“So do I my dear, so do I.”
Mark and Stacey saw their guests off at the hotel and headed home. Glenn was going to stay with them as well, but he insisted on staying their first night together at the hotel. “Married couples need their first night, at least. I’d feel like an intruder if I came back tonight.”
“You’re sure?” Mark asked.
“Positive,” Glenn smiled. “Now, you three go enjoy your first night as a family. I’ll be there to crash the party before you know it.”
Mark drove Stacey and Stephanie home, nervous and excited to have Stacey as his wife. “She’s sleeping,” Mark said as he helped Stacey down from the buggy.
“No doubt,” Stacey chuckled. “She had quite a day today.”
“So did we,” Mark said. He helped Stacey lay Stephanie in her crib before he started coffee in the kitchen. “Are you thirsty?”
“I’d love some coffee, especially now that the weather is starting to look more like fall.”
“Give it just into October and the change will take your breath away.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“You take my breath away,” Mark said, bringing Stacey a cup of coffee. “I love you Stacey.”
Stacey set her cup down and grabbing Mark’s hand, drew him toward the room they would now share. “I love you too,” Stacey grinned.
“Are you sure you’re up to staying with me?” Mark asked, his blue eyes patient, even as love ran hard and fast under that patience.
“You’re my husband now Mark. While I’m a mother, I need to and will find time to be a wife as well.”
***
The next morning while Mark made coffee, Stacey prepared breakfast, serving Stephanie with scrambled eggs and a bottle of juice. “I didn’t think she’d sleep so well.”
“She’s like her father,” Stacey said, feeling comfortable in her new life. Mark was understanding that occasionally she would talk about Steve, especially to Stephanie. She didn’t overdo it though and always made sure that her comments were centered about Stephanie and what she needed to know. “He used to sleep through anything. It was always something I was grateful for, but it was a pain when I needed to wake him for something.”
“I’m thankful for the both of you,” Mark smiled. He poured Stacey her first cup of coffee and joined her at the table. “I’ve become a husband and father overnight.”
“We’re thankful for you. I’m thankful my daughter will have a dad as little girls need their daddies.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mark agreed. “I’m going to talk to the judge to see when we can work on the adoption. I was a little surprised by how easily Steve’s parents handed over Steve’s death certificate.”
“I promised that I’d send it back once the adoption went through. I thought perhaps we could also take a trip out to see them? By the time we get there I imagine Stephanie will have changed quite a bit.”
“We can arrange that. We’ll make some plans as soon as I talk to the judge tomorrow.”
The adoption went smoothly and Mark also talked to Glenn about watching over the house while they were gone. “I feel like I’ve seen my best friend, just to say farewell again.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Glenn grinned. “You’ll be coming back soon so it’s not a big deal.”
“By the time we get there, visit, and then get back it’ll be nearly a year away.”
“Then our hearts will grow fonder in the absence of friendship. Who knows, maybe while you’re gone I’ll find myself a woman and a life.”
“You’ll still watch over the house won’t you?”
“Absolutely,” Glenn grinned. “I can’t get married until my best man and his beautiful bride are here anyways, so your home is in great hands, I promise.”
***
During the four months, Mark, Stacey, and Stephanie spent visiting, Steve’s parents, they became acquainted with a young woman named Melissa Bronson who’d been corresponding with Glenn since just after they left. After hearing her story, they agreed to take her with them when they returned to Stillwater.
“I can hardly believe I’m going,” Melissa told Stacey as she packed her trunk.
“I felt the same way,” Stacey smiled. “Of course neither Mark nor I were aware that we’d develop such strong feelings for each other. It seems you and Glenn have already discussed that.”
“We have,” she blushed. “I can hardly wait to get there. He said we could be married as soon as I’d like, given our long relationship by letter.”
“Mark and I waited a while, mainly for Stephanie’s sake, but I’d be happy to loan you my wedding dress if you don’t want to take the time to make your own.”
“We’ll see,” Melissa answered. “I suppose it will depend on a number of factors once we arrive.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll find the necessary arrangements. I think you’ll like Glenn. He’s a very handsome and charming man.”
“Tell me more about him.”
Stacey and Melissa talked plenty over the next four months as they traveled with Mark and Stephanie back to California. Melissa did indeed like Glenn and the two were readily married. The Hamilton’s helped move Melissa things into Glenn’s home above his office and shared in all the great news going around.
“I’m going to open a hospital,” Glenn smiled one night over dessert as Stephanie slept.
“That would be wonderful,” Stacey said, refilling everyone’s coffee cups.
“We may be in need of a facility in a few months,” Mark said, grabbing Stacey’s hand as she sat down.
“Oh?” Glenn asked, looking from one of his friends to another.
“We’ll be giving Stephanie a sibling in about five months,” Stacey smiled.
Congratulations were given all around and the four friends spent the night truly enjoying all the blessings God had seen fit to give them.
*****
THE END.
