Coming Home: (Contemporary Christian Romance Boxed Set): Three Stories of Love, Faith, Struggle & Hope

by Debra Ullrick

  “Now, tell me why you think God answered your prayers and killed your parents.”

  Olivia couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt around this woman. The kindness in her eyes, and the compassion in her voice, along with the weariness of carrying this heavy burden for so long, gave Olivia the courage she needed to spill her heart out.

  “The day my mom and dad were to go on a missionary trip was the day before my tenth birthday.” Olivia twisted the tissue in her hand. “I was so angry with them because they were going to miss my birthday again. Three years in a row, they were gone on my birthday.”

  She sucked in a long shaky breath. “Nothing I said or did persuaded them not to go. When we got to the airport, I tried one more time. I begged them not to leave. I told them they loved God more than me. Mom tried to assure me that that wasn’t true. She said Daddy and her were called by God to take His message into the world and that they were sorry that their scheduled times always seemed to land on my birthday.”

  She looked at Adell. “Mom thought by giving me lots of presents and by having Mimi arrange a party for me that everything would be okay. Well, it wasn’t. I wanted my parents there.” Her gaze fell to her lap. “I know it was selfish, but it just wasn’t the same without them. It seemed like every important event in my life, my parents had to fly off to some foreign country for God.” She blankly stared at the mangled tissue in her hand. “I started to not care for God at all. After all, He was constantly taking my parents away from me.

  “The day they died.” She paused, sniffing. Tucking her lower lip between her teeth to keep it from trembling, she strove to gain even the smallest measure of composure. Her chest heaved a few times before she continued, “By the time we got to the airport, I was so angry. When they hugged me and promised me that we would do something special together as a family when they got back from doing the Lord’s work, I lost it. I jerked away from them.” She sniffed, and Adell pressed another tissue in her hand. “I yelled that I couldn’t care less if we ever did anything together again.”

  Streams of tears rushed from Olivia’s eyes. “I told them I hated them, and then I prayed God would just keep them wherever they were going because I never wanted to see them again.” Olivia dropped her face into her hands. Her whole body shook with uncontrollable sobs.

  Adell wrapped Olivia in her arms and lovingly pressed her head against her shoulder. “There, there, sweetie.” Adell rocked her and gently removed the strands of hair that clung to Olivia’s tear-soaked face.

  “It’s all my fault they’re dead. I should have never said that,” she whimpered. “And it’s my fault that Mimi died and that Hammond died too. God’s punishing me for being so selfish.”

  “Ah, sweetie. That’s not true. First of all, God doesn’t punish us. He disciplines us sometimes, but He doesn’t punish us. And He certainly doesn’t go around killing people because a ten-year-old girl was hurt and said some things she didn’t mean. If that was the case, we’d all be dead. Because at one time or another all of us have wished someone would just die and never come back. I know I sure did.” The older woman’s chest expanded. “For a long time, I felt exactly like you do. The day my husband died, I had said something similar to him.”

  Olivia pulled out of her arms and searched the older woman’s eyes, looking to see if she was being honest. Adell never blinked or removed her gaze from Olivia’s. “My Henry was a train engineer. He loved it more than anything else in this life. At least that’s what I thought.”

  Olivia could relate. She thought her parents loved missionary work more than her.

  “Anytime someone called in sick, or they needed a replacement, Henry would go. I constantly begged him not to go, to stay home and spend time with me and Sarah. The day he died, I, too, yelled at him. I told him to just pack his bags and to not bother coming home. I was tired of competing with a locomotive. When the policeman came to my door and told me my Henry was gone, that he’d been crushed between two railroad cars, I felt the full weight of those words, and I’ve never been sorrier for any words I’ve ever spoken.”

  Olivia’s hand flew to her mouth. “How awful.”

  “It was. And I beat myself up for years over it. I felt like it was my fault that he died. I felt so guilty that I couldn’t even pray or anything. Then two years later Sarah died. I was so mad at God that I didn’t go to church or pray or anything for a long time. I basically hid from the world.”

