From the Heart (Sandy Cove Series Book 5) Read online

  From the Heart

  Sandy Cove Series Book Five

  Rosemary Hines

  Copyright © 2014 Rosemary Wesley Hines

  www.rosemaryhines.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

  Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

  Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. This novel 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 events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is coincidental and not the intent of either the author or publisher.

  Formatting by 40 Day Publishing

  www.40daypublishing.com

  Cover photography by Benjamin Hines & and Natalie Knudsen

  www.benjaminhines.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  To Randy

  My husband and traveling partner on this journey of life

  To everything there is a season,

  A time for every purpose under heaven.

  Ecclesiastes 3:3

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  PREVIEW BOOK 6

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  BOOKS BY ROSEMARY HINES

  CHAPTER ONE

  She’d first noticed him at the high school baseball game while she watched her older brother in his position as first baseman.

  The tall, lanky pitcher with the cockeyed smile and razor-sharp aim took no hostages as he struck out one player after another. His moves drew her focus like a magnet. Even when he pulled off his cap with his right hand and used the same forearm to wipe his brow, there was something manly and attractive that captivated her attention.

  She was only sixteen and had never been in love. Shy and awkward around boys, she spent most of her time studying or daydreaming with her girl friends. When her big brother, Hal, brought his buddies home, she tried to stay out of their way; afraid she’d say or do something that would embarrass him, not to mention herself.

  But this time, she got up the courage to ask Hal about his teammate. “So who is that pitcher?” she inquired after the game.

  “Who, Phil? He’s new this year. Just moved here from Missouri.” Hal replied nonchalantly. Then looking at her with a glint in his eye, he added, “Why do you ask?”

  “No reason,” she answered hastily. “I just don’t remember you having him over to the house.”

  “Should I?” he teased.

  “What?”

  “Should I ‘have him over’ for you?” he replied with a wink.

  Joan could feel the heat as her face blushed a bright red. Looking away, she mumbled, “Do whatever you want. It’s nothing to me.”

  But when Phil Walker showed up that Sunday afternoon with several other guys from the team, she found herself quaking inside with nerves. Hal made a point of introducing them, and when Phil gave her his crooked smile, using his soft green eyes to lock on hers, her heart raced so fast she thought the whole room could hear.

  “So nice to meet you,” she managed to say before disappearing into her room. Sitting on the edge of her bed and thinking about his smile, she tried to compose herself, as the sound of the boys’ talking and laughter drifted in under her door.

  From that day on, she was equally excited and distressed whenever Hal invited Phil over to their house. She analyzed every move she made and any spoken words that passed between them, always trying to wear her cutest clothes and carefully style her hair when she knew he was coming.

  Their encounters were brief. A ‘hello’ as they passed in the kitchen or hallway. Sometimes a quick ‘how are you?’ or ‘good game’ would be added to the exchange.

  But Joan was in love. With a boy who could have any girl in their school. And she knew her chances were slim to none.

  Then it all changed.

  The following November, she spotted him across the gymnasium at the homecoming dance. And just as she looked his way, he spotted her, too. His smile got her heart pumping again, and it only got worse when he headed her direction.

  “May I have this dance?” he asked after they said their hellos.

  Her friend, Ellie, nudged her and tipped her head toward the dance floor. “Go on. I’m off to look for Viv.”

  After Joan nodded to Phil, he reached out his hand to lead her into the crowd of dancing teens. His grip was warm and strong. And at that moment, Joan suddenly knew that her purpose in life was inextricably linked to his.

  They ended up dancing most of the evening. She learned all about his family, his passion for baseball, and his even greater passion for God. He spoke of his grandfather, the pastor of their church in Missouri, and how he’d inspired Phil’s own desire to some day lead a congregation.

  At the end of the dance, he asked if he could see her again. Her heart now singing in her chest, she tried not to seem too eager as she said yes.

  And so began a lifelong journey of joys and heartaches with the only man she’d ever love. Married right out of high school, they struggled to make ends meet as she worked at the local diner to put him through seminary, shelving her own dream of becoming a teacher in order to allow him the opportunity to respond to God’s call.

  Then came the indescribable joy of becoming parents to a beautiful baby girl. Sheila seemed to make their home complete in spite of its sparse provisions and their continuing financial challenges.

  A pastorship that included a parsonage opened the door for this new family to have a home and a mission together as they ministered to a small flock of believers. Joan used her teaching interests and gifts to instruct the little ones during Sunday school and even stretched to lead the women’s Bible studies.

  Over time, their flock grew. And it seemed their family would as well.

