Wind on the Sand (The Winds of God) Page 15

  When Lauren saw the Wheelers, she thought she probably would have recognized them even without the sign. Mr. Wheeler was near Jack's height. He had Jack's coloring and bold, chiseled features, a little worn from age. Mrs. Wheeler was slightly under Lauren's height with elegantly styled, short, gray hair. They were both smiling, although obviously suffering from strain.

  Lauren held out both hands. She was clasped closely by the Wheelers. "Lauren, how are you? It's so good of you to come."

  "I'm fine. How are you, Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler?"

  "Much better, thank you. Please call us Vince and Janice."

  "Of course." They began walking to get her luggage.

  "Has there been any news?" Lauren asked nervously.

  The Wheelers glanced hesitantly at each other. That look made Lauren uncomfortable. "What is it? Please tell me."

  Jack woke strapped to a stretcher. He thought he was in a helicopter, but he didn't know for sure.

  "Hello?" He called out tentatively.

  A uniformed man immediately stood over him. "Senor Wheeler. You have been recovered by the policia. We are taking you to the hospital in Tegucigalpa."

  Jack faded out again. The next time he woke, he was in the hospital. There were all sorts of wires and tubes hooked up to his body. He tried calling out again. "Hello?"

  A thin, weedy-looking man loomed over him. "Why, hello there, Mr. Wheeler. I'm Joseph Kent from the State Department. How are you feeling?"

  "Awful."

  "I suppose you'd like to go home."

  "Has someone called my family, my…" Jack didn't know what to call Lauren.

  "Yes, all of your significant others have been notified. Would you like someone to escort you home?"

  Jack considered. He couldn't ask Lauren. Truth be told he didn't want to see Lauren yet. His brother, Chris, would probably be the easiest to deal with. "Chris, my brother."

  "I'll contact your family. Is there anything you'd like to ask me before I go to a telephone?"

  Jack considered. He had a hundred questions, but how many could this guy truly answer? And if Jack asked him something he didn't already know, he would be giving them information. "Why don't you tell me what happened."

  Mr. Kent smiled. "All right. There was a young man named Juan that had taken a shine to you. It seems he didn't agree with his father's plan to kill you and bring in drug lords so he left directions to a base where he knew they kept supplies. He gave this note to a little girl named Anna, another of your admirers. He asked the little lady not to let anyone from the village see her pass the note so she waited until the next day, yesterday morning, actually. Your two friends found her waiting outside their door. They called us. We called in the local police. And you were tracked to the camp where your rescue was made. I believe there was quite a fire-fight. It's a miracle you or the boy weren't killed. Pedro was taken into custody. All the drug- runners are dead. They wouldn't surrender. They even shot each other, I was told. Is there anything else?"

  "I want a phone."

  "That won't be possible for awhile."

  "Why?"

  "Because of where you are, Mr. Wheeler. But I'll do my best."

  "Just get me out of here."

  "The Honduran government has requested that you remain as their guest until certain legalities are taken care of."

  "Mr. Kent, I don't care what they want and I won't say another word without my lawyer. Is that what you want?"

  Mr. Kent shook his head. "That's not necessary."

  "I have people at home that will need to see me to know for sure I'm safe. Women are that way. I want medical attention at home. I'm sure my arm is broken." Kent nodded. "I swear I'll come back, but I have some personal matters to take care of...now."

  "All right. I'll get you out. But don't ask for a phone. I might have to sneak you out, and I don't want you getting the hospital all stirred up. They've been advised not to let you speak to anyone but me."

  "Make this happen, Mr. Kent, or I will get up and walk out of here."

  "I don't think you could get up if you wanted to. They thought you had malaria. You were delirious, high fever, covered with mosquito bites. The test came back negative. They finally found a virus in your drinking water. But you are not as strong as you think. I'll be in touch. By the way, these letters were waiting for you at the mission. They thought you might want them."

  Jack's father reached for Lauren's hand and patted it. She felt distinctly as if he was trying to soften the blow.

