Four

Juli beckoned to Alan. “We’ll be late if we don’t get moving,” she called.

He lifted the bucket into the air. “What about cleaning up?”

She loved the way he’d come on the scene and seemed to give the job his all, from onions to the cleanup detail. He never complained. “Bill lets people go early to make the service on time. Others are willing to clean up.”

He held up one finger and pointed to the storage room then came bounding toward her and linked his arm in hers. “Let’s go.”

He pulled her toward the front door, but she stopped him. “Everyone’s waiting in the back.”

His smile faded. “Everyone?”

She realized he hadn’t understood her invitation. “I mentioned sometimes others like to go along. I thought you knew.”

Alan’s mouth tugged into a half smile, and Juli sensed he’d struggled to put it there.

“I guess I didn’t hear that part. It’s not a problem.” He released her arm and strode toward the back door of the kitchen.

But it was a problem, and she knew it. What could she do? Others liked to attend the service, and she’d always been happy they wanted to hear God’s Word. Thoughts tossed in her head as Juli decided not to say anything more. She hoped Alan would understand and enjoy the praise service with the rest of them.

The others joined them as they came outside, and they headed down the alley to the sidewalk then made their way to the church. Music streamed through the open door, and as they stepped inside, the spirit of the worship filled her. Among those who had come were some of the homeless who found strength in the Lord.

The group slid into chairs, most sitting together. Before she could slip in beside Alan, a new volunteer she hadn’t met had shifted between them, and she had no way to correct the situation without making the newcomer feel unwelcome. She leaned around the man and smiled, but Alan didn’t smile back. Instead he shrugged and looked toward the platform.

Juli managed to keep her eyes forward and ignore him. When she’d invited him to attend worship, she’d never said it was a date. She would have liked that, but a number of people attended the special services together, and it had become a tradition. They gathered by the back door and walked over together.

With Alan’s silence, Juli’s thoughts drifted. She recalled Megan had said she’d be at the soup kitchen tonight, but she hadn’t shown up. The music began, and voices lifted in praise, but tonight her voice seemed constricted. She gave in and glanced Alan’s way, but he only looked toward the praise group singing.

Juli lowered her head. Her purpose here was to worship and not stare at Alan. She felt ashamed of her preoccupation and sent up a prayer asking for God’s help, but as she prayed, an uncomfortable weight pressed against her stomach. The heat of the room and the stench of those who didn’t have the luxury of a shower filled her nostrils then churned inside her. Unable to sit any longer, she explained to the person sitting beside her that she had to leave. She looked at Alan then decided to let it go.

While the crowd stood, clapping their hands to the rhythm of the music, Juli slid past the worshipers to the end of the row and hurried outside. She drew in a deep breath of warm fresh air and wondered why she felt so ill. She looked down the dimly lit street toward the soup kitchen then lifted her shoulders and strode toward her car. She would explain everything to Alan the next time she saw him.

Each dark doorway sent a trickle of fear along her limbs. Anyone could be hidden against the inset of the shop doors, the homeless or someone out for no good. Juli had always walked back from worship to her car with the others, and she hadn’t thought about being in a crime area. She moved closer to the street and increased her pace.

The farther Juli walked away from the church, the more edgy she became. She gripped her shoulder bag to her side and increased her speed. As she approached the corner with one more block to go, a hand jutted out from a shadowy store entrance. A sharp pressure jammed against her shoulder as the strap of her purse dug into her skin. Fear clenched her throat. She tried to pull away but suddenly tripped over something—was it the thief’s leg?—and fell to the ground. Her handbag was yanked from her arm, and she heard heavy steps running off.

“Stop!” An angry voice cut through the night.

She heard footsteps again, this time coming closer, then Alan’s breathless words. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, but he grabbed my bag.”

Alan dashed off in pursuit of the purse snatcher.

Tears rolled from her eyes, and nausea rose to her throat. She swallowed the acrid bile and sat a moment to gain control while her mind went over all the things she’d have to replace. A new driver’s license, her cell phone, her house key, credit cards—so many things she’d have to cancel and—

She pushed herself upward, her hands stinging from skidding across the concrete sidewalk. Brushing away the dirt, she felt the burning sensation increase; she saw the skin peeled back but no serious damage. She looked up and noticed a police car heading her way. It rolled to a stop at the curb, and the officer leaned out of the window.

