A Few Flowers Part 17

The womans hands were empty, and it looked like shed just come out of the pool, not the kitchen. Monty dragged one palm down his face. This wasnt what he needed, not now, not ever. Wheres your cup? He made a point of looking at her hands.

Oops! She giggled stupidly. Can I borrow a cup, too?

He started to close the door. Sorry, I dont have any sugar. However, before the door moved an inch, she raised one hand, holding onto the edge of the door, halting his efforts to close it without catching her fingers.

I really dont want any sugar. Her voice lowered to a low, s.e.xy drawl. She stepped closer to him, still keeping one hand on the door. Its you I want.

Monty backed up a step, not letting go of the door, either. Im sorry, but youve got the wrong idea. I think youd better leave.

He gently shook the door to get her to let go, which she did, but instead of backing off, she placed her palm in the middle of his chest. Slowly and deliberately, she flicked one b.u.t.ton, then raked her long, painted fingernails down his s.h.i.+rt, moving lower and lower.

He fumbled to let go of the door and grabbed her wrist to stop her. Look, s.h.i.+rley, Shannon, whatever your name is. Cant you take a hint? Im not interested.

Oh, you say that now, but soon you will be. Let me change your mind. She shuffled closer and eyed him up and down, making her intentions quite clear.

Monty nearly choked. He opened his hand, letting her wrist go as fast as if hed just been burned. Look. Whatever youre selling, youll have to find an interested buyer somewhere else.

A movement behind the blond caught his attention. Cindy approached from the elevator.

He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, the blond landed a resounding slap across his face, turned, and stomped off, disappearing into the stairwell.

He touched the sting on his cheek, his eyes fixed on Cindy. Her face paled, her eyes widened, and she backed up a few steps.

Monty. . . Her voice quivered, then trailed into oblivion. How could you. . . She turned and bolted back to the elevator, the door still ajar.

I can explain! he shouted. Trying to ignore the jolts of pain in his leg and not caring that he wasnt wearing shoes, he tried to run the short distance to stop the elevator door from closing, but it closed a split second before he reached it. He smacked the b.u.t.ton with the heel of his hand, but it was too late. The hum of the motor signaled the start of its descent.

She was gone.

With a resounding thud, he punched the elevator door with his fist, then rested his palms on the cold metal and thumped his forehead on it.

Hed been a fool. Just seeing her, he knew instantly that the message she left on his voice mail was true.

Monty squeezed his eyes shut. G.o.d had blessed him by sending a very special woman. He couldnt let her go.

And he couldnt just stand there and do nothing. He doubted she would go back to work, so Monty went to where he thought she would go, which was her home. However, when he arrived, Cindys car wasnt parked in its usual spot, but Erins car was. He hurried to the door, hoping and praying that Erin and Cindy had for some reason traded cars for the day.

When the door opened, instead of Cindy, it was Erin after all.

What are you doing here? Erin stood in the doorway, her eyes red, sniffling, a tissue bunched in her hand.

He should have expressed sympathy for Erin being home sick, but he couldnt think of anything else but where Cindy might have gone. I have to talk to Cindy.

Erin sniffled and blew her nose. Shes at work, isnt she?

No. I dont suppose you know where she is.

Erin sneezed and dabbed her nose. Sorry, I dont. I guess you and Cindy didnt kiss and make up.

He shook his head and his voice dropped to a low mumble. No, we didnt. Not even close.

Erin led him inside, and Monty sat beside her on the couch.

Theres nothing between her and Glen.

Last night, he let the shock of witnessing Glens action control him. Today, he knew that Cindy had not initiated it, and more important, that by not listening to her and responding when he should have, hed hurt her deeply and made a mess of things. I know that, now.

Erin sniffled into her tissue, then picked up her Bible and started flipping through it. I was trying to find something last night to make her feel better, but instead, I found this. Proverbs 27:4. Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Monty buried his face in his hands. He knew he was jealous, but to be smacked over the head with it shamed him like nothing else. Still, Cindy had come to him, and instead of being able to work it out, shed shown up at exactly the wrong moment. He couldnt blame her. Ive got to find her, he mumbled between his fingers. Erin, what should I do?

Beg. Grovel. Erin paused to blow her nose. When she continued, her voice dropped in pitch. But since shes not here, all you can do is pray.

Monty gulped and stared at her. Pray with me, Erin. Please.

She nodded, so Monty slid beside her on the couch, grasped her hands, and bowed his head to prepare himself. He wasnt good at praying aloud, at least not from the heart. He was good at making articulate and sincere prayers when saying grace and for other occasions, even praying for other people and their concerns at Bible study, but never for something that struck him so close to home. With Erin beside him, he prayed his deepest heartfelt prayer.

He recited Matthew 18:20 in his head. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

The verse didnt refer to asking G.o.d for favors. It was in the context of a section dealing with strife and how to deal with someone who had sinned. And to be sure, he had sinned against Cindy. Hed put himself first. In his self-righteous anger and a fit of jealousy, he hadnt given her a chance. Hed gone to wallow in his misery instead of dealing with it, and by doing so, hed hurt both of them. He could only hope and pray that he wasnt already too late to do something about it. He loved Cindy from the depths of his being, and he would do anything to get her back and cement that bond so it could never be broken.

