Love Will Find a Way (25 page)

"Maybe he should be called Saint Dennis instead of Reverend Morrison,” Robert remarked caustically.

Emily thought of Dennis's almost uncanny ability to manipulate people and his extraordinary talent for controlling every situation. She doubted that either of those qualities could be characterized as saintly. “Dennis is far from being a saint."

Robert shot back, “Is that the voice of experience speaking? Just how well are you acquainted with this man?” He laughed—a low ugly growl that began deep in his throat. “Do you know him in the biblical sense?"

"Don't be insulting.” He still had the power to wound her deeply. Emily rubbed her forehead with her hand. “Dennis listens to me when I talk to him. And he's kind and considerate. I enjoy his company."

Robert's anger drained from him, to be replaced by a visible sadness. “And those are things you haven't had with me for a long time."

"I'm not comparing you to Dennis. And I don't want what happened last night to destroy our friendship."

"I can no longer settle for friendship.” Robert moved nearer and lifted her chin until she was looking into his eyes. “I can't go on this way. I want an answer, now, today. Will you give me another chance?"

Looking at him, so defeated and sad, Emily knew that she did love him. But did she dare trust him?

He seemed to read her thoughts. “I can't make you believe in me again."

His insightful observation aroused of old fears and uncertainties. “I know that."

"Will you trust me enough to let me try to rebuild your faith in me?” He extended one hand in mute supplication. “Will you let me show you that I can learn to listen to you, that you can find some joy and happiness in being with me, too?"

It was, she decided, impossible to be both wise and in love. “I wouldn't know where to start."

"We can start by starting over and not just as friends. Would you go out with me this evening?"

Hadn't experience taught her that nothing was more seductive than thinking what one wished to be true, was? “Robert, I don't think..."

"Please."

With a sigh, she capitulated. “I have to be home early. I have a seven-thirty appointment in the morning."

There was relief and subdued joy in his voice. “Where would you like to go?"

"Could we go dancing?” It had been years since he had taken her dancing.

"I'll pick you up around seven."

"It's a date.” Apprehension still tugged at the edges of her happiness. “Now I have to call Dennis."

"I'll dress.” Robert started for the bathroom. “We can go to the hospital and then I'll take you to your house."

Emily noted that he carefully refrained from calling her house, her home. “Robert, please...."

"Please what?” His smile was tender but his eyes were anxious. “Tell me, Emily. Tell me what's in your heart and on your mind."

"Maybe we shouldn't say anything to George and Clara or to Kevin and Larry about our...” Again, she hesitated.

Robert raised an eyebrow. “About what happened last night?"

"I don't want George and Clara to get their hopes up, and I have no idea how Larry and Kevin will react.” Emily drew in her breath and waited; sure that Robert would disagree or object.

Instead, he asked, “Why don't you want anyone to know that we're together again?” When she seemed reluctant to reply, he urged, “Tell me and be honest. Why?"

"Because I still have reservations and I can't pretend that I don't."

His breath expelled in a long sigh, “How long must I wait?"

He was pushing her to draw lines and set parameters and she couldn't do that. “After Kevin is married, we can talk again."

"But meanwhile you will see me and not just for Wednesday lunch?” He leaned against the wall. “I need you, Emily. I need you in my life every day and in my arms every night."

She carefully refrained from asking him for how long. Instead, she reminded him, “We have a date for tonight."

He seemed set to scoff at her gentle reprimand. “Come off it, Emily. I...” The sentence levitated in thin air and hung there for several seconds. Then he shrugged. “I can wait that long. But after Kevin is married we tell the family and set a date."

"We can talk about our future then.” Emily reached for the telephone. As she began to dial, Robert disappeared through the door.

All through breakfast and during the short ride to the hospital, Emily waited for Robert to bring the subject up again. She was surprised and relieved, when instead he was content to hash over old memories or discuss trivial, unimportant events and happenings.

When they arrived at the hospital, Aunt Beth was sitting up in bed, complaining to the young nurse's aide that she could never rest in any room except her own and demanding to know when she could, “Get out of this place."

"She's better,” Robert said with a sly wink.

