Where Love Abides (Heartland Homecoming)

by Irene Hannon

  Leaning on her hoe, Christine surveyed her pumpkin patch. With Stephen’s help, she’d spent the morning cleaning up her storm-ravaged herb and flower gardens and listening to the high-schooler rhapsodize about his girlfriend.

  Though his help had been forced on her in the beginning, she now looked forward to his visits. He worked hard and seemed to enjoy learning about organic farming. In fact, he’d expressed an interest in a paying job once he worked off his penalty for the reckless driving incident.

  She could have used his help this afternoon, too, considering the mess in the pumpkin patch, Christine reflected. But at least her sound sleep had left her feeling as fresh and energized as the sunny, crisp autumn day that had followed on the heels of the storm.

  Thankfully, neither the farm nor her body had suffered any permanent damage from the gale. Others hadn’t been so lucky, as she’d learned from the morning news. Property damage had been considerable, and dozens of people had sustained injuries.

  As she set to work, Christine replayed in her mind the phone conversation she’d had with Dale that morning before he and Jenna left to pick up his mother at the airport. They hadn’t spoken long, but he’d promised to stop by as soon as he got back. As a result, when she heard the sound of a slowing car half an hour later, her pulse accelerated.

  Shading her eyes, she watched as he set the brake and stepped out of the car. In many ways, the scene reminded her of his first visit. He’d been in uniform that day versus his attire today of jeans and a black leather jacket, but her reaction was the same. Her heart skidded to a stop and the breath jammed in her throat.

  On this occasion, however, her response had nothing to do with fear.

  A slow smile lit his face as he walked toward her, and the warmth in his eyes reached deep inside her. She half expected him to greet her with a kiss, but to her surprise he stopped several feet away and shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “Hi.” His husky, intimate tone about did her in, and she leaned on the shovel to prop up legs that suddenly didn’t feel too reliable.

  “Hi. Is your mom back safe and sound?”

  “Yes. And she’s already been drafted into babysitting duty. I had some important business to attend to, and I didn’t want Jenna tagging along.”

  “Business?” She gave him a quizzical look.

  “Of a personal nature.”

  He took one step closer, then another, erasing the distance between them. Leaning down, he fitted his lips to hers, lingering, tasting, and at last releasing—with reluctance.

  “You’ll notice I kept my hands in my pockets.” His voice wasn’t quite even, and he drew an unsteady breath. “That’s because I’m fighting a very strong urge to pull you into my arms and never let go. But I have a few things to say first.”

  Jamming his hands deeper into his pockets, Dale gave her a rueful smile. “I suppose there are better ways to do this. More romantic settings. But the storm was a wake-up call. As I raced back to Oak Hill yesterday, terrified at what I might find, I was reminded that there are no guarantees about tomorrow. And I didn’t want to wait one more second to let you know how I feel.

  “From the day we met, I sensed there was something different about you. And as I got to know you, I realized my instincts were correct. You were not only different, but very special. I was impressed by your strength, and touched by your kindness and consideration. I admired your integrity, enjoyed your sense of humor and respected your efforts to reconnect with the Lord. And being a man, I couldn’t fail to appreciate your beauty.” His lips quirked into a quick grin.

  “What I’m trying to say, Christine, is that I fell in love with you. I didn’t want to, not after all the problems I had with Linda. But it happened. And I’ve come to realize that the two of you aren’t as similar as I first thought. You haven’t let your problems control your life. You’ve done your best to leave them behind, and while caution prevents you from trusting or confiding in haste, it doesn’t cripple you. You’re willing to trust when the trust has been earned, and to open your heart. Linda could never do that.”

  Tugging the hoe from her grip, he set it aside and took her hands in his. “You also care about Jenna. And what you did yesterday for her, despite your claustrophobia…” His voice choked, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled for control. “You have a great capacity for unselfish love, Christine. More than any person I’ve ever met. And you deserve the same in return.”

  He cupped her face with his hands, and the love shining in his eyes dazzled her more than the brilliant autumn sun. “I’ve thought about this and prayed about it, and I know we were meant to be together. But I understand that you need time. I just want you to know how I feel, and that I’m willing to wait.”

  He nodded toward the pumpkin patch and a smile whispered at his lips. “I’m afraid I can’t turn pumpkins into coaches, or wave a magic wand and make life perfect. But if you’ll marry me, I can promise you I’ll do my best to love you and cherish you and make every day of the rest of your life better than the one before.”

  As she stared into Dale’s eyes, blue as the sky above them and filled with profound, abiding love, Christine was too overcome with emotion to speak. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight, letting his solid presence reassure her that he wouldn’t evaporate like Cinderella’s coach and leave her once more alone in her pumpkin patch.

  When the silence lengthened, Dale pressed his lips to her hair and stroked her back. “I didn’t mean to rush you, Christine. I’m sorry if…”

  “No.” She cut him off and sucked in a deep breath, backing up far enough to see his face. “You haven’t. I just…I never expected…I love you, too.” And rising on tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his, putting all the emotion she’d been unable to express in words into that kiss.

  For a moment Dale seemed taken aback by her ardor. But he recovered quickly and pulled her close, giving her an enticing hint of the depth of his own feelings.

