Until then, it was nice to dish up plates with everything just right for her guests. Tater Tots done just rightcrispy on the outside and warm and chewy on the inside. Fresh fries still steaming, both heaped on half of the good stoneware shed gotten for Christmas from her sisters, and plenty of golden crispy fish sticks. Small bowls of coleslaw, made fresh at the diner that morning, added the required vegetables to the meal.
The loaded tray made hardly a clatter as she carried it through the dark dining room and into the living room where the bold animation on the screen flashed enough color to light her way. Careful not to disturb the movie-viewing, she handed off Sallys plate, setting it right in front of her on the coffee table and adding the little bowl of coleslaw. She meant to circle around and slip Jakes plate onto the other side, but he held out his hand. If that tastes as good as it smells, Im gonna be the most grateful man in Montana.
You really must be hungry. To be the most grateful man over a pile of fish sticks. She avoided his fingers as she gave him his plate heaped with steaming-hot food and then slid the bowl of slaw onto the coffee table before he could reach.
Do you know how long its been since Ive had a home-cooked meal?
This isnt home cooked. Its straight from the freezer. It was funny he thought so, though.
These fries look homemade.
They are, but, well, the rest used to be frozen. But, hey, as long as youre happy.
Happy? Ive spent the last two years nearly straight in the desert. Eating MREs and mess-tent food, and let me tell you, this is the best. Just the best. He sounded as if shed set an expensive, four-star meal in front of him.
Im glad you think so. That was what mattered. If Bens best buddy was happy, then she was, too. If your flight doesnt work out, Ill make you that roast dinner tomorrow.
Deal. You want to say grace?
Youre the guest. She unloaded her plate onto the corner of the coffee table and set the tray out of the way. Please, you go right ahead. She was pretty interested in what hed say. A tough guy, just like her brother, would probably be to the point. Her brothers favorite prayer, she guessed: Good food, good God. Amen.
Jakes head bowed and his big hands steepled. Definitely not what she expected, but she liked what she sawthe sincere tilt of his profile as his eyes drifted shut.
Dear Heavenly Father, he began in his steady baritone. Thank you for the blessings we find at the end of this day. That Sally and I are together. We have had a safe journey from California and a peaceful solution to Bullwinkles attack. And most of all, thank you, Lord, for bringing us a new friend in Rachel, and Im especially grateful for the fish sticks.
His genuineness sounded somehow richer when mixed with his gentle humor, and as Rachel sat with her head bowed, she sneaked a glance at Jake through her eyelashes. He looked totally at ease and comfortable in prayer, and it was clear he had a solid relationship with the Lord.
If he hadnt been sitting next to her on the couch, all one-hundred-percent flesh-and-blood man, she would have figured him to be a daydream shed woven of the perfect guy. A courageous warrior who served his country. An honest man of strong faith. Kind to children. Funny and handsome and
Whoa, there, Rache. Hes just visiting. As she managed to get out an Amen without sounding too distracted, she opened her eyes all the way, unfolded her hands and tried to remind herself that Jake wasnt looking for romance. He was leaving for good after the wedding and shed never see him again.
Too bad. It was hard not to feel disappointment or a little bit wistful as Jake helped himself to generous spoonfuls of their secret-family-recipe tartar sauce, dragged four fries through it, and took a bite. He moaned even before he started chewing.
I should have added the tartar to the list of blessings, he quipped, looking about as handsome as any man could with those dimples carved into his lean, sun-browned cheeks.
Her heart gave a little tumble. Of admiration, she firmly told herself, and not of interest. She fastened her gaze firmly on the TV screen and did her best not to look at Jake and his dimples.
Impossible. He leaned close so that their shoulders were almost touching. Only a scant hairbreadth of air stood between the curve of her shoulder and the hard line of his arm. The tartars even better on the fish sticks. I owe you, Rachel.
Well, I didnt plan on charging for the meal, she joked.
And brought out the warm rumbling chuckle. Im doing the dishes and I dont want a single argument from you. Got that, maam?
Sorry. Youre outranked.
How can you outrank me? Youre not a commanding officer. Youre not even in the armed services.
But I have the power to take away the tartar sauce. How she could banter so easily with this man, she didnt know.
She only knew that her chest and heart felt warm when Jake gave her a smile with those full-wattage dimples and leaned close to her ear, so close, his breath tickled hot against the curve of her ear. Go ahead and try.
Okay. I will. You watch out, soldier boy. She dunked a Tater Tot into the pile of tartar on her plate, surprised how she didnt feel shy at all. It was as if shed been bantering with this man all of her life.
The brilliance of the September sunset came like peace to the evening. Rachel paused at the sliding door just to take in the awe of magenta streaks painting the sky and bold purple splashes staining the underbellies of the clouds. The colors glowed so brightly in the off-blue sky that the shadows streaking across the back lawn from the tall stand of trees at the property line were amethyst and an incredible rose light graced them.
Why this evenings sunset seemed particularly glorious, she couldnt rightly say. Especially when shed been so beat after a long rough workweek and those last-minute, nerve-racking wedding preparations. Maybe it was the fish sticks and Tater Tots, which were one of those childhood favorites Mom used to make for them when Dad was working late at the diner. Good memories from her childhood always heartened her.
But having Jake and Sally here in this house had lifted her up, too. Having a child in this house, watching an animated movie and now swinging on the swing set in the big backyard stirred a longing inside her. Cooking for a man and child, even people she would never see again after tomorrow, made her wish for her own husband and child.
