Fresh tears stung her eyes as the painful honesty of his confession struck her. She owed him the same. “Brad, I’m so sorry. We really made a mess of things. But my unhappiness wasn’t your fault. I wasn’t a good wife to you.” She squeezed his hand. “I had a lot of wrong expectations of what married life would be like. I blamed you. And I blamed God, for stuff I needed to take responsibility for. I didn’t tell you how I felt. We’ll both do things differently next time.”
“Next time.” Joy sparked his eyes. “That sounds good. Isn’t that the greatest Christmas gift of all? The gift of forgiveness and second chances.” Releasing his warm grip on her hand, he leaned over and reached into his bag on the back seat. “I brought another Christmas present with me, but the time wasn’t right to give it to you sooner. I hope you’ll accept it from me now?”
Mystified, she nodded. “Of course.”
He opened his hand, revealing a small blue box. She knew what it contained. Her engagement ring. A lovely oval diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds in an antique setting.
Shame heated her at the memory of mailing it back to him. Believing Brad had broken his commitment to her, she’d broken her commitment, too, and ended their marriage. But God reminded her, forgiving Brad also meant forgiving herself. They’d been blessed with a new start, fresh and clean and forgiven, right with God and right with each other.
Spreading her fingers wide, she held out her left hand. It shook a little, and tears blurred his beloved face as he asked the same question he’d asked her here all those summers before.
“Maddie Calder, will you marry me?”
She gave him the same answer she’d given then. “I’d love to.”
He slipped the ring back onto her finger, where it belonged. Leaning closer, she nestled against his chest. His strong arm came around her shoulder, holding her in a warm safe embrace. They sat together, gazing out over the sunlit, snowclad lake, silent and calm and bright. God’s peace settled over her like a comforting blanket.
Soon, they’d drive back to the cottage. To Jacob, Gran, and Hiram. To the warmth of a family Christmas. But for now, they could enjoy the sweet gift of this moment, of second chances. Both with God, and in their marriage.
This time, keeping Him at the center, they do it differently. They’d live the life of love God intended for them to live.
Together.
THE END
Thank you for reading…
I hope you enjoyed reading Calm & Bright! If you did, please consider posting a review on Amazon, Bookbub, or Goodreads. Honest reviews help other readers find the books they want. And if you loved an author’s book and say so, you’ll make them very happy!
Plus, you’ll probably also enjoy my other books, including the other stories in the Huckleberry Lake series, and Forget Paris, Book 4 in my London-based Love in Store series.
Preview of Forget Paris
Brad appears briefly in Forget Paris, making his disastrous trip to London right after the divorce. Warning- if you read Forget Paris first, you might not like him much! He needs to change and grow a lot at that stage!
Prologue
Zoe Gallagher eyed the man in front of her as she waited for his answer. Too late now to take back the words that hung in the air between them.
Maybe she’d taken determination to prove she was right a step too far.
In Paris, on Valentine’s Day, and she’d challenged a total stranger to the Interpersonal Closeness Generating Procedure. A procedure she’d refused to do in the psychology lab with other students, because it could delude people into thinking they were in love.
Disaster seemed inevitable, or at the very least, a bruised heart.
The man seemed genuine. He looked appealing. He spoke intelligently.
But just because he talked about God like he was a Christian didn’t mean he was honest, or safe. She didn’t even know his name.
She checked his left hand for a faded tan line.
Probably not married.
Still, he could be an escaped convict or a conman or a thief.
Her instincts told her he was none of those things, but even if he was trustworthy, he was still dangerous. By the end of the day, if her theory was correct, she’d imagine she was in love with him.
And she knew her theory was correct.
This wasn’t a good idea. The only sensible answer he could give was ‘No’.
Instead, he nodded. A sweet smile lightened his face, chasing away the lingering sorrow.
“It’s a crazy idea. But I know it won’t work, so why not?”
The Rowdy Baker’s Wild Mountain Huckleberry Muffins
©2013 The Rowdy Baker (Used with permission)
Makes 12 scrumptious muffins!
Ingredients
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup sugar
2½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
¾ cup small mountain huckleberries, fresh or frozen, divided. (Do not thaw frozen berries)
1 well-beaten egg
¾ cup milk
⅓ cup oil (I use peanut oil)
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons flour (if using frozen berries)
Heat oven to 375 F.
Mix together all ingredients for streusel topping (see below) and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt. Sift twice.
Add lemon and ½ cup berries, and toss. If you are using frozen berries, toss them with 2 tablespoons of flour in a small bowl and then add to the dry ingredients. Make a well.
In a medium bowl, combine the egg, milk, oil, and vanilla and mix well. Add all at once to the dry ingredients, folding gently just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
Divide between 12 lined muffin cups. Press remaining berries gently onto tops of muffins and cover with streusel mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Cool on a rack.
When cool, drizzle with icing (see below) if desired.
Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Icing:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Water if needed to thin.
Mix together well.
Bible Verses & other references
Chapter 1
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.”
