Monty nodded and stood to the side to allow Erin and Troy to precede them. Although he knew he wasnt supposed to feel this way, he resented Troy and Erins appearance.
Erin hesitated, but Troy strode inside. As Cindy turned to follow Erin, Monty tried to get her attention, but she wouldnt make eye contact.
Troy and Erin made themselves comfortable on the small love seat, so when Cindy sat on one end of the couch, Monty parked himself on the other side. The s.p.a.ce between them stretched for miles.
Erin tried to make conversation, but Troy glowered in silence, which suited Monty just fine. Slowly, Cindy relaxed, and as she did, Monty relaxed, too, however he added little to the stilted conversation.
Cindy stood. I think Ill go make a pot of coffee.
Monty stood before she had taken her first step. Ill help. As he followed her into the kitchen, he couldnt help but feel Troy glaring into his back. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he returned Troys glare to let him know he had better stay put.
Once in the kitchen, he leaned one hip into the wall as he watched Cindy make the coffee. She didnt say a word during the entire process. She measured the water carefully, adding just a bit more to the pot three times until she had precisely matched the water to the line. Then, she slowly poured the water into the machine. With the same precision, she measured the coffee into the filter before turning the switch on to brew.
Monty didnt move as he continued to watch her. She selected four brightly colored mugs, again performing each movement in slow motion. When she pulled a bag of cookies and a plate out of the cupboard, Monty couldnt stand the tension anymore.
He walked across the room to where she carefully arranged the cookies in an artful pattern and removed the bag of cookies from her reach.
Cindy, please tell me whats wrong. He wasnt going to apologize for kissing her. It was right. If not for Erin and her boyfriend walking in on them, the timing and unexpected rightness of it would have been perfect. He wanted to kiss her again, to kiss her well and good, without interruption.
She met his eyes and took the cookie bag from his hands. I thought you just wanted to meet me a few times, satisfy your curiosity about me, and that would be the end of it.
Monty rammed his hands into his pockets. Thats what I thought, too, but its not enough. I want to get to know you as more than just an acquaintance.
Well, thats not the way I wanted to get to know you.
He felt like hed been punched in the gut. No words came.
Monty, look at you.
Obediently, he lowered his chin to look down at himself, ran his hands down both sides of the front of his suit jacket, wiggled the knot on his tie, then returned his hands to his pockets. What about me? Monty considered himself a nice guy, honest, intelligent. Well dressed. Professional. A Christian.
She sighed loudly. We come from two different worlds. We cant possibly enter into that kind of relationship.
His heart sank. Of all the things he thought about Cindy, this wasnt something he thought would concern her. The fact that it mattered to her that shed come from a nice, normal, middle-cla.s.s, Christian family while hed been a throwaway from the wrong side of the tracks and a failure of the miseries of child welfare services stabbed his heart where he didnt think hed heal.
Monty stiffened his back, trying to think of something to say in response without letting her know how badly shed hurt him.
She clutched the bag of cookies to her chest like a teddy bear while the coffee maker gurgled beside her. Look at you, she repeated. How much did that suit cost?
He rocked back on his heels, his hands still deep in his pants pockets, while he looked down at himself once more.
This one? I cant remember, probably under eight hundred dollars.
See?
He stiffened to his full height, standing ramrod straight. No, Cindy, Im afraid I dont.
If you added up the price of the suit, the silk shirt, the handpainted tie, the cufflinks, the shoes, just what you have on right now, its probably more than the cost of my entire wardrobe!
So?
She banged the bag of cookies down on the counter, catching the corner of the plate and destroying her creative placement. Up until I got this job six months ago, I had to count every single penny. I was so broke, I made most of my clothes. I still do. Your suit is probably worth more than my car.
I think youre exaggerating.
Dont bet on it.
When she made another grab for the cookie bag, Monty yanked his hands out of his pockets and grasped her wrists to hold her hands still. Cindy, up until a few years ago, I barely had two pennies to rub together. Youll make it, too.
No, I wont, she mumbled as she bent her head, staring at the disarray of cookies. I dont have any marketable skills and I wont until I complete my courses, which I havent even started yet. All I have is a rundown half a duplex thats mortgaged to the max and an old car thats coming close to its final journey to the repair shop.
Cindy, stop it. Thats not important to me. Whats important to me is you.
