Authors: Nancy Hopper
Philip smiled mischievously. “I know you well enough to know you didn’t manufacture this, Gary. She’s not your type, and I can feel the very struggle in your spirit against loving her. And you’ve got a tiger by the tail. She’s going to whip you around some before she tames down, son.”
“
But do you think it’s right? Am I so blind that I’m missing it?”
“
No, Gary, you’re not.” Philip assured him immediately. “Believe it or not, I think the Lord has a great purpose in this.”
Gary sighed his relief. “I’m glad. I’m glad you’re here. You know, it’s kind of frightening to watch the change in Tasha. I can’t help wondering if it will really last.”
“
It’ll take time. She’ll no doubt revert and give you hell now and then, Gary. More than anything, she’ll need you to be absolutely steadfast.”
Gary shook his head. “Back to that again.”
“
You’ll have to be, Gary. Just remember that she’s going to do as much for you, as you will for her. Believe in her, Gary. Encourage her. She’s facing monumental changes, to meet you in the middle. Just don’t ever forget the miracle that’s taking place. She’s got the hook in her mouth, and the Lord will bring her around. You just hold fast, and let Him take care of it.”
Phil shot one last, amused look at the girl on the beach, and patted Gary on the shoulder. “I’m going to take off. I’ll see you in a few weeks.” he promised.
“
Okay, Phil. Thanks, and take care.”
After Philip was gone, Gary flopped in a chair and watched her, constantly amazed by the miraculous response she caused in him. He sat up in grave concern when he saw Jim approach her hesitantly, where she lay on the beach.
Jim knelt next to her and Tasha sat up, smiling and speaking to him. The grimness fell away from Gary’s face when he saw her shake her head negatively, saw her apologetic smile.
Jim stood up quickly and shrugged his shoulders, his face beet red. He waved an awkward farewell and walked away.
Gary sat back, feeling a surge of pride and relief as Tasha relaxed, alone again. He could scarcely believe it; yet it was another confirmation in his heart that Tasha’s transformation was sincere.
He didn’t see her again that day, until dinner. When she came downstairs in a white, ruffled, gauze skirt and matching gauze top that slipped over her shoulders, he was waiting to take her to the dining room. The kiss he gave her was soft, but full of suppressed emotion that made Tasha’s heart sing.
“
Hello.” he said softly.
“
Hello. I missed you.” she said shyly.
“
Did you?” he teased. “But you had offers of companionship at the beach.”
“
But I missed
you
.” she said again. She gazed into his eyes with clear devotion.
“
I’m very glad you feel that way.” he had to smile.
Ruth and Debora nearly fell off their chairs when Gary escorted Tasha in to dinner on his arm, and went so far as to seat her before taking his place. There was something very strange and intimate in the air, and the two women looked at one another in amazement as Tasha gazed up at him with a docile look of thanks in her eyes for his solicitude.
“
How was the hospital today, Deb?” Gary asked lightly.
“
Oh. Fine. I got to work in Pediatrics, and you know how much I enjoy that.”
Gary grinned at her. “You’ll have little ones of your own running around before you know it, Deb.”
Debora blushed, and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin.
“
Gary, I think that’s a bit premature. Doug hasn’t proposed, yet.” Ruth objected gently.
Gary just leveled an amused look at his aunt and shrugged. “I’m entitled to an opinion, aren’t I?” he asked innocently.
“
Well, Tasha, we didn’t see too much of you today. Did you stay on the beach all afternoon?” Ruth asked brightly.
“
Yes. I hope you didn’t mind, Ruth.”
“
Not at all!” Ruth assured her quickly.
“
I hope you weren’t lonely, Tash. I feel terrible leaving you alone so much. After this, it’ll just be Mondays for volunteer work, and we’ll have a lot more time together.”
“
I’m doing just fine, Deb. I just relaxed and caught up on my rest. It was very quiet and pleasant today on the beach.”
“
Looks like you freshened up your tan, too.” Gary noticed. The admiration in his eyes as he looked at her smooth, copper skin couldn’t be hidden. Tasha just smiled at him in reply.
Ruth and Debora didn’t know what to think. Both Gary and Tasha were behaving so much out of character – especially toward one another. Gary had never been solicitous toward young women, and Tasha had never been solicitous toward anyone.
When the meal was over, Gary grinned at Tasha. “Dishes?” he challenged.
“
You’re on.” Tasha giggled.
It was too much. Ruth’s mouth fell open, and Debora abruptly sat back into her chair. With a sly wink at them, Gary opened the swinging door and ushered Tasha through to the kitchen.
The two slipped out for a walk on the beach when they were finished with chores. Tasha could hardly contain her joy with Gary’s arm around her shoulders, his closeness warming and soothing her. When they reached the half-mile point, Gary swung her around, and held her close.
“
You have no idea how I felt when I saw you send Jim away today.” he confided huskily.
Tasha’s eyelashes fluttered wide. “You were watching?”
He nodded. “My study window looks over the beach. I was looking at you a lot, today.”
Tasha blushed, and lowered her eyes.