  "Lauren, the Honduran government wanted him to stay for legal reasons. They wanted his testimony or something. Jack refused, and the State Department is taking him out. Chris has already left to go down there and fly back with him. He couldn't wait. It seems Jack was causing a stir to get home."

  Lauren felt deep disappointment that she wasn't going to get him, but she was relieved he'd be coming soon. "When do you think they'll get here?"

  "Maybe tomorrow."

  They retrieved Lauren's luggage and drove to their house. Lauren wasn't prepared for the shock of the Wheeler residence. It was enormous and in a very upscale neighborhood.

  When Mr. Wheeler stopped outside a three-story white colonial, Lauren stared agog. The portico columns across the verandah were massive, reaching from the top floor to the ground. The shutters on either side of the windows were painted black. The double- sided front doors had been left open, and you could see into the house through the glassed storm doors.

  "Incredible." Lauren muttered, half to herself.

  Jack's mother laughed. "I'm glad you like it."

  They walked to the front door, and Lauren noticed the wide, curving stairway that began near the front door and opened up onto a balcony that ran across the entire ground floor. It was like looking at something out of Gone With the Wind.

  She felt a sudden twinge of awkwardness, but there was no backing out, not with Jack's parents behind her.

  Janice Wheeler showed Lauren to a room on the second floor. "If you don't like this one, you can take your pick. But this one has a lovely view of the garden in the back. I think you'll like it."

  Lauren followed her in and turned around. Never had she seen furnishings like these in someone's home. There was a white four- poster bed covered by a white canopy. The walls were Wedgwood blue with a wide white crown molding on the ceiling. Behind the bed was a bay window fitted with a window seat. Blue and white pillows were tossed in the corner of the cushion covering the window seat. Lauren couldn't wait to try that. She had her own bathroom with crystal knobs over a pedestal sink and a glass- blocked shower wall. Everything looked pristine and in perfect order.

  Janice Wheeler stood by the door, waiting for a response.

  "It's perfect! I never knew your home was so lovely."

  "Thank you. It's like a dream for me, too. I'm glad you're here to enjoy it with us. Are you ready to eat breakfast or would you rather take a nap? I know you've been up for a long time."

  Lauren felt like jet lag had hit her, and she was suddenly extremely weary. "If it's all right, I think I'll try to sleep for a few hours."

  "Of course, I'll let you rest then."

  "Thank you for everything."

  When the door shut, Lauren lay back on the bed. She almost felt like crying. It wasn't just that Jack wasn't who she thought he was. It was the thought that he was so above her station in life and her age. How could he ever think of her as a possible mate? And she had written him that she was in love with him.

  When a tear slid out of her eye, she got up and went into the bathroom. It wouldn't do at all for them to think she had been crying like a baby. She washed her face and lay down on the bed to rest.

  Chapter 11

  Jack checked the dates on Lauren's letters before opening them.

  "Dear Jack, This is probably the news you've been waiting for since you met me. I walked to the front of the church today and asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life. I finally feel like I belong somewhere. I understand why you could lea
ve everything you know to follow God's leading. In fact, I feel free, completely free! I cried and cried because I was so happy and then I cried for the pain I must have caused you all the weeks you waited for me to make the right choice. I know you only ever cared that I would feel God's love. Well, I feel it and my life will never be the same. I wish you were here so I could tell you all that's in my heart but that will have to wait. Be safe. Love, Lauren"

  Before he ever finished the letter, Jack was crying. Thank You, Father, for so much. I don't know what to say. You were taking care of her the whole time. You knew I couldn't do it. Thank You so much.

  He opened the other letter.

  "Dear Jack, This letter is harder to write than usual but I am…(A word was crossed out.) ...perplexed about a choice that's been set before me. I have no recourse but to tell you everything because I have to know what you think, and I can't wait until you get back.

