Читать книгу Her Cinderella Heart - Ruth Scofield - Страница 11

Stars twinkled in the velvety heavens as Cassie reached the dark River Bluff parking lot Easter morning. It was barely 5:00 a.m. Several male figures, momentarily unidentifiable, were unloading chairs from a truck. One paused to peer at her.

“Cassie?” Pastor Mike’s voice floated her way.

“Yes, it’s me.” She hugged her blue wool jacket closer against the morning chill as she got out of her car. Her lined slacks felt comfortable for now, but she suspected she’d be glad to change them to something lighter by the time she returned home midmorning. “Can I help?”

“Sure can. Come hold this lantern high so we can see what we’re doing. We’ve a number of metal garden hooks to hold our lanterns, but we have to get them into the ground. As soon as we have more lights hung, it won’t be so dark along this rocky path.”

Cassie grabbed the camp lantern and held it high above her head. Another truck arrived with more chairs and more people. Pam and her two teenage boys piled out, saying hi, and then setting to work. As the tall garden hooks were inserted into the ground every few yards, Cassie traipsed back and forth from the truck to wherever a lantern was needed.

Pam joined her in hanging lanterns as the men passed them along the way. Cassie enjoyed the camaraderie the work created. Soft voices rose in greeting as people arrived, a few calling to tease, some offering encouragement along every step on the path, some making reverent remarks. Finally, the metallic sound of unfolding chairs ceased. Above, the chairs were set in a semicircle facing east.

Cassie, as directed, stationed herself about a third of the way up the path, where a sharp turn might create a difficulty for an older worshipper. Pam was just above her, shivering.

“I hope it warms up in the next hour,” Pam remarked. “It’s chillier than I expected.”

Cassie agreed, pulling gloves from her pocket. “I remembered to bring a blanket, just in case I might need one. Seems we’ll definitely need one.”

Pam swung her torso around to rev up her circulation. “I did, too, but the boys have them.”

“You can share mine if you want,” Cassie offered.

“Thanks. I suspect I’ll need it.”

As the sky lightened, more people streamed by on their way to the top of the bluff. Most were young twentysomethings, a number were teens and a few were families with older children. Less were older, but Cassie and Pam cheerfully leant an arm to those who needed it up the stone-filled path. Thankfully, Cassie noted that many carried a blanket or throw against the chill.

Cassie gazed up the hill when she heard the first chords of a keyboard. A lovely soprano voice began to sing a joyous song, and then an alto joined in.

“We should go,” Pam said, her head turned toward the music. They couldn’t see the singers, but their floating voices sounded wonderful. “They’re starting.”

Glancing downhill, Cassie saw the parking lot was not only filled, but overflowed. And there seemed no one left to arrive.

“Okay. Go ahead,” she said over her shoulder, starting downhill. “I’ll be there just as soon as I get my blanket out of my car.”

A low roar reached her as Cassie opened her trunk to pull out the old navy blanket she used for picnics. A moment later, a heavy black motorcycle drove up into the lot and stopped. The motor shut off.

The rider wore a scuffed black leather jacket, jeans and boots that had seen better days. He settled the bike and swung off, his hands going up to his helmet.

Cassie closed her trunk, hugging the blanket close to her chest. Was he here to join the worship service or had he stopped for another purpose? This was a public park and the rider might not know that it was in use.

Perhaps he’d like to join the service anyway. She took a step away from her car. “Can I help you? We have a sunrise worship—”

The helmet came off, and a mass of silver hair sprang free. The man glanced over his shoulder, showing her his profile. A strong nose, a defined mouth, a firm chin and a lock of gorgeous hair over a dark brow. Cassie felt the breath swoosh out of her. “Peter?”

“Am I late?”

“A bit.” She blinked like a starstruck schoolgirl, instantly glad she’d taken the plunge to have her hair stylishly cut and highlighted the day before. It fluffed on top, but clung at the neck. It made her look at least five years younger. “Did you have trouble finding the park?”

“No. The map and directions Pastor Mike sent me were good.”

Pastor Mike sent him a map?

“Then you must have come a long way this morning.”

“Actually, I did.” He gave a halfhearted grin. “Had some business to wrap up that kept me up till midnight two nights running, and then yesterday, I couldn’t leave before late in the day. Shall we go?” His attitude was as if it were nothing. He gestured toward the lit path as the sound of the entire congregation in song drifted down.

What kind of business kept him until midnight?

“Sure. I was just going up, but came back for my blanket.”

“Let’s go, then.”

