by Kat Brookes
Jake’s gaze dropped to the handwritten words on the page in front of him. To the wonderful man who helped make this cookbook a reality while stealing my heart in the process. You’re the biggest part of my deciding to make Sweet Springs the town I call “home.” Love you always, Addy. Heart swelling, he looked up, meeting Addy’s gaze. “You’re moving here?”
She nodded, offering him the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen.
“Addy,” he said as if she’d just taken his breath away, “there’s so much I want to say.” He was just reaching into the pocket of his jeans, prepared to take the biggest step of his life, when Addy spoke.
“Me first,” she said, tears in her eyes. “I stand here today, living proof that dreams can change. Before this last visit to Sweet Springs, before spending time with you, realizing that I had loved you far longer than I even knew myself, I would have taken the country club’s job offer without hesitation. But I’ve realized that wealth and security doesn’t only come from the amount of money earned. It comes from being surrounded by those you care about. It comes in the ability to make time to enjoy the beauty of God’s world. It comes from allowing yourself to take a chance on love and having that love returned.”
Jake fought back a flood of emotion. Addy was his. The reason he’d survived the attack. She was, without a doubt, God’s plan for him.
“Moving to Sweet Springs will make me far richer than I ever could have dreamed of being. In fact, I’ve already decided on a name for my new bakery, if your offer still stands—Sweet on You.”
He wouldn’t have thought it possible, but his heart swelled even more, joy filling it to near bursting. “It does. And you should consider yourself a very wealthy woman, Adeline Mitchell, because my love for you runs deeper than I ever thought possible.”
“Oh, Jake,” she sighed happily, a single tear slipping free to work its way down her cheek.
Smiling, he reached out to brush the drop of moisture away with his thumb. “I can’t wait until Lila and Mason’s wedding to walk my fiancée out onto the dance floor for our first slow dance together.”
Addy’s eyes widened. “What did you just say?”
Pulling the satin-lined box from the pocket of his jeans, he flipped it open.
A soft gasp left Addy’s parted lips when she saw the ring nestled inside the tiny box.
Reaching out, Jake took her hand in his. “I would kneel before you if I were capable of doing so, but I’m not about to let a physical impediment keep me from laying my heart on the line. I treasure our friendship, but I want to be so much more than your friend. I want to be your husband. The man you turn to in your times of need. The man who will spend every day for the rest of his life doing his best to put a smile on your face. To protect you. To support you in all you do. And to grow in faith with you.” Releasing her hand, he removed the ring from its satiny nest. “Addy Mitchell, will you marry me?”
Tears now flowing freely, she replied, “You don’t have to kneel for me to know your words are heartfelt and your intentions true. And there’s nothing I’d love more than to be your wife. In you, I’ve found my forever. The man I want by my side as I travel along the path the Lord has set me on.”
“The man who is going to make your dreams come true,” he promised.
“And I yours,” she replied with a tender smile. “So, yes, Jake, I will most definitely marry you.”
Cheers went up around the room. Moments later, Jake and Addy were surrounded by their families and closest friends, receiving well-wishes and hugs. He knew they had both faced darkness in their lives, but through love and faith they had found their way back to the light and to each other.
Epilogue
With the peach trees in full bloom, family and friends gathered for Mason and Lila’s spring wedding, which was being held in the very place where they had first met—the orchard. The sun was shining, the sky a brilliant blue.
Addy stood at the makeshift altar next to Violet, watching as Finn, dressed in a miniature version of Jake’s groomsman tux, escorted a radiant Lila down the aisle. The path strewn with pale peach rose petals looked nothing like the trodden-down ground over which they’d ridden ATVs.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Reverend Hutchins asked with a smile.
“I do,” Finn piped up. “Daddy’s marrying Momma, but he gets both of us.”
The reverend nodded with a grin. “A very blessed man indeed.”
Lila bent to give her son a hug and a kiss on the cheek before turning to face Mason. Finn moved to take his place between his daddy and Jake as they’d practiced the evening before.
Addy saw moisture fill Mason’s eyes as he stood gazing down at his bride. Every person seated there in the orchard could see just by looking at them that Mason and Lila shared a deep, lasting love. At the thought of such an all-consuming bond, Addy’s gaze moved past Mason to Jake, only to find him staring back at her. One side of his mouth quirked up into a slight smile. One she couldn’t help but return. He was once again making good on his promise to make her smile every single day.
It wouldn’t be long before she and Jake were the ones exchanging vows in front of their family and friends. Addy had sold her condo and, with her momma’s blessing, had moved back to Sweet Springs shortly after Christmas. She was living with Mama Tully while she and Jake had begun plans for their own wedding. They had also gone together to purchase the empty building downtown, becoming partners in life and in love as they worked to make her dream a reality. In fact, Lila and Mason’s tiered wedding cake was the very first to be created at Sweet on You, Addy and Jake’s wedding gift.
Once the vows were exchanged and Lila and Mason were pronounced husband and wife, the wedding party and all the guests moved to the yard in front of The Perfect Peach, where tables have been set up and meals were served.
