by Dana R. Lynn
She smiled. It was all she was capable of at the moment.
AJ and Matthew scooted passed her to hug Paul. He embraced them both. Then the boys repositioned themselves so one was on either side of him. Irene was forced to make room for Matthew. She didn’t mind, though. The look of startled joy in Paul’s eyes was all she needed.
They had yet to speak a word. Halfway through the service, Jace leaned forward and scooped Matthew up in his arms, settling the boy back with him. To her surprise, the child didn’t fuss. Immediately, Paul moved closer to Irene. Her breath caught as he took her hand in his.
He held her hand through the remainder of the service. Joy swirled through her at the touch. Every now and then, she squeezed his hand and he returned the gesture. Just to let her overwhelmed heart know that he was really there, accepting her and loving her back, despite the way she’d hurt him. God was so good. So faithful. Despite her weakness and her failings, He was giving her a second chance.
* * *
She was really here. Beside him.
He’d been a bear to be around the past few days. He was man enough to admit it and feel bad about it. He hadn’t been tempted to whistle even once since he’d been stabbed. All because she was gone. He had been furious with her at first. He knew she loved him. He’d seen it in her expression in the ambulance. For a short while, he’d allowed himself to believe they had a chance.
Then she’d crushed him and walked away like what they had didn’t matter.
And now she was here. And he was holding her hand. He squeezed again. She reciprocated, and his world righted itself. He hadn’t thought much about it when Jace had sat behind him. He hadn’t realized that Irene had slipped in beside him until he had heard Matthew. He’d never forget the way his whole being had seized up in joy and hope.
For the first time in almost a week, Paul felt whole again.
When the service ended, Paul looked back at Jace and raised his brows.
Jace grinned.
“Hey, munchkins. Why don’t I take you home? If your mom gives me her keys, then Chief Paul can drive her home. Okay?”
Good old Jace. He understood him well.
“Why wouldn’t Mommy drive us home?” Matthew scrunched up his nose and peered at his uncle.
“Don’t be such a baby,” AJ scolded. “Mommy and Chief Paul have adult things to talk about.”
Matthew pushed out his lower lip. An eruption was imminent.
“Come on boys. We’ll talk in the car.”
With a few grumbles from Matthew, the others left. Paul hadn’t missed the blush on Irene’s face as she’d handed over her keys. They sat quietly for a few minutes as the others in the church began to drift out to their cars. The pastor came in to lock the doors.
When he saw Paul and Irene, he smiled. “Would you like me to come back in a few minutes to lock up?”
“That would be wonderful.”
The pastor left them quietly.
Finally, it was just the two of them. It should have felt weird to have this conversation in a church. It didn’t, though. Because he knew that God was with them in this moment, on this holy night. He wanted His blessing on them.
“Paul,” Irene began in a hushed voice. “Oh, Paul, I was so stupid.”
“Irene.” He moved slightly away so that he could turn to her, raising his leg so his hip and thigh were against the back of the pew bench, his knee bent. She did the same. They sat facing each other, knee to knee. But he never released her hand. “I have missed you so much. Every day. I have to know. Did you change your mind? Because I don’t think I could handle that kind of rejection from you again.”
Tears misted her eyes. She nodded.
“I was so afraid,” she admitted. “You were right. I did—do—love you. With all my heart. And it terrified me.”
“Because of Tony.” If his voice was a little flat, he couldn’t help it. Tony had been a good man and a friend. He had also been a cop, and it had gotten him killed. Paul didn’t think he could walk away from being a cop. Not because his love for Irene was shallow. It wasn’t. His love for this sweet woman was overwhelming, part of his marrow. Being a cop, though, was what he believed his God called him to be. One didn’t just abandon God’s calling.
Irene flinched slightly at his tone. “Yes. Don’t shut me out,” she begged when he shifted slightly away. “I was wrong.”
He stilled. Hope again took root.
“I thought that if I walked away from you, then I would be spared going through that kind of pain again. But I wasn’t. I was hurting every day that we were apart. Even though you were still alive I was in pain because I was too stubborn to give you a chance. And I finally realized that I was wasting the time we do have. My brother reminded me that the next breath is never guaranteed.”
Paul scooted in again, the emotion in his chest choking him. He reached out and ran his free hand through her glorious red hair. The soft strands sifted through his fingers. He’d thought he’d never be able to touch her hair again, to smell her light, floral perfume.
“Irene,” he murmured when he could finally speak. “I have loved you since I was a senior in high school. I know I made mistakes with you. But I have never loved you more than I do right now.”
The tears she’d been fighting finally broke through and rolled down her cheeks. He released her hands and gently wiped the wetness from her face. She was smiling by the time he was done.
