Love in Season Read online

  “I must warn you, I don’t like surprises.”

  “I love surprises,” she countered. “Surprises are what make life interesting.”

  As much as she had known in her heart the person she’d chatted with online was the same boy she fell in love with in high school–and somewhere deep inside still loved–she never dreamed they would actually spend a whole day together. But, just as she had known twenty years ago, she still felt from the very depths of her soul they were meant to be together. Now, she hoped the afternoon would melt into evening and linger. Where could they go, what could they do that would surpass the last few hours spent skating with children? A thought wormed its way into her mind. An image formed, idea gelled.

  She finished her allotted one glass of wine and excused herself to depart to the ladies room. She returned to find William up and ready to leave. He held the jacket for her to slip on and then took her hand in his.

  “Where to?” he asked and linked arms with her.

  “We’ll fetch my car and go for a drive.” Once ensconced in the warmth of her economy sized SUV, the atmosphere nice and toasty, she headed out of the city.

  “Any place special you’re taking me?”

  She smiled over at him, “Yep.”

  She laughed. “Just relax, William and enjoy the drive.”

  The atmosphere grew comfortable as they rode in silence. Sienna wondered if he was immersed in the same pleasant memories which warmed her. She glanced over at him and remembered with profound clarity the way she felt the first time his electric blue eyes met hers in high school, the thrill that raced through her every time their hands brushed, the pain of losing him when he said they were too young to fall in love.

  Her heart beat in wild jubilation that this might be a second chance at her life-long dream of marriage and children.

  She slipped an instrumental CD in the disc drive and turned the volume down to where it served only as a backdrop for the scenery which unfolded before and around them. A rainbow shimmered in the sky off to the east. Clouds surrounded mountain peaks like halos to the north and west. As the car climbed upward, small waterfalls burst through rock to splash onto the road, on some, icicles hung like crystal prisms and reflected sunlight in bursts of color in the air.

  He reached over and took her hand in his, played with her fingers then kissed the tips. “You’re right, this is beautiful. I guess I don’t take time often enough to soak in the magnificence of everything around me.”

  “That’s the problem with most people today; they’re all caught up in the rat race, as you so colorfully put it, that they don’t appreciate the simple gift God has given us.” She answered, trying to ignore the soft fluttering his touch caused.

  She stopped at a roadside vantage point on the edge of a small canyon. They disembarked and stood together where heaven and earth met in a glorious profusion of rock and sky. Sienna moved forward, leaned over the guardrail and hollered, “Hello!” then burst into laughter when her voice echoed back in answer.

  “Your turn,” she told him. William chuckled, shook his head and took a step back.

  “C’mon, loosen up a bit and have fun.”

  “I’ve had more fun so far today than I believe I’ve had in my entire life. Don’t want to overdo it. Besides, being so close to the edge makes me nervous. So, back up will you?”

  She cocked her head and eyed him, so handsome hunkered down in his jacket, his breath tiny wisps of fog in the chilly air. Flakes of pristine white snow clung to his dark hair, glimmered, and left a silky shine in their wake when they melted away. “So close to the edge of what, the mountain or falling in love…with life,” she qualified.

  William took her hand in his, raised it to his lips and whispered, “Both.”

  She laughed, twirled away from him, and challenged him to a race.

  Her feet slipped on the icy walkway. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her against him. He lowered his eyes to her lips which quivered only inches from his then looked up to capture her gaze in a heated embrace.

  William’s heart thundered in his chest, breath clogged his throat. “Careful,” he rasped. “To race on this ice is sheer madness.”

  Her eyes shone with laughter. She brushed her fingers through his hair and slid from his grasp. She hurried ahead of him and picked up a handful of snow then turned and began to walk backward.

  “Sienna, don’t you dare,” he warned no doubt in his mind what her plans were when she packed the snow into a firm ball.

