Chapter 8

Chapter 8
Nate

A foot of snow glistened like crystal under the sun’s radiant beams. The sky breathed blue, as if to say, ‘look at what this day holds, don’t be wasting it’. I jumped from my bed barely able to contain myself and rushed to get ready for the days festivities. I took the stairs two at a time and gave a little bounce at the bottom. There before me was Jeremy’s satchel all synched up and over his shoulder. His big winter coat snug about his waist, woolen cap and mittens secure in there place. “I left a note… Cindy, please don’t cry, my work here is finished. It is time for me to be moving on. God has restored you; given you back your hope. There are others that need that hope.” He paused for a long moment, walking over wrapping his arm around me and kissing me on the forehead, fighting tears he said, “He is so good…” Looking deep into those eyes, those eyes who had seen and spoken so much, those eyes I would never behold again I managed an, “I understand…” and I did. I really did understand. I understood last night when I looked into that tear stained face that Jeremy would never be mine. He was a mysterious and glorious gift, but not a gift I could keep for myself. “I pray your journey will be filled with His peace, we will all miss you so dearly.” He embraced me tightly in his arms and as quickly as he came into our lives he was gone. Drawing in a deep breath I turned for the kitchen a carol seeping from my lips.

Mama sent me to the Market for the last few things we needed. My heart gave a strange flutter at the thought of seeing Nate again. The day was cold and crisp as I walked the familiar steps to the market door. I remembered the amusing day with Jeremy and sent a prayer of thanks and protection for him. The warmth and smells reached out and pulled me in. Nate was helping Mrs. Mullings pick through the remainder of the Christmas oranges. “My dear boy,” she said in her shrill and precise dialect, “this will never do, you should learn to pick better produce my boy, I know your Grandfather taught you better than that.” Nate held his temper as he explained to the dear old woman, “Mrs. Mullings he did indeed teach me well, and if you hadn’t waited until Christmas Eve to make your decision I am sure you would have found a more suitable selection.” Mrs. Mullings stepped back in shock, “Well, I never…” Dismissing the woman’s tirade Nate calmly stated, “Now if you excuse me Mrs. Mullings I have other customers to attend to.” He straightened, turned, and at the sight of me a smile illuminated his face like the morning sun. It was so rich I returned the favor and smiled back warmly.

“Good mornin’ Ms. Cindy, how are you this fine day?”

“I’m doing quiet well Nate, and yourself? Despite the testy customers.”

“Mrs. Mullings’ bark is far worse than her bite.” Finding this quiet amusing Nate leaned his head back and gave a hearty laugh, something I never heard him do, and the laughter filled the store like sweet music on a summer night. I joined in on the joke and laughter. Mrs. Mullings, feeling sore from not being paid attention to, pushed her way to the front and said, “Nate, my boy, I will take these pitiful things you call oranges and manage somehow to make good use of them.”

“Very well, Mrs. Mullings please let me wrap them up for you.”

“You will excuse me Cindy, feel free to look around and I will be back with you in just a moment.” His eyes twinkled and an amused grin played on the corners of his face. I giggled, “That’s fine…” and spent the next several moments looking through the well picked over merchandise.

Once Mrs. Mullings was well on her way, Nate greeted a few more customers and then made his way back over to me. “That woman is more ornery than a Mama bear protecting her bear cubs.” His eyes danced at his comment. I hadn’t known Nate to be humorous before. There were many things about this man I did not realize. “She does seem to make it a bit difficult to ‘love thy neighbor’,” I responded with a hearty giggle.
“Why, Ms. Cindy it seems that the joy has floated back into that soul of yours, I’m quite pleased to see the color so rich in your cheeks.”

The color in my cheeks deepened and spread over my face at the open and thoughtful comment. “Thank you Nate, and I just have to thank you for that day you came to my house, the good Lord knew what I needed, and it was a dose of your honest and genuine kindness. It is something I will never forget. I am indebted to you.”

Tears crested Nate’s eyes as he took my hands in his, “Cindy…” It was the first time he hadn’t put a ‘Ms’ before my name. The gesture sent warmth through my body and my stomach gave a flip-flop. The softness in his eyes reached out to me and I waited, breath stilled, for him to continue. Instead, he drew in a sigh and said, “Now, Ms. Cindy what can I do for you on this fine and glorious day.” My heart fell at the ‘Ms’ and I fumbled through my coat pocket, “Mama sent me with a list.” Taking the list from my trembling hand he said, “Very well, I will get right on that, would you like it delivered as before.”

“No, I will wait if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, I will get things packed up for you in no time.”

Nate greeted a few more customers as he went to retrieve the items on Mama’s list. He would only pick the best, and watching the methodical and easy way in which he went about his work caused my heart to fall. “Oh, Lord, dear Jesus…he is…well, I just never realized the measure of this man before me. Please, if it is your will, guide our hearts. Help me sort through these unsettling emotions. I thank you Lord.”

In no time Nate had the things on the list safe and secure in a basket, wrapped up and ready to go. We chatted about the Tree Lighting and how the children were progressing. He inquired about Jeremy and when I informed him that Jeremy had decided to move on he stopped in his tracks, “Well I expect that to be mighty hard on you Ms. Cindy.” The ‘Ms’ grated my nerves, “Well, of course it is hard to see him go, but he is a rambler with a pure spirit, we couldn’t keep his goodness from others.” I managed a smile, even though I didn’t feel it and looked deep into Nate’s eyes. There was a twinkle of hope in them that stirred mine to flame and I pushed forward, “Are you planning to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world; after all I have to see how well those little ones do under your care.”

“Well, Ms. Cindy, I guess I’ve got you all set, I’m sure you have many things to do before the festivities this evening?”

Heart falling once again I responded, “Yes! I suppose I do. Thank you Nate I suppose I will see you tonight?” I gathered my things and set to leave. Just as my fingers crested the door Nate stopped me, “Cindy…” I turned looking at his rich and warm face. He walked over to me and placed his hand over the hand that resided on the door frame, the back of his other hand caressed my cheek, “Cindy, would you do me the honor and accompany a meager store keeper to the Christmas Tree Lighting?” Emotions getting the better of me I wrapped my arms around his middle and shouted a jubilant, “I would be delighted!” His laughter warmed the air again filling my soul with its music, he cupped my head in his hand ever so gently and leaned close, “Good, I will see you at six then, we can’t keep those children waiting can we?” “No,” was all I managed as Nate opened the door for me and I walked out into the brilliant sunshine praising the good Lord for answered prayers.