How on earth had she allowed this to happen? Let her guard down low enough to come under the spell of a man who could and would wield power over her future with the stroke of his fancy fountain pen. A man who belonged to a profession that had rightly earned the skepticism of mankind in general and certainly hers in particular. And worse still, a man who would return to the home and life he loved in just a couple more days.
A life that was an ocean and a world away.
What would her father say when he heard that she’d been bailed out that morning by Barrett? More importantly, how could he trust the daughter who’d spent her life campaigning to oversee Hearth and Home once he discovered she’d crossed the line between professional and personal behavior? Everything she held most dear was in jeopardy.
And until today she hadn’t known that at greatest risk of all was her own heart.
It had never been broken because she’d never exposed it. Now it seemed heartache was imminent and she was helpless to prevent it.
Sisterly arms encircling Casey, the two leaned forehead to forehead as Savannah began to pray.
“Abba Father, You promise that when we are in relationship with You we can trust in Your timing, trust in Your perfect plan. You reveal Your will for our lives as we seek You and we come together, seeking You now.
“Casey is hurting, Lord, and for the first time in forever she’s confused about which way to turn. There’s so much more at stake here than just her work. She’s opened her heart and she’s unsure of the consequences. She’s been my lifelong friend and I know anyone Casey takes close, she treasures with all her being. Nothing short of true love will make her whole. So, Father, if it’s Your will for this new relationship to blossom into something everlasting, we ask You to reveal Your plan and give my sister peace and purpose for her future.”
“Amen and amen,” they chorused.
Casey reached for a tissue to blow her nose. “How am I going to confess all this to my family?”
“Honey, you’re a grown woman and you haven’t done anything that requires or needs confessing. Just take this one day at a time and see where it goes.”
“But I only have a couple more days, period.”
“Then go make the most of them but keep a cool head. Enjoy the hours you have left together. From what I’ve witnessed he’s already had a healthy dose of unvarnished Casey, so drop the Warden act with the man and just go be a woman.”
“But what about the heebie-jeebies? I think I might be allergic again.”
“Huh?”
“You know, allergic to Barrett. Ever since he showed up I’ve been on the verge of a full-blown attack. That hasn’t happened since our junior year at Iowa State when I was dating that creep, Howard. Remember how we figured out that it had something to do with a physiological reaction to him?”
“Silly girl.” Savannah petted Casey’s head. “I just said that to make you feel better about dumping the jerk. You were in a caustic relationship and you were carrying a very heavy academic load at the same time. The guy was a loser. You were determined to turn him around and it ate away all your self-confidence when you couldn’t make it happen. The only way to get you over it was to get you out of it.”
“So you made all that stuff up about studying it in psych class?”
“Yep. Pretty good, huh?” She winked, obviously proud of the deception.
“I can’t believe I fell for a story like that.”
“Yeah, well that story and a year’s worth of Prozac got you through a rough patch. If you need to say you’re allergic to Barrett, I’ll go along with that, too. But I think it’s just the opposite this time. Deep down inside, you think this man could be exactly what you want, but the place and the time may be all wrong. Only God knows the answers and He’s always right.”
“Thanks for your love and prayers, but I still don’t know what I’m going to do.” Casey pulled Savannah close again, so grateful for their friendship. So desperate for guidance.
“You’re going to wait patiently and see what God reveals in the coming days.”
The chiming of the doorbell caused the two to jump.
“Finish freshening up. I’ll get the door.”
Casey grabbed an orange tank top from her closet. She brushed her teeth and then twisted her hopeless hair into a chignon with no effort to subdue the twangers that sprang free.
“Ready or not, here I come.”
Barrett was speechless at the sight Casey made when she joined them on the patio. She was refreshed and rested, the darkness above her cheekbones had faded. Her sparkling eyes were alight with emotion, her hair caught up in a beguiling way that took his breath. She’d changed into a blouse that revealed tanned and toned arms from the weeks of working shoulder to shoulder with her laborers. The woman wouldn’t shy away from anything difficult, not hard work and not tough situations. Perhaps she was prepared to handle the demands of the job, after all.
“Howdy, young lady,” Cooper greeted her from his seat at the outdoor table.
She took a chair and Barrett was pleased to see her fill a plate with the grilled potato and steak he’d just taken off the barbecue.
“I hope I didn’t wake you when I called, but I wanted to drop this by.” Cooper placed a thick legal-size packet on the glass surface between them.
“I was so far gone that I never heard the phone,” she replied casually enough but leaned away from the envelope as if it were a scorpion.
“We could barely hear the ringing ourselves over the racket,” Barrett quipped.
“Racket?”
“You were snoring like a bullfrog with adenoid problems.” Savannah grinned at Barrett.
“Thank you, both, for your observations and for making me comfortable in my own home.”
“It’s a gift,” Savannah announced as she spread a napkin across her lap. “We’ve already blessed the food so bon appétit.”
