Jessie , livre ebook

Harvest House Publishers, Inc. - Lori Wick

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158 pages

English

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Jessie is book three in bestselling author Lori Wick's popular new Big Sky Dreams series (more than 215,000 copies sold). Readers will be transported to the vast landscape of Montana Territory in the late 1800s where they meet Jessie Wheeler, whose husband, Seth, abandoned her before their second child was born. As a single mom and the sole proprietor of Token Creek's general store, Jessie lives day to day with her hands full and her heart broken.When Seth suddenly returns to town claiming he's a man changed by faith, Jessie is reluctant to trust him or God with her family's future. But Seth sets out to prove his commitment and his love. This is a timeless story of the transforming power of God's love and forgiveness.

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Publié par	Harvest House Publishers, Inc.
Date de parution	01 septembre 2008
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9780736931106
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0230€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota
JESSIE
Copyright 2008 by Lori Wick Published by Harvest House Publishers Eugene, Oregon 97402 www.harvesthousepublishers.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wick, Lori.
Jessie / Lori Wick.
p. cm.-(Big sky dreams; bk. 3)
ISBN-13: 978-0-7369-2080-3 (pbk.) ISBN-10: 0-7369-2080-3
1. Single mothers-Fiction. 2. Women merchants-Fiction. 3. Runaway husbands-Fiction. 4. Forgiveness-Fiction. 5. Montana-Fiction. I. Title.
PS3573.I237J47 2008 813 .54-dc22
2008026752
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other-except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 / BP-NI / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Rachel-
precious daughter of my heart and gift to my Matt.
Thank you for being you.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Token Creek Townsfolk
Part One
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Part Two
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
About the Author
Books by Lori Wick
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Some books are harder to write than others. Some flow, some pour, and some trickle. As excited as I am about this story and the people in it, this book trickled. At the same time, precious people played a part, all of whom helped me to finish. Indeed, I would not have finished without them. I wish to thank
Tim and Andrea-You literally came in at the eleventh hour. Your words were few but just what I needed. Thanks for listening as I poured my heart out and then saying just what I needed to hear. You are utterly dear to me, and I am so glad God put you in my life.
Ab-What can I say? You are so much more than a daughter. Thank you for finishing strong. The goals you set so many years ago have remained, and I m indescribably proud of your accomplishments. Thanks for battling strong alongside me and reminding me so often of how much the cross is worth.
Matt-Your heart and work ethic are amazing. Thanks for listening with such humility. Having you home for this time is a huge blessing. You are very loved.
Merry-What an amazing friend you are. You don t know how much you encourage me. Thanks for this season of time we ve had together. Thanks for your laughter and precious friendship. You are so very loved and needed.
Pearl-The walks and your listening ear have been amazing. Thank you for your constant hospitality and welcoming heart. You are a treasure to my life.
Bob-Wow. It s been a time. At one point in the story, Seth says he does not want to go back in time and learn things all over again. And so it is with you and me. Thanks for coming the distance with me. Thanks for learning and growing ahead of me and with me. God can do amazing things in a humble heart. Thanks for keeping yours so soft. I love you.
Token Creek Townsfolk
1873
Jessie Wheeler-owns and operates Wheeler s Mercantile
Seth Redding-stranded in Token Creek
Jeb Dorn-Jessie s cousin
Patience Dorn-Jeb s wife
Pastor Larry English-Jeb and Patience s pastor
Brad and Trace Holden-ranch owners who live outside of town
Jeanette Fulbright-Brad and Trace s aunt
Theta Holden-Jeanette s sister and Brad and Trace s ill mother
Becky-lives with and cooks for Jeanette
1884
Nate Kaderly-Token Creek s sheriff
Rylan Jarvik-pastor of the church
Bri and Danny Jarvik-Rylan s wife and son
Cassidy and Joey Holden-Trace s wife and son
Meg, Savanna, and Cathryn Holden-Brad s wife and daughters
Heather Wales-lives with and works for Jeanette Fulbright
Hannah and Clancy Wheeler-Jessie s daughters
From Texas
Eliot McDermott-Seth s brother
Cassy-Eliot s wife
Nate and Lindy-Eliot and Cassy s children
Part One

