Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country FamilySmall-Town MidwifeProtecting the Widow's Heart

by Lois Richer

“Your father helped me see that my vow was wrong, that the guilt I’ve been clinging to is not part of His plan of forgiveness.” He wrapped his arms around her and swung her in a circle, his head thrown back as he gazed into the blue sky. “I’m free!”

  Startled and off balance, Cassie grabbed hold of his shoulders. Their faces were mere inches apart.

  “I love you, Cassie Crockett. I love you with all my heart. Please don’t go. Please stay and help me reach Churchill for God. Together we can do wonderful things for Him. We proved that today.”

  Inside her something released. For the first time since that awful day at his house her spirit lifted and she knew, she knew God was giving her the go-ahead. But just to be certain it wasn’t her own will, she closed her eyes.

  Are You saying yes, God?

  Cassie felt Heaven’s nod with every fiber of her being.

  “Cassie?” Rick set her on her feet. His hand cupped her chin, his breath caressed her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong. For once everything is perfect. I love you, Rick. You’re the man of my heart. I thought I’d never trust anyone again. I thought if I put my trust only in myself that I’d be safe, but God is teaching me that trust is an integral part of any relationship. I trust Him completely and that’s because of you, because of what you’ve taught me about Him.”

  She had to stop, catch her breath. But she couldn’t because Rick was kissing her. He started with her forehead, then her cheek, then the corner of her lips. Their breaths mingled in a cloud of vapor and then his lips met hers. He clasped her tightly to him and for a timeless moment the world stood still. Cassie reveled in the sweetness of his kisses, the rightness of being in his arms.

  “I’m sorry for hurting you,” he whispered. “Please forgive me.”

  “Of course.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I need your forgiveness, too, for misjudging you.”

  “Done.” He sighed, pulling her closer. “Forgiveness. How is it I got so totally confused about that word? It means ‘remembering no more.’ And yet I kept dragging the past back, focusing on it instead of on what God has done. It took me a long time but I finally see what God’s been trying to show me.”

  He drew back enough to see into her face. Cassie tensed with worry for a moment before she remembered that God was in charge. I will trust Him.

  “I come with baggage, Cassie,” Rick told her. “Maybe that’s the wrong word, but you must know that I am dedicated to doing God’s work. There’s no fame, no glory and not much money.”

  How she loved him, loved his dedication to his Lord.

  “Look around, Rick. We live in the most beautiful place in the world. Fresh, untouched, with God’s handiwork all around. How could fame and glory ever compare to this?” She smiled. “Besides, you’re laying up treasure in Heaven with your work. God honors that.”

  “So that means you’ll stay in Churchill? You’ll help me, share my work here?” He paused. “Will you marry me, Cassie?”

  “I’d be honored to,” she said. “Because I love you.”

  He kissed her back with heartfelt abandon. Cassie’s soul sang with joy she’d once thought lost forever.

  “Perhaps together we can use our mistakes to help others heal, as you’ve done with Noah and the boys,” she murmured and pressed a kiss against his cheek. “I can never thank you enough for Noah, Rick. You reached past his angry heart and helped him begin to heal. Because of you I have my son and my dad back. And I’m building a better relationship with God.”

  “So am I,” he said with a cheeky grin. “Isn’t this a happy Easter?”

  “The happiest.” She turned in his arms and together they stood and admired God’s handiwork. “We’re going to be very happy,” she said with certainty.

  “I already am,” Rick replied.

  Epilogue

  In Churchill the ice melted, the snow disappeared and the tundra bloomed as Rick’s church grew, in part thanks to John’s help. He’d moved to Churchill to be near his daughter and grandson, and had worked with Rick through the summer on a book for kids about getting rich with God.

  In early autumn Churchill’s splendor changed again to vivid red berry bushes, golden moss and bright yellow grasses. The air grew crisp, the sun blazed in the richest blue of the sky. Geese honked overhead as the land prepared for winter.

  On the brightest of these days, Rick’s little church teemed with activity as the boys from Lives Under Construction joined with local kids to ready themselves for the wedding of Cassie Crockett to Rick Salinger. Everything had to be perfect so they arrived well before the first guest to practice their part in the wedding.

  Thus it was that when Cassie arrived at the church with Laurel, Alicia and new-mom Sara, the band welcomed her inside. She followed her two bridesmaids down the aisle as Michael played a solo on his saxophone. Her eyes rested for a moment on Kyle, who stood tall as best man, then moved to Noah. She smiled and her son smiled back, his blue eyes twinkling. Then her gaze locked on Rick, the man who filled her world and her heart.

  Her father led them in their vows to each other.

  “I love you, Cassie. I love the promise I see in you, the heart you lavish on those in need, the joy you bring to my days. I look forward to our future because I know God has great plans for us. I’ll be by your side always as we place our faith and our trust in Him.” His gaze holding hers, Rick slid the wide gold band onto her finger, then kissed it in place.

