Lord, thank You for this man and for how You brought him into my life. Please tell Mama how much I miss her. . . .
Tears threatened. But they were tears of joy. This was her wedding day! Her heart overflowed with love for John. She couldn’t wait to see him.
Oohs and aahs reached her ears. Men filled the room, all with their hats in their hands. Friends. Fellow churchgoers. And plenty of those who came to listen to her and her sisters sing every night.
Madysen nodded from the stage and began a beautiful melody on her cello. Havyn walked down the makeshift aisle. Dad was still in town, but she’d asked him to respect this special family time and not come to the wedding. Too many years and heartaches still separated them. And it wouldn’t be good for Whitney right now.
Things hadn’t been great between her and Dad, but she and Madysen had prayed a lot about how to build a relationship with the man they barely knew. It would take Whit a lot more time. If ever.
Forgiveness and healing were beautiful—things that Havyn begged God to give her. But they would take time.
She looked ahead but couldn’t see John amid the crowd of standing men. Her heart thundered in her chest.
There.
Tall and straight. In a dark suit, he looked more handsome than ever.
As soon as their eyes connected, she wanted to run the rest of the way. Even two weeks had seemed too long to wait for this day, but God had done a mighty work in them both during that time. Had done a mighty work in her whole family.
And she would always be grateful.
The last few steps brought her up next to her grandfather. He sat taller and straighter in the wheeled chair than he had before. It was good to see him gaining strength every day.
She leaned down and kissed his cheek and then whispered in his ear, “I love you, Granddad. Thank you for being a matchmaker. It worked.”
His lopsided smile was the best gift he could’ve given her.
The pastor asked a question and Granddad answered, but Havyn had looked up again at John—and she couldn’t take her eyes from him.
And as he came to her and took her hand, she never wanted him to let go.
“You look beautiful.” His voice was husky and soft.
Whitney went behind Havyn and fixed her dress and fluffed her veil, then stood next to her. They’d worked on the dress together for the past two weeks. And by the look on John’s face, it was worth it.
“We are gathered together today . . .” Pastor began.
It all passed in a blur as she and John exchanged their wedding vows. She wanted to savor the moments so she could remember them forever, but she got caught up in the man before her.
John.
She was marrying him. Right now. A dream come true.
He smiled down at her.
Then he pulled her close, their hearts beating against one another.
Time stood still as he put his forehead on hers. “I love you, Mrs. Roselli. Always and forever.”
And then he sought her lips with his own.
The Roadhouse erupted in whoops, hollers, and cheers.
But the only voice she wanted to hear was John’s. And the only place she wanted to be was here . . .
In her husband’s arms.
THE END
A Note from the Authors
Tracie and I are so grateful that you chose to join us for THE TREASURES OF NOME series. We love Alaska and love sharing our knowledge and research of this great state with you. We hope you join us for more of the Powell sisters and the rest of their stories as the series continues.
For two years, I’ve been waiting for the right story to add in my own personal research of pertussis. And when I say research, I mean the most intense research I’ve ever done. With lasting effects.
I found out I had contracted whooping cough—the hundred-day cough, otherwise known as pertussis—during our trip for our son’s wedding. When the simple cough that had been there for three weeks changed and I couldn’t breathe, the doctors discovered pertussis and I had to be treated so I wouldn’t spread it. Then I was quarantined for seven days. It took four months for that horrible cough to run its course.
The CDC had several phone conversations with me. The poor people who were around me had to get used to the horrific spasms that would overtake me. And my dear, sweet, amazing husband didn’t get a whole lot of sleep.
Even the folks at Bethany House had to endure this with me. And they were so gracious. Dave Long and Dave Horton were troupers as we did our best to get through meetings with my hacking.
That terrible disease is only a memory now, but this spring we discovered it scarred my lungs, gave me asthma, and damaged my soft palate so that I have acute obstructive sleep apnea. I have a whole new respect for this horrible disease, modern medicine and inoculations, and how so many people suffered and died from it years ago.
But through it all, God is good and He is faithful. I’ve learned a lot. And I was able to use it in this story.
As we all travel through the days we have on this earth, it’s important to remember how precious life is. Every moment counts. I pray you hug someone today and tell them that you love them. Don’t wait to let people know that you care. And please, don’t hesitate to share the Good News with the lost and dying world around you. That should be our priority. Each and every day. Because someone right next to you today might not be here tomorrow.
Thank you for reading!
To God be the glory!
Kimberley
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, we’d like to thank the Lord God for giving us the stories to tell.
Second, to our amazing husbands. They are our supermen. Without their support and prayers, we wouldn’t be able to do this.
Third, to all the team at Bethany House. What an honor and a privilege to work with you again. You are the best!
Fourth, to our incredible editor Karen Ball. You made this book shine. Thank you for all your hard work. For helping us to dig deep and keeping us on our toes. You are a gift.
And last, to our readers. We could not do this without you. We read every comment, post, email, and message you send our way. Thank you for blessing us.
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of more than one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit www.traciepeterson.com to learn more.
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction. A popular speaker and teacher, she has shared the theme of “Joy Through Trials” with hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Kim is a pastor’s wife and is passionate about music and Bible study. She lives and writes in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana. Visit www.kimberleywoodhouse.com for more information.
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Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
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Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Books by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Dear Reader
Prologue
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Epilogue
A Note from the Authors
A
cknowledgments
About the Authors
Back Ads
Back Cover
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Forever Hidden Page 28