  She tossed the globe into the air, once, twice, as though considering the consequences. On a laugh she threw it at him and made a mad dash for the SUV. She wasn’t fast enough to escape retaliation when he scooped up a handful and slung it in her direction. Giggles trailed on the breeze and danced straight into his soul. He was falling in love with her all over again as he found himself laughing while they pummeled each other with snowballs. Breathless, he held up his hands in defeat. “No more, I surrender.”

  Sienna threw one last bombshell, flung her arms open wide, and twirled in a circle. “The earth declares the glory of the Lord,” she exclaimed to the heavens then plopped on the ground and proceeded to make a snow angel.

  William watched her a moment then walked over to where she laid, her arms and legs moving in a scissor-like motion.

  “C’mon and make angels with me.”

  He shook his head, held a hand toward her. “Why would I make angels of snow when I’m looking at one in the flesh?”

  His words feathered over her like a caress and warmed her blood. Sienna halted her movements then took his outstretched hand and let him pull her to her feet. His arms wound around her, hands brushed the snow from her back. He urged her closer to his hard frame and breathed her name as his lips covered hers in a sweet, tender gesture.

  “Sienna, my sweet, to wallow in this is nothing short of madness. You could catch pneumonia or some other nasty ailment.” He ran his hands through her silky blonde hair then over her back and shoulders in an effort to chase the chill from her skin.

  She smiled and caressed his cheek. “William, my dear, it behooves us to remember God gives His angels charge over us and to honor and acknowledge them. To not take advantage of an opportunity like this and create snow angels is what sheer madness is.”

  He chuckled, “C’mon, my turn to pick our destination. Give me the keys, and I’ll drive.”

  Sienna handed him her keys and climbed in the passenger side of her vehicle while he walked around to the driver side. Within moments, they sat in toasty warmth and chatted amiably as William made his way down the mountain and through the valleys to the west. The sun slid below mountain peaks, its golden hue changed the pristine white to rich cream in its descent from the sky. The moon rose in all its glory, stars twinkled on in the heavens and guided their way back to where he’d parked his car.

  “I’ll pick you up in an hour,” he promised. He had no idea if the black-tie charity gala he had tickets to would surpass the beauty of the day, but he doubted she would be disappointed. One-hour-later he stood on her porch and waited for her to open the door. When she did, he thought he’d surely die from lack of oxygen at the way she left him breathless.

  The emerald gown accentuated her tiny form and transformed her hazel eyes into a brilliant green. Her hair, pulled up at the crown with a diamond clasp fell in ringlets over her shoulders and down her back. If she wore makeup at all, the application was flawless, and added a translucent sheen to her creamy complexion.

  “Wow,” he breathed. She laughed and took his arm then let him escort her to the waiting limousine.

  They dined and danced for hours. He waltzed her through the open doors onto the balcony, the clear, starlit sky a gorgeous backdrop to the music trailing them. William knew he’d remember this day for the rest of his life. The clock struck midnight.

  “How does it feel to be the most beautiful woman in this place?” he asked as he twirled her back into the ballroom.

  �
��Like Cinderella at the ball.”

  “Cinderella couldn’t hold a candle to you, sweet Sienna. Not a star in the heavens can outshine the light in you. What do you say we fly down to Vegas and get married?”

  Her laughter sparkled through the room like fairy dust and created magic in its wake. Smiles bloomed, more laughter followed. Even the music seemed brighter.

  “I’d say that’s madness, dear William, sheer madness. Let’s do it!”

  Dear Reader,

  First Corinthians 13 says that LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things and never fails. We’ve all experienced the loss of loved ones and one thing I can say without a doubt is that faith in God and the faithfulness of God will work miracles in your life if you open your heart and release your grief.

  If you don’t know Him already, I pray that you will seek the Lord Jesus Christ and if you do, that you will pursue a closer walk with Him.

  As always may God BLESS and keep you and yours always in the palm of His mighty hand!

