A Walk In The Wilderness (6 page)

     Uncle William showed his face at about one.  After being introduced, Skyler took his leave immediately.  Caitlin gave her uncle a grateful look, and they shared a secretive smile.

     The next day when Cait arrived home from school, Skyler was waiting for her at her door.  “Hello, Caitlin.”  He said seriously.  “I hope you don’t mind, I’ve been waiting to say goodbye to you.”

     “Oh!  Today is Wednesday, isn’t it?” she sighed.  “I had even forgotten what day it is.  Well, I’m sure that I’ll see you again some time.”

     “I do hope to come back this way soon.  I hope that my absence will make your heart grow fonder.  I still mean everything that I said, Caitlin.  I need you.”

     “Well.  Thank you, Skyler.  I enjoyed your concerts very much.”

     “May I just kiss you goodbye?  It will have to last me a long time, I’m afraid.  I’ll keep it to a dull roar, all right?” he asked.  He was already pulling her into his arms.  She discovered that his kiss still stirred her.  He was, after all, a very handsome man.  Yet, she was uncomfortable.

     “I love you, Caitlin.  Please, don’t forget me.”

     “Oh, that could not happen.”  She assured him, chuckling uncomfortably.

     “Well, then.  Goodbye for now, Caitlin.”  He said quietly.

     “Goodbye, Skyler.  I do hope that you enjoy your tour.”  She encouraged.

      He nodded, smiled sadly, and turned away.

     She forced herself not to say any more.

     Life settled down very nicely for Caitlin after Skyler’s departure.  Except that she was a bit changed.  While more wary of men and their ways than ever, she still had somehow opened up where they were concerned. 

    Skyler had forced his way into her life and whetted her appetite for male companionship.  Or something.  She couldn’t figure it out at all, yet her feelings made themselves insistently felt.

     Skyler had left his mark upon her, and she found herself very hungry for more of a man’s touch and attentions.  Not necessarily Skyler’s touch; but a male’s touch just the same.  He had apparently awakened within her the needs that she’d always tried hard to avoid.  She was a bit lonely, she realized.  A bit wanting of a man for herself.  She cursed him for awakening it so strongly.  It truly did not fit in with her current plans nor with her comfort level.

     He called two nights after his departure, on Friday.  She knew his voice immediately.

     “Cait!” he said gratefully when she answered.

     “Skyler”.  She responded tensely.

     “How are you, darling?” he asked worriedly.

     “I’m fine, thank you.  And you?”

     “Making it, I suppose.  But I miss you terribly.”

     “Don’t say that.  You hardly know me.” She objected uncomfortably.

    “I know you well enough, darling.  I long to have you with me, all the time.  Cait, will you take a plane?  You’ll come, won’t you?  I’ll arrange for your ticket.  You can be here tomorrow, and we’ll get married in Rome.  What do you say?”

     She closed her eyes and shook her head.  “You know better.  I’m going to finish college, Skyler.  I only have this one, final bit to go.  If you truly care about me, then surely my own needs should be important to you, as well.  Can’t you at least respect my goals in life?”

     He sighed.  “Ah, college.  Well;  I suppose there’s something to be said for it,” he grumbled.

     “Indeed.” She agreed evenly.

     They talked on for some time.  At least, Skyler talked.  Caitlin mostly listened.  She knew that he’d just call again, so she let him go on.  An hour later, he was still trying to fill her head with romantic pictures and put stars in her eyes.  But at last, he concluded that he had to get some sleep.  Caitlin gratefully said goodnight.

     He called again the following night, and every night that he could.  He knew she was working, and was a captive audience, and as he hoped, she began to relax her guard a great deal as they talked. 

     He was far away now, and as she got to know him better, she began to forget her discomfort with his familiarity.  He kept his chatter friendly and light, and didn’t press her for anything. 

    At first, she was of course suspicious of him, and wanted to know why he kept calling.  He told her it was only because he was lonely, and they were at the very least, friends.  He said he really cared for her.  She began to believe it – a little bit.

    He didn’t say he loved her, and he didn’t get too romantic.  He spoke of things he’d like to get for her, and sent her flowers a few times.  But he remained respectful and very kind.

