Plum Upside Down (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 5)

by Valerie Comer

  “We’ll pretend it’s Christmas when we get back home.” The image of his little round house covered with snow beckoned him. Was there any doubt now she’d be his wife, living there with him before Christmas came around again?

  He could ask.

  But of all the ways he’d dreamed of placing his future — his very soul — at her feet, this wasn’t one of them. Who could have planned this?

  “Keanan! Chelsea! Good to see you both.”

  Keanan glanced up to see Vince coming toward them. “Merry Christmas, Vince.”

  “And a merry Christmas to you, too.” Vince gave him a gentle thump on the back. “The team just got back from Mozambique. So many people now can use the sun for power and learn to know the Son of God.”

  The group had gone on without Keanan. Of course they had. No way would he have wanted them to sit around in Pretoria waiting until he could rejoin them. Good thing, too. Who knew when he’d be able?

  They didn’t really need him. They’d obviously found a translator after all. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. Did that mean it had been his own stubborn idea to come on this trip? But no. Look who was here, tucked under his arm. Chelsea.

  Romans 8:28 had never come clearer in his mind. We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.

  If all this had been necessary to bring Chelsea into a closer walk with God, it was worth it. Absolutely worth it. Keanan could only be thankful that his own death had not been required. Asked, though, he’d have given it. He loved her that much.

  With a start he realized Vince and Chelsea still exchanged words, and he scrambled to catch up to the conversation.

  “That would be great.” Chelsea hugged Vince. “I’m sure Keanan would like some home cooking by now himself.”

  Keanan shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Pardon me?”

  “Vince offered to bring Christmas dinner up for us later.” A funny look crossed her face. “I’m guessing that won’t be roast turkey.”

  Vince chuckled. “Sure it will. Our colonialist roots will show, after all. I can’t guarantee all the side dishes will be what you are used to, but there’s the fun of it, right?”

  Keanan held his breath as he watched his beloved.

  “I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Thanks, Vince.”

  Whew. She really had changed. Keanan hugged her against his side. “Yes, thank you. I only hope it is not you who is cooking.”

  His team leader grinned. “I will be doing my share for sure. If you want only food others have prepared, you will miss the best parts.”

  “Then bring it on.”

  Vince nodded at them both then turned away, disappearing a moment later through the doors at the end of the ward.

  Chelsea’s arm tightened around him. “You’re looking tired.” She steered him toward the row of metal chairs lining the hallway.

  He’d like to argue with her, but couldn’t.

  * * *

  Nurses arrived for shift change at the nearby nursing station. Nurses Chelsea now knew by name, mostly black women wearing navy uniforms and genuine smiles. A low hum began from behind the desk and, in seconds, the women began to sing Rise Up Shepherd and Follow. No one seemed to be leading the music.

  Chelsea’s spine tingled as they continued their tasks and the sweet words harmonized. From there the nurses launched into Sweet Little Jesus Boy.

  Sometimes she could imagine she’d step out of this hospital and into a chilly Portland day. The carols — even though not the ones she knew best — reminded her of home, where in a few hours her family would awaken on Christmas morning and exchange gifts. At Green Acres, her sister and friends would gather in the straw bale house and share Noel’s famous French toast. Allison and Brent must be back from their honeymoon by now, becoming a true family with young Finnley. It would be baby John’s first Christmas, and Maddie would ricochet off of everything in her excitement.

  In Africa? Keanan. Her love. Her life. She couldn’t regret her rash decision to hop a plane and fly around the world for even half of a second.

  “I have come to a strange realization,” Keanan mused.

  She tilted her head to look up at him. “Oh? What’s that?”

  “That carol said we should rise up and follow, and we should. But God doesn’t need me to serve Him.”

  Chelsea frowned. “That doesn’t sound quite right.”

  “Hear me out. He’s perfectly capable of doing His work without Keanan Welsh. Look how sure I was the team needed me, yet they are doing the work of God without me.”

  He must be going somewhere with this, if she only sat tight and listened.

  “The need is on my side. I obey, not because He needs me, but because I need Him. He has His own plans, if I’m willing.”

  She had to know. “Would you have come if you’d known you’d wind up in the hospital here fighting for your life?”

  “It could have happened at home, too. This wasn’t an African bug, but something that could happen to anyone, anywhere. Praise be to God, it very rarely does.”

  Chelsea nodded. “But would you?”

  He drew her closer, if that were even possible. “Yes, my sweetheart. I would have.”

  “Why?”

  Keanan brushed his lips across her forehead, causing a tingle that swept her body. “Two reasons. One, I had to obey.”

  “And the second?”

  “For your sake.” He sucked in his lower lip. “Tell me why you came. How did it happen?”

  “Vince kept emailing me as you got worse. Being so far from you tore at me. I could think of little else but being at your side.” She lowered her gaze and whispered, “Where I belong.”

  His cheek rested against her head, and she took a deep breath. “I felt as though God was asking me how much I loved Him. Enough to trust Him with you? Enough to go to Africa if He wanted me to?” She swallowed hard. “How could I say no when He said go?”

