From The Ashes

by Claire Sanders

  As soon as he stopped his truck, Chloe jumped out and ran through the front door. Her squeals of laughter rang through the summer afternoon and Jacob entered to see his niece’s arms wrapped around Judith’s waist.

  “Where’s your sling?” he asked Judith.

  “Good afternoon to you, too.”

  She raised her face and Jacob gave her a quick kiss in greeting.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine. And, to answer your question, I don’t need the sling any more. The doctor said I just have to be careful about how I move my shoulder.”

  “Can we paint now?” Chloe asked.

  “You bet. But Keneisha wants to help. Is that OK with you?”

  “Can I get her?” Chloe bounced on her toes, unable to contain her excitement. “Can I, Jacob? Can I run and get Keneisha?”

  “Sure,” he answered, but the word had barely left his mouth before Chloe sped away.

  Judith laughed as Jacob gathered her close. “Does your shoulder hurt when I squeeze you like this?”

  “No. It doesn’t hurt when you kiss me, either.”

  Jacob knew a hint when he heard one. She sighed when their lips touched and he pulled her even closer. Within a few seconds, he felt his body responding to her nearness and ended the kiss. Some things should wait until they’d committed themselves in marriage. “I sure hope you don’t want a long engagement, Judith.”

  “There you go again. Talking about a wedding like I’ve agreed to something. I don’t remember being asked.”

  “Oh, I’ll get around to asking. Once things have calmed down around here and I’ve had time to shop for a ring.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder. “When things calm down? When will that be?”

  Jacob didn’t have an answer. He knew once Henry’s congregation was back in its own church, Judith would stop being a target. Maybe then, she could worry about wedding plans rather than potential arson.

  Judith met his gaze. “If the sheriff can’t arrest the arsonists, how will the hate crimes ever be stopped?”

  Jacob eased her head back onto his shoulder, liking the way she fit so perfectly there. “No matter what happens, the arsonists won’t win. They can’t stop Henry Washington’s congregation and they can’t stop the good people in Piney Meadow from helping. I had a talk with the sheriff and the FBI this morning.”

  Judith looked Jacob in the eye.

  “They think your grandfather’s church is the next target,” he continued.

  “I told Henry and Beverly the same thing.”

  “And we know the fires are always started at night. So,” he said, “I’ve decided to spend the night here for as long as it takes.”

  “You wouldn’t do anything foolish, would you? Like try to catch the bad guys and maybe get hurt?”

  Jacob laid his palm on her cheek. “Worried about me?”

  A whisper of a grin crossed her mouth. “Who says I’m worried?”

  “We can have dinner and breakfast together every day,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close for another kiss.

  “Oh?” she asked, with a twinkle in her eye. “You cook?”

  “If you marry me for my cooking, you’ll be disappointed.”

  “If I agree to marry you, it’ll be for your kisses, not your cooking.”

  Kisses. There was no doubt Judith liked his kisses. Jacob covered her lips with his, treasuring the way she settled into his embrace.

  The sound of giggles broke them apart. One pair of blue eyes and one pair of brown eyes gazed at them in curious wonder.

  Jacob froze, searching for an explanation, but Judith appeared unruffled.

  With a quick squeeze to his hand, she stepped towards Keneisha and Chloe. “Who’s ready to paint?”

  ****

  Beverly rubbed her daughter’s freshly washed body with a towel. “From all the red and yellow paint, I’d say you had a good time today.”

  Keneisha yawned noisily and nodded.

  “Don’t worry,” Judith said from her place by the sink. “I made sure to buy washable paint. It’ll come off her clothes easily.”

  A soft knock at the front door caused Beverly to frown. “Who in the world could that be? Too late for visitors.”

  “It’s probably Jacob,” Judith answered. “Remember? I told you he’d be staying at the cabin.” She struggled not to run as she went to answer the knock. Her heart beat a little faster at the sight of him on Beverly’s step. She’d watched him drive away only a few hours earlier, but his smiling face warmed Judith’s heart. “Hey, you. What’s up?”

  “I’ve got a blanket in the truck that’s just big enough for two. I thought you might be interested in some moon gazing.”

  Judith sighed and imagined melting at his feet, but caught herself before her knees gave out.

  “Who is it?” Beverly’s concerned voice burst through Judith’s fantasy.

  “Just me,” Jacob said as he stepped inside. “Came to see if I could talk Judith into a walk.”

  Beverly gazed from Jacob to Judith. “I don’t imagine it will take too much persuasion.”

  “I want to go for a walk,” Keneisha said around a wide yawn.

  “Oh no,” Beverly said with a chuckle. “The only walk you’re going on is from the kitchen to the bedroom. You know the way.”

  “Night, Judith,” Keneisha called over her shoulder.

  “See you in the morning,” Judith answered.

  Alone in the brightly lit kitchen, Jacob reached for Judith’s hand. “How about it?”

  She slipped her hand into his, felt his strength as he tightened his grip, and followed him outside.

  As they stepped away from Beverly’s house, the summer night enclosed them in a veil of privacy. Jacob retrieved the promised blanket and led Judith into the moonlit forest.

