by Lisa Prysock
The ring fit perfectly and the diamond was an exquisite marquis shape. “It’s gorgeous, Jack. Thank you so much.”
“I hoped you would like it. Someone awfully close to you helped me choose.”
“Amy?”
He nodded.
“How’d you manage that?” she asked, laughing, happy about this piece of information.
“Not so easy. I had to sign my life away at the jeweler and bring my top three choices to the cabin. When you slipped outside one evening to talk to Brooke on the front porch for a few minutes, I showed Amy the rings.”
“Wow, that was like a week ago.”
He nodded. “I was a little worried about Amy keeping it a secret.”
“Well, she has admitted to not being able to keep secrets, but I promise you she kept this one.” Nicole admired the ring on her hand again.
He laughed, approval written on his face. “I should confess she mentioned at that time you’d broken things off with Drew Fairchild, but to be honest, I kinda figured that out when he stopped sending roses.”
It was her turn to laugh. “I feel kinda bad they always put you on delivery duty, but on the other hand, if it helped bring us together, I can’t complain. All that matters is we’re together, and everyone is happy, except I think I’m the happiest.” Nicole glanced at the ring again. She couldn’t stop looking at it and couldn’t stop herself from smiling. It was so beautiful. Everything was beautiful. Her whole world had changed since coming to Wyoming. She couldn’t imagine being any happier.
“I don’t know,” he chuckled, “I think I might be the happiest.” Then he stopped teasing and pulled her into his arms, tilted her chin, and gave her a passionate kiss.
Chapter 25
"This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ."
—Frank McKibben
Jack looked up from putting the finishing touches on his secret project in one of the tool sheds the night before Christmas Eve as McGuire walked in to return a tool. “Hey, you’re working late, McGuire. How’s married life treating you?”
“It’s great! Katie and I are really happy together. She’s changed my whole life. Somehow we’ve blended into something beautiful. It’s a miracle, really.” McGuire stopped to look at Jack’s work. “This dollhouse you’re making is amazing. It’s for Amy, right?”
Colten nodded. “Yeah, I thought, why buy one of those plastic ones? I think she’ll like this more because she can customize it. I mean, it’s not finished, but she might enjoy picking out carpet and wallpaper and that sorta thing.”
“I think my girls would love something like this. I might need your help making two more of these. We’ve got some birthdays coming up.” McGuire crossed his arms over his chest and watched Jack sand a corner of the roof with a piece of sandpaper. “I’ve designed big real life cabins, but making smaller models of them is a talent I can’t claim.”
“This one is pretty simple in design, but hopefully it will mean something to Amy in the years ahead. I took enough wood shop in high school to get myself into trouble here and there tinkering with wood projects.” Jack kept sanding as he talked. “Anyhow, her biological father is one of those MIA types. This gift will probably be one of the first gifts I’m guessing someone made for her along these lines.”
“Missing in action, huh?” McGuire nodded. “Jamie and Tracy’s mother has the same initials, unfortunately. I’m sure Amy will love this.”
“And, at least the good Lord looked down and brought Katie along for your girls like he’s brought me into Amy’s life. You two make a great couple and you have a beautiful family.” Jack found a tool to work on the inside window edges and began sanding those.
“Thanks. We’ll have to get together sometime and have you bring the family out to our place. How do you like working on The Sweetwater so far? I guess it’s about the same as being on The Broken J, right?” McGuire asked.
“Yeah, working for the Haven cousins has been great in both locations. I guess the Tipton ranch is a little more remote in some ways.” Jack paused from sanding to rest his arm. “I like being closer to my folks. They’re getting up there in years.”
“Yeah, it means a lot to be close to family. We’re taking the girls and heading to Boston this year for Christmas to be with Katie’s family, just for a few days. But I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and congratulations on your engagement. We’re all very happy for you.” McGuire added, “Amy even kinda looks like you. All three of you have that dark hair.”
