Pierced by Love (32 page)

Suddenly, he knew what to do.

“I’ve got to go now, Dad. Thanks for calling me. It really helped.”

“I have a confession to make, Pierce. You’ve been on my mind a lot lately. Even though I knew it was a prompting from the Spirit that something wasn’t quite right, I almost talked myself out of not calling you for fear that you wouldn’t be open to hearing any advice from me. Please forgive me.”

Pierce couldn’t see past the moisture in his eyes. Tears were as foreign to him as hugs and flowery words. Noelle’s tears, he could deal with. But his own . . . oh, man, he was in trouble. After he’d composed himself somewhat, he replied, “There’s nothing to forgive. You called at just the right time. Thanks, Dad. Take care.”

“Will do. Same to you.” When they ended their call, Pierce looked at his phone, noting the time. They’d talked to each other for over an hour. That was a new record for them.

Later that evening while driving south on I-17, Pierce called Noelle but she didn’t answer. Calling thirty minutes later, he started to panic when she didn’t answer again. Maybe she had already decided to call their relationship off. He left a message. When he called a few minutes later, she answered, sounding breathless. “Hello?”

“Noelle?”

“Hi, Pierce. Sorry about that. I could hear my phone ringing, but I couldn’t find it.”

I ought to put a tracking device on it
, he thought irritably. “How are you, sweetheart? Did you and Melody make it down okay?”

“Yes. We’re home. How’s everything in Flag? Did you get any studying done?”

Not as much as he’d wanted, but life hadn’t exactly gone the way he’d planned lately. This interruption from studying for his finals was the icing on the proverbial cake. But he wasn’t ready to reveal that yet. “Some. So what are your plans for tonight? The bridal shower is tomorrow morning, right?”

She heaved a sigh. “That’s right. We’re getting ready to leave for Lori’s house, though, so we can put up decorations.”

“How long should that take?”

Was it his imagination, or did Noelle already sound bored with the conversation? “Probably a few hours. And then we’re going to paint our nails afterward.”

“Girl stuff, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t sound too excited.”

“Am I supposed to with everything that’s going on right now?”

He hated the dejected note he heard in her voice. Trying to give her some words of encouragement, he said, “Just hang in there. Things will get better. I promise.”

“No offense, Pierce, but I don’t see how you’re in any position to make that promise.”

“Trust in the Lord, all right?”

Pierce held his breath until she finally agreed. “All right. But, Pierce, this is so hard.”

“I know, sweetheart,” he consoled her. “It’s hard for me too. But we’ll get through it. I’ll be right beside you, Noelle. I’m planning on being with you for the rest of my life.”

Her quick intake of breath came through loud and clear. Yep, she’d heard him, all right. He’d let her think about that for a while. “Well, I have a couple of errands I need to run. Have fun tonight and at the bridal shower in the morning. I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay. See you soon,” she repeated.

Funny. Her voice didn’t sound quite so flat anymore.

An hour later, he pulled up in front of the Jensens’ house, noting that the property was devoid of Melody’s car. He tugged at the collar of his short-sleeved, button-down blue shirt. Noelle’s father answered the door when he rang the bell. Looking mildly surprised, he greeted Pierce. “Did Noelle know that you were coming over? I’m afraid she isn’t here.”

“No, sir. She doesn’t know that I’m here. Actually, I was wondering if I could take a few minutes of your time.”

Samuel ushered him in, waving him to the couch. Little beads of sweat formed on his hands and neck. Okay, so he was nervous. He’d never done this before. And hopefully, he’d never have to do it again.

Before he could begin, Brenda Jensen, looking elegant and regal as ever, appeared. “Samuel, have you seen—oh!” Pierce stood and waited courteously for her to continue. “Hello,” she said in a clipped voice. “I wasn’t expecting company.”

“Have a seat, Brenda. Pierce was just about to explain why he’s here, although I think I have a pretty good idea.” He winked at Pierce, who smiled amiably. Maybe it would be all right, after all. “Something tells me this has to do with Noelle?”

Glancing first at her father and then her mother to gauge their reactions, Pierce announced, “I would like to ask your permission to marry your daughter.”

TWENTY-FIVE

P
IERCE LEANED AGAINST his Explorer and opened the jewelry case one more time just to convince himself that this was real. There it was, a square-cut diamond shimmering with tiny lights that danced in the sunlight. Last evening’s interview had gone well with Noelle’s parents, though he’d answered what had seemed like a thousand questions regarding his plans for providing for her and their children. He wasn’t surprised that they’d known of the conflict concerning his schooling, but when they’d seen his sincerity in his decision to wait on the Lord, knowing that it had been a difficult one to make, they’d given their approval for him to propose.

