The Lewis Legacy Series Box Set: 4-in-1 Special Edition

by JoAnn Durgin

  “You could say that. I went back the next day and got it. I’ve been waiting for the right time to give it to you.” He shrugged and gave her a small smile. “Feeling optimistic about this trip to Montana, I put it in my suitcase at the last minute.”

  She touched the locket then glanced back up at him. “This is incredibly special. I’ll treasure it. Thank you.”

  Taking the locket from her, he turned it over. “Can you read what it says?”

  She brought it closer, studying it. “Romans 8:37.” Her eyes traveled back to his, but she looked puzzled.

  “‘But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.’ I finally reached the point where I gave you to the Lord, Natalie. The thought of losing you killed me, but He brought me to my knees at the throne of grace. It was the day I pulled Beck from the creek.” He shook his head. “I’ve failed you in so many ways. Forgive me.”

  Her eyes softened. “No, Marc. You didn’t fail me. If anything, you proved how much you loved me. I pushed you away. I accused you of not trusting me enough to tell me the truth, but I was the one who didn’t trust the Lord enough to accept your love. Over and over, you proved your devotion to me. I pray you can forgive me.” As she placed her palm on the side of his face, love was written in her eyes, in her expressive features. He’d remember this moment as long as he had breath in his body.

  “There’s nothing to forgive, sweetheart.” Marc fingered the locket again and smiled. “Once our baby is born, you can put her picture in it.” Whipping off his gloves, he unclasped the chain as best he could with frozen fingers and gingerly lowered it around her neck. “Gorgeous,” he whispered, leaning close as he managed to finish his task, “but it’ll look much better on bare skin.”

  Natalie laughed. “That’s just like you, Marc. We talk about scripture and you get all sensual on me.” Her eyes widened. “Do you realize that just slipped out, and I didn’t even have to think about it?”

  He chuckled. “You’re either remembering or else you’re getting to know me pretty well.” He lifted his head to the sky. “Thank you, God!” Lowering his head, he brought his lips down on hers again. He nibbled, teased, nipped, and gloried in it all. Natalie was his. The rest of the world could simply fade away, but he was quickly losing feeling in his extremities. “I hate to say it, but we’d better head inside. We don’t want them to find us with our lips frozen together.”

  “Wait.” She tugged on his hand. “First, I have something for you.” As he watched, eyebrows raised, Natalie reached into the pocket of her jacket. Opening his hand, she deposited a small metal object. Looking down at the shiny, gold key nestled in his palm, he laughed. The key.

  Natalie shrugged. “I asked Lexa for it again this afternoon.”

  “I guess this means your answer is . . . yes?”

  “Yes, yes, yes! A thousand times yes!”

  Marc lifted her in the air like a ballerina, twirling in a slow circle. His arms held her close in the falling snow as they both raised their faces to the sky. On a whim, he dropped to the ground and made a snow angel. To his surprise, Natalie dropped down beside him, moving her arms up and down to make wings.

  “Come, my gorgeous snow angel.” Helping Natalie rise to her feet and steadying her, Marc laughed as she pulled away and tossed a snowball his way. Time to retaliate. Given the advantage of great aim—a remnant of his baseball-playing days—he took it easy on her. They kissed and acted like fools in love as, hand-in-hand, they made their way back to her cabin. He didn’t even feel the cold anymore, and he was pretty sure she didn’t, either.

  ~~**~~

  “What’s so interesting out there, Sam?” Lexa asked.

  He stood beside the front window, his grin widening. Turning away, he lowered the curtain. “Just admiring these beautiful curtains made by the TeamWork ladies. Splendid job.”

  “Thanks, but somehow I don’t think that’s what you were looking at beyond the curtains.” Sidling closer to him, Lexa untied the strings of her apron and draped it over a nearby chair.

  Taking her hand, Sam traced a light pattern on her palm with the tips of his fingers. “In their own way, Natalie and Marc are out there enjoying their own night at the mission.” Raising her hand, he kissed her open palm. “Like the night we chased a man who’d kidnapped his wife.”

