Loving Tenderness (19 page)

T
he next day, Hannah lay in bed, her baby daughter in her arms. The Lord had blessed her with a healthy child despite her early arrival. Praising God for the perfect gift, she caressed the baby’s translucent skin and ran her finger over her tiny hands.

The nurse arrived and lifted the newborn from Hannah’s arms. “Time’s up,” she said, her voice filled with kindness. “You need to rest.”

Hannah understood and watched the nurse lower her precious daughter into the bassinet and wheel her from the room.

The horrifying experience of the previous day rolled through her mind over and over. Andrew’s frantic look, JJ’s fright, the uncontrollable pain, all seemed an endless nightmare, yet God had heard her cries for help.

“How are you?”

Andrew’s voice drew Hannah’s attention to the doorway, and she smiled. “Alive and well.”

“The baby’s beautiful. And I can see already she’s a sweet little girl who’ll look just like her mama. I still can’t believe it.”

“What did JJ say when you told him? I bet he wanted a brother.”

Andrew strode toward her, carrying a huge floral arrangement. “JJ said he loves you, and he’ll get used to his new sister.”

Hannah chuckled while contentment washed over her. “He’s a good boy, Andrew.”

“He is good, just like his mom.” Andrew placed the flowers on her bed stand, bent down, and kissed her forehead before placing his lips against hers. “I stopped by the nursery before I came here. They’d just wheeled her in. She looks so fragile yet she’s healthy. Six pounds, two ounces. Amazing. I praise God for that. I was so afraid…”

“Me, too,” she said. “I would never have gone after Jack if I’d known what was going to happen.”

“You should never have gone anyway because the man who loves you asked you not to go.” He pulled the chair closer and sat beside her. “If I’d lost you, Hannah, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Witnessing the pain in his face, she lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry that I hurt you, but I had to go. I had to find JJ before Jack did something unspeakable.”

“Hannah.”

The tone of his voice jerked her to attention, and she looked into his serous eyes. “What is it?”

“The police contacted me last night. Jack’s dead.”

“He’s dead?” The news surged over her like a
wave, yet rolled back in a calming relief. “What happened?”

“In the chase, he lost control and crashed into a tree. He died immediately. They found drugs in the car.”

She couldn’t speak, and as the ragged breath left her, Hannah realized for the first time in many years she was free. “It’s over then.”

“It’s over.”

She lifted her eyes and let her gaze settle on Andrew’s handsome face. She understood his pain, she understood his mistakes, and she trusted him with her life. She’d made mistakes of her own. Andrew had taken her and her family into his world as if they were special, and she finally understood that they were. “I love you, Andrew. I can’t tell you enough how sorry I am to have refused your proposal. Life seemed so devastating, and I had been so confused.”

He pressed his index finger against her lips. “I know, and I haven’t given up. You’ve said you love me. I’ve loved you so long. I cherish JJ and that beautiful little girl without a name. I want to marry you, Hannah, and I’m willing to wait.”

Her pulse skittered. “You’ll still have me?”

“Have you? Life would be empty without you.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, as she saw the look in his eyes.

“And my life would be empty without you.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square box. “I’ve carried this with me since the day I first proposed, Hannah, just waiting for you to accept.”

Her hands trembled as she lifted the lid and saw the
lovely ring inside. Four diamonds sparkled against the yellow gold. Her heart swelled as joy and thankfulness filled her. “It’s beautiful.”

He took the box from her and slid the ring onto her finger. “The four stones represent the four of us. It seemed fitting.”

The four of us.
The beautiful words drifted over her like cherry blossoms. Andrew’s eyes glinted brighter than the gems, and Hannah knew her joy was complete. God had answered every prayer and given her even more than she could have asked.

“We have one last piece of business,” Andrew said, clutching her hand.

“Business?”

“Our little daughter needs a name.”

“Hope,” Hannah said. “I’ve been thinking how hope has been what kept me trying to make sense out of my life. I read a verse in Romans 5 recently that made my heart leap when I read it. ‘And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.’ God’s love hasn’t disappointed us.”

Andrew’s gentle look melted over her. “We have our faith, our love, and now our little daughter Hope. What could be better?”

Hannah looked into his tender gaze. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Hannah stood at the back of the church, amazed at the number of people who’d come to their wedding. The church had been adorned with autumn colors and banners depicting the harvest. Her bouquet echoed the sea
sonal theme with gold Fuji mums, russet asters and apricot-tinted carnations adorned with autumn leaves, and she’d chosen a simple gown in the softest beige.

She scanned the guests, touched by their friends and church family’s compassion and love—Jenni and Todd, Annie and Ken, Jemma and Philip, Esther and Ian Barry from Bay Breeze, Christie Hanuman and her husband Patrick from the congregation, Claire, even Carla sat near the front, her face beaming. Hannah had entrusted tiny Hope, who was blossoming with good health, to Annie.

The bridal music sounded, and joy filled Hannah’s heart as she glided down the aisle to meet Andrew. He waited for her up front, dressed in a dark suit with a boutonniere in his buttonhole, looking so handsome and so strong.

Thanksgiving had been two days earlier, and today she had so much for which to be grateful. When she reached Andrew, they joined hands and made a promise to God and to each other that they would love and honor each other through eternity.

The diamond ring sparkled on her finger, each stone so special, so significant—Andrew, JJ, Hope and Hannah. Love abounded, and when the pastor pronounced them husband and wife, she faced Andrew and rejoiced in his deep, cherished kiss.

JJ came forward, and Andrew lifted Hope from Annie’s arms. They stood facing the people she’d grown to love and felt as if God had blessed her beyond measure.

The pastor’s final blessings filled the room. “As you leave here today, keep this moment in your hearts. Remember God’s Words in First Corinthians. ‘And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the great
est of these is love.’ Hannah and Andrew, JJ and baby Hope, go with God’s blessing.”

Andrew looked at her, his smile brighter than the sun, and she heard his murmur in her ear. “Faith, hope and love.”

They were three of the most beautiful words Hannah had ever heard.

Dear Reader,

This letter is bittersweet. We’re saying goodbye to Loving, Michigan, and all its residents. I’ve enjoyed writing the seven novels that were set in the imaginary town on the shores of Lake Michigan, patterned after the real city of Grand Haven.

I ended the series with Andrew Somerville, the prodigal son who returned to Loving after wasting his inheritance. His journey demonstrates God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness we share with one another. Yet, the Lord says to forgive as we want to be forgiven, and that includes our own sinful nature.

Hannah’s struggle with domestic violence is all too familiar to us in this difficult world. I encourage all of us to support women’s shelters and to be watchful for signs from family, friends or neighbors who are living a life of fear and abuse. Let us keep the shelters and their occupants in our prayers, asking God for their peace and safety in an often frightening world.

Remember Jesus’ words in John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

May God bless each of you.