A New Day (54 page)

    
She dressed carefully to go to the airport.  She decided on a purple sweater and skirt set, matching heels and her lavender leather swing coat.  She put her hair up and put on Amethyst earrings.  She made up to look soft and natural, and put on a touch of perfume.

     
She felt as if the whole world was watching her as she walked through the airport terminal.  She lifted her chin, and forced herself to walk confidently.  She stood outside the gate and waited for his plane patiently, feeling that anything at all could happen.

    
He was one of the first people off the plane.  He looked magnificent.  He was wearing black jeans that fit far too well, boots with an undercut heel, a collarless shirt, and a black leather jacket.  He had a black Stetson on his head.

    
When he saw Tasha, he stopped and just looked at her for a second.  Then he walked slowly toward her, never taking his eyes off her.  She walked forward to meet him, and looked searchingly up into his eyes. 

    
He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her hungrily.  Tasha was aware of several cameras flashing, but Tim didn’t seem to notice.  He just kept kissing her, and holding her in his arms.  He held her for the longest time.  Then he turned her around, and they started walking.

      “
Mr. Rain, would you ...”

      “
No, I’m sorry, I won’t.”  he answered the reporter flatly.

      “
Just one question, Mr. Rain.  Are you planning to marry, now?” someone else asked him.  Tasha could feel several people behind them, hurrying to stay close.

     
Tim stopped walking, and turned patiently to face the crowd.  “I've been planning to marry this lady all along.  But no, I’m not going to rush out and get married, to try to sanctify what Pattie Danniels says I did.” he answered.

     “
Isn’t it the truth?”  someone asked pointedly.

     “
No.”  Tim answered shortly.

     “
But the pictures ...” a reporter objected.

     “
Didn’t tell the whole story.” Tim finished pointedly.

     “
Then
tell us
the whole story.” someone challenged.

     “
I don't answer to you.” he said evenly.   With that, he looked at them all with piercing eyes and started walking again, with Tasha tucked securely under his arm.

     “
Then why are you going on live TV to explain it?” someone asked tauntingly.

    
Tim stopped again, and sighed.  He turned to face them one more time.  “Because the dishonor that Pattie Danniels is trying to smear on the ministry is dishonorable to the Lord, and also because Ms. Taylor’s name deserves to be cleared.  And, I do want the people who have been misled to have the story from me – so that they can decide whether to judge me, or whether to recognize that they don’t need to.” 

    
"Trust me, my God is big enough to judge me, and deal with me.  He doesn’t need anybody’s help.  But He is a God of mercy and grace, and He knows my heart.  He knows Tasha and I haven’t done anything to dishonor His Name.” he said calmly.

     
They were allowed to walk unaccompanied to the car, following this statement.  Tasha found that she was shaking uncontrollably.  When they were outside and alone, Tim took her in his arms and looked to heaven for more patience.               

      “
Honey, I’m so sorry.  I should have anticipated how this would be for you, and just taken a taxi.”  he apologized.  “I just couldn't wait to be with you”.

     
She shook her head.  “You’re right, we shouldn’t try to hide anything, or hide from them.  I’ll take my lumps.”

     
Tim looked at her with love and admiration in his eyes.  “Thank you.”  he said, hard pressed to talk.  “Do you want me to drive?” he offered huskily.

     “
That, I’ll let you do.”  she agreed quickly.  She unlocked the passenger door, and gave him the keys.  Tim took them with downcast eyes.  When Tasha didn’t want to drive, it meant that she was pretty darned upset.

     
When they were on the road, Tim took her hand, and just held it.  He looked at her with deep love and longing. “I love you, Tasha.  I’m very proud of the way you conducted yourself back there.  I know it was difficult.”

      “
I didn’t have to do anything.  You did it all.”  she corrected.

    
Tim laughed.  “So they didn’t say anything to you until I arrived?”

    
She shook her head.  “I think they wanted it to be a surprise.”  she said dryly.  “I kind of felt like people were staring, but I really had no idea they had a press conference planned.”

    
Tim sighed.  “I’m sorry I got you involved in all this.  I had no idea that Pattie was going to be so intent on ruining me.”

     
Tasha looked at him quizzically.

     “
I should probably tell you the background on that, so that she or someone else doesn’t try to stumble you with it.”  he said tiredly.

     “
I was at a conference in Cincinnati when I met Pattie Danniels.  She was a new reporter, there to cover for her magazine.  She seemed to take a shine to me, but I wasn’t interested in her or any other woman at the time.”

      “
There was a dinner for the participating ministries one night before the evening session.  So, I asked the daughter of one of the local pastors to be my date.  She said yes, so I picked her up and we went together.  She was no one I knew well, just an acquaintance, but it was a chance for me to honor my friend; and a chance for her to make some ministry contacts.  She’s a singer with a lovely voice and a beautiful anointing from God.”

      “
Well, Pattie got herself invited to the dinner.  I don’t know if she saw me come in with Clara, or not.  Clara excused herself to go to the restroom, and Pattie came right over.  She introduced herself, but didn’t tell me she was a reporter.  I think her interest was rather more personal than professional.”  he said with some embarrassment.

     “
I answered her questions, and tried to be polite.  When others came over to talk to me, she just snuggled up against my side, and took my arm.”  He shook his head wonderingly, and snorted.  “I couldn’t have been less inclined to have her there, if she’d been a snake.  I don’t like Pattie much, she never appealed to me.  I’ve tried not to have anything against her, but I’ve never been drawn to her, either.”

