CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Today was Jake’s birthday, and Didi had been waffling all day long. Wasn’t this the ideal excuse to show up unannounced? To go or not to go? That was the question.

She hadn’t heard from him since the breakup, and as much as she’d wanted to, she hadn’t contacted him either. She really wanted to see him today, but her apprehensive heart pounded at the thought. If he rebuffed her, it would be like ripping off a scab that had barely begun to heal. Could she deal with that?

At long last, she prayed, opened her heart, and listened for His voice. The inaudible whisper of the Holy Spirit said to go. She called Suzy and asked if she would drive her over to his house. If anything went wrong, her friend would be there to bail her out. Having a backup plan was always a good idea.

She trembled with anticipation but cautioned herself against hoping for more than he could give. Plucking up her courage, Didi dragged down two presents from her mom’s guest room closet. Wrapping the small box of dark chocolate truffles mostly one-handed was more challenging than she’d figured it would be. She’d chosen heavy gold paper with a gold ribbon to match. The result was a little lopsided, but overall, it didn’t look too bad. Jake loved his chocolate, and Godiva truffles were his absolute favorite.

She picked up the larger gift and smiled. In her hands, she held the poem she’d written about Lucy months ago. This composition was special and had been crafted and polished with love. Steve, the graphics person at work, had taken her poem and reformatted it, superimposing the words onto the silhouette of an orange Siamese cat—one the very image of Lucy. Then he’d added small Oriental felines in a variety of poses along the border and finished up with an amazing antique gilt frame. Didi was pleased with the final creation. She held up the work of art and read the words aloud to Maisie.

Uncommon Cat

by Didi O’Brien

Uncommon lines traced by the sun

Sleek silhouette on windowsill

Appears serene, calm, statuesque

No outward move she makes…until

She spies a flitting ladybug

With matchless grace launches a spring

Olympic skill, she twists and turns

Charmed pussycat on angel’s wings

But felines were not born to fly

Plummets to earth, now tucks and rolls

Majestic bundle slides to rest

Gathers herself, back in control

For anyone can see she meant

To have compassion on the bug

Decides to scratch an ear instead

Smoothes ruffled fur, purrs, looking smug

Strong, slender limbs, with dainty paws

Hot points of flame, eyes arctic blue

Plush coat as soft as baby’s breath

In subtle shades of orange hue

For Lucy is a Siamese

She strikes a pose, begins to groom

No doubt, the world can see she is

The brightest creature in the room

Satisfied, Didi wrapped the present in the same gold paper as the candy then stuck on an eye-catching metallic bow. Not half bad. With her mission accomplished, she was ready to go. She slipped on new Velcro-fastened sneakers, a snazzy new hat, and plunked on the couch. In many ways, she still looked like an accident victim, but he could see past the superficial. He’d called her beautiful when she’d been looking her very worst.

Nervous, she waited for Suzy to arrive, hoping with all of her heart Jake would be home—and that he’d want to see her.

* * *

After driving to Ellen’s house, Jake bounded out of the car and rang the doorbell. No answer. Blast. No car in the driveway, either. Had Didi bought a new car yet? He had no idea. Maisie stared wide-eyed at him through the window, so she must still have been staying with her mom. But just in case, he drove to her duplex, where there was also no sign of her. Blast again.

Thwarted and not knowing where else to go, he sighed in frustration and headed home. He’d try again later. The only thing that would keep him from seeing Didi tonight was the Second Coming.

As he drove through the last of the evening’s sunshine, he mulled over the words he’d say to her. His blood pulsed through his veins. The world looked bright, fresh, and new. He loved the lazy days of summer. At this time of the year, the clear light of an azure sky lingered and twilight seemed to last forever.

And today was his birthday. What a gift he’d received. In the past twenty-four hours, his life had changed completely.

Pulling up to his bungalow, Jake was stunned to catch sight of Suzy’s car sitting in his driveway. He cruised up next to the car at the most beautiful sight in the world. Didi was sitting in the passenger seat. Hallelujah!

