The Soldier's Bride

by Christensen, Rachelle J.

  He pointed at the words written inside the music box most recently and spoke them, “To every thing there is a season.”

  Evelyn’s dark eyes were still as beautiful as the first day he looked into them, vibrant and alive. He looked down at the ring on her hand and exhaled, praying to say the right words. Then he stared into the eyes of the woman who had stolen his heart.

  “I felt something in the wind today, like the seasons were changing. I understand why now.” He motioned to the music box as he continued to speak. “To every thing there is a season.” He paused and held her hand as he quoted part of the familiar scripture. “And a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to love.” He brought her fingers to his lips, kissed them gently, and then smiled. “It’s my turn isn’t it?”

  The current of love emanating from his voice filled Evelyn with peace. His eyes searched her face for an answer, and she focused on the deep jade color framed by his dark lashes, the windows to the heart of the man she still loved.

  How many women could say they truly loved one man during their lifetime? Was she greedy to take love from another? If she were to be honest with herself, Sterling had never left her heart. She had loved two men in two different ways, and had found joy in the experience of how her heart beat in different rhythms for the men in her life.

  Sterling and Jim. Both of them had suffered more than was comfortable to ponder, and she had been given the chance to love them, to help both of them find joy in a life riddled with pain, adversity, emotional defeat, war-torn minds, and haunted dreams.

  She squeezed Sterling’s hand. “I love you. I always have. Even when I made myself forget. It was only because I knew that a corner of my heart would always be a safe spot to keep my memories of you.” She blinked to keep the tears at bay. “I’m sorry I had to choose.”

  “No, we did the right thing.”

  “But I left you alone. I worried about you so much at first, and I kept asking my mother about you.” A strand of dark hair fell out of place, and Evelyn swept it back behind her ear. “Finally, she told me it was best if I didn’t ask anymore and to focus on my family and let you live your life.”

  “Your mother is a wise woman.”

  “I made myself believe you were happy, in love with someone, enjoying your life.”

  “But don’t you know?” he cupped her chin in his hand. “I was. I still am. I’ve always been happy in love with someone. It’s just that someone was you.” He moved his face closer to hers. She closed her eyes and he kissed her. A surge of memories passed through her as she returned his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her again and then leaned back so he could look into her eyes. “Looks like it’s my turn for second chances,” he said.

  She nodded. “I love you, Sterling.”

  The wind swept through the room and brushed the tulle on the ballerina’s tutu so she tilted and began to turn as the music played the last refrain. Evelyn smiled and felt the strength of Sterling’s arms around her as time fell away and her heart beat anew with a love that had waited patiently for its season.

  Chapter 42 ~ The Soldier’s Bride

  1972 ~ One month later

  A wide green ribbon held the bouquet of white roses together, and Evelyn gripped it as she walked down the aisle toward Sterling. He wore a black suit with a dark green tie that brought out the color of his eyes. Evelyn gazed into those eyes and smiled, hardly believing that she and Sterling had been given a second chance.

  The ceremony was held outdoors with a special version of Evelyn’s song played on an acoustic guitar as she approached Sterling. The music quieted as he took her hand and they turned to each other.

  Evelyn waited impatiently for the minister to cue her, hoping that she could say the words she had practiced without her voice cracking from the powerful emotion she felt. She hesitated, squeezed Sterling’s hand, and then began, “I vow to honor the gift of love you’ve given me that has crossed through time, broken hearts, and now stitched hearts together with a devotion that is pure and unchanging.” Evelyn had stayed up late the previous night, rewriting her vows, trying to find the perfect words to let Sterling know the feelings of her heart. “And I promise to show you each day how grateful I am for your patience, unselfishness, strength, and goodness.” She felt tears come to her eyes and blinked, but one still trailed down her cheek. “I love you, Sterling. I vow to treasure the happiness and protection I feel in your arms.”

  Sterling wiped his eyes and cleared his throat. “I vow to love you with all of my heart. To cherish you and to take every chance to celebrate the joy I feel because you’re giving me the honor of being your husband.” His smile widened. “I promise to bring music into your life, and sing my song of love to you each day. To keep your heart safe next to mine. I love you, Evelyn.”

  Sterling slipped a ring on Evelyn’s finger that held its own memories. It was the same ring—a diamond solitaire set in a gold band—the ring he’d shown her the night Jim returned. He had kept it through the years, although it must have pained him. Evelyn gripped his fingertips as she studied the ring, and then smiled at the man who had waited nearly three decades to be her husband.

  The minister looked at each of them and nodded. “Let it be known that this marriage is before God and that all of Aspen Falls celebrates in the marriage of Sterling and Evelyn Dennison. You may kiss the bride.”

  Sterling pulled Evelyn close and kissed her deeply. She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt as if time had fallen away. It was like living two realities, as if no time had passed and the love she felt for Sterling had never dimmed. Her love for Jim was just as true, and the life she’d shared with him was beautiful. She felt in that moment that Jim would be happy for her and Sterling.

