OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Hearts of the Untamed West", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
“Caleb, the baby’s coming!” Abigail’s voice rang out, breathless and filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Caleb, who had been out in the barn repairing a loose board, dropped his tools immediately. His heart raced as he sprinted towards the house, Ripper at his heels. The past year had been a whirlwind of blessings, challenges, and growth, and now, they were about to welcome the newest addition to their little family.
He found Abigail standing by the kitchen table, one hand on her rounded belly and the other gripping the edge of the table. Her face was flushed, a sheen of perspiration on her forehead, but her eyes sparkled with determination.
“Abigail,” Caleb said softly, reaching her side and placing a gentle hand on her back. “Let’s get you to bed. You’re going to be just fine.”
She nodded, leaning into him as he guided her towards their room. The small cabin they had shared since their marriage was warm and cozy, the scent of fresh bread still lingering in the air from the morning’s baking. Caleb had been preparing for this moment for weeks, ensuring everything was ready for their child’s arrival.
As Abigail lay back on the bed, she gripped Caleb’s hand tightly. “It’s time, Caleb. Our little one is finally coming.”
He nodded, his heart swelling with love and anticipation. “I’ll stay right here with you, darlin’. We’ll do this together.”
Hours passed, filled with the rhythm of Abigail’s labored breathing and Caleb’s whispered prayers. The midwife, Mrs. Carter, arrived just as the sun began to set, her presence a comforting reassurance. She moved with practiced ease, helping Abigail through each contraction, offering words of encouragement.
Caleb felt helpless at times, watching Abigail endure the pain, but he never let go of her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a steady rhythm. He prayed silently, asking God for strength for Abigail and safety for their child.
Finally, as the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky, a new sound filled the room—the unmistakable cry of a newborn. Caleb’s breath caught in his throat as he looked down at the tiny, wriggling bundle Mrs. Carter held in her hands.
“It’s a girl,” Mrs. Carter announced with a wide smile, wrapping the baby in a soft blanket before placing her gently in Abigail’s arms.
Abigail’s tears of relief and joy mingled as she gazed down at their daughter. “She’s perfect, Caleb,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Caleb’s heart nearly burst as he looked at the tiny face, pink and scrunched, her small fists waving in the air. “She’s more than perfect,” he agreed, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s a miracle.”
They sat together, the three of them, bathed in the soft glow of the lantern light. Caleb kissed Abigail’s forehead, then the top of their daughter’s head, overwhelmed with gratitude.
“What should we name her?” Abigail asked, looking up at him.
Caleb thought for a moment, then smiled. “How about Grace? Because that’s what she is—a gift of grace from God.”
Abigail nodded, tears spilling over her cheeks again. “Grace. It’s perfect.”
And so, as the night settled around their cabin, Caleb and Abigail held their daughter close, knowing their lives had just been forever changed by this tiny, perfect gift.
*
The following months passed in a blur of new experiences and quiet joy. Caleb and Abigail’s days were filled with the soft coos and tiny cries of baby Grace, her presence bringing a new kind of light into their lives. The love that had always bound them together seemed to grow with every passing day, deepening in ways Caleb had never imagined possible.
It wasn’t long before Caleb found himself out in the yard, planning the expansion of their home. The small cabin that had served them well was starting to feel a bit too snug with a baby in the mix. Abigail had mentioned wanting a room for Grace and another for guests, perhaps even a small space for her botany work. Caleb was more than eager to oblige, especially as the town had become more accepting of them.
With hammer in hand, Caleb stood alongside Anthony, who had eagerly volunteered to help with the construction. The two men worked together, their efforts focused on adding a new wing to the house. The sounds of their work mingled with the gentle breeze that carried the scent of pine and the distant calls of birds.
“Seems like you’ve got quite the project here, Caleb,” Anthony remarked as he hoisted a beam into place. “A bigger house for a bigger family, eh?”
Caleb grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. “That’s the plan. Abigail’s already talking about planting a bigger garden next spring, too. Can’t say I mind, though. It feels good to be building something for our future.”
Anthony chuckled, nodding in agreement. “You’ve done well, my friend. It’s good to see folks in town coming around, too. I noticed how Mrs. Higginbotham was smiling when she saw you and Abigail in church last Sunday.”
