White Chocolate Moments Read online

  White Chocolate Moments

  Lori Wick

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  For Joyce Graves and the memory of Pastor Robert Graves. Your lives have touched mine in immeasurable ways. I thank God for you.

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  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  This page is supposed to get easier to write, but each time my heart is so full--and with some books the days have meted out challenges and times of stretching that I did not expect. Each of you have touched me in your own special way and encouraged me on my path to holiness.

  -- Betty Fletcher, how precious to have grown up with you. Your friendship is marvelous. Thanks for being there in such a loving, kind, and supportive way.

  Bob and Beth Hawkins, how delightful to call you friends. Your warmth, hospitality, loving spirits, and giving hearts have been our blessing again and again. Bob and I do not know what we would do without you.

  --Jane Kolstad, so much more than a sister-in-law. Thanks for all you do, for your good thoughts and ideas, and for loving me so generously.

  -- Emilie Marie Barnes, thank you, not just for the use of your name but for the precious friend that you are. You and Bob are a highlight for us each summer, and we treasure you.

  --Luke Sefton, Gage Sefton, Chad Hummel, Sarah Knepper, Jalaina King, and Jill Ciofani. I wish to thank you dear folks for the use of your wonderful names. My heart appreciates you so very much.

  -- Phil Caminiti, thank you for the song. I love the words and melodies you put down. Thank you for keeping on, for being a student of the Book, and passing on all you've learned.

  --Bob Wick, who does not like white chocolate, but is still amazingly sweet. Thank you for the love and laughter. Thank you for your wonderful, fun heart, and also for the heart that takes God seriously. My heart would be nothing without you.

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  CHICAGO, ILLINOIS APRIL 1992

  "Will Quinn and Austin be at Grandpa's?" eleven-year-old Arcineh

  Bryant asked about her cousins from the backseat of the car.

  "Not today," her mother answered. "Quinn has a competition:' "With her horse?"

  "Yes:'

  The silence in the backseat was telling. Trevor and Isabella Bryant exchanged a swift look. They had forced their daughter to give up a dance performance for this event at her grandfather's. Dance was very important to Arcineh, but she loved her grandfather, and it was his sixtieth birthday. That was what had motivated Arcineh to come peacefully, only to learn that the standard had not been so high with every member of the family.

  "Will they be there at all?" Arcineh asked after a moment more. "Not tonight. They might come late tomorrow night so they can visit with Dad on Sunday:'

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  "Might?" Arcineh's voice dripped with disapproval.

  "Well," her father began, "it's quite a distance away, and Quinn doesn't compete until morning"

  Low muttering could be heard from the backseat, but neither parent commented. They had shared a similar conversation on this very topic. Both agreed with their daughter's disapproval but knew better than to admit that to her.

  "What are you studying right now in dance?" Trevor asked, his eyes on his daughter's face in the rearview mirror.

  "Ballroom:' Arcineh told him, her eyes meeting his.

  "I've done some ballroom dancing myself:' Trevor told her, his eyes lighting with a smile.

  "That sounds a bit scary:' Arcineh teased.

  "Not at dr. Isabella put in. "Your father is very good:' Arcineh laughed a little.

  "I'll tell you what:' Trevor said. "We'll go dancing next weekend-- big band and all that."

  "Where?" Arcineh was instantly taken, her eyes studying her father in the mirror.

  "Suite 19 has big band sound:'

  Trevor's gaze flicked to Arcineh's. Catching his smile in the mirror, Arcineh couldn't resist saying, "I don't know if I can be seen dancing with a man your age. It might ruin my reputation:'

  Her parents found this hugely amusing and were still chuckling about it when they pulled into the circular driveway at Samuel Bryant's large home. This was not just Trevor's father but his boss. However, Trevor knew that the evening would be all fun. If Sam Bryant was good at anything--and he was actually good at many things--it was separating the office from the home. He worked very long hours but was very good at leaving the office behind.

