A Rush of Wings (41 page)
“Let us in, Dad; it's cold out here.”
The rest of the family swarmed as Hank admitted them. Though Morgan stood back, she caught his wry smile. What would he say or think? He must know he'd been part of it.
“Mom, Dad, everybody . . . my wife, Noelle St. Claire Spencer.”
“Your wife!” Tara shrieked. “And we
missed
the wedding?”
Rick pinched her nose, then jutted his chin at Morgan. “I wasn't sure you'd still be here.”
Morgan reached through and took Noelle's hand. “And miss kissing the bride?” He pulled her close and kissed her squarely on the mouth.
“And that's the last time you'll do that.” Rick tugged her back, but his eyes met Morgan's without rancor.
She looked at the two of them, one daring to love her, the other to not. They had been part of her healing from the start, each in his own way. Her heart welled up, then overflowed as she was mobbed with hugs and kisses from the rest. Even Celia's eyes held a warmth she had not seen before.
“Welcome back, Noelle.”
âââ
Two days later, they drove home. The sky hung pregnant with snow over the frozen summits and rocky crags of the canyon. Once again, Noelle went to the mountains, not seeking obscurity this time, but promise. She looked up at the towering crags, stretching their jagged edges to the sky, the pink granite walls beneath the white snow.
Overhead a hawk soared, wings outstretched, floating on the air. Its shadow passed over the ground below. She watched it, circling, circling . . . It meant nothing more than it was. Her gaze left it and rested on the summits. “ âI will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.' ”
Smiling, Rick squeezed her hand. “Yep.”
Special thanks to Terri Urban, who invited me to share a room at the Colorado Christian Writer's conference and read the very first copy of this story. Thanks to all those who read and offered critique, who listened to thousands of ideas from small tweaks to major twists.
Special thanks to Sarah Long, Dave Horton, and Carol Johnson, and all the others at Bethany House Publishers who partner with me.
My love and thanks to my family for their support, enthusiasm, and patience, and especially to Jim and Jessie for their invaluable input.
My deepest gratitude to my Savior in whose vineyard I labor.
Kristen Heitzmann
is the bestselling author of over a dozen novels, including
Freefall
,
Halos
,
The Breath of Dawn
, and the Christy Award winner
Secrets
. She and her husband, Jim, and their family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she serves as worship leader in their church.
Visit Kristen's website at
www.kristenheitzmann.com
D
IAMOND
OF
THE
R
OCKIES
The Rose Legacy
Sweet Boundless
The Tender Vine
A Rush of Wings
The Still of Night
The Breath of Dawn
Secrets
Unforgotten
Echoes
Twilight
Halos
Freefall
The Edge of Recall
