Home for Good

by Jessica Keller

  Jericho spun her to face him, chin jutting out. “No. You’re not going in there. I’ll go in. It doesn’t matter if I get hurt. But he needs you.”

  Jericho set her back a step and elbowed through a group of firefighters lugging a hose. Jericho bent to charge into the fire, but an officer stopped him.

  Ali bit her nails. She blinked, trying to see the house through the haze and her tears.

  The police officer approached with Jericho. “Are you the home owner, miss?”

  Ali latched onto the man’s arm. “Our son. I think he’s in the house. Please let us go in. We have to save him.”

  The cop’s eyes softened. “Let me guess, a freckled thing about yea high who can talk the wheels off a wheelbarrow?”

  Jericho looped his arm around Ali’s waist. “Sounds about right.”

  “He’s safe. Follow me.”

  Leaving behind the unholy music of crackling fire, splitting boards and crumbling dreams, they stepped toward three police cruisers parked near the barn.

  The breath whooshed out of Ali’s lungs when Chance raced around the last car and bounded toward them. “Mom! Dad!”

  She dropped to her knees, and Chance launched into her arms. Rocking back and forth, she wept into his hair. “I love you so much.”

  Jericho’s arms encircled both of them, pulling his family against his chest. He rubbed at his own glistening eyes. “I love you both. Thank God you’re okay.”

  Chance trembled in her arms. “Our house. Mom, our house is gone.”

  She stroked his back. “I know, sweetheart. But it’s not important. You’re safe. That’s all that matters to us.”

  The police officer cleared his throat. “I’ll need some statements from you folks.”

  Ali coughed. “I don’t understand. How did you know to come here?”

  Chance pushed back against her. “That’s easy, Mom. They followed Rider.”

  “What does Rider have to do with this?”

  Her son pointed his thumb in the direction of the ambulance. “He’s over there.”

  She rose, Jericho and Chance right behind her. Ali rounded the ambulance to where Rider sat under a paramedic’s steady hand. His face was a patchwork of soot as rivulets of sweat carved paths that dripped from his jaw. He’d lost his tell-tale hat, so his hair fell damp and tangled on his forehead. His button-up and jeans were torn and charred, with a burnt hole where fire had tried to nip at his chest.

  The cowboy straightened. “Miss Ali, I know I’m not supposed to be on your property, but I ran into Kate at the town square and she told me what’s been going on. I got to thinking that Megan was always around when bad things happened. And some of the things she’d told me didn’t line up right with what Kate said. When she told me Chance was here, I called the cops and—” he shrugged “—seems they already knew her name and about some trouble in her past, so they were quick to follow me. I hope you aren’t upset that I disobeyed you about staying clear of your property.”

  Ali reached out and placed her hand on his arm. She locked eyes before he could dip his chin. “You saved my son’s life. How can I ever thank you?”

  “Can I have my job back?”

  She engulfed him in a tight hug, her head buried against his neck. “Of course. I’m so sorry I doubted you.”

  Jericho placed a hand on her shoulder. “Did you go in the fire after our boy? Is that how you got burned?”

  Chance stepped between his parents, tears dried, ready to be the center of attention. “Oh, no. It wasn’t on fire yet when he came for me.”

  Ali squinted at Chance through the fading light. “Yet? What happened?”

  Her son leaned against the ambulance’s bumper. “Megan said we were going to play cowboys and Indians. She said I could only be the cowboy if she got to tie me up. But she said not to worry because cowboys are strong and can get out of the knots. So I let her, and she went outside to do a rain dance. I reminded her that we got a bunch of rain the other day. But she still went out, and I saw her walking around the house for a long time. I don’t think she did the dance right though, because it smelled like a gas station instead of rain.”

  Ali gasped. Jericho’s grip tightened.

  Chance rambled on. “And she was wrong about the ropes, because I couldn’t get them off. And I really tried. Maybe if I didn’t have a cast? But then Rider came in and said it wasn’t a good game to play. He brought me to Denny’s stall and told me to stay hidden.”

  Tears rolled down Ali’s cheeks as she turned to Rider. “Then how did you get burned?”

  “When I came out of the barn, Megan had torched the house, and I saw her run inside. Don’t know about you, Miss Ali, but I don’t believe even the worst of folks deserve a fate like that. Couldn’t have lived with myself if I hadn’t gone in after her.”

  Chance patted Rider’s leg. “He should enter the calf wrestling contest at the next rodeo. I think he’d win. He pulled Megan outside and she tried to get away, but Rider took her down in four seconds flat. Even with her biting him.”

  “Hush, Chance.” Rider grunted. “I’m not getting my chest all puffed up over tackling a lady.”

  Ali met Rider’s gaze. “But I thought you hated us.”

