Love Inspired May 2015 #2

by Missy Tippens

  * * *

  “Hi, Mom. It’s me.”

  Violet couldn’t sit still on the front porch, so she hopped up and took off down Remy’s driveway.

  Her mother gasped. “Violet? It’s really you?”

  Taking a right at the end of the driveway, she ambled down the sidewalk. “Yes. I’ve been thinking of you and Daddy. Wanted to see how you’re doing.”

  “Why, we’re fine, dear. It’s so good to hear your voice. How are you?”

  “I’m okay... Great, actually.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Tense silence reverberated in her ear. Why had she called?

  “I’m so sorry, Violet,” her mom whispered. “We’re sorry. Sorry that we weren’t there for you when you needed us.”

  A crushing ache squeezed her chest. Suddenly feeling weak-kneed, she headed toward a picnic table in a small park at the corner.

  “I shouldn’t have shut you out,” Violet said. “I’ve realized lately that you probably only did what you thought best.”

  “Yes, we truly did love you and think it was best for you. We feared you couldn’t manage since you’d never babysat or held down a full-time job. You were idealistic and had no idea what you’d be getting into. But, honey, we should have listened to what you wanted. Should have worried less about what other people thought.”

  “Is that why you’ve been trying to contact me?”

  “Yes. To apologize. To try to make amends. Although we know it’s too late to change the past, we’d like to heal from our losses. Honey, our lives have been empty without you.”

  Tears stung her eyes. “I’ve been helping my...uh, neighbor take care of his three-week-old niece lately, and I see how much work it is. I realized I would have had a tough time on my own.”

  “Well, we could have helped you raise our grandson. We let our own pride as well as our dreams of you becoming a surgeon, following in Dad’s footsteps, get in the way. We’ve experienced regret over the years.”

  “I think my son’s probably had a good life.” She hated the uncertainty in her voice.

  “I’m sure he has. He went to a wonderful family who’d tried for years to have a child and wanted him desperately. I promise you, we checked them out thoroughly.”

  Relief washed over her. Though she had assumed as much—because her parents were nothing if not thorough—she’d still had moments of doubt and fear.

  A comfortable moment passed without either of them speaking. She enjoyed knowing her mother was on the other end of the line, such a normal thing that many people took for granted.

  “Are y’all in good health? Still playing tennis each week?”

  “Your dad had a little scare with his heart a couple of years ago, but he’s fine now. And yes, we still play tennis at the club. Although these days we’re in a senior league.”

  Camilla’s voice soothed Violet, reminding her of childhood. So much wasted time. If only she’d called sooner. So much pain because of her stubbornness. “I’m sorry I shut y’all out. I’ve been pigheaded.”

  Her mother laughed, but it was mixed with tears. Then she blew her nose. “Well, you do have your dad’s genes.”

  “And yours.” At the sound of her mother’s chuckle, decade-old pain let go of its firm grip, freeing Violet from the worst of the anger.

  “Well, now, I suppose you’re right,” Camilla said.

  “Mom...can I come home to see you?”

  “Of course. As soon as you can, okay? Or we’ll come there if it’ll be easier with your schedule—if that’s okay with you?”

  “You’re welcome to visit anytime. But I’d like to come home.” And maybe she’d admit to them she had stopped by recently but hadn’t been ready to go in.

  “That’s wonderful, dear. Just call and let us know when.”

  “I’ll call this week.”

  Movement caught Violet’s eye. Jake was walking down the street toward her. “And, Mom, I’d like to bring someone special with me.”

  “A man?” she asked. “Would that happen to be your friend Jake West?”

  “Yes,” she said with a laugh. “A very special man.”

  Jake looked worried as he approached. He stopped, lifted her chin and searched the expression on her face. At his concern, love washed over her, making her smile.

  His shoulders slumped in relief.

  “We look forward to seeing you both,” her mother said.

  “Thanks, Mom. It was good talking with you.”

  When she ended the call, she rushed into his arms. “Oh, Jake...”

  “Must’ve gone well,” he said. “You look radiant.”

  She tilted her head back to look into his beautiful, dear eyes. “It was so simple. She apologized. I apologized. We’re both relieved. Why didn’t I return their calls sooner?”

  “Because you were hurting. It’s tough to be objective when the pain is so deep.”

  “And the guilt, wrapped up in anger, at them, at myself.”

  He gave her a gentle kiss, his soft lips brushing against hers. “I’m proud of you for calling them.”

  “Thanks, I feel...hopeful.”

  His eyes sparkled with the joy she felt. “Violet, I need to tell you—”

  “Wait.” She pressed her finger to his lips. “I need to finish first.” She laughed at his look of surprise. “I told Mom I want to come visit and bring along someone special.”