  Pamela S Thibodeaux

  “Inspirational with an Edge!”™

  Choices

  Camie’s heart throbbed with excitement as she waited to be escorted to her seat. She’d won a front-row seat and backstage passes to the biggest concert of the year. Country Music superstar Kip Allen had come home!

  Everyone ranted and raved about the homegrown country boy who had made it big—three albums in five years, all gold. Camie remembered the shy, humble guy with rusty-gold hair and sea-green eyes who came to life when he had a guitar in his hands.

  Her mind wandered back to high-school days and the many times he could be found on the outdoor patio where students congregated during lunch and break times, strumming his guitar and crooning a song, with girls gathered around him like bees to a hive.

  Now look; the little amphitheater which usually hosted a live radio broadcast of French music and humor was packed wall-to-wall with people who’d watched Kip grow up, and then make it to the Big Time.

  He’d been on the road for more than a year during his Home is Where the Heart is tour—even had his parents flown out to meet him at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but his final performance was here, in his hometown of Eunice, Louisiana on Valentine’s Day. Perfect ending to the tour, Camie mused, if home truly is where his heart is.

  The lights dimmed. She sat mesmerized as he appeared on stage and began to croon one love song after another, mixing in a few boot-stomping hits—Words she knew intimately.

  Too soon, the concert was over, and security officers rushed her backstage. Waiting in the shadows apart from the throng of frenzied fans vying for autographs and pictures, she watched with concern as Kip raked his fingers through his hair. He heaved a tired sigh, insisted on no more autographs, and then headed for his dressing room.

  Camie stepped forward, “Just one more autograph?” Kip turned at her soft request. His eyes lit with recognition, and he gave her an unreserved smile.

  “Camie!” He enfolded her in a big hug. “What are you doing back here?”

  A flush warmed her skin at the husky baritone voice. “I won the prize package from the radio station. You know: Front row seat, backstage pass, autographed C.D., etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.” Her heart raced at his nearness, her body trembled in his strong embrace. Feeling way too comfortable in his arms, she disentangled herself and took a step back.

  He grinned. “Great. You look good.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “So do you.”

  Electricity sizzled between them. Always had.

  Even in high school.

  Theirs had been a subtle romance, underscored by sensual currents that hummed whenever their eyes met or they ventured into a conversation, both too shy to take the relationship further.

  “What ever happened to us?” She wondered aloud, finding it difficult to speak past the heart hammering in her throat. “I still get all tongue-tied when you’re near.” He smiled, that lazy, heart-stopping grin that drove females from age five to fifty into a frenzy.

  “You do?” he queried, pulling her closer once more.

  The seductive tone of his voice sent delicious shivers down her spine, and she choked on a yes.

  “Me too.” He stroked her cheek.

  Her senses swirled at the tender touch. She placed her hand over his and gazed into his sea-green eyes. Whether a moment, an eternity, or the simple span of a heartbeat passed, she wasn’t sure, but she relished the encounter. He dropped his hand from her face and broke eye contact.

  “I don’t know what happened. I wanted to roam, you wanted a home.” He chuckled at the corny rhyme. “Sounds like the makings of a hit.”

  Camie shook her head. He was right; they’d dreamed different dreams, wanted different things, but somehow their destinies were entwined. Their lives paralleled each other more than he knew. “Want to go for a cup of coffee or a cold drink?”

  He brought his attention back to her face, and once again, she was unable to pull her eyes away from his hypnotic gaze.

  “I’d love to, but where? There’s no place I can go and not be mobbed. You’d think that in my own hometown, I wouldn’t be such a big deal.”

  Camie heard the tension and fatigue in his voice. “How about my place? I have a nice, quiet home in the country.”

  The look in his eyes warmed her all over, but Camie had news for him; the invitation was not a come-on. Ignoring the limousine surrounded by anxious fans, they dashed into the patrol car driven by her father.

  “Hungry?” she asked, after her father saw them safely into her house.

  “Starved.” He took a step toward her, evidently no longer shy but confidently aware of his effect on women.