  Then tragedy struck when their next child, a boy, was delivered stillborn. As Joan cradled his tiny lifeless body to her chest, she wondered if she’d ever really be able to breathe again herself.

  But over time, God brought a healing balm to their brokenness and used this heartache to grow their compassion and ability to minister to others suffering loss. Yes, every step of the way, Joan could see her purpose intertwined with Phil’s. They lived and breathed as one, sharing life’s unexpected delights and sorrows, and trusting God through it all.

  Glancing down at the album in her lap, the one
that had taken her on this journey down memory lane, Joan found herself sitting on the bed in her daughter’s guest room. Inside still beat the heart of that sixteen-year-old girl who fell in love. But when she glanced up at the mirror over the dresser, she saw an eighty-six year old woman looking back at her.

  And her heart that had knitted itself so completely to Phil’s was aching with emptiness. Just as she and her beloved husband had laid their tiny son’s body in the ground, she’d recently had to place the love of her life there as well. The cancer that devoured his body had claimed her joy and purpose, too.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Joan gazed at her packed suitcase perched on the edge of the bed. Clothes neatly folded and ready for the trip home.

  Home.

  What would that mean now without her beloved Phil by her side?

  Sinking onto the bed, she rested her hand on the suitcase and sighed. The last couple of weeks had passed so quickly. Phil’s final days of releasing his hold on life, the memorial service for neighbors and friends in Mariposa, and then a family service here in Sandy Cove. Days filled to overflowing with no time to think.

  Now she’d be alone. Alone with her memories.

  Of course, her daughter Sheila had invited her to stay in Sandy Cove indefinitely. “The guest room is yours, Mom,” she’d said. But Sheila had her own life to live now. Recently widowed herself, she’d found a second chance at love. And Joan was not going to get in the way.

  No. It was time to go home.

  Standing, she faced the suitcase again. She zipped it closed and left the solitude of the guest bedroom for one final visit with her daughter before her trip to the airport.

  As she ventured into the kitchen, she found Sheila rinsing their breakfast dishes. “I’m all packed, dear,” Joan said.

  Sheila looked over her shoulder, hands still immersed in the sink. “Okay, Mom. We don’t have to leave for another hour. I’ll just finish up here, and we can take a little coffee break and discuss your plans.”

  Joan guessed her daughter would probably make one last effort to convince her to move. That may be in the future. But for now I need to be at home.

  Sheila grabbed a towel and dried her hands then poured them both a cup of coffee. As they sat down at the kitchen table, Joan took a good look at her only child. Sheila’s face was aglow with such a sweet vitality and her eyes sparkled. Love—what a powerful force at any age. “You look so beautiful, sweetheart.”

  Her daughter raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Thanks, Mom. What brought that on?”

  “I just noticed how youthful and alive you are looking these days. I’ll bet it has a lot to do with that professor of yours,” she added, winking.

  Sheila cleared her throat and looked away as if embarrassed.

  “It suits you,” Joan continued.

  “What?”

  “Love. You wear it well.”

  “Okay, first of all, no one said anything about love. Rick and I are taking it slow,” she replied.

  Joan smiled. “Whatever you say, dear.” She stirred some cream into her coffee and sat back against the chair.

  “So have you given any more thought to moving in with me?” Sheila asked. “We’d all really love to have you here, Mom, and Caleb is so in love with Thumper that he’d get plenty of attention and playtime.”

  Joan thought about Thumper and how he would adjust to life back in Mariposa without his master. Phil and that dog had been inseparable ever since she and her husband had picked him out of a litter of playful golden retrievers. She’d hoped for a sweet girl pup, but Thumper had chosen Phil, laying across his feet and looking up with those doleful eyes. Yes, Caleb was a good diversion for old Thumper. “I’m keeping your offer in mind, Sheila. But right now, there’s a tug on my heart to get home.”

  Her daughter nodded. “Okay. Well, I’ll keep after you. Expect a lot of phone calls from here,” she warned.

  “I’ll look forward to each and every one of them.”

  They sat quietly for a few moments, and Joan breathed a silent prayer of thanksgiving that their family was so close and always welcomed them back with open arms. Then, out of the blue, a wave of grief washed over her. It wouldn’t be ‘them’ any more. Oh, Phil. How am I going to do this life now?

  “Are you okay, Mom?” Sheila asked, concern furrowing her brow.

  Joan rallied herself and forced a smile. “Fine. I’m fine, honey.” She pushed against the table as she stood. “Everything’s arranged with the dog, right?”

  “Yep. Steve will be bringing him when he comes to pick you up, and the airlines have been notified. It’s all set.” Sheila paused and then added, “Have you talked to your pastor this morning?”

