Sophie's Heart (65 page)

Sophie’s nose wrinkled. “Is it disgusted?”

“Yes,” Alec said with a laugh, and then he teased. “But you’ve chosen to be a construction worker today, and well, sometimes you have to put up with little inconveniences.”

“I am afraid that I am going to have to insist that you take me somewhere.”

Alec sighed in mock despair. “You’re always so pushy and demanding.”

“I do my best,” Sophie told him and replaced the cup. It was then she realized he hadn’t moved an inch. He was still sitting there watching her, and Sophie’s two cups of coffee were making themselves more known with every passing minute. Sophie turned to ask him again, but didn’t. Alec had an odd look on his face, his eyes very watchful, and Sophie only looked at him.

“You do know that I want to marry you, don’t you, Sophie?”

“I hoped you would,” she answered softly. “But I was not positive.”

“I’ve loved you for a very long time,” he told her.

Sophie nodded. “Since the time in my hospital room.”

“You knew then?”

“No. Brad Marshall said something to me many months later. My love for you started when you came back from the lake last summer.”

Alec now smiled. “I could see it on your face. When I think back on the things I said to you, I’m amazed at the risk I took. Had my comments not been welcome, they might have been called sexual harassment.”

“They were welcome.”

They looked at each other, and then Sophie’s eyes grew a bit wide. “I really must go,” she mumbled and reached for the door handle.

“No, no,” Alec put a hand out and slipped the truck into gear. “There’s a McDonald’s right up the street here. I’ll have you there in a minute.”

They roared down the street—neither speaking, not even when Alec parked and Sophie jumped from the cab. They didn’t talk again until Sophie came from the bathroom and found Alec at a table with more coffee and a little something to eat. She sat and looked at him.

“A man tells me he wishes to make me his wife, and I say, ‘I have to go to the bathroom.’ I am so embarrassed.”

Alec only slid his hands, palms up, along the tabletop, and Sophie put hers in them. He sat looking at her for a long time.

“What are you thinking?” she had to ask.

“That I wish we were already married and alone right now.”

Sophie squeezed his hands a little. “I love it when you tell me you think I am attractive. Vanessa was so small, and at times I have asked myself if a fuller wife is hard for you.”

“I’m glad you’re not the same size as Van. I don’t want you thinking I’m looking for her replacement.”

“I have seen her wedding dress in your closet. She was so tiny— like Rita.”

“I’m hoping Rita will wear that dress someday.”

“That would be lovely.”

“What kind of wedding dress do you want?”

Sophie cocked her head to one side. “I cannot afford a fancy wedding, Alec. I think something simple.”

“I prefer that myself.”

“We must tell the children.”

“Yes. Tonight.”

“What will they say?”

“They’ll be thrilled.”

“How do you know?”

“I know,” Alec began, “because a week ago I came home and found Rita and Tory poring over a bridal magazine. I asked what was going on and was told that
I
would need help when the time came.”

Sophie laughed. She knew they loved her, but this was a big step, and her relief was great. All at once they remembered the food in front of them, gave thanks for it, and began to eat. They spent the rest of the day together and, although Alec accomplished little work, he had the time of his life. He saw his business with new eyes. And since Sophie was nearly in awe of what he did, he felt very validated and special with the way she looked at him and complimented him.

“It must make you feel wonderful,” she said at one point, “to help people get into a home of their own. I have always lived in apartments, and I think what you do, Alec, is so worthy.”

Alec had not had anyone encourage him in such a way for a long time. Likewise, Alec did his share of making Sophie feel set apart. When she watched Alec sweeping up or stacking lumber, she would pitch in without an invitation, and Alec’s praise of her work was genuine. He knew she was dying to actually pound some nails. Even though he didn’t normally do that, at one of the work sites, he gave her a board, hammer, and nails, and then got out of the way. She didn’t do too badly, but her muttered Czech comments were a riot. He couldn’t understand the words, but her meaning was more than clear. Alec ended the day early, and they were home by 4:00 to tell the kids what they had decided.

“All right!” Tory shouted and ran across the family room to hug her father.

Craig came to Sophie and gave her a hug. He was huge now, having just turned 14, and Sophie was amazed at how much he’d grown both physically and spiritually.

“I don’t think I’ll call you Mom,” he told her seriously.

“That is all right, Craig.”

“I mean, it’s not that I’m against your marrying Dad, but you’re Sophie.”

“That is fine.” She smiled at him, and they hugged again.

Rita naturally wanted to know when, where, and how.

“We haven’t picked a date,” her father told her.

“I’ll get the calendar,” she offered and dashed for the kitchen. Alec only shrugged at Sophie, whose smile was pure contentment.

“May,” Rita announced. “I think you should be married in May. That would give you three months. More than enough time. It’s going to be a big wedding of course, and—”

“No, Rita,” her father cut in. “Just something simple.”

She frowned at her father and then turned to Sophie. “Is that what you want, Sophie—a small wedding?”

“Well, Rita, I cannot afford a large wedding. It is not possible. And don’t forget your graduation party.”

Rita nodded and took this in stride, but her mind was moving. She wasn’t worried about her graduation party. That would all fall into place. But her father’s wedding was another matter.

