Brides of Iowa (63 page)

“So you’ve told me.” He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “I wanted to give you a house of your own. A place where we could grow and establish our own family traditions and memories, a refuge to come home to and a haven for our children…someday.”

Tillie dipped her head and smiled a private smile over the secret she shared with the Lord. She laid her hand over her abdomen, awe filling her over the tiny life that grew there in its wondrous hiding place. Perhaps this was a good time to tell Everett her news.

“I saw Tessa and Susan today. Susan wanted to know if Uncle Ever was coming to her birthday party.”

Everett inspected the framing around the front windows. “She’s having another birthday? She must be…what, four?”

“She’s going to be five years old this Saturday.”

“Time sure flies.”

“Mm. She’s going to be a big sister soon, too. Gideon and Tessa are expecting again.”

Everett’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful. I’ll remember to congratulate Gideon when I see him.” He laid his hand on the small of her back. “Come on, let’s go see how the new kitchen is coming along. Fred Cummings does excellent cabinetry work.”

Tillie allowed him to lead her to the front door. “I’m more anxious to see the upstairs.”

Everett paused with his hand on the doorknob. “I thought we agreed to wait and finish the upstairs later.”

“I believe we said…as the need arises.”

“Well, yes, but—” Everett’s eyes widened.

“Didn’t you say there would be enough room for two large bedrooms upstairs?”

“Yes, but—”

“Of course, the room doesn’t have to be ready right away. We can wait…five, maybe six months.”

“But—”

“Won’t it be fun for Gideon and Tessa’s new baby to have a playmate the same age?”

Her husband stood with his feet anchored in place as he stared unblinking at her.

Tillie gave him her sweetest smile and slid her arms around his neck. “You’re going to be a wonderful papa.” She watched an expression of absolute rapture sweep across his face.

“Oh, my sweet Tillie.” He held her face in both hands and lowered his lips to hers. He pulled his head back and smoothed his fingers over her hair, then raised his eyes to heaven. “Lord, what a marvelous gift You’ve given us. Every gift from You is perfect. Thank You, Father.”

He kissed her again until she was breathless and then wrapped her in his arms. “I can’t wait to hold him.”

“Him? You know it could be a girl.”

Everett blew out his breath tentatively, as if trying not to break the sweet spell of awestruck joy. “A little girl.”

She giggled at the look of wonder in her husband’s eyes and snuggled into his embrace. A moment later, she found herself scooped up into Everett’s arms. Joyous laughter bubbled out of both of them as Everett whooped and whirled her around.

He set her down carefully and grabbed her hand, tugging her down the steps. “Come on!”

“I thought you wanted to look at the house and see how the kitchen was turning out.”

“At a time like this? Are you crazy, woman?” He helped her climb into the buggy. “I can’t wait to see the expressions on my father’s and Pearl’s faces when we tell them they’re going to be grandparents!”

Pure bliss found expression in her laugh. “My da will do an Irish jig all the way down the main street.” She pictured her father’s reaction and exclaimed at the image. “Mercy!”

Everett climbed up beside her and unwound the reins from the brake lever. He paused before releasing the brake and pulled her into a tight hug. “Tillie, I love you so much. You are exactly right. God has certainly poured out His mercy on us!”

“Aye,” she whispered, adopting her father’s vernacular. “His mercy and blessings and love and faithfulness and grace and—”

Everett silenced her list with a kiss.

Connie Stevens lives with her husband of forty-plus years in north Georgia, within sight of her beloved mountains. She and her husband are both active in a variety of ministries at their church. A lifelong reader, Connie began creating stories by the time she was ten. Her office manager and writing muse is a cat, but she’s never more than a phone call or email away from her critique partners. She enjoys gardening and quilting, but one of her favorite pastimes is browsing antique shops where story ideas often take root in her imagination. Connie has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers since 2000.

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