The Second Yes Page 6

  Oh. Okay. That’s how.

  “I can confirm those strawberries are amazing indeed.” She waved for emphasis. “But… maybe a personal touch, too? Like a poem? Or a song?”

  “Oh yes!” More red spots spread on the guy’s thick neck. “I wrote a song about her beautiful smile and gorgeous eyes. But I’d never dare sing it to her.”

  “I’m sure she’ll love it.” A sad feeling entered her heart. Ten years ago, Edgar had written a song for her, too. How long ago it seemed to be now.

  “Um, your order is on your table. Or would you like me to bring it here?” The blonde waitress interrupted her nostalgic thoughts.

  “I’d like to share dinner with you.” Brightening, Brock shot to his feet. “But I’ve got to get back on the road, or I’ll be behind schedule. Thanks for your help.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d love to know how the things will work out between you and Miranda.” Sierra rose.

  “Sure. Here’s my phone number.” He rattled off the number, put money on the table, and marched to the exit.

  Edgar and Sierra hurried back to their table where delicious smells teased their nostrils.

  “I’ll say grace.” She bowed her head. “Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for this food. Please bless it and make it nutritious to us. Please help my aunt Willow and my family and… Edgar. Please help things work out between Brock and Miranda. In Jesus’s holy name, amen.”

  “Amen,” Edgar echoed.

  For a few minutes, utensils clanked against porcelain. She savored every bite of the delicious brisket where the barbecue sauce gave that special zing.

  “Would you like a dessert?” Edgar dipped a fry in ketchup.

  “I don’t think I can fit a dessert after this.” She tapped her fast-filling stomach. “Though you know how much I love chocolate ice cream.”

  He chuckled. “I sure do. Remember when I took you to The Café, and you ate so many portions of chocolate ice cream your throat hurt?” He munched on a fry.

  “You skipped school so you could keep bringing me cups of hot tea and we could watch a romantic comedy while I was sick.” As she scooped up the garden salad, her heart warmed, not so much over the memory of endless cups of tea but rather that he cared to do it all for her.

  “We have so many memories together.” He twirled a piece of brisket in dark barbecue sauce. “Like when one of the biggest bullies in our neighborhood dragged that cat by its tail. You came up to him and smacked him in the face. He was so surprised he let the cat go.”

  “He wasn’t surprised for long. Sorry, you ended up with the black eye because you defended me when he charged at me.” She grimaced as she took a sip of her iced tea.

  “But from that day, the neighborhood cats were safe.” He sipped his own tea and studied her over the rim. “What happened to that girl? The one with fire in her eyes? The one who dreamed of healing all the cats in the world?”

  Sweet tea turned bitter in her mouth, and she thumped the glass back on the table. “I guess I let my dreams of becoming a veterinarian die a slow death. There were always things more important in the way.”

  He took another sip. “You did right by helping your family and… probably all the animals in your sight. But we also have to help ourselves. Do you think God wanted you to let your dream go?”

  “No.” She drew a straight line on the table, then looked up as thoughts whirled in her mind. “Are you passionate about your job?”

  “I truly am. I help people get the means to achieve their goals, to reach for their dreams. To me, there’s nothing more inspiring than that. Years ago, when I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life, you told me to do two things. First and foremost, pray. Second, think about what I’m good at, and what I’d do even if I weren’t getting paid for it.”

  Warmth spread inside her as she thought about that conversation. “I remember.” She remembered so many things, including her near certainty she’d marry Edgar someday. She swallowed hard and pushed the thought out of her mind.

  “I prayed. Then I realized I loved math and was great with numbers and algorithms. I found a few books on finance and was hooked. I love helping people building a better future for themselves and their families. It’s extremely gratifying, and I happen to be great at it.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” For a long time, she’d prayed for Edgar to find the path God meant for him. She said a silent prayer of gratitude over having her requests answered.

