“Definitely,” Tessa agreed.
“So how’s your life?” Amanda asked Tessa.
Tessa laughed. “I praise God every day for Blake and the boys. They are such a blessing in my life. I watch Blake with our sons and see the father they never had. Derek is his by blood, but Seth and Rob are sons in his heart and in theirs. His parents are the same way. They never make a difference in them, and the boys love them for it. I have a good life that I treasure.”
“Sarah?” Amanda reached for Sarah’s hand. “What’s wrong? Is it Trey?”
Tears she couldn’t stop rolled down Sarah’s cheeks. They’d been having so much fun, and now, listening to the others with their lives settled and blessed sent her thoughts into a jumbled, hurtful spiral. At Amanda’s question, she shook her head.
“No, Trey is wonderful. He’s so much more than I could have dreamed.” Her breath caught in a hiccup as she tried to keep from crying. “He told me he may become a preacher. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“Of course it is.” Tessa moved to hold Sarah’s other hand. “What about Kevin? What has he done?”
Tessa sounded so defensive that Sarah almost laughed. She would have if a sob hadn’t gotten in the way. She shook her head. “Nothing. He’s been nicer than I thought he could be. I told you about Marilee’s Home.”
Both friends nodded.
“I’ve been reading the Bible Trey gave me. I feel so mixed up and empty inside.” She bowed her head and pulled her hands from her friends to clutch them against her middle. “I thought Kevin would fill the void he left so long ago, but he won’t.”
“He can’t, Sarah.” Tessa touched her knee. “That hole you’re talking about is God-shaped. Nothing else will fit.”
Tears flowed at Tessa’s soft words. Sarah covered her face with her hands. “Help me. Please, I need your prayers.”
Amanda scooted closer and put her arm around Sarah’s shoulders. She began to pray, while Tessa talked. Sarah had never been more ready to turn her life over to the Father. She’d served Him as a child; now she opened the door she had closed between them and rededicated her life to Christ with a commitment she intended to keep.
Sunday morning before the Fourth, Kevin sat beside Trey in church and listened to the sermon taken from the third chapter of John. “ ‘No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ ” The minister’s voice rang with conviction as he turned to the twenty-first chapter of Revelation and read the description of heaven. Then in chapter three: “ ‘I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’ ”
As the minister preached, the words burned Kevin’s heart and described his life. Then the minister stepped down to stand in front of the congregation with his hand outstretched as if beckoning them forward. “He’s standing at your heart’s door knocking. Invite Jesus in.”
An organ played in the background while the minister pleaded, “Softly, tenderly Jesus is calling. Come to the altar, and we’ll pray with you.”
The congregation stood and began to sing the old song. Trey leaned toward Kevin and whispered, “Everyone must receive the call to accept Jesus’ forgiveness. Do you want to pray?”
Kevin wanted to run. Instead he nodded.
“I’ll go with you.”
Trey’s offer and shift into the aisle was a lifeline pulling Kevin forward. He couldn’t have stopped if he’d tried. He knelt at the altar beside Trey while tears filled his eyes and God’s love filled his heart. For the first time in his life, he felt complete.
Chapter 16
At three o’clock Tuesday afternoon, Sarah stepped from her office with a smile on her face. “Tricia, I have an errand I need to run. I’ll see you in the morning.”
As Sarah left the hospital and drove across town, misgivings fluttered like butterflies in her stomach. Would Kevin listen to her if he was even there? What if Miss Parker was with him? She had to take the chance. She had to tell him about her commitment to Christ; then tonight she’d call Trey. He’d rejoice with her.
Sarah knocked on the door she’d been told was Kevin’s.
“Come in.”
“Kevin?” She pushed the door open.
He stood while a slow smile lit his face; his eyes welcomed her. “Sarah?”
“May I talk to you?” She still hesitated at the door. Her heart fluttered like a bird ready to take flight.
“Sure, come on in.” He moved away from the desk and stepped forward. “Please, have a chair.”
