Love Inspired May 2021--Box Set 1 of 2, page 38
Grace couldn’t make it sink in.
“Grant wants more than two books from you,” Jack explained. “He wants you to create a whole series of books that will help children understand the painful and confusing times in their lives with a godly perspective. He wants them to be as helpful as the two you wrote for Lizzie.”
Stunned, afraid to believe what she’d heard, Grace rose and paced across the deck, trying to make sense of it. Only it didn’t make sense.
“Heart Publishing is the premiere children’s publisher in this country, Jack,” she enunciated clearly. “They don’t just go around offering multibook deals to new writers.”
“I know, Grace. But that is what Grant’s offering you.” Jack held her stare, a faint smile curving the corners of his mouth. “I just got caught in the middle.”
“You must have misunderstood,” she said shaking her head.
“I don’t think so.” He held out the letter. “Happy birthday, Grace.”
She opened the envelope and lifted out the sheet. It took seconds to read the words, but minutes for reality to penetrate. Her, a published author? But that’s what it said.
Joy burst inside Grace. Here at last was God’s answer to her prayer, part of it anyway, to be used in His service. At least she could live one dream she’d given up on. That Jack had done this for her—she was overwhelmed by his generosity.
Without thought she flew across the deck, flung her arms around him and pressed her lips to his in a kiss that he took forever to respond to. But all too soon he was pulling away.
“Gracie, I—”
“I love you, Jack Prinz.” She kissed him again, unable to keep silent any longer.
“Wh-what did you say?” He stared at her dumbfounded.
“I said I love you,” she repeated joyfully. “I have since I was fifteen, but a lot more now. I love you with every fiber of my being and if—”
“Wait!” Jack cupped her face in his hands and studied her for several long moments. Then he closed his eyes and whispered, “Okay, I’m trusting You.”
Confused, she could only stare at him. Her mouth fell open when, holding both her hands, he knelt before her.
“Jack, what are—”
“Grace Partridge, I love you for a thousand different reasons which I’ll happily go into later. For now, know that I’m ashamed to say I didn’t trust God enough to tell you that earlier and let Him work out the rest. I thought it was too risky, that you might reject me and, well, as you know, I’ve had a bellyful of rejection.”
“You mean you wimped out.” Grace’s dark gaze dared him to deny it.
“Well, I wouldn’t put it that way.” One look at her face and he nodded. “Yes, okay. I wimped out, with you and with God. But that’s not ever happening again. I love you. I want to marry you. I want you by my side for the rest of my life. And I’m not going anywhere until you say you’ll be there.”
“Well, I’m not getting on my knees to tell you so get up, Jack!” She tugged on his arm until he was standing and then she drew him closer. “Naturally I’m going to marry you,” she assured him with a cheeky grin. “Haven’t you paid any attention to the gossip about me? I’m a very practical woman, and turning you down would certainly not be practical when I love you so much.”
“Uh, Gracie?”
“Yes?”
“No offense, but be quiet now and kiss me.”
“Yes, dear.”
When they’d finally reassured each other that their love was mutual, they sat together on the porch swing, holding hands and sorting through all the unasked questions each had for the other.
“I’ve known Grant Archer for years, but when he called me yesterday, I wasn’t expecting his questions.” Jack fiddled with her empty ring finger.
“What did he want to know?”
“He asked me if Grace Partridge was the kind of woman who lived the faith she presented in her books.” Jack brushed a kiss against her chin.
“What did you say?”
“I told him I’d seen firsthand how fully you live out your faith. I said you were my inspiration for renewing my own faith journey, even though I’m nowhere near where I should be.” He shook his head at her. “But at least I’m not where I was. I’ve made so many mistakes, Gracie. Most of them because I believed a lie and wouldn’t take a risk on the truth. I wouldn’t trust God.”
“We all make mistakes, Jack. That’s how we learn.” She gave him a stern look. “You don’t intend to stop telling me you love me, do you?”
“Never,” he said. “That would be the biggest mistake of all.” He showed her just how much he cared and Gracie responded. They sat in the darkness, sharing the peace that love brings. “You know, after I prayed with Ed, I felt the old burden roll away, but I didn’t trust it was gone for good. I kept waiting for someone to tell me I wasn’t worthy of love. I didn’t think that peace I first felt would stick.”
“And it has?” she whispered.
