“I’d like to start a skijoring training camp and fellowship for youth. I want to give back to my community and focus on my personal life and my walk with God.” If my jaw wasn’t already hanging on the pavement, it was now.
“That all sounds very good, Ford. But may I ask, what brought this all on?” Theo was scratching his head with questions. I was, too.
“Of course. This week, I met someone —a woman.” A few whistles were heard from the crowd. I held my breath. “Andshe is just a lot. . .” He paused, and I waited for a public humiliation. “A lotdifferentfrom anyone I’ve ever met.” Ford turned to the camera, and I felt like he was looking right at me. “She’s a godly woman with morals and standards, and she does not take a moment for granted. Presley, you inspired me to reconnect to God after I had fallen so far away from Him. And I want you to keep inspiring me if you’ll agree to be my girlfriend.” All the color drained from my face. I had it so wrong.
When I stormed out of Ford’s chalet, he didn’t correct me. How was I to know what he meant—what he was going to say if he finished that sentence? My fears and past hurts had become a part of who I was. While I had forgiven the men who told me such hurtful things, I had not been able to forget. and that was the lesson I needed to learn through all of this, just as God forgets my sins after forgiving me.
Ford and Theo wrapped up their interview with a cordial goodbye initiated by Ford as he stood up and shook Theo’s hand. Theo remained sitting, surely still processing what had happened.
I walked back to the chalet. My snow boots proved to be a little tricky on the icy street as I crossed it. My stomach, which was growling just a few minutes before, was nowjumping. What was this feeling I was experiencing? My nerves were electrified. I thought of all the things I wanted to say to Ford, including an apology. My body felt a rush of adrenaline. This was excitement in its purest, richest form, and I wanted to savor it.
Back at the chalet, I couldn’t wait to tell Priscilla everything. I originally wanted to cook up some macaroni but now, I craved something light. My appetite was almost gone, but I knew I needed to eat if I wanted energy to walk around with Ford tonight. The only food I left behind in the chalet was a small TV dinner. Perfect.
After I ate, I fed Priscilla and played with her. In this climate, I was thankful the dress code would be what I was already wearing, and I didn’t have to worry about clothing. My hair was another story. I took a mental inventory of what hat or earmuffs I could wear tonight while Priscilla squeaked her toy as loud as she could.
Finally, it was ten til. Ford would be meeting me at any moment. As I brushed my teeth, my heart skipped a beat when I thought about the fact that he had asked me to be his girlfriend. I just needed to accept. Little thoughts started penetrating my mind like “maybe he’s changed his mind” or “what if he doesn’tshow up.” I knew these thoughts weren’t from God, so it made it easy to narrow down where they did come from.
Years ago, someone told me that God is love. He doesn’t send us doubting thoughts that make us writhe with anxiety or despair. And that we must keep our minds and hearts guarded, because the devil wants to wriggle into our thoughts and make us feel weak. Defeated. Playing our shame on repeat. This was exactly what I’d been allowing to happen in my mind for years.
“God, please give me strength to overcome these thoughts that are making me feel small. By Your grace, I have been forgiven. And help me remember that and not entertain anything otherwise for even a second. I don’t want to waste any more time on my past.” Praying felt so good that I forgot I was still holding a toothbrush when a knock came to the door.
Priscilla started barking her head off, alerting me that someone was there. “Come in,” I called, since I knew it was Ford, and heck, he owned the place.
“Presley?” Ford called out.
“I’ll be right down,” I said, quickly spitting out my toothpaste and doing a mouth rinse. Sparkling clean.
“How is my favorite little dog doing?” Ford said, loud enough for me to hear as I was coming down the stairs, dressed in my ski clothes from earlier but wearing a black wooly hat with a fuzzy ball on top. And with makeup on. Waterproof, because nothing makes your eyes water more than the cold air.
Priscilla’s Inner Monologue
What, no flowers for me? Don’t tell me Jack couldn’t send a charcuterie tray. Amateur move, Prescott.
“Hi,” I said, my voice shaking. “I just want to say something,” I said. I couldn’t stop trembling. I took a few steps towards him, but Priscilla was running laps around us and we both laughed, lightening the mood.
“No, you don’t have to say anything.” Ford shook his head, but I put my hand up.
“Please,” I held my hand in the air. “I’m sorry. I made a horrible assumption based on my own baggage. I just want to let you know that I have let all of that go. And, if the offer is still on the table. . .” I crossed my arms gently, trying to tiptoe aroundthe relationship question because I couldn’t let it go. I wanted to lock this in.
“Presley—let me do this right,” Ford asked, smiling. “I also would like to apologize for holding back. I had some forgiving to do, too. It’s done. I am free from the burden of hurt. And yes. I would like to date you. Or, rather, court you. I want to do this right. Once a boundary is crossed, you can’t put a genie back in the bottle. You know what I mean?” I smiled, knowing exactly what he meant.
“No more living together. Check,” I put my hands up in reference to being in my own chalet.
“Exactly. It’s just that things can happen. And I know firsthand how easily temptation can take over. But I’ve been forgiven of my past. If that’s not a dealbreaker for you that I have a past. . .” he trailed off.
“No, it’s not. The only dealbreaker would be if you didn’t see that as wrong because I am abstaining from those temptations . . .until marriage, I mean,” I said. “Not that I would be opposed to a kiss, but you are right. Things get out of hand, and I don’t want to lead with lust. Yes, I am obscenely attracted to your looks. But if we are going to do this, I want to focus on what’s inside.” My cheeks were reddening. Not because I wasashamed, but rather, it was awkward talking about something related to physical affection. Ford smiled, and it quite possibly was the biggest smile I’d ever seen on someone.
“I love that about you. And I respect that and want the same for my life. To save myself, who was once tarnished but has since been washed clean in the Holy Spirit, for my future wife.” I clapped my hands together in joy.
“It’s so nice agreeing on physical boundaries at the start of a relationship,” I said.
“Does that mean you want to date me? To agree to this courtship?” He looked at me with a smirk.
“Yes. On one condition,” I said, letting him sweat for a minute.
“Okay, sure. What is it?”
“You get a generator in this chalet, because I have a season pass for skiing and a cute cowboy boyfriend in the chalet next door.” Ford playfully pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
