Always Tried and Proven (25 page)

      Callie sighed.  “Goodnight, Sam.” She said despondently.

     He gave her a long look before he left, and smiled encouragingly.  “I love you, Callie.” he said softly. 

     He went back to the kitchen for a glass of water and found Rose there, doing last-minute dishes.  “Hey.”  He said congenially.

Rose gave him a teasing smile.  “Did you get a proper goodnight, Sam?” she asked lightly.

        “I did, indeed.”  He agreed with a chuckle.  “I’m not at all sure why I do it to myself, it makes it rather hard to sleep.”  He grumbled.  “Ah, but it’s worth it obviously, or I wouldn’t, would I?”

     “Indeed?”  Rose chuckled.  "Sam, tell me.  What can I do?”  she asked evenly.

      Sam looked at her to see what she meant.  Her eyes told him what was not proper for her lips to ask.  She wanted him for Callie.  She wanted him to end her daughter’s torment.  She wanted him to marry her little girl.  He smiled and laughed quietly.  “Pray for her, Rose.  Please, just pray that she can do it.”  He advised.  “It should be just a matter of getting her oriented to tent and ministry life, and making sure she's ready for the final step; but I have the strangest feeling that there are unimaginable difficulties ahead.  I can't be any more specific, but I will feel a great deal better, if I know you will pray.”

      Rose looked quizzical.  “I can do that.”

     Sam gave her what he hoped was a comforting look, and said goodnight.

     Sam didn't sleep, though.  Instead of feeling better, he found that telling Rose about his uneasiness had only increased it dramatically.  He was extremely concerned about Cal, though he couldn't put his finger on it.  She was like a powder keg, primed and ready to blow. 

     He could feel things under the surface, that he couldn't even put a name to.  Memories, wounds, scars, anger … he could sense them all churning inside Callie's heart, but he had no idea what had caused them, or what they were all about.  He only knew that he was going to be the one who got to deal with them all.

     The idea of being so close to her that he was completely vulnerable at the same time, scared him to death.  Perhaps it was a good thing he and Callie hadn't gotten married right away... 

      Sam was up at eight.  He found Rose in the kitchen, frying bacon and eggs.  He hugged her shoulders lightly from behind, said good morning, and made his way to the coffeepot.

     “What, you’re even cheerful in the morning?”  she accused.  “How can this be?  Sam, you’re too good to be true.”

      “Only by grace.”  He yawned.  “You’re not so bad yourself, you know.” He said with a boyish smile.  “Where’s that feisty woman child this morning?”

      Rose laughed.  “She’ll be in bed for some hours yet, I predict.  She had a hard two days of moving and she hasn’t ditched her night owl habit yet, by any means.”

      “Well, that’s good.  We keep some late nights in the tent.  Unfortunately, we also keep a lot of early mornings.”

      “I’ll bet.  Sounds like a lot of work.”  Rose guessed.

     “It is.  Keeps us in shape, though.  Actually, I think everyone looks forward to the time when we tear down and move on, and set up again.  It gives us a breather from the pressures of ministry, and then we all have something to look forward to at the new location.  It's always very rejuvenating to meet new people, see new places and find new challenges to take on.  Even the atmosphere of every new city is remarkably different.  Different customs, beliefs, histories, denominational dynamics … it's never a dull moment.”

     Rose chuckled.  “I don’t mind telling you, I’m very relieved to have met you.  I had some misgivings about Callie going, until I realized just who she had looking out for her.  Though I was delighted to find her saved.”

     Sam leveled Rose a very serious and determined look.  “I will look after her, Rose.  No matter what.”

     “I know that.  I have no doubts whatsoever, anymore.”  Rose assured him.

   “Reservations about what?  What’s the great smell?”  Callie asked with a yawn.  She came into the kitchen wearing a sleeveless cotton nightgown that had enough ruffles to keep her shape from being visible.  Sam found her sexy and adorable with her hair tumbling and her eyes full of sleep.

    “It’s called breakfast, sleepy girl.”  Rose advised sweetly.  “Wash your face and hands, and you can have some.”

