Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series (38 page)

“Whoa! Everything all right?”

“We’re fine. Just stay in your seat. No worries,” he said, keeping his voice steady and firm. If only he could rein in his thoughts as easily as his plane. Giving her a smile, he winked.

“Thank you for one of the most thrilling rides of my life.” Sam helped her down from the plane a few minutes later and then drew her into his arms.

“You’re welcome. I love your enthusiasm, as always.”

She appeared somewhat contrite and flattened her palms against his chest. “Sam, I owe you an apology. I had no right to accuse you of being afraid. I’m sorry.”

“No, you were right. Maybe afraid isn’t the right word, but it was more like I didn’t trust in my own abilities. My confidence was shaken, and I doubted myself. I can do all things—”

“Through Him who strengthens you.”

Pulling him toward her, Sarah gave him the kind of kiss he’d been thinking of all day. The kind of kiss he’d be dreaming of for a long time. He loved that she took the initiative as often as he did.

“Marry me, Sarah.”

She giggled. “You’ve already asked me that, silly man.”

“I don’t want the most beautiful girl in the world to forget it, either. I’m going to keep asking you right up until the day.” He kissed her cheek. “We have a date to get hitched in Rockbridge Community Church at eleven in the morning on Christmas Eve.”

“I don’t think you need to be worried.” She gave him another long kiss he’d never forget. “It’s a date, Captain.”

♥

On December 24, 1962, eight months after his return stateside, U.S. Air Force Captain Samuel Joseph Lewis married Sarah Jane Jordan in Rockbridge Community Church. Pastor McDonald performed the ceremony. Tess and Debbie served as Sarah’s attendants, and Charlie and his father stood with Sam. At Sarah’s request, Sam wore his Air Force dress uniform. Sarah wore a simple, white silk organza, off-the-shoulder, scooped neck gown with a short veil edged in Belgian lace, and she carried a bouquet of red, white and pink roses.

After a lunch and reception at Quentin’s with their close friends and family, Sam and Sarah drove out of Rockbridge—tin cans tied to the bumper and
Austin or Bust—Newlyweds on Board
written on the back window of Volvo.

♥

After entering The Driskill Hotel a couple of hours later, Sarah twirled in a slow circle. “This is so beautiful!”

Sam moved his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I’ve never stayed overnight, but I had a meeting here in the hotel a few years ago, before I went overseas. The plaque on the wall outside said it was built in the 1880s by a cattle baron.”

“That’s right, Mr. Lewis.” A bellman pulled a cart behind them with their bags. “Colonel Jesse Driskill. The hotel has a rich history.” Pride infused the older man’s voice.

Sarah stared in wonder at the magnificent, lavishly decorated Christmas tree. Garlands of holiday greenery adorned with red bows draped the elegant grand staircase, and tiny white lights twinkled from the mezzanine balcony and at various points around the perimeter of the massive lobby in the historic downtown building.

A woman played “O Holy Night” on a harp in one corner as Sarah’s steps echoed on the beautiful inlaid marble and tile floor. Her gaze traveled upward to a colorful, stained-glass light fixture, quite possibly a Tiffany, hanging from the ceiling near the Christmas tree.

Sam took her hand as they walked together toward the front desk. As the bellman directed them to the bank of elevators a few minutes later, Sarah noticed a group of children lining up on the staircase.

“Are the children going to sing now?” she asked the bellman.

“Yes, Mrs. Lewis. We can wait, if you’d like to hear them.”

“I’d like that.”
Mrs. Lewis.
She loved the name, loved the man more.

Sam stepped behind her, wrapping her in his arms. “You didn’t ask your husband if he could wait,” he whispered, his voice teasing as he pressed his warm lips to her temple.

Turning her head and lifting her chin, Sarah met his waiting lips in a kiss. “Not long, my love. Humor me, please.”

“Not a problem, but if they sing more than three songs, I’m carrying you upstairs myself. All five flights.” Sam chuckled, but then he quieted as the children began to sing “Silent Night.”

Allowing the words of the old hymn to flow over her, Sarah closed her eyes and breathed a prayer of thanks.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. For coming to earth as a tiny baby, for living as a man and walking among us, for dying on the cross to save us from our sins, and for life eternal.

