By His Hand: Truly Yours Digital Edition

by Jennifer Johnson

  “She told me you were her relations. She had pictures of you all over her room. She kissed you good night every day.

  Without her medicine, she couldn’t fight her depression.”

  “But how could she not tell you about us?” cried Abby.

  “Listen, honey.” Ms. Osborne leaned forward. “Your mama talked about you both constantly. She loved you. She just couldn’t see clearly.”

  A knock sounded on the door. Chris stood.

  “It’s my cab.”

  “Your cab?” Chris looked at Ms. Osborne. She stood slowly and grabbed the cane that rested against the table.

  “Here’s my address.” She handed Chris a slip of paper. “You come and get your mother’s things whenever you and your sister are ready.”

  “Ma’am, you don’t need a cab. I will be happy to take you—”

  She touched his arm. “Stay with your sister. She needs you.” Patting him, she added, “In the best way she knew how, your mother loved you both.”

  Chris nodded and helped her to the door. He watched as she and the driver walked to the cab and got inside. She was the only link he’d had to his mother in over a year. He’d never met the woman before, and she told him he’d never see his mother again.

  “Deep down, I think I always knew Mama was depressed.”

  He nodded and allowed his heart to tender, to hurt, if for nothing else, for his sister. “Her diabetes was really bad, Abby.”

  “I know. But how could she not call us? How could she just up and die like that?” Abby cried. The finality of his mother’s life began to sink into his heart. “Do you think she loved us?” whispered Abby.

  Chris remembered Mama fixing cupcakes for them each year on their birthdays. He thought about how she always had one item that each member of the family liked for supper every single night. He remembered how she planted a specific flower for each of them in the garden each year. There were several things she did special for her family. “Yes, I think Ms. Osborne is right. She loved us.”

  Abby chuckled. “Remember how she used to sing ‘Jesus Loves Me’ at the top of her lungs in the shower?”

  “I remember.”

  Abby wrapped her arms around his waist. “Mama had a beautiful voice.”

  “Yes, she did.”

  “I’m going to miss her.” She tightened her hold. “But at least we know where she is.”

  Chris exhaled. Thank You, God, for telling us. Now we can heal, and Mama has been made whole with You. “Yes, we do.”

  nineteen

  Victoria pulled her Suburban into the street parking space. She grabbed her purse and the picnic basket and walked toward Lawton’s community park. The warmer-than-usual November air whipped through her hair. Despite the higher temperature, Victoria could feel the oncoming of cooler weather. The leaves, a mixture of red and golden hues, were also proof of it.

  Three days had passed since the chorus concert, and she hadn’t spoken to Chris. She had decided to go home with her parents the following day. Dylan, Sondra, and even Zack had tried to talk her into staying, but she knew she couldn’t. Her heart belonged to Chris, and she had to get over him.

  Abby. She dreaded telling her young friend of her plan to leave. Victoria’s love for Abby was every bit as strong as if the girl had been born into her own family. Hoping Chris would still be at the shop, Victoria planned to drive by their house and talk to Abby before going back to the ranch. God, You’ll have to walk me through that conversation.

  Shaking her head, she determined to ponder that later in the day. For now, she needed to find Zack. Peering around the park, she spied him already sitting on the bench with his script and a cooler of drinks. He waved, and she picked up her pace.

  She had been surprised at what a wonderful actor and singer Zack proved to be. He had really taken the community play seriously, and she had a feeling, come this weekend when he was able to try out, that Zack would have the lead male part in Lawton’s version of Oklahoma.

  “Hi, Zack.” She lifted the picnic basket a little higher. “Do you want to eat first or practice first?”

  “I’m starving. How ’bout we eat first?”

  She opened the basket and pulled out some paper plates and napkins. “Sounds like a plan to me. I brought homemade chicken salad sandwiches, compliments of Sondra, a bag of chips, carrot sticks, and some yummy brownies, made especially for us by Peewee and yours truly.”

  “Mmm. Delicious. And I brought some drinks.” He opened the cooler. “I think I got the easy end of this deal.”

