by Toni Shiloh
Evan grinned. “Thank you so much.” He grabbed his crutches then stopped. “Um, my disability...”
“Is not a problem. If you need any modifications, simply let us know.”
“Will do.”
JO CARRIED THE TRAY into her grandmother’s room. “Breakfast.” She smiled, thankful Nana was back home. She had been ordered to rest for a few days and had been placed on a strict diet. Jo looked down at the egg white omelet, wheat toast, and bowl of grapes. Lord, please help her stick to this diet. After all, the woman did love her soul food.
“Thank you so much, JoJo.”
“Of course, Nana. Happy to help.” She sat the tray over Nana’s legs. “Let me get my breakfast and I’ll join you.”
She came back with her plate. Jo figured she’d eat the same meals to show support. Besides, if the heart problems were hereditary, it would make sense to eat better.
“I appreciate you sleeping over these past few days.”
“Of course.” She took another bite of the omelet. Not bad.
“How are you and Evan doing?”
“Better. We’ve been on a few dates and, of course, I see him for Bible studies.”
“I just love that you young people are studying the Word. Have you finally come to the place where you feel you understand God?”
Jo paused. Had she? “I don’t know if I would say I understand Him. There’s so much that goes on in the world that, to say yes I understand Him, kind of simplifies it all. But, I do understand He loves me and wants the best for me. The rest will come when it’s supposed to.”
“Very true. Have you finished Evan’s house?”
“Yep. Furniture arrives tomorrow and then I’ll do the reveal. Kind of cheesy I know, but I’m so excited to show him how it all turned out. He agreed to wait another day.”
“When are you two going to get serious and tie the knot? Or did you just take my recipes to fool an old woman?”
Laughter burst out of her. “Nana, you aren’t that old and certainly nobody’s fool. I would never try to trick you. For right now, we’re dating and enjoying each other’s company.”
“Well, don’t drag it out forever. Time is short. Trust me. I know.”
EVAN WAITED AS JO UNLOCKED his home. He couldn’t wait to see how it looked finished and furnished. “JoJo, it’s cold.”
“Hold your horses.” She twisted the knob and stopped as it open. “Close your eyes so that I can open it all the way.”
He chuckled. “Fine.” He closed them.
“Okay, open.”
His jaw dropped as he rolled his way into his new home. He couldn’t believe it. She had completely transformed the place. “Wow, JoJo, this is awesome.”
“You’ve seen almost all of this, but you haven’t seen your bedroom yet. Let me show you.”
He followed her, wondering if one day she would share this home with him. She opened the door. The walls were painted a light gray, matching the gray-and-black bedspread. The black wooden sleigh bed took center stage. He stopped, speechless. To think this was all his.
Jo led them back into the living room. The whole house had been styled to perfection. “I love it.”
And I love you. Evan stared at her, wishing he could relay his emotions, but he couldn’t. Not until he knew she could handle it if he never walked again. He hadn’t told her his good news about the prosthetic or new job. He needed to know she could handle him at his worst. It was the reason he sat in his wheelchair now.
“I’m so glad.” She smiled at him.
He took a deep breath and plunged forward. “Does it bother you that I’m in this chair?”
“Of course not.” She looked at him like he asked did she want to take a trip to the moon. “The chair doesn’t define you, Evan. It’s merely an accessory.”
He wheeled closer to her. “If I never get out of this chair...” his voice trailed off. He didn’t want to finish his question, but he had to know.
She sat down softly in his lap. “If you never walk again, I wouldn’t care.” She licked her lips nervously. “I love you, Evan Carter. If, God forbid, you lose another leg, I will still love you. I love you, the boy who used to make me laugh. The man who treats me with dignity. The one who sees me behind the overalls and tool-belt-wearing self. That won’t change because of your height, weight, or age.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “I love you so much, Jo.”
“Really?”
“Without a doubt.” He ran a finger down her face and grinned at the rosy hue her complexion took on.
Evan looked into her eyes then made his way down to her lips. Slowly, as if asking for permission, he leaned forward, steadily watching her expression for acceptance. When she closed her eyes and kissed, he knew returning home to Freedom Lake had been God designed.
Acknowledgments
To my husband: thank you for walking this life journey with me. Thank you for giving me time to write and sharing me with the laptop.
To my boys: I love you. Never forget to love everyone and to follow God.
To my critique friends: This book has been through many drafts and reviews. It was the second book I ever wrote, so it has seen many eyes on its journey. Many thanks to Jessica Berg, Peri Bever, and Andrea Boyd for your wonderful critiques.
To my early readers: many thanks to Kara Esslebach, Carrie Schmidt, and Melissa Henderson. Thank you so much for offering me feedback on how to make this story better. Your encouragement and willingness to find those nuances I would have missed was a huge help. I appreciate the time you took to read Returning Home and offer me feedback. Sending prayers and blessings your way.
To my friend: Thank you Kathleen Zuniga for the suggestion of Guy Pierre’s twin girls. I appreciate you!
To my mom: Thank you so much for help with the research.
About the Author
TONI SHILOH IS A WIFE, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.
She spends her days hanging out with her husband and their two boys. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and president of the Virginia Chapter.
You can find her on her website at http://tonishiloh.wordpress.com and signup for her Book News newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cmNFKD.
More Books by Toni Shiloh
The Maple Run Series
Buying Love
Finding Love
Novellas
A Life to Live
A Spring of Weddings
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