by Lois Richer
“Don’t give up.” Teddy bowed his head. “God, we need help here.”
Kyle silently added his pleas to the prayer but was interrupted when he lifted his head and suddenly gave a shout. Kyle strained to follow Teddy’s pointing finger. Ahead of them, just to the right, the aurora borealis flashed an arc of incredible silver-green through the sky then undulated like an unfurling ribbon, lighting the ground ahead of them.
“Forward,” Teddy murmured. He pulled down his visor.
Kyle said nothing, his focus on the land around them, his heart praying. The northern lights continued to shift, swelling and heaving, ever changing. Kyle had never seen them so bright.
But he saw no sign of Sara.
Dispirited, defeated and wondering if he’d run out of favors from God, Kyle stopped to stretch his leg. It ached abominably from being bent for so long. He knew he could not last much longer on the machine. Doggedly, he revved his engine and continued his search across the frozen taiga.
His thoughts went to his last meeting with Rick. They’d talked over a verse in Psalms 69, which Rick said David had written in the deepest hours of his distress.
For Jehovah hears the cries of his needy ones and does not look the other way.
“Please look my way, God. Please help,” he kept repeating as he drove. Where are you, Sara?
Suddenly Kyle blinked. He took a second look then stopped his machine. Teddy followed suit.
Straight ahead, two polar bears sat as if transfixed.
Kyle couldn’t understand why they stayed. All at once Sara’s voice, cracked with strain but filled with determination, broke through the silence of the night as she belted out “Our God Reigns.”
His heart bursting with joy, Kyle climbed off his machine and tramped through the snow, following Sara’s voice, afraid to drive any closer lest he crush her refuge. Moments later he saw the black leather corner of the snowmobile seat jutting out of the snow and the tip of one ski.
“Sara! Where are you?”
Seconds later the hood of Sara’s bright red jacket poked through the snow. “Kyle?”
He got down in front of her, digging madly, freeing her from the snow. With tender fingers he touched the blue spot on her temple then brushed his lips against it.
“Oh, Sara, you scared me to death. Are you all right? What happened?” He listened to her story, unable to stop touching her to assure she was unhurt.
“I’m fine.” She smiled. Was there anything sweeter than Sara Kane’s smile?
No longer able to stop himself, Kyle folded her into his arms.
“I love you, Sara,” he whispered before he covered her lips with his.
For one stunned moment she didn’t move. But the next second she had her arms around his neck. Her lips melted warm against his, returning his embrace, telling him everything he needed to know. She still loved him.
In the background, Kyle vaguely heard Teddy radioing that they’d found her, but he ignored it, awed that God had given him the desire of his heart. After a moment, Sara went very still.
“I’m pretty cold and my brain’s not functioning perfectly,” she murmured, tilting her head away, a frown on her face. “But did you say you love me, Kyle?”
“For ages, with all my heart, as deeply as a man can love a woman, yes,” he said, kissing her between each phrase. “I love you, Sara.”
“Then why did you push me away?” she demanded, her eyes showing her hurt.
“I’m sorry I did that. But I didn’t think I had any other choice until God showed me a few things. We have a lot to talk about, sweetheart.” He helped her up. “But it’s going to have to wait until we get you home. Have a sip of Laurel’s coffee. It will warm you for the ride home.” He glanced at the bears that looked on with interest but hadn’t moved. “Think they’ll follow us?” he asked Teddy.
“Of course they won’t.” Sara grinned. “I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. That’s what kept them back there. They’re well rid of me.”
Teddy burst out laughing. Because her legs seemed wobbly, he and Kyle helped her onto Kyle’s sled. Then Teddy pulled him aside.
“You’re in pain. You don’t have to drive back. We could get a chopper out here,” he said.
“I am driving Sara home,” Kyle told him, daring him to argue.
Teddy studied him for a moment then smiled. “So what are we waiting for?”