  “Someone special?”

  “I want you to meet my parents.”

  Frustration flashed on his face, but then it cleared. “I’ll be happy to meet them.”

  “Are you sure? You don’t look pleased.”

  “No, I’m good with it. When would you like to go?”

  Disappointment over his reaction chipped away at her excitement. “Maybe Friday afternoon?”

  “That should be fine.”

  She snaked her arms around his neck and leaned up on her toes. “Now, what were you about to tell me a minute ago before I interrupted?”

  “Just that...well, that I’m glad this day turned out so well.”

  A bird in the tree above them chirped a happy song. She sighed. “It did, didn’t it? I have a sense that everything will work out for the best.”

  He closed the gap and kissed her, making her knees go weak. She couldn’t remember ever being happier.

  But did he feel the same way she did? She wished he would say with words what she suspected he tried to say with his kisses.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The diamond engagement ring burned a hole in Jake’s pocket.

  He and Violet were going to drive three hours to South Carolina for him to meet Camilla and Buford Crenshaw. Meeting the parents, a first for him. But, more important, it would be Violet’s family reunion.

  A lot was resting on one visit.

  Could he do this? Could he declare his feelings and propose as soon as Violet arrived at his house? Or should he wait until after meeting her mom and dad?

  Her parents were society folks. Would Violet want him to be proper, to first ask her father for her hand in marriage?

  Pacing the living room of his house, he ran a hand through his hair. She had said she wanted to take him home to meet her family. Maybe he should wait on the proposal. To make sure he met their approval.

  What if they’d always dreamed of a doctor or lawyer for their daughter?

  “Jake?” Violet called from the kitchen. “I’m here.”

  He froze, unsure. He didn’t know anything about being a husband, being a son-in-law.

  “Oh, there you are. What are you doing?” Violet asked.

  She stood with the sunlight streaming over her short dark hair, her eyes bright...happy.

  Calm settled over him. T
his amazing woman had been on her own for years. She was strong, capable, independent.

  She didn’t need her parents’ permission to marry. And he didn’t, either.

  He might not know anything about being a husband or son-in-law, but he hadn’t known anything about taking care of a baby, either. He could learn. Besides, he loved Violet and wanted to marry her. Nothing would change that.

  “Jake?”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  A smile lit her face. “Thank you. Are you ready to go?”

  “Not yet.”

  With a tilt of her head, she looked at him, questioning.

  He stepped closer, ran a hand over her soft cheek. “I love you, Violet.”

  She blinked her gorgeous hazel eyes. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “I love you, too, Jake.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course.” She laughed and then gave him a soft kiss. “I don’t babysit just anyone’s niece, you know. I only do that for men I care about.”

  “Well, there won’t be any other men to care about in your future. I’m it for you.”

  “Agreed.” Joy shone in her eyes.

  “So, does that mean you’ll marry me?”

  “You’re asking?”

  “Wait.” Shaking his head, he stepped away from her. He needed to stay focused. “Having you so close made me forget all I had planned.”

  He pulled the ring from his pants pocket and held it in front of her, wishing he’d put it in a fancy box or had set up some kind of big surprise at a nice restaurant. “This was my mother’s. I’ve kept it in my safety deposit box all these years. Never once considered taking it out. Until this past week.”

  “Oh, Jake. It’s beautiful. Perfect. I’ll treasure it.”

  “Violet Crenshaw, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She jumped into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes!”

  He laughed as she almost knocked the ring out of his hand. She didn’t care one whit how he presented it. She would have ripped through any wrapping anyway.

  A big grin stretched across his face as he set her back on her feet and placed the ring safely on her finger. It was a little loose, but they could have it adjusted. “Do you mind that I didn’t ask your parents’ permission?”

  “No. I’m thrilled and honored to introduce you to them as my fiancé.”

  He lifted her chin and touched his lips to hers. When she placed her hand on his chest and sighed, his heart pounded double time.

  “I don’t want a long engagement,” he whispered.

  “Me, either.”

  “Remy called today to say she’s moving home right before school starts in August. Will you mind having her and Abby living with us for a while?”

  “Not at all. I’ll love having a baby in the house.”

  “And then maybe we can add one of our own?”

  Pink tinged her cheeks. “I hope and pray.”

  He kissed her thoroughly and then forced himself to step away. “We need to leave. Time to meet the family.”

  She reached out and took his hand, and they walked out the door together.

  “You’re my family now, Jake.”

  He’d never been happier or more content in his life. Raising the back of her hand to his mouth, he kissed it. “I adore you. Together, we’re going to build the family I’ve always dreamed of.”

