She hadn’t thrown him to the wolves or abandoned him. Hadn’t walked away from him when times got rough. No, she’d stood by him, done everything she could to help him. “Why did you do this?”
“Oh, John.” Merrilee crossed the short distance that separated them and flung her arms around him, drawing him close. “I couldn’t let you go to prison for doing the right thing.”
He tightened his arms around her and pulled her in to his chest, close to his heart. “You believe in me?”
She gave him a watery smile. “Of course I do. You’re the most honorable and decent man I know. What you did for Peter’s son, that was just like Jesus commands us to do. To love one another.” Merrilee lifted her hand to his face. “It’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”
Any remaining doubts he might have had crumbled beneath the glow of love lighting her eyes. She believed in him, probably always had. He turned his head slightly, brushing his lips against the tender flesh of her palm. “I should have never left you, Merri.”
She stroked her thumb against his lips. “I made my fair share of mistakes then, mainly listening to everyone else but you. It’s okay to seek counsel, but not at the cost of my husband’s feelings.”
He captured her face in his hands, loving the warmth that radiated beneath his fingertips as her cheeks bloomed into color. John brushed a kiss against her forehead. “I love you, Merrilee. You’ve held my heart ever since that first morning you came walking across your daddy’s cotton field.”
“I love you, too. Always have, always will.”
He kissed her then, tilted her head ever so slightly so he could press his lips fully against hers, the intoxicating scent of vanilla and Merrilee floating around him, soaking down into his soul. This woman was his home, the other half to make him whole. He’d never walk away from her again.
When he lifted his head moments later, she tightened her arms around his neck. “Don’t go. Not yet.”
“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. Not unless you’re there with me.”
The contented smile that beamed back at him made his toes curl. “Then marry me.”
John barked with laughter. “I thought I was the one who was supposed to do the asking?”
“You asked the first time around.” She pressed up on her toes and brushed a brief kiss against his lips before settling back, one hand reaching for her necklace. “I’ve even got the ring.”
He grasped the thin metal circle dangling from the silver chain, his heart pounding in recognition. The old key ring they’d used for a wedding band the night they’d run off. “You saved it.”
“It was the first gift you ever gave me.”
She’d always surprised him, this woman who’d captured his heart so long ago. What would the next thirty or forty years have in store with her by his side? “What about the hearing?”
Her expression was somber, but held steadfast. “We’ll face it together. United we stand, remember?”
John leaned his head against hers. No matter what life held for them, the good or the bad, they’d handle it together with the Lord’s help. Always with the Lord’s help. “Yes, Merrilee, united we’ll stand.”
Epilogue
A soft breeze fluttered through the lace curtains of Merrilee’s bedroom window, the air cool and crisp like a Granny Smith apple from Aurora’s yard. Merrilee pressed her satin collar into submission, then studied her reflection in the full-length mirror and smiled. She could have worn a feed sack today and it wouldn’t have dimmed her happiness.
Within a few minutes, she would be Mrs. John Davenport.
Again.
It had been a long summer, waiting for the paperwork that would dismiss John of the charges filed against him. Every trip to the mailbox, every visit they made to the post office during June and July had ended in discouragement, at least for that moment. Then John would give her a flirtatious wink, reserved only for her, and Merrilee’s heart would lighten.
The time spent waiting did have some advantages. John had opened up the package of Merrilee’s letters Beau had found and they’d read them together, their love deepening with each envelope they opened. By the time John’s paperwork had come through, both had agreed they were ready to take their vows.
Merrilee lifted a small spray of white roses and baby’s breath to her nose, then pinned it against the base of her upturned hairdo. Downstairs, the muted clatter of plates and glasses being carried into the dining room told her the ceremony was getting ready to start.
A slight knock on the door caused Merrilee to turn just as Claire hurried inside, the royal-blue skirts of her new dress bringing out the little flecks of gray in her eyes. Her daughter leaned back against the closed door. “Oh, Mama! You look so beautiful! Who would have thought an old parachute could turn out so pretty?”
A slight thrill of feminine satisfaction ran through her as she brushed a hand over the creamy-white satin of her wedding dress, a gift from Maggie and Wesley. “It did turn out quite nice, didn’t it?”
“Daddy won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
“Well, I don’t know.” Merrilee tried to give Claire her most serious look, but her lips wouldn’t stop twitching upward into a smile. “I hear he’s kind of partial to the maid of honor.”
Claire laughed, her cheeks turning a rosy hue that matched the red sparks in her hair. “I still can’t believe you asked me.”
“Oh, Claire Bear, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have walking me down the aisle.” Tears crowded Merrilee’s throat as she drew her daughter into her arms. The despair Claire had carried around for the last year had eased, replaced by a growing faith that amazed her and John with its depths, pushing Merrilee’s own faith to expand. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for leading us out of the darkness. Use Claire for Your glory no matter what her physical limitations are.