Sarah sat while he closed the door. He perched on the corner of the desk near her. “What brings you out here?”
“I have something to tell you. I went home over the weekend and found what Trey’s been trying to tell us. I want to share with you, Kevin.” Sarah smiled as her newfound joy bubbled from her heart. “At the Davises’ cookout, Tessa and Amanda prayed with me. I committed my life to the Lord, Kevin. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s wonderful to know my life’s in His hands now.”
Kevin threw back his head and laughed. Sarah frowned. How could he laugh at her when she’d risked so much coming to help him see the truth? She stood to leave, but he caught her hand in his.
“Don’t go. I’m laughing because you don’t have to explain anything to me. I spent the weekend with Trey. I went to church with him, Sarah. But that’s not all. I, too, accepted God’s gift of salvation. I laughed because I’m so happy for you and for me.”
“Oh Kevin.” Sarah’s laughter joined his before a quick knock on the door intruded.
She dropped his hand and stepped back. Valerie Parker walked in with a file folder in her hands.
“Oh.” Sarah had almost forgotten about Kevin’s girlfriend, or was she his fiancée now? “I need to go.”
“Don’t leave on my account.” Valerie glared at Sarah. Ice crystals glistened in her words. “I’m just delivering this folder to Mr. Nichols.”
She walked out the door, head held high. What had happened to her? Sarah turned to question Kevin and met his mischievous grin.
“Valerie isn’t too happy about some decisions I’ve made.” He shrugged. “She’s used to getting whatever she wants. For some reason she wanted me, and I said no.”
He took Sarah’s left hand and lifted it as his words soaked in, distracting her. “I don’t see a ring here. What’s going on?”
The warmth of his hand on hers crept to her heart. “Oh, that ring you found? I never wore it. Never even tried it on. In fact, if you’d given me a chance to tell you, you would’ve known I never intended to. I gave it back to Harold and then cried on his shoulder over you.”
She watched his expression change from pain to disbelief to jealousy as she talked. His scowl became fierce as he growled, “If you need a shoulder to cry on, it’d better be mine from now on.”
Sarah laughed, and his frown disappeared as he said, “I’m taking you out tonight. Wear something nice.”
“Yes, Kevin.” Sarah spun away from him and hurried out the door before he could stop her. She heard his laughter as she walked away.
Sarah slipped into the most romantic dress she owned. She lifted the filmy skirt out to each side and twirled around in front of her full-length mirror. The royal blue made her eyes look like pools of Michigan Lake reflecting the summer sky. At least she hoped Kevin would think so. She laughed and twirled once more as the doorbell rang.
Her heart beat out a rhythm for her feet as she danced downstairs and pulled the door open.
Kevin handed her a dozen red roses with a smile that circled her heart and lit his eyes as he took in her appearance. “You’re beautiful, Sarah.”
She could’ve said the same for him. He wore a suit without a tie. He’d left the top two buttons of his shirt open, giving him a roguishly handsome look. She pressed her right palm over her heart to still its pounding. “Thank you. I’ll put these in water.”
They ate at Latarini’s. Kevin had always been a gentleman
, but tonight he made sure her every need was met immediately. Not that it would have mattered. Just being with him was enough. Since they’d shared their newfound commitment to serving the Lord, a bond between them had been forged that could not be broken. Her love for him had never been truer, and she sensed the same from him.
They left the restaurant and headed east. Were they going to the Lake? She didn’t care. She just didn’t want the fairy-tale evening to end.
When Kevin pulled to a stop at Grant Park, Sarah knew what he had in mind. Buckingham Fountain. He’d promised to bring her at night so they could watch the water spray in the multicolored lights.
Kevin opened her car door and reached for her hand, which she gladly gave. Side-by-side they followed the path to the fountain. Hand-in-hand they watched the beauty of the water and the fountain. The four seahorse statues representing the four states that touched the lake. The colorful lights, the music. All of it together couldn’t have created a more romantic moment for her.
