Wind on the Sand (The Winds of God) Page 9

  Jack banged his fist on the counter. "Almost had you. I should get something for such an extraordinary show of ability."

  "Indeed you should." Lauren leaned close to his face.

  "Lauren…" he said in a warning tone, but he didn't back away.

  She gave him an impish grin and kissed him on the nose before waltzing off to the living room.

  "Now, who's a chicken?"

  He finished making her sandwich and walked over with her plate and a glass of ice water. He set it beside the computer. "Wench."

  A few minutes later, Lauren shut down her computer. "I'm freeee! It's all ready for the new computer that should be installed tomorrow. Want to watch a movie or do you need to keep reading?" She stood and walked into the kitchen where Jack was placing the sandwich ingredients in the refrigerator.

  "No more reading. My eyes are tired."

  Lauren glanced at the clock. "I really need to take Skippy out for a run. Would you like to go with me?"

  "You'll need a coat with that wind blowing off the water."

  "Whatever you say, professor."

  Jack grew still. "You haven't called me that for a while."

  "It's all right." Lauren paused on her way to the hall to get a jacket and patted Jack on the back. "I just meant you were using your teacher tone of voice. I know you weren't bossing me around."

  "I didn't know I had a teacher voice."

  "Only sometimes."

  They walked on the beach with their arms locked, enjoying the crisp, cold air, the enormous, bright white moon and twinkling stars in the clear skies.

  "Look how low and beautiful the moon is tonight."

  "Not as beautiful as you."

  Lauren looked down at the sand. "I'm not even remotely beautiful."

  Jack stopped walking, and because Lauren's arm was linked in his, she was forced to halt. "Lauren, you are without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I've ever met."

  This would be a perfect moment to kiss Lauren, but it would ruin their burgeoning friendship and push them full force into a romantic relationship. And she wasn't a believer. He started walking again.

  "Thank you, Jack. No one's ever told me that before, and because you said it, it means even more."

  They continued to walk along in silence until they got to the point then they turned back.

  Lauren was tempted to lay her head on Jack's shoulder, but she wasn't sure how he would take such familiarity. She decided to chance it. For a moment, she thought she'd offended him because he pulled his arm away. Then he put his arm around her, pulling her in close to his chest.

  As they climbed the steps to Lauren's house, Jack held her even tighter so she wouldn't trip. What a shame they were near the end of their walk. She sighed.

  "Cold?"

  "Just happy."

  "I hope you're always happy with me. Good Night, Lauren."

  "Night, Jack."

  He went home, and Lauren went to bed, too tired to think about being with Jack.

  Chapter 7

  The next few days could have been stressful, but Lauren decided to focus on one thing at a time. If it all got done, it got done. Each night, several members of the firm ended up staying late to get the new research office completed.

  When her phone rang, Lauren hardly focused on it. "Hello."

  "I think you need a break. You've been going at it hard all week."

  "Oh, hey, Jack. Yeah, we're almost done."

  "How about a date Friday night?"

  Lauren frowned at the paper in her hand. "I'd like that."

  Jack grimaced at the phone. Lauren sounded distracted. He hadn't seen her all week. He felt oddly left out of her life now that she was enjoying her job so much. He hoped she wasn't shutting God out as well.

  "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

  "Jack?"

  "Yes?"

  "I've missed you."

  "That's encouraging."

  He hung up in a better frame of mind, but he still went to the Lord in prayer. Father, I only have four weeks left. Make them count. Please don't let me leave here without knowing she belongs to You. How could I walk away?

  Trust and Obey.

  You're right, Lord. I forgot to follow my own advice.

  Friday morning Lauren made sure she looked sensational when she got to work. She looked more businesslike and more mature with her hair up so she had gone for the chignon. She softened the effect by wearing a camel colored lace suit lined with ivory satin. She felt feminine but competent.

  By eight, she was at work along with almost everyone else. The big presentation was at ten o'clock. They all knew what was at stake.

