Coming Home: (Contemporary Christian Romance Boxed Set): Three Stories of Love, Faith, Struggle & Hope

by Debra Ullrick

  It wasn’t easy, but Erik stayed in the background as Olivia said her goodbyes to Haskell.

  “You take care, Haskell.”

  Not a man normally given to jealousy, when Olivia and Haskell locked themselves in an embrace, Erik wanted to jerk the man’s arms off of Olivia, but he restrained himself.

  “You, too. I love you, Livvy.”

  Ache clawed at Erik’s heart. The thought of someone else loving his Olivia unnerved him. Whoa. Since when had he started thinking of Olivia as his?

  ♥♥♥♥

  When Haskell left, Erik, Olivia, and Audra took their time as they headed toward Erik’s truck. No one spoke, which Olivia deeply appreciated. So many questions squiggled through her brain, bombarding her frazzled emotions. A nap sounded great. She wanted to go home and bury herself under the blankets for days. But Olivia wouldn’t do that to Adell. Instead, she forced herself to buck up and rise above her tumultuous situation. After all, she still had a busy day ahead of her.

  ♥♥♥♥

  Erik helped Olivia and Audra climb into his truck. Thick silence hung in the cab. He didn’t have a clue what to say.

  “Well, that was interesting,” Audra piped up.

  Simultaneously, in slow motion Erik and Olivia turned their heads toward the backseat.

  Audra shrugged. “Anyone else as hungry as I am?” She smiled cheekily.

  Neither spoke. They faced forward, shaking their heads slightly. Olivia’s friend sure was a unique bird.

  “Okay, then. I’ll take that as a yes,” Audra chirped as if nothing was amiss. “We still going to Tamarack?”

  Erik’s gaze captured Olivia’s. “I know it’s been a stressful morning for you. Would you like to go home and get some rest before the party?”

  He watched as she battled with what to do. “No.” She shook her head. “Even if I went home, I don’t think I’d be able to rest. I’d rather go ahead and go to Tamarack. I need something to take my mind off of everything that’s just happened. And I’ve heard that place is great.” Olivia looked toward the dash. “It’s only 10:32. It takes a half an hour to get to Beckley. So that’ll be just right. I’m sure my stomach will be growling by then.” Her smile was forced.

  “Thanks for the warning.” Erik winked.

  Everyone laughed, but Olivia’s wasn’t her normal cheery laughter. It, too, seemed forced.

  On the way there, Audra regaled them with hilarious stories about women and their wild hair-dos, Louey her long haired Chihuahua’s silly antics, and the kids’ goofy larking about in children’s church.

  Glad the heavy fog inside the cab of his truck had lifted, Erik glanced over at Olivia. He thought about his growing feelings for her. One huge obstacle stood in the way of him telling Olivia how much he loved her. He didn’t know where she was at with the Lord. Judging from her reaction in church, the answer to that question might pose more than just a little trouble for his heart. Lord, I don’t know what to do about this. Please, give Olivia Your peace and help her to find You. He sighed. She really needs You, Jesus. And I really need her.

  ♥♥♥♥

  Thirty minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot at Tamarack and started up the walk. The red roof with A-frame peaks reminded Olivia of a crown. Scanning the area, she noticed the yellow sculptured daffodils amongst the bright flowers and trees. Flowers, bushes, shrubs, trees, and lush greenery, including the walls of greenery lining the entrance were everywhere. The muted red and gray brick pathway inside the circle reminded Olivia of an old cobblestone street. Above the entrance, she read the sign, Caperton Center. To her left, a unique metal plaque with thirteen sculptured hands, said - Tamarack—The Best of West Virginia.

  Inside, one look was all it took for Olivia to understand why the place was called, The Best of West Virginia. The very building itself spoke of class. Like the roof outside, the ceilings were lofty and peaked. Skylights gave the building an airy and open feeling. In front of her was a Tourist Information Center. On her left was a gourmet section that had wines, dry mixes, barbeque sauces, jellies, homemade syrups, honey, candies, and even pet treats. Just looking at all the food made Olivia’s stomach growl.

  “Hungry are we?” Erik asked from behind her.

