~This excerpt was taken from my book Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul. You made read part of the book for free on my Free Inspiration page. If you enjoy the book, please consider writing a review for it on amazon to help spread the word and bless others!
Her thick hair was swirled and had the same rich texture as a cinnamon bun glazed glossy with melted frosting. Indeed, some strands were the dark color of cinnamon, and others were honey, golden brown. She had maple syrup warm eyes that awaked the senses like sweet buttered bread straight out the oven on a cold winter night. Her lips were the cool lavender color of an early autumn plum dripping with the dew of morn. Her skin was like milk washed caramel, glowing vibrant with sun kisses. She sat across the room from me in the small cafe drinking coffee and eating pumpkin pie.
Around her neck was an embroider deep purple scarf she had tied underneath her chin by her collarbones. She wore a white flowery blouse, which was partially hidden by the long woody brown jacket with a fur hood she snuggled in. I was surprised to find that instead of pants she had on a flowery white skirt. I guessed she must have had on leg warmers or tights underneath. It seemed only natural that knee boots the cinnamon color of her hair graced her legs and feet. She was reading some recipe book.
Her eyes intently scanned the pages. On her left ring finger was a golden ring engraved with aqua rhinestone. I sighed heavily as my eyes rested on her ring. She was taken. She seemed to notice me stare as her beautiful warm eyes lifted up from the pages and smiled at me. In embarrassment, I averted my eyes before looking at her again, to find she had continued to read.
I’m such an idiot I thought why didn’t I wave or say hello? I tapped my fingers on the polished wooden table and studied the ruby walls of the café decorated with paintings of lattes, bakeries, roses, and snowy hills with pine trees in a failed attempt to get my mind off of her.
Steam wafted in from the busy kitchen where a few chefs worked. One of the chefs seemed particularly frazzled. She hassled out the kitchen door and slumped against the wall. Her dark coily hair stuck to her smooth sweaty chocolate skin. She looked up in a daze. Her chestnut eyes were moist from the seasoning in the air. With a slender hand she brushed her hair back as she ran her fingers through her tight curls. My heart went out to her; I could see she was dreadfully tired. She looked my way in a fog and I smiled at her. To my surprise she smiled back.
Before I knew it she was inching her way toward me. I sat up in my chair, not knowing what to expect. She sort of tilted her head as she neared me and her lips parted as she looked into my eyes. I knew right away she hadn’t noticed until now my eyes were a piercing arctic blue. Someone had called them “icy” before. I shook my head to remove the straight summer brown strands of my hair that hung above my eyes. She stopped by my table and spoke in a timid voice, “forgive me, but you have a charming smile.” I grinned at her compliment as my face warmed. Suddenly the collar of my royal blue colored shirt seemed tight. I pulled at my long sleeves before thanking her.
“I’m Trisha.” She said.
“I’m Noble.” I said and held out my hand.
“No you don’t want to shake my hands, they’re sweaty.” She warned.
I laughed, “You’re probably right.”
“Yeah.” She sighed and brushed her hands on her apron.
“Why don’t you sit down and take a break.” I said offering her the seat in front of me.
“I’d like to, but it’s around 8o’clock. The nightly crowds usually just start coming in.”
“That’s a shame…I could use the conversation.” I mumbled without thinking.
Her eyes widened.
“That came out wrong,” I stammered, “what I meant was you seem flustered and I could use someone to talk to. I’m feeling the way you look.”
“Well thanks for noticing my looks.” She quipped, before giving me a warm smile and sitting down. “I’m all ears.”
I feared I was too bold with her. My stupidity would only become more apparent if I spilled my guts out to her. A woman I had just met.
“Water?” I offered motioning toward my untouched cup.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Trisha said sipping some of the water out a straw.
After she was done she rested her elbows on the table and asked, “Ok pretty boy, what seems to be the problem?”
I arched an eyebrow at her words.
“I can be just as forward as you.” She said with a teasing smile before leaning back.
I chortled at her joke. She had a spicy personality.