  After the ceremony, they danced in a slow circle around the floor set underneath the shade of towering oak trees. Evelyn had told Sterling that he was the only one worried about his leg, and he had promised to dance with her.

  She held up her left hand and the diamond twinkled as she tilted it back and forth. “I’m so happy that you still had this ring. I never got the chance to even try it on before.”

  Sterling chuckled. “Guess it wasn’t the right time then.” He kissed her cheek. “But it sure is now.”

  Evelyn rested her head against his shoulder. “You’d better not die on me.”

  “Don’t worry I won’t. You owe me at least thirty years.” He chuckled.

  She hummed along to the music as they moved slowly across the dance floor. They would make their home in Aspen Falls. Sterling had done extensive remodeling on his house, and Evelyn was excited about the rose garden he still cultivated. It was wonderful to be near Marie, to be able to take care of her mother in the final years of her life. Evelyn’s children had welcomed Sterling into their hearts and embraced the opportunity to revisit their mother’s heritage in Aspen Falls. Sterling’s daughter, Sonya, was happy to see the joy so evident in her father. Everyone had accepted and rejoiced in the union that had come about so quickly after Sterling delivered the music box.

  “You were right, you know,” Evelyn murmured.

  “About what?” Sterling looked down at her, a question in his eyes.

  “Everything.” She kissed him and he held her close as the branches of the oak tree swayed in the wind.

  Epilogue

  At age eighty-six, Evelyn still held a timeless beauty. Perhaps it was the deep brown of her eyes, so full of wisdom that sparkled when she moved back and forth in her rocking chair watching the sunset. Her hands were gnarled and too bony to be adorned with jewelry. She wore three rings around a chain on her neck—a gold band, an anniversary diamond surrounded by sapphires, and a wedding solitaire. A life well lived.

  As she rocked, she hummed the tune from her soldier’s music box and thought about the blessings of life. The wind gusted across the porch, caught up a few dead leav
es from the corner by the house, and spun them across the smooth planks of wood. It pushed the empty rocker beside Evelyn so that it creaked back and forth. And the wind sang with her as she remembered. It whispered to her, saying things like it always had, Don’t die with me. Forgive yourself—allow God to forgive. Live to dance again. Listen close enough and you can change the world. To every thing there is a season.

  Her story was one of love, of heartache, heartbreak, and difficult choices that led to more love and renewal. Memories evoked joy, peace, and happiness now. She had given Sterling the thirty years he had asked for and then a few more. Their life had been wonderful together as they celebrated the births of eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and grew old together in Aspen Falls.

  Sterling had clung to life tenaciously, not willing to give up a moment with his true love, but just after his ninetieth birthday he succumbed to the weariness that had been haunting him.

  “I promised I wouldn’t die on you,” he had whispered.

  “It’s okay. We’ve led a good life and had a grand love. Rest now,” Evelyn said.

  And he did. Evelyn missed him as she had missed Jim but couldn’t begrudge the amazing gifts their love had brought to her life. The miracle of the music box purchased by a humble soldier had changed her life and many others. On days like this one, she still hummed the tune or sang a few of the words she had written so long ago, and the wind accompanied her.

  The rocking chair creaked as the wind helped push her frail body back and forth. Evelyn knew that pieces of her story would go quietly with her and miracles might be forgotten, but the legacy of love she had built through sacrifice and second chances would last forever. That’s how her story would end—with gratitude for the magical journey of love her heart had taken on the song of the wind.

  Evelyn smiled and rocked, and when the wind played with the silver strands of her hair, she didn’t tuck them back into place.

  BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS FOR

  THE SOLDIER’S BRIDE

  How do you think war widows were able to cope with the deaths of their young husbands during World War II? Do you think it made the grieving process more or less difficult if there were children involved?

  Evelyn was able to live with her parents and gain from their support and love. How might her life have been different if she had been alone?

  What significance did the music box and its song play in your own understanding of this story?

  If you were Evelyn, who would you have chosen? Why?

  Leland was able to turn his life around, but he still suffered from the consequences of various actions. Look at pivotal moments and discuss how each event changed his life.

  Many young children were affected by polio during this time period but now the disease has been all but eradicated from first world countries. Do you know anyone who suffered from polio? Does Emika’s experience give you a look into the awareness children have about the world around them?

  Henry and Mallory are patterned after Rachelle Christensen’s own parents and their struggles as small farmers in the deserts of Idaho. How do our life experiences shape how we view the world?

  Do you like it when stories come full circle? Why or why not?

  Discuss something you learned about the historical backdrop of World War II.

  Acknowledgements

  I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this story with readers everywhere. Thank you for choosing to read my book.

  The Soldier’s Bride has been a work of my heart, years in the making. What began as one line whispered to my exhausted brain in the newborn haze after my third child was born turned into a story that demanded to be written. I’m so happy that someone believed in me and my writing, and gave this book a chance.

