Love Inspired August 2014 – Bundle 1 of 2 by Allie Pleiter and Jessica Keller Ruth Logan Herne Read Free Book Online

just think hard this time. He’d pray. Something
     as important as Liv’s happiness deserved God on their side.
    He’d been a churchgoer for a long time. But the past few years he’d felt as if he
     was just going through the motions. As if maybe he didn’t really belong.
    He’d wondered if others felt like that, but it wasn’t something he talked about. But
     the other night, when Ethan talked about redeeming love and God’s sacrificial nature,
     the young pastor’s words hit home.
    Jack wanted redeeming love. He didn’t know if he could fix things with Livvie, but
     he knew that just making things better would benefit both of them. Heal them. And
     Jesus was a healer, so the mathematics of the situation should work.
    Redeeming love, simple yet powerful. He longed for that. Needed it. And he wanted
     to be the kind of gentle, loving person that deserved it. Starting now.
    * * *
    “Nice flowers, honey.”
    Liv heard the amusement in her mother’s voice and faced her as she gave the arrangement
     a much-needed drink. “Thanks. They’ve been through a troubling experience tonight,
     but I think they’ll perk up by morning.”
    “There’s an analogy for you.”
    “Me and the flowers?” Liv made a face but couldn’t refute her mother’s logic. “True
     enough. What time are you guys pulling out on Saturday?”
    “Around five. I’ll try not to wake you.”
    “Well, I told Jack I’d ride to Three Forks for the horse auction, so I’ll be up early
     anyway. Thanks for the obvious nudge, by the way.”
    “You’re welcome.” Her mother shrugged and grinned. “You’re helping him with the game—”
    “And he’s giving me info about the old-time baseball history of Jasper Gulch,” Liv
     inserted. “All business, Mom.”
    “Mmm-hmm.” Jane flicked the flowers a glance. “A private evening planning session,
     flowers and a date. Is that the way business is done these days, dear?”
    “Small-town business, yes. If we met in town, every tongue would be wagging. Half
     the town has us married already, because how on earth can two single people not end
     up together when fate and time thrust them into the same hometown?”
    “Memories go back a ways. And folks liked seeing you as a couple. But you’re right,
     that was a long time ago and a lot has changed. And you tried a long-distance relationship
     with Jack once and it didn’t work. If you get a job in one of the cities, that would
     be rough on both of you. Of course, you could stay here,” her mother added as she
     hugged Liv good-night. “I won’t deny that I love having you home. But I also know
     that jobs are scarce and you need to make a living, so I won’t pester you about it.”
    “Any more than you already have.” Liv lifted the vase and turned to carry it up the
     stairs. “Me and my flowers are going to bed. I’m going to practice getting up early
     the next couple of days so I don’t mess up Saturday morning. It would be just like
     me to hit the snooze alarm and wake up to Jack pounding on the door, ready to hit
     the trail.”
    Jane’s expression said she approved of the practice mornings. While she’d said nothing
     the past week, Liv had noted the concern on her mother’s face the longer Liv stayed
     in bed each day. Seeing that worry made her want more jump in her step, but coming
     back to Jasper Gulch held up a dulled mirror image. No job, no marriage, no family.
    In baseball talk, three strikes was an out. But seeing Jack after all this time? Working
     with him?
    That made her feel as if she was back at home plate, bat in hand, a new opportunity
     waiting. Silly, yes. But it didn’t feel silly, it felt real and good and wholesome.
    One bouquet of wildflowers and you’re jumping into the batter’s box again? Have you
     learned nothing from your past experiences?
    Liv cringed as she set the flowers onto a small plate, protecting the oil finish on
     the antique dresser. Maybe she should exercise more