Authors: Nancy Hopper
“
Love, Tim.”
Tasha let the letter fall into her lap, and let the tears pour down her face. She felt so ashamed for what she’d been putting Tim through. She’d been taking, and taking, and taking from him, enjoying his devotion to her -- and giving nothing to him in return. She picked his card up off the desk, and dialed his number eagerly.
“
Global Gospel Ministries.” a woman’s voice answered.
Tasha stopped cold. “I’m trying to reach Tim Rain.” She was finally able to say.
“
I’m sorry, he’s in Salt Lake City.” the woman answered.
Tasha’s heart plummeted. He’d gone to see her! But she wasn’t there.
“
I see. Can you tell me where he’s staying?” she asked tightly.
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No, I’m sorry. I can’t.” the woman answered. “May I tell him who called? He checks in often.”
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No, I think not. Actually, I’m quite certain he may be at my house in Salt Lake. I’ll just call and find out. Thanks, anyway.” Tasha said tensely.
The woman had made her mad. She growled and dialed Lucinda. “Is Timothy Rain there, Lucinda?” she interrogated.
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No! Miss Tasha, why would he be?” Lucinda asked curiously.
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Just a guess, Lucinda. Have you heard from him at all?”
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No. Shall I call you if he comes?”
Tasha sighed. “Oh, Lucy. I don’t know. I don’t know that there’s anything to be gained. Perhaps it would be best to tell him I’m out of the country indefinitely.”
“
I cannot lie, Miss Tasha. Not even for you. He is too splendid to lie to, anyway. He would know it even if I tried.”
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I’m sure that’s true. Well. Leave it be, then. But let me know if you hear from him.”
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That I can do.” Lucinda replied happily.
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Thank you. I’ll talk to you later, Lucy.”
Tim was more disappointed than he wanted to let on to find Tasha absent from Salt Lake. But Lucinda was very happy to see him when he showed up. She told him where Tasha was, how she was doing, showed him new pictures of the children.
She offered him a cup of tea, and scurried off to the kitchen to make it. When she was out of his sight, she stole over to the kitchen telephone, and dialed Mr. Brent.
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Charles Industries.” Brent answered. Lucinda never hesitated to call on his private line.
“
Mr. Brent, it’s Lucinda. I’m so sorry to bother you; but that lovely Mr. Rain is here to see Miss Tasha. What shall I do?”
Brent paused. “Well; I don’t know, Lucinda. What do you want to do?” he chuckled.
“
I want to feed him dinner, put him in the hot tub, and spoil him rotten. I want to invite him to stay here, and do all I can to keep him here.”
Brent roared with laughter. “My word, Lucinda, for yourself or for Tasha?”
“
Mr. Brent! You know he’d never look twice at me. I want him for my Miss Tasha. Besides, you know, they are in love together.” she confided happily.
“
Well, you never know, Lucinda. Take your best shot. Tell Mr. Rain he’s welcome to be my guest, and that I’m sorry I missed him. Perhaps I can get Tasha there to play hostess.”
Lucinda squealed her delight. “Thank you, Mr. Brent. Let me know when she's coming.”
She clicked the receiver into place, and put her hands on her cheeks. Oh, she had to do something lovely! She made his tea, and went to the big 'fridge where she knew her Chocolate Torte was hiding. She smiled her satisfaction as she set it out.
By the time Tim had been through lunch and dinner with Lucinda, had gone for a swim and made it to the hot tub, he decided he’d gone straight to heaven. Though he’d eaten more than he was normally inclined to, he didn’t feel too bad. Lucinda was spoiling him rotten.
She appeared with a fresh pot of tea, and a cup of honey. “Here you are, Mr. Tim. This should put the finish on your day.”
“
My goodness, Lucinda. What is it this time?” he chuckled.
“
Well, it’s Chamomile. It’ll help you sleep.” she huffed.
He smiled. “You always make it awfully hard for me to leave here.”
She gave him a naughty look. “Who said anything about leaving?” she asked innocently.
He laughed, and shook his head. “Is Tasha coming back here anytime soon?” he asked teasingly.
She gave him a haughty look. “You just never know, do you? When Mr. Brent heard you were here, I swear I heard the wheels turning through the phone. He may just get her here.”
Tim looked at her curiously. “Why would he do that?”
Lucinda shrugged. “She’s unhappy, my baby. Everybody knows that. She needs to love again. Mr. Brent would like to see her in the arms of a good man as much as I would.”
Tim grinned, knowing that it was a high compliment. “Well, you’re preaching to the choir, Lucinda. If you can get her here, I’ll do my best.” he promised.
Lucinda hesitated. “Mr. Timothy; you are the marrying kind, aren’t you?”
Tim nearly choked on his tea. He regained composure and looked up at her seriously. “Oh, yes, Lucinda. I didn’t think I was in the market to get married; but my mind has been changed. You can bet I’m going to marry her.” he promised.
Lucinda patted his arm and went cheerfully back into the house.
“Father, I don’t want to go to Salt Lake.” Tasha protested wearily. “We just got settled in, here. Why are you insisting upon this?”
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I don’t ask you to do much, Tasha. I need a hostess, that’s all.”
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But to disrupt the children, and ...”
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Nonsense. They love to travel; they’re dying to go.” he said shortly.
