Jayden sat on the verandah with his family and Keith, Leah and Troy as the sun set slowly over the valley and the mountains in the distance, filling the sky with a wash of pink and gold. He loved this place, but he was restless. He wanted to return to the city and to University to finish his studies. Now that his headaches had eased and he was walking unaided, the time had come. Dad and Tessa would be reluctant to let him go, but they’d understand. Naomi and Bella would miss him, as he would they, but he’d still see them as often as he could. Troy had settled in well and had become Keith’s shadow. Keith didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he seemed to enjoy having someone to teach, to pass his practical skills onto. And Troy was lapping it up. In fact, he never wanted to leave ‘Misty Morn’.
But for Jayden, a life outside ‘Misty Morn’ was calling. A life with Angie, wherever God wanted them to be. He still wasn’t sure, but an idea had been growing inside him. An idea that filled him with excitement and anticipation, but one he had yet to share with her. It was outside the square. They’d only considered living and working in America or Australia, but there was a whole world out there. They were young. Too young to consider starting a family. They’d both worked hard to achieve their dream careers. Tessa had offered him a job at the vet clinic she was in the process of buying in Maryvale. As tempting as it was, he wasn’t ready to do that. And yes, there’d be a job for Angie at the local Christian school if she wanted it. But it was all too easy.
Before they settled down, they needed adventure and challenge. Time to know each other as husband and wife without their families around them. To learn to rely on God together. Yes, it felt right. As he gazed at the darkening sky, Jayden knew what they should do. They should travel. And then, once they’d travelled, God would show them where He wanted them to settle. He had a plan for their lives, but the first plan was to build their marriage. Their relationship. And Jayden couldn’t wait.
He jumped up. “I need to call Angie.”
“She’ll be asleep, Jayden. Call her in the morning.” Tessa grabbed his arm.
“No, I need to talk to her. She won’t mind. It’s important.”
“Go on, then. Give her our love.”
“I will.”
He hurried into his room, picked up his iPad, and took it outside. As he sat on the cane couch, he steadied himself and took a moment to think. Angie was still with Mum, and despite his assurances to Tessa, she might not appreciate being woken. But surely she wouldn’t mind, especially when he told her what he’d been thinking. They’d been praying about it so much, and this was the answer. He needed to Facetime her.
She answered almost immediately. Her beautiful face filled the screen and warmed his heart. “Hey gorgeous. Sorry for waking you.”
“I wasn’t asleep. I’ve only just finished watching a movie with your mom.”
“Ha! What did you watch?”
“Don’t laugh.”
“I won’t.”
“Okay. We watched Pride and Prejudice.”
He laughed.
“I told you not to laugh…”
“I’m sorry. I just think it’s funny. I can’t imagine Mum watching a movie like that. Or you, for that matter.”
“She enjoyed it, and so did I. We both cried, but it was good. She’s softening, and we’re getting on better than expected. She’s lonely. And she’s missing you.”
“I still can’t believe you and your mum drove that far, but I think it’s great that you did. And I’m glad you’re getting on. I was a little worried.”
“So much prayer has been put into this, we shouldn’t be surprised. She’s a lonely woman looking for love. If my mom and I can show her a little of God’s love, it’s up to Him to do the rest.”
“You’re amazing. But hey, I think I’ve had an answer to prayer. Want to hear it?”
“How can I refuse?” She chuckled.
“You can’t. I’d tell you anyway.”
“Fire away. You’ve got me intrigued.”
“What would you say to a year-long honeymoon?”
She sucked in a breath. “I’d say, are you serious?”
“And I’d say, absolutely! Who says a honeymoon should only be a few weeks?”
“How could we afford to take a whole year?”
“We have money saved. We’ll both be qualified and we can work if we need to. But God will provide. I’m so excited, Ange. I want to spend time with only you. We’ve been apart so long, to spend a whole year together, just the two of us, will be like heaven.”
“Where would we go?”
“Anywhere we want.” A smile grew on his face as he imagined them in Venice taking a gondola ride, in Paris climbing the Eiffel Tower, in India riding elephants, or in Nepal trekking the Himalayas.
Silence.
“Ange. What do you think?”
“Oh Jayden. I’m crying. It’s sounds wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I. Bring it on.”
“Yes. Bring it on!”
The next few months passed quickly. Jayden and Angie spent a lot of time planning their year-long honeymoon as well as their wedding, but still managed to fit in their studies. Jayden moved back to the city, back to Harrison and Zoe’s house, and returned to his church family who were glad to see him fully healed and back to normal. God was indeed faithful.
He often visited Eleanor and Telford, partly because he could always rely on getting a good feed, but partly to play chess with Telford. Telford didn’t know who Jayden was until Eleanor reminded him, but he hadn’t forgotten how to play chess, and it made his day.
Kathryn left Wade and returned to Hunters Hollow with Angie and Beth. She started attending church with them and finally gave up smoking. At one of the women’s Bible studies, she gave her heart to the Lord and never looked back. She got a job at the local store where Jayden used to work and filled the shelves he used to fill. It made her feel closer to him. Occasionally she’d drive out to the house she’d shared with Buck and thank God she and Jayden had survived his terrible treatment of them both. And every now and then she visited the psychiatric hospital where she herself had been a patient and played cards with anyone who wanted a game. Her memories of her time there were sketchy, but everyone needed hope, and she was a living example that they should never give up.
Finally it was time for everyone to travel to Hawaii for Jayden and Angie’s wedding. Family and friends from Hunters Hollow Montana, and Maryvale and Brisbane, Australia, converged on Waikiki in preparation for the much anticipated nuptials of the young couple who hadn’t seen each other in person for almost a year.
Jayden’s family arrived first. The plane carrying Angie’s entire family plus Kathryn was due to arrive an hour later. Jayden couldn’t sit still as he waited to catch sight of his beautiful bride-to-be. He checked the arrivals board every few seconds until it finally said their plane had landed.