There was no guarantee. But for some reason, Callie didn’t have it in her to fret about that. She’d been through so much over the past days, she was spent.
And the debt…well, Whiteside wouldn’t need it for a while. Maybe if he managed to wriggle free from the charges, she’d have enough to pay him back by then.
Opening the front door of Ben’s house, she quietly entered. She could hear the faint sound of her daughter’s sweet voice coming from down the hall.
She tiptoed in that direction and peeked through a crack in the door into the spare bedroom, where Libby had slept that night Ben and Aaron had found them on the roadway south.
Her little girl sat on Ben’s lap in the sturdy, walnut rocking chair. She peered up at him, her eyes big and gaze earnest. “And what if someone does something really bad?”
“Like…” Ben prompted.
Callie set a hand to her lips, her heart warmed by Ben’s show of patience. As though he had all the time in the world to answer her endless questions, even when he had to be exhausted.
“Well, Luke, he told me he took some doctor stuff of yours.” She traced a finger around the top button of Ben’s white shirt.
“He told you that?”
She nodded. “He took ’em without asking. And then they burned. That’s bad, isn’t it?” Her delicate, perfectly shaped eyebrows creased in a sorry frown. Holding one of his hands up, she pressed her small palm to his. “Are you mad at him?”
“No. Luke and I…we got that cleared up a little bit ago. I understand that he was just trying to help his kittens. He knows now that he needs to ask before he borrows something.”
“And is God mad at him?” Libby tapped the toes of her new black boots together—boots Ben had insisted on purchasing. “Does He still like Lukey?”
Her throat grew tight at her daughter’s heartfelt and innocent questions.
“Of course He does. He loves Luke.” Ben held Libby’s chin, urging her focus up to him. “And He loves you. There’s nothing you can do that will make God love you any less.”
Her big blue eyes grew even wider. “Really?”
“No matter how bad you are, no matter how good you are, no matter how old or young you are, God loves you. He loves you, Libby. His love and forgiveness is like a great big blanket that covers over every bad thing.” Ben stretched a leg out in front of him. “His love is what leads us to Him.”
She shifted to peer at him, eye to eye. “Do you think He’s leading me?” She slid a serious gaze around the room. “I don’t see Him.”
“I’m sure He is.”
A fleeting memory flashed through Callie’s mind. Of when her own father would look at her, way back before her mama died and grief had turned Callie’s happy world upside down. Death had a way of stripping life from more than just the one who passed.
“You’ll know He’s leading you because you’ll feel it right here,” Ben promised, tapping on her chest. “In your heart.”
Tugging her dress taut, Libby angled her focus to where Ben had pointed. “Is God in there?”
He chuckled, touching a fingertip to her nose. “Only if you ask Him to live there.” Tucking a wisp of hair behind her ear, he added, “He wants to live in your heart and be your friend.”
Libby gasped. “Oh…I wanna be God’s friend. Then I’ll have two friends…Luke and God.” She threaded her fingers together beneath her chin, looking as if she might burst with delight. After that Ben led her in a prayer that filtered beyond Callie’s ears, all the way to her heart.
“I wanna go tell Luke, then he can make God his friend, too.” Libby’s giggle filled the room. Her little feet bounced with joy.
The warm look of contentment and the undeniable glow of peace coming from Ben’s face shook Callie to the core.
Was that it? Could peace be that simple?
As simple as receiving God’s forgiveness and love?
“I believe Luke’s out in the barn with Aaron,” she heard Ben say. “Maybe you should go tell him right now.”
Libby jumped down from Ben’s lap and bolted to the door, coming to a sliding halt when she found Callie standing on the other side. “Mama…guess what? God’s my friend.”
“I’m so glad, honey.” Before Callie got the words out of her mouth, Libby was already halfway to the front door.
“Is it true?” she whispered in a strangled voice as Ben walked out of the bedroom and stood beside her. “Is all that you told her true? About God’s love and forgiveness?”
He ushered her to the living room sofa. “It’s true.”
Callie stared at him as he sat beside her. “Do you believe that?”
“With all my heart.” He grasped one of her hands in his and peered at her. The peace blanketing his face was so tangible she was sure she could almost touch it. “You can’t mistake God’s love and forgiveness for the ways of His people. Sometimes they’re as different as night and day. We all make mistakes,” he breathed, his eyes closing for a brief moment before he looked at her again with a reassuring intensity that nearly took her breath away. “We all react wrongly at times, but that doesn’t change the way God loves us. Ever.”
Her mouth pulled tight in a quiet cry as she wondered how she could’ve been so wrong for so long. “For years I’ve thought that because I disobeyed my father and married Max, that all of the bad things that happened were because of that.” Struggling to steady the quaver in her voice, she pulled in a deep breath.
“That’s not true.” He edged closer, settling an arm behind her shoulders.
She pulled the locket from her pocket, remembering how devastated she’d felt when she’d found out that Max had stolen the heirloom from his own brother. “I thought I’d never get free from paying back for the mistake, because one bad thing after another after another kept happening.”
Ben shook his head. “There’s no paying back to it, Callie. We make mistakes, but there’s nothing you can do to pay back for the mistake. You can only ask forgiveness—and that is free.”
