by Leigh Bale
Katie spun around, surprised to find him standing in the doorway. She blinked, thinking it must be a mirage. But no, he walked over to the counter, dressed in a loose shirt that didn’t constrict the bandages she knew he had covering the burns on his back and shoulders. His faded blue jeans hugged his long legs like a second skin, and a jagged thatch of hair fell over his high forehead. The cowboy boots on his feet accented his rugged good looks. He fit perfectly in this community. A down-to-earth firefighter who was so strong and capable that her heart melted at the first sight of him.
And then she noticed he carried a large bouquet of roses. Red. At least two dozen.
“What...what are you doing here?” she asked.
He shrugged and gave her a lazy smile that made her heart beat faster. “I came to see you.”
“But I thought you were getting out of the hospital today and going to Reno.”
“My plans have changed. Sean picked me up at the hospital this morning and gave me a ride home.”
Home. Hearing him say that word warmed her heart and brought a flush of heat to her face.
She tilted her head, thinking she must sound incoherent. But his presence here made her feel nervous and deliriously happy. “Home...as in here in Minoa, or here at the Cowboy Country Inn?”
He took a step closer. “My home is wherever you and Chrissy are. That’s where I belong.”
Her heart gave a powerful thump. “I don’t understand, Reese. What’s going on?”
Her senses went on high alert as he walked around the counter, moving slowly, telling her that he wasn’t fully healed from the fire yet. She stood up to meet him, mesmerized by his green eyes.
“These are for you.” He held out the roses.
On autopilot, she took them, the paper crackling as her fingers tightened around the long stems. “What are they for?”
“They’re for the woman I love.”
She took a quick inhalation, her legs feeling suddenly weak. Fearing she might drop the flowers, she smelled their sweet fragrance, then set them aside on the desk. “They’re beautiful, Reese. But please don’t tease me.”
He shook his head, holding her gaze so intensely that she couldn’t look away to save her life. He reached out and rested his hands on her bare arms. His palms felt solid and warm against her skin.
“We have a lot to talk about,” he said.
“We do?”
“Yes. First, Sean told me that the investigation team discovered a cigar was the incendiary device that started the wildfire. And the license plate of the blue sedan definitely belongs to Bruce Miller. He’s admitted to the police that he was up on Cove Mountain, trying to spy on me. Apparently he damaged his car and couldn’t find the cabin, so he left. He threw his cigar butt out the car window. The investigators believe it smoldered in the tall grass along the roadside before igniting. He’s facing fines and possible incarceration for the damage he’s caused.”
Ah, just as she’d suspected.
“So, I’m guessing he’ll finally leave you alone, right?” she asked.
“Right.”
“And what else did you want to talk about?”
“Us. I’ve accepted Sean’s job offer. I’m going to be a captain on the Minoa Hotshot Crew.”
She frowned, a sudden feeling of doubt filling her mind. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
“I am. I thought I could never fight fires again. But then I was forced into a situation where I had to save my family’s lives. I almost lost everything that means anything to me, but the Lord gave me a second chance. He helped me realize that I love fighting fires. That I’m good at it and that I want to keep doing it.”
“Oh, Reese, I’m so happy to hear that.” And she was. No matter what happened between them, she wanted him to be happy. To be content and at peace.
“I love you, Katie. When I think about how stupid I was and all the years we’ve lost, and what I put you and my mother through, I can’t tell you enough how sorry I am. But it’s true, Katie. I’m so very sorry for all the time we could have been together and I wasted the opportunity. Sorry for ever hurting you. I wish I could take it back. I’m a different man now. Believe me when I say I regret every wrong I’ve ever done. And please forgive me.”
She didn’t know what to say. She wanted to pinch herself, just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming all this. “There’s nothing to forgive, Reese. I’m sorry, too. I wish now that I had never written that article about your hotshot crew. If I hadn’t written it, Tom Klarch never would have been able to publish it.”
