Abide: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series, Book 7)

by JoAnn Durgin

  “Justice will prevail. They’re going to be taken to the hospital, and from there the police will take over.” He glanced back at Caleb. “They paid for a bunch of no-name thugs to do their dirty work…the notes, the phone calls, the car outside the house…all of it.”

  Shaking his head, Caleb blew out a sigh. “I asked the Lord for it to be over, and He answered that prayer.” He tightened his hold on Caty’s shoulders. “I’ll be forever grateful.”

  “And we keep praying for them,” Caty said. “I really thought I was getting through to Suma, but her love of money consumed her, I suppose. I’ll need to visit her. Or at least try.”

  “You’ll really go see her in jail or prison or whatever?” Lauren’s eyes were side. “Can I come?”

  “We’ll see,” Caleb said.

  “I love you, Caleb.” Caty surrendered to the overwhelming urge to sleep.

  “Rest, my love.”

  She was safe. Lauren was safe. That and their love for one another was all that mattered.

  Thank you, Jesus.

  Chapter 53

  Saturday, June 16, 2007

  The Wedding

  Caty peeked outside from where she stood by the kitchen door of Sam and Lexa’s home. Finally, it was her wedding day. In the next thirty minutes, at seven o’clock, the ceremony would begin. She’d marry the man of God’s choosing, and her dreams, beneath the towering sugarberry trees. The evening temperature was comfortable, and a slight breeze ruffled the branches of the trees.

  Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful day.

  If it had rained, they’d move indoors. The wedding was small and intimate, limited to family members and their closest friends, the way she and Caleb both wanted.

  They’d have a larger reception in another month after they returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii. After the events of the last few weeks, especially, Caty wanted nothing more than to relax on a beach with her husband beside her. They planned to fly between the islands for the first week, and then Caleb’s mother, Jennifer, and Lauren would fly to meet them in Kauai, the Garden Island, where they planned to explore the waterfalls and scenic drives together. Jennifer and Lauren would have their own suite, of course. That made Caty smile.

  She spied Josh escorting Chloe, Luke, and Emily to the white chairs on the large lawn. Pretty as a picture, Chloe was turning into quite the young lady. Holding hands, Luke and Emily walked beside their daddy while Chloe walked ahead of them. Emily and Rachel were already seated with their husbands and families, and she’d visited with them the night before when they’d all gone to dinner. Caty smiled again when she spied Aunt Tess, Uncle Charlie, and her cousin Clarissa taking their seats.

  She felt a hand on her back, and Lexa appeared by her side. “Ready, sweetie?”

  Caty breathed out slowly and smiled. “My whole life. Where’s Dad?”

  “He’s with Caleb, Sam, Carson, and Eliot. They’re praying together. They’ll be going out the front door and around to the backyard in about five minutes. Winnie’s giving everyone their cues.”

  Caty glanced at the clock on the wall. Ten minutes until seven. “Thank you.”

  Her mother floated into the room. In her tea-length, pale pink dress and wrist corsage of pink rosebuds and orchids, she was breathtaking. Sarah enfolded Caty in her arms.

  “Honey, I need to take my place in just a moment, but I needed one more hug from my darling girl. I know I’ve already told you ten times today, and I’ve hugged you twice as many times, but I love you. Caleb’s a wonderful man, and we know he’s the man of God’s choosing for our lovely Catherine Grace. You’re a beautiful couple, and we love Lauren and any future children you may have. You’ll have a blessed life together.”

  “Thank you, Mom. For everything. My entire life.” Resisting the urge to bite her lower lip, Caty blinked back tears. “Somehow, even that doesn’t seem adequate.”

  Sarah touched her cheek against hers. “Remember, my love. That’s what mothers do. I think you already know a little something about that.”

  “Yes, I do. Love you.”

  Marta hurried into the kitchen and gave Mom a quick side hug. “Mrs. Lewis, you’re looking fabulous as always.” As Sarah departed, her matron of honor scooted over beside Caty. “I just got a peek at Caleb. Your groom is gorgeous in his gray tuxedo, my friend. The best man’s not bad, either. I don’t see Eliot in a tux nearly enough, so it’s a real thrill.”

