Page 23

“There’s nothing we can do. We’re going to be stuck here for a while. Let’s just finish putting these tablecloths back on the tables, Hensley. It will take our minds off all of this,” Jen said, her calm and sensible voice taking charge.

Hensley nodded and returned to helping her sister.

“I’ll help too,” Caroline finally said.

CAROLINE DIDN’T HAVE much to say in the men’s absence. Caroline, Hensley, and Jen continued receiving weather alerts on their phones. Putting everything to rights in the lodge’s dining room took most of their focus when they weren’t checking the alerts about the rapid changes in the severe weather.

About twenty minutes later, the guys returned from the barn where their eight new horses were housed. Hensley had begun to worry that something had happened, but each time she glanced out of the windows toward the big barn, she could see it was still standing.

Blake had mentioned their horses would arrive the Monday after Easter.

By that time, he had said he would have plenty of oats, hay, and everything else they needed to care for the quarter horses properly.

She could hardly wait to meet them all. That would have to wait for some other day.

Now, the men strode into the dining room from the side entrance, drenched from the rain, but safe.

“How’d it go?” Hensley asked as she and Caroline spread another linen on the tables. “You did say you have eight horses now, right?”

“Four mares and four stallions,” Blake affirmed. “All doing well in their stalls despite the crazy weather. They’re a little on edge. They know something isn’t right.”

“But they are fed and watered for the night and have fresh bedding,” Bing added as he gave Jen a kiss on her cheek. “You know you are staying here, right? It’s not safe out there.”

Jen was nodding. “There’s been a lot of thunder, tons more rain, and it’s so windy. I can’t imagine trying to drive home in this even though we are only a few miles down the road, especially with the clouds making it so dark.”

Caroline’s brows arched at seeing her brother kiss Jen.

Blake slipped his arms around Hensley’s waist, surprising her from behind. He whispered in her ear. “I’m glad you’re stuck with us here. I’ve missed you. Text your parents and let them know you’re both safe for the night but that we won’t let you out on the roads in this weather.”

Hensley reached for her phone. “Good idea. They’ll be worried.” She couldn’t help but smile as Blake continued to hold her while she typed. So, he had missed her! His shirt was wet, but now was not the time to push him away ... not when he was making his feelings so clear.

Blake glanced around while she finished sending her parents the message and then released her. “Looks like you’re almost done here. I see you’ve managed to put the banner up too. Nice work, ladies.”

“Thank you.” Hensley and Caroline finished replacing the last linen. “Phew. Thank you for helping, Caroline. ”

“Of course.” Caroline smirked. Then she headed for the picnic basket. “I assume you would like to eat in here? There’s plenty for all of us. We only need a few more plates.”

Blake glanced at his watch. “There are some plates, silverware, and cups in the kitchen through that door right there. It’s not fully stocked yet, but I brought a few items over.

If we stay here at the lodge, we have a better view through all of these windows at what the weather is doing.

The construction company assured us that the windows and this structure are allegedly tornado proof.

We can build a fire in the fireplace. There are toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and snacks available in the gift shop down the hall.

Even pajamas for the ladies. Everyone can have a bedroom of their own on one of the floors above.

There are several sofas and chairs in the lounge which has board games, books, and a piano. ”

“That all sounds comforting under these circumstances,” Hensley replied. It was obviously too dangerous to make the short trek toward home. Her mom texted back that they should stay put and be safe.

“Very nice,” Jen agreed. “Thank you, Blake.”

More thunder sounded. The security lights outside lit the exterior up enough that Hensley could see the tree branches were still whipping around wildly.

Lightning lit up the sky and the rain came down sideways.

She was glad they were indoors, and that they weren’t alone.

The presence of two men gave her a sense of safety.

Still, she whispered up a prayer for God’s protection.

“I’ll get us some plates.” Caroline disappeared into the kitchen.

“I’ll build us a fire.” Blake bent to stock the fireplace with more logs.

“We should see about drinks.” Jen glanced at Hensley.

Blake spoke up. “There’s tea, juice, soda, and water in the fridge inside the kitchen. We use it as a break room for employees and staff too, so I keep it stocked. There’s coffee and hot tea in the cupboards.”

