Moonbeams: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series Book 5)

by JoAnn Durgin

  Sam and Lexa welcomed her father into their home and helped him quickly feel at home. Giving him a guest bedroom and feeding him well didn’t hurt. Winnie brought over some new creations she was testing and Cleve loved being her guinea pig and master taste tester.

  Before she knew it, Daddy was bouncing the twins, one on each knee, and telling them exaggerated stories of life in the magical land called Alabama. They tried to pronounce the name Tuscaloosa and collapsed against him in giggles. Joe seemed wary of him at first, but as Cassie left to go bridal gown shopping with Rebekah, she spied Joe sitting next to Daddy in the family room and reading a Bible storybook together.

  She tried on three dresses at a suburban bridal shop, modeling each one for Rebekah. None of them worked for her, and even though Rebekah was kind with her compliments, she could tell she agreed. “Maybe this is an impossible task,” Cassie said at length, her frustration surfacing in her voice. “Trying to find a dress and planning a wedding in a couple of days is completely crazy. I’ll just wear one of my pretty white dresses and that’ll be the end of it. Mitch can wear a nice suit instead of Kevin’s tux.” She sniffled. “No need to be all fancy. Right?”

  “Hold on a red-hot minute,” Rebekah said as they sat in a deli eating a late lunch. A smile teased the corners of her mouth. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it until now. I have a really great idea, as long as you agree.”

  “Can you give me a little hint?” Cassie said, stabbing a baby carrot in her salad.

  “How tall are you? Five seven, right?” Rebekah’s green eyes were positively sparkling.

  “Last time I checked, yes, but I might have shr—”

  “Come on, then,” Rebekah said. “Let’s finish quickly so we can go.”

  A half-hour later, they pulled up in front of Rebekah and Kevin’s home. A party supply truck was parked in the driveway. Cassie laughed after she entered the house with Rebekah and spied Marta, Gayle and Winnie running around the backyard, carrying flower arrangements—silk, most likely—to workers who were affixing them to the outside of the gazebo.

  “Beck, I never heard. Did Kevin get the approval for the patent of the Rebekah’s Heart design?”

  Rebekah’s smile said it all. “Oh, I’m so happy!” Cassie embraced her friend, hugging her tight. “I told Kevin at the birthday party for the twins back in February that I knew he’d get the patent and it would be the start of something big.”

  “Thanks, but come with me. Speaking of something big, I’ll show you why we’re here. And I’m not talking about Winnie since she’s not showing that much yet.”

  A minute later, Cassie sat wide-eyed on the bed in her friend’s second bedroom as Rebekah pulled out a heavy plastic, zippered bag from the closet. “If you’re willing, I want you to wear my gown.”

  Immediate tears sprang into her eyes—seemed to be a common occurrence with all the blessings of the last few days—and Cassie nodded, speechless.

  Rebekah smiled. “Is that a yes?”

  Swallowing hard, Cassie nodded. “It’s definitely a yes. I’m overwhelmed. Your beautiful dress.” Cassie watched as her friend removed it from the bag. She was almost afraid to touch the exquisite gown. White silk with beading and a lace overlay, column style, off the shoulder, three-quarter length sleeves and an empire waist. She only knew the terminology because she’d helped Lexa with the write-up for the local paper and the TeamWork Missions monthly newsletter after Rebekah and Kevin’s wedding.

  “Mitch hasn’t seen the gown since he wasn’t at our wedding,” Rebekah said. “I think you’ll look great in it since we have very similar figures.”

  “The only difference being a few inches in height. I’m afraid I’ll need teeter-totter shoes.”

  Rebekah laughed. “Teeter-totter shoes? Never heard that term.”

  “Shoes I can’t walk in very well. You know”—Cassie jumped to her feet and stretched her hands out on either side of her, trying to demonstrate by acting as though she was trying to balance—“playing dress up like you also mentioned on the day of the twins’ birthday party. I’ll feel like a little girl playing in her mama’s shoes. Pretending to be a grownup.”

