Loving Promises (17 page)

Now, coming home from work, the loneliness seemed unbearable. In the past, he could pick up the phone and talk with Bev. In the background, he’d hear the kids jabbering about something. They always
needed her as soon as she got on the telephone. Through his sadness, nostalgia made him grin.

He missed Bev more than he’d ever missed anyone. Even more than his mom, which seemed unbelievable. But he knew his mother was in heaven, healthy again and hanging around with all her loved ones who’d gone before. She was in the presence of the Lord, walking with Jesus in the garden, hearing the angel song. Bev was sitting in Loving. Missing him? He had no clue. Did the children miss him?

The ache stabbed through his heart. He missed Kristin’s silly giggle and Michael’s wide eyes watching everything he did. He’d become the child’s hero, and Dale had allowed his own juvenile behavior, his fear of inadequacy, his unfounded apprehension of commitment to hold him back from the best thing that had happened to him.

In the past weeks, Dale had sorted through all that had held him back from Bev. He’d read the Bible over and over, passages that he’d learned to love. A verse from Ecclesiastes rolled across his thoughts like a soothing balm.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

Tears rolled down Dale’s cheeks as they had since he had walked out Bev’s door. Who would keep him warm?
Who would pick him up when he fell? His earlier concerns seemed unimportant, bordering on the ridiculous.

Dale had spent many nights in prayer, asking God to forgive him. He’d tossed in the night, unable to sleep, still dressed from the day before because he’d wept himself to sleep. Shame flooded him.

He thought of his father, a man who understood that God had given him a friend to help him through his troubles. He’d resented Mildred who’d come to his family’s aid, who’d given up her time to show her love to his parents—even to Dale.

Bev had been dragged into the situation with her own sorrow. She’d become Dale’s friend, allowed her children to love him, stood strong in her faith and willingly gave her burdens to the Lord. She’d grown. Dale hadn’t. Bev had opened her heart and laid her secret on the table. She’d admitted her weakness and had resolved it with the Lord and herself. Bev was ready for marriage.

Dale had been ready for nothing but self-pity.

How could the Lord forgive him for his distrust? God had promised to be with him, to help him ride the waves of fear and calm his storms, but Dale had plodded along caught up in his human dilemma and walked right past the Lord’s open arms.
Do not be afraid, I am with you. I will bless you.
He’d read it in Genesis—the very beginning of the Bible. Dale knew he had read that promise over and over, but he’d rejected God’s love offered to him with open arms.

And so had Bev’s arms opened wide, but he’d smacked them away with his spoiled-rotten attitude. He’d promised her once that he’d learn to deal with her children. Dale had done more than that. He loved them. He’d also promised her that he’d never abandon her, yet he had.

Would she ever believe his promises again?

Dale lowered his head, holding back his incessant tears, and promised God to listen to his direction.

Dale knew he would keep this promise. The stakes were precious.

B
ev heard a car door, and her heart skipped. She had prayed Dale would call since the day she sent him away, and he had. He’d invited her to dinner. When she glanced out the window and saw him, she lifted her eyes heavenward and whispered a thank-you.

She pulled open the door, and Dale stood on the porch with a different look in his eyes than she’d seen in months—determination, relief, love. Today she saw the same blue eyes she remembered so well, the gaze that dragged her into a whirlpool of longing and dreams.

She prayed that tonight would not be a dream, but a reality.

“Hi,” Dale said through the storm door. He seemed more nervous than she did.

Bev pushed back the door and stepped aside.

He passed her and stepped through the archway. She
missed the embrace she’d grown to love, but she understood. He’d come to talk with her. She closed the door and followed him into the living room. “Are you okay?”

“No.” He turned to face her. “How about you?”

She drew in a breath and gave an honest answer. “I’m miserable.”

He opened his arms, and she stepped into his embrace without misgivings. His coat felt cold against her skin, but Bev didn’t care. She drew in the familiar scent of his aftershave mingled with the crisp outside air, loving every icy moment, yet fearing it, too.

When he released her, he slipped off his topcoat and dropped it on the chair. He’d dressed in a navy pinstriped suit with a navy and burgundy tie. She’d never seen him so handsome, and she grasped the chair back to stem the emotion.