  “Yes. Lawrence is set to pick us up at the airport. I gave him the flight number, and he’s bringing the church van so Thumper’s crate won’t be a problem.”

  Just then the doorbell rang. “Must be Steve,” Sheila said, taking their cups and placing them on the counter before going to answer it. Joan followed her out to greet her granddaughter’s husband. As soon as the door opened, Thumper raced inside, wagging his tail in greeting. Taking one quick sniff at each of them, he headed back into the house.

  “Thumper, get back here,” Steve called. “I wonder why he took off like that?”

  “He’s probably looking for Dad,” Sheila said. “Come here, boy,” she called, and he reappeared momentarily from the hallway then disappeared into the kitchen.

  “I’ll get your bags, Joan,” Steve offered, heading for the guest room with Joan on his tail.

  She supervised his retrieval of her luggage, and then the doorbell rang again. “Who could that be?” she asked.

  “I think I have an idea,” Steve replied knowingly. As he rolled the suitcases out to the front door, in walked Michelle and the kids.

  “I know we said goodbye last night,” she began. “But as soon as Steve pulled out of the driveway, the kids and I decided to come over and see you one more time.”

  Joan smiled and nodded. “Come here, you two!”

  Madison and Caleb walked into her open arms.

  “Can’t you just stay here with us?” Caleb asked.

  “Yeah. Grandma. We want you here in Sandy Cove,” Madison agreed.

  Joan gave them both a squeeze then opened her arms and took a step back to take in their sweet faces. “I promise I’ll come back soon,” she said. “But there are some things I need to attend to at home.”

  Michelle took her turn for a hug. Whispering in her grandmother’s ear, she said, “Call us anytime. We will come get you and bring you back.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart. You don’t know what a comfort that is,” Joan murmured softly in her granddaughter’s ear. Then releasing her, she turned to Steve. We’d better round up that dog and get going so I don’t miss my flight.”

  They found Thumper in the kitchen, curled up by the back door.

  “Can I take him out one last time before you leave?” Caleb asked.

  “Two minutes,” his father replied. “And then we’ve got to go.”

  As Thumper followed Caleb outside, Steve took the luggage to the car to load it.

  Tearful goodbyes followed as they got themselves and the dog into the van, and Joan waved to her daughter, granddaughter, and great grandchildren. She watched Caleb bury his face in his mother’s side.

  “He’s really going to miss you,” Steve said. “We all are.”

  She nodded, afraid to test her voice in reply.

  As Joan navigated through airport security and onto the plane, she realized this was her first time to fly alone. Gripping her boarding pass in her hand, she smiled courageously at each passenger who looked up at her as she made her way down the aisle in search of her seat. Steve had assured her that she had an aisle seat. Easier to get in and out, he’d said. But when she got to her row, someone else was sitting in the seat assigned to her. A rather large man with long legs spilling out into the walkway. The seat beside him was empty, and in the window se
at, a young man, who appeared to be in his early twenties, was listening to earphones as he looked out over the tarmac.

  “Excuse me,” Joan said politely.

  The man looked up and stood, gesturing to the middle seat.

  Joan hesitated a moment before deciding to take it. After all, the man was very tall, and he’d be cramped in that middle seat.

  As the plane ascended, she glanced over at the young man on her other side and noticed a Bible on his lap. When he removed his earphones, she commented, “I see you have a Bible there.”

  “Yeah. I was just listening to a message by one of my favorite pastors,” he replied. “You read the Bible much?”

  She smiled. “As a matter of fact, I do. My husband was a pastor.”

  “Really? Cool,” he replied. “I’m about to begin Bible college myself. Hoping to be a youth pastor someday.”

  His youthful enthusiasm reminded her of Phil when they were courting. And his sweet smile was a ringer for her husband’s. I wonder where the years will take this fellow, she thought as she replayed Phil’s life of service.

  “So tell me about your husband,” the young man said. “Where was he a pastor?”

  And just like that, God provided a travel companion for Joan’s journey home. Between her stories of Phil and his ministries, as well as this boy’s dreams of service, the time flew by. When the aircraft wheels touched down, her new friend turned to her and said, “I’m really glad we got to talk. Your husband sounds like a great guy. Thanks for telling me about him.”

  “Thank you for listening,” she replied with a smile. “I’m sure God has a special plan for you, young man.”

  Pastor Lawrence Taylor was waiting at the luggage claim area when Joan arrived. After they exchanged hugs and greetings, she turned to introduce the young man she’d met to her pastor, but he was gone.