Hometown Proposal (11 page)

Seth laughed. “No, but seems as though you think there should be one. I didn't know you were so competitive.”

“There are a lot of things you don't know about me.”

“I know, and I want to change that.” A serious look crossed his face. “Since I got rid of my crutches, Olivia and I are going to celebrate. My mom told me your mom invited her to go out to dinner with some of the ladies from church on Thursday night, so Olivia and I will be on our own. We've decided to go to the Dairy Barn to eat. Will you come with us?”

Unsure of her answer, Elise looked at him. The question went right to the heart of everything she'd been thinking over the past few weeks—the past few hours. Was she willing to let Seth back into her life? Was she strong enough to handle it if she fell for him again and he still wasn't ready to love her? But did it really matter, when she might be moving anyway?

Elise let courage wash away her fear for at least today. “Sure. I'd like to celebrate with Olivia and you. And you did
okay playing Wiffle Ball today, too. I guess I shouldn't have been worried.”

He smiled wryly. “I'm glad you cared enough to worry.”

Elise looked away, realizing how much she was beginning to care. The thought pricked her heart with a little doubt. But she was determined to face her fears and work through them.

With his gimpy gait, Seth fell into step beside Elise as she strolled toward the house. “Are you ready for karaoke? Looks like your dad has it all set up.”

Stopping, Elise put a hand on one hip as she gaze at Seth. “Are you sure
you're
ready? You've never—”

“What do you mean I've never done karaoke? On the cruise ship I was in charge of karaoke hundreds of times.”

Elise laughed. “If you'd let me finish, I was going to say you've never been involved with one of my dad's karaoke sessions. He always manages to get people involved even when they don't intend to sing. It's the peer pressure or something. Uncle Carl is the only person my dad is still after to sing.”

“Maybe I can get your uncle to sing. What do you think?”

“I'm not sure you want to hear him sing.” Elise chuckled. “He really can't carry a tune.”

“That's the beauty of karaoke. You don't have to be able to sing.” Seth glanced around the yard, then back at Elise. “I want you to introduce me to your uncle Carl, so I can convince him to sing.”

Laughing, Elise shook her head. “You'll never get my uncle to sing. Never.”

“If you introduce me to him, I'll have him singing before your dad puts away the karaoke machine today.”

Elise took in Seth's statement. Here he was again confidently predicting what would happen, as he'd done during the Wiffle Ball game. He'd done the same thing when he'd boldly
predicted she'd fall for him when he'd first approached her on the cruise ship.

The memory made her want to look away, so she occupied herself with looking around for her uncle. Elise spotted him talking with a group of men under the shade of the red maple trees bordering the property. She turned to Seth and nodded in her uncle's direction. “He's the tall balding man in the blue shirt.”

Seth grinned. “If I get your uncle to sing, I think I should get some kind of reward. What do you think?”

“And what kind of reward are you thinking you should get?”

Seth wrinkled his brow as if he were thinking hard. “So many choices.” Then he winked. “I've got it. You have to sing one song I choose and sing another one with me. My choice also.”

“What if I don't agree that you should have a reward?”

Seth shrugged. “Guess you won't get to hear your uncle sing.”

“I'm not the one who wants to hear my uncle sing. I said my dad's been trying to get him to sing.”

Seth turned toward the house where Ray was making the final check on the karaoke system. “Then I'll go talk to your dad.”

As Seth limped away, Elise wondered what kind of bargain her dad would make with Seth. It could be worse. She remembered her dad's comment about another wedding in his future, and she knew he wouldn't hesitate to do a little matchmaking. Maybe it would be better to have this whole reward thing under her own control rather than letting Seth negotiate with her dad.

Elise hurried after Seth. “Seth, wait.”

Turning, he grinned. “Change your mind?”

She tried not to let her agitation show. “Yes. If you get my
uncle to sing, I'll do what you asked. But you have to get him to sing.”

“Great.” His grin widened. “Let's go over there now, so you can introduce me.”

Elise walked with Seth across the yard. She made the introductions, then excused herself, leaving Seth on his own to deal with Uncle Carl. From a distance, she watched them talking. Seth said something, and Uncle Carl laughed. As they continued to talk, she wished she'd stayed so she could hear what they were saying.