They stayed until a nurse came and suggested that it was time her patient got some rest. Emily gave Aunt Beth a good-bye kiss on the cheek. “You have to hurry and get well. Kevin's wedding is next week."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world,” Aunt Beth answered stoutly.

As they walked down the hall toward the elevator, Emily questioned, “She is going to be all right, isn't she? She looks so fragile."

Robert nodded, “Temporarily, at least. The doctor says she's in remarkably good condition for someone her age, but she has a weak heart."

The elevator door opened and they stepped inside. A pall of sadness washed over Emily. “How old is she?"

Robert pushed the down button. “She was ninety-four last March."

As they made their silent descent, a web of melancholy spun itself around Emily's gloomy thoughts. Life was so uncertain and death so sure. She gave herself a mental shake and hurried from the elevator and out into the waiting room.

Robert took her arm as they walked through the front door. “Don't look so sad. Aunt Beth is fine for now."

They stepped out into the bright sunlight and were greeted by the sounds of a sleepy Sunday morning hovering over the city.

"Would you like to stop somewhere for an early lunch?” Robert asked as he wheeled his car out of the hospital parking lot.

Emily declined. “I have so many things to do and we're going out tonight."

He glanced briefly in her direction. “Where would you like to go?"

A host of old memories flashed through Emily's mind. “To the Crystal Ballroom, remember how we used to go there on Sunday evenings with Mike and Debra? And sometimes Tom and Berta would come along, too."

Robert kept his eyes straight ahead. “The Crystal Ballroom has been closed for over five years."

That revelation only reinforced how out of touch with her old world Emily had become. “I didn't know.” Her feeling of depression deepened. “Where do you want to go?"

"Why don't we let that be my surprise?” Robert deposited her at her front door with the promise that he would see her at seven.

Emily couldn't shake her depression. “It will pass.” But she knew it wouldn't. She was still worried about Aunt Beth and still very unsure about going out with Robert.

The doorbell's chiming made her hurry to the front door. When she opened it Dennis Morrison was standing on the other side. Emily cried, “This is an unexpected surprise!"

His handsome face creased into a beguiling smile. “I'm a little surprised myself.” Sobering suddenly he asked, “Do you believe in psychic nudges?"

Emily held the door open, thinking as she did so that Dennis must have come here directly from Sunday services. “Do you mean like hunches?"

Dennis came inside. “Or premonitions."

Emily's spirits began to lift. “Do you?"

"Not usually.” Dennis said. “I tend to dismiss them as superstitious nonsense."

Emily led the way to the living room. “Would you like to sit down? Have you had lunch? I could make something. Would you like a sandwich?"

"Have you forgotten? The Singles Club is having a luncheon this noon at the church.” He sat on the couch. “I came to escort you there."

Emily had forgotten. “It slipped my mind.” That seemed a thoughtless thing to let happen. “Aunt Beth has been ill. I've just come from the hospital."

"Kevin told me about your Aunt's stroke this morning. Maybe that's why I had this strange premonition that you might need me.” Dennis leaned back and crossed his legs. “Do you feel up to going out to lunch after spending the night at the hospital?"

She didn't want to lie to Dennis, but she certainly couldn't tell him she had spent the greater portion of last night in her ex-husband's arms, letting him make passionate love to her. “Aunt Beth is much improved. She's going home soon."

"I'm glad.” Dennis accepted Emily's duplicity as an explanation. “You do look a little tired."

"I am, a little.” Emily perched on a chair arm and blurted out, “I'm glad you're here. I'm also feeling a little depressed and sad."

"Aha!” Dennis's face wreathed in a smile. “Then my hunch was correct. You needed me."

"You're a godsend.” Emily laughed at her own joke. “No pun intended."

"I felt a definite urge to come here.” Dennis tented his fingers. “Do you want to talk about those feelings?"

Laughter rippled from Emily's lips. “You always tent your fingers when you ask one of those open-ended, leading questions."

Dennis stared down at his hands before dropping them to his lap. “Do I? I wasn't aware. You are a very observant person."

"I'm not always.” Emily admitted, “But the first time I met you, I couldn't help but notice several little gestures that set you apart."

