14

 

A week passed.

Paisley and Aunt Rainbow worked together on the next tagging project. The house was another stately two-story frame complete with attic and basement. In a lot of ways, it reminded her of the Waverly house where Rob now lived. The whole tagging project and the way this house was laid out gave Paisley ideas on what she’d like to see around a home of her own.

Rob had come to Aunt Rainbow’s every evening, recapping conversations with his mother. Precious was retired. She declared she never changed jobs or moved in the hope Rob would someday contact her. Every time they talked, Precious commented on how God had worked to orchestrate the whole thing.

Paisley agreed. She hoped for ongoing patience, and prayed a lot. Would Rob ask about a future together?

Late Saturday morning found Paisley on Aunt Rainbow’s iron bench because it was stuffy in the house. It had rained five out of the past seven days, which created moisture in the air that Aunt Rainbow claimed was more like spring than fall. The air was so moist it tasted heavy rather than outdoorsy fresh. Leaves were turning and a few had dropped off the trees.

At the sound of an unfamiliar engine, she looked up the street to see the shining restored milk truck approach. The white and fresh turquoise paint brightened the day. Rob waved and pulled into the drive. She stood at the same time he reached for the bar handle that opened the right side door.

“I’d offer you a ride, pretty lady, but I’m occupying the only seat.”

“It’s gorgeous, Rob. Did you even paint the rims?”

“I did. Turned out pretty good, don’t you think?”

“You’ve got a showpiece on your hands, all right. I’ve never been to a car show. What’s the latest news from your mom?”

“She’ll be here in ten days.”

“What does she think about changing your name to Waverly?”

“We talked about it. Mom said it’s meant to be. I referred her to Isaiah 62:2 and Revelation 2:17. She regrets that my name had such a bad influence on my thinking. And rejoices I will have a new one someday soon, both here and in heaven.”

She couldn’t help but tease him. “So you listened to your mama and not to me?”

“Let’s not talk about Mom for a bit. I came over to talk about you and me.”

Finally.

Could a person explode from built-up shivers and tingles? “Can we walk? That single truck seat doesn’t look any more comfortable than the iron I was sitting on.”

“Your wish is my command.” He bounded out and closed the door. He grasped her hand and set them swinging in time with their steps.

She took a bracing breath and dove in. “We’ve been tagging in a great upscale house in the northwest part of town. Even more than the longing I felt going through Mark’s place, your home now, I’m convinced I want a home of my own. Those years I ran from place to place, it was stability I searched for, but I never gave it a chance to grow. Now my heart wants to give a lifetime of years—for you and any children the Lord may bless us with. I’m so much richer for taking a risk on your love. That is, if you still want my love in return.”

“Want you? I’ve always wanted you.” Rob stopped, faced her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Finding home has been a life-long journey for me. I need to tell the world I’m loving you again.”

“Sounds good to me. You know my love never stopped. I’m more than ready and willing to make my home with you. You do realize if home is here, it means we’re about to become official Cornhuskers. Can you handle that?”

“Go Big Red. Turning into a Husker fan is such a small sacrifice to be near my brother and family. And you.” He kissed her on the nose then pulled her closer. They fit so well, as though made for each other. “I just want to hold you for a moment. Hold you close like this every day.”

“For the rest of our lives.” Paisley wrapped her arms tighter around him and leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She loosened her hold but kept her hands on his arms, trusting him to support her, and stretched back to look on his beloved face. “So let’s quit beating about the bush here. Do you still have something that belongs to me?”

“You are a smart lady. I want nothing more than for both of us to have the same address for the rest of our lives. You, Ms. Paisley Robbins, are my heart, my life, my love.” He kissed each cheekbone, her chin, and her forehead. Then he pulled back and looked deep into her eyes. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She trilled her fingertips over his face in the spots where his lips had brushed hers. “Mr. Robin Waverly, you do have a wonderful sounding name. You are the finest man I know. God has given you a new name. Yes, the lady says she’s more than ready to put down roots, taking on your Waverly name. And yes, I’d be honored for you to place that ring back on my finger where it belongs.”

“Thank you.” His eyes filled with moisture, no longer ashamed to show his tears. He had come so far. He reached into his pocket. “You changed my life the day I picked up those mis-delivered birds.”

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. Sara had inherited her uncle’s tendency to make up words.

“It took time for me to come around to believing all the freedom I have by giving my life completely to God. Thanks to your prodding, I’m done with the name thing because according to Luke 10:20, I can rejoice that my name is recorded in heaven.”

She absorbed every word he spoke. She’d looked up all the verses in the Bible regarding names. For Rob to open up and expose himself so much, she knew he trusted God more than ever. He trusted enough to let his mother back into his life. And that trust now extended to Paisley.

“It just so happens, I have carried around this gorgeous chocolate and yellow diamond ring, made for my gorgeous lady. We can tell the story to our children someday—the way I brought your ring from California to Nebraska simply because in my heart I knew it belonged to you. It was designed for your finger. Following you here, I had to bring the ring to you. It’s yours, way too valuable to be anywhere but on your finger.”

“It’s the most beautiful, precious piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen. I’m so glad you held onto it, and that you never gave up on me.” Tears pooled in her eyes, but Paisley didn’t care.

“You’re beaming, my love.”

“When I tagged the romances on Mark’s shelves, I said out loud, love stories come and love stories go. But I believe our love story will last beyond our lifetime, past the time we fill up your house that I helped empty.”

“Our home. Our love will last as long as the new names we’ll both be given in heaven. Enough talk.”

Their lips met and nothing else mattered.