His throat constricted and his eyes burned, but since he was already holding Erins hands as they angled toward each other sitting on the couch, he couldnt let go. He squeezed his eyes shut and prayed.

Lord G.o.d, Im sorry, so sorry. Please forgive me, and I ask You to find it in Your heart to move Cindy to forgive me, too. And please, help me find her, and give me the right heart and the right words to say.

The tightness in his throat nearly choked him. He couldnt speak another word. When Erin squeezed his hands, he nearly fell apart completely, but he managed to compose himself. Dont worry, Monty, she cant stay away forever. If you wait here, shes got to come home.

He couldnt wait that long. Hed go crazy. I cant just sit here, Erin.

Maybe she went to the mall or something.

Monty shook his head. No, she wouldnt go to such a public place, shed go. . . He let his voice trail off and he jumped to his feet. I know where she is! He reached in his pocket for his keys, and he was out the door.

Cindy sat on a fallen log, her mind blank. Birds and squirrels chirped and chattered in the trees above her. For the first time, the peace of the nature trail failed to soothe her.

She stared blankly at a spiders web in the tree beside her, ignoring the sound of an approaching hiker.

Hi.

Cindys hands flew to her mouth, covering a startled squeak.

Monty stood in the center of the path. Mind if I join you?

She merely shrugged her shoulders, not trusting herself to speak. She was too angry, both with him and with herself.

She should have seen this coming. Shed seen the perfume in his bathroom and wondered at the time who it belonged to. Now she knew. And even though it was her favorite, she would never wear that scent again.

It only hurt worse to see the other woman, who appeared to be of questionable character, leaving. If Monty would have given her a chance to explain about Glens idiotic attempt to flirt with her, then he wouldnt have felt the need to resume a past relations.h.i.+p, especially so soon.

Now, it was too late. If he said one word to justify himself, Cindy wouldnt hold herself responsible for the verbal tirade that would surely follow.

Slowly, Monty approached, then sat so close they nearly touched, but not quite. A large red blotch, no doubt a souvenir from the blond, marred his left cheek. As much as it probably hurt, she refused to feel sorry for him.

I talked to Erin.

Cindy simply nodded, then looked away. She could only imagine what Erin would have said. Erin tended to run off at the mouth. Not only would Erin have explained what really happened with Glen, she also would have reproached Monty for not believing her. She didnt know if she wanted to hear it.

She tried not to jump when his fingers rested on her shoulder. Im sorry, he whispered hoa.r.s.ely. I know what it looked like, but nothing happened. Just like I know nothing happened between you and Glen. I should have trusted you, and if you dont forgive me, I wont blame you. But when I saw him touching you, well, I was so hurt. . . He swallowed hard, and his next words were barely audible. And jealous.

His fingers drifted from her shoulder to cup her chin with one hand. I reacted badly, and Im sorry, he said gruffly. I do love you, Cindy.

Cindy stared at him, her thoughts moving so fast she couldnt have put them together to form a sentence if she wanted to. All her anger dissolved into a ma.s.s of confusion.

His voice dropped to barely a husky whisper. On Sat.u.r.day you said you loved me. Do you still?

Cindy stared into his eyes. She could tell that he was trying beyond his ability to focus on her at close range.

She couldnt help it, for all his weaknesses and all his strengths, she did love him. She also trusted him. If he said the same thing happened with the blond as happened with Glen, she believed him. Put your gla.s.ses on, Monty.

He knotted his brows, then fumbled as he tried to put his gla.s.ses on too quickly, nearly poking himself in the eye.

When she touched his fingers, his hands immediately clasped hers. Yes, of course I still love you. Ill always love you.

I dont want to be separated from you like this ever again. I want to marry you, share a home together, have children with you, and live happily ever after. Please, say youll marry me.

Her heart soared. Erin may have thought him too stuffy, but she thought he was wonderful. With Monty at her side and Jesus in their hearts, life would be wonderful. Of course Ill marry you.

Before she knew what happened, she was in his arms, and his mouth was on hers. He kissed her almost desperately, then slowly and gently until she could barely stand the beauty of it.

He pulled away, then looked into her face in silence. The love s.h.i.+ning in his eyes nearly made her melt. She wanted to kiss him again. She had to. Wait, she whispered.

She unclasped her hands from around his neck, then gently removed his gla.s.ses. Holding them carefully by one earpiece, she slipped her hands once more behind his neck. Kiss me again, Montgomery Edward Smythe.

A jay chattered overhead, then took off in flight when Montys gla.s.ses fell to the ground.

Just when she thought shed dissolve into the forest floor, his head lifted. I love you, Cindy. Now lets go home.

About the Author.

Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver, BC (where you dont have to shovel rain) with her husband, three sons, dog, and countless fish, many of which have names. She writes inspirational romance because she loves happily-ever-afters and believes G.o.d has a place in that happy ending. Visit Gails website at www.gailsattler.com.

Dedication.

Dedicated to my husband, Tim, who in some way is part of the hero in all my books. I love you, Sweetie!

A note from the author:.

I love to hear from my readers! You may correspond with me by writing: Gail Sattler.

end.