Donna’s face reddened. Flummoxed, her mouth flapped open and closed.
“Of course she will, won’t you, Mom?” Hannah said, stifling a laugh, but failing and letting go with a grin.
The thought of his dad loving those kids like Mark did…
Mark hoped he could be their stepdad. That Redd could be a step-grandfather for Hannah’s children.
Finally, Donna’s mouth snapped shut, and she turned and stalked toward the kitchen. Redd followed, as if making sure she wouldn’t abscond with his “grandkids.”
Mark nodded toward Donna. “Well, that didn’t go well.”
“Don’t mind Mama. She’s trying,” Sydney said. “So…Hannah tells me you two have feelings for each other.”
His gaze jerked to Hannah, who smiled encouragement.
“Um, yes.”
“I’m happy for you both.” Her eyes were clear, and she did truly look happy.
Surreal. The moment he’d worried about for years, and Sydney ended up being kind, generous. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. I hope you can forgive me for what I did in high school.”
“I don’t blame you for any of my past mistakes. We were both young and naive. You were hurting. I was hurting…and stupid.” She shrugged. “And now life goes on. You two deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you.” Once again, Mark couldn’t believe God’s generosity. Should never have doubted His power—His healing power.
Hannah took Mark’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go check on dinner.”
He had to laugh. “No basking in forgiveness, huh? I have to once again face your mother.”
Hannah and Sydney put their arms around each other and gave him a look of sympathy. Then they laughed.
Seeing the two of them relaxed together brought a sense of relief…and contentment.
When they reached the kitchen, they found Redd at the table telling Donna how much he enjoyed her chocolate pound cakes.
“Well, uh, Redd, I’ll give you the recipe if you like.”
No more those Rykers?
Redd waved off the offer. “Nah, I’m sure I’d never make it as tasty as yours.”
Donna seemed pleased. If he didn’t know better, he’d think his dad was flirting. Why, Donna was even blushing. But then she spotted Mark.
Her smile fled fast as a fifty-knot wind. She turned to the stove and took up stirring the sauce with one hand while adjusting a knob on the stove top with the other. Steam rose off a pot of boiling water. “Hannah, the noodles are almost ready.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll call the kids to come in and wash up.”
“Wait,” Donna said. She bowed her head and braced her hands against the oven handle.
Was she praying?
Drawing in a deep breath, she lifted her head. “Mark, I need to apologize.”
“Excuse me?” He didn’t know what he’d expected. But it wasn’t that.
“I’ve been stubborn…have refused to let go of hurts from the past.” It seemed she had to drag the words out, each one painful. “But the last couple of days, my daughters have been examples of forgiving and moving on. I’m ashamed of how I’ve let pain from my past hurt my girls when all I ever wanted was to protect them.”
With tears in her eyes, she looked lovingly at Hannah…then at Sydney. “They’ve been good role models for their ol’ mom.”
Hannah and Sydney embraced their mom. But she quickly broke away.
Facing Mark fully, Donna raised her chin. “Mark Ryker, I forgive you. Will you forgive me?”
Mark thought he might need to sit down. But instead, he walked over to her—this woman who’d been so spiteful and hard. A woman now asking for his forgiveness.
Only God could have done that.
He gripped both her hands. “Thank you. Of course I forgive you.”
For a second, he thought she might hug him. But then she seemed to think better of it and gave her head a firm nod. “Thank you. Now, Hannah, go get my grandbabies.”
When she turned back to the pot of sauce, he looked over at his dad. Misty-eyed and grinning, Redd yanked his head toward Hannah, who was going out the back door. “I think maybe you two need a moment alone together. Send the young’uns inside. I think Tony owes his nana a tour of his bedroom.”
Before going out the door, Mark stopped by the stove. “Mrs. Williams.”
“Call me Donna.” She didn’t look at him, but kept stirring and fiddling with the garlic bread.
“I’d like your blessing to ask Hannah to marry me.”
All her fluttery movement stopped. The whole kitchen stilled, except for the bubbling, boiling water. It seemed the whole room held its breath.
“Do you love her?”
“Yes, ma’am, very much. I’ll treasure her every day of my life.”
“She loves you. I can tell. And I know my grandkids love you.”
“I love them, too. I’ll do everything to watch over them, to take care of them like their own dad would want.”
She looked him in the eye, assessing him. He hoped he measured up.
“Do you plan to move back home to Corinthia? To make your place in this community? And in our church?”
“Yes. I’ve found this is where I belong.”
With a firm nod, she said, “Okay, then. I give you my blessing.”
A smile stole across his face. And then across hers. Before he knew it, he grabbed her for a big hug. “Thank you.” He released her and hurried to the door. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some proposing to do.”
Hannah nearly floated across the backyard. Her family was well on the way to healing. She felt whole for the first time in…well, in over a decade.
