Broken Things (Faded Photograph Series) (26 page)

“Dave! I drag him around like a ball and chain.”

“Maybe he just needs some encouragement,” Allie suggested.

Colleen agreed.

“Why are you all on his side?” Tears filled Brenda’s eyes.

Allie empathized with her stepsister and wished she could say something that would soften Brenda’s heart.
Lord, could You find a way for me to share my testimony?

Jack nudged her with his elbow. “Maybe you should share your story…you know, about your cheek. That is, if it’s not too personal.”

Of all the people to prompt her. “It’s not too personal at all.’” She offered a small smile.

She glanced around the table. Everyone sat poised, ready to listen.

“God has done so many wonderful things in my life. I love to tell people about them.” Looking at Brenda, she brushed back the hair from her cheek. “See this ugly scar? Well, there’s a story behind it. I’d love to share it with you.”

Colleen inhaled sharply. “I hadn’t even noticed it, Allie.”

“I hide it well.” She looked back at Brenda, awaiting a reply. When the woman didn’t protest, Allie began. “It happened on our fifth anniversary, and I was making dinner…”

* * *

Logan glanced around the restaurant. Crystal chandeliers hung above tables draped in long white linen cloths. Soft, classical music streamed through built in speakers, and the servers were dressed in the standard black and white garb as they walked with professional sophistication across the plush Oriental-styled carpeting.

Logan let out a long soft whistle. “Pretty ritzy place.”

“Wait until you see the banquet room,” Eileen Domotor added. “It’s exquisite.” She laughed softly and hugged Marilee. “Only the best for my baby girl’s wedding.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

While the women embraced, Stan put his hands in his pants pockets. “We’ll see how the food is tonight before making the final decision. If it’s satisfactory, I’ll write a check for the down payment.”

“I’m sure we’ll enjoy it, Stan,” his wife said. “This restaurant is known all over the country. One of Chicago’s most elite dining experiences.”

“Sounds expensive,” Logan muttered.

“It is. Trust me.”

Mrs. Domotor waved a hand at both men. “Killjoys.”

Logan found no humor in any of this. Renting the banquet hall here would cost a pretty penny, and to think of Marilee’s folks dishing out that kind of dough made him feel guilty. Surely they had better things to spend their money on.

“We could always have a simple cake and punch reception at the church,” he suggested.

“Don’t be silly, Logan.” Mrs. Domotor released Marilee. “This isn’t some potluck for the youth group we’re planning. It’s your wedding day!”

Logan chafed beneath the reprimand, but didn’t reply. Marilee threaded her arm around his elbow.

“It’ll all work out,” she whispered. “You’ll see.”

Moments later, the maitre d’ appeared, greeting them in French, and escorted them to a table. In English, he listed the dishes “de jour,” before spinning on his heel and returning to the front door lobby-area.

“The
Shrimp Quenelles
sound divine.” Mrs. Domotor peered at her husband. “What about you, Stan?”

“Still thinking.”

“I have to plead ignorance here.” Logan’s gaze bounced between his future in-laws. “I mean, I know what shrimp are, but―”

“
Quenelles
are like fish balls or dumplings.”

“Hm…I see.”

Marilee laughed. “Not interested, eh?”

“
Mai, non
,” he replied, using the little French he knew.

“Hey, that was pretty good, Pastor.” Mr. Domotor grinned.

“
Merci
.” Logan was on a roll now.

Stan chuckled. “I’m thinking of roasted shallot and mustard coated rabbit. Haven’t had that since I was in New Orleans on business.”

Logan tried not to wrinkle his nose at the idea of eating rabbit. Although, when he was in college and vacationing in Miami with some friends, he was dared to eat deep fried alligator strips―and he did. “Tastes like chicken” was the joke among all the guys the rest of that holiday.

“What are you grinning at?” Marilee wanted to know.

After Logan relayed the story, she and her parents had a good laugh.

Mrs. Domotor smiled. “You are the perfect youth pastor.”

“I suppose someday you’ll want to pastor your own church though,” Stan added.

“Yes, someday. That’s the plan.”

“You know, it’s really a miracle that you’re in the ministry, given your upbringing.”

“You mean because of my dad?”

Stan gave a nod. “But no insults are intended, Logan. It’s an observation. That’s all.”