  “In order to get to his daughter,” Lexa finished, looking up at him. “A night we cemented our own relationship.” She gave him the smile that melted his heart. How one woman could embody all the qualities he adored was amazing. That, and stubborn defiance, too. What more could a man ask? Sometimes it drove him crazy, but it also drove him wild with desire for his beautiful wife.

  “A night we put our physical passion in check in order to wait on the Lord’s timing,” he said, hovering just above her lips, smiling into her eyes and loving what he saw reflected in hers.

  “A night we honored Him, knowing He’d reward our faithfulness.” She traced a smile line with one gentle finger.

  “And how He’s honored it,” Sam whispered.

  “And will continue to do so.” Lexa pulled his head toward hers until their lips met.

  As he kissed his wife, Sam tucked away the little tidbit about planning a wedding. If he told her now, it would distract her. He didn’t want anything to interrupt. He’d tell her, but much later. Swooping Lexa into the cradle of his arms, he flipped the light switch and carried her through the back of the large house toward their private quarters.

  “Why, handsome cowboy, I do believe you have intentions toward me tonight,” Lexa mock-swooned, batting those unbelievably long eyelashes and twirling her braid.

  Sam chuckled, hastening his steps. “You’d better believe it, beautiful girl.”

  Chapter 45

  The next night, Natalie walked down the flower-strewn aisle on Sam’s arm. Their TeamWork friends huddled in a close circle around them as Marc stepped into place beside her, his boots sinking into the freshly-falling snow. They all wore their jeans and parkas because it was too cold for anything else, not that it mattered. It was a gorgeous, winter wonderland. He felt like bursting into a hearty rendition of “All You Need Is Love,” but no one wanted that.

  Kevin played his guitar and sang a duet with Cassie, his eyes falling on Rebekah time and again. God bless that lovesick boy. He needed to declare his intentions and put himself out of his misery, like Trevor, who’d sent him a message saying he planned to ask Christy for her hand in marriage on Christmas Day. Yes, life was sweet, whether back home in Massachusetts or in Montana.

  Sam positioned himself in front of them and opened his Bible. The Good Book was probably never far from the man’s hands. “Marriage shared by a man and woman blessed enough to have the love of Jesus Christ in their hearts is the most beautiful union of all.” Stealing a quick glance at his wife, Sam shared verses of familiar scripture from First Corinthians about the patience and abiding faithfulness of love. The same verses Marc read in his hour of desperation the morning Natalie moved out of the house. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and in several important ways, it was.

  “Marc and Natalie want to renew their wedding vows, secure in the knowledge the Lord brought them together not only once, but twice. As you know, their journey has not been without its difficulties, but the fact that they’re standing here together in front of us tonight, pledging their love to one another, is a testament to the strength and endurance of their love. Natalie and Marc acknowledge the love they have for one another is preordained by the Lord Jesus Christ, and they look to Him to guide them through the journey of life. They’ll soon be bringing their own little soul into the world, born out of their shared love and passion,” Sam said, ignoring his look of warning. “But tonight, in front of God and their dear friends as witnesses, they wish to proclaim their love for one another anew.” Sam nodded at him.

  “Anew?” Marc whispered.

  Sam leaned closer. “You’re the one who’s good with words. It’s a word, it’s appropriate, s
o get on with it.” Those smile lines deepened, and the eyes sparkled.

  Natalie’s eyes caressed his face as Marc captured her hands. Promising to love this woman forever was the most honorable thing he’d ever done. “Natalie, I thought I’d never earn your love. And when I did, and then when you fell down those steps, I thought I’d lost you forever.” Overcome with emotion, he paused. This was more difficult than he’d thought. “Even though your mind forgot me for a little while, your heart never did. It’s always known me, just as my heart and mind know you. With the Lord’s guiding hand on me, I promise to make you proud to call me your husband and the father of our children. You are my partner and my equal in every way, and I need you by my side always to help me make the hard decisions, the sweet decisions and the life-changing decisions.” Raising her hand, he brushed his lips over it. “I’ll love and cherish you forever.”

