Season of Hope Read online

  Her dream job.

  But it would mean leaving Shelby Lake.

  She couldn’t think about that right now. Too many other things needed her attention.

  If her head would stop throbbing, she could think.

  Maybe a ten-minute catnap would help. Just enough to let the medicine clear her brain fog.

  She tucked her feet up under her thighs, folded her arms on the chair, rested her head and closed her eyes.

  Just ten minutes...

  The pounding.

  And the ringing.

  Make it stop.

  Tori’s eyes jerked open, then she winced against the sudden brightness.

  The dull thud in the back of her head had escalated into a full-blown explosion of pain. She struggled to focus, but her eyes burned. A chill snaked over her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. As she tried to stand, her knees weakened like overcooked pasta.

  Where was that ringing coming from?

  Her phone.

  Where was it?

  Through bleary eyes, she searched the chair but couldn’t find it. It sounded muffled.

  Pounding.

  More ringing.

  The peal of the doorbell.

  She staggered through the maze of boxes until she reached the door. She wrenched it open and sagged against the door frame, throwing an arm over her eyes to shield them from the stabs of light. A shadowy form stood on her front porch.

  “Step...away...from...the...doorbell.”

  “Tori, what’s wrong?”

  “Jake.” Her mouth felt dry. She tried to swallow but winced against the flames licking her throat. She turned away from the door. Where was her water bottle?

  Staggering back to the living room, she found it and tried to drink, but her throat felt like it had been stuffed with rocks.

  Jake touched her shoulder. “Tori, what’s going on? What’s all your stuff doing here? Why didn’t you ask for help?”

  Tori held up a hand. “Shh.”

  Jake cupped her face. “Have you been drinking?”

  She nodded, holding up her water bottle. “Trying to, but my throat...hurts.”

  Why did her voice sound so hoarse?

  Jake took the bottle from her and sniffed it.

  What a weird thing to do.

  He placed his palm against her forehead. She sighed as the coolness of his touch offered relief against her sweltering skin and reached for his other hand to press against her cheek. “That feels good.”

  “You’re burning up. I’m taking you to the clinic.”

  “No, I have to meet the caterer—your friend. The pig truck girl. Can’t remember her name.”

  “Tori, honey, that’s why I’m here. Lena called because you missed the appointment. She tried calling... I did, too. But you didn’t answer, so I came to find you.”

  “What? No. I have to finalize the order today. She’s leaving. Going someplace. I can’t remember where. It hurts to think. Then the girls need dresses. And the ads. Plus decorations. But then the movers called to say they were delivering today instead of tomorrow.” Tori’s voice choked, and tears leaked down her face as she cradled her head. “But this headache wouldn’t go away, so I closed my eyes for only a few minutes. Then I could handle everything. Instead, I’ve ruined it. No wonder you don’t want me around.”

  Tugging her against his chest, Jake finger-combed her tangled hair away from her face. As his arms wrapped around her, drawing her deeper into his embrace, she leaned against him, hoping some of his strength could wear off on her. She needed to pull herself together.

  Jake pulled away, sending a chill against her skin, and wiped away her tears with his roughened thumb. “I’ve taken care of the caterer, and I’m going to take care of you, too. But first you need to see a doctor. Where’s your phone? What about your purse?”

  “I dropped my phone. I was looking for it when you came to the door.”

  Jake found her phone, her purse and her flip-flops. He held on to her while she shuffled her feet into her shoes, then guided her to his truck. Her teeth chattered and goose bumps pebbled her skin despite the sunshine heating the cab. He pulled out a blanket from behind his seat, shook it out and tucked it around her.

  As he backed out of her driveway, she leaned her head against the window. From the moment she offered to oversee the fund-raiser, she wanted to prove her worth, to prove she had value, to prove she’d changed. But all she managed to prove was she was a walking disaster who needed to be rescued once again.

  * * *

  Jake was in trouble.

  It was the second time he had to rescue Tori, as she called it. Third, if he counted their kayaking misadventure. And each time he felt like his gut had been twisted inside out.

  He slouched in the club chair in the corner of the farmhouse guest room meant more for decoration than comfort and watched Tori sleep.

  Her damp hair matted around her face—her fever must have broken in the night. The paleness of her skin emphasized the dark shadows around her eyes.

  But she still looked beautiful to him.

  When she woke up, would she remember the trip to the ER, the stop at the pharmacy for antibiotics for strep throat, then being helped upstairs to recuperate at the farmhouse until she was no longer contagious?

  Why hadn’t she asked for help instead of trying to do everything on her own?

  Maybe because he’d acted like a stubborn jerk by not talking to her since their kayaking trip.

  “Where am I?” Tori’s groggy voiced jerked him out of his thoughts.

  Jake pushed to his feet, an ache arching across his lower back, and moved to her bedside. “You’re at the farmhouse. In the guest room.” He reached for the insulated cup filled with ice water, and handed it to her. “How are you feeling?”

