Читать книгу A Wedding In The Family - Kathryn Alexander - Страница 11

Three o’clock loomed near that Saturday afternoon, and Angela looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror hanging on the back of her bathroom door. Her jeans were rather old and faded—just the way she liked them. And her white shirt and colorful vest looked acceptable, she thought as she viewed the patchwork of rich browns, rusts and tans. She pulled on her saddle-colored boots and frowned. Acceptable, yes; attractive, not particularly. But her dark hair looked good with its new layered cut, and her bangs weren’t too long or too short for a change, so that pleased her. What difference did it really make anyway? It was just a church outing—and probably the only date she’d ever have with Adam Dalton.

“Mom, I’ve put the cooler and the basket in the back of the van. Are you almost ready?” Nathan called to her from the living room. “David and Heather are goofing around out back. Should I tell them it’s time to go?”

“No, wait until Adam gets here.”

“Maybe he won’t show,” Nathan offered with a hopeful smile when he appeared in the bathroom doorway.

Angela shot a look of obvious irritation in the direction of her son before walking past him to find the sweater she wanted to take along. “Maybe he won’t,” she agreed, “but maybe he will. Either way, you’re still going to this cookout. Tell your brother and sister to get their jackets. You’ll all need them before this is over.”

Nathan was not enthusiastic over this new development in her life—in all their lives, Angela reminded herself. Everything she did affected the kids one way or another, and her involvement with Adam was no different. That’s why this relationship would probably go no further than sharing a hamburger with him today in the presence of her children, her parents and dozens of other people. People, people everywhere. Why had she invited him to this gathering, anyway? What was she thinking? They’d spend hours together in a crowd when all she really wanted was five minutes alone with him.

Unable to locate her sweater, she pulled a corduroy jacket from where she’d left it on the corner of her dresser and paused to look one last time into a small mirror that hung on her bedroom wall. Five minutes alone with him? Where had that thought come from? she wondered suddenly. Then she remembered Micah’s comment about wanting to kiss Rob. But it had been years since Angela had felt that way—so many, in fact that she couldn’t clearly remember ever having had that feeling. And now, to feel this way about a man she hadn’t heard from in a week and a half, a man who might not even remember he made this date with her, a man who might not be any more reliable than her husband had been…

Then the doorbell rang. Angela breathed a sigh of relief; Nathan groaned quietly, then went to answer the door. Maybe Adam was different, she thought. The possibility existed, didn’t it? Otherwise, what was the point in trying?

“Hi, Nathan.” She heard Adam’s familiar voice greet her less-than-enthusiastic son. This would be trying for Nathan. There was no doubt about that. He was a sensitive kid who had taken the idea of being “man of the house” too seriously, for too long. He’d seen more clearly than his siblings the effect his father’s problem with alcohol had had on the family, and he’d probably be suspicious of any possible intrusion on their now-pleasant home life. For that matter, so was Angela. So what was she going to do about this man standing in the middle of her living room?

“Hi,” she said as she came forward to greet Adam. “Ready for a cookout?” She thought she detected a slight ready-as-I’ll-ever-be set to his expression.

“Guess so. Want me to carry anything to the van?”

“I already took care of that,” Nathan interjected and grabbed his school jacket from a hook by the door. “I’ll tell the others it’s time to go.” He exited without further comment.

They both watched him go; then Adam looked back at Angela. “This is difficult for him,” he commented.

She nodded. “He’ll feel better once we’re there and he sees his friends,” she replied.

There was silence between them for an awkward moment. Then Adam spoke. “I brought a case of soda and put it in your van. I thought I should contribute something to this outing.”

“The kids will like it. I’m taking potato salad, baked beans and some cookies I bought at the bakery. Mom is bringing a cake, a relish tray and iced tea. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of everything. We always do,” she explained with a smile. “If there’s anything our church excels at, it’s carry-in dinners. We like to eat.”

Adam grinned. “You’ve changed your hair.”

“Just a little,” she said, thinking how much she liked his easy smile. “It was overdue for a cut, and I can’t stand my bangs down around my eyes.” She reached for her car keys on the nearby end table and, amazingly for a change, they were actually where she’d left them.

“It looks good,” Adam complimented as he opened the door for her, realizing the remark about her hair seemed lackluster, but he couldn’t tell her how pretty he thought she was. In jeans and a plain shirt, in a skirt and a jacket, in whatever she chose to wear. That might be too much too soon. It would be the absolute truth, but she probably wouldn’t believe him. And he needed her to believe him. Now, and later. “You look great every time I see you.”

Angela cocked her head to the side, eyeing him with skepticism. “Especially with a runny nose and wearing that old sweat suit I had on the first night we spoke.”