  “Marc,” Natalie said, “I love you with everything I am.” Her hands held his tight, but her voice never faltered. “When my mind forgot, I was lost and lonely, but your love and the Savior’s love pulled me through the darkness. It would have been so easy to walk away, but you stayed by my side even when I gave you every reason to leave.” Her fingers squeezed tighter, her eyes bright as they met his. “Through your faithfulness, your patience, and your unfailing love, you’ve shown me the way home again to your heart. And,” she said, a tear sliding onto her cheek, “I can’t wait to bring our child into the world. I want to introduce her to the best father a child could ever have, and the most incredible husband I could ever hope to find. The Lord is merciful, and we are so blessed.”

  “And now,” Sam announced with great pride, “by the power invested in me by the divine Lord—and the great Lone Star State of Texas—it’s my extreme honor and privilege to introduce you . . . again . . . to Marcus Alan and Natalie Dianne Thompson. Marc, you may now . . .”

  Oblivious to everyone around them as they burst into wild cheering and clapping, Marc swept Natalie in his arms, his lips finding hers, completely lost in their joy. Her cheeks were wet, and so were his, but for all the best reasons.

  ~~**~~

  Pulling Lexa close as they walked together, Sam followed Marc’s example. “Have I told you how much I love you today?” he whispered, nuzzling her cheek.

  “Love is in the air, that’s for sure,” Lexa said, hooking her arm through his as they resumed walking. “Have you noticed how half the time spent here in Montana, I’ve either been in the kitchen or in your lap?”

  Sam’s laughter rang out and several turned to smile. “Are you complaining?”

  “Not at all. There’s only one place better.” She gave him a sly smile full of meaning, and giggled as he playfully patted her. She nodded in Kevin’s direction where he walked beside Rebekah. “Those two will sure be interesting to watch in the months to come.”

  “Without a doubt.” He tossed a glance over his shoulder at Marc and Natalie. “Let’s leave the newlyweds. They’ll eventually come inside.” Not to mention the groom’s eagerness to reach the cabin. Wrapping his arm around Lexa’s waist, Sam opened the door and ushered her inside to the warmth and comfort of great friends, the tantalizing aroma of freshly-baked wedding cake . . . and maybe a pie or two.

  ~~**~~

  “Well,” Marc said a few minutes later, “I suppose we should go make an appearance. After all, this party is in our honor.”

  Natalie nodded. “I suppose you’re right.” She raised a brow and gave him a promising smile. “But only for a little while.” She laughed at his broad grin. “Let’s go inside.”

  They did the best they could for the better part of an hour, making small talk and chatting with their friends. They stole mutual glances and winks as Amy flitted about, taking posed and casual shots of them all, promising to send Marc and Natalie a special commemorative photo album. Sam toasted them, as did Kevin, Rebekah, Winnie and Amy. When Eliot and Dean turned on the music and the Texas line dances began, Marc grabbed Natalie by the hand, knowing it was their cue to escape. He loved dancing, but didn’t know the Texas version. Besides, he had an entirely different kind of dancing in mind. Private, for one thing.

  “Sam,” he said, “seeing as how I can’t stand by and watch while you pummel your wife’s dainty feet, I’m taking my bride away now.”

  “I understand you already have the key,” Sam whispered, a gleam in his eye as he looked over at where Natalie and Lexa huddled together.

  “Yes, and it’s all the sweeter because Natalie asked Lexa for it. Again. Even before I asked her to marry me again.”

  “God is good, my friend. Just remember those rules of marriage, and you’ll be just fine.”

  “Thanks, Sam. I’ll never forget this time in Montana with you and your TeamWork crew.”

  “Neither will I, my friend. Now, do yourself a huge favor, go get your bride, and . . .”

  “Enough said, old man.” Marc waved him away. “I can take it from here, trust me, without any instruction from my mentor, thank you very much. And one of these days,” he said, “I’m going to pay someone to give you dance lessons.”

  “Take care, Sundance.” Was that a choke in Sam’s voice?

  “You too, Cassidy. See you in a few days.” Good grief, now he was getting choked up.

