Page 4 of The Baxters
And just like that her mother was proved right. Like always.
At first Kari wasn’t sure about Tim’s declaration. She was leaving soon for a six-month catalog-modeling job in New York City. This wasn’t the time to fall in love. But Tim had an answer for that.
“I’ll wait.” He took her hands in his. “However long it takes.”
Which was exactly what he did. Kari was flattered and moved by Tim’s determination and relentless pursuit. Bythe sound of his voice every time he called her during her months in New York.
Once he even flew to Manhattan so they could spend a day together.
They strolled through Central Park, and he impressed her with facts and bits of information about the city. When a thunderstorm hit, they ran for a cab and spent the rest of the day at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. He didn’t fly back to Indiana until late that night, after dinner in Times Square and front-row seats atThe Lion Kingmusical.
Tim Jacobs had her head spinning, for sure.
In those months of modeling, Kari hadn’t known if she felt the same way about Tim. But she knew one thing. Tim wasn’t going anywhere, not unless she asked him to leave. And unlike Ryan Taylor, he would never cheat on her. Not in a million years. He loved her too much.
And that became more appealing to Kari with every passing day.
After her time in New York she returned to Bloomington to model for a local boutique. Tim called the day she got home and they picked up where they left off. By then Tim had gone from student teacher at Indiana University to full-fledged professor. The more time they spent together, the more she felt herself falling for him. He knew obscure details of every world war and political time period. Funny stories and little-known anecdotesabout Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway and Mark Twain. Like a walking textbook, his knowledge seemed boundless. She could listen to him for hours without getting bored.
He talked about ancient philosophers and theology and his dreams of writing a novel someday. His faith was a priority through it all, and after spending time with her family, Tim stopped attending services at the campus chapel, and began going to church with her every Sunday.
“This is where I belong,” he told her one Sunday. “Home is where you are, Kari. Every day I fall for you a little more.”
Over the next few months she officially became his girlfriend, and things grew serious. Tim talked about marriage and raising a family and sharing forever together. Most of the time Kari felt the same way.
One Saturday evening Kari sat down with her parents. “Tim and I… it’s getting serious.”
Even now she could remember how her voice hadn’t sounded perfectly excited or hopeful. That should’ve been her happiest conversation ever. Instead her tone was more matter-of-fact than awestruck.
Her mom had looked at her for a long while. “Are you asking us… or telling us?”
“Telling.” Kari’s answer had come quickly. But it wasn’t exactly the truth. She exhaled and glanced at her dad. “Does it seem like I’m asking?”
Her dad nodded. “It sort of does, honey.” He smiled at her. That look that always made her know everything was going to be all right. Her dad leaned closer. “How doyoufeel about him?”
“Well.” They had been in the living room. Kari was seated next to her mother. “That’s why I’m telling you.” She forced a laugh. “I’m happy. Because we’re getting more serious, of course.”
“We’ve always told you”—her mother’s voice was calm, full of peace—“whatever boy you give your heart to, we’ll give our heart to him, too. We’ll love who you love.”
Something in her mother’s tone caused the slightest discomfort for Kari. “But…?” She looked straight at her mother. “I hear abutin there, Mom.”
“Honey.” Her mom turned to her. “My only hesitation… is whetheryouhave one.”
Kari rested her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Tim’s amazing.” She stared across the room at her father. “He really is. And he loves me.” Her voice fell a notch. “He absolutely does. Tim won’t ever need anyone but me.” She sat up straight again. “Which is something I could never say about Ryan Taylor.”
They talked for the next half hour about all the ways Tim had delighted her and honored her and treated her like a princess. But the whole time she had felt like she was convincing herself.
Before she turned in that night, her parents each hugged her. Dad gently brushed her bangs off her forehead.“Kari, it sounds like you love Tim very much.” He held her gaze a long time. “We’ll listen… if you need to talk again.”
“We’re both here for you.” Her mom kissed her cheek.
A few times since then they’d talked about Tim. There was never a reason why Kari shouldn’t love him. Why she should pull away from a guy who treated her so well. When he proposed to her over a candlelit dinner, heryeswas out before he finished his question.
That had to mean something.
Since then she had worked hard to keep from thinking about Ryan, about how this season in her life was supposed to be about him and her. Most of the time Kari’s heart had no trouble believing she was in love with Tim. He would make a wonderful husband.
But whenever she prayed about marrying Tim, the Lord’s silence on the matter was deafening. She told herself that God didn’t always respond with a clear answer. But it was one reason she had just the slightest doubt about moving forward.
