Heart's Design: A Contemporary Christian Romance (23 page)

“So, Caroline, is your house nearby?” Eleanor eyed bustling Elm Street with an arched brow. She visibly startled and then hugged her handbag close to her body when Tommy ran past them on the street, shouting to a friend as he passed by them.

“Hey, pretty lady!” Tommy called to Caroline. She returned his greeting with a wave and a smile.

“Are you keeping company with hooligans now?” Eleanor’s frown was deeper than ever.

Okay, so her “real” mother
was
still in there somewhere. One minute saying something nice and the next…not so nice. Caroline bit her tongue.
I am a new creature in Christ.
She might need to repeat it a hundred times to maintain her sanity while her parents were in Evergreen. In the back of her mind, she knew her mother didn’t mean to sound unkind. As difficult as it was to admit, her mother simply didn’t know any better.

“It’s not like this all the time. The streets are unusually crowded this weekend because of the Harvest Festival. In answer to your question, I live a few blocks over on a much quieter street.” Caroline pointed in the general direction. “It’s a small house, but I like to think it’s charming and perfect for me.”

“Then I’m sure it is,” Duncan said, giving Eleanor a side hug and a smile of reassurance. Of what, Caroline couldn’t imagine. Her dad’s signs of affection for her mother were an answer to prayer but so unexpected they aroused her suspicion.

Breaking the silence, Caroline glanced at her watch. “Would you like to come over to my house for dinner tonight? It wouldn’t be anything fancy, but I could fix something for us.”

Mother stared at her as if
she
were in shock. “You cook?”

Caroline met her gaze and held it. “I’m no gourmet, but yes, I know my way around a kitchen now. And, brace yourself, but I also dust, polish, and vacuum.” She
really
needed to tamp down the sarcasm, but something about her mother’s pompous, high-handed attitude got all her cylinders fired up and ready to launch.

“You’re going to be our guest at dinner tonight, Caroline,” Duncan said. “We couldn’t expect you to cook for us, especially on such short notice. Tell you what”—he pulled his phone from his jacket pocket—“give me your address and we’ll pick you up at, say sevenish? Will that work?”

With that last question, this situation transitioned from weird to the land of the bizarre. Since when did Duncan Prescott ask if it was okay with
her
schedule? She wanted to pinch him and ask him if her father were somewhere inside this man. But, no. She
liked
this new man who claimed to be her father. Very much.

“I’d really like that. Sounds like a plan.” Going out to dinner meant she only had to give her house a quick, light once-over. Not nearly as intimidating as having to clean
and
cook. She gave him her contact information and he input it into his phone. How sad her own parents didn’t know such basic but vital information about her.

At least they’re here
. She needed to take baby steps and be thankful for each one.

Caroline glanced at her mother. “Do you need suggestions for a good restaurant?”

“I’ve already made a reservation at The Evergreen Inn for 7:30 tonight,” Duncan said, patting his stomach with a broad smile. “I’m in the mood for lobster. Not many better places to find a good lobster than in Maine.”

Caroline returned her father’s smile. At least he was making a genuine effort which was more than she could say for her mother.

“We have a special surprise for you tonight,” Duncan told her, pocketing his cell phone.

“Two big surprises in one day? I’m not sure I can handle it.” She was only half-joking.

“Nonsense. Of course you can. You’re a Prescott,” Eleanor insisted.

Caroline tried not to smirk as her Dad laughed. “I was only joking, Mother.”

“I knew that.” Eleanor waved her hand. “Well, darling, I think it’s time we find our way back to that little bed and breakfast so we can unpack our things. I’m sure my Armani dress is wrinkled beyond repair by now. Wonder if they have a steam press service?”

Darling?
Final proof the world had definitely gone suddenly stark raving mad. Wildly so.

“Well, we can’t have that happen, now, can we?” Duncan teased, winking at Caroline. “We’ll see you later. Be ready.”

“I will.” A thought struck her. “Dad, is it all right if I bring a friend?”

“Lorelei?” Eleanor asked.

“It’s Liesel, Mother. But no, not Liesel. I’m talking about my friend Seth Barnes. We’d already made dinner plans and I’d love for you to meet him.” Holding her breath, Caroline waited to see if the name seemed to register with her father. He made no sign of recognition, and for the moment, she was relieved. Until she glimpsed the shocked expression on her mother’s face. Thankfully, Eleanor remained silent. For now.