She raised her head, and his heart nearly stopped. Her wide eyes showed such anguish, he didnt know what to do. His first impulse was to hold her close in a tight embrace, but since what started this whole fiasco in the first place was the barest start of a small kiss, he didnt know if that would make things better or worse. He didnt dare take the chance.
He gently ran his thumbs up and down her wrists a couple of times, then released her hands. The coffees ready. I think wed better fix up that plate of cookies and pour the coffee, or Erin and Troy will come looking for us. What he didnt need right now was another interruption in a sensitive moment.
She nodded but didnt say a word. Monty chose to leave well enough alone.
He watched Cindys awkward movements as she first poured the coffee, then placed the steaming cups, the cream and sugar bowls, and a small handful of spoons onto a tray that looked early-garage-sale era. Monty picked up the cookie plate and a stack of napkins and followed her into the living room.
Troy and Erin sat close together on the couch, not locked in a pa.s.sionate display as he expected, but talking in hushed whispers with their heads close together. They stopped as soon as they realized Monty and Cindy had returned.
Troy leaned back on the couch, crossing his arms over his chest. I was wondering if I should check in there to see if maybe someone had an accident or something.
Monty cringed inwardly at the word accident but, gathering his best business ac.u.men, he smiled politely back at Troy, even though Troy greatly aggravated him. He could only guess at how uncomfortable Cindy felt, and he didnt want to make things any worse than they already were. Using more self-control than ever before, he held back the scathing reply that was on the tip of his tongue.
Troy opened his mouth to speak, but Erin grabbed Troys hand and spoke first. We went to the opening night of that new play at the Arts Club Theater. I forget the name, but it was really good. Where did you two go?
The quick change caught Monty off guard. All he could think of was Troy being such a jerk. At a loss for words for one of the few times in his life, he turned to Cindy. Her beautiful smoky gray eyes widened, making his heart beat faster, and for a few seconds he forgot about Troy and his annoying att.i.tude.
She then turned to face Erin. We ended up going to this quaint little j.a.panese place downtown. I forget the name. We even had to take off our shoes. Im not sure I want to know what I ate, but whatever it was, I thought it tasted very good. She turned toward him with a shy smile, then looked at Erin again. He hoped this meant she had enjoyed the quiet evening together as much as he had. It had these neat rice paper walls, which gave it a really nice, private atmosphere around each table. You two should try it.
Troy gave a low chuckle, then turned to Cindy with a sly sneer. Private atmosphere? In a restaurant? Oh, I get it. You didnt get enough privacy. He emphasized the word. If you came here for some of that, I think it helps to close the door.
Monty gritted his teeth. He forced himself to keep silent. With a few sharp comments, he could put Troy in his place, but at what cost? Not only were Troy and Cindy friends, but they also worked together. If that wasnt enough, Troy was immersed in a serious relationship with Cindys best friend.
Monty bit his tongue again and tried to think of an appropriate Bible verse. The best he could think of was something hed read in Proverbs about a fool showing his annoyance, but a prudent man overlooking the insult. He planned to look it up when he got home. No matter how difficult, he determined to be prudent and honor G.o.d with his behavior and response.
Silence still hung in the room, and judging from Cindys shocked expression, she hadnt taken the comment lightly either, which made his response even harder to withhold. Using a great deal of self-control, Monty changed the subject to something hed read recently.
The conversation was strained and Monty hated idle chitchat at the best of times. Rather than make things worse, he decided he should leave.
To Montys surprise and delight, Cindy not only accompanied him to the front door, but outside and to his car parked on the street.
Stars twinkled above the quiet old neighborhood, radiating a gentle charm. The sounds of traffic drifted from a main thoroughfare in the distance and a dog barked from a faraway yard. Although many houses were dark already, many living room lights remained on, with the glow of televisions indicating most peoples choice of pastimes for a late Friday evening. An elderly couple stepped out of a car that had pulled into the driveway across the street, and both people waved at Cindy before they disappeared into their humble little house. The street was quiet once more.
All the tension drained from his body as he enjoyed the gentle breeze in the laid-back community.
