Love Blossoms: 7 Spring-Fresh Christian Romances

by Kimberly Rae Jordan

  Out of breath as she reached the stables, she panted her instructions to the stable boy to saddle-up Aphrodite, thankful she was a more proficient rider than the first time she’d come to Levens Hall.

  Soon she sat up high on the dapple-gray mare. Maggie smoothed her hand over the horse’s neck. “Hey, girl, I’ve missed you.”

  Aphrodite snorted her response.

  Quickest way out was through the front gates. She greeted Elliot for the second time in minutes as he opened for her once again.

  After crossing the A6, Maggie urged Aphrodite forward, following the path along the River Kent toward that familiar oak. Please, be there.

  *

  Davis set his Bible, journal and pen down on the grass beside him and leaned back against the oak tree. As he closed his eyes, listening to the steady flow of the River Kent, a peace washed over him. A vision of the one he loved filled the space instead of darkness. As usual. He thirsted daily for this time alone with God and his thoughts of Maggie. When the walls of the manor house closed in on him, he had to escape. This was his place of sanctuary. He’d filled half a dozen journals the past two weeks beneath this canopy of oak leaves. What a mess he’d made of things, moving too fast with Maggie. But he’d do it again in a heartbeat if he knew she’d eventually say yes.

  He also needed this time outside in nature, communing with God, to keep him from storming over to Victoria’s home. What had possessed her to do what she’d done? She didn’t want him—Lord knows he’d tried hard to patch things up when he’d changed—but she didn’t want anyone else to have him, either. How had he ever gotten involved with someone like her?

  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting.

  You’re right, Lord. That’s how. He had been deceived by her charm.

  Burying his face in his hands, he sighed heavily. Maggie was beautiful and charming, too. However, unlike Victoria, she had a heart of gold. That’s why he understood that she couldn’t be with him. She was too pure for the likes of a man such as him.

  But had he done the right thing not contacting her after their breakup? How much time would she need before she’d be ready to listen to him?

  Davis reached into his jacket pocket, and a smile touched his lips as he pulled out the white box that seldom left his side, a constant reminder of what could have been—what he prayed still would. Somehow.

  He opened the lid to— Emptiness?

  What in the—? His heart pounded, sending adrenalin coursing through his veins.

  A closer inspection revealed the same. The ring was gone. But he’d opened the box this morning before breakfast, and it was still there. Who could’ve taken it? Only the servants went into his room, and they’d all worked for the family for years. Davis couldn’t think of one he’d suspect of theft. And if someone had stolen the ring, wouldn’t they have taken it box and all? Why create the illusion the ring was still there?

  To buy time. That had to be the reason.

  The sound of a horse’s hooves pounding the earth grew louder. Davis looked up, momentarily distracted from his panic. Excalibur raised his head from where he grazed nearby, and pricked up his ears.

  Setting the empty box down on his Bible, he pushed to his feet and scrunched his eyes. That looked like Aphrodite. But who was riding her?

  His chest tightened as the horse drew closer.

  Maggie?

  *

  Relief saturated Maggie, soaking deep into her soul. Thank you, Jesus.

  Eyes focused on Davis, she slowed the mare and edged Aphrodite closer.

  Aphrodite nuzzled her nose into Davis’s outstretched hand. He rubbed her cheek as he took the reins from Maggie. Stepping to Aphrodite’s side, he helped Maggie down, his hands lingering on her waist.

  She took a slow breath, but it did nothing to still her racing heart.

  “Maggie, what are you doing here, in the middle of a workday?”

  “I…” Just tell him. She lowered her gaze and stared at the grass at their feet. The daisies spotting the carpet of green with petite white dots reminded her of the reason she was here—the ‘Garden of Love’. If she could only muster the courage.

  “Hey.” Davis eased her chin up. “What’s wrong?” His hand around her waist drew her into his embrace. “You can tell me anything.”

  Maggie rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “Your father came to see me earlier. He told me some interesting things.”

  “Oh?”

  She lifted her head and eased back, her eyes searching his. “I’m so sorry I didn’t listen when you tried to tell me the truth about Victoria.”

  “I understand. I know she can be convincing. Remember, I got caught in her web of lies, too, and the repercussions were disastrous.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Anything.”

  “Did you ever try to make things work between you once you came to Christ?”

  “I did, but too much damage had been done to whatever it was we’d had—by me, and by Victoria.”

  Maggie’s arms slipped around his neck, and her lips touched his ear. “Oh, Davis, I was wrong. I should have had more faith in you.”

  He trailed his fingers through her hair. “You’re not to blame. Without all the facts, you reacted in the only way you could.”

  “Can you ever forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive.” A smile curved his mouth as his eyes brightened, demanding her attention. “Does this mean that—”

  “I still want you in my life? Absolutely.”

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and then buried his face in her hair. “I have missed you so much.”

  “And I you,” Maggie whispered in return. She unzipped her jacket pocket, and her hand disappeared inside, emerging moments later. “But it also means something else.” Holding out her clenched hand, she slowly unfurled her fingers. A myriad of sparkles filled the air as the afternoon’s rays landed on the ring tucked inside her palm. “If you’ll still have me, nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.”

