“Fine.” Gammon’s voice was clipped. “I have an empty milk jug to put your water in. Wait here. My wife isn’t feeling well.”
“Sorry to have disturbed you.” Tom kept following. “As we were coming up your yard, Dan noticed the car parked beside your house that looked like a friend of his. Do you or your wife know Rebecca Atkins?”
Gammon froze in his tracks, but he didn’t bother to turn around. “No, I know nothing about such a person.”
“You don’t? She works in the same company as you.”
“I think you’re mistaken.” Gammon suddenly swung around, gun raised and fired.
Chapter 17
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7
I truly don’t understand this calm—this peace—but I know Who sent it. -Rebecca Atkins
Bound and anchored to a support post in the dark basement, Rebecca jumped at the noise of gunfire. Two shots, then the sound of running feet. Then silence.
She’d been held for hours, though it had seemed like days. As soon as they’d arrived at Gammon’s house, he’d dragged her down the stairs and tied her, hands and feet, to this post. “Enjoy your night down here,” he said, ignoring her questions and pleas. At the stairs, he’d turned, and she saw madness darting from his eyes.
“You won’t be alone, Miss Atkins. This is where I keep my spiders, and they come out in the dark.”
He’d cut the light and the click of the closing door was the last thing she’d heard until the gunshots.
That aura of peace remained with her—something she couldn’t begin to understand. Even the thought of a night with spiders crawling over her didn’t strike her with fear. Her rational brain told her spiders—no spider—would bite unless disturbed. Their prey was insects, not humans.
Even more astonishing, she felt the Holy Spirit with her, reassuring her that all would be well. And it would, regardless of the outcome. Whether she lived or died. She didn’t have to worry about Ben and Jamie, her parents or her friends. A loving God was watching over all of them.
This uncanny feeling was so amazing, she’d lain here, propped against the post, basking in the wonder of it all.
The swoosh of the door at the top of the stairs pulled her attention in that direction. Then light blinded her for the moment. Her heart swelled and threatened to beat out of her chest as the moment of truth arrived. Would she be going home to be with the Lord or would she be going home with Ben?
“Ben.” She sensed his presence even before seeing his handsome form. No matter how long she lived, this moment of him rushing to her would be burned into her memory as one of the most joyful of her life.
“Rebecca—thank God you’re okay.” He pulled a knife and cut the ropes holding her. Then took her in his arms.
Now that she was safe, she lost it. Sobbing. Shaking. Holding on tight.
“You are all right? He didn’t hurt you…in any way.” There was tension in the question.
She nodded against his chest. “I’m all right now. No, I’m unharmed. I knew you’d come. Somehow I knew.”
“We found your peach.”
“I didn’t have time to finish the address.”
“Between me and Tom and Darcy, we figured it out. I just knew I wasn’t about to wait for the police to look for you. I know they do their best, but they don’t love you like I do.”
“And I love you with all my heart. My only real fear was not seeing you again.”
He cradled her face in his hands. “If you love me, will you promise me something?”
She hiccupped, expecting him to ask that she take threats more seriously. “I owe you my life. Anything you ask.”
“Will you marry me? Be my wife and Jamie’s mother.” He laughed shortly. “I don’t suppose you ever expected to receive a marriage proposal in a mad scientist’s basement.”
“I’ll take it anyway. Yes, I’ll be honored to be your wife and Jamie’s mother.”
Siren sounds announced the arrival of the police. “What happened out there?” she asked. “I heard shots. Is Gammon dead?”
“I don’t think so. Tom hit him, but he’ll probably live to stand trial.”
“Was Tom hurt?”
“No, he’s good at dodging bullets, especially from a man who doesn’t know how to shoot.”
Ben scooped her in his arms. “The police can wait until tomorrow to question you. I’m going to insist you go home.” He started for the stairs, holding her in his arms like she was a treasure of great worth.
“I can walk.”
“I know, but I like the feel of you.”
“Wait a minute.” She put her arms around his neck and they kissed. Deeply, tenderly, with a promise of much more to come.
Epilogue
Eight Months Later
My beloved spoke, and said to me, “Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away. For lo, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” -Song of Solomon 2:10-12
I never believed my heart could hold this much love. -Rebecca Atkins
Girl you’re going make Ben forget his lines.” Darcy finished anchoring Rebecca’s veil and stood back. Darcy was her matron of honor.
“He’d better not. I’m not leaving this church until I’m married…to him.”
Janice Marshal, one of her bridesmaids, stuck her head through the door of the room off the church’s vestibule. “Look who’s here.”
Rebecca turned from the mirror. “Mama.” She tripped over her train as she covered the short distance to her mother. “You made it after all,” she said, coming out of the hug.
“Yes, Carl pulled some strings and we got an earlier flight. I couldn’t miss my baby’s wedding, could I?” Rebecca’s parents had been on a European vacation and their plane had been delayed in London.
“So, Carl can walk me down the aisle?”
“He’s right outside, looking oh so handsome, beaming from ear to ear.” Her mother hugged her again. “Speaking of handsome. I met your Ben. I already feel like he’s the son I never had. I’m so happy for both of you, and I can’t wait to spoil little Jamie.”
“I bet you will.”
The attendants were trying to free Rebecca’s train so Mama stepped back. “I’ll be forever grateful to Ben for rescuing my baby from that horrible man. He’s been locked up for good, I hope. Have they had the trial yet?”