  “You’re very much a grownup, and trust me, Mitch knows and appreciates that fact. What I find interesting is that several things you’ve said today all point back to the day you met Mitch. I’m not talking about Amy and Landon’s wedding either.”

  “I know.” Cassie couldn’t stop her smile. “I feel the same way. The day Mitch walked into my life and completely captured my attention.” Within a minute, she’d stepped into the bridal gown with Rebekah’s help, breathing a grateful sigh of relief when her friend zipped it up all the way with no effort whatsoever.

  “Wait a second.” Pulling a box down from the closet, Rebekah brought out her beaded, mid-length veil. “This will complete the look. It’ll look great with your hair down.” She lightly anchored it in Cassie’s hair and then opened the closet door with its full-length mirror. “You look gorgeous, Cass. Here, come and take a look.”

  With slow steps, Cassie approached the mirror. “Oh, Beck!” She raised her hands to her cheeks. The dress was absolute perfection, highlighting her neck and shoulders and falling over her curves. The gown looked like it had been tailored specifically for her, except for the length. “It’s so beautiful, but I can’t cry all over this gown. I’d better get out of it quick.”

  Moving close, Rebekah smoothed her thumbs under Cassie’s eyes. “So you’ll christen it a little. You don’t have mascara on, so don’t worry. I keep telling Kevin we should take stock in the tissue companies.”

  Cassie laughed a little. “I know a good stockbroker I can recommend.” She sniffled and surveyed the length of the gown in the mirror. “I’m afraid I’ll still need those teeter-totter shoes, though.”

  “Not necessarily. Winnie’s become quite the seamstress.” Rebekah glanced out the bedroom window. “She’s also running around my backyard like a crazy pregnant woman. Let me go get her and see what she thinks. If anyone can give the gown a quick hem, it’s my sister-in-law.” She gave Cassie a quick hug. “We’re going to make this work, sweetie, and tomorrow you’re going to marry the handsome prince of your dreams.”

  Cassie could only nod as Rebekah darted out of the room.

  Thank you, Lord, for making all things possible.

  ~~**~~

  Mitch sat with Kevin, Josh, Landon, Marc and Sam at dinner. Their version of a bachelor party. Later, they were going back to the Lewis homestead and having a time of prayer. Cassie had gone out to dinner with all the ladies and then they planned on joining the men at the house. Not the way the rest of the world celebrated the night before their nuptials, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

  The TeamWork way. God’s way.

  Gracious as always, his mom had been so good with Cassie. Together with Amy and Celeste, she’d met with Cassie in Sam’s office earlier in the afternoon. The Lord only knew what they told her during that girl-talk session. He hoped Cassie would still want to marry him.

  Earlier in the morning, they’d visited a jeweler Sam recommended and selected his platinum wedding band. He insisted on paying for it, and she’d reluctantly agreed. They wanted to have scripture verses engraved on their bands, but that would have to wait until they returned to Manhattan.

  After leaving the jewelry store, Cassie marched him to a nearby store and made him model a few Stetsons. “My wedding gift to you.” She’d given him a nod of approval when he chose a light brown one. “There’s something irresistible about a man in a Stetson, you know,” she said, giving him a coy grin. He’d definitely remember that for future reference. He’d also become an adopted, honorary Texan. Landon had schooled him in the dubious art known as talking Texan, slapping him on the back and telling him it worked like a charm. Considering how happy Amy was, Mitch figured anything was worth a try at least once.

  Tucked in his suitcase was a diamond necklace he’d had especially designed for Cassie tha
t would be a worthy complement for the ring and wedding band set. He’d present that to her tomorrow night. He could wear the Stetson and she could wear the necklace and. . .

  “Where are you taking Cassie for your honeymoon?” Josh asked, interrupting his thoughts.

  Mitch grinned and saluted Marc. “Our friend Marc has a superstar client who owns a luxury hotel downtown. Not sure how he did it, but we’ve got the bridal suite until Thursday and then we’re flying back to Manhattan.”

  “Commercial?” Kevin asked.

  “Yes. With Cassie beside me, I think I’ll be fine.”

  “Great. Back to the honeymoon night,” Josh said.

