Forces of Nature

Chapter 22


As Crystal looked around Starlight House, she was amazed at the number of people who’d come to celebrate with the girls. The mayor was there, as well as two of the city council members who’d voted against having the house in the city limits. Though she wanted to say “I told you so,” Crystal graciously greeted them.

Brooke approached Crystal with a huge smile on her face. “Crystal, I just spoke to Mr. Terrell. He told me about the scholarship fund. It’s such a great thing to know people in the community actually care about these girls and want to see them succeed.”

Crystal nodded. “Yes. I’m glad the tide is turning in our favor. These girls are working hard to be productive members of society.”

Brooke nodded. “And I’m sorry that I questioned your concern about them. Your faith in them and teaching them how to fight the right way has made a big difference.”

“You don’t have to apologize. You were simply doing your job and putting these girls first,” Crystal said, then offered Brooke a hug. “We make a great team, though. I know you’ll keep me in line.”

Brooke nodded and smiled. “Well, looks as if I have help with that now.” She nodded in Douglas’s direction. “He’s taken a liking to Renda and MJ.”

“What’s going on over here?” she asked Douglas as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.

“You’ll see soon enough,” he replied. “Dr. Taylor just arrived.”

“Oh my goodness. This is about the historic landmark registry, isn’t it?” she said excitedly. “You’ve known all along?”

Douglas played dumb. “I don’t know anything.”

“Funny,” she said, popping him on the shoulder. “Did the farm make the registry or what?”

“You’re going to have to wait. I told you, you need to work on your patience,” Douglas quipped. “I’m going to talk to Dr. Taylor. You stay right here.”

Crystal pouted and watched Douglas cross the room to catch up with Dr. Taylor.

The party was in full swing when Douglas and Dr. Taylor took the stage. The DJ cut the music and Douglas handed the microphone to the older man.

“It gives me great pleasure to make this announcement about Hughes Farm tonight with all of you,” he said. “If I could have Miss Crystal Hughes on stage with us.”

Crystal smiled and made her way through the crowd. Douglas held his hand out to her and assisted her up the steps. She looked so beautiful in her peasant-style yellow dress and her hair curled loosely and pulled back in a trendy bun. The rose on the side of her head made Douglas smile and think about the ring that she’d be wearing shortly. He kissed her on the cheek.

Dr. Taylor smiled at the couple. “Tonight,” he said, “It is my humble honor to present you and Hughes Farm with the recognition of being included on the Duval County Historical Landmark registry.”

Applause erupted from the crowd. Dr. Taylor held up his hand and quieted the group. “This farm is such a place of inspiration. The Hughes family kept this land at a time when African Americans were thought of as less than human. And as their riches increased, this family gave back to the community. Miss Hughes continued her family’s legacy when she allowed Starlight House on her land, a haven for these girls in need. She did it because it was the right thing to do. A lot of us in Duval County could learn a lesson from her example. It is with great pleasure that I present this proclamation to Miss Crystal Hughes, declaring Hughes Farm a historical landmark.”

Once again the room erupted into cheers and applause. Two waiters began circulating the room with sparkling cider and champagne. Another waiter climbed on stage and offered champagne to the trio on stage. Dr. Taylor passed the microphone to Douglas, then exited the stage.

“Crystal,” Douglas said into the microphone, “I want everyone in the room and this town to know how much you mean to me and what loving you has taught me. You showed me how to give without expecting anything in return, but getting more than I deserve.”

He turned to the waiter, who was holding the tray with the champagne and the engagement ring, and took the ring. Douglas dropped to one knee and tears sprang into Crystal’s eyes. A chorus of oohs and ahhs rippled through the crowd.

“Crystal Hughes, will you marry me?” he asked as he took her left hand in his and slipped the ring on her finger.

“Say yes!” MJ called out. Crystal smiled, figuring out what MJ, Renda, and Douglas had been plotting.

“Of course,” she said. “I’ll marry you.”

Douglas rose to his feet, dropped the microphone, and took Crystal into his arms. He kissed her slowly, tenderly, and passionately as the crowd cheered.

Dena and Waylon looked on and he got a romantic notion of his own. “Look at them,” he said. “Reminds me of a life I missed out on.”

Dena nudged him in the side. “You were never that over the top,” she said.

Waylon draped his arm around Dena’s shoulders and pulled her closer. “I love you,” he said. “And my life without you was empty and miserable. Then, when you looked at me with hate in your eyes, I was broken.”

She looked up at him. “Waylon, we can’t—”

“We can’t change the past, but we can fly into the future together. It’s not what we planned, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Hot tears sprang into her eyes. “Waylon, I . . .”

He brought his finger to her lips. “Just think about it. We have a lot of lost time to make up for.”

“Let’s go congratulate Douglas and Crystal,” she said, and started to walk toward the stage.

Waylon stopped her. “Tell me something,” he said quietly. “Do you believe that we deserve a chance to get it right? Don’t you think we belong together?”

“Waylon . . .”

“Dena, we can congratulate them and then I’m taking you away from here to plead my case, because I’m never going to let you walk out of my life again.”

Dena didn’t—or rather—couldn’t say another word because she agreed with everything Waylon said. But for the first time in her life, Dena was afraid.





The party began to wind down and most of the well-wishers had left. Douglas and Crystal found a quiet corner near the stage to share a quick kiss. She couldn’t take her eyes off the rose-shaped engagement ring on her finger. Douglas held her close at the corner of the stage. “Do you like it?” he asked.

“I love it,” she said. “And I love you.”

“I meant what I said on stage,” he said. “Every word.”

She stroked his cheek and leaned forward to kiss him. “I’m going to hold you to what you said. But right now, I want to get you alone.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he exclaimed, and stopped short of picking her up and carrying her outside.

Holding hands, they told the girls and a few partiers still left at the Starlight House good night. Renda and MJ crossed over to them. “Were you surprised, Miss Crystal?” Renda asked.

“I was. You guys got me big time,” she replied, then hugged the sisters. “Thank you.”

“Now remember,” Renda whispered. “Our offer still stands if he messes up.”

She laughed and looked over Renda’s shoulder at Douglas. “I don’t think that’s going to be necessary.”

“All right,” she said, then pointed at Douglas as if she was telling him I’m watching you. Douglas gave her a mock salute as she and MJ headed back inside.

“You’d better be on your best behavior, Mr. Wellington,” Crystal said as they walked toward her house.

“Renda and MJ gave me the same warning several times,” he said, then scooped her up in his arms. “But I’m at my best when I’m a little bad.”

“Well, why don’t you show me exactly what you’re talking about?” she said, grinning.

Douglas nodded and then kissed his fiancée slow and deep. He couldn’t wait to spend tonight and forever basking in the glow of Crystal’s love.