“The kids aren’t here?” He glanced toward the hallway.

“They’re with my mother for the evening. I thought it best. I didn’t tell them you were coming.” Her eyes captured his, and she spoke from the heart. “But I’m more than pleased you’re here.”

“Me, too.” He drew her to his side, and they sat on the sofa facing each other. “I’ve missed you terribly. I never knew life could be so lonely.”

“I’ve been lonely, too. When you walked away—”

“You sent me away,” he said.

She shook her head. Bev remembered the day too well and, not just a day, the weeks he’d withdrawn.
Grasping for courage, she told him, detailing his coldness and reliving the hurt she felt.

Sorrow filled his eyes hooded by thick, dark lashes. “I’ve cried myself to sleep over you, Bev.”

She brushed her hand along his jaw feeling his smooth fresh-shaven skin. “Tears never hurt anyone. They’re healing.” Touched by his honesty, she reached upward and kissed his cheek where she knew his tears had been.

Dale captured her face and cupped her cheek in his hand. He lowered his mouth to hers, his kiss as soft and tender as down. “I’m so sorry for the foolishness. I’m asking your forgiveness.”

Bev’s heart lurched at his request. She’d longed to hear those words months earlier. But concern still clung to her as she remembered his empty promises. “I forgive you, but it’s hard to forget. I need to feel confident that you’ve come to some kind of resolution with—”

“I have. God is my witness.” He raised his hand in an oath.

The certainty of his voice, and the reference to the Lord stopped Bev from questioning. “I’d like to hear it.”

He studied her face, his eyes filled with apology and tenderness, and he told her the details of his struggle.

Holding her breath, Bev listened with her head and heart. She saw his sorrow, she felt his struggle and she witnessed his transformation.

“Thank you,” Bev said when he finished. “I think we’ve both grown, and we’ve learned from each other.”

Dale’s strong arm drew her nearer. “You’ve even helped me find my faith. You’ve opened windows and doors for me, a whole world I didn’t know before.”

“You knew,” she said. “You didn’t trust yourself to take a step outside.”

He caressed her jaw, her cheek, then leaned over to brush his lips across her eyes. “I can never thank you enough for that. I’m still weak in my renewed faith, but it’s a beginning, and with your strength, I’ll continue to grow.”

Bev held her breath. His admission held promise. It gave her hope.

“Another thing I realized is how much I love your children. They mean the world to me, and so do you, Bev. I’ve missed you all so much.”

Her pulse kicked. He loved her children, but did he love her? She wanted to hear him say it with all her heart. “Where do we go from here, Dale?”

He shifted and nestled her to his side. “We go right here in my arms.”

His mouth touched hers, and the familiar pressure sent her reeling. They were flawed people who needed God badly. But Bev slowed her thoughts and melted into the kiss. Her fears faded while confidence unfurled. This time she knew they would make it. She’d prayed, and she believed God was on their side.

Dale’s hands made gentle circles on her back while his lips caressed hers. When his fingers nestled in her
hair, she trembled in his arms, and he answered with a quiet sigh before he released her.

“We’re going to be all right,” Bev said.

“More than all right.”

He brushed his lips against her hand. “Before we leave for the restaurant, will you pray with me, Bev? We need to pray for our parents and for us. Our folks need our understanding and acceptance, and whatever they’re led to do we have to deal with it.”

Her heart lifted at his request. They joined hands, and she closed her eyes. He’d never said it, but Bev felt loved.

“Thank you for the wonderful evening,” Bev said, looking out the wide window overlooking the Bay Breeze waterfront.

“You’re welcome,” Dale said, “but you don’t have to thank me. You deserve every amazing moment.”

Dale gazed out the window toward Lake Michigan. The trees scattered around the resort bent against a brisk February wind. Out on the lake, ice masses loomed at the shoreline, and the long pier and moorings looked shrouded in an icy coating, but Dale’s heart felt like springtime.

Bev lifted her cup and took a sip of hot coffee. Her mind seemed miles away.

“Something wrong?” Her distraction cooled his warm thoughts.

“I’m fine. Just thinking about a lot of things.”

“Thinking?”

“About us.”

