Truly Yours Contemporary Collection December 2014 Read online

  Tilting his head, Bob narrowed his eyes. “You’re not just saying this to impress me? You’ve really gotten your life straightened out with God? Because taking a step like that is the biggest decision you’ll ever make. You shouldn’t joke about it.”

  As if Eleanor couldn’t contain her smile and the joy she felt in her heart at just voicing her new faith in God, she grinned up at him. “God is here,” she said, planting her hand over her heart. “Right here, dwelling within me, helping me do His will. That’s the reason I wanted to do something for your wonderful family this Christmas. God has blessed me with so much, even though I haven’t deserved any of it. He has put the desire in my heart to share my blessings.”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  Looking both elated and sad, she nodded. “Yes. Even if you feel you can’t love me, you must believe me, because I am telling you the truth about this. Though I wandered far away and, at times, even doubted His existence, I have come back to the God I accepted as a child and made my peace with Him.”

  Her words were exactly what he’d prayed for and longed to hear. Snatching her up in his arms and spinning her around, Bob smiled into her face. “My precious, precious El. You have no idea how happy this makes me. I’ve been praying for you for so long, I’d begun to wonder if God was hearing my prayers.”

  “You’ve been a shining example to me of what a real Christian’s life should be.”

  “God has been good to me, El. I love Him with all my heart.”

  “And it’s obvious to all who know you.” Eleanor cupped her hands on his cheeks and gazed up at him. “You never answered me, Bob, and I need to know. I’ve told you the truth, and I expect the truth from you.” Gulping, she asked again, “Could you ever love another woman? Could you ever love me?”

  Twelve

  Thrilled his prayers had been heard after all and Eleanor had made her peace with God, Bob searched his heart for an answer to her question. If he told Eleanor the truth that, though he’d married Lydia, he’d never stopped loving her, that truth could be the catalyst to separate them even further. He was nothing but a lowly accountant—one of her employees. They could never have a life together. He’d always be subordinate to her. A situation like that would never work—for either of them. Under those conditions, how could they even continue to work together? Expressing his love for her could leave him without a job.

  “Please, Bob, I have to know.”

  Though it may cost him everything, he had to answer with the truth and trust God would take care of him and his family. Clasping his hands over hers, he drew them to his lips and tenderly kissed her fingertips. “Of course, I could love you, El. I’ve never stopped loving you, but don’t you see? Love is not enough. Even though you and I are both Christians, there are so many things that still separate us. You’ve never wanted a family—”

  “But I do now!”

  “Perhaps, with this newfound love for God, you only think you do, but do you have any idea what is involved in being a parent? You can’t buy the love of a child, El, even with the wonderful clothing and toys you’ve selected for them. Yes, children want those things, but they soon tire of them and they end up in the closet or the toy box, nearly forgotten. What children want—what I want—is a full-time wife and mother. One who puts God first, her husband second, and her children third.”

  The look on her face ripped at his heart but these things had to be said. “You’re a successful businesswoman, El. You could never turn your back on all of that, no more than I could give up my family to become your husband.”

  “I—I love you, Bob. More than words can express. I can’t lose you twice!”

  He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. “I love you, too, El. But—if we were honest—we’d admit there is no future for us as a couple.”

  Eleanor wiped at the tears flowing down her cheeks and, turning her head away, added three more toys to the cart then motioned toward the front of the store. “I’m finished here. Let’s go.”

  Silently, they moved through the semidarkened store and out the front door, with Eleanor locking it securely behind her. Bob loaded the gifts she’d selected into his car, tied the bicycle on top, and then crawled into the seat beside her. “I’m sorry, El. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, but I’m hurt, too. You have no idea how much I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you, as your husband, but I see no way it can happen.”

  She wrapped her coat tightly about her and smiled up at him. “Don’t count on that, Bob Rachette. I remember your mother teaching me a verse about how God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. I think we should just give it all over to Him.”

