Authors: Nancy Hopper
“
You know very well that you can’t do
anything
that concerns that girl quietly, Timothy. The press knows when you go to the bathroom. Besides, Dana couldn’t handle it and I don’t think your mother would survive it, either. You know how women are about weddings. You’re her only son, Tim. Don’t you go breaking her heart, or I’ll come up there and deal with you, myself!”
Tim raised his eyebrows, and took the phone away from his ear to stare at it uncomprehendingly. He could scarcely believe that he was talking to his own father! He didn’t recognize the voice on the other end of this conversation.
He considered. His family was too important for him to sacrifice. Even if it meant putting off the wedding. He had no choice.
"All right, Dad.” he capitulated quietly. “Let me talk things over with Tasha. I'll call you back when I get a flight."
"Thank you, son. You're making the right choice." Jerome assured him. "And you listen to your old pa. Don't you blow it! You can wait as long as you have to."
"Yeah. I don't ever seem to have a choice." Tim agreed lifelessly. "I'll call you back in a bit."
He hung up the phone and shook his head, unable to believe that he was again being prevented from having Tasha by his side. He felt that it might be more than he could bear.
Tasha found him sitting by a window, looking out at the rain. "Darling, you look almost as dismal as the weather. What's wrong?" she asked, rubbing his shoulders.
Tim sighed, and let his head drop into his hands. He couldn't talk over the lump in his throat, just yet.
"Timothy." She soothed. She put her arms around him, and held him to her. Her fingers on his body caused him physical pain. He needed her so much.
When he thought about the hell he’d gone through, getting Tasha to say yes – and now, not to be able to move ahead -- seemed more than he could take.
"Tell me what's wrong." she asked gently.
"I'll get around to it." He assured her. She could tell that he was near the raw edge. “Just … give me a minute.” he begged.
"You're frightening me." She told him quietly.
"Don't be afraid, sweetheart. It's just that ... I have to go home." He managed.
"To Jackson Hole? Is something wrong?" Tasha asked worriedly.
"Dana. Dana has pretty much fallen apart because of this thing with Rick Snyder. She doesn't seem to think she has any reason to keep on living."
Tasha just held him tighter. What could she say?
"Dad thinks I'm the only one who can pull her out of it. I guess it's going to be fairly touchy, because Snyder chose you to go after. I guess I can understand how it must be for her."
"Oh, Tim. How awful for her! And now she has to face me. Marrying you."
"Something like that. Tasha, they know you didn't do anything. Honey, I will make them understand it all. Somehow."
"Well, it's imperative that you go do that." She said gently. "Tim; I'll be here when you get back." She promised. "Nothing is going to change, if you leave."
He sighed harshly. "I know that. It doesn't make it any easier to go."
She felt the misery well up in him, and kissed his forehead. "You listen to me, you gorgeous hunk of man." She teased. "You're the only one I want. So, you get yourself down to Wyoming and get things straightened out with your family. And when that's done, we're going to have us a wedding. Don't you think you can get out of it, now. I'm going to hold you to it! You can't run far or fast enough to get away from this girl."
Tim chuckled. "Tasha, I think I may go mad long before it ever happens."
"Dana has to come first, right now. You know that. Now, you know why the Lord gave you that prophecy in Salt Lake. He wanted you to know that even though it looks impossible, it
will
happen. How deep is the root of your faith, son? Can you stand?" she whispered into his hair.
Tim groaned. "I don't know why I have to go! What can I do there that will make any difference?"
Tasha smiled, feeling peculiar that she was the one giving Tim insight.
"Go home to Dana, Tim. She feels stripped of everything that meant anything to her. If you care enough to go home for her sake and help her get back on her feet, it will help her restore her self-worth. If you put me first, she's going to feel abandoned, and I won't stand a chance with your family! They all need you right now. And you have to get things back on track with your family, before I can be accepted.”
She kissed his cheek tenderly. "It's not nice, sweetheart, but it's the way it's got to be. Besides, I've got to prepare my children for massive change; and I have a wedding to plan. And, the Charles household has just been turned upside down. I think this is probably best."
He rolled his eyes.
"And when I get there, we are going to be married, and I am going to make sure that you are a
very
happy man." She promised him.
Tim dropped his head in his hands, and willed himself not to go over the edge.
Tasha wrapped her arms around him, and hugged him hard. "Timothy. Be strong now, and go home." she encouraged.
Timothy disembarked in Jackson, Wyoming looking taut, haggard and stern. He was dog tired, and he was disgruntled. His friend Reuben was a little shocked by the shape Tim was in. He'd never seen him so cut up.
"Hey, Tim. Long time no see." He greeted lightly.
Tim just put an arm around Reuben's shoulders, and squeezed. He didn't seem able to even put a sentence together. Ruben took his bag from him forcibly, and gave him a look.
"You haven't been home since you left for South America." Reuben commented worriedly.
"Yeah." Tim admitted. "Well, I'm catching hell for it, now."