“Amen,” Sam said. Scary how often the man could read her mind. In this case, however, it was more than nice. He tightened his hold on her, and Sarah swayed in his arms as they listened to the sweet voices of the youngsters.

♥

The Next Morning

The Yellow Rose Suite, The Driskill Hotel

After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast in the dining alcove of their fifth floor honeymoon suite, Sam carried his wife back toward the bedroom. This morning, his gaze barely registered the marble entryway, floor-to-ceiling windows, crown moldings, hardwood floors, and inviting décor in rich shades of gold, ivory, brown and yellow. Sarah had taken an excruciating amount of time yesterday, running around and checking out all the antique furniture, tapestries and the fanciest bathroom he’d ever seen.

He’d enjoyed her enthusiasm, especially when she’d finally moved into the bedroom with the huge poster bed and discovered a single, long-stemmed yellow rose resting on the overstuffed pillows. Dropping into a chair, Sam listened with an amused smile to her chatter, partly due to nerves, he suspected. When she seemed to run out of things to say, he’d risen to his feet and pulled her into his arms. The things they’d whispered, the things they’d shared during the rest of the night, he’d treasure in his heart for the rest of his life.

God, you are so good to me. Thank you for the gift of this woman.

Sarah sighed as he lowered her onto the bed. “I’m going to hold you to the promise that I’ll finish nursing school, no matter what comes. And lots of foot massages.”

“I want that for you, too, and I always keep my promises. I have a Christmas gift for you.” She watched as he walked to his suitcase and pulled out a festively wrapped, square package. Crawling onto the bed beside her, Sam held it out to her. “For my beautiful wife.”

Her pleasure of seeing the wrapped gift, not knowing what the box held, made Sam smile. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction. “Go ahead. Open it.”

“Let me open the card first.” Carefully sliding her finger along the edge of the envelope, Sarah lifted the flap and pulled it out. She scanned the printed sentiment and then gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you.”

Within seconds, Sarah stared at the book in her hands with obvious astonishment. “Sam, is this what I think it is?” Moving one hand over her heart, her gorgeous brown eyes were wide as she stared at him.

“If you think it’s a first edition of
To Kill A Mockingbird
, signed by Harper Lee, you’re right. The movie’s out now, by the way, and I’m going to take you this week. I hear it’s pretty good, and from all reports, Gregory Peck does a great job in the role of Atticus.”

“I can hardly wait.” Sarah reverently thumbed through the book, and then clasped it to her chest. “I’ll treasure this gift always, especially because it means so much in terms of our own story.” She picked up the elaborate bookmark he’d nestled inside the book. “For my special Tomboy. Love, Captain Lewis.”

A tear slipped down Sarah’s cheek. “This is the most beautiful gift anyone’s ever given me. Thank you. That seems so inadequate, and I feel horrible that I don’t even have a gift for you. Forgive me. I promise I’ll make it up to you. We can pick out something in the next few days.”

Sam absorbed the moisture from her tear with his thumb. “Sarah, don’t you know? You’ve already given me the most precious gift in the world.”

“I have?”

“Yes,” he said, running his finger down the length of her cheek. “You.”

Putting the book on the bedside table, he cradled her close and enjoyed the benefits afforded a married man as he caressed his wife and murmured how beautiful she was. Nuzzling her, he realized the scruff from his morning beard must be rough on her tender skin. “Shall I go shave? Brush my teeth?”

“Later.” Smiling, Sarah loosened her robe and then opened her arms to him. “Welcome home, Captain Lewis.”

Resting in one another’s arms later in the morning, Sam felt her smile, heard her satisfied sigh. “What are you thinking?”

“About our children.”

“Tell me.”

“Don’t ask me why, but I believe our firstborn will be a son. He’ll be tall and strong, a man of God, just like his handsome daddy.”

“Lord, help him.” He chuckled and nestled her closer, loving her warmth, her softness.

“Oh, He will. Maybe we’ll have more than one son, and at least one daughter.” Tracing her finger in a light, circular pattern on his chest, Sarah leaned her head on his shoulder.

“How many children are we talking?” He buried his lips in her sweet-scented hair.

“At least one of each or whatever the Lord decides is best for us.” She propped herself on one elbow. “We’re going to have a great life together. You can’t begin to know how much I love you.”