  “Don’t you worry about that. Peewee and I had a blast putting this basket together. Emily even joined in and threw a few carrot sticks at us.”

  Zack sobered. “It’s going to be hard to leave them, huh?”

  “Unbelievably. I don’t know how I will do it.” Victoria placed the sandwiches on the plates and then opened the bag of chips. She grabbed one and popped it into her mouth, willing herself not to envision driving away from her new family. “My parents and I are leaving tomorrow. I’ve already packed.”

  “I haven’t heard anything about your dad’s case on the TV.”

  “It’s not been finalized in court. But soon.”

  “It all happened so fast. Their coming back. Your dad’s change of heart. Your leaving.”

  Fast didn’t even begin to describe it. Victoria felt as if she’d been caught up in a whirlwind. She’d been praying for God’s guidance, but everything seemed to be coming at her quicker than she could be sure of His answers.

  “I know. I could hardly believe it. And he and Mother are finally getting the chance to meet their grandson. Once they saw Peewee, they couldn’t deny he was Kenny’s.” She bit into her sandwich and then took a drink. “And Dylan has been amazing about letting them stay. He’s a truly wonderful man.” She smacked her leg. “But enough about me. How is Rosa?”

  He smiled. “Beautiful.”

  Victoria giggled. “Have you talked to her yet?”

  “No.”

  “When do you plan on it?”

  “I don’t know that I’ll ever get up the nerve.”

  “Sure you will. Tryouts are this weekend. Talk to her then.”

  Zack dipped his head and played with his napkin. “I’ll try.”

  “You’d better, because I’m coming back for the play, and you’d better be dating Rosa by then.”

  Zack smiled again. “I hope so.”

  Victoria stood up. “Ya ready to practice?”

  “Ready as ever.”

  Chris splashed some cologne on his chest. It had been three full days since he’d seen or talked to Victoria. Every vehicle in Lawton had decided to break down in some form or fashion. He’d been working sixteen-hour days, but all he could think of was when he could see her again.

  He grabbed his tie and put it around his neck. He’d called the ranch to see if Victoria would spend the day with him. Sondra had told him she’d gone to the park to rehearse for Lawton’s community play. I didn’t even know Victoria acted. There was still so much to learn about each other, and he longed to spend every single day of the rest of his life learning every facet of Victoria Thankful’s personality.

  Opening his dresser drawer, he picked up the small black box tucked away inside. He popped the top and gazed at the small ring. Knowing it had meant so much to Victoria, he couldn’t wait to see her face when he presented it to her. He shut it and placed it in his pants pocket. Sliding into his coat jacket, he grabbed his keys.

  “Today’s the day?”

  Chris peered back at his sister. “Yep.”

  She walked over to him and adjusted his tie. “You look very nice.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I can’t wait to have a big sister.”

  Chris smiled. “I can’t wait for you to have one either.” He leaned down and kissed Abby on the cheek and then walked out the door.

  The park will be a beautiful place to propose, and it’s such a nice day. He stopped at the florist’s sho
p and picked up a dozen red roses. He envisioned her sitting on the park bench reading the lines of the play. Her long hair whipping in the wind. He could almost smell her sweet scent and feel the softness of her cheek. He would take her hand in his, get down on one knee, and declare his love for her.

  Turning onto the park’s street, he saw her Suburban and his heart raced. He experienced a mixture of excitement and nerves. Pulling Mary Ann into the space behind her vehicle, he closed his eyes and offered a quick prayer to the Lord for courage. As he reached for the roses, he realized his hands had grown clammy, so he wiped them on his pants legs. Exhaling a slow breath to calm his nerves, he grabbed the flowers and opened the door.

  A smile split his lips as a song of praise filled his mind. He’d never been so excited, so sure of a decision in his life. He could hardly wait to make her his wife, to take her into his arms, to kiss her as a man kisses his wife. With purpose, he walked into the park.

  He saw her. He gasped.

  Zack Bradshaw kneeled before her. He held one of her hands in his.

