A Journey by Chance (3 page)

If she wanted.

What she wanted was to talk to John. Other women had close female friends. How was it her closest friend was a man?

They had met at a party last September. What was the connection again? Lillian's friend Deirdre was a friend of the Millikens who knew him. She stood across the buffet table from him, pondering an unidentifiable concoction. They laughed about it.

“John Beaumont.” He introduced himself.

“Margaret Philips.” She shook his hand.

Chatting, they wedged themselves into the crowd, away from the table. He said he was a professor at Long Beach.

She smiled. “English lit.”

“It's that obvious?”

“It's that obvious.”

He wore a tweed jacket, gray corduroys, and oval, wirerimmed glasses. His wavy black hair was sprinkled with silver, his dark eyes intense. His movements were slow, deliberate, and yet there was a distracted air about him. His accent was East Coast.

“Tell me,” she teased, “there must be a pipe in your pocket?”

He pulled it out just far enough for her to see it.

Their talk covered current bestsellers and the Japanese display at the art museum. He wore a wedding band, but
didn't mention his wife. She told him that her husband had bowed out of the party. Reece was with a land acquisition company. She bragged about Gina, their veterinarian daughter who talked to elephants.

Innocuous beginning. It could have been anyone.

Reece should have been beside her.

Three days later Gina misjudged her elephant. Maggie waited through interminable hours, gagging on the scent of antiseptic, head pounding at the stark, fluorescent whiteness. Waited while they put her child's body back together again.

Reece should have been beside her then, too.

“Lauren,” Gina eyed her cousin in the driver's seat, “when do I get to meet Mr. Right? Or should I say Dr. Right?”

She sighed. “God has given me such a perfect partner. Aaron is so wonderful.”

“So you've told me.” Gina smiled. “Once or twice.”

Her cousin was on cloud nine, which made her whirlwind personality even flightier than usual. Lauren resembled their mothers, who were sisters, in personality as well as looks. Vivacious, petite, naturally curly, gold-blonde hair. Only the eyes were different. Gina's cousin's and aunt's were a ginger brown, her mother's emerald green.

Except for sharing her mother's eye color, Gina always felt the odd woman out in this group. She was taller, more solidly built with medium brown hair and a medium personality to match. Her demeanor was decidedly more calm, which was a plus for being a veterinarian.

Although the cousins lived thousands of miles apart, their growing-up years had often intersected. Lauren visited California, sometimes for entire summers. Every spring they and their mothers met in Phoenix. Gina's mom had an annual business meeting there, but her rooms at the resort were always large enough to accommodate the four of them. The tradition continued during and after their college years, and they seldom missed.

Lauren threw her a smile as she turned a corner. “Aaron's tied up tonight, but he'll be at Aunt Lottie's birthday party tomorrow.”

A year ago Lauren had re-met Aaron Thompson when he returned to Valley Oaks to take over the practice of the local doctor. He had been a few years ahead of Lauren in school. As teens their paths hadn't romantically crossed, but when the physician met the high school's band teacher, it was love at first sight for both of them.

Gina reached over and squeezed her arm. “I am so happy for you.”

“I feel like I'm going to burst! I don't see how I can keep this up for four more weeks.”

“You could elope.” Gina gazed out the window and noticed they were already beyond the town limits. They sped along the highway, past rolling fields of corn planted in rows so neatly they looked like colorful pages of typed words. The sun was low on the horizon, and the short green stalks glistened in the streams of light against the black earth. “That's a beautiful sight. How do they make the rows so straight?”

“Well, I don't know,” her cousin grinned at her, “but Brady could tell you. I heard you met him this morning.”

“Unbelievable! How did you hear that already?”

Lauren giggled. “News gets around fast in this town. You'll get used to it. So what'd you think?”

“What do you mean, what'd I think? Was I supposed to think something?”

“Oh, I thought you might be impressed with his looks. Or how friendly he is, or just how homespun he is in spite of the fact that he is our most—”

“Wealthy, eligible bachelor. I know. Aunt Lottie told me.”

