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

by Debra Ullrick

  “It wasn’t me or Miss Edna who put this party together. It was Maggie.”

  “Maggie?” Sami’s mouth fell opened.

  “Yes. She told me she wanted to try and make up for all the birthdays she’s missed.”

  “Really?” Sami felt a tug at her heart. One she wasn’t prepared for. “I had no idea.”

  “She does love you, Sami, just like the rest of us do.” He picked up a long strand of her hair and twisted it between his fingers.

  “I guess I should at least thank her for this.”

  “You’re loved more than you could ever imagine.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose, turned, and walked out of the kitchen.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next day, Chase happily whistled along with the tune on the radio as he pulled into his drive. The day was unseasonably warm for this time of the year and the sun was shining bright. “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be happy in it.”

  His mind was on Sami. He could still see the joy on her face when she saw the swing for the first time. Knowing he was the one who put the smile on her face and the twinkle in her eyes filled his heart with contentment and joy.

  He noticed his mom’s car wasn’t in its usual parking place, and he assumed she probably went to visit Miss Edna. The day before at Sami’s birthday party, he’d overheard the two women discussing starting another quilt together. He carried the groceries inside the house, set the bags on the counter, and found a note on the table.

  Chase, I went to visit Edna. I took Kaylee along with me because she wanted to see Sami.

  We’ll be back before supper. Love you, Mom

  With a nod, he started putting everything away in the cabinets. However, when he opened the refrigerator to put the milk away, he glanced out of the kitchen window. The sight he saw made tears spring to his eyes.

  In the backyard, Emily was sitting in a chair with her back to the house. She had her painting smock on, and her easel was unfolded with a canvas placed on it. Chase strained his eyes so he could see the painting more closely as his heart raced in his chest. He recognized the painting on the easel. It was the unfinished family portrait of Chris, Emily, and Kaylee.

  Easing out the backdoor, he walked up behind her, and laid his hand on her shoulder. “It’s beautiful, Emily.”

  She didn’t look up at him. She just sat motionless in the chair, staring at the painting and holding a paintbrush in her hand. “I know it’s time, I have to let Chris go and move on. The only way I can do that is to finish his gift.”

  “I’m so proud of you, Emmie.” He kissed the top of his sister’s head. “You know, I’m here for you anytime night or day. If there’s anything I can do to help you, just let me know.”

  “I’ve been sitting here staring at it for over an hour, and I haven’t been able to make one brush stroke, yet.” She slowly turned and looked into Chase’s eyes. With tears glistening on her cheeks, she whispered, “Will you pray with me?”

  “Of course I will.”

  Three hours later, Emily had completed her precious painting, and Chase helped her hang it in her room.

  ♥♥♥♥

  Jarred from sleep, Sami sat straight up in the bed. Sweat beads popped out on her forehead. The nightmare still gripped her chest, her throat, her lungs, causing her breathing to be raw and raspy. She could still feel the cold hard ground underneath her body, and the coyote howls still echoed in her ears.

  Realizing she was in fact safely in bed, she relaxed and laid back down on her pillow. She shook her head at the memory. “How in the world did Chase find me that night?”

  She closed her eyes again and on the verge of sleep, she remembered her prayer, God, please send someone to find me.

  “You did hear my prayer, Lord, didn’t you?” she whispered and dozed off to sleep.

  Early the next morning, after everyone left for church, she saddled up Stardust and rode out to the ridge. She climbed down from her horse and sat down on the swing Chase had made.

  “He heals the broken heart.” She spoke softly and ran her fingers over the engraving. “Do You really heal damaged hearts, God? Because, You know mine’s been damaged for a long, long time. But last night in my dreams, I remembered calling out to You the night I was lost, and You sent Chase to find me. I’ve been lost for such a long time, haven’t I?” She lifted her eyes to Heaven and a ray of sunshine feathered across her face. “You’ve sent Chase to find me all along, didn’t You? So, he could show me how to find my way back to You.”

