Jack paced the Jasper Gulch Bobcats team dugout, jaw tight, eyes on the field. When he wasn’t pacing, he was standing, staring straight out, clenching the rail in front of him. Her heart went out to him, despite years of spurning baseball. She’d blamed him and the sport, avoiding both, much as Jack had done. Seeing him, watching the tension darken his gaze, narrow his eyes...
No matter what happened...or didn’t happen...between them, she wanted him happy.
The game rolled on, tight and tied with a score of 2–2, right up until the end of the fifth inning when a shout from the stands drew the attention of the Bobcat approaching the batter’s box.
“Hey, Ben! I’m afraid you’re going to miss this at bat.” The very pregnant woman in the stands made a face that said no words were necessary.
“Now?” The thirtysomething outfielder looked at her, then the bat as if weighing his options, and he might have looked at the bat longer if Jack hadn’t stepped to the plate and taken it out of his hands.
“Call me later, tell me if it’s a boy or a girl.”
Reason seemed to grab hold of Ben once Jack took the bat, and the expectant father bounded across the grass to the bleachers while Sam Douglas and his wife helped the laboring woman down.
Jack turned as if about to call someone off the bench, but there was no one to call. The sight of him there, in the batter’s box, ready to hit, pushed Liv to action. She didn’t pause to consider the outcome, good or bad. She didn’t weigh up how her action might affect the man she loved, she simply knew that Jack was right where he belonged, at long last. Standing at home plate, bat in hand, squared up in the batter’s box.
She moved forward, rallying the crowd, fist-pumping the air. “We want Jack! We want Jack! We want Jack!”
The crowd didn’t waste a moment. Within seconds, both bleachers were on their feet, cheering and waving Jasper Gulch banners, shouting Jack’s name.
He turned. Looked at Liv. And the look she saw on his face, in his gaze, said that despite years of misgiving, he’d never forget this moment, a moment she gave him.
She smiled, fist-pumped the air, jerked her head toward home plate and mouthed, “Go get ’em.”
When the first pitch sailed in for a fastball strike down the center, Jack eyed the ball, then his bat as if reacquainting himself. The second ball arced away from him, a called “ball.” The third pitch, a cutter, came dead-on then dived low, but did that stop Jack McGuire?
No way.
A low-ball hitter from way back, Jack dug down, swinging hard and fast, driving the ball with the quintessential crack of a home run.
The crowd went wild on both bleachers. Shouts of joy and cheers of laughter filled the park as Jack rounded the bases in his typical calm fashion, but when he crossed home plate, did he stay calm?
He did not!
With all the energy of an athlete at the top of his game, Jack ran to the field’s edge, grabbed up Liv and kissed her soundly in front of nearly twelve hundred people.
And she kissed him right back, delighted and unafraid to stake her own personal claim on the tall, green-eyed rancher.
The crowd cheered again, and they didn’t start to calm until Jack raised a hand in the air. It took a long moment for things to wind down, but when they did, Jack McGuire smiled and took a knee on the dusty ground.
The crowd’s quiet gasp echoed Liv’s.
“Liv, I’ve loved you a long time and I can’t think of anything nicer or more wonderful than making you my wife, raisin’ a family with you on the Double M. What do you think, Livvie Franklin? Will you do this cowboy the honor of becoming my wife?”
Would she?
Jack’s sweet proposal required no thought, but he didn’t know that. Livvie pretended to think the question over, playing the crowd, but in the end she met his gaze, the true-and-trusty smile of a born rancher, and nodded. “It would be my pleasure, cowboy.”
Jack jumped up and kissed her again, and by the time they got the romance of the day settled, it was time to play ball again.
He trotted back onto the field, tall and strong, as if baseball was the only thing on his mind, while Liv’s heart skip-jumped in her chest. Thoughts of what could be filled her head—the ranch, a home, a house full of little McGuires. She couldn’t be happier, and a glance up to her parents said she had their full approval. Grandma fist-pumped the air and Mert’s grin from the third-base bleachers said she had them pegged right all along.
The game ended four innings later with the Senior Bobcats losing by one to the Senior Bombers, but no one cared. As the afternoon of fun wore on, the entire town seemed energized by the success of the day. Happy smiles and joyous high fives were the norm along Main Street and the ball fields.
And when Jack approached Liv’s family after the game, he made a face of apology to her father. “I should have asked you first, sir.”
“You did,” Dave replied. “Ten years ago. Woulda answered the same now as then.”
Jack slung an arm around Liv, drew her close and planted a kiss to her right temple as Grandma and Grandpa drew closer.
“That was some game, young man!” The old man gripped the cane in his right hand and gave it a notable thump! “Half the time I didn’t know who was winning or who was playing for who, but it didn’t matter. I haven’t been to a ball game that good in years, although I don’t know about purple shirts and ribbons for ballplayers.” His face said someone had gone astray, sissifying the players’ shirts like that.