  At around nine, she received the largest bouquet of flowers Jack had ever sent. The card brought a smile to her face. I'm praying for you. Love, Jack

  Lauren carried them into her new office and placed them in the center of the highest counter. No one who passed could fail to see the lavish display.

  The prospective new clients arrived on time. While Ryan and Peter gave their pitch, Lauren waited on pins and needles in her new office. She didn't think it would take long for them to show the bank executives their new ideas for promoting the bank; however, if the bankers liked what they saw, they could ask a great deal of questions.

  When she heard a commotion in the hall, she stood. She had prepared for this. She had researched every marketing ploy this bank had ever used and documented the increase or decrease in their market share after each media blitz. All this information had been combined into a multi-media presentation. The result was rather slick. As she related her findings, she could tell the bank executives thought so, too. Their expressions softened, and they nodded from time to time. In fact, Ryan and Peter also seemed in awe. At one point, even Ryan's mouth dropped open.

  When the group left her office a few minutes later, Lauren felt like a limp dishrag. That had been her first really big presentation, and she'd been more nervous than she'd anticipated.

  A few minutes later, Ryan and Peter came rushing back into her office. Peter ran forward, picked Lauren up, and twirled her around, whooping all the while.

  "Lauren, you were awesome!" he cried with his arm still around her.

  "You did it!" Ryan was beside himself with excitement. "They seemed pleased when they saw our new ideas, but they were flabbergasted that a firm this small had such intensive details on their past promotional programs. They want to take us all out tonight and sign the contracts!"

  Lauren immediately thought of Jack, but he would understand. She could see him on Saturday. "I'd love to go! But why do they want me?"

  "They think you're some whiz kid to have all that stuff ready at the flick of your finger," said Peter. "After all, Lauren, it's one thing to have the historical data available to us. It's another thing entirely for you to have created a visual presentation. It was impressive!"

  "I agree," said Ryan emphatically. "I want you to go out and get an evening dress for tonight. Really wow them! You deserve it." Ryan reached into his pocket. "Here, use the company card."

  She'd never gone anywhere in an evening dress. She held out her hand. "No problem, but I'll need to leave a little early."

  Ryan bent and kissed the top of her head. "You can leave now. Why don't you call Sue and see if she wants to go with you. She's always in the mood to buy a new dress."

  Lauren rushed out to her car before Ryan could change his mind. She tried to call Jack from her cell phone. When she got no answer, she left a message for him to call. Dumping him as a date was not a message she wanted to leave.

  Lauren and Sue were like giddy prom girls as they tried on gowns, discarding one after another. Finally, the sales girl brought in a dress in Lauren's size that put a pall on all the others.

  "I wasn't sure if you saw this one, Miss. With your coloring, it would look sensational, especially if you put your hair up high."

  The young woman held up a glittering gold and silver dress. The sleeveless bodice was covered with sparkling beads and s
equins that faded out towards the hem. The jagged hemline was studded with the tiny faceted beads.

  Sue gasped. "Lauren, you have to try that on."

  When Lauren pulled the dress up, it looked made for her. The figure-hugging fabric swayed enticingly with the slightest movement.

  "That's the one. You've got to get it!" Sue cooed with excitement.

  Lauren looked at the price tag. "I can't spend that on a dress."

  "Ryan's paying, so do it. He told you to get something that would wow them. This is it."

  "All right, but I pay for the shoes."

  "Fine, let's go. She's right, you've got to get that hair put up."

  When Lauren got home, she had just enough time to carefully rinse off. She couldn't stay in the water too long, because she didn't want those huge curls piled on the top of her head to droop.

  She was walking down the hall, draped in a towel, when she heard the bell and ran to open the door and peek out.

  "Jack!" She uttered breathlessly.

  He was stunned. Lauren's face was flushed, her eyes bright, and her voice breathless. She was wearing the skimpiest of towels, and she had her hair piled on top of her head like some movie star. His heart beat at an erratic rate.

