North Dakota Weddings (18 page)

It had been so long since Andi had attended church, she wasn’t sure what to wear. Elisa, who went to worship services with friends on occasion, assured her that nice slacks were acceptable. Andi was glad because she didn’t own a decent dress and couldn’t find one pair of pantyhose in her drawer.

Nervous didn’t describe how she felt this morning. She’d come very near to calling Vance and canceling. Turned out that Community Christian Fellowship was the same church Todd and his family attended. Andi would attend for Elisa. A Christian family in Elisa’s life was a good thing. Never mind that Andi had her own reservations about God.

After dressing she looked in the mirror, then began brushing her hair back into a ponytail.

“Uh uh.” Elisa stood in the doorway. “Wear it down again.”

Andi sighed. Her sister was right. Vance hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her, at least before he’d gone into work on Friday night. She put her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes, remembering his kiss.

“It was nice, huh?”

Andi’s eyes flew open. “What do you mean?”

Elisa giggled. “I knew he would kiss you.”

“You spied on us?”

Elisa shrugged. “Just wanted to make sure it happened. If you had pushed him away, I would have given you a lecture. I want to see things work out between the two of you. ”

It felt nice having more sisterly talk.

A knock at the door drew her up tall. She sucked in a gasp. “He’s here already?”

While Elisa went to answer the door, Andi opened the bottom drawer of her dresser and pulled out her grandmother’s Bible. At least she’d kept it.

In the car on the way to church, Vance and Andi settled into their comfortable banter. When she placed the Bible on the seat between them, she rested her hand on it. Vance covered her hand with his.

Warmth flooded her. She smiled but then looked out the passenger seat window. What was she going to do? She cared deeply for him, maybe even loved him. Couldn’t resist his charms, either way.

They drove into the church parking lot and headed for the front doors of the small church. Vance opened the door for Elisa and Andi. She tried to hide her dread.

He lifted her hand to his lips. “Relax. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Though his words comforted her, panic continued to fill her. As they marched up the steps she saw Gladys from the florist shop, who then introduced her family. There was Paul the concrete sub. His wife and boys welcomed her. Cordial, they made her feel comfortable, like she belonged.

There were many more people that she knew, growing up in the small town, and some she was more than surprised to see at church, knowing a bit of their background. A couple walked in ahead of her and Vance. Shame washed over her when she remembered being envious of them—how they’d said God had blessed them. The thought brought back her initial resentment toward Vance and the fact he’d been given the launch facility though he’d not been aware it even existed.

Why had God forgotten her? A knot formed in her throat. This wasn’t the way she wanted to start her morning at church—filled with anger and resentment.

As they took a seat on the third pew from the back next to Todd and his family, the trepidation returned. Andi stared at her hands as though to still their shaking with a look. The service began with an opening prayer, announcements, and then music, the first song about God’s love. A wave of emotion rolled over Andi. Tears threatened.

No, not here. Please
. She quieted her emotions, hardening her heart. It had been far too long since she’d been in church, felt God’s presence. It surprised her that she could even sense Him today. The congregation sang through more hymns and newer songs she’d not heard before. She decided she liked them.

Apparently more than familiar with the music, Vance sang along without missing a note, his voice strong and melodic. The praise and worship music moved her in a way she hadn’t experienced before, and she wasn’t certain what she thought about that. When it came time for Pastor Howel to present his sermon, he stood at the pulpit.

He spoke of being content in all things. “Paul says in Philippians, ‘I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’”

Andi hung on his every word, sure that the sermon was meant for her alone. She’d been anything but content these last few years, blaming God for all the unfortunate things in her life. All the wrong done to her while He appeared to
bless
others. A drop of moisture touched her hand. Another tear slid down her cheek.

At some point, she’d become disillusioned with God. Yet Paul suffered and he was glad to do it. He was a prisoner of Christ.

It dawned on Andi—God didn’t exist to answer her wants.