She sat pretty comfortably and seemed eager if not prepared to listen to me. Apart of me wanted to dash out the door but her eyes seemed so trustworthy and even if she wasn’t I could always just avoid this coffee shop for life. My eyes peered over at the beautiful woman adjacent to me. I slightly lifted my chin and nudged it in her direction, “Do you know her name?” I asked.
Trisha turned around in the direction of my gaze and immediately knew whom I was talking about.
“Purple scarf?” she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
A small laugh escaped my lips “Is it that obvious?”
She slowly nodded her head, her countenance jocular.
“I guess it’s hard to hide.”
“You look smitten.”
“Yeah but I shouldn’t be… she’s married.”
Trisha fell painfully silent before she spoke
“Her name’s Rose.”
“Rose.” I breathed, repeating her name. She is just as beautiful as one.
“She’s a poet who collects paintings and wine. She wants to live on a vineyard and her favorite color, in no surprise, is purple.”
I smiled as Trisha described Rose before asking, “How do you know so much about her?”
“She comes here often…for therapy, goodies, or just to say hello. It’s her quiet hangout spot.”
“Therapy?”
“Mhmm…just like you. I’m her listening ear. I don’t know why it is but…almost daily someone talks to me about their problems.”
I spooned my unsweetened hot coco. “Yeah, funny I guess. Maybe it’s your presence? You seem trustworthy.”
“Thank you.”
I sipped my hot chocolate before wrinkling my face at the taste. I forgot it was all natural and needed sugar. Trisha, knowing full well reached into the jam case and pulled out a few packets of sugar before handing them to me.
“So anyway, do you know if she’s married?” I asked hoping the ring she wore was anything but a wedding one.
“I think the ring pretty much speaks for itself.”
“Yeah.” I said underneath my breath.
Trisha reached out and briefly rubbed my arm. “It’ll be ok, God has someone special for you.”
I ignored her mention of God and sighed. “But I want her.”
“It’s not good to covet another man’s wife.” she said both gently and firmly.
“It’s not good, but it’s hard not to. I mean look at her.”
Trisha nodded in agreement “She is lovely.”
“Gorgeous.” I corrected my tone like syrup.
Trisha breathed in deeply before gazing out the window at the falling snow that sprinkled down like white gold. The flickering light of the pink candles that graced our table and every other table danced on her skin, illuminating her rich eyes.
“You know what’s gorgeous?” she asked mostly to herself. “This weather, your blue eyes, this world, and…God.”
I followed her gaze out the window. It was beautiful. Yellow lanterns glowing bellow the starry night sky. The hills and mountains covered with blankets of snow made waves along the horizon.
“Sometimes we get so caught up in what we don’t have that we fail to see what we do have. We have a way of becoming calloused to our blessings and we lose the simple joy in everyday life.”
I turned to her, drinking in her healing words. “You put that so well.”
She smiled at my words and for a moment my pain was forgotten.
“But I’m a man who knows what he wants. I guess that’s why my mom used to call me ‘picky’”
“There’s nothing wrong with hoping or dreaming, but you shouldn’t let your goals become a source of torment on your today.”
I fell silent.
“Besides,” she said continuing on “contentment makes time seem to go by faster. If God has given Rose to another man then she is not the one for you. He knows what you need and want out of life, and your wife. And don’t worry I’m sure he’ll meet all your requirements…and His. God’s not going to give you someone you’re not attracted to.”
“How do you know?”
“Because He hears and values your prayers…and you don’t look like the kind of man who could stay single for long.”
Her reassuring words were like honey to my heart. She folded her arms and sat back confident with faith.
“I guess I don’t look like the kind of man who could stay single.” I jested, posing as if I were in a photo shoot.
Trisha laughed heartily at my cocky pose and overly animated sultry smile. She had nice teeth and a bellowing laugh that seemed to start from her stomach and dive from her heart. I couldn’t help but join in. She laughed loudly before covering her mouth with a hand to stifle her cheer. It was one of the truest laughs I had ever heard. Usually girls would laugh quietly on dates, or around people they had just meet, something I call “fake laughs,” but Trisha seemed almost as happy as a countryman who just won a new pig.
“All jokes aside,” I began as we quieted down “you’re faith is admirable. Have you always felt that way?”
