Authors: Nancy Hopper
Tasha just looked up at him in the firelight, and saw that glow in his eyes. He was enjoying himself immensely, at her expense.
"You keep it up and you might get both." he threatened.
"You're despicable." She whispered. Her head was pounding.
"So I've been told." He yawned. "Now, you relax and get the head to stop pounding. Then, we'll see what happens from there. I can’t be spanking
or
kissing a woman with a lump on her head."
She looked up at him and felt that he must know every thought she had.
"No. Just a few of them." He answered her with a chuckle. "I wish I could decipher a whole lot more of them. You make about as much sense as a confused coyote trying to cross a freeway."
For some reason, the vision his description created hit Tasha's funny bone. She abruptly snorted with laughter, and continued until she was sure her nostrils were quivering like a rabbit's. Thankfully, he was laughing, too. At her, no doubt.
Lucinda came in and brought a glass of water and some aspirin. When she was gone again, Tim allowed Tasha to sit up part way and take the pills. But she noticed that her back was pressed firmly against his torso, and his strong arm around her waist held her there.
"What do you think I'm going to do, run away?" she snapped. "Where would I go?"
"Just about anywhere I'm not." He laughed against her ear. "You know it, and don't you think I don't." He pushed her back down again, and just looked at her. "Why are you running so hard, Tasha? What is it that scares you so bad?"
"Nothing, Tim, I just ... don't want ... religion."
"I don't either, Tasha. I want Jesus. I want to see the Holy Spirit move, and accomplish everything He wants done through me. That's not religion. It's not the traditions that men have set up, that you and I grew up knowing."
She sighed. "I know. I just don't want to have to do it all again." She mumbled. Her head hurt too bad for her to watch her words. “You just don’t understand. And there’s too much I’d have to explain.”
Tim just looked at her with puzzled compassion. She was hurting inside. Her heart had been broken. He could see the depth of the shattering she'd experienced. He could feel such terrible loss. It almost moved him to tears, the feeling was so acute; but he held himself in check. He didn't know enough, yet.
He sighed, and answered her in a soft, husky voice. "Well, honey. Listen to me, now. We're going to spend a lot of time together this week, and we're going to be real close friends by the time it's over. That isn't going to hurt you one bit. And we'll just see what happens, all right?"
She gave him a look that made him feel very undesirable. "There is no telling you 'no', Timothy. You don't understand the meaning of the word." She accused.
He chuckled. "Well; maybe you'll be glad of it in the end." He predicted.
Lucinda came in with his omelet and he shook his head, smelling onions and mushrooms sauteed in butter, and bacon too. Hashbrowns perfectly done and eggs just the way he liked them finished out a plate that made Tim drool. "Lucy, you're spoiling me real bad." He complained. "What am I going to do, when I have to go back to Wyoming?"
She patted his shoulder, and chuckled on her way out. "You just come back again, and visit." She predicted warmly.
Tim made short work of the omelet and started on his tea.
"Any chance you'll let me sit up now?" Tasha asked tartly.
Tim looked down at her appraisingly. "Maybe, if you promise to stay right here, it would be permissible." He decided.
"Generous of you." She grumbled, struggling up to a sitting position. Tim's arm curled around her, and drew her close to his side.
"You're kind of groggy, Honey, I can't help being a little worried about you." He objected.
Tasha felt warm peace fill her as he kissed the top of her head. She put a slim, warm hand on his ribs and snuggled against him. "You're very comfortable." She complimented.
"Thanks." He chuckled dubiously.
"Tim, you're an awesome musician." She yawned. "I am just amazed. Why don't you do something with it?"
He looked down at her with clear affection. "Someday maybe. I've been working on a CD." He said lightly.
"You've got mega talent, and you don't really even care, do you?"
"Naw. Not really." He admitted. "I've got lots of things to do, I don't have to be a rock star, too."
She laughed at him.
Tim finished his tea, and moved her aside so that he could stand up. "I guess you're going to be all right, most probably." He predicted. "You're not having any trouble arguing with me. So, why don't we get you upstairs to bed?"
"Sounds good to me." She admitted with a yawn. He pulled her up gently, and put a light arm over her shoulder as they walked to the stairs.
"Stubborn woman, you don't like having anybody help you, do you?" he accused as they slowly went up the stairs.
"No. Especially big, strong, macho guys like you." She jabbed.
"That does it." He said tersely. Strong arms wrapped around Tasha's shoulders and knees, and she found herself against Timothy's strong chest, her head on his shoulder. He was carrying her up the stairs. When she made a noise of protest, he just shook his head, and gave her a naughty look.
"Oh, for Pete's sake." She grumbled.
"You had it coming." He scolded her soundly. "Don't let me hear any whining, now. You were flat begging for it."
She laughed and almost cried. She didn't want this man to carry her to bed. She didn't want to be in his arms, didn't want to have to deal with him, at all.
