The Come to Me Complete Collection: Contemporary Christian Romance

by Leah Atwood

  She got into her car and drove. Past the decorated lawns and street posts adorned with wreaths. Past the stores and last minute crowds. Past the walls of her defenses.

  The church parking lot was empty. She parked out front and walked down the cement pathway leading to the front entrance. Each of the double doors displayed a live evergreen wreath with a large red bow. Please let it be unlocked. Kate clasped the door handle and pushed down. Pulled the door open.

  Thank you, Lord. She stepped into the foyer. To her right was a fake tree with sparse ornaments. On the cheaply made plastic branches, hung cards showing the ages and information of needy children in the community. Only a few remained, and Kate knew their pastor’s wife would see that those children had something to open on Christmas morning.

  Leaving the foyer, she entered the sanctuary. Enough sunlight filtered through the windows that no artificial lighting sources were needed. She made her way to the front and sat in the first pew. This church was a second home for her. Even when her parents had left to help start a connected church, she had remained.

  After her adoptive parents had taken her in, she’d been here every Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday evenings and typically, one other day of the week for whatever reason. This is where she’d met Sophie and even Luke. It was a place where she felt safe.

  She stared at the pulpit. When they were younger, she and Evan loved to stand behind it when no one else was around and take turns giving “sermons.” Pastor Jack had caught them once and laughed off Evan’s imitation of him.

  Then there were the annual Christmas Eve candlelight services, one of which she’d be attending tonight with Luke, her parents, Sophie and Bryce plus their children. After singing five or six traditional Christmas hymns, Pastor Jack would give a short sermon on the true meaning of Christmas and then the ushers would distribute a candle to each person in the pews. Always full of mischief as a child, every year Evan would try to blow out her flame.

  This building held dozens, if not hundreds, of wonderful memories for her. She knew it wasn’t the church itself, but the people within it who created the experience and joy. Regardless, this was where she came when her heart was at its heaviest.

  Her gaze drifted to the cross that had stood at the front of the sanctuary for as long as she could remember. “Thank you, Lord, for bringing me here. Thank you for placing Evan and me with our parents when our birth mom abandoned us. Thanks for giving me friends and family who’ve stood by my side with unwavering support. And this year especially, thank you for Luke. He’s been my rock, and I know it was you who brought us together.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut, taking deep breaths when her chest and lungs compressed. Clasped her hands and bowed her head. “Please look after Evan and bring him home safe. I know I’ll have to accept whatever his fate is, but I’m not ready to tell him goodbye yet. He’s my baby brother. He was going to be coming home soon. Please, bring him home. Alive.”

  Visions of her dream surfaced and played through her memory. Why wouldn’t it stop? She didn’t want to think of Evan in that way. She couldn’t picture him in the broken condition in which her dream cast him.

  But wait. In her dream, Evan was alive. An absolute knowledge overcame her. He was somewhere out there, but he was alive. The weight lifted from her chest. For the first time in days, she didn’t feel like she was drowning.

  She turned around at the clunking sound of a heavy door closing.

  “Luke, what are you doing here?”

  “Looking for you.” His strides were long and quick. “Are you okay?”

  “I am now.” A genuine smile graced her lips.

  “Your parents and I were worried.” He stood in front of her, his eyes searching hers. “You weren’t home when I came to pick you up, so I went to your parents’ thinking you were already there. We’ve been trying to call you, but it kept going straight to voicemail, and then something told me to come here.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. “Breakfast with my parents. I’m so sorry. I had a nightmare about Evan and completely forgot.”

  “It’s okay.” He sat beside her and their shoulders touched. “Do you need to talk?”

  “Evan is alive, Luke!”

  Relief filled his face. “That’s great news. When did you find out?”

  “I haven’t yet, not officially.” She clamped her lips when his face contorted with confusion.

  “What do you mean?”

  She told him about her dream, and why she came to the church. “Think I’m crazy if you want, but I know he’s alive and going to be okay.” When she looked at him, she expected to see a mocking gaze, but it was anything but.