     “
To make a long story short, Clara’s father was standing there, watching me with interest, and a bit of puzzlement.  I wasn’t sure how to extricate myself, but I knew I had to.  I didn’t want Pattie hanging on my arm, and I didn’t want to humiliate Clara by letting her see it.  And I certainly didn’t want to humiliate Clara's father.” 

    
"So, I shook Pattie off my arm, and quietly asked her not to do it again.  She didn’t want to let go, so it was fairly noticeable when I disentangled myself from her clutches.  When I looked up, a lot of people were staring, and a good number of them were snickering.”

     “
Pattie was not pleased.”  he said flatly.  “She smiled at me with so much venom, that I stepped back.  She made something up, like, ‘oh, are you upset with me, darling?  Well, that’s all right.  We’ll talk another time.’  And with that, she walked away. 

     “
Friends warned me that she’d threatened to ruin me.  I didn’t feel good about it, but I couldn’t think of anything else to do.”

    
Tasha smiled grimly.  “She’s got guts, doesn’t she?”

     “
She does.”  Tim admitted.  “But the things she does always backfire on her.  This is going to be no exception, Tasha.”

     “
What are you going to do?” she asked worriedly.

     “
I’m not sure.  But I know the Lord will not fail me.”  he said softly.  “I firmly believe that the things the enemy tries to do to us to ruin us, the Lord can use for good – if we just endure, and keep our hearts right.” 

    
"Just look at what’s happening as a result of this.  We’re already closer than we’ve ever been.  It’s uniting us, Tasha.  And I may have a chance to talk some sense into the church in America.  The whole Christian nation is focused on this.” 

    
"When I go on TV, I'll have a perfect opportunity to talk about accusation and judgment, and how wrong it is to be critical of others on the basis of hearsay.  I’m very determined to do my part to obliterate the critical, condemning spirit that’s permeated the church so heavily.  If it’s going to come after me, I’m going to fight fire with God’s fire.”

    
Tasha laughed.  “Oh, dear.  I can see it now.  Timothy, you’re amazing.” she said softly.

    
He looked at her hopefully.  “Not me.”  he corrected.  “But He is.”

    
When they arrived at the house, Lucinda hugged Timothy and he kissed her cheek soundly. 

     “
Mr. Tim, I am so glad you have come.  I made you Chocolate pudding.”  she said tenderly.

    
He laughed.  “Lucinda, I’m going to have to buy a new wardrobe three sizes bigger if you don’t cut it out.”  he complained.

    
The children greeted him respectfully but cautiously.  It was clear they weren’t sure what was happening, but they knew something was going on.

    
Tim got down on one knee and took their little hands in his.  “Hey, you guys.  I’m glad to see you.”  he said softly.  “I came to see you so suddenly, I wasn’t able to pick up any presents, but when I come back next time, I’ll make up for it.” he promised.

     “
Why are you here?” Naomi asked darkly.

    
Tim raised an eyebrow.  “Well, to comfort your mommy.  See, I’m kind of in the public eye right now.  Because your mama and I are friends, people’s curiosity about me is spilling over onto her a little bit more than it should.  It’s got her a little upset.  But it’s going to be all right.  I’m going to take care of things so that she won’t be upset by it.  At least I’m going to try my best.”

     
Naomi looked at him accusingly.  “Are you in love with my mommy?”

     
Tim met her gaze evenly.  “Very much.”  he admitted.  “I want to marry her.”

     “
You can’t.  She married my daddy.”  Naomi insisted.  Lucas watched the exchange with big eyes.

      “
I know.”  Tim said softly.  “But your daddy’s been given another job now, in heaven.  He can’t be here anymore, and your mama is all alone.  I don’t want to take his place, Naomi.  I just want to be here for you and Lucas, in case you need a man to help you.  And I want to be a companion for your mom.  She needs one, and so do I.  I think it would be okay with your dad if I stuck around to help out.  He wouldn’t want you guys to be alone.  He was my friend, you know.  I think he’s glad that I’m here to help your mama.  And, I want to remember him.  I loved him, too.”

     “
We aren’t alone.  We have grandpa.”  Naomi insisted staunchly.

     “
Yes, you do.  But it’s not the same for your mama.”  he said gently.  “You know what, Naomi?  We aren’t going to rush this thing.  You’re going to have lots of time to think about it, and we will take all the time you need, to talk about it.” 

    
"I want this to be okay for you.  It may not be perfect from your point of view, but I want it to be okay.  And I want to make your mama happy.  That’s all I’m trying to do.” 

     
"Will you give me some time to talk to you, and get to know you before you decide too much whether you like it?” he asked gently.

    
Naomi stared balefully up into his eyes.  “Okay.”  she said decisively.

    
Tim smiled.  “Thanks.” 

    
Tasha led him to the Library, and poured him a Brandy.  He looked at her questioningly, but she pushed it at him.  “We deserve this.  And it ain’t over yet.”  she predicted.

   
Tim didn’t feel the need to fortify himself with liquor, but he didn’t want to seem to rebuke her, so he took it.

    
After she’d taken a few swallows, Tim put his arms around her back.  He kissed her neck, and she turned in his arms to face him.

    
He kissed her, and she kissed back.  Tim felt relief pour through him.  There were no walls, no barriers between them.  She was wide open, and willing.  Love was flowing between them, strengthening them both incredibly. 

    
He hugged her against his chest, and held her there tightly for a long, long time.  She drew him to the couch beside her, put her arms around him, and just drank in the awesome strength of his love.

     “
I love you, Tim.” she said softly.  She looked up at him, and let the tears glistening in her eyes, fall.  “I love you desperately.”