by JoAnn Durgin
“Is that what you really want, or are you doing it because it’s what you think I want?”
“I want you, Lexa, but you’re right. Going all over the world is perfectly fine when a person’s single and doesn’t have any other ties to speak of. But when a man is thinking of settling down, finding a more permanent residence, starting a family, growing a garden . . .” He glanced over at her to gauge her reaction. “He has to start making plans.”
“So, you think the wanderlust is out of your system, do you?” Lexa’s heart was beating so fast, she thought it might burst.
“Well, if it isn’t, then going on short scouting trips and working summer mission camps should take care of it. Besides, I might be able to talk the powers that be into taking my wife along. You know, to gain the woman’s perspective and all that. My dad always told me that a woman’s perspective is precious and invaluable. One woman’s perspective, in particular.”
Lexa leaned closer. “Your dad is a very wise man.”
“In my mind, there’s only one thing left to settle.” Sam’s voice was quiet, wistful.
“What’s that?” His smile warmed Lexa down to her toes.
“I need your answer to my partnership idea.”
“Oh? I don’t remember hearing a specific question.”
“Will you forgive me that I can’t exactly bend down on one knee? Not to mention the fact that we’ve already given a lot of people plenty to watch today. Seems we’ve been the Alamo floor show tonight. After all, you’re already wearing my ring.”
Lexa smiled. “Nothing to forgive. Carry on, please.”
Sam chuckled, then locked her gaze and her heart. “Alexis Clarke, will you please marry me, be my bride, and serve the Lord alongside me for as long as we both shall live?”
She didn’t hesitate for even a second. “I will, Samuel Lewis. Especially since you said please. Oh, how I will,” Lexa murmured, sealing her promise on his lips. “You know,” she told him at length, “the first day we met, sitting in this very car, you asked me where my home was.” She traced his lips with one finger, and he caught it with a quick kiss. “My home is wherever you are, Sam. You are my home. Wherever the Lord leads.”
Sam smiled. “I think I knew the moment I met you that you were going to wreak havoc in my life. But in a very good way.” He laughed as she swatted his arm. “I want to show you something.”
Lexa watched as he pulled a creased, worn piece of paper from the inner pocket of his suit coat. Opening it out, he held it up. It was the photo of the two of them taken in his parents’ home the night she met his family. “This photo kept me going for the past year, Lexa. I had you imprinted on my heart, but this photo has been incredibly precious to me.”
When he looked back up at her after returning the photo to his pocket, Lexa glimpsed the tears shining in his eyes. She raised her hand to his face and traced the side of his strong, masculine jaw with gentle fingers. Sam leaned into her hand, kissing her palm. She loved how he possessed that rare inner strength of character and wasn’t hesitant to share his true emotions with her.
“I want to show you something.” Lexa reached in the skirt of her dress, finding the pocket. Sam’s eyes widened as she pulled out the identical small photo. “Caty gave one to me. We’ve become very close friends. As a matter of fact, I’ve become a regular houseguest. Wait until you taste my peach pie now.”
Sam laughed, holding her close. Lexa heard the joy in his voice, glimpsed the love in his eyes. He leaned his head against hers, and ran his fingers through her long hair. Sam whispered how beautiful she was, how soft her skin, how lovely her hair. Glorying in the warmth and pure joy of this man’s love, Lexa felt like the most precious, treasured jewel. The Lord was so faithful. She belonged with this man.
Sam kissed the top of her head and pulled her even closer. She leaned her head against his chest, and smiled as his hold on her tightened. Loved hearing his strong, steady heartbeat. Loved him. “I’ve grown so much in the last year. Learned so much. Being away from you was incredibly hard, but I put the time to good use.” Raising her head, she looked into his eyes. “The Lord’s timing is so perfect, isn’t it? I’m better prepared now, Sam. To be your wife.”
At her words, Sam’s brilliant smile reached his eyes. “For the record, what’s your middle name, Lexa?”
