Love Inspired December 2014 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Rancher for Christmas\Her Montana Christmas\An Amish Christmas Journey\Yuletide Baby (34 page)

Epilogue

B
reezy loved Martin's Crossing. She loved it in the winter when Christmas lights decorated the entire town. She loved it in the spring with trees budding, flowers blooming and warm air reminding everyone that winter never lasted forever.

She realized that hard times were like winter. They sometimes seemed like they would go on forever, but they never did. Spring always came with sunshine and the promise of better days.

On a pretty day in late April, with flowers blooming and birds singing, she waited in a small classroom at the Martin's Crossing Community Church. Somewhere out there, Jake was waiting for her.

She smiled at her ladies-in-waiting, as she liked to call them. The Coopers were all present to help with wedding preparations. Mia was her matron of honor, even though she was due to give birth in a matter of weeks. Oregon was a bridesmaid. The twins were flower girls. Breezy thought the flower petals would end up everywhere but where they should be sprinkled.

“You look beautiful,” Marty said as she arranged the veil. Marty was taking the place of mother of the bride. And she was happy to do so, as she had no children of her own.

The twins had recently started calling her Gamma.

“And the dress?” It had been Mia's wedding dress, and Breezy loved that they could share it, and share this occasion. A few years ago she hadn't dreamed of having a family. Now she had it in abundance. When God provided, He didn't skimp.

“Perfect,” Marty concurred.

Heather Cooper handed her a bouquet of white and pale pink roses. “There's a guy out there, in the church. He has the sweetest smile.”

Mia chuckled. “And we thought it would never happen.”

Heather shot her a look. “Nothing has happened. I just wanted to know his name.”

The door opened. Lilly ran through the room straight to her mother. She spotted Breezy and stopped to stare. “Wow, you're beautiful. I think my mom should marry Duke so I can be a bridesmaid...”

Oregon shot her daughter a look. And Breezy thought it wasn't the typical mom-embarrassed-by-daughter-talking-too-much look. It was a look of fear.

Mia must have noticed it, too, because she took over.

“I think we should probably find out if Jake is ready for his bride.”

Lilly quickly volunteered and ran out the door. Breezy smiled down at the twins in their pale pink dresses. Caleb was the ring bearer. He was with the men.

Breezy winked at Oregon. Oregon didn't smile. Instead she looked as if she might cry.

But it was too late to ask questions. Lilly was back and informed them that it was time. Breezy walked out the door of the room and down the hall to the back of the church where Tim Cooper, Mia's dad, was waiting to walk her down the aisle. He smiled at her, patting her hand as she placed it on her arm.

The music started, and Breezy took a deep breath and prepared herself to meet the man she loved at the front of the church.

She loved him. She smiled at the memory of the night he'd asked for her hand in marriage, while slipping a ring on her finger. It had been Valentine's Day and they'd cooked dinner together at her place. She'd turned around and he'd stepped close behind her, waiting for that moment to pull her close.

“I love you,” he had said as he'd kissed her. She'd seen the walls coming down, the trust growing. She'd known. God had known.

He'd seen two damaged people and He'd used faith, love and a little time to put them back together. He'd made a family out of those broken people and two little girls. He'd taught them to trust themselves—and to trust Him.

Today she would marry Jake and they would continue to build a new life, a new family.

Mia and Slade walked down the aisle ahead of her. Slade stepped behind Jake at the front of the church. Mia took her place to wait for Breezy.

Duke waited for Oregon to take his arm. She did, but didn't look at him.

And then Tim Cooper walked Breezy down the aisle. She beamed at Jake as she walked toward him, whispering that she loved him. He mouthed the words back to her.

Yes, they had gotten this right. She stepped next to him. Tim kissed her cheek and wished her all of God's blessings.

Pastor Allen recited the vows, words of honor, of love, of standing strong through good times and difficult times. During a quiet moment while they lit the candles, Breezy thought about all of the ways God had blessed her.

