Seasons (13 page)

“What! Some guy you were dating went after your daughter?” J.P. asked.

“Yes. As Randi got older, I really tried to be extra careful about who I brought around her. I was always watchful, and if
I saw the man looking at her in a less than acceptable way, he was quickly sent on his way. But, I hadn’t picked up on anything
with this one guy. I suppose I trusted him because he worked in the department and he seemed to be a Christian and an okay
sort of guy. But he was really a wolf in sheep’s clothing. That was brought home to me in a disturbing and traumatic way when
Randi was fourteen or fifteen. I thought everything was going all right with this guy, then I went home one day, and Randi
was waiting with the news that the dirt bag had been calling her and coming to the house when he knew I wasn’t home. She had
been trying to handle it on her own, reluctant to tell me because she knew I really liked the guy.”

“Oh God!” J.P. exclaimed. “What did you do?”

“I confronted him. And he boldly admitted that Randi was a pretty little girl, and he was attracted to her.” She shuddered
with remembered anger and disappointment.

“Darn it! I don’t know what’s wrong with some of these dudes. They have to be messed up in the head to do something like that,”
J.P. said in frustration.

“Killing that sucker would have been too good,” Jaci said, her hands clenched in rage as she recalled the incident. “I really
wanted to choke him with my bare hands, and of course I couldn’t since he’s much bigger than me. I finally settled for calling
him and telling him how disgusting and pitiful he is, and that if he came anywhere near either of us again I would call the
police. I also had an attorney friend call to tell him I was considering filing charges against him, and to inform him that
pedophiles are dealt with in an extremely harsh manner by the criminal justice system. We knew I didn’t have a case since
he hadn’t touched her, but we hoped to fill him with such terror that he wouldn’t ever look at another child in that way.
I told one of the men on staff about it, you know Bill—and he also had a long talk with him. I don’t know the extent of what
Bill said to him, but the guy almost runs in the other direction whenever he sees me.”

“So have you dated anyone since then? That’s been seven or eight years ago.”

“Oh yes. After Randi left for her brief stay at college, I thought, okay, coast clear. Now I don’t have to worry about her
anymore, so I can try it again. However, that backfired in my face too. It seemed that the brothers assumed I was so man-hungry
and lonely that I’d fall for anything. They’d wait until they thought the timing was right, then insist on moving the relationship
to the next level. Some of them went for the gold right off the bat. Bam! Let’s live together. One had the audacity to show
up one night with his suitcase. Oh man did he get a mouthful—and I got an earful from him—something about being an uptight,
frigid old maid. After that, I gave it up. Why subject myself to that kind of scene?”

J.P. shook his head in disgust. “You’ve just had the misfortune of running into the lowest life forms out there. There are
some decent men who are looking for decent women.”

“Can’t prove it by me. Anyway, I’ve made myself content being alone and I have peace about it. The Lord will give you peace
about any situation if you ask Him.”

“That sounds like you’ve given up on God’s ability to send the right person into your life.”

“No. But I’ve stopped trying to find him myself. If God has someone for me, He’s fully capable of bringing him into my life
and giving me the wisdom to recognize him. I’m just not putting my life on hold, or putting myself through a lot of bad experiences
trying to do it myself.”

“I understand that, but you’ve got to keep an open mind about it. If your mind is closed, God could send him and you could
very well miss him. Remember you promised to give us a chance to get to know each other. If your mind is closed to the possibilities,
it’s not going to happen. You know that don’t you?”

She did know that. And during the drive home, Jaci retreated into deep thought as she contemplated the past and her warranted
mistrust of men. She looked toward the future with more than a little uneasiness.

When they arrived at Jaci’s house, J.P. spoke to her in an excited voice. “Jaci, it has been a great day! I think we’ve started
laying a good foundation to build a relationship on. I promise you I’m not like those jerks you described today. It may be
hard for you to believe at this point, but I’m willing to do whatever I have to do to prove myself different. I know you’re
apprehensive—have every right to be—but keep an open mind about this. Okay? Let’s go to dinner one night. Will you call me
and let me know when you want to do that? I can adjust my schedule to fit yours.”