“I understand completely, and I’m not insulted. You’re right. If it weren’t for my grandparents and my aunt and uncle, I might not be a Christian today, let alone in the ministry. They were godly examples to me.”

“I never knew your grandparents,” Stan said, “but Steve and Nora are wonderful people.”

Logan couldn’t agree more. “The good news is my dad has renewed his relationship with the Lord. He told me about it. It’s really a miracle.”

“Isn’t that great?” Marilee put in. “It’s answered prayer.”

“I’ll say.” Shock washed over Mr. Domotor’s face . “Just proves to me again that God’s really got his hand on you, Logan.”

He smiled, pleased by the remark.

“I only hope that when God gives you and Marilee a church He doesn’t take you too far away from us,” Mrs. Domotor put in casually, but Logan took note of her slightly puckered brow.

“Never know,” he answered in all honesty. He wasn’t sure where the Lord might call him. But he knew he would obey.

The waiter showed up to take their orders. There were no menus, but the dark-haired young man, whose features were almost too pretty for a male, proved knowledgeable about every dish the establishment served.

At last they each decided on something, Logan selecting the beef burgundy fondue. Marilee chose
Sole Meuniere
, while her folks stuck with their original choices, the rabbit and fish dumplings.

While they waited for their food, they discussed various topics and Logan learned that the Domotors named their two daughters “Joy” and “Marilee” because they had been so happy their babies were whole and healthy.

“I never knew that.” Logan grinned. “I never put the two names together like that either.”

“Well, after all the miscarriages I had, and after our son emerged from my womb lifeless, I all but gave up on having children.” Mrs. Domotor’s rueful expression turned suddenly cheery. “And then the Lord blessed me with Joy and Marilee! They were answers to my prayers.”

“Mine, too.” Mr. Domotor beamed.

“Yes, Dear, yours too.”

The older couple shared affectionate smiles, and Logan grinned. It did his heart good to see that after all the years and all the trials, the Domotors still loved each other.

He glanced at Marilee and she rewarded him with one of her adoring looks―the ones that always made him feel about ten feet tall. It was like another affirmation from God. He’d done the right thing in asking Marilee to be his wife.

* * *

Allie could barely believe that Brenda had sat quietly though her entire testimony, beginning with the knife attack and ending with Nick’s recent wedding. Even Royce and Colleen appeared captivated by the story.

“I think you’ll be blessed if you commit yourself to making your marriage work, Brenda,” Allie told her. “But realize that you’ll never have the peace and happiness you’re seeking, until you become a believer in Christ.”

Brenda’s gaze came to rest on Jack, and she regarded him with a curious light in her eyes.

“Don’t look at me if you want to see an example of a Christian,” he said, as if diving her thoughts. He gave Allie a quick and contrite glance before returning his attention to Brenda. “I haven’t acted like much of a believer.”

“Oh, Jack, you’ve always been a perfect gentleman,” Colleen said. “A little rough around the edges, but a gentleman.”

Royce and Jack looked at each other, then down at their plates.

“No, not always a gentleman,” Jack confessed. “Especially on the baseball field.”

Royce snorted a laugh. “You had the worse mouth on the team, Callahan.”

“Pathetic, isn’t it?.”

Allie noticed that while Royce grinned over the fact, Jack didn’t.

“So have you turned over a new leaf now?” Royce looked him in the eyes.

Jack hesitated, and Allie suddenly realized she was holding her breath. Forcing herself to relax, she sat back in her chair.

“A new leaf? Yeah, you could say so. What I did is get right with God.”

“Because of Allie?” Brenda said in a snide tone.

Jack shook his head. “No. Actually, it was Logan who…who straightened me out. My own son.” Again, he wagged his head. “Kind of embarrassing.”

“I think it’s terrific.” Allie smiled so broadly her cheeks ached. “That’s actually the most encouraging news I’ve heard all day.”

“Pity you,” Brenda replied as she rose from her place. She grabbed her plate and walked into the kitchen.

Meeting Colleen’s gaze, Allie sent her a silent apology. She had hoped to be friends with Brenda, but obviously nothing had changed between them. “Thanks so much for inviting me to dinner. The food was delicious.”

“I even believe you,” Royce said with a small laugh. “You ate everything on your plate.”

“Well, except for the chicken bones,” Allie countered.

Chuckles went around the table.

