Coming Home (35 page)

Bill had been deeply moved when Jessie had asked him to give her away. Her revitalized grandmother had thrown her all into planning the ceremony, albeit a rather modest one, according to Jessie’s wishes. As a final gift, Doris and Bill had insisted on keeping Laura with them so Jessie and Andy could spend their honeymoon alone. When the newlyweds returned to Palmer Lake in a few days, they would be moving into Jessie’s family home, where, with dear Laura, they would begin a new life, and a new family, together.

Of course, neither knew exactly what their future held or how long they would have together—but who does anyway? They had each other and they had their family, but most importantly they had a faith, new and fragile though it was, like a rosebud in springtime.

No matter what happened, no matter the suffering or disappointment, their ultimate purpose was to travel with hope and courage, and to be ready—whenever the time came—for Jesus to call them home.

About the Author

DAVID LEWIS is the collaborating author of the bestselling novel
Sanctuary,
with his wife. An accomplished keyboard artist and former piano instructor, he is an avid reader of fiction and a student of apologetics. Born in Minnesota and raised in the Midwest, Dave enjoys early-morning jogs and vacations along Oregon’s coastline, as well as travels to New England. He and Beverly make their home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to David Horton and Julie Klassen for their keen editorial insight. I’m also grateful to Gary and Carol Johnson for believing in this story from its inception, and special appreciation goes to Barbara Lilland. Thanks to Janie and Jonathan for filling our days with laughter and warmth, and to Julie and Ariel for providing the spark that ultimately led to the title.

Most importantly, I wish to thank my dearling, Beverly Lewis, for her love, prayers, and everlasting support. As Vanauken once said (
A Severe Mercy
), “If it’s half as good as the half we’ve known, here’s
Hail!
to the rest of the road!”