The Marriage Wish (9 page)

He couldn’t wait for Heather to meet her. His mom and dad were going to love her.

Yes, Jennifer was the right one. She was perfect for him, an answer to his prayer.

T
he last thing Jennifer felt like doing was spending an evening with Scott, going to dinner and meeting his sister. The argument she had had with God the night before had taken its toll. She wanted answers, and they were not being given. Her head was pounding. She had been in a rotten mood all day. She looked at the run in her hose. With a sigh she tossed the silk nylons into the wastebasket.

The mirror above the bathroom sink gave her a good picture of just how awful she looked.

She knew after a day of thinking about it that she had crossed the line from being honest to being disrespectful last night. God allowed her the right to be honest, to question him, to even be angry with Him, but being disrespectful was not acceptable and she knew it.

She looked up at the ceiling. “God, I am sorry.”

Jennifer looked at herself in the mirror. Grimaced. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, reached for a washcloth.

When Scott arrived an hour later, he found a very subdued Jennifer sitting in the living room watching for him to arrive. Her dress was a beautiful sapphire blue, a simple, striking dress. Scott looked her over with pleasure. “I like it.”

She smiled, his compliment helping assuage a very wounded spirit. She had discarded almost her entire wardrobe trying to find something which would not accentuate her pallor. Scott’s second careful study of her face told her she had not totally hidden the effects of the day. The hand that took hers was gentle. “What’s wrong?”

“I had a rough day,” she admitted. “A lot on my mind.”

“Would you like to take a pass on tonight? All you have to do is say the word.”

“No. I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

He nodded, understanding better than she realized that she really was emotionally exhausted. Her eyes told a message of their own. “We’ll make it an early evening,” he said.

He helped her on with her coat and locked the door for her.

Jennifer was surprised, at the same time relieved, by Scott’s willingness to let the silence stretch between them. He had slipped a cassette into the player; the soft piano music was the only sound in the car.

Jennifer watched him as he drove. He really was a very handsome man. She now knew him well enough to be able to see the smile lines around his eyes, the little brush of silver-gray in his hair. She had found him in the past few weeks to be solid, dependable, trustworthy, gentle. A man who understood how to care, how to support. She had thought, after first meeting him, that he would be a man she would feel smothered being around. That the strength of his own personality would overwhelm her. Instead, she found him a
very comfortable man to be around. He had never threatened her own carefully protected space. He listened. Let her choose how much to say. He was not threatened by silence.

He looked over and caught her inspection. Smiled with a question in his eyes. She shook her head slightly, her thoughts not something she could put into words. His smile deepened, but he chose not to break the silence.

The restaurant Scott chose surprised Jennifer. French. Quiet. Elegant. Their table, tucked in the corner, very private. Jennifer found herself on uncertain ground. She looked over at Scott.

His smile was gentle. “Relax, Jennifer. It’s going to be a quiet evening, nothing more.”

His soft reassurance made her blush with embarrassment.

“Stop that, Jennifer,” he said, his voice suddenly stern, his hand reaching over to grasp hers. “Caution does not warrant an apology.”

“It does if it’s unfounded.”

“No, it doesn’t.” He released her hand. “Please, Jennifer, trust me. You don’t have to apologize for being cautious.”

She lowered her eyes. “Thank you, Scott.”

He frowned. “Jennifer, what happened today? Something is seriously wrong.”

She looked up. The waiter joining them to take their orders, gave her a reason not to answer immediately. Their orders given, once again alone, Jennifer looked over at Scott and debated how to answer him. “I had a fight with God,” she finally admitted.

His serious expression told her how strongly he took that news.

“It’s not the first one we have had, nor will it likely be the last one. But the aftereffects are difficult to deal with.”

“Why, Jennifer?”

“Scott, there is a great deal you don’t know about me. I don’t know that I can explain everything that is going on. I am still at odds with God over some basic issues involving Jerry.” She sighed. “I pushed my case on one of those issues last night.”

“Are you okay, Jennifer?”

“He’s my Father, Scott. I don’t like being at odds with Him. But I don’t understand Him at times, and it is not an easy position to be in. It’s just going to take some time to resolve.”

“Jennifer, do you want to talk about the issues? I’ll help if I can.”

