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12
Years Makes a Difference FREE
Romantic Fiction Online provided
by PneumaSender |
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A Solemn
Talk Chapter 15 Without
a word, Dr. Colby led him into the living room, seating himself at the card
table. Patrick sat on the edge of the sofa, just a few inches away. "Why
did you kiss my daughter last night?" Not much of a preamble, but
Patrick understood that. He could see this from Dr. Colby's point of view,
and he didn't imagine he'd like it. "Please,
Sir, can you give me until Monday to respond to that? I know that seems an
unusual request, but I need some time to think and decide some things. I can
tell you, though, my intentions are honorable." Colby's mouth twisted
into a half-smile at that. "I
know that, Boy, and I'll wait until Monday. But I won't be put off any longer
than that. So get your story straight." With that, he rose from the
chair and left Patrick alone. *************
**************** **************** When
Patrick saw Christa on the staircase waiting for him, he smiled. She reached
for him and kissed him, then. His arms flew around her and he held her close,
reveling in the experience for just a moment. Patrick
pulled away and stood, staring at her. Then he told her gently, "You
must not do that again. I'm so honored that you love me, but we cannot keep
kissing like this, or even hugging. It’s too much for me." Although
his words of love were reassuring, the feel of his arms around her, of his
chest against her, had been so wonderful, so delicious, that she couldn't
keep the sorrowful expression from her eyes. Looking up at him, she could see
that he, too, was struggling against his emotions. It made her braver, to
think he was being good for her sake--that he wanted her in his arms as much
as she wanted to be there. Smiling,
she said, "Yes, Sir." Then, realizing the fast-approaching hour,
she went upstairs to prepare for church, telling him, "We haven't much
time." The
service went too quickly, the evening passed in a flash, and Monday's rounds
didn't take any time at all. Now he found himself sitting on the end of the
sofa again, waiting on Dr. Colby. When he came out of the bathroom after
washing his hands for dinner, Patrick asked him to sit a minute. "Dr.
Colby, I'm in love with Christa." Colby's answer was immediate and firm.
"No." Patrick knew an instant of panic. Then, remembering how many
times his mentor had called him son, he bucked up his courage and said,
"Dr. Colby, could you just for these next few minutes stop and pretend
you're not Christa's father and just listen as my friend and mentor?" His
pleading eyes turned toward Colby. He added, "I need your advice."
Colby's deep breath was followed by a nod to indicate that he was listening. "I've
been in love with her probably since the day she touched my arm on the
staircase a few months back. That's why I didn't pull back from that kiss. I
knew it was coming and I did nothing to stop her--I kissed her back for that
brief instant. That was wrong. I know I should have been the strong one,
keeping her away until the right moment. There's something about her, it
makes me lose hold of reason sometimes. But I'd rather die than harm
her." His
friend looked him in the eye, took a long breath and said, "I believe
you, son." Patrick let out his breath, relieved. But Colby wasn't
finished. "She
makes you crazy, huh?" Chuckling, he said, "I know how you feel,
Son. When I met Mom, I tell you I thought I had lost my marbles. I couldn't
think; I couldn't sleep. Now she had been married--she was a 48 year old
widow, but I was almost 60 years old and had no idea what had come over me.
Finally, we married, just three months after we met, and not a moment too
soon, either.” Smiling
and blushing just a bit, he said, "Mandy had a daughter, all grown now,
married to a lovely fellow, a doctor named Kevin. She's got three kids and a
great future. But I had never fathered a child. I was a virgin the day I
married, I'll let you know." Once again, the red began to creep up his
neck until it covered every inch of his scalp. "When
she got pregnant, two months after her first grandchild was born, well you
can imagine our surprise. We thought Christa was menopause!" Laughing,
he continued. "I'd
never felt such love when I saw my baby daughter just born, so helpless, and
looking for all the world like me--wrinkles and
all!" Another smile was followed by, "And though I never got to
have me a son--menopause came on the heels of Christa's birth--I couldn't be
prouder of anyone than I am of you." Taking
another deep breath and finally focusing his gaze on Patrick, he said,
"Nothing could make me happier than having you a legal part of this
family, but Christa's not getting married until she finishes medical school,
and you can't wait that long, Son. Patrick's
resolve was strong. "Jacob worked for Rachel for 7 years and it felt like
7 days because of the love he had for her," Patrick quoted. Dr. Colby's
gaze was serious, "I think it'll take about that long. And you just told
me she makes you crazy. You won't make it, Son." Patrick looked right at
him, saying firmly. "I'm
leaving until the time is over, Sir. I have decided to join the Air
Force." Colby looked for all the world like a
crazy old man with his mouth open wide and his eyebrows almost lost among the
wrinkles on his forehead. "I
had been thinking about it, went through the application process, and finally
I received the call. I'm in." Dr. Colby questioned, "So this isn't
a hasty decision? How long have you been thinking about this?" Patrick
gave a sheepish grin. "Four
years. You see, Sir, I had thought about it, but with you here all alone and
no one to take my place, I couldn't go. But now with Pastor Miller here, I
can finally leave. He's a doctor, and he needs a job. It's a perfect
situation." Dr.
Colby's eyes misted, "You could die, Son." Patrick was prepared for
this, too. "Dr. Colby, I have felt this call for a long time. I know
that my eventual place is here, but for now, God wants me there. And if I die
doing God's will, then I won't mind a bit. And if I live to come back here
and marry Christa, I'll be the happiest man on Earth." Colby's smile was
genuine, if a bit concerned. "Okay,
Son. When will you tell her how you feel?" Patrick looked down again.
Finally, he lifted his head and said, "I already have, in a manner of
speaking. For the official announcement, I'll wait until her 18th
birthday." Colby's questioning eyes were met with this explanation. "I
don't think she'll change her mind about me before then, and I'll have that
to look forward to." Colby nodded once and said, "You have my
blessing--for both ventures." Then he stood, patting Patrick's hand, and
went upstairs to prepare for church. |
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