Surrendered Hearts (25 page)

Bill smiled as he watched them go. “They make a great family.”

“Yes, they do.” Jenn settled back and released a deep sigh.

He reached across and took her hand. “You look happy.”

“I am.”

“Tell me why.” He rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand, sending delightful tingles up her arm.

She bit her lip, wondering how much to share. They hadn’t really talked about their feelings for each other, though the events of the last few hours seemed to have taken them to a deeper level.

“I have a lot to be thankful for,” she said softly.

“Such as?”

“Well . . . we’re here together sharing this beautiful evening.”

A tender look filled his eyes, whisking away her fears.

“I could’ve been on a plane tonight with Phillip, making the biggest mistake of my life.”

“I’m glad you didn’t go.” He hesitated a few seconds, looking like he wanted to say more. “Do you want to take a walk?”

“That would be nice.” He took her hand again and they strolled across the yard, past the barn. Lightning bugs danced through the bushes at the edge of the meadow like little fairy lights.

Bill clasped her hand more tightly and cleared his throat. “They offered me the job at Hawk Mountain.”

His words snatched away her breath.

“But I’m turning it down,” he added.

Jenn gasped and spun toward him. “You did?”

“Yep.” He grinned, obviously enjoying her response. “If you’re staying, I’m staying.”

She laughed, relief pouring through her. “Why did it take us so long to figure that out?”

His smile faded and he grew more sober. “I knew how I felt about you all along, but I didn’t want to get in the way of what the Lord was doing in your heart.”

“How could you staying here get in the way?”

“It’s hard to explain.” He gazed past her shoulder for a few seconds, the struggle evident on his face, then he looked in her eyes again. “I wanted us to be together, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to work out because of all the faith issues you were struggling with, so leaving seemed like the only answer.”

His words sank in and heaviness settled over her heart. They’d come very close to losing each other, and she hadn’t understood the real issues separating them. “I wish you would’ve told me how you felt.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry I didn’t explain.” He rubbed his hand down his face, tired lines creasing his forehead. “I’ve never been very good at talking about how I feel and what I believe, especially with someone I really care about.” His eyes clouded with regret. “I’m sorry, Jenn. We probably could’ve avoided a whole lot of trouble if I’d told you straight out how much my faith means to me.”

She thought about that for a moment, remembering all that had happened between them, then she looked up at him and smiled. “You did something better than that.”

“What do you mean?”

“You showed me what faith looks like, how God loves me and accepts me just as I am. That means more to me than a hundred explanations ever could.”

He shook his head and looked away.

“Don’t you see? You lived what you believed every day, and God used that to touch my heart and helped me see He was real.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and when he looked back, his eyes glistened. “I don’t see how I—”

She took his hands in hers. “Lots of people have talked to me about God, but I needed someone to show me what faith means, and that’s what you did for me.”

“That’s just . . . wow, I don’t know what to say.”

Jenn laughed. “That’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I’ll show you what I mean.”  She stood on her tiptoes, slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him, gently at first, then more deeply with all the love overflowing from her heart. He responded with a passion that equaled hers.

“I love you, Jenn,” he whispered, his voice husky and full of emotion. “So much.”

Her smile deepened as she looked into his eyes. “Now you’re talking.”

He chuckled and pulled her closer. Their lips met again, and his kiss sent an undeniable message of love straight to her heart.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed your trip to Tipton, Vermont and getting to know Jennifer Evans and Bill Morgan. Jenn’s journey of faith and healing is very dear to my heart. Every woman longs to know she is beautiful and loved. But pain from our past can make it difficult to see things clearly. It’s a wonderful blessing when God demonstrates His love toward us through friends and family and then confirms those truths in His Word, the Bible. My prayer for you, dear reader, is that you too will reach out to God and find the faith and love you have been looking for. He is always there waiting for you with His arms open wide!

I love to hear from my readers. Please feel free to email me at:
[email protected]

Until next time,

Carrie

SURRENDERED HEARTS is the second book in the Vermont Blessings Series.

Book One is ALONG CAME LOVE, published by Steeple Hill Love Inspired, April 2006, ISBN 0-373-87363-8

The setting for ALONG CAME LOVE and SURRENDERED HEARTS is the fictional town of Tipton, Vermont, which is inspired by beautiful little town of Ripton. Not too far away in Wallingford, you can visit the lovely Country House Gifts and Antiques that inspired Long Meadow, Lauren’s home and gallery where Jenn goes to work. Here are some photos of the property and barn-turned gallery. It’s a wonderful area to visit, and if you do, please stop in and say hello to the folks at Country House Gifts and Antiques.