I would have to tell you about Colleen. I don’t want you to see that side of me, Scott, that angry, hurting side of me. There is a limit to what a new relationship can support. I can’t share that level of grief. Not yet.
She reached over to touch his hand. “Thank you, Scott. I will take you up on that offer sometime. I can’t tonight.”

He squeezed her hand. “It’s an open offer, Jennifer.”

Dinner arrived. They both kept the conversation light during dinner, away from emotional subjects. Jennifer began to relax. By the end of the meal, Scott had succeeded in making her laugh several times. “Thank you, Scott,” she said softly, gratefully, as they crossed the parking lot.

He hugged her. “That’s what friends are for, Jennifer.” He held the car door for her, closing it softly once she had slipped inside.

“Would you rather pass on meeting Heather tonight?”

It was a tempting offer. “No, Scott. Let’s get it over with.”

He smiled. “You don’t have to be so nervous about this, Jennifer. Heather promised to be on her best behavior.”

She’s pregnant, Scott. That’s the real problem.
Jennifer forced a smile. “She’s your sister, Scott.”

“Don’t hold it against her. As she so often says, she didn’t have a choice in the matter.”

Jennifer laughed. “Okay, Scott.”

It was a thirty-minute drive to Heather and Frank’s home. The house was two stories with white siding and a van parked in the driveway. As Jennifer expected, the yard was beautifully landscaped. The porch light was on. Scott pulled into the driveway behind the van.

Scott put a comforting arm around Jennifer’s waist as they walked toward the front door. The door opened within moments of Scott ringing the doorbell. Heather’s husband, Frank. “Scott. Jennifer. Welcome. Please, come in.” Frank held the door for them with a smile.

“Jennifer, this is my sister’s husband, Frank.” Scott did the introductions once they were inside.

“Hello, Frank,” Jennifer said with a nervous smile.

Frank took her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jennifer. Let me take your coats. Come in and make yourselves comfortable. Heather’s on her way down. The kids are already in bed.”

The living room was beautiful. White carpet. Bold red, green and blue fabrics for the two love seats, the easy chairs. Scott’s hand on her waist, warm through the fabric of her dress, was a comforting guide.

“Scott! I am sorry. I was working in the nursery.”

Jennifer didn’t need to be told this was Heather. The lady was very petite, at most five feet two inches. She carried being pregnant beautifully. Scott met her with a hug. “Hi, Twig.” He smiled at the paint splatters on her face. “Let me guess…you’re working on the forest.”

“Yes.” She rubbed at the offending paint drops, her attention already turning to her guest. Scott reached back for Jennifer’s hand.

“Jennifer, this is my sister, Heather. Heather, Jennifer St. James.”

“Hi,” Heather said softly, her natural shyness competing with an intense interest in Scott’s new friend.

Jennifer bravely smiled in return. “Hello, Heather.”

Both men were quick to step in to ease the tension. “Jennifer, Scott, would you like some coffee?” Frank asked.

“Please,” Scott replied for both of them. “Heather, sit down, get off your feet. We won’t stay long. How is the nursery coming?” Scott settled Jennifer on the love seat beside him, his fingers interlacing with hers, which were surprisingly cold.

“I’m almost halfway done with the forest,” Heather replied. “I’ve been painting a mural around the nursery, something to make it different…not just white walls,” she explained for Jennifer’s benefit.

Jennifer found if she looked at Heather’s face she could keep her nerves under control. “Did you create the design yourself, or are you using stencils?” she asked, working hard to keep her voice steady.

“Stencils. I found them in a children’s book and then enlarged them.”

Jennifer was intrigued. “Does the mural cover the entire wall?”

Heather grinned. “Yes. Frank gets to paint the part by the floor.”

Frank came back in carrying a tray of coffee cups. He handed them around. A black Samoyed followed him into the room.

“Hi, Blackie.” Scott greeted the dog.

“She’s beautiful.” The dog came over to say hello. Jennifer ran her hand along the warm fur of the dog’s back.

“Would you like to see her puppies, Jennifer?” Heather offered.

“Yes, I would.”

Heather waved both her husband and her brother back to their seats. “Stay put, we won’t be long.”

