Pretense (72 page)

Burdened with the choices of their past, the women were silent for a time.

"Do you suppose his move was recent?" Delancey finally asked. "And if we sent a letter, it might be forwarded to him?"

"We could try." Mackenzie was more than willing. The pain and regret was so strong. It took a moment for her to realize Delancey was asking a question.

"What's that?" Mackenzie had to bring her mind back to the present.

"Did you say whether or not you're going to church this Sunday, Mic?"

"I'd like to, and I plan on it." Her face was thoughtful. "I think I'd feel better if I had something nice to wear. All I brought are jeans."

"Let's check my closet."

Mackenzie took in Delancey's tall willowy frame and snorted. "My backside gets a little more shelflike every year, Delancey. Nothing you have is going to fit me."

"I have a few skirts that might work."

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Mackenzie wasn't convinced but went with her to the bedroom anyway. The skirts did work, but the blouses and sweaters that matched them were tight on her arms and across her bust. Delancey's shoes were too big.

"We'll go shopping tomorrow," Delancey proclaimed. "We'll get you all set."

"All right."

It wasn't until that moment that Mackenzie noticed a few hangers with men's attire. They were in the back and not very noticeable, but Delancey caught the direction of her sister's gaze.

"Would you like some help getting rid of those?" Mackenzie asked gently, trying not to hate the man who owned them.

"I'll get a garbage sack," Delancey said quickly and rushed from the room.

Mackenzie stood very still.
How are we going to make it, Father God? The pain is so great. Why must we hurt so much before we learn? Will it ever be easier? Will we ever be wiser?

Delancey didn't go back into the room but passed the bags to Mackenzie, went to the sofa, and picked up her Bible. Half an hour later when Mackenzie put her shoes on, gathered the rental car keys, and picked up the bags, Delancey didn't ask where she was going. She told her she would watch for her, and in an effort to survive the pain, kept studying the passage in the fourth chapter of John.

It was hard to believe it was over. Delancey had followed Mackenzie's rental car to the airport so she could see her off. Mackenzie told her she didn't have to, because she might run into Chet, but Delancey said that she would have to face the possibility.

They had done nothing but talk about Scripture, how to deal with sin and temptation, and what God expected of His children, for two solid weeks. They attended services on both Sundays and minichurch on Wednesday night, along with Paula's Bible study on Tuesday morning. Pastor Carlisle had even fielded some calls when Delancey had asked questions that Mackenzie couldn't answer.

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"Tell me something, D.J., would you ever consider moving to Tahoe?"

The other airport patrons were forgotten as Delancey looked at her sibling.

"Or, I could move here," Mackenzie suggested. "I could sell my house or rent it and move here to be near you."

"You would do that? Sell your house to move here?"

"I want to be near my sister," she said softly. "It's been way too long. I know you need the church body here, and I think you're going to get very close to them, so, yes, I would move. But if you ever hanker for California, I would be the happiest woman on earth."

Delancey thought her big sister, Mackenzie Rose Bishop, was the most wonderful person she had ever known. Micki was not a Chicago-type person, but she was willing to leave California to be near her.

And why would I stay here? I came for school and remained for Chet, but California is home.

"I'm sorry, Delancey," Mackenzie broke into her thoughts. "You have so many changes and hurts to work through right now. It was insensitive to ask you."

"No, Mic, it wasn't. I've just never thought of it, that's all."

"Are you trying to say you'll think about it?"

"Yes."

Big sister or not, Mackenzie leaned over and put her head on Delancey's shoulder. The younger woman was taller, so she fit nicely. Delancey leaned her head against Mackenzie, and they just sat together until Mackenzie's row number was called.

"I love you, Micki," Delancey said with tears in her eyes.

Mackenzie couldn't speak at all. They held onto each other as long as they dared.

"I'll pray for you, Mackenzie," Delancey said at last.

In sheer delight, Mackenzie laughed through her tears. "And I will for you."

"Oh, Mic, it's so sweet to be able to say that. Please think of me often. I can tell I'm going to be weak in one particular area."

"Keep in touch with the Carlisles. They'll help you to think clearly. Be in the Word every day."

"Call me," Delancey said as she watched her move away.

"I will."

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Delancey moved to the window, much as she had done before when Chet approached her. It was daylight outside, and that helped dispel the images, but she well remembered the quiet drink they'd had that night.

I
thought he was married. Do You remember that, Father? There was something about him that made me doubt even then, but I ignored it and thought about no one else from that time forward. Help me get through this, Lord. Help me to think clearly and to believe that You can heal me and ease the pain.

The plane finally backed up and moved on its way. The sisters had spent a few hours with Carlisles the day before, and Paula had made a point of telling Delancey that if she needed to come over after Mackenzie left, she was welcome. With the invitation still fresh in her memory and before she could change her mind, she drove from the airport straight for their house, thanking God all the way that she hadn't seen Chet.

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Thirty-Nine

Zephyr Cove

T
he calendar read March 24, 1992, when Mackenzie faxed a page to her sister and stood by the phonein anticipation. The ring didn't take long, and feeling

rather smug, Mackenzie picked up the receiver and said, "Hello, Delancey."

"Have you actually been in this house?" Delancey demanded.

"As a matter of fact, I have."

"Oh, Mic! Tell me about it."