Pastor Allen then brought them together—Jake, Breezy, Violet and Rosie. “Breezy, this is your family. God has entrusted them to your care.” He looked at Jake. “And, Jake, you have been given this wonderful blessing. A wife and two little girls. With everything else in life that you do, everything that keeps you busy, always remember this—this wife and these children are the most important thing God has given you to do.”

Jake looked at Breezy, smiling as he held her hand. Rosie and Violet wandered off. The people in the church laughed softly as the girls went their own way, sprinkling flowers in their wake.

Pastor Allen cleared his throat and then he continued.

“Jake and Breezy Martin, by the power vested in me by God and the state of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jake, you may kiss your bride.”

Everything in her life had led her to this moment. She moved into her husband's embrace and he kissed her. She melted in his arms.

They left the church to a cheering crowd and music that celebrated love. When they reached the car that would take them to a resort a short distance from town where they would have a reception, someone shouted that she should throw the bouquet.

She paused, looking back at the crowd of people gathered to celebrate their wedding. A large group from Oklahoma had traveled to Martin's Crossing for the wedding. Not only the Coopers, but also Vera and several others. All of them mixed in with her family and friends from Martin's Crossing.

Tears gathered in her eyes as she saw this united bunch of people. They symbolized everything that had changed in Breezy's life. She had a place of her own. She had family.

A hand tugged on hers, reminding her of the most important change in her life. She had Jake Martin's love, and together they would raise their twin nieces.

She would build a life and a family here in Martin's Crossing. With a smile she tossed the bouquet, watching as women rushed to catch it.

Breezy smiled up at her husband and he leaned down to claim her lips in a kiss that would be hers, forever.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from AN AMISH CHRISTMAS JOURNEY by Patricia Davids.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Martin's Crossing, a fictional town in Texas
Hill Country. I'm so excited about this new miniseries. New characters, new
romances and new places to visit. But I couldn't change locations without taking
a few familiar characters.

In
A Rancher for Christmas
, Breezy Hernandez moves to Texas
where she finds a home, a place to belong and a man who loves her
unconditionally.

I hope you enjoy your stay in Martin's Crossing!

Merry Christmas!

Questions for Discussion

1. Breezy's life changes overnight. How can she find faith and contentment in those changes? How does faith make a difference in facing difficult situations?
   
2. Jake has to trust Breezy with the lives of his nieces. Facing this unknown, how does he react?
   
3. Breezy lived a life of instability as a child. How does this affect the way she faces situations as an adult?
   
4. Jake helped raise his siblings and still feels responsible for them. How can he let go? What would you do in his situation?
   
5. Jake has to learn to trust that Breezy won't leave. He is judging her for her past and also for the way his own mother walked out. How are his feelings legitimate? How are they wrong? Have you judged others for what someone else has done?
   
6. How are the traditions of Martin's Crossing important to them as they celebrate Christmas? What traditions do you have that make the holidays special for you and your family?
   
7. Joe is a mystery to the townspeople. They are both reluctant to accept him and yet willing to include him. Why is that important?
   
8. Why is putting down roots so important to Breezy? What does community mean to you?
   
9. Breezy and Jake have been changed by the circumstances of their lives. How? How does the past affect you? How do difficult times change us?
   
10. Jake has to learn to let someone else help out once in a while. Why is that difficult for him to accept? Is it hard for you to let people help?
    
11. When does Breezy realize that she's in love with Jake, and that her future is in Martin's Crossing?
    

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

You believe hearts can heal.
Love Inspired
stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

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Chapter One

“I
suppose we must do it.” Greta Barkman almost choked on her words.

It was the right thing to say. The only decision her Amish faith would let her make, but she'd rather walk through the snow barefoot...all winter...than spend one hour with her uncle Morris. Bringing him home to stay with them for a few months would be unbearable. Surely God would not ask this of her and her sisters after all they had endured.