Kevin turned to face Sarah. She watched the water arch above and behind him in a spectacular display; then she only saw Kevin and the love in his eyes.
“I’ve accepted a job in real estate.”
His words surprised her. “You’re leaving Parkers?”
“Oh yeah.” He grinned. “When I made it clear I didn’t want the daughter, the job lost its appeal. I’ve got another week to go, and then I get to play in what I really enjoy. Only I’ll have a salary as well as commission. I think it’s a good choice.”
“That’s wonderful.” That he didn’t want Miss Parker. Maybe changing jobs, too.
“But that isn’t all.” His grin disappeared, and his eyes darkened as he searched her face. “I love you, Sarah. I always have. I walked away from you twice, but I never stopped loving you. Not even once. Can you forgive me?”
She swayed toward him. The night, bright lights from the fountain, Kevin so close. He could ask her to forgive anything tonight and she would. Only love filled her heart. “Yes, if you’ll forgive me.”
He released her hand and caught her by the shoulders.
“You were never at fault. Unless you can be blamed for letting me walk away.” He smiled. “Will you marry me? If you say no, that will be the second huge mistake of our lives.”
“Yes.”
His eyes shone. “Yes, you will?”
Love stretched toward every corner of her heart. She lifted her lips as he pulled her close. “Yes, more than anything I want to be your wife.”
Their lips touched in a sweet kiss. Mist from the fountain drifted over them as the wind shifted. Kevin pulled back and smiled at Sarah. “Can we take that as God’s blessing?”
She smiled. “I think so.”
They kissed again and Kevin murmured, “Let’s get married real soon.”
“Oh yes, before Trey goes to college. We’ve wasted entirely too much time already.” Sarah lifted her lips for another kiss.
Sarah stood at long last beside the only man she would ever love as they said their vows. The minister turned to her.
“Do you, Sarah Anne Maddox, take this man, Kevin Nichols, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.”
“Do you have a ring?”
Kevin turned as Trey, standing tall and handsome beside him, handed him the ring. His hands were steady and warm when he slipped the ring on Sarah’s finger.
Then she placed a ring on his finger, and together they repeated their vows.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Sarah’s heart soared with love for Kevin. For the boy she’d never stopped loving, but mostly for the man he’d become.
“You may kiss the bride.”
“I will cherish you always,” Kevin whispered before he claimed her in the sweetest kiss she’d ever known.
“I love you, Kevin,” Sarah murmured. Together they faced the crowded church in Litchfield, Illinois.
“May I present Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Nichols?”
Music swelled as the wedding party hurried down the aisle toward the fellowship room in back to receive congratulations from their friends and families. Kevin’s parents stopped with wide smiles on their faces. Both hugged Kevin first and then Sarah.
Sincerity shone from Mrs. Nichols’s eyes when she said, “Sarah, I’m glad you’re part of our family now. We need to get together sometime and shop. I can’t think of a better way to get acquainted.”
Sarah laughed. “I couldn’t agree with you more. Give me a call anytime.”
Kevin gave her a quick hug. She smiled then watched her new in-laws shake Trey’s hand.
Mrs. Nichols said, “I understand if you don’t want to think of us as your grandparents. We’ve made plenty of mistakes in our lives, but…”
When she left her thought hanging, Trey smiled at her and said, “We all make mistakes, but I know the One who brings joy from ashes. Mistakes can always be forgiven.”
When he opened his arms to hug his grandmother for the first time, Sarah exchanged a smile with her husband and whispered, “I hope mother pride isn’t a sin, because I couldn’t be prouder of our son.”
“How about father pride?” His grin widened. “Or husband pride? You’re pretty special, too, you know.”
“Maybe it isn’t pride at all. Maybe it’s love.”
He pulled her close. “Oh, it’s definitely love.”