  Chris’s heart dropped as Victoria nodded.

  twenty

  Disillusioned, Chris turned away. I don’t think they saw me. He couldn’t bear the thought of speaking to either one of them. How could he have been so wrong, so stupid? He didn’t even know Zack and Victoria had spent any real time together. Well, she had hugged him at church, agreeing to meet him somewhere.

  His heart thudded against his chest. Then why had she gone with him to the chorus dinner? To appease Abby, he supposed. But why had she kissed him in his truck? Why? God, I love her. I was so sure she was the right one for me.

  A sudden fury filled his gut as he envisioned Zack holding Victoria in his arms. He couldn’t bear the thought of it. He wouldn’t bear the thought of it. He loved Victoria, and he was willing to fight for her. Turning on his heels, he bounded back up the sidewalk toward the woman he had every intention of spending the rest of his life with. “Victoria,” he called.

  She turned toward him. “Chris?”

  Chris closed the last few steps between them, threw the roses to the ground, and took her hands into his. He looked at Zack. “I like you, Zack, but I have to do this.” He gazed back at Victoria. “I can’t stand by and let this happen. You cannot marry Zack.” He pointed to his chest. “I love you. I want you to be my wife.”

  “What?”

  “And I won’t take no for an answer. I don’t know what has happened here. I didn’t even know you and Zack were spending time together, but I’m willing to do whatever I need to, to show you that I am the right man for you.”

  Zack started to laugh. Chris glared at him. “This is not funny.”

  He covered his mouth and hunkered down. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. Grabbing the cooler, he added, “I think I’ll leave now.”

  Chris snorted and peered back at Victoria. “See there. The slightest bit of opposition comes his way and Zack is hitting the high road.”

  Victoria crossed her arms in front of her chest and stomped her foot. “You are making no sense. What are you talking about, Chris Ratliff?”

  He grabbed her arms. “I’m saying I won’t let you marry Zack. I love you. I want you to be my wife.”

  Victoria frowned. “Why would you think I’m marrying Zack? I’m not marrying Zack. We’re friends.”

  “But …” Chris released her arms. “But he just asked you to marry him, and you nodded yes.”

  Victoria shook her head. “No, he didn’t.”

  “Yes, he did. I saw it.”

  Victoria’s mouth opened in a perfect O and she covered her lips with her hand. A small giggle escaped. “We were practicing the play.”

  “The play?”

  “The community play. Zack is trying out and asked me to help with his lines.”

  “I thought you were trying out.”

  Victoria shook her head. “No, I was helping him. Where would you ever get the notion that I was trying out?”

  Heat raced up Chris’s spine into his neck and to his cheeks. “So you didn’t just accept a proposal from Zack?”

  “Nope. In fact, Zack’s got a bit of a crush on Rosa from church.”

  “He does?”

  She nodded.

  “I guess I’ve made a big ol’ fool of myself then.”

  Victoria nodded again, and Chris bent down and picked up the roses. He tried to straighten them out a bit and then extended them toward Victoria. “Can I try again?”

  Sighing, Victoria stepped away from him. “I don’t want your pity, Chris.”

  “My pity?”

  “Yes. I heard what you said to Abby’s teacher.”

  He scratched his head. “Now I don’t have a clue what you are talking about.”

  “I heard you the night of the chorus dinner.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I heard you say that I just needed to feel a part of a family.” She opened her arms wide. “Well, you know what, Chris Ratliff? I did feel a part of your family. I wanted to be a part of your family, but not out of pity.” She turned away from him. “Never out of pity.”

  Chris tried to recall what Victoria was talking about. Then he remembered Mrs. Smith talking to him about Abby. He smiled and touched Victoria’s arm. She flinched. “Vic, I wasn’t talking about you. Mrs. Smith and I were talking about Abby. I said that Abby needed to feel a part of a family.” He walked around her so that he could face her. “I told her you had made us like a family again.”

  Victoria peeked up at him. “You did?”