Betsy, the youngest at eighteen, slapped the letter facedown on the table. “It's not as if
Onkel
Morris can expect us to drop everything and rush to his side. We escaped his cruelness by the grace of God. Besides, it's almost Christmas. It will be our first happy Christmas together. I don't want him to spoil it.”

He will spoil it. I know that as surely as I know it's cold outside.

Greta glanced at the kitchen window. The late-afternoon sun shone brightly beyond the frost-covered glass, but it added little warmth to the December day. The dusting of snow that had arrived in the night blew around, sparkling like glitter in the breeze. She shivered and looked back at the people seated around her grandfather's table. Her three sisters, her grandfather and his new wife, and two of her sisters' husbands were gathered for this family meeting.

Clara, the oldest sister, picked up the letter. “I agree with Greta. We have to do this. His bishop would not write asking us to take Morris in if our uncle's condition were not serious.” She glanced at her husband seated beside her. “I will go, if you agree, Ethan.”

He covered her hand with his own. “I won't pretend that I like the idea, but you must do what you think best. The children and I will manage without you for a few days.”

“I can go.” Lizzie, the second sister, looked as though she would rather eat dirt.

Carl, Lizzie's husband, laid his hand on her arm. “I won't agree to it. You have to think of the babe. Such a long car ride will not be good for you.”

Naomi, their grandfather's wife, reached over to clasp Lizzie's hand. “You know the midwife cautioned against traveling with the problems you've had.”

Lizzie nodded in resignation, but Greta detected a hint of relief in her eyes. Who could blame her?

Greta retrieved the letter and scanned it again. Their uncle lived near Fort Wayne, Indiana. She explained the contents for those that hadn't read it. “His bishop writes that the congregation is willing to arrange for a van and driver to take Morris from the hospital to our home. His doctors wouldn't allow him to travel by bus. A car or van is acceptable as long as the driver makes frequent stops. Morris must take brief walks every hour or two to prevent circulation problems with his legs.”

And he must have someone travel with him. The five-hour car trip from Fort Wayne to Hope Springs would need to be broken into at least two days of travel. It would make a very long trip, breaks or no breaks.

Although the bishop hinted at some dissention among his flock over the matter, the fact that none of them were willing to take Morris in spoke of a serious rift in the church group. The Amish took care of their own within the community. Families were expected to look after aging or ailing members and normally did so gladly. His nieces were all the family Morris Barkman had left.

Lizzie crossed her arms over her chest. “I can't believe old man Rufus turned Morris out of the house and hired a new fellow to work the dairy farm. I thought our
onkel
and his landlord were friends.”

“I can believe it,” Clara said with a shiver. “Rufus Kuhns is an evil man. He's worse than our uncle.”

Greta nodded in agreement. Rufus had tried to coerce Clara into marrying him by threatening all of them with eviction and physical violence. “Morris is out of a job and has nowhere to live. He is dependent on us, the very women he mistreated for years. It must be a bitter pill for him.”

It was for her. For all of them.

Naomi sighed heavily. “Greta, you are the only logical choice to go and fetch him here.”

She looked up startled. “Me? Why me?”

Naomi's gaze softened with sympathy. “Lizzie can't go. Betsy has a job and shouldn't miss work, besides she is too young to travel so far alone. Clara is a newlywed. She has a new husband and three stepchildren to think about. It would be cruel to part her from the children so soon. I'm not related to Morris. He might find it uncomfortable traveling with me.”

“I don't care if he is comfortable or not!” Greta couldn't do it. She couldn't spend two days shut in a car with him.

“I don't know how I would manage without you for even a day, Naomi.” Joseph reached to take his new wife's hand.

Greta saw the warm look he exchanged with Naomi. It seemed everyone in her family had found someone to love. Everyone but her. Betsy was being courted by a local Amish fellow that everyone liked. Lizzie had married Carl last fall, and they were expecting their first child. Clara had wed Ethan Gingerich only a few weeks ago.

