Sam came home late on Thursday night, calling himself every kind of fool. He thought he would have known better by now, but that was not the case.
The house was dark and quiet, but that didn’t change his intent. He had to speak to Arcineh, who was just a little more quiet and withdrawn around the office each day. How could he have forgotten that she would never compete for his or Gage’s attention—not with a person and not with a company.
Her bedroom door creaked a little when he opened it, and much as he hated to wake her, Sam left the light on in the hall so he could find his way in.
“Sam?” Arcineh came up on one elbow. “Is something wrong?”
“No, but I have to talk to you.”
Arcineh put her light on and squinted against the glare. Sam sat on the edge of the bed while Arcineh pushed against the headboard, her brain fuzzy with sleep.
“I have to apologize,” Sam said. “I’m all wrapped up in Rugby, and I’m taking Gage with me. I just remembered you. I thought I was over that type of behavior, but I’m not.”
Arcineh nodded, her face thoughtful.
“Are you all right?” Sam asked.
“Gage missed our dance lesson,” she said, her voice sad. “He didn’t call, so I know he didn’t even remember missing it.”
“Oh, honey,” Sam began, but Arcineh went on.
“It feels like old times, Sam,” Arcineh said, and that was not a positive thing.
“I’m sure it does. I’m sorry,” he repeated.
“Maybe I should go away for a while,” Arcineh suggested. “I mean, I’ll still love Gage and want to be with you, but my expectations will be less if I’m not here.”
“No,” Sam denied softly. “That’s not the way to handle this. We’ve got to talk to you more and tell you what we’re doing and how it’s going.”
“How much longer, Sam?” Arcineh asked.
“Probably at least a month, maybe more.”
Arcineh sighed. “I guess if I know the end is in sight, I can hang in there. I’m not trying to be the center of attention. It just feels like I was the thing that Gage was into for a while, and now he’s moved on.”
“I can see how you would feel that way, but that’s not the case. You’ve never expected to be the center of attention, and that makes you easy to set aside. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize anymore.”
Sam nodded before saying, “Give Gage a few more days. We have nonstop meetings tomorrow, so he might not remember right away about that dance lesson, but he will remember.”
“Even if you have to tell him?”
“Yes. I’m part of the reason he’s been drawn away. I’ve thrown myself into this, and he’s naturally followed.”
The Bryants looked at each other. This was not a conversation they could have had in the past. Painful as it was for Arcineh right now, she knew God was working in each of them.
“Will you be able to get back to sleep?”
“I think so. Is all of this making you tired?”
“A little. At the same time, being back in the business world fires my blood.”
Arcineh had to smile at him. He looked just as good as always.
Sam stood and then bent to kiss her cheek. “I love you,” he said.
“I love you, Sam.”
“Are you going to make it?”
Arcineh nodded, suddenly sure that she was. However, when her grandfather exited, she sat thinking about some things she might do, some outside interests. Right now she was spending a little too much time waiting for others to have time. She thought it might not hurt to do a little more with her life.
“Did you want to see me?” Arcineh asked when she entered the office on Friday.
“Yes. Can you take a memo?”
“A memo?” Arcineh asked from across the room, just holding her smile. “It’s a little late in the day, isn’t it?”
Gage looked at the clock. “We have five minutes.”
“I thought with email, memos were pretty outmoded.”
“But if you don’t come in and take a memo, how will I have an excuse to chase you around the desk?”
Arcineh smiled but didn’t answer. She wanted to laugh with delight—Gage always seemed to have that effect on her—but forced herself not to.
“I’ve been waiting for years to do that with my secretary,” Gage continued, his eyes watchful. “And now she’s not just my secretary but the woman I love.”
Arcineh stared at him.
“It’s not a parlor trick. I’m not trying to distract you into thinking I’m not gone as much as I am. I missed our dance lesson last night, and there is no excuse. But that doesn’t change my feelings. I’m in love with you, and this is the real deal for me.”
“You just have to get the company under control.”
“Yes.”
Arcineh stood still, trying to understand her feelings. She loved this man but was afraid too.
“Can you come a little closer?” Gage invited, and Arcineh went to where he was sitting on the front of his desk. She sat next to him, and they looked at each other.
“I am so sorry about last night. I didn’t think of it until lunchtime today.”
“I understand.”
“Do you also understand that I love you?”
“I love you too.”
Gage sighed and put an arm around her. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“I don’t want that either, but I’m also not good at flapping around to get someone’s attention. And all my doubts began to flood back in.”
“Did you think you couldn’t call me about the dance lesson?”
“It would only have interrupted whatever you were doing and made you feel guilty.”
Gage suddenly looked surprised. “We haven’t played tennis, either.”
Arcineh slowly shook her head.
“We’ll make up for all of this. When things settle down, we’ll have the time of our lives. You’ll see so much of me, you’ll want to run away.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Arcineh said, and the two stopped talking. For a long time they looked into each other’s eyes. Gage finally spoke.
