By Summer's End (Christian Fiction)

by Rosemarie Naramore

  “Now what?” She glanced up at Ryan and Annabelle, who looked absolutely heart sick. “What is happening?” she demanded.

  Ryan stepped forward. “Holly, tonight, Brianna overheard me talking to Jim about…” He swallowed hard. “Listen, it’s…”

  “What?” she cried. “Somebody tell me what’s going on.”

  It was Annabelle who finally said the words. “It’s just… I mean…” She took a shoring breath. “I’ll just say it. Holly, you own the manufactured home you’re currently living in, but the land beneath it…” She took a tremulous breath this time. “Well, it belongs to Ryan and me. My father and your uncle had a verbal agreement whereby Ben was permitted to live on the property until his death. Upon his passing, the home was supposed to be moved. Ben’s executor was supposed to tell you, but…” She shrugged helplessly.

  Holly’s jaw dropped open. She sat in stunned silence. Finally, she directed her words to Ryan. “Why … didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t know how.”

  She shook her head and emitted a beleaguered sigh. She turned to Brianna and smiled. “We’re going to be okay. As long as you’re here, safe with me, I’m going to be fine. Nothing else matters… The land, even the house… Without you…” She shook her head, as if the possibility was too horrible to bear.

  She reached for her sister and pulled her into her arms. She held on as if her life depended on it and burst into tears. Finally, she swiped at her eyes. “I can’t imagine life without you, Brianna. I was so alone before you came along…” She clutched her sister’s hands. “Promise me right now you’ll never pull a stunt like this again. I don’t think I could live if something happened to you.”

  Brianna nodded. “But…”

  “Brianna! Listen to me. Yes, we love our little house, but I love you much, much more than four walls and a roof. As long as we’re together, we’re home. Do you understand?”

  The girl sniffled. “Yes.”

  “Now, promise me you’ll never try to run off again.”

  “I promise.”

  Their eyes held for a moment and then, together, the sisters rose from their respective chairs. Holly wrapped an arm around Brianna’s shoulders. “Let’s go h—” She forced a reassuring smile. “We’re going to be fine.”

  ***

  “Have you talked to her yet?” Jim asked. He had called Ryan over to the church to help him with some heavy lifting.

  “No. Holly won’t talk to me, nor will Brianna. The kid won’t even accept Annabelle’s invitation to ride our horses whenever she’d like.”

  “They feel betrayed,” Jim said without apology. “Exactly what you expected.”

  “I know.”

  “If Holly was here right now, what would you say to her?” Jim pinned him with a look. “What would you say?”

  ***

  “Brianna, come on. Jim is waiting for us at the church.”

  “I don’t want to go,” the girl moaned. “I just want to leave Battle Ground and forget about everybody and everything.”

  “I know,” she commiserated, “but it’s not fair to your friends in youth group for you to leave without a proper goodbye. The kids are waiting for you.” She tapped her sister on the chin. “Try to hold your head high and keep a smile on your face. We’re fine, you and me.”

  Brianna forced a bright smile. “Yes, we are. Nobody can get us down,” she said with conviction. “We have each other and God. That’s all we need.”

  “That’s right,” Holly said, smiling and sending a glance heavenward. “Thank you,” she mouthed once again. She’d been doing that a lot lately, after Brianna had related to her that she had jumped out of the pedophile’s car only after hearing a voice tell her to do so. She was dead certain her sister had heard the voice of God.

  As they drew near to the church, Holly sighed. “I’m going to miss this church,” she admitted.

  “Me, too. And I made some pretty good friends here.”

  “You did,” she agreed. “Oh, well, we’ll have to find a new church in our new home town.”

  “Have we decided where that might be?”

  She shook her head. “I think it’s best we wait to make any big decisions until after we sell the house.”

  “I wish we didn’t have to sell it,” Brianna said, for the umpteenth time.

  “I know, honey, but we have to. I looked into the possibility of moving it ourselves, but it’s just too expensive.”

  “But we could use the money Uncle Ben left you…”

  Holly shook her head as she parked her car. “No. I’m going to pay off my mother’s hospital bill with it.” She forced a bright smile. “Just think, we’ll be debt free. And then, once the house sells, we can use the proceeds to start fresh wherever we choose.”

  “I like it here,” Brianna said softly.