  “You were angry at God, too?” Olivia couldn’t keep the shock from her voice or face.

  “Yes, I was. Until Erik’s mom, my sister, came out to see me. Just being around her sweet gentle spirit, reminded me of how much I missed God. I knew I had to make a choice. To either remain angry at God and to continue blaming Him for not healing my daughter or keeping Henry safe, or to give my grief and guilt over to Him.”

  This morning the pastor had said almost the same thing. Slowly Olivia’s mind stopped spinning, and the confusion finally began to settle. “When my parents died in that plane crash, I blamed God. I loathed Him for taking them from me. But the real reason I didn’t want anything to do with Him anymore was because of my own guilt. I truly believed my prayer is what killed them.” Olivia turned her body, facing Erik’s aunt. “What did you do? You know. To get God to forgive you.”

  “I asked.”

  Olivia’s jaw slackened. “That’s it?”

  “Yes. Sis told me that God had never left me, that it was me who had left Him.”

  This surprised Olivia. She thought for certain it was God who had abandoned her. After all, she didn’t want Him to love her anymore, especially when she heard that He punishes those He loves.

  “Sis said to pour my heart out to Him and to cast the care of my burdens, guilt, and shame onto Him. I even had to ask God to help me to love Him again because I certainly didn’t feel it at the time. I realized I’d really missed Him, but I didn’t love Him. Or so I thought. But what I found was that feelings have very little to do with my relationship with Christ. Faith does, but feelings don’t. Feelings are too fickle. Mine certainly were.

  “Let me tell you, Olivia, once I gave it over to God, it took time and work to get my relationship back to where it once was. But, I’m so glad I did.” Adell’s eyes lit up. Her whole countenance glowed and love emanated from her. Olivia felt the warmth of that love. A love that seemed vaguely familiar to her. But where and when? Then it hit her. It was the same kind of love she felt as a child, standing in church, with her arms raised, worshipping God. During that time, His loving presence filled the church. It was almost tangible.

  At that moment, Olivia realized she missed God too. She wanted—no needed—His forgiveness. His comfort. His healing. But most of all, she needed His love.

  “Adell.” Olivia lowered her eyelids, then captured Adell’s gaze. “Would you p—pray with me?”

  “I’d love to, honey.”

  They bowed their heads. Right there, Olivia poured her heart out to the Lord. She confessed her anger toward Him. She asked for, and even felt the receiving of His forgiveness.

  “And, Lord,” Adell added when Olivia was done, “cleanse Olivia and heal her heart and mind from all the pain of the past. Thank you, Lord, that You took what the devil meant for Olivia’s destruction, and You turned it around for good.”

  Olivia’s eyes darted open, and she jerked her head toward Adell, who seemed completely oblivious to what she’d just said. That was the third time Olivia had heard those words. Maybe, just maybe, God hadn’t forgotten her after all.

  ♥♥♥♥

  “Amen.” Erik whispered from outside his aunt’s bedroom door. He backed away and wiped the tears from his eyes. Now, he finally understood why God had moved him to West Virginia. Olivia would have never met his aunt. And she might never have poured her heart out to someone who completely understood how she felt. But when God’s timing was right, He knew just the person Olivia could talk to. Someone who understood her pain and could help her.

&nbs
p; Unfathomable joy welled up inside him. Not only did Olivia rededicate her life to the Lord, but now he could pursue a relationship with her. “Praise You, Lord,” he whispered through tears. “Thank You so much.”

  Not wanting Olivia to know he had eavesdropped on their conversation, he slipped back down the hallway and went outside. The courting candle he’d bought at Tamarack would come in pretty handy now.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Olivia opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. 11:37. As she stretched, memories of the previous day cascaded on her, but for the first time in forever, they were peaceful memories, good memories. She smiled. “Lord, today is the first day of the rest of my life. I want to start off by talking to You. I’ve spent too many years away. I don’t ever want to do that again.”

  Audra tapped on her door.

  “Come in.”

  Her friend opened the door and peeked around. “I thought I heard you talking to someone.”

  “I was.”

