North Dakota Weddings (43 page)

Brandon stopped on the trail and studied Michael in the moonlight. Amber feared he believed that Michael was involved.

“Go on,” he said.

“I was furious that I’d been contacted, that word was out I was out of prison. I want no part of that anymore. I didn’t respond. But when Amber told me about the artifact stolen from Harrington, I realized it was the same one.”

“You realize the police will need to hear all of this information.”

“Of course. I thought there was too much chaos earlier to bring it up.”Amber lagged behind the two men as they continued up the trail. The police had caught their guy. At least one of them. Michael hadn’t involved himself except to help, yet she feared for her brother.

Finally, the museum parking lot became visible. Lights flashing, a few cruisers had stayed behind.

Brandon turned to Michael. “You risked your life tonight in more ways than one. You might have trouble explaining your way out of this situation, considering your proximity and that you’d been contacted about moving the artifact.”

Michael studied the ground, somber. “Like I told Amber, it was the right thing to do.”

Brandon nodded, approval in his eyes.

“Well, I see a detective over there. I’m going to tell him the rest of the story.”

“Michael, wait.” Amber grabbed him and hugged him to her. “I’ll pray for you.”

Releasing him, she looked into his face.

“Prayer is the most important thing.” He cuffed her on the chin then walked away.

A smile crept onto her lips. One day, maybe she could set him up with Muriel. She had a feeling that Muriel was close to meeting Christ.

“Are you all right?” Brandon asked as they watched Michael approach the police.

She gazed up at him. “I don’t know.”

Pulling her to him, he rested his chin against the top of her head.

She loved how safe he made her feel. “Dad died when I was young. But when Mom and Emily were killed, especially after Michael was taken from us by his own actions and incarcerated, I knew just how fragile life was.”

Sensing that Brandon waited for her to say more, she continued. “Tonight, it felt like it was happening all over again. I was so afraid I would lose you and Michael. I’m still scared of losing Michael to this situation.” And she still feared losing Brandon. She wanted to tell him she loved him, but that was for him to say first.

Wasn’t it?

In two short weeks, she’d leave for Grand Forks—on the other side of North Dakota. If Brandon didn’t tell her how he felt by then, she would believe she’d lost him after all.

Although, she never really had him to begin with.

T
wo days before Amber was to travel back to Grand Forks and begin another school year, she stared at the display case containing one of the earliest Hisatsinom artifacts ever discovered—the very piece that Jason had stolen under Jim’s instruction—or at least he’d thought he’d stolen. Odd to think that the Anasazi wedding vase, decorated with only a few red and black designs, could create such a stir. Though the police had quickly recovered the replica, they’d sequestered it as evidence to be used in the investigation. Now, the authentic artifact was on display. All that had been disclosed to the public was that someone had attempted to steal the wedding vase.

The investigation had taken up any time she might have had with Brandon at the museum. During the evenings, his time had been consumed with dousing the rumor flames and meeting with board members.

To his credit, he’d done a brilliant job. The incident at the museum had been front and center in local and national newspapers, along with Brandon’s picture. The article in the newspaper detailed the previous scandal involving Brandon, yet managed to put a positive spin on the story, making Brandon look like the hero then even though he was terminated. Regarding the Hisatsinom artifact, no one doubted his planning had prevented a great loss to both the museums involved.

Amber cut out the article to save. All the attention had increased the traffic to the museum. She stood aside while a new volunteer guided the next tour, showing the now infamous wedding vase. Though the museum hadn’t officially opened the Hamlin Exhibit, board members believed it timely and in the public’s interest to display the artifact.

Brandon’s museum was a great success.

Michael deserved credit, too. Glad she’d forgiven him and stopped blaming him for Mom’s and Emily’s death, she squeezed the little cross on her neck, savoring the warmth in her soul.

She’d stopped blaming God as well.

Though she’d feared her brother’s coming back into her life would destroy what little she had left, he’d not only assisted in resolving crime, but his presence had brought her closer to Brandon.

The man had actually believed in her, believed in Michael’s innocence despite evidence to the contrary.

And Michael? He’d risked everything for her. Who could ask for more?

Shaking her head in awe, she whispered to herself, “Thank You, Lord.”

Someone touched her shoulder. Gladys stood next to her, watching the group. “There’s been so much excitement around here lately that I haven’t had a chance to talk to you.”

Fortunately, Gladys had been able to hire help in the museum store a few weeks ago.

“It’s been a madhouse, hasn’t it?” Amber asked.

The older woman ducked her head slightly, staring at Amber. “How are you doing? Really?”

“I think I’m going to live.” But if she ended up leaving without getting to see Brandon alone, without hearing how he felt, she wasn’t so sure.

“You know, I always thought you were a keeper.”

“Thanks, Gladys. That’s sweet. But I have to go back to school.”

Gladys adjusted her glasses. “Leaving in a couple of days, I hear.”

“Yes.”

“When I said you were a keeper, I was referring to our Dr. Selman.”

Brandon and Amber had been careful to hide their affection for each other. “What do you mean?”

“Hon, Dr. Selman has always had his head in his work. That is, until you came along. Anyone with eyes can see.”

What did it matter? She was leaving soon. Painful tears stirred behind her eyes. Thankfully, she kept them at bay. “I don’t know, Gladys. I think his head is still in his work.”

Gladys tugged her on the sleeve, backing her into a shadowed corner, away from the crowd. “Listen to me. Dr. Selman is a quiet man. He’s absentminded when it comes to women and sadly, even the woman he loves.”

“Gladys, you can’t know that he loves me.”

