Love Inspired June 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: The Cowboy's HomecomingThe Amish Widow's SecretSafe in the Fireman's Arms

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “You left her in the truck all this time?”

  “In a carrier, nice and warm with the vehicle windows open for ventilation.”

  “She’s terrified.”

  “The thunder. Mother Nature’s fault. Not mine.”

  She ignored Jake, but was unable to resist rubbing her cheek against the soft fur, and cooing soft words of reassurance.

  “So everything is working out nicely, isn’t it?” she finally said.

  “What are we talking about here?” Jake asked. “The cat?”

  “No. People. Mack and Bitsy are getting married. That should get Bitsy out of your hair, right?”

  “In my wildest dreams, they take a cruise around the world and come back and move into Bitsy’s house. So that would be a yes.”

  She chuckled. “And Beck admitted to setting that fire and apologized.”

  “Don’t you think you’re letting him off easy for arson?”

  “You’re going to have to trust me, Jake. Beck and I have an understanding. He’s not going to act out like this again.”

  She put her hand on Jake’s sleeve. “Besides, he has so much auxiliary service scheduled, he’ll think long and hard before he does anything like that again.”

  “I don’t get why he did it in the first place?’

  “He was acting out because he thought you were a risk to his friendship with me.”

  “Am I?” He looked at her.

  “I think I can handle more than one friend in my life.”

  He nodded in agreement. “So what’s going on with your interview? I thought you were less than enthusiastic about the newspaper industry.”

  “They’re printing a big article about the fire with a tie-in focusing on the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department.” She smiled, pleased with her plan. “This should guarantee your reelection, Jake.”

  “You did the interview for me?”

  “It seemed only fair, after all, I was the one who got you in trouble.”

  “Maggie, you didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t in trouble.”

  “I wanted to do it. You’ve done so much for me already.”

  The kitten crawled up to Maggie’s shoulder and licked her face with a quick flick of a pink tongue.

  “So what is it I’m supposed to do with this little peach here?” Maggie asked, tugging the kitten back down into her arms.

  “She needs a place to stay. Naturally I thought of you and how you’re all by yourself here.”

  “Maybe you missed the part of the discussion where I said I don’t like cats.”

  Jake attempted to level her with a look, but Maggie ignored him and stroked the kitten gently under the chin. Then she put the kitten down to wander around the kitchen.

  “Can she stay?” he asked.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “You’ve changed, Maggie.”

  “No, I’ve grown. These weeks in Paradise have been about me uncovering who I am. Me growing into me. Maybe you won’t like the real Maggie. Have you ever considered that?”

  “I like her fine.”

  “Then where have you been all week?” she asked softly. Maggie stepped closer to him. Close enough to smell the pine on his clothes and see the truth in his eyes.

  He stared at the floor, hands shoved in the pockets of his navy uniform pants. Finally, he began speaking again.

  “I was afraid, Maggie. Seeing you in that hospital bed brought back every one of my fears. Memories I’ve stuffed away for ten long years. My mom’s death and Diana’s. I didn’t know if I could do it again. Risk everything again and maybe lose.”

  “And now?”

  “I love you, Maggie Jones. I’ve been in love with you since that first fire.”

  “When I burned the eggs? In that old T-shirt and my hair in a ponytail? And it wasn’t a fire. Just smoke.”

  “Whatever. You were beautiful. That’s the picture I’ll always carry in my heart. The very first time I saw you.”

  “I wish you would have told me. It would have saved me a lot of trouble.”

  “I was fighting my feelings. Self-preservation.”

  Maggie stopped talking, suddenly letting his words sink in. He loved her.

  Pleasure warmed her inside and out. He loved her. But it wasn’t enough. She wouldn’t stop, wouldn’t give in until they’d settled everything. She didn’t want anything standing between them.

  “The thing is, Jake, you can’t move forward if you’re going to spend your life worrying about me.”

  His gaze never left hers, taking in the words. He nodded as she continued.

  “Your life has been safe the past ten years. Constant and predictable. Just like mine.” She refused to look away from him as she spoke the words.

  “That knock on your head sure gave you some insight, huh?” He reached out to take her hand, rubbing his thumb softly over the skin.

  “What about you, Maggie? You were pretty emphatic about not looking for a man in your life.”

  Her glance flew to his face. “I guess I did say that, didn’t I?”

  “Several times.”

  “Hmm, I may need to reevaluate my stance.”

  “That’s probably a good idea because you’re stuck with me. For life.”

  Maggie stood very still, hope building in her heart, yet she was very much afraid she’d misunderstood his words.

  “Did you hear me?” he whispered.

  She nodded. Her voice became almost a whisper as she spoke the difficult words. “That fire was a wake-up call for me. I almost lost you, Jake. We both almost lost your father.”

  His eyes widened and she saw the love on his face. While it was almost her undoing, she knew she had to finish.

  “I won’t let it happen again. I’m glad to be alive, so I can love you in return. I’m glad you love me, but are you ready to step out in faith?”