“It’s much less a feeling as it is a belief. And it didn’t get that way over night trust me. I’ve been waiting…patiently on God for sometime now. But in this season of waiting I’ve learned and experienced things I never would have. My faith is growing.”
“Like what?”
“Hm?”
“You said you learned some things. Care to give an example?”
“Well, He’s taught me that patience isn’t the ability to wait, but the ability to have a good attitude while you wait. Not only that, but to wait faithfully, and full of hope while you expect the Lord. I…believe the verse is Psalm 27:13, and it say’s: What, what would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord. Be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.”
Her words struck my heart. I loved the definition she gave of patience.
“I like that.” I smiled. She lifted her shoulders as if shied by my looking at her.
“What are you waiting on?” I asked. Her eyes widened and her shoulders fell, she seemed hesitant.
“What? If you can be my listening ear then I can be yours.”
“You asked me to listen.” She countered
“And now I’m asking you to talk.”
“Many things…and a who.”
“That’s not specific enough.”
“No pressure.” She said a hint of jest and defensiveness in her voice.
“Of course not,” I said inching forward “take your time.”
She was quiet for a while before clearing her throat.
“Well I want to be a masseuse and…have a family of my own.”
“Was that so hard?” I asked giving her a sideways smile as she released a heavy breath.
“No.”
“I’m sure you’ll be a good masseuse and an even better wife and mother,” I glanced down before looking back up at her “you should consider being a counselor as well.”
“I would, except I don’t want to get paid for helping people.”
A gusty wind blew in and a crowd of young adults with snowflakes on their clothes and boots walked in engaged in conversations, the smell of hot, spiked apple cider hung on their breaths. Trisha watched as the group of friends neared the counter.
“It’s about time for me to leave.” She told me.
“Wait one moment more?” I asked her.
She thought about my request silently before answering “Just one moment.”
I was grateful to have her company for a little while longer. We sat quietly speaking to one another with our eyes and glancing down at our cups when our gazes felt awkward. I lifted my cup to my lips for another taste before Trisha asked me “Are you saved?” Suddenly fascinated with my hands I gave them full eye contact instead of her. Knowing I was being rude I set my cup down and responded, “As saved as I know how to be.” Old memories of my once love life with Christ striking pain in my heart.
“What does that mean?” she asked softly, careful of her words as she guessed this was a tender subject to me.
“It means for the most part…I’ve let go. I just kind of walked away from that life…now I’m sort of wandering back and forth.”
“I see.” She said slowly. Her steady gaze unnerved me, but to my surprise there was no condemnation in her eyes.
“He wants you back.” She said leaning towards me.
This was getting a little too personal and I felt myself becoming uncomfortable. But what did I really have to lose? Nothing, but my stupid pride. I wanted to be vulnerable with her; I wanted to share my dead faith with this seemingly caring stranger. The gains outweighed the loss. I secretly hoped what she said was true. That God hadn’t forgotten about me although I had turned my back on him to pursue un-honest gains and satisfy my flesh in selfishness and sinful pleasures.
“How and why would God want someone like me back?” I meet her eyes knowing my heart showed through them. If this went bad I knew I didn’t have to see her again.
She smiled “Someone like who?” The way she asked the question I knew nothing I could have confessed could alter her view of me. The grace in her voice, and mercy in her eyes almost brought tears to mine. Nobody had ever looked at me like that! Before I had even confessed I was met with an ocean of forgiveness.
“God’s not interested in your sin or what you’ve done. He’s interested in you… He delights in you and He loves you because that’s who He is. He can’t help but love.”
I fought the grief that threatened to rise from my soul, and my flesh sought to retreat. There is no way He could love me after what I’ve done.
“I’ve done too many b-“
“This isn’t about what you’ve done but what’s been done for you and it’s not about who you are but who lives inside of you.”
Stop! I wanted to tell her to…stop. I couldn’t bear to be humiliated and cry in front of her, the people in the café…and especially Rose! I clenched my jaw and looked sternly at her to hide the pain her words were awakening. I had shoved God so far into the corner of my mind and heart that to hear His name so bluntly spoken made me realize He was always there gently knocking. And to admit and face that I had ignored and cursed at Him for so long threatened to rip my heart open. I felt the weight of my evil, despite the grace I saw in Trisha’s eyes.