  Once again the look in his eyes left her breathless, but she put a firm hand on his chest. Heat seeped through her palm, traveled up her arm and settled in a warm pool in her heart as his lips lowered toward hers. She managed—just barely—to turn her head so that his lips brushed her cheek, knowing that if she allowed his kiss, she wouldn’t be able to stop from losing herself in his arms.

  “That’s not why I brought you here, Kip. You may have changed over the years, but I haven’t.”

  Though unable to mask the disappointment in his voice, Kip apologized. “I’m sorry. Guess I have changed. Stardom does that to you, strips away the shyness, and makes you confident.”

  “You mean, presumptuous? Arrogant? Conceited?”

  He chuckled. “That too,” he admitted, a sheepish grin twisting his sensuous lips.

  The shy, humble boy was back, making him even harder to resist. Camie ached to touch him, to hold him and confess the love she held for him. Mentally shaking herself, she stepped out of his reach and dispelled the tension with a smile, “How about pizza? Like the one we made in Home Economics class?”

  “Sounds great,” he answered, glad that he hadn’t offended her to the point of being thrown out. Especially considering the fact that he had no idea where they were or how he’d get back to town if she did.

  In the hours that ensued, they cooked and cleaned, laughed and talked, reminiscing over the years, remembering how much they had in common, regretting the time lost, goals unmet, and dreams unfulfilled.

  “So, how come you’re not married?” he asked.

  “The right man hasn’t come along yet,” she replied.

  He grinned and shook his head. “Still looking for your knight in shining armor?” She shrugged, shyness coloring her cheeks, a quiet light emanating from her eyes. He found himself mesmerized. Her soft hazel eyes drew him in, looked deep into his soul like no other had—in high school where he met her, or since.

  “Hope springs eternal, I guess,” he remarked, wondering why he suddenly felt so hopeless, so bereft, as though something was lost or missing. Something precious.

  Silence stood between them as he watched the emotions play across her features. She glanced down, closed her eyes. “I know he’ll come around when the Lord is ready for him to.�
�� Her voice was soft, barely audible, but Kip heard.

  He raised his eyebrow in amusement when she bit her lip and color flamed her face. Evidently, she had not meant to speak aloud.

  Kip chuckled. The remark was so like her, his Camie, sweet, innocent, trusting, faithful. He brushed his knuckles across her cheek in a tender gesture and resisted the urge to gather her close and cover her lips with his. He’d overstepped his boundaries once and didn’t dare make the mistake a second time.

  His Camie. It had been a long time since he thought of her in that way. A long time since he thought of her at all, he realized with a pang of sadness and guilt, remembering a time when she was all he thought about—a time when his biggest dream was to make her his.

  Heart aching, he rose from his seat and walked to the door as the clock chimed five. Opening it, he stepped onto the porch gazing eastward, anticipating the sunrise. They’d talked all night, but he’d never felt better or more alert.

  The sun broke over the horizon lightening the sky by degrees, luminous shades of blue—midnight, indigo, azure—then cobalt, sapphire, pale. Fingers of yellow and gold reached out to caress the clouds, turning them from gray to pink, then peach to brilliant orange. Kip took a deep, cleansing breath. “This is so peaceful, so wonderful. It’s been a long time since I saw the sun rise from anywhere but a bus window or a hotel room.” He turned back to face her, his heart wistful. “I don’t get to relax like this too often. Thank you.”

  Camie smiled, stretched languidly, and then walked to his side. He turned once more to watch the sky.

  “You’re welcome. Anytime. How about sunrise services at church? When was the last time you did that?”

  “Been a long time since I attended church at all,” he admitted with a sigh.

  “I know,” she whispered, a hint of sadness in her voice.

  “It’s hard, Camie,” he confessed, unable to meet her eyes. Standing next to her made him acutely aware of how low he’d actually slumped, how far he’d backslidden. Conscious made him try to explain it away. “The parties, the road, and a dozen different cities in twice as many days.”