“Need some help?” Elaine stood in the doorway grinning at him. “You look like Santa Claus.”
“After Thanksgiving, I feel like it.” John had put all the gifts in one oversize black yard bag, which now seemed about as big as him. His hands were too full to wave off her help, but he peeked around the bag. “Stay there. I’ve got it.”
She laughed and skipped down the steps. “I’ll get the wrapping paper at least.” When she passed him, she touched his shoulder. “Thanks for coming. Peyton Manning’s going to make history this year, you know. I can’t miss a minute of that.”
“No problem.” John kept walking toward the open front door. “We’ll have everything up and running in no time.” He stepped inside and looked around the room. The gifts Elaine had purchased lay spread out on one of her matching living room sofas. He set his things down on the other.
“It’s freezing out there.” Elaine returned with the wrapping paper and set it on the closest chair. “Feels like snow.”
“That’s what the news said.” He caught his breath and smiled at her. “Okay, show me what you did to the TV.”
John took apart the wires leading from the receiver unit to the television, VCR, DVD player, and two sets of speakers—one in the front of the room, one in the back. While he worked, Elaine made coffee, and they talked about their kids and grandkids. Elaine’s were healthy. One of her kids was coming down for Christmas Eve, and the other would join her the week after.
“How’s Hayley?” Elaine sat on the arm of the old leather sofa she had in her TV room. “She looks better every time I see her.”
John was lying on one hip, looking for the right place to plug in the cable. He sat up a little and looked at Elaine. “She’s amazing. There’s no medical explanation for how a little girl could be underwater as long as she was and be doing so well.”
“It’s a miracle.”
“Yes. Brooke said she’s starting to read, which means her brain is still healing.” John found the right jack and made the connection with the cable. Then he sat up and turned to Elaine again. “To think I was ready to give up on her.” He always choked up when he remembered those dark days immediately after Hayley’s near drowning. “I thought there was no hope for her. She’d be blind and bedridden all her life. I begged God to take her home.” He squinted against the pain of the memory and allowed a sad smile. “I guess God showed me.”
Her eyes held fresh compassion. “He has a way of doing that. . . . How about Tommy? Is Luke having an easier time with him?”
John laughed. “He’s all boy; that’s for sure. Typical toddler, testing his boundaries.” He stood and found another cable in the pile near the entertainment center. “He’s still shooting people; only now when he does it he appears to be blowing a kiss. Then at the last possible second, he makes the shooting sound instead.”
Elaine tried not to laugh. “I don’t envy Luke and Reagan. Those years are a lot of work.”
“They are. Luke found a Growing Kids God’s Way class at their new church in Indianapolis. They might not agree with everything about the program, but I think it’ll help.” He chuckled. “Let’s just say Luke and Reagan are both looking forward to it.”
“And Ashley . . . is she okay?”
Elaine hadn’t asked about his middle daughter since Laughter and Leftovers. If one of his kids struggled with the friendship between John and Elaine, she had told him she wouldn’t worry about it or ask questions unless he brought it up. But clearly Ashley’s emotional breakdown that night was still troubling Elaine.
“I should’ve told you.” John sat back down on the floor. “She’s fine.” He looped one arm around his knee and leaned on his elbow so he could see the panel at the back of the TV. “She’s been dealing with a flu bug or something. She looks like she’s lost a little weight.”
“Things are good for her at home?”
“Better than ever. She and Landon are giddy in love. I mean . . . I can’t believe that daughter of mine almost drove away the best thing that ever happened to her.” He grinned and leaned toward the television. “I’ll be thanking God forever that Landon was stubborn enough to stay.”
“They have something special.” Elaine sounded wistful. “Just like Kari and Ryan.”
“Brooke and Peter too. They’re just more businesslike. More left-brained, I guess. Now that they’ve worked out the trouble over Hayley’s drowning, they’re very close.” John examined the cord, and in the shadows he tried to make out the labels beneath the jacks. “It’s Sam and Erin I worry about. They have four beautiful daughters, but sometimes I wonder if Erin’s really happy. She doesn’t say much, especially since Elizabeth died.”
“It’s like that with my oldest. Gives me lots of reason to pray.”
“Amen.”
At the end of the hour, after talking about each of their children and grandchildren, John connected a cable from the receiver to the TV. Then he stood and put his hands on his hips. “That should do it.” He pushed a few buttons, and the picture came to life.
Elaine clapped and looked at her watch. “Fifteen minutes to spare.”
They watched the game while the smell of Elaine’s lasagna filled the house.
When it was over, when the Colts had notched another victory and Peyton Manning was another step closer to making history, Elaine slipped a MercyMe CD into her stereo. Then she flipped a switch near her gas fireplace, and a flame sprang to life. “Have you heard the song ‘Homesick’? It’s on this CD.” She moved some of her gifts to the coffee table and sat on the floor in front of it.
“Yes. It’s beautiful. Talks about losing someone and feeling homesick for heaven.”
“Mmm-hmm.” She used her remote to start the CD. “Used to make me cry every time I heard it.”
