fact, I want to go to church tomorrow.”
“Now, you’re sure it’s not too soon?” Mother’s voice rose.
“Actually, it’s not soon enough.” He winked at Kenzie.
~*~
Within two weeks, the chiropractic practice had been sold, and Kenzie’s father discovered the church’s new ministry, providing free clinics for those in the town who couldn’t afford services. Her mother snapped out of her self-centeredness to assist in the church’s pregnancy crisis center.
Kenzie brought up Trevor’s number.
“Kenzie, hey.”
“I’m coming home.” She could hardly contain her exciteme
nt.
“Really? When? I’ll pick you up, just say when.”
Kenzie giggled. “Tomorrow at one. Can you do that? Do you have to work?”
“Nope, I’ll be there at one. I’m so glad you’re coming home.”
His eager tone set off little sparks up her back. “I’ll see you then. Thank you.”
“No, thank you.”
~*~
Trevor’s heart raced. Kenzie was coming back. Time to do a little planning to properly welcome her. She liked flowers. What should they do? Several plans rolled around in his mind, and he finally chose.
With all his plans in place, he positioned himself a few yards from the gate Kenzie would exit. People were beginning to emerge, so he stood with the dozen red roses held in front of him.
She stepped into the terminal, and their gazes locked. Her eyes darted to the bouquet, and she grinned.
They stood toe-to-toe, staring into each other’s eyes. Trevor finally snapped out of his fixated admiration and pushed the flowers toward her. “These are for you.”
She accepted them, buried her nose into the blooms, and closed her eyes for a second. “Mmm, they’re beautiful. Thank you.” Her cheeks pinked.
His hand was attracted to her cheek like a magnet. Her face was silky and warm in his palm. He leaned in and brushed her lips with a kiss. “I hope you don’t mind that I’ve planned a special date for us tonight.”
“Oh?” Her brows rose. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Good. Let’s get your luggage.”
Trevor wrapped an arm around her small waist and guided her toward the luggage carousel.
On the drive to her apartment, she interrogated him about the plans.
“All you need to know is I’ll pick you up at five.”
“But, what should I wear?”
“Clothes.” He chuckled.
“Ugh. You can’t just tell a woman to wear clothes.”
“Do you own a casual dress or skirt that’s not too heavy? You know, that will keep you cool in this late July heat?”
“So, we’re going to be outside?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Oh, come on,” she whined.
Kenzie was still trying to get him to reveal his plans when he dropped her off. She exaggerated pouty lips.
He rolled his eyes. “See you at five.” He jogged back to his car before he gave in and spilled everything.
At five o’clock, Trevor had barely stepped from the car, when Kenzie descended the steps to the parking lot. Her dark hair fell about her shoulders in loose waves. Her lacy dress hugged her body and the teal hue was almost a perfect match to her eyes.
She twirled. “Is this OK?”
He nodded and struggled to speak. Finally, he managed to voice, “Uh huh.” Heat radiated under the collar of his shirt. He cleared his throat. “You are perfect. Beautiful. Perfectly beautiful.”
She bit the corner of her bottom lip, and her lashes fluttered.
His pulse kicked up a notch. Could she see it pounding under his sports shirt? He hurried to open her door and waited as she settled into the passenger seat. As he jogged to the driver’s side, he pulled in a breath and let it out.
Arriving at the restaurant, Trevor opened her door and hurried to the trunk to grab a small box.
Kenzie narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to?”
“Just let it unfold.”
She smiled and sauntered to the entrance. After being seated, she leaned toward him across the table. “Smells great in here. Italian.”
“Then I did OK picking the place?”
She nodded.
He pushed the jewelry box in front of her.
“What’s this?”
Trevor shrugged. “Open it.”
Kenzie pulled the lid off and stared, eyes wide and mouth open. She reached in and held the bracelet between them, gazing into his eyes. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“It’s one of those bracelets that you can add on to.” He fingered each charm he’d added. “This is a Bible. And here’s the orange T for Tennessee. The apple’s to represent you being a teacher.”
She studied the last one. “And this one?”
“That’s the police badge.” He let his voice trail off.
“Which represents you.” She gazed into his eyes, more like all the way to his soul. “I love it. Help me put it on?”
After clasping the jewelry around her wrist, she caught his hand. “Thank you.”
He held her hand, pulling it closer and kissed its softness. His chest warmed, and his heart pounded. The deep-planted emotions for Kenzie hadn’t diminished while she was away. Did she feel the same way?
