Courting Miss Callie

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Courting Miss Callie Page 22

by Dorothy Clark


  He drew her close. She closed her eyes and leaned into his embrace, slid her arms up around his neck. His lips brushed her forehead, trailed heat down her cheek and claimed her mouth.

  The birds stopped twittering. The breeze stopped playing among the leaves, and the water halted its whispering glide over the stones. There was nothing in her world but Ezra. Nothing at all.

  Too soon he lifted his mouth from hers. She pressed her head against his chest and listened to his ragged breathing, the thundering of his heart. His chin pressed against her hair.

  “I love you, Callie. And none of this means anything to me without you. Will you marry me?”

  She listened to his husky whisper and knew that forever, this would be their moment. “For all time.” She lifted her head, stretched up on her toes and met his kiss with her love.

  Epilogue

  He was here. Callie listened to his footsteps, turned and hurried toward the entrance hall, stopped when Ezra filled the doorway, a little shy when their gazes first met. Would this feeling of wanting to rush into his arms ever leave her?

  She gave into the urge and ran to him. He caught her close, kissed her until there was nothing but the two of them, their hearts beating as one.

  Ezra stepped back, blew out a breath.

  She gave him a cheeky smile, full of her feminine power.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets, leaned back against the door frame and grinned, his eyes that smoldering blue that made her stomach flutter and her knees go weak. “I want you to smile at me that way tonight and every night for the rest of our lives.”

  He leaned forward, held his face so close to hers she could feel the warmth of his breath like a feather on her skin. “Because you are the sweetest, most beautiful woman God has ever created. And I’m the most blessed man alive because you love me.”

  Her pulse skipped; heat flamed in her cheeks. She wasn’t the only one with power. She tossed her head and spun away.

  He laughed, lunged and pulled her into his arms. “I didn’t know you were coming here today. I thought you and Sophia and Willa would all be busy doing whatever it is women do to prepare for a wedding.”

  She leaned against him, reveled in the hard strength of his arms around her. “I can’t stay away. I love our home. I can’t wait until we move in tonight.”

  “Nor I.” He grasped her upper arms and held her a little away from him. “I got you a wedding gift. Want to see it?”

  She peered up at him. “You’ve already bought so much, Ezra.” Curiosity got the best of her. “Is it more furniture?”

  “Nope. Come with me. I’ll show you.”

  He took her hand, led her from the sitting room, through the entrance hall, past the dining room and library and into the kitchen. She couldn’t resist stretching out her free hand to touch her new stove. She couldn’t wait to cook their first meal as husband and wife.

  He opened the door and led her out onto the side porch. She glanced toward the village, at the parsonage and her aunt’s hotel and smiled. She would spend a lot of hours on this porch. Ezra had thought of everything.

  “There it is.”

  She glanced down. A pussy willow bush nestled in a circle of fresh dirt in the corner where the porch joined the house.

  “I stole it.”

  She jerked her gaze to him.

  “From the deer path.”

  Tears slipped down her cheeks.

  He cradled her face in his hands, brushed the tears away with his thumbs. “I fell in love with you that day, Callie. When I saw you standing there looking so sad, so vulnerable, I knew I would give my life to love you and protect you and make sure you never looked sad again. I’m going to do my best to live up to that. And should I ever forget, the bush will remind me.”

  He pressed his lips to hers in a gentle, tender kiss that was also a promise. She gave hers in return, then sighed and laid her head against his chest. “It was the sprig of pussy willow you picked for me that day that caused me to know I loved you.”

  She looked up at him and smiled, remembering. “I lost it on our walk back to the hotel and it threw me into turmoil. I couldn’t settle or rest, so I waited until I was certain everyone was sleeping, took a lamp and went back and found it. I have it still. I’ll keep it always.”

  * * *

  The church was brimming with people. The villagers crowded in and pushed together in the pews to make room for others.

  Ezra, tall and handsome in his black, swallowtail wedding suit with a snowy frill at his neck, stood at the front of the aisle with Matthew, ready with his Bible in his hand.

  Willa, lovely in a dark green silk gown that brought out the red in her chestnut hair, stepped into the church and nodded. She walked down the aisle as the organist began to play and took her place, smiled at Ezra, then locked gazes with her husband.

  * * *

  “You look beautiful, Callie. Seems like God put an extra squirt of violet juice in your eyes today.” Daniel grinned down at her, offered his arm. “Ready?”

  She went on tiptoe and kissed his clean-shaven cheek. “Thank you for doing this, Daniel.”

  “For giving you to another man to protect and take care of?” He leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. “My pleasure, squirt.”

  She smiled at his childhood name for her and slid her hand through his offered arm, the delicate white lace of her glove a sharp contrast to the rough wool of his brown suit. “Well, two of us are married and off of your hands now. Only Sadie and Ellen remain.”

  Daniel’s grin faded, and he gave a little nod.

