Drama in the Church Saga (35 page)

The following morning Olivia rose to her feet at six AM to meet Dean at the dock. Darkness filled the cabin, making it nearly impossible for her to see. She blindly moved around the room, allowing the furniture to guide her to the bathroom. She closed the bathroom door before turning on any lights. She didn't want to wake anyone.

Olivia quickly undressed and slipped underneath the showerhead. This morning was her time to spend alone with Dean, and if one of the girls woke up she was scared they would insist on tagging along.

“Mission accomplished,” Olivia sang after she gently pulled the cabin door closed. She was finally free.

When she reached the dock she was surprised to see such a huge crowd of people gathered that early in the morning to go canoeing. Every face she saw was foreign to her, until she spotted Dean talking with a girl.

Olivia quickly sized up the girl and considered her foe, not friend. Her perfect size six fit snug in those pink Daisy Duke shorts, showing off her long, shapely legs, and she batted her fake eyelashes in Dean's face.

Jealously pumped through Olivia's veins. Her first thought was to step directly between the two, but the Holy Spirit kept her in control. If she overreacted, it would only make her look like a fool. So she stood back and watched Dean.

Olivia watched as the girl playfully hit Dean on his shoulder then whispered something in his ear. Whatever she said must have been funny because Dean's smile was so wide, she could count every tooth in his mouth.

The girl then took off her T-shirt to reveal double-D cups stuffed into a bikini top that was no bigger than her hand.

Olivia wished she could crawl into Dean's mind and read his thoughts. Was he turned on by her sex appeal? Did he want to sleep with her? Olivia couldn't tolerate watching them any longer. She rushed over, snuck up behind Dean and tapped him on the shoulder.

When he turned around it was apparent by the joyous expression on his face how happy he was to see her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her like his life depended on it.

The girl had to clear her throat a few times to bring Dean's attention back to her. He introduced Olivia to his new friend, and when they shook hands Olivia could hear Danyelle's words ring in her ears.

The girl politely made small talk with Olivia until she could no longer tolerate the public displays of affection between the couple. She excused herself from their company.

“How long were you going to stand over there watching us before you came over?” Dean busted her.

“You saw me?” She was surprised. “I didn't want to intrude. It looked like you were enjoying her company.”

“You know I wasn't interested in her.” He laughed at her jealousy. “Come on, let's get going before the line gets too long.”

They stood in line for over twenty minutes before it was their turn to climb into the tiny boat for two. Olivia got in first and scooted to the front of the canoe, while Dean sat behind her. Together they stroked the water with paddles.

By the time they reached the middle of the lake, Dean filled Olivia in on the guys he shared a cabin with. “Livie, one guy snored so loud, I didn't get a wink of sleep.”

“I'm sorry you didn't get any rest. I know how tired you were.”

“It's all right.” He grabbed Olivia around her waist and pulled her closer to him.

She sat between his legs and laid her head on his chest.

“But as long as you're in my arms, I'm fully energized.”

“Good, because you seemed so distant yesterday. I was worried.”

“Baby, I'm sorry. I've just a lot on my mind lately,” he said.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“It's not that important to intrude on our time together.” He hugged her tighter.

The two sank deep into their own thoughts. Dean's mind was on his grandfather, and Olivia agonized over her relationship with Dean.

The conversation she'd had with the girls on the hike haunted her. To remain celibate until her wedding night was important to her. It scared her to think she could lose Dean to another woman over something as simple as sex.

Olivia prayed most of the night. In her heart she could hear God's voice telling her to sit still and do nothing, but it made her nervous when she saw girls, like the one Dean was talking to earlier, flirting with him. If she waited any longer, she could end up losing Dean and be left with the similar regrets Val now carried around with her. She couldn't allow the same fate to befall her. So she chose to take Val's advice, even if it was against God's will.

Dean's stomach growled. “Baby, I told you we should have stopped at the cafeteria before coming out here. My stomach is screaming, ‘Feed me.'”

“Dean”—Olivia took a deep breath—“Do you miss having sex?”

Dean's mouth dropped wide open. He was speechless. It took him a moment to respond to her question. “I wouldn't say I miss it. I haven't thought about it much.”

“Why haven't you asked me to go to bed with you?”

Dean's face turned red from embarrassment. “Why are you asking me these questions? We've talked about this already. Bryce's father hurt you, and I would never push you into doing something you don't want to do. I can wait until after we're married.”

“I know what I said, but if you want to do it, I will. For you, I will.”

“Don't say that. Don't do anything just for me. If we . . . were to do anything, then that would be a decision we would make together.”

“Okay.” Olivia sighed and relaxed.

A few minutes passed before Dean suggested, “Why don't we get married?”

“What did you say?” Olivia spun around to face him and was blinded by the diamond ring he held in his hand.

“Olivia, will you marry me?”

The huge marquise diamond sparkled under the morning light. Olivia opened her mouth, but the words slid back down her throat. She tried, but her tonsils still failed her.

He gave her a peculiar look as he waited for a response.

“Dean, this comes as a total surprise.” With unsteady hands she gently took the ring from his fingers.

“This is what you want? Isn't it?” Dean asked. “Olivia, we planned this. The time has come for us to get married.”

Olivia admired the ring for a moment.

“Please say yes.” He placed the ring on her finger. “Look at how beautiful it fits on your finger. This ring was made to be worn by you.” He kissed the back of her hands. “If you say yes, I want us to get married as soon as possible. Let's say, next week.”

“Next week?” she sounded alarmed. “Why so soon?”

He took her hand in his and sat up on the bed next to her. “I love you, and I don't want to wait any longer to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Olivia could feel God's favor pouring down on them. She looked up to the sky. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” she screamed. Then she stood up in the canoe to give him a hug.

