Lonestar Sanctuary

by Colleen Coble

  Rick finally stepped back and gripped him by the shoulders. "How did you find me?"

  Chad wiped his face with the back of his hand. He nodded at Allie. "Your wife found me through an old teacher. She got a message to me through a nurse." He looked down at his perfectly shined shoes. "I thought you'd forgotten all about me."

  "Never, Chad." Rick gave him a little shake. "Never for a minute."

  "I know that now. My foster parents adopted me when I was twelve. They were missionaries, and we went to South Africa six months after the adoption. I was there for five years, then came back here for college. I'm in San Antonio."

  "No wonder I couldn't find you," Rick said, his grin rueful. He swiped at his eyes. "Man, you're a sight for sore eyes."

  Allie couldn't stop crying as she watched the reunion. Rick had known his brother with one look.

  Betsy tugged on her hand. "Why is Daddy crying?" she whispered. "I'm scared."

  Allie knelt beside her daughter. "Those are happy tears, Bets. Like when Mommy heard you talk again. Sometimes the happiness just bubbles out, and you can't help it." Her vision was blurry, but her daughter was still the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.

  Allie had come so close to losing everything, and she didn't think she'd ever take anything for granted again.

  Betsy nodded, but she still looked wary as she watched the two men. Allie stood again, unable to get enough of the joy that filled the meadow.

  Rick's gaze locked with hers over his brother's shoulder. "Allie, you did this? How did you know where to look?"

  "Dolly had a lead on the teacher. I went to see her, and she rambled about missionaries and Africa. It made no sense, but I left a note at the nursing home in case he came by to see her again. He called me two days ago."

  Rick left his brother then and grabbed her up so her toes dangled above the ground. He dropped a kiss onto her lips. "Thank you," he said. "That's all I can say. I have everything I've ever wanted right here, right now."

  He set her back on the ground, and she let her love shine through her eyes as she stared up at him. She had another present for him later, a very special one, but that would have to come when they were alone. Her hand dropped to her tummy in a protective gesture. He was going to be buried with new family.

  She saw Rosa standing apart from the crowd. Allie waved to her and went to join her. "Thanks for coming, Rosa. It means the world to me."

  The woman smiled. "You must wear something old, so I bring you this, si?" She held out a soft christening gown and bonnet. "It belonged to your madre. You can fold the bonnet and tuck it into your garter. Your bebe will wear it."

  "How did you know?"Allie whispered.

  "It is in your eyes," Rosa said, her smile soft.

  Allie's throat closed. She took the bonnet. Turning her back to the guests, she lifted the edge of her dress and tucked the hat into her garter. The soft fabric felt like a touch from her mother. "Thank you, Rosa," she said. "If you'll keep the gown, I'll get it before we leave."

  "Of course." Rosa pressed her lips to Allie's cheek. "I pray for you, just like I pray for your madre."

  Dolly called for them to get started. Rick walked to Grady's side under the gazebo they'd moved into the clearing. From somewhere, the wedding processional began to play, the sound a perfect blend with the birds chirping and the song of the wind in the trees.

  Jon's parents stood along the sidelines, their faces reflecting their unease. But at least they'd chosen to support her, and Betsy was gradually warming up to them. The teenagers they'd helped crowded around. They'd come so far in the few weeks they'd been here. Allie hated to let them go, but she knew they'd be all right. They'd learned important lessons here, ones they'd never forget.

  Just like she had.

  Fern's tremulous smile filled Allie with joy. She smiled back, and Fern's blush held joy.

  "Go on, Bets,"Allie whispered, giving her daughter a little shove.

  Betsy moved out from her mother's side. She dropped flower petals along the path to join her new daddy. They were bright splashes of blue against the yellow sea of wildflowers.

  Then it was Allie's turn. Her white slippers trod the petals under foot. She was Cinderella, though her fairy godmother had been Dolly, who had made her dress with her magic sewing machine. Though the bluebirds hadn't come to help her make her dress, she caught flashes of their blue feathers from the corner of her eye and smiled.

  For once in her life, Allie actually felt beautiful.