As the reception drew to a close, Sarah changed from her wedding dress into comfortable slacks and a short-sleeved cotton blouse. Before they left the ladies’ restroom, she hugged her best friends. “Thank you for everything. Especially for being with me today. In less than two months, you both made the long trip to be here. That means so much. I love you, Tessa. I love you, Amanda. You’re the best friends anyone could have.”
“You would do the same for us.” Amanda brushed off her words.
“That’s right,” Tessa agreed. “You were at my wedding, weren’t you?”
“Of course. Texas isn’t so far away.” Sarah turned toward Amanda with a teasing grin. “California isn’t much farther, you know.”
Amanda laughed and pushed the door open. “Remember that when you come for a visit. Just don’t expect another wedding from me.”
She let the door close behind her. Tessa’s eyebrows rose. “Was that a prayer request?”
Sarah tapped her chin with one finger. “You know, I think it was. But as my son says, we must pray for God’s will above all.”
“Definitely.”
Tessa and Sarah followed Amanda.
Sarah loved the possessive feel of Kevin’s fingers interlaced with hers as they prepared to leave the church.
Trey stopped them near the door. “Hey, I want to say thank you for so many things.” He shrugged. “I mean the car is beyond cool, but well, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Thanks for giving me a chance at life. Thanks for letting Mom and Dad adopt me. Thanks for caring enough to meet me and become my friends. You know what I’m trying to say.”
Sarah couldn’t stop a tear from sliding down her cheek. She brushed it away and smiled as she took the tall boy in her arms. “Maybe you haven’t realized, but you’ve given us life, too. Without your prayers and words of encouragement, we’d still be lost in our complacency. We wouldn’t have each other, and we wouldn’t have the Lord living in our lives. Thank you, Trey.”
“That’s right.” Kevin stepped forward and, with one arm around Sarah, clapped Trey’s shoulder. “We may not be a family like we could’ve been, but because of God’s forgiveness, we are family and always will be. Thanks, Trey. We owe you.”
A sly smile crossed Trey’s face as he looked from Kevin to Sarah. “There’s one way you could pay me back. I never liked being an only child. I wouldn’t mind having a little brother or sister to play with once in a while.”
Kevin’s laughter joined Sarah’s. He hugged her close. “Now that’s an idea. Guess we’ll leave it in God’s hands.”
Trey grinned. “Fair
enough.”
Author Note
K evin Nichols is not a cook, and neither am I, but my oldest son is, and this is his easy version of a favorite. It would be hard to mess this up, yet it tastes great and never lasts long. It’s also a great way to use up left over vegetables and mashed potatoes.
SHEPHERD’s PIE
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
1½ pounds ground beef, venison, or turkey, browned and drained
1 can drained green beans, corn, peas, or carrots
8-10 potatoes, peeled, boiled, and mashed
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese, if desired season as desired
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add mushroom soup and milk to cooked ground beef and mix thoroughly. Line casserole dish with meat mixture. Pour drained vegetables over meat. Cover with mashed potatoes, spreading to edge of dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Bake until potatoes are lightly browned.
BUILDING AMANDA’S FUTURE
Dedication
To extraordinary foster parents who give more than meets the eye to make a difference for good in the lives of children. Especially to Kathy Bowman, a fellow foster parent who went out of her way to serve others. We miss you, Kathy.
Chapter 1
A manda Wilson knelt on the soft, thick lawn beside the tombstone and placed a spray of forget-me-nots against the cool marble. She took a deep breath, letting the scent of fresh-cut grass fill her senses while the early May sun warmed her skin.
With her finger, she traced the words engraved in the stone. JEFFREY ALLEN WILSON. Beloved Son and Husband. We Miss You. Such impersonal words to convey the love and loss she could never regain.
She lifted her face toward the blue sky. “Oh Jeff, I do miss you, even though our life together seems more like a dream with each passing year.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “I finished college. That’s the good news. The bad news is I’ll be teaching in Litchfield, so I have to move home to Illinois.”
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