“
I wanted to come right down there and kiss you, lady.” he said seriously.
“
Why didn’t you?” she whispered with longing.
“
I didn’t dare.” he chuckled. “I’d never have gotten any work done.”
“
At least not what you intended.” she chuckled. When Gary looked away over the water, she put a gentle hand on his arm. “Did I say something wrong?”
“
No.” he assured her quickly. “It’s just that ... there’s so much we have to discuss, Tasha. I know that what’s happening between us is very strong, very potent. I have to be careful, honey. Everything will come in good time, but we have to take things one step at a time, to ensure we don’t misstep. I’m finding that very hard to do. You're sure you don't want to go back to school in the fall?”
“
No.” Tasha answered quickly. “I couldn’t stand it, Gary.”
“
What about your father? Didn’t I hear Deb say he was determined that you complete all four years?”
“
Yes, but I don’t think he’ll fuss. I’ll just lose out on the house he promised me for graduation. It doesn’t matter, really. If I know father, he’ll end up giving it to me, anyway.”
Gary frowned. “How well do you get along with him?”
Tasha shrugged. “We get along fine. He pretty much gives me whatever I want, as long as I’ll stay out of his way.”
Gary looked at her intensely for a long moment. “Tasha, what do you think he would say if you didn’t go home at all?”
Tasha’s head snapped up. “I don’t know.” she stammered. “He’d probably bluster a lot, but I don’t think it would affect him too much, really. It would probably depend on the circumstances.”
Gary slipped his arm around her shoulders, and they walked on along the beach. ”So, what do you want to do with the rest of your life? Do you have any special dreams? Ambitions you want to fulfill?”
She turned impulsively to stare at him. “Dreams? The only thing I’ve ever dreamed of, is feeling that I belong somewhere; having a family, someone to love and be loved by. Never having to fear losing them.”
The splashing of waves on the shore filled the silence that followed. Gary reached out and took both of her hands in his.
“
I think that’s about to be fulfilled, honey. Perhaps you’d better find a new dream to shoot for.”
Tasha couldn’t look up at Gary again. What could he mean? She stood frozen, wishing there was somewhere to hide. Sensing her withdrawal, Gary pulled her closer. The motion put Tasha’s muscles into action. She panicked, pushed him away, and ran for her life.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gary couldn’t run very far. The painful stitch in his side warned him that his incision sites weren’t well healed enough to tolerate the abuse. Besides, nothing would have stopped Tasha, anyway. By the time he limped up the steps to the house, he was spent, confused and extremely irritated.
Ruth gasped when she saw him, and rushed to help him, but he firmly held her back.
“
I’m fine, Ruth. Later,” he growled, cutting off her concerned question. He pushed past her, to the stairs. He knocked impatiently on Tasha’s door, and rattled the knob when no one answered. It was locked.
He knocked again, and then struck the knob in his frustration. It promptly fell off in his hands. He pushed the door open to face Tasha, white as death and pressed up against the opposite wall.
“
Gary?” Deb called from the hallway. “What’s wrong?”
“
Nothing. Please excuse us.” he answered tersely.
“
Gary,” Deb objected insistently.
“
Now!” he ordered quietly.
Reluctantly, Deb closed the door behind her with a look of worried apology for Tasha, and made good her retreat.
Gary studied Tasha critically. Her eyes were now brimming with frightened tears. “Tasha,” he said irritably, “why did you run from me? Whatever did I say that was wrong?”
When she didn’t respond, he crossed the room and reached for her arms, only to have her cringe into a tight ball of agony and slip to the floor.
“
Tasha, for heaven’s sake. I’m not going to hurt you, honey. Tell me what's wrong.” Tasha wouldn’t answer, but she didn’t pull away when Gary touched her arm tentatively. He cursed inwardly at the trembling he felt beneath his fingers.
“
Go away. Please!” she begged in a whisper.
“
Damn it, Tasha, I’m not going to go away! Don’t ask me to do that. Tell me what I’ve done, honey.”
He could see the tears begin to spill, and taking a chance, he sat down beside her on the floor. ”Come on, now. Take the risk, and talk to me.”
She cried for a long time. An hour later, Gary was sitting on the bed, with Tasha cuddled up in his lap. Finally, she pulled herself together enough to speak coherently.
“
I’m so frightened, Gary.” she admitted shakily.
“
Why, Tasha?” he asked gently.
“
I ... I don’t know, it’s just ... I feel like I’m in over my head, I don’t know what to do.”
He laughed, not unkindly. “You’re not alone, honey. I have exactly the same feelings.”
“
You? You’re so blasted self-assured, it isn’t funny.”
“
Not where you’re concerned.” he corrected. “I didn’t know what to do when I offered you my heart, and you ran off like a shot.”
She looked at him in puzzlement. “I didn’t mean to, Gary. I just couldn’t help it.”
“
You surprise me, Tasha. I never figured you to be the type of girl to run from romance.”
“
This is different.” she insisted tearfully.
“
In what way? I didn’t even kiss you, and I know you’ve been kissed before.” he said teasingly.