  Olivia tilted her head sideways and pursed her lips at him. “What gave you the first clue?” Her smirk told him she was just teasing.

  “I’m hungry too,” Audra said from beside her, then looked at Erik. “Where’s this Fried Green Tomato Sandwich you told us about? The one that Tamarack is famous for.” Audra imitated Erik’s earlier assessment of the place.

  “Patience, Miss Audra. We’ll go there in a few minutes.” He looked at Olivia and smiled, then winked. Olivia ignored the way his wink made her stomach flip with giddiness.

  Traveling down the circular walkway, at the Textile section Olivia stopped to admire the rugs, quilts, doilies, and aprons. At the Pottery section, Olivia was amazed at all the extraordinary pottery items in every shape and size imaginable, including bowls, cups, colanders, vases, and even mugs and jugs with caricature faces. Between the Glass and Wood sections was a Christmas Shop with fully decorated trees with handmade ornaments. Blown glass balls of all colors and shapes and sizes, crocheted angels, and snowflakes, filled the place. Like a fast moving locomotive, Olivia zipped through the Christmas shop. After her parents had died, she dreaded Christmas. It was just too depressing.

  Across from Wood and Toys was a Metal department. Erik seemed particularly interested in that part of Tamarack. He soon became deeply engrossed in a quiet conversation with a gray-haired, female employee.

  Giving him his privacy, they continued to look around until Erik finished.

  This whole place was unlike anything she’d ever seen before. As an artist she appreciated all the love and long hours that went into creating such magnificent pieces such as the wooden carved trashcan with a mother bear holding the lid and her cubs climbing up the side. A unique barn wood trashcan sported a small chicken coop on top with a bed of straw and hens.

  As they entered the food court, Olivia couldn’t take it all in fast enough. More of West Virginia’s finest hung on the walls and sat inside wooden cases on top of the wooden counters. Deli, Grill, and Bakery signs caught her eye. Her stomach growled again at the heavenly aromas wafting around them.

  “C’mon. Let’s eat before everyone thinks one of those carved bears came to life.”

  Eyes narrowed, Olivia slapped Erik’s arm, then smiled.

  Olivia debated between Tamarack’s tuna melt, the trout with lemon brown butter, the chicken pot pie, or the fried green tomato sandwich.

  “What’s all in the Fried Green Tomato sandwich,” Audra asked the waitress. “And what all does it come with?”

  “Well,” the blonde woman answered. “We dip the green tomatoes in batter, kind of like an onion ring batter. Then we put it on a bun with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and Swiss cheese. It comes with kettle style potato chips and dill pickle spear. Of course, you can add French fries if you wish, or Cole slaw.”

  They all looked at each other, smiled their approval, and ordered the sandwich.

  While eating their delicious sandwiches, Erik said, “This place has a dinner theater too.”

  Olivia’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  Erik locked gazes with her. “If you’d like, I can make theater reservations for us sometime.”

  Without giving a second thought to the ramifications of what his offer meant, Olivia nodded and popped the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth. As a slow eater, she was always the last one finished.

  “Can we finish looking around now?” Audra asked.

  “I’m ready.” She looked at Erik. “How about you?”

  “Yep.”

  Trash gathered, they threw it away in a nearby trashcan and finished making their way around Tamarack. The Art Gallery was Olivia’s favorite. When they passed the Governor Hulett C. Smith Theater, Erik pointed it out to Olivia. Anticipation filled his eyes. The tho
ught of spending time with Erik in a theater sent a thrill of excitement rushing through her, but with lightning quickness she brushed it aside.

  Across the walkway from the theater, to the right, Erik made his way to a bronze and glass coffee table with a fisherman standing in a stream. Olivia wondered if he liked to fish. And what else he liked to do besides drive monster trucks. Right then, she realized how little she knew about the man she’d fallen in love with. Against her will. And against her better judgment. The man she would never allow herself to have. Shaking off the pit that had lodged in her heart, she focused her attention elsewhere and quickly started oohing an aahing over the variety of jewelry, wearable art, and scented candles.

  When it was time to leave, Olivia had mixed emotions. She couldn’t wait to go to his aunt’s, but she hated leaving Tamarack and all of its artistic beauty.

