Finding Home
Page 9
“Hope you don’t mind that I suggested a dinner get-together to Mom. I haven’t told her about the trip, I just said you seemed a little…lonely.”
Stacy was the only one who knew the entire story about her trip to England. Alexa had needed to unburden to someone, and as such, she couldn’t find fault with her sister’s concern. “I don’t mind at all. I’m glad you let me get everything out, that you were there to listen.”
“Always.”
Alexa smiled and fingered her ‘Baby’s First Christmas’ ornament—a fluffy, slightly time-worn sheep, festooned with a red blanket and green neck wreath. Was Peter hanging ornaments? Was his life returning to normal?
Alexa wanted to sink to her knees and cry. Why was she here?
“I don’t know what happened to me, sis. When I went to London, I never thought I’d fall in love with him, not like this. Half of me is left behind, and I’ve got to figure out how to come to terms.”
Stacy’s gaze shifted to the entryway of the living room for an instant, but Alexa didn’t pay much heed to that. She was probably ensuring privacy. Stacy stroked Alexa’s back gently. “Hang the ornaments. You’ve got the ballerina from the Nutcracker, and that hideous snowflake you made back in, like, the second grade or something.”
Alexa shook out of her melancholy and laughed. “My stained glass snowflake—made of genuine plastic—is absolutely stunning!”
“Yeah. OK.”
It didn’t take long for Alexa to place the ornaments her family had reserved, yet each one delivered a heart sparkle, memories and a beautiful rush of belonging, and reminders of the consistent love of family. That’s what would have hurt the most about living in London. Leaving this behind.
But would she be leaving it behind? Wouldn’t that constancy provide the means by which to remain connected? Wouldn’t the time spent together mean even more to her? Would it truly end? Alexa was too confused to figure out the answers.
She climbed the ladder and turned to her sister, gesturing for Stacy to hand over the angel. “I horsed around on the Internet today, playing around with a trip itinerary to London. Filled in the blanks, dreaming of taking off right after Christmas to see him again.”
“You might want to wait until after New Year’s, or you’ll end up visiting an empty apartment.” From behind came a voice, touched by a British accent, deep and rich. Alexa’s heart leapt and tumbled free. “Hey, Lexie-love.”
Peter.
Were it not for her sister’s fast reaction and physical support, Alexa would have fallen off the ladder and into a heap. Her parents, smiling wide, followed him into the room.
“I’ve got her,” Peter said, addressing Stacy. But his focus never wavered from Alexa. “I won’t let her tumble.”
She was weak to the point of dissolving, stunned speechless, starving for air but frozen in place, unwilling to move by even a fraction for fear he’d vanish. Undone by disbelief, she searched his eyes deep, and long. What she found there sent her heart on a dance that twined them together. Forever.
He walked slowly to the ladder, and his fingertips weaved between hers and curved in tight. Wrapped in the aura of his love, she came together in completeness—heart, body and soul. Peter took hold of her waist and lifted her off the ladder into a swoop that left Alexa to understand precisely how it felt to soar. Steady now, held within the circle of Peter’s arms, she closed her eyes as tears fell and he stroked a fingertip beneath the feathery line of her bangs.
“I find it quite fitting that an angel would place the angel on the tree.”
“You..you’re…you’re here…”
Peter dotted a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I am. I suppose you might say I discovered something important.”
“Which is?”
“That I’m not willing to step away from you. Not ever.”
She trembled from head to toe, completely lost to him.
“I figured I better pay a visit to the States and meet your family. I arrived yesterday afternoon and your parents have been amazing hosts.”
He had been in the States since yesterday? He had spent the better portion of a day with her family…? Alexa noticed a silent exchange, an elongated glance and nod that took place between Peter and her father. Peter cleared his throat, and addressed the others in the room.
“May I please speak with Alexa privately?”
The room emptied quickly. Only Stacy attempted to linger, casting a happy grin over her shoulder. Alexa’s mom quickly shooed her away.
Peter took over from there.
“Alexa Marie, I’m only going to do this one time in my life. I mean what I’m about to do with everything that I am.”
He knelt before her on one knee, holding her left hand in both of his. Alexa gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand as joy sent her world into a dizzying free-fall. She felt like a princess stepping into a fairytale world brimming with love.
“You are the most extraordinary woman. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Peter waited there and Alexa stepped close, stroking his cheek with her right hand, tears pouring down her face.