  “I know you do, but…”

  “I know. We can’t stay. It would be too hard for you, seeing Ryan…”

  “What?”

  “Oh, Holly. Cut the nonchalant act. You’re as in love with Ryan as he is with you.”

  Holly was about to protest, but she couldn’t muster the strength. She had loved Ryan—probably still did, but… Everything was messed up, too convoluted, and there was no fixing it. Perhaps with God’s help, but… Did she even want a relationship right now?

  She shrugged away the question. It didn’t matter. Ryan was no longer a part of her life. It was for the best.

  As the women entered the church, they were greeted by many new friends. Members of the youth group had strung a farewell banner across an archway, and an assortment of goodies awaited them in the fellowship room.

  “Oh, Holly, Brianna, Jim needs a word with you in the small conference room,” said a young woman, who often helped out with the youth group. “Please join us when you’re done.”

  Chapter Thirty-five

  “If Holly was here right now, what would you say to her?”

  Holly heard Jim’s inquiry, just as she and Brianna entered the small conference room. Both women came to an instinctive stop when they spotted Ryan just ahead. Holly was frozen in place, Brianna was simply taking her cues from her sister.

  “What would I say to her?” Ryan said with a sigh, as he raked his hand through his hair. “Well, first I would apologize—to her and Brianna. I would tell them I should have been forthright with them from the beginning.”

  “Why weren’t you?” Jim asked, folding his arms across his chest.

  Ryan shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean… When I encountered them beside the road, and followed them home with the desk, I had no idea where they were leading me. When it turned out to be Ben’s place…” He paused and sighed. “I don’t know. It threw me for a loop.”

  “Okay, but why didn’t you tell them soon after?”

  He arched his brows and spread his hands in front of him. “Love at first sight,” he said, his voice questioning, and then he laughed. “Truthfully, I think that was part of it. I sensed right away what a wonderful person Holly is, and of course, Brianna got to me. She’s such a great kid. They seemed to love the house so much. They appreciated it so much.”

  “And you didn’t have the heart to destroy their dream?”

  “Exactly. And as I got to know them, and came to understand what they’d been through, and how much their home really meant to them, I just didn’t have the heart to pull the rug out from under them. And then, as time passed, I couldn’t actually bear the thought of them leaving at all.” He dropped his eyes to the floor. “I still can’t.”

  He finally glanced up. “When I think about Brianna getting into that car…” He wiped a tear from his eye. “It kills me. If something had happened to her…”

  “But it didn’t, and you had something to do with that.”

  Ryan glanced up, his eyes questioning. “My prayer, you mean?”

  Jim nodded. “Do you remember how you asked God to tell her—to tell her—to get out of the car, and asked Him to make her listen
?”

  He nodded.

  “I understand that Brianna heard a voice tell her to get out of the car. God heard your prayer, Ryan, and He spoke to her. And thanks be to Him, Brianna listened.”

  Ryan nodded, his eyes filling with tears again. “It’s funny, but Jim, I’ve been so lost for so long. I tried to be someone I wasn’t. I tried to be … my dad. I’ve been miserable for so long, but now…”

  “Yeah?”

  “Traveling, giving up the business, saying ‘no’ to the offer for our property, it’s like, I’m finding myself again.” He smiled. “I’m talking to God again! And do you remember how much I always loved animals?”

  “Yes, I do. You always had a way with all kinds of animals.” He chuckled. “Mom still says you were the most tender-hearted little kid she’d ever met.”

  “My dad always belittled me for my affinity for little things. He viewed me as being ‘too soft’ and ‘weak.’ But loving animals—loving, period—doesn’t make you weak.”

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  “I love Holly. I love that sister of hers. I want the best for them. I want them to forgive me and I want them to stay here, with me. I wish Holly wasn’t intent on selling the little house. I think I know why Ben left the place to Holly.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Ben was married once. Did you know that?”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “I don’t know why I suddenly recalled this, but anyway, Ben lost his wife when she was young. He told me she was the finest woman he’d ever met—had a faith in the Lord that couldn’t be broken. Anyway, he said he’d never met a woman like her, but that he’d met a little girl of such a strong, unshakeable faith—his great niece. I recall him telling me about meeting her for the first and only time at a family reunion. Apparently, her father had just left her mother, was dating someone else, and had brought both his girlfriend and Holly to the reunion.

