Chapter Ten #3
slipped into the pew beside Skye. The Scripture lesson was on Matthew 19. Skye flipped open the pages of her Bible to the
Gospel.
“Again I tell you,” the pastor began, reading, “it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man
to enter into God’s kingdom.”
Uneasily Skye felt her stomach begin to twist, and she sent Peggy a confused look.
Peggy shrugged, her eyes as perplexed as Skye’s.
“To fully understand this verse,” the pastor began to explain, “one must realize that the eye of a needle was the name of
a gate, and it was possible for a camel to gain entrance, but first any cargo must be unloaded.” He continued by making the
comparison between the camel’s cargo and our worldly goods. “Next the camel was forced to get down on his knees.”
Skye’s attention was pulled from the pastor as Brad began scribbling a note. Peggy intercepted it and added a message before
handing it to Skye.
Speaking of going to my knees, would you take Janey this weekend? I want to be alone with my wife, the note read. Peggy’s
message was an added postscript. I hope you’re listening to the pastor, and before you ask, no, I didn’t have anything to
do with his choice of topic.
Skye took her pen and scribbled a note back. If you two don’t quit writing notes in church, I’ll report you to the elders. And yes, I’d love to have Janey.
She rose early Saturday morning. She’d have to get her running in early since Brad was bringing Janey to her apartment around
ten. She followed her normal course, which offered a variety of terrains: flat, steep, curvy. She managed the eight miles
in less than an hour; rivulets of perspiration rolled off her body as she stepped into her building. She wiped the sweat from
her cheekbones before stooping down to extract her key from a small compartment in the side of her shoe.
“Do you carry your whole purse in your shoe these days?”
The words struck her like a blow, depriving her lungs of oxygen. She straightened, slowly.
“Jordan,” she managed. She wasn’t ready to see him again; she needed time to school her reactions, to prepare herself.
He was dressed casually in dark corduroy pants and a charcoal-gray shirt that matched his eyes exactly. It was the first time
she’d seen his left arm without the cast.
“Can I come in?” he asked. “Or will that defile your love for your dead boyfriend?”
Her back went rigid, her fists clenched tightly as she opened the door and stepped aside. Nervously she ran the back of her
hand across her forehead before walking inside.
He followed her, closing the door. “I’m returning your father’s Bible.”
She nodded weakly. She’d rather he kept it, but to tell him that would reveal her love. Instead she mumbled, “Thank you.”
He laid the Bible on the table in the entryway and hesitated before pulling an envelope from the Bible. “Your niece wrote
me a very interesting letter.”
She searched his face. “Yes, I know. She wanted to thank you for the doghouse.”
“This didn’t have a thing to do with the doghouse.” He exhaled sharply. “She said you loved me.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Is it true? Do you love me?”
Skye felt trapped. She couldn’t lie to him, not again. “Yes.” The lone word was wrenched from her.
“Why?” he demanded in a low growl. “Why did you lie?”
“You lied to me,” she shouted. “I don’t even know your name. Is it Jordan or Dan, Kiley or Murphy?” Her laugh was harsh.
He sighed wearily, the hard line of his mouth tightening. “Jordan Murphy. My mother’s maiden name is Kiley. I gave the hospital
the name Jordan Kiley because I didn’t want to be recognized.”
“Was it some kind of perverted game to play me for a fool? Did you want to see how far you could go?” Her voice was treacherously
low.
“No, Skye—no.” He plowed his fingers through his hair in angry reaction. “It’s true I didn’t intend to tell you at first, but I didn’t
intend to fall in love with you, either.”
Her gaze darted to Jordan, but she couldn’t look at him long without revealing the effect of his words.
“If you loved me, then why continue with the charade? If you trusted me at all, why lie?”
“If you loved me, then why did you put me through this hell?” he countered quickly.
She lowered her gaze guiltily. “I was hurt and rightly so. I gave you an excuse that would make the cut quick and clean.”