“Oh, he loves you. But I’m not sure he knows what to do about it. Men like Dr. Selman are thinkers. They have to analyze everything.”

“What are you saying I should do?”

“You need to be the one to act.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I never told you about my Frode.”

“Your Frode?”

“My husband of forty years.”

Amber cringed. At Gladys’s home, she’d seen the photographs, but somehow the conversation never turned to the woman or her life. Gladys was all about other people. A good thing and a trait Amber should consider modeling.

“Go on.”

“Frode was like your Dr. Selman. A quiet man, devoted to his work and to God. Hon, I had to go out of my way to get him to notice me. And even then, I had to practically propose to him.”

Amber took a step back. “You’re kidding. I don’t know, Gladys, that’s just not me.”

“When you want something, you have to work for it. Love isn’t easy.”

“Thanks for your advice. I’ll consider your words.”

“That’s all I can ask.”

Amber wondered if Gladys would give the same lecture to Brandon. That might work better. No way could Amber do what Gladys suggested.

In his office, Brandon sat behind his desk, waiting on Amber’s brother, Michael. He rubbed his eyes, hoping he didn’t look like he felt after two weeks of navigating the investigation while keeping his and the museum’s reputations afloat.

For what he was about to do, he could lose donors. Yet, after everything he’d been through, Brandon had now learned to conduct his life and business to please God rather than be concerned with what others thought.

He recalled what Michael had said the night he’d risked his life. It was the right thing to do.

Brandon wanted to do this for the woman he loved. The problem was—what did he do
about
the woman he loved? She still had to finish school. They would be far apart. What would he accomplish by telling her how he felt?

Michael stood outside Brandon’s door and knocked lightly then opened it. “You wanted to see me?”

Brandon smiled. “Yes, come in and have a seat.”

Michael sat in the chair across from Brandon’s desk, looking nervous.

Brandon stood and moved to the credenza where a carafe waited. “Coffee?”

“No, I’m good. What’s this about?”

Brandon refreshed his cup. “I want to make you an offer.” He took a sip and waited for Michael’s reaction.

Michael threw up his hands. “Listen, I don’t speak for Amber. No need to ask me for her hand.”

Brandon drew a startled breath while swallowing coffee and began coughing uncontrollably.

“You okay?” Michael moved to stand.

Brandon’s eyes watered while he worked to regain his composure. He held up a hand, reassuring Michael. Then he sat down and cleared his throat, tugging his collar.

Michael frowned. “I didn’t mean to throw you. I thought…sorry, I was way off, wasn’t I?”

“Well, I brought you in here for something entirely different.”

“Please don’t tell Amber what I said.”

Brandon stared at the papers on his desk and chuckled. “I won’t, don’t worry. I wanted to offer you a job.”

Michael’s mouth dropped open but he quickly recovered. “I…wasn’t expecting that.”

“No, I wouldn’t think you were. I need to replace Jim.”

“But why would you want to hire me?”

Brandon lifted a brow, wishing the guy wouldn’t sell himself short. “I’ll tell you why. It’s the least I can do for a fellow believer in Christ. You need a fresh start. And from what I saw the other night—the risk you took—I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.”

“But what will people say—you hiring me after the crime I committed.”

“Michael…” Brandon toyed with an amethyst paperweight on his desk. “I know what it’s like to make mistakes, believe me. God gave me a second chance, and He expects us to do the same for others. I worked with a man for years who I thought I could trust, but he fooled me. You’ve served your time then proved yourself trustworthy when tested, so I can’t believe you’d make the same mistake again. Besides, we can certainly use your expertise—I don’t think anyone is going to be stealing from my museum.”

Michael responded with a big grin.

“You need to put the past behind you.” Brandon should listen to his own advice.

“I appreciate your offer.”

“But?”

“Will you hold it against me if I say I need to think about it? Pray about it?”

“On the contrary. I’d be concerned if you didn’t.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Certainly.”

“What
are
your plans regarding my sister?” Michael gave him a pointed stare.

Still, he could see the twinkle in his eyes. With a half grin, Brandon averted his gaze. So the guy had some old-fashioned protectiveness in him, after all. But why wouldn’t he? He’d risked it all for Amber. Definitely a changed man.

Brandon considered his answer. He had to step carefully.

“She loves you, you know that, right?”

The man was direct. Brandon hadn’t been certain of her feelings. “You can understand if I need to consider things, pray about it.”

“You need to put the past behind you.”

Brandon nodded, recognizing his own words used against him. “Not so easy to do, though, is it?”

Michael chuckled. “Nope.”

Brandon hoped Michael would drop the subject there. He had no answers, only questions about the future. With Amber leaving for school in two days…

A pang squeezed his chest.

Michael stood. “Well, I think I should leave you to your thoughts. I appreciate your offer and want you to know that I’m very interested.”

“Good enough.”

Michael stepped out, and while pleased with the possibilities of working with the bright young man despite his past, Brandon had avoided Michael’s questions.

The desk phone rang and Brandon answered. He warmed to the sound of an old friend’s voice. “Dr. Young. Good to hear from you.”

“There are people of influence who are more than impressed with your ability to handle crisis situations.”

“Thank you.”

“I have a proposition for you.”

G
ot everything packed?” Muriel trotted into the living room from the hallway. “Almost.” Leaving for UND in the morning, Amber knew she’d miss the way Muriel nurtured her like a mother. Muriel still had another week before she headed back to school.

“Don’t forget your Bible.” Muriel moved her hand from behind her back. “Here you go.”

Amber took it from her. “Thanks, I was looking for that.”

Muriel smiled. “Thought so.” She sat on the sofa across from Amber.