  As she and Rick repeated their vows, this time with meaning and intention, she couldn't look away from the promise in his blue eyes. They might have troubles in the future, but together they could weather the storms.

  "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Rick, have at it," Grady said.

  Laughter rippled through the guests standing around the clearing. Rick's hands came down on her shoulders, and he drew her to him. His kiss was a gentle caress full of forever. Allie drank it in without fear of the future.

  When she lifted her head, she saw her husband nod to Dolly. Cages snicked open around them, and Allie saw blue feathers everywhere. A sea of bluebirds filled the air, their wings fluttering past her ears, their bright flashes of color mimicking the blue in her husband's eyes.

  She'd found her bluebird of happiness. Now and forever.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I ALWAYS KNEW I WAS A TEXAN AT HEART. IF YOD'YE NEVER VISITED THE Big Bend region in southwest Texas, you should make it a priority. My brothers, Rick, Dave, and Randy Rhoads, have always been Wild West nuts, and their love of all things western transferred itself to me long ago. I started out writing western romances, and my first book in that genre came out in 1998. Writing this book was almost like going back to the good old days for me. Though this book is set in contemporary times, a ranch is a ranch.

  My thanks to Andrea Doering at Crossings for suggesting I set this book in the Lonestar state. I'm almost ready to move well, if it weren't for the tarantulas!

  They may get tired of me thanking them, but I've got the best possible publishing team at Thomas Nelson. Allen Arnold, Ami McConnell, Natalie Hanemann, Amanda Bostic, Jennifer Deshler, Carrie Wagner, and LisaYoung are always cooking up new schemes to gain me new readers. My love and thanks to you all, especially Allen for this particular book. And my fabulous cover designers, Mark Ross and Belinda Bass, deserve a hand of applause as well. I'm always excited to get a new cover from Nelson because of all the work they put into it. And thanks to Erin Healy, my terrific freelance editor who is always pushing me to stretch and be better than I think I can.You all rock, and I thank God for you!

  No author rises or falls on her own talent (I'd be in trouble if I were expected to!), and in my case I've got a great team that extends beyond my Nelson family. It all starts with my great agent, Karen Solem, who makes me dig deep in a story for the things that matter. My critique team is a constant source of encouragement and handholding, and you deserve a medal! Thanks to the girls (www.girlswriteout.blogspot.com): Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter. And thanks to Robin Miller, who holds me up to high standards on the suspense thread. If she figures out the killer early, I'm in trouble!

  I wouldn't be writing today if it weren't for the support of my family. My great husband doesn't mind when the laundry isn't done or dinner isn't on the table because I'm off somewhere roping bulls. My love and appreciation go out to my great family and to my wonderful Jesus, who has kicked open so many doors.

  And you, dear reader, are a constant source of light in my day with your e-mails and letters. You're the focus of much of what I do every day. Thank you for the joy you bring to my life. Stop by my Web site for a visit at www.colleencoble.com or e-mail me at colleen@colleencoble.com. If your book club of twenty members or more is reading one of my books, I'd be happy to call in if you contact me.

  REIDING GROUP GUIDE

  1. The perennial question is why bad things happen to good people. What gets you through times like Allie su
ffered?

  2. We all have things that we struggle with. For a while Rick turned to the bottle to deal with his guilt over Jon's death. What other crutches do you see people use?

  3. Have you ever given up a dream for someone you love? If so, what was it and how did it turn out?

  4. Rick was passionate about the plight of abused horses and abused children. What are you passionate about? Does anything move you to action? If not, what is stopping you?

  5. As parents we can tend to overprotect our children. Discuss Allie's relationship with her daughter, the good and the bad.

  6. Rick believed love is an action word. Was he right?

  7. Can secrets ever be good?

  8. The villain allowed revenge to rule his life, and it's hard to forgive someone who has hurt a loved one. How do you manage it?

  9. How do you feel about the fact that Elijah never went looking for his other granddaughters, Allie and Tammy?

  10. Is there a dream for a better life that God has never let die in your heart? What are you going to do about it?