Jack met the old man’s gaze. “I can’t imagine what they were thinking, sir.”
He’d said just the right thing. The old man’s smile accepted the words, and as Grandma Mason hugged Grandpa’s arm, Liv knew that’s how she wanted to spend her days, all of her days. For better or worse, in sickness and in health...
From this day forward.
Epilogue
“Carrie, are you really making a basket for the country fair?” Liv aimed a teasing look toward Mick and Jack as they worked to replace the shed roof abutting the near barn in early September. “I thought once we caught the guy, we could ignore things like that.”
“It does negate the point, doesn’t it?” Carrie laughed when Mick aimed an amused look from his vantage point on the roof. “Mick would just as soon stay out here and work, so I’m making one to encourage his presence. If he doesn’t come to town, I’ll be having lunch with some other spit-shined cowboy that day.”
“That’s not likely to happen,” Jack called down as he finished the final corner along the drip edge. “I’ve been instructed to outbid anyone who bids on your basket if Dad’s tied up here.”
“Mick McGuire!” Carrie leaned back on her arms and laughed up at Jack’s father while Livvie turned the potatoes roasting in the fire-pit coals. “That’s kind of romantic, you staking a claim and all.”
“I think that rock on your hand oughta be claim enough, but just in case one of those youngsters gets an idea in his head, I made sure Jack’s got things covered.”
“Like father like son,” Liv muttered just loud enough for Carrie to hear. “Apple didn’t fall far from the tree in this case, and you know what?”
Carrie hiked one eyebrow, waiting.
“I’d say that’s all right and we’re the two most blessed women in Jasper Gulch right now.”
“I can’t disagree, although that house is going to be a mite crowded come spring.”
“No, it won’t.” Jack swung off the roof and landed solid, looking just as good nailing shingles as he did riding herd, and Jack McGuire looked mighty fine on the back of a horse. “Liv and I saw Ben over at the lumber works. We were going to wait until spring, but I decided there’s no time like the present to start the new house. If we get the outside up and weather-tight before the snow hits, we’re golden. That would have us in before calving season.”
�
�Having that twenty-thousand-dollar check clear the bank a few weeks back made the prospect of building more manageable.”
Jack stared at his father. “You knew about that?”
“Ayuh. I saw the transfer from your account online. And figured I’d watch and see how you handled things, and you did just fine. After going a little stupid for a few days. But I figured a few days was way better than a bunch of years, so let me just say—” Mick raised his hammer in salute “—you’ve gotten better, son.”
Liv cleared her throat.
Carrie laughed.
“It seems the bank had applied Henry’s funds to someone else’s account,” Jack explained. “So when the bank bounced our check, they sent Henry a notice and he stormed into the bank ready to do battle because he figured we’d been denied our money. He called me personally to apologize the night of the Old-timers’ Baseball Game.”
“Wilbur said he felt bad, calling you, giving you the news,” Mick added. “But in business, things happen. Best we can do is move on.”
The kids came bounding from the house wearing hoodies and sweatpants, the cooler nights a reminder of a new time, a new season. “Mom, is the food ready yet?”
“Liv, I’m starving!”
They raced toward them, two faces, smiling, hungry and absolutely adorable. Blue followed right along, a four-legged bundle of happy energy, as cute and ravenous as his masters.
She’d gone from the prospect of being an assistant professor to an about-to-be-married woman, surrounded by cattle, horses, jobs, tasks, kids, dogs and a new family, filled with faith, hope and love.
Jack caught her eye from across the fire and his expression said he was just as delighted and amazed. And the thought of being here, with Jack, in their new home under the banquet of Big Sky country stars?
Made Livvie Franklin the happiest woman in the world.
* * * * *
If you liked this BIG SKY CENTENNIAL novel,
watch for the next book, HER MONTANA TWINS
by Carolyne Aarsen, available September 2014.
And don’t miss a single story in the
BIG SKY CENTENNIAL miniseries:
Book #1: HER MONTANA COWBOY
by Valerie Hansen
Book #2: HIS MONTANA SWEETHEART
by Ruth Logan Herne
Book #3: HER MONTANA TWINS
by Carolyne Aarsen
Book #4: HIS MONTANA BRIDE
by Brenda Minton
Book #5: HIS MONTANA HOMECOMING
by Jenna Mindel
Book #6: HER MONTANA CHRISTMAS
by Arlene James
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE AMISH NANNY by Patricia Davids.
Dear Reader,
Our God is the God of second chances. Sometimes they come unexpectedly, the silver lining within a cloud of regret.
Livvie’s story struck home. I can see a young woman, denied the relationship she thought she’d have, working to rebuild her life according to plan. And how devastating it must feel when that plan runs amok! But it wasn’t coincidence that brought her home at this time, or brought her grandfather’s condition to light. God’s timing isn’t always convenient, but if we grab the offered opportunities, it’s amazing how things work out.
