A Doctor's Vow

by Lois Richer

  As she relished the pure bliss of the moment, Jaclyn’s thoughts went to her sister. Jessica had brought Jaclyn to Hope, to this man and his precious love.

  She savored the feel of Kent’s arms around her, his lips on hers. When Kent finally drew back from her, he was as breathless as she.

  Jaclyn thought she could sit there forever.

  Until her stomach growled.

  “Come on, it’s time I fed you.” Laughing, he took her hand and drew her to the quilt. He’d brought skewers of chicken, golden brown potatoes—the first of the season—and fresh asparagus. And last but not least, tiny, succulent wild strawberries he’d picked from his mother’s garden.

  “Thank you, darling,” Jaclyn said when she was replete with food and love.

  He touched his lips to hers then leaned back. “When can we get married?”

  “Heddy is my second in command on the church restoration and she’s insistent that everything will be done by September. She’s chosen the first Saturday of the month. Is that soon enough?” She couldn’t resist tracing his eyebrows, caressing his cheek, smoothing her fingers over his smiling mouth.

  “Heddy chose our wedding day?” He frowned.

  “Well, she insists on being our wedding planner.” Once Kent had stopped laughing, Jaclyn filled him in on the details Heddy had already arranged. “And by the way, both Mom and Dad will be walking me down the aisle. Then they’re going on a second honeymoon cruise. They’ve certainly mended their relationship.” She studied him, anxious about his lack of response. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just hope I can get the ranch sold before September.”

  “Oh.” Jaclyn tried to hide her smile. “Well, you won’t.”

  “Oh.” He lifted a quizzical eyebrow. “How do you know that?”

  “Heddy’s put the word out that the ranch is officially off the market. According to her you and I need the ranch to raise our kids properly and Hope needs a petting zoo and animal sanctuary to bring in tourists.” Jaclyn leaned forward and kissed his nose. “This time, my darling, I heartily agree with Heddy. You cannot sell the ranch. Our future is here.” She waved a hand.

  “But, sweetheart—”

  “No buts. With God, all things are possible. Hey, maybe we could use that on our wedding invitations. What do you think?”

  Kent could think of nothing but kissing his beautiful fiancée.

  Epilogue

  “I’ve never seen a lovelier September day.” Brianna waited until Jaclyn’s father had helped Jaclyn out of the car. Then she straightened the bride’s veil. “You look stunning. Such a simple dress and yet it’s so gorgeous.”

  “Thank you. Both of you look amazing.” Jaclyn was relieved her friends loved the red bridesmaid dresses Heddy had sewn. “It won’t be too much for you—going through this with Zac as best man?”

  “It would happen sooner or later once I start work in the clinic.” She paused. “Zac and I will never get back what we once had. I’ve accepted that.” Brianna’s words sounded airy and carefree but a furrow creased her brow.

  Never say never, Jaclyn wanted to say. But she didn’t. She’d given up trying to control the world. Now she prayed for her friends and left the rest up to God.

  “And you, Shay? Are you all right with Nick as Kent’s groomsman?”

  “Nick and I have been friends forever. I hope we’ll have time after the wedding to catch up.” The former model smiled her much-photographed grin. “And soon I also hope I’ll be moving back to Hope, too.”

  “Great! Whispering Hope clinic is ready and waiting for both of you.”

  “Come along now, dears. It’s time this bride saw her groom.” Heddy ushered them up the stairs to the church, signaled the organist and handed out the bouquets.

  Her heart full, Jaclyn took her parents’ arms and followed her dearest friends up the aisle of the old church in Hope to the man who held her heart. The church wasn’t finished, not even close. But tons of flowers culled from the gardens of Hope-ites filled the tiny sanctuary to overflowing and hid the imperfections.

  The townspeople were all there, squeezed into pews, standing in the balcony. They came because this was their doctor and their vet and it was up to them to make sure the wedding day went off without a hitch.

  Jaclyn’s gaze locked on Kent after she’d taken the first step, and stayed there. She saw joy and pride and a host of other emotions rush across his face. But mostly she saw love. When her parents placed her hand in his, she sent a prayer of thanksgiving heavenward.

  The ceremony went off without a hitch. Their kiss sealed their promises to each other and then they walked down the aisle of the church, husband and wife. Outside, the people of Hope showered them with a blizzard of rice and good wishes.

  Kent escorted Jaclyn into a horse-drawn carriage. A second carriage followed with the attendants. After photographs they returned to the church and the garden reception Heddy had arranged behind the church.

  “Are you sure it was a good idea to let her do this?” Kent asked as he helped Jaclyn down.

  “I had to, you know that.” Jaclyn grimaced. “Being the only doctor in town didn’t allow much time for planning a reception. I’m glad we found a locum for the clinic. I refuse to give up my honeymoon.”

  “You know you would in an instant. And I’d be right by your side.” He folded her hand over his arm. “Let’s go see what Heddy’s created.”

  What Heddy had created was a flower-filled garden scene with tables scattered across the grass.