Winning Her Heart
Christian Romance
CHRISTIAN MICHAEL
Prologue
Becca Stanley kept her head down as she left third period English and headed towards her last class of the day, Algebra II, with Mr. Rathburn. They had an exam that day and math was her worst subject by far. An otherwise straight-A student, Algebra was her Achilles heel; without fail she always managed to get a low C. I don’t know how I even manage to get that much! Dang it what’s the last part of Distance? Square root of umm… x two and one squared…was it plus or minus next – plus, that’s it. Plus y two and one squared. OK good. I know that one. What’s next? Oh crap I’m here. Oh Lord, help me now. The bell rang as she took her seat in her usual spot, the corner seat in the back row.
Just as Mr. Rathburn got up from his desk to lock the door for the exam – late students weren’t allowed to take the exam and there were no make-up tests – Greg Fields, the school’s star quarterback, literally skidded into class.
“Close call, Mr. Fields,” Mr. Rathburn said dryly as he locked the door, “I trust you actually studied for this test seeing your playing privileges hinge on the results?”
“No sweat, Mr. Rathburn, “Greg said as he headed towards the only empty seat, “I’ve got this one in the bag.”
Mr. Rathburn made a choking sound in the back of his throat, something like a cross between a cough and a disbelieving snort, while he passed out the tests.
“Hey Becks”, Greg said as he sat next to her, “how you doing?”
Becca blushed but greeted him steadily before writing her name on her copy of the test.
“Okay class, you know the rules.” Mr. Rathburn’s voice punctuated clearly, “Head’s down, only pencils are allowed on your desk. Put away the calculators, you won’t need them this time. You have until the bell to finish. I suggest you make wise use of your time, you’re going to need every minute.”
Becca tried to keep her attention on the test but her mind kept straying to Greg Fields. Why did he have to sit next to
me?! On today of all days! She had known Greg all her life, they were neighbors when they were kids. Ever since then, Becca had had a crush on Greg – and he knew it too! But as high school boys were wont to be, he was inconsiderate of her feelings and teased her mercilessly.
The other kids at school took their cue from him and they had no problem poking at her because they all knew Greg was out of her league. Short and chubby with glasses and a bush for hair, no one would ever say Becca was attractive, or even cute. If they were nice, they would say she was adorable and had a nice personality. Which, as everyone knows, is just code for no-boy-in-his-right-mind-would-date-her. If people weren’t nice – say, for example, most high school girls – they called her the Ugly Duckling.
Becca rushed through her exam as fast as she could while still trying to solve all the problems correctly. She was the first to finish. She turned in her paper, gathered her stuff and left the school in record time and headed to the ice-rink where she knew she wouldn’t need to even worry about Greg or the fact that Prom was coming up and she would be home because, really, who was going to ask her out? High school was a popularity contest and seeing as how she was the dead bottom of the pack, no one would commit social suicide and risk being associated with her.
Truly, though, she really didn’t mind. Becca was an only child and her parents weren’t what one would call involved. They were usually travelling – both her parents were in the airline industry as captains of commercial liners. Both made more than enough for the three of them to live comfortably.
While she had no doubt her parents loved her, she recognized at an early age that they were too involved in themselves, each other and their careers to pay her much mind as long as she stayed out of trouble. She was used to taking care of herself and for all the fact she tried to hide among the masses in school, Becca was actually pretty self-assured. She knew who she was, she knew high school wasn’t forever, and she knew she could make something of herself if she wanted to. She just wished she wasn’t so obviously in love with Greg Fields.
At the rink, Becca wore her usual training outfit of leggings and a long sweatshirt. She knew that she should wear something more formfitting to make her spins tighter and cleaner but such outfits made her feel too exposed, even when covered from neck to toe. She was well-endowed and she didn’t like the looks that came her way from guys when she wore tighter clothes. They were always ogling her body and they didn’t care about who she was. She had learned her lesson well from the one summer fling she had when she was sixteen, two years ago.
Henry Miller was a handsome boy and Becca had been flattered by the attention he paid her. He was sweet and cajoling and captivating. One day, he had asked her to meet him at the rink for a date to watch the first of the season’s amateur skating shows. Henry was already there when Becca arrived earlier than they had planned; she saw Henry sitting with Greg and some of the other football players. She gathered her courage and made her way to them with as much of a confident smile as she could muster. She was proud that she had managed to catch the attention of a handsome guy like Henry.
She stopped in her tracks a couple rows behind them though when she heard her name spoken.
“Yo, Henry,” one of the guys, Devin, said. “Heard you’re going out with Becca Stanley. What the heck, man? Didn’t know you were interested in Ugly Ducklings!” This provoked a round of snorts and laughter from the pack.
“Oh no, dude, I’m not interested in her face,” Henry said gamely, scratching his head. “It’s the rest of her that’s got my attention – know what I mean? I’ve got her right where I want her too. She’s practically putty in my hands. I bet I can get her to give it up tonight!”
“Seriously? I thought she was after Greg,” another guy pitched in, tossing a football in the air.
“Yeah,” Greg said, laughing, “she’s been trailing me like a love sick puppy since the fourth grade! Thanks for taking her off my hands man!”