  Audra glanced around the room. “Uh, did I just enter fantasy land here?”

  Olivia fluffed her pillows then rested them against the flower-shaped headboard. She sat up, and pressed her back into the downy softness and patted the bed. Audra trotted in and leapt up onto it. Crossing her legs Indian style, she stared at Olivia as if she’d lost her mind.

  “I was talking to God.”

  Audra’s chin dropped. Her eyes bulged. For several seconds she sat like that.

  “You’re catching flies, Audie.”

  Audra snapped her lips back into place. “What do you mean you were talking to God?”

  “Oh, Audie.” She tossed the covers off and edged closer to her best friend. “I would have told you last night, but it was so late, and I was so tired. And, well, all I wanted to do was bask in what happened.” Olivia replayed the scene from the night before for Audra.

  “Oh, Livvy. I’m so happy.” They tossed their arms around each other and hugged. “My prayers have been answered.”

  They pulled back, and Olivia smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Audie for praying for me, and for never giving up on me. I know I bit your head off every time you told me that you loved me and so did Jesus. But, I just couldn’t stand to hear it. I hope you understand that.”

  “Of course I do. I love you, Livvy.”

  “I love you too.”

  “And so does Jesus.” Audra’s lips bowed into a smirk.

  “He sure does.” Olivia’s smile was filled with deep appreciation.

  Audra straightened. “More than you know, dear heart.” Her eyes brightened. “God loves you so much that He orchestrated this whole thing.”

  “What whole thing?”

  “Well, first of all, He moved you here to Charity, and gave you a fabulous job working for a very Godly man. He provided you with this beautiful home, and surrounded you with kind and generous neighbors. He even set up us going to church yesterday.” She slowly shook her head. “And not just any church, but a church where the pastor has gone through something similar to you. Then,” her voice escalated with excitement. “The one day you go there, the Holy Spirit has him teach on grief and turning your back on God.”

  Olivia’s eyes widened. “The Holy Spirit did that?”

  “Yes. Yes, He did. Why do you ask?” Audra slanted her head.

  “Because yesterday, when I was sitting in church and that pastor was talking, he was saying everything I was thinking and things that only you and your parents knew. A few of the things Erik knew too. I kept wondering who’d told that pastor about my life. I even thought you had somehow talked to that worship leader and that pastor. That you and Erik had somehow set me up.”

  “Hey, I’m good. But I’m not that good.” Audra’s teasing tone brought a smile to Olivia’s face. “But wait. It gets even better. God laid it on Adell’s heart to throw you a party. And well, you know what happened there.” Audra’s face simply glowed.

  Touched beyond measure, Olivia whispered. “I hadn’t thought about that.” It was mind boggling and very humbling to think that the God of the universe, the One that sent Jesus to die for mankind’s sin, loved her that much. In fact, He loved her so much that He took the trouble of orchestrating every little detail for someone who had turned their back on Him. She sniffed and raised her face toward heaven. “Thank You so much, Lord.”

  “Yes, Lord. Thank You,” Audra added.

  Sniffing, they hugged each other and then sat in silence for a couple of minutes.

  Revived and refreshed, and feeling better than she had in years, Olivia looked at her best friend. “Let’s do something fun today. I have the day off. Ya wanna go for a swim or something?”

  “How come you don’t have to work today?”

  “Erik said I’d had enough excitement for one day, and that I needed a break. So, he gave me the day off.”

  The phone rang. Olivia snatched up the receiver on the nightstand and clicked Talk. “Hello.” Silence. “Hello?” She could tell someone was there, but they didn’t say anything. She pulled the phone away from her ear and clicked End. “Wrong number.”

  The same thing happened three more times. The fifth time Olivia smashed the Talk button and growled out, “Listen, if you want to talk, then talk. If not, don’t call here again.”

  “Olivia?”

  “Erik?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Have you been trying to call me?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Um. Never mind. What can I do for you?”

  “I wanted to see if it was okay if I brought lunch out to you and Audra. Aunt Adell sent all those leftovers home with me, and I didn’t want them to go to waste.”