  The woods were alive with sound. Crickets and toads sang their timeless melodies while melancholy owls called to each other across treetops.

  Jacob led Judith along the silvered pathway.

  Her eyes drank in the wonders of moon shadows and spider webs that glowed like luminous lace. Just beyond the illuminated path, nocturnal beings watched with curiosity or caution, but Jacob’s hand was strong, his step confident, and Judith followed willingly.

  As the pathway narrowed, they stepped out of the dense forest and into a grassy meadow.

  Jacob let go of Judith’s hand long enough to spread the blanket, and then sat on the soft cloth.

  Judith dropped beside him.

  “I never knew the moon could be so bright,” Judith said.

  “Do you know where you are?” Jacob murmured close to her ear.

  “Is this the same meadow you showed me before? Where the orchids grow?”

  “That’s right. We’re not far from your cabin.”

  Judith took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’ll never sell this land. My grandfather wanted me to have it and I want to be a good steward.”

  “To tell you the truth, leasing your land to Fraser Lumber is the answer to one of my prayers.”

  “How?”

  “I won’t lie to you, Judith. Bringing in new business is part of my job and I’d hit a dry spell. If I hadn’t gotten your property, we’d have been in a bind.”

  “You should have told me.”

  “Didn’t want to influence you. Plus, some land west of San Augustine has just become available. I have a good chance of getting that. Besides, business decisions should be made with a cool head, not one that’s woozy from kissing.”

  “What makes you think I get woozy?”

  “I don’t know if it was your glazed eyes or your rapid breathing that gave me the first clue.”

  “Hmph. You wanted to buy my grandfather’s land before you knew I existed. Have you changed your mind?”

  “Everything’s changed since I met you. There I was, happily going about my work, never knowing you were headed my way. Isaiah gave me much more than a few acres of timber
. He gave me you.”

  Judith’s heart quivered with the sweetness of his words. Had anyone ever cherished her the way he did? She touched his cheek with the tips of her fingers and gazed into his eyes. Even in the moonlight, she recognized the sincerity of his words.

  Jacob stretched out on the blanket, one hand behind his head, his face towards the full moon.

  Judith rolled on her stomach next to him.

  “Look,” he said, pointing towards the sky. “Can you see the man in the moon?”

  Judith flipped over and nestled her head on his shoulder. “No. I’ve never been able to make out a face. Can you?”

  “Not really. When I was a kid, I used to imagine a giant bird. What about you?”

  “A woman in an evening dress, stepping out for the night.”

  “You’ll have to draw that for me. No matter how I squint, I can’t see a woman.”

  His lips found hers in the moonlight. The butterfly-wing softness of his kiss drew an ache of longing from her heart. For a moment, all Judith’s doubts were eased. Of course she’d marry this man. She wanted to belong to him, to entrust her life and her heart to no one but him.

  “I’m thinking about a September wedding,” he whispered and kissed her again.

  The nearness of Jacob’s body, the promise of more kisses, and the enchantment of the moonlit night sheltered her from the misgivings that had troubled her. She could have love with Jacob. A home, a family, and a blessed life were hers for the taking.

  ****

  Judith stepped into her cabin the next morning to the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of the shower running. Jacob certainly was making himself at home.

  Beverly had sent muffins, and Judith set the foil-wrapped goodies on the kitchen counter before sitting at her work table.

  The bathroom door opened and Jacob stepped out wearing a towel around his waist.

  Judith took in the sight of his broad shoulders and muscular arms, the light hair that covered his chest.

  He was rubbing his head briskly with another towel, but he froze when he saw Judith. “When did you get here?”

  “Five minutes ago. Something wrong?”

  “Next time, let me know when you come in. I might’ve walked out completely naked.”

  An unbidden image formed in Judith’s mind and her face grew warm. “It’s my cabin, you know.”

  But Jacob wasn’t interested in arguing. He sauntered over to her work table and looked over her shoulder. “I looked at your sketches last night. I can’t wait to see how this picture will turn out. By the way, I love that portrait of Henry.”

  He was too close. The scent of his soap and the way his skin glistened in the sunlight had her heart bouncing. “Don’t you need to go to work?”

  “Brought my work with me. I’m about a month behind in my paperwork and my brother’s been on my case. Thought this would be as good a time as any to get it done. Have you had breakfast?”

  “Yes, and you’re dripping on my canvas.”

  “Am not.” Jacob braced one arm on the back of Judith’s chair and the other on her work table, lowering his face parallel to hers. “What did Beverly fix for breakfast?”

  Judith closed her eyes to shut out the sight of his bristly cheek so close to hers. “Eggs and bacon. Why don’t you walk over there and ask her to fix you something?”

  “You’re not trying to get me out of your way, are you?” Jacob asked, his mouth so close she could feel his breath on her ear.

  “I’ve got work to do.”

  “And I’m distracting you?”

  Was he ever.

  His low chuckle let her know that he knew exactly what kind of effect he was having. “Are you warm, Judith? Your face is mighty pink.”

  “That’s it,” she said as she stood. “Get some clothes on right now, mister.”

  He made a playful grab in her direction but she sidestepped his reach. “Mess with me and I won’t give you the muffins Beverly sent.”