  Bob turned to her in surprise. “Wow, I never expected to hear words like those coming from you.”

  ❧

  Eleanor felt herself beaming. She was now truly a child of God, and although she wanted so much to be Mrs. Robert Rachette, the thing she wanted most of all was to be in the center of God’s will.

  By the time they reached his house it was past eleven o’clock. After unloading the car, they placed Eleanor’s presents under the simply decorated tree alongside the few meager ones Bob had already placed there. Not having had time or enough paper and ribbons to wrap them, he covered them with a sheet, then showed Eleanor to her room. Shyly, he kissed her on the forehead and said good night.

  She donned the plain flannel nightgown someone had laid on the bed, which had probably belonged to Lydia, then sat gazing about the tiny room Bob Jr. had vacated for the night, visualizing what it would be like to hear that young boy call her “Mother.” Shaking her head to clear the thought, she switched off the lamp and climbed beneath the quilt. Soon she heard Bob come down the hall and go into his room. It was all she could do the keep from getting up and knocking on his door to plead with him to reconsider his decision. But knowing Bob Jr. was sleeping in there with his father, she remained in her bed and soon fell asleep.

  ❧

  “Wake up, Mrs. Scrooge!”

  Eleanor’s eyes snapped open, and she found herself nose to nose with smiling, five-year-old Megan.

  Megan tugged on her hand. “Daddy said you gotta get up now. It’s almost time to open our presents!”

  She noticed a pale blue chenille robe draped over a chair. Eleanor quickly climbed out of bed and put it on, ignoring the designer suit she’d hung in the closet before retiring.

  Megan held out her hand. “Daddy always puts a new toothbrush in our Christmas stocking. You can have mine.”

  With a terrible taste in her mouth from not brushing her teeth before going to bed, Eleanor eagerly took the gift from the child. “Thank you, Megan. That’s very nice of you. I promise I’ll get you a new toothbrush as soon as I can.”

  Megan sat down on the edge of the bed. “That’s okay. It can be your Christmas present. I’ll wait for you.”

  After giving the little girl an honest smile, Eleanor checked to make sure Bob was nowhere around then moved toward the tiny bathroom at the end of the hall. One look in the mirror made her shudder. Her beautiful upswept hairdo was a mess and, other than a few remaining telltale bits of mascara, her makeup had disappeared. After brushing her teeth and washing her face with the bar of soap on the sink, she pulled the pins from her hair, let it fall softly to her shoulders, and gave it a good brushing with a brush she found on a nearby shelf.

  “This is Eleanor Scrooge?” she asked herself, smiling into the mirror. “The woman who always looked her best, who went to the beauty shop twice a week?” Glancing down at the simple gown and robe, she let out a giggle. “Um, not bad. Is this the way I’d look if I were Mrs. Robert Rachette?”

  The door opened a crack and a tiny face appeared. “Are you ready?”

  With one last glance in the mirror, Eleanor accepted the child’s hand, and the two moved into the living room where the rest of the family was already assembled.

  “I don’t understand, Daddy,” young Ginny was saying. “Why is there
a sheet on the floor under the tree?”

  Bob sent a grin Eleanor’s way as she sat down on the sofa beside him. “You’ll find out soon enough, but right now it’s time to read the Christmas story.”

  Eleanor watched as he opened the big Bible on his lap and began to read in his magnificent deep voice, the slightly graying hair at his temples giving him a distinguished look. She recognized the story immediately, though it had been years since she’d heard Mr. Rachette read it. It was Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. Looking from one child to the other, she was amazed at how they each paid such rapt attention.

  “I love Jesus,” Megan said, smiling up at her father as she sat on his lap. “If Joseph had brought Mary to our house, we’d have given them a bed and something to eat, wouldn’t we, Daddy?”

  Bob nodded. “Yes, Megan, we sure would have, but it was in God’s plan that His Son be born in a manger. You see, it had been foretold that the Messiah would be born, but no one expected He would be born in a stable.”