While Elise stewed about what was being discussed in the huddled group of men, her dad got up on the deck and used the microphone to get everyone's attention. Most of the crowd began moving toward the deck, bringing lawn chairs and picnic benches with them. Elise grabbed a lawn chair and looked for Juliane and Lukas. Spying them, she headed their way.

Ray began to sing one of his favorite songs, “Impossible Dream.” As Elise listened to her dad's wonderful tenor voice, she placed her chair next to Juliane's. A few seconds later, Seth put his chair down next to hers.

When Ray was finished and the applause died down, Elise turned to Seth. “Where's Olivia?”

“She's playing in the sandbox again. My mom's watching her.”

“Did you convince Uncle Carl to sing?”

“You'll have to wait and see.”

Seth leaned toward Elise. “Your dad has a great voice. No wonder he likes to do karaoke. So how does this work?”

“Dad has a list of songs that are available. They're up on the deck if you want one. And he has his little bowl of names. He draws them out, and people sing.” Elise chuckled. “Now that he's updated his collection, even some of the teenagers sing because he actually has something they know.”

Juliane leaned across Elise. “That's not entirely true. The teens can sing the oldies, too. They've listened to enough of them over the years.”

Standing, Lukas reached across Juliane and Elise as he waved a piece of paper. “Here's the song list, if you want it.”

Seth reached out and took it. “Thanks.”

Elise watched Seth as he perused the list. “So you must not have convinced my uncle to sing.”

“What makes you say that?” He looked at her with a grin.

Elise pointed to the song list. “You haven't even looked at the song list.”

“Now I have, and I know which song I'm going to have you sing. It's the one I enjoyed hearing you sing the most.”

“Which one?”

“You'll find out after Carl sings.”

Seth got up and walked over to Uncle Carl, who sat at a picnic table near the edge of the yard. While Seth talked with Carl, Elise tried to guess which song Seth was talking about. He'd never told her he had a favorite.

As Seth returned to his seat, Elise tried to read his expression. But his demeanor gave her no clue as to what had transpired during his conversation with Carl. “All set?”

“Like I said, you'll have to wait and see.”

While a steady stream of singers paraded across the deck, apprehension grew in Elise's mind. She wished she knew what to expect. Would she have to sing with Seth, or was he stringing her along, making her think he'd convinced Carl to sing?

Finally, Seth and Nathan got up on the deck and sang “Whenever God Shines His Light.” Next they sang “Bless the Broken Road,” a song made popular by Rascal Flatts.

Seth seemed to be singing right to her. Was her own broken road leading back to Seth?

Before Elise had time to contemplate the question, she saw Uncle Carl heading for the deck. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. How had Seth talked her uncle into singing?

“Hey, everyone, we've got a real treat for you.” Seth shook hands with Carl as he hopped up on the deck. “Carl here is going to lead you in a sing-along. So let's give a big round of applause for him, and everyone join in the song.”

As applause filled the backyard, Elise glanced over at Juliane, who looked as stunned as Elise felt. Carl took the microphone and soon had the whole crowd singing “Sweet Caroline” at the top of their voices.

More applause followed after they finished, and Seth gave her a look that told her she was now going to have to sing. Elise saw no point in delaying. After Carl left the deck, she went directly up there and stood next to Seth. Her heart pounding, she waited for his instructions.

He smiled—not a smile of triumph, but one telling her he was glad to have her by his side. He brought the song up on the screen. “Okay, folks, Elise and I are going to sing a duet, ‘You've Got a Friend.'”

Elise started the song tentatively, but as she sang she forgot about any problems with Seth. Their voices blended and she lost herself in the song. Singing was what she loved.

When they finished, the crowd applauded and cheered. Elise wondered whether Seth meant to send her a message with his choice of songs. Was he just looking for friendship and forgiveness while she was worrying about something much more? Maybe she was fretting for nothing and setting herself up for more heartache.