Jack nodded and grinned. “The Lord doth work in mysterious ways.”
McGuire chuckled. “When do you two plan to tie the knot?”
“We’re thinking about Valentine’s Day. Nicole just accepted a role for the leading lady in a Christian movie being filmed in England, so she wants to have the wedding before that project begins.” He continued sanding the next window. It wouldn’t do to have Amy get any splinters playing with her new dollhouse on Christmas morning. “Her agent is putting the contract together right now, and the director is talking with Nicole about having the band members for Redemption Revolution produce a theme song. There may even be a few from the band filling some of the roles in the cast.”
“Wow. That’s a great way for the Lord to use those kids from St. Louis. They’re incredibly talented. Things are moving along, then. I’m guessing she plans to move to Wyoming?” McGuire perched on a stool near the work bench.
“If we can find some land around here to purchase. Know of any good acreage for sale?” Jack asked, looking up from his sanding. “I haven’t had a chance to look around at all yet.”
McGuire tipped his hat upward and raised his chin to consider the question. “I do know of one place not too far from here because I pass it on my way to and from work every day. I’d say it’s about twenty or thirty acres and to the west of here, ‘bout ten miles down the road. You’d have to build on it, though. There’s nothing but a big old barn on the property. Looks like it needs a good coat of paint and some minimal repair from a distance, but I haven’t looked inside. They auctioned off the house and some of the acres to someone else. Let me think now, it’s about eight to ten miles before you get to my place, and about eight miles from here.”
“Sounds great, if it has any trees. The more the better. Nicole wants trees, so trees she shall have, if I gotta plant ‘em myself.” Jack began sanding the next window.
“Yep, it’s got some trees. I’d say it has a five acre woods on about a quarter of the property. Hard to find that in some parts of Wyoming,” McGuire remarked.
“Yeah, that’s true. Sounds like it might be what we’re looking for.”
After McGuire left, Jack smiled to think of it while he finished up by making carpet and vinyl samples to fit some of the rooms in the doll house. As he pondered the idea of purchasing some land with Nicole, he could picture a tire swing for Amy, a wood working shed like the one he was standing in for wood projects, and a brand new house to make Nicole happy and provide a stable home for his girls. He’d bring his horses, too, and put them on the ranch. They’d finally have a home like they used to, before he’d thought his broken heart could never risk loving again. God had a way of mending things, and that was all he knew for sure after all he’d been through.
Maybe he could take Nicole and Amy for a ride on one of the ranch snowmobiles and explore the property a bit on Christmas Eve morning. Logan had said one of the perks of working for The Sweetwater included access to all of the equipment. A snowmobile ride would be fun if it was with someone who knew the lay of the land. He’d have to ask Buck which route might be the safest ahead of time, but exploring in the daylight tomorrow morning sounded like the best plan. There was plenty of snow. It would be an exciting ride, but he didn’t want any other mishaps to happen.
THE SNOWMOBILE ENGINE roared to life and he told the girls to hold on tight behind him. They zoomed over fields and
meadows blanketed in snow, following the route Buck had taken him on after breakfast. Thankfully, the tracks from Buck’s snowmobile were still visible, making the ride more fun than it would’ve been if he’d had to worry about driving them into a sinking ditch. Sometimes he could hear the girls laughing, but most of the time they were going so fast the wind carried their laughter away. They’d tucked Amy between them so Nicole wouldn’t worry about her falling off the seat.
When they reached the acreage for sale, he pulled up to the wooded area and slowed as he drove all around it, ending up at the barn a little while later. Then he parked the snowmobile and they tumbled off the seat laughing and windblown, happy to have had such a fun experience.
“Well, what do ya think?” he asked.
“About the ride, or the land?” Nicole teased him, smirking in a fun-loving way.
“The land, of course,” he said, rolling his eyes as he pulled her into his arms.
“I loved the ride,” Amy said, still giggling as she fell into the snow to make a snow angel. “I love snow! It’s so much fun.”
