14. DEEPENING CONCERNS

Garrett�s warm fingers gently entwined with those of his wife, and he found them trembling. Now that the other couple had vacated the table for the freedom of the dance floor, Carissa had allowed her composure to slip and her lips paled nervously. He refrained from speaking for a few brief moments, before finally murmuring, �Will you tell her?� An exhausted sigh escaped from the confines of Carissa�s soul and she weakly leaned her head against her husband�s broad shoulder, taking comfort in his sturdy presence.

�I don�t know. This is where faith must play a hand, Garrett.�

�I know, my most precious. I know, and whatever happens, God will remain true to His promises. Everything which happens in this life will turn out for good to those who love Him, as we do.�

Shaking off the sudden gloom pervading the aura of the table, Carissa teasingly inquired, �We never did discuss which you would prefer. A boy or a girl?� A sound disturbingly like a hiccup emerged from Garrett�s lips and he reached for his water glass with desperate urgency. A laugh bubbled at his reaction to her cheeky inquiry, but she would not back away from her questioning.

�Come now, you certainly must have given your preference some thought.�

Clearing his throat, he gazed at their interlocked fingers. �Carissa, I would be truly happy with either a boy or a girl. A girl, especially, for she would be exactly like you in every way from her perfect toes to the shining smile of joy I see every day of my life.� A delicate blush suffused his wife�s cheeks even as she remained silent, waiting for him to continue. �A boy, of course, is what most men want in a child. I would love having a son to take fishing and camping but I could do such things just as easily with a daughter. Whichever God gives us, boy or girl, will be a blessing in my eyes.�

Her curls gently brushing against his temples and combining with his own golden locks, Carissa leaned in and brushed a soft kiss upon his cheekbone, whispering, �You are my gift from above. A child only enhances how much we have already been given.�

Both peaceful and content, they gazed at the handsome couple sweeping elegantly across the dance floor. �How well-suited they are, Garrett. So driven to succeed, but so very much in love, even when they don�t dare express it. Reservation is in their nature, but every now and than you catch a glimmer of their hearts and the depth is beautiful.� He smiled as the song neared its end. �They would be frightening, I think, if not for their faith.�

Mischief hinted at his next words, �And I think you would also be a force to contend with if not for the grace of God.� Her lips turned upward in an impish grin, and Carissa calmly drove an elbow lightly into his side, responding, �You are the one who was bound and determined to be a rodeo rider when you were sixteen, or so your mother tells me.� As Richard and Charity began weaving their return to the table, Garrett muttered, �I just knew it was a mistake to have you spend that week in Wyoming with my folks before the wedding.� His words had their desired effect and a laugh born of life and love escaped her lips as the Davens returned.