  Megan wiggled off her father’s lap and, much to Eleanor’s surprise, climbed into her lap, snuggling down into her arms. Eleanor felt like a queen. Never had she experienced the feelings that were flooding through her at that moment as she gazed at Bob’s little family.

  Bob stopped his reading. “Megan, you shouldn’t bother Mrs. Scrooge.”

  Eleanor wrapped her arms tightly about the little girl. “Let her stay. I love holding her.”

  He gave her a quizzical smile, then continued with the story. Finally, after reaching the part in Matthew about the wise men, he closed the Bible and bowed his head, as did each of the children, as naturally as if Bible reading and praying were a regular part of their lives.

  “Father God,” he said with such sincerity it gave Eleanor goose bumps, “we come to You this Christmas morning with grateful hearts. Not for the gifts we are about to receive, but for the gift You have given us. The gift of Your own dear Son, who lived an exemplary life, was rejected by men, died a cruel death on the cross, and rose again that we might spend eternity in heaven with You. We praise You for all the blessings You constantly pour out upon us. You know the needs and desires of our hearts. Have Your will in our lives. Mold us and make us what You want us to be.”

  He reached across and took Eleanor’s hand in his, giving it a squeeze. “And thank You for letting us share our Christmas with Eleanor. May none of us ever forget the true meaning of Christmas. In Your precious name we ask all these things. Amen.”

  She wished this moment could go on forever. There was something about being in this home, on this day, which was almost magical. “May I say something?”

  Bob nodded. “Of course you may. You’re a guest in our home, and we’re happy to have you here to share the celebration of Christ’s birthday with us.”

  Eleanor stroked little Megan’s hair nervously. She’d been a guest speaker numerous times at both public and business occasions and had never been nervous about what she had to say. But here in Bob’s house, with him and his children, she found it difficult to put her thoughts into the words that would convey her true feelings. “When I was a little younger than Bob Jr., I accepted Christ as my Savior. But as I grew older, I forgot about Him and turned away from Him. All these years, I’ve ignored His very existence, never praying or even believing in Him. But yesterday, something wonderful happened. Three ladies—”

  She sent a glance toward Bob, knowing he doubted the vision, dream, or whatever she had experienced. “Three ladies helped me see my life for what it was. Empty, lonely, and filled with things that didn’t matter and had no lasting value. Because of them, I took a long, hard look at that life, and you know what? I decided to make some drastic changes. I want to live for God now, however He wants me to live.”

  “El—”

  “Let me finish, Bob, please.” She gave each child a caring smile. “I thought I was rich, but I found out I was really the one who was poor. I had things—things that were nice, but I had no one to share them with. You children are far richer than I. Your father loves you and would do anything to protect you.” Eleanor did her best but could not suppress a tear, her emotions taking over against her will. “I know you lost your mother, and I’m so sorry, but her love still surrounds you. You children, though you may not realize it now, bear the love she has given you. I hope you’ll always love God and keep Him first in your life.”

  Ginny, who was seated alone on the floor at the end of the sofa and had remained silent, reached out and took Eleanor’s hand in hers. “I’m so happy for you, Mrs. Scrooge. He’s a wonderful God. I don’t know what I would do without Him.”

  Eleanor couldn’t help staring at the girl, her natural beauty marred by the terrible red birthmark on her lower cheek. There was something about Ginny that reminded her of herself at that age. . . . A sadness. An almost melancholy look. Why hadn’t she done something to help the girl? She’d known about that birthmark for years, yet she’d never been interested enough to even ask about it. Holding Ginny’s hand tightly in hers, Eleanor smiled through her tears. “You know what, Ginny? God has spoken to my heart. I’m going to make sure you get the treatments you deserve.”

  Letting out a gasp, Bob reached across and grabbed hold of her wrist. “Don’t, El. Don’t get her hopes up. She’s been disappointed so many times.”

