Rescuing Her Ranch, page 18
Macey cupped his cheek. “Thank you. I will cherish it.”
“And I will cherish you.” Cole drew her back into his embrace and knew exactly where he belonged—in Macey’s arms.
Epilogue
It wasn’t that Macey didn’t think this day would ever come, but the fact that she was about to marry Cole was more than a dream come true. No matter how cliché it sounded.
Eight months after driving home in that snowstorm, Macey wore her grandmother’s wedding dress, which had been altered and updated, and her mother’s veil as she clutched her bouquet of wildflowers in one hand and curled her other into the crook of her father’s elbow.
Sunlight glinted off the waterfall splashing into the river behind Cole where he stood looking dashing in his light gray suit with her two brothers.
Dressed in shades of soft green, Everly and Mallory, who was finally stateside and able to take leave, preceded her down the makeshift aisle under the grove of lush green trees in full bloom. Lexi and Mia tossed handfuls of flowers as Tanner trailed behind them, looking very bored.
Her eyes connected with Cole’s as she forced herself to take steady steps in time to the music. Surrounded by family and a handful of friends, Macey didn’t even try to stop the tears that slid out the corners of her eyes. Once she reached Cole, he thumbed them away, then took her hand in his.
For the next fifteen minutes, she tried to focus on the pastor’s words, wanting to remember every one. She recited her vows, promising to love, honor and cherish the man standing in front of her. He did the same, then slid the simple wedding band onto her finger.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Colorado, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Cole, you may kiss your bride.”
“About time.” Cole grinned, then his eyes darkened as he cradled Macey’s face in his warm hands. They kissed and sealed their future together.
Then, he touched his forehead to hers. “I love you, Mrs. Crawford.”
“I love you too, Mr. Crawford.”
A slight tug on her gown pulled Macey’s attention away from the man who had stolen her heart. She looked down at Lexi, who wore a cream-colored dress with a lavender tulle skirt. Macey crouched and twirled her finger around one of the ringlets framing Lexi’s face. “You look like a fairy princess, Lexi Jane.”
She flung her arms around Macey’s neck. “You need to teach Daddy how to say my name. He still doesn’t get it right.”
Still holding on to her new daughter, Macey laughed and looked up at her husband. She shot him a wink. “My pleasure.”
“Macey?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Since you married my daddy, does that make you my new mommy?”
Tears warmed the backs of Macey’s eyes as she pushed through the thickening in her throat. “Would you like me to be your new mommy?”
Lexi nodded, her smile lighting up her face. “I would like that so much. My daddy is too big for me to take care of all by myself.”
Macey pulled the child into her arms, her heart swelling three times its size. “How about we take care of him together?”
“Good idea. Can I call you Mommy?”
Not trusting her voice, Macey nodded, then cast a glance at Cole who brushed his thumb and forefinger over his eyes.
“Yay, I love you, Mommy.” Lexi threw her arms around Macey’s neck.
“I love you too, princess.” Holding on to Lexi’s hand, she stood and leaned her head against Cole’s shoulder. “If it’s okay with you, we need to look into filing paperwork so I can adopt Lexi legally.”
Cole dropped a kiss on the top of Macey’s head. “It’s more than okay with me.”
Holding hands, Macey’s parents walked up to the three of them. Mom kissed her cheek. “I’ve said it already, but I’ll say it again, you are so beautiful, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom. And thank you for loaning me your pearls.” Macey fingered the strand of pearls draped around her neck.
“Actually, those were not mine.”
“Really? Then where did they come from.”
“They belonged to your grandma. Your grandpa had given them to her as a wedding gift. She had given them to Lynetta to wear at her wedding, then Lynetta loaned them to me when I married your dad. She told me to hold on to them until one of you girls got married.”
“I loved having a little bit of Grandma and Grandpa with us today. Thank you for allowing us to get married at South Bend.”
Dad pulled an envelope from his inside jacket pocket. “Speaking of South Bend—today seems like the best time as any to give this to you.”
“What’s this?” Her eyes volleyed between them as she took it.
“Open it.”
Macey looked at Cole, then slid a manicured nail under the glue flap. She pulled out an official looking letter, scanned it, then gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely.”
Cole frowned. “What’s going on?”
Macey handed him the paper, and he read it. “Wow, is this for real?”
Dad chuckled. “You two are a couple of doubters, aren’t you?”
“More like overwhelmed.”
Dad squeezed her hand lightly. “You’ve always loved South Bend, so today seemed like the perfect day to give it to you. Take over the old homestead or tear it down and build something new in its place. It’s now yours to do as you wish.” He lowered his head and whispered in her ear. “Don’t worry about your brothers and sisters. They’ll get their share in due time.”
Tears washed her eyes for like the hundredth time since waking up that morning. “I don’t know what to say.”
“How about thank you?”
Macey laughed through a blurry haze. “Thank you both. I love you guys. So much.”