“Nothing. I have all I need.” Kyle glanced at Sara then headed for Churchill. He was aware of the rising wind and the snowflakes that now fell in thick sheets, but felt no fear.
“They were so beautiful,” Sara murmured when they arrived at Lives and she climbed off the sled.
“What were?” Kyle slung his arm around her waist, supporting her.
“The northern lights. God gave me my own private viewing.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “I love you, Kyle. I don’t have to search for my family anymore.”
“No, you don’t, my dearest Sara. We’ll be each other’s family.” Kyle knew the others were waiting but he was loath to let her go, until she shivered. “Inside. We’ll talk later.”
“You’ll be here?” she asked very softly.
“Whenever you want, for as long as you want, I will be here, Sara.”
But as he watched her disappear into the throng of people waiting, Kyle wondered if she’d want him to stay when she learned the truth and realized he couldn’t give her the family she craved.
Chapter Fifteen
Snuggled in a big, fluffy quilt, which Lucy insisted on, Sara turned so she was leaning against the sofa arm, facing Kyle. She looked into his eyes and knew he was struggling to tell her something.
“Did you mean what you said?” she asked, glad they were finally alone in the big family room.
“Which part?” He looked at her then smiled. “Of course I love you. Couldn’t you tell?”
“No,” she said simply. “As you said, I don’t know anything about loving someone.”
“Oh, Sara, don’t repeat my stupidity. I was wrong and so are you. You know all about love. You’ve taught all of us—the boys, folks in town, me.” He took her hands in his and brought them to his lips. “You’ve taught us all the true meaning of love. You go above and beyond for everyone. You refuse to take no for an answer. That’s why I love you so much.”
“But—” Sara struggled to put the pieces together in her mind. “If you loved me, why did you tell me you didn’t? Would you have let me leave knowing that you loved me?”
“If God hadn’t shaken me up?” He shook his head. “Truthfully, I don’t know. I was so stubborn, so determined not to depend on anyone.” He grimaced. “I was afraid.”
Sara studied their entwined fingers and wondered. Was her love enough for him? Maybe he’d realize she couldn’t be the kind of woman he wanted.
“Sara.” He bent forward so she had to look at him. “Why do you think I’ve turned down three offers on the house? The last couple offered way more than my asking price but I made up an excuse not to sell because I couldn’t leave you.” A fierce look filled his face. “I promise I’ll do my best not to lean on you too much and I will relearn how to do as much as God wants me to.”
Her heart melted at his declaration. God had answered her deepest prayers. Sara flung her arms around his neck.
“My darling Kyle, we’ll each have to lean on the other, and God.” She kissed him then leaned back. “I come with a lot of baggage, Kyle. You’re going to need patience.”
“Not a hardship as long as you have patience with me.” He hugged her. “Sara, I need to tell you something else.”
“Okay.” Worried by the grave tone of his voice, she drew back.
“Before this goes any further I have to say this.” He inhaled then spoke. “One of the reasons I pushed you away is because I can’t have kids. The doctors said my injuries make that almost impossible.”
His words came out slowly. Sara sat frozen, absorbing everything he said. To never have her own child—no!
She squeezed her eyes closed and prayed and once more the soft, sweet assurance rushed in. God was in charge and He would fill her life with joy.
“I know how much you want a family of your own,” Kyle murmured. He tried to hide it but his face showed how much it cost him to tell her the truth. “I can’t give you that. All I have to offer you is love.”
Tears came to her eyes. All he had to offer. As if she was somehow getting second best with this loving, tender man who had risked his life for her.
“If you want to change your mind—”
She stopped his speech with the simple gesture of leaning over and covering his lips with hers. She kissed him as deeply, as passionately as she knew how, pouring her heart and soul into it. And wonder of wonders, Kyle kissed her back. When she finally pulled away she was breathless.
“I already have a family, Kyle. A huge one. Laurel, the boys, this town, Lucy and Hector. You. Especially you.” She snuggled her head against his chest. “God has blessed me so richly.”