   It made one think, she had to admit.  He was persistent, yet not in an unpleasant way; he was just being friendly these days.  Truly friendly, as though he really cared.  He was trying very hard to win her trust, and build a relationship.

     Caitlin felt it, and considered.

   Nearly nine months to the day after he’d gone, she received a note from Skyler. 

     “Coming to town tomorrow.  Will you come to the show?  Same auditorium, I’ll leave word at the door.  Front row for you, girl, and then come backstage.  I’ll arrange it all.  Please do come.  I can’t wait to see you, and I promise I’ll behave.  Please don’t disappoint me, Caitlin.  Love, Skyler.”

     She grinned wryly.  She knew she shouldn’t go, and yet she was certainly going to.  She was awakened and hungry for a man, and she wanted to see Skyler again.  She couldn’t decide without being near him for a bit if it was him that she missed, or not.  She didn’t know if her attitude toward him would be softened, given her changes in his absence. 

    Somehow, the memories of the discomfort that he’d made her feel had become dim, and the memory of his passion had been a bit enhanced.  Perhaps, she fancied, he had just frightened her; he’d come on too strong.  Perhaps after all, it would be all right.  She would go, and see.  She owed them both that chance. 

     She wore an outfit of shimmering white, with wide sleeves and a long tunic length, over a matching skirt.  And high, sexy heels  Her legs looked very nice indeed. 

     She noticed with interest that this time, Skyler was billed as the opening act for another Christian artist and composer, a David Michael Majors.  She wondered how that sat with Skyler. 

     She went early, thinking that if she knew Skyler, he’d go to the hall and practice a bit.  She wanted to see him alone, beforehand.  To look at him and listen to him practice, wondering if there would be any clues for her to glean from.

     She went through the back door, happy that it was already unlocked, and up the stairs, past the dressing rooms to the wings.  She smiled to hear music playing. The piano. It was beautiful.  

     She hurried up and crept through the wings to the door.

The music stopped abruptly, and there was a loud bang, with harsh tones; as though fists had banged on the keys.  Caitlin stopped short, her heart in her throat. 

    “How long?  How long, Lord?”  a whispered voice tore through the air.  A man’s voice.  “How long must I wait?” he rasped.  The silence after, was tense.

Then the keys began flowing again, slowly and melodically.  “I’m sorry, Lord.  I don’t mean to be impatient.  I just get so tired, sometimes.”

     He began to sing.  “I get tired of watching and waiting.  Tired of wanting and praying.  I don’t mean to be ungrateful, and I know that you know best.  But I can feel her out there somewhere, needing me as I need her. 

     “I can feel her heart beating, and so I lift again my prayer.  Let me come out of the wilderness with my beloved on my arm.  Let me find her there and keep her always, shielding her from harm.  Let me love her, let me woo her, as you woo your bride the church.  Count me worthy Lord, and ready now for her.”

     Caitlin put a hand to her throat.  The man at the piano was not Skyler.  And she had stumbled into a very intimate time of prayer.  His voice was beautiful and plaintive, whispered, and yet it echoed through the hall and filled it with sound and somehow, with emotion.

     There were only blue and violet footlights on, and so she could not really see his face.  He had dark hair, like Skyler’s.  Longer, but more straight.  He seemed taller, and broader, but his head was bent.

     Caitlin just stared, and he suddenly stopped playing.  His head shot up and his eyes pierced the doorway where she stood.  Though she was just peering around the edge, she knew he saw something in the darkness.  She whirled and ran for all she was worth, down the hall, down the back stairs, and out the rear door.  She was panting by the time she turned the corner of the building, and fell against the side of the theatre, to catch her breath.  Then, she hurried on across the street, and ducked into the little restaurant there.  She quickly sat at the counter, ordered a soda, and stayed put until it was time for the show. 

     Her hands eventually quit shaking, but her insides never did.  What she had heard, struck her heart deeply.  No one should have heard that, but God.                   

     She went back to the theatre just before the show was ready to begin, and went in by the front door.  Roland came out at the doorman’s inquiry, and escorted her inside.  She was front and center, again. 

      Before long, Skyler was there on stage before her, and she again admired his physical beauty and style.  As always, he was looking very good.  His eyes rested on Caitlin as he came forward, and she smiled up at him. 