They pulled her in for a group hug. “We love you too. All three of you.” Mom cupped Lexi’s face in her hands. “I’m so excited to have another granddaughter.”
Bear ambled over to them, hands in his pockets. “Hey, I hate to break up this hugfest, but the photographer needs the bride and groom if we’re to get these pictures going.”
Lexi ran ahead with Mia and Tanner. Macey and Cole followed them to the archway where they’d exchanged vows moments ago.
The photographer positioned Macey’s family around her. As Cole squeezed her hand, she smiled through another sheen of tears.
She had everything she always wanted—a beautiful daughter, a place to call home and a husband who not only rescued her ranch but also rescued her heart.
* * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from Her Amish Adversary by Vannetta Chapman.
Dear Reader,
Life doesn’t go the way we want, does it? No matter how carefully we plan, something messes with our carefully organized agendas. Then we have to figure out how to deal with those problems. You may have felt like Macey—returning home was a last resort. Perhaps you’ve felt like Cole—responsible for making your way in the world.
Those lies creep into our heads and block out the Truth God wants us to understand—He created us for relationships. And He puts others in our lives to help us through life’s challenges.
When I started this book series, I hadn’t visited the area of Colorado where I set the fictional Stone River Ranch. However, when this idea sparked, I trusted God to provide the research resources in order to write this story, especially when life threw constant challenges as I strived to meet my deadline. I completed this book only because of Him.
I hope you enjoyed Cole and Macey’s story and look forward to reading more about the Stone family. As each of the Stone siblings walks through their own difficulties, they will learn (as I hope you do too!) God is always present to help them through whatever situations they’re facing. Trust the Lord with all your heart and allow Him to direct your paths.
Thank you for reading my books. I’m so blessed by your continued support. I love to hear from my readers, and you can email me at lisa@lisajordanbooks.com.
Embrace His grace,
Lisa Jordan
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Her Amish Adversary
by Vannetta Chapman
Chapter One
Bethany Yoder directed Oreo to turn into the southeast entrance of the Shipshewana Outdoor Market—The Largest Market in the Midwest, as the banner so proudly proclaimed. Her dat was the owner and general manager of the market. Her family was Amish, which meant that pride was generally frowned upon. When it came to advertising though, a little bragging was allowed.
Oreo tossed her head, as if she were looking forward to visiting the small field next to the RV park. Oreo was their older mare, and Bethany thought she was the sweetest thing on their farm. She still pulled a buggy just fine, though they’d often find her sleeping on her feet when she had to wait. Bethany parked the buggy in a sunny corner of the unpaved parking area. Setting the brake, she hopped out onto the ground, fed Oreo a carrot from her pocket and wound the reins around the hitching post.
“Less than an hour,” she promised, then turned toward her office.
Her office. Who would have thought that those two little words could bring a person such joy? She’d initially resisted the job as RV park manager, but she had found in the last few months that it suited her perfectly. Once she’d accepted that she liked what her dat had wanted her to do, she set about making the little office into her personal haven.
She’d sewn gingham curtains for the windows. Knitted pillows to put on the small couch. She’d even crocheted a rug for the floor, which had been a real learning experience. Working with a large ten-millimeter crochet hook wasn’t for the faint of heart, and using strips of fabric instead of yarn had been awkward at first. The result, though, had been stunning—an oval-shaped multicolored rug. Now her office felt as if it were truly her private domain. With four sisters, she was used to sharing space. Working in the little office building had shown her how special a space of her own could be—though of course guests were encouraged to visit her there.
She smiled when she even thought about her little office, and she loved going to work five days a week. She rarely went in on Saturday and never on Sunday. This Saturday was the exception. Earlier that morning, her oldest schweschder, Sarah, had discovered she needed a few items from the grocer, and Bethany had readily volunteered to go.
Her plan was to spend an hour, maybe two, in the office, then pick up the items on Sarah’s list.
Two hours alone in her office. She practically skipped down the path that led to the small building.
The sun was shining after a week of rain, the weather forecast promised the day would warm to the mid-fifties, and Bethany Yoder was happier, more satisfied, than she’d ever been.
She stopped twenty feet from the small front porch of her office building. It was technically a chalet shed, built by the Amish there on the property, with gray plywood siding, a dark gray shingled roof and a white-trimmed waist-high railing around the porch. The door had fifteen rectangular panes of glass, which allowed plenty of sunlight to stream into the single large room. She’d placed her desk under the double windows that were set off with dark gray shutters from the outside.
It was like an Amish dollhouse, only life-sized.
Why was the door ajar?
Frowning, she cautiously crept forward. Should she go for help? Or should she investigate on her own? Surely she hadn’t been robbed. And even if she had been, no doubt the thief would be long gone. She glanced down, and her eyes widened at the large muddy boot prints that led up the single step, across the small porch and into her office.
