Blessings of the Heart and Samantha's Gift

by Valerie Hansen

  “That’s your idea of a date?”

  “It is now.” Bree smiled benevolently. The children had been concentrating on the conversation, their little heads snapping right and left like spectators in box seats at a tennis match.

  She crouched and opened her arms to them. Bud was first to respond to the invitation for a hug, but Ryan wasn’t far behind.

  Brianne gave them both an affectionate squeeze. “The last thing I want is for my kids to feel left out.”

  “How about me? Where’s my hug?” Mitch asked. “I’m beginning to feel left out.”

  “Poor baby.”

  Bree stood and patted his cheek, thoroughly enjoying the lost-little-boy look he’d put on for her benefit. If ever there was a man who was all grown up—and then some—it was Mitch Fowler.

  No kidding! For her, the hardest part of their supposed courtship was going to be keeping herself from rushing into his arms, pledging her undying love and cutting their dating period very, very short.

  Which was further evidence that the Lord had known exactly what He was doing when he’d brought them together like this, she reasoned. They not only had each other, their courtship came complete with two resident chaperons.

  At peace, she held out her hands to the children. Bud grasped one. Ryan took the other.

  Feeling more content, more maternal, than she’d ever dreamed possible, Brianne said, “Okay kids. Come on. Let’s all go home.”

  A week later, Brianne and Mitch were relaxing in a glider on the porch outside her library and watching the children playing a game of tag.

  He put his arm around her shoulders and gave the swing another push with his feet. “So, are you ready to say you’ll marry me?”

  “You are in a hurry, aren’t you?”

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  She smiled him and nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”

  “Does that mean yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good, because I’d hate to have to beg. It’s too hard on my ego.” He pulled her closer. “In case I haven’t told you so in the past five minutes, I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” She nestled against him and rested her hand on his chest, feeling the steady, rapid beat of his heart. “All three of you.”

  “Four, counting the dog.” Mitch admired his offspring as they chased Barney and each other around the lawn. “They are great kids, aren’t they?”

  “Sweethearts. Like their daddy.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Thanks. Hold that thought. You’ll need it when you’re standing at the altar pretty soon, saying I do.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. I want the boys to be a part of the ceremony.”

  “Both of them?”

  Bree looked at him, her expression filled with love. “Yes. It’s not just for them. It’s for me, too. They’re my kids, one hundred percent. We’re already a family. Leaving them out of our wedding plans is unthinkable.”

  Mitch couldn’t help the wide grin that spread across his face or the warmth coloring his cheeks as his thoughts followed their natural course. “Okay. They can be in the wedding, as long as you don’t decide we have to take them with us on our honeymoon, too.”

  “Well…”

  “No, Brianne. No way.” He studied her expression carefully, trying to decide whether or not she was serious.

  She laughed. “I know. I’m just teasing you. The boys will understand. We’ll promise to bring them back some great presents, and they won’t hardly notice we’re gone.”

  “You’re going to spoil them.”

  “Sure am.” She threaded her fingers through his hair and urged him closer as she whispered, “And I have every intention of spoiling their wonderful daddy, too. Any objections?”

  Mitch placed a quick kiss on her lips, then left the swing and retreated across the porch. “Nope. I’ll expect you to start spoiling me as soon as you’re my wife. Until then, I think I’d better go home.”

  Laughing gaily, Bree agreed. “I think you’re right. We’re already the town’s favorite scandal.”

  “I know. I keep reminding folks that a literal act of God is what brought us together. They’ll find somebody else to gossip about soon enough.”

  “It was, wasn’t it? And act of God, I mean.”

  His voice gentled, his eyes misting. “You’re not talking about just the storm, are you?”

  “No. There was a lot more to it than a little rain. I used to believe in coincidences. No more. There’s no way everything that happened to us could have been an accident.”

  “I agree.” Mitch’s dark eyes held an unspoken promise. Then he began to smile mischievously. “So, is there anything I can do for you before I leave, Ms. Bailey? Carry you over the threshold? Hug you? Kiss you senseless?”