     A look of burning desire came into his eyes.  Caitlin felt nothing, oddly.  He was a handsome man, but he was just someone she’d met once.  She knew now for certain that he was not for her.  Somehow, in that moment, she just knew.  They would never be more than friends.  He reluctantly pulled his gaze away from her and smiled at the crowd.  The concert was on.

     Caitlin enjoyed it very much from her front row seat.  It was better there than behind, in the wings.  She could feel the emotion sweeping through the crowd around her as Skyler played. 

    He looked even slimmer than she remembered, and perhaps a bit more nervous or anxious.  It was very interesting to observe him.  She wondered greatly what this evening would hold for her.  One thing was certain -- with Skyler involved, it would be anything but dull.

     He performed flawlessly, and he was as intense as ever.  Caitlin continued to watch him curiously.  When he was finished, the announcer came back on stage and hugged Skyler, as he exited.  Then the announcer turned back to the crowd.  There was no request for an encore.

     “Wow.  That was phenomenal.”  He said enthusiastically.  “And phenomenal is a word that describes very few men.  Skyler Vaughn is one.” 

“The gentleman that I am about to introduce to you is yet another.  His name and fame precede him to Scotland; yet he’s the kind of man that doesn’t seem to know his reputation, or else he simply is not impressed by it.” 

“He is one of the most humble, friendly men I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.  He reminded me in his gentle, laid back way that he is only the servant of a great and mighty king.  Ladies and gentlemen, we are blessed because he serves his king so very well.  Please extend a warm welcome to Mr. David Michael Majors!”

     The crowd’s roar was deafening and it did not subside for a long, long time.  The man who walked onto the stage was greeted with an even greater crescendo of applause and shouting.  He smiled broadly, showing even, white teeth, and sensitive, shapely lips.  The combination provided for a dazzling smile.  He bowed to his audience.

     He had clear, blue eyes and loosely curled, dark brown hair.  It was long enough that it fell against his shoulders.  He was very broad through the shoulders, and muscular.  Yet, he was slim and obviously very strong.  He had high cheekbones and a short beard covering his jaw.  His dark brown hair had light, almost golden highlights in it.

     His suit was black and collarless.  He looked extremely sharp, with a white shirt beneath, open at the collar.  Caitlin smiled as she saw Western boots on his feet.  Very classy, expensive Western boots.  He was unique.

      Caitlin lowered her eyes in embarrassment.  It was him.

      He sat down at the piano.  “Thank you very much, and good evening.  Ladies and gentlemen, will you close your eyes?”  he asked in a soft, low voice with a British accent.  It struck Caitlin suddenly that Skyler was like a copy of this man. 
A rather poor copy, really
, she thought.  Then, she scoffed at herself.  What a thing to think!  She didn't know this man at all; and Skyler, just a smidge. 

     It seemed an odd and completely unfair comparison, she chastised herself.  Yet, there hadn't been any disrespect meant for Skyler, really ... he was tremendously good ... there was just so much more depth somehow, in this man's voice and presence... Caitlin shook her head, to rid herself of baseless, fanciful thoughts.

     The artist began to speak:

    
“I want to ask you to imagine yourself sitting in the heavens.  Just suspended in the heavens, at dusk.  You’re pillowed in a cloud as thick and comfortable as your favorite chair and foot stool, at home. 

     “Darkness is falling around you as the sun goes over the horizon.  Look up now, and see the Evening Star.  See the moon in the distance coming closer as it rises, and see the earth slowly turning beneath you on its axis.  Then lift up your eyes, and see the Almighty Lord seated upon His throne.”

     He waited for the people to get with it, capture the vision, as the violins began to hum a soft Celtic-flavored tone; and the lights dimmed in the theatre all around them.  Dark blue and violet lights came on dimly, to create the atmosphere that he wanted.  Lasers created the sun and the moon, the dim shape of the Lord upon his throne for them to see, more light than detail. 

     Stars began to appear above them, and the very things that the artist spoke came into being around them.  Even the earth was projected so that they could see it before them.  It was stupendous.  A b
reathtaking, miraculous vision.