Love Is Patient and A Heart's Refuge (37 page)

Becky said nothing, but the faint blush on her cheek told him more than any words could have.

He moved toward her and took her carefully into his arms. “Am I going to be sued for harassment if the publisher kisses the editor?”

“Seeing as how the publisher has a picture of the editor on his desk, I suppose I might allow it,” Becky said with a light laugh, locking her hands behind his neck.

Rick grinned down at her, allowing himself a moment of pure joy. Then he kissed her.

Then Becky drew away.

“So what?” He wasn’t so confident that her withdrawal didn’t give him his own second thoughts about how she felt about him.

Becky twirled his hair in her fingers. “I was thinking that once
Going West
gets off the ground, financially, I might go to part-time hours. I have an idea for a book that’s been germinating. Something you got me started on.”

“Becky, I shouldn’t have said…”

She laid her finger on his mouth. “Don’t get all diplomatic on me now. You were right about my book. And a few other things.”

“Such as…”

“I needed to be truer in my writing. More honest.” She grinned up at him then, her eyes sparkling with mis
chief. “Maybe I’ll take a page out of Runaround Sue’s book. So something light. First person.”

Rick caught her by the arms and gave her a light shake. “So who is this lady anyhow?”

“And I’d like you to help me with the book,” Becky said, avoiding his question.

“I’m flattered. Now, Becky,” he said injecting a warning note in his voice, “tell me who Sue is.”

“Okay.” She sighed and cut him a quick glance. “It’s me.”

“You stinker—”

She stood up on tiptoe and silenced him with a kiss. “It doesn’t matter now, does it?”

Rick looked down at her and couldn’t help but laugh. Which immediately sent a surge of pain through his chest.

“Oh, honey,” Becky said, drawing back, her hands fluttering over his face, his shirt. “Are you okay?”

“I’ve been better,” he said with a smile. “And I’m getting better all the time. Especially now that I know your deepest secrets.”

“Well, that will take longer than a few days to sort those out.”

“You have more?”

Becky bracketed his face with her hands. “All kinds. Like a yearning to do some traveling. To spread my wings a little.”

Rick shook his head. “I can see that life with you is going to be a series of surprises.”

“‘…love…an ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken,’” Becky quoted softly.

“I like that. Who said that?”

“Shakespeare, in one of his sonnets.”

“And my future wife is also an intellectual.”

Becky laughed. “You make me feel like I can be better than I am.”

“I don’t know. I love you just the way you are. But I’m hoping we can grow together. That our partnership will be rooted and grounded in God’s love.”

“I hope so, too,” she said, laying her head on his shoulder.

“I
want to propose a toast to the bride and groom.” A man’s voice rang above the din of voices echoing through the orchard. “Would someone please find Rick and Becky?”

“I guess that’s us,” Rick said, pulling Becky to him in a quick hug.

“We could stay here.” Becky settled back against a large tree branch, shaking loose a light shower of apple blossoms. She had shed her veil shortly after their wedding pictures were taken, but kept the wreath of flowers pinned in her hair. She looked like a woodland nymph in her flowing white dress, the diffused sunlight glinting in her hair.

“Sounds tempting,” Rick said, shifting his weight. “You sure these branches will hold us up?”

“For a while anyhow, though I imagine sooner or later we’ll have to make an appearance.” Becky brushed a stray petal off his shoulder. “Just make sure you don’t rip that tux climbing down.”

Rick smiled at her and was about to give her another kiss.

Then he heard light footsteps below and a face came into view through the branches. “Aha. There you are.” Leanne shook one of the branches, showering them both with apple blossoms. “I figured you’d be here.”

Rick looked at Becky and shrugged. “Guess not such a good hiding place after all.”

Rick kissed her anyway. Just because he could. Then he helped his new wife out of the tree.

“I can’t believe you went climbing in that dress,” Leanne chided, fluffing out the wispy silk, fussily brushing the petals out of her sister’s hair.

“Leave those,” Rick said, stopping his sister-in-law. “I like how that looks.”

“Such a romantic.” Leanne gave them both a light push in the direction of the yard. “Now, you handsome couple, get moving. Dennis has been working on this toast for days.”

Becky slipped her arm around Rick and together they walked through the orchard to the opening where their families and friends had gathered for the reception.

“There they are.”

“Where were you?”

“Hiding on your own wedding.”

While Cora fussed with Becky’s dress, Rick looked around at the gathering. Colette caught his eye and winked at him. Sam raised a glass in their direction. His grandfather sat to one side listening to Diene who had pulled up a chair beside him. They were both smiling,
as if pleased to renew an old acquaintance with a hint of more to come.

They were surrounded by family and friends, all gathered in this orchard to wish them well. To celebrate with them. Rick’s heart filled with love and gratitude. If he lived to be a hundred, he didn’t know if it was long enough to express his thankfulness to God for what he had received when he had reluctantly come to this place.

Becky slipped her arm around his waist. “Hey, you’re looking mighty serious.”

He looked down at his wife and once again marveled at her love for him. His love for her. “I’m just thankful, is all. Thankful for the paths my life took that finally brought me here.”

“It was a roundabout trip if you include Malta and Thailand.”

“And all the other places between.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “But here I am and here I stay.”

“I love you, Rick Ethier.”

“And I love you, Becky Ethier.”

“Okay, enough mooning. I have to present this toast,” Dennis called out. He cleared his throat and raised a shaky glass in their direction. “Rick. Becky. This is my toast to you. May the arguments be short and the reconciliations long. May your happiness be many and your sorrows few. May your roots go deep and your branches reach out far. May your hands be empty and your hearts full. And may all the paths you take, always lead you home. To God’s refuge for your hearts.”

“Amen to that,” Rick whispered.

Then, in the shade of trees planted before they
were born, Rick took Becky, his wife, into his arms and held her close.

Close to his heart.

Dear Reader,

I get angry quick. I laugh quick. I talk too much and I cry easily. My husband is quiet. Thinks before he speaks. He was usually the parent the teachers liked to talk to when there was a problem with the kids. I know God brought Richard into my life because I needed the balance he gives me. But Richard has always told me that I have given him a balance, as well.

In Rick and Becky’s story, Becky was grounded, rooted in her family and community, which was a strength. Rick was practical and had seen much of the world, which were also strengths. I wanted to show two people who need something from each other. Two people who’d learn to give from their strengths and accept from their weaknesses. The same thing happens in family. In community. The body has many members, and we all need to use our gifts to help each other and build each other up in Christ.

Thanks for spending time with Rick and Becky. I pray God may bless you and that you see the gifts He has given you, as well.

I love to hear from my readers. You can write to me at Carolyne Aarsen, Box 114, Neerlandia, Alberta T0G 1R0. Or you can send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please put “A Heart’s Refuge” in the subject line so I know it’s a fan letter and not spam.