  “It’s beautiful, Heddy.” Jaclyn embraced the woman who’d help her find her place in Hope.

  “We all worked on it, as a town should. You and Kent have given us our town back. You’ve helped us heal the rift that threatened to destroy us. Now it’s your time for each other.” She led them to a table where the attendants already sat. “We love you, Doctors McCloy and LaForge.”

  As she and Kent enjoyed the reception specially prepared for them, Jaclyn studied the assembly with a full heart.

  “What’s wrong, darling?” Kent whispered when she borrowed his handkerchief to wipe away a tear.

  “I’m just full of blessings,” Jaclyn said, snuggling next to him. “You, my parents, my best friends, Hope—my life is full of joy.” She paused a moment, studying him. “I’m so glad I came here to start Jessica’s clinic. My sister told me to live my life and trust God. She was so smart.”

  “Yes, she was. Because it all starts with God, doesn’t it?” He pressed his lips to hers. “Together we’ll pass on Jessica’s words and let God use us to reach others. Deal?”

  “Deal for a lifetime,” she agreed.

  Then the minister led all of Hope in a prayer of blessing for the new couple.

  * * * * *

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed this first installment of my newest miniseries for Love Inspired. Jaclyn and Kent had a past in common and problems both thought too big to resolve until they came together and let God heal their hearts. I can’t wait for you to meet their friends, Zac and Brianna in the next book in the Healing Hearts miniseries, Yuletide Proposal, coming in December 2012.

  Can you believe Love Inspired has been around for fifteen years? I remember so well that very first story I wrote for Love Inspired and how delighted I was to finally be writing the kind of books I like to read, stories with hope and joy, stories that included a spiritual message. Now we’ve expanded, grown up as it were, so that we have three separate lines of Love Inspired stories—so much good reading. And I’m still here! Fifteen years and thirty-four stories later I can only say thanks to a wonderful team of editors, publicity and promotion, artists and all the gifted folks who’ve helped make each one of my Love Inspired books better. My deepest thanks to all of you. You are amazing, blessings from heaven.

>   And thank you to you, dear reader. Thank you for fifteen years of generous cards, sweet letters and delightful emails that encourage me as I seek to write God’s stories. Thank you for your patience and understanding and for your faithfulness to our wonderful line of books. I wish you peace, my friend; the calm certainty that God is alive and working with you, in you and for you. I wish you joy—richer, deeper, far above and beyond anything you’ve ever felt before. Most of all, I wish you love, the kind of impossible, unbelievable, enduring love God waits to shower on you if you will but ask Him.

  Until next time.

  Blessings,

  Lois Richer

  Discussion Questions

  As a teen, Jaclyn lost her twin sister. Do you know any teens who have suffered a loss? How did it affect their lives?

  Jaclyn dealt with her tragedy by lashing out and damaging property which alienated much of the townspeople. How can we help others in situations like Jaclyn’s deal with their pain appropriately?

  Kent blamed himself for causing his wife’s death. This affected the way he viewed his future goals and plans. Are there experiences in your past which have shaped your expectations of God’s ability to use you or to make your life fulfilling? Note ways we may mistake God’s plans for our own thoughts.

  Heddy Grange appeared in the story as a problem but eventually became a liaison to both Jaclyn and Kent. Consider people you know, like Heddy, who cause problems because they don’t know how to help. What changes could you make to help them find their niche?

  Jaclyn thought she could earn God’s favor if she just tried hard enough, did enough. How does grace fit in? Is it enough to accept grace and do nothing? How can one find balance?

  Kent was very active in town, but his activity was primarily driven by fear. Discuss whether this is a bad thing, or whether we need something to motivate us to begin making a difference where we live. Is there relevance for you in Kent’s actions?

  Kent was impressed by the Bible’s story of David and his relationship with God as noted in the Psalms. Describe themes you’ve noted in these psalms. What makes them unique to this man and how can we, in this era, apply what David knew and spoke about?

  Jaclyn felt she could never regain the trust of those whom she’d hurt. Discuss appropriate ways to deal with such events using real situations that have happened in your world.

  Kent did everything in his physical power to make his world right but eventually felt the only solution was to leave Hope. Do you understand his motivation? If you think his view was skewed, what alternative do you see?

  At the end of the story, the rebuilding of Hope’s church is not finished but Jaclyn and Kent get married anyway. Consider the significance of this.

  A Cowboy’s Promise

  Linda Ford

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Buffalo Hollow, Dakota Territory, 1884

  He rode into the tiny town, pulling his hat low over his face. It wasn’t likely anyone here knew him but he wasn’t taking a chance. He wouldn’t have stopped—just kept riding north until he reached Canada, someplace deep in the mountains where no one would ever find him—but he was out of supplies. A man could get mighty hungry living on rabbit cooked over a low fire.

  He swung from his horse in front of the general store—Tate’s Mercantile—checking both ways up and down the dusty streets of Buffalo Hollow, Dakota Territory. Would the sense of being followed ever leave him? Even in the wilds of the Rockies. He shivered in the cold wind. It threatened snow. The lateness of the season was another reason for urgency.