“Are you okay, miss?”

She nodded. “I’m fine. Just frightened.” To her surprise, Alan stepped from the other side of the vehicle. Knowing he was there helped her feel more secure.

“Can you give me a description?” The officer had left his car and was standing beside her.

“I didn’t see him. He jumped out of there.” She pointed to the shadowy door entrance.

“That’s always the way. Come down to the station if you want to make a report.”

“I’m fine. Thanks.”

He got back into his car, nodded to her, and drove off.

Alan drew closer. “Are you sure the guy didn’t hurt you?” He put his arm around her.

Tears blurred her eyes, and she released the torrent.

Alan nestled her against his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered when she’d gained control. “I didn’t mean to cry.”

He stepped back. “You’re sorry? Juli, you could have been injured or killed. Thugs will do anything for money.”

“I was so stupid to leave the church, but—”

He pressed his finger to her lips. “But nothing.” He lifted her hands and saw her skinned palms. “You need to get some antiseptic on these hands.”

“I’m fine. . .except for my shoulder bag.”

His expression changed to a silly grin. “Here.”

He was clasping her bag in his other hand.

Her eyes opened wide. “Wow! I guess you’re my superhero. How did you get it?”

“When the kid darted around the corner, the cop pulled up, and he dropped your purse and ran. The officer made a call then drove me back here.”

Grateful, she smiled and patted his arm. “You saved me from having to replace everything in it.”

“You can thank the cop. He saw me chasing the guy and figured out what had happened. I’m sure that’s what scared the guy away.”

“Praise God for that.” She hugged her bag to her chest. “How can I thank you?”

“Now that’s an interesting question.” He linked his arm with hers and took a step toward the car then stopped. “But first tell me why you left the church.”

She lowered her head, realizing the scare had replaced her sick feeling. Juli told him about the heat and her nausea. “I wasn’t thinking about the walk back to the car.”

“No more of that. Never walk alone. Promise me.”

Her pulse skipped at the concern in his voice. “I promise. It was thoughtless.”

“That’s right. It was.”

His grin unsettled her. “Don’t be so enthusiastic.”

“The only thing I’m enthusiastic about is taking you up on that offer.”

She faltered and turned to him. “What offer?”

“You asked what you can do to thank me.”

In the dim light she could still see the twinkle in his eye. “And what would that be?”

“Seeing me sometime outside the soup kitchen.”

“I’m seeing you right now.”

“Seeing as in a date.”

“You want me to go out on a date with you?” Her heart thundered.

“It would make me very happy. Plus it would pay off your indebtedness.”

“I’m known for always paying my bills.”

He slipped his arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick hug. “That’s what I hoped.”

Her laugh joined his. Somehow Alan usually managed to say the right thing, and tonight it was the most right thing she’d heard in a long time.

❧

Alan ripped off his protective gloves, moved to the next patient, pulled on a fresh pair of gloves, and stepped beside the nurse. He eyed the monitors then studied the deep gash in the patient’s chest. “Maintain compression.” The wound lay too close to the heart for his expertise. “Call surgical. Stat.”

Another major car pileup. His mind spun with the horror one speeding driver could cause. He tore off his gloves and tossed them in the receptacle then brushed the perspiration from his eyes and glanced at the clock. His heart sank. His date with Juli.

As the patient with the chest wound was being wheeled to surgery, Alan drew in a lengthy breath, thinking of the stressful day. The man had been the last injury brought in from the accident, and Alan knew he could leave.

He took the hall toward the locker room then veered away and strode to the cafeteria. He’d been without food for hours.

Why had he been so negligent? Juli had suggested meeting him in Monterey. She insisted, and he hadn’t even asked for her telephone number. Hours had passed since they were to meet. He could picture her waiting fifteen minutes, a half hour, an hour, then leaving. She’d be long gone and angrier than a cornered bear, and he wouldn’t blame her.

Alan headed for the sandwich bar, selected a tuna-filled pita wrap, and paid for it and a coffee at the cashier. He spotted a table looking into the courtyard and sank into a chair. Though he was hungry, his appetite had waned at the realization he’d missed his first date with Juli. What would she think of him? If she heard about the accident, she may have guessed. If not, he was history.