  “Sweetheart.”

  She closed her eyes to gather strength then looked up at him. “Yes?”

  “I love you, Chelsea Marie Riehl. You are the treasure God has brought into my life. You provided strength these past days, reading Scripture to me, praying with me, holding on for me.” His fingers flexed against her side. “I don’t remember much of the time I spent in ICU. In fact, that’s about all I do recall. You gave everything for me.”

  His green eyes, alive again. Alive with love. His lips, once bloated and unmoving, smiling at her as he kissed her gently. Somehow she knew he had more to say, that she shouldn’t keep those lips too occupied for a few minutes yet.

  “Will you marry me, Chelsea? I know I’m not much good yet—”

  “Yes.”

  “Dr. van Leeuwen says it may be months before I recov—”

  She put her finger across his lips. “I said yes,” she whispered and kissed him. “When doesn’t matter. Where doesn’t matter. I love you.”

  Epilogue

  Chelsea turned the car into the driveway at Green Acres on a gray evening in late February. The team poured toward them, waving and yelling.

  Keanan reached across the console and squeezed her hand. “Welcome home, my sweetheart.”

  This was home. The little grain-bin house she’d spurned would be her home soon, where she could lie in Keanan’s king-size bed and look out the windows at the treetops in every direction. Unless she was too busy with her husband to look out windows.

  Her face warmed as she parked in front of the duplex, still her home for a few more months.

  Sierra yanked her car door open and pulled her out. “Chelsea! I’ve missed you so much. Welcome home.”

  On the other side of the car, the guys hauled Keanan to his feet in the late winter air. Thankfully, a bit gentler, though much of his strength had returned in the six weeks they’d been in Portland. Her parents had taken him in, hiring a p
art-time nurse to care for him and arranging for his physical therapy.

  “Let me see that ring!” Allison tugged Chelsea’s left hand into the open and whistled. “Wow, look at that! It’s gorgeous.”

  “Keanan’s mom made it for me.” She still couldn’t believe the amazing jewelry that had awaited her when Fern had met them at the airport along with Chelsea’s parents. The beauty and craftsmanship of this engagement set was a league above the fundraiser donation, stunning as that had been.

  “I’m so happy for you.” Sierra squished her again.

  “That’s beautiful.” Claire ran her fingers over the ring then grinned at Chelsea. “Too bad you had to chase it halfway around the world.”

  Chelsea glanced over at Keanan in the midst of the Green Acres men, with Finnley gazing up in adoration. “No chasing,” she said. “Just — finally — putting myself and Keanan in God’s hands.”

  Claire laughed and pulled her close. At least as close as they could get with that baby bump in the way. It wouldn’t be long until Green Acres Farm would welcome its next addition.

  “Uncle Keanan! Uncle Keanan!” yelled Maddie.

  Chelsea glanced over to see him lift the toddler. Could she still call the child that? Madelynn had celebrated her third birthday while they’d been away. How time had flown.

  “C’mere, you.” Jo tugged Chelsea into a hug. “I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you are home where you belong.” She pushed a well-wrapped bundle into Chelsea’s arms. John wiggled and smiled at her with a toothless grin.

  Chelsea gazed down at the baby’s alert brown eyes. “He’s gotten so big!”

  The guys rounded the car and joined the women. Keanan plucked the baby out of Chelsea’s arms and made faces at the little guy who chortled with glee.

  Sierra hip-checked Jo away from Chelsea’s other side. “So when’s the big day? You must have set a date by now.”

  Now or never. She glanced up at Keanan. “We eloped.”

  “You what?”

  “No way!”

  “You can’t do that!”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Keanan slid his free arm around her and winked. “And why not?”

  Sierra crossed both arms and tapped her foot. “You wouldn’t do that to us. We are your wedding-planning team.” She thumbed toward the other women. “I know what kind of celebration you’ve always wanted. Just because you got all brave and gallivanted halfway around the world doesn’t mean you’d toss aside everything else you’ve ever wanted.” Sierra narrowed her eyes. “Would you? I’ll need to see that wedding certificate before I believe a word you say.”

  How much longer would they let Sierra spout? Chelsea raised her eyebrows at Keanan, and he leaned over to kiss her while Zach rescued the baby.

  “Besides, Mom and Dad would have said something. You’ve been living with them, so there’s no way they wouldn’t know.”

  Chelsea wrapped both arms around Keanan’s neck, tangled her fingers in the hair that tumbled to his shoulders once again, and kissed him back. Yeah, brazen, but at least her friends had someone to go home with and kiss. They’d all done it in front of her in the past when she had no one. That’d just been mean.

  “Chels, joke’s over. Did you or did you not elope?”

  Keanan kissed Chelsea’s nose. “No, we didn’t.” He kissed her lips, his gorgeous eyes twinkling as he focused on her.

  “Did you — what? You brat!” Sierra smacked Chelsea’s backside.

  Keanan twirled Chelsea to his other side. “Hey now. No hitting my bride-to-be.”

  “Trust me, we certainly considered it.” Chelsea laughed. “We knew what you’d be like.”

