Tracie Peterson (15 page)

Garrett entered the room.

“Mind if I join you?” he drawled. Maggie could tell he was trying to be lighthearted.

“No, not really. At first I wanted to be alone, but not now,” Maggie replied. Calm was beginning to spread through her soul, and Maggie knew her Heavenly Father was giving her peace.

“I’m glad,” Garrett said, sounding old. “I need you.” Maggie’s eyes widened.

“You need me? Whatever for?” she questioned curiously.

“How can you ask?” Garrett inquired as he took a chair.

“Well, I have to confess I was feeling unnecessary. I don’t know anything about the running of this ranch, and you have it all under control anyway. I’m not needed in the house—Maria manages nicely by herself. Winter is here, so there’s little I can do outdoors. Even if I could go outside, what would I do?” Maggie asked.

She paused, studying the details of her father’s now-familiar room. “When Father was alive, when he needed me to care for him, I knew I had a place to belong. I had a purpose.”

“You think you have no purpose now?” Garrett questioned, contemplating Maggie’s words.

“Yes,” she admitted. “I suppose that sounds foolish, but there it is. I’m eighteen years old, and I feel so stupid. I don’t know the first thing about being a rancher’s wife. For that matter, I don’t know much about anything.”

“Come here, Maggie,” Garrett ordered and motioned her with his finger. “Right now. Come here.”

Maggie tilted her head and studied her husband. Setting her coffee aside, she walked slowly to where Garrett sat. When she stood beside him, Maggie could see tears in his eyes.

Garrett reached up and pulled Maggie to his lap. “I want you to listen, and listen good. Do you understand?” he questioned in a stern voice.

Maggie nodded. She could feel the warmth of his arms around her. It felt good to be held.

“A long time ago, I asked God to send me a wife. A helpmate, just like Eve was intended for Adam. I knew I wouldn’t enjoy going through life without a companion. I never cared enough for my own company, I guess,” he said with a little grin. Maggie smiled slightly.

“Fact is, I always saw myself with a woman by my side and children of my own. Family is mighty important to me, Maggie, especially because I lost mine at such an early age.” Again Maggie nodded, but said nothing.

“God answered my prayer by sending you, and I praise Him daily for such a blessing. But I know nothing about being a husband except what the Bible tells me. By watching my own pa and yours, I saw what a father’s heart was like. I learned to have the mind of a businessman and rancher. But I didn’t learn anything about the heart of a husband. I’m starting from scratch, just like you.”

Maggie’s heart swelled at the deep love Garrett felt for her. She did belong. She belonged to God as His eternal child, and God had also blessed her with a husband—a husband who prayed for her. Maggie thanked God she belonged to Garrett.

“I understand,” Maggie said with wonder. “It doesn’t matter that I don’t know the first thing about ranching or being a wife. What matters is I belong—we belong—to God and to each other.”

Garrett held Maggie tightly and gazed steadily into her eyes. “That’s all that matters, Maggie,” he said with certainty.

“I love you, Garrett Lucas,” Maggie whispered softly.

“And I love you, Maggie Lucas.”

Outside, the rain poured harder than ever. Thunder echoed in the distance. But inside, two hearts had found shelter in the shadow of the Most High, a place to belong.

About the Author

Tracie Peterson, bestselling, award-winning author of over ninety fiction titles and three non-fiction books, lives and writes in Belgrade, Montana. As a Christian, wife, mother, writer, editor and speaker (in that order), Tracie finds her slate quite full.

Voted favorite author for 1995, 1996, and 1997 by the Heartsong Presents’ readership, and awarded Affaire de Coeur’s Inspirational Romance of the Year 1994, Romantic Times 2007 Career Achievement, American Christian Fiction Writers Lifetime Achievement 2011 and other awards, Tracie enjoys the pleasure of spinning stories for readers and thanks God for the imagination He’s given. She desires that the books would Entertain, Educate, and Encourage—Tracie’s three E’s.

Tracie was the managing editor of Heartsong Presents for Barbour Publishing for over three years and helped with acquisitions prior to that. She co-founded the American Christian Fiction Writer’s organization in 2000 and continues to work with new authors, teaching at a variety of conferences, giving workshops on inspirational romance, historical research, and anything else that offers assistance to fellow writers. She often speaks at women’s retreats and church functions. Her website is www.traciepeterson.com