“If you say yes to what I’m about to ask, I swear I’ll love you forever, and treat you like the treasure you are.”
She took a few stuttered breaths as Peter removed a ring from the pocket of his slacks.
“Will you marry me?”
The whispered words, the ring waiting to be placed, stretched a rainbow of love between his heart and hers with colors so dazzling, her heart sealed to his forever.
“And, for the record,” he added, “part of my visit with your parents yesterday included asking your father for your hand.”
He looked up at her in a posture of reverent submission and Alexa struggled to find her voice.
“You’re more than I ever dared to dream. You’re the touchstone to God’s plan for my life. I know that now.” She knelt before him, promptly welcomed into the circle of his arms. “I’ve always been so happy with you. So happy in England. I stood in line at Heathrow security and my heart just about came out of my chest. I couldn't breathe for wanting you.” She touched his face memorizing every dip plane and texture. “I want you. I want London. I want the job at Bank of England. I knew that even before I saw you today. I’ll let Ray know first thing tomorrow. I’m done running.”
“So am I.” A mystery rode against the surface of those three small words, causing Alexa to puzzle. “You see, I’m not going back to England. At least, not straight away.”
“What?” Suspended, her pulse rate building, Alexa continued to kneel with Peter, and she stared, waiting for clarification.
“At my urging, my father has authorized the creation of US headquarters for Colby Intellilink Worldwide. I’m going to run operations here in America following a few logistical clean-ups, of course. How do you feel about living here once we’re married and visiting England every chance we get? Sound workable?”
His eyes sparkled and Alexa could hardly breathe as she struggled to grasp the truth and ramifications of Peter’s decision. “You’re moving here? To Los Angeles?”
“Yes. This is where my heart lives, and we’ll have the best of both our worlds.” He rested his forehead against hers. “So, then, enough stalling. Your answer would be…?
Alexa laughed, and launched forward with such force they toppled onto the thick, plush carpeting. “Yes!”
Once they straightened, and playfulness dissipated, Peter slipped an elegant, emerald-cut diamond onto her ring finger. The stone caught fire when it sliced light from the Christmas tree into colorful prisms—just like the love they shared.
But he wasn’t done yet.
Wearing the charming grin that never failed to tickle her senses, he pulled a second item from his pocket and settled it neatly into the palm of her freshly bejeweled hand. It was a large, gleaming coin…an antique US silver dollar.
“This time,” he murmured, “I figured we should bring our coin symbolism full circle. Add th
is one to your quid, won’t you?” Alexa nodded through joyful tears. “I said there was nothing better than you, and I mean it.”
Alexa held the piece tight, tucking into his embrace, resting her head against his shoulder and breathing deep of this precious, sacred moment. There were details to be shared, plans to be made and two expectant lives to mix together as Peter executed this amazing new pathway. For now, though, nothing filled her spirit but contentment, and the sensation of her heart finding home.
Beyond that, nothing interrupted the moment. Nothing but God.
For I know the plans I have for you, Alexa…plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope…and a future.
No other words, and no other truth, could have lifted her higher.
Lexie’s Cream Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup milk, half-and-half or heavy cream
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place the rack in the middle of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk or sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender, two knives, or with your fingertips. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. In a small measuring cup, whisk together the milk, or cream, beaten egg and vanilla. Add this mixture to the flour mixture. Stir just until combined. Do not over mix.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough gently four or five times and then pat into a 7-inch round. Using a lightly floured 2 ½ inch round cookie cutter, cut the dough into rounds. Place the rounds on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing a few inches apart. Brush the tops of the scones with a little cream (this helps to brown the tops of the scones during baking).
Bake for approximately 15 to 18 minutes or until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of a scone comes out clean. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve with clotted cream or softly whipped cream and any flavor jam. These scones are best the day they are made, but can be covered and stored for a few days. They also freeze well.
Makes approximately 10 2 ½ inch round scones. Serve with strawberry jam, clotted cream and Lexie’s favorite—Moroccan mint tea. ENJOY!
Thank you for purchasing this White Rose Publishing title. For other inspirational stories, please visit our on-line bookstore at www.pelicanbookgroup.com.
For questions or more information, contact us at titleadmin@pelicanbookgroup.com.
White Rose Publishing
Where Faith is the Cornerstone of Love™
an imprint of Pelican Ventures Book Group
www.PelicanBookGroup.com
May God’s glory shine through
this inspirational work of fiction.
AMDG