June 1873
Chapter One
Token Creek, Montana Territory
J ESSIE W HEELER CAME SLOWLY downstairs from her apartment into the mercantile below, the familiar sights and aromas a comfort and a distraction all at the same time. She shifted a stack of heavy cotton pants on a shelf and then fronted a few cans in one aisle before heading to the front counter, behind which sat rows of mailboxes.
Jessie was alone these days. Her father had been gone for more than a year, and her mother had been dead for three. She had grown up in this store so taking over had come naturally, but running it alone, ordering supplies, and keeping the books was sometimes a burden. She could find help for the backbreaking tasks of unloading and loading in the storeroom, and she had a cousin whom she trusted to run the register and help in any way needed, but the decisions were all hers. Some days the responsibility was a weighty one.
A customer was waiting when Jessie opened the store, and that suited her fine. It did no good to think about things that weren t going to change, and she knew getting busy was the best cure.
What can I help you with today, Mrs. Carlisle?
I ve got quite a list, Jessie. I think we ll start with lard and beans.
Will do, Jessie said congenially, doing what she did best, knowing her own store and seeing to customers needs.
Marty Carlisle s husband, Bart, was a rancher outside of Token Creek. Marty didn t get into town very often, and when she did, the list could be significant. Today was no exception. The two worked together for the better part of an hour, putting the order together and then transferring it to Marty s wagon.
Marty paid in cash and also settled the bill for the ranch, always nice for when Jessie needed to order items that had to be paid for in advance. After seeing Marty off, Jessie took a moment to right the register and grab the broom. Someone had come past the front of her store in muddy boots, and the boardwalk out front needed attention.
She swept for a time in peace, heading back inside only when Kaleb Heydorn, the train stationmaster, delivered a small sack of mail. He explained that it had been on the late train the day before. Jessie set to sorting it. She was still in the midst of this when a stranger walked in.
Hello, Jessie greeted.
Good morning, a man said, his voice deep.
Jessie set the mail aside.
Can I help you?
Actually, I was hoping I could help you.
Jessie looked at this tall, self-assured man and waited.
I was hoping the owner might want to hire me, the man continued.
Jessie knew she would do no such thing but asked, Are you new in town?
Just passing through, the man said.
Jessie s brows rose. It wasn t normal for someone looking for a job to admit such a thing.
I woke up when the train stopped here, the stranger went on, and found my money gone from my pocket. I have to find work because I m broke.
Jessie wasn t sure she believed this but asked, Where are you headed?
Texas.
It s early on your journey to be stranded.
My thoughts exactly.
The words were spoken so dryly Jessie smiled. The stranger smiled too, and Jessie had to admit that he was very good-looking.
I m Seth Redding, by the way, he said as he put his hand out.
Jessie Wheeler, she offered, shaking the hand.
Your family owns this store?
Jessie nodded, not willing to admit to this stranger that she was the only Wheeler left.
Do you think your family can use me? Seth tried again.
Do you have any experience in mercantile work?
As a matter of fact, I ve done a little bit of everything. I worked at a general store in Kingdon for about two months.
Jessie nodded and decided to lay her cards on the table.
What guarantee do I have that you won t come in here and steal everything you can lay your hands on?
Seth looked thoughtful for a moment and then lifted the large satchel he was holding and put it on the counter.
This is everything I own in the world. You re welcome to look inside and then put it anywhere you like. I won t leave town without it.
There was no missing the earnestness in his face and voice, but that didn t mean he wasn t acting. Jessie took the liberty of looking inside the satchel and thought that if he was lying, he was very good. She noticed the clothing certainly, but also two family daguerreotypes and some legal documents.
And you re really going to let me tuck this bag away until the end of the day?
Yes, ma am, Seth said. I m broke, and I ll be visiting Token Creek until that changes.
Jessie couldn t help herself. She was drawn to the man and the way he said things. He was also easy to look at, very tall with broad shoulders and wavy, dark hair. His chin looked a bit stubborn, but his gray eyes were warm and friendly.
I don t know if I can use you more than today, the mercantile owner tried next.
Seth shrugged. I ll take any work you can give me.
Jessie nodded and said, That door back there leads to the storeroom. You ll find some crates of canned goods in front of the shelves they go on.
I ll get to it, Seth said and started that way.
Jessie stared after him and knew the exact moment he stopped and looked back at her.
Thank you, he said quietly. He then turned and went through the store, disappearing into the storeroom.
Jessie stood for a moment and thought about the exchange. She dearly hoped she would not regret hiring him and in truth didn t think she would. Just to be sure, however, she did tuck the satchel away in a spot where he wasn t likely to find it.

I made you some dinner, Jessie said several hours later, finding Seth in the storeroom, working on the fifth task she d given him.
Thank you, the man said in genuine