After showing her the song he'd chosen for her solo, Seth stepped to one side of the deck. “Now Elise is going to sing
a song that she sang hundreds of times while we worked together on a cruise ship. It's one of my favorites. ‘At Last.'”

Taking the microphone, Elise decided she needed to quit trying to read anything into Seth's song choices. He'd just wanted to hear her sing—nothing more. As she sang she realized he was using his charisma on the crowd and on her as he'd done dozens of times when they'd worked together. She was taking one more little step toward letting him back into her life. Was she ready to go along for the ride and see what would happen?

E
lise paced back and forth in the living room. She kept telling herself not to be nervous. This was only a trip to the Dairy Barn for one of their delicious cheeseburgers and an ice cream cone. It wasn't really a date. Olivia would be with them.

But Elise couldn't deny that this was a baby step toward the idea of a renewed relationship with Seth. So far she'd worked to maintain distance and to keep her burgeoning feelings for him in check. Were these feelings remnants of the old relationship, or were they something new? What effect would tonight's outing have on her emotions?

Despite her decision to see what might happen with Seth, she had to keep her thoughts under control.

Juliane stepped into the living room. “Will you please sit down? You're driving me nuts.”

“I can't sit still.”

“Okay. Wear yourself out.”

Elise peered out the window, then continued pacing. “You're not one to talk. I remember you doing a little pacing of your own when you had to deal with Lukas after he moved to town.”

“No pacing for me. That's what you do. I'll admit I had my
share of anxiety over Lukas, but now that I'm on the other side of all of that anxiety, I see how I worried and stewed for nothing. God will work it out one way or another. So go and enjoy yourself. Have a good time and forget about anything except tonight.”

Elise stopped and gazed at her sister. “Easier said than done.”

“I know.” Juliane hugged Elise.

The doorbell sounded.

“He's here. Do I look okay?” Pulling out the legs of her tan Capri pants, Elise took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“You look great. Have a good time. I'll make myself scarce.” Juliane headed back to her room as Elise went to answer the door.

When she opened the door, Olivia stood there with a bouquet of lilacs in her hand. She shoved them at Elise. “For you 'Lise.”

“Thank you, Olivia. These are very nice.” Elise took the flowers.

“You're welcomed.” Olivia danced into the living room.

Elise buried her nose in the fluffy blooms. “Mmm. They smell wonderful.” Elise looked up at Seth. “How'd you know I liked lilacs?”

“Because every day when you left the house while you were coming to fix us dinner, you'd stop and smell the blooms on the bush next to my back door. There aren't many flowers left, but we managed to get a few.”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness.” Elise's heart tripped at the thought of Seth taking note of her love of lilacs. “Let me put these in a vase, and then we'll go.”

“Me help.” Olivia trailed after Elise.

Still holding the flowers in one hand, Elise turned and with her free hand grabbed hold of one of Olivia's hands. “Okay. We can do this together.”

Seth's cane thumped against the floor as he followed them to the kitchen. While Elise and Olivia searched in the walk-in pantry for a vase, Seth leaned against the framework of the door going between the living room and the kitchen. He watched them through the open door of the pantry.

Elise was very aware of his scrutiny. Little tingles of excitement rifled through her mind. Her reaction to Seth's presence was exactly what she'd been worried about. She tried to remember Juliane's words about letting God work it all out. God had a plan for her life. She needed to get out of the way and not worry about it.

Elise spied a white vase on the top of the pantry. She handed the flowers to Olivia and reached up to retrieve it. Despite standing on her tiptoes to take advantage of her nearly six-foot height, the vase was inches out of her reach. She poked her head out of the pantry and looked at Seth. “We need your help.”

“Sure.” He pushed himself away from the doorjamb. “What do you want me to do?”

Elise's pulse jumped as he stood there looking at her. Thoughts of flower vases faded, and the only answer that came to mind at the moment was “kiss me.” She clamped her mouth shut, fearful that somehow the words would escape through her lips. She stepped back and pointed. “I can't reach that vase.”

“I can get it.” Seth stepped farther into the pantry.

His nearness in the close confines made her pulse beat wildly. She took a deep calming breath. Nothing changed. Her heart still racing, she pressed her back against the wall to put distance between them and give him more room to get the vase.

