eBook
Related collections and offers
Overview
All David has ever wanted was love and security. He believes he can attain his desire by winning the heart of Josie Klassen. But Josie’s love for someone else casts a shadow on David’s dream, making him question if love is possible for someone like him. Can David set aside his own ideas and fears and open his heart to the one God has planned for him?
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781598566925 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Hendrickson Publishers, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 12/14/2021 |
| Series: | Mountain Lake Minnesota Trilogy , #2 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 272 |
| Sales rank: | 347,806 |
| File size: | 413 KB |
About the Author
Bestselling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats besides
“writer.” As a wife, mother, grandmother, and active participant in her church, her life is happily full. But Kim’s passion lies in writing stories of hope that encourage her readers to place their lives in God’s capable hands. An active speaking ministry assists her with her desire. Kim and her husband make their home on the beautiful plains of Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s novels. She is the author of more than twenty novels.
Read an Excerpt
A Heart Surrenders
By Kim Vogel Sawyer
Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC
Copyright © 2004 Kim Vogel SawyerAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-59856-692-5
CHAPTER 1
David O'Brien stood stiffly at the back of the Mountain Lake Congregational Church, his chin angled upward and his blue eyes holding a telltale sheen. His beloved sister, Samantha, stood beside him, hand resting in the crook of his arm. He wasn't sure if the quivering he felt was caused by his nervousness or her excitement.
He sneaked a glance at the young woman at his side. She was so beautiful. He felt his chest expand with pride. The gown, a shade of cream, was a soft material and perfect with her russet hair, similar in color to his own. David thought her hair usually fell free in unruly curls around her face or was pulled back in a bow, but today it was twisted up in the back. He'd describe it as resembling an egg in a nest. A few tendrils had pulled away into curls on her slender neck. She turned her face up to his, and the joyous expression in her eyes, the same blue as his own—cornflower blue, he'd heard it said—brought a lump to his throat.
At the front of the church, the organist ended the hymn with a mighty thrust of the pedals, and the final note echoed through the small sanctuary. A pause, and then the woman reached up to open the cover of a small enameled music box resting on the top of the organ. The tinkling notes of the traditional wedding march, Lohengrin, sounded through the church. David pressed her arm against his rib cage and squeezed Samantha's hand reassuringly. He paused long enough to whisper, "Are you ready?"
She nodded, her lips curving into a smile of readiness and her eyes shining with anticipation. Those eyes were aimed straight ahead toward the black-suited young man waiting at the head of the center aisle.
They began their slow walk in time to the music. David's gaze ranged from side to side as they moved up the aisle, watching as the people seated on the backless benches turned their heads to follow their passage. Happy expressions all, with the exception of one. A young woman with dark hair seemed to glare at Samantha as they moved slowly by. David's eyebrows drew together in a frown. A quick glance at Samantha confirmed that she hadn't noticed the other woman's sour expression. He wanted nothing to spoil this day for his sister. She deserved this happiness after all she had been through.
They reached the front of the church just as the final notes of Lohengrin rang out. The organist gently closed the lid on the music box before moving to one of the front benches.
The black-suited minister smiled at the pair from behind the pulpit. "Who gives this woman?"
David cleared his throat and answered, "I, her brother, do." He started to turn toward his place, but Samantha tightened her grip on his arm, holding him.
She lifted her face to him, and he stooped downward for the fleeting yet heartfelt kiss she planted on his cheek. When he straightened, he returned her loving smile with one of his own and made his way to his seat.
He sat straight on the bench, pressing his knees together and holding his hands in his lap, his gaze resting on Samantha. As happy as he was for his sister and as much as he admired and respected her Adam, this day was proving more difficult for him than he had imagined it would.
David and Samantha had been separated for seven years—seven lonely, difficult years for both of them. Four months ago they'd been reunited, thanks to Adam and the Klaassen family, and for David they had been the happiest four months of his life. He knew Samantha was marrying a fine man with a fine family—there were no regrets concerning her choice—but it was hard to see her become a wife and belong to another so soon after they had rediscovered each other.
The young woman seated at his right quietly reached over to give his hand a brief squeeze. He glanced at her, and her reassuring smile brought a lift to his heart. David was glad for the presence of Adam's sister beside him. Josie was Samantha's age and had become a dear friend to Samantha. Although David didn't know her well, Samantha often talked of Josie's sensitive, caring spirit. He managed to give her a grateful look before both of them turned their attention back to the front of the church.
The minister challenged Adam and Samantha on the seriousness of the commitment they were making to one another, read some Scripture passages of instruction on holy matrimony, and now the two were ready to speak their vows.
David watched Adam's sincere and caring expression as he spoke directly to Samantha, "I, Adam, take thee, Samantha, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward; to love, honor, and cherish...." The words seemed to float around David's head, and he fought the urge to weep.
Samantha's face glowed with intense happiness, and David felt a lump in his throat. She'd known way too little of joy before Adam came into her life. David was so thankful for the course that had finally brought his little sister to Mountain Lake, and so sorry for his own inability to find and rescue her himself. His emotions nearly strangled him as the two of them faced each other.