"George Maycott is going to be calling. He wants you to go down to Tucson, and do a conference."
"Maybe." Tim snapped tiredly.
“
Robin Severs is working in the office while Dana's out."
At that news, Tim abruptly stopped walking. He turned to give Reuben a withering look. "You've
got
to be kidding." He groaned.
"No. Why?" Reuben asked innocently.
Tim shook his head woefully. That bit of information truly iced his cake for him. Robin was a pretty little eighteen year-old lady with very big eyes. She had her cap staunchly set for Timothy Rain.
"Well, that's all I need, is Tasha calling and getting Robin on the phone. That should help a great deal." He snapped.
“
I don't get it. What are you talking about, Tim?"
"Robin has about as severe a crush on me as anything I've ever seen."
"So? You could do a lot worse than Robin." Reuben pointed out teasingly. “She’s a little young, but she’s a good-looking girl. It could work out very nicely. Take the heat off you, for sure, Tim.”
"I'm getting married." Tim answered shortly.
Reuben looked as if he'd been slapped. "You can't be serious! To the sweet little number in the photos?"
Tim stopped walking abruptly again, and set his jaw in a way that Reuben had never seen and never wanted to see again. His eyes were making it very clear to Reuben that he'd just stepped way over the line.
"Tasha is not a
'Sweet Little Number'
, Reuben. You might want to try to show a little bit of respect for my wife." Tim suggested in a cold voice. "She deserves it, believe it or not."
"I'm sorry, Tim." Ruben said immediately.
Tim gave him a long, warning look before he started walking again.
Reuben raised his eyebrows, and rolled his eyes expressively. He knew he'd just come pretty close to a knuckle sandwich! He'd never before worried about being on the receiving end of a punch from Timothy Rain, and he was glad to have avoided it. Tim was no slouch!
Tim seemed to relax a bit as they drove out of the airport. "Reuben," he said, tiredly.
Reuben looked over, and saw the apology in Tim's eyes. "I don't know what to say. I overreacted. I'm sorry. Please just understand that nobody ...
nobody
that I am in ministry with, is going to slam my wife! She's had enough of it, and I don't mind telling you that I have, too! I may have to take it from the public, and I may have to take it from the press, but I
will not
take it from my friends."
"Hey. Tim, I should have realized. I didn't mean any disrespect, I just meant -- well, she's real good to look at."
Tim rolled his eyes. "Tell me about it." He agreed through gritted teeth. "You know, I always used to scoff at guys who had beautiful wives, and said they sometimes wished she wasn't so good to look at. I thought they just weren't man enough to handle the situation. Now, I understand a little better. I mean -- first of all, there's been
myself
to keep in line. Then there's been the press; then, my trusted
friend
went after her. It's like some kind of never-ending nightmare!" He laughed and rubbed his eyes with his hands.
“
You almost start getting paranoid. Either men are going after her, or else they’re treating her like a piece of meat, or else someone is making an unfair judgment about her character, or lashing out at her because of jealousy. It’s hell. Pure hell!”
"So, when are you going to get married?" Reuben asked gingerly.
"I wish I knew." Tim exhaled. "There are some family complications to deal with first. I have to go home and clear up the mess that the press and Rick Snyder have made of my family. Then maybe, I'll be able to think about myself."
Reuben began to understand. "Tim, all this started back in Salt Lake that day we rode the lift with this girl?"
"Yep." He confirmed tersely.
"But I thought when we left Salt Lake, it was over."
"She said it was, but I refused to give up." Tim agreed mildly. "I went back to see her, and she kicked me out. Then Pattie brought all hell on our heads; and I was pretty sure she was going to stick with me. So, I went to Venezuela and Pattie went for Tasha's throat. I called her, and she basically told me to forget the whole thing. Then, she turned around and flew to L.A. to do battle with Norm Nielsen.”
Reuben just listened, trying hard to follow the twisted tale.
"I got on a plane for home, and got to the studio just in time to watch Rick Snyder propose to her – and maul her! I tell you what, Reuben. When I saw him put his hands and his mouth on my woman, I just about ripped his head off."
Reuben didn't know what to say. He supposed he didn't need to say anything, really. If Tim hadn't used his name, Reuben wouldn't have been sure that Tim even realized he was still there.
"Even then, I still had Pattie Danniels to deal with, and the press was crawling all over us! One of Tasha's friends chased a reporter off her hotel balcony. You would have enjoyed that one." Tim said, letting his head fall back against the seat with a chuckle.
"You know, Tim. I think a good, long rest is called for." He suggested soothingly.
Tim shot him a pointed glower. "Not until I get that woman." He informed him succinctly.
Reuben believed he finally understood, now. Quite clearly.
Robin was sitting in Tim's office when he and Reuben arrived from the airport. She was so excited to work with Tim! Her ideal, her idol … and her love.
She didn't really think that Tim would ever look twice at her; but there was always hope. If not, it would be enough just to serve him. It was a dream come true, to be able to fill in for Dana!