I Know the Plans

by Melissa Wardwell

  CONTENTS

  Copyright

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  Characters

  verse

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epiloge

  Dear Reader

  Bio

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for the brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.

  All scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  All locations are actual businesses and towns within Shiawassee County, Michigan. Feel free to come see us sometime.

  A portion of my royalties from this book will be going to “Wounded Warrior Project” in honor of their service and the service of thousands of others.

  https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

  Cover Design:

  Cover by Perry Elisabeth Design | perryelisabethdesign.com

  Editing services: Pamela Coffey & AM Editing

  Copyright © 2018 Melissa Wardwell

  All rights reserved.

  ASIN : B07HWKZ4VZ

  I want to give a special shout out to a few people that have been key players in making this book come to life.

  Thank you Pamela Coffey, Angela McClain, Perry Elizabeth Designs, Linda Schmidt, Emily Middleton, Vicky Sluiter, and Elizabeth Wehman. If it was not for you beautiful people, this book would not look as beautiful as it does. You all put many hours of work into helping me through this process. I couldn’t have done it without you.

  Thank you to my Author Sisters, T. I. Lowe and Christina Coryell. You helped me find perspective in the story building process as well as encouraged me to keep going when I wanted to quit. I hope that I can return the favor one day.

  Thank you to my darling husband. Your willingness to give me space, cook meals, and transport kids was such a great help. You sacrificed so much to make this book happen and I could never repay you enough. I guess that is the beauty of our romance; we give to one another when we can and we don’t demand more than the other can give. This is why our romance story is the greatest.

  Last, but certainly not least, thank you God for giving me the imagination to tell stories in a way that ministers to others through fiction. Thank you for the ever present lesson that you have a plan for our lives and in Your time, those plans will come to light.

  In Memory of Margaret Ann Ellison

  1942 - 2018

  A lover of Jesus Christ, her family, and Christian authors. We thank you for your years of love and encouragement.

  Meet the families from the

  Promises from Above Series

  Daniels Family - What God Brings Together

  Ryan (David) Daniels - Emma’s husband, average family guy, working hard for his family until he is injured in a tragic accident.

  Emma Daniels - Ryan’s wife, school teacher, spent many years juggling both parenting rolls after the accident.

  Stephen Daniels - Oldest son of Ryan and Emma

  Aaron Daniels - Youngest son of Ryan and Emma

  Sarah Daniels - Oldest daughter of Ryan & Emma, best friends with Katie & Emily

  Ami Daniels - Youngest daughter of Ryan & Emma

  Tom & Evelyn - Emma’s Parents

  Robert & Hanna - Ryan & Tiffany’s parents

  Emerson/Matthews Families - Dance and be Glad

  Doctor Michael Emerson - The good neighborhood doctor who finds a second chance with his high school sweetheart, Emily’s uncle/guardian

  Jillian (Ellison) Matthews - Widow, mother to Katie, and dance studio owner

  Sergeant Doug Matthews - Jillian’s deceased husband, Katie’s father

  Katie Matthews - Daughter of Doug and Jillian, best friends with Sarah & Emily

  Emily Emerson - Daughter of Thomas & Rebecca, niece of Michael, best friends with Sarah & Katie

  Thomas & Rebecca Emerson - Emily’s deceased parents, Michael’s brother & sister-in-law

  Richard & Josephine Ellison - Jillian’s parents

  Julie Ellison - Jillian’s sister

  Jones Family - I Know The Plans

  Sergeant Bradley Jones - Husband of Tiffany, rescuer of Ryan

  Tiffany Jones - Wife to Bradley, sister to Ryan

  Max & Karen Jones - Sgt. Bradley Jones’ parents

  Ryder Townsend - Tiffany’s friend

  Pastor & Mrs. Cross - the ever present sound of reason throughout the series

  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

  Jeremiah 29:11 & 12

  PROLOGUE

  THE SUN HUNG high, pouring its heat down on the party making the temperatures warmer than normal for a September afternoon. If it wasn’t for the gentle breeze that wove its way through the trees, the day would almost be unbearable. Laughter and childish glee filled the air as young and old enjoyed the festivities while those who were well advanced in their years looked on from the large back deck. Even though Tiffany Jones was much younger than the women surrounding her, she had quite the birds-eye view of the comings and goings of those attending the co-ed baby shower.

  Tiffany watched her very pregnant sister-in-law, Emma, laugh at something her son, Stephen, said while out of the corner of her eye, she caught her other nephew, Aaron, sneak a kiss with his girlfriend under a willow tree. She wondered if she would have to talk to her brother about it, or leave the fourteen-year-old alone. Not too far from her mother, Sarah played a game of duck-duck-goose with the toddlers. As she scanned the yard again she noticed one person was missing, Ryan. She didn’t think anything of it though because so was Mike. If only Brad was here, maybe then I wouldn’t feel so out of place and I would know where my brother is.

