Through the Tears (Sandy Cove Series Book 2)

by Rosemary Hines

  “What about the turkey?” Michelle asked.

  “It should be fine. No reason for the gas to go out too,” Steve said.

  “Oh yeah. Good thing we don’t have electric like my parents.”

  The four of them sat in the family room. Steve lit a few candles on the mantle and the coffee table. “This is cozy,” he said, trying to reassure his wife, who wasn’t fond of storms.

  “I’m getting worried about Mark and Kristin. What time is it? They should be here by now.”

  “It’s 5:30,” Steve replied.

  “There were probably delays at the airport because of the weather,” Kelly offered.

  Ben suggested they pray. “Good idea,” Steve agreed. “Would you like to do the honors?”

  “No problem.”

  The four of them bowed their heads as Ben began, “Lord, we want to lift up Kristin and Mark to you right now. We know you can calm any storm. Wherever Kristin and Mark are at this moment, please protect and give them a harbor from the wind and rain. Bring them safely here, in your timing. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Speaking of timing, I’d better get those potatoes in the oven,” Kelly said.

  “I’ll help you,” Ben offered, reaching for the flashlight to lead her through the darkness.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Kristin and Mark were sitting by the side of the road, their rental car having sputtered to a stop. The rain was pelting the windshield and the wind howled through the trees.

  “I can’t believe I left my cell phone at home,” Mark said for the fourth time.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Kristin flipped open her phone again. “Still no service on mine.”

  “I’m really sorry about this, honey. We should never have accepted this car. It didn’t sound right when we were pulling out of the lot.”

  “It was the only one they had left, remember? Thanksgiving’s just a crazy time to travel.”

  “Wish I knew more about cars,” he said.

  Just as he was about to step out into the pouring rain, an old Chevy truck pulled up beside them. “Need a lift?” an elderly man called through the downpour.

  Mark looked at Kristin. He seemed like a nice enough fellow. Which would be safer — to be stuck out here in the storm or to accept a ride with a stranger? “What do you think?” he asked her.

  Kristin peered down at the lit up face of her cell phone. 5:45. Michelle would be really worried. “Let’s take it,” Kristin said, something in her spirit sensing this man’s good intentions.

  “Yeah, thanks!” Mark called back as they grabbed their bags and dashed through the downpour to the passenger door.

  “Jim Morgan,” the man said, extending his hand to Mark.

  “Mark Fisher. And this is Kristin,” he said as he shook the driver’s calloused hand.

  “Where’re you folks headed?” Jim asked as he pulled back out onto the highway.

  “Sandy Cove,” Kristin said quickly, “to see some friends.”

  “That’s quite a ways. How’d you get stuck out here in the middle of nowhere on Thanksgiving night?”

  “Our plane was delayed and there was only one rental car left,” Mark began, trying to explain.

  “We don’t want to ruin any plans you have,” Kristin added, noticing the man was wearing a tie under his old yellow raincoat.

  “Well, I was actually on my way to my sister’s house, just down the road a piece. If you folks don’t mind pulling in there for a spell, we could phone ahead to your friends.”

  “That would be great,” Mark replied.

  “Steve could probably drive out and pick us up,” Kristin suggested.

  “I heard that part of the highway was flooded up ahead. Might not be a good night to travel through to the coast.”

  “Are there any motels nearby?” Mark asked.

  “No need for a motel, young man. LouEllen will be happy to put you up for the night. Even though it’s just the two of us, I’ll wager she’s made enough turkey dinner for an army. Never did know how to put a limit on her cooking. Hold tight,” he said as he pulled off the road onto a winding driveway that led back into the trees.

  The house was a simple, A-frame wooden structure with a large front porch and a welcoming warm glow reaching out through the lace covered windows. They hurried from the truck up the front steps.

  Jim rapped on the door twice in warning and then threw it open. Their senses were immediately bombarded by the warmth of the fire blazing in a brick fireplace dominating one wall of the living room. Heavenly aromas from the kitchen competed for their attention. Jim quickly closed the door behind them. “LouEllen?”