As she entered the fourteen-by-eighteen-foot room, her eyes were on the muddy prints tracked across her newly crocheted rug, so she didn’t immediately notice the man sitting at her desk. He’d pivoted the chair away from the desk and was looking through her filing cabinet.
She let out a startled scream, and the man jerked around, nearly toppling over her lamp in the process.
“You gave me a fright there, Bethany.”
“Aaron? Aaron King?”
“For sure and certain. It’s been a long time, ya?”
Not long enough, Bethany thought. Somehow she managed not to voice that uncharitable response. Aaron looked as he’d always looked, though perhaps more handsome than before. His rolled-up shirt sleeves revealed arms that were muscular and deeply tanned. Why did Aaron King have a tan in April? Then she remembered he’d been living in Sarasota, Florida. So what was he doing here? In Indiana?
She glanced around the room and tried to think of a single reason why Aaron would be in her office. She couldn’t come up with even one. “What are you doing here? Why are you sitting in my chair? And what were you thinking tracking mud across my new rug?”
Aaron cocked his head and smiled apologetically. It was quite maddening. He was maddening, as he’d always been.
“I’ll answer the last question first and work my way back. Let’s see.” He leaned back in her chair and ticked her questions off on his fingers. “Sorry about the rug. Didn’t notice. I’m sitting in your chair because I was trying to find a roster of what guests are in which RV sites, and I’m working here.”
“I need to sit down.”
“Ya, you’re looking a bit peaked.”
Bethany collapsed into the guest chair in front of her desk, let her purse drop to the floor, propped her elbows on the desk and massaged her temples. This couldn’t be happening. It was—literally—her worst nightmare. She opened one eye hoping that Aaron had disappeared. No chance. He waved at her.
He actually waved!
That was enough to make her blood boil. Bethany was usually a quiet, even shy person. She rarely kicked up a fuss, only voiced her opinion when directly asked to do so and went out of her way to avoid confrontation. Aaron King sitting in her chair behind her desk after tracking mud through her office changed all of that.
“You will be taking my rug outside and cleaning it—cold water only. I just finished making it last week.”
“It’s a rug. Aren’t people supposed to walk on it?”
“It’s a hand-crocheted rug, and the sign that I hand-embroidered and posted next to the front door says, ‘Please wipe your feet before entering.’”
“Huh. Didn’t see that.” Aaron shrugged. “Sure. I’ll wash the rug.”
It had always been that way with him. A complete dismissal of others’ concerns—an air that said, You’re being silly, but okay. It was infuriating. Aaron was infuriating. He had been infuriating for as far back as she could remember.
“As for who is in what site—not that it’s any of your business—I keep an up-to-date chart on the whiteboard.” She jerked her head to the right.
Aaron’s eyebrows arched in surprise, then he stood and walked over to the wall. Bethany used the moment to dash around the desk and reclaim her seat, reclaim her place. As Aaron studied the names on the board, Bethany studied him.
Still sturdy like an ox—no doubt as stubborn as one too. Probably five foot ten. Could that be right? Yes, he’d grown at least two inches since their school days, and he’d been taller than her then. She’d guess his weight at 185 pounds—all solid muscle by the looks of things. Sandy hair that was a bit too long at the collar and nearly fell into his blue eyes completed the picture. He could be a model for one of her dat’s tastefully done advertisements—that thought only upped her irritation.
When he turned back toward her with that boyish smile, all of the times that he’d teased her came rushing back. She wanted to stand and stomp her foot. She wanted to tell him to get out of her office.
Instead, she placed her palms flat against her desk and measured her words. “Aaron, there must be some mistake.”
“I don’t think so—unless you have another RV park here at the market.”
“My dat hired you?”
“Ya. Yesterday.”
Her dat had been at the market the day before doing interviews for the coming season. He’d come home late and left early for a horse auction in Goshen. He and Gideon—who would be her bruder-in-law in less than two weeks—had been quite excited about buying another horse. She hadn’t had a chance to ask him how the hiring had gone. She hadn’t thought to. She didn’t pay much attention to what happened in the rest of the market.
But what happened in her domain was another matter. Why hadn’t he told her?
Aaron was still waiting for an answer.
“We don’t have another RV park. This is the only one, and I’m the manager.”
Aaron shrugged and flopped into the chair across from her. “Maybe he thought you needed help.”
“I don’t.”
“Then maybe I’m supposed to replace you.”
Bethany was usually a very calm, mild-mannered person. She rarely lost her temper and always took time to process her emotions. But when Aaron said the words “replace you,” she actually saw the color red.
Jumping to her feet, she pointed to the office door. “Get out.”
“What?”
“Get out of my office.”
“But...”
“No buts, and leave the rug. I’ll clean it myself.”
“Fine by me.”
“I’ll also speak with my dat and have him straighten all this out. He’ll be in touch.”
“Be in touch?”
“Ya. You heard me. Now shoo.”