“Once you told me the girl’s name who sang at the hospital was Jane. You allowed that charade to continue because you wanted
me to like you for who you were, not for any talent you had,” he said, and sighed heavily. “My excuse is the same. I wanted
you to love me for who I am, not for anything I could do to advance your career.”
“Really, Jordan . . .” She gave a small laugh that bordered on a sob. “Or do you prefer to be called Dan?”
His mouth thinned with displeasure. “Jordan.”
“All right,” she said stiffly. “And really that’s a pretty weak excuse, seeing that I had no interest in a singing career,
something I’d repeatedly told you. And yet you carried this whole thing to the extreme. When did you plan to tell me who you
really were? On our wedding night?”
“I meant to tell you a hundred different times, but something always prevented me. I had every intention of telling you the
night I gave you the ring, but you were so concerned about Billy, I didn’t want to burden you further. I was going to tell
you. Believe that, please.”
Her weary blue eyes slid to him again. “It’s more than the fact you lied. You’re a very rich man. . . . You . . . you seem
to think money can buy you anything.”
“It didn’t buy your love, did it?” he asked, his voice softening.
“No.” Her hands gestured helplessly. “It’s more than your deception. I’m afraid a relationship between us simply wouldn’t
work. We’re too different.”
“We’re not different at all,” he argued. “We share the same Savior.”
The silence that followed was profound.
“Jordan,” she whispered, almost afraid to believe what he was telling her. “You decided to make God a part of your life?
A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “It didn’t come easy. The Lord had to bring me to my knees.”
Suddenly the picture of a camel going through the eye of the needle in the wall of Jerusalem came to mind.
“You’re right about my money,” he continued.
“In the past it bought me anything I desired. But it couldn’t buy me your love.
When we first met, I couldn’t believe anyone could be so completely trusting in a Superior Being.
You were too good to be true, and I kept waiting to find some flaw in your faith.
There wasn’t one. Soon I found myself falling hopelessly in love with you.
When you declared your undying love for Glen, I was defeated.
I couldn’t fight a dead man. All the money in the world wouldn’t buy me your love.
It came to me then that I had all the money I needed or wanted, but it hadn’t brought me happiness.
Not knowing where else to turn, I read your father’s Bible.
It was the only way I could think to get closer to you.
I even flew to San Francisco to talk to your pastor. I made a commitment two weeks ago.”
“Oh, Jordan.” Her voice wobbled as she bit down on her lower lip.
“I’ll ask you again, Skye. I love you. I don’t promise to do everything right, but I’m willing to be the best husband I know
how to be with God’s help.” A humility entered his voice. “Will you be my wife?”
She floated into his arms, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Yes, oh, Jordan, a thousand times, yes.”
She was crushed against him as he claimed her mouth in a devouring kiss that seemed to blot out all the hurt and anger of
the past few weeks. Instinctively she wound her arms around his neck, arching against him. When he dragged his lips from hers
and buried his face in the hollow of her neck, she could feel the uneven drag of his breath. Clinging to him, she closed her
eyes while an overwhelming happiness stole over her.
“Thank you, Jesus,” she murmured almost inaudibly.
Gently his hand caressed her cheek, then framed her face.
She couldn’t speak as she gazed into his powerful face with all the love in her heart shining in her eyes.
Four months later Skye surveyed the dining room table carefully set for the Thanksgiving dinner. Mentally she checked every detail; she wanted this day to be perfect. She’d met Jordan’s family on several occasions, but this was the first time they’d all gathered together.
Mrs. Somers, the housekeeper, was a jewel, and Skye couldn’t have managed the large meal without her. The middle-aged woman
had been with Jordan for years and welcomed Skye like a mother hen gathering a chick under her wing. Skye had felt awkward
at first. Jordan didn’t need her to keep his home, and she felt at loose ends with so much time on her hands. He didn’t object
when she began substitute teaching, but more and more she found herself involved in their church. Their outside activities
would be curtailed soon enough, she decided.