  “I hear you, Jimmy. I’m just pulling the turkey out of the oven.”

  “You two folks wait here. I’ll be back in a wink.” Jim headed in the direction of the kitchen.

  As he walked through the swinging door into the kitchen, Mark and Kristin could hear a female voice calling out, “Give me a hand with this, would you, Jimmy?”

  “Look,” Kristin said to Mark as she pointed to the painting on the wall over the buffet. It was a picture of an older man, his head bowed in prayer over a chunk of bread and bowl of soup. Underneath it was a scripture, “In everything, give thanks.”

  “I kind of sensed they might be Christians from the way Jim was so willing to take us in,” Mark commented, relieved he had made the right choice in going with this man.

  Just then, a plump woman in an old fashioned floral dress burst into the room with a smile. “Name’s LouEllen,” she offered as she wiped her hands on her apron. “Jimmy told me about your rental car. Never did trust those loaners myself,” she added as she shook her head. “Let’s get you two dried off a bit.” She disappeared for a moment and returned with two large towels.

  “It was very kind of your brother to help us out,” Mark began, as he and Kristin used the towels to blot at their damp clothing.

  “Nonsense. No problem at all. Least we could do with all the good Lord’s done for us.” LouEllen steered them over to the fireplace. “You two stand here and let the fire warm you up. Wish I had some dry clothes to offer you, but me and Jim – well let’s just say we aren’t as slim as we once were.”

  Mark smiled. “Well thanks just the same.”

  “I hate to ask you for another favor,” Kristin began, “but would it be possible to use your phone to call our friends out in Sandy Cove. We’d be happy to pay for any long distance charges.”

  “You just come with me, darlin’. And don’t you worry about any charges.” LouEllen took Kristin by the hand and led her into the kitchen.

  The room reminded Kristin of her grandparents’ kitchen up in their cabin in the mountains. The appliances were old, but clean. A round wooden table sat in the middle of the floor and was currently loaded with ingredients used in the dinner. The old linoleum beneath their feet was yellowed and worn with a dark shadow by the sink where some water damage or just continuous standing had stained a spot.

  The aromas were mouthwatering. A golden brown turkey rested on the cutting board on the counter, a bubbling hot sweet potato casserole sat next to it, and a pumpkin pie had been set on the adjacent counter. Jim was stirring the gravy and sneaking bites of the mashed potatoes in the pan next to him.

  “Jimmy,” LouEllen scolded. “Get your paws outta the taters.”

  “Oh, relax, Lulu. I’m just making sure they’ve been mashed through and through.”

  LouEllen shook her head, a scowl on her face melting back into a smile as she saw Kristin’s expression. “Don’t you mind us. We’ve been going at it like this since we were kids.”

  Kristin nodded her head and returned the warm smile. “Everything smells great.”

  “Let’s just hope there’ll be some left when it comes time to eat.” LouEllen cocked her head in Jim’s direction, and they both chuckled.

  “Here’s the phone, sweetie.”

  “Wow. I’ve never used one of these,” Kristin said, looking at the old bla
ck phone with its dial mechanism.

  Jimmy laughed. “I told you to get a new phone, Lou.”

  “Now why should I do that when this one works perfectly well?”

  Kristin picked up the receiver, inserted her finger into the first hole and turned the dial until it hit the stop.

  “You see, Jimmy, she’s got it right down already.” LouEllen said with a smile.

  Kristin could hear the phone ringing and then Steve’s voice on the other end. “Hello?”

  “Hi Steve, it’s Kristin.”

  “Where are you guys? Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. We had a little car trouble with the rental we picked up at the airport, but a nice gentleman gave us a ride. We’re at his sister’s house. Apparently the highway is flooded between here and the coast, so we’ll probably need to stay here overnight.”

  “Bummer. Here, let me put Michelle on.” Kristin could hear Steve quickly explain what was happening as he handed Michelle the phone.