  Her heart thudded. Had she just proposed to the man?

  Without a word, Davis lifted the ring and slipped it onto her finger. “Magnolia Blume, for the second time, will you marry me?”

  Maggie let out a shriek that had Excalibur and Aphrodite’s heads bolting up from where their buried muzzles grazed in lush grass. “Yes. Yes. A million times, yes.”

  His arms tightening around her waist, Davis lifted Maggie. The world spun by as he twirled her round and round. Maggie tipped her head back, and her laughter filled the air as she marveled at the wonder and beauty of their garden of love.

  The End

  About Author Marion Ueckermann

  Marion Ueckermann’s passion for writing was sparked in 2001 when she moved to Ireland with her husband and two sons. Since then she has published devotional articles and stories in Winners, The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miraculous Messages from Heaven. Published novellas include Helsinki Sunrise, Oslo Overtures [both White Rose Publishing, Pelican Book Group], Orphaned Hearts, and Poles Apart. Her third Passport to Romance novella, Glasgow Grace, releases July 22, 2016. A finalist in the 2015 ACFW Houston ‘Storming the Short Story’ contest, her story, Dancing in the Rain, will be published in this anthology early 2016.

  Marion loves writing contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. She lives in South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally.

  Visit Marion at her website, or her Amazon author page.

  *

  For more information:

  @ueckie

  Marion.C.Ueckermann

  www.marionueckermann.com

  Books by Marion Ueckermann

  Passport to Romance

  Helsinki Sunrise

  Oslo Overtures

  Glasgow Grace

  (Releasing July 22, 2016)

  Heart of Africa

  Orphaned Hearts

&nb
sp; Heart of Christmas

  Poles Apart

  SPRING BREAK

  Seasons of the Heart Novella Series

  Susette Williams

  Kelly Sanders volunteers at an orphanage and loves working with children—even if they can be a bit mischievous at times.

  Marc Stevenson is used to fighting fires, not rescuing damsels in distress out of trees. He thinks Kelly would be perfect for him, except for that one flaw. How does a man, with visions of children, fill a nest that’s sure to be empty if he spends it with the woman he loves?

  Will some munchkins playing matchmaker be able to bring Kelly and Marc together? Or will love’s ember never have the chance to be ignited?

  Originally Published by Family Friendly Fiction

  ©2015 by Susette Williams

  Cover Art ©2012 Nathaniel Williams

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to God for giving me inspiration and the desire to write; my husband, Rob, and our six children (Delilah, Eric, Melissa, Gabrielle, Nehemiah and Nathaniel) for encouraging me and allowing me to pursue a writing career. A special thank you to all of you, the readers, who give me a reason to write and share my stories—Thank you!

  Chapter One

  “Hold on, Annie.” Kelly Sanders tried to keep the tremble from her voice, afraid she would frighten the girl. “I’m coming up to get you.”

  Kelly stared with trepidation at the old oak tree in front of the two-story children’s home. The onset of spring should have brought forth new growth, but instead of sprouts of green leaves, the tree stood barren. It also sported a tomboy, who had somehow climbed up to rescue Kee Kee, the cat the children from the children’s home had adopted. A couple of people from the neighborhood had ventured from their own yards to observe the commotion. Someone gasped.

  “Oh, I don’t think you should do that,” Margaret, the administrator said. “The fire department said they would be here in less than twenty minutes.”

  “That could be too late.” Kelly frowned. At least she was wearing jeans and tennis shoes. She hadn’t climbed a tree in a few years, but she imagined it had to be like riding a bicycle. Once you’ve learned, you never forget how.

  Kelly hunched down to get more force behind her as she jumped for the lower limb. Relief washed over her when she reached the branch. She hoisted her feet up around the limb and maneuvered until she was kneeling on the branch, then slowly stood and worked her way up the next few branches until she reached Annie and the misbehaving kitty.

  “See, I told you I’d come get you.” Kelly forced a smile, feeling ill-at-ease with the bark pieces that had chipped away beneath her feet and hands on the climb. “Why don’t we head down now?”

  Annie nodded. “We have to take Kee Kee with us.”

  She laughed. “Of course we do.”

  For a seven-year-old, Annie had a strong resolve and determination. But Kelly could tell she was like any other child who just wanted to be loved and have someone be there for them. If she were married, she’d take all the children at the home with her. Her heart ached to think some parents didn’t want their children, or worse yet, caused them harm. Not everyone was blessed with the ability to have children. If they were, and they did, they should cherish them. Especially angels like Annie.

  Annie clasped Kee Kee in one arm before reaching for Kelly with her other.

  “I’m going to lower you to the limb below.” Kelly pointed toward the limb in question. “I want you to get your balance on it and carefully straddle it while I lower myself down; and we’ll do that over and over again until we reach the bottom. Got it?”

  Annie nodded.

  Kee Kee meowed her approval.