“It’s ok to cry.” She whispered as if seeing me past my fake facade.
“Not for this man it isn’t.” I said as firmly as possible.
She hesitated “Tears of regret are…beautiful to Him.”
“Regret for what?” I said through clenched teeth. Despite my efforts anger burned in those words.
Trisha pressed her lips together before apologizing. “I’m sorry for over stepping my bounds.”
I sighed quietly “I know you only meant well.”
A few tedious seconds passed by before either of us spoke. “Before I leave can I trouble you with one more thing?”
I nodded my head.
“Will you pray with me?”
Her request was surprisingly irresistible. And becoming that little boy again I slowly put my hands on the table and opened my palms. My flesh wanted to run but something inside of me implored me to stay. I could tell she was surprised when I gestured for her to hold my hands. I set them on the table for a reason. Trisha slid her soft hands atop mines and instinctively I cased her hands in mine. She gently squeezed my hands back, closed her eyes and bowed her head. I stole a moment to look at her in awe of what was happening.
How did it come down to this? I simply wanted to pursue Rose before finding out her marital status. Then all I wanted was a listening ear. That’s what I get for seeking one in a café instead of a bar! At least there I could have spilled my guts to a drunkard…he’d forget me and everything I said by morning. Instead some stranger is praying over me?
Trisha began praying and that took me away from my wandering thoughts. I closed my eyes as she began.
“Dear Jesus, I know that you have orchestrated this moment from the beginning of time to reach your son Noble, because you love him. I pray Lord that he would know with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength the height, depth, width, and length of the love You have for him. May it be to him a revelation within. I pray You’d tenderize and surround him always in Your presence. Saturate and dissolve him in Your wondrous, fierce, and terrific love.”
Hot tears swelled in my eyes as I felt a peaceful presence, more real than the clothes on my back knock at my heart. Trisha paused… as if listening to someone.
“Nobel, will you repeat after me?” She asked gently.
“Yes” I answered, voice rough with emotion.
“Dear Jesus.” She began
“Dear Jesus.” I echoed.
“I ask you to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.”
I repeated her word for word through the whole prayer.
“I realize I’ve turned from You Savior and with all my heart I repent and ask You to stay and dwell within me forever. Make my heart Your own; shine Your holy light on the inside of me. Purify me and replace the lies in my mind with Your truth. Heal me everywhere I hurt and have Your way with me. May I walk the path God has set for me, and may His will be done. I ask also that You would fill me to the overflowing with Yourself. And may I have a deep, personal, and intimate relationship with You and Jesus. Also may I not grieve or vex Your Holy Spirit but may I come to appreciate and treasure His loving corrections that lift me up out of self -destructive habits. Reveal Yourself to me Father…in Jesus precious and holy name I pray amen. So be it.”
We opened our eyes at the same time. Streams of tears lined my cheeks and Trisha’s eyes were like glass pools brimming with tears. An unexplainable joy and peace filled me. I felt as if God’s love had tangible arms that embraced me.
“Thank you.” I told her tears coloring my voice. She gave me a beautiful smile as a way of saying “your welcome”.
“Oh my goodness.” She said wiping her eyes with her sleeves and sniffing “I’m all emotional.”
We laughed with tears of joy. She offered me a napkin and I swiped at my eyes and cheeks.
Trisha pulled a silky yellow scrounge from her wrist and wound her dark hair up in a ponytail. I watched her for a moment and wondered if she was an angel. She noticed me staring and joked “Do I have something on my face?”
“Beauty.” I said without thinking. I felt like smacking myself on the forehead.
Trisha’s peaceful eyes widened before she touched her cheeks, which warmed from my forward compliment and she thanked me sheepishly.
“My, my my aren’t you a bold one.” She laughed
“I’m usually not,” I said spooning my hot coco in embarrassment “but…the way you pray is…moving. Honestly I was looking at you because I thought you might be an angel.”
Even though her skin was dark I saw her blush. It was different but beautiful, like a faint raspberry cloud underneath chocolate milk.
“Oh no… I’m far from that. I just try to obey the Lord and love Him as best I can.” She said humbly. Her words like praise to God.