  “Kristin, are you sure you’re okay? Steve could try to drive out there and get you guys if you give us your location.”

  “I think we’d better wait `til the rain lets up, `Shell. It’s really pouring here. How’s it in Sandy Cove?”

  “Pouring. The power went out, too. Fortunately the oven and stove are gas, so we should be okay for the dinner.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Oh, Kristin. Dinner — what will you guys do about Thanksgiving dinner?”

  “The folks who took us in are offering to let us eat with them and stay the night here.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with that? I mean, spending Thanksgiving with strangers...”

  “Actually, they’re really nice people and the food looks delicious.” Kristin noticed LouEllen and Jim had both gone into the dining room. “They’re Christians, `Shell. We’ll be fine here overnight. I’m just sorry to mess up your holiday.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ll put Steve back on the phone and maybe someone there can give him directions to pick you guys up tomorrow.”

  Jim talked to Steve and explained that he would be happy to drive Kristin and Mark out to Sandy Cove in the morning. Steve tried to convince him it wasn’t necessary and he’d drive out there at first light, but Jim wouldn’t take no for an answer. As soon as the phone conversation ended, Kristin and Mark followed him back into the dining room.

  Sitting down at the festive table laden with a wonderful feast, Jim reached out in both directions in a gesture of prayer. As the four of them joined hands, he bowed his head and prayed, “Lord, we are thankful for this food we are about to eat. And we thank you for keeping Mark and Kristin safe and bringing them here to share this holiday with us. Bless their friends in Sandy Cove and give them a good Thanksgiving as well. In your name we pray. Amen.”

  “Amen,” the rest of them echoed.

  At the same time, Steve, Michelle, Ben, and Kelly were bowing their heads and thanking God for their shared meal. As they started to pass the food around the candlelit table, the lights and music came back on. “That’s better,” Steve said with a smile.

  Later that night, after Ben and Kelly had gone home and Steve was upstairs getting ready for bed, Michelle sat down with her Bible. It seems like things never turn out the way I want them to. I really wanted to be pregnant before Thanksgiving, and I was looking forward to seeing Kristin and Mark and introducing them to Ben and Kelly. She opened her Bible to the passage marked in Psalm 37. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

  Michelle could feel the tears starting again. Do you really keep your promises, Lord? She closed the Bible and headed upstairs.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The sun was streaming into their bedroom the next morning when Michelle woke up. She could hear Steve in the shower and smelled fresh brewed coffee. Glancing over, she saw a steaming cup sitting on the bedside table. What a sweetie to bring me coffee in bed. Her heart swelled with love for her husband.

  Propping herself up against the headboard, she cupped the warm mug in her hands as she thought about a dream she’d had just before awakening. It seemed so real. She was in a hospital and a nurse was handing her a tiny newborn baby girl wrapped in a pink receiving blanket. Her mother and Steve were at her side, both joyously welcoming the new member of their family. As she continued thinking about the dream, she could almost feel the tiny bundle in her arms and see the baby’s blue eyes gazing into hers.

  Maybe it was a sign from God that this really was her time to become a mom.

  She sipped her coffee and gazed out the window at the deep blue sky and white, puffy clouds as she thought about her day ahead. Kristin and Mark would be there soon. She was thankful for the change in weather. A sunny day – finally. Maybe Kristin and I will go down and take a walk at the beach.

  “Hey there, gorgeous,” Steve said, breaking her reverie. His hair was wet and tousled, a towel secured around his waist.

  “Did you leave me any hot water?” Michelle asked with a grin.

  “Nope. You should have joined me in there.” He winked in reply.

  She climbed out of bed, placing the coffee mug on the nightstand. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  “Anytime.” He looked out the window. “Looks like a great day. Kristin and Mark should be here anytime.”

  “Yeah. I’d better hurry and get my shower.”

  “Need any help?”

  “Funny.” Michelle tossed a pillow at him, but he ducked, leaving it on the floor where it landed.

  “Just thought I’d offer,” he countered with a grin.