  “Bitsy says I have to let the Lord take care of people I love and stop trying to do it all myself.”

  “Why do you suppose she’s so smart?” Maggie asked.

  “I’m not sure, but it’s annoying, isn’t it?”

  Maggie laughed.

  Jake wasted no time folding her into his embrace. Maggie rested her head against his heart, listening to the steady beat for minutes. He raised a hand and gently stroked her hair as his chin nuzzled her close.

  “You love me?” he asked, releasing her to look deep into her eyes.

  “How could I not? But Jake, love isn’t enough. We both have to have the courage to take a chance on our future. Turn it over to Him.”

  “Are you proposing to me?”

  Heat rushed to her face as she struggled for a response. Then she laughed. “Maybe I am.”

  Jake lifted her chin with his finger. “I sure hope so, because this is going to make Mack and Bitsy very happy.” He gave her a goofy grin.

  “But what about you?” she asked. “Does this make you happy?”

  “It does,” Jake murmured. “Thanks for returning to Paradise, Maggie.”

  “Pretty amazing how our paths crossed, isn’t it?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. Pretty amazing. I love you, Maggie Jones. You’re right. It is time to step out in faith.”

  His mouth touched hers for the sweetest kiss.

  When he lifted his head, Maggie looked into his eyes. “Can we make it, Jake?” she asked.

  “Are you asking for guarantees? I can’t give you that, but I can promise to love you and to listen to the Lord. Oh, and to keep you in cheese puffs and toaster pastries.”

  Her laughter filled the room.

  “So maybe we’ll have another few years together.” He shrugged. “Maybe we’ll have fifty.”

  “If we don’t?”

  “Well, at least we’ll know we loved each other our very best every single day.”

  As Maggie stood on her toes to place a kiss on his lips the kitten wedged between them and attempted to crawl up Jake’s pant leg.

  “Have you noticed your kitten’s fur is the exact col
or of those pies you love so much?” Maggie asked.

  “Our cat,” he said.

  Maggie let out a breath. “Okay, our cat. But absolutely no dogs.”

  “No dogs,” he repeated. “Except Chuck.”

  “Except Chuck.”

  He laughed.

  “Ready for some pie?” she asked.

  “It really doesn’t get any better than this, does it, Maggie?” Jake asked, leaning against the refrigerator with the kitten in his arms.

  Maggie smiled as she pulled out Bitsy’s pie.

  Jake MacLaughlin would be easy to love. Faith, pie and kisses. They already had a built-in family, right here in Paradise.

  What else could they possibly ask for?

  Epilogue

  “Maggie.” Jake knocked again.

  She cracked open the door to the church’s bridal dressing room and smiled. His heart began a slow melt and he nearly forgot why he was there in the first place.

  “Open the door, sweetheart,” he murmured.

  “Jake, you aren’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”

  “That only applies to the groom. I’m the best man.”

  “Oh. I suppose you’re right.”

  Before he realized what hit him, Maggie had carefully stepped into the hallway and launched herself at him, slipping her arms around his neck.

  Jake’s lips met hers and he kissed her.

  “Thank you,” Maggie said with a sigh when they had parted. “I needed that.”

  He exhaled deeply and laced his fingers through hers.

  “Anytime.”

  “Did you need something?” she asked.

  “Yes. But now I’ve forgotten what it was.”

  Maggie laughed.

  “You look amazing,” Jake said, taking in the cornflower-blue dress with the deep blue sash. “What do they call that material?”

  “Chiffon.” She twirled around and the bottom of the dress ruffled and swirled with the movement. “But I have to get back in there and help the bride.”

  He reached for her right hand and kissed the palm, then ran a finger over the engagement ring. “Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.”

  “Oh, Jake.” She swallowed, her voice thick.

  “By the way, a package arrived at the fire station today.”

  “A package?”

  “From your parents.”

  “My parents sent a package to the fire house?”

  “Yeah. You should see what’s inside.”

  “What is it?”

  “Your rocking chair’s matching pair.”

  Maggie gasped. “What did you do? That chair is pretty much a seal of approval of our engagement. I never thought my mother would part with it.”

  “Your parents and I had a long-distance chat. I think we’re friends now.”

  “But how?”

  “I thanked them for raising such an amazing daughter. Then I began to list all your fine qualities.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t shut up. It’s possible they gave their approval to shut me up.”

  Maggie laughed and hugged him again.

  Jake nodded toward the bridal-suite door. “How’s our bride doing?”

  “Very subdued today.”

  “May I see her?”

  Maggie’s brows rose in surprise. “Okay, let me see if she’s presentable.” She opened the door and left him alone in the hall.

  Jake paced back and forth along the ruby carpet. “Lord, help me not to mess this up. It’s in Your hands.”

  “Come on in,” Maggie called.

  Bitsy Harmony stood in the middle of the room in a long-sleeved off-white lace dress. Scoop-necked, it reached her knees. Her hair had been swept into some sort of twist on the top of her head.

  She smiled when she saw him in the doorway, her bright blue eyes alert and questioning.