  Epilogue

  “What’s wrong with this thing?” Jake huffed as he gently tried to settle the infant car seat onto the base strapped in the backseat of the truck. “I think it’s faulty.”

  “Jake, it’s okay.”

  “How on earth are we going to get Camy home if they’ve sold us a bad carrier?”

  Trying not to laugh at her husband, Violet stepped out of the wheelchair and thanked the nurse for bringing her outside. She placed a calming hand on Jake’s arm. “Calm down, okay? You’ve done this before.”

  “But it’s been two years since Abby was in one of the rear-facing s—” He stopped and shook his head, laughing at himself.

  “Yeah, rear-facing is the key word here,” she said, smiling at her precious, sleeping baby.

  Camilla Lee West—Camy—slept peacefully through all Jake’s efforts. Violet suspected with a dad as active as Jake, the child would learn to sleep soundly through just about anything.

  With a head full of black hair, she looked just like Violet’s baby pictures. But Violet could see her daddy in her, as well. Looked as if she would have his blue eyes.

  He turned the seat the other direction and snapped it easily into place.

  “See, even you can do it,” she said with a teasing smirk.

  “You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

  “Reminds me of someone who once came roaring into my life with a backward car seat latched in by a tangled seat belt.”

  “Someone you instantly fell madly in love with, right?” He gave her a wink as he took her arm to help her up into the truck.

  “Well, not instantly. But most definitely madly in love.”

  Violet had wanted to sit in the backseat next to Camy on the way home. She tucked the loose blanket over their baby’s tiny feet.

  “You’re such a good mother,” he said. “Are you doing okay?”

  “I’m fine. Mom will arrive soon to help. And Remy and Abby are bringing dinner this evening. For now, I just want to get away from the chaos of the hospital to a quiet house with our girl.”

  “Our girl.” He sighed, then leaned in and gave her a long, leisurely kiss. “Too many nurses around to do that inside.”

  “And the patient drop-off area is so private,” she said with a laugh, her cheeks burning.

  “Let’s go home, Mrs. West,” he said, his dear face radiating love.

  Home with her husband and daughter. She loved the sound of that.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE SINGLE DAD FINDS A WIFE by Felicia Mason.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for taking another journey with me to the fictional town of Appleton, Georgia. I hope you’ve enjoyed the story of Jake and Violet and baby Abby. I had such fun putting these two together to see what would happen. I also enjoyed revisiting some characters from my previous book, The Guy Next Door. I’m hoping you’ll see one of those same characters again in a future story!

  As I wrote this story, I thought I knew what my theme would be. But as happens sometimes, God leads the story in a different direction. What started out as a story about trying to earn love ended up being more about God taking all the junk in our lives and working it for good. And how sometimes, even though our lives may not turn out as we planned, we discover God blesses us with something even better.

  Thank you so much for reading. I love hearing from readers. Please tell me what you think about The Doctor’s Second Chance. You can visit my website, www.missytippens.com, or email me at missytippens@aol.com. If you don’t have internet access, you can write to me c/o Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

  Missy Tippens

  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


  The last thing on David Camden’s mind was romance. He had enough complications in his life already without adding the type that generally accompanied females, especially ones his best friend tried to set him up with.

  More importantly, he had no babysitter. And he couldn’t very well show up at the biggest meeting of his career with a cranky four-year-old in tow.

  He had been keeping tabs on the atmosphere in town and reading the articles about the opposition to his project. The online edition of the Cedar Springs Gazette carried full coverage, including a slew of testy letters to the editor questioning the need, efficacy and motivation for the project. It was frustrating to know he was walking into Cedar Springs, North Carolina, at a decided disadvantage—before he could even present his ideas for a new mixed-use development.

  Historical societies and their hysterical members were the bane of his existence.

  “Daddy, my stomach hurts.”

  David looked up from the open laptop on the desk. Jeremy sat on the pullout sofa in the hotel room they were calling home for the next few days. He closed the email from his best friend; the missive spouted the attributes of someone named Susan that she wanted him to go on a blind date with. As if he had time to date. He was a single dad with a floundering business to run.

  “Hey, buddy,” he said, rolling the desk chair over to the sofa. “What’s this about a tummy ache?”

  David crouched before his son. He pressed his hand to the boy’s forehead and frowned.

  Jeremy had a fever.

  Guilt flashed through David. His son hadn’t been cranky because he was four. Jeremy had been irritable and out of sorts because he was sick.

  David wiped a hand over his face and weighed his options. They were few. A sick kid and important business meetings coming up.

  He sighed. It was moments like this that he really missed having the support of a wife.

  He didn’t know any doctors here in Cedar Springs, let alone where he might find one at this time of the night. It was already after seven, probably closer to eight. He’d lost track of time with emails and reading the online newspaper.