In His Dreams (20 page)

“Sure I could have, and I am now. I’ve let her meet Jesus. That’s the best thing I’ve done besides fall in love with you.”

In love with you.
Emotion charged through her. Tears tripped over her lashes and washed down her cheeks as she gazed into his eyes. “And I’ve fallen in love with you, too. I can’t believe it, but I have.”

He brushed away her tears and found her mouth, waiting for him. He explored her lips, and she listened to his breathing. She felt him shudder as his arms drew her closer. He deepened the kiss, what she’d yearned for so long, and she yielded to it, giving and taking with the greatest sense of completeness she had ever known.

“I never thought I would say those words again, but I have.” He kissed her eyes and the tip of her nose. “This is all real and true, not a dream.”

“I love you,” she whispered against his mouth.

He eased back, his eyes holding hers captive. “Marsha, I love you, and you love me. Bonnie loves us. God’s brought us together. What could make us more confident? Marsha, say you’ll marry me.”

Her mind spun. She hadn’t talked with Barb yet. His proposal happened so suddenly. What about her house? What about—She halted her silly questions. “Would you say that again? Just one more time.”

His lips lingered so near hers she could feel his breath. “I love you. Will you marry me?”

“Yes.” The word breathed on his lips. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

“Then, let’s all go home. We have a lifetime to plan.”

Marsha shifted in the chair. “So you’re sure it’s not my meddling?”

Barb leaned back and shook her head. “Once again, it’s—”

“About you and not me.” Marsha caved into the chair cushion. Would she ever learn? “I’m sorry I asked you to move in, Barb. I didn’t realize what it would do.”

“It might have been wonderful, Marsha. Don’t kick yourself. I’m the kind of person who just needs space right now. I went through a major change up north. Truly amazing. Talking with you opened doors I never thought would open. It’s a relief, and I’ll be forever grateful that spending time with you triggered my confession.”

“You carried it alone too long.”

Barb rubbed her neck. “I didn’t even give it to the Lord. I clung to the shame as if it were a ball and chain.”

“We all do that. I talk faith, but it’s so easy to not act it. I pray every day that I learn to let go of things I can’t change.”

Thoughtful silence filled the room, and Marsha knew she still had things to say, wonderful things that hugged her thoughts.

“Ready for my surprise?”

Barb shifted her focus to her. “Why not?

“Jeff proposed.” Marsha studied Barb’s wavering expression as she told her about their talk.

Barb’s eyes widened. “Proposed? You two worked fast after I left.”

“He asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”

“And this time you’re positive?”

“As sure as I’m sitting here. I really think that God was at work in our lives.”

Barb rose and embraced Marsha. “I’m happy for you. He’s a wonderful man.”

“I’m glad you like Jeff.”

Barb stepped back. “And Bonnie. She’s an interesting girl. In that month, I saw her change so much. I think it was your influence, Marsha.”

“So does Jeff, but I think it was a lot of things. You were part of it.” Marsha walked to the window and looked onto the paved street, so different from her gravel driveway on the island.

“When’s the big day?”

“We haven’t talked about that, but I think soon. It just feels right, and we’re so much in love. We want to do everything right, and we’re both so eager to be husband and wife.”

Barb grinned. “You’d better make it real soon, then.”

The telephone’s ring cut the air.

“That’s Jeff,” Marsha said, heading for the phone. “He’s supposed to be here by now. He called me and said he’d decided to come home, too.”

She grasped the receiver and listened to the man’s request. “It’s for you, Barb.” She held out the telephone, fighting her curiosity.

Barb grasped the receiver as if the phone always rang for her. “Sounds good. I’ll be ready.”

She hung up and faced Marsha. “That was Al.”

“Al?” Marsha noticed the sparkle in Barb’s eye. “Al?”

“He’s taking me to dinner and a movie tonight.”

“Really?”

Barb laughed. “You look shocked.”