  “More leftovers, huh?” She snickered. “Just a minute. I’ll ask Audra if she minds.” She covered the mouthpiece with her hand and asked Audra if she cared. Which she didn’t.

  “Sounds good to us.”

  “Great. I’ll have Mickie heat them up. I’ll be there in about twenty-five minutes.”

  “Sounds good.” She hung up. Two seconds later the phone rang again.

  She laughed as she pressed the Talk button. “Did you forget something?”

  “Yeah. I forgot to @*~%# you.”

  Olivia’s heart tilted at the vile words. She dropped the phone.

  “What’s wrong?” Audra snatched up the receiver. “Hello? Who is this?”

  Olivia stared at the phone as if it were a stinging scorpion.

  “What do you mean it’s none of my business? What do you want?” Anger singed Audra’s voice. Her eyes narrowed. “Creep. Don’t ever call here again.” She jerked the phone away from her ear and jammed the End button.

  “What’d he say?” Olivia rubbed her fingers and thumbs rapidly.

  “Nothing worth repeating. We’d better call the police.” Audra pressed the Talk button.

  “No wait!” Olivia jerked the phone away from Audra and shut it off. “There’s something vaguely familiar in the tone of his voice.” It almost reminded her of Ben’s.

  “So? Who cares? Look, some guy is harassing you. It needs to stop. I’m calling the police.”

  “I wouldn’t do that iffen I were you, darlin’.”

  Olivia and Audra screamed and whirled toward the voice. A medium built man wearing a black ski masked stepped inside her bedroom.

  “You should really learn ta lock yore door ‘fore goin’ ta bed at night, darlin’.”

  Her brain scrambled. She did lock the door. Olivia chanced a glance at Audra, who paled. She must have gone outside this morning.

  The man pulled a cord out of his pocket.

  Fear rushed into Olivia’s heart, making it pump triple time.

  The intruder stepped closer to Olivia and handed her the rope. “Tie yore friend up. And you’d better make shore it’s nice an’ tight. Or I’ll make it worse on ya, darlin’.”

  That voice. Olivia had heard it somewhere before. But where? Someone else used to call her darlin’. But who? “Who are you? What do you want?”

&n
bsp; “I already told ya on the phone, darlin’.” He closed the distance between them. Grabbing her wrist, he jerked her to him. “I’m hurt that ya forgot me already.”

  Olivia frowned. That tone. That pitch. The words themselves. So familiar and yet…

  “Don’t ya remember me tellin’ ya that I’d get even with ya someday? Well, I’m here ta make good on that promise.”

  “Markus?” she squeaked. Her knees almost gave out, but she locked them into place.

  He removed his mask and shoved it in his pocket. “In the flesh.” Pure evil slashed through his eyes, making her queasy.

  Images of him forcing himself on her, ripping at her blouse, and yanking on the zipper of her pants flashed through her mind. When he’d said he’d get even with her, she thought he meant by sabotaging her from getting employment. Not… She never dreamt that he meant… She sucked in her bottom lip.

  He yanked open her hand and laid the rope there. “Do it.”

  Jesus, I know I haven’t come to You in a long time, and I’m not even sure how to pray. But would You please keep Audra and I safe? She gulped as she looked into Audra’s horror-stricken face.

  “Don’t worry, darlin’. I saved a piece of rope jist fer you.” He glanced at her bed then back at her. That same lustful look he had that day at work was there again. Only there was no co-worker to rescue her this time. “It won’t be that bad, darlin’. I promise.”

  Her stomach lurched. Oh, God, have mercy on me. Please, help me.

  Stall. The word was more like a command than a suggestion. “How did you find me?” She fidgeted with the cord.

  “Simple. I knew Audra would lead me to ya. I kin be a very determined man when there’s something I want. Ya shoulda remembered that.”

  Olivia glanced at Audra. Apology and remorse covered her face and eyes. Olivia sent her a silent signal it was okay. How would she know that Markus would follow her? But now it all made sense. “So it was you standing outside my living room window.”