“It was a hard lesson, and I almost let you go before I realized that if I want the best things in life, I have to trust God’s love. That’s not risky at all. It heals. You taught me that. Your love has healed both Lizzie and me. You are a very special woman which is why I call you Gracie. You’re my Gracie, and I love you more than I could ever say.”
“I love you, too, Jack. You are the most lovable man I know.” Grace smiled as his arm tightened around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. Here was the answer she’d sought from God for so long. To be loved. To be needed. To have a future purpose.
“When can we get married, Gracie?”
“I can’t get married without Jess,” she told him. “She has to be my matron of honor, just as I once stood up for her. If it wasn’t for Jess...”
“She’s coming home tomorrow,” Jack reminded her. “The day after?”
“Hmm, maybe a bit after that,” she promised.
“You do realize I’m not very patient, that I like to have my own way and that I don’t give up easily, don’t you?”
“You don’t say?” Grace chuckled. She smiled as she peered at the moon. “Isn’t it nice that I love that about you, Jack?”
“Gracie,” he complained. “When will you marry me?”
She slid her palm to his cheek and held it there, almost overwhelmed by the love that filled her. God was so good. How could she have ever doubted Him?
“I think we should discuss it with Lizzie tomorrow,” she suggested, gazing into those melting tiger eyes she’d adored as a teen. “It will be our first family decision.”
“The first of many,” Jack agreed happily before kissing her.
Epilogue
On a late summer afternoon in Peace Meadow at Hanging Hearts Ranch, Grace Partridge prepared to marry Jack Prinz.
Neither the announcement in the town hall inviting the community see ‘Sunshine’s favorite helpful daughter pledge her love to a man quickly becoming the town’s favorite son,’ nor the presence of the entire town of Sunshine, seated or standing in the meadow, ready to witness their marriage, bothered Grace. She was so happy, she was delighted to share it with everyone.
As flower girl, Lizzie looked adorable in an ankle-length sundress with purple-blue butterflies and pretty white sandals. She led the procession down the grassy aisle with a huge grin below her unruly almost-black pigtails, clinging to a nosegay of dandelions she and her grandfather had picked earlier that day. Jess, dear Jess, glowing with good health, followed behind Lizzie, wearing a lovely purple-blue sheath and carrying white daisies.
Then Grace’s precious Calhoun ‘boys’ escorted her down the aisle. She moved slowly, feeling radiant in her pure white silk ankle sheath, a tiny veil and delicate strappy sandals, carrying Jack’s chosen bouquet of violet hydrangeas. Her purple diamond earrings were also a wedding gift from him. Grace had tucked away the tender look on his face when he’d insisted they were not as rare as she was, to savor all through their futures.
After thanking the Calhouns, Grace met her smiling groom eagerly and slid her arm in his, her purple diamond solitaire sparkling in the sunshine for everyone to see.
“You look beautiful, Gracie. As usual,” Jack whispered.
“You look like my answered prayer,” she whispered back.
Together they turned to face Pastor Ed.
“Dearly beloved...”
She trembled as he began the solemn yet joyful celebration that would unite them. And then Jack’s voice, so strong, so certain.
“My darling Gracie, I promise to love you for as long as God gives us. You are my heart, my inspiration, my best friend and the one who makes my days complete.”
Jack turned to his best man, Ben, and accepted the ring before solemnly facing Grace. In a clear voice he announced, “With this ring, I thee wed.”
He slid the platinum band on her finger while gazing into her eyes.
Then it was Grace’s turn.
“My dearest darling Jack. We came the long way around to get here. And yet, it was all in God’s time. I’ve spent my entire life trying to discern and follow His plan for me, but I could never have dreamed His plan would include you.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I love you. That will never change. I promise to share all the ups and downs of our life as together we seek to follow His leading into our future together.” She slid Jack’s matching band onto his finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jack, you may kiss your bride.”
Which he did. Thoroughly. Interrupted only by a squeaky voice that mused, “I din’t know Pops liked kissin’ so much.”
The meadow erupted in laughter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Prinz.”
Grace grinned at Jack and nodded. Laughing, they grabbed Lizzie’s hands and walked down the grassy petal-strewn aisle. Afternoon turned to evening as they shared their jubilant celebration of love at the Double H.
In his toast to the bride, Jack announced that the Prinz family would be settling in at the Herman Schneider home where Grace would pen more children’s stories of faith and love while he decided whether a small ranching operation would fit into his photography passion.
