Her Old Kentucky Home Read online

  “No. I forgot and left them here.” She’d found the stack of letters on her bed when she returned home. “Evidently, Sarah put them on my bed.”

  “I think you should read them. Tonight.” Jo-Jo faced her. “I’m praying for clarity for you, Bell.”

  Jo-Jo hugged her and left. Jed was due home any moment from his job at the other horse farm, and no doubt her sister wanted to catch up with him after the day’s work.

  Bella looked over her shoulder at the letters on her bed. She crossed the room and picked up the stack, tapping them against her other hand. Maybe she’d read a few. What could it hurt?

  The first letter had an APO postmark from an October when her father was serving in Kuwait. She opened the envelope and tried to ignore the salutation to her mother. She did look curiously at a coin with Arabic writing on both sides. She skimmed the letter. It was full of news and how much he missed them all. He asked her to send some beef jerky and his favorite brand of bath soap and more razors since their small Post Exchange ran out of those items quickly.

  He told her how much he loved her and that he couldn’t wait to see her again and hold her in his arms. Thankfully, the romantic part of the letter didn’t contain anything more than his proclamations of love and longing.

  Then, his letter’s focus switched to messages for each of the girls.

  Bella had never known that. He’d sent them each a message specifically for them? But then Mom had never opened these letters. Evidently, she had given up on him long before they separated.

  Her message from her father was that he hoped she was working hard in school, and that he couldn’t wait to get a letter from her also. He said he included a coin for her that he picked up while patrolling through one of the local bazaars.

  The letter overall made her smile. The next couple of letters were postmarked the fall of the same year—two in November. Then came a letter postmarked in December.

  She skipped to the part intended for her, still feeling a bit shy about reading what wasn’t meant for her eyes, words that no one else had seen since her father wrote them before tucking the pages into an envelope.

  My sweet Isabella,

  As I look at the big sky here in this desert, I can’t help but wonder about the Magi who probably passed through this very place on their way to see the baby Jesus. I’m not much of a praying man or real religious, but I know there is a God who will show us the way, like He showed the wise men where to find the newborn king.

  After I finish this deployment, I’ll take you fishing. Can’t wait to give you a great big hug, my Tough Cookie, and wish I could hug you this Christmas.

  Bella wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  I know there is a God who will show us the way.

  Even back then, her father who admitted his own shortcomings spiritually, knew God would lead them. Maybe it came too late for her parents’ marriage. Her mother wouldn’t give up her life here to follow the man she loved. It made her sad.

  She set the letter atop the stack. Maybe this letter had remained unread until now for a reason. Bella looked at the postmark. She would’ve been five or six when the letter had been mailed. What child of that age would have understood Tuck’s words?

  As she thought over Tuck’s words to her, she realized what she had known all along: London paled in comparison to a future with David. The plum job in England wasn’t going to bring her the joy she knew was here in Kentucky. Everything she needed was here. Jo-Jo’s words came back to her. Ruminating about the could-haves, should-haves, and would-haves wasn’t productive. It would change nothing.

  Lord, forgive me for doubting David’s love. He has loved me without condition. He showed me he was willing to love me, even at the prospect of losing me. She touched the ring. Whether I stay or go, he loves me. Thank you for the gift of this man in my life. Thank you that I realized this in time before throwing away something beautiful.

  She went to the vanity table and sat, quickly brushing her hair and touching up her makeup. She and David Moore needed to have a very important conversation.

  David filled the horses’ water troughs in the stable since Jed had other chores to finish. He had pitched in so the poor guy could spend a few extra moments with Jo-Jo this evening.

  “Hey there,” Bella said.

  David looked up and smiled at the sight of Bella, her hair falling around her shoulders in soft waves.

  “Hey yourself.” He turned off the water supply. “What brings you out here?”

  “I was looking for you.” She reached out her hand. “Walk me back to the porch?”

  “Sure. This was my last one anyway.”

  The late afternoon twilight lent little warmth to the remains of the day as they held hands. Night would soon fall, and temperatures would drop. They climbed the porch steps where Bella stopped and turned to face him.

  “I wanted to let you know, I received news that my job is definitely eliminated, but there is another position for me—in London.” She fell silent.

  “And?” He couldn’t breathe.

  “I also wanted to let you know, I’m not taking it.”

  Relief washed over him, followed by concern. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know you worked hard to get where you are, and I know you loved that job.”

  Bella shrugged. “It’s okay. I’ll receive a hefty severance package. After the New Year’s holiday, I’ll go back to Chicago with you . . . like we planned.”

  “Good.” He smoothed away a strand of hair that blew across her face.

  She blinked, then licked her lips. “But I wanted to give you an answer to a question you asked the other night. I didn’t want you to wait any longer because that’s not fair. I’m sorry I’ve made you wait this long.”

  He nodded and waited some more. Looking at her serious face, his breath hitched.

  “So, what I’m trying to say is, my answer to your question is yes.”

  “Yes, to what?” Hopeful, but unsure, he put his arms around her.

  Bella tipped her head back to look him in the eyes. “Yes, I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, no matter where we are. If it’s Kentucky, or Chicago, or even Europe someday.”

  Thrilled, he pulled her to him. “You really know how to give a guy a heart attack. I thought—”

  “Don’t think.” Stepping back, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Merry Christmas, David.”

  “Merry Christmas, Bella.”

  “Let’s go tell Jo-Jo. I want her to be the first to know.” She tugged at his hand, grinning as she opened the front door. But he resisted. “What’s wrong?”

  David closed the door. “Nothing. Let’s savor the moment instead.” He pulled his future wife back into his arms for a long embrace full of promise. The temperature outside didn’t seem so chilly after all.

  David pulled back, gazing down into her eyes. “Welcome home, Isabella Tucker.”

  “Home for me will be wherever you are.” With that, she tugged on his hand and led him inside.