Wing

by CheckOutMyCoolStuff.com

 

 

Story origins: I am fascinated by the concept of arranged marriages and of finding the right mate based on compatibility rather than purely based upon chemistry. One day, thinking about how an older-younger relationship might work out, and also considering an arranged-marriage idea, I came upon this story. It popped onto the screen I keep in my head and I saw a certain part acted out. It was where Wing proposes to her—well, sort of—as you’ll see.

 

 

This was supposed to be a day of fun. Her father had been planning to stay home and spend time with her, but an unexpected trip had taken him away. Now, Carla would be spending the day with Wing, instead. It was disappointing, but she knew better than to be ungrateful.

Still, when Wing told her that they wouldn’t leave until after the wood was stacked, she was annoyed. The wood was necessary, what with the storm coming in two days and the cold it would bring promising to be bitter. Still, with such a long pause before the fun got underway, Carla was feeling jittery. There was so much to do, and not a lot of time in which to get it all done.

Carla tried to gently prod Wing into working at a swifter pace, reminding him of how long it had been since she had visited her friend’s house. However, he was as unhurried in his movements as ever. His curved posture and oversized hands continued methodically and rhythmically moving the pieces of wood from the cart and onto the ground.

Carla had wanted to go on their way immediately, but there was no rushing Wing. No sir, he was one to take his time and do a thing right. However, this tendency which often served him well as her father’s right-hand man, was eroding Carla’s peace.

“Please, Wing, let me help you.” Shaking his head stubbornly, Wing said, “Not a word of that, Carla. You are a lady, and no lady is going to exert herself like that in my presence.” Laughing, she swatted a log that lay at her feet. “Goodness, you used to let me help you haul wood with you the time. What’s the difference now?”

Staring at her incredulously, Wing didn’t know where to begin. Should he say to her … for one thing, you’ve got boobs! As he lowered his gaze and returned to his work, he felt a slow flush overtake his face. He had noticed so many differences in Carla over the previous years, and he had been quick to remind herself that none of it should mean a thing to him.

Continually over the previous months, especially, he had reminded himself that this was the same little girl he had worked like a dog so that she’d be kept busy and out of mischief. It was the same little pig-tailed wonder who had fished beside him as an 8 year-old girl. She was still the same human being, but he knew that there was a difference—a big one—and for that reason, he kept his distance. No allowing her to work alongside him or to accompany him on trips…in fact, he had tried to get out of this trip today. But when the man insisted that she would be sorely disappointed at having to stay home for a week without relief, especially when the impending storm would likely snow them inside for days, and he could find no excuse which he’d feel comfortable sharing out loud, he found himself shrugging and saying, “It’d be my honor to take her.”

As he looked up at Carla, suddenly realizing how long she’d been silent, he found that her gaze was turned away, toward the road that they would travel shortly. He thought again of what he might possibly be able to tell her in answer to her question about what had changed between them. He might say that he had recently discovered that her lips were naturally perfect, in spite of the fact that she never wore any make-up. Or he could describe the fact that her walk had taken on an unconscious elegance and her tangled hair had become smooth with a luster that made it so tempting to touch. Or finally, he might tell her that she was beautiful—that could sum up his whole outlook on the thing.

Yet he couldn’t tell her that just yet. She would only consider it the foolish comment of a slow-moving man. And she would not see the point of there being connection between her outward appearance and the new care he had taken with her.

It was true that Wing had often used the stout-hearted petite girl as an extra pair of hands for his odd jobs all about the farm back when he had called her Squirt, and when she had looked like no more than a skeleton with pigtails. He remembered taking her family on camping trips and allowing her to set up. Her knobby knees would scrabble up branches and get to the top of trees, helping him to hang his meat on a rope to avoid scavenging animals.

Everything was different then. Now, she was a woman. Her soft curves made that sometimes painfully clear to him. Now, he would sooner die than to have to watch her working all day beside him, knowing that she would probably never understand or share his feelings.

For a half hour, while he worked at stacking the wood, appearing to take it easy, though working just as fast as her father’s best hand, he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and told her they could go. He helped her up into the wagon and began driving the horses westward. Though she was quiet and serious for most of the trip, her smile eventually showed itself again, especially when Wing drove her into the gate of the Willy family’s farm. Chihuahua puppies, just born, were in a box in the barn and the family’s children shouted for them to come see--even before Wing parked the wagon. The adults stood waiting by the front door of the house.

Wing could see that Carla wanted to rush out and visit with the piglets, but she stood quietly, appearing completely delighted to spend time chatting with the couple that owned the place. Only to someone who knew her moods and expressions as well as Wing did would her impatience be evident. To Wing, however, her urge to rush through these introductions was as clear as a neon sign.

Finally, refusing the offer of lemonade with a friendly “no thank you,” Wing asked if they could take a minute to meet the puppies. Smiling sweetly, the Willies led them in the direction of the barn, and soon, they were smiling down at four peanut-shaped lazy puppies.

Carla was allowed to hold one, though the family told her that it would be a while before any would be ready to leave their mother. After a while with the puppies, Carla was startled to see Wing calling to her. “It’s time to go, Carla. We have a couple more stops.” Realizing that he was right, Carla handed the puppy back to the lady of the house and thanked her for a lovely visit. With a kind smile, Patricia Willy told her that she was welcome anytime, especially because she had come with Wing. Then, they shook hands all around and returned to the wagon.  

Wing drove her to her friend’s house, but he stayed outside, enjoying the fragrant air at the orange grove, fragrant with the perfumed blossoms. Imagining that Heaven itself must be permeated by the lovely aroma, Wing thought about the events of the day.

This morning, his boss, Carla’s father, had told him that he wished to sell the farm to Wing. Not sure what to say, Wing had asked him why he would retire at this early age. The man was still very strong. Smiling, he said that he was mostly thinking of his daughter. He wanted her to be free to marry whomever she wished, or not to marry at all. With the money from such a sale, she could be independent, and perhaps she might find it easier to settle down to a more stable life. Wing understood him to mean a life of faith.

Up until now, Carla had been good daughter. She did just about anything her father requested of her, but she had not given serious thought to the claims of Christ. Wing had an idea of how to change that. First, however, he had plans to shake her up a bit.

“Why did you bring me here?” Carla’s face wore a tight expression. Quite used to being around men, even rough and loud farm workers, Carla nevertheless looked uncertain upon entering this rough, unpainted wood building on the side of a country road. Their visit with the piglets and her old friend had ended well, and although her face had glowed for a while afterward, it now wore a troubled look. “Don’t you know what this is? It’s a tavern!” Wing only laughed at her and walked her inside and over to a back table.