He noted the time, thinking that Melody’s bridal shower should be finishing up soon. He clicked the ring box closed and pocketed it, taking a deep breath. He hoped that Noelle had enough faith in him to give him a chance.

“Wow! That was so fun! Thank you so much, Lori and Noelle!” Melody hugged her bridesmaids one at a time, clearly in awe of the favorable turnout. “You outdid yourselves.”

“It was definitely a success, if I do say so myself,” Lori responded happily. “And you make quite the blushing bride,” she teased.

As if on cue, Melody’s face turned a becoming shade of pink. Noelle would have thought it amusing had she not felt so distressed. She had sat through the two most difficult hours of her life since Chase had broken up with her, listening to the guests ooh and ah over the ultrafeminine and beautiful gifts she opened. Add to that her uncertainty of knowing where she and Pierce stood and her mood was quickly going downhill.

After another round of profuse gratitude, she, along with Melody and their mother, packed all of Melody’s new belongings into the trunk of their mother’s car and drove home. From the backseat, silent tears fell down Noelle’s cheeks. Angry at her weakness and not really knowing the reason behind it, she rushed into the house and ran upstairs, needing to be alone.

Melody was a really sweet sister. And even though Noelle didn’t love Chase any longer, she was still struggling with her feelings of jealousy and inadequacy. If only she had been more accepting of Pierce’s news. If only she hadn’t complained or tried to make him feel guilty for wanting to succeed. He’d been incredibly patient with her and had shown her how to trust again.

She loved him with all her heart and she didn’t want him to go. She cried into her pillow until her tears were spent. After a time, she kneeled down and prayed, pouring her heart out to her Father in Heaven as she had done countless times before. This time, a warm feeling blossomed in her heart and expanded as another part of her patriarchal blessing came to her mind.
You will be sealed to a man of your choice in the house of the Lord for time and all eternity. This is a tremendous blessing
. She’d read those words so often through the years, she had them memorized. But thinking of them now initiated such an incredible feeling of joy within her heart as to make her bow her head once again to thank Him for hearing her prayers.

The doorbell rang downstairs and Noelle experienced a sudden, inexplicable urge to check her face for any telltale signs. Viewing herself critically, she decided that she’d look okay if she quickly retouched her makeup.

A knock sounded on her bedroom door a moment later. “Noelle,” Melody called, “Mom and Dad want you to come down to greet our visitor.”

Noelle frowned at Melody’s odd choice of words. Opening the door and crossing to the stairway, she spotted Melody through the open door of her bedroom sorting through her gifts. Melody glanced up and grinned at her. Noelle smiled back before taking a fortifying breath. Then she went downstairs, stopping midway down from the staircase, her heart thumping rapidly at the sight of Pierce’s brown hair and deep brown eyes following her every move. His lips turned upward appreciatively.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Pierce!” Noelle flew down the staircase straight into his arms and hugged him fiercely, loving his solid strength and the comforting warmth of his embrace.

They pulled apart just long enough for their lips to meet in a fervent kiss.

Obviously appalled by Noelle’s forwardness, Noelle’s mother gasped from across the room. “Noelle Grace Jensen!”

Noelle and Pierce broke apart simultaneously. However, Noelle wasn’t ready to let go of him yet. She encircled him with her arms again, resting her head sideways on his chest while addressing her mom. “I can’t help it. I’m just so glad he’s here!”

Her dad, who was sitting next to her mom, chuckled and gently took her mom’s hand in his and serenely stated, “Isn’t it wonderful to see Noelle in love?” Her mom regarded them thoughtfully for a moment before nodding her head and smiling demurely.

Melody came down the stairs just in time to see Pierce kiss Noelle again. The amusement in her voice was unmistakable. “I think you’d better start planning another wedding, Mom. And soon.”

Later that afternoon, Pierce and Noelle stood outside of the Gilbert Temple, holding hands while gazing at the magnificent edifice. Since it was May and the sun had just passed its zenith, they didn’t want to linger too long. The leaves of the palm trees swaying in the slight breeze offered practically no relief from the heat, but here beside the cascading water fountain, with the sunlight shining directly on the water, he could see the silhouettes of himself and Noelle and imagine their lives becoming just as clear and beautiful as their reflections.

“So your middle name is Grace, huh?” He smiled at her while leading her to a bench underneath a nearby stone structure.

She blushed under his scrutiny. “Yes. It doesn’t really fit me, however, since I’m not very
Grace
-ful.”