Where Courage Calls: A When Calls the Heart Novel (31 page)

“Thank you, Jarrick,” she repeated one last time, conscious of nearby eyes and not wanting to draw attention.

He answered gently, placing a hand over hers. “Safe journey, and enjoy your time with your family, Beth. I can only imagine how thrilled they’ll be to have you home again.” He glanced down at the slip of paper he still held, then tucked it carefully into the breast pocket of his red tunic. “I will give you an address when I first write.” And with a nod and a tip of his hat, he released her hand. Beth mounted the stairs and followed the porter waiting to usher her toward the sleeping compartment that would carry her home.

Upon entering the room, to her astonishment, she saw before her a long, open box containing red roses.
Who could have . . . ?
And then a smile played across her lips. The card read, “Affectionately, Jarrick.”
What a lovely surprise. It must have
been difficult for him to have made the arrangements. And
he must have done it before he knew for sure
my response. . . .

She hurried over to the window to look out on the platform. Among the many unknown faces milling about to wave their good-byes, she spied the bright red coat. Jarrick stood, his
eyes sweeping over the windows of the train. He spotted her just as Beth felt the train begin to move. She lifted the flowers, mouthing her thank-you.

In reply he smiled, then patted his breast pocket that held her Toronto address. As the train drew away, Beth fixed her eyes on the man in the prominent jacket among those crowding the platform. Surrendering at last to the plush seat, she cradled the beautiful box of flowers on her lap.

“Father,” she prayed, “I know You are in charge of my future. I can see Your hand in everything that has happened over the past several months. Truly You have been my strength—just as my father said that You would.” Unconsciously her fingers clasped the locket that contained the small, cherished paper where her father had written the promise.

She continued her conversation with her God. “You know I feel . . . torn. I long to see my family again. To reconnect—or perhaps to
finally
connect—with Mother, to be held close again by Father, to put the compass safely back into his hands. To see how big JW has grown. And to be with Margret and Julie. Family.” She paused for a moment.

“But . . . but I love the people of Coal Valley too,” she continued. “They’ve become so, so precious to me—each of them.” Beth stopped again as a number of faces paraded through her memory. Dear Molly. Frank. Marnie and Teddy. Each child in her classroom. Their needy but courageous mothers. Paolo and the miners. Philip. Jarrick.

Jarrick?
She felt her cheeks flush as her pulse quickened, her gaze returning to the gift of roses. She pressed cool hands against the warmth rising in her cheeks, then took another deep breath and continued her prayer. “So, dear Lord—if—
if
it fits Your plans, please—
please
, I would so love to come back here.”
Home.

About the Authors

Bestselling author
Janette Oke
is celebrated for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry. Her novels have sold more than 30 million copies, and she is the recipient of the ECPA President’s Award, the CBA Life Impact Award, the Gold Medallion, and the Christy Award. Her novel
When Calls the
Heart
, which introduces Elizabeth Thatcher and Wynn Delaney, was the basis for a Hallmark Channel film and television series of the same name, and
Where Courage Calls
tells even more of the Thatcher family’s story. Janette and her husband, Edward, live in Alberta, Canada.

Laurel Oke Logan
, daughter of Edward and Janette Oke, is the author of
Janette Oke
: A Heart for the Prairie
, as well as the novel
Dana’s Valley
, which she co-wrote with her mom. Laurel and her husband have six children and two sons-in-law and live near Indianapolis, Indiana.

Books by Janette Oke

Return to Harmony • Another Homecoming

Tomorrow’s Dream • Dana’s Valley**

A
CTS
OF
F
AITH
*

The Centurion’s Wife • The Hidden Flame • The Damascus Way

C
ANADIAN
W
EST

When Calls the Heart • When Comes the Spring

When Breaks the Dawn • When Hope Springs New

Beyond the Gathering Storm

When Tomorrow Comes

L
OVE
C
OMES
S
OFTLY

Love Comes Softly • Love’s Enduring Promise