One last glance revealed an elegant table set with fresh flowers and sparkling crystal. It was Thanksgiving, and her heart
was full of praise for God’s goodness to them both.
Jordan had to make a quick trip to the office, and while she waited for his return she wandered into the music room to play
the grand piano. Her nimble fingers flew over the ivory keys with unquestionable skill; if anything, her love for Jordan had
enhanced her musical talent.
How she’d come to love this room of their home. She recalled her first glimpse of the twenty-six-room mansion. Driving through
the long driveway after their extended honeymoon in the Caribbean, the house loomed before her, elegant, imposing, and huge.
At first sight Skye felt a tremor of apprehension.
Jordan had come around to her side of the car, opened her door, and lifted her effortlessly into his arms, prepared to observe
tradition by carrying her over the threshold.
When Skye glanced at him, she discovered he was watching her reaction. “This is our home?” she quizzed softly.
“It’s not as awesome as it looks,” he assured her.
“I’d rather live in a three-bedroom rambler.” Their happiness had been so complete during their honeymoon, and now she was
faced with the realities of his wealth and position.
“I know. But things being as they are, will you take me as I am?” An unfamiliar quality entered his eyes. “Christ did, you know.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to,” she whispered, and planted a warm kiss on his open mouth before exploring the lobe of his ear
with her tongue.
“I’m back.” Jordan broke into her thoughts, walking briskly into the rose-colored room.
Skye lifted her hands from the keyboard, smiling at her husband with a happiness that was almost translucent. “Listen to this,”
she commanded as her fingers flew over the keys in a melody she hoped would express her love.
“It’s beautiful,” Jordan said, his eyes showing the special kind of awe he felt when he listened to her music.
“I’m trying to tell you something, and I honestly didn’t think it would be this difficult.”
His expression sobered. “You mean that you’re pregnant? Did you honestly think I wouldn’t know?” Suddenly, as if the thought
had come to him all at once, he asked, “Everything is all right, isn’t it? You’re going to be okay?” His voice was deep with
emotion.
“Of course I will.” She quickly allayed his fears.
Drawing her tenderly into his arms, he held her close. “I love you, Skye. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this deeply
about anyone. You’ve become my life.” His kiss was sweet and filled with passion. “How long do we have before my mother arrives?”
“Jordan,” she said, giggling. “Not now . . . later,” she whispered, her voice filled with promise.
She could sense his regret as he gently broke their embrace. “Did you know I owned your apartment building?” he asked unexpectedly.
“I’m in the process of selling it. That’s why I had to go to the office this morning.”
“Jordan, no!” She was shocked. This man had a habit of saying the most astonishing things. “When . . . why?”
He chuckled, as if he found himself very clever. “It was the only way I knew to get rid of your pesky neighbor. I bought the
building and raised his rent.”
Skye’s mouth must have dropped open.
“Careful, dear, someone might think you’re imitating a fish.”
“Jordan!” She could hardly find words. “Is . . . is there anything else I don’t know?”
“I don’t think so. Oh, yes, I hope the mechanic did a good job on your car. I threatened to have his certification questioned.”
“You didn’t?”
“Fraid so.” He chuckled. “But don’t worry, I’m learning a new way to deal with people. It’s called love, Christian love.”
Her fingers lovingly traced the line of his jaw. “Sometimes you shock me, Jordan Murphy.”
He smiled deep into her eyes. “Oh my, you’re beautiful.”
She slid her arms around his neck and smiled with intense satisfaction. “Tell me that seven months from now. I’ll need to
hear it about then.”
“A child,” he murmured as if he was just beginning to fully comprehend this new life growing within his wife. “I have something
beyond price: you, a child, and God’s love. You’ve given me everything a man could ever want.”
Jordan’s arm tightened around her waist, and Skye happened to catch a glimpse of the dining room table. Thanksgiving: She
now understood the full meaning of the word.
* * * * *