“Are you still leaving, Sara? I’ll live wherever you want to. We’ll start over together.” He blinked at the smile that lifted her lips. “What?”
“I’m not leaving Churchill, Kyle. I can’t.” She grasped both his hands in her small ones and explained. “Out in the snow I figured out what God wants for my future.” She spread her hands wide. “Churchill is my home, Kyle. This is where God wants me, here at Lives, in town, in the church, helping out wherever I can. I couldn’t help Maria. But I can help the boys who come here. That’s what God wants.”
“I’m certainly glad to hear that.” Laurel stepped into the room. “Sorry to interrupt you two but I just discovered that our new cook isn’t as accomplished as I’d expected. She’s worried about taking on everything here and asked if someone would train her. As head cook, Sara, you could do that. We’ll need help if my plan to expand goes ahead. Is that something you’re interested in?”
“Head cook? Yes! Yes, yes, yes.” Sara jumped up and hugged her boss. “I’d love to stay.” She twirled around, her heart full of thanksgiving for the plans God had for her.
“Okay, then.” Laurel smiled. “We’ll talk in the morning. I’ll leave you two alone now.”
Sara flopped down on the couch, exhausted but so happy. “I’m so happy I can stay here. But knowing you’re completely reconciled with God is the best thing of all.”
“Yes, it is,” he agreed, caressing her arm.
“What changed that for you?” she whispered, her fingers threading with his, loving the way he drew her close.
“Realizing that I couldn’t keep you safe. It didn’t matter what I did. I was powerless to get you home. I had to rely on someone else, on a whole lot of others. Finally I had to rely on God to show us where you were.” He brushed his lips against her forehead then sighed. “That was so hard.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Ever since I got hurt, I’ve had to depend on others in some way, shape or form. And I hated it. It made me feel like I was a loser. My doubts about my future magnified.” He squeezed her shoulder. “But then there you were, pushing your way into my life and forcing me to care for you. How could I not love you?”
“I love you, too, Kyle. So much.” Sara tipped her head up to receive his kiss. “God has answered so many of my prayers it’s like Christmas has come early. What else could I possibly want?”
“Well.” Kyle’s eyes, blue whorls of uncertainty, rested on her. “I haven’t got a job, Sara. I don’t know if I can stay here or what I’d do. I was going to open a computer store in Winnipeg but—”
“I believe God has more important things for you to do, Kyle.” Sara slid her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “The boys that are here and the ones yet to come need you to teach them how to be men of integrity. God blessed you with wonderful parents so you can pass on the lessons they taught you. That’s why He saved you in Afghanistan. That’s why He led you back here. He’ll work it out, Kyle. Just have some faith.”
“You’re going to be a wonderful partner, Sara Kane.” Kyle drew his arms around her and showed her how much he needed her in his world. “So when should we get married?”
“But—” Marry him? Her heart stopped. She stared at him, thrilled by the thought of spending the rest of her life with this wonderful man.
“What? You don’t want to marry me?” Kyle teased, playing with a tendril of her hair. But there was the tiniest doubt in his voice.
“Yes, I want to marry you. But you never asked me.”
A moment later Kyle was kneeling in front of her, holding her hands and staring into her eyes.
“My dearest Sara, will you please marry me? I have no job, my house is on the market and I have no idea how I will support you. But I’m willing to trust God for what we need.”
Trust Kyle to make sure he’d covered all the bases with his proposal. How she loved this man.
“Yes, Kyle. I will gladly marry you, because I love you.”
She tilted her head to kiss him just as his phone rang, making them both laugh.
He spoke into it for a few moments, assured the caller that Sara was fine then handed the phone to her. “Someone wants to speak with you.”
“Hello,” she said.
“This is Samuel. Kyle called me. I was wondering if we might talk sometime.”
Sara slumped into Kyle’s tender embrace and closed her eyes.
“Sara?” the phone squeaked.