“Mary.” She didn’t expect the hearty laughter prompted by her response. “Why? What’s your middle name?”
Sam’s eyes met hers in that direct way he had of looking straight into her heart, her very soul. “Joseph.” He kissed her forehead again. “Just another sign from the Lord, I’d say, that we’re meant to be together. I love you, Lexa. And,” he murmured, his lips moving down to her cheek, “I think we should definitely make this partnership legal.” The warmth of his lips seared through her as they moved to her mouth and then toward her neck.
Lexa broke out into a wide grin of pure joy. She’d never known such joy could be possible.
With a slight groan, Sam pulled away. “I want to start calling you Mrs. Lewis as soon as humanly possible. A year away from you was pure torture, and the last six months in the jungle made me positively certifiable, not being able to hold you . . . or even talk with you.”
Settling back against the seat, he sighed. “The point being that we’ve waited long enough. I’m more than ready, and I believe you are, too. Besides, I don’t think the Almighty wants us to wait much longer. It would be cruel and unusual punishment. However, if you need time to plan a big shindig…”
When Sam grinned, he captured her heart all over again. “Oh, admit it already, cowboy. You just want to enjoy the benefits of marriage as soon as humanly possible.” Lexa could tell he was shocked by that statement, but in a very good way.
Sam erupted in uproarious laughter. “Well, don’t you, beautiful girl?”
“Judging by the night at the mission, I’d say . . . yes. Definitely yes. What are we waiting for?” Lexa didn’t even have to think any more about it. It made perfect sense. The Lord must be smiling at this little scene in the white Volvo station wagon. Parked in front of the world-renowned, historic Alamo, of all places.
Sam raised an eyebrow and grinned. “So, what do you say we go find ourselves a preacher and make this one of the shortest engagements in history? I have a friend who’s ordained and licensed, and I’ve already called him. He can marry us tonight. We can always do a repeat in front of my family and our friends whenever you say. I’ve already told my mom and dad, and they’re thrilled beyond reason that I’m finally taking a wife.” Sam smiled, looking more than pleased with himself. “And Caty and Carson, of course. They’ve all fallen in love with you, too, you know.”
She hadn’t had a family to call her own in so long, and this day just kept getting better and more promising. “Here? In San Antonio? Tonight?”
Sam laughed and nibbled her lower lip. “Yes, my love. Right here in San Antonio. Tonight would be spectacular.”
His hold on her tightened and her heart thundered as she remembered the last time he’d used that word in terms of their relationship. She gulped and almost couldn’t speak. “I hate to bring a hard dose of reality into this conversation, but from what I know, Texas has a three-day waiting period unless you’re active military.” Lexa could barely breathe. Sam wanted to get married tonight?
“Ah, but there’s a little loophole, you see.” Sam scooted even closer and took her hand in his. “Would you like to hear it?”
Lexa leaned her head back against the seat. “Of course, I do.”
“A judge can sign a waiver foregoing the seventy-two hour waiting period, if you can show just cause.”
“And I suppose you happen to know a judge?” She’d get to the other part of that statement in a moment.
“My grandfather was great friends with Judge Roy Branford, and I spent many hours in his company when I came to visit Grandpa Lewis here in San Antonio. I saw him late this afternoon, as a matter of fact. He gave us his blessing. Right aft
er he signed the waiver. I have it in the glove compartment under lock and key. He also remembered my grandmother wearing the ring you’re wearing now.” He looked down a moment before meeting her eyes again. “He told me my grandfather would be very proud of me.” Sam’s voice caught. “And he said my grandmother would love knowing my bride would wear this ring.”
She planted a gentle kiss on his waiting lips. “I’m honored to be your bride, Sam.” She gave him a coy look. “Especially if that means I might inherit your grandmother’s secret peach pie recipe.” She laughed when he winked. “I’m not even going to ask what you said to persuade the kind judge to forego the waiting period. You’re a very inventive and thorough man, Mr. Lewis. Those are very promising qualities.”