“Yes, well—” he remembered that encounter with clarity “—you looked very…”

“Very?” she said, knowing he was struggling for a descriptive, but safe, word. “I’m waiting.”

“I’m thinking,” Adam replied with a smile. “Can I say ‘motherly’? ‘Cautious’? ‘Protective’ maybe?”

“Nope,” she answered as she walked toward and then past him. “You could say ‘awful.’” He was close enough to touch, and Angela was fighting the urge to do exactly that when Adam extended an arm, clasping her hand warmly in his own.

“How about ‘cute’?” he suggested.

“Sorry, but ‘cute’ is not acceptable at thirty-two,” she replied, holding tightly to the strong hand she had welcomed.

“Then let’s go with ‘promising,’” he said, with a gentle squeeze to her fingers.

Promising. What a lovely thought. But she didn’t dare say that. Not to this man she knew so little about. “I wasn’t sure you’d come today,” she admitted suddenly.

“Why?” he asked, studying the contemplative blue of her eyes. “I told you I’d be here at three.”

“I know, but…” How could she tell him the reasons behind her doubts? Did she really want to explain the years with Dan?

“You can’t tell me you’ve had that happen with many dates before. Being stood up,” he added as they stepped outside into the sunshine and made their way toward the van. The children were already climbing in.

No, she thought, the problem had never been with a date. It was only when matrimony entered the story line that keeping commitments had become an issue. Marriage and responsibility had not sat well with her husband, and she had grown to expect broken promises. “I guess I’m just pessimistic by nature.” And experience.

“Maybe that can be changed,” he suggested.

Maybe it could, but at this point in her life, Angela had her doubts.

“Is the truck okay parked off to the side like that?” Adam asked. “I knew we’d need to take your van.”

She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun. “That’s fine.” Then she held up her keys. “But would you mind doing the driving?”

He opened the passenger door for her. “Not at all.” He let go of her hand, and she climbed in.

“You ready, kids?” she asked, glancing back at two excited faces—and Nathan’s frown.

“It’s about a mile farther down this road. Then make the next left” They were nearing their destination as Heather asked for the third time how long this trip would last

“Just a few minutes more, hon. Are you getting hungry?” Angela inquired.

“No, but I want to play ball. My Sunday School teacher told me we would.”

“If Mrs. Fletcher told you that, then I’m sure you will,” Angela responded with a certainty about another human being that she rarely displayed. She glanced at Adam, and wondered if she’d ever be able to trust him that way. What a refreshing possibility.

What she couldn’t know was that Adam was wondering the same thing. Only he suspected that earning her trust now would require more truth from him than he was ready to reveal. And what did the Lord require from him so early in this relationship? Honesty, he knew, but in how large a dose at a time?

Soon they arrived and parked in the gravel alongside her parents’ car. Judging from the vehicles already there, it was a good turnout, as usual. Adam helped Angela unload the items she had brought, as well as the case of soda he had placed in her van. Before long, the kids were engaged in a softball game and it was time for Adam to meet Angela’s parents.

“Mom. Dad. This is Adam Dalton,” Angela introduced her date. She had advised them earlier of this impending meeting.

Smiles from Grace and Ed Granston did little to ease the tension of the moment. No man would easily receive the approval of this older couple where their daughter was concerned. Angela was no kid, but she would always be their child. Exactly who was this Adam Dalton who threatened their daughter’s freedom and peace of mind in the wake of her unhappy marriage? They both prayed Angela would find a loving man and marry again someday—but the right man.

“Hello, Adam.” Grace spoke first, but Ed did extend a hand in an almost friendly fashion. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s good to meet both of you, Mr. and Mrs. Granston.”

“The name’s Ed and this is Grace,” Angela’s father answered in a somewhat gruff voice. “Let’s find a seat around here somewhere.”

They unfolded the lawn chairs they had brought with them and, after greeting and speaking with some of their friends from church, settled into a comfortable place to watch the kids play ball. And to talk. Adam hadn’t needed to meet anyone’s parents like this since—he couldn’t even remember the last time. Unless, maybe with Patty…But that had been years ago.

So the long day began with introductions and discussion about everything from Ed’s real estate business to Adam’s log home that his brother had helped him build last year.

“I didn’t know you were good with carpentry work,” Angela stated. “How did you get started with that?”

“When I was a teacher, I spent part of my summers helping my brother with his home-remodeling business. I’ve even been on a few missionary trips to South America to help build churches and parsonages for the nationals there.”

Ed’s face lit up on that comment. “I’ve been on a couple of those trips myself, Adam,” he began. And Angela and Grace shared a secret smile and both leaned back in their chairs. Once Ed started reliving his travels, it would be a while before he stopped. Fortunately, Adam could relate to many of the stories and seemed to enjoy the lengthy conversation.

