Always Tried and Proven (5 page)

     Sam, however, had taken her rebuff in stride, and seemed to be not at all disturbed.  It was as if nothing had ever happened.  He was free, and relaxed with her, and was simply polite and friendly.  He was leaning back in the booth, just watching her with a lazy smile.

     "I don't get you."  She snapped, wishing she could bite her tongue off.  But the words just kept rolling out!  "How can you even
think
about someone like me with the slightest amount of interest, when I totally reject your precious Jesus?"

     Sam looked at her with fond interest, and smiled as he shook his head.  "That is a very complicated question, and a loaded one.  Callie, I know a Jesus Christ who is very much alive and all-powerful.  He raises the dead, he heals the sick.  If I introduced you to that Jesus, you would  take notice, wouldn't you?"

     "I don't know."  Callie hedged warily.

     Sam just smiled gently.  "Well, Callie, I'm not going to introduce Him to you, so relax."

    Callie just gaped at him.  "What do you mean?  Isn't it the very heart of Christianity to tell the world about Jesus?"

     Sam shrugged carelessly.  "I have discovered, Callie, that He does a much better job of introducing Himself.  He knows the right time, and place.  All I have to do is show up and invite Him.  He touches whom He chooses to touch.  He reveals Himself to those who will yield to Him.  There is a time for everyone to have their meeting with Him.  I don't have to make it happen.  So you see, it's really not my worry.  If I want to be just a man, who for once expresses a bit of interest in a very lovely lady, it's really all right with Him."  He assured her lightly.

     Callie was incredulous.  "But the church doesn't see it that way."

    Sam shrugged.  "I do.  Let others think what they want.  Please believe that there is absolutely no desire in my heart to badger you about Christianity.  It simply isn’t true.  I only want to woo you to myself."

    Callie sat back in shock.  This man was certainly not the run of the mill preacher.  "But you can't
do
that and be a preacher!"

     Sam raised an eyebrow.   "Callie, you just watch me." He challenged without rancor.  "God has a plan and He is very much able to execute it. I do not condone the badgering, the intimidation and wounding that you and I have known at the hands of much of the church.”

     He chuckled.  “He’s a really
big
God.  I just show up and let Him take care of things.  He does know how, and he does a much better job of convincing the unsaved, when it’s
His
idea, rather than mine.  My job as His servant is to simply be obedient.  I am happy to say that it has worked.  Things are changing, Callie, as you will soon discover." 

     His smile was disarming.  He put a hand on her forearm and leaned close.  "I feel absolutely no shame in finding you delightful, and enticing, and in letting you know it.  As for the condition of your soul, I have no doubt that Jesus Himself will choose the right time to give you the opportunity to know Him.  What you do at that time is between you and Him.  I can only tell you that He is very much alive and that His heart is absolutely smitten with love for you!  I also know that no one can make Him real to you, except He, himself. 

     “Callie, I wouldn't even presume to try to do it myself.  I promise you that I will never preach to you unless Jesus gives me the words to say.  And if it is He who instructs me to speak, then they will be exactly the right words, eh?  And the one time will be all that’s necessary.  Either you’ll say yes … or no.  and that will be the end of it, as far as I’m concerned."

     Callie just stared at him with amazement and trepidation in her eyes.   "You are a very unusual man."  She answered hesitantly.

     "So I've been trying to tell you."  He teased in a husky voice.  "Would you like to reconsider?" he asked, letting a flicker of fire dance into his eyes, and letting the silence fill in the blanks.  He put his arm around her, and she felt his warm breath against the skin of her neck, again.  It made shivers run down her spine.
     Callie tipped her head, and let her lashes fall over her cheeks as she studied him.  "You are an infuriating and I must admit, a bit of a frightening man.  You overwhelm me!  I'm not sure how to answer anything you say."             

     He laughed, deep in his throat, and leaned closer around her.  "That's deeply reassuring, Callie.  I thought that perhaps, you found me repulsive."

   Callie gave a short laugh, and felt her cheeks burn.  "No."  She chuckled derisively.  "You could
never
be described as remotely ...
repulsive
."

     His look intensified, and his eyes darkened as the pupils opened wider in pleasure.  And Callie felt the world begin to spin around, as he shook his head slowly with deep satisfaction. 

     "You have no idea how glad I am to hear it."  He whispered.  His eyes fell to her lips, and Callie knew they were trembling.  He had her going again, dying for him to just do something that would satisfy the raw hunger he stirred in her.

    He gave her a naughty look, and shook his head.  "Oh,
my
."  He said meaningfully.   He chuckled and dropped his head against the back of the booth.  "Callie, you're intoxicating."  He whispered.  "Intoxicating, and adorable, and scared to death.  I'll tell you what, honey,” he promised in a husky voice,  "this is going to be anything but dull."

     Callie felt like screaming as Sadie slid back into her side of the booth with a bright, anxious smile.

CHAPTER TWO

     Sadie did most of the talking while they ate dinner.  It was clear that she was

totally aware of the electricity between Sam and Callie, and she was absolutely dying to know what was really going on.  But, Sam was very carefully controlling the topics of conversation, and Callie relaxed as she realized that Sam wasn't about to indulge her friend’s curiosity in any fashion.

     He'd become very composed and protective, and appeared relaxed.  But, Callie could feel that he was taking great pains to appear absolutely at ease; and to see that she was comfortable, too.  It helped to restore her composure, and she was grateful. 