Scott felt the flutter in Jennifer’s pulse. He gently squeezed her hand as she got up. The ladies left the room, walked through the house to the back patio where a small greenhouse had been built.

“Sorry, Jennifer, but it’s rather difficult to talk about my brother when he’s in the room. How do you like him so far?”

Jennifer chuckled. Heather was perfect. “I like him, Heather.”

Heather smiled. “Good.” She held open the door to the greenhouse. “The puppies have a home out here for the time being.” She turned on the overhead lights. The room was warm, smelled moist, of earth, foliage and the fragrant smell of flowers.

Jennifer followed Heather slowly, captivated by the plants, the flowers, the violets. Jennifer stopped to carefully touch the leaves of a beautiful purple flowering violet.

“Do you like it? It’s one of my personal favorites.”

“I love it.”

“I’ll send you a couple of plants home. All they need is sunlight and water and they thrive.”

Jennifer grimaced. “I just killed my last violets. The flowers around my porch are surviving by pure luck. I am not known for my ability to care for anything that is green.”

Heather chuckled. “You can learn. Look at Scott. The man could turn anything brown within a week, but he’s gotten better with time.”

“Scott actually waters plants?”

Heather laughed. “You would be surprised.”

The four puppies were curled up together on a quilt in a big basket, all sleeping.

“Heather, they are adorable.” Jennifer gently stroked the soft fur of the two nearest puppies.

“I think so. The kids love them.” Heather picked up the nearest puppy. “This is Pepper. He has the only markings in the litter. Two white feet.”

Jennifer chuckled. “Cute. What are the others’ names?”

“The nearest one is Choc, short for chocolate, then Gretta, and finally Quigley.”

Jennifer reached across to stroke the last puppy. He woke enough to open his eyes, lick her hand. “Who thought up the name Quigley?”

Heather grinned. “Scott. He’s planning to adopt him when he gets a few weeks older.”

“He will have his hands full.”

Heather set Pepper back down on the quilt. “Yes, he will.” Heather groaned softly as she straightened.

“When’s your baby due?”

“Eight more weeks. Would you like to see the nursery, Jennifer?”

Jennifer wanted to decline. Part of her also wanted to run the risk. She was curious to see what Heather had done with the nursery, see the mural. She took a chance. “Yes I would.”

Heather led them back inside, up to the second floor.

Jennifer hesitated in the doorway to the room, then forced herself to cross the threshold. The room was lovely. The furniture had been shifted to one side of the room to leave the wall with the mural open. Jennifer looked around the room. “Heather, I love it.” She could tell the colors had been carefully chosen to favor neither pink nor blue. “Do you know if you are going to have a boy or a girl?”

“No. We decided we would rather wait.”

Jennifer smiled. “Do you have a preference?”

“Not a strong one. As long as my baby is healthy, I will be happy. I already know the delivery will have to be a cesarean-section. My rebuilt right hip will not allow a normal delivery. I’m not looking forward to that.”

“If it’s going to be necessary, at least you know from the beginning. To go through hours of labor and then have to have a C-section would be awful.”

Heather groaned. “That is an understatement.”

“I love the curtains, Heather. Did you make them yourself?”

“Mom made them for me.”

“This will be their third grandchild?”

“Yes. Scott has disappointed Mom, she always hoped he would be the first to have a family.”

Jennifer absorbed that remark, tucking it away as confirmation of something she already suspected. She walked over to study the mural design. If she looked closely, she could see the design yet to be painted penciled on the wall. “This looks very intricate.”

“It is taking much longer than I originally planned. The leaves are so detailed.”

“There’s a leopard,” Jennifer said in surprise, finding the penciled figure in the mural.

Heather joined her, carefully tracing the penciled figure. “He is going to be so key to the mural that I haven’t yet had the nerve to begin painting him.”

Jennifer nodded. “At least you have lots of leaves to practice on.”

Heather smiled. “Exactly.”

Eventually, after inspecting everything in the room, discussing future plans for furniture and colors, they left the nursery together. “How did you like the play?” Heather asked as they made their way back downstairs.

“I loved it. Scott told me he stood you up.”

Heather laughed. “I forgave him. At least he was not using work as an excuse this time.”