  “I know exactly what you thought. We don’t have time.”

  “Okay. Whatever you say.”

  Smiling, she said, “Later, babe.”

  “Right. Later.” Turning toward the closet, he added under his breath, “I’ll just check the schedule.”

  A knife pierced Michelle’s heart. It was just another reminder she wasn’t pregnant yet. Rather than trying to appease him, she ignored his remark and went into the bathroom.

  When she got out of the shower, she could hear voices downstairs. Hurrying to get dressed, she headed down to greet Kristin and Mark.

  “You’re here!” she exclaimed as she raced over and hugged Kristin. “And this must be Mark,” she added with a smile. Over her shoulder she could see an older man with a straw hat clutched in his hand.

  “Michelle, this is my fiancé, Mark, and this is Jim Morgan.” Kristin gestured toward Jim who nodded his greeting.

  “Thank you so much for everything,” Michelle said as she extended her hand to Jim.

  He seemed to feel a bit awkward shaking hands with a woman, but his grasp was warm and firm. “You’re welcome. It was nothing, really. We were blessed to have `em join us for Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “You’ve got to get to know these folks, Steve,” Mark commented. “Jim’s sister’s quite a cook.”

  Jim smiled and blushed.

  “I was telling them about your friends, Ben and Kelly, and the church they are planting here,” Mark continued.

  “We’d like to help in any way we can,” Jim offered.

  “Well, I’ll tell Ben. They are planning to start with a weekly Bible study and see what develops from there.”

  “You just let us know when and where they’ll be holdin’ their meetings and we’ll be there. We don’t got a lot of money or anything like that, but we can bring some homemade muffins.”

  “I’m sure they’d appreciate that. Isn’t it quite a way for you to drive, though?”

  “It ain’t that far. LouEllen would love to be part of a new church getting started. She’s been sayin’ for a long time that she wants me to start takin’ her to Portland again on Sundays, but the drive out here is much nicer. Lots less traffic.”

  “Great. Just leave me your phone number, and we’ll contact you in a week or two.” Steve handed him a small pad of paper and pen.

  Jim scrawled his number down. “Well, I’ll be
off and let you folks get on with your visit.”

  “Thanks again, Jim,” Mark said, shaking his hand. Kristin gave him a hug, causing him to blush again.

  “You two take care now, you hear?” Jim said, smiling fondly at

  Mark and Kristin. “You be sure to send us an invite to that wedding of yours,” he added with a wink.

  After he had left, Michelle and Steve led Mark and Kristin into the kitchen. They sat down at the table and shared coffee and stories about their Thanksgiving dinner adventures. Eventually the conversation drifted to Sandy Cove and the new church Ben was hoping to start.

  Mark seemed very interested to meet Ben and learn more about the church planting process.

  “Let me give him a call and see what he’s up to. Maybe we could just drive over to their house and I could introduce you guys,” Steve suggested.

  When they called, Ben was just sitting around reading the newspaper, so Steve and Mark decided to drive over.

  “Want to go for a walk on the beach while they’re gone?” Michelle asked Kristin.

  “That would be great. It’s such a pretty day.”

  “Yeah, and that’s rare around here. Let me just dry my hair, and I’ll be ready to go.”

  “Okay. I’ll wait here and play with your kitty,” Kristin said, scooping Max up into her arms.

  “He’ll keep you entertained,” Michelle said with a smile. “Be right back.”

  Soon they were climbing out of Michelle’s car and walking out onto the sand, which was still damp from the downpour the night before. The air felt crisp and the wind bit their faces, but the water was sparkling and the sky was a brilliant shade of blue. Michelle and Kristin linked arms, like they had all their lives, as they walked toward the water’s edge.

  “So how are the wedding plans coming along?” Michelle asked.

  “Great. I still can’t believe it’s true. Mark was so worth waiting for.”

  “He seems to adore you,” Michelle observed.

  “Feeling’s mutual,” she replied. “How are things with you and Steve? You said you guys had a fight the other night. Is everything okay?”