“Your usual, Wing?” the surly waitress asked, and Wing simply nodded and said, “Yes, and milk for the girl, please.” A man at the bar said, “A girl, indeed. That’s a full-grown lady if I ever saw one, and a beauty to boot.” At his comment, Carla colored and looked up at Wing as if you question whether this would erupt into a fight for her honor.

Instead of the pent-up anger she had expected to see, however, Carla was surprised to notice a small smirk in the corner of his lips. “You know, I think you’re almost right—but just almost. This little girl is still in need a few more experiences before she grows up.” Then, at his friend’s response, she almost fainted. “Well, then, why don’t we go on into the back room and introduce her to one of ‘em?” When Wing picked up his empty plate and handed it to the nearby waitress, then took her elbow to follow the man in the faded black suit, she thought she would die.

The years of visits and trips with Wing flashed through Carla’s mind. Rushing through memory after memory in search of any hint that he could be anything other than her father’s trusted employee, she came up with nothing at all. “What are you doing, Wing?” she whispered. “What kind of joke is this?” She elbowed him slightly, sure that he would clarify this misunderstanding, and he did--sort of. “It’s a funny one. Trust me. You’ll see soon enough.”

Carla had been expecting to see gamblers in a pool room, perhaps a roulette wheel, or some card games underway, but instead, she saw--a church. There were pews set up, a pulpit, and a brown cross on the wall. Then, Carla took a good look at the man in black and noticed a clerical collar. Oh, how foolish I’ve been! She knew she could trust Wing with her life. In fact, she realized, he was a man who had always shown nothing but absolute integrity in all of his dealings for her father. Finally, she decided right there that she would make the decision to serve God if he asked her.

Wing did not ask her to serve his God, however. He only told her to listen closely. The message was about, of all things, a woman who hammered a tent spike through the head of her country’s enemy. What a strange, bloody tale, to tell in a church! It was her first reaction. When the man asked them to open up the Bible and read part of it there, she realized it was a biblical tale. The story was so strange that it stayed with her even after the meeting.

On the way home, she asked Wing about it. “I thought God was all about love and being good, and all of that. How does this violence fit into it all?”

Wing knew her so well. Rather than answering her directly and exposing her foolishness in a rude fashion, he gently brought her to the answer. He was always gentle with her lately, she realized. It usually annoyed her, but this time, she found it comforting.

“Carla, I have learned that God is the Lord of human beings—flesh and blood like us. And who ever said they were always good and loving? No, indeed,” he continued in his quiet drawl, “humans are a tricky and dangerous race.”

“But we’re talking about God, not humans,” Carla interrupted. He only smiled and continued as if she had not spoken. “As murder happens on Earth, and as bloody acts of war are seen everywhere, so God talks about them in his book. The Bible speaks of many examples of war, cruelty, and in this case, bravery.”

She still didn’t understand, and she said so. “But God is love. How could he approve of an attack like that—killing a man in his sleep? It doesn’t make sense.”

Wing slowed his speech and softened his tone even more than his usual lazy rumble. “Listen, you know that God loves you every bit as much as your father does. He doesn’t want anything bad happening to you. And if someone attacked you, and I had to kill him, he would applaud my efforts.” She nodded, understanding this example.

“Well, the children of
Israel, God’s own little girls and boys, some grown and some still kids, were in need of saving, and Jael did the job. Do you think it makes sense that she should be punished for it, or that she be spoken of badly for saving multitudes of people?” Carla shook her head again. Still, she was not satisfied.

“But his ways are higher than our ways. What about that? He has to have a better solution.” Nodding, Wing smiled, “Well, didn’t you hear the part about Jesus dying for us all, back when you were a little sprite in Sunday school? I know that it was I myself that took you. Hasn’t that story been told to you all your life?”

A chill crept up Carla’s back and over her shoulders, sort of like a thrill of joy rather than fear. She understood. It didn’t all make sense, but suddenly she realized that God would want her protected and safe at all costs. Suddenly, she wanted Him, too. It was time to return home to her heavenly Father.

“Tell me how,” she said, interrupting what he had been going to say next. “Tell me how to go about getting into a relationship with Jesus.” And even before she added that explanation, Wing had known what was coming. Bowing his head, he began to pray aloud, as Carla followed his lead.

Wing’s spirit soared at what he had witnessed, rejoicing at the change that had come over her face in the instant of knowing that Christ lived within her. She hadn’t needed to be told, like Wing’s pastor had done to him, that Christ was now her constant companion. She had felt it.

Wing felt like weeping, and so he did. A day like this wouldn’t come often, and it should be celebrated. Pulling her into a warm hug, Wing told her, “I love you, Carla. Welcome to the family.” It was all he needed to say. The tears she shed confirmed it. She was a different person.

The whole way home, Carla chattered and smiled, while Wing mentally practiced his proposal. True, she was young, and he was quite a bit older, but he had known deep-down for some time that Carla was the one for him. This conversion had only served to wake him up to that truth.

Smiling to himself, he remembered asking the Lord just last night for a sign of what he should do about choosing a mate to share his future. Wing figured that Carla’s conversion was clear evidence of God’s okay. Smiling to himself and whistling, he drove faster, eager for the moment when he might hear her say, “Yes.”

When Wing drove away, he left a weeping Carla behind. “Why’d he have to go and ruin things? He is my best friend. Isn’t that enough? Why did he have to go and say a thing like that?” Carla’s father had returned home, and when he saw them leave the buggy and stand close together talking, a rush of hope had surged in his heart. Now, after hearing her words, he simply bowed his head, hiding his disappointed expression.

“Why did he do it, Daddy?” Shrugging, her father answered, “Because he loves you, Honey, and if you loved him, you would have understood why.” She repeated stubbornly, “Why did he do it?” Still in that state of agony, she went into her bedroom and stared at her ceiling all night long.

Things weren’t right for a long time after that. For a while, even though he was still as kind as ever, Wing’s eyes held a deep pain. She couldn’t stand to look at him and he avoided her gaze, as well. They were both in pain, and the one person each of them would have most wanted for comfort was out of reach.

Wing was now sorry that he had proposed without praying more about it, and Carla was just sorry she had been forced to hear the one question that could have so utterly destroyed their friendship. Finally frustrated enough to throw caution to the wind, Carla found Wing in the barn next Saturday and confronted him.

