RED LETTER DAY

RED LETTER DAY
Saturday, March 21, 2020 by PAT JEANNE DAVIS

Categories: Friday's Fiction

PLEASE WELCOME

PAT JEANNE DAVIS

A SPECIAL EDITION OF FICTION FUN

ENJOY PAT’S ORIGINAL SHORT STORY

A RED LETTER DAY

A SPECIAL RERUN

Each year that flew by, Debbie fell more deeply in love with Charlie. They’d been married twenty-three years, but never had a real honeymoon. Charlie promised Debbie they would go as soon as they could afford one. She knew her husband had good intentions.

As the size of their family grew, a honeymoon seemed unlikely. Vacations were wonderful—and they had plenty of those with their four children—still, it was difficult to be romantic with toddlers underfoot. Debbie never abandoned her dream of one with Charlie—just the two of them.

When the twins left home for Temple University, Debbie knew her dream could finally become a reality. She collected and pored over glossy brochures, eager to plan a romantic get-away.

“To think we’ve waited all this time,” Charlie said, surfing the web, looking for the ideal spot. “How does this sound? Two all-inclusive weeks at a resort. Nothing to do but soak up the sun and be together.”

“I thought it would never happen,” Debbie agreed. “Let’s go right away.”

“I have another idea. Why don’t we wait until our wedding anniversary?” His arms draped

around her shoulders, and his eyes gazed into hers. “That’ll make it even more special.”

Debbie leaned forward and kissed him. What was a few months more?

She smiled as her husband drew a large red circle around October 10 on the calendar. A red-letter day. She could hardly contain her excitement.

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

“It’ll be worth the wait.” He gave a low chuckle. “Just you see, sweetheart.” He kissed the back of her neck. “We’ll have the best honeymoon ever.”

A week passed, Debbie was sure she couldn’t put it off any longer. When Charlie came home from work, she pulled him over to his favorite chair and made him sit.

She placed her hand over his. “I need to tell you something.”

Charlie sat upright. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry, but we may have to cancel our honeymoon.”

He caressed her arm. “What is it? Are you okay? Are the kids?”

Debbie nodded, then walked to the window and looked at the buds forming on the trees. “It’s nothing like that.” She took a deep breath, praying that he’d take the news well. “I don’t know how to tell you this.”

Charlie jumped up from his seat. “Tell me what?”

She turned to face him. “We’re going to be parents once more.”

His eyes widened. “B—but you’re. . . That incredible.”

Debbie choked and her pulse quickened. What if he wasn’t happy?

Her worries vanished in a second. He swept her up in his arms and danced her around the room. “I’m going to be a dad again. I can hardly believe it.”

Debbie gazed into his blue eyes, sparkling with tears. “Neither can I.”

“Are you sure you’re not upset.” He frowned. “I know how much you’ve been looking forward to just the two of us and a real honeymoon at last.”

She rested her head on his chest. “Of course not. Ever since the boys left for college, the house has been too quiet.”

“I miss the noise the children made too. It’ll be wonderful with a baby in the house again.” Debbie laughed. “We’re obviously not meant to have a honeymoon.”

He held her at arms’ length. “Why not?”

“Well, we have a baby to get ready for.”

“Not so fast.” He pulled her back into his arms. “Just yesterday I spotted another terrific spot while online.”

He led her to the computer. “It’s last minute. What do you say? This might be our last chance.”

Debbie reached up and placed her arms around his neck. “Why not?”

“I’ll book it now.”

She watched as he entered their information into the computer.

Then Charlie pushed back his chair from the keyboard and drew her into his lap. “Soon we’ll be sunning ourselves on the beach.” He brushed a soft kiss on her cheek.

Debbie studied his handsome face with the irresistible laugh lines at the corner of his eyes. “As long as we’re together.” She ran her fingers through his light brown hair. “You’re really happy about the baby, aren’t you?”

“You bet.” He grabbed the red pen from the desk drawer, marched over to the calendar hanging on the wall, and drew a large circle around May 30. He grinned at her. “Might as well cross out October tenth.”

As he turned the calendar pages, Debbie took his arm. “You haven’t asked when the baby is due.”

He rubbed his chin and a ghost of a smile swept over his face. “Not October tenth—our anniversary!”

Debbie met his gaze and winked. “A red-letter day after all.”

ABOUT PAT JEANNE DAVIS

PAT JEANNE DAVIS has a keen interest in 20th Century United States and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Her longtime interest in that era goes back to the real-life stories she heard about family members who served during the war. When Valleys Bloom Again is a debut inspirational romance set in WWII. She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and traveling with her British-born husband. She writes from her home n Philadelphia, Pa. Pat has published essays, short stories and articles online and in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at https://www.patjeannedavis.com

READ a Q&A with Pat in the March 2020 Issue of Family Fiction Magazine

https://www.familyfiction.com/historical-romance-qa-pat-jeanne-davis-valleys-bloom/

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Website: https://www.patjeannedavis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.j.davis.7

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patjeannedavis/

ABOUT PAT JEANNE’S BOOK

WHEN VALLEYS BLOOM AGAIN

When Valleys Bloom Again

A Wartime Romance Set On Two Continents

After fleeing impending war in England, nineteen-year-old Abby Stapleton works to correct her stammer and to become a teacher in America, only to discover this conflict has no boundaries and that a rejected suitor is intent on destroying her name, fiancé, and fragile faith.

As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

BUY LINKS

https://www.amazon.com/Valleys-Bloom-Again-Jeanne-Davis/dp/1948888920/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=154

Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-valleys-bloom-again-pat-jeanne-davis/1130351044?ean=9781948888912

Christian Books: https://familyfiction.christianbook.com/when-valleys-bloom-again/9781948888929/pd/888932?event=ESRCG

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