  “That's one of the reasons I love you, Kate. Despite everything you’ve experienced, your faith is unshakeable.” He brushed her forehead with his fingertips.

  “You think I’m right?”

  “I believe God can give us peace in unique ways, and I pray you’ll get your confirmation soon.”

  Jubilant, she threw her arms around him, then pulled her head back, her arms still around his neck. “What did you just say?”

  “I believe—”

  “No, before that.”

  His eyes shifted up. “Your faith is unshakeable.”

  “Right before that.”

  He gave her an uncertain smile. “That’s one of the reasons I love you.”

  “Do you mean…”

  “Too soon, isn’t it?”

  She shook her head. “No, not at all.”

  “Then I love you. I think I lost my heart when you ran out of the taxi and left me staring, wondering what I said.”

  “Will I ever live that down?” A breathy laugh escaped her lips.

  “Eventually,” he told her, accompanied with a wink.

  “I love you too, Luke.” She breathed in, hoping the words came out right. “With you, I know I don’t have to hide who I am and you don’t make fun of my quirks that most people would think are dumb. You make me laugh and feel normal again if I ever even did. You’ve supported me in some of my worst moments, and above all, you’ve shown me there is no fear in love.”

  He dusted her lips with a light kiss. “You’re an amazing woman.”

  “You’re not so bad a man yourself, Luke Tatum.”

  His head tilted. “Do you hear that?”

  She cocked an ear, hearing a piano solo. “I do. Where’s it coming from?”

  Looking around, his eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t know. It sounds like it’s coming from inside the sanctuary, but there’s no one else here. The parking lot was empty when I parked.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “It’s a sign. Listen to what song it is.”

  His smile grew, and he took her hand. “Let’s sing with it.”

  “You’re volunteering to sing?”

  He shrugged and cast a smile. “The situation demands it.”

  “Here goes.”

  Together, they began to sing.

  Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

  Oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem.

  Come and behold him, born the King of Angels.

  They sang the entire first verse and the second. Then the music stopped.

  They looked at each other.

  “Bizarre.” Luke shook his head, cupped a hand to his ear. “I don’t hear it at all now.”

  “Me either.” She stood and walked to a window. “There is no one in the parking lot.”

  “We didn’t imagine it, did we?” Luke joined her and looked outside.

  “Maybe if it was only one of us, but we both heard it.”

  “I’d say we had some kind of Christmas miracle.” He grabbed her hand. “How about we call your parents, let them know you’re okay.”

  “We can head over now. I’m ready for whatever comes.”

  They decided Luke would drive his car there, and they’d pick hers up later in the day.

  He parked behind her mom’s sedan, then opened her door. “Mmm, bacon.”

 
; “Typical male.” Nudging him with her shoulder, she was ready to enjoy Christmas. Absorbed in her anxiousness regarding Evan, she’d lost sight of the holiday’s meaning, but no longer.

  “I snuck a piece earlier.” He shot her a playful smile.

  “And you didn’t get one for me?”

  “Hey, the early bird gets the worm.” His eye blinked once.

  “Speaking of early birds, can we drive around and look at Christmas lights after the service?” Observing her parents’ yard, she realized she’d hardly noticed any decorations in the last several days and the Christmas Eve drive was another tradition.

  “Sounds great, but what does that have to do with early birds?”

  “No idea.” Laughter bubbled from her. “I just happened to think of it when you said early birds.”

  The front door opened, and her mom stepped out of the house. “Seeing you laugh fills my heart with joy.”

  “I’m sorry about this morning.” Closing the distance between them, Kate reached out and hugged her mom. “There was something I had to do, but it’s taken care of now.”

  “Your face shows it. Your eyes have lost their grief.”

  “I let it go.” She stepped away the length of a foot. “Evan’s going to be okay, Mom. I can’t explain how I know, but I do.”