  He nodded and touched her cheek. “I think we’re both a little goofy.” He caressed her skin with his thumb. “Victoria, I love you.”

  “Promise?”

  The sincerity, the sweet honesty that shone through her eyes never ceased to nearly unravel him. He could read her wants and her desires so perfectly in her gaze. “Oh, Vic.” He ran the back of his hand down her cheek and jaw. When she closed her eyes, he traced her lips with his index finger. “I promise.”

  She opened her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. She kissed his lips quickly. “Oh, Chris, I love you, too. I’ve been miserable these last few days. So much has happened that I want to share with you.”

  “I’ve been so busy, and I have so much to tell, as well.” He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out the black box. Getting on one knee, he took her hand in his. “But I want to spend every day of the rest of my life hearing everything you want to share with me.”

  He opened the box, and Victoria gasped and placed her hand on her chest. “My grandma’s ring. I thought it was gone forever.”

  “I made a deal with the pawnshop owner. If you weren’t able to purchase it before the time was up, I’d buy it. I did, and I hoped, knowing how much it meant to you, that you would want to wear it as my wife.”

  Joy surged through her as if she’d been struck by lightning. “I had always hoped to wear it. Oh, Chris.” She jumped into his lap, almost knocking him to the ground. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

  Victoria took a quick bite of the cream cheese covered bagel Sondra had brought from the ranch. If she didn’t stop eating, she’d never be able to squeeze into the bodice-fitted dress she and her mother had picked out. “I think I’m weird.”

  Sondra furrowed her eyebrows. “Weird?”

  Victoria nodded. “How many brides do you know who can’t stop eating on their wedding day?”

  Sondra laughed and rubbed her blossoming belly. “Weirder things have happened. Try having three kids in a little over three years!”

  Emily toddled toward her mother and wrapped her arms around Sondra’s leg. Her little bit of light brown hair had been coaxed up into the tiniest ponytail Victoria had ever seen. Victoria bent down and tightened the satin bow at Emily’s tummy. “You look like a little princess.”

  “Well, what do you think, sis?”

  Victoria turned at the sound of Abby’s voice behind her. She gasped and stood to her full height. Drinking in her soon-to-be sister-in-l
aw’s long dark curls swooped up and away from her face but down her back, Victoria could hardly believe the perfect fit of the light green satin gown that streamed down her shape. “You’re the most beautiful maid of honor I’ve ever seen.”

  “I agree.” Ethel tousled a few of Abby’s curls.

  Victoria bit back the spilling of emotion that threatened at the tenderness between her mother and Abby. Though her mother hadn’t made a commitment to Christ yet, the embezzlement scare had frightened her enough that she valued her time with Victoria as well as taking Abby under her wing as a second daughter. Victoria was sure it was just a matter of time before her mother also recognized her own need for a Savior.

  “Lizzie’s ready, as well.” Grace walked into their makeshift dressing room that was actually one of the Sunday school classes. She placed her hand in the small of her back and stretched. “I wouldn’t mind if this baby decided to come right this minute.” Her cell phone started to ring. Pulling it out of her purse, she looked at the caller ID and shook her head.

  “Eric Nickols is the biggest mother hen I know. I better get on out there before he comes looking for me.”

  Emily released her mom and ran for Lizzie. She grabbed the older girl’s hand and swung it back and forth. Victoria smiled. “You two are the prettiest flower girls ever.”

  “Definitely. Now I think we’d better be getting you into your dress,” said Ethel.

  Abby agreed. “Yep. My brother will be beating down this door if you’re not down at that altar when you’re supposed to be.”

  Victoria bit back a chuckle, as she believed Abby to be exactly right. Slipping into her dress, she inhaled, wishing she’d eaten one less bagel as her mom fastened each clasp. With a final once-over, her mother hugged her and then left to go to her place at the back of the church to await one of the ushers to escort her to her seat.

  “You ready?” Her daddy’s voice sounded from outside the door.

  “Yes.” She opened it and watched as her father’s eyes glazed.

  “Oh, honey, you’re beautiful.”