  Kelly took a deep breath as she implemented her plan. Everything was going fine until she lowered Annie to a lopsided, awkward branch around six feet from the ground, when they were nearly home-free. Kee Kee chose that opportunity to want her freedom. The obnoxious four-legged creature slipped from her grip, then headed toward the edge of the branch—and Annie followed.

  “Annie, wait—” Kelly’s voice failed her at the sound of wood cracking.

  Kee Kee jumped toward the administrator.

  Margaret gasped as the cat came flying through the air toward her, hissing and claws bared. Kee Kee landed on the back of Margaret’s head as she turned away from the animal.

  Annie jumped and rolled on impact as the branch came crashing to the ground.

  Kelly exhaled the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, closed her eyes and leaned her head against the tree trunk as she uttered a brief prayer of thanks. Sirens in the distance grew closer. The last thing she wanted was to be caught up in this tree when they arrived. But the branch? She could try jumping, or dangling and dropping to the ground from the branch she was straddling, but it was at least ten to twelve feet off the ground. Her cheeks warmed when the fire truck stopped in the road in front of the children’s home.

  Several firemen began exiting the truck and heading toward the small crowd of children gathered around Annie. She stood and dusted herself off. When she looked up in the tree where Kelly was, everyone else’s gaze followed.

  The only consolation to being stuck high in the tree was that they could not see her blushing. She silently wished they’d get called to a fire, or something more important than her, so that they would be forced to leave.

  Her hope soared when, under the guidance of a couple of the firefighters, all the spectators and the children began backing away, closer to the building. Two firemen jogged back toward the truck. Were they leaving? If so, they were leaving a couple of the guys behind. They drove the fire truck up on the curb and closer toward the tree. Her hopes took a nose dive. Then one of the men climbed on the ladder as the other fireman turned and raised it to her position in the tree.

  When he reached her, he held out an arm. “Can I help you?”

  “Only if you have a hole I can hide in,” Kelly muttered as she grabbed for the ladder.

  He smiled.

  “I’m sorry.” She hadn’t expected him to hear her. “This is just all so embarrassing.”

  “It’s okay,” he said, as he positioned her in front of him on the ladder. “It’s my job to rescue damsels in distress.”

  She turned her head to look at him.

  He smiled again. His brown eyes held a warmth that melted her insides. “I’m going to guide you down the ladder. We’ll take a slow pace. Are you ready?”

  She nodded, afraid to trust her own voice. She could have gone at a quicker pace, but having the closeness of his arms on either side of her and his body near hers, made her want to prolong their descent.

  When they were safely back on solid ground, Annie ran up and hugged her. “Thank you for helping me rescue Kee Kee.”

  Kelly wrapped her arms around Annie. “And thank the kind fireman for helping.”

  Annie thanked him before running off with the other kids to chase the wayward cat that had decided to take off running around to the back of the home.

  “You didn’t thank me.”

  “Excuse me?” Kelly turned to face him.

  Wisps of black hair poked out beneath the fireman’s helmet. His eyebrow arched on one side and his brown eyes glimmered, holding a hint of amusement. “You didn’t thank me.”<
br />
  “Somehow, I’m not sure a simple thank you would suffice.” Kelly smiled. Butterflies danced around inside her stomach, reminding her of a giddy high school crush. At twenty-five, she should have been way past this type of infatuation. But when a dreamboat was staring you straight in the eyes, it wasn’t wise to let that ship sail.

  His lopsided grin revealed a glimpse of pearly white teeth. “If I weren’t old fashioned, I’d let you take me out to dinner.”

  Was he shutting her down? Or was this a coy way for him to ask her out. Kelly shrugged. “Just as well. My mother always told me not to talk to strangers.”

  “Then perhaps I should introduce myself.” He held out his hand, which she gladly accepted. “Marc Stevenson, at your service.” He tipped his helmet with his other hand, still not releasing his hold on her.

  His grasp was gentle, yet firm. The warmth of his touch made her weak in the knees. Marc’s brown eyes held hers captive. She swallowed hard and blinked a couple times, hoping to focus on the conversation instead of his features and charm. “Kelly… Kelly Sanders.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kelly, Kelly Sanders.” His eyes glistened playfully. He finally released her hand. “Now that we know each other, perhaps you would like to return the favor and rescue me. I would really hate to be stuck eating dinner alone tonight.”

  Tonight? How she wanted to say yes, but she’d already promised to have dinner with Margaret.

  “I really don’t want to make you crash and burn.” Kelly bit her lower lip. “But is there any chance I can get a rain check? I already promised to meet a friend tonight.”

  “You’re killing me here.” Marc placed his right hand over his heart. “Tell me it’s not another guy.”

  Kelly laughed.

  A small body bumped against Kelly and she turned to see Annie standing next to her, clutching the cat. “I see you finally caught up with Kee Kee.”

  “Yep.” Annie nuzzled her nose with the cat’s. She looked up at the fireman. “Who’s this?”

  “Marc, meet Annie, the little munchkin who fell out of the tree, along with the adorable cat she followed up there in the first place. They’re the reason for your visit here today.”