  With that revelation, she jumped up, and in one quick movement, she was up on the saddle. She rode as hard as she could back to the ranch. After putting Stardust in the barn, she jumped into her truck and headed toward the church.

  When she arrived, she noticed everyone was out behind the building. She remembered Aunt Edna inviting her to their Homecoming dinner at the church, but she had refused the invitation. Now, she was thankful no one would be inside. She needed to be alone with God.

  The walk to the front door of the church seemed to be a mile long. She grabbed a hold of the door, took a deep shaky breath, and slipped inside.

  Her steps didn’t carry her far. In fact, she sat down on the very back pew and looked up at a painting of Jesus hanging on the cross. “God, here I am. I’m here before You, broken. Will You heal me?”

  ♥♥♥♥

  “Chase, I left my purse in the church. Will you be a dear and go get it for me?” Chase’s mom asked. “Kaylee’s getting a little cranky and I’m tired, too. We’re going to head home here in a few minutes.”

  “Sure, Mom. I’ll be back in just a minute.” He kissed her cheek and went to retrieve the purse. However, when he slipped in through the back and walked into the sanctuary, he heard someone praying. He quietly eased toward the pew where his mother had sat and picked up her purse. He didn’t want to disturb whoever it was who was praying.

  “Lord, I need You. I do. I need You so much.”

  He stopped dead in his tracks, instantly recognizing the sound of her beautiful voice. Carefully he focused his eyes on the figure in the back of the church.

  There in the very last pew sat Sami. Her shoulders were slumped and her head bowed. Indecision clutched him, but he knew he had to go to her no matter the cost. If she pushed him away, so be it. But, he had to hold her, pray with her, and let her know he was there by her side.

  When he sat down next to her, she looked up at him, first with surprise, then with a small smile. “Will you pray with me?”

  He didn’t speak a word. Instead, he simply took her hand, closed his eyes, and bowed his head.

  When he opened his eyes again, Maggie was standing over them with tears streaming down her face.

  She looked at Chase and pointed to the empty place on the other side of Sami. “Do you think it would be okay?” She mouthed.

  He nodded.

  Maggie eased around the pew, took hold of Sami’s other hand and began to pray with her, too.

  ♥♥♥♥

  At last, Sami totally and completely surrendered her heart to God. All the hurt, anger, bitterness, and pain she’d carried in her heart for fourteen years was gone in an instant. God’s love flowed through her entire body, soul, spirit, and mind. When she lifted her eyes, she looked up into Maggie’s face. “Can you ever forgive me? I know I’ve given you such a hard time since you’ve been home. And, I’m sorry.”

  A look of surprise crossed Maggie’s face, and her chin began to quiver. “Oh, Sami.” Maggie wrapped her arms around Sami and pulled her into her chest. “I love you, my darling child. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

  “Yes, I do.” She pulled back and looked at her mom. “I’ve been horrible to you. But, you loved me anyway. I do want you back in my life. I’m glad you’ve come back home… Mom.” She smiled.

  Tears pooled into her mother’s eyes. They hugged each other for several minutes.

  Sami turned her attention to Chase. She took his hand and said, �
�Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  He picked up her hand and held it tight against his chest. “You were worth fighting for.”

  The three walked out of the church together arm-in-arm. Her mom excused herself and went in search of her dad.

  Sami slipped her hand into Chase’s. “I just want to say thank you again for being there for me. I’m glad you came inside the church when you did because you gave me the strength I needed to reach out to God.”

  He fingered her chin, raised it up, and his eyes captured hers. “I’ll always be there for you, Sami. Always.”

  Sami’s dad walked up with her mother on his arm and Aunt Edna followed close behind. Her mom’s eyes were still red from crying, but they sparkled with affection when she looked at Sami.

  Her father took Sami’s hand, pulled her close, and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Warmth radiated through her like a hot July day. Closing her eyes briefly, she wanted to hold onto this moment as long as she possibly could. Standing here in her father’s arms, she felt like Daddy’s little girl again.