  “She’s not going to be disappointed this time,” she assured him, for the first time feeling a great need to do something positive for someone else. “God gave me all this money. Perhaps this is one way He would have me spend it.”

  “You have no idea of the expense involved, El. Maybe you’d better reconsider.”

  Eleanor lifted her chin resolutely. “There is no need for me to reconsider. If it takes everything I have, Ginny is going to have her dream fulfilled. It’s my Christmas present to her. You give me whatever information you have as to what doctor and hospital can perform the treatments, and I’ll call the first thing tomorrow morning and get the ball rolling.”

  “But, El—”

  Eleanor motioned toward the tree. “Isn’t it about time your family opened their presents?”

  ❧

  After a glance toward Ginny, Bob nodded, feeling a touch of sadness as he pulled the sheet from the many presents that lay on the floor beneath the decorated tree. This was going to be the best Christmas his family had ever had, but what they were about to receive hadn’t come from him, nor would he be able next year, or any year, to provide such lavish gifts. “Eleanor,” he said, turning to her with a forced smile, “perhaps, since the presents you have brought are not wrapped and tagged, you will want to be the one to give them to the children.”

  Eleanor shook her head. “No, Bob, I want you to do it. You and I selected those presents together. They’re from both of us.”

  Her answer caught him off guard. The old Eleanor would never have shared the spotlight with anyone. She would have demanded full credit for what she had done. Perhaps she was telling him the truth after all. Perhaps she really had decided to make major changes in her life and had gotten her relationship straightened out with God.

  The love he felt for her rose in his heart. Though he tried to tamp it down, he couldn’t. He longed to take her into his arms and hold her close. God, can this really be happening? You know how much it hurt the first time I lost Eleanor. Surely You don’t expect me to lose her a second time. Please show me Your will. Is there a way? Could Eleanor and I be happy as husband and wife? Could she be the kind of mother my children deserve? I’m so confused. Only You can work this out. Please, God, I need direction. Don’t let me make a mistake that could hurt all of us.

  He felt Eleanor’s hand on his arm, and when he turned to face her, she smiled at him with the most angelic smile he’d ever seen on an earthly woman.

  “Go on,” she said, giving his shoulder a slight nudge. “Your family is waiting.”

  By nine o’clock that night, with Eleanor’s help, the mess in the kitchen from the turkey dinner Kari and Gi
nny had prepared had been cleaned up, the presents put away, and the house put back to normal.

  “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Scrooge,” Bob told her as they sat on the sofa watching the lights blinking on the Christmas tree.

  Sitting on the sofa next to Bob, Eleanor stared at the tree. “It’s beautiful. All the Christmas trees I’ve had since I married Everett were ones designed by a design team and assembled in my home, but none of them could compare with this tree. I love the ornaments the children made, and I love being in your home,” she told him, leaning her head against his shoulder with a contented sigh and snuggling in close to him. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Rachette.”

  “My family has loved having you here. You’ve made Christmas very special. Oh, not with the extravagant gifts you brought, but just by being here. Thank you for making this day one we’ll never forget.” Still not sure if he dare let their relationship go any farther, he leaned his head against hers, drinking in the sweet fragrance of her perfume. “I promise I’ll get right on your Valentine promotion first thing in the morning.”

  ❧

  “I know you will. You always keep your word. I guess I should be going,” Eleanor said, hating to leave the closeness she and Bob were sharing and the sanctity of the Rachette home. What a day she’d had. Though the children had loved the magnificent gifts she had brought for them, much to her amazement, they had been equally pleased with the few things their father had purchased for them. “You have such a wonderful family, Bob,” she told him sincerely. “I—I hate to leave them.”

  “You could stay another night.”

  Though she longed to stay, she shook her head. “No, the doctor said I only needed someone to be with me twenty-four hours. It’s time I went home. I don’t want to wear out my welcome.”

  “You’re sure you can’t stay?”

  “I’d love to stay forever, but I’d better go. I’m sure Bob Jr. would like his bed back.”