Mackenzie laughed. She hadn't been looking for a place for her sister. They'd talked about her making a move, but nothing was definite. Then on the way home from church the past Sunday, she spotted a house, one she had seen many times, except now it had a Realtor's sign out front. The house nearly waved its chimney and shouted Delancey's name. She met with the woman who had the listing and had been able to look at it just that morning.

"Mackenzie," Delancey said again, "start talking."

"It's wonderful, Delancey. The only reason the owners are selling is because the husband has been transferred out of state. They built it themselves only two years ago. The walls are white pine and still smell fresh. They don't smoke or have pets. The main room has everything-living room, dining area, and L-shaped kitchen. There's a loft."

"Oh, Mic!"

"The stairs to it are open and go right off the living room. The mud room that you use to get in the door off the kitchen is

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very spacious. On the opposite side of the house is a four-season porch. It's gorgeous! And then across the front of the house is an open deck."

"How many bedrooms?"

"Two with a bath in the middle. They're not huge but very homey."

"Oh, Mackenzie, it sounds wonderful."

"If I thought you would forgive me, I'd have bought it on the spot."

"It says here 'priced to sell,' but this number is pretty steep."

"Not for this house, Deej. It's just wonderful. The woman from the real estate office says they're in a hurry, so I thought I could buy it. That way we would avoid going through the banks, and you can pay me back."

"I have the money."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I've never touched the money from Dad's insurance."

"I've never spent mine either. I don't know about you, D.J., but I think Dad would be delighted to buy you a house in Christmas Valley."

"I'm going to be crying if you keep that up."

"That's all right, isn't it?"

"It would be if I hadn't been so weepy lately."

"What's going on?"

"Just so many wonderful things. I'm still thinking about our Colorado ski trip last month. I had such a good time with you, Mic. Then that award when I got back, you know, from
Just for Kids.
Then there's Paula and Woody. They've taught me so much, and I know they love me, but just last week they asked if I should move to be closer to you. I've never even discussed our conversation with them. Then this weekend I find out that my landlady's brother wants my place, so she's asked me if I can be out by the first of June. And now you send this. Oh, Mic, God is so good."

Mackenzie could have shouted. Her sister was coming! It was too wonderful to be real.

They were in almost constant touch for the next few days as more contacts were made about the house. Mackenzie asked more questions and saw the house again, this time taking Adam with her. He checked things she had not thought of and asked that the cost to have the fireplace and furnace inspected be

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shared by both parties. He even negotiated the price down for her, and after the offer to purchase was accepted, closing was scheduled for May 1.

Mackenzie walked on a cloud for days. She spent many hours at the Cummings' house, as well as seeing Roz every Monday, and knew that if God asked her to stay in Tahoe and serve Him for the rest of her life, she would count herself blessed beyond measure.

She had even started writing again, but not for IronHorse. In the weeks that followed her departure from Chicago, Delancey had done two more search books for Micah Bear. Mackenzie had taken a month and put words to the illustrations, but shortly after that, she had an idea that she thought might work for a Christian novel,
The Parchment Soldier.
She didn't know exactly what was out there in that market. She just knew that the character in her mind was a little like herself, running hard, but learning in the end that eternal things were the most important.

Did Christians read such things?
she asked the Lord only, because she wasn't ready to talk to anyone else about it, at least not until one Saturday in the middle of April. She had been writing but stopped so she could drive over to talk with Adam Cummings. He wasn't visible when she got to the redwood- sided house, but Josh was out front, shooting baskets by himself in the driveway. Mackenzie, still not sure she was ready to discuss it, was glad for the distraction. She stole the ball from him and did a nice layup.

"What's it going to be? Horse or pig?" he asked.

"You're too easy to beat at pig. Let's go horse."

"If I recall, I beat you last time," Josh said indulgently. "But then at your advanced age, the memory goes."

"That does it, Joshy boy. No mercy."

The teen only grinned at her and made his first shot. No one missed for a while, but then Mackenzie did what she always did to Josh-moved into three-point land and swished it. He didn't allow himself to groan, but it took effort. He had his first letter a few seconds later. Mackenzie didn't want the game to end too swiftly, and by the end she did haveand , but a few more nicely timed three-point shots, and she had complete control.

"How do you do that?" Josh asked in dismay.

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Mackenzie shrugged and laughed. "I don't know. Delancey hates it too. Of course, she can jam like you can, so when we go one on one, I'm at her mercy."

"I'll have to keep that in mind."

"I'm going in the house now, Joshy. Is your dad in?"

"Yeah, he's replacing the garbage disposal. Rina got it in her head to shove a whole head of cabbage down there and added her bracelet to boot."

Mackenzie knew Josh's penchant for teasing, so she took his words with a grain of salt. However, she did find Adam just rising from the kitchen floor. Roz called a hello from the bedroom where she was ironing.

"Hey, Micki girl," Adam greeted her. "You're just the lady I want to talk with."

"About what?"

"A little something I've been thinking about. Let me wash up, and we'll sit in the living room."

Mackenzie couldn't imagine what he was talking about, but she did as she was told. It took a little longer than she expected, and by the time he came back, her mind was working on her story again.

"I've been thinking," Adam began, "but before I explain, I want you to understand that I'm just making a suggestion, not telling you what to do. All right?"

"Sure."

"Are you aware that Meyers has a planted church in Kingsbury?"