  She struggled to sit up, took the water and sipped it, then handed it back to him before falling back against the pillow. “Tired. And my throat hurts.”

  “Not surprising, considering you have a nice case of strep.”

  “Strep? Where did I pick up that?” She frowned, then closed her eyes.

  “Hard to say. Could’ve been anywhere. It’s highly contagious. That’s why you’re here and not at Claudia’s. We can’t have the bride sick before her wedding day.”

  Tori’s eyes jerked open and her hand flew to her mouth. “The caterer. I missed the girls’ dress appointments and I need to go to the flower shop to get the centerpieces for the tables.” Still wearing yesterday’s T-shirt and running shorts, she tossed the blanket aside and swung her bare legs over the side of the bed, the movement causing her to sway a little as a shiver racked her body.

  Jake jumped up and cupped her shoulders, guiding her back against the pillows. “You’re not going anywhere. You need to be on your antibiotic for a full twenty-four hours before you can even leave this room.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t have time to lie in bed all day. There’s too much to do. And who’s going to take care of Annabeth?” Tori’s hand flew to her throat as she squeezed her eyes closed while trying to swallow. She reached for her water again.

  “And I’ll help you get it done. If you don’t take care of yourself, Tori, how are you supposed to take care of anyone else, especially Annabeth? And she’s with Claudia, by the way.”

  Tori pressed a hand over her eyes and sighed. “Can I have my computer at least?”

  “How about if you rest for a bit longer while I make you some breakfast, then we can go into the family room and do some work together.”

  “Don’t you have chores to do or something?”

  “Trying to get rid of me? It’s Sunday. Other than milking, it’s our only day off.”

  “Sunday! How long have I been out?”

  “Basically since I brought you here yesterday afternoon. Do you remembe
r going to the hospital?”

  “Vaguely. I’m sorry you missed church because of me.”

  “No big deal.”

  “Really? You think missing church is no big deal?”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “But that’s what you said.”

  He sighed. “Let me rephrase. I don’t mind missing church to take care of you. Okay?”

  “That’s better.” A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. More than anything he wanted to lean over and kiss her. But that would do nothing but complicate matters.

  Tori dragged a hand through her hair. “I need a shower.”

  “If you want, I’ll have Claudia drop off a change of clothes for you once she gets back.”

  “I’d like that. Thanks.”

  “Think you could handle some oatmeal? Or maybe some soup?”

  “Either one sounds good.”

  “Great. I’ll make it, and you can rest your throat. I’ll come back to get you in a bit.”

  “Thanks, Jake.”

  “Anytime.”

  As he forced himself to walk out of the room and close the door behind him, he realized he meant every word he’d said. He liked taking care of Tori. He liked being there for her to lean on.

  She called it rescuing, but he considered it an act of love.

  He stalled at the top of the steps and gripped the banister as the truth slammed him in the chest, nearly knocking him off his feet.

  He was in love with Tori.

  This time he didn’t bother trying to deny it. Now he just had to figure out what to do about it.

  Two hours later, Jake had reheated Tori’s oatmeal after she’d gone back to sleep the first time, then he helped her get settled on the couch with a pillow and afghan.

  Freshly showered and bundled in a thick robe despite the eighty-degree temperature outside, Tori clutched her cup of hot tea with honey. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She traced one of the stripes on the mug and then looked at him. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “What’s your relationship with God?”

  That was the last question he expected her to ask.

  “Where’d that question come from?”

  She shrugged. “Something I’ve been wondering for a while, I guess.”

  Jake rubbed the back of his neck and turned away from her. He strode to the window, shoved his hands in his pockets and gazed out into the backyard. “I guess it’s a bit complicated.”

  “Sounds like a Facebook status.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why’s it complicated?”

  “I’ve been going to church from the time I was born. I’ve done the whole vacation Bible school, youth group, youth camp thing. I can recite the books of the Bible, memorized Scripture. I figured my ticket was punched to get into Heaven, you know.”

  He moved away from the window and sat on the end of the coffee table. “But none of that prepared me for the past six years. I lost my wife, my best friend and my mother all within a year. Our farm was nearly destroyed. Then Micah and Evan left and Tucker lost sweet Rayne.” He paused and rubbed his forehead. “The hits just kept coming. Man, I was angry. Furious at God for destroying so much. I was doing all the right things, so why was He taking so much from me, from my family? But through it all, I watched Dad and Tucker cling to their faiths. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I be strong like them?”

  “Have you asked how they did it?”

  Jake dropped his gaze to his shoes and shook his head. “No. I just figured they were better Christians.”

  “Jake, you know that’s not true. When was the last time you prayed?”

  He scoffed. “What’s the point? God’s got a permanent black check mark in the No column when it comes to answering my prayers.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “I begged Him to get you to take my calls. I begged Him to save Mom. I’m done. I’m done praying. I’m done begging when He doesn’t even care.”