  He stepped into the store and immediately sensed that something was wrong. He noticed two rough, dirty men leaning against the counter. The woman at the till looked cautious but not frightened, though, so he held back, waiting to see if he should proceed or slip away.

  “Come on, missee. We only want to have us a good time. You can surely ’commodate us.” It was the taller of the pair, a man with hair like an overgrown porcupine and stubble to match.

  The younger, shorter one with a nasty leer chortled.

  “I’ll get your supplies, but then I’m asking you to be on your way.” The pretty young thing spoke as calm as could be, even though he noticed that she clung to the far edge of the space behind the counter.

  “We ain’t in no rush, is we, Stook?” The younger man had a rusty-hinge voice.

  Holt edged closer, unnoticed by the pair. He figured by the way the gal’s eyelids flickered that she’d seen him and was preparing to deal with three rowdies. Well, he’d soon put her mind at ease about that. Holt wasn’t another troublemaker—though some claimed otherwise.

  He was about to provide his own suggestion that the pair move along when a tiny voice whispered from a nearby doorway. “Lizzie, can I come out now?”

  The drifters jerked upright. Stook grinned wickedly. “Lookee here, a little doll. I betcha she’d like to play with us, wouldn’t you, darlin’?”

  Lizzie, the child had called the woman behind the counter. Seemed to suit her—all feisty and fiery eyed as she sprang toward the blue-eyed youngster. “Emma, I told you to stay with Pa.”

  Pa? Where was her father? Why wasn’t he out here taking care of this pair of ruffians?

  Stook moved with the sly quickness of a snake and grabbed tiny Emma’s arm before Lizzie could reach her. “Now let’s negotiate something more fun. You—” he pointed at Lizzie “—start being ’commodating. Or—” He jerked the child’s arm.

  Emma cried out, her sky-blue eyes wide as a bucket.

  “That sounds fair, doesn’t it, Joe?”

  Holt had had enough. He stepped forward. “Don’t sound fair to me. Two big men picking on two girls. Didn’t your mother teach you better?”

  The pair spun around as if struck by lightning. Just as fast, Joe pulled out a gun.

  Holt was unarmed, but the gun didn’t scare him half as bad as it should have. Lord, looks like we’ll be meeting face-to-face soon. Might as well die this way as from a hangman’s noose.

  Chapter Two

  Lizzie didn’t know who the tall, dark stranger was. Nor if he was ultimately bad news. But unless the Good Lord gave her the strength to act quickly, he was about to die.

  Emma thankfully escaped Stook’s clutches and scurried back to Pa as the two rowdies remained intent on the stranger for the moment. It was all she needed. Lizzie made one quick movement.

  “All right. Put your gun down.” She leveled a shotgun at Joe, whose eyes fair bugged out of his head when he turned to stare at her. “Don’t think I won’t use this because I have in the past.” Once. When she’d shot a wild dog she feared would attack Emma. But she would use it against this pair if push came to shove.

  Joe swallowed hard and gaped at her.

  “Best do as the lady says,” the stranger drawled. “Pretty sure she means business.”

  “And if you don’t think so, you better reconsider.” Pa, his voice surprisingly strong, suddenly stood at her side, a pistol in his hands.

  Lizzie didn’t shift a fraction, but out of the corner of her eyes she noted
it took both hands for Pa to hold the gun steady.

  Joe slid his firearm to the counter and backed away, his hands above his head. Stook shuffled at his side, a look on his face of pure disgust.

  The stranger held the door for them and let it hit their heels on the way out. “If that don’t beat all.” He roared with laughter.

  My, but the man had a rolling, gut-pleasing way of laughing. It made her want to join in his amusement. Made her feel all sweet and pleased. Their gazes connected with a great jolt of something she didn’t recognize, couldn’t name, and yet it echoed with dreams she only allowed herself late at night.

  Pa still held his gun level. “You, too, mister.”

  She tore her attention from the man causing her heart to dip strangely. “No, Pa. He wasn’t with them.”

  “How can you be sure? Identify yourself, stranger.”

  “Holt Perry, sir. I just happened by. Needing some supplies.” He regarded Pa, letting the older man assess him.

  Lizzie wondered what Pa saw. A tall, lean man with eyes like warm campfire coffee? Eyes that seemed to blare caution and humor at the same time. Did he notice the man’s hands? So big and strong. The kind that would control wild horses just as skillfully as sweep a woman off her feet.

  If a woman were so inclined, which she wasn’t. She was committed to being mother to Emma and helper to her father.

  “Where you hail from, Holt Perry?” Pa was clearly not about to take the man at face value.

  “No place in particular.”

  “Then where you be going?”

  “North. Thought I’d try life in Canada.”

  Pa grunted. “Sounds like a man running from something.”

  Holt Perry didn’t answer.

  Pa lowered the gun, let it hang from his right hand. “Lizzie, fill the man’s order so he can be on his way.”