“Do you want to lose my friendship?” Her hands on her hips, her gaze fierce, she made him want to chuckle, and so he did. “I really wanted to marry you.” He said it softly and with humor, suddenly struck by the foolishness of the human heart. With all of the sweet, wilting little ladies out there who would make life easy and peaceful, why did you have to go and fall in love with a spitfire! Laughing at himself, Wing turned and continued brushing the coat of a lovely dark brown horse. Carla didn’t leave and he didn’t know what else to say, but he knew that she had extended a hand of friendship and he would have to answer her. Turning to her again, Wing grew serious.

“I love you, Carla. I’m sorry, but that’s just how it is for me.” Carla’s heart broke a little more, but she didn’t show it. Instead, she grew more determined. “So what are you going to do about it—let this thing wreck our friendship?” Yup, a little spitfire is what I’ve got here. Why did I ever think I could handle her? In spite of all he knew about her character, and her temper, he still wanted so badly to try. He reached out a hand to her and she took it.

Carla looked at him for a moment, realizing that his determination was unmovable. She felt upset and sad and cold all at the same time. Suddenly she said, “So what are you going to do about it?”

“I’m going to shrug off my sorrow and keep being friends, for now.” In spite of the way that sentence had ended, Carla was heartened. “Okay, then. Can I help you with the horses?” He laughed and said, “Nope.” Smiling, she told him, “Now, that’s more like it. I’ll just sit up here on the fence and watch you, then.”

Their talks and walks continued as they had before, and she often came out to see him work. Her father kept silent and offered no comment in either direction, even when she asked him if there was any way to make someone fall in love, for she surely would like to make Wing happy by loving him. Then, the storm that had been forecasted for weeks earlier finally hit, and they were forced to turn another corner. 

Wing and Carla were at the farm picking up the puppy when the sky began to grow gray and the air grew windy. Deciding that they had better hurry, they rushed into the wagon after a hurried goodbye and began driving their new pet back home. Suddenly, though the sky opened and a huge mound of snow began to fall upon their heads at high speeds.

Later, Carla would describe it this way. “There was this time when I had a slumber party and we began beating one another with pillows. After a few moments, my favorite one, a fluffy, overstuffed pillow, ripped with a loud tear and all of the stuffing seemed to fly out of it in one large lump and slap my head with a pretty powerful wallop. That’s how that day’s snowfall felt to me. It was absolutely like nothing I had ever experienced.”

Wing quickly spotted a turnoff that he knew would lead to a small hunting cabin. He drove them to the door and quickly entered with Carla. After ushering Carla and the puppy safely inside, he headed back into the snow to secure the horses as best he could. When he reentered the cabin, he realized that he and Carla were alone—except, of course, for the yappy little mutt—and would likely remain alone for much of the weekend. The snow was already getting deep, and visibility was almost nonexistent.


Deep down, however, he was hoping that some more time alone together might help Wing’s cause. If he had only known, however, that they were already engaged—sort of—then he might have avoided them the trouble. As it was, however, a sudden storm overtook them on the way and they were forced to turn around. Surprisingly, however, Wing seemed very calm. This helped keep Carla from panicking, and when he pulled over into a small road and drove for a while, she knew he had a plan. Finally, he pulled over and grabbed her hand, and with relief, Carla let herself be led inside a small cabin.

“This is the hunting house, isn’t it?” she asked him while he tried to coax some flames from the wood in the fireplace. “Yes, it is.” He continued working on the wood, but when it grew bright and strong, he relaxed and turned to her. “I’m sorry, but I knew that the warmth wouldn’t last long in here, since that rain is ice cold outside. Now, we can sit down and rest a bit before going home.”

Carla looked at him, realizing for the first time that he had been afraid of the storm. “Why were you scared?” she asked. He smiled at her. “No, really, I’ve never seen you look worried about a little rain before now.” He just kept smiling, then turned and began rummaging through the cabinets.

Finding a can opener and a couple of pots, he turned to the pantry door and went inside. When he emerged with a small ham and a few cans of baked beans, she knew that they were in for a feast. Reaching into her bag, she said, “We have biscuits, too. I brought some along for a snack.” Her appetite was a running joke between the two of them, because even though she didn’t eat much, she snacked all the time. Laughing, he took the wrapped biscuits from her and set them on the hearth to warm by the fire. Then, he put the now-filled pot over the flames and then he motioned for her to come closer.

His eyes were unreadable, which was odd. Carla had been able to tell his meaning from just a look for a number of years. Now, he looked like a stranger.

“Carla, come here.” His tone was commanding, but very gentle. She complied.

Sitting in the seat that he offered her, she stared at him again, struck by the difference in him. “What’s happening?” His eyes became tender, full of compassion, and he almost looked like himself again. Still, there was something different. Carla was tempted to do anything to get him to snap back to his old self, but she was too intrigued with this new guy to really want him gone. It was almost as if the Wing she had known her whole life had become—quite suddenly—a grown man. In a way, it frightened her, and yet she knew Wing would never hurt her. Realizing, however, that he could do so was intriguing.


If Wing could have asked God for anything, it would have been to spend his life with this woman—day and night. “Carla, I am not going to get over this. I want to marry you, and if you won’t marry me, I can’t be your friend. I’m sorry.”

Carla felt as if she’d been slammed up against the log walls of the cabin. She could hardly breathe. “Why?” He looked down and shook his head. “I’m not strong enough, I guess, to stand by and be the best friend, only to watch someone else marry you.” She sputtered, “But there isn’t someone else. I don’t want to marry anyone?” He speared her with his gaze. “And when you long for a home and babies of your own? Then, what will you do?”

Carla froze. She obviously had not been expecting to lose Wing entirely. She didn’t like the idea—not at all. At the thought of spending her whole life away from him, she realized that it would be better to get into a marriage she didn’t want than to lose a friend she loved so dearly. Still, she made one last try.  

“I don’t want to get married at all,” she said. He snorted impatiently. “I know you, Carla. You love puppies and children. You’re going to want a family. It’s for the best that we just end it now.”

Throughout her life, Carla had been strictly disciplined by the men in her life, but in areas where her heart was involved, they had always treaded gently. Carla knew that if Wing was speaking this way to her, he wasn’t bluffing or attempting to manipulate her. She knew, rather, that he was deadly serious—and that she would lose him.

“Okay, okay!” she shouted as if trying to be heard above a scream. “I’ll marry you.” As she spoke those words, Wing’s fondest dream came true, but it didn’t feel as good as he might have hoped. Perhaps, he thought, that’s because I expected her to want to marry me. Carla sighed, and though her voice was quiet, he heard mixture between resignation and growing frustration in her tone. “What’s wrong now? What can I do to make this right?” Wing didn’t know what to do, but he had to be decisive. Finally, though it hurt him to risk losing this dream, he spoke.

