12

The doorbell rang at ten. Angie pushed down the excitement churning her stomach. She opened the door. “Right on time—Will?”

He held out a mass of roses. “Peace offering. Can I come in?”

“Of course.” She stepped aside and closed the door behind him.

He set the vase of flowers on her coffee table and then wrapped her in a gentle embrace. He rested his cheek on her head. “I’m so sorry. You were right. Can you forgive me?”

Grasping his hands, she backed away and drew him down to sit beside her on the sofa. “Of course.”

“I was tired. And it’s been tough having you far away after we’ve been so close for so many years.” He squeezed her hands. “You were right about not letting me stay here.”

She nodded. “I’m glad you came. I hated leaving things between us like we did. When you didn’t answer my texts and calls…”

“Yeah. It was that male E-G-O thing.” His face reddened and perspiration dotted his forehead and upper lip. “Angie, you know I love you.”

She read his thoughts. “Will—”

“I planned to wait ’til Christmas.” He dropped onto one knee and held out a black velvet ring box. “Angela Taylor, I love you. Will you marry me?”

“Oh, Will.” Tears choked her voice. She took a deep breath. “I do love you. I love you for the kind and gentle man you are…but not the way a wife should. Accepting your proposal would be unfair to both of us.”

“I knew I should have never let you go. I should have kept you in Fort Worth.” He slid back onto the couch and set the ring box on the coffee table.

“What does it say about a relationship if you have to keep your partner under your thumb?” She grasped his hands. “Will, you’re a wonderful man, and somewhere out there is a woman who’ll love you the way you deserve.” She stood and drew him up beside her. “I cherish our relationship, the years we had together, and the memories. You’ve been supportive and encouraging. And I will always love you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Is it Adam?” His voice was steady.

“No… Maybe… I don’t know. We hardly know each other.”

Will stood. “Angie, all I want is your happiness. And if I can’t be the one who makes you happy, I want you to find the man who can.” He drew her close and kissed the top of her head. “And I’m willing to wait until you figure it out. I’ll be praying for you…for us.” He loosened his embrace and turned toward the door.

“Will, wait.” She picked up the velvet box and held it out to him. Her tears blurred his face.

He shook his head. “I bought that for you. It’s yours.”

~*~

Adam slowed his truck as he approached Angie’s house. Will’s car. He drove farther down the block and parked by the curb. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he found Angela Taylor in his contacts and sent a text:

“Change of plans. Something’s come up. Sorry.”

He ruffled Lucy’s ears. “Looks as if it’ll just be the two of us today, girl.” He turned the truck around and headed toward the tree lot.

He couldn’t blame her. Nothing like being tied to a thirty-year-old man who had a sixty-year-old body. And as much as he hated to admit it, Will was the better choice. He seemed like a nice guy. They could probably be friends if it wasn’t for the one thing dividing them.

She’d chosen wisely.

He drove into the church parking lot and pulled into one of the designated spaces. He slid out of the truck, and Lucy jumped down beside him. “OK, girl, let’s see what we can find.”

He and Lucy wandered through the rows of trees. They all looked the same. A member of the church youth group approached him. His nametag read Preston. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, Preston. I need two trees. One that’s about ten feet tall, and one that’s about six. Frasier furs if you’ve got ’em.”

“Right over here.”

Josh walked up. “Preston, I’ll take care of this customer.”

“Hey, Josh.”

“Hey.” They headed toward the back section of the tree lot. “So, where’s your sidekick?”

“Sidekick?” He patted Lucy’s head. “Right here.”

“No. Your partner in crime…Angie?” Josh had never been known for minding his own business.

“Something came up. We had a change of plans.”

“What about this one?” Josh held out a tree. “Nice girl. I like her a lot.”

“She’s in a serious relationship.” Adam walked around the tree. “OK, I need another one that’s about six feet.”

Josh motioned for Preston. “Set this aside for Adam.”

They walked to the other end of the row of trees.

“By serious relationship, you mean Will?”

Adam really didn’t want to have this conversation. “They’ve been dating a long time. Several years.”

“Several years? How serious can it be?” Josh held out another tree.

“There were extenuating circumstances. She was working on her master’s.”

“I finished my doctorate at the same time I pastored the church, got married to Hope, and adopted Matt.”

“That’s you. Everybody’s different.” He ran his hands through his hair. “The tree’s fine.”

Josh waved to Preston to take the smaller tree and put it with the other one.

“Adam, I’ve known you a long time. All your life. So, I think I’ve earned the right to give you some fatherly advice. Don’t throw in the towel before you’ve even stepped into the ring.”

Easy for him to say. “See you later, Josh. Thanks for your help.” Adam paid for the trees, and a couple of guys tied them into the bed of his truck.

Lucy jumped into the front seat, and they headed home.

He had to get the tree to Angie, but he wouldn’t do it when she was home, especially if Will was still there. Maybe early next week. He turned down his street and pulled into his driveway. He’d get John next door to help him carry in the larger tree. The smaller one he could manage by himself with no problem. He turned off the truck and texted Angie:

“Ended up having time to get the trees. Pretty busy today and tomorrow. Can bring yours by Monday.”

Before he got his phone back in his pocket, it vibrated.

“Any time Monday’s fine. Let yourself in if it’s during school.”

The phone vibrated again.

“Or come after work, and I’ll fix you dinner. We need to talk.”

He’d definitely take it by Monday during school. The last thing he wanted to do right now was to talk.