  Marc laughed. “You would be the one to keep bringing that up.”

  Josh shot him a look. “Only because I want to offer to spring for a luxury ride to the hotel from the gazebo. Here’s to Mitch and Cassie!” Josh raised his glass in a toast.

  Sam was quiet, but Mitch could tell how pleased he was by their lively camaraderie. He’d told them the plans were falling into place for the mission outside Albuquerque for the following summer. “Sheila and Angelina are planning on joining us, and so is Dean. We haven’t had him with us for a mission since the short-term mission to Montana, and it’ll be good to catch up with him. I’ve already told Eliot to free up his schedule. And,” Sam said, glancing around the table at each one of them in turn, “I’m hoping all of you can be there. We need each other. It’ll be a good time to reinforce the bonds we’ve established, brother to brother. I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do.”

  “To Albuquerque!” Josh, the self-appointed toastmaster said, and they all raised their glasses a second time in a rousing toast.

  “To our brothers!” Kevin said, and they did it all over again.

  “To marriage!” Marc added, winking at Sam.

  By the end of their dinner, Mitch sighed with the deep personal contentment of a man immeasurably blessed with the best group of friends a guy could ever want. These men were solid and sought the Lord’s will in their lives first and foremost.

  For a last-minute wedding, the details were falling into place effortlessly. Their friends, true to their generous, giving natures, had rallied together to help them make it all work. Marta and Gayle were moving into Cassie’s condo since both of their respective apartment leases were up at the end of the month. Gayle’s old car had finally died, so Cassie happily signed over the title to Edwina to her and wouldn’t think of accepting any money for it. Winnie, Rebekah and Lexa had volunteered to help pack Cassie’s clothing and personal items to ship to her, and she was leaving all her furniture behind since she wouldn’t need it in the townhouse.

  Such good people. So many willing hearts. Incredible blessings.

  Thank you, Lord, for making all things possible.

  Chapter 46

  Tuesday, July 20, 2004

  Cassie and Mitch’s Wedding

  Cassie’s eyes misted as she walked toward her groom on the arm of her father. A white runner led the way to the gazebo where Mitch waited. Standing behind him, Sam held his Bible and Landon stood beside Mitch as his best man. Both her father and Landon wore dark suits and sported lavender roses on the lapels of their jackets like the gorgeous ones in her small but elegant wedding bouquet. Mitch wore a white rose on the lapel of the dark tuxedo. Rebekah waited as her matron of honor on the opposite side.

  The day was lovely—almost perfect, really, with blue skies, a few white clouds and a gentle breeze. Moderately cool and not too humid for a mid-summer morning in Houston. Gathering the skirt of her gown, Cassie carefully made her way up the three short stairs with Daddy’s assistance. Thankfully, miracle worker Winnie had been able to hem the dress.

  Mitch stepped forward and offered his hand, helping her when she reached the last step. Oh my, he was the most handsome man in the world. His hair curled slightly on the ends, and his eyes lit with love as his gaze fell on her. After her father lifted the veil and kissed her cheek, he stepped aside and Mitch took his place beside her.

  Looking at his gorgeous face, this face of the man she loved with everything in her, Cassie melted all over again.

  “You are so beautiful, Moonbeam,” he whispered as they faced Sam together.

  “So are you,” she whispered back, and they shared a smile.

  Truly, at least for this one special day, she was a princess. With her prince right beside her.

  During the ceremony, Cassie gazed at the faces of her friends gathered around the gazebo. How blessed she was to count these wonderful people as her friends. Her family.

  When it came time for their vows, Mitch turned to her and repeated Sam’s words in his quiet but resonant voice. How far they’d come since that ceremony in the Houston park in February. It might as well have been a lifetime ago. “I do,” he said, squeezing her hands.

  Cassie did the same when it came time to recite her vows. Pledging to love this man forever was the best thing she’d ever done. She might not have known him long in terms of the earthly measure of time, but in her heart, she’d known him her entire life.

  When Mitch slid the platinum diamond wedding band on her finger, he kept his eyes trained on hers. So expressive, those eyes. Today they were a brilliant, deep mossy green color that shone with such a depth of love it stole her breath.