“Not bachelor. Well, he is that, too, but I was going to say our most famous author. Actually, he's our only author.”

“Author? Aunt Lottie said he farms with his dad.”

“She doesn't catch everything these days.”

Remembering the lunch-in-the-cellar conversation with their great-aunt, Gina laughed. “You won't believe what she does catch. She mentioned he looks good in a white T-shirt.”

Lauren joined in the laughter. “Isn't she a stitch? Anyway, he does farm, but he also writes these awesome Christian books. So what did
you
think of him in a white T-shirt?”

She moaned. “Tell me you are
not
playing Cupid.”

“He is going to look terrific in a white tuxedo with his dark blond hair.” Her cousin glanced at her. “You told me Steve is old news, right?”

“Mm-hmm. You are playing Cupid. I suppose you've paired me with this Brady for the bridesmaid-groomsman thing.”

“It was a perfect match, Gina! Aaron and I put our best friends together and my sister and his brother. You and Brady were the only two favorite cousins. He and Aaron are the same age, 32, and were good friends growing up.” Lauren threw her a smile. “And you will look so good together. You're both tall—”

“I'm not that tall.”

“Yeah, but you're the tallest in the bunch, perfect for his 6'4". And his tanned face with the white tux and your eyes with the chartreuse dress…” Lauren sighed.

Gina rolled her eyes. The details of a wedding. “We didn't hit it off too well, but I suppose I could be nice to him for your sake.”

“You're not pining over Steve, are you?”

“No, not in the least. That relationship never could have gone anywhere. It just fizzled out. Having the boss as my significant other was not a smart move on my part.”

“But you had so much in common, since you're both veterinarians.”

“I'm sure that was part of the initial attraction. But when things got complicated at work—” She bit her lip to stop herself from saying too much. “Well, it just got complicated.” If she mentioned that Steve faced difficult choices and ultimately chose the ones that were not in her best
interest, it would sound gossipy and demeaning. In spite of everything, she wouldn't stoop to that. He was just doing his job. His version of it, anyway.

“Is your leg all right?” Lauren's voice was concerned. “I've been praying about that.”

“Thanks.” Her cousin prayed about everything, just like the aunts did. It must be a small-town thing. “It healed fine and usually doesn't hurt. I bicycle and wear a brace for long hikes. My jog's just a little lopsided.”

“Well, what happened? All you've told me was that you got hurt at work and had to take a disability leave of absence.” Lauren glanced at her. “Or maybe you don't want to talk about it?”

Gina shrugged a shoulder. “Not really. It was…complicated. I don't think I've sorted it all out yet. Let's talk about more cheerful things, like your wedding. Or the family!” She'd heard enough about the wedding. “Tell me all about the cousins.”

She listened with only half attention. The other half occupied itself with pushing aside memories. They were a year's worth in the making, still too vivid to easily ignore. She was a vet employed at the Wild Creatures Country in Orange County, California. She had chosen the elephants over the Park. Steve, her boss and romantic interest, had chosen the Park over her. Worse than ending their relationship, his choice had ended her career. It was simple. Heartbreakingly so.

But her heart had healed. If God created hearts, He made them with incredible resiliency. As with her leg, though, her heart moved in its own uneven beat. There were some emotional dances she'd have to sit out. Emotional dances like following your dreams and doing what you love to do. Or trusting people.

“Disability leave of absence” stretched the truth, but it was the most she could handle for now. To admit out loud that she had been fired was still beyond her ability.

Gina sat at a round table, plunked down in the precise center of the Valley Oaks Community Church reception hall. She felt like a buoy anchored to a floating chair, afloat in a sea of humidity peopled with unfamiliar faces. The entire church membership, perhaps even the entire town, had turned out for Aunt Lottie's birthday celebration. Wall-to-wall tables filled the sunny room that easily accomodated the hundreds now noisily milling about, hemming her in.