“No, Olivia,” Dean warned, but it was too late.

The canoe tipped over, and they fell over into the water. The lifeguard's whistle blew, and everyone watched as the two kissed in the middle of the lake.

After Dean and Olivia were rescued, they returned to their cabins to change clothes before catching up with their friends in the cafeteria. Olivia was so excited. She couldn't wait to show off her engagement ring and start on the wedding plans, but despite her happiness, she asked Dean to keep their engagement a secret from the others.

Val was still upset and very sensitive over Julian. Olivia wanted to break the news to her in private, so it wouldn't be so upsetting.

“How was the canoe ride?” Danyelle questioned the couple as they approached the table with their trays full of food.

“Fine.” Olivia's tone was full of cheer, and it didn't go unnoticed by the girls. “Can you pass me the salt, please?”

Val reached across the table and handed her the salt shaker. Val, Tressie and Danyelle simultaneously turned their head to look at Dean.

He could feel their questioning eyes bearing down on him, but he refused to look up. He was scared to say anything. He couldn't risk Olivia getting mad at him and calling off the engagement.

“Good morning, members of First Nazareth.” Colin took a seat next to Dean. “I signed us up for the men's fishing exhibition this afternoon,” he told his friend then smiled brightly, wondering why everyone at the table was so quiet. He pounded out a happy beat on the tabletop. When he looked up and caught Danyelle staring at him, he winked his eye at her, and she quickly turned away.

Danyelle looked down and refused to lift her head.

Olivia asked her a question and she answered by talking to the tabletop.

Tressie was used to Danyelle acting odd, but just a few minutes ago she was the loudest one at the table. Suddenly she was reserved. “Are you all right? You're awfully quiet.”

Danyelle shrugged her shoulders and played with her food. “I'm fine.” Tired of picking over watery eggs, she got up and took her tray to the trashcan.

Colin's eyes followed her. “Man, are you ready to catch some fish? I brought my golden rod. I love fishing. As a kid the boys and girls club used to take us all the time and—”

Dean stopped him with his hand. “Colin, what's up with you this morning? I've adjusted to your upbeat personality, but this morning you act like you've drank twelve cups of coffee.”

Colin ignored Dean's questions. The reason he was so happy was because he was in love. “Are you ready? Throw that stuff away.” Colin referred to Dean's plate full of food. “Save that appetite for all the fish we're going to catch out on the water.”

Dean stood to his feet. “Ladies, we'll see you later.” He and Colin left together.

“He is such a nice guy,” Olivia said out loud, referring to Colin. “It won't be long before one of the single ladies at our church gets their hooks into him. I wonder who it will be.” Olivia finished up her thought just as Danyelle returned to the table.

“Come on. We're going to be late for the afternoon seminar.”

 

 

“Ladies, I'm glad to see each and every one of your faces here today,” an evangelist spoke loudly into the microphone. “Today you are going to be blessed. The spirit is going to pour wisdom into your hearts that is going to enable each of you to correctly choose a good mate. You are going to be able to hear his call when he whispers your name, and most importantly you will learn how to place God first in your lives without neglecting those boyfriends or husbands.”

Hundreds of women seated underneath the picnic pavilion hollered out in praise. Enthusiasm pulsated throughout the area.

Every woman there was looking forward to a positive experience, except for one. Val was inconsolable. A faded Phillies baseball cap was pulled so far down on her head that it practically hid the bags underneath her eyes. She'd lost a lot of her inherited Benson curves because her behind was now flat after losing over fifteen pounds. Her grief was stealing her natural beauty.

Val wasn't in the mood to listen to a bunch of women lecture her about what she needed to do to get a man, when God had taken hers away. Unable to withstand the raising cheers, she got up and walked toward the riverbank. She sat on a nearby log and watched the guys across the river fishing for the night's meal.

“Val”—Olivia came up behind her and sat beside her—“I'm sorry, I shouldn't have talked you into coming. I thought you were ready to attend this kind of retreat, but I can see I was wrong. I can be kind of pushy sometimes.”

“Sometimes?”

Val chuckled, and Olivia playfully hit her on the shoulder.

“Olivia, I've been through so much, and I know everyone is worried about me, but I'm beginning to worry about myself. Sometimes I don't even know who I am. Each day I get up out of bed, I don't know what to expect. Sometimes I'm sad and I cry all day, but then the very next day I can be so angry that I buy thousands of dollars worth of stuff from the Home Shopping Network. Things I don't even need.”

Olivia nodded her head in understanding.

“Other days I'm fine, but I can't get Julian off my mind. I can hear him in my dreams calling my name. Valencia.” She mimicked his voice. “I often dream about us making love. Livie, that's why I told you to go ahead and do it. You have no idea how big a hole Julian left in my heart.”

Olivia hugged her tightly.

“Livie, I'm ready to go home. If it's all right with you, I'm going to ask Dean to drive me to the train station. I can't take this anymore.” She threw a stick she was playing with down on the ground. “Besides, I have to get ready for my big day at the homeless shelter on Monday.”

“Honey, I understand.”

Val stood up.

“We'll go back to the cabin together and pack your things. Then I'll call Dean on his cell phone.”

 

 

“Man, I don't believe we've been out here for over an hour and not one fish has nibbled on my line.” Dean sat staring at his fishing rod extended into the lake.

Colin laughed. “You're the one who suggested we go fishing. There were other things we could have done, but I thought you were tired of me beating you on the basketball court so that's why you suggested fishing.”

“I chose fishing because I thought that didn't require much skill. I guess I was wrong.”

Disappointment settled in Dean's eyes, and Colin lightly punched him in the arm to alleviate any pressure Dean put on himself.