A Rush of Wings
Page 43
There were no guests, no music, no flowers; only the two of them and Noelle’s father, his secretary, and the priest. In the suit he’d packed for midnight Mass with his family, Rick said his vows. His heart swelled with Noelle’s response. They exchanged wedding bands purchased on the way to the church. Rick slid the gold band next to the diamond on her finger and listened to the priest pronounce them man and wife. Then he kissed her, catching her up into his arms.
He let her down when William approached and put a key into his hand. “What’s this?”
“The key to the cottage on the shore for your wedding night. And if I make it yours, maybe you’ll come visit now and then.”
Rick looked from the key to Noelle, felt her smile deep inside him.
William stepped back. “Noelle knows the way.”
“Thank you, William.”
“It’s Dad.” William smiled.
They took a taxi to the shore. Rick unlocked the cottage door, lifted Noelle, and carried her in. The place was well appointed. He stood with her balanced in his arms, remembering the first time he’d held her that way, then gazed around. “Not exactly your backwoods cabin, is it?”
She tipped her head. “Do you mind?”
He set her on her feet and took her hands in his. “No, I don’t mind, Noelle.” It was a generous gift, but he supposed that came with the territory. There’d been no talk of prenuptial agreements this time. Hand in hand they walked through the cottage, then stopped at the floor-toceiling windows to watch the breakers on the shore. “If it weren’t December, I’d say let’s have a swim.”
“We could sit on the porch and watch the moon rise.” Her voice was soft with no tremor.
“Yes, we could.” He wrapped her silver fox fur around her, and she nestled against him on the wooden bench. His wife. The breakers surged and ebbed, and she was warm and real beside him. Lord!
“Morgan said you had a beard.”
“I did.”
She ran her finger over his jaw. “Why did you take it off?”
“I didn’t know how you’d like it.” He’d needed every detail in his favor.
Her finger traced his lips with a light, electric touch. “I’ve never kissed a man with a beard.”
Smiling, he controlled the surge. “I’ll grow it again, and you can have at it.” If that was all it took for her to want to kiss him, the Lord was good indeed.
She threaded her fingers through his. “He also said you lost your faith.”
“It was pretty black until I stopped fighting.” Had his stubborn resentment kept them apart longer than God intended? That was a lesson learned. Trust—no matter the circumstances, the bleak appearances. He stroked her fingers.
“Father Mike said nothing can happen to a child of God that isn’t in His perfect will.”
Rick nodded. “It’s all for a reason.” Though he might never conceive why Noelle had suffered what she did. To think his intellect could grasp God’s wisdom was pride at its worst.
“Rick…”
He turned.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “It’s really cold out here.”
His heart hammered his chest. “You want to go inside?”
She nodded. “I liked the way we did the front door.” Her lips traveled to his earlobe, sending a message he could hardly ignore.
“Noelle…”
Her lips came back to his. “You could build a fire in the fireplace.”
Breathing grew difficult. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
The length of her kiss was answer enough. He lifted her into his arms and carried her inside.
Noelle fretted as Rick banged on the door. How would they receive her? They must blame her for the pain she’d caused Rick, caused them all. Would she be excluded, judged? A knot tightened in her stomach.
Rick hollered through the wind, “Hope they’re not gone somewhere for New Year’s Eve.” He pulled her into the shelter of his arm, but in a moment the door opened. Hank’s surprised mouth spread into a broad smile as he looked from her to his son.
“Let us in, Dad; it’s cold out here.”
The rest of the family swarmed as Hank admitted them. Though Morgan stood back, she caught his wry smile. What would he say or think? He must know he’d been part of it.
“Mom, Dad, everybody … my wife, Noelle St. Claire Spencer.”
“Your wife!” Tara shrieked. “And we missed the wedding?”
Rick pinched her nose, then jutted his chin at Morgan. “I wasn’t sure you’d still be here.”
Morgan reached through and took Noelle’s hand. “And miss kissing the bride?” He pulled her close and kissed her squarely on the mouth.
“And that’s the last time you’ll do that.” Rick tugged her back, but his eyes met Morgan’s without rancor.
She looked at the two of them, one daring to love her, the other to not. They had been part of her healing from the start, each in his own way. Her heart welled up, then overflowed as she was mobbed with hugs and kisses from the rest. Even Celia’s eyes held a warmth she had not seen before.
“Welcome back, Noelle.”
Two days later, they drove home. The sky hung pregnant with snow over the frozen summits and rocky crags of the canyon. Once again, Noelle went to the mountains, not seeking obscurity this time, but promise. She looked up at the towering crags, stretching their jagged edges to the sky, the pink granite walls beneath the white snow.
Overhead a hawk soared, wings outstretched, floating on the air. Its shadow passed over the ground below. She watched it, circling, circling … It meant nothing more than it was. Her gaze left it and rested on the summits. “‘I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.’”
Smiling, Rick squeezed her hand. “Yep.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to Terri Urban, who invited me to share a room at the Colorado Christian Writer’s conference and read the very first copy of this story. Thanks to all those who read and offered critique, who listened to thousands of ideas from small tweaks to major twists.
Special thanks to Sarah Long, Dave Horton, and Carol Johnson, and all the others at Bethany House Publishers who partner with me.
My love and thanks to my family for their support, enthusiasm, and patience, and especially to Jim and Jessie for their invaluable input.
My deepest gratitude to my Savior in whose vineyard I labor.
Table of Contents
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS