Page 54 of Out of Time (Undaunted Courage #3)
AMAZING.
As Cara wrapped up her presentation about the paper she’d written on the Missouri settlement time forgot and its fast-disappearing language, Brad surveyed the audience in the university auditorium.
Everyone’s attention was riveted on the woman he loved—rightly so—as she spoke from behind a microphone in the center of the stage.
Cara had taken a specialized subject that could have been dry and tedious and injected it with life and vitality by masterfully weaving in snippets from Marie’s journal and the woman’s history to put a face on the subject matter.
She’d done the same with her more scholarly-style paper, which may have been why it had garnered national attention in academic circles and prompted an invitation for her to present it during a prestigious spring conference at a prominent East Coast university.
Now, two weeks later, she was repeating the presentation at her own university in a session that had been widely publicized. And both the media and the public had come out in force.
He glanced around again at the rapt audience.
Impressive.
Even more impressive, though?
Her hard-won self-confidence, on full display as she spoke with poise and authority to the large crowd.
Incredible, after all she’d had to overcome.
He couldn’t be prouder of her if she’d won the Nobel Prize.
Nor could he love her more.
Brad’s lips curved up as he shifted his attention back to the woman who’d staked a claim on his heart over the past seven months with her kindness and grace and generous, loving nature.
God had blessed him beyond measure the day she’d walked into his life, and he’d give thanks for that gift as long as he lived.
“Before I close, I want to recognize a very special person in the audience.” Cara gave the crowd a sweep.
“Without her gracious assistance, my project wouldn’t have been possible.
Please join me in thanking Natalie Boyer, whose translation of Marie’s journal has made an incalculable contribution to our understanding of a unique era in history and a vanishing language. Natalie, would you please stand?”
Beside him, the older woman’s hand fluttered to her chest as a wave of applause swept through the auditorium.
“Oh my. I didn’t expect this.”
“The recognition is well deserved. Take a bow.” He gave her an assist up with a hand under her elbow.
Once the applause died down and Natalie retook her seat, Cara closed her folder of notes. “Thank you all for coming, and please stay to enjoy the reception in the foyer.”
Another extended round of applause, this one for Cara, rang through the room.
“She’s quite remarkable, isn’t she? A brilliant young woman.” Natalie watched Cara leave the stage, then turned to him. “I hope the university recognizes what a treasure she is.”
“Treasure is an apt description.”
She gave an approving nod and reached for her cane. “I thought you’d agree. And now I want to speak to her before we head home.”
“So do I.” Paul chimed in from the seat on her other side as he rose and crooked an elbow to her.
Natalie slipped her hand through his arm and stood.
A reporter from a local station swooped in to commandeer Natalie as they all exited the row, and Brad spoke to the older woman as he eased away to give the journalist access. “I’ll stop in to see you soon.”
“I’ll look forward to that.”
Natalie began fielding the man’s questions with aplomb, and Brad left her to enjoy her moment in the spotlight. Up front, Cara was likewise occupied.
Fine by him. He was in no hurry. His afternoon and evening were hers—though he’d have to share her for a while with her siblings and their significant others, who’d driven down from St. Louis for the event.
No worries.
He had plans for later that, if all went as he hoped, would end this already happy day on a very high note.
“GOOD JOB, KIDDO. You managed to keep me awake through the whole thing.” Jack grinned as Cara walked over to join her family in the foyer.
“Jack!” His fiancée elbowed him.
“Don’t worry, Lindsey.” Cara waved aside her concern. “I’m used to his eyes glazing over whenever I mention anything related to my work. I consider it a major compliment that he didn’t doze off.”
“The talk was excellent.” Bri gave her a hug and nudged her husband. “Don’t you think so, Marc?”
“Yes. I have to admit I was afraid this would be like one of the insomnia-curing lectures my western civ teacher in college used to give.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “Not even close. Your presentation was not only educational but entertaining.”
“Thank you.” In the background, Natalie motioned her over, and Cara acknowledged the summons with a lift of her hand. “Would you all excuse me for a minute? I think Natalie may be leaving, and I want to say goodbye.”
“Take your time. We’ll check out the eats.” Jack took Lindsey’s arm and steered her toward the buffet table.
Bri rolled her eyes. “Leave it to our chef brother to make a beeline for the food.”