~*~
Kenzie’s entire body radiated with electrical prickles. She admired the bracelet during dinner and remained in awe of Trevor’s thoughtfulness. She swiped her mouth after eating. “That was so good. Thank you for this night.”
His brows rose, and he shook his head. “It’s not over yet.” He grasped her hand. “Shall we?” He gestured toward the exit.
She giggled and let him lead.
He settled her in the car and opened the trunk and closed it again before getting in the driver’s side. He pivoted to her. “Now, you need to wear this until we get to our next destination.” His hand held a bandana.
Kenzie narrowed her eyes.
“You can trust me.”
She allowed him to secure the cloth around her eyes.
“OK. Can you see anything?”
“No.”
Warm breath brushed her chin before his lips planted a quick kiss.
“We’re off.”
Within a few moments, the car came to a stop, and Trevor’s door opened. “Sit right here. I’ll be back to get you.”
The car door slammed shut and the trunk opened and was closed. What was he up to now? Her head turned toward the pop of the door handle. A light breeze rushed into the car.
“Give me your hand.”
She reached it out and his warm hand grasped it. She felt his other hand on her waist, guiding her as she emerged from her seat. Her ears perked up to birds singing and a gentle whoosh like wind in tree branches.
Where were they?
Trevor led her to sit down and pulled off the blindfold. Kenzie scanned her surroundings, taking in the sights. She was correct in hearing branches. Trees swayed nearby, encircling a small park complete with a flower garden and playground. Through a break in the trees were ridges in the distance painted orange by the sunset. Focusing closer, the couple sat face to face at a picnic table adorned with a small cloth and one lone candle. Directly in front of her was a huge slice of cheesecake. Kenzie looked into Trevor’s eyes. Again, electrical sparks prickled through her body. “I don’t know what to say.”
He flashed a grin and shrugged. “Pass me a fork?”
She laughed.
As they ate dessert, Kenzie caught Trevor’s eyes on her every time she chanced a glimpse at him. The steel blue hue of his eyes radiated a warmth. Dusk stole the light little by little, but the candle between them kissed his face with a soft glow. Did he truly realize the effect he had on her? No, he couldn’t. She could only hope he experienced an inkling of the attraction he aroused in her. But, she didn’t dare ask for fear that his calm demeanor spoke against her evoking a similar reaction in him. She attempted to brake or at least slow this falling in love motion, but her efforts were too late. Her heart was smitten by Trevor Wallen.
Later he held her hand as he escorted her to her door. At the threshold, Trevor grasped her other hand, gently pulling her closer until his breath tickled her nose.
“Thank you for going out with me tonight. It probably wasn’t very sensitive of me to plan such a night when you’re just returning from your parents.”
“No, I mean...yes.” She shook her head and sighed. “Thank you for everything. It was wonderful.”
He squeezed her hands in his. “I’m so glad.” He leaned closer. “Kenzie, I missed you. I’m re
ally glad you’re home.”
His warm lips connected with hers. He pressed closer and released one of her hands, twirling it through her hair to the back of her neck. She couldn’t breathe but didn’t care. Her loose hand instinctively wrapped around his side onto his back. She sank into the warmth of his embrace, every nerve in her body tingled and crackled.
As their lips parted, a contented sigh whooshed from her mouth. She opened her eyes to find his face still close and his gaze still riveted on her.
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
For the life of her, she couldn’t remember what tomorrow even was. She nodded.
“Our usual after church lunch bunch?” His mouth curved up, revealing his dimple.
Her legs might just give way under her. “Sounds good.”
His palm cupped her cheek and he leaned in, giving her mouth a quick peck. Goose bumps crawled up her arms. Trevor stepped back, slipping her keys from her hand. He clicked the lock and opened the door.
“Tomorrow, then.” He whipped around, jogged to his car, and nodded to her before hopping in.
Kenzie slid inside her apartment, closed the door, and leaned her back against it. I can’t help falling for him.
She raced to a chair and plopped down, yanking her cell phone from her purse.
“Hello? Kenzie?”
“Lila, I think I’m in love.”
14
Trevor lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep teased him. He couldn’t get Kenzie out of his mind, the memory of her petite body pressed against his, or the softness of her lips. Had he been too forward? She did just return after being gone almost the entire summer. He couldn’t help it when it came to her.
He flipped to his side. At this rate, he would be nodding off during church tomorrow. That certainly wouldn’t make a good impression on her.
After tonight, Trevor was convinced he had given Kent the right answer when he turned down the job in Colorado. This was definitely where he was supposed to be, and Kenzie was the biggest reason to stay here. Was she falling for him like he was for her? No, he wasn’t falling. He had already completely fallen.