Marsha sank onto the nearest chair and shook her head. “You never date.”

“No, I didn’t, but talking to you showed me other pathways I never knew existed. I felt as if a weight lifted off my shoulders, as if I’d been washed clean and made new. An amazing feeling.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” Marsha said, thinking back to the cottage. “You and Al hit it off right away.”

“He’s really kind. He said something about his past and his messed-up life, and I just blurted out mine. His compassion shocked me. I never expected it from anyone who didn’t know me.”

Marsha watched her sister’s face beam. “I’m really happy. Thrilled, actually.”

“It may go nowhere, but it’s a start for me, with a Christian man I can trust.”

A rap sounded on the door, and Jeff strode in with Bonnie and a huge bouquet of flowers.

Marsha’s heart tripped.

“For you,” he said, handing her the colorful blossoms.

“I love fresh flowers.”

“I know.” He tweaked her cheek.

“How do you know? You’ve never given me flowers before.”

He grinned. “You told me once.”

“When?” Her mind shot back to the summer, and she didn’t recall flowers ever entering their conversation.

“The day you pinned a lily in Bonnie’s hair.”

Marsha gaped at him as she hugged the bouquet. “You’re kidding. You remember that? It was so long ago.”

“A wise man never forgets the important things a woman tells him.”

She laughed as she crossed the room. “Let me get these into some water.”

Marsha hurried from the room, grabbed a vase from the cabinet and filled it with water. She unwrapped the florist paper and quickly arranged the lovely bouquet in the vase.

When she returned, she set the vase on a table by the window, hearing Jeff talk about their trip home. When she neared him, he looked at her with expectancy in his eyes.

“The flowers are beautiful.” She motioned to the arrangement.

He looked at the flowers, then to her, then Barb. “She told you already.”

Seeing his disappointment, Marsha hurried forward. “I couldn’t wait. I didn’t know when you’d get here.”

Barb rose and opened her arms. “Congratulations, Jeff. I’m happy for both of you.”

“What about me?” Bonnie said, putting her hand on her hip.

“I’m happy for you, too,” Barb said. “Give me a hug.” She opened her arms and Bonnie ran into her embrace.

“You know the best part. I’ll be your aunt Barb when your dad and Aunt Marsha get married.”

“You can be my auntie Barb, and Aunt Marsha will be my new mom.”

Marsha’s heart skipped. “I will, and that’s one of the best parts of getting married.”

Jeff slipped to her side. “So, does Barb like the idea?”

“You mean, about your getting married? Yes, I do,” Barb said.

Jeff chuckled. “I didn’t mean—”

Marsha shook her head. “I haven’t told her that yet.”

“Told me what?”

He slipped his arm around Marsha’s waist. “Since we’re getting married, we hoped you’d stay here. You can either rent or buy—or rent with option to buy. Whatever works for you.”

“You mean, I won’t have to look for an apartment?” A smile lit her face.

Marsha nodded. “I’d love you to live here, Barb. I’ll still be here for a while, but that old image you had of yourself doesn’t mean anything now.”

Jeff gave her a perplexed look. “What image?”

Barb removed her arms from Bonnie, shifted behind her and rested her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “That I’m her poor spinster sister.” She eyed Marsha. “One date doesn’t change that, you know.”

Jeff’s eyebrows raised. “Date?”

Marsha gave him poke. “Al.”

“Al. Well, I’ll be. Good for you, Barb.” He strode to her side and gave her a big hug.

When he released her, he strode to Marsha’s side. “And, while we’re all together, let’s take care of one final bit of business.”

Marsha watched a sly look grow on his face. “What kind of business?”

“This kind.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped package.

She gazed at it, and he extended his arm. “It’s for you.” He closed the distance between them and placed the gift into her hand. “Open it.”

Marsha’s heart thundered as she accepted the present. “Is it—”

“It’s a ring,” Bonnie said. “It’s a diamond. Open it.”