  Lightly pressing her fingers on her lips, Marta touched them to Caty’s cheek. “Eliot and I couldn’t be happier for you. You’re just”—she sniffled and waved away Lexa’s offer of a tissue—“the most glowing bride ever. I love that you’re wearing your mother’s wedding gown and veil, Caty. It’s vintage but so classically elegant. Isn’t she simply beautiful, Lexa?”

  Lexa smiled. “Absolutely, but dry those tears. Whatever you do, please don’t make Caty cry.”

  Marta took her hand and held on tight. “You okay, girlfriend? This is it.”

  Caty breathed out slowly. “I’m nervous, but it’s the best kind of nervous. I need you all to pray that I don’t stumble and fall flat on my face at Caleb’s feet.”

  Marta smiled. “If you do, Caleb will sweep you into his arms and not relinquish you until that ring is on your finger.”

  “Speaking of prayer, let’s do that now.” Lexa gathered them together by taking their hands and drawing them into a small circle.

  “Don’t start without me. I’m here!” Lauren flew around the corner and into the kitchen.

  “We’re going to pray now. Come and join us.” Lexa stepped aside so Lauren could stand on the other side of Caty.

  “Father, we ask your blessing on the marriage of Caty and Caleb today,” Lexa began. “You are the creator of love. We thank you for Caty’s sweet spirit and her heart for you. We thank you for bringing Caleb into her life and for his strong commitment and faithfulness to you. We ask for your continued blessing on their lives together with Lauren as they continue to serve you.”

  Quiet footsteps alerted Caty that someone else had entered the kitchen. She opened one eye as her father walked behind her. Planting both large hands on her shoulders, he rested his head gently on hers. She reached for his hand.

  Marta squeezed Caty’s other hand. “Lord, I pray you’ll bless our friends Caleb and Caty with a long and happy life together. Give them babies to share their love. When the inevitable storms of life come, please help them to always remember to look to you for answers to those things that seem impossible. To lean on you for the strength to carry on when the odds seem insurmountable, and to never forget the greatest love of all that has brought them together.”

  “Dear Jesus, thank you for Caty,” Lauren prayed. “She makes my dad happy, and we love her very much. I hope they have a great honeymoon, and I look forward to Nana and me going to Hawaii to meet them. Maybe they’ll give me a baby brother or sister soon.”

  “We ask all these things in the name of Jesus,” Lexa finished. “And all God’s people said…”

  A chorus of Amen! rang all around Caty.

  Lauren hugged her father. I love you, Grandpa Sam.” The sight of those two brought Caty close to tears.

  “Always and forever, Lauren.”

  Lexa was beside her in a heartbeat and handed Caty her bouquet. Dipping her head, Caty inhaled the sweet fragrance of the pink roses grown in her mother’s garden as well as in the garden from Caleb’s home, symbolic of the two households of faith joining together on this beautiful day.

  “Lauren, here’s your bouquet.” Lexa handed it to her. “You look lovely, and so grown-up.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lewis.” Rebekah had styled Lauren’s hair, and she’d added dainty fresh flowers. Lauren’s gaze rested on Caty. “I love your dress. You’re beautiful. Can I call you Mom now?”

  Caty nodded and opened her arms. “If that’s what you’d like, but I’m okay with Caty, too.” As Lauren wrapped her arms around her waist, Caty closed her eyes. These were the moments of lif
e. The moments she’d treasure forever. The moments of overflowing joy.

  Lauren understood she wasn’t a replacement for her mother. But the Lord entrusted the care of this precious girl to her, and Caty would do her best with that awesome responsibility.

  “I like calling you Mom. I love you, Caty.” Pulling back, Lauren giggled and then sniffled. “I guess I can call you both now, huh?”

  “Yes, but if I were you, I’d still call your father Dad, not Caleb.” She tapped Lauren’s nose. “I hope you realize I’m not just marrying your father today. You’re the biggest part of him, Lauren. He’s entrusting his heart to me, but he’s also giving me the honor of helping to raise you.”