  Sam grunted. “Like I said before, take as long as you need. Lexa and I will be at the main house if you need anything, and we’ll watch over Elwood. You’ve got the phone number. The others are all leaving the ranch tomorrow, but we’ll hang out. After all, Lexa and I have some people to feed.”

  “What do you mean?” Marc scratched his head, confused. His thoughts were distracted and Sam wanted to talk about feeding people. Go figure.

  “Meaning we have some friends who’ll need sustenance in the next few days.” He leaned close. “Put it this way: whenever you hear a little bell outside the cabin, wait a few minutes—or at least make yourself decent.” Those smile lines just kept getting deeper. “You’ll find meals delivered daily—breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enough for snacks later on. It’s part of the room service feature of that special cabin.”

  “I hadn’t even thought of food.”

  Sam chuckled and slapped him on the back. “I’d worry about you if you did. Like I said, we’ll provide the food. You just provide the . . .”

  “I get your point.” Marc laughed with Sam as he headed over to where Natalie still talked with Lexa. “If you’ll excuse us,” Marc told her with a wink, taking Natalie’s hand, “my wife and I will be leaving now. Time to go to this apparently magical cabin.” He planted a kiss on Lexa’s cheek and whispered, “Thanks for everything. You and Sam are the best.”

  “I’m glad we could be here.”

  “Me, too.” That was the understatement of the decade.

  “Did Sam tell you about the bell?”

  “He did. Thanks for that, too. I’ll look forward to it. You two manage to think of everything, that’s for sure.”

  “Well, Lewis and Clarke is a full-service operation,” Lexa said.

  “I’m beginning to see how true that is. None better.”

  “Marc.” He turned to face Rebekah. Natalie nodded, releasing his hand, giving them a moment of privacy. Tears glistened in those lovely green eyes as Beck slipped her arms around him in a warm hug. “How can I ever thank you . . .”

  Pulling back, he captured her eye contact. “Keep your eyes wide open to what’s right in front of you. That’s all I ask.” Marc hoped she understood his dual meaning. Judging by her amused expression, she had a pretty good idea. “How’s the numbness?”

  Rebekah glanced down at her hands. “It comes and goes. It should get better in time. Small price to pay. Thank you, Marc, from the bottom of my heart. You and Natalie, and your family, will be in my prayers always. Please stay in touch.”

  Glancing over her shoulder, he caught Kevin’s eye and winked. “Take good care of our girl, Kev.” He relished the look of surprise on Beck’s face, but she didn’t look upset. Kevin gav
e him a nod and a grateful smile. That British chap didn’t have a chance. These two belonged together. The Lord would see to it.

  After saying their good-byes and sharing hugs and best wishes all around, Natalie shot him a curious look as they slipped out the door together. “Did Lexa say something about a bell?”

  “She did. Trust me, my love, you’ll find out about the significance of the bell soon enough.” They stopped short when they spied the waiting SUV. It was heated up and ready to go, just like he was, decorated with strings of cowbells and a Just Married sign. No doubt the handiwork of Eliot and Kevin, or Winnie and Amy. Their packed bags waited in the backseat.

  Marc chuckled when he glimpsed the beaming faces of the Teamwork crew clustered by the front window. Standing beside him, Natalie sniffled. They all waved, and he heard a few catcalls from the rowdier guys. He laughed and waved back. Pulling her close, he walked his wife to the car and assisted her as she climbed inside. “I’m very thankful you introduced me to the TeamWork crew, Natalie. They’re . . . well, they’re the best.”

  She wiped away her tears with a silent nod. As he drove them down the long driveway of Milestone Ranch, she was quiet and leaned her head back, closing her eyes. One hand moved across her stomach. She did that more and more, and he imagined it was that innate instinct women have to protect their young.

  “I hope you’re not too tired, but I understand if you are. It’s been an emotional day,” he said.

  Reaching for him, Natalie’s hand wrapped around his, clasping tight, making his heart smile. “That’s very magnanimous of you to offer, but I need to take care of my husband.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Marc squeezed her hand that much tighter. “We’ve got a few days, so I’ll let you set the pace.”

  She looked over at him, her smile wistful. “You and Sam have really bonded in the last couple of weeks, haven’t you?”