“Knock, knock.” Maggie opened the door and lumbered into the bedroom, a bouquet of white roses clutched in one hand while the other rested on the thickening at her waist. “How are we doing in here? Almost ready?”
“I thought Edie was coming up with you,” Claire said, her eyes on the door.
“She ran out to the kitchen to get some saltines.” Maggie gave Merrilee a knowing gaze over Claire’s head, her wide smile barely contained. “A little stomach trouble.”
Another baby in the family! “Beau must be thrilled.”
Claire shot her a confused look. “Thrilled with a stomachache?”
Maggie wrapped her arm around her younger cousin’s shoulders and pulled her toward the doorway. “Come on, squirt. Let’s get your mother married.”
Merrilee had barely cleared the train of her skirt from the doorway when Aurora’s voice drifted up to her from the main hallway. “It’s traditional for the bride to be a little late for her wedding, son.”
Another smile touched her lips, bubbles of joy filling her heart at knowing her groom was anxious for her arrival. The few steps it took to stand at the top of the stairwell seemed to take a lifetime. “I’m coming, John.”
Merrilee felt everyone’s gaze on her, but she had eyes only for John—the promises of tomorrow, of the home they would make together, the children they would raise, shining in his beautiful blue eyes. It felt as if she were floating, until suddenly she stood on the last step, John standing in front of her, waiting.
“Hi.” He barely whispered the word, rough-hewed and low, as if she was the only person in the world.
“Hi.” She rested a hand on his dark tie, her heart galloping to the same wild beat as his.
“Mama looks pretty, doesn’t she, Daddy?” Claire asked.
The look of male appreciation on John’s face made Merrilee’s heart flutter as he leaned toward her, his gaze locked on hers as he reached up and touched her nose in a gentle caress. “The most
beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
Maggie squeezed by them, holding tight to her growing waist. “Ms. Aurora, why don’t we get everyone settled into their chairs and give the happy couple a few minutes alone with their daughter.”
“Sounds like a fine idea.” She held out a hand to the twins and Ellie. “It sure was sweet of the sheriff to help Billy and Gail hold our seats. But then again, it gives him a chance to hold Sarah, doesn’t it?” Aurora led the three children down the hallway, Ellie skipping beside her, a basket full of rose petals tilting precariously on her chubby arm.
“Well—” Claire turned to her parents. “What are we waiting on?”
“Your daddy and I wanted to pray with you before the ceremony.” After setting her bouquet down on the table, Merrilee held out her hand to Claire, then slid her hand into John’s, nodding her head to him. “Sweetheart?”
The loving look he gave her before bowing his head made her heart flutter, the words he spoke to the Lord giving her a peek into their future, inviting God to be part of this marriage.
Three strands were stronger than two.
The last words had barely passed John’s lips before Claire slipped her hand from Merrilee’s, reaching for her flowers.
John lifted Merrilee’s bouquet from the table and handed it to her, his hand tenderly resting over hers. “Don’t you think it’s about time we got married?”
Merrilee threaded her free arm through his and smiled up at her soon-to-be husband as they walked down the hall to join their guests. “I think it’s the perfect time.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from HER ROMAN PROTECTOR by Milinda Jay.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Merrilee and John’s story of reconciliation and renewed love. These two have been on the fringes of my imagination for quite some time now, so it was a joy to finally give them the happily ever after they both deserved!
When I started writing Hearts Rekindled, I was sure this book was going to be about how marriage is hard work—no matter how much two people love each other! But as I dug deeper and kept writing, I began to notice how the issue of abandonment was something each of my characters battled with at some point in the story. It was something I could relate to, to a degree—for the past few years, I’ve fought severe back pain that left me unable to stand or sit for any length of time. It was a very lonely war, living in extreme pain, wondering if it would ever abate. Sometimes I’d cry out to God to take the pain away and, if that wasn’t His will, to help me learn to deal with it. When the days turned into months without a response, I felt abandoned.
Just like Merrilee and John did.
In writing their story, God helped me see that He never abandoned me. He just used my physical pain to bring me closer to Him and to grow my faith. And, like Merrilee and John, my story also has a happy ending. After surgery and rehabilitation, I’m back to walking three miles a day, writing my stories and driving my family and friends crazy with all the activities I want to do!
My prayer for you is that no matter how alone you feel, know that God is right there waiting for you, loving you more than the human heart or mind can imagine!
Blessings,
Patty Smith Hall
Questions for Discussion
In the first scene, Merrilee was forced into spying on a dear friend in order to secure her daughter Claire’s polio treatment. How would you respond if faced with a similar situation?
