03_A Family To Call Her Own (21 page)

Zach didn’t help matters, though, by draping an arm around her shoulders and leaning close to whisper in her ear as they paused in the back of church. “There’s your dad,” he noted, inclining his head toward the left rear.

Rebecca’s head swiveled in that direction, just in time to see Sam and her father exchange a knowing look, and her heart sank. This friendship business was not going to be an easy sell, she thought in dismay. Henry had already formed his opinion, and from the smug look on Sam’s face hers had just been cemented. Maybe Brad would be the voice of reason, she thought without much hope.

Rebecca deliberately moved out of Zach’s grasp and walked toward Sam, leaving him to follow with Isabel.

“Rebecca, you look absolutely gorgeous!” Sam declared without preamble when her sister-in-law was within earshot.

“Doesn’t she, Henry?”

“Glowing, that’s what I’d say,” he pronounced. “You been taking vitamins? Or is there another explanation?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

Sam’s gaze flickered behind Rebecca. “This might be the explanation right here,” she observed in an undertone, giving Rebecca a grin and an approving wink. When Rebecca blushed furiously, Henry nudged Sam.

“What did I tell you?” he asserted.

“Did I miss something here?” Zach interrupted smoothly, smiling down at Henry.

“No!” Rebecca replied quickly, giving her father a “don’t you dare say one more word” look. “It was just…just a family joke,” she explained lamely.

“Well, are you going to introduce me to this handsome man or not?” Sam asked pertly, when her sister-in-law made no move to do so.

Rebecca turned in time to see Zach’s neck redden even as he smiled down at Sam. At least she wasn’t the only one being embarrassed today, she thought wryly. She just hoped he hadn’t heard the initial exchange between her father and Sam.

“Sam, Zach Wright. He’s the
friend
I mentioned,” she said pointedly. “And this is Isabel,” she added more gently, drawing the suddenly shy little girl forward. “Zach, Isabel, my sister-in-law, Sam. Zach, you already know my father. Isabel, sweetie, this is my papa,” she explained.

Zach shook hands with Henry, and Rebecca sat down to peek at Emily’s tiny face, framed by a pink bonnet edged in lace. “Oh, Sam, she’s so much bigger already!”

“She is growing fast,” Sam agreed. “Listen, I hope you don’t mind sitting in the back, but I need to be close to the exit in case Emily decides to exercise her vocal cords. I’m afraid to say that I think she’s inherited her mother’s big mouth,” Sam declared with a grin.

“This is fine,” Rebecca assured her.

Isabel reached over and tugged on Rebecca’s skirt. “Can I sit by the baby?” she asked softly, her fascinated gaze locked on Emily, who was sucking on her fist and watching Isabel with big, round eyes.

“Sure,” Sam said. “Emily likes an audience. And that way we can get to know each other better. Just change places with Rebecca,” she instructed.

Rebecca wasn’t fooled by the apparent innocence of Sam’s suggestion. It was clearly a setup. But there was no way out. Left with no choice but to comply, she moved next to Zach. Being only inches away from him wasn’t going to help her emotional state in the least, however. Especially when he draped an arm across the back of the pew behind her and proceeded to brush his fingers lightly across her shoulder.

“How’ve you been, Zach?” her father asked, his sharp eyes missing nothing as he leaned forward to talk around Sam and Isabel.

“Just fine, Henry,” Zach replied, his breath warm on Rebecca’s temple as he spoke across her. “How’s that rose garden coming along?”

“Great! The new shoots are bursting out already. You’ll have to come back down and see it in bloom.”

“I’d like that,” Zach replied with an easy smile.

“So what do you think of my granddaughter?” Henry asked, turning his attention to Isabel.

“She’s little,” Isabel replied, her tone serious, her face thoughtful. Then she tilted her head and looked at Henry.

“Are you really her grandfather?”

“Yep.”

“I never had a grandfather,” she told him regretfully.

“Well, then, why don’t you just pretend I’m your grandfather today?” he suggested. “I could use the practice.”

“Really?”

“Sure.”

