Read Online Beyond Hope's Valley: A Big Sky Novel by Tricia Goyer - Free Book Online
Authors: Tricia Goyer
Tags: Christian fiction
Ads: Link
our child."
She pictured a small girl with dark hair like hers and bright blue eyes like Aaron's. She imagined sewing her dresses and kapps. She thought about welcoming Aaron home every night and their family around the dinner table. She thought about their child growing and more children coming. A family, a real family, gathered around the dinner table and reading stories by lantern light. Butterflies danced in her stomach and more fluttered around her heart.
The impact of what she was about to do by marrying Aaron hit her like never before.
Marianna placed a hand to her forehead. An overwhelming feeling came over her like it had that dark Montana night when the spooked horse carried her and Sarah away in the buggy through the trees and brush. She tried to contain herself. Tried to calm the swift surge of bittersweet joy.
She sat on the window bench. "Can you imagine a baby here, Aaron?" She brushed away her tears. "Can you picture yourself as a father?"
He didn't answer, and she turned to face him. His skin was red above his shirt collar. His hair rumpled, as if he'd run his hand through it. A hint of sweat glistened upon his brow.
"Are you all right?"
"Just my leg." He sat down beside her. "I think you were right when you told me I've been doing too much."
Was it really the pain in his leg that caused this reaction? A nagging feeling inside Marianna told her there was more. There was a moment's hesitation where each assessed the other. She opened her mouth to ask what she knew she ought, but no words came.
Aaron turned his attention back to the meadow. " Ja , that's why I built this, with the thought of a child in mind." Even as he said the words Marianna could tell his mind was on something else. Someone else?
How can I marry him when he won't even share his heart? His thoughts?
She sighed and turned her eyes to the small winter finch that hopped from bare tree branch to bare tree branch. The day seemed colder than it had a few minutes ago, and she crossed her arms and pulled them tight, feeling a shiver carry up her spine.
Dear Dat and Mem,
Hello from Indiana! I suppose it's cold in Montana, but I imagine you reading this letter in front of the warm fire. Knowing Dat he would have wanted to open this letter as soon as he saw it in the mail, but knowing you, Mem, you would have bawled him out if he did . . . so I assume that you're reading this letter together. I'm glad you are, because there so much I'm wanting to tell.
Today was the day. The one I've been thinking about for a while. I visited the house with Aaron. It was more beautiful than I expected and it's hard to believe one day yet it will be mine . . . ours.
Levi looks well. He has news for you, but I'll allow him to share it in his own time. News that might mean my wedding won't be as soon as I imagined, but I'm adjusting to that idea.
As I pray, I feel deep inside that I should give to and care for Levi and Naomi first. My own marriage will come in good time. I told Aaron such, and he stated he understood, yet his eyes were full of questions—worry even. Maybe he wonders if I am having doubts? If I cannot convince him with my words maybe the commitment I'll show him in the months to come will speak otherwise. Love, as you've always told me, Mem, is more than jest a warm feeling deep inside. It's the standing by someone in the good days and bad.
Tell all the children hello for me. I miss them with a deep ache. I tell myself I'll see them sometimes soon. I hope that indeed will be the case.
Love,
Marianna
Chapter Six
I n Hollywood, everyone wanted to be a star. So why did Ben wish he could just catch the next flight back to Montana?
He rose early and drove his rental car down to Sunset Boulevard. He'd paid twenty dollars for all-day parking, even though he knew the studio had a spot for him. He could have had a limo pick him up if he wanted, but for some reason he didn't want to be "that star" yet. He wanted to feel normal, ordinary,
She pictured a small girl with dark hair like hers and bright blue eyes like Aaron's. She imagined sewing her dresses and kapps. She thought about welcoming Aaron home every night and their family around the dinner table. She thought about their child growing and more children coming. A family, a real family, gathered around the dinner table and reading stories by lantern light. Butterflies danced in her stomach and more fluttered around her heart.
The impact of what she was about to do by marrying Aaron hit her like never before.
Marianna placed a hand to her forehead. An overwhelming feeling came over her like it had that dark Montana night when the spooked horse carried her and Sarah away in the buggy through the trees and brush. She tried to contain herself. Tried to calm the swift surge of bittersweet joy.
She sat on the window bench. "Can you imagine a baby here, Aaron?" She brushed away her tears. "Can you picture yourself as a father?"
He didn't answer, and she turned to face him. His skin was red above his shirt collar. His hair rumpled, as if he'd run his hand through it. A hint of sweat glistened upon his brow.
"Are you all right?"
"Just my leg." He sat down beside her. "I think you were right when you told me I've been doing too much."
Was it really the pain in his leg that caused this reaction? A nagging feeling inside Marianna told her there was more. There was a moment's hesitation where each assessed the other. She opened her mouth to ask what she knew she ought, but no words came.
Aaron turned his attention back to the meadow. " Ja , that's why I built this, with the thought of a child in mind." Even as he said the words Marianna could tell his mind was on something else. Someone else?
How can I marry him when he won't even share his heart? His thoughts?
She sighed and turned her eyes to the small winter finch that hopped from bare tree branch to bare tree branch. The day seemed colder than it had a few minutes ago, and she crossed her arms and pulled them tight, feeling a shiver carry up her spine.
Dear Dat and Mem,
Hello from Indiana! I suppose it's cold in Montana, but I imagine you reading this letter in front of the warm fire. Knowing Dat he would have wanted to open this letter as soon as he saw it in the mail, but knowing you, Mem, you would have bawled him out if he did . . . so I assume that you're reading this letter together. I'm glad you are, because there so much I'm wanting to tell.
Today was the day. The one I've been thinking about for a while. I visited the house with Aaron. It was more beautiful than I expected and it's hard to believe one day yet it will be mine . . . ours.
Levi looks well. He has news for you, but I'll allow him to share it in his own time. News that might mean my wedding won't be as soon as I imagined, but I'm adjusting to that idea.
As I pray, I feel deep inside that I should give to and care for Levi and Naomi first. My own marriage will come in good time. I told Aaron such, and he stated he understood, yet his eyes were full of questions—worry even. Maybe he wonders if I am having doubts? If I cannot convince him with my words maybe the commitment I'll show him in the months to come will speak otherwise. Love, as you've always told me, Mem, is more than jest a warm feeling deep inside. It's the standing by someone in the good days and bad.
Tell all the children hello for me. I miss them with a deep ache. I tell myself I'll see them sometimes soon. I hope that indeed will be the case.
Love,
Marianna
Chapter Six
I n Hollywood, everyone wanted to be a star. So why did Ben wish he could just catch the next flight back to Montana?
He rose early and drove his rental car down to Sunset Boulevard. He'd paid twenty dollars for all-day parking, even though he knew the studio had a spot for him. He could have had a limo pick him up if he wanted, but for some reason he didn't want to be "that star" yet. He wanted to feel normal, ordinary,
Similar Books