  She lifted the skirt hem of her long, white satin gown with her free hand and they stepped through the doors.

  A murmur rose, a stirring as people twisted in their seats or craned their heads to see them.

  She skimmed her gaze over all her friends and neighbors, but not her parents. She smiled at Ellen and her parents, felt her face stiffen at the sight of Ellen’s newest suitor, Harold Lodge, heir to the Lodge shipping line.

  She pushed away old memories, and smiled at the sight of Agnes sitting with Otis, and Joe looking uncomfortable in his Sunday clothes. She sent a silent message of love to her aunt sitting so straight and proud with her lovely violet eyes glowing behind a shimmer of tears. Rachel Townsend gave her a sweet smile and a sadness swept over her, a wish that Sadie and her grandfather could have come to share this special moment with her.

  She moved down the aisle, shared a look that carried a lifetime of friendship with Willa, smiled at Matthew, then looked at Ezra—so handsome and confident, so thoughtful and caring, so honest and true. Her love forever.

  Thank You, Lord, for showing me the truth and for having Your way.

  Daniel stopped, then stepped back.

  Ezra came to her, his gaze went to the sprig of pussy willow she had added to the cluster of silk roses tucked among her riot of black curls and he smiled, took her hand in his. Together they turned to face the altar.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this book by Dorothy Clark,

  be sure to look for the next story

  in her PINEWOOD WEDDING series,

  coming in October 2013

  from Love Inspired Historical!

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt of A Royal Marriage by Rachelle McCalla!

  Dear Reader,

  In my letter at the end of Wooing the Schoolmarm—the first book of this Pinewood Weddings series—I promised to tell Callie’s story. I have done that in Courting Miss Callie. I hope you enjoyed reading about this young woman who was determined to be valued for who she was rather than for her outward beauty alone. And about Ezra, who was so tired of being used because of his wealth. What pleasure I had in bringing these two young people together and using their love to ov
ercome their fears and their learned skepticism and to trust again—first and foremost in the Lord and His loving, watchful care, and then in each other.

  How lovely it would be if we could all gather at the Sheffield House for one of Callie’s delicious meals. Alas, that is impossible. But we can all meet again in Pinewood when Sadie Spencer comes home. And she will. She has asked that I tell her story next, for her strong love for her grandparents compels her to defy her deep fear and return to Pinewood to meet their need.

  I do enjoy hearing from my readers. If you would care to share with me your thoughts about Callie and Ezra’s story, or about Pinewood village and its residents, I may be contacted at [email protected] or www.dorothyjclark.com.

  Until Sadie comes home to Pinewood,

  Dorothy Clark

  Questions for Discussion

  Callie Conner and Ezra Ryder are both driven to leave their present lives and flee to Pinewood. What drives them to do this? What is at the root of Callie’s problems? Of Ezra’s? How are they the same or different?

  Callie is hurt and angered by her parents and the unhappiness their decisions brought her in the past and will continue to bring her in the future if she obeys their wishes. Was the action she took right or wrong, in your opinion? Why?

  Callie is disgusted by Ezra’s deception. Yet she herself commits the same offense. What blinded her to that fact?

  Callie finally yields and gives her situation over to God. Does she truly yield at that moment? Have you ever given a situation/problem over to the Lord and then continued to try to solve it yourself? Did that work well?

  Ezra wants relief from the phony friendships and affections offered by those who want to profit from his wealth, and so he forms a plan and flees to Pinewood. How does that “innocent” plan box him into a corner? Does he have a better choice?

  Callie sends several prayers to the Lord, then becomes upset when they aren’t answered. Are those prayers in line with her first prayer that the Lord have His way? Why or why not?

  How does the Lord use Callie’s and Ezra’s decisions/actions to bless not only them, but others?

  The scripture verse I used for this book is as follows: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Do you feel that verse is appropriate? Do you agree or disagree with the truth expressed?

  Callie is badly hurt, and that makes her defensive and stubborn, even in the face of her beloved Aunt Sophia’s advice. Have you ever stood firm instead of yielding?

  It is Callie’s and Ezra’s reactions to others’ actions that cause them problems. Could they handle their problems in a better way? How?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

  Visit Harlequin.com to find your next great read.

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  Chapter One

  Castlehead, Lydia, A.D. 801

  “A ship approaches, Your Majesty. Her sail is spread with the Carolingian cross.” Renwick, chief messenger among the Lydian guard, bowed low before the king.

  “Charlemagne.” His Royal Highness, King John of Lydia, lowered the sword with which he’d been sparring with his younger brother, Prince Luke. Why would the Holy Roman Emperor send a ship to Lydia unannounced? Charlemagne’s realm had expanded vastly under his leadership, but John had assumed the renowned ruler would have no interest in the tiny kingdom of Lydia. Was he wrong?

  King John turned to face the messenger. “She approaches directly?”

  “Making for the wharf at high speed, sire,” Renwick panted as though he, too, had run to reach the king quickly.

