Lori Wick Short Stories, Vol. 2: Beyond the Picket Fence

By Lori Wick

Bestselling author Lori Wick's novels have warmed the hearts of millions of fans! Now for the first time ever, Lori's short stories are released to her ebook readers in this new Lori Wick Short Stories collection, with a personal note from Lori after each story.

Volume 2 reveals the blossoming love story of "Beyond the Picket Fence." Dominique "Nikki" Brinks thought moving back to her small hometown would give her more time to write children's books. She didn't expect to find two very special children and their father right next door. As Nikki's sweet spirit brings healing to two little hearts, she discovers the abundant love God has waiting for her beyond the picket fence.

BONUS! Chapter One from the first book in Lori Wick's endearing Rocky Mountain Memories series, Where the Wild Rose Blooms, is included.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
• Release date: Mar 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9780736968416

Lori Wick

Lori Wick is an experienced author who specializes in Christian fiction. With more than five million copies of her books in print, she is as comfortable writing period stories as she is contemporary works. She continuously hits bestseller lists because of her faithful fans. She currently resides with her husband and their family in the Midwest.

Book preview

Publishers

Beyond the Picket Fence

An excellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far above jewels.

Proverbs 31:10

I can’t think why you want to do this, her editor had said, but she wouldn’t listen.

I’ve never liked New York City, she had told him as she continued to pack. And then the house I was raised in, the one in Pine Tree, Vermont, went on the market. I just bought it; we closed the deal this afternoon.

But you don’t even have family left there. The elegantly dressed editor had looked stunned.

That doesn’t matter. It’s a great town with a super church. I’ve made up my mind, Monty, she said, facing him squarely. I’m going to move home and write my books there.

That had been just two short months ago. Now, Dominique J. Brinks, Nikki to nearly everyone, stood looking at her spacious living room, boxes piled everywhere, and wondered at her own sanity. It had sounded so ideal, but the whole point had been to leave the mad rush of New York City behind and have time to write. She wondered if she could even find her computer in all of this. There was a box marked computer, but she had found office supplies inside. In the midst of her tumultuous thoughts, the doorbell rang. Nikki waded her way to the door and found a man from the phone company on the step.

Am I ever glad to see you, she told him as he came across the threshold.

Most people feel that way, he said with a smile. Where do you want me to begin?

Nikki showed him the place in her bedroom upstairs, the area where she wanted a phone in the kitchen, and the spot in the spacious dining room off the kitchen. The house wasn’t huge, but she knew she would spend the majority of her time in those three areas, and it was easier to install three phones than to wander around with a cordless and forget where she last left it.

Since the house had had phone lines before, the man didn’t need much time, and Nikki was thrilled when he handed her the local phone book and her new number. He said he’d already called into the office and everything was working fine. In a burst of pleasure, her hands shaking a little with excitement, Nikki dialed the local library and listened to a recording about its hours. She then tried a few more numbers and went back to her unpacking.

As much as she wanted to get settled in the bedroom and kitchen so she felt really moved in, her feet drove her toward the dining room and her huge task there. She couldn’t stand all the boxes stacked around, so she cleared the room until only the furniture was left.

At that point she began opening the needed boxes in the living room and carrying her things to the dining room. She hung pictures, positioned odds and ends, and each time stood back and smiled at her efforts. She was finally ready for the most important addition and was dragging it carefully from the living room when the front doorbell rang.

Sure that the telephone man had forgotten something, she swung the door wide before realizing who stood before her.

Mother! she cried with joy and threw her arms around an older version of herself. I just tried to call you.

Well, I’m not home, Virginia Warburton told her with a satisfied smile. I’m headed to see my daughter in Vermont.

Oh, Mom. Nikki could have cried but didn’t. Is Tim with you?

He’s here in town but not with me right now. I think he wanted to give us a little time alone.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Well, her mother’s tone became firm. I’m not here for fun. I’m here to help you move in.

Are you really?

Of course. Nearly all your friends from here have moved away, and I knew you’d be on your own.

I won’t turn that offer down. Come and see what I’ve done.

Nikki led the way to the dining room and stood back.

Oh, Nikki, her mother said softly. This is wonderful. You told me you were going to set up your office in here, but I never imagined…

I just have to set up my computer, and I’m ready to go.

Virginia could only stare. Nikki’s desk sat so that her back was to the main wall. To her left were windows and to her right was the door into the hall. The wall in front of her held the door back to the kitchen. Built-in shelves already sported books and writing awards. Nikki had had the covers of all her books framed. They now hung around the room, interspersed with cartoons and family photos. The effect was wonderful: a room not originally intended for anything but dining, but perfect nonetheless.

Virginia took a slow look around, the memories coming back. The nostalgia within these walls was very dear. The dining room had always been the family’s favorite room. The huge bay windows that looked out over the acres of pines drew her close, and for a moment she stood quietly at the glass.

Such memories, Nikki. It’s no wonder you want to work right here.

Remember the Christmas you broke your toe but still insisted on going with us to get the tree?

Her mother chuckled. Yes. I thought I’d die of cold before we found a tree we wanted.

Dad was in a panic, sure that your exposed toe would be frostbitten, and we couldn’t quit laughing.

He wasn’t too happy with us, Virginia agreed, but she couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped her. Dominic Brinks had been dead for more than ten years, but the memory of that day was still strong in their minds.

Well, now, Virginia piped as she turned from the window. I think we’d better get to work. Where do you want to begin?

I think the upstairs. Are you and Tim going to stay here with me?

If you have a place for us to sleep.

In that case, we’d better get started on the bedrooms.

With that, the women were off. The house had been left clean, but the movers had tracked in a certain amount of debris, so they dusted, vacuumed, moved furniture—usually several times—hung pictures, made beds, filled closets, and washed windows. They made themselves stay in a room until it was completely in order. Two of the three upstairs bedrooms were finished, as were both bathrooms, before they allowed themselves to move downstairs to the living room and kitchen.

Hours later, both thinking they could drop with exhaustion,