  Edgar put his glass on the rustic oak table and looked her in the eyes as if he could see into her very soul. “You clapped and cheered for me when I told you I finally found my passion. You said God gave us talents to use for our well-being and that of others. By following His guidance, we glorify God. If we let other things distract us, even the best intentions, we don’t fulfill the purpose He gave us.”

  Sierra’s breath caught in her throat. Edgar’s words hurt as if he ripped the bandage from an old wound, but maybe it had to be done so the wound could be cleansed and allowed to heal. “You want to say…” Emotions closed up her throat.

  “God gave you a passion for animals and the desire to care for them. I always thought God meant for you to become a veterinarian. I know you felt you needed to help your family. You’ve done right by them. But it’s never too late to reach for your dream. Your words, not mine. Why don’t you reach for your dream now? Fulfill God’s purpose for you in life?”

  She peered at Edgar, and at the same time, she looked past him at the memories he’d drawn so eagerly. She’d been happy helping every animal she could, even those who probably didn’t need her care. Could this past become her future?

  She munched on the rest of her brisket, barely sensing its taste. She loved her family, probably more than they loved her. She didn’t regret staying in Rios Azules and helping them. She was nearing thirty, and Edgar had a point. When did she let the fire become embers? When did her life turn so stagnant that accepting routine seemed more straightforward than risking change?

  Done with her meal, she pushed the plate aside.

  Lord, what should I do? I want to follow the path You intended for me. Please forgive me if I got sidetracked.

  “I guess I needed to hear all this. Thank you.” She flushed down the meat with her cold, sweet drink and returned the glass on the table. “Here’s the thing, though. I also believe God has a soul mate for every one of us. When you walk away from the person God meant for you, do you follow God’s guidance?”

  “No. I haven’t been a good servant to God for many reasons.” Edgar’s eyes narrowed. “I’m trying to change that, though I feel something is stopping me inside. What if God is giving you and me a second chance? I’m willing to take it and see where it leads us. Are you?”

  If only it didn’t hurt so much when he’d left… It had nearly ripped her apart.

  “I… don’t know if I can do this again,” she whispered.

  God, is Edgar right and this chance to reconnect with him is the gift from You? Or should I have learned my lesson the first time? If Edgar hadn’t come back for me, maybe he’s not the one for me, is he?

  Edgar leaned forward. “With me or without me, I want you to be happy.”

  As he reached for her hand, pleasant tingles ran down her skin. Her heart started beating wildly. One thing was clear—the fire of her love for Edgar had never become embers. It was still burning brightly, and she had no clue what to do about it.

  Under his gaze, her face flamed up. Reluctantly, she removed her hand from beneath his and wrapped her fingers around her glass’s smooth surface.

  Then she drained the rest of much-needed cold amber liquid. “I want you to be happy, too, with me or without me.” Though, frankly, she much preferred the “with me” part.

  He finished his brisket and pushed the empty plate aside. “That’s the thing. I’m happy when I’m with you.”

  She steeled herself against the delightful wave spreading through her at his words. He’d still leave her, in the
end, to return to his job, and she had to accept that.

  As for her job… Maybe it was time for her to start making some changes, as scary as it was.

  He gestured for the waitress to bring the bill.

  “I pray about it. I prayed a lot. But I now understand we have to do our part, too. And obviously, I haven’t done mine.” Sierra tipped her chin. “But I will.”

  He grinned as he scooped up the rest of his salad. “I recognize the spunk I loved.”

  Loved…

  She let the word go. It was merely wishful thinking to imagine Edgar could love her with the forever kind of love because, obviously, his type was short-lived.

  The waitress brought the bill, and he signed it, probably leaving a generous tip, and handed her his credit card. He’d always left generous tips, even when his first job had been a cashier at the local grocery store.

  Sierra kept quiet until the woman walked away.

  After sending the last fry in her mouth, Sierra leaned against the back of her chair. “Eventually, you’ll find someone else to be happy with.”

  “I don’t think so. I tried and didn’t succeed. Something tells me you’re in the same situation. You’re beautiful and fun to be with. I’m sure you dated a few guys—”

  “More than a few.” She nodded. She could see where he was going. It was territory they shouldn’t be traveling to.