She pulled at the scooped neck of her chamois-colored knit cotton top. The label read 100 percent cotton…but it wasn't breathing this afternoon. She discreetly picked at the matching wrinkled linen skirt, easing it off of her lap, and wondered where to dump her cup of too-sweet punch and find a glass of ice water.

The outside temperature was 90, the humidity 95 percent. Inside it must be—

She stopped the petulant line of thinking. It wouldn't change anything. And she had certainly spent long enough wallowing in self-pity these past months.
Look for something positive
, she reminded herself.

Across the room her mother was overseeing the placement of the candy dishes and plates of white sheet cake. She gravitated toward such tasks at hand, which was why she was so successful as a manager. Between this open house and the coming wedding and reception, she would easily find outlets for her skills.

Aunt Lottie was beaming, her white hair freshly fluffed this morning, her new dress a pretty pastel floral print. She was 90 today…just like the temperature.

“Hello.”

The masculine voice came from behind her. It was soft, well-modulated, with a whispery hint to it. And it was definitely familiar.

Brady Olafsson came into view and pulled a folding chair out from the table. “May I?”

“Why not?”

He sat beside her and stretched out his long jeans-covered legs, blocking any escape. “How's it going?”

“Fine.” She noted that his blue jeans were almost brown with dirt. Mud clung to the thick soles of his—she blinked—work boots. Unbelievable
.

He removed a grimy white cap with “Seed” something or other imprinted on it and finger-combed his short hair off of his high tanned forehead. “Just fine? That's somewhat of a generic reply.”

“Kind of like the question.” She met his gaze and found the robin's-egg blue eyes Aunt Lottie had described along with her white T-shirt comment. With a hint of green shading, they weren't quite a true blue.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and he crossed his arms over his chest. Today's T-shirt was a faded red. There was a tear in the neck seam. “May I get you some more punch?” He eyed her three-fourths-f cup.

“No, thank you.”

“How's the book?”

“I, uh, um…” Now that sounded inane. She swallowed the embarrassment she felt about not yet opening the library book he had so freely offered. “Actually, I haven't had a chance to start it. I'd be happy to give it to you.”

“No, I'm sure you'll get to it soon enough. Last night you had your bridesmaid gown fitting, wedding errands, and dinner with Lauren.”

Her eyes widened.

“Then today there's Lottie's birthday celebrations—”

“How do you know this stuff?” Her tone was incredulous.

“Word travels fast in Valley Oaks.” Brady winked. “You know how you can tell if you live in the Midwest?”

She stared at him, sensing it was a rhetorical question.

“When your car breaks down outside of town and news of it reaches town before you do.” He grinned.

Gina blinked in reply.

“Yep, that's how you can tell.” He stood. “Well, I just thought I'd spend a few minutes getting to know you, since I've been appointed your escort for the wedding.”

Escort? Something about this homespun guy really annoyed her. “All that entails is walking together up the aisle.”

“Up
and
down.”

“Up
and
down?”

“Rehearsal and wedding, up and down. Then there's the rehearsal dinner seating. The reception line. Sunday brunch—”

“Brady!” Lauren pushed her way through the crowd toward them, carrying a fork and plate of cake above her head.

He leaned over and gave her a brotherly peck on the cheek. “Hello, Princess Bride.”

She smiled. “I'm glad to see you two are getting acquainted.”

“I've been entertaining your cousin with some Midwest humor.”

“The Midwest jokes? Did you tell her the one about the elevator?”

He shook his head, then turned to Gina. “You know you live in the Midwest if using the elevator involves a corn truck.”

Lauren burst out laughing. “That's my favorite.”

Gina remembered her promise to be nice. She stretched her lips sideways in a sort of smile. She didn't have a clue as to what a corn truck was, let alone what it had to do with an elevator.

“Tell her the neighbor one.”

Brady glanced down at her. “You know you live in the Midwest if your nearest neighbor lives in the next area code.” He laughed with Lauren.

“I love these! Do the corn one.”

“You know you live in the Midwest if you can eat an ear of corn with no utensils in under twenty seconds.”