“What’s this, Coop?” Casey nudged the packet beside her place mat.
“Take a look.”
“I’d rather not. It seems lawyerly, so you do it.”
She cocked an eyebrow at Barrett who winked to reassure her that not all lawyerly things were bad.
“Suit yourself.” Cooper dug into his meal, ignoring the envelope she scooted his way. “But I thought it was important to give you this news tonight. That, and I couldn’t pass up a rare steak with my name on it.”
He shaved off a large chunk of beef and chewed with gusto while Casey held her breath to hear what was so vital. When he reached for the steak sauce and busied himself with a stubborn cap she lost patience.
“Coop!”
“Oh, sorry.” He grinned and feigned apology.
“Don’t fret. It’s good news. The city loved your plan to build a park dedicated to Native Americans and they’re offering to assist with funding as long as you employ local artists and craftsmen. During our grand opening they want to do a whole tourism campaign around your idea.”
Barrett watched the muscles in Casey’s jaw tense as she gritted her teeth.
“Is that strip hard to chew, Casey? I tenderized it myself.” Savannah must have noticed, as well.
“The steak’s wonderful. It’s taking credit for that park idea that’s impossible to swallow.” She returned her fork and knife to the place mat, her food no longer of interest. “Barrett came up with the suggestion and he deserves the credit.”
She looked toward the spot where he leaned against the balustrade to catch the warm evening breeze on his skin.
“We all know you pulled that meeting out of the fire today.” Casey was determined to give Barrett the credit he was due.
“It’s not as dramatic as all that.” He brushed off the accolade with a wave of his hand. “If there had been time to consider all the possibilities, you likely would have come to the same conclusion. And in fairness to you, after being advised to depend upon your legal representation, you did so. If, instead, you’d armed yourself with the same information I found, I’m confident the outcome would have been similar.”
“Maybe so, but you not only came up with a win-win solution, you also handed me the perfect opportunity to announce our community crisis plan—”
“And that’s what really swayed the council,” Savannah interrupted.
“She’s right,” Cooper agreed.
Casey nodded, as if seeing the truth in what her friends said. She picked up a fork and dipped it into her stuffed baker before continuing.
“And so, Barrett, I want to go on record in front of these witnesses that I owe you the favor of your choice for helping us out of a difficult spot today. All you have to do is name it. Nothing reasonable is off-limits.” She raised the food to her lips.
“Done,” he announced as he pushed away from the railing, pleased that she’d laid her own snare.
“I’m cashing in my rain check. Go sailing with me tomorrow.”
Casey’s utensil dropped from her hand, clattered on the surface of her plate, chipping the edge the smallest bit. Her reaction chipped away at Barrett’s heart, as well. She was going to refuse him. She was about to show her true colors and take back her pledge. He steeled himself to make light of her rejection.
“Sorry about that.” She grinned. “That potato was hotter than I expected.” She took a sip of her drink, either to cool her lips or to buy time. Barrett’s chest ached as he waited for her response.
“I should get back to work tomorrow. There’s a lot to do to set this new project in motion if we’re going to hit our grand opening deadline. But…” She scooped up more of her baker, blew on it and closed her eyes as she savored the taste.
“But?” He dared to hope. He wanted nothing more than to spend his last day in Texas alone with the woman he loved. He had to find a way to tell her, to show her.
Before it was too late.
“But there’s no place I’d rather be than pitching about in a sailboat with you. What time will you pick me up?”
Barrett was still awake anticipating the day ahead with Casey when his cell phone trilled. A glance at the display window caused him to sit upright in his plush hotel bed. He stared at the tiny screen, unsure he cared to hear the voice on the other end of the line. While he considered how to handle the caller, the phone chirped a second, a third, then a fourth time and finally went silent. He tossed the phone aside. Whatever it was, it could wait. He’d deal with it on the weekend when he got home, if at all.
A red light began to flash, indicating a new voice message.
“Drat.”
He reached for the aggravating instrument. Instinct said let it go, but it had to be something of importance to require contact at six in the morning, London time.
He pressed the playback key.
“Barrett, it’s Caroline. I’m sorry to bother you, my darling, but Sigmund said you’re out of the country and I felt certain you’d welcome a familiar accent.” She paused to laugh, as if she’d said something humorous. “How rich that you’re in Texas given the way you feel about the States.”
He held down the pause button as a pang of remorse shot through him. He’d been so judgmental before, so smugly confined to his safe little world. So certain that all things familiar were evidence of all things perfect. He’d been completely and utterly wrong, unable to see another side or consider another option.
No wonder he’d been a failure at his trade.
He took a moment to give praise for the revelation.
Lord, thank You for pushing me out of the boat into the deep. I believe I’m finally beginning to see my future take shape and You’ve promised I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
He released the key so the message could continue.
“If you’ll agree, I’d like to meet your flight. I’ve made a terrible mistake—”
She stopped so abruptly that he looked at the phone to see if the connection had been broken.