John wasn’t sure what to say. The song still brought tears to his eyes; how could it not? He set some of his gifts on the floor at the other end of the coffee table and dropped to the carpet. That way they each had a work space. He paused long enough to catch her eye. “You can listen to it without crying now?”
“I can.” Elaine shifted her gaze to the front window. “I hear it, and I have that love still, that . . . I don’t know, that fondness for my husband and all we lived through together. The memories and laughter and loving. But I’m almost happy for him, I guess. He’s where he’s supposed to be.” She lifted her hands and smiled at John. As she did, she looked especially attractive. “And I’m here. Because God’s not done with me yet.”
John held her eyes for a moment. “I like that.” He felt lighthearted, with none of the maudlin heaviness that usually came with talk about Elizabeth or the loss he’d suffered. He smiled. “I like that a lot.”
They wrapped Fisher-Price toys and LEGO box sets and Little House on the Prairie books. Nerf guns and miniature piano keyboards and building blocks and a couple of LeapFrog games. They talked about Christmas, their favorite traditions, and Katy and Dayne’s pending wedding. All the while MercyMe played in the background twice through, and the fire crackled at the far side of the room.
An hour into their wrapping project, snow started falling. Winter was upon them now, no question.
By the time they finished dinner, John wasn’t sure how to feel. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. Everything about the day was just what he needed, especially with Christmas so close. But what did that say about his feelings for Elaine? Or his feelings for everything Elizabeth had meant to him?
Before he left, he hugged Elaine a little longer than usual. “I had a great time. Your lasagna was perfect.”
Her cheeks looked pinker than before. “The least I can do for someone who fixes my TV before kickoff.”
He laughed. “It wasn’t hard. Just a few loose connections.”
“That’ll be us one day.” Her eyes sparkled. “A few loose connections.”
They both laughed, and John realized how wonderful it felt. He bade her good-bye, and he was still chuckling when he reached the car.
>
On the way home, though, his uncertainty returned. He sighed and stared straight ahead at the road. God, where’s this going? I have no idea if I’ll ever be ready for more than a friendship with Elaine. So am I wrong to spend a day with her? He felt sad at the thought of cutting off the relationship again. I don’t know how to look at all this, God. . . . I need Your wisdom. Please . . .
My son . . . My Word is truth.
The response echoed quietly in his soul, and John felt a surge of clarity. God was so faithful, so good. Of course that’s where the answers would be—for this and for any dilemma he’d faced before or since Elizabeth’s death. God’s Word. The only truth that would never change.
John remembered then what he’d read that morning in his Bible. He’d been in chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes. The entire chapter spoke to him, underlining the truth about God’s timing, His way of directing His people’s days. It spoke of there being a time to mourn, a time to dance, and a time for every season in life. As John read it earlier, he had thought of his children.
But now he was remembering the Scripture with a fresh and startling understanding. Especially the first verse: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
Wasn’t that what Elaine had said earlier when they were wrapping presents? Her husband was in heaven, where he was supposed to be. And she was here because God wasn’t finished with her yet. The time for John and Elizabeth had come and gone—though every good thing about it would remain with him until he took his last breath. But this season . . . this time in life without her . . . was something new. Every season was meant for an activity, according to the Bible verse.
Maybe this season was meant for him and Elaine.
Even thinking the idea made a chill pass over him. Not because he was thrilled with the idea, but because it terrified him. Not the friendship part but anything that might come after it.
John silently thanked the Lord for reminding him of the Scripture and making it clear that it could apply not just to his kids but to him. No matter how hard ushering in the activity of the next season might be.
He felt himself relax. The day had been wonderful, and as he finished the drive home, he replayed his time with Elaine. It wasn’t until he walked through the front door that he realized something that shocked and saddened him. He must be making more progress than he thought toward the next season of life. Because in the course of the late afternoon, MercyMe’s “Homesick” had played at least twice.
And John’s eyes never even got damp.
Katy had been looking forward to the date all week.
Back when she was single, she used to dream of going with someone special to one of college sports’ most unforgettable experiences—a basketball game at Indiana University’s Assembly Hall. She and Rhonda, her CKT choreographer, used to talk about the fun they’d have and how they couldn’t marry a guy who didn’t enjoy a college basketball game every now and then.
She heard the knock at the Flanigans’ door. She hadn’t seen Dayne much yesterday and not at all today. He was working out details with his agent, figuring out premiere dates and film schedules.
Katy used the time to get her hair trimmed and catch up with the Flanigans. Tonight they were with their kids, and Cody was at a movie. Cody was doing great, attending his alcohol classes and never veering far from anyone in the Flanigan family.
Katy ran to the door, her purse over her shoulder. She felt pretty with her fresh haircut. She wore a red sweater, jeans, and a pair of knee boots.
When she opened the door, Dayne took a step back and gave a low whistle. “I was hoping we might get through the night without getting stopped by anyone. But not with you looking like that. It’ll be ‘Dayne, who? Let me get an autograph from your mystery woman.’”
Katy laughed and gave him a teasing look. “Stop.” Her heart beat a little faster beneath his gaze, and she wondered if she would ever get used to the way he made her feel. She doubted it. “Mystery woman! By now everyone knows it’s just plain old me.”