“But my father’s words? That God’s fierce wrath is exacted upon those who disobey…” She willed her heart to slow its rapid-fire beat. “When I came here, it seemed like things started changing for me, but then the fire happened and Luke almost lost his mama and his kittens. And I almost lost you…”
“You didn’t lose me, Callie. I’m right here.” He tugged her closer, his strong, capable arms around her like some mighty fortress. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
She pushed away. “Ben, what if all of that happened because I’m here?”
He steadied her quivering chin. “No, Callie. You’re stubborn. You’re a fighter. You’re strong. But—”
“But—” She fought back a cry, hot tears stinging her eyes.
“But you are not that powerful.” He gave an adamant shake of his head, conviction cloaking every single word.
But could she trust them?
“All of the things you went through with Max were because of his choices. And I’m so sorry that he put you through that. You are far more valuable than that. You have to know it’s true. God loves you, Callie.”
“His love covers you,” he encouraged as he watched one lone tear trickle down her cheek. She was so strong, even when she faced lies and betrayals that were as wounding as anything he’d ever seen. Ben thumbed away the tear, his heart clenching inside his chest. “It’s unconditional. It’s real. And it’s for you.”
“Ben…” Uncurling her tightly fisted hand, she revealed the locket. Held it out to him. “I want you to have this back.”
“What?” He furrowed his brow.
She pulled her lovely, full lips into a determined line. “I can never repay you. But at least I can give this back.”
“No.” He held his hand over hers. “This is yours, and you don’t have to worry about paying anything back.”
Callie’s long lashes fluttered momentarily over her eyes. “But—”
“That debt’s been paid,” he said,
catching her gaze in his.
“What?” She gasped then, as if she’d been holding her breath. “What do you mean?”
“Whiteside won’t be bothering you for his money again.”
The vulnerability he saw there in her wide-eyed gaze, as if she was not fully understanding his meaning, made his heart ache. He’d take care of her for the rest of his days if Callie would have him. And if he was moving too fast for her, then he’d wait. As long as she needed.
“I took care of it,” he breathed, his voice catching. “Maybe not in the way Whiteside wanted, but I’ve arranged to have the money owed him put toward getting those ladies out of there. Getting them some decent clothes. And maybe a place to live.”
Her brow rose in shock. She slumped against him, as if a huge weight had been removed. “Y-you did?”
“Yes.” With a slow nod, he drew her close and pressed a kiss to her head, breathing in the wonderful, beautiful scent of Callie. “You don’t have to worry about the debt.”
“You shouldn’t have,” she squeaked, sniffing. Squaring her shoulders.
“Yes. I should have.” He couldn’t help but smile at her stubborn insistence even in the face of insurmountable odds. He didn’t even want to think about the way things could’ve turned out had Whiteside gotten to her first. “And I’m glad I did.”
“I’ll pay you back.” Callie wrenched free from his embrace. “I’ll work as long as I need to, to pay back every cent, Ben. I promise.”
“You don’t understand, do you?” He held her cheeks between his hands. “I’d pay that ten million times over, then again and again and again, if it meant freeing you.”
“But, Ben—”
He settled a finger to her lips, to stop the willful protests. “I care for you, Callie. And I’ve learned that I can never go back and change the past. I can’t change the loss of Aaron’s wife and baby, or the loss of Joseph’s sight. I can’t change what I did or didn’t do right in raising Max. I can’t change the way he treated you…but I can trust God to work things out,” he breathed, tracing the full pout of her lower lip. “And I can tell you just how much I love you.”
He drew in a ragged sigh. “I love you, Callie.”
“But, Ben, I—” She stopped herself short and stared at him, as if seeing him for the first time. “You what?”
“I said, I love you. I think I did from the moment I found you on my porch.”
The soft, new glow in Callie’s face was all the confirmation he needed to know that she believed him. She really believed him. And she trusted him. She was opening her heart to trust God, as well.
Ben’s heart swelled with that knowledge. The softness and vulnerability in her gaze was fresh and new and wholly attractive.
“I’m crazy about you. I love you and want you to be my wife.” That wonderfully innocent, warmly beckoning look could melt his heart. “I love you. And I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be here for you, Callie. I’ll rejoice when you rejoice and when you’re sad, I’ll be a shoulder for you to cry on.”
“You would do that? For me?”
“Aww, darlin’…I’d do that and so much more. And if this is all too quick for you, then I’ll wait. I’ll wait however long until you’re ready. Because there’s no one I’d rather spend the rest of my days with than you.”
“Why? Why would you give so much for me? You ransomed me—my life and my daughter’s life, too, and you’ve done it with no thought of return.”
“Let me show you.” He gently took the locket from her hand and opened it.
Through bright tears, she stared down at the engraving: All for love.
“Oh, Ben…I love you. I do. I love you.”
The new, tender look of peace growing on her face seemed as if to come from the inside out. As if she had finally grasped not just his love, but the higher revelation of God’s love.
With his bandaged hands, he fumbled to clasp the locket around her neck once again, moved by the glowing look of love and tranquility in her unshuttered gaze.
