After Ever After

By Anna Huckabee

Continue the story that began in Door of Hope (Book 2 of the Lincoln Square Series)

Richard knew he’d met the future Mrs. Warren the moment he laid eyes on Susan Terrell the first day of 10th grade. They marry straight out of college, dreaming of their ‘happily ever after.’

When Richard’s company lands a huge contract, Susan feels neglected—and runs right into the arms of the man who organized the contract, Mark Tripton. Now Richard must choose: stay with Susan and have the specter of her unfaithfulness hanging over them or leave and abandon the only woman he’s ever loved.

Will Susan ever leave Mark and fully invest in her marriage? Will Richard be able to show his wife the love of Christ in spite of her unfaithfulness?

Will Richard and Susan ever find their way back to ‘happily ever after’?

• Language: English
• Publisher: TouchPoint Press
• Release date: Jul 26, 2021
• ISBN: 1952816696

Book preview

Prologue

Once upon a time . . .

. . . and they all lived happily ever after.

All the stories of our childhood begin and end with those compelling words. Yet real life is never that simple. It can’t be broken down into neat little packages of beginning and ending. After the happily ever after, the story continues. We must face and overcome new challenges, make difficult decisions, live regular, boring life, day in and day out.

Chapter One

Visiting hours will be over in five minutes, the nurse said as she slipped the clipboard with Susan’s medical records into the holder by the door and left.

Richard looked at his sleeping wife. He held her hand in his own, careful not to touch the bruised or bandaged places. He didn’t want to contribute to her pain. His eyes traced every injury he could see—the swollen eyes, cracked lip, split cheek, the large lump on her head that showed through her blood-matted hair. He saw the bone in her arm that rested at an odd angle and wondered if it was an old wound that hadn’t been treated, or if the doctor needed to set her arm and they were waiting for her to stabilize.

Then there were the internal injuries. The brain bleed and broken ribs. The bruising on her kidneys that had shown up on the MRI. Richard’s heart constricted in agony for his wife’s pain. What kind of a monster would treat another human being like this?

Susan’s eyes began to twitch behind her lids. She groaned around the breathing tube in her throat, and her head thrashed back and forth. Her fingers twitched where Richard touched them, and he yanked his hand back, fearful he’d hurt her. Her feet and legs jerked.

Richard dove for the call button and pressed it at the same time as a monitor in the room blared an alarm. The nurse flew through the door, followed by a doctor and two more nurses.

She’s seizing, the nurse said. Mr. Warren, I’m afraid you need to leave now so we can work.

Richard stumbled back from the bed and out the door. He stood in the hall and watched them through the window as they labored over his wife’s broken body.

Oh, God, please save her. I love her so much. You love her so much. Let me have another chance to show her. Richard choked on the words, unaware he had spoken them aloud.

An aide touched his shoulder, and Richard nearly jumped out of his skin. He swiped at the tears on his cheeks.

You need to go home. Visiting hours are over.

I can’t leave her like this, Richard said, his voice hoarse from the tears. I have to know if she’s okay when I leave.

Okay. Go to the waiting room. I’ll let you know as soon as she’s stable.

Richard hastily retreated before the aide changed his mind.

Richard paced the waiting room floor. He stared blank-eyed at the news report blaring from the one TV in the room, making it impossible to hear if footsteps approached in the hall. He finally turned the TV off and picked a magazine out of the rack. After reading the same sentence three times without comprehension, he gave up and closed the magazine.

Seemingly endless minutes passed before the aide entered the room. Richard searched the man’s face for any indication of the news he brought.

She’s okay—for now.

Richard dropped into the nearest chair. He sucked in a huge breath. Had he been holding his breath for the last hour? He felt like it. Now he gasped for air as relief flooded him.

You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see her again, the aid continued. I recommend you go home and try to clean up. Get something to eat. Try to sleep. The hospital will call you if there is any change.

I could sleep here in the waiting room, Richard said. Then I’d be here if anything happened.

Compassion filled the aide’s eyes. Mr. Warren, there is absolutely nothing you can do for your wife at this point. Exhausting yourself during the wait will only make it harder on you and won’t help her.

Richard raked a hand over his face. It scraped on the stubble covering his chin and cheeks. I won’t be able to sleep at home.

I understand that. But you’ll be able to take care of yourself, so you can take care of your wife when she wakes up.

Richard didn’t want to hear those words, but he nodded and moved toward the door.

The aide rested his hand on Richard’s shoulder as he walked past. We’re doing everything we can for her. I promise we’ll take good care of her.

Richard closed his eyes. When he opened them, he met the other man’s gaze. Maybe you’ll take better care of her than I was able to. He rushed from the room and out to the parking garage.

He made it inside the car and slammed the door shut before all the emotions of the day exploded from him. Anger, fear, hopelessness, helplessness. He roared into the silence of the enclosed space. He pounded the steering wheel. Hot, angry tears streaked down his face.

