Love Is Patient by Cathy Marie Hake

Author:Cathy Marie Hake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-10-28T04:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Once or twice a week, Nathan managed to find a time slot that Vanessa had free. They met at the park across from her shop and worked with Lick’s training. Sometimes Jeff stayed at home with Consuelo. Other times he was at a birthday party or at a friend’s house. About half the time, he came along and enjoyed learning too.

Nathan liked how Van paid attention to Jeff and never acted like he was a tagalong. The two of them often traded silly jokes and romped, yet she still earned and held his respect.

If they did puppy training in his backyard, she made a habit of bringing a snack of some variety and insisting that they all wedge into the fort to share it. Having deduced that he was all thumbs in the kitchen, she frequently managed to bring something she’d baked—cream puffs, cookies shaped like dog biscuits, apple tarts, or cupcakes with cherries made of gumdrops decorating the top.

Two adults, one wiggly boy, and two puppies in the fort’s tight space always turned out to be the highlight of the day—and not because of the food. Nathan could sit close to Vanessa, relish her sunny laugh, try to determine what odd combination of fragrances she’d put together, and swipe a nibble from her fingertips.

Whenever he and Vanessa met without Jeff, Nathan tried to find ways to prolong their time together. They’d eaten at several fast-food places that featured outdoor picnic tables so the dogs wouldn’t have to be left in the car—something neither he nor Vanessa would consider. It didn’t exactly qualify as the most romantic way to edge into a relationship, but he didn’t care. Just being with Vanessa made his day.

One hitch bothered him. When they ate, she prayed. He knew the Lord was an integral part of her life. She’d mention things about a program at church or occasionally quote something he knew came from Psalms or Proverbs. If anything, he sensed she made a concerted effort not to swamp him with religious stuff.

He appreciated her restraint. It made him uncomfortable when folks got all churchy around him. Nathan knew it was guilt. He flatly refused to explore that emotion. God took Evie away. How could God ask for a man’s soul when He robbed him of his heart?

Over time, he’d begun to feel less awkward when Vanessa would say a simple, quick grace. He’d turned down a few invitations to church by a couple of the guys on the team until Vanessa had grabbed the bull by the horns. After practice one evening, she’d faced the whole team and announced, “Nathan knows he has a standing invitation to church. I promised him I wouldn’t wheedle or plot so he’d get roped into attending. When he’s ready, he’ll come. Until then, let’s leave it be.” Integrity. She had it in spades.

What kind of man was he, to want to court a woman who walked so closely with the Lord? He knew all about being in step with the Lord.

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