Reese pulled her against his chest. She didn’t resist as he rested his chin on top of her head. Beneath her open palm, she felt the solid beating of his heart. He smelled subtly of spicy aftershave and licorice.
“That’s true, but I’m glad you wrote about it now. You handled it with grace and finesse. It was a touching tribute to my hotshot team,” he said.
“Do you really mean that?”
He kissed her forehead. “I do, Katie. I love you. So very much. And I want to live worthy of those men who died that day.”
“Oh, Reese. And I love you. I always have. I always will.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” He released her and stepped back, taking her hand. Gripping the desk with his free hand, he lowered himself to one knee. Confused by his actions, Katie stared in awe.
“Kathleen Ashmore, you’ve taught me so much. You’ve taught me about faith and prayer and that I have a choice. I can choose who and what I want to be in this life. And I want to be a better man, for you and our daughter. You are my compass, my true north. With you and God by my side, I know I can find my way. I want you to go to school, to finally fulfill your dreams. Together, we can make that happen.”
Katie licked her lips, hardly able to believe what she was hearing. School had been a distant dream she’d never believed could ever come true. But with Reese here in Minoa, all things seemed possible. She wasn’t afraid anymore. Not of anything.
He reached inside his shirt pocket and pulled out a little black box. Opening it, he held it up for her inspection. A modest diamond engagement ring rested on the velvet cover. It sparkled as morning sunlight streamed through the open window. Except for their daughter, Katie had never seen anything so lovely in her entire life.
“I want us to be a real family,” he said. “Will you marry me, and make me the happiest man in the world?”
Tears of joy ran down Katie’s face and she laughed out loud. “Oh, Reese! Yes, yes! A thousand times, yes!”
She helped him stand and then she was in his arms. He kissed her deeply and she cuddled close against his chest. And when he slid his ring onto her finger, she knew they’d both come home. Finally, together, they were right where they belonged. In each other’s arms. Forever.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this book, pick up these previous
MEN OF WILDFIRE stories from Leigh Bale!
HER FIREFIGHTER HERO
WILDFIRE SWEETHEARTS
Available now from Love Inspired!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from THEIR AMISH REUNION by Lenora Worth.
Dear Reader,
We were each sent here to earth to learn obedience to God’s will, to keep His commandments and to learn to live by faith. But sometimes, that is easier said than done.
In this story, Reese Hartnett returns to his hometown, seeking answers and solace after losing his entire hotshot crew during a wildfire. After being raised by an abusive alcoholic father, Reese turned his back on God and has lived a lonely life free of good works and service to others.
When we face trials in our lives, it’s easy to cling to our hurt, anger and pride. When we humble ourselves, that is when the Lord can do His greatest work in our lives. The power of prayer is great and the powe
r of repentance is real and absolute.
I hope you enjoy reading this story and I invite you to visit my website at www.leighbale.com to learn more about my books.
May you find peace in the Lord’s words!
Leigh Bale
Their Amish Reunion
by Lenora Worth
Chapter One
He thought of Ava Jane.
The memory of her sweet smile had held him together for so long, Jeremiah wondered if he’d ever be able to face her again. The real her. The one he’d left behind. Remembering her pretty smile was one thing. Coming face-to-face with her and seeing the hurt and condemnation in her eyes would be another.
Something he’d dreaded during the long bus trip across the country from California to Pennsylvania.
But he wasn’t here today to meet with the bishop about Ava Jane. He’d lost her and he’d accepted that long ago. He didn’t deserve her anymore. Twelve years was a long time. She’d made a good life with a good man. Or so he’d heard.
She had not waited for Jeremiah to come home because all indications had shown he never would come home again. At times, he’d thought that same thing. Thought he was surely going to die a world away from the one he’d left. At those times, he’d think of her rich strawberry blonde curls and her light-as-air blue eyes. And her wide, glowing smile. And he’d wish he’d never left her.