  “I believe you are right, and until we hear anything, we’ll continue to pray for him and the others.” Still standing on the front steps, her mom smiled and shook her head. “Seems you’ve had quite a morning.”

  “There’s more.”

  “Oh?” Her mom’s thin brow rose.

  Kate flicked a glance at Luke, who’d stayed back several feet to allow the private moment, before cutting her gaze back to her mom. “Luke loves me, and I love him.”

  “That, my child, I already knew.”

  “In that case, there’s nothing left to do except eat breakfast.” The aroma of all her favorite breakfast foods tantalized her nostrils. “All Luke wants is bacon.”

  A mischievous grin played on her mom’s mouth. “The one he snatched earlier wasn’t enough?”

  “Nothing gets by you, Maria.” Luke stood beside her now with sparkling eyes.

  “Best you learn that now before you try to pull any funny business.” Her mom wagged a finger, but her smile negated any of the seriousness.

  Once inside the house, Luke put his hand on the small of Kate’s back as they walked to the kitchen.

  Her dad stood at the sink, rinsing a cup. “Merry Christmas Eve, buttercup.”

  Kate felt the blush rise in her neck. Dad hadn’t called her that in ages, but the pet name made her smile. “To you, too.”

  “Grab a plate and help yourself. If anything’s cold, let me know and I’ll reheat it.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine, Dad, but thank you.”

  She handed a plate to Luke that had tiny boughs of holly and berries painted on the rim. Her mom only brought them out for Christmas Eve breakfast and Christmas dinner. The island in the kitchen held enough food to last through New Year’s. Bacon, kolaches, pancakes, French toast, biscuits, hash browns, gravy, scrambled eggs and fruit salad.

  Luke loaded his plate with a sample of everything except hash browns. Kate tucked that information away for future reference, with the intent to find out whether he liked them. On her plate, she put a kolache, one slice of French toast and hash browns.

  Once all four of them had prepared a plate, they gathered at the dining table, and her dad led a prayer. The food was delicious, but she was distracted by Luke, and he seemed just as unfocused on breakfast as she was. By the time the meal ended, she estimated they’d exchanged fifty smiles. Her parents’ amused looks didn’t escape her notice, but she was in love and didn’t care who knew.

  “I’ll help clean up,” Kate said when her mom started to clear the dishes.

  “Sit down and relax. This is my job.” Her mom carried four stacked plates in one hand, and two cups in the other.

  Ignoring her, Kate grabbed the other two cups and set them in the sink. She pulled out storage containers from the cabinet and began saving the leftovers. “Should I keep the eggs or toss them?”

  “Throw them out, but I told you not to worry about it.” Bubbles filled the dishwater shortly after her mom squirted detergent into a stream of water.

  The doorbell rang and interrupted them.

  “Expecting anyone?” Kate asked hopefully. The last time she’d been here, and the doorbell rang, bad news waited on the other side.

  Her mom’s mouth drew tight, and she shook her head.

  Without thinking about it, Kate reached for her mom’s hand. Stomach churning, she reminded herself of the assurance she’d felt earlier. They took slow steps out of the kitchen, down the short hall and into the foyer.

  Her dad and Luke were already there.

  “It’s them, the same ones from before.” Her dad sucked in a deep breath and opened the door.

  Luke came to her and held her other hand. The three of them waited with bated breath as her dad greeted the men.

  “Merry Christmas.” Captain Reynold stepped into the house, followed by Chaplain Diaz and Gunny Martz.

  “Is it?” Her dad’s voice was husky, not meant to be rude, but worried for his son.

  “I’m happy to tell you that Evan has been located and rescued.”

  All the air left Kate with a sigh of relief. Her hands freed and went to her mouth, as she looked up, tears of joy spilling over. “Thank you, Lord.”

  “Is he well?” Her mom inched forward, grabbing her husband’s arm.

  “He’s worse for the wear, but I suspect he’ll make a full recovery. As of the time we received notice, he was in a field hospital in theater, but will be flown to Germany in the next day or so.”