“Well, let’s see,” he said. “That’ll mean that on the night of our wedding, you’ll stand buck-naked before me, look me in the eye, and you’ll want me to touch you. At the terror-struck look on her face, he burst out laughing. “I’m sorry—don’t get so scared.” She blushed a deep red and shouted, “How do you EXPECT me to react?”

His laughter subsided, but his face was just as red as hers, and she realized he was feeling bashful, as well. Moving toward her, ever so slowly, he put his hand on her shoulder, bringing her close. Speaking into the top of her head, his chest rumbling in her ear, he said, “I want you to feel the way I do. Even though it’s scary, I want you to wish for it, too. I want you to think of the idea of getting closer to me with joy, not dread. Until then, I’m just going to have to wait on you.”

Her mind seemed unable to move off its original track. “So, we’re friends again?” He smiled down at her and said, “Will you still agree to marry me?” Her eyes wide, her body trembling, she said, “Yes, if that’s what it’ll take.” His smile deepened as he pulled her close again. “Then, yes, we’re friends again.”

Her heart began to pound as she realized what she had just done. She had promised to live out that scene he had so rudely described. For a moment, she felt terror invade her limbs again, but slowly, she relaxed into his warm embrace. Somehow, she knew that when the time came, it wouldn’t be that way. Wing, she could imagine, would find some way to make it right. But HOW, Lord? she questioned.

Now, alone in the cabin together, they faced the future with confusion. They each longed for her father’s counsel just then, but her father had stayed home to wait on the vet. Their bull had gone straying and when he returned bloody and with a wrenched horn, he had no choice but to send them on ahead. Still, Carla could remember noticing the sparkle in his eye at the thought that maybe something could happen between them on the road together, and her own sigh at the thought that nothing would change.

The food took their focus then, and while Wing got to work with the cooking, she set up a unique centerpiece with an old wicker basket and some kitchen utensils. The effect was comical and homey at once. She smiled as she thought about setting up a table decoration for Wing every evening.

Lord, when I asked you for some way to get through to her, I didn’t expect anything quite so drastic. Wing prayed as his back was turned on Carla. Lazily, he poked the wood. He was delaying getting back to her. Finally, he could put it off no longer, and he turned. When he looked at Carla again, he almost had to catch his breath. She was so beautiful!

Carla had always thought of Wing as a big, wonderful friend. Sadly, she had never imagined him as a love interest. In fact, Wing had felt more like a brother or even a young father figure. Now, having to make the switch was confusing. Still, she wanted to do it. Life without Wing just didn’t seem real.

“Wing,” she asked suddenly, “if I don’t marry you, you won’t stick around, will you?” His eyes darkened and his brows became more prominent. “Are you thinking of turning back?” She smiled like an indulgent teacher. “No, I’m not. We’re getting married, even if I have a heart attack on that wedding night you have so elegantly described to me.” He chuckled and stood, pulling her up and wrapping her in his embrace.

“I meant to scare you, you know.” She nodded, and even though his words were rough, his arms and voice were comforting. “I was hoping that you would think of it and love the idea, of course.” Even wrapped in his embrace, she managed to pinch him in his side. “Ouch!” he complained. She laughed and let herself be gathered closer to his chest. This was fun!

Continuing with his story, Wing reached around her body and grasped each of her hands in his, pulling her even closer with his twice-wrapped, hold on her. It felt nice, and somewhat scary. Carla burrowed deeper into his embrace, enjoying the new sensations.

Carla was starting to feel things she had never experienced. It was exciting and scary. Her body was definitely appreciating the changes. Looking at him, she willed him to kiss her, and as he stared back into her eyes, he seemed to receive the message. Still, though he came close to her mouth, he only brushed the outer corner of her lips with his.

Carla suddenly realized that this was a lovely, exquisite torture. Yet, the longer it continued, the more eager she grew for the feel of his lips upon hers. She felt his lips cross to her neck and trail up to her ear. As lightning-quick sensations zigzagged through her, she was more eager than ever for his kiss.

She pulled her hands away from his so that she might coax his face down, but he didn’t let go of his grip. “No, you don’t. I know what you’re thinking, Missy, but that’s your flesh talking, and not your heart. You know you’re not ready for that.” She flared up quickly, muttering, “You started it.”  

She gave him a defiant look. “So it’s okay for you to light the spark, but then you’ll just snuff it out.” Wing thought about it a moment and then said, “If I kiss you once, you’re gonna want another one.” She laughed and said, “You are so certain I’ll like it, are you?” Her tone was sarcastic and teasing, but he could still see the longing in her eyes.

It was going to be very hard to be the strong one, but he was determined to be careful with her heart. Leaning down to kiss her again, he stopped suddenly and kissed her cheek instead. It was clear to Wing now that he couldn’t kiss her and protect her at the same time. Releasing her and pulling back, he said, “We can’t do this.”

Frustration was evident in her voice, and she appeared about to cry. “But you started it. Why did you start this if you weren’t going to even kiss me?”

Wing looked pained by her words. “I’m sorry, Carla. I didn’t mean to make you feel badly. I just want to go slow. I don’t want to hurt you.” She looked at him and her face sobered. Gently, she said, “You could never hurt me.” Wing almost kissed her then, but he knew that his reasoning was faulty, as well, since it was coming from his midsection rather than his head.

“Do you love me?” Carla looked offended. “I agreed to marry you, didn’t I? It may not be love the way you want it, but I’m making a commitment. I’m also trying to get used to the idea of sleeping with you. It’s not easy, or at least it wasn’t easy to imagine until now. I think, thought, that if we could get close now and then, I could eventually manage it just fine.”

Simply hearing those words was almost more than Wing could bear. He knew her logic was off, but she was serious. He could pretend to agree, and it would give him permission to hold her and kiss her any time he wanted, but he knew that there was more that he was hoping for from her. He wanted her heart, not just her body. So, reluctantly, he shook his head.

“You’re back to being your old self.” She spoke it like an accusation. He didn’t care. Now that he had gotten control of himself, he was determined to keep it. “One kiss,” he said. “I’ll give you one kiss, but it’s when I say and how I say. Until then, you’ll just have to wait.” Carla still shook with anger, but she only turned and walked to the window.

“Not much of a view, huh?” She looked up at him and tried not to soften. She was angry, and it was truly his fault this time. He didn’t have to make me want a kiss that much, only to just snatch it away. Yet, she wondered, if he had wanted it just as much as I did, why didn’t he just kiss me? I wouldn’t have refused him.

