Moonbeams: A Christian Romance Novel (The Lewis Legacy Series Book 5)

by JoAnn Durgin

  “What did you say?” Concern furrowed Gayle’s brow as she stepped closer.

  A tear slid down Cassie’s cheek. “I’m sorry, Gayle. I’m being so unprofessional.” She wiped away the tear with the back of her hand, praying more wouldn’t follow.

  “Honey, go take a break. You’re working so hard. Step outside the side door for a minute and catch your breath, get some fresh air.”

  “Isn’t that where the smokers are?”

  “Oh, right. Well, then, go down the hallway or something. Take a little walk. I think I saw an alcove to the left of the ballroom. Why not go out there? It’d give you some privacy.” Gayle patted her shoulder. “You might be surprised how much good a short break can do.”

  “Okay, now you’re tempting me,” Cassie said. “But only for five minutes.”

  Gayle tapped her watch. “Time’s a ticking. Off with you.”

  “If you’re sure. . .”

  “Tick tock tick tock.”

  “Fine. I’m going.” With every step toward the exit door, she felt guiltier. This wasn’t a good idea. Still, she kept going. Turning left and spying the alcove, Cassie hurried over to the loveseat and sank into the soft cushions. Ahhh. . . Maybe she should take breaks more often.

  Leaning her head back, Cassie closed her eyes. A couple of minutes later, she tried not to frown as someone sat down on the other end. The loveseat wasn’t all that big. Couldn’t she enjoy a few minutes in peace without being interrupted? One stinking minute, people? Maybe if she kept her eyes closed, they’d take the hint and leave. Anything but making small talk with a stranger. Not to be rude, but for once, she wasn’t in the mood.

  The scent of a masculine, heady aftershave filled her senses. The same fabulous aftershave Mitch always wore. Her eyes quickly fluttered open.

  “Hi, Moonbeam. Sorry I’m a day late for our anniversary this month.” Those green eyes, that sexy voice, that handsome face—tanned from the Dominican sun—that irresistible mouth.

  She sighed, tracing the plane of his cheekbone, trailing a path down to his jaw. “What took you so long?”

  “I never really left.”

  “I’m so very glad about that,” Cassie whispered, wrapping her arms around him. Never wanting to let him go ever again in her lifetime.

  Chapter 43

  Later That Night

  Cassie leaned her head on Mitch’s wide shoulder as they sat on counter stools in Sam and Lexa’s kitchen. His shoulder seemed broader than before, his chest more firm, if that was even possible. He’d really buffed up in the three months since she’d last seen him. Must be from all the manual labor he’d done during the short-term missions and at Tam’s Place. Not to mention that great tan he sported. So totally not fair. She could never tan and always had to slather on a high SPF whenever she spent an extended time in the sun.

  “I need to go home, but I can’t even move.” She snuggled closer into the crook of his arm.

  Mitch softly kissed her forehead. “Then don’t. I can sleep sitting up. No problem.”

  Lexa worked at the sink, washing up a few dishes left by the babysitter. “Cassie, why don’t you stay here tonight? When you’re ready, go on upstairs and take the guest bedroom at the end of the hall on the right. The one by Joe’s room.”

  “I don’t know, Lexa,” she said, not bothering to hide her wide yawn.

  “Sweet girl, it’s after one o’clock in the morning and you’re exhausted. I’ll put a new toothbrush on your bed and bring you some fresh towels. The sheets are clean, but help yourself to anything else you need.”

  “Don’t need a toothbrush,” Cassie said between yawns. “Always keep one in my purse.”

  “That’s my girl. Dental hygiene is—” Mitch’s laugh was muffled when she gently slapped her hand over his mouth. “Lexa’s right,” he said, capturing her hand in his. “I can’t in good conscience allow you to drive home tonight. Come on.” He helped Cassie to her feet. “Time to go upstairs. Night, Lexa.”

  “Good night. Sleep well,” Lexa said. “See you in the morning.”

  “How is it you’re so wide awake at this insanely late hour?” Cassie asked, thankful he was beside her again. Finally. Oh, how she’d missed him. Oh, how she’d kissed him.