  “The guy was apparently doting on the woman and virtually ignoring his daughter. Ben said he sensed a sadness in the little girl and that he sat down to talk to her. Apparently, they got to talking about the impending divorce of her parents. She divulged to him that her father wasn’t around much, but that it was okay because her real father is in heaven. She told him He was her dearest friend and that He would protect her from anything and never leave her. Ben said he was surprised at her absolute confidence in God.”

  “And her faith remains strong to this day,” Jim commented.

  Ryan nodded. “Anyway, I remember him saying he hoped I’d meet a girl like her someday, and I have a feeling ol’ Ben orchestrated our meeting by leaving her his house.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me a bit,” Jim said with a laugh. “Ben was determined that you find your way back to God, and that you find a godly woman.”

  “God and I are on pretty good terms now,” Ryan said with a smile, but then laughed without humor. “Holly and I, on the other hand…” He sighed. “I’ve finally found the woman I truly believe God wants me to be with, and she’ll probably never forgive me,” he said miserably. “I have done a lot of praying about…”

  “I forgive you, Ryan,” Holly interrupted, as she took a step toward him.

  He spun around, mouth agape at the sight of her. “You … do?”

  Holly knew full well Jim had orchestrated this meeting, but she was suddenly okay with that. Ryan had made a mistake by keeping the truth from her, but she could understand how difficult it would have been for him to tell her the truth. If the situation had been reversed, she would have had a hard time too.

  “I do forgive you. I can’t expect God to forgive me, if I’m unwilling to forgive others. Besides…”

  Brianna spun toward her and broke into a smile. “You’re finally going to admit it.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “It’s about time I got honest with myself, too,” she said, looking intently into his face.

  Ryan took several steps closer to her. “Honest? About…?”

  “I love you too, Ryan. I tried to deny it to myself, but I do love you.”

  He closed the distance between them. “You … love me?”

  She nodded.

  “Will you stay here? In Battle Ground? With me?” He laughed. “I mean, not with me, until we’re married, of course.” His eyes widened, as if an idea came to mind. “You can stay in your home, until we’re married. In the meantime, we’ll design our own place. I’ve always wanted a home on the rise in the north pasture.”

  “You have?”

  “Yes. Annabelle has always loved the big house, but me…”

  “It’s too big,” Holly said.

  “I’d like something a bit cozier,” he admitted.

  “Me too,” Holly said, smiling widely and thrilled they were on the same page.

  “Uh, over here. Where do I fit in?” Brianna asked drolly.

  Ryan reached out without looking her way and pulled her toward them. He wrapped his arms around both women. “I love you, Holly. And I love your kid sister.” He pulled back slightly. “We’ll keep Ben’s place for Brianna, for when she’s an adult. Just in case she should want it.”

  “I want it!” she cried. “And while you’re at it, can I get a horse?”

  “Yes,” he said, still looking intently into Holly’s eyes. “Well, if it’s okay with your sister.”

  “It’s okay,” Holly said, but suddenly looked alarmed.

  Ryan too became alarmed until he saw Holly visibly relax in front of him. “All right?” he said.

  She nodded. “I remembered I’m in debt,” she said, “but then I remembered that thanks to Uncle Ben, I’m in a position to pay off my debt.”

  “Your mother’s hospital bills…” he murmured.

  “Yes.” How did he know about her debt?

  He read her mind. “Brianna told me, and I already paid them,” he said.

  “You what?” she cried.

  He raised his hands as if in surrender. “Please don’t be angry. Those bills were an obstacle to … us.”

  She searched his face and then smiled with relief. “I’ll cut you a check.”

  He only shook his head. “Put it in Brianna’s college fund.”

  The girl grinned impishly. “Or, I could buy a stallion and…”

  “We already have a stallion and another should be here by summer’s end,” Ryan informed.

  “We’re going to breed horses?” Brianna said eagerly.

  Ryan laughed with delight. “We are. We’re also going to develop the property into Annabelle’s vision of an equine paradise,” he said. “Suddenly, I can see it in my mind’s eye.”

  “Me too!” Brianna cried.

  “How ‘bout you, Holly?” Ryan asked, watching her hopefully. “Can you see it?”

  “I can see it,” she said with a serene smile. “But most importantly, I see you. The man God picked just for me.”

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapte
r Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five