“This day couldn’t have been more perfect,” Addy said to Lila as they feasted on the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, which Finn, who had been placed in charge of the menu for the reception, had chosen. Also perfect, she thought to herself as she took another bite of Mama Tully’s homemade macaroni and cheese.
“It was, wasn’t it?” Lila sighed happily. “And to think that in less than a year you will be having your own special day with Jake.”
“I know. I can’t wait.” She looked to Lila. “We’ll not only be sisters of the heart, but sisters by marriage.”
Lila smiled. “And we’ll have Violet, too.”
“Thank the Lord for blessing me with sisters,” Violet, who was seated on the other side of Addy, said with a smile. “Sisters will finally outnumber brothers in the Landers family.”
“Can’t have that,” Jake muttered from the other end of the table.
“Nope,” Mason agreed as he bit into a crispy chicken leg. “Looks like we’ll have to work on getting her married off so we can at least even out the numbers.”
“Aunt Violet can marry Braden,” Finn tossed out from the far end of the table.
Violet nearly choked on the drink of lemonade she’d just taken. “Aunt Violet is perfectly happy with her life just the way it is. Thank you very much.”
Reverend Hutchins stepped over to the microphone. “It’s time for the bridal dance. Would the new Mr. and Mrs. Landers please make your way out onto the dance floor?”
Addy watched as Mason took Lila’s hand and walked her out to the dance floor he and Jake had built for events being held at the family orchard. Then Violet and Finn were called out to join them. Finally, Jake and Addy were asked to join the others on the dance floor.
His leg no longer in a cast, his shoulder completely healed, Jake stood and extended his hand. “This is the moment I’ve been waiting so long for.”
Smiling, Addy slid her hand into his, their fingers threading as they crossed the yard to the dance floor. There, he drew her into his arms, the engag
ement ring he’d given her the evening of her book signing sparkling in the afternoon sunlight.
“You look beautiful,” he told her as they moved in slow rhythm to the song Lila and Mason had chosen for this dance. “But then you always do.”
Addy laughed softly. “You are quite the charmer, Jake Landers.”
“I try my best.”
Lifting her head from his shoulder, Addy looked up at Jake, a soft smile playing at her lips. “How is it when I think I’ve given you all of my heart I find out there’s even more of it to give?”
“That’s because love is limitless,” he told her.
“I think happiness might be as well, because with each passing day spent with you, the happier I am.”
“The best is yet to come, Addy girl,” Jake replied, brushing a sweet kiss over her lips. “The best is yet to come.”
* * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Finding Her Courage by Christine Raymond.
Dear Reader,
Life isn’t always storybook perfect, something Addy learned firsthand while growing up. While most of us have homes and families to comfort us, there are many who have little or nothing at all. They’re forced to live in shelters or on the streets. That kind of life can make you strong or it can break you. Addy came out stronger and found happiness on the other side.
She did so thanks to the kindness of strangers, the support of friends she made along the way, and by the grace of God. So be kind to those less fortunate than you. Be it a smile, a helping hand, or a given opportunity to improve their life.
Jake’s life took a turn that left him struggling with a shaken faith and deep-rooted guilt. He felt responsible for his friend’s dying during the attack on his mission group. Those feelings pulled him into a dark place. He was able to work through the emotional trauma by opening up to Addy, reconnecting with his faith, and with his family’s support.
While both Addy and Jake were able to find their way out of the darkness in The Missionary’s Purpose, there is no shame in seeking professional help, be it through therapy, your pastor, or someone you trust. Only strength. And always remember to focus on your blessings, no matter how small.
Blessings,
Kat
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Finding Her Courage
by Christine Raymond
Chapter One
Camille Bellamy banged her open palm against the rusted window of her car, fighting to get it out of its locked upright position. The smudge-stained glass shook with a chuckle that irritated her almost as much as the twelve-hour drive turned three-day road trip when Buffy broke down in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa.
If she lost this battle too, she was going to pull her car over to the side of the road, face the great Nebraska Sandhills and let them have it until her throat went hoarse. One battle per week was all she could take.
The radio blurted something about Phoebe Saylor’s celebrity wedding, then started spitting static. She banged the window again.
“Easy.” Nikki looked at her from the passenger seat, locked in a battle of her own. Long blond hair had somehow tangled with the ancient seat belts. It was a toss-up on who would win. “I don’t think they have subways out here. Buffy’s gonna have to make it the whole month.”
Camille drew in a breath. “Sorry. I’m just anxious to get there.”
“Why don’t we stop and rest?”
“When we’re this close?” They were already three days late and counting.
“George’s house isn’t going anywhere.”
“That’s probably what Dorothy said before the tornado swooped in.”
“That was Kansas. Different thing entirely.”
Camille smiled, but they still weren’t stopping. It was her father-in-law’s house or bust. A familiar, unwelcome thought crept in. If Wesley… Fill in the blank. If Wesley were here, Buffy’s window would work. If Wesley were here, they’d have made it by now. If Wesley had never joined the air force…
Stop. Don’t do that.
