Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) (23 page)

Lindsey reacted to the ‘ma’am’ and the ‘like’ by asking, “How old are you?”

“Seventeen last month. Why?”

“Oh my goodness. I am so sorry to bother you. I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I do want to meet you soon though, as Steve and I are going to be married.” It sounded so good to say it out loud.

“Well, congratulations ma’am. I have to go now.”

“Thank you, Julie,” she said into an empty phone line.

Lindsey’s joy could hardly be contained. She ran up the stairs and put on a flattering turquoise top that enhanced the color of her eyes and paired it with black linen pants and a simple turquoise heart pendant around her neck. She slid her feet into a pair of black sandals on her way out the door and drove quickly, but carefully to Steve’s hotel.

Her heart was pounding once again and she wiggled her finger to her ear in an attempt to clear from it the pulsing sound. She wanted to hear everything that Steve had to say.

The concierge wouldn’t tell her what room Steve was in, but he did call up to Steve’s room to tell him he had a visitor.

Steve dashed out of his room, forgetting to put on his shoes in his haste, which he noticed only when he was halfway down the stairs.

It was at that same moment that he saw Lindsey, and shoes became the last thing on his mind. He slowed his pace to expand the moment. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear her answer. He didn’t know what he would do if she didn’t accept.

Lindsey wasn’t going to waste another minute though. She saw his hesitation, so she took the lead and ran over to him. She took his hands into hers and looked into his eyes.

“Yes.”

“Yes?” he questioned.

“Yes, yes, yes, a hundred times yes! I will be your wife!”

He had never heard such wonderful words. He knew in that moment that he could ride the bull for eight seconds, he could rope a steer quicker than any other competitor, and he could even free-climb Devil’s Gap. Energy surged through his body like never before. He gathered her into his arms and swung her around as they laughed. Then he set her down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

“You’ve made me so happy, Lin. And I promise to do the same for you. Never again will we let anyone come between us. Deal?” He extended his hand.

“Deal.” She shook it.

“What do we do now?”

“My parents have offered to throw us an engagement party tomorrow night. Can you stick around for that?”

His eyes narrowed. “How did they know?”

She laughed. “I had to talk it over with them first. I left out all the bad things though, so they won’t have any tainted feelings toward you or Don. At this point, I just want to begin again with a clean slate.”

He admired her ability to forgive and forget. “I’d like that too.” He pulled her back into an embrace. His relief was so apparent in every bit of his being that he didn’t know what to say or do next.

Fortunately, Lindsey was thinking clearly. “Would you like to see my hometown?” she asked.

“Sure. Let’s go,” Steve said as he started walking towards the front door.

“Wait.” She pulled him back. “I think you’re forgetting something.” She pointed to his bare feet.

“Oh, yeah. Give me two minutes. I’ll be right back.” Steve could hear her laughter as he ran up the stairs to retrieve his shoes.

They spent the evening with Lindsey giving him a tour. They drove around town and she showed him where she had gone to school, her church, the beach, and even the library. They both were getting hungry, but didn’t want to be around a lot of people, so they stopped at the store and headed back to her house to make dinner.

“I’ve never had tofu meatballs before,” Steve admitted with his nose turned up.

She smiled. “Don’t worry. You won’t even be able to taste the difference.”

They continued to make the spaghetti sauce, noodles, and French bread in comfortable silence. They worked alongside each other as if they’d spent years learning how the other moved. It was peaceful, and Lindsey enjoyed having him in her home.

Over dinner, the conversation turned to wedding details and where they would spend their lives.

“I haven’t had much time to think about this, but let me know if this sounds okay to you,” she began. “I fell in love with you and with Calgary at the same time. I know your life is there. The connection to the earth that I felt there was enough to tell me that I belong there too.”

Steve sat up straighter in his chair. “Are you sure, Lin?” he asked. He had been willing to move here for her. The rest of his life didn’t mean anything without her.

“Positive. But . . . I’d like to have the wedding here around my family, if that’s okay?” She wondered how he was going to respond to her request.

He smiled, partly in relief and part in admiration. She had a way of finding the best solutions to make everyone happy.

“We can do that my lady,” he said as he waved his hand in front of her.

“Hey—” she grabbed his hand. “Where did you find this?” she asked, holding the silver ring on his finger.

“Someone left it on the bus last week.”

“That someone was me,” she laughed. “I bought it for you, but when Don told me you were already taken, I slipped it off my finger and left it on the bus.”

“It’s a perfect fit,” he joked.

“Well, take it off for now,” she pretended to scold him. “I’d like to give it to you at our wedding.”

Steve took another look at the ring on his finger. “I’d like that,” he told her as he slipped it off and placed it in her hand. Then, he realized he didn’t have a ring for her.

“Do you think your family will make the trip? Is Grandpa feeling well enough?”

“I think they will. He’s doing a lot better.” He hesitated and wondered whether or not to ask the next question. “How soon should we do this?”

“I don’t know,” Lindsey answered honestly. “I don’t want to wait too long though to begin our lives together. I feel like we’ve wasted enough time already.”

“I agree. Do you think we could pull it together this week?”

“Really?” Her eyes opened wide. “I’ll talk with Pete and see if the Triple C is available. What about your family?”

“They’ll be here. Even if it’s only for one night, they’ll make it.”

“What about Don?” She hesitated to ask, but wanted to know his thoughts.