Chapter 3
Daniel 9:9 NIV
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him
Chapter 4
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Matthew 18:20
For when two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Chapter 9
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Luke 2:1-20 NIV
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She
wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Chapter 10
SILENT NIGHT LYRICS
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Ephesians 1:7 NIV
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
John 13:34 NIV
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Chapter 15
Ephesians 4: 1-3 The Voice
I urge you: Live a life that is worthy of the calling He has graciously extended to you. Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love. Make every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit has already created, with peace binding you together.
Ephesians 4:26
When you are angry, don’t let it carry you into sin. Don’t let the sun set with anger in your heart…
Ephesians 4:32
…be kind and compassionate. Graciously forgive one another just as God has forgiven you…
Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Thanks to...
Love to my dear husband Arthur for our adventure of marriage, where I’m growing in love and learning what commitment means, even in the toughest times.
Thanks to Shannon, crit partner and dear friend, whose insight into relationships is so deep and so true. I value your support so much!
Thank you to my lovely editor Deidre at Brilliant Cut Editing. She’s the best! Any grammatical errors and misplaced commas are mine, added after she did her edits.
Thanks to Lorinda, The Rowdy Baker, for her scrumptious recipes and for so graciously permitting me to use her huckleberry muffin recipe. Now, if only I could get some huckleberries here in England that don’t cost more than my weekly grocery budget!
Thanks most of all to God, for always loving us, always forgiving us, and always being willing to give us second chances, when we ask Him.
And thank you, for reading. I do hope you enjoyed the story and were blessed by it.
Copyright 2016 © by Autumn Macarthur
First ebook edition as part of the Candy Cane Kisses boxed set, September 2016
First solo ebook version released October, 2016, published by Faith, Hope, & Heartwarming
http://faithhopeandheartwarming.com
Contact: [email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means— for example, electronic, photocopy, recording— without the prior written permission of the author. The only exception is brief quotations in printed or broadcast reviews. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
BIBLE VERSION COPYRIGHT NOTICES
New International Version (NIV): Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Voice (VOICE): The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society. All rights reserved.
OTHER COPYRIGHTS
Wild Mountain Huckleberry Muffins recipe copyright © 2013 The Rowdy Baker and used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Not to be reprinted or reused without The Rowdy Baker’s written consent.
Imperfectly Proverbs 31
Huckleberry Lake 2
Autumn Macarthur
She speaks with wisdom and teaches others to be loving and kind.
Proverbs 31:26 ERV
About the book
To help her archeologist sister, geeky Samantha Rose agrees to swap her black T-shirts and diet of pizza and ice-cream for a pretty apron and a summer caring for her adorable twin nieces and their newfoundland dog in Huckleberry Lake, Idaho. How hard can it be?
When Perfectly Proverbs 31, the blog she starts to reassure her sister, unexpectedly goes viral and everyone believes she really is a wonderful homemaker, Sam reluctantly needs to keep up the pretense. If she doesn’t, she risks ruining everyone’s summer. The girls’ over-protective grandma will surely swoop in to take them away from her.
Forced by his boss to interview Sam then take a vacation, a month at the lake with nothing to do but write a fluff piece is burned-out city crime journalist Daniel Novak’s worst nightmare. But he finds her surprising and delightful, as her attempts to impress him with a picnic go horribly wrong. Time with Sam could restore his lost faith in people — and in God.
Can Ms Klutz-in-the-Kitchen transform herself to a Proverbs 31 woman in time to stop him revealing the truth about her blog? And what will happen to their growing love when he does?
Dear Reader,
Have you ever compared yourself to other people in your life and felt second-best? Samantha Rose, the heroine of this book certainly does, and I admit, I do as well, at times!
But if we’re not careful, comparing can lead to jealousy or despair (or its wicked stepsister, pride). That’s not part of what God intends for us!
Sam’s lesson is to learn that God has given us different gifts and talents, for His own purposes. In His eyes, we are all equal. Equally valued, equally loved.
Any time we find ourselves comparing, we can hand those feelings of inadequacy over to Him, trusting that He does have a loving plan and purpose for every single one of us.
I hope you enjoy Samantha and Daniel’s story, and that it blesses and uplifts you,
Prologue
Daniel Novak stared at his boss. She’d called him to her office
for this? “I think I misheard you. You want me to do what?”
Meg shook her head, her stiff salt-and-pepper hair barely moving. “You didn’t mishear, Novak. I’m sending you to Idaho to interview Samantha Rose, the homemaking blogger a mention in our magazine section made an overnight hit.”
Her brisk businesslike voice didn’t shift gear as she repeated her outrageous statement.
“Send one of the junior reporters. This is a piece for the lifestyle pages.” He turned to leave. “Excuse me, I have some real news to chase.”
“It isn’t a suggestion for your next assignment. It’s an order.”
The hint of steel in her tone stopped him at the door. He glanced back at her, eyebrows raised.
Was the editor reputed to be the toughest and smartest in New York losing it? No one knew Meg’s real age, but she’d have to be hitting her seventies. Not that old.
Her fist thudded on the desk. Controlled, but unmistakably a thump. “I still run this paper. I know everyone’s contracts inside out. You’re going, or you’re fired.”
Come to the Lake Page 12