He chuckled. “That’s not all.”
“I should think not.”
“You see, I’ve also reserved a room on the Riverwalk the next three days. It’s a honeymoon suite, and I’d really hate to stay there all by my lonesome. Remember when I left you in Houston, I told you I wouldn’t make you wait long.”
“You’re also very confident, and a man of your word.”
“It’s a personal Lewis family creed.”
“I’d say we’re crazy,” Lexa told Sam, “but I’d say it’s about the best thing we can possibly do. After all, I already have the bouquet.” She tossed a glance at the rose garden in the backseat. “The second thing we should do is go car shopping.” Catching the look on Sam’s face, she burst out laughing.
“What? You don’t want to keep the bomb around . . . for old time’s sake?” He leaned against the seat, shaking his head, feigning sadness. “I thought you’d grown quite fond of it. Or so you said.”
“I suppose we can keep it around if you absolutely insist.” Lexa wrapped her fingers in his, caressing the side of his hand with her thumb.
The lazy grin surfaced and those piercing eyes mesmerized hers. “I’m sure we can come up with a compromise. But, surely you jest. One thing I must insist on is that car shopping is not the second thing we do after saying our vows. I suggest we push it further down on the list of things to do. I definitely have more . . . intriguing things in mind.”
Lexa felt the slow flush all the way from her scalp to her toes. It took a moment to regain her breath in order to speak a coherent word. Clearing her throat, she tugged on his tie and pulled him close. “By the way, that’s a very nice suit you’re wearing. I’d say it’s a gorgeous suit in which to get hitched. You look incredibly handsome, cowboy.”
“Glad you approve, beautiful girl.” Raising her fingers to his lips again, Sam kissed them with a reverence that stole her breath. “And I can’t help but notice you’re wearing a lovely white dress. It’s almost as though you knew.” His brows rows before another grin surfaced.
Lexa smiled. “The Lord has blessed us so much, Sam. And I think He has a whole lot more in store, and TeamWork might have something to do with it. I can hardly wait.” Catching the bemused expression on his face, she giggled. “What are you thinking? You’re looking mighty devilish, I must say.”
He laughed heartily. “I was just thinking, my love . . .”
“Yes?” Lexa smiled into his eyes. He hovered close in the way she’d adore the rest of her days. His eyes captured hers, drawing her in forever. This man promised her more than yellow roses on anniversaries and whispered sweet nothings in the secret places of her heart. Sam Lewis promised her children, love, and a family to call their very own.
It was beyond anything she ever hoped to dream. And to think it was all possible because she tried to help others rebuild their dreams. In the process, Lexa found her own. What a wonderful life it promised to be, with him by her side, holding her hand, protecting her, guiding her, loving her.
Sam planted a tantalizing, exquisite kiss on her lips, full of the promise of blissful things to come. He winked. “Stick around, Lexa. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
About the Author
Awakening is JoAnn Durgin’s first published novel. A full-time estate administration paralegal, she lives with her husband and three children in southern Indiana. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and its Indiana chapter as well as the Louisville Christian Writers. A winner of several flash fiction contests, JoAnn was also a finalist in the long contemporary romance category of the 2010 Romance Writers of America/Faith Hope & Love “Touched by Love” Contest.
A winner and finalist in several flash fiction contests, JoAnn's passion for writing is fueled by her desire to touch hearts with the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.
Visit her at www.joanndurgin.com or at Author JoAnn Durgin on Facebook. She’d love to hear from you!
Table of Contents
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events either are products of the autho...
From the AuthorMy Dearest Readers,
Isaiah 50:4
CHAPTER 1Mid-June 1997
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45Houston – Three Days Later
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47The Alamo – One Year Later
CHAPTER 48The Reunion
About the AuthorAwakening