Caleb’s grin widened at that. It had been a long road to acceptance, but things were changing. Slowly but surely, the town had started to embrace Caleb and Abigail as part of their community. The whispers had faded, replaced by nods of acknowledgment and even friendly conversations. Caleb no longer felt the weight of judgment when he walked down the street, and for that, he was deeply grateful.
As they continued working, Abigail appeared on the porch, baby Grace nestled in her arms. She watched them with a smile, her heart swelling with pride at the sight of her husband and their dear friend working side by side. Caleb glanced over and caught her eye, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of her.
“Everything alright, darlin’?” he called out, pausing in his work to admire the two most important people in his life.
Abigail nodded, her smile growing. “We’re just fine. Grace and I wanted to see how the work was coming along.”
“It’s coming along well,” Caleb replied, setting down his tools to walk over to them. He gently touched Grace’s tiny hand, his expression softening. “Just like everything else around here.”
Abigail leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. “I can hardly believe how much has changed in a year, Caleb. We’ve come so far.”
He wrapped an arm around her, holding her and Grace close. “We have, and we’ll keep going. God’s been good to us, Abigail. This land, this family… it’s more than I ever dreamed of.”
As they stood there, watching the future take shape before their eyes, Caleb felt a profound sense of peace settle over him. This was the life he had always wanted, filled with love, purpose, and a faith that had carried them through every storm. And now, with Abigail and Grace by his side, he knew they were exactly where they were meant to be.
The expansion of their home was just the beginning. The real foundation had been laid in their hearts long before the first nail was driven, and it was on that foundation that they would continue to build their lives—secure in their family, their faith, and the love that had brought them this far.
*
It was a crisp autumn morning when the letter arrived. Abigail stood at the edge of the porch, baby Grace nestled in her arms as she watched Caleb approach from the fields. The golden leaves fluttered down from the trees, dancing in the breeze, and the smell of the season filled the air with a sense of change and anticipation.
Caleb waved as he neared, a wide smile on his face. “Got a letter for you, Abigail,” he called out, holding up the envelope.
Abigail’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized the familiar handwriting. She took the letter from Caleb’s outstretched hand, her fingers trembling slightly. It had been months since the last one, and she knew what this could mean.
“It’s from my parents,” she murmured, glancing up at Caleb with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.
He nodded, his expression warm and encouraging. “Open it, darlin’. Let’s see what they have to say.”
With a deep breath, Abigail carefully tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter. As she read, her eyes widened, and a smile slowly spread across her face. She looked up at Caleb, her heart swelling with joy.
“They’re coming,” she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. “They’re finally coming to visit.”
Caleb’s eyes lit up with happiness, and he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “That’s wonderful news, Abigail. I know how much this means to you.”
Abigail nodded, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. “They’ve been writing to me more often lately, and I could tell their hearts were softening. But I never imagined they would actually make the journey out here.”
Caleb leaned down to kiss her forehead, his voice gentle. “God works in mysterious ways. Maybe they’ve finally realized what they were missing.”
As they stood there, holding each other close, the weight of the past seemed to lift from Abigail’s shoulders. The pain of leaving her parents behind, the fear that they would never understand her choices—it all began to fade away in the light of this new hope.
“We need to prepare,” she said, her mind already racing with thoughts of their visit. “I want everything to be perfect for when they arrive.”
“We will,” Caleb assured her, his voice steady and calm. “But remember, they’re coming to see you and Grace, not just the house or the land. They’re coming because they want to be a part of your life again.”
Abigail looked down at Grace, who was now gurgling happily in her arms, and she felt a surge of gratitude. “You’re right, Caleb. I’ve prayed for this moment for so long, and now that it’s here, I just want to show them the life we’ve built together.”
“And you will,” Caleb said, his hand resting on her back as they turned to walk inside. “We’ll show them how happy we are, how blessed we’ve been. And I’m sure they’ll see the love that’s carried us through everything.”
The days that followed were filled with a flurry of activity. Abigail busied herself with preparations, ensuring the house was ready for her parents’ arrival. She wanted them to see the warmth and love that filled every corner of their home, to experience the peace that she and Caleb had found in their life together.
As the day of their arrival drew closer, Abigail found herself both nervous and excited. She had written countless letters to them, describing her life, her marriage, and the joy that Grace had brought into their world. But now, they would see it all for themselves.
When the day finally arrived, Caleb stood by her side as they watched the carriage approach down the dusty road. Abigail’s heart pounded in her chest, her hands gripping Caleb’s arm for support.