The service started then, putting an end to the conversation—much to Rebecca’s relief. Her plan to convince everyone that she and Zach were just friends was already in shambles, and she needed some time to regroup and think about a new approach. Sam and her father clearly had their minds made up about the relationship. Most likely Brad did, too, she thought, watching as he entered, impressed as always by his commanding appearance in clerical garb. Sometimes, when she saw him in this setting, it was hard for her to remember that he was the same big brother who had teased and bullied and protected and encouraged her from her earliest memories to her adolescent years, when he’d left for the seminary. Their relationship changed after that, matured, and in the intervening years the bond between them had grown even stronger.

Rebecca was immensely grateful that Brad now had Sam and the family he’d always wanted. He deserved all the good things the Lord chose to bless him with. In fact, his only “family” worry these days seemed to be her. She knew that he had never understood why she chose to live a solitary life. In his gentle way, he let her know on a regular basis that he was willing to listen if she wanted to talk about it. But even after all these years, her secret was still too painful, too fraught with humiliation and guilt, to discuss.

Rebecca supposed that someone with a less-sensitive nature would have been able to move on, to overcome the shame and embarrassment. But she’d been born tenderhearted, prone to emotional hurt. And so the incident continued to haunt her, leaving her powerless to overcome the debilitating fear that had deprived her of the rich dimension that love could add to her life.

Yet somehow, deep in her heart, Rebecca sensed that there was a chance she could find love with the man at her side. The possibility was there, dangling alluringly just out of her grasp, like the golden ring on a carousel. All she had to do was reach for it. Or, in this case, simply offer some encouragement. But she was so afraid of failure! What if she freaked out again? Or worse yet, what if she didn’t, what if she allowed their relationship to develop, only to have Zach reject her in the end as inadequate? How would she ever be able to go on after that?

Rebecca was torn, her heart pulling her one way, her intellect another. But now was not the time to work out her personal dilemma, she told herself resolutely. It was Easter Sunday and she was here to worship, not agonize over her problem. She would simply put it in the Lord’s hands, ask for guidance and hope that He would show her the way. In the meantime she should be listening to Brad’s sermon. Determinedly she forced herself to focus on her brother’s words.

“And so I believe that the real message of Easter is one of renewal—of new life, of hope, of trust, of a promise fulfilled.

“In our society, Christmas has become the biggest holiday of the year. And it is, indeed, a wonderful event to celebrate. But without today, without Easter, Christmas would have no meaning. Because this is the day when the Lord gave us the legacy of everlasting life. And it is this legacy that gives Christianity its meaning.

“It seems to me that as Christians we can learn much from this day. Certainly it forms the foundation of our beliefs, gives us an incentive to live our lives based on the principles that the Lord taught. And it offers us great hope. Because of Easter, we know that anything is possible with God.

“I believe that the themes of this day—renewal, rebirth, hope, trust—are beautifully symbolized in nature. Consider the tulip. In the fall, when it is placed in the ground, the withered bulb appears to be dead. It lies dormant through the long, cold winter, wrapped in icy fingers. But in the spring it finds new life as the gentle warmth of the sun patiently coaxes it to grow and blossom into a glorious flower.

“In many ways I think the story of the tulip bulb is a good analogy not only for Easter but for a heart that longs for love. All of us here today know from personal experience that the heart is a very fragile thing. We know that it can be easily hurt, it can wither away, it can appear to be dead and empty. But I believe that with warmth and patient nurturing, most hearts can bloom again.

“On this Easter day, as we celebrate the promise of eternal life, let us also celebrate the earthly life given to us by the Lord. Let us resolve not to waste this precious blessing, in all its infinite dimensions. And as we thank God today for the gift of love He gave us through his Son’s death and resurrection, let us celebrate that gift by nurturing the love in our own lives. Let us find the courage to seek love if we do not have it, and the wisdom to cherish it if we do. For despite its inherent risks and heartaches, it is still the greatest gift the Lord can bless us with in this life.

“Let us pray….”

As Brad finished his sermon, Rebecca felt her hand being taken in a gentle grasp. She looked up at Zach as he entwined his fingers through hers, and her vision blurred with tears at the tenderness in his eyes and the memory of the pink tulips he’d given her. She didn’t know if Brad had intentionally directed the last part of his sermon to her, but it had certainly hit home, she thought, averting her eyes and blinking rapidly to dispel the tears. And he was right. Love was a gift. And the Lord seemed to be offering her a chance for love with the man now holding her hand. Hadn’t she promised herself on Valentine’s Day that if the right man came along, she would take the risk of pursuing a relationship? Well, the opportunity was being offered. Now it was up to her to take it.