  "There you are!" Sam said the moment he set eyes on his youngest grandchild. Arcineh's smile matched his own. They exchanged a hug before Sam kissed Isabella's cheek and smiled at his son's birthday greetings. Arcineh was the one to hand him his gift.

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  "Open it now: she ordered, excitement filling her dark brown eyes.

  "Very well:' Sam agreed, grabbing a seat because the present was large and a bit awkward. He knew before tearing back the paper that it must be a picture frame, but he was not prepared for the photo itself.

  Trevor, Isabella, and Arcineh smiled out at him from a formal studio setting, each looking wonderful. Sam felt his throat close a little and took a moment to look up and smile at them.

  "For the man who has everything, Sam," Isabella teased him. "Family pictures always do the trick"

  "This is beautiful:' Sam said, standing to kiss her again. 'And you:' he continued, looking down at Arcineh, "look fabulous:'

  "It almost didn't come in on time to get framed:' Arcineh said, not having heard the compliment, "but Mom talked them into hurrying it"

  "She's good at that: Sam said with a wink for his daughter-in-law. Moments later, more guests arrived and the four were separated.

  Without her cousins there, Arcineh mingled for only a short time before making her way to the kitchen. As she expected, Violet, who cooked and managed the house for her grandfather, was there. They were fast friends.

  "Look at you in that dress:' Violet said, laying out more hors d'oeuvres for the guests.

  "I just got it." Arcineh hopped onto the counter, smoothed the skirt of the black velvet dress, and reached for some cheese. "It's all adults out there."

  "No Quinn today?"

  Arcineh made a face. "She's got a horse thing:'

  "Well, you know you're always welcome in here Violet said, smiling at her. "I might even put you to work:'

  "In this dress? My mom would faint:'

  "And speaking of Mom:" Isabella said from the doorway. "Hello, Violet:'

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  "Hello, Isabella. You look beautiful."

  "Thank you. And since we're exchanging compliments, I'll tell you the food is wonderful. Arcie," her mother continued, shifting her attention. "I have some people I want you to meet."

  "I'm eating Arcineh said, stuffing food in her mouth just to make it true.

  Violet turned so as not to be caught laughing, and Isabella gave her daughter a pointed look, one that had her moving out the door just moments later. She met some work associates of her father, but just as soon as she was able, she escaped back to the kitchen. Not until music was put on and the dancing began did Arcineh make another appearance. And because she loved music and dancing, the evening suddenly grew very short. Long before she was ready, her father was telling her it was time to go.

  "Great party, Dad:' Trevor complimented, thanking his father as they took their coats from the waiting maid. As a rule Sam's only staff was Violet, but for his sixtieth birthday, he'd gone all out.

  "It was a great time, wasn't it?" Sam agreed, feeling content that his family had stayed until the end, well past midnight. "Why don't you stay over?" Sam suggested when the front door was finally opened and they all saw the rain that had begun to pour.

  "Thanks, Dad: Trevor wasted no time in saying, "but I think we want our own beds tonight:'

  "All right. I'll see you Monday" were Sam's last word
s before he hugged his daughter-in-law and Arcineh again.

  The Bryant family moved to get into the car that had been driven under the canopy by the hired valet, everyone wearing a smile.

  "That was fun:' Arcineh said, settling in the backseat. "Quinn really missed out:'

  Trevor and Isabella, who loved their daughter to distraction, were kind enough to agree, and also to remain quiet about the fact that Arcie hadn't wanted to go in the first place.

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  Chapter 1

  Sam knew the moment Arcineh awoke because he'd been watching her face intently. Her eyes shifted around the hospital room before finding him.

  "How are you?" Sam asked.

  "ICU?" Arcineh whispered.

  "No:' Sam answered quietly, wondering if he should be worried that she hadn't remembered. "They moved you yesterday"

  Arcineh nodded a little before staring into her grandfather's eyes, questions filling her gaze--not questions about the accident that only she survived, but about what would happen next. Sam, not always astute, read her thoughts this time.

  "I don't want you to worry about the future. We'll be together:' he said, his voice breaking a little. "We'll get through this'

  "I can stay with you?"

