“What...what makes you think anything is wrong?”she asked, her back stiffening slightly.
She could feel his smile against her hair.“Other than the sign on your refrigerator door, I’d say it was the hesitation and fear I sense in your voice.”
Her arms tightened around his midsection, and she raised her face to look into the warm vibrancy of his eyes.Her fingers crept to his face, stroking the rugged jaw she had come to love so much.
“It’s Billy,” she whispered achingly.“His surgery is Monday morning.His whole life rests on the results.”Her voice trembled slightly.“I’m so afraid.Does that make me sound like a terrible Christian?”
“No,” he assured her softly, “it makes you sound very human.”
“I am human, Jordan, and so weak.Billy’s mother needsme to be strong, she’s so alone and frightened.I feel like such a phony spouting off assurances when I am really a quivering mass of doubts myself.”
Jordan’s arms tightened about her.“My dear, sweet Pollyanna, when will you learn you can’t carry the world on your shoulders?”
“I don’t know that I ever will.It seems worrying is a part of my nature, but I hate it.Sometimes I see myself as spiritually strong, and I confidently want God’s will for Billy no matter what.But I don’t have the faith to honestly trust God with Billy’s fate.I want him to walk and run and play like a normal ten-year-old.That’s the whole crux of the matter—mywants.”
Jordan’s finger lifted her chin as he gazed into her troubled eyes.“But don’t you think that’s what Christ wants?I’m confident Billy is going to be fine no matter what the outcome of the surgery.As for recognizing our lack of faith, that’s good, too, because then we must rely on God, and that’s what He wants.”
Skye searched his eyes.This was Jordan speaking?This was the same man who had told her she was playing a Pollyanna game and wished to agree to disagree on spiritual matters?She immediately wanted to question him, but hesitated.Trusting Christ was new to him, and she didn’t want to rush his faith or make him uncomfortable.
“What time is the surgery Monday?”he asked.
“First thing.Betty and I are meeting at the hospital at six.Sally and a couple of other nurses are planning to come later.”
“I’ve got a conference Monday morning,” he muttered, frowning.“What are Billy’s chances for a complete recovery?”
“I...I’m not sure, but Dr.Snell told Betty there’s a fifty-fifty chance he’ll regain the use of his legs.But he also said there will be months of physical therapy, if not years.This is not some miracle cure, nor is it a simple procedure that’s going tomake everything hunky-dory.Even if everything goes according to plan, it’ll be weeks before Billy can even attempt walking.”
Jordan’s fingers laced through the long strands of her honey-colored hair.“Would you like me to be with you Monday?”
“Oh, Jordan, yes.But your meeting...?”She couldn’t hide her desire to have him with her.She needed him; for the first time in eight years, she desperately needed someone to share her fears.Just knowing he would make the effort to come brought an indescribable peace.
“I can’t guarantee it, Skye, but I’ll try.”
“I know you will.”She’d been so preoccupied with her own worries, she suddenly broke contact with him.“Jordan, I’m sorry.Are you hungry?I didn’t even think to ask.How about a sandwich?”
“Dessert?”His teasing eyes questioned.
“I have some peanut butter cookies,” she said with a laugh.
“Cookies,” Jordan said distastefully.“What kind of dessert is that?”
Skye blushed briefly.“The only kind you’re going to get until things are...official?”
His gaze grew warm and possessive, and he reached inside his pocket and withdrew a small jeweler’s box.
Skye’s heartbeat tripped over itself as she accepted the package.Her blue eyes locked with his as she flipped open the plush velvet lid.
“It was my grandmother’s,” Jordan explained, his husky drawl a warm caress.“I had the jeweler clean it and adjust the size.”
Glancing into the open box, Skye gasped with pleasure.A single diamond set in an intricate gold pattern sparkled back at her.It was beautiful, more beautiful than anything she had ever seen.Simple, yet elegant; antique in style, but unique.When she raised her gaze, Skye was speechless.
“I knew you’d like it,” Jordan said simply.He took the box from her, removed the ring, and slipped it onto her finger.
Skye blinked through the wall of tears.“I’ve never seen a more beautiful engagement ring,” she mumbled ardently, her voice weak with suppressed emotion.
Jordan watched her intently, his look almost physical.In the next moment Skye was crushed against his chest.His mouth settled over hers, taking freely of her softness in a devouring kiss.
“Skye,” he whispered achingly, “this had better be a short engagement.I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you much longer.”His mouth burned hers in another passionate kiss.
