Chapter 14 #2
“Mike, I appreciate you giving me the chance to change my mind. That means a lot and shows me what I need to know about your character.” My words seemed to calm him as he smiled, hearing my words.
“Thank you.” He opened his mouth to say more, but stopped. When we made eye contact again, he said, “Everything I said, everything I offered you is what I want. I understand that you’re not in love yet, and that this is very unconventional. But there’s a peace about this. I can’t explain it.”
I nodded. “I know. But I need you to understand something, too. My parents married in a similar way. Their families knew one another and decided marriage would benefit them both. Once I was an adult, my mother explained their strange beginning and voiced her disappointment when love didn’t follow.”
His brows furrowed, and he leaned toward me. “Wow, I didn’t…that must’ve been difficult.”
“You have no idea. I think her resentment made things so uncomfortable between them that even friendship wasn’t possible anymore.
They didn’t fight often, and once I was a teenager, it was like they were roommates.
Tolerant, cordial, quiet. That’s how I’d describe their relationship.
So you see, your similar idea of how this marriage would start off took me by surprise.
” I was picking at my nails with nervous energy.
“Ren, as much as I want you to say yes to me, I’m surprised that you did, knowing this.
But I can promise you, what’s between us is different.
For one, my feelings for you are so much more than friendship.
” He slowly reached for my hand, and when his long fingers and warm grip held mine, it was as if my body both sparked and relaxed at the same time.
“The first time I saw you on that call, I was completely stunned. I had never, ever reacted that way to a woman before. Then, when I tapped you on the shoulder at the airport, and you turned around? I had to fight the urge to pull you into me and carry you off like a caveman.” We both chuckled at that.
He brought my hand that he was holding to his lips and gently kissed it twice. I was giddy at the feel of them as they tickled my skin.
“Then you said yes without hesitation to help me make Grammy feel better. I don’t know how to describe it other than...” He paused, and his gaze seemed to look through me. “It felt like my heart said, ‘There you are.’ I had found you.”
I gasped as his dark eyes looked at me as if he were marveling at something precious to him. No man had ever looked at me like that.
“What are you thinking about right now?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion and most likely fatigue.
“Something she said to me the other day. She got my number through the group somehow and invited me over. Told me not to tell you,” I said coyly.
Mike laughed lightly, the sound reverberating through me. He was so masculine, yet so gentle.
“I know. I was there.” His lips pursed, holding back a smile.
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“She called to ask if you liked cake or pie. I gave my best guess and said cake. Took about an hour for it to dawn on me what she was up to. So I raced over from the office and stopped outside her door. I heard at least part of your conversation. About me as a kid. Bad fashion choices.”
I threw my head back as I laughed, remembering that photo of him in what could only be called scientist chic.
“It was a pretty interesting choice of outfits. I particularly liked the double-pleated khakis.”
He moaned and shook his head. “I was about thirteen, trying to catch the eye of Annie Nolan. I remember looking in the mirror after nearly choking myself out with how much Axe body spray I’d put on, and thought, ‘You look good.’”
Laughing again, I said, “I can only imagine. Your obnoxious confidence started early, I see.”
Rubbing my hand again, he said, “Not with everything. Or everyone. I’m trying to catch the eye of a beautiful, kind Italian woman now. I can go find some of those khakis if that’s what does it for you.” His voice was smooth and velvety, making my heart flutter.
“Then I guess you’d better let Annie, what’s her name, know you’re taken,” I said demurely.
He smiled that devastating smile that did something deep inside my chest. “Oh, really?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Since we’re going to be married soon, I guess she’s out of luck,” I said saucily, my smile matching his.
When he leaned over the middle console toward me, I held my breath.
Was he going to kiss me? I thought we were going slow! Did I want him to kiss me? My treacherous, romantic side was screaming a resounding yes!
Before my crazy thoughts could spin further out of control, his scratchy cheek met mine as his warm lips kissed me there. He slowly backed up and looked me in the eye.
He was so close. Too close.
Friends, Ren. Just friends. For now.
“Then I’ll call you in the morning and make some plans, yes?”
Not trusting my voice, I nodded. He leaned all the way back over and got out of the car, heading for my door. Taking in a deep breath, I let him help me out of the truck, my knees wobbling a bit.
The rush of the ocean filtered through the noise in my head, making me regret how late it was. A walk on the beach would be amazing after the evening I’d had, but it would have to wait for another day. Mike waited until I’d put the code in and opened the door.
“Goodnight, Renata.” Mike’s voice brought me back. “My cup runneth over.”
He was so sweet, I couldn’t help smiling. “Ciao, see you tomorrow. Call me if anything changes with Grammy. Also, text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.”
His eyes softened at my words. “Promise.”
I took a step inside, but turned back, his eyes widening in surprise as I put my hand on his chest. “I want to say this. I know this will be different than my parents. Mama once told me she’d gone into her marriage with no trust in my father.”
His forehead creased with concern as I looked up at him, the porch light creating shadows on his face. I tapped his chest, his eyes following the movement.
“I trust your heart, Mike Walker. I don’t know why, because this goes against everything she’s drilled into me my whole life. But I trust you.”
When his eyes met mine again, they were full of emotion. He slowly leaned towards me, and I inhaled loudly. The sound made him blink, and he pulled up to his full height.
“I’ll do everything in my power not to ever betray your trust, Ren.”
“I know you will.” Our eyes took each other in as our words surrounded us. After a few beats, he rapped his knuckles on the door.
“Okay, well, lock up. I’ll wait til I hear it.” I smiled and nodded, walking inside. It was a few minutes after I’d closed the door before I heard him pull away. I leaned on it, grateful I’d left a lamp on earlier, and looked around the cottage.
“Father, I don’t know what You’re doing, but Mike is right.” I closed my eyes. “You’re in this. You’ve led me here and now, oh boy, now I’m getting married.”
My eyes flew open, and I stepped out of my shoes, not bothering to put them neatly by the door as I’d done before. I walked to the back door and looked out at the stars. They were easier to see here near the water, and away from the bright lights of downtown.
“Married.” I whispered into the darkness, the ocean waves crashing over the sand. “Married!” Suddenly, I giggled and wished I could call Vicky, but it was after two in the morning.
Despite my life having irrevocably changed, I felt more peaceful and contented than I had in years. The shadow of doubt reared its head, but I pushed it down, buoyed by the certainty that God was truly in this. I quickly got ready for bed, my thoughts whirling around.
Before long, Mike texted that he was home.
I kind of liked the idea of having someone to text when I was on my way or had arrived.
It felt intimate, but strange. I wasn’t used to letting anyone know when I came and went, and it would take some getting used to.
It was starting to dawn on me how much freedom I’d be giving up, but as I rolled over in bed and hugged my pillow, my last thought was how much I would gain in return.
And also…Mike said that he knew I wasn’t in love yet. My heart fluttered at what that subtle statement meant.