  "Forever."

  She cried then for the first time, her face crumpling as the tears came. Sam got as close as he was able, whispering words of encouragement and comfort through his own tears.

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  Arcineh had had lots of visitors, most of whom she didn't even know were there, but for the moment, they were on their own sharing in this grief.

  The funeral and graveside services for Trevor and Isabella Bryant were over. Arcineh, growing more proficient on her crutches, made her way through Sam's front door and into the spacious foyer, her older cousin, Quinn, close by.

  "Where are you going to sit?" Quinn asked. "I'll bring you something to drink:'

  "The family room:' Arcineh answered, only because she was already facing in that direction. She made her way there and carefully lowered herself onto one of the sofas. She felt cold and was crossing her arms when her Aunt Tiffany, her father's only sibling, entered the room. She saw Arcineh shiver and covered her with a blanket.

  Neither one spoke, but Tiffany sat close. They were joined by the others at a slow pace. Quinn came with Arcineh's drink, and then Sam, and eventually Tiffany's husband, Jeremy, and their son and Quinn's older brother, Austin.

  "Violet is making something to eat:' Sam said to Arcineh. "Are you hungry?"

  * "A little she said, having learned in the hospital that if a caregiver got you to eat, he felt he'd done his job.

  "Are you up to the dining room, or do you want to eat in here?"

  "In here," Arcineh answered without thinking. The hip that had been broken in the accident had begun to ache. The doctor said the surgery had gone very well, but feeling normal again would take time. Right now Arcineh was just glad to be out of the hospital. For a moment her mind went to home, her own home, and she felt the shivering again.

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  "Here you go:' Violet said as she appeared with a tray in her hands.

  "This smells good:' Arcineh replied, taking in the soup, bread, and her favorite pudding, and at the same time trying not to let anyone see her shake. She didn't know if it worked or not, but soon each person had his own plate and they sat around the room to eat. Their visiting was quiet and somewhat on the practical side, so Arcineh didn't fully attend. Violet's supper was very good, the best Arcineh had tasted in days, but given a choice, she would have chosen to sleep at the moment.

  "Are you a light sleeper, Grandpa?" Arcineh asked at bedtime, her voice husky with fatigue. Her uncle, aunt, and cousins were all still there, but Sam had gone to Arcineh's room to see her settled. It was the first night in the house for her since leaving the hospital.

  "I am:' Sam said, not admitting how little sleep he was getting these days. "I'm planning to sleep with my door open. Should I open yours when I go to bed?"

  "Maybe you should:' Arcineh agreed. "Will things be noisy for a while?"

  "Probably not. I could just leave it open now:"

  Arcineh nodded against the pillow and studied her grandfather's face. The fine lines around his eyes seemed more pronounced in the light from the night stand, and he looked as weary as she felt.

  "What will you do with my dad's office?"

  "The one in our building?"

  Again she nodded against the pillow.

  "For a while, nothing. Beyond that I don't know."

  Arcineh didn't reply.

  "Was there something you wanted?" Sam asked her.

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  "I don't know:' She sounded a little lost and confused. "I guess I just want to visit and see it like it was:'

  "I'll remember that. Before I make any changes, I'll make sure you get there:'

  The eyes that had been watching everything so carefully now began to droop. Sam sat very still, and in spite of someone calling his name from the hallway, Arcineh dropped off to sleep. Sam sat with her for a few minutes, the light on, his heart numb. Not until his daughter came to the door looking for him did he rise, switch off the light, and exit. However, he remembered his word and left Arcineh's door open.

  "Are you sure Arcineh can't live with us?" Tiffany asked her father again.

  "Yes. Arcineh stays here:'

  "Quinn cried herself to sleep just now, sure you would say no:'

  "She's right:' Sam said without remorse. "I am saying no. Arcie can visit you this summer for as long as she likes, but I want her back in school as soon as she's able, and I want life to return to as close to normal as I can manage it. I can't do that if she moves 350 miles out of Chicago:'

  "Oh, Dad:' Tiffany was distressed but not crying, and Sam was relieved. The grieving grandfather had spent days at the side of Arcineh's hospital bed with nothing to do but work out a plan to make life less painful for his youngest grandchild. Sending her away from him was not part of the plan.