“Sometimes I think I started to love you the moment I set eyes on you.”
“Even in those funny shoes and skirts?”
“I saw you before that.”
“Where?”
“At Blankenship Dance and Aerobics. Erika had just worked out and wanted to stay and watch Windy City. I didn’t know who you were, but I was captivated.”
“I didn’t know that,” Arcineh said, her mouth open in surprise.
Gage leaned to kiss that mouth just before someone knocked on the door. It was Sam. They had another meeting. Before Gage let her go he hugged her and reminded her again, this time softly in her ear, that she was loved very much.
“Are you sure?” Jalaina asked, amazed at Arcineh’s offer when she arrived at their apartment on Saturday morning.
“Yes, I’m free all day, now go do something fun. I’ll keep her happy until you have to nurse again.”
Will and Jalaina did not argue. They had not had a day free since Emilie was born. They didn’t have a day now—Emilie still needed her mother—but a few hours alone was a gift they were not going to pass up.
After they left, Arcineh and Emilie played for the better part of an hour before Emilie fell sound asleep. Arcineh was not idle. Putting the baby in her cradle in the living room where she could hear every sound she made, Arcineh began to clean. It was not her favorite task, and she didn’t get past the kitchen and living room before Emilie woke, but it also did the trick. She didn’t think about Gage and Sam until just before Will and Jalaina came back in the door.
Arcineh could not stop crying. Jalaina and Will had stayed after the service on Sunday morning and met with Pastor Simon. The couple had knelt in his office to pray, telling God that they believed on His Son alone. They had come from the church to Sam’s to share the good news.
“You have to stop, Arcie,” Jalaina begged her friend, her own tears flowing unchecked.
“I can’t,” Arcineh said. “I’m so thankful for you, Jalaina. You’ve been the best friend in the world. I’ve begged God to save you, and now He has.”
Will could not stop smiling. He had not known what he was missing and could not stop thanking Sam for all his words and prayers.
“And now I can share with my family,” Jalaina said at last. Arcineh nodded, having prayed for Grandma, Marco, Nicky, and Libby so many times.
The Schafers didn’t linger, and as soon as they left, Arcineh wished that Gage was home so she could share the news. Things were just starting to come together at Rugby, and Gage had gone on his annual bike ride with friends from college.
Arcineh talked to him in her mind for the rest of the day, and when the phone rang before dinner, she hoped it would be Gage. It was Erika. Gage had fallen from his bike and was in the hospital. Sam and Arcineh rushed to the car and made a beeline for the hospital.
“Erika?” Gage asked from his hospital bed, his eyes still closed. “Are you still in here?”
“Yes.”
“Have you gotten ahold of Arcie? I have to talk to her.”
“Gage.” Arcineh said his name and took his hand when he reached for her. His grip was surprisingly strong, and he was not letting go.
“I didn’t know you were here,” he said, sounding choked up, his eyes still closed.
“I’m here,” she said, sitting as close as the side rails on the bed would allow.
“Don’t go.”
“I won’t.”
Arcineh glanced and saw again the helmet on the windowsill. A large dog had darted out without warning and straight into the side of Gage’s bike. Gage’s head had hit the pavement, a blow that would have likely killed him had he not been wearing that helmet. He also had broken ribs to contend with and multiple abrasions.
Thank You, Lord, Arcineh prayed. Thank You for sparing him. Help him to recover and to remember Your hand in this. Please use this to make me more aware of how fragile our lives are.
“Marry me,” Gage suddenly said.
Arcineh watched Erika’s hand go to her mouth, her eyes flood with tears.
“There you go again, picking those romantic settings,” she teased Gage, working not to cry herself.
“What do you mean?”
“Our first real kiss was in your garage, then you told me you loved me in your office, and now you propose in a hospital room.”
“You deserve better,” he said seriously, his hand still gripping hers.
“I was just teasing.”
“Don’t go,” he said again.
“Don’t worry about my leaving. Just get better.”
“Okay,” Gage agreed on a sigh, his voice sleepy again. Arcineh stayed close, but she knew the very moment he slept; the hand holding hers so tightly had gone completely limp.
Gage woke up early in the hospital, his mind going over the events of the last few days. You are a saving God, Gage’s heart prayed, still amazed that God had spared him. His head still pained him quite a bit, but he could tell he was going to be all right. Thank You, Father. Thank You for loving me so much and having a perfect plan.
All over this hospital, people are sick and even dying, and I know comfort because You are in control. Please save each heart in this place, Lord, Gage continued to pray, remembering the things Simon had been teaching. Help me to be a light in any way that glorifies You, Lord. Even in pain, help me to keep my mind fixed on You.
Gage prayed himself back to sleep, a peaceful sleep. When he woke again, the nurse was there with his breakfast. Gage thanked her, asked how she was, and remembered to pray for her as well, so deep was his gratitude that God had brought him to this place.
