I Promise (18 page)

“Chris, when did you get here?”

“Just a few minutes ago. I brought Sierra. Looks like a busy night for you guys.”

“Most people are only ordering coffee drinks and desserts, so the kitchen hasn't been swamped. You should try the artichoke pizza. It's really good.”

“That's exactly what I wanted. What else do you recommend?”

“I think a small Caesar salad would go nicely with
that,” Katie said. “Do you want to try my favorite latte?”

“Sure. We're over on the couch in The Ark.”

“I'll bring it to you,” Katie said. “What does Sierra want?”

“She's going to place her own order.”

Rick stepped up behind Christy and greeted her with a friendly hug. “Did Katie tell you the good news?”

Christy turned to Katie with wide eyes. “No,” Christy said. “What good news?”

“Her tea won an honorable mention at the food fair.”

“Big whoop,” Katie said. “They gave out ten honorable mentions. I'm going to perfect the blend and enter it again next year.”

“I thought it was great,” Rick said. “Out of thirty-seven entries, she made the top ten. Tell her that's pretty good.”

“It really is, Katie,” Christy said. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“Did Todd come with you?” Rick asked. “I thought he was backpacking this weekend.”

“He is. I'm here with Sierra.”

“Girls' night out, huh?” Rick turned to Katie. “Have you taken your dinner break yet?”

“No.”

“Do you want to take it now?” Rick said. “Dinner is on me, for all three of you.”

“Make that two pizzas, Miguel,” Katie called out.
“And could you put extra parmesan on mine? Thanks.”

“Thanks, Rick,” Christy said. “I didn't expect you to pay for us.”

“My pleasure. I'd treat you more often, but you never come in.”

“I know. This has been the busiest time of my life.”

“Todd's too,” Rick said. “We never seem to be home at the same time. Sometime the four of us will have to do something together.”

“That would be fun,” Christy said.

“Hey, tell Todd I was able to work out the deal with the guy my dad knows at the tux shop. It's Burton's Tuxedo Shop. They're in the shopping center down at the stoplight. Next to the video store. I went in today and got measured. All you and Todd have to do is select the style and give him the measurements for the other groomsmen.”

“Okay,” Christy said slowly.

Katie linked her arm in Christy's. “Come on. I only have an hour.”

As they walked away, Christy asked, “Katie, is Rick going to be a groomsman in my wedding?”

“You crack me up, Christy! Of course he is. Todd asked him like three weeks ago. You must be losing it if you can't remember such details.”

Christy sat down next to Sierra on the couch and tried hard to remember if Todd had said anything to her. The last Christy had heard, Todd was having his dad for his best man and Doug for his groomsman.
She was having Katie as her maid of honor and Tracy for her bridesmaid. They had agreed weeks ago on only two attendants to keep things simple. The bridesmaids' dresses already were ordered.

Since when did Rick enter the picture?

Christy decided to remain calm and not to get mad at Todd—yet. If he had asked Rick to be in their wedding, he must have had a good reason. Maybe Doug had backed out. Or maybe, since Rick and Todd were sharing an apartment now, he had felt obligated to include Rick in the wedding party.

If Rick is going to be a groomsman along with Doug, then I need another bridesmaid. I wonder if I should ask Sierra now or wait until Todd gets back from his trip.

Katie, Sierra, and Christy sat by the fire and ate while Randy and the band filled the air with original songs that had a wonderfully fresh sound. Christy liked the pizza but told Katie they should have split one because she was full after the salad.

“I'll get doggie bags for us,” Katie said. “It'll be just as good in the morning. Breakfast pizza! I'll be right back.”

Christy leaned close to Sierra. “We haven't talked about relationships and stuff, like we started to in the car. I didn't know if you wanted to talk privately, or what. We could talk more on the way back to school.”

“It's not as if I'm struggling with some huge problem. I just need some input. I'd love to hear what Katie has to say, too.”

“Did I hear my name?” Katie asked, returning with a plastic box in her hand.

“I was telling Christy that I could use your advice,” Sierra said.

“You came to the right place,” Katie said. “It just so happens that my assistant and I are the advice queens. I think Christy is tired of hearing about my life; it'll be refreshing to hear about yours. And since you offered, why don't you start with Paul. What's happening with him?”

“Well, I can summarize that relationship with one of your famous phrases, Katie. Paul and I are ‘P.O.'s.' Do you remember the little club we started in England?”

Katie laughed. “Pals Only! I forgot all about that.”

“Of course you did,” Sierra teased. “You dropped your honorary membership when you started going out with Rick.”

“It was unintentional.” Katie held up her hand in self-defense. “It was God's idea, not mine. Believe me.”

“Oh, I believe you,” Sierra said. “It's good to see you guys together, too. It seems natural and like the relationship is alive and growing. It helps me to remember that's how healthy relationships should be.”

Christy watched Sierra's face for an indication of what that statement meant. “Did you feel it wasn't going that way for Paul and you?”

Sierra nodded. “How much do you want to hear about Paul?”

“Everything,” Katie said.

“Okay,” Sierra said. “But you guys asked for it.”

13
Sierra set her tea on the low table in front of the fire and began her story. “You guys know that Paul and I are sort of related now that my sister is married to his brother. Our families were all together at Christmas, and it just became clear to me while we were sitting on the floor watching a video that there's nothing boyfriend-girlfriend between Paul and me. I thought there was for a long time. I hoped there was. I dreamed about what it would be like if there was. And I think both of us gave it a noble effort after he came back from Scotland. But it's not electric.”