Taking a deep breath, he opened her door. It was all he could do not to throw his arms around her. “Hi, pretty lady. You waiting for someone?” He gave her a tentative smile to test the waters.

Didi’s answering smile could have backlit the moon, and heat radiated from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. “I’m waiting for you, Jake.”

He looked over, waved, and said hello to Suzy. She waggled her fingers at him, grinned, and lifted an eyebrow at Didi. Didi nodded in return. Obviously, there was something unspoken going on here. Not for the first time, Jake wished he spoke “female.”

Didi’s lips curved up in a lopsided smile, and she tilted her head. She appeared to have made a decision. “Is it all right if you take me home in a while?” She looked down shyly and raised her eyes to his. If his heart hadn’t already melted, that look surely would have done it.

“Sure,” tripped lightly off his tongue. He gulped. He was going to have to do better than that. He helped Didi out of the car, being careful with her right arm and shoulder. She carried a large paper bag in her left hand.

“Happy birthday.” Didi pecked him on the cheek and stepped back.

He wanted to kiss her lips right then and there, but he restrained himself. She didn’t know yet, but she soon would.

They both waved as Suzy backed out of the driveway, and then they strolled into the house together. Lucy eyed her competition for Jake’s affections and then hightailed it to the top of a bookcase. She peered down with ears swiveling and her tail flicking. Didi perched on the couch while Jake balanced on the edge of his chair.

Jake rubbed his hands together briskly. “What’s in the bag?”

“Something for you.” Didi handed him the paper bag. “Open the little box first, please.”

“Nice gift wrap.” Jake ripped the paper off and held up a box of truffles. “Godiva. I love Godiva. Thank you, Didi. We’ll open it tonight.” He smacked his lips in appreciation and reached into the bag for the second gift. It was flat and heavy for its size. Did he feel a frame? Perhaps it was a picture of some kind. He tore the wrapping off and gazed at his gift.

Amazed, his eyes went wide. “You wrote me a poem?” He beamed at her and lowered his head to read. “It’s wonderful. No one’s ever written anything for me before.” He was so touched he could hardly speak.

“You’re welcome.” Didi glowed. “I was hoping you’d like it.”

“I love it. I have the perfect place for it in the den. Look, Lucy.” Jake held the picture up so Lucy could sniff it. She yawned and half closed her eyes.

Didi rolled her eyes at the stunning creature on high. “I guess that means she’s unimpressed. That’s okay. It’s pretty much impossible to impress a cat—especially a Siamese.”

“I agree. Hey, you thirsty? I have some lemonade in the fridge. It’s a beautiful night. We could drink it on the porch.”

“Sounds lovely.”

“Why don’t you go outside, and I’ll bring us a couple of glasses?”

Jake reached for two crystal goblets from the corner cupboard. He filled the glasses with crushed ice and lemonade and carried the drinks out onto the porch. On the way out, he snatched up the box of Godiva and tucked it under his arm. He scooted the rocker closer to Didi and eased into it. Tentatively, he reached for her left hand and was encouraged when she let him hold it. That was a good sign.

Didi gazed out on the world and breathed a deep sigh he hoped meant contentment. Suddenly, she gasped. “Oh. Look, Jake,” she whispered. “The fireflies are out.”

Night was falling, and all over the yard, pinpricks of light shimmered in the soft evening air. The lightning bugs had most likely been out for weeks now, but Jake had been too distracted to notice. They watched in awed silence at the twilight blue sky, gazing with wonder at the magical sight. Jake grinned as he remembered Didi’s father’s words. God was showing off again.

After several minutes of companionable quiet, Jake broke the silence. “I went over to your mom’s house earlier this evening. Even tried your apartment. You weren’t there.”

“You did?” Didi inhaled sharply, turning toward him. “How come?”