  "Ryan and Sue met with me and asked me to become a partner with the firm. They said they feel responsible for me, like I'm their daughter, and they want me to feel like I belong somewhere. They're also very pleased with everything I've been accomplishing for the firm and want to reward my hard work.

  "I have to confess that last Sunday was the first time I went to church since you left. Something kept getting in the way. I think this job would be a major distraction to church because I would feel obligated to work on the weekends.

  "Here comes the hard part. I would go anywhere God asked me to go. I'm not sure that accepting the partnership would allow such things. What do you think? I asked Ryan and Sue to meet with me again, and I'm going to tell them how I got saved. I think they're interested. They want to go to church with me. I'm also going to tell them what I really want from life.

  "What I really want is to follow you to the ends of the earth for the rest of my days. I love you so much. I think you care about me, too. I hope I haven't made a mistake. If possible, a phone call would really set my heart at ease, or you could dump me. I'll be waiting on pins and needles. With all my heart, Lauren"

  Jack had to get out of that hospital. He had left Lauren hanging for weeks. Now he really hoped his brother had sent that letter he'd left for her. She loved him. She wanted to be with him. What was he going to do about the rest of his six months at the mission? He couldn't go back in this condition. He would have to pray about it. No, he and Lauren would have to pray about it.

  That afternoon, his brother walked into the hospital room.

  "Chris!"

  "Jack!" Chris wrapped his arm around Jack's free side; the other was wrapped in a sling.

  "Chris, did you send the letter to Lauren?"

  His brother laughed. "Straight to the important stuff, huh?"

  "Chris..."

  "All right. She made me open it and read it over the phone."

  "You read my letter?"

  "Yes, lover boy."

  "How did she react?"

  "She balled. I had to stop reading, she was crying so hard."

  Jack winced. "How do you think she felt about it?"

  "I know exactly how she felt about it. She wants to marry you."

  Jack sat up higher in the bed. "I've got to get out of here. There was a letter waiting for me. She said she loves me. She's been waiting for my answer."

  "Jack, I think the letter you left was a pretty good indication of your feelings. I sent it to her after I opened it. She has it. By the way, she's in Houston, waiting for you."

  "Lauren's in Houston?"

  "Yep, at the house with Mom and Dad."

  Jack rolled his eyes.

  "What's wrong with that?"

  "I never told her about the house or the money."

  Chris laughed again. "Well, she knows now. You aren't that great planning your romances, are you?"

  "It's not funny. I had my reasons. She's different."

  "They're all different."

  "Hey, big mouth. Take a look at this." Jack reached over to a drawer beside his bed. It wasn't easy with one arm. Jack's wallet had been placed inside, and he pulled it out and handed it to Chris. "Open my wallet, there's a picture of her."

  "What happened to your wrists?"

  "Ropes. Here." Jack held out the wallet.

  Jack had two photos of Lauren. He had one of the two of them together, and he had asked the photographer to take another of her alone. Her body was angled from the side so you saw her bare shoulder draped by the thin strap of silver and gold. Her hair was piled on top of her head with small ringlets falling softly beside her neck. Lauren's face was turned toward the camera and the barest hint of a smile had been captured on her perfect face.

  "Oh, my. She's different all right. Definitely too beautiful for the likes of you. Have you seen your face? Looks like someone kicked it." Chris handed the wallet back to Jack.

  "Someone did kick me in the face...and several other places."

  "Care to talk about it?"

  "No."

  "Not a problem. I'm here if you need me, for a punching bag, for a sounding board…"

  "Get me a mirror."

  "Can you get up? There's one in that bathroom."

  "I don't know. I haven't tried. But I better if I expect to get out of here."

  Chris cranked the head of the bed all the way up and pulled Jack's good arm. Jack swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

  "Wait. I need to stabilize a minute." Jack's face had turned deathly pale. He hung his head for a moment. "Ok, let's do it."

  Jack came up out of the bed. Chris ducked underneath Jack's left arm and half carried him to the bathroom, pulling his I. V. tower behind them.