“Okay. I’ll call you.” But she was experiencing so many mixed emotions that she had no intention of going out with him again
until she had everything sorted out. She acknowledged there was something budding between them, but her past dictated that
she tread very carefully. For the second time in her life, she knew a man had the power to hurt her very badly.

Despite her unsettled personal issues with J.P., things continued to go well on the jobs she did for him. Most were in town,
but occasionally, he asked her to travel to another city. In that case, she would leave on Thursday evening and fly if the
assignment was in a distant city, or drive if it was a short commute. Fridays were spent interviewing company employees and
researching records for the information she needed to make her recommendations. She returned on Friday evening or Saturday
morning, depending on how early she completed the job, and arranged to drop by J.P.’s office on Saturday, or they met somewhere
for lunch the following week so she could submit her report.

J.P. became creative in finding ways to spend time with her. Since she had still not agreed to a formal date with him, he
tried to extend their meetings into dates, and because of some weakness in her that she couldn’t control, he was successful
a few times, and she had enjoyed these times in spite of herself.

She was determined to keep her distance until she could sort out her feelings and deal with the powerful physical attraction
between them. Just the memory of their kisses curled her toes and scared her shoes off. He was astute enough to recognize
her volatile response to him and pushed his advantage every time they were together by thoroughly kissing her. She realized
he was gradually breaking down her defenses and tried to strengthen her resolve to take things slowly with him.

Jaci recalled the day she had prayed for change. She was thankful for the delightful moments she had experienced recently,
as well as the new exciting happenings. But before she could savor, and put them in perspective, other issues began to explode
from every direction, bringing stormy weather and causing movements in her life that would alter it and usher in a new season.

J
.P. was frustrated. While Jaci sought ways to keep them apart, he prayed and searched for ways to dispel her fears and convince
her to give them a chance. Although he understood her cautiousness, he was certain about the growing feelings between them.
He had manipulated her into going to the movies with him a few times, and had even coerced her into accompanying him to one
of the black plays that had come to town. Each time he went out with this woman whom he secretly thought of as
his Jaci,
they would have a great time, leading him to hope things were finally moving to another level. However, much to his disappointment,
the wall of reserve she expertly erected around herself would be back in place the next time he talked to her. A war of wills
was definitely under way, but Jaci didn’t know the extent of his resolve and persistence. He wasn’t a successful businessman
by accident. The same determination that was applied to his business affairs was also applied to Jaci. He sent flowers, left
“thinking of you” messages at both her home and office, and coaxed her into spending time with him every time he had a chance.

His breakthrough came in an unexpected way. He had dropped by the Housing Compliance Department primarily to see Jaci, but
on the pretext of obtaining the list of condemned properties. Fully expecting to be intercepted by Wynola, who he believed
had instructed the receptionist to advise her whenever he was in the building, he was elated when informed that Wynola was
in a meeting. “Is Jaci available?” he asked the receptionist.

“She’s in her office, just go on back,” the receptionist told him. Although he felt that the woman was unprofessional in not
announcing him, he was grateful for the small bit of luck, thinking that Jaci might have refused to see him if she had warning.
He hurried down the corridor toward the wing where Jaci’s office was located, turned the corner, then walked slowly so he
could read the name plate on each door.

He heard her husky voice, speaking in a tone that suggested she was upset. When he found her office, he saw that she was on
the phone and was indeed very upset, but was attempting to comfort whoever was on the other end. “Try not to worry, honey;
I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m leaving now to pick up Sean.”

He watched as she hung up and dropped her face in her hands, drawing deep breaths in an effort to calm herself. Without thinking,
he stepped inside and closed the door. “Jaci?” he said softly. “What’s wrong? Is there anything I can do?” She straightened
quickly, shock and surprise evident in her face.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in a voice so full of emotion he felt his own heart constrict.