    “Oh, man.”  She groaned.  “The smell woke me up.  But I think it might actually be worth it.”  She walked over to Sam, where he sat at the table with a cup of coffee, and wedged her knees between his.  She leaned over and put her arms around his neck. 

     “Good morning.”  She said in a husky voice.  She kissed him and then parked herself on his lap, with her arms securely around his neck.

    Rose turned around and gave her daughter that made her wonder if she’d grown a second head.

      “How’s my Sam this morning?” she asked with a yawn, ignoring her mother.

     “Fine.”  He answered, trying to be as natural as possible.  To have Callie feel admonished or rebuked in any fashion would not be profitable.  But her warm, slender body against his, without anything between them but a flimsy, cotton gown was causing quite a panicked reaction in the man.   She nuzzled her nose and lips against his throat and kissed his jaw, as she explored his stubbly beard with her other hand.

     “I like your beard.  You should let it grow.”  She suggested sweetly.

     “Really?”  he asked lightly.

     “Really.  It’s very sexy.”  She advised.

     Rose shut her gaping mouth and abruptly turned back to her stove.  Sam tried thinking about the possibility of war in the Middle East.  But, it wasn’t working.  He took a sip of his coffee and smiled down at Callie.  

     “So, are you ready to leave for Vermont today?”

     Callie shrugged.  “We can.  But if you need a break, Sam, we can stay here for a day -- or a week.  Whatever’s good for you.”

     He shrugged.  “Today would be most prudent; I have some business right now.  But If you’re tired, it can wait another day or so.”

     “I don’t mind.”  Callie assured him.  “I’ll start packing.  Call me when it’s time to eat.”  She requested.  She made her way down the hall to her room, her hair swinging behind her.

    “While you’re at it, Rose, perhaps you could pray a bit for me too?”  Sam teased.

      Rose gave him an dumfounded look, and shook her head.  “Sam, I don’t know what to say.  I’ve never seen her like this; she’s … oh, my!”

    “I’ll tell you exactly what she is.  She’s angry and challenging and insistent and willful.” He said deliberately.  “She’s also sweet, and lovely, and a lot more naive than she thinks she is.” 

    He pressed his lips together as he thought about the situation.  “She’s irritated with me for insisting that we slow down a little bit.  That’s all it is, Rose.  Don’t be too alarmed.  As soon as I’m convinced she’s ready to handle it, I’ll give her what she wants.”

    Rose gave him a worried, wary look.  “Sam; you do know what she wants, don’t you?”

     He laughed as though he might cry.  “Oh, yes.  I know exactly what she wants.  But she’ll have a ring on her finger and a commitment I can count on before she gets it.”  He said with quiet conviction.   

     “Sam, what she really wants is a love she can count on; a wedding ring, and a man who will truly care for her.  But, how much of this can you take?  She’s obviously provoking you, half to death.”

     He smiled.  “Oh, I know she is, to some extent.  Not all of it is intentional, though.  Callie’s just spontaneous and uninhibited, and I don’t mind a bit.  She loves to challenge me, and test the ropes.  It’ll be easier on me when I get her to the tent.  We’ll have plenty of work to do, and the living arrangements are completely separate.”  He sighed.  “Thank God.”  He added with a chuckle.

      “Indeed.”  Rose agreed vehemently.  “Sam; I want you to know.  I appreciate  all you’re doing for Callie.”

      Sam waved her thanks away.  “Rose; come on, now.  I’m doing this for myself.  That girl’s meant to be mine -- and I’ll go through whatever I have to, to get her.  Make no mistake.”

      Rose blushed and shook her head.  “Well; then I say Callie’s a lucky girl.”

     “Why’s that?  You two talking about me?”  Callie challenged as she entered the room.  She was wearing jeans and a top of eyelet lace.

      “Yeah.  What else are we going to talk about?” Sam challenged teasingly.

    “I don’t know.”  Callie grumbled, as her mother put a plate of food down in front of her.

     “Don’t get all bothered.  Sam and I are just getting acquainted.” Rose soothed her as she served them.

     “Huh.”  Callie huffed.

     Sam ignored her and said a blessing, at Rose's prompting.  Then, he dug in and ate.  Rose did the same.  Callie picked at hers. 