“There won’t be a trial. Derek Gammon hung himself in jail right before the trial was to take place.”
Mama pressed a hand to her mouth. “I can’t say I’m sorry. At least you’ll be spared that. What about that poor woman he sent to the hospital?”
“She made a complete recovery, though she was in the hospital four months.”
“Well, thank goodness, she’ll be spared a trial too.”
“It’s still sad,” Rebecca said. “When he was tying me up down in his basement, I tried to witness redemption to him. You know, like that woman who was kidnapped talked her kidnapper into releasing her by telling him about God’s love. But it just made Gammon angrier. I’m afraid it’s like the Bible says, that some are given over to a reprobate’s heart and can’t be reached.”
“It can’t be understood,” Darcy said. “Why would he have singled you out in the first place?”
Rebecca shrugged. “Who can know? Jealousy, hatred, pure evil—maybe insanity.”
Janice hooked Mama’s arm as the strains of the prelude to the wedding march sounded. “Time to take your seat.” She looked back over her shoulder. “And time for you to get in position,” Janice said to Rebecca. “The next time you walk that aisle, you’ll be an old married lady.”
Darcy giggled. “Like me.” Darcy and Sam had married that Christmas and purchased a house a block down the street from Ben’s house in Haven. She hadn’t regretted swapping the glitz of the city for the qu
iet of the suburbs at all. And neither would Rebecca.
She marched down the aisle on the arm of her step-father on one side and little Jamie on the other in a ceremony of gasps, smiles, tears, and sheer joy, sealed in a kiss.
In the middle of the reception, she stole down the back stairs and beckoned to Ben, who waited for her cue. With Tom’s help they made their get-away. Everyone except Tom and Darcy thought the couple would be off on their Caribbean honeymoon. They wouldn’t know until later about this detour.
“I feel guilty not telling Jamie good-bye,” Rebecca said as Ben pulled the twenty-four-foot camper onto the highway.
He leaned over to sneak a kiss. “We’ll make it up to him later. Besides, our parents will be so busy spoiling him, he won’t even miss us.”
The dirt road to Lake Haven wasn’t far, and they soon parked at the familiar picnic sight.
They walked hand-in-hand to the sandy shore to enjoy the sunset. “The next few days belong to just us, honey.” Ben pulled her close. “Just you and me and God and the little woodland creatures.”
That’s the way it felt to her, too, and it was a wonderful feeling.
In the darkness of the forest, fireflies pulsed in rhythm with the stars overhead and the sweet smell of honeysuckle wafted on the soft summer breeze. Rebecca lifted her face, seeking his kiss. Ready for their love to be melded. At one with nature. At one with each other. At one with God where there is no beginning and no end.
Author’s Note
Thank you, dear reader, for reading A Pursued Heart, Book 2 in the Georgia Peaches series.
Readers are so important to the success and growth of good Christian fiction. If you enjoyed this book, please help us promote it by letting your friends know through social media and word of mouth. Subscribe to my newsletter and receive a free ebook, Cloaked in Love, and announcements about future books. https://dl.bookfunnel.com/or10xrsvje
And, most important, pray for me and other authors. The publishing industry is an important way to enlighten the public about the love of God in an entertaining way. Since reviews are more important than ever for books to get noticed, please leave a review at Amazon and Goodreads. I write only for the Lord’s glory and the reader’s pleasure, so I would much appreciate your opinion.
Coming Next in this Series
Search for Contentment by Marlene Bierworth
Search for Contentment by Marlene Wilson Bierworth
Melanie Braxton is a police officer in South Carolina fighting for freedom from her family’s affluence. Trevor Knight is a lawyer, struggling to keep what remains of his family together.
Trevor and Melanie join forces to solve the mystery of his niece’s death, while Cupid aims his arrow at their unsuspecting hearts.
See what happens when Melanie is forced to face her past to secure the future that she desperately wants. Faith and love are tested in this Christian, contemporary, mystery romance.
Other Books by Elaine Manders
The Annex Mail Order Brides series:
Adela’s Prairie Suitor
Ramee’s Fugitive Cowboy
Prudie’s Mountain Man
The Annex Mail-Order Brides Boxset
Intrigue under Western Skies series:
Book 1, Pursued
Book 2, Surrendered
Book 3, Revealed
Book 4, Escaped
The Wolf Deceivers series:
Book 1, The Chieftain’s Choice
Book 2, The Duke’s Dilemma
Book 3, The Captain’s Challenge
Westward Home and Hearts, a mult-author series:
Book 1, Lacy’s Legacy
Book 3, Maggie’s Christmas Miracle
Book 5, Bethany’s Baby
Brides of Pelican Rapids, a mult-author series:
Book 5, Molly’s New Song
Also:
The Perfect Gift, a Christmas Novella
The Washwoman’s Christmas
Cloaked in Love
About the Author
Elaine Manders writes wholesome, Christian romance about the strong, capable women of history and present day and the men who love them. She lives in Central Georgia with a happy bichon-poodle mix. When not writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, crafts, and spending time with her daughter, grandchildren, and friends. You may contact the author at any of the following.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.manders.35
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ehmanders
Email: [email protected]
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elaine-manders
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14151675.Elaine_Manders
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