  "Lauren, what are you doing answering the door in a towel?"

  "Oh, I forgot. I mean I didn't forget. I left a message on your machine."

  He didn't like the sound of that or the fact that she looked like someone with a guilty secret.

  "I've been out today. I just came back and saw your car so I stopped before going home. What did you forget?"

  "Can you just come in and let me get dressed?"

  "No, you go ahead. I'll come inside in a minute." He sat on the front stoop and looked at the corsage box in his hand. He had a gut feeling he was about to get dumped. He tossed the flower in the hedges. Oh God, what's going wrong? I don't understand.

  From inside the house, he could hear Lauren calling for him. He walked in like he was headed for Madame Guillotine.

  Lauren had only thrown on her robe which assured Jack something was definitely up.

  "All right, Lauren, what's going on?" Thankfully, his voice sounded calmer than he felt.

  "I tried to call, Jack. We got the account, and we're going out tonight to sign the papers."

  "I'm happy for you. You worked hard. Why do you have to go sign papers?"

  "The bank executives invited me. They were really impressed with my presentation and we're all meeting for a private, formal dinner party." Lauren sounded flustered. "Ryan even gave me the company card to buy a gown. I can't wait for you to see it." Lauren reached out her hand and laid her palm against Jack's chest. "Please don't be mad. I've never been to a formal dinner party before. Can we go out tomorrow night instead?"

  Jack thought about the reservations he had made at an exclusive restaurant and the flowers he had dropped outside.

  "No problem. Call me tomorrow."

  He turned to leave, but she grabbed the back of his shirt. "Jack, are you busy? Can you wait until I'm ready? I care more what you think than anyone."

  "Lauren, you want me to sit here with you after you dumped me while you get ready to go out with another guy...so I can see what you look like for someone else?" He stared at her like she was crazy. "What kind of saint do you think I am?"

  He turned and walked out the door.

  Several things occurred to Lauren all at once. I've just hurt the person that matters more than anyone. I've never seen Jack get angry, and it was all because of me. He loves me or he wouldn't care so much.

  With her hand on the doorknob, she hesitated. A sick feeling hit her stomach. I have to do this for my job. I'll make it up to him.

  She padded down the hall in her bare feet. She didn't have time to think about it right now.

  Jack barely kept himself from slamming the door. She'd done it to him again. Why was he a sucker where this woman was concerned?

  He got in his car and drove home. Lord, when I met her, she didn't even know who she was and she thought I was wonderful. Now, she loves her job, and she doesn't have time to talk to me.

  Or to ME.

  Jack stilled. You're right, Lord. I was supposed to point Lauren to You not to me.

  Jack stalked out his back door and went down to the beach. He walked to the end of his dock and sat on the bench.

  Since he met Lauren, her life had been an odyssey. She'd been lost and lonely, completely without self-confidence. He'd done everything he could to make her see her value to God. He'd built her up and encouraged her. She had slowly come to life, and now that she was blossoming with vibrant personality…was she looking at Jack the same way? Did she value him? As what? What was he to her? A trophy? God, I just can't believe that's true. I want her to be mine.

  I want her to be mine.

  Lord, I want that more than anything.

  Why, so you can make her yours?

  Lord, please forgive me. Tell me what to do.

  Love my lamb.

  Jack waited a half-hour then called Lauren on the phone.

  "Hello?"

  "Lauren, if you would please forgive me for being insensitive and selfish, I would love to see you all decked out. Do you have time for me to come over?"

  "Yes, for you, I'd make time."

  Jack trotted down the beach to Lauren's house. The back door was hanging open when he got there, so he walked in.

  "Lauren?"

  When she turned the corner and walked into the living room, he whistled.

  Seeing Lauren was exquisite ecstasy and torture. She looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine. But her eyes and her body language were all for him and she was wearing the corsage he'd thrown down.