  Sam announced them as husband and wife amidst claps and cheers, and Mitch didn’t wait for Sam to tell him to kiss his bride. “Love you forever, Cassie.”

  “Love you longer, Mitch.”

  They waved to their friends as their Mercedes limousine waited at the curb. Their bags had already been transported to the hotel, and the others were planning to celebrate with a picnic supper in Sam and Lexa’s backyard. Winnie promised to keep the top layer of the cake so they could celebrate on their first anniversary. Sam planned on taking her father back home the next day. She’d said her good-byes to her father, to Mitch’s mother, and all her TeamWork friends. Everyone but one.

  “Hold on just a minute,” Cassie told Mitch, giving him a quick kiss as he waited by the limousine. Hurrying over to Sam, she leaned on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. She heard his familiar, deep chuckle.

  “Papa Bear, I love you. Thank you for everything, and especially for taking such good care of my Daddy.”

  “You’re welcome, Little One.” Cassie swallowed her sudden tears. In that moment, with those words, she knew he was there. Tagg was also there, in her heart, sharing her special day.

  She glanced up at him through her tears. Happy tears, but tears all the same. “I’ll miss you, Sam.”

  “We’ll be seeing you. You’re never far from our hearts.”

  Chapter 47

  The Next Year

  Friday, August 26, 2005

  Mitch glanced at the display on the home phone. A Houston number flashed on the screen. TeamWork Missions. He grabbed the receiver. “Mitch Jacobsen.”

  “Hey, Mitch. It’s Josh.”

  “Good to hear from you. How are things in Houston?”

  “I’ll get to the point.” Josh sounded as serious as Mitch had ever heard him. “I’m sure you’ve heard about Katrina, the Category 5 hurricane headed for the Gulf coast.”

  “I heard the words unprecedented cataclysm on the news this morning and caught wind of a potential mandatory evacuation.”

  “Right,” Josh said. “It formed over the Bahamas on August 23rd and then crossed over southern Florida as a Category 1. Killed a few people and caused some flooding. It’s strengthening rapidly and is projected to hit New Orleans hard by Monday. They’re hoping it might weaken before it hits land, but FEMA’s preparing for the worst. Some parts of the city are below sea level, and with the right front quadrant winds forecast to be twenty-eight feet, the emergency management officials fear the surge will go over the levees. So, potential flooding seems to be the biggest potential and immediate threat. They’re going to use the Superdome for those who can’t—or won’t—leave the city, and refugee centers are being esta
blished at various points in the city. Mississippi just activated the National Guard and Louisiana Governor Blanco’s in talks with President Bush. They expect a state of emergency to be declared by tomorrow at the latest.”

  “What can I do?” Mitch said. “Whatever you need, I’m there.”

  “We’re organizing TeamWork groups to assist in the relief effort. Sam and I are in touch with FEMA and the local authorities. We’re keeping a close watch on the situation, and we’re gathering volunteers to head down there a week or two after it hits. Landon’s going to fly in relief supplies of food and water. We’ve talked with the New York TeamWork leaders and they’re lining up a caravan of trucks to bring lumber and building supplies, clothing, first aid, that kind of thing. We’ll know better once we get there, but I’m sure your medical training might come in handy.”

  Mitch didn’t need to think about it. “Count me in.”

  “Thanks, buddy. I’ll be in touch with more details as we know them. In the meantime, pray.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  ~~**~~

  Later that Night

  “What’s wrong, Mitch? Talk to me.” Cassie snuggled closer to him, running her finger in circles on his chest.

  Mitch blew out a breath. Beautiful Cassie. She could always tell since she was such a part of him now.

  Jumping out of the bed, she moved over to the closet. She loved wearing his shirts—opened a few buttons at the collar, the diamond necklace nestled against her bare skin. He admired her long, shapely legs and her tousled auburn hair which now reached almost to her waist. Rolling over on his side, Mitch drank in the sight of his gorgeous wife.

  The past year had been the best one of his life. The laughing. The living. The loving.