"So you found me intriguing from the start, huh?"

Dennis's good-natured banter lifted Emily's spirits. “A little, I also thought you were more than a little intimidating."

"And I thought you were reserved and defensive. I could sense that you had been hurt badly. I wanted to reach out and comfort you."

"You showed no signs of wanting to offer comfort.” The rebuke was spoken affably. “You were distant and very reserved."

Dennis vaulted to his feet. “Enough of this useless chatter woman, let's go."

Emily looked down at her wrinkled attire. “I really should change. I'll come over later."

Dennis would have none of that. “You look lovely just as you are."

Emily thought she was letting herself be persuaded too easily. She smoothed her dress with her hands. “All right, but I'll have to be home by five. I'm going out tonight."

Dennis offered his arm. “All right, Cinderella, at the stroke of five, I'll have you home."

Emily hooked her hand through his arm. “I'll leave the door open in case the twins need to bring Boo inside."

Emily enjoyed the meal and the program that followed. It lasted well into the afternoon. Dennis insisted that she stay until everyone else was gone. “I want to see you home."

"I'm only two doors down,” Emily pointed out. “I can find my way."

Dennis didn't intend to take no for an answer. “I want to talk to you, if you have time"

He sounded so serious. Emily wondered what he wanted to talk about, but she didn't ask. “I have time.” She supposed it was something about the twins or the wedding, or both.

As they walked down the sidewalk, Dennis caught her hand in his. “You fit well into the singles group. The other participants like and respect you."

Emily said. “I like them, too. They're all very kind and accepting."

"You bring out the best in people.” He smiled down into her eyes.

A touch of caution edged in around Emily's elation. “Are you trying to flatter me?"

His hand tightened around hers. “I don't flatter people. I tell them the truth as I see it."

Quite unintentionally, she had offended him. “I thought you were feeling sorry for me.” Emily wanted to lighten the moment “Maybe flattery, like selfishness is not always a bad thing."

"You're using my own words against me.” Dennis's frown transformed into a bright smile. “I'm being hoisted on my own petard."

Emily squeezed his hand. “I don't want you to pity me."

"Why should I?” They turned onto Emily's walk.

"You shouldn't, not now.” Emily smiled up at him. “But when I met you a year ago, I was a basket case. You've helped me a lot."

As Dennis stepped onto the porch, his smile broadened. “I have, how?” He held the screen open for her.

Emily stepped inside. “For one thing, you've dispelled forever my belief that all ministers are stuffed shirts."

Dennis followed her inside and shut the door behind him. “You've taught me some things, too.” He extended one hand toward the living room. “Let's sit down, shall we?"

Emily nodded and then found a chair and sank down into it. “Is this about the twins or the wedding?"

"Neither really. It's about us, you and me.” Dennis sat down on the edge of the couch and tented his fingers. “Let's talk about this past year."

Emily wondered where this was all headed. “You're tenting your fingers again."

"And you're erecting barriers again,” Dennis accused gently and then asked, “don't you ever let down your defenses?"

Was she that unapproachable? “I'm sorry if I seemed insensitive. What about this last year?"

"It's been a benchmark in my life. Knowing you has caused me to reassess one of my most basic beliefs."

She was set to make light of his somber admission. The reflection of some intense emotion mirrored deep in his eyes, made her alter her response. “Knowing you has had a tremendous influence on me, too.” She felt as if she were undressing, emotionally. “I know this sounds terribly melodramatic, but you've restored my faith in human nature."

Dennis looked down at his tented his fingers before unlacing them and laying them in his lap. “And you've shown me that life is for the living.” For an assessing moment, he studied her face. “You've brought me out of the shadows and into the light again.” Rubbing his hands along his pants legs, he exhaled slowly. “I enjoy being with you. You're like a bright ray of sunshine."

"That's partly because I'm with you,” Emily confessed. This conversation was becoming much too intimate. “And your family,” she added, wanting to put some distance between them. “I like Stacy very much, and Kim and Amy are such wonderful children.” She reflected for a moment before saying. “I always wanted a daughter."