“Paul Kennedy, I don’t know why God has blessed me a second time, but I do love you.” She leaned forward until their foreheads touched. They sat like that for several minutes.
A throat clearing made them break apart.
“Sorry, folks,” the pastor said, “but I really do need to lock up.”
Quietly, they stood, and Paul helped Irene into her coat. When she looked up at him, he couldn’t resist stopping long enough to drop a chaste kiss onto her soft lips. She sighed.
The drive home was filled with murmured conversation. Paul didn’t stay long after he dropped her off. Mostly because he had some planning to do for Christmas day. Jace being present was also a factor. He ignored his best friend’s smirk as he kissed Irene quickly at the door and drove home.
He all but ran up the walkway and into his house when he arrived. Irene loved him!
Thank You, Jesus!
There’s was no way he was going to be able to sleep now. He glanced at the clock. It was after ten. Well, as long as he had the energy...
He wrapped up the presents he had bought the boys last week.
Then he made a phone call to a friend. Yes, it was late at night, but the moment his old buddy heard what he needed, he was more than happy to assist. Paul hung up the phone and felt a moment of doubt. Did he dare take this step? Would it backfire? He’d find out in a few hours.
He hardly slept all night. Too keyed up. But by nine in the morning, he was done waiting. He knew that Irene and the boys would be off to her mom’s at one o’clock, so he had time.
Irene let him in with a smile and a blush when he arrived. He understood. Even though the feelings between them had been growing for some time, their mutual acknowledgment was still shiny and new.
“Chief Paul!”
Laughing, Paul set the presents on the table in the hall and bent to scoop up the boys. What a joy they were! He chuckled again as their eyes widened when he handed them each their presents. He didn’t usually give them gifts. Gifts were from family members. Irene shot him a speculative glance.
The boys were thrilled with their new remote-control cars. They hurled themselves at Paul, thanking him. Then they ran off to the kitchen to play with them. Snatching up Irene’s hand, he pulled her into the living room. They could still hear the squeals and shouts coming from the other room, accompanied by barks from the dog.
Sto
pping in front of the tree, Paul faced Irene. She looked at him, her brow arched. How he loved her! Getting down on one knee, he drew out a ring. She gasped.
“My buddy Dex owns a jewelry store. I called him last night, and he opened the doors for me.” He sucked in a deep breath. “Irene, I know it hasn’t been a long time. But like I said, I have loved you for half of my life. These past two weeks without you have been some of the hardest I have ever known. I don’t want to go another day without knowing that I have the right to finally call you mine.”
“Oh!” Irene covered her mouth with her hand, but not before he glimpsed the smile that was coming out like the sun after a long, hard rain. It grew into a grin.
“Yes!” Irene held her shaking hand out to him. He put the ring right where it belonged. And then she was in his arms. Right where she belonged.
EPILOGUE
Irene stood in the bride room with her mother, Gina, Melanie, Maggie and Paul’s sister, Cammie. Paul’s mother was with Cammie’s husband, Allen, keeping watch over the children while the women got ready for the ceremony. She couldn’t believe this day was finally here. Of course, she and Paul hadn’t had a long engagement. A little shy of three months. But it had felt like a lifetime, waiting for the day they could start their lives together.
“Do you have something borrowed?” Melanie asked.
Irene held her hand to her necklace. “Gina’s lent me her pearls.”
Gina Martello gave her a misty smile. “They look gorgeous on you.”
Mel nodded. “And I gave you the earrings.” The something blue.
Irene held her hand to her veil. “And Mom’s veil.” There was something old.
“Oh! Don’t you dare make me cry!” her mother wailed softly. Her eyes were already watering even though there was a smile on her face.
“And your dress is something new.” Mel grinned in satisfaction before hugging her sister-in-law gently. “Let’s go get you married.”
The ladies filed down into their positions. LaMar Pond policemen were present to escort the mothers to their seats before returning to stand near the groom. Claire Zerosky was lovely as she sat near the front, strumming on a harp. Seated near her was Miles, resplendent in his dress uniform, complete with its shiny sergeant insignia. He had agreed to interpret for Rebecca and Jess, who were both deaf. Rebecca and Jess were already seated with Seth. Irene grinned as she saw Rebecca blow Miles a kiss. He winked back at her.
It was time.
When Claire began the wedding march, Irene quivered. Excitement and joy burst through her as she watched the bridesmaids move towards the front. A very pregnant Maggie went first. Dan met her in the middle and escorted her the rest of the way. Cammie followed, to be met by Jackson. Next went Melanie, her maid of honor, to be met by Jace.