Monty wanted a neighborhood like this. At the high-rise apartment building he lived in, no matter what hour of the day or night, people constantly milled about, hurrying to or from some activity or late-night party, especially on the weekends. In a neighborhood of many such complexes, there was never a sense of quiet stillness, even in the middle of the night. He vaguely knew some of the people on his floor at the office tower, but he really didnt know his own neighbors at home. He recognized some, but everyone pa.s.sed each other with tunnel vision, seldom acknowledging one another as they rushed by. On those rare occasions when someone did offer a greeting, they most often consisted of a quick nod without a change of pace.
Until recently, he hadnt cared. But the more he became aware of G.o.ds continuing presence in his life, the more he noticed the meaninglessness of his lifestyle. He liked Cindys neighborhood. It suited her and seemed to give her a sense of family, and most of all, roots.
Monty and Cindy faced each other beside his car.
Im so sorry, Monty. I dont know whats gotten into Troy. Hes really very nice and has a wonderful sense of humor, but I think hes taken on some kind of big brother role. Im so embarra.s.sed that hes been so nasty.
Monty had seen overprotective big brothers in a few of the foster homes hed been placed in. Troys behavior was far different, but if that was what Cindy chose to believe, he didnt want to burst her bubble. And now that they were no longer in Troy and Erins company, he didnt want to discuss it.
Very gently, he cupped Cindys smaller hands with his and ran his thumbs along the backs of her wrists. Troy and his nonsense became unimportant. Dont worry about him. h.e.l.l get over it. He paused for a few seconds to gather his thoughts. I wish I could see you tomorrow, but the youth group is doing Computer Geek Day. The last time we did this, not only did things run all afternoon, but the time kind of got away from me and we went long into the evening.
He paused, remembering the day well. The entire youth group had come to his office, where all the teens took turns at his many computers, including his personal laptop. When the parents arrived to take their kids home, many of them ended up staying, and the afternoon project had ended up lasting until late into the evening, leaving him with plenty of explaining to do to the maintenance staff the next day. He had a feeling he was in for a repeat performance tomorrow, so this time, hed given security adequate warning.
He almost asked if Cindy would care to join him, but theyd instantly be considered a couple, and he doubted she was ready for that.
The realization struck him that he wanted to be considered that way with Cindy, and he wanted it more than anything hed ever wanted before. Finally, hed found the woman who saved his life. But in so doing, deep in his heart, he knew hed also found the one woman he could share his life with, his hopes and dreams, his successes and his failures, and he wanted to be that special someone for her as well.
Was this what it was like to fall in love? Outside on the street, all thoughts of Troy and the frustrations faded into nothing as he held Cindys hands, concentrating on her lovely face. Usually, he would be running off to tackle some unfinished project, of which he always had many, but tonight, he would have stood on the street in silence all night, just to be with her.
Without waiting for her to respond, he lifted her right hand and brushed a kiss to each fingertip. He desperately wished he could kiss her properly, but instead, he slowly lowered her hand.
She stared at him with big wide eyes, but thankfully didnt pull her hand out of his, although he purposely held her gently enough that she could have, if she wanted to. He released her before she had time to think about it.
Good night, Monty, she stammered. Thanks for dinner and for a wonderful evening. I guess Ill see you next Sat.u.r.day when we go for that hike.
He smiled. Aside from the incident with Troy, the evening had been wonderful"one he prayed they could repeat many times.
He resisted the urge to touch her again. Nodding once, he turned to push the remote lock control on his key chain, although the thought occurred to him that in this neighborhood, he probably didnt need to lock his car. Good night, Cindy.
Monty started his car as Cindy stood on the curb, watching him. He couldnt wait a week. If nothing else, at least hed phone her by Wednesday, providing he could last that long without seeing her. With a little coaxing, maybe he could convince her to accompany him for lunch again. He knew his calendar was full, but something told him his schedule was about to change.
He waved once as he pulled away from the curb and drove toward home.
Cindy watched as the tail lights of Montys car got smaller and smaller. Things had not gone at all like shed planned. Not only had she been unable to tell him that she didnt think they should see each other again, but when he tried to kiss her, if it hadnt been for Erin and Troys sudden appearance, she would willingly have kissed him right back. Cindy thanked G.o.d they had walked in when they did, even though shed never been so embarra.s.sed in her life.