  Cassie smiled through a gloss of tears, her heart lifting. God had brought her so far.

  “I love you, Rick. I love your joy in people. I love your God-centered life and your dedication to do His will. I love you for loving me, for moving beyond the past to embrace our future. I will love you until eternity.” She smiled into his eyes as she slid a matching circle of gold onto his ring finger.

  “As much as these two have pledged their love to each other, by the power of God I declare Rick and Cassie to be husband and wife.” John grinned at them. “You may kiss your bride.”

  A hush fell inside the little church as Rick and Cassie kissed. Then Noah’s voice rose in a joyful a cappella solo giving praise to God for His gifts of love. Cassie’s heart almost burst with pride.

  What a long way they’d come. All of them.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Rick Salinger.”

  Her arm looped in her husband’s, Cassie took her first steps as Rick’s wife while the band played the Hallelujah Chorus.

  “They aren’t perfect,” Rick murmured in her ear as they made their way down the aisle to stand in the receiving line outside.

  “None of us are. But love covers mistakes, don’t you think?” Cassie shared her husband’s smile.

  “Love and forgiveness,” he agreed.

  Love and forgiveness. The two could change the world. That was the message Cassie and Rick would share with Churchill for as long as God wanted them here.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from SEASIDE ROMANCE by Mia Ross.

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you’ve enjoyed this second book in my Northern Lights series. Cassie and Rick each came to Churchill with heart problems that only God could repair. Each needed to find forgiveness but in different ways. Stay tuned for Alicia Featherstone’s story in North Country Mom, coming in May.

  In the meantime, here are my wishes for you. May you know that all your experiences are a gift, even when they aren’t pleasant. May you not burden yourself by needing to find a reason for everything. May you live each moment of your day, free of worry about the future and regret about the past. And may you know the rich, abiding, uncompromising love of God that refuses to let go no matter how far we stray.

  Blessings,

  Questions for Discussion

 
Cassie married very young to get away from her father’s neglect and hopefully find the love she craved. Do you know someone who’s done the same thing and regretted it? Or someone who stayed in a bad situation and regretted it?

  How could Cassie have dealt with her situation after Eric’s death differently without becoming defensive? Should she have done things differently? Why or why not?

  Rick got stuck on mistakes he made in the past that seriously affected his faith. Discuss ways we all struggle with accepting forgiveness and the issues that sometimes keep us trapped in our guilt.

  Noah’s bitterness stemmed from feelings of abandonment after his father died. Think of ways that people can be more inclusive to kids whose parents are going through separation, divorce or other troubling issues that often divide families.

  Cassie felt very strongly that she needed to improve her financial situation and build a cushion. This meant she took on a lot of extra work. Talk about stages in your own life when you had to balance your family’s need for more income with the time you spent away from them. Is there a way for us to balance these needs?

  Rick took great pride in ministering to his community and pushed himself to meet their needs. Suggest ways a church family can minister to their pastor to help him avoid getting overtaxed and make sure he has quality time with those he loves.

  The boys at Lives Under Construction came from homes where they often felt insecure. Think of troubled kids in your church or community. Discuss ways you could help them before their problems turn into legal issues that send them to jail. How do you feel about ministering to them?

  During his years on the street, Rick dreamed of a family of his own and love. Do you have a dream you long for and are working toward?

  Cassie gave up her hard-won nest egg to buy back Rick’s guitar. Discuss sacrifices you would make to help someone you felt was gifted increase their ministry.

  Lucy Clow is a senior, retired missionary and has arthritis. Yet she serves as part-time church secretary, sometime pianist and general internet scout for items the Lives’ boys, the church and the Vacation Bible School program needed. Is there ever a time when Christian service is finished?

  Discuss the challenges you see in living in a remote community like Churchill. Then discuss the benefits.

  Trust was Cassie’s biggest issue. Are there ways in which you fail to trust God in your own life? Explain.

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

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  Chapter One

  “Oh, no.” Kneeling in front of the box she’d just opened full of stuffed animals, Lauren Foster groaned. “All these Easter bunnies are green.”

  “That’s okay,” her friend Julia Stanton assured her without looking over. “I ordered lots of green ones.”

  “This kind of green?” Lauren held up a little hopper that was completely adorable—except for the fact that he was the color of a lime highlighter.

  Julia glanced down and shuddered. “Definitely not. There must be some kind of mix-up with the supplier. What does the shipping label say?”

  Angling her head, Lauren read, “Toylane, 64 Main Street, Oakbridge, Maine.”

  “That’s happened before. I guess I should have researched other toy stores in the area before picking the name Toyland,” she added with a light laugh.

  “Since I’m watching the store while you and Nick are on your honeymoon, I should probably learn how to handle things like this. What do you want me to do?”