A hand pressed against his shoulder, and he jumped.

“What’s up with you?” Tom pulled out a chair and sat down.

“Another accident today.”

“I know. We had a full house in the surgical unit.”

Tom eyed him, and Alan waited for his next question.

“What’s really troubling you? You’ve handled a truckload of accident cases. That’s nothing new.”

Alan sank deeper into the chair, not wanting to tell Tom, whose mouth was often bigger than the Pacific. “I had a date tonight.”

Tom shrugged. “She’ll understand. Getting involved with a physician makes it part of the deal.”

Guilt rolled up Alan’s back. “She doesn’t know I’m a physician.”

“You’re kidding.” His eyes widened like two blue moons.

Alan shook his head. “I have my reasons.”

“Who is she? She can’t be from here.”

Alan gave up. “Juli. From the soup kitchen. But listen—I want you to keep your mouth shut if you’re going back there.” He gave Tom a probing look. “When you were there last time, you didn’t make the big announcement I was a physician, did you?”

“I didn’t say anything about you. Why would I? I figured they knew, and I talked about me.”

“They don’t know, and I want to keep it that way. It’s not why I’m there, and it’s important to me that it’s not broadcast around.”

A crooked grin grew on Tom’s face. “So the good Christian boy has told a lie.”

“No, I haven’t.”

Tom’s smile slid to a questioning look. “How did you avoid that?”

“Juli asked what I did, and I said I worked at the hospital in the ER and nursed people back to health. That’s all the truth.”

“She thinks you’re a nurse, then, I suppose. Why the secret? You should be proud you’re a physician, pal.”

How could he answer this question without going into his background and his motivation? “I don’t have to be a physician to volunteer at the soup kitchen. I want to be me and not a doctor. Can you understand?”

Tom frowned. “I guess not.”

Alan didn’t understand himself either, but it was important to him. “Can you keep your mouth shut? Please don’t say anything to anyone. Let me do that when I’m ready.”

Tom shook his head. “Whatever you say, pal.”

Alan took a bite of his sandwich, wishing the subject hadn’t come up. Maybe he was being foolish about this, but for once in his life he wanted to be Alan Louden, volunteer at a soup kitchen. He didn’t want to be anyone special, and he certainly couldn’t practice medicine at a soup kitchen.

He lifted his gaze and saw Tom staring at him. “What?”

“I’m trying to figure you out. That’s not easy.”

“Sorry.”

“Then tell me about Juli. I didn’t know you had a thing for her, although I don’t blame you.”

“I don’t have a thing for her. She’s a nice woman, and things fell in place for me to ask her for a date.”

“What kind of things?”

Alan gave up again. Tom was worse than a nosy neighbor, so he told him about the purse-snatching incident.

“You’re a hero in her eyes.” He rose and slapped Alan on the back. “Good thinking.”

“I didn’t plan it.”

Tom squeezed his shoulder. “I know. Maybe it was providence.” He waved. “I’m not off duty yet, so I’d better get back.”

Alan watched him vanish around the tray return and let his word sink in. Providence. To Alan that meant God. Was meeting Juli God’s doing? For the first time since he’d left the ER, his shoulders relaxed. If this were God’s doing, then he had nothing to worry about.

❧

Juli parked her car in the Del Monte Shopping Center outside Elli’s Great American Restaurant. She’d agreed to meet Megan for dinner and then shopping, but her heart wasn’t in it. The mall was crowded, and she’d stood much of the day at the Garlic Garden pitching in to help with the busy store again and watching her paperwork pile up.

“I can’t fool myself,” she mumbled, sliding from her car and heading for the restaurant. She knew her non-date with Alan had set her on edge. She hadn’t expected him to stand her up. He seemed too real and thoughtful. It took her back to high school days when she’d longed for a date, and then when one finally happened, she’d been stood up. So many disappointments.

Juli reviewed over and over what she and Alan had agreed on. She was to meet him in Monterey Joe’s parking lot at six. Alan worked in Monterey, and it saved her from admitting she lived in Gilroy. Another totally useless worry. She had to give that problem to the Lord.

Juli had even hoped she’d set her watch wrong—anything but to be stood up. The time had been accurate. That night she’d waited until after 6:45, every minute torture.

“Hey, girlfriend!”