His pulse skipped, knowing she’d opened the door he’d been waiting for. “Me, too.” He was grinning most of the time.

“Really?”

Her hair glinted in the flickering candlelight and left him breathless. “You’re the most beautiful woman I know, Bev.”

She lowered her gaze, as if disbelieving.

He reached across the tabletop and rested his hand over hers. “I’m telling the truth.”

“Thank you,” she said, without looking at him. “You’re a handsome man yourself.” She finally lifted her head, giving him a shy smile.

For a moment, he hesitated. The words he wanted to say clung to the roof of his mouth, but they needed saying. He’d waited far too long.

“I love you, Bev.”

It seemed a moment before his words registered. When they did, her head bobbed up and her eyes searched his.

“I’ve loved you for so long. I had a difficult time admitting it. I almost felt unworthy of you.”

Her head tilted back as if he’d flung a brick at her. “Unworthy? In what way?”

The truth came powering over him. “You had your head on straight. You’d raised two kids by yourself while
I was floundering. You always seemed together. I was falling apart.”

“The operative word is
seemed
together.” She grinned, sending his heart on a romp. “Look at the mess I sometimes make with the kids. We were blessed to have met.”

“You’re right about that,” Dale said, thinking of all the ways they’d touched each other’s lives. “I hope you knew that I loved you even though I never said it.”

“I do now,” she said. “And I love hearing it. I’ve waited forever.” She reached across the table and touched his hand. “I love you, too.”

They were wasting precious time. Dale captured her hand as he stood. “Let’s get out of here. We have unfinished business.”

He tossed money on the table beside the bill, helped Bev on with her coat and guided her to the exit. As they stepped outside, Dale maneuvered her into the shelter of the building and drew her against his chest. As his lips sought hers, he breathed in the crisp winter air and the heady scent of her fragrance. It surrounded him as sweetly as the love that wrapped around his heart.

He clasped her closer as his kiss lingered. Longing coursed through him, and his emotions mounted.

Bev trembled, and Dale drew back. “Let’s get into the car. You’re cold.”

She lifted her gaze and shook her head. “I’m not cold.”

He caught her meaning and felt a wry smile glide across his face. “Then we’d better stop.”

In truth, Dale didn’t want to stop, but respect and Christian morals told him otherwise. He grasped Bev’s slender hand, then bent his head to the cold as he led her to the car, knowing that nothing could stand in their way anymore, not even the cold February wind.

B
ev placed an Easter basket on the floor in front of each of the children. “Are you ready for the egg hunt?”

“Yeah,” they both said, jumping up and running for their shoes.

“Hold on there,” Al said, beckoning to the children.

They gave him a questioning look, then bounded to his side.

“What do candy and baskets have to do with Easter?” Al asked.

Kristin paused a moment, her face weighted with serous thought. “They’re presents.”

“But it’s not Christmas,” Al said. “Jesus’s birth was God’s present to us.”

“So is Easter,” Kristin said.

Al gave her a questioning look. “How?”

Kristin gave a frantic look toward Michael. “Be
cause Jesus died for our sins and that’s the best gift of all.”

Al’s face brightened, and applause filled the room at Kristin’s explanation.

“What about you, Mr. Michael?” Al’s question took Michael’s look of relief and squelched it.

“Thought you got out of answering, didn’t you?” Dale said, giving him a little poke with his toe.

“I know something else about Easter,” Michael said.

“Lay it on us,” Dale said.

“In Sunday school we learned that Easter is like the springtime when the dead things come to life again.”

Dale’s memory flew back to earlier thoughts. “That’s it Michael. Rebirth.”

The boy tilted his head and grinned. “That’s what I meant.”

“And that’s what you said,” Al added. “Being reborn. We all need it…in so many ways.”

Bev’s chest swelled at her son’s response.

The children wavered a minute before Al chuckled and gave them a hug. “When you come back with those eggs, I might just have something to add to your do-bobs.”

They charged out of the room, their baskets swinging from their hands.

Bev heard the back door slam, and she sank onto the sofa beside Dale. For the first time, she noticed her mother’s apprehensive look and gave Dale a questioning poke.