Royce stood, as did Colleen, and they both began clearing the table. They insisted they didn’t need any help, so Allie and Jack moved into the living room.

Looking around, Allie admired her stepsister’s decorating ability, as the entire house had a cozy, welcoming feel to it. In essence, it was a reflection of Colleen, and Allie would have thoroughly enjoyed herself tonight if Brenda wouldn’t have brought about such strife and tension.

“I think I’m going to leave.” Allie pivoted so she faced Jack.

“Going straight to your hotel?”

“Well, yes…” On some outlandish impulse, she added, “Unless you’ve got a better offer.” She laughed at Jack’s somewhat taken aback expression.

His gaze narrowed. “You’re as sassy as when you were seventeen.”

Smiling, she turned and gazed up at the framed print, hanging above the fireplace. It was a nostalgic scene, an old fashioned wooden bridge spanning a stony brook. “Oh, not really,” she said in answer to his remark. “I’m not really sassy at all. I think you’re just a bad influence on me.” She glanced over her shoulder to gauge his reaction.

He could barely contain his grin. “Yeah, right. You’re going to have to come up with something better than that,
Mrs. Littenberg
.”

“Hmm…”

She pretended to be thinking up her next excuse, but really tried to tame the girlish giddiness inside of her.

Royce entered the room. “It’s kind of a warm night for coffee, but Colleen said she’ll make a pot if you two want some.”

“Not for me,” Jack said.

“Me, either. Thanks.”

“Sure?”

“I think we’re going to take off,” Jack announced, and Allie didn’t miss the word “we.” Neither did she miss the smirk on Royce’s face.

“Hey, um, you two thinking of getting back together again?” He waggled a finger between them. “A little romance in your autumn years.”

“Aw, knock it off, Strobel.” Jack waved a hand at him. He appeared unaffected by the jest.

But Allie felt uncomfortable. Was that what she wanted―to fall in love with Jack again? It wouldn’t difficult. The physical attraction was there, and perhaps the spiritual draw wouldn’t be long in coming since it seemed he’d gotten back on the proverbial
straight and narrow
. But they seemed worlds apart. He had just retired, and she was still on the go, traveling all over the country. Allie wasn’t about to give up her career now. She had a few good years left in which to work.

Like
déjà vu
, Allie remembered telling Jack good-bye that one September day. She had broken his heart―and hers too. She couldn’t let that happen again.

“Allie, you okay? You look worried.”

Springing from her musings, she glanced at Jack. “Do I?”

Royce chuckled. “Is it the romance part or the autumn years that’s troubling you?”

“Neither,” she fibbed, lifting her chin. “I’m fine.”

Jack gave her a skeptical glance, before returning his attention to Royce. “Thanks for dinner.”

The two men clasped hands. “We’ll have to have you two over again before Allie goes back to California.”

She surreptitiously cast a curious glance at Jack, but his expression remained unchanged.

“Sure. That’d be great.”

Allie collected her purse and the light jacket she wouldn’t need on this balmy summer night, and followed Jack and Royce to the front door. “I should really thank Colleen.” A stall tactic.

“I’ll relay the message. She’s in the kitchen right now and Brenda’s crying her eyes out.”

“Oh, no…” Allie felt badly for her stepsister.

Royce waved it off. “She’ll be okay.”

“I’ll keep her in my prayers.” Allie forced an encouraging smile, and Royce gave her a parting hug.

“Good seeing you again.” Looking out the door, he called, “See ya, Jack.”

He was already descending the cement steps of the porch. “Yep. Thanks again, buddy.”

Allie walked to the stairs and Jack offered up his hand. “Careful, it’s kind of steep.”

She accepted his help, noticing that his grip seemed strong and sure. She also noticed Jack didn’t release her hand as they walked to the street.

Something was brewing between them, and Allie wasn’t certain God led her in this direction. Anxiety and eagerness blended together. Who didn’t want a love to last forever? Furthermore, she might be tempted to wager that Jack was as lonely in those quiet hours when there was nothing else to do but think.

They reached her car, and Allie still didn’t know what to do. She wasn’t about to go to his place, and she definitely wouldn’t invite him to hers. Neither, in her opinion, were appropriate options for two single Christians who felt attracted to each other. A restaurant wasn’t an alternative since they’d already eaten. What was left?