Becca, swaying on her feet, quickly and silently made her way back the same way she came in. She went to the parking lot, got in her brand new Infiniti – a sixteenth year birthday gift from her parents – and went home. She felt the tears well up but she didn’t let them fall. The conversation she overheard replayed in her head on repeat like a bad song. Numbly she got out of the car and went inside her house. She called Henry’s house and left a terse message on his private line telling him that she overheard him at the rink and to never contact her again.
Lucky for that boy, he never did contact me after that. Wish I could turn off my feelings for Greg just as easily though. I may be a love sick puppy but I’ll never pursue him again. Even so, she allowed herself to briefly entertain the thought of dancing with him in two weeks at Prom as she glided across the ice. What would it be like to feel his arms around me? Ugh! Stop it! Just one month more of high school and then I can put as many miles between Greg and myself as I want!
Present Day
Greg Fields vented a sigh of relief when he saw his cabin come into view. It was the middle of the afternoon when he pulled into the attached car porch and stepped out of his Escalade. He breathed in the cool mountain air as he opened the door to his home away from home. Situated against a backdrop of ice-capped peaks, calm blue skies and a deep blue valley filled with a natural lake, the two story cabin was far from rustic. The floors were hardwood, the counters were granite, the appliances were top of the line and the walls boasted floor to ceiling windows. He had hired an interior decorator to furnish the place before he had left the last time after purchasing it - about two years ago. The warm earth tones and the comfortable furniture would never be featured in his posh mansion but he loved the feel of it in the cabin.
He loved the life he had in Denver; things were never dull for the twenty-eight year old star quarterback of the Broncos. Sometimes though, a man just needs to get away and hide for a while. But he was sick of the limelight and the “friends” who just wanted a piece of him, his money or their fifteen minutes of fame. He had been playing the game and living the life for five years and that was a really long time in the pro world. It was off-season anyway and the training rounds wouldn’t start for a couple more months – the perfect time to get away and breathe. In the mud room, he kicked off his shoes and stretched. He had driven all the way from Denver to Oregon by himself. It was a long and lonely trip but it had been exactly what he needed.
Two nights ago he had been wasted. He and some of the boys had gone clubbing that night at an exclusive place down-town. Getting girls to entertain him was an easy task – they were a dime a dozen. They could tell he was money from miles away and he was used to having them fawn over him. The cash was flowing out in streams and the booze was pouring in without end. Someone had bought out the cocaine and pot; they all took turns snorting a line or two (if not more) or smoking the blunt. The music was loud and heavy and he was having the time of his life dancing with gorgeous twin brunettes; in his high he couldn’t remember their names but it didn’t matter, they just wanted their bragging rights and he just wanted them. No strings attached. Come morning they would be gone, a wisp of memory from a wild night. Just the way he liked it.
Greg jerked out of slumber long before dawn, disoriented by a severe head ache. The twins were draped on his bed on either side of him and looking at them made him feel….ashamed? Why do I feel shame? I should be congratulating myself. He shook his head to clear his mind. He woke the girls up and told them to leave. After calling a cab for them and making sure they left, he went and took a hot shower.
What’s the matter with me? He was restless and angry and frustrated. But he didn’t know why. He grabbed his keys and made his way through marble and gilded hallways, all the way to his five car garage. Maybe a drive will clear my head.
Climbing into his favorite car, Greg opened the garage and roared down the driveway and out into the street. He didn’t have a plan in mind. He just drove and let his mind wander. For the life of him, he had no idea what he thought
about but by the time he came out of his own mind, he realized he was on I-80 W, it was three o’ clock in the afternoon, his car was almost running on empty and he was starving.
He pulled over at the next exit and spotted a Wal-Mart. After fueling up at a nearby pump, he went to the mega-store and bought some necessities and a couple of sandwiches. He drove for another hour before he felt the exhaustion kick in. He followed his GPS to a Hilton, checked himself in to a suite and crashed until late the next morning. Over breakfast, he decided he would drive to his cabin in Bend and take a breather. The restlessness and dissatisfaction he felt when he had woken the previous morning still hadn’t left him and Bend was the perfect place to refresh himself.
***
Becca Stanley rolled out of bed with a groan and fumbled for the alarm clock she had deliberately placed on the shelf on the other side of her room.
Becca stared at the clock trying to make sense of the screen. It took her a minute to realize it was reading an hour later than it should. Crap! It’s 7:15? How?! Ooh no, I need to get moving now!
She ran to the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker and set it to keep the warmer on before running to the bath room to take care of the morning necessities and brush her hair before dressing in her running clothes and heading out the door. She shortened her usual hour long run to half an hour and hopped directly into the shower when she got back home. Fifteen minutes later she was getting dressed in a long bright orange top with a belted gray cardigan and black leather slacks. She went back to the kitchen to pour her coffee into a mug; he took a bite of a bagel, which had been topped with cream cheese and a drizzle of honey, and sipped her coffee while she headed to her prayer room.
The cozy little guest house she rented was in the back of a larger property and it was perfect for her. It had two bedrooms, a living area, a relatively roomy kitchen with a breakfast nook and a two-car garage. She had converted one of the bedrooms into an office space where she could work and meet with clients. The room’s sizeable walk in closet had been standing empty until she made it into her prayer room.
[2016] Finding My Cowboy Page 46