And Jack? Denied the career he worked for, then losing his mother, he came back home to an amazing heritage. But it took him a while to shake off that anger, the yearning for control.
We’re such funny creatures. We want to take charge, but we forget that not everything is in our control. For me, that’s when the Serenity Prayer grabs hold. “Dear Lord, Grant me the courage to change the things I can, the patience to accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.” Simple words. Beautiful guidelines!
I lost my father-in-law to Alzheimer’s in 2012 after a long, debilitating illness. It was heartbreaking to see this kindly man suffer the indignities of a mind-numbing disease, but you know what? His family rose to the occasion and became my models for the Franklins in this book. Seeing my mother-in-law’s dedicated care, we glimpsed her strength and faith firsthand.
I enjoyed writing this story, delving into Big Sky country! I love hearing from readers. Contact me at [email protected], friend me on Facebook at Ruth Logan Herne, come cook with me at www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com and access my website, ruthloganherne.com. I enjoy chatting with folks, sharing stories and prayers! God bless you and thanks so much for reading His Montana Sweetheart!
Ruthy
Questions for Discussion
Coming “home” isn’t always easy. For some it’s a walk down memory lane. For others, it’s more like walking the plank. Are there people in your family who might cringe at coming home? What can we do to ease their return?
When his college injury made Major League Baseball an impossible dream, Jack shrugged off everything that might remind him of the dream he lost, including Olivia. Have you ever made a “thing” or goal so important that it blinded you to the worthiness of the rest of your life?
Jack believes in God but isn’t sure what role God really plays in life. The new preacher’s words touch Jack’s heart and bring him closer to the roots of his faith. Ethan’s arrival in town, the centennial celebrations and Liv’s return all coincide to bring Jack to his destiny. Do you believe in God’s timing? Has it manifested itself in your life?
Liv embraced a lifestyle just as segregated as Jack’s. She rarely visited home, she didn’t see her grandparents, and immersed herself in her own life and work. Her grandfather’s worsening battle with Alzheimer’s is a wake-up call for Livvie. Guilt reminds her that a selfish existence is really no existence at all. Do you think that guilt can be a helpful tool, guiding us to become better people?
Adopting the neglected horse is a big step forward for Livvie and Jack. She’ll need to come to the ranch—a place rife with memories, a place she loves—to take care of Dilly. Her commitment gives her the excuse she’s longing for, a chance to be with Jack again, on the ranch. Do you say yes to the possibilities life offers often enough? Or do you let apprehension steer you away?
Jasper Gulch is its own conundrum. Some folks want to move forward while some cling to the past, avoiding change purposely. In a small town, this can become a harsh duel. What methods would you recommend to entice a town to work together? And do you think the centennial celebrations might help do just that?
Jack’s father is falling in love. And if that happiness includes a new wife and two cute fatherless kids, Jack sees that as a triple win. But when Jack thinks he messed things up, his guilt is magnified. It’s not just him and his father anymore, and that raises the stakes. Does added responsibility make us hesitate to take chances? Is that a good thing?
The arrival of Liv’s grandparents changes her family dynamic. Then, when Liv sees her lack of time investment in the past, she’s realizing her choices weren’t made of faith and emotion but convenience. Her grandmother’s wisdom reminds her that everyone has regrets on the path of life. What’s the best way to push beyond those old regrets into a new tomorrow?
Grandma’s not happy with the turns her life has taken, but when she withdraws a beautiful piece, created for an event that no longer existed, the knitters see beyond her snippiness. Her words paint a picture of a life changed, through no fault of her own, and their sympathy takes hold. How can we be helpful to people dealing with the trauma of aging and disease?
Liv is ready and willing to make a commitment to Jack and Jasper Gulch, but when Jack pulls back, she’s
reminded of their broken dreams from college. The growth of her faith has helped her to see her own part in the problems. Jack’s actions spawn Liv’s reaction and she’s not afraid to give Jack a wake-up call. Does your faith in God help you to be honest in your relationships?
When Jack reveals the “team” shirts he ordered, with a ribbon marking Alzheimer’s awareness, Liv’s heart is touched. Jack’s respect for the elderly makes Liv realize how much she loves him. His action reflects the love and respect her grandmother shows her ailing grandfather, the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. Do you have examples of this kind of love in your family? If not, how do you grasp hold of your own personal “happily ever after”?
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.
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Chapter One
Ethan Gingerich led his draft horses out of their stalls and started to slide open the large door of his barn, but he stopped when he saw two irate women standing just outside. At second glance, only the one gripping his nephew Micah’s collar looked irate. It was Faith Lapp, his neighbor’s wife. He didn’t recognize the pretty young woman standing behind Faith. She looked scared. Her bright blue eyes were wide with apprehension.
Faith pointed to the child in her grasp. “Ethan Gingerich, do you know what your boy has done?”
His Montana Sweetheart (Big Sky Centennial Book 2) Page 20