“All for love, Callie. All for love.”
Epilogue
“Slow down, Libby,” Luke whispered, his voice echoing in the packed church. “Yer goin’ too fast.”
Callie looked on from the back of the sanctuary, smiling as her little girl came to a stop five rows down the aisle.
Libby peered, with charming devotion, at where Luke stood proudly next to his mama, at the end of the very first pew. She took two slow steps forward as if trying out her feet for the first time. “How’s this, Lukey?”
“That’s better.” He rewarded Libby with a decided wink as he struggled to tuck something inside the new jacket Ben had purchased for him. “Jest remember what I showed ya.”
An errant giggle escaped Libby’s lips as she clasped one hand to her mouth. “A kitty,” she squealed, glancing over her shoulder at Callie. “Mama, look. Lukey brought Beauty to yer wedding.”
“I had to,” Luke tossed in Callie’s direction then swung his focus back to Libby. “She is named after yer mama.”
“Yep. For Mama,” Libby echoed.
Sliding his hand into his coat, Luke withdrew the fluffy kitten. “’Sides…she wanted to come. She told me so, herself.”
The trickle of laughter streaming through the sanctuary was more meaningful and pleasant than a hundred bouquets of fresh flowers to celebrate Callie’s trip down the aisle.
“Aww…that’s very sweet of you, Luke.” Callie glanced to where Ben waited for her at the front of the church, her heart taking flight at the look of complete adoration he’d aimed directly at her.
You’re sweet, he mouthed, his affectionate gaze like some gentle caress.
A fresh blush warmed her face. He’d made her cheeks rosy more often that not over the past month with his endearing compliments and oh-so-tender touch. It was as if he knew just what to say and just what to do to coax the last little bits of reservation from her heart.
With the newfound freedom she’d discovered, her smile had been next to impossible to wipe off. All the years of pain and regret had seemed to crumble away since Callie had found true peace with God. The experience had made her feel alive again.
Breathing deeply, Callie slid her gaze over the faces of everyone in attendance. She was surrounded by those she loved. And by a town that had gone out of its way to make sure this wedding was perfect: with a reception hosted by Mrs. Duncan, a lovely wedding dress made by Katie and a hope chest packed as full of gifts as this church was packed with well-wishers.
Gratefulness welled up inside of her, seeing Joseph and Katie, Zach and Aaron positioned there in the first pew, in a show of unconditional, loyal support. She didn’t even want to think about how different her life would be had she not finally and desperately sought out her last resort. But Ben and his family…they were so much more than her last resort…they were her only resort.
Yes, this day was perfect.
Callie took it all in as Libby made her way to the front of the church, pausing long enough to pet the kitten Luke held out like some prized possession.
“Come on, Mama,” she whispered, motioning Callie forward.
Callie took her first step down the aisle then, glancing at where her father had secured her arm in his. His presence here at her side was yet another testament to Ben’s goodness and thoughtfulness. Even though she’d assumed her father had long since written her off, Ben had contacted him two weeks ago about the wedding, and her father had booked passage immediately.
The tears of joy Callie and her father had shed when they embraced far outweighed the tears of regret about so many lost years.
“You look so pretty, honey.” The low crack of emotion in his voice belied the steadying comfort she felt as he patted her hand. “Just like your mama.”
“Oh, thank you, Daddy,” she whispered, her throat growing tight. “Thank you for being here with me.”
“I’m just glad I can give you away….” As he pressed a kiss to the top of her head,
tears crowded her gaze. “And to the man of your dreams.”
She squeezed his hand, her heart swelling with deep, pure love as she continued down the aisle, shifting her attention forward and locking gazes with Ben. He was so handsome in his dark gray suit. So noble in the way he treated each and every person.
And he was hers.
The man of her dreams.
He’d been waiting for her all along—that’s what he’d told her. And she believed him.
Not in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d find such love and comfort in his arms, at least not that night when she’d shown up half-frozen on his doorstep.
Had Max somehow known that, with his last breath, he was sending her straight into Ben’s arms?
Callie’s heart stirred with a poignant awareness as she neared the front of the church where Ben stood, his hand outstretched to meet hers with the pledge of protection. And his ardent gaze…penetrating and capturing her completely, drawing her to his side.
She willed her feet to slow down. Willed her heart to slow its rapid beat inside her chest, but it was useless.
Her head and heart rushed with the glorious promises of today and every single tomorrow she’d share with Ben.
When her daddy placed her hand in Ben’s, blissful peace infused straight through her hand to every part of her being.
“I’ll take good care of her, sir,” Ben breathed, his voice so true and steady as he entwined his fingers in hers and pulled her a little closer.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “I’m a blessed man.”
“I love you, Ben,” Callie responded on a contented sigh. Peering up at him, she was humbled by the powerful love she could see in his gaze…for her. And she knew, just as sure as the sun’s rising, that she would forever and ever be safe, secure and loved in Ben’s arms.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Ben and Callie’s story and were touched by the message of redemption. This story depicts a very special love…the beauty of two lives woven together through heartache.
Rocky Mountain Redemption Page 23