Maybe it was that over-thirty thingthe biological clock everyone talked aboutbut watching Jake give Sally a hard push on the swing, sending the girl soaring up high, made her realize how lonely her life was.
Sure, she had a great family, she had a great job and she loved this life God had given her, but her heart was lonely for a man, someone strong and kind and good like Jake, and a little child to love and care for.
She knew if Jake and Sally hadnt come tonight, the sounds of laughter wouldnt be shimmering like the rosy light in the air. She would have come home, collapsed in front of the TV and eaten leftovers from the diner, then she would have done a few loads of laundry, caught up on the housework and probably started watering the yard. All the while the big house would have been echoing around her with the memories of family happiness in the past and none for the future.
She was beginning to think the Lord had forgotten about her deepest, most precious prayers. Or maybe He meant for her always to be alone. She hadnt minded it so much because shed been so busy helping her sister Amy take care of her son Westin; having a nephew to dote on had filled her heart and her life enough that she didnt hurt for her own family so much.
And now, Amy had gone and gotten married, which was a great blessing to their family. Shed found a good man who cherished her and Westin, and was always eager to help with anything the family needed. Amys new husband Heath spent a lot of time with Westin, and while Rachel was utterly thankful for that, she didnt see Westin as much.
Why tonight the loneliness felt so keen, like the crisp edge of light too brilliant to look at, she didnt know. Only she had tears burning behind her eyes and a pain like a blade slicing her heart, and there was no reason for it. Not when she had so much already in her life.
Jake gave Sally another push and paused to watch his niece shrieking with delight as she swept up toward the sky. Rachel McKaslin. Have I told you why youre my most favorite person?
It wouldnt be because Im holding grape Popsicles, would it?
Pretty much. You just know where to hit a guy.
Oh, youre wrong there. I never hit. So, are you telling me that theres truth to the old saying? The way to a mans heart is through his stomach?
I dont know about the heart, but a grape Popsicle will put you at the top of my list. He stepped back in time with Sallys swing as she zoomed backward between them.
There was something awesome about a big tough man being tender with a child. Rachel waited tongue-tied as he gave Sally a big push.
The little girl squealed with joy. Are those grape? she shouted as she swept backward between them.
Rachel managed to nod, and the fact that she couldnt seem to speak didnt matter as Sally dug the heels of her little sandals into the grass to slow the swing.
Is that for me?
Yep. I hope you like grape.
Its only like my very most favorite!
Rachels heart melted at the sight of the little girl, an orphan and grieving the loss of her parent. Finding the Popsicles in the crowded freezer had seemed like a small thing at the time, and yet Rachel could see God working in her life as clearly as the tentative grin on the little girls sweet face. Grape is my favorite, too. Here you go. Be careful, because its already melting.
Sally took the plastic bowl eagerly with one hand and grabbed hold of the wooden stick handles with the other. Shed been such a quiet little girl until now, more of a shadow than a child, and it was good to see the hint of the child Sally must have been before her mothers death.
And because she knew exactly how that felt, she added a silent prayer. Dear Father, I know that youre watching over her. Please keep watching over her.
When she opened her eyes, she realized Jake had stepped away from the swing and was sitting on the closest picnic table bench, watching her with serious eyes.
It was as if in that brief moment he could see right through her to the places that mattered and held the greatest truths. Her heart skipped a beat and her soul brightened the way sunshine brightens the day after passing clouds.
In that moment it was as if the earth stilled and time halted and she saw the man he was; she saw beyond the warrior and her brothers friend and Sallys uncle. Jake was no longer a stranger. She couldnt say exactly why; it was only something she could feel. Like faith. Or like hope.
She could sense the heart of the man, his integrity and character and strength. And his goodness.
He folded his strong arms over his broad chest. Come join me.
That sounded like the best idea ever. Her feet were moving her forward before she made the conscious decision. Sally seems to be having a good time. Im glad you brought her.
He took the bowl she offered him. Being here seems to have done her a world of good. I havent seen her smile since I came to pick her up. Now I owe you.
For what? She eased onto the far end of the bench. I didnt do anything. Just made supper and apple pie and now I handed her a Popsicle.
Ben told me you were humble, too. Not just nice and sweet and funny
My brother is biased, plus he spends most of his time far away from here. You know that. Distance makes the heart grow fonder and dulls the memory of a persons faults.
Sure, okay. I dont buy that. He bit off the end of his Popsicle. You are funny.
Me? I havent said anything funny since you got here. I wish I were funny. You know, like a comedian.
Well, you are the only woman I know who wears big pink rabbits on her feet.
What? She stared at her slippers. She was still wearing them? Id forgotten all about them.
And youre nice. You could have let your pet moose attack me and Sal.
It was tempting. She slurped the melting goodness off the top of her grape pop. Like I said, I owed you for saving Ben when he was hurt.
He seems to be doing better. They say hell be back on base after his honeymoon.
Hes pretty psyched about being able to return to active duty.
Were pretty psyched hes coming back. He might get back to work before I do. Jake nodded to where Sally sat twirling in the swing while licking the dripping goodness of the iced treat. There was a whole lot he didnt know how to say. His job wasnt just any job. He was a para-rescueman; he put his life on the line so that others might live. And he couldnt do that living near the base and being home every night to take care of Sally.
And yet if he didnt take her, then there was no one else but social services. He wouldnt do that to her. He couldnt. He loved her too much and he could never break the trust his sister had placed in him for Sallys sake.
Lord, I know this is all in Your plan. So please, show me the way to help Sally through this. Show me what Im supposed to do with her and for her.