Suddenly, Carla was curious. “Hey, Wing, why didn’t you just kiss me? I know you want to.” He shuddered for a moment, and Carla could see him struggling with the thought. “What’s wrong?” She drew near, but he simply walked over to the bed and lay down. Folding his hands behind his head, he said, “I think I’ll have me a little rest. You’ll watch the food, won’t you?”

Watch the food! That food doesn’t need watching. It’s been ready for quite some time, and it’s already off to the side of the fire. He’s avoiding me!

For a while, Carla spent some time stirring the pot, then preparing the table, and then, she just stared at him. He wasn’t handsome by any stretch—at least to most people he wasn’t. In reality, she saw his craggy face and large, lean body as a symbol of trustworthiness and gentle care. He reminded her of Abraham Lincoln, and his features, she decided, were perfect for him. Suddenly, she realized that she loved him, perhaps not in the overwhelmingly dashing way she had envisioned, but just as powerfully in its own quiet way, her heart yearned for him.

Planning to take him by surprise with her exciting news, Carla walked to the bed and bent low while taking care to turn her head and avoid breathing on him or making a sound. Finally, she paused, taking in the smell of his breath. Still bent over him, she took a moment just to gaze upon his face. Finally, she lowered her head and kissed him. Mm, this is lovely.

Wing wondered how he could allow himself to dream such a thing. With a shake of his limbs, he forced himself to awaken, but there she still was, inches from his face, smiling. “I’m sorry to have wakened you,” she said with mischief in her eyes. I was stealing a kiss.”

Wing’s heart sank. Will she take nothing seriously? He felt like picking her up and giving her a good shake. Instead, he told her, “What you did was dangerous. What if I had thought it was a dream? What if I had pulled you onto the bed with me and done everything else I might have been dreaming of? You would be fine with that?” Carla’s eyes widened. “Stop talking like that.”

“Why,” He continued relentlessly. “I might have just undressed you and had my way with you. How do you feel at the thought of such a thing?” She whispered her answer. “Hot.”

In surprise, Wing looked at her face and finally realized that she wasn’t just red with embarrassment. “What did you say?” He still didn’t believe what he was seeing. “I am not repeating that, Wing, and that’s that. You know exactly what I said.” Still somewhat awestruck, he got up and held onto her shoulders. “What’s going on?” He noticed now that she was trembling.

“I never saw you sleep,” she began. It was not what she had been thinking, and she was surprised to hear the calm in her own voice. How do I sound so ordinary? “I love you, Wing. I didn’t know until now.” Skeptical, he stared into her eyes, willing her to change her expression.

Slowly, his eyes filled with a knowing light, and he blurted out, “Let’s eat.” She shook her head in confusion, suddenly surprised out of the surreal emotions she had been experiencing. Still somewhat spacey, she answered, “I don’t have much of an appetite.” He walked briskly over to the pot, filling bowls with the ham and bean mixture, then he unwrapped the biscuits and added two to each of the small plates he had put beside each bowl.

Still wanting to argue with him, she sat at the table when he motioned for her to come. “Dear Lord,” he prayed softly, “help us to get through this storm and home as soon as possible, because you know we’re on dangerous ground.” She looked up at that, afraid. “Is the weather worsening?” He winked and said, “No, but it is getting hot in here.” Laughing with sudden understanding, she picked up her fork and began to eat, thankful that he had decided to serve the food. With nothing to distract them, who knew what they might be doing now? The very thought made her hot all over again.

The storm had let up by the time they were done eating and cleaning up their dishes. He scrubbed the pot and set it over the hot ashes to dry. Then, he made sure that the fire would not flare up again, not quite so positive that he could as easily quench his own inner heat, and he and Carla headed for home.

On the way back, she kept sliding over to sit close to him, and he had to repeatedly nudge her back over to her side. “Stop that,” he finally said, “or I’ll pull over.” Her eyes sparkled at this, and she practically flopped into his lap, so close did she get. Knowing that pulling over would only make things worse, he kept driving, praying for the strength to make it home in one piece.

As soon as they got in the door, Wing spoke to her father. “Sir,” he began, “I know you already got the news that I want to marry your daughter.” Smiling sadly, he only nodded. “Well, we got stuck out in the storm for a bit, and I guess that was all it took for me to work my charms on her, because now she wants to marry me, too.” Smiling openly now, the happy farmer embraced his most valuable employee, patting him hard on the back.

“I’m so glad, my friend—so very glad for you.” They looked at one another soberly for a moment, each thinking private thoughts. Then, Wing interrupted this serious moment by saying, “But, Sir, now she’s gotten to be downright unmanageable—stealing kisses and tempting me something fierce.”

With surprise, her father stared at her a moment. Not to be outmaneuvered, she said, “He started it, Dad. You see, I was minding my own business when this muscle-bound freak…” She couldn’t finish because this drew howls from the other two. Wing could be called lanky, and although he was strong, no one had ever noticed a single muscle on his frame. “Okay, okay, but I mean that he took me in his arms and made me want to kiss him. I never even thought of such a thing before he started it!”

Although her father could see that they were clearly annoyed at one another, he also saw plenty of attraction, which could become dangerous for them when living in such close proximity so far out of the way of people. “So, you want to get married soon—is that what you’re saying?” Both of them nodded, though neither had quite considered that possibility until he had mentioned it to them. “Okay, then—one month. Until then, you keep your hands off of each other.”



Wing and Carla just stared at each other. Both were thinking, unfortunately, of thoughts that they shouldn’t entertain. However, though they were caught by surprise, they quickly put themselves back together and set to work with their chores on the farm. “Please kiss me,” she said when they were alone in the barn, after he had worked twice as fast as usual and she had finished her tasks in half the time. “We can’t do that. Your dad told us to keep our hands off of one another. Don’t you have any respect?”

Carla, shameless as always, said slowly, “He told us to keep our hands off of each other, so we’ll put our hands behind our backs, like so…” Then, she waited until he did the same. When he was standing just as she was, she stepped forward and lifted her face to his, irresistibly drawing his own with her gaze. “This is not what he meant.” Smiling, she said, “But it’s what he’ll get.” Then, she licked his waiting lips, giving herself time to savor the feel and taste of them.

“I don’t think that’s a real kiss,” Wing said breathlessly. Carla was ready for him. “Then let’s try again.” Once again, she pulled the same stunt, making him crazy, but not actually kissing him in a traditional way. “Are you trying to kill me?” he asked. Laughing, she said softly, “Maybe I’ll die first.” She groaned. Then, she added cheerfully, “It’s so very fun! I can’t wait to see what comes next.” Now Wing groaned.