The pastor went on, “ ‘Take delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.’ ”

As she listened, she understood that she’d had it all wrong. All
backward
. If she delighted herself in Him—His desires would become her desires.

The idea was unsettling.

After the service ended, Vance took Andi and Elisa to their home to change and grab the fried chicken they’d cooked the previous afternoon for the picnic. They were to meet him back at Ground Zero.

Before Vance left, he reached for her hand. “You all right? You seem distant since church.”

“I’m fine.” Regardless of feeling disturbed at the pastor’s words, she smiled, wanting nothing more than to spend a pleasant afternoon with Vance.

“Good.” The way he looked at her, she was sure he was thinking about their kiss.

Things had changed between them and there was no going back. At least for her. She wondered how it would feel to work on Ground Zero with him always present. That is, until he left. Would he leave now? He hadn’t exactly declared his love.

Once she and Elisa arrived at Vance’s place, they pulled the picnic basket from the truck and, along with Vance, walked across the flat plains to the far side of the property—at least twenty-five acres—through the sparse oak trees.

A light breeze and the cool of the shade made for an enjoyable picnic. They ate the fried chicken and potato salad, relaxing in each other’s company. Andi leaned against a tree, comfortable enough to take a nap but listening to Vance and Elisa discuss science and the universe. He explained his love of creation science, piquing Elisa’s interest in the topic.

What a miracle it was that he’d drawn Elisa from her shell. More than any of her other desires, hadn’t Andi wanted the best for Elisa?

She closed her eyes as she listened to them along with the breeze through the trees, no longer wanting to deny that God had, in fact, been working in her life. Why had she denied it for so long? Denied Him?

“It’s such a nice day, I want to take a walk,” she said. When Vance and Elisa made to stand, she stopped them. “Oh no, I mean alone.”

Vance frowned. “You sure?”

She nodded with a smile to ease the worried look on Vance’s face. Once she was far enough away, Andi poured her heart out to God, all her hurts, heartaches, unforgiveness, and everything until she was spent.

“Now, Lord, You take it from here. This is all I have to give You. My heart.” Andi began a slow stroll back to the copse of trees where she’d left Elisa and Vance, knowing her sister was in good hands. “Thank You for sending him.”

Still, fear of being hurt stood in her way. Vance rose when he saw her approach. His gaze searched her face, then her eyes. He must have seen their redness but didn’t say anything.

Sure You sent him, Lord, but did You send him for me? I’m not good enough for him
.

Vance took her hand and pulled her to him like he’d done yesterday on her porch. He whispered into her ear, “Oh Andi, there’s so much I want to tell you.”

Elisa began packing away the picnic items. Andi moved to help, but Vance wouldn’t release her. He tugged her hand, urging her to come with him. Once they’d walked a bit, Vance turned her to face him, then brushed her cheek—his usual way.

He closed the distance between them, kissing her thoroughly. Her knees grew weak. She tugged free from him.

Worry laced his expression. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I don’t know if I’m good enough for you.”

He shook his head. “What do you mean? Of course you are.”

Well, she’d started it, might as well finish, since she was all about confessions today. “I don’t have a college education. You’re brilliant. I’m—”

“Stop.” He pulled her close to him, her face near his chest where she could hear his heart beating. “You’re smart, beautiful, independent, an entrepreneur. Should I keep going?”

Enjoying the comfort of being in his arms, Andi could only reply with an “um-hmm.”

“Forget about that idiot you were with before. He doesn’t define who you are.”

“Hey guys, sorry to interrupt, but I told Todd I’d be home by five. He’s supposed to call. Look, I’ve packed the picnic up. Ready to go?” Elisa shaded her eyes against the late afternoon sun.

Sweet potato casserole
. Elisa had the worst timing for someone who wanted to see things work out between Andi and Vance.

As they strolled lazily back to the missile base, another kind of guilt began growing inside Andi. With everything going on the last few days, she’d forgotten about her search within the walls of the underground missile site. They’d come so far and things between them were different. How would Vance react to the news? How would he feel about her waiting until now to tell him?