She didnt want to like him, but she did. Unfortunately, his feelings for her were obvious, but she knew his impressions of her were wrong. Considering the way they met and the part she had played in saving his life, she felt obligated to tell him not to trust his emotions concerning her, but she didnt know how to.
If they had met any other way, perhaps she might have given in and dated him, taking it slow and seeing what developed, but that wasnt an option. What would happen when he pa.s.sed the hero-worship stage and saw her for who she really was? Unlike the sophisticated and moneyed crowd he no doubt hung around with, she was plain and ordinary, and the only reason he noticed her was that she was in the right place at the right time, placed there by G.o.ds design. His perspective of her and their relationship came from a distorted image.
She stared off into the distance at the last place Montys car had been visible, until a barking dog brought her to her senses. Abruptly, she jogged back inside and marched up to Troy, interrupting his conversation with Erin.
Cindy wagged her finger in the air in front of his nose. Troy Thompson, that was so rude! If you ever behave like that again, Ill. . . Ill. . . She sucked in a deep breath. Ill do something!
Before he could reply, she stomped off into her bedroom and closed the door, coming just short of slamming it. He knew what she meant.
Cindy pounded on the bathroom door. Erin? Are you finished in there? I have to leave in a few minutes. I want to get a good seat.
The door opened. Erin stood in the doorway in her bathrobe, a towel wrapped around her head and a brush in her hand. Theres gotta be under a hundred people in your church. I dont think its possible to get a bad seat.
Cindy shook her head. Youre going to be late, Erin.
Erin shrugged her shoulders and stood aside as Cindy grabbed her toothbrush. No, Im not. Troys going to be here in fifteen minutes, and well have plenty of time. I dont know why you have to be half an hour early for your churchs service.
Cindy tried to speak around the toothbrush in her mouth. Its great that Troy is going to church with you.
Yeah. Weve talked a lot about it, and I think hes getting ready to make a commitment. Weve talked a lot about things over the last few days. And we also talked a lot about you.
Cindy nearly choked on her mouthful of toothpaste water. Me?
Troy doesnt trust Monty. He thinks Montys trying to get to Robert through you.
Cindy spit. Thats ridiculous. Its just a simple crush. h.e.l.l get over it. Besides, after our hike next weekend, I wont see him again.
I dont know about that.
The doorbell rang just as Cindy rinsed her toothbrush and dropped it into the holder. Its Troy! Erin shrieked. Hes early!
Before Cindy knew what happened, Erin shoved her out of the bathroom and slammed the door shut. She didnt need lipstick anyway. Thats okay, Erin! Ill get it! she called through the closed door. One of these days. . .
Cindy checked her watch as she walked through the living room. At least Troy allowed plenty of time to make a dignified arrival, although how Erin convinced Troy to go to church, shed never know. Shed lost track of how many times shed asked him, yet shed never managed to talk him into going with her.
Hi, Troy, she said as she opened the door. She decided that since it was Sunday and he was finally going to church, she would not lecture him for his rude and obnoxious behavior with Monty on Friday night. Do you have any idea how long Ive waited to see you with a. . . , Cindy blinked rapidly at the sight that beheld her, . . .tie. . . ?
Hi, Cindy.
Hi, Monty, she squeaked out. What are you doing here?
I happened to be in the neighborhood, and I was wondering if youd like to accompany me to church this fine Sunday morning.
She happened to think otherwise. Oh, really?
Yeah. He grinned. Well, maybe I took the long way.
And just where is this church of yours?
His ears turned red. Across the street from the arena.
The arena was located on the opposite end of town. Cindy backed up to let him enter, then closed the door behind him. Thats worse than the long way, Monty, she mumbled. Youll never get there on time.
He made a great show of checking his watch, although Cindy suspected he knew exactly what time it was. How about that. Youre right. But you could always invite me to your church.
Cindy resisted the urge to groan. If he pursued his business interests with the same determination in which he pursued her, she could see why he was such a success. She could only imagine the reaction she would get from the members at her church when she showed up with a movie-star handsome man in his elegant, tailored suit, charming everyone with his fine manners and disarming smile. She wasnt sure she could handle the speculation, yet she couldnt turn him away, because if she did, he would miss church because of her. She didnt think she could handle the guilt.
At the same time, alarm bells went off in her head. If she did take him, she would lead him to falsely believe that he was succeeding and that she really was falling for him.