Valerie finished her rib just as Sami sat down, her plate loaded with a hamburger and three different salads. “I never can decide at things like this, so I end up eating way too much.”
“That’s good,” Valerie said, “because there’s a lot of food.”
Sami looked around. “Good crowd, though.”
Brad stood with his empty plate. “I’m going to get more water. Can I bring you anything?”
Valerie shook her head. “I’m good. Thanks.”
As he walked away, Calla walked back over and caught her watching Brad’s departing profile. “Looking good I take it?”
She watched Brad stop and talk to someone on his way to the cooler full of water. She liked the way he moved, with confidence and grace. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Good. He needs you.” Sami shoved potato salad in her mouth and pointed at Valerie with her fork. “You’re perfect for him.”
Ian got to his feet. “Sounds like girl talk, so I’ll just excuse myself. I need to go talk to the elder Mr. Dixon.” He put a hand on Calla’s shoulder and gave her a look of pure love. “Need anything?”
She smiled up at him and shook her head. He bent and gave her a brief but gentle kiss, then walked away. Calla grinned at his departing back then looked at Valerie. “He’s kind of perfect for you, too,” she said, and Sami murmured her agreement around a mouth full of food.
Brad sat in a loungechair on the back porch and closed his eyes. His body felt fatigued, but he had a content mind and a happy heart. It was nearly midnight when everyone got home after the party at the lake. He planned to send some laborers out to the site tomorrow to load up the chairs and tables and finish the cleanup.
The door behind him opened and he didn’t even open his eyes as he listened to his dad sit in the chair next to him. “Y’all did an amazing job with the party,” he said.
“Thanks. Ken did a lot of work ahead of time, building the structures. Mom worked hard.”
“You and Jon did, too. Your mom loves to throw parties. Thanks for giving her that. It’s been a couple years.”
“I think she’s been holding out for weddings and baby showers that haven’t happened yet,” Brad said with a grin.
“And grandchildren birthday parties. You three are killing her with all this bachelorhood,” Phillip confirmed.
“Can’t rush God’s timing.”
“True.” He sighed and Brad finally looked at him. His father had always been a very strong, imposing figure. Lately, Brad had started to notice how age had begun creeping up on his dad. His hair had grayed and thinned, his middle thickened and sagged. The lines on his face deepened and he had to wear glasses all the time now. Brad didn’t enjoy thinking about his dad’s aging.
“So,” Phillip said, “tell me what’s going on with Valerie. The last time we talked about her, you appeared burdened with angst.”
“Dad, I’m twenty-nine. I was hardly angsty.”
“Yeah. Sure.” He laughed and waved a hand at him. “We’ll go with your side of it. Tell me anyway.”
What could he say that his dad didn’t already know? “She read her mom’s journals. She came over to talk to mama about it, but I was the only one here. We ended up talking, then praying together. You saw her at church yesterday.”
“I did. I didn’t want to press her, though, and she hasn’t said a lot to Buddy.”
“She read the journals weeks ago. I think they’ve been on her mind since the dedication.”
“You say you prayed together. Then what?”
“I don’t know. We’re going fishing Wednesday after work. We’ll be alone, and that’s pretty rare. I’m looking forward to it.” He really looked forward to it, but also felt a little nervous for some reason. It didn’t make sense to him. He’d known her his whole life. What reason could he possibly have to be nervous about spending a couple hours alone with her? “I’m going to pack some of the leftovers for a picnic.”
“She’s already talked to your mom about making a picnic for you.”
Brad raised an eyebrow. Somehow, that thought made him really happy. “Really? Sounds like you might already know the answers to these questions of yours.”
“I know what current activities are going on under my own roof. What I don’t know is your current state of being and if there’s anything I can do for you.”
His current state of being? How did he word that? “Well, hmm.” He cleared his throat. “Dad, I’ve been in love with Valerie since I could form the rational thought. Every important memory from my childhood and adolescence involves her. She broke my heart a couple different times in a couple different ways, but I still love her. My deal with myself was that I would not be unevenly yoked. As hard as it was, I meant it. Having her come to me, to pray with her, to talk to her about her spiritual yearning and seeking means as much to me as if she threw herself into my arms and declared undying love for me.”