  Thank you to all of the amazing support from fans during my Kindle Scout campaign. Thank you to the Kindle Press Editorial team, especially Megan for her guidance through the program and Ruth for her exceptional editing skills.

  Thank you to the talented Christina Dymock for the beautiful cover.

  I owe many thanks to the various readers and editors who helped in every stage of this book: Patrick and Necia Jolley, the Novel Thoughts critique group of Cindy Beck, Nichole Giles, and Connie Hall, Heather Justesen, Christina Dymock, Connie Sokol, Heidi Brockbank and Sabine Berlin from Eschler Editing, Rachel Ann Nunes, Karrie Glazner, Sariah Wilson, Elana Johnson, Cathy Jeppsen, and Tim Jolley.

  The timespan and setting of this book required a lot of interesting research. I appreciated interviewing Leo and Barbara Robbins and Gus Bryngelson—they helped me get my WWII facts straight.

  As I write this note, my husband is helping the kids clean up the kitchen—no, he’s not fictional. Thank you Steve, for being my soldier in this war of writing. My five beautiful children inspire me, challenge me, and make me a better person. I love my family so much and I’m incredibly grateful to my parents, Tim and Andrea Jolley. They helped during so many different stages of this book.

  I’m thankful to my Father in Heaven who has blessed me with talents, opportunities, and challenges so that I may grow and learn on this earthly journey.

  In this book, I quoted scripture from the Bible in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, specifically verse 1. I’m grateful that after much patience and waiting, it is the right season for this story to be shared.

  About the Author

  Photo by Erin Summerill

  Rachelle is a mother of five who writes mystery/suspense, nonfiction, and women’s fiction. She solves the case of the missing shoe on a daily basis. She enjoys raising chickens and laughing with her husband. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in music.

  Rachelle is the award-winning author of ten books, including Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things (The Wedding Planner Mystery Series), Wrong Number, and Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology. Her novella, “Silver Cascade Secrets,” was included in the Rone Award–winning Timeless Romance Anthology, Fall Collection.

  Join Rachelle’s VIP mailing list to learn more about upcoming books & get your free book here www.rachellechristensen.com

  Also by

  Rachelle J. Christensen

  Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things (Wedding Planner

  Mysteries #1) http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Deadly-Wedding-Planner-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B011LW1QW6

  Veils and Vengeance (#2) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZPVXF2Y

  Proposals and Poison (#3)

  Silver Cascade Secrets

  http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Cascade-Secrets-Rachelle-Christensen-ebook/dp/B015479LKS

  Hope for Christmas: An Echo Ridge Romance

  http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Kisses-Ridge-Anthology-Romance-ebook/dp/B01428604U

  Nonfiction:

  What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know: 10

  Secrets to Connect Moms & Daughters http://www.amazon.com/What-Every-Grader-Needs-Know/dp/0692423303

  Sneak Peek of Hope for Christmas

  Enjoy this sneak peek of Rachelle’s novella, “Hope for Christmas,” included in Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology.

  Chapter 1

  THE SILVER BELL CHIMED AS ANIKA FLETCHER entered Kenworth’s department store. She took two steps forward then stopped when she saw a glint of metal. Crouching, she picked up the quarter next to the toe of her worn black boot. She stamped the last bit of snow from her heels and pocketed the quarter. With only fifty dollars left until the next paycheck, Anika needed every last cent.

  “Whatcha got, Mommy?” Four-year-old Megan scrunched her nose and lifted up on her tiptoes.

  Anika smiled at her daughter and touched the end of her little pixie nose. “Just a coin.”

  “We need lots of money so we can pay Beatrice.” Megan’s voice held no trace of concern.

  Anika frowned. Thank goodness her daughter was so even-tempered. The daycare manager, Beatrice, had turned them away fifteen minutes ago.

  “I’m sorry dear, I really am. Mega
n is such a sweetheart but we can’t let her stay until you pay your bill. You still owe one-hundred and thirty dollars.” Beatrice had given her a look filled with pity before slowly closing the door.

  Anika’s face heated recalling the humiliating conversation. She felt Megan’s tiny fingers wrapping around her hand, and looked down. Megan was like her anchor in the stormy seas. Anika blinked twice, rolled her shoulders back, and smiled at Megan. “It’s going to be okay.”

  She adjusted her name tag and walked past the fragrance counter holding her breath, even inhaling the rich scents seemed too expensive for someone like her. This was a seasonal job, but Anika wanted to work into a full-time position.

  They walked past The Candy Counter with its rows and rows of hand-dipped chocolates that made Anika’s stomach grumble. She’d skipped lunch, saving the last three slices of bread for Megan. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich she’d made for their dinner called to her from the sack inside her purse.

  “Can I have a candy, Mommy?” Megan tugged on Anika’s hand.

  “Not now. Mommy has to go to work.”

  Two boys stood next to the display, pointing at the neat row of mint patties. “These are Mom’s favorite. Let’s get them for Christmas.”