  “I’m already halfway raised, so I think you got yourself a bargain.”

  Caty gave her another hug and kissed the top of her head. “I’d say so, young lady.”

  Winnie poked her head inside the door. “The men are in place, and Kevin’s just started playing. Everyone ready?”

  Lexa nodded. “They’re ready.” Love you, she mouthed to Caty as she slipped out the door ahead of Marta to scoot to her seat.

  Kevin began playing Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” on his classic guitar as Marta began her slow walk up the white-draped aisle. Lauren waited for her cue from Winnie, who stood beside the back door.

  Dad stepped into place beside her.

  Caty admired her father’s strong, handsome profile. “This is it, Dad.”

  “This is the day the Lord has made,” he said, his voice a bit husky. He gazed at her with all the love in the world in his blue eyes. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Gathering her in his arms, he kissed her cheek. “My baby girl, you’ve made your mother and me so proud.” He eyed her dress. “I haven’t seen that dress in a long time. You’re beautiful.”

  Thank you, Dad, she mouthed, not trusting herself to speak.

  With her oldest brother officiating, and her youngest brother assisting, Catherine Grace Lewis married Abernathy Caleb Reid. In so doing, she also gained a daughter of her heart. Sam’s charge to them as a couple stressed that marriage wasn’t easy. He acknowledged they’d already survived strenuous challenges most long-time married couples had never faced—and hopefully never would. Together, they’d clung to the Lord’s promises, and they’d refused to live in fear, and would continue to do so throughout their married life.

  God’s will always prevails. Onward and forward from this day forward.

  Closing his Bible, Sam smiled at the end of the ceremony. “And now, by the power invested in me by the great State of Texas, and by the Lord Almighty, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Caleb, you may kiss your bride.”

  Caleb drew her close. “Abide,” he whispered.

  “Abide, my love,” she whispered back before his lips met hers in their first kiss as a married couple.

  Their families and closest friends tossed rose petals as they made their way back down the aisle. They didn’t plan to stay long, but their guests would continue to party on as long as they wished.

  An hour later, Caty prepared to leave with her husband. They’d changed their clothes and stood outside Sam and Lexa’s home saying their good-byes…for now. They both laughed when they spied the Porsche with Just Married written on the back window and tin cans attached to the bumper.

  Marta rushed over to her. “I figured out that last clue,” she said. “Eliot’s taking piano lessons, and he just played a song for me on Sam and Lexa’s piano.”

  “Eliot’s taking piano lessons?” Caleb raised a brow.

  “Don’t say a word,” Eliot warned, pulling his wife close.

  Caleb shook his friend’s hand. “I wasn’t going to say a word. If anything, I think it’s awesome. I would have thought that clue had something to do with baseball.”

  “Me too,” Caty said.

  “You would.” Marta looked up at Eliot and they both beamed.

  Caty laughed and clapped her hands. “Wait! You’re having a baby?”

  “Yes!”

  Caty’s smile broke out, and she hugged Marta close. “Congratulations, my friend. What a great day this is. We’ll have so much to talk about when Caleb and I get back from Hawaii.”

  “That’s not all,” Marta said. “He teases me because I’ve told him that I don’t care where we live. In other words, it’s a minor detail for me. With my new job as the full-time weather person, thank you very much, we’ll be house hunting in the near future.”

  “Making it major,” Eliot said. “I never claimed to be the best at these kinds of games. Cut me some slack people.”

  “You’re invaluable with what counts, buddy.” Caleb embraced him. “You are the best man to call, and I can’t begin to thank you enough for what you’ve done for my family.”

  Eliot grinned. “That’s what friends are for.”

  “Don’t forget to toss your bouquet,” Marta reminded her. “Everyone’s ready.”

  “Oh, I’m glad you said something.” Lauren handed her the bouquet. Saying a quick prayer, Caty tossed it high over her head, hoping for the best. Then turned around to see where it landed.

  As if the thing had a mind of its own, the bouquet bonked her second eldest brother on the head. Will stared at her, wide-eyed, as it bounced off his head and fell straight into his hands.