“They’re here,” she whispered, a mixture of emotions swirling within her.
Caleb squeezed her hand gently. “No matter what happens, Abigail, we’re in this together. They’ll see how much you’re loved, and how strong you’ve become.”
The carriage came to a stop in front of the house, and as the door opened, Abigail saw her parents step out. They looked older than she remembered, but there was a softness in their expressions that she hadn’t seen before.
“Mother, Father,” she called out, her voice trembling slightly as she took a step forward.
Her mother’s eyes filled with tears as she rushed forward, enveloping Abigail in a warm embrace. “Oh, Abigail,” she whispered, holding her daughter tightly. “It’s so good to see you.”
Her father stood a little behind, his eyes misty as he took in the sight of his daughter and granddaughter. “Abigail,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. “You look so happy.”
Abigail nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held Grace up for them to see. “This is your granddaughter, Grace.”
As her parents reached out to hold the baby, their faces filled with awe and wonder, Abigail felt a deep sense of peace settle over her. The past was behind them now, and with Caleb by her side, she knew that the future held nothing but promise.
For the first time in a long while, Abigail felt like everything was truly as it should be.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Hearts of the Untamed West", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
Hello my dears, I hope you enjoyed the book and the Extended Epilogue! I will be waiting for your comments here. Thank you 🙂
I’ve read some good books but this one is tops them all. Great story and love their show of faith. I’m going to start another one of your books.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the story and the faith elements. I hope you enjoy the next one just as much! 😊
I loved this book and the extended epilogue. Can’t wait to read more of your books.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book and the epilogue. I can’t wait for you to read more of my stories either!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters Abigail and Caleb. She fell in love with the man behind the scars his heart and kindness. I’m so happy that Caleb found love with Abigail. I also enjoyed the extended episode and how her family finally came to see her and her baby and husband and how happy Abigail was.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I’m so glad you connected with Abigail and Caleb’s journey and that the extended episode brought you joy. Your kind words truly mean a lot!
Another great book written by a kind and gracious author. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support—it truly means a lot to me!
I truly loved this.
I’m very happy you did, Sandy! Thank you for reaching out!
I really loved this book! It wasn’t too dramatic a great love story!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It means a lot to hear that the balance of love and emotion resonated with you. 😊
What a wonderful story of faith, love & resilience ! It makes me ponder on my own life & my own faith! Thank you Ms Clemens!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words! I’m so glad the story resonated with you and sparked reflection. Faith and love truly have a powerful way of connecting us all. It means a lot that you took the time to share your thoughts! 😊
Thank you for such a beautiful love story. It’s wonderful that with God everything can be overcome. It was so heart warming to read how Abigail and Caleb healed and completed each other. I’m going to be reading the rest of your books.
You’re so welcome, Bonny! I’m glad you enjoyed Abigail and Caleb’s story. I’m sure you’ll love the rest of the books too! Happy reading!
A very interesting story and intense with the kidnapping and cyotes. A tender love story. It was hard to put down. It was good that it rained each day so I could read without stopping too much. You are a good writer. I like using my imagination as I read. Many times I could imagine what you would say a.nd I was correct most of the time. We think alike. Thank you for all your books.. All very interesting.
What a lovely message—thank you! I’m so glad the story kept you hooked (and that the rain helped too!). It’s amazing to hear that we think alike; I love knowing you could anticipate what was coming. That connection means so much to me. Your support truly encourages me to keep writing! 💛📚
I enjoyed the book very much with her getting caught by him for his nasty ways. I was glad he saved her a second time and I enjoyed the EE.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story—and that twist with him catching her! It means a lot that the extended epilogue left you satisfied too. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts! 💛
Super story as usual
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it—your support always means a lot! 😊
We never see ourselves as others see us, beauty is only skin deep! Great story I really enjoyed it love is a flower it can grow anywhere. Thanks cowboy.
What a beautiful way to put it—love truly can bloom in the most unexpected places. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story, and thank you, partner, for riding along with me! 🤠🌸
I love your stories. You make it look so easy to give us what is pleasing our hearts. I loved Abigail and Caleb’s characters. It teaches us to truly trust in our God. I hope you keep writing more and more, reaching others who need the hope for our lives. Thank you and God bless you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m deeply touched that Abigail and Caleb’s story spoke to your heart. Your encouragement means the world to me—God bless you!