Love Is Patient and A Heart's Refuge (17 page)

“Dylan, darling, I hate to point out the obvious, but didn’t you and Lisa have a plane to catch?” Stephanie glanced over her shoulder. “In about twenty minutes?”

“I did, Mother. But Lisa and I didn’t have a proper chance to say goodbye.”

Stephanie angled him a puzzled glance. “But if you do that you’ll miss…” She raised her hands in a gesture of defeat. “Can you please tell me what’s going on?”

“Dylan,” Lisa said softly. “I want to tell her.”

Dylan nodded, took her hand and squeezed it lightly.

“Sorry, Mom,” he said with a smile. “Why don’t you sit down? Lisa and I have something to tell you.”

Stephanie’s eyes grew wide and her mouth slipped open as she looked from Dylan to Lisa.

Help me through this, Lord,
Lisa prayed.
I want her respect as much as I crave Dylan’s.

And slowly, hesitatingly, Lisa told Stephanie all about her deception.

“I want to say I’m sorry, Stephanie,” Lisa said, her voice urgent. “I know I was wrong. I deceived you and Alex and the girls.”

“You’re forgiven, if that’s what you need to hear,” Stephanie said with a smile.

“Just like that?”

“Of course, my dear.” Stephanie drew Lisa into her arms and held her close. Just as a mother would. “Just like that. I can’t withhold my forgiveness from you when God has forgiven me so much more.”

And once again Lisa felt hot tears prick her eyelids.

The chimes of the doorbell echoed through the house.

“I suspect that’s Ted and Dara,” Dylan said with a tired sigh.

Lisa’s heartbeat kicked up a notch at the thought of confronting Dara again. She glanced over her shoulder through the glass doors to where Alex and Gabe sat in earnest conversation. She prayed it would all work out.

“How can you take the word of someone who lied to you all?” Dara said, her face flushed with emotion. She sat ramrod straight in her chair, her eyes flashing, her very posture displaying the tension in her voice. Beside her, Ted leaned back in his chair, his lips pressed in a thin line, his eyes narrowed.

Dara’s eyes flicked from Alex to Stephanie but avoided Dylan, Lisa and Gabe. It was as if they didn’t even exist for her.

“Gabe lied about his involvement with the police,” Dara continued, stating her case in a cold, clear voice. “Lisa lied about her involvement with Gabe.” She raised her hands in a dramatic gesture. “I don’t know about you, but to me that makes much of what they say suspect.”

Dylan ignored his anger at Dara’s accusations.
Instead he glanced sidelong at Lisa. Her cheeks were red, but her head was unbowed. He covered her hand with his under the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“I think you should be careful who you condemn, Dara,” Alex said, leaning forward. He folded his hands on the table and held Dara’s gaze. “What I’d like to know more about is your personal knowledge about the missing money.”

“Wait a minute.” Dara’s mouth fell open in shock. “I’m not the one that took it….” She gestured toward Gabe. “Ask him. He knows.”

“Dara, do you know why I asked Dylan to come here, against your will?” Alex asked, his voice quiet, his gaze direct.

“No.”

“I was hoping that his coming here would send a signal to you and to Ted. A signal that I had my doubts about Gabe’s guilt.” He picked up the file folder in front of him and tapped it lightly on the table. “I was hoping that you would come forward and tell me what I wanted to hear without us having to involve outside people. And now, in spite of your lack of cooperation and in spite of limited material available to Dylan and Lisa, they still managed to find some pieces of information that don’t look good for you.”

Dara drooped back against her chair and for a moment Dylan felt sorry for her. Though Alex had given her and Ted the opportunity to talk to him in private, she had opted for this public moment. And this was the result.

“How do you…How can you…” She faltered, reaching out for Ted. “Ted, help me.”

Ted took his wife’s hand between his. “What information did you find, Dad?”

“Lisa told Dylan about the time on the bank deposit. It happened after Gabe left the office.”

Dara glared at Lisa as if making one last-ditch effort. “Whatever it was you did to Gabe’s computer, that can be found out. You must have jimmied the files yourself.”

“Be careful what you say, Dara,” Dylan said, a warning tone edging his voice.

“Is that all you have, Dad?” Ted asked, rubbing his index finger over his eyebrow.

Alex glanced at Dylan, who nodded, then he pushed the file folder across the table.