     All of a sudden, things didn’t feel right, to Callie.  She knew her mother had been shocked by her affectionate behavior earlier, and she knew Sam hadn’t been comfortable.  So, surely they’d been discussing it.  Callie didn’t like that.

     When he was done eating, Sam pushed away from the table, and stood up.  “That was great, Rose.  Thank you again.  If you’ll excuse me, I think I’d better start getting things put together.”  He looked at Callie, who stared up at him mutinously.  “Can you be ready in an hour or so?”

     “No problem.”  She growled.

     Sam gave her a long look, and smiled. “Good.” he said lightly.  Then he went to his room.

     “Ooh.”  Callie steamed.

     “Callie,” Rose admonished.

    “Don’t you start!  Don’t you say a single word!  And
don’t
  talk about me to Sam behind my back like I’m some kind of spoiled brat!”  Callie hissed, jabbing her fork in her mother's direction.

    Rose raised an eyebrow in warning.  “Don’t give me any reason to.”  She answered sternly.

     “Don’t try to make this your business, Mother.”

     “I’m not, Callie.  But you need to realize that you are the only link Sam and I have at this point.  You are also a great delight to both of us.  There is no reason for you to be so touchy just because your name comes up in conversation.”

     Callie glared at her mother, and whirled out of the room.  Rose rolled her eyes and collected the dishes.

     Sam took his bag to the van, and then came back to the house to see how Callie was faring.  He didn’t like the storm clouds he saw brewing.  He had a feeling the forecast was calling for an unpleasant day.

      Callie met him on the porch.  She was obviously steamed, and ready to fight.

      Sam sighed.  “Callie, are you okay?”

     “Just dandy.”  She snapped.  She turned away, and started walking.  A firm hand whipped her around.

      “Mind at least telling me what I’ve done?” he asked pointedly.

      Callie was a little bit taken back.  Sam was dead serious.  His eyes were glittering. 

     “No.  Not at all.  You cut me off emotionally, and hang me out to dry.  Then you barge into my room when I’m not decently dressed, and do whatever you want.  Then you have the gall to discuss me in the morning with my mother.  And I heard you tell her how glad you are that our sleeping arrangements will be safer.  Ha!  You just bend the rules to fit your mood, don’t you?  You don’t think twice about telling me where to get off, but when you feel like it, you just bust in and help yourself.  Then, you act all coy and chaste, and make out that it's all me aggravating you, and egging you on!  I wish she'd seen you barge into my room last night, you two-faced, self-righteous puck!”

     Anger kindled and burst into flame in the depths of Sam’s eyes.  His jaw tightened.  “It’s nothing compared to the flagrant seduction you’ve put me through.  Do you think it’s any easier on me?  I’d like nothing better than to throw you down and put it to you right here and now, Callie, but you know very well that I can’t!  So, you torment me because I won’t give you what you want, when and how you want it!”

     “I can’t believe you expect me to tease you along and keep your ego inflated, until I can be sure you won’t run out on me when the mud starts flying.  Or perhaps you’re just as happy with the idea of driving me over the edge, so I’ll have to do it your way.  At this point, I’m not even sure you’d marry me if I did!  You’re so bloody insecure, you go flying off and running away at the least provocation.  Haven’t I already chased you across two states?  What more do you want?” he roared.

     He turned away and ran a hand across his eyes, trying to calm down.  He hated losing his temper, but he couldn't stop his tongue.  He glared at her with a  righteous anger in his eyes. 

     “You’ve been behaving like a spoiled brat, Callie.  Not the woman I fell in love with.  I’ve been putting up with it, because I know you’ve been going through it.  Now I’m going to tell you this once, and you’d better get it through your head:  I will
not
be shaken off.  I will not be shocked.  I will not be driven away.  And I will
not
be tempted into your bed!”

     “I’m going to get hold of you, Callie, and when I do, there is not going to be the slightest doubt in your suspicious little mind what I’m hanging around for!  Believe me, I’d much rather indulge myself in your charms, than take cold showers.  When I do things I know I shouldn’t, it isn’t a willful bending of the rules, Callie.  It’s because I can’t help it!”