“Mom!” Heather called when, nearly an hour later, she ran over to where Angela sat. “We need another player. The other team has two grown-ups on it, and we’re getting pounded out there. Could Adam play?”

“What? You mean you don’t want me?” Angela asked.

“Get real, Mom. You know you can’t pitch.” She looked over at Adam, who had already stood up to join her. “Can you?“

“Yep, let’s go,” he replied. “Excuse us, we’ll be back after we win this game.”

Angela watched them cut across the playing field. She saw Adam touch Heather’s shoulder and then point her in the direction of first base.

“I like him, Angela,” Grace stated quietly and with a confirming smile. “Very much.”

Ed cleared his throat roughly. “I have to agree with your mother. I like him, too, but it will take you a while to really get to know him. Probably a year or two.”

Angela looked over at her father instantly. “A year—” She stopped speaking when he laughed affectionately at her surprised expression.

“I wouldn’t want you to rush into anything,” he added before squeezing her arm lightly, “but maybe a year or two would be asking a lot.”

“Anyway, Dad, I’m just trying to decide whether to continue seeing him—not whether or not I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”

“But you shouldn’t date him unless he is a man you could spend the rest of your life with…if you chose to,” Grace commented. “Don’t let yourself fall in love with someone you’re going to have to say goodbye to in the end.”

“Find out about his past and what his plans are for the future,” Ed added. “I don’t want to see you hurt again.”

“Dad, I’m not sixteen. I know the risks.” As Angela watched Adam in the distance with her children, those risks didn’t seem to loom so dangerously. She liked nearly everything about him, regardless of how much she didn’t want to. Angela was beginning to wonder how it would feel to be with him, not just the way they were today—awkward, uncertain—but rather, how it would feel to belong to him with familiarity, confidence. How would it be to sit next to him tonight without wondering if she’d ever sit next to him again? Did she trust the Lord enough to allow Him to give her this new possibility? Could she trust Adam?

“Dinner!” The loud announcement brought the players in from the field and most everyone else to their feet. Soon the crowd gathered around the tables that had been set up and covered with paper plates, napkins, plastic forks and spoons, bottles of condiments and bowls of potato chips and other side dishes. There were coolers of soda pop and pitchers of iced tea. The children were hungry, and they came running to meet Angela and get into the line for their sandwiches, hot off the grill.

Adam walked up to stand close by Angela as the pastor announced loudly that it was time for a prayer to thank the Lord for their meal and this day. Adam reached for Angela’s hand, linking his fingers through hers. She looked up, surprised—but pleasantly so—by his action. His smile in return was warm and gentle…and brief as he lowered his head and closed his eyes for the prayer. Angela did the same with a heart filled with gratitude. She’d seen other couples holding hands like this during prayer. In earlier years, she had been a little envious. Then she had either stopped noticing or stopped caring. But this time was different. It was her turn, it was Adam’s hand—and something felt very right about his touch.

Soon they were eating hamburgers that were overcooked and baked beans that were barely warm. The kids opted for hot dogs, which seemed to have been the wiser choice since they ended up going back for seconds.

When the meal was finished, David, Nathan and Heather all headed in the direction of their friends, and Angela and Adam sat down once again with the Granstons. That’s when Ed’s questions became a little unnerving for Angela: he asked Adam about previous marriages. Adam had one, he explained without hesitation. It had ended in divorce.

“And children?” Ed inquired.

“No children,” Adam answered quietly and more politely than Angela thought her father deserved. She decided that it was time to take action.

“Okay, guys, it’s getting late and, Dad, you’re getting a little too personal. Help me round up my kids before it gets dark so we can head home.” She leaned near Adam and whispered, “Save my place. I’ll be right back.”

Adam offered, “I’ll go—”

“No, please, stay here. Let Dad help me find them. I want to talk to him about his investigative work,” she remarked.

His mouth curved into a smile in response to her comment Then he squeezed her hand before letting her go.

“It’s hard for Ed not to nose into his children’s business,” Grace stated after Angela and Ed were out of hearing range.

“I understand,” Adam responded. “I’d be the same way if I had a daughter.”

“I believe you would. And I say that as a compliment, you know.”

“I know,” he replied. “And I want you to know that I really like Angela. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone significant in my life, but Angela…”

”…could be significant?” Grace suggested with a mother’s smile.

“Yes,” Adam concurred and studied the gentle face of this older woman across from him—a face much like Angela’s might look twenty years from now.