  “Will we be able to contact him?” Kate’s dad asked.

  The chaplain moved forward. “We will work that out as soon as possible. You should receive a call from his command in the next hour.”

  Her dad clasped the hand of each man. “Thank you for taking the time away from your families today to bring us this news.”

  Captain Reynold choked up. “It was our honor. Do you still have my card and information?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You can still call me anytime. Have a Merry Christmas, folks.”

  “It already is,” Kate whispered under her breath.

  Chapter 10

  On Christmas morning, Luke woke up to a cold house. He padded to the thermostat and saw a five and eight staring back at him. The number for the outside temp read twenty-eight degrees. No wonder I’m so cold. Pressing a rubber button on the thermostat, he turned up the heat until the furnace kicked on.

  He went downstairs to the living room, tripping over Tag twice on the way. A few wrapped presents nested under the tree, but he’d mailed most of them last week, so his family would receive them on time. What remained were Kate’s, plus one each for her parents.

  And a miniature stocking. Tag sniffed it out, pawing at the felt.

  “Here you go, cat.” Luke pulled the toy mouse filled with catnip from the stocking and gave it to Tag. The cat took it in his mouth and ran off, leaving Luke chuckling.

  His phone rang, and he raced upstairs to answer it, but was too late. He tapped on the screen and called his father back. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”

  “Merry Christmas to you, too. Have any snow down there?”

  Luke laughed—ever since his parents had visited at Christmas three years ago and the mercury topped out at seventy-one degrees, the lack of white precipitation had become a running joke. “Not a flake, but it is below freezing.”

  “Your mother keeps reaching for the phone, but before I hand it over I wanted to tell you that you’re all set for ten a.m. central time. All the information is in your email.”

  “Awesome.” Luke’s smile stretched wide. “I owe you big time.”

  “Consider it another Christmas present.” His dad cleared his throat. “Here’s your mother.�
�

  “Merry Christmas, Luke. Hold on a second.” He heard her tell Sean, his nephew, no candy yet. “Sorry about that. Your sister’s here with her brood. Anyway, did you get the box of presents I sent?”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  “Did you like them?”

  “Haven’t opened them yet. The box said ‘don’t open until Christmas’.”

  “And you followed the instructions?” His mom’s laugh trickled through the phone line. “Your sister would have torn them open the first day.”

  “Is she in the room with you?” As he talked, he walked downstairs to the kitchen. He needed coffee before he got ready to leave for Kate’s house.

  “She went out to her car. Want me to have her call you?”

  “I’ll call back later. I’m sure it’s chaotic there right now.”

  “Always is with your sister’s crew, but I love having them here.” She sighed. “Maybe one day you’ll give me grandbabies.”

  “Patience, Mom.”

  “I know, I know.” She paused a second. “Be sure to check in this evening and tell us about your day.”

  “Will do.”

  “Merry Christmas, son. I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  The coffee brewed slowly, and he went upstairs again, taking the steps two at a time after he ended the call to his family. Opting to dress festive, he slid a hunter green oxford off its hanger and selected a pair of dark gray chinos.

  By the time he’d showered and dressed, then went downstairs, a full pot of coffee waited for him. He filled a mug and poured the rest in a thermos for later. Had he been thinking clearly, he would have made a single cup, but he’d been preoccupied. Which reminds me… Carrying the mug, he went to the den and started his computer. Everything depended on precise timing, and he wanted it to be perfect, which meant familiarizing himself with the plan.

  He read the email then printed it. Folded it and shoved it into his rear pocket. His house was too silent. No quieter than usual, but it had never bothered him. He missed Kate’s laugh and silvery voice. One would think he hadn’t seen her in weeks, not hours.

  All he had left to do before going to see her was gather the presents and take them to his car. It wouldn’t take more than five minutes, and then another ten to her house, but he wasn’t due for another forty-five minutes.