Luke and Erika brought Gage home. It had taken some doing. His car had to be retrieved, along with his bike, which was not in the best shape. Luke pulled the car into the driveway, parking alongside a brand new bike with a helmet hanging from the bars. They appeared to be the very image of his old bike and helmet, and Gage got out of the car as fast as his body would allow.
He looked in amazement at the new bike, knowing exactly who had done this but not sure how she had accomplished it. Without further ado, Gage turned for Sam’s.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Luke said, taking his brother-in-law by the arm and steering him back to his own front door. “The doctor said to take it very easy.”
“I have to see Arcie.”
“We’ll get her over here. Just come in and rest.”
But Luke wasn’t able to make good on his word. He went next door to get Arcineh but was told she wasn’t there. This news received, Gage was on his cell phone seconds later. He had to work very hard on his attitude when he got nothing but her voice mail for the next hour.
Arcineh was on her way home when her phone rang. She almost didn’t pick up, but the light changed and she found herself sitting.
“Hello.”
“Hello, yourself.”
“Gage! Hi! Are they letting you out?”
“I’m home.”
“You’re home?” This threw Arcineh off. “I didn’t think it would be this early.”
“Well, I am, and I can’t find my girlfriend.”
“I’m coming! I was just at Nicky’s helping Libby with some wallpaper, but I’m on my way.”
“Hurry,” Gage said. “Be safe, but hurry.”
Arcineh hung up on a laugh and went directly to Gage’s. She knocked on the front door but went in when she found it open. Gage was halfway across the foyer, and although he finished the distance rather slowly, he came directly to her and took her in his arms.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Arcineh said, her arms moving very carefully.
“Just don’t squeeze too hard around my middle.”
Arcineh’s arms settled around his neck. That done, she looked up at him.
“Did you find your presents?”
“Yes. How did you manage that?”
“Sam and I made phone calls and then ran all over Chicago.”
Gage looked down into her face.
“You’re amazing.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Gage tightened his hold a little, his face growing serious. “I don’t want to waste any more time. My accident could have been fatal. We’ve got Rugby where it needs to be, and I want to get on with my life.”
“Okay,” Arcineh agreed, not sure what she was supposed to say.
“You didn’t answer my question,” Gage said.
“What question?”
“The one in the hospital.”
Arcineh smiled before saying, “You were in a drug-induced state. I wasn’t sure you meant it.”
“I meant it.”
“In that case, yes, I’ll marry you, Gage Sefton.”
Gage was done waiting. He claimed Arcineh’s lips with his own, all aches and pains from the accident fading away in the sweetness of her embrace.
“Is it official?” Mallory asked her boss when he was back on the job several days later.
“Yes. I mean, we haven’t set a date, but she said yes.”
“Why isn’t she wearing a ring?”
Gage stared at his assistant. Why hadn’t he thought of this?
“Is she wearing a ring?” Mallory asked.
“No, but thank you for saying something. I completely forgot.”
Mallory’s eyes twinkled at him, but she didn’t comment. Gage managed to smile back at her, but his mind was already at work. His acumen at romance had been lacking so far. It was time to pull out the stops. Gage asked not to be disturbed and disappeared into his office to solve this problem.
“So how is Margo working out?” Arcineh asked about the new assistant, the one who had made her redundant.
“Very well, liked by all.”
“I’m glad. Where are we going, by the way?”
The two were in Gage’s car and headed out for the evening. Gage had said it would not be fancy, and since the weather had turned very warm, they were both in shorts.
“I’m in the mood to go to the Shedd,” Gage said just before they got close enough for Arcineh to figure it out.
“That’s always good news.”
“I thought you might say that,” Gage said as they parked, praying and working to keep his heartbeat at a normal pace. He had a ring in his pocket and wanted to bring it out at just the right moment.
They started at the Caribbean Reef before slowly making their way toward the Oceanarium. The dolphin show was over, so they sat for a while and looked out at the lake, but eventually Gage took Arcineh’s hand and led her to the walkway outside. The sun was setting—streaks of red and orange could be seen in the sky—and Gage slipped an arm around Arcineh and drew her close.
“I think it’s time I make this official,” he said quietly.
Arcineh looked at him, not sure what he was talking about until she saw the ring he held in two fingers.
“Oh, Gage,” she breathed, her heart beginning to thunder as she looked at the large diamond surrounded by sapphires, her favorite stone. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Then it’s perfect for you.”
Arcineh watched as he pushed it onto the ring finger of her left hand before throwing her arms around his neck. Gage caught her close, giving her a long kiss before turning her and pointing to the windows of the Soundings Restaurant.
“I think they’re ready for us.”
Arcineh’s mouth opened when she saw whom he’d gathered. Sam, Violet, Jalaina, Will, Quinn, Pastor Simon and his wife, Nicole, Grandma, Marco, Nicky, and Libby were all waving from the window.
Arcineh turned back to Gage and threw her arms around him again. “I’m going to love being married to you.”
“Was there ever a doubt?” he asked, his eyes alight with love.
“Not a one,” she told him as his lips drew near. “Not a one.”