It was a fun time to be in love. Everything was colored by the experience. Now, cleaning out the stalls was romantic, because while they did it, they talked or looked at one another and felt the joy of just being in the same place together. “I love you,” he might say. Then, silence would hover over them until she would respond, “You’ve got nice legs.” This would get a laugh, because his body was anything but impressive, and he would simply stare at her for a while, which would get the comments started all over again.

The month seemed to take forever to pass. Every day brought with it more tension and more frustration, because even though they didn’t kiss anymore, they wanted to, and each night, in spite of how foolish it seemed, they missed each other until morning. “I’m going to go crazy, Wing!” she told him one day two weeks before the wedding.

“I wouldn’t mind it much, so long as we could still get married.” His dry wit was cute, but still frustrating. “I shouldn’t let you kiss me goodnight, then.” He nodded in agreement and walked away jauntily, knowing that he had just barely escaped another cold shower.



“I want to be your wife,” she said as they baked a meatloaf together in the kitchen. “Then, it’s a good thing the wedding is today.” She laughed and said, “I’d better go up and turn into a princess, don’t you think?” He gazed at her a moment and told her, “You’re already a princess. You’re already so beautiful.” He had a way of speaking that made her shy. She felt shy again today. Leaving the room, she ran upstairs to put on her dress.

Their wedding would be small, and it would be quick. This was one of Wing’s requirements. Her father had been only too happy to comply. It would cost him less, and he could cry once it was over, he had said. Laughing at his comments, they had all grown somewhat emotional afterward. Finally, Wing had announced that it was time for evening chores, and he and Carla had gone out to the barn.

“Sam’s going to miss you.” She nodded, tearing up. The truth was, she had hardly thought about her father’s needs. She had only been focusing on her own, lately. As she realized how hard it would be to leave him, the plan of moving into the big farmhouse with her dad materialized. The more Wing thought about it, the happier he got. Finally, it was settled, and they decided they would move his stuff and hers into the master bedroom, making a few extra pieces, and her dad would stay in the room he had inhabited since her mother’s death—the one on the other side of the house. Today, however, they wouldn’t use it.

Carla had thought it foolish to travel away from home and stay at a hotel, but Wing had been insistent. “You’ll see,” he would only say. Finally, she acquiesced, and he happily made the arrangements, driving to their prospective hotel in person to take a tour of it.

“I didn’t know Wing had any money,” Carla told her father. “Well, maybe he was tired of people wanting him for what they could gain financially. I believe that’s why he never had a girlfriend since I’ve known him.” Carla laughed, “He’s never had a girlfriend because he’s homely as a horse.” Joining in her merriment, Sam said, “He’s a good man. Try to deserve him.” Carla looked up, noticing the seriousness in his eyes. “I will, Dad. I promise.”



Standing before the mirror, Carla realized that her thoughts had strayed far from today. She would be Wing’s bride, and she wanted to keep her thoughts on that, but they wandered on their own, taking her on a trail of memories that only made him dearer to her. “I love him, Lord. Thank you for making it special. Thanks for keeping him holy, and giving him strength so that he could fight off foolish girl like
me.

“Amen,” said her father’s voice behind her. The time had come. She was about to be married. “I love you, Dad,” she said with a sigh. “How long have you been there?” He smiled. “Long enough to know that this is the real thing.” Shyly, she said, “Thanks for telling me to keep my hands off of him.” Then, guiltily, she added, “But you know, I didn’t keep my lips away.” He nodded, saying, “Yes, I suspected that would be the case. I purposely left that loophole. I had to let the guy have some fun.”

She blushed. “So you knew I’d find some way around your order?” He smiled at her fondly and said, “Honey, since your birth, I often custom designed my orders with a back door, just to give you the option of breaking a rule now and then.” She laughed. “You’re a freak, Dad.” He sighed and said, “Yes, I know.” Laughing, they exited the side door. Slowly, they began to sober up for their grand entrance.

“I’m not even losing you, and yet I know it’ll never be the same.” His murmured comment had her almost crying. “Dad, I wish I could promise to be your little girl forever, and still have Wing, too. But you’re right. I’ll be his now.” They walked on in silence until they were just a few feet away from Wing.

“You know, if you’re not good to him, I’m not taking you back.” Upon hearing this, Carla got one of her famous fits of giggles. “I guess it was his own special gift to himself,” Wing said later. “He loved to hear your laughter, and I bet he thought it would lighten the mood and help you relax.”

His plan didn’t work as he expected, however. After a moment, Carla’s contagious laughter passed to the least convenient person—their pastor. Now, two of the participants in the ceremony--and key players, at that--were laughing hysterically and helplessly. It seemed like the wedding would never regain its seriousness, but then Wing took Carla out to the foyer, and Sam got the pastor a cold drink.

“It’s going to hurt.” Wing always knew the most comforting thing to say to her. Carla could have slapped him. However, she was instantly sober, and that had been his goal. “Is it?” Leaning down to look her right in the face, his nose touching hers, he said, “Yup. A lot.” Suddenly curious, Carla asked, “Where do you get all this knowledge?” She didn’t really want the answer, but then again, she needed to know.

“Well, my sister honeymooned at home, and that’s why I say we’re going to a hotel.” That was more than she wanted to hear. “But how do you know we’re going to stand stark naked together? How do you know all that?” He grimaced. “I asked the pastor.” Carla was floored. “The pastor told you about sex?” Wing smiled, then he chuckled, and soon he couldn’t stop. “Ironic, isn’t it?” he gasped between chuckles. “I brought you out here to stop your laughter.”

Finally, she figured it was her turn to sober him up, so she winked at him and said, “It’s gonna get hot.” He gasped. “Thank you. This is really rough, isn’t it?” Carla smiled. “It’s going to get rougher.” Together, they returned to the sanctuary to see a now-subdued minister and Sam waiting patiently at the front while the church musicians played hymns. Sam described the scene later for Mr. Willie, who had been unable to attend. “It was the perfect wedding—fun, informal, and oh-so-unpredictable!”



When they finally headed outside, Carla was ready to be alone with Wing. “Hey, Wing, I didn’t know your full name until today—Mr. Wingliss Dynamote. How many more surprises do you have for me?” Wing walked beside her, wishing he had her alone now, so that he might share a few with her. Smiling at the thought, he said, “Well, would you want to own a name like that?” Her answer made him laugh. “Umm, it’s somewhat explosive, that’s for sure.”

Carla’s corny humor had always appealed to him, simply because he hardly saw her smile. Though she was a happy person, she was usually serious and reserved with people, so these occasional goofy cracks gave him a glimpse into a side she rarely revealed. With him, however, she was learning to be freer than ever, as evidenced by her request that they stop at the cabin.