     When they were ready to leave, Sam gently took Callie's arm and looked down at her warmly.  "Callie, will you ride with me, out to the tent?  I'd be very interested in talking to you about music.”

      Callie looked at Sadie, who shrugged.  "I can drive your truck, if you don't mind."  She offered lightly.  Callie could see that her friend’s curiosity was intensely aroused.

     "All right."  She agreed stiffly.

   Sam smiled down at her, showing dimples, and put an arm around her in response.  He kept her against his side as they walked to the car, and opened her door for her.  Sadie looked over at her from the truck with a wide-eyed, 'ooh-la-la' look, which Callie ignored.

     The car was beautiful, with dark green leather upholstery.  It was quiet, and luxurious.  Sam started the engine, and gave her a grateful look.  "Thanks."  He said sincerely.  "I was afraid you'd refuse."

    "What?  And have you think I'm afraid to ride with you?" she teased, not unkindly.

     Sam chuckled, and picked up her hand.  "I hope you'll forgive me for my candor.  It was a risk I could see I had to take.  You are too sharp to be anything but absolutely honest with."

      Callie snorted.  "Well, I have to say that I'm simply stunned." She admitted.  Her breath caught in her throat as Sam kissed the inside of her wrist.  Then, he wrapped her tiny hand in his, and drew it up to his chest.  She could feel his heart beating steadily.

     “Callie, when can I see you alone?" he asked intently.

     Callie laughed nervously.  "We're alone right now.” she pointed out teasingly.

     “You know what I'm asking.  I want to see you when Sadie's not staring, and we don't have anywhere to be in the immediate future.”

     Callie sighed.  “I can hardly answer that after this surprise session of
True Confessions
.  I'm still reeling." she objected.  “Maybe … maybe tomorrow.”

      "Well, good.  Don't think too hard, Callie.  Just say yes."

      "What happens if I say no?" she asked pointedly.

    It was Sam's turn to laugh.  "I'll just try a lot harder."  He informed her smoothly.

     "Oh."  Callie gulped.   She laughed, nervously.  "Well, we both know I can't manage any more."

      Sam looked at her, but couldn't tell if it was a compliment.  He rather doubted it.  "What's the matter, Callie?  Does the very idea of a romance with a preacher send you into a tailspin?"

     "No.  Well, yes.  Sort of.  I don't know!  What is your hurry?" she asked in irritation.

     Sam shrugged.  "I wasn't getting anywhere, trying to hide my attraction.  I couldn't pull it off; and remember that I'll only be here until the end of the month.  I really don't have a lot of time to change your mind."

       Callie chewed her lip thoughtfully.

       "So, how about dinner tomorrow night?" he asked hopefully.

       "Mmm.  I'll think it over."  She growled.

       Sam gave her a long look, and bit his tongue.

     He made her talk to him; asked her questions that fired up her brain, and challenged her, and made her think about what she really thought and felt.  He was a very intelligent man, and a great conversationalist.  He had Callie opening up in a very unusual manner, had he known it. She was enjoying his company, when she forgot to be suspicious and gun-shy.    

      When they finally reached the tent, Sam insisted on opening her door for her.  Then, he kept an arm around her shoulders as they walked across the field.  Sadie was waiting for them, at the door to Sam's trailer office.  She watched their approach with intense interest.

   "Well, Sam.  Everything seems to be in order, and moving along just fine.  Wouldn't it be lovely if we had a smooth opening night?"

     Sam laughed.  "Yeah.  That would be a first."  He sighed.  “By the way, Sadie.  The churches in Vermont have a full time worship leader who will do the  planning for the meetings, there.  So you can stay with us in New York, all month.  I have a feeling we'll need you here.”

     Sadie smiled.  “That will be wonderful.” she said.  “I hate leaving in the middle of the campaign.  I always feel like I'm missing out on so much.”

     Sam gave Callie a sidelong look.  “In this instance, Sadie, I'm quite sure that will be true.”          
               

     Sadie turned to Callie with an excited smile.  "Jeremy is our accompanist.  He is truly wonderfully gifted, and blessedly easy to get along with.  Come along, I'll introduce you to him."

     Sam squeezed her shoulders and looked from her eyes to her mouth, and then back again.  Callie already knew it was his way of telling her he'd give his right arm to kiss her. 

     She smiled up at him with a challenging glint in her eyes.  "Thank you for dinner.  I'm sure I'll be seeing you again some time." She said sweetly.

      Sam smiled down at her with a look that told her she could count on it.  "My pleasure, Callie.  I appreciate it that you're singing tonight.  I can hardly wait."  He said lightly.

       Callie blushed as she turned away to fall in step with Sadie.

    "My stars, Callie!  What on earth is going on with you and Sam?" she demanded.

     Callie gave her a blank look.  "I don't know what you mean."  She denied coolly. 

      "I didn't know Sam had so much charm, and I've certainly never seen him turn it on the way he did tonight.  What did he say to you while I was away from the table?"

       "Where did you go?" Callie averted.

     "Just to the restroom, but then my cell phone started ringing.  There are a million details on opening night.  Callie, what did he
say
?"  Sadie pried wildly.

     Callie shrugged.  "We just talked.  Got to know one another a little bit.  Nothing spectacular."  Callie lied.