“Hello to you too Dad” Ethan said hugging his father
“Rachel, this is my father Marcus Hayes.”
“Hi Rachel. I’m so glad to finally meet you.”
“It is my pleasure to meet you to Senator Hayes.” Rachel said holding out her hand to shake hands with the Senator.
“My daughter-in-law is allowed to call me Marc.” He said shaking her hand. Rachel blushed and said thank you.
“Marc, you embarrassed her.” Jessica scolded
“No, it’s okay.” Rachel explained. “I wasn’t aware of how much Ethan had told you about us.”
Ethan guided Rachel to the couch and sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. “My parents and I are really close and I have shared with them my hope to marry you.”
“And we are thrilled. Especially now that we have met you.” Jessica gushed “Part of why we came here is to get to know you better and ask you some questions and maybe do some marriage counseling at the same time.”
“That is a wonderful idea.” Rachel stated “We haven’t had that opportunity yet and actually I’m not sure when couples begin marriage counseling. We’ve never talked about that Ethan.”
“No we haven’t. We have begun our couples Bible study but we haven’t planned out the marriage counseling yet or who we would go to. I was hoping that your parents would guide us also along with mine.”
“I think they would.” Rachel responded
“I understand that your father is Jacob Hale, is that correct?”
“Yes. He says you served in the same military unit. He doubts that you will remember him though.”
“His bunk was two over from mine in basic training and we have climbed many obstacle courses together. I remember him. He impressed me also with his faith.”
“He impresses me too Dad. Rachel, tell them about your weekly dinners with your family.”
“Each week we have a family dinner and at that dinner, Dad asks all of us what we are studying in Scripture that week. Then he shares with us what he has studied.”
“That is wonderful.” exclaimed Jessica. “Are you going to continue that tradition with your own family?”
“Yes, I’m stealing it from him.” answered Ethan.
Everyone laughed. Marc asked Rachel another question and that was how the afternoon was spent. There were many questions to learn about Rachel, many questions put to Rachel and Ethan and his parents were impressed with her love for their son and the Lord.
Saturday evening, Tom knocked on Robin and Rachel’s front door. Robin answered a moment later and Tom was speechless.
“Hi Tom. Come in.” Robin invited. Tom entered but didn’t speak. “Are you okay?” she asked when he didn’t say anything. Tom nodded his answer.
“What is wrong with you?” she asked gently
“If you expected me to have a rational conversation, you picked the wrong dress. You are stunning.” He finally said as he opened his arms to her. Robin blushed and returned his hug. “Then you like my dress?” she whispered as he held her.
“I love you and I love your dress.” He said just before he kissed her.
“I love you.” Robin answered “And you look extremely handsome also.”
“Thank you. Where’s Rachel?”
“She’ll be down in a minute. She is stressing over wearing a dress with her cast.”
“Rachel” Tom yelled “Ethan isn’t going to care about your cast. And if you don’t hurry, we are going to be later than Ethan.” Ethan had called to explain that there was an emergency with someone at the church and that Tom was going to take both Rachel and Robin to the hotel.
“So speaks a man who is wearing pants and doesn’t have a big bulky cast on his leg.” Rachel grumbled as she started down the stairs. Tom laughed at her grumbling.
“You look very nice, Rachel.” Tom said as he helped both the ladies into their coats.
“Thank you Tom. And how does Robin look?”
“I was speechless, what does that tell you?”
“That you love my sister very much.”
“You got that right.” He agreed wholeheartedly. Robin handed Tom her house keys and guided Rachel out to his car. Tom locked up and then drove them to the hotel. As they arrived, they saw Jacob, Pearl, Jeremy and Paul Hale arriving. Jeremy went to escort Rachel and they all went to the dining room that was reserved for them. Ethan was waiting for them went they reached the room.
“See Rachel, I told you that Ethan would beat us here.” Tom joked
“Jeremy, take care of him.” Rachel joked back.
“What are you talking about Tom?” Ethan asked having heard Tom’s statement
“Don’t you dare tell him Tom Green.” Rachel interrupted fiercely
“She was stressing over her outfit.” Tom replied ignoring her threat.
“Jeremy, take care of him.” Rachel repeated.
“I can’t do that dear sister, Robin would have my head on a platter.”
“So, who is your favorite sister, me or Robin?”
“Children, play nice.” Pearl scolded.
“Yes, mother.” They all replied
“You look very beautiful Rachel” Ethan whispered to her “Robin was right, I am impressed by the outfit.”
“Thank you. Are you sure your parents can handle this crew? We are a disreputable bunch.”
“A few family dinners with my brother and sisters and their families and you’ll see that my parents are used to a ruckus.”
“My children are going to be on their best behavior. Right children?” Pearl scolded
“Yes, mother.” They all saluted.
“Come on” Ethan urged laughing at them all. Ethan helped Rachel in and she was swamped with hugs from both of his parents. “Mom, Dad I’d like for you to meet some very important people to me. This is Jacob and Pearl Hale. Their sons, Jeremy and Paul and their daughter, Robin. And this is my friend Tom Green who is also our music minister. Everyone these are my parents Senator Marcus Hayes and Jessica Hayes.”