NICOLE LOOKED AROUND as Jack held her. She could see the mountains in the western horizon and the patch of woods in the east. The fence and the barn looked like they could use some work, but nothing major. There was plenty of pasture, a gorgeous view, and there were plenty of places where it looked like they could build a home. “I love it! I doubt you’d find anything more perfect. It’s close to your job and your family. I mean, we’d still have the California beach house, the two RV’s—yours and mine—and the New York condo apartment. They’re paid for, so no sense in losing hard-earned real estate.”
“Right,” he nodded, listening to her thoughts carefully.
“I think we should make an offer,” she said. “We know there’s water because of the house on the other side of the woods. I guess there’s probably water by the creek I saw running through the north side of the property. My daddy always said if there was water, some trees, and solid ground with rich soil, it was a good place to build.”
Jack nodded. “I agree. Let’s pray about it.”
He took her hand in his and led them in a short prayer, asking the Lord to bless them with this land to build a home. While Amy ran off to make more snow angels, he pulled her into his arms. “Do you like it?”
“It’s perfect.” She was mesmerized by the beauty of the land and the majestic mountains in the distance, their snowcapped peaks and tables rising as if to guard them. She turned to gaze up into his eyes, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I’m so glad the Lord brought you into my life and brought me to this beautiful place.”
“I feel the same way.” He held her there, looking down at her happy smile.
“You know that passage about the paralyzed man? The one who begged for coins at the temple gate called Beautiful until Peter pulled him to his feet and prayed for him to be whole?” She looked up into his eyes, squinting and tilting her head a little to avoid the intense rays of sunshine from blocking her view.
He nodded. “The one the Bible says was leaping and dancing and praising God after Jesus healed him through Peter’s prayer in the name of Jesus of Nazareth? Yes, I know the passage well.”
“My daddy used to lead us in singing a song about this man’s healing at church when I was a little girl. I feel as though God took my stalled out, paralyzed life, so-to-speak, and healed me as I read those very Scriptures this week in my daily devotions. I’ve been trying to be more faithful about that. Anyways, it’s a miracle, really. He seems to have turned me from a useless person into a giver and someone with a servant’s heart. I no longer want to make movies that don’t share the message of Him. And now, everywhere I look, there are ideas I have about giving to those who need help and things I’m feeling compelled to do in order to advance the Kingdom. I mean, I still have a lot to refresh upon and to learn, but you know, I have already decided there are some things I’m going to do as a Christian that can make a difference.”
“You have a beautiful heart, Nicole.” Jack smiled, pulling her closer. “I sensed that about you from the start.”
“Yes, but the Lord has really done a work inside me since I’ve been here.” She looked around at the beautiful snow-covered scene, the woods, the barn, the meadows all around them. “He’s brought all the seeds to life in my heart—seeds planted in me years ago. I’m no longer distracted with buying things or trying to find peace and happiness in material possessions. I mean, they’re nice, and I’m glad the good Lord has given me financial independence and security, but I’ve come to realize they just glitter. They don’t really matter to me like maybe they once did. They’re not what’s truly important or fulfilling in my life. I mean, I’ll always enjoy shopping, but now it has a small place in my life, not a hold on me. The Lord is my number one, and you and Amy are next, of course. I don’t seem to crave comfort from anywhere else like I was before.”
“It’s amazing how He has a way of showing us these things and growing us,” he nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. “I don’t mind being second in your life when I know God is first. It may sound strange, but that’s exactly how it should be.” He sighed contentedly beside her. “I guess seeing the lighthouse on the book cover for your next movie, and the two of us becoming engaged...it’s all like a signpost from heaven that we’re exactly where the Lord wants us in our journey to walk with Him.”
Her heart overflowed with love and joy, rendering her speechless. All she could do was nod in perfect agreement with Jack as Amy laughed and played in the snow while they continued to take in the scene around them.