  Then Will aimed and flung the bouquet at Carson.

  “Oh no, you don’t.” Laughing, Carson dodged it.

  “Let the games begin,” Caleb said beside her. They laughed and shared a sweet kiss.

  “Sometimes prayers really do come true. You’re up next, Commander Lewis.” Caty saluted him and then blew kisses to her family and closest friends. Climbing into the car while Caleb waited, she bumped her head. “Ow ow ow.”

  “Caty? Are you okay?”

  “Just embarrassed to have an audience for my clumsiness,” she muttered. “Oh well, I was Clumsy Caty when you met me, and it seems Clumsy Caty is back.”

  “Only until we reach the honeymoon suite, and then you’re my forever Catherine Reid.”

  Oh my, if those words didn’t send shivers of anticipation…well, pretty much everywhere.

  Caleb kissed her forehead. “We’re going to need to review the method to get in the car,” he told her as he slid into the driver’s seat.

  “Maybe you need a bigger car.” She snapped her seat belt and gave him a cheeky grin.

  “We shall see.” Caleb laughed as he started the engine and moved his hand over hers.

  Lowering the window, Caty waved to their guests. “See you soon! We love you all.” Turning to face him, she smiled. “I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you, Mr. Reid.”

  “That sounds promising.” At the end of the street, Caleb stopped the car beside the curb and pulled her into his arms.

  She pulled back. “You seem to like curbs. Everything all right?”

  “Yes,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck and feathering kisses all the way up to her waiting lips. “I just need to kiss my wife properly.”

  And so he did.

  The End

  The Lewis Legacy Continues!

  Stay tuned for Will’s story in

  Pursuit

  Coming in late Fall 2016

  You can find all of JoAnn Durgin’s books on Amazon. Her Amazon author page can be found here:

  http://amzn.to/1UMuDoc

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  If you enjoyed Abide, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations truly honor and encourage an author, and they are an effective way to help others find quality Christian fiction.

  On the following pages, you will find information about the previous books in The Lewis Legacy Series. Please also check the listing at the beginning of Abide for the titles of the remaining books which will complete this series.

  A second series, The Wellspring Series—an offshoot
of the original TeamWork Missions ministry—will begin once the books in this first series have been published. You’ll never know when some of your favorite characters from the original series might make an appearance!

  Awakening

  The Lewis Legacy Series, Book 1

  A God-fearing man. A God-seeking woman. For Sam Lewis and Lexa Clarke, it proves a combustible combination.

  Lexa Clarke signs up for a TeamWork Missions summer assignment expecting adventure in a far-off, exotic country. Instead, she’s sent to sweltering San Antonio to help rebuild homes destroyed by sudden flooding. She survives the four-hour bus trip from Houston, dust in the lungs, a flat tire, a tool-throwing incident and a spitting goat—not to mention an inquisition from a distractingly handsome cowboy—all before reaching the work camp.

  TeamWork director Sam Lewis isn’t sure what to think of his newest volunteer. She’s feisty, witty, and incredibly pretty, but looks more prepared to board a cruise ship than build houses. Burned by a past betrayal, he’s got a job to do, a reputation to uphold. Sam can’t afford to be distracted by a woman who attracts animals, defies his rules, finds trouble at every turn and questions God’s purpose. But when she tumbles from the top beam of one of the houses into his arms, Sam suspects his life will never be the same. During their weeks together in the TeamWork camp, Sam and Lexa learn the power of forgiveness and healing.

  Enduring a chain of incidents which challenge their faith, trust and growing relationship, they look to the Lord for guidance as together they discover a love greater than either could ever imagine. At the end of the eight-week work camp, Sam is committed to a year-long, dangerous overseas mission for TeamWork. Can Lexa trust the Lord enough to let him go? Will Sam safely return and keep his promise to meet her at the Alamo? You’ll keep turning the pages of this sweeping romantic adventure.

  With great characters, plenty of humor, enough emotion to make you shed a tear or two, and an ending that’ll have you cheering, Awakening will leave you breathless. Hold on tight. The adventures of Lewis and Clarke have only just begun!