  Mitch slipped his arm around her waist as they climbed the front steps. “I managed a catnap on the plane. It’s been a good day. I survived the trip without hyperventilating and being here with you is its own kind of adrenaline.”

  “Want to tuck me in?”

  “Definitely tempting, but I don’t think that’s the best idea. Good night. I love you, Cassie.” Mitch kissed her forehead and ran the back of his hand over her cheek. In its own way, it was as tender as the sweetest kiss.

  “Love you, too, Cassie,” she murmured. Wow, she was so exhausted she sounded tipsy.

  “Crawl into bed, Moonbeam, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Good idea. Night.” As soon as she closed the door behind her, she only stopped long enough to kick off her pumps and peel off her vest and skirt. She ran her tongue over her teeth. Her mouth felt cottony. She couldn’t sleep with herself if she didn’t brush. Grabbing her toothbrush out of her purse, she opened the door, looked both ways and then darted into the bathroom in the middle of the hallway.

  Five minutes later, Cassie dropped into the bed.

  “Thank you, Lord,” she said into the quiet darkness of the room. Turning on her side, she hugged her pillow and closed her eyes. “Mitch is here now and all is right with the world.”

  ~~**~~

  Saturday Morning

  “Come on, Cass, you can do it!” Lexa shouted. Chloe and Joe jumped up and down, clapping and cheering beside her. Hannah and Leah sat in their stroller beside Lexa, wide-eyed from all the excitement.

  Sticking his fingers in his mouth, Mitch gave an ear-piercing whistle. Cassie smiled as he clapped and then pumped his fist into the air. “Show them how it’s done, Alabama!”

  Holding the bat in the proper position, Cassie kept her eyes trained on the ball. If she was going to miss, she might as well go out in style. This was her third year playing on the church softball league, and she’d steadily improved since the first year when she’d struck out almost every time at bat. Soon enough, the pitcher released the ball and it sailed toward her.

  Focus. Keep your eye on the ball. On a swing and a prayer, Cassie gave it her all.

  Crack! Such a beautiful sound. Tossing the bat on the ground, she ran for all she was worth toward first base. Seeing an outfielder scrambling for the ball, she rounded to second base before stopping. She might have been able to make it to third base, but it was safer to stop and count her blessings she’d made it this far.

  “You’ve got a great swing.” The second baseman smiled, his brown eyes warm with appreciation.

  “Thanks.” Trying to catch her breath, Cassie planted her hands on her knees.

  “Want to go get something to eat after the game?”

  She darted a glance his way. He was young, cute, and she’d seen him in the church singles group a few times. “I can’t, sorry. I’m engaged.” Other than sharing her news and the ring with the ladies at church and Bea Richardson, she hadn’t said those words aloud before.

  Disappointment surfaced in his expression as his gaze lowered to the diamond on her left hand. “I didn’t notice the ring. My apologies.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s still nice to be asked.” Keeping an eye on Sam up at bat next, Cassie tightened her pony tail sticking out of the back of her cap.

  “Better get ready to run. This guy’s gonna hammer it,” he said.

  True to expectations, Sam slammed the ball hard, grunting with the effort. The bat cracked in two and Cassie sprinted toward third base. “Out of the park!” several of the spectators yelled, giving one another high-fives. She passed third base and kept going as Lexa and the kids cheered her on. Sliding into home, Cassie jumped up again as the umpire pronounced her safe. Her uniform shorts would need a goo
d soaking, but who cared? She darted out of the way seconds before Sam plowed toward home plate, stomping on it with a smile of triumph.

  Lexa, Chloe and Joe jumped up and down and ran to greet him as he came off the field. Crouching, Sam positioned Leah on his shoulders as Joe stood proudly by his daddy’s side. Lexa beamed and rocked a sleeping Hannah in her arms. How could the child sleep through all this commotion?

  Waving and calling to her, Mitch bounded down from the stands where he’d been talking with some of the guys from their church. When he reached her, he lifted her off the ground and whirled her around. Laughing, she dislodged her cap.

  “You were great out there, Moonbeam.” He gave her a quick kiss and then retrieved her hat from the ground, tugging it back on her head.