  Her sister’s hands plunked to her hips as Gabe came up behind her and slid his arms around her. He smirked and whispered something in Sierra’s ear. She shook her head and leaned back, a little grin showing at last. “Okay, you had me for a minute there.”

  “Let’s head on into the house,” said Noel. “We’ve got a turkey dinner waiting. No one would let me keep the tree up for an extra two months, so it’s not quite like Christmas, but we’ll give it a try.”

  Chelsea kept her arm around Keanan as they joined the troop toward the steps. Not because he needed her support anymore, but because staying close to him was the best place in the world to be.

  “I even made a pan of plum upside-down cake for dessert.” Sierra bumped her hip against Chelsea’s. “If I remember correctly, it was plums that brought you two together.”

  And Chelsea’s entire world had been topsy-turvy for months afterward. Only in South Africa had it flipped right side up. Whichever direction she faced now didn’t matter. Not with Keanan at her side as they both walked in God’s abundant love.

  The End

  Interested in reading the Bible verses Keanan wrote out for Chelsea? Click here.

  Interested in hearing the worship songs Keanan played for Chelsea? Click here.

  Recipe for Plum Upside-Down Cake

  I may have given Aunt Pam Riehl credit for this delicious dessert in the novel but, in reality, it is my own concoction. I hope you enjoy!

  Plum Upside-Down Cake

  Fruit Layer:

  3 tablespoons butter

  1/3 cup brown sugar

  1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

  1/4 teaspoon cloves

  dash nutmeg

  Fresh or frozen Italian plums, pitted and halved (enough for one layer)

  In a ten-inch oven-proof cast iron skillet, melt the butter and remove from heat. Swirl the butter up the sides so the cake won’t stick. Mix the sugar and spices together, then stir into the melted butter and smooth the sauce. Arrange the halved plums cut-side down in the pan.

  Cake Layer:

  1/2 cup butter

  1/2 cup organic white sugar

  1/2 cup organic brown sugar

  2 free-range eggs

  1/2 teaspoon vanilla

  1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

  1/2 teaspoon salt

  1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  1/2 cup buttermilk OR 1/4 cup plain yogurt + 1/4 cup milk

  1 1/2 cups organic white flour (may up to 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour)

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  Beat sugar and butter then add eggs and beat at medium until smooth. Add all but flour and beat 2-3 minutes. Add flour. Mix until well blended. This will be a fairly thick batter. Spoon it over the fruit in the skillet and level it.

  Place in preheated oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let sit off heat for 30 minutes before attempting to invert. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if you like.

  Recipe on my website: Click Here

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to Kathy, who shared her journal with me of the dark days while her son fought Fusobacterium Necroforum in 2007. She took another trip “through the wringer” while reading and commenting on those chapters in this book, helping me to get it right. With Kathy, I’m so thankful to Jehovah Rapha for healing her son… my nephew.

  Thanks to Pastor Tom, who persuaded me to cohost Alpha with Jack. I’m so blessed to have been a part of the journey for Liz, Marion, Jackie and Les. Thanks, also, to Nicky Gumbel, visionary of the Alpha program.

  Thanks to Marion Ueckermann and her niece Melanie for giving me a taste of Pretoria, South Africa, including an insider peek at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Any errors in the story I’ve managed to introduce myself!

  Thanks to Sally Shupe, Robin Mason, and Melanie Pike for providing excellent feedback as beta readers for the earliest version of this manuscript. You ladies rock!

  A huge shout-out to my fellow travelers within the Christian Indie Authors Facebook group and my blogging buddies at www. inspyromance.com. What amazing folks to share the writing journey with.

  Thanks to my fans for reviews, emails, prayers, and encouragement. Also, the gals on my Street Team are amazing and right there the moment I need help. I
don’t know how I managed without you as long as I did.

  Thanks to my friend and editor, Nicole O'Dell, for walking many miles through Green Acres’ manuscripts and helping me make the Farm Fresh Romance series so much stronger.

  Thanks to my husband, Jim, for always loving me, always believing in me, and always supporting my dreams. Thanks also to my kids and grandgirls who show me unconditional love every single day. You all mean more to me than I can express.

  I am so, so thankful to worship a God who not only heals but loves me deeply and personally. He loves you the same way. I pray you know Him. If you want to talk about it, shoot me an email!

  Thank You!

  Thank you for reading Plum Upside Down: A Farm Fresh Romance 5. I hope you enjoyed it!

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  If you'd like to be notified when my next book releases, I invite you to sign up for my email list. As a bonus for my subscribers, I've written Peppermint Kisses, a short romantic story that takes place at 2.5 in my Farm Fresh Romance series. You won't find this story anywhere else, so check it out here: Peppermint Kisses.

  If you'd like to read the first chapter of Berry on Top, it's next in the ebook.

  By the way, if you’re familiar with Idaho, you’ll know Galena Landing and Wynnton don’t exist. In fact, I took the liberty of redrawing the state’s map north of Coeur d’Alene. I hope you adjusted to the new topography.