  “I didn’t want to know that.” He rubbed his forehead. “But tell me, have you ever had the feelings for any of them you had for me? Because I haven’t for my dates. What if there’s a future for us, right in front of us? What if God gives us a new chance?”

  Oh, how much she wanted to believe it. Except she had once already, and the disappointment had ripped her apart.

  She jumped to her feet, nearly making her chair drop. “We need to get back on the road.”

  She’d need to do a lot of praying on this.

  A muscle twitched in his jaw as he got up. He picked up the credit card. As he walked near her to the exit, he whispered, “You didn’t use to avoid conversations when we were in high school.”

  Sierra drew a deep breath of the air filled with smells of fried meat and potatoes.

  She didn’t avoid conversations and was open for love, even eager for it then.

  At that time, she didn’t know yet how much it hurt when your heart shattered into pieces.

  After three more hours on the road, this time Edgar driving, finally the green sign with the word Crossroads greeted them.

  He navigated to Main Street and parked near a brick building. Brightly lit, two large floor-to-ceiling shop windows displayed two couples of mannequins beautifully dressed as a bride and a bridegroom beneath a filigree of gold letters arching Snow White Bridal. Far flashier than its tasteful counterpart, the one on the right displayed a lot of jewelry on the bride mannequin. Beige awnings protected the windows from weather elements while giving the old building an atmosphere of coziness and elegance. Two lanterns flanked the dark oak door between the panes.

  Sierra placed her hand on the car door handle, but he already rushed around it and opened it for her. He gave her his hand as she stepped out.

  A pleasant current ran through her at his touch. She could enjoy this trip—well, she’d been enjoying it already. If only she didn’t have to think about when it would end.

  As she entered the spacious bridal store, plush ivory carpet softened her steps while a myriad of mirrors reflected her wonder. Some of the dresses nearly took her breath away while others, too fancy for her taste, drowned in satin, boasting huge, puffy sleeves—each one probably big enough for her to wear around her waist—and a skirt to match. A few dresses flaunted more embroidery and decorations than probably queens ever thought of wearing.

  She suppressed a groan. Once upon a time, when she’d hoped to marry Edgar, this would’ve been her dreamland. In the back, rows of shoes, headpieces, white purses, jewelry, and anything a bride could wish for glistened under soft lights, and a few white pillars and a divider separated what was probably a different part of the store.

  Well, after her dream of marrying Edgar had been destroyed, such a store could be only a reminder that she was the last one in the family, not counting teenagers and children, not married yet.

  Judging by Edgar shifting from one foot to the other, this wasn’t his type of place, either.

  “May I help you?” A plump woman in a black pantsuit, the color probably chosen to make her look slimmer but failing, walked to them, slightly wobbling on high heels. Gaudy earrings sparkled through dark hair styled to add a few inches to her stature. “I’m Rhonda Snow, the owner.”

  Rhonda Snow. Perfect. Sierra perked up. “I’m Sierra Knightley. We talked over the phone about my aunt Willow’s dress.”

  “Oh.” A barely distinguishable grimace crinkled the woman’s round face. “So sorry that dress got sold. I don’t know how it could’ve happened. As I mentioned, your aunt is free to choose another dress in the store. Otherwise, as much as I want to, I don’t know how I can help you.”

  A generous grin widened Edgar’s lips. “I’m sure you can help us very much.” He wrapped his arm around Sierra’s shoulder. “Never mind the dress. See, I just proposed to this amazing woman here, and she absolutely loves the designs in your store. You’ve done a fantastic job.”

  What?

  Proposed? Too startled to do anything except stand there, Sierra blinked rapidly.

  Ms. Snow became all smiles again. “Thank you. I think so, too. A lot of work went into making this place what it is. Many happy brides walked out of here with their dream dresses. You know that, if the bride is happy, the bridegroom is happy, too.”