  When she finally reached him, her voice sounded husky. "Well?"

  "I really don't want you to go."

  "Thank you for the flowers this morning at work and for the corsage. It's beautiful."

  She took a step closer to him. "I left the card you sent with the flowers so everyone could see how we feel about each other."

  "How is that?"

  "Don't make me say it. You know." She put both hands on his chest. "Kiss me."

  "You're tempting me beyond what I can endure, Lauren. If I kiss you now, it won't be for the right reasons."

  How could she understand he wanted to brand her so no other man would ever look at her? He could make her eyes come alive with fire and as much as he wanted that, it wasn't what God wanted from him. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her back. He heard her sniffle.

  "I'm sorry, Jack. You were angry, and I wanted to make you happy. You really do come first with me." She tilted back her head and looked up at him with pools of water filling each eye. She looked exceptionally beautiful and fragile.

  "You don't have to offer yourself to me like that, Lauren. I shouldn't have been angry. I was wrong...jealous. That was insensitive and selfish of me. You did work hard for that account. You should be able to reap the rewards from it. Real friends, that love perfectly, care more for the other person's happiness. I just wanted you for myself. And now, I really do. You are the most beautiful woman in the world."

  Her eyes dropped. "It's the dress."

  "Not possible. I've always thought you were beautiful."

  "When I saw this dress, I thought of you. I bought it for you, not them."

  "We'll go out on our own. How about tomorrow night?"

  "It will be the best night yet."

  Lauren twirled around happily.

  "I better go before your date arrives. Someone is picking you up, right?"

  "Peter. But don't go. If you're not busy, I'd like you to be here when he comes."

  "Sort of like your dad sending you to the prom?"

  "Sort of like my lover warning off another man."

  "Lauren!" He cried in mock surprise. When she laughed at him, he relented. "I'm staying, but only because you asked me to."

  "Marking your territory?"

 
"You bet."

  They didn't have long to wait. When the doorbell rang, Jack leisurely walked to the door, stood at his full height so he would tower over Peter then opened the door.

  Peter blinked several times. "Uhh, is Lauren at home?"

  "Sure, come in. She'll be right out."

  Jack could have laughed at the expression on Peter's face until Lauren walked into the hall.

  "Hello, Peter."

  Jack had to hand it to him. The poor guy tried to play it cool, but the sagging jaw when he first saw Lauren gave it away.

  "You look very nice, Lauren." Peter glanced nervously at Jack.

  "Thank you. So do you. Are you ready?"

  Peter nodded.

  Lauren brazenly walked over to Jack and reached up to kiss him on the mouth. He dropped a hand to her waist.

  When she pulled back, she winked at him. "We won't be too late."

  "Take your time. I'll be here." Jack lifted a hand as they drove out of the driveway.

  He wasn't looking forward to her night out with another man, but at least it was a group date. If Lauren was going to become convinced that Jack was the only man for her, she had to have something to compare. And Jack would have to trust God with Lauren when she wasn't with him.

  One thing bothered him. Did Lauren's relationship with him keep her from loving the Lord?

  The night had been an unqualified success. When Lauren and Peter arrived, most everyone else was already present. There was a lull as Lauren swept through the doorway, but she wandered from group to group as if she wasn't aware she was the talk of the ball. Near the end of the evening, Ryan wandered behind her to whisper in her ear. "Do I want to know how much that dress cost? Whatever it was, it's worth it. You and Sue are the most beautiful women here. I'm very proud of you, Lauren."

  "Thanks, Ryan. It's been so fun."

  Lauren got home late, shut her door and locked it. She walked into the kitchen for a glass of water and glanced up at the clock. Almost midnight. It was probably too late to call Jack, but she looked at the answering machine to see if he'd called.

  Two messages. She hit the retrieval button. His first message was at 11:00. "I know you're not home yet. I just wanted you to think of me before bed. Call me."