They roared while Gina allowed herself a tiny smile. That one was almost funny. The image of someone scarfing down an ear of corn that fast—

“Gotta run, ladies. See you tonight.” He sauntered off.

“Isn't he cute, Gina?” Lauren sat down and took a bite of cake.

“Uh.” She didn't want to offend her cousin. The guy was obviously a good friend. “Well, he's sort of attractive, if you like tall, thin guys.”

“Didn't you date a couple of basketball players in high school? Tall and thin type?”

And in college… One or two… She didn't offer the information that would only add fuel to Lauren's Cupid bent. Besides, she had outgrown that infatuation years ago.

Lauren held a forkful of cake in midair. “As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember a conversation we had our junior year. You planned to marry a basketball player and live out in the country and raise horses.”

“Long time ago.” Gina changed the subject. “What did he mean, he'd see you tonight?”

“Actually, us. At Annie and Alec's.” Alec was Lottie's grandson.

“I thought that was a family dinner for Aunt Lottie.” She thought of the myriad of cousins and second cousins and their children that she had met so far today. Being related to anyone in this town loomed a very real possibility. “This guy's not related to us, is he?”

“Nope, not yet. Do you want some cake?”

“No, thanks.” Inwardly she cringed at the thought of the thick frosting, chock full of shortening, slithering down her cousin's petite throat, making its slow journey toward arteries. “What do you mean, not yet?”

“Well,” she swallowed, “I am marrying his cousin, so that makes him a cousin-in-law. A distant relative to all of us, I guess. Anyway, Aunt Lottie likes him a lot. He and Vic have been good friends since grade school.”

“Vic is Alec's brother. Which makes them some sort of cousin, right?”

She nodded, her mouth full of cake.

“Lauren, how can you eat that stuff and stay so slender?”

“It's this month! It must be the stress. I'm eating everything in sight. I hope my gown still fits. Oh, you haven't seen it yet. It's so absolutely gorgeous. Let's run over to my apartment now.” She popped the last bite of cake into her mouth. “Then we'll stop by Aunt Lottie's so you can change. Most of the wedding party is going bowling tonight, after the birthday dinner. You'll want to be casual.”

Lauren had always been on the bubbly side, but at this special time in her life she gurgled like a regular fountain of effervescence. Gina doubted the schedule would ever slow down enough to make time for reading, let alone figuring out her own future. Maybe, though, it was just what she needed.

Now if only “most of the wedding party” meant everyone except Brady “Mr. Homespun” Olafsson, she just might be able to relax.

Dear God,
Brady paused, then ploughed ahead,
she's like a porcupine.

He sat at his desk, head in his hands, elbows propped either side of the laptop computer, praying.

He imagined God's view on the subject of one porcupine named Gina Philips. If God's voice were audible to Brady, His reply would probably be along the lines of, “Yes, well, I created porcupines for a purpose, you know.”

Brady groaned.

“You're holding some things against her, and it shows.”

This was true.
I'm sorry
.

That part was easy, but he knew that writing this afternoon was out of the question unless he came clean before his heavenly Father, the source of his creativity.

Okay. The past is not her fault. Help me to give it up
.

He heard the silence.

She is a snob, though. All right, help me to ignore the stiff, sharp spines of her porcupine personality.

“They will hurt. But they're not poisonous.”

Brady breathed a hasty “amen.” It would be tough to face Gina Philips again tonight, but he felt relieved that he had addressed his crummy attitude toward her. He didn't know how to let it go, didn't even know if he
wanted
to let it go. At least he had asked for help. Not a total copout.

He opened a file on the computer. He was working on his fourth novel in a series called
The Nazarene
. The last few
lines he had written were part of an imaginary scene with Jesus joking with a tax collector, a man who cheated others in order to increase his own wealth. A man who did not deserve the kind attention of God's Son.

Brady stared at the screen.

Of course he had to let his crummy attitude go. What right did he have to keep it?

He thought again of Gina's stiffness, of her nonresponse to his jokes. What
would
make her laugh?