  Bree gazed at him, loving him so much she could hardly contain her elation and marveling at the overwhelming sense of God’s presence or of His perfect blessing on their future.

  “Soon,” she promised, knowing it was true.

  “How soon?”

  “Very soon.” A broad grin lit her face, her cheeks suddenly extra rosy. “Actually, I’ve picked out my dress already. As soon as we can arrange for the church and find out what dates your pastor has free, we can coordinate everything.”

  “Good. You’re the one who’s always organized, so I’ll leave all those details up to you. Whatever you decide will be fine with me. I’ll take care of our honeymoon plans.”

  Brianne gave him a quick hug then gazed at him, her blue eyes brimming with love. “Now that’s romantic.”

  Epilogue

  The day finally arrived.

  Brianne could have had the most extravagant wedding Arkansas had ever seen—an enormous sanctuary filled with flowers, a designer gown, a catered reception and a cake big enough to feed all of Little Rock, with plenty left over.

  Instead, she’d chosen a simple, fitted white satin dress and an equally simple ceremony in Mitch’s home church, surrounded by the majestic beauty of the forested Ozark foothills. Wild maples had already turned bright red and orange, and oaks were beginning to show early fall color.

  Bree had filled every corner of the churchyard with pots of chrysanthemums that echoed the rich, natural autumn hues. They made it look as if the whole countryside had purposely been blended into a huge, majestic backdrop painted especially for her nuptials.

  At first, she’d thought it would be nice if Ryan escorted her down the aisle, but when Mitch decided to make the eight-year-old his best man, she chose to let Bud do the honors rather than walk to the altar alone.

  Finding formal suits to fit the boys necessitated a trip to Batesville. A matching outfit for Bud’s freshly shampooed and blow-dried bear was a little harder to come by. Bree finally settled on a black bow tie and red satin cummerbund. In spite of the rough treatment the poor teddy had gotten recently, he looked absolutely elegant, as did his proud owner.

  Holding her bouquet in one hand, she stood at the back of the church and reached out to Bud with the other. “You ready, honey?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Is your bear ready, too?” It was tucked in the crook of his other arm.

  “Uh-huh.”

  Bud grasped Bree’s hand and grinned at her with pure adoration. He’d lost a baby tooth the day before, and the gap made his smile look even more endearing.

  “Okay. It’s almost time,” Bree told him. “See? There’s your daddy and Ryan standing up front. We can go, too, as soon as the right music starts.”

  The delay seemed interminable. Her mouth got dry, her palms damp. Even the sight of her beloved Mitch, waiting with the preacher in front of the congregation and smiling encouragement, wasn’t enough to calm her jitters. She was doubly glad she had little Bud for company. Worrying about his possible nervousness helped take her mind off the butterflies holding a convention in her stomach.

  The boy squeezed her hand and gave it a tug to get her attention. �
��Bree?”

  “Yes, honey?” She leaned closer to listen.

  “Are you my mama yet?”

  “Almost.” Tears of joy misted her vision. The wedding march began to echo through the small sanctuary, and she stepped forward. “Just a few more minutes, and I will be.”

  “Good,” Bud whispered. “’Cause my bear’s hungry. We really want some more cookies.”

  Bree clasped her new husband’s arm as they left the church as husband and wife. In spite of the crowd of well-wishers surging around them, they had eyes for only each other.

  Mitch covered her hand with his. “You okay?”

  “I will be, as soon as all this is over. I never realized how nervous I’d be.”

  “Me, too. I kept worrying that the kids would decide they were tired of being good and start acting up.”

  “Not a chance. They were little angels. Even Ryan was on his best behavior.” Fondness for both children made her smile. “I almost cried when Bud asked me how soon I’d be his mother.”

  “When was this?”

  “While we were waiting to walk down the aisle. The only thing that kept me from bursting into tears was the reason he gave.”