  In reply, Julia extended a graceful hand sporting the most gorgeous diamond setting Lauren had ever seen. She’d been in Holiday Harbor with her old friend all weekend, and seeing that ring on her left hand still astounded Lauren. Just last month, she’d been trying on jewelry like that, living in a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park and shopping her way from one upscale boutique to another.

  What a difference a week makes, she thought bitterly.

  When she realized Julia was still waiting for the invoice, Lauren slid it from its clear sleeve and handed it over. “Sorry. Blanked out there for a minute.”

  Julia gave her an understanding smile. “Running a toy store isn’t as easy as it looks, so you’re forgiven.”

  Lauren congratulated herself on evading the real reason she was so distracted. She hadn’t told anyone why she left New York in such a hurry, and she wanted to keep it that way as long as humanly possible. Maybe forever.

  When her text alert chimed, she glanced down to find a message from her mother.

  Have a great day, sweetie—xo.

  After texting back u 2, Lauren swiveled to look over at Julia. “I love my parents, but I wish they could remember I’m twenty-eight years old.”

  Julia laughed. “My parents used to be like that, too.”

  “How’d you get them to stop?”

  “I came here and started my own business. Then I met Nick, and you know the rest.”

  Her dreamy smile clearly said she’d found someone to love for the rest of her life, and Lauren was ashamed to admit she was envious. Not that she begrudged Julia her happiness, but she wanted some of it for herself. Sadly, she was further from it now than she’d ever been. Personally and professionally, her life was in pieces, and she had no idea how to put it back together.

  Shoving her negative attitude aside, she focused on Julia. They’d known each other since college, and she was the kind of friend who didn’t ask Lauren why she needed to run away. Instead, she’d opened up her home and offered Lauren a job for as long as she wanted it.

  “When you first sent me pictures of this place last summer,” she said while she opened a box holding a fleet of cars and trucks, “I thought you were nuts to move up here so far from civilization. Now I see why you like it so much.”

  “It’s out of the way, that’s for sure, but that’s what I like most about it.” Looking away from the computer screen, she added a warm smile. “It’s been so much fun having you here. How long has it been?”

  After a moment, Lauren replied, “Five years ago, Mom and I met you and your mother in Paris for Fashion Week.”

  “Oh, I remember that. I still have the clothes I bought on that trip. They’re a little outdated, but they’re so beautiful I don’t have the heart to get rid of them.”

  “If you just wait a few years, they’ll come back in style.”

  They both laughed, and Julia said, “I should get in touch with this supplier to make sure the bunnies I actually ordered are on their way. I have the number in my office, so I’ll call from there. Can you handle customers alone for a few minutes?”

  “Sure,” Lauren responded with more confidence than she felt. Then again, she thought, as she carried the box over to restock the vehicles section, these days she pretty much did everything with more bravado than she felt. When the rug got yanked out from under your life, you kept going as best you could.

  The bells along the top of the entry door jingled, and she called out, “Be with you in a minute!”

  “Take your time. I’m not in a hurry.”

  The words weren’t the least bit threatening, but the unfamiliar male voice froze her midstep. Although her brain knew perfectly well she was protected behind the tall shelves, her heart thudded to a stop, and icy fear slithered up her spine. Pulling in a ragged breath, she reminded herself that no one but her par
ents knew she was in Northern Maine with Julia.

  You’re safe now, a tiny voice in her mind whispered. Closing her eyes, she took another, calmer breath and braced herself to face her very first customer. She plastered a smile on her face and walked out from behind the shelves. “May I help you?”

  He flashed her a bright grin that made her feel as if he’d been waiting all morning to meet her. “You must be Julia’s friend Lauren, from New York City. Last time I was in, she told me you were coming to help out with the shop.” Offering his hand, he added, “I’m Ben Thomas. Welcome to Holiday Harbor.”

  The name sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Dressed in washed-out jeans and work boots, he stood a full head taller than her, and Lauren had to tilt her head up to get a full view of him. With windblown blond hair and a ruddy complexion, he looked like he’d just stepped off one of the fishing boats docked down at the wharf. Then it occurred to her where she knew that name from, and she looked down at the top of the antique glass-front case Julia used as a checkout stand. Like the rest of the wood in the shop, from display racks to molding, it was a rich, dark

  walnut, obviously hand-carved with care a long time ago.

  A shiny brass nameplate mounted near the front of the cabinet read “Restored with pride by Ben Thomas,” and she tapped it with her fingertip. “Is this you?”

  “Yeah. When Julia was gutting this place, we found it upstairs in a corner, in a dozen pieces and covered with—well, you get the picture.”

  He smiled again, and she couldn’t help noticing that the faded blue T-shirt he wore paled in comparison to his eyes. The color of a flawless summer sky, they made her think of sunshine. There hadn’t been much of that for her recently, and even though she’d just met him, she sensed herself being drawn to the warmth he projected. As the pause continued, she realized he was expecting some kind of response from her.