But he was here now, waiting inside the bishop’s home to speak to him. Here and needing to find some solace. He came back to help his family, whether they wanted him to or not. His younger sister, Beth, had tried to keep in touch, but her last letter had been full of fear and grief.
“Daed is dying, Jeremiah. Please come quickly.”
Bishop King walked into the sparsely decorated parlor where Jeremiah waited and stood for a moment. The man’s gaze was solemn and unreadable, but his dark eyes held a glimmer of hope.
“Young Jeremiah Weaver,” the bishop said before he took his time settling down in a high-back walnut chair across from Jeremiah. “Have you kumm back to your faith?”
Jeremiah held his head down and studied his hands, horrible memories of rapid gunfire and grown men moaning in pain filling his brain. Studied his hands and wished he could change them, take away the scars and calluses of war and replace them with the blisters and calluses of good, honest work.
He needed to find some peace.
That was why he’d come home to Lancaster County and his Amish roots. So he looked the bishop in the eyes and nodded.
“Ja, Bishop King, I’ve kumm home. For gut.”
Home for good. One of the hardest things he’d ever had to do in his life. Because the hardest thing he’d ever done was leave Ava Jane crying in the dark.
* * *
Ava Jane Graber grabbed her ten-year-old son, Eli, by the collar of his shirt and shook her head. “Eli, please stop picking up things, alleweil.” Right now. “You might break something.”
“Sorry, Mamm,” Eli replied, his mischievous brown eyes reminding her of her late husband, Jacob.
Jacob had drowned two years ago while trying to save a calf during a storm, but he used to love teasing her. Eli had inherited his father’s gift of mirth and his gift of getting into trouble.
Sarah Rose, soon turning seven, seemed to have Ava Jane’s sensibilities and logical nature. Her blue eyes grew as she twisted her brow. “Eli, you know Mamm doesn’t like it when we break things.” Putting her little hands on her hips, the child added, “And you break things all the time.”
Hmm. Her young daughter could also be a tad judgmental at times. Had she also inherited that from Ava Jane?
Ava Jane shook her head and gathered the few supplies she’d come into town to buy. “No, Mamm does not like it when you misbehave and accidentally break things.”
Smiling at Mr. Hartford, the general store owner, she paid for her items and said, “Denke.”
“You’re welcome, Ava Jane, and thank you for the fresh apple muffins,” the Englisch manager said with a wide grin. “Good to see you out and about today.”
“It’s a fine spring morning,” Ava Jane replied, her items and her children in tow. Mr. Hartford loved it when she brought him fresh baked goods to sell, but he also liked that she saved a couple of choices just for him. “A wonderful, beautiful day.”
“One of the Lord’s best,” Mr. Hartford said with a nod.
But when she walked out onto the sidewalk toward her waiting horse and buggy, her beautiful morning turned into something she couldn’t explain.
She looked up and into the deep blue eyes of the man walking toward them, her bag of groceries slipping right out of her grip. The paper bag tore and all her purchases crashed down, the sound of shattering glass echoing off the pavement.
“I think Mamm just broke something,” Eli pointed out, his gaze moving from her to the hard-edged man wearing a T-shirt and jeans, his dark hair curling around his face and neck.
“Who is that, Mamm?” Sarah Rose asked, her distinctive intuition shining brightly as her gaze moved from Ava Jane to the man.
Ava Jane couldn’t speak, couldn’t elaborate. But inside, she was shouting and screaming and wishing she could take her children and run away. Her heart had shattered right along with the jar of fresh honey she’d purchased.
She knew this man. Had thought about him time and again over the years.
Jeremiah Weaver.
The man who’d left her behind.
* * *
Jeremiah couldn’t stop himself. He rushed toward Ava Jane and the kinder with all the might he’d used to charge against the enemy while wearing heavy tactical gear.