  Sam Bryant's marriage had broken up when his own children were 9 and 12. Not only did his wife walk away from him, but she also deserted their children. Trevor, the younger one, had drawn close to him and faired well. Tiffany's life had gone in the opposite direction. It had taken years for her world to look somewhat normal,

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  and even at that, she did not have a perfect marriage or the greatest relationship with her two children.

  Now Arcineh had lost not only her mother but also her father, and she had been equally close to both. Sam was not trying to maintain control for control's sake. He truly believed that sending Arcineh away from him and her familiar surroundings would be the worst thing he could do.

  "You may not agree with me, Tiff, but I want your support on this:'

  "But you could ask her:'

  "She's not in a position right now to be making decisions, and if we did ask her and she didn't want to go, she'd feel bad about hurting Quinn. I don't wish to do that to either girl. I'll happily be the bad guy this time:'

  Tiffany had not seen it that way, but she was not quite done.

  "How about this summer? We could ask her once she's finished her school year here, and then she could move in with us in the fair'

  "Not even then, Tiffany. It's not time for such plans, and may never be:'

  Jeremy chose that moment to join them in Sam's home office and asked what they were talking about.

  "Quinn and I want Arcie to move in with us," his wife explained briefly.

  The surprise on his son-in-law's face told Sam he'd known nothing about this.

  "You weren't in on these plans, Jeremy?" Sam asked, knowing his daughter had not meant to exclude him but wondering why it never occurred to her that Jeremy might want some say over what went on in the home they shared.

  "No, but it would be fine, I guess:'

  "He said no:' Tiffany said, her voice quivering a little, bringing her father's stern eyes to her.

  "Don't start, Tiffa
ny:' Sam said.

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  Tiffany knew he meant it. She wasn't happy with her father right now, but she knew this was not the time and place to push the point. She hated telling her children no, and even though her father was the one who had denied Quinn's request, Tiffany knew the 12-year-old would take it out on her.

  "She is welcome Jeremy offered, "but I wonder if moving her out of Chicago is a good idea."

  "It's a terrible idea: Sam said bluntly, emotions and exhaustion playing a part in his mood. "As much as I don't want you to have to deal with this fire, Jeremy, I'm not going to let Tiffany and Quinn keep this on the table. I don't care how much they complain to you, my answer is no, and that's that:'

  "Don't talk about me like I'm not here Tiffany interjected, sounding petulant. "She's my brother's only child she continued, lobbying for some sympathy and gaining none. Both men looked at her in a way that made her shut her mouth.

  "I'm going to bed Sam said quietly, knowing he was close to losing his temper. "I'll see you in the morning:'

  Husband and wife said goodnight but didn't move. Jeremy stared at his wife, still amazed that this had happened to all of them but also knowing that, grief or not, the idea of moving Arcineh had to be dealt with swiftly. He was not in the habit of getting into any of the battles Austin and Quinn had with their mother, but this time he was willing.

  "Was this Quinn's idea?"

  "Yes:'

  "That was sweet of her, but I agree with Sam that we're not going to pursue it:'

  "Do you know what she'll be like?" Tiffany let her head fall back against the chair, her weary eyes on the ceiling.

  "No, she won't."

  Tiffany's head came up. This was a voice she didn't often hear from her spouse.

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  "I'll talk to her:' Jeremy said shortly. Tiffany opened her mouth to question him, but Jeremy shook his head. "Not now, Tiff. We need to go to bed:'

  Like her children Tiffany Rowan did not like to be told no, but this time she did not argue. When Jeremy stood and headed for the door, she was right behind him. They put out the lights on their way to the stairs and retired in an effort to find some sleep.

  "Are you glad she's gone?" Sam asked Arcineh when her cousin had left with her family.

  "Not glad, but maybe relieved:"