“So much for surprises,” Marsha said, unable to hold back her laugh, and she didn’t have to. Everyone laughed with her.

Bonnie laughed, too, although Marsha guessed she had no idea why.

“Aren’t you going to open it?” Bonnie asked.

Marsha gave her a tender smile and pulled the paper from the package, to reveal a white stain box. With her heart pounding, she lifted the lid. The ring took her breath away.

“It’s beautiful, Jeff. Absolutely gorgeous.”

He stepped beside her and lifted the ring from the velvet lining, then slipped it on her finger. The large diamond flashed fire in the morning light.

“I hope you like it,” Jeff said.

“I love it,” she said, gazing at the stone with tears in her eyes, “but not as much as I love you.”

“Kiss her, Daddy,” Bonnie said, pushing him closer to Marsha. “I see them do that on TV commercials.”

Jeff grinned and pressed his lips against hers, so sweet and gentle she felt her heart soar.

“Now, me,” Bonnie said.

Marsha and Jeff hurried to her side and opened their arms in one giant bear hug.

Jeff leaned into Marsha’s ear. “This has made all my dreams come true.”

July 4, one year later

“L
ook at that sunset.” Marsha drew in a lengthy breath as she watched the colors spread across the silvery water.

“I can’t believe a whole year has passed and here we are again.” She glanced down at her diamond, sparkling in the setting sun. They’d gotten married and rented her house to Barb. Everything had fallen into place.

“It’s like time hasn’t changed a thing.”

Jeff drew her closer. “It’s not the same.”

She frowned and looked at him. “Why not?”

“Because this time you’re my wife.”

She shook her head. “You’d think I’d be ready for your silly comments, but you got me.”

“I sure do,” he said, brushing his lips across the tip of her nose, then to her mouth.

Marsha savored the kiss, knowing each gentle touch and the feel of his lips on hers. They never disappointed her.

He drew back and eyed his watch. “We should probably get down to the marina. The fireworks will start soon.”

“Fireworks,” Bonnie said, appearing at the doorway. “Let’s go.”

Marsha smiled to herself as they scampered to the car, dragging their chairs and a blanket. She wondered if she would ever grow up when it came to fireworks.

Finding a space to watch the event proved more difficult this year, having come much later. They’d missed the parades and carnival to stay at the house and enjoy the beach and the beautiful day.

Marsha didn’t miss her little A-frame. Al loved it and had decided to buy it. Marsha hoped that, one day, he and Barb might set a date. He’d opened doors for Barb, and she seemed like a new woman; not new, really, but like the sister she’d known once so very long ago.

“Here’s a place,” Bonnie called, motioning to them.

Marsha cringed when she realized what Bonnie had done.

“I’m sorry,” Marsha said to the couple who were shifting their chairs and blanket over farther on the lawn.

“No problem,” the man said. “She asked us to move very politely.”

Jeff tried to cover his grin. “I’ll talk to her later,” he whispered, then thanked the man and his family who’d made room for their chairs.

They unfolded their chairs, then Jeff helped Bonnie spread out the blanket. Tonight they’d only carried a small cooler with drinks and a bag of chips.

“It won’t be long now,” Jeff said, popping the top on a can. “Who wants one?”

Marsha let Bonnie take the first, and she took the next. Life had become as sweet as the drink she sipped. She couldn’t deny there were moments of stress. Bonnie wasn’t perfect, like today when she’d apparently asked the people to move over, but she’d changed.

The first sizzle burst into the sky followed by a boom. The night lit up with a starburst of color blossoming outward and dying into embers. The next bang lit the sky.

Marsha looked at Jeff. He’d changed, too, in a wonderful way. He’d finally been able to love her the way he’d wanted. He hadn’t disappointed her. The gorgeous fireworks didn’t hold a candle to the love she shared with Jeff.

He’d often told her she’d appeared in his dreams, but today, they needed no more dreams. God had blessed them with an amazing reality, a life together with His blessing.