Rebecca knew that she wasn’t going to be able to overcome her fear overnight. But maybe, if Zach was patient and understanding, they could find a way to work through it together. It was a long shot, she knew. But for the first time in years she allowed a tender seed of hope to sprout and send out a tentative root.

“Rebecca! Sam! Wait up!”

Rebecca turned at the familiar voice, smiling as Laura and Nick walked toward them hand in hand.

“Don’t worry. Brad’s still gabbing,” Sam replied with a grin. “That’s one of the downsides of being the preacher’s wife—you’re always the last to leave.”

“Are you complaining?” Laura asked with a smile.

Sam’s face softened. “Hardly. He’s worth waiting for any day.”

Laura looked up at Nick, her own face softening with love as they exchanged a tender glance. “I know what you mean,” she replied. With an obvious effort she tore her eyes away from Nick’s and turned to Rebecca, reaching out to take her hand. “It’s good to see you, Becka. And this must be Isabel—and Zach,” she said, looking from one to the other.

“That’s right. Brad, this is Laura and Nick. Isabel, sweetie, these are friends of mine.”

While the two men shook hands, Laura studied Zach, frowning slightly. “Have we met before?” she asked. “You look very familiar.”

“Not formally,” he replied with a smile. “But you two were having dinner at Rebecca’s a few weeks ago the same night I was there. I noticed you when Rebecca brought your dessert out.”

“That’s right!” Laura acknowledged, her frown evaporating as memory returned. “You and Rebecca had coffee together after she talked to us. Remember, Nick?”

Nick grinned sheepishly. “I have to admit I don’t. I only had eyes for you that night.”

Laura blushed with pleasure as their eyes touched briefly. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you formally,” she told Zach.

“The pleasure is mine,” he assured her.

“You mean you two had dinner together weeks ago?” Sam asked, eyeing Zach and Rebecca with new interest.

“Not dinner. Coffee,” Rebecca clarified.

“But dinner would have been better,” Zach interjected with an engaging grin. “Coffee was all I could manage to waylay her for that night, though. And even that was under duress,” he admitted candidly. “But fortunately things have improved since then.” His eyes sought, held and mesmerized hers.

Rebecca knew that the four adults were watching the two of them with unabashed interest, could sense their rapt attention. She ought to look away, make some flippant remark, carry on the charade that she and Zach were just friends. But she was fighting a losing battle, and she knew it.

“Well, I’m glad to hear it,” Henry declared. “Rebecca could use some male companionship.”

“Dad!” Rebecca turned to him, her face horrified.

“What’s he done now?” Brad asked, his voice laced with tolerant amusement as he came up behind her. But after one look at her crimson face he slipped an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. “Never mind. Don’t tell me. I can guess. I have a feeling it has something to do with Zach. And I take it this is Zach?”

“Guilty,” Zach replied with a grin.

Brad held out his hand, and Zach took it promptly, realizing that the other man was assessing him even as he smiled. Zach was also aware of Brad’s arm protectively around his sister’s shoulders. Consciously sent or not, the message was clear: treat my sister with care or you’ll answer to me.

Zach respected that, admired it even, and he returned Brad’s gaze steadily. “Rebecca’s spoken very highly of you. I’m glad we finally have the chance to meet.”

“So am I. I try to keep up with the events—and people—in her life. She’s very special to me.”

“She’s very special to me, too,” Zach replied candidly, his gaze direct and honest.

Brad held Zach’s eyes a moment longer, and when he released the other man’s hand there was a satisfied expression on his face.

“Well, we’re going to take off,” Laura said. “Happy Easter, everyone.”

She and Nick left to a chorus of best wishes, and then Brad squatted down beside the silent little girl who clung to Rebecca’s hand. “You must be Isabel,” he said quietly with a smile. “I’m Rebecca’s brother.”

“I know. She told me,” Isabel replied in a small, timid voice.

“Well, we’re glad you came to visit us, Isabel. What do you think of my new little girl?”