Being a few inches taller than Elise, he reached up with little effort, grabbed the vase and brought it down. Turning, he handed it to her. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” Elise took the vase, being careful not to make contact with Seth in any manner. She feared touching him would put her racing heart into overdrive. She wanted to get out of the pantry in the worst way, but he was blocking her exit. She would have to wait until he moved. Trying to take her mind off Seth, she glanced down at Olivia. “Would you like to put the flowers in the vase and carry them to the table?”

Olivia nodded, and Elise held the vase out to the little girl. She fumbled to put the stems of the lilacs into the vase.

Reaching down, Seth assisted her. “Good job.”

“Me carry.” Olivia lifted her little arms.

Seth glanced at Elise for approval. Elise nodded as she carefully placed the vase in Olivia's little hands.

“Okay. Hold it tight.” Seth leaned over and guided her out of the pantry.

Watching, Elise swallowed hard. The chemistry between Seth and her was still there, at least on her side of the equation. She couldn't deny it or ignore it.

Her emotions continued to be so mixed up. Could she ever straighten them out? Was spending time with Seth going to help or make matters worse? Hopefully, their time together tonight would answer some of her questions. Then maybe the attraction wouldn't jump out and assail her.

Elise also had to figure out how much of her fascination with Seth was wrapped up in her feelings for Olivia. The little girl touched Elise's heart in a way she'd never felt before. She'd never cared about another child in this way.

With Seth's help, Olivia put the vase on the kitchen table. She turned and smiled at Elise. “Good?”

“Yes, very good.” Elise leaned over and hugged the little girl. “Now let's put some water in the vase.”

Elise filled a pitcher with water, then poured it into the vase. She centered it on the table and carefully arranged the
flowers so the purple blooms formed a beautiful cluster, then turned to Olivia. “What do you think?”

“Bootiful.”

“Yes, they are.” Elise picked up Olivia and looked over at Seth. “Thank you again for bringing me the flowers.”

“You're very welcome.” Seth stepped toward the door. “Ready to go?”

“I'm ready for a great cheeseburger. I can taste it now.” Still carrying Olivia, Elise followed Seth out to his pickup and prayed that God would help her find the answers. Where did Seth fit into her life?

 

The Dairy Barn, an old abandoned barn that had been converted into a restaurant, sat just off the main drag near the edge of town. As Seth pulled into the parking lot, cars snaked around the building as they waited in line for the drive-up window. He found a parking spot, and as he escorted Elise and Olivia into the popular restaurant, he prayed that this evening would go well. The flowers had been a hit, so at least he'd gotten off to a good start.

Families and groups of teenagers, occupying the red faux leather booths, filled the air with laughter and conversation. The young hostess took them to a booth near the front. She gave Olivia a coloring sheet and four basic crayons, then fetched a booster seat for her.

When Olivia insisted on sitting next to Elise, Seth smiled and shook his head as he took a menu from the holder sitting against the wall. “Looks like I'm going to play second fiddle to you again tonight.”

Elise glanced over at Olivia who was busy coloring, then looked back at Seth. “I don't think you ever play second fiddle where she's concerned. You're a hero in her eyes.”

“Thanks for saying so. I hope that's true.” Seth wished he
was a hero in Elise's eyes, as well, but he'd done some unheroic things that he knew she hadn't forgotten, even if he had been forgiven. He was working hard to erase those images, but was Elise seeing the changes?

“It's true. I see the way you love her.”

“My world definitely revolves around her.” A far cry from the way he'd acted a year and a half ago, in Key West. He didn't even want to think about the man he was back then. God had changed his life and made him a different person.

The waitress appeared and took their order and reappeared a minute later to deliver their drinks.

Olivia tugged on Elise's arm. “See my picher?”

“It's lovely.”

“For you, 'Lise.” Olivia handed her the paper.

“Thank you. I'll add it to the collection on my refrigerator.”

Fiddling with the straw wrapper, Seth tried to calm the anxiety that wouldn't go away. His wish to make this night the beginning of a new relationship with Elise had his nerves on end. “Should I call you 'Lise, too?”