"Tough. I'm here." He answered her tersely. "Which room is yours, Sunshine?"
"Second on the left." She grumbled.
Tim pushed the door open, and laid her gently on the bed. He leaned over her, with his arms pinning her helplessly between them. Although the room was dark but for the light from the hallway, she could see the fire in his eyes, burning down at her.
“
You got any last minute cheek you want to deliver before I leave?" he asked with narrowed eyes.
"Sure. You're a heavy-handed, bulldozing, egotistical know-it-all." She said, throwing the words out as a teasing gauntlet.
"Well, you're a stubborn, bull-headed, opinionated, strong-willed, independent, insulting cuss of a woman." He threw back at her.
She laughed incredulously and stared up at him. "Of all the nerve!”
"You ain't seen nothin' yet, darlin'." He warned her softly. She had no doubt that he meant it. "You get some sleep and see if that doesn't sweeten your disposition a little bit." He ordered with a grin.
She gaped at him as he kissed her forehead, and dropped the ice bag beside her head. "You just yell if you need anything, or if you don't feel right." He instructed with a wink. Then, he was gone.
A persistent knock on her door awakened Tasha. "Hey. It's seven o'clock." a male voice intruded.
Tasha groaned, and covered her eyes with a hand. It couldn't be him! "Go away." She grumbled without thinking.
"If you're gonna talk to me like that, I'll come in, sister." He threatened.
Tasha came awake with a start. "Wait! Good morning!" she gasped.
Tim's chuckle floated in from the hallway. “How's the head?"
"Timothy Rain, you cannot come in here!" she objected hotly. She was acutely embarrassed. “I’m not decently dressed.”
"I don't plan to. Are you still up to skiing? Or would you rather spend the day here, with me?" he asked. He knew she'd probably rather wrestle a snake.
"I'll get up and get dressed, and then we'll see." She hissed.
"All right." He agreed sweetly.
She balled her fists, and growled in frustration. She got out of bed and discovered that she was actually, perfectly fine. Her head was locally tender, but the lump was already reducing. She looked outside at a clear blue sky, and decided she would much rather ski with Tim Rain than have him underfoot at home all day.
She got dressed and went downstairs, to find him sprawled comfortably on the couch, with a cup of tea. He looked very much at home with his feet up.
She sat beside him, and he gave her a lazy smile. "Feeling all right?" he asked gently.
"Yes. I'm fine, actually. You're a very good doctor."
"I work for the best." He informed her pointedly. "Do you want to ski today, or take it easy?"
"Actually, I think I'd like to ski, if you're up to it. It's a wonderful day." She offered.
"I'm up for it. I slept in yesterday." He agreed. "Tell me, Tasha. Why are you being so doggone nice to me? You really don't even like me." He asked, a lazy interest in his eyes.
Tasha's lips curved into a half-smile as she looked at him teasingly. "I don't know. It's not that I don't like you, Mr. Rain, you're very good company. It's just that ... I don't pick up strangers and let them into my life. You're certainly the only male to ever hold that distinction."
He laughed, low in his throat. "And I will remain so." He prophesied. He looked at her with embers burning in the depths of his eyes. "You know that there's a reason, don't you?"
Tasha tensed, and hugged her knees to herself. "Is there, now? Let's hear it then, and get it over with." She suggested dryly.
He shook his head. "It's not going to be that easy, and I'm not taking any fighting bait this morning. I'm not going to try to minister one blessed thing to you until I know what I'm doing. But I'm going to finish the job before I leave this city." He said, his eyes glittering. "I'm certain now, Tasha, that it's very important."
"Why?" she demanded icily.
"I don't know. I'm just telling you, it's too important to play with. You've led me a merry chase, lady, but please come to the conference, and please continue to let me stick around until I know what the Lord is trying to do. Don't keep running away." He urged her, with deep concern in his eyes.
As they sat there face to face, something happened. Something changed. Everything changed. The Holy Spirit came in the twinkling of an eye, and touched them both. Tim saw Tasha's deep beauty and purity of spirit, worked in her by God; also, her fear, and her great tenderness. He saw the misery in her eyes.
Tasha saw Tim's beauty and his strength; his weariness, his loneliness, his dedication. She became aware of a measure of his power and authority in the Lord. Somehow, as his power and authority were revealed to her, she became deeply sensitive to him.
Something within her soul responded; she had to respect him, for she recognized exactly what it was he possessed, and why it was given to a man. It only came through sacrifice and humility; selfless service and prayer.
Opening up to this man on a deeper level wasn't something that she desired, by any means; but there was no way to back out after it had happened. She sensed that she would always be vulnerable to Timothy Rain as a human being, in her spirit; she had no choice. A bonding had just taken place between them.
Looking up at him, she saw that he knew. He watched her battle with it, and shook his head.
"Don't be afraid. I won't abuse it." He promised her gently.
"Breakfast." Lucinda called from the kitchen door.