It was like a receiving line at a wedding as they all shook hands and greeted one another. Ethan helped Rachel into a chair to get her off her broken leg. The service staff brought the appetizers and drinks in and began to serve as everyone took a seat. Jacob and Marcus reminisced about their boot camp days. Pearl and Jessica compared stories on raising four children. Ethan was watching Rachel. And Rachel gently nudged him under the table.
“Sorry” he whispered
“I appreciate it but you are making me crazy and I’m nervous enough.”
“My parents love you. Why are you nervous now?” he asked quietly
“He is a United States Senator.”
“But I’m Ethan’s father first and foremost.” Marc answered
“How did you know that I said that?” Rachel asked
“I read your lips. Relax Rachel, we couldn’t be happier for Ethan that he has found you and that you plan to make a life together. The Hayes family will be better for having you in it.”
“Thank you sir” she whispered around the lump in her throat. Ethan wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close. “See, I told you.” He whispered “I love you.”
Sunday morning, Robin again walked Rachel in to sit on the pew where Ethan sat prior to preaching. “Hello Beautiful” Ethan said quietly as he sat down.
“Hi. Are your parents here?”
“Yes, they are a few rows behind us with your parents. Do you want to go sit with them?
“Do you want me to?”
“No, I like you right here and I can’t feel your quiet strength from that far away.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means just that, love.”
“Later, I want an explanation for that.”
Ethan agreed as Tom led the choir in and the service started. Ethan said his silent prayer and Rachel said hers. Ethan squeezed her hand and went to preach. “
Good morning. I hope you will allow me some indulgence this morning. Two very influential people in my life are here with me this morning. I would like to introduce my parents, United States Senator Marcus Hayes and Jessica Hayes. I am so glad they are here this morning. For those of you who are stunned, I apologize. Yes, your crazy preacher is the son of a Senator. Go figure.” Ethan’s congregation laughed with him and then he began his sermon.
Ethan’s parents stood with him at the back of the worship center as he greeted the church members after church. They heard all good things about him. After the crowd left, he directed them to his office where Rachel waited for him.
“We wanted to say goodbye, Rachel.” Marc said after they talked a moment. “We have to go get on a plane to California. I have a speech at a fundraiser there.”
“I am so glad you came to see Ethan and that my family got to meet you too. I want you to know that I love your son very much and that he is special because of you.”
“Marry this girl, Ethan.” Marc stated
“I plan to, Dad.” Ethan responded hugging Rachel. Rachel exchanged hugs with his parents and Ethan walked them out to the waiting limousine. “I love you.” He said as he hugged them.
“When are proposing to that girl?” his father asked
“I have the ring in my pocket and we are going to a very special place after lunch.”
“Your grandmother’s ring?” his mom said through her tears
“Yes, Mom. Granny’s ring.”
“Who knew that your help with Grandma all those years ago was preparation for your future bride?”
“God knew mama.” Ethan responded
“We love her, we love you and now we have to go. Bye son. Call us with good news.”
“I will Dad.”
Ethan waved them off, took a deep breath and went to get his girl. “I’m back, are you ready to go to lunch?”
“Absolutely.” Rachel answered. Ethan drove them to a nice restaurant and helped her with her order. As they waited, they discussed his sermon and the events from church. “Did Beth hug you today?”
“Yes, she did. And told me again, how happy she was for me.”
“She is so excited about us. She emails me every day to check on us.”
“No way” Ethan exclaimed
“Yes, everyday. “Hi, how are you and Ethan doing?” is usually what she asks. I just reply that we are doing just fine.” Ethan laughed.
“Did your parents have a good time here this weekend?” Rachel asked after they had eaten their lunch.
“Yes they did. They enjoyed meeting your family and Tom.”
“Dinner last night was lots of fun. And your father surprised me with his blessing.”
“My parents are as enthralled with you as I am.”
“Enthralled? That is two things you have to explain to me now.” Rachel stated.
“Which do you want first?”
“Enthralled”
Ethan held her hand while he explained “I am enthralled with you. Your beauty holds my attention quite well but who you are has me captivated. When I think about you, I forget the time, what I supposed to be doing, if I am watching a movie and I start to think about you, I lose all track of the movie and have to shut it off. And believe me that happens a lot lately.”
Rachel smiled at him and squeezed his hand with hers. “Now, the quiet strength.”
“I draw strength from you. It isn’t that you build me up with words, you do that too don’t get me wrong, but when you sit near me I can feel your prayers, your encouragement, your confidence in me, your love for me and your hopes for me and I love that. I know you prayed for me when you sat in the back also, but I can feel it when I’m sitting right there beside you.”
“Oh Ethan, I’m so glad to hear that. I have prayed for you every day since that first phone call. Even when I was gone, I prayed for you. I want to give you all the strength I am supposed to give you. I want to always be there whenever you need me and I pray that I always can give you what you need to be the man God wants you to be. I love you.”
“Will you change clothes and go with me somewhere?”