  “The second baseman told me I have a great swing.”

  Mitch’s gaze narrowed as he looked out over the players on the field. “Number 12, huh?”

  “You have nothing to worry about. He didn’t see the ring, and I told him I’m engaged.”

  His grin emerged. “You’d better believe it. Speaking of which, I have another proposal for you.”

  “Oh? Bad timing. Sounds intriguing, but I have to scoot back into the rotation now since the inning’s not over yet. Tell me later?”

  “Count on it.”

  Sam joined her as they met the others lining up for their next turn at bat. “Mitch and I had a nice chat this morning,” he said.

  She hid her smile and dug the toe of her shoe in the ground. “Give it up, Mr. Lewis.”

  He laughed. “It’s all good, Little One. He’s thinking ahead. Making plans.”

  “Gonna give me a clue how far ahead we’re talking?”

  Sam shook his head and chuckled. “Far be it from me to spill his secrets. If I know Mitch at all, I can tell you with a reasonable degree of certainty he won’t make you wait long.”

  If anyone should know, it was the man who married the love of his life within an hour or two of reuniting. Of course, their separation lasted an entire year. Sam’s words sent little shivers of anticipation through her, especially with the knowledge that Mitch wanted to talk with her later.

  “Sam, how were you able to wait an entire year?”

  He leveled his gaze on her, his expression tender. Oh, how she loved this dear man. “Our circumstances were different, but He’ll let you know when it’s time.”

  Cassie nodded. “Seems to me you said something very similar back in mid-February.”

  Sam’s chuckle warmed her heart, as it always did. “I’d say He’s definitely answered that prayer.”

  Three innings later, their team emerged victorious after—shock of shocks—she’d hit another double. Sam hit a triple and they both scored runs again.

  “You’re my inspiration. I’ve never played so well,” Cassie told Mitch as he helped her gather her things and then they walked off the field together. Grabbing her towel, she wiped the perspiration from her brow. The day was beautiful and not too hot.

  “I can’t take the credit, but I sure enjoyed watching you. That guy’s right. You do have a great swing.”

  “Do you two want to join us at Richardson’s?” Sam said. “Lexa ran into Bea at the grocery a couple of weeks ago. She complained she hasn’t seen these kiddos of ours in a while. I’m sure she’d love to see you and Mitch.” Hannah now sat on Sam’s shoulders, tugging on his thick, dark hair like she was weeding in her garden. “Easy there, Hannah Banana. Daddy wants to keep his hair a few years longer.”

  “Sure. Richardson’s sounds good,” Cassie said.

  “Lead the way.” Mitch slipped his hand into hers.

  “Cweam, Daddy! Ice cweam!” Hannah said, now using Sam’s head to practice her drumming.

  “Joe, can you get my bag, buddy?”

  The bag was almost as big as Joe, but he didn’t seem to mind as he retrieved and dragged it across the ground. “Thanks.” Removing his cap, Sam put it on his son’s head. “One of these days, you’ll be playing on the team with me, too.” The look on Joe’s handsome little face was precious.

  “Here, Lexa. Time for Hannah to go in the stroller.” Sam carefully lowered her from his shoulders and transferred her into Lexa’s arms.

  “No, Daddy,” Hannah said, wiggling and sliding down from her mother’s arms. She wrapped herself around Sam’s legs and looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Sip?”

  “Leah? Come with Hannah and Daddy.” Sam beckoned his dark-haired daughter closer. Holding each of his girls’ hands, one on each side, he began to half-carry and half-skip with them across the field in the direction of their cars.

  “I don’t believe it.” Cassie shook her head. “Papa Bear is skipping with his cubs.”

  “Or sipping, as Hannah would say.” Mitch slid his arm around her waist. “Guaranteed, Sam’s their hero.” He exchanged a smile with Lexa.

  Cassie pulled out her cell phone. “Let me call Winnie and see if she and Josh can join us. Beck and Kevin, too, if they’re available. Make it a regular ice cream event.”