Too late. Thoughts of Wesley could only be relieved by mountains of chocolate or Evie’s coffee-colored eyes, so much like his it was almost scary. She checked Evie in the rearview mirror. Her daughter was staring out the window.
“You okay back there, sweetie?”
Honey-colored curls bounced in her direction, and Evie’s eyes met hers in the mirror. They blinked, a thousand thoughts breathing life behind them. So much life, so much love, so much silence. Evie shrugged and resumed looking out the window.
Camille’s hands tightened around the steering wheel. Nikki slipped one hand on Camille’s forearm and gave a gentle squeeze, then turned and faced the back seat, crossing her eyes and making noises like a walrus. Camille laughed. Evie didn’t even crack a smile. How did a six-year-old find the strength not to giggle?
Nikki sighed. “I guess I’m not as funny as I think I am.” Camille loved her younger sister for trying though.
The inside of the car was getting hot. She nudged the window’s down-button again, expecting nothing. A half-inch of space appeared, and Camille’s heart cried victory as the June breeze blew cool air into the stuffy car. It smelled like rain.
Something clinked. Like a spoon banging against an empty soda can. Soft at first, then louder. Camille frowned and turned her eyes to the faded yellow line on the road, searching for the source.
Nikki leaned forward in her seat. “What is that?”
A blast of gray smoke poured out from under Buffy’s hood, covering the windshield and making it impossible to see anything beyond the dashboard. Camille slammed on the brakes, realized that was probably the exact wrong thing to do and eased off them so they didn’t go skidding.
Nikki was breathing hard. “What happened?”
“I don’t know.” Please not the radiator again. She’d had to scrape the bottom of her piggy bank to pay for the last one, and she was all out of piggies. Patches of road peeked at her through the thick haze, and in one of them she saw a gas station up on the right.
Camille pulled to a stop beside a rusty gas pump in a four-pump station. There was a tiny garage attached to it. What if the car explodes? Camille thanked her inner voice for that lovely, terrifying thought and suggested Nikki and Evie get out quickly.
They slipped out and Camille urged her car away from the pump toward a small diner to the left of the station, but Buffy rejected her offer and stayed right where she was. Goodie. Camille wiped a strand of blond hair from her eyes, popped the hood and went to investigate.
Nikki was holding Evie away from the smoke. Camille almost managed to get the hood open without burning herself. She had no idea what to do. White smoke meant Buffy needed a rest. Black smoke meant pull over now. But gray smoke was unknown territory.
“Everything okay?” A man’s deep voice rolled toward her from the station’s doors, a cross between friendly neighbor and old-style crooner.
Camille turned to look and her mind blanked. She’d never seen a real-life cowboy. Maybe once. But that was over six years ago. Most of the men in her life since then had worn military uniforms. Not quite the same thing. Dusty hair peeked out from under a Stetson hat, sending soft shadows across sun-kissed skin the color of dark sand.
“Do you work here?”
The man smiled, a crooked grin so Elvis-like she almost expected him to pull out a guitar. “No. But I know a thing or two about engines.”
She noticed Nikki applying two layers of bubblegum-pink lipstick and checking her reflection in the side mirror. Wasn’t twenty-six too old for boy crazy?
“Can I
take a look?” Broad shoulders rolled back under a blue chambray work shirt, and Camille couldn’t help the tiny flip her heart gave when he started forward.
Ty Spencer’s stomach had been growling for the last hour. Ten minutes ago he’d passed hungry and stumbled into starving. If he didn’t get home in the next fifteen minutes, he’d never get to eat before his one o’clock showed up. But his father had taught him better than to leave two women and a kid stranded at a gas station. Especially when one of the women had dimples the size of Texas.
Just be fast.
“We had our radiator replaced a few days ago, think that could be it?” The blonde with the dimples stared uncertainly at the engine.
“Maybe.” He looked under the hood and found the problem. “It’s your hose. It’s busted.”
“A hose?” Her right eyebrow arched, a perfect Mr. Spock.
Cute. Definitely cute. But cute meant trouble. And he was avoiding trouble these days.
“It’s an easy fix.” He gave her his best thousand-watt smile, generally reserved for bloggers or reporters asking about his veterans’ rehab ranch. “There’s no mechanic on right now, but I can make a call and get your car towed to one of the bigger places in town that are open Sundays. They should have you up and running pretty fast.”
Dimples’s mouth fell open. “Towed?” The color in her face dropped two shades, and the woman lingering off to the side hurried over. Same blond hair, same blue eyes. Sisters. The kid was close, but different. Her brown eyes must’ve come from her father.
The sister looked worried. “What’s wrong?”
“We need a tow.”
Even the kid looked worried now. The sister scrunched her face. “I’ve got my credit card. It’s not maxed out yet. I don’t think.” Tight money was one thing Ty could understand.
Visions of a roast beef sandwich with hot mustard evaporated. “I know the station’s owner. I’m sure he’ll let me in the garage. I can grab a new hose and put it in for you right here.”