  Jack hung on the edge of the sink, moaning, "This is bad. No wonder it hurts to talk."

  "I don't know, bro. Are you sure you're ready to go home? You can't even walk."

  "Chris, get me home. If I have to hide from Lauren for a while, I will. Tell her I can't have visitors for a few days or something."

  "You don't mean that."

  "No. I can't wait to see her. Why does everything have to be so complicated?"

  "It's life?"

  "You're a big comfort," said Jack, heading back to the bed.

  "If you'd wanted comfort, you wouldn't have asked for me."

  "I asked for you because although you ask questions, you shut up when I say no."

  "Growl all you want, bro. I can take it. What question are you not wanting to answer?"

  "That one. Now shut up and think of a way to get me out of here."

  "I live to obey."

  "That'll be the day."

  Lauren slept until way after lunch. When she woke, her head was pounding and she needed a drink. She climbed down from the bed using the little set of stairs built against the side. Her suitcase sat on the floor unopened, so she began to unpack. When she found a bottle of pain reliever, she went into the bathroom and swallowed a couple of pills. Then she washed her face with a cool cloth and refreshed her make-up.

  Now she felt ready to face whatever might be waiting. She opened her door and started down the stairs. She didn't see anyone so she made for the back of the house. Surely that was where the kitchen was located.

  When she heard voices, she knew she'd gone in the right direction. She followed the sounds.

  "Good afternoon." Lauren called pleasantly.

  "Why, Lauren. Did you catch up on your sleep? The past few days have been rough, I know." Janice rose from a kitchen barstool.

  Vince came from the other side of the bar. "Would you like something to eat? We were just about to have some lunch."

  "Yes, I slept very well. It's a comfortable room, and I would very much like something to eat."

  Janice sat down and patted the stool next to her. "Sit right here. Vince is taking turn as chef." Janice kept up a soothing conversation while Vince prepared lunch. "Chris called. He made it to the hospital all right. They won't be in until the morning, and then they're going straight to the hospital so we won't be able to meet them at the airport. Once they get
to the hospital, they'll be running all sorts of tests so we can't see Jack for a while. I know that's a disappointment."

  Suddenly, Lauren felt inordinately out of place and deeply desirous of escape. "I really think it would be best if I stayed at a hotel now. Your family will be coming here, I imagine. I'll just be in the way."

  Janice took Lauren's hand. "I know it's hard, but don't give up. We'll all get through this if we stick together. We need you. He needs you." She searched Lauren's eyes. "He's been through something he doesn't know how to process. Give him time. He's not the rock he thought he was, and he's shaken."

  Lauren remained doubtful. "How do you know?"

  "Because he's always been that way. We wanted to thank you for the lovely photo. You and Jack photograph very well together. But you're even more beautiful in person."

  Lauren's eyes dropped. "Thank you."

  Vince walked over to the bar with two plates before going back to get his own. "Here you go. What would you like to drink? Jack says you favor water and Dr. Pepper. We've got both."

  Lauren looked up at him, slightly bemused.

  "He spoke of you often the two days he was home."

  That lifted Lauren's spirits. "I'll have water, thanks."

  After lunch, Janice took Lauren through her garden in the back yard. Set in the middle of the extensive grounds was a white, Victorian gazebo. Brightly colored flowers and fragrant jasmine vines grew all around making a small paradise. From the gazebo, Lauren could see a water fountain gently spraying water into the warm summer air. Just looking at it cooled Lauren off. Janice reached up and pulled the cord on the ceiling fan over the gazebo, and Lauren became so comfortable she could have fallen asleep again.

  "It's lovely out here." Lauren sighed wistfully.

  "It would be gorgeous for a wedding. None of my children has ever been married here."

  Lauren smiled. "It would be lovely, but I don't care where I get married."

  "Jack is a very blessed man."

  "I'm the one whose life has been changed. I wasn't even alive until I met him. He's taught me everything that matters."