This Time(39)



Fortunately, the focus on his new career eclipsed the contrived story of his impending marriage to Grace Peterson. That story faded into the background a few days after the tabloids hit the stands. The next week one them ran an apologetic retraction. Elaine credited the power of prayer to the recant. Burke agreed.

The offensive coach blew his whistle, drawing Burke's attention to the fifty-yard line. He watched as Jack executed a flawless play, completing his pass to the down field receiver who ran the ball into the end zone.

In the fading afternoon light, Burke checked his watch and called for the team to gather up. Quickly he reviewed the day's practice, offered some correction and praise, and prepped them for the upcoming game.

Driving home that evening, his thoughts wandered from football to Belle. He sighed heavily, wondering if she would ever let him in her heart again.

He'd called her the day after his return from out west, but never managed to talk to a live person. Now, he reminisced about his visit to the Bar J last week when he stopped by after practice.

Belle greeted him politely when she answered the door, exchanging superficial pleasantries for a few seconds. Her aloof demeanor and brisk tone confirmed his suspicion.

"You saw the picture of me with Grace," he asked after she tried to end their reunion with a subtle good evening.

She paused before answering, then stepped out onto the porch, pushing her broad brim work hat back on her head. "I did."

"I thought you didn't read those trashy tabloids." He popped himself against the banister, folding his brawny arms over his muscular chest.

"I didn't. Spencer did. The seventy-two point headline was hard to miss."

"I'm not engaged to Grace."

"The picture looked pretty cozy," she said, stepping across the porch to face him, hands on her hips.

"It's situational. It can't accurately represent our conversation, our feelings."

She laughed snidely. "A picture paints a thousand words, Burke."

He exhaled slowly, frustrated, feeling as if any explanation he offered would sound like trite justification. Yet, he had to tell her the truth. How could he tell her how he felt if she believed he and Grace were in love?

"We were saying good-bye. I kissed her on the forehead."

"You don't have to answer to me, Burke. If you are in love with Grace and plan on marrying her, that's your business."

He tossed up his hands. The edge in his voice sharpened his words. "I'm not in love with her, Belle. We're not engaged. We're not getting married."

She fell against the front of the house and stared at the floor. The hem of her jeans and the soles of her boots were caked in mud from the days work. "So, what are you then? Why the romantic picture on the beach?" She fired the questions in rapid succession.

With calculated, metered words Burke recounted the evening for Belle. He explained the surprise reunion on the Dubois show, their long talk on the beach by her home and their good-bye conversation. He ended with, "We both agree we're not meant to be together. We are friends, nothing more, nothing less."

"She seemed mighty sweet on you at the reunion."

Burke nodded. "We dated, Belle. I won't lie about that, but we never talked marriage."

"So, just like that, it's over between you?" She challenged him with her tone and a single glance of her eyes.

"It's been a long time coming. But yes, we're over. We spent the summer praying, seeking the Lord about our relationship. My career change and move to Haskell forced us to look at where we were going."

"So, that's it. The couple of all Hollywood couples is over?"

He took a step toward her. "Just like that."

"I hope you find someone," she said, unemotional, looking at him with a cool gaze.

"I have found someone."

"Really?" The last syllable faded away and she swallowed hard.

"You."

She blew a long breath. He could see her trembling. "No, Burke. Not me. I've been down that road once. I'm not going there again."

"You think I'm going to give up that easy?" He took another step toward her.

"This isn't a contest."

He hesitated, wondering how far he should push her. He went for the bottom line truth. "I never stopped loving you. Through all the years, all the miles, all my experience, you were always at the core of my heart."

Her eyes reddened as the truth of his words hit her. "You sure have a funny way of showing it, Benning."

"I know. I'm a knucklehead. Give me a chance to make it right."

She shook her head, chewing on her bottom lip. "No, I can't. I won't risk my heart with you again."

"I won't leave you this time."

She gaped at him and snapped, "Did you plan on leaving me the first time?"

"You know I didn't," he answered, emphatic.

"But you did. How can I trust you not to do it again?" She walked to the edge of the porch and looked out over the field where wild flowers still bloomed.

The aroma of rain came on the slight breeze and, for a split second, Burke caught the subtle fragrance of Belle. It made his pulse quicken.

But a stern determination lit her eyes when she faced him again. "There won't be a 'this time'. Watching you on the Dubois show made me realize we are a world apart. Then the picture of you with Grace confirmed in me that we could not go back to being na?ve twenty-one year olds who believed that if we loved each other nothing else in life mattered. You left me because our rose-colored world required more than blind love."

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