  Lexa scooted closer. “Josh and Winnie won’t be joining us today, Cass. She’s feeling a little overwhelmed, and we’re keeping Chloe for the day so she and Josh can have some time alone.”

  “I hope everything’s okay.”

  “It will be,” Lexa said. “Beck and Kevin have Luke and they can probably meet us.”

  “Now this is a different kind of teamwork,” Cassie said to Mitch a minute later. Acting silly, they crisscrossed their legs as they walked, and she cried out when he almost tripped her. “If I fall, you’re going to answer for it and pay any medical bills.”

  “One way to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Laughing, Mitch swooped her off the ground and cradled her in his arms.

  Right where she wanted to be now. . .and forever.

  Chapter 44

  “Marry me, Cassie.”

  They sat beneath their special tree in the Houston park on Saturday evening. They’d come a long way since that day back in February. Giving him a flirty smile, Cassie inched her hands around his neck. “I think you’re forgetting something. You already asked me that question.” Her kiss was light, teasing. “Fool that I am, I agreed.”

  “Marry me today. Tomorrow. Whenever you say, but whatever you do, make it soon.” Mitch tightened his already firm hold on her. “Why wait? If you know in your heart it’s what you want, let’s make this union official and get on with the rest of our lives.” He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent, losing himself in the warmth, the softness of her skin.

  “Cassie, I want you in every way,” he whispered. “I can’t wait to make you my wife. I was awake a long time last night, knowing you were sleeping in a room down the hall.”

  Her beautiful blue eyes rounded and her jaw dropped. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “Completely.” To prove his point, he caressed her cheek and then gave her his best effort at a convincing kiss.

  “It’s not just your hormones talking?”

  He chuckled. “That, too. I’m a red-blooded, living, breathing man who’ll never stop wanting you in that way. I could get all cave man on you and drag you off by your hair, but I like to think I’ve evolved into a true gentleman. I want to do this the proper way and right in the eyes of the Lord. If you want a big church wedding, that’s fine. As long as you can arrange it in the span of a few days. I’m not a patient man.”

  “I’m glad you told me now,” she said, running one finger across his lower lip and driving him crazy. “Actually, I think I already knew that about you.”

  He rested his forehead on hers. “I talked with Sam last night and he’s agreed to marry us.”

  “Where would we find a place on such short notice?”

  His pulse tripled. He’d been planning to talk with her all day and her question implied she wasn’t adverse to the idea. She hadn’t flat-out told him no and he sensed a growing excitement on her part. Mitch knew she loved him, but she might need longer to prepare. He’d giv
e her whatever she wanted, the time she needed, but he’d love nothing more than to fly back to New York with her as his wife. The thought sounded more appealing by the second. But the decision was hers.

  “Well, we have our park,” he said. “And I happen to know a man with a gazebo.”

  Cassie’s eyes lit. “The gazebo’s beautiful and holds up to eight people. What would you wear? More importantly, what would I wear?”

  That made him smile. “Kevin’s my size and height and owns a tux. You, sweetheart, can go shopping with Beck.”

  She stared at him, a lovely smile upturning her lips. “You’ve really thought this out, haven’t you? Can you tell me what date we’re talking about here?”

  “You choose.”

  “You work out all the details but then leave the date to me?” She tapped her fingers on her chin and pretended to ponder the idea. “How about Tuesday?”

  Covering her mouth with his, Mitch kissed her deeply, passionately. “Tuesday, July 20th it is,” he said at length. “Cassie, before this can happen, I need to meet your father.”

  Dropping her arms, she turned aside, strangely quiet.

  “Is there something wrong with my wanting to meet him?” Was she ashamed or embarrassed by him? “He’s your dad. Call it a guy thing, a matter of honor and respect, but I need to ask your father for his blessing to marry you.”

  “You’re an honorable man, Mitch, and I appreciate that more than you know. I haven’t seen Daddy in a few months and I only pray he’s. . .” A frown creased her lovely features. “Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I don’t want to introduce you to him, and more than anything, I want to be your wife. Soon.”

  “Afraid I won’t measure up in his eyes?”

  She slowly shook her head. “No, it’s not that at all. The opposite, actually.”