  Mitch arched an eyebrow. “I’m almost afraid to ask what it was.”

  Laughing, her eyes sparkling, Bree said, “He told me he and the bear were hungry and they wanted cookies. I guess he figured mothers were the best people to get them from.”

  “I told you those kids were bright.”

  “And cute.”

  “Like their daddy?”

  “Yes.” Bree cooed the word. “Just like their daddy.”

  “No second thoughts?”

  “None. I still can’t believe I’m married, though. I was sure it would never happen. I was never going to have kids, either, and all of a sudden I’m the mother of two. I hope I’m up to the challenge.”

  “You’re perfect. The Lord knew what He was doing when He threw us together. I’m thankful He made sure we were stuck with each other long enough for both of us to realize what we’d been missing.”

  “I just wish it hadn’t cost you your cabin.”

  “Hey, I told you stuff like that doesn’t matter.”

  “I know. I agree, but…”

  “No buts. Buildings aren’t important. Families are. You, me, the boys, we’re all starting over at the same time. We’ll make a home wherever we are because we’re together.”

  Given the earnestness of their conversation, he was taken aback by Bree’s nervous titter. “What’s so funny?”

  “Me,” she said. “You’re being so sweet and serious. I’m ashamed of the notion that just popped into my head. It was really silly.”

  “What?”

  “If I tell you, you’ll laugh.”

  “I hope so. Some of the happiest times I’ve had lately have been when we’ve shared a good laugh.”

  “This has nothing to do with my baked chicken recipe,” she insisted. “Or with setting pancakes on fire.

  “That’s a relief.” Mitch was already chuckling. He paused long enough to take her in his arms and pull her closer. “Better hurry if you’re going to tell me. The photographer’s about to have a conniption. It looks like he wants us to go into the fellowship hall. Probably wants to take pictures of us cutting the cake.”

  “Okay. Then let’s go.”

  Mitch wasn’t through studying her indefinable expression. “Wait a minute. First, tell me what you were thinking about that made you laugh.”

  “It wasn’t important.” Bree tried to break away.

  “Then why are you blushing?”

  “Blushing? Me?”

  “Yes, you. I’m your husband, remember? You can confide in me. You should confide in me.”

  “Well…Okay.” Bree raised on tiptoe, cupped her hand around her mouth and whispered in his ear. “All of a sudden, I remembered that old joke about a woman who married a man who already had children because she was too lazy to have them herself.”

  “That’s it? That’s all?” Mitch gave her a puzzled look. “What’s so funny about that?”

  “I think it must have lost something in the translation,” Brianne said. “Either that or I’m so uptight I’d laugh at anything right now.”

  “Maybe. Unless…”

  Cocking his head, he bent to speak so that only she could hear. “This is probably not the time or the place to bring this up, Mrs. Fowler, but I have wondered. Are you trying to tell me that you think the boys might need a little sister?”

  “Well…” Bree felt suspended in air, as if her feet had suddenly left the ground. She hadn’t brought up the subject of their having children together because she’d been afraid Mitch might change his mind about marrying her if she did. Obviously, he already had all the family he’d ever need. He’d as much as said so. She just wanted…

  Her cheeks flamed. Her gaze locked with her husband’s. The perceptive look on Mitch’s face told her he knew exactly what she wanted.

  As his expression softened, he leaned down and kissed her, much to the delight of their guests.

  When he straightened there was a broad grin on his face. Slipping his arm around Bree’s waist, he said, “I love you, honey, but first things first. Come on. Let’s go cut the cake and get our pictures taken.”

  “Okay. Then what?” Bree’s heart was pounding so hard and fast she could feel her pulse in her temples without touching them.

  “Then, we’ll sneak off by ourselves so we can have a nice, long, private talk about you being such a terrible lazybones.”

  “I can try to improve,” she said happily.

  Mitch’s grin widened. “Honey,” he said, “I’m counting on it.”