Tasha turned and went without hesitation. She was cold and silent through the meal. Tim guessed correctly that she was scared stiff by what had just happened between them. He sighed heavily, and caught her hand across the table.
"Hey. Why don't you bring along some clothes, and we will have a nice, relaxed dinner at the Cedars before the meeting tonight?" he suggested softly.
She froze and stared at him. "Timothy, I haven't told you yet that I'd go tonight." she objected.
He was tempted to tell her that she'd actually promised him she would; but he didn't think that would be terribly wise. "All right; I'll ask you again. Will you come? Please?" he asked gently. His husky voice tore at her heart.
Tasha felt very vexed by the pull of his words. She felt such an obligation to banish that look of disappointment from his clear, honest eyes. Something inside her wouldn't let her shut that door, anymore. She knew it wasn't his fault; but it made her feel like a wild horse, wanting to bolt out of a stall. "Fine." She said shortly.
His answering smile made it all worthwhile, and that made her crazier inside, yet.
"Thanks." He said simply. His eyes told her that he knew all about it; and he was pleased that she hadn't put up a fuss.
Tasha excused herself, and went upstairs to get her things together for the evening. She chose purple suede from head to foot, with very long fringe, and boots to match. She figured she could give this cowboy a run for his money in attire, at least. She grabbed underwear, nylons, boots and her make-up kit. She zipped it all into a garment bag, and met Tim downstairs.
"Lucinda, we won't be home for dinner tonight. Do some special favorite for the kids, will you?" she asked wistfully.
"Oh, yes. I certainly will. You and Mr. Timothy have yourselves a lovely day. And evening." Lucinda urged.
"We will. Bye." Tasha answered.
Tim just grinned and winked at Lucinda on his way out.
They had a lovely day of skiing. The sky was blue, and it was a perfect twenty-eight degrees outside. Tasha found herself hard pressed to keep up with Mr. Timothy Rain on the slopes. He chose tough terrain and he skied it hard and fast. But he challenged her, and she enjoyed it. She had to admit to herself that he was simply grand company, too.
Tasha slowly got to such a level of comfort with Tim, that she didn't mind his arm around the back of her chair, or the closeness of him next to her on the lift. She was getting quite used to him, and she was having a great deal of fun.
They both saw friends on the hill and in the lodge, but nobody even thought about crashing their party. Perhaps Tasha's friends were simply so astonished to see her skiing with a strange man, that they wouldn't know what to say – but it seemed to be an appointed time for them to become better acquainted, and develop something of a friendship. Timothy had paved the way for it in prayer, and he was deeply gratified to see it happening.
After lunch, she showed him some lesser known runs that she favored, and she could see that he was enjoying them, as well. It got them far away together, in the deep, silent wilderness of the craggy alpine heights.
Once as they stopped for a momentary rest, Tim just closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath in the still, fresh air. Tasha simply watched him, knowing exactly what he was thinking. There was a presence of God that was heavy and tangible up here in the muffled, white silence of the forest. It was an incredibly beautiful and refreshing place to be.
When the day was over, they skied right up to the Cedars and put their skis in the overnight corral, for safekeeping. They got lockers for their boots, stopped in the garage to get Tasha's clothes from her car, and then they headed up to his room.
They were alone in the elevator. "Do you prefer a shower, or a bath?" he asked.
Tasha sighed. "Well, a bath would be great if we have time. You worked this old girl pretty hard, today." She laughed.
A look of concern clouded Timothy's face. "Did I push you? Tasha, I'm sorry. I'm so used to skiing with the guys, it just didn't occur to me. You kept up so well, that..."
"No problem. You're challenging, but fun to ski with. I had a blast, so don't apologize." She assured him.
When they got to his room, he suggested that she let him shower first and then he’d take a nap while she soaked. It sounded glorious to her, so she immediately agreed and flopped in the armchair.
Tim came out of the bathroom ten minutes later wearing nothing but flannel shorts. Tasha just stared at him in shock. He was gorgeous! Tan, very muscled, slim and hard -- with just enough hair in all the right places, to be totally sexy. He moved with a fluid grace that many a smaller man would have envied.
There was a whole lot of this guy to look at. He had very well-developed muscles, and they were the kind developed over years of hard work. Tasha tore her eyes from his body, and turned off the TV by remote.
Tim, oblivious, fell into bed. "It's all yours." He yawned. "Wake me up in an hour, will you?"
"Sure." Tasha agreed, still unable to believe that he'd knocked her eyes out the way he had. Thank God, he was already just about snoring. She grabbed her clothes bag, and locked herself in the bathroom.
She relaxed in steaming hot water for an hour, and reflected on the day. He'd been a wonderful companion. She had to admit that she'd enjoyed herself tremendously. He'd put absolutely no pressure on today, he'd just been darn good company. He was sweet, and disarming when he wasn't on fire. She shook her head. The man was an enigma. And he was good-looking and nicely built enough to be on a poster.