“Ava Jane?” he called, fearful that she was going to pass out. Her skin, always as fresh as new peaches, turned pale, her sky blue eyes filled with shock, the pupils dilating.
He’d startled her. He had not meant to let her see him this way, here on the street in the small town of Campton Creek, where everyone talked too much about things of which they knew nothing. Wishing he’d had more time to prepare, Jeremiah couldn’t hide from her now.
“Ava Jane?” he said again when he’d made it to her side. “Are you all right?”
“Was denkscht?” she asked, anger in the phrase, her heart-shaped face dark with confusion.
What do you think?
Jeremiah saw a bench. “Kumm, sit.”
“Mamm?” the little girl said on a wail, fright clear in her eyes. “May we go home?”
Ava Jane looked from her confused daughter back to Jeremiah. “In a minute, Sarah Rose. Go with your brother to the buggy and wait for me.”
“You made a mess,” the boy pointed out, love for his mamm shining in his eyes. “I can clean it for you.”
Jeremiah could see Jacob in the boy’s eyes. Jacob, one of his best friends. Married to the woman he’d loved.
“I’ll clean it up in a bit,” Jeremiah offered, taking Ava Jane by the arm to guide her to the bench. Few people were out and about but those who were, including some Amish, had stopped to stare.
She pulled away. “I’ll get Mr. Hartford. Go now, Eli, and wait by the horses.”
The kinder did as she requested. Only when they were out of earshot did she turn back to him, her eyes blazing like a hot sky. “What are you doing here, Jeremiah?”
“I didn’t want you to see me yet,” he tried to explain.
“Too late.” She adjusted her white kapp with shaking hands. “I need to go.”
“Please don’t,” he said. “I’m not going to bother you. I...I saw you and I didn’t have time to—”
“To leave again?” she asked, her tone full of more venom than he could ever imagine coming from such a sweet soul.
“I’m not leaving,” he said. “I’m here to stay. I’ve come back to Campton Creek to help my family. But I had planned on coming to pay you and Jaco
b a visit, to let you know that...I understand how things are now. You’re married—”
“I’m a widow now,” she blurted, two bright spots forming on her cheeks. “And I have to get my children home.”
Kneeling, she tried to pick up her groceries but his hand on her arm stopped her. Jeremiah took the torn bag and placed the thread, spices and canned goods at the bottom, the feel of sticky honey on his fingers merging with the memory of her dainty arm. But the shock of her words made him numb with regret.
I’m a widow now.
“I’m sorry,” Jeremiah said in a whisper. “Beth never told me.”
“You couldn’t be reached.”
Ah, so Beth had tried but he’d been on a mission.
“I wish I’d known. I’m so sorry.”
Ava Jane kept her eyes downcast while she tried to gather the rest of her groceries and toss them in the torn bag.
“Here you go,” he said, the bag tightly rolled while her news echoed through his mind and left him stunned. “I’ll go inside and get something to clean the honey.”
Their eyes met while his hand brushed over hers.
A rush of deep longing shot through her eyes, jagged and fractured, and hit Jeremiah straight in his heart.
Ava Jane recoiled and stood. “Denke.”
Then she turned and hurried toward the buggy. Just before she lifted her skirts to get inside, she pivoted back to give him one last glaring appraisal. “I wonder why you came back at all.”
He watched as she got in the buggy and sat for a moment before she gave the reins to her son. Without a backward glance, Ava Jane held her head high. Then Jeremiah hurried into Hartford’s and asked for a wet mop to clean the stains from the sidewalk. He only wished he could clean away the stains inside of his heart.
And just like her, he wondered why he’d returned to Campton Creek.
* * *
Ava Jane didn’t know how she’d made it the two miles home. She’d been so shaken that she’d allowed Eli to guide the buggy. Knowing that their docile roan mare, Matilda, would get them home safely, Ava Jane watched her son handling the reins, her sight blurred by an ache that caught her at the oddest of times.