A New Day (100 page)

     "Tasha is a lovely woman who has done nothing wrong.  We both admit that we should never have given Pattie the opportunity to take those pictures.  It was dangerous, and I make no excuses.  We were just doing the best we knew how to do -- I was doing the best I could to get Tasha to let me in, and Tasha was doing the best she could to put me off.  But you know, Pattie Danniels has repented for taking the pictures.  She has admitted she was wrong to do it, that her motivation was not correct.  She has also admitted that she knew -- she could hear -- that Tasha and I were actually arguing, and that there was
nothing
cooking in Tasha’s bedroom that night.” 

    
"So, I'm asking you to forgive us for it.  Forgive
all
of us for the entire incident.  And please, let Tasha and I get married and get on with our life.  We all have fallen down at one time or another in some area.  But give us credit, if you will, for getting up and trying again.  It's all that we can do.  Nobody is going to gain anything by prolonging this sensational exploitation – except those who sell television spots, and magazines.  Don’t let the press continue to accuse, and twist the truth.  Thank God, at least Pattie repented.  I'm truly grateful, for her sake.” 

    
"Tasha and I plan to get married, and go right on with our ministry.  We want to touch people's lives, and make a difference.  Please be with us, and not against us.  We are sorry for what happened.  We both regret it.  But now, we would like to move on."

    
The audience was deathly silent.

    
Norm got the cameras to turn to him.  "We have to break for a commercial, Tim.  I am sure the audience will join me in wishing you the best in your coming marriage."

    
There was not a dry eye in the Rain house.  Tim had touched all of them.  The camera men had done a spectacular job of capturing his emotion, his fiery eyes, his integrity. 

    
But, Tim had no idea what the reaction would be.  He called home to find Tasha in tears.

    
"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

    
Tasha laughed.  "Nothing is wrong!  You were
wonderful!
"  She assured him.

    
"Well then, what are you crying for?"  he chuckled, teasing her. 

    
"Nobody in this house has dry eyes, Timothy." She told him.  "Telling me to not cry, is like asking the sun not to come up in the morning."

    
He laughed.  "Well, I'm not about to do that."  He informed her.  "So, what have I missed while I was gone?"

    
"Well, I ordered furniture for Naomi and Lucas today, and I pick up Elaine tomorrow.  She says my dress is
divine
."

    
"I'll bet."  Tim drawled.  "Well, I'm a little concerned about the reviews from this show, but what the heck.  I wouldn't do it any differently if I had another chance."

    
"I'm glad.  Tim, it was powerful.   The Holy Spirit was on you."

    
"Yeah.  I know, I felt Him.  I just hope I didn't go too far."

    
"No.  No, you didn't, darling.  Don't worry about anything."  She urged him.

    
Tim chuckled.  "I sure would like to be kissing you, right now."  He told her in a low voice.

    
"Mmm.  Sounds very nice."  She purred.  "Perhaps tomorrow?"

    
"Well," Tim hedged.  "Actually, I've been approached to do some meetings tomorrow and the next day, while I'm in L.A.   Can you spare me at home?"

    
Tasha groaned.  "I hate it when you're away."

    
"I know.  But maybe this time, it would be a little easier on me to
be
away.  It's pretty tortuous, you know, thinking of you in my bed at home.  You're so close and yet so far."

    
Tasha smiled.  "All right, do your meetings.  But don't be gone too long.  Elaine might want to do some fitting, or something.  Besides, I need you too much."

     “
Okay.  No more than two more days."  He promised.

     The reaction to Tim's broadcast was immediate and overwhelming.  They found themselves reading headlines in the grocery store, like
"Tim's Love for Tasha is no Sin"
, and
"Tim Rain Tells the True Story About the Girl". 

    
There were numerous testimonies published by people who had been touched by Tim's ministry or who had known Tasha when she was a pastor's wife.  There were hundreds of testimonies from people who had either been molested, raised without mothers, had pre-marital sex; or at least been tempted to. 

    
All of the public testimonies printed, supported Tim and Tasha staunchly for being brave enough to tell the truth about their lives and relationship.  Every one of them congratulated them for not bowing to the tactics of the press.               

    
There was even an article that claimed that Pattie Danniels had been fired from her job for exploiting the situation, and attempting to discredit Tim.

    
"Oh, man."  Tim sighed when he heard that one.  "That's rough.  She did the right thing by repenting.  Why don't they give her another chance?"

    
"Well, I'm sure her credibility is ruined.  Who'd want to do an interview with her, knowing what she did to you?"  Reuben snorted.

    
"Yeah.  I suppose."  Tim admitted.   "I guess she's got to pay the consequences for what she did, huh?"

    
"Have you seen what Darla Harvey's done?"  Reuben asked lightly.             

    
"No.  What now?"  Tim growled.

    
"Read it for yourself."  Reuben offered, pushing the magazine at him.

    
"Oh, my Lord in Heaven."  Tim said softly, and whistled.  There was a beautiful picture of Tasha, wearing a black dress suit, covered in lace.  She had a hat and a veil covering her face.  And there were tears on her cheeks.  The title read, 
"The True Profile:  Tasha Charles Taylor, A Woman of Strength."

    
Darla had done some heavy duty homework.  Most of the things that she’d written, Tim didn't even know about Tasha.  There was an interview with Gary's aunt, Mrs. Walden, that told how Tasha had accepted Jesus and married Gary, and how happy they had been.  She told how they had known Tasha since she was a little girl, and how sensationalized the stories about her had been.  She had provided the photograph of Tasha, taken the day of Gary's funeral. 

