Page 38 of The Baxters
Tim was smart and clever. He challenged her and protected her. And something else, something the picture made utterly clear. The one thing Kari needed to be reminded of right now. Tim Jacobs adored her.
She smiled at the picture for another few seconds.
Ever since Kari had invited him to Clear Creek Community Church, he’d gone with her. A few Sundays ago they were leaving the service when Tim grinned at her. “This is home for me, Kari.”
“Home?” She hadn’t been exactly sure what he meant. “Bloomington?”
“No.” He stopped and looked deep into her eyes. “Clear Creek. It isn’t your church anymore. Not to me.” A smile tugged at his lips. “This isourchurch. Where I want to come every week and bring our babies someday. Our home church.”
The memory stirred an even greater sense of peace, one that swelled in Kari’s soul. This was helping. Remembering the good times with Tim. She put down the photo and looked at the mirror again. More good Tim memories. That’s what she needed.
And in that same instant another one filled her mind. The first Saturday of February Tim had come to her house in the afternoon and knocked at the door. She wasn’t expecting him, so the moment was happy. Impulsive. “Come on,” he told her. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Even now Kari remembered how her heart had lit up. She grabbed her coat and walked with Tim to his car. “A surprise date?” She shivered as he opened the door for her. Snow covered the ground and the temperature was barely above zero.
Tim only smiled and winked at her as he slipped behind the wheel. “You deserve it.”
Ten minutes later they pulled into a parking lot and Tim laughed. “Here we are. Western Skateland.”
Kari had laughed. “Roller-skating?” She turned so she could see Tim. “I haven’t been here since I was in middle school.”
“Exactly.” Tim parked the car and looked at her. “I didn’t know you then. So I thought we’d take a trip back in time.” He leaned over and kissed her. “That way you have at least one memory of us roller-skating together.”
Her smile stayed while they laced up their skates and as they spent an hour on the floor, holding hands and moving to the music. Disco lights splashed prisms of color everywhere and Kari could feel herself falling for him.
Taking time like that, surprising her, Kari had known how hard that must have been for Tim. His students were in midterms and that week Tim had often been busy grading students’ assignments from home, working late into the night.
But Tim cared for her. He treasured her.
He would love her that way all the days of his life.
She could see them again as that evening wore on, making their way around the curved end of the roller rink. Halfway through Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” Kari lost her balance. She giggled again now, picturing the way she must’ve looked, one skate sliding forward and the other straight back.
If Tim hadn’t caught her she would’ve done the splits right there on the rink.
But he was there for her, catching her, helping her keep her balance. Making her feel special. The way he had done when he threw her a surprise birthday party in her parents’ backyard. Tim had set the picnic table so it looked like something out of a magazine, then he’d hung twinkling lights above it.
The result was the most unforgettable night with family and friends.
And Tim was still making life wonderful for her. Even today when Ryan came by, there was Tim. Keeping her on her feet. Always by her side…
Kari drew a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. This was her wedding day, no matter what the weather was doing. She would marry Tim and they would begin their happily ever after.
If only they had a cave where they could hide for the next few hours. A place where she and Tim could stay safe inside. Watching from the quiet while the storm passed.
A place where her hesitation from earlier couldn’t hurt them.
12
Time was slipping away, and Elizabeth didn’t want to be late. Especially with the weather. She gave her face a final bit of powder and hurried downstairs to the bridal room.
As soon as she stepped inside and saw the vision that was her second-oldest daughter, Elizabeth felt it.
Something had changed. The look in Kari’s eyes was completely different than it had been when they were all gathered here earlier. Elizabeth walked slowly up to her daughter, taking in the sight of her.
“You look… stunning, Kari.” She stopped a few feet away and studied her, the way her dress swished around her satin white pumps, the sheer elegance of her hair and face. But none of that had caught Elizabeth’s attention nearly as much as her eyes had. She found Kari’s gaze. “You look… different. Better.”
“Yes.” Kari’s smile was more sincere than at any time that day. “God helped me remember.” She reached for the framed photo of Tim and her. “He reminded me of all the good times with Tim. The way he’s been thoughtful and honest and loyal.” Her eyes sparkled. “I’m in lovewith Tim, Mom. I’m making the right decision, marrying him.”