  “It’s my turn.” Aunt Edna pulled Sami away from her dad and hugged her tight. “I’m so happy. When Maggie told me what happened I…” Her aunt choked up and began to cry. “Here I go again. I love you, honey.”

  “I love you, too, Aunt Edna.” She sent her aunt a look of pure love and then looked up at her dad. “Dad, would you mind driving my pickup home for me? I’d like to ride back to the house with Chase.” Sami looked at Chase. “That’s if you don’t mind.”

  Chase grinned. “That’s the only way I’d have it.”

  “Of course, I’ll drive your truck home. You two go on and spend some time together. We’ll see you back at the house later.” Her dad winked and nodded at Chase.

  On the drive home, Sami sat close to Chase with her head on his shoulder.

  “I wanted to tell you, Emily’s painting again.”

  Sami raised her head and twisted in the seat to face him. “Oh, Chase. I’m so happy for her. When did she start painting again?”

  “I came home yesterday and found her in the back yard. There she sat at her easel, with a paint brush in her hand.” He smiled at Sami. “She finished her family portrait.”

  Sami sucked air deep into her lungs. “That must’ve been very difficult for her.”

  “It was. But, I think she’s finally found closure with Chris’s death. With every stroke of the brush, I saw life begin to flicker in her eyes again.”

  “That’s wonderful. I can see it’s made you happy, too.”

  He nodded.

  He pulled into the drive and parked next to her aunt’s car. He picked up Sami’s hand and played with her fingers. “How do you feel?”

  “For the first time in fourteen years, I am totally and without a doubt, truly happy. And, I owe a lot of that to you.”

  “I haven’t done anything.”

  “Yes you have. Even when I was stubborn and tried to push you away, you still cared about me enough to stick around.”

  Aunt Edna tapped on the truck window and waved her hand. “Come on you two. I’ll put on a pot of coffee, and I think there’s some chocolate cake left over from last night.”

  “We’re on our way.” She waved to her aunt, and turned back to Chase. “You are coming in, aren’t you?”

  “Sure. I’m right behind you.”

  Together, arm-in-arm, they went up the steps and into the house.

  Aunt Edna carried out a tray with freshly brewed coffee and chocolate cake. “I think Homestead has some of the best cooks in the world. I’m so full, I don’t think I could eat another bite,” her aunt said when she set the tray down. “Did you enjoy the dinner at church today, Chase?”

  “Yes, Ma’am, I sure did. And, I have to agree with you. I did eat some of the best food in the world today.”

  “Homestead is the best place to be.”

  He gave Sami a momentary look, reached over, and squeezed her hand. “I totally agree.”

  The next afternoon, while Sami was brushing down Stardust, she heard someone whistling, to her surprise it was herself.

  “Wow, he’s a beautiful animal, Sami,” her mother said as she entered the barn. She walked over and ran her hand down Stardust’s neck. “How long have you had him?”

  “He was my birthday present from dad when I turned sixteen.”

  “Well, you’ve really taken care of him. She’s a beauty.”

  Sami noticed her mom’s hesitation. “Is there something wrong?” Sami asked.

  “Yes. I need to ask you something.” Her mom shifted nervously back and forth.

  “Okay.” Sami tossed the horse brush into a bucket and dusted her hands off on her jeans.

  “You know your dad and I are renewing our vows in a few weeks.”

  “Yes. That seems to be all you and Aunt Edna have talked about lately.” She twisted the cap off her bottled water and took a long drink of the cool liquid.

  “Well, it’s not going to be a big deal, just a few friends and family here at the house and refreshments afterward.”

  “Yes, I know all of this. So what’s the question?” She lifted an eyebrow and tilted her head.

  “As you know Miles and Brent both are standing up with their father. And, well, I wanted to know if you would consider standing up with me as my maid of honor?” Her gaze dropped to the ground, and with the toe of her boot, she kicked at a hay blob.