David took a deep breath and listened to Samantha's voice, soft and expressive, as she delivered the vows that would bind her to Adam forever. "I, Samantha, take thee, Adam, to be my wedded husband...."
Samantha hadn't even let him bring up those awful years in Wisconsin with their drunkard father. "He's gone now, David," she had told him, "and we don't need to concern ourselves with the past any longer. Seeing you again, being with you here in Minnesota, has healed those memories, and you should not concern yourself any longer with what you might or might not have been able to do."
David noticed the expression in Adam's eyes as he held Samantha's hands and gazed at her while she recited her vows. David had no doubt that Samantha was loved by Adam and would be tenderly cared for by him. Tenderness is what Samantha needed. If he'd made the choice, he couldn't have found a more perfect mate for her. The thoughts were reassuring, and the smile he gave his sister as she turned with her husband to face the congregation was nearly as joyful as theirs.
After the announcement of "Mr. and Mrs. Adam Klaassen" to the congregation and their first public kiss, the newlyweds shared a hug, with Adam laughingly sweeping Samantha clear off her feet. But after he set her back down on the wooden floor, Samantha ran straight to David, throwing her arms around his neck to hug him.
David felt warm tears against his neck, and he pulled away to look into her face. "Hey, what's with the waterworks?"
Samantha laughed through her tears, wiping at them with shaking fingers. "They're happy tears, David, every one of them. My heart's just so full I can't contain all of it!"
David held her against his chest, fighting tears himself. He rocked his sister back and forth, pressing his cheek against her hair. "Always be this happy, Sammy. For me?"
Samantha leaned back to smile up at him. "For us both."
David nodded and released her to join her husband and greet the waiting crowd. Adam's family, by turn, embraced her, welcoming her officially into their fold. David stood off to the side, watching, battling his own mixed emotions. A hand tugged at his sleeve. He looked down to find Josie at his side.
"Adam will take good care of her for you, David." Josie's brown eyes held understanding and sympathy.
David swallowed and gained control before answering. "I know, Josie. I know Adam loves her—and she loves him. I know she'll be fine. It's just ..."
Josie patted his arm, then clasped her hands together. "You feel as if you're losing her."
David nodded.
"But you know," she continued, "you're not letting her go forever. She and Adam will be right here in Mountain Lake, and so will you. You'll see her often, still be involved in her life. Samantha wouldn't have it any other way. She's worried about losing you, afraid you'll go back to Minneapolis now that she's married, instead of staying on with Uncle Hiram at the mercantile."
"She is?" David was rather startled at this news.
"Mm-hm." Josie went on in an earnest tone, "David, don't feel abandoned. Samantha will always have room in her life for you."
How on earth could such a young woman, barely more than a girl, possess such insight? That's exactly how he was feeling—abandoned. Foolish? Yes, but the truth. He stared at Josie in amazement. "Thank you, Josie. I needed to hear that," he finally managed.
"Come on," she said. "Let's chase the buggy, and shower them with good turkey red wheat kernels!"
David joined the other happy celebrants in sending the wedding couple away on the road to their new life together. When Adam and Samantha disappeared around the bend in the road, everyone returned to the church to continue the celebration. Women had brought double-decker rolls called zweiback, preserves, cold meats, pickles, and assorted baked sweets for a light supper.
David filled his plate like everyone else and seated himself at a makeshift table in the sunny church yard. Weddings were cause for merry making, and the whole town had turned out to wish Adam and Samantha well. Adam's extended family—his parents, uncle and aunt, grandparents, all eight brothers and sisters, as well as the siblings' spouses and children—were all in attendance. They filled one plank table, plus most of another.
Although Josie had invited him to sit with the Klaassens, he got separated in the confusion and sat instead with a group of chatting townsfolk. Across and slightly kitty-corner from him was the dark-haired girl he'd noticed earlier in the church. What was her name? He frowned and tried shake it loose from his memory. Oh, yes, Priscilla, Priscilla Koehn, the only daughter of John and Millie Koehn. He'd heard rumors that Samantha had suffered some intimidation from that spoiled young lady.
David watched Priscilla out of the corner of his eye as he ate his meal. She was undeniably one of the most attractive women he had ever seen. Long, curling black lashes surrounded bright blue eyes, topped by arched brows that made a perfect frame. Her bowed lips were soft rose with a full lower lip, and her complexion retained its milky white color thanks to a wide-brimmed straw hat trailing an abundance of pink satin ribbon. Her glossy black hair fell in lovely waves down her slender back. Yes, she was definitely pretty.
Too bad she knows it so well. David watched her flirt expertly with a handsome young man on her left, who responded with equal proficiency. David knew who he was—Lucas Stoesz, the younger brother of Jake Stoesz who'd married Adam's sister Liz. Jake was a good, solid man. David had found little of the wholesomeness Jake possessed in young Lucas, who struck David as cocky and full of himself. No doubt a good match for the haughty Miss Koehn. He went back to eating.
"Mr. O'Brien?" he heard a feminine voice call from the other end of the table.