Ted opened it, glanced over the memo, then back at Dara. He said nothing. Just showed it to her. Dara glanced at the memo, blanched visibly and shook her head. “This can’t be right. This…this is a fake.”

“Dara, stop this now,” Ted said softly. “I want to help you. I don’t want this to get worse.”

Dara looked down. Shook her head. “Why are you doing this, Ted?”

“Because I care about you.”

And in that moment Dylan felt a grudging respect for Ted. And saw that the legacy of faithful love had been passed on from the father to his children.

Dara ran one carefully manicured fingernail over a faint gouge in the table. “All you care about is the company. Showing your father that you’re as good a man as Dylan is.”

Ted gave his brother a vague smile. “I’m not.”

Dara pressed her nail deeper. “Then why were you
always gone? Why were all our conversations about the company and how you were supposed to try to run it? Why did you stop paying attention to me?”

And Dylan got an inkling of why Dara had done what she had.

“Well, you got my attention these past few days.”

“I don’t want it just for a few days.” Dara spun around, tears gathering in her perfectly made up eyes. “I want you to be a part of my life all the time. And it just wasn’t happening.” The tears slipped down her cheeks, and with a jerky movement she got up from her chair and left.

Ted got up and carefully pushed both their chairs back under the table. “Sorry about this, Dad. Mom.” He gave Dylan an apologetic look. “I was wrong, Dylan. I really thought she was telling me the truth. I’m sorry for what she said to you and how she spoke about Lisa.”

Dylan felt a rush of love for his brother at the admission that he knew was difficult to make. “We’ll talk later. I think Dara needs you now.”

“I guess I never realized she always did.” And then he left.

The hollow drip of the kitchen tap echoed in the heavy silence that followed.

Stephanie cleared her throat and looked around. “I think we should pray for them,” she said softly.

She held out her hand to Lisa on one side, Alex on the other. Dylan took Lisa’s hand and squeezed it lightly. She responded as they bowed their heads. But Alex was the one who prayed.

The moment of silence that followed his father’s
quietly spoken prayer was a moment of communion Dylan hadn’t felt in a long time. As he looked up, he caught his father’s eye.

And for the first time in many years he felt a deep and abiding respect for his father.

Stephanie got up from the table, looking around. “Well, I did have a special breakfast made for Dylan, who ran out before he could have any. It’s still ready if anyone wants it.”

Dylan couldn’t help but laugh. Food. His mother’s cure-all. “What do you have for me, Mom?”

“Your favorite. Crepes with strawberries and whipped cream and fruit,” Stephanie said wistfully.

“Well, heat them up now. I’m sure Lisa and Gabe would love to try them.”

With a pleased smile Stephanie got up and started working in the kitchen, declining Lisa’s offer of help.

While she worked, Dylan turned to his father. Smiled. “I have an apology to make to you, Dad.”

Alex held up his hand. “I understand, Dylan. It’s okay.”

“But I still need to tell you that I’m sorry. For doubting you. For being so angry at how you handled this very delicate situation.”

Alex shook his head. “No. I’m sorry. I should have told you right from the beginning.” He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I was too proud. I guess I was hoping I could solve the problem without you knowing how badly I had failed the company.”

“I can understand that,” Dylan said. “I guess pride is something we both share.” He glanced sidelong at Lisa, who was watching this exchange with a wistful smile
tugging at her lips. He took her hand and gave it a light shake. “And what is going on behind those beautiful brown eyes?”

“This family.” Lisa shook her head in amazement. “You apologize in front of complete strangers. You are willing to admit your faults. You are a gift to each other.”

“Amen to that,” Alex said.

Dylan felt a rush of love, strong and pure. He wished he and Lisa could be alone, could talk. Take the time to right the wrongs of the past few days. Reconnect as Christians.

Breakfast was over. The dishes were done, but everyone lingered around the table.

Alex was talking to Gabe. “Things are still a little up in the air with the company, Gabe, but I’m fairly sure once we get the books properly audited by a disinterested third party, the full truth will come to light. I was wondering if you would want your job back.”

Lisa’s fingers dug into Dylan’s hand, her eyes now on Gabe.

Gabe pursed his lips, considering. “Actually, I would prefer if I could get a reference from your company. There are a few other places I think I might like to work for instead.”