He took her elbow as they climbed the dirt path. For a few delirious moments, Cassie imagined he did so because he thought her worthy of protection. That she was his to cherish. It was little enough to dream on, she reminded herself, a simple act of kindness. Yet she was a little old to let herself go nutty over so light a touch. And a gloved touch, at that.

Still, she let herself enjoy it.

Cassie pulled her swirling thoughts around to concentrate on the service and pointed out two empty chairs next to Pam at the rear of the crowd. They made their way to them.

A finger of sunlight shafted over the horizon as they sat down, and she felt her spirit lift high with the light and celebration. Without thought, she spread her blanket over her cold legs, distributing the ends to Pam and Peter on either side of her. Peter gave her a sideways glance, his mouth slightly tilting as he accepted his end.

Resolute, Cassie focused her gaze forward.

Christ our Lord is risen today…. A quartet reminded them in the old, meaningful song, then urged all to join.

Lord, how grateful I am to be here this day. To worship You on a hilltop. It is the greatest reminder….

Pastor Mike began his sermon. Behind him, the sunlight slowly pushed back the night. For one brief moment, a single ray lit Pastor Mike’s face.

A fitting picture, Cassie thought. There’s nothing more completely dreadful and altogether beautiful than the recounting of the resurrection story. That terrible black day, turned to three. Then glorious victory…Christ’s victory over evil when He rose from death, and His salvation made available for us all through faith….

Cassie’s heart swelled with that hope and faith. Beside her, she felt Peter grow still. Listening. Taking it all in, every word. How long had it been since he’d heard the story? Had he ever, she wondered? Or perhaps never to the point of belief?

She had no way of knowing what Peter believed. She didn’t know where he was in his own walk with the Lord, or if he’d even begun one, but she suddenly felt the need to offer up a silent prayer for him. Something about him stirred her in a way beyond the obvious attraction.

Lord, speak to him now…. Let his heart be ready….

She shouldn’t be so aware of him—but she was. It wasn’t fair that he distracted her when she didn’t want to be distracted. She barely heard the close of the service.

They rose for one last song and Pastor Mike’s gentle benediction.

“Thanks for sharing, Cassie,” Pam said, folding her end of the blanket into Cassie’s hands.

“Yeah, thanks,” came from Peter as he, too, stood and stretched. His tone dropped to a low growl. “It was very nice of you. Excuse me, please. There’s someone I need to see.”

“You’re welcome,” Cassie replied, trying not to watch him walk away. Trying not to let her disappointment of his quick abandonment show.

Cassie admonished herself. How could she feel abandoned when she barely knew the man? Besides, she’d had his company for the whole service, hadn’t she?

Pam stretched to her toes to scan the worshippers. “Now where did my boys get to? Can you see them? They promised to help carry chairs back. Then we’re off to see their dad’s parents. They don’t get out much anymore, and I try to get the boys over to see them about every week.”

“I think they’re over there.” Cassie pointed to the outer edge of the crowd where a clutch of teens stood.

“So they are. Okay. See you later.”

Cassie finished folding the blanket, gathered her purse and glanced at her watch. It wasn’t even eight-thirty, and the whole day stretched before her.

She could go to another Easter service. A more traditional one. Perhaps in the church where she and her father had gone. Yet that had little appeal.

“Are you going for breakfast?” Cassie overheard someone ask another worshipper. A woman with a family in tow, she noted.

“Yes, are you coming? We’re meeting at Chase’s, but we have to leave there no later than ten. Bill’s folks are doing dinner, it takes us an hour to drive it, and they don’t like us to be late.”

Cassie hid a sigh. This was when she missed her parents most. She had no one left to spend holidays with. No one to ask her to dinner on Easter, or any special days. Yet she was taking steps to make new friends, wasn’t she? She’d joined New Beginnings. And she found it exciting and stimulating, both spiritually and in other ways.

She looked around now as the crowd trooped down to the parking lot. Perhaps there were others who were as alone as she who wanted to spend the day together.

Recognizing Lori, Sam Talent and Bonnie Sentry from the New Beginnings bunch, she edged toward them. Perhaps they’d want to go for breakfast if they didn’t have other plans.

Before she could reach them, Cassie saw Lori make a beeline toward Peter and Pastor Mike, a bright smile spreading across her perfectly made-up face. Cassie stopped in her tracks. Should she continue? Lori might not like her interfering.

Peter, his face wearing a blank expression, nodded at something Pastor Mike said as the two men turned and started slowly from the clearing.

Cassie started forward again.

