This Time(6)

"What were you saying, Jack? Sorry, I drifted off," Burke said, realizing his nephew was talking to him.

"Dad said you were going to make a movie."

Dean corrected his son. "No, I said I read in the paper he might do a movie."

"Are you?" Jack asked eagerly.

"The movie is on hold. My agent is busy sending me sitcom scripts for guest appearances. One is to be a regular member on a sports parody show. Last night he called and said he'd lined me up with a few engagements this summer, but other than that…"

"Burke," Reese started, "you've been in the football limelight since you were in high school. What are you going to do with yourself?"

"I believe the Lord lead me in my career even when I wasn't serving Him wholeheartedly. I can't doubt Him now that I've completely laid myself open to Him. I believe he had something in mind before I took the challenge of the narrower road."

"Any ideas of what He might have in store?" Elaine asked.

"For one thing, a simpler life, Mom. Less of me, more of Him."

"The Lord's ways are not our ways. They are infinitely better," Reese said.

"Exactly," Burke agreed. "This is a step of faith for me. Don't misunderstand and think this has been an easy decision. I've struggled with God over this, but I have a profound sense of peace. And that is what I'm using to confirm my every move. I'm letting the peace of God rule my heart and mind."

"What about Grace?" Dean asked.

All eyes were on Burke, repeating Dean's question. What about Grace?

"She's trying to understand. We are at different places in our lives, which makes it hard. She's leaping into the height of her career, and I'm bowing out of mine."

"Will she move here eventually?" Elaine asked.

Burke grinned, the motive behind his mother's question thinly veiled.

"Is that your subtle way of asking if we are getting married?"

"You could do worse, brother," Dean said, teasing, a glint in his eye. "Much worse."

"The question is," Burke began slowly, "could I do better?"

Dean pondered his question. "Only you can answer that, I guess," he said after a moment.

Grace Peterson, Burke's personal Hollywood star. Despite all efforts to keep the relationship private, they had become the couple to talk about. He, as one of football's most eligible bachelors, and she as one of Hollywood's most beautiful and talented actresses.

Reese slapped his hands on his knees and stood. "Well, I'm convinced. Welcome home. It will be good to have you around for a while."

"Maybe you could come to our football practices," Jack suggested wildly.

Burke laughed. "I'd love to, Jack. I don't want to interfere with Coach Anderson's program, but I'd love to help out if he needed me."

Elaine stood beside her husband. "I'm sure the Lord will open that new door for you soon. His timing is perfect!"

Reese clapped his hands together. "Diamondback Steak House, on me!"

Cheers of agreement filled the room.

"Let me call home. Elise and Molly can meet us there," Dean said, reaching for his cell phone. He dialed his wife and daughter.

Burke agreed dinner sounded good, but suggested the family go ahead without him. He'd meet them there. "I got a few things to do here first."

He walked with his family out to their cars and waved good-bye, reminding them to order him a nice thick porterhouse steak, medium well, with a baked potato. He went inside and sat in his grandfather's prayer chair and closed his eyes. He prayed for a few minutes, listening and waiting, a peaceful habit he'd come to love.

His thoughts and prayers drifted to Belle. He winced as he imagined the confrontation that awaited him. Deep in his heart he understood that part of facing the future meant facing the past.

Mentally, he'd prepared to see her again, but he had to confess that the idea brought certain trepidation. For days now, he'd rehearsed various reunion scenarios, bracing himself for her reaction.

If she greeted him with anger, he'd remain calm. If she melted into a puddle of tears, he'd respond with tender words of comfort and regret. If she ignored him, he would subtly pursue her. And, if she demanded an explanation…

The thought moved Burke to prayer again. In the twelve years that had passed since he'd last seen her, he'd not forgotten the devastating way in which he'd left her. Yet, he struggled to connect with the feelings that had gripped him on that dreadful day. Time, and the Lord's forgiveness, had washed away the panic he'd felt then, and healed his own broken heart. Now, as he contemplated the only explanation he had to offer her, it sounded trite and hollow, void of good sense.

He sighed and got up from his chair, reaching for his car keys. The family would be waiting at the restaurant by now. As he walked to his car, his thoughts still trapped in the past, he wondered at how he could have caused Belle such an avalanche of pain.





Chapter Three





When Belle walked into the gym on Thursday, it had been utterly transformed. Hay bales lined the walls, and loose hay covered the floor. The tables were draped in bright red-checkered table clothes with shiny tin lanterns as centerpieces.