  “Are you talking about that lawsuit, Miss Ali?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m not a part of that. I don’t have a thing against you. My older sisters are suing you. They’re stuck in the past, in that moment when our parents died. They’re so bitter. They can’t let go.” He rubbed his palms back and forth on his jeans. “But I’ve never agreed with them. It wasn’t your fault that the truck hit them. Never was. That’s why they call it an accident. I’m trying to talk them into dropping their fool vendetta. It’s hotheaded. Nothing can bring our parents back.”

  Ali paced away from the men. Her gaze landed on the hissing leftovers of her home. Her hand clapped over her mouth.

  Anger and being unwilling to forgive could bring such destruction. Granting bitterness reign caused heartache. Her own mother, Jericho’s mother, Megan and Rider’s sisters all stood testament to it. And she had almost been like that, too.

  The gravel crunched as Jericho stepped up beside her. He opened his arms.

  She leaned against him. “What are we going to do?”

  He kissed her forehead. “Rebuild. You and Chance are safe. That’s all that matters to me. We’ll clear this rubble and build a new home. A fresh start, together. That is, if you’ll have me?”

  Ali rested her hands on his chest, smoothing her thumbs against the fabric. She tipped up her eyes, her voice husky. “Are you asking what I think you are?”

  His eyebrow rose. “Need me to go down on one knee?”

  “I’d rather you keep holding me.”

  His arms tightened. “Ali, I love you. Let me be beside you for the rest of my life. Raise our son together. Marry me, again?”

  Little hands shoved against their legs. “What are you guys doing?”

  Ali laughed. “Your dad’s asking me to marry him.”

  Chance scrunched his face. “But you can’t, Mom.”

  She met Jericho’s alarmed look and winked. “Why not, buddy?”

  He rolled his eyes. “’Cause it’s silly. You’re already married.”

  Jericho placed a hand on their son’s head. “The kid does have a point.”

  Ali turned in Jericho’s arms as Tripp approached. She smiled at him.

  He stopped a few feet away, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He kicked at the gravel. “I took the liberty of speaking with the police and giving them a detailed account of all that’s happened at the ranch. I hope I didn’t miss anything. They’ll require a written statement from you tomorrow, but you’re free to go tonight. They’re transferring Megan to the county jail tomorrow.
I suggested a psychological examination.”

  “Thank you for taking care of that, Tripp.”

  He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I guess I’ll be off, then.”

  Breaking free of Jericho, Ali touched Tripp’s forearm. “I want you to know that you’re always welcome on my property. I understand why you did what you did, and I appreciate what you were willing to be for Chance.”

  “No problem.”

  Tripp started to turn, but she stopped him. “If it’s not too much to ask, I still want you to be a part of his life.” She looked over her shoulder at Chance and Jericho. Her son leaned against his father. Jericho had his arms looped around their boy.

  She looked Tripp in the eye. “I mean, you’re his uncle, after all.”

  “You’d let me be a part of his life like that? After everything?”

  “Yes, Tripp. Please, be part of our family?”

  He pressed a hand against his face. “I’ve never— No one’s ever—”

  Jericho cleared his throat. “I’ll be needing some lawyer advice from you, too.”

  Tripp’s gaze darted between Jericho and Ali.

  “Seems that someday I’m going to be left a heap of property that I don’t need, or want. See, I’m planning to build a house right here for my family. But this property that’s coming to me in a will, well, I’d like to make sure that I can legally pass it to my brother. Think you can help me?”

  Tripp’s jaw dropped. He worked to close it, then opened it again. “If you’re sure?”

  Jericho draped an arm around Ali and snaked the other one around Chance. “I’m sure.”

  “Then, in a legal sense, I think I might be able to help you. Thank you. I’m not really sure what to say.”

  “And like Ali said, I’d be proud if you’d be Chance’s uncle.”

  Tripp blinked a couple times, looked at the ground then nodded.

  * * *

  As the last of the fire engines and police squad cars rolled off her property, Ali batted her hand against the smell of smoke in the air. She couldn’t look at the rubble that had once been her childhood home.

  Jericho slipped a cell phone into her hand. “Call your sister. Tell her not to come here tonight.”

  She took the phone, but didn’t use it. Ali wrapped her arms around her middle. “But where will we go?”

  “My dad’s house is across the ridge, and I plan on bringing my family home there tonight, if that’s fine by you.” Jericho trailed a finger down her cheek.

  She reached for his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. “It’s fine by me. I’ll call Kate and let her know to meet us there.”

  Chance latched onto Jericho’s hand. “We’re going to live in your house now?”

  “Only for a little while. We’re going to build a new house with plenty of room for all your sisters and brothers.” He winked at Ali.

  She tossed back her head and laughed.

  Chance bolted ahead in the field and spun around, Drover leaping behind him. “First a dad, then an uncle, and now sisters and brothers? Whoa. This family is getting huge!”

  Tree of life. Ali smiled.

  She laced her fingers with Jericho’s and they walked across the field, whispering their dreams to each other as Chance and Drover ran ahead.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt of Reunited for the Holidays by Jillian Hart!