  The ever encompassing sadness that clung to her at these events threatened to swallow her more. The sensation robbed her of any joy she might have had. This was the life she was supposed to live but instead, God saw fit to give her something else: a broken womb and a bed that sat half empty more often than not. Tiffany loved her brother and sister-in-law and was excited for them, unfortunately, every passing day without her soldier husband, Brad, and a baby of their own was like one more nail in her heart.

  “So, when are you and Brad having kids? Seems like you should have at least a couple by now,” the little old lady who was too nosy for her own good asked with a straight face. Tiffany’s mind paused at the boldness of the woman. The forwardness of the question only heightened Tiffany’s already irritable mood. In normal circumstances, Tiffany would be graceful toward the lady and let the knife the woman had just stabbed her with sit. Not this time.

  “Well, see, it is kind of hard to conceive when my husband is always gone, fighting for this country so people can say stupid, hurtful things
like you just did. I’m going to go hang out with all my single, rowdy friends now and drink to my heart’s content.” Tiffany raised her bottle of IBC root-beer, spun on her heel and marched to the house. If she was honest, she really would rather be at the backyard party one of her contractors was having at the moment, cracking it up with the guys with a cold beverage in her hand.

  As she approached the entrance to the house, she caught sight of her saintly mother, Hannah, across the deck. Tiffany dipped her head low as she walked past. The last thing she needed was for her mother to call out to her. She needed to escape, if only for an hour.

  “Sweetie,” mom called to her. “Come say hello to Mrs. Parker.”

  Tiffany groaned at her failed attempt to go unnoticed.

  Making small talk with Mrs. Parker, her childhood Sunday school teacher, was definitely not high on her list of things to do.

  Changing the course of her direction, she made her way to the women. She pulled her shoulders back and plastered a smile on her face in an effort to hide her true emotions.

  Don’t them let them see your pain. Don’t let them see the anger.

  Throughout the meaningless conversation, Tiffany kept a pleasant smile on her face and played the happy sister. Inside, she prayed no one overheard her verbally vomit on the poor older woman or saw through her desire to run for her car.

  “RYAN! MY WATER JUST BROKE!”

  Emma’s voice carried over the partygoers like a low siren, stopping Tiffany mid-sentence. Emma, her sister-in-law didn’t sound panicked, but Tiffany detected a hint of frustration. Where was Ryan?

  Tiffany saw her way out of the conversation and went in search of her brother. Ever since Ryan returned to town, after his eight year absence, he found excuses to hide in a corner or disappear altogether. He hated the crowds and the constant questions about his disfiguring scars and noticeable limp; both a result of the vehicle explosion that brought Brad to Tiffany’s doorstep.

  Movement from a path that led to the pond hidden in the woods caught Tiffany’s attention as she jogged toward the westside of the house. At first, she froze, thinking it was Ryan. Instead, a happy couple walked from the trees, hand in hand.

  Mike and Jill’s faces beaming such as theirs could mean only one thing, wedding bells will soon be chiming. Tiffany was happy for them, but the nagging voice in her head only grumbled about having another reason to resent their joy. They were two very independent people who chose to pick things back up from their high school days and give their love a second chance, combining their families. Mike with his adopted niece, Emily, and Jill with her daughter, Katie, made quite the sight when they were all together.

  She missed Brad in moments like these, when she was surrounded by family and friends showing great displays of love and affection for one another. She could only hope they understood the gift they had in each other. The fact that they could sit on their porch swings, snuggled into the embrace of their significant other was something to be cherished.

  The image of snuggling on a porch swing gave Tiffany an idea where Ryan would be. As she rounded the corner to the front of the house, her hunch was confirmed. Lying across the front porch swing was a sleeping Ryan.

  Bounding up the stairs, she was none too gentle in the kick of his boot. “Wake up, old man. Your wife is having a baby!”

  His rapid response reminded her of a bottle rocket as he leapt from the swing. His lack of stability on his bad leg made her snicker. “Where is she?”

  “Dad was walking her to the car when I came up here to get you. Better hurry.”

  Grabbing his cane, he ambled down the steps to the car. His pace moving as quick as his drag – tap would let him.

  Knowing things would be a while, and she was on clean up duty, Tiffany heeded the call of the porch swing that Ryan had just emptied. Tucking one leg under her, she lowered herself onto the seat and pushed off with her other foot.

  The field across the road from her was still green, with the golden sprays of the corn silks waving in the wind. The sound of shooting gravel broke her trance as Ryan sped off with Emma in tow, her voice emanating out of the car window, begging him to take it easy.