  “Why don’t y’all go on?” Erik asked as they arrived near the exit. “I forgot something.”

  Audra stopped. “We could wait.”

  “No, no. That’s okay. It’ll only take a minute.” He dug into his pocket, fished out his keys, and handed them to Olivia.

  Outside, the afternoon sun warmed their air-conditioned skin.

  They were so busy regaling about Tamarack that they didn’t even notice Erik’s arrival until they heard a click in the back bed of the pickup. Erik popped the toolbox open and then closed it.

  “Ready, ladies?” he asked, hopping inside.

  Thirty minutes later, they arrived back in Charity. Erik parked in front of a blond brick two-story house with a porch resembling a small antebellum plantation with white shutters on the windows. A three-foot wrought iron fence with matching brick pillars encased the front yard.

  Erik shut off the truck, then helped Olivia and Audra out. They headed toward the front door. Decorative rock surrounded two flowering tulip trees. Bushes of West Virginia’s state flower, rhododendron maximum, covered the yard. Olivia loved the big laurel’s large dark evergreen leaves. Too bad they weren’t blooming. The delicate pale pink and white blooms, mottled with red and yellow flecks were gorgeous.

  When they stepped onto the last of the three wooden steps, the front door swung open. “Hello, hello.” Adell, dressed in pastel yellow, stood on her tiptoes and gave Erik a big hug. Then she turned to Olivia. “It’s so nice to see you again.” She gave Olivia a long squeeze. “Welcome to my home.”

  “Thank you for having me.” Olivia turned toward Audra. “Mrs.—”

  His aunt held up a finger. “Adell, remember.” Her eyes smiled like Erik’s.

  Olivia nodded. “Adell, this is my dear friend, Audra Darron. Audra, this is Erik’s aunt, Adell.”

  “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” Audra extended her hand, but Adell bypassed it and pulled her into a hug.

  Erik’s aunt seemed to hug anyone within arm’s reach. All doubts about bringing a guest vanished. Olivia bet this woman didn’t know a stranger.

  “Well, come on in.” Adell stepped back and motioned for them to enter. Inside, Olivia marveled at the Civil War antiques that filled the room. But the thing that caught her attention the most was the life-sized portrait near the fireplace. She stopped to admire it. The woman in the picture was a younger version of Adell. And the girl, sitting in front of the woman and the handsome, dark haired, mustached gentleman looked just like him.

  “God sure did bless me with a handsome husband and beautiful daughter. God rest their souls.”

  Olivia swung her gaze toward Adell who had strolled up next to her. What did she mean God rest their souls?

  Erik stepped up behind her. His presence made breathing and thinking difficult for her. “My uncle passed away about twenty years ago. And their only daughter died of leukemia when she was ten.”

  The words spiked through Olivia’s brain. She couldn’t believe it. Today, she’d learned that two other families had lost loved ones too. And yet, neither one of them seemed to be angry with God, nor had they turned their backs on Him. The pastor’s words floated through her mind. Sometimes guilt causes us to turn away from God, instead of to Him.

  “Well, come along.” Adell turned toward the back of the house, acting as if nothing was amiss.

  Didn’t Adell miss them? Wasn’t she bitter?

  The three of them followed their hostess through the house. Cinnamon, spice, smoked barbeque and other delicious smells permeated everything. Olivia’s stomach rumbled.

  Adell stopped and tilted her head. “What was that?”

  Olivia sent both Erik and Audra a warning glare.

  “Nothing, Aunt Adell,” Erik said, barely containing his smile. “Nothing.”

  When they stepped out onto the covered patio, Olivia gasped. People covered nearly every square-inch of the huge back yard. A line of every colored rose imaginable lined the immaculate yard that stopped within mere feet of a pond loaded with blooming lily pads. Two trees stood like guards at the end of yard. On each side of them, about ten feet away, were the biggest marble planters Olivia had ever seen. Each overflowed with trailing greenery and a variety of bright flowers.

  On her right, in the corner near the patio was a good eight-foot cherub water fountain. Mouth agape, Olivia stared at the three large canopy covers with long tables decorated with several purple centerpieces. Did Adell know that purple was her favorite color, or was it just a coincidence? Somehow, Olivia didn’t think it was. Never in her whole life had she seen anything or any place more beautiful. This place was the epitome of Adell. Beautiful inside and out.