  The humility in the question and her mother’s demeanor melted Sami’s heart. “Yes, I will.” Sami took hold of Maggie’s hand. “I’d be honored to stand up beside you.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged Sami. “I think it’s time I explain to you why I left so many years ago.”

  “You don’t have to. We’re past that now.”

  “No. Sami, it’s important to me that you know the truth now. I couldn’t tell you before because I didn’t want you to accept me back because you pitied me. I needed to know you accepted me back because you wanted me here.”

  “Pity? I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”

  Her mom licked her lips and exhaled softly. “Sami, all those years ago, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.”

  “What?” Sami’s head began to spin. She felt faint. Not trusting her legs to support her, she sat down on a bale of hay and looked up at her mom. “I don’t understand. Did Dad know?”

  “No.” She slowly shook her head. “No one knew. When I went to the doctor, we discussed all of my options. I knew I had to have surgery and chemotherapy to follow.” She nervously rubbed her hands together. Before continuing, she took in another deep breath, “I knew I was going to be very sick for a very long time, and I knew there was a possibility I wouldn’t make it through the surgery. And, I just couldn’t put my family through that.” Her eyes connected to Sami’s. “I was young, Sami. I really thought I was doing what was best for you, your brothers, and William. I didn’t want my family to watch me die.”

  Sami’s eyes burned as she watched her mother swallow and then pull in a deep breath. “My mother was diagnosed with the same kind of cancer when I was twelve-years-old. My father couldn’t deal with it when it got bad, so he left. I had to care for my mother all by myself. I watched her suffer and slowly die, and I knew I just couldn’t put my family through the same thing.” She sat down on the hay beside Sami and held her hand. “I was so afraid the cancer would come back, that’s why I never returned.”

  Tremors rippled through her body as she felt sweat beads pop out on her forehead. Every word that came out of her mother’s mouth, hammered more pain in her heart.

  “What about now? How’s your health now? I’ve lost you once. I don’t want to lose you again.” Fear clogged her throat. She wanted to know, she had to know, but she feared what her mother may say next.

  “My cancer is in remission, and it has been for the last few years.”

  “I’m so sorry you had to go through such an awful ord
eal alone. Why didn’t you let us help you?”

  Her mother turned and faced Sami and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Because I was a coward, Sami. I was afraid none of you would accept me back. So, I just kept running. But, I didn’t miss anything in your lives. I was always there in the shadows, when each one of you graduated from kindergarten to junior high. And, I was there when you and Miles graduated from high school. I was also there when you and Brent both were in the hospital.”

  “What?” Sami let out a sharp breath, opened her mouth to speak, but then snapped it shut. She couldn’t wrap her brain around all of this. Finally, after giving herself a hard shake, she asked, “You were there? Did dad know you were there?” she asked just above a broken whisper.

  “No. I would always make sure no one would recognize me.” She stood up and began to pace. “I wore hats, sunglasses, and sometimes even wigs. But, several months ago when Brent had his asthma attack and had to stay in the hospital overnight, I slipped into his room when I thought William had gone downstairs to get a cup of coffee. He surprised me and came back into the room before I could get away.”

  “But that was over a year ago.”

  “Yes.”

  Sami shook her head, trying to absorb everything her mom was telling her. But, one thing didn’t add up in her brain. “Wait a minute. I don’t understand one thing. How did you know when something would happen to one of us?”

  She stopped pacing and looked into Sami’s face. “Clint.”

  “Clint?”

  “Yes. Clint’s mother, Rachel, and I have been friends since we were six years old. She’s the one I stayed with when I battled my cancer. Clint would tell Rachel, and Rachel would tell me. That’s how I would find out when something was going on with one of my children.” She rushed on to say. “Don’t be angry with him, he’s been my lifeline to you, Brent, and Miles for the last ten years. Your father knows. At first, he was angry, but after a while, he understood. I’m so sorry, Sami. I thought I was protecting my children. If I’d only known you were hiding in the hallway that night, I would’ve never…” She covered her face and began to cry.