~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