  Edgar obviously infused his voice with admiration. “I can see how you make a lot of people… happy. Why don’t we go to the counter and discuss that while Sierra browses these beautiful dresses? Right, darling?” He turned his smoldering eyes at her.

  Darling? Seriously? Stalling wasn’t making the moment any easier. She didn’t intend to search for a dress she’d never wear. Besides, if she ever got married—and that was a big if—she wanted their family dress, the one somewhere in Poland thanks to this woman who made it her life’s calling to make brides happy, not devastated.

  Edgar gave her a gentle nudge. “Well, darling, choose whatever your heart desires.”

  He was pushing it. Sierra nearly glared at him. This was like a mockery of her crushed dream. What her heart currently desired was to give him an unfriendly shove. If she understood his scheme correctly, she needed to go along with it.

  Oookay. She widened her lips into what she hoped looked like a happy bride’s smile. “Sure. Daaaarling.”

  Then she squared her shoulders and marched toward the dress racks all while plotting some kind of revenge. Of course, nothing suitable came to mind.

  About twenty minutes later, she’d had enough reminders of her never-happened wedding to sour the food in her stomach. Her throat constricting, she strode to the counter where the owner laughed at something Edgar said.

  “Oh, stop it!” The woman waved at him.

  “My gorgeous bride!” Edgar walked out of the counter and met Sierra halfway. “Did you find something you liked?”

  She ground her teeth. “I found plenty. Let’s discuss it in the car.” “It” was not what she intended to discuss once they reached the rental.

  “Ma’am, as much as it pains me to leave your pleasant company, duty calls.” Edgar brought the woman’s plump hand to his lips.

  Of all the… Sierra’s teeth hurt—her whole jaw really.

  “Please come back anytime.” Ms. Snow sighed.

  As soon as they escaped the store and Rhonda Snow’s earshot, Sierra whirled to him. “Really? You had to come up with that idea?”

  “It worked.” He grinned as he pressed on the fob and opened the car door for her.

  It couldn’t have. Could it have? His eyes sparkled above a roguish smile, and her anger seeped away, leaving her squared should
ers deflated.

  “It did?” She slipped inside the sedan.

  “We have the address in Poland.” He closed the door after her with a slight racket. “Now, we just need to make it to Brighton Falls in time to board the plane.”

  Well, that took all the fight out of her. Still, when he claimed the driver’s seat, she said, “You didn’t have to pretend that you and I were about to get married.”

  His expression suddenly serious, he turned the key in the ignition, his gaze focused on something ahead of them even as a slight twitch jerked his jaw. “Why does the idea upset you so much? Once, we dreamed of getting married.”

  “That was a long time ago.” Once upon a time and far, far away. A longing inside her told her she wished that dream were still possible. “The main thing, we’ve got the address.”

  A muscle moved in his jaw as he drove off. “Yes. That’s the main thing.”

  Two hours later, Edgar put their scant replacement bags in the overhead compartment and sat in his seat on the plane. “Well, we’re about to take off.”

  “Yes,” Sierra squeaked.

  He clicked his seat belt closed. To think about it, she looked pale and not her usual spunky self. “Are you… afraid of flying?”

  Her head snapped up. “No! I mean, I’m not sure. This is the first time for me.”

  “It’s going to be fine. You might even love it.” He took her hand, not only because he wanted to comfort her but also because he enjoyed touching her. Of course, that brought back images of family dinners and snuggling up in front of a fireplace. Images he had no business having.

  “I’m not so sure about the love part.” Doubt coated her voice.

  On the contrary, he was becoming more and more sure about the love part. He’d never stopped loving Sierra, no matter how hard he’d tried. Not a good time to realize it when she’d clearly stated she wouldn’t give him a second chance.

  As the flight attendant passed headphones, Edgar pointed to the screen. “Maybe a romantic comedy would help you relax.”

  He’d watched plenty of romantic comedies in high school when taking her to the movies or staying with her when she’d been sick, though he always preferred action. From what he knew, to this day, Sierra was under impression romantic comedy was his favorite genre.