He shrugged and folded his hands as Mildred slid to the edge of her chair.

“Speaking of being reborn—” Mildred gave Al a lengthy look, then shifted her focus back to Bev and Dale. “I know both of you have struggled with Al’s and my relationship.” She paused, letting her comment settle in.

Since she and Dale had resolved their concerns, Bev opened her mouth to refute the comment, but she saw her mother had more to say and quieted.

“So have we,” Al said. “We thought maybe it’s best to get all of this out in the open.”

Bev felt her heart trip, wondering.

Al gestured toward her mother. “Millie and I have talked about our relationship for a long time. I think you both know that Dotty told me that Millie and I should get together after she was gone. I realize that sounds strange, but Dale can tell you his mother liked to be in charge.” He gave Dale a tender grin.

Dale nodded. “That was Mom.”

Al rose and crossed to Mildred’s side. He rested his hands on the back of her chair. “We’ve made a decision, and we want you to know what it is.”

Bev held her breath.

Her mother shifted forward and looked at Al over her shoulder. “Al and I have decided that what we need right now is to be best friends.”

Bev felt the pent-up air leave her body. She glanced at Dale. He didn’t bat an eye.

“Not that we haven’t talked about possibilities,” Al said, “but Millie and I aren’t ready for anything yet.”

“But that won’t change the way we feel,” Mildred said. “You can’t beat a good friend, and we are open to God’s leading.”

Al shifted forward, sat on the arm of her mother’s chair and grasped her hand. “One day, the future may hold surprises. Right, Millie?”

“Right,” she said, smiling up at him.

Bev swallowed the lump in her throat. God was so good. When she put things in the Lord’s hands, he made everything right, so unlike her own botched-up ways. Since she and Dale had opened their hearts, Bev prayed one day she and Dale could follow God’s leading in the same kind of deep faith and trust.

“We’re happy for you,” Dale said, rising to kiss Millie’s cheek.

Bev sat back, feeling the blessed assurance she’d prayed for for so long.

Dale didn’t return to sit beside her, and Bev spotted an odd look on his face. It puzzled her. Before he could speak, Kristin bounded through the door, dragging in grass on her shoes and carrying a filled basket.

“Look what we found,” she said, dumping the plastic eggs and green straw onto the carpet.

“Kristin,” Bev said, amazed that she’d done that. Even more astounding, Michael came through the door
way in his stocking feet, set his basket on the carpet and plopped down beside it like a gentleman.

Disbelieving, Dale and Bev laughed at the hypothesis of what their future held.

“I’m ready for pie and coffee. Anyone else?” Dale asked.

“Sounds good to me,” Al said, adjusting his tight belt buckle.

Millie chuckled and gave Al a poke. “I’ll help,” she said, standing.

“You sit,” Dale said. “Bev and I’ll get it.”

“Look, Grandma,” Kristin said. “I have a whole dollar.”

“Speaking of dollars—” Al leaned over and dug into his back pants pocket “—I told you I’d…”

His voice faded as Bev reached the kitchen. She was surprised Dale had suggested dessert so quickly after dinner, but she was still learning about men’s appetites.

When she turned, Dale stood behind her with the same strange look that had puzzled her. “Is something wrong?”

“Everything’s right. Perfect, in fact.” He drew her into his arms. “Isn’t life wonderful when you let God be in charge?”

Bev tried to comment, but he interrupted her response.

“Somehow God in His wisdom brought two confused, hurting people together and created two complete people. You’ve made me the person I am, and I love you with all my heart.”

Her mind swam with confusion. Could this be what it seemed?

“I realize that life is too lonely without you at my side. I’ve grown to love your kids. They make life even better.” He clasped her hand, knelt beside her and kissed her fingers. “Bev, will you marry me?”

The words wrapped around her heart and caught in her throat. She struggled to answer without sobbing for joy. “You’re everything I want, Dale. I would be proud and honored to be your wife.”

He rose and pressed her against his chest as his lips found hers. The warmth traveled through her body while her pulse thundered. They’d lived so long on the edge the reality seemed impossible.

He deepened the kiss, and she tightened her arms around his neck. Her fingers caressed the nape of his neck, then found their way to his thick dark hair. She felt Dale’s mouth move on hers, making her breathless. She’d so often questioned God’s purpose, and today she heard His answer.