Elise gave Olivia a little hug. “Umm…what do you think, Olivia? Should your daddy call me 'Lise?”

Olivia nodded. “That your name.”

“I guess she's given you her permission.” Elise chuckled.

Still trying to relax, Seth smiled wryly. “I wasn't asking for her permission. I was asking for yours.”

“Oh. I didn't know you ever asked for permission.”

Seth wondered what she meant by that statement. Did she still see him as the guy who did what he pleased no matter the consequences or who he hurt? He didn't seem to be making much progress in changing her opinion of him. Should he even comment on it? He'd probably be better off if he ignored it. But he reminded himself that she'd agreed to come to dinner with him. That spelled progress, didn't it? “I knew sooner or
later I'd slip up and call you by that name, since Olivia calls you that all the time. She talks about you constantly. 'Lise this and 'Lise that. She's always cooking something for you in her little kitchen.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, I like having you in her life.” He wanted to say
he
liked having Elise in
his
life, too, but he cautioned himself to take things slowly. She wasn't ready to hear that from him. This time he wanted to do things right. He'd rushed their physical relationship before—something he regretted deeply now that he was a Christian. He wouldn't make the same mistakes this time.

The food arrived and rescued him from further explanations and troubling thoughts. He grabbed the ketchup and squirted it on his burger and fries. He looked up at Elise. “Want some?”

She shook her head. “Should we pray?”

Seth's stomach sank. He'd forgotten a very important thing. “Sure.”

Olivia folded her little hands. “Me pray.”

“Okay.” Seth hoped Olivia could rescue him.

“God, tanks for the food. Amen.”

Elise patted Olivia on the head. “Thank you. That was a very nice prayer.”

“You're welcomed.” Olivia took a big bite of her grilled cheese sandwich.

“How's the grilled cheese?” Elise popped a fry into her mouth.

“Good.” Nodding, Olivia took another bite.

“I didn't think you were a pickup kind of guy.”

Elise's comment startled Seth from his thoughts. “What are you talking about?”

“Your new pickup. I was surprised you replaced your car with a truck.”

Seth looked out the window. The sun, hovering just above the tree line, glinted off the shiny chrome trim on his vehicle. “I got a great deal on it, and I figured it would be good for hauling stuff for the rec center. It came in handy the other day when Lukas's grandpa drove his car into the ditch. And somehow it seems safer. I can't help thinking about that since I had the accident.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“When do your start classes again?” Seth hoped to change the subject. He hated thinking about that accident. “Next week.”

“Any job prospects?” Seth wished somehow he could find a way to keep her in Kellerville.

She shook her head. “I haven't heard of any. The past couple of days I spent a lot of time filling out applications, and I'm not finished yet. Some of those things are like major tests.”

Seth chuckled. “That bad?”

“Yes. I can't believe all the questions I have to answer on some of them.”

“Where are you applying?”

“School districts in Cincinnati and the surrounding suburbs.” Elise shrugged. “To be honest, I'm not very hopeful.”

“Why not?”

“Being an August graduate, for one. Being a music teacher, for another.”

“Can you do something besides teach?”

“Yeah, but I want to teach. No matter what kind of job I pursue, if it's not teaching here in Kellerville, I'll have to move to the city. Not too many jobs here for music majors. Maybe I should've gone into another field.”

“But you love music, and you should use your talent.” Seth wished he could give her some encouraging advice. He wanted her to find a job, but he wanted her to stay in Kellerville. How
could he make that happen? He wasn't sure the summer was enough time to win her heart. “I'll pray about it.”

Elise smiled, but Seth didn't miss the hint of surprise in her eyes. “Thanks. I appreciate that. Sometimes it's hard to remember to rely on God when I want to do it all myself.”

“I know what you mean.” He was having that exact trouble in his quest to find his way back into her life. He should step back and let God be in charge.

Elise looked at him again as if she were seeing him for the first time. “Do you ever wonder how to know what God wants for your life?”

Touched that she'd look for his insight into a question of faith, he considered his answer carefully. “I really do. Every time I make a decision—even taking the job here.”