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All right. All right!” she growled. It didn’t sit well with her, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on the reason.
Brent smiled impassively. “Let’s get moving, then.” he snapped.
Tasha rolled her eyes, and began packing.
Tim stretched, and turned his head at the knock on the door. The morning sun was pouring through the windows.
“
Mr. Tim? Mr. Tim, may I come in?” Lucinda called.
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Yeah. Sure, Lucinda.” he yawned. He covered up to the shoulders.
She came in without so much as batting an eye, to find him in bed. “She’s on her way, Mr. Tim. Mr. Brent is going to come, too. He is very eager to talk with you again.”
Tim grinned. “When?” he asked.
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Tonight. For dinner.” Lucinda chortled happily. “And Mr. Brent is bringing along someone who he’d like for you to meet. A Mr. Seaton.”
Tim wrinkled an eyebrow. “Why?” he asked curiously.
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I think it is just so that Miss Tasha won’t be suspicious, but I really don’t know. You can never tell with Mr. Brent. Sometimes, he is cooking up outlandish things.” she admitted, sounding so joyful that Tim couldn't help grinning at her.
“
Okay.” he agreed. He went immediately into prayer.
Tasha was very tense and tired when their plane landed in Salt Lake. She was very irritated to have to be there, and the children were unspeakably cranky. Her father was behind them, talking with a Mr. Seaton he’d brought along. Some new business scheme was pending, she supposed.
She didn’t like Seth Seaton very much. He seemed nice enough, but he kept looking at her, and it made her very uncomfortable.
She was ecstatic to get out of her seat at last, and quickly herded the children up the ramp to the terminal. She was exhausted.
It was a half-hour drive or so to the house, with cranky children to tend to. She was grateful that her father always had a limo waiting. It made things so much lovelier. And she didn't have to listen to his business talk, or suffer Seth Seaton's eyes on her anymore.
She finally got the kids settled in their rooms, and went into her own room. The Salt Lake house was her favorite. It felt, for some reason, the most like home. She just hated having to uproot the children and go so suddenly. It upset the children, and it was hard on her, as well.
She sighed as she pulled off her hat, and unbuttoned her suit coat. Her shoes followed the coat to the floor as she sank down on the bench at the foot of her bed. When she began to unbutton her blouse, a male voice intervened.
“
Perhaps you’d better not.” Tim suggested in a husky voice. “Much as I hate to have to say it.”
Tasha froze. She looked out through her French doors, and saw him sitting in the hot tub on the deck outside. She almost fainted. She just stood gaping at him, swaying back and forth dangerously. She pulled her blouse together, and sat down abruptly. She couldn’t move, couldn’t seem to speak. She just stared.
“
I’m fine, thanks. How about you?” he conversed with his silent partner. “Bad flight? I’m sorry. Yes, it is difficult with children, isn’t it?”
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I can’t believe it! What are you doing here?” she gasped, still clutching her blouse.
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I came to see you.” he said, as naturally as if it were an everyday occurrence. He gave her a naughty look, and smiled. “Your father seems to like me more than you do. It was nice of him to make you come here to entertain me.”
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Perfect.” she sighed facetiously.
“
Why don’t you put on something lovely that will make my head spin, and join me?” he invited, toasting her with his sparkling water.
She was annoyed. She had fully intended to make a beeline for the hot tub -- but now, with him in there? She growled her annoyance. “I suppose I really have no choice, if I want to use my hot tub, do I?” she snapped.
Tim shrugged, looking innocent. “I guess not.” he agreed cheerfully.
She lifted her chin, and stalked across the room to her closet. When she reappeared, she was wearing a burgundy maillot that was devastating on her lovely, slim frame.
Tim had a rude awakening when he saw her walking toward him.
She was incredible! Long, slender legs so soft and brown and endless, it was mind-boggling. Tiny hips and a flat tummy that defied the imagination. A waist like Barbie, and very nice cleavage under the strapless suit. She was soft-looking and creamy smooth, yet firm and toned. Her hair was tumbling around as she shook it out. Her eyes were glittering like green diamonds. Her make-up, as always, was flawless. She was like a model, totally natural – yet totally perfect.
He’d forgotten how lovely she was. Had he ever really noticed? Dear heaven! He thought he'd lose his mind as she bent over, and gathered her hair into a clasp to keep it out of the water. The sight of her soft neck made him feel sheer desire.
She stepped into the water, and pierced him with her flashing eyes. “Never seen a woman before?” she snapped tauntingly.
Tim shook his head shamelessly. “No. I’ve never seen anything like you.” he confided in a low voice. “Looking at you drives me crazy.”
The look in his eyes and the timbre of his voice made her want to get out of the water and run as fast as her legs would carry her. She hugged her knees and rocked gently in the water, avoiding all contact with him. She could see his brawny chest and muscled arms out of the corner of her eye. He was just sitting there silently, staring at her.
“
Tasha, why don’t you come over here and say hello to me?” he suggested quietly.
She stiffened instinctively. “I don’t want to.” she denied quickly. Fear coursed through her like fire.
“
Liar.” he accused in a low voice. “You want me to hold you more than you’ve ever wanted anything in your life.”
She just sat there, with her fear screaming in her ears as his hand reached out to her.