COME HOME

Everly gazed over the horizon; the mountains stretched out before her. Thunder snorted and lifted his head from the grass. He must sense that she was restless. 

“It’s okay, bud.” She leaned down and patted his flank. “We’ll head back soon.” Truth be told, she wasn’t very thrilled with the idea of going back; if she did, she’d have to face both her family and Blane’s family.

She missed Blane; he’d been gone for almost a year. They’d gotten engaged, then he’d been deployed; she loved that he was willing to serve their country, but she wanted him back. Letters and phone calls were not nearly as good as seeing him face-to-face. 

A bark in the distance caught her out of her daydreaming. What was Lupin doing out? Everly directed Thunder toward the sound. 

Then a loud POP sounded. 

Lupin barked again, Thunder snorted, and Everly’s eyes narrowed. She knew who that was. 

“Boys!” Her voice was sharper than she had intended. 

Sure enough, two heads popped up from the tall grass. 

“Afternoon, Everly.” Chett, Blane’s little brother, smiled. He scrambled to his feet and put his hands in his pockets. 

Man, did he look like his brother. Everly’s chest tightened. She knew Blane would come home, but seeing his family got harder every time. But she needed to deal with the boys right now. 

“Chett, Allen, what are you doing firing firecrackers in the field?” She looked hard at Allen, her brother, “You both know better.” 

Allen bit his lip sheepishly, “Dad said we had to go away from the house and barns. This was the closest field.” 

Ahhh, so he was going to play smart. “Dad also has told you not to set off firecrackers by any of the horses.” She sat up in the saddle, “Last I checked, Thunder was a horse.” She tossed her long blonde braid over her shoulder. 

A look that could possibly be remorse flashed across Chett’s face. “I’m sorry, Everly. I’m a twelve-year-old boy who should have known better.” He kicked a clump of dirt. “It was stupid.” 

“Yeah, I’m sorry too.” Allen swallowed, “It was real dumb.” 

Had they been trying to scare Thunder? She didn’t want to think that they’d do something like that; she’d always been taught to think the best of people. Biting her lip, she asked, “What was dumb?” 

“Umm.” The boys glanced at each other. Chett spoke first, “We thought you were far enough away. We didn’t want you to git hurt, honest.” He shifted his stance.

“Oh.” So they had done something dumb, but it wasn’t malicious.

Allen coughed, “Oh yeah,” He whacked his forehead, “Dad wanted me to ask you to come back to the house, he needs help setting up the fireworks.” 

Setting up the fireworks. That was always something Dad and Blane had done. Tears threatened to fill her eyes. She nodded, “I’ll head back.” She turned Thunder toward the barn. 

“Everly, wait,” Chett called out. 

She glanced over her shoulder, “Yeah?” Everly’s brow furrowed. What was wrong? 

“I really am sorry.”

Her heart softened, “I forgive you, bud. Just listen to my dad next time.” She nudged Thunder into a gallop. 

She met her dad on the hill where they always set up the fireworks. The memory of the year before exploded in her head like one of Allen’s firecrackers. 

It was a special day; the Fourth was always a big day for the LaRain family. They were proud Americans, and they loved their country. 

Faith, family, freedom, and love. That was her dad’s motto. 

Blane had proposed last Fourth. It had been the most romantic thing. He’d dropped down on his knee as they walked back to the fire. It was right as the last of the fireworks sent the last of their colorful sparks across the sky. 

When she’d said yes, he’d grinned so wide, Everly thought he’d never stop smiling. But then he’d been deployed, their smiles had turned to tears. 

She missed Blane. 

“What’s wrong Ev?” Dad tilted his hat back to look at her; concern flickered in the depths of his eyes. He held his arms out, and Everly slid off her horse. 

“Blane.” She hated to sound like a lovesick girl who was pining away. But honestly, she was in love, and she was kind of pining. She knew she needed to trust God to protect Blane, but it hurt to let go. 

“I know that you miss him,” Dad seemed to be weighing his next words. “I know that you know that you need to trust the Lord.” 

Everly bit her lip and nodded. 

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” He gave a half smile. “You’ve loved him for a long time, you got engaged knowing what you were getting into. When you get hitched, this could be your life; he’ll be gone. Marriage isn’t going to be only sunshine and roses.” 

Everly knew this; her mom had told her many times, but hearing it from her dad somehow made it feel more real. 

 “You love Blane, and he loves you, but love is messy. You’ll hurt each other, sometimes without even realizing it.” Dad pulled her into a hug. “Ev, you’re a smart girl, but if you only remember one thing from this conversation, remember this: love Jesus more than Blane. If you do, then your love for Blane will be all the more evident. You’re light, and love will shine. I’ll tell him this too, but ultimately it’s up to you to do it.” He patted her back and stepped away. 