“I’ll add one more to the reservation. Will he be meeting us there or will he be at your house?”

“Since his work is closer to The Evergreen Inn, Seth will probably opt to meet us there. You know, why don’t I just meet you there, too?” Caroline suggested. “You can come see my house tomorrow.” That delay tactic would also mean that she could spend the morning cleaning and not have to rush around like a maniac tonight.

“If you’d prefer,” Duncan said and, standing beside him, Eleanor nodded. “We’ll see you at the inn. Just remember the reservation is for 7:30.”

“Under which name? Clark or Prescott?” Caroline couldn’t resist.

Duncan’s lips upturned. “That would be Prescott.”

She laughed under her breath. “I’ll be there.”

Caroline watched in a semi-stupor as her parents walked down the block without stopping to browse like most of the others on the crowded street. They’d come to Evergreen with the express purpose of finding her. Now that they had, they weren’t bothering to stop and look at any more of the wares being sold at the booths.
But Mother did look at my jewelry
. Baby steps.

“Seth,” Caroline said a minute later as she called him, “remember how we discussed wanting to get together with the parents soon? Well, that’s going to happen sooner than you expected. Guess who’s in town?”

Chapter 28
~~♥~~

Dressed in one of her nicest dresses, Caroline had a few minutes to spare before she needed to leave for The Evergreen Inn. The Bible sitting on the kitchen table seemed to be calling her name. Settling in a chair at the kitchen table, she traced the faded gold letters of Seth’s name on the cover, the same as she’d done hundreds of times.

Flipping to the familiar twelfth chapter of Romans, she read a few favorite verses for encouragement and to calm her nerves for what the evening might bring.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Caroline prayed she’d be able to do all these things.
It’s hard with my parents, Father, but I’m willing to try.
Caroline knew that’s all He asked. Try. She’d give it her best shot. “You’re not a Prescott for nothing.” Wow. She sounded like her father. Surprisingly enough, she smiled.

At twenty minutes past seven, Duncan and Eleanor walked into The Evergreen Inn where Caroline waited. She stood with her mother while her father checked their coats at the coat check. “So, tell me Caroline, is this Seth person sharing your little house with you? Have you made it a cozy little love nest?” Her mother, dressed immaculately as usual in her silk blouse, pearls, wool skirt and sensible heels, stared at the paintings on the wall.

“No. That’s not something I’d ever consider.” Until marriage, but she wasn’t about to bring up that subject with her mother at this juncture. Again with the baby steps.

“My mistake. Did you move up here to Maine to be with him?”

“Please look at me, Mother.” Caroline fought to maintain the calm in her tone.

When her mother turned, Caroline waited until she had her eye contact. “I’m only going to ask you this once.” She lowered her voice and leaned closer. “Did you take the envelope from Seth addressed to me at the house after my hiking trip here to Maine? The one that—”

“I know which one.” Eleanor held her gaze. “Does that answer your question?”

“Why don’t we go ahead and be seated at our table and I’ll ask the hostess to bring Seth to the table when he arrives?” Duncan said.

Stunned, Caroline nodded and followed behind them.

“Pumpkin, why so long in the face? Your young man is coming tonight, isn’t he?”

“He’s coming,” Caroline said. “Dad, could you please not call me Pumpkin around Seth? For one thing, pumpkins are short, fat, orange, and round. The last time I checked, I was thankfully none of those things.”

“Oh, for heavens sake, it’s only an endearment,” Eleanor piped in.

“I’m also 24 years old. Not exactly a little girl.”

“So you tell us,” Eleanor said with more than a little irony. “You could have a good life living in Boston and working at the firm with your brothers, Caroline,” Eleanor commented.
Here we go.
“I feel like things are out of my control with you living all the way up here in this God-forsaken wilderness.”

That’s it!
In her mother’s world, losing control was one of the worst imaginable things that could happen. She wanted to know everything that was happening around her so that she could have some kind of hold, some kind of control, over it. Having that control was all-important to her. When Caroline moved to Maine, she’d taken away that power from her mother
.