“I understand,” Alex said softly. “And once again, I’m so sorry for what you’ve had to go through. You’re very lucky to have a sister who is willing to take risks for you.”

“I sure am,” Gabe said, his smile gentle. “She always says family takes care of family.”

Dylan waited a beat. Allowed the moment to settle.

“Lisa. We need to talk,” he said, squeezing her hand.

Without looking at him, she nodded, as if suddenly shy.

“Mom. Dad. Gabe. I hope you’ll excuse us a moment,” Dylan said, looking around the group.

“You’re not going to try to catch your flight?”

Dylan laughed as he stood, drawing Lisa to her feet. “I think I’ve given up on that completely.” He glanced at his father. Smiled. “I might have a few other plans to discuss with my father.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Alex said.

Dylan slipped his arm around Lisa and gave her a quick one-armed hug. “Let’s go,” he said softly.

She looked up at him, a coy smile playing around her lips. “You’re not my boss anymore, you know.”

“I know. And I’m going to miss having the authority.” He gave her hand a tug. “C’mon. Let’s go for a walk.”

Lisa wrapped her sweater a little closer. “Speaking as a former employee, I think missing your flight’s not going to create the best impression.” The damp path they were walking along meandered through dense undergrowth shadowed by tall fir trees, which created a microclimate both cool and secluded. “West Coast rainforest,” the plaque along the path had said. Lisa was thankful she had worn the sweater Dylan had recommended she take along.

They had been walking for quite a while now. Lisa was surprised at the size of this park, a serene and secluded place bracketed by development on three sides.

“It is awkward,” Dylan agreed. He sauntered along beside her, his hands in the pockets of his blue jeans, looking unconcerned about her pronouncement. “I’m not so sure I want the job after all.”

“Perry Hatcher is taking over your position in Toronto.” Lisa felt silly pointing out the obvious, but felt as if she was carefully navigating territory as unfamiliar to her as the path they were walking down.

“And I suspect he’ll have to look for another secretary,” Dylan said casually.

Lisa only nodded, unsure what to say.

I know I don’t deserve anything, Lord,
Lisa prayed as they walked on in silence.
But I do want to make things right between us. At least that.

They met another couple holding hands and as Dylan and Lisa stepped aside to let them by, Lisa noticed that the woman was pregnant. The couple thanked them and walked on, caught up in their conversation.

Lisa’s eyes followed them.

“You’ve done that before,” Dylan said softly, coming to a halt beside the path.

“What do you mean?” Lisa stopped beside him, uncertain what he was talking about.

“I remember when we first arrived in Vancouver, we were driving through Stanley Park. You saw a couple pushing a baby buggy. You did the same thing you just did now. Watched them like it was something wonderful.”

“It is, I guess—wonderful, that is. Wonderful to see a family together like that. People happy to be together.”

“Are you happy to be with me?”

Lisa’s gaze flew to his, the wistful note in his voice catching her attention.

“Yes. I am.”

“Do you like Vancouver?”

“I love it. It’s a beautiful city.”

“I like it, too. It’s home.” Dylan’s smile held a tinge of melancholy. “In spite of how crazy things have been this past week, I was glad to be back here.”

“I enjoyed
most
of our visit here.”

“Which part did you like the best?”

Lisa smiled, took a chance and laid her hands on his chest. “Sailing with you. Being alone with you with no one around. It was the first time we were together and we weren’t pretending.”

Dylan laid his hands over hers, warming them. “I wasn’t pretending very often,” he said softly.

Lisa held his gaze. Saw the sincerity in it and made her own confession.

“Neither was I.”

And suddenly she was in his arms. Held close to him. Being kissed by him. She returned his kiss as joy surged through her.

“I know this is crazy,” he murmured, holding her close, stroking her hair with his hand. “But I feel like I’ve known you for years. I feel like we belong together.”

In spite of the joy his words gave her, she couldn’t stop the whisper of guilt and doubt that circled. “I wish I had told you everything at the beginning,” she started. “But I couldn’t…”

Dylan stopped her words with his mouth, then drew
back, touching her face. “We talked about this already. We have forgiven each other. I know God has forgiven us. This is a beginning of its own, Lisa. A beginning of something better than what came before. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don’t care where that happens or how, but I just know that since I met you, I don’t want to be away from you. I want to give you all the things you haven’t been able to have. I want to share my family with you, my life. Everything I have.”