  “Hey,” Camara greeted them as she breezed by them carrying two full pitchers of what looked to be sweetened tea. “I’ll catch up with y’all later,” she hollered over her shoulder.

  Before Olivia could respond, a short chubby lady grabbed her hand and shook it until Olivia thought it might pull from its socket. “Hello. You must be Olivia.”

  “Olivia, this is my neighbor, Ethel Briggs,” Adell said from beside her.

  Name after name passed through Olivia’s brain. No way would she ever remember them all. Erik stayed close to her side the whole time. Miss Bubbly-Outgoing Audra, however, mingled with all the guests, making ado over this and that.

  Later on in the evening, Olivia tried desperately to focus on the wonderful party thrown in her honor, but she just couldn’t shake the portrait image from her mind. She had to go back in and see it. “Erik.”

  “Yeah?” He turned those soft brown eyes on her.

  “Where’s the restroom?” Heat filled her cheeks.

  “I’ll show you.”

  “No, no. Don’t be silly. Just tell me. I can find it.”

  Erik studied her face for a moment, then explained where it was.

  After refreshing herself, she made her circuitous way back through the large house and into the room with the portrait. Hands behind her back, she stopped in front of the painting and focused her attention on it. A connection to the young girl in the picture spiked through her spirit. What pain she must have suffered from the leukemia. Olivia could relate. Not to the leukemia, but to the young girl’s pain.

  Tears slipped over her eyelashes and onto her cheek. With one swipe, she brushed them away, and looked around, making sure she was alone. Olivia knew she should get back to the party, but she just wasn’t ready to yet. She stared up at the blue-eyed girl. The poor thing died when she was only ten. The same age as Olivia when her parents had died.

  Frustration invaded her soul. As long as Olivia lived, she would never understand why exceptionally cruel people like her aunt Hattie lived long lives, and young, sweet innocent, good-hearted people, like the young girl in the portrait and her parents, died premature deaths. Even more befuddling to her, was that those who were left behind were expected to go on living as if nothing happened. At least that’s what Olivia had been taught anyway.

  Right after her parents’ death, when grief overtook Olivia, and her aunt discovered her crying, the wicked woman would backhand her across the face and snarl, “You’re parent
s are gone. Dead. Caput. They ain’t never comin’ back. So, jist git over it.” Each time Olivia heard the word dead, she sobbed harder. And each time her aunt bit out, “You want somethin’ ta cry about, gurl. Then, I’ll give you somethin’ ta cry about.” Even now Olivia felt the cruel yank on her hair, the jerking of her arm, and the slamming of her body against the wall.

  But the bone-crunching pain of hitting the wall had never compared to the excruciating pain of her loss. Moisture slid down over her cheeks. “Oh, Mom, Dad, I miss you so much. And, Mom. I didn’t mean what I said. Honest. I’m so sorry God answered my prayers to never see you again.” Her shoulders shook. “My prayers killed y’all. I’m so sorry.” Her chin dropped to her chest as tears flooded her eyes.

  “Oh, Honey.”

  Olivia whirled toward the gentle voice. Mortified, she quickly swiped at her eyes and wiped the moisture on her dress.

  Adell stood there at the threshold to the room. Slowly the older woman walked toward her. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, sweetie, but God didn’t answer that prayer. He would never kill your parents.” The compassion in Adell’s eyes caused rivers of tears to gush from Olivia’s.

  “I’m sorry,” Olivia said between sobs. “I didn’t know anyone was around.”

  “C’mon.” Adell extended her wrinkled hand. “We need to talk. Let’s go to my bedroom.”

  “But,” Olivia sucked in several ragged breaths. “Your party.”

  Her soft, understanding smile touched Olivia. “They’re playing games and havin’ a ball. They won’t even know we’re gone. And Erik thinks I’ve come in here to check on you.”

  Seeing no other way out and really wanting to hear what Adell had to say, Olivia let herself be led to a back bedroom where they sat down on a handmade quilt spread across a four-poster bed. Adell reached across and snatched a box of tissues off the nightstand. She yanked a couple out and handed them to Olivia. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose with one.