Hensley smiled. “Thank you. What would you and Bing prefer?” Was it possible that one of the construction workers Blake employed were disgruntled enough to sabotage their hard work?

Blake nodded as he arranged logs. “I’ll have one of the mango orange juice drinks.”

“That’s what I’ll have,” Bing said when Jen glanced in his direction.

A little while later, they gathered around a table near the windows and the fireplace where they could keep an eye on the storm.

Blake offered the blessing and prayed for their safety.

He turned on a flat screen television so they could watch the news with the latest weather updates, but after about ten minutes, Bing asked if they could listen to a Christian lady speaker they all knew on a different channel.

“Sure. She’s funny. I don’t mind.” Blake glanced around the table toward the others.

Jen and Hensley nodded enthusiastically. Anything to take their minds off the weather for a few minutes.

“As long as we switch back to the weather in a bit. I think we should listen to the news updates.” Caroline stabbed some pasta with her fork.

“Okay.” Blake used a remote and switched to the channel Bing mentioned.

The speaker was talking about various roles women had filled during Bible times.

She stressed that Christian women could serve not only as wives and mothers, but in leadership, teaching, other ministry roles, and in businesses within their communities.

“Wherever women go, and whatever the Lord leads you to put your hands to, do it with excellence and show the love of Christ to others while you’re doing it,” the lady evangelist said.

Blake tilted his head as he listened, and Hensley perked up. This might be the kind of teaching to open his heart to favor and even champion her career.

“Esther saved a nation by marrying a political figure. Ruth worked with her hands in the fields, gleaning whatever she could, saving her and Naomi from starving, and eventually marrying a handsome and successful landowner. Bathsheba raised a king. Deborah led an army to victory and served as a judge.” The speaker paused.

“Are you beginning to get the picture? Whether you work at home or do something outside of the home, whatever God calls you to do, do it with a heart of obedience and do it well. If you have a talent, don’t hide it.

Use it for the expansion of the Kingdom and to serve your family, community, and the Lord. ”

The woman continued after another brief pause.

“The Bible says that Mary Magdalene and other women in the New Testament, such as Salome, ‘gave of their substance’ to carry on the spreading of the gospel through the ministry of the disciples and Jesus. Giving of their substance implies that these women had some sort of existing wealth, or perhaps earnings from a business or other means to acquire wealth. Miriam was a worship leader for the children of Israel after their victory at the Red Sea. Many women took care of the prophets in the Old Testament. Lydia sold purple linen in the New Testament. Her husband was a tanner, and they helped Paul’s ministry. ”

“So, you see, dear friends, anything you put your hands to, if you do it to serve Christ and do it with excellence to give of your time, money, and talents from an obedient and willing heart, then the Lord is pleased.” The evangelist’s voice began to fade.

Some music came on when the speaker finished her teaching.

Blake clicked back to the news channel, but he seemed to be contemplating all they’d heard, judging by the way his brows furrowed.

Did he understand how much it meant to her to help women find their dream wedding gowns and create a meaningful wedding celebration?

It was a type of ministry in and of itself.

Marriages were important and they should be celebrated.

Or, because of his past with Elise, would he forever hold to a different kind of expectation concerning her career choices if their romance grew into something more ?

After the meal, Jen and Hensley offered to wash the dishes while Caroline cleared the table, bringing plates and other items to them in the kitchen.

Then Blake led them to the gift shop to purchase anything they could use for their stay, and then upstairs to suites he selected for them.

He gave Jen and Hensley their own keys to an apartment suite with two bedrooms and a soaking garden tub.

Further down along the same hall, he led Bing and his sister to another suite and gave them another set of keys.

“I’ll take the room beside my office. It’s on this same hall.” He gestured toward his office a few doors down. “Now we can all relax and hang out in the lounge until bedtime.”

Hensley sneezed, but she was nodding. Then she suffered through a coughing fit. Was she coming down with something? “We’ll meet you there shortly. I’m going to put this robe and nightgown from the gift shop inside our suite and have a look around.”