Jessie (47 page)
Jessie kept smiling and took the sofa. Susan wanted into her lap, and that's when they heard it. The unmistakable sound of the train whistle. The girls ran from the kitchen, and Seth nearly leaped from his seat. His brother had arrived.
As usually happens when cousins haven't met or seen each other, it was awkward at first between Nate, who was 17, and Lindy, who had just turned 14, and Hannah and Clancy who were 15 and 13 respectively. Susan was only too delighted to be playing with all of these big kids, and her cousin Lindy could not get enough of her. Indeed the youngest of the group served as the icebreaker, and before long all were talking and finding things to do in the yard as if they'd known each other for years.
Unlike the children, there was no awkwardness in the living room. Seth and Eliot took up as though they had never been apart, and Jessie and Cassy grew comfortable with each other almost from the first moment.
They talked about the long train trip and different things they'd seen, and then Jessie asked about Texas. She'd never been out of Montana, which had become a state, and was fascinated by the things Cassy shared about Texas.
It didn't take long, however, for the talk to turn to personal and spiritual matters. They had corresponded over the years, but there was nothing like sharing news face-to-face.
“Cassy,” Seth said, “tell Jessie about Lindy's voice.”
“Oh, my,” the mother remembered. “That was a miracle.”
“How long had she gone without talking?” Jessie asked.
“Well, she'd watched her father die when she was just shy of three, and I came to Christ when she was seven, so almost five years.”
“And it happened overnight?”
“The moment I told them. I had prayed and asked Christ to save me, but I hadn't told anyone. I knew it was time to sit the kids down and explain it to them, and the moment I did, Lindy spoke.”
“What did Nate do?” Seth asked.
“He cried at first and then grew scared. He said he'd done a lot of wrong things, but I told him he could be forgiven.”
“Did he believe then?”
“No, but it was soon after. Lindy actually believed first.”
“Your turn,” Eliot said to Jessie. “I want to know your side of what happened at the cabin.”
“Oh, my,” Jessie said, repeating her sister-in-law's words and then turning to exchange a look with Seth. He only smiled and sat back, looking forward to hearing this again. “That was a hard time. I was so upset that he'd taken me out there, and then I could have kicked myself when I asked him to leave me on my own.
“I remember sitting in front of that fire and thinking it was no use. I couldn't believe in God. I looked at the fire for a long time, and it didn't help.”
“I had asked her who had made the fire,” Seth put in. “I had challenged her to think about that.”
“Yes, and I tried,” Jessie continued. “I don't know what I would have done if Seth hadn't forgotten his Bible.”
“Did you really forget it?” Cassy asked him.
“Really,” Seth said, shaking his head at the memory. “Jess was in a bad enough way. I thought she might burn it to get back at me.”
“But you read it,” Eliot said.
“Yes. I started in Genesis. I had never read any of it before, and I was captured. I could not stop reading. It got dark out, it got light again, I ate a little, I slept a little, and I read.”
“How far did you get?” Cassy asked.
“Through Genesis, and then I remembered that Seth said he'd been reading in John. So I found the book of John and read that. I did not understand everything. In some ways it only brought more questions, but I knew I'd been selling God short. I didn't know if I could have the personal relationship that Seth had, but I knew God was there.”
“Tell about the mouse,” Seth prompted.
“Oh, that mouse!” Jessie exclaimed and then laughed with the memory. “I'd almost forgotten. I had been very afraid of mice my whole life. It was the last day, I knew Seth was coming that night, and I was looking forward to seeing him and telling him I wanted to know more. I had just made myself something to eat when I spotted a mouse by the fireplace.
“At first I froze, but then something came over me. I remember thinking that God must have created mice and all other animals. It was the first time I found myself assuming that God had a part in creation. I somehow found the courage to use a broom and chase it away, and as soon as it was gone I started reading in Genesis again, this time choosing to believe that God is the Creator.”
“What happened when Seth got there?”
“I just told him I needed more. I told him I was ready to hear more.”
“How long before you believed?” Cassy asked.
“It was the next summer. We met every week with our pastor and his wife, and one night I knelt in their living room and made God my Savior.”
“How about the girls?” Eliot asked, and Seth took that one.
“Hannah believed before Jessie, not long after we moved into the house. Clancy was after Jessie and Sue was last year.”
“How are you doing with yourself?” Cassy asked, and Jessie knew just what she was talking about.
“I don't think God has any more children for us,” Jessie said. “I don't know if Seth wrote you after the last one, but I've had three miscarriages in a row. Some days are hard, but I'm so thankful for the girls, and I know God has a plan. I'm willing for that plan.”
The adults talked about their church families until the kids came in looking for supper. Jessie had prepared a feast, and they all talked their way through the meal. Seth caught up with Nate and Lindy, and Eliot got to know his nieces. Eventually someone remembered that they were all going to be together for four days and not everything had to be talked about the first night.
“Tired?” Seth asked Jessie as they turned in. The four of them had talked until the kids went to bed, and then talked again until their own bedtime.
“I am,” Jessie admitted, “but wound up too.”
Seth put his arms around her. “I'm so excited to have them here. It's a dream come true.”
“They're so special. I loved hearing about their church and the ranch.”
“Shall we visit them next time?”
Jessie smiled. “Talk about a dream come true.”
Seth's hands framed her face as he looked into her eyes.
“It was great to hear your salvation story again.”
Jessie had to smile. “In some ways it seems like yesterday.”
“I'm glad it wasn't,” Seth said dryly. “We've learned too many things to lose them now.”
Jessie wrapped her arms around him and held him close. God had done the most amazing thing in her heart. He had done the impossible. He had taken a lifeless heart, one that was cold and dead to Him, and brought it back to life. Since those days alone in the cabin, Jessie had never been the same.
“You've never been the same,” Seth suddenly said.
Jessie laughed and said, “I was just thinking the same thing.”
Jessie stared into Seth's eyes, still amazed at how far they'd come. Seth looked right back, more in love with this woman today than he'd ever been. He knew only God could do what had been done in their lives, and the woman in his arms that he was just about to kiss was sweet proof of that each and every day.
   Dear Reader,
Please allow me a few words of greeting. I hope you enjoyed
Jessie
and the other two Big Sky books. In this book I incorporated a character from another series, something I've never attempted before. It was a challenge, but I think it was worth the time and energy.
For my readers who have been with me for a while and suspected that Seth was from another book, you were right! For my first-time readers, you'll find Seth Redding in the Yellow Rose Trilogy, in the middle book titled
A Texas Sky.
Whether you are a first-timer or a long-time Lori Wick reader, I thank you for choosing this book. I pray for all my readers and thank God for you.
Warmly in Christ,
Lori Wick
P.S. Meg presented Brad with a third daughter. They named her Elizabeth.
L
ORI
W
ICK
is a multifaceted author of Christian fiction. As comfortable writing period stories as she is penning contemporary works, Lori's books (6 million in print) vary widely in location and time period. Lori's faithful fans consistently put her series and stand-alone works on the bestseller lists. Lori and her husband, Bob, live with their swiftly growing family in the Midwest.
To read about other Lori Wick novels, visit
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
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