She tried but couldn’t pull her children away from Blue. They loved the dog like a member of the family, wanted to wait for him to finish eating so they could reward him with a doggie biscuit.
“Your nana says to come and eat,” Mark called as he joined them behind the house.
They took off like little arrows shot all at once from a bow.
“Now, why wouldn’t they do that for me? I’ve been out here trying to pull them away from Blue, but they wouldn’t budge.”
“I guess I just have the touch.” He bumped her shoulder and gave a goofy wiggle of his eyebrows.
“That’s simply not fair.”
He put his hands around her waist and pulled her close. “I’ll tell you what wouldn’t be fair.”
“What?” She snuggled in, enjoying how perfectly she fit.
“If you wouldn’t say yes to marrying me.”
She sucked in a breath, scared to move. Scared he would laugh. Was he kidding, or did he really mean what she thought he meant? “So…is that a joke, or a proposal in an awful, unromantic, roundabout way?”
Red streaked across his cheeks. “Sorry. I’m new at this. Meant to do a better job.” He fell to one knee and took her hands into his. He looked nervous until he smiled. A smile that left her knees quivering.
“Hannah Lyn Williams Hughes, I love you with all my heart. I love your children, too. I want to raise Becca, Tony, Eric and Emily, to be a father to them.” His voice cracked.
When she started to speak, he held up his hand to stop her.
He cleared his throat. “I’ve received the blessing of your mother and would very much love for you to do me the honor of marrying me. If you’ll have me with all my faults and failings.”
Tears stung behind her nose and eyes. “You asked her?”
“Yes, I did. And she grilled me something good.”
Hannah could only imagine. “She gave her blessing?”
He nodded, his golden eyes earnest. He looked scared, as if she could possibly refuse him.
>
God, thank You. Only through Your power… “Yes. Yes!” She pulled him to his feet.
“I’ll build you that house you want. Just as soon as we find a good piece of property. I promise.”
She shook her head, and for a moment, she couldn’t find her voice. All she’d wanted, thought she needed, paled in comparison to the man standing in front of her, declaring his love. “It doesn’t matter. We could be happy here. Even invite your dad to move in with us.”
“But it’s been your dream. To have an idyllic place of your own.”
“I don’t need it now. I have you. Anyplace is home if it’s filled with your love.”
He kissed her then in this perfect moment, this perfect place. And the kiss promised all the love and security she would ever need.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for once again spending time in my fictional town of Corinthia, Georgia! I hope you enjoyed revisiting Gabe and Faith from the previous story, A Family for Faith. It was fun to see Hannah, a secondary character from that book, have a shot at true love and happiness in her own story. I think Mark was the perfect match.
Of course, the journey wasn’t easy! Hannah and Mark had to learn that they couldn’t buy security and acceptance. Both came from God alone. If you’re looking for love and security, I hope you’ll look toward God, who loves you beyond your wildest imagination, who offers the ultimate in security.
Thank you so much for reading my book! I love hearing from readers. Please tell me what you think about A House Full of Hope. You can visit my website, www.missytippens.com, or email me at [email protected]. If you don’t have internet access, you can write to me c/o Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.
Missy Tippens
Questions for Discussion
In A House Full of Hope, Mark is the bad boy who has come home seeking redemption. How would you feel if you were his father?
How would you feel if you were Mark, and your dad (or another family member) reacted like Redd did?
Early in the story, the reader learns Hannah has been holding on to a lot of anger since childhood. How could Hannah have handled it differently?
Mark wanted to achieve success before returning home so he’d earn respect. What pitfalls do you see in striving for material success? Have you ever fallen into that same trap?
What does Jesus have to say about earthly belongings in the Bible?
What do you think is the theme of the story?
What in Mark’s past made it difficult for him to stay and fight for Hannah when he learned Sydney was coming home?
Hannah longed for security. Why? What, in your life, gives you security and how would it affect you if your security was taken away?
Hannah and her mother struggled to see eye to eye when it came to Mark. Do you think Hannah was right in pursuing a relationship with him against her mother’s wishes? When getting involved in a relationship, have you ever gone against someone’s advice?
How did you feel about Hannah striving to own a home? Do you have something you long for and work toward like she did?
Discuss the two Bible verses listed in the beginning of the book, 1 Corinthians 13:13 and Ephesians 2:4–5. How do they relate to the story? How do they relate to your life?
Mark learned his love of creating and building from his father’s workshop at the store. What loves have you inherited from your parents or role models? Did those loves affect your career choices?
Mark felt guilt over his brother’s death. Have you experienced guilt in a relationship? Or have you been on the other end, the one who’s been wronged? Would an apology help repair the relationship?
ISBN: 9781459221192
Copyright © 2012 by Melissa L. Tippens
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