“It’s not a God-forsaken wilderness.” Caroline tried her best to keep her tone gentle. “If anything, I feel God’s presence
more
here. God’s in the trees, the mountains, the sunsets, the fresh air, the clear streams, everything around me. I can’t understand how anyone can look at these things and
not
see God.”

Within minutes, they were seated in the elegant dining room. “I hope you’ll go to church with me in the morning.” Caroline suggested it not to shock them but as a way to include them in her life. And yes, maybe a part of her wanted to push their buttons to see how they’d react. The worst that could happen was that they’d say no. “I’d like to introduce you to Pastor Hawkins.” Caroline looked from one parent to the other. That wasn’t the only reason she’d love to have them come to the church with her, but it was one of them.

“Duncan, don’t you have a round of golf scheduled in the morning?” Eleanor asked, taking great interest in studying her menu.

“Yes, but not until noon. I don’t see why we can’t humor Caroline if it obviously means a lot to her.”

Eleanor lowered her menu and glared at her husband.

“Good evening.” The fresh-faced waitress greeted them a few minutes later.

“We’re waiting on others to join us,” Duncan told her.

“Of course. May I get you a cocktail in the meantime?”

Duncan ordered a glass of white wine, but Eleanor chose mineral water instead of her usual scotch and soda. “Ah, here he comes,” Duncan said with a nod toward the hostess station.

For a split second, Caroline wondered how her father could have meant Seth since he’d never met him. When her father rose to his feet, she turned.

“Bryce!” Pushing back her chair, Caroline greeted her brother with a hug. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re here,” she whispered. Then she noticed the striking blonde standing quietly behind her brother.
This must be Tiffany.

“Surprise. You’re looking great. Mountain air agrees with you. Or maybe it’s a certain mountain man.” She blushed furiously, thankful Bryce had whispered that comment for her ears only. After her brother made the introductions, he pulled out a chair between them for Tiffany. Although very pretty, Tiffany wasn’t the glamour girl type Bryce usually dated. She seemed poised with a quiet grace and elegance. A gentle sweetness seemed to emanate from the girl in her smile, and Caroline warmed to her immediately.

“So, Caroline. What does a person do for fun up here in the Maine wilderness?”

Caroline couldn’t help her smile at Bryce’s question. Oh, these presumptuous Bostonians. “First of all, I’d greatly appreciate it if everyone would stop referring to Evergreen as the wilderness. We’re not exactly uncivilized, you know. We have running water and even indoor toilets now. Imagine that.” Looking around the table, she was pleased to see she’d managed to elicit smiles from everyone, including her usually stern-faced mother.

“Ah, maybe
this
guy can answer our questions.” Rising from the table, Bryce extended his hand. “You must be Seth.”

Without warning, Caroline choked on her water, of all the dumb things. How could a person choke on water? She’d somehow managed to do it quite well.

“Here, Caroline. Believe it or not, more water should help. Just take a couple of long, slow drinks.” Tiffany placed a comforting hand on her back. Caroline mumbled her thanks and drank the water.

In the meantime, Seth introduced himself and shook hands with her father—who’d risen for the occasion—and Bryce handled the introductions of his mother and Tiffany. Caroline drank in the sight of Seth in his khakis, navy sport jacket and striped, button down shirt, and he even wore a red tie. Other than when he’d worn the tuxedo, Caroline had never seen him wear a tie. She appreciated his efforts to dress up tonight.

Eleanor actually had the courtesy to blush at the compliment Seth paid her, and Duncan appeared quite pleased.

“Got you all choked up, did I?” Seth whispered, sliding into the vacant seat next to her and kissing her cheek.

Taking a deep breath, Caroline said in a low voice, “Sorry to get you involved. You might be in for a bumpy ride. Just smile and nod. You’ll be safer that way.”

“Don’t be sorry, Caroline.” Seth draped his arm around the back of her chair and rested the fingers of one hand on her shoulder. Leaning close, he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, distracting her in the best way although the time was inopportune. “Your dad doesn’t seem to recognize my name.”