  Dear Reader,

  Do you ever feel like God is far from you? I know I’ve felt that way before. Ali sure did.

  Because of all the bad that happened in her life Ali assumed that God walked away from her. In the end, she faces a choice. She can stay hidden behind her wall of bitterness and be alone, or she can find hope in forgiveness. I’m so glad she chose the latter.

  Life is hard. It’s easy to let difficult emotions and struggles consume us. Ali pictures God slamming the door of her heart and yelling, “Enough!” as He walks away. But she was wrong. God was with her the whole time, waiting for her to come back to Him.

  If you feel far from God, I pray you will take the chance now to return to Him. I promise He’s strong enough for whatever you are facing today.

  Thank you for reading Ali and Jericho’s story. They’ve lived in my heart for the past two years. I’m tickled to see them finally on paper. I love interacting with readers on Facebook. Look up my author page and say hi!

  Much love,

  Jessica Keller

  Questions for Discussion

  Ali has understandable reasons to be angry and bitter toward Jericho. Did you find Ali’s transformation believable or not? How come?

  Ali keeps Chance’s parentage a secret because she’s afraid Jericho’s still dangerous. Do you think this was right or wrong of her? Is there ever a situation where deception is acceptable? What are some stories in the Bible that include deception?

  Jericho feels that God told him to go home and fix his marriage. Ali shoves him away at every turn, and Jericho starts to wonder if he heard God wrong. Have you ever had a strong feeling that God wanted you to do something but found all sorts of obstacles in your path? Jericho presses through the obstacles and wins back his wife. Have you ever felt God wanted you to do something specific? Were you able to accomplish that, and if not, what changed your mind?

  Kate tells Ali that she holds all the power because Jericho asked for forgiveness. What do you think Kate meant by this? Do you think it’s true that forgiveness gives us power?

  Because of his father’s stroke, Jericho will never receive an apology for how he was mistreated when he was a child. Jericho has to learn to forgive his father without knowing if his father is truly sorry. We all have people who have wronged us in our lives. When was the last time you forgave someone when they didn’t deserve or ask for it? Is there someone in your life like this right now?

  Instead of going straight to the police when she receives a threatening letter, Ali tries to solve the problem herself. She could have been saved a lot of grief if she would have asked for help, but not having police assistance afforded her and Jericho time to bond that might not have happened otherwise. Have you ever attempted to manage a problem on your own that got out of hand? Do you wish you had sought help, or are you glad with the end result?

  Jericho tells Ali that she’s made her horse, Denny, into her savior. What did he mean by this? Have your priorities ever gotten out of whack? What happened to set them right again?

  For the past eight years, Ali assumed God had abandoned her, but on her camping trip she realizes that she’s the one who walked away from God. This one moment changes Ali’s life. Can you point to an “Aha!” moment or a perspective shift that had the same impact on you? What was it? What were the circumstances surrounding it?

  Ali is afraid that if she darkens the door to a church, God will send lightning bolts at her, but when she finally attends, she’s greeted warmly by friends who have missed her. Have you had a similar experience where you were expected to be treated one way and found grace instead? What were the circumstances? How did other people’s unexpected reactions impact you?

  In the story, Ali’s mother and Rider’s sisters are eaten up with bitterness. It stops them from moving on after tragedies. Have you ever experienced something like this? How difficult was it to let go of bitterness?

  Jericho loves his wife and goes out of his way to show her. In what ways did Jericho’s love for Ali resemble God’s love for us?

  Tripp says he’s making a noble choice when he offers to adopt Chance and marry Ali. Given his past, do you believe he’s sincere?

  In the end, Jericho and Ali invite Tripp to be a part of their family. Does this seem like a wise choice? What would you have done?

  If you could write an epilogue, what hurdles, if any, do you see in
Jericho and Ali’s future? What do you imagine would happen to Kate, Tripp and Rider?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives��always.

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  Chapter One

  Dr. Brian Wallace plucked the ceramic frog out of the flower bed, tipped it upside down and shook hard. The spare front-door key fell onto his palm as he squinted into the watery afternoon sun. It was good to be home. Late November air crisped over him and he shivered, goose bumps traveling down his arms. Weak from an extended illness, he gripped the railing to steady himself. The long trip from rural Texas had taken a toll on him.

  The old adage There’s No Worse Patient Than a Doctor had never been more true, he thought, as he struggled up the stairs. Easily winded, he paused a moment at the top, thanking God he was here to see the colors of sunset. His near brush with death had marked him. He couldn’t deny it. He’d missed his life here in Fort Worth. He missed his kids—although they were grown, they were what he had left of his heart.

  He ambled to the door, leaned heavily against the wall and inserted the key. The door creaked open. Every part of him vibrated with a mix of weakness and exhaustion. As he crossed the threshold into the comfort of the house, memories surrounded him. It had been years since his children had lived here, but he recalled the pound of music from an upstairs bedroom, the chatter of his daughter on her phone, the drum of feet as one of the boys prowled the kitchen.