Grace: A Christmas Sisters of the Heart Novel (25 page)

But instead of giving him grief, the other man had leaned forward with a smile. “What are your plans?”

“I’m going to go south. To Kentucky.”

“To see the woman you met.”

He’d been unable to keep all his secrets from his boss. “Yes,” he admitted. “I need to see her.”

“How are you going to get there?”

“I’ve hired a driver for both ways.”

Kevin’s brows rose. “That gets expensive, doesn’t it?”

“It does, but it’s worth it. I don’t want to rely on bus schedules this time.”

Pausing, Kevin said, “How much do you think you’ll have to pay?”

Levi told him, though he wasn’t comfortable about doing so. However, there was a trust between the two of them that couldn’t be denied, even if at the heart of things, their relationship was still employer and employee.

“My son is twenty-two and is in need of some extra money. He’s saving for an engagement ring. How would you feel if he took you both ways for half of that?”

“I’d feel happy to accept.”

“Great. I’ll double-check with Todd, but it shouldn’t be a problem. Can he pick you up at noon from here?”

“I’ll be obliged.”

The trip had been easy. Todd was a likable fellow, and a careful driver. He also seemed to know that it was okay for them to not talk the whole time.

Levi was grateful for that, because the closer they came to Melody’s hometown, the more nervous he became. What if she no longer was interested in him?

What if, once they saw each other again, the spark that had held him so dearly faded? Then what would happen?

As the doubts tumbled in his head and Todd exited the freeway, then made his way through the side streets, Levi once again closed his eyes and said a small, silent prayer.

Thank you, Lord, he silently prayed, for letting me follow your will. Your path. With you I’m not as afraid. With you I know I’m never alone. And for that, I am grateful.

“This is the address, Mr. Bender,” Todd said.

Levi looked at the plain clapboard house that Todd had pulled up in front of. The yard was well kept, and he supposed it looked welcoming. “Would you mind waiting here for a bit? Melody said she’d be looking for me, but the house looks a little dark. If she’s not here, I’m not quite sure what to do.”

“No problem.”

Levi hesitated. The original plan was for Todd to drop him off, then go check into a hotel. “You sure?”

Todd held up his phone. “I can do email from anywhere. Take your time.”

Not wanting to look foolish, Levi walked quickly up the sidewalk, schooling his features to stay neutral. He knocked on the door.

After what felt like an eternity, a woman opened it a few inches and looked at him curiously.
“Jah?”

“I’m looking for Melody Gingerich. Is this her home?”

“Who’s asking?”

“I’m Levi Bender. Are you her mother?”

“I am.” She looked him over, not unkindly but with true interest. Her voice softened slightly. “Melody said that you might be comin’ this way.”

Might? “I wrote her that I was for sure coming down.” Tired of standing on her doorstop, he tilted his head in an effort to peek behind her. “Is Melody here?”

“She is not.”

The statement felt like a fierce blow to his midsection. “Do you know when she’ll return?”

She opened the door wider. After looking him over one more time, her distrustful expression lightened. “She’s working at her coffee shop. Why don’t you go over there to see her?”

“It would be all right?”

Finally smiling, Mrs. Gingerich said, “I think she’d like your visit very much.” She peeked around him. “Do you have a driver?”

“He’s there in that SUV.”

“All right. Wait here for a moment and I’ll write down the name of the restaurant and the street.”

Just a few minutes later, he and Todd were back on their way. Levi hoped it wasn’t a fool’s errand.

As they walked into the shop, Levi turned to Todd. “How about a cup of coffee? I’ll be glad to buy you one.”

“I’ll take you up on that. Thanks.”

Levi was glad for the
Englischer’s
company. It felt awkward enough entering Great Grinds. Things would seem even stranger if he was wandering around by himself.

“May I help you?” a voice called out from behind the counter.

It took Levi a moment to realize that it was Melody’s
voice; her back was to him and she was putting scones on a tray.

He’d found her.

Now, with a sense of purpose, he marched up to the counter, Todd’s lanky gait following behind. “We’ll take two coffees, please.”

“Sure. Just a moment—Oh! Levi!”

He smiled broadly. “I told you I’d come. This here is Todd.”

“Nice to meet you.” A wealth of emotions rushed through her face. Surprise … happiness … worry? Warily, her gaze darted from one man to the other. Levi could swear he could see the wheels turning in her head. “So, two coffees?”

“Make mine extra large, if you can,” Todd said.

“And yours, Levi?”

“Any size is fine for me.”

Her lips twitched as she poured out two mugs, both very large. Levi reached in a pocket to pay, but she shook her head. “It’s my treat. Would you like a scone, too? I made them fresh this morning.”

Todd grinned. “Sure.”

After she handed him a blueberry scone, Todd left them and went to a back table, leaving Levi to stand awkwardly at the counter. Staring. He couldn’t believe he was close to her again! “I went to your home. Your mother told me you were here.”

“I’ve been trying to put in a few hours here and there.”

“And Faith? How is she?”