  Drawing apart at last, Christine was content to rest in the circle of his arms as she looked up at him. “Wow.”

  He grinned. “Can I interpret that as an acceptance of my proposal?”

  “I think that would be a safe bet.” She smiled. “How does a spring wedding sound to you?”

  “That’s five months away.”

  “I thought you said you were willing to wait?”

  “That was before that last kiss.” He grinned, letting his fingers play with the silky strands of her hair.

  “I wouldn’t mind a longer courtship this time.”

  At her sudden note of uncertainty, his levity vanished and his fingers stilled. “I was only teasing, Christine. I’d wait five years for you, if that’s what it took. And spring would be appropriate. It’s the season of new beginnings and fresh starts. Just like the sign says.” He inclined his head toward the entrance to her property.

  Gazing at the placard she’d erected when she first came to Oak Hill, her expression grew pensive. “You know, when I named this place, I never expected the fresh start to include love. And a family.” A tender smile lifted her lips in a gentle curve. “Maybe there’s something magical about pumpkin patches, after all.”

  “Maybe.” He pulled her close again, and as he looked down into the soft brown eyes he’d come to love, he gave thanks. For magic. And miracles. And most of all, for a second chance at love.

  When Dale lowered his lips to hers to seal their engagement, Christine, too, sent a silent thank-you heavenward. She might never understand why the Lord had given her such a difficult road to follow. But she would be forever grateful that it had led her into the arms of this special man, who had taught her how to trust and to love again.

  As she surrendered to Dale’s embrace, joy filled Christine’s heart. Once upon a time, she’d believed in Prince Charming. Then life had convinced her that he lived only in the pages of fairy tales.

  But she’d been wrong. Prince Charming had come to her very own pumpkin patch. And in h
is arms, she knew she would live happily ever after.

  Dear Reader,

  With Where Love Abides, we say goodbye to Oak Hill, Missouri, where three couples found hope—and love—deep in America’s heartland. In this last book in my HEARTLAND HOMECOMING series, Christine is able to wipe clean the slate of her past with the help of a very special man…and give the name of her property, Fresh Start Farm, new meaning.

  Starting over is never easy. It takes courage and strength and perseverance to tackle the unknown. But when we put our trust in the Lord and open our hearts to love, the journey can be a joyful one that offers unexpected rewards. And, as Christine discovers, it can also lead to a happy ending.

  To learn more about my next book—and all my latest news—I invite you to visit my Web site at www.irenehannon.com.

  May all your journeys be joyful, and may all your endings be happy.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. In Where Love Abides, Christine’s negative experience with a sheriff colors her perceptions of Dale. Can you think of instances in your own life where you judged a person based on experiences that have nothing to do with him or her? How did your preconceived ideas affect that relationship? How should we approach new people? Why?

  2. As a single dad, Dale must juggle the demands of parenthood with those of his job. How well do you think he handles this balancing act? Cite some specific examples of behavior from the book that support your opinion.

  3. When the book begins, Christine doesn’t want to owe anyone anything, fearing that debt can be used to manipulate her. Have you ever experienced a situation where someone tried to use emotional blackmail to manipulate you? How did you deal with it? How did your faith help you address it?

  4. Christine married after a whirlwind, fairy-tale courtship. What are the dangers of rushing into marriage? What are the advantages of a longer courtship?

  5. Dale is committed to justice and to righting wrongs. What does the Bible tell us about these principles? Why is it often hard to live by them, especially in today’s world?

  6. What qualities in Dale begin to soften Christine’s attitude toward him? What fears hold her back from giving him her trust—and her heart?

  7. Christine is estranged from the Lord when the book begins. She feels as if He abandoned her, that her prayers went unheard and unanswered. Yet Reverend Andrews tells her that God never turns away from us, even when we turn away from Him. Why is this hard to accept for many people? What are some ways a person might try to re-establish a connection to the Lord when they feel lost or abandoned?

  8. Dale’s first wife never overcame her issues with childhood abuse, leaving him wary of damaged women. But in the end, he realizes that Christine’s positive self-image, formed in childhood, has allowed her to overcome her trauma. What does this say about the importance of giving a child a loving, stable upbringing?

  9. Reverend Andrews tells Christine that accepting without understanding is one of the great challenges of faith. Do you think this is true? If so, give some examples from your own life that left you puzzled about God’s ways, and discuss how you made peace with them.

  10. Erin stayed in an abusive relationship because she felt she had no recourse—until Christine offered her the gift of friendship and helped her see that she had other options. Have you ever felt trapped in an intolerable situation? How did you deal with it? How did the support of friends or family help you address the situation? What role did your faith play?

  11. At the end of the book, Christine finds the strength to face her claustrophobia in order to keep Jenna safe. Her selfless act calls to mind the passage from Corinthians, “Love bears with all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” Talk about the power of love—and how it has been manifested in your life. What are some things love has prompted you to do that you otherwise wouldn’t have done?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-1721-2

  WHERE LOVE ABIDES

  Copyright © 2008 by Irene Hannon

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

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  *Vows

  †Sisters & Brides

  ‡Heartland Homecoming