“Hmmm.” He gave her a polite appraisal with his eyes. “Nothing plain about you, Katy Hart. Country girl, yes.” He raised a single eyebrow. “Plain, definitely not. And I like your hair.”
“Thanks.” Katy took his hand and shut the door behind her. “Know what?” The cold air contrasted with the warmth of his fingers against hers as they walked to Dayne’s new 4Runner. She felt intoxicated by his presence, his love. By the fact that in a matter of months, he would finally be her husband.
“What?” He opened the door for her and kissed her cheek. “You live for these moments, same as me?”
“That.” She grinned as he shut the door. When he climbed into the driver’s side, she faced him. “But this whole date thing—I love it, Dayne.” She snapped her seat belt in place. “I guess I never thought we could date . . . like regular people.”
A quiet laugh came from Dayne, but it sounded a little doubtful. “We’re hoping, you mean.” He tugged on his baseball cap. “If I pull it low enough, I’ll need you to lead me around.”
“Which I’ll do.” She gave him a hopeful smile. “I think it’ll be okay.”
She looked out the windshield. They’d spent the last three weeks without a single paparazzi moment. A few times when they were furniture shopping in Indianapolis, someone had recognized Dayne and asked for his autograph. But no one called the press or no one cared enough to send a photographer. The time together without all the attention had been unbelievable, dreamy even. It gave them both a glimpse of how life might be someday when Dayne finished his movie contract.
Katy wanted to go to the game in the worst way, but Dayne was right—being at an IU basketball game would be different. The game was televised, so there was a chance a cameraman could spot Dayne and their presence would be broadcast to the nation. Still, Katy had wanted to go so badly that Dayne had agreed. Their seats weren’t on the floor. They were twenty rows up, and they were going with Luke and Reagan, who had found a babysitter for the night.
Dayne wore a long-sleeve polo shirt and the requisite baseball cap. Tonight was an experiment of sorts. Bloomington was going to be their home, so they’d have to get used to navigating the nightlife—and that meant restaurants and an occasional game at the university. One day soon, the whole world would know that Dayne Matthews lived here. If the situation played out the way it had with other celebrities who moved to Middle America, the novelty would wear off, and after a year or so they’d be able to live their lives almost like any other people.
They drove through town to the Encore Café on Sixth Street, a warm little restaurant with an eclectic mix of fresh food, private booths, and the best French bread in Bloomington. It always had live music and various students sipping coffee and eating dessert over an open textbook or two. Katy figured no one would care about Dayne at a place like that, especially with the private booths.
“Hey.” Dayne glanced at her. His expression told her he didn’t care about whatever hassle they might face in the hours ahead. “I want this date as much as you do. We’ll find a way to make it work.”
They pulled into the parking lot, and Katy spotted Luke’s car. “They’re already here.” That had been the plan. Luke and Reagan would get here first and grab a booth. Less time for Dayne to be noticed that way.
Inside the restaurant, it took just a few seconds for them to spot Luke and Reagan. Katy took the lead and motioned to the hostess that they were meeting people who were already seated.
Dayne kept the bill of his hat low, his gaze down. They took their seats without any incident.
“Victory!” Katy licked her finger and pretended to chalk up a point. “See . . . people have better things to do in the Midwest. No one’s looking for celebrities.”
Reagan shot a look at Katy. “Unless they recognize you first.”
Katy hadn’t thought much about that. Yes, her face had been in the tabloids for a few weeks. But lately there was only an occasional mention—m
ainly about whether Dayne was planning to marry her. And they’d made a plan to handle that issue the first week of January. Wilma had already set up the meeting with Celebrity Life magazine.
“How’s my favorite attorney?” Dayne took the seat next to the wall of the booth. He adjusted his cap so he could see Luke better. “You all moved in at the office?”
“Definitely.” The gratitude in Luke’s voice was unmistakable. “What you’ve done for us, Dayne . . .”
“We think about it every day.” Reagan reached across the table and patted Dayne’s hand. “It’s changed our lives.”
“I heard that your mother was getting married.” Katy had gotten the scoop from Ashley the other day.
“Yes.” A hint of sadness crept into Reagan’s tone. “I’m happy for her.”
Years had passed since the terrorist attacks on New York City. Reagan’s father had worked on the eighty-ninth floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. He never made it out.
Katy snuggled close to Dayne. “Ashley says he’s a friend from her high school days.”
“A guy she dated for two years back then.” Reagan tilted her head. “Life can be a strange thing.”
Katy didn’t share the rest of what Ashley had said—how her heart was breaking for Reagan and how difficult it would be if she ever heard news that her dad was remarrying.
Luke and Dayne launched into a talk about the law firm and how Luke was getting familiar with Dayne’s investments and his contracts.
When the waitress came up, she did a double take at Dayne. But he became very involved in the menu, and by the time he ordered, the waitress looked like she no longer wondered if he might be Dayne Matthews. After all, what would Hollywood’s top actor be doing at the Encore Café?
Katy smiled as she walked away. “Victory number two.” She looped her arm through Dayne’s. “See? It’s like you’re a real person!”