The first easy smile he’d seen crossed her face. “She’s wonderful. Oh, Levi, I am so glad to see you. I wasn’t sure if you would be able to get away.”

“I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do, if you want to know the truth.” He was getting tired of standing across from her. “Can you sit down for a few moments?”

“Of course. It’s been quiet here.”

As she walked around the counter, Levi couldn’t look away. She looked as pretty as ever. Just as petite. But there was something different about Melody now.

He carried his plate and mug and followed her to a table. In the café, only two other tables were occupied. Todd was in one, and in the other, a teenage girl with headphones in her ears, was reading a book. Essentially, they were alone.

She brushed off her apron. “Do I have a stain on my dress?”

“No.”

“Oh. Well, you keep looking at me. I wondered if maybe something was wrong …”

“There’s nothing wrong. No, I mean, you look pretty.” He felt his cheeks burn as she blushed. Oh, but he wished he wasn’t so awkward. “You look different, too.”

“I do?” She wrinkled her nose. “Different, how?”

“I don’t know. Calmer?”

“Well, I’m not nine months’ pregnant or in labor now,” she joked. “Anyone would be calmer, I think.”

He grinned, finally feeling more at ease. “There is that. But you seem happy, too. Happier.”

“I am.” Her eyes shone. “You are right, Levi. These days, I find that I have a lot to be happy about.”

He wanted to think that he was part of her happiness. But a part of him just wasn’t sure. “Of course. Faith is a true blessing.”

Melody’s eyes turned dreamy. “Oh, she is. Beautiful and sweet tempered.”

“She would make any person’s life full of joy,” he agreed. And tried to think that that was enough. They had plenty of time for her to grow to love him. Plenty of time for Melody to trust him …

She rested her elbows on the table. “Faith does make me happy, but it is you, Levi, who’ve brought me back to life. When I arrived at the Brennemans’, I was desperate. Desperate for family. For a sense of belonging. Desperate to have a reason to live. And then I met you.”

As his body sighed in relief, he couldn’t help but smile. “And I didn’t give you much help in those areas at first, did I? I couldn’t have been ruder to you.”

“I soon learned your reasons. Levi, in so many ways, you made me find joy again.”

“I feel the same way about you. I went home. I went back to work. But nothing felt right without you.”

“I know. Because we wrote each other.”

“And wrote. But the letters weren’t enough. I couldn’t stay away.”

“I’m so glad you are here. How long will you stay?”

“Well, here’s the thing … I plan to stay here long enough to convince you to marry me.”

Her eyes widened. “Marry?”

“I know we haven’t known each other long,” he said quickly. “I know we should wait. We should be patient.
Write more letters … but Melody, I already know you have my heart.”

Eyes wide, she stared at him.

Levi’s mouth went dry. Oh, why had he been so impatient? He was doing this all wrong. He should have waited longer. Perhaps another month? Maybe two?

“Yes,” she said.

“Yes?” Levi reached for her hands. “That’s it?”

Her beautiful golden brown eyes shone. Gave him hope. “Isn’t that enough?”

“It is more than enough,” he whispered. “I love you, Melody. I love you more than you will ever know.”

She leaned closer. “That’s where you’re wrong, Levi Bender. I do already know. Because I feel the very same way.”

Tenderly, he kissed her. Right there, in the back of the coffee shop.

Right there, on the twelfth day after Christmas. On one of the most glorious days of the year.

Dear Reader:

A year or two before I got married, I spent the majority of Christmas Day in a hotel room. Oh, it was a very nice hotel room. The bed was comfortable. There was room service, a big bathtub with lots of bubble bath and lotion … a television with lots of channels. But, well, it wasn’t where I wanted to be.

I tried my hardest to make the best of things. I ordered room service. I pretended I was glad I wasn’t in a noisy house with lots of people and too many dishes. But I wasn’t.

Actually, as the hours wore on, I became pretty depressed. I had a view of the front parking lot, and it looked to me that everyone else in the world was traveling in groups, each person holding more packages than the last. Everyone looked happy. Exuberant. I was not.

Every Christmas since, things have been different. Never again have I spent the day alone. Instead, I’ve been surrounded by family and friends. Sometimes the day is so busy, with cooking and cleaning and visiting and wrapping that
I’ve even yearned for a moment or two of peace! Maybe some of you have felt the same way.

Now I have to think that God had plans for me way back then—when I spent the day looking out the window. Perhaps he was giving me the tools to write a novel about two lonely visitors who seek refuge in an inn for Christmas.

Being able to write this story has truly been a gift for me. I loved writing a story about two people finding hope and joy and God’s grace on Christmas Day. And, of course, I was happy to return to the characters in the Sisters of the Heart series.

So this Christmas, I hope you have joy. And peace. And the knowledge that even if you happen to be sitting by yourself in a hotel room, you are never truly alone.

God Bless, and Merry Christmas!

P.S. I love to hear from readers. Please visit my Web site, www.shelleyshepardgray.com, “friend” me on Facebook, or write to me at:

Shelley Shepard Gray

10663 Loveland-Madeira Rd. #167

Loveland, OH 45140