David lifted his head to see a coquettish smirk from none other than the subject of his observations. "Yes? Miss Koehn, isn't it?" He couldn't help but be pleased with his dispassionate tone and mock uncertainty.
The girl batted her eyelashes with practiced ease. "I wanted to say I thought it was a lovely service. Samantha was so pretty. And I'm sure you're just thrilled that she's managed to land the most handsome—as well as one of the wealthiest—bachelors in town!"
The hairs on the back of David's neck prickled. How dare she insinuate his sister was a gold-digger? "I can't be more delighted that Samantha is happy and married to the man she loves. That's all I could want for her."
Priscilla laughed—a laughter that held little gaiety—then pulled her face into a little pout. "Oh, my, I've managed to put my foot in it again." She rested her forearms on the edge of the white tablecloth and crossed her wrists. "Mr. O'Brien, I meant no offense. Now, it's no secret that I did fancy Adam. He is, as I said, quite a catch! But I wish Adam and Samantha nothing but the best." Tipping her head, she fluttered those long eyelashes again, the bright blue eyes wide and teasing.
David resisted rolling his eyes. "I'm sure you do, Miss Koehn."
"Oh, please, call me Priscilla." Her lips curled into a beguiling smile. "'Miss Koehn' sounds so stilted and formal."
David glanced down at his now-empty plate. He stood, nodding in Priscilla's direction. "Please excuse me, Miss Koehn. I'll be joining the Klaassens now. Have a good day. Good-bye, Lucas."
* * *
Priscilla watched in disbelief and annoyance as David O'Brien turned his back and walked over to seat himself beside Liz and Jake. He'd dismissed her! Just who did he think he was, marching off as if she was a nobody? Narrowing her eyes, she jerked around, quivering with indignation.
Lucas bumped her arm with his elbow. "Well, well, whaddaya know," he said with a smirk. "There's one man immune to your fatal charms."
"Oh, shut up!" Priscilla muttered and jumped up from the table. She stormed away, leaving her half-filled plate behind for someone else to carry to the washtub. Sending a murderous glare in David's direction, she silently vowed to get even. Priscilla would not be one-upped by anybody. Even someone as good looking as David O'Brien!
CHAPTER 2Mama, will you please hurry?" Priscilla shot a glance over her shoulder. "The store will close before we get there at this rate!"
Mama puffed along behind, her heels tap-tapping on the boardwalk. "I don't know why we can't just go to Hiebert & Balzer's, Priscilla. It's closer to home, and they have ready-made. No waiting for an order from the catalog."
Priscilla whirled around and stopped in the middle of the walkway. "I already told you," she said, gesturing with her hands. "I've seen their ready-mades, and I don't like any of them as much as the one in the catalog."
Mama's shoulders heaved with her sigh, and she pressed one palm to her breast and fanned herself with the other. "Why in the name of all things sainted do you need a new dress anyway? You've got three new dresses from last spring hanging in your wardrobe, and they're all perfectly fine."
Priscilla let out a little grumble of annoyance. Why must Mama be so stubborn? Hadn't Daddy already told them both that Priscilla could order a new dress? Whatever Daddy said was the order of the day, and that was that. Mama knew that as well as Priscilla. Tossing her curls over her shoulder, Priscilla spun back and hurried on, determined to complete her errand.
Mama followed, murmuring under her breath, but Priscilla ignored the disgruntled complaints. Mama's opinion didn't matter. Priscilla couldn't help her smirk, remembering Daddy's response to Mama's claims about a new dress. His chiding voice echoed in her mind. "Now, Millie, I see nothing wrong with Prissy picking out a new dress. After all, it is spring! A new season, a new wardrobe ... Plus her graduation is coming. Take her down and let her choose a pretty dress from the Sears, Roebuck catalog."
Priscilla had wrapped her arms around her father's neck and squealed, "Oh, thank you, Daddy! You're the sweetest, most wonderful daddy in the whole wide world!" And he'd responded with a fond chuckle and a teasing, "Oh, get on with you, you little imp."
As the only daughter following the four Koehn sons, Priscilla had been pampered and cosseted by her father since birth. Although stern with her brothers, Daddy never used any kind of discipline on her. She supposed there were many who considered her a spoiled brat, but what did she care? As long as she got what she wanted, nothing else mattered.
Priscilla stepped daintily over the threshold of the Family Mercantile. She had given the screen door an extra hard push so the little bell hanging above the door jangled wildly. Mama stepped in behind her and moved directly to the counter, but Priscilla paused in the middle of the floor and glanced around the store. Where was David? Ah, there in the corner, stacking work boots on shelves. She stared at his back, willing him to turn around and look at her. But he kept working. With a little toss of her head, she joined Mama at the counter.
The proprietor's buxom wife, Hulda Klaassen, bustled from a door at the back, tugging at her apron. "Why, good morning, Millie! What can I help you with today?"
(Continues...)
Excerpted from A Heart Surrenders by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Copyright © 2004 Kim Vogel Sawyer. Excerpted by permission of Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