The unexpected blare of the horn when he hit the steering wheel again brought Richard to his senses. He was breathing hard. He took several calming breaths and closed his eyes.

Peace filled him more and more with each breath. With the peace came hope. She’d be okay. She had to be okay.

Richard pulled his wallet from his back pocket and took out a picture he’d carried with him for years. He and Susan were seniors in high school. They’d been dating for most of the school year. The picture had been taken a couple of weeks before graduation. Susan’s arms were around his neck, and Richard’s arms were around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder. He rested his on her hair. Her soft, silky hair. They were in love. Richard touched the picture and then bowed his head.

Father God, you gave her to me once, long ago. Your gift to me. Will you give her to me again? I trust you to take care of her.

Richard leaned his head back on the headrest. Their future was uncertain. He didn’t know how long it would take Susan to recover or if she ever would. Richard longed for a new beginning between them, and for her to love him as much as he loved her. But only time would tell if that dream would ever become a reality.

But maybe we should start at the beginning. Once upon a time . . . .

Chapter Two

Richard had never seen anyone as beautiful as the new girl at school. Her long, thick, honey-brown hair fell in waves over her shoulder. She swung it around to her back and Richard could see her face. The bright blue scarf tied in her hair emphasized her brilliant blue eyes. Richard had never noticed the color of a girl’s eyes before.

Her gaze met Richard’s. Those blue eyes smiled at him, and she waved. His mouth got dry; his feet rooted to the spot. He tried to lift his hand and return the wave, but it refused to move. Another girl brushed past Richard’s shoulder and the girl with the beautiful eyes followed her progress. Their excited exchange reached Richard’s ears. His heart sank with disappointment. She wasn’t waving at him at all. The new girl shifted her books to her hip and walked to class with her friend as the first bell rang.

Richard heaved a dejected sigh. He was in love. He’d heard of love at first sight. Yep, that’s what this was. He didn’t even know her name, but he was sure he’d just met the future Mrs. Richard Warren on the first day of 10th grade.

She’s pretty cute, huh? Richard’s best friend, Scott, opened the locker next to Richard’s. She’s new.

Richard stared at the girl’s retreating back. Of course she’s new. We know every sophomore, but I’ve never seen her before.

That’s Susan Terrell, Scott continued. He rummaged around in his locker before finding the book he wanted. First day of school and my locker is already a mess.

She’s Susan Terrell . . . Richard repeated slowly. Don’t leave me in suspense here. How did you know that?

She went to middle school with my brother. He’s friends with Susan’s brother, Walter, so I’ve seen her around. Maybe my brother can introduce you. Scott elbowed his friend with a grin and started for class.

Richard turned beet red to the roots of his hair. Nah, I’ll introduce myself.

Richard still hadn’t figured out a way to introduce himself to the woman of his dreams by Friday assembly. A couple times he saw her sitting alone at lunch and headed over to talk to her, but one of her friends always got there first. How she managed to have so many friends in such a short time boggled Richard’s mind. Another time she exited the bus right after he arrived at school on his bike. She hurried into school and had disappeared by the time Richard locked his bike and got inside.

Richard tried to figure out how to talk to this gorgeous girl all the way through the assembly. He barely heard the principal give the announcements.

. . . have organized a homecoming dance for the first weekend of October. The principal’s sonorous voice broke through Richard’s daydreams.

Richard glanced at Susan. She giggled and whispered to her friends. At this rate, some other guy would get there first, and she’d become the future Mrs. Somebody Else. He frowned. How was he going to ask her to the dance when he couldn’t even get up the nerve to talk to her?

I could introduce you, you know, Scott hissed.

Richard glared at his friend. I need to do this myself.

As it turned out, a rainstorm changed the course of Richard’s life forever. Or maybe it was because his teacher kept him after class. Or it could have been his tutoring assignment. Richard was never sure who got the credit.

He never forgot that hot, humid, miserable Friday afternoon. Ceiling fans stirred the air in classrooms but did little to actually cool them. Waves of heat shimmered off the pavement. Students and teachers alike stared out the open windows, all longing for a breeze. Richard could almost hear the entire school sigh with relief when, during the final period, the wind picked up and brought with it the smell of rain. Thunder echoed in the distance as the clouds piled on top of each other, dark, gray-blue, and ominous. The final bell rang as the clouds obscured the sun. Richard raced to pack his books into his bag and leave as soon as he could, dreading a wet ride home on his bike.

Mr. Warren, Mr. Foster, the math teacher, called as the students stood, as one, to rush home before the rain began. Please remain after class. You volunteered for the after-school math tutoring. I need to give you your assignment.

Richard sank back onto his seat with a quiet groan and waited until the classroom had emptied to approach Mr. Foster’s desk.

Thank you for volunteering to help tutor freshmen, Mr. Foster began. Your math grades more than qualify you to do so. He handed Richard a paper with a student’s name and information on it. You’ll need to get in touch with Walter Terrell and arrange a time to meet with him. I’ve given you his phone number and address.

Walter Terrell. Susan’s brother?

