“Why?”he demanded in a low growl.“Why did you lie?”
“Youliedto me,” she shouted.“I don’t even know your name.Is it Jordan or Dan, Kiley or Murphy?”Her laugh was harsh.
He sighed wearily, the hard line of his mouth tightening.“Jordan Murphy.My mother’s maiden name is Kiley.I gave the hospital the name Jordan Kiley because I didn’t want to be recognized.”
“Was it some kind of perverted game to play me for a fool?Did you want to see how far you could go?”Her voice was treacherously low.
“No, Skye—no.” He plowed his fingers through his hair in angry reaction.“It’s true I didn’t intend to tell you at first, but I didn’t intend to fall in love with you, either.”
Her gaze darted to Jordan, but she couldn’t look at him long without revealing the effect of his words.
“If you loved me, then why continue with the charade?If you trusted me at all, why lie?”
“If you loved me, then why did you put me through this hell?”he countered quickly.
She lowered her gaze guiltily.“I was hurt and rightly so.I gave you an excuse that would make the cut quick and clean.”
“Once you told me the girl’s name who sang at the hospital was Jane.You allowed that charade to continue because you wanted me to like you for who you were, not for any talent you had,” he said, and sighed heavily.“My excuse is the same.I wanted you to love me for who I am, not for anything I could do to advance your career.”
“Really, Jordan...”She gave a small laugh that bordered on a sob.“Or do you prefer to be called Dan?”
His mouth thinned with displeasure.“Jordan.”
“All right,” she said stiffly.“And really that’s a pretty weak excuse, seeing that I had no interest in a singing career, something I’d repeatedly told you.And yet you carried this whole thing to the extreme.When did you plan to tell me who you really were?On our wedding night?”
“I meant to tell you a hundred different times, but something always prevented me.I had every intention of telling you the night I gave you the ring, but you were so concerned about Billy, I didn’t want to burden you further.I was going to tell you.Believe that, please.”
Her weary blue eyes slid to him again.“It’s more than the fact you lied.You’re a very rich man....You...you seem to think money can buy you anything.”
“It didn’t buy your love, did it?”he asked, his voice softening.
“No.”Her hands gestured helplessly.“It’s more than your deception.I’m afraid a relationship between us simply wouldn’t work.We’re too different.”
“We’re not different at all,” he argued.“We share the same Savior.”
The silence that followed was profound.
“Jordan,” she whispered, almost afraid to believe what he was telling her.“You decided to make God a part of your life?
A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.“It didn’t come easy.The Lord had to bring me to my knees.”
Suddenly the picture of a camel going through the eye of the needle in the wall of Jerusalem came to mind.
“You’re right about my money,” he continued.“In the past it bought me anything I desired.But it couldn’t buy me your love.When we first met, I couldn’t believe anyone could be so completely trusting in a Superior Being.You were too good to betrue, and I kept waiting to find some flaw in your faith.There wasn’t one.Soon I found myself falling hopelessly in love with you.When you declared your undying love for Glen, I was defeated.I couldn’t fight a dead man.All the money in the world wouldn’t buy me your love.It came to me then that I had all the money I needed or wanted, but it hadn’t brought me happiness.Not knowing where else to turn, I read your father’s Bible.It was the only way I could think to get closer to you.I even flew to San Francisco to talk to your pastor.I made a commitment two weeks ago.”
“Oh, Jordan.”Her voice wobbled as she bit down on her lower lip.
“I’ll ask you again, Skye.I love you.I don’t promise to do everything right, but I’m willing to be the best husband I know how to be with God’s help.”A humility entered his voice.“Will you be my wife?”
She floated into his arms, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.“Yes, oh, Jordan, a thousand times, yes.”
She was crushed against him as he claimed her mouth in a devouring kiss that seemed to blot out all the hurt and anger of the past few weeks.Instinctively she wound her arms around his neck, arching against him.When he dragged his lips from hers and buried his face in the hollow of her neck, she could feel the uneven drag of his breath.Clinging to him, she closed her eyes while an overwhelming happiness stole over her.
“Thank you, Jesus,” she murmured almost inaudibly.
Gently his hand caressed her cheek, then framed her face.
She couldn’t speak as she gazed into his powerful face with all the love in her heart shining in her eyes.