“All right,” she finally said, “but how does a May wedding sound?”

“I think February 22 sounds good.”

“That’s tomorrow,” Tory told her dad.

“I know,” he said and winked at Sophie.

“Oh.” Tory’s eyes grew wide as she jumped into the planning. “You could get married in March or April and—” With that, she was jabbering excitedly. Sophie took the calendar from Rita’s hand and studied the different months. The others talked around her, and she calmly looked at the dates. She found one she liked.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Alec commented when some of the din subsided.

“I think I have found one.” She passed the calendar to him. “How do you like May 25? It is a Saturday.”

Alec studied the date and thought about how business would be at that time. It was a little hard to predict, especially if they had a very wet spring, but he decided to go for it.

“Looks good to me,” he said as he took out his pen and circled the date. They shared a smile before Sophie slipped out of the room to get supper going. It was going to be a simple meal since she’d been out all day, but it would be healthy and filling. Craig and Tory followed her, both still talking. Alec would have done the same, but his oldest child was spearing him with her eyes.

“Dad,” she spoke seriously and in a low voice, “is that what Sophie really wants?”

“You mean to get married?”

“No. A small wedding.”

“Rita,” his voice was kind, “it really is simpler that way.”

Rita was shaking her head. “I don’t think that’s fair. You’ve been married before, but this is her only time. I think it should be special.”

This had crossed Alec’s mind, but he hadn’t voiced it. In all selfishness, it was easier to just go with something small. He had been putting money away for quite some time with a honeymoon in mind, but maybe something simpler for the honeymoon and more elaborate for the wedding would be Sophie’s choice. Suddenly Alec wanted to do whatever Sophie wished. He reached forward and gently rubbed Rita’s cheek, his eyes thanking her before they both moved to the kitchen.

Alec drove Sophie home several hours later. When they were settled on her sofa, Alec broached the question. The lights were low and his arm was around her, but he had business on his mind.

“If money wasn’t an issue, what type of wedding dress would you buy?”

“Oh,” Sophie’s mind had not been on that, but she was delighted to tell him. Alec was shocked when she didn’t have to think about it at all.

“I would have a long dress, to the floor, with little pearl-shaped buttons at the back and lace at the neck and down the sleeves. It would not have a high neck, but a modest one so that my locket would show. The skirt would be a little full, but not too much, and there would be a very small train or none at all.” Sophie then looked up into his face with shining eyes. “Isn’t it fun to dream, Alec?”

Alec looked into her accepting eyes—eyes that said, “It will never be mine, but thank you for asking.” With this thought, he pulled her close.
Thank you, Rita, thank you,
he whispered in his heart.

“I want you to start looking for the dress you just described to me,” Alec told her after a moment of silence.

Sophie pulled away from him. She was shaking her head, about to say something, but Alec placed gentle fingers over her mouth.

“I have put money away for us, and this is important. The dress you described would be beautiful on you, and I want you to have it. Do you understand?”

Sophie nodded and he moved his hand.

“Oh, Alec, it could be so much.”

“Well, we’ll be praying right now that you find one that’s reasonable. And if not, we’ll make that decision later.”

Sophie looked at him. “I was so lonely in Chicago that I had to seek out fellowship, so I went to this church and a woman named Janet was kind to me. And then she said there is a man who has children and his wife is dead and he is lost, would I go? I went. I came to take care of you and the children, but you end up taking care of me. When will I stop being amazed at how much God loves me?”

Alec kissed her brow. “I was lost,” he admitted. “I couldn’t believe the pain, but God got through. I was buried with my grief, but God stayed with me. I never saw you. For so many weeks you were there but I never even looked. And then one day, I knew. It was as if God said, ‘This is the one. This is the one I have planned for you. Take care of her.’ And I was able to do this with joy because my heart had begun to soften.

“I have had two loves in my life, and I’m amazed that one has not taken anything from the other. Because I had a first love, my second love is stronger and healthier. How few women there must be who would come as you have, and just love and take care of us. I, too, am amazed at God’s provision. It’s something I never doubt. But if I’m tempted to do so, I only have to look at you.”

“Oh, Alec,” Sophie whispered. “I love you so.”

He kissed her then and held her close. She was going to be his wife, and he was going to take care of her. He was going to be her husband, and she would love and honor him. It would be easy to be
too
amazed in the midst of all of this, but only until Sophie and Alec remembered to whom they really belonged, and what kind of love was put down as payment for their lives.

Alec stayed later than he should have. In fact, Tory called looking for him. But he and Sophie had so much to talk about, and he wanted to be near her so badly. It was with reluctance that they parted, but tomorrow was another day. And the most special day of all was just three months away. It seemed a long time to wait, but they both knew that before they could blink, it would be on top of them.

Fifty-Seven

A
lec came in the kitchen door over three weeks later and could tell in an instant that Sophie was upset. Standing by the stove, she looked at him but didn’t speak.

“You’re angry over something.”

“Yes, I am.” Her voice was furious. “She is a stubborn old woman.”

“Your grandmother.”

“Yes! I have saved and saved and she will not even consider coming.” Sophie waved the letter in the air. “It is one excuse after another. I
know
she has savings. I have over half of the fare, and she could cover the rest. But will she come? No!”