Everly was stunned; this wasn’t the marriage advice she’d expected. But deep down, it all made sense.

 If Jesus was the center of every relationship, then there was only more room for love. Loving Jesus opened the ability to love. 

“Thanks, Dad.” Everly wiped her eyes, “That was just what I needed to hear.” She let out a chuckle, “All I need now is for him to come home, so we can get hitched.” 

“Well, Miss Mary did say that they’d heard that Blane was coming back soon,” Dad said it as if he was talking about the weather. But the twinkle in his eye told her he knew how thrilled she’d be. 

Blane was coming home? “Really?” Everly breathed the word, “Are you sure?” She suddenly had the urge to run down and ask Miss Mary and Mr. Tate herself, as Blane’s parents, they’d naturally be the first to know. 

“Yep.” 

Everly turned to Thunder. She had to get going! 

Blane would be home soon; her deepest dream was coming true. 

“Hold up, Missy.” Dad took her arm, “Runnin’ back ain’t bringin him home faster, and I still need help with these fireworks.” 

Disappointment flickered, but she knew that he was right; Blane wouldn’t want her to run from her work. 

And so she helped her dad set up the fireworks.

“Dad,” Everly said as they finished up. “Blane and I were talking the other day, planning the wedding and all, and we were wondering if we could use the barn.” She figured her dad would say yes, but it was best to ask just in case. She really hoped he’d say yes. Ever since she was little, she’d wanted to get married in a barn. 

“Of course, Ev, your mom and I were hoping you’d ask.” He winked, “Your mom started planning it as soon as Blane asked me if he could marry you.” 

Everly felt a smile spreading over her face. Some girls might have been mad if a guy asked their dad for permission to marry her, but to Everly, it showed a true sign of being a man. And she’d always promised herself that she’d never marry a guy her dad didn’t approve of. He had a good sense of character, and he was the man who’d looked after her for 19 years. 

She also could have been upset about her mom helping plan, but Everly couldn’t do it without her. Her mom had always played a huge part in her life. Everly loved her parents and always wanted them to be in her life. 

“Thanks, Dad,” she leaned over and hugged him tight. “Love ya.” 

“Love ya too.” He patted her shoulder, “Now run off and talk to your future in-laws.” 

Everly was in no position to argue. She mounted Thunder and thundered down the hill. 

The kids were all playing in the yard, all Blane’s siblings and her own were good friends. The LaRain and Elwood families had been friends for a long time, even before Blane and Everly fell in love. 

“Ev!” Draya, Blane’s littlest sister, ran over to her and wrapped her arms around Everly’s waist. 

“Draya,” Everly picked the five-year-old up, “How are you today?” 

“It’s ‘Merica’s birthday!” The brown eyes of the pixie sparkled, “Mama said that there’d be fireworks.” 

“I know,” Everly tapped the girl’s nose, “I helped set up the fireworks” 

“Blane usually did that, right?” Draya bit her lip, “I miss him.” 

Evelry felt the all too familiar tug at her heart, “I miss him too.” She hugged the girl, kissing Draya’s silky hair. 

Draya pushed back, “Mama said he’s serving our country, he’s defendin’ our freedoms. But he’ll be coming back soon, though.” 

Blane was protecting their freedom. Soldiers sacrificed a lot; they served people, many of whom didn’t appreciate it. They went away from safety, they left their family and friends. The Fourth was a day when Americans celebrated their freedom; the responsibility for freedom to continue to ring fell upon every American. 

“Can I go play now?” Draya’s voice knocked Everly from her thoughts. 

“Hmmm.” Everly leaned down and set the girl down, “Have fun.” 

The rest of the afternoon passed smoothly; they’d had burgers and a variety of other foods. Dad and Mr. Tate had gone to set off the fireworks. 

Everly stood back, watching the people on the picnic blanket, her family and in-laws-to-be chatting together; she felt safer with these people than with anyone else; she loved them so much it hurt. 

When the first firework shot into the sky, a cheer rose from the small crowd. 

Something tapped Everly’s shoulder. She turned ever so slightly and was face-to-face with Blane Elwood. 

Her heart stopped.

“Blane?” Tears of joy pricked her eyes. 

‘Ev.” A smile spread over his face, “Miss me?” 

“You know it.” She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. “I love you, Blane.” 

“Love you too.” Blane pressed a long kiss to her cheek. 

Everly felt that all was right in the world. 

Blane was home, God was good.

^^^ yesss I made them a wedding inviteeeeeee!!! I just love them so much 💕

All photos in collages from the internet, credit to owners.