    
There were short statements by Joe and Delanie, Glenn and Marietta, and by those who had been in leadership over Gary and Tasha’s ministry.  All of them, telling how wonderful Tasha was, how devoted she had been to Gary, and to them all.

    
Then, Lord help Tasha's critics, they had asked Lucinda what she thought about it all.  She barbecued them, but good.   And she threw in a word or two about how wonderful her 'Mr. Timothy' is, and how good he had been to 'Miss Tasha'.  Tim was a bit choked up by it.   He looked at Reuben, and shook his head. 

    
"Man." He sighed.  "It's nice to read something about this girl that doesn't make me want to scream.  How about it, Reuben?  They're actually telling the truth about her!"

    
Reuben squirmed.  "Yeah, well.  Tim, the truth is,
a lot of us
owe you and Tasha an apology.  You know?"

    
Tim smiled at him.  "Don't worry about it."  He said quietly.  "I know it looked awful bad."

    
Brent arrived in Jackson before Tim got home.  With his arrival, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch.  He walked into the hotel banquet hall where the wedding was to be held, looking handsome and well to do.     

    
He kissed his daughter's cheek, and walked arm in arm with her to stand beneath the ladder on which Elaine was perched.  She was hanging greenery on a pillar, her long legs stretched enticingly before Brent's eyes.

    
"Tasha, you know I can't take you to lunch until I find another beautiful woman to accompany us.  How could I make my debut in Jackson Hole, with one arm empty?" he complained.

    
Elaine looked down at him, in the way that a mother might convey her exasperation to a mischievous son.  "Oh, dear Lord.  You're here already?"  she sighed.

    
"Right at lunch time.  I dare you to tell me that you have other plans."  He challenged sweetly.

    
"I wouldn't dream of it."  She responded, coming down from the ladder.  "I'm famished."

    
Brent drew her into an embrace and kissed her cheek.  "Hello, Elaine.  It's awfully good to see you."  He said softly.         

    
Elaine smiled, and watched him as though expecting him to turn into a viper at any moment.  "It's nice to see you too, Brent.  Thank you for all the lovely flowers and gifts."

    
He shrugged.  "I couldn't help myself.  But I see that you're not yet wearing the ring."

    
Elaine blushed, and put some distance between them.  "That, Brent, was too much."

    
"Tell me you didn't hock it."  He teased, feigning pain.

    
"It would serve you right, if I did."  Elaine taunted dryly.  "I'll get my coat, so we can go to lunch.  Perhaps you'll be easier to manage with some food in your stomach."

    
Brent gave her a predatory laugh.  "Don't you bet on it, sweetheart." He warned her lightly.

    
That evening, while Tasha was gone to get Tim at the airport, Brent found Elaine alone, on the deck at Tim's house.  They exchanged a smile as Brent joined her, elbows on the railing. 

    
"Well, Elaine; what do you make of all this?"  Brent asked softly.  "Tasha is marrying another preacher, Emilie has turned up, God's got my knees bleeding; and I'm still madly in love with you."  He shook his head.  "You must be in my blood.  Elaine, I've tried to get over you.  Mercy, I did try.  Will you tell me, straight out?  Is there any chance that you'd think about coming back to me?  If not, I'll understand.  I wouldn't blame you.  But I'm not so bad anymore, really.  I've mellowed considerably, and I even have grandkids."  He grinned at her, but his eyes were a little fearful.  "Any hope at all, Elaine?"

    
Elaine sighed, and took a ring box from her pocket.  She turned to Brent and held it out to him.  "Brent, I've given it a lot of thought.  You're right, we need to settle this issue once and for all."

    
Brent felt sharp pain stab deep into his heart, as she pushed the ring box into his hand.  Deep fear and pain.  Oh, God.  He didn't really want to know!  He couldn't handle it!  He closed his eyes.

    
"You are going to have to ask me again; and mean it, Brent.  I will not put on my own ring, and I will not be hurried.  I will not be bullied.  I will not come to your house until we are married, in my good time, and I will not stand for any cheating, ever again." 

    
A hot weakness flooded Brent's body, and began turning his limbs to putty.  Disbelief and confusion began invading his numb brain.  "You mean, you will?"  he asked weakly.

    
Elaine smiled at him thoughtfully.  "I have always measured other men against you, evaluated new things by whether you'd like them or not.  I always knew that if you just weren't such a randy rogue, I'd love you madly.  But you must realize, Brent.  It's only because Timothy has convinced me that this change is totally real and lasting that ..."

    
She never got to finish.  She found herself wrapped in strong arms, and her lips were lost in his devastating kiss.  Her knees suddenly seemed incapable of supporting her weight.  No one could kiss the way Brent could.  She'd missed him terribly.

    
It was some time before the ring found its way onto her finger, and the two of them found their way back into the house.

     The night before the wedding, Tasha went to the hotel to be sure the finishing touches in the banquet room had been taken care of.  It looked awesome – like a glittering wonderland in white, with rich jewel tone colors accenting, like a rich, bold tapestry.

    
Her dress and Elaine's were hanging in the dressing room.  The flowers filled two refrigerators in the kitchen. 

    
She consulted her appointment book, and confirmed that every detail had been attended to.  She'd written out checks for every service in advance, and had them sealed in envelopes, ready for delivery. 

    
At last, she was satisfied that there was nothing left to do, but go home.  Before she left, she smiled and went to her knees, to thank her Lord for blessing her with Timothy, his family, and all that He had done for her.  Then, she prayed for her wedding day, and all that concerned it.