“I think we should invite him. He’s like a brother to me and with that comes the good and the bad. I also think we should show him how strong our bond is. I know the relationship between us will be different, but I think he can accept that and will be around to support us.”

Lindsey smiled. She saw the beginnings of forgiveness crossing Steve’s face which she was happy to see. She knew Don’s betrayal had to have eaten up Steve inside.

“Well?” she asked.

“Well, I’d better help you clean up this mess, find something to wear for tomorrow night, and spend tomorrow calling my family and booking flights for them.” He sighed. “This will all come together, won’t it?”

Lindsey nodded. “We’ll make it happen.”

She drove him back to the hotel, said goodnight and returned home feeling an exhilaration that she hadn’t felt in days, possibly months, if she counted the sadness from her Nana’s passing.

Her light mood was quickly replaced with sadness at the thought of leaving her house. It was one of her last tangible connections to her Nana and she regretted having to let it go, but she planned on moving most of the furniture with her and would place the house for sale as soon as possible.

“It’s time to live, Lindsey,” she heard her Nana’s voice in her head.

“I know, Nana. I know,” she said to the empty house. She smiled and made her way upstairs to bed.

T
HE ENGAGEMENT PARTY
was a success. Steve made a lasting impression on all her family and friends without even trying. His charm was simply a part of him.

Marie pulled Lindsey aside. “He is great,” she whispered.

“I know. I’m so lucky,” Lindsey smiled.

“We’d like to make an announcement,” Steve shouted in an effort to quiet the room. Lindsey walked over to him and he put his arm around her waist. “Lindsey and I are going to be married this Saturday!” He paused, waiting for the hoots and hollers to quiet.

It was Lindsey’s turn. “Pete will be performing the ceremony, and we’d love for you all to be there at two o’clock at the church. We’re going to have a small reception in the banquet hall after the ceremony, so bring your appetites.”

Lindsey and Steve had made all the arrangements during the day. They were somewhat surprised that everything had fallen into place, but both trusted God to guide them, and knew if they were making a wrong decision, he’d change their course, as he had with the couple who were previously going to be married on Saturday.

The groom who was supposed to get married had changed his mind, and the couple decided to postpone things for a while, so Pete was able to officiate Steve and Lindsey’s wedding, and the church was now available.

Steve returned to mingling with their guests, but Lindsey’s dad asked to speak with her alone. “Hey, Sugar. Steve has made a good impression on me. He asked for permission for your hand in marriage,” he paused. “I know it’s after-the-fact, but he didn’t have to ask at all. I think you found a good man.”

“I know Dad. I almost don’t believe it, but I’m trusting God to guide the way. I believe he sent Steve to me, and I want to hold on with all of my heart.”

“That’s a good way to feel.” He looked across the room at Ann. “After all these years, I still feel that way about your mother.”

Lindsey had always hoped to find a relationship that was as strong as her parents’ marriage had become after dedicating their lives to the Lord. After years of doubt, she finally believed it could happen.

On the other side of the room, Helen made her way toward Steve. She reached into her pocket to feel if the small box were still there. “Can I talk with you for a minute? In private?” she whispered into his ear.

He turned around in surprise. “Sure, Helen. Where can we go?”

“Why don’t you come outside into the backyard with me?”

Steve had no choice but to follow her. “What’s this about?” he asked, once they were outside. Lindsey had told him more of Adele’s relationship with his grandfather, and Steve knew that Helen had been keeping secrets. He understood why she hadn’t told anyone, but he was still cautious.

He had no need to be wary. Helen reached into her pocket and pulled out a small ring box. She opened it to reveal a single gold band with two small pear shaped diamonds and a garnet in the middle.

Steve was at a loss for words.

“Your grandfather sent this ring to Adele on the tenth anniversary of their meeting. She wore it only on special occasions, when she thought no one would notice. And she wore it in the privacy of her own home every day. When she got sick, she gave it to me for safe keeping.” Helen blinked back the tears in her eyes. “I just know, considering the circumstances, that she would want you to give this to Lindsey.” She handed him the ring.

“Are you sure?” Steve asked.

Helen nodded.

“It is very beautiful. It looks like something my grandfather would choose,” he laughed.

Helen agreed. “Please take care of her, Steve. She means a lot to all of us.”

Steve leaned in and hugged Helen. “I will protect her with my life. Thank you for this beautiful gift. We will both treasure it.”

No other words were left to be said. Helen returned to the party and Steve returned to Lindsey’s side, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Is there anyone else I have to meet, or can we get out of here? I really want to see the church before the ceremony.”

“Yes, let’s go!”

He quickly kissed her on the back of the head, and she went into the kitchen where her mother was preparing another tray of food.

“Hi Mom. Thank you for putting all of this together for us. We’ve both had a lovely time.”

“It sounds as if you’re leaving?” Ann asked, but without guilt this time. Her mother truly sounded happy for her.

“Is that okay? Steve really wants to see the church, and we have other details to figure out before Saturday.”

Her mom walked over and kissed her cheek. “That’s fine, honey. Are we still on for shopping tomorrow to buy your dress?”

“I’ll pick you up at ten and hopefully we’ll be finished in time for lunch.”

“I’d like that,” her mother said, somehow managing to hold back the tears from falling.

Seeing Lindsey stand there in the kitchen reminded her of when Lindsey was ten years old and they were making cookies together. Ann knew her daughter was all grown up, but with her on the verge of getting married, it became a reality.

She watched Lindsey turn and meet up with her future husband. They linked hands and walked away from Ann, smiling at each other.