Yes, sir. Richard’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat and tried again. Yes, sir.

Mr. Foster regarded the young man for a moment, eyebrow raised. Is something wrong, Mr. Warren?

Richard met his teacher’s eyes. No, sir. I’m happy to help. He tried to keep his excitement to the grin he directed at his teacher. No jumping or whooping. He had Susan’s phone number. Not that he’d be able to call her directly. But maybe she’d answer when he called Walter. Richard could only hope.

I’ll see you Monday. Mr. Foster sat down and pulled a stack of papers forward.

The halls had cleared in record time. Here and there a student slammed a locker or hurried past Richard to catch the buses as they pulled away from the school. Richard was still grinning when he walked out the school door and headed for his bike. Lightning struck a tree across the road, accompanied by a clap of thunder so loud Richard jumped.

The rain cut loose in torrents. It came down so hard, he couldn’t see the other side of the road in front of the school. Richard scrambled back up the steps and into the building to wait out the worst of it.

Did I miss the last bus? came a female voice from behind Richard.

Yeah, and it’s raining pretty hard, too. You’ll want to wait until it lets up. Richard turned toward the speaker and came face to face with the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. The future Mrs. Warren. Susan Terrell.

Hi, I’m Susan, she said, fluttering her eyelashes at Richard. Her smile did odd things to his stomach.

I’m Richard, he said, and his voice cracked again.

Susan didn’t seem to notice. Did you miss the bus, too?

Nah, I just don’t feel like riding home in this downpour. Richard pointed to his bike still locked to the bike rack outside the school.

Susan laughed, a light, tinkling sound. I guess not! You’d be soaked before you got it unlocked. She flipped her hair over her shoulder as she stared at the storm. Richard’s stomach flipped along with her hair.

Say, he managed to rasp, I was wondering if you were going with anyone to the homecoming dance in October.

Some of the girls and I were going to attend together. Why?

Richard cleared his throat and willed himself to speak in a normal tone. Would you come with me to the dance?

Susan wrinkled her nose. Richard’s heart sank.

I barely know you. I mean, we just met. Could we hang out together another time and I’ll let you know?

Sure. Maybe we can eat lunch together Monday.

I’d like that.

They both stared out the window at the pouring rain.

How are you getting home? Richard asked, wondering the same about himself.

I’ll walk. It isn’t that far.

Could I walk you home? I might even be able to give you a ride on my bike.

Susan tinkled a laugh again. We’d wreck for sure. But, why not? Is it out of your way?

Richard shrugged. I’ve got the bike. Even if it’s out of the way, it won’t take me that much longer to get home.

The worst of the storm had passed. The rain had slowed to a drizzle. They stood at the door a few minutes longer.

I’ve got an umbrella. I could hold it over us while you ride, Susan suggested.

Richard looked at Susan in her cute pedal pushers and white socks. You’ll get all muddy. We can wait a few more minutes.

Susan pouted. What’s wrong? Are you afraid of a little rain?

Of course not. Was she trying to goad him into leaving now? Richard wished he knew more about women. I don’t want you to get muddy.

Come on. It’s almost stopped. I’ll keep us dry with my umbrella. She pulled the umbrella from her bag, ran out the door, and opened it.

The rain had slowed, but it was still raining harder than he would have liked. He headed out after Susan anyway.

She settled on his handlebars and held the open umbrella over their heads. Richard’s back was soaked, but it didn’t feel bad after such a hot day. As soon as they reached her house, she hopped off the bike and ran to the front steps.

See you Monday! she called and disappeared inside.

That’s when Richard discovered the flaw in their plan. Susan had taken the umbrella with her.

The steady drizzle soaked Richard through his clothes and sloshed in his shoes. He hardly noticed. He’d finally met the future Mrs. Warren and asked her to the dance.

Susan’s mom insisted she couldn’t date until she was seventeen. No dances, no parties. Nothing. They hung out together while he tutored her brother. He saw her at church.

She went to the dance with her friends. They spent most of the evening standing around the side of the dance floor giggling. Richard danced with her a couple times.

Richard took Susan on their first date to the junior/senior spring fling the Friday after her seventeenth birthday. That night, when he walked her to her door to drop her off, he kissed her. She blushed but didn’t stop him. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. That first kiss was everything Richard had ever dreamed it would be, and more.

A month before graduation, Scott and Richard took their girlfriends canoeing with their church youth group. They meandered down the slow-moving stream that hot Saturday afternoon, only stopping for a picnic. The girls stretched out to tan in the warm sunshine, while the boys tossed a frisbee back and forth. The lengthening shadows warned them they should start home.

Everyone get together for a picture. Scott held up the camera his grandparents had given him for a graduation present.

Richard, Susan, and Lisa, Scott’s girlfriend, leaned together for the picture. Scott stretched his arm as far as it would go, guessing the angle that would include the four of them.

Have Richard get one of us together, Lisa suggested.

Scott showed Richard how to work the camera. He settled next