Greta had refused the few men who had asked her out. Marriage wasn't in her future, certainly not marriage to an Amish man. She wanted to become a counselor and help abused women. To do that would require more education than the eight years the Amish allowed. Leaving the community she loved was a difficult decision—one she wasn't sure she was ready to make. She had only discussed it with Clara. No one else knew what she was thinking of doing.

Greta didn't begrudge any of her sisters their happiness. They deserved it and more. How many times had her actions and her words brought their uncle's wrath down on them? Far more that she cared to count. If only she had been stronger. If only she had stood up to him. If only she had told someone about the abuse, but she hadn't. They had all lived inside a circle of fear and shame until Lizzie found the courage to break out. It was because of Lizzie that they found a refuge of love and caring in their grandfather's home. God had rewarded Lizzie's selfless bravery.

Greta didn't possess such courage. The thought of spending time with Morris made her cringe. She couldn't do it. Panic hit her full in the face. She crumpled the letter and jumped to her feet. “Someone else will have to go.”

She ran out of the room and up the stairs with her heart hammering wildly in her chest. She was staring out her bedroom window struggling to regain her composure when Naomi came in. Without turning around, Greta said, “I can't do it.”

Naomi slipped an arm across Greta's shoulders. “Betsy has said she will go.”

Greta flinched. Her little sister was no match for Morris. “Betsy is too young. He's too mean. You don't know how he is. He can make her feel worthless with nothing but words. He doesn't even need his stick to beat her down.”

“I'm not saying it will be easy for her, but she's willing to do it to spare you.”

Greta bit the corner of her lip. “I'm afraid, Naomi.”

“Of what, child?”

“That I'll turn back into the groveling, miserable person I was when I lived with him. He called me Mouse because I was always scurrying out of his path. I existed—I didn't live. I was dead inside.”

She still was. In spite of all she had read about surviving abuse, she knew Morris still had a hold over her. “I don't have Lizzie's courage.”

Naomi enfolded her in a fierce hug. “Courage is fear that has said its prayers. God will give you all you need if you depend on Him.”

Drawing strength from the woman she had come to love and admire, Greta nodded. Now it was her turn to be brave. To prove to herself and to him that she wasn't worthless. “All right, I will go.”

Naomi pulled away to look into Greta's eyes. “Are you sure?”

She would be coolly polite. She would ignore her uncle's hurtful ways, and she would never,
ever
let him make her feel like an inadequate person again.
“Ja.”

They returned to the kitchen, and both women took a seat at the table. Naomi said, “It's settled. Greta will go.”

Afraid her sisters would read the fear in her eyes Greta kept her gaze on her hands clasped together on the table. “I'll take the bus there and accompany him in the van on his journey. I'll write to Morris and his bishop and tell them to expect me in four days. That should give them enough time to arrange everything.”

“
Gott
willing, you will be home two days later,” Naomi added.

Greta let out a deep sigh and looked around the table. “I really don't want to bring him into this house.”

The sisters exchanged glances. Clara said, “We feel the same, but perhaps this is a test of our compassion. It is the Christmas season, after all. How can we abandon
Onkel
Morris, ill and alone, knowing that God sent His only Son into this world to teach us to care for one another, even those who hate us?”

“The right thing to do is not always the easy thing to do,” Betsy added in resignation.

“Perhaps his illness has shown Morris the error of his ways, and he is ready to mend our family fences,” Lizzie suggested in a falsely bright tone.

Greta wouldn't count on it. Of all the ways she had imagined spending her first Christmas at her new home, none of them included sharing it with mean old Morris.

“Joseph, you have very wise granddaughters,” Naomi said with a tender smile.

He nodded. “That may be true, but I'm with Greta. I'll take him in, but I don't want the man here, either. Morris will find a way to ruin our Christmas. You mark my words.”

Copyright © 2014 by Patricia MacDonald