  Jacob perched his hands on his hips, centering Judith’s attention once again on the towel that protected whatever modesty he had. “Did she make the ones with the chocolate chips?”

  “No more information until you’re wearing clothes.”

  “All right,” he said. “I’ll get dressed.”

  Jacob’s smile was playful and confident. He gave her a quick kiss and walked into the bedroom.

  Judith blew out a long, unsteady breath. She was either going to have to marry that man or move far away. The temptation alone would kill her.

  ****

  Jacob was still grinning as he sat at the small kitchen table looking over the unfinished reports. It may have been wrong to tease Judith the way he had, but he’d always been in control. She’d always be safe with him. He would do everything in his power to make sure of it.

  She’d been working steadily for several hours, her concentration so fully on the canvas that she didn’t seem to be aware of him, or of Pumpkin who dozed on the nearby windowsill.

  He’d never seen anyone work with such intensity, frowning over the painting, grimacing with dissatisfaction or nodding her approval.

  She’d downplayed her talent earlier, referring to herself as an illustrator rather than an artist, but the difference was insignificant in his eyes. If Judith wasn’t an artist, then no one was.

  He wondered if their children would inherit her talent, then smiled widely at the thought of children. He was blond, she dark-haired. His hair was straight, hers a mass of beautiful curls. She could draw whatever she saw, he could barely sketch a legible map. Their children would probably be a mixture of looks and talents.

  He pictured Judith holding a baby, himself at her side, while they stood in front of the congregation to christen their child.

  Maybe it was time to buy that ring he’d promised. Last night she’d lowered whatever roadblocks she had around her heart. She’d been receptive and playful, full of love and good humor. Yes, she would marry him, live in Piney Meadow, and they’d have beautiful, healthy children. Children who would be raised in love and security.

  16

  On Saturday morning, Jacob frowned over the pile of boxes and bags that overflowed with decorations. “You know, you’re only decorating my parents’ back yard. Seems to me you’ve got enough here for three parties.”

  “I may have gotten a little carried away, but Chloe’s worth it.”

  “I think you’re a bit sweet on my niece.”

  “I think you’re right.” Judith turned towards the cabin and called over her shoulder. “I just have to get Chloe’s gift and I’ll be ready to go.”

  Jacob watched her bound onto the porch and grinned. The past week had been like a chaste honeymoon. Breakfast and morning kisses, followed by good-bye kisses as he left for work. Then a welcome home kiss in the evening and dinner together every night. It was a routine he could gladly become accustomed to.

  With a bang of the screen door, Judith jumped off the front porch and joined Jacob at his truck. Holding up the present as if making an offering, she smiled up at him. “Think Chloe will like everything?”

  “Chloe is crazy about you. She’d like rotten crawfish if it came from you.”

  Judith scrunched her nose. “I don’t believe that’s true.”

  Jacob slid his calloused hands against Judith’s smooth cheeks and lowered his mouth to hers for the briefest of kisses. “I’m glad to go to Chloe’s birthday party,” he whispered and kissed her again. “And I’m glad you’re coming to share it with me.” Another soft kiss. “But being out here alone with you has been…”

  Judith gave the tiniest of nods. “Me, too.”

  Jacob wrapped his arms around her and nestled her head against his shoulder. “Being with you feels like finding my way home on a cold night. Do you feel that way, too?”

  She rose to her toes and kissed his cheek. “We’d better get going. I’ve got a lot to do before the party starts.”

  Another roadblock. Jacob knew Judith was the wom
an meant for him, but why God had made her so stubborn was a question he’d never be able to answer. “OK, OK. I know a brush-off when I hear one.” Jacob freed her from his embrace and opened the passenger door. “But,” he continued, bracing his arm against the doorway to block her entry, “don’t think this conversation is over.”

  ****

  Chloe’s birthday party was a blur of laughter, hugs, barbecue, screaming children, and dragons. Jacob’s mother declared the paper tablecloths “too pretty to ruin” and taped them beside the banners on the wooden fence surrounding the back yard.

  More than once, Judith tried to find a quiet spot away from the crowd, but Chloe and Keneisha kept pulling her back into the midst of the celebration, introducing Judith to the other children and showing them Judith’s art work. Whenever the crush of people threatened to overwhelm her, Judith would look for Jacob.

  Without fail, he’d grin and wink, sending his love and support over the heads of the children who surrounded her.

  If Judith married Jacob, as he seemed so determined to do, family gatherings like this one would be common. Their own children would celebrate birthdays in their grandparents’ back yard.

  Their own children.

  Judith took in a deep breath and blew it out, struggling to calm the fluttering in her stomach. No doubt, Jacob would be a wonderful father. Anyone who saw him with his nieces and nephews would award him that distinction.

  Joy passed through her body at the thought of uniting her future with Jacob’s. This was where the Lord had led her. She’d prayed for the courage to escape the shackles of fear. God had brought her to Piney Meadow. She’d yet to overcome the doubts that plagued her, but if she held true, if she stayed the course God had set for her, surely everything would be all right.

  If only she could be sure.

  When the party finally wound down, Judith scuttled into the kitchen to help with the cleanup.