How would you feel if your friend was investigating you? Would you be able to forgive them and remain friends?
John received Claire’s letter introducing herself as his daughter a year after she mailed it to him. Look back over your life and recognize a situation where a delay would be considered God working in His own timing. Did those delays help build your faith or did you feel discouraged? How could you have reacted differently?
When John saw Merrilee with Major Evans, he felt jealous. Does jealousy have any part in a loving, Christ-centered relationship? Why or why not?
At the playground, John witnessed some children ignoring a young girl with Down syndrome and came to her rescue. How would you respond if faced with a similar situation? How would God want us to react?
Though they were married, Merrilee was surprised to learn John had a younger brother with severe disabilities. Have you ever kept a secret from your spouse? How did it affect your relationship?
John had a lot of secrets: first his brother, then his friendship with a Japanese family that led to an investigation. Given society’s discrimination against both of these groups, do you think John was right to keep those secrets close to the chest? What kinds of problems could he have possibly had if he had been honest? What does the Bible say about handling this kind of situation?
How do you feel Merrilee dealt with Ms. Davis after the older woman voiced her opinion that Billy and Ellie should not be allowed to come to church? Was Merrilee’s response Christlike? Examine your feelings about people with mental disabilities having a place within the church. What does Ms. Davis’s reaction say about her relationship with God?
Both John’s decision to help his Japanese friend and Ms. Aurora’s decision to shelter mentally and physically disabled children went against what society at that time period deemed morally right. Have you ever taken a stand for your beliefs in the face of stiff opposition? What does the Bible say about fighting laws that go against God’s word?
When John and Merrilee caught the children smoking, John disciplined Billy and Claire by making them smoke the remaining cigarettes. Do you feel that was a fair punishment? If not, what would you have done differently?
Merrilee forgave John for walking out on their marriage. Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve had to show grace to someone who has hurt you badly? Would you have been able to forgive John if you were Merrilee?
John felt that everyone he’d ever loved abandoned him, so he always left before he could get hurt. Do you understand why he would feel this way? What was wrong with John’s thinking? What does the Bible say on this topic?
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.
You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.
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Excerpt
Moonlight shone through the tiny window, casting a gentle glow on the face of Annia’s beautiful newborn baby girl. The tiny gold bear charm on the baby’s necklace sparkled for just a moment before the moon took refuge behind the clouds.
“If I could only tell you how much you are loved, and have you understand,” Annia murmured.
She laid the baby down on the prickly straw-filled mattress and pulled the urine-soaked cloth from beneath the swaddling, deftly replacing it with a clean one. She picked up the newborn and kissed her tiny head, then cradled her in her arms.
“My sweet baby girl,” she murmured into the soft newborn hair, “I will love you as much as a mother and a father.”
Annia herself was not feeling particularly loved. Nine days ago, she had given birth alone except for the midwife and Annia’s slave, Virginia.
Annia’s husband, Galerius Janius, had divorced her on false charges of adultery. He had separated her from her two small sons and exiled her to this small villa at the outermost edge of Rome.
&
nbsp; But he didn’t take her baby. Not even he could be that cruel.
Or perhaps he had forgotten the baby in his rush to marry the wealthy cousin of the emperor.
Annia placed the baby in her wooden cradle, and the scent of rosemary filled the air. The mattress, stuffed with carefully chosen herbs, kept the infant safe from the chills brought by the heavy Roman mists.
The baby slept, and Annia considered calling Virginia for a taper. Perhaps if she read for a while, her heart would stop hurting so badly. She looked at the scrolls stowed neatly in the racks she had built on her wall. Maybe a Psalm would remind her she was not alone in her pain.
“Lord, keep my children safe,” she whispered.
The ache of losing her boys hurt far worse than having her husband discard her.
Annia could only hope that Janius’s new wife would find the boys tiresome and send them away. And then Annia could have them back.
Janius had made it clear for many years that he did not love her. Shortly before he accused her of adultery, he revealed that he had never loved her.
Perhaps her boys would remind Janius of Annia. Or he would want them out of his sight. Possibly she would get them back even sooner than she expected.
She lay down and covered herself with a light wool blanket. She might be able to sleep on this happy thought.
Before she could drift into blissful forgetfulness, the rhythmic crunch of hobnailed sandals echoed on the basalt-paved streets below.
It was the footsteps of soldiers. She sat up in her bed. Their torches lit the street below, reflections casting ghastly shadows on the frescoes covering her tiny bedroom walls.
The banging of bronze against wood told her they had come to her villa.
Why? What could they possibly want with her?
She heard Virginia shuffle down the stairs in her soft house sandals.
Hearts Rekindled Page 23