Juli turned toward Megan’s voice and saw her coming through the parking lot, waving.

She waved back and headed for Elli’s.

Megan greeted her outside the entrance and flopped her arm over her shoulder. “You look tired. Up late?”

“No,” Juli said, wanting to stay away from the subject but knowing that wouldn’t be possible.

“No?” Megan opened the door and motioned her inside. “Something’s wrong?”

Juli let the hostess distract them as she guided them to a table and handed them each a menu. Juli flipped it open and studied the fare, hoping that time would move their conversation to a new topic. “I think I’ll get something fattening like the All-American Burger.” She closed the menu. “And their fresh-cut fries.”

“Hmm. That’s not like you. You’re always watching calories.” She tossed her menu on the table. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” She could say that honestly.

Megan didn’t appear to be dissuaded “What didn’t happen, then?”

“Come on, Megan. If I wanted to talk about it, I would.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I thought this was a fun evening for us. Shopping and dinner. Grill the burger, not me.”

Megan grasped the menu again and flipped it open. She didn’t say a word, and Juli’s chest ached that she’d spoken so harshly to her friend.

Juli waited a moment then spoke. “Megan.”

Her friend’s eyes remained focused on the menu.

“Listen. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Megan didn’t move for a second; then her head inched upward over the menu, and she looked into Juli’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to grill you. I’m your friend, and I care what happens to you.”

“I know you do.” A waitress stopped at their table, and Juli faltered. “Let’s order, and then I’ll tell you.”

When the waitress had gone, Juli told her about Alan and the purse snatcher.

“Why did you go out on that street alone at night? You know better than that.”

“I wasn’t thinking.”

“Juli, you treat the homeless with such compassion, but not everyone out there in the world is as kind as you are. You have to be careful.”

“I know. I wasn’t feeling well, and—” She thought back to that night. “I’d upset Alan unintentionally, and I think that just got to me.”

“Upset him?”

She explained the misunderstanding then continued. “But I felt better when he ran after the guy who took my bag. He brought it back, and the whole situation led to a date. I’m so startled he stood me up.”

“He stood you up? Didn’t he at least call to explain what happened?”

The question sank into her thoughts like an anchor. “I never gave him my phone number. He never asked, and I didn’t think about it. Not too bright of me.”

“Or him,” Megan said.

The waitress appeared with their drinks, and the conversation halted until she left.

Juli grasped the iced tea and took a long, cool drink.

Megan moved her glass to the side of her plate. “You said Alan works at the hospital in the ER. Did you know about the horrible pileup yesterday? He might have gotten held up at work.”

“What accident? You mean the one on Highway 1?”

“No, that was a week or so ago. This was a different one. A speeder lost control, and a number of cars were involved. I think it was on Highway 68.”

The possibility washed over her. Had Alan been held up at work? An accident should have entered her mind. She’d seen enough ER TV shows with all the doctors and nurses scurrying around after a highway tragedy. She knew his work would come first.

“You’ve made an assumption and judged Alan without knowing what really happened.”

God’s Word flew into her thoughts. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Juli lowered her head. “I’m too inexperienced with these emotions, Megan. It’s been too long since I’ve even given one look at a man, and now I’m so afraid.”

“Afraid?”

“Of being hurt, I guess. I really like Alan. He’s intelligent and funny, but I see something in his eyes. A kind of compassion or deep hurt. Something. I don’t know him well enough yet to understand, but I know it’s there.”

“Then give the relationship time.”

“I suppose I’m rushing things, but it’s just a feeling—”

“Maybe it’s the Lord talking to you. You need to listen.”

Juli’s fingers uncoiled from the glass. “I wish this weren’t so important to me. I feel like a kid instead of an adult.”

Megan slipped her hand over Juli’s. “When the heart is involved, we’re kids again. Talk to the Lord. Let Him guide your heart, Juli. You just met this guy, but if it’s part of the Lord’s plan, then don’t worry.”

A ragged breath escaped. “Thanks, Megan. I needed to hear that.” She thought for a moment then moved to a new topic. “I thought you were coming to the soup kitchen last week.”

“I meant to, but things happened.”

“Alan brought a friend with him.”

“Really.” Megan grinned. “Are you playing matchmaker?”

“Maybe. I’ll see you next week. Right?”