“I have a pretty good idea.” He’d found his home in this woman’s arms. Drawing her to him, Sam lowered his lips to hers. “Thank you for the honor of loving you.”

♥

April 24, 1966

Sarah held her newborn son in her arms, her heart close to overflowing. After laboring for close to twelve hours, she kissed her firstborn’s soft, smooth cheek and marveled over his handsome features, so like his father’s.

Lord, you are so gracious to us. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,” she whispered. “The fruit of the womb is a reward, like the arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” In a world full of unrest—President Kennedy had been assassinated the year after she and Sam married, and now ground troops were being sent to fight the war in Vietnam—Sarah held her son close, cherishing him as a precious promise from a loving heavenly Father.

Her handsome husband walked into the room with a bright smile. “I just talked with Tess. They’re planning to come next weekend.”

Sarah laughed quietly. “I’m sure Charlie would like Tess to catch the baby bug while she’s here.”

“Give them time. They’ve only been married a year.” Sam carefully lowered himself to the bed beside her in the Houston hospital where she’d given birth a few hours before. A sister hospital to the one where she’d worked since finishing her nursing degree earlier than expected.

“We have more important things to discuss.” When Sam gazed at his son, love filled Sarah’s soul for both of them. “What shall we name this little guy?”

“No question in my mind,” Sarah said, caressing the side of Sam’s jaw with one hand. He looked tired, but it was the best kind of tired. “Samuel Joseph Lewis,
Jr.
”

Slipping off the bed, Sam held out his arms. “May I?”

“Time to go see your daddy.” Sarah kissed the baby’s head and transferred the sleeping child to him. Sam cradled the child’s head with one large hand. Her husband looked so at home and natural in his new role as papa.

“You’re going to be a great father, my love.”

“Because he’ll have the best mother in the world in you, sweet Sarah. Thank you for this gift. I’m sorry it was so long for you, baby, but you did great. I’m in awe.” Being mindful of his son, Sam planted a kiss on her forehead.

“Already forgotten,” Sarah said. Not really, but she’d recover soon enough. Their son was robust and healthy—uncommonly long and with a terrific head of thick, dark hair—and that’s all that mattered.

“I’m glad I didn’t faint this time. I hope we can do this again a few more times in the future.” He caught her look and chuckled. “Not anytime soon.”

Sarah shook her head with an amused smile. Leave it to a man to discuss the next child mere hours after delivery. “For now, let’s enjoy this time with the three of us. Get used to being parents.”

“Agreed. I look forward to the journey.” Sam inspected his son’s fingers and toes—and everything else—for at least the tenth time.

“He’s real, I assure you.” She watched as Sam traced his finger over the baby’s cheek. “I hope he has your blue eyes and those irresistible smile lines. A dash of your sense of humor, your compassion, and strong faith.”

“What a miracle he is.” Holding the baby close, Sam smoothed his hand over his son’s dark head. His expression was filled with wonder, his sigh full of contentment. “What a handsome boy you are.” With a quiet chuckle, he kissed the top of Sam Jr.’s head.

“Sam,” he said, his gaze drinking in the sight of his child, “I promise to raise you in the grace and love of our heavenly Father. It’s my prayer you’ll grow to love the Lord as much as your mother and I do, and that one day you’ll raise your own family of children who love the Lord to carry on the Lewis legacy of faith. Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Already missing her son, Sarah reached for him.

“Time to go back to your mama now.” With a gentle smile, Sam lowered the baby into her arms.

“Faith, family and love.” Opening the top of her hospital gown, Sarah prepared to nurse her son. “We’ll be just fine.”

Sam sank onto the bed beside her. “I hope those things will define the Lewis family legacy.”

“Amen,” Sarah echoed.

After a few moments, the baby began to nurse. Taking Sam’s hand, Sarah laced her fingers with his. “This is the anniversary of the day you came back home to Rockbridge.” He ran his thumb over her hand while she supported Sam, Jr. with her other arm.

“God’s providence.” Sam’s smile lines charmed her all over again, the same as they had from the moment she first laid eyes on him, the same as they always would.

“I’m so thankful you came home, Captain,” Sarah whispered.

“For a lifetime, Mrs. Lewis.”

THE END

♥