“I have to warn you.” Caroline caught her mother’s ingratiating smile as she sat watching them. “Mother asked me earlier if we were living together.” She wouldn’t mention the fact that her mother as much as admitted taking the letter Seth had sent to her after they’d first met. In Eleanor’s mind, she most likely thought she was somehow protecting her daughter. It wasn’t as much a personal strike against Seth as the idea of
any
man distracting Caroline from her pre-ordained course in life. The path that had seriously derailed from the one Eleanor Prescott had expected.

Seth chuckled. “Did you tell her one day we
will
be living together? Don’t worry,” he said quickly. “I’ll keep you an honest woman until then. You look stunning tonight.”

Caroline smiled and knew her cheeks flushed pink at his praise not to mention at his hint of their future together. This man was so good for her. “Thank you. You’re looking very handsome yourself, Professor Barnes. Thanks for dressing up for the occasion.”

“I’m glad you think so.” He caressed the side of her hand with his thumb. She adored his gestures of affection even more because they seemed to come so naturally.

“Seth, I was just asking my sister what one does for fun up here in the mountains,” Bryce said.

The waitress came back to take their dinner orders, followed by Seth launching into one of his spiels about the local area and its many charms. Watching him from the corner of her eye, Caroline loved the way his eyes lit and the animated way he spoke about this area of western Maine he loved so much. A love she shared, more and more. It truly
was
home for her now in many ways.

“Actually, this inn is quite interesting,” Seth told them. “Like the Bethel Inn nearby, this one was built in 1873 to serve weary train travelers, and the depot was just down the street. As far as things to do in the region, there’s hiking in the Great White Mountains National Forest, canoeing and kayaking on the Ellis River, the Artist’s Covered Bridge, the scenic drives, the Moses Mason House…”

“Who was Moses Mason?” Bryce asked.

Caroline straightened in her chair. She’d bought a book written by a local author and had read up on the local legends and history. Seth encouraged her to continue and squeezed her hand where it rested in her lap.

“Moses Mason was one of the most prominent citizens of Bethel, a neighboring town, in the 1800s,” she continued. “He was a state representative, a practicing physician, the first postmaster, and justice of the peace among other things. His Federal-style mansion is fun to tour. Seth took me on a tour last week. It features beautiful Rufus Porter murals lining the front hallway and lots of gorgeous woodwork.” Caroline glanced at her mother and she appeared to be listening. “I think you’d enjoy seeing it, Mother. Bethel was a very prosperous town, and today, the Mason home is the headquarters for the Bethel Historical Society.”

“Duncan, mark our calendar to go see this Moses Mason House.” Eleanor motioned with her hand as Caroline had so often seen her do with the household staff.

Seth spoke up again. “Skiing is the main attraction in the area overall. Sunday River claims to have the most dependable snow in North America. There are also lumber mills and three big dairies in the area, as well as a popular raceway to help keep the economy healthy and thriving.”

“Dairies you say? I wondered why your friend mentioned something about getting back to the dairy,” Eleanor said. It was all Caroline could do to not spit out her lemonade on the table while Seth turned his head and pretended to cough.

Bryce glanced at Caroline with an arched brow. She mouthed to him that she’d tell him later. No way would she attempt to explain at the dinner table that Liesel was a nursing mother and the so-called dairy was none other than her friend’s ability to produce milk. For all her worldly sophistication, Eleanor Prescott could sometimes seem either naïve or misinformed. In an odd way, it also endeared her to Caroline.

Caroline laughed quietly as Bryce and her father discussed something to do with the law firm.

Seth grinned and nudged her shoulder. “What?”

“Does the Visitors Bureau
pay
you to say all those things?”

“No,” he said, smiling. “You didn’t do such a bad job promoting the area yourself. You’ve become a very capable ambassador of Oxford County. Thrills my old heart, it does. But I’m guessing your mother wouldn’t appreciate a gift of moose dropping earrings.”

Caroline smiled. “You’re right. I hardly think animal excrement is her idea of an appropriate token of esteem and affection.”

Seth winked and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

“I understand there’s a lot of natural gemstones found here,” Bryce said. “I’m assuming that’s one reason you wanted to move here and what you use to make your jewelry?”

Caroline nodded, smiling at her brother’s obvious interest. “This particular corner of Oxford County is known and recognized as one of the world’s richest sources of certain gems and minerals.”

“Really? That’s interesting. Which gems?” Tiffany asked.