After enjoying the beauty of the wintery countryside for a while, they started to shiver and decided it was time to go. Then they piled back onto the snowmobile, and when the engine roared to life again, he whisked them back toward The Sweetwater. Nicole thought it was the best Christmas she’d ever experienced in her life.
There was something absolutely romantic and magnificent about finding a home on Christmas Eve morning. Pulling her gloves more snugly around her wrists as they flew over the snowy meadows, she imagined how fun it would be to design and build their home exactly the way they wanted it. Apparently McGuire designed and built log cabins, so they were leaning on something along those lines, but first things first. They’d make an offer and see what happened next. At least it was somewhat secluded.
She was overjoyed Jack had the rest of the day off and Christmas Day to look forward to as well. Later on, they’d gather around the Christmas tree, Jack would build a fire in the fireplace in her cabin, and they’d play a game of Pictionary. She’d prepare ham sandwiches and potato salad for their lunch. Tonight, Jack was making lasagna, they’d watch a Christmas movie after dinner, and Amy would open one gift. Then they’d drink hot chocolate and eat cookies after the midnight Christmas Eve candlelight service at the chapel. It would be a chance to see the Haven baby and give Jill the plush baby blanket and infant outfit they’d purchased as a welcome gift.
Chapter 26
“The best gifts aren’t things we hold in our hands or buy at the store, but the Savior and loved ones we hold in our hearts, the laughter, the happy memories, and golden moments with our family and friends from the good Lord above.”
—Lisa M. Prysock
“Are you ready?” Jill asked Savannah. Aunt Meredith hovered close by with her camera. Savannah looked up at her mother and smiled, nodding, excited she was about to have another chance to hold her newborn baby sister. “Squeeze in closer, Jackie and Gracie Anne. Christmas Day photos are important, but even more so since these will be among our first official family photos.”
The three girls were seated on the sofa in the private family quarters for the Haven family in the main house, Savannah in the middle. They’d had a wonderful Christmas morning, thanks to a lot of help from grandparents, Aunt Meredith, and planning ahead. Jill had found matching red and green plaid Christmas dresses for each of them prior to the birth. Since she hadn’t known the sex of the baby
, she had an extra infant boy outfit to donate, but at least she felt prepared with something similar in infant girl wear for her baby, Christy Jane Haven. There was something that seemed natural and good to that whole nesting thing, and she’d had a bad case of it, even organizing the socks by color code for every family member in the house.
“Here you are,” Jill said softly, placing baby Christy carefully into Savannah’s arms. The baby stirred and coo’d as her mother spread out the soft white blanket beneath and then straightened her plaid holiday skirt for the photo. As tiny as she was, the newest addition to the Haven family remained perfectly content and unaware of how pretty and festive they all looked, but each of the girls glowed radiantly with joy. Everyone in the family was somehow connected to this child. It was a sweet moment for the Haven girls as Aunt Meredith snapped the photo.
“All right, let’s get one with the boys, too. Girls, don’t move. Savannah, hold the baby firmly. Zach, if you’d sit beside Gracie; Micah, if you’d sit beside Jackie—then I think this photo would be perfect. We’ll have one more with Logan and me leaning in from behind the sofa. Very good.” Jill nodded as the handsome boys took their places, each wearing black vests, dress slacks, long-sleeved white shirts, and red ties, with green handkerchiefs in their vest pockets. “Everyone smile for the photo. Lean in closer together.”
“Okay, that’s perfect.” Aunt Meredith snapped three photos of the pose.
“I agree.” Betty Anne joined in next to her sister to take a few more with her camera.
“Jill, you should be sitting on the sofa holding the baby for the next one. Logan, you need to sit beside your woman,” Aunt Meredith instructed, taking charge in the way she often did.
“Good idea, Aunt Meredith.” Jill was glad for her input because it seemed right to her as she accepted Christy back into her arms with relief. She could hardly stand to be away from the baby for two seconds, though her new baby daughter was nearly twelve days old.
