“I’ve got something for you.”
She eased back and looked at her father’s proffered hand. “You do?”
“Your mother wore this when we got married. It was my present to her, and well—”
“I remember this.” Cress touched the single-stoned opal necklace, the tear-drop shaped stone surrounded by pale gold. “Mom wore it on special occasions.”
“Well, it’s got a new owner now, and there’s nothing more special than your wedding day.” He reached out and slipped the dainty gold chain around her neck. Audra helped fasten the little clasp, then smiled at the effect.
“It’s perfect, Cress.”
“It is.” She reached up and hugged her father again, wishing she had words to say, words to fix the lost years, the times gone by, but when she stepped back, his look said no words were needed.
And he was right. “Shall we go, Dad?”
He nodded, pulled his phone from his pocket, scanned a new text and grinned. “There’s an impatient groom waiting at the church who wants to remind us that he’s on time. And waiting.”
“Well, I’d like to say that five minutes either way doesn’t make a big difference, but in this case?” Cress tipped a grin up to her father as they approached the waiting car. “We’ve wasted enough time already. Gran’s settled in?”
She turned toward Audra, spotted Gran riding shotgun and got a thumb’s up. “Then let’s do this.” Peeling bells chimed as they parked in front of the classic stone church, the music welcoming them as they stepped onto the walk. And inside the antique church, standing tall and strong on the right, were Alex and Cruz, watching. Waiting. Smiling.
Tender notes of Pachelbel’s Canon pinged as Eric sat Gran up front. She marched in, head high, the blue-green shade of her hat a reminder of times gone by and current struggles. Then Eric returned for Stacey. He sat her alongside Gran, and the whole church noticed when they exchanged smiles.
The music changed. The guests rose as one, standing to welcome the bride.
Cress walked by them, behind Audra, down the aisle, knowing their smiles and good wishes filled the church, but right now she had eyes for one person only. Alex Westmore, her beloved. Her husband. Her friend.
And when he reached out to accept her hand from her father, the feel of Alex’s strong fingers and sure grip made her feel something she’d missed for a long, long time.
Home. She’d missed being home and having a home, but all that had changed. As the pastor intoned the first call to prayer, Alex leaned down, caught her eye, and smiled.
And in that smile she saw the hopes and dreams she’d stashed aside a long time before, a host of buried choices come alive. She saw the past, present and the future in a blend of faith, hope and love.
Who could ask for more?
Other books by Ruth Logan Herne
Independently released:
Try, Try Again
Running on Empty
From Love Inspired Books:
North Country:
Winter’s End
Waiting Out the Storm
Made to Order Family
The Men of Allegany County Series:
Reunited Hearts
Small-town Hearts
Mended Hearts
Yuletide Hearts
A Family to Cherish
His Mistletoe Family
Kirkwood Lake Series:
The Lawman’s Second Chance
Falling for the Lawman
The Lawman’s Holiday Wish (December, 2013)
Loving the Lawman (May, 2014)
Big Sky Centennial:
His Montana Sweetheart (August, 2014)
From Summerside Press:
*Love Finds You in the City at Christmas (October 2013)
*Two novellas featuring Ruth Logan Herne’s “Red Kettle Christmas” and Anna Schmidt’s “Manhattan Miracle”
Dedication
Thank you, Seekers!!! Always encouraging, always believing. I love you guys. www.seekerville.blogspot.com
Acknowledgements
To Beth, my first editor, a friend, daughter and partner in so many things. Your time and wisdom is never unappreciated.
Thanks to my husband Dave for being a wonderful person, a man whose patience and love only grows stronger. Or so he says!!!
I couldn’t have written this book without the benefit of my four sisters, PattyKay, Ronnie, Sweet Grass and Ginny. Seeing the similarities and differences between creatures so biologically connected is amazing. May God bless each of you in your chosen paths.
To Nancy Turner of “This Old Horse” in Hastings, Minnesota, a rescue facility that works through Wishbone Ranch to raise awareness and restore horses to strength and beauty. Their work has inspired me to use rescue horses in several books, and what a delight it is to give them that shout out!
And a big nod of thanks to the “good cops” among us, those men and women on the force who don’t give in to temptation and take the badge… and their sacred honor… seriously. God bless you!
Ruthy’s Bio
Born into poverty, Ruth Logan Herne is the popular author of fourteen 4 and 4 ½ Star Love Inspired contemporary novels, two highly successful independent novels and a 4-Star historical Christmas novella for Summerside Press (October, 2013)
Ruthy brings the poignancy of tough roots to evocative and poignant fruition in her work. Using the depth of romance and God’s love, she winds memorable characters through a natural arc of what if’s and could-be’s until their ever-after destiny delights the reader. She is a founding member of Seekerville, a busy and fun writer/reader blog that attracts 30,000 page loads/month. She is active on Facebook and Twitter, loves God, her family, her country and dogs. Married to a very patient man, she is the mother of six no! Seven children (she stole one from her sister, shh… don’t tell!!!) and loves her grandchildren to pieces! She lives on a farm in upstate New York in a sweet old house where if you fix one thing, you’re liable to break two others, and she has a firm belief that snakes and mice should always live outside.
She makes NO EXCEPTIONS to that rule.
A confessed kitchen-queen, Ruthy is co-owner of “The Yankee-Belle Café”, a popular online cooking site she shares with other inspirational authors who love to cook! Enjoying their friendship and camaraderie to the max, the authors give the café a “grass roots” feel that connects with readers.
You can find Ruthy at http://ruthloganherne.com, watch her antics with fun kids on Facebook, and pray with her anytime of the day.
Copyright © 2014 by Ruth Logan Herne
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