Uproarious applause greeted their news.
“But first we’re having a honeymoon,” Jack murmured in Grace’s ear during their fifth dance together. “We need to leave, darlin’. Now.”
Grace kissed Lizzie goodbye, confident she would have fun with the Calhoun children while she and Jack cruised the South Seas.
“That’s a stunning suit, Grace. I’m so glad I insisted on that dove gray.” Jess’s smile mingled with tears and she hugged her best friend in the little log house and then led the way outside. “So now that you’re an author, a wife and a grandmother, have you finally figured out where God’s leading you?” she teased.
“I know enough for now,” Grace told her, locking glances with her new husband. “I can wait for the rest.” She hugged her friend close. “I love you, Jess. Thank you for being my friend.”
“Right back atcha, kiddo,” she said. “Read this later.” She tucked a card into Grace’s bag, embraced them both one last time and then waved them off in Jack’s new car.
As Jack and Grace drove to the airport in Missoula, they chatted about their wedding day and all the things they wanted to remember.
“What’s in the card Jess sent?” Jack wanted to know.
Grace opened the envelope. Inside was a beautifully scripted card in Jess’s painstaking calligraphy. She read it aloud.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance... He hath made every thing beautiful in his time. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 & 11a.”
“That’s about as true as it gets, darlin’,” Jack declared.
“Yes.” Grace put the card back in the envelope to keep it safe. “Whether we have all the answers or not, our future is in God’s hands. Right where it belongs. All we have to do is trust that He loves us.”
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining me once more at Hanging Hearts Ranch. I hope you enjoyed Grace and Jack’s reunion. After many years of living her faith, Grace worried God was finished using her. Jack had let lies dominate him until he believed he couldn’t love or be loved. But fear and love can’t coexist. Our couple had to learn that God’s perfect love casts out fear. It’s a lesson all of us can repeat to bolster our faith in the One who loves us unreservedly.
I’d love to hear from you and I’ll do my best to respond quickly. You can reach me via email at loisricher@gmail.com, through my website at www.loisricher.com or on Facebook.
Until we meet again, my wish is for you to share in the boundless love that God our Father gives freely to anyone willing to be His dear child.
Blessings,
Lois Richer
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ISBN-13: 9781488071096
A Plan for Her Future
Copyright © 2021 by Lois M. Richer
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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Love Inspired
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“I’ll watch Samson for you.”
Wyatt’s hand paused and, hallelujah, he stopped writing. “What?”
“I’ll watch Samson so you can attend your meeting with the mayor.”
“Don’t you have appointments, Dr. Evans?”
“I just finished up with my last patient right before you and Prissy arrived.” She nuzzled the alpaca’s neck, then flashed Wyatt a soothing smile. “I’m absolutely free and clear the rest of the afternoon.”
“What’s the catch?”
The man was too perceptive. “I’m offended you would even ask.”
“What’s the catch, Remy?”
“Okay, okay. You turn that ticket into a warning, forget about the fine and I’ll help you out with your nephew.”
“Bribing an officer of the law?”
“You say bribe. I say negotiate. So? What do you say?”
Wyatt gaped at her for three full seconds, looking slightly appalled they were even having this conversation. But he wasn’t saying no, either.
Remy pushed her advantage. “Tick tock, my friend.” She tapped her wrist with her index finger. “Yes or no? Do we have a deal or not?”
Renee Ryan grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned to surf, sort of. With a degree from FSU, she explored career opportunities at a Florida theme park and a modeling agency and even taught high school economics. She currently lives with her husband in Wisconsin, and many have mistaken their overweight cat for a small bear. You may contact Renee at reneeryan.com,on Facebook or on Twitter, @reneeryanbooks.
Books by Renee Ryan
Love Inspired
Thunder Ridge
Surprise Christmas Family
The Sheriff’s Promise
Village Green
Claiming the Doctor’s Heart
The Doctor’s Christmas Wish
Love Inspired Historical
Charity House
The Marshal Takes a Bride
Hannah’s Beau
Loving Bella
The Lawman Claims His Bride
Charity House Courtship
The Outlaw’s Redemption
Finally a Bride
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
The Sheriff’s Promise
Renee Ryan
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
—Ecclesiastes 4:9
For Donnell,
who walked with me every step of the way
and always answered the phone
when I needed to be talked off the ledge.
You are, quite simply, the best of the best!
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