“What is it, Jaci?” he asked again. “Will you tell me or am I going to have to shake it out of you?”

She gave him a look that said “just try it buster,” before stating, “It’s Randi. She’s having serious problems with her pregnancy.
Her blood pressure is at a dangerous level. It’s so bad the doctor wants her to go right to the hospital.” As she talked,
she was collecting her purse and briefcase.

“I’ll drive you,” he insisted as they started toward the closed door.

“No, that’s okay. I have to pick up my grandson from the day care center first. I don’t want to put you through all that trouble.”

J.P. caught her arm in a firm grip. “I’m driving you, no arguments, Jaci.” Seeing his determination, she merely pulled away
from him and walked out.

They picked up Sean, then drove to the hospital. When they arrived, Randi was already installed in a room, so they went directly
in to see her. Introductions were made and J.P. observed that Randi, who looked just like her mother, also exhibited Jaci’s
same strength. She was hooked up to several intravenous tubes, yet she maintained a positive attitude and was even joking
around.

As family members and close friends arrived, he was introduced simply as a friend—a role he happily assumed. He was delighted
and intrigued to observe
his
Jaci discard her professional persona and happily interact with everyone in a warm and loving way. This was the real Jaci,
and he looked forward to the time when she would be like that with him.

He couldn’t believe he wasn’t bored as hours slipped by, and he was actually content to sit there and watch the caring support
among Jaci’s family and friends. He spent much of his time in the waiting room, keeping Sean occupied and talking with an
older woman who was introduced to him as Sister Sadie, a church member who told him she had “adopted” Jaci and Randi years
before. He occasionally walked Sean to his mother’s room or carried him when he went outside to make calls on his cell phone.
He joined in when Jaci, Sister Sadie, and others gathered in a circle several times and asked God to keep Randi and the unborn
baby in His care. He felt himself yearning to be a part of this loving circle. His own family was pretty tight knit, but he
felt an overwhelming desire to be an intricate part of hers.

After the staff gently but firmly threw them out of the hospital, J.P. drove Jaci back to her building to pick up her truck.
Then, despite the fact that they lived on opposite sides of the city, he insisted on following her home.

When they arrived, he gently lifted the car seat off the backseat of his SUV and carried the sleeping baby into the comfortable
and beautifully decorated house, where he instantly felt at home.

“You have a beautiful home, Jaci,” he said, taking in the black art that covered the walls. “It’s not hard to see that you
love baptism scenes.” He walked around the house and examined what had to be every conceivable baptism scene in existence.
The colors in each framed print coordinated with other decor and furnishings in her home. “Did you do the decorating yourself?”

“Are you kidding me? What you see is a hodge-podge of stuff collected over the years. The secret is to keep the same central
color and style. That way things look like they belong together even if they don’t. Anyway, it’s comfortable and homey. Yes,
I do have a weakness for baptism scenes. It’s hard for me to resist one when I see it. Why don’t you find yourself something
to drink while I put Sean to bed. This little guy has had it.”

She left the room carrying the sleeping child, and J.P. went into the kitchen, found some coffee, and started a pot. He didn’t
necessarily want coffee, but would use anything to extend his time in her presence. Her home felt different from his. It took
a minute to realize what it was. It felt like home. While he busied himself with the coffee, J.P. analyzed his feelings for
this woman. He knew she was different from every other woman he had known. He recalled his ex-wife of many years ago—the only
woman he had come close to committing to. They had gotten married when she became pregnant, but there had been constant conflict
throughout the short-lived marriage, and she eventually left him for a man she felt could take better care of her than he.
Although he didn’t regret the marriage’s ending, he had been hurt and angry at the way she had done it. The only good to come
out of it had been their son. Since then, all the women who had gone through his life meant nothing. When things ended, he
said good riddance and moved on to the next one. He already knew this would not be the case with Jaci.