  The display made her smile. It also made her heart break.

  “Bradley Jones, you’re missing something beautiful. You should be here.”

  The desert sun beat down on Sergeant First Class Bradley Jones as he took a seat in the shade of the barrack wall. Early September in Afghanistan felt a little more like late July in Michigan. If he closed his eyes, he could see the orange and red leaves that would soon line the streets outside the home he shared with Tiffany.

  As he watched a couple of the men toss a football in the yard, Brad rubbed his aching knee. Hauling his gear, guns, and other necessities on his back as he led his troop through the mountains of Afghanistan while on patrol earlier, took quite a toll on his body. So much so that it had him contemplating early retirement. If he kept going like this, he feared he’d be in a wheelchair. Then he really would be useless.

  His stomach rolled from today’s delicacy in the mess tent. It was a veggie burger caked in barbecue sauce. It didn’t matter how many he had eaten, there was nothing about the entree that screamed “BBQ” to him. There was no amount of imagination that could make the gray patty taste like a grilled hunk of beef and his water taste like a cold iced tea or a lemonade.

  In over twelve years of service, he had seen enough that it had grown difficult to relax for long. His first mission ended in catastrophe by taking his best friend, Jill’s former husband. That time in his early military career was bittersweet. Although he’d lost his friend, the visit to Michigan to speak with the man’s wife led to meeting Tiffany and her family. His time with her, no matter the trials her family faced, had not only been the respite his mind needed, but his heart as well. He would be a lost man without having her in his life.

  Just the thought of her had him reaching for a battered picture from his pocket, where eyes as blue as the sky above him danced in the light of the setting sun. Curly brown locks framed her angelic face as she gave the camera a saucy, come hither look. The white sundress hugged her frame just right, accentuating her sun-kissed skin. She was truly a vision that took his breath away every time he gazed upon her angelic beauty. She was his angel.

  “Wow! That is a fine-looking woman.” Brad shot the corporal who was looking over his shoulder a glare. “She yours, sir?” the young man stuttered. The kid had an uncanny way of sneaking up on him and he hated it.

  “She is my wife, and yes, she is beautiful. I expect you to refer to her and any other woman with respect, Andrews.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind, sir. Sorry, sir.” The rookie nodded his head and went to join the other guys. Brad welcomed the young man’s absence, tucked the photo back in its place in the pocket over his heart, and leaned his head back against the wall.

  Visions of his wife dancing in the headlights of his truck on a warm summer evening brought a smile to his face. A field of sunflowers stood tall in the distance as a popular country song blared through his stereo. She stomped her feet, spun on her heels, and smiled like a kid on a carnival ride. If he remembered right, they had just held their annual county fair.

  The events that night after spending the day at their first fair sealed their fates together as they traveled down a path neither had intended to go. Thinking of her brought peace to his weariness; causing him to begin to nod off.

  That’s when something in the air made his arm hairs stand and shook him from his rest. His skin prickled like an eerie warning of impending doom. His ears searched the noises going on around him making his mind race for possible scenarios. Something was coming.

  Rising from his resting place, he made his way to the open doorway to the base. Two men stood posted on either side of the door while others stood guard in different areas around the compound. Some even paced back and forth on roof of the building.

  “Hot day, isn’t it, sir?” one asked him, Brad only
heard the rapid, rhythmic beat of his heart. He could feel all his men’s eyes on him as he was known for his on-point intuition when something bad was about to happen. When he detected something, they paid attention.

  Brad surveyed the horizon, looking for signs of the enemy, while the nagging feeling that something was coming grew with intensity. Not seeing anything unusual, he went back to his place on the wall, praying he was wrong this time.

  Just as he turned to sit on the rock, the whistle of an IED and a flash of red made its way right for their base. There was no time to even call for his men to hit the deck or get out of the way.

  Insurgents raided the base. Gunfire blasted the air. The screams of young men rang in his ears, that was at least until he felt the burning pain sear his side. Another hit his shoulder. No longer able to maneuver, he tripped on something, forcing him to the ground. In an effort to catch himself, he put his good arm out, but a stray bullet burned through that arm, crippling him. The ground came at him in slow motion, giving him a split second to role to the side to land on the less wounded arm. When he hit the rubble-infested ground, his body bounced causing his head to come down on something hard and sharp.

  An image of Tiffany flashed in his mind as the light began to fade. “Sorry, angel.”

  CHAPTER 1

  THE EARLY MORNING November rays struggled to shine through the window, casting light on her face. The sound of cars passing by as parents drop their children off at school was enough to grate on her nerves. Blinding sunlight didn’t help the situation. Tiffany growled and covered her head with the pale blue and white quilt that adorned the bed. Her eyes ached from another night of tossing and turning over a tear-stained pillow.