The List (35 page)

Renny opened the door for her and, leaning against the doorframe, watched Jo without an
e
descend the stairs.

The two men sat across from each other, a speakerphone between them in the middle of the polished walnut table.

“Do we have any other questions?” the heavily accented voice on the phone asked.

“Yes. Is the rate of return the same on all transactions?” one of the men responded.

“Always 100 percent.”

“Payable within sixty days?”

“Yes.”

The two men nodded to each other across the table.

“All right. We will make a trial investment.”

“How much?”

“We'll start modest. Seventy-five million.”

“Excellent. I'll give you the account information.”

After the phone connection ended, one of the men asked, “What about security?”

“I've contacted some local people. They have access to information within the organization and can let us know if anything goes amiss.”

“I hope this isn't a rat hole.”

“Don't worry. I have everything under control.”

19

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.

S
ONG OF SOLOMON 1:2, KJV

J
o frowned as she zipped up the low back of the peach-colored dress. Although not immodest by most standards, the dress was the most revealing gown in her wardrobe. She liked to wear it with a double strand of pearls that gracefully looped around her neck. Now, she second-guessed her choice.

She stood in front of a full-length mirror in the bathroom. There was nothing artificial or contrived about her appearance. No Hollywood starlet, Jo possessed an intangible beauty, the same beauty Leonardo da Vinci captured when he painted the
Mona Lisa
and revealed to all the world a woman's most important physical characteristic—her countenance. Like her young Italian counterpart, Jo's countenance revealed the same qualities of poise and inner peace, coupled with a hint of mystery.

If Renny asked her to marry him, what would she say? She searched for direction in the eyes that faced her in the mirror. Nothing gave her the answer. However, she saw something else, a depth, a spiritual reservoir within her spirit, a source of strength that she knew would sustain her. But, in answer to her question. Nothing.

“Lord, why do you always seem to talk to me about something different than what is on my mind?” she asked softly.

“My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts.”

She could see that. She would have to accept it. But she still needed to know what to do.

Trying not to become frustrated or anxious, she continued to wait. Then, after several moments, understanding dawned. She already had the answer. The living Presence within her would provide the wellspring of wisdom for responding to Renny. All she need do was draw upon the infinite resources of God's grace.
His grace is sufficient for any situation or circumstance.
Confidence returned to her face. Rearranging the pearls, she straightened her shoulders and walked down the hallway toward her future.

The Clairmont was a yuppie bistro known for steak and lobster. Renny had reserved a table for two, and the maître d' led them to the quietest corner of the busy restaurant. When they were seated, a voice behind Renny's left shoulder said loudly, “I recommend the cheese fries and a bowl of chili.”

Turning in his chair, Renny said, “Jo, this is my friend Morris Hogan.”

Morris bowed and shook Jo's hand. “Some people call me Hulk, you know, after the professional wrestler.”

“What do you like to be called?” Jo asked.

“I'd answer to any name you chose. Renny usually calls me Mr. Hogan.”

“Right, Hulk,” Renny responded. “Be careful or I'll throw you into the turnbuckle.”

“What?” Jo asked.

“Wrestling term,” Morris said.

“Jo is not a big fan of the professional wrestling circuit, Morris,” Renny said. “She's not up to speed on NASCAR either.”

“Stay in town a few days, and I'll teach you everything you need to know about the WCW and NASCAR,” Morris offered.

“I'm sure you'd be a great teacher,” Jo said with a smile.

“And she could teach you a few things about tennis,” Renny added. “She has a backhand that could run Earnhardt into the wall of turn number three at Talledega.”

Morris glanced over his shoulder. “I wish I could pull up a chair and join you, but I'm supposed to be entertaining a couple of boring guys from Los Angeles. It's nice meeting you,” he said to Jo. “Renny, I'll see you in the ring on Monday.”

After Morris left, Jo said, “I can see you two spending an entire lunch hour trading one-liners.”

“That's pretty accurate. Morris has a job with one of the megabanks. We get together regularly and compare notes from our respective cubicles. He's the one who gave me the Duke cap you wore yesterday.”

“Next time you talk to him, tell him he has too much personality to be a brainy guy from Duke.”

“If I tell him that, his head will swell so much he'll have to buy the biggest Duke hat they make.”

They both ordered steak. After the waiter brought their salads, Renny said, “Let me pray.”

Jo, a little wide-eyed, nodded.

Bowing his head, Renny said, “Thank you,” paused, “thank you,” paused longer, and said more softly, “thank you. Amen.”

“Amen,” Jo said.

“Short prayer, huh?” Renny asked. “Did it work?”

“I'm sure there is no more blessed food within a hundred miles.”

The meal was perfect; the conversation relaxed and fun. They finished eating and ordered coffee. The conversation waned.

Leaning forward with his eyes shining, Renny said, “Jo, I want to tell you something.”

Jo put down her coffee cup.

Without taking his eyes from Jo's face, Renny began, “I think you are the most wonderful, beautiful person, inside and out, I've ever met.”

Everything in the restaurant faded, and they became a universe of two.

Speaking gently but confidently, he continued, “I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. We're not perfect people, especially me, but I believe we're perfect for each other.”

The previous day, Jo resented the internal upheaval caused by George Manor's prediction. Now she appreciated the preparation his warning had given her. She was not caught off guard. Drawing from her well, she found the grace to answer.

“Renny, there is a big part of my heart that wants to say yes, but I know we are not ready to take this step.”

As the first flicker of disappointment crossed Renny's face, she reached across the table, and took his hand firmly in hers. Remembering what Daisy Stokes told her, she said, “I want to encourage what is happening between us, but if we are going to join our lives together, we need a solid foundation. We've only known each other for a couple of weeks.”

“It's been a great two weeks,” Renny countered.

“I know, but we need to go deeper before we build a home together. God's doing things in our lives that take time.”

“What sort of things? I promise I would learn to enjoy Michigan cooking,” Renny said with a weak grin.

“It's not about barbecue or bagels, and I wish I could be more specific. All I know is that we're not ready to come together as husband and wife.”

When she said “husband and wife,” chills ran through Renny.

“I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too, but not yet.” She squeezed his hand and let go.

Hope renewed, Renny signaled the waiter and asked for the check.

They pulled into the driveway and got out of the car. “Do you want to come up and look at some more of my baby pictures?” Renny asked as they walked toward the door.

Jo laughed. “Clever maneuver. I enjoyed the ones you showed me this afternoon, but I think I'll go on inside.”

“What if I cued up your favorite scene from
Anne of Green Gables
?”

“Equally clever, but not tonight. What time do I need to be ready in the morning?”

“About a quarter till ten. The church isn't far from here.”

Jo reached for the door knob, then turned. “I don't want you to regret anything you said tonight, OK?”

“I don't.”

Renny moved close. Jo lifted her face to his and looked into his eyes. He gently held her shoulders as their lips met.

It was a full kiss, sensual without being overbearing, intimate without being intrusive. Neither held back, their wills sacrificing every ounce of individuality on the altar of oneness. It was a kiss completely satisfying in itself.

Renny pulled back and opened his eyes. Jo met his gaze. “I love you,” he said, then put his finger on her lips before she could respond. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

Renny smiled as he walked up the stairs to his apartment. Stopping on the landing he looked at the stars slowly marching across the clear night sky.
You stopped for an instant to watch tonight, didn't you?

Inside the kitchen, Jo sat down and raised her index finger to her lips, touching the same place as Renny. If he'd asked her a second time to marry him, would she have given the same answer?