“I needed to see you. I have so much to say… Last night, I met with Drew, Donna, and a friend of theirs named Todd—Todd’s the youth pastor at Crossroads Church.” Jake gently squeezed her small, feminine hand, and Didi squeezed back. “After a long discussion, Todd offered me a part-time job as his assistant. Ultimately, my goal is to be a full-fledged, full-time youth pastor.”

“A youth pastor. Jake, that’s perfect. You love kids, and you’re really good with them. I’m so pleased for you.”

“Thanks. I like teaching, but so many kids need more than I can give them through the school system. In the past couple of months, I’ve been running into teenagers who need a fun place to go where they can be safe—a place where they feel loved and accepted for who they are. I think Crossroads Church can provide that. I’m going to help Todd with the programs they have in place already and also get a plan together to reach out to kids in the community.” Pumped, Jake had trouble getting the words out. “Didi, I want to minister to them. If someone had done that for me when I was a teenager, I think my life would have taken a completely different path.”

Jake paused, picked up his lemonade, tipped the glass, and enjoyed a good long drink. “I’ve also decided to go back to school online and get another master’s degree, but in divinity this time. My education courses will transfer, so it shouldn’t take more than a couple of years. To pay the bills, I can make some extra money substitute teaching.” His head buzzed at the coming adventure. “Between working with Todd, going back to school, and subbing, it’s going to be a lot of work, but I think I can do it. And I can stay right here. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

The broken pieces of his life were fitting together.

“Jake, that’s wonderful news.” Didi smiled wide, and he could see she was truly happy for him. “You’re going to be a busy man, but it sounds right. I can see you doing it all.”

Delighted that she approved, his heightened emotions fizzed like shaken soda pop. That was the warm-up. Now for the good part. He drew in a deep breath to steady himself. Dear God, help me say this right.

“There’s more.” Jake pushed his chair closer. “Honey, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Jake.” She slanted her head and chewed on her lower lip.

“Didi? Do you still love me?” He searched her face. Quiet tears formed in her eyes. Was that good or bad?

“Oh, yes.” She reached out and touched his cheek. “I never stopped.”

The weight resting heavy on his chest lifted. He couldn’t have asked for a better answer. “I couldn’t stop loving you, either. Do you want to hear something astonishing?”

“Sure.” Didi sniffed.

“I realized God’s been testing me.”

“Testing you? Did you pass?” Didi’s glistening eyes twinkled.

“Yes. I think I did. He wanted to see if I would quit doing things my own way and turn everything over to Him—and that ‘everything’ included you. Today, he gave you back to me.” Jake’s face flushed, and he cleared his throat.

“What are you trying to say, Jake?”

Jake shifted and rose from his chair. Squatting down in front of her, he lowered one knee to the ground, grasped both her hands in his, and swallowed hard. He could do this.

Taking a calming breath, he gazed into his sweetheart’s eyes and spoke. “From this day forward, you will never again want for a hand to hold or for arms to enfold you. We may never have many material possessions, but everything I have is yours. All I want is for the two of us to enjoy a long, happy life together.” He paused to catch another breath. “I love you, Didi. Will you marry me?”

Didi gasped and went utterly silent.

She was quiet so long Jake’s heart thudded onto the porch floor. Had he been wrong about her feelings for him? Had he hurt her too badly? Did she need more time?

Slowly, a sly smirk crossed her face as she gazed at him askance. “If I say yes, do we get to open the truffles?”

He returned her playful look, his heart beating once again. Throwing his arms around her, he hugged her close. “Yes, honey. If you insist.”

“Then yes.” She knelt with him on the porch floor, happy tears streaming down her face. Leaning in, she rested her head on Jake’s shoulder.

Sheesh—he’d forgotten the part about her always having a shoulder to cry on. He’d tell her later. Lifting her face with gentle fingertips, Jake wiped her tears away.

Didi wrapped her hands around his neck, tugged his head down, and kissed him—a long, sweet, devoted kiss filled with years of promise. Her cheeks glowed, and she grinned at him with a gleam in her eye. “I’ll take the chocolate raspberry. Which one do you want?”