“That’s all He can ask. All the same you touched me.”
“Well I’m glad God used me to bless you.”
Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a group of people sit down in the circle of soft hazel love couches under a chandler of fake electric candles.
A loud crash in the kitchen caught our attention and we both swung our heads in the direction of the noise. Trisha turned to me and I knew she was preparing to say goodbye.
“I encourage you to get connected in a great church that will feed, and encourage you. Never stop seeking God’s heart.”
“Oh I have one in mind. I’m sure my old friends will be happy to see me.”
“That’s good,” she said with a smile “I better get going.” She rose and downed the water I had given her. “Have a good night.” She said and turned to leave.
“Wait!” I called and caught her hand. My actions once again surprised me and startled her.
“I’m not sure you were completely honest with me when you said you aren’t usually bold.” She said wiggling her fingers free.
“You’ve got the best of me tonight.” I quipped, unregretful of my actions.
“I’d hate to see the worst of you.” She laughed.
I chortled at her witty comeback. “Do you work here tomorrow?” I asked
“Yes.”
“What time is your break?”
“11:30am-12pm.”
“Can I buy you lunch?”
She arched an eyebrow at me.
“So we can talk more?” I added trying to explain myself.
“I’ve never been one to turn down food.” She said patting her flat belly.
“It doesn’t look like it.” I said scanning her petite figure.
“Thank you but looks can be deceiving.”
I smirked before asking “So I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“It’s a date. And I mean that figuratively.”
“Of course.” I said and then winked at her.
“Try to act noble Noble.” She teased.
“I’ve never been one to really live up to my name. And I’m just kidding with you Trish.”
“I know.” She smiled before taking a step back.
“Have a good night.”
“You too.” She said before turning around and disappearing into the kitchen.
I sighed and stared at my hot chocolate. Suddenly I didn’t have the appetite for it. After a few minutes of thinking I got up and proceeded to throw my hot coco away. Not paying attention on my way to the trash I bumped into someone. Honey hair tickled my hand and I looked up to find Rose looking at me with her beautiful eyes. Her cup dropped so I bent down and picked it up.
“I’m sorry.” She said her voice was like oil on a smooth surface.
“No, it’s my fault.” I said throwing her cup away and straightening up.
I glanced down at her almost breathless from her beauty. She smiled and her lavender lips made my heart skip a beat.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Are you from here?” she asked pulling her purse strap up her shoulder.
“Yes and no…I’m kind of returning.”
“Oh. You look unfamiliar is all. This is a small town and tourists usually don’t come in the winter. Noble right?”
How does she know my name?
“Yes.” I said with lifted eyebrows.
“I overheard you with Trish. I’m kinda jealous you stole her away for the night.” She laughed but I knew she was serious.
“My apologizes.”
“No need, I’ll catch her tomorrow over lunch.”
“Uh,” I rubbed the back of my head “actually we have lunch plans.”
Her eyes twinkled “Oh ok.” She said slowly.
“It’s not what you think.” I laughed
“Mhmm.”
“It’s not. She’s…a pretty cool person.”
“I know that well.” She said softly. Her eyes deepening as if thinking fondly of all the wonderful things Trisha had done for her. “I’m Rose.” She said holding out her silky hand.
“Well you know my name.” I said shaking hands with her.
“Yes I do.” She giggled before drawing her cookbook to her side. “Take care.” She said reaching for the door.
“God bless.”
I said holding it out for her.
“You’ve definitely been talking to Trish.” There was radiance in her voice.
I gazed at her glowing dazzling face before shutting my eyes and telling myself she was another man’s wife.
“Night.” She said and walked out the door.
“Good night.” I said to her back.
I watched her leave. Gentle snowflakes rested on her glossy hair. Indeed I still was attracted to her beauty but that desire, now, didn’t bring me pain.
She belonged to someone else and God had another for me.
“Ashley has a very talented gift to weave words together that display tenderness, compassion and purity. Each story reveals the heart of Jesus towards His children. As you read each one you can see past the characters and feel the depth of Jesus’ heart, as well as the longing for a deeper relationship with Jesus inside yours.” – Everesta Hannon