| |
Micah arrived at seven o’clock for his shift at the fire station. The sun wasn’t up yet, but he could feel it shining in his soul. The night before with Marla had been great. He hadn’t imagined that he could feel this way again for any other woman, and only after one date. It was true that he had noticed her beauty and petite build the first time he had seen her standing in Marlena’s living room, but he hadn’t anticipated feeling this way. Her spunk had been a surprise, but he loved that about her. He had also not forgotten the look of love and concern in her eyes when she had sewn up his arm. Stepping out of his truck, he noticed that each step felt more energized than it had in a long time. Marla made his heart sing, and she had filled a void in his soul. He only hoped that he did the same for her.
“Hey, Micah,” said Lewis as Micah entered the kitchen.
“Hey, Lewis. What’s up? Anything going on?” Micah asked. He could smell the aroma of fresh coffee, eggs, and bacon as he walked toward the coffee pot.
“Nothing new,” said Lewis, who was scrambling eggs. “Are you hungry? I made enough for both of us. There’s bacon in the microwave.”
Lewis looked up at Micah. He squinted his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows. “Something is different about you,” he said.
“Nope. It’s the same me. Nothing new,” Micah replied.
“No, something is definitely different. Did you get your hair cut?” Lewis asked.
“No,” replied Micah, pulling a coffee cup from the cabinet.
Lewis continued to study him. “You got some sleep last night, right?” Lewis asked.
Micah poured a cup of coffee and took a sip. He leaned back against the kitchen counter. He said, “Actually, I hardly slept last night. I was up until about two-thirty.”
Lewis pursed his lips as he put the scrambled eggs on two plates and added three slices of bacon to each one. He handed one of the dishes to Micah. He asked, “Then, what’s your deal?”
“Thanks,” Micah said as he sat down and started eating the eggs. “There’s nothing wrong with me. Maybe, I’m just happy.”
“Bingo! That’s it. I haven’t ever seen you smile this much. Your aura is full of energy, man.”
Micah just looked at him and smiled more.
Lewis exclaimed, “Man, you’re in love!”
Micah raised his eyebrows and kept smiling without saying anything.
“You’re seeing that ER doctor, Marla, aren’t you?” He asked with excitement in his voice.
Micah just kept eating. He teased, “These eggs are great, and this is the best bacon I’ve ever tasted. You’re a great cook. Have you ever considered being a chef if this fire thing doesn’t work out?”
Lewis smiled at him and shook his head back-and-forth. He was quiet for a moment while he ate his eggs. “I’m happy for you. She seems like a great gal. It’s good to see you happy.”
Micah replied, “Thanks. I feel pretty lucky.”
Lewis asked, “So, I guess her divorce is final? I mean that dude won’t be coming around, right? I don’t know much about the situation. I just know he was bad news and no good for her. I heard he knows where she’s staying now. Are you worried that he might show up?”
Micah felt his gut tighten, and his face become stern at the mention of Marla’s ex-husband. “The divorce is final. The guy is a jerk, and Marla deserves better. From what I understand, he is the one who wanted the divorce, and he ran off with someone else. He’d better not show his face around here.”
Lewis nodded. “She deserves you, man.”
Micah relaxed again. “Thanks.” He paused to chew up his last piece of bacon before he asked, “What about you? Don’t think I don’t know about you and Lisa. What’s going on there?”
Lewis grinned from ear-to-ear. “Yeah, I really think she’s something. I love spending time with her.” He paused and then said, “You know, she has become such a big part of my life in such a short time.”
Micah nodded and said, “I know what you mean.”
Later that afternoon, Micah headed to Marla’s house for an early dinner and movie. Marla answered the front door wearing jeans and a navy-blue sweater. “Hey there, c’mon in.”
“I brought beef patties and hamburger buns,” Micah said, smiling and headed toward the kitchen.
“Sounds great. I bought some baked beans and corn on the cob. I can have those ready soon.”
“When’s the last time you used that grill?” Micah asked, pointing toward the back deck.
“Probably the last time you used it. I haven’t touched it,” she replied.
“I’ll check it out and see if there is enough gas in the tank,” Micah said as he exited the back door.
Marla stood in the kitchen, staring at the back door. This exchange with Micah had been awkward and a little uneasy. He had bypassed a greeting hug or kiss and headed straight for the kitchen. He did have his hands full. Maybe he was just staying on task. Perhaps these awkward moments were just part of getting to know him. She wasn’t comfortable around him yet, and she figured that would take time. Part of her worried that he had changed his mind about her while the other part of her reassured herself that this newness was normal.
Micah stepped back inside the back door. “It’s chilly out there.” He blew a warm breath into his hands. “We’re good on gas. I fired it up, and I’ll be ready to put the patties on soon.”
“Okay, I’ll get started on the beans and corn,” she replied.
After dinner, they settled onto the couch to watch a movie. Sitting next to each other, Marla was surprised that Micah seemed distant. He had only engaged in small talk this evening. She began to worry that he was having second thoughts about exploring more time with her. As the movie played, Marla couldn’t focus on the plot. She couldn’t stop wondering what was wrong with Micah. Halfway through, Marla finally used the remote to pause the movie.
Micah looked over at her. “You need a break?”
Marla stared at him. “I think we need to talk.”
“Okay, sure, what do you want to talk about?” He asked.
Marla squirmed at the awkwardness of the situation.
She said, “Is everything okay with you?”
He answered, “Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”
“You’ve been different today—more reserved and quieter. Did I do something wrong?”
Micah was quiet for a few seconds. Finally, he exhaled a sigh and said, “I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
“A lot, as in us?” She asked.
“Yeah, us, Allie, how fast this is moving. I think I’m a little overwhelmed,” he said.
Marla sat quietly. Micah continued, “I want this, you and me, I really do, but it scares me at the same time. I never thought I’d open my heart up to someone other than Allie, and I am. It’s awesome and terrifying at the same time.”
Marla nodded. “I know what you mean. After Charlie, I didn’t think I could trust another man. This is scary for me, too.”
Silence filled the room for several minutes. The only sound came from the fire crackling in the fireplace. Marla wasn’t sure why, but she could feel her heart breaking. She wanted to be with Micah, regardless of the timing. She took a deep breath and finally broke the silence.
“Do you want to slow things down?”
Micah looked at her and then took her hand in his. “Look at me.”
Marla turned to look at him with tear glistened eyes.
“I don’t want to lose you. I know this is scary for both of us, but I believe God brought us together at this time for a reason. I want to give this a chance. I’ll take it as slow as we need to, but I want to keep moving forward with you.”
Marla exhaled a sigh of relief and reached for Micah to hug him. They embraced for several seconds before looking at each other again. “Do you want to take a chance with me?” Micah asked.
Marla nodded as a tear ran down her cheek.
Micah reached for her chin, gently pulling her face to his, and kissed her tenderly.