“You’re a wise man, Adam Dalton, and you have great taste in women.” Grace stood up, and Adam did, too. “I’m going to try to catch up with those two and help with the children. Thanks for coming here tonight. I’m sure you could have done something more enjoyable than being at this church gathering of people you don’t know, meeting us, eating hamburgers that tasted like lighter fluid.”

Adam laughed. “Mine wasn’t so bad.”

“Well, mine was,” Grace remarked, “but fortunately, I wasn’t very hungry. They never seem to get someone to grill the meat who actually knows what they’re doing.” She reached out and touched Adam’s cheek. “We hope to see you again soon.”

“You will,” he answered.

Grace nodded, and left him to join her husband and daughter.

Adam stood at the edge of a group of people gathered around the bonfire, and watched Angela cross the grassy area toward him. She hugged her corduroy jacket closer as the chilly air of the early October evening settled in.

“Where are the kids?” he asked when she neared.

“Mom and Dad offered to take them for a while.” She looked toward the dwindling crowd. “And they all wanted to go.” Then Angela raised her gaze to study the shadows falling across Adam from the roaring fire close by. His eyes seemed more distant than she’d noticed before, and she looked away.

“The temperature has dropped since the sun set,” he remarked. “Do you want to walk up where it’s warmer?” He touched only her coat as his hand moved to her arm.

“No,” she said a little too quickly, and then paused. She wanted to say it right “I…I’d like to leave now.” Her cautious blue eyes returned to meet his dark gaze.

Adam searched her face in the flickering firelight, then responded with no more than a slight nod. He clasped her hand in his and gave an easy tug.

They walked hand in hand across the gravel parking lot. Angela kicked up some pebbles with the toe of her boot, while Adam slid the key into the lock, and opened her door. She smiled up at him through the twilight Even in air rendered smokey from the bonfire, she was close enough to enjoy the spicy scent of his cologne, and it filled her with unfamiliar longing. As she moved past him toward the passenger seat, her right arm and shoulder brushed against his chest in an unintentional contact that jolted her. Her hand flew up spontaneously, involuntarily to touch the front of his shirt. Never before could she remember wanting anyone’s kiss as much as she wanted Adam’s in that solitary moment And it took all her willpower to pull away from him and climb into the van.

Adam looked away from her toward the subdued light of sunset in the western sky, giving no indication that he had noticed the awkward moment Then he shut the door and walked slowly around to the driver’s side to join her in the vehicle.

Angela looked straight ahead, staring steadily out the window. If she so much as glanced his way, he would read these emotions in her eyes. No feelings this strong could be hidden for long, she knew, but if they could get away from here—all the people, cars coming and going, the kids, her parents…If they could be alone, some place, any place, private—even if only for a few minutes…If he kissed her, she’d know how he felt about her. She closed her eyes momentarily at the thought of Adam not kissing her, and sighed audibly. That couldn’t happen. Surely he felt something similar for her, didn’t he? These feelings in her didn’t arise out of nowhere. Their beginning was with him, in him, from him.

Adam drove in silence for several minutes. Then when they did speak, they did so sparingly. Had she enjoyed the evening? Would he join her for another cookout? Mostly they rode silently in the hush of evening for the quarter of an hour it took to reach the large white garage directly behind Angela’s apartment. But to Angela, it seemed her heart had been racing for far longer than fifteen minutes.

When the ignition was switched off, Adam got out of the van, walking around the rear of the vehicle toward the passenger side to open her door—as she knew he would. Angela’s teeth sank into her lower lip at the sound of his footsteps against the concrete and the lowering of the garage door which shut them off from the rest of the world. What if he didn’t feel as attracted to her as she did to him? What if she moved first…reaching for him when his heart was not reaching for hers? Then her door came open. She turned to step out but found Adam leaning in, his hands catching her around the waist as she eased off the seat and into his arms. And for the first time since they left the cookout, she looked directly into his face and discovered the very tenderness she had feared she wouldn’t find, waiting there in his eyes.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you all day,” Adam admitted in words that fell gently across her lips. His hands cupped her face, drawing her to him, and his mouth met hers, moving against its softness. She returned his kiss with equal longing. Never in her life had she felt so alive, so wanted. Now. Here. Amid paint cans and bicycles in a cold, dark garage.

But much too soon he let her go.

“I was afraid you didn’t feel what I was feeling.” The admission rushed from her when she had caught her breath enough to speak. “I didn’t know, I couldn’t tell—”

“You’re driving me crazy, and you don’t even know it, do you?” He gave a hint of a smile as he studied the beautiful blue eyes that had so easily captivated him.

“What are you talking about? I’m not doing anything.”

“You don’t need to ‘do’ anything, Angela. Just be near me,” he explained quietly. “That’s becoming difficult enough to deal with.”