“Electric?” Katie questioned.

“You know what I mean. I know you know what I mean.”

Katie nodded and exchanged glances with Christy.

“Whatever it is that makes a couple realize something deeper and lasting exists between them. Well, I've come to the conclusion Paul and I don't have that . . . whatever it is. We are good, solid friends. He
doesn't find me fascinating, and I think he's way too quiet and introspective.”

“Have you and Paul talked about this?” Christy asked. “I mean, does he feel the same way?”

“Yes. We went for a long walk at the park the day after Christmas and talked about everything. He started out sounding like he was going to apologize for not being in love with me or something. I stopped him before he said too much and told him how I felt. I told him I was restless, for lack of a better term. I pointed out he was contemplative, which is fine, but it's not a good match for someone like me. He said he felt bad because he had thought something would happen between us, but it just didn't go anywhere. He blamed himself for insisting we take it slow in the beginning and lay a foundation of being good friends.

“I told him that was the best choice because now we are good friends, and I think we'll always be close friends. But that's all.”

“You sound like you're okay with that,” Christy said.

“I am. I feel free now. I didn't feel free for a long time. I kept thinking there should be something more with Paul. You guys know how much I tortured myself trying to figure out what should happen next with him. I spent months probing my heart, trying to decide how I truly felt about him. It was a long journey that only brought me back to where I started. And that's okay. It's good.”

“If I've learned one thing,” Katie said, sipping her
latte and looking settled in her own understanding, “it's that God writes a different story for each of our lives. Sometimes you think you know what's going to happen, but then the plot takes an unexpected turn.”

“And sometimes you have to end one chapter before you can start the next,” Sierra said. “I have so many dreams, you guys. I want to travel. I want to be free to go wherever I want to go for the next season of my life. I've already signed up for an education extension program that Rancho offers. And guess where it's held?”

“Where?” Katie asked.

“Brazil! Doesn't that sound like a fun place to go?”

“Sounds like you're going to become a world traveler,” Christy said.

“It started with that trip to England, when I met you guys. Then, Christy, you invited me to Switzerland with you and your aunt. I got the bug. I love traveling.”

Christy could picture Sierra trekking around the globe in her cowboy boots. She definitely had an adventuresome spirit.

“When I started college last semester, it was strange. I had been so excited to come to Rancho. But then, there I was, sitting in classes, and all I could think about was getting out of there and traveling. I kept running into people on campus who had been to exotic places. I would tell myself I should concentrate on finishing my freshman year and getting serious about Paul. I thought I should try to arrange a normal
life, like my sister and the rest of my friends have. But you know what? It didn't fit. I never felt at peace. After Paul and I had our talk at Christmas, I felt free. That's the only way I can explain it. Nothing is holding me back. It's like you said, Katie, God is writing my life story, and it's different for me than it is for anyone else.”

“You're right, Sierra,” Christy said. “God is going to make your path clear.”

“More than that,” Katie added. “‘God will fulfill his purpose for you.' That's a promise. Psalm 138. Verse 8.” Sierra sipped the last of her tea and nodded. “You know what, you guys? This is the first time I've sat down to explain my feelings as one complete thought. When I listen to myself talking to you like this, it makes sense. It doesn't sound as if I'm cutting my strings and flying off like a kite.”

Christy gave Sierra a comforting smile. “And what if you are cutting your strings? If God created you to be a kite, then the only right answer for you, the only obedient response, would be to go fly—be free. It shouldn't matter if other people understand. You're the one who knows in your heart of hearts when you're obeying His direction. He's the One who will lift you up and send you soaring.”

“Thank you so much, Christy. I needed to hear that.” In a less-than-graceful gesture, Sierra reached over and hugged Christy around the neck. Then Sierra hugged Katie. “You two are amazing.”

Christy noticed some movement out of the corner
of her eye that made her hold her breath. Rick had positioned himself a few feet away. His gaze was fixed on Katie, and he seemed to be enchanted with her.

A happy, settled feeling came over Christy's heart.
Go ahead, Rick Doyle, admire Katie all you want. She's amazing, isn't she? And so are you. I have absolutely no doubt the Lord will fulfill His purpose for the two of you.

Early the next morning, Christy stopped by the campus coffee shop for a cup of coffee to drink on the way to Aunt Marti's. She picked up her mail from her campus mailbox and found a card from her grandma. Reading as she walked back to the car, Christy checked the last few lines twice since they didn't immediately make sense to her. Her grandmother had thanked Christy and Todd for coming to the funeral. Then she wrote,

Christina, I was surprised to see how much you have grown to resemble Martha with your way of keeping on top of things. Make sure you leave room in your life for peace. I'm sure Todd will encourage you in this area.

Christy thought her grandmother must have gotten confused when she said Christy resembled Aunt Marti.
No way am I like Aunt Marti. Grandma must have meant Margaret, my mom, but she wrote “Martha.” I hope Grandma isn't experiencing memory failure the way Sierra's Granna Mae is.

It took Christy an hour and forty-five minutes to drive to Newport Beach. When she arrived, Margaret and Martha, the two sisters, were standing in the kitchen, peering at a book on the counter and having
a good laugh. Christy noticed the list Marti had printed out, waiting for them on the counter.

“What's so funny?” Christy asked.

“It's more of those cakes that are designed for each couple based on how they met,” Mom said, pointing to a picture on the counter. This cake was in the shape of a horse's head. The statue of the bride and groom was stuck in the icing between the horse's ears.