  “Jake, you aren’t having cold feet about being Mack’s best man, are you?”

  “Not at all. I’m honored.” He reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a small box. “As I understand the tradition, it’s something old and something new, something borrowed and something blue.”

  Bitsy nodded.

  “I brought you something new to wear when you marry my father.” Jake opened the box. Inside rested a pearl necklace. He’d taken great care to select it from the jeweler in Monte Vista, not wanting his secret to make it to the loose lips of the citizens of Paradise.

  A collective sigh rose from Bitsy and Maggie and the other two bridesmaids.

  “Oh, Jake,” Bitsy murmured. “They’re lovely.”

  “Welcome to the family, Bitsy. Thank you for making my father so happy. I’m praying for a long and happy marriage for you and Mack.”

  Bitsy sniffed and blinked her eyes rapidly as Jake took the necklace from the box and reached out to put it around her neck. He kissed her soft cheek and released her.

  “Thank you, Jake. I’m speechless and I think you, of all people, know how rare that is.”

  Jake laughed. “Well, then maybe I better take this opportunity to thank you for all the crazy machinations that went on to get Maggie and me together. You know, of course, that I was one step from being in love with her the first time she burned those eggs?” He glanced fondly at Maggie.

  “Of course. It was the Lord’s plan. I simply hurried things along.”

  He smiled and glanced at his watch. “I’ll leave you ladies to finish. Fifteen minutes before you become Mrs. Jacob MacLaughlin Senior, Bitsy.”

  Maggie slipped her arm through his as he headed to the door. Outside the room she placed her arms around his neck once more. “I didn’t think it was possible to love you any more than I do, but, Jake MacLaughlin, I do.”

  “I love you, too, Maggie. I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.”

  “Me, too.” She smiled. “Me, too.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from A RANCHER FOR THEIR MOM by Leann Harris.

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome back to Paradise, Colorado. Paradise is a fictional town set in the area of Del Norte, Colorado.

  Maggie and Jake’s story is the third in the Paradise series and one of my favorites. I like unconventional women and Maggie is definitely that. I so relate to her feeling like a square peg in a round hole. However, as children of God, it’s important that we eventually embrace the fact that we are created purposely by Him to be unique. A vessel created for a particular purpose in the Kingdom of God. So let’s rejoice in the special abilities and talents He has given us.

  In Maggie and Jake’s romance, and Bitsy and Mack’s, it’s that difference, those polar-opposite personality traits, that draws them together. When two people learn to love the differences in each other, a lasting relationship based on respect and honor is created.

  I hope you enjoy their story and do drop me a line to let me know. I can be reached at tina@tinaradcliffe.com or through my website, tinaradcliffe.com.

  I’d really love to hear from you.

  Tina Radcliffe

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

  Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

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  Chapter One

  “Mom, Mom,” six-year-old Todd yelled, the back screen door slamming against its frame. The sound of little cowboy boots pounded through the kitchen and down the hall. “Where are you, Mom?”

  “I’m in the office,” April Landers answered.

  The screen slammed again, followed by another set of small boot fa
lls. April winced, hoping the boys didn’t wake their younger sister from her nap.

  Breathless, Todd appeared in the doorway. “Wes told me no one born in February could be a cowboy. Only boys born in June could be cowboys. That’s not true, is it?”

  Eight-year-old Wes appeared behind his brother, a smirk on his face. April’s brow arched as her gaze engaged her older son. His grin disappeared.

  “I can be a cowboy, too, can’t I?” Todd pleaded.

  “Opa and your cousin Chad have birthdays in February. Weren’t they cowboys?”

  Todd’s frown disappeared and his eyes widened. “Yes.” He turned to his brother and stuck out his tongue.

  Wes’s expression went from somber to a grin. He shrugged.

  “Ha, you’re wrong. I can be a cowboy, too.” Todd stomped back down the hall.

  Wes turned to follow his brother.

  “Stop, young man.”

  Wes halted, his shoulders hunching.

  April pushed away from the antique desk. “Come here.”

  He looked up and she motioned her son to her side. Wes dragged his feet as if going to an execution and stopped when he got to her knees. He refused to raise his head.

  “Wes, look at me.”

  Her son slowly raised his head.

  “Why did you tell your brother he couldn’t be a cowboy?”

  He shrugged his shoulders, kicking an imaginary piece of dirt on the floor.

  April sighed. She knew her boys missed Opa—their grandfather Vernon—who had died last September. “Do you think Opa would’ve liked you telling that story to your brother?”

  He hung his head. “No. He wouldn’t have liked it.”

  “I didn’t like it, either. I’m disappointed with you.”

  Wes’s lips pursed.

  “Come closer.”

  He moved and April drew him into her arms and hugged him. All sorts of emotions bounced around her chest.

  The boys needed a male figure in their lives to help and guide them since Opa’s death. Their father had died in an oil platform accident over three years ago. April’s own father couldn’t fill the role, since he still worked on an oil platform out in the Gulf. He was the manager and only made it back to shore once every six months.