“Sorry,” she apologized, staring into Kyle’s loving eyes. “I just needed a minute to thank God.”
“For what?” her brother asked.
“For giving me two wonderful men in my family.” She laughed when Samuel said she might be making a mistake about him. “No. God brought you both into my life,” she told him, staring into Kyle’s rich, blue eyes. “And God doesn’t make mistakes. Not ever.”
Epilogue
On a warm July day the entire town of Churchill gathered on the windswept cliffs overlooking Hudson Bay for the wedding of Sara Kane to their own Kyle Loness. White tulle draped around an arch billowed in the breeze where Kyle, resplendent in his military uniform, waited for his bride with his friend Teddy and Pastor Rick.
Yellow wildflowers scattered blooms over the ground between rows of white chairs where guests waited. Then the jubilant tones of the wedding march brought Laurel down the aisle. Dressed in a pale blue dress, carrying a bundle of flowers the boys had picked an hour earlier, she led the way to Kyle then stepped aside.
Sara took a deep breath but before she could move, a deep voice asked, “May I give my sister away?”
She could only nod and cling to Samuel’s strong arm as they walked slowly toward Kyle. Her groom grinned at her brother, obviously in on the surprise, but Kyle’s gaze stayed locked on Sara. She handed the pale pink roses Rod had grown in Kyle’s greenhouse to Laurel then took Kyle’s outstretched hands. Together they faced Rick, who gave a short homily on marriage before asking for their vows.
“Sara, I promise to love you with all my heart for as long as we live. You are my sun, my moon and my northern lights. I will love you forever.” Kyle slid a solid gold band onto her finger, right next to the diamond he’d given her at Christmas.
“Kyle, you are a precious gift from God. I promise to love you. Always. Forever. As long as we live.” Sara placed a hammered gold band on his ring finger.
“Kyle, you may kiss your bride.”
As Kyle embraced his new wife, the boys whistled and the crowd clapped. The bride and groom walked back down the aisle. Amidst a shower of birdseed, they invited everyone to join them at Lives Under Construction for the reception.
“This probably isn’t what Laurel had in mind for this place, is it?” Kyle asked Sara, smiling at the decorations their friends had strung everywhere.
“It’s better.” She kissed his cheek. “Congratulations on your new position as activities coordinator for Lives.”
“There are going to be some changes,” he
told her. “New boys will be arriving.”
“That can wait. You and I have a honeymoon.” She threw her arms around his neck. “I’m going to love Hawaii.”
“I’m going to love you, forever, always.” Kyle embraced her, only pulling free when Laurel insisted they had to leave for the train. A procession followed them to the old depot and the entire community gave them a send-off.
As the train chugged away Sara sent a text message to Laurel.
“What’s that about?” Kyle asked.
“I just told her North Country heroes make the best husbands.” She grinned at him.
“Is Laurel looking for a husband?” he asked.
“Not yet. But I’ve turned it over to God.” She chuckled at his droll look.
“Then Teddy doesn’t stand a chance.”
*
Keep reading for an excerpt from Falling for the Lawman by Ruth Logan Herne.
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Churchill. I hope you’ve enjoyed this first installment in my newest miniseries, Northern Lights. Sara has faced much hardship and pain in her life. In Churchill she finds solace in pouring her heart full of love over six needy boys. Likewise, Kyle returns home to the only sanctuary he knows while he struggles to find the answers he craves. These two hearts need a master touch to bring healing and open them to love, and the great white north is just the place they’ll find it. Please look for Pastor Rick’s story in the second book of Northern lights, coming in 2014.
Until we meet again, may you find the peace and comfort only our Father can offer. May you know His love in the depths of your soul and may you share that love with those He sends your way.
Blessings to you, dear friend.
Love,
Questions for Discussion
Sara’s horrific childhood left her certain she isn’t worthy of love. Discuss issues others in her situation might have.
Kyle struggled to understand why God let his parents die, and why he lost his leg. What advice would you have given him?