“Barrett, the truth is I was wrong about Andre and we won’t be seeing one another again. Mostly, well, because I miss you. If you’ll have me back I’ll come under any terms. I’d rather have part of your heart than none at all. I won’t demand more than you’re prepared to give, you have my word.
“Very well then, I’ve said it. Do be a dear and text me your itinerary so I can hire a car for the trip out to Gatwick. I know you’re not keen on hearing the words, Barrett, but I do care for you. I care very much.”
The message ended and he activated the delete function. There was no need to listen again. The crossroad he’d always longed for, the moment of finding his purpose was looming in the immediate distance. It was time to make choices that would dictate the rest of his life. As confused and desperate as he’d been only days before, he was equally so now but for vastly different reasons.
Where his future had been without promise there was now bright possibility.
Where he’d refused to make decisions for his life there were now choices that demanded action.
Where there had been a relationship that seemed to be going nowhere, there was now at least one that could go anywhere.
He climbed off the bed, pulled a robe over his pajamas and moved into the sitting room. He needed the one thing that was in short supply. The one thing that was running out and couldn’t be replaced.
Time.
He slipped his cell phone from the pocket of the pink hotel robe, pressed a programmed key and waited for the transatlantic connection. What was there to say? How honest was he prepared to be and what was the point in phoning otherwise?
The point was to buy time, if only a day or two.
“Hello?” The connection was made.
Barrett hesitated.
“Yes, hello, is anyone there?”
“Good morning.”
“Son! How are you?”
Barrett’s heart immediately felt lighter at the sound of his father’s voice. He wasn’t sure what the outcome of the conversation would be but he knew he’d made the right decision to phone.
“Very well, Father, all things considered.”
“I trust the Lone Star State hasn’t gotten the better of you,” he joked.
“Not entirely, though there have been moments when I suspected the cuisine might.”
They shared a chuckle and then his father got straight to the point.
“So, fill me in on how the discovery is going with Hearth and Home.”
There it was. The opportunity to reveal all, to tell what he’d learned about himself and his fit within the firm. Here was the chance to ask for confirmation of his intentions. Even so, as close as Barrett felt he was to a final recommendation, there were still unanswered questions. If he exposed all he knew to his father now, what would the reaction be if he had a change of direction?
A change of heart?
“Jolly good, actually. It’s been quite an enlightening visit with more than a few surprises. Not at all what I’d expected.”
“In a positive way, I trust.”
“Oh, yes. The team here has accommodated me far beyond expectations.”
“Smashing news. Your mum will enjoy a nice ‘I told you so’ when you return. Now, tell me your impression of Guy Hardy? He has a stellar reputation.”
“That’s one of the surprises I mentioned. Mr. Hardy only recently stepped down from his position to be replaced by another family member.”
“I respect your judgment, Barrett. If you’re confident the replacement is equally adept, we’re prepared to move forward as soon as you return.”
Casey was certainly qualified for many challenges, but the jury was still out—he smiled at his lame pun—where a final decision was concerned.
“I presume you will make it back on your scheduled flight.”
“That’s the plan, but I might need to delay a bit.” Barrett set the stage to draw things out a while longer.
“Given your deliberate nature, I don’t need to tell you to take your time. But we’d dearly love to have you back for your mum’s birthday celebration. The entire family will be here.”
“Oh, yes.” Barrett thumped himself in the forehead with the heel of his hand. How could he have forgotten. Of course he couldn’t delay. And, really, it was best to get on with it anyway. No point in putting off the inevitable. “Count on seeing me for sure then.”
“Will the beautiful Caroline be joining us, as well? It’s about time you two made this courtship official, don’t you think?”
Barrett’s insides twisted as if a fist tightly gripped his gut. He’d only confided the embarrassing breakup to Sigmund, knowing his friend could be trusted with a private matter. But family, even the most discreet members who were professionally sworn to confidentiality, were likely to gossip.
And what was the answer to his father’s question anyway? A week ago he’d fancied his relationship with Caroline had been on solid ground even if not a head-over-heels experience that filled the pages of paperback novels. And today he believed himself in love with a woman he’d only just met, an emotion that went against his very grain.
Was it better to be a public fool for love or a private one for convenience?
“I’m sorry. From your silence I can tell it’s none of my concern.”
“Not true, Father. It’s just that at the moment I can’t speak to your questions because I don’t have the answers.”
“Ah…”
Barrett could imagine the silver head nodding, appreciating even if not fully understanding the dilemma.
“My boy, a fork in the path is to be expected in life. But it often produces growth and builds character, so don’t wish it away. Pray for discernment and let your mum and me know if we can help with your choices.”
Barrett closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the leather sofa. George Elliot had said, “It’s our choices that show what we are, far more than our abilities.”
What would his choices ultimately say about him to his God, to his family, to the woman he loved?