“Okay, but if our first time making love is in a hunting cabin, it’ll be your fault.” She smiled and said, “I just want to kiss, is all.” He gave her a smoldering look and said, “I want much more.”

Carla felt nervous after he said that. She almost wanted to tell him to keep going to the hotel, instead, to buy herself more time, but when she remembered his kisses, she decided that she had waited long enough for a repeat. “Really, though, Wing,” she clarified, “all I want to do now is kiss.” Wing nodded, pulling up in front of the small cabin. “Okay. If you can wait, I can wait.”

They headed inside and he once again prepared a fire. “I’m setting the mood, just in case you cave.” She snorted at him, saying, “You just control yourself.” Wing finally rose and turned.

With his eyes, he managed to convey a thousand meanings. She wanted to keep reading them like a book, but he moved in for a kiss and she tilted her head back to meet him. Missing her mouth entirely, he went for her neck, and Carla thought for a moment that she wouldn’t make it to the hotel.

When Wing raised his head and gave her a kiss, it was magical. But she definitely wanted more. Now, she realized that taking the direct line to their hotel might have been wiser. “Ready to go?” he asked her. “Or would you rather just stay right here and kiss for a while longer?”

Wing was making her nervous again. Sometimes, she felt like she was dealing with her old friend, Wing, and at other times, she seemed to be facing a dashing lover. It was fun, but also scary. “Can I have the old Wing back for a second? The one who taught me how to fish, and brought me to Christ?” she asked. “Would you just hold me?”

Wing didn’t know how she could ask this of him now, but apparently, he would have to do it. Groaning inwardly at the craziness of this little girl he had just married, Wing sat down in a rocker and pulled her onto his lap. “How about getting the old Wing, with a twist?” Snuggling up to him, she answered, “That’s be just fine.”

They held each other for a while, and then he told her it would be best to go. “Some more kissing, please, Wing?” she asked him. He said, “On one condition—we get in the bed.” She willingly went with him, probably more excited than scared, as far as she could figure. She wanted to know what it would feel like to lie down with him. In fact, her body was craving it. She could feel her knees weakening even as he walked her over to the bed, and when he lay down and pulled her on top of him, she easily melted into his embrace.

“There’s a lot of chemistry to this whole thing, isn’t there? I mean, my knees really did go weak back there when you mentioned the bed.” Groaning, Wing warned her, “Be careful. I can’t take too much of that talk. I’m dying, here.”

Carla didn’t know what was happening to her, but she found herself responding automatically to Wing’s kisses, and especially the caresses. “You never touched me like this before.” He nodded. “I wanted to, but we promised your dad, so you just let me have my fun now.” Shifting a bit, she said, “Have it your way, please.”



It was a surprise to both of them when morning came and they were still in the cabin, and still, technically, virgins. However, what went on in the night definitely would have been impure before their wedding. Thankful again for her father’s strict policy, Carla rejoiced that they had done things right. Wait, she suddenly wondered, was this right?

She asked Wing about it after he got up. “Was it okay to do all that and not have sex?” He looked mystified. “Of course it is. Sexual contact between spouses is holy as long as we are following our conscience. Didn’t you know that?” She nodded, but added, “That wasn’t sex, though. It was just—I don’t even know what you’d call it.” Wing laughed.

“I guess a pal or two of mine would call it foreplay.” She smiled and said. “Why do they use that number, rather than any other?” Wing said, “F-O-R-E, as in before.” Nodding, she said, “So it’s what people do before sex?” Wing blushed a bit and said. “Well, I’m not absolutely sure any of that is customary or what other people do. We just followed our instincts, but that felt good enough for me.” ”Pretty spectacular,” she agreed.

“Now, let’s get to that hotel,” Wing said to her. Nodding, Carla said, “But first, can we have more of that other stuff?” Shaking his head emphatically, Wing answered, “Absolutely not. That stuff, as you call it, almost killed me.” Carla didn’t understand, but she didn’t need to. Just knowing that Wing wanted to get to the hotel was enough. She got up and prepared to leave.



At the hotel, Carla told Wing that she was going to change into something special she had been given for the occasion. Wing tried to tell her that she needn’t bother, but she was determined. However, once she had changed into the thin, silky nightdress, she felt naked. It was sheer, and she had not realized how much would show through. Nervously, she stared at her image in the full-length mirror and cringed. Before she knew it, Wing was knocking on the door, and she was crying.

“Carla, what’s going on?” She sniffed and said pathetically, “I’m scared to go out like this.” Wing said to her gently, “It’s just me. You know I’d never hurt you.” She nodded, not realizing that she had not verbalized her answer. Then, she added, “Yeah, but you might not like what you see.” Staring at parts of her she would rather make invisible, Carla began to shake. “I don’t want to do this. I can’t do this.”

Wing was disheartened. Obviously, this wasn’t turning out the way he had expected. Finally, he said, “Carla, can you put back on the clothes that you came with and come out here? I need to see your face while we talk, okay?” Nodding, she began to change her clothes. When he heard her moving again, thought she was still sobbing every once in a while, he took heart. Maybe it will be okay.

Finally, she came out, looking more upset than he had ever seen her. “Is it so bad?” he asked her. She slumped over on the edge of the bed where she had sat upon entering the room. “I’m ruining our honeymoon.” Wing reached over and pulled her hair back from her face. “Of course, if you weren’t here to mess it up, it wouldn’t be much of a honeymoon, anyway, so given my options—well—I think I’d rather keep it this way.”

She was uncomfortable, embarrassed, and very, very scared. But she was so glad to have married Wing. He was the only person, she realized, who she would want to try this with. Looking at him, she said, “I don’t know how to do this. I can’t wear that gown, and I can’t come out of that bathroom naked. I’m out of ideas.”

Wing smiled his encouraging smile and said, “Well, now we know who the culprit is--the bathroom.” She smiled in amusement. “The bathroom..?” He nodded his head emphatically, “Oh, yes, it’s definitely the bathroom’s fault. If not for this notion you have that you need to leave and come back to me, dressing—or undressing—in there first, you could just stay here and have a wonderful time.”

She wasn’t so sure, and she longed to go hide herself again, but Wing said in a coaxing way, “Wouldn’t you like to do some kissing and worry about all that later?” She nodded, eager to get back into his arms and out of this nightmare. “I’d love that.”

It was, indeed, a wonderful afternoon, but every time Carla thought of the bathroom, she got upset again. Finally, Wing told her, “If you mention or think of the bathroom again, I’ll request a room without one, and by morning, you will not be happy about that idea.” Laughing at his foolishness, Carla said, “But if I don’t manage to get over this, we won’t have a honeymoon night at all.”