Oh, how she wished she’d just told him at the beginning. Maybe together they could have discovered the hidden treasure.

She licked her lips and slipped her hand from his. He would certainly notice her sweaty palm. “I have something I need—”

“Get down!” Vance’s agitated whisper scared her.

They all dropped flat against the grass. “What is it?”

“Shh.” He squinted, searching the launch facility, still a few acres away from them.

Andi followed his gaze, seeing another car parked next to theirs.

“Vance, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?” Fear coursed through Andi at his reaction. And if they were trying to hide, the flat prairie wasn’t a good place, though maybe the grass was cover enough.

She angled her head to study him.

What did she really know about him?

Lord, guard my heart
.

H
eads down.” Vance made sure Andi and Elisa pressed their heads flat against the earth. He watched two men climb into the car—the same car that had followed them from Fargo.

Idiot
. He never should have gone into Fargo, to ANND
Systems
. The ruse was up. Peter must have caught Vance’s unauthorized upload, seen him log into his account, something. What were the chances?

“Lord in heaven, help me,” he whispered, not realizing he’d done so aloud.

“Vance, please. You have to tell me what’s going on.”

“They’re gone.” Elisa stood and dusted the dirt and grass away. “What was that about, anyway?”

His plans had backfired. “It’s complicated.” He stood and helped Andi to her feet.

Vance trotted toward Ground Zero, then realizing he was alone, turned around to see Andi hadn’t moved.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who those men were. Why didn’t you want them to see you?”

How could he explain? He strode back to Andi and tried to tug her to him, while Elisa walked on ahead, still carrying the picnic basket. “I’ll explain things, I promise. But not in front of Elisa. For now, can you trust me?”

Andi searched his eyes, a frown forming. “I don’t know, Vance. This is all so…strange.” She started after her sister. “Let’s be real here. I don’t know you that well. I have to think of Elisa right now.”

“You’re right, you do.” Vance kept pace with her, head down, contemplating. He hadn’t realized what he was getting into, nor had it occurred to him that he would drag others into the problem. He’d never considered himself in any danger—especially the physical kind.

Until now.

He didn’t want Andi and her sister in harm’s way. He stopped walking and, thankfully, so did Andi. He took her hands in his again. “Believe me when I say I don’t know who those men were.”

“How can I believe you? You didn’t want them to see you. Clearly, you know them.”

“I thought someone was following us from Fargo. That was the car.”

Andi stared at him. “What? Why didn’t you say anything before? What’s going on?”

He wanted to brush his hand down her cheek. Kiss her. Go back to the last few hours. “I don’t know enough to explain. There’s something very wrong at my company. I think I dug too deep, hit a nerve, and those men have followed me.”

Andi’s eyes widened. She covered her mouth. “Oh Vance, please be careful.”

“I’ll do my best. In the meantime, I need to get you and Elisa out of here. Take her home and lock the doors.”

Andi tugged her cell phone from her pocket. “Let’s call the police.”

“And tell them what? For all we know, they could have knocked on the door, gotten no answer, and left. I need to check inside to see if anything was taken.”

“Tell them about your company troubles. Tell them what you told me.” She pressed the phone out to him.

Vance scanned the flat prairie behind her. “And risk the bad guys getting away? No, I need something solid to give the authorities. I was trying to get more information before I called them. But apparently, I’ve been found out.”

“I see.” Andi began punching numbers.

Vance stopped her. “Andi, I’ll call them. I promise. This doesn’t involve you or Elisa. Go home.” The words came out too brusque. But he needed her safe.

Hurt filled her eyes. “You don’t want my help? Fine.”

She stuck her phone back in her pocket, lifted her chin, and strode away.

“Andi.” Vance kept up with her quickened pace to her truck. “You were the one who told me you needed to think of Elisa. I’m asking you to do that. I’m trying to protect both of you.”