CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Didi strode in the door with Jake trailing behind. What a strange evening, and it wasn’t ten o’clock yet. Had she done something wrong? Was he mad at her? Her insides turned to jelly. Maybe if she acted upbeat she could jolly him out of this mood. She’d paste on a smile and try not to make him angry… No, that wasn’t right. Jake wasn’t Kevin. She kept reminding herself of that.

She was concerned, though. It wasn’t like him to be so rattled. She would give him room to work out whatever was bothering him. Without a word, she motioned him to the couch, turned the TV to a movie, and handed him a soda from the kitchen. The ghost of a smile crossed his face as he nodded his thanks. She’d done the right thing. “I’ll make dinner. You sit.”

Was this even about her? Somehow, she didn’t think so. She hauled in a breath, rubbed the back of her neck, and tried to relax. Jake isn’t Kevin…

In the kitchen, Maisie rubbed against Didi’s legs and then scampered to the living room to cuddle with Jake. Didi liked to call her “Nurse Kitty,” because she had the uncanny knack of knowing when someone needed solace. Didi took her time preparing a grilled cheese on rye along with creamy tomato soup. When she placed two dinner trays on the coffee table, Miss Maisie had draped herself over Jake’s knees. Her heart warmed. Both man and beast exuded satisfaction.

Jake patted the cushion next to him and motioned for her to sit down. “You are a sweetheart. I didn’t think I was hungry, but the soup and sandwich look great.”

They sat companionably together while the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy played out on the screen. It was nice simply to chill.

As the movie ended, Jake turned off the TV. “Thanks for giving me time to unwind. I suppose you’re wondering what brought on that display of bizarre behavior. I’m sure I’d be curious if I were you.”

“Well, yeah, but only if you want to tell me.” Didi dragged the throw off the back of the couch and wrapped it around her shoulders. No way was she going to pepper him with questions. It was better if he took his time and told her in his own way.

“I think it’s good for you to know.” Turning down the lamp on the end table, Jake clasped his hands together and turned to face her. “When I was in the fourth grade, my best friend, Randy Popkins, died. I still miss him sometimes.” Jake talked for the next hour, telling her how the cancer had decimated his friend and how Randy had labored to stay alive.

“Randy was the Popkins’ only child, and after he died, they sort of adopted Lori and me. My dad was out of the picture, of course, and Mom wasn’t home a lot. I know she loved us, but I think it was a relief for her the Popkinses had us over a lot. Mr. and Mrs. P. were the reason we went to Sunday school. They attended a megachurch that had a children’s program, and they picked us up every Sunday. Though Randy and I had talked about Jesus, it was in that church that I got it. I might have only been eleven, but I felt God calling me.”

Didi grabbed his hand and held on, listening with her whole heart. “God was calling you?” Her heart welled with sorrow for the young boy who had lost his friend, but it also thrilled for the young man who had accepted the Lord.

He offered her a tiny smile and continued. “One Sunday morning, God told me He wanted me to be a minister. It was very clear. Me? A preacher? I thought He was crazy, but I said yes.”

This was interesting stuff. “But you’re a teacher. What happened?” Engrossed in the story, Didi tucked her legs up under her and leaned closer.

“Tennis happened. I found I had a real talent, and I ignored what I knew God wanted me to do. I went to college on a tennis scholarship, and I planned to be a pro. I wanted it badly, Didi.” Jake took a long drink from his soda can. “And then, of course, there was the accident.”

“That’s right. You mentioned you broke your ankle.”

“Shattered it is more like it. In fact, when I’m tired, I still limp a little.”

“Really? I’ve never noticed.” Didi was quite surprised. “You look pretty fit to me.”

“Thanks. I try.” Jake awarded her with a real grin this time. “But with my career aspirations up in smoke, I got mad, and I mean really mad. I thought the broken ankle was God’s nasty way of punishing me. It wasn’t until recently that I understood. To begin with, I was the one who went the wrong way and turned my arrogant back on God.” Jake hit his forehead with the heel of his hand. “I was the one who drank myself silly and toppled down the stairs.”

Didi tried to hide a smile. “Don’t you think you’re being too hard on yourself? You were what, nineteen? People make stupid mistakes, especially in college. It’s practically expected.”

“I seriously doubt you were ever that brainless. You seem remarkably put-together…except, of course, for the ‘Kevin’ aberration.” Suddenly playful, Jake tilted his head and waggled a brow.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I’m not always the smartest kid in the class, either.” Could she trust him with the story of her past? He’d been open with her. “Remember I told you my dad died when I was eighteen?”

“Sure. Then you went off to college anyway because your mom wanted you to go. You got on with your life despite the grief. A courageous thing to do, if you ask me.” Jake grabbed her hand and stroked her palm with his fingers.

“I suppose.” Didi stiffened her shoulders despite the sagging in her heart. It was time to tell him about Josh, her boyfriend in college. “I was still devastated about Dad when I went off to school. I was feeling lonely when I met Josh, and I fell in love—or at least, I thought it was love at the time. Mostly, I think I just needed someone to help take away the pain.”

Didi bowed her head. She dreaded telling him the next part. “We’d only been together a few months when I…gave into my desires. He was a sweet guy but hardly marriage material, and I should have known better.”

The tangle of shame coiled in her stomach. “We broke up before my sophomore year, and he’s a distant memory now, but I regret being so weak.”