“Sure, where are we going?”
“Can it be a surprise?”
“I suppose so.” She agreed reluctantly. Ethan helped her into the car and drove her to her house to change clothes. “Are these clothes matching?” she asked coming downstairs again
“Yellow neon shirt, lime green plaid pants, orange neon shoes, looks perfect to me.” he said taking her hand and hugging her.
“Ethan Hayes” she grumbled happily “So, do my clothes match?”
“Yes, blue jeans, pale yellow top and tennis shoes. You look gorgeous. Now, we need to go to my house so I can change clothes.” He said turning to the door to usher her out.
“I’ve never been to your house.” Rachel remembered as they had been on the road for a few minutes.
“Well, you had your chance last fall and skipped out on me.” Ethan grumbled “I’m teasing. There is a tall row of bushes that separates my house from the neighbors. The house is off white with brown shudders or do you already know that?”
“How would I know that?”
“I seem to recall that you organized a painting party on my house.” He joked opening the front door and guiding her inside.
Rachel cleared her throat to hide her embarrassment “I …never mind.” She conceded smiling
“Gotcha” he teased in her ear. Rachel felt him close by and reacted to give him a nuggie like he always gave her. Ethan burst out laughing and tried to fight her off. “Stop that” he said swinging her up in his arms. Rachel was caught off guard and stopped rubbing his head. “You gave me a nuggie.”
“You deserved it.” She answered back smiling at him
Ethan kissed her quickly “I did. But your face was priceless. You knew what color my house was?”
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t need to know the colors to send people here to paint. I…” Ethan kissed her again to stall her
“What was that for?” she asked
“Because I wanted too.” He said urging her up. “Sit here and don’t wander too much. I don’t want you getting hurt by not knowing the layout of the house. I am going to go change.” Rachel nodded and Ethan ran to change clothes.
“How do I look?” he asked returning to the living room
“Very handsome.” She answered honestly
“Thank you.”
“You goof.” She laughed as he took her hand “You are in an exceptionally good mood today.”
Ethan had a secret and wasn’t about to give it away too soon. Ethan was still chuckling when he led her back to the car. He pulled out his cell phone and called the realtor to explain that he was running late.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he drove along.
“Remember my project, the youth center? I want you to do a walk through with me on the warehouse. I wouldn’t do it today but someone else is interested in the building that I want.”
“So what is it you like best about this location?” Rachel asked a moment later.
“Location. It is in the neighborhood I would like to target. Close enough to the church that we can bus them over each week to church. It is near enough to an elementary school, two middle schools and two high schools.”
“Your target is all three ages of children. That is a big job.”
“It is a huge warehouse. You can tell space right?”
“Somewhat. I could tell your house was pretty good sized and I could tell your cabin was very good sized.”
“Anyway, if it works out, there will be space for a gym area, a study/learning area, a playground and a pool eventually.”
“Oh my goodness, that is huge.” She exclaimed “You can afford all of that.”
“Do you know who Stanford Hayes is?”
“Hayes Hotels, that Stanford Hayes” she answered confused by his ques
tion
“Do you know who Malcolm Jones is? Or the name “Maisie Daisie” food products?”
“Yes.”
“Stanford Hayes, Paternal grandfather. Malcolm Jones, maternal grandfather. Ethan Hayes, one of only four grandchildren. That answer your question?”
“Uh, yeah, but even still that is a lot of money.”
“My grandfather’s were best friends and had a great mission for their grandkids. If we came up with a way to reach others, actually, it is when we came up with a mission that reached out to the community we were to receive the funding necessary to fulfill that mission. The money is available believe me.”
“And on-going funding?”
“Shouldn’t be an issue.” He answered honestly “I’ll go over all the details with you when you want but I meant it when I said my monthly trust fund distributions are more than sufficient.”
“You are going to need a huge staff.”
“Somewhat. But what I’d also like to do is teach some of the high schools to mentor to the middle school kids and then the middle school kids mentor to the elementary school kids. And of course, lots of volunteers.”
“And who is going to organize all of this?”
“We are going to hire a managing director but I’d really like it if you joined me on the board of directors.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, absolutely. I need your help!”
“Okay, I’ll do my best.” She answered amazed at his goal “You are amazing!”
“No, I can’t do anything without the Lord’s help. And I feel Him leading me in this, that is why I took this appointment today, I believe this is the building we need.” He said slowing down to pull into the warehouse parking lot. He was describing the acreage and buildings while he parked.
“Hi Ethan”
“Hi Stan. Stan, I’d like you to meet Rachel Hayes. Rachel, this is Stan Keltner.”
“It is nice to meet you Stan” she said extending her hand
“It is my pleasure.” Stan returned her handshake and turned towards the building. He led them in the door and Ethan helped her negotiate around. They toured the building and then asked for a couple of minutes to talk about some things.
“Well?” he asked Rachel when Stan left them alone.
“It seems huge.”
“It is. What is your opinion?”
“Ethan, I’m assuming you have prayed about this?”
“Yes, constantly.”
“Then I think you should find out the next steps.”