  “My dad never took us to church. I didn’t even own a Bible until college, when one of my roommates invited me to attend a Bible study with her. Then I met you. You were good and kind. You saw me for who I was. You didn’t want to change me. Do you remember what you said the night you proposed?”

  “Of course. ‘You’re the one I’ve been praying for.’ And I meant it.” He leaned forward and brushed a stray strand of hair off her face.

  She grabbed his hand. “You didn’t let anyone get in the way of your faith. Not even me. You made me want to be a better person, to want more. We got married, and praying with you each morning before you left for duty...well, those were some of my favorite times together. Then you shipped out. And I was so lonely. Then after I lost the baby and believed the lies my dad told me, I went through my own trial.”

  “How’d you get through it?”

  “I had to make a choice—wallow in the darkness or seek out the Light. I chose the Light. Plus, my boss has this larger-than-life personality, and she wasn’t about to let me sink. She was pretty amazing, praying with me, speaking Truth into my life.”

  “You were lucky to have someone like her in your life.”

  “It’s not about luck, Jake. It’s about trusting God even when everything is dark.”

  “You’re doing an awful lot of talking for someone who can barely swallow.”

  “This is important.” She took another sip of tea. “I have another question.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Are you seeing someone?” Scarlet rose in her cheeks.

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Do you have a new girlfriend?”

  “Why would you even ask me that?”

  “I saw you with someone. The other day when Claudia and I picked up her wedding dress. You were at Cuppa Josie’s with a cute little brunette.”

  Jake retraced the past couple of days and tried to remember when he’d been in town. Then he smiled and chuckled. “That was Willow, Tucker’s sister-in-law. She works with our farm vet. No, I’m not dating her. What gave you that crazy idea?”

  Tori picked at the fibers in the blanket. “You seemed very comfortable together. And you had your arm around her.”

  “She’s like a kid sister to me.” Jake grinned and leaned closer to brush a kiss above her brow. “Jealous much?”

  “No.” She scowled at him.

  “There’s never been another woman in my life since I met you. And that’s a promise you can hold on to.”

  Suddenly Tori’s eyes drooped as she sank against the pillow. He took her teacup from her and set it on the table. After tucking the afghan around her shoulders, Jake pressed a kiss to Tori’s forehead.

  Once she was feeling better and all the chaos died down, they needed to talk about their future, because every time Jake thought about his, Tori was front and center. He hoped she felt the same way, but he didn’t want to assume. He wanted to hear the words from her lips.

  But he could wait.

  For now.

  Chapter Eleven

  Cracks of thunder ricocheted across the hilltop as flashes of lightning behind the dark, heavy clouds colored the night shades of purple. Pelting rain bulleted the glass. Jake gripped the steering wheel as rain cascading over the truck masked his visibility even with the wipers swiping on high. The whistling wind picked up, grabbing at his vehicle, making it difficult to stay centered in his lane.

  A few more minutes and he’d be home.

  After being awake since 4:00 a.m., he was ready to hit the sack. The day had been spent with milking, cleaning the barn and getting it ready for the upcoming fund-raiser, baling hay, and then hanging out with Tori for a couple of hours this evening.

  He was whipped.

  On the
plus side, though, their plans for the fund-raiser were falling into place. After it was over, he was going to be writing a lot of thank-you notes. All for a good cause.

  If only Micah could be home to participate and see what they had planned for the program. Maybe then he’d see there was hope in his situation and they were there to help—if he would let them.

  Another crack of thunder jolted Jake. A jagged dagger of lightning speared the tree line thirty yards to his right.

  A quick movement caught his eye. Before he could react, a deer jumped in front of him. He gripped the steering wheel as the front grille took the brunt of the impact.

  Thankfully he hadn’t been going very fast.

  Jake braked, threw on his hazard lights and jumped out of the truck into the pounding rain. The deer appeared dazed. It lay on the asphalt a moment, staggered to its feet, then bounded into the field.

  If it hadn’t been raining so hard, he might have gone after it to make sure it was okay, but he wouldn’t be able to see anything in this weather. A quick glance at his grille showed mainly cosmetic damage, something he could take care of tomorrow, especially with the wind whipping across the fields, forcing branches to bow low and rocking fence posts and lines.

  There’d be repairs to be done tomorrow due to the damaging winds.

  He hauled himself back into the truck, soaked and shivering in the air-conditioned cab. Minutes later, he swung into the farmhouse driveway and headed inside.

  A hot shower, maybe a quick bite to eat, then he could crawl into bed for—a quick glance at his watch showed it being almost midnight—about four hours before starting another day.

  Sometimes, for a moment, he wished for a nine-to-five job where he didn’t have the scent of manure clinging to him all day long. And he could have somewhat of a normal life instead of worrying about dropping milk prices and rising feed costs, performing backbreaking work that never seemed to end and wondering from year to year what the seasons were going to do to his crops.

  Even though farming presented so many challenges, he simply couldn’t imagine doing anything else.