  “Then we shall make haste, as well.” Sheathing his sword, John headed for the courtyard gate, the fastest route to the Mediterranean shore.

  “To the lookout tower, Your Majesty?” Renwick appeared confused by the king’s choice of direction.

  “No, Renwick.” John led the way. “To the wharf.”

  Prince Luke ran beside him. “Why would Charlemagne visit Lydia? We are not his vassals.”

  “I doubt it is Charlemagne himself,” King John acknowledged. “The emperor regularly sends emissaries throughout his empire to report back to him.” He prayed that was true this time, irregular though it might seem.

  “But Lydia is not part of his empire.” Luke chafed visibly at the idea.

  “We are part of Christendom. As such, we ought to ally ourselves closely with the Holy Roman Empire. Such a position could prove to be advantageous.” John reached the end of the wharf and shielded his eyes from the sun, examining the quickly approaching vessel, her sails emblazoned with the distinctive Carolingian cross, four triquetras joined at the center to form the distinctive symbol of Emperor Charlemagne’s reign.

  “Three masts!” The sight filled John with awe. Lydia had no ship to match it. And yet, “She looks to be wounded.”

  “Aye, brother.” Luke clapped one hand on John’s shoulder and pointed with the other. “Her foresail has been rent and hastily mended. Do you think she has weathered a storm?”

  “Or an attack.” John met his brother’s eyes.

  “Saracens?” Prince Luke spoke the word softly, as though saying it aloud might draw the vicious pirates closer.

  “They raid the Mediterranean waters regularly.”

  “Never so close to Lydia.”

  “We don’t know how far this ship has come,” King John acknowledged. “Or whether the Saracens may have taken her.”

  “Taken her?” Fear sparked in his brother’s blue eyes as he looked out to the ship and back at the ramparts of their castle. If the pirates had taken the ship, they could approach under Charlemagne’s cross and dock before the Lydians realized trouble had reached their shores. The castle’s defenses might be breached before they could even prepare for battle. “Why would Saracens approach so boldly?”

  “For no good reason.” John shook his head. He didn’t want to believe that Saracen pirates had taken the emperor’s ship, but given her condition, it was a distinct possibility. “Let us pray for Lydia’s safety.”

  While the brothers murmured hasty yet heartfelt prayers, King John heard the rumble of boot steps on the wharf. He turned to find Eliab and Urias, two courtiers who’d been his father’s close advisors, panting as they trotted down the wharf.

  “Your Majesty,” Urias called out. “You should not be out here!”

  “This does not look good.” Eliab gestured to the ship as he bent to catch his breath.

  “His Majesty should hide until we’ve determined the motives of the approaching vessel.”

  John dismissed their concerns. The pair often treated him as though he was still a child, though he’d weathered twenty-eight winters and had ruled Lydia capably since his father’s death four years before. “I may determine their motives much faster if I stay here.”

  “They’ve put down a boat!” Renwick had hardly taken his eyes from the ship.

  “They’re worthy seamen, then.” John approved of the ship’s rapid loss of speed. They’d obviously put down an anchor. It was wise. He’d never docked such a large vessel alongside the wharf, and though he couldn’t be sure the depth of the ship’s rudder, he doubted they’d have made it to the dock without scraping against the submerged rocks that hid not s
o far below the water at low tide.

  “What are they loading?” Luke studied the men as they carried a large fabric-draped bundle onto the boat. From the care they took in handling it, the cargo must have been delicate. The dark green cloth glistened in the sunlight like silk. Whatever was wrapped inside must be quite valuable.

  A plump, wimpled figure was loaded next, with no shortage of howling admonitions. Then six burly men boarded and took to the oars with vigor, slicing through the water as though Charlemagne himself was watching.

  “I believe that bundle is a person.” John observed the way they’d propped the bundle in the stern with the wimpled woman fussing over it. “A slender figure, perhaps a youth or a child.”

  “Or a woman,” Prince Luke offered.

  “On a ship?” Urias scoffed.

  “It is possible,” Luke pointed out as the boat drew nearer and its contents easier to see. “The cut of the silk clothing is certainly suggestive of a female. And it would explain the lady in waiting.”

  “Bah. A nurse to the child,” Urias insisted.

  “Whatever it is, I hardly think myself to be in immediate danger from it.” John felt glad that he hadn’t run and hidden as his father’s advisors had suggested. Granted, he had an obligation to protect the throne. Urias and Eliab were understandably skittish about the issue of safety, having been with his father, King Theodoric, when he’d died defending one of Lydia’s villages on the Illyrian border.

  But King John had two younger brothers and a much younger sister, as well. Prince Luke was a worthy leader, and Prince Mark would be, too, if he ever returned from his long journey by sea. God would provide a leader for Lydia. When his wife had died in childbirth three years before, John had resolved that his line would end with his death. He would not ask another woman to risk her life trying to bear an heir for him.

 

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