  Dear Reader,

  As you’ve probably gathered by now, especially if you’ve read my earlier Love Inspired titles, I love rural life in the Ozark Mountains.

  We moved out here in the country to escape, just as Brianne does in my story. Only, we did it for different reasons. We weren’t running away from anything, we were running toward it. A city had grown up around us where we’d lived before and our life had become too fast-paced and complicated as a result. Yes, wages there were high and jobs were plentiful, but without peace of mind and good physical health, what difference did that make?

  So we left. Some of our friends thought we were crazy to follow our dream all the way from Southern California to the backwoods of Arkansas. Others envied us. It took guts and faith to do what we did, but we’ve never been sorry.

  There have been a few interesting surprises along the way, too. I knew I could continue to write no matter where I lived but I’d never imagined how much finding a good country church, a Bible-preaching pastor and dozens of new Christian friends would reshape and refocus my faith.

  I had to come here as preparation for the books I’m writing now. I just didn’t know it ahead of time!

  I invite your letters at P.O. Box 13, Glencoe, AR 72539-0013, e-mails at valw@centurytel.net or visit my Web site for the latest news, www.ValerieHansen.com.

  Blessings,

  SAMANTHA’S GIFT

  Chapter One

  Rachel Woodward’s spirits soared the moment she stepped out the supply room door into the clear, warm Ozark morning. Pausing in appreciation, she took a slow, deep breath of fresh mountain air, noted the spicy, familiar aroma of the crayons and colored construction paper piled high in her arms, and smiled.

  Another day in paradise. Life was as close to perfect as it could get.

  Working with young children and seeing the world through their eyes made Rachel feel as if she were discovering new wonders every day. Their innocent enthusiasm was contagious. Why, if she were six instead of twenty-six, she might even give in to the urge to skip happily down the sidewalk all the way to her classroom!

  She clasped the stack of supplies closer to her chest and looked around furtively. Did she dare? What would it hurt as long as no one saw her? Few students arrived this early in the morning and the other teac
hers were either in the staff lounge discussing their summer vacations or already in their rooms finishing last-minute preparations. The coast was clear.

  Rachel’s grin widened. Why not? It seemed like a sin to suppress all the elation she was feeling, simply because society dictated that adults should behave more sedately.

  Who wanted to be a stuffy adult, anyway? Certainly not her.

  The moment she gave in and began to skip, her joy took flight. Her skirt skimmed her calves and her shoulder-length dark hair swung with every hop.

  Squinting against the bright sunshine, she blinked slowly, reverently. Thank you, Father, for finding me a job that blesses me so much.

  That instant’s inattention was a mistake. A large figure loomed suddenly in her path! She tried to dodge. Momentum foiled the effort. She smashed into a man’s broad, solid chest with a thump and a stifled screech.

  Boxes of crayons and loose drawing paper sailed into the air. The whole mess rained down on them. Crayons rolled all over the sidewalk, making a solid footing nearly impossible.

  “Look out!” he shouted belatedly.

  Everything happened so fast that it took Rachel a few seconds to realize why she hadn’t fallen when they’d collided. Her vivid blue eyes widened and focused on the stranger whose warm, strong hands were clamped on her upper arms, steadying her.

  Since Rachel was barely five-foot-two and slight, she’d often found herself at a size disadvantage. This instance, however, was much worse than usual. This man was so tall, so broad shouldered, so obviously muscular, she felt like the captive of a giant. Hopefully, a friendly one.

  Her mouth suddenly went dry. Heart pounding, she fought to catch her breath and compose herself in spite of the nervous fluttering in her stomach. She knew it was normal for people to feel a surge of adrenaline when they were startled the way she’d just been, but this was ridiculous. She was not one of those faint-of-heart women who swooned every time an attractive man looked her way.

  And speaking of looking…The man’s chest, covered in a pale shirt and navy blazer, fell at her eye level. Following the line of his tie upward she saw a square jaw, firm mouth, hazel eyes—and an expression clearly filled with amusement.