“Hey, don’t knock that idea.” Marc twined his fingers with hers. “I’m hungry too.”
“I’ll catch up with you.” Cara waved them off as he towed her sister toward the buffet.
She wound through the crowd to where Natalie waited in a quiet corner with Paul.
“My dear, that was magnificent.” The older woman grasped her hand.
“Thank you. And Paul, thank you for coming and bringing Natalie.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. If you ever want a job at our historical society, the door is open. Although the pay is much higher at the university.”
“But the volunteers at the historical society do an admirable job.” Natalie patted his arm.
“I’ll second that.” Cara motioned toward the food table. “Can you stay for a few minutes to enjoy the reception?”
“I wish we could, but Becky and I have the grandkids this weekend and I promised her I wouldn’t linger.” Paul pulled out his keys. “Natalie, I’ll get the car and pick you up in front. Cara, wonderful job.”
As he walked away, Natalie turned back to her. “I did want to share two pieces of news with you today. Margie and her husband have agreed to move into the cottage as soon as the remodeling wraps up in a couple of weeks.”
“That’s wonderful, Natalie. I’ve had my fingers crossed ever since you told me you’d broached that idea to them.”
“Trust me, I have too. I’m grateful they’re willing to take me up on my offer.
It’s truly an ideal arrangement all around.
I get a housekeeper and handyman on site, they get a private place to live with far more reasonable rent than what they’ve been paying.
It’s a win-win, as you young folks like to say. I couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m glad you’ll have other people living on the property.”
“I am too. I so enjoyed having you close by in the fall, and I’ve missed our daily interactions.
” She patted her hand. “But Paul and Becky come by often, as does Father Johnson. And I’ve started spending half a day each week at the pregnancy resource center.
Crocheting baby afghans is a fine contribution, but I’ve discovered that many of the women welcome a sympathetic ear too. ”
What a dynamo this woman was.
And Brad had been right about her fortitude. She was strong and resilient. Despite the shock over Steven’s death and the revelations about his character, she’d carried on with grace and grit.
“Good for you, Natalie.”
“My other piece of news is about Lydia. I received a letter from her last week. She sent back the stamp she took.”
Cara hiked up her eyebrows. “I never expected that.”
“Me neither. But I’ve been praying for her. She seemed like such a troubled soul. She said that because I was always kind to her, her conscience wouldn’t let her sell the stamp. She also apologized for her mistake. It sounds like she’s had a change of heart and is building a new life in Kansas.”
“What a wonderful example of someone turning their life around.”
“Yes, it is. I wish Steven had done the same.” Her countenance clouded for a fleeting instant, then brightened again. “You’ll come visit soon, I hope?”
“It will be my pleasure. You aren’t going to get rid of me just because our project is finished.”
“As if I would ever want to do that.” Natalie motioned to the large window in the front of the foyer.
“I see Paul has arrived, and I don’t want to keep him waiting after he was kind enough to be my chauffeur today.
” She took her hand again and gave it a squeeze.
“You’ve been a great blessing to me, my dear.
May all the happiness you’ve brought me return tenfold. ”
Pressure built in Cara’s throat as she watched the woman walk away.
The blessing had worked both ways. Despite all the distressing incidents that had tainted her tenure at Natalie’s, she’d always be grateful for the weeks she’d spent there and the opportunity to get to know such an inspiring woman.
As Natalie disappeared through the door, Cara searched the crowd.
Where was Brad? He’d been sitting next to her former hostess in the audience, but after the presentation ended, she’d lost—
“Looking for me?”
At a touch on her shoulder, she swiveled around to find him standing behind her, admiration, appreciation ... and something more ... deepening the green of his eyes.
Oh, how she loved this man who’d brought such joy and light and warmth into her life. Who’d filled her heart with hope and her days with the tantalizing promise of even sweeter tomorrows.
“Yes, I was.”
“I have only one word. Your paper was extraordinary, but your presentation? Phenomenal.”
At his praise, happiness bubbled up inside her. “Thank you.”
“I would have approached you sooner, but I was waiting for your fans to disperse.”
She took his hand. “I’m all yours now.”
“Hey, Cara, you have to try this spanakopita.” Jack joined them and thrust a phyllo triangle perched on a cocktail napkin at her. “They have a first-class spread here. You must really rate.”
Cara sent Brad a silent apology. “A slight delay in my promise.”