They said good-bye, and Corina fell back on her bed, lying next to the gown, exhausted and exhilarated.
Thank you, Lord. Thank you.Being loved well felt rather grand.
Corina soaked in his presence, feeling his descent the moment she raised the dress from the crate. She didn’t always understand the invisible brushes against her arms or the gentle taps against her forehead that made her blink, but they were him. Her God. Breaking in and reminding her he was there, watching and waiting.
If one wanted to love well, learn from the Master. Corina understood that life was a journey and if she’d trust him, Jesus would carve out her way through the wilderness. Be her light in the dark.
Tears streamed down her temples, gathering in her ears. She was a rich princess tonight. Not because of Daddy or Prince Stephen.
But because Jesus was her King.
After a moment, a gurgle of joy blipped across her spirit. Corina sat up, wiped her eyes, and brushed her hand over the gown.
“Let’s see if you still fit.” She shimmied from her shorts and T-shirt and with a trembling inhale, stepped into the silk and glory of the gown.
Raising the gown over her hips, and fitting the skirt just below her waist, she smiled. It fit. As perfectly as the day Luciano delivered it. The strapless bodice clung to her with satin tenderness and the flowing, feathery skirt flared out from her hips, floating, like a swan on a pond of sunlight that pooled on the bedroom floor. The hem just kissed the tips of her toes.
Oh, oh, oh, so very glorious!
Corina turned in a small circle, arms wide, her heart exploding in her chest, freedom firing through her. She’d shed her grave clothes. Gone from death to life.
She was so grateful to the pain of her journey that brought her to this moment in God.
I want to love you well, love you well . . .
When the doorbell chimed, she jumped, hand over her pulsing heart, her healing moment with God interrupted. Who could that be? She didn’t want to leave this place of peace and promise.
Corina leaned out her bedroom door. “Hello?” She waited, listening. “Mrs. Putman? I’ll see you tomorrow at ten.” She waited another moment. “Okay?”
The doorbell chimed again. With a bit of attitude this time. Oh for crying out loud. Corina started across the hardwood, her bare feet thudding. a flash image of her lonely neighbor crossing her mind.
Well, there was no reason they couldn’t have tea tonight. Corina was a bit overdressed . . . She laughed as she reached for the door. She in a rare designer gown, Mrs. Putman in her robe and slippers.
“Ta-da!” Corina swung the door open. “What do you think—” But it wasn’t nosey ole Mrs. Putman waiting in the corridor. “Stephen.” Her legs buckled with hot, surging adrenaline. “W–what are you doing here?” Her Stephen. Was on her doorstep. His countenance as bright as a full moon.
Without a word, his gaze fixed on her, he crossed the threshold, scooping her into his arms, kicking the door shut behind him. “I’ve missed you.” His warm, sweet breath brushed her cheek.
Corina shivered and fell into him, her hand resting on his chest as she drank in his presence. “W–what are you doing, Stephen?”
“I came for you.” The mischievous glint in his eye beamed ten times brighter than she remembered. She couldn’t look away. “You said something to me that I didn’t respond to properly. I want to do that now, Corina.”
Tightening his embrace, he cupped his right hand along the curve of her neck, brushing her shoulder with his firm, warm hand. His eyes searched hers.
Fire coursed through her. “What? Stephen, please . . . What are you doing here?”
He bent toward her, his lips whispering past hers with a barely there kiss. Corina moaned and melted into his thundering heart. “I just wanted to tell you—” He swallowed hard to catch his next breath. “To tell you that I, um . . .” He brushed her lips again, a half kiss that drove her past her final fears.
She gripped his shoulders, holding on, losing herself in the power of his persuasion. She didn’t need to know why he was here, just that she was in his arms and the power of his passion spoke for his heart. She responded in kind. Raising on tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his, finishing what he’d started.
I love you, Stephen!
He answered, hungry and eager, falling against the foyer wall, bringing her with him.
When he raised his head for a breath, his blue eyes like the summer sky, his smile brighter than the night stars, he brushed his hand over her hair. She thought he might speak, but he drew a breath and kissed her again with the pleasure of a man satisfied.
The skirt of her dress swayed, brushing the tops of her toes with delight.
The kiss thawed into a hug, Stephen cradling his face against her. “I love you, Corina.” His baritone confession was luxurious. “I love you so much.”