The guests let out a combined “aww” as the flower girls made their way up the aisle. Cammie’s four-year-old daughter waved at her grandmother as she walked, completely forgetting that she was supposed to be scattering the rose petals nestled in her basket. It was Maggie’s daughter, Siobhan, however, who stole the show. Always willing to perform, she was in her element. She threw rose petals helter-skelter and waved with abandon. More than one guest ended up with petals in their hair. No one minded, though.
The smiles grew as Rory followed his twin sister, his face very serious under a mop of dark curls as he carried the wedding rings on a small satin pillow. The three youngsters were precious. Absolutely adorable.
But not, in Irene’s eyes, as adorable as the two young men standing at either side of her. Jace had offered to walk her down the aisle. But when AJ and Matthew heard about it, they shut down the idea.
“She’s our mommy,” AJ had stated. “And Chief Paul will be our new daddy. It should be us. ’Cause we’re gonna be a family.”
She’d nearly come undone at those sweet words. Paul had cleared his throat and embraced the boys, one at a time. “I think you two would be the perfect choice. How ’bout it, Jace? Best man?”
Jace had wiped his own eye. “Yeah, man. I am anyway.”
Now she nodded at her boys. While she held her bouquet in her hand, each little boy held on to an elbow. The guests that had smiled at Cammie and the twins grew teary eyed as Irene’s sons walked her down the aisle to Paul.
Finally, she stood before her groom, breathless and expectant. She smiled through her own tears as she saw him blink. She wasn’t the only one affected by the beauty of this moment. From now on, they would be together. More than that, her heart overflowed with gratitude that her sons, soon to be his children, too, would once again have an earthly father to guide them. She whispered a quiet prayer of gratitude to God. She knew Paul felt the same. Just the night before, he’d admitted that he was overwhelmed. Never had he believed he would be the recipient of such a gift. She made herself a promise that she would never take what they’d been blessed with for granted, and instead would cherish it every day for the rest of their lives.
The ceremony was exquisite. Irene listened with joy as Paul said his vows in his strong, deep voice. When it was her turn, she didn’t hesitate. She repeated the words that would bind her to this brave man with vibrant intensity, meaning them from the depths of her soul. When the rings were in place and blessed, her heart grew so full she could barely breathe.
At last the time came when they were announced husband and wife.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
The bride. His bride.
Paul cupped Irene’s face in his hands as if it were the most precious thing in the world. She quivered with the anticipation of his kiss. When his lips touched hers, she sighed, melting into the kiss.
After all the heartache and despair they had both endured, God had brought them healing and love.
After several heartbeats, they drew apart and shared a smile meant only for each other.
The pastor indicated they should turn and face the congregation.
“I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kennedy.”
As their friends and family smiled and clapped, Paul and Irene faced the congregation with AJ and Matthew in front of them. Together, the four stood, a family at last.
* * * * *
If you loved this book, don’t miss the other heartstopping Amish adventures from Dana R. Lynn’s AMISH COUNTRY JUSTICE series:
PLAIN TARGET
PLAIN RETRIBUTION
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from YULETIDE SUSPECT by Lisa Phillips.
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Dear Reader,
When I first wrote about LaMar Pond, I had no idea where Paul’s story would lead him. I knew I wanted to give him a happy-ever-after, but had no plans beyond that. As the characters of LaMar Pond have evolved, the story of Irene and Paul began to play out in my imagination.
Paul is a man who had once hit bottom and who has fought to conquer his problems. Along the way, he developed a strong faith. He is a man who has much to offer a woman. Even if he doesn’t know it.
Irene has dealt with the horror of losing the husband she loved and raising their children by herself. Such a trial made her turn her back on God for a while, but He brought her back, loving her and showering His mercy upon her.
Irene and Paul are brought together by their shared quest to assist a child in need. As I wrote this story, I was reminded of how Jesus asks us to have the faith of a child.
I hope you enjoyed Paul and Irene’s story. I hope to continue writing about the people in LaMar Pond. I love to hear from readers. You can email me at [email protected] or visit me online at www.danarlynn.com. I am also
on Facebook and Twitter (@DanaRLynn).
Blessings,
Dana R. Lynn
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Yuletide Suspect
by Lisa Phillips
ONE
Arrest him. Or apologize.
Liberty Westmark gripped the steering wheel, not sure which she was going to do first. If she ever got there. She peered out the windshield, where fat flakes of snow obscured both lanes of the highway beyond her high beams.
“In six hundred yards, turn right.”
The voice of her GPS was loud and clear, but the way was not. She’d probably wind up turning into a ditch. It would serve her right to end up the sad conclusion of an obscure news article about the snowstorm of the century. Heartwarming. She rolled her eyes and muttered, “Lone Secret Service agent who left ahead of her team gets lost and freezes to death chasing a dream.”
