Sophie's Heart (72 page)

Alec reached for her hand. “You have, many times over.”

Sophie frowned.

“You have never complained, Sophie, or given me a hard time about not going there. You could have, but didn’t. You’ve never said, ‘In my country, we…’ and gone on like that. You’ve let everything go to be here with us, but I know at times your heart has been divided. Now, although you may long for the sight of Czechoslovakia, you will not long for the grandmother of your heart. It was the least I could do.”

She went into his arms then. Some men did things for their wives, but never said, “I love you.” Others said, “I love you,” but never put actions with their words. Alec Riley did both, and Sophie loved him beyond description.

What a passage it had been! Her grandmother telling her to leave Czechoslovakia. Living in Chicago. Meeting David and Janet. Coming to the living room of this house on Holly Court and seeing the faces of the Riley children. Meeting Gladys. Falling in love with Alec. Watching Mrs. Kent come to Christ and then Mr. Kent a year later. Having babies with Alec. Watching him be a father and provide for and love her with his whole heart. And now her grandmother was just yards away, instead of an ocean.

What a passage it had been, but surely the best was yet to come. Surely God would still guide. It wasn’t every day they had this level of excitement, but then that was all right. They needed the everyday routine, too, the ups and downs, the busy times and the slow. It was all held so closely in the heart of a woman who had simply asked God to show her His way. It was Sophie’s heart, yes, but more importantly, God’s heart. Sophie knew there was no safer place to abide.

About
the Author

L
ORI
W
ICK
is one of the most
versatile Christian fiction writers in the
market today. Her works include
pioneer fiction, a series set in Victorian
England, and contemporary novels.
Lori’s books (more than 4.1 million
copies in print) continue to delight
readers and top the Christian
bestselling fiction list. Lori and
her husband, Bob, live in
Wisconsin with “the three
coolest kids in the
world.”

Books by Lori Wick

A Place Called Home Series
A Place Called Home
A Song for Silas
The Long Road Home
A Gathering of Memories

The Californians
Whatever Tomorrow Brings
As Time Goes By
Sean Donovan
Donovan’s Daughter

Kensington Chronicles
The Hawk and the Jewel
Wings of the Morning
Who Brings Forth the Wind
The Knight and the Dove

Rocky Mountain Memories
Where the Wild Rose Blooms
Whispers of Moonlight
To Know Her by Name
Promise Me Tomorrow

The Yellow Rose Trilogy
Every Little Thing About You
A Texas Sky
City Girl

English Garden Series
The Proposal
The Rescue
The Visitor
The Pursuit

Contemporary Fiction
Bamboo & Lace
Beyond the Picket Fence
(Short Stories)
Pretense
The Princess
Sophie’s Heart