She shut her mouth and paused to study his face. Should she continue? Should she tell him everything, including the whole story with Kevin? She was beginning to understand Kevin was a charmer and he’d taken her in with his lies. Having asked God for forgiveness, she was on the road to forgiving herself, and it was good to be back on track. But at this point in their relationship, Jake had a right to know the truth. Didi drew in a fortifying breath and plunged in. “Jake? When I met Kevin…”

Jake raised a finger to her lips. “Shhh. It’s okay, Didi. You don’t have to tell me now. When we’re both ready, we’ll sit down and have a nice, long talk. You can tell me whatever you want, and you can ask me anything. We’ll have plenty of time for that later.”

Didi hung her head and looked at him through her eyelashes. “I guess you don’t see me through rose-colored glasses anymore.”

His mouth curved into a smile. “Nope, and that’s a good thing because I want to know the real you. It’s nice to know you’re human, like the rest of us.” He kissed the palm of her hand and held it to his chest. “Thank you for wanting to tell me, but it’s not important. No matter what you tell me, I’ll still love you.”

Didi’s hand flew to her throat. “You…you love me?” Her bottom lip quivered, and a tear slid down her cheek.

“Hey, that’s not supposed to make you cry. I was hoping you’d be happy about it.” Jake pulled her into his arms and held her. “Why are you crying?”

“Sorry. Just being a girl. This is me being happy.” Didi sniffled, teardrops streaking down her cheeks.

Jake shook his head, gently kissed her temple, and wiped her tears away with his thumb.

She buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder and sighed. “Jake?” she mumbled into his shirt.

“Yes, sweetie?”

“I love you, too.” The moment the words escaped from her mouth, Didi knew it was true. A burden lifted, and she floated, weightless. She wasn’t picture-perfect, and he still wanted her. And she was quite certain that she wanted him. He was right. She’d tell him more about her past someday soon, and he’d tell her more about, well…whomever. Right now, she soaked in the warmth of his embrace. Didi looped her arms around her true love, closed her eyes, and breathed in the warm scent of him.

* * *

Three hours later, Jake awoke to the sound of a cat purring in his ear. Fur tickled his nose, and bright green eyes stared into his. The adoring creature sniffed his cheek and licked his nose. Ick.

Jake rubbed his hands across his face and looked at the clock. Shoot. Lightly, he caressed the cheek of the woman sleeping on his shoulder. “Babe, wake up. It’s three a.m. I’ve got to get home.”

Didi sat up with a start. “Oh, wow, Jake. It’s the middle of the night.” She massaged her neck and stretched. “Are you okay to drive?” she asked, yawning.

“I’ll be fine. Give me a minute to splash some water on my face, and I’ll be on my way.” His mind told him to get up, but his body refused to budge. Dog-tired as if he’d climbed the stairs of the Washington Monument—all 897 of them.

Through the fog, his girlfriend said, “Do you want to stay here? As you can tell, the couch is pretty comfortable.” Didi winked at him. “I, on the other hand, will be right down the hall, snug as a bug in a rug in my own little bed.” She pushed off the sofa, yawned again, and stretched her arms up over her head.

He rested his head on the arm of the sofa and considered her proposition. Stay here. No need to move. Sleep on the couch. A tempting thought. His hazy brain liked it.

“Yep, Maisie and I will be way down the hall, behind that closed bedroom door.”

“Could I have a pillow, at least? A nice, fluffy one?” Eyes half-closed, Jake stretched his legs out. She’d be down the hall. Behind the door. That was all right. At least she’d be near.

“Sure. I’ll be right back.” She crinkled her nose at him.

He sighed happily and closed his eyes, slipping halfway into dreamland by the time she returned with a feather pillow and a soft blanket. She tucked the pillow under his head and lightly covered him. As he drifted off, her lips brushed his.

She loved him. Sweet.

* * *

After an early breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, and English breakfast tea, Jake kissed his angel goodbye. “I’ll call you later, okay? Maybe we can go see the twins. Or, on second thought, maybe we’ll wait until Drew and Donna bring them home.”

Didi rested her forehead on his shoulder. “Sounds good. Now, go home and feed that cat of yours. Lucy will never forgive me if she misses her evening snack and breakfast. We don’t want her thinking poorly of me before she’s even met me, right?”

“I’ll do my best to explain it to her.” Jake groaned and pushed Didi away with gentle hands. He’d rather have stayed, but it was a good idea to go home. Didi looked too cute in her rose-colored robe and fuzzy slippers.

“Off you go, then. I’m going back to bed. I have another hour before I have to get up for church.” Didi rubbed sleepy eyes and pointed him toward the front door.

He pulled her close for a brief kiss, donned his jacket, and headed out. She was indeed a hard woman to leave.

Two minutes later, he vaulted back up her stairs and knocked softly.

Didi opened the door with questioning eyes. “Forget something?”

“I have a little problem. My SUV has four flat tires.”

* * *

When Kevin had swerved in at four a.m., at first he’d been livid. He could hardly believe his eyes. The interloper had stayed the night. How could she do that to him? But then he figured it out. She had to know he was watching, and she was attempting to make him jealous. Little minx. He’d crept up onto the deck and peered in through a break in the curtains. He’d almost laughed out loud. The wimp had been fast asleep on the couch…alone. Didi was still all his own.

This morning, he had laughed out loud. Mr. Unlucky’s look of dismay had been priceless when the loser had spotted the four flat tires. He’d shown admirable restraint by refraining from trashing the vehicle, but that wasn’t his style. He wasn’t a violent man.

No one had ever laid a hand on him while he was growing up. Whenever his dad would hint at administering “discipline,” his mom would intervene. All he’d had to do was whine a bit and pretend to look scared, and he’d gotten anything he wanted. That was as it should be.

Still, he’d had enough of Didi playing hard to get. He was running out of patience.