“Well, good morning, Peter,” Lori greeted in a delighted voice. “It’s very good to see you this morning. A bunch of us are heading to breakfast at Dude’s, in Westport. Why don’t you come along?”

Cassie stopped once more. Waited. She wished she was bolder, like Lori, but she couldn’t bring herself to insinuate herself on Lori’s invitation. Disappointed, she turned to head down the pathway.

A hand clamped her shoulder and, startled, she glanced up. Peter had stopped her?

Cassie’s heart started pounding. Peter’s flashing glance held a teasing command before returning to Lori.

“Sounds good to me,” Peter answered. “I missed my coffee this morning, and this woman owes me one. Don’t you, um…?”

His arm slid around her shoulders and Cassie stood perfectly still. In awe and wonder.

“Cassie,” she reminded in a murmur, her heart beating like a kettledrum.

“Are you free?” he muttered into her ear. His breath tickled her skin, and she caught a hint of expensive cologne. “Please say yes.”

“Yes.” She was being used as a rescue date, but it didn’t matter. Saying no was not an option!

Peter raised his voice to answer Lori. “Yeah, thanks. Cassie and I will join you.”

Cassie had no idea if Lori was pleased at her inclusion or not. She was too busy staring at Peter. She heard Lori’s answer as a faraway bell, but couldn’t have repeated what Lori had said if offered a thousand dollars.

“Do you know the place they’re going?” he asked with a quick wink. He slid his hand to her elbow.

“I can find it.” Oh, her voice was actually quivering. He’d think her an absolute freak.

“Where is it?”

“In Westport.”

At his blank look, she explained further. “Westport is a historical district in Kansas City. Near the Country Club Plaza. It’s a popular hangout on weekends for the, um, with-it people.”

“Ah.” He nodded, a gleam of understanding in his eyes. No doubt he was familiar with such places, Cassie thought.

Cassie had never been to any of the popular spots on a Saturday night. Dude’s was well known to draw the older singles crowd. A Sunday morning wouldn’t match what she imagined it to be like then, but she was curious enough to see it.

Several men carried the same chairs down that they’d carried up just two hours before. Cassie spied a box of song sheets, and picked it up to take down to the trucks.

“Are you coming, Pastor Mike?” Peter folded the few chairs he stood near, then hoisted a stack to carry.

“Not this morning, Peter,” Pastor Mike said. “I only have a couple of hours before our formal church service begins, and I must go home to change. Maybe next time.”

“Later?” Peter queried.

“How about tomorrow? Call the office,” the minister suggested. “I’ll be there early.”

“Good. I’ll do that.”

Cassie briefly wondered what the two men had to talk about, but she let the thought go. Then her thoughts swirled on the date she’d suddenly acquired. She was to have breakfast with Peter….

The parking lot rapidly cleared out as Peter helped load the equipment. Cassie ran back up the hill to scan the area for any trash that may have been left, then hurried back down.

Peter pulled on his leather jacket and reached for his helmet. He reminded her of a knight putting on his armor before a jousting tournament.

“Would you like to ride with me?” he asked.

Cassie paused, her car key hovering above her car door. Her mouth dropped and she felt her eyes widen. On the bike?

The motorcycle suddenly seemed to grow like a giant black insect, frightening in its unfamiliarity and remembered roar. She’d be forced to put her arms around his waist for safety…and…and hug him. The thought of climbing on the back of that monster and embracing Peter, of placing her cheek against his back as they rode, sent her into cascades of excitement.

“Are you serious?”

He ran an evaluating glance at her skirt and blouse, and then studied her face. “Actually, not this time. I have an extra helmet, but you should be wearing something more protective if we’re going very far.”

“You could ride with me,” she offered, swallowing her disappointment. Would she really have the nerve to ride on that thing?

That was her trouble, she admonished herself, and the very thing she’d promised herself to change. She’d never been very adventurous when it came to new experiences. Furthermore, her handful of high school dates had done little to prepare her for adult men.

“Don’t think that would be a good idea, do you? Leaving my bike in a park unattended for hours.”

Now was a good time to be bolder. She took a breath and said, “I don’t live too far from here. You can leave it in my drive. It would be safe there.”

“That would work.” He gave an accepting smile. “Lead the way, my lady.”

My lady. Just like a knight in a romantic novel.

Getting into her car, she sighed. Boy, would she have something exciting to tell her teacher friends when school resumed after Easter break. Even if this was only a one-time thing and she never saw Peter again. Even if this was only a pity date.

Glancing through her rearview mirror as she pulled onto the road, she made certain that Peter followed.

He waved. She smiled. Pity date, or not, she’d take it and be happy.