Dale shuddered and drew back. He looked at her through heavy-lidded eyes. “Love is the answer, Bev, and I promise with all my heart, I will never walk away. I will be by your side until God takes one of us home, and then one day we’ll be together again. I promise.”

“Grandpa wants to know where’s the pie?”

Michael’s voice burst into the room, and they jumped at the sound.

“Yuck,” he said. “More kissing.”

Before anything more was said, Michael vanished into the living room, his “yucks” echoing behind him. Bev heard her mother laugh and expected the whole family to come through the doorway, but no one did.

A broad grin lit Dale’s face. “I suppose we have to live with these interruptions.”

“I suppose,” she said, still in his arms.

He paused a moment and studied her. “Do you think two kids are enough?”

His question snapped her to attention. “Enough for what?”

He chuckled. “Enough for a family. Would you consider one or two more?”

Bev searched his eyes for the joke. “You’re kidding?”

“No, I’m not. I want to have another child or two. You’d make me the happiest man in the world.”

Bev’s arms entwined around his neck. “I’d have three more if you wanted them.”

His look softened. “You’d do that for me?” he murmured.

“For us,” she said.

He drew her closer as she rode on waves of happiness. His lips captured hers again, and she luxuriated in their warmth and tenderness. Dale Levin, a husband and father. God worked miracles, and today He’d truly worked one on them.

Dale brushed his nose against hers. “I suppose we should tell our folks.”

She nodded, hating to move. “And the kids,” she said.

“They already know.”

Her heart stopped. “What?”

“I talked to them a few days ago on your birthday and got their permission. We’ve arranged everything to their liking.”

“I can’t believe it. They never said a word.”

“Because it was our secret.” He kissed the top of her head and urged her toward the living room.

“Finally,” Al said, as they came through the doorway, but his expression changed as he eyed their empty hands. “Where’s the dessert?”

“Bev and I have something to tell you.”

Mildred gasped and brought her fist to her mouth.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Bev’s pulse skittered at her mother’s reaction.

“I hope this is what I’ve prayed for,” Mildred said.

Tears bubbled in Bev’s eyes, seeing her mother’s joy.

Dale cleared his throat and wrapped his arm around Bev’s shoulder. “I’ve asked Bev to be my wife, and she said yes.”

“And we’re going to be his kids,” Michael said, his pitch rising with his excitement.

“We’re going to get a new house,” Kristin said.

Mildred’s smile faded. “In Grand Rapids?”

“No, Grandma, right here in Loving.”

“I’m so happy. Now that we’ve all been together in Loving, I’m spoiled.”

“We’ve all been there,” Dale said, giving Bev a knowing look with their private joke.

“You couldn’t make us happier,” Al said, reaching over and squeezing Mildred’s hand.

Dale flexed his palm. “Before you all jump up with congratulations, I have something else to do.” He bent down and pulled a plastic orb from beneath the chair. “I found another Easter egg, but this one’s for Bev.”

Bev looked at the bright-pink oval, and her heart stood still. She slid into the nearest chair and pulled the two sides of the egg apart with trembling hands. Inside, she found what she expected. A jeweler’s ring box.

Kristin darted to her mother’s side and hung over the chair arm.

Bev lifted the lid and gazed at the twinkling diamond set in yellow gold. The stone’s fire took her breath away. “It’s lovely, Dale.”

“Not as lovely as you are.”

He reached down, slid the ring from her hand, and slipped it onto her finger. Dale helped her rise, then kissed her tenderly before cuddling the children to them.

“Soon we’ll be one happy family.” He grinned. He reached over and gave Kristin’s ponytail a playful yank. “What do you say, sweetie?”

She grabbed her hair and grinned. “I guess I have to get used to that. Right?”

“Want me to stop?” Dale asked.

Kristin shook her head. “Nope. I want you to love me just the way you do.”

“I promise to love you all always.”

Bev watched three adults wipe at their eyes just as she was doing. She looked at her children, seeing their joy and feeling complete for the first time.

“Thank you, Lord,” she whispered, “for all Your loving promises.”