Wing stared at her and said, “I would wait the rest of my life for you.” It was all he needed to say. Getting up from the bed, Carla ran to the bathroom and dressed in the gown. Coming out, she said, “Please don’t look too closely. There are some parts you’d rather not see.” Wing only chuckled and told her, “You really don’t realize how beautiful you are to me.” Then, he circled her slowly, sighing and smiling as he ran his hands over some particularly pleasing parts, many of which she had looked upon with dismay earlier in the day. Finally, as he tried to pull her close, she said, “No way, Mr. Dynamos, you’re going to strip down, too.”

Shaking his head, Wing said, “Don’t make me do that. Come on. Have some mercy. Besides, there’s something you won’t want to look too close at, either.” She ignored him and shoved him into the bathroom, but she was soon to see that he was right. As he returned, she caught her breath at the sight of him. He looked absolutely dangerous in certain areas.

“How do you do that?” Her question took him off guard. He had just exited the bathroom and was standing before her, already quite nervous, when she said it. “What do I do?” He was surprised that his voice did not betray the trembling in his midsection. In fact, he was surprised to hear that he sounded completely normal.

“I felt like I was about to die when I walked out here dressed in a flimsy gown, but here you are, stark-naked and looking as if you’re heading out for an evening stroll. You don’t even seem nervous!” Her tone showed that she considered his behavior quite offensive. Yet she came up to him boldly enough and touched his arm, then his shoulder, walking around him and giving him the same thorough inspection that he had given her.

“That’s not fair,” he said when she got around the back. “You had something covering your behind when I took my look. You’re still wearing clothes. I think we should even things up a bit.” Carla resisted his suggestion, still taking her walk around him, and finally coming to the front. “Okay, tell me about this again,” she said as she pointedly looked at a certain part of his anatomy. Wing chuckled.

Where’s my shy little wallflower, so terrified that she hid herself in the bathroom and cried for half an hour? Yet, as he considered the alternative, he inwardly added, I don’t mind. Then, she began running her hands over his chest hair, apparently enjoying the sensation of touching him.

She’s amazing. Yet, he still felt nervous when she repeated her question. What could he say in answer to that? This is going to be harder than I thought.

With a colossal effort, Wing pulled himself away from her hands. They were driving him crazy, and he didn’t know how much more he could take. “Let’s lie down,” he said. She turned with him, but as she looked at the bed, her face took on a fearful look.

“Come on, now. You weren’t afraid to spend the night in bed with me, and we practically spent the whole morning in there together.” Sighing, he asked quietly, “Now, what’s the difference?”

Carla looked up at him, certain that he was crazy. But when she managed to catch his gaze and saw the humor in his expression, she realized that he was testing her. It made her want to prove that she could handle him, any time. However, today it was just too much. “We’re about to do something a lot harder than what we did the last two times,” she responded shakily. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“Old Wing, please,” she asked after a pause, reaching for him. He held her, sure that he would just die from the effort of keeping his control. What is she thinking, hugging me at a time like this? We’re both practically naked. Can’t she feel my agony?

She’s thinking that she can trust me. She needs me to help her handle this. That’s what she’s thinking. After this last thought, he pulled her away and picked her up like a baby.

“You can trust me, you know. I love you.” And I’ve been holding back my feelings for so long that I’m getting to be an old pro at this. Groaning softly, he bowed his head and kissed her. It was so hard to have to be patient and wait. But she was worth it, and he was determined to keep his earlier promise to wait,

“I won’t hurt you—at least, well, you know what I mean.” Laughing at the absurdity of the promise, she decided to relax and go for it. It might be hard, but she certainly wanted to get past the rough beginning and on to the good part that Pastor had told Wing about. “Will it be very good—after the pain?” Wing looked at her for a moment. Then, he said, “I’ll do my best.”



Their big night proved to be much more difficult than even she had imagined. They had plenty of rough starts, but the pastor had, thankfully, been very explicit, and his instructions helped a lot. Finally, Wing said to her, “Let’s get some sleep. We can start up again whenever you’re ready.”

Somehow, though, Carla felt like a failure. She wanted to cry from the pain, her unhappiness with the situation, and from the feeling that she was letting Wing down. He caught her mood and said, “Pastor gave me some more ideas, in case you’re not ready to give up yet.” She shuddered, but said, “Yes, I definitely want to try it some more.” Smiling, he said, “And this part won’t hurt.” She returned his smile with a grateful grin of her own. “Good, because I don’t think I can take much more pain tonight.”

Wing felt like a jerk. All this time, he had been so eager to consummate the marriage and have his fun that he had believed her when she encouraged him to keep at it, but now he realized that she had been enduring the pain for his sake. Sadly, he said, “Did it hurt very much?”

Carla sighed and said, “Yup, and I’d say we didn’t accomplish much for all the pain, either. I feel so deflated.” Wing admired her courage, and he told her so. She only laughed and said, “I’m starting to think I’ve got a birth defect that doesn’t allow for the normal functioning of my body.” Wing laughed and said, “Well, Pastor told me that for everybody, it’s different. Some women are ready to go right away and experience minimal pain, while others are just not ready for it. Their bodies are made differently, and it seems harder. Still, they all manage, and I’m sure we will, too. Besides, we’re getting off course here. I want to try Plan B, and I think you’ll like it.”

The next part of their evening was lovely, and Carla did like it, very much. In fact, they drew the experience out for a long time. Finally, she looked at him and said, “Okay, but now what can I do for you?” This time, he smiled and said. “I was hoping you’d ask.”

They had spent a long night with frustration and new experiences, but both were eager to get up early in the morning. Their future was waiting! They ordered room service and spent another day cooped up together in their solitary room.

It was a long and amazing week, and in spite of their continual rough patches, it had all managed to come together quite well. By the end of those seven days, both were ready to go home, however. On the drive, they talked about a number of subjects, but mostly, they sat in silence. It gave them the chance to concentrate on their own thoughts, and on the changes that had been wrought in their lives.

“I’m glad you insisted on the hotel,” she said teasingly as they were arriving in their hometown. Wing nodded. He was glad, too. How would they have been able to spend that many days without leaving their room if they had stayed home? They would have felt uncomfortable, and as it was, their anonymity in the hotel had given them the freedom to enjoy these new experiences without embarrassment.

“I will always be grateful for that hotel room, because it was there that I had some of the most beautiful nights of my life—so far,” he finally responded with a wink. Carla just laughed. If these difficult and frustrating few months, and the last lovely and exciting week was any indication, spending the rest of her life with Wing was going to be fun! She couldn't wait to see what came next.

 

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